MacBook vs. MacBook Air: What’s the difference? – CNET

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Sarah Tew / CNET

The new Macbook isn’t just a prettier, updated version of the MacBook Air. Some features and specs got massive updates, while other features (like ports, for one), were sacrificed in the making.

If you’re considering a new Macbook and finding yourself comparing the two options, look out for these major differences.

Where are the ports?

Outside of the 3.5mm headphone jack, the USB Type-C port is the only port you’ll find on the MacBook. Through this single interface you charge, sync and connect accessories to the MacBook.

Meaning, if you want to connect the MacBook to an external monitor and an iPhone at the same time, for example, you’ll need a $79 adapter from Apple. (There are some third-party USB Type-C adapters for the MacBook that are cheaper, but reviews are mixed so proceed with caution should you decide to go that route.)

The MacBook Air is much more generous. It’s equipped with two USB ports, a Thunderbolt port and a MagSafe 2 port for charging. With all those options, you can sync a camera, charge your iPhone, and use an external monitor — with ports to spare.

That screen, though

Apple continues to add its Retina display to more of its products, but the MacBook Air has been left behind. Both the 11-inch and 13-inch Macbook Air models are outfitted with lower-resolution screens, with the 13-inch model offering a resolution of 1440-by-900.

The MacBook’s is a lot sharper. Its 12-inch display is a Retina screen with a resolution of 2304-by-1440.

And in case you’re wondering: yes, you’ll see the difference. With all those extra pixels, text appears sharper (and easier on the eyes), images show more detail and colors are more vibrant. More simply put, everything just looks better on a Retina display.

Speed

One of the tradeoffs you’ll have to make when going with the MacBook is overall processing power.

Inside the MacBook is Intel’s Core M processor, which is designed to be as energy-efficient as possible and doesn’t need fans to keep it cool. A side effect of that efficiency, though, is the Core M line isn’t nearly as powerful as the Intel Core i5/i7 processors currently available in the MacBook Air.

For the average person, the speed difference may be noticeable but won’t hamper your productivity. But if you’re someone who wants to multitask with apps like Photoshop or iMovie, the sluggishness will be more apparent.

Color coordinate all the things

Unlike the standard silver color scheme of the MacBook Air, the new MacBook comes in the same colors as the iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch. If you’re so inclined, you can coordinate your gold, rose gold, space grey, or silver MacBook to match your phone, tablet and watch.

The color of your computer isn’t going to have any impact on its overall performance, but if having a laptop that reflects your affinity for a certain color appeals to you, the MacBook is calling your name.

Battery

Apple is proud of the fact the MacBook is crammed full batteries stacked atop one another, filling every possible millimeter of its housing. Thanks to this design, the MacBook’s battery should net you roughly 10 hours of web browsing.

Due to its bigger footprint, the 13-inch MacBook Air has a big enough battery to best the MacBook’s battery performance by two hours, with 12 total hours of web browsing. Either device should offer enough juice to get through a long study session or a typical workday on the go. Then again, those two extra hours could really make a difference for someone who is constantly traveling.

Storage and memory

With a recent product refresh, the 13-inch MacBook Air now ships with 8 GB of memory and 128 GB of storage for $999. The base model MacBook also includes eight gigabytes of memory, but the storage amount is doubled to 256 GB for $1,299.

Force Touch

The MacBook’s trackpad is equipped with Force Touch, a feature that’s also found on the Apple Watch and iPhone 6S (albeit under a different name, 3D Touch).

By applying varying degrees of pressure on the trackpad of the MacBook, OS X will display extra menus and actions depending on what app you’re in. For example, force clicking on a link in the Mail app will open a preview window of the webpage the link will take you to. Apple has yet to add this feature to the MacBook Air line.

KPhone K5 review: can this mid-range iPhone clone compete in the US?

If you’ve been following the Android space for some time, then you’ve likely sees the growing trend of unlocked smartphones. Whereas just a few years ago customers were content to fork out a couple hundred dollars and ink a two-year contract, today’s buyers are more reluctant to sign a long-term commitment. Moreover, we’re finding that many consumers are content with a mid-range device instead of top-tier flagships. And why not? Today’s middle ground is quite the powerful experience and can run circles around the best phones from just a short time ago.

If you keep an eye on the landscape then you may have surely identified the rise of foreign handset makers trying to crack the US market. A few years ago we had names like HTC and Motorola in the same conversations of Samsung and LG. Today, we’re chatting about Huawei, Meizu, Xiaomi, and others.

One brand who is looking to pick up some traction in the US is Chinese OEM KPhone. We have spent time with KPhone K5 5 and would like to share our thoughts and review.

Specs

In terms of hardware, the KPhone 5 is a decidedly mid-range experience. Specifications include 5-inch 1080p display, a 64-bit Snapdragon 410 quad-core processor with 2 gigabytes (GB) of RAM and 16 gigabytes (GB) of internal storage.

In terms of cameras, the unit offers up a 13-megapixel shooter on the back with a single LED flash while the front houses a 5-megapixel camera. Running Android 5.1 Lollipop, the K5 is a dual-sim device that works with many GSM carriers.

There’s nothing here to be ashamed of, really, and it’s enough to satisfy the needs of average consumers. Other companies are putting out phones in this realm so it’s not as if this is showing up with outdated specs.

First Impressions

Say what you want about other Android smartphone makers, but this is among the most iPhone-like model we’ve ever reviewed. From first glances to playing with the OS, it’s almost as if the OEM tried to emulate Apple.

This phone could easily be mistaken for an iPhone 4 or iPhone 4s. Thanks to the glass front and back, the chamfered edges, and placement of speakers, it has “clone” written all over it.

The right edge of the phone houses the power button; volume buttons are just above this and can easily be pressed with a thumb. Over to the left side, you’ll locate and access the micro-SIM and dual-SIM tray.

Up top, and to the left, is the 3.5mm headphone jack. The bottom includes a microUSB port with what appears to be stereo speakers. It’s worth pointing out here that only the left side produces sound while the right is simply here for balance and aesthetics.

We noticed early on that the glass front and back were quick to pick up fingerprints or smudges. After a few weeks we also saw that the glass was picking up tiny hints of scuffs. Blame this on the entirely flush design. There’s nothing to keep this guy from sliding around.

General Performance

Those of you who follow the Android or mobile space closely understand that the Qualcomm Snapdragon 410 isn’t a monster. It’s not the type of processor that you want if you plan to play a lot of games or really tax your phone. The 410, rather, is an Average Joe CPU that’s optimized for typical day-to-day stuff like web browsing, email, social media, and some basic gaming.

The Kphone K5 handled pretty much everything we threw at it, but we were cognizant of what limitations might be. Tower defense, driving, and games with a lot of moving pieces did surprisingly well; perhaps it was due to the 1080 pixel display instead of the 2K stuff in higher end models.

Multi-tasking was right in line with expectations. As someone who gets to play with a lot of hardware, it’s easy to get accustomed to 3GB and 4GB RAM. The 2GB RAM on the K5 was enough for us and we suspect most folks would be content, too.

• FDD-LTE band 1/4/7/17
• TDD-LTE band 38/29/40/41
• WCDMA 850/1700/1900/2100/1700
• GSM 850/900/1900

As an unlocked phone, the K5 is designed to work with just about any of the GSM carriers. This means you’ll be good with AT&T, T-Mobile, and the numerous prepaid brands that utilize their respective networks. We tested both a standard AT&T and T-Mobile SIM card in the phone and found both coverage and call quality on par with other brands of phones.

Display

It’s not uncommon for low-cost or lesser-name companies to cut corners in the area of displays. We were pleased to learn that Kphone didn’t scrimp on the screen when it comes to the K5. Colors were very accurate, viewing angles were impressive, and images popped. White balance and blacks were represented well, especially considering this is an LCD display. The 1080 pixel resolution was just right for a 5-inch screen phone and should make most users happy.

Touch was incredible; response was as good as can be expected. Whether it was single touch or multiple fingers, the Kphone K5 registered swipes, presses, and quick tapping.

Sound

Generally speaking, sound quality was average across the board. We were surprised to learn that bottom housed only one speaker, but it’s not a deal breaker of sorts. Audio is clean, clear, and crisp when listening at low and mid-level volumes. Push it toward the high end, though, and you’ll get some hints of distortion. Extended periods of music weren’t all that fun and reminded us why we’re so quick to pair a Bluetooth speaker.

Plugging in headphones we found a pretty similar situation. Here and there we experienced what can only be described as “quiet” audio. In other words, we weren’t getting the same level of volume that we did in a game or other music. Not to worry, however, as this was few and far between.

Camera

Open the camera app and you find the bottom (or right, in landscape) has a dedicated shutter and record button. This is a nice touch as it allows for easy snapping of pictures or video. It somewhat removes the step of switching function.

As for camera modes, the K5 gives users Manual, Beauty, HDR, Panorama, Gesture, Smile, Delay, and Back. Confused by what the latter one does, we learned it’s simply the manner of taking a selfie using the rear camera. Indeed, the phone audibly tells users when it has detected a face to capture. One feature we’ve come to love in our cameras is HDR, which was tucked away a bit. We’d prefer to tap an icon on the standard camera screen so we can more easily toggle the mode. Just a small quibble.

Shutter speeds are fast, perhaps faster than we expected. Whether snapping one pic or holding down the button for multiple images, it works quickly. The issue, though, is getting focus on the subject. If your subject is moving to and from, staying focused can be troublesome. Time and again we found ourselves forced to tap the display to stick on an item. Focus was slower than we’d like to have seen, but still images and basic scenery shots were just fine.

The overall quality of pictures was adequate considering the price point. In most cases users will likely find the results are up to par, especially if the main concerns are for Instagram or social media. Just know that low-light stuff in gonna look pretty bad if trying to capture moving objects. Set it still on a tripod or surface, though, and you might be more than moderately impressed.

At approximately $200, it’s gonna take photos that most users can appreciate. It’s not until you physically do a comparison to other cameras that you find where things suffer. If the camera is your main attraction, our advice is to put a little more money aside and save for something better.

Battery

The Kphone K5 boasts a 2,920mAh battery which is capacious when you consider this is a 5-inch phone. Indeed, it’s bigger than most phones at this size screen. Does it translate to plenty of usage time? You bet it does.

We found that it was quite possible to get into a third day of average use on the phone. This is largely due to the Snapdragon 410 processor and its not-so-demanding performance. More often than not, the Kphone K5 was able to go bell-to-bell for us and into a second day.

Like other brands do, the Kphone has a couple of power saving modes to help stretch out your battery. To be honest, we didn’t really need to use them and were happy with the results otherwise.

Android and UI

Remember how we said this phone resembled an iPhone 4? The parallels are not surface deep; the Kphone looks every bit like it runs an iOS-infused version of Android. Not only are the icons shaded with the pastel gradients you’ll find in Apple’s phones, but the app drawer and menus setup is similar. Oh, and the fonts are Apple-y.

Don’t look for the middle icon on the bottom row to open a full list of apps and games. Nope, everything gets added to the home screen on panels to the right.

To be sure, this devices runs Android 5.1 Lollipop and performs otherwise like an Android device. It takes some getting used to the user interface, especially if you’ve become accustomed to the way just about every other manufacturer does things. After spending a few weeks with the nearly-stock Android build, I was ultimately relieved to install Nova as my launcher of choice.

Poking about the UI a bit, you will find Android standards and perhaps an almost Nexus-like configuration. The pull-down notification bar reminds us of the stuff you get on a stripped down Google experience. If you need to toggle settings for things like Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or anything else, it’s readily accessible. Also cool was that the lock screen seems to be untouched from the Nexus models, too.

The Kphone K5 is loaded with a select number of apps (FM Radio, NoteBook, Sound Recorder, and Compass) each of which has some basic, albeit convenient features. They don’t eat up a lot of space on your phone and do feel as if thought was put into them. It’s pretty easy to bake in some crappy versions of these types of apps so props to Kphone here.

Conclusion

Priced at $200, the Kphone K5 is in quite a competitive space. With more unlocked models and brands entering the fray on a regular basis, it’s hard to stand out. It’s even tougher to grab attention when you’re an unknown player.

Getting your hands on the K5 is fairly easy; it’s available through QVC’s website and can be had with Easy Pay options, too. Moreover, it’s possible to buy a three year service contract on top of the phone. Whereas you can learn more about the phone at the official Kphone website, purchasing is still handled through QVC.

Does the K5 have what it takes to stand out in the crowd? Yes, and no. It’s unique enough that it could attract a specific type of buyer. It’s not clear how successful the sales are for QVC or whether the iOS-like experience is popular among its demographic.

The K5 looks unlike most Android phones when you power it on. The problem, as we see it, is getting to that step. To do so, Kphone has to hope buyers find the phone in the first place. Then, at $200, it has to stand out against the likes of low-cost alternatives from Motorola and HTC. And, really, if the consumer is educated enough, they’ll also recognize that they are treading into the space of OnePlus, Blu, and other unlocked, semi-known brands.

Save for the price tag, we can’t fault the K5 for doing what it does. Were it but $50 cheaper, we would find it easier to recommend it. You’re not going to necessarily go wrong with this handset, but you may regret spending the money when you see other, more powerful devices going for less – from larger or established brands.

Stack Classic Smart LED Starter Kit Release Date, Price and Specs – CNET

The Stack Classic LED

Stack Lighting

It’s been a little over a year since Stack Lighting debuted its app-enabled, Nest-thermostat-compatible LED floodlights. Now, at the Lightfair 2016 lighting industry convention in San Diego, the California-based manufacturer is opening up preorders for a new smart bulb called the Stack Classic LED. During the preorder period, you’ll be able to pick up a two-bulbs-and-a-hub starter pack for $89, with additional bulbs costing $28.

Built to replace the common A-shaped bulb, the Stack Classic LED offers the same integrations with Nest as Stack’s original BR30 smart bulbs, and it uses the same ZigBee radio to communicate with the same plug-in hub. Sync that hub with the Stack app, and you’ll be able to control the new bulbs alongside Stack’s old ones right from your phone.

Aside from tapping the things on and off, dimming them up and down, and tuning the color temperature from warm tones to hot ones, those controls include timed lighting changes and automation settings. Thanks to the ambient light sensors built into each bulb, you can set them to automatically dim up and down as light levels change throughout the day.

Like the original Stack floodlights, the new Stack Classic LEDs will also track you as you come and go, using built-in motion detectors. However, unlike the original bulbs, the new Stack LEDs use tomographic sensors that are based on disturbances in transmitted radio frequencies (RF). Stack claims that this approach allows the lights to detect motion with greater precision — even when the bulb is hidden behind a sconce or lampshade.

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Stack also has plans to license that RF technology out to third parties through a “Stack Enabled” program. The only names on board so far are Lunera, Brilia and Plumen, a company that makes fancy-looking designer fixtures out of fluorescent light bulbs. Expect to see smart, Stack Enabled versions of those bulbs at some point in the future.

In addition to Nest, Stack’s smart bulbs work with the online automation service IFTTT, which seems like a handy way of putting those motion-detecting smarts to use. A Stack Lighting representative tells me that the brand plans on adding voice controls in the future by way of Apple HomeKit and Amazon’s Alexa, though there isn’t a timetable for when that might happen.

As for the bulbs themselves, Stack expects preorders to start shipping by September 2016.

Zero Zero Robotics Hover Camera Release Date, Price and Specs – CNET

Think of the Hover Camera as a smarter smartphone camera — that flies.

Roughly the size of an average hardcover book when folded up for travel, you probably wouldn’t know it was a camera, let alone a flying one. The Hover Camera’s four propellers and motors are encased in an intricate carbon-fiber framework that’s not only strong and light, but its design helps self-cool its internal components. Unfold its “wings” and it’s ready to fly; turn it on, let it go and, true to its name, it will just hover.

The quadcopter uses optical and sonar sensors to position and steady itself while a Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 processor (found in phones like the HTC One M8 and Samsung Galaxy S5) runs advanced proprietary computer vision and artificial intelligence to detect and track faces or bodies. You don’t need a controller because it simply uses faces to guide itself around.

Joshua Goldman/CNET

If you do want to fly it higher (it can hover as high as 164 feet or 50 meters), you can use its companion iOS or Android app to position the drone with simple onscreen taps and swipes. The app will have automatic options for shooting panorama videos and 90- and 360-degree orbits as well. You’ll also be able to transfer photos and videos to your device for immediate sharing.

Its 13-megapixel camera is on a tiny gimbal that helps stabilize the camera and can tilt it up and down. Electronic stabilization is also used to smooth video, which can be captured at resolutions up to 4K.

As with most small drones, battery life appears to be the biggest downside at just up to 7 minutes per charge. The batteries are easily swapped out by simply sliding off the top.

Zero Zero Robotics, the Beijing-based start-up behind it, said it expects to ship in time for this holiday season with a price somewhere south of $600 (approximately AU$775 or £415). If you’re already thinking about all the ways you’d use the Hover Camera, you can sign up now to try to be a beta tester on the company’s site.

Editors’ note: We previously noted that the maximum altitude was 16 feet, but is actually 164 feet or 50 meters. The camera resolution is also 13 megapixels and not 12 as earlier stated.

Intraix Klug Home Release Date, Price and Specs – CNET

Klug Home looks like a simple USB drive, but it plugs into your router and transforms it into a smart home hub.

Intraix

Making a connected household is one thing, but getting all the devices in your home talking to each other in a meaningful way is where the smart home ideal often breaks down. The challenge only grows once you throw in industry competition and a patchwork of company partnerships. But a small device, seeking funding through Indiegogo and developed by Singapore startup Intraix, claims it has a solution.

Klug Home looks like a small USB drive, but instead of plugging into your laptop or TV, it connects to your Wi-Fi router. From there it coordinates all sorts of devices, from wearables to smart home tech. And the kicker is, when it lands in October, it will integrate Google’s Nest, Amazon’s Echo, Apple’s HomeKit, and a bunch of gadgets besides — all for the low price of $109 (roughly £75 or AU$140). If it works, it could be a must-buy dongle for smart home aficionados. Of course, as usual with crowd-funded tech, that’s a big if.

Klug Home (pronounced “kloog,” from the German word for “smart”) is notable for a few reasons. First off, it cleverly turns your router into a smart home hub, like SmartThings or Lowe’s Iris. Hubs translate the low-energy communication protocols of smart home devices into a language your phone can understand, and vice versa. While Klug Home certainly can’t speak every language, it does work with Zigbee — one of the most common protocols.

Intraix hopes to do more than provide another hub and app, though. Klug Home will learn patterns of use over time to see how individual devices are activated in the context of other devices. Although Intraix shared few details about the learning algorithm they plan to employ, Klug Home is clearly meant to be a lifestyle smart home integration device, not simply another gadget that coordinates your recipes from the Web service If This Then That (IFTTT).

Between its Wi-Fi and Zigbee communication, Klug Home could compete with other smart hubs. What sets it apart, though, is which major platforms it will integrate. Intraix says Klug will work with HomeKit, Amazon Echo, Nest and IFTTT, among others.

Unifying those platforms could mean making adjustments to your Nest Thermostat with Siri, or getting a Zigbee flood sensor to alert you through Echo. Klug would be the first to bridge the gap between some of these large platforms, and that potential is huge.

Klug Home will make a number of large platforms, such as HomeKit and Nest, work together.

Intraix

Such ambitious claims pique my skepticism as much as my interest. For devices to work with the HomeKit platform, they must receive hardware certification from Apple. Intraix plans to bypass this requirement by connecting the Klug Home app to other HomeKit devices, rather than connecting the devices directly. Whether this will affect latency or reliability remains to be seen, especially since third-party HomeKit apps have been such a mixed bag.

In addition, Klug Home doesn’t work with Bluetooth devices, which make up a large number of smart home gadgets — connected locks in particular. For a device attempting to unify the smart home, this is a major hole.

Intraix’s vision of seamless integration despite industry divides is exciting. It’s cool to imagine my Fitbit or phone telling my vents and thermostat that I’m 5 minutes from home after a morning run. An integration system that learns your preferences as you live in your home — that’s a dream scenario for anyone who’s spent hours trying to make two devices play nice. I’ll believe it when I see it.

Tesco Mobile will let you use your phone abroad for free this summer

Tesco Mobile will be letting customers in the UK use their mobile phones abroad for free, without incurring any remaining charges. The UK mobile network will unlock free access to and from 31 European countries, but only for a limited time through summer.

As noted by Engadget, the initiative – titled “Home from Home” – will only be available to eligible customers between May 23 and September 3. Both pay monthly and pay-as-you-go customers will be able to board the free roaming train within the timeframe. Once Home from Home has ended, consumers won’t have to wait long before the EU finally smashes roaming charges into oblivion.

Countries supported by Home from Home include Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canary Islands, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.

Samsung teases hot new projects at this week’s DevCon

Samsung will unveil five new C-Lab projects during its upcoming developer conference in San Fransisco. Projects that come from the C-Lab are ideas from its own employees that the company then helps make their ideas a reality. The projects vary from a single app that can control multiple smart devices via a smartphone camera, a lifelogging camera that produces 360-degree videos and more.

Samsung notes that the projects include:

• LiCon: an app that controls various smart devices via a smartphone camera
• Ahead: a communication device for people who wear helmets
• AMe: a wearable lifelogging camera that produces 360-degree VR videos
• ItsyWatch: a wearable that helps children form good habits
• Entrim 4D+: a VR accessory that lets users feel the movements of the on-screen action.

Samsung’s Developer Conference is scheduled for April 27 and April 28 in San Francisco. Be sure to stay tuned for additional information on these projects from our live coverage of the event.

Marshmallow is here for the BlackBerry Priv: Here’s everything you need to know

Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow rolls out to the Priv today. Here’s what you need to know.

After an interminably long wait for most — and a relatively short beta period for some — some Privs will be updated to Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow today. Curious about what’s in the update? Here’s everything you need to know, with the help of Michael Clewley, BlackBerry’s Director of Software Product Management.

When is it available?

The Android 6.0.1 update will be available starting April 26 to BlackBerry models purchased directly from ShopBlackBerry. Those models include:

• STV100-1 in the U.S. and Canada
• STV100-4 in the UK, France

The update will roll out to STV100-2 and STV100-3 models (sold through carrier channels) beginning May 3.

What’s the big deal?

Aside from the fact that it brings the Priv up to Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow and all it entails, there are some pretty nice features added to this build.

On a high level, BlackBerry has added improvements to security, to the Hub, to the keyboard, and to the camera. We’ll get to specifics in a moment.

But more than that, after using the Priv on Marshmallow for about a week, it’s clear that the phone’s software has matured; already a fast device on Lollipop, the Priv now screams. Moreover, the UI’s rough bits have been smoothed over, and the whole experience, from the Hub to the camera, feels just a little bit more cohesive.

About that security

“We are the world’s most secure smartphone,” says Clewley during an interview with CrackBerry. “We have all the native Marshmallow underpinnings from a security perspective on Priv, and we have only enhanced that now.”

Clewley notes that BlackBerry spent a long time ensuring that its hardware-based security advantages — kernel hardening, including the application of Linux patches ignored by other OEMs and even Google itself; and on-device encryption — were equalled by improvements to Marshmallow.

Of particular note is the integration of DTEK, BlackBerry’s app for overseeing the Priv’s security status, with Marshmallow’s new app permissions model. As in Lollipop, it’s possible to see which apps requested access to specific parts of the hardware, but now, thanks to Google, users can actually disable those permissions.

Clewley points out that BlackBerry is practically the only OEM to keep up with Google’s pace of monthly security updates. “I just don’t think other OEMs care as much about security as much as we do,” he says, pointing out that carriers more often than not make things too difficult for manufacturers to roll out regular updates, so they just don’t bother.

“We’ve done a lot of work with carriers to make sure users get these security patches monthly, and many carriers welcomed that hands-on approach,” he says. He also tacitly acknowledges that many of the bigger U.S. carriers have less incentive to push out regular updates, and that while the Priv is still the most frequent, getting a phone direct from the manufacturer is the best way to ensure regular updates.

On one hand, it’s great to see BlackBerry so committed to regular software patches. On the other, though, given that Android N is only a few months away, its advantage over, say, a Nexus 6P with the latest version of Google’s software may disappear overnight.

To that end, I ask Clewley whether, with Google releasing an N Developer Preview so early, we’ll see the next version of Android more quickly on the Priv. He hedges, saying, “Updates are very complex for OEMs. They don’t just have to wait for Google; they have to wait for chip manufacturers to certify their parts, generally after Google declares their latest software as gold.”

In other words, “it would require bigger changes to how Android is effected.”

More Hub to love

On the software side, BlackBerry has made the Hub even more impressive. Not only does it now support S/MIME email signing and encryption (you’ll know if that’s important to you), but for regular consumers there is now Instagram, Slack, Skype and Pinterest integration, along with the existing hooks for Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.

According to Clewley, many of these integrations came from direct user feedback (I begged for Slack integration on more than one occasion), but most were the logical continuation of the Hub as a platform.

Of course, unlike BlackBerry 10, the Hub is still a separate app that must be opened, and it still conflicts with Google’s own Gmail app, but with Marshmallow is has become an indispensable part of my Priv life, and I wish it were usable on other Android devices.

Keyboard swiping

BlackBerry has added, for better or worse, swiping support on not only the virtual keyboard but the physical one.

What this means in practice is that if the Priv’s width doesn’t strain your thumb’s reach while using it in one hand (I have stubby digits, so it doesn’t quite work for me), it’s now possible to enter text without lifting your finger. In practice, the swipe isn’t nearly as accurate or reliable as Swype or SwiftKey, but BlackBerry has done an admirable job in its limited time.

More impressive, and equally strange, is the feeling of swiping on the Priv’s physical keyboard, the act of which was previously reserved for moving the cursor around the screen while selecting text. It’s likely not an everyday use case, but I can see it being used to impress friends — and occasionally enter a line or two of text.

But hardware and software keyboard lovers alike will appreciate the 200-odd new emoji, along with improved word prediction.

Can’t fix a camera through software

Even when the Priv was released late last year, its 18MP camera, while good, didn’t match up to the industry’s leaders. Today that is even more pronounced as a new lineup of Android flagships, led by the Galaxy S7, show what is possible with a smartphone camera.

But BlackBerry has not stopped improving the software experience, adding two new video modes — 24fps capture at 4K, 1080p and 720p; and 120fps slow motion — to the phone’s repertoire. The latter feature is found on nearly every device on the market, but the former, a so-called “cinematic” mode, according to Clewley, is relatively uncommon.

With Marshmallow, the Priv’s shutter is slightly faster, but still below what you’d want from a flagship, while image quality seems to be about the same. As we’ve learned with many devices over the years, you can’t fix a poor sensor through software.

A launcher to remember

BlackBerry’s Priv launcher, with its support for custom icon packs, pop-up widgets and an array of app shortcuts, separated itself from the largely derivative feature sets found on most competitors’ devices, when it launched last year.

With Marshmallow, that launcher has received a host of improvements, including better ways to organize apps into categories. They’re small changes, but I still haven’t reached Action Launcher, my go-to on most other devices — and that’s saying something.

A longer-lasting conversation

As with all Marshmallow-based devices, the Priv benefits from Google’s implementation of Doze and App Standby, which extends the uptime by around an hour in my findings. The 3,410mAh battery already lasted all day (and then some, most of the time) so it’s a well-appreciated bonus that it gets better with Android 6.0.1.

While Clewley says that BlackBerry had to find the right balance between performance and battery optimization, he thinks that Google will continue to improve on Doze — as it has promised — and that there were some issues OEMs didn’t take into account. Specifically, apps like BBM that rely on push notifications rely now more than ever on persistent notifications to ensure thats service doesn’t get killed in the background.

Practice makes perfect

With BlackBerry poised to release at least two more Android-powered handsets in 2016, it’s good to see the company iterating on its software in meaningful ways. Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow for the Priv is an example of a company taking its time to make sure everything is in its right place before pressing the big red button.

And while we’re on the verge of yet another Android version, with its own set of user-facing security and privacy improvements, there’s no question that on the face of things BlackBerry has a commitment few others OEMs have shown.

That said, questions still remain about just what changes BlackBerry has made to the Android kernel, with Clewley mentioning proprietary “special sauce” that, for competitive reasons, will remain private. And with most new Android 6.0-based shipping with encryption on by default, and companies like HTC and Samsung stepping up their monthly security update game, it’s unclear just how much of an advantage, if at all, the Priv has over, say, the Galaxy S7 or HTC 10 when it comes to security.

BlackBerry would have you believe that the Priv’s combination of hardware and software-level security improvements separate it from the pack, but many of these advantages are subjective rather than quantifiable.

In the end, the BlackBerry Priv is a great smartphone, made better by its latest software update.

More on the Priv’s Marshmallow update at Inside BlackBerry

Twitter now allows you to report harassment with multiple tweets at a time

Twitter is adding another improvement for people who want to report harassing messages on their social network. The company is rolling out a feature that will allow users to send multiple tweets in one report, rather than just sending them one at a time.

In a blog post, Twitter stated:

This update makes it easier for you to provide us with more information about the extent of abuse and reduces the time it takes to do so. That added context often helps us investigate issues and get them resolved faster.

Report abuse on Twitter more easily than ever. Find out how to protect yourself and others.https://t.co/1MEfTzkfFL

— Safety (@safety) April 25, 2016

This new update is currently rolling out on iOS, Android and the web versions of Twitter and will be available for all users “in the coming weeks”. Twitter added that it will launch even more safety improvements and features soon.

Amazon further bolsters its FreeTime Unlimited content catalog for kids

Amazon has bolstered its FreeTime Unlimited service for kids with new additions. The online retail giant has added content specifically catering for older children, aged between 9 and 12. There are new videos, education-based apps, games, books and more bringing the total number of catalog items up to 13,000.

The service itself starts at $2.99 a month for those with Amazon Prime membership, or $4.99 for those without. All Kindle Fire devices are supported by the all-you-can-eat catalog of media. As well as the new content, Amazon has also introduced new Smart Filters, which provide parents with more control over what kids consume on the FreeTime service.

The filters will be available for 4th and 5th generation Fire tablets, starting from April 27 with an OTA update.

Press Release

Amazon FreeTime Unlimited Adds New Content Lineup for Kids Ages 9-12

Amazon FreeTime Unlimited provides all-you-can eat access to over 13,000 age-appropriate videos, educational apps, games, and books, including new additions from Disney, Nickelodeon, Mattel, Monument Valley, SEGA, and More

Introducing FreeTime Smart Filters, a new parental control feature that gives parents the ultimate say in what their children can see

SEATTLE—April 26, 2016—(NASDAQ:AMZN)—Amazon today announced that FreeTime Unlimited—the all-you-can eat subscription designed from the ground up for kids and their parents—is getting even better. Amazon is adding thousands of new videos, educational apps, games, and books to FreeTime Unlimited—without raising the price. FreeTime Unlimited starts at just $2.99 per month for Prime members and $4.99 per month for customers who are not yet Prime members. FreeTime Unlimited previously offered titles primarily for kids ages 3-8 but has now added thousands of videos, educational apps, games, and books for kids ages 9-12, such as Sonic the Hedgehog, Monument Valley, iCarly, Star Trek, and much more—ensuring FreeTime Unlimited content grows as your kids grow.

“Today, FreeTime Unlimited offers over 13,000 videos, educational apps, games, and books, plus over 40,000 YouTube videos and websites—for kids from preschool to preteen,” said Nate Glissmeyer, Director, Amazon Kids and Families. “To help more easily manage all that awesome content, we’re introducing FreeTime Smart Filters to give parents the ultimate say in what their kids are seeing—younger kids still have the freedom to explore the titles that are appropriate for their age group while older kids get to play Monument Valley and see other cool videos, apps, games, and books that are just right for them.”

Amazon FreeTime Unlimited now offers over 13,000 titles, including:

• Thousands of hand-curated videos, including Legend of Korra, Gortimer Gibbons, Thunder Birds Are Go, Just Add Magic, iCarly, Star Trek, RL Stein’s The Haunting Hour, Superman the Animated Series, Design Squad, and Big Time Rush.
• Hundreds of age-appropriate apps and games without any in-app purchasing or advertisements, including Sonic the Hedgehog, Monument Valley, Slugterra, Lightbot Programming Puzzles, Star Wars Rebels, Winx Bloomix Quest, Temple Run: OZ, American Girl, Barbie, Hot Wheels, Monster High, and Ever After High.
• Thousands of books, including titles like The Witch of Blackbird Pond, The Black Pearl, The Sign of the Beaver, Harry Potter, The Island of the Blue Dolphins, Big Nate, DC Super Heroes, and Scooby Doo.

FreeTime Unlimited is also adding new titles for preschool and younger kids with popular apps like The Good Dinosaur, Inside Out, Big Hero 6, and Disney Junior Appisodes; new books The Polar Express, Sleep Like a Tiger, Tuesday,and Mr. Wuffles; and new videos from Dino Dan, Zoboomafoo, Thomas and Friends, Wishenpoof, and Tumble Leaf.

Families can also discover kid-friendly content using the Amazon FreeTime web browser, which provides kids with controlled access to over 40,000 hand-curated, age-appropriate YouTube videos and websites. All YouTube videos and websites included in the FreeTime web browser are selected and approved by Amazon experts to ensure they are appropriate for kids.

Introducing FreeTime Smart Filters

Because no two kids are exactly alike—individual development and preferences vary—Amazon FreeTime now includes FreeTime Smart Filters. Using a blend of input from Common Sense Media, Amazon experts, and parents like you, FreeTime Smart Filters is a proprietary feature to help parents sort through and manage FreeTime content. FreeTime Unlimited begins by recommending age-appropriate videos, educational apps, games, and books for kids to enjoy. Parents can then use FreeTime Smart Filters to adjust the library so that older kids are only seeing the content that’s applicable to them, and parents can be confident younger kids aren’t seeing content deemed too old. FreeTime Smart Filters will be available for 4th and 5th generation Fire tablets, including Fire Kids Edition, via a free, over-the-air software update rolling out starting April 27.

Amazon FreeTime and FreeTime Unlimited are available exclusively on Fire tablets, including Fire Kids Edition, as well as on Kindle e-readers—learn more about FreeTime Unlimited at http://www.amazon.com/freetimeunlimited.