Samsung openly apologises to European Note 7 owners, promises to do better
Samsung Europe has published an open and frank letter of apology to all European owners of the Galaxy Note 7, including those in the UK.
President and CEO of Samsung Electronics Europe, YH Eom, says that the company is still investigating every aspect of manufacturing for the Note 7, including the batteries, and will publicly release its findings in order to be “transparent”. He also claims that Samsung will learn from the process and seek to earn back consumer trust.
Production of the Samsung Galaxy Note 7 was ceased at the beginning of October after a troubled period in which many smartphones caught fire, exploded or failed in a way which, in some cases, caused harm to users and/or their surroundings. After a mass recall and replacement programme, it was discovered that some of the replacement phones were suffering the same fates.
- Samsung Galaxy Note 7 is dead, bereft of life, it has ceased to be… it is an ex-smartphone
Eom claims that Samsung is still working to ensure that all Galaxy Note 7’s in circulation are replaced with other handsets.
Here is his open apology letter in full:
“At Samsung, we innovate to deliver breakthrough technologies that enrich people’s lives. An important tenet of our mission is to offer best-in-class safety and quality. Recently, we fell short on this promise.
“Because we had not gone on general sale in Europe with the Note 7, there were a small number of affected customers here. For those customers who received the device during the pre-order phase, we recognise that we have not lived up to your expectations, or our own high standards. For this we are truly sorry.
“We take seriously our responsibility to address concerns about safety and quality. In collaboration with government agencies and industry partners around the world, we are taking proactive steps to do better. Here is an update of our actions.
“As you have heard – or experienced personally – we have stopped production of the Galaxy Note 7. We are working swiftly to ensure every Note 7 device is safely returned. For those directly affected, we appreciate your patience throughout the replacement process.
“Samsung is fully committed to identifying and addressing the source of the Note 7’s battery issue. We have already initiated investigations with independent third party experts to carefully revisit every aspect of the device, including the battery, hardware and software, and manufacturing processes. Once available, we will transparently share our findings.
“Samsung has a long heritage of innovation and we have shown that we can and will learn from our mistakes. While we are always looking to innovate and create the next generation of great consumer technology, safety will remain our top priority. We will invest to better serve your needs through enhanced customer care and quality assurance.
“On behalf of all our employees across Europe, we are truly sorry, and grateful for your ongoing support. We will listen to you, learn from this and act in a way that allows us to win back your trust.”
More Pokémon are coming to Pokémon Go
If you’ve been playing Pokémon Go since day 1 you may be starting to find the game is now starting to lack the same excitement as when it was first released. There’s only so many times you can catch a Pidgey, Rattata or Caterpie.
The good news is there may soon be new Pokémon on the way for you to find, catch, evolve and battle. Pokémon Go gaming community The Silph Road has found files within the game’s code that refer to 100 new Pokemon, all of which are Generation 2. The new Pokémon range from #152, Chikorita and go up to #251, Celebi.
There’s also reference to a new ‘Transform’ battle move, which likely refers to Ditto and its ability to transform into whatever Pokémon it’s battling. Ditto is a Generation 1 Pokémon but so far hasn’t been spotted in the wild.
The Silph Road has pointed out that no moveset data has been assigned to the new Pokémon yet and hasn’t even appeared in the code, so Niantic will probably have to issue an update to the app before the Pokémon can be introduced.
The community also says it hasn’t “seen re-balances and additions come back to back this quickly in the history of the game. Can’t wait to see what their plans are on these new fronts! Something tells us big things are happening sooner than later…”. Consider us excited.
The Gen 2 Pokémon aren’t available to find just yet, so don’t worry if you don’t see them, but hopefully it won’t be too long before they start popping up. Redditor kdpha has stated that Niantic has been pretty quick to issue updates recently, not long after the code appears.
Alcatel Idol 4S with Windows 10 preview: Dead software in a shiny phone?
The smartphone market is bizarre and almost completely unrecognisable from the state it was in just 5 years ago. In years gone by, the Windows Phone platform was tightly controlled by Microsoft, and available almost exclusively on just the Nokia Lumia phones. BlackBerry made phones with keyboards on its own operating system.
Now Microsoft’s mobile OS is available on hardware that looks exactly like BlackBerry’s phones, which now run Android. Case in point: the new Alcatel Idol 4S with Windows 10.
We know the hardware is decent, but is the operating system even worth our time anymore?
Alcatel Idol 4S with Windows 10 preview: Design
We first got a glimpse at the Alcatel Idol 4S near the beginning of 2016 at MWC in Barcelona. So it’s probably no surprise that this Windows version looks almost exactly the same. The only real difference is the USB Type-C port on the bottom edge. Just like the Android model, it also comes with a budget VR kit in the box.
The back glass panel has an interesting reflective property where any light that hits it forms multiple beams of light that centre in on the fingerprint sensor. This sits below the massive protrusion that is the square camera hump on the rear panel.
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Both the front and back large flat, black glass surfaces have subtle curves towards the edges. It’s not quite enough to stop it feeling like a big shiny block in your palm, but it’s better than if it was all completely flat lines and right angles.
While the finish and design is undoubtedly elegant and polished, there’s no getting away from the size of it. It’s a big phone, even by 5.5-inch phone standards.
The power buttons lives just out of reach at the top of the left edge, while the right edge plays home to the volume rocker, and the round button which acts as a camera launcher.
Alcatel Idol 4S with Windows 10 preview: Hardware and Display
While it shares the same name as its Android-powered counterpart, the Windows 10 version of Alcatel’s Idol 4S has received a welcome spec bump. Rather than a middling Snapdragon 652 processor which has a tendency to stutter under heavy use, there’s a Snapdragon 820 processor.
This is the same processor found inside devices like the OnePlus 3, Sony Xperia XZ and the Stateside versions of the Galaxy S7. Even Google’s latest Pixels have a slightly tweaked version called the Snapdragon 821. In short – as far as mobile processors go – this is one of the best available right now.
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To ensure smooth performance, there’s 4GB of RAM along with a generous 64GB internal storage capacity.
The 5.5-inch full HD screen on the front is both big and beautiful. Windows 10’s fine details, sharp text and right angles look perfect on the sharp screen. If you get close enough, you can see some jagged-ness on the round details, which you wouldn’t get if it was a Quad HD display. Still, it’s plenty good enough at arm’s length.
Inside, with all the other gadgetry is a 3,000mAh battery which is claimed to be capable of handling 20 hours of use. In real life, that probably means you’ll have some battery left over at the end of a full day, but won’t get too far into a second day before needing to charge again.
Thankfully, it’s Quick Charge enabled, so it’ll fill up again in a relatively snappy manner when plugged in to a QC 3.0 adapter.
Just like its Android sibling the stereo speakers built in to the frame can fire sound both backwards and forwards thanks to having machined holes on both the front and rear side of the device.
Alcatel Idol 4S with Windows 10 preview: Software
You could be forgiven for thinking the Windows mobile platform was dead. After Microsoft decided to cut its losses on its smartphone hardware business, it seemed a no-brainer that the OS would die with it. But seemingly, that’s not the case. Windows 10 for mobile lives on to fight another day, and finds a home in the Alcatel Idol 4S.
As with pretty much every Windows Phone device ever, the experience is very pure and there are some pleasing elements.
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For those unfamiliar, the experience is made up predominantly from two screens. There’s the main home screen feature live tiles; essentially adjustable square icons for individual apps which update when you get notifications. The second screen, which you get to by swiping from right to left, is a list of all the apps installed on the phone.
Like Android and iOS you can swipe down a notification shade from the top edge of the display. This has quick action toggles for functions like camera, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, rotation lock and settings.
It brings many of the features across from the desktop operating system, including Cortana, Microsoft’s Siri and Google Now competitor. You can use it to search for things on the web, or set contextual reminders based on locations and meeting dates. You can even train it to recognise your voice, and only yours.
Interestingly, there’s also Continuum, Microsoft’s fancy word to describe its ability to be used as a desktop computer, albeit a limited one. Plug it in to a hub, or wirelessly, and you have a light version of Windows 10 delivered to a monitor, powered entirely by the device.
- Windows 10 Mobile review: A new hope?
Alcatel Idol 4S with Windows 10 preview: Camera
As seems traditional for Idol series phones, Alcatel opted for a Sony camera sensor in the Idol 4S. This time out, there are 21-megapixels jam-packed in to the camera, which seems a bit like overkill, but it can take decent shots. On first tests, shots in good daylight look natural enough, although details tend to decay and noise creeps in when the lighting drops.
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It can shoot 4K video at 30 frames per second, or slow motion video at 720p and 120 frames per second. It’s equipped with a dual-tone LED flash and phase detection autofocus to ensure that blurriness is kept to a minimum. The front camera can record full HD video and take 8-megapixel stills with an 84-degree lens for wide angle shots.
First Impressions
For fans of the Windows 10 platform on mobile, it’ll be a great relief to see the operating system running on an attractive, fairly well-priced device with great specifications. Perhaps the biggest downside is that – right now – it’s only available as an exclusive to T-Mobile in the US. There’s no word on if or when the phone might launch globally. It very much seems like a test run to see if there’s any demand for a new Windows phone.
With that aside, there’s a lot to like about the Idol 4S. Although big, the phone is nice looking and well made. It has a vibrant, sharp screen and the operating system runs very smoothly on first try. It won’t be enough to make Windows a genuine contender to Android or iOS – that ship sailed a long time ago – but it is enough to keep existing Windows Phone fans happy for a little while longer.
PS4 Pro tips and tricks: How to get the most from your new 4K PlayStation
The PS4 Pro is finally here and heralds the beginning of 4K HDR console gaming.
You can read our in-depth review of the PlayStation 4 Pro here, but if you’ve already decided to match your 4K HDR TV with the best games machine on the planet you’re probably wondering what it is fully capable of. Yeah, it can play games and play games well, but are there any secrets or tips that can improve the experience?
There certainly are, and here is a great selection of some of the best. We’ll also update with more as we find them.
- Sony PS4 Pro: Release date, specs and everything you need to know
- What PS4 Pro games are 4K HDR ready? The complete list of optimised games
- PS4 Pro vs PS4 Slim vs PS4: What’s the difference?
PS4 Pro tips and tricks: How to transfer your games, save files and profile from your old PS4
If you’ve upgraded to a PS4 Pro from an original or slim PS4 you can driectly transfer your important data from the old console to the new. That includes users and their settings, games and save files, and screengrabs and video clips.
You will need at least one Ethernet (LAN) cable and both machines to be switched on at the same time. You also need a lot of patience as the transfer process can take a fair while, especially if you have a lot of games stored on your hard drive.
It is possible to do it over a wireless or wired home network. If you do it through the two consoles’ Wi-Fi connections you need the Ethernet cable to directly hook them together, through their respective LAN ports. Otherwise, if they are both connected to your home network by cable, you don’t need to connect them together.
Once set up correctly and switched on, sign into the PlayStation Network on your PS4 Pro, update the system software to the latest version if necessary, and head to Settings>System>Transfer Dara from Another PS4. Follow the instructions and make yourself a cup of tea (or several) while you wait for the process to finish.
PS4 Pro tips and tricks: How to restore your save files from the cloud
If you are a PlayStation Plus member and have the option to save games online enabled on your older PS4, you can download them back to your new machine in order to simply carry on. If you don’t have that option switched on, head to Settings>Application Saved Data Management>Auto-Upload on your old PS4 and click the check box of each game you want to back up to the cloud. Also head to Settings>Power Save Settings>Set Features Available in Rest Mode and ensure the checkbox for Stay Connected to the Internet is ticked.
Then your machine will back up your saves online automatically, even when your PS4 is in sleep mode.
To download them again to your PS4 Pro, head back to Settings>Application Saved Data Management select Saved Data in Online Storage, click on Download to System Storage and you’ll see a list of all the games there are save files available for.
You can download each game’s files individually, even each separate save file for each game if there are several, but for speed you can also tap the Options button and select them all. It’s worth noting however that only the files for games installed on your new system will download. If you install a game afterwards, you’ll have to repeat the process.
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PS4 Pro tips and tricks: How to ensure you are getting 4K and HDR
Hopefully, the PS4 Pro should automatically detect your 4K HDR TV when it first boots up, but if not you can check the settings yourself.
Head to Settings>Sound and Screen>Video Output Settings. Here you can set the resolution (2160p – RGB for 4K HDR) or leave it set at Automatic to adapt on a game by game basis. You can also set your screen size to optimise the view in 3D mode, the RGB Range (although that’s best left at Automatic), HDR and Deep Colour Output. Leave the last two at Automatic.
You can also check your TVs capabilities and output format under Video Output Information.
PS4 Pro tips and tricks: How to turn your TV on automatically
One cool feature, if you have a compatible TV, is to have the PS4 turn on your set and even turn to the right source as you start up the console. Head to Settings>System and ensure that the checkbox for Enable HDMI Device Link is ticked.
PS4 Pro tips and tricks: How to upgrade the hard drive to 2TB
Like with all PlayStation 4 models, you can upgrade the hard drive in the PS4 Pro to either make use of larger storage space or faster access (using a solid state drive, for example).
We outline the steps here, which are generic for all PlayStation 4s, but you will find the PS4 Pro’s drive hidden under a flap on the right-hand side of the rear of the machine.
The things to remember most when buying a new drive for your new console is that not only does it need to be a 2.5-inch HDD, it can not be more than 9.5mm in depth. Many 2.5-inch drives are too fat to fit into the caddy and therefore the console.
We find that the Samsung M9T model to be a good fit. It provides double the storage of the included drive, upping the space to 2TB, and currently costs just over £90.
Once you’ve swapped out the drive, you will need to reinstall the latest system software through USB. Download the full software (not the update edition) here, found under “Perform a new installation of the system software”. Pop it on a USB drive in folders PS4>UPDATE and insert that into the PS4 Pro when asked.
PS4 Pro tips and tricks: How to link a Bluetooth headset
If you don’t want to use wired headphones or a gaming headset, either of which can be plugged into the DualShock 4 controller, you can use link any Bluetooth ‘phones or headset to your PS4 Pro.
Head to Settings>Devices>Bluetooth Devices and if you have your desired headphones in pair mode they should be seen by your console and appear on this screen. Just follow the on-screen instructions to finish the process.
You might need to select the designated audio device before you game. Head to Settings>Devices>Audio Devices>Output Device and select the headset you want to use. If you want to use your TV speakers or other speaker system, don’t forget to go back in and change it back again.
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PS4 Pro tips and tricks: Can you get HDR when the PSVR is connected?
In order to feed both your TV and the PlayStation VR images, you have to connect a PSVR Processor Unit to your PS4 Pro via HDMI and use a separate HDMI connection to your TV. This unit is compatible with 4K so can passthrough 2160p images, but it is not compatible with HDR. That means, if you want to make use of HDR pictures on compatible games you have to unplug the Processor Unit and connect your console directly to the TV whenever you are not using the VR headset.
PS4 Pro tips and tricks: How to download games remotely to play when you get home
There are few things worse than buying a brand new game online and then having to wait for hours in order for it to download. Most PS4 games will allow you to play part of the game before the rest has downloaded – represented by a shorter download bar on the user interface – but that can often be a very truncated experience.
You can however buy and set games to download to your PS4 Pro remotely. If you Stay Connected to the Internet ticked in Settings>Power Save Settings>Set Features Available in Rest Mode and have your console in sleep mode rather than completely switched off, you can set downloads to automatically install on your machine through an internet browser or the official PlayStation App.
Using the app for iOS or Android, you can access the PlayStation Store, click on the profile icon on the top right, then on Download List and you’ll see all your purchases past and present. Click Download to your PS4 on any of them and they will do so automatically.
It is similar when using a browser. Head to store.playstation.com, sign into your PSN account and you will find the Download List option by clicking on your username in the top right-hand corner.
PS4 Pro tips and tricks: How to get free PlayStation 4 games
There are a number of games on the PlayStation Store that are free-to-play, often with in-app purchases but fully playable without having to spend cash. Also, if you are a PlayStation Plus member – which costs £5.99 a month, £14.99 for three months or £39.99 for a whole year’s subscription and is required for online play – you get at least two PS4 games each month as part of your membership. You also get PS Vita and PS3 games at no extra cost, if you own either of those consoles too.
PS4 Pro tips and tricks: How to play your PS4 games on a PC or Mac
One of the coolest features of the PS4 in general has been improved for PS4 Pro. You can play your PS4 games in 1080p on remote devices, including a PC, Mac or Sony Xperia device.
You will need a spare DualShock 4 controller (and a wireless USB adapter if you aren’t using one of the new versions with the extra light bar), but if you download the app for Windows or Mac you can mirror your PS4 Pro screen and play any games as if they were running directly on your console and TV (just downscaled to Full HD if they are usually 4K).
Download the app for your computer here, then enable Remote Play on your console. Head to Settings>Remote Play Connection Settings then tick the checkbox for Enable Remote Play.
You can also start Remote Play while the PS4 Pro is in rest mode by heading to Settings>Power Saving Settings>Set Features Available in Rest Mode on the console. Select the checkboxes for Stay Connected to the Internet and Enable Turning On of PS4 from Network.
Sony
PS4 Pro tips and tricks: How to play your existing PS4 games in 4K HDR
Developers and publishers plan to enhance many of their existing games to make use of 4K, HDR and/or better frame rates when played on a PS4 Pro. Around 30 games already have all-new abilities and many more will follow.
You can find an entire list of the compatible games here.
PS4 Pro tips and tricks: Ensure a replacement HDMI cable is premium quality
The HDMI cable that comes with the PS4 Pro is optimised to carry a full 4K HDR video signal, with HDCP 2.2 copy protection and surround sound. Not all HDMI cables are as capable though and if you need a longer lead, for example, make sure it is labelled as “premium” or “high speed”. Even better, ensure that it has 4K-ready on the packaging.
It is not recommended you make do with an older cable, such as the one that cam with your original PS4, as that might not be capable of the bandwidth required for 4K Ultra HD and HDR signals.
PS4 Pro tips and tricks: Get improved Share Play streaming
Like with Remote Play, the PS4 Pro offers better Share Play functionality when used as the host machine. It is able to send 1080p video rather than 720p, as on a normal PS4. Even if the other user is playing on a regular PlayStation 4, the signal will transmit at 1080p when sent from a PS4 Pro.
Of course, you need a good enough Internet connection to ensure the resolution and performance is stable. A wired connection to Internet that is at least 15Mbps is recommended.
The Morning After: Tuesday, November 8, 2016
It’s Tuesday morning, Election Day, and you should be reading about the PlayStation 4 Pro, how Audi might have cheated on its emission tests, Mass Effect’s grand space opera teaser and oh-so-much more. Fortunately, that’s why I’m here. This is the Morning After.
4K PlayStation gaming has arrivedReview: PlayStation 4 Pro
It’s the most powerful home console yet, but you’ll need a 4K + HDR-capable TV to truly take advantage of it. In his review, Devindra Hardawar suggests that if you already have a PS4 and are stuck with a 1080p set, you can wait before upgrading.
Hint: Audi is owned by Volkswagen.Audi reportedly cheated engine emission tests too
According to the German paper Bild, regulators found software in Audi cars that masked their CO2 output during emissions tests. While this was apparently noted up to four months ago, neither Volkswagen, Audi or California regulators revealed it to the public. Software identified test conditions — slow, straight driving on a rolling road — and reduced gearing ratios. Turning the steering wheel disables the software and revealed the extent of the automaker’s test tweaking.
A very pretty fitness trackerTimex’s second smartwatch is cheap and subtle
Timex’ IQ+ Move will cost $150, and comes in men’s and women’s sizes. Despite Cherlynn Low’s misgivings about the scarcity of features (most are centered around fitness tracking), she was won over by its classic design and excellent build.
No, there aren’t any other choices availableElection day is here, and all of the information you need is just a click away
No matter who or what you’re voting for, the internet is here to help. Check out our guide for advice on getting to the polls and understanding what’s on the ballot when you’re there.
Wait, you’re going to fuel while the crew is where?NASA is worried SpaceX will put crews at risk by topping up while they’re aboard
SpaceX is moving on to a future of manned space flights, but NASA has some questions about how it’s going to pull those off. Specifically it’s looking at the plan to fill Falcon 9 rockets while astronauts are aboard, a proposal that seems even sketchier after last year’s explosion. A review process is under way, and findings from SpaceX’s probe into the explosion will be considered.
But wait, there’s more…
- Toyota is planning a long-range EV by 2020 (possibly at the expense of hydrogen cells)
- Android Auto is now a standalone app for your phone
- Watch Mass Effect Andromeda’s new space opera trailer
- Play The Oregon Trail, Election 2016 edition
Google Home teardown confirms two mics and Chromecast’s chips
See those parts meticulously laid out in the image above? That’s what a Google Home looks like after it’s been torn down by iFixit. The team known for dismantling the hottest gadgets has opened up Mountain View’s Echo competitor to confirm that it has two microphones. Echo has seven, but Google says Home has the capability to differentiate voice patterns from background noise despite having fewer mics. iFixit also had déjà vu while looking at its parts, because the chips on its motherboard (besides a semi-conductor) appeared in the 2015 version of Chromecast.
Before the team got to the motherboard, though, they had to deal with some super sticky adhesive that protects half of an array of capacitors in charge of detecting your fingers on the device. Despite the troublesome adhesive, iFixit gave the device an 8 out of 10 in repairability since it has minimal moving components. You can see what the team had to go through to completely tear the Home apart on its website if you want to know what makes it tick.
Source: iFixit
UK Uber-rival Karhoo is dead
Sometimes when you’re late to the party, there aren’t enough chicken nuggets and cocktail sausages left to go around. It’s a lesson taxi-hailing app Karhoo has learned the hard way, today announcing the closure of its service as it looks “at the next steps for the business.” Launched in London in May, Karhoo aimed to take on Uber, as well as black cab equivalents Gett and Hailo, with an all-encompassing platform covering black cabs, minicabs and executive cars — it also boasted a pre-booking option, which Uber didn’t have at the time.
Over the summer, Karhoo began expanding into new UK cities and a couple of months ago, claimed it was “reaping the benefits of the second mover advantage,” with more registered drivers than Uber and user growth that outpaced the ride-hailing goliath’s early days. Ultimately, though, it seems that didn’t translate into getting enough bums on seats, or at least receiving enough commission to keep the service afloat.
With offices in several corners of the world, Karhoo had plans to expand into the US and Singapore. Despite a trial in NYC, these plans were never fully realized, and Karhoo has now run out of cash. The service reportedly secured around $250 million in funding, but after exhausting that pot of gold, has been scrambling for an emergency backer to step in until as late as yesterday. Karhoo’s own statement explains that many of its circa 200 staff “have worked unpaid for the last six weeks in an effort to get the business to a better place.”
The news that Karhoo is shutting down its service, closing its offices and probably shedding the majority of its staff might seen a bit sudden, but we’ve heard rumblings that all was not well before. A few months ago, we received word of internal strife, high staff turnover, and Karhoo not paying suppliers and partners, among other “unprofessional behavior.” We couldn’t verify the claims, but there may’ve been some truth in them.
We’ve tried reaching out to Karhoo to get some background on the closure, but the press email address is already dead. So much for that second mover advantage.
Via: TechCrunch
Source: Karhoo
Facebook Suspends WhatsApp Data Sharing in the U.K. Following Privacy Probe
Facebook has agreed to pause data collection from WhatsApp users in the United Kingdom following a government probe into the company’s privacy policy (via Engadget).
Back in August, Facebook-owned WhatsApp updated its terms of service and privacy policy to reflect that it would begin sharing select data with the social media network, including the phone number a user verifies during the registration process and the last time a user accessed the service.
Facebook argued that the new policy would allow it to better fight spam and abuse, deliver better friend suggestions and more relevant ads. However, the company soon came under fire from European Privacy watchdogs who cited “serious concerns” over the policy change, while the U.K.’s Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) is now eight weeks into its own probe.
The U.K.’s Information Commissioner Elizabeth Denham explained the reasons for the probe on the ICO website:
“I had concerns that consumers weren’t being properly protected, and it’s fair to say the enquiries my team have made haven’t changed that view. I don’t think users have been given enough information about what Facebook plans to do with their information, and I don’t think WhatsApp has got valid consent from users to share the information. I also believe users should be given ongoing control over how their information is used, not just a 30-day window.”
ICO said it was “pleased” that Facebook had agreed to pause using data from U.K. WhatsApp users for advertisements or product improvement purposes. As part of the inquiry, the ICO has also asked Facebook to sign an “undertaking” that describes how it will collect and use data and give users “ongoing control” over what is shared.
We also want individuals to have the opportunity to be given an unambiguous choice before Facebook start using that information and to be given the opportunity to change that decision at any point in the future. We think consumers deserve a greater level of information and protection, but so far Facebook and WhatsApp haven’t agreed. If Facebook starts using the data without valid consent, it may face enforcement action from my office.
WhatsApp’s updated terms and privacy policy did not affect its encryption policy. All messages sent through the service continue to be end-to-end encrypted, a measure that has been in place since April.
Tags: Facebook, WhatsApp, privacy
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Samsung Runs Full-Page Ads Apologizing to Consumers for Note 7 Fiasco
Samsung has issued a full-page ad in three major U.S. newspapers and published an open letter on its website apologizing to its customers for the Galaxy Note 7 debacle (via The Verge).
The print letter was signed by Gregory Lee, president and CEO of Samsung Electronics North America, and appeared in Monday editions of The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, and The Washington Post.
Full-page apology ads are the future of print media: pic.twitter.com/fBAZ9uXFmD
— Rurik Bradbury (@RurikBradbury) November 7, 2016
“An important tenet of our mission is to offer best-in-class safety and quality. Recently, we fell short on this promise. For this we are truly sorry. We will re-examine every aspect of the device, including all hardware, software, manufacturing and the overall battery structure. We will move as quickly as possible, but will take the time needed to get the right answers.”
The online letter was signed by Y H Eom, president and CEO of Samsung Electronics Europe, and apologized similarly to “a small number of affected customers” on the continent, where the Note 7 had yet to go on general sale.
Samsung still doesn’t know exactly what caused some Note 7 handsets to spontaneously combust, but says it will continue to investigate the device’s design and manufacturing process to determine what went wrong.
Released in August ahead of Apple’s latest iPhone, the Note 7 quickly found itself at the center of a quality control crisis after reports emerged of phones setting on fire, causing injury and property damage.
Samsung permanently discontinued the phone after replacement units started exploding as well. Samsung says about 85 percent of all devices have now been returned. Analysts believe the recall will cost the company $5.4 billion in profit through the first quarter of 2017.
Samsung’s letter of apology also covers reported issues with various models of top-load washing machines, which have also been subject to a company recall. According to Bloomberg, 2.8 million machines in the U.S. were recalled by Samsung last week after it was found that the top could become detached from the chassis during use.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission said there had been nine related reports of injuries and that Samsung had received more than 700 reports of faulty machines since the problem came to light.
Tags: Samsung, Galaxy Note 7
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Yuneec Breeze 4K review – CNET
The Good The Yuneec Breeze 4K has a compact, lightweight design that easily fits in a backpack. Its mobile app — available for iOS and Android — is easy to navigate and use. Automated flight modes have in-app, step-by-step directions. Replacement parts are available for repairs should you crash it.
The Bad You’ll need the digital image stabilization only available at 1080p and 720p resolutions. Image quality is OK, best suited for online sharing or viewing on a phone. Battery life is relatively short at 12 minutes.
The Bottom Line The little Yuneec Breeze 4K makes shooting and sharing aerial selfies a snap. But those looking to really pilot a drone should keep looking.
The Yuneec Breeze perfect for people who want a camera drone for aerial photos and video, but have almost no interest in actually piloting a drone.
With little more than some taps on your phone’s screen, you can put the Breeze in the air and have it perform a handful of automated camera moves to grab photos and video clips of you and your friends and family. Then you just download them to your phone, edit and share — all from within the drone’s app.
You can also fly it around manually with onscreen controls if you want to get specific aerial shots, but the range is limited to a maximum height of 80 meters (262.5 feet) and maximum distance of 100 meters (328.1 feet). Flight times tap out at 12 minutes, so you won’t want to fly it too far away from you anyway.
View full gallery Joshua Goldman/CNET
The Breeze is not a toy, though. Its price tag pretty much quells that notion: $500 in the US and AU$700 or £450 in Australia and the UK, respectively. It’s not for racing around, either, and it’s also not going to compete with something like the DJI Phantom 3 Standard, which is priced similarly, but has a better camera stabilized with a three-axis gimbal and far greater range and capabilities.
However, the DJI isn’t going to slip into a shoulder bag or backpack and is not nearly as discreet as the Breeze. It’s basically a point-and-shoot camera attached to a flying robot — a selfie drone.
The mobile app, available for iOS and Android, is split into two sections: Tasks and Gallery. Tap on Tasks and you’re given five options to choose from: Pilot, Selfie, Orbit, Journey and Follow Me. Pilot has the manual controls for flying around the way any other drone would with a regular controller. However, the Breeze is designed to have the camera pointed at you and not away from you like other camera drones, so the controls are reversed. (An onscreen toggle quickly switches this to what experienced pilots would consider normal.)
View full gallery Joshua Goldman/CNET
Selfie mode takes away the traditional stick controls and uses sliders instead to get the camera into just the right position for your photo or video. Orbit lets you set up the Breeze to automatically circle you or another subject, while Journey sets the copter to fly away from you and back again using the camera’s angle to calculate its trajectory.
Follow Me uses GPS and your phone to track you and follow you around. If you’re close to the drone, the movements can be jerky. In my experience, the best way to use this is to have it fly over top of you or from behind with it far away to take advantage of the camera’s wide-angle lens.
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