Google has already been working on patents that could pick out faces and song melodies in our YouTube clips. Now, it might just have the ultimate tool: the technique in a just-granted patent could pick out objects in a video, whether they’re living or not. Instead of asking the creator to label objects every time, Google proposes using a database of “feature vectors” such as color, movement, shape and texture to automatically identify subjects in the frame through their common traits — a cat’s ears and fast movement would separate it from the ball of yarn it’s attacking, for example. Movie makers themselves could provide a lot of the underlying material just by naming and tagging enough of their clips, with the more accurate labels helping to separate the wheat from the chaff if an automated visual ranking system falls short. The one mystery is what Google plans to do with its newfound observational skills, if anything, although the most logical step would be to fill in YouTube keywords without any user intervention — a potential time-saver when we’re uploading that twelfth consecutive pet video.

SOURCE via USPTO

The Facebook Camera just scored a nice little update in the iTunes app store. Now the filter-equipped shooter will let you pick and choose which folders to upload your pics to — something that probably should have been included in version one. It also brings notifications to the party, letting you keep track of when friends comment, tag or like a photo. It’s actually not bad for a measly .1 update.

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Mazda has made the unusual choice of selecting the Moscow Motor Show to unveil its all-new 2014 Mazda6. The mid-size sedan looks very sharp, and powered by the Japanese automaker’s latest line of Skyactiv engines, it ought to be efficient and solid to drive, as well.

Visually, the Mazda6 is the company’s latest expression of their Kodo (“Soul of Motion”) design language and draws heavily from the company’s well-received 2011 Takeri showcar. A widened, stretched version of Mazda’s five-point grille is employed and it’s perhaps the most attractive version of that design element to date. The grille is connected to the LED headlights via shiny bits, a design tactic reminiscent of the new BMW 3 Series.

According to chief designer Akira Tamatani, “We have created a design in which the wild and dynamic expressions of motion artistically realize a powerful presence.” The color seen here is called Soul Red, and was enveloped by Mazda to accentuate the shapes of the new 6.

Inside, the layout is a clean and straightforward one, which has become a hallmark of Mazda cabin design. The cabin is highlighted by a color-matched interior accent panel. A trained eye will even notice a rotary selector to control the navigation system, à la BMW’s iDrive.

At least in Russia, the 2014 Mazda6 gets the new range of Skyactiv engines, including the 2.0-liter Skyactiv-G (gas) engine that makes 110 kW (148 horsepower), sending power to the front wheels through either a six-speed Skyactiv-Drive automatic, or a six-speed Skyactiv-MT manual gearbox. The uprated engine is a Skyactiv-G 2.5-liter unit, developing 141 kW (189 horsepower). This engine is mated to the aforementioned automatic. A diesel engine is also expected, but it’s not yet clear whether the U.S. will receive an oil-burning option (Mazda has committed to bringing an unnamed diesel model to the States in the next few years).

Also incorporated into the powertrain is Mazda’s new “i-Eloop” system, which is essentially regenerative breaking. This is combined with “i-stop”, stop/start technology. Actual EPA fuel economy estimates have not been released at this time, nor has price or availability, though Mazda says global deliveries are slated to begin later this year.

Good news for Nokia owners, as the company has begun the phased rollout of Symbian Belle Refresh. First and foremost, the OS update brings a new web browser with support for HTML5 web apps. Users will also discover new home screen widgets, and for those who’ve yet to snag ‘em, Microsoft Office and Nokia Maps Suite 2.0 are also made part of the update. Symbian Belle Refresh is supported by the Nokia N8, E7, C7, C6-01, X7 and Oro, and will also include new imaging apps that are specific to the N8. The vanilla version of the software is now available, and Nokia expects that operator and country specific updates will be up for grabs in the coming weeks.

SOURCE via Nokia

Samsung just couldn’t relegate itself to a two-tone, blue and white Galaxy S III universe — the company is using the run-up to IFA 2012 to triple the size of its smartphone’s palette. We’ve seen the Garnet Red model arrive early at AT&T, but it now looks to be spreading abroad; the previously leaked Sapphire Black is equally official for those who don’t think the original blue is dark enough. We’re also seeing two more colors that have been relatively undiscovered, including a Titanium Gray and an unconventional Amber Brown. No, not that kind of brown, although it may be the first time in a while that earthy hue has claimed such a high profile. Color choices will vary depending on the carrier or store, which leaves a distinct chance that you’ll be switching networks or hunting down importers if you’ve got to have just the right shade of Hyperglaze in your life.

SOURCE via Samsung

Now that the patent trial of the decade is over bar the shouting, everyone’s back to ensuring they’ve called shotgun on enough of tomorrow’s technology. Cupertino has won a patent to enforce policies when your wireless device enters a specific location. Dry as that may sound, it means that your smartphone could automatically switch to silent and disable its display as soon as you enter a movie theater. Of course, it’s as likely to remain in Bruce Sewell’s bottom drawer as it is to be a feature in the next iPhone, but as perpetually-annoyed cinema-goers we’d pay good money to see it retrospectively installed in every handset from the last decade.

SOURCE via USPTO

At this point, there isn’t much mystery left surrounding the LG VS930, aka Spectrum 2 for Verizon. Despite the onslaught of rumored specs, however, we still haven’t seen much in the way of the phone’s accessories. That has all changed now, as Engadget has gotten their hands on a few smallish images of the new Spectrum residing in a car dock, home dock and a rugged-looking protective case. We’re still waiting on an official announcement along with availability and pricing (though we imagine all three details will come at the same time), but we try to convince ourselves that each new leak is a step closer to reality.

SOURCE via Engadget

Mozilla has been keeping to a tight schedule of having a completed Firefox release every five to six weeks, and it’s very much on track. The browser team’s Ehsan Akhgari has confirmed that a properly polished version of Firefox 15 should reach the download servers on August 29th. When it does arrive, the new release will primarily expand the silent updates that Windows users first saw in Firefox 12: future iterations on all platforms will install themselves in the background and should be truly ready to go the next time the browser starts. Beyond this deliberately subtle change, the finished version 15 upgrade should still support Opus audio as well as clamp down on out-of-control memory use from add-ons. We’re looking forward to not noticing the differences very shortly.

SOURCE via EhsanaKhgari

Folks over in the US of A have been utilizing Gogo’s up-in-the-air wireless amenities for quite some time now, which isn’t something we can say about our dear neighbors from The Great White North — unless, of course, you count the company’s current Aircell’s Gogo Biz service. That said, Gogo’s finally received the go-ahead to bring its in-flight WiFi goods to both commercial and business planes that are traveling within Canada and cross-border to the States, allowing the internet provider to deliver “seamless service” all-around. According to Gogo, the network will be fully operational by the end of next year, with the company assuring fellow Canadians that they, too, can “soon experience the same technology that has a proven track record of performance and reliability in the U.S.”

SOURCE via GoGo