Samsung next to ditch 3.5mm headphone jack
It feels like Samsung and Apple have been in a battle as long as time itself, where one goes, the other tends to follow. It’s a classic case of one-upmanship.
With the recent release of the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus, Apple did something controversial, it removed the 3.5mm headphone jack, leaving us with just the Lightning port to connect a pair of headphones. Or plump for wireless connectivity through Bluetooth.
Not to be outdone, Samsung is also allegedly looking into making its own proprietary headphone jack for its mobile devices. Sources close to Digital Music News haven’t given away any details surrounding the actual jack, but it’s thought it will be different to the USB Type-C that many Android phones are now adopting. It is reported that Samsung’s new jack would be made available for other Android phones and tablets as well, sharing is caring after all.
To keep the number of annoyed people to a minimum, Apple includes a Lightning to 3.5mm adapter, it’s not clear if Samsung or other Android manufacturers would include one with their phones.
Of course, this is assuming Android phone and tablet manufacturers actually adopt the new headphone jack. Three headphone jacks could be one too many.
Apple’s AirPods get a $10 tether (so maybe you won’t lose them)
Apple’s incoming AirPods are a technical marvel, cramming a load of tech into the same teeny tiny earbud cases that have been packaged with iPhones for years. While we wait to test a pair out for ourselves, accessory makers have wasted no time in correcting possible design faults in Apple’s new headphones. Spigen has taken it upon itself to announce a ten-dollar tangle-free strap to keep the ‘phones together — and, well, un-wireless them.
The AirPods Strap is already listed on Amazon and — patent pending — is set to ship October 17th, when you’ll maybe already fear misplacing one half of the $150 pair. It is very much simply a glorified tether: there’s no electronics or wiring inside, but it really does defeat the purpose of the darn things. Almost like a headphone converter.
Via: CNET
Source: Amazon
‘Final Fantasy XV’ claims the first limited-edition slimline PS4
In a never-ending tale of limited editions, spin-off movies, anime and more, the makers of Final Fantasy XV have also laid claim to the first limited-edition thinner, lighter PS4. The “Luna” edition (did the giant moon decal give it away?) will land alongside the game (finally) on 29th November in Japan, priced at 40,000 yen — the same as the higher-capacity version of the slimline console. Sony also announced two new VIta colors, launching (in Japan for now) on December 1st. Take a peek at those after the break.
Microsoft launches Actiongram on HoloLens with a tiny George Takei
Ever wanted to hang out with a tiny, goofball celebrity? If you happen to have a HoloLens augmented reality headset, now you can. Today Microsoft made Actiongram, its mixed-reality filmmaking app, available to all HoloLens owners — and celebrated the launch by giving users access to a hologram of George Takei.
The tiny Takei character is pretty adorable, and allows users to superimpose a laughing, tickling and sword wielding hologram of the actor on any video filmed with the augmented reality headset. The public beta also comes with themed packs with Nyan Cat, Grumpy Cat, dinosaurs, unicorns, historical figures and more. The idea is to allow users to add “hollywood” effects to socially sharable videos without any special skills or expertise — but so far, it’s only been available to a select group of “social storytellers.” Today, that elite group narrows: now all you need is $3,000 to buy a Hololens developer headeset.
Source: Twitter
Spigen Offers Twinning Cord to Keep Apple AirPods Together
When Apple announced its wireless AirPods last week to compensate for the lack of a headphone jack on the iPhone 7, some observers commented on the “inevitability” of misplacing or flat-out losing one of the earbuds, which cost $159 a pair.
California-based accessory company Spigen thinks it has a solution to that dilemma in the form of the AirPods Strap (patent pending), currently available for pre-order on Amazon for $10.
The “tangle-free” cord attachment snaps onto the bottom of the arm of each earbud without impeding the microphones, and Spigen promises they “keep your AirPods in place around your neck, in your pocket, or anywhere you can hang a strap”.
While there’s reason to question the logic of attaching a cable to a technology whose sole aim is to be cable-free, the accessory would seem to answer to the worry some undoubtedly have about keeping the AirPods safely together, although Apple’s earbuds do come with a carry case for when they’re not in use.
The AirPods Strap is listed as having a release date of October 17, which is around the time Apple is expected to make the AirPods available to buy.
Apple’s wireless headphones offer users 5 hours of music playback, and the carry case doubles as a battery pack, holding an extra 24 hours of charge in a small, 2-inch tall frame. The AirPods feature Apple’s new proprietary W1 chip, allowing them to pair seamlessly with the host device, activate Siri with a touch, and automatically pause playback on removal.
Related Roundup: iPhone 7
Tags: Spigen, AirPods
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Professor uses facial recognition to spot bored students
If you’ve been to college or university, you’ll know the feeling: when your professor drones on for hours on end, but you’re hesitant to bring it up out of politeness (or fear of said professor’s wrath). You won’t have to be quite so shy in Wei Xiaoyong’s science classes, though. The Sichuan University educator is using a custom-built facial recognition system to scan students’ faces and determine whether or not they’re bored. The approach gauges the emotion in your face over time, helping Wei refine his lectures so that he doesn’t lose your interest.
It’s not guaranteed to be completely effective, of course (what if you’re particularly stoic?), and it’s easy to see students being nervous about the privacy ramifications of scanning faces. Wei is sharing his approach with other Chinese universities, however, which suggests that it’s successful enough. And the underlying tech isn’t limited to the classroom — Wei sees it applying to psychology, social sciences and anywhere else where measuring emotional changes could be useful.
Source: The Telegraph
Amazon accidentally outs new, cheaper Echo Dot on Twitter
Amazon Echo’s official Twitter account made a blunder that may have given hope to followers waiting for new Echo Dot stocks with bated breath. It sent out a tweet introducing an all-new and cheaper Echo Dot, according to Recode, but it deleted the post as quickly as it went out. If the company’s social media team didn’t tweet on purpose to drum up interest — post-then-delete is a common tactic used by celebs — then someone may have fired it out a bit too early. If you’ll recall, the tech titan also accidentally posted an iPhone 7 accessories landing page before Apple announced the product on stage.
Either way, the post caught by @Indypodcaster says the new Echo Dot will set you back $50 — $40 less than the original one’s price. Clicking the link on what he quoted just takes you to the first Echo Dot’s listing, though, which has been sold out since July. You’ll just have to wait for the e-retailer to officially announce its new Alexa-powered speaker if you want to buy one.
Apparently not? @amazonecho: Introducing the all-new Echo Dot. Add Alexa to any room – now for just $49.99. https://t.co/AQkwY5xbHh/s/Z-sj
— Darrin (@Indypodcaster) September 12, 2016
Source: Recode
The Chevy Bolt will have a 238-mile range
Chevy has finally announced the range of its upcoming Bolt all-electric vehicle. At 238 miles, the relatively inexpensive EV should squelch some of the range anxiety that’s kept drivers from making the switch from gas-powered vehicles.
Announced at CES in January, the Bolt is squarely aimed at Tesla’s upcoming Model 3 in range and price. While the Model 3 isn’t expected to land until late 2017, the Bolt is expected to be in showrooms before the end of 2016.
Chevy and Tesla won’t be the only two automakers battling for EV-buying dollars. Volkswagen is expected to unveil a long-range electric car at the Paris Auto Show in November and Ford CEO Mark Fields has already indicated that the company will be producing its own affordable EV. And of course, the Nissan Leaf is expected to get a range increase.
The Chevy Bolt will set you back less than $37,500 before federal and state tax credits and will go on sale later this year.
Source: Chevy
Over 70 Galaxy Note 7 phones have overheated in the US alone
When Samsung first issued an official statement about the Galaxy Note 7’s battery issue, the company said there were 35 cases of phones overheating from around the globe. Well, we’re way past that number now. According to the Canadian government, the company has received over 70 reports in the US alone. See, Samsung teamed up with Health Canada to help it get the recall ball rolling in the country. In an effort to convince consumers to return their shiny new phones that might suddenly explode, the government agency added that tidbit in the report.
Those 70-plus cases include a few high-profile ones you may have seen in the news lately. A man in Florida said his Jeep Cherokee went up in flames after a Note 7 exploded inside, while a six-year-old boy from Brooklyn suffered burns when a Note 7 blew up in his hands. Although 70 cases may not seem like that many, the Consumer Product Safety Commission already issued an official warning asking people to stop using the device. Various airlines all over the globe also banned passengers from using the phone on their planes.
Swapping your Note 7 for a loaner phone or a new one that’s been declared safe really sounds like the best option at this point. If you haven’t looked it up yet, check out Samsung’s explanation on how recalls will work within the US and ask your carrier what your choices are.
Via: The Verge, Android Police
Source: Healthy Canadians
Freeze individual servings of soup or stew in a muffin tin – CNET
Soup storage is easier than making muffins.
Alina Bradford/CNET
As the weather gets colder, I make a massive amount of soup– and end up with tons of leftovers. The best solution is to freeze it for later, but defrosting a Tupperware bowl full of soup can take almost as long as cooking it from scratch.
Plus, what if you just want some soup for yourself?
Well, there’s a way to freeze soup (or stews, or broth!) into individual servings that are easily defrosted. All it takes is a muffin tin, wax paper and large freezer bags.
Here’s how:
Wait until the soup is cooled.
Pour the soup into the muffin tin (preferably silicone), leaving a little space at the top so the soup has room to expand as it freezes.
Put the muffin tin in your freezer for two to three hours, or until the soup is frozen.
Pop the soup muffins out of the tin and wrap each one in wax paper.
Put the wrapped soup muffins into a freezer bag.
Close the freezer bag almost all the way and push the air out of the bag before finishing the seal.
Label the bag with the date and contents using a marker.
Put the bag of soup muffins into the freezer.
If you have a lot of soup, repeat the steps or use several muffin tins. It doesn’t really matter what type of muffin pans you use, but silicone muffin pans ensure that the frozen soup doesn’t stick to the pan after freezing. If all you have is aluminum, run a little hot water over the bottom of the pan and the frozen soup should pop right out.
When you have a soup craving, just select one or two of the soup muffins and defrost it in the microwave on low for around 5 minutes. This time will vary depending on your type of microwave, so keep an eye on the soup. Another option is to throw the soup in a sauce pan on low heat.
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