Microsoft inks a patent and software deal with Lenovo
Microsoft is dipping its fingers into the coffers of yet another Android device manufacturer. The company has just announced a partnership with Lenovo, which will put its apps in the Chinese’s manufacturer’s Android phones. It also includes a patent cross-licensing deal that covers Lenovo’s — and Motorola’s — devices’ giving it right to use some of Microsoft’s intellectual properties. According to Redmond, its new partner has agreed to preload Office, OneDrive and Skype on select Android phones. It didn’t specify which models are getting those apps, but company exec Nick Parker mentioned that they’ll be loaded onto the company’s “premium devices.”
Lenovo is the latest addition to the list of Android manufacturers sending money straight to Redmond. Microsoft started negotiating with hardware makers in 2010 after openly accusing Google of infringing on its software patents to make Android. It struck deals with numerous companies since then, including HTC, Samsung and even obscure phonemakers not active in the US.
Source: Microsoft
NVIDIA’s made-for-autonomous-cars CPU is freaking powerful
NVIDIA debuted its Drive PX2 in-car supercomputer at CES in January, and now the company is showing off the Parker system on a chip powering it. The 256-core processor boasts up to 1.5 teraflops of juice for “deep learning-based self-driving AI cockpit systems,” according to a post on NVIDIA’s blog. That’s in addition to 24 trillion deep learning operations per second it can churn out, too. For a perhaps more familiar touchpoint, NVIDIA says that Parker can also decode and encode 4K video streams running at 60FPS — no easy feat on its own.
However, Parker is significantly less beefy than NVIDIA’s other deep learning initiative, the DGX-1 for Elon Musk’s OpenAI, which can hit 170 teraflops of performance. This platform still sounds more than capable of running high-end digital dashboards and keeping your future autonomous car shiny side up without a problem, regardless.
On that front, NVIDIA says that in addition to the previously-announced partnership with Volvo (which puts Drive PX2 into the CX90), there are currently “80 carmakers, tier 1 suppliers and university research centers” using Drive PX2 at the moment. For the rest of the nitty-gritty details, be sure to hit the source link below.
Source: NVIDIA
Amazon Working on Echo $5-a-Month Music Streaming Service
Amazon is working on a $5-a-month music subscription service that will be exclusive to owners of the company’s internet-connected Echo speaker.
According to Recode, Amazon is planning to introduce the service in September alongside another music streaming service that costs $10 a month, to compete more directly with the likes of Apple Music and Spotify.
Industry sources say the company has yet to finalize deals with major music labels and publishers. One sticking point is reported to be whether Amazon sells the cheaper Echo-only service for $4 or $5 a month.
The $10-a-month service is said to replicate features common to the streaming market, such as unlimited, ad-free playback and an option to download music for offline listening. The company already offers Amazon Music as part of its Amazon Prime subscription package, but the music catalog is limited compared to streaming services like Tidal and Google Play Music.
The $5-a-month service would be different to discounted subscription models that other companies have tried in the past. Not only will the $5 service be restricted to Echo owners, it won’t be available to use on smartphones, which is what most users of existing streaming services sign up for.
Amazon started shipping the Echo last year and reportedly sold a million units. The company is aiming to sell three million more this year and 10 million in 2017, according to The Information.
Tag: Amazon Echo
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Tronsmart’s latest power bank is perfect for the Galaxy Note 7 and Nexus 6P
As you have witnessed, the mobile industry is slowly transitioning from microUSB to USB Type C. One of the first major smartphones to move to USB Type C was the Android enthusiast’s favorite, Google’s Nexus 6P. Since that phone was released there have been many other devices that followed suit including the LG G5, HTC 10, Moto Z and most recently, the almighty Samsung Galaxy Note 7.
I find this transition to be a pain in the rear. Almost all of my mobile accessories have microUSB plugs, only my Macbook, Pixel C and variety of smartphones have USB Type C. That means I need to pick up compatible Type C cables, chargers (car, office and home), as well as portable batteries to replace the old standard. Mix in the USB switch with the variety of Fast Charging, Quick Charging, and every other rapid charging method, and even someone like me who has access to all of this information is frustrated with the lack of uniformity.
While I wish I could wave a magic wand and unify the charging standards, as well as plug standards (even with Apple), the reality is the confusion is here to stay.
If you own one of these USB Type C smartphones, there is a good chance you need external power. There are a whole host of batteries to choose from, but not all are created equal. I’ve been using Tronsmart’s Presto 12000mAh battery with my Nexus 6P and Galaxy Note 7 for the past few weeks and can tell you that this is the Type C battery to get.
Build & Usage
The Tronsmart Presto battery follows the Tronsmart design with a plastic body that is durable and extremely well built. If you own a Tronsmart charger then you will be familiar with the design. The Presto is a candy bar shaped battery that is easy to hold in one hand, and it has a regular USB out with an in/out USB Type C slot as well. There’s nothing fancy or gimmicky about the build, and this battery is as reliable as it gets.
12000mAh is enough power to recharge my Note 7 and Nexus 6P three to four times each. Note and Nexus users are typically power users, so even though Android has improved battery management with things like Doze, we still push our phones hard enough to need a recharge on long days away from power outlets. There are hundreds of portable power banks with different power output ratings, and if you’re trying to charge your Note 7 or Nexus 6P with a 1W output port or even 2W, you simply will not be charging your devices at optimal speeds. Tronsmart’s Presto is fully compatible with all versions of Qualcomm’s Quick Charge as well as the Nexus 6P’s Fast Charging standard.
In my tests, it only takes about half an hour to get my Nexus 6P from 3-50%. My Note 7 is even faster.
Note 7
What is nice about USB Type is the fully reversible cable. Not only do I not have to look at my phone’s charging port when I plug in a USB Type C cable, but I can also recharge the Presto with the In AND Out USB Type C port on the front of the battery pack.
I’ve been using the Presto for just over a month and haven’t noticed any issues with the battery. It does get a little warm when charging my Note 7 at full speed, but that’s an issue across most portable power banks.
LG G5
Summary
Switching to USB Type C from microUSB is without question a pain in the rear. The change is happening and there is nothing you can do to stop it. If you own a smartphone with USB Type C now is the time to switch over your power bank to Tronsmart’s Presto. It costs about $40 at Amazon, and is a high quality accessory from a trusted brand that is certified by Qualcomm to work with your devices. The major downside is this battery is so good that Amazon can barely keep it in stock.
Samsung Note 7 owners, as well as Nexus 6P, LG G5, HTC 10 owners should strongly consider picking up the Tronsmart Presto as it will be the most efficient way to charge your smartphone when you’re away from a wall outlet.
Get the Tronsmart Presto 12000mAh portable power bank at Amazon.
Amazon could launch an Echo-exclusive music service
Back in June, reports came out that Amazon plans to launch a $10-a-month standalone music service similar to Spotify, Apple Music and other subscription-based options out there. According to Recode, though, the tech titan is also gearing up to introduce a second, cheaper offering that will only cost you $5 a month. The catch? It will only work with the company’s Alexa-powered Echo speakers. Other than that, Recode says it’s just like your typical paid music service: you can choose what to play, and you won’t get interrupted by ads.
Amazon’s Echo speakers can already play music from various sources, including Spotify, Pandora and its very own Prime Music. You’ll need to stream tracks from a phone via Bluetooth for some of them, but some are already baked into the devices. A $5-month-offering that’s limited to the speakers would likely appeal most to people who already have an Echo — or have been planning to buy one for quite some time — and don’t really listen to music on the go. Its success depends on whether those people are willing to sign up for another service on top of the one they already have. Amazon has neither confirmed nor denied the product’s existence, but we’ll update you as soon as we find out.
Source: Recode
Augmented reality power tool helps anyone craft things
Crafting with CNC mills, routers and other power tools isn’t all that easy, especially if you’re new to it. You’ll frequently want a template, and it’s all too easy to mess up a cut if you haven’t developed a steady hand. Shaper doesn’t think it has to be daunting, though: it’s launching Origin, an augmented reality power cutter. All you need to get started is a set of visual markers (“ShaperTape” in company lingo) that create a map — the handheld will not only show you where to cut on its screen thanks to these markers, but automatically correct your cut or retract the bit if you’re veering off-course. You could be a neophyte and still create something reasonably professional-looking.
The hardware is also more portable and flexible. You’re not confined to the size of a cutting bed (you can make a dining room table if you want), and you can work with materials ranging from wood to plastic. And while Shaper has its own design collection to start from, it can tie into existing design software if you already have a workflow.
Not surprisingly, a digitally-savvy tool like this won’t come cheap. Pre-orders start at 12PM Eastern on August 23rd for $1,500, and that’s for early buyers. Wait until it hits stores and you’ll shell out $2,099. It’s not really for beginners, then, unless you’re well-heeled. However, it might be just the ticket if you feel limited by conventional cutters or are determined to tackle a big project with as few mistakes as possible.
Source: Shaper
Upgrade your No Man’s Sky starship without spending a single unit – CNET
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You can activate this optional bonus DLC Horizon Omega ship in the beginning of the game.
Screenshot by Taylor Martin/CNET
You begin on a random planet in No Man’s Sky, in a galaxy full of more planets than your mind can comprehend and with nothing more than a wrecked ship, an empty exosuit and a puny multitool.
This inaugural ship comes with a meager 15 storage slots. Four of those slots are taken by the required bits and bobs that make the ship fly and survive between the harsh planets — the Launch Thruster and Pulse Engine, both of which are heavily damaged, a Deflector Shield and the Photon Cannon. There’s also a Carite Sheet, which you will eventually use to repair some of the damages.
If you preordered the game, you’re granted the option to replace the first ship with the bonus DLC Horizon Omega ship, which has one additional slot and a Hyperdrive (for warp speed travel) preinstalled. If you choose this ship, you still need to make the repairs to get it off the ground.
Once you get the ship in the air, you’ll soon find that the 15 or 16 inventory slots you start with on your first starship simply aren’t enough. You will need to expand and upgrade to make your journey more enjoyable.
Upgrading your ship
Upgrading is the name of the game in No Man’s Sky, and what you’re after is more storage space. Your inventory space is crucial for mining and storing valuable resources or holding on to important things like Atlas Stones. These slots are also used for installing new technologies that make your ship more efficient, such as by making your Hyperdrive travel farther, cooling the Phase Beam so it shoots more than 1 second without overheating or improving shields for combat.
You will find new technology to install along your journey, but without upgrading to a new ship, you won’t have room for the add-ons and all the other things you need to carry with you.
Screenshot by Taylor Martin/CNET
The most direct way to upgrade your ship is to interact with other travelers at space stations, trading posts and outposts throughout the game. Once another ship lands, approach it and start a conversation with the owner of the ship. You will be given the option to make an offer on that ship, which varies wildly in price. The first ship I purchased from another space traveler cost me approximately 700,000 units for an additional slot. The second ship I purchased cost me over 3.4 million units for a total of 24 storage slots.
The maximum number of slots you can get in a ship in No Man’s Sky is 48 and will cost you upward of 100 million units.
Doing the math and comparing that with how slowly you earn units for mining valuable resources (and considering the fact that your existing ship apparently has no value after you purchase it), it would take ages to go about maxing out a ship in No Man’s Sky solely by trading up.
But there’s a better way.
Look for abandoned ships
Screenshot by Taylor Martin/CNET
If you’ve wandered around on several planets, by now, you’ve likely stumbled upon a crash site or two. At a crash site, if you approach an abandoned ship — which will have either one more or one fewer storage slot than the one you’re currently flying — you have the option to transfer all your loot over to the new ship, claim it as yours and leave behind your current one.
The problem is, you’re going to have to repair the abandoned ship just like you did in the beginning of the game. And depending on the climate of the planet you’re on, the hostility of sentinels and how plentiful the flora and other resources on the planet are, it may be a wise decision to leave the crashed ship be.
That said, crash sites aren’t all that uncommon, if you know how to locate them.
How to find crash sites
Screenshot by Taylor Martin/CNET
First, search for a Signal Scanner, which you can typically find by cruising around in your ship above the surface of a planet. Signal Scanners are small, trapezoidal boxes that emit an orange beam out of the top, well into the air. (If you can’t find one during the day, particularly on a mostly red, orange or pink planet, they’re very easy to spot at nighttime.)
Once you find one, make your way to it and craft a few Bypass Chips in your exosuit inventory using 10 Plutonium and 10 Iron. Walk up to the Signal Scanner, use one Bypass Chip to access it, then select Transmission from the options. It may take a few tries, but the Signal Scanner should eventually show you the location of a Tranmission Tower. (If you know what a Transmission Tower looks like, you can skip the Signal Scanner altogether.)
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Screenshot by Taylor Martin/CNET
Make your way to the Transmission Tower, which will be a building with a large antenna sticking out of the top. Inside, you will find a terminal. Interact with it and solve the problem to decode the distress signal. If you solve it, you will be given the coordinates of a crash site.
Once you arrive at the crash site, approach the abandoned ship. To initiate the transfer to the new ship, press the same button you normally press to enter your ship (by default, it’s E on PC or Square on PS4). Check the number of slots the crashed ship has. If it doesn’t have as much storage as your current ship, it’s probably best to leave it…unless, of course, it looks awesome.
Salvage tech from unused crash sites
Screenshot by Taylor Martin/CNET
However, you can scrap the technology on the abandoned ship and use it to help repair the next one you come across. To do this, switch to the crashed ship, but leave all your resources in your existing ship. Then open the inventory of the crashed ship and dismantle all the add-on technologies (middle mouse button on PC or R3 on PS4). This will destroy the technology and recover some of the resources that were used to create it, often scarce materials. Once you’ve deconstructed everything, go back to your original ship and switch back to it, taking all the important goods with you.
When switching to a crashed ship that has more storage than your current one, you can use this same tactic to scrap all the technology on your ship to help repair the new (crashed) one.
Frankly, this is a grueling process. It’s a grind to get a fully maxed-out ship. But by comparison, repairing crashed ships is a much faster way to increase your inventory space than purchasing ships, which requires you to spend hours upon hours of harvesting resources to sell, just to earn enough units to purchase one upgraded ship.
In that same time, you could easily find and repair multiple abandoned ships and increase your inventory space without spending a single unit.
Asus ZenFone 3 review – CNET
The Good The latest ZenFone 3 from Taiwanese smartphone maker Asus packs a premium design and materials into a brilliant, affordable phone.
The Bad The ZenFone 3 beautiful looks and premium build gives it the chops to compete with other similar phones, while its camera takes satisfying shots.
The Bottom Line The cluttered user interface nags you with notifications until you turn them off. The glass rear is also a fingerprint magnet.
After two generations of plastic phones, Asus is finally returning to its premium roots. The ZenFone 3 houses midrange specs in a beautiful body that’s surprisingly affordable. With a starting price of $249 for the model with 32GB of onboard storage — around £170 or AU$350 — this phone is a fantastic deal for markets in Asia like India and Singapore. Those in the US and UK will have to wait till the fourth quarter before the phone launches there, unfortunately.
The ZenFone 3 looks like an iPhone and Samsung Galaxy S7 hybrid and feels especially premium compared to other phones that stick with metal or even plastic builds. And its USB Type-C port brings the handset into the growing ranks of phones that switched to the new standard.
Asus ZenFone 3 gets a beautiful new glass…
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The 5.5-inch full-HD display is bright and vibrant, and the Qualcomm Snapdragon 625 processor is snappy. It’s not as powerful as flagship phones packing the Snapdragon 820 chip, of course, but it’s powerful enough to play Asphalt 8 and Pokemon Go without issue. The phone scored well in our diagnostic benchmark tests, easily proving its chops as a midrange handset. Battery life was great, lasting around 16.5 hours in our looping video tests. Most phones hold up for around 11 to 12 hours, while those with bigger batteries can easily go up to 20 hours or more.
USB Type-C is taking over — here are the…
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Camera wise, the 16-megapixel rear lens with its four-axis optical image stabilization does a good job with lowlight shots. Check out the gallery below for some of the shots I took. If you have jittery hands, this feature will definitely be useful. On the front, the 8-megapixel shooter has the Asus Beauty Mode, which, when used on me, doesn’t really do much, but selfie addicts might enjoy controls that can slim the face and enlarge your eyes.
Focal Listen review – CNET
The Good The Focal Listen has a sturdy design and a comfortable and snug fit, and it sounds excellent for the price. Detachable cable includes an integrated one-button remote. The headphone folds up to fit in an included neoprene case.
The Bad Headphone is a tad heavy, may fit a little too snugly for some folks, and may not have enough bass for some listeners.
The Bottom Line French company Focal’s closed-back, over-ear headphone is designed for mobile use and delivers excellent sound for $250.
You may not have heard of French company Focal, but it makes some very good-sounding headphones. The latest case in point is its new Listen closed-back over-ear headphone, which retails for $249. No word yet on an international launch, but that price roughly translates to £175 or AU$340.
Although this is a full-size headphone, it’s designed for mobile use and works just fine with phones — it has a one-button remote and microphone integrated into the cord, which is detachable. The single-button remote allows you to skip tracks forward and back, pause and play music, and answer and end calls (call quality was good).
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Focal’s Listen headphone is an excellent sounding and comfortable full-size over-ear headphone that’s fairly affordable.
Sarah Tew/CNET
Although there are no volume controls on the cord, I like that Focal separated the microphone (a decent quality omnidirectional mic) from the one-button remote, which sits lower down on the cord and is easy to access.
The Listen may not look superstylish, but it is comfortable and is a better designed headphone than Focal’s earlier Spirit One, which we reviewed back in 2012. The Listen feels nice and sturdy, but — at 9.9 ounces or 281 grams — it isn’t the lightest headphone. That weight takes a little away from its comfort level. (Bose’s around-ear models and Sony’s MDR-1A are more comfortable overall.)
Focal Listen headphones (pictures)
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Both Steve Guttenberg, who writes CNET’s Audiophiliac column, and I really liked the way this headphone sounded. It offers well-balanced sound with excellent detail; potent, tight bass and clear mids. It also sounds pretty open for a closed-back headphone, so the sound doesn’t get stuck inside your head.
Researchers develop cheaper, more flexible smart glass
Thanks to the work of a team of researchers at the University of Texas, Austin’s Cockrell School of Engineering, your next car windshield or apartment window could have an efficient, low-cost way of electronically controlling its tint, while also keeping your heating and cooling bills in check. According to a release from the University of Texas, associate professor Delia Milliron and her team of chemical engineers have invented “a new flexible smart window material” that can lighten or darken with a small electric charge and can easily be applied with a new low-cost, low-temperature process.
The new application process is what actually sets her team’s material apart from existing liquid crystal panels or electrochromic windshields. While they work the same in principle, the new material is an amorphous solid made of chemically condensed niobium oxide, which has a less dense structure than similar materials, making it much more flexible and twice as energy efficient. Unlike traditional coatings which need to be applied to glass surfaces, Milliron’s material can be applied to plastics to keep costs down. While smart windows can be used to created tinted glass on demand or high-tech sunglasses, Milliron believes the new application process could also be used to create other amorphous materials like more efficient supercapacitors in the near future.
Source: University of Texas News
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