Mellisa Tolentino
Latest from Mellisa Tolentino
Apple to make iTunes Radio a standalone app on iOS 8 + more
Even before Apple released iOS 7.1, rumors about the features of iOS 8 were already abundant. Most recently, we heard that Apple is working on enhancing its Maps app by integrating more data for increased reliability and accuracy, together with public transportation information. The Cupertino company is also said to be looking into incorporating augmented ...
Smart cars pushing new deals with gadget makers, network carriers
This week’s SmartCar roundup features a call for more collaboration between tech giants and car manufacturers, a new M2M solution for IoT, and new partnerships for connected cars. Volkswagen’s call for further collaboration At the CeBIT 2014 in Hannover, Volkswagen CEO Martin Winkerhorn called for further collaboration between the auto and tech industries to support ...
Top gadgets for DIY smart homes
Home automation trends are bringing the future into the present, smartening up your home to run tasks on its own, and give you peace of mind. But today’s smart home market is very fragmented, with dozens of new products to choose from. Once the initial excitement of the idea behind a smart home settles into ...
TV continues its Internet takeover : SxSW 2014 + beyond
As interest in Internet-based programming rises, companies are racing to produce the best set-top box that meets consumer demand. But will such efforts be enough for people to ditch traditional TV? Though many see Internet-based programming as the next frontier for entertainment, adoption for new-age programming solutions has yet to steal significant market share from ...
iOS 8 rumors: Finally, a better Maps app with transit data and augmented reality
Apple has just released its iOS 7.1update, which delivers bug fixes, new settings and features, and a better experience for users of the iPhone 4. The major update is expected to be the last for the iPhone 4, as it’s likely that the device’s hardware won’t be able to support the next version of iOS. ...
Why Dong Nguyen pulled the plug on Flappy Bird
In early February, a colleague of mine suggested that I write a piece about a trending game called Flappy Bird, but before I did that, he urged me to play it a few times to really understand what made it so addicting, and why it went viral. Oh how I hated him after that as ...
UK Prime Minister leads IoT effort
This week’s Quantified Self roundup features an effort to bolster the Internet of Things, a phone case that tracks your vitals, and a wearable gadget that pairs users with personal trainers. UK boosts IoT effort David Cameron, the United Kingdom’s Prime Minister, is turning the Internet of Things sogan into a fact. Announced at CeBIT ...
Best smart home packages from cable + internet providers
Interest in home automation is increasing but the biggest hindrance in adoption is cost. According to a study conducted by Parks Associates, consumers are very interested in bundled offers from their service providers, combining familiar brand names with packaged price deals. The research revealed that 66 percent of all US broadband households find a smart home bundled package quite ...
BI is data democracy : DataRPM closes $5.1M Series A funding
DataRPM, a self-proclaimed pioneer in cognitive business intelligence, has closed a $5.1 million Series A funding round led by InterWest Partners with the participation of CIT GAP Funds. The funding will be used to accelerate DataRPM’s global go-to-market strategy. DataRPM sets out to change the way we work with data, making analytics more accessible and easier ...
Netflix streaming speeds get turbo charged on Comcast deal
Throughout most of 2013, Netflix subscribers on Comcast were experiencing streaming speeds as fast as 2.13 Mbps. Up until December, Comcast ranked in Netflix’s Top 10 list of cable providers that streamed the service fastest. But in December 2013, Netflix’s streams on Comcast came crashing to a halt. The company ranked a lowly 13th, delivering ...