Entries by Nicole Batac (11944)

Saturday
Apr262014

IBM and National Geographic Kids hold Guinness World Records title for smallest printed magazine cover

IBM and National Geographic Kids aim to show the power of nanotechnology with the latest Guinness World Records title it garnered. The publication and tech company combined forces to print the world's smallest magazine cover at 11 x 14 micrometers. It is so miniscule that a grain of salt can hold 2,000 cover images. IBM scientists created a tiny "chisel" with a heatable silicon tip that is 100,000 times smaller than a sharpened pencil point. The scientists printed the March 2014 cover (which was voted online by National Geographic Kids' readers) in under 10 minutes onto a polymer.
IBM wanted to demonstrate how this new capability may impact prototyping of new transistor devices, which will help create more energy-efficient and faster electronics for different devices. It can even be used to create nano-sized security tags to help prevent document forgery for items such as passports, currency, and even priceless works of art. 
Thursday
Apr242014

Apple lets you refund unauthorized in-app purchases

Following complaints of kids accidentally making in-app purchases on iTunes without their parents’ consent, Apple is giving users a chance to refund those purchases. Users will need the order ID number in the receipt sent to your email by Apple. Look for emails from do_not-reply@itunes.com with “In-App” Purchases indicated in the Type field. Or you can browse through your iTunes Store purchase history. Afterwards, head to the Apple support page and select email support option. Indicate the order ID and inform Apple you would like to “Refund for In-App Purchases made by a minor.” This option will only be available until April 15, 2015.

Source: Lifehacker

Thursday
Apr242014

IFTTT lands on Android

IFTTT (If This Then That) has long been a staple on iOS devices. Now, Android users can automate their apps to perform specific tasks to with the new IFTTT app. The Android version comes with call, notification, SMS, location, device, and photo setting channels specific to the operating system. For example, it will silence your ringer when you connect to your office Wi-Fi. It might be a bit tedious to set this up at the start but imagine the convenience after. You can download the app from here.

Source: Engadget

Thursday
Apr242014

Explora offers smartphone rentals to Canadians traveling to the U.S.

If you’re traveling to the U.S. anytime soon and would need a way to communicate locally, Explora provides travelers with smartphone rentals complete with unlimited data plan and nationwide calling in the country. Rental costs US$8 a day for the Google Nexus 5and the phone will be sent to a pre-determined address for easy pickup and returned through a pre-paid envelope you will mail out.

The Nexus 5 comes with 40 standard apps including Google Maps and Facebook and provides special deals to customers for services like Taxi Magic (you get $10 off the first cab fare).  You can find out more information here.

Source: Canada.com