Gift ideas - Four portable Bluetooth speakers

For the music fan on your gift list, here are four portable Bluetooth speakers that I reviewed this year and think are worthy enough to consider. They are all small enough to stow in a gear bag or backpack (I'll admit that one of them is borderline too big for that statement) so that you can take your tunes with you anywhere you go. Keep reading for the details. 1. Killer Concepts RocksteadyXS Bluetooth speaker (price $$99.95) – This speaker is very compact, has a rugged metal case, replaceable battery, can pair with two devices at once and can be used as a speakerphone.

The Gadgeteer , Gift ideas - Four portable Bluetooth speakers, Gift ideas - Four portable Bluetooth speakers

Enjoy your holidays with Dead Zebra's Android tree ornaments! (On sale tomorrow)

Dead Zebra is the king of Android figurines, and soon we will also be able to enjoy the Android robot craze with the whole family. Dead Zebra has been working on a couple Android tree ornaments that will look great on your Christmas tree. The ornaments will be available in blue and red for $10 each, starting December 10th. Sales start at 11 AM EST, followed by a second batch at 11 PM EST. These go fast, so Dead Zebra will be limiting sales to 2 ornaments per buyer.


Android Phone , Enjoy your holidays with Dead Zebra's Android tree ornaments! (On sale tomorrow), Enjoy your holidays with Dead Zebra's Android tree ornaments! (On sale tomorrow)

Thousands gather for Paul Walker memorial in Santa Clarita

In addition to the Fast & Furious tribute video, which has been seen more than 25 million times, fans around the country have been organizing car cruises as a memorial to Paul Walker and Roger Rodas. A video report on CNN says that more than 1,000 people showed up to the fatal crash site yesterday for a memorial, which included a car rally and show. While the report indicates all sorts of cars and motorcycles showed up, a Toyota Supra similar to the one from final scenes of the original The Fast and The Furious cab be seen in the background of the video. One fan even constructed a huge posterboard for fans of Walker and Rodas to sign.

Autoblog , Thousands gather for Paul Walker memorial in Santa Clarita

See also:
, Thousands gather for Paul Walker memorial in Santa Clarita

2014 Chevrolet SS

As the year of 1972 was drawing to a close, my father had finally saved up enough money to buy himself his first new car, and his heart was set on a Chevrolet Chevelle SS. And no wonder – the midsize Chevy Super Sport had earned a reputation for performance with rugged good looks to match. Its twin stripes and domed hood hid a 402-cubic-inch V8 engine (though Chevy still called it a 396, owing to that mill's muscle car heritage), and, though down on power from the horsepower heyday of 1970, it sent tons of American grunt to the rear wheels in the very best tire-melting fashion.










Autoblog , 2014 Chevrolet SS, 2014 Chevrolet SS

Walmart now sells Nokia Lumia 521 for just $79.95

Nokia Lumia 520 is the best-selling Windows Phone smartphone out there due to its decent specs and affordable price tag. T-Mobile's Lumia 521 is absolutely identical with the international Lumia 520, save for the T-Mobile branding over its front and rear sides. Walmart is now selling the T-Mobile's Lumia 521 cheaper than ever - just $79.95.

GSM Arena , Walmart now sells Nokia Lumia 521 for just $79.95, Walmart now sells Nokia Lumia 521 for just $79.95

You had better watch out for the Ceramic Collection watchband for the 6th generation iPod nano

It's the holidays once again, and if you are like me, you are searching for the perfect gift for that one tech savvy person in your life – that one person who finds a tech product they like and use it until its demise. If you have one of those in your life and they still sport a 6th-generation iPod nano, then the Ceramic Collection watchband from Kubxlab may be the perfect, unique gift to give them this holiday season. The Ceramic Collection, as its name implies, is a ceramic watchband designed to hold the 6th-generation iPod nano. The band comes in a glossy white and a glossy black version.

The Gadgeteer , You had better watch out for the Ceramic Collection watchband for the 6th generation iPod nano, You had better watch out for the Ceramic Collection watchband for the 6th generation iPod nano

Mulally to stay at Ford through end of 2014 at least

Alan Mulally isn't going anywhere. at least not just yet. The CEO who helped turn around Ford Motor Company has been linked to the top job at tech behemoth Microsoft, leading to a flurry of rumors about potential successors. Those rumors, though, may have just been put to rest – at least for a little while.
Speaking to Edsel Ford II (great-grandson of company founder Henry Ford) at the unveiling of the new Mustang, Automotive News Europe confirmed that Mulally would stick around until the end of next year. "Alan is staying through the end of 2014 and that's all I know," said Ford.

Autoblog , Mulally to stay at Ford through end of 2014 at least, Mulally to stay at Ford through end of 2014 at least

Newsmy Navigation Announces CarPad II Android-Powered DVD Navigation Tool

Newsmy Navigation has just made an announcement on the CarPad II, which happens to be a DVD navigation tool in your ride that runs on the Android mobile operating system. This is definitely fresh to hear, especially when you consider how Android has more or less remained within the domain of smartphones and tablets mostly, with a smattering of set-top boxes lying about.

Ubergizmo , Newsmy Navigation Announces CarPad II Android-Powered DVD Navigation Tool, Newsmy Navigation Announces CarPad II Android-Powered DVD Navigation Tool

Norfolk & Suffolk Dementia Alliance launches “Let’s Talk” with Toolwire’s Experiential Learning solution

New Interactive tools to bridge the communication gap between people with Dementia and their professional carers or familyPleasanton, CA and London, UK – Friday 6th December 2013 – Toolwire today announced that Norfolk and Suffolk Dementia Alliance has launched a new range of online Learning tools to help users develop essential skills in communicating with people living with Dementia.

Press Release Distribution , Norfolk & Suffolk Dementia Alliance launches “Let’s Talk” with Toolwire’s Experiential Learning solution, Norfolk & Suffolk Dementia Alliance launches “Let’s Talk” with Toolwire’s Experiential Learning solution

HTC announces financing program for HTC One

Purchasing an off-contract is becoming much more popular. Especially with devices like the Nexus 5 and Moto G offering good specs for low prices. A new trend seems to be on the rise, though. Motorola has recently started financing off-contract phones and now HTC is jumping in the bandwagon.
The Taiwanese manufacturer is offering a financing program for the $600, 32 GB HTC One. Assuming your credit passes the test, you will be able to what could be the best phone of the year home. All for $0 down and as low as $25 monthly payments (no interests).

We assume these terms may change if your credit is not as great as they would like it to be.

Android Phone , HTC announces financing program for HTC One, HTC announces financing program for HTC One

Anchorman's Scotchy Scotch Toss game now available

Are you a fan of the legendary Anchorman Ron Burgundy. He is easily one of the funniest comedians on TV and now you can enjoy his crazy style with an Android game. Scotchy Scotch Toss brings Burgundy's raw fun to your smartphone by mixing his two favorite things: “Scotch, and playful exchanges with total strangers.”. The game is simple and fun. You get to toss ice at a scotch glass while Ron Burgundy makes fun of your lack of skills. He will also give you some (kind of) good comments when you succeed, though. By the way – yes, he does speak to you in the game.

Android Phone , Anchorman's Scotchy Scotch Toss game now available, Anchorman's Scotchy Scotch Toss game now available

Assassin's Creed: Pirates Released For Android, iOS And Kindle Fire

Gamers who enjoyed Assassin's Creed 4: Black Flag from Ubisoft now have something new to look forward to. As we reported last month, Assassin's Creed: Pirates has been released today for a slew of mobile devices that are powered by Android and iOS. Kindle Fire, which runs a highly forked version of Android, has also received this title. Do keep in mind that this title isn't an extension of the console game, it just shares a similar play setting with its sibling. Naval battles are the highlight, naval captain Alonzo Batilla is one of the game's central figures. The objective of Assassin's Creed: Pirates is to get to La Buse's treasure.

Ubergizmo , Assassin's Creed: Pirates Released For Android, iOS And Kindle Fire, Assassin's Creed: Pirates Released For Android, iOS And Kindle Fire

Fast and Furious pays tribute to Paul Walker on YouTube

With the untimely death of Paul Walker last weekend, production of Fast and Furious 7 was put on hold and the future of the franchise has been left in doubt, but showing that even this worst-case scenario means nothing in the grand scheme of things, the creators of the hugely popular car movie franchise have released a touching video tribute to Walker. The two-minute video is comprised of memorable scenes from the five F&F movies in which he starred, and the finishing shot shows him leaning against the European Mk1 Ford Escort his character piloted in the movie's most recent sixth installment.

Autoblog , Fast and Furious pays tribute to Paul Walker on YouTube, Fast and Furious pays tribute to Paul Walker on YouTube

Alleged Prototype Official iPhone 5s Case Resembles The iPhone 5c

Back in September, Apple announced both the iPhone 5s and the iPhone 5c, and also revealed that both phones would come with optional official cases of their own. The iPhone 5s got the leather case while the iPhone 5c got a weird polka dot case which has since been poked fun at and even compared to a food grater. Well it turns out that the iPhone 5s nearly got the same treatment, at least according to Michael Andrew who claims that on his blog that one of his sources had passed him a prototype case for the iPhone 5s which basically looks like the case pictured above.

Ubergizmo , Alleged Prototype Official iPhone 5s Case Resembles The iPhone 5c, Alleged Prototype Official iPhone 5s Case Resembles The iPhone 5c

2014 Audi Q5 TDI

I've struggled with diesel technology. It's not that I have a problem with it or dislike it, but rather that I don't particularly understand what stops its wider-spread adoption. Sure, memories of rust-prone, smoky, sluggish and uneconomical Oldsmobile diesels aren't exactly easy to erase from the collective memory of the North American motoring public, but I'd think that a few years into the latest crop of clean diesels, there'd be wider adoption – or at least consumer consideration – by now. Part of the issue is the still limited number of segments that diesels are available in.

Autoblog , 2014 Audi Q5 TDI, 2014 Audi Q5 TDI

BlackBerry Likely To Replace Hardware Business With Software Services [Rumor]

BlackBerry finally took down its “for sale” sign last month after endless speculation about its future. The company didn't go private as many expected it to, rather it took a $1 billion institutional investment and shuffled top management. Now, all eyes are on BlackBerry's performance in the coming quarters. While new CEO John S.

Ubergizmo , BlackBerry Likely To Replace Hardware Business With Software Services [Rumor], BlackBerry Likely To Replace Hardware Business With Software Services [Rumor]

Hastings Direct chooses Eptica’s Multi Channel Customer Email & Knowledge Management Platform

Reading, 4 December 2013, Fast growing insurance retailer Hastings Direct wants to enhance customer service and provide improved channel choice for its 1.3 million customers, while increasing efficiency across its contact centre operations by deploying Eptica’s multi channel customer service platform.The company will use Eptica to centralise knowledge and make it available across email, telephone and web self-service channels. Initial implementation is planned to commence in December 2013 at its head office providing staff with access to the most up to date information for resolving customer enquiries.

Press Release Distribution , Hastings Direct chooses Eptica’s Multi Channel Customer Email & Knowledge Management Platform, Hastings Direct chooses Eptica’s Multi Channel Customer Email & Knowledge Management Platform

Neo900 To Enter Production Soon

We first heard about the Neo900 in October this year, where it proved to be a smartphone that intends to continue from where the now defunct Nokia N900 stopped. What was the significance of the Nokia N900. Well, that was one of the last handsets that will ship with the open source Maemo Linux operating system. In a fitting tribute of sorts to the Nokia N900, Neo900 developers intend to resurrect Maemo via a compatible device that will obviously arrive with better hardware to keep up with the times, in addition to boasting of support for 4G LTE mobile networks.

Ubergizmo , Neo900 To Enter Production Soon

See also:
, Neo900 To Enter Production Soon

Li/S Batteries Gain Double The Capacity Of Li-ion Batteries

One of the modern "problems" that mobile devices suffer from is this – the lack of battery power, or rather, a capacity that is not enough to get the job done throughout a busy day. Sure, scientists have worked hard to make sure that the popular li-ion battery has made some gains in its performance, capacity and charge times, but here we are with the possibility of a new breakthrough with the implementation of Li/S batteries that are said to feature double the capacity of li-ion batteries. Apart from that, the new Li/S batteries are also touted to do away with them nasty conflict minerals from the construction process.

Ubergizmo , Li/S Batteries Gain Double The Capacity Of Li-ion Batteries, Li/S Batteries Gain Double The Capacity Of Li-ion Batteries

Project Spark Is Now In Open Beta

Have you ever played a game and gave so much criticism about it, so much so that others around you have chided you for being so negative and asked you to create your own game. Well, perhaps you might not have had the relevant background to do so in the past, but now now. Project Spark happens to be a game creation suite which is now in open beta, and it enables gamers to create their own games such as platformers and RPGs among others on the Xbox One. As long as you happen to be using Windows 8.1, you will be able to try and sign up, no promises on whether you will be accepted though.

Ubergizmo , Project Spark Is Now In Open Beta, Project Spark Is Now In Open Beta

Basildon Borough Council Saves £600,000 in One Year and Increases Customer Satisfaction With Qmatic

Bedfordshire - 3 December 2013 – Basildon Borough Council, which currently services 180,000 visitors per year, has announced that its Customer Experience Programme of Change, supported by Qmatic, has saved the council £600,000 in its first year alone. The programme has established a centralised customer service operation that aims to deliver an improved customer experience at reduced cost. As part of this programme the face-to-face service centre has been redesigned to emphasise assisted self-service, opposed to a focus on simply ‘doing for’ or managing rather than responding to channel access trends.

Press Release Distribution , Basildon Borough Council Saves £600,000 in One Year and Increases Customer Satisfaction With Qmatic, Basildon Borough Council Saves £600,000 in One Year and Increases Customer Satisfaction With Qmatic

NVIDIA Shield Gets 1080p GameStream Support Now

Have you had a go with NVIDIA's portable gaming console, the NVIDIA Shield so far. If you have answered in the affirmative, then you will be pleased as punch to hear that the NVIDIA Shield will be receiving an update that will increase the resolution for select compatible PC games via streaming. This GameStream functionality was first introduced in October, but back then, games were streamed from the PC in 720p resolution at 60 frames per second. This latest over-the-air (OTA) update will see the introduction of 1080p streaming support, targeting titles such as Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag and Battlefield 4.

Ubergizmo , NVIDIA Shield Gets 1080p GameStream Support Now, NVIDIA Shield Gets 1080p GameStream Support Now

Motorola updates us on failed Cyber Monday deal - hopes to go live in 15 min but if not, will start things again on Weds and Mon

It's been roughly about 12 hours since Motorola was supposed to begin their big Cyber Monday sale on off-contract Moto Xs. Because of the increase of traffic, the site went down and the sale never actually got off the ground (although Developer Editions were selling at the discounted price). Here we are, in the wee evening hours and Motorola is finally back with an update.

Android Phone , Motorola updates us on failed Cyber Monday deal - hopes to go live in 15 min but if not, will start things again on Weds and Mon

See also:
, Motorola updates us on failed Cyber Monday deal - hopes to go live in 15 min but if not, will start things again on Weds and Mon

VSCO Cam coming to Android tomorrow, takes your smartphone photography to new heights

After months of beta testing, the coveted VSCO Cam camera app is just about ready to be released into the Play Store. Launching tomorrow, VSCO Cam — which has seen incredible success on iOS — allows Android users to take their smartphone photography to the next level, by providing a variety of professional filters and photo editing tools. Photo editing is quite literally what VSCO does for a living. Specializing in photo editing add-ons for Lightroom and Aperture, VSCO has somehow managed to inject that same formula into a mobile app for your smartphone.

Android Phone , VSCO Cam coming to Android tomorrow, takes your smartphone photography to new heights, VSCO Cam coming to Android tomorrow, takes your smartphone photography to new heights

Google Play Music officially comes to Google Glass

Savvy Google Glass Explorers have been using Google Play Music on their Glass for about a month thanks to manually installing the Google Music APK via ADB. Shortly after this method became public, Google announced that in the coming weeks an official method for using Google Play Music on Glass would be made available. That day is today. To get the official Google Play Music Glassware, head on over to your MyGlass app and activate it there. If you jumped the gun and sideloaded the Google Play Music APK, you'll need to uninstall it before activating the official app.




Android Phone , Google Play Music officially comes to Google Glass, Google Play Music officially comes to Google Glass

Xbox One Plays DVD-Rs All Right

We do know that Microsoft's Xbox One has not had the smoothest of launches (despite selling more than 1 million units within 24 hours) as there were reports of the Xbox One Blu-ray disc drive failing. Well, Microsoft has since issued a statement on the Blu-ray issues concerning the Xbox One, not to mention us having talked about a rather unorthodox method of fixing the Blu-ray issue which has proven to be successful for some. Basically, the problem surrounding the Xbox One is this – not only is it unable to play 3D Blu-ray discs, it is also unable to playback content that had already been burned to a recordable Blu-Ray (BD-R) disc.

Ubergizmo , Xbox One Plays DVD-Rs All Right, Xbox One Plays DVD-Rs All Right

Samsung working on 20 megapixel camera for next Note

Samsung will be the latest manufacturer to get into the megapixel race, according to a report from ET News. The company's Mobile Advanced Development team is already working on 20 megapixel camera modules. The global market leader is allegedly still facing difficulties with the implementation of Optical Image Stabilization option, so it's looking for other means to differentiating its products.
Samsung's upcoming camera module is expected to debut in the second half of next year.

GSM Arena , Samsung working on 20 megapixel camera for next Note, Samsung working on 20 megapixel camera for next Note

Cubic Telecom to expand operations in Japan and Asia Pacific with Lenovo

Dublin-based Cubic Telecom is to expand its operations in Japan and Asia Pacific with Lenovo, the world’s largest PC vendor. This will enable Cubic Telecom to extend its unique global connectivity solution to its partners in Japan and the Asia Pacific region. The agreement between Cubic Telecom and Lenovo was announced during an Irish Government Trade and Investment Mission to Japan led by An Taoiseach, Mr. Enda Kenny T.D.

Press Release Distribution , Cubic Telecom to expand operations in Japan and Asia Pacific with Lenovo, Cubic Telecom to expand operations in Japan and Asia Pacific with Lenovo

Nokia Lumia 2520 Sleep Mode Bug Haunts Users

Nokia announced its first Windows RT tablet, the Lumia 2520, in October. The tablet was recently released and some customers have complained about a sleep mode bug that causes the tablet to become inoperable until the user performs a hard reset. The issue is reportedly being faced by both AT&T and Verizon variants of the device, and quite a lot of users have complained about the exact same issue in Nokia's official discussions forums. Users who left comments on the forum speculate that the bug might be related to the display drivers, however Nokia is yet to issue a statement regarding the bug.

Ubergizmo , Nokia Lumia 2520 Sleep Mode Bug Haunts Users, Nokia Lumia 2520 Sleep Mode Bug Haunts Users

Best-selling vehicles by state show F-Series isn't king everywhere

The Ford F-Series is hands down the best-selling vehicle in the US, but as it turns out, there are plenty of states where the truck doesn't reign supreme. Business Insider compiled data from Kelley Blue Book based on 2013 sales figures from January through August to create a map of the top-selling vehicles in each of the 50 states and Washington, D.C. Looking at the map, Ford's truck is the top vehicle in 34 states, but there are states – some surprising, some not – where other vehicles are more popular among consumers.

Autoblog , Best-selling vehicles by state show F-Series isn't king everywhere, Best-selling vehicles by state show F-Series isn't king everywhere

Developer Edition And U.S. Unlocked HTC One Receives Android 4.4 Update

The HTC One smartphone is available from all four major U.S. carriers, Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile and Sprint to be precise. Customers who bought their units from these carriers are currently waiting for Android 4.4 KitKat update to drop, given the fact that KitKat is the latest version of Google's mobile operating system. While HTC is yet to say when carrier branded units are going to receive the update, the manufacturer revealed via Twitter that Android 4.4 has been released for U.S. unlocked as well as the developer edition variants of HTC One.

It didn't say what changes the update brings to Sense UI.

Ubergizmo , Developer Edition And U.S. Unlocked HTC One Receives Android 4.4 Update, Developer Edition And U.S. Unlocked HTC One Receives Android 4.4 Update