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| HelloFax Turns Google Drive Into a Fax Machine | | Friday, April 27, 2012 11:53 PM | Emily Price |
|  HelloFax got one step closer to its goal of eliminating the fax machine this week. The service has been integrated into Google Drive. HelloFax's Google Drive integration allows you to fax any document from Google Drive, as well as receive faxes from others in a special HelloFax folder within the drive. The service also allows you edit and sign PDF documents in your browser, removing the need to print important documents to sign and then scan them back into your computer to print them -everything can be done paperless. "Our objective as a company is to end faxing everywhere for everyone" HelloFax CEO Joseph Walla told Mashable. "It's so wasteful. It's environmentally unfriendly, and it's a waste of time" HelloFax started out as a weekend project for Walla and his co-founder Neal O'Mara, a project that quickly grew into much more. While initially just a simple faxing app, the the two later added the ability to edit and sign documents in your browser. "What we found out is that the only reason people fax things is that the vast majority of these documents are being signed," says Walla. He says millions of people are searching regularly online for faxing, but very few are looking for electronic signature. "What we've found is a lot of people joined us for faxing, and now they've converted to electronic signatures. We have a lot users who were fax users and now they don't fax at all." HelloFax is currently used worldwide, and has gained a tremendous amount of traction particularly in Silicon Valley, where it is used by number of startups and even some larger companies. When asked what's it's like to have a business with the main goal of essentially ending the industry its a part of, Walla compared HelloFax to its new partner Google. "We see faxing the way Google probably sees Android. It's this way of expanding and protecting its core business which is search. Our core business is documents and document signing, and faxing is just this transmission method that hasn't gone away." The company actually stopped working on the fax portion of its service over a year ago, and is now focusing development efforts on e-signatures. In addition to Google Drive, HelloFax is also integrated with Dropbox and Box. If you sign up for the service now through Google Drive you can get 50 free fax pages per month as well as unlimited signature requests and document signing. |
| Yahoo Escalates Patent War With Facebook | | Friday, April 27, 2012 8:47 PM | Pete Pachal |
|  Yahoo just took its war of lawsuits with Facebook to the next level, adding two more patent-infringement claims to the 10 it filed for back in March. The company also accused Facebook of not having a good-faith belief in the counterclaim it filed almost a month ago. "Today Yahoo! filed additional claims against Facebook in U.S. District Court related to two additional patents on which Facebook infringes," Yahoo said in an emailed statement. "As we have stated previously, Yahoo!'s technologies are the foundation of our business that engages over 700 million monthly unique visitors and represent the spirit of innovation upon which Yahoo! is built. We intend to vigorously protect these technologies for our customers and shareholders." In the face of the new claims, Facebook was more succinct: "We remain perplexed by Yahoo's erratic actions," a Facebook spokesperson said, also in an emailed statement. "We disagree with these latest claims and we will continue to defend ourselves vigorously." With the "erratic" dig, Facebook seems to be depicting Yahoo as the tech-company equivalent of a crotchety old man. Considering Yahoo specifically calls out Facebook for using recently acquired patents as the basis of its lawsuit -- even though some of the patents in Yahoo's claim were acquired as well -- the image may well stick. SEE ALSO: Facebook Adds Yahoo Patent Lawsuit to IPO Filing A quick recap: Shortly after appointing former PayPal executive Scott Thompson as CEO, Yahoo warned Facebook that the social network was infringing on its intellectual property -- specifically, 10 patents that relate to Internet technologies. It then went ahead and sued Facebook a few weeks later, becoming something of a tech-industry pariah in the process. Facebook, rather than try to end the suit with a quick settlement, set out to arm itself for a retaliatory strike. The social network quickly acquired many patents from both IBM and Microsoft. Facebook also countersued Yahoo -- saying that it, too, was guilty of patent infringement. The whole affair would be funny if it wasn't a symptom of a wider, all-out patent war. In the last year we've seen Apple, Google, Microsoft and a host of others sue the pants of each other, and a company that barely does anything can claim to hold a patent on the web itself. So this latest salvo in the Facebook-Yahoo patent war likely won't be the last. What's your take on the ongoing dispute? Sound off in the comments. |
| Microsoft: 30 Years of Hardware and a Few Surprises | | Friday, April 27, 2012 7:47 PM | Lance Ulanoff |
|  Microsoft has been making hardware for a long time. That's right -- the company best known for its world-dominating operating system, Windows, has been spitting out gadgets for 30 years. And while they haven't always been pretty, some of these devices have become industry, business and household staples. During my recent trip to Microsoft's sprawling Redmond campus, I was led into a room that one might call the hardware vault. This relatively small conference room did not include every piece of hardware Microsoft has ever made, but it did offer an impressive collection and glimpses of more than a few classics. There were many mice -- who does not remember their first Microsoft Mouse? -- some early ones, some new. Keyboards? Yes, a ton them. Here and there, I also spotted a bunch of yellowing, older gear and a few things I've never seen before. Noticeably absent was some of Microsoft's successful hardware: the Xbox (any generation) and the new Kinect. Also missing: Microsoft's misguided forays into sound cards and routers. Fortunately, I can still close my eyes and see them. SEE ALSO: Microsoft Research: Bringing Sexy Back Microsoft is quite proud of its hardware history and some of its latest innovations. In recent years, it's done some impressive stuff with mice. The latest Explorers offer haptic feedback and, with new Windows 8 drivers, will allow you to scroll horizontally (if you've seen the new Metro interface, this actually makes a lot of sense). Microsoft Senior Manager Ben Reed told me that as the world moved to mobile computing (laptops now outsell desktops), a person's mouse has become "a vehicle of self-expression." To wit, Reed proudly showed off a collection of designer Wireless Mobile Mice Microsoft commissioned last year and some of the latest designs they just introduce in March. The limited-edition mice are only on sale for six months. As he spoke he used what I consider the best Microsoft mouse ever made, the new wireless ArcTouch mouse. It's a device that literally changes shape to fit the curve of your hand. To commemorate 30 years of hardware, Microsoft took 30 of those mice and had them hand-painted and then numbered. So now they're unique, not for sale and, yes, Mashable has one of them. Check out some of the classic hardware and Microsoft's new gear in the gallery, and don't miss the 30th Anniversary Mouse. Later this week, we'll tell you how you can win it. |
| TriggerHappy App Turns Your Phone Into an Advanced DSLR Camera Remote | | Friday, April 27, 2012 6:49 PM | Joann Pan |
|  Three photo-loving engineers want to simplify digital photography with a simple cord-and-phone-app combo that's gaining immense support on Kickstarter. Photographers, meet the TriggerHappy Camera Remote -- a device that turns your phone into an external camera remote for most modern Nikon and Canon DSLRs. Though it's still six days away from its Kickstarter funding deadline, TriggerHappy has blown past its original $25,000 goal. So far, the team has collected $185,247 at the time of posting. Backers who pledge $50 or more will receive the TriggerHappy cord and app. The cord will connect to nearly all iOS and Android devices through a standard audio jack. TriggerHappy lets a user quickly snap pictures without fail and fire rapid sequences of shots with one touch. The app also allows individuals to create easy presets -- automatic interval changes, duration of shots and shutter speed settings. The app streamlines processes. Photographers can easily navigate the app instead of scrolling through every tab within the camera to find specific menus. High dynamic range time-lapse series and complicated functions are easy to set. SEE ALSO: Beyond 1080p: Canon Unveils $15,000 Camera with 4K HD Video The patent-pending invention can, among other features, trigger a camera, manage time-lapse photography and shoot in HDR mode. The team of engineers behind the TriggerHappy unit and app are Kevin Harrington, Brett Gottula and Luke Duffield. With the money raised, the engineers will incorporate new features to the app including face-detection capabilities, lightning detection and audio waveform detection. The TriggerHappy Camera Remote will cost $69.99 plus shipping. There are adapters for most Nikon and Canon models. TriggerHappy can also be used with many Kodak, FujiFilm, Sony and Olympus models. Is there a need for TriggerHappy? What other camera functions would you like an external app for? Tell us in the comments. Image courtesy of Flickr, Ben Fredericson |
| FaceVault App Brings Facial Recognition to iOS [VIDEO] | | Friday, April 27, 2012 4:39 PM | Sonia Paul |
|  A new app called FaceVault brings facial recognition and pattern-based unlocking to iOS. It works just like Facial Unlock on Android's Ice Cream Sandwich, but there's a key difference -- Apple is much more strict about what goes on its lockscreen. Though Apple had previously rejected this kind of facial recognition app, FaceVault marks the first time you can turn your smartphone into a "virtual safe-deposit box" with your mug. The app uses your iDevice's front-facing camera and the Eigenface algorithm -- considered to be the most advanced technology in facial recognition -- to analyze your face. "The algorithm can ignore the fact that you're wearing glasses or a new makeup look, and still unlock the app," Robert Neagu, the app's creator, told Wired via email. When the facial recognition system fails, you're redirected to another screen, where you can unlock the app with a pattern-based code. FaceVault also adds a layer of security to your camera by keeping an archive of login attempts -- so you can keep track of potential break-ins. However, the security of FaceVault does have some caveats. On the app's description page, it states, "FaceRecognition is less secure than a Pattern," "Someone who looks similar to you could unlock this app" and "You must have an active internet connection to perform recognition." And unlike the Android, you can't choose the pattern-based lock system over the facial lock system on FaceVault. However, we wonder if Apple might adopt something like this in the future. Patently Apple reported the company filed a patent for face and presence detection security in 2010. And this wouldn't be the first time an Android feature came to iOS. Remember the notification center update? You can try out the FaceVault app by purchasing it at the iTunes store for .99. Have you already tried FaceVault? Let us know what you think of it in the comments. Thumbnail courtesy of Apple |
| This Projector Lets You Watch TV, Play Games on Any Wall | | Friday, April 27, 2012 4:27 PM | Emily Price |
|  The Summer Gadget Series is presented by the Galaxy Nexus from Sprint. Android 4.0, Google Wallet and Google Play make it pure Google. Truly Unlimited data from Sprint makes it unstoppable. Check it out. Product: WowWee Cinemin Slice Pico Projector Price: $429.99 What It's Good For: Projecting movies, video games and photos onto your walls, ceilings or even the side of your house. Limitations: You'll need to be in a dark place to get the best video quality, and the projector is only capable of displaying images 60 inches in size. Bottom Line: The Cinemin Slice can spice up your traditional movie watching experience, and it lets you show videos from your smartphone, computer or tablet with several people at once in a unique way. Sure, you can watch movies on your couch, but where's the fun in that? WowWee's Cinemin Slice pico projector lets you display everything from your favorite films to your favorite video games anywhere you have a blank wall. The Slice can display a 60-inch image from up to 10 feet away, so you can use it to show Hulu or Netflix on your bedroom wall or ceiling while you're trying to sleep, or use it to play your favorite Xbox game on the side of your house while lounging in the backyard. While the projector produces a bright image, you'll need to be somewhere pretty dark to display the best quality. The Cinemin Slice has a 30-pin Apple connector so you can connect your iPod, iPod touch, iPhone or iPad to play media, as well as a mini-HDMI/AV port for connecting other types of devices and a VGA port for connecting up your laptop. The projector is also plug-and-play, which means you can just connect up your device of choice and start watching videos with no additional software or setup required. Visuals on the machine are pretty solid, but not high definition. Images are displayed at a 854 x 480 resolution, at a 16:9 aspect ratio and 1000:1 contrast ratio. The projector has a manual focus and a 90-degree hinge so you can position it to display video at just the right angle and sharpness. The Cinemin Slice comes with an infrared remote control for changing tracks and adjusting volume. When you're watching your video with others, the Slice plays audio through its built-in 6-watt stereo speakers. And for times when you're viewing solo, you can use the projector's headphone jack to listen privately. The Cinemin Slice is available now at select retailers for around $430. WowWee also manufactures a more portable version of the Cinemin Slice, the Cinemin Swivel, for those on-the-go. Series presented by the Sprint Galaxy Nexus The Summer Gadget Series is presented by the Galaxy Nexus from Sprint. Android 4.0, Google Wallet and Google Play make it pure Google. Truly Unlimited data from Sprint makes it unstoppable. Check it out. |
| 10 Kindle Cases That Look Like Books | | Friday, April 27, 2012 2:33 PM | Amy-Mae Elliott |
|  The Amazon Kindle offers you an entire digital library in the palm of your hand. Therefore, it makes perfect sense that you can get book-themed cases for the device. Some you may have already seen, such as the popular DODOcase, but now we're taking a look at alternative options for Kindle-owning bibliophiles. SEE ALSO: Top 10 Kindle Fire Cases Whether you want to disguise your e-reader as something a little more analog, pay homage to a literary classic you love, or enjoy the leather look and feel of a vintage tome, we've got a case to suit. So, have a browse through our veritable library of book-themed Kindle cases above. Let us know in the comments below which ones you'd add to your bookshelf. |
| 5 Free Android Apps Your Kids Will Love | | Friday, April 27, 2012 12:17 PM | Sponsored Post |
|  This article is brought to you by Samsung, from the company's website. Today's kids are more tech-savvy than ever. In fact, you probably see your precocious children tinkering with your mobile devices on a regular basis. Well, we have some good news -- that Android device you hold in your hand doesn't just keep you connected on the go, it can also be a great tool for the little ones. These five fun apps for children -- all free and available in Google Play -- will keep your kids entertained, educated and engaged. 1. Kid Mode by Zoodles What it is: Fun and educational games for kids ages 8 and under. Kids will love: Creative activities that stimulate their minds, including art, games, and stories. Parents will love: All their child's favorite Android apps in one place; the fun and educational games; and the Child Lock safety feature. Perfect for: Staying entertained during dinner parties and lengthy doctor's office waits. Learn more about Zoodles. 2. Radio Disney What it is: A way for kids 16 and under to tune into the popular Radio Disney anytime, anywhere. Kids will love: Requesting songs, checking out recently played songs, creating customized "favorites" lists, discovering new bands, and entering prize giveaways. Parents will love: The youth-targeted contemporary hits, popular yet appropriate. Perfect for: Car rides or just hanging out at home. Learn more about Radio Disney. 3. Paintbox What it is: A way for children to create realistic paintings digitally. Kids will love: The natural "brushes" with features such as opacity control and speed and direction; being able to save paintings and share them with everyone. Parents will love: Helping kids indulge in artistic passions on the go. Perfect for: Car rides, after-school fun, or just hanging out at home. Learn more about Paintbox. 4. Angry Birds Seasons What it is: Another edition of the smash-hit (and addictive) game. Kids will love: The action and intrigue as the Angry Birds head to a new and exotic locale, with 30 brand new levels to conquer. Parents will love: Wholesome, nonviolent gaming that keeps kids thoroughly distracted. Perfect for: Plane rides, car trips, shopping mall trips, and more. Learn more about Angry Birds Seasons. 5. Talking Tom Cat What it is: A talking pet cat named Tom responds to your touch and repeats everything you say (with a funny voice). Kids will love: Petting Tom, poking Tom, and touching his tail. Parents will love: The sight of their kids laughing as they control Tom's utterances. Perfect for: Trips to the mall, visits to the doctor's office or any time you both need a good laugh. Learn more about Talking Tom Cat. Android and Google Play are trademarks of Google, Inc. Other company and product names mentioned herein may be trademarks of their respective owners. Check out Samsung's original content here. |
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