uSell.com | uSell Articles

Unless you're a hands-on kind of person, there are few things more frustrating than car trouble. If you don't know a carburetor  from a clutch cable, even the most routine vehicle maintenance tasks can seem like rocket science, and car repairs can also be extremely costly if left unattended. Fortunately, a new app could soon make keeping your car in top shape a little easier, according to Gizmodo.

The app, developed by Inglobe Technologies, utilizes augmented reality to take some of the mystery out of vehicle repair. In a video recently posted to YouTube, the software was shown running on a tablet. As the user moves around in front of the engine block of the car, the app clearly displays the most accessible components of the machinery, including the coolant tank, engine oil reservoir and windshield wiper fluid container. Upon selecting the task users wish to complete using a series of icons on the screen, they are presented with a 3D animation of how to complete the selected operation, such as replenishing the engine's oil.

Although it will probably be some time before an augmented reality app that enables motorists to perform more complex maintenance tasks is released, the software demonstrates the power and sophistication of augmented reality technology. If combined with a system like Google's Glass headset, this type of app could revolutionize how people interact with the world around them. According to Read Write Web, several apps for Google Glass are already well into the development stage, such as social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter, alongside real-time weather forecasting applications and navigational software.

Google Glass is scheduled to hit the market later this year, but a range of augmented reality apps are already available for smartphones and tablets. If you're ready to step into the future of mobile communications, sell your cell phone at USell.com and upgrade to an iPhone or one of the latest Android devices.

Last week, Google announced that it was working with Samsung to produce a version of the flagship Galaxy S IV smartphone running the Android mobile operating system natively. Now, it seems HTC is jumping on the proverbial bandwagon with the announcement that it will launch its own Google-enabled variant of its One device, reports Geek.com.

According to the news source, the new One will run Android 4.2.2, more commonly known as Jelly Bean, natively, which could have serious implications for how many of the device's defining features work. For example, the One's front-facing 2.1 megapixel camera relies on HTC's ImageSense software, while the handset's speakers utilize HTC's BeatsAudio system, both of which could be reworked to run on Google's platform.

If these features prove to work as effectively as they do on HTC's proprietary software, some enthusiasts could be left wondering what makes the One so special after all. If they don't, the decision to offer a device running sub-par software could further hurt HTC's image in the eyes of consumers.

The news source claims that, according to unnamed sources, an official announcement about the new device will be forthcoming at some point during the next two weeks, with a possible release date slated for later in the summer.

Despite the impressive specifications of the HTC One, the company is struggling to make a dent in the increasingly competitive mobile space. According to CNET, many senior executives have already left the company in light of disappointing sales, and some experts believe the manufacturer may see continued departures of high-ranking officials if the HTC One fails to perform as hoped.

Whether the idea of a Google-based One can tempt you or not, there's never been a better time to sell iPhone accessories and handsets and trade in to one of the latest devices on the market.

If you've been thinking about where to sell cell phone handsets and accessories, you might be debating whether to opt for an iOS or an Android device. Both platforms have their pros and cons, but if the announcements made at Google's sixth I/O conference are any indication, the search giant's mobile platform could soon become an even greater force to be reckoned with in the mobile space.

According to CNET, one of the most significant announcements at Google I/O 2013, which is taking place this week at the Moscone Center in San Francisco, California, is the overhaul of Google Maps. Millions of people rely on this service to get where they need to be, and soon, users will be able to take advantage of a range of new features in Maps. For example, Google is placing additional emphasis on personalization of the Maps service, including the ability for users to add customized points of interest to maps, and greater integration with social functionality, such as options to see where users' friends have visited in a particular location.

Another major announcement to come out of I/O 2013 is the impending launch of Google's streaming music service, known as All Access, which is expected to launch May 22. Competing directly with similar services such as Pandora and Spotify, All Access could also pit Google against long-time rival Apple, which has been moving toward the launch of a music streaming service for some time. Users can access a huge library of music directly from their Android device

Google also raised a few eyebrows with the unveiling of an unlocked, Android-native Samsung Galaxy S IV. The device will retail for $649 and no contract limitations will be applied to the handset.

Ready to experience the internet services of tomorrow on the latest Google devices? Then sell your cell phone at USell.com and upgrade to an Android smartphone or tablet.

Blackberry made waves in the tech community earlier this month as consumers and pundits alike speculated about the possible unveiling of the R10 handset. Hints of the new device's specifications were leaked across the web, leading some enthusiasts to believe the R10 would boast a significantly longer battery life and a new design. Earlier today, Blackberry put the rumors to rest with the official announcement of the Q5, the latest handset to join the Blackberry family of mobile devices.

According to Thorsten Heins, chief executive officer of Blackberry, the Q5 will be marketed primarily at emerging markets, and will come in four colors – pink, white, black and red. Heins declined to mention specific pricing plans, but confirmed the budget device would be available through a range of global carriers later this year.

Blackberry enthusiasts in North America might be disappointed by the lack of a dramatic R10 reveal at the Live 2013 event, but the Canadian technology company wasn't content with just one major announcement. Heins also confirmed the impending release of the Blackberry 10.1 mobile operating system, which is available now for Blackberry's high-end handsets like the Z10. The new OS will feature keyboard shortcut functionality, as well as more than 120,000 native applications. Heins also said that regular updates and a "mobile-first" mindset would drive future development of Blackberry 10.1.

Interestingly, a key feature of the new mobile OS is its potential for automobile integration, an aspect of the smartphone market that has failed to gain much traction with other manufacturers. During an on-stage demonstration, Heins showed off how the system can be implemented in high-end cars, highlighting features such as constant connectivity, two-way video calling and a 17-inch curved display.

If you're eager to see what the Blackberry Z10 can do, sell cell phone handsets and accessories at USell.com and take Blackberry's newest mobile OS for a test drive.

The release of a new Apple device is a certifiably big deal in the tech world, but even hints at what the future may hold for the Cupertino, California-based hardware giant routinely make waves among fans and observers alike. Recently, a new patent filed by Apple piqued fans' curiosity, as it appears that future designs of the iPhone could feature buttons that are, for all intents and purposes, invisible, according to CNET.

In the filing, which was granted by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) earlier this week, schematics reveal a design that would incorporate buttons and sliders fabricated from the same material as the phone's casing. The "invisible" buttons would be backlit using LEDs, and users could see the buttons when needed thanks to either small holes to reveal buttons' locations or an intuitive touchscreen interface, similar to that of the Samsung Galaxy S IV. Motion detectors and heat sensors might be featured as a way for the invisible buttons to detect when users hover their fingers over the buttons and sliders, causing them to appear when needed.

Although the patent was only recently awarded by the USPTO, Apple has apparently been working on this design for some time. According to Patently Apple, the hardware manufacturer has been developing invisible button functionality since 2006, and the feature was originally considered for Apple's iPad, which was released in 2010. It also appears that Apple has wider plans for the design besides its range of mobile devices, as the patent also hints at possible applications of the technology in gaming systems, laptops and other devices.

It might be some time before iPhones feature invisible buttons, but if you're still using an antiquated cell phone, there's never been a better time to sell your cell phone at USell.com and upgrade to Apple's iconic handset.

If you're into tech, you'll have doubtlessly heard about Google's latest game-changing technology, Glass. The augmented reality headset could revolutionize how people interact with the world, blending digital internet services with their surroundings through a sleek optical headset. New features are being hinted at with each passing day, and according to CNET, one of the most exciting – and potentially intrusive – features of Glass is the ability for users to take pictures simply by winking.

The technology, known informally as Winky, enables users with knowledge of computer programming to adjust Glass' source code to snap pictures with a wink of their eye. The source code for Google Glass has been released by software engineer Mike DiGiovanni, and since the current Explorer of Glass is primarily aimed at developers, the technology could easily be adapted as a core feature of Google's augmented reality system and forever change the way people take photographs.

However, some tech experts have voiced concerns about Winky, claiming unscrupulous users could violate people's privacy without them ever knowing. This is the latest in a series of incidents that highlight the vulnerabilities of Glass, as The Guardian reports hackers recently discovered that the headset lacks an authentication system. This means if users lose their headset, or have it stolen, their personal data could be at risk.

In addition, the discovery of root access in Glass – the ability to assume administrator control of the system through a desktop machine – could allow criminals to remotely monitor everything a user does on their Android smartphone.

Although it's unlikely that these vulnerabilities won't be patched before launch, the discovery of easily overlooked security holes could force Google to reassess how users interact with Glass.

It'll be a while before you can get your hands on Google Glass, but in the meantime, why not sell your cell phone at USell.com and upgrade to a more powerful smartphone?

Missing an important call can be incredibly frustrating. Sure, you can always respond to a voicemail – if the caller leaves one, that is, but most of the time, it's better to catch that important call when it happens. To help users avoid missing calls, a new prototype smartphone developed by researchers at a university in Canada boasts an innovative design feature that makes the phone curl up when someone calls, reports CNET.

The MorePhone, developed by scientists at the Human Media Lab at Queen's University, is made from a responsive and flexible material featuring shape memory alloy wires. When someone places a call, the phone curls up, like bending a playing card between your fingers. Depending on the type of message being received, such as a phone call, text message or other notification, the phone's memory alloys can make the phone curl in different directions, enabling users to easily distinguish between calls and texts.

"Users are familiar with hearing their phone ring or feeling it vibrate in silent mode," Roel Vertegaal, director of the Human Media Lab, told the news source. "One of the problems with current silent forms of notification is that users often miss notifications when not holding their phone. With MorePhone, they can leave their smartphone on the table and observe visual shape changes when someone is trying to contact them."

Vertegaal and his team of researchers aren't the only ones working to make a better smartphone. According to SlashGear, a team of scientists at the University of Bristol and DFKI Saarbrücken at the German Research Center for Artificial Intelligence are working to create a new type of mobile device that they call a "Morphee." These new handsets are made from interlocking triangular parts that can change shape depending on what the user is doing. For example, if a smartphone game is launched, the Morphee can fold and adjust its shape to be better grasped in two hands.

Although it may be some time before these radical designs hit the market, there's never been a better time to sell your cell phone at USell.com and upgrade to a new mobile device.

For smartphone users, personal assistants like Apple's Siri have proven a mixed blessing. After working out some initial bugs, the iPhone's personal assistant has become increasingly useful with each iteration. California-based search giant Google recently got in on the action with the launch of its Now platform on iOS devices, and some say Now will soon surpass Siri as the personal assistant of choice for discerning users. However, that hasn't stopped Intel and Samsung from throwing an undisclosed amount of cash at Expect Labs, a software engineering startup based in San Francisco, to facilitate the development of its personal assistant software platform, reports CNET.

Officials within Intel and Samsung's venture capital divisions confirmed that an investment in Expect Labs had been made by both companies, but declined to comment on precisely how much was spent. The funds will be used to further develop the startup's proprietary software platform, known as the Anticipatory Computing Engine, a system that gleans useful information by scanning users' data and proactively providing them with relevant suggestions before they ask for it.

Samsung is pinning its hopes on Expect Labs in a major way, and seems set to adopt Expect Labs' technology across a range of devices, not just smartphones.

"Through this partnership, Samsung Venture Investment Corporation expects to empower Expect Labs to enable new types of intelligent, voice-driven and context-aware behavior across a wide range of devices including smartphones, tablets and smart TVs," read a statement from the company, as quoted by the news source.

It seems that machine algorithms that adapt based on user behavior are becoming the bleeding edge of smartphone development, as many of Silicon Valley's tech giants attempt to position themselves to capitalize on users' increasing demand for instantaneous information. Although it'll be a while before the "Star Trek" computer envisioned by Sergey Brin and Larry Page of Google will be sitting in your pocket, there's never been a better time to sell your cell phone and upgrade to one of the most advanced handsets in the world.