Nexus 7 tablet now available from Verizon

The Nexus 7 (Black, 32GB model) tablet will be available from Verizon Wireless starting Feb. 13 for $349.99 online and in stores. For a limited time, users can purchase the Nexus 7 for $249.99 with a new two-year activation. Users who have already purchased the Nexus 7 (2013 model) will also be able to activate their device on the Verizon Wireless network after they download the latest software update. Users can add the tablet to their Share Everything plan for an additional $10 per month.

The Nexus 7 runs on the Android 4.4 KitKat operating system and comes with a suite of Google apps, including Google Play to download additional apps, games, books, movies and more. The 7-inch full HD display creates a great movie-watching experience and the compact design makes one-handed use easy. Google Now is also available so users can get real-time information such as weather, traffic updates, news and more based on location.

To accessorize and protect the Nexus 7, the Nexus 7 Folio will be available in Black and Red color options for $49.99. The Speck StyleFolio for Nexus 7 also lets users protect their new tablet and doubles as a stand, ideal for watching movies or doing work. The Speck StyleFolio will be available in Blue, Black and Pink color options for $34.99.

 

 

Xfinity TV offers tips to experience the Sochi Winter Olympics

The Winter Olympic Games represent a time when nations come together to celebrate the world’s top
athletes and witness amazing feats of speed, endurance and skill. In 2010, 190 million Americans
watched the Vancouver Winter Olympics on their TVs and this year’s Games promise to bring even more  excitement.

Together with NBCUniversal, Comcast’s Xfinity TV is bringing you more ways than ever to enjoy all the action. No matter how, when or where you watch your favorite sports, events or athletes, Xfinity TV will  ensure you experience Every Minute. Every Medal. On Every Screen.

So what type of Olympics viewer are you? The traditionalist, the newbie or the superfan? Regardless,
Xfinity TV has you covered with tips to make the most of your Olympics viewing experience whether at  home or on the go.

The Traditionalist:
 You prefer getting your Olympics fix on the biggest screen in your house. With more than 500 hours spread across five different NBCUniversal networks, there will be more coverage than ever available for a Winter Olympics through your Xfinity TV service. If you miss an event or just want to replay a Gold-medal moment, you can tune-in to Xfinity On Demand to watch the full Opening and Closing Ceremonies, complete event replays, and medal-winning highlights.

The TV Everywhere Newbie:
 Picture this: Your favorite athlete is expected to take the Gold, but you’ll be at work during the
competition. You know you can watch it live online through NBCOlympics.com but you’ve never
watched anything on a computer or mobile device before. Don’t worry. TV Everywhere is easy
with Xfinity TV. All you need to start watching is the username and password you use to access
your Comcast.net email account and Comcast’s online properties, including www.Xfinity.com
and www.Xfinity.com/TV.
 Once you get set-up, head over to Xfinity.com/NBCOlympics to find integrated channel listings
of what’s showing where across platforms (live TV, Xfinity On Demand and online), set your
DVR, and even watch highlights and recaps from the Games’ can’t miss moments chosen
specifically by Xfinity’s editorial team.
 Don’t know your username and password? As an Xfinity TV customer, you can simply go to
www.MyComcastID.com and select the option that fits, such as “Find Your Username” and
answer a few questions to verify your account.
 To ensure you don’t miss a moment while you get set-up, you’ll be given a one-time two-hour
Temp Pass to instantly watch live events on www.NBCOlympics.com and the NBC Sports Live
Extra app.

The Sochi Superfan:
 You’re no stranger to TV Everywhere and plan to take is as many Gold medal moments as you
can. Together with NBCUniversal, Xfinity TV is making mass consumption easier than ever. For
example, once you sign in to NBCOlympics.com you’ll stay signed in throughout the games.
 If you’re idea of the perfect day at home means watching live TV broadcasts while
simultaneously watching another event on your computer, one on your tablet and one on your
phone – all at the same time – Xfinity TV makes this Olympics multitasking easier than ever. As
long as you’re in your home and get Xfinity Internet, you’ll be automatically logged in to
NBCOlympics.com or the NBC Sports Live Extra app—no need to enter your user name and
password to access the online coverage.
 If you’re an Xfinity TV customer with an X1 set-top box, you’ll have unprecedented access to
NBC Universal’s coverage of the Games. For the first time, all 1,000 hours of NBC’s online
content will be accessible directly on the biggest screen in the house though the availability of
the NBC Sports Live Extra app on Comcast’s X1 Entertainment Operating System. Also, the
popular X1 Sports app will be refreshed for the Sochi Games, featuring Olympics-specific
content including: medal counts, search, and tune-in capability to live coverage and Xfinity On
Demand content.

New Xfinity Offerings for Sochi Olympics
-- More than double the amount of NBCU live streaming hours from Vancouver, including 13 new events
-- First time for live streaming of NBC’s Olympic Trial coverage on Xfinity.com/TV and on Xfinity TV Go app
-- SEEiT: The Sochi Games are the first SEEiT Olympics. SEEiT links Olympic-related conversations happening on  Twitter to viewership. Directly from Twitter, Xfinity TV customers will be able to tune to NBC’s primetime show or Instant On Demand: In select markets, Comcast is testing a new technology that makes NBC’s primetime show
available On Demand a few minutes after start, including the Opening and Closing Ceremonies
-- X1 Sports Viewing Companion: the existing X1 Sports app will be refreshed for the Sochi Games, featuring Olympics-specific content including: medal counts, search, tune-in capability to live coverage and access points to Xfinity On Demand and the Live Extra app on X1.
-- More mobile app integration - Customers accessing Xfinity TV Go app will be seamlessly directed to the NBC Sports Live Extra app to
-- Set DVR recordings from the NBC Sports Live Extra app or the Xfinity TV Remote app
-- 4K Ultra HD: Xfinity Showcase Events in Philadelphia, Washington, D.C. and San Francisco will enable audience to experience key highlights of the Sochi Games in 4K.

For more about the Xfinity Olympic viewing experience, visit comcastcorporation.com/sochi.

Bose unveils new SoundLink Bluetooth speaker III; promises better sound, longer battery life

Bose has introduced the SoundLink Bluetooth speaker III, the latest in its acclaimed SoundLink product line. The speaker has been redesigned, offers longer battery life, and accessory covers in five colors.

It connects  wirelessly to your smartphone, tablet or other Bluetooth device, instantly allowing you to
share your favorite music out loud, wherever you are and wherever you go.

The new SoundLink III integrates Bose proprietary technologies to reproduce music with
fullness, clarity and depth. Four neodymium transducers and dual-opposing passive radiators
combine with a new digital signal processing algorithm and improved electronics to play
louder than its predecessor, while maintaining balanced and natural sound at higher listening

The SoundLink III is engineered for durability and grab-and-go use.  Its new industrial design is inspired by the SoundLink Mini Bluetooth speaker -- sturdily built, with curved edges and a thin profile that eliminates the need for a built-in cover or stand. A silicone button panel protects from dirt and dust, and a wraparound metal grille resists fingerprints. For personalization and added protection, new accessory covers are available in gray, blue, green, orange and pink.

The SoundLink III weighs just 3 pounds, and measures about 5 inches high, 10 inches wide  and only 2 inches deep. It includes a rechargeable lithium-ion battery that provides up to 14  hours of listening, so the speaker will play all day long without the need to recharge. The SoundLink III streams music wirelessly via Bluetooth A2DP. New Bluetooth LED signal lights make pairing and/or switching a
Bluetooth device easier. The six most recently used Bluetooth devices are stored in memory,
eliminating the need to pair again. And control is simple: use the buttons on the top of the
speaker, or through the smart device itself.

Pricing and Availability
The new SoundLink speaker III is available now from Bose for $299.95 at Bose retail stores, Bose.com and toll-free at 1-800-444-BOSE (2673). Accessory covers are available separately for $34.95 each.

Hyundai launches enhanced Blue Link in-vehicle telematics system; plus Google Glass App

LAS VEGAS – Hyundai Motor America launched its enhanced Blue Link in-vehicle telematics platform, secured and integrated by Covisint,. The next-generation Blue Link system features a destination search powered by Google, a Genesis Intelligent Assistant app and a Google Glass app. All these enhancements launch on the new 2015 Genesis sedan, which goes on sale in the Spring. Hyundai also used the event to debut its latest infotainment system premiering in the 2015 Genesis sedan.

“Customers told us they want Blue Link to work like their smartphone and we’ve worked with Google, Covisint and Station Digital Media to deliver this level of functionality,” said Barry Ratzlaff, executive director, Customer Connect and Service Business Development, Hyundai Motor America. “Blue Link subscribers now have access to Google’s accuracy and massive database when they search for destinations. Plus our engineers have developed a variety of new features aimed at delighting our customers.”

Blue Link Enhancements

• Destination Search powered by Google – users will be able to take advantage of Google’s powerful destination search via the Blue Link button (voice recognition) and navigation display, or through myhyundai.com and the Blue Link mobile app to send a destination to their car
• Remote Start – now includes an engine timer (1-10 min.), remote stop, remote climate control and remote defroster
• Automatic Collision Notification (ACN) and SOS Emergency Assistance –includes user-selected emergency contacts notification via SMS and e-mail

GENESIS INTELLIGENT ASSISTANT APP
The Genesis Intelligent Assistant is a proactive app for automobiles intended to save the driver time and provide an even higher level of convenience. The app combines Blue Link features, data from the vehicle, the owner’s smartphone and the internet with multiple layers of intelligence. This allows the Genesis Intelligent Assistant app to send proactive notifications and recommendations to the Genesis owner in preparation for their drive.

Genesis owners will no longer need to remember to remote start their car on a hot or cold day. The Genesis Intelligent Assistant app will remind them to do it through their smartphone.

 

Genesis Intelligent Assistant Functionality:

• By providing commute information and access to their smartphone’s calendar, owners can have the app automatically estimate appropriate departure times and send reminders for any upcoming appointments that require a drive.
  • Departure reminder messages are determined by up-to-the-minute commute times from the user’s current location to the destination, accounting for traffic.
  • Temperature outside the vehicle is determined via zip code prior to the estimated departure time. If the temperature is above or below the default level, the user will receive a notification, asking if they would like to remote start their vehicle to heat it up or cool it down.
  • Recommendations for gas stations are provided, allowing the user to select a station and send the location to the vehicle’s navigation system.
• Vehicle health status will also be communicated through the user’s smartphone when an action is required. This will allow the customer to schedule car care for their Genesis directly from the app.
• Many additional Blue Link features are included within the app, making it a single, integrated solution for all driver’s vehicle needs.
• The Genesis Intelligent Assistant app is a framework for the future with additional proactive functionality becoming available over time to provide the customer with the ultimate luxuries of time and convenience.

HYUNDAI BLUE LINK GOOGLE GLASS APP

Hyundai Motor America also demonstrated a Google Glass app today as part of their exploration into how wearable technology and Blue Link fit into a customer’s lifestyle. The app currently contains the core Blue Link functions as building blocks for future activities. Partnering with Station Digital Media and Covisint, Hyundai plans to expand the app features, building on the concept of “Time as the Ultimate Luxury” and leveraging the proactive functionality of the Genesis Intelligent Assistant app. The Hyundai Blue Link Google Glass app is powered by the Covisint AppCloud^™ API framework platform.

Released in limited numbers to early customers known as “Explorers,” Google Glass is a computerized, lightweight headset that can project text and images for the wearer to see on a special optical display. Google Glass Explorers can perform functions through voice commands and swipes or taps on a thin touchpad along the side of the frame.

Through the new app, Hyundai owners will be able to use Google Glass to access Blue Link’s vehicle safety, service and infotainment features. Blue Link will be available to Google Glass Explorers through a special experience created specifically for the new wearable technology.

“Google Glass offers an innovative opportunity for Hyundai to define and extend the customer experience outside of the vehicle,” said Ratzlaff. “Blue Link, combined with Google Glass, delivers a unique experience for customers that makes popular features and functions even more convenient to access.”

The Google Glass Blue Link app includes a host of popular functions at launch, including:

• Remote vehicle start
• Remote door lock/unlock
• Remote Find My Car (search for your vehicle location to receive directions to it)
• Point of Interest search sent to the Hyundai navigation system
• Search for a gas station to send to your car
• Call roadside assistance
• Talk to a Blue Link agent
• Locate nearby dealers

Google Glass Explorers can download the new glassware for the next generation Blue Link telematics platform from their MyGlass site. An active Blue Link subscription and compatible vehicle is required to login and access the app.

NEXT GENERATION INFOTAINMENT SYSTEM
The all-new 2015 Hyundai Genesis will launch in January at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit and will go on sale in the spring of 2014. Before the official reveal, Hyundai is showcasing at Pepcom its next generation infotainment system that will be available on the all-new Genesis. The new infotainment system represents Hyundai’s latest and most innovative approach to in-vehicle technology.

This next-generation infotainment system features:

• Integration with Apple’s Siri-powered “Eyes Free” mode
  • Functionality allows owners of compatible vehicles to perform a variety of in-car tasks without taking their eyes off the road
• SD Navigation
• Pandora integration with smartphone
• SoundHound integration with smartphone
• SiriusXM Audio – 6 preset (record, play, pause, back)
• SiriusXM Travel Link and Traffic
  • Sports scores and schedules
  • Stock ticker
  • Movie times (new feature)
  • Fuel prices (new feature)
  • Weather/alerts
• Advanced voice recognition
• Swipe technology
• Music, video and picture storage
• Customizable home screen (my menu)

Prize-winning amounts announced in Verizon's $10 million Powerful Answers Award

The three $1 million winners of the first Verizon Powerful Answers Award were revealed today by Verizon Chairman and CEO Lowell McAdam at the 2014 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. The prize amounts for the other 12 winners, who each took home between $850,000 and $285,000, were also announced.

TinyTap, based in Israel and the top prize winner in the education category, is simplifying app development and creating the world’s first user-generated content (UGC) educational app store. Smart Vision Labs, of Newport, R.I., the top prize winner in the healthcare category, is creating a portable vision examination device that, with a single snapshot, measures refractive errors of the eye and generates prescriptions, all without patient interaction. Mosaic of Oakland, Calif., the top prize winner in the sustainability category, is creating an online platform for individuals to invest in clean energy projects.

"The winners of the Powerful Answers Award show what happens when the passion of technology entrepreneurs meets the power of our mobile and broadband networks," said McAdam. "We are so inspired by these visionary people and their life-changing innovations. We can't wait to see what they do next."

McAdam also announced that the company will continue the Powerful Answers Award program in 2014.

The winners are:

Education Winners

TinyTap - $1 million – a growing social platform where children, parents, schools and special needs teachers can easily create and share educational games that can be tailored to suit a child’s unique learning needs.

Zapatalism/LavaMind - $850,000 – a financial literacy app from LavaMind that specializes in creating business simulation games.

BridgingApps/Easter Seals Greater Houston - $700,000 – an initiative that provides access to the mobile technology and applications needed to enable children with special needs to communicate for the first time, participate in the classroom and exceed educational goals.

WebTeam Corporation - $500,000 – a solution that uses mobile and touch-screen computing to create new products and autism intervention services for the education and healthcare industries.

WomenLEAD, Inc. - $285,000 – an online educational platform designed to accelerate women’s advancement as leaders using social networking, online training and mentorships through an online "Personal Advisory Board" platform.

Healthcare Winners

Smart Vision Labs - $1 million – a portable vision examination device that, with a single snapshot, measures refractive errors of the eye and generates prescriptions – all without patient interaction. The pocket-sized and low cost Smart Aberrometer uses a smartphone’s flashlight and camera, combined with an add-on microlens array, to improve the way people get their vision evaluated.

Seratis - $850,000 – a patient-centric mobile platform that allows doctors, nurses and other healthcare providers to communicate more easily and request and share patient-specific care data.

Freenome - $700,000 – an innovative and cost-effective solution for monitoring patients and populations over time to better detect disease.

Solar Ear - $500,000 – a hearing screening program for those in developing countries where there is limited access to hearing testing, hearing aids and hearing-care facilities.

Factor 14 - $285,000 – a fully integrated warfarin management solution that gives patients and healthcare providers the ability to efficiently and accurately make warfarin dosage adjustments, helping to produce improved patient outcomes and substantial savings to insurers.

Sustainability Winners

Mosaic - $1 million – an online platform for individuals to invest in clean energy projects.

Good360 - $850,000 – an e-commerce and crowd-funding technology that assists nonprofits working in disaster areas with submitting product needs and enables donors to fulfill these critical needs.

Bandwagon - $700,000 – a real-time taxi-sharing software and mobile app.

Smartster/BigBelly Solar – $500,000 – a sensor technology for monitoring waste management that uses wireless connectivity to remotely monitor dumpster fullness and collection activity.

Semios - $285,000 – an automated pest management system that integrates pheromone dispensers with camera-enabled pest traps, all connected wirelessly across fields and centrally managed from any online device.

When Verizon announced its Powerful Answers Award contest nearly a year ago, the company challenged innovators, developers and entrepreneurs to create ideas that would leverage Verizon’s cloud, broadband and wireless networks to deliver great solutions and social good. In addition to the cash, the winners are connected to a wide variety of network, business development and marketing experts across Verizon to explore ongoing collaborations.

Jimmie Johnson Foundation working with Samsung to give one school a $48,000 technology makeover

The Jimmie Johnson Foundation announced that Lowe’s and Samsung will partner with them again this year to Team Up for Technology, providing one K-12 public or charter school in the United States with a $48,000 technology makeover.

Team Up for Technology is open to all K-12 public or charter schools in the United States.Nominations may be submitted at jimmiejohnsonfoundation.orgor Twitter, twitter.com/jjfoundation48, now through Tuesday, Oct. 15 at 5 p.m. ET.  Ten schools from the initial nominations will be selected as semi-finalists and asked to submit a video application. The final winner will be selected based on those applications.

“Through the foundation’s work the past few years with public education, we’ve seen the technology need that schools across the country are facing,” said five-time NASCAR champion Jimmie Johnson, who along with his wife, Chandra, started the Jimmie Johnson Foundation in 2006. “The partnership with Lowe’s and Samsung allows us to make a sizable impact for a school. The video submissions that some of the kids come up with are so creative and it’s neat to see them take an interest in their educations.”

Now in its third year, Team Up for Technology has awarded $96,000 in cash and technology to two deserving schools.

 “Team Up For Technology has completely changed our ability to deliver high quality, rigorous instruction to our students,” said Scott Larkin, principal at New Hanover Township School, which won the $48,000 grant in 2012. “Thanks to the Jimmie Johnson Foundation's generosity, we have forged a partnership with Samsung that is redefining our use of technology in the classroom.”

Schools may be nominated by multiple individuals, however, individuals may only submit one nomination. Nominations submitted using Twitter are limited to a single tweet of 140 characters, should outline why a school is need of a makeover and must include #teamup4tech. The tweet may include a photo but the photo link must be contained in the single tweet.

Verizon Wireless recognized as network quality leader in Michigan in latest J.D. Power study

In its 2013 Vol. 2 Wireless Network Quality Study, J.D. Power ranked Verizon Wireless highest in network quality among national providers in six regions, covering 48 states, that it surveyed during the first six months of this year. This was the first time since the regional studies began in 2004 that one provider ranked highest in all 6 regions.

 

J.D. Power & Associates regularly surveys users of wireless service in 48 states about their experiences with calls, messages, emails, and Web connections on their mobile phones. For more information about J.D. Power and the results of its Wireless Network Quality Study, check out http://www.jdpower.com/content/press-release/sP8rA2r/2013-u-s-wireless-network-quality-performance-study-volume-2.htm

 

Launched in December 2010, Verizon's 4G LTE network is available in 500 markets to more than 95 percent of the population and covers nearly 301 million people in the U.S. and more than 99 percent of the company’s 3G network footprint.

 

http://news.verizonwireless.com/news/2013/08/jd-power-wireless-network-quality-study.html