Several BlackBerry Venice handsets get spotted at Toronto Film Festival
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Most device leaks come from the manufacturer’s country of origin, so it stands to reason that leaks of a new BlackBerry device have come from Canada. The Android-powered BlackBerry Venice has been the subject of plenty of leaks over the last few weeks, however this time it wasn’t a particularly covert sighting – the device was seen being used by several people at the Toronto Film Festival and the slightly curved display can be seen even in the blurry photo.
If you look closely, it also looks like the device could be using Google’s Messenger app, signified by the blue header, though it could really be any app with the same header. With the device now being spotted regularly in the wild, we wouldn’t be surprised to see a device release on the horizon – before the Holiday season is practically a sure bet.
What do you think about the BlackBerry Venice? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
Source: BlackBerry OS via XDA
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Abcotech Wireless Bike Speaker Multi-function Bag review
The Abcotech wireless speaker has a few tricks up its sleeve and at the same time doesn’t compromise sound quality. The speaker makes the perfect gadget for people who enjoy the outdoors. It packs great sound quality, long enough battery life, a built-in microphone for hands free speakerphone capabilities, a loud and powerful bass and built-in FM radio all in one durable water-resistant package.
The Abcotech wireless speaker supports both wired and wireless connections (via Bluetooth) to stream your favorite songs all day long. The speaker is built into a portable case that’s good for bringing on trips, to the pool and even on a bike ride. Connected clips and velcro straps will allow users to easily attach the speaker to their bicycle and not have to worry about it falling off. In addition, a zipper allows you to fully enclose your device in the bag keeping it dry and safe from whatever may come its way. It comes in three color options, red, blue and black (used in this review).
Design
The Abcotech wireless speaker’s super portable and lightweight design is perfect for whatever life brings. Its included water resistance can handle anything from a splash to a rain shower. The design features a soft touch casing that is extremely durable and prone to the outdoors. If users decide to use a wired connection, the connected device can be strapped inside the bag and closed with a zipper to ensure it’s safe from the outside environment.
On the outside, the speaker has tactile buttons on the front side that light up and give users control over their music. Whether using a connected Android device, iOS device or another device, users will be able to skip tracks, pause/play, connect to Bluetooth, access the built-in FM radio, skip channels or raise the volume all from the exterior controls. In addition, users can use their Bluetooth connected smartphone for controls such as changing the volume or skipping to the next track.
The bag is made out of a hard material that can’t be bent or re-shaped in any way, thus ensuring what’s inside is safe.
One of the main features of this speaker is to be able to use it during a bike ride. The speaker includes adjustable straps, a built-in clip and velcro to ensure it fits on your bicycle.
Other than the speaker itself, users will find that a male-to-male 3.5mm cable for connecting your device(s) is included in the box. It also includes a USB 2.o to micro-USB cable for charging along with a owners manual.
Functionality
The functionality of the Abcotech wireless speaker is what makes others rave about it. This isn’t just your typical Bluetooth speaker. It includes a built-in FM radio, a microphone for picking up phone calls and a wired connection just in case your device can’t be connected wireless. Most would expect the device’s sound quality to disappoint since all these bells and whistles are included. However, the sound quality is actually good for the price. It’s nothing to go crazy for, and if you’re expecting top-notch sound quality you’re not getting it here. However, during testing I found that Abcotech did a decent job here. The speaker also gets fairly loud, but if you’re planning on being over 30+ meters away, it becomes slightly difficult to hear even when placed on full volume. Sound quality also becomes a bit unclear when putting on max volume but it’s not a deal breaker.
During testing I found the controls to be very handy. It’s very convenient having the buttons light up and makes it much easier to interact during night hours. As for battery life, I found the speaker lasting weeks to even months on a single charge with minimal usage. Battery life shouldn’t really be an issue here so long as you charge it before going on a weekly trip. For charging, users will have two options. One can either use the USB 2.0 to Micro USB cable included with the device or insert a BL-5C 3.7V 800mAh rechargeable Li-ion battery. That’s if you can find an additional one to have as a backup. Charging from 0% to full will take approx. 2-3 hours depending on your source.
If there is any downside with the product it’s the FM Radio. Sometimes the device had a hard time getting hold of reception. Even when it does there aren’t many channels to listen too. This is common in these devices so you’re not really missing out. It should be noted that when it does work, it works well.
An On/Off button is included on the inside of the bag which lights up a blue LED indicator when turned on. Users will also have the option to plug in an auxiliary cable or a pair of headphones directly into the speaker. The speaker also has some extra space just in case someone wants to place their keys or small object(s) inside the bag when going on a trip or bike ride. Straps are also included on the inside to keep your phone from moving around. The only con is that it will only fit devices up to a certain size. Unfortunately, if you have a smartphone whose display is 5.5-inches or larger it probably won’t fit inside.
Closing
Overall the Abcotech wireless speaker makes a great companion for those in need of a portable and durable speaker. It works with the majority of today’s devices and hasn’t caused any problems with my usage so far. Battery life will last you the week on a single charge with moderate usage and sound quality makes the speaker a sweet deal. Its included straps and clips make it easy to bring along with you on a bike ride and its water resistance can withstand most that comes its way. The price tag starts at $69 depending on the color you so desire. Ultimately, it makes a great device for listening to your favorite tracks and all of its additional built-in sensors separate it from competitors and make it worth while. Whether you’re lounging out near the pool or riding your bike in the mountains, you can rely on the Abcotech wireless speaker to get the job done.
Come comment on this article: Abcotech Wireless Bike Speaker Multi-function Bag review
6 tips to improve your mobile photography
Photography’s evolution has dramatically sped up since the inception of quality smartphone cameras. Handsets have effectively replaced point-and-shoot cameras, something we never expected to happen only a generation ago. This opens plenty of new doors for creating memories, but it also means there are millions of other users taking a sea of photos every single day. How can you make your own pictures stand out?
It’s hard to teach anyone photography, as it’s a skill that usually takes a long time to polish. There’s a plethora of factors to take into account every single time you release that shutter. Not to mention, every user has a personal style. Regardless, there are some simple ways to dramatically improve your shots, without investing too much time and resources into this art.
LG is giving us some tips and tricks you can apply to your daily snaps and share even more awesome images to your social networks. Of course, this is mostly marketing content and mentions LG products quite often, but these tricks can be applied with any camera, and it’s definitely useful information. Let’s dig into the nitty gritty, shall we?
1 – Shooting from above
As LG mentions, shooting from above (camera pointing down) can make people look more flattering, as it tends to get rid of “double chin action and awkward lines”. Of course, there are ways to do this without having to use these angles, it just so happens that looking up stretches parts of your neck and face, making them look smoother.
Alternatively, you can try to lower your shoulders and stick out your chin. You know, just in case you really want to show something that is behind you and you can only catch by lowering the camera.
2 – Play with the shutter speed
This is something most people don’t pay too much attention to, but messing around with the shutter speed can make a huge difference in your photos. It all depends on the amount of light you have available and the effect you are looking for. Let’s start by telling you how the shutter speed affects the image.
The shutter speed determines how long your camera sensor is exposed. A faster shutter speed will capture action clearer and freeze all the details, but it will also mean having to raise the ISO (more on this later), which can make the image more grainy.
On the other hand, lowering the shutter speed will capture smoother moving objects and you can get less noisy images, but you have to be more careful. Slow shutter speeds make your photos more prone to motion blur. Just make sure you have very steady hands, use a tripod or make sure the device is stable.
3 – The rule of thirds!
Composition, composition, composition! All other factors are important for making a great image, but ask any photographer and he will tell you composition is the most important part. There is plenty of advanced composition methods, but the most basic one that works almost every single time is the rule of thirds.
The concept is simple. Just visualize the frame divided in three, both horizontally and vertically. There will be a virtual set of rectangles. See the middle one? Try to place your main subject in one of its corners (where the lines intersect). This usually creates a very interesting effect, but be careful, as sometimes images can have too much dead space in other areas.
4 – Try to get a basic idea of ISO
What the hell is ISO? It seems like some convoluted professional photography term, but it’s really quite an easy concept. The ISO simply determines the sensitivity of your sensor (or film). The lower the ISO, the less light your camera can capture. This usually means you have to elongate exposure (unless you are looking for a specific effect), but shots will be less noisy.
As you start increasing the ISO, your images will become more grainy, but you will be able to use a faster shutter speed and/or make images brighter.
Many smartphones now have manual mode built in, but those who don’t enjoy such features can simply look for another camera app with a manual mode. There’s plenty in the Google Play Store!
5 – Sometimes panorama is the only good way to go
Are you trying to take a picture of something that is too large? You don’t need to run miles back just to fit it all in the frame. Pretty much all modern smartphones can now take panorama shots. These images are essentially multiple images stitched together. This used to be a more complicated process before, but smartphone software now does it all for you.
6 – HDR
When I learnt to do HDR, we had to take multiple identical shots at different shutter speeds, put them together using specialized software and manually adjust all the lighting. The ultimate purpose? To have more dynamic range and create images that are more uniformly lit. Modern smartphones can now take care of all this work on their own, so look for the option in the camera settings.
This is good for situations in which there is a large contrast in light. For example, try to take a picture of yourself indoors, standing in front of a window that points outside. Either you will be very dark or the light outside will be completely overblown.
Wrapping up
So there you have it, guys! These are definitely some helpful tips, but there is so much more you can do with your mobile photos. Do you have any other tips for us? Share them with your fellow mobile enthusiasts in the comments below.
Add-on promises to stabilize video from nearly any camera
It’s possible to stabilize your phone videos through Hyperlapse, and dedicated video editors can smooth out other shaky clips with enough time and effort. But what if you want a simple way to eliminate jitters no matter which camera you’re using? SteadXP believes it can help. It’s crowdfunding a namesake device that brings three-axis video stabilization to virtually any camera, whether it’s an action cam, a DSLR or a pro-grade cinema cam. While many of these shooters have some kind of stabilization, SteadXP’s device uses motion tracking with after-the-fact software analysis to deliver the kind of graceful, movie-like stabilization that would normally require a gimbal or steadicam.
And importantly, you don’t have to settle for one take on your footage. While SteadXP doesn’t play nicely with zooms and takes some time to compute the final results, you can reframe your subject to get the intended look. It’ll even suggest different trajectories (such as one that keeps the horizon level) to achieve particular effects.
If you like the concept, you might want to act quickly and score a discount. SteadXP is promising a GoPro-compatible model with a €140 pledge ($159) or a DSLR/mirrorless version with a €230 ($261) pledge, but you’ll have to pay €30 more if you miss out on these early bird offerings. You won’t have to wait too long to give the stabilizer a shot, at least. Regular shipments will start in March if all goes well, and those willing to pony up additional cash (at least €200, or $227) can participate in a beta test beginning this January. If you frequently record your outdoor adventures and would rather not make viewers feel queasy, this gadget is likely worth a closer look.
Filed under:
Cameras, Peripherals
Via:
The Verge
Source:
Kickstarter
Tags: actioncamera, crowdfunding, dslr, gopro, ImageStabilization, kickstarter, mirrorless, photography, stabilization, steadxp, video
The second ‘StarCraft II’ expansion arrives November 10th
It’s been a long time coming, but the second StarCraft II expansion is nearly here: Blizzard has announced that Legacy of the Void will arrive on November 10th. As with both the original game (Wings of Liberty) and Heart of the Swarm, this latest title will focus primarily on one species. In this case, you’re reuniting the mysterious Protoss so that they can confront a dire threat and reclaim their homeworld. You’ll also get new units for all factions, and there are fresh multiplayer modes that include shared bases and objective-based co-op. It’s not really a revolution, then. However, this also represents the end of the StarCraft II story line — if you’re determined to see the conclusion to Blizzard’s five-year sci-fi saga, you’ll want to check this out.
Filed under:
Gaming
Via:
Kotaku
Source:
Battle.net, BusinessWire
Tags: activision, blizzard, gaming, legacyofthevoid, starcraft, starcraft2, starcraftii, starcraftiilegacyofthevoid, video
Sphero BB-8 Android app updated with voice command capabilities
Did you get yourself a nifty Sphero BB-8 Star Wars droid? The app-controlled spherical robot is about the coolest tech toy we have seen hit the market in a long time. And using your phone to move the android around is only the basic feature; this thing is smarter than one would imagine. One of its perks is the ability to recognize your voice and react to it. There was only one issue – though this was a very widely advertised feature, it wasn’t a capability that was available to Android users at launch.
Sphero is ready to give us voice commands with the latest update to the official BB-8 application. This upgrade brings the application up to version 1.0.1, and it also offers UI tweaks, connection fixes and compatibility for more devices.
Those who want to start ordering their Sphero BB-8 robots around can now go to the official app’s settings and turn the “Voice Commands” option on. After this, you can tell the Sphero BB-8 to go into patrol mode, move forward or backward, and one can even yell out “it’s a trap” to have the robot go away speedily.
This little toy is every Star Wars geek’s dream. It packs so many features, which is why it’s no surprise to see it priced at $149. I say it’s worth every penny, though!
Have you guys been able to test voice commands yet? Hit the comments to let us know how it works.
Download the BB-8 app from the Google Play Store!
AIVAnet 