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Silent Circle’s security-focused Blackphone is getting a sequel and a tablet companion

Mar02
by on March 2, 2015 at 1:22 pm
Posted In: Around the Web, Blackphone, Gadgets, Mobile, PrivatOS, Product Launches, Silent Circle

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Privacy firm Silent Circle has revealed the successor to Blackphone, its security-focused smartphone, along with its first, somewhat confusingly branded, Blackphone tablet. The Blackphone 2 and Blackphone+ tablet will both go on sale later this year, running updated versions of the company’s Android-based PrivatOS operating system and suite of communication apps. The Blackphone 2 will arrive in the second half of 2015 and will add a faster processor, more RAM, a longer lasting battery, and a larger display. The Blackphone + tablet will follow later in the year but the company is currently keeping its specs totally under wraps. The new…

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Why is live video app Meerkat suddenly popular, and can it last?

Mar02
by on March 2, 2015 at 12:56 pm
Posted In: Analysis and Opinion, Apps, Around the Web, Insider

Meerkat
Meerkat, the mobile live video-streaming service that we first wrote about three days ago, had something of a viral growth bump yesterday. Seriously, my iPhone lock screen was busy with notifications all day as new people signed up to the service and tried it for the first time. Let’s take a look at what’s happening, and whether the service has longterm viability. What is Meerkat? Quick recap: Meerkat is a live video-streaming app for iOS that allows you to share what’s going on around you. Streams can’t be watched once they’re over – this is ‘ephemeral’ video. However, the person streaming…

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Apple lists planes, trains and automobiles in its company activities filing in Switzerland

Mar02
by on March 2, 2015 at 12:42 pm
Posted In: Apple Car, Around the Web

There’s been a lot of noise about Apple possibly building cars soon, and a new bit of information has surfaced to fan the flame even more. Swiss blog Apfelblog reports that the company has listed vehicles in legal documents describing its activities in Switzerland: “Vehicles; Apparatus for locomotion by land, air or water; electronic hardware components for motor vehicles, rail cars and locomotives, ships and aircraft; Anti-theft devices; Theft alarms for vehicles; Bicycles; Golf carts; Wheelchairs; Air pumps; Motorcycles; Aftermarket parts (after-market parts) and accessories for the aforesaid goods.” Of course, the reality could be a lot less exciting than…

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Offline over the weekend? Read all the tech news you missed right here

Mar02
by on March 2, 2015 at 12:23 pm
Posted In: Around the Web, Insider, Lists, weekend roundup

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Monday’s rolled around as it has a dreadful habit of doing. If you’re looking for something to salve the pain of another week at work, we’re here to help. We’ve pulled together all the news and features you missed over the weekend into this handy list. Just enough stuff to distract yourself from the monstrous reality of Monday. Put your phone on silent, grab your favorite hot beverage and take 10 minutes to catch up on on everything that flew past as you were enjoying your weekend. News from The Next Web over the weekend Samsung Announces Galaxy S6 and…

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Indian cab service Ola acquires TaxiForSure for $200 million to take on Uber

Mar02
by on March 2, 2015 at 12:03 pm
Posted In: Around the Web, Asia, Cab, India, Insider, ridesharing

Ola TFS
Indian cab service Ola has acquired TaxiForSure, the country’s second largest cab aggregator, for $200 million in cash and equity today. The move gives Ola a stronger footing in its quest to dominate online taxi services in the country. Ola and TaxiForSure will continue to operate as separate services. While the former partners directly with drivers and has over 100,000 vehicles on its platform, the latter works with cab operators who run small fleets and has more than 15,000 cars in 47 cities on its roster. The acquisition won’t affect the experience for customers, but it will give Ola a bigger…

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