These new lenses give you superhuman sight, let you see colors with greater clarity

Why it matters to you

Telling the difference between colors that appear identical can aid with camouflage detection, spotting counterfeit currency, and more. These glasses may help.

Human beings are pretty darn versatile, but we still have plenty of limitations when it comes to the way we sense the world. Case in point are metamers: colors which appear to our eyes to be identical, but which are actually composed of slightly different wavelengths of light. While sensors can spot metamers with ease, our eyeballs just aren’t fine-tuned enough to spot the difference.

With an eye (no pun intended) on tweaking our abilities, researchers from the University of Wisconsin-Madison have developed a pair of smart glasses that allows wearers to distinguish metamers, thereby seeing the difference in these colors for the first time.

More: Ocumetics Bionic Lens implant promises eyesight that’s better than 20/20

“The potential uses for the device are really anytime somebody is trying to distinguish similarly colored objects,” Bradley Gundlach, lead student on the project, told Digital Trends. “Therefore camouflage detection, quality control of produce. and detecting counterfeit currency are all possible applications that would benefit from enhanced color perception. It might also be possible in the future to apply the technology to individuals with color deficiencies, restoring some if not all of their color sensitivity compared to typical humans.”

Gregory Vershbow

The glasses essentially expand the vision of wearers from trichromatic, in which we see three color channels, to tetrachromatic. This would be in line with animals such as goldfish, which are able to see red, blue, green, and ultraviolet light. They contain two color filters (the glasses, that is; not goldfish) which strip specific parts out of blue light spectrum. Because each eye is receiving subtly different spectral data about blue objects, the working hypothesis — proven correct — was that tiny differences in color would appear far more noticeable.

So what’s next for the project? “The current device works by splitting the short wavelength cone in the eye,” Gundlach said. “What this means, practically, is that it only works for splitting mostly blue or violet colored objects. We’re currently working on applying this to the green part of the spectrum, which is much more applicable to most things in nature.”

In other words, put Gundlach, principle investigator Mikhail Kats and others on the case, and we’ll have color-sensitive superpowers in no time. Just don’t call us Goldfish Man!

Khronos helping developers write games that can run on Vulkan, Metal, DirectX 12

Why it matters to you

If Khronos has its way, we’ll soon see even more cross-platform games that run on Vulkan, Apple’s Metal, and Microsoft’s DirectX 12.

The Khronos Group makes OpenGL and Vulkan, two cross-platform graphics application programming interfaces (APIs) that seek to run on every platform that might be of interest to gamers. Vulkan just recently received Intel’s support for the GPUs that are integrated in its latest Core processors, greatly expanding Vulkan’s compatibility with Windows machines.

However, Khronos has concluded that current cross-platform solutions aren’t sufficient to support every platform, including Apple’s, which currently utilizes that company’s Metal API and so hasn’t yet adopted Vulkan support. With that in mind, Khronos is creating a portable API that will run on top of Vulkan, Metal, and Microsoft DirectX 12.

More: Intel officially supports the Vulkan 3D graphics API on newest integrated GPUs

Jon Peddie, president of Jon Peddie Research, described the reasons behind the Khronos decision to develop the new overlay:

“The golden age of application portability through OpenGL and OpenGL ES being available on all desktop and mobile systems is passing. Developers now want to tap into the enhanced performance of the new generation explicit APIs: Vulkan, DX12 and Metal. Every cross-platform developer, as well as WebGL, is facing the challenge of rendering portably and efficiently across systems using all three of these APIs.”

In other words, in spite of Vulkan’s official presence on all but Apple’s platform, things remain too fragmented. The solution, according to Khronos, is to develop a portable API that will allow developers to write a single application capable of running on any system. One possibility is that the new portability solution could serve as the foundation for the next-gen WebGL, providing web developers with greater flexibility and access to the fastest GPUs.

While Khronos wants to build a portable API that runs as efficiently as possible, it recognizes that the solution would need to deal somehow with different rendering APIs and shaders. It proposes creating a set of APIs that would leverage where Vulkan, Metal, and DirectX 12 intersect, and omitting those APIs that are the most specific to each and thus difficult to replicate in a portable API.

The project is still in its initial planning stages and Khronos is actively seeking input. If it’s successful with creating this standardized and portable API, then we could eventually see a greater influx of cross-platform games that let gamers remain on the platforms they love without compromise.

Timebound mobile app chronicles historical events with gorgeous timelines

Why it matters to you

Americans’ knowledge of history is exceedingly poor, but Timebound could change that.

History is fascinating, but not everyone is inclined to seek it out. Uncovering what earth shattering-events happened decades ago requires effort that most folks aren’t willing to undertake — a problem that Timebound, a self-coined “time machine for iOS and Android” aims to solve.

Timebound, which launched on Kickstarter this week, offers minute-by-minute chronicles of crucial events in history. You can watch Titanic’s sinking unfold, witness the first Moon landing, see the battle of Gettysburg, attend the Woodstock festival, and more in the app’s ever-expanding collection of media-rich digests.

More: You can now explore the White House in VR thanks to the new 1600 app

Each Timebound “story” looks a little like a timeline. But unlike the text-heavy accounts that pervade most of the web, the app features graphics like images, maps, audio, and other media. Push notifications keep you updated on unfolding events in real-time — you might receive a link to the “JFK Assassination” feed, or a countdown timer for “Man on the Moon.” And each story is written by an editorial team with a collective 37 years in publishing, and vetted by an “academic historian” for accuracy.

Even better: Timebound is ever-expanding. When the app launches in may, it will gain a new story each week. You’ll be able to start following them right away, or wait for a specific date and “live through the event in full calendar sync.” A limited number will be free to follow, but access to the Timebound archive will require an annual subscription ($10 for Kickstarter backers).

“We think of Timebound as an entry point to history,” the Timebound team said. “The app isn’t just beautiful and entertaining — each event is carefully researched from different points of view, [and] only facts from reliable sources make it into Timebound […] History will become a part of your daily life.”

More: 100 awesome iPhone apps for 2017

That’s an increasingly urgent mission. According to a recent United States Department of Education’s National Assessment of Educational Progress, only 20 percent of fourth-grade students, 17 percent of eighth graders, and 12 percent of high school seniors scored at or above “proficient” on standardized U.S. history tests. And in survey of college students at America’s top 55 colleges and universities, only 23 correctly identified James Madison as the Constitution’s principle author — at the same time, 99 percent correctly identified Beavis and Butthead.

“The problem is ignorance, not stupidity,” Yale political scientist Jacob Hacker told Newsweek. “Nobody is competent to understand it all. We suffer from a lack of information rather than a lack of ability.”

With a little luck and a successful crowdfunding campaign, perhaps Timebound can turn the trend around.

7 pesky LG V10 problems, and what to do about them

There are plenty of reasons to recommend the LG V10, but no phone is perfect and it can be frustrating when your device refuses to behave as it should. We’ve been digging around to uncover the most common complaints regarding the V10, many of which keep cropping up on user forums and around the web. None of these LG V10 problems are insurmountable, so if you’re suffering from an issue, then try one of the suggested fixes or workarounds below.

More: 15 awesome LG V10 tips and tricks

Problem: Phone stuck in a boot loop

To say that a few people have had their LG V10 get stuck in a boot loop would be an understatement. You can find forum threads galore that are full of people complaining about what may be the phone’s biggest issue. If you weren’t already aware, a boot loop is when a device shuts down (sometimes on its own), restarts, gets as far as the LG logo, and restarts again. It has become such a widespread problem that a class-action lawsuit has been filed against LG.

Potential solutions:

• Wait. A few people have left their phones alone for about 20 mins, only to return and see that the device managed to start up correctly.
• A hard reset has helped some people, provided they’re able to trigger it before the phone restarts again. Keep in mind, however, that you may lose some important data if you were not fortunate enough to have a recently made backup.
  • Start by turning your phone completely off, then hold down the Volume Down and Power keys. When the LG logo appears, release the Power key and immediately hold it down again.
  • When “Factory data reset” appears, use the Volume keys to highlight the option, and use the Power key to confirm your selection.
  • When you see the option to “Erase all user data and restore default settings,” use the Volume keys to highlight it and Power to confirm your decision.
• Reaching out to LG may also net you a repair or replacement device. That said, the boot loop problem could pop up again in the future with a new phone.

Problem: Poor battery life

Quite a few LG V10 owners have expressed some disappointment in the battery life of their device. It has a 3,000mAh battery, but with a high resolution 5.7-inch display — and that secondary display to power — it may not last as long as you’d hope. Thankfully, the V10 does charge up quickly, but there are also some ways to extend the battery life when you don’t have access to an outlet.

Workarounds:

• The battery is removable, so you could always buy a spare. You can buy an LG V10 battery and charger from Amazon for $60.
• The screen always has the biggest impact on battery, so set it to auto-brightness or turn the brightness down as far as you comfortably can.
• You might also consider heading into Settings > Location and switching the Mode to Battery saving.
• Some people found that battery life was further improved after turning off VoLTE in Settings > Call.
• Check out our general tips for saving smartphone battery life for more ideas, as well as this Verizon support page detailing ways to extend battery life.
• You could try disabling apps that you aren’t using. Carrier bloatware, in particular, can cause battery drain, but it’s also important to research the individual apps before you disable them. Go to Settings > General > Apps and scroll to the All tab to see everything that’s installed. Tap on apps you don’t want and uninstall or disable them.
• Some apps can only be removed if you root your LG V10. Rooting will also give you the option to tweak performance in other ways and try different ROMs, but it may also void your warranty.

Potential fixes:

• There’s a good chance that an app or apps are responsible for any unusual battery drain, particularly if you find that your LG V10 is overheating. You can take a look in Settings > Device > Battery to get an idea of what is guzzling the power. You can also test this idea by booting into safe mode. Hold down the Power button, then tap and hold Power off and tap Restart in Safe mode > OK. If your battery woes are gone in safe mode, then you need to go through your third-party apps and uninstall them one-by-one to find the culprit, or go straight for a factory reset and install selectively afterward.
• Before you factory reset, try wiping the cache partition. Go to Settings > Storage > Cached data and tap Yes to delete it.
• A few people report that a factory reset vastly improved their battery life. Make sure you back up everything important first, then go to Settings > General > Backup & reset > Reset phone > Erase everything > OK.
• There’s a chance that you have a faulty battery. If nothing else seems to help, go to your carrier, retailer, or LG and ask about a replacement handset.

Glitch: Fingerprint sensor not working

A lot of people on the Android Central forums have been complaining about the fingerprint sensor on the LG V10 not working properly. It should be fast and smooth, so if you find that it fails frequently, then there’s obviously something wrong. The best method seems to be to press the button and then leave your finger on the sensor to be scanned, and make sure that you’re touching the metal sides of the LG V10 as you do it. You should also make sure that your finger is clean and dry.

Workarounds:

• Cases are causing issues for some people. Try removing your case and see how well it works.
• You can increase the chances of it working by rerecording your fingerprints and using the same finger for more than one recording. Go to Settings > Fingerprints & security > Fingerprints > Add fingerprint and record it from multiple angles. Now do the same process again for the same finger. Just make sure to keep changing the angle to increase the chances it will recognize it.

Potential fixes:

Turn off the phone, then remove and re-insert the battery. Turn the phone back on.
If you determine that the case you’re using is the problem, then you have a few different options:

• Try deleting the stored fingerprint and set it up fresh with the case on the LG V10.
• Some people think that the problem is a lack of contact with the metal sides of the V10. Try squeezing the sides of the case when you use the fingerprint sensor, or touch an exposed part of the sides if there is an opening.
• Put some aluminum tape on the inside of the case, touching the sides where you naturally hold it when using the fingerprint sensor.

Some people report that a software update greatly improved their success rate with the fingerprint sensor. Check in Settings > About phone > Software version to make sure you’re up to date.

Issue: Second screen light bleed

If you notice that there’s light bleeding from the second screen on your LG V10, then you are not alone. Quite a few people have complained about this. If you want to check, then go into a dark room and take a look at the edges of your second screen when the main screen is off.

Workaround:

• There really isn’t much you can do about this. A lot of people have suggested that there are differences between models based on manufacturing, but others claim that every LG V10 has this issue because of the separate backlight for the second screen (which should only come on when the main screen is off). Sometimes the light bleed is really noticeable, sometimes it isn’t, and it might be in the top left corner or in the right. For that reason, you might get an LG V10 handset with less bleed if you exchange it, but there’s obviously no guarantee. You may also find that your carrier or retailer might not want to acknowledge this as a fault, which could be a problem if you’ve gone past your no questions asked exchange period.

Problem: Wi-Fi slow or keeps dropping

Quite a few LG V10 owners have had problems with Wi-Fi networks. The phone may refuse to connect, the connection may be slow, or it might drop altogether from time to time. Some owners have also had their Wi-Fi hotspots turn off automatically, even when it’s been set not to. This is always a common issue with smartphones and there are lots of different things you can try.

Potential fixes:

• Turn your LG V10 and your router off, and then turn them on again. This often works, but it’s rarely a permanent fix.
• Go to Settings > Wi-Fi, long press on your troublesome router, then tap Forget network and try setting it up from scratch.
• Take a look in Settings > General > Battery and check that Battery saver isn’t interfering with your Wi-Fi.
• Check in Settings > General > Smart Settings and make sure nothing in here is interfering with your Wi-Fi.
• If you’re connecting to 5GHz and there’s a 2.4GHz option, or vice versa, try switching to see if it makes a difference.
• Use a free app like Wifi Analyzer to make sure that your channels aren’t too crowded. If you find that you’re using a busy channel, then try switching to a different one.
• Check that the MAC filter on your router is off, or add your LG V10 MAC address. You should find it listed in Settings > Wi-Fi > More > Advanced.
• Make sure that Keep Wi-Fi on during sleep is set to Always. You’ll find it in Settings > Wi-Fi > More > Advanced.
• Make sure that your router firmware is up to date. Check with your ISP or manufacturer about updates.

Problem: Screen burn

Many people are reporting that a phenomenon similar to screen burn is blemishing their smartphone display. Complaints about this problem began early last year, and have continued into 2017.

Potential solutions:

• Many have said that the screen burn, or ghost image, will disappear on its own after some time.
• Some users have recommended apps such as CF Lumen and sFilter. Both are meant to adjust the colors and brightness on your LG V10’s display.
  • XDA forums user dacha1984 recommends doing the following if you’re using sFilter: Set Filter Opacity to 15 percent, Screen Dimmer to 50 percent, select black color, and set all to ON.
• Since some owners aren’t experiencing problems related to screen burn, there’s a chance that a replacement handset will not suffer from the same issue. Try contacting your carrier, retailer, or LG. Even if you decide to stick with your faulty headset, you should report the problem so that LG is more likely to roll out a fix at some point.

Problem: No audio when using Bluetooth

A couple of problems the V10 has faced have stuck around since the phone’s launch, namely those pertaining to Bluetooth. Specifically, users on the Android Central forums have been unable to get audio to work when connecting their phone to their Bluetooth headphones, Bluetooth speakers, or their car.

Potential solutions:

• Restart your phone and whatever Bluetooth accessory you’re trying to connect to.
• Check for an update for your V10. Check in Settings > About phone > Software version and make sure your phone is up to date. If your car needs an update, be sure to update its software capabilities as well.
• Unpair or forget your Bluetooth devices, then pair them to your phone again.
  • If you’re specifically having issues connecting your phone to your car via Bluetooth, unpair both your car and phone from one another, and restart your phone. Then, remove and reinsert the battery. Try pairing again.
• Back up your phone and perform a factory reset by going to Settings > General > Backup & reset > Reset phone > Erase everything > OK.

This article was originally posted on January 16, 2016, and updated on March 21 by Kyree Leary to include problems related to boot loop, poor connectivity, and screen burn.

Vudu’s updated mobile app now lets you convert your discs to digital movies

Why it matters to you

If you want to ditch your discs but keep the movies, this might be the easiest solution yet.

If you’re looking for ways to clear out space in your living room, ditching your collection of Blu-ray and DVD movies is one option, but you don’t want to get rid of the movies themselves, fo course. For years, streaming service Vudu has offered a service to convert your physical media to digital copies. Now that process has gotten easier, as today the company is introducing Mobile Disc-to-Digital, a feature that lets you use the Vudu mobile app to move your movie collection into the cloud.

“The average movie collector owns nearly 100 DVDs and Blu-rays. We know these customers have invested a lot into building their physical movie collections,” Vudu general manager Jeremy Verba said in a statement. “As more and more customers create digital libraries, we are constantly looking for ways to help them unlock additional value from the movies they already own.”

More: Vudu begins offering free ad-supported movies with Movies On Us service

The process is simple: scan the disc’s bar code, choose your resolution — SD or HDX (high-bitrate 1080p) — and you’re ready to go. To save time, you can scan any number of discs before choosing your resolution and completing the process. There are also restrictions in place to keep users from converting a friend’s physical collection to their own digital collection. Despite the mobile nature of the app, Mobile Disc-to-Digital conversions need to take place at the billing address of the account being used.

How much Disc-to-Digital costs depends on both the media being converted and what it is being converted to. Blu-ray to HDX costs $2 per disc, as does converting DVD to standard definition digital. If you’d like to convert a DVD to HDX, the price jumps to $5 per disc. In order to give customers a feel for the service before spending any money, all Vudu users get their first mobile conversion for free.

More: Apple has just rolled out a useful update to improve your iTunes movies experience

Mobile Disc-to-Digital isn’t available for every movie in Vudu’s catalog, though it supports nearly 8,000 titles right now. The library of available movies includes titles from Lionsgate, Paramount Home Media Distribution, Sony Pictures Home Entertainment, Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment, Universal Pictures Home Entertainment, and Warner Bros. Home Entertainment, with more expected to be added in the coming months.

For more information on Vudu’s Mobile Disc-to-Digital, see the company’s website.

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 make paid apps 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

Silver16

Silver16 is a retro, vertical scrolling space shooter arcade game with upgrades, bonuses and power-ups. With nearly 250,000 unique ship configurations, unlimited worlds, and unlimited upgrades, Silver16 supplies nearly endless game play and replay value.

Available on:

iOS

Brave Bubbles

Embark on a fun underwater journey! Play as many unique, colorful characters. Explore various levels, each with its own unique art style. Avoid the hungry shark and compete for the highest score.

Available on:

iOS

Note-ify

Note-ify Notes is a simple and convenient note-taking app. Organize your notes, ideas, shopping lists, tasks, and different reference information. It features a user-friendly and customizable interface.

Available on:

iOS

Sketch Bench

Create cool and realistic sketches and paintings with this unique Can you imagine creating lifelike drawings, realistic sketches and beautiful paintings all with just one app? You can do it with Sketch Bench.

Available on:

iOS

22tracks

22tracks focuses on presenting the best undiscovered and underground music in 12 different music styles. This way you can easily find new gems and boost your Discover Weekly and Release Radar algorithms at the same time.

Available on:

iOS

Major League Game Day Pro

Spring Training Special! Catch all of the Regular season, Playoff’s, and World Series games. Major League Game Day Pro Baseball Radio is connected to all 30 Major League teams in hi-def radio streams.

Available on:

iOS

This Apple patent would transform your iPhone or iPad into a MacBook

Why it matters to you

Apple’s latest patent — if it comes to fruition — could turn your mobile device into a workstation, bridging the gap between smartphones and tablets and dedicated PCs.

Almost since the inception of smartphones, companies have tried to turn mobile devices into full-fledged desktop computers by way of docks and other accessories. And while the concept on paper sounds incredibly useful and simple, poor execution, and high cost have kept these devices out of users’ reach.

Now it appears Apple has considered doing the same with the iPhone and iPad, if an application published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office is any indication.

More: Samsung Galaxy S8 rumors and news leaks

The diagrams show two MacBook-style shells, one with a slot for an iPhone where the trackpad would normally go, and one in place of the computer’s display, where you’d dock an iPad. According to the patent, which was discovered by AppleInsider, the notebook portion could house additional ports, an external graphics card for added power, and even more memory — alongside a physical keyboard, of course.

U.S. Patent and Trademark Office

The iPhone or iPad — termed the “host” device in the language of the filing — could interface with the dock via a physical connector, like Lightning, or wirelessly via Bluetooth. When docked, an iPhone’s touchscreen could serve as a makeshift trackpad. The iPad-compatible variant, meanwhile, comes with its own trackpad, but the tablet would also act as a touchscreen. Many have clamored for Apple to build a MacBook with a touchscreen, as lots of Windows notebooks have that capability nowadays, and this proposal would almost make that a reality.

Like so many other pitches to transform mobile devices into dedicated workstations, Apple’s bears some promise. But then there are the typical questions. Would it simply run a larger version of iOS, or another operating system more akin to MacOS? If it did use another operating system, what apps could it run? How would iOS apps scale to the larger screen? Would developers be willing to develop specialized apps for this thing? And, for iPad Pro users, would the dock play nice with the Apple Pencil?

These questions may seem secondary to the practicality of carrying a desktop-caliber computer in your pocket wherever you go, but they do impact usability. And they’re the reason why many prospective customers simply opt to buy a dedicated notebook or desktop for more serious use cases, rather than having to wonder about whether their phone or tablet will be up to the task.

U.S. Patent and Trademark Office

It’s also worth noting that Apple is not the only major smartphone manufacturer involved with this feature. Windows Phones have had it for years — Microsoft calls it Continuum. And then, of course, there’s the recent rumor that Samsung will release a pocket-sized dock alongside the upcoming Galaxy S8 — complete with its own cooling fan, no less — that will turn that phone into a desktop as well.

It’s always been a popular idea, and perhaps mobile technology has finally reached a point where it’s more viable for users than it ever was before. Compared to other Apple patents that have surfaced as of late — touch-enabled iPhone cases, rollable iPads, and cracked screens that diagnose themselves — this one certainly appears to be the most immediately possible. The filing dates back to September 2016, and as always with patents, does not guarantee the product will see the light of day.

This Apple patent would transform your iPhone or iPad into a MacBook

Why it matters to you

Apple’s latest patent — if it comes to fruition — could turn your mobile device into a workstation, bridging the gap between smartphones and tablets and dedicated PCs.

Almost since the inception of smartphones, companies have tried to turn mobile devices into full-fledged desktop computers by way of docks and other accessories. And while the concept on paper sounds incredibly useful and simple, poor execution, and high cost have kept these devices out of users’ reach.

Now it appears Apple has considered doing the same with the iPhone and iPad, if an application published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office is any indication.

More: Samsung Galaxy S8 rumors and news leaks

The diagrams show two MacBook-style shells, one with a slot for an iPhone where the trackpad would normally go, and one in place of the computer’s display, where you’d dock an iPad. According to the patent, which was discovered by AppleInsider, the notebook portion could house additional ports, an external graphics card for added power, and even more memory — alongside a physical keyboard, of course.

U.S. Patent and Trademark Office

The iPhone or iPad — termed the “host” device in the language of the filing — could interface with the dock via a physical connector, like Lightning, or wirelessly via Bluetooth. When docked, an iPhone’s touchscreen could serve as a makeshift trackpad. The iPad-compatible variant, meanwhile, comes with its own trackpad, but the tablet would also act as a touchscreen. Many have clamored for Apple to build a MacBook with a touchscreen, as lots of Windows notebooks have that capability nowadays, and this proposal would almost make that a reality.

Like so many other pitches to transform mobile devices into dedicated workstations, Apple’s bears some promise. But then there are the typical questions. Would it simply run a larger version of iOS, or another operating system more akin to MacOS? If it did use another operating system, what apps could it run? How would iOS apps scale to the larger screen? Would developers be willing to develop specialized apps for this thing? And, for iPad Pro users, would the dock play nice with the Apple Pencil?

These questions may seem secondary to the practicality of carrying a desktop-caliber computer in your pocket wherever you go, but they do impact usability. And they’re the reason why many prospective customers simply opt to buy a dedicated notebook or desktop for more serious use cases, rather than having to wonder about whether their phone or tablet will be up to the task.

U.S. Patent and Trademark Office

It’s also worth noting that Apple is not the only major smartphone manufacturer involved with this feature. Windows Phones have had it for years — Microsoft calls it Continuum. And then, of course, there’s the recent rumor that Samsung will release a pocket-sized dock alongside the upcoming Galaxy S8 — complete with its own cooling fan, no less — that will turn that phone into a desktop as well.

It’s always been a popular idea, and perhaps mobile technology has finally reached a point where it’s more viable for users than it ever was before. Compared to other Apple patents that have surfaced as of late — touch-enabled iPhone cases, rollable iPads, and cracked screens that diagnose themselves — this one certainly appears to be the most immediately possible. The filing dates back to September 2016, and as always with patents, does not guarantee the product will see the light of day.

Oppo F3 Plus: Our First Take

It’s a massive phone, but the Oppo F3 Plus’s dual-lens front camera puts a new twist on what’s rapidly becoming an established trend.

Whether you want to shoot glorious wide-angle shots of stunning landscapes, zoom in for a close-up, or add a blurry bokeh effect to your photo, dual-lens cameras are a lot of fun on our smartphones. However, they’re mainly found on the back of the device. Oppo is no stranger to making unusual, but often excellent, camera phones, and for the new F3 Plus, it put the dual-lens camera on the front of the phone instead.

What does it do? It’s much like LG’s dual-lens camera setup, in that it has a standard angle lens and a wide-angle lens, but they’re for taking selfies and group selfies rather than landscape shots. The standard lens has 16 megapixels and a f/2.0 aperture, while the 120-degree wide-angle lens has 8 megapixels. On the rear is a single camera lens, produced by Sony, with 16-megapixels and an impressive f/1.7 aperture. It also has a dual phase detection auto-focus system and oversize 1.4-micron pixels.

Everything from the sleep/wake key to the speaker grill simply screams “iPhone 6S Plus.”

Let’s go through some other specifications. The Oppo F3 Plus has a massive 6-inch screen that uses in-cell technology for a high level of sensitivity, a 1,920 x 1,080-pixel resolution, and a large sheet of Gorilla Glass 5 over the top. An aluminum body surrounds it with minimal bezels, and it weighs 185 grams. Naturally, this is a big phone, and it’s larger than both the iPhone 7 Plus and the Huawei Mate 9.

Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 653 processor with 4GB of RAM powers the F3 Plus. Energy is provided by a 4,000mAh battery, which also benefits from Oppo’s effective VOOC fast charging system. There’s 64GB of internal storage space and a MicroSD card slot built into a crazy triple-space SIM tray, which will still accept two SIM cards even with the MicroSD card in place.

No, it’s not an iPhone

Like many other Oppo smartphones, the F3 Plus is highly reminiscent of Apple’s iPhone. The gold version we’ve tried out has a white front panel and a gold body, with a single rear camera lens in the top left, and the Oppo brand name top center. Everything from the position of the sleep/wake key to the speaker grill simply screams “iPhone 6S Plus.”

More: Oppo’s new camera tech uses prisms for clearer photos

The only deviation is the antenna lines which run across the top and bottom of the body. Oppo has split them into three tightly spaced tramlines, and it looks great. The display is raised slightly away from the body, creating a slight ridge. It’s not uncomfortable, and presumably, gives more internal space to accommodate the large battery.

Selfies, and group selfies

If the Oppo F3 Plus is all about selfies, how do they look? They’re great. A button swaps between the lenses, and the wide-angle mode would easily fit in three or four people into the standard shot, with the phone held at arm’s length. There is some distortion around the edges of the shot, bending straight lines in the way one expects a wide-angle lens to do. At the top of the screen is a teardrop-shape button that adds a depth of field effect to the photo. Although this only operates using the standard angle lens, it looks excellent.

Andy Boxall/Digital Trends

Oppo makes a big deal out of the dual phase detection auto-focus on the rear camera, which is designed to work especially well in low light. On a cloudy, rainy English day, the rear camera certainly pulled plenty of detail out of the scene, but it washed the sky out in auto mode. We can’t pass full judgment so quickly, and it’ll definitely need more testing, but a few tweaks in manual mode may help bring out the best in what appears to be a capable camera.

Outdated software

The F3 Plus sadly has Android 6.0.1 installed, and not Android 7 Nougat. It has Oppo’s own ColorOS user interface over the top. The Android Security Patch is dated December 2016 on our test device, which is just awful, but normal for Chinese phones. ColorOS removes the app tray and changes the notification shade by splitting it into two sections — one for settings and the other for notifications — plus it adds several pre-installed apps. These include a security center, WPS Office, and various tools like a voice recorder, a music player, and a video app.

Availability and price

Oppo hasn’t announced a price for the F3 Plus yet. The F1 Plus costs around $400, and if the F3 Plus can come in around the same level, it’ll be worth investigating further. The 6-inch screen makes it tempting enough, given how few phones are made today with such a sizeable display, but the unusual selfie camera really makes it stand out from the crowd. It delivers good results as well, in our basic early tests.

If you can get past the F3 Plus looking like an iPhone, the build quality feels superb — but beware, because it’s a slippery thing.

There’s considerable potential in the F3 Plus, but a lot depends on the price.

The downside is the overall body size. It’s huge. It’s also a shame it uses an old version of Android, with a user interface which will split opinion. We haven’t enjoyed previous versions of ColorOS, but version 3.0 installed here is supposed to be faster, tidier, and kinder to battery life. We’re also hopeful the big battery will help power the F3 Plus through a couple of days’ use.

You may have to search for the F3 Plus if you want to buy one, as it’s so far only confirmed for release in parts of Asia and India, but we’re hopeful a U.S. and European release will follow in the future. There’s considerable potential in the F3 Plus, but a lot depends on the price. We’ll update here when we know more.

Highs:

• Massive screen
• Dual-lens selfie camera
• Plenty of storage space, and dual SIM slot
• Big battery and fast charging

Lows:

• No U.S. release date yet
• Old version of Android

Microsoft is licensing its tech to car firms, with Toyota first to jump on board

Why it matters to you

If Microsoft has its way, your next car might be able to run Windows 10.

Microsoft has announced a new program that will allow automobile manufacturers to utilize the company’s technology in their vehicles. The initiative is intended to help facilitate the ‘connected car,’ as public interest in more intelligent in-car functionality is expected to continue to grow over the new few years.

“The connected car represents an enormous opportunity for the auto industry, and at the core it’s a software challenge,” said Peggy Johnson, Microsoft’s executive vice president of business development, who was quoted in a blog post published by the company. “Our mission is to empower car makers with technology that allows them to focus on building even better driving experiences for their customers.”

Microsoft intends to offer a wide range of functionality to partners who enroll in the program, according to a report from MS Power User. As you might expect, the Windows operating system is set to be offered up, as well as the company’s technologies related to Wi-Fi and other forms of connectivity, along with its exFAT file storage and transfer solution for in-car entertainment.

More: Toyota and Microsoft team up with rally legend Tommi Mäkinen for 2017 WRC series

However, Microsoft also plans to implement some of its existing research and development in new ways, such as by using lessons learned from the Xbox’s Kinect peripheral to develop interfaces that can be controlled via simple gestures while driving. There are also plans to keep cars and their on-board computer systems safe using the latest security advances, and the suggestion that artificial intelligence might be implemented on the road.

The first company to take Microsoft up on its offer of in-car technology is Toyota, although neither company would share details on the specifics of their agreement. This partnership comes as little surprise, as the two firms have been collaborating since April 2016 on the Toyota Connected initiative, and have enjoyed a working relationship for even longer.