Yahoo buys TV companion app developer IntoNow and its database of sounds
Earlier this year IntoNow launched its iPhone app that could identify what TV show you were watching by the audio Shazam-style and then share it with others over Facebook or Twitter, pull in additional information, or add the DVD to your Netflix queue. Now, Yahoo has purchased the company and according to the press release (after the break) wants to integrate its SoundPrint tech with its existing services including the Connected TV platform. As NewTeeVee suggests, this could tie-in nicely with its existing plans to use audio watermarks to identify advertisements and display additional info on screen or work with a companion app, both of which it demonstrated at CES. That database of sounds reportedly stretches back over five years and is continually being updated, which could give a major lift to Yahoo over other smart TV platforms that goes far beyond just check-ins and badges.
Continue reading Yahoo buys TV companion app developer IntoNow and its database of sounds
Yahoo buys TV companion app developer IntoNow and its database of sounds originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 25 Apr 2011 17:09:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Google expands NFC check-ins, clutters more restaurant windows
Google’s love affair with NFC continues to blossom, and QR codes are starting to feel like a neglected stepchild. After a successful trial run in Portland, the once-upon-a-search company is expanding its NFC check-in program to four new cities, slapping RFID “Recommended on Google” stickers on windows in Las Vegas; Madison, Wisconsin; Charlotte, North Carolina; and Austin, Texas. The company wants to be the best in the location-based service market, and NFC is its crane kick. While Foursquare and Facebook users are forced to do silly things like track down the right business in an endless list of nearby results or try and focus their cellphone’s camera on a dimly lit QR code, you could simply be swiping over a sticker, scoring discounts and moving on. Provided, of course, you happen to have one of the few NFC-equipped phones on the market (such as the Nexus S), live in one of Google’s five testbed cities and really want your friends to know you hit Planet Wings for lunch — again. Full PR after the break.
Continue reading Google expands NFC check-ins, clutters more restaurant windows
Google expands NFC check-ins, clutters more restaurant windows originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 14 Apr 2011 18:28:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Google Latitude, now with 100 percent more check-in deals
A couple of months back, Google brought check-ins to Latitude, its location-sharing service, through Google Maps 5.1 for Android. Naturally, iPhone users only recently received the same functionality, but some would argue they should be grateful to be included at all. (Kidding. Sort of.) Now, Latitude’s inching closer to direct competition with Foursquare and Groupon by offering check-in deals at retailers like RadioShack, American Eagle, Quiznos, and Finish Line. Google is currently namechecking over a dozen nationwide partners, and that list will surely grow as the bandwagon approaches Mach 5. Curious as to how this all works? Check in at RadioShack, for example, and you might receive ten percent off an in-store purchase. Offers are tied to check-in frequency, building on Latitude’s three-tiered status system; higher status means better deals. If you’d rather peek nearby offers before you decide to leave the house, head to Google’s official check in page in the source link below.
Google Latitude, now with 100 percent more check-in deals originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 11 Apr 2011 14:05:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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inPulse Bluetooth smartwatch gets Facebook Places check-in app for Android (video)
Ever since Allerta released an SDK for its well-hyped inPulse smartwatch, it was only a matter of time before we start seeing more practical applications that take this Bluetooth peripheral beyond the BlackBerry ecosystem. For instance, the latest example comes from the inPulse’s very own Lead Designer Eric Migicovsky, who happens to be a fan of Facebook Places and possibly an Android convert. Rather than having to pull out his Nexus One for every check-in, Migicovsky can now use his simple app on his inPulse to grab a list of nearby locations off the phone, and then check in with just a click of a button. Pretty neat, eh? For those interested, you can grab the project code off inPulse’s website and get programming.
inPulse Bluetooth smartwatch gets Facebook Places check-in app for Android (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 02 Mar 2011 11:04:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Meet Google Hotpots — (Local hot spots, only missing a letter)
Tucked into Google’s official blog post on the most recent update to Google Maps is a little bit about Google Hotpots. No, we didn’t misspell that. Head to google.com/hotpot and you can rate local places — restaurants and the like — from the safety and comfort of your Web browser. And they go with your on your smarpthone, too.
There’s a five-star rating system and smiley-face/frowny-face options on food, service, atmosphere and value. Next step: Check-ins. (By the way: If you’re even in Pensacola, don’t miss McGuire’s.) [Google Lat-Long blog]
Meet Google Hotpots — (Local hot spots, only missing a letter) posted originally by Android Central
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How to keep your friends from checking you in on Facebook
Facebook tonight announced its "Places" feature, wherein it allows you to directly "check in" at any location, without the use of a third-party app to do so. And that’s fine. And it also lets your friends check in for you, which is not so fine. The good news is that the first time someone does this, you’ll get an e-mail asking if it’s OK and if you want to allow people to check you in in the future. It’s currently available in the updated iOS app, say our pals at TiPb, and at touch.facebook.com if your browser supports HTML5 and geolocation — two things Google’s made a big deal of in its mobile browser technology – and it’s safe to assume it’ll be coming to the Android Facebook app at some point.
Me? I’m not taking any chances. (And, quite frankly, if you’re in the same place as me, you’re incriminating yourself just as much.) You can disable that "feature" now by going into your privacy settings. Hit the "customize" link, scroll down to the "things other share" section, and disable the "Friends can check me into places" feature."
Last time my friends checked me into somewhere, I woke up in a padded room with a single light bulb and a bunch of ink blots. Never again, folks. Never again. [Facebook]
Posted originally at Android Central
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Yelp 2.0 brings monocle and checkins to its Android client
Yelp has brought their 2.0 Android client to the Market, and it has some very nice features in tow. You can now check in to the places Yelp helps you find, and use "monocle" (an augmented virtual reality layer of sorts) to help you find them. These two features were sorely missed in the previous versions of the Android client.
Check-ins are fairly self explanatory, but let me explain monocle to you a bit. You activate it from the Yelp main screen (pictured above), and it uses the camera, GPS and compass in your Android phone to overlay locations on the real-world view you see through the lens. Perfect for day trips spent walking through an unfamiliar town, or for just goofing around. Check out a screenshot or two after the break, as well as the download links. (Yelp is for all versions of Android — kudos the the developers for that!) Thanks willxcore!
Posted originally at Android Central
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