Android 4.4.2 KitKat comes to Moto X on Rogers and Fido

A nice parting gift from Google to Moto X owners in Canada right after yesterday's bombshell announcement (that Motorola's mobile and manufacturing business will be sold to Lenovo), KitKat 4.2.2 is available to Fido and Rogers users. This puts Canadian Moto X owners in the exclusive KitKat club before US carriers who are still soldiering along with the 4.4 update they received last year. 

Source: Motorola Canada

WIND Mobile launching unlimited US add-on package February 3rd

In a move that is not only a first for the Canadian telecom industry, but also sure to shake a few feathers with their competition, WIND Mobile has just announced something huge: a $15 flat-fee US add-on that includes unlimited talk, text and yes, data in the United States. 

“With more and more Canadians visiting the United States for work or pleasure, we know how important it is for them to keep in touch with family and friends or take care of business back home,” said Mirko Rugarli, Chief Marketing Officer, WIND Mobile. “This new add-on gives customers the freedom to stay connected to their world while travelling. Consumers will be able to use their smartphone however they like, without limits: check maps if they get lost; update Facebook and Twitter; send photos of their trip; check the local weather – and all for only $15 a month. No more headaches, no more surprises.”

Both new and exisiting WIND clients will have access to this plan when it launches on February 3rd, 2014

More to come

via WIND

Apple patents tech to build solar-powered, cell-enabled MacBooks

Diagram of how future MacBooks can absorb sunlight. (Source: Patently Apple)

Looks like Apple is looking to develop solar-powered MacBooks capable of taking your calls. The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office recently released 31 new patents to Apple. Some of the patents include technologies on how to use solar power to charge a MacBook, how to receive and transmit cellular telephone signals, and create backside touch sensors that would allow you to interact with the laptop with the lid closed.

Solar-powered MacBook can be created with the use of a “smart glass” or electrochromic glass that changes light transmission properties according to voltage, meaning it controls the amount of light and heat it sends out. The patent describes top plate with solar cells that will be sandwiched between smart glass in the back and an LCD display in front. This means users can adjust the smart glass to let light transmit solar cells to charge the device.

Source: ReadWrite

Samsung will reportedly reduce modifications for Android devices

When Samsung unveiled the 12.1-inch Galaxy tablet at CES 2014, it would seem Google wasn’t happy with the debut of the Magazine UX Samsung introduced with the new Android tablet. Re/code reports that Google has pushed Samsung to reduce the modifications they introduce into future devices. We’re not sure what deal they might have struck or what this means for future devices. Perhaps the new 10-year patent licensing agreement between the two tech giants plays a role here or Samsung might be making a new Nexus device.