Canada getting ready to sell GM stake

Canada's federal government and the government of the province of Ontario have started searching for an investment bank to sell the rest of their combined 140 million shares in General Motors, according to an unidentified source, Bloomberg reports. That represents a 10-percent stake up for sale. The news doesn't come as a surprise because Finance Minister Jim Flaherty said in December that Canada wanted to sell its shares of GM stock, a point that was reiterated yesterday by one of his spokespeople. Canada invested $9.5 million for 175 million shares of GM's stock in 2009 as part of the company's government bailout.

Autoblog , Canada getting ready to sell GM stake, Canada getting ready to sell GM stake

2014 Toyota Corolla and Tundra production underway

After months of leaked photos and speculative reports, Toyota finally unveiled its 2014 Corolla to the world in early July at a star-studded California party. The confetti has been swept up and the champagne flutes washed and stored, and now the real work can begin: production. Toyota has announced that its new C-segment player has begun rolling off the lines at its plants in Mississippi and Ontario, Canada this week ahead of the planned start of sales in September. What's more, the refreshed 2014 Tundra pickup has also segued into production in San Antonio, Texas.
ERLANGER, Ky.


Autoblog , 2014 Toyota Corolla and Tundra production underway

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, 2014 Toyota Corolla and Tundra production underway

Lucra 2.2 helps define long hood, short deck

If not for Fast & Furious 6, most of us would have probably never heard of Lucra Cars or its incredibly powerful and lightweight LC470.

Autoblog , Lucra 2.2 helps define long hood, short deck, Lucra 2.2 helps define long hood, short deck

See the light with iblazr, the external flash for your mobile device

. Do you like to take pictures with your mobile device but often have issues taking those pictures at night or in low light with your mobile device's flash. Do wish there was an external flash that synchronized with the camera apps on your mobile device. The iblazr, a Kickstarter project from Vlad Tislenko, may be the device you are looking for. The iblazr is being touted as “The LED Flash for Smartphones and Tablets” by its designers. It's a rechargeable 4 LED flash that attaches to your smart device via the audio jack. It's designed to work with iOS and Android devices, and it can also double as a flashlight.

The Gadgeteer , See the light with iblazr, the external flash for your mobile device, See the light with iblazr, the external flash for your mobile device

Unitcom AEX15X1-32GB 15.6-inch Notebook

Here's the newest member to Unitcom's 15.6-inch notebook line-up, the AEX15X1-32GB. The system sports a 15.6-inch 1920 x 1080 Full HD display, a 2.40GHz Intel Core i7-3630QM processor, an Intel HM77 Express Chipset, a GeForce GTX 670MX 3GB graphics card, a 32GB DDR3 RAM, a 128GB SSD, a 1TB hard drive, a DVD Super Multi Drive, WiFi, Bluetooth and runs on Windows 7 Professional 64-bit (SP1) OS. The AEX15X1-32GB is available now for 189,980 Yen (about $1,907).

TechFresh , Unitcom AEX15X1-32GB 15.6-inch Notebook, Unitcom AEX15X1-32GB 15.6-inch Notebook

Magic 8 Ball Hacked To Show Images Instead

The Magic 8 Ball has been a fair number of things in the past, where among them include a flash prank that we talked about a couple of years back, a rather rectangular version which sullies the namesake of the device, and one with an internal OLED display thanks to a hack. The avid DIY enthusiast might want to check out this unique Magic 8 Ball that has been specially hacked to deliver up to 60 image responses (of fortune or failure) to the curious person. The person behind this hacked Magic 8 Ball is a certain Jason Poel Smith, where the 20-sided fortune die inside has been removed only to be replaced by a digital picture keychain instead.

Ubergizmo , Magic 8 Ball Hacked To Show Images Instead, Magic 8 Ball Hacked To Show Images Instead

SkyBalls See 'Giant Testicles' Floating In The Air

I guess you can say that it is a common assumption that men tend not to like to discuss about their health with others, perhaps because there is a macho persona to protect. What is discussed even more rarely would be the health status of the family jewels, as that seems to be a no-no, even among my mates. The U.K.'s Male Cancer Awareness Campaign hopes to change such a mindset and have guys to start to talk about testicular cancer, simply because this is a disease that can be cured should it be caught early enough.

Ubergizmo , SkyBalls See 'Giant Testicles' Floating In The Air, SkyBalls See 'Giant Testicles' Floating In The Air

Moto X Hands-On, First Real-World Impressions

With the new Moto X, Motorola has found three ways to fundamentally change how we use a smartphone: a voice command to wake it up for hands-free voice control, a screwdriver-like wrist twist to wake up the phone and camera to capture a photo within two seconds, and Active Display to provide the time and other notifications without having to actually turn the phone on. Some of these, of course, work better than others.Thanks to Apple's Siri, we've all gotten used to the idea of talking to our phone - and then not when we discover we still have to push buttons before we can talk to it.

Ubergizmo , Moto X Hands-On, First Real-World Impressions

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Moto X Specifications, Release Date & Features (Official)

We are in New York for the Moto X launch and Motorola has demonstrated its Moto X smartphone to us, and we can finally put an end to speculations and bring facts and specific details to the most important Motorola launch to date. Moto X is compact (4.7") smartphone that has been built to push the user experience forward, not to compete in terms of pure specifications. Moto X Specifications. Talking about specifications, let's satisfy your curiosity and then we'll move on to the experience part that we just mentioned.

Ubergizmo , Moto X Specifications, Release Date & Features (Official), Moto X Specifications, Release Date & Features (Official)

Apple Acquires Chip Maker Passif Semiconductor

Apple seems to be on an acquisition spree lately. It acquired two companies recently, a location data one aptly named Locationary and HopStop, the developers of a popular navigation app. AllThingsD reports that Apple has now purchased a small wireless chip maker called Passif Semiconductor, which is based in Silicon Valley, the financial terms behind this deal have not been disclosed. The report says that Amy Bessette, a spokeswoman for Apple, has confirmed that the Cupertino giant has indeed acquired Passif Semiconductor.

Ubergizmo , Apple Acquires Chip Maker Passif Semiconductor, Apple Acquires Chip Maker Passif Semiconductor

Motorola Migrate For Android Makes Life Easier When Changing Phones

Earlier this morning, we took a look at the Connect Chrome extension and how it was released before the long awaited Motorola Moto X launch (with the smartphone itself “confirmed” for a Verizon release this August 23rd), but it seemed that the Connect Chrome extension was not alone. Somehow, the Motorola Migrate app for Android, too, managed to sneak its way into the Google Play Store, where it was specially programmed to make life easy for those who want to synchronize data between an older handset to a new one. The Motorola Migrate app is available for all Android-powered handsets, as long as they run on Android 2.2 or higher.

Ubergizmo , Motorola Migrate For Android Makes Life Easier When Changing Phones

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, Motorola Migrate For Android Makes Life Easier When Changing Phones

Official: Everything you need to know about the Moto X

The folks at Motorola have finally officially announced full details about the Moto X. This mystical phone was fabled to be many different things, but leaks and rumors in recent weeks have given us more of an idea of what to expect. First, the specs — is this the stuff champions are made of or is it another drop in the bucket. Let's take a quick look:.




Android Phone , Official: Everything you need to know about the Moto X, Official: Everything you need to know about the Moto X

CODE_n is looking for the big data avant-garde

International startup competition brings “big data” to life at CeBIT 2014London, August 1, 2013 – CODE_n is getting big. The next round of the global innovation competition is setting its sights on business models that tackle intelligent and efficient use of large data volumes. With this year’s slogan, “Driving the Data Revolution”, the CODE_n Contest is calling young companies from around the world to apply by October 31, 2013. The top 50 applicants will be invited to present their big data solutions at CeBIT 2014.

Press Release Distribution , CODE_n is looking for the big data avant-garde, CODE_n is looking for the big data avant-garde

Oculus Rift And Kinect Used To Create A Paperboy Game

We've seen the Oculus Rift virtual reality headset used in a variety of manners, such as for seeing through the eyes of a drone, or the more novel where it is used as added stimulant for an erotic video game. Well now if you've always wanted to experience what it's like to be a paper boy on their route, Toronto company Globacore has decided to make a simple game that combines the Oculus Rift, a Kinect sensor, and a stationary bicycle that resulted in the revisitation of an Atari classic - Paperboy. Through the use of a widget called Kickr, it will allow the game to track the pedaling speed of the bicycle.

Ubergizmo , Oculus Rift And Kinect Used To Create A Paperboy Game, Oculus Rift And Kinect Used To Create A Paperboy Game

Verizon HTC One Release Slated For August 15th

Verizon has still not revealed to its current and prospective customers when it plans on finally releasing the HTC One. Other major carriers in the U.S. have already been carrying the device for quite a few months now, Verizon is yet to launch yet. We had heard a lot of rumors recently that pegged the release of this smartphone on August 1st, but apparently that's not going to happen. Droid-Life has reportedly received a document in which the Verizon HTC One release date has been slated for August 15th.

One might argue that the delay in launching this smartphone on Verizon would result in lackluster customer interest.

Ubergizmo , Verizon HTC One Release Slated For August 15th, Verizon HTC One Release Slated For August 15th

Isis Mobile Payment Solution National Rollout Commences In 2013

Isis is a mobile payments solution that is backed by three of the biggest mobile carriers in the U.S., Verizon, AT&T and T-Mobile to be precise. It basically lets people make payments by tapping their phones, NFC technology plays a vital part in this. Isis has been testing the technology at over 4,000 locations in Salt Lake City and Austin, the company said today that it is finally ready to commence national rollout of the service this year. The service is capable of working with Android, BlackBerry and Windows Phone smartphones. Isis says that iPhone support is coming as well.

Ubergizmo , Isis Mobile Payment Solution National Rollout Commences In 2013, Isis Mobile Payment Solution National Rollout Commences In 2013

HTC One for Verizon launch set for August 15th?

The Verizon HTC One is still nowhere to be found, but new rumors suggest that'll change in just over two weeks' time. According to documents received by Droid-Life, the Verizon HTC One launch date has been set to August 15th. The original date was apparently set for August 1st, but some suggest Verizon pushed it back a couple more weeks. We're not sure of the company's reasoning, but everyone has their own guesses.
The easiest guess to make is that the carrier wants to give more time to push the HTC DROID DNA before it brings in the superior HTC handset.

Android Phone , HTC One for Verizon launch set for August 15th?, HTC One for Verizon launch set for August 15th?

Developer Modifies Game To Propose To Girlfriend

Earlier this year you might have heard of how this developer hacked Donkey Kong so that his daughter could play as a female character, a pretty cool move as far as we're concerned, but it seems that Mike Mika has hacked and modified more than one game during his time and in a recent interview with Wired, Mika recounted how he modified the code in a video game he helped develop to propose to his then-girlfriend, now-Wife. Mika found out that his girlfriend loved puzzle games and because he was developing one himself, he thought it would be cool to put in the proposal in the game.

Ubergizmo , Developer Modifies Game To Propose To Girlfriend, Developer Modifies Game To Propose To Girlfriend

Apple Introduces Spam Reporting For iMessage

With the launch of iOS 7 which is expected to take place later this year, one of the features Apple will be introducing is the ability to block Apple IDs from iMessage or FaceTime. While the messages can still be sent as regular text, it can help block spammers or maybe that stalker ex of yours. In any case in the meantime it looks like Apple has already begun offering iMessage spam reporting, thanks to a new knowledge base article found on Apple's website.

Ubergizmo , Apple Introduces Spam Reporting For iMessage, Apple Introduces Spam Reporting For iMessage

Nokia RX-114 Tablet Spotted On Benchmark Site

Hmmm, now this is something interesting – Nokia might be jumping aboard the tablet bandwagon after all, after rumors concerning a possible Nokia Zoom with an image of an alleged expunged Nokia tablet hitting the headlines earlier this month. It is said that Nokia could very well be testing out a Snapdragon 800-powered device that runs on the Windows operating system, assuming the data that was spotted in a recent benchmark result could be trusted. After all, it is pretty easy to fake stuff online these days. Taking on the RX-114 name, it was allegedly spotted in a GFXbench app.

Ubergizmo , Nokia RX-114 Tablet Spotted On Benchmark Site, Nokia RX-114 Tablet Spotted On Benchmark Site

Samsung Galaxy S4 found to use benchmark boosting app to increase performance scores

In recent times, we have all lay witnessed to a sort of spec arms race, sparked by smartphone OEM's doing whatever they can to trump the other, and gain valuable market share. As consumers, we've helped feed into this, demanding our devices add more cores with every iterations, and even higher ppi's than the last. If you needed further proof that this has gotten out of hand, take a look at what was just uncovered.


Android Phone , Samsung Galaxy S4 found to use benchmark boosting app to increase performance scores, Samsung Galaxy S4 found to use benchmark boosting app to increase performance scores

Lack of 35mm film, replacement parts putting hurt on America's drive-ins

Drive-in movie theaters turn 80 years old this summer, and, soon, they might die of old age. There are only 360 drive-in theaters left in the US – down from 4,000 at their peak in 1958 – and the 35-millimeter film projectors that they use to screen movies are quickly losing support from studios, which have switched to digital methods of capturing pictures. Remember the four-foot poles with speakers built in. You'd pull your car up to it, park, and open your windows to listen to the movie. Well, there's only one company left that makes parts for those speakers, and they don't support surround sound.

Autoblog , Lack of 35mm film, replacement parts putting hurt on America's drive-ins, Lack of 35mm film, replacement parts putting hurt on America's drive-ins

Man beats ticket on dashcam evidence, takes town to court [w/videos]

Rod MacIver wanted justice after being wronged by his local police department. He was pulled over and cited for running a red light, despite the officer's dashcam video clearly shown that he hadn't. When the matter went to court, the judge, after viewing the footage, threw the case out and dressed down the officer, Jason Lawton. MacIver isn't through, though, taking the matter to small claims court over the time and effort involved in beating his original ticket.

Autoblog , Man beats ticket on dashcam evidence, takes town to court [w/videos], Man beats ticket on dashcam evidence, takes town to court [w/videos]

Helikite Balloons Could Form Emergency LTE Network

Now here is an idea – should a kaiju suddenly appear off the Gulf of Mexico, or just like in the movies, giant monsters from the depths of the sea decide to make short work of humanity's abodes by the beach, surely there will be areas where cellphone reception is down due to the phone's network being dragged down alongside the wanton destruction that was wrought. Well, what can be done in such a situation then. How about Helikites. Helikites are actually small load-bearing balloon-kite hybrids that can be launched in a jiffy in order to form a network of LTE or WLAN masts that are up to an altitude of 2.5 miles.

Ubergizmo , Helikite Balloons Could Form Emergency LTE Network, Helikite Balloons Could Form Emergency LTE Network

M-Edge Stealth Pro Universal Keyboard Folio

When it comes to keyboard cases for the seemingly ubiquitous tablet, these are dime a dozen. Are there any other models out there which could change the way we look at this particular hardware genre. M-Edge might have the answer in the form of the Stealth Pro Universal Keyboard Folio, which happens to be an extremely slim as well as versatile universal keyboard case. The case itself will play nice with a slew of 7" as well as 10" tablets, where these will include (but are not limited to) the iPad, iPad mini, Google Nexus 7, Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1, and Kindle Fire HD 7 & 8.9.

Ubergizmo , M-Edge Stealth Pro Universal Keyboard Folio, M-Edge Stealth Pro Universal Keyboard Folio

Android 4.3 to breathe new life in last year's Nexus 7 (2012) by speeding up I/O performance

With the all new Nexus 7 (2013) model now readily available for purchase across the US, many of you who purchase the last year's model might be looking at your old device with discontent. There have been countless reports from users that, while the device performed snappily enough at first, it soon became bogged down over time, sluggish to the point of where it was completely unusable. Before you throw that old device in the bin, you might wanna wait for the incoming Android 4.3 update. As discovered by AnandTech, some new lines of code found inside Android 4.3 could vastly improve performance, making the device feel like new again.

Android Phone , Android 4.3 to breathe new life in last year's Nexus 7 (2012) by speeding up I/O performance, Android 4.3 to breathe new life in last year's Nexus 7 (2012) by speeding up I/O performance

2013 Chevrolet Camaro SS Hot Wheels Edition

Pairing your car, truck or SUV with another brand is a tried-and-true method to create the sort of positive association that sells vehicles, or at least gives them an attractive new look and higher margins. Ford knows this, having paired the Explorer and rugged apparel brand Eddie Bauer in the '90s with great success, and the F-150 with iconic motorcycle maker Harley-Davidson since 2000 (that partnership, however, has ended with the 2012 model year). Not every partnership is geared towards making a vehicle appear more macho, though.

Autoblog , 2013 Chevrolet Camaro SS Hot Wheels Edition, 2013 Chevrolet Camaro SS Hot Wheels Edition

Samsung Galaxy Note 2 With Snapdragon 600 Announced In China

Earlier this month, we did mention about how a Samsung Galaxy Note 2 phablet was spotted (at least screenshots of it shown off in an AnTuTu benchmark) to feature a Snapdragon 600 processor, and while that remained pretty much on the brink between rumor and reality, it looks like said phablet is very, very real. So real, in fact, that it has showed up in China with Qualcomm's Snapdragon 600 processor in tow. Now, if we were to turn back the clock a tad, the Galaxy Note 2 that has been available in the US since August last year did come with a 5.5" touchscreen display, 2GB RAM and running on a quad-core Samsung Exynos 4 processor.

Ubergizmo , Samsung Galaxy Note 2 With Snapdragon 600 Announced In China, Samsung Galaxy Note 2 With Snapdragon 600 Announced In China

Smart Cargo for iPad review

I have completely replaced a laptop in my life with my iPad. I discovered this about a year into having my first iPad, when I realized the only time I had moved my MacBook Pro from the desk was when I presented, using both it and my iPad at a few meetings. But, when I'm out for the day, I still want to carry along a few things: a charger and cable – just in case; a portable battery pack; a screen cleaning cloth; a portable speaker; and my Square dongle. So, I usually wind up taking a bag along, just as I did with my MacBook Pro, but it's just a much smaller bag.






The Gadgeteer , Smart Cargo for iPad review, Smart Cargo for iPad review

Sprint Samsung Galaxy S4 now just $99.99 with contract. 7″ Asus MeMO Pad down to $99.98

The Samsung Galaxy S4 is arguably one of the best smartphones currently on the market. And ever since its release not that long ago, it's been sold by Sprint for $199.99 with a two-year contract. Recently the Now Network started offering this superphone on a BOGO deal – you buy one, you get one free (provided of course that you sign a new two-year contract for each device). So in that case you'd effectively pay just around $100 for a Galaxy S4. But that means buying two. What if you only need one Galaxy S4, but don't want to shell out $199.99 to get it?

You're in luck.


Unwired View , Sprint Samsung Galaxy S4 now just $99.99 with contract. 7″ Asus MeMO Pad down to $99.98

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, Sprint Samsung Galaxy S4 now just $99.99 with contract. 7″ Asus MeMO Pad down to $99.98

Nokia Thinks Microsoft Should Step Up Their Game To Make Windows Phone A Success

In Finland, home to Nokia, Microsoft's Windows Phone operating system was reported to own about 20% of the market, numbers which are pretty impressive compared to the UK where they are at around 8.1% (impressive but not as big a number compared to 20%). However with these recent figures and despite the numbers lagging behind operating systems like iOS and Android, Nokia has remained largely positive about the Windows Phone operating system, as shared by Nokia's vice president, Bryan Biniak.

Ubergizmo , Nokia Thinks Microsoft Should Step Up Their Game To Make Windows Phone A Success, Nokia Thinks Microsoft Should Step Up Their Game To Make Windows Phone A Success

OTT Messaging blossoms but SMS still growing and delivering the big revenues

29th July, 2013 - A new report from Portio Research suggests that other forecasts about the revenue generated by mobile messaging are wrong.

Press Release Distribution , OTT Messaging blossoms but SMS still growing and delivering the big revenues, OTT Messaging blossoms but SMS still growing and delivering the big revenues

Darwin Private Equity Acquires Esendex For £11 Million

Growth strategy to double size of business through organic growth and acquisitionDarwin Private Equity has completed the management buyout of Esendex, a leading provider of mission-critical application-to-person SMS services to businesses, in a deal worth £11 million.Esendex’s services are used by more than 6,500 businesses around the world to improve customer service, communicate with employees, increase operational efficiency and generate sales. Clients include Ocado, BAA Gatwick, ASOS, Addison Lee, Dun & Bradstreet, ASDA, and Virgin Media.

Press Release Distribution , Darwin Private Equity Acquires Esendex For £11 Million, Darwin Private Equity Acquires Esendex For £11 Million

tyntec Receives Patent Approval For Distributed SMS-C In Global Key Markets

SMS messaging service specialist continues to ensure security and reliability in end-to-end message delivery across global carrier networks with Distributed SMS-CSan Francisco, Ca, July 29, 2013 — Mobile interaction specialist tyntec today announced it has been granted new patents for its Distributed SMS-C technology in the US, Europe and Asia. tyntec’s Distributed SMS-C provides the highest levels of security and quality for the transmission of A2P (Application-to-Person) and P2P (Person-to-Person) SMS sent via global communications networks.

Press Release Distribution , tyntec Receives Patent Approval For Distributed SMS-C In Global Key Markets, tyntec Receives Patent Approval For Distributed SMS-C In Global Key Markets

Moto X shown off in official press shots

By now we know almost there is to know about the upcoming Moto X, which would be officially announced three days from now on August 1. @evleaks, who have given us plenty of Moto X images until now, have these final set of press shots, in both black and white, that give a good clear look at the device. We assume these will be the default colors and on top of that you would be able to customize the look and feel from Motorola's website.

GSM Arena , Moto X shown off in official press shots, Moto X shown off in official press shots