On The Tech: App Attack & Tech News

App Attack:

New York cops can take a break from swigging coffee and chomping donuts to check out a new Android app. The NYPD app gives beat cops instant access to a variety of law enforcement databases, not available through the traditional radio-controlled system. Patrol officers can access criminal histories, mug shots, vehicle records, and other stuff. In one case, Officer Tom Donaldson told the New York Times, a cop was able to access a memo explaining that a particular suspect was known to carry crack cocaine in his left sock.

Six sweet seconds. That’s all it takes to create a work of cinematic brilliance in a new category at New York’s Tribeca Film Festival. The festival has invited people to submit films using the VINE iPhone app, which creates six-second videos on a loop.
Staying in the Big Apple, New York City has introduced a new app that helps motorists find parking spaces. PAYBYPHONE uses wireless sensors placed in parking spaces. Currently in use in San Francisco, Miami and London, the app is on a trial basis in the Bronx.

Tech News

Motor city madness
Grand Theft Auto is as known for its fantastic soundtrack selection – playable through in-car radio stations – as it is for edgy satire, dirty dialogue, and rip-roaring action scenes. So it’s no surprise that publishers Rockstar finally got around to sticking tracks from the series onto Spotify and iTunes. Featured soundtracks include the neon-splashed ‘80s, in Grand Theft Auto: Vice City, with everything from soul stylings to hair metal and, erm, Mr. Mister. Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas is funking marvellous – James Brown, Rick James, and Public Enemy televising the revolution. Grand Theft Auto IV, meanwhile, has 19 music stations with everything from east-coast hip hop to Eastern European pop.

Google’s to die for
Posthumous embarrassment can now be avoided online, some of it anyhow, after Google has rolled out a dead-man’s switch. The Inactive Account Manager, as Google more sensitively called it, lets you ask Google to delete your data after three, six, or 12 months of inactivity. Data is then sent from Google services – including Gmail, Google+ profiles, Picasa albums, and YouTube – to your digital heirs. “Before our systems take any action, we’ll first warn you by sending a text message to your cellphone and email to the secondary address you’ve provided,” said Google product manager Andreas Tuerk.

Microsoft has great timing
Microsoft’s is rumoured to be a smartwatch, although the gadget is presently under clock and key. Perhaps the last area of gadgetry where analogue still has a foothold over digital, watches are gradually entering the 21th century as boffins at LG, Samsung and Apple are developing smart wristwatches. Kickstarter project Pebble Watch got there first. This device communicates with Android or iOS devices using Bluetooth and comes with a number of sporty apps pre-installed. The battery life is purported to be rubbish, though – a downside to smartwatches, since analogue watch batteries tick on for years.