Microsoft’s mobile Windows keyboard arrives on iOS

If you want to live-tweet Game of Thrones from an iPhone while keeping your snacking hand free, you have a new option. Microsoft’s Word Flow keyboard has arrived to rival Apple’s iOS, after the software giant teased it earlier in the year. The Windows Phone version is generally well-liked, but iPhone and iPad users will actually get more options. The one-handed “arc mode” is curved to be more suitable for thumb use, for instance, and you can select a custom photo to use as a background.

Other features include word predictions and suggestions that improve over time, contact integration and the option to tap or swipe. Microsoft, which now owns SwiftKey too, has been testing the updated app for a while with Windows Insiders, and reportedly plans to release it on Android. It’s now available to all for free on iOS at the App Store.

Via: The Verge

Source: Microsoft (App Store)

Lionsgate deal brings big-name movies to Steam

You’ve had pretty slim pickings for major movie rentals on Steam (unless you really like Mad Max), but that’s changing today. Lionsgate has reached a deal with Valve to put over 100 of its movies on Steam, including flicks you’ll definitely recognize — the Hunger Games, Saw and Twilight movies, for example. Availability might vary where you live, but the prices are at least right. You’re usually looking at between $4 to $5 for a 48-hour rental, depending on how big a title you’re hoping to watch.

Steam’s movie catalog is still far from complete without the support of other major studios. However, this is still a big deal. It represents a shift away from the service’s near-exclusive focus on games and toward a general-purpose store. In that sense, it’s competing more directly with the online stores of Apple and Microsoft than game providers like GOG — it wants to cover all your digital entertainment desires, not just feed your Dark Souls addiction.

Via: Variety

Source: Steam, Lionsgate (PR Newswire)

Chase adds support for Android fingerprint logins

Hot on the heels of Bank of America’s latest Android app, Chase now supports Android’s fingerprint scanner as well. You’ll need Android 6.0 Marshmallow to use the feature, and the company also says that its app doesn’t support every Android phone with a fingerprint scanner (given the many different implementations out there, that makes sense). While your fingerprint will get you into Chase’s Android app, you’ll still have to plug in your password to access some features.
Unfortunately, it doesn’t look like Chase supports Android Pay yet, according to several posts on Reddit. That’s a particular shame, because it supported Google Wallet for years.

Via: Reddit

Source: Google Play

New 12-Inch MacBook Teardown Reveals Tweaked USB-C Hardware and Tamper-Evident Screws

iFixit has completed an in-depth hardware teardown of the new 12-inch Retina MacBook that reveals only minor under-the-hood changes to Apple’s ultra-slim notebook compared to the 2015 model.

Specifically, Apple has slightly tweaked the notebook’s USB-C hardware by permanently affixing the cable to the USB board. The new arrangement is not compatible with the original 12-inch MacBook.

Apple has also switched from using a tri-wing screw to a repair-friendly Phillips screw, but the notebook’s Torx hinge screws are filled with a tamper-evident substance that disintegrates when you insert a screwdriver.

iFixit confirmed that the slightly-longer-lasting 41.4-watt-hour battery in the 12-inch MacBook is not visually distinguishable compared to the 39.7-watt-hour battery in the 2015 model, suggesting improved battery chemistry.

The logic board and other internal components yielded no significant surprises, while the notebook’s exterior looks virtually the same beyond a new Rose Gold color finish and an updated EMC number of 2991.

iFixit lists the new 12-inch MacBook’s logic board chips as follows:

– Intel SR2EN Intel Core m3-6Y30 Processor (4M Cache, Up to 2.2GHz)
– Toshiba TH58TFT0DFKLAVF 128 GB MLC NAND Flash (x2, 256GB Total)
– Micron MT41K256M16LY-107 4Gb DDR3L SDRAM
– Universal Scientific Industrial 339S0250 Wi-Fi Module
– Broadcom BCM15700A2
– National Semiconductor 48B1-11
– F4432ACPE-GD-F
– Toshiba TH58TFT0DFKLAVF 128 GB MLC NAND Flash- Samsung K3QF4F4 4 GB LPDDR3 RAM (x2, 8GB Total)
– Apple 338S00066
– Texas Instruments/Stellaris LM4FS1EH SMC Controller
– SMSC 1704-2 Temperature Sensor
– Texas Instruments SN650839
– Texas Instruments TPS51980A
– Texas Instruments CD3215B01 61AHXHW
– Intersil 95828
The new 12-inch MacBook retained a repairability score of 1 out of 10, which is the lowest score possible, as the processor, RAM, and flash storage are still soldered to the logic board, and the battery remains entirely glued into the lower case.

iFixit has a dozen replacement guides for 12-inch MacBook do-it-yourself repairs.

Related Roundup: Retina MacBook
Tags: iFixit, teardown
Buyer’s Guide: MacBook (Buy Now)
Discuss this article in our forums

Apple Watch 2 Rumored to Include Cellular Connectivity Amid Push for iPhone Independency

In a new article centered on the first-year sales of the Apple Watch, The Wall Street Journal reports that Apple is working on including cellular network connectivity and a faster processor in the so-called Apple Watch 2.

The addition of standalone cell-network connectivity onto the wrist-worn device could bring some benefits to users, particularly those who are frustrated with the current generation’s heavy reliance on a tethered iPhone to provide basic iMessage and phone call functionality. Although such a feature would undoubtedly require an additional data plan, on top of one they might already have for both the iPhone and iPad, benefits like using GPS, making phone calls, and streaming Apple Music without an iPhone nearby could outweigh the cons for some users.

The new hints given for the next-generation Apple Watch come on the heels of a collection of rumors that point to the upcoming version of Apple’s wearable gaining much-requested independence from the iPhone. Apple began implementing a third-party push for iPhone independency by announcing that all watchOS apps submitted to the App Store after June 1, 2016 will be required to be native applications.

Such updates to watchOS, which Apple introduced in watchOS 2, allow the wearable device to open apps more quickly and provide a smoother experience to users, instead of having to transmit data back and forth between a Bluetooth-connected iPhone. The mention of “a faster processor” in today’s report is something largely expected from a product update cycle by Apple, but it should compound the company’s efforts to introduce an all-around faster UI for the Apple Watch 2.

Using speculative analyst analysis, The Wall Street Journal also compared the first year of the Apple Watch to the first year sales run of the iPhone, from 2007 to 2008. The analyst estimate puts Apple Watch sales at 12 million units from its launch on April 24, 2015 to the same day in 2016. That number is double the original iPhone’s sales of 6 million units in its first year.

The latest rumors for the Apple Watch 2 conflict somewhat in regards to upgrade stats and release dates. One report has suggested that the new wearable will be 40 percent thinner and launch as soon as June, while a more recent research note from KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo points to only minor form factor changes and a heavier focus on internal improvements. Kuo predicted the Apple Watch 2 will launch in the fall, alongside the iPhone 7.

Related Roundups: Apple Watch, watchOS 2
Tags: The Wall Street Journal, Apple Watch 2
Buyer’s Guide: Apple Watch (Caution)
Discuss this article in our forums

Ikea is selling solar panels in the UK again

The UK government slashed solar subsidies earlier this year, however Ikea is still determined to sell the dream of a solar-powered home in Britain. Today, the company has launched three “Solar Shops” that sit inside its stores in Glasgow, Birmingham and Lakeside (Thurrock). These will be Ikea branded and manned by its own staff, who will be able to offer advice and give a provisional quote. Ikea will then hand over to UK solar specialist Solarcentury, which can take customers through the design and installation process. If the pilot is successful, Ikea says it plans to open Solar Shops in all of its UK stores “by the end of the summer.”

The flat-pack furniture specialist has offered solar panels before. In 2013, following a successful trial, the company began a similar roll-out across the UK. The drive was supported by Hanergy, a Chinese renewable energy company,up until November last year. As the Guardian reports, the pair separated two months after the UK government announced its plans to cut solar subsidies by almost 90 percent. Critics feared this would cripple the UK’s solar industry and put off Brits that were considering the technology as a way to save money. Ikea’s decision to stop selling panels, therefore, appeared to be a direct response to the government’s subsidy cuts.

Clearly, that wasn’t the case. Ikea believes that the British public is still interested in solar technology, and has conducted its own research to prove it. According to its own statistics (so take these with a healthy pinch of skepticism) a third of UK homeowners are still interested in buying solar panels. The key reason being, unsurprisingly, its potential to save them cash. That perception could prove vital if the UK’s solar adoption is to grow, lowering the public’s reliance on fossil fuels in the process.

Via: Ikea

Source: Ikea

‘Rock Band 4’ to get online multiplayer later this year

One of Rock Band’s biggest draws has always been local multiplayer. When four or five people are in the same room, jamming away on plastic instruments, it’s hard not to crack a smile. Of course, it’s not always possible to get people together, so developer Harmonix is working on bringing online multiplayer to Rock Band 4. It’s due this holiday and will offer a “Quickplay-esque” experience for you and a few friends. So if someone can’t make band practice — or your group is miles apart — you can still play together and prepare for that all-important reunion gig.

At the Pax East convention, Harmonix also announced that Battleborn characters Miko and Thorn will be added in May. Then, later in the month, players will gain the ability to use a second drum pedal with their plastic kit. Rounding out the Spring updates will be a practice mode in June, allowing perfectionists to slow down songs and loop tricky sections.

The summer will be a quiet affair, as Harmonix focuses on a larger expansion pack for the fall. The developer is staying tight-lipped on the details, hinting only that it’ll include “brand-new, never-before-seen features” that “add some really interesting ways to play the game.” Intriguing. All will be revealed, the company claims, at E3 later this year.

Rock Band 4 is an attempt to rekindle the phenomenal popularity of the original Guitar Hero and Rock Band games. It doesn’t change the underlying formula, instead fine-tuning the mechanics that were so popular in earlier entries. There are a few new additions, such as freestyle guitar solos, but otherwise it’s the same gameplay coupled with a fresh song list. For some people, that’s enough to jump back in, and now Harmonix is supporting that group with a slow trickle of updates.

Just don’t expect a PC version any time soon. After its crowdfunding campaign on Fig fell short, it’s safe to say the game is staying console-only. A version for virtual reality headsets? Now that’s another story.

Via: Polygon

Source: Harmonix

Tesla’s Destination Charging network expands to Europe

By the end of 2017, Tesla hopes to have doubled the size its Supercharger network. It wants more than 1,200 locations and 7,000 individual chargers dotted throughout North America, Europe and Asia, which will go some way towards reducing range anxiety. Before that becomes a reality, the company is hoping to extend the number of official charging points with its free Destination Charging network. Available in the US and Asia for some time now, Destination Chargers are located in easy-to-access locations like hotels or restaurants to give you a quick juice between journeys. Now, they’re rolling out across Europe.

Today, Tesla unveiled over 150 Destination Charging spots in over 14 countries, which are capable of adding more than 58 miles per hour. Golf clubs, casinos and other leisure-focused businesses are making Tesla’s proprietary Wall Connector available to electric vehicle owners who have already done most of their travelling. Given that the output of the chargers varies between 11kW and 22kW (compared with a Supercharger’s 90kW to 135kW rating), Tesla’s secondary network isn’t really designed for quick pit-stops.

While Tesla’s European footprint is currently very small, the company is looking to add more chargers. To incentivize businesses, it’s offering two connectors for free or at a lower price, as long as they are in easy-to-reach locations. All that the partner needs to do is cover the electricity cost and it’ll then be featured as a charging location inside Tesla’s route planner.

Via: Tesla Motors (Twitter)

Source: Tesla

Microsoft’s ‘Word Flow’ Keyboard for iPhone Launches in the U.S. App Store

After a closed beta earlier in the month, Microsoft today has launched its Word Flow Windows Phone keyboard in the United States iOS App Store for free. As expected, the iOS version of the app comes with a handful of themes for users to customize the keyboard with, along with the ability to speed up one-handed texting with its unique “Arc mode.”

Word Flow keyboard’s “Light” theme
Arc mode bends the keyboard into a circular shape, hugging whichever side of the iPhone a user’s dominant hand will be typing on, allowing for more efficient one-handed typing than a traditional iOS keyboard. Its default interface doesn’t differ from other third-party keyboards, letting users switch between tapping and swiping on the fly to enter text.

As with Apple’s included keyboard, Word Flow has a predictive text feature, and users can even turn on a word learning option that will bolster the app’s predictive capabilities for each user by sending keyboard information to Microsoft. Elsewhere in the app, users will also be able to upload their own pictures as customized keyboard themes, and even track their typing speed once Word Flow is granted full access in Settings.

Word Flow keyboard with a custom image theme
Anyone who wants to check Word Flow out can download it from the App Store for free [Direct Link], although it is currently limited to United States users only.

Tag: Microsoft
Discuss this article in our forums

iPhone 7 Could Have Touch-Sensitive Home Button as Waterproof and Dustproof Rumors Persist

Less than five months before Apple is expected to launch the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus, supply chain rumors continue to suggest that the next-generation smartphones will be both fully waterproof and dustproof.

Apple is also reportedly testing a touch-sensitive home button for its upcoming flagship handset, possibly meaning the iPhone 7 could have a flush home button, according to Taiwanese website DigiTimes (via I4U News).

iPhone 7 mockup with a traditional home button
DigiTimes has a mixed track record at reporting on Apple’s upcoming product plans, but at least three previous reports have claimed the iPhone 7 will be waterproof over the past seven months, and dustproofing would be inherently plausible. Comparatively, the iPhone 6s is surprisingly water resistant, but not entirely waterproof.

In September, a source on Chinese microblogging service Weibo said the iPhone 7 will have a strengthened, waterproof frame, backed up by a Fast Company report that also claimed the device will be thinner than the iPhone 6s. Rumors suggest the iPhone 7 could be as thin as 6.1mm like the iPod touch.

Rumors surrounding the home button on future iPhones are less consistent. Back in June 2015, a report claimed that Apple was looking to develop new display technology with “integrated fingerprint sensors,” potentially allowing for the company to eventually do away with the iconic home button on iPhones.

Last month, Apple was granted a patent for a pressure-sensitive Liquidmetal home button that deforms slightly when pressed, but returns to its normal shape when the user removes their finger or thumb. Apple has annually renewed its exclusive rights to use the malleable alloy since 2010, but has yet to do so in a major way.

Last week, Barclays analyst Mark Moskowitz speculated that Apple will skip its traditional “S” upgrade cycle next year and introduce the iPhone 8 without a physical home button. Apple’s single-chip solution for touchscreen and display drivers could allow for a Touch ID-enabled screen, eliminating the need for a separate home button.

iPhone 7 and/or iPhone 7 Plus models are also rumored to feature a Smart Connector, dual-lens cameras, no 3.5mm headphone jack, repositioned antenna bands, stereo speakers, wireless charging, and a larger battery, but Apple may hold off on some features until its next iPhone with OLED in 2017.

Related Roundup: iPhone 7
Tag: digitimes.com
Discuss this article in our forums