The Morning After: Weekend Edition
Letter from the Editor
Christmas is right around the corner, but Santa’s not the only one dropping from the sky with presents this holiday season. Amazon’s Prime Air officially began service this week, when a drone made the service’s first delivery in Cambridge, England. So the future of shipping has arrived … for a handful of people in the English countryside.
Many, many more Amazonians will be getting served, however, by Prime Video, now that the company has spun it out into a standalone service. At an introductory rate that’s a third the cost of Netflix, the move creates serious competition for viewing dollars around the world — though it only brings Amazon’s original programming. Still, if critical acclaim is any indicator, you’re getting good value: Both of the two streaming services have shows up for multiple Golden Globes.
One competitor Amazon isn’t (and shouldn’t be) preoccupied with is a new virtual assistant from Japan. It’s a female anime character in a jar. It costs $2,500. It will not lift the crushing weight of loneliness that pervades your every waking hour. Oh, and if you’re thinking it’d make a swell Christmas gift, think 2017 — the company’s taking preorders now, but it won’t arrive for a year.
Elon Musk: Supercharger spots are meant for charging, not parkingTesla will tax owners who idle at the Supercharger
More Teslas on the road also means there might be long lines at the local Supercharger. After complaints about owners who leave their car hooked up beyond the time needed for a full charge, Elon Musk & Co. have a fix: idle fees. If you don’t collect your EV within five minutes of it reaching full charge (you’ll get a notification on your phone), then expect a 40 cent per minute charge to sit in that spot.
Here’s what it will cost when you lose oneApple’s AirPods are now on sale
Online pre-orders are now stretching into 2017, but you can order a pair of Apple’s new EarBuds. The wireless buds go perfectly with a headphone jack-deficient iPhone 7, whose owners are most likely to lay down $160 for the pair + charger. A side effect of the AirPods’ tangle free lifestyle is that you might end up losing one, however, and if you do, the replacement will cost $69.
Not to be confused with “The O.C.”Netflix’s weird surprise show ‘The OA’ is now streaming
Last weekend Netflix surprised us by teasing a new miniseries about a mysterious young woman. The trailer left much to the imagination, but the main plot centers on a young woman who was blind before being abducted, and returns to her family seven years later able to see. Its eight-episode length had some hoping for another “Stranger Things” experience. We don’t know if it’s that good, but it’s a perfect choice if you can’t make it out to “Rogue One” this weekend.
League of $$$$“League of Legends” developer signs a $300 million streaming deal
eSports looks poised to make a big leap, and BAMTech, a streaming company part-owned by the MLB, the NHL and Disney (read: ESPN) is ready to buy in. It struck a deal with “League of Legends” maker Riot Games that’s worth over $300 million, and it will build an app next year to stream competitions on phones, PCs and other devices.
Looks like someone read “Ender’s Game”DARPA’s OFFSET program will use gamers to playtest drone swarm control
Stop us if this sounds familiar: A government agency is trying to help the military control groups of flying robots, and one of the ways it will learn is by offering a “physics-based, swarm tactics game.” The idea is to let playtesters swap strategies on how to best control a swarm of drone robots, then apply that knowledge to the real thing.
The final stops are at PAX and SXSWNintendo’s Switch console is going on tour
Can’t wait until March to see the Switch? No problem, because Nintendo just announced it’s taking the console on a “Preview Tour” of major cities starting in January.
But wait, there’s more…
- Meet Waymo: Google’s new (old) self-driving car business
- Nokia returns with a dumb phone from its new owner
- The Engadget Podcast Episode 18: In which Terrence drops F-bombs while talking about Yahoo
- Review: HP Spectre x360 (2016)
- Dwarf planet Ceres is ‘oozing’ with water
Add a thin case to your Nexus 6 for just $5 today!
The Nexus 6 is quite a large phone, and odds are you don’t want to make it any bigger just to protect it. If you want a thin layer of protection against scratches and dings, Amzer’s SlimGrip hybrid case is the way to go. The thin clear case will show off your phone well, and right now it is only $5.
Tesla’s fix for Supercharger squatters is a $0.40 per minute fee
As the number of Tesla’s on the road continues to increase, owners are running into a growing problem. While there are Superchargers located nationwide for them to plug in and quickly charge up, they can quickly get clogged up if one jerk leaves their car parked there for a few hours. Since its cars aren’t quite ready to drive themselves away once they’ve filled up, Tesla is placing the responsibility on the owners. Once a car’s battery is full, the owner receives a push notification via the Tesla app. If they don’t move the car within five minutes, it will start racking up a $0.40 per minute idle fee (in the US and Canada), billed at their next visit to a service center.
Since electric vehicle charging still isn’t quite as fast as filling up with petrol, some owners may not think of it the same way as simply leaving a car parked at the gas pump. According to the FAQ, the fee applies even if there are open spots at the Supercharger, so users will want to keep this in mind all the time. Since this problem is likely due to inattentiveness more than any intentional urge to camp on the charger, some better messaging and a nag fee is a good way to get folks’ attention.
@loic You’re right, this is becoming an issue. Supercharger spots are meant for charging, not parking. Will take action.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) December 11, 2016
Source: Tesla, FAQ
Android Central 318: Smartwatches are dead
In this episode, Daniel, Jerry, Andrew and Alex debate whether wearables, and smartwatches in particular, are done for — or whether there’s still a pulse … nope, not going to finish that one.
Meanwhile, RCS — Rich Communications Services — could be the iMessage alternative Android users have been waiting for, but it’s probably going to disappoint.
Plus, favorite apps! The team goes over their best apps of the year.
Podcast MP3 URL: http://traffic.libsyn.com/androidcentral/androidcentral318.mp3
Google, Apple and Uber promise not to build a Muslim registry
After over a thousand Silicon Valley engineers pledged never to help build a Muslim registry, Buzzfeed News asked the tech giants themselves about their stance. Google, Apple and Uber told the publication that no, they won’t support the development of one either. Facebook, Microsoft and Twitter made the same vow a few days ago. The possibility of a Muslim registry in the United States first came up during President-Elect Trump’s campaign, and he has yet to deny wanting one. In addition, one of the members of Trump’s transition team, Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach, proposed to reinstate a registry of immigrants from Muslim countries.
The big G told Buzzfeed News in an email that from what the company knows, the “proposal doesn’t seem to be on the table.” But if it’s ever asked to participate, “of course [Google] wouldn’t do [it.]” An Apple spokesperson said the iPhonemaker hasn’t been asked and would oppose such an effort. “We think people should be treated the same no matter how they worship, what they look like, who they love,” he said. Meanwhile, Uber replied with a resounding “No.”
These tech titans met with the President-Elect at a tech summit earlier this week to discuss job creation, tax cuts and China, among other topics. One of the attendees who has declined to respond to Buzzfeed News’ question is Oracle, whose CEO (Safra Katz) is slated to join Trump’s transition team.
Source: Buzzfeed News
Uber will keep testing self-driving cars in SF without a permit
Uber just announced its self-driving cars are available on San Francisco streets, but they’re already caught up in controversy. That’s because California regulators insist it needs a permit for testing, while Uber — true to its extralegal history — insists it doesn’t. Autonomous lead Anthony Levandowski said on a call that “we respectfully disagree with the California Department of Motor Vehicles legal interpretation of today’s autonomous regulations, in particular that Uber needs a testing permit to operate its self-driving cars in San Francisco.”
In Uber’s view, because its cars won’t operate without a human operator seated at the wheel, it’s no different than other widely-implemented driver assistant technology. On the state’s side, Wired reports the matter has been forwarded to the attorney general, but it’s unclear what the next step will be. A statement from the mayor’s office said “The Mayor is working with the DMV, state officials and the city attorney’s office to explore all possible avenues available to us to enforce state law.” The state could request an injunction, or revoke the car’s registrations — stay tuned.
Source: Uber
Apple’s new Support app: How does it work and where is it available?
Sometimes you just need a little help – or, should we say, support.
We’ve all been there: you’re playing on your iPhone or Mac or iPad or iWatch, and then something happens that you can’t explain. Maybe your device has been bricked, rendered unusable, or maybe it just won’t connect to the internet or install an update. There are a number of different issues that can happen when it comes to technology and gadgets, including a number of different ways to troubleshoot those issues.
Luckily, if you find yourself facing a problem with one of Apple’s pricey products, you can always go to Apple for help. But how do you do that? Easy. Download the new Apple Support app. On 13 December, Apple launched a specialised app designed to mimic its dedicated support site. It provides users with a list of their registered devices and access to documentation for those devices. It also lets them schedule repairs.
Here’s everything you need to know about the Apple Support app, including how it works and where it’s available.
What is the Apple Support app?
One month after going live in the Netherlands, Apple’s specialised Apple Support has launched in the US App Store, giving Apple users an easy way to get support for their devices while on the go. Screenshots of the app actually first leaked out way back in 2015, but now, it’s official. So, if you happen to notice a problem with your Apple device, all you have to do is download the app to get started with troubleshooting.
How does the Apple Support app work?
Apple has described its new Apple Support app as “your personalised guide to the best options from Apple”. You can find answers with articles tailored to your products and questions. You can call, chat, or email with an “expert” right away. You can schedule a callback when it’s convenient for you. You can even get a repair at an Apple Store or a nearby Apple Authorized Service Provider.
Getting started with Apple Support
If you have a functioning iPhone or iPad, download Apple’s Support app from the App Store. Once downloaded, log in with your Apple ID. From there, Apple Support will surface a list of all the devices associated with/registered to your Apple ID. The product details screen also shows hardware info, like a serial number or IMEI, as well as informs users of their AppleCare coverage status.
Browse troubleshooting topics
Tapping on a device will pull up a product pane, with options to view general support documents for topics like startup and power, internet and connectivity, installation and updates, Mail, hardware issues, Apple ID and password, printing and scanning, and other topics. Apart from browsing troubleshooting topics to find an answer to your problem, you can also search for a specific issue from the support portal screen.
Choose your support option
Much like Apple’s online support site, the standalone app will guide you through a series of documents that help you to self-diagnose and solve a variety of problems. For instance, if you tap on your iPhone 7 Plus, then select the topic “Battery, Power & Charging” topic, you’ll get a list of potential or commonly occurring issues. In this example, Apple provides a support document with links to web article, which details best ways to maximise battery life. To streamline your troubleshooting process, the app automatically creates a support case for you.
Contact Apple directly
You will find options for contacting an Apple Support specialist, along with estimated chat and phone wait times, under topics that lack sufficient support documentation. You’ll be able to call Apple directly, schedule a call for later, or chat via text. However, some queries may require a Genius Bar appointment, so Apple provides a scheduling tool for that. And finally, you’ll see recommended articles at the bottom of the screen.
Does the Apple Support app cost money?
No. The Apple Support app is free to download and use.
Which devices can run the Apple Support app?
The Apple Support app requires iOS 9.0 or later and is compatible with iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch. It’s available in the these languages: English, Chinese, Dutch, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Portuguese, Simplified Chinese, Spanish, Swedish, Traditional Chinese, and Turkish.
Is the Apple Support app available in the UK?
No. Apple only recently launched the app in the Netherlands and the US. We assume it’ll eventually be available in other countries.
Facebook Messenger: Here’s how to use those new Snapchat-like lenses
Facebook Messenger has a built-in camera, and it’s a lot like Snapchat.
You’ve heard the story by now: a few years ago Facebook tried to buy Snapchat, but the app rebuffed the offer, and ever since then, the social network has tried launching copy-cat apps and adding Snapchat-like features to some of its products, including Instagram. And now, Facebook Messenger is the latest product to rip-off Snapchat, as it has begun offering “3D masks and special effects”. Here’s everything you need to know.
What is Facebook Messenger?
It is Facebook’s insanely popular, standalone chat app. Facebook said over 2.5 billion emojis, photos, stickers, and videos are sent every day on Messenger. You can read all about Facebook Messenger, including tips and tricks, from here.
Facebook Messenger has a camera?
Yep. In fact, Facebook has launched a “new, faster and easier-to-use camera with art and special effects”. Whether you’re already in a conversation or have just opened up the app, you will now see the shutter button centered in the app. A simple tap will let you take photo, while a long press will record a video. The company said it wanted to make Messenger’s camera “faster, simpler and more fun to send photos and videos”.
What’s new with Facebook Messenger’s camera?
Taking a photo or video
Now you can take and add effects to photos and videos directly by tapping the Home button in the navigation bar, then tapping or pressing the shutter button at the bottom, and tapping the smiley or text or doodle icons to begin adding effects, text, or scribbles, respectively. When finished, tap the arrow button to send. You can also take and edit photos by opening a conversation with someone and tapping the shutter button.
New art and special effects
Apart from making it easier to start taking photos and videos, Facebook has launched an effects hub to find new art and special effects, such as 3D masks. Facebook said you can take a selfie and “transform into a reindeer or play with falling snow”. It’s added thousands of stickers, frames, masks, and effects to choose from – and you can personalise them using the new customisation tools.
Again, to add effects to your photos and videos in Facebook Messenger, simply tap or press on the shutter button at the bottom to take a photo or video, respectively, then tap the effects button (smiley icon) to browse all the available special effects, including 3D masks, stickers, and frames.
Remember, Snapchat offers these things called “lenses” and stickers. Lenses are real-time special effects and sounds. Simply tap one in Snapchat to see a live mask applied to your face or background – it’ll move with you and make it seem like you’ve transformed. Meanwhile, stickers are cute cartoons and arts you can place around your photo or video like clip art.
Go here to learn all about Snapchat and its features.
When will these new features be available?
They’re available now in the Android and iOS version of Facebook Messenger. If you don’t see the new photo and video effects, try updating your Messenger app to the latest version.
Want to know more?
Check out Facebook’s blog post for more details.
Rogers will launch IPTV in Canada with Comcast’s X1 platform
Comcast has been very careful to call its X1 setup a “platform” and not simply a cable box, and now it’s licensing the tech for use on an internet TV service. Canadian provider Rogers will roll out IPTV to its gigabit internet customers in 2018 using the X1 platform, although there’s no word on whether or not it will include the Netflix app. Before that happens, however, Rogers says customers on its current cable setup can expect more 4K video and 4K DVR features in the next year.
Source: Rogers
Apple Gifts Employees With T-Shirt and Printed Credo for the Holidays
Every December, Apple provides its retail employees around the world with a special holiday gift to thank them for their contributions to the company and to celebrate the holiday season.
For 2016, Apple is giving each employee a T-shirt and a printed copy of the company’s credo. The t-shirt is gray in color and features two circles created from what appears to be a list of all of the company’s retail locations around the world.
The credo is printed on a heavy card stock and comes in a protective envelope. Apple first introduced its new six-paragraph credo in August of 2016.
We are here to enrich lives.
To help dreamers become doers,
to help passion expand human potential,
to do the best work of our lives.AT OUR BEST
We give more than we take.
From the planet,
to the person beside us.
We become a place to belong
where everyone is welcome.
Everyone.We draw strength from our differences.
From background and perspective
to collaboration and debate.
We are open.We redefine expectations.
First for ourselves, then for the world.
Because we’re a little crazy.
Because “good enough” isn’t.
Because what we do says who we are.We find courage.
To try and to fail,
to learn and to grow,
to figure out what’s next,
to imagine the unimaginable,
to do it all over again tomorrow.AT OUR CORE
We believe our soul is our people.
People who recognize themselves
in each other.
People who shine a spotlight
only to stand outside it.
People who work to leave this world better than they found it.
People who live to enrich lives.
Apple’s employee gift this year is somewhat less impressive than the gifts that have been handed out in past years. In 2015, employees were given a set of black and red urBeats headphones from the Beats by Dr. Dre product lineup and a nine-month Apple Music subscription.
In 2014, employees received an Apple-branded Incase backpack, and gifts in the years before that have included things like blankets, water bottles, hoodies, free apps, discounted iTunes gift cards, and more.
Tag: Apple retail
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