Photonic Swiss watch engraving might keep counterfeiters at bay

Counterfeit jewelry is a big business. Sometimes the fakes are so convincing that it can be nearly impossible to tell if that Rolex you’re eying is the real deal unless you have special equipment or an extremely trained eye. That’s something the folks behind DNAwatch want to address. The team has developed a method for imprinting the crystal on Swiss-made watches with a watermark that’s invisible to the naked eye, but shows up under ultraviolet lighting.

Developer Nanoga says that its technique uses photons, works on glass, ceramic and metal. What’s more, faking the process apparently would be as difficult as counterfeiting the Swiss 50-franc note. “The outcome is a series of layers of atoms that is more than 10,000 times thinner than a hair and does not in any way alter the material’s properties,” according to a prepared statement. Here’s more on the watermarking process:

“In a machine normally used to make LEDs, the substances are deposited onto the surface as a vapor. Using lithographic printing, certain areas are then activated in order to create the watermark. In a form of atomic gymnastics, the atoms that have been activated react when exposed to ultraviolet light, instantly revealing themselves to the human eye.”

Nanoga says that the printing occurs on a nanoscopic scale and that the process is ready for licensing. Now it’s up to the Swiss watch makers to buy in and help you determine a real McCoy from a fugazi.

Source: EPFL

Android Pay officially launches in Singapore

Android Pay is now live in Singapore. Android users in Singapore can now download the Android Pay app and add their cards in order to tap and pay at various stores around the island.

This makes Singapore the third country around the globe — and first in Asia — to get Android Pay, coming in right behind the U.S. and UK. The mobile payment platform can be used anywhere that accepts contactless payments. Users simply need a phone that has NFC and is running Android 6.0 Marshmallow.

As for its next stop, Google has confirmed that Android Pay should be launching in Australia soon, but there’s no firm date on which to expect that launch.

Protip: Power off your Chromebook before you put it away

A quick tip for Chromebook users — powering down when you’re done using your laptop keeps things running smoothly and makes sure your software is up to date.

Your Chromebook does a good job of going to sleep and staying asleep when you shut the lid, which is the sort of thing you’d want any laptop to do well. But that doesn’t reset and recycle your current session in Chrome OS. And those are both things you want to do when you’re finished working (or playing) for the day. There are two big reasons why — keeping your software current and resetting what’s stored in your memory (RAM).

Your Chromebook uses what’s called Verified Boot along with automatic updates to keep the software current and secure. When an update is available for the operating system, it gets fetched from the Internet and installed alongside the version you are currently running. Before and during the installation process, the integrity of the software is checked by matching it against the official copy. If the tests performed all match, then your Chromebook knows that the software is official and hasn’t been tampered with. (The same process is done each time you start things up, too.) The next time you shut off your Chromebook then restart it, this new copy of the operating system is what gets loaded. The old copy can then be erased and replaced the next time there is an update. This process is also coming to Android N for our phones and tablets because it works really well.

Your Chromebook also manages memory a little differently than most other operating systems. We go into it a little more here, but the short version is that the things you’re looking at and the things you recently were looking at are kept in the memory. Your RAM has a 10MB portion reserved for this, and the only way to free it up is to shut your laptop down. This doesn’t make much of a difference if you were looking at cat pictures yesterday and are going to look at cat pictures again today, but it doesn’t make a lot of sense to keep Google Docs and that boring company spreadsheet in the reserved portion if you’re done with it. You don’t have to wipe this cached data away because it will overwrite itself as you do different things, but there could be a small performance hit if you do things that way. Chrome boots so fast it’s easier on the system (and your battery) to shut down and start fresh for each session.

To be clear — your Chromebook will work just fine if you never shut it off. Chrome is Linux, and some Linux computers go for years without being power cycled.

But to take advantage of the update system as well as the way Google uses your RAM for great performance, the best thing you can do each night is power down. You can shut down by pressing and holding the power button, or by clicking in the status area (next to your account picture on the tray) and clicking the power icon.

Best wireless mice for Chromebooks

Which wireless mice are best for Chromebooks?

While your Chromebook’s trackpad works well enough for most situations, there are some tasks for which a wireless mouse is better.

Whether you need a wireless mouse to scroll through long documents faster, or to perform fine manipulations, there’s a great wireless mouse out there with your name on it. Here are a few of our favorites.

• Microsoft Touch Mouse
• Logitech Wireless Mouse M320
• Logitech Performance MX
• AmazonBasics Wireless Mouse with Nano Receiver
• Logitech Marathon M705
• Logitech MX Master

Microsoft Touch Mouse

The Microsoft Touch Mouse is unique in that it has no buttons or a scroll-wheel, yet it functions as though it has them.

Instead of pressing physical buttons or using a scroll-wheel, you tap and swipe, much like you would on the touchscreen of your phone.

It is comfortable to use with either hand and has the benefit of Microsoft’s Bluetrack technology, which helps it work on pretty much any surface.

If you’re looking for a unique mouse that works well with either hand and on most surfaces, then the Microsoft Touch Mouse might be the one for you.

See at Amazon

Logitech Wireless Mouse M320

Available in black, blue, red, and two-tone gray and yellow, the Logitech Wireless Mouse M320 has received positive reviews from users and reviewers alike for its long battery life and its functionality.

Logitech states that this mouse will last up to two years on a single AA battery. Mileage may vary, but in general, users report that the battery does last a while — maybe a year or more on average.

Another benefit of this mouse is that its curved, asymmetric shape and rubber surface make it comfortable to use for long periods of time.

If you want a wireless mouse that has a long battery life, is comfortable to hold, and comes in different colors, then check this one out.

See at Amazon

Logitech Performance MX

Logitech’s Performance MX is meant for people who do a lot of mouse work on a daily basis. Reviewers and consumers alike praise it for its well-crafted, durable design and for its superb functionality.

Made for right-handed users, its sculpted shape fits easily and comfortably in your hand and if you use your mouse a lot, then you’ll really appreciate how good it feels to grip. Its Darkfield Laser also tracks on most surfaces, including glass.

This mouse has a rechargeable battery that you can charge either by connecting it to your Chromebook via the USB cable it comes with, or by connecting it to its wall charger, which is also included. If you plug it into your Chromebook, you can continue to use it while it is charging.

If you use your mouse a lot, want one with a rechargeable battery, and you want it to work on glass, then consider the Logitech Performance MX.

See at Amazon

AmazonBasics Wireless Mouse with Nano Receiver

The AmazonBasics Wireless Mouse is a 2.4 GHz mouse that connects to your Chromebook via a small USB transceiver. Customer reviews state that it works well and is easy to use, providing an amazing value for a bargain price.

This optical mouse comes with a one year warranty, so if anything goes wrong, you can always get a replacement.

If you’re looking for an inexpensive wireless mouse that does the job, then the AmazonBasics Wireless Mouse is for you.

See at Amazon

Logitech Marathon M705

The Logitech Marathon M705 is another wireless mouse that has received accolades from reviewers and consumers raving about well it works and how long it lasts on a single set of AA batteries.

Designed to conserve battery power, this mouse can last as long as three years on one set of batteries. Customers who have been using it for a while confirm that it indeed uses less power than comparable mice.

Sculpted for right-handed people, the Logitech Marathon M705 remains comfortable to hold, even after many hours of use.

In addition, its laser-tracking keeps its clicks precise and gives you the ability to whiz through long documents and web pages with ease.

If you are looking for a mouse with a long battery life that is comfortable to hold for long periods of time, then the Logitech Marathon M705 is a great choice.

See at Amazon

Logitech MX Master

The Logitech MX Master is the master of all wireless mice because of its ability to track well even on glossy surfaces and its long battery life. Reviewers and users agree that it’s a top-notch wireless mouse.

With a shape sculpted for your right hand, it is comfortable to use all day. In fact, it was designed for people who use their mice a lot, all day, every day.

It has a rechargeable battery, so you never have to replace it. Simply connect it to your Chromebook using its USB cable and continue using it while it charges. If you don’t have an extra USB port, you can use its wall-charger unit instead. Either way, four minutes gives you four hours of use and a full charge will last you up to 40 days.

If you’re looking for a wireless mouse that will work, even on glass, and has a long-lasting rechargeable battery, the Logitech MX Master is a great choice.

See at Amazon

Which wireless mice are your favorites?

We’ve looked high and low for great wireless mice that work with the Chromebook, but we’re only human, and we might have missed something super-amazing. Tell us all about it in the comments below.

Chromebooks

• The best Chromebooks
• Should you buy a Chromebook?
• Google Play is coming to Chromebooks
• Acer Chromebook 14 review
• Join our Chromebook forums

Cleaning out the storage on your phone is a monthly task

In last week’s poll we asked how often you clean out the storage on your phone. Phones have become a hub for everything for keeping photos to being able to quickly check bank account balances. Their storage capacity isn’t unlimited though, and eventually you’re going to run out of room. That’s why we wanted to know how often you clean out the storage on your phone.

In first place, with 25.8% of the vote, was “I like to clean my phone out once a month or so.” Second place wasn’t far behind, with “When I realize I have apps installed I don’t use” grabbing up 18.7%. Just behind in third place with 18.5% is “when performance starts to suffer.”

“I only clean out my phone when it becomes necessary” managed to take fourth place with 15.3% of the vote. Fifth place grabbed up 11.1% vote with “when I run out of room.” In last place is “I don’t clean out the storage on my phone if I can help it,” with 10.6% of the vote.

Do you like to clean out the storage on your phone regularly, or do you prefer to put it off? Let us know in the comments below!

HP made an 11-inch Chromebook with a touchscreen display

Hewlett-Packard is adding the Chromebook 11 G5 to its lineup of Chrome OS-powered machines – and the most interesting thing about this laptop is that it comes with a touch display.

This is HP’s first Chromebook in the 11-inch range to offer a touchscreen. It has a 11.6-inch screen with an HD Anti-glare display (1366 x 768), though you can upgrade to an HD IPS touchscreen panel with Gorilla Glass. It features a 1.6gHz Intel Celeron N3060 processor, which HP claims is powerful enough to support video calls and video playback, and it should last 11 hours before needing a recharge.

Other features include an HP TrueVision HD webcam at 720p resolution, 2GB or 4GB of RAM, 16GB or 32GB storage options, two USB 3.1 ports, and a headphone jack. Also, the Chromebook 11 G5 weighs just 2.51 lbs (1.13 kg). There’s also a non-touch model available. It weighs 2.61 lbs and lasts up to 12 hours and 30 minutes. For comparison purposes, Apple’s 11-inch MacBook air weighs 2.38 lbs.

HP has priced this PC starting at $189. It’ll be available through HP partners in July, with wider availability in stores by October. And, yes, for those of you wondering, the Chromebook 11 G5 will run Android apps. 

HP

Facebook Slideshow: How to create quick movies from your pics and vids

Facebook wants you to share more stuff on Facebook – so it’s rolling out a new feature designed to do just that.

The social network thinks video is the answer to all its woes. According to The Information, Facebook has experienced a decline in original, personal sharing (it’s down 21 per cent year over year as of mid-2015), but Live Video and video seem to be helping. People are no longer keen to post text statuses about what’s going on in their lives, but they will post stories full of videos and pics to their Snapchats, for instance.

Facebook isn’t Snapchat, though. Users aren’t limited to 10-second clips they can overlay with doodles, text, filters, etc. But they can post 20-minute videos and boring, static photos to albums. While Facebook Live is slowly adding some Snapchat-like features, the social network still has to make the process of posting videos and pics much more fun not only for users but also for people looking at this stuff in their feeds.

That’s why Facebook is now pushing an automatic movie-maker feature called Slideshow. It’s similar to the new Memories feature coming to iOS 10’s Photos app, and it’s also a lot like the Movies Assistant feature in Google Photos. Slideshow, which originally launched in August as part of Facebook’s photo-sharing app Moments, basically takes your recent videos and pics and spices them up a bit.

Facebook Slideshow: What is it?

Facebook

Sharing videos and pics are an essential part of Facebook. Think about it: seeing and hearing your friends is a lot more appealing than reading statues about them. So, to make sharing your life much more fun, Facebook is rolling out a new feature called Slideshow. It’s an easy way to create and share slideshows of, for instance, that amazing trip you took over the weekend to your family’s lake house.

You don’t need to download an entirely new app to use Slideshow. The Facebook app will sync with your phone’s libraries and is able to detect when you’ve taken five or more videos/pics in the last 24 hours. Facebook will then gather the media into a slideshow and create a preview of it at the top of your News Feed. You can ignore it or post it. The choice is yours. You can even customise it.

The idea is you can now jazz up your lame videos and pics and turn them into something worth sharing (and watching).

Facebook Slideshow: How does it work?

Facebook

• Open the Facebook app for iOS. You do not need to download or use Facebook’s Moments app.
• If Slideshow has arrived via an over-the-air update to your Facebook app, and if you’ve taken more than five photos or videos over 24 hours, Facebook will show you a preview of an automatically-created slideshow at the top of your News Feed.
• You can tap on the preview to launch the Slideshow feature within Facebook, where you’ll then see a menu bar at the bottom of your screen with four tabs: add more photos/videos from your libraries, add a theme, edit your slideshow, and more/settings.
• There are currently 10 slideshow themes to choose from, including Nostalgic, Playful, Night Out, Birthday, Epic, Thankful, Tropical, Bollywood, and Amped. Each theme comes with its own style and music and transitions. More themes will be added later.
• Under the edit tab, you will see options to customise your slideshow by changing the order or layout, titling it, or tagging friends.
• Once you’re done, hit the Done button at the top and share your slideshow to your News Feed. Or, you could tap cancel and forget it.

Note: If you don’t see a Slideshow preview at the top of your News Feed, try finding a friend’s slideshow in your News Feed and clicking “Try It”.

Facebook Slideshow: When will it be available?

Facebook is now rolling out Slideshow to all iOS users around the world.

Build a strong IT career with the Linux Complete System Administrator Bundle (over 90 per cent off)

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