Todoist redesigns its iOS app to save you time, increase productivity

There are plenty of to-do list options out there, ready to equip your phone with software to help you meet deadlines. Todoist is one of those, and the iOS version of the app just got a massive redesign. First, instead of typing in an item, and then having to tap a few more menus to assign a due date or tack onto a project, composing all of that info in the text box will automatically complete the necessary tags. The app inputs the date and makes sure that the item appears in the correct project. Not only is it handy, but it'll surely save you some time. There's also a button at the bottom right of each project screen for quickly adding new tasks. Need that reminder in a specific spot? Pull two existing items apart and you'll be able to add it right where you need it.

New features also include the ability to assign start and end dates to tasks, collapse list views, edit multiple items at once and add color themes if you prefer a bit more visual organization. The folks at Todoist spent a few months carefully studying how users employ the app to determine how to improve it, and today's update is the result of that research. While the new version is only available on iOS right now, web, Mac and Windows updates are on the way. A new Android version is in the works, too -- and yes, it'll come draped in Material Design.

Source: Todoist

Tags: app, ios, mobilepostcross, productivity, software, todo, todoist, todolist, video

Pandora CFO calls Apple a 'frenemy,' sheds light on CarPlay integration

While Pandora was noticeably absent from Apple's list of launch partners for CarPlay, that is all set to change according to the company's CFO.

In an interview with Fox Business Network, Pandora CFO Mike Herring revealed that the music streaming service will "definitely be in CarPlay." While Herring did not give a specific timeline as to when the streaming service will debut on CarPlay, he did share his insights on Pandora's relationship with Apple:

Pandora, which owes part of its success to the popularity of its iPhone app, has a "frenemy kind of relationship going on" with Apple, according to Herring. "We were part of what made it fun to have an iPhone," Herring added. While the two companies are "close partners," it is a "very interesting relationship."

Apple's purchase of Beats Music makes it a direct competitor to Pandora, with the hardware giant reportedly hard at work in launching a retooled version of the service later this year.

Source: Fox Business

Amazon brings back the white Kindle e-reader in China and Japan

Have you missed white Kindle e-readers ever since they disappeared in 2012? So has Amazon. The internet retailer has quietly unveiled a white version of its basic Kindle reader that's headed to at least China on April 8th, and Japan on April 20th. It's virtually identical to the $79 black model, including the 800 x 600 e-paper touchscreen, WiFi and 4GB of storage -- you're really just getting a cosmetic change here. Still, it's hard not to be curious about Amazon's sudden nostalgia kick. We've reached out to Amazon to find out if and when the white Kindle will reach other parts of the globe, and we'll let you know if there are any additional launches in the cards.

Via: Ink, Bits & Pixels

Source: Amazon.cn, Amazon.co.jp

Tags: amazon, china, e book, e books, e reader, e readers, e-book, e-books, e-reader, e-readers, japan, kindle, white

Samsung delays its next-gen home automation devices

It'll take a while longer to see how Samsung's acquisition has improved SmartThings' Hub and sensors. The company was supposed to release its next-gen home automation devices this April, but now it's pushing back the launch date. SmartThings isn't even 100 percent sure when it will be able to release the new devices, but it says it will "most likely [happen in] Q3" 2015. Version 2 of its Hub and sensors just aren't ready for launch yet, as the company's announcement says it's working non-stop "to get the experience to the point where it needs to be."

If you recall, the new SmartThings hub promises faster performance, with the ability to run apps locally instead of in the cloud. It includes a battery backup, so some functions can work even without power, as well as more cellular data options. In addition to ensuring it can deliver on all those promises, the company says it's doing a lot of testing to get to the bottom of recent service outages. As disappointing as delays can be, it's certainly better than the alternative.

Source: SmartThings

Tags: HomeAutomation, samsung, smartthings

The New York Times will bring 'one-sentence stories' to the Apple Watch

The New York Times showed off how its app will work with the Apple Watch earlier today, with the highlight being what it calls "one-sentence stories."

One-sentence stories are exactly what they sound like: the meat of a story summed up into one sentence, with the goal being a quick way for users to keep up on the day's news right from their wrist.

One-sentence stories aren't limited to a short blurb, however, as users will also have the option to scroll through a bullet list and relevant photos that summarize the story's content. Additionally, users will have the option of passing the story off to their iPhone or iPad using Handoff, or even saving the story for later by adding it to a reading list.

The New York Times also notes that it will have editors specifically dedicated to crafting news stories for display on the publications mobile and Apple Watch apps.

The New York Times updated their app when the first batch of Apple Watch-enabled apps started hitting the App Store last week, but this is the first real glimpse we've gotten into how the publication plans to present stories on the Apple Watch.

In any case, it looks like The New York Times has crafted an interesting experience for its app on the Apple Watch, and it will be interesting to see what other developers bring to the table now that Apple has opened up Apple Watch app submissions to all developers.

Source: The New York Times

Apple Watch

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• Apple Watch news hub


• Apple Watch discussion


• WatchKit FAQ


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Google shows how it fights apps that insert unwanted web ads

It's bad enough when apps add unwanted toolbars and buttons in your browser, but it's especially irksome when they inject ads. It's no fun to have a technical support scam interrupt your web reading, after all. Google clearly hates this rogue software as much as you do, though, as it just outlined what it's doing to fight ad injectors. In Chrome, the company's tougher extension rules and malware blockers theoretically prevent code from inserting ads without your say-so. Google is also refining its techniques for catching bad extensions, and its AdWords policies prevent advertisers from offering shady downloads.

Of course, these aren't bulletproof techniques. There are other ways of imposing ads (such as malware), and these approaches won't help you if you're either running a non-Chrome browser or install software from outfits that don't use Google's ad system. No matter what, it's apparent that something needs to be done. Google has teased a report on ad injectors in releasing in May, and it notes that over 5 percent of visitors to its sites have these scummy programs installed -- knowing Google's size, that's a lot of victims.

Source: Google Online Security Blog

Tags: adinjector, advertising, adware, adwords, browser, chrome, chromewebstore, google, internet, privacy, security, web

Pandora CFO Calls Apple a 'Frenemy,' Says Music Service is Coming to CarPlay and Apple Watch

When Apple's CarPlay feature launched last year, Apple partnered with several music services to offer a variety of listening choices on the platform, including Spotify, iHeartRadio, Stitcher, Rdio, and more.

Noticeably absent from CarPlay was Pandora, but that appears to be set to change. Pandora CFO Mike Herring spoke to Fox Business Network yesterday and said Pandora will "definitely be in CarPlay" and integrated into the Apple Watch as well.

Though Herring did not provide a timeline for the possible launch of a Pandora CarPlay app, his statement to Fox is the closest Pandora's come to revealing its plans for the platform. Last year, Pandora told MacRumors that Apple was a valued partner and though it did not have a CarPlay offering at the current time, it was exploring opportunities to expand its presence in the car in the future.

Speaking to Fox, Herring also spilled some details on Pandora's relationship with Apple, which hints at why there may have been a delay getting Pandora on CarPlay. According to Herring, the two companies have a "frenemy kind of relationship," possibly due to the similarities between Pandora and Apple's iTunes Radio.

Pandora, which owes part of its success to the popularity of its iPhone app, has a "frenemy kind of relationship going on" with Apple, according to Herring. "We were part of what made it fun to have an iPhone," Herring added. While the two companies are "close partners," it is a "very interesting relationship."

At the current time, there are still only a handful of CarPlay apps available, like Spotify, Beats Music, CBS Radio News, Umano, MLB.com At Bat, Overcast, Stitcher, iHeartRadio, and Rdio. If Pandora comes to CarPlay, it'll be the fourth non-Apple owned music app available.

CarPlay is still largely limited to aftermarket in-dash systems from companies like Alpine and Pioneer, as many automobile manufacturers are still working on integrating CarPlay into their vehicles. Of Apple's CarPlay partners, Audi, Volkswagen, and Hyundai have promised CarPlay-compatible cars will be available for purchase in 2015.

The Big Picture: Yeah right, this was shot on a mobile phone

The World Photography Organization has announced the winners of its 2015 Sony World Photography Awards, including those from the inaugural mobile phone category. Out of some 96,000 entries, only three shots were chosen. Incredibly, this spectacular scene captured by Janos M Schmidt of Hungary didn't even take home top prize -- that honor went to Salvatori Calafato of Italy. But trust, you don't want to see that image in full definition.

[Image Credit: Janos M Schmidt/World Photography Org]

Via: The Telegraph

Source: World Photo Organization

Tags: cameras, mobile, mobilephones, photography, sony

This is how you refuel Zero's electric motorcycle

If there's one problem to racing a super-cool electric motorcycle, it's that pit stops tend to be a bit slow. After all, in the time it takes a regular hot rod to refuel, you've probably only gained one or two percent of charge. That's why Zero Motorcycles has created a patent pending hot-swappable battery system for the Zero FX that enables you to "refuel" the e-bike in just over half a minute. The clip below shows you how quickly this can be done out on the track, which makes us want to buy one of these $10,000 bikes even more than before.

Tags: Battery, E-Bike, HotSwap, video, ZeroFX, ZeroMotorcycles

Facebook's 'Scrapbooks' feature helps parents organize pictures of their kids

Facebook rolled out a new feature today called "Scrapbooks" that lets parents more easily create and organize photo albums of their children.

Scrapbooks adds quite a few new options for managing photos of your kids with special tags and the option to share a scrapbook with your significant other. Here's a breakdown of the Scrapbook features from Facebook:

• You can opt to co-own the scrapbook with a partner who you're in a relationship with on Facebook.


• You choose what you call the tag—it could be your child's name, initials or something fun.


• You and your partner choose which photos to tag.


• Only you and your partner can tag your child in photos.


• We've built in lots of reminders and tips to guide you along the way.

To get started with creating a scrapbook of your child, you head to the "About" section of your profile, then click or tap on the "Family and Relationships" section. From there, you can select "Add Scrapbook" next to your kid's name if you've already added him or her as a family member on your profile.

Overall, this looks like a fun way to keep pictures of your kids organized on Facebook. The company says that the feature has started rolling out to users on the web and iOS today, so it may still take some to hit your profile.

Source: Facebook

Facebook's 'Scrapbook' puts all of those baby photos in one place

There are way too many baby pictures on Facebook. And they need to be organized. Starting today, the network rolled out an optional "Scrapbook" feature that lets parents sort through the digital heap of their children's photos. On the site, under the Family & Relationships tab, a party-hat-wearing blue elephant gives you the option to add your child's (or pet's) name to start the album. The tool then automatically places photos tagged with that name in one place. According to the site, the scrapbook "grows with your child" so it will continue to gather your photos as long as you're feeding it.

Given that it's pictures of children (or humans under 13), the network lets parents control all aspects of the feature: naming, tagging and selective sharing. Facebook surveyed parents in the US and found that 65 percent of them tag their partners in child's pictures. So you can co-own this Scrapbook and share control of the settings –- you have the option to share the collection with your friends or keep it private. For now, the feature is only available in the US.

Source: Facebook

Tags: BabyPhotos, children, facebook, scrapbook

Festo's insect-inspired robots act like the real things

German automation company Festo is known for taking cues from nature when designing robots. This time, it has revealed futuristic-looking bionic ants, realistic robotic butterflies and a silicone gripper based on chameleons' tongue. Just like real ants, the 3D-printed BionicANTs can cooperate in small groups to move bigger objects, though they're much, much larger at 5.3 inches in length. They have cameras on their heads, optical sensors on their bellies that enable infrared navigation, and antennae that function as wireless chargers. Those circuits running outside their bodies are functional, by the way, and not just a design to make them look cool.

The eMotionButterflies, on the other hand, are robotic Lepidopterans that can fly pre-programmed routes inside spaces mounted with infrared cameras that serve as their GPS system. Similar to BionicANTs, they have infrared sensors to avoid bumping into one another. They're also equipped with motors, along with other components, that allow them to flap their wings like real ones do. These robobutterflies have 20-inch wingspans and can fly for 2.5 meters per second for three to four minutes before they need to be recharged for the next 15.

Finally, the FlexShapeGripper (a joint project with the University of Oslo) is a silicone cap attached to a robotic arm that mimics the movements of a chameleon's tongue. That cap acts as a suction that picks up objects, even flat ones like cards and phones. Festo will showcase all three machines at the Hannover Messe trade show in Germany next month, though those who can't be there can just watch these videos to see them in action. If you're wondering, Festo's older nature-inspired projects include a robotic kangaroo, dragonfly, bird, elephant trunk and a fat, blimp-like penguin.

Via: IEEE, Popular Science

Source: Festo (1), (2), (3)

More Coverage: Gizmag

Tags: bionicant, bionicbutterfly, Festo, insects, Robots

The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW)

Limited edition 'Batman' PlayStation 4 scratches that superhero itch Posted: 31 Mar 2015 02:41 PM PDT If you missed out on that coveted 20th Anniversary PlayStation 4, don't fret: there's another special-run model coming soon. Sony has unveiled a limited edition Batman: Arkham Knight PS4 bundle that gives you a "steel grey" console emblazoned with th...

'Un Chien Andalou' inspires a surreal indie game from Russian devs Posted: 31 Mar 2015 02:14 PM PDT In 1929, famed artist Salvador Dalí and filmmaker Luis Buñuel awoke from a night of strange dreams, Buñuel recalling the image of a razor blade cloud slicing through the moon as if it were an eyeball, and Dalí describing a human hand covered in ants....

Apple opens the floodgates to Watch-friendly apps Posted: 31 Mar 2015 01:41 PM PDT You may have noticed a few Apple Watch-friendly iOS apps trickle out, but brace yourself: you're about to face a torrent of them. Apple has opened up WatchKit app submissions to all developers (not just the handful of early partners from before), so ...

Buy an LG G3 in the US, get a free VR headset Posted: 31 Mar 2015 01:09 PM PDT LG's new mobile VR headset -- which is basically just a plastic version of Google's cardboard VR viewer -- is finally hitting American shores. The company just announced that it'll be throwing in a free headset, simply called the VR for G3, with the ...

Flickr gives you the choice to put photos in the public domain Posted: 31 Mar 2015 12:40 PM PDT Flickr has long had ways to let others use and tweak your photos, but if you want to give up your copyright altogether? You can now do just that. In the wake of Elon Musk releasing SpaceX's photos to public domain, Flickr has added options for public...

Patent reveals GoPro's working on a 'square profile' camera design Posted: 31 Mar 2015 12:08 PM PDT GoPro doesn't make square, cube-like cameras, but if it did, the picture (after the break) is probably what they'd look like. The image comes from a patent granted to GoPro today. The protection covers a "Camera housing for a square-profile camera," ...

JXE Streams: Boldly exploring space in 'Sid Meier's Starships' Posted: 31 Mar 2015 11:30 AM PDT Sid Meier scares the crap out of me. I'm deeply familiar with the famed strategy game creator's resume -- from the history-spanning Civilization series to the high seas simulations in Sid Meier's Pirates! -- but I've only ever played one of his games...

MacBook Pro with Retina display review (13-inch, 2015) Posted: 31 Mar 2015 11:00 AM PDT Nope, it's not the new MacBook. That review will need to wait until next month. What we have here is the 13-inch MacBook Pro with Retina display. For all intents and purposes, it's the same one we last tested in late 2013, except for one important th...

Charter buys a cable company to make up for losing Time Warner Posted: 31 Mar 2015 10:45 AM PDT Charter lost out on its chance to snatch Time Warner Cable before Comcast made its move, so it's settling for the next best thing. The company just unveiled plans to acquire Bright House Networks, a cable provider that's mostly big in Florida, for ab...

Microsoft technology gives Seattle 5,000 times faster public WiFi Posted: 31 Mar 2015 10:24 AM PDT Techie culture-vultures aren't likely to encounter Vine upload fails anymore at Seattle's home to arts, culture and the Space Needle thanks to Microsoft. The city's biggest patron has installed a new WiFi service at the Seattle Center that uses new t...

Google reveals budget Chromebooks including a $249 ASUS convertible Posted: 31 Mar 2015 10:00 AM PDT Ladies and gentlemen, get ready for some new Chromebooks. Yep, Google has just announced four new Chrome OS laptops, all of which lean toward the budget-friendly end of the spectrum. They are the ASUS Chromebook Flip, the ASUS Chromebook C201, the Hi...

Google puts Chrome OS on your TV with its own HDMI stick Posted: 31 Mar 2015 10:00 AM PDT Google has unveiled a whole new type of Chrome device, and it's one that can fit in your pocket. It's called the Chromebit, and it's essentially a Chromebook crammed in a dongle. This tiny little package contains a Rockchip 3288 SoC, 2GB of RAM, 16GB...

BSXinsight's calf-worn workout intensity sensor is now available Posted: 31 Mar 2015 10:00 AM PDT When you're doing an exercise upon yourself, your body generates lactic acid, the levels of which are considered to be the most accurate way to measure your performance during a workout. Unfortunately, you can only test lactate levels with a blood te...

The Big Picture: Gorgeous shot captures a drone's fiery flight Posted: 31 Mar 2015 09:41 AM PDT Photographer Calder Wilson added an explosive new method to his long exposure "light paintings" earlier this year when he was struck by a brilliant notion: Strap some leftover New Year's fireworks to the back of a UAV, light them up and then lift off...

Relax: De La Soul's album's already smashed its Kickstarter goal Posted: 31 Mar 2015 09:22 AM PDT De La Soul love sampling, so much so that they feel as if a whole branch of copyright law was invented just for them. The sample-heavy trio (for three is the magic number) didn't want to have to compromise their artistic vision for their ninth album,...

Dropbox updates document preview so that you can do more than just preview Posted: 31 Mar 2015 09:00 AM PDT If you accessed a document today on Dropbox.com, you might notice that it looks a little different -- the preview screen real estate is a little larger, the design is a little cleaner and oh wait, is that a new toolbar? That's because the cloud stora...

Google Maps turned your streets into Pac-Man today Posted: 31 Mar 2015 08:45 AM PDT Your streets can be an iconic arcade game right now. Google Maps has a Pac-Man option just in time for April Fool's Day. With the click of a button, your streets will be dotted with yellow pellets and the four famous ghosts. New York City, with its p...

Court rules that UberPOP cars can still pick you up in Paris Posted: 31 Mar 2015 08:28 AM PDT Uber's Paris headquarters were recently raided by 25 policemen, but a court has now ruled that its disputed UberPOP service is actually honky-dory -- for now. The company's low-cost ridesharing option uses non-professional drivers, a practice that Fr...

Re-order everyday items from Amazon with the 'Dash Button' Posted: 31 Mar 2015 08:22 AM PDT Amazon is rolling out the Dash Button, a physical device that allows customers to re-order items like toilet paper, diapers and laundry detergent as soon as they run out, with a simple press. The Dash Button is adhesive, and when pressed, customers r...

Engadget giveaway: win a Shield Tablet gaming package courtesy of NVIDIA! Posted: 31 Mar 2015 08:00 AM PDT Spring has sprung and while you may have been huddled by your PC's GPU all winter for some scant warmth, you can now continue your gaming sessions under the sun's rays. NVIDIA's GRID gaming service streams popular PC games right to its Shield devices...

LG and Samsung end their war over broken washing machines Posted: 31 Mar 2015 07:35 AM PDT LG and Samsung just can't stay mad at each other over a few broken washing machines. The two electronics giants have agreed to end the legal disputes that emerged after Samsung accused an LG exec of willfully wrecking its washers at the IFA trade sho...

Nintendo squashes browser-based Mario tribute game Posted: 31 Mar 2015 07:04 AM PDT While Nintendo proper might be willing to let some folk make a Mario game, we're a long way from that extending to free browser-based versions of the company's best-known franchise. As such, that Super Mario 64 HD tribute that popped up last Friday i...

Apple is reportedly trying to poach artists from Jay Z's music service Posted: 31 Mar 2015 06:33 AM PDT The streaming music business is getting particularly cutthroat, it seems. According to Billboard, Apple exec Jimmy Iovine has been trying to lure the first-tier musicians from Jay Z's artist-owned Tidal service (possibly for an upcoming streaming opt...

The making of Surface 3: Microsoft's little tablet grows up Posted: 31 Mar 2015 06:00 AM PDT Microsoft knows there's a lot riding on the Surface 3. And it looks like the company's finally listened to feedback from people who have asked for a little more oomph from these devices. Nearly three years after Surface with Windows RT was born, Micr...

Microsoft's new Surface 3 tablet runs full Windows, not RT Posted: 31 Mar 2015 06:00 AM PDT How many times have we said that the Surface would be great, if not for its OS? The truth is, the Surface RT and Surface 2 were lovely, well-crafted things, with great screens, solid build quality and long battery life. We just wished they could run ...