Google to acquire Nest

from Greg
Google to acquire Nest for $3.2 billion in cash. This is a great buy for the tech giant. Nest makes the best thermostat control you have ever seen. They allow you to adjust the temp with a smart phone.

Nest Labs is a home automation company that designs and manufactures sensor-driven, Wi-Fi-enabled, self-learning, programmable thermostats and smoke detectors. Co-founded by former Apple engineers Tony Fadell and Matt Rogers in 2010, the start-up company quickly grew to more than 130 employees by the end of 2012.


The company introduced their first product, the Nest Learning Thermostat, in 2011. In October 2013, Nest Labs announced the Nest Protect smoke and carbon monoxide detector.

from Reuters
Read the full story HERE
Google Inc on Monday announced plans to acquire Nest Labs Inc, a maker of smart thermostats and smoke alarms, for $3.2 billion, signaling the Internet company's intention to expand into a broader array of devices and bringing valuable hardware design expertise in-house.

Nest, which was co-founded by one of the creators of Apple Inc's iconic iPod music player, will continue to operate as its own distinct brand after the all-cash deal closes, Google said.

The deal is the second-largest in Google's history, after the $12.5 billion acquisition of mobile phone maker Motorola.

"Nest Labs appears to be focused on thermostats and smoke alarms, but it's not far-fetched to see Google expanding this technology into other devices over time," said Shyam Patil, an analyst at Wedbush.

(Reporting by Alexei Oreskovic with additional reporting by Noel Randewich and Poornima Gupta; Editing by Jonathan Oatis)

from The Verge
Read the full story HERE

Google has just purchased Nest Labs, the maker of the Nest Learning Thermostat and Protect smoke detector, for $3.2 billion in cash. According to a Google press release, Nest will continue to operate independently under the leadership of co-founder and CEO Tony Fadell; co-founder Matt Rogers will also make the move to Google. While the transaction is subject to the usual regulatory review, Google says it expects the sale to close within the next few months. Google Ventures had already invested over $100 million in Nest, so the company has been on Mountain View's radar for some time now.

It's not yet clear exactly how Google plans to use Nest, but the company obviously sees it as an important part of its future. A combination of Nest's home solutions coupled with Google's language recognition could give Google its strongest path yet into your home. "Google will help us fully realize our vision of the conscious home and allow us to change the world faster than we ever could if we continued to go it alone," writes Fadell on the Nest blog. "We've had great momentum, but this is a rocket ship."

from Tech Crunch
Read the full story HERE

Google is acquiring connected device company Nest for $3.2B. Google sent out an email to employees noting the acquisition today and later issued a press release.

In the release, Google noted that Nest has been offering its best-selling thermostat since 2011 and recently began offering the Protect smoke alarm, which networks with its other devices.

Nest Founders Tony Fadell and Matt Rogers will both join Google. Rogers, pictured above, was one of the first engineers on the iPhone team at Apple.

“They’re already delivering amazing products you can buy right now–thermostats that save energy and smoke/CO alarms that can help keep your family safe,” said Google CEO Larry Page in a statement. “We are excited to bring great experiences to more homes in more countries and fulfill their dreams!”

Related articles

• Google Acquiring Tony Fadell-Founded Nest for $3.2 Billion
• Report: Google to acquire smart thermostat maker Nest for $3.2 billion
• Breaking: Google acquires digital device maker Nest for $3.2B
• Google buys Nest for $3.2B - its key to the connected home?

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Smartlet Kickstarter

From Greg
My favorite thing is a good Kickstarter campaign. I just signed up to support the Smartlet campaign at the $39 level. 

Who needs a smart watch. Wearable tech is getting to be the new buzz word. The Smartlet turns you iPhone into a tricorder. I am stoked! 

From Developer

Introducing: Smartlet

Smartlet is an iPhone case for your wrist. Instead of neurotically holding your phone waiting for a message or burying your phone in a pocket or purse, Smartlet keeps your hands free while keeping your iPhone in a super convenient location (your wrist). 

Unlike typical phone armbands that joggers use on their upper arms for running, Smartlet is: 1) minimalist by design, so that your iPhone's full screen is available to view notifications (like a smartwatch); 2) designed to be worn with everyday shirts by holding your iPhone by its buttons and allowing the lower half of the device to fit over a shirt cuff; and 3) locks your iPhone securely in place through a patent-pending unidirectional button locking mechanism, so that you can easily slide your iPhone in and out when you need it. In short, Smartlet frees up your hands so your phone doesn't interfere with your everyday life.

- Minimalist design

Smartlet was designed to hold your iPhone securely, without covering it up. Smartlet holds your iPhone by its buttons so that the entire screen of your iPhone is open and free and the beauty of your iPhone's body can remain on display. 


- Wearability
Smartlet was also designed so that you can wear it and your iPhone with normal shirts. By holding the iPhone by its buttons, the lower half of the iPhone extends over a shirt or jacket cuff, allowing you to wear Smartlet over a shirt, under a jacket sleeve or over a jacket. 

We designed Smartlet in multiple colors--black/black (not shown), white/white, and black/red--so you can choose that look that works for you and your iPhone.

- Accessibility 
Smartlet's patent-pending, unidirectional button locking mechanism prevents your iPhone from falling out during everyday activities, while also allowing you to slide out your iPhone in one simple motion to use it. So if you need the full functionality of your phone (e.g.,to type out an email, answer a call, or take a quick photo), it's never more than a swipe away.

When you slide your iPhone into Smartlet, it is locked into place using your iPhone's buttons so that you can't push it any further in that direction. However, Smartlet is structured so that you can still easily slide out your iPhone when you want to use it.

Why is Smartlet better than a smartwatch?  
Smartlet gives you all of the functionality and convenience lacking in the smartwatches on the market today. These smartwatches have a critical design flaw: they must be linked to your phone to perform their most important functions, and you still have to take out your phone to do anything substantial. Smartlet is not just another piece of technology--it lets you use your existing technology in a stylish and easy way.

Ever since the iPhone was introduced in 2007, it has been our go-to device--always in our hands and on our minds. But, while over time the iPhone has evolved to become lighter and faster, nothing was being done to make it more integrated, useful, or wearable. The future wasn't coming fast enough, so we sought to create it.

We first experimented with attaching off-the-shelf iPhone cases to watchbands and strapping the contraption to our wrists, but we found it extremely cumbersome to remove the phone from the case when we needed to use it. That's when we realized we would have to create something entirely different, and the idea for Smartlet was born.

The 3-D printing revolution allowed us to turn the idea of Smartlet into reality. We designed, prototyped, and field tested different versions of Smartlet until we arrived at something functional and stylish. 

The design was driven by three core goals: convenience, style, and security. We wanted to make Smartlet removable and accessible, not cumbersome and complicated, so we developed Smartlet's patent-pending undirectional locking mechanism. We also wanted to ensure Smartlet could be worn in everyday settings without appearing awkward or unfashionable, so we designed Smartlet to be as minimalist as possible without sacrificing security. 

Which brings us to the most important goal: security. We know you love your iPhone as much as we do, so we worked hard to make sure it's secure while wearing Smartlet. We experimented with different band widths until we arrived at the perfect balance of stability and versatility, and structured Smartlet so that it grips your iPhone with enough strength to prevent it from sliding out in any direction, while still making it easy to remove your iPhone when you need it. We have been improving Smartlet's design over the past year and a half as we subjected various prototypes to daily wear and tear and tested them in a variety of environments. 


We've come this far on our own, but now we need your help to share Smartlet with the world. Join us on this journey!

Related articles

• Bluetooth paper airplane kit is ridiculously awesome
• Now, wear iPhone on your wrist with Smartlet bracelet!
• Smartlet!
• New Kickstarter campaign wants to kill the smartwatch craze before it gets started

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AT Transformer

From Greg

When I saw this beast I had to share. Great concept taking the drone concept to uses like medical extraction.

From Developer

Advanced Tactics Unveils the AT Transformer: 

The Future of Roadable VTOL Aircraft and Modular Cargo Systems

The AT Black Knight Transformer, the world’s first roadable VTOL aircraft. It is designed to be a low-cost rapid response ambulance to evacuate wounded soldiers from the battlefield or transport cargo.

See the original story HERE

Advanced Tactics Inc., a small aerospace company, released details about its AT Transformer vehicle technology and announced that a full-scale technology demonstrator has completed its first driving tests.

The AT Transformer technology makes possible the world’s first roadable, vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) aircraft. The patented AT Transformer technology combines the capabilities of a helicopter, such as the ability to take off and land anywhere, with the capabilities of an off-road automobile. The first technology demonstrator, the AT Black Knight Transformer, completed driving tests in December 2013 in Southern California and is scheduled to fly in early 2014.

The AT Black Knight Transformer technology demonstrator (top) and the AT Black Knight Transformer operational concept vehicle (bottom) with turbo diesel engines.

Advanced Tactics began work on the AT Black Knight Transformer in 2010. The Black Knight Transformer is designed for autonomous casualty evacuation and manned or unmanned cargo resupply missions. Its unmanned capabilities keep pilots out of harm’s way, making it the safest casualty evacuation option. The interior volume is comparable to a Blackhawk helicopter, making it well-suited for cargo missions as well. In 2012, Advanced Tactics began work on the AT Panther Transformer, a similar vehicle designed specifically for Special Operations missions. It is a low-cost vehicle that carries two passengers and their gear, is transportable in a CV-22 Osprey cargo hold, and is operable with minimal training. This vehicle is shown below and will be used to transport passengers to a remote location that is inaccessible by traditional air or ground based means.

The Panther concept vehicle (left) and scaled technology demonstrator (right).

Imagine a situation where a soldier has been wounded on the front lines in an urban firefight – he’s being protected by the rest of his squad but he needs to be evacuated immediately or he will die. A nearby base is notified of the casualty and dispatches an AT Black Knight Transformer vehicle to evacuate him. The vehicle autonomously takes off and heads toward the front lines, 20 miles away. The squad is deep in the city and there are no safe landing zones within a half mile radius. Two members of the squad designate a safe landing zone in an open courtyard and wait for the vehicle there.

Once it arrives, it lands and the two soldiers climb inside. The flight engines are stowed and the vehicle enters driving mode. It is manually driven through the narrow streets to the casualty, who is quickly loaded onboard and connected to life support equipment. The vehicle is driven back to the courtyard where it takes off. Several minutes later the wounded soldier arrives at the base where he can be given full medical treatment within the “Golden Hour” after injury. The Black Knight Transformer’s unique air and ground ingress and egress options dramatically reduced the time needed to evacuate the casualty and his life was saved without risking a flight crew or the need for a ground transport.

The Black Knight Transformer technology demonstrator in flight configuration.

The Black Knight and Panther Transformers both utilize the AT Transformer technology, which leverages the simplicity and robustness of a “multicopter” helicopter at a full-scale size. Like the small electric multicopters that are prevalent today, the AT Transformer uses engines with a direct drive connection to prop-rotors. The components of the propulsion system, including the engines and prop-rotors, are low-cost commercially available parts and the aircraft’s structure is made of modular field-replaceable components. Like an electric multicopter, the vehicle is stabilized and controlled by differential thrust between opposing sets of prop-rotors. This design is simple and robust, eliminating the mechanical complexity and cost of the articulated rotor system that stabilizes and controls a conventional helicopter and replacing it with a high-speed computerized feedback control system. Additionally, the configuration negates the need for a tail-rotor or engine transmission. The AT Transformer has the ability to perform controlled engine-out flight in case of a critical component failure.

The design benefits from a large interior volume compared to the overall footprint of the vehicle, which makes it an ideal candidate for unmanned cargo resupply missions as well as civil missions such as package delivery and fire-fighting. Both the Black Knight and the Panther Transformers have automotive suspensions and drive-trains similar to those used in off-road trucks. Large truck tires and shocks provide excellent terrain handling and soften the vehicles’ landings. The wheels are driven by an independent engine and transaxle for speeds up to 70 mph.

The AT Transformer design is highly modular for rapid repair and reconfiguration. For instance, each of the eight propulsion subsystems can be replaced in the field by two people and the payload bay can be changed from casualty evacuation life support equipment to cargo for multi-mission capabilities. Additionally, the modular automobile portion of the vehicle can be replaced with a boat hull or an amphibious hull for water operations.

The Black Knight and Panther Transformer vehicles have been developed through an iterative prototyping process starting with small scale electric prototypes and moving to the larger internal combustion powered technology demonstration vehicles. The first electric prototypes were flown in 2010 followed by a 2,000 lbs gas-powered vehicle in 2012, shown in Figure 6. A scaled prototype of the Panther vehicle has been tested and the full-scale version is in the early design phase.

AT engineer, Rustom Jehangir, is standing next to the vehicle for scale. He is six feet tall.

The operational concept design of the Black Knight Transformer is a streamlined aircraft that has been optimized for payload carrying and multi-mission capabilities. That vehicle will use turbo diesel engines and aerodynamic enhancements to provide a payload capacity of over 1,000 lbs or five passengers with a 250 nm range. Configured without the ground drivetrain, the aircraft can carry up to 1600 lbs of payload or eight passengers. The aircraft will cruise at a speed of 130 kts and drive at up to 70 mph. This highly capable vehicle will provide a safe, low-cost option for casualty evacuation, medical and cargo resupply, and other military or civil missions.

After its first flight, the AT Black Knight Transformer technology demonstrator will enter an iterative testing program leading to a full-capability demonstration in late 2014. Advanced Tactics is interested in collaboration and joint development opportunities for taking this, and other patented AT technologies, into full production.

Related articles

• Israeli AirMule UAV Passes Major Milestone Demonstrating Fully Autonomous Flight
• Sikorsky, Aurora Flight Sciences to Develop VTOL X-Planes for DARPA
• This flying drone helicopter truck is a real life transformer

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T Mobile Wants Biz

From Greg
Business Insider ran a story about the great deals T Mobile is offering to get new customers. If you switch to T-Mobile from Verizon, AT&T, or Sprint, T-Mobile will now pay the early termination fee  up to $350 per line. 

T-Mobile's plans are cheaper. You can pay $65 per month for 2.5 GB of data and unlimited calling/texting. Unlike Verizon, T-Mobile doesn't charge you extra if you go over your data allotment. Instead, it slows your data down a bit until the next billing cycle starts. Get a new iPhone 5S, pay $25 per month.

Read the full story at Business Insider HERE

by Steve Kovach

Next to cable providers and airlines, wireless carriers are probably the most hated service that we pretty much have no choice but to pay for.

About a year and a half ago, I switched to Verizon from AT&T because I had a lot of problems making calls that didn't drop. (Yes, I still talk on the phone a lot. My family lives thousands of miles away in Texas and it's still the best way for me to keep up with them.)

I've been mostly happy with Verizon. The data speeds are fast. I don't think I've ever had a dropped call. And I'm covered just about anywhere I travel.

But boy is it expensive. I pay $110 per month for 2 GB of data and unlimited calling/texting.

Yesterday, T-Mobile made an offer I can't refuse.

If you switch to T-Mobile from Verizon, AT&T, or Sprint, T-Mobile will now pay the early termination fee (ETF) carriers charge you to cancel your contract, up to $350 per line. You're also required to trade in your old smartphone, which T-Mobile will pay you for so you can buy a new one. That means there's no risk for me to abandon my contract from Verizon. T-Mobile will foot the bill.

And T-Mobile's plans are cheaper. I can pay $65 per month for 2.5 GB of data and unlimited calling/texting. Unlike Verizon, T-Mobile doesn't charge you extra if you go over your data allotment. Instead, it slows your data down a bit until the next billing cycle starts. Assuming I get a new iPhone 5S, I'll also be paying $25 per month for my phone. (T-Mobile sells you an iPhone 5S for $0 down plus $25 per month for 24 months. You also have the option to pay off the phone in full right away if you'd like.)

So if I switch now, I'll only be paying $90 per month, $20 less than I do now. Plus I'll be getting 500 MB more data per month, and I won't have to worry about getting slapped with the occasional $10 fee Verizon sometimes charges me if I happen to go over my data plan. I'd rather have slightly slower data for a few days than pay that fee.

Then there's the question of devices. I have an iPhone 5 now, and I've been holding out for the iPhone 6 (or whatever Apple ends up calling it) that should launch this fall. If I switch to an iPhone 5S now, then I'd still theoretically be paying it off in the fall and won't be able to get the new model.

But T-Mobile has a fix for that. It lets you pay off your phone whenever you want and switch to a new device on the payment plan. So when the next iPhone comes out, I'll pay off my 5S, sell it on Craigslist (iPhones hold their value really well), and get the new iPhone on T-Mobile's monthly payment plan. Not bad. And I'm still saving money in the long run.

My biggest concern is coverage. T-Mobile's 4G LTE network (the fastest wireless standard available today) is still tiny compared to what AT&T and Verizon can offer. Luckily, from what I understand, T-Mobile's LTE is pretty good in New York where I live. In fact, my former colleague Dan Frommer says it's better and more reliable than Verizon. That's pretty appealing.

My other concern has nothing to do with T-Mobile. I imagine when I tell Verizon I want to cancel my contract they won't make it easy on me. And I'm pretty sure it's going to take some time to get my ETF refund from T-Mobile. These kinds of things can't happen overnight.

But in the long run, I'm going to be saving money every month on my wireless bill. And that's worth a little bit of hassle.

Related articles

• Retailers discount iPhone 5s down to $120, AT&T offers customers $450 to ... - Apple Insider
• T-Mobile Just Made Me An Offer I Can't Refuse, And Now I'm Ditching Verizon
• T-Mobile Just Made Me An Offer I Can't Refuse, And Now I'm Ditching Verizon
• No "horsesh**": Dropping Verizon for T-Mobile would cost me $150

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Ozobot Unveiled

From Greg
The search for great items at CES 2014 continues. 

Here is a mini robot that can play games with you. The company has a Kickstarter campaign starting in January. They hope to sell the robot for $59.99.

Read the full story at mashable.com HERE

From Developer
Ingeniously Fun.
Ozobot is the world’s smallest smart robot that plays on both physical and digital platforms. Ozobot has an intelligent ability to follow, recognize and react to multiple codes on both physical and digital paths and can communicate through color light sequence feedback.

Ozobot Aims to Intrigue, Challenge and Entertain.
Ozobot is the intelligent robot revolutionizing digital gaming. Through its patent pending technology, Ozobot can recognize over 1000 different instructions, reading different line and light colors on boards, paper and digital tablet screens. With four free app games available for download on iOS and Android at launch, Ozobot aims to intrigue, challenge and entertain its owners and bring back the fun to “game night.”

Ozobot is the world's smallest line-following robot measuring slightly over 1 inch (2.5 cm) in diameter and height. It can follow lines not only on non-light-emitting physical surfaces but also on digital screens such as tablet devices. Moreover, Ozobot automatically detects whether it is driving on a physical or a digital surface and is capable to seamlessly transition between one and the other.

Goto the developer web site at ozobot.com

From Mashable
Ozobot, a game-playing robot, wants you to get physical with digital games — and it could be on to something.

According to a recent study by the Entertainment Software Association, more than half (58%) of all Americans play video games, which may lead some to believe that fewer people are playing physical board games. On the other hand, the same study says 34% of online gamers play puzzles, board games, game shows, trivia and card games, which suggests many still yearn for some old-school gaming.

These findings could help explain the motivation to develop a product like Ozobot. It’s a tiny, one-inch-tall robot designed to work on top of tablet and smartphone screens, as well on as paper. What's more, it will follow both digital and physical lines that players draw on the fly, and can even reportedly tell the difference between a digital and physical surface.

“We set out to breathe new life into game night –- that experience which, as an individual or as a group of friends –- has become a bit tired and repetitive between board and video games,” said Nader Hamda, CEO of Ozobot.

Related articles

• CES: Meet Ozobot, the tiny gaming robot for your iPad
• Bored Of Board Games? Never!
• 17 Signs You're A Board Game Bully
• Board Game Recommendations
• The tiny Ozobot line-following robot is high-tech creative fun

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Glass Branding Guidelines

Google has updated their Google Glass branding guidelines. Check out the icons:

I saw the story at techcruch.com first. Checkout the story HERE

See the guide on the Google site HERE

Glass icons and assets

For properties not related to Glassware
Do not use, modify, or mimic any proprietary Glass icons or assets for your properties. Examples include, but are not limited to, physical merchandise, promotional materials, third party brands, product reviews, and other uses that are not related to MyGlass-approved Glassware. If you have to refer to the Glass brand, do so only with text in line with the Glass in text guidelines.

For Glassware or Glassware-related properties
For MyGlass approved Glassware and its related web and mobile properties, you can use the resources provided on Icons and Assets, unmodified, to properly create and promote Glassware.

Do not use these Glass icons and assets for any other purpose, for example, in physical merchandise that is related to your approved Glassware or in non-approved Glassware. If you have to refer to the Glass brand in other situations, do so only in text in line with the Glass in text guidelines.

Glass in text
These guidelines apply to all text that refers to the Glass name and brand.

Glass is never part of the name of your business, Glassware, other products. Instead, use "for Glass." If you use "for Glass" in conjunction with a logo, "for Glass" must be a smaller size than the rest of the logo.

Correct: "Cat Facts for Glass"
Incorrect: "Glass Cat Facts", "Glassy Cat Photos"

Glass™ always has a trademark symbol the first time or the most prominent time it appears in a creative.

Glass is always capitalized and is never plural or possessive.

Correct: "Send timeline cards to all of your users' Glass", "Get location updates from a user's Glass"
Incorrect: "Wear Google Glasses", "Swipe forward on Glass's timeline"

You can use Glass as a descriptor, as long as it is followed by a proper, generic term:

Correct: "Glass features" or "Glass optics"
Incorrect: "Glass Cat Facts" or "Glass Pet Store Finder"

Include this attribution in your communication whenever you use the Glass name:"Glass is a trademark of Google Inc."

Where it makes sense, tag content that was created and shared with Glass so that recipients know the origin of the content:

Add "#throughglass" to the content to categorize it for easy discoverability and aggregation. This is often the case with photos and videos publicly shared on social networking sites.

Add "Sent through Glass" when categorization is not needed. This is often the case for emails.

Related articles

• Google opens up Mirror API to all developers, even more Glassware incoming
• Google Releases Branding Guidelines For Glass™
• See What Google Glass Apps Will Actually Look Like

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