Marshmallow is now on 15.2% of all active Android devices
Google has posted the latest Android version distribution numbers, showing yet another small bump up for Marshmallow. Specifically, Google calculates that 15.2% of active Android devices were running Marshmallow during a 7-day period ending on August 2. That compares to 13.3% of active Android devices from the previous month.
Android 5.x Lollipop went up slightly from 35.1% in July to 35.5% this month. Android 4.4 KitKat dropped from 30.1% in July to 29.2% in August. Jelly Bean came in at 16.7% with these new numbers, down from 17.8% in July, and Ice Cream Sandwich went down from 1.7% to 1.6%. Gingerbread also declined from 1.9% to 1.7%. Froyo is still sticking around with its tiny 0.1% share.
Samsung is partnering with major banks to use the Note 7’s iris scanner for their apps
The brand new Galaxy Note 7 has a built-in iris scanner for another level of security, and alongside it Samsung is expanding its Samsung Pass initiative in partnership with major banks to let you access financial apps by scanning your irises. Just as it did with its fingerprint scanners before Marshmallow was released, Samsung is working with companies individually to have their apps written to use the iris scanner as a security mechanism.
At its event Samsung announced that Bank of America, Citi, US Bank, KEB Hana Bank, Shinhan Bank and Woori Bank were all exploring integration with the iris scanner, but hadn’t committed to anything further than that. If implemented, you’d be able to log into these banking apps by simply looking at your Note 7 for a few seconds. Samsung is touting the iris scanner as a very secure way for logging in, and experts routinely refer to it as at least having the possibility of being more secure than a fingerprint.
More: What you need to know about the Galaxy Note 7’s iris scanner
With the ubiquity of fingerprint sensors and easily-accessible fingerprint APIs in Marshmallow we’ve seen a rush of apps — especially those from banks — update to support them, but with this Samsung-specific implementation of the iris scanner it’s hard to see it taking off as quickly. Whether third-party apps start to support the iris scanner or not you’ll still be able to use it for Samsung’s own apps and system-level functions, which should spur customers to give it a try.
Samsung Galaxy Note 7
- Samsung Galaxy Note 7 hands-on preview
- The latest Galaxy Note 7 news!
- Here are all four Note 7 colors
- Complete Galaxy Note 7 specs
- The Galaxy Note 7 uses USB-C
- Join the Note 7 discussion in the forums!
How to take a screenshot on the Samsung Galaxy Note 7
How do I take a screenshot on the Galaxy Note 7?
Taking a screenshot on your phone is one of its most basic functions, but the Galaxy Note 7 follows previous Notes by giving you several ways to capture your screen. Though you still have two simple ways to take a regular full-screen screenshot to share or keep for yourself, there’s also an option to take a so-called “scrolling screenshot” to capture even more. You can also use your S Pen to draw on and manipulate screenshots with Screen Write. Here’s how it all works.
The regular one-screen screenshot
There’s no shortage of situations where taking a basic screenshot is useful, whether you’re showing something to a friend, saving a quick piece of information for yourself or troubleshooting an issue. There are two ways to take a standard full-screen screenshot on the Note 7.
With a key combination:
Open the content you wish to screenshot.
At the same time, press and hold both the power button and home button for two seconds.
You’ll see the screen briefly flash, and a notification appear.
Check your notifications, where you’ll see the screenshot and an option to share, edit or delete it.
With a palm swipe:
Open the content you wish to screenshot.
Place your hand vertically along the left or right edge of your Note 7, and swipe in from that edge with your hand touching the screen.
You’ll see the screen briefly flash, and a notification appear.
Check your notifications, where you’ll see the screenshot and an option to share, edit or delete it.
(Optional) If this method doesn’t work, check Settings > Motion and gestures to enable it.
Capture more:
No matter how you initiate your screenshot, after capturing you’ll briefly see a set of options at the bottom of the screen, including “capture more.” This “capture more” button allows you to scroll through content and take multiple screenshots, which are automatically stitched together into one long screen showing everything together. This is particularly useful for capturing a full webpage, a set of directions or a long restaurant menu online.
Screenshot with the S Pen and Screen Write
The Note 7 also has an additional screenshot method, which you initiate with the robust Screen Write app using your S Pen. While this is a bit overkill for most situations, it’s useful if you need to write on whatever you’re planning to screenshot.
To take a Screen Write screenshot on the Note 7:
Open the content you wish to take a screenshot of.
Take out the S Pen to launch Air Command, tap on Screen Write.
The screen will flash and capture a single screenshot.
You’re now instantly taken to an editing pane, where you can write on the screen with the S Pen.
In the top toolbar, you’ll see options to change the color of your pen, enable an eraser and undo/redo your strokes.
When finished, tap Crop, Share or Save to complete your work.
Samsung Galaxy Note 7
- Samsung Galaxy Note 7 hands-on preview
- The latest Galaxy Note 7 news!
- Here are all four Note 7 colors
- Complete Galaxy Note 7 specs
- The Galaxy Note 7 uses USB-C
- Join the Note 7 discussion in the forums!
Windows 10 update adds AdBlock support to the Edge browser
AdBlock and AdBlock Plus are no longer exclusive to Windows Insider Program participants. Microsoft’s anniversary update for Windows 10 doesn’t only come with Cortana voice commands (and many other features), it also adds support for the ad blocker to your Edge browser. This version is based off the extension’s code for Chrome instead of Internet Explorer, but you might encounter some issues anyway since it’s still in development. Of course, you’ll have to wait for the anniversary update first before you can install the add-on and tweak its (potentially problematic) whitelist. You’re bound to get it within the coming weeks, so long as you’re running Windows 10.
Source: AdBlock
Instagram just basically ripped off Snapchat Stories – and here’s how
Facebook-owned Instagram has introduced a new feature: Stories. And, yes, it’s just like Snapchat’s Stories feature.
Here’s the deal. With Snapchat stories, you can broadcast multiple snaps (aka videos and photos) taken throughout the day, complete with overlays of doodles and stickers and filters and masks. This reel of snaps will disappear after 24 hours, thus maintaining Snapchat’s ephemeral vibe. If you want to repopulate your story reel, just take more videos and photos and then broadcast them.
Now, here’s where Instagram comes in… It’s obviously one of the most popular photo-sharing apps today, though it has faced some stiff competition as of late, including from Snapchat, which it unsuccessfully tried to buy in the past before launching a similar app that failed to take off. Flash forward to 2016, and instead of trying to buy Snapchat again, Instagram is straight up copying the app with its own Stories feature.
Here’s everything you need to know about Instagram Stories.
What is Instagram Stories?
Instagram has described its new Stories feature as something that lets you “share all the moments of your day, not just the ones you want to keep on your profile”. The feature basically enables you to share multiple photos and videos, and they appear together in a “slideshow format”, which basically means a reel, like Snapchat. And, of course, these photos and videos will disappear after 24 hours. Seriously.
You can even add text and doodles to your photos and videos. See? We weren’t kidding; it’s exactly like Snapchat Stories.
What can Instagram Stories do?
- View Stories: You’ll see stories from the people you follow in a bar at the top of your feed. When there’s a new story to see, like from your friend, his or her profile photo will be up there with a colourful ring around it. Just tap it to view the story, and then while watching, you can tap to go back or forward and swipe to jump to another person’s story.
- Comment on Stories: There are no likes or public comments on Stories (again, like Snapchat). But you can tap a story to send a private message to that person.
- See who’s watching your Stories: When watching your own story, swipe up to see who’s watched each photo and video.
- Make your Stories private: If your account is set to private, your story will only be visible to your followers. You can also hide your entire story from anyone you don’t want to see it, even if they follow you.
- Post to your profile: Your Instagram Story by default won’t appear on your profile grid or in feed, but you can choose to feature a particular part of your story by posting it on your profile.
How does Instagram Stories work?
Instagram’s Help Center has several step-by-step guides that explain everything you need to know.
- Instagram Help Center
How is Instagram Stories different from Snapchat Stories?
Snapchat Stories has been around longer, so it has more tricks to play with, such as live filters and face-swapping. Other than that, they’re identical. Instagram CEO Kevin Systrom even told TechCrunch that Snapchat “pioneered a lot of this format” and deserves “all the credit”.
When will Instagram Stories be available?
Instagram Stories will roll out globally over the next few weeks on iOS and Android.
Want to know more?
Check out Instagram’s blog post for more details
Read the first 13 years of ‘Nintendo Power’ on Archive.org
Before the yawning information-spouting chasm of the Internet, there were two ways you could get information on video games: your dubiously-trustful buddies and trade magazines. Despite being a company rag that only covered things coming out on its own consoles, Nintendo Power was one of the best of these publications for its wonderful artwork and community culture. But don’t take my word for it: Now you can parse through the first 13 years of the magazine at Archive.org.
The collection spans from the first issue, published in July of 1988 with its now-iconic claymation Mario cover, to number 145 in June 2001. For some of you, these doubtless offer a trip down memory lane to a time when cartridges ruled and console affiliation split friendships. But don’t assume the nostalgia train won’t stop for those who never cracked open an issue. The dated advertisements alone are worth the price of admission for wacky fashions and the outrageous exuberance they hoped would appeal to kids zonked on high-sugar cereal.
Times change, and we don’t need video game magazines like we used to. Now you can post on social media or find any title’s subreddit community to talk shop with other enthusiasts. But these publications offered a light in the wilderness for certain kinds of nerds to share experiences on the letters page, writing in to editors and seeing their heroes respond publicly. So load up a few old issues and see how things like the first 3D console games had blown people’s minds. You’ll get a new appreciation for the miracles we play today.
Wisconsin court deems sentencing algorithm constitutional
If you were hoping that Wisconsin would open up the sentencing algorithm it uses to help determine prison time, you’re about to be disappointed. The state’s Supreme Court has ruled that the use of the the COMPAS algorithm doesn’t violate your constitutional right to due process. The decision rejected plaintiff Eric Loomis’ complaints that the code is both proprietary (thus preventing him from challenging its accuracy) and was too central to his 6-year prison term. There were “other independent factors” leading to the sentence, the Supreme Court says, and you don’t need to reveal the algorithm’s source code when it’s only one consideration among many.
The ruling also notes that the criteria were based on Loomis’ publicly available criminal history, and that he could have double-checked that the questions and answers on the report were accurate.
Needless to say, this decision won’t make Loomis or other supporters happy. How do you tell when a judge is merely considering the algorithm’s output versus relying on it, for instance? And how do you reconcile this decision with those from other courts, such as when a Minnesota court ordered the release of breathalyzer source code? As TechDirt says, there’s a worry that only extreme recommendations will trigger concerns about dependence on the algorithm. You might not spot biases like racism or sexism simply because the data seems reasonable on the surface.
Source: TechDirt
What happened at Samsung Unpacked 2016?
Wondering what all the fuss was about Samsung’s Unpacked 2016 event earlier today? Let our Senior Mobile Editor Chris Velazco explain everything you need to know about the new Galaxy Note 7 and its accompanying accessories. Those include an upgraded S Pen stylus, a new and improved Gear VR headset, and the US debut of the Gear 360 camera. Of course, the spectacle of the show may have surpassed the tech, so press play and get a taste of what it was like — all in just two and a half minutes.
Here’s how to get the Windows 10 Anniversary Update right now
It’s here!
The first major update to Windows 10, the Anniversary Update, has started rolling out to users around the globe. It’s full of new tricks and subtle changes, which you can read all about from here, with the most notable new feature being Windows Ink. However, even though the Windows 10 Anniversary Update is out, it won’t start rolling out to mobile phones for a few more weeks.
Also, it will arrive for newer Windows machines first. And you don’t have to do anything to get the update; it should automatically come to you through the Windows Update mechanism – if you’ve chosen to have updates installed automatically on your device (here’s how to do that). But there is a workaround so you can manually get the update right now for your PC.
This is everything you need to know.
What is the Anniversary Update?
Just eight months after Microsoft released Windows 10, it announced an “Anniversary Update” to the software that would rollout this summer. Windows 10 boasts over 300 millions users and has over 500 different device designs, and soon, it’ll get loads of new features, Microsoft said at the time, thanks to the new update, which was originally code-named Redstone.
The update, which finally began rolling out 2 August, brings new features that focus on Windows Ink and improving stylus-use. It also brings extensions to Edge and upgrades to Hello and Cortona, among other things.
- Microsoft Windows 10 Anniversary Update: Everything you need to know
How can you get the Anniversary Update?
Microsoft
Manually
Go to Settings > Updates & Security > Windows Update
In Windows Update, click Check for Updates.
The update will appear as “Feature update to Windows 10, version 1607”.
Click update, and the update will begin downloading and installing.
Microsoft
Download the ISO
According to Microsoft, another way for you to get the Windows 10 Anniversary Update is to click “Learn more” just below the “Looking for info on the latest updates?” in Windows Update. From there you’ll be taken to a support page on Microsoft.com that will allow you to download the ISO file to your PC. After downloading the ISO, you can set it up onto a flash drive DCD, or you can use the Installation Media tool.
Note: This method is for techies only.
Microsoft
Become a Windows Insider
If you’re a Windows Insider, you’ll have access to the public Anniversary Update build. We recommend just waiting for the update to arrive or that you try to get it manually, but if you’re super impatient, go to Microsoft’s Windows Insider website, sign into your Microsoft account, and click Get Started to become a Windows Insider. It’s free to join the beta-testing program.
Then, on your Windows PC, open the Settings app, click Update & Security, and then click Windows Update. From there, select Advanced Options. Under the Get Insider Preview builds section, click select Get started. And that’s it.
Want to know more?
Check out Microsoft’s announcement blog post.
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Microsoft opens up sales of HoloLens to anyone with $3,000 to spare
You can now experience augmented reality, but it’s going to cost you.
Microsoft has just announced that all developers and business customers in the US and Canada can now order up to five HoloLens development kits each, though it doesn’t have a strict application process and is accepting orders through the HoloLens website from anyone who simply has a Microsoft account. In other words, nothing is stopping you from buying the AR headset right now – so long as you have $3,000 (£2,250) to spare.
That’s the cost per headset. Ouch. But for those of you who consider yourself early adopters and total diehards of augmented and virtual environments, then this is an absolute steal, especially if you consider how difficult it’s been for people to get their hands on Microsoft’s headset up until now. It first began shipping in March, but only to select first-time buyers who had to get through an order page that required an invitation.
Microsoft
Make no mistake: Microsoft is still describing HoloLens as a “development edition” device that’s meant specifically for developers. Still, sales are open to anyone. We recommend checking out Pocket-lint’s hands-on with HoloLens – where we concluded “to say we were impressed is an understatement” – for more details before you decide to jump right in and get the pricey device.
Microsoft also has a blog post, in which it announced that sales are open. It also talked about new HoloLens developments.
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