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11
Aug

Apple Releases Safari 10 Developer Beta 5 for OS X Yosemite and El Capitan


Apple today released the fifth developer beta of Safari 10 for OS X Yosemite and OS X El Capitan users, allowing those who don’t yet want to install the macOS Sierra operating system to test out the upcoming Safari update.

The fifth Safari 10 beta for Yosemite and El Capitan can be downloaded from the Apple Developer Center or over-the-air through the Software Update mechanism in the Mac App Store for those who installed the first four Safari 10 betas.

Safari 10 for Yosemite and El Capitan does not include all of the features that are available or will be available in macOS Sierra, like Apple Pay on the web and Picture in Picture support, but the Safari 10 functions listed below are available.

  • Safari Extensions
  • New Bookmarks sidebar, including double-click to focus in on a folder
  • Redesigned Bookmarks and History views
  • Site-specific zoom
  • Improved AutoFill from your Contacts card
  • Reader improvements
  • HTML5 and legacy Plug-ins
  • Allow reopening of recently closed tabs
  • Back closing spawned tabs
  • Improved ranking of Frequently Visited Sites
  • Web Inspector Timelines Tab
  • Debugging using Web Inspector

With OS X El Capitan, Safari 10 also supports the development of Safari App Extensions, allowing developers to start creating extensions that will eventually be sold through the Mac App Store. Also unique to El Capitan (and Sierra) is Spotlight suggestions for Top Hits.

Safari 10 will be released this fall alongside macOS Sierra.

Tag: Safari
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11
Aug

Apple’s ConnectED Program Has Helped Over 32,000 Students


Apple today announced that its ConnectED program, which saw the company donating $100 million in products to schools and teachers across the country, has impacted the lives of more than 30,000 students.

As of the 2016-2017 school year, there are 32,145 students at underserved public schools who have received iPads from Apple to bolster their education. Teachers have received more than 9,042 Macs and iPads and Apple has helped to install 189 miles of internet cable in schools.

Along with equipment, Apple sends Professional Learning Specialists to schools around the country to help administrators, teachers, and students get the most out of the technology.

The latest school to join Apple’s ConnectED program is the Carver Elementary School in Indianola, Mississippi, the 66th ConnectED school. Carver Elementary School has 701 students, all whom now have iPads with educational-focused apps to work with.

Apple joined ConnectED, a $750 million corporate educational initiative announced by President Obama, in 2014 and has since remained committed to providing underserved schools with cutting edge classroom equipment. Other companies involved in the ConnectED initiative include AT&T, Verizon, and Microsoft.

Tags: education, ConnectED
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11
Aug

Celebrate the Rio Olympics with these sporty wallpapers!


olympic-wall-wed-a9.jpg?itok=6MZYmBM3

While most of us can be forgiven if we show our patriotism on the inside, but during the Olympics it’s time to let the flags and face paint fly… or, you could put an Olympic wallpaper on your phone to remind yourself to check out the results every now and then. Whether you’re rooting for athletes you watch all year long or athletes you’ve never seen before (and never will again), the Olympics has something for everyone…

Let’s just hope it’s not Zika.

Olympic Flame

olympic-flame-wall.jpg?itok=Esm59OhT

While there have been many awesome Olympic flames over the years, the one in Vancouver remains my favorite. Even if it did mess up during the opening ceremony. We don’t talk about that, though. Isn’t it pretty? Does it light the fires of patriotism and athletic competition in your heart?

Olympic Flame

Rio Olympics

rio_2016_poster_-wall.jpg?itok=8W_1Po6Z

This stylized poster feels like ti could fit on your home screen long after the closing ceremony, with its subtle rings and beautiful layers. With the moon and the stars, it kinda takes my breath away…

Rio Olympics

Flags Collection from GaryckArntzen

flag-collection-wall.jpg?itok=1cB1rODO

Want to cheer on your country of choice? Well, they may not have every country, but these spattered flag wallpapers are messy enough for real life yet still easy enough to recognize instantly and stir some national pride within you! U! S! A! U! S! A! U! S! A! Oh, and the rest of the other countries. Go for gold!

Flags Collection from GaryckArntzen

The Olympic Pokeball by wazzy88

olympic_pokeball-wall.jpg?itok=Mi8rwxYD

There’s something about the Olympic motto that makes it feel like it applies to Pokemon Training…also, this beautiful lunar Poké Ball looks like it’s ready to hold the strongest Pokémon a country can find. Which Pokémon would you want to compete in Olympic events? I’m saying Manaphy for the 100 meter freestyle.

The Olympic Poké Ball by wazzy88

2020 Olympics

tokyo_2020_summer_olympics-wall.jpg?itok

The closing ceremony will be here before we know it, but never fear! There’ll be another one in four years, and guess what?! NEXT ONE’S IN JAPAN! Pardon me for a moment as I squee at the idea of being able to both see an Olympics, take in the culture of Japan, and then pop over to Tokyo Disney and die of happiness at all of the magic in there. Well, it may be four years away, but it’s never too early to start planning the trip of a lifetime, right?

2020 Olympics

11
Aug

How to move your Pokémon Go account to a new Android phone


Can I move my Pokémon Go account to my new phone?

Pokémon Go can be rough on a phone. Some users are realizing their battery just doesn’t cut it anymore, and some are accidentally walking into lakes. Whatever the reason for your old phone needing to be replaced, Pokémon Go players around the world are left asking a simple question about their game data: If you move from an old phone to a new Android phone — even if that old phone was an iPhone — will your game data travel with you?

The short answer is yes, and here’s how it works!

pokemon-go-transfer.jpg?itok=FGiJZ9bn

Your Pokémon Go account is tied to one of two things: a Google account, or a Pokémon Trainer Club account. That login allows you to sign in to any phone running Pokémon Go, and all of your account information will immediately be available on that phone when you do.

If you used Google to create your original account:

Tap Google under “Sign up with”.
Select your Google account from the list.
Enjoy your original account on your new phone.

If you used Pokémon Trainer Club to create your original account:

Tap Pokémon Trainer Club under “Sign up with”.
Enter your username and password.
Tap Sign in.
Enjoy your original account on your new phone.

If you accidentally created a new account when trying to log in to your new account:

Tap on the Poké Ball.
Tap Settings.
Scroll to the bottom and tap Sign Out.
Tap the correct login option under Sign up with.

Niantic made this process as simple as possible, and made it so you can quickly get back to playing Pokémon Go when you’ve moved in to a new phone. And if that new phone is an iPhone, we have a guide for that, too!

Have you recently purchased a new Android phone due to Pokémon Go?

Tell us all about it in the forums!

Pokémon Go

  • Join our Pokémon Go forums!
  • How to deal with GPS errors in-game
  • Which team should you choose?
  • How to play without killing your battery
  • The Ultimate Pokémon Go Game Guide!
  • Listen to the Pokémon Go podcast!

11
Aug

Snapchat’s racist yellowface filter lands it in hot water


Snapchat’s problems with racist image filters aren’t over yet, it seems. The messaging service tells The Verge that it has pulled a filter that was supposed to be anime-inspired, but came across as turning people into racist Asian caricatures — just look at the picture above if you need proof. Suffice it to say that the filter won’t be coming back.

Snapchat did act quickly to take the filter down. However, the incident raises some poignant questions. Why didn’t the company learn from the Bob Marley filter, which many (including us) said amounted to digital blackface? And how did Snapchat not see the problem coming when many of its employees are Asian? Although this wasn’t intentional racism, the incident suggests that Snapchat may need closer oversight of filters to prevent an uproar in the future.

.@Snapchat wanna tell me why u thought this yellowface was ok?? pic.twitter.com/sgpW4AFPsE

— grace (@tequilafunrise) August 9, 2016

Via: Dazed

Source: Mic, Grace (Twitter), The Verge

10
Aug

Xbox One S vs PlayStation Neo (PS4K): What’s the rumoured difference?


With Sony announcing a special PlayStation event in New York for 7 September, it is commonly thought that we’ll finally see the company’s plans for its next generation console – a massively upgraded version of the PS4, currently codenamed PlayStation Neo.

That’s hugely exciting for gamers, but does beg several questions, especially on the build up to the holiday season when people will have cash in their pockets and a hankering for a new games machine.

Prior to the possible PlayStation Neo announcement, we’d have said the Xbox One S was a no brainer, being a faster, slimmer version of the former model and a 4K Blu-ray player to boot. But now Sony is about to unveil its plans, it could really plop a big fat fly in the ointment.

That’s why we’ve decided to look at what we know about the PlayStation Neo so far through rumours, in comparison with the already available Xbox One S, to see if you should splurge your money now or wait a bit longer.

  • Sony PlayStation 4K: What is PS4.5/Neo, when is it coming and what will it offer?
  • PlayStation Neo (PS4K) vs Project Scorpio: What’s the rumoured difference?
  • PlayStation Neo confirmed and 4K-ready, but PS4.5 won’t be at E3 2016
  • PlayStation Neo launch confirmed for 7 September
  • Xbox One S review: Best console and 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray player out there

Xbox One S vs PlayStation Neo (PS4K, PS4.5): 4K HDR gaming

One thing we know for sure about the PlayStation Neo is that it will be capable of 4K gaming. PlayStation boss Andrew House effectively said as much to the Financial Times on the eve of E3. That means it will have enough graphics and processing grunt to render games in 2160p, quite possibly at 60 frames per second too.

The Xbox One S on the other hand is not capable of 4K gaming. It does upscale all video output to 4K, including games, but you don’t get anymore detail – it just takes on the upscaling duties rather than rely on your TV’s abilities.

The Microsoft machine does offer HDR (high dynamic range) gaming though. Developers can now choose to offer a great level of contrast and depth in their games, for users with TVs capable of showing them. Forza Horizon 3 a Gears of War 4 are two games coming with HDR graphics.

We’d be willing to bet our collective houses that the PS Neo will have the same support. 

Xbox One S vs PlayStation Neo (PS4K, PS4.5): 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray

One of the main reasons existing Xbox One owners would consider an upgrade to the Xbox One S is that it also doubles as a 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray player. It is capable of playing the new format discs and in HDR to boot.

Considering Sony’s heritage in Blu-ray – being the founder of the format and that – it is nigh-on guaranteed the PlayStation Neo will have a 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray drive too.

Xbox One S vs PlayStation Neo (PS4K, PS4.5): 4K video

As well as 4K Blu-ray support, the Xbox One S is also 4K-ready for streaming services. At present, that just means Netflix in the UK, but we fully expect an updated YouTube app soon and, possibly, Amazon Video will offer 4K streams in future too.

There is absolutely no reason to think that the PlayStation Neo will be any different.

Xbox One S vs PlayStation Neo (PS4K, PS4.5): Performance

This is where things really start to head in different directions. In effect, the Xbox One S is a slightly tweaked version of the former model. Its quad-core processing chip is clocked higher in order to run faster and offer a boost in performance, but it is fractional. RAM also runs faster too, but the most obvious improvements come with faster menu screens than in-game activities.

On the other hand, the PlayStation Neo is rumoured to sport a 2.1GHz octa-core processor and a graphics chipset with a purported 4.14 teraflops of power and GDDR5 memory running at 218GB/s.

In comparison, that’s like having a drag race between a Ferrari F12Berlinetta and an Audi A5. Yeah the Audi A5 is a lovely car… but it’s no Ferrari.

It means the Neo will be able to run games in 4K 60fps, ensuring many of the effects and graphical nuances are present while maintain smooth play.

Xbox One S vs PlayStation Neo (PS4K, PS4.5): Design

This is almost impossible to make a judgement call on considering there are literally no details on what the PlayStation Neo will look like, but we can speculate with considered authority that it will be bigger than the new Xbox One S.

The white One S is 40 per cent smaller and thinner than its former generation, with the power supply now tucked away inside the main casing. The PS4 also has the power supply inside and is slim, but does make quite a racket when it’s hot.

Considering how powerful the PlayStation Neo’s chipset will be, we think it will run extremely hot. Hotter than the Xbox One S and PS4. That means there will need to be plenty of cooling inside.

Consider its spec is more akin to a gaming PC, then imagine how big a decent gaming rig can be thanks to sufficient cooling and you can see why we think the PS Neo will be on the beefy side.

Xbox One S vs PlayStation Neo (PS4K, PS4.5): Backwards compatibility

It has already been confirmed that the PlayStation Neo will be backwards compatible with all PlayStation 4 games. Even brand new games will run on both of Sony’s consoles, just in a higher resolution on the new machine, and with better graphical presentation all round.

The Xbox One S is also completely compatible with all current and future Xbox One games. Several will appear with HDR graphics, but even they will run in a conventional Xbox One without the added visual flair. Microsoft has said that it’s answer to the PlayStation Neo, the Project Scorpio, will also be compatible with all Xbox One games when it comes out in late 2017.

Xbox One S vs PlayStation Neo (PS4K, PS4.5): Price

To be honest, there is no indication yet as to how much Sony will ask for its powerhouse, flagship console. It’ll be a darn sight more expensive than the Xbox One S, that’s for sure.

We’ll update this section if and when we find out more, but for now the Xbox One S is priced at a very reasonable £249 for the 500GB model, £299 for the 1TB and £349 for the 2TB edition, although it is said that the latter is now completely sold out.

Xbox One S vs PlayStation Neo (PS4K, PS4.5): Release date

The Xbox One S is already in shops although, as we mentioned above, the 2TB launch edition is already reportedly out of stock. You will have to wait for the 500GB and 1TB versions instead, although we’re yet to find out when they will be available. We suspect later this month or September.

The PlayStation Neo’s actual release date is anyone’s guess at the moment. Smart money suggests it will come out in 2017, but Sony has thrown a spanner in the works by hosting its launch event on 7 September.

The PlayStation 4 was first unveiled 20 February 2013 and it hit US shops on 15 November later that year. If the Neo is to follow suit, we should expect it around the beginning to mid-June. E3 anyone?

Xbox One S vs PlayStation Neo (PS4K, PS4.5): Conclusion

Some of those already in the know would say that this was an unfair comparison from the off. The PlayStation Neo is designed to be a considerable step-up from the PS4, while the Xbox One S is more of a stop-gap console until Microsoft’s Project Scorpio comes later next year.

Indeed, Project Scorpio is the Neo’s direct peer, not the Xbox One S, and that’s where the true next-next gen battle will take place.

As it stands, the Xbox One S is an excellent console – the best currently available. And unless Sony pulls a massive shock and announces the Neo for a Christmas 2016 release, you might consider the Microsoft machine as your better bet for now. After all, it’s also the cheapest 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray player on the market.

It’s worth considering that our opinion is based on the rumoured specifications of the PlayStation Neo rather than confirmed details. We’ll reassess after its 7 September debut.

10
Aug

All-new 4K Virgin Media TiVo box revealed, coming soon to rival Sky Q


Virgin Media has posted a teaser image of a new set-top-box on its corporate Twitter account, thought to be its answer to Sky Q.

Earlier this year, as part of financial results statement in May, Virgin Media revealed that it will be launching a new, 4K-ready TiVo box this year. Now we’ve had a brief glimpse of what it will look like.

To be honest, the tweet doesn’t give away much, save for the fact that much more will be unveiled tomorrow, 11 August. An unboxing will be shown on the same @VirginMediaCorp Twitter feed.

We’ll be unboxing something right here for you tomorrow… pic.twitter.com/MH9RdAQE9Y

— VirginMediaCorporate (@VirginMediaCorp) August 10, 2016

There’s no coincidence that Virgin Media has decided to unveil its new box this week. Sky officially launches its 4K service for Sky Q customers at the weekend, with the start of the Premier League football season seeing three matches broadcast in Ultra High Definition.

We’re not sure yet when you’ll be able to upgrade to Virgin Media TiVo 4K, or how much extra the service might cost, but existing TiVo box users will likely get an updated user experience at the same time.

10
Aug

Alexa support coming to BMW’s ‘Connected’ assistant app


BMW first revealed its revamped “Connected” assistant app in March, and it will finally be available this month. As a reminder, it does a lot more than sync your phone and car, acting more like the love-child of Waze and Google Now. It can scan your device’s calendar and address book, then calculate the drive time to an appointment based on your route and real-time traffic data. After factoring the vehicle’s fuel or battery level, it will send a “time to leave” notification to your iPhone or Apple Watch.

All of that information, including addresses and arrival times, is automatically synced to your car when you get in, assuming it’s a ConnectedDrive BMW, Rolls Royce or Mini. Yes, other apps including Android Auto, Waze and others let you do most of those functions. But Connected, being integrated with the vehicle, also lets you lock and unlock your vehicle, flash the headlights to help find it, and turn on the AC before you get in, among other functions. Once you arrive, it’ll give you “last mile” walking or transit directions.

Later this year, BMW will join Ford as one of the few automakers with Alexa support. That’ll let you shout commands at an Echo to remotely execute door locking and other functions, or get info like your vehicle’s fuel or battery levels. BMW says that the app will arrive on iOS sometime in August, with the Alexa update coming later in the year. There’s no word yet on Android support.

Source: BMW

10
Aug

Vizio TV update helps you play HDR Blu-ray movies


Your shiny new Vizio TV just became much more useful for playing high dynamic range movies. Vizio is in the midst of rolling out an update to its SmartCast M- and P-Series sets that adds the HDR10 support you need to play HDR Blu-ray movies on current Ultra HD players from the likes of Philips and Samsung. While the sets already supported HDR, they were relying solely on Dolby Vision — more advanced, but not ubiquitous.

This won’t guarantee that Vizio TVs will show HDR video from any and all Ultra HD Blu-ray players. However, the newly acquired firm promises that it’ll “further expand support” as HDR-capable players show up. If all goes well, you won’t have to worry about your choices of formats or hardware when looking for vibrant videos.

Source: Vizio (PR Newswire)

10
Aug

IFTTT’s recipe-based automation is coming to other apps


IFTTT’s recipes are great for getting apps and devices that you use on the regular to interact with each other without being prompted to do so. Before now, you had to download the IFTTT app or visit its website to get everything setup, input your account details and more. That’s about to change. Over the course of the last year, the company has been working with other companies to integrate those formulas inside their own apps rather than relying on IFTTT to handle the coordination elsewhere. The result is easy access to expanded features for companies beyond the standard tools their services provide.

The list of partners that are putting IFTTT recipes in their apps right now include the likes of Ring’s video doorbell, Foobot’s indoor pollution monitor, Automatic’s car adapter, Qapital’s banking app, Garageio’s garage door controller, Roger’s voice messenger and more. What’s more, you can create and save IFTTT rules inside those third-party apps as well. If you want Automatic to send its reports on your vehicle to Google Drive for example, you can opt to do that without having to jump over to another app.

IFTTT’s Partner Platform and the ability to sort recipes with the software you’re likely already using is certainly handy, but we’ll be interested to see if more companies opt in. At launch, the full list of partners includes Ring, Qapital, Foobot, Garageio, Automatic, Awair, Skybell, LIFX, Bloomsky, Roger, Abode and Stack Lighting. The new integration inside those companies’ apps are rolling out now, so if you’re using their connected gadgets and software, you should be able to use the new workflow soon enough.

The expansion for IFTTT comes on the heels of Microsoft announcing its own version of an automated workflow. With Flow, Microsoft connects over 30 services that are mostly focused on streamlining your email, to-do list and other productivity tools. However, a mobile app does some of the same things IFTTT can do, like tweet your Instagram snapshots as actual pictures rather than links. There’s no mention of using those IoT devices with Flow yet, so IFTTT remains your go-to for automating connected gadgets with other tech.

Source: IFTTT