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Why You Might Not Be Able to Get an iPhone 6 Until October

Posted: 17 Sep 2014 07:00 AM PDT

iPhone 6 Plus vs iPhone 6

As the hype for the iPhone 6 and the iPhone 6 Plus reaches fever pitch, Apple set a brand new sales record.

Apple, for the most part, are undefeatable. Even when critics called out Apple for the failure to innovate hugely (me among them) and when Android fans refused to give in to the iPhones alluring sex appeal and general popularity, the iPhone peddler still remained high and mighty. In fact, the dislike of the iPhone 5C and concern that the iPhone 5S wasn't revolutionary enough had completely dissipated by this time last week when Apple took to the stage to announce the iPhone 6 and the iPhone 6 Plus. Both phones have slightly bigger screens and a slightly bigger bag of tricks on the inside and the out and now it seems that Apple have avoided the mud-slinging once again by setting a brand new record.

While an Apple spokesperson revealed that "response to iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus has been incredible with a record number of preorders overnight,” it wasn't just a case of them blowing smoke up their employer's rear as several major phone carriers have confirmed the statistics. AT&T released a statement saying as much while Sprint didn't have to as the demand was so high that their website was down for a good portion of the morning (of the 12th of September when pre-orders went live).

So unprecedented is the demand that many carriers are running out of stock or pushing back shipping dates and it's having an impact on how quick we can get them into our cases/hands/pockets. The pre-orders have burned through the initial allotments of iPhone 6 handsets from Apple and the major carriers and T-Mobile says that “due to high demand.” they won't be shipping out any iPhone 6 devices soon. It's obviously good news for Apple who are raking it like psychic with a knack for knowing the winning lottery numbers but ultimately, if you're having trouble getting your hands on an iPhone right now, speak to your carrier and sit tight until October.

Source: TechRadar

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15 Best Quotes From ‘A Song of Ice and Fire’

Posted: 17 Sep 2014 06:00 AM PDT

Ned Stark

While the filming of the fifth Game of Thrones season continues, someone is also working on the sixth book, although he’s taking an awfully long time doing so.

George R.R. Martin has created one heck of an epic Fantasy saga, and just like any other memorable series, the number of quotes that linger on forever make a great job of defining i just how good it is.

If you would take a man’s life, you owe it to him to look into his eyes and hear his final words. And if you cannot bear to do that, then perhaps the man does not deserve to die. (Ned Stark)

Art by Brokensicario

You know nothing, Jon Snow (Ygritte)

Art by hodryronja

A reader lives a thousand lives before he dies. The man who never reads lives only one. (Jojen Reed)

Art by skansen

Never forget what you are, for surely the world will not. Make it your strength. Then it can never be your weakness. Armour yourself in it, and it will never be used to hurt you. (Tyrion Lannister)

 

Art by fresco-child

Egg, I dreamed that I was old. (Aemon Targaryen)

Art by zippo514

Sing, little bird. Sing for your little life. (Sandor Clegane)

Art by kyla79

Rhaegar fought valiantly, Rhaegar fought nobly, Rhaegar fought honorably. And Rhaegar died. (Jorah Mormont)

Art by freestarisis

In the songs all knights are gallant, all maids are beautiful, and the sun is always shining. (Brienne of Tarth)

Art by Enife

There are no men like me. There’s only me. (Jaime Lannister)

Art by Noiry

A day will come when you think yourself safe and happy, and suddenly your joy will turn to ashes in your mouth, and you’ll know the debt is paid. (Tyrion Lannister)

 

Art by frogbillgo

Swift as a deer. Quiet as a shadow. Fear cuts deeper than swords. Quick as a snake. Calm as still water. (Syrio & Arya Stark)

Art by NewMilky

On the Wall, a man gets only what he earns. You’re no ranger, Jon, only a green boy with the smell of summer still on you. (Benjen Stark)

Art by tamiart

There are old sellswords and bold sellswords but there are no old, bold sellswords. (Brown Ben Plumm)

Art by Pojypojy

Wear it quietly, or I’ll honour you again. (Robert Baratheon)

 

Art by DubuGomdori

Don’t make me rue the day I raped your mother. (Roose Bolton)

 

Art by dejan-delic

For a bit more on epic quotes, check out this list of 15 quotes every geek should know, or focus on Star Wars and it’s top 11.

Apple Gives FaceTime a Boost in iPhone 6

Posted: 17 Sep 2014 05:00 AM PDT

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The iPhone 6 and 6 Plus are poised to revolutionize video calling.

Almost every science fiction movie ever has portrayed video calling as the preferred communication method of the future, yet as we move into the future, communication tends to move the opposite direction. Communication via text, through email, text messaging, or social media, seems to be the preferred means of communication.

Although Apple has lead meany in the video chat crowd through its FaceTime platform, the medium has yet to meet widespread mobile adoption adoption on smartphones even though the feature has been available for several years, is is relatively popular on less mobile Apple hardware such as iMacs, MacBooks, and even iPads.

Initially, it was impractical to stream data over 3G speeds, but as networks upgraded to 4G networks, data caps made sending and recieving video for voice chat an expensive proposition.

Going unmentioned at Apple’s keynote last week, but uncovered by Apple Insider, the iPhone 6 and the iPhone 6 Plus both use the H.256 video codec for video chat. H.256, also known as HEVC, or High Efficiency Video Coding, offers the ability for FaceTime to stream the same video quality as previous iPhones, but at half the bandwidth.

Matthew Fleming, signals processing guru, said “This has the potential to give Apple a serious advantage in the mobile video calling domain where bandwidth is at a premium.” Not only will networks be more capable of handling video chat for the new iPhones, but will be able to do it with less of a hit to consumers’ data caps.

Obviously, data networks are always improving, but improvements in efficiencies in devices, software, and networks all work together to constantly enable us to do more from our phones.  From video chat, to cloud storage, to streaming media, enhancements of this type benefit all mobile data use.

With Apple now entering the smartwatch race with the Apple Watch, maybe a future iteration will allow users to to finally be able to recreate their favorite sci-fi moments, while waiting for Apple to invent Hologram Chat.

Source: Apple Insider

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Read more on Walyou, 5Ghz LTE Means More Data for More People, How to Share Your Android Screen to Your TV With Chromecast

MIT Takes the Leash Off Its Robotic Cheetah

Posted: 16 Sep 2014 01:53 PM PDT

MIT Robotic Cheetah

Just when the whole world thought that it’s all about bipedal robots, MIT brings its robotic cheetah under the spotlight again, this time to show some important upgrades.

Since humankind has been pretty successful at helping a lot of species go extinct, we might soon have robotic beasts in our savannas and jungles. MIT’s robotic cheetah resembles the real deal more in its movement pattern than in its speed. Cheetahs are the fastest land animals, capable of running at 120 kmph (mind you, for a very short period of time), while MIT’s project is not exactly the fastest robot around. DARPA-funded Boston Dynamics’ cheetah broke the record two years ago, and still is the champion en titre.

Associate professor of mechanical engineering at MIT Sangbae Kim pointed out that the goal of his team is to replicate animal movement in four legged robots: “We try to understand how they efficiently run in the field and nature so that we can take that inspiration and then use it in our engineering world. So, for example, we can create prosthetic legs from that technology or we can even make new transportation replacing cars so that you don’t need the road in our world.”

Compared to Boston Dynamics’ cheetah robot, which can run at up to 29 kmph, MIT’s version is only capable of developing speeds of up to 16 kmph. However, this one seems to have a small advantage over its competitor. MIT’s robot can jump over obstacles that are 33 cm high. The speed is not exactly an improvement, as the previous version ran at up to 22 kmph, but it should be noted that the new one is powered wirelessly via an electric motor.

Kim also noted that the internal combustion engines with hydraulic transmission that power most leg-standing robots are not only noisy, but also very inefficient: “People believe that internal combustion engines and hydraulics are the only way to make a legged robot run and support itself. People believe that electric motors are not powerful enough. This is the first time we show that an electrically powered robot can run and jump over foot-high obstacles.”

Check out the following video to see MIT’s robotic cheetah in action:

We can only hope that robots will get harder, better, faster, stronger, while also being merciful enough not to help us go extinct.

Be social! Follow Walyou on Facebook and Twitter, and read more related stories about the Swiss cheetah-cub robot that walks like a cat, but doesn’t purr, and this cool steampunk cheetah that comes to life.

Microsoft’s Universal Mobile Keyboard Brings Android, iOS and Windows Together

Posted: 16 Sep 2014 01:06 PM PDT

Microsoft Universal Mobile Keyboard

The problem with most mobile keyboards is that they’re optimized to work with only one OS. Microsoft’s Universal Mobile Keyboard solves that problem by allowing users to switch between operating systems while typing on it.

Android, iOS and Windows are finally living happily under the same roof, at least from one point of view. Microsoft created the Universal Mobile Keyboard starting from the premise that it is common for people to own devices running various mobile operating systems.

The Universal Mobile Keyboard comes with a switch that enables users to make the transition between the devices quite effortless. That basically means that the keyboard can be paired with up to three devices running different operating systems. The OS switch definitely makes things a lot easier.

The cover of the keyboard also doubles as a stand for the tablet or the smartphone. As a downside, it’s a bit of a one size fits all product, meaning that it won’t fit the contours of the tablet, for example, nor will it act as a cover for it.

Closing the cover will turn the keyboard off, while opening it will power it up and connect it to the mobile device. That’s a neat feature, while also qualifying as yet another thing that can break.

Microsoft claims that the rechargeable battery can keep the keyboard up and running for up to six months on a single overnight charge. Additionally, a 10 minute charge will provide plenty of power for up to 8 hours of use.

Since the keyboard relies on Bluetooth to connect to the mobile device, there won’t be any wires in your way. Not at last, there’s a Home key on the keyboard that will take you to your home screen, no matter what OS you’re using.

Anyone wanting the Universal Mobile Keyboard should head over to the Microsoft Store next month, when it becomes available. The Redmond giant claimed that various other retailers will carry it, but there has been no word on which retailers specifically. Some claim that $79.95 is a bit too much for such a product, while also pointing out that a lot cheaper similar keyboards are available out there.

It’s up to you whether you think that the device is worth the money or not, but the main idea is that it’s nice that Microsoft thought of blurring the lines between these three operating systems.

Be social! Follow Walyou on Facebook and Twitter, and read more related stories about Microsoft’s Type-Hover-Swipe keyboard that obsoletes touch screens, and the Qwerkywriter Bluetooth mechanical keyboard that’s a typewriter for nostalgics.

Microsoft Officially Confirms Their Purchase Of Minecraft

Posted: 16 Sep 2014 12:13 PM PDT

Minecraft image

The Windows OS maker just made their $2.5 billion dollar buy out of one of the gaming industries biggest franchises legit.

It is official; after days of speculation from highly creditable sources, Microsoft officially announced on Monday that the software giant had agreed on principle to acquire the Minecraft license for the incredible sum of $2.5 billion.

The purchase of the sandbox construction game, which has been an unstoppable force in the industry in mass appeal, profit, and influence, comes with the keys to the independent Swedish studio behind it, Mojang, as well as the merchandising rights to all things Minecraft. Namely, apparel, LEGO sets, and what not, which in total helped Mojang post a revenue of $326 million in 2013, with $128 million banked as pure profit.

Not apart of the deal though, is the creator of Minecraft, one Markus “Notch” Persson, who along with his co-founding partners – Carl Manneh and Jakob Porser – will be leaving the company they created in 2009 after receiving quite the buy out. Reportedly, it was Persson who approached Microsoft to buy the Minecraft license, seeking to step away from the immense status he’d gained by creating the game.

As for Minecraft going forward, and how it relates to the number of platforms it currently appears on (including rival Sony's PlayStation 4, PS3, & PS Vita), Microsoft have said that they are fully committed to support every version of the game. This means continued support on PC – where a passionate fan base pushed the game towards its success and still thrives – Mac, iOS, Android, and even consoles such as the PlayStation.

Ultimately, the grander play for Microsoft's acquisition of the Minecraft IP is to gain a major entertainment platform rather than an exclusive to help sell Xbox Ones. That much is stated not from on-the-ball industry analysts, but from top executives within the company, like head of Microsoft's Xbox division, Phil Spencer.

“We respect the brand and independent spirit that has made Minecraft great,” Spencer wrote in a statement about the purchase, “and we’ll carry on the tradition of innovation to move the franchise forward. Our investments in cloud, Xbox Live and mobile technology will enable players to benefit from richer and faster worlds, more powerful development tools, and more opportunities to connect with the Minecraft community."

Time will tell if such intentions come true, but in the meantime, the deal still needs to be finalized through legal approval, which according to Microsoft won't happen until "late 2014."

Be social! Follow Walyou on Facebook and Twitter, and read more related industry-changing stories about the launch of the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus and the Windows 9 video showcase that previews the upcoming PC operating system.

Nintendo Introduces Three New Special Edition 3DS XL

Posted: 16 Sep 2014 06:00 AM PDT

Nintendo 3DS XL Super Smash Bros. box

The next three months see the release of three different Nintendo 3DS XL handhelds.

No New Nintendo 3DS or New Nintendo 3DS XL for you, North America and Europe. While Japan is getting the latest, c-stick featuring model of Nintendo's handheld line, coming this fall and the holiday season to retailers are a trio of special edition 3DS XLs that have some lovely coats of paint. All three priced at $199.99 USD.

It all begins on September 19, when a Super Smash Bros. themed 3DS XL system (pictured above), available in either red or blue, will be released, perfectly timed for the inevitable North American launch of Nintendo's all-star brawler on October 9. The hood of the system features the game's large cast of popular gaming heroes and villains, like Mario, Link, and Pikachu.

Then on October 10, Gamestop will be offering a NES Edition Nintendo 3DS XL that is exclusive to the largest retailer in the states for video games. This one-of-a-kind handheld is NES nostalgia on full blast, with the classic 8-bit console's controller decked upon the cover and a box that looks like the system itself. How cute.

Lastly, for the Japanese role-playing game crowd, a dark purple 3DS XL prettied up in the style of Persona Q: Shadow of the Labyrinth. Publisher ATLUS will be dropping the upcoming 3DS-exclusive JRPG – a spin-off title in their popular Persona series that delivers some cutesy graphics, but hardcore gameplay – on November 25 to retailers everywhere.

It's interesting to see Nintendo tempting folks into buying re-purposed hardware, while a brand new revision is about to launched (in Japan) and should eventually arrive in the U.S. But I guess if there's one way to attract sales, these fancy-looking 3DS XLs might just do the trick.

Be social! Follow Walyou on Facebook and Twitter, and read more related stories about Dell's future mood sensing computers that resemble 'Her' and the Dell Venue Android smartphone.

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