Google’s PhoneBloks concept is exciting and it’s never going to work (for the mass market)

By Simon Cohen

When you love tech (sometimes just for tech’s sake), it can be pretty heady stuff to read up on the projects that Google has on the go. Consider this incomplete list, it’s really quite extraordinary:

• Android@home
• Google “X” Robots
• Driverless cars
• Space elevators
• Clean energy
• Extending human lifespan
• Android Wear

You’ve got to hand it to Larry and Sergei. When they dream, they dream big. How cool is it that a couple of guys who came up with a better way to index the web are now in a position to influence the course of human history?

But when you roll the dice on monster concepts, you’ve got to be prepared when some of them don’t pan out. Of the items on the list above, there’s a good chance that all but the space elevator and human lifespan will make it from concept to reality. Even the driverless car–an idea that we were scoffing at less than 6 years ago–is real, and it works and they’re even legal in some places.

What I like about all of these projects is that there is a strong chance that if they work out as planned, they will see mass adoption. A lot of people are going to want the benefits these projects will offer.

But I can’t say the same for Google’s most recent foray into the future: Project Ara.

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Done deal: Nokia now belongs to Microsoft

Nokia's mobile business (devices and services) is officially owned by Microsoft starting today, fulfilling an agreement both companies entered into last September. It is a Spring of change in the industry as Microsoft now lays claim to all the patents, expertise and some of the personnel that Nokia acquired through decades of being the leading mobile handset maker.

"Today we welcome the Nokia Devices and Services business to our family. The mobile capabilities and assets they bring will advance our transformation. Together with our partners, we remain focused on delivering innovation more rapidly in our mobile-first, cloud-first world," said Microsoft's CEO Satya Nadella.

Canadian Stephen Elop, a former Microsoftie who took over Nokia in time to point out it was on a 'Burning Platform," ushered in the Lumia age of Windows Phone and will be returning back to his roots in Microsoft as head of the hardware division (yes that includes XBox, keyboards, mice and Surface). A fitting reward for a champion who divided and conquered a foreign army and brought home its best pieces and people.

"As Microsoft and Nokia Devices and Services come together as an expanded family, we will unify our passion, dedication and commitment to bringing you the best of what our joint technologies have to offer," Elop stated in his final memo as Nokia CEO. 

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

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