HTC 10 gets the same DXOMark score as Galaxy S7

The folks at HTC aren’t messing around when it comes to the camera this year.

It’s been a rough couple of years for HTC fans when it comes to camera quality. Samsung and LG have invested tremendous resources into camera quality to compete with Apple, and as anyone who has owned or used an HTC M8 and M9 can tell you things haven’t been quite as awesome for HTC. The focus on old Ultrapixel tech caused some real problems, but it looks like the HTC 10 puts that history in the rear view and drives away as quickly as possible with new camera tech that is also called Ultrapixel. Yeah.

If you’re looking for camera quality verification, it looks like the folks at DXOMark have stepped up and offered their analysis. The result? Tied with the Samsung Galaxy S7.

What this means is the HTC 10 scored an average that matches the Galaxy S7 edge, not that the cameras themselves are identically capable.

DXOMark scores phone cameras on exposure and contrast, color, texture, noise, artifacts, autofocus, and flash in both photo and video capabilities. Each of these categories is scored on a scale of 1-100, and the combined scores create the final number you see on their website. Until today, the highest score any smartphone had ever gotten was the Samsung Galaxy S7 edge, which scored an 88. Today, the HTC 10 joins that category with its own 88 score.

What this means is the HTC 10 scored an average that matches the Galaxy S7 edge, not that the cameras themselves are identically capable. The strengths and weaknesses of this camera averaged out to match the strengths and weaknesses of the Galaxy S7 edge, which in this case implies we’ll see some differences when it comes to color accuracy and exposure. The result is undeniably impressive, but means we need to see these two cameras in action beside one another to see how those strengths and weaknesses translate to real world use. We intend to do exactly that, and soon.

How great does is it to see HTC back on top with camera quality though? Leave you thoughts in the comments!

HTC 10

• HTC 10 preview
• HTC 10 hands-on: a Canadian perspective
• HTC 10 specs
• These are the HTC 10 colors
• BoomSound goes Hi-Fi
• Meet the Ice View case
• Join our HTC 10 forums

HTC

LG invites developers to think up creative ideas for G5 modules

Developers have been invited to think up new possibilities for the company’s latest flagship smartphone. The fourth annual LG developer event will be held in San Francisco on April 15, enabling attendees to learn how to develop apps and hardware compatible with the LG G5. The company will also be launching a new marketplace for these new products and apps, which will take full advantage of the new SDK and HDK.

Owners of the G5 would be able to head on over to this marketplace and purchase any compatible products for the phone from third-parties. It’s an interesting idea that could expand the potential of the G5 with unique functionality specifically tailored for various situations. This new platform will launch on April 18. Interested in learning more about developing for the G5? Head to LG’s website.

Visit the LG Friends Marketplace

Pres Release

SAN FRANCISCO, April 12, 2016 /PRNewswire/ — LG Electronics (LG) has opened up the new LG G5, inviting developers to reimagine the possibilities for the modular design smartphone and companion devices. At its fourth annual LG Developer Event, hosted on April 15 in San Francisco, attendees will learn how they can develop apps and hardware compatible with the award winning LG G5. In advance of the event, LG has also launched its new software development kit (SDK) and hardware development kit (HDK).

To help developers monetize the LG G5 companion devices they create, LG will soon be launching a new market place (WWW.LGFriends.com) as well. The online destination will further support developers, allowing them to sell their compatible products and content directly to consumers.

“The potential of the industry changing LG G5 and the concept of Friends are limitless. Now we want to give everyone a chance to apply their talent and imagination in developing their own apps and Friends for the LG G5,” said Dr. Ramchan Woo, Vice President, Smartphone Product Planning at LG Electronics. “We believe that by giving developers the same tools that inspired us from LG G5’s inception, we’re going to see innovations ranging from toys to medical tools to things we haven’t even thought of ourselves.”

The Friday evening event will be emceed by Mario Tapia – mobile industry pundit – and will include keynote presentations from LG executives involved in LG G5’s product development, SDK and HDK partners, technical demonstrations and breakout sessions. Developers will also learn how to create their own camera control apps for the new LG 360 CAM and LG 360 VR viewer and also learn more about Google’s Open Spherical Camera API.

Registration is now open on a first-come, first-serve basis. Marshmallow fans and Android developers rejoice – those in attendance will receive a sweet, picture-perfect surprise. To register and learn more about the event and LG’s Developer Program, please visit: developer.lge.com.

LG G5

• LG G5 review
• LG 360 Cam review
• LG G5 complete specs
• LG’s G5 Friends modules are a neat idea, but they won’t matter
• LG G5 B&O Hi-Fi audio module
• Join the LG G5 discussion

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Is the HTC 10 water resistant?

No. In fact, it’s not even dust tight.

There’s a lot to like about the HTC 10 so far, which has been catching quite a few people by surprise. The phone looks like a top competitor, and that’s fantastic news for anyone looking to buy something from HTC this year. One thing you can bet on with the HTC 10, you won’t see Lil Wayne staring in amazement as he pours champagne on the still perfectly functional phone. The HTC 10 is rates IP53, which means not only is it not completely dust tight, but the phone can be damaged if it is sprayed with water.

You’ll be fine with the phone in your pocket should you be caught in the rain, but you’d better steer clear of water if your phone isn’t being covered by something.

To put that IP rating into perspective, recently what we’ve seen with phones and smartwatches is an IP66 or IP67 rating. That first number means the phone has been rated to be dust tight, so there’s no concern of particulates damaging the inside of your phone. The second number is all about how much water the phone can handle safely. A 6 in that second number means it’s ok if it gets splashed or hit with a super soaker, but can’t handle total submersion. A 7 in that slot means the phone can handle brief submersion, but nothing on purpose for any extended period of time.

As you can imagine, a 3 in that second number is not great. That means the phone can handle sprays up to 60 degrees from vertical, but cannot handle sprays of water from every direction. You’ll be fine with the phone in your pocket should you be caught in the rain, but you’d better steer clear of water if your phone isn’t being covered by something.

This obviously isn’t ideal, especially compared to phones that are either waterproof up to several feet or coated in a superhydrophobic layer to move water away from electronics, but is this a deal-breaker for you? Sound off in the comments.

HTC 10

• HTC 10 preview
• HTC 10 hands-on: a Canadian perspective
• HTC 10 specs
• These are the HTC 10 colors
• BoomSound goes Hi-Fi
• Meet the Ice View case
• Join our HTC 10 forums

HTC

New York bill would have police scan your phone after a crash

It may be relatively difficult for police to catch people texting while driving, but one proposed New York law would make it near-impossible to avoid detection if that distraction leads to a crash. A new state Senate bill would let police submit you to a “textalyzer” (basically, a device that scans for recent phone activity) after an accident — you’d actually lose your license if you refused. Just as the Breathalyzer impacted drunk driving, the device would ideally help identify the cause of a crash and hold people accountable for dangerous behavior behind the wheel.

Privacy, as you might guess, is a concern. The Cellebrite-made technology involved in the law can’t access the actual contents of your phone — it can only tell whether or not you’ve been busy. Cops would still need a warrant to see if there really was an on-the-road conversation, in other words.

If the bill becomes law, it could serve as a better deterrent to the crowd that ignores distracted driving laws. However, it does raise some questions. How accurate is the technology, for example? Will it mistake background phone activity (such as notifications or uploads) for active use? What happens if you dispute the allegations — will you have to consent to a detailed phone search? As good as the measure might be, it could lead to wrongful convictions if the technology is either imperfect or misused.

Via: Ars Technica

Source: New York State Senate, PR Newswire

HTC’s 10 is the first Android phone with Apple AirPlay streaming

After a run of middling flagships over the last few years, HTC might finally have an exciting phone again with the 10. It’s as if it crammed in just about every feature it possibly could — a higher resolution Ultrapixel camera, expandable storage and a large battery. And, in an Android first, HTC even licensed Apple’s AirPlay streaming technology. You’ll be able to stream music to the Apple TV and other AirPlay-enabled speakers just as easily as you can from an iOS device. It’s unclear if the 10 will also support AirPlay video streaming, but we’ve asked HTC to clarify.

Of course, there’s no shortage of unofficial AirPlay streaming apps on Android — DoubleTwist and Allcast have been around for years. But bundling support for Apple’s standard is still a big move. It’s yet another way for HTC to differentiate its phones from Samsung’s and LG’s, and it could appeal to current iPhone users who’ve invested in AirPlay devices and are turned off by the difficulty of jumping to Android. AirPlay offers uncompressed and far higher quality streaming than Bluetooth, which makes it appealing to audiophiles as well.

Digital music now makes more money than physical media worldwide

Music streaming continues to provide a big boost to music industry revenue. In fact, digital music now outsells physical formats worldwide, nabbing 45 percent of all purchases in 2015 according to IFPI’s Global Music Report. If you’ll recall, the RIAA reported last March that music streaming had overtaken physical sales in the US, and the trend continued worldwide last year. Digital revenue accounted for $6.7 billion, thanks largely to a 45-percent increase in what streaming services took in. Despite industry revenue growth of 3.2 percent or $15 million for 2015, both physical sales and digital downloads declined.

While streaming services are lending a big hand to continued growth, IFPI warns that the “value gap” — or the amount of revenue being paid out to rights holders, labels and artists — could prove problematic. A key reason for the uneven returns is sites like YouTube that allow users to upload songs for others to listen to free of charge.

Despite YouTube shelling out $3 billion to the music industry, policing its library and launching its own ad-free streaming service, there’s still concern that so-called “safe harbor” site where folks can listen for free aren’t paying the same royalties as Spotify and others. In fact, IFPI says those sites only account for 4 percent of global music revenue but tout a user base that counts over 900 million. IFPI says that the discrepancy, along with the amount of revenue being returned to rights holders, could be what hinders future growth.

Via: Wall Street Journal

Source: IFPI

Netflix HDR has arrived in the UK, Sony at front of the queue

Netflix has begun streaming its High Dynamic Range and Dolby Vision content in the UK on selected TV screens, starting with Sony.

The enhanced HDR content will be part of the 4K streaming package offering a greater brightness to the video, reports Steve May on InsideCI.

The update is reportedly ready for 2015 Sony TVs with Android 4K. That means Netflix HDR can be streamed to updated Sony X85C, S85C, X90C, X93C and X93C televisions. Newer 2016 Sony televisions including the SD85, XD85, XD93 and XD94 will also support HDR playback.

Netflix original content, shot with HDR support like Marco Polo, is currently available to stream. The old 4K moniker appears to have been ditched in favour of a simple HDR label, within the Netflix menu screen.

The HDR content is noticeably brighter than the normal stream allowing for greater clarity in the pictures. The television will automatically adjust to support the HDR setting which allows it to display at full quality immediately.

Netflix has also said that the Dolby equivalent, Dolby Vision, is also being delivered to any TVs that support it. Now it’s just a case of waiting for the TV manufacturers to catch up and roll out the updates needed to take advantage of the HDR content.

READ: Netflix prices are about to go up for early subscribers, be warned

JBL Reflect Aware C will pipe noise-cancelled music from your USB Type-C port

If you’re jumping on the bandwagon with the latest devices, you’ll have probably have encountered the new USB Type-C format. The new USB connection has appeared on the MacBook, Pixel C tablet, as well as a number of smartphones, like the new HTC 10 and LG G5.

JBL has announced the Reflect Aware C, the first USB Type-C headphones that feature noise cancellation. Using USB Type-C they can draw the power for noise-cancellation directly from the device they’re attached to, rather than needing a separate bulky battery. 

That means you don’t have the extra weight swinging around on the cable, which is a big advantage when you’re using them for sport. They are sweatproof and have ergonomically designed earbuds to stay in your ear during activity.

But it’s not just noise cancellation. The Reflect Aware have adaptable sound, so they will let in surrounding sounds if you want them too, meaning that if you’re running outside, you’ll be able to hear the bike that’s about to ride into you.

If it’s pure noise cancellation in the gym then you get that option too, so you don’t have the background music or droning of all those treadmills distracting you from your own workout.

The cables are also reflective, so they’ll catch the light and let others know where you are. 

There’s no word on pricing or availability for the JBL Reflect Aware C, but the company also offers these headphones in a Lightning version for the iPhone – priced at $159.95, with availability expected in June 2016.

HTC’s Boost+ app promises to declutter your Android phone

Alongside its new Android flagship, HTC is unveiling an app today that anyone running Lollipop or higher can download from the Google Play store. It’s called HTC Boost+ and promises to “optimize, declutter and fortify” your smartphone with minimal fuss. First of all, that means clearing out unnecessary data such as cache files, app installers and general “advertising clutter.” It also boasts a “smart boost” tool that supposedly frees up memory to improve performance. We’ll reserve judgment for now, but it’s widely believed that task killer and RAM cleaner apps have a negligible, if not detrimental effect on Android hardware.

Instead, it’s the privacy and app management features that should pique your curiosity. Boost+ can be set up to notify you when an app hasn’t been used for a certain period of time. If you’re someone that’s constantly downloading and trying new apps, this could be a subtle reminder to delete the ones you rarely use. Nextbit’s Robin phone has a similar offering, but goes a step further by ripping them from your device and storing them in the cloud automatically. There’s also the option to lock specific apps with a passcode or fingerprint — useful if you’re working on a sensitive company project, or just want to keep your Tinder profile from prying eyes.

Facebook and Microsoft confirm they have no gender pay gap

Tech companies may employ a smaller percentage of women than other US industries, but at least they pay them as well as men. Microsoft and Facebook marked “Equal Pay Day” (today) by confirming they had hit that milestone. “I’m proud to share that at Facebook, men and women earn the same,” says Facebook VP Lori Matloff Goler. Microsoft VP Kathleen Hogan also declares that, “today, for every $1 earned by men, our female employees in the U.S. earn 99.8 cents at the same job title and level.”

According to Engadget’s 2015 diversity report card, Microsoft scored a “C” with just 29 percent of women in its workforce, including a dismal 17.3 percent in leadership roles. However, yesterday it agreed to disclose how much women and US minorities are paid compared to men and has committed to gender pay equity, according to activist shareholder Arjuna Capital.

CEO Satya Nadella famously said that women should rely on “karma” instead of asking for pay raises, but later apologized for the comment. Since that low point, the company has made a stronger effort to boost diversity, and its senior leadership team is at an all-time high with 27.2 percent women. The company has also attempted to boost women in tech positions through its DigitGirlz code initiative and more diversity-centric event.

Google encourages girls to code with help from Pixar

Facebook also got low marks in our diversity report compared to Google, Apple and Twitter. Though it employs more women total than other tech companies at 31 percent, they represent just 23 percent of its management team. To change that, the company expanded its Facebook University internship program to include more underrepresented group, and launched TechPrep to promote computer science in schools, among other initiatives.

Most of the big tech companies have committed to closing the gender pay gap, thanks in large part to prodding from Arjuna Capital’s director of equity Natasha Lamb. At this point, Microsoft, Facebook, Amazon, Apple and Intel say that they now pay men and women equally. However, all those companies are still well behind other industries on overall employment diversity for female and minority workers, especially in the executive suite. If they follow Twitter’s lead in the boardroom, however, the news might be better next year.

Via: Fast Company

Source: Microsoft, Facebook