YouTube adds ability to blur moving objects after the video is uploaded

YouTube has made it easier for creators to blur moving objects without having to delete, re-edit and then upload their videos again. Now, thanks to a new tool, you can blur out moving sections of the video before you hit publish, right from the YouTube site. The feature is described by YouTube as:

With this new Enhancements feature, available on desktop versions of YouTube, you can blur any object in your video, even as it moves. Whether you want to blur sensitive information such as a license plate or cover up a wardrobe malfunction without reshooting an entire scene, the new Custom Blurring tool will let you blur objects throughout your video, right within YouTube.

The company anticipates that content creators will find lots of opportunities to use the new tool. You can begin using the custom blurring tool now on the desktop site.

Microsoft officially cancels ‘Project Astoria’ plans for porting Android apps to Windows 10 Mobile

After months of silence, Microsoft has now officially revealed it has canceled plans to offer developers bridge tools to port Android apps to Windows 10 Mobile, also known as “Project Astoria”. Those plans were first revealed at the 2015 Build developer conference.

Microsoft announced Project Astoria alongside “Project Islandwood”, which offered iOS app developers a way to port their creations to Windows 10 Mobile. Today, Microsoft stated:

“We received a lot of feedback that having two Bridge technologies to bring code from mobile operating systems to Windows was unnecessary, and the choice between them could be confusing. We have carefully considered this feedback and decided that we would focus our efforts on the Windows Bridge for iOS and make it the single Bridge option for bringing mobile code to all Windows 10 devices, including Xbox and PCs. For those developers who spent time investigating the Android Bridge, we strongly encourage you to take a look at the iOS Bridge and Xamarin as great solutions.”

Earlier this week, Microsoft announced its plans to acquire Xamarin, a company that has created tools for making mobile apps for iOS, Android and Windows that can share common code and thus be quickly released for all three platforms.

Source: Microsoft

Verizon updates Sony Xperia Z3v, Xperia Z2 Tablet to Android 5.1.1

Verizon is pushing out an update to its Sony Xperia Z3v today, and owners of the smartphone will finally be able to upgrade their Android OS from KitKat to Android 5.1.1 Lollipop.

The Xperia Z3v will get the software version 23.4.B.0.319 when the update is applied. Here’s is the change log:

• Android 5.1.1 Lollipop operating system
• HD Voice provides high quality call audio, video calling and simultaneous use of voice and data
• Latest Android security patches

In addition, Verizon is also updating its Xperia Z2 Tablet from Android 5.0.2 to Android 5.1.1, with the software version number 23.1.D.0.508. Aside from the OS upgrade, this download also includes the latest Android security patches.

Thanks to everyone who tipped us!

Source: Verizon Wireless 1, 2

Samsung’s new edge features finally feel like a complete thought

It’s easy to dismiss these “gimmicks”, but Samsung’s edge features are finally what they should be.

Samsung’s TouchWiz software enhancements catch a lot of heat for being something other than Google’s vision for Android. It’s not perfect by any stretch, but Samsung has made significant strides over the last year to ensure new features don’t exist simply to compete with default features on Android. While it’s easy to get sucked in to the weird claims that TouchWiz has gotten lighter or more like Google’s Android by some random percentage, standing back and appreciating the features that make this version more useful than “pure” Android also needs to happen.

Over the last two years, Samsung has been adding features to their “edge” displays. It has taken them a little while, but with the release of TouchWiz Marshmallow it finally feels like Samsung has taken these ideas and assembled a complete thought worth taking advantage of.

In many ways, the first two attempts at edge features weren’t aiming high enough. Samsung’s first effort on the Galaxy Note Edge made it easy to think about quickly accessing standalone apps that ran only on the edge. It was a cool idea, but the separation between the edge and the rest of the phone was naturally limiting and few apps ever really took advantage of the experience. We won’t even talk about left-hand support. The idea never really got the polish it deserved, and the space those features occupied limited the ideas that could be deployed there.

Things got a little better with the Galaxy S6 and S6 edge. These phones didn’t have two separate displays, and so the edge features could come out as far as Samsung wanted them to. This meant more room to play, but instead of moving everything over from the Note Edge to take advantage of the increase in real estate the features were toned down considerably. Samsung’s quick contacts launcher and color coding for your favorite people wound up being the only thing the feature was good for when the screen was on. The ability to check things by touching the edge display when not awake was cool, but weirdly limited to the one side of the phone and sometimes didn’t work as well as it should.

Enter the Galaxy S7. Samsung has moved the “always-on” features to the center of the display and improved them dramatically. Edge features have been extended well beyond the tiny corner of the display, and now include apps and widgets that can be quickly summoned for a glance from the side. We’ve seen other companies mess with the idea of tucking widgets away until you need them, and it’s the kind of the that usually works well as long as you can train your mind to use them with your personal workflow. Overall, however, the idea is solid. Swipe in from the edge to quickly gain access to these things you regularly use, decreasing the total number of taps as you go about your daily activities.

It’s hard to justify looking at TouchWiz as somehow less than other versions of Android.

Naturally, the edge features won’t be for everyone. Like many TouchWiz features, you can turn this off and never think about it again. What makes this generation of edge features worth considering is the level of polish seen in their execution. These aren’t features that were tacked on to address a hardware feature anymore, they’re an integral part of the way Samsung thinks users want to interact with their phones. It’s a complete thought because it has to be, and frankly it’s a fantastic way to interact with the apps and services Samsung has made available at launch.

Samsung’s edge features finally feel like something that competes with Moto, BlackBerry, and others when it comes to addressing a need on top of Android that Google hasn’t quite figured out yet for “pure Android”. When you add that to the other features Samsung has polished over the last couple of years, like multi-window and safer side-loading options, it’s hard to justify looking at TouchWiz as somehow less than other versions of Android.

Samsung Galaxy S7

• Galaxy S7 and S7 edge hands-on
• Galaxy S7 and S7 edge specs
• Where and when you can buy the Galaxy S7
• Details on the Galaxy S7’s camera
• The SD card is back on the GS7
• Join our Galaxy S7 forums

Google, Facebook and Twitter will reportedly file court motions supporting Apple in fight with FBI

Google and Facebook will both reportedly put their official support on Apple’s side in its current fight against the FBI.

According to The Wall Street Journal:

Several top tech companies, including Google parent Alphabet Inc. and Facebook Inc., are preparing to file motions in support of Apple Inc. in its court fight with the Justice Department over unlocking an alleged terrorist’s iPhone, according to people familiar with the plans of the companies.

Microsoft president Brad Smith said earlier today his company will be filing its own amicus brief supporting Apple in this case.

Update: According to Re/Code, Twitter is planning to throw its support behind Apple with a legal filing as well. The report also mentions that the coalition of tech supporters may file one amicus brief together, rather than as individuals.

Source: The Wall Street Journal

MWC 2016 – So long, and thanks for all the phones!

Join us as we bid Barcelona and MWC a fond farewell. Then strap in for a great 2016!

2016’s Mobile World Congress was a helluva show. Not only did we see what just might be the best phones Samsung, Sony and LG have ever made, but we were able to witness first-hand how companies like Alcatel and ZTE have become comfortable with building premium phones for people on a budget. Of course, new phones only tell part of the story.

Companies are embracing Virtual Reality, which means more people will see first-hand what all the fuss is about. Getting the public to want something is the best way to drive the innovation behind it. Samsung is handing out Gear VR units when you buy the Galaxy S7, Alcatel is going a step further and using a headset as the box, and LG has built what might turn out to be the best experience of all with the 360 VR headset. If VR is ever going to turn from a novelty into a true consumer market category, this is how it will happen. I can’t wait to try this stuff.

And we can’t forget Rolling Bots. With lasers. Pew Pew.

Like all good things, MWC must end. We’re going to digest what we’ve seen and heard, and be ready to get our hands on all the things as soon as we can. It’s going to be a great year.

The best of MWC 2016

Samsung Galaxy S7

LG G5

Sony Xperia X

Alcatel Idol 4

LG 360 VR

HTC’s mid-range beauties

Samsung Gear 360 camera

Xiaomi Mi 5

ZTE Blade V7

BATTLEBOTS!

Verizon Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 updated with February Android security patch

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 on Verizon is now receiving an update containing the latest Android security patches. The update bumps the Galaxy Tab S2’s software up to version LMY47X.T817VVRS2APB2, and only includes the following, according to Verizon’s release notes:

The current software update gives you the most up to date Android™ security patch on your device.

According to Verizon’s update tracker page, the update just started rolling out today, so you may not see it right away. Still, be sure to check out our rundown on the latest Android security patch to learn what issues have been addressed.

Source: Verizon

What is Star Wars Commander, and should I play it?

Star Wars has been everywhere for months now. From BB-8 droids that you can bring home, to snagging that sweet soundtrack. That train of content isn’t gonna slow down anytime soon, and you only have to take a look at the Play Store to know that. Stars Wars Commander is the newest addition to all of those games, and it’s a base building game that will probably remind you of Clash of Clans as soon as you see it.

You’ll play as a band of mercenaries who ally with either the rebellion or the dark side, and whichever side you choose will change what units you’ll get access to during the game. You’ll need to acquire resources, build a base, upgrading buildings and training troops as you go. There are also squads that you can join to play with others, and a campaign to complete.

Let’s take a look at strategy in the Star Wars Universe

Your Base

Your base is the first thing you’ll see when you start playing this game, and it’s easily one of the most important parts. This is where you’ll collect and store your resources, set up defense turrets, house and train your troops. Your base will start off pretty small, but as you play it will quickly grow as you play adding new and better buildings in the process.

Your base is where everything you have is stored, so you want to make sure that its properly defended. Tatooine is a pretty dangerous place after all, with criminals like Jabba running amok. Walls protecting your base will help to make sure that enemies can’t just go running through willy nilly, and placing turrets will provide cover fire. Whether you are placing walls, buildings, or turrets you need to make sure that you’re doing it smart. Having resource collection buildings outside of the range of turrets will only end in tragedy.

Your base is also where you will train and house your troops. You’ll need them for the various missions that you go on once you’ve chosen to work for either the rebellion or the dark side. Initially you’ll only have access to the base storm trooper, but as you level up your barracks you’ll open up better units to fight for you.

When you decide to upgrade a building, you’ll want to do so strategically. Each upgrade requires a droid to attend to it, and you can only upgrade if you have a droid free. You’ll start out with two, and you can buy more down the road but they get pricier every time. Consider what you need access to first, and how long it will take to build before committing to a building upgrade.

Resources

Resources are an integral function in how this game works. You’ll need certain amount of resources to ever upgrade your buildings, or construct new ones. Your main resources come in form of Alloy and Credits, but you’ll also need to keep an eye on your supply of crystals as well as how many droids you employ.

Alloy and Credits are the soft currency of Star Wars Commander. To get them you just need to purchase and place the appropriate buildings. You can collect the resources as they’re gathered up and a running tally is kept on the upper right of your screen. Allow and credits are primarily used for upgrading buildings, including the buildings that collect and store the resources themselves.

Crystals are the hard currency though, and you can purchase more for cold hard cash. Crystals are used to speed up troop training and building construction. You’ll also use crystals to purchase more droids to make building your base up faster a possibility. You could consider droids a resource, but they are more like your workers. You can construct one building per droid at a time, so how fast you can build up is directly related to how many droids you are employing.

In-app purchases do play a part in Star Wars Commander, but only in that they exist. So far, we haven’t encountered a situation where you would need them in order to keep up, or succeed in your gameplay. You won’t find pop up ads asking you to constantly buy bundles, and it’s only when you go into your crystals menu that it’ll ask if you want to make purchases.

Playing the Game

Once you’ve gotten some troops trained up, and your base has gotten started, it’s time to play the rest of the game. You’ll find two basic modes of play; a campaign of story missions, and a versus mode where you can challenge rivals. This is where you’re going to end up expending most of those troops that you’ve trained up as well.

Campaign missions are where you’re going to find the story of this game, and it will differ quite a bit depending on which faction you decided to give your allegiance to. The first set of missions are basic tutorial missions, making sure that your base is properly set up and that you understand the different types of missions and what they entail. These include figuring out strategies for sending troops in, as well as constructing your base in a way that allow it to repel attackers.

In the Versus mode, you’ll attack the bases of other players. Activating this mode too quickly will dissolve your initial peace shield so be careful. It’s can also be quite challenging. You’ll be attacking the base of a player from the opposite faction, and likewise you yourself can be attacked. When you attack, you’re dealing with only the base defenses that are constructed, like turrets.

One thing that you’ll notice quite quickly is that you need to strategically use your troops, along with any faction units you bring into a mission. Your faction may gift you with AT-ST’s or give you access to a ship for flyover strafing. However you’ll need to manually send your guys in, and once you have tapped on the screen things have gotten started. Additionally, you’ll want to remember that all troops sent on missions are expended. They won’t return to your roster, even if they survive a mission.

Should you Play it?

Star Wars commander is a fun, and easy to pick up base defense and attack game. It’s nice and simple without tons of adds, and like the Disney owned Star Wars universe, it’s as kid friendly as Clash of Clans is. With a minimum reminder about in-app purchases, Star Wars Commander tries to stay out of your way and just let you enjoy the game.

If you’re a fan of this style of game, then we definitely recommend checking out Star Wars Commander. Fun, easy to pick up, and a great Star Wars themed game to check out.

February Android security patch now rolling out to Moto X Pure Edition

As we approach the end of February, Motorola has started rolling out a security update for the Moto X Pure Edition (and Moto X Style) that includes the latest security patches from Google. Once updated, your Moto X Pure Edition should list your Android security patch level as February 1, 2016. According to Motorola, the update also includes a kernel update to address a security issue of moderate severity.

The update may take some time to land for everyone as the rollout continues. In the meantime, you can check out our rundown of everything that’s fixed in the latest Android security patch. And be sure to chime in on our forums, where Android Central readers are discussing the update.

Thanks for the tips, Fred and Bruce!

Source: Motorola

Moto X Style (Pure Edition)

• Our comprehensive review
• Moto X Pure Edition specs
• Moto X Pure Edition custom backs: silicone, wood, and leather
• Versus: Galaxy S6 | iPhone 6
• The latest Moto X Style news
• Discuss in our Moto X Style forums

Motorola Best Buy Amazon

The LG G5, those modules and why I was wrong

First impressions aren’t usually the best judge of anything, but they sure are hard to overcome. Sometimes it takes some help from a friend.

Let’s talk about the LG G5. Some of us already know that it’s exactly what we’re buying just as soon as we can buy it. Others are never going to buy a phone that isn’t [insert your favorite brand here] and just don’t care. But a lot of people — myself included — got stuck trying to figure out the logic behind the G5, its “Friends”, and a system that feels like the old PCMCIA cards for my forgotten Thinkpad.

I never have to worry about carrying parts around and swapping things if I don’t want to carry parts around and swap things.

I was in the last camp. I let the idea of using swappable modules overshadow everything else. I even had a bunch of words written about why I felt the way I felt about the G5, why the modules were a bad idea, and why I thought the whole thing was a step in the wrong direction. I like gadgets and parts and and things, but I need a dependable phone and not a science kit as a daily driver. Phil read them, and rejected all of my ideas — and he was right. After some back and forth, he asked me why I was letting the accessories distract me from the phone. I didn’t have an answer.

That’s what it took to make me realize that the G5 may be that dependable phone I want to use, and I never have to worry about carrying parts around and swapping things if I don’t want to carry parts around and swap things. I hate it when Phil is right, but my first impressions of the G5 were wrong. And I think Derek is wrong. And a lot of people saying the same things I was thinking are wrong.

You might be thinking, “Wait, Jerry. You can’t say other people are wrong for having an opinion!” But you’re wrong, too. Nobody who hates the idea of swapping cards and modules on the G5 has used it without swapping cards and modules for more than 10 minutes. Nobody. Any opinion we have right now is just a gut reaction because we let the modules distract us from the fact that they are just accessories. You’re not buying a camera module or a DAC module and then deciding to attach a phone to it, you’re buying a phone that you can insert a camera module or cool hi-fi amp into if you want to. And if you don’t want to, you don’t have to.

I’m still concerned about a few things with the LG G5. I’m afraid the battery is going to be too small. I’m leery about LG’s commitment to keeping the software up to date and secure. My issues with the G4 — poor touch sensitivity and WiFi problems — have me worried about quality control. But these are legitimate concerns that I can address after I’ve had time to try a G5 for more than a half-hour. And I will. What I won’t do is worry about swapping cards until I decide if I want to worry about swapping cards.

LG G5

• LG G5 hands-on
• LG G5 complete specs
• LG G5 CAM Plus module
• LG G5 B&O Hi-Fi audio module
• The G5 has an always-on display
• LG G5 keeps the SD card, shuns adoptable storage
• Join the LG G5 discussion