Galaxy Note 7 teased again in crazy new Korean ad
Teasers of Samsung’s upcoming Galaxy Note 7 have been flying around, and as we get closer to the August 2 event in NYC, they continue to pop up. The latest is a rather interesting and slightly crazy ad from Korea. It starts off with some teaser shots of a close up phone screen, and ends with a numbered sequence of 1 through 5 and then a question mark.
The rest of the ad can’t be properly described with words, but you should take 30 seconds of your time and check it out now. Are you excited for the upcoming Note 7? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!
Samsung Galaxy Note 7
- The latest Galaxy Note 7 rumors!
- Galaxy Note 7: Imagining the next Note
- Expected Note 7 colors surface
- Join the Note 7 discussion in the forums!
Moderators banned 2,200 accounts during Donald Trump’s AMA
Republican Presidential nominee Donald Trump participated in a Reddit AMA last night on the pro-Trump forum, /r/The_Donald, allowing a handful of internet denizens to ask him questions about the election and his proposed policies. He answered 12 questions in total and stuck to fairly broad statements such as, “I think NASA is wonderful.” Trump reiterated his distrust of the press and of Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton, and his goal to repeal the Affordable Care Act. His most in-depth answers invited former Bernie Sanders supporters to vote for him and reached out to people considering voting for a third-party candidate.
In a post-AMA thread and elsewhere in /r/The_Donald, some users accused Reddit administrators of “censoring” the Trump session by artificially down-voting it and not showing it on the site’s front page.
“People will continue to censor this community and Trump supporters alike, but keep doing what you do, all of you,” one member wrote.
In the same post-AMA thread, moderators of /r/The_Donald bragged that they banned more than 2,000 accounts during the Q&A session. At odds with the accusations flung at Reddit administrators over similar assumed silencing tactics, news of the in-forum bans was met with more than 200 replies of acclaim.
“For the record we banned 2,200 shills during Mr. Trump’s AMA,” a moderator wrote. “Sorry brigaders [sic], you weren’t dealing with amateurs, our mods are battle-hardened shill-slayers.”
Moderators deleted any comments from accounts created in the past month and banned any users that they felt asked hostile questions. Before the AMA kicked off, moderators shared a message reminding participants that /r/The_Donald was not part of Trump’s campaign and they intended to protect their community. The message continued as follows:
“Yes, we will ban troublemakers. Yes, we will remove trolling comments. Yes, we mean it when we say we’ll throw anyone over our walls who fails to behave themselves.”
One Redditor said he asked why Trump refused to share his tax returns and was immediately banned.
I asked @realDonaldTrump on his AMA why he wont share his tax returns…
I got immediately banned. pic.twitter.com/LhmDKNvFzj
— Patrick (@Thegetawayplan9) July 27, 2016
Plenty of comments did get past the moderators’ banhammer, though Trump left more questions unanswered than answered. Twelve is a fairly low number of responses compared with most Reddit AMAs, which are traditionally hosted in the /r/IAmA forum.
One of the 12 questions Trump did answer was, “Are you getting tired of winning?”
Trump responded, “I am never tired of winning, and as your president I will win for you, the American people. I’m with you!”
Source: Reddit
Apple’s Car Project Shifts Towards Autonomous Driving System Under Mansfield’s Direction
Bob Mansfield, a longtime Apple executive who previously served as Senior Vice President of Technologies, recently took over Apple’s secret car project. Under his leadership, Apple’s car strategy has shifted towards autonomous driving, reports Bloomberg.
Apple is not abandoning its effort to build a full Apple Car, but it is said to be focusing more heavily on creating an autonomous driving system that would perhaps allow it to partner with or purchase a car manufacturer in the future. Apple is now said to be pursuing a two-prong development approach, working both on a car and the software to power it.
As Apple takes a renewed interested in autonomous driving systems, it has hired Dan Dodge, who ran BlackBerry’s automotive software division and developed QNX, the software platform found in a wide range of in-car infotainment systems. Dodge, like other Apple car engineers and employees, reports to Mansfield, while Mansfield reports directly to Apple CEO Tim Cook.
Mansfield reportedly has three distinct teams in his division: a software team led by John Wright, a sensor team led by Benjamin Lyon, and a hardware engineering team led by D.J. Novotney. Under Mansfield’s direction, Apple is continuing its aggressive hiring policies, taking on former Ford employees Todd Gray and Aindrea Campbell, both of whom have experience with car body manufacturing and research.
With Mansfield at the helm, Apple may be able to get its car project back on track. Rumors have suggested that the departure of Steve Zadesky, who formerly led the project, resulted in delays, internal strife due to challenges like unattainable timelines, and organizational changes. Recent rumors suggest Apple is now aiming to launch an Apple Car in 2021 instead of 2020, but if Apple decides to go with a software-based product meant to be built into existing cars, it could potentially debut earlier.
Related Roundup: Apple Car
Tag: bloomberg.com
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Apple iPhone 7 vs iPhone 7 Plus vs iPhone 7 Pro: What’s the rumoured difference?
Apple is rumoured to be announcing three smartphones in September. Yes you did read that right, we said three.
They are going by the names iPhone 7, iPhone 7 Plus and iPhone 7 Pro, although they have also been called iPhone 6SE, 6SE Plus and 6SE Pro, and they are said to be hitting shelves on 16 September.
Whether we will see all three actually arrive is anyone’s guess, but if they do, here is how they could compare, based on the speculation.
Apple iPhone 7 vs iPhone 7 Plus vs iPhone 7 Pro: Design
The Apple iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus are said to be following a similar design to the iPhone 6S and iPhone 6S Plus rather than seeing a revamp.
It has been claimed the headphone jack might disappear though and the antenna bands across the rear will move to just the top and bottom for a more seamless look. It has also been said the Home button may evolve to being a Force Touch capacitive component.
The iPhone 7 Pro is expected to follow a similar design path to the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus, but with the addition of a dual-camera setup and Smart Connector, the latter of which is found on the iPad Pro line. It is also thought to be the same size as the iPhone 7 Plus.
Apart from physical size, the leaked images suggest the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus will be identical to each other in appearance, as the iPhone 6S and iPhone 6S Plus are. It’s been claimed the iPhone 7 Plus and iPhone 7 Pro will measure 7.3mm slim, which is the same as the current iPhone 6S Plus, while the iPhone 7 is said to measure 7.2mm.
Apple iPhone 7 vs iPhone 7 Plus vs iPhone 7 Pro: Display
The Apple iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus are thought to be sticking with the same size displays meaning 4.7-inches and 5.5-inches, respectively. The iPhone 7 Pro is thought to adopt the 5.5-inch size.
Rumour has it Apple will switch to OLED over IPS LCD for the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus though, and it is thought the screen resolution will increase to Quad HD. If this is the case, the iPhone 7 Plus would offer a pixel density of 543ppi, while the iPhone 7 should be lovely and sharp at 624ppi.
There have been no rumours relating to the iPhone 7 Pro’s display but it would be surprising to see it not get the same technology as the other two devices, if not more advanced, such as Apple Pencil compatibility.
It’s probably safe to assume we will see Apple’s force touch technology – 3D Touch – on all three models.
Apple iPhone 7 vs iPhone 7 Plus vs iPhone 7 Pro: Cameras
There haven’t been too many rumours surrounding the resolution of the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus’s cameras, but as last year saw a bump in megapixels, it’s thought the sensor may stay the same as the iPhone 6S and 6S Plus.
If that’s the case, no doubt there will some extra features and improvements, but we can expect a 12-megapixel rear snapper, coupled with a 5-megapixel front camera and Retina Flash.
The iPhone 7 Pro is said to be coming with a dual-lens rear camera, distinguishing it from the other two devices. There has been no word on how it might work, or what the setup might be, but if the rumours are true, we’d expect some extra features on the Pro not offered on the other two devices.
Apple iPhone 7 vs iPhone 7 Plus vs iPhone 7 Pro: Hardware
Rumours are a little vague when it comes to the iPhone 7, iPhone 7 Plus and iPhone 7 Pro’s hardware, except the inclusion of the Smart Connector for the Pro.
The Smart Connector would allow for the transfer of both data and power at the same time, as it does for the iPad Pro range, and if it appears, it will probably mean the Pro will be compatible with accessories like the Smart Keyboard.
It is thought the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus will both have the A10 processor on board and the iPhone 7 Plus is said to be coming with 3GB or RAM, which we’d also expect for the Pro, if not more.
Other rumours have suggested Apple will start storage options at 32GB this time round, and it is also thought there will be a 256GB option, like the company offers on its iPad Pro range. It’s not currently clear if that 256GB model will only be available for the Pro, or across the iPhone 7 line up.
In terms of battery, the iPhone 7 Plus is said to be coming with a 3100mAh capacity so we’d expect the same, if not bigger for the Pro, and slightly smaller for the standard iPhone 7.
Apple iPhone 7 vs iPhone 7 Plus vs iPhone 7 Pro: Software
All three iPhone 7 models, if they all appear, will no doubt debut on iOS 10. There are several new features and functions in the new software, all of which you can read about in our iOS 10 feature.
If the iPhone 7 Pro does appear, it wouldn’t be too surprising to see a couple of extra software functions over the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus relating to its hardware, but at the moment, it’s a wait and see game.
Apple iPhone 7 vs iPhone 7 Plus vs iPhone 7 Pro: Conclusion
Currently, it’s unclear if the iPhone 7 Pro is the stuff of fantasies, or a reality. It looks like the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus will be similar in terms of design and performance, based on the leaks, aside from a larger battery, perhaps more RAM and maybe extra camera features like OIS again.
Based on the leaks, it seems the iPhone 7 Pro will distinguish itself with a dual-camera and the addition of the Smart Connector. We wouldn’t be surprised to see some performance enhancements too though, if it appears at all.
It’s a guessing game at the moment, but we will update this feature as soon as any more leaks appear, or anything official is announced. You can read all about the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus rumours in our dedicated feature, as well as the iPhone 7 Pro rumours in our separate feature.
Amazon Echo now controls your August Smart Lock
Amazon’s Echo is about to become much more useful if you’ve ever worried about leaving the door unlocked. August Home is introducing an Alexa skill that gives you voice control over its Smart Lock system. If you have a first- or second-generation lock with an August Connect bridge, you can ask Alexa to both check a lock’s status and lock the door. It’s a simple addition, but it beats having to pull out your phone or walk across the house simply because you didn’t remember to lock up when you got home.
Source: August
Drinkbox’s creeptastic ‘Severed’ arrives on iOS today
The days are basically numbered for Sony’s beleaguered portable console, the PS Vita, and they have been for some time. But that hasn’t stopped indie developer Drinkbox Studios from supporting it. Three of the company’s four games have been released for the Vita (including the excellent Guacamelee!), and the latest (hack-and-slash explorer Severed) came out earlier this year as a Vita exclusive.
However, Drinkbox knows that it needs to move beyond Sony’s aging handheld: That’s why Severed is coming to iOS devices as well as Nintendo’s Wii U and 3DS. The iOS port arrives today ready for the iPhone and iPad and costs $6.99. That may be a little expensive for an iOS game, but it’s less than half of what the game costs on the Vita. And it dramatically expands the number of people who’ll get a chance to play Severed.
Previous Drinkbox games eventually made their way to various Xbox and PlayStation consoles, but Severed relies heavily on the touchscreen, making iOS and Nintendo’s platforms a far better match this time out. I played an pre-release version of the game on iOS, and it seems particularly well-suited to the wide expanses of the iPad’s screen (though it works on the phone, as well). Slashing your way through enemies feels great on the big screen, and the two-finger gesture to adjust your character’s first-person view is a totally natural gesture.
Everything about the Vita version of the game is intact here, including Drinkbox’s signature bright and eerie art style and some wonderfully creepy atmospheric music. It may cost more than the average game, but Severed is a pretty extensive experience as far as iOS games go. It also has a number of new iOS features, including cloud save across multiple devices, game center achievements, graphics optimizations using Apple’s Metal technology and an easier “casual” difficulty mode.
If you’re a Vita fan, however, Drinkbox has some sad news: It sounds as if Severed will be the studio’s last game for the handheld. “We’ve talked about if we were ever to do a Kickstarter, the Vita might be a stretch goal,” Drinkbox’s Graham Smith told me. “We have an internal game engine that we use that really works well with iOS now, so now all things being equal it’s just as easy to put out a game on iOS as it is on the Vita,” Chris McQuinn from Drinkbox adds. “We love the Vita, but we also need to survive financially.”
But the good news is that Drinkbox appears to be more than capable of bringing its distinctive style to iOS. The company has made some excellent games thus far, regardless of platform, so it’ll be interesting to see what happens once they start building games from the ground up with iOS in mind. And the company’s support of the Xbox One and PlayStation 4 thus far means we’ll likely see new games there in the future as well.
This phone-powered vision test can replace your eye doctor
There are dozens of inexpensive ways to buy glasses online today, but getting a new eyeglass prescription is as old-school as ever: Book an appointment with your eye doctor, spend more time than you expect in the waiting room and go through a full exam. Even if you’re lucky enough to book through Zocdoc, it’s still a long process. Smart Vision Labs hopes to make it easier to get a new glasses prescription with the SVOne Enterprise, a smartphone-powered self-guided vision test that’s launching in some New York City glasses stores today.
It may not have the catchiest name, but the SVOne Enterprise could be a huge boon for the vision impaired. It’s based on the same autorefraction technology as the company’s first product, the handheld SVOne Pro, which lets doctors perform eye exams just about anywhere. In a nutshell, the tech involves bouncing a laser off of your retina, which is then measured by the device. The new product adds a telemedicine element: After going through the vision test, the results are sent to a remote eye doctor who approves the final prescription. You can then download the prescription at any time and take it to the glasses retailer of your choice.
The SVOne Enterprise looks like an iPhone with a specialized eyepiece on top of a tripod. It’s more functional than attractive, the sort of thing an optical store can leave in a corner until it needs to test a customer. Since only a few stores can afford to have actual doctors on staff, most are left pointing customers elsewhere to get new prescriptions. Smart Vision Labs’ device allows stores to keep those customers in-house, so they’ll be more likely to buy a pair of glasses.
Founder Yaopeng Zhou says he was inspired to create the SVOne Enterprise after realizing there are almost 200 million people in America who need glasses, but only 106 million eye exams take place every year. He also points out there’s only one eye doctor for every 5,000 people in the US. There’s a definite need for a faster way to perform vision tests.
To be clear, the SVOne Enterprise isn’t a completely self-service product. You’ll still need a bit of help to step through the exam, though it’s still far less involved than going to the doctor. To start, I answered a few questions on the SVOne Enterprise’s iPhone screen about my age and pre-existing eye conditions. If I had any major eye problems, the app would direct me to take a full exam from a doctor.
After that, Yaopeng had me read from a fairly standard vision chart on the SVOne Enterprise’s iPhone screen using my glasses. I then placed my right eye in the device’s eyepiece and stared at a red laser as it took three photos. I repeated the same process with my left eye, but it took a few tries and a move to a darkened room for it to make a successful measurement. (Yaopeng noted that my pupils were smaller than most, so we had to dilate them a bit by moving to a dark environment.)
A day after the exam, I received a link to an official prescription from one of the company’s contracted doctors. Surprisingly, they didn’t make any changes to my current prescription, which is hopefully a sign that my terrible vision is stabilizing a bit. I can now take that prescription to an online eyeglass outfit like Warby Parker, or a local store in my neighborhood, to get a new pair of frames. (If you’ve only ever gotten new glasses directly from your doctor, it’s definitely worth exploring the wealth of new options out there.)
Smart Vision Labs isn’t the first company to pursue phone-powered eye exams. Blink claimed it would send someone to your home for an exam (it hasn’t launched yet). And Peek has been trying to bring vision tests to the developing world for years. But the SVOne Enterprise is the first product I’ve seen that delivers a valid prescription just as accurate as my current one.
Looking ahead, Yaopeng says the company is attempting to bring the SVOne Enterprise to more markets in the US. Smart Vision Labs’ handheld product is already available in 23 countries. Though it’s only sold around 500 units of that device, they’ve already completed more than 40,000 refraction eye tests over the past few years.
Mini review: Our quick verdict on the Moto G4 and G4 Plus
Since 2013, the Moto G has been our favorite mid-range smartphone — or favorite budget phone, even, depending on how you define “budget.” Now in its fourth generation, the G series has expanded to include three models, two of which we got to take for a spin in a recent review. Indeed, the 5.5-inch G4 and G4 Plus mostly impress, but not every design decision feels like an improvement. Though the phones are more expensive than they used to be, at $200 and $250, respectively, the plastic build feels less durable than we would have otherwise expected.
What’s more, the G4 is no longer waterproof, and its camera suffers in low light, to boot. The G4 Plus at least offers a better camera and faster performance, though it too has a chintzy build that doesn’t feel likely to stand years of wear and tear. Those complaints aside, the handsets nonetheless deserve their strong scores of 84 and 86 — and they continue Moto’s tradition of holding down the “value smartphone” crown.
Spectate in style with VR spectator mode for ‘Dota 2’
If you’re typically someone who prefers to watch matches of games like Dota 2 unfold from the sidelines, you might consider viewing them in an entirely different way. As part of The International 2016 Compendium update, Valve has finally released the Dota VR Hub, which will allow you and your friends to view live matches and replays in VR.
By way of Dota VR Theater, you can put on a VR headset and jump into each game by heading in through the minimap. You can watch from afar or stand in the middle of the battles going on around you at full scale. You don’t have to go it alone, either, as the theater mode supports up to 15 of your friends as well.
If you’re interested in checking it out, read up on the Dota VR Hub via the official site to get started.
Via: Ars Technica
Source: Dota 2
Mercedes gives first responders an AR view of its cars
Only advertisers love QR codes, but Mercedes-Benz actually made them useful in the real world. By putting the codes on the B-pillars and gas doors of its vehicles, firefighters can use its Rescue Assist app and quickly figure out how to help folks involved in an accident. The automaker made the latest version easier to use by adding augmented reality (AR) and 3D visualization features. That lets first responders see dangerous components — like fuel lines and high-voltage components in electric and hybrid cars — overlaid on the real-world vehicle, Pokémon-style.
The app works whether or not you have a data connection and, as before, provides “rescue cards” with safety information relevant to each vehicle. It includes details on Mercedes passenger cars built since 1990, and the QR codes can be affixed to older models. The app is probably more useful to rescue personnel in Europe, however, where a much higher percentage of vehicles on the road are made by Daimler-Benz.
Source: Mercedes
AIVAnet 