Google partners with edX for new open source online learning platform

Google adds one more open source project to its list. Teaming up with MIT and Harvard’s educational site edX, Google’s launching a new online learning platform mid-2014 called mooc.org. It stands for “massive open online courses.” What differentiates it from edX is that it takes submitted from other universities, businesses, governments, and even individuals, whereas edX offers free courses just from affiliated institutions. No word yet on how courses are going to be screened or how contributors will earn money. 

Sony debuts new wireless NFC speakers

The new Sony SRS-BTS50 is made for your great outdoor jaunts. You can take it to the beach, have it by the pool, or even on camping trips. This ultra-portable Bluetooth speaker is a durable, splash-proof device that is powered by a rechargeable battery capable of lasting up to 10 hours on a single charge. Adding Near Field Communication (NFC) technology and Sony’s One-Touch Listening, streaming your favorite tunes is going to be a breeze. 

The SRS-BTS50 comes in a variety of colors (blue, red, pink, white, and black) and is available starting this month for $149.99 at Sony’s Online Store, Sony stores, and other authorized retailers in the country.

Nokia reportedly unveiling Lumia 1520 on Sept. 26

Aside from showing a leaked image of the Nokia Lumia 1520, @Evleaks on Twitter claims the new 6-inch Windows Phone 8 device is going to be launched on September 26. If @Evleaks is as accurate as it usually is about device information and launch dates, this would be coming right at the heels of the new Surface 2 and Surface Pro 2 tablet launch on September 23 in New York.

Source: @Evleaks

Opera releases Coast the iPad-only browser

Opera Software wants to redesign the look of mobile browsers (and perhaps browsers in general) with its new iPad-exclusive Coast browser. The new browser isn’t as unrecognizable as you would think. Actually, when you look at it, it resembles the home screen of an iPad with sites appearing as app-icon kind of squares and selecting said squares leads you to the sites. 

Keeping with iOS philosophy, it is a single-pane kind of experience with a single site taking up the entire screen. You would have to return to the home screen or use a discrete page switcher to jump from one website to the next. The company hopes this move would make browsing the web feel like viewing distinct apps instead of having one application with separate pages. You can download the browser for free on the iTunes App Store.