Google brings the Force to you with Disney’s 'Star Wars' collab

Promotions for the upcoming Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens have been relentless. Google is joining in on the fun with new features that’ll be showing up in a wide variety of Google’s services. Not only do popular Google apps like Gmail, Google Maps, YouTube, and Chrome get revamped, there will also be more easter eggs and other new features that will show up ahead of the movie’s premiere next month—including seeing the Millennium Falcon in all its virtual reality glory.

Click to read more ...

Jiffy now offers on-demand snow removal for GTA residents

Jiffy expands its on-demand home services to add a much-needed service for this season: snow removal. All Jiffy users have to do is log onto the app (which is now also available for Android users) or through the website to make the request. Once your request is accepted, your driveway will be plowed as soon as possible and it’s covered by the company’s 100 percent satisfaction guarantee. It’ll cost you about $75 to $100 per appointment and that includes clearing and salting of the driveway and walkways. The service is available to Jiffy customers in the Greater Toronto Area.

Square diversifies, launches NFC reader for small businesses to accept Apple Pay

Square has become the leading solutions provider for peer-to-peer payments and the easiest way for small businesses and merchants to accept credit card payments using an iOS or Android device, is now making a new NFC reader compatible with Apple Pay available in the US. 100  small businesses will be able to test the reader before it goes public. Business owners can buy the Square reader for $49 to begin allowing customers the option to use Apple Pay in the US. We reached out to Square Canada and they currently don't have anything to announce, but we'll keep stay tuned.

Hasbro outs robot kitty for the elderly

Hasbro has a new line of life-like robotic companions designed to keep elderly company. The first pet/creature out of the Joy For All line is a robot kitty that purrs and meows rather realistically. It has soft fur made for petting and it exhibits cat-like motions. It has sensors that allow it to interact with the owner. For example, if you pet the cheek, it will nuzzle into your hand. If you stop interacting with the cat, it will “fall asleep” and be woken up when you touch it again. Perhaps this will help preserve the four 1.5v alkaline batteries it runs on. The robot kitty comes in Silver, Creamy White, and Orange Tabby colors. It retails at US$99.99.

Maybe you think it’s a bit silly and weird to have a robotic pet. But this can help provide a companion for those who need it and can’t have any living pets around them. Plus, it cuts down on the other hassles of pet ownership, such as food and care costs and messy litter boxes. Well, you do have batteries to spend on, if you wanted to point that out. It might be geared towards the seniors but this is probably something even kids will enjoy playing with.

Source: SlashGear