UK consumer rights laws now cover digital downloads
The Consumer Rights Act 2015 becomes official legislation in the UK today, pulling several, previously separate consumer rights laws together into a simpler structure. The Act also brings in clearer rules, such as a mandatory 30-day period in which sellers must fully refund customers who’ve received faulty goods, and for the first time, digital products are now covered. That means consumers who download games, software, music, e-books, films and TV shows are legally entitled to refunds, repairs and replacements if that content is deemed “faulty.” Digital goods must be “of satisfactory quality,” “fit for particular purpose” and “as described,” according to the Act’s legalese, though there is some wiggle-room within these broad statements.
It’s reasonable to expect new software might include a few bugs, for example, but consumers now have the legal right to a refund or price reduction if, say, they bought a digital copy of Halo: The Master Chief Collection to discover multiplayer is utterly broken. Similarly, if you rent a film online and the provider’s servers go down, meaning you’re unable to watch it, the same rights apply. In addition to the new Consumer Rights Act responding to our evolving consumption habits, it imposes stricter rules on service providers. Specifically, consumers are now able to challenge terms and conditions they consider unfair, or may have been purposefully buried in contract small print. This is likely to be particularly relevant to telecoms providers, and will give you the legal right to argue the toss if you’re stung with price hikes or exit charges you weren’t aware of when you signed on the dotted line.
Via: Ofcom, Citizens Advice
Source: Department for Business, Innovation & Skills, The Consumer Rights Act 2015
Rate your friends like they’re restaurants with Peeple
A ‘Yelp’-style app for rating people is not a new idea, but nobody’s been terrible enough to actually build one in real life — until now. A startup company has launched an app called “Peeple” which has already raised $7.6 million in venture capital, according to the Washington Post. It lets anyone with a Facebook account and cell phone rate another person and assign them a star rating out of five in one of three categories: personal, professional and romantic. Though Peeple calls itself “a positivity app for positive people,” the idea of the app is largely being panned on social media.
Genuinely don’t understand how anyone who’s ever been on the internet could think #peeple is a good idea. Is it a parody? Is this art?
— Rachel Feltman (@RachelFeltman) October 1, 2015
For the many, many people who raised concerns about online bullying and shaming, Peeple founder Julia Cordray told the Post that the app’s “integrity features” will largely stem such problems. Namely, you must be 21, have a Facebook account at least six months old, and make reviews under your real name. In addition, you must affirm that you know the person you’re reviewing and input their cellphone number if they’re not in the database. Negative ratings for people won’t show unless they’ve registered for the site, and you have 48 hours to dispute a negative rating if you do register.
As Twitter users have already pointed out, there are a host of potential issues, however. Isn’t assigning a person a number Orwellian and ridiculous? What about the aforementioned bullying? What about the fact that reviews for restaurants, objects or sites are usually biased, a problem that could be exponentially worse with people? What if you give your phone number to someone on a date and they decide to use it to rate you romatically? And finally, what if you don’t want unsolicited opinions? Even the founder thinks that’s a bad idea, apparently.
Such issues haven’t discouraged the team, however — they think they’re “bold innovators” who help people get “feedback” on their lives. In fact, they created a blog post dedicated to themselves called “An Ode to Courage,” saying that “people are scared and they don’t understand” the app. “We are… sending big waves into motion and we will not apologize for that because we love you enough to give you this gift.” (We’re assuming the whole thing isn’t a joke, of course, because it certainly seems like one.)
Ironically, for a time they set the Peeple Twitter account to private following the deluge of criticism, though it’s now public again. In response, one Twitter critic said, “color me shocked; two blond-haired, conventionally pretty, well-off white women can’t conceptualize of why a ‘Yelp for people’ is a bad idea.”
Via: Washington Post
Source: Peeple
Children’s picture books get an internet-era makeover
Remember those customized children’s books that the rich kids in school used to get, featuring a story with their name and face pasted onto the pages? It turns out that these things are still going, but now the companies that make them are harnessing the power of the internet to make them even more personal. Lost My Name is a UK company that’s launching a new customized book, entitled The Intergalactic Journey Home that incorporates information like satellite images of the kid’s home. That way, the star of the show will actually fly over their own home during the dramatic conclusion of the book. Cool, huh?
If the company is to be believed, The Intergalactic Journey Home is the world’s most advanced children’s picture book ever created. As well as pictures of their home, the book mashes NASA photography and algorithmically-generated images for artwork that’s unique to each individual book. All of that creativity will cost you, however, with the book priced at $29.99 with free worldwide shipping. If you want to make something beautiful to celebrate your kid’s birthday, then head over to the site and enter their name and zipcode and you’ll be on your way.
Source: Lost My Name
Hands-on with LG’s dual-screen, dual-selfie camera V10
If you were wondering how LG might keep up with Samsung’s experimentation with extra screen real estate on its Edge phones — and really, isn’t that the first thing we all think about after we wake up, pour a cup of coffee and question the insignificance of our existence — the V10 is your answer. It’s the beginning of a new series of phones for LG, ostensibly replacing the G Pro phablet line. Whereas the company’s “G” series remains its flagship, it seems like the “V” line will be where LG experiments a bit (even moreso than its curved Flex models). To that end, the V10 includes a few unique features: A second, tiny screen right above the main 5.7-inch display, and two front-facing cameras for the selfie-afflicted. It’s also the company’s first phone to include metal (it has steel around the sides), it sports a tough new silicon-based rear cover, and it packs in two Gorilla Glass 4 panels on its display. Clearly, there are a lot of ideas at play here, but how do they come together? Slideshow-324649
The first thing I noticed about the V10 wasn’t its second screen, it was the fact that it felt like a tank in my hand. The combination of silicon and metal makes the V10 feel more like a rugged device like the Galaxy S6 Active, rather than a traditional smartphone. It feels a tad heavier than the iPhone 6 Plus, and it’s a bit thicker too, clocking in around 8.9 mm at its thickest point. In a series of 1 meter drop test videos LG displayed, which battered the corners, back and front of the phone, the V10 didn’t show any noticeable damage. Of course, we’ll have to test it out ourselves to see if LG’s claims are real.
As for that extra display, it’s reminiscent of how Samsung took advantage of its curved Edge phones. It’s an always-on screen — by default, it stays on even when you turn off the main screen) — that lets you quickly access recent contacts, apps and it can display notifications for your next appointment. It can also show your signature, or a custom bit of text, if that’s what floats your boat. Given its tiny size though — it clocks in at just 1040 x 150 pixels — there’s only so much LG can fit in. While I don’t see the second screen as a big selling point for LG, it’s an intriguing idea for making smartphones more versatile.
With the V10’s two front-facing cameras, LG is basically declaring war on the selfie stick. They’re both five megapixel shooters, but whereas one has a standard 80 degree lens, the other can take far wider 120 degree shots. It of course adds a slight curve to selfies, but it allows you to capture much more than a traditional lens. In my brief testing, the front cameras worked as advertised. But it’s also the sort of thing that will only appeal to a certain type of consumer.
While the V10 packs in the same 16 megapixel rear camera as the G4, LG also included some video recording upgrades. The phone has an additional bit of stabilization technology that makes shooting video feel almost like you’re using a dedicated steadicam gimbal. It’s a particularly useful addition for anyone who likes to take video, and it comes just as Apple added optical image stabilization to the iPhone 6 Plus.
LG says the V10 is hitting Korea “soon,” and it’ll hit AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile in the US at some point afterwards. Pricing is also up in the air, but you can expect it to be more expensive than the G4.
Moog adds to its analog arsenal with the Mother-32 semi-modular synth
Moog announced that it would no longer produce the legendary Minimoog Voyager earlier this week, but that doesn’t mean the company isn’t slowing down. Today, the North Carolina-based synth maker revealed the Mother-32: a semi-modular analog synthesizer that’s built to “inspire unique sound creation, new music and endless sonic exploration.” How exactly does it go about doing that? For starters, there’s a voltage-controlled sequencer and 32-point analog patch bay to create a load of unique sounds. No patching is required to get started, so musicians at any skill level can begin making music in no time.
There’s also a 10-octave analog oscillator and analog white noise generator that are both wrangled by voltage-controlled mixer for further tweaking. In other words, there’s a few ways to make adjustments to the audio you’re futzing with. What’s more, a 32-step sequencer and memory bank capable of storing 64 patterns makes creating and recalling loops a breeze. If you’re really looking to get serious about a new setup, you can patch multiple Mother-32s together. In fact, there are optional racks that’ll house either two or three of the units. Similar to existing Moog products, the new gear has a black laser-etched aluminum frame with wooden sides for a classic look. If all of that sounds too good to pass up, the Mother-32 is available now for $599. And while you wait for it to arrive, there’s a demo video that shows that the instrument is capable of just down below. Slideshow-324647
Source: Moog Music
Deal: ChargeIt! Car Charger can power 2 devices at once, now just $17.95
Not too long ago we told you about the super inexpensive ChargeIt! Wall Charger that could power up to three devices at the same time. If you’re a fan of that charger but would like something similar for the car, the AA Deals Store has you covered. Right now, you can pick up a ChargeIt! Dual-Output Car Charger for a massive 40% off!
This ChargeIt! Car Charger features two USB ports in 1A and 2.4A variants, allowing you to plug in two devices at the same time. And unlike some other car chargers on the market, this one will safeguard your devices with overload protection so you can charge your smartphones and tablets worry-free. There’s even a 10.5-inch Micro USB cable provided in the box so you can leave yours at home.
If you’d like to get your hands on the ChargeIt! Dual-Output Car Charger, the Android Authority Deals Store has them on sale for just $17.95, which is a big 40% off the retail price. Interested? Head to the deal link below for more information.
LG Watch Urbane 2nd Edition first look
LG just announced the steel-bound V10, but that’s not the only ferrous beauty coming from the Korean company today: the Watch Urbane 2nd Edition brings a classy look and cellular connectivity – a first for the Android Wear ecosystem.
We had the opportunity to check out the Urbane 2nd Edition, with a caveat: we couldn’t play with the software at all. With this warning out of the way, here’s our first look at the LG Watch Urbane 2nd Edition.
Design and functionality
While the Urbane 2nd Edition is the first Android Wear watch with cellular connectivity, LG has dabbled with the concept before, on the webOS-powered Watch Urbane LTE. There is where the Urbane 2nd Edition takes most of its design cues, and, in particular, the three buttons on the side.
The Urbane 2nd Edition is definitely more sportsy than the Watch Urbane, especially when you choose one of the rubber bands. There will be several bands options available, but you won’t be able to use a standard one, because the bands incorporate the antennas required for cellular connectivity.
The watch is thick compared to other wearables, but it doesn’t look too large and it’s quite comfortable even on my tiny wrists, thanks to the curved bands.
The color accents of the buttons match the band, which is a nice touch. The top button allows you to bring up your favorite contacts, the main one has the typical Android Wear functionality, while tapping the bottom button will open up LG’s Health up. The device can monitor your heart rate, workout intensity, and stress levels, though we suspect the latter two features are based on simple readings of the heart rate.
Hardware features and connectivity
The Watch Urbane 2nd Edition packs the best specs on any Android Wear smartwatch to date. These include a 1.2GHz Snapdragon 400 SoC, 768MB of RAM, 4GB of storage, Bluetooth 4.1, Wi-Fi, and GPS. The display is 1.38 inches with a 480 x 480 pixels resolution, for an excellent 348ppi; for comparison, the next best display is on the Huawei Watch, at 400×400 pixels.
The battery is much larger than the norm as well. At 570 mAh, it’s almost double what you get on the Huawei Watch or the Tizen-powered Gear S2. Of course, the LTE/3G modem will consume a lot of that power, but LG claims the Urbane 2nd Edition should be good for a full day of use, or more.
You will be able to connect to the internet wirelessly from anywhere in the world. The LTE/3G device takes a nano-SIM and should work with many carriers. More details will be offered when the device launches in the US.
Software?
It appears that LG has announced the Watch Urbane 2nd Edition before Google has finalized the latest Android Wear version needed to enable the new features on the device. That’s likely the reason we weren’t allowed to shoot the software during our briefing. That said, an announcement from Google is probably imminent.
Wrap up
LG is really stepping it up with the Watch Urbane 2nd Edition, which joins a growing collection of beautiful Android Wear smartwatches of mostly circular design. We’ll need to wait for the Android Wear update and a test of the cellular support before offering our verdict, but signs are pretty encouraging.
Tell us what you think!
LG V10 vs LG G4: quick look
Now that the LG V10 is out, you can definitely expect a lot of coverage, including some comparisons. But there is one phone we just have to put the new handset against. We are obviously talking about the LG G4.
The LG V10 isn’t exactly the G4’s successor. These high-end smartphones are targeting different audiences and both serve their purposes. The real question here is: which is the right one for you? Let’s take a look at them and figure that out!
Design
LG hasn’t strayed too far from its winning formula when it comes to the design. The LG G4 is a very well made smartphone, and such remains the case with the LG V10. Both include signature elements like the rear button layout and thin bezels in the front. There are some significant changes in the newer handset, however.
The LG V10 sports much more durable materials and a sturdier build quality. This gadget is made with a stainless steel frame and a plastic-based material LG calls DuraSkin (soft to the touch, yet very durable). It’s definitely a much stronger phone than the LG G4, as the V10 was certified with MIL-STD-810G Transit Drop Compliant shock protection.
The back also features a grid-like pattern that is unlike anything we have seen coming from LG in the past. It looks good. Probably not as elegant as leather, but it does give you the feeling that you are holding a resistant device.
And while we are on the topic of leather, that is something that truly differentiates the LG G4 – its distinctive leather covers. You can really make the LG G4 look unique, and it can even be customized on-the-go, as these back covers are replaceable.
Both devices feature removable back plates, giving you access to the battery and microSD card slot (both dying breeds in the mobile industry). And while the back buttons have made a return with the V10, the latest flagship also includes capacitive features and a fingerprint reader in the power button.
Changes from the LG G4 are noticeable up front as well, particularly towards the top. The V10 features a secondary display and a dual front-facing camera setup right above the main screen. These new elements do make the device longer, which is something you must also consider, as handling it will take some getting used to. On the other hand, the LG G4 was very comfortable to hold.
Oh, and let’s not forget them curves! The LG G4 had a curve (a la G Flex), which some argue make the phone fit better on your pocket, face and hand.
Display
Both the LG G4 and the V10 feature nearly identical IPS LCD Quantum Displays with a QHD (2560×1440) resolution, so you won’t be missing much in this department. The only difference with these panels is that the G4’s measures 5.5 inches, while the V10 screen is 5.7 inches. This results in slightly different pixel densities (538 vs 513), but you likely won’t see a difference there.
By the way, LG’s screens may not be as vibrant or deep, but their offer color accuracy that is second to none.
The LG V10 does cause a stir by implementing a secondary screen, though, something you definitely won’t find in the G4. This 2.1-inch display has a 106×1040 resolution and retains a pixel count of 513 PPI (similar to the main screen). More about that in the software section.
Performance
Looking for performance? You will be disappointed by neither of these handsets. Both feature a Snapdragon 808 processor with an Adreno 418 GPU backing them up. The main difference is that the LG G4 has 3 GB of RAM, while the V10 offers extra power with 4 GB on board.
Regardless, both devices will be just as snappy and smooth, but the V10 may get a bit of a boost with better multi-tasking.
Hardware
While the LG G4 comes with 32 GB of internal storage, the V10 doubles that with 64 GB. The good news is that both come with a microSD card slot.
The V10 also sports a fingerprint reader, which can be used to unlock the phone, use Android Pay and perform other biometric authentication processes compatible with Android. This is something you definitely won’t find in the G4.
The LG V10 also introduces 32-bit Hi-Fi DAC by ESS Technology, which can automatically detect connected devices and provide sound control options. It’s also the first commercial device to adopt Qualcomm’s QFE2550 closed-loop antenna tuning solutions to improve voice quality and expand network coverage.
On the battery front we can find the same 3000 mAh battery in either gadget. This is no longer a special occurrence, but the lure about these phones is that the batteries are removable, which means you can carry multiple spares and swap at will.
Camera
The LG G4 has an amazing camera… one of the best in the industry. This means LG fans will be happy to hear the V10 retains the same technology on the main shooter. Both feature identical 16 MP sensors with an f/1.8 aperture lens, laser auto-focus and OIS (optical image stabilization).
These devices also offer the same level of deep manual control, which allows you to manipulate ISO, shutter speed, quality and more.
Now, let’s turn to the front, where there are more obvious differences. What’s up with those dual 5 MP front-facing cameras? The advantage is that these couple lenses allow for creating wider angle shots, which is definitely welcome.
Software
It’s obvious that these phones will come with very similar software experiences. They were both released in 2015 and run Android 5.1.1, with LG’s G UI layered on top. The experience is a little bloated, but things are getting better, and there are plenty of awesome features to be enjoyed. Not to mention LG’s optimizations between hardware and software, which do make the phone rather snappy and smooth.
The main difference in the software experience definitely rests on that secondary screen the LG V10 rocks. When your main display is off, the ticker can showcase the weather, time, battery and date. Things get pretty handy once you turn your phone on, though. This little display can save your shortcuts and favorite apps. I also love the fact that it displays notifications while one uses other functions of the phone. This means you can say goodbye to interruptions while watching a video, gaming or doing anything else.
Which one wins?
It’s hard to tell you which phone is “the best”, simply because we all have different needs and preferences. If you want a straight answer – the LG V10 is definitely the most impressive, powerful and full-featured of the two. It has that secondary display, a better front-facing camera, more RAM memory, more internal storage, improved audio and a much, much stronger build (see our LG V10 drop test for more on that).
On the other hand, the LG G4 fits better in the hand, has a curved screen and a very elegant (and customizable) design. It will also likely be more affordable and still has all the awesome specs, stunning camera, removable battery and expandable storage support. The choice just depends on your needs and how much you value the extra things the LG V10 has to offer.
Let us know your thoughts!
LG V10 durability drop test
LG has now taken the wraps off the LG V10, giving us a device that shares some of the same design elements and specs as the LG G4, but with some very meaningful upgrades and improvements baked in. This doesn’t just apply to the spec sheet either, as the LG V10’s build has been improved, especially in terms of durability. The device’s frame is made with strong stainless steel and DuraSkin, a plastic material that is not only soft and grippy, but it also provides a lot of protection against drops, nicks and scratches.
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Even more exciting, the V10 touts a MIL-STD-810 rating for resistance to mechanical shocks. In theory, that means the device should survive 26 drops from a 122 cm height onto a plywood sheet placed over concrete. Of course, most users just want to know if the phone can handle a drop or two. That is what we are testing today.
See also: LG V10 officially announced: everything you need to know
The idea is to simulate real-life scenarios in most of our drop tests, but we made an exception with the V10, due to its nature. In the video above, the LG V10 was pushed to its limits, and while we tried to focus on some of the more common drops that a smartphone owner might encounter, we threw in a few unrealistic drops to see just how much of a beating the V10 could take.
Our test unit went through about 15 drops – some realistic, some not so much. As it turns out, our results show the LG V10 is actually surprisingly durable. The screen did shatter, but that didn’t happen until the last drop, when I tossed the phone up in the air, just to see how far the V10 could be taken. Before this final drop test, the smartphone only had minor cosmetic damage – scratches and nicks here and there.
Even though the screen did break at the very end, any other smartphone would probably have been destroyed long before this. We have seen plenty of phones end up worse than the LG V10 by the very first drop, so this is definitely a sign of success for the Korean manufacturer. Not to mention, the device still works to its fullest capacity, albeit with a cracked screen and some other cosmetic damage.
Certain lifestyles require this level of durability. If we kept doing normal scenarios, the phone’s screen would have probably been fine, making this phone one definitely worth considering if you tend to be a bit rougher with your phones.
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What do you think of the LG V10’s durability? Anyone interested in picking one up now that you know just how tough it is?
NVIDIA rolls out Update 2.0 to Shield TV, brings 4K gaming and other enhancements
NVIDIA has had a busy couple of days, its Shield Android TV box landing in the UK today, with the 16GB variant priced at £149 and the 500GB Pro version going for £229. Yesterday, NVIDIA also announced its new video game streaming service called GeForce NOW, with a £7.49 ($7.99) monthly subscription. And today, firmware update 2.0 is also busy rolling out to the Shield TV, bringing 4K gaming and other improvements.
Thanks to the 2.0 update, the following games can now be rendered in glorious 4K resolution, with NVIDIA working with developers to enable the function on other titles:
- Beach Buggy Racing
- Bombsquad
- Hardwood Solitaire IV
- Riptide GP 2
- Kosmik Revenge
- Video Poker Duel
- Leo’s Fortune
- Machinarium
- Meltdown
- Never Alone
- Samurai II
- Sky Gamblers: Storm Raiders
On the media front, the Shield TV now has pass-through support for:
- Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio lossless audio
- MPEG2, VC-1, WMV9 hardware-acceleration
- M2TS, ASF, WMV container support for VC-1
- WMA audio support (including WMA Pro and WMA Lossless)
- 23.976 Hz playback support
- Overscan adjustment
The update also includes:
- Enhanced video playback for Netflix and YouTube
- Ability to transfer files from USB attached storage to a MicroSD card using the ES File Explorer app
- Option to manually turn off the SHIELD controller by holding the Nvidia button on the controller for six seconds
- Lowers audio latency for gameplay by 40ms compared to standard Android TV OS
It’s quite the update, and one that should be hitting the Shield TV via OTA sometime today if it isn’t available already.
Source: NVIDIA
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