A software update will solve those MacBook Pro battery issues

Apple’s latest MacBook Pros got plenty of mixed reviews, but the bugs with the laptop’s battery life estimates were a bad ending to a tough year for Cupertino. Although Apple figured the machines would get a respectable a 10 hour battery life, independent tests from Consumer Reports showed wildly different results ranging from less than four hours to almost 20 hours, causing the group to pull their recommendation for the first time. While Apple put some of the blame on Intel’s Skylake-based chips, a new software update has apparently fixed the issue to Consumer Reports’ satisfaction.

In an updated review, the group writes that the latest software update has addressed the issue. Using “the same protocol we apply to hundreds of laptops every year,” Consumer Reports says, the three MacBook Pros they tested all performed well, “with one model running 18.75 hours on a charge.” For the record, they tested both the Touch Bar and non-Touch Bar versions of the 13-inch model, as well as a 15-incher. The new average run times work out to 15.75 hours, 18.75 hours and 17.25 hours respectively.

If you’ve already upgraded to one of Apple’s newest laptops and you’re wondering why your status bar still doesn’t have a battery life estimate on it, then Consumer Reports notes that the update is still in Apple’s Beta program, but it should roll out to all users in the the next few weeks. In the meantime, you’ll just have to stick close to an outlet.

Source: Consumer Reports

‘Guccifer 2.0’ DNC leaker returns, as ‘Shadow Brokers’ exit

Throughout the presidential campaign last year, a hacker calling themselves “Guccifer 2.0” leaked DNC documents, before going dark just before the actual election. Now, after being tagged as a front for Russian government-directed hacking, the identity has returned, writing in much clearer English and taunting US intelligence. In a blog post, Guccifer 2.0 claims again to have no connection to Russia, and refutes assertions made by the DHS and FBI to the contrary.

Here I am again, my friends! Check my new post about FBI/DHS/NSA reports & their fake evidence #Guccifer2 https://t.co/Low4v1qCQx

— GUCCIFER 2.0 (@GUCCIFER_2) January 12, 2017

Curiously, this return happens at the same time Motherboard reports “The Shadow Brokers” group — known for its curious attempt to sell stolen NSA hacking tools — is closing up shop. A message reportedly from the group states “There being no bitcoins in free dumps and giveaways. You are being disappointed? Nobody is being more disappointed than TheShadowBrokers.” Additionally, another hacker tells Motherboard that the group dropped a “parting gift” containing an exploit that Kaspersky tied to US and UK spy agencies back in 2015.

Source: Motherboard, Guccifer 2.0 (WordPress)

Windows 10 Creators update tracks your work on multiple PCs

Microsoft has showed off more of what’s coming in the Creators update in April. The latest “Fast Ring” Insider Preview, released just days after the last one, notably makes it easier to work across multiple computers. Cortana now shows quick links for Edge browser websites, cloud-based documents and other recent work when you switch to a different PC. “For example, if you were working on a PowerPoint deck on your laptop, when you later return to your desktop, a link to that deck appears in the Action Center,” Microsoft wrote in a lengthy blog.

Edge users can now also share tabs with other apps, making it easy to switch from one browser to the next and keep your tabs intact. Microsoft’s browser also makes it easier to import data from another browser, including history, saved passwords and other data. That should be a boon for users thinking of trying or switching to Edge, as it’s currently a bit of a pain to do that.

The other main change is with themes: if you like to swap background images frequently, you’ll soon be able to download different themes directly from the Windows Store. The feature hasn’t been enabled yet, but Microsoft says that “soon, you’ll be able to directly from the themes setting page directly to the Windows Store to download new themes for your PC.”

Other PC features include new Windows Hello facial recognition that helps you log in more easily, the ability to “run” a download link without even saving it, Windows Ink capability in Web Notes (above), an inline progress bar for notifications, and more.

Though it’s a bit odd for Microsoft to have dropped two releases so close together, today’s build (15007) marks the first in 40 days to include updates for Windows Phone. Now, you can control music playback from iHeartRadio and TuneIn using the Cortana AI assistant and figure out what the current tune is by asking “Hey Cortana, what’s playing?”

Mobile Edge users can now zoom into websites up to 500 percent, regardless of website settings, and clicking website links for sites that support web-to-app linking will open a page in the corresponding app. For a complete list of PC and Windows Phone updates, check here, or if you’re in the Fast Ring, you can go ahead and download the preview now.

Source: Microsoft

Google turns Toontastic into a 3D storytelling app

Google Education has launched a 3D version of Toontastic, almost two years after Mountain View bought the company that created it. The new Toontastic stays true to the original version: it’s still a storybook app, except now kids can work with 3D characters and environments. They can animate short three-dimensional movies by customizing characters and placing them in interactive scenarios, or they can use the tool to make projects for school. Google describes the updated Toontastic as some sort of a digital puppet theater. The app is now out on the App Store and on Google Play for phones, tablets and select Chromebooks.

Mountain View’s Education division regularly works on projects kids can learn from and enjoy, such as initiatives that teach them how to code. Last year, it developed a way to make exploring the Himalayas online more fun with the help of a friendly jetpack-riding yeti named Verne. It also once offered a $30,000 scholarship prize for a Google Doodle contest featuring K-12 students in the US.

Source: Google Education

ICYMI: Spy drones can do more than you probably realized

Today on In Case You Missed It: The Department of Defense created a drone swarm for spying that can replenish a fallen UAVs position, much the way the alien swarms act in Independence Day. A video of the test was just posted by the DoD, although the test actually took place last fall.

A video of the 3D printed sculptures is here and while there are many important news stories from this week, I recommend reading up on the ethical use of artificial intelligence. As always, please share any interesting tech or science videos you find by using the #ICYMI hashtag on Twitter for @mskerryd.

Ecobee3 Smart Thermostat Update Adds HomeKit Support for Remote Sensors

Smart wireless thermostat maker Ecobee is rolling out a firmware update to Ecobee3 devices that brings individual HomeKit support to the device’s remote sensors for the first time.

The Ecobee3 enables owners to use additional remote sensors to keep track of ambient temperature as well as detect motion in different locations within the home. With firmware version 3.7.0.969, currently rolling out to the devices, owners can now access individual sensors directly from within the iOS HomeKit app.

The official change log for the firmware is as follows:

• Automatically Restore HomeKit Connection. Occasionally some ecobees could lose its connection to Homekit and have to be rebooted in order to re-establish the connection. This firmware update enables the ecobee to automatically reconnect without any user action.

• Wireless sensors with homekit enhancement. The wireless sensors now show up as accessories in the iOS Home app. Because of the dual functionality (occupancy detection and temperature sensing) of the sensors, each sensor will show up as two accessories.

• The usual background cleanup and stability. As always, to smooth things out for a better experience.

The Ecobee3 firmware is an automatic update currently being rolled out. Owners unsure of the version of their devices who aren’t seeing their sensors in HomeKit should contact Ecobee support.

Tags: HomeKit, Ecobee
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Sharp Executive Says Plan for Foxconn LCD Plant in U.S. is Still ‘On The Table’

Foxconn and Sharp are looking closer than ever to building a manufacturing plant within the United States, according to one Sharp executive who said that the plan is still “on the table” (via Nikkei). The plant would mainly be focused on the manufacturing of LCD panels for TV sets and home appliances, but Foxconn is said to be considering moving iPhone production stateside as well.

The news continues a rumor from last year born out of President-elect Donald Trump’s comments on wanting Apple to make its products stateside. Foxconn laid out plans for such a move in December, along with Japan-based SoftBank Group, with each company hoping to create a combined 100,000 jobs in the U.S. over the next four years.

Nothing is yet official, however, and the same Sharp executive noted that “we will make a decision carefully.”

Hon Hai Precision Industry and its Japanese subsidiary Sharp have begun studying the possibility of building a liquid crystal display panel plant in the U.S., a Sharp executive said Friday.

With Trump urging American manufacturers to bring operations back to the U.S., Hon Hai is considering production in the U.S. due to its huge market for TVs and other home appliances.

Although details about the cost of the plant and its location remain unspecified, people familiar with the plan said Foxconn would spend about the same amount on constructing the U.S. location as it did on a similar facility in Guangzhou — around 1 trillion yen, or $8.69 billion.

As an incentive, Donald Trump in November told Apple CEO Tim Cook that he would offer the company a “very large tax cut” to make its products in the U.S. Cook was said to have remained largely neutral on the subject during his call with Trump, later pointing out that one of the major reasons Apple’s manufacturing is so heavily centered in China is due to the country’s large number of individuals with the required “vocational kind of skills.”

Foxconn and Apple both have manufacturing facilities on a very small scale in the U.S., but the newly discussed facility by Foxconn and Sharp would be notably larger. Currently, Foxconn has plants in Virginia and Indiana, along with logistic locations in California and Texas. Apple has a comparably limited facility in Austin, Texas which manufactures the company’s Mac Pro.

Tags: Foxconn, Sharp
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Xiaomi CEO admits the company grew ‘too fast,’ says that the ‘worst is over’

Xiaomi CEO Lei Jun wants the company to focus on AI and internet finance in 2017.

During Xiaomi’s meteoric rise in 2013 and 2014, the company was quick to point out sales figures — which catapulted from 7.2 million in 2012 to 18.7 million in 2013 and 61 million in 2014. That stopped in 2015 when Xiaomi failed to meet its target of 100 million sales. In the end, the company managed to sell over 70 million phones, falling short of its revised goal of 80 million. 2016 was a better year for Xiaomi as it solidified its position in India and held steady in its home market of China, but the company isn’t ready to divulge sales figures.

In a letter addressed to Xiaomi employees, CEO and co-founder Lei Jun admitted that the company grew too fast, and that the brand will now focus on creating sustainable long-term growth:

Our accomplishments are impressive, but the challenges we faced were unforgettable. In the first few years, we pushed ahead too fast. We created a miracle, but also drew on some long-term growth. So we have to slow down, further improve in some areas, and ensure sustainable growth for a long-term future.

Lei Jun also mentioned that Xiaomi needs to “upgrade” its retail model, citing that online sales make up 20% of the overall smartphone segment:

E-commerce now makes up just over 10% of overall retail in China, and the online smartphone market only makes up 20% of the overall smartphone market. Xiaomi has great ambitions, and we are not satisfied with just being an e-commerce smartphone brand, so we have to upgrade our retail model, and incorporate offline retail for a new retail strategy.

Although Xiaomi was the first to start selling exclusively online, its rivals Lenovo and Huawei have caught up. Meanwhile, the likes of OPPO and Vivo have heavily invested in retail stores in tier 2 and tier 3 cities in China and India, scooping up millions of customers in the process. Xiaomi is now looking to expand its retail presence, with Jun stating that the company will open 200 new stores this year, and over 1,000 stores in the next three years.

Xiaomi will increase its retail presence as it sets a revenue goal of $14.5 billion.

Jun also shared details on how various business units performed last year. Xiaomi’s Indian unit crossed the $1 billion revenue mark, and is now the third-largest smartphone vendor in the country. The company also saw revenues of $2.17 billion from its Mi Ecosystem products, which include smart TVs, air purifiers, routers, a robot vacuum cleaner, and even a smart rice cooker. Revenues from internet services also doubled during the year.

For 2017, Xiaomi is setting a revenue target of $14.5 billion. To get there, the brand is going to turn its attention to five “core” areas: technological breakthroughs, new retail strategy, globalization, artificial intelligence, and internet finance. Jun is content on how the company performed in the first three sectors, and as such the focus is on artificial intelligence — which will be used for facial recognition — and finance:

In December 2016, we launched Sichuan XW Bank in a joint venture with partners including New Hope Group and the Hongqi Chain. We have a team of over three hundred people working on laying the foundation in the financial sector for loans, insurance, securities, finance, and payments, as well as securing the necessary licenses. This is extremely important for our future. Commercial giants of the future will not only be Internet companies, but also finance companies, because the future of finance lies in AI and big data. We are still a startup company, but we have great ambitions and capabilities too.

How to share GIFs and search for emoji in Gboard

Share the perfect GIF or emoji using Gboard for Android.

Gboard (formerly Google Keyboard) is probably the best keyboard you can use for Android, and thankfully it is preinstalled on many handsets sold today, even those not made by Google.

One of Gboard’s best little-known features is the ability to share GIFs straight into the text box of certain apps, as well as search for emoji when you just need to quickly find the perfect character. Here’s how to do both.

You must have Gboard downloaded and selected as your default keyboard.

Download Gboard (free)

How to search for and share GIFs in Gboard

Note: App must support GIF sharing, otherwise the option will be crossed out and unavailable.

Open the app that you want to send a GIF.
Tap on a text box The keyboard should appear.
Long-press on the Comma button (a smiley face should be in the background).
Swipe up to select the blue smiley face.

In the emoji selection screen, tap on GIF button.

Select GIF from carousel, or scroll through categories to choose a different one.
If you can’t find the right GIF, tap Search GIFs above the carousel.
Type in search term.
Select chosen GIF.
Press send or enter button above keyboard.

How to search for and share emoji in Gboard

Open the app that you want to send a GIF.
Tap on a text box The keyboard should appear.
Long-press on the Comma button (a smiley face should be in the background).
Swipe up to select the blue smiley face.

In the emoji selection screen, tap on Search emoji.

Type in search term.
Select perfect emoji from search results.
Press send or enter button above keyboard.

Which apps support GIF sharing?

Right now, only a small number of apps support GIF sharing from Gboard. The list is growing, so check back here often.

• Google Messenger
• Google Hangouts
• Google Allo
• Slack
• Twitter

Do I need to be running a particular version of Android to access GIFs on Gboard?

No! Well, yes, but you probably are running a phone with that version. See, Google initially launched the feature with support for just Android 7.1, but in an update to Gboard, Google backported the feature to support Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich and above, which comprises over 90% of the Android ecosystem.

Questions?

Can’t get it to work? Got an app that supports GIF sharing? Let us know in the comments!

OnePlus 3 and 3T owners, how’s the Nougat update treating you?

The phones with the best value in the business now have the latest software.

After a long wait of watching other phones get in on the Nougat fun, OnePlus 3 owners now have a full stable release of Android 7.1 for their phone. And though the OnePlus 3T is several months newer than its predecessor, the same feeling of “still waiting …” was palpable when the phone launched running Marshmallow.

Now with the software update rollout in full force, tons of OnePlus 3 and OnePlus 3T owners are chiming in with their experiences of upgrading and getting situated on the Nougat software that has finally graced their phones. The experience isn’t dramatically different from the company’s take on Marshmallow, but getting the latest features is always welcomed — especially amongst the enthusiast crowd OnePlus caters to.

So for those of you who have been using the new software for the past week, how have you found it? Are you experiencing any bugs or issues? Or is everything going as smooth as you expect? We want to know — so hit us up in the comments below!

OnePlus 3T and OnePlus 3

• OnePlus 3T review: Rekindling a love story
• OnePlus 3T vs. OnePlus 3: What’s the difference?
• OnePlus 3T specs
• Latest OnePlus 3 news
• Discuss OnePlus 3T and 3 in the forums

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