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30
Dec

Donut-shaped ice shelters could shield astronauts on Mars


Since future astronauts might be spending months at a time on Mars, their sturdy shelters must reliably insulate inhabitants from extreme outer temperatures and the cosmic radiation filtering through the planet’s thin atmosphere. Some have proposed concepts that use material found on the surface, like this conceptual concrete, to minimize what the crew brings with them. Scientists and experts at NASA’s Langley Research Center have came up with a novel, efficient solution that repurposes planet resources: The Mars Ice Home.

The design describes a torus — a large, inflatable innertube — lined with a shell of water ice. Not only is the structure lightweight, it incorporates materials from Mars itself. In addition, the water, which protects against cosmic rays, could be repurposed as rocket fuel for the Mars Ascent Lander.

The Mars Ice Home is just a concept with some drawbacks — for example, experts at Martian resource extraction say it would take 400 days to fill the shell with enough water directly from the planet. On the other hand, robots could inflate and pump the shelter while the astronauts are en route, and the water’s radiation shielding would allow the shelter to exist aboveground, obviating the need to dig deep enough to protect the shelter’s inhabitants. It’s far more theory than ironed-out solution, but the Ice Home is just the kind of fascinating concept that will prod designers and experts to innovate elegant, efficient answers to Martian exploration’s challenges.

Source: NASA

30
Dec

A Ben Affleck flop inspired this script-reading robot


The process used to create a major motion picture hasn’t changed much in a century. Someone has an idea that they turn into a screenplay, which is then edited, developed and handed to a director, who brings it to life. The only difference now is that there’s plenty more focus-grouping, audience analysis and number crunching to ensure each film is a hit. Except that doesn’t really work, since 2016 alone has seen scores of movies unceremoniously crash and burn. But maybe that will change with ScriptBook, an algorithm that its creators say can spot most turkeys before they’ve even been made.

The Belgian startup was born out of one of Hollywood’s greatest catastrophes: the Ben Affleck–Jennifer Lopez train wreck Gigli. ScriptBook CEO Nadira Azermai was a college student when she got the chance to intern on the film for a couple of weeks. Inspired by the film’s failure, she wrote her thesis in applied economics on a way of using machine learning to develop a tool that would enable producers to avoid box office bombs. And then, in her own words, she “left it [the idea] in my bottom draw to go work for a bank” for a few years.

When she decided to revisit the idea, it took her (and her burgeoning team) a year of research and development. The finished product was ScriptBook, a machine-learning platform that — so Azermai claims — knows what makes a good screenplay. “In the first six months, we did a lot of exploration, taking 4,000 scripts and 10,000 movies with metadata to see what parameters came out,” she said. The result is an algorithm that knows what has worked before and can judge a screenplay against 220 parameters that are used to calculate its theoretical financial performance.

The sort of report a studio executive using ScriptBook could expect to receive.

Some of the insights were derived from common sense as well as the established “rules” of screenwriting sold by Robert Mckee, Syd Field and Blake Snyder. That means following Joseph Campbell’s monomyth structure, ensuring that your lead character is sympathetic and goes on a hero’s journey. But likability was a hard substance to quantify, and one that ScriptBook’s algorithm initially struggled with.

Azermai cited Die Hard as an example, since, on paper, “the lead character — he’s not a scumbag, but he’s an unlikeable, disgruntled cop.” So, to teach ScriptBook, “we hired people to annotate the data set and answer questions on if the main character was likable.” Once the system had looked at the human input, it can then classify these traits automatically, as is the case with most deep learning systems.

Scripbook isn’t about picking winners so much as it is about avoiding losers, which is a huge issue for even a big studio. “We did an impact analysis” on the slate of major studio movies released in 2014 and 2015, says Azermai. “ScriptBook would only have green-lit 42 out of 70,” with only a handful of false positives, but she claims that her product avoided the biggest flops. And saving studio cash could be a big business: the cumulative deficits caused by 2016’s ten biggest flops — as charted by Forbes — was a whopping $100.9 million.

Azermai references the 2015 remake of Point Break as evidence of the sheer power of the platform that she’s put together. A fan of the original film, she ran the screenplay for the remake as soon as she got her hands on it. The algorithm, however, determined — months before release — that the film would gross only $31 million in the US. In her telling, the result “made me really doubt our system,” because the remake seemed like a slam dunk. When the film debuted that December, its domestic gross, as calculated by BoxOfficeMojo, was just $28.8 million — more of a flop than even her system could determine.

There’s a boatload of ifs and buts, but if ScriptBook works, then Azermai believes she could have a massively successful product. After all, spending a million dollars on script analysis is chump change compared with eating a hundred times that in losses. Even if the studio was used only 20 or so times a year, that’s still enough for ScriptBook’s creators to kick back and relax. If you look at some of the studios’ lineups (oh hey, Warner Bros.) for the next few years, it’s clear that there’s a need for this sort of QA checking.

Nadira Azermai and her team at ScriptBook.

ScriptBook isn’t the only game in town: Tools such as ScripThreads can analyze a screenplay and visualize its storyline and character interaction, while Slated offers screenplay analysis based on the pooled review scores of three unnamed studio development team employees. But Azermai’s product is the only one that offers an apparently concrete prediction of a movie’s potential success.

The platform will be launching in the near future, and while its initial pitch will be to studios, it won’t stay that way. Azermai told Engadget that the company is “working on” a more limited tool that’ll be offered to screenwriters. Rather than the more detailed financial analysis, it’ll offer a generic metric of a script’s quality and likelihood of success. Thankfully, Azermai promises that it’ll also be cheap enough for most dirt-poor typewriter junkies to afford.

ScriptBook’s claims are big and broad, and if it works, it certainly has the potential to upend the way movies are made. The only problem, for now, is that it’s nearly impossible to demonstrate or prove that the results it produces are legitimate — for instance, Slash Film decried its claims as “complete and utter B.S.” Azermai isn’t worried about the “older creatives,” who are skeptical, because it’s Hollywood’s decision makers — the accountants — who will determine the product’s success.

There are still a thousand unanswered questions as to how ScriptBook actually works, and few are currently forthcoming. We were allowed a day to play around with the firm’s embryonic user interface, but any attempt to test the system with a fresh screenplay was resisted. All the same, the company is getting ready to unleash itself upon an unsuspecting world, and if we see the quantity of flops decreasing in five years or so, we’ll know who to thank.

30
Dec

Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey Says a Form of Editing is Needed


In a conversation on Twitter this morning that followed a call for ideas to improve the Twitter platform, Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey said he believes some form of editing function is needed on the social network.

Twitter is one of the few social networks where editing content that’s been shared is not possible, despite Twitter users having long desired the feature. On social networks like Facebook and Instagram, editing content that’s already been posted to fix spelling and other errors is possible.

The original question posed to Dorsey suggested Twitter users with badges verifying identity be allowed to edit, but Dorsey said editing should be a feature available for all Twitter users, not just those that have been verified. In additional tweets, Dorsey said an editing feature is being considered, and he asked whether a short editing window would be sufficient for correcting mistakes or if editing should be allowed at any time.

@howardlindzon not sure why you’re quoting this tweet but yes, a form of edit is def needed. But for everyone, not just those w badges

— 🚶🏽jack (@jack) December 29, 2016

It’s not clear if and when Dorsey’s feelings on an edit function will translate into an actual edit feature implemented on Twitter, but Twitter has been making a lot of positive changes in recent months and Dorsey says the company is “thinking a lot” about editing and how it would work on Twitter.

Back in September, Twitter implemented a change to its character limit, making it so photos, videos, GIFs, polls, and quoted tweets no longer count towards the 140-character limit. According to Dorsey, Twitter is also exploring better tweet storm tools, improved search relevance, better conversation threading, a more consistent response to hate speech and more transparency, and improvements to direct messages.

Tag: Twitter
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30
Dec

Here’s a Detailed Aerial Photograph of Apple Campus 2


Apple’s spaceship-shaped campus in Cupertino, California is nearing completion, and most of the ring-shaped main structure and auxiliary buildings have been finished.

We’ve seen monthly drone updates of the location during the construction period, letting us keep an eye on Apple’s progress, and now SkyIMD has created a neat high-resolution aerial mosaic that gives an incredibly detailed overall view of the nearly-finished campus.

Click here to see full high-resolution image on Imgur
The image depicts the main spaceship building that is the highlight of the campus, with its massive curved glass windows and huge built-in glass doors that open up into a cafeteria area. The aerial photo, composed of ten 100-megapixel images captured with a PhaseOne iXA-RS1000, was made on December 22.

Duncan Sinfield, who has shared Apple Campus 2 drone videos with MacRumors for several months, has also uploaded an updated video captured on Christmas morning that shows the progress Apple has made on landscaping in recent weeks.


Apple plans to have the campus finished by the beginning of 2017, with employees moving in during the first quarter, but landscaping work will not be finished until the middle of the year.

Tag: Apple Campus 2
Discuss this article in our forums

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29
Dec

Fashionable Touchscreen Gloves: Text With Style and Warmth


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Keep in touch with your phone, even when it’s cold outside.

If you hail from colder climes, then you likely can’t text outside from October until March — at least, not without some protection. Touchscreen gloves are a great way to keep using your phone outside, and function oftentimes trumps fashion in that market. But we’ve found some stellar style options that’ll stand out and make your hands feel like they won the lottery.

If you’re more into function than form, then check out our roundup of the best touchscreen gloves.

  • Men’s gloves
  • Women’s gloves

Men’s

Burberry check wool and leather

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These checkered wool gloves from Burberry are the perfect way to keep your hands warm, while remaining fashionable and still able to text. They’re sort of like driving gloves, with their flared cuff and sheep leather palms. They’re also lined with 100% cashmere, for the utmost in luxury.

They come in either charcoal or navy.

See at Burberry

Barney’s New York Tech-Smart suede gloves

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These fine suede gloves from Barney’s come in black, blue, and “open”, which is a dark, rich brown (my favorite).

They have three top-stitched, raised seams on the back to add an accent and design to the 100% real leather suede. The insides are lined with soft and warm cashmere.

See at Barney’s New York

Gizelle Renee Theodore Gentlemen’s Wooly Glove

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If the leather or suede looks don’t tickle your fancy, then check out these wool gloves by Gizelle Renee. They have a contrast leather trim, which stands out from the sandy colored wool and adds an accent of sophistication.

The bespoke velcro fastener adds a standout accent as well, and the wrist features elastic, so you can tighten it as much as you like and still feel like you can move your wrists around.

See at Gizelle Renee

Dents Shaftesbury Touch Classic cashmere-lined leather gloves

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If you’re looking for the classic black leather glove, but you still want touchscreen capabilities, then the Shaftesbury gloves from Dents of UK are the way to go. They feature the raised stitching on the back, classic cuff, and are, of course, lined with cashmere.

See at Amazon

Mujjo Double Layer touchscreen gloves

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Mujjo’s Double Layer gloves are the perfect marriage of function and fashion, made from durable wool, with rubber grips on the palms, a magnetic snap closure, and leather trim around the cuff.

If you live in colder climes (CANADA), but you still need to use your phone outside, then check out Mujjo’s gloves and keep your fingers warm and your form fashionable.

See at Amazon

Women’s

Echo Touch Long Knit leather glove

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Want to look like a fair maiden who might ride side saddle on a horse and then slap someone in the face for thinking they’re a damsel in distress? These are the gloves for you!

The Echo Touch gloves are a gorgeous blend of wool and sheepskin leather, with a cozy design that extends up the forearms ensuring warmth and that no snow gets in there (isn’t that the worst?). The lace on the back is a lovely, simple accent and the added bonus of a touchscreen fingertip means you can keep warm and snap those Instas all day long.

See at Echo New York

UGG Classic Leather Smart Glove

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Love the feeling of UGGs on your feet? Wouldn’t it be great if hands were feet? OF COURSE NOT; WHAT ARE YOU, INSANE? But wouldn’t it be awesome if that comfort and warmth could somehow be molded to fit your hands in the form of, say, a glove?

Well it can and is! The Classic Leather Smart Glove from UGG has the classic black leather glove look with a black rabbit cuff that adds a bit of flair and some assurance that snow won’t sneak its way and and freeze your grabbers.

Comes in black, brown, chestnut and “Stormy Grey”. Make sure you select the right size before checking out!

See at UGG

Marc by Marc Jacobs Rory Who

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If you love brand name, but want to have a bit of fun and stand out in the crowd, then the Rory Who gloves from the Spongebob tattoo-clad Marc Jacobs are a colorful way to stay warm and techy.

These gloves are red, yellow, blue, and white, with a fun striped pattern, made from 100% Merino wool with acrylic touchscreen-compatible fingertips.

See at Amazon

Glove.ly Metallic Leather touch screen gloves

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Glove.ly makes wonderful touchscreen gloves, and the metallic leather gloves are a shiny way to text in style. You have your choice of gold or silver, and you’re not limited to one or two fingertips — you can use your whole hand on your touchscreen, thanks to what Glove.ly calls “Invisitouch” napa leather.

See at Glove.ly

Ralph Lauren Polo touch screen gloves

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If it’s good enough for Rachel, then it’s certainly good enough for all of us. These cashmere gloves from Ralph Lauren are beautifully knit and extended past the wrist for extra warmth.

If you don’t think these are luxurious enough, just check out the colors they come in: Camel Melange, Belmont Purple Heather, Heritage Cream, and Montauk Purple.

They’re all pretty and they’re all touchscreen-compatible, so check it out.

See at Ralph Lauren

Your picks?

What’s your favorite high-fashion touchscreen glove? Let us know in the comments below!

29
Dec

Common Google Pixel problems and how to fix them


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Pixel problems? Here are the most common problems and how to fix them.

It’s been an interesting few weeks for Google’s nascent hardware division. The company’s latest products are all smartphone adjacent — a smart speaker, a smart router, a smart VR headset — but none have overshadowed the smart… phone. The Pixels are two phones that, among these parts and around the internet, have garnered widely divisive receptions, some hailing them as the best phones you can buy today, while others dismissing them outright as iPhone clones and, worse, overpriced wastes of money. Of course, like every story based on extremes, the reality is somewhere in the middle.

But even we, who have been leaning towards the side praising the Pixel, cannot ignore the seemingly-constant barrage of news relating to bugs in the proverbial machine. From LTE problems to boot loops to audio distortion to battery shutdowns, the Pixel has generated a steady stream of complaints since almost day one, and it seems that with each update, each bug fix, a new problem emerges.

Note: This article was originally published in December 2016 and will be updated frequently. Check back soon!

What is the actual problem?

Like every story based on extremes, the reality is somewhere in the middle.

We don’t know. The interoperability of hardware and software is very complicated, and even though it now has much greater control over both, Google is still unable to check for every conflict before it ships.

The important thing to know is that not everyone is experiencing problems. The issues with the Pixel appear to be isolated and not endemic of the entire product lineup. This is not some Galaxy Note 7 scale issue that will require a recall.

The second thing to know is that Google appears to be actively researching each problem, and has already fixed one of the more severe issues with a recent update.

Let’s go through each one to see where we stand.

Band 4 LTE issues

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Early on, it became apparent that the Pixel was having trouble connecting to LTE networks that relied on Band 4 (AWS) in certain countries, specifically Canada, Chile, Venezuela, Puerto Rico, Argentina, Ecuador and others in the region. The phone, though compatible with Band 4 LTE, was staying on HSPA+.

That changed when Google issued the Android 7.1.1 update in early December, with many people finding their LTE connections upon booting up. The issue is that some people are still having issues with LTE, so the update doesn’t appear to have fixed the update completely.

Some people are finding that flashing radios from different regions elicits success, but like many of the Pixel’s issues there doesn’t seem to be a particular rhyme nor reason to say the issue has been solved and the case closed.

  • Best fix: Upgrade your software
  • Status: Partially solved, ongoing

Audio distortion issues

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Audio distortion issues continue to be one of the most prevalent problems with the Pixel, largely because it is easy to reproduce. You either have the problem or you don’t.

The issue stems from using particular apps, or playing back movies and music at high volumes; anything above a certain point — usually 80% to maximum — causes the audio to clip.

Like the above LTE issue, it appears to be a combination of hardware and software, since not all Pixel owners (myself included) have had the problem. The main difference is that no software fix has been issued just yet, so it’s not clear whether the issue can be resolved with a mere software patch.

  • Best fix: Replace your Pixel
  • Status: Ongoing

Boot loops

Android phones falling into boot loops are not uncommon, and some manufacturers (ahem, LG) seem to have higher rates than others.

But shortly after the Pixel was released, and timed more frequently with monthly security updates, people began reporting instances where the phone would fall into an endless boot loop — failing to start up and rebooting when the process failed — forcing a factory reset through the Recovery menu.

On Google’s product forums, half a dozen threads with myriad entries each tell the story of frustration, especially since many of the Pixel and Pixel XL users were forced to perform hard resets, losing data in the process. Google’s official word is to seek individual service through the Pixel’s 24/7 customer support feature, but there are no permanent solutions just yet. At the same time, boot loops are not uncommon in the Nexus family, and more recently the Nexus 6P began suffering the same sordid fate after it, too, was updated to Nougat.

  • Best fix: Factory reset and, failing that, replace your Pixel
  • Status: Ongoing

Pixel shutting off at close to 40% battery

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This is a relatively recent occurrence, but mirrors what people have been seeing on the Nexus 6P for the past few weeks. Likely exacerbated by the cold weather in the northern hemisphere, the issue, according to Reddit user bal00, has less to do with software than with the state of batteries themselves.

If you’ve got a battery with a high internal resistance and a power-hungry load like the camera demanding a lot of current, other devices like the processor will see their supply voltage drop, and if it drops low enough, the phone will shut off. That’s what’s going on when a phone turns off with 40% battery left. There’s plenty of water in the tank, but all the build-up inside the valve restricts the flow so much that the pressure takes a nosedive.

The strange part is that unlike the Nexus 6P, which has been in the market for over a year, the Pixel is new, as are the batteries inside them. To sustain such damage so the “pressure takes a nosedive” is not common in a phone under three months on the market.

  • Best fix: Replace your Pixel
  • Status: Ongoing

Other minor issues: Bluetooth, microphones

Other Pixel owners report Bluetooth issues, some of which were resolved with the update to Android 7.1.1, as well as failing microphones and other random issues.

None of these are common enough to be called endemic, but they’re certainly something to look out for.

  • Best fix(es): Wait for software update
  • Status: Annoying

So what can you do?

First thing’s first: Google’s Pixel is, like all other phones, not perfect. That its hardware and software are overseen by Google doesn’t preclude it from having problems. Despite the numerous issues noted above, the Pixel is not disproportionately problematic compared to other Android phones.

You have three options if you have a severe issue with your Pixel:

  • Seek out counsel from Google through the Pixel Support feature: Google may be able to walk you through a temporary or permanent fix.
  • Update or your revert your software: The issue(s) you’re experiencing are likely software-based and an update could be the answer.
  • Replace your phone: If nothing works, or you’re stuck in a permanent boot loop and a restore doesn’t seem to be doing the trick, seek a replacement from Google or your carrier. The Pixel is still under warranty, and unless you dunked it in water or threw it onto cement, you shouldn’t have an issue getting a new one.

What issues are you facing?

Are you facing issues with your Pixel? If so, any from the list above? If not, has it been flawless or still prone to derping every once in a while?

The good news is that Google will likely fix the majority of the Pixel’s major issues with software updates, and faster than usual given its ability to push out updates directly.

Google Pixel + Pixel XL

  • Google Pixel and Pixel XL review
  • Google Pixel XL review: A U.S. perspective
  • Google Pixel FAQ: Should you upgrade?
  • Pixel + Pixel XL specs
  • Understanding Android 7.1 Nougat
  • Join the discussion in the forums!

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29
Dec

The Best gadgets for dog owners: The best tech for your pooch


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The right gadgets can help you to keep an eye on your dog, no matter where you may be!

Technology has made life easier for everyone in plenty of small ways, but you may not have considered how it could help you in taking care of your pet. From remotely feeding your dog when you have an early meeting at work, to keeping an eye on them with cameras, to tracking their whereabouts with GPS, there are plenty of awesome gadgets that can make life easier on you and Buddy both. That’s why we’ve put together this list of the 5 best gadgets for Dog owners.

Furbo

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While many pet owners wish they could bring their dogs with them everywhere, that isn’t always quite feasible. Furbo gives you access to being able to see your dog, talk to it, listen to it, and even toss it treats, all by using an app on your phone. This means that whether you need to check on your dog from work, or when you’re stuck in traffic, you’ll always know what the rascal is up to.

Furbo is a smart camera with plenty of features that hooks into your home wifi. Once it’s connected, all you need to do is download the app onto your phone and you’ll be good to go. While it does have a slightly hefty price tag, making sure your dog stays out of trouble when you’re at work is probably worth it.

See at Amazon

Whistle

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While pet owners might trust their dogs not to run amok, sometimes accidents happen. Your retriever slips her leash because a squirrel takes off, or your husky hops the fence to take himself for a walk. While a microchip can ensure you find your pet if it’s picked up, the Whistle GPS collar attachment adds a layer of security.

You can program alerts to let you know any time your dog escapes your designated home zone, check on your dog’s activity level, and it’s made waterproof and durable to take anything your dog puts it through. The Whistle device attaches to your dog’s collar, and uses GPS monitoring to make sure you can always find your pooch when they get away from you.

See at Amazon

Nest Camera

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Some dogs don’t do well by themselves, or are prone to causing trouble when nobody is at home. If your puppy needs a eye on them while you’re at work, then the Nest camera may be your best bet. Using the Nest camera you can make sure that you know if your dog manages to escape their crate, or if they’re trying to break into your office.

With 24/7 streaming and recording, you can see everything as it happens, or look over what you’ve missed. This means you’ll never wonder how the dog escaped their confines to tear apart the living room again. With multiple cameras you can even make sure that you have eyes on the entire house, even if you’re across the country.

See at Amazon

Petnet

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Sometimes our schedules don’t quite match up with when you need to be home to feed your dog. Rather than coming home to trash all over the floor, you can employ the Petnet SmartFeeder. This feeder will let you feed your dog even if you get stuck in gridlock traffic, or need to stay at work late to finish up some paperwork.

Using the app on your phone you can precisely measure out meal portions, automate feeding times, and even check on how nutritious your brand of dog food is. You can even cater to how much you feed your dog by inputting their age and activity level. This means that even if you aren’t home you can ensure that Fido never goes hungry.

See at Amazon

FitBark

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Not all dogs need a lot of activity, but those that do can be destructive in the house if they get bored. That’s just one of the reasons that keeping an eye on the activity level of your dog can be beneficial. With FitBark, you can easily keep an eye on your dog’s activity. This means knowing if your dog is a bit more lethargic than usual, or if Duke has been running laps through the house for the last three hours.

If you like to go for run’s with your dog, then you can connect FitBark to your Google Fit account to keep an eye on all of your dog’s information. Using the app, you can get stats on each dog that has a FitBark attachment, and get insights on your dog’s activity. This means setting goals for your dog’s health so that your best friend is always in the best shape possible.

See at Amazon

That’ll get your pooch’s tail wagging!

These are just a few of the fantastic gadgets available out there for dog owners. Did we cover one of your favorites, or is there a gadget great for dog owners that we missed this time? Be sure to pop into our comment section and let us know about it!

29
Dec

Wileyfox ditching Cyanogen for an “enhanced” Android experience


Wileyfox ditches Cyanogen for an “enhanced” Android experience.

We certainly hope you didn’t purchase a Wileyfox smartphone specially for Cyanogen, because that’s going extinct once the company seeds out its next software update.

In an email to Android Central, Wileyfox provided details on how it plans to proceed following the news of Cyanogen’s untimely demise. The company promised a smooth transition via an upcoming over-the-air update for the entire Wileyfox product range. Wileyfox promised a “purer,” “enhanced,” Android experience.

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The company continued with a recommendation for its existing users:

We strongly recommend that all current and future users accept the upcoming update request to ensure they are on-boarded for the future. This will include the ability to maintain the same experience as before and the added ability to partake in updates and upgrades to the software in the future.

We will continue to push this update to your device, and for new users we again recommend they download and install this update upon purchase.

Wileyfox added that once the transition has been successful, its first order of business will be bringing Android 7.0 Nougat to its entire device portfolio by the end of the first quarter next year.

More: Wileyfox Swift 2 hands-on

29
Dec

Google mobile search shows recipe suggestions when you look for food


In the past few years, Google has used its so-called “knowledge graph” to make search results far more useful than just a list of links — you can get lots of info on a variety of topics right in Google without having to click on any search results. The latest addition to Google search is something foodies should take note of. Now, when you search for food on mobile, you’ll see a carousel of recipes at the top of the results page.

Google also added some filters to those recipe results — right below the search bar are additional suggestions you can use to refine your results. Searching for “fried chicken” gave me the option to add “oven-fried,” “buttermilk,” and “southern fried” filters to narrow down the recipes. You can also tap “view all” to move out of the standard search page and see bigger, more detailed recipe cards that show a picture and quick preview of the recipe.

When you combine these recipes with the local food results and knowledge graph info that Google has already been serving up, the company is offering a whole lot of food info without having to tap into pesky websites. For whatever reason, though, this view isn’t yet live on the standard desktop version of Google search. That’ll probably change sooner or later — in the meantime, if you use your phone to look for recipes, this should make things a little bit easier.

Via: 9to5Google

29
Dec

Best iPad mini cases: Protect your 7.9-inch Apple tablet


Apple’s iPad mini is available in two models – the iPad mini 2 and the newer iPad mini 4 that was announced as the replacement for the iPad mini 3 in September 2015. The iPad mini 2 is the cheapest way to get your hands on an Apple tablet with prices starting at £239, while the higher-specced iPad mini 4 starts at £379.

There are of course the original iPad mini and the iPad mini 3 knocking about too but you can’t buy them new from Apple anymore. This feature however, is all about protecting your iPad mini, no matter what model you have or plan to buy.

The iPad mini 4 differs in size very slightly to the older models so some older cases won’t be compatible, and the same works for newer cases with regards to older iPad mini models.

  • Apple iPad mini 2 review
  • Apple iPad mini 4 review

The sleeve cases should be fine, but you’ll need to make sure any hard cases that snap on are designed for the iPad model you own or are buying. We have tried to make it as clear as possible in the captions under each case in our gallery, but double check to be sure.

  • Click here to see the best iPad mini cases we have found so far