901am

New Media News Every Morning

Amazon relies on iPhone camera for product matching in new app

By

iphone-amazon-appAmazon UK, keen to allow you to buy things from its massive warehouse of products even while on the move, has just announced its new app for the iPhone and iPod Touch.

Though you’ve been able to access Amazon from the Safari web browser from the word go, the standalone app introduces an interesting new feature: Amazon Remembers.

Using the iPhone/iPod Touch camera, users can find products based on images they’ve snapped. So, you could pop into your local high street store, snap a picture of the exorbitantly-priced gadget, and then get Amazon to find you a cheaper version. [Read more…]

Originally posted on October 26, 2009 @ 7:01 am

Google offers pared down Voice service for existing mobile numbers

By

If you’re a fan of Google Voice but want to be able to use your existing mobile phone number with the service, there’s good news as Google announces a cut-down version.

Those who already have a Google Voice account and number can now choose to link their existing mobile phone number to the service, which gets them access to Google voicemail, enabling voice-to-text messages for reading on a PC or via SMS.

You won’t be able to use certain features such as call recording or call screening — maybe that will come with time — but you can at least get a little piece of Google on your cellphone if that’s what you like.

Oh, of course it’s US only at present, too.

Via

Originally posted on October 27, 2009 @ 8:21 am

Flickr launches People in Photos feature

By

flickr-logoI must admit that most of the time I search Flickr it’s for pictures of gadgets or landscapes, but according to the Yahoo!-owned photo service, it’s people that are the real stars.

To this end, they’ve launched a “People in Photos” feature which allows members to link people in photos to their Flickr accounts, in a similar way to how Facebook does it except that I suspect there are fewer people with Flickr than Facebook accounts.

On top of this, there are a range of security options (which the likes of Facebook could learn something from) whereby users have more control over how their image is featured in a photo. [Read more…]

Originally posted on October 22, 2009 @ 6:34 am

GigaTribe launches third version with unlimited secure file transfers

By

GigaTribe-v3GigaTribe, which boasts over one million members, has announced the third version of its secure file sharing software.

This version offers unlimited size and number of files, which are still encrypted for secure transfer.

Additionally, recently shared files are displayed in a different colour, shared files can be customised with a photo or comment, there’s a revamped “chat” interface and a private blog which can be seen only by private network members.

GigaTribe version 3 is free. Alternatively, for $4.99 per month or $29.95 per year offers additional features such as faster downloads and remote Internet access.

GigaTribe

Originally posted on October 21, 2009 @ 5:19 pm

Barnes & Noble introduces Nook, the advanced Kindle killer?

By

barnes-and-noble-nookAs expected, online book retailer Barnes & Noble has launched what it surely hopes will be an Amazon Kindle killer — the Nook — which it claims is the world’s most advanced eBook reader.

The device features a colour touchscreen and allows acess to over one million B&N titles, delivered via free 3G or Wi-Fi, plus memory expansion via microSD cards.

The device is Android based, and is slightly smaller but slightly heavier than the Kindle 2.

There’s a useful Nook/Kindle 2 comparison chart on B&N’s web site, though it’s worth remembering that there are plenty of other eReaders around, in a corner of the hardware market that’s sure to increase over the coming few years.

The Nook is available for pre-order now, initially in the US for $259.

Originally posted on October 21, 2009 @ 7:39 am