Subaru Debuts 2018 Legacy With CarPlay at Chicago Auto Show

Subaru today announced it will debut its all-new 2018 Legacy at the annual Chicago Auto Show next week. The mid-size sedan will be one of Subaru’s first vehicles to support CarPlay alongside the 2017 Impreza introduced last year.

CarPlay and Android Auto will be available through Subaru’s STARLINK multimedia system with Bluetooth connectivity and iPod controls. The standard system has a 6.5-inch touchscreen, while an 8-inch touchscreen is available with a faster CPU, TomTom navigation, and enhanced multimedia capabilities.

Subaru said the 2018 Legacy will go on sale this summer. Pricing was not disclosed.

Related Roundup: CarPlay
Tag: Subaru
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Microsoft Outlook for iOS Gains Add-Ins Including Translator, Trello, Evernote and More

To celebrate the two-year anniversary of Outlook Mobile, Microsoft is today introducing a major feature for the iOS version of the Outlook email app — add-ins. For the first time, add-ins are able to be used with the mobile version Outlook, mirroring functionality available on the desktop.

Add-ins can help you get more done on the go, and save you valuable time spent switching between apps. This is why we introduced add-ins for Outlook on Windows, Mac (in Insiders) and on the web–and are now bringing them to iOS. Support for Android is coming soon.

Microsoft is adding a wide range of add-ins, that will let users do things like translate messages into different languages, automatically add actions to Trello, add email clips to Evernote, insert GIFs, and more. A full list of what Microsoft is adding is below:

• Dynamics 365 to get real time insights about your business contacts and their organization, right in your inbox, so you can focus on the selling and have more meaningful interactions.
• Translator to help you read messages in your preferred language, across devices, with support for 60 languages.
• Nimble to help you get prepared for meetings and engage effectively with business intelligence about your email contacts and their organizations, right in email.
• Trello to turn your email into actionable items, keep track of projects, and make sure emails don’t go unseen.
• Evernote to capture what’s on your mind and stay organized by clipping emails from Outlook to a project notebook in Evernote.
• Smartsheet to help you manage and automate work so you can get work assigned, updated, and completed more quickly.
• GIPHY to easily add GIFs to your emails and make “Congratulations” a little more fun!

Microsoft is letting developers create additional add-ins for iOS, with instructions available from the Office Dev Center.

Microsoft Outlook can be downloaded from the App Store for free. [Direct Link]

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Establish ownership of your photos by creating a simple visible watermark

With the ability to copy an image off the web as easily as right-click and save, a simple and quick way to protect your images is visible watermark. When it comes to watermarks, however, you either love or hate them. They tend to look ugly and can ruin an image, but they’re a necessary evil if you want to protect your photos from being used by someone else. It’s a controversial subject — we don’t really like them — but there are plenty of people who take no issue with using the simple identifiers.

More: DxO One update lets you easily slap a watermark on photos before you share them

Watermarks don’t have to look awful, however, assuming you go about implementing them in a subtle manner. Placing a watermark can be a simple or elaborate process, depending on how involved and fancy you want to get. You could use a photo editor and slap some text over it, for example, or overlay a faded icon atop the image in question. Whatever your fancy, here are a few basic ways to add a simple watermark to your photos.

The fast and easy way

The easiest way to add some form of copyright to your image is to use the text tool in any photo-editing program (heck, even Paint will do the job) and tag your name on it. You can do it discreetly by writing it in a corner, in small font size, or plastering it over the entire photo. Draw a box around it, color it, use a funky font — it’s entirely up to you. This method might not be attractive, but it’s the fastest and easiest way to add a watermark. For a cleaner approach, read on.

You can overlay some text over an image to create a watermark using Microsoft Paint, but we didn’t say it’d be pretty.

Samsung VP avoids arrest warrant for now, but questioning continues in corruption scandal

Why it matters to you

A South Korean political scandal has seen Samsung executives face accusations of corruption, and even arrest warrants

Samsung Group is embroiled in a political scandal that has dominated headlines in South Korea recently. It’s one of several major conglomerates accused of making donations to non-profit foundations in exchange for political favors, which in Samsung’s case may have smoothed the path for a controversial merger that was approved in July 2015.

After prosecutors raided Samsung’s corporate offices in Seoul, South Korea, at the end of November 2016, company executives have repeatedly appeared before a parliamentary committee, while links to bribery and corruption are being investigated by a special prosecutorial team. Eventually, Samsung head Lee Jae-yong was questioned, leading to an arrest warrant that named him being issued. While the arrest warrant was rejected by a court on January 19, it may be reissued at a later stage of the prosecution.

Here’s everything you need to know about the ongoing case.

More: Samsung acquires Harmon for $8 billion

What’s the background?

The accusations against Samsung and other South Korean companies, including Hyundai, SK Group, and Lotte Group, are related to the ongoing investigation into South Korea’s president Park Geun-hye, and her involvement in extorting money from major corporations.

President Park has been accused of assisting in an extortion scheme with unofficial presidential aide Choi Soon-sil. More than 50 businesses were allegedly pressured to make donations potentially worth $69 million to sporting foundations backed by Choi, which were set up following the Samsung merger, then used for personal financial gain and in exchange guaranteeing deals.

The November 2016 raid of Samsung’s headquarters took place alongside another at the national pension fund, which according to a local report from the Yonhap News Agency, may have been pressured into supporting the controversial Samsung merger in 2015. The fund’s approval is regarded as vital to the merger’s success, and a surprising move at the time, due to allegations it benefited the Samsung Group’s controlling family more than the shareholders.

The head of South Korea’s National Pension Scheme, Moon Hyung-pyo, who was arrested in December 2016, has been indicted on charges of abuse of power and perjury. It wasn’t the first time Samsung had been raided in relation to the investigation into Park and Choi either. Another took place earlier in November.

Samsung says in its official statement, “It’s difficult to agree with the special prosecutor’s decision, because Samsung did not make contributions in order to receive favors,” and the company denies the allegations against itself and Lee Jae-yong. The recall and arrest warrant came just a month after South Korea voted to impeach president Park Geun-hye, who has called the accusations against her “groundless.” Choi Soon-sil also denies any wrongdoing.

The Cavalry Helmet from Sena Technologies is a connected helmet for your long rides

Why it matters to you

Staying safe on the road is important, and staying connected matters, too. You can do both with the connected Cavalry Helmet.

Safety comes first, but it doesn’t have to come at the expense of connectivity — and certainly not in our digital age. On Wednesday, Sena Technologies, Inc., a company known for combining Bluetooth technology with action sports, released the new Cavalry Helmet. It’s a motorcycle half-helmet with Bluetooth technology built in directly, eliminating the need of installing a headset within your protective gear.

Promising to change the game for riding enthusiasts everywhere, the Cavalry is an all-in-one helmet and Bluetooth communicator that requires no additional setup. Approved by the U.S. Department of Transportation, the Cavalry Helmet hopes to satisfy both the communication and connectivity needs of motorists. Whether you’re looking to listen to music, answer a phone call, keep tabs on your GPS navigation, or use the Bluetooth intercom to chat with up to four friends up to 900 meters away, you can do it directly with your helmet.

More: Coros Linx smart cycling helmet: Our first take

The Cavalry has just as much endurance as you do for your long rides, promising up to 10 hours of talk time. And thanks to HD quality speakers and Sena’s Advanced Noise Control technology, you can block out the wind and control the volume of whatever you’re listening to for a truly enjoyable ride.

Of course, because everything these days is also smart and connected, the Cavalry can be synced to the Sena Smartphone app, which is available for free from both the iTunes App Store and on Google Play. The app can be used to even further simplify your ride, allowing you to configure your helmet settings, create FM radio and speed dial presets, or access the interactive Quick Start Guide for full control over all the bells and whistles of the Cavalry.

The Cavalry is now available for $349 at www.buysena.com, and comes with a two-year warranty.

Just in time for Super Bowl Sunday, Domino’s bot now offers full-menu ordering

Why it matters to you

Domino’s has long been a fan of technology, and it’s making it easier than ever for you to order America’s favorite food.

It may just be the easiest food around, and now, it’s also the easiest food to order. Last summer, Domino’s officially launched its Facebook Messenger chatbot that lets you order a pie with just one word: “PIZZA.” Because really, why complicate something so … uncomplicated? And now, just days before the Super Bowl (in which the national meal probably becomes pizza), Domino’s has updated its bot to allow customers to place entire order.

Named “Dom,” the bot is described as “an artificially intelligent customer whiz designed to help superfans get their No. 1 fix of cheesy food heaven.” Previously, in order to use Dom, you had to first create a Domino’s profile and establish pre-order settings on Dominos.com. But now, you can access the entirety of the menu directly from Messenger.

“Domino’s is one of the first brands to use the Messenger platform in this way, allowing pizza lovers to request a freshly handmade delivery,” the company noted last year. It’s true that Domino’s beat Pizza Hut (and other chains) to the punch, launching first in the United Kingdom before making its way across the pond.

Related: It seems like T-Mobile customers can’t get enough of pizza

The only drawback is that you’ll still have to pay for your pizza, wings, or whatever else you order with cash. Dom, unfortunately, doesn’t employ the payments beta Messenger rolled out last fall.

This is just the latest in the pizza chain’s continuing quest to make ordering pizza almost too easy. Earlier in 2016, Domino’s launched its Easy Order feature, which lets hungry customers buy a pizza by doing nothing more than pressing a button — either on their Apple Watch or online. And it looks like the pie purveyor is looking for more ways to integrate technology with their toppings.

“We’re delighted to allow our customers to order direct from Messenger – with 1 billion monthly active people using Messenger each month – it’s the obvious choice for Domino’s,” said Nick Dutch, head of digital at Domino’s. “We want to make ordering our freshly handmade pizza as easy as possible so we’re always on the look-out for new ways in which we can do this. Just message ‘pizza’ — or send an emoji.  It really couldn’t be easier.”

Super Bowl Sunday ranks among the busiest pizza delivery days for Domino’s in the United States, and this year, the chain hopes to sell 12 million pies. That’s five times as much as any other given Sunday. And you can become part of that statistic simply by sending a message on Messenger.

Article originally published in August 2016. Updated on 02-01-2017: Added news that you can now order off Domino’s entire menu from Dom.

Work out and carry your smartphone with the top 5 running armbands

Walking, running, and riding a bike are all wonderful ways to keep healthy. Unfortunately, we often struggle to hold our smartphones and other personal belongings while exercising. Thankfully, smartphone armbands are a great way to carry your phone, keys, and other small accessories while on the move. If you exercise at night, some armbands can even help you stay safe.

More: The best fitness trackers you can buy

Whether you’re looking for a simple solution or something designed to hold a smorgasbord of items, we’ve rounded up a host of great running armbands that are sure to fit your style, budget, and, most importantly, your stuff. After all, a fanny pack just isn’t an option.

Yomole Multifunctional Armband ($10)

If you have a large phone, such as a Galaxy Note or an iPhone 7 Plus, then Yomole’s armband is a pretty simple solution. It’s made from neoprene and a breathable mesh that provides extra comfort. It has a soft, adjustable, elastic Velcro strap, so you can fit it perfectly to your arm. The great thing about this band is that the clear screen protector means you don’t have to handle your phone with dirty or sweaty hands. You can answer calls and use the interface without problems. Inside you’ll find a separate compartment to store other things like charging cables, keys, and other small personal items. The port at the bottom enables you to use your headphones while the phone is inside the pouch. This running armband comes in blue, gray, pink, and green.

Buy one now from:

Amazon

Keynice Multifunctional Running ArmBag ($11)

A smartphone armband just isn’t enough for you? How about an Armbag? If you’re out biking, running, or hiking, and you need more space than a regular running armband gives you, then this is what you’re looking for. It will basically fit any phone from 3.5 inches to 5.8 inches in size. It sports double pockets, so not only can you fit small personal items like keys, cards, and cables in there, but you can also stow small snacks inside. It has an 11-inch belt that can be adjusted to any arm size, and the zippers are made to be silent while you’re running. It is waterproof, sweat-proof, and if you’re running at night, it has built-in warning reflectors, so that you’re visible, even in the dark.

Buy one now from:

Amazon

Tribe AB37 Armband with Key Holder ($10)

If you’re going for simplicity, then Tribe brings you an armband that will fit smaller phones like the iPhone 6S or 7, or any other phone that is smaller than 5.2 inches. This running armband boasts a screen protector for easy access and protection from sweat and dirt. It comes with a money back guarantee, so if you don’t like the armband for any reason, you can return it and get a full refund. It also comes with a reflective strip for low light visibility and a built-in, hidden key holder.

Buy one now from:

Amazon

Topist Running Armband ($9)

If you own a big phablet, this is the smartphone armband for you. It’s a comfortable neoprene armband that has enough space to fit some personal items, alongside bigger smartphones up to 6.3 inches in size. There’s also a handy Velcro loop for headphones. Unlike other, bigger armbands that offer you pouches to carry items, this one has a plastic front that allows you to control your smartphone. The fabric is resistant to sand, water, and sweat.

Buy one now from:

Amazon

Griffin LightRunner Illuminated Universal Armband ($40)

It may be a little pricey, but this unique armband by Griffin features flashing LEDs for superior visibility, which is ideal if you like biking, jogging, or working out at night. The armband is adjustable to fit arms up to 18 inches in size. This one is for people who use phones that are on the smaller side, so anything smaller than 5.2 inches should be fine. If you’re an iPhone user, it even has a cut-out to allow you access to the fingerprint scanner.

Buy one now from:

Amazon

Best app deals of the day! 6 paid iPhone apps for free for a limited time

Everyone likes apps, but sometimes the best ones are a bit expensive. Now and then, developers put paid apps on sale for free for a limited time, but you have to snatch them up while you have the chance. Here are the latest and greatest apps on sale in the iOS App Store.

These apps normally cost money and this sale lasts for a limited time only. If you go to the App Store and it says the app costs money, that means the deal has expired and you will be charged. 

More: 200 Awesome iPhone Apps | The best Android apps for almost any occasion

iSchool

i-School is a study organizer and Timetable Schedule Planner, both for schools and universities. Convenient class and study-schedule, textbooks, homework, and notes are attached to classes.

Available on:

iOS

Plann

PLANN is a powerful Instagram strategy tool for visually planning, previewing, organizing, and scheduling your Instagram feed in advance — it promises to increase the growth of your followers, raise engagement rates, and generate stronger sales.

Available on:

iOS

Pin Points

Do you want to know the distance to the South Pole? Or are you interested in the distance between two cities? Then you are on the absolute right track with this app.

Available on:

iOS

Find My Car

Have you often forgotten where you left your car? Or received an unnecessary parking fine? Then “Find My Car” is the perfect app for you. Relocate your car without any stress.

Available on:

iOS

LFTuner

LFTuner allows you to tune your favorite instrument. Doesn’t matter if it’s a guitar, piano, violin, or the Turkish Bağlama. This app will handle it.

Available on:

iOS

Easy Spending Expense Tracker

See where your money goes and take control of where to spend your money effectively using the simple and yet powerful money management App on iOS.

Available on:

iOS

Go play John Wick in VR before Chapter 2 hits theaters!

You’re going to want to keep your finger on the trigger for this one.

The original John Wick film surprised a lot of people by how deeply entertaining it turned out to be. It’s the perfect action film for this generation, and if the trailers are any indication the sequel is going to follow in its footsteps. As much fun as it will be to sit in the theater and watch John Wick do his thing, the VR game that will let you move (and kill) like Wick is going to be even more intense.

If you’re in the UK and looking to try the game out for yourself, there’s a whole mess of stores aiming to give demos of the John Wick Chronicles before the next film hits theaters.

Read more at VR Heads!

Android 7.1.2 adds fingerprint ‘swipe for notifications’ to Nexus 5X (and probably Nexus 6P)

A small but useful gesture is coming to older Nexus devices.

The Nexus 5X and Nexus 6P inherited a few of the Pixel’s biggest features when they were upgraded to Android 7.1.1 last year, but one thing the popular devices didn’t receive was the ability to swipe down from their rear fingerprint sensors to open the notification shade — a minor but popular convenience on the Pixel.

Now, despite assertions from Googlers that it may not be possible, it seems that the older devices — at least the Nexus 5X — will get the feature when Android 7.1.2 comes around. The discovery was made by Nexus 5X beta testers of Android 7.1.2, which adds the “Swipe for notifications” option to the Moves menu. It’s unclear whether the Nexus 6P will benefit from the same upgrade, since the Android 7.1.2 beta is not yet available for the device.

How to use moves gestures on the Google Pixel and Nexus devices

Nexus 5X

• Nexus 5X review
• 5 things to know about the Nexus 5X
• Read the latest Nexus 5X news
• Learn about Nexus Protect insurance
• Learn about Project Fi
• Join the Nexus 5X forums
• Nexus 5X specs

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