Samsung isn’t giving up on Android Wear just yet

The first and only Android Wear-based Samsung smartwatch, the Gear Live.

While Samsung hasn’t released anything Android Wear-related in the past two years, that doesn’t mean we can assume they’re done with it. Because according to the South Korean tech giant, they aren’t just yet. A recent Fast Company report cited an unnamed Samsung executive claiming that they aren’t working on any Android Wear smartwatches and they don’t plan to release any new ones either. But Samsung refuted this claim saying they “disagree with Fast Company’s interpretation. Samsung has not made any announcement concerning Android Wear and we have not changed our commitment to any of our platforms.” Samsung didn’t exactly make a strong case for making one though. The company could change their minds eventually, especially since its own Tizen platform gives them more control and ground to work with.

Source: Engadget

Toyota, Volkswagen back ride-sharing companies

Gett Chief Executive Shahar Waiser

Toyota and Volkswagen see the potential of ride-sharing companies join the list of investors. Toyota is backing Uber for an undisclosed amount. What they plan to do is explore trials in countries where the ride-sharing industry is growing. Meanwhile, the Volkswagen Group is getting behind Gett, a popular ride-hailing app in Europe. The automaker has invested US$300 million into the startup.

They aren’t the first ones to do this, though. General Motors, for example, has invested half a billion dollars into Lyft to help in the development of autonomous vehicles. BMW and Mercedes-Benz have also began pilot ride-sharing services, among others.

Source: The New York Times

Apple reverses decision and approves controversial game ‘Liyla and The Shadows of War’

It’s generally a murky process trying to get politically or culturally charged content up on Apple’s App Store. They tend to shy away from controversial topics or subject matters. A recent example is Liyla and The Shadows of War, which follows the story of a young Palestinian girl living in the Gaza Strip while the conflict in Israel is ongoing. Apple initially rejected it saying it “is not appropriate in the Games category.” Palestinian developer and Liyla creator Rasheed Abueideh shared the text he got from Apple where part of the message also says, “It would be more appropriate to categorize your app in News or Reference for example.” Apple was both unwilling to permit the developer’s message to come out and they even didn’t want it to be considered a game. 

But it seems backlash from the rejection was enough to get Apple’s attention as well as to reconsider putting the game up of the App Store. It’s up on both iOS and Android now.

Source: The Verge

New Philips Ambiance Hue Lighting Set is HomeKit-compatible

Philips has announced a new set of HomeKit-compatible Hue-branded lighting products. What’s different this time around is that these Hue White Ambiance lights are geared towards people who want adjustable white lights and don’t need the varied color options. These Wi-Fi-connected bulbs promises to show “every shade of white light,” ranging from 6500k daylight to 2200k warm light. And like other Hue bulbs, these 800 lumens bulbs rated at 4000k can be adjusted throughout the day with varied light recipes, routines, and HomeKit scenes. And with HomeKit support, it responds to Siri voice commands, too.

The package comes with two Philips Hue white ambiance bulbs, a HomeKit-compatible bridge, and one wireless dimming switch that can be controlled from anywhere in the house even without the iPhone app. The entire kit retails in the US for US$129.95 (around CA$170), while each bulb costs US$29.95. You can check out Philips’s website for more details.

Source: MacRumors

UPDATE (as of July 14, 2016 8:48 p.m. EDT)

Error on this writer's part but the individual bulbs cost CA$29.95 as well.