The Weekly: 01 September 2013
Highlights
Google into smart watch too, HTC is troubled, App to donate and receive left over food, Shadowrun Returns like Fallout 1 and 2, 3D design by Elon Musk, Apple buys another start up, Remote-controlled helicopter killed man.
Google Bought Smart Watch Maker. Last Year
WIMM Labs was one of the first companies, in 2011, that entered the Android smart watch market. Due to timing issues they couldn't hit the market too well. Then in 2012 they announced they got into an exclusive partnership with another company. Just very recently it was made public that this company is Google.
So they've been secretly planning a move on smart watches for a while now. Neat.
Highly Troubled Company
Some top designers of HTC were arrested under the suspicion of fraudulent expense claims and stealing trade secrets before leaving the company. Seems on top of that 3 of them were accused of using an external company to claim commission of over US$ 300,000 for the construction of the HTC One's aluminum chassis design, when the design was actually made in-house.
App To Donate or Receive Leftovers
As weird apps go, this one takes the crown. LeftoverSwap lets users donate and receive left over food. If you feel hungry, just turn on the app and look for nearby users posting their left overs. Should be available in iOS App Store now, Android soon.
Shadowrun Returns Screams Fallout All Over
Although many criticized it as being too linear for an RPG, most still love the concept of turn-based combat system. Shadowrun Returns is fully backed by KickStarter, which makes it all the more awesome. Buy from Steam, check. Video below if you want to know what this game is all about
Elon Musk More Tony Stark Than You Think
By combining Leap Motion and the technologies around Oculus Rift, Siemens NX, 3D Printing and more, Musk is able to create a 3D designing tool that allows users to perform tasks and view their designs using their hands. This will transform how we interact with wireframes in the future. Watch the video below to have your minds blown.
Apple Buys AlgoTrim
AlgoTrim is a Swedish start up that builds codecs and design solutions the maximise performance of data, mobile imaging, video and computer graphics while minimizing memory requirements. This acquisition makes perfect sense for Apple as their strategy has always been to provide stable technology to its users, and what better way to catch up to Android if not by also being more stable and efficient at doing what they do.
Remote-controlled Helicopter Killed Man
An out-of-control remote-controlled helicopter struck a man in New York, it's blade decapitating his head and killing him. This will spell trouble for anything flying around town via remote control from now on.
