IntellectBeat

Google Maps for Android previously allowed users to side-track during a trip to gas stations, restaurants, cafes, and shopping marts. The app however didn't allow users to navigate to multiple destinations, something that Google Maps allows on desktop. Now, Android Police reports that it is possible to navigate to multiple destinations using the Maps for Android with a little help from the desktop. This indicates that the navigation to multiple destinations feature may be available to users soon. Users will have to copy the full URL of a multiple destination search on Maps for desktop, and send it to themselves on mobile in whichever way they please, from an email to a message to yourself in a chat app. Once users click on the received link and then choose to open it in Google Maps, the app will open the multiple destination route navigation. We've independently verified the method works, and don't hesitate to say it can truly be a boon to users. In the mea...

An artificial intelligence " chatbot " from Taco Bell now lets you order a meal in a smartphone text exchange that might look something like this: TacoBot: Hello there, I'm your TacoBot, I can help you order a meal for you or your team. You: Can I order one soft taco with chicken? TacoBot: Sounds good... do you want to keep adding stuff? Maybe some bacon? Brands like Taco Bell and tech companies large and small are betting that more and more people will start using this "conversational" way of interacting online instead of clicking through on-screen menus. If the trend catches on - as firms like Facebook and Microsoft expect - it could transform the digital landscape by allowing smartphone users to find information or make purchases with simple text messages, bypassing apps and search engines. Among the companies already developing or launching chatbots are the Wall Street Journal, CNN and retail giants Sephora and H&M. "I believe we are headed ...

Unlike its compatriot Samsung, LG has never really managed to be one of the big boys in the phone market in any category. Not that the South Korean company hasn’t been experimenting and innovating (the G5 modular flagship phone is the latest example of LG’s innovation), but then they appear to have fallen short in having the right mix. With its new K series (that succeeds L series) LG is seen as attempting to undo some of its past wrongs while packing in premium looks and features at affordable prices. The phones were first unveiled at CES earlier this year and LG has just launched the K7 and the K10 for the Indian market at Rs 9,500 and Rs 13,500 respectively. The K10 lives up of LG’s promise of premium looks. The glossy pebble finish does give it an understated elegance that is accentuated by the fabric-patterned back, which also improves the grip. The 2.5D arc glass design, where the front glass is curved at the edges gives the phone a smooth feel devoi...

Existing and potential Nexus 5X and Nexus 6P smartphones can now create their own unique protective cases. The new custom  Live Cases  cost just $35 and the patterns and effects are only limited by the user's sense of style. The simplest way to create an original case is to choose a favourite photo or a geographical location via Google Maps. Once selected tonal or patterned effects can be applied and overlaid and the finishing touch is a matching ‘live' wallpaper for the handset's screen to tie everything together. But as well as style, the case offer functionality. They ship with a programmable shortcut button that can be pressed to quick launch an app or feature of your choice.

Pantel technologies has launched its latest 2-in-1 laptop, called the Penta T-Pad, in India. Highlight of the device is that it can be used as both, a laptop and a tablet. As far as specifications are concerned, it is powered by a 1.44GHz quad-core Intel Atom X5-Z8300 processor paired with Intel HD Graphics 5300 and 2GB of RAM. Running Windows 10 operating system, it features a 10.1-inch IPS display with resolution of 1280×800 pixels. The 2-in-1 sports a 5 mega pixel camera on the rear and a 2 mega pixel front facing camera. It houses 32GB of internal memory, which can be expanded further up to 256GB using microSD card. Backed up by a 7000mAh battery, it is good enough to offer up to 5-7 hours of usage time. Connectivity options include 3G (via SIM slot), Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, 1 x USB 3.0 Slot, Mini HDMI. It comes with a detachable keyboard as well. Specifications & Features Of Penta T-Pad Processor: 1.44GHz quad-core Intel Atom...

Facebook's picture sharing app Instagram is updating its "Explore" section to add video channels that will appear in a feed according to users' preferences. The feature will have a personalized channel called "videos you might like" that will collect videos from across Instagram's global community and also will include a "Featured" column highlighting videos on specific topics, Instagram said. For now, the upgrade will only be available in the United States, Instagram said on Thursday. Instagram version 7.20 is available on Apple's App Store and Google Play.

Imagine shirts that act as antennas for smartphones or tablets, workout clothes that monitor fitness level or even a flexible fabric cap that senses activity in the brain! All this will soon be possible as the researchers working on wearable electronics have been able to embroider circuits into fabric with super precision -- a key step toward the design of clothes that gather, store or transmit digital information. "A revolution is happening in the textile industry. We believe that functional textiles are an enabling technology for communications and sensing and one day, even for medical applications like imaging and health monitoring," said lead researcher John Volakis from Ohio State University. The milestone achieved by the Ohio researchers has the potential to allow integration of electronic components such as sensors and computer memory devices into clothing with 0.1 mm precision. With further development, the technology could also lead to sports equipment that moni...

In a fresh bid to connect the world better, Facebook has announced a new research lab to build hardware products based on its software and has hired a former top Google executive to achieve its goal. The team at the new group called "Building 8" will be led by Regina Dugan who worked at the "Advanced Technology and Projects" group at Google and was director of the US Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA). "I am excited to have Regina apply DARPA-style breakthrough development at the intersection of science and products to our mission," Facebook founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg wrote in a post on Thursday. "This method is characterized by aggressive, fixed timelines, extensive use of partnerships with universities, small and large businesses, and clear objectives for shipping products at scale," he added. "Building 8" will help Facebook realise its dream to focus on connectivity, artificial intelligence and augmented real...

Apple Inc has formed a secret team to explore changes to its App Store, including a new strategy for charging developers to have their apps more prominently displayed, Bloomberg reported, citing people familiar with the plans. The iPhone maker is considering paid searches, similar to Google's model, where companies would have to pay to have their apps appear among top search results based on what a customer is seeking, Bloomberg said. About 100 employees are working on the project, including many engineers from Apple’s advertising group iAd, which is being scaled back, Bloomberg said, adding that the initiative is being led by Apple Vice President Todd Teresi, who headed iAd. Apple declined to comment.

The Rolly Keyboard 2, unveiled on Thursday, offers the productivity-conscious access to a full-size keyboard with five rows of keys that can connect wirelessly to a phone or tablet. The new accessory is powered by a single, replaceable AAA-size battery and when it's not in use rolls up (hence the name) into a hexagonal shape. LG is by no means the only company offering mobile keyboards but what makes the Rolly 2 intriguing is that the company has found a way of packing in all of the keys on a standard keyboard, including a dedicated row of numbers without making the thing too bulky or problematic to drop in a bag when not in use. And, because it tethers via Bluetooth, the keyboard, while optimized for LG's own products, will theoretically work with any tablet, phablet, phone or notebook as long as it too has Bluetooth. LG demonstrated the Rolly 2 in South Korea on Thursday, but is yet to confirm wider launch dates or potential pricing.

Google on Wednesday made it tougher for people to hide behind excuses when it comes to finding time to hit the gym or learn new languages. Google added "Goals" tools to free calendar applications tailored for smartphones powered by Apple or Android software, using artificial intelligence to let software figure out when one could fit in workouts or lessons. "Whether it's reading more books, learning a new language or working out regularly, achieving your goals can be really hard," Google product manager Jyoti Ramnath said in a blog post. "That's why starting today, we're introducing Goals in Google Calendar." People can add personal goals such as going for runs or getting to gyms, and then Google calendar software analyses schedules for optimal times to squeeze in activities, according to Ramnath. Calendar will automatically reschedule time for personal goals if conflicts arise, and is programmed to automatically reschedule activities if ...

Micromax , country's second-largest handset maker is likely to invest around Rs 2,000 crore in the next five years in manufacturing and new product lines, said its co-founder Rajesh Agarwal. He said the company is expected to clock Rs 15,000 crore revenues during the current fiscal. It recorded Rs 12,000 crore revenues last year. "We are planning to manufacture accessories such as batteries, chargers here in the country. The backward integration will happen in a period of next five to six years. I think over next five to six years we will be investing Rs 2,000 crore on complete manufacturing activities," Agarwal told reporters here. The new manufacturing facility of Micromax was inaugurated here by Telangana IT Minister K T Rama Rao in presence of state Transport Minister P Mahendra Reddy. Spread across 19 acres, the facility will make mobile handsets, LED TVs, LED lights among others. The mobile maker has a plant in Rajasthan also. He said the current size of mob...