There’s an unofficial way to listen to Beats 1 on Android
Yesterday, Apple launched its Apple Music streaming service and Beats 1 always-on worldwide radio station, which is available for iOS, OS X and Windows users to enjoy. However, Apple Music won’t be making its way to Android devices until later in the year, which prevents us from tuning in to Apple’s radio station.
Fortunately a workaround has already been discovered, which allows Android users running Android 4.1 or later to eavesdrop on the Beats 1 station. There are a couple of conditions though, it looks like you’ll need to either be using a stock-based Android browser or Chrome for it to work correctly.
To listen, just click on this link and hit play.
The workaround was discovered by Twitter user Benji R, after he stumbled upon an unencrypted HLS (HTTP Live Streaming) URL for the service, which anyone can simply tune into with the right address. There’s no real hacking or bug exploitation going on here, just a lack of security on Apple’s part.
Alas, this method of access will in all probability be shut down sooner rather than later, although it hasn’t happened at the time of writing. Until then, have a listen and let us know what you think about Beats 1.
Sound Guys Monthly – Beats Pill 2.0 International Giveaway
Most of the audio world was busy talking about Apple and its upcoming Apple Music service, but that doesn’t mean that nothing else happened in the world of audio. Far from it, actually.
Beats speakers are heating up, Bose finally released a sequel to the SoundLink Mini 2, and a whole lot more!
Bose announces the new and improved Soundlink Mini II
The Bose SoundLink Mini was one of the first speakers we reviewed for Sound Guys, and while we generally liked it a lot, it wasn’t without its issues. The SoundLink Mini II ups the battery life, adds speakerphone, and adds some variety in the form of two available colors: carbon, and pearl.
SMS Audio to release Marvel themed headphones
![SMSAudio[Marvel]](http://i1.wp.com/www.soundguys.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/SMSAudioMarvel.jpg)
Having already gotten two generations of Star Wars-themed headphones out of its partnership with Disney, where could SMS Audio go for its next pair of headphones. Maybe the company that Black Widow, Captain America, and Iron Man call home?
Axiom Audio campaign for Wi-Fi speaker with Raspberry Pi brains
![Axiom[1]](http://i2.wp.com/www.soundguys.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Axiom1.jpg)
While Bluetooth speakers are sounding better than ever, they aren’t exactly known for their fidelity. The AxiomAir supports 24/192 lossless audio, plus it uses a Raspberry Pi for its “brains.” How cool is that? Cool enough that it has already doubled its Kickstarter goal.
Apple issues voluntary recall on Beats Pill XL due to overheating issues
Say what you will about Beats, but they’re really burning up the charts. Well, not the charts, but the Beats Pill XL was burning people — so much so that Apple has issued a voluntary recall for the overheating speakers. Not cool, Beats. Not cool. (Because they’re hot, get it?)
New UE Roll Bluetooth speaker comes with IPX7 certification
We’re not going to go the pun route here, because that’s not how we roll. But seriously, UE has rolled out a new speaker in the shape of a sphere. It’s IPX7-certified, so nuyers can take it to the beach, a picnic, or even a costume ball.
Coolest of the month: RHA T20
The RHA T20s don’t feature a mic or remote, but they sound so good that we don’t even mind. Like the T10s, these filter swappable filters to fine-tune the sound, but the T20s have an improved DualCoil driver.
Best bang for the buck: Fluance Fi30
The Fi30 doesn’t even have onboard controls or a battery, but if you don’t plan on taking your speaker out and about very often, the sound you get for the price here is hard to pass up.
Giveaway: Beats Pill 2.0
Congratulations to the winner of last month’s giveaway, Anthony N from Australia, who won the UE BOOM. This month we’re giving away the Beats Pill 2.0. Don’t worry, this one won’t burn you — that was the XL model. For more information on how to enter, head over to Sound Guys!
NaturalMotion announces CSR2 for Android
Today, NaturalMotion has unveiled CSR2 for Android. Just like its 2012 predecessor CSR Racing, the game boasts impressive visuals for a mobile title.
The developers worked closely with manufacturers to include a selection of cars from Ferrari, Lamborghini, McLaren, Pagani and more, complete with authentic customization options including everything from paint jobs to brake callipers. Major attention to detail has been paid to the interiors too, even the stitching on the seats has been painstakingly modelled in 3D.
To do the models justice, the developers boast advanced physics based shading and lighting techniques. The renders below certainly look impressive, and several of our team members were able to try it on the ground at E3 2015, confirming that it really does look as good as the trailer and below renders make it appear to be.
For gameplay, CSR2 is said to be improving on the drag race gameplay introduced in the previous game, but it keeping tight-lipped about exactly what features are planned for now.
The studio has a strong pedigree in the racing genre. Several of the London based development team has worked on a number of popular racing franchises, including Forza, Need for Speed, DiRT and Burnout.
CSR2 will be entering the first of several soft launch phases in the coming weeks. The developers are looking for player feedback from a variety of devices as the team ramps up its global launch later in the year. What do you think, excited for the next chapter in the CSR Racing series?
How to Disable Automatic Subscription Following Apple Music Trial [iOS Blog]
Apple Music made its worldwide debut in over 100 countries on June 30, with a free three-month trial available for customers to try the streaming music service. Apple requires having a valid payment method associated with your iTunes account to enable the trial, such as a credit card, and both Individual Plan and Family Plan subscriptions are set to automatically after the trial. For those that only want to try the Apple Music trial, learn how to turn off automatic renewal below.
How to Disable Automatic Renewal
- Tap on the Account icon in the top-left corner of any tab.
- Tap on “View Apple ID” and sign into your iTunes Store account.
- Tap on “Manage” under the “Subscriptions” menu.
- Tap on your Apple Music Membership, which should currently be “Active.”
- Toggle off “Automatic Renewal” under the “Renewal Options” menu. Confirm the action.
Turning off automatic renewal will enable you to try out Apple Music on iPhone, iPad and iPod touch without the streaming music service renewing after the free three-month trial period expires. To reenable a recurring Apple Music subscription, simply follow the steps above and toggle on automatic renewal again. Your settings will also be applied to to the iTunes version of Apple Music on Mac and PC.
Microsoft is getting pretty good at digitizing reality
Microsoft Research always has the best toys, and is especially strong in augmented reality (AR) with projects like Illumiroom and its insane Hololens Minecraft game. Redmond’s think tank has just revealed another impressive demo called “SemanticPaint” that lets you scan objects in 3D using a Kinect. While that’s not new, Microsoft’s latest magic trick is to separate and define individual objects in the scene. That might one day allow us to create a more accurate visualization of the world, a boon for things like robots and self-driving cars.
To pull it off, the researchers scanned the environment with a Kinect to create a 3D scene, which the computer at first sees as just a single object. However, a human user can touch and interact with objects in real time (as shown in the video below), then vocally call out the name of each (“banana,” for instance). The system then separates the touched object from the surfaces while creating a “class” for each. All of that is done using local resources (a laptop, for instance) for better interactivity.
Behind the scenes, however, software running on more powerful systems is learning as new objects are labeled, and can deduce if an object belongs to a specific class like “chair.” In the last pass, it further refines the objects and creates a final 3D scene. Microsoft says that its online system can not only “rapidly segment 3D scenes,” but also “learn from these labels” to perform the tasks better and faster in the future.
Once the system is perfected, users may one day be able to just walk around with a Kinect or other depth-sensing camera and create a detailed map of a scene, complete with individual objects. The possibilities for using such maps are endless, but Microsoft cited a few examples “from robot guidance, to aiding partially sighted people, to helping us find objects and navigate our worlds, or experience new types ofaugmented realities.”
Filed under: Cameras, Peripherals, Microsoft
Source: Microsoft Research
Tiny house uses light to put you in the middle of a thunderstorm
Standing in a greenhouse and listening to the rain thunder against the roof can be strangely relaxing and therapeutic. Now, imagine if the same experience was recreated artificially. For the Triennale Der Photographie exhibition in Hamburg, designer Leigh Sachwitz has constructed a miniature house covered with semi-transparent projection screens. Once you step inside and turn off the hanging bulb, a series of projectors spring to life and batter you with heavy weather, including tornadoes and tropical thunderstorms. The dynamic sounds are recreated with speakers, but it’s the projectors — four on the inside, with another two cutting through a haze machine on the outside — that really bring the installation to life. Circles quickly appear and disappear to recreate raindrops, while streaks of diagonal light imitate heavier downpours. It’s not a particularly accurate art piece, but in terms of capturing atmosphere and mood, “INSIDE OUT” feels pretty spot on.
https://player.vimeo.com/video/131122776?color=ffffff&portrait=0
[Image Credit: Miguel Martinez/flora&faunavisions]
Filed under: Misc
Source: The Creators Project
$7 million in grants awarded to projects that will stop an AI taking over the world
It seems like a month doesn’t go past without some high-profile person commenting on the potential for machines with Artificial Intelligence to take over the world. Elon Musk is on record saying that AI systems are “potentially more dangerous than nukes.” But he isn’t the only one, Stephen Hawkings is also concerned, “The development of full artificial intelligence could spell the end of the human race,” Professor Hawking told the BBC. “It would take off on its own, and re-design itself at an ever increasing rate.” Even Bill Gates is worried, “I am in the camp that is concerned about super intelligence. I agree with Elon Musk and some others on this and don’t understand why some people are not concerned.”
They are all voicing concerns about the possibility of powerful AI systems having unintended, or even potentially disastrous, consequences. Back in January, Elon Musk donated $10 million to the Future of Life Institute (FLI) to run a global research program aimed at keeping AI beneficial to humanity.
Today the Future of Life Institute has announced that it has awarded $7 million in funds to 37 research teams around the world so that society can reap the benefits of AI, while avoiding the apocalypse and the end of life on earth.
The danger with the Terminator scenario isn’t that it will happen, but that it distracts from the real issues posed by future AI.
Jaan Tallin, one of the founding members of the FLI and the guy that wrote the original version of Skype, said of the new research, “building advanced AI is like launching a rocket. The first challenge is to maximize acceleration, but once it starts picking up speed, you also need to focus on steering.”
Among the 37 projects are three projects which will look at techniques to enable AI systems to learn what humans prefer from observing our behavior. One of these projects will be run at UC Berkeley, and one will be at Oxford University.
Benja Fallenstein, at the Machine Intelligence Research Institute, is getting $250,000 to research ways to keep the interests of superintelligent systems aligned with human values. While Manuela Veloso’s team, from Carnegie-Mellon University, will receive $200,000 to look at how to make AI systems explain their decisions to humans.
Other projects include a study by Michael Webb of Stanford University on how to keep the economic impacts of AI beneficial, a project on how to keep AI-driven weapons under “meaningful human control,” and a new Oxford-Cambridge research center for studying AI-relevant policy.
This last one is the big jackpot. The new center called the “Strategic Research Center for Artificial Intelligence” will be headed up by Nick Bostrom, the guy that wrote the book that caused Elon to panic about the future of mankind. To set up the center the FLI is giving Bostrom a cool $1.5 million. Who said there was no money in writing stuff about robots taking over the world? Well actually no-one, just look at how much money Hollywood makes from that genre!
Talking of Hollywood, the FLI is trying to disassociate itself with the apocalypse. The FLI is keen to stress the importance of separating fact from fiction. “The danger with the Terminator scenario isn’t that it will happen, but that it distracts from the real issues posed by future AI”, said FLI president Max Tegmark. “We’re staying focused, and the 37 teams supported by today’s grants should help solve such real issues.”
What do you think? Money well spent?
Samsung is awarded trademark for ‘Galaxy S6 Edge+’ by USPTO
In recent weeks, we’ve seen various stories about the impending announcement of a larger Galaxy S6 handset with dual edges, and most recently seen its leaked dimensions and specifications. In yet another hint that the Galaxy S6 Edge Plus handset is more than just a rumour, here we have Samsung being awarded a trademark for the ‘Galaxy S6 Edge+‘ moniker.
As you can see in the image above, Samsung applied for the trademark just a few days ago, on June 26th. The Galaxy S6 Edge+ trademark was awarded on June 30th by the USPTO (United States Patent and Trademark Office).
The Galaxy S6 Edge)+ is expected to carry the following specifications:
- 5.4-inch or 5.7-inch Super AMOLED dual-edge curved display
- Hexa-core Snapdragon 808 processor
- 3GB RAM
- 32GB Internal storage space
- 16MP primary camera with OIS and 4K video recording
- 5MP front-facing camera
- 3,000mAh Battery
Would you be interested in the Galaxy S6 Edge+? Or has Samsung gone too far now in its efforts to develop a smartphone for every possible need? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
Source: USPTO
Via: GalaxyClub
Come comment on this article: Samsung is awarded trademark for ‘Galaxy S6 Edge+’ by USPTO
Olloclip Debuts New ‘Studio’ Mobile Photography System to Accompany Lenses [iOS Blog]
Olloclip is today introducing a new line of “Studio System” accessories designed to work with its existing Olloclip lenses, further enhancing the iPhone’s photographic capabilities. The system, available for the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus, includes a Studio Case, a Finger Grip, a Kickstand, tripod mounts, and Cold-Shoe Adapters for attaching accessories like microphones and flashes to the iPhone.
A rugged protective case is the key piece of the Studio System, because it includes a built-in mounting solution that can accommodate the other Studio parts. Once the Studio Case is attached to the iPhone, an adjustable and removable Finger Grip slides onto the back of the case, fitting neatly into the rail grooves.
The Finger Grip is designed to allow for smoother, less bumpy photos and video, and it can also be used as a stand, as can an additional Kickstand. Cold-Shoe Adapters attach to the side of the case to hold equipment like microphones or flashes, and the whole system can work with tripods, grips, and handles using the two included 1/4-20 clips, with one each for landscape and portrait modes.
The olloclip Studio system combines an all-new, more-protective case design with an integrated mounting solution (patent pending) and a series of mobile photography accessories. Both the case and accessories are designed to intuitively work together the moment you pick them up. Unlike many of today’s modular mobile grip systems, olloclip’s Studio components work together seamlessly, so photographers can focus on quickly capturing the opportunity in front of them and not on building a rig.
Because Olloclip is entering a new product category with the Studio System, the company has decided to return to its roots – Kickstarter. Olloclip started out on Kickstarter back in 2011, and since then, demand for its accessories has grown as the iPhone has become a more popular photography choice, replacing point and shoot cameras.
The Studio System is debuting on Kickstarter, and Olloclip tells MacRumors that it made the choice to use the crowdfunding site in order to gauge customer interest and get feedback on its new accessories. For example, Olloclip will choose colors for the Studio Case based on customer feedback.
According to Olloclip, its new Studio System was designed in response to both customer and retailer demand, and it’s something customers have requested for quite awhile. In the future, Olloclip plans to introduce additional accessories that can work with the new Studio System based on what customers ask for.
Olloclip is offering several different reward options for the Studio System. The most inexpensive tier includes the Studio Case and a Kickstand for $35, while the whole Studio Case and Accessory Kit are available for $60. Additional tiers include the Studio System and various Olloclip lenses.
To thank the people who support the new system in its early days, reward tiers are being offered at 30 to 40 percent off retail price. Olloclip expects to ship rewards to backers in September of 2015, at the end of the month.
Best EE Android phones (UK)
The UK carrier market is certainly one of the busiest, with a selection of big players to choose from and a host of smaller bargain SIM deals. EE is perhaps the first port of call for the heavy data user, as it boasts the broadest 4G network coverage out of all the carriers in the UK. The company also has its 4G+ network now live in central London, which offers double the typical 4G networks speeds by reaching up to 90MB/s using carrier aggregation.
Read: EE retwork review (2015): everything you need to know
With that in mind, here are some of the best EE Android phones currently on offer, which can make use of all that juicy high-speed data. As this is a major UK network, we’re looking at contract prices here, but we’ll include the off-contract price for some value comparisons.
Editor’s note: we’ll be updating this post regularly as new devices come out.
#1 – Samsung Galaxy S6/Edge
While the Galaxy S6 may be an obvious choice, there’s no denying that this flagship smartphone is pretty much the most feature rich phone on the market right now. Featuring a QHD display, 14nm octa-core Exynos 7420 SoC, 3GB of RAM, 16MP rear camera, and dual-mode wireless charging, the S6 features the very best hardware on the market right now.
EE offers the full range of 32GB, 64GB and 128GB internal memory options, each with a price jump to match. The lowest price and contract starts at $9.99 up from with 2GB of data costing £41.99 each month, or this can be upgraded up to 20GB of data for £54.99. Similar contracts are available for the 64GB and 128GB models, but these have much higher upfront fees ranging from anywhere between £129.99 and a huge £409.99. It’s probably best to avoid the highest upfront costs, as the 128GB model can be bought SIM-free for £649 from other retailers.
Specs
- 5.1-inch Super AMOLED display with 1440×2560 resolution
- 2.1GHz Samsung Exynos 7420 SoC
- 3GB of RAM
- 32/64/128GB internal storage
- 16MP rear camera, 5MP front camera
- Non-removable 2,550mAh battery
- 143.4 x 70.5 x 6.8 mm, 138g
- Black Sapphire, Gold Platinum or White Pearl colours
- Android 5.1 Lollipop
Read more
#2 – Samsung Galaxy Note 4
The next entry up on our list of best EE Android phones also comes from Samsung – the much loved Galaxy Note 4.
Samsung’s larger smartphone may be a tad older than the Galaxy S6, but laid the way for many of the high end pieces of technology found in Samsung’s latest flagship. The large QHD display lends itself nicely to media and multitasking, while the 16MP camera remains one of the best in the business. The phone also has a micro-SD card slot and removable battery, features lacking with the Galaxy S6.
EE has the handset priced pretty similarly to the S6, with contract offers starting from £9.99 up front and ranging between $41.99 and $54.99 per month. There are also options available with a higher up front cost, maxing out at £219.99.
Specs
- 5.7-inch Super AMOLED display with 1440×2560 resolution
- 2.7GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 805 SoC
- 3GB of RAM
- 32GB internal storage with 128GB microSD card support
- 16MP rear camera and 3.7MP front camera
- Removable 3,220mAh battery
- 153.5 x 78.6 x 8.5 mm, 176g
- Black Charcoal
- Android 5.0 Lollipop
Read More
#3 – Sony Xperia Z3 Compact
Gargantuan smartphones aren’t for everyone, but usually smaller phones also suffer from cut down specifications. Sony is one of the few to buck this irritating trend, with is more moderately sized 4.6-inch 720p display.
The handset’s older Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 handset is still an admirable performer by today’s processing standards. The Xperia Z3 Compact also features a high resolution 20.7MP rear camera and is IP68 certified for dust and water resistance.
EE’s contract offers range between £31.99 and £44.99 per month depending on the amount of 4G data you require, with £0 to put down for the handset. EE is also bundling Sony’s Hi-Res audio package with selected contracts, which offers some free headphones worth £169 and a three month subscription to the Hi-Res audio streaming service.
Specs
- 4.6-inch IPS LCD display with 720×1280 resolution
- 2.5GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 SoC
- 2GB of RAM
- 16GB internal storage with 128GB microSD card support
- 20.7MP rear camera, 2.2MP front camera
- Non-removable 2,600mAh battery
- 127.3 x 64.9 x 8.6 mm, 129g
- Black
- Android 4.4 KitKat (Android 5.1 Lollipop update)
Read More
#4 – HTC Desire 820
To close out our best EE Android phones I’m going to put HTC’s mid-range Desire 820 in here. Although it might not feature the highest end specifications, there a handset here with an excellent vivid display, top quality build quality, and a suitable mid-range processing package that will handily manage all of your daily tasks. Best of all, it doesn’t require a hefty lump sum up front.
The Desire 820 is a refinement of HTC’s rather good mid-range products, with a slimmer uni-body design and a sample of HTC’s high-end features like the BoomSound front-facing speakers, which produce extremely good sound that exceeds more expensive models. The only major drawback is the 720p resolution for the 5.5-inch display, which makes the display less sharp than what we’re used to with flagship products.
Price wise, EE is offering the handset on its typical range of £21 to £42 per month data plans, with up front costs ranging from Free to typically around just £30, although there are more expensive options for some of the cheaper contracts.
Specs
- 5.5-inch LCD display with 720×1280 resolution
- 1.5GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 615 SoC
- 2GB of RAM
- 16 GB internal storage with 128GB microSD card support
- 13MP rear camera, 8MP front camera
- Non-removable 2,600mAh battery
- 157 x 78.7 x 7.7 mm, 155g
- Santorini White colour
- Android 4.4.2 KitKat
Read more
Missed anything? Let us know you think are the best phones available on EE right now!
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