Welcome to IRL, an ongoing feature where we talk about the gadgets, apps and toys we’re using in real life and take a second look at products that already got the formal review treatment. I love low-cost smartphones that punch above their…
Technical
Newly discovered dwarf planet could challenge what we know about our solar system
While Pluto might have been stripped of its full planetary status, thanks to a shift in official definitions, a newly discovered planetoid could actually hint at the existence of a “super-Earth” in the far reaches of our solar system. The ball of…
Yahoo might be building an online video platform, but you won’t be able to use it
Yahoo’s reportedly planning to launch a web video platform in the next few months, and it intends to fill it with familiar faces and professionally made clips. How? By poaching some of YouTube’s biggest stars, at least according to Recode. The…
Shazam is now more social and better-looking on iOS, Android is next
As part of an ongoing major redesign on mobile, Shazam has just rolled out a new version of its iOS app. Adding to the changes we saw last month, today’s update focuses on offering improved social sharing features, an even better lyrics experience…
Nikon to replace some defective ‘dust spot’ D600s with brand new cameras
After offering up several solutions to a sensor spotting problem on its full-frame D600 DSLR — with mixed success — Nikon has now said that it will replace any defective cameras that can’t be repaired. When reports of the oil and dust spots first…
Facebook Messenger on iOS expands to include groups and forwarding
Remember when Facebook bought and then shut down Beluga back in 2011? Well, almost three years later, Zuck’s finally putting features from his first group-messaging-app purchase to use. The latest update to Messenger on iOS lets you group contacts…
Amazon gives Cloud Drive Photos for Android a new interface and simpler navigation
Amazon’s been busy tweaking Prime and planning delivery drones these past months, but by the looks of it, it hasn’t entirely forgotten its lesser-known services. Today, the company has updated the Cloud Drive Photos app for Android with a brand new…
Carbon Dioxide leak kills Samsung factory worker
Korean news agency Yonhap News is reporting that a gas leak at a Samsung plant in southern Seoul has left one worker dead. A malfunction in the factory’s fire extinguishing system released carbon dioxide after it mistakenly detected fire,…
#GDC2014 preview: LEGO Minifigures Online will delight the kids and parents
Lego Universe shut down for good back on January 30, 2012. As a result, Lego lovers across the land were left wondering. Enter GDC’s beta of LEGO Minifigures Online MMORPG.
How to get free press: Be social, follow through, and make a cool product people can afford
I love a responsive company. And I like them even more it they’re willing to take-on an industry giant like Google, and offer a “pay a little, get a whole lot more” SaaS solution.
Nielsen study reveals when you need expert content to drive inbound marketing – #AdtechSF
Apple is working on getting more diversity into its emoji characters
Sometimes, the awkward white lady with hand to the side emoji doesn’t quite represent, or express, who’s using an iPhone — and it’s been that way for quite a while. Good news, then, that Apple is apparently working with the Unicode Consortium in an…
Slighty smarter watches: Casio reveals two new G-Shock concepts
G-Shocks are back — again. Ready for Swiss timepiece showcase BaselWorld, Casio has announced two new analog concept watches with a little extra soupçon of tech crammed in. The designs still lean towards those looking for a classically-styled (at…
#CoinSummit: Geolocation driving, easy virtual currency retailers to the palm of your hands
Bitscan debutes Android app at CoinSumm.it, making it easier for people to find bitcoin businesses on the go.
Xbox One bundle price drops to $399 on Amazon (update: back to $450)
We’re not sure if this is a real price drop or a retailer error, but CheapAssGamer.com points out that the Xbox One is currently available on Amazon for $399 — the same price as a PlayStation 4, but obviously with the Kinect camera and a game…