European Commission accuses Valve of price fixing, launches investigation
Why it matters to you
Disparate regional pricing is a lingering issue for Steam and the European Commission’s investigation may lead to more consistent prices for consumers in the future.
The European Commission launched an investigation targeting Valve’s Steam platform, claiming that multiple gaming publishers worked together to curb cross-border competition with regard to pricing.
As part of its investigation, the European Commission intends to promote a Digital Single Market Strategy that will ensure competitive pricing for digital content across several European nations.
More: Nvidia now stops you from selling games tied with its hardware bundles
The European Commission claims that Valve promoted price-fixing geo-blocking practices in collusion with publishers Bandai Namco, Capcom, Focus Home Interactive, Koch Media and ZeniMax. The investigation specifically targets the usage of activation keys, which are required to authenticate and use Steam software upon purchase.
According to the European Commission’s initial report, activation keys also serve as a method to block consumers from purchasing digital Steam content at a discount from other regional storefronts. The Commission alleges that the practice breaches European Union competition rules by reducing cross-border competition.
“E-commerce should give consumers a wider choice of goods and services, as well as the opportunity to make purchases across borders,” said competition policy commissioner Margrethe Vestager. “The three investigations we have opened today focus on practices where we suspect companies are trying to deny these benefits for consumers.”
Vestager continued: “More specifically, we are looking into whether these companies are breaking EU competition rules by unfairly restricting retail prices or by excluding customers from certain offers because of their nationality or location.”
More: Valve starts cracking down on ‘Team Fortress 2’ gambling websites
ZeniMax responded to the European Commission’s accusations in a statement sent to GamesIndustry.biz, noting that it intends to comply with the investigation.
“We understand that this investigation is part of a broader review of the sale of copyright content and goods (including TV, film and e-commerce),” ZeniMax’s statement reads. “We will be cooperating with the Commission to address any concerns and remain committed to ensuring that our consumers can freely purchase and download our games, subject to applicable legal or technical requirements that may apply.”
Xiaomi Mi 5c will boast Snapdragon 625, 3GB of RAM, according to leaked specs
Why it matters to you
The Xiaomi Mi 5c could be one of the best phones in its price range, if these leaked specs are to be believed.
Xiaomi launched its flagship Mi 5s in September, and as the company has done in the past, it looks like it will release a more affordable version of that phone called the Mi 5c.
While we can all but assume the device is on the way, so far we’ve only heard rumors and seen leaks of it. For example, the device’s 3C certification in China was just spotted by Gizchina, giving us a few interesting details of the phone.
More: Xiaomi Mi Mix review
According to the certification, the device will boast a nice Qualcomm Snapdragon 625 processor with 3GB of RAM and a cool 64GB of storage. The rear-facing camera on the device sits at 12MP, while the front-facing camera boasts 8MP. It’s not yet known exactly what kind of battery capacity we should expect from the phone, but the flagship Mi 5s has a 3,200mAh battery, which offers plenty of juice.
So when can we expect to see the Mi 5c? Well, an exact release date isn’t known just yet, but it’s most likely the phone will launch before Xiaomi releases its new flagship, the Mi 6. which is expected to hit retailers some time in March or April. It’s possible we’ll see the Mi 5c at Mobile World Congress in late February.
When it comes to design, the Mi 5c has been leaked in a few photos from Chinese social media site Weibo, which showthat while its not Xiaomi’s flagship device, it still looks very nice indeed. The phone looks to have a basic and simplistic design, and the leaked photos show that it comes in black — although we can most likely expect it in other colors, too. Check out the leaked photos for yourself below.
Edit, sign, append, and save with 9 of our favorite PDF editors
PDFs are popular among businesses and individuals attempting to go green and generally save on paper, as PDFs essentially cost nothing to produce and assure that documents will appear the same to anyone, anytime and anywhere. PDFs are also interactive, if desired, and can be partially or completely edited by peers. While often considered a resource hog, the PDF file format is popular because it’s ubiquitous and flexible.
More: These are the best ways to print a PDF in Windows 10, 8, and 7
As more people switch to using PDFs, the desire to edit and create them also grows. Having access to a reliable PDF editor and reader is as crucial as printers used to be, allowing users to edit text, make annotations, add images, and export files with relative ease.
However, like anything available online, the sheer volume of choices is confounding. We’ve taken the time to find the best PDF editors on the internet and locate the best paid — and free — programs. While most of these are compatible with just Windows, we’ll note when the program works with both Windows and MacOS.
The best premium PDF editors
It may seem silly to include premium PDF editors when there’s so much free software available at your fingertips. It’s a valid point, but freemium alternatives don’t boast useful tools like built-in merging, advanced annotation options, and an expanded font selection. The prices may seem steep at first glance, but the robust capability of the software clearly outweighs the cost if you’re an avid PDF user.
Foxit PhantomPDF 8 PDF Editor ($110+, $60 for Education version)
The Windows-only Foxit PhantomPDF 8 PDF Editor is a well-rounded tool combining easy paragraph editing, a built-in spell checker, and the ability to drag and drop photos to create albums all within a basic interface. It’s the most affordable premium offering in our roundup, but it still possess the tools to convert web pages to PDFs, generate PDFs from CAD files, work collaboratively with Foxit’s Connected Review feature, as well as access advanced options for tracking document changes and annotations using different colored text.
Moreover, the program touts the innate ability to merge multiple PDF files into one fluid document. Users can even right-click and create a new document directly from the resulting drop-down menu, rendering the task a breeze no matter your location within the interface. Foxit Phantom PDF Editor is a simple and intuitive standout — and one offering a 14-day free trial for those still hesitant to pull the trigger. PhantomPDF 8 is available in Standard, Business, and Education editions.
Available for: Windows
Buy it now from:
Foxit
Nitro Pro 10 ($160)
Whether intended for personal or business use, Nitro Pro 10 offers packages tailored for various workloads. The software’s flexibility is undeniable, allowing users to convert PDF files to Microsoft Word, Excel, or PowerPoint file formats — and vice versa — and providing a suite of editing tools for creating and editing scanned paper documents from your local printer. In addition, users can convert emails and their accompanying attachments directly to PDF, as well as preview and merge PDF documents into a single file.
When a PDF requires a digital signature, the software supplies tools for sharing and editing documents using any Web browser, even if the other party doesn’t possess Nitro Pro 10. The interface is straightforward and easy to navigate, much akin to Microsoft Office, and Nitro offers a two-week free trial for those looking to try out the program. It’s one of the pricier programs on our list at $160, but that’s fitting — it’s also one of the most complete.
Available for: Windows
Buy it now from:
Nitro
PDF Architect 4 ($60+)
German company pdfforge offers a unique purchasing option when it comes to PDF editing software. PDF Architect is a modular program that’s available as a free download, or as part of three separate packages (Standard, Pro, and Pro+OCR). Each package includes a set of modules for the program, which dictates the editing power of the program. These modules — which range from Edit and Convert to Sign & Secure — are available for individual purchase, too, just in case you only need a select number of editing tools and don’t want to break the bank.
Even the Pro+OCR package is available at a reasonable price, and the full suite of editing tools makes up one of the most complete, inclusive PDF editors out there. PDF Architect 4, the notable follow-up to pdfforge’s flagship product, PDF Creator, is tailored to fit the needs of any consumer, whether you need the power of optical character recognition or simply the ability to convert a PDF to HTML.
Available for: Windows
Buy it now from:
pdfforge
Nuance Power PDF 2.0 ($90+)
Nuance’s PDF editor is an outlier in many ways, albeit a phenomenal one. Its compatibility is outstanding, with document access available through various Cloud services such as Google Drive and SkyDrive, and the ability to create interactive PDFs in nearly any Windows application. The program also allows for voice-controlled note taking, side-by-side document comparisons, and advanced search functions for locating specified content such as phone numbers and email addresses within a document.
Power PDF 2.0 also offers real-time collaboration using multi-user editing, and users can easily convert PDFs to Word, Excel, PowerPoint, or Corel documents to help avoid any re-types. The latest version of Power PDF 2.0 uses a very Microsoft Office-like ribbon interface that is easy to navigate. Nuance also touts the ability to auto fill forms and add password protection to specified files, adding a level of privacy and security anyone can appreciate.
Power PDF comes in two versions, Standard and Advanced, with the latter adding in redaction, Bates stamping, and other features intended primarily for organizations.
Available for: Windows
Buy it now from:
Nuance
iSkysoft PDF Editor ($50+)
iSkysoft evens the playing field somewhat by providing a streamlined, feature-laden PDF editor for Mac users as well as Windows users. The standard MacOS version allows for simple conversion of PDF to Word, as well as basic editing tools that allow the user to treat any PDF as if it were, in fact, a word processor file. Users can annotate PDFs quickly, and edit the layout of the document by adding, removing, or flipping pages. Standard users can also fill out PDF forms from their computer, without any printing or scanning.
The real power of iSkysoft comes with the Pro package for MacOS and the Windows version. For a fairly reasonable price tag, users can password-protect PDF files, convert them to a number of different formats, and edit PDFs using OCR technology, thus ensuring greater accuracy. The Pro and Windows versions also allow users to add stamps and signatures, and OCR is supported in more than 20 languages. Note that the Windows version requires an additional add-on purchase for OCR support.
Available for: MacOS and Windows
Buy it now:
Windows Mac OS
Adobe Acrobat Pro DC ($15 per month)
We can’t leave out the company that introduced the PDF more than 20 years ago. Adobe’s Acrobat Pro DC is the industry standard for editing PDF files, effortlessly combining the hallmarks of other programs on our list in one, unified location. It’s also one of the few premium programs available for both Windows and MacOS, along with one of several on the market boasting dedicated mobile functionality and the ability to convert PDF files into multiple HTML pages in addition to the standard Word, Excel, and PowerPoint document.
The software instantly converts and saves scanned documents to PDF, and even possesses the ability to merge multiple documents, spreadsheets, web pages, and the like into a single PDF that’s easily shareable on multiple devices. Adobe additionally offers cloud-based storage and document access through acrobat.com, along with password protection and the ability to redact private information.
Available for: Windows and Mac OS X
Buy it now from:
Adobe
Changes in ‘solar weather’ will make Earth’s tech more vulnerable in 2050, experts warn
Why it matters to you
Meteorologists from the U.K.’s University of Reading suggest that changes in solar activity may cause disruptions with our electronics by 2050.
You know that Apple slogan about tech that “just works?” Well, don’t get used to it, because according to new research from meteorologists at the U.K.’s University of Reading, by 2050 we could start to see some pretty widespread disruptions with all kinds of technology — and it’s all the fault of crazy space weather.
The research, published in the journal Scientific Reports, suggests that shifts in solar activity may have several notable impacts on Earth, including making our technology more vulnerable to the effects of solar blasts.
“The big threat to technology is what we call coronal mass ejections (CMEs), big eruptions of magnetic fields and plasma from the sun,” Mathew Owens, Associate Professor in Space Environment Physics in the Department of Meteorology, told Digital Trends. “They then travel through space and interact with the Earth’s own magnetic field, and that’s what creates the problems with technology. The most obvious technology that could be affected are satellites. You create very high-energy particles with CMEs and these can impact integrated circuits, as well as potentially flipping a bit in a chip, turning a 1 into a 0. That doesn’t seem like a big deal, but if it suddenly turns off one of your essential power systems it could be very significant.”
More: Lightweight, flexible solar panels may be more efficient than competitors’
The magnetic activity of the sun rises and falls in predictable cycles, but according to Owens it could be set to fall significantly by 2050, possibly its largest such ebb in 300 years. This would mean that coronal mass ejections become less frequent, but when they do occur, they may be more intense. Such low activity will also shrink the size of the sun’s “atmosphere” by around one-third, allowing in more electrically charged particles from outside the solar system.
“We know that this solar activity has been declining since the 1950s,” Owens continued. “We have data that suggests this will probably carry on into the future. What we’ve been looking at is what the implications are going to be from this changing space weather.”
In addition to having a possible impact on our technology, the researchers point out several other potential repercussions. One could echo the so-called “Maunder Minimum” of solar activity in the 17th century, which resulted in lower-than-average winter temperatures in Europe and elsewhere. Another effect could be an increase in cancer-causing cosmic radiation, in addition to making the Northern Lights less visible in some parts of the world.
Speaking about the technological impacts, Owens said that there are a couple of solutions we could consider.
“If you know exactly which day one of these coronal mass ejections is going to arrive, you can do things like reduce the load on your power grid, so your transformers don’t burn out,” he said. “But that’s really difficult to do because it requires incredibly accurate forecasting. The alternative is to deal with the engineering side of things. If you know that the next couple of decades are going to be very bad from a space weather perspective, you can design the microchips that go on your satellites to be radiation hard, or reconfigure your power grid to better cope with these kind of solar fluctuations.”
And to think we were sure that having to install endless Windows updates was the biggest technological challenge we faced here in the twenty-first century!
Discover new recipes and fine-tune your search results via the Google app
Why it matters to you
Millions of people turn to Google to search for recipes and the new carousel will allow for better recipe discovery and could help you get faster results.
If you run a Google search for a recipe, you would typically see a step-by-step process pulled from a food blog or website as the first result. Now, the search function has gotten a little more powerful ahead of the Super Bowl.
When you search the Google app for a recipe you will now see a carousel of suggestions to fine-tune your search results. For example, if you search “cake recipe,” above the search results is a carousel of suggestions ranging from red velvet and lemon to vegan and layer cake.
More: Google’s experimental Hands-Free service ends; wider release may follow
Tapping on these will refresh the page with a new card-styled search result that offers ingredients and the recipe rating at a quick glance.
“If you’re planning to make seven-layered dip, a quick search will bring up options ranging from ‘healthy’ to ‘vegan’ to ‘bean dip’ or ‘taco dip’ (to name a few),” writes Duncan Osborn, product manager at Google. “Or type ‘chicken wings’ into the Google app to bring up all kinds of crowd pleasers. Once you select your flavor or category, you’ll see top recipes from a wide variety of sources with easy-to-read step-by-step instructions.”
You can select multiple suggestions at once, and Google will filter the search results to the selected terms. So if you tap on “lemon pound” and “cream cheese,” your first result will be a “lemon cream cheese pound cake.”
The feature seems to be active right now via the Google app on Android and iOS — no update is required. It does seem to be only for mobile devices, though, and it is unclear if the update will ever come to desktop search.
United partners with Apple, IBM to offer a mobile solution to your flying woes
Why it matters to you
United is increasingly turning to tech solutions to help employees help travelers like you achieve a more seamless flight experience.
Your high-flying experience is about to go high-tech. On Thursday, IBM, United Airlines, and Apple announced a collaboration that aims to serve up a new generation of mobile apps for United employees. With hopes of “unleashing the power of the more than 50,000 iOS devices,” IBM and Apple seek to redefine how work is done, starting at United Airlines. Promising a new suite of made-for-business apps, the lineup will be aimed at driving the airline’s digital transformation and helping customer service.
“United Airlines is committed to delivering positive traveler experiences that begin with front-line engagements during all points of the passenger journey — from check-in to departure to destination,” said Dee Waddell, global managing director, for travel and transportation industries at IBM. “This enhanced strategy with mobile solutions from IBM and Apple allows United Airlines employees to tap into the right information at the right time to instantaneously address the needs that matter most to passengers.”
More: Computer glitch grounds United flights for the second time in three months
Technology has long played an integral role in United’s strategy. Particularly over the last few years, United has equipped its employees with iPhones and iPads to create a more seamless customer experience. “We want to put our employees in a position to deliver exceptional service at every step of the travel experience,” said Jason Birnbaum, United’s vice president of operations technology. “We have incredible employees out in the field who rely on technology to help our customers. The mobile solutions and working closely with IBM and Apple enables us to provide innovative solutions for them on an unprecedented scale.”
With the new apps, flight attendants ought to have a better sense of which customers have connecting flights, so they can better help them find their gates. Customer service agents will also have more autonomy in moving around, rather than being tied to their desks. So get excited, friends. Technology just may make your travel experience that much better.
With enhanced controls, Yuneec’s latest drone brings simplicity to the pro level
Why it matters to you
Yuneec’s latest pro-level drone adopts a number of more typical consumer features to make them easier to operate.
Yuneec’s Hollywood-grade quadcopter is getting an upgrade with refined controls and flight patterns. The Yuneec Tornado H920 Plus, a hexacopter nicknamed the Tornado, is a professional-grade drone with a modular design adaptable to cinematography as well as other commercial applications.
The H920 Plus includes Yuneec’s ST16 Pro Ground Station and Android-based system that gives pilots integrated flight controls with a large seven-inch display and real-time video.
More: Fun, fast and nearly crash proof, the DJI Phantom 4 is all we’ve ever wanted in a drone
With the H920, pilots can now save settings as well as choose from a number of different “mission” modes. Using the control system, pilots can plot out a path ahead of time using a map with waypoints, or pinpoint a more exact route by drawing out the route with what Yuneec calls the Curved Cable Cam. The Tornado’s new flight patterns also include Orbit Me, which circles the operator while keeping the camera fixed on them, as well as the Point of Interest mode, selecting a different subject to circle around.
The new autonomous flight patterns are joined by Yuneec’s manual control set, as well as the manufacturer’s standard safety features including geo-fencing and a low-battery-return-home feature. A team flying mode also lets a piot direct the drone’s path, while a photographer focuses on the footage.
The drone is paired with a new camera, the CG04, developed in collaboration with Panasonic. The camera boasts a 16-megapixel, four- thirds sensor with 4K videos and compatibility with four different Olympus lenses. The drone can also carry earlier CGO camera models, including a thermal camera.
The Tornado even includes a three-axis gimbal dubbed the ProAction Grip. Like the GoPro Karma’s gimbal, it’s removable for using the camera and stabilization system from the ground.
Despite being a larger, commercial grade drone, the Tornado’s six arms fold for easier transport. The drone’s landing car retracts in mid-air, for unobstructed camera views.
As a professional-grade model, the Tornado joins the likes of the company’s H520, with a similar price point. The drone, already available for purchase, lists between $2,499 to $3,999 depending on the add-ons bundled with the drone. The CG04 camera and ProAction gimbal will also sell separately for $1,500.
Samsung’s rumored 2nd-gen Galaxy TabPro S lands Bluetooth certification
Why it matters to you
This latest information appears to have confirmed that Samsung is getting ready to launch a second-generation version of its Galaxy TabPro S 2-in-1.
The 2017 Mobile World Congress conference kicks off at the end of February, and Samsung is expected to showcase a batch of new devices during the show. One of these will reportedly be the Galaxy TabPro S2 2-in-1 device, which just showed up as the SM-W727V on the official Bluetooth SIG website as a certified Bluetooth 4.1 device. Samsung’s 2-in-1 previously showed up on the Wi-Fi Alliance website as a certified Wireless AC device.
Overall, there will be four versions of the Galaxy TabPro S2: the SM-W728, the SM-W727, the SM-W723, and the SM-W720. As a reminder, the base model number of the original Galaxy TabPro S tablet is SM-W700, which varies based on the device’s operating system and wireless connectivity. There are four in all as shown in the table below:
SM-W700
SM-W703
SM-W707
SM-W708
Platform:
Windows 10
Home
Windows 10
Pro
Windows 10
Home
Windows 10
Pro
4G LTE:
No
No
Yes
Yes
Samsung will likely do the same with its second-generation TabPro devices later this month:
SM-W720
SM-W723
SM-W727
SM-W728
Platform:
Windows 10
Home
Windows 10
Pro
Windows 10
Home
Windows 10
Pro
4G LTE:
No
No
Yes
Yes
However, notice that the SM-W727 model spotted on the Wi-Fi Alliance and Bluetooth SIG sites sports a “V” at the end. That presumably means the device will be compatible with Verizon’s cellular network. The current SM-W707 and SM-W708 models on the market are compatible with carriers that support the Universal Mobile Telecommunications Service protocol such as AT&T, Cricket Wireless, H2O Wireless, and T-Mobile.
More: Samsung may start building some of its appliances and devices in the U.S.
As for the actual hardware details of the upcoming Galaxy TabPro S2, there are none for now. However, there’s speculation that it will retain the 12-inch Super AMOLED screen with a 2,160 x 1,440 resolution. It will also likely rely on the most recent seventh-generation Intel Core M series processor.
As a refresher, here are the hardware specs for the current Galaxy TabPro S model:
Operating system:
Windows 1o Pro (SM-W703, SM-W708)
Windows 10 Home (SM-W700, SM-W707)
Display:
12 inches Super AMOLED
Resolution:
2,160 x 1,440
Processor:
Intel Core m3-6Y30 (two cores, four threads)
Processor speed:
900MHz base, 2.20GHz max
Graphics:
Intel HD Graphics 515
Graphics speed:
300MHz base, 850MHz max
Memory:
4GB @ 1,600MHz
Storage:
128GB
256GB
Cameras:
5MP (front)
5MP (back)
Battery:
39.4 Watt hour (up to 10.5 hours)
Connectivity:
Wireless AC
Bluetooth 4.1
NFCLTE-A Cat 6 (SM-W707, SM-W708
Ports:
1x USB 3.1 Type-C
1x Headphone port
Size:
11.42 x 7.82 x 0.24 inches
Weight:
1.52 pounds
Keyboard (included):
11.42 x 7.82 x 0.19 inches
Release date:
March 18, 2016
An upgrade to the processor used in the current Galaxy TabPro S model would be Intel’s seventh-generation Core m3-7Y30 chip released toward the end of 2016. It will bring a slight improvement speed-wise with a default speed of 1.00GHz and a maximum of 2.60GHz. The graphics would be based on the Intel HD Graphics 615 component with speeds of 300MHz and 900MHz. Unfortunately, those would be the only benefits provided by the newer chip.
We expect to hear more about the unannounced 2-in-1 later this month.
Samsung’s rumored 2nd-gen Galaxy TabPro S lands Bluetooth certification
Why it matters to you
This latest information appears to have confirmed that Samsung is getting ready to launch a second-generation version of its Galaxy TabPro S 2-in-1.
The 2017 Mobile World Congress conference kicks off at the end of February, and Samsung is expected to showcase a batch of new devices during the show. One of these will reportedly be the Galaxy TabPro S2 2-in-1 device, which just showed up as the SM-W727V on the official Bluetooth SIG website as a certified Bluetooth 4.1 device. Samsung’s 2-in-1 previously showed up on the Wi-Fi Alliance website as a certified Wireless AC device.
Overall, there will be four versions of the Galaxy TabPro S2: the SM-W728, the SM-W727, the SM-W723, and the SM-W720. As a reminder, the base model number of the original Galaxy TabPro S tablet is SM-W700, which varies based on the device’s operating system and wireless connectivity. There are four in all as shown in the table below:
SM-W700
SM-W703
SM-W707
SM-W708
Platform:
Windows 10
Home
Windows 10
Pro
Windows 10
Home
Windows 10
Pro
4G LTE:
No
No
Yes
Yes
Samsung will likely do the same with its second-generation TabPro devices later this month:
SM-W720
SM-W723
SM-W727
SM-W728
Platform:
Windows 10
Home
Windows 10
Pro
Windows 10
Home
Windows 10
Pro
4G LTE:
No
No
Yes
Yes
However, notice that the SM-W727 model spotted on the Wi-Fi Alliance and Bluetooth SIG sites sports a “V” at the end. That presumably means the device will be compatible with Verizon’s cellular network. The current SM-W707 and SM-W708 models on the market are compatible with carriers that support the Universal Mobile Telecommunications Service protocol such as AT&T, Cricket Wireless, H2O Wireless, and T-Mobile.
More: Samsung may start building some of its appliances and devices in the U.S.
As for the actual hardware details of the upcoming Galaxy TabPro S2, there are none for now. However, there’s speculation that it will retain the 12-inch Super AMOLED screen with a 2,160 x 1,440 resolution. It will also likely rely on the most recent seventh-generation Intel Core M series processor.
As a refresher, here are the hardware specs for the current Galaxy TabPro S model:
Operating system:
Windows 1o Pro (SM-W703, SM-W708)
Windows 10 Home (SM-W700, SM-W707)
Display:
12 inches Super AMOLED
Resolution:
2,160 x 1,440
Processor:
Intel Core m3-6Y30 (two cores, four threads)
Processor speed:
900MHz base, 2.20GHz max
Graphics:
Intel HD Graphics 515
Graphics speed:
300MHz base, 850MHz max
Memory:
4GB @ 1,600MHz
Storage:
128GB
256GB
Cameras:
5MP (front)
5MP (back)
Battery:
39.4 Watt hour (up to 10.5 hours)
Connectivity:
Wireless AC
Bluetooth 4.1
NFCLTE-A Cat 6 (SM-W707, SM-W708
Ports:
1x USB 3.1 Type-C
1x Headphone port
Size:
11.42 x 7.82 x 0.24 inches
Weight:
1.52 pounds
Keyboard (included):
11.42 x 7.82 x 0.19 inches
Release date:
March 18, 2016
An upgrade to the processor used in the current Galaxy TabPro S model would be Intel’s seventh-generation Core m3-7Y30 chip released toward the end of 2016. It will bring a slight improvement speed-wise with a default speed of 1.00GHz and a maximum of 2.60GHz. The graphics would be based on the Intel HD Graphics 615 component with speeds of 300MHz and 900MHz. Unfortunately, those would be the only benefits provided by the newer chip.
We expect to hear more about the unannounced 2-in-1 later this month.
Ford built this high-tech hub in New York to prove it’s more than a car company
Why it matters to you
Ford wants to help reduce congestion in bustling cities. Its FordHub is a look at what the car-maker is working on, and what the future of transportation could be.
Ford isn’t just a car company anymore. As a part of its effort to build a portfolio of products that empower smarter cities, the car-maker has opened its first FordHub in New York — a space that showcases its emphasis on being a “mobility” company as well as an automotive company.
“Business is moving from the traditional automotive to automotive and mobility, and we wanted to build a brand experience studio where we can connect with consumers and consumers who don’t own cars,” Andrew Birkic, global advanced consumer experience platforms manager, told Digital Trends. “As we migrate to a different business model — obviously we’re still with the core business — but it’s an opportunity to showcase our other products and so this is our first studio doing it.”
More: Crowdfunded ebike provides an affordable way to go green in India
Located in the Oculus, the transportation hub near the World Trade Center in New York City, the FordHub offers a glimpse at the possibilities of a smarter city thanks to a union between technology and transportation.
For example, as you walk in it’s impossible to miss a large screen that displays commute information — such as departure times for trains at the Fulton Station, the Staten Island ferry, the PATH and the LIRR, as well as how many CITI bikes are left at a nearby docking station. All of this information is available via a plethora of online services and apps, but Ford’s display puts it all together in real-time.
In front of the display is another touch-interface that lets you choose a location, such as Chelsea Market. Tapping it pulls up a path from the FordHub to Chelsea Market on the larger, mounted display that also offers brief information about the history of the market.
This installation uses Lidar sensors and model cars to sense movement.
Julian Chokkattu/Digital Trends
In the middle of the space is a large racetrack-like model, where golf-sized balls rolled through. Birkic said it is meant to symbolize the many different layers of city transportation, from highways to the subway, as well as the flow of moving from one to the other.
More: Atlas Survival Shelters offers affordable bunkers for doomsday preppers
Many of the things you can do at the FordHub are interactive. For example, you can also customize a Ford car via a tablet, and if you’re interested in the result, employees will put you in contact with local dealerships. There’s a virtual reality station that has you building a Mustang on top of the Empire State building with the HTC Vive; and you can also move through a city while playing an interactive game — a tool meant to demonstrate the things you could do during when you’re in a self-driving car.
One of the cooler installations is all the way at the back, and it involves approximately 5,412 model cars. Each are outfitted with an LED, and Birkic says the bottom of the installation features Lidar sensors — the same technology used by self-driving cars to detect obstacles on the road. Thanks to Lidar, the installation senses movement and changes the color of the cars to create various patterns.
Visitors can get a Ford Hub Card at the Hub, which is used to activate some interactions like the Lidar selfie installation — the code on the card can be used to find their “saved experiences” online.
It seems as though the FordHub will be open indefinitely, unlike Google’s recent pop-up that lasted three months. The next FordHub slated to launch is in San Francisco.
AIVAnet 