UK tech and gaming magazines are banding together
It’s no secret that most magazines are struggling to retain, never mind increase their readership. The medium isn’t dead, far from it, but the ever-growing competition online is forcing publishers to rethink what they print. The latest strategy is, unsurprisingly, to create scale through consolidation. Future PLC, the company behind Edge, T3 and MacFormat, as well as the more online-oriented TechRadar and GamesRadar, is now acquiring its fellow magazine maker Imagine Publishing. The deal is worth £14.2 million ($21.1 million) and will be settled entirely through shares.
For 11 years, Imagine Publishing has produced a bevy of print titles including gamesTM, a monthly magazine with a more thoughtful, highbrow approach to video games, All About Space and How it Works. The company has also nurtured a range of technology-focused publications including iCreate, Gadget and Web Developer. One of the company’s biggest strengths, however, is its “bookazine” business which offers beginner-friendly guides and magazine-style editorial in larger, book-style packages. Many of its magazines have companion websites, but they’re often treated as afterthoughts or secondary to the print business.
Acquisition of Imagine offers unique opportunity to acquire leading knowledge & technology content business, and strengthen portfolio (2)
— Future (@futureplc) June 23, 2016
“This is a unique opportunity to acquire a market-leading knowledge, science and technology content business which will complement and expand our capabilities,” Future CEO Zillah Byng-Thorne said.
Why does all of this matter? For one, it’s a reminder of the pressures facing print journalism today. The internet has irrevocably changed how people consume and share news, forcing publishers to rethink the role and market fit of their magazines and newspapers. Consolidation also means less competition within the magazine industry — Future and Imagine Publishing will no longer be rivals, but comrades in their search for growth and a sustainable business model. Future hasn’t divulged its plans, but with so many overlapping titles — gamesTM and Edge, for instance — some closures seem likely. These could result in significant job cuts too.
Acquisition of Imagine Publishing will enable @futureplc to scale market position in bookazines and enter knowledge genre (4)
— Future (@futureplc) June 23, 2016
Here’s what we can say with certainty: some of the UK’s biggest technology and video game magazines will soon be under one roof. It’s not the first merger of its kind, and likely won’t be the last. That said, there aren’t many magazine publishers left for a company like Future to gobble up now.
ICYMI: Squashing brain cancer and autonomous drones arrive
Today on In Case You Missed It: The Airobotics drone system can autonomously launch UAVs and perform basic maintenance, like swapping out batteries. Researchers designed a device that agitates bubbles in the blood to get more chemotherapy into the brain by using ultrasonic waves.
And Game of Thrones fans might want to see this Night King carved from fruit. As always, please share any interesting tech or science videos you find by using the #ICYMI hashtag on Twitter for @mskerryd.
Apple’s Fifth Retail Store in Hong Kong Opens on June 30
Apple has announced that its fifth retail store in Hong Kong opens on Thursday, June 30 at 10:00 a.m. local time. The store will be located inside the New Town Plaza shopping mall at 18 Sha Tin Centre Street.
The store will be open seven days a week between 10:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. local time, providing customers in the northern Sha Tin District with access to the Genius Bar and other traditional store services.
As noted in our Apple Stores roundup, construction of the store is nearly completed. Apple Store, New Town Plaza will be the company’s 46th retail store in Greater China and 484th retail store overall.
Apple’s other Hong Kong locations include Canton Road, Causeway Bay, Festival Walk, and IFC Mall, the last of which expanded into a third floor in late 2015.
Related Roundup: Apple Stores
Tag: Hong Kong
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T-Mobile USA Offering Free Unlimited Data in Europe This Summer
T-Mobile has announced a new promotion that will offer postpaid customers free unlimited high-speed data, at up to 4G LTE speeds, in all European countries, except Andorra, between July 1 and August 31 of this year.
The carrier noted that customers will receive the highest available data speeds depending on where they are traveling in Europe, while text messaging is free worldwide and calls are 20 cents per minute throughout the continent. Customers do not have to take any steps to take advantage of the promotion.
T-Mobile will also be gifting all passengers on any domestic U.S. flight with Gogo service with one free hour of Wi-Fi on their smartphone between this Friday and Sunday at 11:00 p.m. Eastern Time. Being a T-Mobile customer is not required.
Last, T-Mobile will be adding Belize to its Simple Global coverage area starting July 1, bringing free unlimited low-speed data and texting, and calls for 20 cents per minute, to the country. The expansion means that Simple Global will now be available in every country in the central and south Americas.
Tags: T-Mobile, Europe, Simple Choice, Simple Global, South America
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Bought the OnePlus 3 in India? You’ll have to manually activate the 12-month accidental damage cover
The OnePlus 3 is now on sale from Amazon India for ₹27,999. OnePlus and Amazon have rolled out several launch day offers for the handset, including a free 12-month accidental damage protection plan, which is handled by Servify. However, it looks like you’ll have to manually activate the plan, or stand the risk of losing out on free service should the phone get damaged.
As noted by Servify (via Android Beat), you need to install the OnePlus Care app from the Play Store, and register your OnePlus 3. You’ll have to sign in by providing your mobile number, and authenticate using a OTP.
Once your phone is registered, head into the My Devices tab from the slide-out menu on the left, click on your OnePlus 3, and select the Add bill/document option.
After selecting the option, use your phone’s camera to take an image of your retail invoice, or head to Amazon to download a copy of the invoice from the My Orders page on the website. Should the aforementioned option not work, you can get in touch with Servify by emailing them at support@servify.in.
An important point to consider is that you’ll have to perform the aforementioned steps within 7 days of receiving the OnePlus 3, or within ten days of purchase to be eligible for the free 12-month accidental damage protection.
T-Mobile will let you enjoy your unlimited data plans in Europe this summer
T-Mobile has announced those who are planning to travel to Europe this summer will be able to use their unlimited data allowances while abroad. Not only that, but T-Mobile has added Belize to Simple Global. This means that customers with appropriate plans will be able to enjoy unlimited data and texting all across the Americas and beyond.
Previously T-Mobile allowed you to use data in Europe but it wasn’t unlimited and the speeds were much slower. There is no need to do anything to your account to take advantage of this offer. Simply book some flights, somewhere to stay, and head across the Atlantic. The offer will cover all of July and August. More details can be found on the T-Mobile website.
Press Release
Bellevue, Washington — June 23, 2016 — T-Mobile just showed again why it is the Official Sponsor of Summer.* The Un-carrier today announced it’s unleashing summer travel, giving customers unlimited high-speed data, up to 4G LTE speeds, throughout Europe all summer long. But, of course, T-Mobile didn’t stop there. For those travelling this weekend, T-Mobile announced it’s giving absolutely everyone – including Verizon and AT&T customers who never get thanked by their carrier – a full, free hour of Wi-Fi on all Gogo-equipped domestic flights—just to show everyone what it feels like to #GetThanked with the Un-carrier.
On top of that, T-Mobile today announced that Un-carrier customers can roam worry-free in Belize starting July 1st. Belize is joining the long list of 140+ countries and destinations where Simple Choice customers get unlimited data and texting and low, flat-rate calling while travelling abroad.
“The carriers see your summer trip as the perfect occasion to slam you with insane international roaming charges. When you travel with the Un-carrier, you’ll never come home to surprise overages or crazy fees,” said John Legere, president and CEO of T-Mobile. “Travel with T-Mobile, and you can use your phone the way you want to without thinking twice! Share every fantastic moment and don’t pay a penny more for your data!”
Cut Loose and Stay Connected this Summer in Europe
Far and away the single most popular overseas travel destination every summer is Europe, where more than 2.5 million Americans are expected to vacation this summer. So, starting July 1st all the way through August 31st, T-Mobile’s giving Simple Choice customers unlimited high-speed data across all of Europe** – all at absolutely no additional cost – so you can share, Skype, snap and scope every moment of your European holiday. Customers get the highest available data speeds wherever they travel across the continent. And, as always, texting is free around the globe with T-Mobile, and calls are just 20 cents a minute throughout Europe and a host of other destinations.
That couldn’t be more different than the carriers’ approach to tax and toll everything you do with your phone outside the country. For example, if a Verizon customer used their phone normally during a two-week holiday in Rome, they could come home to upwards of $2,730 in international roaming fees.
If you travel with T-Mobile, your phone just works – exactly like it should – at exactly $0 extra for unlimited data and texting. And the best part? Customers don’t have to lift a finger to get these Un-carrier benefits. All of which makes T-Mobile the only choice for summer travel.
This Weekend, Everybody Flies Like a T-Mobile Customer
Just a few weeks after unveiling Un-carrier 11, an industry-rocking move dedicated to thanking customers, the Un-carrier’s now offering everyone a chance to #GetThanked like a T-Mobile customer. The millions of Americans expected to fly this weekend can get a taste of what it means to be part of the Un-carrier—even those long-abused AT&T and Verizon customers.
Starting this Friday, June 24 through Sunday, June 26, passengers on any domestic flight with Gogo service can automatically get one free hour of Wi-Fi on their smartphone, courtesy of T-Mobile. That’s a free full hour coming and going on every flight with Gogo service—more than 33,000 flights this weekend alone!
“We want to show everybody what it feels like to #GetThanked and travel like a T-Mobile customer!” said Legere.
While this offer for everyone flying this weekend ends Sunday at 11:00pm ET, T-Mobile customers will always enjoy free messaging and texting all flight long, plus a full free hour of Gogo Wi-Fi on your smartphone on all Gogo-equipped domestic flights, courtesy of the Un-Carrier.
Belize Completes the Picture for South & Central America
Finally, for the tens of thousands of Americans who travel each year to Belize to enjoy its natural beauty and pristine beaches, T-Mobile also announced that Belize is will be part of Simple Global starting July 1st. Meaning T-Mobile customers can travel to all 20 countries in South & Central America – from the tip of Patagonia in Chile to that scuba spot in Belize – and never have to worry about data roaming or texting charges.
With Simple Global, which launched in 2013, T-Mobile Simple Choice customers get unlimited data and texting and low, flat-rate calling for just 20 cents a minute in over 140 countries and destinations around the world.
Google’s AI fears are adorably mundane, for now
If Elon Musk, Stephen Hawking and other ultra-IQ folks fear AI, shouldn’t we? Even Google — which produces terrifying robots (for now) — sees the downsides, so its researchers have produced a paper called “Concrete Problems in AI Safety.” Put your underground bunker plans away, though, as it’s aimed at practical issues like adaptability, cheating and safe exploration. “Maybe a cleaning robot should experiment with mopping strategies, but clearly it shouldn’t try putting a wet mop in an electrical outlet,” the researchers note.
Robots will learn the same way as AI algorithms, through iteration and exploration. Unlike software, however, a robot that’s trying new things can actually kill someone. So, Google researchers came up with a list of five problems:
- Avoiding Negative Side Effects: How can we ensure that an AI system will not disturb its environment in negative ways while pursuing its goals, e.g. a cleaning robot knocking over a vase because it can clean faster by doing so?
- Avoiding Reward Hacking: How can we avoid gaming of the reward function? For example, we don’t want this cleaning robot simply covering over messes with materials it can’t see through.
- Scalable Oversight: How can we efficiently ensure that a given AI system respects aspects of the objective that are too expensive to be frequently evaluated during training? For example, if an AI system gets human feedback as it performs a task, it needs to use that feedback efficiently because asking too often would be annoying.
- Safe Exploration: How do we ensure that an AI system doesn’t make exploratory moves with very negative repercussions? For example, maybe a cleaning robot should experiment with mopping strategies, but clearly it shouldn’t try putting a wet mop in an electrical outlet.
- Robustness to Distributional Shift: How do we ensure that an AI system recognizes, and behaves robustly, when it’s in an environment very different from its training environment? For example, heuristics learned for a factory workfloor may not be safe enough for an office
To prevent negative side effects, researchers need to penalize unwanted changes to the environment, while still allowing a robot some leeway to explore and learn. For instance, if a bot is focused just on cleaning, it may “engage in major disruptions of the broader environment [like breaking a wall] if doing so provides even a tiny advantage for the task at hand.”
To solve that, it proposes solutions like simulated and constrained exploration, human oversight, and goals that heavily weigh risk. While the solutions seem like common sense, programming AI deal with the unknown is far from trivial. Going back to the cleaning bot, the researchers say that “an office might contain pets that the robot, never having seen before, attempts to wash with soap, leading to predictably bad results.”
The researchers’ main worry is not a robot revolution, but real-world problems caused by sloppy design. “With [AI] systems controlling industrial processes, health-related systems, and other mission-critical technology, small-scale accidents … could cause a justified loss of trust in automated systems,” they say. We think Musk and Hawking would agree.
Source: Google Research
Kodi jumps into hardware with a Raspberry Pi case
As the app formerly known as XBMC prepares to launch version 17, the folks at Kodi are diving into something completely new: hardware. It’s not a smart TV box on its own however, instead the project has teamed up with Flirc on a custom case for the Raspberry Pi 3, 2 and B+. It has an aluminum core to help keep your Pi cool while running the media streaming software, and sports the official Kodi logo to let everyone know your box is legit. It’s available for about $20 from Flirc in the US and The Pi Hut in the UK, so you can get it in time to load up the Krypton alpha when it’s released July 1st.
Source: Kodi Blog
Xiaomi’s foldable electric bicycle costs just $460
Xiaomi may not yet have a drone that can carry people, but at least it has an electric bicycle now, and it’ll only cost you 2,999 yuan or about $460/£307. The Mi Qicycle is the second product from the Xiaomi-backed startup, iRiding, who released the premium 19,999 yuan (about $3,000/£2045) Qicycle R1 just back in March. This time round, iRiding is able to slap Xiaomi’s “Mi” brand on its latest ride to target the mass market. While the Mi Qicycle weighs a total of 14.5kg (almost twice that of the carbon fiber-made R1), it can be folded into half its size for easier storage. It comes with a 3-speed hub plus a 250W motor which offers pedal assist, and that’s good for up to 45km (about 28 miles) on a single charge.
Since the Mi Qicycle is a smart bike, there’s Bluetooth connection for your smartphone’s companion app to check on the bike’s status, ride stats and GPS navigation. It also has its own little display on the handlebar to show you the time, speed, distance, dynamic power and battery charge, as well as to let you toggle between these modes: “Fitness,” Power-saving,” “Balanced” and “Extra power.” And as you’d expect, the bike has a front light and a red brake light at the back.
As with many of the best products from Xiaomi, chances are you won’t be able to buy the Mi Qicycle outside of China. If you’re lucky enough to live there or know someone who does, then you can already head over to Xiaomi’s Mijia app to back this bike’s crowdfunding campaign.
Source: Xiaomi
Apple Invents Touch-Sensitive Stylus, Mobile That Knows Which Hand You’re Using
Apple has submitted a patent application for a next-generation stylus with a touch-sensitive body (via Apple Insider).
Details of the invention were published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office today under the title “Stylus with touch sensor”, describing an input device with an array of capacitive touch sensors along the instrument’s body.
The sensors determine the position of the user’s fingers and this information can be interpreted as gestures to control aspects of the user interface on the display device.
In some versions, electrodes are installed around the body of the stylus to improve the accuracy of touch detection, including single- and multi-touch gestures.
Apple claims that the sensor design is such that it can detect when the user is rotating the stylus based on the location of two fingers. This data can then be used to perform functions like rotating a virtual object on the display, selecting a brush size in a drawing app, or changing a zoom level.
Motion gestures are also described in the application. Running a finger up or down the stylus body could control UI window scrolling, for instance. Meanwhile, support for force gestures enables the user to, say, squeeze the stylus to invoke virtual buttons on screen, or increase drawing precision by tightening grip, for instance.
While Apple’s idea for a touch-sensitive stylus is impressive in concept, in practice it would likely be a highly challenging technological undertaking, given the variability in the way users grip pens as well as differences in hand size. Whether Apple plans to use the invention in a future consumer product like the Apple Pencil remains to be seen.
Another Apple patent application was also published on Thursday, called “Electronic devices with hand detection circuitry”, which describes how special sensors on an iPhone-like device could distinguish between left- and right-handed use, or “handedness”.
The ambidextrous invention details how motion sensors could be used to detect rotation and movement, and inform the position of virtual buttons and icons displayed on-screen to increase ease of reach.
The invention harks back to Apple’s introduction of the Reachability feature for iPhones with 4.7-inch and 5.5-inch screens, in which a double tap on the home button shifts the screen content downwards to bring it within thumb’s reach.
Tag: patent
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