Google Calculator arrives in the Play Store as a standalone app

While the standard Calculator Android app from Google is usually included with any Android device, it has never been released in the Google Play Store. That has now changed as the Calculator is now available in the store as a standalone app.

This development means that the Calculator app can be updated with more features on a faster basis rather than having to wait for an Android firmware update. While the app is basically the same one that’s already on smartphones and tablets, the new 6.0 version does include support for Android Wear. This means smartwatches with the OS can perform simple calculations with the app from now on.

You can download the standalone version of the Google Calculator in the Google Play Store.

Thanks to Matthew for the tip!

Bring some geometric beauty to your phone this Wallpaper Wednesday

Don’t let your home screen fall into a rut — switch out your wallpaper!

You don’t have to pull out a complex new theme like our custom Deadpool kit to bring a breath of fresh air to your home screen. A new wallpaper can do wonders, and launchers like Action Launcher can re-theme your entire home screen around a good wallpaper. In our effort to help brighten your device — and maybe your day — we’re compiling some wallpapers for you to try out.

If you’ve got a wallpaper you use everywhere, share it in the comments below! We’re always looking for something new. Now get your wallpaper picker ready and see what’s in store this week.

Fractal Portal

There’s something mesmerizing about a good fractal. This one conjures up a few different scenes, be it an alchemist circle from Fullmetal Alchemist or a portal to another dimension. This geometric beauty features soothing cool tones and it’s ready to grace your phone, tablet, or computer. Just be sure to tell us if it leads you through space and time, okay?

Fractal Portal

Diviner’s Orb by ZMasta94

This wallpaper balances the cold emptiness of space with the bright warmth of the sun, a fiery inferno with the beauty of nature, and the seeming chaos of space with the interconnections of the universe. It’s a wallpaper that reminds us to find that own balance within our lives, and to summon our own inner power.

Diviner’s Orb by ZMasta94

Morning Burst by twinx85

The fractal flower is blooming just in time for spring, and offers a burst of color for your screen. The cascades of of light and the light grids on the edges of the boom draw the eye and softer focus helps play with a few of the fractal’s light effects. The water droplets scattering the scene also make us wonder if this is morning dew or a morning shower.

Morning Burst by twinx85

Macro Galaxy by zy0rg

This may not a view any of us will ever see in our lifetime, but why can’t we dream of a beautiful spacescape like this out on the edges of a distant spiral galaxy? This green galaxy’s gold and blue highlights sing out throughout the wallpaper, and blurring lights along the galaxy’s wrap-around stars make us wonder what fantastic worlds would circle those suns…

Macro Galaxy by zy0rg

Cosmic Roulette by Prelkia

I’m not sure if these infinitely repeating seals are levels of some super-secure lockdown or just the repetitions of a time-travel rune as you go back to stop some impending doom, but I’d love to find out. The red seals scattered throughout the scene pop, and the beautiful symmetry of this powerful wallpaper make me wanna get the Stargate crew together and see where we’re off to this week.

Cosmic Roulette by Prelkia

Snag an unlocked Xperia Z3 for $250 from B&H

If you are in the market for an unlocked smartphone, you may want to check out this deal from B&H on Sony’s Xperia Z3. The water and dust-resistant phone is priced at just $250 right now, a savings of $200. Featuring a 5.2-inch IPS display, the Xperia Z3 is powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 801 processor that is paired with 3GB of RAM and 16GB of on-board storage.

Being unlocked, you will be able to pop the SIM card from a GSM carrier into the phone and use it without issues. This deal is only good for today, March 30, so don’t wait too long before picking one up if you are interested in the $200 savings.

See at B&H(.cta .shop}

HTC 10 vs Samsung Galaxy S7: What’s the rumoured difference?

HTC launched its One M9 flagship at Mobile World Congress 2015, but the Taiwanese company chose not to use this year’s show to announce its successor. Instead, HTC unveiled a few mid-range handsets in Barcelona and left Samsung and LG to steal the headlines with their 2016 flagships.

It’s almost time for HTC to step back into the limelight though, with the debut of its next flagship set for 12 April. The new handset has been the subject of rumours for several months and it has various unofficial names from HTC One M10 and Perfume to HTC 10.

The rumours haven’t just surrounded the name though, they have also given us an idea on what kind of specs we might be able to expect, as well as what it could look like. How might HTC’s next flagship compare to Samsung’s Galaxy S7? Read on to find out, based on the rumours.

HTC 10 vs Samsung Galaxy S7: Design

The HTC 10 is rumoured to be coming with an all metal design, offering the same measurements as its predecessor at 144.6 x 69.7 x 9.6mm. Based on the leaked images, it looks as though the new device will sport the headphone jack at the top, USB Type-C at the bottom and a serrated standby button the side.

Rumour has it HTC will offer some degree of waterproofing for the new flagship and a fingerprint sensor appears to be on the front, flanked by capacitive buttons like the company’s One A9 mid-range device.

The Samsung Galaxy S7 has a metal body with a glass rear and it measures 142.4 x 69.6 x 7.9mm, which would make it smaller and slimmer than the HTC 10 if its rumoured measurements are accurate.

The Galaxy S7 also places its fingerprint sensor on the front of the handset, it officially offers a waterproof rating of IP68 and it opts for Micro-USB over USB Type-C. The Galaxy S7 weighs 152g but whether this will be lighter or heavier than the HTC 10 is currently unclear.

HTC 10 vs Samsung Galaxy S7: Display

The HTC 10 has had mixed rumours when it comes to its display. Some have claimed it will be 5.1-inches, while others have said 5.2-inches. There have also been contradicting reports when it comes to the display technology, with some suggesting HTC will opt for AMOLED like the One A9 and others claiming the company will stick to Super LCD like its previous flagships.

The one thing the leaks do manage to agree on is the resolution, with Quad HD expected. If HTC opts for a 5.1-inch display, the HTC 10 would arrive with a pixel density of 577ppi, while a 5.2-inch display would put it with 565ppi.

The Samsung Galaxy S7 features a 5.1-inch Super AMOLED display, also with a Quad HD resolution for a pixel density of 577ppi. AMOLED displays tend to offer brighter and more vibrant colours than LCD, but they can also be a little unrealistic. The Galaxy 7 has a fabulous display but HTC has been known to offer excellent screens in the past too so chances are there won’t be much in it between these two handsets, no matter what size or technology the HTC 10 ends up offering.

HTC 10 vs Samsung Galaxy S7: Camera

Like its display, mixed reports have also been circulating regarding the HTC 10’s camera. There have been claims of a 23-megapixel rear sensor, as well as suggestions of a 12-megapixel rear snapper with an aperture of f/1.9. Rumours have suggested the 12-megapixel sensor could be the same as the Nexus 6P with 1.55µm pixels, alongside features including laser-assisted phase detection AF, optical image stabilisation and a dual tone flash.

Less has been said about the front-facing camera of the HTC 10. There was a report of a 5-megapixel sensor, but this would suggest HTC is walking away from the UltraPixel front-facing snapper that worked well on the One M9.

The Samsung Galaxy S7 has been praised for its camera capabilities so whatever the HTC 10 arrives with, it has some tough competition on its hands. The Galaxy S7 offers a 12-megapixel rear camera with 1.4µm pixels and an f/1.7 aperture. It comes with OIS, phase detection AF and an LED flash. The front camera is 5-megapixels and also features an f/1.7 aperture.

HTC 10 vs Samsung Galaxy S7: Hardware

The HTC 10 is claimed to be coming with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 chipset, 4GB of RAM and 32GB of internal storage. As we mentioned previously, USB Type-C is expected based on the leaked images, which would mean faster charging and data transfer and microSD for expandable storage is also expected. The battery capacity has been touted at 3000mAh.

The Samsung Galaxy S7 comes in two models, one of which features the Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 and the other has an octa-core Exynos chip under the hood. Both come with 4GB of RAM and the S7 comes in 32GB and 64GB storage options, both of which have microSD for storage expansion. The S7 also offers a 3000mAh battery capacity, like the HTC 10 is claimed to be coming with.

HTC 10 vs Samsung Galaxy S7: Software

The HTC 10 is expected to launch with Android Marshmallow with HTC’s Sense software over the top. The One A9 arrived with Marshmallow and a stripped down version of Sense, and the HTC 10 is expected to follow this pattern.

It is believed the new HTC flagship will come with Android Marshmallow and the best of Sense, which is being dubbed Sense 8.0_GP. It means users will get a close to raw Android experience, with a few additional extras.

The Samsung Galaxy S7 also comes with Android Marshmallow along with Samsung’s TouchWiz software over the top. If the rumours are true regarding the HTC 10, it is likely HTC’s new flagship will offer a more refined software experience with less duplication.

HTC 10 vs Samsung Galaxy S7: Conclusion

The Samsung Galaxy S7 is a brilliant device. It might not be as pretty as its dual-edge sibling but it is a cracking smartphone. Luckily for HTC, it looks as though its new flagship will do a good job at competition against it.

Based on the speculation, the HTC 10 looks like it will come with a great design, a display that is on par with the Galaxy S7 and hardware that is on par with the Galaxy S7. Whether HTC will be able to match the camera capabilities of the S7 with its new flagship have yet to be seen but the rumours certainly suggest it will be doing its best.

The claims suggest there won’t be much in it between these two devices based on the specs but claims is the key word here. This is all speculation at the moment. We will update this feature as the official specs are announced. For now, you can read our HTC 10 rumour round up piece for more information on HTC’s next flagship, or head to our Samsung Galaxy S7 review to read all about our thoughts on Samsung’s new flagship.

Learn to make the apps people love with BaseRails Ruby on Rails Training

Ride the cutting edge of app-building prowess as you build a strong foundation in Ruby on Rails, an essential tool for any aspiring web developer, with this great new offer from Pocket-lint Deals.

For a limited time, a lifetime subscription to BaseRails Ruby on Rails Training is on sale at a massive 98 per cent savings.

The open source web application framework is the basis for apps we all use on a daily basis, the backbone of top destinations like Twitter, Shopify, Github, Groupon, Hulu, Airbnb, and many more. Learn how to put Ruby on Rails to use for any project, from personal to professional, with 30 hours of coding and web scraping tutorials across four core courses.

Along the way, you’ll build four comprehensive web applications that you’ll actually launch live on the web, ranging from an apartment rental site like Craigslist to a two-sided marketplace for buyers and sellers. Once you’ve learned the ropes, you’ll customize your completed projects to fully represent your entrepreneurial vision.

With your lifetime subscription, you’ll get frequent access to new content and top-notch support as you master all must-know web technologies. Pick it up for just £33.86 ($49) from Pocket-lint Deals today, and set yourself on a path to learning – for life.

Train to master the MCSE exam with 5-course Business Intelligence Training

There’s no overstating the confidence, security and increased profitability that extra certifications in your industry can provide in helping your career along.

Depending on the industry you work in, you might need additional certifications beyond the B.A. or B.S. to land your desired position. For IT professionals the Microsoft Certified Solutions Engineer exam is one of them.

Yes, standardized testing lives on after college, believe it or not. But leading E-learning course provider iCollege is making prepping for it a lot easier with its MCSE Business Intelligence 5-Course Training, which comes equipped with unlimited access to expert video instruction and the tools you need to pass.

Within the courses, you’ll do the following:

• Engage with proven learning methodologies and the latest technology
• Learn with the advanced self-study format and enhanced user controls
• Query and administer Microsoft SQL servers
• Implement a data warehouse with Microsoft SQL
• Create data models and reports
• Design business intelligence solutions

Passing this exam establishes you at a globally-recognized benchmark for IT professionals, which validates your knowledge of database servers and business intelligence software, and tells potential employers that you are at the top in your field.

The fact that it’s just £41.33 ($59) for a year of access to all prep courses makes it a true steal. For a limited time, Pocket-lint readers can sign up for 93 per cent off the original sticker price.

Ripley’s hi-top kicks from Aliens are being made real by Reebok

Reebok has announced that it will be releasing its Alien Stomper hi-top trainers as worn by Ripley in the Aliens movie.

The announcement follows Nike’s unveil of its Air Mag trainers in real life which previously had only been seen in Back To the Future Part II. Unlike the Nike self-lacing kicks, the Reebok Stompers won’t offer special skills other than being really high.

Reebok has released a version of these trainers before as a limited edition when the film came out, but never fully hi-top like in the film. The release date was set based on Alien Day, which is a thing that’s trying to be what Star Wars’ May the fourth is now. This date is connected to planet LV-426, famous in the Alien movies as the home of the Xenomorph creatures.

The Reebok Stompers will come in red and white, just like Ripley’s were and feature three Velcro straps to affix them in place all the way to the top. There will also be a mid-top version as worn by the android Bishop in the movie.

On 26 April Reebok will begin selling the Alien Stomper footwear but you’d better be quick. Of course these will be limited edition, only available in small numbers on the Reebok website and in select shops worldwide.

Pricing has not been announced for the kicks yet but we imagine they’re going to be anything but cheap, or even remotely affordable for most.

READ: Nike is teasing new trainers that self-lace like those Back to the Future kicks

CNBC taught a horribly botched lesson in password security

CNBC just learned a hard, hard lesson about password security. The news outlet posted (and promptly took down) an article on the subject whose centerpiece was a “how strong is your password?” text entry box that, if anything, was a classic example of how not to manage those all-important logins. For a start, Google’s Adrienne Porter Felt noticed that the box sent your password unencrypted, guaranteeing that any snoop could intercept it and test it against your real accounts. To make matters worse, others discovered that the site sent the password to not just a Google Docs spreadsheet, but to multiple third parties — when CNBC said “no passwords are being stored,” it was flat-out wrong.

Things wouldn’t have gone well even if the text field was airtight. The tool appeared to underestimate how long it would take to crack passwords, potentially lulling you into a false sense of security. In fairness, CNBC is aware of what happened and is spending time improving the tool. The real question is why the initial version didn’t appear to get serious scrutiny before it went live — if you’re going to educate the public about the value of good security, you need to practice what you preach.

worried about security? enter your password into this @CNBC website (over HTTP, natch). what could go wrong pic.twitter.com/FO7JYJfpGR

— Adrienne Porter Felt (@__apf__) March 29, 2016

Via: Motherboard

Source: CNBC (archive.is), Adrienne Porter Felt (Twitter)

Microsoft is betting big on AI chatbots like Tay

Tay, the AI-powered chatbot that ended up spewing hate speech on Twitter, is just the beginning for Microsoft. At its Build developer conference later today, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella will unveil a broader “conversation as a platform” strategy, which involves releasing many chatbots built for different purposes, Businessweek reports. You’ll be able to message them just like Tay, but we’ll also get a glimpse of bots built into Skype that can do things like book hotel rooms. Just like its aim for Windows 10 apps last year, Microsoft is hoping to get developers excited by the idea of building bots at Build.

Microsoft is hoping to replicate the success of WeChat in China, a messaging app that lets you do things like shop, buy movie tickets and order taxis. Plenty of other companies are also looking closely at bots: Facebook has its M virtual assistant, and Amazon has Alexa, which works like a chatbot even though you actually have to talk to it. The main idea with all of these products is to deliver information, or accomplish simple tasks, without having to deal with an app or website.

This new initiative is an important one for Nadella, as it’s the first new Microsoft project that he’s entirely responsible for. Microsoft will try to prove to developers at Build that it’s simple to build bots, and it’ll show off demos to prove that they can be useful, like ordering a Domino’s pizza.

Source: Bloomberg Businessweek

Here’s how to watch Microsoft’s opening-day Build keynote

Microsoft is about to kick off its annual Build conference in San Francisco this week. The debut of Windows 10 made all the news last year. Now, about eight months since its launch, we’re expecting to see some high-profile new universal apps, improved Cortana integration and some more AI-powered chatbots. And with HoloLens shipping to developers today, you can expect some augmented reality news, maybe even a teleportation trick or two on stage. We’ll be bringing you live updates from the Moscone Center today at 11:30AM ET/8:30AM PT. You can also tune in right here to watch Satya Nadella’s opening-day Build keynote.