Android will have password-free sign-ins by the end of 2016
Back in 2015, Google teased the prospect of Project Abacus, a sign-in approach for Android that ditches passwords in favor of a trust system that uses patterns (such as location, typing speed and voice) to verify your identity. But when is it coming out? Sooner than you might think, actually. In a low-key presentation at I/O 2016, Google revealed that Abacus should be in developers’ hands by the end of the year. Multiple “very large financial institutions” will start trying it out in June, taking a big step forward from the university tests that began last year.
How well it works depends on how many people are willing to trust Google. Abacus determines patterns based on data collection that’s already taking place, but might make you nervous when it’s used to skip passwords. You’re trading a degree of privacy for convenience, and there’s no guarantee that everyone will want to make that sacrifice.
Source: TechCrunch
Netflix’s Disney streaming exclusives start in September
Netflix is about to get a whole lot more magical. There’s a whole cadre of additional Disney films coming to the streaming service this September as Netflix becomes the exclusive streaming service for movies from Disney, Marvel, Lucasfilm and Pixar.
This announcement comes in the form of Netflix’s latest blog detailing the year’s coming releases. There isn’t any concrete information on which titles are being added later this fall just yet, but it will be comprised of major theatrical releases and more. There’s already a smattering of movies like Hercules, The Emperor’s New Groove and Mulan already available to view, but September should see that expanded considerably.
This announcement is the fruit of an agreement signed into life back in 2012, which made Netflix the exclusive U.S. subscription service for first-run live-action and animated features from Walt Disney. It’s finally time for Netflix subscribers to reap the benefits with a wide breadth of content from the Walt Disney umbrella. Does that mean we could see The Force Awakens coming to Netflix in the near future? We’ll be keeping our eyes peeled just in case.
Source: Netflix
Violent crime prediction algorithms are racially biased
When a criminal defendant faces sentencing in the United States, a judge can use several factors to determine a punishment that fits the crime. Increasingly, one of those factors is what is known as a “risk assessment score” — a number meant to predict whether or not the defendant will commit another crime in the future. According to a new report from ProPublica, however, the algorithms driving those scores are biased against African Americans.
The risk scores can influence everything from bail amounts to treatment plans or jail time. If a defendant has a higher risk of recidivism, the thinking goes, then they should receive a sentence that acts as a disincentive for committing some future crime. It was this sort of thinking that led U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder to warn in 2014 that these scores could “exacerbate unwarranted and unjust disparities that are already far too common in our criminal justice system and in our society.”
To test Holder’s hypothesis, ProPublica look at the data from over 7,000 defendants in Broward County, Florida whose risk scores were generated by one of the most popular assessment tools in the country designed by a company called Northpointe.
And ProPublica’s study found that the scores were way off base when it came to predicting violent crime. “Only about 20 percent of those people predicted to commit violent crimes actually went on to do so,” the ProPublica team writes. Even when accounting for all types of crimes — including misdemeanors and moving violations — the algorithm was only “somewhat more accurate than a coin flip” at determining whether or not someone would commit a second crime.
What’s more alarming, ProPublica was able to confirm Holder’s concern that the algorithm’s sense of justice was far from blind, especially when it came to race. From the report:
- The formula was particularly likely to falsely flag black defendants as future criminals, wrongly labeling them this way at almost twice the rate as white defendants.
- White defendants were mislabeled as low risk more often than black defendants.
Northpointe disputes the report’s findings and points out that race is not an explicit factor in its assessment algorithm. However, some of the factors that do inform the scores can be closely tied to race, like the defendant’s education level, employment status and social circumstances such as family criminal history or whether or not their friends take illegal drugs. And the specific calculations necessary to arrive at the final score are proprietary — meaning defendants and the general public have no way to see what might be influencing a harsh sentence.
While algorithms like these might be well-intentioned, the system’s opacity is already seen as a problem. In Chicago, for example, police have had surprising accuracy using an algorithm to predict who will commit or be the the target of gun violence, but members of the ACLU find it troubling that members of the community can be singled out as criminals without any insight into what landed them on the CPD’s list.
Facebook Live video replays will highlight the best moments
By now, you’ve certainly heard about Facebook’s live video push. As the company continues to revise the live-streaming feature, new tools are being added on the regular. TechCrunch reports that the social network will soon let viewers skip straight to the good parts when replaying that footage. Based on reactions and comments, Facebook will show you when the best portions of a video take place in the form of a visual timeline.
If you’re thinking that this looks a little familiar, SoundCloud offers a similar social-tracking tool for its audio player. Alongside the peaks and valleys of a song’s dynamic, you’re able to see comments from users about a specific part of a track. That doesn’t mean you’ll immediately now where the best verse is, but you’re able to see what others had to say at an exact time rather than comments on the overall song.
Facebook says that two-thirds of Live video views are replays after a broadcast has ended. With that in mind, this so-called engagement graph is meant to help guide viewing by pointing out highlights, especially clips that are several minutes long. The company is also showing reaction replays in real time so that even if you can’t watch live, you can gauge smiley faces and more as if you were. The feature is rolling out to select users now, but Facebook says the tool will remain exclusive to its live-streaming tool rather than making the leap to all videos hosted on the site.
Source: TechCrunch
ESPN and ‘League of Legends’ studio aren’t making a broadcast deal
League of Legends is one of the most popular esports titles in the world, but it’s not heading to ESPN any time soon. Spokespeople for Riot Games and ESPN tell Engadget that the companies are not working on a broadcasting deal, despite a report on PVP Live claiming otherwise.
“The story is inaccurate — no active talks with ESPN at the moment,” the Riot spokesperson said.
An ESPN spokesperson further confirmed, “The story is false. We do not have a deal with Riot Games to broadcast League of Legends.”
The report claimed that ESPN and Riot were negotiating a deal valued at $500 million that would give ESPN broadcasting rights to League of Legends content. Riot currently streams its games live on Twitch, often for millions of viewers at a time. For example, the final game of the 2015 Worlds championship pulled in 36 million unique viewers.
ESPN is no stranger to esports: In January, it kicked off its own news division dedicated to professional gaming. Another television network, TBS, is diving into regularly scheduled esports broadcasts, starting with the first-person shooter Counter-Strike: Global Offensive. The esports industry is poised to generate $500 million in revenue in 2016.
NASA is building the next Mars rover in mixed reality
I poked my head inside NASA’s latest Mars rover. During a mixed reality demonstration at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in Pasadena, as soon as I strapped on a HoloLens, a vibrant holographic vehicle popped up in front of me.
I walked around a model of the next-gen rover, which was only visible to the headset wearers in the room, before crouching down for close inspection. As I leaned in to look at one of the corners, the spacecraft’s platinum gray exterior disappeared to reveal a set of neatly aligned internal parts. As I continued to inch forward, my movement kept peeling away the layers of the rover until I could see the floor beneath my feet again.
The ability to investigate the design of NASA’s latest spacecraft, which is currently being engineered for the next mission to Mars in 2020, makes ProtoSpace a unique use for Microsoft’s augmented reality headset. The project enables JPL designers and engineers to not only visualize their designs as virtual 3D objects, but also pinpoint potential problems that could affect space missions along the way.
ProtoSpace is one of two mixed reality experiments at JPL. With the other, more widely known application called OnSight, the team has been using the new visual medium to recreate a hologram of Mars based on the Curiosity rover’s current exploration. Strapping on a HoloLens can quickly transform the floor into a rusty red planet, complete with its rocks, cracks and craters.
The medium takes away some of the complexities of machines and tools to make space exploration more experiential even for scientists. “Mixed reality brings data from our missions and the environment they’re exploring to us in ways that feel familiar and natural,” says Jeff Norris, lead mission operations at JPL. “It [replicates] the ways in which we look at the world today. I see it as not only simplifying the process of space exploration for our explorers but also allowing them to gain insights that they wouldn’t access if we weren’t engaging their natural abilities as effectively.”
Back in Pasadena, ProtoSpace is engaging engineers in a new kind of interaction with their spacecraft design. The vehicle, which is essentially a Computer Assisted Design (CAD) model in holographic form, appears as a floating, dynamic animation. You can do things like slip your arm through the brightly colored parts and bolts that are projected in front of you. But what the rover lacks in definition it makes up in presence. Unlike the CAD design on a flat computer screen, mixed reality technology brings a full-scale replica of the rover to life inside a room.
“It’s very important for engineers to gain intuition for the actual size, shape and arrangement of the spacecraft,” says Norris. “They need to see these designs at full human scale so they can use their natural abilities for the feeling of how large a part is or how tight the clearance might be. It’s difficult to access that when you’re looking at a model on a computer screen.”
When working on the new model the team has been able to place metal prototypes against the exact virtual spots where they need to go. This overlay of physical objects on a holographic rendering has given them a new way to measure distances between objects for a precise alignment of the parts. “Being able to see it in the space, walk around it and put their arms in the hologram allows engineers to uncover a lot of solutions,” says Matthew Clausen, lead software engineer on ProtoSpace. “[They can] discover problems they didn’t even know existed.” While assembling the spacecraft in a “clean room”, for instance, engineers can position the hologram to see how the spacecraft would align with the crane and other moving parts to avoid delays during the final build.
Spacecraft design is a complex and collaborative process. It requires meticulous planning to keep a space mission that’s worth billions on track. “Our launch windows are often not very flexible,” says Norris. “They’re dictated by the motion of the planets. A problem that causes us to stop assembly for a while can put us a week off our schedule, we plan for those but when too many of them occur they can threaten the launch date and that’s a huge impact.”
“Being able to see it in the space, walk around it and put their arms in the hologram allows engineers to uncover a lot of solutions.”
Mixed reality is helping scientists predict and overcome obstacles in innovative ways. But as a new medium, it presents its own challenges. When designing in CAD, for instance, a designer can rotate objects or zoom in and out for context. “With a full scale spacecraft [hologram], rotating it can be really disruptive when you have this huge thing shifting in your space,” says Clausen. “Working out new modes of interaction has been fun and experimental. Every time there’s a new solution, there’s a new side problem that needs to be worked on.”
The holographic medium presents a new way of assessing design objects in a room. But the interaction isn’t limited to real and virtual models. The ability to lean in and poke around a hologram while still being aware of other people in the room makes it an appropriate medium for designers. “It offers an opportunity for engineers to collaborate,” says Norris. “Many of JPL participants are overseas and it’s been a challenge to keep everyone on the same page when the physical designs and mockups are here in JPL. With ProtoSpace they can look at the full scale model — that’s a capability we’ve never been able to offer before.”
Amazon no longer offers refunds for after-the-sale price drops
Say goodbye to the days when Amazon would cut you a break if the price of a product dropped right after you ordered it. Customers are reporting that Amazon has stopped offering partial refunds on orders if a price drop happens within 7 days — if you pull the trigger shortly before a sale, you’ll just have to live with your choice. Amazon tells Recode that it didn’t officially have a policy like this outside of televisions, but it’s now clear that the company no longer hands out exceptions like they were candy.
It’s possible that Amazon is reacting to services that automatically ask for refunds when they detect price drops, and not just because of the money it stands to lose from thrifty shoppers. Amazon warns that those sites are asking for your login details. While many of those outsiders are likely to be above-board, there’s no guarantee that a site won’t abuse your info or fall victim to a data breach.
Source: Reddit, Recode
Snapchat does something useful, lets you buy ‘X-Men’ tickets
Although they’re sitting out Comic-Con, 20th Century Fox is going big with their Snapchat-based promotions for Friday’s release of X-Men: Apocalypse. While users will notice Snapchat’s filter lenses are all mutant-themed today, the movie studio has also pulled out another super power: letting users buy tickets directly from Snapchat ads that show up in the Discovery section.
Join the #XMen with the new #XMenApocalypse lenses on @Snapchat! Follow ‘XMenMovies’ today.https://t.co/7USBl9Bf0p
— X-Men Movies (@XMenMovies) May 23, 2016
The ads, which show up for users in the U.S. as they flip through Discover tab stories, also allow users to swipe up to jump over to Fandango or MovieTickets.com to buy tickets and put those butts in seats. The ads themselves are a new product that Snapchat has been testing as the platform contemplates shifting to a more ad-friendly, algorithmic content feed. Last month, Snapchat also built some shopping-enabled ads for Lancome and Target that ran alongside content in Cosmopolitan’s channel.
Possible iPhone 7 and 7 Plus Molds Confirm Camera Layouts, Lack Smart Connector
With the launch of the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus creeping closer, rumors about the two devices have been leaking out at a rapid pace, offering a lot of conflicting information that makes it difficult to narrow down the features that might be included.
Images of a set of molds and schematics said to be for the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus have surfaced on Chinese site Baidu and were shared by HDBlog, but as with all the alleged iPhone 7 renderings, schematics, and dummies floating around, the authenticity of the parts in the images cannot be confirmed.
iPhone 7 mold on left, iPhone 7 Plus mold on right
According to the source on Baidu, the molds in the images are plates used during the finishing process of creating the aluminum casing for the devices. There are plates for both the iPhone 7 and the iPhone 7 Plus, confirming multiple rumors of a dual-lens camera for the larger-screened device and a single camera for the smaller device.
In line with past rumors, the iPhone 7 plate appears to depict a larger camera, perhaps to accommodate an improved sensor to boost image quality in the 4.7-inch iPhone. The 4.7-inch iPhone will not include dual cameras, but we expect Apple will introduce some significant single camera advancements to make up for the lack of dual cameras.
Schematics depicting design of iPhone 7 Plus mold
Not pictured on either plate is a Smart Connector, a feature the iPhone 7 has been rumored to be adopting from the iPad Pro. Early on in the rumor cycle, a device said to be the iPhone 7 Plus depicted a Smart Connector, and it was featured in design drawings and blueprints, but Japanese site Mac Otakara has said Apple eliminated the feature.
It’s possible the Smart Connector is simply not included on the plates and that the holes are added at a later point in the manufacturing process. If a Smart Connector is indeed a feature coming in the iPhone 7, rumors indicate it will be limited to the larger iPhone 7 Plus.
Not visible on either plate is the speaker arrangement. Apple is said to be eliminating the headphone jack on the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus, with some rumors suggesting additional speakers could be added in its place. Some rumors suggested dual speakers were a possibility and a sketchy device image that surfaced over the weekend depicted a four speaker arrangement, but other rumors and evidence point towards the continued use of a single speaker.
Apple will likely introduce the iPhone 7 and the iPhone 7 Plus in September of 2016, which means there are several more months ahead in which the rumors we’re hearing about the two devices will solidify so we can get a clearer picture of what to expect.
Related Roundup: iPhone 7
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DIY Online Photo Printing Services – CNET
Professional printing is hard to do, not to mention expensive. But why waste the time and effort when you can pay professionals to take care of it for you? We’ve worked with some of the best online printing services and want to share some of them with you! For additional information on the best and worst photo-book-making sites, check out the article by Jessica Dolcourt here .
Check out our directory for the most popular and best DIY Online Photo Services.
MIXBOOK – Customize any of the hundreds of our professional themes or start from scratch and let your unique ideas come to life. Choose from thousands of stickers and backgrounds.
Shutterfly – Photo books are the new way to cherish and preserve your memories. Whether it’s a gorgeous wedding photo album, a new baby memory book or a fun-filled school yearbook.
Blurb –The Dream Team is made up of Blurb-vetted professionals, and they are available at any stage of your project–editing, design, illustration, and more.
Snapfish – We’re for everyone. From new snappers to professional photographers. Proud parents to imaginative teenagers. Passionate pet owners to avid outdoor enthusiasts. Whether you use your phone, a trusty point-and-shoot, or a digital SLR, we make if fun and affordable to bring your photos to life.
Walmart Photo – Order online and pick up in stores the same dayUp to 40 double-sided pages with 1-15 photos per pagePrinted on high-quality paper; Black and Taupe covers available.
AdoramaPix – From Photo Books to Prints on Paper, Metal or Canvas, AdoramaPix can help you to preserve and display your most precious memories. Hand crafted, professionally inspected, and made of the finest materials, our printed products are made to look beautiful and last a lifetime.
Walgreens Photo Center – Custom photo books have a charm all their own. With a photo book you can tell the story your way with the photos that mean the most to you. They can feature a truly special day, like wedding photo books or be a personalized keepsake baby photo book.
Picaboo – Our most popular style is great for capturing all your life’s moments. Customize the front and back cover with your photos.
Blurb– Blurb is a self-publishing platform that enables their users to create, self-publish, promote, share, and sell their own print and ebooks. Blurb offers book-making tools catering to diverse digital skills.
MyCanvas– Enjoy creative freedom with an online photo book tool built to empower your inspiration with backgrounds, font styles and layouts. Make a true original, or choose easy templates for a beautiful book.RitzPix – Our Classic Photo Books offer a great product at an economical price. We offer different 5 sizes and 8 different cover styles so you can create a custom photo book to fit any theme.
CVS Photo– Each page can be personalized with photos, text & embellishments and more.
SmugMug– Craft the site your photos deserve. One that complements your images as well as your image. Start with a gallery layout that displays your photos just the way you like them, then select a design template for your site that looks and feels right.
AIVAnet 