The 404 817: Where we sleep great and lose weight (podcast)
The Sleep Doctor Michael Breus is back in the studio answering your questions and telling us about his new book, "The Sleep Doctor's Diet Plan: Lose Weight through Better Sleep." We also have two copies of the book to give away, so be sure to follow The Sleep Doctor and The 404 on Twitter, mention both of us in a tweet, and you'll be on your way boosting your metabolism, decreasing your hunger, and increasing your energy and willpower through a good night's rest!We always have plenty of questions to ask the doctor while he's here, and the chatroom helps us out today with questions about what foods to eat before hitting the sack, the effects of alcohol and smoking on sleeping, the benefits of temperature-sensitive mattresses, and more! Wilson's also taking a sleep diet challenge as well, so look out for Dr. Breus on the show six weeks from now to check up on his performance!The 404 Digest for Episode 817This content is rated TV-MA, and is for viewers 18 years or older. Are you of age?YesNoSorry, you are not old enough to view this content.PlayThe Sleep Doctor's Diet Plan: Lose Weight through Better Sleep."The Nap-a-latte works every time.How to sleep anywhere!Too much sleep may accelerate cognitive aging.Air traffic controllers sleeping on the job: is it really their fault?Dr. Breus recommends the Sleep Smoothie.Check out Dr. Breus's line of temperature-regulated mattresses at Sleepy's!Episode 817Listen nowYour browser does not support the audio element. Subscribe in iTunes (audio) | Subscribe in iTunes (video) | Subscribe in RSS Audio | Subscribe in RSS Video  Follow us on Twitter!The 404Jeff BakalarJustin YuWilson TangAdd us on Facebook!The 404 Fan PageThe 404 GroupJustin YuJeff BakalarWilson Tang
Photo-sharing app protects your pics from screenshots
Photo-sharing app protects your pics from screenshots
Popular photo sharing app Snapchat may notify you when the recipient of your image takes a screenshot -- but it doesn't actually make it harder to grab that screenshot in the first place.New iOS app Yovo is looking to make a change in that direction. Created by privacy software company ContentGuard, it uses a novel solution to protect your snaps from screenshots: because it can't do anything about controlling user behaviour, it uses an optical illusion on the images themselves.The illusion it uses is simple -- the Barrier Grid illusion. This is similar to what you might experience driving past a picket fence: as you speed past, your eyes tend to see the stationary scene behind the palings, rather than the palings themselves.Related articlesSketchy Snapchat backup services leave users exposedDon't blink! FireChat takes ephemeral messaging to whole new levelWhen you take a picture, the app overlays a blurred grille over the image. When the receiver opens the image, the grille moves, allowing them to see the picture -- but if they try to take a screenshot or a photo of the screen, it will always result in an image with blurred sections."Everyone is becoming more conscious of the digital trail they leave. It seems as though there isn't a day that goes by where we don't see a headline about the consequences of inadvertent or malicious digital publication of our private lives," said ContentGuard's Scott Richardson."Let's face it -- not every moment or message is meant to be shared or stay online forever. Yovo represents a new way to create and share photos and messages in a more private, fun and interactive way."The app also allows you to send photos from your camera roll, selectively blur portions of an image, choose who sees what and for how long, and set a self-destruct timer on messages and photos from one second to up to 24 hours.As for whether the company keeps and stores user images, it only does for the duration you select, and it uses a proprietary file format that can only be viewed from within the app. It also uses 256-bit AES encryption to keep your images safe.You can download Yovo for free from the iTunes app store, and check out a video of how it works below.Update, Monday at 2 p.m. PT: Added details about how the company stores user images.
Popular photo sharing app Snapchat may notify you when the recipient of your image takes a screenshot -- but it doesn't actually make it harder to grab that screenshot in the first place.New iOS app Yovo is looking to make a change in that direction. Created by privacy software company ContentGuard, it uses a novel solution to protect your snaps from screenshots: because it can't do anything about controlling user behaviour, it uses an optical illusion on the images themselves.The illusion it uses is simple -- the Barrier Grid illusion. This is similar to what you might experience driving past a picket fence: as you speed past, your eyes tend to see the stationary scene behind the palings, rather than the palings themselves.Related articlesSketchy Snapchat backup services leave users exposedDon't blink! FireChat takes ephemeral messaging to whole new levelWhen you take a picture, the app overlays a blurred grille over the image. When the receiver opens the image, the grille moves, allowing them to see the picture -- but if they try to take a screenshot or a photo of the screen, it will always result in an image with blurred sections."Everyone is becoming more conscious of the digital trail they leave. It seems as though there isn't a day that goes by where we don't see a headline about the consequences of inadvertent or malicious digital publication of our private lives," said ContentGuard's Scott Richardson."Let's face it -- not every moment or message is meant to be shared or stay online forever. Yovo represents a new way to create and share photos and messages in a more private, fun and interactive way."The app also allows you to send photos from your camera roll, selectively blur portions of an image, choose who sees what and for how long, and set a self-destruct timer on messages and photos from one second to up to 24 hours.As for whether the company keeps and stores user images, it only does for the duration you select, and it uses a proprietary file format that can only be viewed from within the app. It also uses 256-bit AES encryption to keep your images safe.You can download Yovo for free from the iTunes app store, and check out a video of how it works below.Update, Monday at 2 p.m. PT: Added details about how the company stores user images.
Nothing says 'I love you' like a $20,000 iPad
Nothing says 'I love you' like a $20,000 iPad
The iPad might be an expensive device, but Mervis Diamond Importers has done its part to ensure Apple's pricing will always look cheap. The company announced on its site recently that it will offer a Diamond iPad for $19,999.According to the site, the Diamond iPad boasts 11.43 carats worth of diamonds displayed in a "micro-pave styling." Mervis states that the diamonds are graded highly in color and clarity. That's great and all, but I find the device a bit ugly with all those diamonds.Unfortunately, Mervis didn't say which version of the iPad it will be selling. It also failed to mention its storage capacity. Regardless, it is one expensive version of the iPad. And it seems rather unlikely that someone will actually plunk $20,000 down for a device that can be had for $500.But perhaps that price isn't as bad as we might think. In fact, it might be a pretty good value. A little over three years ago, another company offered a diamond and gold iPod Shuffle. It retailed for $20,000, too.See that? Everything is relative. If you plan to pick up the $20,000 Diamond iPad, you can start placing orders on the Mervis site in June. But if you do, just beware that some of us will question your modesty.(Via Mashable)
The iPad might be an expensive device, but Mervis Diamond Importers has done its part to ensure Apple's pricing will always look cheap. The company announced on its site recently that it will offer a Diamond iPad for $19,999.According to the site, the Diamond iPad boasts 11.43 carats worth of diamonds displayed in a "micro-pave styling." Mervis states that the diamonds are graded highly in color and clarity. That's great and all, but I find the device a bit ugly with all those diamonds.Unfortunately, Mervis didn't say which version of the iPad it will be selling. It also failed to mention its storage capacity. Regardless, it is one expensive version of the iPad. And it seems rather unlikely that someone will actually plunk $20,000 down for a device that can be had for $500.But perhaps that price isn't as bad as we might think. In fact, it might be a pretty good value. A little over three years ago, another company offered a diamond and gold iPod Shuffle. It retailed for $20,000, too.See that? Everything is relative. If you plan to pick up the $20,000 Diamond iPad, you can start placing orders on the Mervis site in June. But if you do, just beware that some of us will question your modesty.(Via Mashable)
Norwegian government stops Apple's aerial mapping of capital
Norwegian government stops Apple's aerial mapping of capital
The Norwegian government has denied a request from Apple to do a 3D mapping of the capital city of Oslo because of security concerns, according to news reports Monday.Apple applied for a license from the government to fly over Oslo and take images, but Norway's National Security Authority rejected the application because the mapping would include military buildings, local newspaper Aftenposten reported (translated by Google Translate).The publication said the U.S. embassy has actually stepped in to aid Apple, and Oslo's mayor also asked the NSA to reconsider. The government has tightened its security measures since the 2011 bombing of an Oslo government building. The bombing left eight people dead and more than 200 injured.Aftenposten noted that in the U.S. both Washington and military headquarters also are not mapped. Apple has been playing catch-up on maps since it booted Google's mapping app for its own, which it launched prematurely.[Via BBC]
The Norwegian government has denied a request from Apple to do a 3D mapping of the capital city of Oslo because of security concerns, according to news reports Monday.Apple applied for a license from the government to fly over Oslo and take images, but Norway's National Security Authority rejected the application because the mapping would include military buildings, local newspaper Aftenposten reported (translated by Google Translate).The publication said the U.S. embassy has actually stepped in to aid Apple, and Oslo's mayor also asked the NSA to reconsider. The government has tightened its security measures since the 2011 bombing of an Oslo government building. The bombing left eight people dead and more than 200 injured.Aftenposten noted that in the U.S. both Washington and military headquarters also are not mapped. Apple has been playing catch-up on maps since it booted Google's mapping app for its own, which it launched prematurely.[Via BBC]
With Android 3.2.2, Motorola Xyboard 'Xoom 2' gets better
With Android 3.2.2, Motorola Xyboard 'Xoom 2' gets better
The Motorola Xyboard got a much-needed update, improving the experience substantially for me.Last week, I wrote how Motorola's 10.1-inch tablet (aka, Xoom 2) was driving me up a wall.In short, the stock browser--where I spend most of my time--was sluggish when refreshing pages, and simple tasks, like inputting text into a search box, could be glacial (among other issues). After speaking with Motorola about this on Monday, they told me that an update was imminent.In fact, it had already arrived.Within an hour after hanging up, I had updated the Xyboard to Android 3.2.2 from 3.2.That fixed the browser issues I'd been having over the last couple of months. The stock browser is now consistently fast and doesn't have any major shortcomings that I can see.That said, here's the problem.Maybe Motorola had compelling reasons for releasing the Xyboard when it did (December) with Android 3.2. But, from a user perspective, Motorola would have been better served to wait and release it with 3.2.2.The out-of-the-box experience should be stable for a Gen 2 product like the Xyboard. Anyway, for now, the Xyboard is my main tablet, replacing the iPad 2 (which had been my daily companion for about 10 months).Not that it's better than the iPad (it's not) but because I want to dip my toes into the Android tablet waters.As I said last week, I like the Xyboard's design. It is thin, light, and easy to hold.Other upsides include a nice screen, very capable voice-controlled search, and LTE 4G, which can be outrageously fast when you're in a 4G sweet spot.And here's hoping that Motorola tablets get better and better under Google's ownership.
The Motorola Xyboard got a much-needed update, improving the experience substantially for me.Last week, I wrote how Motorola's 10.1-inch tablet (aka, Xoom 2) was driving me up a wall.In short, the stock browser--where I spend most of my time--was sluggish when refreshing pages, and simple tasks, like inputting text into a search box, could be glacial (among other issues). After speaking with Motorola about this on Monday, they told me that an update was imminent.In fact, it had already arrived.Within an hour after hanging up, I had updated the Xyboard to Android 3.2.2 from 3.2.That fixed the browser issues I'd been having over the last couple of months. The stock browser is now consistently fast and doesn't have any major shortcomings that I can see.That said, here's the problem.Maybe Motorola had compelling reasons for releasing the Xyboard when it did (December) with Android 3.2. But, from a user perspective, Motorola would have been better served to wait and release it with 3.2.2.The out-of-the-box experience should be stable for a Gen 2 product like the Xyboard. Anyway, for now, the Xyboard is my main tablet, replacing the iPad 2 (which had been my daily companion for about 10 months).Not that it's better than the iPad (it's not) but because I want to dip my toes into the Android tablet waters.As I said last week, I like the Xyboard's design. It is thin, light, and easy to hold.Other upsides include a nice screen, very capable voice-controlled search, and LTE 4G, which can be outrageously fast when you're in a 4G sweet spot.And here's hoping that Motorola tablets get better and better under Google's ownership.
Windows Phone wins bigger chunk of smartphone market
Windows Phone wins bigger chunk of smartphone market
Windows Phone continues to eke out gains in a landscape dominated by Android and iOS.During the third quarter, Microsoft's mobile OS share rose to 3.6 percent globally from 2.3 percent in the year-ago quarter, Gartner said in a report on Thursday. Shipments grew to 8.9 million from 3.9 million over the same period. Though Android's market share surged to more than 80 percent, Gartner dubbed Microsoft the winner of the quarter, with a gain in shipments of 123 percent.Microsoft's decision to buy Nokia's devices and services business is also seen as a savvy move and one that "will unify effort and help drive appeal of Windows ecosystem," Gartner principal research Anshul Gupta said in a statement.Recent stats from IDC and Kantar Worldpanel ComTech also showed Windows Phone increasingly winning more customers around the globe.GartnerStill on top by a wide margin, Android scored a market share of 81.9 percent last quarter, up from 72.6 percent a year ago, according to Gartner. That put Google's mobile OS even further ahead of Apple's iOS, which saw its slice of the market drop to 12.1 percent from 14.3 percent.Gartner laid part of the blame for Apple's downturn on an insufficient supply of iPhone 5S units."While the arrival of the new iPhones 5S and 5C had a positive impact on overall sales, such impact could have been greater had they not started shipping late in the quarter," Gupta said. "While we saw some inventory built up for the iPhone 5C, there was good demand for iPhone 5S with stock out in many markets."Among smartphone makers, Lenovo earned a 5.1 percent share last quarter on shipments of 12.8 million, putting it in third place behind Samsung and Apple.
Windows Phone continues to eke out gains in a landscape dominated by Android and iOS.During the third quarter, Microsoft's mobile OS share rose to 3.6 percent globally from 2.3 percent in the year-ago quarter, Gartner said in a report on Thursday. Shipments grew to 8.9 million from 3.9 million over the same period. Though Android's market share surged to more than 80 percent, Gartner dubbed Microsoft the winner of the quarter, with a gain in shipments of 123 percent.Microsoft's decision to buy Nokia's devices and services business is also seen as a savvy move and one that "will unify effort and help drive appeal of Windows ecosystem," Gartner principal research Anshul Gupta said in a statement.Recent stats from IDC and Kantar Worldpanel ComTech also showed Windows Phone increasingly winning more customers around the globe.GartnerStill on top by a wide margin, Android scored a market share of 81.9 percent last quarter, up from 72.6 percent a year ago, according to Gartner. That put Google's mobile OS even further ahead of Apple's iOS, which saw its slice of the market drop to 12.1 percent from 14.3 percent.Gartner laid part of the blame for Apple's downturn on an insufficient supply of iPhone 5S units."While the arrival of the new iPhones 5S and 5C had a positive impact on overall sales, such impact could have been greater had they not started shipping late in the quarter," Gupta said. "While we saw some inventory built up for the iPhone 5C, there was good demand for iPhone 5S with stock out in many markets."Among smartphone makers, Lenovo earned a 5.1 percent share last quarter on shipments of 12.8 million, putting it in third place behind Samsung and Apple.
Windows Phone to own 12 percent of smartphone market by 2017
Windows Phone to own 12 percent of smartphone market by 2017
Microsoft's Windows Phone will account for 12.7 percent of all global smartphone shipments in another four years, Canalys said in a forecast released Tuesday.The growth from just 2.4 percent in 2012 means that Windows Phone will capture third place among all smartphone platforms in 2017, just behind Apple's iOS. To obtain that growth, Microsoft will require an assist not just from Nokia but from Chinese vendors such as Lenovo, Huawei, and ZTE, according to Canalys."Nokia is the most active vendor in the Microsoft camp and it continues to make steady progress with its Lumia portfolio," Canalys analyst Jessica Kwee said in a statement. "But longer-term it is the Chinese vendors that are best placed to challenge Samsung's market dominance. Microsoft already has a relationship with Huawei and ZTE in the phone space, and Lenovo is a major partner in the PC space. These partners will be needed to help deliver the scale that Microsoft needs."CanalysAndroid will still be in the lead in 2017, accounting for 1 billion of the 1.5 billion smartphone shipments anticipated by Canalys. But its market share will dip slightly to 67.1 percent from 67.7 percent last year. Apple's iOS will also lose traction as its 2017 market share drops to 14.1 percent from 19.5 percent in 2012."Apple's growth will be curtailed by the fact that momentum in the smartphone market is coming from the low end, and Apple is absent from this segment," Kwee added. "Android's continued dominance is due to the scalability of the platform."Canalys' forecast seems to discount the impact of a low-end iPhone, which several analysts and other Apple watchers believe will launch later this year.
Microsoft's Windows Phone will account for 12.7 percent of all global smartphone shipments in another four years, Canalys said in a forecast released Tuesday.The growth from just 2.4 percent in 2012 means that Windows Phone will capture third place among all smartphone platforms in 2017, just behind Apple's iOS. To obtain that growth, Microsoft will require an assist not just from Nokia but from Chinese vendors such as Lenovo, Huawei, and ZTE, according to Canalys."Nokia is the most active vendor in the Microsoft camp and it continues to make steady progress with its Lumia portfolio," Canalys analyst Jessica Kwee said in a statement. "But longer-term it is the Chinese vendors that are best placed to challenge Samsung's market dominance. Microsoft already has a relationship with Huawei and ZTE in the phone space, and Lenovo is a major partner in the PC space. These partners will be needed to help deliver the scale that Microsoft needs."CanalysAndroid will still be in the lead in 2017, accounting for 1 billion of the 1.5 billion smartphone shipments anticipated by Canalys. But its market share will dip slightly to 67.1 percent from 67.7 percent last year. Apple's iOS will also lose traction as its 2017 market share drops to 14.1 percent from 19.5 percent in 2012."Apple's growth will be curtailed by the fact that momentum in the smartphone market is coming from the low end, and Apple is absent from this segment," Kwee added. "Android's continued dominance is due to the scalability of the platform."Canalys' forecast seems to discount the impact of a low-end iPhone, which several analysts and other Apple watchers believe will launch later this year.
Windows Phone outships iPhone in some countries
Windows Phone outships iPhone in some countries
Windows Phone is outshining the iPhone in several countries. But relax, Apple, there is an explanation.In a blog posted Tuesday, Microsoft corporate communications VP Frank Shaw cited an IDC report revealing that Windows Phone has reached 10 percent market share in a number of countries. Along with that milestone, Windows Phone has outshipped Apple's iPhone in seven markets across the globe.Shaw didn't divulge the names of those seven markets. But IDC did and explained why Windows Phone has a foothold in those regions. Speaking with The New York Times yesterday, IDC analyst Kevin Restivo said that fourth-quarter Windows Phone shipments surpassed those of the iPhone in Argentina, India, Poland, Russia, South Africa, and the Ukraine. The seventh market actually lumps together several smaller countries, such as Croatia, and is collectively known as "the rest of central and eastern Europe."Related storiesWindows Phone edging out iPhone in China, says MicrosoftMicrosoft targets holidays for next Windows Phone updateHTC reportedly working on Windows Phone 'Tiara'Microsoft to end Windows Phone 7.8 and 8 support in 2014Further, the Ukraine, South Africa, and "the rest of central and eastern Europe" are small markets where Windows Phone shipments numbered less than 100,000 during the fourth quarter.Windows Phone also has a leg up in markets where Nokia already is popular, the analyst added. In many of those countries, iPhone demand is weaker because of the high cost of the phone and the absence of carrier subsidies.Finally, IDC used the term "shipped" in the report. But "shipped" doesn't mean "sold." Retailers in those markets may be receiving more Windows Phone devices. But the question, as always, is: how many of those devices are being scooped up by consumers?
Windows Phone is outshining the iPhone in several countries. But relax, Apple, there is an explanation.In a blog posted Tuesday, Microsoft corporate communications VP Frank Shaw cited an IDC report revealing that Windows Phone has reached 10 percent market share in a number of countries. Along with that milestone, Windows Phone has outshipped Apple's iPhone in seven markets across the globe.Shaw didn't divulge the names of those seven markets. But IDC did and explained why Windows Phone has a foothold in those regions. Speaking with The New York Times yesterday, IDC analyst Kevin Restivo said that fourth-quarter Windows Phone shipments surpassed those of the iPhone in Argentina, India, Poland, Russia, South Africa, and the Ukraine. The seventh market actually lumps together several smaller countries, such as Croatia, and is collectively known as "the rest of central and eastern Europe."Related storiesWindows Phone edging out iPhone in China, says MicrosoftMicrosoft targets holidays for next Windows Phone updateHTC reportedly working on Windows Phone 'Tiara'Microsoft to end Windows Phone 7.8 and 8 support in 2014Further, the Ukraine, South Africa, and "the rest of central and eastern Europe" are small markets where Windows Phone shipments numbered less than 100,000 during the fourth quarter.Windows Phone also has a leg up in markets where Nokia already is popular, the analyst added. In many of those countries, iPhone demand is weaker because of the high cost of the phone and the absence of carrier subsidies.Finally, IDC used the term "shipped" in the report. But "shipped" doesn't mean "sold." Retailers in those markets may be receiving more Windows Phone devices. But the question, as always, is: how many of those devices are being scooped up by consumers?
Windows Phone Marketplace hits 40,000-app mark
Windows Phone Marketplace hits 40,000-app mark
Microsoft's Windows Phone platform is apparently growing in popularity among app developers.The software giant's Windows Phone Marketplace now hosts more than 40,000 apps and games from more than 10,000 different publishers, according to a study conducted by All About Windows Phone. About 33 percent of those apps were added in the past 90 days.Of the submissions made during the past month, 85 percent were apps, while 15 percent were games. Some 68 percent of those were free downloads, 23 percent were paid, and 9 percent were paid after the initial free trial period.Apps are being added a rate of 165 a day, and the Windows Phone watcher predicts that the marketplace, which only launched in October 2010, will surpass the 50,000-app mark by the end of January 2012.As impressive as that growth rate sounds, the marketplace's number of offerings pales in comparison with the app stores for competing mobile platforms. Apple's App Store, which launched in 2008, surpassed the 500,000-app mark in May, adding some 150,000 apps in just four months. Meanwhile, Google's Android App Store, which also launched in 2008, offers more than 300,000 apps.Microsoft's platform will likely get an additional boost from AT&T, which is reportedly in talks to offer Nokia's Windows Phone smartphones to U.S. consumers early next year. Glenn Lurie, the head of AT&T's tablets unit, revealed last week that the second-largest U.S. wireless carrier was working out the final details with the Finnish handset maker.
Microsoft's Windows Phone platform is apparently growing in popularity among app developers.The software giant's Windows Phone Marketplace now hosts more than 40,000 apps and games from more than 10,000 different publishers, according to a study conducted by All About Windows Phone. About 33 percent of those apps were added in the past 90 days.Of the submissions made during the past month, 85 percent were apps, while 15 percent were games. Some 68 percent of those were free downloads, 23 percent were paid, and 9 percent were paid after the initial free trial period.Apps are being added a rate of 165 a day, and the Windows Phone watcher predicts that the marketplace, which only launched in October 2010, will surpass the 50,000-app mark by the end of January 2012.As impressive as that growth rate sounds, the marketplace's number of offerings pales in comparison with the app stores for competing mobile platforms. Apple's App Store, which launched in 2008, surpassed the 500,000-app mark in May, adding some 150,000 apps in just four months. Meanwhile, Google's Android App Store, which also launched in 2008, offers more than 300,000 apps.Microsoft's platform will likely get an additional boost from AT&T, which is reportedly in talks to offer Nokia's Windows Phone smartphones to U.S. consumers early next year. Glenn Lurie, the head of AT&T's tablets unit, revealed last week that the second-largest U.S. wireless carrier was working out the final details with the Finnish handset maker.
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