Surrey gets help from Watson for the city’s app

Surrey, British Columbia enlists supercomputer Watson for the city’s app. Software developer Purple Forge made My Surrey, which Fast Company calls the “Siri for cities.” The app is capable of answering spoken questions asked in natural language. For example, you can ask it why your trash wasn’t picked up this morning or how many dogs you can keep on your property. It also has a FAQ section and access to other municipal services. The app works for iOS and Android devices. The local government hopes it’ll help lessen calls made to city services. 

According to Purple Forge other Canadian municipalities are also interested in employing Watson. Who knows you might get your own version of this voice assistant pretty soon?

Source: Fast Company | Via: Engadget

iHome Cases introduces carbiner-bound power banks

Prone to leaving power banks at home? iHome Cases is introducing its new PowerClip Power Banks to charge your Android, iOS devices, and even small laptops. These power banks are attached to carabiners so you can easily clip them onto your bag. It recharges via standard USB port. It’s available in 2,600mAh, 5,200mAh, and 7,800mAh capacities. There’s an LED power indicator on the portable battery so you can see how much charge it has left. It’s available in black, green, navy, and red. The 2,600mAh model retails for US$29.99, the 5,200mAh sells for $39.99, and the 7,800mAh costs $49.99. Now, just make sure you remember to charge them and bring them with you.

Dropbox buys communication service Clementine

Dropbox looks like they aim to be a full enterprise solution. This time they acquire communication service Clementine. No details about the deal have been disclosed but Clementine users have been given a heads up that they have until August 31 to transition elsewhere.

Clementine offers chat and conference calling features without users having to exchange phone numbers. They can make calls and even join conference calls. This service joins the likes of Mailbox and Snapjoy as acquired Dropbox companies. Perhaps, it won’t be long until we can make calls right from within Dropbox files.

Source: Clementine | Via: The Next Web

Air Canada to use IBM apps on Apple mobile devices

Air Canada joins around 500 companies working with Apple and its enterprise partner IBM. This partnership was formed to help boost the stagnant sales of the iPad and to help make inroads in the enterprise market. Apple CFO Luca Maestri revealed details of this partnership during a call to discuss the company’s third-quarter earnings.

Maestri won’t divulge how many workers are using the apps. Although, for example, only a few Air Canada flight attendants could be using the Passenger+ app. This app lets them see passenger and flight information via an iPad. Other companies and even governments working with Apple and IBM include U.K. energy provider National Grid, Mexican bank Banorte, and American Eagle Outfitters. The companies are also working with the Japanese government for solutions to help care for its aging population. The partnership has yielded 35 apps and they still seem to be on track to meet the 100 apps they plan to release by the end of the year.

Source: ComputerWorld