The Public Access Weekly: Get schwifty
Howdy out there Public Access Weekly fans! Anyone out there catching that Perseid meteor shower? I’m going to make an attempt to escape from the perpetual San Francisco summer fog to try and catch a glimpse this weekend, fingers crossed. Other than that… I got nothing. It’s been a pretty average week around here so let’s just get started, shall we?
A big heads up/reminder for all you savvy commenters out there – if you flag your comment with “Correction Needed” for anything you notice factually wrong in an article, or “Technical Issue” for things that are breaking on the site, we will see it quicker and be able to fix it faster! Is this your job? Heck no. But look, we’re not perfect and we appreciate the help.
For all you Public Access contributors out there, keep an eye out for a new landing page to greet you on Monday. We’re working on a big, comprehensive guide that will feature a slew of tips and tricks on everything from linking and images to how to write like an Engadget editor, but in the meantime this landing page will be a quick reminder of the rules and guidelines for Public Access members. And if you have any questions about Public Access or contributing, now is the time to chime in!
Looking for something to read? Check out:
We’re doing a podcast again! After a two year hiatus, we’re bringing it back with a slew of new ways to listen (iTunes, Google Play Music, Pocket Casts, SoundCloud). You can even watch the magic happen, if you’re so inclined, by clicking the YouTube link in the story.
The rumors about the next iPhone are starting to come in, with Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman claiming the headphone jack is done-for while the body of the next handset will largely remain the same as the iPhone 6/6S. Don’t miss the discussion about the potential camera upgrades in the comments — some salient points are being made.
Facebook and Adblock Plus are fighting, with Facebook throwing down the gauntlet first by announcing plans to restrict software that removes advertising and Adblock Plus responding with a workaround. One thing is for sure: It ain’t over till it’s over, and with Facebook rolling out code that works around the workaround, this is far from over.
Looking for something to write about? Mull over:
First Evernote announced it was limiting the free version of its service, now Hulu is ditching its ad-supported free tier in favor of teaming up with Yahoo for a “Yahoo View” option. Folks were pretty quick to give up Evernote for other free services, but a lot of folks seem to feel differently about Hulu. The question to you is: How much technology do we deserve for free? What are you willing to pay for various streaming services and softwares? And what will be the result of companies increasingly trying to monetize their services?
Jessica Conditt wrote about the day-one patch for No Man’s Land, stating that the process of releasing a patch on a game’s release is “the new normal.” Commenters were quick to begin the debate on whether day-one patches were acceptable or just the result of lazy companies releasing incomplete products. Here’s you chance to join in: Are day-one patches A-OK or are they unacceptable, and why?
This week Buzzfeed published an extensive look at Twitter and how the social media company handles harassment and trolls (or rather, how it doesn’t…). While Twitter has denied many of the claims made within the article, the question here is: How do you handle harassment on Twitter? What about other social media sites? And what should Twitter’s actions be to protect its users while championing the free speech the site was founded upon?
Android Central 301: Your ex-girlfriend’s EarPods
Why the heck is LG releasing the V20, and why does it appear to look like a larger, more boxy G5? Andrew, Russell and Daniel explore the potential reasons for LG’s latest flagship, and whether its new design will appeal to anyone beyond the Android audience looking for speeds and feeds.
Plus: Russell got a Moto Z and likes it — a lot! And an IFA primer, including a discussion of the Gear S3 and Moto 360 3rd generation.
Plus, plus: Twitter Q&A!
Thanks to this week’s sponsor:
- Harrys: Use promo code AC to save $5 off your first purchase — start shaving smarter.
Podcast MP3 URL: http://traffic.libsyn.com/androidcentral/androidcentral301.mp3
You can now pre-order the new Samsung Gear VR!
Better Field of View and a sleek new color can soon be yours.
Samsung’s Galaxy Note 7 is the first USB-C phone in their lineup, which gave the company all the excuse they needed to refresh the Gear VR headset. The new model sports a data port that can swap between microUSB and USB-C, so it will work with every Samsung phone with the Oculus Store onboard.
Read More over at HR Veads!
Samsung press invite hints at IFA debut for Gear S3 smartwatch
Samsung typically has a strong presence at the IFA trade show every September and we’re starting to get more news about certain gadgets. After weeks of rumors that the company will reveal its latest Gear S3 smartwatch at the German event, the Korean tech giant sent a press invitation that all but confirms it.
Given that the company announced the previous Gear smartwatch, the S2, at IFA 2015, it’s pretty likely that the press invite above spotted by AndroidCentral refers to the next model. That and the rumors swirling around the new gadget the past few weeks. SamMobile was the first to release details about the awaited product, noting that it will likely have a circular face with a rotary bezel like the last one. Further reports from the site report that the upcoming S3 will come in standard and “Classic” variants along with a new “Explorer” model.
Note that Samsung hasn’t directly confirmed any details nor have they released any images of the upcoming smartwatch. But if you’re curious for any peek at possible designs, sketchy photos and renders have been online for a few months. For the rest of us, we’ll have to wait til IFA begins on September 7th.
Source: 9to5Google
Adidas rewards its medal-winning Olympians with 3D-printed shoes
It’s too early to tell whether 3D-printed footwear will ever be more than a gimmick. Still, you have to give credit to sportswear brands for trying something new, even if in some cases 3D printing is only used to make outsole prototypes. Last year, Adidas began showing the potential of the technology with concepts like Futurecraft 3D, a running shoe made partially out of 3D-printed materials. And now the company’s taking that one step further: it created a ready-to-wear pair for its sponsored athletes at the 2016 Rio Olympics. As its name suggests, though, the “3D-printed Winners Shoe” will be limited to those who win a medal in Brazil.
Unlike the Futurecraft 3D silhouette from a few months ago, this one features a black Primeknit upper and 3D-printed midsole. The heel counter is also 3D-printed, something we hadn’t seen before. By integrating the heel counter into the midsole, Adidas says it was able to avoid the usual process of glueing or stitching in parts of the design. Most importantly, an Adidas spokesperson tells Engadget that the 3D-printed Winners Shoe has been fully tested and is approved for running in. Yes, you can wear them without worrying that they’ll break before taking any steps.
Adidas hasn’t shared details on a consumer model yet, but here’s hoping regular folk have a chance to buy their own in the near future.
HTC switches up the Vive VR pack-in games
To help soften the blow of the HTC Vive’s $800 price tag (or, lord help you, the $1200 Business Edition), the company has struck deals with studios to give you free games with each headset purchase. They just shook up their SteamVR bundle, keeping Tilt Shift but swapping out Fantastic Contraption and Job Simulator for a new duo of games. Buyers will get codes to download the titles from the Steam gaming service.
Of the new games, one is the first entry in The Gallery, a dark episodic adventure inspired by 80s fantasy films:
The second, Zombie Training Simulator, is a zany shooter that’s a little less cerebral. (Get it? Brains? The undead?)
Source: HTC blog
HTC’s new Desire phones reportedly releasing later this quarter
HTC is hard at work on a new pair of new Desire smartphones that are reportedly releasing later this quarter.
The new phones will be branded as the Desire 10 Pro and Desire 10 Lifestyle. This new info comes care of an insider with information on what the company is planning, shared with VentureBeat.
The Desire 10 Lifestyle will be a 5.5-inch smartphone with a variety of different colors, each with a special metallic trim on the edges and around the camera lens, flash and antenna cutouts. Matte and solid colors are the name of the game when it comes to design.
When it comes to specs the phones should be running Android 6.0 Marshmallow skinned with HTC Sense. The Lifestyle phone is supposedly the lower-tier version of the line, with a quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon processor and 720p resolution. The rear main camera is said to be 13-megapixel with single LED flash, while the front camera offers 5-megapixel resolution. Both are capable of 1080p video recording.
Supposedly the phones will be launching at the end of September, but there are no definitive dates or prices for either model just yet, nor specs for the Desire 10 Pro. Either way, they both seem like pretty svelte models that would serve any smartphone user well.
Via: VentureBeat
Cyclotricity Wallet review – CNET
The Good The Cyclotricity Wallet’s electric motor kicks in quickly and makes your inner-city commute a breeze.
The Bad It’s heavy, so even when it’s folded down you might struggle to carry it upstairs. The brakes and the gears could be better, too.
The Bottom Line It’s not perfect, but the Wallet is compact, easy to ride and most importantly, it’s affordable.
Visit manufacturer site for details.
Electric motors have made cycling to the office a sweat-free breeze. Once you arrive at the office though, it’s still handy to fold your bike away to carry it inside. That’s where the Cyclotricity Wallet is worth a ride.
It’s a compact, city-centre bike that folds in two main places. The rear point allows the back wheel to swing forwards, while the second point lets the handlebar stem fold down on itself. Once collapsed, you can then lift the Wallet by its seat and push it along on the two conveniently-located caster wheels.
It’s a nice idea in theory, but the problem is that the bike weighs a really rather hefty 37 pounds. It’s a struggle to carry it up and down stairs, and trying to lug it onto public transport will no doubt be met with a few raised eyebrows. Still, it’s easy enough to wheel through office doors and into a sturdy lift. Also, the smaller footprint of its folded form makes it much more inconspicuous than a full-size road bike.
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Andrew Hoyle/CNET
Actually folding the bike down is something of a challenge, though. Even after multiple practice attempts, I still felt like I was wrenching apart the metal welding points when I tried to pull the handlebar stem from its socket. Maybe it’s something you’ll get used to in time.
Logitech Create for iPad Pro (9.7 inch) review – CNET
The Good The Logitech Create has backlit keys, a Pencil-holding loop, connects via the iPad Pro’s Smart Connector so it doesn’t need recharging, and costs less than Apple’s Smart Keyboard.
The Bad The case feels a little bulky. There’s only one keyboard angle. The case works well when typing, but feels awkward as an everyday case for reading or movie-watching.
The Bottom Line The Logitech Create might be the best way to get productive on a 9.7-inch iPad Pro, but only consider this case if you’re ready to use your iPad in laptop mode most of the time.
The iPad has always been a few steps away from being something like a laptop replacement for me. That gap seems to hover like a carrot on a short stick.
It’s not a fault of the hardware, the iPad Pro, especially the 9.7-inch version, is fantastically built. Its accessories are pretty nice, too. Logitech’s new Create keyboard case aims to make a streamlined backlit keyboard-plus-case that works with the side Smart Connector and works well enough to be an everyday tool.
I like Apple’s own Smart Keyboard for its small size, but it’s super-expensive, a bit floppy, and only covers the front of the iPad. The Create costs less ($130, £109, AU$200), has a better keyboard (but with little gaps where dust could sneak under the keys, unlike the one-piece Apple keyboard), and even has a little Pencil-holding loop in the back. Typing on it feels pretty great…but I like typing on Apple’s, too.
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Typing on the keyboard feels great, and it’s backlit.
Sarah Tew/CNET
Logitech’s keyboard has an extra row of shortcuts keys, something Apple’s lacks. The backlight automatically turns on when I start typing, but doesn’t stay on for more than a handful of seconds. The key layout feels a little more cramped than an 11-inch laptop, but it’s better than the similarly-sized one on the Chromebook Flip. It’s easy to type fast on it.
HP x4500 review – CNET
The Good The HP x4500’s sloping surface and large thumb rest hold your hand in a natural position for all-day comfort. The small wireless receiver offers the ease of plug-and-play, and the laser sensor has razor-sharp precision across most surfaces.
The Bad It’s not quite as good as some cheaper competitors. The mouse is contoured for right-handed users only.
The Bottom Line The HP x4500 is a reliable and comfortable mouse, but it’s just not quite as good as some rival models you can buy for less.
Let’s face it: buying a new mouse for your computer is something even less than an impulse purchase. You want to spend as little time as possible doing research for this purchase, so I’ll give it to you straight. The only three reasons to buy the HP X4500 are if (1) you just need a basic three-button wireless mouse; (2) you’re right-handed; and (3) you have an aversion to the many better Logitech and Microsoft mice available.
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For shoppers on a budget with simplicity at the top of their list, the HP x4500 is a reliable mouse that cradles your hand with all-day comfort.
Sarah Tew/CNET
The allure of the x4500 isn’t its contoured platform or the razor-sharp laser sensor. It’s actually the bargain price tag. You can get it online right now for less than $25 in the US, £21 in the UK and AU$40 in Australia.
The x4500 keeps it simple with standard left and right clickers on top and a notched scroll wheel in the middle that also works as a third button. If you’re looking for a faster way to access application shortcuts, the Logitech M510 is a tinkerer’s dream with seven buttons and a budget price tag.
AIVAnet 