Nougat makes massive gains in February on back of Galaxy S7 updates
The release of Android 7.0 Nougat for the Galaxy S7 series helped Nougat make its biggest-ever month-over-month gains in February.
There are millions of Android devices sold every month, and millions more updated. The composite tells a story of cycles and company strategies played out in the same way year over year.
This year, it’s the story of the Galaxy S7. The single most popular Android phone of 2016 (well, two most popular phones) began receiving its Nougat update in the U.S. and many other countries in February, which helped the latest Android version, 7.x, gain 1.6% in the shortest month of the year. The total now stands at 2.8%, still a tiny margin when compared to Marshmallow at 31.3% and Lollipop at 32.5%, but it did boast the single biggest gain in the month, and that’s something we can get behind.
Android 4.4 KitKat lost the most share in the month, down 1.1% to 20.8%, and all three branches of Jelly Bean — 4.1 to 4.3 — lost a little bit, too, bringing their total down to a cumulative 10.6%.
Overall, the market didn’t move that much in February, but it’s nice to see Nougat gaining some much-needed traction. It’s possible we’ll see the introduction of an early version of Android O this month, as it’s almost a year to the day that the first developer preview of Android N was released.
Does your phone have Nougat yet? Let us know in the comments!
Android Nougat
- Android 7.0 Nougat: Everything you need to know
- Will my phone get Android Nougat?
- Google Pixel + Pixel XL review
- All Android Nougat news
- How to manually update your Nexus or Pixel
- Join the Discussion
Even the Galaxy S7 Active is getting Nougat before the unlocked GS7
The rugged Galaxy S7 Active is getting Nougat.
Another day, another carrier device getting Nougat. Heck, Nougat is up to nearly 3% of total Android devices, and we can now add the AT&T-exclusive Galaxy S7 Active to the list.
The phone is getting the same version of Android 7.0 Nougat with the February 2017 security patch as its less rugged counterparts, which includes, according to AT&T, “Samsung Cloud, Samsung Pass, and App Select enabled in Setup and Transfer”. The build, NRD90M.G891AUCU2BQB2, also does away with the carrier’s heinous Address Book software.
Now that it’s out, you can count the AT&T Galaxy S7 Active as yet another phone to get Nougat before the unlocked versions of the core Galaxy S7 versions sold in the U.S. Not that we’re keeping score or anything…
Latest AT&T DirecTV Now promotion gives subscribers free HBO for a year
Existing HBO subscribers will get a $5 bill credit for 12 months.
AT&T has rolled out a “loyalty reward” to existing DirecTV Now subscribers. Starting today, all subscribers on “Go Big” and “Gotta Have It” plans will receive a year’s worth of HBO access for free, and those that have already subscribed to HBO will receive a $5 bill credit for 12 months.
Those on “Live a Little” and “Just Right” plans will receive a $5 bill credit for six months. AT&T has mentioned that all current subscribers as of March 6 will be eligible for the promotion, and the carrier has started sending out emails to customers:
You’re getting HBO included with your existing package through March 7, 2018. You literally don’t need to do a single thing other than enjoy all of HBO with unlimited access to the most entertaining movies, addictive series, family favorites and more.
Simply put, we want to thank you for being one of our most valuable customers and coming on this unprecedented journey with us. We’re dedicated to making DIRECTV NOW the best streaming entertainment product in the industry, and because of you, we’re on our way. So go on, keep enjoying the huge library of the best entertainment with unlimited access to all of HBO—anytime, anywhere.
If you’re a DirecTV Now subscriber and don’t see HBO yet in the channel guide, fret not, as it looks like the addition may take up to 24 hours.
The launch of DirecTV Now was plagued with performance issues, but AT&T has committed to improving the overall quality to make the streaming service a viable contender to the likes of PlayStation Vue and Sling TV. Free access to HBO for a year is one way to incentivize customers to stick with the streaming service. With YouTube TV also on the horizon, the live TV streaming segment is getting crowded, and AT&T is doing all it can to convince customers to continue paying for its service.
Thanks Doug Fitton!
Google helps libraries encourage kids to code
Google has added a new project to its list of library programs, which include WiFi hotspot lending. The tech titan has teamed up with the American Library Association (ALA) to launch “Libraries Ready to Code,” an initiative that aims to help equip librarians with the right skills and tools to encourage kids to code. It won’t turn every librarian into a coding expect, but it will train them to be able to provide an introduction to computer science.
The program will give them the knowledge necessary to be able to conjure up and implement the right (fun!) CS programs for their communities. It will also help Library and Information Science schools redesign their tech and media courses for fledgling librarians by adding various CS activities.
Google and ALA are hoping the project can turn libraries into a place where kids from all backgrounds can start exploring the world of computer sciences. As Crystle Martin, Secretary of the Young Adult Library Services Association, said:
“Libraries and library staff can create opportunities for youth to gain basic exposure and a basic interest in coding. From there, with support and mentorship from librarians and staff, they can develop long term engagement and possibly computer science as an envisioned future.”
Source: The Keyword, ALA
‘Oleo Sponge’ may be the key to cleaning up after oil spills
Cleaning up after an oil spill isn’t an easy job. Just ask Exxon Mobil, or, for a more recent example, BP. Current clean-up methods include skimming it of a body off water’s surface or burning it. Neither are ideal for a few reasons, but beyond impacting the environment even further, they don’t account for the sludge that’s trapped below the waves. That’s where the Department of Energy’s Oleo Sponge comes in.
Unlike other clean-up methods, the Argonne National Laboratory says that the sponge can scrub the entire water column. What’s more, the sponge and the oil can be reused. Oleo Sponge builds on previous research from Argonne regarding how a complex structure can retain oil. In this case, it’s a cellulose sponge treated with “hard metal oxide atoms.”
“After some trial and error, [researchers] found a way to adapt the technique to grow an extremely thin layer of metal oxide ‘primer’ near the foam’s interior surfaces,” the statement reads. “This serves as the perfect glue for attaching oil-loving molecules, which are deposited in a second step; they hold onto the metal oxide layer with one end and reach out to grab oil molecules with the other.”
As you can see in the video below, the sponge looks incredibly effective. Even better? It can apparently be treated with different substances to attract pretty much anything you can think of.
Source: Journal of Materials Chemistry A, U Chicago News
‘iPhone 8’ Could Reportedly Be Called ‘iPhone Edition,’ Launch Well After 4.7-Inch and 5.5-Inch Versions
Apple may call the 2017 iPhone 8, rumored to be announced alongside the iPhone 7s and 7s Plus at a September event, the “iPhone Edition,” according to a new report from Japanese website Mac Otakara. The name would reportedly signal that the phone is a higher end model, similar to how Apple names the Apple Watch Edition. The “Edition” moniker lines up with reports that the model could cost upwards of $1,000.
The report goes on to note that Apple is currently testing multiple prototypes alongside the iPhone 8. The prototypes experiment with screen technology and materials, with some prototypes using an LCD display while others use AMOLED. The prototypes are also in testing with and without home buttons. Further, Apple is using them to test glass, aluminum and white ceramic chassis.
Apple is trying to gauge which materials and technologies they can procure at mass scale for production, according to Mac Otakara. KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, Nikkei and the Wall Street Journal have reported the iPhone 8 will feature an OLED screen, while the 4.7-inch and 5.5-inch lower-end models will sport LCD displays.
Mac Okatara says the only features Apple is reportedly certain of are a 5-inch display, wireless charging and dual cameras. The 5-inch display Mac Otakara is referring to is the usable space on the display. The iPhone 8 is expected to utilize an edge-to-edge display that puts a 5.8-inch display in a handset roughly the size of a 4.7-inch iPhone. 5.15 inches of the 5.8-inch display will be usable. The difference will be used for a wide row of virtual buttons.
The Cupertino company is also expected to announce a more standard 4.7-inch iPhone 7s and 5.5-inch iPhone 7s Plus alongside the “iPhone Edition.” According to Mac Otakara, while those two models are expected to launch in September, the “iPhone Edition” may not launch until well after that.
Related Roundup: iPhone 8 (2017)
Tag: macotakara.jp
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HP rolls out a beefed-up Elite line of commercial desktops
Why it matters to you
You now have a a slew of new high-performance commercial PC options for your business, courtesy of HP.
HP has a line of commercial desktops that it calls the “world’s most secure and manageable PC lineup.” Specifically, HP is referring to its Elite desktop and all-in-one line, which includes the EliteOne, EliteDesk Tower, and EliteDesk Mini machines. Now, HP has released a refresh, ushering in a host of new self-appointed firsts.
The new and refreshed machines include the EliteOne 800 G3 All-in-One (AIO), the EliteDesk 800 G3 Tower, and two versions of the EliteDesk 800 G3 Desktop mini. HP announced the new machines in a press release full of accolades.
More: Tired of waiting for a new Surface Pro? Check out HP’s tough new 2-in-1
First up is the “newly redesigned” EliteOne 800 G3 AIO, which HP says is the first commercial AIO with dual-facing cameras and the first with a non-glare touchscreen. Features include a 23.8-inch full HD display with micro-edge bezels, optional AMD Radeon discrete graphics, and a variety of mounting options. The EliteOne G3 AIO is coming soon, with pricing yet to be announced.
Next is the EliteDesk 800 Desktop Tower, which HP dubs the “world’s most powerful commercial desktop,” as well as the “most configurable” and the first VR-certified commercial PC. Options include 91W processors and high-end discrete graphics, including the GeForce GTX 1080, along with five bays, four full-height slots, and two additional M.2 connectors for exceptional expandability. The EliteDesk 800 Desktop Tower starts at $626 at HP.com.
Insta-download: 5 ways to save photos from Instagram
Instagram is one of many sites where you upload photos to share with others. In fact, millions of users have uploaded tens of millions of photos, making it the most popular photo-sharing website. And while you can “like” or bookmark a photo so you can revisit them later, there’s no way to download them to your computer or device.
You may have your reasons for wanting to download a photo. Perhaps you accidentally deleted the original photo of the Eiffel Tower from your Parisian vacation, and the only copy you have left is the one you posted to Instagram. Maybe there’s a photo that you absolutely love and would like to have it as a desktop wallpaper.
However, just because there’s no download button, doesn’t mean you can’t do it. We found the five best ways to download photos from Instagram. Some methods are as easy as clicking a few buttons, while some take a bit more digging, but they’re all relatively painless.
Note: Respect other users’ photos. Downloading a photo for personal enjoyment is one thing, but if you intend to repost or use it in another manner, get the owners’ permission. Instagram has an in-depth section regarding copyrights.
More: 5 easy ways to archive all of your favorite Instagram videos
Downloading images in Windows and MacOS
DownloadGram
Step 1: Navigate to Instagram’s website.
Step 2: Find the Instagram picture you want to save and click on the time-elapsed counter in the upper-right corner.
Step 3: Copy the photo’s URL from your browser.
Step 4: Go to DownloadGram’s website.
Step 5: Input the photo’s URL into box with the auto-generated Instagram link.
Step 6: Click the Download button. Then, click the resulting Download Picture button to save your image.
4K Stogram
Step 1: Download 4K Stogram onto your computer.
Step 2: After installation, open the program and insert an Instagram username, hashtag, or even location into the search bar.
Step 3: Click Subscribe.
Step 4: All photos and videos will automatically begin to download to a folder on your computer. Once done, you can locate and configure them from within the application’s preferences pane.
Step 5: For the ability to do this for an unlimited number of profiles, purchase a license key here for $10.
Step 1: Navigate to Instagram’s website.
Step 2: Find the Instagram photo you want to save and click the time-elapsed counter in the upper-right corner.
Step 3: Copy the photo’s URL from your browser.
Step 4: Right-click or control (ctrl)-click the photo, and then click View Page Source.
Step 5: Click ctrl+F or command+F to open the search bar. Then, input the Instagram photo’s URL.
Step 6: Locate the section that has “meta property” information. Here, you’ll see a line of code that starts with <meta property=”og:image“.
Step 7: Copy the link that follows until you see a common photo extension, specifically JPG or PNG.
Step 8: Paste the link into your browser and hit Enter.
Step 8: You will be taken to a page with just the photo. Now, right-click or ctrl-click the image, and select Save Image As to save the photo.
Nvidia’s Jetson TX2 platform can double the power or the efficiency of hardware
Why it matters to you
Nvidia’s Jetson TX2 platform should usher in a new range of products with much more powerful or efficient processing capabilities.
Nvidia’s newly announced Jetson TX2 developer kit will offer twice the performance of its predecessor if that’s what hardware partners require. But if they are more interested in energy efficiency, they can have that instead, by using the system in a lower power mode to improve its efficiency by up to two times.
The purpose of Nvidia’s Jetson platform is to offer powerful parallel computing at the local level, to offer “inference at the edge,” as Nvidia puts it. In more layman terms, it means AI processing for things like image classification, navigation, and speech recognition on local hardware, rather than relying on the cloud. That has a myriad of benefits, but most importantly it reduces bandwidth usage, cuts latency, and improves the privacy of data being processed.
More: DIY backyard security system turns on the sprinklers when it sees a trespassing cat
Jetson TX2 is looking to do everything its predecessor did and more. It adds a second processor based on Nvidia’s Dual Denver 2 design, alongside the original Quad ARM A57 chip found in the TX1. They are paired with 8GB of LPDDR4, running on a 128-bit interface and offering up to 58.3 GBps of bandwidth — double that of the TX1.
More importantly, the new Jetson system packs in a Nvidia Pascal graphics chip featuring 256 CUDA cores.
The TX2 can encode and decode 4K video at 60Hz and transmit it over an HDMI 2.0 connection. It also comes with 32GB of eMMC onboard storage, plus support for expanded storage from SD and SATA connections.
All of this works out to double the performance potential of the original TX1, but in the same credit card-sized form factor, so hardware partners can simply swap out the TX1 for the TX2 if desired. This lets them offer double the amount of processing that their products can achieve, or lets them operate at a much lower power point. Nvidia claims the TX2 is capable of the same performance of its predecessor while requiring less than 7.5w of power.
All of the hardware improvements of the new Jetson system are backed up by Nvidia’s JetPack 3.0 SDK for AI computing, which lets it support all manner of intelligent systems, with a specific focus on neural networks for image processing and deep-learning capabilities.
Nvidia hopes that this new hardware and software package will help develop new and exciting products for intelligent video analytics like smart cameras, improved functionality in automated vehicles and new, and smarter robots for consumer and business use alike.
The Nvidia Jetson TX2 developer kit can be pre-ordered right now in the U.S. and Europe for $600. Shipping will begin on March 14, while availability in other regions will begin in the coming weeks. The Jetson TX2 module without carrier board will be available in the second quarter of this year with a price tag of $400, though a minimum order of $1,000 is required.
In light of the new generation of hardware, Nvidia has reduced the price of original TX1 developer kit to $500.
Nvidia will show off the TX2 in action at the Embedded World Conference 2017 in Nuremberg, Germany, between March 14 and 16, alongside partners like Cisco, which will showcase a smart whiteboard design making use of the TX2.
The Moto G5 Plus is exclusive to Flipkart in India, launching on Mar. 15
Moto G5 Plus is launching on Mar. 15, and will be exclusive to Flipkart.
The Moto G5 Plus is all set to make its debut in India on March 15, and Motorola has now announced that the phone will be sold exclusively on Flipkart in the country. The Moto G series by itself accounts for a majority of sales in the budget segment, and as such the exclusivity arrangement is a big deal for Flipkart as it tries to counter the threat of Amazon.
.@Moto_IND A big warm welcome to #MotoG5PlusonFlipkart! The most awaited G is all set to be available exclusively on Flipkart on the 15th. pic.twitter.com/T4abYoD7Oq
— Flipkart (@Flipkart) March 7, 2017
Ever since reentering the Indian market with the first-gen Moto G, Motorola stuck with Flipkart to exclusively offer the budget phones, but last year it decided to switch to Amazon for sales of the Moto G4 and G4 Plus. With Motorola selling close to 20,000 units a day during its initial launch phase, the loss of the Moto G brand was a significant blow to Flipkart. However, it looks like the retailer was able to offer a better deal to Motorola this year, and the reintroduction of the Moto G brand on its site should result in a much-needed sales boost.
As is always the case in this category, pricing will prove to be the pivotal factor, but the phone itself has a lot to offer, including a metal back, Snapdragon 625, and an impressive 12MP camera. We’ll know more about the Moto G5 Plus’ pricing and availability on March 15, so stay tuned. In the meantime, what do you think is a good price for the device in India?
AIVAnet 