Samsung touts its wearable devices as options to fulfill healthy New Year's resolutions

Samsung wants to be at the forefront of the fitness tracking phenomenon, specially since studies show that one in three consumers is using some kind of fitness tracker or smartwatch to keep tabs on their health and progress.

The company is pushing some of its solutions as great adjuncts to Samsung smartphone users wanting to make a conscious effort of fulfilling their commitment to health.  Below are the products Samsung that aid fitness tracking.

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Audiobooks now available in the Google Play Store

Google is making thousands of audiobooks available on the Google Play Store in 45 countries and nine languages. This enables the ability to purchase and listen to audiobooks without the need for a subscription. More importantly, the audiobooks will be accessible by Google Assistant and will work with Google Home speakers.

Just say “Ok Google, read my book” to listen to your favorite audiobook hands free with the Google Assistant on your phone or speaker, like Google Home. Try “Ok Google, who is the author?” if you need a refresher, or “Ok Google, stop playing in 20 minutes” to set a timer for bedtime reading. This is a key feature of rival Amazon on their Amazon Echo devices," says Greg Hartrell, the Head of Product Management, Google Play Books.

Apple's HomePod speaker comes to US, UK, and Australia on Feb 9

After a delay to market late last year, Apple's heralded HomePod smart speaker is coming on February 9 with preorders happening this Friday. Unfortunately, HomePods is coming to three markets -the US, UK and Australia with other countries (possibly Canada) getting the devices in the spring.

HomePod is a new product category from Apple. It looks to be taking on Sonos in terms of MESH enabled Hi-Fi streaming speakers but also looks to compete with the Amazon Echo and Google Home smart speakers which have been available in Canada since last year. Seen as a delivery methof for Apple Music, Siri, HomeKit and other Apple ecosystems, the HomePod is expected to bring big sound in a compact package.

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Thompson Reuters to host host Girls make Games development program

Thomson Reuters will host Girls make Games, an international game development program designed to inspire elementary and high school girls to pursue interests in STEM related fields. 

Participants will engage in game design, programming, and entrepreneurship workshops led by professional game developers to create their very own video game. Hit jump for details.

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