Turing Phone thrown against concrete and dunked in water… survives
If you have been following our coverage of the Turing Phone you will know this is no typical handset. This phone is secure inside and out. Not only does it maintain your information private, but it also keeps it safe with a body that can withstand rough handling like we very seldom see.
See also: Liquidmetal-made Turing Phone is as strong as is secure
The Turing Phone is made of liquidmetal, aluminum and polycarbonate, making for a build quality that can handle some tough drops. In addition, Turing made sure to make this phone waterproof by coating both the inside and outside components in this device. But we can’t just grab a review unit and test its resistance, right?
Well, Turing can, and that is exactly what they have done. Turing has sent us a couple videos showcasing their phone’s resistance to torture and the elements. Let’s take a look at them!
See also: Turing Phone first look: a focus on security, inside and out
Drop test
In this video we can see the phone being thrown at a wall and bouncing off into what looks like solid concrete. Of course, we can’t certify that it’s really concrete, but that surface sure looks hard!
The test was performed twice, and other than what look like scratches on the edges, the phone looks fine. The screen is in perfect condition. Not many phones would be able to handle this kind of treatment, guys. I mean, I have broken other “rugged” devices easier than what we can see here.
See also: Strong and secure Turing Phone going up for pre-order on July 31st
Water test
Now it’s time to see if this thing is really waterproof. Turing swears that this dual protection will keep the phone safe even if water does reach the innards of the phone, and according to what this video showcases this seems to be the case.
We can see a working Turing Phone being dunked in a fountain and left in there for quite a while. When retrieved, everything works perfectly.
Wrapping up
Pretty solid, right? The videos look legit and it doesn’t seem to me like Turing did anything weird to try to dupe the results.
With this in mind, this is looking like a very enticing phone for those looking to get a secure, private and durable smartphone. Starting at $610, it is a bit pricey compared to current competitors, but it offers a level of security that is hard to beat, has a solid build quality and packs pretty good specs, at least compared with similar niche devices, which usually cost a fortune and offer lackluster performance.
China says OPM breach was the work of criminal hackers
China says the massive security breaches at the US Office of Personnel Management (OPM) that exposed the personal information of more than 21.5 million US government employees, contractors, veterans and friends of personnel, was the work of criminal hackers within China and not state-sponsored. This new information was reported by the Xinhua news agency.
Via: NYT
Source: Xinhuanet
Andy Rubin rumoured to be planning a move back into Android smartphones
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If there’s one man to thank for the success of Android, even if it’s his contemporaries that have really helped it stretch its legs, it’s Andy Rubin. The so-called “father of Android” hasn’t worked at Google since 2014, leaving to start a hardware startup incubator called Playground Global, but rumour has it that Rubin has started searching for employees to help start a new smartphone company. And to make the circle fully complete, it’s pretty obvious that whatever smartphone they make will be running Android.
The funding is likely to come from Playground Global which allegedly has around $300 million banked – more than enough to see what’s what in the smartphone industry. Presumably the idea would be to become a low-margin manufacturer along the lines of OnePlus, which would be a sight to see indeed. Regardless, we’re interested to see whether these rumours are true, and if so, where Rubin takes his new Android hardware crew.
What do you think about Andy Rubin working with Android smartphones again? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
Source: The Information via Phandroid
The post Andy Rubin rumoured to be planning a move back into Android smartphones appeared first on AndroidSPIN.
Signal Desktop beta now available as a Chrome app
Roughly a month ago we told you Open Whisper Systems’ secure messaging app Signal is available on Android. However, Open Whisper Systems are also bringing a beta version of their app to the Chrome Store.
Signal will still feature end-to-end encryption in Chrome. However, the Android version and desktop version can be linked to share a single login. This means all your messages are displayed consistently on all your devices. This feature is currently only for Android, but will soon come to iOS too.
Source: Open Whisper Systems
Come comment on this article: Signal Desktop beta now available as a Chrome app
Dave Chapelle’s Chicago shows will be phone-free
When it comes to highly anticipated performances, artists are always worried that their material will end up on the Internet before the show is even over. Revered comedian Dave Chapelle is just about to embark on 13 live performances in Chicago and insists that they be phone-free. To combat any type of piracy, Chapelle has teamed up with startup Yondr. The company provides smartphone pouches that lock automatically when patrons enter the “no phone-zone,” and unlock when they step out of it.
Source: Hollywood Reporter
Watch the European Space Agency launch LISA Pathfinder
Albert Einstein predicted gravitational waves as a part of his Theory of Relativity, and in order to better understand them, the ESA is about to launch its Lisa Pathfinder mission. This is a small-scale test run for the actual measuring equipment slated to launch in 2034, intended to prove that its instruments can reach the required level of precision. The launch will take place shortly from the Kourou spaceport in French Guiana, and you can watch the video live streamed right here.
Source: ESA
The ‘Uncharted 4’ beta launches ahead of schedule
We didn’t know the specifics of exactly when the Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End multiplayer beta would launch before, but that’s changed. Nathan Drake’s online adversarial adventures, and, by extension, yours, begin at 5 PM GMT (12 PM Eastern) tomorrow for European folks. Domestically, we’ll have to wait for Friday. We’ve reached out to Sony for exact timing of when the test phase will go live in the US and will update this post should the company respond. Remember, you still need a copy of Uncharted: The Nathan Drake Collection to access the beta at all.
Via: Kotaku
Source: PlayStation Europe
In January, Google Play Music will finish absorbing Songza
Songza was a pretty unique little streaming service while it lasted. Although it never really garnered the subscriber-base that it needed to survive independently, it did develop a passionate group of followers who loved Songza’s ad-supported free streaming and extensive listing of hand-crafted playlists. More importantly, what caught the eye of Google was Songza’s “Concierge” feature, which anticipated the kind of music you may want to listen to depending on the time of day, location, and mood.
By the end of January, Songza will be shutting down permanently, but there is good news for Songza fans: all of the streaming service’s features have been fully integrated into Google Play Music.
See also: Podcasts are finally coming to Google Play Music
Surprise biology lesson! Okay, so you may remember being taught that the mitochondrion is the powerhouse of the cell, right? It’s a tiny organelle that produces most of the energy that eukaryotic cells need to survive. Well, did you know that scientists believe that billions of years ago, mitochondria were their own separate bacteria? After being absorbed by the host cell, the plucky little organism set up shop and just kept doing its thing to the benefit of both the cell and itself. 2 billion years later, mitochondria are a crucial part of cellular anatomy.
What we’re seeing with Google Play Music and Songza is a pretty close parallel. Songza wasn’t ever robust enough to survive on its own, and Google Play Music lacked a certain umph to make it truly competitive with Spotify. Now, with Songza’s full suite of features serving as its powerhouse, maybe Google Play Music will start getting the subscribers they need.
See also: Google buys Songza to improve curation on Play Music and YouTube
Starting today, Songza users will be receiving a notification alerting them that the end is nigh. However, they will also be presented with a quick-and-easy walkover process that will convert their Songza account over to Google Play Music more or less completely. All of your playlists, all of your radio stations, every song you thumbs-upped or thumbs-downed; all of it will make the transition safely. Google Play Music is telling Spotify users that they’ll be able to continue using the features that they love without ever missing a beat.
This transition comes on the tail of Google Play Music finally polishing off a free-to-listen model that mimics Songza’s service. Google hopes that more and more users will eventually upgrade to Google Play Music All Access, the $9.99/mo premium version of the service that includes YouTube Red as part of the package.
Are you a Songza user? How do you feel about this? Let us know in the comments!
Andy Rubin eyes return to Android
Andy Rubin, one of Android’s co-founders, might be returning to the very industry that he helped shape years ago. Amir Efrati of The Information is reporting that Rubin is itching to return to the mobile industry after being absent for nearly three years and has already started to recruit employees for a new hardware manufacturer.
Once Google acquired Android Inc. in 2005 and turned it into its own mobile platform, Rubin became Senior Vice President for the rest of the company’s mobile efforts. He left Android in March 2013 but didn’t completely abandon Google. Rubin worked on robotics for Google to see if the automation of manufacturing and distribution could be furthered. At the time, Google was said to be interested in challenging Amazon as an online retailer.
Rubin’s new company could be funded by Playground Global, a tech incubator founded by himself. Playground Global has raised in the ballpark of $300 million — much of it coming from Google, Foxconn, HP, Tencent, and Seagate — since launching in 2015, but the money was directed at artificial intelligence and home automation. Assuming he didn’t spend it all and investors come rushing to his next idea, we’re probably looking at Andy Rubin’s return to the mobile industry take place in early 2017 or beyond. This industry isn’t easily penetrable and Rubin knows just how much power companies like Samsung and Apple have. And with no company proving to be competitive with Samsung on the Android side of things, Rubin might have sight on an opening. It will take a lot of time and money before Rubin feels he has something to enter the market and generate profit.
Join us!! https://t.co/D3uZloTQyO
— Andy Rubin (@Arubin) April 28, 2015
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Playground Global’s site lists multiple jobs relating to hardware engineering, mechanical engineering, industrial design, and software. But the job descriptions note that employees will be helping other companies in their endeavors. A new mobile device manufacturer could very well be what Playground Global is seeking to be involved in. And it won’t be difficult to bring multiple parties together if one person is behind it all.
It’s currently unclear if Rubin wants to run the new company or just bankroll it.
Source: The Information
Come comment on this article: Andy Rubin eyes return to Android
Google Play Music is finally available in Canada
Unfortunately for some, Songza will be shutting down. However, the good news is it will be merging with Google Play Music. The even better news, especially for me, Google Play Music is coming to Canada!
Google Play Music now has a free, ad-supported streaming service available in Canada. Each station has music already picked out for you, all you have to do is click play and enjoy. You can also browse by genre, mood, decade or activity. As well as search for artists, albums, or songs to create your own station. Also, Songza users can join Google Play Music for free.
Google Play Music will also now support Podcasts. Listeners will be able to find Podcasts just like they can with normal songs thanks to Google’s curation technology that searches for things like your mood or interest. However, Podcasters will get first dibs at getting access to the service so they can upload all their shows before listeners start searching for them in the coming months.
Google Play Music is ad supported, but you can also subscribe for ad-free listening. The subscription also gives you access to offline music, ability to create your own playlists, and listen to any of the 30 million songs in Google’s library as much as you’d like. Also, almost as a bonus, you will get access to ad-free and offline YouTube music video content. Wether you decide to subscribe or stick to the free version, you will be able to store and play up to 50,000 songs from your own collection for free.
Click here to view the embedded video.
Source: Google Canada
Come comment on this article: Google Play Music is finally available in Canada
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