A New Version Of Google Glass Is Coming In 2015 (GOOG) | ||
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Just when you thought it was dead and buried, Google is about to release an upgraded version of Google Glass with an all-new chip and improved battery life. The Wall Street Journal is reporting that an Intel chip is going to be found inside the new version of Google Glass, replacing a processor manufactured by Texas Instruments. Intel is reportedly going to help Google introduce the device to businesses, rather than its existing audience of tech-savvy consumers. Eric Johnsen, a former Google employee who worked on the Google Glass project, told the Wall Street Journal that a new version of the device would likely feature improved battery life. The short length of the battery in the current model has been criticised for being too short. It looked like Google had all but abandoned its wearable device. Last month it announced that it was closing the physical stores in which it was sold. And Google CEO Sergey Brin was spotted at a red carpet event without the distinctive eyewear, later telling reporters that he had accidentally left them in the car. Developers have also lost interest in Google Glass. Twitter has officially ended its support for the device, removing its app from the Google Play Store and ceasing development. That means that new Google Glass customers can't tweet photos from the device unless a third-party developer makes their own Twitter app. Join the conversation about this story »  | ||
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Here's Where To Find The UK's Best Cyber Monday Deals | ||
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Websites will probably have huge traffic, so it's best to save time and know what you're after. Here are the best UK deals: AmazonThe online retailer is offering "lightning deals" and has discounts on hundreds of products, from Xbox One consoles to its own-brand Fire TV. On Monday morning Amazon dropped its Fire HD7 tablet to £99, while its phone, a 32GB model on the O2 network, was reduced by £150 to £249. GAMEThe go-to store for gamers has picked up today where it left off on Black Friday — it's hitting Cyber Monday hard. It's best deals as the morning arrived were hardware deals on XBox One and PlayStation 4 consoles. As of the morning Microsoft's device was priced at £299 with the new Assassin's Creed game, and the PS4 for the same price with Driveclub and The Last of Us. AppleOK, so Apple hasn't really got into the spirit of the whole save people money thing, which has upset some people — but it's still involved. On Cyber Monday it's running a charity promotion to mark World AIDS Day, and says the company will "contribute a portion of the proceeds from every product, accessory and gift card" it sells on Dec. 1 to fight the disease. John LewisThe department store proved it's more than just a posh advert on Black Friday, and has £20 off Amazon's Kindle Fire today. It's also operating a policy to match competitors on products. A lot of the deals it had last week are over, but its tech section still has plenty of discounts. MotorolaThe smartphone manufacturer is running a registration for its new Moto X handset until Dec. 2. It's not out yet but you can already get £100 off. Richer SoundsThe audio company is worth a visit on Cyber Monday. It's got speakers like the Tannoy Revolution DC6 down from £399.95 to £199.95, and loads of its Black Friday reductions are still in place. ArgosArgos is also in on the action on Dec. 1 and is again one of the cheapest places to shop. It's got a Canon PowerShot camera for less than half price at £119.99, and its Black Friday offers end on Cyber Monday, with an emphasis on tech. Examples include PS4 bundles, iPad Mini tablets for £179 with a £20 gift voucher, and a Toshiba 1TB laptop for £279.99. TescoIts stores were some of the more dangerous during the Black Friday melee, but buying from the retailer online is probably okay. Tesco has got a Samsung Galaxy Note, 8", 16GB, white, for £149. Overall its got up to £20 off technology and electrical, with an eCoupon service specifically for Cyber Monday. HalfordsThe automotive company has a "web exclusive" reel of deals for December 1. Deals include various models of satnavs, such as the Garmin Nuvi or TomTom Go, for £69.99 and £99.99 respectively. It's also got plenty of other tech devices reduced, including bluetooth headsets and car stereos. Currys PC WorldMuch like Black Friday, Cyber Monday is big at the computer giant. It's black tag event is still going online and some of the prices are pretty epic. There's a Dolce Gusto coffee machine for £29 (Was £99.99), and a 42" LG Smart LED TV reduced to £279. Marks & SpencerWeirdly, Cyber Monday is part of M&S' "4 Magical Days" offers, where more than 6,000 deals offer for up to 30% off. There's not a huge amount of tech, but there are a few things to check out. Join the conversation about this story »  | ||
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A New Version Of Google Glass Is Coming In 2015 (GOOG) | ||
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Just when you thought it was dead and buried, Google is about to release an upgraded version of Google Glass with an all-new chip and improved battery life. The Wall Street Journal is reporting that an Intel chip is going to be found inside the new version of Google Glass, replacing a processor manufactured by Texas Instruments. Intel is reportedly going to help Google introduce the device to businesses, rather than its existing audience of tech-savvy consumers. Eric Johnsen, a former Google employee who worked on the Google Glass project, told the Wall Street Journal that a new version of the device would likely feature improved battery life. The short length of the battery in the current model has been criticised for being too short. It looked like Google had all but abandoned its wearable device. Last month it announced that it was closing the physical stores in which it was sold. And Google CEO Sergey Brin was spotted at a red carpet event without the distinctive eyewear, later telling reporters that he had accidentally left them in the car. Developers have also lost interest in Google Glass. Twitter has officially ended its support for the device, removing its app from the Google Play Store and ceasing development. That means that new Google Glass customers can't tweet photos from the device unless a third-party developer makes their own Twitter app. Join the conversation about this story »  | ||
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Here's Where To Find The UK's Best Cyber Monday Deals | ||
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Websites will probably have huge traffic, so it's best to save time and know what you're after. Here are the best UK deals: AmazonThe online retailer is offering "lightning deals" and has discounts on hundreds of products, from Xbox One consoles to its own-brand Fire TV. On Monday morning Amazon dropped its Fire HD7 tablet to £99, while its phone, a 32GB model on the O2 network, was reduced by £150 to £249. GAMEThe go-to store for gamers has picked up today where it left off on Black Friday — it's hitting Cyber Monday hard. It's best deals as the morning arrived were hardware deals on XBox One and PlayStation 4 consoles. As of the morning Microsoft's device was priced at £299 with the new Assassin's Creed game, and the PS4 for the same price with Driveclub and The Last of Us. AppleOK, so Apple hasn't really got into the spirit of the whole save people money thing, which has upset some people — but it's still involved. On Cyber Monday it's running a charity promotion to mark World AIDS Day, and says the company will "contribute a portion of the proceeds from every product, accessory and gift card" it sells on Dec. 1 to fight the disease. John LewisThe department store proved it's more than just a posh advert on Black Friday, and has £20 off Amazon's Kindle Fire today. It's also operating a policy to match competitors on products. A lot of the deals it had last week are over, but its tech section still has plenty of discounts. MotorolaThe smartphone manufacturer is running a registration for its new Moto X handset until Dec. 2. It's not out yet but you can already get £100 off. Richer SoundsThe audio company is worth a visit on Cyber Monday. It's got speakers like the Tannoy Revolution DC6 down from £399.95 to £199.95, and loads of its Black Friday reductions are still in place. ArgosArgos is also in on the action on Dec. 1 and is again one of the cheapest places to shop. It's got a Canon PowerShot camera for less than half price at £119.99, and its Black Friday offers end on Cyber Monday, with an emphasis on tech. Examples include PS4 bundles, iPad Mini tablets for £179 with a £20 gift voucher, and a Toshiba 1TB laptop for £279.99. TescoIts stores were some of the more dangerous during the Black Friday melee, but buying from the retailer online is probably okay. Tesco has got a Samsung Galaxy Note, 8", 16GB, white, for £149. Overall its got up to £20 off technology and electrical, with an eCoupon service specifically for Cyber Monday. HalfordsThe automotive company has a "web exclusive" reel of deals for December 1. Deals include various models of satnavs, such as the Garmin Nuvi or TomTom Go, for £69.99 and £99.99 respectively. It's also got plenty of other tech devices reduced, including bluetooth headsets and car stereos. Currys PC WorldMuch like Black Friday, Cyber Monday is big at the computer giant. It's black tag event is still going online and some of the prices are pretty epic. There's a Dolce Gusto coffee machine for £29 (Was £99.99), and a 42" LG Smart LED TV reduced to £279. Marks & SpencerWeirdly, Cyber Monday is part of M&S' "4 Magical Days" offers, where more than 6,000 deals offer for up to 30% off. There's not a huge amount of tech, but there are a few things to check out. Join the conversation about this story »  | ||
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Japan credit rating downgraded by Moody's, debt cited | ||
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Tokyo (AFP) - Moody's downgraded Japan's credit rating on Monday, citing "rising uncertainty" over the country's debt situation and Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's faltering efforts to kickstart the world's number three economy. The ratings agency said it cut Japan's rating by one notch to A1 from Aa3, after the economy sank into recession during the third quarter. In the wake of the poor GDP reading, Abe announced that a planned sales tax hike set for next year would be delayed, as he called a snap election that the premier described as a referendum on his "Abenomics" growth blitz. Tokyo raised the sales levy in April -- to 8 percent from 5 percent -- for the first time in 17 years, in a bid to generate more revenue to pay down an eye-watering national debt. Japan has one of the heaviest debt burdens among rich nations, at more than twice the size of the economy. But the increase slammed the brakes on growth just as the economy, plagued by years of deflation, appeared to be turning a corner. "The first driver for the downgrade of the Japan government's debt rating to A1 is the rising uncertainty over whether the government's medium-term deficit reduction goal is achievable, and whether policy makers can overcome the tensions inherent in promoting growth while simultaneously stabilising and reversing the rising debt trajectory," Moody's said in a statement. Holding off the fresh tax hike, initially planned for late 2015, "poses risks to fiscal consolidation and, over the longer-term, to debt affordability and sustainability". "Japan's deficits and debt remain very high, and fiscal consolidation will become increasingly difficult to achieve as time passes given rising government spending, particularly for social programs associated with a rapidly ageing population," the ratings agency added. Preliminary GDP data last month showed Japan's economy shrank 0.4 percent, or at an annualised rate of 1.6 percent, in the July-September quarter, following a 1.9 percent contraction in the April-June quarter -- or 7.3 percent at an annualised rate. Join the conversation about this story »  | ||
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