Google keeps improving Apple’s Live Photos

Apple’s Live Photos are a neat trick when done well, but in practice they tend to be a wobbly mess. Last year, Google showed off a much more elegant solution with it’s Motion Stills app for iOS, which converted shaky Live Photos to smooth looping GIFs or movie files that could actually be exported to Instagram and other services. This week, Google continued to improve upon Apple’s Live Photos with the latest version of Motion Stills, which adds better color depth, smoother stabilization and the ability to export loops in their original Apple-only format.

That last feature may come in handy for heavy iMessage users who want to stabilize their photos without losing Apple’s press-to-animate interface. (And, for the Google diehards on iOS, Google Photos plays nice with your Live Photos as well.) Motion Stills will also automatically trim those awkward moments where the live camera captures the phone going back into your pocket, although it does add an extra step into your photo sharing workflow. The app works without a data connection, so you’ll be able to edit your photos even if you’re off the grid, but you’ll still need a signal in order to share it with the world at large.

Motion Stills is available now on the App Store.

Wacom Bamboo Folio review

Wacom is a brand that has been around since the 1980’s but really seems to have its stride in the last decade or so. As more people move to a digital workspace, we find different reasons to use some of its product offerings. Be it a stylus for your tablet or something more unique, the company’s portfolio continues to grow in appeal. You no longer have to be a cutting-edge nerd working on a major motion picture to leverage its products.

One product we’ve recently had the privilege of testing is the Bamboo Folio. As a smartpad, it essentially lets users write on any physical paper and then back it up digitally, mark it up, share, and more.

At first we expected that it would be a simple case of simply taking pen-and-paper notes and converting them into digital files. And, while that would be great, there’s a lot more that can be done with them once created.

Sounds pretty simple and cool, right? It is. It’s one of the neatest products that we’ve connected to our phones in some time.

Design and Setup

Although the Bamboo Folio comes in a Large (A4 / letter) size, we reviewed the Small (A5/half letter) paper edition. The outside of the pad offers up a nylon fabric cover with dark stitching; the inside is a dimpled polyurethane material with a large pocket and two slots for business cards.

Inside you find a notepad from Wacom that has tiny dots which can be used for grid drawing or to help keep straight lines. Note that you do not have to use this pad and that you can put any type of paper or pad in place and still get the same effect. With that said, Wacom does offer replacement pads should you like the one that comes with it.

Next to the pad, and close to the fold is where you’d locate or place your smart pen. It’s here’s where you’ll have to go through Bamboo for replacements. The ink-equipped ballpoint works just like any other pen, however you won’t want to get in the habit of using for on non-Folio purposes. It’s roughly half the size of a standard pen and you do get a replacement in the box. A three-pack runs about $10 through Bamboo.

You’ll need to install the Wacom Inkspace app on your phone or tablet; both Android and iOS editions are available. It’s here where you’ll back up your files and notes. There’s also a short setup process that has you synchronize the Folio to your device via Bluetooth. All in, you’re looking at a few minutes of time and you are ready to go.

For additional functionality, check out the Bamboo Paper app which lets you draw, highlight, mark up, and more on your phone. Those files can then be shared to your Inkspace account. By default, you get 5GB storage in the Basic account, which breaks down to around 6,000 pages of notes.

Features

Using the Folio is just like you might expect for a pen and paper setup. Simply open it up and start drawing, sketching, or taking notes. Once you are ready to back the sheet up, press the little button found next to the pad. The light switches from blue to green to indicate that it has been backed up. Press the pen to a piece of paper and it goes back to blue, meaning you have something ready to go — even if it’s just a dot or few lines.

As long as you place your paper, note card, Post-It, or sheet on top of the board itself, you can track your pen’s movements. Whereas a small notepad works best, you can drop an index card on it for a one-off writing and synchronization. The secret to the whole thing working is placing paper on top of the pad and using the right pen. Beyond that, it’s up to you as to how you use it.

By default, the Folio will give you the ability to push notes to the app as they appear. But, you can switch to a Live Mode which operates as a screen mirror of your pad. As you draw and take notes on the pad, the app follows along in real-time. Once done, push the circle button and you can back the finished product up.

Inside of Inkspace you can draw on top of the files with a basic tool or use an eraser. Moreover, you can also grab sections of the paper and move them. It’s also here where you can essentially slide a timeline and save the document at a certain point. Let’s say you wrote down a bunch of items to get from the store but then also started doodling on it afterward. Slide the timeline back to before the doodles and save it.

Once your note is saved to the device, you can do a number of things with the file. Export options include JPEG, PNG, PDF, and Wacom’s proprietary WILL format. From there you can hand off to Android’s sharing intent and push the file wherever you want, including other apps like Slack, Todoist, Google Drive, Gmail, and more.

There is a handwriting-to-text option; however, it’s behind a paywall. Additionally, the Plus plan, which runs $2.95 per month, gives you the ability to search notes, export as SVG vector file, and gives you 50GB of storage. For what it’s worth, you get three months of Inkspace Plus for free with the purchase of the Folio.

The aforementioned Bamboo Paper lets you play around with the WILL files, allowing for more editing options. Here you’ll find colors, pen types, and widths. This is handy in cases where you might turn over a draft sketch that was done in black and white. Once inside of Bamboo Paper you can highlight and color, creating various end results. There are a variety of tools available in the default setting, but you can/will pay for more extensive stuff.

Conclusion

For about $150, this is a somewhat expensive item to consider, especially if you just want to make digital backups of notes. There are other options available at lower prices so do a little research to see where you might end up. However, we were impressed with the ease of which the Bamboo Folio let us write and back up.

We’re simply in love with the battery life of the unit, too. We have only had to charge this up once in the weeks that we’ve had it. It came with about a quarter charge out of the box and topping up off to 100 has given us nearly two weeks of usage since. Sure, we’ve had days where we don’t use the Folio, but that’s the whole peace of mind thing that we enjoy. The last thing we want is to plug it in just to take notes.

The default app and account settings are a good start for people to get a sense of what the Folio can do. After spending a couple of weeks with the item we can see how coughing up a couple of dollars here and there might be worth it. Your mileage will certainly vary, but we envision this as being a great tool for graphic artists, students, and professionals.  You might have to hop into a different app such as Bamboo Paper to get the best results, but think it’s worth it.

We’ve found that the more we use the Folio the more we see a reason to carry it with us everywhere. It’s light, professional looking, and downright handy. There are plenty of instances in the past where we’ve jotted down notes only to wish we had not thrown them away. That’s no longer an issue for us. Factor in the ability to sketch up, annotate, or add color, and it’s fast become a daily staple for our bag.

It’s certainly worth noting that Bamboo offers another, less expensive form factor called Bamboo Slate, which retails for $129.95-$149.95 (small and large). The features are the same across the board; however, the overall design is different. Instead of a folio, this one is essentially the pad by itself.

Withings Steel HR review

In the fitness tracking world, Withings has been making headlines as of late; not just for its health and fitness products, but also because it has a new parent company. Withings was acquired by Nokia back in June 2016, and the two companies just recently announced that the name ‘Withings’ as we know it will cease to exist, and all products made by the Withings team will now feature Nokia branding. That doesn’t mean they’ll stop making connected health products though, and that’s good news.

Withings’ Activité Steel is still one of our favorite analog watch/fitness tracker hybrids to date, bringing a classy design and activity tracking without a gigantic price tag. These types of connected watches are perfect for some people, but others have a hard time getting past the whole “no screen” aspect of them. This is why, in September 2016, Withings announced a beefed-up version of the Activité Steel called the Steel HR.

With the addition of a heart rate monitor and digital display, does the Steel HR offer enough to warrant the steeper price tag? Find out, in our full Withings Steel HR review!

Review notes: I’ve been using the Withings Steel HR as my main fitness tracker for about a month. The Huawei Mate 9 has been my smartphone companion of choice for the duration of this review.Show More

See also:

Best fitness trackers

4 days ago

Design

The whole idea behind the Steel HR is that it’s actually a fitness tracker in disguise, so you probably wouldn’t be able to tell that it can track your activity if you just saw one on the street. It doesn’t have an odd-looking display like other fitness trackers, nor does it have a sporty look. It looks like any other classy analog watch, aside from the small digital display, of course.

The Steel HR doesn’t look at all like a traditional fitness tracker, and that’s a huge plus

The watch case is made of – you guessed it – stainless steel, while the hands are made of chrome. Even though this appears to be an analog watch on the surface, there are a few extra things that make this device stand out from the rest. On the watch face, you’ll find an extra dial on the bottom half that counts your steps for the day, and a small, digital screen on the top. Neither one of these extra features really get in the way of telling the time, which is definitely a plus.

It’s not a particularly heavy device either, and it’s plenty comfortable to wear all day. I’ve been using the 40mm model, which weighs in at just 49g, while the smaller 36mm variant weighs 39g.

There’s one other differentiator between the two sizes, and that mainly lies in the bezel design. The 40mm variant, which is pictured in this review, has a slightly larger bezel with engraved numbers. If you’re not a fan of the engravings and would rather go for something a little smaller, you might be happier with the 36mm model.

The Steel HR comes with a soft, silicon strap that’s really good at picking up loose hair and dust. It’s not my least favorite strap on a watch to date (that award goes to the Moto 360 Sport), but I’m pretty sure most people are going to want to swap it out for a third-party strap. If you do choose to switch it out, Withings makes it an easy affair. The straps on the Steel HR have quick release functionality, so you can swap the stock strap out for any other 20mm strap you may have lying around. The smaller 36mm variant has a strap size of 18mm, by the way.

While convenient, the digital display can be pretty hard to read outdoors

Now for the interesting part – that display. This is the first Withings watch with a digital display, and let me tell you, I’m a huge fan. Maybe it’s just because I get the convenience of a digital display with the aesthetic of an analog watch, but I’ve been very happy using this thing for the past few weeks.

The display on the watch face is activated by pressing the physical button on the side of the device, and will cycle through the date, time, steps, heart rate, distance, calories, alarms and battery. From a convenience standpoint, this thing works wonderfully. Checking your steps and heart rate right on the watch is super convenient, especially if you’re coming from another Withings device without a display, like the Activité Steel or Pop.

Don’t miss:

Withings Activité Steel review

April 16, 2016

It’s not all sunshine and rainbows, though. While convenient for indoor use, the digital display can be really difficult to read outdoors in the sunlight. If you’re a runner, that’s not something you want to have to deal with. If you’re just checking the time though, at least you have the actual watch face to fall back on. Plus, you can’t activate the display by lifting your wrist, which is kind of annoying, though far from a deal breaker.

Features and performance

Like other fitness trackers on the market, the Withings Steel HR will track your steps taken, distance traveled, calories burned, heart rate and sleep. It’ll also keep track of your swimming and running stats through the Withings Health Mate app for Android and iOS.

In terms of step tracking, I’ve found the Steel HR to be very accurate. I took the Steel HR out on a 500-step-long walk along with the Garmin vívosmart HR+ and Fitbit Charge 2, and all three devices came out with similar results. The Steel HR recorded a total of 510 steps, while the vívosmart HR+ recorded 508, and the Charge 2, 512.

Related Articles 

Fitbit Charge 2 vs Garmin vívosmart HR+

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Fitbit Charge 2 review

November 3, 2016

Distance tracking is much less accurate, as you might expect, due to the lack of a built-in GPS. And while some fitness trackers allow you to use your phone’s GPS to track distance more accurately, unfortunately the Steel HR isn’t capable of this functionality. This is probably the biggest thing that will turn serious runners away from this watch.

Related: The best GPS running watches

Distance tracking, along with calorie and running activity, are all calculated thanks to an algorithm based on the number of steps you take, as well as your age, height and weight. The number of calories you burn will be shown in the Health Mate companion app. More specifically, both your active and metabolic calories will be shown, and also your total caloric expenditure.

The Steel HR will track all your activity automatically

The Steel HR will also track all of your activity automatically. There’s no need to navigate to a workout screen and hit the start button before your workout – just start your run, jog or swim, make sure your phone is nearby afterwards, and all your activity data will automatically sync. It’s a pretty seamless system. Plus, there’s also a stopwatch function built into the watch, which you can activate with a long-press of the physical button. When the stopwatch is activated, your current heart rate will also be shown on the digital display, right above the timer. It’s helpful, sure, but don’t expect to use it when you’re running outside. Again, this display is pretty difficult to see in sunlight.

Aside from the addition of a digital display, the most exciting feature on the Steel HR is the optical heart rate sensor. Withings’ Activité, Steel and Pop all came to market without heart rate monitors, so it’s really nice to see the company launch a higher-end model that can track more of your metrics.

Throughout my time with the device I’ve tested the Steel HR’s heart rate monitor against the Wahoo TICKR X, and overall, I’ve been mostly impressed with the results. When it came to jogging and walking, the Steel HR’s monitor was never more than a few beats per minute off from the TICKR X. Resting heart rate readings are usually not too far off either, though there have been one or two times I’ve found the Steel HR’s readings to be 5-10 bpms lower than the TICKR X or vívosmart HR+.

High-intensity workouts are another story though; I did notice a few quirks when my heart rate was at its highest. For starters, in this particular workout, the Steel HR never got above 172 bpm, though the TICKR X and vívosmart HR+ recorded max readings at 185 and 187 bpm, respectively. This has been the case on more than one occasion, unfortunately. For most of the workout the Steel HR kept up with the other devices pretty well though, which shouldn’t be overlooked.

All in all, the Steel HR offers an impressive optical heart rate monitor in most situations, and an alright heart rate monitor in some situations.

One of my other favorite features on this device is the water resistance rating. Like many other devices out there, the Steel HR comes with a 5ATM water resistance rating, which means you’ll be able to swim with this device without worrying about it getting damaged. It’s worth noting that you won’t get heart rate readings in the water though; only distance tracking and calories burned.

Much like automatic activity recognition, the Steel HR will also track your sleep automatically. Just make sure you fall asleep with the device strapped to your wrist, and you’ll wake up with a bunch of sleep metrics recorded in the Health Mate app. It’ll record your total time in bed, total time asleep, sleep goal percentage, time awake, light sleep, deep sleep, average heart rate and how many times you woke up during the night. That’s a lot of data to sift through, and it’s a lot more than what some other activity trackers provide.

As far as accuracy is concerned, the Steel HR excels in this area. Out of the numerous nights I’ve worn this thing to bed, I really don’t think it’s misrecorded a single middle-of-the-night bathroom break or said I fell asleep too soon or too late.

See also: The best sleep trackers

Oh, and when you’re reviewing your sleep in the Health Mate app, you can even switch to a handy week view so you can see how your sleep schedule looks over time. Oddly enough, not too many fitness tracking companies include this functionality in their apps, so kudos to Withings for doing so.

This is another place where I should reiterate the comfortability factor of the Steel HR. If you’ve ever been able to go to bed with an activity tracker, you should have no problem sleeping with this device on your wrist.

The Steel HR is one of the most accurate sleep trackers we’ve ever tested

If you do happen to wear the Steel HR to bed, it can also wake you up thanks to its silent alarm feature. This helpful little feature has managed to wake me up pretty much every time I’ve worn it to bed. Plus, it’s easy to see that Withings spent a lot of time getting the vibration motor just right. It’s not too jarring, nor is it too subtle. That might sound like an odd thing to point out, but trust me – you’ll know what I’m talking about once you try it out for yourself.

We’d really like to see more notification options on the Steel HR, like other messaging apps and social networks

The Steel HR also supports a limited amount of smartphone notifications, including incoming calls, texts and calendar events. They work pretty well, and I’ve never had any problems with notifications not coming through. It’s worth pointing out that since the digital display is so small, there’s not much room to display a full message. Thus, when you receive a notification, you’ll simply receive the name of the contact or event, along with a series of vibrations to let you know which type of notification you’ve received.

We’d really like Withings to add more notification options to the Steel HR, like other messaging apps and social networks, for instance. Even though not everyone wants a ton of notifications sent to their wrists, the option to turn them on or off would certainly be nice.

Because it has a small digital display, the Steel HR isn’t going to last as long on a charge than other Withings watches. That’s okay though, because this device still offers up stellar battery life. With normal use, it’s entirely possible to get the Steel HR to last around 25 days on a charge. Withings also says you can get 5 days on a charge if you’re using it constantly in workout mode, and you can also get an additional 20 days out of it in power reserve mode (time and activity tracking only).

When you do have to charge your Steel HR, just place it on the magnetic charging pad. It only takes about an hour or two to get the watch fully charged up, but make sure you place it on the charger correctly. It can be a little difficult to get the pins matched up the right way.

Display	Analog display with secondary digital display
Battery life	Up to 25 days with normal use
Heart rate monitor	Yes, optical
GPS	No
Water resistance	5ATM (up to 50 meters)
Silent alarm	Yes
Connectivity	Bluetooth Low Energy
Sensors	Day & Night motion sensor High precision MEMS 3-axis accelerometer Low power consumption
Notifications	Call, text and calendar alerts
Compatibility	Android, iOS
Dimensions	36mm model: 36.3mm diameter, 13mm thickness, 18mm wristband width 40mm model: 39.5mm diameter, 13mm thickness, 20mm wristband width
Weight	36mm model: 39g (watch only) 40mm model:49g (watch only)

Software

I’ve said this time and time again – Withings’ Health Mate app is one of the most beautiful activity tracking apps out there. It features plenty of Material Design elements, a soothing color scheme, and once you get used to the app’s layout, it’s pretty easy to navigate.

The app’s simplicity can be a positive or a downside depending on what type of user you are

Health Mate features a timeline layout, so you won’t need to go digging through a bunch of confusing menus to find what you’re looking for. The app’s simplicity can be a positive or a downside depending on what type of user you are, so let’s start off with the positives.

When you open the app, you’ll see a big yellow section at the top, which displays your current activity level for the day. Swiping to the left will pull up your weight, and a swipe to the right will bring up your active alarms. Easy.

Below the colorful section at the top, you’ll see the current date, and all of your activity that your watch has recorded for that day. So, if you wore the device to bed, took an hour-long walk, then went swimming, all of those activities will show up in that section. And if you’d like to check out your activity level for another date, just scroll down on the timeline to the date you’re looking for.

Oh, and if you’re already invested in another fitness tracking platform, you’re in luck. Health Mate connects with a number of different apps like Google Fit, MyFitnessPal, RunKeeper and Nike+. You can even link Health Mate to your Nest account if you happen to use a Withings Aura alarm clock.

Read more: The best fitness tracking apps for Android

I should bring up a few things that I’m not a huge fan of, though. Health Mate may be prettier than other apps, but it might not be as user friendly. This app is really good at throwing a lot of information at you at one time, and while some people may like that aspect, others may not. For instance, since all of your activities are laid out in a timeline format, things can get pretty crowded once all your activity stats are displayed from the past few days. Also, there isn’t really an easy way to view all of your running activities in one place. Instead, you need to open up your most recent run, then use the arrows at the top to flip through your activities one at a time. I like seeing my progression overtime, but Health Mate makes it kind of difficult.

Health Mate is beautiful and works incredibly well, just like the Steel HR itself

With all of that said, Health Mate is the perfect app for the Steel HR. I say this because it’s not the most robust app, nor is it the best for power users. It’s beautiful and works incredibly well, just like the Steel HR itself.

Gallery

Should you buy it?

The Withings Steel HR is available now for $179.99 for the smaller 36mm variant, or for $199.99 for the 40mm version. So, is it worth the nearly $200 price tag? Yes, absolutely.

Withings really hit the nail on the head with the Steel HR. It’s accurate, affordable, comfortable enough to wear all day, and downright gorgeous. Not only that, it sports a digital display that, while not of the greatest quality, offers a unique take on bringing a digital screen to a traditional analog watch design.

The Steel HR is the best fitness tracking analog watch you can buy

No, this device isn’t for everyone. It doesn’t offer an on-board GPS, nor is the digital display great for outdoor use. But for everyone else looking for an attractive, well-built fitness tracker that doesn’t actually look like a fitness tracker, the Steel HR may be just what you’re looking for.

Have you had any experience with the Steel HR? If so, how do you like it? Be sure to give us your thoughts in the comments below!

Next:

Best smartwatches

4 days ago

Party Bot decides who’s on the guest list, what music to play

While most people in the tech business only roll into Austin once a year for SXSW, a handful of companies choose to call the city home. Fjord (formerly known as Chaotic Moon) is one of them. So, when the festival sets up around them, it uses the week as an opportunity to show of some of its proof of concept (and usually fun) ideas.

Enter Party Bot: an app that uses AI in real time to make sure any gathering doesn’t get gatecrashed, and has the DJ well-informed on what to play (which is an improvement on a boring Spotify playlist for sure). Party Bot first needs to know what you look like. Peer into an app and move your face around a bit, and it’ll then be able to match your name to your face. You can complete your profile by telling it which types of music you prefer, or those that have you leaving the dance floor.

Once you’re behind the velvet rope and the Cristal is flowing, you can set up cameras/iPads around the party/club/whatever that will spot revelers in the crowd. Knowing who’s on the dance floor, and what music they prefer gives even the worst DJ a chance to ease up on the Taylor Swift, and go heavy on the Motörhead (if that’s what the audience wants). Other applications could be a simple way to grant access to VIP areas, or offer drinks promotions at the bar (or suggest maybe you’ve been at the bar a little too much).

That’s the theory of course. The reality is that Party Bot is just Fjord showing off what it can do. The app did get involved in the company’s own SXSW party, but we missed out on that (we were presumably at a better party, or one without a bot). Instead, we got to try it in a much more sober setting: a pop-trivia quiz in a hotel conference room. Party Bot recognized me, called me by my name, and then hit me with some simple questions. My challenge was to get enough right to win a T-shirt. We kinda cheated, as I didn’t know who first sang “Blue Suede Shoes.” (Hint: not Elvis.) But we got given a T-shirt anyway — and uninvited to all future parties, no doubt.

AirPods and Apple Watch Called ‘Underpriced’ to Bring New Users Into Apple Ecosystem

Apple is underpricing AirPods and the Apple Watch in an effort to bring new users into its ecosystem, according to Neil Cybart of Above Avalon. The analyst said this pricing strategy was “unimaginable” ten years ago, when Apple was often accused of pricing products artificially high, aka “Apple Tax.”

AirPods cost $159 in the United States, which Cybart said is “surprisingly low” compared to competing truly wireless headphones:

It is very difficult to find a pair of wireless headphones priced lower than AirPods. In the run-up to Apple unveiling AirPods this past September, the wireless headphone market consisted of the following players:

– Kanoa: $300
– Bragi Dash: $299
– Erato Apollo 7: $289
– Skybuds: $279
– Earin: $249
– Motorola VerveOnes+: $249
– Samsung Gear IconX: $199
– Bragi Headphone: $149

Cybart believes a strong case could have been made for Apple to price its AirPods at $249, or even $299, but by selling them for $159, he thinks Apple has “removed all available oxygen from the wireless headphone space” and forced competitors to cut pricing in an attempt to better compete.

Earin’s wireless headphones now start at $199, for example, while Motorola’s VerveOnes+ are on sale for $189.99. Even at those discounted prices, however, AirPods are still cheaper at $159.

AirPods are estimated to ship in six weeks on Apple’s online store, and it has been that way since the day after they launched in December.

Cybart said a similar pricing dynamic is found with the Apple Watch, which now starts at $269 for Series 1 models:

At $269, Apple Watch Series 1 is one of lowest-priced smartwatches worth buying in the marketplace. Attractive pricing was one key factor driving record Apple Watch sales this past holiday quarter. In fact, even the Apple Watch Series 2, at $349, is one of the lowest-priced smartwatches in its class:

– Fossil Fenix 5: $599
– Garmin Forerunner 630: $399
– Michael Kors Access: $350
– Samsung Gear S3: $349
– Fossil Q Founder: $275

Cybart believes the pricing of the Apple Watch demonstrates how Apple is looking to capture not only the premium segment of the wearables market, but rather the entire market. While an entry-level Apple Watch costs $269, for example, a ceramic Apple Watch Edition costs upwards of $1,249.

His research note theorizes that Apple could be more effective now at mass producing products at a lower cost, while offering price points that appeal to a wider variety of users. He even thinks that an Apple Watch for $199 is “inevitable,” although there might be less wiggle room for products such as iPads.

Overall, Cybart thinks Apple is in essence “redefining luxury” by offering lower prices while, at the same time, becoming more of a luxury brand. He expects it to be difficult for other consumer tech companies to compete with that strategy.

Of course, many Apple products are still unquestionably expensive. The latest 15-inch MacBook Pro with Touch Bar starts at $2,399, while an iPhone can cost upwards of $969. The 12.9-inch iPad Pro is priced from $799, and a handful of Apple Watch models run over $1,000. All prices are based on U.S. dollars.

Full Article: The Curious State of Apple Product Pricing on Above Avalon

Related Roundups: Apple Watch Series 2, watchOS 3
Tag: AirPods
Buyer’s Guide: Apple Watch (Neutral)
Discuss this article in our forums

Sony patent could let you wirelessly charge your phone from another device

Why it matters to you

Sony’s latest patent application would let you charge your phone wirelessly from just about anywhere — albeit at your friends’ expense.

Keeping our devices charged up can be a real pain in the butt. If Sony gets its way, however, keeping all charged up could be a little bit easier. The company has applied for a patent that will allow you to wirelessly charge your phone straight from someone else’s phone.

The feature could be very useful. Sure, an ideal situation would be if you had access to a power outlet whenever you needed it, but the fact is we’ve all experienced being out and about and running out of battery. With Sony’s new tech, you could essentially just “steal” power from a friend who might have a slightly more charged up device than you.

More: Action cameras for $70? This unit uses old Sony tech to achieve a budget price

The patent filling itself was discovered by What Future, and the report notes that the tech may not be limited to phones. Instead, Sony could apply it to things like fridges, microwaves, TVs, computers, and really any kind of electronic device. The idea here is that all of you home devices could eventually become sources of wireless energy — so your phone will almost always be charging if you’re at home, without the need for wires.

This isn’t the first time we’ve seen patents and patent fillings related to new wireless charging techniques. Even Apple joined the fray by filing a patent for an inductive wireless charging technology. The company is now rumored to be working with Energous, a wireless charging company that has built tech that can charge wirelessly from a distance — so if you’re at home, your device can be charging no matter where you are in the house.

There’s no question that the ultimate goal is for charging to be completely hassle free, and these companies all seem to be working toward that. Sony’s tech could be a piece in that puzzle — or it could just help you keep charged in an emergency, if it ever sees the light of day.

You can now use Amazon Alexa straight from the Amazon iPhone app

Why it matters to you

Are you a fan of Amazon’s Alexa but not interested in purchasing an Echo? This latest move by Amazon may interest you.

Are you a fan of Amazon’s Alexa digital assistant? Well, now you can use it through the Amazon app straight on your iPhone or iPad. Just press the microphone button, and Alexa will be summoned and ready to answer your questions.

You could use your voice to search the Amazon app before — but you didn’t have access to Alexa itself. Now, you can make use of Alexa’s full range of skills and responses to ask the app to play music, read books, and even control your smart-home devices. So far, Alexa is only available in the iOS version of the app — not the Android version just yet.

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

What this means is that you don’t necessarily have to buy an Amazon Echo to make use of Alexa if you don’t want to. Instead you can just open up the app. Alexa in the app will also continue getting better. Amazon continues to update the list of skills that Alexa can do, making it one of the most capable digital assistants out there.

As mentioned in a report from VentureBeat, changes to how Alexa works will still require the actual Alexa app rather than just the Amazon app.

The move makes sense for Amazon. The smartphone is becoming somewhat of a battleground for digital assistant makers. Apple obviously has its own Siri, and Google has the now-rolling-out Google Assistant — and more manufacturers are set to join the bunch. For example HTC has built its own assistant called HTC Sense Companion, and Samsung has long been rumored to be working on its own assistant called Bixby for the launch of the Samsung Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8 Plus. Amazon doesn’t want to be left out, and since its own smartphone attempt largely failed, it now has to convince users to download Alexa onto other phones.

Corsair targets PC gamers on a budget with its new compact mechanical keyboard

Why it matters to you

Corsair released an affordable solution for PC gamers on the go, packing high-quality Cherry MX switches and precise keystrokes.

Not to be outdone by Logitech’s new G Pro tenkeyless mechanical keyboard, Corsair introduced a competing model called the K63. But unlike the Logitech model that relies on in-house mechanical switches, Corsair’s new K63 uses Cherry MX Red switches for fast, accurate keystrokes. Corsair also tacked on media keys at the top so that PC gamers can deal with volume levels on the fly.

For the uninitiated, the use of Cherry MX switches is important because they are recognized as high-quality, long-lasting switches built for PC gamers. They are sold in different “colors” based on their overall design. For example, the Red switches require very little force to trigger the keystroke, and they’re lightweight as well so that the trip from rest to “actuation” is really quick.

More: Corsair announces plans to launch its first complete PC, the One

That’s important in a PC gaming keyboard. Another important aspect is backlighting, so that PC gamers have an easier time hunting down the correct key in an instant. In the case of Corsair’s new K63 mechanical keyboard, the company only offers red LED backlighting that is fully customizable for each key through the free Corsair Utility Engine (CUE) tool.

“CUE software also allows for near endless programmability, with every key individually reprogrammable with alternative commands, custom macros or dynamic lighting effects,” Corsair said on Thursday.

Here are the keyboard’s specs:

Dimensions:
14.37 x 6.73 x 1.61 inches
Weight:
2.46 pounds
Report rate:
Up to 1 millisecond
Cable type:
Tangle-free rubber
Included media keys:
Mute
Volume Up/Down
Stop
Previous
Play/Pause
Next
LED backlighting color:
Red only
Per-key lighting control:
Yes
Keycap font size:
Large
Compatible Software:
Corsair Utility Engine

The keyboard promises 100 percent anti-ghosting and full key rollover. The simplest way to explain anti-ghosting is that the metal contacts in a switch create “chatter” before they make the electrical connection that signals a keystroke. While this chatter only lasts milliseconds, this noise can be picked up by the keyboard’s processing chip as multiple presses, aka ghosting. Thus, Corsair’s new keyboard seemingly weeds through the chatter to grab the correct switch connection and send it over to the PC.

Because this is a tenkeyless keyboard, customers won’t see the number pad typically found to the right of the arrow keys. However, as previously stated, Corsair managed to cram media keys at the top of the unit, with the playback control buttons mounted on the left and the audio control buttons on the right. In the center, Corsair placed a Windows Key lock button and a lighting on/off button.

Although the specs state that the USB cord is made of tangle-free rubber, Corsair doesn’t describe the cord’s length. Images also show that the USB cable is permanently attached, which is unfortunate considering Corsair designed this keyboard for portability. By comparison, Logitech’s G Pro keyboard relies on a detachable USB cord so a short isn’t caused in the connection.

Corsair’s new K63 compact mechanical gaming keyboard can be purchased now for $80 by heading here or at participating online/offline retailers.

Montblanc Summit: Our first take

If luxury were measured by size, the $890 Montblanc Summit would be the most luxurious Android Wear smartwatch in the world.

Just when the world seemed to be losing interest in smartwatches, along comes a new luxury option from Montblanc, a German brand best known for its beautiful pens, leather goods, and a range of mechanical watches. It’s called the Montblanc Summit, and it’s going to cost you at least $890 if you want one on your wrist. That’s a lot of money for a smartwatch, especially when interest among regular people isn’t exactly high, so is it worth a look?

Made for (big-wristed) travelers

A hundred years ago, Montblanc identified a problem faced by many travelers at the time: fountain pens leaked in the pockets of well-to-do folk, so it made a fountain pen that didn’t leak. Since then, it has concentrated on seducing travelers with its products, and the Summit is no exception.

When we say the Montblanc Summit is for people with large wrists, we really mean it.

Strapped on the wrist of a jet-setter navigating airports, hotels, and cities, the Summit will be there to deliver notifications, fitness data, and handy travel tips and advice from a selection of partner apps. Google Assistant is onboard for voice control when your hands are full with boarding passes and Mont Blanc weekend bags.

It’s an evocative vision, and rest assured when you’re running through the airport lounge, everyone will notice the Summit on your wrist. Because it’s massive. The body measures 46mm, and on my wrist, the lugs extended over each side, so it refused to fit under the cuff of my shirt. Subtle it’s not, nor is it a watch for those of slender wrist.

Domed sapphire glass

For the Summit, Montblanc has taken inspiration from the design of its 1858 mechanical watch collection. The stainless steel watch comes in either a polished finish, black, a combination of both, or grade 5 titanium. Each has an IP68 water resistant rating. Look closely, and you’ll pick up on the design details taken from the 1858 watches, such as the satinated sides and horns, the polished section of bezel, and the flashy crown.

Andy Boxall/Digital Trends

Andy Boxall/Digital Trends

Andy Boxall/Digital Trends

Andy Boxall/Digital Trends

Pay particular attention to the sapphire glass over the top of the 1.4-inch, 400 x 400 pixel, AMOLED screen, which has a slight dome to it. It looks superb, way better than the flat screens seen on most other smartwatches, and is an eye-catching feature that gives the Summit a unique style. It was a challenge to develop, as maintaining touch sensitivity was tough but essential.

More: Our first take on the Huawei Watch 2

After trying the different models on, it was the combined black and polished stainless steel that appealed most when matched with the black leather strap. For sport use, Montblanc has made a special natural rubber strap, which actually looks and feels like soft fabric, but will stay comfortable when sweating it out in the gym. It comes in blue, green, and red, in an extraordinarily long length. We checked to see if it was simply a long version, but it’s not. The leather strap was also quite large, and even the tightest hole still saw the watch hang a little loosely. When we say the Montblanc Summit is for people with large wrists, we really mean it.

Technology inside

Unlike Tag Heuer’s Carrera Connected watch, which uses an Intel platform, the Summit has a Qualcomm Snapdragon 2100 processor that’s specially engineered for wearable technology. It comes with 512MB of RAM, 4GB of internal storage space, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and the usual array of sensors. It doesn’t have GPS or the ability to make calls, but there is a microphone for conversing with Google Assistant, which is part of the Android Wear 2.0 operating system. It was smooth and fast in our brief time using it.

Underneath the body is a heart rate monitor, which rather than lay flat, sits slightly proud. This is to ensure a better connection with the skin, and therefore a more accurate reading. The 350mAh battery will last a day and is charged on a plastic plinth that’s the least luxurious aspect of the Summit.

Montblanc has teamed up with Uber, Foursquare, and Runtastic for the Summit, and each has its app pre-installed on the watch. There are various Montblanc watch faces, all modeled after the 1858 collection, with working chronographs, lap timers, clever complications, and some stylistic touches like digital reflective surfaces that glint when you move the watch, to add some glamor.

Price and availability

The basic Montblanc Summit in stainless steel or black with a black leather strap costs $890, or $930 with the natural rubber or brown Italian leather strap. A limited edition alligator leather strap will also be made, and with it, the Summit will cost $980. Opt for the grade 5 titanium body, and the prices start at $980 and rise to $1,070 with the alligator leather strap. All the straps can be purchased separately, starting at $100 for the black leather version, up to $250 for the alligator leather strap.

Andy Boxall/Digital Trends

For the fabulously wealthy, Montblanc offers a personalization service, where you can design your own dial for the Summit, working directly with the designers. The price for this exclusive service? A mere 15,000 euros, or about $16,100.

More: Samsung Gear S3 review

For the first two weeks of release, which is set for May, the Montblanc Summit will be exclusively available through online retailer Mr. Porter, after which it will reach Montblanc stores and partners in the U.S. and Europe.

Go big, or go home

There’s no doubt Montblanc is going all-in with the Summit, completely embracing the smartwatch, and giving its fans a version of which they will be proud. Outside of partnerships with Qualcomm and Google, the company went out and sourced the best components it could find for the Summit, then used Swiss expertise for the design, construction, and unique elements such as the natural rubber strap and domed screen. It considers the result the best smartwatch it could make, and one that shouldn’t be seen as a trendy fad, but as a genuine alternative to its mechanical watches, which fits in with the firm’s ethos.

The 350mAh battery will last a day and is charged on a plastic plinth.

That’s all fine if you’re a Montblanc devotee with enough disposable cash that spending nearly $900 on a smartwatch doesn’t warrant a second thought. For the rest of us, it’s a considerably more difficult decision. The Summit is technically the same as a $300 Fossil Q Marshal, and technically inferior to the new Huawei Watch 2 that may cost around $400; so if the specs matter to you, it’s unlikely to tick all the boxes.

Perhaps this could be forgiven if the Summit was utterly gorgeous, and we couldn’t take our eyes off it for more than a second. Sadly, although we like individual parts of it, the Summit didn’t grab us exactly that way. Sure, we couldn’t stop looking, but the only reason is because, at this size, it’s impossible to miss.

Highs

• Gorgeous domed sapphire glass
• Unique individual elements add style
• Water resistant
• Attractive watch faces and straps

Lows

• Expensive
• Massive
• Charging plinth looks cheap

Report: iOS and Android continue to push out Windows Phone and others

Why it matters to you

Apple and Google are pushing out all other smartphone operating systems — so you may soon have to switch to them if you haven’t already.

The Apple iPhone has a long way to go before it’s the most popular phone around the world, but if these latest reports are anything to go by, the phone is gaining in popularity in some pretty key markets — like, for example, urban parts of China.

According to a report from Kantar Worldpanel, the iPhone 7 was the top-selling phone in the first quarter of the year in most of the regions that the agency tracks, including the United States, Europe, and more. In the top five European markets, Apple climbed up a nice 2.4 percent in market share, now sitting at 22.7 percent of the market — a market that also has many much less expensive phones on offer. Android also posted a pretty hefty market share increase in almost all markets except the U.S., showing that more and more people are adopting the smartphone.

More: 25 major problems with the iPhone 6, and what to do about them

The report focuses on in interesting point: Android and iOS are growing in market share, and as such are pushing out other operating systems, like Windows Phone. In many markets Windows Phone has less than a 1 percent market share, and in the U.S. the operating system sits at 1.3 percent market share — down from the 2.6 percent market share it had at the start of 2016.

One of the most popular markets for Apple is actually Australia — and in the country Apple sits at a hefty 42.4 percent market share, which is slightly higher than its market share in the U.S. Neither of those two countries are Apple’s best market, though. That prize is reserved for Japan, where Apple holds a whopping 49.5 percent of the market.

When it comes to China, Apple’s market share fell by 8.4 percent, according to the report. That figure, however, includes a large number of phones being sold in more rural areas, where many users are buying phones for the first time. That said, in “urban China,” which refers to China’s major cities, the iPhone 7 continued to be the top-selling smartphone.

The report continues on to talk about two “reborn” smartphone brands in Nokia and BlackBerry — but it notes that while those two companies made a splash in the market due to their retro styling, “no other ecosystem is challenging the two giants — iOS and Android.”

Then there’s the money aspect, and Apple is no slouch in that area either — in fact, the company collects the majority of profits in the market, and the report notes that it collected as much as 5.4 times the profits of Samsung.