Etsy lets you know where the local artisans are on your mobile

Etsy's finally bringing its Local service to mobile with its latest update. The online shopping platform for artisans can now help you find sellers in your area. This was previously only available through the browser. The feature on mobile shows you a map of your area dotted with Etsy sellers that are available, those who plan to sell in the future, or those who have sold in the recent past. It shows hours of operation, images of the available items, etc. These sellers can even add if they're part of any craft fairs or special events in the area. Retail members of Etsy Wholesale can even have their physical stores added to Etsy Local. 

The app can also recommend to you retailers based on your taste, previously visited shops, and those you liked or purchased from before. The app can even help you discover new places as well by letting you view the local boutiques that carry Etsy merchandise. 

Source: Etsy | Via: The Next Web | Download: Google Play Store (Free) + Apple iTunes App Store (Free) 

Microsoft to let you scan 3D objects with your smartphone

It's not exactly groundbreaking tech as other companies have done it before. But Microsoft is taking their own approach to mobile 3D scanning. The Microsoft Research team is testing out its new software called MobileFusion. It lets you take shots to create 3D images that you can later turn into 3D-printed objects or, as they suggest, augmented reality objects. With MobileFusion, you don't need to use an Internet connection for it to work. And it doesn't seem to be chained to Windows Phone either has the company is testing it out with an iPhone. The team hopes this app makes a general public release soon but there is not release date scheduled yet. 

Source: Mashable 

Report claims Apple might end 'One to One' sessions soon

Apple might be switching out its "One to One" training sessions for Apple Store customers for free open workshops instead. According to a report from MacRumors, Apple doesn't have plans to sell any new One to One memberships but they will honor the existing ones. The company is supposedly looking to reorganize the free workshops they already run at their stores and center them around themes such as "Discover" and "Create." They haven't said any explicit reason for the change. Perhaps, there isn't that much public interest in it anymore or Apple might be thinking of maximizing its staff more. 

Source: MacRumors | Via: Apple Insider 

Wrongly inserted SPen can break functionality in the Samsung Galaxy Note 5

The SPen stylus is one of the best features of the Samsung Galaxy Note line, except when it is not.

Reports that SPens inserted the wrong way in the new Galaxy Note 5 can break functionality of the phone are starting to mount. There doesn't seem to be any difference in resistance whether an SPen is inserted the wrong or the right way, which means careless users can inadvertently push the SPen in the wrong way and get it stuck or worse, force the mechanism that 'senses' whether the SPen is in or not. Not a good look for a premium $850 device.

The video above shows a review unit that lost the pen detection mechanism because of a wrongly-inserted SPen. The video also confirms that the earlie Galaxy Notes didn't have the same issue (i.e. they would not accept the SPen inserted the wrong way!), so its very surprising that this major design flaw got past Samsung's quality assurance. Seems like another black eye for a device that's already received a lot of flak for removing popular features (i.e. microSD expansion, IR remote capability and user-replaceable battery) that previous models enjoyed.

Source: Android Police

Update on Tuesday, August 25, 2015 at 4:13PM by Gadjo Cardenas Sevilla

Samsung's reply to this debacle is the following statement;

We highly recommend our Galaxy Note5 users follow the instructions in the user guide to ensure there are no issues.