Latest Google Photos update adds manual backup option

A fresh update is rolling out to Google Photos for Android, bringing along a small but welcome feature: manual backup. As the name implies, manual backups allows you to perform a one-time backup of specific photos, even if you normally have the app set to only back up while charging.

Once you’re on the latest version of Google Photos, you can initiate a manual backup by selecting the photos you want, then tapping “Back up now” from the three dot menu. Your photos should then start backing up regardless of your regular settings.

Manual backup is rolling out with the latest update to Google Photos on Google Play now.

Google Photos

• Getting to know the new Google Photos
• Get your Google Photos library started
• Manage Google Photos backup settings
• What happens when you delete pictures in Google Photos?
• Managing your shared photo links
• Where did Auto Awesome go?
• Discuss Google Photos in the forums!

Google Play

Google+ helps Communities fight spam with new ‘content controls’ setting

Communities on Google+ will now be able to take a stronger stand against spam thanks to a new content controls setting. Rolling out to existing Communities now, the new setting will allow for more aggressive content filtering to keep spam to a minimum.

From Google Product Manager Frank Rodriguez:

Now we can be more aggressive in identifying inappropriate posts in a Community. When this setting is on, Google+’s content filter is more likely to flag posts that are questionable, so fewer of them will show up in your Community. Check your moderator queue to see these blocked posts.

As Rodriguez notes, the setting will be on by default for newly created Communities. However, existing communities will see the setting enabled via a gradual rollout.

Are you excited for the HTC 10 launch?

The time has finally come, and the HTC 10 is here for everyone to feast their eyes on. Whether you’ve been a fan of HTC devices for quite some time, or whether you’re just checking it out because you need to upgrade your phone, there is plenty to oogle over. Whether that means that you’ve got your eye on the specs, or whether you are hoping for an earful from the Hi-Fi audio, there is plenty here to get excited about.

That of course, brings us to this week’s poll. We want to know whether you’re excited to see the HTC 10. Since it’s brand new, we’ve only got a few choices for you in this week’s poll. You can choose between “Definitely”, “Yes, I can’t wait to read all about it”, “Not really, but maybe they’ll surprise me”, and “No”.

Are you excited for the HTC 10 launch?

Let us know if you’re excited for the HTC 10 in the comments below!

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

Verizon pushes security patch update to the Moto X 2014

Verizon is now rolling out an update to the Moto X (2014) that brings along the latest Android security patches. There doesn’t look to be anything else included in the update, with Verizon simply listing the following:

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

Once updated, users should find themselves patched with the latest batch of vulnerability fixes from the folks at Google. However, given the update only just began rolling out, it may take some time before it lands for everyone. To check manually, you can head to Settings > About Phone > System Update.

New USB Type-C Authentication spec can stop faulty cables before they do damage

The USB Implementers Forum (USB-IF), which is in charge of certifying standards-compliant USB devices, has announced a new protocol that seeks to prevent non-compliant USB Type-C cables from doing damage to a connected device.

Through what has been dubbed the USB Type-C Authentication specification, devices like phones and tablets will be able to confirm the authenticity of a connected USB-C device or charger. Through the authentication protocol, devices can then set rules that could, for example, keep data safe by only allowing connected cables to charge. As a second method of protection, devices could also be set to disallow charging through non-compliant cables.

USB Type-C Authentication empowers host systems to protect against non-compliant USB Chargers and to mitigate risks from maliciously embedded hardware or software in USB devices attempting to exploit a USB connection. For a traveler concerned about charging their phone at a public terminal, their phone can implement a policy only allowing charge from certified USB chargers. A company, tasked with protecting corporate assets, can set a policy in its PCs granting access only to verified USB storage devices.

The authentication process occurs the “moment a wired connection is made,” says the USB-IF. So, in other words, no data or power will be exchanged until the connected device is authenticated.

The new specification is welcome news in light of recent problems surrounding faulty USB-C cables on the market. For its part, Amazon recently cracked down by banning the sale of bad USB-C cables. Google engineer Benson Leung has also led the charge in testing hundreds of cables after a non-compliant one ruined his Chromebook Pixel. While the new protocol won’t impact cables already on the market, we’ll hopefully begin to see cable makers adopt the specification going forward.

Everything you need to know about USB Type-C

Sprint CEO casually hears from a loyal customer: T-Mobile is ‘Ghetto’

Sprint CEO Marcelo Claure this afternoon tweeted from his “Listening Tour” — which in all likelihood will come to a sudden stop — asking what we presume are “normal people” weighing in on the competition.

And like most normal people who engage in normal conversations every day, things were said in private that never should have been made public. Certainly not as promotional material, anyway.

“I’m gonna tell you a carrier name, and I want you to basically tell me what comes to your mind. T-Mobile. When I say “T-Mobile” to you … just a couple of words.”

“Oh, my God. The first couple of words that came into my head was … ‘ghetto,’ ” the unnamed woman tells Claure.

The anonymous woman continues: “That sounds, like, terrible.”

Yes. Yes it does.

The actual tweet contained a video that was far less tone-deaf.

She’s speaking from experience: Listen to what this former #TMobile customer has to say. Time to #SwitchToSprint https://t.co/g1IkVRfDnA

— MarceloClaure (@marceloclaure) April 12, 2016

Less terrible answers given? “Like the lame little sister,” “Really terrible customer service” and “Doesn’t work.”

Microsoft’s new Surface Signature Type Cover is cloaked in fancy Italian fabric

Microsoft is getting all fancy with a new keyboard for the Surface Pro 4.

Called the Signature Type Cover, the new keyboard has the standard glass trackpad and wide key spacing found in other Surface Pro keyboards. The thing that makes this new one unique is that it is cloaked in Alcantara – a luxury, proprietary material from Italy that grows darker in colour as it ages over time.

Alcantara is often found in high-end headphones. Microsoft is marketing the fabric as “unlike anything you’ve ever experienced”. It comes in a “two-tone grey mélange color” for the Surface Pro 4 and costs $159.99, which is still less than the $169 iPad Pro Smart keyboard that Apples sells.

Microsoft has a whole page dedicated to its new keyboard, as well as an announcement video, in which you can see Ralf Groene, Microsoft Device’s Head of Devices, talk about the product in a very Jony Ive-like manner.

Microsoft has made the Signature Type Cover available in stores today.

Google.org pledges $20 million to support disability technologies

The World Health Organization estimates 1 billion people across the world live with disabilities, and Google’s philanthropy division, Google.org, just pledged $20 million to help improve their situations. The money is spread across 29 programs working on disability technologies — the average amount they’ll each receive is $750,000, with six of the grant winners getting more than $1 million, Wired reports.

The programs fall into five categories of disabilities — hearing, mobility, cognitive, vision and communication — and the winning programs tackle a variety of issues. Here are a few examples:

• My Human Kit connects people who need prosthetics with low-cost 3D-printed solutions.
• The Center for Discovery is building an open-source add-on that turns any manual wheelchair into a power chair.
• Perkins School for the Blind wants to roll out more detailed GPS instructions to ensure the visually impaired don’t get left behind when independently navigating the real world.
• The Dan Marino Foundation is developing a digital, interactive system to help young people on the autism spectrum train for job interviews.
• The Leprosy Mission Trust India is making low-cost custom footwear that enables people with leprosy to maintain their ability to walk.

In related accessibility news, Google recently rolled out the beta for its Voice Access system, which allows users to navigate their phones via voice commands.

Via: Wired

Source: Google.org

‘Starshot’ plan gets probes to Alpha Centauri in your lifetime

The concept of exploring other star systems with probes (and not just telescopes) has proven elusive for one good reason: even the fastest spacecraft would take 30,000 years just to reach Alpha Centauri, our closest neighboring star. However, investor and space project enthusiast Yuri Milner thinks it’s possible to do better. He and physicist Stephen Hawking have launched Breakthrough Starshot, a $100 million program that aims to get probes to Alpha Centauri within a generation. If all goes well, the observers would reach the relatively close-by system (4.4 light years away) within 20 years of leaving Earth.

The current proposal would revolve around thousands of tiny “nanocrafts” that would use lightsails as propulsion. If you hit those sails with an sufficiently high-powered laser (Breakthrough is talking up to 100 gigawatts), the probes could travel up to 20 percent of the speed of light. That breakneck pace would prevent them from staying in the Alpha Centauri system for long, but that would be enough to collect data about the star’s alien worlds and send it back. Humanity would hopefully get that information 4 years later by using the same laser equipment that launched the probes in the first place.

Starshot revolves around a very open strategy that would rely on public scientific data and allow anyone to contribute ideas. However, there are are still some big “ifs” involved. The program will only work if it can build the nanocrafts, if laser technology is good enough to reach the intended speeds, if enough of the craft can survive the journey without being waylaid by cosmic dust or similar obstacles. Needless to say, though, it’s a big deal if everything comes together — interstellar exploration wouldn’t have to wait for your descendants.

Source: Breakthrough Starshot

Microsoft adds QR codes to tell users why their system crashed

Microsoft announced that it will begin implementing QR codes on its error screens to better explain to users why their systems have crashed. Apparently the frowny emoji wasn’t fully conveying the information that users required. So rather than spitting out a code like “BAD_SYSTEM_CONFIG_INFO” or “KERNEL_DATA_INPAGE_ERROR” the dreaded Blue Screen of Death will instead display a scannable code that links to an explainer page. Presumably, the user would use a secondary mobile device to scan that code and receive more streamlined support from customer service.

The system hasn’t gone live yet, which could explain the current, generic QR landing page. Hopefully Microsoft will tailor those landing pages to the specific stop code that the user is seeing before rolling it out to all users.

Via: Neowin

Source: Microsoft Insider (Spanish)