- July 29, 2013 09:50am EST
Didn't have time to check out the tech headlines over the weekend? Here's what you missed.The teardown experts at iFixit got their tools on Google's new $35 media-streaming Chromecast dongle. They broke out their special plastic opening tool to prise open the Chromecast at the seam on its side to see what makes this gadget tick. For more, see PCMag's full review of the Google Chromecast.
In other Google news, several popular retailers are now carrying the Nexus 7 tablet. The next-gen slate went on sale at Best Buy, Amazon, GameStop, and Walmart on Friday, several days before its official launch in the Google Play store. For more, see PCMag's review of the new Nexus 7.
Meanwhile, Disney Research has developed a new "uniquely expressive, robust and adaptable" 3D printing technology for creating the eyes of interactive action figures. Using 3D printing, the research team created customized optical elements, which enabled video projection in even small characters, at a fraction of the cost of bundled fiber optics.
Here's some other news you might have missed:
- Google to Glass Developers: Start Developing on Android SDK: Chomping at the bit to design your own Google Glass app? You'll have to wait a little bit longer to get your hands on Google's to-be-released Glass Development Kit (GDK).
- Samsung, Apple Lose Ground to Smaller Smartphone Makers: The global smartphone market continued to see a strong uptick this quarter, with Samsung once again leading the pack thanks to its newest flagship device, the Galaxy S 4.
- Breaking Bad Coming to Netflix U.K. One Day After U.S. TV Debut: Breaking Bad fans are eagerly anticipating the Aug. 11 debut of the AMC drama's final season, and now Netflix users across the pond will get access to the show soon after it airs on U.S. TV.
- Twitter Posts $55K of Promoted Tweets to Help Avoid Payroll Taxes: The tax, a 1.5 percent fee on total employee compensation levied against companies with payroll greater than $250,000, could have cost Twitter north of $20 million dollars over six years.
- Saints Row IV Pushes Light-Up Display Box in New Collector's Edition: We thought we had seen it all, but you can now add "Saints Row IV" to the official list of "games with the most outlandish collector's editions."
- Fez Developer and Game Journalist Square Off, Fez 2 Cancelled: If you were looking forward to some playtime with Fez II, the recently announced follow-up to the indie title of the same name — we have a bit of bad news for you.
- Report: Google Prepping Real-Time Translation Device: The Web giant appears to be inching closer to a Babel fish-like smartphone technology that will allow truly instant universal communication.
- Starbucks Adding Duracell Wireless Charging in Silicon Valley Stores: The next time you go to get your Starbucks fix in Silicon Valley, you'll also be able to juice up your cell phone.
