GlassUp takes on Google Glass at fraction of the cost

Could there be a less expensive Google Glass competitor coming soon? GlassUp aims to give customers an alternative to Google's connected glasses with its own pair of augmented reality specs.

Italian company GlassUp was recently added to crowdfunding site Indiegogo and has already raised nearly $25,000 (of its $150,000 goal). Similar to Google Glass, the eyewear works with your smartphone and makes it easy to see emails, text messages, Facebook updates and news right in front of your eyes. Its maker, Gianluigi Tregnaghi, says he created GlassUp two years ago — before Google ever announced its Glass product.

It's not the same, of course, as Google's much-hyped product: the information is displayed differently and the price is significantly cheaper — $399 compared to Google Glass' $1500 asking price. And there are fewer features. The company is calling the GlassUp a "receive only" device, which means users can't respond to text messages and emails or even take pictures.

Here is how it works: The information in the smartphone is sent to the glasses via Bluetooth technology. The notifications are displayed on GlassUp's lenses, projected in front of the user. And similar to Google Glass, the notifications are based on which apps the user downloads.

But unlike Google Glass, it "projects the information close to the center of vision (like looking through a windshield), which causes less strain on the wearer’s eye," the company said in a statement.

Battery life averages about 150 hours of stand by mode and a prescription lens option could come in the near future.

The company said it has already been getting "trademark attention" from Google, which has asked GlassUp to change the product name.

Whether or not the project is fully funded, the company said backers will receive the device after it goes into production in February.

By: Mashable

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Introducing the Google Databoard: A new way to explore research

It’s important for businesses to stay up to date about the most recent research and insights related to their industry. Unfortunately -- with so many new studies and with data being updated so often -- it can difficult to keep up. To make life a bit easier, we created the Databoard for Research Insights, which allows people to explore and interact with some of Google’s recent research in a unique and immersive way.

The Databoard is our response to three big challenges facing the vast majority of research released today. 

Ease of consumption: The databoard introduces a new way of sharing data, with all of the information presented in a simple and beautiful way. Users can explore an entire study or jump straight to the topics or datapoints that they care about. The Databoard is also optimized for all devices so you can comfortably explore the research on your computer, tablet, or smartphone.
Shareability: Most people, when they find a compelling piece of data, want to share it! Whether its with a colleague, client, or a community on a blog or social network, compelling insights and data are meant to be shared. The databoard is designed for shareability, allowing users to share individual charts and insights or collections of data with anyone through email or social networks. 

A cohesive story: Most research studies set out to answer a specific question, like how people use their smartphones in store, or how a specific type of consumer shops. This means that businesses need to look across multiple pieces of research to craft a comprehensive business or marketing strategy. To address this need, the Databoard allows users to curate a customized infographic out of the charts or data points you find important across multiple Google research studies. Creating an infographic is quick and easy, and you can share the finished product with your friends or colleagues.

The databoard is currently home to four research studies including The New Multi-screen World, Mobile In-store shopper research, Mobile search moments, and more. New studies will be added frequently so be sure to check back often. To get started exploring the Databoard and creating your own infographic visit google.com/think/databoard.

By: Google Analytics

Prototype device determines blood type in 5 minutes

Do you know your blood type? A Portuguese student has designed a device that can quickly determine blood type — four times faster than current solutions. In emergency situations, diagnosing a patient's blood type is vital when a blood transfusion is needed.

Ana Ferraz built a portable prototype device that has a small centrifuge with small containers for testing blood. Blood is mixed with a reagent — a substance used for chemical analysis — and put in the device, which can pair with a smartphone, tablet or PC app. Ferraz's prototype is noteworthy because it can figure out blood type in five minutes, compared to current testing methods that often take quadruple the time.

This blood tester prototype is currently 96% accurate, and Ferraz expects that to improve as it becomes market-ready for hospitals and ambulances.

Ferraz's invention was recognized last week at Microsoft's Imagine Cup Worldwide Finals, a competition in which the software giant awards students for their technological innovations. Students develop their technology, create a business plan and learn how a concept can be brought to market. This year's 11th annual competition was held in St. Petersburg, Russia, and it featured 87 teams made up of 309 students from 71 countries. Ferraz, who competed by herself, won first place and a $50,000 prize in the finals' "world citizenship" competition.

"We are able to solve a problem of health, saving lives and eliminating the blood transfusion with the principles of the universal donor," Ferraz said in a statement on her project page. She added that her portable prototype "eliminates travels to the laboratory."

Microsoft said Ferraz's idea was inspired by her realization that manual tests for determining blood type have potential for human error. That's why she wanted to make a test that was automated and quick to help save lives in emergency situations, the company added.

By: Mashable

Foursquare starts showing ads after you check in

Next time you check in to a location on Foursquare, you may see an ad pop up right after.

AdAge reports that brands like Toys 'R' Us and Captain Morgan have started placing ads that appear after users check in to locations on Foursquare. Users who check in at a bar may see a Captain Morgan ad encouraging them to order specific drinks, while users who check in at a park may be shown a Toys 'R' Us coupon.

A Foursquare rep confirmed that the ads started rolling out over the last several weeks. According to the rep, Foursquare charges on a cost-per-action basis rather than a cost-per-click basis, meaning Foursquare only makes money if users click the ad to get more information or check in to an advertiser's physical location (such as a Toys 'R' Us store) within a certain period of time.

The post check-in ad product is Foursquare's latest attempt to boost revenue. Multiple reports claimed that Foursquare was on pace to generate just $2 million in revenue last year. Earlier this year, Foursquare raised $41 million to prove its business model can work.

By: Mashable