‘Glossy black’ Galaxy S7 edge is Samsung’s answer to the ‘jet black’ iPhone
Say hello to a slightly different black GS7 edge.
With the Note 7 consigned to the dumpster fire of history, it seems Samsung is looking to new color options for the Galaxy S7 series to boost sales in the run up to the holidays. We’ve already seen the “blue coral” GS7 edge, and now it looks like it may be joined by a darker, glossier version of the “onyx black” color that’s been available from launch.
The GS7 you already know, now with a darker, shinier metal trim.
The “glossy black” Galaxy S7, first reported by Korea-based rumormonger The Investor,
will allegedly arrive in early December, in response to strong sales of the “blue coral” model — a reported 15,000 units daily — in Samsung’s home market.
And yes, you’d have to be pretty naive to not believe the “jet black” iPhone 7 had something to do with that decision as well.
Today SamMobile has scooped up the first live photos of the “glossy black” GS7 edge, showing only small differences compared to the older “onyx black” variant. Basically, the outer trim is anodized with a darker paint job, and is also said to have a glossier finish. It’s a far cry from the space age manufacturing process described in detail by Jony Ive, but hey, at least it shouldn’t get dinged up as easily as notoriously scratch-prone black iPhone.
We should point out that Samsung still hasn’t officially announced anything, so take this with a pinch of salt until it does. It’s also not known whether this slightly tweaked black GS7 will be shipping internationally, or just within Samsung’s home market of Korea.
OnePlus merchandise now up for sale in India, OnePlus 3T launching ‘shortly’
Are you ready for a Dash Charge t-shirt?
OnePlus is now offering its lifestyle products in India, kicking things off with a travel backpack, messenger bag, and t-shirts. The brand gave away a few accessories as part of its Diwali Sale last month, but is now launching OnePlus Gear merchandise officially in the country. The OnePlus 3T is also set to make its debut in India “shortly,” although there isn’t a launch date available yet.
OnePlus India’s general manager Vikas Agarwal took to the forums to share further details regarding the launch of the OnePlus 3T:
Getting the OnePlus 3T to India has been a top priority for us, and we are delighted to announce that we are all set to release the OnePlus 3T in India shortly! The next big question on everyone’s mind would be the announcement of the launch date.
Since we know how eager our fans are to get their hands on the OnePlus 3T in India, we felt that it is only befitting for us to do something special. So I volunteer to put myself up to a round of ‘Truth or Dare’ where you, our fans, can choose to either ‘ask me anything’ or challenge me to an ‘adventurous dare’. At the end of this round, I will announce the official date of the OnePlus 3T release in India.
The Facebook poll is still open, so hit it up if you’re looking for some answers from the head of OnePlus India. In the mood for some OnePlus-branded merchandise? Head to the company’s online store from the link below.
See at OnePlus
EE enables low-frequency spectrum to boost 4G coverage in the UK to 75%
EE is aiming to cover 95% of UK landmass with 4G by 2020.
UK carrier EE has switched on the low-frequency 800MHz spectrum (Band 20) at 700 sites across the country, bringing 4G connectivity to 5,000 square kilometers of “not spots” overnight.
The carrier has relied on 1800MHz and 2600MHz thus far, and is now leveraging the 800MHz frequency for covering rural areas. High-frequency bands are ideal for urban centers as they have the ability to transmit more data, but the low-frequency 800MHz spectrum is less susceptible to interference and can cover a wider area, making it a better alternative in rural locations:
Today, EE has also switched on its low frequency 800MHz spectrum on 700 sites across the country, filling in 5,000 square kilometres of 4G not spots overnight and improving indoor signal in 500,000 homes. Parts of Shropshire, Somerset, Snowdonia, Oban, Glasgow, Berkshire and Derbyshire are among those getting 4G for the first time thanks to the switch on. Another 3,000 sites will be equipped with the low frequency spectrum before the end of 2017.
Customers will need a 4G Calling-capable phone to use the new low frequency signal. 4G Calling is available on monthly SIM and handset plans, on the majority of EE’s device range. EE is committing today to launch its first 4G Calling smartphone under £100 in 2017 to provide an affordable choice for customers who simply want outstanding call quality and reliability, but may not need all of the features of the latest 4G smartphones.
With EE well on its way to blanket the UK in 4G, it is asking other carriers to get “Clear on Coverage”.
Understanding 4G in the UK
The best deals apps
The apps that deliver on the best deal.
Whether it’s looking for holiday gifts, or picking up something for yourself getting a deal on the things you buy is easier than you think. There are plenty of awesome apps that say they can deliver you great deals, but not all apps are of the same caliber. If you’ve ever had a frustrating experience, you’re probably well aware of this fact. That’s why we’ve collected the best apps for deals, so that you can get right to finding the best bang for your buck.
eBay
eBay is a household name when it comes to finding awesome deals online. They’ve been popular since back in the days of Beanie Babies, and with good reason too. eBay is the world’s largest auction house, and of course you can buy and sell used items. Rather than sending you to manufacturers, sellers on eBay are as varied as people themselves are. But you can also buy brand new products, often at huge discounts.
The app is very well designed, and easy to use which is a good thing, because there are a lot of moving parts within eBay. You can easily search, watch a particular listing, message with other eBay users, see your purchases, and plenty more as well. You can start using eBay without having logged in, but in order to use any of the features you will need to log in or create an account. There are thousands upon thousands of items to search through, and you can find just about anything here for the right price.
Download: eBay (free)
Woot
If you’re looking for a deal app that is simple, and easy to use, then Woot may be right up your alley. It delivers you deals every day, along with best sellers, and then allows you to browse current deals by category. While you can sign up for an account with Woot, it isn’t actually necessary to complete your purchases.
Woot’s deals are all over the place. From clothing, to wine, to towels and comforters. They’ve even got short-term Flash deals that are available in beta right now. While not having an individual search function might be frustrating for some users, the categories are set up broadly enough that you should be able to find what you are looking for. You also have the option when browsing deals to organize them by price, discount and even by the newest deal.
Download: Woot (free)
Flipp
Coupons are often the easiest way to ensure that you get a good deal on the things you buy the most. While coupons can save you a bundle, many people don’t use them on a regular basis. After all, who has the time to go rummaging to find the one coupon you need through dozens of different advertisements? That’s where Flipp comes in. They deliver coupons from all of the stores closest to you, so that you always have access to the coupon you need.
While you will still need to search through them to find the relevant coupon, having everything in one place digitally makes things much easier on you. Flipp pulls coupon information from major retailers like Lowe’s and GameStop by using your zip code. You can save your favorite coupons so that they’re ready when you need them, search for specific items, or just browse by category. They even have the coupons from flyers that are only available for specific sales.
Flipp is busting at the seams with some great features that just keep making things easier for you. Inside of a flyer, if you tap on an item you want to save it will clip that specific coupon and add it to your shopping list. If a flyer is only available for certain locations, the app will tell you as much when you open the flyer.
The shopping list feature lets you take a look at the coupons you have clipped, nearby stores, and lets you build your shopping list in general. It does an absolutely excellent job of helping you to find deals, along with making sure you have the coupon to get the most bang out of your buck.
Download: Flipp (free)
Ebates
The idea of getting money back just for shopping by using an app seems a bit ludicrous. That’s exactly what the deal is with Ebates though. You find the store that you were planning on making a purchase from, and navigate there from within the Ebates app. When you make a purchase, you’ll get a percentage in cash back. Different stores have different deals with Ebates and you may see anything from 1% to 10% in cash back rewards.
Previously, you could only get these deals if you purchased the item you were looking for online. However, if you link your credit card to the app, you can now also access these deals at 22 brick and mortar stores. When you open up a particular retailer from inside the Ebates app, you’ll also be able to access deals that are currently running.
The combination of discounts on purchases, and cash back for purchases you were already going to make are absolutely fantastic. When you have earned cash back for your purchases, it will pop up into the ‘My Cash Back’ section of the app. It generally appears a few days after you have completed the transaction, and once the cash is 60 days old it is eligible to be paid out. Cash back rewards are paid out on the 15th of February, May, August and November by either a paper check or by being deposited into your PayPal account.
Download: Ebates (free)
Amazon
The giant when it comes to finding an awesome deal, with minimum difficulty, is most certainly Amazon. This company delivers more deals than you could ever possibly scroll through, which generally means you can always find a good price when you’re looking for one. From running shoes to jewelry to technology, Amazon sells pretty much everything.
While you can use a computer, Amazon works perfectly well right from your phone. You can check on orders, gift cards, and even try Amazon Prime right there. Of course, if you’re looking for a deal, Amazon lets you search by voice, specific item, and category, making it easier than ever to find what you are looking for. Depending on your location, you can even use Amazon Prime Fresh to get your groceries delivered directly to your door. For those of you looking to get as much done in one place as possible, Amazon ought to be your go to shopping app.
Download: Amazon Shopping (free)
Your turn
There are plenty of great apps that can cut you a serious deal in a variety of ways. Not all of them offer the same benefits, but if you’re looking for an easy way to get a great deal they can definitely help you out. Do you think there is a a great app for deals that we missed? Do you have a favorite deal app? Be sure to leave us a comment below and tell us about it!
The Morning After: Wednesday, November 23, 2016
Hey, good morning! You look fabulous.
The short holiday week is almost over, but first let’s take a look at a Tesla-powered island, Xbox One’s VR ambitions and the roundest star we’ve ever seen.
SolarIslandTesla’s solar cells and batteries are powering an entire island
Now that Tesla’s acquisition of SolarCity is complete, the two are showing off what they can achieve together. Enter the island of Ta’u in American Samoa, which is home to a microgrid of cells and battery packs that can supply “nearly 100%” of the island’s power needs. Looks like it’s time for a vacation research trip.
Cord cutting and cord keeping all at the same time
Sling TV is coming to Comcast
Yeah, you read that correctly. After Comcast opened up its X1 set-top boxes to Netflix, the next streaming service to join up is Dish Networks’ Sling TV. Sure, it’s usually pitched as a reason to ditch cable entirely, but the two are pitching it as a way for Comcast customers to access Sling TV’s hundreds of multicultural channels. There’s no word yet on when the service will be available on cable boxes.
Xbox One VR is almost hereXbox One game streaming comes to Oculus December 12th
It’s not going to compete with PlayStation’s VR experiences, but we’re just a couple of weeks away from playing Xbox One in a headset. On December 12th, an Oculus Rift app will enable game streaming to your choice of three virtual environments: Citadel, Retreat or Dome.
It’s almost perfectKepler 11145123 is the “most spherical natural object ever measured”
As you probably already knew, our sun, and most stars, aren’t quite round. Now, researchers from the Max Planck Institute for Solar System Research and the University of Göttingen found this one that’s just 3 kilometers wider at its equator than its poles. You can check out (near) perfection for yourself, if you can just figure out how to make the 5,000 light-year trip.
Decisions, decisionsUsing VR to simulate dangerous driving
Now that VR is a thing, everyone is trying to create an experience for it. Unfortunately, we found the drunk driving simulator produced by Johnny Walker wasn’t immersive enough to have much impact. That’s mostly because instead of putting us in the driver’s seat, you’re relegated to the position of observer, watching someone else’s bad decisions. Meanwhile AT&T’s “It Can Wait” experience is more interactive and more subtle, reminding us to keep our eyes on the road at all times.
How do you think we write this newsletter?
“Mechanical Turk” workers are churning out fake news articles
“Fake news” is the hot topic of the day, and if you were wondering where it comes from, one explanation is Amazon’s Mechanical Turk program. There, internet surfers pick up online odd jobs for a few cents or a few bucks at a time. Unfortunately, those odd jobs can include cranking out racist propaganda, and it’s hard to tell if Amazon is interested in doing anything to clean it up.
At least you don’t need NFC for this one?Chase Pay launches with some major limitations
A year after it was originally announced, Chase has launched a mobile payments-focused app. Chase Pay eschews the NFC technology of Android Pay and Apple Pay, using QR codes to play the credit card middleman on your phone. That means it works on more phones and keeps retailers happy, but so far, only Best Buy and Starbucks are ready for it.
But wait, there’s more…
- This “proof of concept” graphene battery tech could charge in seconds and last in your phone for a week
- Scientists’ realistic lab-grown gut tissue thrives in mice
- Steam Workshop support should bring crazy custom levels to “Rocket League”
YouView’s major update centres on a faster, more visual UI
BT said earlier this month it would be rolling out a major update to its TV service next year, but it can only do that by following YouView’s lead. Today, YouView announced the finer details of the impending platform upgrade, which is coming to all set-top boxes, including TalkTalk’s and, of course, BT’s. Moving in the same direction as all TV UIs, YouView’s has been redesigned to be more visually compelling. Less words and menus, more cards and thumbnails. The EPG remains relatively unchanged, though it’s now translucent by default, with whatever’s currently playing shown behind it.
There’s a new miniguide, also card-based, that takes up the bottom third of the screen and offers immediate access to live channels, on-demand apps, recordings and settings. The main menu and recordings library (formerly MyView, now MyTV) have been rejigged, too, so users can get at more content with less “clicks.” Arguably more important than the fresh UI is the promise of significant speed improvements. Behind the scenes changes — a move to HTML5, if you’re interested — have resulted in a faster UI with slicker navigation. BBC iPlayer loads in a couple of seconds after the update, for example, as opposed to nearly half a minute previously.
To help improve the speed of the service, YouView has offloaded as much as possible to the cloud. The company says this will allow it to personalise the user experience better and iterate new features quicker, including adding multi-room capabilities in the future. One of the immediate impacts of a move to the cloud will be reflected in the updated, companion mobile app — and TalkTalk’s and BT’s. While users have long been able to schedule recordings remotely, there was at least a 15-minute lag time between sending the command, and the set-top box receiving it. After the update, the app will communicate with the set-top box in real-time.
Though it was YouView that spilled the beans today, the update will actually hit TalkTalk set-top boxes first, starting next Monday (November 28th). It’ll take a couple of months for it to roll out to all customers, though. In addition to the platform-wide updates, TalkTalk is adding a new “MoreTV” menu that’ll promote premium content available through its “Boost” channel packages and the TalkTalk TV Store.
Retail YouView boxes will receive the update next year, before summer, at the same time BT’s boxes and app get updated. An update for compatible Sony Bravia TVs is likely coming sometime later.
Source: TalkTalk
‘Star Trek: Discovery’ casts Michelle Yeoh
Nicholas Meyer has let it slip that Michelle Yeoh has joined the cast of the upcoming CBS show Star Trek: Discovery. The show’s consulting producer dropped the bombshell while talking to ComingSoon about the Blu-ray of his classic movie, Time After Time. While Meyer wouldn’t confirm what role Yeoh had taken, it’s entirely plausible that she’s going to be the shows star, the as-yet unnamed “Number One.”
Well before Bryan Fuller announced that he was stepping back from his duties on the show, he outlined his vision for Discovery. He explained that his vision for the show would center upon a Lt. Commander of a starship rather than the captain, and that he wanted the character to be a woman. Speculation immediately pointed towards Angela Basset and Rosario Dawson, both of whom Fuller had previously praised.
It’s possible that with Dawson and Bassett both tied in to shooting Marvel-based adventures in the near future, neither had space in their schedule. Then again, there are six more characters that need to be cast, so it’s just as likely that Bassett and Dawson may find the time to head out to the 2250s.
Source: Coming Soon
iPhone 8 to Feature All-Glass Casing in Order to Support Wireless Charging
Apple will switch to an all-glass casing for next year’s entire iPhone line-up in order to support wireless charging, with Pegatron being the exclusive supplier of the wireless charger. That’s according to the latest research note by KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo obtained by MacRumors.
According to Kuo, the transition from metal to glass casing is key if Apple is to introduce a wireless charging feature in the 2017 iPhone. While patented engineering solutions do exist for wirelessly charging devices with metal cases, issues with wireless frequency tolerances for metal alloys can limit the speed at which charging takes place. On top of that, it is widely believed that Jony Ive has wanted to introduce an iPhone that looks like a single sheet of glass for several years.
iPhone concept image via ConceptsiPhone
We believe one of the reasons why new iPhones will switch from metal casing to glass casing is to support wireless charging. In order to ensure a superior performance, we believe it is most appropriate for EMS suppliers to develop and make the wireless charger because then a comprehensive test can be conducted. As Hon Hai needs to deploy most resources to develop and produce OLED iPhone, we expect Pegatron will be the exclusive supplier of the wireless charger.
Kuo remains uncertain whether a wireless charger will be bundled with all new iPhones, but expects a certain bundling rate is likely next year, with increases to come in 2018.
Kuo last week claimed that Apple will release 4.7-inch and 5.5-inch model iPhones with LCD screens as well as an all-new OLED model with a dual-lens camera. Although Kuo did not specify the size of the OLED model, he has previously suggested Apple will launch a 5.8-inch iPhone with a curved OLED display and glass casing next year. Barclays analysts also recently said Apple will release a 5-inch LCD iPhone and 5.8-inch OLED iPhone, both with curved, bezel-free designs, next year.
Multiple rumors have suggested Apple is set to introduce wireless charging into the “iPhone 8”, despite the company downplaying the usefulness of the technology back in 2012. Last month it was reported that Foxconn is testing wireless charging modules for use in the 2017 iPhone, although inclusion of the technology in the iPhone 8 was thought to be dependent on whether Foxconn can boost the yield rate to a satisfactory level.
Reports that Apple was exploring extended range wireless charging for the 2017 iPhone also appeared back in January. Extended wireless charging is considered superior to existing wireless solutions because it does not require the device to be as close to a charging mat or source.
Apple’s 10th anniversary iPhone, which is expected to feature a major redesign with a glass body and edge-to-edge OLED display that integrates a Touch ID sensor and front-facing camera, is expected to arrive in September 2017.
Related Roundup: iPhone 8 (2017)
Tags: wireless charging, KGI Securities, Ming-Chi Kuo
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Google Maps’ New Location Feature Lets You Check How Crowded a Store is in Real Time
Google has announced a new feature to its Search and Maps apps that enables Black Friday shoppers to know how busy a store is in real time.
Dubbed “crowd control”, the live feature comes on the back of the company’s Popular Times feature, introduced last year, that lets users check how busy a place typically is at different times of the week.
Just in time for the Black Friday swarms, we’re adding a real-time look at how crowded a place is right now, to help you decide where and when to go. Whether you’re rushing to pick up a last minute gift or seeking a lively bar for some festive spirit, check Popular Times for a sneak preview of what to expect when you arrive.
The feature works by crowd-sourcing anonymized location data from other Google users and also feeds in Google searches to analyze how busy a location is at any given moment.
In addition, Google is also introducing a new way of checking how long people typically stay at a particular location, thereby allowing users to plan their itinerary ahead of time and to the minute.
The features augment the apps’ existing location information, which also now includes individual department and service hours for stores, businesses, restaurants. The added times are meant to help users know what time they can, say, use the pharmacy at the local drugstore or supermarket, or to find out what time food delivery begins at a nearby restaurant.
Many retailers offer steep discounts on popular items on Black Friday in order to attract customers, with Apple products frequently being included in these sales. To keep track of all the best Apple-related deals, be sure to visit MacRumors’ Black Friday roundup page.
Google Maps is a free download on the Apps Store for iPhone and iPad. [Direct Link]
Related Roundup: Black Friday
Tags: Google, Google Maps
Discuss this article in our forums
How to build your own TV package and ditch the monthly bills
It is inevitable that paid TV bills have been rising rapidly in recent times, especially with increasing numbers of TV channels and enlarged costs of sports rights. However, there are other options to a monthly TV subscription, ones that give you access to many of your favourite shows, films and events but for less cash. And you don’t have to sign a long term contract either.
If you’re in the market for a new TV or happy to shell out a one-time payment on a new set-top-box, you can build your own TV package that suits you but doesn’t cost the earth each month.
Here’s how…
Step 1: Decide on a new TV or set-top-box
When you’re considering a new TV or set-top-box you should think about the sort of shows, events and films you want to see on it. Whether you’re opting for a 4K HDR TV or just adding a connected box to give your existing set smart features, you might find that you can live without a paid monthly plan with one of the big TV providers and opt for free-to-air services, supplemented with catch-up and on demand content.
There are plenty of Smart TVs and boxes available that provide access to free to use catch-up services, plus some paid movie and entertainment streaming platforms. These could ensure your monthly bills are much lower.
Step 2: Ensure it has Freeview Play and other catch-up services
Freeview Play is an extended service by the free-to-air digital TV provider in the UK. It too is a free technology, although you do need to ensure the TV or box you choose has access to it. Many TVs from Panasonic, LG, Finlux and JVC and set-top-boxes from Panasonic and Humax are Freeview Play enabled. You can find out a complete list of compatible devices here.
Freeview Play is the system that simplifies catching up with your favourite programmes. Most but not all TVs have access to the major broadcasters’ catch-up services, but Freeview Play-enabled sets and boxes guarantee it. They ensure you have access to catch-up content from the BBC, ITV, Channel 4, Channel 5 and UKTV’s suite of channels: Dave, Yesterday, Really and Drama.
With Freeview Play all you have to do is scroll backwards through the electronic programme guide (EPG), click on the content you want to watch and it will open the respective app and play the show automatically.
All you need is a half-decent broadband connection to link your TV or set-top-box to. You can do so wirelessly with most devices.
- What is Freeview Play, when is it coming to my TV and how can I get it?
Step 3: Choose your add-ons
You might be thinking that it’s all well and good, but the terrestrial channels don’t give you the same access to films and/or sporting events that you currently watch from the main providers. However, you can opt to pay for more content from other services on an ad-hoc basis. For example, if you have bought a new LG Smart TV, you can get your main catch-up content through Freeview Play and pay a non-contract, occasional fee for Now TV – Sky’s own on demand platform.
Now TV offers different Passes that can be paid for when you want, rather than be locked into a long term contract. It has Movies, Entertainment, Sports and Kids packages, which give access to an enormous amount of content. Because you’re only paying for a day, week or 30-days access, you can only choose to subscribe when what you want to watch is on.
If you’re a big Game of Thrones fan, you can pay for the Entertainment Pass for three months or however long the show lasts, and then stop subscribing after it finishes. It is only on Sky Atlantic but you don’t need a lengthy Sky contract to see it. Football and other sports can be paid for in this way too. If you only want to watch a specific match, you can even pay for just one day’s access to keep down cost.
Apps like Amazon Video and Netflix also provide limitless access to thousands of TV shows and films to watch whenever you want, and all for a much lower fee than a conventional TV package.
Step 4: Count your pennies
And that’s all there is to it. With a Freeview Play device you can ensure you are getting a free, simple catch-up system that keeps you on top of all the terrestrial TV shows you don’t want to miss, while other paid services can expand your entertainment choice dramatically, but without breaking the bank.
By supplementing your viewing rather than paying extra for channels you don’t watch, you can ensure you keep the monthly bills down to a minimum.
AIVAnet 