| Google patent filing hints at new Wallet service Oct 7th 2013, 18:28, by Nate Swanner A Google patent filing wants to let you keep your friends. No, really, it does! The recent filing shows Google attempting to patent a method for splitting a bill or bar tab, then amortizing it amongst a group. While splitting a bill is nothing new, Google's method for settling up may show something new for their troubled Wallet service. 
If Google's filing is approved, you'd have the ability to distribute a bill amongst friends. In a very linear way, Google is imagining you set up a group within this service, create a transaction for the group, then bill the members of the group as you see fit. While the filing is a bit vague on final details, it does show us that Google is still intent on mobile payment, and sees the need for an angle to make their system desirable.
Let's say you are out with 3 friends, and the bar tab is $100 (tip included. Don't be that guy). You are responsible for $30 of the tab, another friend $20, and the other two $25 each. You cover the tab, and the service automatically draws the funds owed to you from the accounts of your friends. Conversely, it may simply bill them, and let them pay at their leisure. There is also a provision in the filing for objections to charges, with one person (you, in this case) serving as the group "administrator", and able to make judgements as they see fit. A very niche issue, this sounds like a new Wallet feature, not a standalone app or service. VIA: The Consumerist
|  | Xiaomi Millet smartwatch rumors emerge Oct 7th 2013, 18:16, by Robert Nelson These rumors may be a bit soon to attribute to Hugo Barra, however it is looking like Xiaomi may have a smartwatch in the works. The watch is reportedly coming from Millet and while this could have easily been looked at as future offering for the Chinese market, there has been word from Barra dealing with a international strategy for the upcoming year. 
When Hugo Barra joined Xiaomi (as the Vice President, Xiaomi Global), he mentioned that the team would be looking to “expand their incredible portfolio and business globally.” This of course, could mean a smartwatch. Anyway, while not yet having been announced by Xiaomi, the watch is said to be coming from Millet and inline with their current pricing strategy. Reports coming from MyDrivers suggests that could mean a price that is “significantly lower” than other currently available smartwatches. There was not any specifics revealed, however as we have seen a wide variety of smartwatch pricing, we are hoping to see something further. Current smartwatches include the Pebble at $150 and the Galaxy Gear at $299. A wide range. Further details here point towards the possibility of the Xiaomi smartwatch arriving with MIUI. This one is pronounced as “Me You I” and it is available for a wide variety of Android handsets as an alternate ROM. MIUI sits with the promise of “bringing customization to a whole other level with phone and SMS features that you wouldn’t think of and an original UI that redefines Android.” While the features aspect, particularly the part about the phone, may not make it to the watch, there is something about the original UI bit that may prove helpful to a smaller display. Well, maybe not this specific version, but the part about how they are comfortable with making the custom interface. Anyway, while it still seems early days in terms of Xiaomi Millet smartwatch rumors and leaks, given the recent hire of Hugo Barra — it does seem like a story worth following. And just to make this point clear, the above watch is not the Xiaomi, it is a Samsung Galaxy Gear with the Xiaomi logo showing. | | Samsung's new camera improves OIS, low light shooting Oct 7th 2013, 17:53, by Nate Swanner Today, Samsung announces they've enhanced their camera for mobile devices. Keeping with the 13MP sweet spot, Samsung touts an improved OIS, better low light performance, and overall improved performance. Currently a prototype, Samsung plans to start production in the first half of 2014. 
The OIS has improved two-fold, from a 0.7 degree correction angle to 1.5 degrees. Think of the correction angle like the struts on your car; the better they are, the smoother your ride. Doubling the correction angle for OIS cameras means clearer shots more often.
The low light performance is said to have improved dramatically, with Samsung's internal testing showing eight times the brightness in dimly lit scenarios. They also note that the camera has been optimized for full HD shooting, and power consumption has been enhanced by adding OIS to the auto focus. No data was offered as to how dramatically it was improved, though. Good news, but we'll hold out for a hands-on before getting excited. As the Moto X proves, hardware is only half the battle. We'll have to see how Samsung plans to take advantage of their new technology with software improvements before deeming this a winner.
| | BlackBerry said to be entertaining offers from Google, Samsung, and LG Oct 7th 2013, 17:46, by Nate Swanner Reports out of Waterloo, Canada suggest that BlackBerry is continuing to field offers for their various services and patents. BlackBerry has asked for "preliminary expressions of interest" from companies like Cisco, Intel, and Google. Even Samsung and LG are said to be interested, with BlackBerry asking that all "expressions" be submitted by the end of the week. 
When shareholder Fairfax Financial made a $4.7 billion offer for BlackBerry, it was quickly accepted. The wheels of buyout in motion, many considered BlackBerry to be going private, as they vowed to retreat from the consumer space and concentrate on enterprise. While the BlackBerry we knew and tried to love is gone, their final destination(s) is still being negotiated.
With the buyout offer on the table, BlackBerry held a "Go Shop" option, which meant that they could continue to field offers from other suitors. They also retain the ability to sell divisions off piecemeal, which could be as lucrative as it is dangerous. If you have a buyer for BBM, you'd almost certainly need to line others up for the remainder of your services to avoid dipping below the initial buyout price. For BlackBerry, it's a race against time: their dwindling stock price certainly dampens their market value, and the process of a buyout is far from over. They are also said to be on pace to rifle through $2 billion in cash within the next 18 months, giving them a sense of urgency. BlackBerry is being advised by JPMorgan Chase and Co, as well as RBC Capital Markets. A special committee has been formed at BlackBerry to examine all opportunities, which includes CEO Thorsten Heins and is headed by board director Timothy Dattels. In an emailed statement to Reuters, a BlackBerry Spokesperson said "The special committee, with the assistance of BlackBerry’s independent financial and legal advisors, is conducting a robust and thorough review of strategic alternatives."
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