Microsoft Moonraker is the Nokia smartwatch we almost got
If you were wondering what Nokia’s take on a smartwatch would have been, take a look at the Microsoft Moonraker, a cancelled watch that attempted to bring in some of Windows Phone’s style. Microsoft nixed it when it acquired Nokia’s phone arm, The Verge reports, but now we’ve got an idea of what it looks like thanks to Microsoft designer Pei-Chi Hsieh, who posted it on their (now deleted) Tumblr blog. Noted leakhound (and former Engadget editor) Evan Blass first unearthed the image, which shows a multicolored smartwatch design with slightly rounded corners. From afar, it doesn’t look that much different than the Apple Watch, funny enough. Sources say Microsoft dumped the Moonraker project because it was working on the ill-fated Band wearable.
While the Band was stuffed full of sensors, the Moonraker watch was all about doing more traditional smartwatch tasks. It had phone, email and messaging apps, and it could also remotely activate the camera on your Windows Phone. There was also a variety of other software integration, like Facebook and MixRadio. While Moonraker looks intriguing, at the end of the day it basically does what most other smartwatches do, so it was probably smarter for Microsoft to devote its energy to something truly different. We just wish we got something more than the clunky Band.
The best iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus battery cases
This post was done in partnership with The Wirecutter, a list of the best technology to buy. Read the full article below at TheWirecutter.com.
We’ve spent more than 140 hours testing 21 different battery cases (18 for the iPhone 6 and three for the iPhone 6 Plus), and we think the best battery case for most people is Anker’s Ultra Slim Extended Battery Case. It provides an above-average 117 percent of a full charge to the iPhone 6one full charge plus another 17 percentand at only $40, it’s by far the least expensive. The result is the highest ratio of charge percent per dollar and the lowest cost per full iPhone recharge out of all the models we looked at. It’s also the lightest and thinnest battery case we tested.
Why you might want a battery case
Depending on how you use your iPhone, draining its battery during an average day can be easy. If you rely on your phone to last a full day, and you don’t have the time (or physical access) to plop down next to a wall outlet, a battery casewhich puts a moderate-capacity rechargeable battery inside a bulky iPhone casecan be a smart choice. In the best circumstances, a battery case can double the battery life of your iPhone and then some. And unlike with stand-alone battery packs, you don’t need to bring a separate cable or figure out how to carry both devices together. You just slide or snap your iPhone into the battery case to get protection and power in a single unit. If you’re looking only for some protection, we can also recommend a regular case.
How we picked and tested
Eighteen of the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus battery cases we tested.
To test each battery case, we installed a fully drained iPhone 6 and set it to Airplane mode in the fully charged case. When the iPhone reached a 100 percent chargeor when it stopped chargingwe removed it from the case and drained the phone’s battery again. Assuming the battery case still had charge remaining, we then installed the phone in the case a second time, noting the phone’s battery percentage when the case stopped charging it. We recorded the charge percentages and times for each test, as well as the physical dimensions and weight of each battery case. We repeated each test a few days later and then once more for a total of three tests. We then averaged the charge results.
We also tested each case for subjective aspects of usability, such as how easily we could press the phone’s buttons and how the encased phone feels in the hand.
Additionally, we used a micro-USB cable to connect each battery case to a computer to test whether each case allows pass-through charging (the capability to charge the iPhone while it’s in the case) and data syncing.
Our pick
Anker’s Ultra Slim Extended Battery Case is the iPhone 6 battery case with the best combination of good performance, price for the capacity, and least amount of additional bulk. It can provide 117 percent of a full charge to an iPhone 6, and its $40 price tag is crazy low for a battery case. Anker originally released the Ultra Slim at a higher price, but the price has dropped considerably, and the company has confirmed that $40 is the new “regular” price. The Ultra Slim offers the best charge value (2.9 percent of a full iPhone 6 charge per dollar, or $34.34 for a full charge) of any of the cases we tested by far. And it adds only 84 grams of weight, and just 6.1 millimeters of thickness.
The Ultra Slim’s buttons aren’t covered, but the cutouts are properly sized and shaped.
When it comes to installation, most iPhone battery cases use either of two types of design: sliders or front frame. Anker’s Ultra Slim employs the slider design. You remove a short plastic cap at the top to slide the iPhone in place, and then reinstall the cap. Doing so is very easy compared with using the trickier front-frame design of Incipio, Odoyo, and some other cases, which requires you to remove a frame, install the iPhone in the base, and then snap the frame into place around the entire phone.
Runners-up
The Anker Ultra Slim and the Tylt Energi Sliding Power Case.
Anker’s Premium Extended Battery Case ($60) is the larger-capacity sibling of the Ultra Slim and a great alternative for anyone more concerned about getting raw power over size or costthough even in those respects, it’s a strong performer compared with the competition. With its 3,100-mAh cell, the Premium Extended can deliver 142 percent of a full iPhone 6 charge.
For $30 more than our runner-up, Tylt has an intriguing alternative. The company’s Energi Sliding Power Case ($92) includes a 3,200-mAh battery that, in our testing, delivers a 133 percent chargeso it doesn’t match the Premium Extended in terms of absolute charge. What makes the Energi different is its two-piece design: Your phone first fits into a fully protective case, and that case then slides into a separate battery pack. This design lets you use the phone in the smaller case when you don’t need the battery, sliding the battery on only when necessary. And that inner case is pretty good on its own, considering that it’s not a stand-alone product.
What if you own an iPhone 6 Plus?
Tylt’s Energi has a detachable inner case.
The iPhone 6 Plus version of Tylt’s Energi Sliding Power Case ($100) is our top pick for Apple’s larger handset. It has the same design as the iPhone 6 edition, but it’s sized to fit the 6 Plus. In our testing, the case delivered 83 percent of a full charge to a depleted iPhone 6 Plus in just under an hour and a half, better than either of the competitors we tested.
Wrapping it up
Six months after the release of the iPhone 6, we (finally) have a good selection of battery cases for the latest Apple handset. The best of the bunch is Anker’s Ultra Slim Extended Battery Case, which at $40 is a screaming-good deal. It provides more than enough charge to keep most people going, and it comes in an appreciably small package.
This guide may have been updated. To see the current recommendation, please go to TheWirecutter.com.
Filed under: Peripherals, Mobile
Team MIT’s robot lost the DARPA challenge but won over the crowd
At the DARPA Robotics Challenge last week, a robot drove in on a red UTV. The vehicle slowly came to a halt on the obstacle course as it reached the door of a simulated disaster building. The driver, a six-foot-two Atlas humanoid, sat motionless for many minutes. About half a dozen researchers wearing blue “TEAM MIT” vests looked on, like anxious parents waiting for their child to pick up the pace in a crucial race. When their robot eventually turned its body to get out of the vehicle, it shook uncontrollably for seconds before it leaped out of the car and fell flat on its face. The crowd collectively gasped and a loud aww rippled through the stands at Fairplex in Pomona, California. In that moment, one of the front-runners in the race became the underdog.
“I’m heartbroken that our robot fell,” said Russ Tedrake, professor at MIT’s Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Lab. “We’ve spent so many hours with this robot. I don’t think of it is as human or anything but I love this robot. To watch it crash face first into the ground… I didn’t know if it was going to get up.”
Atlas showed persistence. Soon, it was back on its feet, with the help of its team and a metal rig, but it broke its right wrist in the fall. Most of the remaining tasks in the race required hand movements; the robot needed to cut through a wall, pull a lever and rotate a valve. Luckily, the team and their software had the required intelligence to improvise. After the fall, when the robot’s encoders went nuts, the team detected that failure and switched sensor modes. “We told the robot your right arm is no good, use your left arm,” said Scott Kuindersma, Team MIT’s project and control lead. “So we were able to pick up where we left off.” The crowd roared as Atlas walked up a four-step stairway to complete its first run.
The human-machine relationship is usually perceived as one of codependence. But at the recent robotics race, there was constant give and take between the human operators and their corresponding machines. The operator sat behind a purposely degraded link that restricted sensor feedback and communication, since that might be the case in the event of a real disaster — the sort of scene the robots are being trained for. When Atlas was out on the field, it wasn’t remote-controlled by an operator. It relied on its own perception codes that pointed out objects in its environment. The codes then became the cues for the optimization algorithm that ran through the metallic veins of the machine.
The Atlas was one of seven advanced humanoids supplied by Boston Dynamics to the participating teams. Like most other teams, MIT stripped the pre-loaded software and replaced it with algorithms that gave the robot its own unique personality. “Our Atlas perceives the world differently and walks differently,” said Kuindersma. His team developed a software system for bipedal locomotion, state estimation and perception. “The hardware, in principle, is capable of running fluidly through the environment, doing precise and delicate manipulation and carrying heavy loads,” he said. “I think the limitation is fundamentally a software problem. So it’s really on us, computer scientists and control engineers, to raise the capabilities through software to make them do the things that they’re capable of doing.”
At the end of day one, the team spent the night repairing the damage — the broken wrist, the faulty encoders and probably their morale. The next day, when Atlas drove back for its final run, it made it out of the vehicle and through the door effortlessly. But half way through the obstacle course, it lost its balance and slammed to the ground again. In the end, MIT’s Atlas didn’t win the challenge. But its falls in the race made robots, as a mechanical species, more relatable and less apocalyptic.
Having empathy for robots isn’t an issue for everyone, though. “How could you not like robots? That’s like saying you don’t like puppies,” said Tedrake. “Some people are worked up about robots taking our jobs or the apocalypse. We’re far from that…[but] the technology has come to a point, where robots can work outside of a machine factory. They’re able to get out and do meaningful work.”
Filed under: Robots
Europe’s space agency is still looking for the Philae comet lander
The European Space Agency apparently hasn’t given up on Philae that’s currently hibernating on comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko. In a new post on its website, the agency has detailed a highly technical game of “Where’s Waldo?” that it’s been playing since last year. See, the lander’s harpoons failed to deploy upon touchdown, and it ended up bouncing away from its landing site until it reached underneath one of the comet’s cliffs. In addition to being hidden in the shadows, the lander is relatively tiny — even if Rosetta’s (its partner spacecraft) cameras managed to catch it on film, it would appear as a small bright speck and nothing more.
So, the team looked at high-res images of the area where the lander most likely is and identified several bright spots that could be Philae. Since they found five candidates, they narrowed the landing location down to a 52 x 525 feet ellipse by using the radio signals transmitted between Rosetta and Philae before it went to sleep. Unfortunately, none of the bright spots were inside the ellipse, though a few were close enough. The team then compared before and after landing photos of the area to find the best candidate that was just outside the ellipse, as shown in the video below.
In order to confirm if that’s the missing lander, Rosetta has to fly closer to the comet to take nearer, high-res images. The ESA is also hoping for sunlight to reach Philae’s solar panels as the comet flies closer to sun, so it can wake up and transmit radio signals that can be used to “reduce the uncertainties” on its location.
[Image credit: ESA/Rosetta/MPS for OSIRIS Team MPS/UPD/LAM/IAA/SSO/INTA/UPM/DASP/IDA]
Filed under: Science
Source: ESA
Gmail brings OAuth support to Microsoft and Yahoo accounts
Google will soon be making it easier for users to add their Microsoft and Yahoo accounts to the Gmail application. (time frame), Google added the ability to add third-party accounts to Gmail so that users could easily access all of their emails from one application. A beautiful application, if I may say so myself.
Now with the addition of OAuth support, Microsoft and Yahoo users will no longer have to enter their usernames and passwords into Gmail in order to add these accounts. There are two ways that this will work for users.
The first is if you are already logged into your Microsoft Account on the device. If you’ve already logged into the Microsoft Account, you will need to simply tap the “Allow” button to give Gmail access to your Microsoft account. If you have not logged into your Microsoft account, you will be redirected to the Microsoft web page so that you can log in, then once completed, the OAuth page will appear and you can give Gmail access to your account.
This can help cut down on signing in or out of the web versions of third-party email accounts. OAuth integration will definitely be beneficial for users that don’t want to use a ton of different email applications, when they can just use one unified app with Gmail.
These features have not been ported to the iOS version yet, as that version only allows users to use their Google accounts. However, we can hope for some cross-compatibility for those users (like me) that use both platforms and absolutely love the Gmail application. The latest update has already started its rollout process and should hit your devices within the next few days.
The post Gmail brings OAuth support to Microsoft and Yahoo accounts appeared first on AndroidGuys.
Asus may be interested in acquiring HTC
Asustek Computer could be interested in taking over HTC but isn’t ready to make a formal decision just yet. According to Reuters, the matter is being tossed about internally with various executives involved in discussion.
“Our chairman has chatted about the topic internally. Still, the chances of an actual takeover are not big as Asustek is a company that has depended on organic growth.“
HTC, which has struggled over the last few years, is located Taiwan; Asus also resides in the same country. The former has been slowly expanding its portfolio while the latter already offers a more robust lineup of products.
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HTC reveals limited edition One M9 INK
After teasing a limited edition HTC One M9 back in April, the company finally revealed phone on Thursday. HTC, in collaboration with tattoo artist Cally-Jo and supermodel Jourdan , worked together to bring this piece of art to the public.
On comparing with the regular version of the HTC One M9, the INK’d version has an engraved tattoo designed by INK’er Cally-Jo on the back. The rest of the specifications and design are the same as regular version. The engraved tattoo is made up of two symbols, an eye and a hand. According to HTC, the eye represents strength and sincerity, while the hand stands for protection and positivity.
“The open hand and eye symbolize the need for protection and strength while still being open and approachable in personality and style. The natural leaf elements and patterns around the outside of each visual reflect the growth in creativity that Jourdan is feeling at this time, and the sun and moon together represent balance and harmony in her character.“
The HTC One M9 has not been the biggest success of the year as anticipated by the HTC so hopefully this limited edition M9 will help them get some attention. HTC also launched the 24-carat Gold Edition HTC One M9 couple of weeks ago.
Although the smartphone has been announced by the company, there is no word on a release date or pricing. If you’re interested you can register on HTC’s website for further information. We suspect this phone won’t be priced too much higher than the regular version based on the previous model.
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Experience Firefox OS with this app on your Android device
Android and iOS are the two most popular mobile operating systems in the world today. With Windows Phone, and Blackberry battling to get a firm share of the pie, we cannot ignore the emerging operating systems of the world. Firefox OS is one such mobile operating system that has been making the buzz lately.
Many Android users have been wanting to try out this OS, but it required a Nexus device. The Firefox OS ports have been developed specifically for Nexus devices only up until now. Luckily, Mozilla realized the agony of fellow Android users and have answered to their prayers.
Mozilla developed an experimental launcher app, bg2droid, for Android that will allow you to get a firsthand look at what its Firefox OS feels like. This app is only for ARM devices only, and not Intel x86 based devices. No rooting or flashing required, just a simple app install which weighs in at about 65MB.
bg2droid overlays Firefox OS on your Android and also has its own unique set of apps that you can use. Gallery, Contacts, Music to name a few. It also comes with Marketplace, Mozilla’s native app store for mobile devices.
Apart from inheriting core Firefox OS features like swiping from the edge of the screen to switch apps, the circle home button and a flat UI, the launcher is far from perfect and is unusable as a daily driver. The ‘preview’ takes a bit of time to start up the first time, so you have to be patient for the launcher to load. I tried bg2droid on my Nexus 4, and struggled with it encountering numerous app crashes which is simply unacceptable.
Check out some screenshots below:
Its nice to see Mozilla taking initiative to popularize its OS among Android users. bg2droid is a bit laggy right now but it’s a good way to get a feel for how Firefox OS might ‘look’ on your phone.
To try bg2android Firefox OS preview, click here. Let us know what you think of it in the comments below.
The post Experience Firefox OS with this app on your Android device appeared first on AndroidGuys.
5 Android apps you shouldn’t miss this week! – Android Apps Weekly
Sponsored by: Mail Wise Email
[Price: Free with in-app purchases]
Mail Wise is an email client that covers a lot of bases, including Gmail, Yahoo, Outlook, and even Exchange. It features a simple, clean, and friendly interface that lets you move around your inboxes easily. There is also a select all option which will be the envy of almost every Gmail user. It supports multiple accounts, has a unified inbox, and it even stores your emails locally on your device instead of on a server. It’s easy, it’s clean, it’s free and it’s definitely worth a shot. We’d like to thank Mail Wise for their support of Android Apps Weekly!
Here are your headlines from the last week:
- Google’s Location Aware Search is rolling out now. This allows Google Search to ascertain your location and you can ask questions about your location without actually having to say it. This is a nifty little feature that helps Search feel more natural and it’s fun to use.
- Google Play’s new family friendly section is now live in the Google Play Store. This helps parents find a range of apps and games for kids based on a specific age range. You can browse by age five and under, ages six through eight, and then ages nine and up. You can also search by various categories such as educational, creativity, and music and video.
- Square One games has announced that Oddworld: Munch’s Oddyssee will be coming to Google Play sometime this year. The studio plans to demo the game at E3 this year and fans of the Oddworld series can rejoice. We don’t know anything about price or the release day just yet.
- In our last bit of news this week, Apple announced at their WWDC event that they’ll be releasing Apple Music for Android. This will be Apple’s first official foray into the Android ecosystem and it’ll be interesting to see how Android users react. Of course, we’ll be taking a look as soon as its available.
- Shortly after the announcement, Spotify, who is not so keen on giving Apple any of its business, announced that it will price match Apple pretty much no matter what they charge for how many accounts. And thus, the rivalry is born.
For even more Android apps and games news and updates, don’t forget to check out this week’s newsletter. There we’ll have all the news and headlines that we didn’t have time for today. If you’re so inclined, you can also sign up for the newsletter using your email address and we’ll send you this info every single Friday.
Check out our Android Apps Weekly newsletter!
Titanium Backup
[Price: Free / $5.99]
First up this week is a huge update that came to the world renown root app Titanium Backup. The update gives it support for Android M which means root users of the future will not have to worry about whether or not they can back up apps, freeze apps, or uninstall system apps. The interface didn’t get much of an update sadly but that’s okay, the functionality is there for Android M now so root users rejoice!
Machinima
[Price: Free with in-app purchases]
Machinima is one of the most well-known sites for gamers. They feature gameplay videos, comedy videos, and original content. They just released their official Android app and it’s actually pretty good. It uses Material Design and gives users access to the majority of Machinima’s content and community. If you’re a fan of the site or a fan of video games, definitely check this one out.
Radical Rappelling
[Price: Free with in-app purchases]
Radical Rappelling is the latest game out of Halfbrick Studios, the developers who brought us other alliterative hits as Subway Surfers and Jetpack Joyride. In this adventure game you repel down various cliffs while you collect items, do stunts, and avoid death. You can play as one of two characters, each with their own set of quests and the game also has power ups and leaderboards. It’s a fun little time waster.
Facebook Lite
[Price: Free]
Facebook Lite was out in a few markets as early as January but now it’s rolling out to parts of Europe, Africa, and Latin America. For those who don’t know, Facebook Lite is a scaled down Facebook experience designed for those with inconsistent Internet speeds and less powerful devices. It’s a scant 1MB in size and while it is only available in select regions, you can find it with a little creative searching.
Final Fantasy Tactics: The War of the Lions
[Price: $13.99]
Last up this week is Final Fantasy Tactics: The War of the Lions. This classic game originally came out in 1997 on the PlayStation and now it’s been ported to Android. It has been remastered with touch screen controls that actually feel pretty decent since this is a tactical RPG and all you need to do is tap anyway. It also features a deep story line, cut scenes, and more. There have been a few release day bugs and the text is a bit small but otherwise it plays fine. There are also no in-app purchases.
Wrap up
If we missed any great Android apps and games news, feel free to drop us a line in the comments and let us know! Have a great weekend everyone!
Virgin America giving its in-flight entertainment an Android-powered upgrade
Virgin America has announced plans to bring its in-flight entertainment options into the modern age, swapping outdated equipment for new Android-powered touchscreen units. While Virgin doesn’t get into the specifics when it comes to specs, the units will offer 720p HD content and, thanks to its Android-based OS, the airline will be able to upgrade and expand the platform’s functionality more easily going forward.
As for what the Red in-flight entertainment units will be capable of when they first launch? First, there will be several features that are geared towards making your flight experience better, including the ability to order food and drink from the unit, as well as send a text, chat, or even a drink to other passengers on the plane. Turning to entertainment, the platform will include classic games like PacMan and Asteroids, and a robust library of modern movies for your viewing pleasure. This includes content from providers like Netflix, though it will apparently be a pay-per-show type basis. It’s also worth noting that the new platform will offer surround sound technology through a partnership with Dysonic.
The new Red upgraded systems will be arriving to just three aircraft this month, though the airline promises that 18 planes will have it by the end of the year. The full rollout for all Virgin America aircraft isn’t expected until sometime in 2016. What do you think of in-flight entertainment units like this? Do you ever use built-in options during your flights, or do you prefer to bring your own devices with your own locally stored content?
AIVAnet 