Samsung’s new smart earbuds track your steps and heart rate
The newly announced Gear Fit 2 is probably the fitness band Samsung should have made in the first place, but does the world even need another wrist-worn gewgaw? In case your answer to that is “no,” Samsung is unveiling a second exercise-friendly wearable today: a $199 pair of smart earbuds called the Gear IconX. (And no, the name doesn’t make any sense to us either.)
Samsung says the IconX is meant for people who have a more casual relationship with exercise (the Gear Fit 2, meanwhile, is meant for the truly dedicated). Still, that doesn’t mean Samsung skimped on the fitness tech here. Each bud weighs 6.3 grams — a hair or two heavier than a US quarter. The device tells you how far you’ve run, how fast you’re going and how fast your heart is beating. Yes, there’s a heart rate sensor built into these things. More importantly, there’s a voice coach feature (which I didn’t get to test), which is meant to help runners trim their lap times and surge into higher intensity zones.
I spent about 20 minutes pacing around a room while wearing the earbuds, and the audio was rich in treble, though there seemed to be more reverb than usual. The IconX has 4GB of internal storage, like the Gear Fit 2, though it seems immune to the sort of sound syncing issues I’ve experienced with other tiny Bluetooth buds. Usually, only one earbud is connected directly to the phone; the other connects to the first bud to keep audio playing at the same time. The thing is, that bud-to-bud connection can be weak, leading to audio dropouts while moving. Samsung’s approach cleverly puts a copy of each song onto both earbuds. From there, it just takes a little software to make sure they’re playing at the same time.
My ear canals are a little oddly configured, so testing in-ears can be a little tricky. It took a few moments to figure out just how the IconX buds were supposed to fit me. At the very least, they’re not barrel-shaped like the Earin, so they won’t roll away if you ever drop them. Once they’re in, though, they didn’t feel like they were going anywhere. As it turns out, that’s pretty damn important since you’ll frequently be tapping and swiping to control them.
Each bud has a sort of capacitive touch patch on it, and the gestures needed to use it are easy to learn. Need to change tracks? Double-tap to skip to the next one or triple-tap to go back. Changing volume can be a little trickier since you have to swipe up and down on such a tiny space, but the most important gesture is arguably the long press. That fires up the ambient sound mode, which is crucial for urban runners: It lets you hear what’s going on around you in hopes that you’ll cross Broadway without violently intersecting with an ambulance.
So yeah, the IconX is arguably more interesting than the Gear Fit 2, and we’re really looking forward to its launch in Q3, later this year. The thing you have to remember is that battery life can vary dramatically based on your usage. Let’s say you’re just listening to music saved on the buds: The IconX will last for 3.6 hours on a charge. That estimate dips to 3.4 hours if you throw in some workout tracking, and plummets to 1.5 hours if you’re streaming music from a phone with activity tracking on. Fortunately, the IconX’s case doubles as a battery pack that will charge the buds from bone-dry to full twice. The potentially short battery life won’t be a deal-breaker for some, but it’s a reminder of the limitations of fully wireless buds. Still, I’m already sold on the concept. Now we just need to see if the IconX lives up to its promise.
No 5K Thunderbolt Display With Integrated GPU Coming at WWDC
Earlier this week, rumors and speculation suggested Apple was working on a 5K Thunderbolt Display with an integrated GPU that could potentially debut at the upcoming Worldwide Developers Conference, but new information from iMore suggests that is not the case.
According to iMore’s Rene Ritchie, Apple does not plan to introduce an Apple Display with an integrated external GPU. Ritchie does not provide a specific source on this information, but he is well-connected and occasionally shares accurate details on Apple’s plans.
There’d been some speculation on Twitter and rumor reports about Apple possibly introducing a display with an integrated eGPU. Theory being, it would take some of the graphical processing overhead off MacBooks and/or facilitate a single-cable connection that could drive 5K.
While it sounds cool, it can also create expectational debt. So, scratch eGPU off your list for now, but keep your eyes locked to the keynote on Monday, June 13, for lots of other amazingly cool stuff.
Ritchie’s statement does not appear to entirely dismiss the possibility of an upgraded Thunderbolt Display at the Worldwide Developers Conference, so it is possible some kind of display-related announcement is still in the works.
As we explained yesterday, Apple could introduce a 5K display alongside Thunderbolt 3 Macs, using both DisplayPort 1.2 streams in the Thunderbolt 3 specification to drive a 5K display using Multi-Stream Transport. Apple used a similar setup internally for the original 5K iMac.
In recent weeks, Thunderbolt Display stock has been dwindling in many Apple retail stores across the United States, in Canada, and in the UK, leading to speculation that a refresh is on the horizon. It is still not clear if the stock shortages are indicative that a new model is coming, but the Thunderbolt Display is long overdue for an update and WWDC would be an ideal time for an unveiling.
Related Roundups: Thunderbolt Display, WWDC 2016
Tag: imore.com
Buyer’s Guide: Displays (Don’t Buy)
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Apple Hires Software Engineer With Expertise in Satellite Navigation Systems
Apple recently hired Sinisa Durekovic, a software engineer with expertise in satellite navigation systems, reports Bloomberg. Durekovic, who was hired in October, previously developed satellite navigation systems used in a range of luxury vehicles from BMW, Volkswagen, and Mercedes-Benz while working at Harman/Becker Automotive Systems and NAVTEQ.
Durekovic’s LinkedIn profile does not offer up details on what he is doing at Apple, nor does Bloomberg have insight into his role, but given his expertise, it’s likely he has joined the company to work on the Maps or CarPlay team. He specifically lists his areas of expertise as digital maps, car navigation systems, and map-enhanced advanced driver assistance systems.
I am the Software Architect, Engineer and a Team Leader with more than 25 years of experience in design and development of software systems. After 8 years as Principal Engineer in a mid-sized company, I assumed role of Senior Principal Architect and later Chief Engineer at major premium Navigation System supplier. My main work is in area of the Map-Enhanced Advanced Driver Assistance Systems, Digital Maps and Car Navigation Systems.
Since Maps debuted in 2012 to criticism and poor reviews, Apple has worked to introduce significant improvements. New Flyover locations are added on a consistent basis, errors are fixed in a more timely manner, and iOS 9 introduced transit directions. Apple also made multiple map-related purchases, snapping up companies like Coherent Navigation, Placeable, HopStop, Locationary, BroadMap, and Embark.
In December, Apple said Apple Maps is now used three times more than Google Maps on the iPhone, and there are several projects in the works to further improve Maps. Apple will open a new development center in Hyderabad, India, where 4,000 employees will focus on Apple Maps development, and over the course of the last year, Apple has been using vans with mapping equipment to obtain street-level imagery for future mapping use.
Tag: Apple Maps
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Apple’s App Stores, Some iCloud Services Experiencing Temporary Outage
According to Apple’s system status page, multiple store services are currently experiencing an outage. The App Store, Apple TV App Store, Mac App Store, iTunes in the Cloud, and the Volume Purchase Program are unavailable for some users.
The outage started just after 12:30 p.m., and we have also heard reports of problems with Apple Music and Apple News, though those are not service outages currently listed on the system status page.
Apple is investigating the issue and will bring the services back online as soon as possible.
Update: Several more iCloud services are now experiencing issues, as seen on Apple’s system status page.
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MiMedia: A worthy contender in the storage battle (Review)
Overview
In today’s world, there are many different companies that deal with media storage, but you need a few different ones to make sure you can store it all. MiMedia is a mass media storage solution that can handle all your digital storage needs.
Developer: MiMedia Inc
Cost: Free ( In-app upgrade for more storage)
Highlights
- Cloud Storage of all types of media
- Cross Device/Platform compatibility
- Private sharing
- One Click Uploads from Flickr, Facebook Dropbox, and Google Plus
- Easy organization of media.
- Built in Rediscovery
Review
Start Screen
Mass storage is an area covered by a few big names. There are a couple that come to mind like Google, who brings two different products to the game, and Dropbox. To be competitive, you have to try and set yourself apart. The biggest advantage MiMedia is its ability to cover all media in one product. Some may cover photos and video while some may cover all media but may be more expensive. This product covers all your digital files with pricing options that fit your budget.
There are quite a few things to cover, but let’s start with design. It’s very clean and beautiful and feels like there is the spirit of material design in the animation, such as tapping the menu button and the menu slides from the left side. However, they put their own spin on it like holding down a photo to “flick” it add it where you want to like sharing or moving it to a MiDrive. Everything is clear and easy to understand and locate.
The process of uploading and sharing content is made easy. You are given the option of uploading from the device you’re on or from other services like Facebook and Dropbox. Music and documents are the exceptions to this as they need to be uploaded from your computer. Sharing is a two click process. Simply tap the media you want to share and the tap the service you want to share it on.
MiMedia also offers you the options of building collections of media as well as what they call
MiDrive
their Midrives. While both of these options are similar what separates them is Midrive’s ability to create a drive that can be shared with others in a way that the people you share with can chat and add media to the drive.
Depending on the amount of files you have stored in your MiMedia, it can be hard to find certain files which is why it has the ability to favorite those files you want easy access to and stores them in a favorites folder. Of course, once you can always change your mind and unfavorite it.
With MiMedia being cross platforms there are some limitations. The aforementioned Music and documents only being able to be uploaded from a computer being one of those. Documents present another problem as well. Not only can you only upload them from the computer, but you can only view them from the computer. Even if you favorite the document it only shows up on the computer version.
Another limitation is when you upload media you are limited to Facebook and Dropbox in the app. If you are uploading from a computer you also have the ability to upload from Flickr and Google+ as well. This feature is coming to the app later so it’s only an inconvenience for a while.
The biggest thing that needs to be fixed is the lack of editing. None of the media you upload can be edited inside the service, this includes documents. This means you will still need another program for that which kind of sucks, but I’m sure the team will rectify this. Hopefully sooner than later.
New Update
Today MiMedia has announced a brand new feature that none of the other services easily offer, Live Wallpaper. This is the way the process works. From any Photos, Collections or MiDrive you set the photos you want as a live wallpaper, and how often you want the to rotate and you’re done. What’s cool about this update is if you set an entire shared MiDrive as your live wallpaper, anybody you have shared that drive with can add photos and it will show up as your wallpaper.
Price Options
MiMedia off you a range of affordable options that can easily fit your budget.
-
Starter
Offers 10 GB Free
2,500 Photos
125 Videos
2,000 Songs
10,000 Documents -
Basic
Offers 500 GB $7.99/Month or $85/Year
125,000 Photos
6.250 Videos
100,000 Songs
500,000 Documents -
Plus
Offers 1 TB $9.99/Month or $99/Year
250,000 Photos
12,500 Videos
200,000 Songs
1,000,000
Conclusion
MiMedia is not a name that pops up on many people’s radar when discussing media storage, but it should. Even with its flaws the entire product is just as good if not better in some aspects than others. If nothing else it’s worth trying out with the 10GB of free storage.
*Note: While MiMedia is more than an app, it’s a service. It should be noted that I only tested out the Android App and the PC-based versions. No Apple products were tested. *
Download MiMedia in the Play Store
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[Review] Lock up your valuables with the LockSmart Mini
No more fumbling with your keys in the dark. With Bluetooth-enabled locks, Australian-based company Dog & Bone envisions a “keyless future”. I spent a week or so testing the LockSmart Mini, a slim padlock that gives a glimpse of a future filled with the Internet of Things.
Features
- Keyless: for bikes, lockers, sheds, gates, fences and more.
- Shared Access: one lock, multiple users, define user access
- Tracking: know when + who opened the lock
- Secure: 128-bit advanced encryption + 256-bit cloud generated private key
- Long lasting: up to 2 years before re-charging; app prompts you to re-charge. Uses Bluetooth low energy.
- Tough: hardened steel shackle + die-cast alloy body
- Weatherproof: rain, hail, snow, or shine – from -4° F to 158° F
Both the app and lock are simple to use. Download the app, turn on Bluetooth, turn the lock on with a button on the bottom, and pair it with your phone. The lock is rechargeable with a microUSB port on the bottom, hidden under a flap.
In order to conserve energy, the padlock stays off unless you press the small button on the bottom, hidden under a rubber-sealed flap along with the microUSB port. Thankfully, you don’t need to open the flap in order to press the button, which saves the USB port from rain or snow.
Due to whatever chemicals are used in production, the padlock gives off a not-unpleasant smell of gummy bears. Dear readers, if you know of a chemical that smells like gummy bears, please let me know in the comments.
Dog & Bone offers three types of padlocks: the full-sized padlock, the mini, and the LockSmart Travel. You can find the LockSmart Mini for $70 on Dog & Bone’s website. The LockSmart app is available on iOS and Android.
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How to transfer Steam games to a GOG.com account for free
GOG, the online PC games store owned by The Witcher developer, CD Projekt, now allows users of its main rival Steam to duplicate some of their owned games to work on both platforms.
To help build a library of games usable through GOG Galaxy, the service has launched GOG Connect. You link it to your Steam account and if a game is supported by the scheme, you can have it transferred to your GOG account.
What’s more, you get to keep the Steam version too.
How to link your accounts and transfer games using GOG Connect
A handful of games are available at present, thanks to deals with publishers and partners, but more will be added in future. You can check for new eligible games on the GOG Connect website.
After linking your two accounts – Steam and GOG – through hitting just one button and validating access, you will see your available games that you can transfer. Just hit the “Import Games” button and the site will do the rest.
It might take a while to see the games in GOG Galaxy thanks to high demand, but they will then be available in both libraries permanently.
To see if any new eligible games have been added, return to the GOG Connect page and hit the refresh button. It will check your Steam account against the games available and add any that are supported.
Sometimes, a certain title might be slightly different between the GOG and Steam versions, but you’ll get the best edition GOG has to offer.
Pebble Core will support Amazon Alexa: Shopping, Prime Music access and more
After announcing its near SIM-enabled wearable last week, Pebble has confirmed that the Pebble Core will be compatible with Amazon Alexa, the retailer’s voice controlled services.
It will be the first time that a fully independent, third-party mobile device will have Alexa integration.
The Pebble Core isn’t due until 2017, but you can snag one for $79 (£55) on Kickstarter as an early backer. It’ll cost $99 when it launches globally next year. It did start at $69, but those early bird specials have all been snapped up.
The device clips onto clothing and can be used without a mobile phone thanks to 3G network connectivity. It also has built-in GPS so you can wear it on a run and see your route afterwards.
READ: Pebble 2016 line-up: Pebble Core, Pebble 2 and Pebble Time 2 explained
It also streams Spotify tracks, but thanks to Alexa support will also be able to stream through Amazon Prime Music. You can even use it to shop on Amazon, get the latest news headlines or weather reports read out, review your Pebble Health summary and control smarthome devices, all through voice commands.
The Kickstarter project has so far raised almost $10 million for the Pebble Core, Pebble 2 and Pebble Time 2 since it was launched last week. Pebble was only looking to meet a goal of $1 million.
READ: Pebble 2 vs Pebble Time 2: What’s the difference?
OnePlus 3 on sale early from 6 June, but there’s only 1000 up for grabs
The OnePlus 3 launch event is fast approaching and it looks like there’s an early treat in store. OnePlus has revealed it will have 1000 pre-order units up for sale on 6 June.
While OnePlus has confirmed that it will no longer use the invite system for purchases, it looks like the company is still up to its old tricks. This time, to create excitement, it’s limiting the early purchase handsets to 1,000 units and not confirming the final price.
The OnePlus 3 phones on sale from 6 June, ahead of the 14 June launch and shipping date, will be priced at the equivalent of about £290 or $425. Rumours have suggested that the final price of the handset, at top 6GB RAM and 64GB storage spec, will be $455 which is about £310. The kicker is that even the early pre-orders won’t ship until 14 June, like all the others.
So why would anyone want to buy one of the first 1000 units? Either they have something special about them or the final units will be even more expensive.
Perhaps it’s neither and OnePlus simply knows there will be at least 1000 people excited enough to claim their OnePlus 3 early, while the company gets some nice promotional headlines in the process.
READ: OnePlus 3: What’s the story so far?
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