ICYMI: Bubba Watson builds a jetpack, Facebook flies its solar drone
Today on In Case You Missed It: To celebrate the return of golf to the Olympics, PGA Tour Pro Bubba Watson is teaming up with Oakley to create the “Bubba Watson Jetpack” — a mode of transportation sure to blow the roof off of conventional golf carts. We also take a look at the maiden test flight of Facebook’s solar-powered, internet-beaming unmanned aerial vehicle, the Aquila. It didn’t crash!
And, as it’s the end of the week, we’ll recap the most important stories that you may have missed. As always, please share any interesting tech or science videos you find by using the #ICYMI hashtag on Twitter for @mskerryd.
iPhone 7 and 7 Plus Launch Predicted to Be Week of September 12th
Well-known mobile phone leaker Evan Blass has this morning predicted which week of September that Apple will announce the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus.
Blass, who has accurately leaked images and details about unreleased smartphones on Twitter (@evleaks) in the past, tweeted today simply “iPhone 2016 release: week of September 12th.”
Blass is better known for leaking Android-based smartphone details ahead of their official confirmation, but his prediction for the iPhone 7’s launch falls in line with Apple’s typical September iPhone announcements – the iPhone 6s and 6s Plus launched on September 9th, 2015 – making it a pretty safe bet.
iPhone 2016 release: week of September 12th.
— Evan Blass (@evleaks) July 23, 2016
Blass’s prediction follows a tweet by the blogger four days earlier in which he claimed the internal codenames for Apple’s upcoming iPhones are “Sonora” and “Dos Palos”, without specifying which is which (although the latter is a small city in California; the former is a Mexican state). Apple’s codenames for the iPhone 6s and 6s Plus were “N71” and “N66”, respectively.
This year’s iterations of Apple’s flagship smartphones are widely expected not to feature major design changes aside from the removal of the headphone jack, as the company is said to be deviating from its standard tick-tock upgrade cycle in order to introduce major new features in next year’s 10th anniversary “iPhone 8” which take time to develop.
This year the 4.7-inch iPhone 7 is expected to get an improved camera and optical image stabilization, while the larger 5.5-inch model is thought to be gaining a dual-lens camera and 3GB of RAM.
Other rumored features of this year’s iPhones include a faster TSMC-made Apple A10 processor, repositioned antenna bands, faster LTE and Wi-Fi, a slightly larger battery, and a minimum 32GB of base storage. A larger 256GB model may also be available.
Related Roundup: iPhone 7
Tag: Evan Blass
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Pocket Drone by Odyssey Toys review – CNET
The Good About the size of a smartphone, the Pocket Drone’s arms fold into its frame for easy travel. It has an HD-resolution camera and auto takeoff and land, auto return and a headless mode. It can also automatically hold altitude.
The Bad The camera can’t be tilted. Battery life is the typical 6 to 8 minutes. The plastic frame feels a bit flimsy.
The Bottom Line For quick stable flights indoors or outside, the Pocket Drone by Odyssey Toys is an excellent option for its features and cool, collapsible design.
Visit manufacturer site for details.
The Pocket Drone by Odyssey Toys is unique among pint-size toy quadcopters because it is actually designed to put in a pocket.
With just a simple twist of each motor mount, the Pocket Drone’s propeller arms collapse into its body for travel, leaving you with just the main frame, which is essentially the size of a smartphone. The controller is about the same size, too, with control sticks that pull out and store in its body.
The design might be its most interesting selling point, but it’s not the only one. Priced at around $100 (that converts to about AU$135 and £75), the quad has an HD 720p-resolution camera in front between its bright LED headlights. Buttons on the controller snap photos and AVI video clips, and everything gets stored on the included 4GB microSD card. The quality is good, but it’s not going to rock your world, and since there’s no stabilization, the video rocks with every move. There’s no tilt, either, so you’ll only capture what’s directly in front of the drone.
A camera quadcopter that truly does slip…
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The controller also has buttons to instantly start and stop the motors, one for auto takeoff and landing and another to trigger a headless mode, so the drone will always travel forward, backward, left or right when you move the sticks in those directions, regardless of which way the front of the drone is pointed. It also has an auto return feature that basically shoots the drone directly back at you, so you’ll want to be careful when you use it. You can download the full manual to read more about its features.
Also read
- 7 things you should know before you buy your first drone
The lightweight plastic frame feels a bit flimsy, but it held up well to crashes (I’d be careful not to sit on it, though). All of the features worked well and it can hold altitude — unlike a lot of toy drones at this price — letting you concentrate on directional flying and not keeping it from getting too high or low. Battery life is about 6 to 8 minutes from its removable 3.7V 550mAh (25C) lithium polymer battery. That’s typical for a quad like this and extra batteries are inexpensive and readily available.
For quick stable flights indoors or outside, the Pocket Drone by Odyssey Toys is an excellent option for its features and cool, collapsible design.
Cyanogen Inc. reportedly laying off 20% of staff in major restructuring
New reports claim that Cyanogen Inc. may have laid off as much as 20% of its staff. One of those reports claims the company could be switching its strategy away from OS development to focus on apps.
Android Police stated:
The layoffs most heavily impact the open source arm of the Android ROM-gone-startup, which may be eliminated entirely (not CyanogenMod itself, just the people at Cyanogen Inc. who work on the open source side).
Recode adds that the moves were made by Lior Tal, who joined Cyanogen as its new COO in June. It also says that many of the company’s top executives have departed in the past several weeks. So far, Cyanogen has yet to confirm any of these reports.
Amazon Echo can now offer you comedy from The Daily Show
Thanks to its latest round of updates, the Amazon Echo connected speaker can now offer the unique political humor and current events topics from Comedy Central’s The Daily Show with Trevor Noah.
Amazon says:
With convention season in full swing, you can now get a regular dose of The Daily Show with Trevor Noah on Alexa. Hear a highlight clip from the latest episode or get the upcoming guest list. Just ask, “Alexa, enable The Daily Show skill,” and “Alexa, ask The Daily Show for news.”
If you like comedy, you can also ask the Echo to tell you a dog or a cat joke. Owners can also ask the Amazon Echo to play Morning Edition via TuneIn if they need more serious news stories.
Amazon Echo
- Read our updated review
- Get the latest news
- Join the discussion
- Download the Echo app
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‘Sonic Mania’ looks like the 2D sequel fans deserve
Sonic The Hedgehog is more than just a trash-talking Twitter account. To celebrate the franchise’s 25 year anniversary, Sega is taking the series back to its 2D roots. Sonic Mania looks like it’ll strip away all the extraneous bloat that’s barnacled itself to the core gameplay since the Blue Blur’s glory days, with a focus on what always worked so well. Namely, going fast, collecting rings and moving from left to right.
Introducing SONIC MANIA! A new 2D Sonic platforming adventure experience! https://t.co/6uZ4J0Pcok #Sonic25
— Sonic the Hedgehog (@sonic_hedgehog) July 23, 2016
From the trailer below, Mania looks unapologetically old school, replete with chiptune music and the series’ trademark hyper-colorful pixel-art style. Three playable characters are on tap (Sonic, Tails and Knuckles) and in addition to a new move like the drop dash and new levels, Mania will apparently put a couple of twists on old stages as well. The only problem is that despite Sonic’s expediency, Mania will be late to the series’ anniversary party with its “spring 2017” release window.
But hey, with how the more recent games have turned out, fans would probably rather that developers Christian Whitehead — who has worked on ports and remasters of the franchise in the past — and Headcannon, along with PagodaWest Games, take their time to get it right.
Source: Sonic the Hedgehog (Twitter)
Paramount signs up to release more movies with DTS:X audio
We got a chance to hear the audio capabilities of DTS:X at CES in 2015, but there haven’t been many movies released that way so far. Now Paramount seems ready to change that, signing up with DTS to release a “collection” of films with the multi-dimensional audio encoding applied. Some of the Blu-rays are already on shelves, like The Big Short and Whiskey Tango Foxtrot, but there should be more on the way. Like Dolby Atmos, DTS:X is supposed to align audio in a way that fits with where your speakers are actually positioned, and as we saw in our demo, allows for features like turning up the volume on dialogue without affecting other sounds.
DTS says a number of home theater manufacturers (Denon, Marantz, Sony, Trinnov and Yamaha) have added support for the format recently via firmware updates, while others (Acurus, Anthem, ARCAM, Integra, Krell, McIntosh, Onkyo, Outlaw Audio, Pioneer, Steinway Lyngdorf and Theta Digital/AT) have updates coming later this year. Of course, if you prefer to skip the discs and receivers, DTS and Paramount also mention that “select” titles will be available with DTS Headphone: X soundtracks on streaming.
Source: DTS
Celeb hacker who stole nude images gets six months in prison
Andrew Helton from Oregon pleaded guilty to hacking celebs’ emails and stealing explicit images earlier this year. Now, District Judge John A. Kronstadt has sentenced him to six months in prison and two years of supervised release. According to Assistant United States Attorney Stephanie S. Christensen, the defendant “targeted, baited and hooked” not just celebrities, but also acquaintances with phishing emails for over two years. He also kept the nude and intimate photos he stole in his own computer. tried Christensen tried to convince the judge to hand the accused a year-long prison sentence. Helton’s celebrity victims remain unnamed, because the source for that massive nude photo leak dubbed as “The Fappening” was another hacker altogether.
Ryan Collins, a Pennsylvania native, also admitted that he phished celebrities and stole explicit images earlier this year. The images he pilfered, including those of Jennifer Lawrence and Kate Upton, were the ones that were distributed online. Helton’s case preceded Collins’ — he was arrested back in 2013 — and authorities believe his collection was at least never made public.
While Christensen fought for a year-long sentence, Helton’s lawyer said his client shouldn’t be sent to prison at all. He argued that the defendant was suffering from a mental illness during the time of the incident and only used the most basic phishing technique. Helton sent out emails that looked like they were from Apple and Google, asking the victims to verify their accounts by clicking on a link that led to a fake website. “There was no expertise involved. All I did was essentially copy and paste,” the defendant said, serving as a reminder that we really should pay more attention to the links we click.
Via: The Huffington Post
Source: AP
‘Project Sonic’ is coming to Xbox One, PS4 and Nintendo NX
While Sonic fans will celebrate the series’ 25th anniversary with a 2D throwback game in Sonic Mania, the official Sonic Team is working on something new. Tonight Sega dropped this teaser trailer for “Project Sonic,” which is due for the 2017 holiday season on Xbox One, PlayStation 4 and Nintendo’s NX. Everything in the trailer is CG, but it does indicate that we can expect both a “Modern” and “Classic” Sonic to make an appearance.
Source: Sonic the Hedgehog (YouTube)
How to set up a 5.1 home theater system with Sonos for Android
Get BIG home theater sound with Sonos!
Sonos speakers are smart. “How smart?” you ask.
So smart that, when you combine a Sonos Playbar, Sub, and either two Play:1s, two Play:3s, or two Play:5s (gen 2), you can turn all the individual components into a bumpin’ home theater system!
Note: Your rear surround speakers must both be the same model or this just won’t work.
There are a couple different ways to do this, especially if you have an existing system that you’re adding to. We’re going to show you the easiest way to set this up. Here we go!
How to set up a 5.1 surround home theater system with Sonos for Android
To make life easier, you’re going to want to factory reset all of the speakers that you have set up already.
Once that’s done we’re going to start by setting up the Playbar, which will prompt the setup of the rest of your home theater system.
Launch the Sonos Controller app from your Home screen or from the app drawer.
Tap Set Up a New Sonos System.
Tap Next on the welcome screen.
Tap Standard Setup so everything stays wireless.
Tap Next on the “Standard Setup” screen.
Tap Set up this player. Choose the Playbar from the list, if it prompts you.
Follow the on-screen instructions.
Tap Next.
Tap I see an orange light once you see the orange light flashing on the side of the Playbar.
Tap Next on the “Wireless Setup” screen.
Enter your Wi-Fi password into the field.
Tap Continue.
Tap Next once the Playbar has been added to your network.
Tap the dropdown menu.
Tap the room in which you’ll have your home theater setup.
Tap Next.
Tap Next once your TV is turned off.
Tap Add a Sub.
Tap Next once you have plugged in your Sub. As the screen says, it can take up to 30 seconds for it to register (it’s not kidding).
Follow the on-screen instructions.
Tap Next once the Sub has been added.
Tap Add Surrounds.
Swipe left and right to choose which players you have.
Tap Set up these players, once you’ve chosen the Sonos model that you have.
Tap Next on the “Add Left Surround” screen, once you’ve placed the speaker where you like it.
Follow the on-screen instructions.
Tap Next on the “Added Left Surround” screen.
Tap Next on the “Add Right Surround” screen.
Follow the on-screen instructions.
Tap Next on the “Added Right Surround” screen.
Tap Next on the “Audio Setup” screen.
Tap Next once you have moved to a central location in the room from which you will watch TV.
Tap the play button to start the Sub test sounds.
- Tap No Difference if the alternating tones don’t change in volume.
- Tap A is louder if the Sub sounds louder when the letter “A” is highlighted.
- Tap B is louder if the Sub sounds louder when the letter “B” is highlighted.
Tap the play button to start the bass tones.
Tap the bass setting that is most pleasing to your ear.
Tap Next.
You will be asked how far away from you your left and right surround speakers are. Tap one of the following options:
- Less than 2 feet
- 2 feet to 10 feet
- More than 10 feet
Tap Next on the “Audio Setup” screen.
Tap Next on the “TV Sound” screen, once your Playbar is connected to your television via optical cable.
Tap Next once you have your TV turned on to a movie or show.
Tap Next after setting your TV speakers to external. This can be done using your remote in your TV’s sound settings.
Tap Next.
Tap Successfully disabled, once you have your audio output set to external speakers.
Tap Next.
Tap Next on the “Remote Control Setup” screen.
Follow the on-screen instructions.
Tap Next once your remote is set up.
Press the volume button on your TV remote and tap an option.
- A message is displayed
- A volume level is displayed
-
Nothing is displayed
Tap Next on the “TV Messages” screen.
Tap Add Another Player if you wish to do so and follow steps 3-13. Otherwise, tap Not Now.
Tap Next on the “Sonos Registration” screen.
Enter your email address.
Check or uncheck the checkoxes, depending on whether or not you’d like to receive software and company emails from Sonos.
Tap Next.
Tap Use Current Location to allow Sonos to use your location as part of the registration process.
Enter your zip/postal code.
Tap Next.
Check or uncheck the checkbox, depending on whether or not you’d like to send usage data to Sonos.
Tap Next.
Tap Next on the “Registration Complete** screen.
Tap Set Up Music Services if you wish to set up a music service. Otherwise, tap Skip to Sonos Menu.
It was a long road, but we got there! Now you can enjoy immersive 5.1 surround sound thanks to Sonos!
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