NOAA’s GOES-16 weather satellite takes its first solar images

NOAA’s next-gen weather satellite GOES-16 beamed back photos of the Earth and the moon back in January, but that was just a taste of what it can do. Now, the Solar Ultraviolet Imager (SUVI) onboard the satellite has taken its first solar images, and NOAA has stitched them together to create a video that you can watch after the break. The images, taken on January 29th, show a large coronal hole in the sun’s southern hemisphere. Coronal holes are parts of the solar surface where the corona (or outer atmosphere) looks darker than usual.

NASA says the sun’s 11-year cycle is approaching solar minimum, a period of time when solar flares are rare and coronal holes are the main source of solar phenomena. This particular one, for instance, caused aurora to appear in the poles. GOES-16 was designed to monitor any kind of solar activity, though, including solar flares and geomagnetic storms.

The spacecraft’s abilities all depend on SUVI, which observes the sun in six different EUV channels that you can see in the image above. These channels give the instrument a way to estimate coronal plasma temperatures and emission measurements necessary for space weather forecasting. NASA and NOAA expect the satellite to be able send us early warnings of dangerous solar activities that can pose a risk to satellites, power grids and telecom companies.

Source: NASA

Facebook Launches ‘Video’ App for Fourth-Generation Apple TV

Facebook tonight launched its Facebook Video app for the fourth-generation, tvOS-based Apple TV. The app allows users to watch videos from friends, liked pages, top live videos and more.

Videos are split into six channels: Shared by Friends, Following, Recommended for You, Top Live Videos, Saved Videos and Recently Watched. Following contains videos by both friends and liked pages while Shared by Friends only lists videos from friends.

The app is more robust than Facebook’s fullscreen video mode on the web or iOS, which only lists select recommendations and autoplays the next video in the recommendation queue.

Earlier this month, Facebook’s VP of Partnerships said the app would not feature ads at launch and will require a Facebook account to use. Facebook is also reportedly in discussions with media companies to license long-form “premium” content to bolster its video selection.

The app is not a standalone app. Instead, it’s built into Facebook for iOS. Apple TV users will access the video app while iOS users will only be able to access the standard Facebook app.

Facebook Video is available in the Apple TV App Store for free [Direct Link]

Tags: Facebook, Facebook Video
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FCC chief says net neutrality rollback will hasten 5G infrastructure buildout

Why it matters to you

New FCC head says dumping regulations — including net neutrality — will bring you faster internet sooner.

Speaking at the 2017 Mobile World World in Barcelona, Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai said the growth of online business is the major factor in his decision to cut internet regulations, most notably net neutrality. Wider access to broadband internet and 5G wireless will continue what Pai described as “the democratization of the internet.” But that process will slow down or even stop with heavy-handed regulation, in his view.

“5G could transform the wireless world,” Pai said. “We stand on the cusp of new advancements, but it’s not a foregone conclusion that we’ll achieve this potential. 5G will require a lot of infrastructure.”

Net neutrality limits internet deployment in Pai’s opinion, according to Tech Crunch.

Pai referred to the net neutrality regulations implemented by the Obama administration as “1930’s-style regulation.” He said those regulations “disincentivized” broadband providers from making infrastructure investments to support both current and future technologies.

“Last year, the United States experienced the first decline in broadband investment outside of a recession,” said Pai. He believes the answer is a free market with only “light-touch regulation.” An example of Pai’s pullback from regulation was dropping FCC investigations into zero-rating, which is when mobile carriers don’t count media streaming in monthly data plans. Those who argue in favor of net neutrality believe zero-rating practices favor large, existing companies and make it harder for newcomers.

Senator Al Franken, D-Minnesota, a strong proponent of net neutrality, wrote to Pai after his appointment, exhorting him to keep net neutrality intact: “Allowing giant corporations to pick and choose the content available to everyday Americans would threaten the basic principles of our democracy,” Franken wrote. “I urge you to protect freedom of speech by maintaining and enforcing the Open Internet Order.”

More: Net neutrality critic Ajit Pai elevated to FCC chairman, reports say

Following his presentation, Pai spoke with European mobile executives and CNBC anchor Karen Tso. He pointed out that he sees the new unlimited data plans recently introduced by the four major U.S. carriers as an immediate positive result of his taking office and making his decision on net neutrality. Previously, there was a “climate of uncertainty” from events such as Brexit and President Donald Trump’s election, but now his view is that the market is already responding positively.

“The truth is that consumers like getting something for free,” Pai said. “Preemptive regulation did not deliver those benefits. The free market did.”

FCC chief says net neutrality rollback will hasten 5G infrastructure buildout

Why it matters to you

New FCC head says dumping regulations — including net neutrality — will bring you faster internet sooner.

Speaking at the 2017 Mobile World World in Barcelona, Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai said the growth of online business is the major factor in his decision to cut internet regulations, most notably net neutrality. Wider access to broadband internet and 5G wireless will continue what Pai described as “the democratization of the internet.” But that process will slow down or even stop with heavy-handed regulation, in his view.

“5G could transform the wireless world,” Pai said. “We stand on the cusp of new advancements, but it’s not a foregone conclusion that we’ll achieve this potential. 5G will require a lot of infrastructure.”

Net neutrality limits internet deployment in Pai’s opinion, according to Tech Crunch.

Pai referred to the net neutrality regulations implemented by the Obama administration as “1930’s-style regulation.” He said those regulations “disincentivized” broadband providers from making infrastructure investments to support both current and future technologies.

“Last year, the United States experienced the first decline in broadband investment outside of a recession,” said Pai. He believes the answer is a free market with only “light-touch regulation.” An example of Pai’s pullback from regulation was dropping FCC investigations into zero-rating, which is when mobile carriers don’t count media streaming in monthly data plans. Those who argue in favor of net neutrality believe zero-rating practices favor large, existing companies and make it harder for newcomers.

Senator Al Franken, D-Minnesota, a strong proponent of net neutrality, wrote to Pai after his appointment, exhorting him to keep net neutrality intact: “Allowing giant corporations to pick and choose the content available to everyday Americans would threaten the basic principles of our democracy,” Franken wrote. “I urge you to protect freedom of speech by maintaining and enforcing the Open Internet Order.”

More: Net neutrality critic Ajit Pai elevated to FCC chairman, reports say

Following his presentation, Pai spoke with European mobile executives and CNBC anchor Karen Tso. He pointed out that he sees the new unlimited data plans recently introduced by the four major U.S. carriers as an immediate positive result of his taking office and making his decision on net neutrality. Previously, there was a “climate of uncertainty” from events such as Brexit and President Donald Trump’s election, but now his view is that the market is already responding positively.

“The truth is that consumers like getting something for free,” Pai said. “Preemptive regulation did not deliver those benefits. The free market did.”

Like HDR for zoom features, xTeleZoom offers a better digital focus

Why it matters to you

Digital zoom means a loss of quality, but some of that loss can be recovered using the xTeleZoom app.

While dual camera smartphones are starting to change the norm, most smartphones still have pretty poor zoom capabilities. One company is working to change that not with add-on lenses, but with software. On Monday during Mobile World Congress, Almalence announced the xTeleZoom app for iPhone.

xTeleZoom uses computational zoom — a variation of digital zoom enhanced by computer learning models to up the quality over the digital zoom alone. Almalence says that the computational zoom keeps the resolution equal to a photo shot with 1.5x to 2x zoom.

More: When it comes to camera zoom, here’s why only optical matters

The app is based on the company’s Super Resolution program, previously used with only high-end cameras. The Super Resolution system starts with knowledge about the camera (and the camera’s weaknesses) and uses that data to correct the image. But the Super Resolution program also sets itself apart by merging several images together. By combining multiple images together, resolution increases and when that occurs, digital zoom has a much less drastic quality loss.

The xTeleZoom is based on that Super Resolution program but brings it to the iPhone for the first time. Essentially, the app is like HDR but for zoom, not exposure, merging images together for a higher resolution, so that digital crop called digital zoom isn’t as much of a quality loss.

The app’s developers say the software fights the lack of optical zoom that only gets more challenging as smartphones thin down. “We developed xTeleZoom because even the most advanced hardware solutions alone cannot address the need for taking high-quality zoom photos,” Almalence CEO Eugene Panich said in a press release. “The decreasing thickness of new phone generations poses bigger challenges on the lenses ability to zoom and resolve good image quality. Software like xTeleZoom is the only practical way to break the zoom quality barrier.”

Along with the xTeleZoom app, Almalence offers a number of mobile photography apps, from an all-in-one camera to HDR and a night camera, as well as several desktop photography programs.

xTeleZoom is available on iOS models with RAW capability, which includes the iPhone 6, 6s, and 7 models, including the Plus versions. With the iPhone 7 Plus, the software can be used on top of the longer focal length of the second lens. XTeleZoom is available in the App Store for $0.99.

KnowRoaming’s virtual SIM makes global roaming a breeze with ZTE Blade V8

Why it matters to you

For smartphone users, roaming internationally is a challenge, but KnowRoaming’s virtual SIM technology makes it easier.

If you’re an international traveler, you know that finding a cheap, reliable mobile network can be a challenge. First, there’s the matter of finding a plan that won’t nickel-and-dime you on international calls and texts.Then you have to switch your phone’s SIM for a compatible card. The lucky owners of ZTE’s Blade V8 won’t have to deal with those problems much longer, however.

At Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, KnowRoaming, a tech firm that “delivers end-to-end solutions for global connectivity,” announced the launch of the KnowRoaming SoftSIM in the new ZTE Blade V8. Thanks to KnowRoaming’s virtual SIM technology, roaming with the ZTE Blade V8 is a cinch: Users can get unlimited data in 61 countries worldwide without the need for additional SIMs or hardware. (In the U.S., that excludes Verizon and Sprint.)

More: Xiaomi Redmi Pro review

“We’re proud to partner with ZTE to relieve Blade V8 users of the burden of high roaming fees, and provide the freedom and flexibility to stay connected no matter where they travel,” KnowRoaming CEO Gregory Gundelfinger said in a press release.

Managing the SoftSIM is easy. The Blade V8’s native Roam Now app lets users manage real-time usage, choose the country, select the data package, top up their account with prepaid credit, and automatically connect to unlimited data in the aforementioned countries.

KnowRoaming’s announcement comes on the heels of tech firm uCloudlink’s CloudSIM. It, like KnowRoamin’s SoftSIM, tricks your the phone into thinking a card has been inserted. But CloudSIM’s services are restricted to the Xiaomi’s Mi Max phone. And uCloudlink must regularly send a signal to a central server in order to detect which local network is the strongest at any given time.

More: ZTE Blade V8 Pro: Our first take

There’s also the matter of compatibility. Xiaomi phones aren’t sold in the U.S. and don’t support U.S. carrier bands, while the Alcatel and ZTE phones supported by KnowRoaming’s technology are confirmed to work for U.S. GSM carriers.

The $240 Blade V8, for the uninitiated, is an affordable phone with uncompromising hardware. It sports a 5.5-inch 1,920 x 1,080 pixel screen, a Qualcomm Snapdragon 624 processor, 2GB of RAM, and 32GB of internal storage. Its dual-camera lens combines images from two adjacent 13-megapixel lenses to create a blurred background (bokeh) effect similar to that on the iPhone 7 Plus, and the 3,140mAh battery compatible with quick charging technology supplies about a day’s worth of juice.

KnowRoaming’s Roam Now app will launch worldwide in the second quarter of this year, a company spokesperson said.

Google confirms it has no plan to create a third Pixel-branded Chrome OS laptop

Why it matters to you

Google’s two Pixel-branded laptops served as the flagships in the Chromebook business, but the quality may have gotten to the point where Google no longer needs to lead the pack.

During the Mobile World Congress event in Barcelona, Spain, Google conducted a small meeting with journalists. Senior Vice President for Hardware Rick Osterloh took that time to reveal that, for now, Google has no plans to continue refreshing its Pixel-branded laptop family. The company isn’t making any additional units of the current Pixel 2015 models either, which have sold out.

That said, head into Google Play’s Devices section and there is no sign of a Pixel-branded laptop. Instead, customers will find Chromebooks from third-party manufacturers. These includes the $449 Samsung Chromebook Plus, the $300 Acer Chromebook R11, the $300 Acer Chromebook 14, and more.

More: Make the most out of Google with this list of ‘OK, Google’ voice commands

But don’t let Google’s current withdrawal from the laptop market be misleading. The Chrome OS platform will continue as an alternative to Windows and MacOS. Osterloh said that Google has “the number two market share in the U.S. and U.K.” but there’s no plan to continue producing Google-branded laptops at this time.

The claim is interesting given that the Windows platform dominates most of the PC market followed by MacOS 10.12 (2.75 percent) and Linux (2.27 percent). Regardless, Chromebooks are a big business in the educational and budget-friendly notebook sectors. Even more, owners love their Chromebooks due to their ease of use, their speed, and their stability.

Google’s first Pixel laptop arrived in February 2013. Like its eventual successor, the unit served as a flagship for Chrome OS, showing what third-party manufacturers should strive for when creating their own Chomebook solutions. The second model arrived in March 2015, raising the bar with high-end components, loads of system memory, Wireless AC connectivity, and more.

That said, Google’s Pixel Chromebooks didn’t come cheap. The original Pixel sold for $1,300 with Wi-Fi only and $1,450 for the LTE version. The two 2015 models weren’t quite as expensive, selling at $1,000 for the base configuration (i5-5200U, 8GB DDR3 memory, 32GB storage) and $1,200 for the LS configuration (i7-5500U, 16GB DDR3 memory, 64GB storage).

Google simply may not need to produce another flagship product because the quality of affordable, third-party Chromebook solutions has increased over the years. The HP Chromebook 13 is a good example with a starting price of $500.  The most expensive starting point ($1,040) consists of a sixth-generation Core m7-6Y75 processor, 16GB of system memory, 32GB of internal storage, and a 13.3-inch screen with a 2,560 x 1,440 resolution.

Despite Google’s current pause in the laptop market, the Pixel name isn’t dead. Google’s Pixel-based smartphone has proven to be quite popular, causing supply issues and the inability to meet consumer demand. The company also has the Pixel C tablet for $600 which is based on Android 7.0 “Nougat” and not the Chrome OS.

More Pixel devices could be on the way. Osterloh indicated that future products may don the Pixel name that are based on Google’s concept of building a product from the ground up that fuses together its own software and hardware. Laptops, it seems, aren’t part of the broader picture for now.

The Sistine Chapel’s masterpiece frescoes have been digitized

To prepare for future restoration projects, the Sistine Chapel’s world-famous frescoes and mosaic floor have gotten the up-close-and-personal treatment by way of an army of DSLRs. The last time the Sistine’s masterworks were documented photographically (both by Michelangelo and other artists) it was a 14-year-long job that wrapped in 1994, according to Reuters. This time out, photographers spread 65 nights of work across five years, resulting in 270,000 digital still photos.

“In the future, this will allow us to know the state of every centimeter of the chapel as it is today, in 2017,” former head of the Vatican Museums Antonio Paolucci told the publication.

“We used special post-production software to get the depth, intensity, warmth and nuance of colors to an accuracy of 99.9 percent,” fine-art book publisher Scripta Maneant’s Giorgio Aramroli said.

Speaking of, if you can’t make it to Vatican City to check the ceiling paintings for yourself, these benchmark photos will be available in book form. Reuters writes that some 220 pages are printed at 1:1 scale, including The Creation of Adam and Jesus Christ’s face from The Last Judgment.

The thing is, the three-volume work is targeted at libraries and deep-pocketed collectors. There will only be 1,999 copies printed and for the price — $12,693 (€12,000) — so it’ll likely be cheaper to book a trip to Rome. Ciao!

Source: Reuters

What is YouTube TV, how does it work, and where is it available?

It’s been long rumoured that Google will use YouTube to introduce a live TV service. The company has now confirmed those suspicions.

Google officially announced its entry into the streaming of live TV, with YouTube TV. It will let you access live and recorded content from major networks typically found on cable. It will be available alongside YouTube’s existing content, and it’ll work on practically every screen you can watch YouTube on, but it’ll only cost $35 a month without a contract. Here’s everything you need to know about it.

What is YouTube TV?

When people watch TV, they tune into live sports, breaking news, sitcoms, dramas, and a number of other different types of programmes. Although there is a tonne of content to choose from, there are limitations to how you can watch it. You simply can’t watch TV when you want and on any screen without a contract. And you certainly don’t always have access to fancy TV features such as DVR.

YouTube TV is attempting to change that. It is described as “live TV designed for the YouTube generation – those who want to watch what they want, when they want, how they want, without commitments.”

What can you watch on YouTube TV?

Google said the initial lineup of “more than 40 networks” includes CBS, Fox, NBC, and CBS, as well as cable players USA and FX. There’s a total of 10 sports networks available, including ESPN, Fox Sports, and NBCSN. Local affiliates will also be included, so you can watch news from the same channels you’d normally get over the air. You can even add Showtime for an additional price.

It’s safe to say YouTube will directly compete with existing services such as Sling TV and PlayStation Vue, both of which offer access to live TV from major networks, cable players, and sports networks. But there are some holes – like Viacom, Discovery, A&E, AMC, and Turner (with TBS and TNT). Sony’s $35 plan for PlayStation Vue offers many of these networks and more, such as CNN.

YouTube TV

You can see the full YouTube TV lineup above.

What else does YouTube TV feature?

Unlimited cloud DVR storage

Apart from live TV from major networks, YouTube TV includes unlimited cloud DVR storage. With that feature, you can even add a show or sports team to your favourites, and it’ll automatically save them for you. Your cloud DVR will record as many shows as you want, simultaneously, without using data or space on your phone (though you can stream recordings from any device at any time).

Google said it’ll store each of your recordings for nine months. And, yes, you can fast forward or rewind DVR content, so you can quickly pass right over all those annoying commercials.

Available across all your screens

YouTube TV works on both Android and iOS. That means you can watch YouTube TV on your phone, tablet, or computer. You can also stream to your TV with a Google Chromecast or Chromecast built-in TV. YouTube TV will even eventually work with Google Home, too, allowing you to ask Home to play a show on your Chromecast. Google said it’ll “just work,” according to Engadget.

How does YouTube TV work?

YouTube TV

YouTube TV app

When YouTube TV launches, you will be able to access it from the new YouTube TV app for Android and iOS or from the web on your computer. Other devices (like Apple TV, Roku, the PS4, and Xbox One) won’t have access to the new YouTube TV app at launch.

According to Engadget, the mobile app has a “cast” button available at the top throughout, so you can throw a video to your Chromecast or a compatible TV, as well as the ability to search by genre, network, and categories. You can also search for something like “dogs” and get a list of programmes that feature dogs. If you choose to search a series, you will see a page with all the episodes.

The mobile app features just three main screens: live, library and home.

Live

Live shows what is currently being broadcasted by networks, with live previews of what’s on each channel. Just tap to start playing. To record something to watch later, you can tap a plus icon on the preview. When watching in portrait mode, you’ll see recommendations at the bottom, or you can flip the phone to landscape to enter full screen.

It’s worth noting that because of Verizon’s deal with the NFL, you can’t watch NFL games on your phone. You’ll be able to stream them on the desktop or a TV, but not on your mobile device.

Library

Library shows everything you’ve recorded and everything scheduled to be recorded on your DVR.

Home

Home is kind of like what you see on YouTube. It’ll show what you’ve watched recently, as well as recommendations based on what you’ve watched so far, and you’ll see things you may have stopped and might want to continue playing.

Support

Google told Engadget that you will be able to contact customer service through the YouTube TV app any time, either via text chat or voice chat.

Is this different from YouTube Red?

This is a separate product from YouTube Red, a service Google launched in 2015 as a way to give you an ad-free YouTube experience. YouTube Red does feature some original programming, but with a YouTube TV membership, you can watch YouTube Red Original series and movies via the new YouTube TV app. But, unfortunately, you won’t get the full ad-free YouTube experience.

You can learn more about YouTube Red from Pocket-lint’s guide.

When will YouTube TV be available?

The YouTube TV app will be available sometime in spring 2017.

Where is YouTube TV available?

At launch, YouTube TV will only be available to customers in the US. It will be limited to “the largest US markets” but will quickly expand to cover more cities across the country, Google said. 

How much is YouTube TV?

YouTube TV will cost customers $35 a month with no contract. You can cancel at any time. Up to six users will be able to access content when they want – and they’ll have access to their own recommendations and personal cloud DVR storage.

Want to know more?

Visit tv.youtube.com to sign up and learn more about when YouTube TV will launch in your market.

Google quietly kills its high-end Pixel Chromebook laptop line

Farewell, Pixel.

No, not the Pixel phones. We’re talking about Google’s high-end, $1,299 Pixel Chromebooks. Long before Google started shipping flagship phones under the Pixel brand, it offered Pixel laptops. But, according to TechCrunch, which spoke to Google senior vice president for hardware Rick Osterloh at Mobile World Congress, Google plans to stop making the Pixel Chromebook line after just two iterations.

Google wants to chop the entire Pixel line down to just the Pixel and Pixel XL smartphones, as well as the Pixel C tablet, though there may be other devices carrying the brand name in the future. Just don’t expect laptops to be one of them. So, if you’re looking to snag a Pixel Chromebook before it’s too late… you’re simply out of luck. The company sold out of them last summer and has yet to restock them.

• Chromebook tips and tricks: Getting the most out of Chrome OS

This doesn’t mean Chrome OS is done. It just means Google is getting out of the Chromebook-making game; third-party manufacturers will still make and shipping their own Chrome OS-powered machines and Chromebooks. “Google hasn’t backed away from laptops,” Osterloh explained. “We have the number two market share in the US and UK – but we have no plans for Google-branded laptops.”

• Google Pixel tips and tricks: Getting to grips with Google’s phone

Osterloh also acknowledged at MWC 2017 in Barcelona that the Pixel smartphones have been suffering from supply and demand issues.