Daily Briefing: Most of you will read this on a phone

Is this real life? No, it’s just the news for November 1st.

How much of your day do you spend on your phone? Do you ever count it anymore? I do this for a living, so my usage may be disproportionately high, but I’d venture to say that most of you spend more time looking at your phone’s screen than any other single activity. That’s not necessarily a bad thing — though phone addiction is a growing concern, especially among young people — but it’s interesting when put in the context of today’s news that worldwide mobile usage has eclipsed desktop for the first time ever.

Certainly makes that “Screen on time” metric a little more important, huh?

And with that, today’s news!

Mobile usage exceeds desktop for the first time ever

According to StatCounter, mobile usage in October exceeded desktop for the first time ever. The analytics company noted that the climb has been slow and steady since it began measuring in 2009, and favors the desktop in most developed countries like the U.S. by a small margin. Still, overall mobile usage was 51.3% compared to 48.7% for desktop, and the disparity will only grow from there as more developing nations like India, China and parts of Africa adopt a mobile-first computing paradigm.

ZTE Axon 7 update cleans up the stupid home screen bell

In my (Daniel’s) review of the ZTE Axon 7, I neglected to criticize the lock screen bell, that ridiculous extra step necessary for showing notifications. It was an oversight on my part, and on ZTE’s — and we’ve both corrected the mistake (go us!) ZTE has released an update for the phone that makes the lock screen bell optional, allowing you to see every darn notification you receive, for better or worse.

To get this new version, which also improves battery life and fixes a number of bugs, head to the phone’s settings and check for updates.

Xperia X Performance getting Nougat beta update

According to XperiaBlog, Sony’s Android 7.0 Xperia beta program is about to get underway, with pre-release Nougat firmware for the Xperia X Performance beginning to roll out to participants. Successful applicants can expect an email confirming their place in the program, followed by an over-the-air update within the next couple of days.

Daydream View coming to retailers on Nov 10

If you want to check one out Daydream View in person before buying you can do so in the U.S. (Verizon, Best Buy; $79), Canada (Bell, Rogers, Telus, Best Buy; $99), UK: (EE, Carphone Warehouse; £69), Germany (Deutsche Telekom; €69) and Australia (Telstra, JB Hi-Fi; $119). If you’d prefer to order online, the Google Store has you covered. More

Sonos and Spotify are now better together

As promised back in August, Sonos speakers can now be controlled through Spotify’s Android app. You’ll need to be on the Android beta, but it’s a great addition to an already-powerful media platform. More

The first Tango phone is now available, and there are 35 AR apps to choose from

First shown in June alongside the Moto Z, Lenovo’s Phab 2 Pro is officially the first Google Tango phone, a monstrous 6.4-inch behemoth that integrates all of the necessary sensors to do proper room-scale augmented reality. Our own Florence Ion got to spend some time with the phone and its first set of apps (35 in total), and came away impressed. More

Fantastic Beasts, fantastic tie-in

Google is well known for its brand tie-ins, but this one goes incredibly deep. As part of an integration with Fantastic Beasts, a new fantasy film by Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling and David Yates, the director of the last four Harry Potter films, Google has updated Assistant with some movie-specific voice terms, including “Lumos” and “Nox” to turn the flashlight on and off, respectively. There’s also an upcoming Allo sticker pack, some retro Street View scenes from 1920s New York City, and perhaps most excitingly, a Daydream View experience when the headset is released on November 10. More

Google may bring the Pixel’s ‘Move’ fingerprint swipe gesture to the Nexus 5X and 6P

Most Pixel owners will know that one of the more useful features is its ability to swipe up or down on the fingerprint sensor to activate the notification shade. It’s a small thing, sure, but it’s invaluable. Now, Google says that despite firmware differences, it will try to bring this feature to the Nexus 5X and 6P, which have the same physical sensor. That’s a nice piece of good news!

That’s it from us today, see you tomorrow!

Google Wallet launches snazzy new web app for desktop and mobile

Google keeps up with Wallet, which is great for everyone.

Though Android Pay has taken the spotlight as of late for in-store NFC payments and online purchases, Google Wallet lives on for person-to-person money transfers in a market filled with alternatives like Square Cash, Venmo and PayPal. Though the Google Wallet app is of course still available for Android and iOS, Google announced a fresh launch of the Google Wallet website, giving the service its own defined place as Android Pay continues to expand.

Google Wallet website on a computer

Google Wallet website on mobile

Android Pay’s launch kind of cast a shadow over Google Wallet until today.

The new Google Wallet web interface actually closely mimics the experience you find in the native Android app, though you don’t get the added benefits of faster performance, quick log-in via PIN code or notifications. More importantly this is a fresh experience for when you want to send or receive money via Google Wallet on the web (perhaps when you don’t have your phone nearby). That function had been in limbo since the introduction of Android Pay, leaving you to only be able to send and receive money via the mobile apps and within Gmail.

The launch of the new website coincides with a smaller (and less flashy) redesign of the Google Payments web portal, where you’ll still find your payment and order history for properties like the Google Play Store, Google Store, Project Fi and subscriptions like Google Play Music.

The separation of Google Wallet from Android Pay and Google Payments makes sense considering their completely different mission and use, and thankfully now Google Wallet has a definitive place to live on both your phone and the web. Wallet is of course still free to send and receive money if you use your bank account.

If you want to be a wizard, cast a spell with your Android phone

Fantastic Beasts is scheduled to premiere soon, so Warner Bros is teaming up with Google to offer a magical promotion.

The upcoming film, which hits theatres 18 November, is set in JK Rowling’s “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them”, but it takes places decades before Harry Potter first arrives in Hogwarts. It follows magizoologist Newt Scamander in a whole new era of the wizarding world. To help promote the film, Warner Bros, the studio behind Fantastic Beasts, partnered with Google to let you cast spells on your Android phone using “OK Google”.

If you want to try being a Harry Potter-like wizard, say “OK Google” followed by “Lumos” or “Nox” to turn your flashlight on or off, respectively. You can also say “Silencio” to silence the ringer and notifications. Google is also updating Google Street View with tours of locations in Fantastic Beasts, allowing you to virtually visit the Magical Congress of the US, The Blind Pig speakeasy, and the apartments of some of the film’s characters.

But that’s not all: Google is developing a Fantastic Beasts Daydream virtual reality experience for the Daydream View VR headset, as well as a Fantastic Beasts sticker pack for use in its Google Allo messenger app.

Google Daydream View VR headset: When and where can you buy it?

Google’s new mobile VR headset has been given a launch date.

In a matter of weeks, you’ll be able to pick up the Daydream View, slip it over your head, slot in a Pixel phone, and begin experiencing virtual reality that sits somewhere between the high-end offering of Oculus Rift and the low-end offering of Google Cardboard. Think of it as Samsung Gear VR-like headset, only it’s powered by the new Google Daydream platform. Here’s everything you need to know about DayDream View, including what it is, how it works, how much it costs, when you can get it, and where.

• Google Daydream View preview: The Pixel-perfect VR experience?

What is Daydream View?

During its I/O 2016 conference, Google announced Daydream, a new VR platform for Android devices that should make it easier to access virtual reality content. It’s a separate effort from the Google Cardboard platform, which centers around a budget, build-it-yourself headset and similar certified viewers. Google designed Daydream’s first commercial VR headset. It’s called Daydream View.

The Daydream platform is different from Cardboard in that it’s Android-only and has minimum standards that will ensure image equality, responsiveness, and lag times are significantly better. Also, Daydream defines a multi-button handheld remote that lets you interact with VR. This controller, which features a clickable touchpad, must be included with any Daydream headset.

Similar to the Cardboard platform, the Daydream View won’t be the only VR headset available for use with Daydream. Any headset that meets Google’s specifications can use a Daydream-ready Android smartphone to deliver a mobile VR experience. Check out Pocket-lint’s guide on Daydream for more information about how the new platform works and when it will be available.

What does Daydream View require to work?

For now, Daydream View requires Google’s recently announced Pixel or Pixel XL phone to work. Other compatible phones are supposed to be announced in the coming months. To use Daydream View, simply slot in your Daydream-ready phone, and then grab the Daydream View’s controller to take action – whether that be swinging back, bowling a strike, or piloting a spaceship. The headset, which is made from a lightweight fabric and sits on your face like goggles, works with 360-degree YouTube videos, VR apps in Play Store, and more.

How much is Daydream View?

Daydream View costs $79.

Remember, mobile VR is meant to be more affordable than high-end headsets like Oculus Rift, HTC Vive, or PlayStation VR. When you consider those prices, as well as the $25 Google Cardboard, which delivers a very basic mobile VR experience, Daydream View has a reasonable price tag.

When will Daydream View be available?

Daydream View will officially launch 10 November. Google announced the news in a blog post, and it opened a Google Store page.

Where can you buy Daydream View?

You can pre-order the device from Google Store or Verizon and Best Buy in the US. Other retailers and mobile companies will carry it in the UK, Canada, Germany, and Australia.

Want to know more?

Check out Pocket-lint’s Google hub for related articles. 

What is Black Friday?

It’s that time of year again.

Autumn is creeping into winter, and Christmas is just around the corner. While that means snow is beginning to fall and big feasts are being planned with your friends, it also means you’re breaking open your piggy bank and spending your hard-earned savings on gifts and treats for loved ones. Yes, it’s the most wonderful time of the year, but it’s also expensive. So, you need to hit up Black Friday and save a few bucks.

The day after Thanksgiving is one of the only days in the US when most major retailers agree to open up very early – often even during overnight hours – to offer sales and steep discounts. This day is for consumers who are looking to get the most amount of goods for the least amount of money. In other words, it’s the one day you should do all your Christmas shopping. Here’s everything you need to know about it.

What is Black Friday?

Black Friday is an unofficial holiday that kicks off the intense Christmas shopping season in the US.

On Black Friday, most retailers open early and offer day-long or weeks-long sales. For years, it was common for retailers to open at 6 am EST, but this has been taken a new extreme in recent years, with several retailers now opening in the evening on Thanksgiving. However, a few states prohibit supermarkets, big box stores, and department stores from opening on Thanksgiving.

Although there’s controversy over some retailers making unreasonable demands on staff, such as requiring them to work long shifts, it all boils down to money. Total spending over the four-day weekend in 2015 reached $50.9 billion, according to the National Retail Foundation, though that was down 11 percent from $57.4 billion in 2013, and it marked the second year of sales declines.

As competition for customer dollars heats up, stores are staying open longer and hyping sales. As a result, more criticism has surfaced, with claims circulating about retailers selling derivative products manufactured with lower specifications just for Black Friday. There’s also been safety concerns regarding crowd management at stores due to violence occurring betweens shoppers.

Since 2006, there have been 7 deaths and 98 injuries reported during Black Friday throughout the US.

When is Black Friday?

Black Friday follows Thanksgiving Day in the US (the fourth Thursday of November). That means, in 2016, Black Friday is 25 November.

Does the UK have Black Friday?

Black Friday historically had a different context and date in the UK. However, in recent years, some retailers such as Amazon have begun introducing retail Black Friday in the UK. It didn’t take long before Asda (a subsidiary of Walmart), very.co.uk, John Lewis, Argos, and other UK stores all decided to partake. In the UK, Black Friday hit the £1 billion sales mark in 2015, and total sales over the weekend surpassed £3 billion.

Keep in mind the UK also has Boxing Day, a holiday celebrated on the day following Christmas. It’s also a famous sales day in the UK.

Where can you find Black Friday deals?

Pocket-lint will soon post a guide to the best Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals, so keep checking back.

What about Cyber Monday?

Cyber Monday is the Monday after Thanksgiving in the US. It originated as a day when online retailers lured online shoppers with sales. However, due to its proximity to Thanksgiving and the growing trend of cyber shopping, the two days have blended into a four-day weekend in which Christmas shoppers can look for deals on goods in both physical shops and online stores.

Is this Overwatch’s new hacker hero?

Blizzard continued its brutal trolling of Overwatch fans by adding yet another crumb on the trail to unveil Sombra, the next character to be added to its roster of playable heroes. The latest in their months-long series of alternate reality games (ARG) came when she “hacked” the game’s subreddit today, and its moderators asked users to help protect a website in the Overwatch universe from her attacks. If you’ve not scoffed at yet another stalling tactic to buy time until Sombra’s likely reveal at BlizzCon this weekend, there might be an unintentional reveal to get excited about: potential concept art of the never-before-seen hero was accidentally listed on Blizzard’s store page.

The image was reportedly named “fineartsombra,” and though the original page was taken down, user Metalexe posted the photo on Reddit. It is likely legitimate character art, as it bears the signature of Blizzard concept artist John Polidora and matches his style. It also visually resembles a screenshot of the hero leaked last month, a design the studio refused to confirm or deny. While it’s strange for Blizzard to upload concept art to its merchandise storefront, it could be a sample image from an Overwatch collected art book being released for this weekend’s BlizzCon 2016. The studio does love its coffee table art books. Here’s the full image:

As for today’s ARG, over 10,000 users are watching several determined users unravel the details via an updating Reddit Live post. Sombra had “hacked” the website for LumériCo, a power company in the Overwatch universe operating in Mexico. This coincides with a fictional news report released today noting that the Sombra-supporting group Los Muertos would be staging a nonviolent protest today at the utility’s brand-new nuclear plant. As Redditors fiddled with the site’s console commands, energy gages ticked slowly up to 100…

…Which is not the first time Blizzard’s teased fans with a countdown timer and implied there would be a Sombra revelation at the end. Instead of all the fanfare and revelations they expected, however, the studio followed the month-long wait with…another set of clues. But we’re getting ahead of ourselves.

According to Game Detectives, a site dedicated to gaming-related mysteries, the first link in the Sombra mystery chain emerged in a video announcing the new character Ana, released way back on July 12th. Pausing it at 1:16 showed a sheet of hexidecimal numbers, which intrepid internet investigators translated to ASCII, and then ran through a XOR cipher with the constant 23 revealed the repeating Spanish phrase, “la que tiene la información; tiene el poder.” Or, in English, “She who has the information, has the power.”

More clues dropped between July and mid-October, leading the mystery crackers to carefully dissect video trailers, extract information from datamoshed images and run code through ciphers. Most unearthed clues led to further puzzles. Then there was the timer: A user named Skycoder made a sinister-sounding post in the Overwatch forums in August, which counted down to zero, which kicked off a percentage timer counting up from zero on a different site. When that reached 100 percent on October 19th, users were dismayed not to finally see long-awaited character details, but another set of clues. Unsurprisingly, many fans threw up their hands and abandoned the chase.

For all that waiting and digging, by the way, we still don’t know much about Sombra. Clearly, she is meant to be a skilled hacker and cryptographer — and thanks to a dialogue line from other hero Reaper, likely his associate. She operates out of the Mexican city of Dorado, which is a playable map in Overwatch and the setting for its video short Hero. In the possible image above, she is cradled in a giant mechanical hand, which internet speculators believe resembles the human-controlled mechs Russia built at Volskya Industries (another map) to ward off the armies of omnics, killer robots that waged wars against mankind in a quarter-century before the game takes place.

Since October 19th, there’s been a (hopefully final) round of puzzles surrounding the in-universe LumériCo power company and its corrupt CEO, Guillermo Portero. As unraveled clues pointed to November 1st as the opening day of the utility corporation’s new nuclear power plant, some have hoped that today’s Sombra “hack” will finally result in long-delayed character revelations. They remain glued to Reddit Live’s updating post, which some streamers have tuned in to as well. As of the time this was published, today’s ARG event has revealed…another ASCII skull with text and a link to a site for Volskya Industries. You read it here first, folks.

[BREAKING] LumériCo network security breach underway, power outages reported across Mexico.

– Suspect unidentified
– Portero: “No comment” pic.twitter.com/cVgBhUiSf4

— Overwatch (@PlayOverwatch) November 1, 2016

Others, like these Kotaku writers, envision a nightmare future where the Sombra ARG never ends, and we lore-parched Overwatch fans shamble after Blizzard’s drip-fed hints until Judgment Day and trumpets sound. We at Engadget think the studio can’t possibly prolong the character’s revelation past BlizzCon 2016 this weekend, a giant stage for just such an announcement.

Can’t they?

Via: Mashable

Source: Reddit