Target shuts down its ‘Store of the Future’ project

An effort to bring Target stores into future has reportedly been nixed before it could ever see the light of day. As Recode reports, Target’s aptly named “Store of the Future” project, which would have put the retailer in direct competition with Amazon’s forthcoming cashier-free Go stores, was abruptly canceled after a disappointing holiday season.

According to Recode’s sources, the new, smaller stores were slated to debut sometime this year and an internal team had already begun building out a test version. Instead of the normal rows and aisles most Target customers are used to, the Store of the Future would look more like a showroom and employ a team of robots to pick up items and bring them to customers at checkout. The stores also had an e-commerce component and Target intended to use the spaces to encourage other, non-retail experiences and community gatherings.

Target was also building out a new online marketplace codenamed Goldfish that would have compete with Amazon online and allowed third parties to sell their goods through a Target platform. According to the Minneapolis Star Tribune, the San Francisco-based Goldfish team led by former Paypal exec West Stringfellow was recently let go, leading to some confusion internally. In a statement to Recode, the company said it had to make “tough choices” to it’s innovation portfolio, but “remains absolutely committed to pursuing what’s next.”

Source: Recode, Minneapolis Star Tribune

Outlook for iOS gets better with third party app support

Outlook mobile turns 2 years old today. To celebrate, Microsoft is introducing an add-in feature on iOS (Android is “coming soon”) that promises to reduce the time you spend switching between apps.

Add-ins are already available on the desktop, but now you can access third party apps like Evernote, GIPHY, Nimble, Trello and Smartsheet on your phone without leaving Outlook. With these add-ins, you can translate an email in a foreign language, pin it to a Trello board, and embed a snarky GIF in your reply. Once the feature is turned on, you’ll see an icon in the email header. Tapping it will launch a quick menu with all of the add-ins you’ve enabled.

Microsoft has been steadily working to revamp Outlook mobile since its acquisition of the popular calendar app Sunrise in 2015. The company eventually killed Sunrise and replaced it with Outlook, but not before it cannibalized most of Sunrise’s best features.

Via: The Verge

Source: Office Blogs

Apple Supplier Wistron to Manufacture iPhones in India

Apple has agreed to a deal with the government of Indian state Karnataka to begin manufacturing iPhones in Bangalore, reports The Times of India. The Karnataka government announced that it had approved Apple’s proposal to “commence initial manufacturing operations” in a press release.

Apple’s desire to open a manufacturing hub in India started after Prime Minister Narendra Modi began promoting his “Made in India” initiative. Apple manufacturing partner Wistron will make the iPhones in a new plant, reportedly beginning with the iPhone 8.

Over the past couple of months, Apple and Indian officials began narrowing down possibilities to manufacture products locally. Last month, Apple finally chose a Karnataka-based facility over competing bids from other Indian states Gujarat, Maharashtra and Telangana. During negotiations, Apple was said to be seeking a number of tax and other incentives, including the possibility of long-term duty exemptions.

The government said it’s in discussions with Apple for other potential collaborations, but declined to say what they could be. The move is a major step for Apple as it looks to solidify its footing in the subcontinent so it can access India’s customer base.

Tag: India
Discuss this article in our forums

Windows 10 took small step back among Steam gamers in January, fell below 50%

Why it matters to you

Windows 10’s popularity among Steam gamers is hovering around 50 percent, but it’s poised to get a major boost from the upcoming Creators Update.

Just as Microsoft can breathe a sigh of relief after learning Windows 10 has crossed the 25 percent market share threshold, another important metric has slipped a bit and demonstrates just how hard it is to push the market forward. This time around, it’s how well-favored Windows 10 is among gamers, at least by one important measure.

Steam is, of course, one of the most popular gaming platforms, and it serves as a sort of bellwether for how gamers are configuring their systems. Measuring how many Steam users are running Windows 10 provides a good indication of how well Microsoft is doing in convincing gamers of the gaming chops of the new OS — and this month, Windows 10 took a step back, as Neowin reports.

More: Microsoft confirms Game Mode coming in Windows 10 Creators Update

The decrease isn’t significant, with Windows 10 falling below the 50 percent threshold it crossed in December 2017 to settle at 49.67 percent in January 2017. It’s not the absolute number that matters, however, but rather the step back itself — Microsoft would hope that Windows 7 and XP would be falling by the wayside by now.

In fact, that’s the opposite of what’s happened. Windows 7 has increased slightly to 35.11 percent, and Windows XP is hanging on to is paltry 1.24 percent share among gamers. Apple gamers remained constant at around 3.31 percent of Steam users running a version of MacOS.

Microsoft has been making a concerted effort to turn Windows 10 into the premier PC gaming platform. The upcoming Windows 10 Creators Update will bring some other important new enhancements, including a Game Mode to optimize the OS while playing certain titles, and built-in Beam game streaming.

Whether or not that’s enough to push Windows 10 back into the majority of Steam users remains to be seen. However, we should find out soon enough, as Creators Update is expected in April. Most of the new features coming in the update are already available to Windows Insiders, and so if you’re a gamer who wants the latest and greatest gaming that Microsoft has to offer, then you can always sign up to get the improvements a little early.

Outlook for iOS gains add-ins and apps like Evernote, Translate, and more

Why it matters to you

Outlook for iOS’s new add-ins and apps will make it easier to manage third-party services within your email inbox.

Mail apps don’t always do everything you want them to do. No matter how many bells and whistles your email client boasts, chances are it falls short in one area or another. That is probably why Microsoft has taken a third-party approach with Outlook, letting developers code add-ins that tie into the app on mobile devices. On Thursday, on the Outlook app’s second anniversary, it is rolling out the first few fruits of its labor.

You will likely recognize the names responsible for the first crop of apps and add-ins. At the new feature’s launch, Outlook will support Evernote, Giphy, Nimble, Trello, and Smartsheet, and several in-house Microsoft creations like Microsoft Translator and Dynamics 365.

More: Microsoft’s new Outlook inherits a few of Sunrise’s most popular features

Enabling them is a relatively simple affair. Once you have launched the latest version of Outlook on your iOS device of choice, head to the settings menu and tap the Add-Ins menu. You will see a list of potential add-ins and a “plus” symbol to add them. Once an app is enabled, you will be able to invoke it when you are reading an email by tapping the corresponding symbol in the upper-right-hand corner. Microsoft is working on making it possible to use add-ins in other contexts, such as writing emails.

Each has its own behavior “specific to the service that build it,” Microsoft said. Dynamics 365 delivers real-time insights about your business contacts and their organizations to your inbox. Trello lets you add cards straight from Outlook’s inbox, and track changes to existing projects. Microsoft Translator supports 60 different languages. Evernote allows you to clip emails to an Evernote folder. And Giphy lets you reply to an email with a GIF.

Microsoft said it will approve additional add-ins in the near future and said it is opening add-on development to third parties.

More: Microsoft’s new Outlook app for iOS and Android syncs all your email together

Apple’s iOS software already provides a means of sharing information between apps in Extensions, a feature introduced in iOS 8. But Microsoft’s Javier Soltero told Computerworld that it “wasn’t right” for Outlook’s purposes. “In [my] view, Apple’s design is based on a series of events that users don’t typically follow,” he said. “To email a picture, users find the photo in their Photos app, then open the share sheet and send the photo to Outlook for inclusion in an email.” Outlook’s add-ins, by contrast, are based around intents. “You know what you’re going to do — you’re going to send a message, and what you include in that message is the other consideration,” he said.

Add-ins and apps are not available for everyone just yet. You will have to be an Office 365 customer to take advantage but Microsoft said the functionality is rolling out slowly to Outlook.com users. Support for Android will be available soon.

Add-in support for Outlook on iOS follows the beta debut of apps for Windows and Mac.

Outlook for iOS gains add-ins and apps like Evernote, Translate, and more

Why it matters to you

Outlook for iOS’s new add-ins and apps will make it easier to manage third-party services within your email inbox.

Mail apps don’t always do everything you want them to do. No matter how many bells and whistles your email client boasts, chances are it falls short in one area or another. That is probably why Microsoft has taken a third-party approach with Outlook, letting developers code add-ins that tie into the app on mobile devices. On Thursday, on the Outlook app’s second anniversary, it is rolling out the first few fruits of its labor.

You will likely recognize the names responsible for the first crop of apps and add-ins. At the new feature’s launch, Outlook will support Evernote, Giphy, Nimble, Trello, and Smartsheet, and several in-house Microsoft creations like Microsoft Translator and Dynamics 365.

More: Microsoft’s new Outlook inherits a few of Sunrise’s most popular features

Enabling them is a relatively simple affair. Once you have launched the latest version of Outlook on your iOS device of choice, head to the settings menu and tap the Add-Ins menu. You will see a list of potential add-ins and a “plus” symbol to add them. Once an app is enabled, you will be able to invoke it when you are reading an email by tapping the corresponding symbol in the upper-right-hand corner. Microsoft is working on making it possible to use add-ins in other contexts, such as writing emails.

Each has its own behavior “specific to the service that build it,” Microsoft said. Dynamics 365 delivers real-time insights about your business contacts and their organizations to your inbox. Trello lets you add cards straight from Outlook’s inbox, and track changes to existing projects. Microsoft Translator supports 60 different languages. Evernote allows you to clip emails to an Evernote folder. And Giphy lets you reply to an email with a GIF.

Microsoft said it will approve additional add-ins in the near future and said it is opening add-on development to third parties.

More: Microsoft’s new Outlook app for iOS and Android syncs all your email together

Apple’s iOS software already provides a means of sharing information between apps in Extensions, a feature introduced in iOS 8. But Microsoft’s Javier Soltero told Computerworld that it “wasn’t right” for Outlook’s purposes. “In [my] view, Apple’s design is based on a series of events that users don’t typically follow,” he said. “To email a picture, users find the photo in their Photos app, then open the share sheet and send the photo to Outlook for inclusion in an email.” Outlook’s add-ins, by contrast, are based around intents. “You know what you’re going to do — you’re going to send a message, and what you include in that message is the other consideration,” he said.

Add-ins and apps are not available for everyone just yet. You will have to be an Office 365 customer to take advantage but Microsoft said the functionality is rolling out slowly to Outlook.com users. Support for Android will be available soon.

Add-in support for Outlook on iOS follows the beta debut of apps for Windows and Mac.

Like a robotic art teacher, this little projector will show your kids how to draw

Why it matters to you

Want to teach your kid to draw? FollowGrams is a smart projector that lets children turn any picture they’ve taken into a traceable image.

There’s ongoing debate in the art world about whether or not the great Renaissance painters may have used optical aids to help them trace the timeless masterpieces which now hang in galleries all around the world. But while that might be a controversial accusation for a renowned art master, the idea of drawing over a projected image is far less contentious — and even beneficial — when you think that it could be used to help a young kid learn how to draw.

More: Whip out your Apple Pencil and try out the 20 best iPad Pro drawing apps

That’s the concept behind FollowGrams, a smart projector that connects to your smartphone via Bluetooth, and which then allows kids to turn any picture they’ve taken into a traceable image. Just dim your lights, turn on the projector, and put down a blank page to get started…

“In the past couple of years we worked on a coloring book line called Painting Lulu where kids start on paper and then scan their artwork into a digital app and continue there,” creator Tal Zilberman, an engineer, told Digital Trends. “People were asking us [whether] kids can then transfer their digital work from their tablet back to paper. It was funny at first, but then we thought why not [give it a] try?”

The resulting hardware and software is geared toward making the experience of drawing fun for kids. The projector itself is colorful and chunky, while there are plenty of fun animations built into the software. There are also plenty of existing drawings available they can practice on, in addition to copying from photos. Some of these even have educational value, such as traceable letters designed to help young’uns practice their handwriting, and work out which way round certain pesky letters and numbers should go.

“We’re mainly aiming for kids ages five and up, but obviously adults can use it and enjoy it as well,” Zilberman continued. “The FollowGrams platform can be used to develop so many different content types — whether it’s a 5-year-old trying to write his name for the first time or an adult looking for some time [away from] screens. We even tried making cupcakes and using [FollowGrams] to project an image to decorate it.”

If you want to get hold of a unit, you can currently place a pre-order on Kickstarter, where projectors and a range of smart cards start at $65.

Estimated delivery is set to take place in July — if we can project that far ahead.

Like a robotic art teacher, this little projector will show your kids how to draw

Why it matters to you

Want to teach your kid to draw? FollowGrams is a smart projector that lets children turn any picture they’ve taken into a traceable image.

There’s ongoing debate in the art world about whether or not the great Renaissance painters may have used optical aids to help them trace the timeless masterpieces which now hang in galleries all around the world. But while that might be a controversial accusation for a renowned art master, the idea of drawing over a projected image is far less contentious — and even beneficial — when you think that it could be used to help a young kid learn how to draw.

More: Whip out your Apple Pencil and try out the 20 best iPad Pro drawing apps

That’s the concept behind FollowGrams, a smart projector that connects to your smartphone via Bluetooth, and which then allows kids to turn any picture they’ve taken into a traceable image. Just dim your lights, turn on the projector, and put down a blank page to get started…

“In the past couple of years we worked on a coloring book line called Painting Lulu where kids start on paper and then scan their artwork into a digital app and continue there,” creator Tal Zilberman, an engineer, told Digital Trends. “People were asking us [whether] kids can then transfer their digital work from their tablet back to paper. It was funny at first, but then we thought why not [give it a] try?”

The resulting hardware and software is geared toward making the experience of drawing fun for kids. The projector itself is colorful and chunky, while there are plenty of fun animations built into the software. There are also plenty of existing drawings available they can practice on, in addition to copying from photos. Some of these even have educational value, such as traceable letters designed to help young’uns practice their handwriting, and work out which way round certain pesky letters and numbers should go.

“We’re mainly aiming for kids ages five and up, but obviously adults can use it and enjoy it as well,” Zilberman continued. “The FollowGrams platform can be used to develop so many different content types — whether it’s a 5-year-old trying to write his name for the first time or an adult looking for some time [away from] screens. We even tried making cupcakes and using [FollowGrams] to project an image to decorate it.”

If you want to get hold of a unit, you can currently place a pre-order on Kickstarter, where projectors and a range of smart cards start at $65.

Estimated delivery is set to take place in July — if we can project that far ahead.

Galax introduces its own half-height Nvidia GTX 1050s for home theater PCs

Why it matters to you

There are now more options on the market for gamers wanting smaller form factor PCs.

If you’re thinking of upgrading your small home theater PC, Galax’s new line of graphics cards may have you covered.

Galax has introduced two half-height Nvidia GTX 1050 graphics cards that give more power than reference options.

More: Corsair’s Bulldog 2.0 to keep new-generation CPUs chilly

The Galax GTX 1050 OC LP and the 1050Ti OC LP are slightly clocked-up versions of Nvidia’s reference options, albeit at half the height. The length of both of Galax’s offerings is a minuscule 68mm. It makes these cards perfect for HTPCs, which are small form factor builds that fit perfectly in a home theater setup.

The GTX 1050 model runs at 1,366MHz and can boost up to 1,468MHz while the GTX 1050Ti model runs at a slightly slower 1,303MHz but can boost up to 1,417MHz. Compare this to reference Nvidia models, its 1050 runs at 1,354MHz and boost to 1,455MHz and its 1050Ti runs at 1,290MHz and boost to 1,392MHz. Galax’s 1050 will come with 2GBs of RAM while the 1050Ti bumps it up to 4GBs.

In terms of display options, both cards will offer DisplayPot 1.4, HDMI 2.0b, and dual-link DVI-D. These cards will only have one port for each, so those with multi-monitor setups may need to look at more premium options. Cooling wise, both cards will stick with standard dual-fan coolers, but buyers will need to ensure their cases have room for two backplate spaces. Luckily, both cards can be powered via the PCIe slots alone, meaning no power connectors will be necessary, and even lower watt PSUs should be able to handle its 75W load.

Galax has not given a price for these new cards nor a release date. Cards in this range typically run for $110 for the 1050 and $140 for the 150Ti. It would not be surprising if Galax prices its cards competitively.

Early trials suggest deep brain stimulation can significantly reduce heroin addiction

Why it matters to you

Deep Brain Stimulation is already used to treat Parkinson’s disease, but new research suggests it could also help addicts kick their heroin habits.

Deep Brain Stimulation has been very successful in the treatment of Parkinson’s disease, to the extent that it is now routinely used as a part of treatment throughout the world.

But new research coming out of the Scripps Research Institute (TSRI) suggests that the same approach could also be used to treat another deadly disease: Heroin addiction.

“The key problem is which brain region do you stimulate, and how do you stimulate it?” Dr. Olivier George, an associate professor in TSRI’s Committee on the Neurobiology of Addictive Disorders, told Digital Trends. “This study provides preclinical evidence that using very low intensity deep brain stimulation of a specific brain region called the subthalamic nucleus, we can decrease the motivation for for heroin in an animal model of heroin addiction.”

In the study, rats that were accustomed to taking heroin — and would otherwise self-administer greater quantities of the drug — would not escalate their intake after being treated using implanted electrodes.

More: Deep Brain Stimulation treats Parkinson’s, could soon do the same for Alzheimer’s

The rats in the study were able to self-administer heroin doses by pressing on a lever. When they had the drug taken away from them for two weeks, those rats that had not been treated with Deep Brain Stimulation quickly ramped up their drug use when access to it was restored. However, those which had been treated with DBS kept a stable, low-level intake.

The billion-dollar question, of course, is whether these results could also be extrapolated to humans? “Yes, this is very feasible,” George continued, citing the fact that similar treatment is already being used to treat Parkinson’s in human patients.

Even the numbers stack up, he said. “If you take into account all the costs — health care, justice, criminal, overdose, accidents — associated with heroin addiction you realize that Deep Brain Stimulation costs just a little more, $80,000 for six months, than pharmacological treatments, [which is] $50,000 for six months.”

George said it would also cost less to society than not treating addicts, and even prove cost-effective if only 50 percent of patients responded to treatment.

“Heroin addiction is extremely difficult to kick,” he said. “Patients are miserable, lose their job, their family, and are at high risk of overdose and death. They are often desperate after multiple relapses. I believe that a lot of them would be willing to try an alternative therapeutic strategy like Deep Brain Stimulation. It is not without risk, as it involves brain surgery, but it could be a lifesaver.”

There are still questions to be answered before clinical trials in humans can begin (including whether noninvasive alternatives such as ultrasonic or transcranial stimulation may also work), but this could turn out to be the start of some very important work.