Aperture and iPhoto Removed From Mac App Store Following Photos for OS X Launch [Mac Blog]
Following Wednesday’s release of OS X 10.10.3 and the new Photos for OS X app, Apple has, as promised, removed Aperture and iPhoto from the Mac App Store. Apple warned that development would stop on the two photo editing apps in the middle of last year, and put notices in the Mac App Store a couple months ago to let users know the apps would be pulled from sale following the launch of Photos.
The two apps remained available for download from the Mac App Store for approximately a day after Photos for OS X was released, but attempting to access them via search now gives no results and clicking through from an external Mac App Store link gives an “Item Not Available” message.
Apple has ceased development on Aperture and iPhoto to concentrate its resources on Photos for OS X, its new photo editing software that integrates with the Photos for iOS app and iCloud Photo Library to let users access their complete set of photos on any device.
Photos for OS X has been described by many as an excellent replacement for iPhoto, as it includes more advanced tools and it runs much faster. Aperture users may find Photos for OS X lacking, however, as it does not have advanced tools like a loupe or brushable adjustments. It also does not support plugins.
With only one major photo editing app to focus on, it’s likely that Apple will make improvements to Photos for OS X that could bring its feature set more in line with Aperture in the future, making both casual users and professional photographers happy.
Photos for OS X is available through the OS X 10.10.3 update, and when opened for the first time, it will prompt you to migrate your existing Aperture and iPhoto libraries. Though they won’t receive updates beyond compatibility fixes, Aperture and iPhoto can continue to be used for editing purposes, both alone and in conjunction with the new Photos app.
Google reportedly has a small team working on future battery tech
According to a new report, Google has a small team of researchers working on future battery tech for use in its devices.
The team or four is reportedly part of Google X, the same part of the company responsible for other Google projects such as its self-driving car and Project Loon.
Bing.com gets a makeover for Android phones
Just because you have an Android device doesn’t mean that you must use Google as the go-to search engine. There are plenty of options available and one of them just received a makeover. Today, Microsoft unveiled a new look for Bing that focuses on content consumption. Rather than being so straightforward and emphasizing search, Bing now serves popular content. Also, Bing Rewards has a new home on the homepage.
The team behind the changes highlighted these areas:
User interface redesign: Based on numerous A/B experiments, we’ve determined that users prefer a swipe-up card layout (~5-10 percent swipe-up rate), a translucent color scheme and ~50 px initial card peak height.
Image of the day (IOTD) card: While on the go, you can learn something new about today’s homepage image with our IOTD card. In addition, we shipped a new UX to help you learn even more about the topic.
Popular now card: News consumption is a common activity on mobile devices. We also know that on Bing.com desktop, the homepage news carousel at the bottom of the page is one of the most highly engaged features, connecting users to news stories across the web. With that in mind, we are bringing the desktop’s news carousel experience to mobile. We select the top trending stories for you and update them throughout the day. Moving forward, we will continue to make these stories even more relevant and personal.
Bing Rewards card: Many Bing Mobile users are also heavily engaged Bing Rewards users. To facilitate their experience, we created a new Rewards card and gave it prime real-estate. This card gives you a convenient entry point to Bing Rewards and a quick way to view your status.
Settings Card: Another common activity for users is to change their Safe Search settings. With this card, users can discover and take action quickly (see above.)
Footer Card: In the footer section, we have added “Send feedback” link. We would love to hear your feedback, thoughts and suggestions.
Source: Bing
Come comment on this article: Bing.com gets a makeover for Android phones
LastPass updated with Material Design UI, free premium upgrade for Galaxy S6 owners
LastPass, a popular password management app, has just undergone a major update, incorporating Google’s Material Design elements into the user interface. Not only that, but LassPass has announced that a free Premium upgrade of the app is available for Samsung Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge customers.
Users will spot familiar Material Design features throughout the app, such as the floating FAB to quickly add new sites and a consistent color scheme. Navigation has also undergone a bit of an overhaul, with features and settings moving over to a navigation draw and the vault taking center stage.
The sliding drawer allows users to toggle between Sites, Secure Notes, and Form Fill Profiles, and there’s an option to “Manage Shared Folders” for both LastPass Premium and LastPass Enterprise users. The Shared Folder can be used to share passwords with spouses, friends, or coworkers.The update also features a number of bug fixes.
Turning to the Galaxy S6 deal, LastPass is taking part in Samsung’s Galaxy Gifts promotion for the new flagship. Customers can redeem a gift for three to six months of LastPast premium, depending on the local offer available through the Samsung Galaxy Apps store. The premium service usually costs £12 per year.
If you fancy giving LastPass a shot, you can download the app from the Google Play Store. LastPass also supports Dolphin HD and Firefox mobile browsers via addons. You can check out the new user interface in the video below.
Tim Cook Visits Palo Alto Apple Store, Says Apple Watch Orders Have Been ‘Great’
Apple CEO Tim Cook visited the Palo Alto Apple Store in Palo Alto, California this morning as it opened its doors to let customers get their first look at the new Apple Watch. Cook was spotted chatting with potential customers and having a conversation with The Loop‘s Jim Dalrymple and iMore‘s Rene Ritchie.
Image courtesy of CNET’s Shara Tibken
Several members of the media were on hand at the Palo Alto Store opening, as it’s one of the flagship Bay Area stores that often sees visits from Apple executives. Tim Cook spoke to CNBC, telling the news site that pre-orders for the Apple Watch have been “great.”
It has been incredible. You know this morning, I got reports from all the way around the world, from Japan to Australia to China to Germany to France to the U.K. to Canada and now the U.S. It is extraordinary. Customers are giving us great feedback and orders are great as well.
Cook also commented on the Apple Watch that he’s wearing himself, telling CNBC‘s Josh Lipton that he wears the stainless steel Apple Watch with the White fluoroelastomer band most of the time, as that’s what he works out in. Cook also said that he has a few other bands on hand, because he likes to change them out on occasion. “I am wearing this one the most,” he said. “So I would highly recommend it to all of the listeners.”
http://player.theplatform.com/p/gZWlPC/cnbc_global?playertype=synd&byGuid=3000370151&size=530_298
The Apple Watch became available for pre-order at 12:01 a.m. Pacific Time earlier today, and initial pre-orders sold out very quickly. In less than an hour, shipping estimates for many Apple Watch models had slipped to 4 to 6 weeks or beyond, and within six hours, there were no longer any models available for an estimated delivery date of April 24 to May 8, the shipping estimate the earliest orderers received. Many customers who order today and beyond won’t be able to obtain devices until May or June, and later in some cases.
As of today, Apple Stores around the world are allowing customers to try on the Apple Watch to get a feel for the device ahead of its official launch.
[Deal] Select Motorola Moto 360 models discounted through Best Buy, Amazon
Didn’t pre-order an Apple Watch? That’s probably because you don’t have an iPhone or you did not want to wait weeks or months to get a smartwatch. If you want one right now, maybe the Moto 360 is worth a look because both Best Buy and Amazon (which we mentioned earlier) have select models discounted. The Motorola smartwatch, which is powered by Android Wear, can be purchased for as low as $179.
Check out the models listed in the links below. Let us know in the comments if you purchased one or already have a smartwatch on your wrist.
Come comment on this article: [Deal] Select Motorola Moto 360 models discounted through Best Buy, Amazon
Hands on with Windows 10 for phone build 10051: Spartan, Outlook, Messaging and more!
Today, Microsoft started to release the latest build of Windows 10 for the phone. Build 10051 of the Technical Preview is going out for some users, as Microsoft fixes their server issues.
Our Lumia 635 managed to get the update early, so we cobbled together this 14 minute video tour of the latest version. We will do a more thorough video walk through of individual new features later, when we have more time.
Sprint intros new international roaming plan that will give you free unlimited 2G data
Sprint has just announced a new “International Value Roaming” plan that will give customers free unlimited 2G data, unlimited texting, and calls that cost just 20 cents per minute when traveling to major areas in Latin America, Europe and Japan. This new roaming plan doesn’t cost anything and can be tacked on to any existing Sprint plan.
The full list of countries compatible with the plan includes Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Germany, Guatemala, Japan, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Russia, South Korea, Spain and the United Kingdom.
With the free plan, you’ll get unlimited 2G speeds. But if you’d rather spend the money on 3G data, that will cost quite a bit extra. For a one-day pass, you’ll have to pay $15 for 100MB of 3G data. A one-week pass will run you $25 for 200MB of data, and a 14-day pass will cost $50 for 500MB of 3G data. Once you go over your allotted amount of 3G data, there are no overage charges you need to worry about. Sprint will bring you back down to 2G data at no extra cost.
Compared to other international roaming plans, this seems like a pretty good deal. You probably can’t stream YouTube or Spotify very well in these countries with 2G data, but now you’re guaranteed access to the internet in these countries if you’re in a pinch. For more info, check out the source link below.
‘Ex Machina’ shows Turing isn’t enough to test AI
With Ex Machina, the directorial debut of 28 Days Later and Sunshine writer Alex Garland, we can finally put the Turing test to rest. You’ve likely heard of it — developed by legendary computer scientist Alan Turing (recently featured in The Imitation Game), it’s a test meant to prove artificial intelligence in machines. But, given just how easy it is to trick, as well as the existence of more rigorous alternatives for proving consciousness, passing a test developed in the ’50s isn’t much of a feat to AI researchers today. Ex Machina isn’t the first film to expose the limits of the Turing test, but it’s by far one of the most successful. And, like the films 2001 and Primer, it’s a work of science fiction that might end up giving you a case of philosophical whiplash.
Ex Machina is constructed like a morality play. A nebbish programmer, Caleb (Domhnall Gleeson), wins a Willy Wonka-esque contest to spend a week with Nathan (Oscar Isaac), the reclusive genius CEO of his company — a search giant called BlueBook. Nathan, who is equal parts startup bro, Steve Jobs and Larry Page and all with a megalomaniacal bent, arrives with an intriguing dilemma: He’s developed an artificially intelligent robot named Ava (Alicia Vikander) and he wants Caleb to prove she has a consciousness of her own. Of course, they’re both well aware that the Turing test alone won’t be enough.
As originally conceived, the Turing test involves a natural language conversation between a machine and human conducted through typed messages from separate rooms. A machine is deemed sentient if it manages to convince the human that it’s also a person; that it can “think.”
Since it was developed, there have been claims of several AI experiments that have successfully passed the Turing test. When subjected to scrutiny, however, these results were found to be invalid. Just last year, a chatbot pretending to be a 13-year old boy convinced 33 percent of a judges panel that it was human — effectively passing the Turing test’s threshold of 30 percent believability. But it wasn’t long before a slew of critics, including the long-running technology-analysis site TechDirt, pointed out that its programmers had gamed the test by pretending the chatbot wasn’t a native English speaker — allowing it to take advantage of a handicap — and that plenty of other chatbots have achieved better scores.
No matter an AI’s final Turing test score, a script built to imitate human conversation or recognize patterns isn’t something we’d ever describe as being truly intelligent. And that goes for other major AI milestones: IBM’s Deep Blue is better at chess than any human and Watson proved it could outsmart Jeopardy world champions, but they don’t have any consciousness of their own. It’s worth noting that neither of those supercomputers has gone through the Turing test, though inventor and futurist Ray Kurzweil believes Watson could be retooled to pass it easily.
In Ex Machina, Caleb has nothing like Blade Runner’s Voight-Kampff machine, a souped-up lie detector used to detect artificial life, so he has to come up with more creative ways to prove Ava’s intelligence. He’s also not dealing with a mysterious entity in another room; he’s talking to her face to face through a window, and can clearly see that she’s a robot. All of that makes it more difficult for Ava to trick him like a typical chatbot, although it opens up new ways for her to influence him. The sexual politics of the situation aren’t an accident: Ava’s a strangely attractive robot created by a hyper-masculine genius CEO, who finds her Prince Charming in Caleb. And you could argue that it’s also a cheap way for Nathan to manipulate Caleb’s investigation.
Tim Tuttle, a former MIT AI researcher and the CEO of the predictive-intelligence company Expect Labs, agrees with Garlands’ use of sexuality in the film as a ruse. “[Ex Machina] proposed a sort of inverse where it’s not enough to have a human be deceived for a machine to be real,” he said. “The machine needs to convince the human to do things for it — to fall in love with it, to serve its own purposes.”
There’s another element present in the complex conversations Caleb has with Ava and one familiar to consciousness researchers: the Chinese Room Argument. It’s a thought experiment philosopher John Searle formulated as a way to disprove the usefulness of the Turing test. The basic gist of which goes like this: You’re stuck in a room following along with a computer program that’s replying to questions being slipped under the door in Chinese. By following the computer’s instructions, you manage to output perfect responses in Chinese characters. But even so, you clearly don’t understand the Chinese language or what those responses actually mean. Similarly, Searle argues a computer doesn’t actually need to understand language or complex thought to pass the Turing test. And it’s this line of thinking that colors Caleb’s interactions with Ava throughout the film. He continually goads her to prove she understands what it is she’s saying.
Ex Machina also touches upon the more useful offshoots of the Turing test like Lovelace 2.0, which focuses on having machines demonstrate true creative abilities. It’s not much of a spoiler to say that, on several occasions, Ava demonstrates that she can be just as creative as any human.
We never learn how, exactly, Nathan invents Ava, but it’s clear his search engine BlueBook has played a big role. At one point during the film, he notes that most people thought BlueBook existed just to give them answers when, in fact, it actually served as a means of collecting those queries and creating a framework for artificial intelligence. That may sound like pure sci-fi fluff, but according to Tuttle, “People inside Google really feel that way.” It’s just not something the general public recognizes.
If search giants like Google believe a fully aware AI is an inevitability, and an offshoot of our own archived curiosity, just how will we end up testing its existence? Ex Machina, for one, doesn’t provide that elusive answer, but it certainly raises a lot of the right questions. And right now, we’re mainly in the realm of thought experiments when it comes to judging consciousness. But, at the very least, the film makes it clear that we need to think beyond simplistic tests like Turing and, most importantly, we should be prepared to be surprised.
[Photo credits: DNA Films/Film 4]
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Best Samsung Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge cases
We’re sure you’ve heard a lot about Samsung’s new Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge flagships, especially pertaining to the super premium build quality both devices have this time around. Sandwiched between two panels of Gorilla Glass 4 and an aluminum edge, these devices are without a doubt the best looking smartphones Samsung has ever produced. But when the phone is covered in glass as opposed to plastic, you’ll want to take extra caution when handling this device. With that said, we’ve rounded up some of the best cases you can buy for the Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge.
See also: 15 things you should know about the Galaxy S6
More on Samsung’s newest flagships
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Verus Thor Active Case (S6 and S6 Edge)
The Verus Thor Active Case for the Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge is one of the cheapest, most protective cases we could find. It doesn’t add much extra bulk to the device, and offers great protection from the shock absorbing core and the polycarbonate exterior shell. All four corners of the case are reinforced for added drop protection.
Available in nine different colors, this case can be yours for just $16.99 from Amazon. Head to the links below if you’re interested.
Buy now for the Galaxy S6
Buy now for the Galaxy S6 Edge
Spigen Neo Hybrid Case (S6 and S6 Edge)
Spigen cases are becoming a favorite in the Android Authority community, offering a sleek design at a very affordable price point. The Neo Hybrid series cases are among Spigen’s most popular products. This two piece case for the Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge offers a durable build thanks to the shock-absorbing TPU case and polycarbonate bumper. The metalized buttons give the power button and volume rocker a satisfying click, which is something we find important when choosing a case.
You can grab this case from Amazon starting at just $17.99 for the S6 variant, or $20.99 for the Edge version. Head to the Amazon links below to check them out.
Buy now for the Galaxy S6
Buy now for the Galaxy S6 Edge
Poetic Affinity Series Protective Hybrid Case (S6 and S6 Edge)
Poetic is known in the case industry for offering great cases for about half the price of the competition’s offerings. The company’s Affinity Series is no exception. This bumper case is made of dense TPU to protect your device from drops. The transparent back is made so you can still see the aesthetics of your device without sacrificing durability. The bumper’s molded edges are made to give you a sturdier grip, and it even has a raised lip that will protect your screen if you happen to drop your phone.
The Poetic Hybrid Case is available in three colors for both devices on Amazon, starting at just $7.95. Check out the links below if you’re interested.
Buy now for the Galaxy S6
Buy now for the Galaxy S6 Edge
Spigen Ultra Hybrid Bumper Case (S6 and S6 Edge)
Here we have another popular case from Spigen – the Ultra Hybrid Series. Unlike the Neo Hybrid, this case is one piece but doesn’t skimp on the quality. This one is made of a protective TPU material to shield your device from bumps and scratches. It also has a clear back panel so the design of your new Galaxy S6 or S6 Edge can shine through. It also features embossed buttons to make pressing the power key and volume rocker easy.
The Spigen Ultra Hybrid Bumper is available for the S6 and S6 Edge on Amazon starting at just $11.99. Check out the links below if you’re interested.
Buy now for the Galaxy S6
Buy now for the Galaxy S6 Edge
Spigen Tough Armor Case (S6 and S6 Edge)
If you’re really looking to protect your Galaxy S6 or S6 Edge, we’d suggest you check out Spigen’s Tough Armor Case. It has a shock-absorbing TPU interior and a polycarbonate exterior for maximum protection. The lip on the front is even raised 2mm to add some extra protection to your screen. The outer shell has a built-in kickstand, so you can easily watch videos without having to hold the device.
The Spigen Tough Armor Case is available for both devices on Amazon starting at $16.99. For a case that adds a ton of protection to your device, this is a really great deal. Head to the links below for more information.
Buy now for the Galaxy S6
Buy now for the Galaxy S6 Edge
Griffin Reveal Case for Galaxy S6
Griffin is known for making quality cases for a wide range of smartphones. While these aren’t the most inexpensive cases on the market, they offer great protection and premium build quality. This ultra-thin hardshell case will let your GS6’s design shine through the clear back panel. At just 1.6mm thick, the one-piece design won’t add much extra bulk to your new smartphone. The outer edges are made from a rubbery plastic material for maximum grip while the device is in your hand.
If the Griffin option appeals to you, the Reveal Case can be found in two color options on Griffin’s website for $19.99.
Speck CandyShell Grip Case for Galaxy S6
The Speck CandyShell Grip case is next up on the list, offering a unique design with a solid build. This case has been military-grade drop tested to ensure your new smartphone won’t break when dropped. The rubber stripes provide a no-slip grip while the hard outer shell guards your device against impact. The raised rubber bezel around the case makes it so you can set your phone face down without worrying about it sliding or scratching.
The Speck CandyShell Grip case is one of the more stylish offerings on our list, but that unfortunately comes at a cost. You can find this case on Amazon in four different colors for $34.95.
Incipio Octane Pure Case (S6 and S6 Edge)
The Incipio Octane Pure Case features a features a unibody design that won’t add much bulk to your new smartphone. The shock absorbing co-molded design marries impact resistant Flex2O TPU and Plextonium polycarbonate to give you enough protection against bumps and scratches. This is probably the most low profile case on the list, but there’s nothing wrong with that.
You can find Incipio’s Octane Pure Case for $24.99, though the case isn’t quite available for purchase yet. It’s available for both the S6 and S6 Edge, and you can find both pre-order links below.
Buy now for the Galaxy S6
Buy now for the Galaxy S6 Edge
UAG Outland Case for Galaxy S6
For the folks who want incredible protection for their new smartphones but aren’t a fan of the extra bulk, the UAG Outland Case will do the trick. It’s made of a hard outer shell and impact resistant inner shell to add extra protection. The edges are made of a rubberized plastic for a non-slip grip. And if you can’t tell by the design, this case meets military drop test standards, so you know it will protect your GS6.
The case is back-ordered right now, but you can still place your order for the UAG Outland Case for $34.95. UAG says the case will ship on 4/15/15, so you won’t have to wait long if you order this one. Head to the link below for some more information.
Caseology Wavelength Series True Grip Case for Galaxy S6
The Caseology Wavelength True Grip Case combines premium protection and beautiful aesthetics. It’s mostly made of TPU, giving it the look of a smooth plastic case but the protection of a rubber case. It’s grippy, durable, aesthetically pleasing, and is being offered for a super low price.
You can buy this Caseology Wavelength True Grip Case in five different colors from Amazon starting at just $12.99. Head to the link below to pick one up today.
Ringke Fusion Bumper for Galaxy S6 Edge
If you’re looking to save some money on your case, perhaps the Ringke Fusion Bumper is for you. The entire case is made of a clear plastic which doesn’t mask the design of your smartphone. This may not be the most protective case on the market, but it’s surely enough to protect your device from small drops and scratches. It even has dust caps covering the USB port and audio jack, so there’s no need to worry about lint or dust getting inside your phone.
You can grab this case in two color options from Amazon for just $10.99.
Obliq Shock Resistant Bumper for Galaxy S6 Edge
The Obliq Shock Resistant Bumper shares a similar design to Spigen’s Neo Hybrid cases, but comes with a few added benefits. Both cases feature a matted rubber interior shell and a a metallic bumper, offering a similar feel in-hand. But with the Obliq option, three different bumper colors are included with each case. You have the choice between Green Emerald, Pink and White or Gold Platinum, Satin Silver or Black Sapphire bumper colors.
You can find this case on Amazon for just $14.99. Head to the link below to pick one up for yourself.
Verus Verge Case for Galaxy S6 Edge
The Verus Verge Case for the Galaxy S6 Edge is tough, slim and form-fitting. It’s composed of a hard shell frame with a soft yet rugged inner shell to provide enough durability to protect your device from drops and scratches. Although it’s made of two pieces, we can assure you that this case won’t add a ton of extra bulk.
You can find the Verus Verge Case in five different colors from Amazon for just $16.99.
UAG Ash Case for Galaxy S6 Edge
Like we said with the UAG offering for the S6, if you’re looking for top of the line protection without adding extra bulk, this case might be for you. It’s made of a hard outer shell and impact resistant inner shell to add extra protection. The edges are made of a rubberized plastic for a non-slip grip. And if you can’t tell by the design, this case meets military drop test standards, so you know it will protect your GS6 Edge.
You can find the UAG Ash case for $34.95 on UAG’s site. It’s a little pricier than the other cases on this list, but we’re sure the added protection will make up for that. Head to the link below if you’re interested.
If you’re not a fan of third party cases, Samsung has a good number of official cases, chargers and audio accessories available on its site. If you’re interested in checking out what Samsung has to offer, follow this link. So how did you like our list? Did we miss anything? Be sure to let us know if you have any suggestions down in the comment section below.
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