Technology - Google News

Apple acquires Intel's smartphone modem business for $1 billion - Mint
Samsung survey shows that reverse wireless charging is the new sex - PhoneArena
Google giving away 100,000 Home Minis to people living with paralysis - TechCrunch

Apple acquires Intel's smartphone modem business for $1 billion - Mint

Posted: 26 Jul 2019 07:14 AM PDT

Samsung survey shows that reverse wireless charging is the new sex - PhoneArena

Posted: 25 Jul 2019 02:29 PM PDT

Samsung's version of reverse wireless charging is known as wireless PowerShare, and it is found on the Galaxy S10 line. It also will no doubt be available on the upcoming Galaxy Note 10 series. First included with the Huawei Mate 20 Pro, this feature allows you to use the back of a Galaxy S10 handset as a wireless charging pad. Want to quickly charge up your Galaxy Buds? Place the phone on a table screen side down and put the accessory's charging case on the back of the handset. This will also work with compatible phones and smartwatches, too. Just keep in mind that the host phone will be using its battery to power up the device lying on its back panel.

And that brings us to an interesting study conducted by Samsung Germany that proves how addicted people are to their phones. Of the 6,500 Europeans that participated in the survey, 35% said that they would rather have a fully charged battery on their phone rather than receive some cash. While only 14% of respondents said that they are willing to share their precious battery life with a stranger, 39% would share battery life with a colleague from the office, 62% would share with a friend or partner and 72% would give up some of their phone's juice to a family member.

72% won't share their phone's battery on the first date

Samsung says that people who share their battery life are sharing a gift and an intimate part of themselves. The company even calls it a "win-win" noting that 62% are willing to buy a cup of coffee for a stranger in exchange for some energy and 7% said that they would agree to go out on a date with someone if they shared some of their battery life with them.

Samsung says those sharing their battery life through wireless PowerShare are sharing an intimate part of themselves

Wireless reverse charging might be the new sex. 72% of the respondents won't share their battery life on the first date with most holding out until the third date. That is why you might overhear someone at a bar say, "Share my Galaxy S10 battery life with you? I'm not that kind of girl." And 21% of the Europeans said that receiving some juice from a date's phone is the most appreciated gesture when they go out. This study indicates that the human race might die out sooner than we think.

"Something as valuable as a full smartphone battery activates areas and chemical reactions in the brain that are associated with joy and trust. This increase in oxytocin triggers a feeling of warmth called Helper's High, which in turn leads to a stronger social bond. PowerShare is a great way to make new friends or awaken romance as it opens up a new dimension of human behavior and interaction."-Katherine Templar, Behavioural psychologist

"A new technology that allows smartphones to share their battery power wirelessly eliminates reliance on traditional chargers while helping to develop modern digital and human behavior. Interestingly, our research shows that charging other devices with your own battery is an effective means of social bonding and improving trust in modern relationships. Sharing the smartphone battery could become more and more a habit."-Mark Notton, Director Mobile Product Portfolio and Strategy, Samsung Electronics

If you're in Europe and your phone is about to die, stay away from those belonging to Generation Z and millennials. Those 18 to 34 are less likely (21%) to use wireless PowerShare to help you out. Instead, head for someone who looks 55 or older. They are more willing (36%) to give you some energy from their handset. And if someone tells you that they don't have enough battery life remaining on their phone to share, don't believe them. One-third (33%) of those taking part in Samsung's survey said that they would lie about this so that they could turn down your request for battery life to keep your phone alive.

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Google giving away 100,000 Home Minis to people living with paralysis - TechCrunch

Posted: 26 Jul 2019 07:13 AM PDT

Google announced this morning via blog post that it has partnered with the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation to give away 100,000 Home Mini units to people living with paralysis. The news is designed to mark the 29th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which was signed into law on this day in 1990.

There's a form on Google's site for people who qualify and their caregivers. Interested parties must live in the United States to receive a unit.

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The giveaway is a nice reminder of one of the under recognized aspects of the current push toward voice-control devices. The ability to check the news and turn on connected smart home devices is a nice luxury for able bodied users, but could be a game changer for others.

The company marked the news with the story of Garrison Redd, a Foundation ambassador who notes the benefit the $50 device has had on his life. "I'm training for the 2020 Paralympic Games as a powerlifter for Team USA, so I use my Mini to set alarms, manage my training schedule, and even make grocery lists," he writes in the post. "Music is a huge motivator for me, and with Mini, I listen to Spotify playlists and get pumped up before a workout."

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