Chrome OS file manager gets new sorting functionality for thumbnail view
Google’s Chrome OS typically sees new functionality hit its dev channel before it makes its way downstream to normal installation, and that’s still the case with the latest feature to the lightweight operating system.
The new feature involves being able to sort files in Chrome OS’s file manager, letting you filter things alphabetically, by size, by type, or by date modified. It’s really partly a bug fix, since Chrome OS has technically always been able to sort files, but up until now you haven’t been able to do that in thumbnail view.
The new sort functionality sits in the overflow menu of the file manager.
If you didn’t use thumbnail views, you may not have even noticed this bug, but rest assured, the fix has been implemented and is on the way.
source: Francois Beaufort
via: OMG Chrome
Come comment on this article: Chrome OS file manager gets new sorting functionality for thumbnail view
Nvidia Shield Android TV 500GB ‘Pro’ model really is coming after all
Last month the Nvidia Shield Android TV 500GB “Pro edition” showed up on Nvidia’s website with a price tag listed at $300, but shortly after this Nvidia pulled down the listing, claiming that this was a developer SKU and had been put up by mistake. As it turns out, that’s not exactly the whole story.
According to an Nvidia customer care rep on their official forums, the 500GB model will be offered to everyday consumers and will launch alongside the base 16GB variant. While the rep didn’t confirm whether the previously claimed $300 price tag was legit or not, it seems pretty likely that he wasn’t just making stuff up and that the Pro model really is heading our way — good news for would-be Android TV users looking for as much storage as possible for games, movies, and other locally stored content.
Aside from the greatly expanded storage space, the Pro model is believed to offer identical specs to the base version, so you can expect a Tegra X1 processor, a Maxwell 256-core GPU, 3GB RAM, and full support for 4K TVs. For those wondering, yes, that also includes Netflix 4K support.
What do you think, anyone interested in buying this model? How much would you be willing to pay?
90s web portal Lycos returns to sell its patents
Long before Google and eons ahead of Bing, Lycos was the Internet’s search engine. In fact, the company was one of the first to implement spidered web indexing. And while Lycos hasn’t made many headlines lately, the company still maintains an impressive portfolio of technology patents. Its patents are wide ranging enough that Google already got into trouble over old Lycos tech back in 2012 before winning its case on an appeal last year. On Wednesday, the company announced that it will be offering a selection of that collection for sale as Lycos prepares to roll out a number of physical products in the coming weeks.
The portfolio covers a wide variety of applications ranging from search engine technology to online advertising — many which it claims are still employed in both the mobile industry and the Internet of Things. “For us, it is of strategic importance to utilize all assets of the company in a manner consistent with current market trends, as well as our collaborative corporate culture, ” President Brad Cohen said in a statement. These days you can still try to search on Lycos, which now describes itself as a “digital media powerhouse” after being acquired by another company. Seems like an odd shift for an old-school internet pioneer, but who are we to judge.
Filed under: Internet
The US Navy wants to protect its drones against hacks
Cyberwarfare is bad enough by itself, but it’s especially dangerous when military drones are involved. The last thing you want is a hijacked UAV that can give away your position or, worse, fire on your own troops. To that end, the US Navy is asking private companies for help with developing technology that protects drones, missiles and other airborne weapons against hacks. Whoever has the best proposal will (hopefully) craft systems that not only prevent enemies from getting in, but bounce back quickly if the worst happens.
As you might suspect, this effort faces a few challenges. Besides the inherent optimism behind creating hack-resistant tech — the odds are that someone will find a way in — the Navy won’t even start reviewing proposals until May 2016. That likely leaves at least a few years before these more resilient robotic warriors are flying over hostile waters. Even so, it’s good to see that future connected drones will be built from the start with network security in mind.
[Image credit: AP Photo/Steve Helber]
Filed under: Robots
Via: Nextgov, Defense One
Source: FedBizOpps.gov
Photos Reveal Secrets Behind Apple Watch Retail Display Units
In its retail stores, Apple uses special Apple Watch display units to allow customers to test the Apple Watch ahead of making a purchase. The units, which have been available in stores since try-on appointments began on April 10, combine a functional Apple Watch (secured to prevent theft) with an iPad mini that gives details on various aspects of the device.
Most of us probably haven’t stopped to wonder about how these units work, but new Brazilian regulatory documents and images shared by BlogdoiPhone [Google Translate] give us a fascinating inside look at how Apple engineered the display units.
According to BlogdoiPhone, Apple Watches inside the display cases have special bands that incorporate a Lightning cable, which plug into the case to connect to the iPad. When an app is opened on the Apple Watch, this connection relays data to the iPad on what’s being viewed, letting the screen display additional information about each feature.
The specialized Lightning port band connects to the hidden 6-pin diagnostic port on the Apple Watch, using it to establish a connection between the watch and the case. It is not clear if the diagnostic port connection also allows the Apple Watch to charge, either through the iPad or through a battery built into the unit, but such a function would explain how the Apple Watches manage to stay powered through a full day of continual usage by customers.
One side of the unit also includes a USB-Type C port or a Lightning port, which we have previously heard is used to charge the entire unit on a nightly basis, so it’s possible there’s a built-in battery that powers both the iPad display and the Apple Watch during the day.
It is not known if the Apple Watches used in the display units are identical to retail Apple Watches aside from the bands or if they are custom built with extra functionality, but there has been speculation that the Apple Watch can charge through the diagnostic port. Specifically, the engineers behind the Reserve Strap accessory in the works for the Apple Watch have said they have confirmed the port can be used for charging.
Apple recently introduced band design guidelines for third-party accessory manufacturers, and while the guidelines say bands must not integrate magnetic chargers, there’s no mention of the diagnostic port, leaving its full capabilities largely a mystery. On watches delivered to consumers, the 6-pin diagnostic port is hidden behind a cover that resembles the SIM slot on an iPhone 6.
The Brazilian Agency of Telecommunications (or Anatel), where the documents and images originated, has approved the Apple Watch and the in-store display units, suggesting Apple is gearing up to begin selling the Apple Watch in additional countries in the near future.
Google announces the limited-edition Skrillex Live Case
Editions is a new series from Google in which “creative collaborations” are contracted to design limited-edition cases.
The first creative collaborator is Skrillex. Skrillex has produced three designs based on out of this world motivations.
With the Live Cases, you get a bit more than a strangely designed case.
First, you get a live wallpaper from Skrillex’s satellite that he named “Nanou” after his dog. During the day, Nanou sends your phone photographs of Earth from the stratosphere. At night, the wallpaper will send images of constellations that are visible from your current location.
On top of that, you will get “VIP access to Skrillex content”. From the official Android blog:
“Fans who get the Live Case will get early access to a free OWSLA album from Google Play and Skrillex updates sent directly to their phones. A shortcut button built-in on the Live Case gives you one-touch access to Skrillex’s music feed on YouTube. The button can also be customized to open your favorite apps, launch your phone camera or go to Skrillex’s website.“
The Live Case also has a nifty little button on the back of the case that allows for quick access to your favorite app or Skrillex’s website, Google feels the need to point out that the last one requires internet connection.
This cases are also individually numbered like any other limited-edition run of anything. Once again, there are three different designs to pick from and each will run you $40. The Live Case is available for the following phones:
- Nexus 6
- Nexus 5
- Galaxy S6
- Galaxy S5
- Galaxy Note 4
Live Cases are available through the Play Store
The post Google announces the limited-edition Skrillex Live Case appeared first on AndroidGuys.
Your photos are more popular when you use filters, according to Yahoo
Whether or not you think photo filters represent creative assets or the death of photography as we know it, one thing’s becoming increasingly clear: they’re your ticket to popularity. Yahoo and Georgia Tech researchers have learned that filtered photos (at least, on Flickr) are 21 percent more likely to get views, and 45 percent more likely to receive comments. This doesn’t mean that you can throw on any effect you like, mind you. Warmer-looking filters usually get the best results, while colder examples have less of an impact. In short, feel free to tweak your Instagram shots if you feel they lack a certain oomph that will draw in the crowds — just don’t try to be overly dark and edgy.
Filed under: Cellphones, Cameras, Internet, Mobile
Via: PetaPixel
Source: Yahoo Labs (Tumblr)
Prosthetic foot only needs ‘mind control’ for movement
During a press conference in Copenhagen on Wednesday, prosthetics manufacturer Ossur announced the release of an implantable sensor that allows users to mentally control a mechanical limb. The technology, known as an Implanted MyoElectric Sensor (IMES) will allow users to move the company’s motorized Proprio Foot just like they do the real thing.
With an existing analog (or even powered) prosthesis, there’s often an infuriating lag between intention and action because the user has to physically contract a muscle to activate it. Not so with the IMES system. When electrical signals from the user’s brain hit the end of the amputated leg, they’re picked up by a pair of sensors embedded in the surrounding muscle tissue. These sensors, in turn, send a wireless signal to the Proprio foot telling it to flex or extend. And since the muscles themselves aren’t contracting, there’s no lag between thinking about moving and actually doing so. What’s more, the implantation surgery only takes about 15 minutes and requires an single single-centimeter-long incision. Even cooler is the fact that the sensors are powered by tiny magnetic coils housed in the prosthetic socket so they won’t have to be replaced once installed. “We believe this is a lifelong sensor,” Thorvaldur Ingvarsson, Ossur’s head of R&D, told Popular Science.
“It’s really surreal,” Gudmundur Olafsson, one of the the company’s two initial test subjects, said in a statement. “The first time, to be honest, I started to cry. You are moving the ankle, and I basically haven’t had one in 11 years.” Olafsson spent 14 months using the IMES-enabled Proprio as his sole prosthetic.
Up next, the company plans to hold large-scale clinical trials and hopes to have the device to market within the next three to five years. There’s no word yet on how much the devices will cost once they do become available.
Filed under: Wearables, Wireless, Science
Source: Popular Science
Facebook Messenger video calling is now available globally
Facebook introduced free video calling within its Messenger app back in April, though at the time it was only supported in select countries including the U.S., U.K., Canada, and a few others. The good news is that this changes today, as Facebook has now rolled out global access to the feature!
According to Facebook, there’s still a few countries where the feature isn’t live yet, but even these areas should see the feature “soon”, with Facebook working to improve video quality in these few remaining markets. Once you have the latest version of the app installed, you will simply need to tap the video camera icon on any open Messenger conversation to instantly connect with family and friends.
Facebook has been pushing hard to make Messenger a worthy alternative to other established messaging apps and services out there, and the addition of video calling in all regions certainly will help with this effort. You’ll want to head on over to Google Play to grab the latest app update!
T-Mobile and MetroPCS offer up discounts and deals for Memorial Day
T-Mobile has announced its latest promotion which centers around Memorial Day weekend.
Starting from May 23 and running for two days, T-Mobile will offer the 64GB version of the Samsung Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 Edge for the same price as the 32GB models. Customers who opt for the 32GB model during this time frame will receive a $50 Visa gift card.
T-Mobile is also now selling the LG Stylo and LG Leon, a pair of entry-levels models that should work well for first time smartphone buyers. The Stylo will cost $290 ($12.08/month) while the Leon runs $150 ($6.24/month). Prepaid customers can pick up the Leon for free after an online rebate.
As part of a separate Magenta Thunder deal, T-Mobile is selling the Samsung Galaxy Avant for $99. Simply use the promo code THUNDER100 and you’ll shave $100 off the phone. This web-only promotion runs May 19-20.
Over on the MetroPCS front, the Stylo and Leon will retail for $199 and $49, respectively, after online rebates. Anyone who ports their number from a competing wireless provider will receive either a free LG Leon or $50 toward another phone.
MetroPCS is also running its 4X100 promotion which allows for four lines of service with unlimited talk, text, and 2 GB each line for a total of $100 per month.
The post T-Mobile and MetroPCS offer up discounts and deals for Memorial Day appeared first on AndroidGuys.
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