Apple’s future MacBook keyboards could get rid of the keys altogether

Apple has filed a patent with the US Patent & Trademark Office that could change the way you interact with its MacBooks forever.

It is proposing taking away the physical keyboard and replacing it with a re-configurable, force-sensitive system instead.

That basically means that keys will only appear where and when you want them, using haptic feedback on a capacitive touch panel to give the impression of physical presses.

The “keys” would also only light up and appear when needed, showing through tiny perforations in the touch panels, which will be protected by another layer so moisture or dirt particles would be repelled.

While the new system would potentially make any future MacBook even thinner than it currently is, it seems the main aim of the new technology is to present customisable keyboard layouts.

Apple

READ: Apple MacBook review: Is port-free the future?

Say you only want certain buttons for a game, spaced to fit your fingers perfectly. That would be possible with this form of tech. Keys could also be resized, to aid in certain applications.

The patent also shows a conventional trackpad will still be an option.

Apple filed the patent in September last year but it has only just been published for all to see by the US Patent Office. There’s no guarantees we’ll see this technology on the next MacBook or, indeed, ever, as many technologies are registered with the office that never see the light of day, but this does stand out as really taking computer inputs to a whole new level.

DARPA christens its anti-submarine drone ship ‘Sea Hunter’

DARPA’s Anti-Submarine Warfare Continuous Trail Unmanned Vessel (ACTUV) has a brand new and less tongue twisty name: Sea Hunter. The agency made the announcement at the drone ship’s christening in Portland, following a series of speed tests conducted these past few days. Now that DARPA Director Arati Prabhakar is done smashing a bottle over its bow, it’s ready to begin a battery of tests to be held within the next two years. The military has to make sure the 132-foot self-driving ship can evade other marine vessels using its radar and cameras, among other things, before it can officially deploy it.

Sea Hunter has the capability to hunt stealthy foreign submarines — China’s and Russia’s navies both have big submarine fleets — and follow them for two to three months at a time. Deputy US Defense Secretary Robert Work clarified to Reuters during the event, though, that the drone doesn’t have weapons. If the military decides equip it with any, Work said the decision to use them would be made by human personnel. We’re guessing they’d be controlled remotely, since the ship wasn’t designed to house a crew on board. The ship is slated to start its open-ocean tests this summer off the California coast.

DARPA next-generation unmanned surface vessel being christened this morning in Portland. pic.twitter.com/GW8nLszPJF

— DARPA (@DARPA) April 7, 2016

Source: Reuters, DARPA

Microsoft’s iPhone keyboard app experiment is no Swiftkey

Microsoft’s Garage team makes all kinds of experiment apps and then usually puts them out onto competitors’ devices. Sometimes, they’re a different approach to connected life, other times it’s a mystery why Microsoft made them in the first place. This time, it’s brought the Hub Keyboard (previously seen on Android) to the iPhone. If you’re using Office 365 regularly, the ability to search and pull from your documents and your contacts (from just above the keyboard), is a timesaver — no more switching between your work apps and email. It’s like function keys, reinvented in a world of mobile typing. But, if you’re not an Office 365 user, like me, then there’s less here to pull you away from either the baked-in iOS keyboard or Swiftkey — now a Microsoft thing itself.

Without putting its hooks into your Office 365 login, the only feature left is a convenient shortcut bar that shows your last “copy”. It’s compatible with web addresses or simple text, (if it’s an Office 360 thing, then it’s also signposted with the right icon.) When it comes to the keyboard itself, still as barebones as its Google iteration at launch. In fact it feels like typing on a Windows Phone. Autocorrect exists, but is minimal: I had to capitalize my ‘I’s and add apostrophes when needed. Microsoft must still be working out how to harness the powers of SwiftKey. We’ll keep waiting.

Source: Hub Keyboard (iTunes)

Apple Complied With First iPhone Unlock Court Order in 2008, Says Report

A review of Apple’s track record of handling government data requests claims that the company received and complied with its first court order to unlock an iPhone in 2008.

According to a Wall Street Journal piece published yesterday, the first court order came from investigators involved in the prosecution of child sex offenders Amanda and Christopher Jansen, a married couple from Watertown, New York.

In that case, which came to light one year after the debut of the original iPhone, Apple not only complied, but also helped prosecutors draft the court order requiring it to do so. The All Writs Act was invoked, and a signature from a magistrate judge then allowed the company to take the device in question back to its Cupertino headquarters and bypass its passcode in the presence of a New York State Police investigator, according to the report.

The All Writs Act is a federal law that judges used to use to conscript telephone companies into helping federal agents install and operate call-tracking devices. At the time, said “people familiar with the matter”, it wasn’t considered a big step worth noting, because government authorities had long used the All Writs Act to get companies to help them with various devices and technical issues.

In total, Apple helped the U.S. government access over 70 devices, before changing its stance after former NSA contractor Edward Snowden revealed details of the government’s surveillance program in 2013.

The revelations led many technology companies to begin tightening security in their products and expanding encryption efforts, and in 2014, Apple introduced iOS 8, which used a new form of encryption that prevented any government agent, or Apple itself, from accessing data stored on the smartphone.

Prior to yesterday’s report, it was thought that the government’s first cause for concern with Apple’s security measures began in 2010 when the company launched the encrypted video messaging service FaceTime, followed by iMessage in 2011.

Following the Snowden revelations, there was apparent division in the government, and the FBI became frustrated that the administration was reluctant to support a law that would help investigators gain access to iPhones and other devices.

That sequence of events and the subsequent San Bernardino shooting ultimately led the government to take the issue public and seek a court order for Apple to unlock Syed Farook’s iPhone, resulting in Apple CEO Tim Cook’s non-compliance letter which called use of the All Writs Act a “dangerous precedent”.

Apple’s dispute with the FBI ended on March 28, 2016 after the government found an alternate way to access the data on the iPhone and dropped the lawsuit. It is widely believed, though not confirmed, that the help of Israeli mobile forensics firm Cellebrite led the FBI to withdraw the case.

On Thursday, FBI director James Comey said a “new tool” from a private party allowed it to access Farook’s iPhone, but that the method can’t be used on iPhone 5s or newer devices.

Note: Due to the political nature of the discussion regarding this topic, the discussion thread is located in our Politics, Religion, Social Issues forum. All forum members and site visitors are welcome to read and follow the thread, but posting is limited to forum members with at least 100 posts.

Tag: Apple-FBI
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Adobe Issues ‘Emergency’ Flash Player Security Update for OS X to Address Ransomware Attacks

Adobe has issued Flash Player security updates for OS X, Windows, Linux, and Chrome OS to address “critical vulnerabilities that could potentially allow an attacker to take control of the affected system” by way of ransomware.

Ransomware is a type of malware that encrypts a user’s hard drive and demands payment in order to decrypt it. These type of threats often display images or use voice-over techniques containing instructions on how to pay the ransom.

In this this particular “CERBER” attack, affecting Flash-based advertisements, attackers have reportedly demanded between around $500 and $1,000, to retrieve the files. Adobe says it is aware of Windows 10 being “actively exploited” by this attack, but it is unclear if any Macs have actually been victimized. Just last month, popular BitTorrent client Transmission was temporarily infected with the first ransomware found on the Mac platform.

Currently, all servers hosting these malvertisements are now inaccessible. Some reports mentioned that CERBER is being peddled in the Russian underground market as ransomware-as-service (RaaS). This not only proves the suggestion presented by the configuration file’s code above, but also confirms that we will be seeing more of CERBER in the near future.

Adobe recommends that Flash Player users on Mac update to version 21.0.0.213 through the update mechanism within the software when prompted, or by visiting the Adobe Flash Player Download Center. Adobe Flash Player installations within Chrome, Microsoft Edge, and Internet Explorer for Windows 8.1 or later should be automatically updated with the latest version of each browser. This is the second critical Flash Player security update for OS X and other platforms in the span of one month.

Tags: security, Adobe Flash Player, Adobe
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Huawei P9 Plus preview: Huawei’s true P series flagship

Huawei has a new champion and it’s the P9 Plus. Launched alongside a “regular” P9, it’s the bigger of the two devices that might turn more heads.

The Huawei P9 Plus takes the advancements of the P9 and combines them with a premium feature from the Mate S deluxe model. Where there’s two versions of the P9 – a regular and an enhanced model – the P9 Plus comes with all those enhancements as standard. It’s unashamedly the powerhouse of P9 party.

It’s perhaps surprising then that Huawei didn’t spend long talking about the P9 Plus at its launch event, a fleeting slide telling us it was better in a few areas was about all we were treated to. This is the handset that’s packed with all the features, but most of the launch day focus was on the regular model. 

Fear not, because we spent some time getting to know the Huawei P9 Plus on launch day.

READ: Huawei P9 preview: Monochrome is the new black

Huawei P9 Plus design

The Huawei P9 Plus shares the same design as the P9. Both feature a premium aluminium unibody, for a slick and solid design that very much fits with the family look established over previous devices such as the Mate S and the Mate 8. There’s a quality chamfering to the front, sitting next to the 2.5D display for a slick curve around the edges. It’s flat across the back (with no camera bump), but comfortable to hold.

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Huawei is talking about a jewellery grade finish in the same way that HTC did with M9, with reference to micron-level polishing and hairline brushing. These handsets look great, coming in a range of colours spanning the usual silver and gold options. There’s a ceramic white option for the P9 Plus, which Huawei says is smoother than the paint finish on premium cars. It’s also a fingerprint magnet and the sample we saw at the launch event was showing the signs of lots of handling, something the regular metal finish models survive better.

The Huawei P9 Plus is the larger model, with a body that measures 152.3 x 75.3 x 6.98mm and weighing 162g. Much of the talk around these new models has been about the minimal bezel, meaning the display runs pretty much to the edge of the handset.

We like the design, it’s a good looking phone, although it perhaps lacks the design flourish you get elsewhere, such as on Samsung’s recent phones. Like HTC with the One M9, Huawei seems to be pushing superlatives, but it’s still a fairly safe unibody smartphone design overall.

Naturally, those twin cameras on the back do make it a little unique, but Huawei’s emphasis still seems to be on creating the slimmest handset for the ultimate spec sheet bragging rights. Importantly, however, it feels solid and offers the sort of quality that you expect at a premium handset level.

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Huawei P9 Plus display

The big differentiator in the P9 Plus is that the display increases to 5.5-inches, over the 5.2-inches of the regular handset. The display resolution stays the same, however, at 1920 x 1080 pixels, for 401ppi. Huawei is sticking to full HD, rather than making the jump to Quad HD that you’ll now find on the likes of the LG G5 or Samsung Galaxy S7 edge.

Full HD is a perfectly good resolution on a device of this size, although there are more impactful displays out there. In many cases, in day-to-day use things will look nice and sharp, but if you’re going to be using your phone for something like Google Cardboard VR, at this size you could really do with a higher pixel density for a better visual experience.

We’ve not had enough time to fully assess the display of the Huawei P9 Plus in the real world, but first impressions are of a display that’s pretty good.

But that’s not all the treats this smartphone offers. The P9 Plus also carries the pressure-sensitive display that made its debut on the Huawei Mate S in 2015. If you remember, Huawei beat Apple to the punch in introducing this technology a month before it appeared on the iPhone 6S, but the Huawei device it was on was very much a special edition. Now it’s much more in the mainstream for Huawei, although, admittedly Huawei isn’t likely to shift anywhere near the numbers that Apple has with the 6S. 

The pressure sensitive display, called Press Touch, offers a similar range of additional UI element as it did on the Mate S. You can use it to zoom in on photos, for example, or for navigation and shortcuts. There’s also compatibility with 18 native apps. These work in a similar way to iOS, popping up shortcut details or giving you instant access to the selfie camera for example.

Adoption by third-party apps is perhaps unlikely and that’s not likely to change with this being the only Android device to offer the feature. Still, it’s a novelty that stands this phone apart.

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Huawei P9 Plus hardware and specs

The Huawei P9 Plus features a HiSilicon Kirin 855 octo-core chipset with 4GB of RAM. This is an in-house solution, one of the aspects that helps Huawei keep the price down. In the past we’ve found such hardware to be powerful enough.

It perhaps won’t keep pace with Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 820 found in many rival flagship devices, but our experience of the power of the Mate 8 and Mate S (with previous generation Kirin chipsets) suggests that in daily use it will make no difference. In the short time we spent with the Huawei P9 Plus, we didn’t get to fully assess its performance, but the Huawei P9 review model we have is fast enough, offering the similar hardware.

There’s 64GB of internal storage, which is a healthy offering, and there’s support for microSD card expansion. This doesn’t benefit from the seamless integration using Android Marshmallow’s adoptable storage feature. 

There’s a boost for the battery, and for charging, however, on this larger model. The battery capacity increases to 3400mAh, with Huawei boasting some impressive fast charging times via the USB Type-C on the bottom. We’re expecting good performance from this battery, but will need to test the phone in the real world to fully assess it.

Additionally, Huawei has enhanced the speakers, claiming that the regular ear speaker can act as a loud external speaker, and when combined with the bass speaker in the base, makes for richer audio. We didn’t have the chance to test this during our time at the launch event.

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Huawei P9 Plus cameras

By now you’ve probably heard that Huawei has teamed up with Leica, partnering in an attempt to enhance the smartphone camera experience even further. The result is a quirky and slightly unique proposition with two cameras on the rear of the P9 Plus.

That’s not so unusual (the Honor 6 Plus, HTC One M8, LG G5 all have offered similar), but here the arrangement gives you two 12-megapixel sensors, which hasn’t been done before. These are Sony sensors, with one offering RGB (colour) capture, the other monochrome. The information is combined in normal shooting in an effort to give you more of the scene, enhance the low light shooting and so on.

There’s the added bonus of offering more depth information for post-focusing and other effects, as well as aiding focus in differing conditions. There’s laser autofocus and contrast AF too.

Finally, having that monochrome camera means there’s the dedicated monochrome shooting mode. This might not be a surprise considering that Leica offers dedicated monochrome cameras, so it’s a novelty feature that might find favour with Leica fans, or those who wish they could afford a Leica camera.

First impressions of the camera are good. There’s a comprehensive manual mode, focusing is fast and there are plenty of options, although we’ve not had the chance to fully assess its performance in a wide variety of situations.

One of the additional “plus” features of the P9 Plus is that there’s an enhanced 8-megapixel front facing camera that offers autofocus. This is a rare feature in phones, but it should mean the front camera is better able to take sharp selfies. In some cases we question the need for that feature, as most focus front cameras are biased toward the types of distances that selfies are taken at, namely arm’s length. However, if you’re planning on using a selfie stick, this may be the smartphone for you.

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Huawei P9 Plus software

The Huawei P9 Plus launches on Android 6.0 Marshmallow, with EMUI 4.1 layered over the top. EMUI is Huawei’s Emotion User Interface, its skin it layers on all its devices. The aim is to give some distinction from other Android devices in a way similar to HTC or Samsung. Just about every aspect of Android gets tinkered with and much of it is unnecessary.

There are some things we don’t like – and we always say this about Huawei devices so we apologise for the repetition – but the reworking of app icons is intrusive and ugly, and you can’t easily get rid of it. The themes let you customise much of the UI, but the icons remain through-out that experience. 

Elsewhere, Marshmallow’s new features have been incorporated, so Now on Tap is accessed through a long press on the home button, and the control of notifications and how apps behave is pretty much the same as stock Android, but reskinned in EMUI’s visuals.

The software experience can be bettered. If you don’t like the lack of an apps tray then a different launcher will fix that, and returning to some of Android’s stock apps for messages or calendar makes for a cleaner experience.

However, we’ve not had the chance to fully explore the software offering of the P9 Plus. It’s going to be pretty much identical to the P9, except for those minor additions around the Press Touch display.

First Impressions

The Huawei P9 Plus offers elements above and beyond the regular model and that should give it some additional appeal. This is a fully-packed handset, carrying the novelty of that dual Leica camera on the rear.

The larger 5.5-inch display is likely to be popular, but the phone’s higher price could be a barrier. With an asking price of €749 (although rumour has it at £549 in the UK) this model sits a little too close in price to some of the established flagships out there.

There’s still a lot we don’t know about the Huawei P9 Plus, like exactly how well that new camera performs, but it has certainly got a lot of attention. Ultimately, the P9 Plus is a powerful and well-specced smartphone, offering a solid design and build.

We look forward to spending more time with it. The Huawei P9 Plus will be available from 20 May.

Solar panels that also use rain for power could change the UK forever

Solar power is fast becoming a more energy efficient green power conversion source, but mainly in sunny places. A breakthrough with graphene could extend that reach to muggier climates thanks to rain energy harnessing solar cells.

Graphene is a relatively new material that’s proving to be a wonder. Thanks to its high conductivity and structure it has been used to create solar cells that not only use sun for power, but rain too.

The panels were developed by the Ocean University of China. This was done by combining an electron-enriched graphene electrode with a dye-sensitised solar cell. Thanks to the positively charged sodium, calcium and ammonium ions in rain, a pseudocapacitor can be created to extract charge.

At the moment the rain and solar cells run at a conversion efficiency of 6.5 per cent. That’s not great but this is very early days and that could be improved massively, just as solar cells have been over the years.

Imagine solar panels on homes and even cars that can convert energy constantly, come rain or shine. That is a future that could see green energy overtake fossil fuels in a much needed energy shake-up.

READ: Nike Free trainers sport new tech to deliver a more natural run

Gizmag

Mercedes-Benz SLC roadster first drive: New name, new engine, new limits

The Mercedes-Benz SLC roadster for 2016 is the rebranding of the light, sporty convertible SLK.

While the name has changed, bringing the C-Class influences to the fore, the car still remains true to its driver-focused sporting roots from the SLK birth 20-years ago. More tech has been included for ease as well as quality-of-driving enhancements, but also a new engine to really rev things up.

The Mercedes-AMG SLC 43 now comes with a twin-turbo 3.0-litre V6 engine, replacing the naturally aspirated V8 from the SLK. This was previously only in the larger GLE SUV models so should offer plenty of power in this light roadster.

But is it enough to compete with the Jaguar F-Type, Porsche 718 Boxster S and Audi TT competition? We took the Mercedes-Benz SLC 300 and the SLC 43 AMG models out on the roads to see what the newly named range has to offer.

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Mercedes-Benz SLC (2016) preview: Design and build

While the look of the SLC is great, it’s the sound that will really impress. Both the 300 and the 43 AMG have tuned engine-exhaust combinations that result in a sound that stirs excitement (also available are the smaller engined SLC 200 and diesel 205 d). Drop the top and that’s even more exhilarating with crackling pops on the downshift and a stirring burble on the rev climb. The SLC really sounds every bit the sports car you want it to be.

The front grille is steeper than in the SLK, which elongates the nose and makes it look sportier. In the case of the AMG the spoilers and studded grille enhance that even more. It’s not a world apart from the SLK 55 before it, but certainly offers a level of Mercedes’ more modern charm. The standard rims are 17-inch 5-spoke alloys while the AMG offers 18-inch 10-spoke wheels.

Inside the trim is premium, as you’d expect at this price point – the range comes in Sport or AMG options, starting at £30,495 and hitting £45,950 for the AMG 43.

With Nappa leather options and plenty of colour coded stitching in our test 300 model, it feels high-end, despite being very much a sports car. That said the dash is a little plastic-heavy given the older-looking buttons all over the place.

The AMG variant comes with sports seats that hold you perfectly in place with just the right amount of padding. The result is a centralised, comfortable ride that also offers enough feedback to appreciate just how hard this car can corner. The sport trim model features a Nappa leather steering wheel with sporty flat edge for greater control and grip.

The panoramic sunroof can be adjusted to turn more opaque, should you wish to block out the sun and keep cool. This works at the touch of a button and can go from fully transparent to totally opaque. Weather permitting, though, it’s all about no sunroof at all: the roof can be opened while moving at speeds of up to around 25mph, ideal if you’re caught in rain.

The entire roof is off and folded away in a matter of seconds ready for you to turn on what Merc calls “Airscarf” (a £395 optional extra). This blows warm air on your neck to stop any chill which, when combined with the heated seats, makes for a comfy ride even on colder days. Of course the aerodynamics are just so that wind is channeled away from driver and passenger for a surprisingly wind-free ride. We would say it’s quiet too, but in the 43 AMG it’s anything but: that engine noise is a riot (in a good way).

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Mercedes-Benz SLC preview: Performance and handling

Both the SLC 300 and the tuned-up 43 AMG models are built to offer an exciting ride that should keep up with the most demanding of drivers. And at nearly £5,000 less than the Porsche 718 Boxster S and over £7,500 less than the Jaguar V6 F-Type rivals, you’re getting good value too.

Sure, many of those will be Sunday drivers looking to head out for a burn about, but the SLC is also capable enough to serve the needs of any two-seater fans. But then so is the Audi TT, which is slower but also about £3,500 cheaper.

The 300 comes with a 1,991cc four-cylinder engine that churns out 245bhp, while the AMG version features a 3.0-litre V6 with twin-turbo that delivers 367bhp for 0-62.5mph in 4.7-seconds. The 300 should offer 47mpg mixed use while the AMG 43 manages 36.2mpg, claims Mercedes.

Handling in the SLC 300 is excellent and in the AMG it’s even better. There are various options to aid different driving styles too: Dynamic Select allows options like Eco mode to keep revs low; Comfort to use the suspension for a luxurious ride; Sport and Sport+ for performance, and Individual to tweak as you want the car to respond.

Throwing the cars around mountain roads in Sport+ mode revealed the braking and steering were responsive enough to inspire confidence. The AMG mechanical rear-axle limited-slip differential, performance exhaust, enhanced sports braking and steering, plus larger engine, help to really immerse you in the driving experience. And if all that sounds a little daunting, Mercedes even throws in complimentary driver training for AMG owners to-be.

While there can be a little early up-shifting from the 9-speed automatic gearbox, power is there when you need it. Equally, braking and road hold were good enough to fly at cliff-edge bends without worry. This works both ways, of course – even with traction control turned off it was still difficult to get the rear to really kick-out even when flooring the power. But when on a cliff edge that’s probably for the best.

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Mercedes-Benz SLC 2016: Infotainment and smart driving

The SLC is first and foremost a driver’s car. For that reason the infotainment system and car extras are fully capable but not luxurious or high-end when compared with other sedan-style models. There are lots of plastic buttons, a fairly average sized 7-inch screen (which is a step up for the previous 5.8-inch version), plus functional climate controls.

The built-in sat nav is controlled by the Mercedes click-and-twist wheel, placed perfectly at the end of the armrest. Controlling menus is simple, which it needs to be as the console feels quite far across and really requires a shift of attention to see.

Mercedes’ latest LED Intelligent Light System is an optional extra on these models, allowing you to leave auto high beam on and the lights will black out sections of the road to make sure detected oncoming cars are not dazzled.

Safety assisted smart driving can allow the SLC to be driven without much pedal touching necessary. The car can automatically recognise road sign speeds and adjust the cruise control limit to suit. The car will also brake and accelerate to maintain a distance behind the car in front – this worked perfectly, even cornering when in city surroundings, with the only time you really have to get back on the pedals is to restart after you’ve come to a full stop. Not bad considering this all comes as standard.

First Impressions

As convertible sports cars go the Mercedes SLC is one of the more comfortable options that still offers plenty for the cost. It delivers more than enough power for those who want something that will push their limits, while remaining in relative luxury.

Competitively priced compared to the Porsche and Jaguar competitors and only a little more than the Audi TT, the SLC is a very compelling option. For those who go in for that sort of thing you’re getting the Mercedes name, engine tuning and handling smarts for a decent sub-£50k price.

As you’d expect on a roadster, the tech isn’t all singing and dancing. That said the finish inside is decent with some smart cruise control options, dynamic driving selections and a smart gearbox that does a lot of the work for you. The quick close and open roof works well, even while moving, and the new larger screen makes sat nav more accessible.

If you want a car that can get your adrenaline flowing when you’re in the mood, but one that can convey you in comfort and style, the SLC is a very capable option. When you hear that gorgeous engine, though, making yourself drive in anything other than Sport+ mode will likely become an exercise of will power – especially if you’re driving the pricier AMG.

How to upgrade your PS4 hard drive to 1TB or more for less than £50

Like with the Xbox One, our foremost and perhaps only major gripe about the PlayStation 4 is that the 500GB hard drive of the entry model is hopelessly light on storage capacity, especially considering the mammoth file sizes of some of the best games out there. And we suspect it will only get worse as developers add more and more to their games in order to satisfy the new generation gamers and their raised expectations.

Even bought disc games require installation onto the drive before being played, so you’ll find the storage that comes with the PS4 to be woefully inadequate if you’re a heavy consumer of titles. And considering the prices of some in the recent sales, it needn’t even cost the Earth to accrue a healthy collection.

Yes, Sony introduced its own 1TB version last year, but what if you can’t afford it or have an older model?

If either of those are true, you are best advised to take matters into your own hands and upgrade the drive yourself. It’s not too expensive to do so, especially if you’re just looking to double the capacity, and that’s exactly what we decided to do in order to give you a handy guide if you fancy following suit.

And those who own 1TB models can even use the following steps to upgrade their machines to 2TB or more. Firmware update 3.50 increased the allowed maximum storage size to a whopping 4TB.

The drive

Unlike the Xbox One which can be upgraded very simply through the addition of an external USB 3.0 hard drive, the PS4 requires you to take at least part of the console apart. Sony makes it very simple for you, but you will still find the process a little long-winded. The easy part though is choosing a drive.

The PS4 uses a 2.5-inch SATA HDD, the type of which you’ll find in a laptop. However, not any old 2.5-inch drive will work. To fit the PS4 it will need to be no greater than 9.5mm in depth or it will be too big for the hard drive enclosure drawer. There are some out there that will meet the specifications, at around the £100 mark, but to be on the safe side we opted for a Western Digital WD10JPVX – one of the company’s 5400RPM Blue drives with a 7mm depth which fits nicely. It’s SATA III and therefore capable of speeds up to 6Gbps but sadly as the PS4 is only SATA II capable, it will only work at the console’s limit of 3Gbps.

The main reason to opt for the WD Blue though is that it can be sourced fairly cheaply (around £50 on Amazon.co.uk, down from an original retail price of around £80). Plus, we’ve had a lot of WD drives in kit over the years and always found them reliable.

Some have also suggested SSD equivalents, which ramp up load speeds dramatically, but can be prohibitively expensive if you’re trying to increase storage rather than shrink it.

The set-up

As previously mentioned, installing a PS4 hard drive is a lot more time consuming than increasing the storage of an Xbox One. In that case it was almost as simple as plugging in an external drive. The PS4 will take a bit more to get up and running, which includes having to back up files as you’ll have to completely start afresh once the new drive is in place.

The files that will need to be backed up are games saves and any video clips or screenshots you wish to keep. You can do the former in a couple of ways.

If you are a PlayStation Plus member you can upload all of your save files to the cloud, ready to download again when you’re done. In fact, if you had already set this up to happen automatically you needn’t bother yourself with this part of the process again. If you haven’t and have a fair few games, this can take a while.

If you aren’t a PlayStation Plus member or wish to keep a more local copy of your saves, you will need a USB memory stick or external hard drive formatted to FAT, FAT32 or exFAT standard to store data on. Plug it into the PS4 through one of the front USB ports and get ready for a laborious process.

Head to Settings, Application Saved Data Management, Saved Data in System Storage and you’ll see Copy to USB Storage Device. Go into that menu and you’ll see a list of all your games. Enter each one individually and you can tick the files you want to copy and confirm. The files will instantly be copied onto the external drive (or uploaded to the cloud if you go through that route).

Unfortunately, there seems to be no way to batch upload or copy all game files so you’ll have to go through each game at a time. It took us a good 20 minutes or so to do all our files. And it’ll take just as long to reinstall them after too. Now we wished we’d set automatic uploads from the off.

Also remember to back up your captured videos and screengrabs from the Capture Gallery section of System Storage Management. And once you have you’re ready to install the new drive.

READ: PlayStation 4 review: One year on, it’s the choice console for gamers

Installing the drive

Make sure you completely power down your PS4, not just into rest mode, and then unplug it from any of the wires at the back. Put the console on a flat surface and then slide off the shiny part of the casing. It shouldn’t be difficult to do.

Inside you’ll gain access to the hard drive enclosure, which is fixed in place with just one large screw with the PlayStation symbols on it. Undue that with a Phillips screwdriver and you can slide out the existing drive using the small handle.

Unscrew the four black screws, two either side of the hard drive enclosure – leaving the rubber holders in place. Then remove the drive that came with the PS4.

Replace it with the new drive and screw the black screws back in place.

Slide the drive back into the console until it feels like it has attached properly and screw it in place using the large PlayStation screw.

Pocket-lint

Clip the lid back into place and that part of the job is done.

Reinstalling the system software

As the console now has a brand new drive with none of the system software installed, you’ll need to reinstall it manually. You’ll definitely need an external USB drive (or memory stick) on at least 1GB in capacity for this part of the set-up, even if you stored all of your saved games in the cloud.

Create a folder called “PS4” on the drive using a computer, then a folder inside that called “UPDATE”. You then need to download the latest system software file from Sony and be wary of following some links on the PlayStation site as they can send you to earlier versions that won’t work (you’ll just get an error message when trying to install).

When we performed our upgrade the PS4 required system software version 2.30 which we found here at playstation.com/ps4initialise, but now you can get system software 3.50. It will be 800MB or more to download but is the complete software, not just an update. If the file is much smaller it’s the wrong one and won’t work.

Move the downloaded file (named PS4UPDATE.PUP) to the UPDATE folder on the drive and you’re ready to install it on the console.

Reattach all of the leads into the rear of the PS4, plug your USB drive into the front and attach a DualShock 4 controller via its own USB cable. Then press the on switch on the front of the machine for seven seconds or longer. This will boot up the console into Safe Mode and give you some options. Choose “Initialise PS4 (Reinstall System Software)” and the PS4 will find the update (if the correct one) and install it. It only takes around five minutes in total and then your PS4 will reboot and start up as if it has just been unboxed and set up for the very first time.

Performance

Of course, you’ll then have to reinstall everything again and sign into your PlayStation Network profile, but at least you’ll have much more storage space than when you started.

As we opted for a 5400RPM drive much like the one that came with the machine in the first place we’ve not really noticed much of a performance upgrade. We weren’t aiming for speed though (for that you can opt for a 7200RPM drive instead if you’re willing to splash a little more cash) and just having that extra storage space is making a big difference to our gaming lives.

Motorola Moto X (2016): What’s the story so far?

Motorola announced a flurry of new smartphones in 2015, including the fifth generation of Moto G and three models of the Moto X. Yes, not one but three, plus a special edition one.

The Moto X Play and the Moto X Style graced us with their presence at the end of July 2015, while the Moto X Force appeared a little later in October. Despite only a few months passing since the Force however, rumours for a new Moto X have already started.

We have rounded up all the rumours and speculation surrounding the 2016 model of the Moto X, or at least one of, that we have heard so far. As usual, we will be updating this feature as we hear more, but for now, here is everything you need to know about Motorola’s, or technically now Lenovo’s, Moto X (2016).

Motorola Moto X (2016): Release date

Unlike Apple or Samsung, Motorola doesn’t really follow a strict release pattern. The original Moto X arrived in August, the 2014 model in September and as we mentioned, the 2015 models were announced in July.

Based on these previous dates, it would be reasonable to suggest the 2016 model of the Moto X might appear in the summer, probably July or August time again. None of the predecessors were announced at trade shows, despite IFA being fairly close, so chances are Motorola will stick to the strategy of a separate event. Slashgear reported in January 2016 that Lenovo’s CEO Yuanqing Yang revealed a “more innovative, more attractive” Moto smartphone would be coming in a few months. Although like us, Slashgear believes a few months actually meant July time though.

As leaks are already appearing, it might suggest Motorola will release a succeeding Moto X earlier in 2016, but we don’t think this will be the case. Whenever it does arrive however, the Moto X (2016) won’t be carrying Motorola’s name, just Moto, with Lenovo branding instead.

Motorola Moto X (2016): Design

As we said previously, 2015 introduced three Moto X models and currently, many of the rumours are pointing towards one model for 2016. A leaked image on Chinese website Wapvnet suggests there will be a Moto X with a full metal unibody.

The image apparently came from an anonymous source so it is worth taking with a pinch of salt but with many of Motorola’s competitors opting for metal, it isn’t a completely unreasonable suggestion. If true, we hope the new model is thinner than the current Moto X models or it would be a chunky and probably pretty heavy handset if made from metal.

The device in the image features a raised larger rear camera lens in the centre of the device, which could suggest a thinner handset. A handset can only be as slim as its largest component so perhaps Motorola has raised the rear camera lens to allow for this. The signature Motorola “M” sits below the camera lens but it isn’t indented like other models have been and there are also what is presumably speaker holes at the bottom of the device, split into two sections.

It is also worth bearing in mind that the leaked image from Wapvnet, if accurate, may only represent one Moto X model released in 2016 – perhaps the top-end model. With three released in 2015, it might be that Motorola is also planning a cheaper option too which maybe won’t come with a metal build as a metal build would undoubtedly lead to a higher price point, something which the Moto X has previously tried to avoid.

A report by Android and Me presents a couple of leaked images, which it suggests could show what the next Moto devices could look like. There appears to be a metal device in three colours in one image, while the other shows a curved handset that looks similar in terms of design to the current Moto X models. Whether this will mean one metal Moto X device in a series of colours as well as a plastic version is unknown, as the images could easily refer to the Moto G too, or none of the Moto handsets at all.

There has also been a leaked image from HelloMotoHK that appears to show what could be the next Moto X in the wild (shown below). The image is blurry but from what we can make out, it looks as though a metal build is present, certainly a frame at least, supporting other reports. There also appears to be a fingerprint sensor at the bottom and what looks like USB Type-C but the quality of the picture is too distorted to tell for sure.

Chen Xudong, senior vice president of the Lenovo Group and president of the company’s China and APAC regions told Tech Sina there would be less smartphones released in 2016. He also apparently said Motorola’s products would be focusing on the high end, while Lenovo’s Vibe range would take the low-end. If true, this would support the idea of a metal build, but it would also suggest there may only be one Moto X arriving and the price could increase. Xudong also told Tech Sina all smartphones released by Motorola this year would have a fingerprint scanner.

HelloMotoHK

Motorola Moto X (2016): Display

There are currently no rumours indicating what display size or resolution the Motorola Moto X (2016) might appear with. The Force has a 5.4-inch display with a Quad HD resolution, the Play has a 5.5-inch Full HD display and the Style has a larger 5.7-inch screen with a Quad HD resolution.

If Motorola opts for just one model for 2016, we would have thought it will come with a Quad HD resolution and sit around the 5.5-inch mark, especially if a metal body is on the cards. Xudong told Tech Sina no Motorola smartphone released in 2016 will be smaller than 5-inches.

Whether the ShatterShield display from the Force will make an appearance in 2016 remains to be seen but we wouldn’t be surprised to see more than one Moto X in 2016 with different sizes, technologies and resolutions available, even if not as many models as 2015.

Motorola Moto X (2016): Camera

Aside from the image leak on Wapvnet, not much has been said in terms of the Moto X (2016) camera. If the device in the image is even close to accurate, it suggests Motorola will be changing things up in the new model’s camera department.

The rear lens in the image is much larger and more prominent than previous Moto X models, suggesting a different sensor. It is also raised above the rest of the shell in the image as we mentioned, which is what Apple does on its iPhone 6 and iPhone 6S. Whether this is for design purposes or camera purposes is not yet clear.

It’s all a guessing game at the moment but Motorola put a lot of emphasis on the camera with all three of the 2015 models so we’d expect that to continue. All three come with a 21-megapixel rear snapper and a 5-megapixel front camera so we would expect the same if not higher resolutions for the new device.

Motorola Moto X (2016): Hardware

The Motorola Moto X (2016) is expected to arrive with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 chipset but it has also been rumoured to be coming with a heatpipe.

Chinese site Techweb allegedly attained an image of the inside of the new Moto X from an internal source. It shows a heatpipe in the form of a metal L-shape that could allow heat to be dissipated away from hot components, such as the CPU. This is something that has been used in PCs in the past to prevent certain components from overheating.

Should Motorola go down this path for the new Moto X, it could suggest it is planning to offer overclocking options that would allow the chip to run beyond its intended power output levels. Take it with a pinch of salt for now though as the image isn’t exactly crystal clear and it could be anything.

The 2015 models of Moto X offer between 2GB and 3GB of RAM, as well as between 32GB and 64GB internal storage, all with microSD support. We would expect the new Moto X to come with at least 3GB of RAM and microSD support. With Android Marshmallow, users can combine internal storage and microSD storage into one so it doesn’t matter too much which internal storage options are offered if microSD is available.

Battery-wise, the Force has the largest at 3760mAh, with the Play following closely behind at 3630mAh and the Style a little further behind with 3000mAh. The Play has been praised for its battery life so we would hope so see a similar capacity in the new Moto X.

Motorola Moto X (2016): Software

Motorola has always offered a close to vanilla Android experience when it comes to software. Unlike its competitors, it opts not to add an entire skin over the top of Android and instead adds just a couple of extra apps here and there.

Granted, these apps have slowly increased with the release of each new generation of devices but they are easy to hide away, providing an experience that is as close to pure Android as you can get without buying a Nexus.  

The Moto X (2016) will more than likely stick to this tradition so expect Android Marshmallow with a couple of extra apps. Xudong told Tech Sina that Lenovo and Motorola would merge the Vibe UI and the Moto UI to create a new one in 2017. If true, which we hope isn’t the case, it could mean the 2016 model of the Moto X is the last to offer an almost stock Android experience.

Motorola Moto X (2016): Conclusion

As there are currently only a few rumours floating about for the Motorola Moto X (2016), we are mainly running on guesswork at the moment.

Nothing is certain but we wouldn’t be surprised to see a couple of new Moto X models appear towards the middle of 2016, one of which potentially offering a metal build.

We’d expect improvements in most areas as this tends to be the way so a faster processor, more RAM, microSD support, a larger battery capacity and the latest software would all be reasonable predictions. We’d also expect the camera to be a big consideration as it was in 2015.