Sprint customers will get next-generation texting features soon
Even as services like Whatsapp, Facebook Messenger and iMessage proliferate, SMS won’t die. It is, fortunately, starting to evolve. Rich Communication Services (RCS) has the potential to replace SMS over time, offering a lot of features we take for granted in other messaging apps (like read receipts, better group chat features and improved photo and video sending). But, of course, it requires carriers to buy in. Today, Google announced that Sprint will be the first US carrier to implement an updated version of the RCS standard — next year, all Android devices sold on Sprint will have Google’s Messenger app set as default and will support the improved messaging features.
If you’re on Sprint now and using “select” LG and Nexus phones, you’ll get the capability sooner via a Messenger software update. And it sounds like other customers can just download the updated Messenger app to get in on the RCS fun — you’ll just need to be running a phone with Android KitKat or later.
It’s worth noting that while some other US carriers (including T-Mobile and AT&T) already support RCS, Sprint is the first to commit to an updated protocol for the service. The GSMA, which represents carriers around the world, announced that the latest spec for RCS is being released a little later this month — while it’s reasonable to assume that AT&T and T-Mobile will update to this new standard as well, Sprint is the first to pledge commitment for its customers.
While this is good news for Sprint customers, it’s going to take support of the other big carriers in the US for this update to really be useful. Messenger will fall back to standard SMS if one of the conversation’s participants isn’t using a phone capable of the RCS standard, and that’ll likely be what most users encounter, at least for starters. But any step towards a better default messaging standard is worth noting — here’s hoping that the other US carriers get on board post-haste.
Via: TechCrunch
Source: Google
Apple temporarily cuts USB-C dongle prices to appease MacBook Pro buyers
Last week Apple announced its new lineup of MacBook Pros and revealed they include only new USB-C-style connectors, dropping all legacy ports (other than, oddly enough, the headphone jack.) While the aggressive move means owners can charge their laptop through any of the jacks, and have the new capabilities offered, it also means that simple things like plugging in an iPhone to charge will require an adapter of some kind, which is not included.
As my former podcast partner Ben Drawbaugh noted, stocking up on dongles to go with your new laptop gets pricey fast, and Mac buyers have responded angrily online in our comment sections and elsewhere, However, now Apple says it will help them make the switch by “reducing prices on all USB-C and Thunderbolt 3 peripherals we sell, as well as the prices on Apple’s USB-C adapters and cables.”
The new prices in the Apple Store:
- USB-C to USB Adapter drops from $19 to $9
- Thunderbolt 3 to Thunderbolt 2 Adapter drops from $49 to $29
- USB-C to Lightning Cable (1m) drops from $25 to $19
- USB-C to Lightning Cable (2m) from $35 to $29
- USB-C Digital AV Multiport Adapter from $69 to $49
- USB-C VGA Multiport Adapter from $69 to $49
- SanDisk Extreme Pro SD UHS-II Card USB-C Reader drops from $49 to $29
- All other third party USB-C peripherals ~25% off
Will not include Apple USB-C power adaptors or the USB-C Charge Cable (2m)
The only hitch remaining? These price drops are temporary. In a statement provided to Engadget on this lovely Friday afternoon, an Apple spokesperson said they would remain in effect through the end of the year, so even if you’re not buying a new laptop immediately, you may want to stock up on new cabling now. The Apple store page confirms this, saying “* Discount reflected in price. Subject to availability and quantity limits apply. Pricing effective October 27 – December 31, 2016.”
There’s also no word on credits for those who have purchased these products already, however as iMore points out, if you bought them since the announcement they should still be within the return period so you can contact Apple about that.
Update: MacRumors points out that prices on the LG 4K and 5K displays announced last week have dropped by about 25 percent. Apparently, they count as third-party USB-C peripherals? The UltraFine 5K Display is down to $974 from $1,300, while the Ultrafine 4K Display is down to $524, from $700.
Source: Apple Store
Tesla added an all-glass roof to the Model S
Elon Musk has apparently been thinking about roofs a lot lately. SolarCity might want to make the most out of the roof on your house, but Tesla wants to remove those barriers between you and the sun entirely. Behold: the glass-roofed Tesla Model S sedan, which improves on the already sunny panoramic sunroof by doing away with the middle crossbar for a nearly seamless view of the sky.
The glass roof option will cost new Tesla owners a cool $1,500 over the base model, and does away with the plain sunroof entirely. If you need a roof rack or satellite radio, however, you’ll still have to go with the $2,000 panoramic option. If you’re worried about how hot your car’s interior will get will all that glassy real estate, remember Tesla claims their tinted glass blocks 98 percent of UV rays and 81 percent of heat, and drivers can always use their smartphone to turn on the AC before you even get back to the car. As with most things Tesla, the company has recently created an in-house glass technology group to handle all the glass-related research and development for Tesla and SolarCity. When the Model 3 debuts next year, it will feature a similar glass roof over the cabin.
While Tesla was in there fiddling around with the available Model S options, they also did away with Ludicrous Mode for all versions of the Model S except the top-of-the-line P100D, where it still comes standard.
Via: Electrek
Source: Tesla
Periscope debuts Clinton and Trump masks ahead of Election Day
I, for one, wouldn’t want to be in either candidate’s shoes right now but Periscope has a different idea. For the next week, the livestreaming app will allow users to don Hillary Clinton or Donald Trump masks when they broadcast in selfie mode.
“Live video continues to be an important way for anyone, including our elected representatives, to share their point of view on important issues and invite everyone to be a part of the conversation,” the Periscope team wrote in a recent Medium post. And what better way to share your thoughts and spur reasonable discussion of the issues than to hide behind a virtual mask and shout partisan opinions into your phone?
Still, this is an interesting move on Periscope’s part. The company is clearly taking aim at rival Snapchat, which has long enabled users to don digital masks — the difference of course is that Periscope’s overlays are applied directly to a live video feed rather than as a post production treatment for prerecorded video.
Source: Periscope (Medium)
Adobe’s powerful Photoshop Fix app finally arrives on Android
Adobe isn’t always quick to bring new creative apps and features to Android. It took the company over a year to deliver a version of Photoshop Fix for those devices. After making its debut for iOS last October, the mobile software brings some powerful desktop editing tools to phones and tablets that run Google’s OS. Tools like the face-aware Liquify tool to adjust facial expressions are here alongside Heal, Smooth and other adjustments that can make precise changes to images from a mobile device.
Photoshop Fix for Android also offers tools to tweak more general characteristics like focus, color and paint as well as the ability to adjust exposure, saturation, contrast and more. When you get back to your desktop machine, Adobe’s CreativeSync tech takes the work you’ve started on mobile and packages it in a layered PSD file so you can easily continue the task. Of course, you’ll need a Creative Cloud subscription to employ that workflow.
If you aren’t paying for Adobe’s suite of creative apps, you can still use Photoshop Fix on an Android device, but you won’t have access to the handy sync features that allow the company’s mobile and desktop offerings to work together. If you’re looking to give it a go, Photoshop Fix is available for free at Google Play.
Via: Lifehacker, Android Police
Source: Google Play
Apple Drops Prices on USB-C Adapters
To make it easier for customers who purchased a new MacBook Pro to make the transition to USB-C, Apple has dropped the prices on all of its USB-C adapters by $6 to $20.
The simple USB-C to USB Adapter, formerly priced at $19, is now $9, while the more expensive USB-C Digital AV Multiport Adapter, formerly $49, is now available for $29. Even Apple’s newly released Thunderbolt 3 to Thunderbolt 2 Adapter has seen a price drop from $49 to $29.
A full list of prices on the adapters in the United States is below:
– USB-C to USB Adapter – Was $19, now $9
– Thunderbolt 3 to Thunderbolt 2 Adapter – Was $49, now $29
– USB-C Digital AV Multiport Adapter – Was $69, now $49
– USB-C VGA Multiport Adapter – Was $69, now $49
– USB-C to Lightning Cable (1m) – Was $25, now $19
– USB-C to Lightning Cable (2m) – Was $35, now $29
Apple is also dropping the prices on all third-party USB-C peripherals available from Apple,com and Apple retail stores. USB-C accessories will be discounted by about 25 percent, with some accessories, such as SanDisk’s USB-C SD card reader, seeing a steeper $20 discount, dropping the price from $49 to $29.
Apple’s price cut on USB-C adapters and accessories may assuage customers who have been dissatisfied with the high price of the MacBook Pro coupled with the need to buy a wide range of adapters to use the new notebook with older peripherals. Apple’s lower prices also make its adapters more competitive with the wide range of third-party adapters available on the market. Apple explained the pricing cut in a statement that was given to The Verge:
“We recognize that many users, especially pros, rely on legacy connectors to get work done today and they face a transition. We want to help them move to the latest technology and peripherals, as well as accelerate the growth of this new ecosystem. Through the end of the year, we are reducing prices on all USB-C and Thunderbolt 3 peripherals we sell, as well as the prices on Apple’s USB-C adapters and cables.”
Apple did not mention a solution for customers who have already purchased adapters to use alongside their new MacBook Pros, but recent purchases can still be returned to the Apple Store and repurchased at the new lower price.
Update: According to MacRumors reader Philip, Apple will refund the price difference for customers who have already purchased adapters for their MacBook Pros. Customers who still have orders pending will also automatically see a price drop.
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Apple Drops Prices of 4K and 5K LG Displays by 25 Percent
Along with dropping the prices on all of its USB-C adapters accessories to help new MacBook Pro owners transition to USB-C more affordably, Apple has also introduced some significant price cuts to the 4K and 5K LG UltraFine Displays that were announced at its October 27 Mac event.
The LG UltraFine 5K Display is now priced at $974, a $325 price cut from its original price of $1,299.95.
The LG UltraFine 4K Display is now priced at $524, a $175 price cut from its original price of $699.95.
Each of LG UltraFine Display was designed in partnership with Apple to work specifically with the new MacBook Pro. The displays connect to the Apple’s new MacBook Pro machines over Thunderbolt 3 and have features like built-in USB-C ports, charging capabilities, stereo speakers, P3 wide color gamut support, and on the 5K monitor, a camera and a microphone.
LG’s 4K display is available for purchase immediately from the online Apple Store and will ship out to customers in five to six weeks. The 5K Display is not yet available for purchase, with Apple planning to launch it in December.
The price drops on the two displays are labeled as “Special Pricing” and will last until the end of the year. Apple also plans to discount its USB-C adapters until the end of 2016.
Related Roundup: Displays
Buyer’s Guide: Displays (Don’t Buy)
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