Sit Too Much? 10 Gadgets to Keep You Moving at Work

Ergonomics has many definitions—from "the study of people's efficiency in their working environment" to "fitting a job to a person." But in the tech world, it's mostly been about creating user-friendly and physically safe workspaces that also push efficiency. Of course, that was before things like Zumba and CrossFit became household terms. Being efficient at the job isn't enough—many people want to be hyper-physically fit to go along with it. (There are also those who are happy to be shaped like a potato; all the better for rewatching Daredevil all weekend on Netflix. But this story isn't about me.) The problem is, sitting at a computer for eight-plus hours a day, and maybe a few more at night, isn't exactly conducive to the "elite fitness" ideal promoted in a lot of exercise programs. Hell, according to some, just sitting down too much is killing us; it's been equated with smoking (even the cancer part!). There's no question a sedentary life is going to get more people headed toward heart disease. This infographic spells out some of the problems. But you've got work to do! How can you do both? Check out the products on the next few pages for options, small to large, cheap to oh-sweet-lord expensive. Adding any of them at all to your daily regime of sitting and staring at a screen will go a long way to helping you live a little longer. In fact, research shows just an hour of exercise a day can offset the ill effects of your bum in cushion the rest of the time. So get ready to get fit.

12 Things You Didn't Know Your Chromecast Could Do

Using Google means an easier online life—from email and online storage to news and digital maps. But the search giant can also take over your TV with the Google Chromecast $29.99 at WalMart, a streaming dongle that tops Amazon's own Fire TV Stick on the company's list of best-selling electronic devices. Part of its appeal lies in its pure portability, but there's also the price: just $35 to wirelessly stream Netflix, Spotify, HBO GO, Hulu Plus, and more from your mobile device or PC to the TV. Not to mention apps for music, working out, and catching up on sports. When the Chromecast was released in July 2013, it quickly sold out, and is still going strong now that it's back on store shelves. At last year's SXSW, Sundar Pichai, senior vice president of Google Chrome, Android, and Apps, said that "millions" have been sold. Google announced a few updates for Chromecast at Google I/O last year—from Android mirroring to options that will make your Chromecast screen more aesthetically pleasing. And while the ultraportable device is pretty much plug and play, there are a few tips and tricks that can make casting more magical. Check them out in the slideshow.

How to Turn Your Phone Into a Wi-Fi Hotspot

Almost any modern smartphone can also work as a Wi-Fi hotspot, sharing its 4G LTE connection to anywhere from five to 10 devices, whether they be laptops, tablets, or other phones. You just have to have the right service plan and tap a few buttons. The most complex part of using your phone as a Wi-Fi hotspot, nowadays, is making sure you're on the right service plan. Not all plans allow "tethering," which is what the carriers call hotspot use. If you try to set up a hotspot and get bounced out, you may need to upgrade your service plan. Be aware that your tethering allowance isn't the same as your data plan. For instance, T-Mobile's unlimited data plans come with a 5GB tethering allowance. You can use as much data as you want on your phone, but once you attach a laptop, it's 5GB for the month. There are third-party Android tethering apps such as FoxFi which you can use to get around your carrier's tethering limits, but we really don't recommend violating your service plan, since it's an easy way to get kicked off your network. To tether without a service plan on an iPhone, you'd need to jailbreak your phone, which we also don't recommend as it exposes you to malware. There's one other big down side to turning your phone into a hotspot: It eats up battery life. Many phones can only run for about four hours or so in Hotspot mode. An additional battery, or a battery case is a good idea if you intend to use Hotspot mode frequently. If you're a business traveler, for instance, and you need to use a hotspot all day long, your best bet is to get a dedicated Wi-Fi hotspot. Check out our guide to the best mobile hotspots on every carrier for that.

Meet the Newest Wireless Carrier: Google

As expected, Google today rolled out its new wireless service, dubbed Project Fi, which will initially be an invite-only service restricted to the Nexus 6. Rather than build its own network, Google will rely on Wi-Fi hotspots and cellular service from T-Mobile and Sprint for connectivity. The company said your phone will connect to the strongest signal in a given area, and move between then seamlessly. You can shut off Wi-Fi like any other phone, but Google recommends you keep it on. Google said it has "verified" more than 1 million free, open Wi-Fi hotspots as fast and reliable. Once connected, "your data is secured through encryption," Google said. "It's like your data has a private tunnel to drive through." Project Fi will cost $20 per month for basic service (talk, text, Wi-Fi tethering, and international coverage in 120+ countries), and an additional $10 per GB (1GB for $10, $20 for 2GB, and so on). If you don't use that data, Google said it will issue a refund. "Let's say you go with 3GB for $30 and only use 1.4GB one month. You'll get $16 back, so you only pay for what you use," Google said. There are no annual commitments with Project Fi; at this point, Google is offering individual services, no family rates. If you travel abroad, Project Fi offers unlimited free texts. On cellular, calls will cost 20 cents per minute; on Wi-Fi, it depends on the country. Phone numbers, meanwhile, live "in the cloud," so you can talk and text on your phone, as well as tablets and PCs. "So the next time you misplace your phone, you can stay connected using another screen," Google said. Incoming calls will ring on devices that are signed into Google Hangouts with your Project Fi account. Outgoing calls can be made on the Hangouts Android and iOS apps, and the Hangouts widget inside Gmail on PC. You can transfer your existing number to Project Fi, Google said.

Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon (2015) Review: Only If Money Is No Object

The ThinkPad X1 Carbon, now in its third generation, tries to bridge the gap between slim, fashion-first laptops and solid business machines. Laptops over the years have become worse and worse in terms of features and comfort, largely because of a push to become as thin and light as possible. Even business-focused laptops, such as Lenovo's ThinkPads, have somewhat succumbed to this trend. The tradeoffs have been a reduction in upgradeability, fewer ports, worse keyboards and trackpads, and shorter lifespans - all things that casual users don't necessarily mind, but are alarming to those whose lives depend on their work machines. Lenovo knows that style is important, and the X1 Carbon line attempts to bring that sort of appeal into a brand otherwise known to be frumpy and serious above all else. It's all about being slim and light while still offering cutting-edge technology and class-leading comfort. It's a hard balance to achieve, and with a legion of long-term fans, Lenovo doesn't have quite the same amount of leeway as others do when it comes to features and cutting corners. The 2015 ThinkPad X1 Carbon is a valiant attempt at achieving that balance, and while it is undoubtedly a ThinkPad, it's actually quite modern and stylish. It carries forward many of the hallmarks of its lineage, such as sturdy metal hinges, a black matte exterior, and even the 45-degree ThinkPad logo in metal with a red LED dotting the i. It also pulls back a lot by discarding radical changes made to its predecessor, which caused a huge outcry amongst brand loyalists. The modern touches this time are limited to tech features, such as a big, high-resolution screen, plenty of wired and wireless connectivity, and the latest high-end internals. We're eager to see how things play out for the new ThinkPad X1 Carbon, and whether Lenovo can keep everyone happy. Look and feel The ThinkPad X1 Carbon is easy to carry around, at 18.46mm thick and weighing just over 1.3kg (our review unit was the model with a WQHD touchscreen; the non-touch and Full-HD models are a hair thinner). That leaves room for a decent selection of ports around the edges: the charger inlet has an integrated port for Lenovo's OneLink dock adapter, and there's also an HDMI output, Mini-DisplayPort, two USB 3.0 ports, a 3.5mm headset socket, and a small breakout for an included Ethernet dongle. We're surprised that there's no card reader of any variety. Some models will have a SIM card slot on the rear for integrated 3G connectivity.

HTC Desire Eye, One E8, Butterfly S Reportedly Receiving Android 5.0.2 Lollipop Update

While last month HTC reportedly started rolling out Android 5.0 Lollipop OS to HTC One handsets in India, the Taiwanese tech firm is now reportedly rolling out the update to the HTC One (E8), Desire Eye, and Butterfly S. While the HTC Butterfly S and Desire Eye are said to be receiving the Android 5.0.2 Lollipop update in Taiwan, the HTC One (E8) is receiving the update in Hong Kong. Users can expect the update to arrive soon in other regions as well. Notably, the HTC Butterfly S which was launched back in June 2013. According to tipster LlabTooFer, the Android 5.0.2 Lollipop update for HTC Butterfly S is sized at 708.86MB with ROM version 5.16.709.3, while the HTC Desire Eye's update is sized at 1008.9MB (ROM 2.19.709.1) and 955.27MB with ROM 2.33.708.3 for One (E8). The firm has however, not yet confirmed the rollout. LlabTooFer adds that HTC with certain models, will be skipping bundling Sense 7.0 UI (debuted on the HTC One M9) with the Android 5.0.2 Lollipop update, and instead roll out the new UI to those phones with Android 5.1 Lollipop. The tipster also noted that out of the above mentioned handsets, the HTC Desire Eye along with the One (M8), One M8s and Butterfly 2 will be receiving the latest Sense 7.0 UI, along with select other smartphones. HTC last week started issuing a system software update that claims to fix issues with the rear camera of the HTC One M9. As per the report, HTC One M9 seems to be taking better photos in both bright and low-light conditions, both indoors and outdoors, with sharper images, less noise and wash-outs, and more vibrant colours after the update.

YOU ARE HERE:GADGETS HOMEAPPSAPPS NEWSWhatsApp for Android Overhauled With Material Design Interface

WhatsApp, the popular cross-platform messenger app owned by Facebook, has revamped its Android app for smartphones with a Material Design makeover. The latest WhatsApp build version 2.12.38, currently available from the company's site, sees several interface changes. The app features new icons, animations, and colour-flipped emoji tray, all while embracing its voice calling feature. After the update, the app's task bar, which is placed on top, is merged with calls, chats and contacts bar under a single colour. On opening a chat, users would see a new round green-coloured voice-recording icon placed besides the text bar. The chat conversation now features a bubble-like chat design alongside several minor animation changes. The attachment icons are larger and more colourful. New animations have been added, such as when clicking an image directly from the app and while sharing it. Furthermore, opening a conversation and tapping on the user's name opens a bigger image of the user's WhatsApp profile image along with other details like status, media, groups and others. Flipping the handset while keeping the screen rotation switched on will again show a bigger WhatsApp profile image (taking almost half the screen area), while showing rest of the details on the remaining side. Notification style stays the same. The update will roll out over-the-air soon. However, for those who don't want to wait for the OTA, WhatsApp has provided the apk file on its website to manually download and install the Material Design-based version. Last week, WhatsApp confirmed that it will soon be rolling out the voice calling feature to Windows Phone devices. While WhatsApp voice calling feature is now available to all Android users; the feature is yet to reach iOS users. WhatsApp Co-Founder, Brian Acton, at a recent event confirmed that the voice calling feature will be rolled out to iOS users in a "couple weeks".