Google Maps for iPhone now lets you easily add detours to your trips

Google Maps for iPhone will now let you add detours to your trip without leaving navigation mode. Now, for example, if you decide you want to make a pitstop at a gas station or restaurant, you can simply add that detour in the app and your current route and estimated time of arrival will be adjusted accordingly. To add a detour to your route, all you have to do is tap the magnifying glass at the top right of the screen in navigation mode. You can then choose from a selection of categories like grocery stores, coffee shops and gas stations. Just select one of the categories, or use search to find a specific place, and Google Maps will serve up a list of destinations to choose from. Google says that the feature is now rolling out to the more than 100 countries where it currently offers navigation, so you should be able to start adding detours to your trips relatively soon. Source: Google …

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Ring unveils its own solar panel for powering its Stick Up Cam security camera

Ring, the company behind a connected doorbell and the Stick Up Cam, has debuted a new product, the Ring Solar Panel. First debuting at CES 2016, the Stick Up Cam can be placed practically anywhere, and the Ring Solar Panel lets you power the camera wherever it ends up. Like the Stick Up Cam, the solar panel can be mounted nearly anywhere, and comes with its own mounting bracket. You can tilt the panel up or down at multiple angles depending on your needs. The panel plugs directly into the Stick Up Cam using a micro-USB cable, and Ring says it can keep the cam charged with only a few hours of direct sunlight. You can pre-order the Ring Solar Panel now directly from Ring for the limited-time price of $29, down from the normal price of $49. Solar panels are expected to start shipping in April. Pre-order at Ring …

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Mobile Nations Community Update, February 2016

As February draws to a close, it’s time again for the Mobile Nations Community Update. Below we’re going to take a look at some of the best stuff happening around Android Central, Connectedly, CrackBerry, iMore, and Windows Central. …

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Fallout Shelter’s next update will add item crafting

Fallout Shelter, the popular mobile game based on the post-apocalyptic franchise, will be getting a major update later this week. The 1.4 update will add a much-requested feature for the sim-based game: crafting. Here is what’s included in the 1.4 update: Turn worthless junk into useful items! Introducing… crafting! New Rooms! Build the new Weapon and Armor crafting rooms and use them to create your own items in game! Lunchboxes now contain a bonus 5th card: Junk! Trust us – it’s more useful than it sounds. Lucky wasteland explorers may also find junk on their adventures. Take the Overseer role to the next level. Build the new Barbershop and customize the look of any Dweller. Keep up with the latest fashions! Find new Outfits and Weapons straight from Fallout 4 in lunchboxes, or craft them yourself! Because four-legged companions bring overwhelming happiness, we’ve added new Dogs and Cats, and are introducing… Parrots! Plus, new Pet bonuses! Time of day is now properly refl…

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Apple’s Bruce Sewell makes company’s case on encryption to U.S. Congress

Personnel from both the FBI and Apple are expected to testify before the House Judiciary Committee on March 1 on the ongoing case between the two, and now you can read the opening statement of Apple’s Bruce Sewell. Sewell is Apple’s primary witness, as well as a company Senior Vice President and it’s chief legal counsel. In the statement, Sewell addressed Apple’s primary concerns, not only with the case at hand, but also regarding the broader matter of encryption. As we have told them — and as we have told the American public — building that software tool would not affect just one iPhone. It would weaken the security for all of them. In fact, just last week Director Comey agreed that the FBI would likely use this precedent in other cases involving other phones. District Attorney Vance has also said he would absolutely plan to use this on over 175 phones. We can all agree this is not about access to just one iPhone. The hearing before the House Judiciary Committee will c…

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Putting the ’More’ in iMore!

The age of the phone is over — but the age of what’s built on the phone is just beginning. {.intro} At the beginning of 2016, I mentioned that we had lots planned for iMore this year, including putting the ’more’ into iMore. For the last few years, we helped build up the phone as a platform — now, that platform is being used to build up everything else, and we’re all part of that. Before iMore even had the name ”iMore,” we were a group of passionate writers who covered the iPhone. After the iPad’s debut, we added coverage of Apple’s tablet to the mix. It took some readers a while to get used to the change, but history has borne out that the two products were and remain inextricably linked. Over time, we added Apple TV, Mac, and Apple Watch; as Apple turned up its integration, so did we. We built ultimate guides that covered every aspect of your Apple experience — from out-of-the-box setup to advanced DIY repairs and workflows. This year, as part of our 2016 strategy, we lau…

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Sprint teams with Dixons Carphone to open 500 stores in the U.S.

Sprint has announced a partnership with UK retailer Dixons Carphone to open 500 new Sprint retail stores in the United States. The two launched a pilot program last summer, which seems to have been successful. Each company will have an equal stake in the stores, which will operate similarly to existing Sprint-branded stores run by third-party retailers. From Sprint: Under the agreement, Sprint and Dixons Carphone Connected World Services (CWS) division will build and operate new Sprint stores in multiple U.S. markets. The two companies will fund the startup costs of the joint venture equally and will each have 50 percent ownership interest. At this time, Sprint has not announced a time frame for the opening of these stores. Though locations are also yet to be announced, with 500 stores planned, it’s likely that they’ll pop up in several parts of the country. …

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Apple expands ’Think Different’ trademark to cover Apple Watch, Siri, and more

Apple has updated and expanded its ”Think Different” trademark in Europe, with the famous slogan now covering an increasing number of products. While it’s been a very long time since Apple utilized the phrase in an official capacity, updating its trademark keeps competitors from using it. The trademark now has new international classes, including the Apple Watch, Siri, iPad, and more. From Patently Apple: Apple’s International Classes for ’Think Different’ have greatly expanded from one class to eight. The classes now cover Apple Watch (Horological and chronometric instruments; watches), Apple Pay (financial services); Apple Pencil, iPad, (computers, stylus), games, business management, subscription services, telecommunications, broadcasting, music, television, educational services and Siri (maintenance of proprietary computer software in the field of natural language, speech, speaker, language, voice recognition, and voice-print recognition). This is Apple’s first update of…

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Tru Protection’s tempered glass screen protector for iPhone 6 / 6S is $12.95 today

The screen is one of the most important parts of any mobile phone, so keep it protected! Tru Protection’s tempered glass screen protector will add a layer of security against scratches and drops, helping you keep your phone looking its best. You can grab one for just $12.95 today. …

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The future of Apple Pay: From payments to platform

Apple Pay will eventually be more than just a way to quickly make payments in-store and in-app. But how it evolves depends on the scope of Apple’s ambitions. Apple Pay is just over 15 months old and supported in five countries, including the U.S., U.K., Canada, Australia, and, most recently, China. But along the way, the company has faced criticism from banks, merchants, and customers, all frustrated by limitations of the service’s capabilities. Unfortunately for Apple, many of Apple Pay’s irksome issues are completely out of the company’s control. As with Apple’s rumored TV streaming service, other companies have sufficient leverage to make demands of the world’s biggest corporation. In the case of Apple Pay, it’s credit card-issuing banks and local merchants. From there to here Like most mobile payment systems, Apple Pay began with a modest proposal: to simplify and secure credit card payments by removing the need for a physical card. When Apple Pay debuted in 2014, it became …

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