Google Play Books offering textbooks for rent or sale to Canadian students

Starting today Canadian students can save money and purchase or rent digital textbooks directly from Google Play Books.

The service offers thousands of higher education textbooks in subjects ranging from science, math, English and more. The textbook library is stored in the cloud and books can be accessed from an Android or iOS device and the web.

For students who only need a textbook for a semester or two, there is the option to rent textbooks for six months, saving up to 80% compared to buying print textbooks.

There is more information is available on the Google Canada blog.

Epson launches Expression Premium XP-610 Small-in-One Printer for back to school

Coming in right on time for back to school, the new Epson Expression Premium XP-610 (SRT $149) is ideal for students living in tight quarters. Only a few inches taller than an average coffee mug, the XP-610 can fit into any nook or cranny, giving students more room to tackle midterms and projects.  There are even versatile printing capabilities with dedicated photo & CD/DVD trays. 

This small and budget-friendly printer allows for PC-free printing with a 2.5-inch LCD touch panel and built-in card slots, making it easy to print photos, notepaper, and timetables. It’s Wi-Fi Direct¹ and built-in wireless and mobile printing capabilities make it easy for students to save time and print from anywhere. The XP-610 prints quietly so students can burn the midnight oil without disturbing their roommates.

Source: Epson

Noke: The Bluetooth connected padlock will open for your smartphone

Smart devices, the Internet of Things and wearables are all getting a lot of attention but what about the most basic form of access control, the padlock?

Kickstarter project Noke (as in no key, get it?) is working to change all that with the world's first bluetooth connected padlock. The creators of this project think that Noke will solve the basic problem of locks and keys, namely "Keys have been used to open locks for centuries. But keys have the same problems today as they did back then. They are easy to lose, they can be stolen, they are a pain to share, and if you share them, you must get them back. Sharing combinations has its own set of issues." Learn more about Noke here.

Source: Engadget

Amplifon adds ambient sound to Google Maps Street View

Amplifon – Sounds of Street View from Amplifon UK on Vimeo.

Amplifon is looking to completely immerse you (virtually, at least) into the world with a new feature added to Google Maps Street View. Sounds of Street View adds sound into the mix and it isn’t just one specific soundtrack per place. The noise and sound changes depending on what you are viewing. If you are near a bustling café, it will get a bit louder. You can hear church bells chime as well as traffic pass by.