WhatsApp Launches Desktop App for Mac OS X
Facebook-owned WhatsApp today announced the launch of a desktop app for Mac OS X, allowing users to easily carry on their conversations from their computers natively. The move comes several months after debuting a web version of its popular chat service.
Today we’re introducing a desktop app so you have a new way to stay in touch anytime and anywhere – whether on your phone or computer at home or work. Like WhatsApp Web, our desktop app is simply an extension of your phone: the app mirrors conversations and messages from your mobile device.
The new desktop app is available for Mac OS 10.9 and above and Windows 8 and supports native desktop notifications, keyboard shortcuts and more. The app also syncs to users’ mobile devices, which means that notifications and conversations are mirrored in the desktop app.
To download the free app, WhatsApp users have to go to whatsapp.com/download from their desktop browser. Once the app is downloaded, users will be presented with a QR code. To scan the code, users will have to use the WhatsApp app on their phone, going into the app’s settings and clicking “WhatsApp Web” to activate the QR code scanner.
Tag: WhatsApp
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The ZUS Kevlar USB cable by nonda is the last you’ll ever need (Lifetime Warranty)
Charging cables are essential to keeping our mobile products powered up. If we want to stay powered, even with a portable battery pack, we need to bring along our cables.
The biggest problem with cables is they all break over time. The more you use them, and the more you bend them, the faster they will break. Sometimes the cost isn’t the worst part about this fact, but there is an off chance that you might be stuck without a charging cable if yours suddenly decides to give out.
Google Pixel C connected and charging with the ZUS type-C cable.
That’s where Nonda comes in to save the day. They have built a cable so strong that they actually dare customers to break it. Nonda offers suggestions on letting your dog pull at it, tow a car with it, etc. Why? Because Nonda’s new ZUS cables, offered at Indiegogo, are made with Kevlar which is the same material used in bulletproof vests.
Build and Usage of the ZUS Kevlar Cable
The ZUS Kevlar charging cable is different from other cables since it is designed to last a lifetime. Many charging cables break from flexing and bending too many times, which destroys the internals of the charging cable. Nonda designed a cable reinforced and protected with 3M’s Kevlar to ensure it lasts forever.
In bend tests, the ZUS cable survived over 50% longer than Belkin’s cables. That does mean the ZUS cables actually reached a breakpoint, but the difference here is that nonda offers a full lifetime guarantee of its cables. It also offers twice the lifespan at half of the MSRP.
I did a destruction test of a standard plastic coated micro USB cable and the ZUS Type-C cable by running them both into my Dyson vacuum cleaner. I first ran the microUSB cable through the vacuum for five seconds, and the plastic coating melted off exposing the internal wiring. The cable still worked, but probably won’t have much life left in it at this point.
Where the ZUS cable gets interesting, is once I sucked it up into my vacuum, it literally locked up the brush wheel and melted my vacuum belt which snapped. The Kevlar protection was so strong that it didn’t give at all, and miraculously came out unscathed.
I then went on to pull on the cable as hard as I could, and tied it to a 10 pound dumbbell I have in my office. I swung it back and forth and the cable still worked great with my LG G5.
The ZUS cables are extremely well made and are intelligently designed. The USB A portion of the plug sits at a right angle, which helps it fit into tight spaces better. It also provides more protection against flexing at that point which should increase its lifespan as well.
Summary
The ZUS cables by nonda come in three varieties – micro USB, Lightning, and USB Type-C. All of them are built to the same standards and each come with a Lifetime Warranty. Nonda is offering a few different backing options at Indiegogo, and you can get one cable for as little as $15 with shipping expected in July.
The USB Type-C cable I used charged my Nexus Pixel C, LG G5, and Xiaomi Mi5 all without issue. The ZUS cable is the strongest cable I have ever used and will be my charging cable of choice, especially when I travel.
Get the ZUS cable at Indiegogo.com. Or learn more at nonda.com.
Specs
- 56K Ohm Resistor
- Vbus IR drop of less than 500mV
- GND IR drop of less than 250mV at 3A
- Micro USB, Lightning, Type-C
- $15
Xiaomi Mi Max Release Date, Price and Specs – CNET
Xiaomi CEO Lei Jun shows off the company’s new 6.4-inch Mi Max. His hands, too, looked small.
Aloysius Low/CNET
With Apple proving that there’s still demand for smaller 4-inch phones with its iPhone SE, Chinese smartphone maker Xiaomi is thinking otherwise. The company announced on Tuesday a 6.4-inch big-screen phone, and as silly as such a large device sounds, the company seems to think there’s demand for its Mi Max.
No doubt this is due to its low price, with the base model starting at 1,499 yuan ($230, £160 or AU$315 converted) and the highest-end phone, with 4GB RAM and 128GB of storage, going for a song at just 1,999 yuan ($350, £210 or AU$420).
Now, Xiaomi’s not the first Chinese company to go big: Huawei did it with the 6.8-inch P8 Max. This phone feels way too large for me, but I may change my mind over the next few days once I spend more time with it. My early impression, however, is that it’s troublesome to use. This isn’t a phone you can wield one-handed, like the bastard swords of yore, this is a strictly two-handed affair. My thumb got quite a good stretch trying to reach to the other edge of the screen but still failed to reach.
Thankfully the phone has a feature called palm rejection. This means that if your palm accidentally grazes the display while you’re holding the phone, the phone will ignore that as an input. This means you won’t accidentally scroll down the Web page you’re looking at, or turn on your caps lock when you’re typing. In my experience, this is really important in larger phones.
Specs and key features
- Qualcomm Snapdragon 652 hexa-core processor
- 4GB RAM and 128GB of onboard storage
- Xiaomi’s new MIUI 8 Android skin
- Fingerprint scanner on the back
- 16-megapixel rear camera, 5-megapixel front
- 4,850mAh battery
A huge phone for all your video viewing needs.
Aloysius Low/CNET
The Mi Max has quite a few things going for it. It’s big and beautiful, and Xiaomi has wrapped it in classy metal. It feels hefty due to its size, but it’s only 11 grams (0.4 ounces) heavier than the iPhone 6S Plus, and while I do like it, those with smaller hands may find it a tad cumbersome. The 6.4-inch display sports a full-HD resolution and colors are bright and vibrant. It could just be the perfect phone for watching videos, and is more likely to fit in your pants pocket than, say, a slightly larger 7-inch tablet.
The Mi Max is one of the first phones to sport Xiaomi’s MIUI 8 software, which sports a new design based on colors and geometric shapes that change according to the context. Different months in the Calendar app will have a different color, for example, while if you’re using the audio recording app, the color changes based on the input volume. Animations have also been tweaked to feel more fluid and natural, while a new font called “Mi Lan” has been added. While the font’s more for Mandarin characters, there’s also one for the English alphabet.
It’s not hard to dismiss the Mi Max due to its ridiculous size — only the Huawei P8 Max is bigger — but perhaps Xiaomi is to be commended for giving big-phone lovers what they want. The phone is currently available only in China, but expect this to launch in India next and other markets in Southeast Asia where Xiaomi has a presence. It’ll likely only be available online in the US, UK and Australia.
The Mi Max makes the iPhone 6S Plus look small in comparison.
Aloysius Low/CNET
Fitbit Zip review – CNET
The Good Affordable; tracks steps, distance and calories burned; up to six months of battery life.
The Bad It doesn’t track sleep or stairs climbed.
The Bottom Line The Fitbit Zip is still a great entry-level tracker for people that don’t want to wear a wristband.
It has been almost four years since the Fitbit Zip was first released, and yet the affordable tracker still remains one of our favorites. That’s because for $60, £50 or AU$80 depending on your locale (even less if you shop around), you get a tracker that does all the basics. It can track steps, distance and calories burned. All of this information, including the time of day, can be viewed on the device’s small LCD display, or on the Android or iOS app.
Unlike many of Fitbit’s other trackers, the Zip isn’t worn on the wrist. The tracker comes with a silicone sleeve that can be clipped to your belt, pocket or bra, which makes it one of the most discreet trackers on the market today. It’s not pretty, but it works…and it’s the best affordable way to get into the Fitbit scene.
The affordable yet capable Fitbit Zip
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Why we like it?
While the Zip lacks some of the bells and whistles found in other devices, such as tracking sleep and stairs climbed or displaying notifications, it remains one of the cheapest entry points to the Fitbit ecosystem. The Fitbit app app is easy to use and provides tools to help you stay active. In addition to viewing all of your activity data, you can track what you eat and even compete with friends and family members in daily or weekly competitions.
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Sarah Tew/CNET
Another highlight of the Zip is that it never has be charged. It uses a traditional coin battery that will last between four and six months. You will eventually need to manually replace the battery, but they’re incredibly cheap — you can get a 10-pack at Amazon for around $6.
I’d still recommend the Zip over the Fitbit One because it costs less, and if all you’re looking for is a basic clip-on tracker, this does the job fine. While the One adds sleep tracking, you are required to place the tracker in a bulky wrist strap each night.
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Sarah Tew/CNET
Should you buy one?
You don’t need to buy a Zip to enjoy the Fitbit experience. You can use an iPhone and many Android devices with the Fitbit app to track steps, distance and calories burned. You get all the benefits of owning a Zip, but without having to shell out extra dough for the actual device. If you don’t always have your phone with you, though, and don’t want to pay up for (or want) a wristband like the Fitbit Charge HR, the Zip could be right for you.
Looking for another Fitbit device? Check out this guide to find the one that’s right for you.
LG G5 vs LG G4
The LG G5 marked a dramatic departure from the norm for LG, with their latest flagship offering being the first to feature an all metal build. As significant as the change in build material is, what makes the G5 stand out from the crowd even more is its modular nature, possible courtesy of a removable bottom chin, allowing for other useful add-ons to be attached.
The LG G5 is certainly very different, but are these differences enough to make it a worthy upgrade from its predecessor? We find out, as we take a comprehensive look at the LG G5 vs LG G4!
Buy LG G5 on Amazon
Buy LG G4 on Amazon
Design
As mentioned, LG completely changed the formula with the G5, not only when looking at the build quality, but also with regards to the design. The full metal build makes the G5 feel more premium than any of its predecessors, but it has to be mentioned that with the coat of primer and paint, the G5 does unfortunately fall short when compared to its metal brethren. An aspect like design always comes down to individual preference, but many will agree that the G5 isn’t exactly the most attractive phone that LG has produced.
Of course, the big story here is the modular capabilities that the device comes with. The bottom chin can be removed by the simple press of a button, and allows you to attach different modules in its place. Some of these modules, which LG calls “Friends,” include the Cam Plus, a camera grip with physical button and controls, and a Bang & Olufsen Hi-fi audio DAC, that provides higher quality audio. The removable chin means that you also have access to the battery, so despite the change in design and build quality, LG still managed to retain staple features like a replaceable battery, which is something that quite a few users will appreciate.
On the other hand is the LG G4, and when looking at these two smartphones side by side, its hard to imagination that these are part of the same flagship series, and only a year apart. The G4 is made entirely of plastic, or leather and plastic for those who opt for the leather back cover options. The G4 seems to also be the last LG smartphone to feature the company’s signature curved body and display, which is certainly a shame, as the curve not only allowed for a unique look, but also favorably contributed to the handling experience. The G4 also comes with a replaceable battery, which can be accessed in the more traditional manner of simply removing the back cover.
Another big different between these phones can be found in the button layout. The G5 retains the rear-mounted power button from the G4, but the volume rocker has now been moved to a more standard location on the side. The latest LG flagship has a smaller overall footprint compared to its predecessor as, which is understandable, given that it features a slightly smaller display.
As far as one-handed usability is concerned, the G5 does provide the better handling experience, but the G4 isn’t far behind either, courtesy of its curved back, and ultra-thin bezels along the sides of the display up front.
Display
The LG G5 comes with a 5.3-inch IPS LCD display with a Quad HD resolution, while the G4 features a 5.5-inch IPS LCD screen, with the same resolution. Apart from the additional screen real estate that is available with the G4, both these displays are comparable in terms of quality. You get good viewing angles, brightness, and color reproduction with both, but it has to be said that neither can be considered the best display out there.
The display of the G5 does exhibit much cooler tones when compared to the G4, but that is something you will only notice when have the two devices side by side. The other big difference is that the LG G5 comes with an Always On display, that can show you the time, notifications, or a custom message.
Performance and hardware
Under the hood, the LG G5 comes with a quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 processor, clocked at 2.15 GHz, and backed by the Adreno 530 GPU and 4 GB of RAM. This is the latest and greatest that is available, and powers all other current generation flagship smartphones as well, so it’s no surprise that the phone is extremely fast and responsive.
On the other hand, the LG G4 is powered by the older hexa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 808 processor, clocked at 1.82 GHz, and backed by the Adreno 418 GPU and 3 GB of RAM. While this remains a reliable processing package, and the G4 does still perform very well, it obviously doesn’t hold a candle to the far more powerful G5, and the generally snappier performance that you get with the latter.
32 GB is the only storage option available with both, and both smartphones also come with expandable storage via microSD card, for up to an additional 200 GB. Things remain largely the same in terms of hardware, but the LG G5 does come with a fast and accurate fingerprint scanner that is embedded into the power button on the back. LG has also made the switch the USB Type-C with their latest flagship.
The LG G5 comes with a 2,800 mAh battery, which is slightly smaller than the 3,000 mAh unit found with the G4, but things are about the same when it comes to battery life. Both smartphones can comfortably allow for a full day of use, but you won’t get much more than that from either. Both devices also come with fast charging capabilities, so if you are running low on battery, you can get back to a full charge very quickly. Finally, both batteries are also removable, so if battery life is a concern, you always have the option of carrying around spares.
Camera
Both the LG G5 and G4 use the same 16 MP primary camera with an f/1.8 aperture and OIS, but with the G5, LG has also tacked on a secondary 8 MP shooter with a wide angle lens, which allows for some incredible looking wide angle shots. This secondary camera is a lot of fun to use, and is by far one of the best features of the LG G5.
LG G5 camera samples
There are some subtle differences when it comes to the camera software, with the G5 coming with a few extra features modes, such as Multiview mode, which lets you use all three cameras at once, or Snap mode, that can be used to record a string of 3 second clips. Other than that, the camera application remains the same, with both featuring simple and auto modes, and if you are looking to dive in a little deeper, there is a robust manual mode with DSLR-like granular control over aspects like white balance, ISO, shutter speed, and more.
LG G4 camera samples
With both phones featuring the same 16 MP primary shooters, the assumption would be that the image quality would also be similar, but that is surprisingly not the case. Both take very sharp photos with a lot of detail, but the post-processing with the cameras is slightly different. The G5 creates images with more contrast and more vibrant colors, resulting in much darker shadows and less detail in these areas. On the other hand, the G4 goes in the opposite direction, with images coming with less contrast and slightly less color, but you do get a brighter shot overall, with more detail in the shadows. The only drawback here is that because of the brighter image, you are also getting overblown highlights.
Software
On the software side of things, both the LG G4 and LG G5 are running Android 6.0 Marshmallow but with two completely different versions of LG’s interface. The G4 comes with an older version of G UI which is packed with a ton of features that may or may not be all that useful, and it feels a lot more intrusive, with a lot of these features being activated by default. With the G5, the new LG UX may still not be the best interface out there, but it is a big improvement over previous iterations. It is still very cartoonish, with its brightly colored icons, but the overall aesthetics look a lot cleaner and more streamlined.
With the G5, LG also got rid of some features like Dual Window, and have hidden features like the QSlide apps and Smart Bulletin, but are still available for those who want to use them. The biggest change that has been made is the removal of the app drawer, which can certainly take some getting used to, and leaves users dependent on folders to keep things organized. Of course, you always have the option to download a third-party launcher from the Google Play Store to bring back the app drawer, and LG has an official option available as well, downloadable from the LG SmartWorld app.
Specs comparison
| Display | 5.3-inch IPS LCD display Quad HD resolution, 554 ppi |
5.5-inch IPS LCD display Quad HD resolution, 538 ppi |
| Processor | 2.15 GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 Adreno 530 GPU |
1.82 GHz hexa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 808 Adreno 418 GPU |
| RAM | 4 GB | 3 GB |
| Storage | 32 GB expandable via microSD card up to 200 GB |
32 GB expandable via microSD card up to 200 GB |
| Camera | 16 MP rear camera, f/1.8 aperture, OIS 8 MP rear camera, wide angle lens, f/2.4 aperture, OIS 8 MP front-facing camera |
16 MP rear camera, f/1.8 aperture, OIS 8 MP front-facing camera |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac Bluetooth 4.2 GPS + GLONASS NFC USB 3.0 (USB Type-C 1.0) |
Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac Bluetooth 4.1 GPS + GLONASS NFC USB 2.0 (USB Type-C 1.0) |
| Battery | 2,800 mAh removable |
3,000 mAh removable |
| Software | Android 6.0 Marshmallow | Android 6.0 Marshmallow |
| Dimensions | 149.4 x 73.9 x 7.7 mm 159 grams |
148.9 x 76.1 x 6.3 – 9.8 mm 155 grams |
Gallery
Final thoughts
So, there you have it for this closer look at the LG G5 vs LG G4! The big question here is whether the LG G5 brings enough to the table to be considered a worthy upgrade from its predecessor, and the answer really depends on how much you want all the new features that the G5 brings into the picture, such as the modular design, the dual rear cameras, and the fingerprint sensor.
The LG G4 does everything we expect from a smartphone really well, allowing for smooth performance, a great viewing experience, fantastic camera, and good battery life. With the G5, LG has certainly made improvements to all of those aspects, and something like its modular capabilities can prove to be quite compelling as well. All said and done, the LG G5 is definitely worth the upgrade, but if you do decide to stick with the G4, you can rest assured that you still have a more than reliable daily driver.
Buy LG G5 on Amazon
Buy LG G4 on Amazon
Computer vision is key to Amazon Prime Air drone deliveries
For all of Amazon’s grand plans regarding delivery drones, it still needs to figure out concepts we take for granted with traditional courier methods. Namely, figuring out how to drop off your latest order without destroying anything (including the UAV itself) during transit and landing. That’s where advanced computer vision comes in from Jeff Bezos’ new team of Austria-based engineers, according to The Verge. The group invented methods for reconstructing geometry from images and contextually recognizing environmental objects, giving the drones the ability to differentiate between, say, a swimming pool and your back patio. Both are flat surfaces, but one won’t leave your PlayStation VR headset waterlogged after drop-off.
The project’s Konrad Karner notes that the neural network is scalable and can run on “several thousand” computers in parallel to give the drones the instantaneous info they require for making safe deliveries. “The drone will not just see the world around it, but understand its properties,” Karn says. Helpful when all of the onboard tech in the world won’t help it communicate with or avoid the likely most common airborne object found flying at drone-approved altitudes: birds.
Source: The Verge
ESPN and Verizon settle lawsuit over customizable FiOS TV plans
It’s been more than a year since ESPN sued Verizon over Custom FiOS TV, a channel bundle that allows subscribers to make à la carte selections. But today, the companies announced they have settled their lawsuit, which was filed in New York’s Supreme Court in 2015. Back then, ESPN argued that while it embraced “innovative ways to deliver high-quality content to consumers on multiple platforms,” it simply wanted Verizon to abide by its terms of contracts. Verizon, on the other hand, denied any wrongdoing.
“Consumers have spoken loud and clear that they want choice, and the industry should be focused on giving consumers what they want,” Verizon said in a statement after ESPN filed the lawsuit. “We are well within our rights under our agreements to offer customers these choices.” ESPN wasn’t the only network to come out against Verizon’s flexible TV packages, either: Fox Sports and NBC did too, although they never took any legal action.
ESPN and Verizon said terms of the settlement will not be disclosed to the public, with each adding that they look forward to growing their long-standing relationship. Terry Denson, Verizon’s vice president of content and strategy acquisition, said in a press release that the carrier will continue to collaborate with ESPN “to deliver customers content across all of our platforms.” He added, “ESPN is an important partner of ours.”
We have reached out to both parties for additional comment and will update this story if we hear back.
Source: Verizon
Disney cancels ‘Infinity’ as it quits video games
So much for Disney remaining a big player in the video game world. As part of its second quarter earnings release, the media giant has revealed that it’s getting out of the self-published video game business… and canceling its Infinity game series in the process. Disney hasn’t said much about why it’s jumping ship, but it notes that “lower results” (read: poor sales) for Infinity prompted the move. It’s a fairly costly move: Disney is taking on a $147 million charge to axe the division.
This isn’t the first time Disney has bailed on in-house games. In 2013, it both closed Epic Mickey developer Junction Point and the legendary LucasArts studio. The interactive group has regularly struggled since then, too, leading to Disney cutting 700 jobs in 2014. In the second quarter, the segment’s operating income sank 8 percent year-over-year — an outlier for a corporation that’s riding high on the successes of Star Wars: The Force Awakens and endless Marvel superhero movies. The writing may have been on the wall when Disney dropped the Apple TV version of Infinity just weeks ago.
Disney will still have a toehold in gaming through licenses, but it’s evident that the era of direct involvement is over. That’s unfortunate if you’re a fan of its small but generally well-regarded output. With that said, at least some of the developers working on licensed games (such as EA and Respawn) are very capable. What’s left of Disney’s gaming strategy is likely in good hands.
Source: Disney (PDF)
‘Disney Infinity’ Game Series Officially Discontinued by Disney
Disney today announced the end of its Disney Infinity line of games and accompanying figurines, which are being discontinued as of today. Disney Infinity games, such as the one available on the Apple TV and iOS devices, will officially no longer be updated and the studio that developed the games is being shuttered.
In a blog post, senior vice president of Disney Infinity John Blackburn thanked fans for supporting the game and called the decision to discontinue the series “difficult.”
By now you may have heard the news that we have made the difficult decision to discontinue production of Disney Infinity. From the beginning, Disney Infinity was built for you–our fans–and I wanted to take a moment to thank you not just for your support over the years, but for creating a community that made Disney Infinity more than just a game.
Our goal for Disney Infinity was to bring the best of Disney storytelling to life in homes around the world, and with your support we accomplished that. We hope you had as much fun playing the game as we had making it.
Disney’s decision to discontinue the Disney Infinity series may not come as a surprise to Apple TV users, who have been without Disney Infinity updates for the last several months. Back in March, a Disney customer service representative told Apple TV customers that Disney had no plans to update the Apple TV version of Disney Infinity 3.0, despite the fact that it was only released last November.
With no additional updates planned for the Disney Infinity 3.0 app on the Apple TV, newly released characters will not be supported and no bugs in the Apple will be fixed. Disney has not announced plans to remove its apps from the App Store, so they will presumably continue to be usable in their current state.
Disney will take a $147 million charge to offset the discontinuation of Disney Infinity and going forward, Disney is changing its approach to console gaming and will be transitioning exclusively to a licensing model.
Apple is still selling a Disney Infinity 3.0 Edition Starter Pack in its online store for $99.95 and the Disney Infinity apps remain available for download. Disney says it will release three new characters from Alice Through the Looking Glass and a Finding Dory playset before the Disney Infinity retail releases come to a halt.
Tags: Disney, Disney Infinity 3.0
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Limited edition Jeff Koons Live Cases now available at the Google Store
If you are looking for something a bit more unique from your Live Case, you’ll want to check out these limited edition Jeff Koons cases. You can grab one at the Google Store for either the Nexus 5X or Nexus 6P, with each case having its own individual number. That’s right, being a limited edition case, each one will be numbered so you can feel a little more special when using it.
There are three different designs to pick between, which are Bust, Mailbox and Diana. These cases are a bit more expensive, coming in at the $40 price point instead of the $35 of the original ones. Will you be adding one of these Live Cases to your Nexus? If so, let us know which design you prefer.
See at Google Store
AIVAnet 