HTC now rolling out Marshmallow OTA for the One M9 in the UK
HTC UK took to its official Twitter account earlier today to announce that it’s now pushing out the long-awaited Marshmallow update to all unlocked variants of its flagship smartphone, the One M9, registered and operating in the United Kingdom. The upgrade is also rolling out for “selected carriers”, but it’s unclear at this stage which ones exactly are receiving it. However, many users of the social network have reported that it has hit their O2- and Vodafone-branded handsets.
We’ve begun rolling out the Android 6.0 Marshmallow update to the unlocked One M9 and selected carriers so you should see the update soon.
— HTC UK (@HTC_UK) January 26, 2016
In addition to all the new functionality Marshmallow transports, such as Now on Tap, flexible application permissions, system-wide fingerprint compatibility and Doze, the update also ferries a multitude of bug fixes, stability improvements and speed optimizations along with a new version of HTC’s Sense user interface, which complies with Google’s Material Design guidelines.
The upgrade weighs in at a hefty 1.14GB and the Taiwanese company states it will take around an hour to download and install on your handset. The duration does, of course, depend on the strength of your Internet connection and the download speed your ISP provider. The amount of battery juice your device has at the time of installation is also of paramount importance, so try to keep it plugged into a wall socket if possible for the quickest speeds.
As is customary, the upgrade is being rolled out in stages. To see if it’s ready for your handset, open up the Settings application, scroll right down to the bottom and tap on About Device, select the System Updates subheading, then tap Check for Updates. Alternatively, you can wait until you receive a push notification prompting you to download and install it.
Source: Twitter
Come comment on this article: HTC now rolling out Marshmallow OTA for the One M9 in the UK
Folding offshore wind turbines could power 10,000 US homes
The US Department of Energy’s plan to generate 20 percent of the nation’s electrical power from wind by 20130 is ambitious, to say the least. To pull it off, the turbines will need to be located offshore, where winds are steadier and stronger. However, putting wind turbines in the ocean is also far more expensive, so they need to be enormous in order to make it worthwhile. Researchers from Sandia National Laboraties have come up with a design that features 650-foot blades — over two football fields long — that can generate up to 50 megawatts of power.
Such “exascale” turbines, called segmented ultralight morphing rotors (SUMRs), are over six times the size of the largest existing models. Thanks to economies of scale, a single unit could power around 10,000 homes. “The U.S. has great offshore wind energy potential, but offshore installations are expensive, so larger turbines are needed to capture that energy at an affordable cost,” says Sandia’s lead turbine designer Todd Griffith.
However, offshore winds can hit 200 mph and easily knock over a turbine. As a result, the team designed it to be installed with the blades downwind, rather than into the wind like a conventional model. With that configuration, it doesn’t need to be as strong, saving valuable weight. The blades also perform a trick — during extreme winds, they fold in via a hinge at the rotor, an idea that was inspired by palm trees. “At dangerous wind speeds, the blades are stowed and aligned with the wind direction, reducing the risk of damage. At lower wind speeds, the blades spread out more to maximize energy production.” Griffith said.
The design is promising, but Sandia hasn’t yet revealed when it plans to actually build and test one. However, the project is backed by DARPA-E and the US Department of energy, and has General Electric, Siemens and Vestas Wind Systems as advisory partners. Given those names, the project’s not likely to disappear in the breeze.
[Image credit: TrevorJohnston.com/Popular Science, Randy Montoya]
Via: PhysOrg
Source: Sandia National Laboratories
Final Fantasy IX Mobile is shown off in Square Enix livestream
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Right at the end of 2015, games publisher Square Enix announced that it would be bringing one of its most beloved Final Fantasy games, Final Fantasy IX, to mobile (and PC) in 2016. The trailer they showed then was mostly cinematic and didn’t really give us an idea of what to expect, but we now have a better idea after Square Enix showed the first few minutes of Final Fantasy IX Mobile being played on its livestream. Check out the livestream below, though note the whole video is in Japanese – skip to 5:50 to see the actual game in action, unless you’re fluent in Japanese, of course.
What you will notice is that the graphics have been greatly improved compared to the original PSOne version, and I don’t think anyone will be complaining about that. If both the PC and mobile versions of the game look like it does in the video, I think we’ll all be very happy gamers (after we get over the $15+ cost of the game). We still have no word on when to expect Final Fantasy IX to drop on mobile, and we should also be wary that it will take some time for the game to be translated into English – the moral of the story is get comfortable, because we could be in for a bit of a wait.
What do you think about Final Fantasy IX Mobile? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
The post Final Fantasy IX Mobile is shown off in Square Enix livestream appeared first on AndroidSPIN.
Get ready to use your smartphone to withdraw cash at ATMs
Soon, you won’t need your card to withdraw cash from JPMorgan Chase ATMs. Upgraded machines arriving later this year will be accessible with your phone, using codes generated from its smartphone app. That’s only the first stage: second-generation upgrades will offer up NFC access to bank accounts, like Apple Pay and Samsung Pay. Yep, you’ll still be able to use your cards, but importantly, the new machines will also have higher withdrawal limits during banking hours — up to $3,000. Future upgrades include the ability to cash checks and pay bill through the machines, but expect to see those features some time in 2018. Chase isn’t the only bank looking to involve your smartphone with your money.
At the same time, TechCrunch reports that Bank of America and Wells Fargo are working on their own mobile connected solutions, with Apple Pay mentioned in discussions with both banks. Accordiing to Bank of America, it’ll “enable customers to leverage NFC ( technology on their smartphone in order to authenticate and complete transactions at a Bank of America ATM.”
“We will roll out this capability in late February with associates at select ATMs in Silicon Valley, San Francisco, Charlotte, New York and Boston followed by a broader roll out to customers mid year.”
Source: AP (Mashable), TechCrunch
‘Need for Speed’ becomes a little more social next week
Need for Speed‘s next Living Game update, dubbed “Showcase,” arrives next week, and with it comes a handful of improvements both paint-level and a bit deeper. Taking screenshots has always been pretty easy in the game (click the right stick), but developer Ghost Games is going one step further and adding something that should’ve been in the game at the outset: A real photo mode with focus, depth of field and other effects that’ve become all the rage since Infamous: Second Son busted the feature wide open in 2014.
And should someone online see that snazzy snapshot and want the livery you’ve tinkered with since November, now there’s sharing options for those as well. Oh, and if you want to keep your car looking fresh and clean as the moment you drove it out of the garage, just run through a gas station for some on-the-fly body work — much like previous NfS games and Burnout: Paradise.
A handful of cars are getting new customization items as well, including the Ford Focus RS, Ford Mustang GT and Subaru Impreza WRX. Last but not least, there are custom options for your license plate now too. But sadly, based on the way Ghost describes it, it doesn’t sound like text is up for changing like it was in the studio’s previous effort, NfS: Rivals. There are, however, backgrounds and frames inspired by the cities of previous NfS entries. Not much of a consolation prize, but hey, it’s better than nothing. The 100 percent free update launches February 3rd, in case the GIF up above didn’t give it away.
Source: Need for Speed
Sky’s Now TV Smart Box looks a lot like a Roku 4
While Sky might be busy readying its new Sky Q service, the company has also found time to show Now TV customers some love. Just five months after it launched its second-generation Now TV streamer, Sky has ramped things up a bit by introducing the new NOW TV Smart Box, a device that it says will bring together a “wide range of pay TV content and over 60 live free-to-air channels.”
The Now TV Smart Box is the latest device to emerge from the partnership between Sky and Roku. To the trained eye, it looks remarkably like the Ultra HD Roku 4, which went on sale at the end of last year. Sky won’t confirm it’s a Roku 4 in Now TV clothing or how much it will cost but says it’s a product of the Roku Powered licensing program that has not hit the market yet. Right now, the company isn’t giving us much to go on.
We do know that Now TV customers will have to wait until “later this year” to get their hands on the Now TV Smart Box, but Sky will keep existing owners sweet by rolling out a new UI to their streamers from next month. The new update will offer better recommendations on what to watch across catch-up apps and Now TV content, as well as a new “Best of Catch Up” section that will display a curated list of things you might have missed.
Source: Sky
Apple is developing charging tech that works from a distance
Apple wants you to be able to charge your iPhones and iPads even from afar, and it’s developing the wireless technology to make that a reality, according to Bloomberg. Cupertino is reportedly working with partners both in the US and in Asia to conjure up a way to beam power to its devices from “further away than the charging mats used with current smartphones.” Apple’s charging dock can power its smartwatch even when it’s millimeters away, but we’re guessing the company’s aiming for something that works from a greater distance.
Now the problem with this kind of technology is, the farther you are, the less efficient it is and the longer the charging time becomes. Bloomberg says the iPhone-maker is currently finding a way to prevent power loss caused by the distance between a mobile device and its charging apparatus. Apple isn’t the only one attempting to make charging easier for everyone, though: the WPC, for one, is improving the Qi wireless standard so that it can charge devices from a short distance.
Assuming Apple succeeds in solving the power loss problem (and this report is indeed true), its new charging technology could be out as soon as 2017. We hope the company makes it backwards compatible if and when it does come out, so we can finally toss our shoddy charging cables.
[Image credit: Yutaka Tsutano/Flickr]
Source: Bloomberg
PlayStation sells well (again), but mobile is hurting Sony
Sony made money. Again! The company saw in tiny increase (0.5%) in sales compared to the same quarter last to 2,581 billion yen (or $21.5 billion), but income now stands at $1.69 billion. This quarter’s financial results was yet more balancing (and canceling) out of Sony’s many moving parts — profitable and not. Gaming and Motion Picture arms saw increases in sales, but these were cancelled out by woes in Mobile and Devices arms. Once a positive part of the company’s earnings sheets, Sony’s smartphone camera sensors saw a decrease in sales — reflecting the tough times that all companies are experiencing with phone sales. The company seems to be stabilizing its giant electronics ship.
Sony says operating income increases were apparently was due to refining and cutting across Sony’s various electronics arms. (Read: less smartphone models, less TV models, better products). The company’s restructuring costs have also started to tail off: this year charges cost $61 million — roughly a 50 percent drop.
Firstly, mobile: Sales decreased 14.7 percent compared to the same period last year — Sony says this is borne out from it’s decision not to pursue scale in mobile phones for profitability, and why operating income improved significantly for the section. A significant decrease in image sensor sales is where Sony felt the bite most this quarter. Camera sensor sales to other smartphone manufacturers dropped by 12.6 percent year on year. This resulted in a quarterly loss of $97 million, compared to a profit of $445 million the period before.
A significant decrease in image sensor sales is where Sony felt the bite most this quarter.
Cameras saw a sales decrease of 5 percent, yet operating income increased, thanks to what Sony says is a better mix of cameras and video cams. Cost reductions and a better selection of products was also heralded for $260 million income increase in Home Entertainment — despite a sales decrease of 4.3 percent.
In all things PlayStation, the company saw a 10.5 percent increase in sales, now reaching $4.9 billion. Compared to Q3 last year, income was also improved,as the arm didn’t have to pay for a write-off of Vita hardware which happened last year. How will the gaming arm fare now it has some degree of autonomy? Or was it all just a grand paper shuffle?
Source: Sony
Fluance Fi70: The world’s first wireless speaker with dual 8″ woofers
Fluance, a North American based home theater company just announced its largest Bluetooth speaker, the Fi70. Fluance is a well-known and award winning brand, and is showing off its prowess with the first wireless speaker to house dual 8″ woofers. Most Bluetooth speakers are small and portable, but few focus on true home audio sound quality. That means you won’t be able to unplug it and carry it with you as it is just built for home use. And you probably wouldn’t want to considering it weighs over 80 pounds.
But the Fi70 looks to radically improve your home audio with that 81 pounds with its dual 8” woofers, 5” woven glass fiber midrange drivers and 1” neodymium tweeters, which offer superior sound quality. It has a built-in 280 watt amplifier to power those woofers with bass as low as 30Hz.
“Fluance’s Fi70 continues to turn heads with its useful and convenient features. Its aptX streaming capabilities improve the quality of Bluetooth audio, ensuring every single note and beat is heard. The speaker’s integrated equalizer allows users to easily adjust treble and bass to their preference. It can also be utilized to amplify the sound of a television with its optical input – perfect for upcoming Super Bowl parties. Additional features include auxiliary input, touch controls to adjust a variety of settings, digital AM/FM radio, LED display and a USB port to simultaneously charge USB-powered devices while soaking in the sound.” – Fluance
The Fi70 is available now in Black Ash, Lucky Bamboo and Natural Walnut at Fluance.com for $499.
Tech Specs:
| System Type | 3 Way 6 Driver Wireless Music System with Integrated Amplifier |
| Tweeter | Dual 1 Inch Silk Soft Dome Neodymium Ferrofluid Cooled |
| Midrange | Dual 5 inch Woven Glass Fiber Composite Drivers with Butyl Rubber Surrounds |
| Woofer | Dual 8 inch Polymer Treated High Excursion with Butyl Rubber Surrounds |
| Bluetooth | 2.1 + EDR (Enhanced Data Rate); aptX codec |
| Input | 3.5mm Auxiliary Audio Input; 2.1 A USB Charging Input, Optical (Digital Toslink), FM/AM Radio Tuner Antennas |
| Frequency Response | 30Hz – 20KHz |
| Crossover Frequency | 150Hz / 2500Hz Phase Coherent – PCB Mounted Circuitry |
| Amplifier Power (RMS) | 280 Watts Continuous Average Output (2x 140 watts) |
| Enclosure | Tuned Rear Port Bass Reflex Design |
| Cabinet | MDF Wood Cabinet |
| Internal Lead Wire | 18 gauge internal lead wire to reduce signal degradation |
| Power | 120V, 60 Hz |
| Dimensions (W x D x H) | 29.5 x 11 x 23.2 inch (without stand) 29.5 x 11 x 36 inch (with stand) |
| Weight | 81 lbs |
| FCC | Yes |
| ICES | Yes |
| cETLus | Yes |
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The best-selling unlocked Android phones from B&H (January 28)
Unlocked smartphones are definitely gaining popularity and for good reason – they free you up from financing plans and two year contracts. If you’re looking for a new smartphone B&H has you covered.
Why unlocked?
Whereas a lot of today’s flagship models tend to run in the $500-$600 range, or higher, there’s an awful lot of smartphone to be had for less money. In fact, you can sometimes spend $200-300 for a phone and get a substantial upgrade over your previous one.
We’ve gathered up the 10 best-selling unlocked Android devices from B&H so you can get a sense for what’s available. Indeed, you’ll see a nice mix of big-name vendors and devices from other, scrappy players. Note that we’ve omitted color variations; you might find other colors available.
Why B&H Photo Video?
As the largest non-chain photo and video equipment store in the United States, B&H also offers consumers a wide selection of smartphones. Indeed, you’ll find just about every major manufacturer from around the globe, plus some from other, growing names, too. It’s also here where you’ll be able to get your hands on the unlocked BlackBerry Priv. There’s something here for everybody.
So, the next time you need to replace your existing phone, consider scooping up one of these. It’s often a heck of a lot cheaper than going through your carrier in the end. Depending on which model you purchase, you could save big on an unlocked Android device from B&H.
- Google Nexus 5X 32GB – $349.00
- Motorola Moto G 2nd Gen 8GB – $99.99
- Google Nexus 5X 16GB – $299.00
- ASUS ZenFone 2 Laser ZE551KL 32GB Smartphone – $229.00
- Motorola Moto G 3rd Gen 16GB – $219.99
- BlackBerry Priv 32GB – $699.99
- Sony Xperia M4 Aqua 16GB – $199.99
- Samsung Galaxy S6 32GB Smartphone -$479.99
- Samsung Galaxy S5 16GB – $349.99
- Panasonic Lumix 16GB 4K Photo Camera and Smartphone – $449.99
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