Daily brief: Pixel is coming, Note 7 is back, and Huawei is outta here

What happened in Android news on Monday, October 3?

In 2007, I was enthralled by a “smart” phone made by LG: the Shine KE970. Tiny by today’s standards, it was a metal slider with a 2.2-inch 240×320 pixel screen and a 2MP camera which, according to a review at the time, “takes only 2 seconds to focus on its subject.” It could connect to a WAP browser over an EDGE data network that, in 2007, was unbelievably fast compared to GPRS. Its Java-based operating system was extremely basic by today’s standards, its maze of menus navigated through a “Multi-function Scroll Key” that the company touted in its marketing material.

Overtly simplistic now, the Shine and its ilk were considered advanced for the time, though the smartphone revolution was firmly, if quietly, in progress even then. The iPhone debuted earlier in 2007, and the HTC Dream (aka the G1), the first Android phone, would arrive later in 2008. It’s sometimes easy to overlook how initial releases change the market in dramatic ways.

As we look forward to Google’s announcement tomorrow, and try to place the Pixel in its rightful spot in history, it’s going to be less about marked changes in form and more about how to assign meaning to the names behind the devices. The Pixel will, for all intents and purposes, be Google’s first phone, representing a significant break from the way the company has done business in the past. The Nexus line was about partnership; the Pixel line will be about leadership.

When we look back in 10 years, I wonder if tomorrow’s event truly will have the lasting impression some believe it will.

Carphone Warehouse spills the beans on the Pixel and Pixel XL

More promotional shots of the unannounced Google phones ahead of their launch tomorrow, including promo pics of the devices in black and white, and tentative specs. More

Facebook Messenger launches ‘Lite’ Messenger in emerging markets

The social giant launched a less data-intensive version of its main app last year, and now it’s doing the same with Messenger. Interesting to note the timing after Google recently launched Allo, targeted mainly at India and similar emerging markets. More

Samsung recommences Galaxy Note 7 sales in Korea

Following the successful completion of its (exploding) Galaxy Note 7 recall, new (non-exploding) handsets are on sale in Samsung’s home market. 30,000 of the devices were sold on the first weekend. We’re looking at a late October relaunch for the Note 7 in North America and Europe. More

Google may have wanted to work with Huawei on Pixel phones

A lengthy report from Android Police claims that the Nexus 6P was originally a much more ambitious project with carrier involvement, and that Huawei — Google’s first choice for Pixel ODM — pulled out after it emerged there’d be no co-branding in the new phones. Tantalizingly, it’s claimed that another non-Pixel phone partnership may be in the works between the two for release later in 2017.

Xiaomi brings the Mi Box to the U.S. for 4K streaming goodness

Xiaomi doesn’t officially sell any of its smartphones in North America — because patents — but it is selling its Mi Box 4K streaming set-top box through its Mi.com online store today for $69, and at Walmart starting next month. For that price, you get a nicely-designed Android TV kit, which supports 60fps 4K playback, Google voice search and Google Cast.

October security patch rolling out to Nexus users

Along with a new security bulletin outlining various security improvements embedded in its monthly security patch, Google is rolling out over-the-air updates to supported Nexus devices over the coming days. Nexus devices will receive patch dates of October 5, 2016, rolling in all Nexus-specific and Android-wide vulnerabilities.

At the time of writing new factory images are also available for the Nexus 6P, 5X, and 6, with more likely to come.

Samsung could add Gear smartwatch control to Gear VR

SamMobile reports that interactions could involve turning the bezel on the watch, or pressing physical buttons to confirm menu selections in VR. A unique concept, but it’s unclear how this would be any better than using the headset’s inbuilt controls.

Honor 8 coming to India on October 12

The latest flagship from the Huawei-owned brand will be hitting Indian stores in a little over a week. Expect pricing around ₹27,000 for the phone, which will come in Sapphire Blue, Pearl White and Midnight Black colors. More

Google adds Explore assistant feature to Google Sheets

If you’re ever in need of some advice how to create a complex formula for the Google Sheets spreadsheet application, you can now enter your question in plain English and have the formula built for you. If you’re a Sheets user Explore will help you design the best layout, too. The new Explore feature is built into Sheets and Slides for the web, Android and iOS and is included in the latest update.

BlackBerry DTEK60 goes up for pre-order on NCIX Canada, because why not?

BlackBerry’s latest unannounced phone has been put up for pre-order on the Canadian version of electronics etailer, NCIX, for $700 CAD, which works out to around $533 USD. The phone is reportedly based on the TCL 950, another sort-of-unannounced device (at least outside China), and features some seriously powerful specs. More

WhatsApp now lets you Snapchat your Grams

Facebook-owned WhatsApp is recognizing the profound effect Snapchat is having on its business: It has added Snapchat-like filters, text and emoji to its photo sharing. Available for Android starting today, the app also enables the front-facing flash — brightening the screen temporarily while the shutter goes — so you can share it with your friends. YOLO.

Nexus 6 finally receives Android 7.0 Nougat OTA, factory images also posted

Better late than never — Nougat is here.

Ah, our (somewhat) beloved Shamu — the Nexus 6. Seemingly forgotten with the launch of Nougat to other Nexuses over five weeks ago, owners of the two-year-old Nexus 6 have been waiting for an update. Not only has Google posted an Android 7.0 Nougat factory image and a flashable OTA file, but we’ve received plenty of notes saying that Nexus 6s are receiving OTA updates now as well.

Even though Nexus 6P and 5X owners have dealt with a mixed bag since receiving Nougat, that doesn’t make it any easier to look in from the outside waiting for an update. As far as we can tell Google hasn’t made any claims about why the Nexus 6 fell so far behind the group, but it isn’t uncommon for some Nexus devices to be a bit delayed in receiving the latest software.

Being that the Nexus 6 (alongside the Nexus 9) is the oldest of the Nexuses supported in the Nougat release, it’s good to see a two-year-old phone still get the latest software. And with the hardware available inside, we wouldn’t be surprised if it ran just as well now as it seemed to on the early Developer Preview releases. If you’re antsy, you can download the factory image or OTA file from the links above, but chances are you’ll get the OTA update in short order if you intend to wait.

Android 7.0 Nougat

• Android 7.0 Nougat: Everything you need to know
• Will my phone get Android Nougat?
• All Android Nougat news
• How to manually update your Nexus
• Join the Discussion

Google’s $79 Daydream mobile VR headset might be made by HTC

Google could soon unveil a mobile virtual-reality headset made by HTC.

The company is holding a hardware event on 4 October and has been marketing the whole thing under a “Made by Google” tagline, which suggests everything we see unveiled at the show will be Made by Google, rather than Made with Google like we’ve seen in the past. However, contrary to the speculation, reports indicate Google plans to announce two Pixel-branded phones made by HTC as well as a Daydream headset made by HTC.

Variety has claimed the Taiwanese manufacturer is building Google’s first Daydream VR headset, which is meant to be used in conjunction with either of the two new phones, and it could be sold for as much as $79. The report cited a source “with knowledge of the announcement”. Google first announced its Daydream mobile VR platform last May at Google I/O 2016. It’s basically an extension of the Android mobile OS.

Daydream-optimized phones will enter a VR mode when inserted into a Daydream-ready headset, which are headsets that meet a certain spec criteria outlined by Google. Instead of waiting for third-party companies to launch their own Daydream headsets, which will work much in the same way that Samsung’s Gear VR headset works with select Samsung phones, Google has reportedly partnered with HTC to launch its own version.

Google has actually teamed up with a number of companies to build Daydream-ready phones as well as Daydream headsets, Variety said. We’re assuming it thought HTC was a good fit for its first-ever headset because the company already has experience making the HTC Vive headset that offers a more full-fledged VR experience akin to the Oculus Rift.

Although Variety said the Daydream headset by Google and HTC should cost $79, Android Police first suggested the device would sell for around $80. Check out Pocket-lint’s round-up to see what else Google has in store for 4 October.

What is Facebook Marketplace and how can you use it to buy and sell?

Facebook is taking on Etsy and Ebay.

The company has developed a new feature/tool/hub that you can use to buy and sell goods. Facebook basically noticed that more than 450 million people use Facebook Groups to buy, sell, trade, and barter. You could setup a garage sale-type group for your community, for instance, so that people in your local neighborhood can post things they have for sale and look for items from others.

Now, to streamline this clunky process, Facebook has introduced Marketplace. It’s described as a “convenient destination to discover, buy and sell items with people in your community”. You can even use it to find a new home. Facebook said it will continue to add new options to the feature over time. Here’s everything you need to know about Marketplace, including where to find it.

Facebook Marketplace: Where can you find it?

Facebook

To visit Marketplace, tap on the shop icon at the bottom of the Facebook app.

Facebook Marketplace: How can you browse items for sale?

Marketplace opens with photos of items that people near you have listed for sale. To find something specific, you can enter a keyword in search at the top and filter your results by location, category, or price. Next to the search icon, you’ll see the categories icon, where you can go to discover items under Household, Electronics, and Apparel, etc. There’s also a location tool to adjust your region.

Facebook Marketplace: How can you buy items?

Facebook

When you find something you want to buy, be sure to tap on the image to see more details from the seller, such as a product description, the name and profile photo of the seller, and their general location. You can also save the item to find it later. Once you decide you want it, send the seller a direct message from Marketplace to make an offer. Facebook does not facilitate the payment or delivery of items.

The idea is you and the seller can work out the details – just like you did before with Facebook Groups.

Facebook Marketplace: How do you sell items?

Facebook

To post an item for sale in Marketplace, take a photo of your item (or add it from your camera roll), then enter a product name, description, and price, and confirm your location and select a category. You can then post it so that anyone looking in your area can find your item and message you if they want to buy it. Remember that Facebook does not facilitate the payment or delivery of items.

Facebook Marketplace: How can you keep track?

To keep track of all of your current and past transactions, visit the Your Items section from Marketplace’s main screen. There, you can not only view your transactions but also saved items, products you’ve posted for sale, and all your messages with people.

Facebook Marketplace: When will it be available?

Marketplace will be rolling out to everyone over 18 years old in the US, UK, Australia, and New Zealand on the Facebook app for iPhone and Android over the next few days (additional countries are coming soon). Marketplace will also available on desktop in the coming months.

Want to know more?

Check out Facebook Marketplace’s promo video below.

Master the world’s most foundational coding language with the Python Power Coder Bonus Bundle (95 per cent off)

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With the Python Power Coder BONUS Bundle, you can get over 70 hours of training in this foundational language and its applications. This massive course collection will help you find your place in the tech world as you dive into app development, computer vision, and more with Python, and it’s on sale for just £33.66 ($44).

Here are some course highlights:

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Now packed with three brand-new courses, the Python Power Coder BONUS Bundle is a solid pick for getting comprehensive training with one of programming’s most essential languages. This course collection normally retails for £822, but it’s on sale to Pocket-lint readers for just £33.66 ($44).

What’s on TV: ‘X-Men’ and ‘Pacific Rim’ 4K, ‘The 13th,’ ‘Arrow’

Hopefully even a brief Netflix outage didn’t stop your Luke Cage binge or get in the way of catching the HBO premiere of Westworld, but this week the focus is on Blu-ray. A slew of Ultra HD Blu-ray releases are here including X-Men: Apocalypse, X-Men: First Class and The Great Gatsby. I’m actually most excited about seeing Pacific Rim on UHD Blu-ray, so I can compare it to the Dolby Vision HDR stream available from Vudu (and of course, bask in the glory of robots punching giant monsters).

For Prince fans, Purple Rain, Graffiti Bridge and Under the Cherry Moon are all being released on Blu-ray this week, while filmmaker Ava Duvernay takes a look at how our prison system has developed with her Netflix documentary The 13th. On TV, Scorpion is back, in case you thought Mr. Robot’s hacking scenes were just too accurate, while CW has premieres of The Flash and Arrow as well as its new time travel-ish show Frequency.

Finally, on HBO it’s time for the premiere episode of a new series from YouTube star Issa Rae (Awkward Black Girl) called Insecure, but HBO subscribers can actually watch it early here. Look after the break to check out each day’s highlights, including trailers and let us know what you think (or what we missed).

Blu-ray & Games & Streaming

• The Flash (S2) (Netflix, 10/4)
• Arrow (S4) (Netflix, 10/5)
• iZombie (S2) (Netflix, 10/6)
• The Originals (S3) (Netflix, 10/8)
• Vampire Diaries (S7) (Netflix, 10/8)
• X-Men: Apocalypse (3D, 4K)
• Pacific Rim (4K)
• X-Men: First Class (4K)
• The Great Gatsby (4K)
• Jupiter Ascending (4K)
• Penny Dreadful: The Final Season
• Prince Movie Collection
• Purple Rain
• Under the Cherry Moon
• Graffiti Bridge
• Preacher (S1)
• It
• Vikings (S4)
• American Horror Story: Hotel
• Banshee (S4)
• The Venture Bros. (S6)
• The Purge: Election Year
• Attack on Titan: The Movie (Part 1)
• Inside Amy Schumer (S3)
• Dexter: The Complete Series
• Mafia III (PC, PS4, Xbox One — 10/7)
• Paper Mario: Color Splash (Wii U — 10/7)
• Ride 2 (PC, PS4, Xbox One — 10/7)
• Call of Duty: Black Ops 3 – Salvation DLC (PC, Xbox One)
• Sundrome (PC)
• Rocksmith 2014 Remastered (PC, PS4, Xbox One)
• Mortal Kombat XL (PC)
• Slain: Back from Hell (Xbox One)
• Earth’s Dawn (PS4, Xbox One)
• Warhammer: The End Times – Vermintide (PS4, Xbox One)
• Atari Flashback Classics: Volume 1 (PS4, Xbox One)
• Atari Flashback Classics: Volume 2 (PS4, Xbox One)
• Shu (PC, PS4)
• Laser Disco Defenders (PS4)

Monday

• Monday Night Football: Giants vs. Vikings, ESPN, 8:15PM
• Class Divide, HBO, 8PM
• The Big Bang Theory, CBS, 8PM
• Gotham, Fox, 8PM
• The Voice, NBC, 8PM
• Dancing With the Stars, ABC, 8PM
• Sacred Sites, Smithsonian Channel, 8PM
• WWE Raw, USA, 8PM
• X Factor UK, Axs, 8PM
• Kevin Can Wait, CBS, 8:30PM
• Scorpion (season premiere), CBS, 9PM
• Lucifer, Fox, 9PM
• Fast n’ Loud, Discovery, 9PM
• Timeless (series premiere), NBC, 10PM
• Conviction (series premiere), ABC, 10PM
• Mary + Jane, MTV, 10PM
• Sacred Steel, Discovery, 10PM
• StarTalk, National Geographic Channel, 11PM

Tuesday

• The Mindy Project (season premiere), Hulu, 3AM
• 2016 Hip Hop Awards, BET, 8PM
• The Flash (season premiere), CW, 8PM
• Brooklyn Nine-nine , Fox, 8PM
• Dancing with the Stars, ABC, 8PM
• NCIS, CBS, 8PM
• The Voice, NBC, 8PM
• WWE Smackdown, USA, 8PM
• Undrafted, NFL Network, 8PM
• New Girl, Fox, 8:30PM
• The Vice Presidential Debate, ABC/CBS/Fox/NBC/CNN, 9PM
• No Tomorrow (series premiere), CW, 9PM
• Inside the NFL, Showtime 9PM
• Deadliest Catch: Dungeon Cove, Discovery, 9PM
• From Dusk till Dawn, El Rey, 9PM
• Forged in Fire, History, 9PM
• Atlanta, FX, 10PM
• Aftermath, Syfy, 10PM
• Tosh.0, Comedy Central, 10PM
• Halt and Catch Fire, AMC, 10PM
• Black Market, Viceland, 10PM
• A Season with Florida State Football, Showtime, 10PM
• Adam Ruins Everything, TruTV, 10PM
• Drunk History, Comedy Central, 10:30PM
• Football in Virtual Reality, Viceland, 11PM
• The Meltdown with Jonah Kumail, Comedy Central, 12AM

Wednesday

• Arrow (season premiere), CW, 8PM
• Blindspot, NBC, 8PM
• The Goldbergs, ABC, 8PM
• Lethal Weapon, Fox, 8PM
• Survivor, CBS, 8PM
• Forces of Nature (season finale), PBS, 8PM
• Lucha Underground, El Rey, 8PM
• Speechless, ABC, 8:30PM
• Frequency (series premiere), CW, 9PM
• Criminal Minds, CBS, 9PM
• Empire, Fox, 9PM
• Modern Family, ABC, 9PM
• Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, NBC, 9PM
• Dual Survival, Discovery, 9PM
• America’s Got Talent, NBC, 9PM
• Black-ish, ABC, 9:30PM
• Code Black, CBS, 10PM
• Designated Survivor, ABC, 10PM
• Chicago PD, NBC, 10PM
• You’re the Worst, FXX, 10PM
• American Horror Story FX, 10PM
• South Park, Comedy Central, 10PM
• Still Alive, Discovery, 10PM
• Weediquette, Viceland, 10PM
• Any Given Wednesday with Bill Simmons, HBO, 10PM
• American Gothic, CBS, 10PM
• Full Frontal with Samantha Bee, TBS, 10:30PM

Thursday

• Cardinals/49ers football, CBS, 8:25PM
• The iHeartRadio Music Festival, CW, 8PM
• Grey’s Anatomy, ABC, 8PM
• Superstore, NBC, 8PM
• Rosewood, Fox, 8PM
• The Good Place, NBC, 8:30PM
• Pitch, Fox, 9PM
• Chicago Med, NBC, 9PM
• Notorious, ABC, 9PM
• The Blacklist, NBC, 10PM
• How to Get Away With Murder, ABC, 10PM
• Better Things, FX, 10PM

Friday

• The 13th, Netflix, 3AM
• The Siege of Jadotville, Netflix, 3AM
• Russell Peters: Almost Famous, Netflix, 3AM
• The Ranch (S1 – Episodes 11-20), Netflix, 3AM
• The iHeartRadio Music Festival Night Two, CW, 8PM
• Macgyver, CBS, 8PM
• Last Man Standing, ABC, 8PM
• Dr. Ken, ABC, 8:30PM
• America Divided, Epix, 9PM
• A Football Life: Steve Young, 9PM
• The Exorcist, Fox, 9PM
• Hawaii Five-0, CBS, 9PM
• Shark Tank, ABC, 9PM
• Z Nation, Syfy, 9PM
• Lewis Black: Black to the Future, Comedy Central, 10PM
• Van Helsing, Syfy, 10PM
• Quarry, Cinemax, 10PM
• Blue Bloods, CBS, 10PM
• High Maintenance, HBO, 11PM
• The Eric Andre Show, Cartoon Network, 12AM
• The Half Hour: Mike Recine/Jacqueline Novak, Comedy Central, 12AM

Saturday

• Baylor/Oklahoma State college football, Fox, 7PM
• Mommy’s Secret, Lifetime, 8PM
• Day of Reckoning, Syfy, 9PM
• Saturday Night Live, NBC, 11:30PM

Sunday

• Giants/Packers Sunday Night Football, NBC, 8:20PM
• Bob’s Burgers, Fox, 7:30PM
• America’s Funniest Home Videos, ABC, 7PM
• Ash vs. Evil Dead, Starz, 8PM
• Once Upon a Time, ABC, 8PM
• The Simpsons, Fox, 8PM
• The Second Presidential Debate, ABC/CBS/Fox/CNN/PBS, 9PM
• Westworld HBO, 9PM
• Divorce (series premiere), HBO, 10PM
• Masters of Sex, Showtime, 10PM
• The Strain, FX, 10PM
• Insecure (series premiere), HBO, 10:30PM
• Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, HBO, 11:15PM
• Kevin Hart: Hart of the City, Comedy Central, 11:30PM

Meet NASA’s robot destined to mine Martian soil

It looks like the Curiosity rover won’t be the only craft exploring Mars. NASA recently released a video of its latest Regolith Advanced Surface Systems Operations Robot prototype going through its paces in a test facility. “RASSOR uses counterrotating bucket drums on opposing arms to provide near-zero horizontal and minimal vertical net reaction force so that excavation is not reliant on the traction or weight of the mobility system to provide a reaction force to counteract the excavation force in low-gravity environments,” NASA writes.

Simply put, this should make excavation on alien planets easier because the device can work without needing high amounts of traction to stay in place while performing its task. It looks like flipping over and becoming inoperable shouldn’t be an issue either, based on the proven design. Popular Mechanics suggests that a whole slew of these will be sent ahead of any Martian colonists as a way of prepping the landing pad, so to speak.

And, hopefully it’ll keep Curiosity company. Based on the rover’s formerly funny Twitter feed, isolation is getting the best of the trigger-happy spacecraft’s sanity.

This history of #Mars is written in its rocks, and this looks like a real page turner. https://t.co/7FCAmM1EgY pic.twitter.com/U56yefBC1n

— Curiosity Rover (@MarsCuriosity) September 9, 2016

Via: Popular Mechanics

Source: NASA (YouTube) (1), (2)