Life truly has changed because of technology. The things you couldn’t do with your cellular phone before can now be done with a smartphone. Aside from being able to text and call people easily, smartphones like the Apple iPhone can now also serve as your cookbook, camera, map and virtual assistant. But aside from all these important features, did you know that your iPhone can do even the most mundane things in your household? I’m not fooling you here; I bet you’d even trade your cell phone if a new iPhone could…
Open Doors Remotely
Image Credit: www.gizmoshub.com
Too lazy to get up and open the door for your roommate who always forgets her keys inside the apartment? That’s alright; you can simple open the door using your iPhone! Gone are the days of locks and keys. Apparently, some great genius thought of creating an iPhone app and NFC enabled casing that will allow your iPhone to control the door with just a few taps. Lockitron is a smartphone app and peripheral that uses Bluetooth, NFC and Wi-Fi to control door locks. All you have to do is to install the Lockitron device around your door’s cylindrical deadbolt and create an account on the app to access the door. The app even senses whether the user is near the door or not, this way you’ll never have to fish for keys in your bag while standing stupidly outside your door. The good thing is that you can now sell iPhone 4 because the company recently announced that it will be available on the iPhone 5 soon!
Turn Off Lights and Appliances
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Forgetful people would also be glad to know that they can turn off all the electronic devices they left on even when they are out of the door. Just like Lockitron, Elphi also requires a peripheral and an app to function. Basically, the smart plug that works with the app is used to control all the electronic devices in your house as well as monitor all power consuming activities inside the house. So if you’re on your way to work and you can’t seem to remember if you unplugged your hair curler, all you have to do is to check your app to see if it’s been unplugged and if not, you can easily turn it off through your iPhone!
Play Music to Remote Stereos Without Docks and Connectors
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This one’s pretty easy, and you’ve probably hear of it before. Die hard Apple fans have probably tried using Remote, Apple’s very own Wi-Fi dependent app that allows control over all your Apple devices inside the house. Through a shared iTunes, you can play music by sending songs to your Airplay speakers and Apple TV without having to connect docks and wires. Aside from sending out music for other Apple devices, you’ll also be able to control the volume remotely using your iPhone and even type using your iPhone to be seen on your Mac monitor.
The technology arena has only been kind to the real superpowers. It doesn’t show mercy to the tech firms whose enterprising skills are outdated and whose principles are namby-pamby. It has been good to Apple Inc.; nice to Samsung or HTC; but phlegmatic to Microsoft and Nokia. These last two companies have not gotten much popular attention especially in the smartphone industry.
But they are now out to grab their chance for redemption.
Image Credit: www.phandroid.com
On Wednesday, the two tech firms decided to join forces and unveiled a new Lumia phone that hosts the latest Windows Operating System. The New York conference introduced Nokia and Microsoft’s Lumia 920- a new breed of high-end smartphone featuring the incredible camera technology of Nokia 808 Pureview and a wireless battery-charging capability.
As a matter of fact, the event served as an avenue to introduce two new smartphones: The Lumia 920 and the Lumia 820. The latter, however, was briefly presented as it was just a mid-priced handset with exchangeable covers (something old Nokia cell phones could do before they got kicked into oblivion). The highlight of the inauguration was the Lumia 920.
According to Jo Harlow, Nokia’s executive vice-president, the Lumia 920 is currently the most innovative smartphone in the world. She said that the phone takes pictures and captures videos of better quality despite the presence of low light. It also includes Nokia’s mapping database (which we hope is better than Google Maps and Apple’s homegrown mapping services embedded in its iOS), that provides maps for 200 countries.
It is universally known that in the late 90’s to the early 20’s, Nokia was the biggest phone manufacturer in the world. Samsung then usurped this feat from Nokia. Today, the Finland-based tech giant aims to achieve a strong foothold in the smartphone market using its Lumia phones as its mighty arsenal. Nokia attempted to make a gigantic wave this year when it released the Lumia 900 on AT&T, which cost around $100 along with a 2-year bond. In fairness to them, both Nokia and AT&T worked their asses off to provide a promotional campaign worthy of some reckoning. But efforts were still futile; sales were less than stellar.
The company also demonstrated a new feature called Nokia City Lens that allows users to point the camera at restaurants, food chains, and other local businesses and see reviews and recommendations above the image.
Microsoft also grabbed the opportunity to rehash its tools in Windows Phone 8. One feature is to be able to stitch together several photos into a panorama through PhotoSynth. Steve Ballmer, Microsoft’s Chief Executive, said the new Lumia phones portend a great year for the Windows OS.
According to him:
"This is a year for Windows. All of the devices are designed to be beautiful and functional, to work for you in your personal life and your professional life."
He was referring to the firm possibility that phones, tablets and PCs will soon run Windows 8.
The companies, however, have not divulged the prices nor the exact release dates of these new phones, but left a reassuring word that they’re going to be out before the year ends.
Will the new Lumia phone really dramatically salvage the apathetic condition of Windows phones, now that iPhone 5 is just around the corner? We'll never know then.. So, for you to not get drowned with the left and right new smartphone releases, better yet ask yourself.. Will I sell my cell phone for a new smartphone?
Are the tech consumers really confused whether it is an iPhone or a Galaxy phone? This is the conundrum that the two tech giants Apple and Samsung are battling in an international courtroom centering on product design patents and copyrights. Apple’s team believes that a lot of buyers purchase a Samsung phone thinking that it is an iPhone. Well, this can only mean two things; either Samsung voraciously copied Apple’s iconic design, or consumers aren’t really paying attention to what they buy.
Image Credit: www.mirolta.com
It could also mean that Samsung phones are the affordable ones and somehow, people wanted a taste of an Apple phone, even if only by the looks of it.
People nowadays see
the value that mobile phones give as an important communication tool for
everyday use. Even parents are more than willing to give their kids their
own mobile phone units because they see the value that they could contact their
kids at anytime they want to check on them which gives them peace of mind. This
is making the market grow larger and the customer base wider. Before,
mobile phones used to be a tool that office workers used but it has become a
gadget that every member of the family appreciates.
Last week, we celebrated the International Technology Upgrade. The question is: Did you do the necessary upgrade?
Image Credit: www.macworld.com.au
Don’t you find that entrancing? I mean, for a lot of tech consumers out there, an upgrade is a task that is usually treated with apprehension and slight trepidation. If truth be told, an upgrade is very important and it ensures that your gadget is updated to accommodate the new functions that your OS provider offers.
I was looking for inspiration online for my article when I stumble at this very interesting creation.
Laptop on Wheels controlled by iPhones?
Image Credit: www.simplyzesty.com
"Courtesy of Avadhut Deshmukh. His creation is a laptop on wheels which has an Arduino board attached, allowing it to controlled remotely via webcam. He does this with the SPY webcam on an iPhone, which he uses to send commands to the laptop to control it."
Maristella, an average geek/blogger who wants to write, talk and know everything about technology and gadgets. She also writes for Cashforsmartphones where she is dedicated in giving tips on making the most out of your old or used electronics.
This site is all about gadgets and gizmos of today's technology. Dedicated to share information about the latest electronics that people are talking about such as Smartphones, tablets, etc. It also provides tips and guides for selling used electronics because of the fast paced ever changing emerging of the technology specifically on gadget development.
