Microsoft has a selfie app on iOS (just because)

Microsoft has been working hard to bring its apps and services to users. So, this time they address a popular need… the need to have good selfies. Aptly named Microsoft Selfie, the iOS app promises to improve those countless selfies you take by doing things like instantly adjusting exposure and clearing up skin imperfections. The app also works to reduce noise while taking into account things like age, gender, skin tone, and lighting. You can add filters, too. Of course you can also adjust the amount of processing the app has done if it seems so excessive for you.

Source: Microsoft News | Via: Engadget | Download: Apple App Store (Free)

JAQ is a compact fuel cell charger for your smartphone

If you want an alternative for charging your smartphone while on the go, myFC has the JAQ fuel cell charger. Dubbed as the smallest fuel cell charger, it is a five volt/one amp device that’s powered by a PowerCard, which fits into the fuel cell. Loaded with salt and water, the hydrogen produced when placed in the JAQ will charge your mobile device. Made with recycled materials, it has 1,800mAh capacity. It’ll give you one full charge before you have to dispose it.

myFC said they’ve shipped out the first batch of the JAQ. No specifics have been given about availability and price. But it will cost users supposedly $5.35 per month on a 24-month plan. But there aren’t details yet how much it’ll cost after that or how many are included in the initial bundle. More details should come to light at CES.

Source: Gizmag | Via: Android Community

Acer introduces Chromebox for meetings

Acer has announced a Chromebox designed specifically for meetings—the CXV2. Like previous iterations, it’s a compact Chrome OS desktop that you can mount behind a monitor. The difference is this comes with a camera, microphone and speaker, and a remote control. It runs on an Intel Core i7 processor with integrated graphics. The camera included is a full 1080p resolution camera with Carl Zeiss lens and automatic low-light correction. The full QWERTY keyboard is seen on the remote, while the microphone includes wideband frequency response along with mute, end call, and volume control. No word yet on prices and availability though.

Source: Acer | Via: Android Central

The Apple Beat: Apple’s Year in Review for 2015

By Gadjo Cardenas Sevilla 

If I’ve learned anything about Apple in 2015, is that it is no longer as predictable as it used to be and the old established norms no longer hold water. 

2015 was a huge one of for Apple in various areas. The company released its first new major product category with the Apple Watch, it also enjoyed an unprecedented year of product releases as well as an ever expanding focus on operating systems, ecosystems, music services and mobile payments.

What struck me most about Apple in 2015 is that it seems to have shifted from being conservative in its product announcements to being more like the multi-billion-dollar company it actually is. This means taking bigger risks with new product categories, filling-in empty spots between existing product sizes and models plus growing its various ecosystems and services.

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