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Bravo partners with Aviary to boost pageant reality show fans’ selfie esteem

Jul08
by on July 8, 2014 at 12:00 pm
Posted In: Around the Web

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Are you at the edge of your chair awaiting the premiere of Game of Crowns, Bravo’s new beauty pageant reality show? Even if you’re not, Aviary, the photo editing app, offers a way to pass the time productively — doll up your visage to look just (or somewhat) like the show’s bronzed, botoxed, bejeweled, high-heeled, cutthroat contestants. All in fun, of course. Aviary‘s new Game of Crowns free sponsored content pack, available via a partnership with the Bravo network, coincides with the show’s premiere on 7/13. Targeted to the program’s fans, new tools available for the app let you apply special effects like botox…

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Spark wants to bring the Internet of Things within reach of any device

Jul08
by on July 8, 2014 at 11:30 am
Posted In: Around the Web, Insider, Product Launches

Spark
The Internet of Things (IoT) is a terrible, terrible term but what it represents is a world of inter-connected devices and smart living, a world where every light bulb can have its own IP-address, if we so wish. However, developing proprietary technology so that all our previously dumb devices can connect to the cloud (and potentially, each other) takes time and money that fledgling businesses or spirited designers usually don’t have. This is what Spark‘s operating system (OS) for the IoT comes in. Essentially, it’s a full stack of technology for novices to enterprise pros that allows users to start building…

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PayPal now lets some US firms bypass 4-day waits and transfer money to their bank accounts in 24 hours

Jul08
by on July 8, 2014 at 8:59 am
Posted In: Around the Web, Insider

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PayPal has announced a new Next-Day-Settlement (NDS) service that allows eligible businesses to transfer money from their PayPal accounts to their bank accounts within 24 hours. The pilot program is only available in the US for now, and PayPal is a little cagey on what it means by “eligible businesses,” however it does say that if your business qualifies for the program, you will already have been notified. Traditionally, PayPal takes 3-4 business days to fully transfer funds from a merchant’s account to their bank, as it uses an electronic network called Automated Clearing House (ACH) to shift groups of…

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Sony’s new Xperia C3 smartphone wants to help you take the best selfies ever

Jul08
by on July 8, 2014 at 8:51 am
Posted In: Around the Web, Asia, Gadgets, Product Launches, selfie, sony

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A smartphone that’s optimized to help you take the best selfies ever — that’s how Sony is positioning its latest device, the Xperia C3, which it launched today. What is notable is that the Xperia C3 comes equipped with a five-megapixel wide-angle front-facing camera that allows you to capture more in the frame, as well as a Superior Auto Mode that adjusts pictures automatically for suitable lighting conditions. There is also an auto scene recognition function, which works together with HDR and LED flash for optimal lighting in your selfies. To complement its selfie focus, the Xperia C3 comes loaded…

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Handybook’s cleaner and handyman booking service is now available in London, priced from £10 per hour

Jul08
by on July 8, 2014 at 8:00 am
Posted In: Apps, Around the Web, Product Launches, UK

Duster
Handybook, a platform for booking cleaners or handymen to carry out tasks in your house, is now available in London – the company’s first market outside the US and Canada and its 27th city overall. Announced today, the platform allows users to book cleaners, plumbers, electricians, painters, movers and more in London. Rather than act as a simple marketplace for these sorts of jobs, Handybook screens its providers to provide peace of mind for users. That screening process involves background checks, reference checks, phone and in-person interviews, Handybook’s CEO and co-founder Oisin Hanrahan told TNW. Looking to make a splash in an already…

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