Philips releases a 40-inch curved 4K display you’ve been waiting for

Why it matters to you

If you need to fit a large monitor into a small space, then Philips’ new 40-inch curved monitor may be the one for you.

Sometimes you need a bigger monitor. The typical 24-inch display just won’t cut it — you need space and lots of it for massive spreadsheets, 3D graphics, and control room displays. If that describes you, then you will be excited about Philips’ latest monitor announcement.

The Philips Brilliance Curved BDM4037UW is a 40-inch curved monitor with 4K UHD (3,840 x 2,160) resolution that the company is aiming at professionals who need strong color gamut support and an expansive workspace. The BDM4037UW also utilizes ultra-narrow bezels to fit that large panel into smaller work areas, with its 3000R curvature and 178/178 degree viewing angles contributing to an immersive experience.

More: Rise of HDR and 4K on display in the top 5 monitors at CES 2017

The BDM4037UW uses vertical alignment LCD technology in a 16:9 aspect ratio, with more than a billion colors and 85 percent coverage of the NTSC color gamut provided by the hardware-based Ultra Wide-Color feature. The monitor enjoys a high contrast ratio of 20 million:1, and uses Philips’ SmartContrast technology to ensure the right level for a given task. The display includes Philips’ Flicker-free technology to reduce eye fatigue, further enhanced by the 4ms response rate that should limit ghosting in most non-gaming uses.

Philips Multiview means that the monitor can support up to four inputs at once and the high resolution means that each input runs at Full HD. Picture-in-picture and picture-by-picture are the two modes supported by Multiview, enabling flexibility for applications like control rooms where multiple information sources need to be displayed.

Philips incorporated a number of connectivity options in the BDM4037UW. Available input options include VGA, two DisplayPorts, HDMI 1.4, and HDMI 2.0. The monitor also includes four USB 3.0 ports, with one supporting fast charging for smartphones and other devices.

The Philips Brilliance Curved BDM4037UW is available at Amazon. Retail pricing is set at $1,000 and the monitor is being marketed in North America by Envision Peripherals, Inc.

Buy now on:

Amazon

Lofree looks like a retro typewriter keyboard, but its tech is all 21st century

Why it matters to you

If you’re aching for a little old-school cool in your digital life, the Lofree is one of the few mechanical keyboards with wireless capabilities.

Modern technology just a bit too … modern for you? If the design aesthetic of the 21st century has you longing for something a bit more retro, there may be a solution. Meet the Lofree, a nostalgic yet decidedly new-age keyboard that combines elements of the past with today’s innovations and advances. Heralded as “the first mechanical keyboard inspired by typewriters,” the Lofree is an elegant take on a generation past.

Designed to delight your senses, the Lofree has something for the eyes, ears, and your sense of touch. Taking a page out of the typewriting book, the Lofree features round keycaps that give it a familiar, classic look. They even feel and sound like typewriting keys, but you won’t have to worry about them getting stuck all the time. Thanks, modern day technology!

More: Razer could be planning to put flexible OLED displays in your keyboard and mouse

This mechanical keyboard comes with the Apple Magic keyboard layout, so you won’t have to relearn how to type just because you want to go back a few decades. The compact keyboard can be used in wireless or wired mode (so you can pair it with just about any device you want), and is compatible with most operating systems — Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS. So if you want to pair the Lofree with a tablet, be it an iPad or an Android, have at it. In fact, you can pair the Lofree with up to three devices simultaneously, so you’re not spending all your time configuring and reconfiguring just to send an email. And with three different backlit settings, you’ll always be able to set the right mood with this keyboard.

The Lofree comes in a number of simple, bright colors that are as playful as you — whether you’re feeling pink, blue, red, white, or something else altogether, chances are you’ll find a keyboard that matches your style.

The Lofree is available for pre-order on its Indiegogo page here for the early bird price of $74. You can expect the Lofree at your doorstep in May of this year.

Explore the sights of Tokyo while in an 8K virtual reality ride in Texas

Why it matters to you

SXSW attendees will be able to experience immersive virtual reality without a headset, offering a further peek into VR’s future.

Touring the world can be expensive and tiresome — until you add virtual reality. At the South by Southwest 2017 (SXSW) festival, Japanese media and entertainment companies NHK Enterprises and NHK Media Technology will allow people to view the sights and sounds of Tokyo in a virtual reality motion ride with 8K quality visuals.

Instead of strapping on a bulky headset to fly over Tokyo in virtual reality, the 8K VR motion ride will project the sights of Tokyo on a large screen. The ride is five minutes and features two hydraulic seats positioned in the center of the screen that simulate motion. The experience features views of famous landmarks such as Tokyo Tower, Shibuya Crossing, and Sensoji Temple.

More: Microsoft just released a fully functional, Terminator-style HUD for HoloLens

To immerse people in virtual reality without any headsets, the ride’s employs the Wonder Vision’s Sphere 5.2 immersive screen. The screen is 17 by 11.1 feet with a resolution of 7680 x 4320 pixels that is four times as clear as Ultra HD 4K and will come from an 8K projector. This could be one of the few times you will be able to see video this clear until 8K TVs go from being budget breakers to affordable devices.

The ride could be a glimpse into how Japan’s 2020 Olympic games will look. The companies behind the 8K VR motion ride at SXSW are affiliates of NHK, which has been working with Panasonic and Sony to develop 8K TVs before the 2020 Olympics. NHK also unveiled the world’s first 8K channel in summer 2016.

As companies attempt to unlock the social potential of virtual reality, initiatives similar to the 8K VR motion ride have tried to imagine a VR future without headsets. Last year’s Panorama Music Festival featured an animated film projected on a 70-foot screen that enclosed concertgoers.

SXSW takes place in Austin, Texas and begins on Friday. To catch the 8K VR motion ride, you will need to be at exhibit hall 3 in the Austin Convention Center between Sunday and Wednesday.

NVIDIA Shield Tablet and Tablet K1 updated with stability and crash fixes

It’s always good to get an update, no matter how small.

NVIDIA’s tablets, the much-older Shield Tablet and refreshed cheaper Shield Tablet K1, are both getting the same “software upgrade 5.1” with various fixes aimed at improving instances of crashes and instability. The pair of 8-inch tablets should download the update automatically, but you can always check manually in your settings if you’re impatient.

The release notes are the same for the Shield Tablet and newer Tablet K1, with “important system enhancements & bug fixes” including:

• Fixes Launcher3 crashes
• Fixes mouse cursor intermittently appearing during keyboard input
• Additional system stability improvements

If you’ve downloaded the update to your Shield Tablet or Tablet K1, be sure to let us know in the comments how it’s treating you!

Android Gaming

• Best Android games
• Best free Android games
• Best games with no in-app purchases
• Best action games for Android
• Best RPGs for Android
• All the Android gaming news!

How to take a screenshot on the LG G6

Take a screenshot. It’ll last longer.

Snapping a screenshot is typically standard across the board for most Android devices, but sometimes you can get tripped up if the button placement is different from what you’re used that. That seems like the case with the LG G6, at least, which is why we’ve put together this quick little how-to.

How to take a screenshot on the LG G6

Hold down the power button on the backside of the phone.
Immediately press the down volume button on the left side of the phone.

Release both buttons at the same time.

If you performed the combination properly, you’ll have seen a smaller version of the screen you took quickly pop up and disappear.

How to access the screenshot you took

On the LG G6, screenshots are stored in a special folder, accessible through the photo-viewing or gallery app you choose as your default.

Swipe down on the notification shade.
Tap on the screenshot to open it.

Choose an app as your default, if you haven’t already.

You can easily share, edit, or delete the screenshot if you chose the LG Gallery app as your default.

How to access all of your screenshots

Open the Gallery app from the home screen, folder, or app drawer.

Tap the Screenshots folder.

Questions?

We’re standing by to answer any questions you may have about this seemingly simplistic smartphone shortcut.

LG G6

• LG G6 review!
• LG G6 specs
• These LG G6 features are exclusive to some countries
• LG forums
• Latest LG G6 news

Google Store now sells replacement facepads for your Daydream View

If you spend a lot of time playing VR, you’re going to have to deal with sweaty facepads.

Google’s Daydream View was released alongside the Google Pixel last year and if you purchased one and use it regularly, you will have had to handwash the facepad at least once or twice so far. Made from breathable mesh fabric, the facepad is a magnet for the sweat, grease, dirt, or makeup on our faces. If you’re in need of some tips, our friends over at VRHeads have this great guide for keeping your Daydream View clean and hygienic.

Until now, cleaning your Daydream View facepad meant that you had to spend some time in actual reality waiting for your clean facepad to dry. If this has annoyed you in the past, you’ll be happy to know that Google is now selling replacement facepads for the Daydream View from its website.

The replacement facepads are only available in one color, gray, and can be purchased for $14.99. It’s a great accessory to have around as a replacement for the facepad that originally came with your Daydream View or to swap a fresh one in when you want to share your headset with friends.

See at Google

How to set up two-factor authentication for your Nest account

How do I set up two-factor authentication for my Nest account? You can find the necessary settings in the Nest app!

It’s always a good idea to add two-factor authentication to any account that will offer it, and that goes double for accounts tied to connected home devices. Two-factor authentication adds an extra factor (a generated code sent to a phone number in this case) to your login process, so even if your account’s password is somehow discovered your account stays locked without the code.

Nest has added two-factor authentication to Nest accounts, which means it’s time to add an extra layer of security to your thermostat, smoke detector, and home security camera. The process for enabling two-factor authentication is super simple and can be achieved from within the Nest app. Here’s how you get it done!

Launch the Nest app.
Tap the expand more icon in the top left corner of the app.
Tap the Account button (looks like a gear).

Tap Manage account.

Tap Account Security.
Tap 2-step verification.

Toggle on the switch.

Enter your password and tap Continue.
Enter your phone number.

Enter the six-digit 2FA code sent to your phone.

Tap Continue.

Tap Done on the confirmation screen.

Keep in mind you’ll need to have access to this phone number every time you log in to your Nest account, as you’ll have to type in the 2FA code for each new login.

Questions?

Run into trouble trying to get 2FA set up? Give us a shout in the comments and we’ll try to troubleshoot the issue.

Instagram Stories adds Snapchat-like geostickers: Here’s how they work

In yet another effort to take on (or copy) Snapchat, Instagram has launched geostickers.

Geostickers, which are kind of like stickers that represent your location, only work in Instagram’s ephemeral Stories feature. And they’re currently limited to just two cities. Nevertheless, here’s everything you need to know about geostickers, including how they work.

• Instagram just basically ripped off Snapchat Stories – and here’s how

What are Instagram geostickers?

Snapchat has offered geostickers for a while. In that app, geostickers are basically a set of stickers related to your location. So, depending on where you are – Paris or Los Angeles, for instance – you’ll see a different set of stickers, with their themed based on your area. You can apply them to snaps and to stories, which in Snapchat, is a 24-hour reel of all your broadcasted snaps.

In Instagram’s case, geostickers work very similarly.

Instagram has officially introducing an early version of geostickers for its own Stories feature. But they act as a location tag, so you can tap on them to be taken to location page for more photos in that area. Instagram said that no matter where you are in a supported city, you’ll see a custom city for that city and maybe others for select neighborhoods and landmarks.

• What’s the point of Snapchat and how does it work?

How do Instagram geostickers work?

When you post to your story, you can use creative tools to help capture and edit them, and one of those tools are geostickers.

To add a sticker to your photo or video, swipe left or right after taking it, and then tap the sticker button to add stickers. From there, you can add a sticker with your location by searching for or selecting nearby options. You’ll also see custom geostickers that appear automatically based on your current location. When people see your story, they’ll be able to tap the sticker and view the page for that location.

You can add as many stickers as you want, as well as adjust their size and placement. You can also use other creative tools in combination with geostickers. To delete a a sticker by dragging and dropping it on at the bottom of the screen. Check out Instagram’s help hub for more information on how to post photos and videos to your Instagram Story and play with geostickers.

• Instagram tips and tricks: How to master the app and post amazing pics

Where can you use Instagram geostickers?

Instagram’s geostickers – more than a dozen of them – are currently available in New York City and Jakarta. Because Instagram said this is just an early version of geostickers, it’s safe to assume a wider rollout to other cities will likely come soon.

When will Instagram geostickers be available?

They are rolling out now to Instagram for iOS and Android.

ZTE will pay $1.19 billion for violating US trade sanctions

ZTE is still feeling the pain from its alleged violation of US trade sanctions against Iran and North Korea. The Chinese tech giant has reached an agreement with the Commerce Department to both plead guilty to violation charges and pay a total of $1.19 billion ($892 million in the Iran case) as a penalty. That’s a stiff cost, but ZTE didn’t have much choice. The US’ sanctions against the company, suspended while the two sides negotiated a deal, would have crippled its business by largely denying access to crucial American parts like Qualcomm’s mobile processors.

The agreement also requires that ZTE submit to a 3-year probation period that has an independent monitor verifying its export practices. Accordingly, ZTE has to cooperate with the Justice Department if there’s ever a criminal investigation into its behavior. No individual has been charged, but ZTE had to let go of four employees to honor the agreement.

While this isn’t exactly a soft penalty, it’s clear that the US was eager to avoid upholding its sanctions against ZTE. China was angry at the accusations in the first place, and imposing restrictions on ZTE risked sparking a trade war that could have limited American firms’ access to China. Whatever the US would have gained by hobbling ZTE’s business likely wouldn’t have been worth the larger economic consequences.

Via: Wall Street Journal

Source: Commerce Department (Twitter)

Chanel ‘launched’ a rocket during its fashion show in Paris

Fashion brands are really into space-themed shows at the moment. Just a few weeks ago, designer Nick Graham revealed his “Life on Mars: F/W 2035” menswear collection in NYC, and now Chanel has done something similar for its Fall 2017 Ready-to-Wear event. The fashion house, led by creative director Karl Lagerfeld, brought a massive rocket to its Paris Fashion Week show and “launched” it before the models hit the runway.

We say “launched” it because the spacecraft wasn’t propelled by thrusters, as you’d see on rockets from SpaceX. Instead, the act was made possible by a metal structure, faux sparks and smoke that gave the visual effect of an actual blastoff. That’s the fashion world for you in a nutshell.

Take a look at the videos below to see what it was like to be at Chanel’s LAUNCHPAD N°5.

A post shared by ecesukan (@ecesukan) on Mar 7, 2017 at 4:52am PST

A post shared by The Catwalk Italia – TCI (@thecatwalkitalia) on Mar 7, 2017 at 2:28am PST

Via: Harper’s Bazaar

Source: Chanel