Sony ends Ustream game broadcasts on PlayStation 4
When Sony released details about the PlayStation 4 ahead of its 2013 launch, it promoted a feature letting gamers broadcast their playing on the streaming service Ustream. Today, Sony announced that that partnership was over: On August 1st, PS4 players will only be able to livestream their gaming on Twitch, YouTube, and DailyMotion.
It’s not clear yet what prompted the end of Ustream on Sony devices, but it’s essentially a blackout on all of them. In addition to ending livestreaming from the PS4, users will no longer be able to view Ustream videos from the “Live from PlayStation” portal on the console, the PS Vita and the mobile PS app.
Support for Ustream on PlayStation is ending. Click here for more info: https://t.co/rcEAAetcxt
— PlayStation (@PlayStation) June 28, 2016
In the years since Sony launched the PS4, there’s no doubt that Twitch has become the dominant platform for game streaming. It has only grown in that role since getting acquired by Amazon in 2014, creating a new eSports league and pushing game developers to bake streaming into their games from the outset. On the other hand, we haven’t heard much about Ustream since it was bought by IBM back in January to power its enterprise broadcast services.
Source: PlayStation Blog
iPhone 7 Again Rumored to Have Flush, Touch-Sensitive Home Button
Apple may be planning to introduce a Force Touch home button on the iPhone 7, according to analysts at Cowen and Company (via Business Insider). Citing supply chain “field checks,” Cowen and Company predicts the iPhone 7 will do away with a physical home button, instead adopting a home button that sits flush with the phone.
Apple’s Force Touch technology will reportedly be built into the home button to provide haptic feedback when pressed, much like the Force Touch trackpad on Apple’s most recent MacBooks. With haptic feedback, iPhone users would still feel the sensation of pressing on the home button even without a button to actually depress.
Cowen and Company has a mixed track record, but it’s worth noting that we’ve heard two other rumors about a redesigned home button on the iPhone 7. In April, DigiTimes said Apple was testing a touch-sensitive home button that fits flush with the phone, and a highly sketchy image of what was said to be an iPhone 7 with a touch-sensitive home button surfaced in mid-June.
Given the unreliability of each of the home button rumors, the information should be viewed with some skepticism until confirmed by a more reliable source, but when viewed alongside rumors of improved waterproofing and the removal of the headphone jack, a flush home button is not a rumor that seems entirely out of the question.
For several months, we’ve heard mixed rumors about the possibility of better water resistance in the iPhone 7, but it appears to be shaping up to be a potential feature. Last week, The Wall Street Journal, often a reliable source, lent credence to the rumor by suggesting the elimination of the headphone jack in the iPhone 7 will improve its water resistance.
At the same time, The Wall Street Journal has said the iPhone 7 will feature only “subtle changes,” a sentiment echoed by KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, who said the iPhone 7 will be a modest update without “many attractive selling points.” A revamped home button seems like more than a minor change, so we’ll need to wait for additional information to resolve some of the conflicting information we’re hearing about Apple’s next-generation iPhones.
If the physical home button is replaced with a Force Touch home button in the iPhone 7, it will bring Apple one step closer to eliminating the home button all together, something that is rumored for the iPhone 8, coming in 2017. Apple is said to be planning on introducing an edge-to-edge display with built-in Touch ID functionality and no home button.
Related Roundup: iPhone 7
Tag: Cowen and Company
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2016 Mazda Mazda3 i Grand Touring review – Roadshow
The Good The Mazda3 features an engaging ride, interior design above its class and an infotainment system with redundant touch and physical controls.
The Bad The infotainment system lacks the latest smartphone connectivity options, the gorgeous interior can be a bit drab in all black and its ride will not appeal to drivers of all flavors.
The Bottom Line With excellent on-road poise, bang-on aesthetics and an attractive price, the Mazda3 stands as a solid alternative to the segment’s stalwarts.
In a stomping ground long owned by two major players, the Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla, other small sedans seem like they’re just playing second fiddle. But the Mazda3 carves its own path, and it’s doing so in the only way that Mazda knows how — driving dynamics.
It would be tough to outclass the stalwarts in other ways. No economy car can truly be a technological runaway these days, not in the era of standard touchscreens and high-tech safety systems. The same goes for the interior — nearly every automaker realizes the days of the hard-plastic penalty box are behind us.
But when it comes to making a car that’s fun to drive without being a complete (and literal) pain in the tuchus for your average owner, boy howdy, that’s where the Mazda3 shines. Aside from the new-for-2016 Honda Civic, the Mazda3 has the whole segment by its neck in this regard.
Handsome without trying too hard
The Mazda3 has one of the strongest body lines I’ve seen. It could cut butter, albeit on a warm day.
Andrew Krok/Roadshow
The Mazda3 keeps to some pretty classic proportions. It doesn’t err on the side of gaudy, choosing thicker tire sidewalls even on higher trim levels. Although prominent, the character lines on the side refrain from giving the car a boy-racer aesthetic. It’s a pretty car that’s a little less futuristic than the new Civic, and it’s likely to age better as a result.
The real visual gem of this car lies inside. The 3’s interior is one of, if not the best in its class. Sure, there’s a bit of hard plastic here and there, but bear in mind this car starts below $20,000. Just like the exterior, the interior manages to avoid being boring without looking like it’s trying too hard.
The leather on the steering wheel and seats feels soft and pleasant to touch. The sensibly laid-out gauges include a perhaps-too-small digital tachometer to the left, and an information display to the right. The infotainment controls, including those mounted on the steering wheel, are easy to figure out and easy to use without distraction.
The biggest point of consternation is the standalone LCD display atop the dashboard. Not everyone likes the look, but I do. It’s certainly better than trying to build a dash bulky enough to swallow the whole screen, and it makes for good sight lines.
Sadly, the rear seat lacks much legroom. It’s smaller than both the Civic and Corolla, which is quite apparent with longer-legged front-seat occupants. Headroom can also be a bit cramped for passengers taller than 6 feet.
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Infotainment, two ways
The knob’s so good, you might even forget the screen is touch-capable.
Andrew Krok/Roadshow
Mazda caters to both early adopters and Luddites with its Mazda Connect system, which features both a touchscreen and redundant controls just aft of the shifter. In fact, I found the physical controls so easy to figure out, that I almost never touched the screen itself.
Mazda Connect is one of my favorite infotainment systems because it’s straightforward. Every page gets its own little dock of icons with descriptions. The navigation map is easy to use, even if not every street name pops up as I approach it. I can stream audio via Bluetooth while the phone is plugged in, which is not a possibility on every model, so my battery won’t die just because I want to listen to music not stored on my phone.
Connectivity options are limited, though. The car lacks both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, or an onboard data connection for destination searches. I found its Aha integration a convenient way to find new points of interest while also expanding my listening options, even though it requires downloading and signing up for Aha’s service.
Frigidaire FPID2497RF review – CNET
The Good The Frigidaire Professional FPID2497RF dishwasher is well-designed and easy to use with handy features like jets that spray deep into your water bottle. The main jets do a good job of scraping dirt off of your dishes and not missing many spots.
The Bad The jets do get a lot of the dirt off initially, but the filter can’t keep up, so if you don’t scrape or rinse your dishes before loading them, you’ll notice small bits of food sprinkled throughout. For $1,100, I wish this dishwasher had a third rack and a couple of unique extras.
The Bottom Line If you’re willing to rinse your dishes, the FPID2497RF is a fine machine, but it needs to be more than that to be worth the premium $1,100 price.
I almost feel sorry for the Frigidaire Professional FPID2497RF dishwasher. It does a great job covering every inch of every dish with water and scraping off coffee, cheese and chili, even egg and wine stains. And we’re pretty tough on our dishwashers when we test them, tasking them with cleaning 13 different types of food that’s been sitting on our plates, bowls, glasses and silverware for 24 hours.
The Frigidaire gets almost all of the food we slather onto the dishes to come off, but the filter lets down the otherwise good design, so bulky foods mix into the water used to clean your dishes and end up spreading across the load.
Like I said, I almost feel sorry for the dishwasher because it does such a good job initially, and because the design of everything but the filter is appealing and effective. But the lofty $1,100 price erases any sympathy points I might have awarded this model. It’s a competent machine with a nice design and a passable number of features and cycles, but I don’t recommend it at its premium price.
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Polished looks
Typical of Frigidaire’s Professional line, the FPID2497RF features straight lines and an attractive stainless-steel finish that does well to resist smudges.
You can purchase the FPID2497RF from Lowe’s, and Frigidaire’s site will direct you to other retailers in your area. As with most large appliances, you can find it cheaper than the listed retail price. Currently, you can buy the FPID2497RF from Lowe’s for $700.
Pull the handle and the display on the right side of the hidden control panel atop the dishwasher’s door lights up.
Pick your cycle and options, and the display will estimate the time it’ll take.
Chris Monroe/CNET
On the left side of the panel, you can switch between the six main cycle options at a touch, then select from five options on the right to add extra dry time or increase the wash temperature. You can also save the cycle and options you use the most to the “My Favorite” button.
The cycles include standards such as a heavy, normal, and express wash, though Frigidaire calls the first one “Powerplus.” The express cycle is aptly named “30-minute wash” and it does do a satisfactory job on more lightly soiled dishes in the shorter time span.
The cycle options.
Chris Monroe/CNET
This Frigidaire doesn’t have any unique cycles or extra options that we’ve found on other high end dishwashers. Both the GE PDT750SSFSS and the LG LDT9965BD distinguished between the normal cycle and an auto-sensing cycle. GE’s dishwasher lets you run a cycle just on the upper or lower rack, and LG’s similarly lets you run a half load and specify if you want an extra rinse.
Inside, the Frigidaire FPID2497RF again isn’t missing anything egregious. The upper rack raises and lowers a couple of inches for added loading flexibility. The back two rows of tines on the bottom rack fold down so you can fit larger dishes. A couple of tines on the upper rack do the same.
This Frigidaire’s stem holders are well designed.
Chris Monroe/CNET
The FPID2497RF even has a couple of nice extras like well-designed wine glass stem holders that firmly clip your fragile glasses into place, and jets specifically meant to spray into tall bottles. The blue of those bottle jets and main jets at the bottom of the tub stand out in an appealing way from the otherwise understated gray of the inside of the tub and the racks.
Samsung Galaxy Note 7 Release Date, Price and Specs – CNET
Apparently, six is overrated. Rumors swirling around the next Samsung Galaxy Note — Samsung’s annual large-screen device with a stylus for navigation and drawing — say its name is jumping from 2015’s Note 5 straight to the Note 7, skipping the Note 6 model entirely.
Another Note will join this rogue’s gallery.
Josh Miller/CNET
But even more important than fretting over the Note’s new name is piecing together its identity: what kind of phone will the Note 7/6 be? Will it simply iterate off of the Note 5 and S7 that came before, or will it wow us with unforetold (or hinted at and unconfirmed) hardware goodies that shake us from the eyelid-drooping expectations of smartphones today?
The most reliable rumors suggest that the Note keeps its 5.7-inch screen, but adds a USB-C port (they’re all the rage) and an iris scanner for unlocking the phone with your eyes. Let’s take stock of the most telling rumors. (P.S. remember, they’re unsubstantiated, so anything could happen!)
Note 7’s the name
Chronology be damned! The internet agrees, the next Note will be the Galaxy Note 7 and not the Galaxy Note 6, even though 2015’s model was called the Note 5 and 2016’s version should logically be the Note 6. But who cares about logic when there’s branding at stake?
However, this would make for a mini-trend in phones named “7.” Samsung already has the Galaxy S7, and ZTE’s Axon lunged from the Axon to the Axon 7, and now this Note 7 rumor. Why? It could be a desire for Samsung to keep the Galaxy S and Note series in line, or perhaps phone makers have no wish to be left behind the gold standard Apple’s already established when and if Apple releases its iPhone 7 this fall as we approach 2017.
And yet, when you count up Notes 1-5 and add in the little-remembered Galaxy Note Edge, this next Note would make the line’s legitimate seventh addition. So there’s that math for ya.
We won’t know for sure until Samsung spills the beans, but the company remains tight-lipped for now.
Launch date: Early August instead of late August
Samsung’s Note line has been a mainstay at the IFA conference held in Berlin, Germany in late August, but whispers suggest an early August arrival. Either way, the phone would come ahead of Apple’s yearly iPhone launch in early September, which usually falls in the first two weeks of the month. Twitter tipster Evan Blass, who has built a reputation of accurate leaks, suggests that the phone will start selling around August 15.
Totally new software interface
New software, new name. The TouchWiz interface that Samsung has used for years to differentiate its phones from other Android-makers could see a major overhaul down to its name. We might kiss TouchWiz goodbye and open our arms to Grace, a more paired-down yet interactive take on the phone software, shown in an allegedly leaked video (below) from Italian site HD.Blog.IT. It’s suggestive even if you don’t understand a lick of Italiano.
The video goes pretty deep on widgets, and transparent folder effects, but one cool reveal is that you can swipe up on an icon to see a window that opens more cool stuff. Likewise, pressing and holding on a quick-access toggle in the notifications shade may snap open extra options for you to act on, like on the flashlight and Wi-Fi settings. For instance, the video shows that you can lower the flashlight brightness and change your Wi-Fi network without having to exit the notifications pull-down.
In essence, this could make the home screen and notifications shade even more of an activities hub than they are now.
The photo gallery could expand and condense with a pinch and zoom of your fingertips.
Updated Note software, too
Samsung usually previews its freshest take on its TouchWiz (or maybe Grace) software on the year’s Note release, but the changes go down to the pen level, too. This time, according to the HDBlog.It video above, we could see a lightly refreshed style with different icons, but much the same functionality to handwrite, scribble and navigate with a touch of the S Pen to the screen.
Pressure-sensitive screen? Not too likely
From what I can see in the Italian video above (which cites the build-of-unknown-origin as “Note5”), then the Note 7 doesn’t look like it borrows Apple’s pressure-sensitive display, which lets you press and hold until the screen gently jostles to pull up more granular data. Still, this is a persistent rumor, and one we also heard about the Galaxy S7 (it didn’t happen).
Iris scanner for real this time
We’ve also heard tell of an iris scanner that can unlock your phone by staring you in the eye. The iris scanner loomed large in Galaxy S4 rumors, too, but turned out to be a different feature that kept the screen from locking when you looked at it often enough. Now that Microsoft’s iris-scanning “Windows Hello” feature in the Lumia 950 has made the security option a reality, it’s much more likely that Samsung will include a real iris scanner this time around.
Other suspected specs
- 5.7-inch screen
- 12-megapixel camera
- 5-megapixel front-facing camera
- IP68 certified against water and dust
- 64GB of space expandable through a microSD card
- USB Type-C port; Quick Charge 3.0
- 4,200mAh battery
- Black, silver, blue colors
What about Android N?
Notably missing from the seething rumor mill is an indication of the Note 7’s operating system. Google’s Android N isn’t out yet and won’t be until fall, so don’t expect the new Note to come with the heretofore unnamed software to debut on this Note. Instead, expect Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow, with an upgrade later on, at least a few months after Google’s Nexus phones get a chance to show off all that N can do.
Price and availability
As a rule of thumb, Samsung’s prices hover on the higher end of the scale, and a stylus-packing handset like the Note goes for more than a smaller, more mainstream model like the S7. If prices hold from 2015, expect the 64GB version of the Note 7 to sashay out for roughly $800, which converts to roughly £600 and AU$1,080. Prices will vary further by region, carrier, storage capacity and promotional deals.
Samsung responded to a request for comment by saying “we don’t comment on rumors or speculation.”
Updated at 11:54 a.m. PT with Samsung comment.
New rules for Chinese App Store mean mandatory identity tracking
Chinese App Store users and developers will soon have to submit to upcoming Chinese regulations that dictates both app stores and providers must maintain a record of user activity for 60 days.
According to a report by Bloomberg, Apple will be required to track the identities of those who use the App Store while simultaneously flagging content that could end up violating the country’s stringent censorship laws. In addition, developers must become verified, and beginning July 1st must have any app they create screened by the State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television.
These tougher rules are in place mainly to curb political detractors and any sort of content that could be found unsavory according to the rhetoric of the Chinese government. They can benefit regular users as well though, by requiring that App Store users and providers to first obtain consent from users before collecting any sort of personally identifying information.
These rules could pose some frustrating delays for local developers, who must submit potential apps a whopping 20 days ahead of launch. This could cause some issues with the approval process, of course, but hopefully the positives for both consumers and developers outweigh the negatives as these rules are enacted.
Via: Apple Insider
Source: Bloomberg
Try Cortana commands on the Xbox One – CNET
Getting the Kinect to obey your voice commands can be like trying to get an unruly dog to sit. They may do what you say eventually, but by that point you’re pretty frustrated and thinking there’s got to be a better way.
Well, now there is.
Cortana is being introduced to Xbox One consoles this summer. If you live in the US, the UK, France, Italy, Germany or Spain, you may already have the ability to use Cortana commands.
You can use Cortana commands with either your headset or Kinect. Here are some sample commands:
- Hey, Cortana, take a screen shot
- Hey, Cortana, launch my games and apps
- Hey, Cortana, launch (name of game you want to play)
- Hey, Cortana, launch friends
- Hey, Cortana, item one, invite to party
- Hey, Cortana, go home
- Hey, Cortana, snap Pandora (or other app)
For most commands, you will need to say “Hey, Cortana” first. Some commands, like “next page” and item numbers can be said without saying “Hey, Cortana” as long as Cortana is already actively listening for commands.
After trying Kinect versus Cortana, Cortana seems to be much more responsive. The only problem is remembering to say “Hey, Cortana” ahead of each command.
Best e-book reader apps for Android
Which e-book reader apps are best for Android?
Whether you want to bring your entire collection to the beach with you, or you want to re-read Game of Thrones in digital form on the morning train to work, there’s a great reading app for Android available for you. Here are our favorites.
- Google Play Books
- Moon+ Reader
- Nook
- Amazon Kindle
- FBReader: Favorite Book Reader
- Universal Book (UB) Reader
- Cool Reader
- Aldiko Reader
Google Play Books
Chances are, this app came pre-installed on your Android device, so why not check it out? It’s really not too shabby, and you get to stay within Google’s ecosystem.
Google Play Books gives you access to a vast book store. Some of the books are free. You’ll also find some textbooks, although we’d like to see the textbook selection improve in the future. You can read books offline, use a dictionary to look up unfamiliar words, and have your notes and place in the book saved across multiple devices through your Google account.
Download: Google Play Books (free +IAP)
Moon+ Reader
The free version of Moon+ Reader is a solid eBook reader. It has control gestures and the ability to set it so pages will automatically turn themselves. It is very customizable, so you can set whatever font type, background color, etc. you want. It also provides some interesting stats, like how many words you’ve read per minute on average.
Plenty of file types are supported, like .epub, .zip, .html, .mobi, and .txt and also includes several Open Publication Distribution System (OPDS) catalogs. pre-loaded with free books to download. You can also add your own catalogs.
Moon+ Reader Pro gets rid of the ads and adds important features such as support for .pdf files and optional password protection when opening the app.
Note that while it will read .mobi (Amazon Kindle) files, it will not open Digital Rights Management (DRM) protected Kindle books.
Moon+ Reader is the app you want if you already have an extensive library of books in multiple formats that you want to organize and access through a single app.
Download: Moon+ Reader (free)
Nook
Barnes & Noble offers a selection of books, newspapers, and magazines in its Nook app. Of course, Barnes & Noble would like you to mostly buy stuff from them, but they’ve also made it possible to add your own .epub and .cbz files to the app.
It’s pretty easy to adjust font size, brightness, line spacing, etc. You can bookmark your place, too, and sync your position (and your library) across any devices to which you have this app installed.
Another benefit with the Nook app is that it allows you to create multiple profiles, so your entire family can use it without your kids stumbling upon your racy book collection.
Download: Nook (free +IAP)
Amazon Kindle
Don’t have a Kindle? No worries — you can shop the Amazon Kindle Store and read Kindle books on your phone or tablet with the free Kindle app from Amazon.
Amazon has a vast library of Kindle books — some are even free to download. You can also take advantage of Amazon Prime and find some textbooks as well. You’re able to customize fonts, margins, line spacing, and organize the books you’ve downloaded into collections so that it’s easier to find the book you want to read
Another benefit is that lots of local libraries will actually lend you copies of books via the Kindle app. Click here for more information on finding the nearest library that supports Kindle.
Download: Amazon Kindle (free +IAP)
FBReader: Favorite Book Reader
FBReader: Favorite Book Reader is a basic e-book reading app that gets the job done. Its User Interface (UI) is nothing fancy, but for a completely free app that has zero, count them, zero ads, it’ll do just fine.
Features-wise, it’s no slouch, offering the ability to change the background color of the book and flip pages by using the volume up and volume down buttons on your device. Of course, you can customize other things, as well, like font size and type.
You can get books from Open Publication Distribution (OPDS) catalogs, such as Free Books Hub and Smashwords, and you can manually add your own. It’s compatible with plenty of different file types, like .epub, .doc, .html and .rtf and lets you add books from your device’s storage and/or SD card. However, it will not open Digital Rights Management (DRM)-protected files
Download: FBReader (free)
Universal Book (UB) Reader
Universal Book (UB) Reader is a basic e-book reader with a polished user-interface (UI) that supports .epub and .pdf files — even ones protected by Digital Rights Management (DRM).
You can add content from your device’s storage or SD card, or you can download books, both free and paid, via the Feedbooks store.
The only knock on this app is that it won’t let you add additional e-book catalogs from which to download content. However, since it’s one of the few e-book readers that can open DRM-protected files, this may not matter to you.
The free app does have ads, but they are minimal — a simple banner at the bottom of the page and the occasional full screen ad without sound. You can get rid of the ads by purchasing the Premium edition via an in-app purchase for $4.99. The Premium edition also has some additional features, such as a text-to-speech option, the ability to password-lock individual books, and more.
Download: UB Reader (free +IAP)
Cool Reader
Cool Reader is an absolutely cool reading app because it is free and and has no ads anywhere. It supports most e-book formats, such as .epub, .fb2, .txt, .rtf, .tcr, .html, .pdb, .pml and .mobi, but will not open files protected with Digital Rights Management (DRM).
You can add books from your device or you can grab fresh content via its pre-loaded Open Publication Distribution System (OPDS) catalogs such as Feedbooks, Project Gutenburg, and Internet Archive.
Download: Cool Reader (free)
Aldiko Reader
Aldiko is simple and clean. It’s easy to switch between night and day mode and alter text size and margins just by tapping on the screen when you’re reading. You have access to the Feedbooks Store, and you can also add your own custom catalogs. Oh, and you can also import your own .epub and .pdf files with this app.
Expect to see some banner ads on the free version. Get rid of the ads, gain widgets, and the ability to highlight and write notes on .epub files by upgrading to the paid version.
Download: Aldiko Reader (free +IAP)
The bottom line
There are a lot of e-book readers available for Android users. Some of them only let you get books from one source, while others allow you get them from multiple sources, and even to curate your own library.
You might miss the smell of fresh ink and pressed paper, but at least all of your books will be in one convenient place in whichever e-book reading app you choose..
Today is the best day to buy a Nest and save $50
If you’re looking to save some money heating and cooling for your home while also making it a bit smarter, Amazon’s latest deal on the Nest Learning Thermostat is worth a look. The online retailer currently has the smart thermostat marked down to just $200 from its usual $250 price point.
The Nest thermostat gradually learns from your schedule, automatically adjusting your home’s heating and cooling to save you some change on your bills. When you’re away, for example, Nest will ensure you aren’t heating or cooling an empty home. You can also manually adjust the temperature and get alerts on the go with the Nest app. Throw in voice control via Amazon Echo integration, and you’ve got a pretty compelling product.
See at Amazon
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