How to flash Android O factory image on Nexus, Pixel devices

Like last year, Google has released a developer preview for Android O two months before the company’s developer conference. There’s no public over-the-air update this time around, though, so you’ll have to manually flash the system images to your phone.

More: Android O is getting picture-in-picture mode, app icon badges, and more

Google has posted factory images for the Nexus 5X, 6P, Nexus Player, Pixel C, Pixel, and Pixel XL. We should caution, however, that the first developer preview is often the buggiest. There could be bugs that brick your device, so make sure you back up your data before you do anything. Google also mentions that a public beta will be available at a later date, and this first preview is largely for developers. Still, if you want to take a crack at seeing Android O now, we put together this comprehensive guide detailing each and every step of the way.

How to flash the factory image

Flashing the factory image differs from installing the over-the-air (OTA) update in that the factory image contains the full system files for your device, whereas the OTA update contains only the upgrade information. In other words, flashing a factory image is more like completely deleting all the software on your device and replacing it. The OTA will only replace what is being changed since your last update.

Some people prefer to install the OTA update since you don’t have to do a factory reset, while others like the factory image method because it’s like starting from scratch with a fresh install of the entire system. It’s more of a pain to factory reset your device, but you are less prone to some of those annoying bugs that seem to crop up after an OTA update.

Remember to make sure all your data is backed up, because you will lose all your data on the device when you unlock the bootloader, which is required for flashing. There is no way to unlock a bootloader without a factory reset. However, if you happen to already have an unlocked bootloader, then you can forgo the factory reset if you wish. We will show you how later on, but we still recommend that you back up your data in case something goes wrong.

Installing ADB and Fastboot

In order to flash the factory image to your Nexus or Pixel device, you must have ADB and Fastboot installed on your desktop computer. ADB stands for Android Debug Bridge, and it allows you to send commands to your Android device over USB through a terminal/command-line interface such as Windows Command Prompt. Fastboot allows you to unlock the bootloader on your Android device.

There are two methods to getting ADB and Fastboot on your computer. The first is to download and install the Android SDK tools from the Android developer site. This method will work on Windows, Mac, and Linux machines. If you’re a Windows user, you can download and install Minimal ADB and Fastboot instead, which is actually the easiest method. However, we recommend installing the Android SDK tools because the download will also give you the Google USB drivers at the same time, which you will need in order for your computer to recognize your device. If you do decide to install Minimal ADB and Fastboot, you can still download the Google USB drivers separately. We will show you how to do that later.

Follow the instructions below for either installing the Android SDK tools or Minimal ADB and Fastboot.

Download and install the Android SDK tools

Click here to download and install the Android SDK Tools from Google’s developer site. There are choices for Windows, Mac, and Linux. These instructions are for Windows machines.
When asked what directory to install the software to, we recommend that you set it to C:android-sdk. If you choose a different location, just make sure you remember it.
Once the Android SDK Tools are installed, launch the download from the Start Menu.
The SDK Manager will open. Just uncheck everything except Android SDK Platform-tools and Google USB Driver. Android SDK Platform-tools is at the top and Google USB Driver is toward the bottom.
Click on Install 2 packages at the bottom right.
Check Accept license and click Install.

ADB and Fastboot will now reside in the C:android-sdkplatform-tools folder if you followed step 2 as outlined. If you chose a different directory, than ADB and Fastboot will reside in the platform-tools folder under whatever location you chose to install the Android SDK Tools to in step 2.

Download and install Minimal ADB and Fastboot

Click here to download minimal_adb_fastboot_v1.3.1_setup.exe from the XDA forums. Note: the version number could be different if a newer version is released after this post has been published.
Launch the minimal_adb_fastboot_v1.3.1_setup.exe file.
When asked which directory to install the software to, we recommend that you set it to C:android-sdkplatform-tools, since we will be using that location for the rest of this guide. If you choose a different location, just make sure you remember it.

Downloading the Android O Developer Preview factory system image

Now it’s time to grab the most recent version of the Android Nougat or Android O Developer Preview factory image. Please click on one of the following links to download the appropriate file for your device.

• Google’s Developer Preview site – Android O updates

Just make sure to select the version that matches your device. This is very important, because you must flash the Nexus 5 image on a Nexus 5. A Pixel XL image won’t work on a Nexus 5.

You will notice that each device has a bunch of links under it. Google makes it easy to revert back to an older update if you wish. The most recent update is generally at the bottom of the list. The Android O developer preview is available for the Pixel, Pixel XL, Pixel C, Nexus Player, Nexus 6P, and Nexus 5X.

Note: Google will post factory images for each and every update moving forward. This means that you can follow this guide again and continue to get the latest preview of Android O right away without the need to wait until your device receives the OTA update automatically.

Extracting the contents of the system image

The downloaded file should have .tgz as its extension, and you need to extract the contents before going further. The best thing to do is download and install 7 Zip. There is an unofficial version for Macs as well. Once 7 Zip is installed on your machine, follow these steps:

Open the 7 Zip File Manager and navigate to the folder that you saved the .tgz file in.
Double click on the .tgz file.
You will now see a file with a .tar extension.
Double click on this file to show the contents (this will take about a minute or more).
After it has opened, you should have a folder with the codename of your device as part of the title (ex. marlin for Pixel XL), Double click on it.
You should now see a collection of files. Select all of them, and click on Extract to extract all the contents. Type in the destination C:program files (x86)androidandroid-sdkplatform-tools (if you installed the full SDK) or whatever directory ADB and Fastboot are installed in.

Enabling USB debugging and connecting your Nexus or Pixel device via USB to your desktop

Now you need to make sure USB debugging is enabled on your Nexus or Pixel device. Open Settings on your Nexus or Pixel device. If  you do not see Developer Options toward the bottom of the Settings screen on your device, follow these steps to activate them.

Tap on About Phone and find the Build Number.
Tap on the Build Number seven times and the Developer Options will appear on the main page of the Settings.
Tap on the Back key to see the Developer Options.
Tap on Developer Options.
Check to enable USB Debugging.

Before you connect your device to the USB port on your computer, you want to make sure you have the appropriate drivers installed. You should be all set if you opted to install the Android SDK Tools. If you instead chose to install Minimal ADB and Fastboot, you can grab them here. Since you’re working with a Nexus or Pixel device, you specifically want the Google USB Drivers. The download will be a zip file, so extract the contents where you wish, and remember the location.

Now connect your device via a USB cable, and you are ready to flash the zip file that you extracted earlier. If you’re connecting your Nexus or Pixel device to your computer for the first time, you will get a popup box on your Nexus or Pixel device stating what the computer’s RSA Key is. Just check Always Allow From This Computer and tap on OK.

If your Nexus or Pixel device doesn’t show the RSA key popup, then open the notification panel, select USB For Charging Only, and change the mode to Transfer Photos (PTP).

If your Nexus or Pixel device still doesn’t show the RSA key popup, then follow these instructions:

On your Windows desktop, go to your Control Panel then Device Manager.
You should see your Nexus or Pixel device under Other Devices with a Yellow ! mark on it.
Right-click on it and select update driver.
Choose Browse my computer for driver software, and choose the directory where the Google USB Drivers are located. If you chose to install the Android SDK tools and followed our instructions, they should be in the C:android-sdkextrasgoogleusb driver folder. If you chose to manually download the Google USB drivers, just navigate to the folder that you archived the contents of the Zip file in.

If your device still doesn’t show the RSA key approval popup, then open the command prompt on your desktop and navigate to the folder where ADB and Fastboot reside. If you followed our instructions from the Installing ADB and Fastboot section, it will be in the C:android-sdkplatform-tools folder. Just type cdandroid-sdkplatform-tools at the command prompt in Windows. If ADB and Fastboot are somewhere else, just navigate to that location instead.

Type “ADB devices” and you should get the following result:

The RSA key approval popup should now be visible on your Pixel device. Just check Always Allow From This Computer and tap OK.

Type “ADB devices” again, and you should get the following result with a different device key:

You are now ready to flash the factory image.

Flashing the Android O Developer Preview factory image

If your device doesn’t have an unlocked bootloader, follow the instructions below. 

This process will require a factory reset, so make sure you have your important data backed up.

Open the Command Prompt in Windows or Terminal on a Mac and navigate to the folder that ADB and Fastboot are installed in. Again, if you followed our instructions from the Installing ADB and Fastboot section, it will be in the C:android-sdkplatform-tools folder. Just type “cdandroid-sdkplatform-tools” at the prompt in Windows. If ADB and Fastboot are somewhere else, just navigate to that location instead. To make things easier, so you don’t have to type out long directories, you can also paste it by pressing ALT and the spacebar, then choose Edit before selecting Paste.

If you’re using a Mac, you need to add the platform tools directory to your $PATH. In terminal, type “sudo nano/etc/paths”. Now enter your password, go to the bottom of the file, and enter the full path of the “platform tools” directory. Hit control-x to quit and enter Y to save.

The following ADB commands are for Windows machines. If you’re using a Mac, just add “./” before each command, for example: “./adb reboot bootloader”.

Assuming you device is already connected to your computer via USB and USB Debugging is enabled, you need to re-start it in fastboot mode. Follow one of the two methods below. Option A may be preferable because it’s another confirmation that your computer recognizes your Nexus or Pixel device.

A) Type “adb reboot bootloader”

B) Turn your device off, then turn it back on while holding down the relevant key combinations for your device. For many devices it’s Volume Up + Volume Down + Power. You can see what your device’s key combinations are here.

Type fastboot oem unlock to unlock you device. As a final warning, this step will erase everything on your device.
Type flash-all to install the bootloader, baseband firmware(s), and operating system. If you get a missing system.img error, then scroll down to bottom of this page for further instructions.
This process could take several minutes, so it’s important not to power off or disconnect the device. Once it’s finished, your device will reboot and the latest version of Android O will be installed.
You can opt to re-lock the bootloader if you wish, but assuming you will do this again with a future update, you might want to leave it unlocked, so you don’t have to perform a factory reset again. If you do want to re-lock, just follow Step 2 above and change Step 3 to fastboot oem lock. That’s it.

If your device already has an unlocked bootloader and you don’t want to do a factory reset and lose your data, follow the instructions below.

Open the Command Prompt in Windows or Terminal on a Mac and navigate to the folder that ADB and Fastboot are installed in. Again, if you followed our instructions from the Installing ADB and Fastboot section, it will be in the C:android-sdkplatform-tools folder. Just type “cdandroid-sdkplatform-tools” at the prompt in Windows. If ADB and Fastboot are somewhere else, just navigate to that location instead. To make things easier, so you don’t have to type out long directories, you can also paste it by pressing ALT and the spacebar, then choose Edit before selecting Paste.

If you’re using a Mac, you need to add the platform tools directory to your $PATH. In terminal, type “sudo nano/etc/paths”. Now enter your password, go to the bottom of the file, and enter the full path of the “platform tools” directory. Hit control-x to quit and enter Y to save.

The following ADB commands are for Windows machines. If you’re using a Mac, just add “./” before each command, for example: “./adb reboot bootloader”.

Assuming you device is already connected to your computer via USB and USB Debugging is enabled, you need to re-start it in fastboot mode. Follow one of the two methods below. Option A may be preferable because it’s another confirmation that your computer recognizes your Nexus or Pixel device.

A) Type “adb reboot bootloader”

B) Turn your device off, then turn it back on while holding down the relevant key combinations for your device. For many devices it’s Volume Up + Volume Down + Power. You can see what your device’s key combinations are here.

You will need to edit the flash-all.bat file that you extracted from the factory image, which should be in the same directory as ADB and Fastboot. Just open it with any simple text editor such as WordPad. You will see a line that starts with “fastboot -w update……..” Just remove the -w from this line. The -w flag wipes your data, so removing it will obviously stop that from happening.
Type flash-all to install the bootloader, baseband firmware(s), and operating system. If you get a missing system.img error, then scroll down to bottom of this page for further instructions.
This process could take several minutes, so it’s important not to power off or disconnect the device. Once it’s finished, your device will reboot and the latest version of Android O will be installed.

If you get a missing system.img error in Step 4 of either method, then follow these instructions

Extract all the files from the .zip file, which happens to be one of the files extracted from the original .tgz you downloaded from Google. The Zip file name probably begins with “image.” There should be various .img files within this Zip file. On top of this, you already have bootloader and radio .img files in the same directory. Just make sure all the .img files (from Zip file) and the ones that were already extracted are in the same directory as ADB and fastboot. Now you are going to flash each .img file separately.

If you don’t have either one of the bootloader or radio .img files, don’t worry, not all devices need them. It’s also important to follow this exact order. At the CMD prompt and in the C:program files (x86)androidandroid-sdkplatform-tools directory (if you installed the full SDK) or wherever ADB and fastboot reside. Remember, add ./ before each command if you’re using a Mac.

type fastboot flash bootloader [name of your file].img

type fastboot flash radio [name of your file].img

type fastboot reboot-bootloader

type fastboot flash recovery recovery.img

type fastboot flash boot boot.img

type fastboot flash system system.img

Lastly, if you want, you can wipe the cache with this command – fastboot flash cache cache.img

Now it’s time to enjoy your Android O update. Remember, you can follow this guide again when Google issues its next Android update, so be sure to bookmark this page for later reference. If we missed anything, or if you have any other tips, please don’t hesitate to let us know in the comments.

This article was originally published on July 7, and updated on March 21 by Christian de Looper to reflect availability.

Court: Claiming you forgot your decryption password can be contempt of court

Why it matters to you

The ruling holds that judges can find you in contempt of court for failing to decrypt a device that may contain evidence.

Refusing to decrypt your hard drive for authorities, even if you’ve allegedly forgotten the password, is still considered contempt of court. That’s according to a U.S. Third Circuit Court of Appeals ruling handed down this week, which upheld a lower court ruling.

The John Doe at the center of the case had argued that not decrypting his hard drives was allowed under his Fifth Amendment right to avoid self-incrimination. The man is accused of owning child pornography. Several devices were seized upon his arrest including a Mac Pro, two external hard drives, an iPhone 5S, and an iPhone 6 Plus.

According to court documents published by The Register, the defendant had voluntarily handed over the password for one of his iPhones but refused to do so for his Mac and the two external hard drives. The authorities eventually got access to the Mac with help from forensic analysts but have been unable to decrypt the external hard drives.

Through their investigation, the analysts determined that the computer had been used to download files from sites that hosted child abuse material, however these files were not found on the Mac. The police believe they are stored on the external hard drives, citing a statement from the defendant’s sister indicating that she said she saw these files on the drives.

More: Microsoft, Amazon, Apple join Google in its fight with FBI over foreign emails

The defendant had already provided access to his iPhone 6 Plus where police did indeed find incriminating material.

“Forensic analysts also found an additional 2,015 videos and photographs in an encrypted application on Doe’s phone, which Doe had opened for the police by entering a password,” said the ruling.

Based on this, the police felt that there was reasonable cause for decrypting the hard drives in the same way the other devices were decrypted. However, John Doe failed to provide access to the hard drives because “he could not remember the passwords necessary to decrypt the hard drives,” Several incorrect password attempts were made during the examination.

The judge overseeing the case thinks otherwise, though, and stated that the defendant was lying and “chose not to reveal [the passwords] because of the devices’ contents” which amounts to contempt of court.

An attorney for the Electronic Frontier Foundation told The Register that it was disappointed in the ruling. The digital rights organization is opposed to compelled password production by authorities. “Any time suspects are forced to disclose the contents of their mind, that’s enough to trigger the Fifth Amendment, end of story,” he said.

Facebook is testing a new look for its comments that looks a lot like Messenger

Why it matters to you

Conversation seems to be one of the primary purposes of Facebook and the social network is testing out a new format for people to engage in those conversations thanks to a Comments redesign.

Your interactions on Facebook might be getting a major makeover. In efforts to make all your mediums of communication seem increasingly indistinguishable from one another, the social media giant appears to be testing a new design that makes comment threads look a whole lot like messaging app threads, complete with message bubbles and all.

On Monday, a spokesperson confirmed the test to BuzzFeed, noting, “We are always working to make Facebook a more visual and engaging place to have conversations. So we’re testing multiple design updates in News Feed, including a more conversational way to comment on posts.” This is by no means the only test the company is currently conducting — it is also testing a feature that lets you see when people are in the process of typing a comment on a post (again, much like you might see in iMessage or other messaging apps), as well as having some posts pop up in new windows.

More: How to use Facebook Messenger’s secret conversations in iOS and Android

This design tweak, if fully implemented, would likely have a huge effect on all of Facebook’s nearly 2 billion users, given that comments are practically ubiquitous on the platform. After all, how many times have you engaged in a fight, or spirited discussion, via comments? Don’t worry, we’re not judging.

Of course, Facebook is always undergoing redesigns and trying out new things, so this new trial is by no means set in stone quite yet. Really, however, it just seems as though Facebook is trying to make more of its interface look like its popular Messenger app, making it harder and harder to differentiate between having a conversation in private and in public.

So if you’re seeing a new layout in your own comments, don’t be alarmed. It’s just Facebook trying out a little something new.

Like a Siri for travel, HelloGbye is a new streamlined travel-planning app

Why it matters to you

Frequent traveller? HelloGbye could take some of the headache out of the planning process by generating itineraries based on personal preferences quickly.

A new iOS app aims to take travelers from hello to goodbye even faster with streamlined travel planning. HelloGbye — launched on the app store today, March 21 — is a travel booking app and virtual assistant designed to help frequent travelers save time.

On HelloGbye, users can verbally ask or type in their travel wishes and the app will display a number of itinerary options including airfare and hotels. Tapping brings up different itinerary options. The platform also makes it possible to invite others to join in the same itinerary for group travel.

More: Travel easier with 5 apps and services for the lazy jet-setter

Besides just the speed of the voice-activated search, the app aims to shave time off the planning process by allowing users to create profiles with different preferences, like how important traveling first class is or whether having a layover-free flight is more or less important than the price of the ticket. The app also uses advanced hotel search analytics, powered by American Express. Users can also create more than one profile to, for example, create one set of preferences for business trips and another for family vacations.

The startup says the app eliminates all the forms and fields of current online travel booking options for a more user-friendly and streamlined process. The idea arose after founder Jonathan Miller was on a road trip in the middle of a storm — he tried searching for a hotel but said it wasn’t easy figuring out which ones had available rooms. HelloGbye instead offers a 30-second search by just asking the phone for what you want and getting results tailored to your profile.

“HelloGbye’s new groundbreaking search and scheduling technology dramatically simplifies the booking experience for travelers who do not have hours to waste with complicated online travel services. Unlike the traditional, time-consuming methods largely available online today, HelloGbye’s users can book intricate travel itineraries best suited to them, faster than ever before. With HelloGbye, users can spend less time planning and more time traveling,” Miller said.

Besides just the simpler booking process, users can also ask the digital assistant to make changes to those plans without sitting on hold with a call center.

HelloGbye is available on iOS as well as any web browser. The app is free to try, but there’s a $19 monthly subscription for fee-free itinerary changes, preferred hotel rates, and up to two-percent cash back on hotels.

Charge all your devices without all those wires with the Magfast Family

Why it matters to you

Have tons of devices to charge but not a ton of patience for cords and wires? Magfast Family can help.

People want what they want, and apparently, that’s a charging system that doesn’t involve a lot of cords, cables, and tangles. On March 21, the crowdfunding campaign for the Magfast Family went live, and in about 15 minutes, managed to reach its goal of $300,000, indicating the strong desire for a new charging solution.

So what precisely is this highly desirable Magfast? Described as an alternative to messy, wire-laden charging systems, this family of chargers relies on the power of magnets to link together, much like Legos, providing a charging solution that is efficient and easy on the eyes.

The Magfast Family comes with six chargers, covering every charging situation, and promises easy and quick charging for all your mobile devices. All of Magfast’s power banks come with a self-storing and replaceable built-in cable, traditional USB-A and new USB-C outlets, as well as wireless charging.

More: 17 great wireless chargers to free yourself from cables

While each individual Mgafast charger can work on its own, the system’s modular design allows you to connect multiple units together for “easy and rapid charging without wires.” There’s the LifeCharger, a portable powerbank that is easy to charge and can easily charge any device, all while fitting in the palm of your hand. Then, there’s the LifeCharger Extreme, which boasts the maximum power allowed by FAA law — that’s enough to jump start your car.

Then, you have the RoadCharger, which when plugged into your 12v outlet gives you 4 USB outlets for you and your carmates to charge your devices with. As for AirCharger, this device supports wireless charging, and promises to be “perfect for the kitchen or office.” The WallCharger claims to provide a station for wireless charging not only for your mobile devices, but for the whole family of Magfast chargers as well. And finally, if you have an Apple Watch, the TimeCharger is for you.

“There’s two problems with most chargers today,” said Seymour Segnit, Magfast founder and CEO. “They’re ugly with all those messy wires, which is no good in your environment — and most are so cheaply made they quickly go to landfill, which is really bad for everyone’s environment.”

“Magfast is changing charging for good with world-class design and the best manufacturing, so these products will really last,” Segnit continued. And best of all, Magfast says it will plant a tree for every product sold during its launch.

You can pre-order the whole Magfast Family now at Magfast.com, from $49 for individual components and $297 for the whole set.

Goodbye odors! This smart gym bag freshens its contents for you

Why it matters to you

Want your gym clothes to smell as clean as the air after a rainstorm? This self-cleaning bag promises to deliver on that promise.

Virtually everyone has had the experience of opening their gym bag to be greeted by a malodorous gust of sweaty workout clothes and smelly sneakers.

The folks behind new Kickstarter Paqsule think they’ve come up with a crowd-pleasing solution — and, no, it’s not ditching exercise to stay at home.

“Paqsule is a bag that cleans itself and anything you put inside it,” creator Ravid Yosef told Digital Trends. “Using UV-c and O3 (read: ozone) technology, it sanitizes, deodorizes and kills bacteria with the touch of a button to keep your bag and everything inside smelling fresh.”

More: Humble duffel bag gets reinvented for modern, tech-savvy business travelers

A chemical-free, FDA approved process, Yosef says that everything that occurs inside the Paqsule gym bag occurs naturally. It works by first trapping bacteria inside. The owner can then activate the unit, which causes ozone to fill the bag, killing odor and bacteria on contact. UV-C light acts as an additional layer, sterilizing against viruses and pathogens. Each cycle takes 35 minutes to complete, after which the ozone converts back to oxygen, leaving the bag and its contents smelling fresh.

Thanks to an iOS and Android app you can even control the bag’s technology from a distance, and get an alert when the fresh cycle is complete. In essence, it’s the same principle that causes air to smell the way it does after a rainstorm — only with an added dose of tech thrown in for good measure.

The bag itself is stylish, and boasts a range of other smart features.

“We really wanted Paqsule to be the only duffel bag you would ever need,” Yosef continued. “Rather than having multiple bags for different uses, our cleaning system allows you to use one bag to crossover from the gym to work to travel. We also have a USB charging station and over twenty premium features with lots of pockets to help organize just about anything.”

You can currently pre-order Paqsule on Kickstarter, with prices starting at $229. Shipping is set to take place this summer. Let’s hope the concept is still “fresh” by then.

Unicode planning to make emoji more gender inclusive with next release

Why it matters to you

Those who don’t strictly identify as male or female will have some representation in the next emoji release.

There are 1,851 emojis in the latest Unicode release, according to Emojipedia. Many of them depict men and women, while some have remained genderless yellow smilies. For a long time, male and female emojis were restricted to specific professions or activities. For example, with the release of the first iPhone, Apple used a woman for the haircut emoji and a man for the construction worker.

Emojis are more inclusive today than ever before, now presenting men and women in all occupations, but there is still work to be done. Of those nearly 2,000 emojis, not one displays a human character that doesn’t ascribe to the binary. With the release of Emoji 5.0 planned for later in 2017, the Unicode Consortium Emoji Subcommittee is hoping to change that.

More: Unicode is taking the redhead emoji problem very seriously

Emojipedia

Paul Hunt, a typeface designer at Adobe and a member of the subcommittee, took to the Emojipedia blog on Monday to lay out a possible solution. The subcommittee is planning the addition of three gender-inclusive emojis — a child, an adult, and an older person — to fill the gap, at least partially. Hunt says the three emojis are only the first step and the goal is to expand representation to every man/woman pair.

“My wish is that adding more gender options in emoji will help us all to celebrate our unity and our diversity,” Hunt said. “I advocate for everyone to feel comfortable using emoji men when we feel masculine, emoji women to express our feminine aspects, and gender inclusive emoji whenever we feel like celebrating our humanity regardless of gender.”

Hunt notes that the gendering of emojis began in earnest with the advent of smartphones. The original set didn’t display fine detail, like masculine and feminine characteristics, because displays on mobile phones were too low-resolution at the time. Once that changed, developers seized the opportunity to flesh out what used to be pixelated, rudimentary symbols. The result was a much more specific and visually interesting set of emoji that came at the cost of inclusiveness.

The original set of emoji designed by NTT Docomo’s Shigetaka Kurita in 1999.

Emojipedia

“Whether it was intentional or not, users saw an all-too-familiar pattern: emoji persons in active or working roles were depicted as men, and those in passive or frivolous roles were depicted as women,” Hunt said.

Since then, Unicode and the Emoji Subcommittee have been trying to catch up, responding to users’ requests for more representation, while also trying to release updates in a timely, steady manner. While it’s impossible to design an emoji for every possible appearance, the group’s commitment to inclusion continues to make emoji a better universal language for all people, regardless of race or gender identity.

Lexus’ Sports Yacht may be just a concept or it could be a market test

Why it matters to you

If you’re keeping track of luxury carmakers dipping their toes into yachting waters, add Lexus to the list.

What is it with big-name carmakers and luxury sports yachts? Mercedes-Benz, Aston Martin, and Bugatti have all launched or shown concepts of yachts that are slick, fast, and expensive. Now we can add Lexus to the gang with the Lexus Sports Yacht, which was recently introduced at the Miami International Boat Show.

Toyota Motor Corporation has built sport utility yachts under the greater corporate wing since 1997, but the brand is Ponam, not Toyota, and it is sold only in Japan. Toyota president Akio Toyoda, described as a “master driver” in a corporate release, is responsible for the nautical Lexus. Toyoda was inspired when testing a Ponam model that it was time to design a premium performance yacht under the Lexus brand to represent the Lexus lifestyle internationally.

More: Want a Bugatti Chiron supercar? Dream bigger and get the matching yacht

The 42-foot Lexus Sports Yacht is constructed of carbon-fiber reinforced plastic (CRFP), a material used in race cars and supercars. The stepped hull design that reduces drag and improves handling weighs 2,200 pounds less than a conventional hull made from fiberglass reinforced plastic on similar-sized yachts. Like the Ponam yachts, which use Toyota engines, the Sports Yacht uses homegrown power plants. In this case, the power comes from two Lexus V8 race car engines that produce a combined 885 horsepower. Top speed for the Sports Yacht is 43 knots or 49 miles per hour, according to CNN Money.

The yacht is designed for recreational touring with up to eight passengers. It has no staterooms or other sleeping quarters, but it does have a small galley and a shower.

There are no current plans to take the Lexus Sports Yacht beyond the concept stage at this time, according to the corporate statement. It could be Lexus wants to test the market for a luxury performance yacht in the U.S. It also serves as a message that Lexus can make impressive performance craft for the water. If Toyota decides not to go forward in the international yacht market, taking the concept out for a day could be a fun perk for high-performing executives.

Dell outfits its XPS 13 2-in-1 with enterprise-grade hardware, security

Why it matters to you

Businesses that were interested in Dell’s new XPS 13 2-in-1 now have a good reason to make the investment.

At the request of its customers in the business sector, Dell is now offering new configurations of its XPS 13 2-in-1 device that pack security and manageability features specific to that market. These features include the option of using vPro-enabled processors, access to Dell ProSupport Plus, Dell-enhanced security, and more. The Dell XPS 13 made its first appearance during CES 2017 in January.

Dell currently provides two configurations based on Intel’s Core i5-7Y54 processor that doesn’t support vPro, and two configurations based on Intel’s new Core i7-7Y75 chip that does support vPro. Thus, customers wanting vPro support will see a starting price of $1,350 whereas the Intel Core i5 configuration has a starting price of $1,000. Unfortunately, customization appears to be extremely limited across all four configurations.

Here is the semi-locked list of hardware for the $1,450 configuration:

Screen size:
13.3 inches
Resolution:
1,920 x 1,080 with Touch
Processor:
Intel Core i7-7Y75
Graphics:
Intel HD Graphics 615
System memory:
16GB LPDDR3 @ 1,866MHz (optional 32GB)
Storage:
256GB PCI Express SSD (optional 512GB)
Connectivity:
Wireless AC (2×2)
Bluetooth 4.2
Camera:
Widescreen 720p
Ports:
1x Thunderbolt 3
1x USB 3.1 Gen2 Type-C
1x Micro SD card reader
1x Headphone jack
Security:
Fingerprint reader
Noble Security Lock Slot
Battery:
46 Watt hour
Dimensions:
0.32-0.54 (H) x 11.98 x 7.81 (D) inches
Weight:
Starting at 2.7 pounds
Color options:
Silver
Operating system:
Windows 10 Pro 64-bit

The XPS 13 2-in-1 device sports an edge-to-edge display complemented by a steel 360-degree hinge capable of four flexible positions: tablet, tent, laptop, and stand mode. Along with touch capabilities, this flexible form factor makes presentations and collaborations extremely easy in an office environment. The screen is protected by Corning’s Gorilla Glass 4 and is enclosed in a chassis based on machined aluminum and carbon fiber.

“We don’t want the XPS 13 2-in-1 to be the rogue device in the company, but rather an integral part of an organization’s IT portfolio,” said Raza Haider at Dell. “That means IT departments can effortlessly integrate XPS for the first time, with one of our most exciting designs, the same way they do with other Dell commercial products.”

More: Dell Inspiron 15-inch 2-in-1 laptop now on sale for only $399 (20 percent off)

The security features supported by the XPS 13 include the Dell Client Command Suite, which is a set of free automation tools for monitoring, deploying, and updating devices. There’s also Protected Workplace multi-key encryption to protect data down to the end-user level, and Dell’s Endpoint Security Suite Enterprise service for preventing threats and blocking malware. Thus, Dell calls the XPS 13 “the world’s most manageable laptop” for the enterprise sector.

As a refresher, here are the hardware specs of the two featured Intel processors:

Core i5-7Y54
Core i7-7Y75
Cores:
2
2
Threads:
4
4
Base speed:
1.20GHz
1.30GHz
Max speed:
3.20GHz
3.60GHz
Max power draw:
4.5 watts
4.5 watts
Cache:
4MB
4MB
Integrated graphics:
Intel HD Graphics 615
Intel HD Graphics 615
Graphics base speed:
300MHz
300MHz
Graphics max speed:
950MHz
1.05GHz
vPro support:
No
Yes
Intel Virtualization Tech:
Yes
Yes

Dell outfits its XPS 13 2-in-1 with enterprise-grade hardware, security

Why it matters to you

Businesses that were interested in Dell’s new XPS 13 2-in-1 now have a good reason to make the investment.

At the request of its customers in the business sector, Dell is now offering new configurations of its XPS 13 2-in-1 device that pack security and manageability features specific to that market. These features include the option of using vPro-enabled processors, access to Dell ProSupport Plus, Dell-enhanced security, and more. The Dell XPS 13 made its first appearance during CES 2017 in January.

Dell currently provides two configurations based on Intel’s Core i5-7Y54 processor that doesn’t support vPro, and two configurations based on Intel’s new Core i7-7Y75 chip that does support vPro. Thus, customers wanting vPro support will see a starting price of $1,350 whereas the Intel Core i5 configuration has a starting price of $1,000. Unfortunately, customization appears to be extremely limited across all four configurations.

Here is the semi-locked list of hardware for the $1,450 configuration:

Screen size:
13.3 inches
Resolution:
1,920 x 1,080 with Touch
Processor:
Intel Core i7-7Y75
Graphics:
Intel HD Graphics 615
System memory:
16GB LPDDR3 @ 1,866MHz (optional 32GB)
Storage:
256GB PCI Express SSD (optional 512GB)
Connectivity:
Wireless AC (2×2)
Bluetooth 4.2
Camera:
Widescreen 720p
Ports:
1x Thunderbolt 3
1x USB 3.1 Gen2 Type-C
1x Micro SD card reader
1x Headphone jack
Security:
Fingerprint reader
Noble Security Lock Slot
Battery:
46 Watt hour
Dimensions:
0.32-0.54 (H) x 11.98 x 7.81 (D) inches
Weight:
Starting at 2.7 pounds
Color options:
Silver
Operating system:
Windows 10 Pro 64-bit

The XPS 13 2-in-1 device sports an edge-to-edge display complemented by a steel 360-degree hinge capable of four flexible positions: tablet, tent, laptop, and stand mode. Along with touch capabilities, this flexible form factor makes presentations and collaborations extremely easy in an office environment. The screen is protected by Corning’s Gorilla Glass 4 and is enclosed in a chassis based on machined aluminum and carbon fiber.

“We don’t want the XPS 13 2-in-1 to be the rogue device in the company, but rather an integral part of an organization’s IT portfolio,” said Raza Haider at Dell. “That means IT departments can effortlessly integrate XPS for the first time, with one of our most exciting designs, the same way they do with other Dell commercial products.”

More: Dell Inspiron 15-inch 2-in-1 laptop now on sale for only $399 (20 percent off)

The security features supported by the XPS 13 include the Dell Client Command Suite, which is a set of free automation tools for monitoring, deploying, and updating devices. There’s also Protected Workplace multi-key encryption to protect data down to the end-user level, and Dell’s Endpoint Security Suite Enterprise service for preventing threats and blocking malware. Thus, Dell calls the XPS 13 “the world’s most manageable laptop” for the enterprise sector.

As a refresher, here are the hardware specs of the two featured Intel processors:

Core i5-7Y54
Core i7-7Y75
Cores:
2
2
Threads:
4
4
Base speed:
1.20GHz
1.30GHz
Max speed:
3.20GHz
3.60GHz
Max power draw:
4.5 watts
4.5 watts
Cache:
4MB
4MB
Integrated graphics:
Intel HD Graphics 615
Intel HD Graphics 615
Graphics base speed:
300MHz
300MHz
Graphics max speed:
950MHz
1.05GHz
vPro support:
No
Yes
Intel Virtualization Tech:
Yes
Yes