Moto Z may get a Google Tango Moto Mod in 2017
Let’s Tango, Moto.
Right now, Google Tango is a great idea trapped inside mediocre hardware. As we saw in Lenovo’s Phab 2 Pro, there is a lot of potential in the camera-reliant augmented reality technology, but right now there’s really no reason for a consumer to invest in it.
Motorola, Lenovo’s mobile-focused subsidiary, plans to change that in 2017 with a Google Tango Moto Mod, according to company president Aymar de Lencquesaing, speaking to a group of reporters at a meeting in Chicago. “We’re likely to to have a Tango module to basically enable the Z to have Tango functionality,” noting that “augmented reality on a phone is a technology that’s likely to stick.” There is tons of potential there, he continued. “We’ll follow, or lead, the market in this area.”
Lenovo, Motorola’s parent company, worked directly with Google on the Tango-powered Phab 2 Pro, which happens to be the first consumer product to work with the nascent technology. de Lencquesaing wouldn’t go as far as to confirm the existence of a Tango Moto Mod, but hinted that it would be a natural progression for Motorola’s modular platform, which currently works on the Moto Z, Moto Z Force and Moto Z Play.
Moto Z, Moto Z Force and Moto Z Play
- Our Moto Z review!
- Moto Z Play preview
- The Hasselblad True Zoom is a Mod to remember
- Moto Z specs
- Moto Mods custom backs
- The latest Moto Z news
- Discuss in our Moto Z forums
Motorola
Verizon
Android Pay now available in New Zealand
Android Pay has arrived in New Zealand!
New Zealand is the latest country to receive support for Android Pay. New Zealanders who bank through the Bank of New Zealand can add their Flexi Debit Visa to their phone via the Android Pay app, then pay for gas, food and more at a number of popular businesses using just their phone.
There are several New Zealand businesses that support Android Pay — whether you’re looking to grab a bite to eat at McDonald’s, Burger Fuel, or Domino’s, do some shopping at Noel Leeming or Torpedo7, or make payments at mobile carriers 2degrees or Spark.
Currently, the Bank of New Zealand is the only financial institution supported, and the BNZ Flexi Debit Visa is the only card you’re able to add. Time will tell if other New Zealand banks will hop on the Android Pay bandwagon, or whether other BNZ cards will be added to the service.
Get some cityscape on your home screen with these wallpapers
Not all of us get to zip around the world seeing amazing cities.
That doesn’t mean we can’t witness and savor the beauty of other cities and their lovely skylines around the world. Cityscapes have been popular wallpapers for a reason: they’re gorgeous, and they add sophistication to a home screen. They inspire us to expand our horizons. They let us escape our own drab little corners of the world for somewhere new, fun, and exotic. Let’s go around the world, shall we?
This wonderful view of Budapest’s Chain Bridge is all about connections, as the lights tie everything in the image together. From the cars scurrying back and forth across the bridge itself to the erratic strands of fairy light that bounce about the bridge, the rooftops, and the lampposts, this is a cityscape that beckons you the come into the light and connect to this lovely world.
Cityscape recolored by simen91
Cityscape wallpapers give us glimpses into worlds we will never see, and there are few places that is more true of than the gleaming metropolis of Doha, capital city of Qatar. The shining city gleams like a jewel as it sit upon Doha Bay, and looking like this, you would never guess this was in the Middle East rather than some bustling Asian hub. The city lights reflect on the calm waters of the bay, giving with the mesmerizing display.
Doha
Not all cityscapes are brilliant and crisp, and this rendition by VonSchlippe could tell a hundred different stories, from the sparse Christmas lights slung up between the streets and the mish-mash of architectural styles and awnings of the shops far below. This is a city bustling with life and with culture, and I can’t wait to explore it.
Cityscape by VonSclippe
This crisp, monochromatic take on a city skyline adds depth as it plays in shades of simple cerulean. It’s breathtaking, but the true brilliance comes as it mixes the minimalistic look of the cityscape with the ripples of the water and the stars above. Also, take this wallpaper, add Whicons: instant theme.
Mode 7 City Wallpaper by the Hamster Alliance
“He figured she’d gone back to Austin, ’cause she talking about it all the time…”
Blake Shelton’s dream girl in Austin has the right idea, because no matter how far you wander, there’ll always be something about Austin. SXSW. Austin City Limits. Circuit of the Americas. Austin has a bit of everything, and that includes a lot of nerds. Austin is a bit of a tech town and a bit of an arts town, but the whole town is authentically Texan and authentically AWESOME. Besides, at the end of every whirlwind trip, the important thing is to come home, and I am proud to call this city home.
Austin
How to download offline content from Netflix
How do I watch my favorite Netflix content offline?
Commuters rejoice! Netflix has added the option to download their content to your phone or tablet via the Netflix app. Not everything on Netflix is currently available for offline viewing, but there’s a decent selection available for download right now.
Once downloaded, you’ll be able to avoid using your data to play shows while using public transit, and also able to watch your favorite Netflix shows or movies when you’re outside your carrier’s coverage area and away from Wi-Fi.
Fortunately, Netflix has made things real easy. Here’s how to get started!
How to find shows and movies to download
Tap to launch Netflix from your home screen or app drawer.
Tap the Menu button in the top left corner.
Tap Available for Download.
Browse through the content that’s available to download, then tap on whatever you want to download.
Tap the Download button.If it’s your first time, Netflix will highlight where the new download button is.
If your phone is not connected via Wi-Fi, you’ll get a notification to turn it on.
Once you’ve started downloading a show or movie from Netflix, you will get a blue notification with the download progress at the bottom of your screen. You are able to browse and add for more shows to your download queue. You’re also able to go directly to the My Downloads section by tapping the notification once your downloads are complete.
How to find and watch your Netflix downloads
Tap to launch Netflix from your home screen or app drawer.
Tap the Menu button in the top left corner.
Tap My Downloads.
Tap to watch a downloaded movie or episode.
My Downloads is the home for all the content you’ve downloaded. Netflix provides the storage information right under the title, so it’s quick to see how much space each download is taking up You’ll need to tap a show to expand to see the downloaded episodes, while movies and comedy specials will simply be organized alphabetically.
How to manage your downloaded Netflix content
Tap to launch Netflix from your home screen or app drawer.
Tap the Menu button in the top left corner.
Tap My Downloads.
Tap the Edit icon in the top right corner.
Tap the movies, specials, or shows you wish to remove.
Tap the Trash icon in the top right corner to delete the content.
If you select a show from the main My Downloads page, you will be deleting all episodes of that show from your phone. If you only wish to remove some episodes, you’ll have to expand the show first, then tap the edit icon to select individual episodes.
The Moto Z series could get Google’s world-sensing Tango tech
Lenovo’s Phab 2 Pro might be the first smartphone out there with Google’s Tango technology, but other parts of the company are interested too. While addressing press at an event in Chicago, Motorola Mobility president Aymar de Lencquesaing said that the Lenovo subsidiary is “likely to have a Tango module” for the Moto Z line of smartphones… though he stopped short of confirming such an add-on was currently in the works.
“Augmented reality on a phone is a technology that’s likely to stick,” de Lencquesaing added later. “Of course we’ll follow, or lead, the market in this area.”
In case you’re new to Tango, Google’s work combines multiple cameras — mostly for measuring depth and motion — with additional sensors to give a phone a very fine understanding of where it is and what’s in front of it. The issue so far is that Tango, or the way it’s implemented in Lenovo’s enormous phablet, is far from perfect. Depth-sensing is sketchy at best, the interfaces for Tango apps can be cumbersome and in general, there’s still plenty of work to be done. The upside, however, is the staggering potential that becomes evident when Tango experiences work the way they’re supposed to. Tango, for lack of a better word, can feel like magic.
While it’s unclear if we’ll ever actually see a Tango mod magnetically lashed to a Moto Z, it’s no surprise it’s under consideration. After all, the idea of squeezing the requisite technology into a smartphone add-on is a damned good one. Consider this: the Phab 2 Pro wound up being enormous in part because of all the Tango technology Lenovo had to fit into a relatively sleek body, and that size made the phone cumbersome to use as a daily driver.
By off-loading those extra cameras and adding an external battery, Motorola could maintain its flagship devices’ trim physiques and provide the (undeniably neat) augmented reality experiences Tango is known for. And let’s not forget that the Moto Z series runs cleaner, more functional versions of Android than the Phab 2 Pro does — that means you’d get a better all-around phone with the option of dipping in to augmented reality when the mood strikes. Google has said in the past that other Tango devices are coming, and some of them are sure to pack flagship levels of power. Until device makers figure out how build Tango into phones seamlessly, though, the optional approach Motorola could deliver just seems brilliant.
Android malware skews Google Play ratings by installing apps
Malware writers haven’t stopped trying to game app rankings through bogus app installs. Researchers at Check Point have identified a new strain of the longstanding Ghost Push malware, Googlian, that has infected over 1 million Android devices to date and continues to grow (about 13,000 new infections per day). As with earlier code, attackers trick you into installing a Googlian-based app through either a third-party app store or a phishing scam. Once it’s on your phone, the software takes advantage of Linux kernel exploits to access your Google authorization token and install fraudulent apps, whether to boost their Google Play rankings or to generate money through ads.
You’re probably safe. Google fixed the vulnerability in Android 6.0 Marshmallow and beyond, and you’re unlikely to run into one of the malicious apps if you stick to downloading from Google Play. Also, Google observes that the apps aren’t harvesting data or committing fraud beyond the Google Play ratings. If you’re concerned, you can use a web tool from Check Point to verify whether or not Googlian has abused your account.
The concern, as is frequently the case with Android malware, is that many people will remain at risk. As of this story, Google reports that only 24.3 percent of users it tracks are running sufficiently up to date versions of Android. Also, Google Play isn’t always an option — the Chinese can’t use Google Play, for instance, while others may have devices where the store app isn’t installed. It may take a long while before enough people are up to date (most likely through new hardware) that malware like Googlian is no longer effective.
Via: The Verge
Source: Check Point (1), (2), Adrian Ludwig (Google+)
EPA could lock in emissions rules before Trump takes office
The EPA and the Obama administration set lofty goals for lowering vehicle greenhouse gas emissions back in 2012. Under those terms, US automakers would have until 2025 to double fuel efficiency to 54.5 MPG which would lead to well over $1 trillion is fuel savings over the life of new cars. Of course, the plan would cost manufacturers $200 billion to meet that goal before the end of the 13-year term.
Today, the EPA proposed leaving those rules in place without any updates, citing technical analysis that shows automakers will be able to meet the deadline. In fact, the agency says those companies will be able to comply with the guidelines for the same cost — that $200 billion figure — or less than was expected in 2012. While the review found cause to raise the efficiency numbers even further, EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy said leaving the standards as is to help the auto industry plan for the years ahead.
The EPA further explained that if the new standards are fully implemented, 2012-2025 model year vehicles would keep 6 billion metric tons of greenhouse gases out of the environment over the life of those cars. A Bloomberg study earlier this year determined that EVs will cost the same as their gas-powered counterparts by 2025 which will certainly help cut down on emissions.
“It’s clear from the extensive technical record that this program will remain affordable and effective,” said McCarthy. “This proposed decision reconfirms our confidence in the auto industry’s capacity to drive innovation and strengthen the American economy while saving drivers money at the pump and safeguarding our health, climate and environment.”
Under the terms of the emissions proposal, the EPA had a midterm deadline of April 2018 to modify the timefram or details of the rules. After conducting a review, the agency found that automakers are implementing fuel efficiency and emissions-reducing tech much faster than expected. The EPA will hold a public comment period on the matter until December 30th. When that time is up, the agency will decide whether or not to lock in the 2022-2025 model year standards. That move could happen before President Obama leaves office on January 20th.
Of course, President-elect Trump could reverse or modify the guidelines once he arrives in the White House. Trump has been critical of President Obama’s environmental policies, so it wouldn’t be a surprise to see changes from from the new administration. If the EPA locks in the standards for 2025 though, it could make the task of updating them a bit more difficult.
Via: Reuters
Source: EPA (1), (2)
The Gate one-ups other smart locks with a built-in camera
Smart door locks and deadbolts allow you to let anyone in your house from anywhere with an internet connection, but how many enable you to ensure the identity of the person entering? Some smart locks, such as the August, offer add-on cameras and microphones, but you have to buy those accessories separately; meanwhile locks like the Ring have a camera but don’t allow for electronic keys or remote activation. The Gate smart lock, on the other hand, packs everything into a single device.
The Gate is a WiFi-connected deadbolt that features video calling and a motion-activated security camera. Say your kid is a latchkey but forgot her keys at school. Rather than having to park her keister on the front steps to wait for you to get home, she just has to press the Call button on the Gate. This sends a notification to your phone and activates the 720p color camera. You can speak to her via the app (there are speakers and a mic embedded in the lock assembly) to remotely unlock the door for her. Problem solved.
And for routine guests like a dog walker or housecleaner, you can text temporary unlock codes to their phones that they can punch into the keypad and then easily enter the house. They won’t need to download any apps to use these codes either, since the code arrives via SMS.
Unlike the August Smart Lock, which relies on a proximity Bluetooth signal to activate, the Gate uses your home’s WiFi connection. It doesn’t use a gateway, which preserves precious router ports. Plus, all of its communications, video and audio recordings are 256-bit encrypted and stored in the cloud. Like other smart locks, the Gate is battery-powered, but rather than making you struggle with cramming AA batteries into the lock housing, the entire back plate of the Gate lifts off, exposing a micro-USB port with which to recharge the onboard Li-ion cell.
I was recently afforded a short demo of the Gate lock at the company’s office in San Francisco and came away generally impressed. The lock was as responsive to remote commands as the August I own. The camera resolution was great and maintained a clear image of my face in everything but immediate backlight. I would have liked to see the camera offer an infrared option, but that shortcoming can be fixed by simply leaving the front porch light on.
The Gate successfully completed its Indiegogo crowdfunding campaign yesterday, raising 291 percent of its initial funding goal. The company should have units out to both campaign backers and the general public by the first quarter of next year.
‘Red Dead Redemption’ is coming to PlayStation 4 December 6th
Red Dead Redemption 2 may not arrive until next fall, but next week you’ll be able to play both its predecessor and Undead Nightmare on PlayStation 4 and PC. Thanks to PlayStation Now streaming, you can get reacquainted with the PS3 classic on December 6th. Of course, Xbox One owners have been able to gather their posses for action since this summer. PS4 players did get Red Dead Revolver last month, but Redemption is the title a lot of fans were waiting for.
Unfortunately, PlayStation Now is only available in North America, the UK, Belgium and the Netherlands. If you happen to live in one of those areas, expect to pay $20 for a month of game streaming or $45 for three months worth of access. Handing over those funds will allow you to play over 450 titles though, in addition to the aforementioned frontier adventures that are scheduled to arrive next week.
Red Dead Redemption and Undead Nightmare Coming December 6th to @PlayStation Now: https://t.co/96AY7OZgDO pic.twitter.com/T8HnJVVvqH
— Rockstar Games (@RockstarGames) November 30, 2016
Source: Rockstar Games
Geohot open-sources his semi-autonomous car technology
George “Geohot” Hotz’s semi-autonomous driving add-on, Comma One, didn’t work out as planned. However, that doesn’t mean the underlying technology will never see the light of day — far from it. The Comma.ai team has published the source code for both its Openpilot self-driving tech and its NEO robotics platform. You’ll need hardware to use this for its originally intended purpose, but anyone who has a grasp of the programming languages involved can use the code for whatever projects they like. While you probably won’t see homebrew self-driving cars emerge from this (the law would have something to say about it), don’t be surprised if some of the tech finds its way into commercial projects.
Source: GitHub, Comma.ai (Twitter)
AIVAnet 