Galaxy S8 benchmarks show Exynos 8895 outpacing the Snapdragon 835

Samsung’s Exynos version of its Galaxy S8 appears to outperform Qualcomm’s in GeekBench.

Adding to the pile of Samsung Galaxy S8 rumors that are stacking up as high as the Leaning Tower of Pisa is this GeekBench discovery. Uploaded earlier this week, the GeekBench score shows Samsung taking the cake. It has the top two spots on the chart, with its Exynos 8895 processor leading the pack, and the Galaxy S8+ with the Snapdragon 835 ranking in at a close second.

The Exynos 8895 is the successor to the Exynos 8890, which was featured on the international variant of the Galaxy S7 Edge. Like its predecessor, the Exynos 8895 will be exclusive to the Galaxy S8 sold in international markets. The U.S. will get the Snapdragon 835 version, which is what’s sitting pretty in second place.

But all in all, benchmarks are still just numbers, and just because they exist within certain benchmarking suites, those numbers aren’t the final say on whether one processor is best for a mobile device over another.

For everyone obsessing over which CPU is better for the Galaxy S8. pic.twitter.com/28TTXdIDhW

— Jerry Hildenbrand (@gbhil) March 17, 2017

Samsung Galaxy S8 and S8 Plus

• Latest Galaxy S8 rumors!
• Galaxy S8 announcement coming March 29 in NYC
• Galaxy S8 release date set for April 28
• Join our Galaxy S8 forums

Netflix ditches star ratings: How does the new system change things?

The star ratings on Netflix are going bye-bye.

Starting in April, the company plans to replace stars with thumbs ups and thumbs downs. The new system got way more ratings versus the traditional star-rating system when tested among a small pool of users last year, Netflix said. It’s essentially making ratings less important because it now thinks user behavior is more important.

Here’s what you need to know about the change.

• How to watch Netflix on TV: Your complete guide
• Are you a Netflix cheater?
• Netflix tips and tricks: How to master your binge-watching experience

What did those Netflix star ratings mean and how did they work?

For several years now, every time you logged on to Netflix to check out a movie or TV show, you’d see ratings for that movie or show in the form of filled-in stars. Five red stars meant the film is a perfect hit for you, while one star meant that the film probably sucked. However, if you always assumed those little stars on Netflix reflect the average rating given by other Netflix users, you’re mistaken.

The entire system is actually customised to you and every other user. According to BGR, the number of stars you see come from reviews given by like-minded viewers. So, when you’re looking at movie or TV show’s splash page, the star rating isn’t a running average of how all Netflix users ranked the film, but rather a representation of those who have similar tastes as you and what they thought.

In other words, it’s possible that the same movie displayed different ratings for different accounts. The film Step Brothers might’ve had five stars for you, but your grandma could’ve seen it with three stars.

Why is Netflix ditching star ratings?

Netflix announced on March 17 that it will change its ratings system for the first time in many years. It is ditching the traditional five-star rating system to a thumbs-up / thumbs-down system. Todd Yellin, Netflix’s vice president of product, told journalists during a press briefing that the five stars feel “very yesterday now” and Netflix wants to focus on “bubbling up the stuff people actually want to watch.”

Netflix first rolled out the new rating system to hundreds of thousands of new Netflix users across the world last year. Yellin said Netflix immediately noticed a drastic spike in engagement. Over 200 per cent more ratings were casted by users. And so, Netflix has decided to change the system, even though binary thumbs-up / thumbs-down doesn’t appear as specific or enlightening as the stars.

How does Netflix’s thumbs ratings work?

Netflix emphasised during its press briefing that users who rate movies actually do it to improve their own Netflix experience so that they’ll see recommendations for content they’d prefer to watch. They aren’t logging stars ratings just so some other users around the globe will know to watch a film they especially liked. Netflix just wants people to rate more so that it can start serving up the best content for them.

By giving a movie or show a thumbs up, you will tell Netflix that you want to see more content like that. And by giving a movie a thumbs down, you will tell Netflix to not recommend or “bubble up” similar content. The company also plans to start per cent matching. It will use algorithms to show a “personalised” percentage below a title that’ll represent how likely it is you’ll like that movie or TV show.

So, a show that fits your taste may get a 98-per cent match, but a show that has less than a 50-per cent match won’t display a match-rating. Based on a global database of activity, Netflix is also figuring out that customers are willing to watch Netflix content that has been produced in other countries or has subtitles. So, it’s finding these people and then figuring out who is like them and enjoys those kinds of things.

It’s mixing and matching all this – again, with the purpose of “bubbling up” stuff people actually want to watch.

When will Netflix start using the new thumbs ratings?

Netflix said the new thumbs-up / thumbs-down rating system will kick off in April 2017. It will slowly roll out globally.

Amazon’s app will now tell Prime users if their outfit looks good

Remember the movie Clueless?

One thing that always stuck out in that movie was Cher’s automated closet and nearby computer that would show what each outfit looked like on her and allowed her to mix and match pieces. It’d be a dream come true for anybody – man or woman. Unfortunately, that doesn’t fully exist yet, but Amazon has developed a new “Outfit Compare” tool that does something kind of similar, as spotted by TechCrunch.

In the latest version of the Amazon shopping app, Prime members can upload two pictures of themselves in different outfits and then the app will tell them within a few minutes which one looks better. The results, which are “powered by a team of fashion specialists”, consider all sorts of metrics, such as fit, colour, style, and current trends in order to serve up a score on the “Style Scale”.

• 12 best Amazon Echo compatible devices you can buy today
• Amazon Echo: First 7 things you should do to get Alexa started
• Amazon Echo tips and tricks: Getting a grip on Alexa
• Amazon Echo: What can Alexa do and what services are compatible?

You get a ranking from “Definitely pick this one” to “We like this better” or “It was a close call”. Amazon said “qualified” staff may also be viewing your photos, and that full-body photos work best. So, don’t upload headshots. Currently, Amazon isn’t even recommending new clothes to order, so it’s unclear why the retailer has quietly rolled out such a feature (unless they’re Clueless fans, too).

It might just be collecting data to improve the types of fashions it offers. We’ve contacted the company for a comment and will update when we know more. If you want to try Outfit Compare, use the Amazon for iOS app. Then got to Menu > Programs and Features (or More from Amazon)> and Outfit Compare. It’ll roll out to Android soon.

Keep in mind Amazon also just updated its main shopping app (the iOS version in the US, anyway) to include its Alexa voice assistant.

DARPA has laid the groundwork for thought-powered prosthetics

New research from the government’s mad science wing, DARPA, could make life an awful lot easier for people who use prosthetic limbs. You see, DAPRA has devised what it calls the “Atomic Magnetometer for Biological Imaging in Earth’s Native Terrain.” Or, “AMBIIENT” if you’re into the whole brevity thing.

Essentially what AMBIIENT does is isolate and shield the Earth’s incredibly strong magnetic frequencies from a piece of equipment so that the minuscule ones produced by the human body can do things like control artificial limbs with the weak magnetic waves that are produced by thoughts. “Potentially on the horizon, for example, are sensor systems for detecting spinal signals, diagnosing concussions and brain-machine interfaces,” the post from DARPA reads.

“High sensitivity magnetic sensing and imaging will offer a powerful new tool for medical research and clinical diagnosis of neurological and cardial activity,” AMBIIENT’s program manager Robert Lutwak says. The big idea is to make a version of the tech that is not only cheap, but one that can work practically anywhere without encountering magnetic interference. From the sounds of it, there’s still quite a ways to go.

On April 3rd, DARPA will host a pitch-off of sorts where folks can propose their ideas for implementations of the tech. If you want in, you’ll have to register prior.

Source: DARPA

Master & Dynamic MW50 on-ear headphones review

Starting from 2014, New York-based audio company Master & Dynamic has been putting out a number of quality audio products. Known for their durability and the attention to craftsmanship, its headphones are often comprised of long lasting materials such as stainless steel, heavy grain leather, forged aluminum, and woven copper cable. In short, they look every bit as good as they sound — and they are built to stand against time.

We were recently sent a pair of the Master & Dynamic MW50 headphones for review. At $450, they certainly don’t come cheap. But, when you consider that we routinely spend hundreds of dollars on phones every few years, the headphones don’t sound as expensive. Besides that, these will likely be around much longer than that flagship phone you couldn’t wait to purchase.

Still, given that, are the MW50’s a case of getting what you paid for? Do the ends justify the means? The answer largely revolves around what level of audiophile you are and whether you’re comfortable parting with that sort of money. Chances are that some of you have no issue with it and have done so in the past. Then there’s another, likely larger group of you who get nervous at the idea.

Interestingly enough, the MW50’s are the least expensive wireless headphones in the Master & Dynamic portfolio. (See also: Master & Dynamic MW60 review). The chief difference between the two models is that the MW60’s are over-the-ear and the MW50’s are on-ear.

A Qualifying Statement

Before going further, I should point out that on-ear headphones haven’t really been my thing in the past. I’ve long thought, perhaps wrongly, that the best sound experience would come from something that envelopes my ear and doesn’t allow the outside world to bleed in. After being told from a few people that this isn’t always the case, I approached the MW50’s with a different mentality.

Another heads up — the most expensive headphones I’ve ever purchased were about $150 and the most expensive models I’ve reviewed have all been at $200 or less. More often than not, our higher end audio reviews were passed along to other writers who had a more discerning ear and taste.

First Impressions

Upon taking the headphones out of the box, I immediately realized that Master & Dynamic care a great deal about the presentation and quality of its product. I could tell that not only would these last a long time if handled with proper care, but that some of the components could be replaced rather easily, too.

Given the price tag, I was curious as to whether these would feel or look any better than some of the other stuff I’ve spent time with. The answer is a decided yes. I spent more than a few moments looking these over, getting a feel for the leather and stainless steel. I was not in a hurry to put them on as I was taken in by the finer details.

Putting them on was every bit as pleasurable as I had hoped. The lambskin ear cups were some of the softest materials I had ever felt, especially on headphones. There’s no doubt these were going to be comfortable for extended periods of listening.

I initially opted for the physical cord to plug directly into my phone, later switching over to pairing via Bluetooth. Wow. There are few words to describe the sound quality that I was presented with, but a few that come to mind were warm, rich, clear, crisp, full, and even. I actually had to check to make sure that the adjectives I came up with were accurate for describing audio.

I am a fan of almost all genres of music and typically spend a large portion of my day listening to something. Whether it’s a three hour set from a DJ like Dave Seaman or a day of ambient music from the likes of Brian Eno, I love to have something in the background. I’ll often find time to get in podcasts, audiobooks, and news in the car or at home, too. Then there’s always the enjoyment of putting on a favorite album like Wish You Were Here to relax with.

Impressions

There’s something uniquely different between listening to music and truly enjoying it. Sadly, I spend far too much time not enjoying it. The MW50’s however, turned me into a fan all over again. I couldn’t wait to check out how the synths sounded for Pink Floyd or Daft Punk; classical piano and jazz sounded like I had been listening through cotton or a filter. Audiobooks sounded clearer, and those accompanied by sound effects were even more enjoyable.

It’s far too easy to grab a pair of earbuds or pair to a Bluetooth speaker for music. Sure, you can take in things passively and get most of what you want from the source, but to really get the full picture, you need to use the right tools. The Master & Dynamic MW50’s felt like someone had given me contact lenses for my ears. I didn’t realize that my prescription was off until I put something corrective in place.

I was more than happy to fall down the rabbit hole and go looking for some of my favorite albums. Radiohead, a band whose music sounds better in headphones than on speakers, was just downright fun to revisit. R.E.M., Wu-Tang Clan, Public Enemy, Royksopp, you name it. Everything felt brand new all over again as I picked up details that I had not heard in ages, if ever.

Why was this happening? Master & Dynamic had tuned the headphones in a way that delivers the best audio experience. Think of how you might adjust the colors, vibrancy, contrast, and other settings on a new TV to get the best picture possible. This happens to the headphones before they’re sent out. What you get is a pair of finely crafted and finely tuned cans that make music fun again.

Other Features

I didn’t have any issues with pairing the headphones (Bluetooth 4.1) to my phone nor did I run into problems with range. Most Bluetooth devices will let you get to about 30 feet from your source before breaking up. The MW50’s let me get up and move about the office or home without any worry. I don’t often need to be more than 30 feet away from my desk or phone so I can’t say definitively that you’d be okay; however, I don’t have any reason to think they’d have problems.

The internal battery for the MW50’s is rated at 16 hours which is more than I expect from a pair of wireless headphones. This gives me two solid days of work with a little left over for evenings before I have to charge them. Speaking of which, Master & Dynamic provide a USB Type-C cable to recharge the headphones. As someone who charges his devices almost daily, I didn’t ever get to the full 16 hours. With that said, I know that it hits 12-14 without problem.

The headphones can also be used for taking telephone calls. I only tried this a few times and those on the other end said I sounded “alright”. I didn’t alert anyone as to what brand or price range I was working with as I didn’t want to tip my hand. But, suffice it to say, nobody said anything along the lines of it being extraordinary or noteworthy.

I’ve since learned that call quality depends on how the microphone array is position. I don’t know for certain if I had them on the proper ears, but the mic would face the back of my head if not. Worn properly, the microphone is designed to pick up sounds from the front. I’d like to think that I had the right and left ears on properly, but it’s also possible that I did not.

Conclusion

After spending a few weeks with the Master & Dynamic MW50 headphones I have come to appreciate a number of things. First, I can safely say that as far as on-ear headphones go, these are incredibly comfortable and deliver a much better sound than I anticipated.

I’ve also come to appreciate that there’s a whole world out there for people who own “expensive” audio equipment. It’s not like there’s some secret society; I know a few guys personally who are often wont to show off new speakers, amplifiers, or equalizers. But, having tasted it myself, I’ve learned that there’s something to be said about getting what you paid for.

Thanks to the MW50’s I have also come to appreciate music on a totally different level. Not just the songs, but the attention to detail that comes at the studio level where a producer is dialing the settings up and down, tinkering with the master recordings. Everything is a choice when it comes to music. More bass here, a little less emphasis on the snare, etc. Done right, the end result is definitely something to admire and appreciate.

Why bother listening to finely tuned music with headphones that aren’t equally as fine tuned? If you’re the kind of person who really cares about music, the Master & Dynamic brand is likely on your radar. Audiophiles know far more about this than I do, but I am certain they can understand where I’m coming from.

The big question, after all of this, is whether they are worth the money. Would I drop $450 on a pair of headphones? Before getting a chance to experience them, the answer was always a no. Besides, I am a dad and a husband with bills and obligations. I don’t have that sort of money to “waste”.

Having taken my first steps into that larger world, I am far more likely to reach into my wallet for something like this. I know that these would outlast anything else I’d buy in the next few years. Moreover, I know they’re more comfortable than anything else I’ve purchased or would consider if I stayed on my path. I can easily see myself buying at least two pairs of $200 headphones in the next decade. As I see it more clearly now, these would actually be an investment.

Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have a few more albums to listen to before I box these up and ship them back.

Microsoft releases second Windows Insider preview build in as many days

Why it matters to you

If you’re a Windows Insider, you might be getting tired of new Windows 10 preview builds ahead of the Creators Update — but Microsoft keeps releasing them.

With Windows 10 Creators Update just around the corner, the Windows Insider preview builds are starting to come hot and heavy. If you missed Thursday’s update, then you’ll want to go to your Settings app and hit the update button, because Microsoft didn’t wait for you to do it yesterday before releasing another build.

This time around, it’s Build 15061, and as expected for a feature-complete update, it’s full of nothing but bug fixes. Microsoft provided the details in its blog post, as usual, to make sure Windows Insiders know what is awaiting them.

More: Microsoft’s latest build of Windows 10 for Insiders fixes some remaining issues

Looking at the list of fixes, Microsoft is clearly taking some time to ensure that any nagging issues are fixed up before Creators Update is released to PCs on April 11. Here’s a list of what’s been resolved in the latest build:

• If you’ve been seeing visual distortion when watching MP4 videos using the Movies and TV app, then that should no longer occur.
• Out-of-the-box experience crashes shouldn’t happen when you tap on the birthday date field when creating new accounts and emails addresses.
• Virtual private network connections should no longer be missing from Network Connections.
• Direct3D 9 games — however many you might still have hanging around, given that DirectX 12 is the latest version — should no longer fail to launch if your display resolution isn’t set to the recommended level for your system.

As usual, there remain some known issues that you’ll want to consider before you hit that update button. Here are the details:

• You can keep your currently installed language packs, but won’t be able to install any new ones.
• You might need to power off your PC and back on to resolve error 8024a112 when trying to install this build. A manual reboot might also fix the error.
• If you see the error “Some updates were canceled. We’ll keep trying in case new updates become available” when trying to update your machine in the Windows Update app, then you can delete a registry key to fix it. Check out this forum post for more details.
• An advertising ID misconfiguration problem might cause some apps and games to crash. If so, then delete this registry key: “HKCUSoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionAdvertisingInfo”.
• If you have a pending update, such as with the most recent Surface firmware updates, you might not receive a notification to restart your machine. You can go to Settings > Update & security > Windows Update to see if you need to restart your PC.
• The broadcast live review window might flash green in the Game bar during broadcasting. Don’t fret, though, because it’s only visible to you and not your viewers.

As always, you’ll need to be a Windows Insider in the Fast Ring to see this update. You can join the program today if you want, but with less than a month to go before Creators Update is released for everyone, you might just want to wait. Otherwise, go to the Windows Update section of the Settings app to get your machine on Build 15061.

Wahoo’s Elemnt Bolt takes aerodynamics and biking computing seriously

Why it matters to you

If you care about your personal bests when cycling, Wahoo’s Elemnt Bolt will help you break new ones.

Wahoo’s new biking computer, the Elemnt Bolt, is designed to take aerodynamics as seriously as you do, making sure that while tracking all sorts of useful information about your ride, it doesn’t inhibit your pace. Developed in conjunction with world-renowned cycling drag expert Dimitris Katsanis, the Bolt is said to reduce air resistance by up to 50 percent over traditional biking computers.

Whatever your cycling ability, the problem of air resistance is one that everyone is familiar with. Whether you go so far as to shave body hair or simply opt for a more aerodynamic helmet, there is always something that can be done to reduce your drag when hitting your top speed. While biking computers rarely take this into account, the Elemnt Bolt does — and it takes it seriously, too.

With a display and mount that are combined into a single unit, the design is said to be capable of shaving a not-insignificant 12.6 seconds from a rider’s 25-mile ride if they maintain a steady 21 miles per hour. While your mileage may vary, the wind resistance produced by traditional biking computers is very real and the Bolt goes to a real effort to eliminate that problem.

More: Cyclists will love this elegant smartwatch that doubles as a bike computer

But of course it wouldn’t be much of a computer if all it did was improve aerodynamics. The small-form-factor device packs a high-contrast, 2.2-inch display with what GearCaster describes as “quicklook LEDs,” to make it possible to read important information at a glance.

Tracked information includes speed, miles traveled, ride time, and power output, though with Bluetooth 4.0 and ANT+ connectivity, it’s compatible with a number of smartphone apps and sensors to expand its tracking capabilities.

It also sports full GPS tracking with preloaded global maps, with turn-by-turn navigation using the Elemnt app, and has as many as 150 customizable data fields, letting you choose what information you want the system to display.

It even keeps you in touch with friends and family, through full phone call and text support, so you are never out of reach as long as you have a connection. The onboard, rechargeable battery lasts for up to 15 hours on a single charge.

The Elemnt Bolt is available now with a price tag of $250.

LeEco reportedly sells its Silicon Valley HQ less than a year after buying it

Why it matters to you

LeEco may not be around in the U.S. for much longer — the company’s big attempt to make a name for itself here seems to have failed.

LeEco is having a rough time. Less than a year ago the company started making its big push in the United States, and as part of that it launched a number of phones and TVs, and purchased a large 49-acre Silicon Valley property from Yahoo. At the time, CEO Jia Yueting said that the building would end up being an “EcoCity that houses 12,000 employees.”

Unfortunately for LeEco, it’s big U.S. push hasn’t really caught on, and that EcoCity may not end up being its Silicon Valley home after all. According to a report from Reuters, the company has sold the property to Genzon Group for a hefty $260 million.

More: First images leak of upcoming LeEco flagship phone with curved display

“We’ve always envisioned EcoCity would be an open environment that would be a place for our employees, our partners and the community to collaborate,” the company said in an emailed statement to Digital Trends. “LeEco has been working to identify additional investors as well as a development partner but we have nothing to announce at this time.”

The news makes sense. We already knew that LeEco was suffering some money issues, as admitted by Yueting in an email to employees in November. Reuters has also since reported that the company has significantly reduced the number of U.S. employees that it has, and suggests that LeEco has halved its Silicon Valley workforce. Not only that, but reports indicate that the company is struggling to pay debts to suppliers and business partners.

It will be interesting to see how LeEco fares over the next few years. The phones it unveiled last year were actually pretty solid — and very powerful for the price. We don’t really know how well those phones actually sold, but given the recent news, we’re willing to bet they didn’t sell all that well.

Put a cork in it: Tiny, minimal cork home is kind to the eye and environment

Why it matters to you

Ecocubos offer a sustainable and aesthetically pleasing option for the lover of outdoors and tiny homes.

Every seven to 10 years, groups of men head out to with axes hand to harvest cork from oak trees. And although the trees are stripped clean, none of them are harmed in the process. In fact, in Portugal, where roughly 50 percent of the world’s cork comes from, it’s illegal to cut down a cork oak prematurely.

Due to its ability to regenerate, cork has proved to be a very sustainable material. And, with Portugal’s leading role in cork production, it makes sense that a Portuguese startup has designed the Ecocubo, a small, minimalist, portable home made of cork and wood.

More: Greycork, maker of assemble-it-yourself furniture, is reportedly shutting down

Taking up just about 97 square feet, the Ecocubo is designed to be both environmentally friendly and inconspicuous among its surroundings. The Ecocubo is positioned on stilts for minimal impact to the landscape. A small deck out front lets residents survey their environment.

The quarters are tight inside, with one bed that folds into a couch, a kitchenette, a small table, and two stools. It won’t comfortably accommodate more than a few people and, unless you literally live for the outdoors, you probably wouldn’t want to call the Ecocubo your permanent residence. But it makes for a cozy short-term accommodation.

Cork has a number of benefits beyond its sustainability. It’s light, impermeable, and fire retardant. It’s soft to the touch and to the eyes, allowing it to blend well into nature.

It takes about two weeks to construct an Ecocubo and, although not yet available for private sale, the startup behind the homes and its designer — António Fernandes — have plans to sell them internationally for between $11,700 and $17,550, according to New Atlas.

Meanwhile, if cork and the outdoors aren’t your style, tiny houses come in all shapes, sizes, and materials. There’s the brick house in San Fransisco renovated from a laundry boiler room or the cement blocks and clay house in Thailand.

Photo planning app that helps you track the stars is now on Android

Why it matters to you

If you need photography calculators, location scouting, and astronomical planning, PhotoPills could save you cash over buying separate apps — and it’s now on Android, too.

A popular iPhone photography planning app is expanding to Android platforms — earlier this week, PhotoPills launched a beta version on Google Play.

PhotoPills aims to capture that “all-in-one” app title with a variety of different tools for both planning and shooting. Like astronomy-based apps such as the Photographer’s Ephemeris, PhotoPills will tell photographers just where the sun and moon will be and when — and will even tell you which way to point the camera to capture the Milky Way in the night sky.

More: Made for astronomers, this weather forecast is perfect for photographers, too

If those celestial bodies aren’t quite where you want them, the app will also help you calculate when the stars will align, literally. 3D augmented reality views can even help make sure the view is accurate before even beginning the shoot.

But the app also aims to go beyond helping photographers align the sun just right in their landscapes — the platform also acts as a location scouting tool by using Google Maps to get an idea of what an area looks like before heading out. Locations can also be saved as points of interest to head back to later.

Along with the scouting tools, PhotoPills builds in a number of different calculators to assist photographers as they shoot, including long exposure, time-lapse, and star trails. The app will also calculate hyperfocal distance, depth of field, and field of view.

The PhotoPills community also awards $6,600 in cash prizes to the best submitted photos.

While the scouting tool has been on iOS since 2013, the Android variation wasn’t even in the works until last year. The public beta release changes that and — while the beta is still meant to detect bugs — brings an early version to the Google Play Store. The developer says the Android version will have the exact same features as the Apple-friendly variation. Even the price stays the same — $10.