What's next for an energy-efficient thermostat designed by ex-Apple engineers? A limited promotion with a utilities provider to make it even more legit, that's what. Now that Nest has broached online mega-retailer Amazon's virtual shelves, the next stop on its trendy household domination tour's taking it to Reliant, a Texas-based electricity company. Bundled into the utility's "Learn & Conserve" plan, qualifying residents that sign-up for a two-year rate will receive one of the stylish, WiFi-enabled units, making the business of managing their energy settings a stylish and remotely controllable (via Android or iOS app) affair. Of course, you don't need to be a resident of The Lone Star state to call one of these your own -- Best Buy, Apple and Lowe's will also eagerly claim your cash in exchange for this home-monitoring wündergadget.
Tuesday, June 26, 2012
Boingo, Google Offers bring free WiFi to select Manhattan subway stations, let you tweet the heat
By Brian Heater 
posted Jun 25th 2012 3:43PM 
Boingo has surely overestimated New York City's desire to "soa[k] up the warm weather" this summer, but when it comes to complaining about the heat, no one does it like the Big Apple. And now, thanks to the hotspot provider (with some promotional help from the folks at Google Offers), Manhattanites will be able to do just that all over Twitter from the convenience of a handful of subway stations on 14th and 23rd street. The promotion begins today and runs through September 7th. Including the hashtag #FreeNYCWiFi puts you in the running for Boingo rewards. We also recommend #wheresthatdamnEtrain, which will surely be trending for the next few months. For a full list of stations, check out the source link below.
Thursday, June 21, 2012
Augmented reality browser Junaio offers less 'clunky' apps, new API for developers (video)
Metaio adds new look, new feel, new API to junaio, bringing mobile browsing closer to reality
"Life should be as browsable as the web", says metaio
MUNICH / SAN FRANCISCO, June 20, 2012 – metaio, the worldwide leader in Augmented
Reality (AR) software, today announced the release of the latest update to junaio, the most
advanced AR Browser and open development platform, available immediately for download
on iOS and Android mobile devices. With a brand new user interface and experience, this
version of junaio is an AR browser that no one has ever seen before, driven by amazing
content, incredible interactions and a tool that allows anyone to produce their own
experiences.
From a new API that opens up the creation of AR experiences to HTML5 and JavaScript
development to a brand-new intuitive user interface, the new junaio takes mobile augmented
reality experiences to a whole new level. With thousands of content channels from developers, designers and popular brands, the camera of the smartphone releases the vastness of the internet into the real world.
Augmented reality apps in the past have been clunky, unintuitive and almost impossible to
navigate. The new junaio brings a fresh start to mobile AR, with a seamless swipe transition
between the different features. As soon as users load the application, they will be greeted with a friendly and quick tutorial, after which they will be transported instantly to smart GPS AR content, immediately displaying information based on their location. From that screen users need only to swipe to access the QR code scanner, a list of new and popular content channels, or even a visual search engine that will take the user directly to the AR content without ever leaving the screen.
"This is junaio at its best. It's never been easier to find fresh, relevant content in the world around you," said Daniel Gelder, VP Commercial & Consumer Platform Strategy. "This is a huge step for mobile Augmented Reality to have an application that practically anyone can use for the first time."
With over 10000 active developers, junaio is one of the most successful open development
platforms for mobile AR. Metaio has added HTML5 and JavaScript support that will allow
developers, agencies and brands to deploy games and other experiences that interact and
respond to elements in the real world.
For over a year, junaio has already provided smartphone users the ability to scan QR codes,
navigate indoor and outdoor environments and discover augmented content in images and print, with experiences from content from popular services and brands like 3M, eBay Classifieds, Toyota, Valpak, Foursquare, Eventbrite, Twitter, Instagram, and Wikipedia.
"Mobile users should be able to browse life like the web," said Trak Lord, head of US Marketing & Media Relations for metaio. "This latest version of junaio is the first major step to making that a reality."
GPS, image recognition, visual search and other AR features can be found in a variety of apps, but junaio is the only one that combines them all in a single, free application. With a clean new look and technology that will empower the next generation of mobile interactions, junaio is the mobile companion for an Augmented World.
