Bose and Beats to settle lawsuit out of court

In this rare occasion, two tech companies have decided to settle out of court instead of drawing out a patent lawsuit. Bose accused Beats earlier this year of violating five Bose patents on noise-canceling technology. Now, the two firms agreed to skip the hassle of going to court and agreed on an unspecified settlement. They have asked the International Trade Commission to stop investigations.

However, it doesn’t seem like the war over audio supremacy is far from over. Bose is enforcing strict exclusivity contract with the NFL and are slapping players with wrong headphones US$10,000 fines. There are also rumours that Apple plans to take out Bose products from its stores in the coming week.

Source: Engadget

Private chat service Glassboard to shut down next month

Come November 1, chat service Glassboard will be shutting down after failing to make profit. The app was launched in 2011 and offered its clients (everything from businesses, teams, to families) a way to keep private running conversations going as well as share files, photos, and locations. To help make sure users get access to their files, Glassboard will be turning all accounts into premium accounts to prep for the shutdown.

Starting next week, we will be converting everyone’s account to a premium account for the remaining few weeks so that you can export your boards and keep an archive should you desire. We will also be disabling new user signups, and removing the apps from both the Android and iOS App Store.

Source: Glassboard | Via: iMore

Motorola Camera app now lets you use your Android Wear device as a shutter

Selfie addicts, rejoice! Motorola has just updated its Camera app to turn your Android Wear smartwatch into a shutter. The caveat though is it only works with the Motorola Droid, Moto X, or Moto X (2nd-generation). You just need to tap on the wearable when you are ready to take a shot. The update also brings bug fixes, which are always a good thing.

Source: Android Community | Download: Google Play Store (Free)

Google teams up with London Zoo to test Wi-Fi tech, give you a look at cute animals

Google has partnered with the London Zoo to not just give you a live stream of meerkats, giant Galapagos tortoises, and Asian otters on YouTube but to test out Wi-Fi technology. Their aim is to test the use of white space (or the small gaps in radio spectrum that exist between television transmissions) for tracking endagered animals in the wild and protect them from poachers.

The London Zoo won a Google Global Impact Award grant last year worth US$800,000 to build a network of sensors and cameras to be placed in popular poaching areas in Kenya. Using white space, they hope it will be able to send data quicker and farther than what can be done with satellites. The technology can also be used to provide Internet access to rural areas, develop next-generation Wi-Fi technologies, and stream video wirelessly.

Source: Ofcom | Via: Fast Company