Uber partners with DigitalGlobe to use high-res satellite imagery for better pickups

A recent partnership between Uber and DigitalGlobe will make use of the high-resolution imagery from DigitalGlobe. This move is meant to “help identify and improve pickup and drop-off locations.” It wasn’t explicitly said if this’ll help with Uber’s self-driving initiative but mapping is an important aspect of that. Uber recently bought mapping company deCarta and uses Microsoft’s Bing vehicle imagery so this partnership boosts their mapping efforts further. DigitalGlobe also has a leg up over its competitors (like Google) since it can provide more detail than other private systems. With their WorldView-3 constellation, they can detect images as small as 12-inches across and can scan short-wave infrared frequencies.

For those worried if this might give a literal interpretation of Uber’s “God View,” which they have secretly used to follow clients. It’s unlikely that DigitalGlobe’s tech can do that, no matter how high-tech they are, because that will require renting a satellite for a fixed period of time, which can cost a lot.

Source: DigitalGlobe | Via: Engadget

Microsoft Skype to drop older versions of mobile and Mac OSes

If you’re using a non-Windows 10 Mobile client as well as older Android, Mac OS, and iOS devices, you’ll have to say goodbye to access to Skype. The messaging service is moving from a “peer-to-peer to a modern, mobile-friendly cloud architecture” and will make the changes starting October. Those who will have access to Skype include Android 4.03 and later, Mac OS X clients using 10.10 Yosemite or later, and iOS 8 and later. Microsoft still plans to support older Windows desktops though (even XP and Vista).

This change, according to Microsoft’s Gurdeep Pall, is so the Skype team can focus on the platforms most of their users access Skype from and it’ll help ease the introduction of the planned changes as well. The one issue Microsoft might run into, according to Digital Trends, is that only 10 percent of its mobile base uses Windows 10 Mobile compared to the 78 percent that use Windows Phone 8.1. They got the figure from AdDuplex.

Corning Gorilla Glass 5 could help your phone survive a five-foot fall

Smartphone displays are incredibly fragile. Some of us (or maybe a lot of us) have learned this the hard way. Corning is hoping to ease a bit the paranoia you feel when you drop your phone with the latest version of Gorilla Glass that’s heading to the market.

Previously, Gorilla Glass 4 promised an 80 percent survival rate for devices dropped from a height of one meter, which meant having the phone fall from around your waist. Now, Gorilla Glass 5 promises that 80 percent survival rate from a height of 1.6 meters, which is like having the phone in front of your face. Corning said the Gorilla Glass 5 is already in production and shipping to device makers. We should expect (or hope) upcoming devices are adopting this new tech.

Source: Corning | Via: Gizmodo

SlideShow: Amazon.ca's Holiday Showcase Event

By Gadjo Cardenas Sevilla

Amazon.ca showed off various product categories in Toronto today as curated examples of what they believe to be great gift ideas for the holiday season. Here are some picks from the event in various categories. The selection ran the gamut from various educational toys, home appliances and cookware, tools, pet supplies and even a rechargeable electric Razor scooter. Sadly, there was no mention of the Amazon Echo line of voice-powered A.I. devices coming to Canada.

I also got to see the new lineup of Kindle eReaders including the impressive new Oasis and the premium Voyage which features a leather case which doubles as a rechargeable battery. Amazon.ca is well primed to offer subscribers a range of gift ideas come December.