USA Today: California wrongly wiretapped 52,000 people
USA Today is claiming to have uncovered evidence that prosecutors in the state of California violated federal law by improperly authorizing the use of wiretaps. The paper believes that drug investigators used 738 questionable taps to intercept calls and text messages made by “more than 52,000 people.” If all of this is true, then the news will raise plenty of questions brought between mid-2013 and early 2015.
Source: USA Today
Game’s ‘Christmas Shopper’ sequel is hilariously bad
The insanity of Black Friday is almost upon us and to celebrate, British retailer Game has dropped an intentionally bad PC and Mac title called Christmas Shopper Simulator 2: Black Friday. That’s right, this is weirdly a sequel. The company pulled a similar stunt last year with a free game that had you running around a shopping centre and generally causing mayhem. Its follow-up has a near-identical premise filled with barmy challenges, ragdoll controls and poorly animated NPCs. Progressing through the game unlocks special rewards — within 10 minutes I had earned the ability to switch to a first-person perspective — but most of the entertainment comes from simply sprinting around like a lunatic. The bare-bones sandbox is also filled with absurd stores that play on popular games and British brands. To name but a few, there’s a falconry shop called “Britain’s Got Talons,” an Irish cinema chain named “O’Deans” and “Snakes Solid Boxes.” Depending on your perspective, the game is either downright bad or ‘so bad, it’s good.’ We’ll let you be the judge.
NASA’s FireSat system will be able to detect wildfires from space
NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory and San Francisco-based company Quadra Pi R2E are developing a space-based wildfire detector that can keep an eye on the whole world. This system, called FireSat, will be made up of over 200 thermal infrared imaging sensors installed on satellites in low-Earth orbit. It will be powerful enough to detect wildfires 35 to 50 feet wide within 15 minutes from the time they begin. And since wildfires spread very quickly, it will have the capability to contact authorities, so they can send emergency responders to the scene as early as possible.
Source: NASA
The best stories in ‘Fallout 4’ are the ones you can’t spoil
A few weeks ago, a malicious person created a new user account on Engadget (a time-consuming process in its own right) and dropped a massive pair of Fallout 4 spoilers in the comments of my Pip-Boy edition write-up. Why? Because some people just want to destroy the fun of others. I absentmindedly read these “comments” and was bummed out because I thought the game I’d been waiting for since 2009 had been ruined. As it turns out, that wasn’t the case.
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T-Mobile’s Extended Range LTE now lights up Detroit, Michigan
T-Mobile has launched its Extended Range LTE (aka 700 MHz low band spectrum) in the Detroit Metropolitan area and some other parts of the state of Michigan. The band 12 LTE supposedly provides four times more efficient LTE coverage in buildings and the signals travel twice as far from towers.
After the recent expansion, Un-carrier’s LTE footprint now reaches to over 300 million customers in the following cities of Michigan: Ann Arbor, Flint, Lansing, Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo, Battle Creek, Bay City/Saginaw, Jackson, Ludington, Traverse City, Charlevoix, Petoskey, Houghton Lake, and Alpena.
Don’t be disheartened if your city is not in the list of newly-lit areas of Michigan, as T-Mobile is planning to bring its Extended Range LTE in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula before the end of the year.
Full Press Release
T-Mobile Lights Up Detroit Metropolitan Area and Many Other Cities Throughout the State of Michigan With Extended Range LTE
Detroit, MI — November 19, 2015What:
The Un-carrier™ today confirmed its Extended Range LTE, or 700 MHz low band spectrum, which now carries T-Mobile’s LTE signals both farther and deeper indoors than before, is now live throughout the Detroit Metropolitan Area and the state of Michigan, including Northern Michigan.With a rapid deployment of a nationwide LTE footprint that reaches over 300 million Americans, “Motor City” and other cities throughout the “Wolverine State” are now lit up with T-Mobile’s best in-building coverage offering.
Extended Range LTE Coverage
T-Mobile has been rolling out truckloads of new spectrum that carries the LTE signal twice as far from towers, for a massive coverage expansion – plus it works four times better in buildings than before.In 11 months, T-Mobile has aggressively rolled out airwaves known as 700 MHz in 204 major metro areas including cities such as Kansas City, Minneapolis, and Cleveland, so you can use your compatible phone to get great 700 MHz coverage while visiting friends and family in those cities.
Extended Range LTE also enhances coverage in other areas already served by our strong 4G LTE network, so T-Mobile LTE customers there can experience better coverage in suburban and rural areas because the signal reaches further and penetrates deeper than before. So whether you are enjoying a night out on Woodward Avenue or have an important business meeting in downtown Detroit, or are vacationing in Northern Michigan — your coverage doesn’t have to be sacrificed.
Customers with 700 MHz-compatible devices can already see the benefits. Check your device compatibility or upgrade through JUMP! On Demand™ by visiting http://www.t-mobile.com/cell-phones.lte-band-twelve.html.
Where:
In addition to the Detroit Metropolitan Area, 700 MHz now also extends to Un-carrier customers in other cities throughout the state of Michigan, including Ann Arbor, Flint, Lansing, Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo, Battle Creek, Bay City/Saginaw, Jackson, Ludington, Traverse City, Charlevoix, Petoskey, Houghton Lake, and Alpena. T-Mobile also expects to light up Extended Range LTE in areas in Michigan’s UP (Upper Peninsula), later this year.Background:
“The D” and many areas throughout Michigan are just the latest to receive T-Mobile’s best in-building coverage as performance enhancements of America’s fastest nationwide 4G LTE network never stop.In addition to delivering America’s fastest nationwide 4G LTE network, T-Mobile has unleashed a steady drumbeat of industry-rocking Un-carrier moves, including abolishing restrictive annual service contracts, data limits, shock overages, the upgrade runaround, high international roaming charges and many more old-guard carrier practices.
Fastest LTE network based on download speeds.
About T-Mobile US, Inc.
As America’s Un-carrier, T-Mobile US, Inc. (NASDAQ: TMUS) is redefining the way consumers and businesses buy wireless services through leading product and service innovation. The Company’s advanced nationwide 4G LTE network delivers outstanding wireless experiences to approximately 61 million customers who are unwilling to compromise on quality and value. Based in Bellevue, Washington, T-Mobile US provides services through its subsidiaries and operates its flagship brands, T-Mobile and MetroPCS. For more information, please visit http://www.t-mobile.com.
Come comment on this article: T-Mobile’s Extended Range LTE now lights up Detroit, Michigan
Xiaomi Mi Pad 2 to have a metal unibody design, rumor says
A new render has been posted to Chinese social networking platform Weibo, showing off the Xiaomi Mi Pad 2 in its full form. Not only does the device have a metal unibody in tow, but it also seems to have a new design this time around.
As expected, little has been altered on the front side of the device (there’s only so much you can do to make it unique), but the back is featuring a new silver color tone. Not only that, but you can clearly see the new rounded corners and the metal chassis, almost reminiscent of some of the new iPads.
Xiaomi has a hardware event coming up on November 24, where we’ll no doubt hear more about this upcoming tablet. In the meantime, it’s rumored to sport a 7.9-inch display, an Intel Atom x5 chipset, 2GB of RAM, and Android 5.1. There are also some rumors floating around, indicating that the device could potentially dual-boot Windows 10 as well.
We’re only four days away from Xiaomi’s event, so there’s not much longer to wait to see what’s up with the Mi Pad 2. Anyone excited?
source: Weibo
via: GizmoChina
Come comment on this article: Xiaomi Mi Pad 2 to have a metal unibody design, rumor says
Google launching the Play Store in China after the Chinese New Year, report says
There’s been some hints that Google will be facing some stiff competition if it ever brings its Play Store to China. And now, Google is reported to launch its Play Store in China during early 2016, according to a new report from Reuters.
Google pulled the Play Store from China years ago after facing running into some tough censorship laws that the search giant refused to comply with. Now, Reuters’ sources are saying that Google will comply with censoring content that “might be viewed as sensitive by the ruling Communist Party.” Not only that, but Google has reportedly agreed to store Play Store data within the country as well.
The search giant hasn’t responded to requests for comment on the matter, but Reuters says that the Play Store could launch in the Chinese region after the Chinese New Year in February, but before summer. It’s a vague launch date, but we’ll no doubt hear something more official in 2016.
After pulling out of the market years ago, Google will no doubt face some tougher competition with trying to reenter the region. However, Google would like to use a successful Play Store as a “launch pad” for bringing other Google products into the market.
Google has been pretty public with its hopes for getting back into the Chinese market, so this isn’t necessarily a surprise. However, it’ll be an interesting business move to watch over the next few months.
source: Reuters
Come comment on this article: Google launching the Play Store in China after the Chinese New Year, report says
OnePlus now offering extended warranty program in US and Canada
OnePlus recently launched an extended warranty program in Europe and India, and now it’s bringing a similar service to North America.
OnePlus’ On-Guard by Assurant program will allow new customers to pay a fee in exchange of a period of Extended Service Coverage and Accidental Damage from Handling.
Extended Service Coverage is a warranty that provides replacement coverage in case your device fails due to “manufacturer’s defects in material and workmanship that reveal themselves in normal usage.” In other words, if your OnePlus 2 or OnePlus X breaks during the extended warranty, you will receive a new device.
Accidental Damage from Handling offers protection against accidents like drops, liquid spills, and cracks. This is the coverage that you want if you’re prone to accidents and you don’t like smothering your device with bulky cases.
Assurant Solutions is OnePlus’ partner in the US and Canada. The company, which specializes in various specialty insurance solutions, has a “mobile device repair and refurbishment center” in the U.S. That will hopefully ensure fast turnarounds for OnePlus customers.
Here’s the breakdown of the available plans, in the US and Canada.
For now, OnePlus only allows you to sign up for On-Guard right after your purchase a device. The company said it’s working on bringing the option to existing customers. The OnePlus X was just introduced in the United States yesterday, with the well-known caveat that you require an invitation to buy one.
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The original OnePlus One, in particular, has been dogged by various hardware issues, and the OnePlus 2 isn’t without its problems. The fact that OnePlus requires you to ship your device back to China for honoring the warranty does not help with the peace of mind. If you’re worried about it, these extended warranty solutions may offer you some solace.
Nexus 5X users reporting issues with touch response during charging
Having issues with the touch responsivity of your Nexus 5X while charging it? You’re not alone. Many users on various forums are reporting similar problems.
According to Nexus 5X user Simon Mellins, who posted about the issue on Reddit and Google’s Nexus product support forums, the problem appears when charging the phone with the charger that ships in the box. This 3A/5V/15W charger uses the USB 3.1 Type C standard for fast charging (not to be confused with Qualcomm’s Quick Charging tech).
When charging, users report decreased touchscreen responsivity, which is especially visible when typing. The touchscreen effectively lags, which can really ruin the experience of using the device. It may sound like a small issue, as users can just unplug the device for the time they need to use it. But it appears to be a real issue, nevertheless.
Reportedly, using other wall chargers (with a USB Type C to Type A cable) has no negative effects on the touchscreens. There’s some speculation that the issue is due to insufficient shielding that causes electromagnetic interference in the touchscreen.
Dozens of users on XDA-Developers, Reddit, and Google forums are confirming the problems. A survey on XDA shows that 27 users report having the issue, compared to 22 who said they encountered no problems.
At least one user is reporting a more serious issue, where the device becomes “completely unresponsive” when plugged in for charging and a few minutes after.
The problem may have already been fixed by Google and LG. There’s speculation that the devices manufactured in November (device serial number starting with 511) don’t have the issue.
We’ll keep you updated on this issue. Meanwhile, have you run into similar problems? Let us know.
Headband detects obstacles and guides the blind haptically
Until scientists perfect bionic vision, shouldn’t there be a better way for the blind to get around than a simple cane? That’s the idea behind Sentiri, a proximity-sensing headband that helps steer users around by motor-driven haptic feedback. It detects objects in the environment using infrared depth sensors, then varies the level of vibrations to the user’s head to help them avoid obstacles. If it’s connected to a smartphone with an app like Google Maps, the tool can also safely guide you from point ‘A’ to point ‘B.’ The company behind it, Chaotic Moon, also created a “haptic language” that transmits extra information to users by changing the frequency, intensity and number of vibrations.
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