Tumblr isn’t doing as well as Yahoo expected
Yahoo had high hopes for Tumblr when it bought the blogging platform for $1.1 billion in 2013, but it hasn’t lived up to its expectations. The troubled company has lowered its valuation to $760 million, down $230 million from its previous $990 million value (Yahoo only snapped up Tumblr for over a billion due to its liabilities). Marissa Mayer and her colleagues expected the startup to boost its userbase to a billion. While that did eventually happen over a year after the acquisition, the number was called into question, as the company used a new methodology to measure its audience across devices.
They also believed that Tumblr would earn them $100 million in revenue in 2015. Mayer admitted during the company’s latest earnings call that it wasn’t able to reach that goal, because they “experienced a slower ramp in monetization than [they] initially expected.” This development certainly makes it sound like Yahoo overpaid for the website a few years ago.
The blogging platform is only one of the corporate units that had to be revalued, though. In all, the company is taking a $4.5 billion charge after writing down the values of other properties. The once veritable Google rival is mired in such deep financial troubles that it’s laying off thousands of employees and closing five offices. Mayer even said during the earnings call that they’re considering “qualified strategic proposals,” which lends credibility to earlier reports that Yahoo is thinking of selling itself off.
[Image credit: Scott Schiller/Flickr]
Source: Yahoo, The Wall Street Journal, Buzzfeed
A supermassive black hole is shooting X-rays across galaxies
NASA doesn’t often compare things to a Death Star, but a phenomenon observed by its Chandra X-ray Observatory apparently qualifies. The composite image above shows a supermassive black hole that is continuously stripping material from nearby stars and other objects with its enormous gravity. When the material hits the “event horizon,” a massive gravitational blast produces a particle jet that spans nearly 300,000 light years, three times the width of the entire Milky Way galaxy. That amount of power is pretty alarming, but luckily it’s around 500 million light years away from us in the Pictor A galaxy.
To produce the image, scientists used X-ray wavelength photos taken by Chandra over a period of 15 years (the blue parts). Those were married with radio images from the Australia Telescope Compact Array (in red) that show “radio lobes” from the galaxy that are penetrated by the jet. The bright spot at the right is a shock wave created by an X-ray jet that’s the light equivalent to a supersonic sound blast. There’s also a counterjet dimly visible to the left of the black hole that scientists had long suspected, but never seen until now.
The astronomers are at once fascinated and puzzled by the jets. The X-rays likely arise from “synchotron emissions,” a (really well-named) process where electrons are continuously accelerated by a magnetic field as they move along the jet. However, nobody’s sure exactly how that process works. Scientists once thought that particles were accelerated into the X-ray band by cosmic background radiation, but they ruled that out that theory because the jets aren’t bright enough. Suffice to say, you wouldn’t want to be living in this galaxy, though it’s fun to enjoy the insanity from a (great) distance.
Via: Gizmodo
Source: Chandra
Google Play Music’s podcast interface is already showing up for some users
We’ve been waiting a long time for Google to launch podcast compatibility. Just yesterday we reported that an all-new podcast platform would make way to Play Music by the end of the month. Based on a new report, the latest update of Play Music already implements some elements and functionality for podcast support.
Now that Google has already begun preparing Play Music for podcast support, we can pretty much confirm that it’s not far off. In matter of fact, if you look closer into the interface of Play Music version 6.3, you’ll actually find a podcast icon in the app’s side menu. When you click it, two tabs show up, one reading ‘Featured’ and the other reading ‘Your Podcasts.’ Both look the same as nearly every other aspect in Play Music’s interface including your playlists and some of the free stations. Its layout is the same card view that shows cover art and a small description of each listing.
If you go a little further, clicking on the podcast will give you all sorts of details. Users can subscribe to the podcast, view/add the latest episodes, and choose to get notified of new releases. Just like the main podcast menu, the ‘Now Playing’ screen looks nearly identical to playing any regular song in Play Music. Here you’ll find quick control that allow users to skip forward and rewind backward up to thirty seconds when a podcast is in play.
From what we have seen, Play Music’s podcast integration will satisfy some users, but not those looking for some more advanced features. Hopefully we’ll see more features added with time. Feel free to drop a comment below letting us know your thoughts.
Via: Android Police
Come comment on this article: Google Play Music’s podcast interface is already showing up for some users
Successor to the Alcatel Idol 3 leaks in support documents
In support documents leaked on Alcatel’s own website, we may be seeing our first look at the successor to the popular budget phone, the Idol 3. The Idol 4 and 4S were leaked in great detail, and if true, it looks like we’re in for two more great phones from Alcatel.
The Idol 4S, appears to be the higher end of the two devices, while the 4 will offer very respectable specs for a mid-range device in 2016.
The Idol 4 looks to be the cheaper, more entry level version of the two leaked phones. The specs are still very good, especially with 3 GB of RAM and a 1080p screen headlining the show. The Snapdragon 617 is an octa-core chip clocked at 1.7 GHz for the four high powered cores and 1.2 GHz for the four low power cores. Megapixel count isn’t everything, but the camera will have electronic stabilization, a dual-tone flash, and real-time face beautification. Also mentioned is an 8 MP sub-camera with a wide-angle lens. We’re not exactly sure what a sub-camera is, but we’re betting that it’s the front facing camera.
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The Idol 4S is the higher end of the two sporting the new Snapdragon 652 processor. The SD 652 is an octa-core chip clocked at 1.8 GHz for the more powerful cores and 1.4 GHz for the lower powered cores. The 3 GB of RAM is held over from the Idol 4, but we see an expansion to 32 GB of on board storage here. With the inclusion of a MicroSD card slot, you shouldn’t be hurting for storage space. The inclusion of a 2K AMOLED screen is something we’d expect to see on a high-end flagship phone, which leaves us wondering exactly what the Idol 4S will cost on release. The 4S also sees a bump to the camera with a 16 MP main shooter. The 8 MP sub-camera is also mentioned here, lending credence that it is in-fact the front facing camera.
The Idol 3 with a 5.5″ screen can be had right now for about $250, with the smaller 4.7″ screen version coming in at $180. The specs on both pretty closely match the Idol 4. No pricing details have been leaked, but we hope to see prices in line with last year’s release. Android Police were able to pull the documents off Alcatel’s website before they were taken down.
Source: AndroidPolice
The post Successor to the Alcatel Idol 3 leaks in support documents appeared first on AndroidGuys.
T-Mobile’s New Family Plan Offers 4 Lines of Unlimited LTE for $150
T-Mobile has introduced a new Family Match promotion that offers families four lines of unlimited talk, text and LTE data for $150 per month. The carrier is also offering families four lines with unlimited talk and text, plus 10GB of LTE data per line, for $120 per month.
For a limited time, we are amping up our Family Match data plans so you get more data for the same price. Now get 2 or more lines of Unlimited 4G LTE for the price of a 10GB plan, or 10GB for the price of 6GB. PLUS, customers loved our 4th Line Free promotion so much that we brought it back! For a limited time, customers on a Simple Choice Family plan can get a 4th line free.
The limited time offers are available for new and existing Simple Choice and T-Mobile@Work customers with 2-12 lines, and the promotion can be combined with T-Mobile’s other offers, including Binge On, Data Stash, JUMP! On Demand, Mobile Without Borders, and Music Freedom. T-Mobile will also pay up to $650 of your early termination fees if you switch to their carrier from AT&T, Verizon, or Sprint.
The new Family Match plans are available at T-Mobile stores across the U.S., online, or by calling 1-877-413-5903.
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Select AT&T Galaxy Note 5 users are receiving Marshmallow beta on their devices
Samsung is testing out Marshmallow with Galaxy S6 users in the UK and South Korea, but it looks like some American users of the Galaxy Note 5, Galaxy S6 Edge, and Galaxy S6 Edge+ on Verizon and AT&T can also join in the fun.
See also: Android 6.0 Marshmallow updates roundup – January 19, 2016
Phone-Probe is reporting that users that signed up via this form to beta test Marshmallow are now receiving the update. Specifically, a user sent in screenshots of Android 6.0 running on the AT&T Note 5 (SM-N920A).
The update is reportedly 1355.94 MB in size and has the build number MMB29K.N920AUCU2BPB1, with a kernel build number of February 2. The update appears to incorporate the February security patch, which only went out to Nexus devices and the BlackBerry Priv earlier this week.
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In terms of visual changes, all the changes we’ve run you through in our Galaxy S6 beta Marshmallow overview appear to be present. This includes a return of the “squircle” icons, a brighter color palette, and changes to the notifications panel dropdown. Our Nirave Gondhia noticed a sizeable improvement in performance as well, though long term use will be needed to asses just how good is Marshmallow on the Galaxy S6. Hopefully, the Galaxy Note 5 and the other high-end smartphones from Samsung will benefit from the jump to Marshmallow as well.
No news yet on any changes in the specific functionality of the Note 5, including the S Pen suite, but we’ll definitely keep an eye out for any clues.
Samsung launched the Marshmallow beta program on December 22 in South Korea, and the next day in the UK. In Korea, the stable update began arriving to the Galaxy S6 on January 30. It looks like Note 5 users can expect the full update to arrive over the next weeks.
T-Mobile celebrates title as fastest LTE network , offers new Unlimited LTE promo for a limited time
T-Mobile took Verizon’s title as the US’ fastest LTE network, and is celebrating by offering four Unlimited LTE lines for only $150 per month.
While Verizon previously held the title, OpenSignal says T-Mobile now offers the fastest LTE network in the US. As a quick summary, 3G download speeds were at an average of 3.5MB/s. In comparison, AT&T’s is much lower are just 2.2MB/s. T-Mobile also narrowly passed Verizon with 4G LTE speeds of 12.3MB/s, with Verizon’s sitting at 12MB/s.
T-Mobile may have just narrowly passed Verizon, but the company still looks at it as a cause for celebration. The Un-carrier is offering a promotion on its Unlimited LTE lines, allowing customers to get four lines of Unlimited LTE for just $150 per month.
If four lines of Unlimited LTE isn’t enough for you, T-Mobile says they’ll be able to add more lines to their plan for just $30 each up to a total of 12 lines. Alternatively, families can get two lines with each having an allotment 10GB of data to use (a total of 20GB) for only $100.
Keep in mind that switching over to T-Mobile will net you some neat incentives, such as free video streaming through its Binge On program, Music Freedom, and much more!
It’s certainly a sweet deal, particularly if you’re in the market for getting a new smartphone. Anyone plan on taking advantage of T-Mobile’s new deal?
Press release is as follows:
T-Mobile Launches Unbeatable Deals for Data-Hungry Families
Un-carrier celebrates results of OpenSignal’s new report on network performance
by giving families more of its blazing fast LTE with its best-ever price on its 10 GB and Unlimited LTE plans
Bellevue, Washington — February 3, 2016 — Just yesterday, in its 2016 State of Mobile Networks report, OpenSignal confirmed T-Mobile’s not only fast “closing the gap with Verizon” in LTE coverage, but is stilldelivering America’s fastest 4G LTE network. Today, T-Mobile (NASDAQ: TMUS) is celebrating the results with its best-ever pricing for families on the Un-carrier’s most popular 10 GB and Unlimited LTE plans for a limited time. And, not only is T-Mobile dropping prices on these plans with Family Match, but the Un-carrier is also giving families the 4th line free—for a truly unmatched deal.
With this deal, families can now get four lines of Unlimited LTE for their smartphones for the unheard of price of $150 total per month for the entire family. Plus, families (and small businesses) can add more lines of Unlimited LTE for just $30 each—up to a total of 12 lines. Or families can get two lines for just $100 per month with 10 GB per line (20 GB total)—no sharing! Or four lines with 10 GB per line (40 GB total) for $120 per month for the whole family—just $30 per line!
“Over the past year alone, we’ve more than doubled the reach of our LTE coverage, so more people than ever can now ride America’s fastest 4G LTE network,” said John Legere, president and CEO of T-Mobile. “Last year, I told you we’d massively expand our LTE coverage, and we did. I promised we’d compete nearly everywhere with Verizon’s LTE network, and win. And that’s exactly what real-time, crowd-sourced studies are now confirming.”
OpenSignal’s most recent tests have concluded what other real-world, crowd-sourced test results have been pointing to—T-Mobile’s 4G LTE network is fastest and fast closing the gap with Verizon on coverage reach. In fact, last year, T-Mobile more than doubled its LTE footprint, adding nearly 1 million square miles of coverage, and the Un-carrier now covers 97% of the people Verizon reaches—and with a faster 4G LTE network.
T-Mobile’s Family Match means that families save more when everyone in the family gets extra data on their wireless plan. Launched just over two months ago, Family Match has been incredibly popular with T-Mobile customers … because it turns out families like saving money and getting more LTE data for everyone! Now, never worry again about your family’s insatiable appetite for fast data.
T-Mobile’s special offer is available to new and existing Simple Choice customers in T-Mobile stores nationwide, select partner dealers, at t-mobile.com, or by calling 1.877.413.5903. Current T-Mobile customers can also dial 611. There’s no number port-in or device trade-in required, and customers are free to combine this offer with other T-Mobile promotions. Plus, while the offer doesn’t have a pre-planned end date, families who sign up now can keep their Unlimited LTE rate plan for a minimum of at least two years with T-Mobile’s Un-contract and any other plan for as long as they’re a customer. You can find more information about this limited-time deal here.
In addition to America’s fastest 4G LTE network, record numbers of US wireless customers have been switching to T-Mobile to enjoy unmatched Un-carrier benefits, including…
- Simple Choice™ − started it all by abolishing annual service contracts, limits and overage penalties. Amped up to include coverage & calling across Mexico & Canada, just like in the US—at no extra cost
- JUMP! On Demand™ − swap your old phone for a new one with no waiting or upgrade fees
- Simple Global™ − introduced free roaming data and texting and low flat-rate calling in 140+ countries & destinations
- Carrier Freedom − covers your carrier’s ETFs and the balance on your phone up to $650 or more with trade-in when you switch
- Music Freedom − listen all you want to tons of streaming music services without hitting your high-speed data
- Wi-Fi Unleashed − introduced coverage beyond the reach of cellular-only networks & personal coverage for home and office
- Data Stash™ − those who buy extra LTE data can roll unused data forward − up to 20GB − for up to a full year
- Business Unleashed − brought 100% transparent, simple flat-rate pricing and other Un-carrier benefits to US business
- Binge On™ − watch up to 3x longer on any video & watch all you want from partner services without burning your LTE data
Plus taxes & fees. Credit approval, deposit and $15 SIM starter kits may be required. Includes 200 MB roaming. Full speeds available up to monthly allotment, including tethering (Unlimited on-smartphone 4G LTE data option includes 14 GB of tethering); then, slowed to up to 2G speeds through bill cycle. Customers who use an extremely high amount of data in a bill cycle will have their data usage de-prioritized compared to other customers for that bill cycle at locations and times when competing network demands occur, resulting in relatively slower speeds. See T-Mobile.com/OpenInternet for details.
About T-Mobile
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 more than 63 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 celebrates title as fastest LTE network , offers new Unlimited LTE promo for a limited time
Fitbit’s low-profile Alta tracker is up for preorders
FitBit announced on Wednesday that its newest fitness tracker, the Alta, is now available for preorder. Unlike the recently announced mid-level Blaze (which we weren’t too impressed with) or top-end Surge — both of which feature large displays — the Alta is designed to discreetly track your activity.
That’s not to say it’s lacking in features. In fact, the Alta shares many of the same functions as the Blaze including FitBit’s SmartTracker, which automatically detects and records your exercise and sleep routines; Weekly Goals through the FitBit app and message notifications via a Bluetooth connection.
Plus, like the Blaze, the Alta will be modular with eight swappable strap options: four “classic” rubberized bands at $30 a pop, three $60 leather bands and a $100 stainless steel bangle (above). The Alta itself will retail for $130. If you don’t want to buy direct from FitBit, you’ll be able to preorder it starting tomorrow from Amazon, Best Buy, Brookstone, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Nordstrom, REI, Target, The Sports Authority, Verizon and Walmart.
ICYMI: Cockroach torture, an app for Parkinson’s and more
Today on In Case You Missed It: A cybernetic cockroach how-to describes how to use an Arduino to control where a cockroach goes, which makes all of us uncomfortable.
A UK researcher is studying Parkinson’s Disease using an app designed to track key markers of the illness. If the current human trial is successful, the hope is that more people can use their smartphones to keep better track of their symptoms and curtail any jump in worsening symptoms, quickly.
Euro airliner easyJet is planning to build a new aircraft that uses a hydrogen fuel cell for hybrid energy power. That way the engine never has to be used on the ground, except when a plane is ready to take-off.
And finally, entertaining YouTuber Mark Rober uploaded a video of his snowball machine gun that is worth a watch. As always, please share any interesting science or tech videos, anytime! Just tweet us with the #ICYMI hashtag to @mskerryd.
I survived a celebrity trainer workout with Fitbit’s Alta
Half-way through a grueling thirty-minute workout concocted by Harley Pasternak — a world-renowned trainer who’s worked with an exhaustive list of celebrities — I realized I made a horrible mistake. As I looked over the New York City skyline from the Trump Soho hotel penthouse, sweat was pouring down my face, my glasses were fogging up and my freshly-healed ankle sprain was starting to buckle under the pressure. All of this, just to test Fitbit’s stylish new Alta fitness band.
It was, by far, the most exhausting press briefing I’ve ever experienced. But it was also the best way to quickly test out the Alta, which Fitbit is positioning as a fitness band that won’t be out of place with more fashionable outfits. Fitbit’s also offering a slew of band options, including multiple colors and leather options, and you can choose from silver or gold Alta finishes.
Basically, it’s a Fitbit that doesn’t look like past Fitbits, which generally aimed for a more utilitarian aesthetic. The Alta, with its slightly curved display screen (just the outer portion is curved, reps say), metal accents and slim profile, is by far the company’s most attractive device.
And yet, old problems remain. Fitbit still hasn’t revised its clasp design, my old nemesis from past reviews. It’s still relying on two prongs that have to fit precisely into two holes. Sure, that makes for a secure fit, but it’s also a struggle to put on every damn time. When you’re running out the door late in the morning, it’s not the sort of hassle you’d want to deal with. I longed for the simpler clasp designs we’ve seen from competitors like Jawbone and Apple, whose sport Watch band is a cinch to secure.
The Alta didn’t feel that much different on my wrist from older Fitbits I’ve tested, but it was certainly nice to have it strike a lower profile. It felt similar to Jawbone’s Up3, which was incredibly problematic, but at least felt good on my wrist. It’s using the same plastic material seen in Fitbit’s Charge HR and Surge watch, which is smooth on the bottom to make it feel pleasant on your wrist.
Another similarity to the Up3: the Fitbit Alta doesn’t have any buttons. Instead, you tap the screen to wake it up, and then tap the sides of the screen to move back and forth between the step counter, time and other options. The screen also wakes up when you lift your wrist, naturally. The Alta also automatically recognizes when you’re working out, just like Fitbit’s recent devices.t
Sometimes you take a press briefing that turns into a full on workout at the Trump Soho penthouse pic.twitter.com/2dJyr4HxNf
— Devindra Hardawar (@Devindra) February 2, 2016
Back to that workout: As I lunged, shadowboxed and quickly learned to hate the name Pasternak, it wasn’t long before I forgot I was even wearing the Alta. I suppose that’s true of most wearables when you’re in the workout zone, though. Once the ordeal was over, I synced the Alta to my phone with no issue. It automatically logged a workout session of 25 minutes, which also burned off 165 calories.
Mostly, it seems Fitbit is targeting the $130 Alta at consumers who wouldn’t wear typical health trackers, which makes it a stronger competitor to other stylish offerings from Misfit and Jawbone. The Alta doesn’t track your heart rate like the Charge HR or Surge, so serious fitness fans probably won’t even consider it. It’s no wearable revolution, but the Alta might have the sort of mass market appeal that Fitbit needs right now.
AIVAnet 