Apple Seeds First Beta of watchOS 3.2.2 to Developers

Apple today seeded the first beta of an upcoming watchOS 3.2.2 update to developers for testing purposes, one day after the launch of watchOS 3.2, a major update that introduced Theater Mode.

watchOS 3.2.2 can be downloaded through the Apple Watch app on the iPhone by going to General –> Software Update. To install the update, the Apple Watch must have 50 percent battery, it must be placed on the charger, and it must be in range of the iPhone.

watchOS betas require an iPhone running iOS 10 to install, and they’re only available to developers because there’s no way to downgrade the software on an Apple Watch.

It’s not yet clear if watchOS 3.2.2 introduces any new features or bug fixes because Apple doesn’t typically provide release notes for betas, but we’ll update this post should anything new be discovered.

Given that this is a minor 3.x.x update, it’s likely to focus primarily on bug fixes.

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

Apple Seeds First Beta of tvOS 10.2.1 to Developers

Apple today seeded the first beta of an upcoming tvOS 10.2.1 update to developers for testing purposes, one day after releasing tvOS 10.2, an update that introduced improve scrolling and iPad support for the Apple TV Remote app.

The tvOS 10.2.1 beta is designed for the fourth-generation Apple TV. It can be downloaded by connecting the Apple TV to a computer with a USB-C cable and installing the beta software from a registered developer account using iTunes.

Because of the tricky installation requirements, tvOS betas are limited to developers. tvOS 10.2.1 will not be available to the public until the final version of the software launches.

Apple does not typically provide detailed beta release notes, so we don’t yet know what’s included in tvOS 10.2.1. It’s likely to focus primarily on bug fixes and under-the-hood performance improvements, so we may not know what’s new until the software sees an official release.

Should any noticeable changes be discovered in tvOS 10.2.1, we’ll update this post.

Related Roundups: Apple TV, tvOS 10
Buyer’s Guide: Apple TV (Don’t Buy)
Discuss this article in our forums

Apple Seeds First Beta of macOS Sierra 10.12.5 to Developers

Apple today seeded the first beta of an upcoming macOS Sierra 10.12.5 update to developers, one day after releasing macOS Sierra 10.12.4, which introduced Night Shift for the Mac.

macOS Sierra 10.12.5 can be downloaded through the Apple Developer Center or through the Software Update mechanism in the Mac App Store.

Apple’s release notes don’t often provide much insight into what’s included in new beta software, so we don’t yet know what features it might offer. As the update follows the release of 10.12.4, which was a major update, this one may focus primarily on bug fixes and other small improvements.

The release notes accompanying the beta release say only that the “update improves the stability, compatibility, and security of your Mac.” Should any new features be found in macOS Sierra 10.12.5, we’ll update this post.

Related Roundup: macOS Sierra
Discuss this article in our forums

Netgear extends the Orbi brand to include two new Wireless AC networking kits

Why it matters to you

Customers looking for an affordable solution to expand wireless AC coverage in a home or office just got two more options.

Netgear released its first Orbi networking kit in August. The company argues that Orbi is not part of the mesh-based networking market because it provides Wireless AC connectivity differently than the hockey puck-styled rivals, despite Orbi being a multi-unit setup. Now the company is expanding the Orbi brand into an entire family of networking products so customers have more choices regarding connectivity speeds and price.

Beginning Tuesday, Netgear sells three Orbi-branded wireless AC systems: The new RBK30 setup, the new RBK40 setup, and the current RBK50 kit. All three solutions are Tri-Band devices, meaning Netgear threw in an additional 5GHz band although it’s never directly accessed by the user. Instead, that lane is reserved for sending data between the Orbi units, making Orbi different than the typical mesh-based system that only has one 2.4GHz band and one 5GHz band.

Here is the updated Orbi family:

RBK30
RBK40
RBK50
Class:
AC2200
AC2200
AC3000
Coverage:
Up to 3,500 sq. ft.
Up to 4,000 sq. ft.
Up to 5,000 sq. ft.
Dedicated 5GHz speed:
2x streams at 433Mbps
4x streams at 433Mbps
4x streams at 433Mbps
Client 5GHz speed:
2x streams at 433Mbps
2x streams at 433Mbps
2x streams at 433Mbps
Client 2.4GHz speed:
2x streams at 200Mbps
2x streams at 200Mbps
2x streams at 200Mbps
Hub unit type:
Router
Router
Router
Satellite unit type:
Wall-plug
Identical shape
Identical shape
Kit cost:
$300
$350
$400
Additional unit:
$150
$200
$250
Additional unit coverage:
Adds up to 1,500 sq. ft.
Adds up to 2,000 sq. ft.
Adds up to 2,500 sq. ft.

Notice that the dedicated 5GHz band consists of two antennas in the RBK30 units, and four antennas in the RBK40 and RBK50 units. Thus, all data originating from the ISP’s modem travels across this private two-lane or four-lane access road connecting the Orbi units together. Data is then transferred to and from wireless devices through the generally accessed 5GHz and 2.4GHz bands (or Ethernet for wired).

More: Netgear Orbi review

In theory, this tri-band design speeds up connectivity because the Orbi units aren’t relying on a single 5GHz band for Orbi-to-Orbi communication and Orbi-to-client-device communication. That is supposedly the problem with standard mesh networking kits because the more client devices users add to the network, the slower the overall connection to the ISP’s modem becomes.

Here is a diagram found in an older Netgear press deck that draws the comparison of Orbi versus Luma/Eero-type hockey puck networking kits:

Orbi is also highly different than mesh-based systems in that the hub unit is an actual router. Users can dive into the browser-based interface to configure a plethora of network settings. By contrast, the Luma and Eero kits depend on Android/iOS apps with highly shallow customization capabilities. To that extent, Orbi is ideal for gamers, Ultra HD content streamers, and customers wanting complete control over every aspect of their network. The Luma and Eero kits are seemingly made for plug-and-play customers.

Ultimately, Netgear made a smart move by adding more affordable options to the Orbi brand. Customers now have a $300 starting point to take advantage of Netgear’s unique tri-band networking design.

Netgear extends the Orbi brand to include two new Wireless AC networking kits

Why it matters to you

Customers looking for an affordable solution to expand wireless AC coverage in a home or office just got two more options.

Netgear released its first Orbi networking kit in August. The company argues that Orbi is not part of the mesh-based networking market because it provides Wireless AC connectivity differently than the hockey puck-styled rivals, despite Orbi being a multi-unit setup. Now the company is expanding the Orbi brand into an entire family of networking products so customers have more choices regarding connectivity speeds and price.

Beginning Tuesday, Netgear sells three Orbi-branded wireless AC systems: The new RBK30 setup, the new RBK40 setup, and the current RBK50 kit. All three solutions are Tri-Band devices, meaning Netgear threw in an additional 5GHz band although it’s never directly accessed by the user. Instead, that lane is reserved for sending data between the Orbi units, making Orbi different than the typical mesh-based system that only has one 2.4GHz band and one 5GHz band.

Here is the updated Orbi family:

RBK30
RBK40
RBK50
Class:
AC2200
AC2200
AC3000
Coverage:
Up to 3,500 sq. ft.
Up to 4,000 sq. ft.
Up to 5,000 sq. ft.
Dedicated 5GHz speed:
2x streams at 433Mbps
4x streams at 433Mbps
4x streams at 433Mbps
Client 5GHz speed:
2x streams at 433Mbps
2x streams at 433Mbps
2x streams at 433Mbps
Client 2.4GHz speed:
2x streams at 200Mbps
2x streams at 200Mbps
2x streams at 200Mbps
Hub unit type:
Router
Router
Router
Satellite unit type:
Wall-plug
Identical shape
Identical shape
Kit cost:
$300
$350
$400
Additional unit:
$150
$200
$250
Additional unit coverage:
Adds up to 1,500 sq. ft.
Adds up to 2,000 sq. ft.
Adds up to 2,500 sq. ft.

Notice that the dedicated 5GHz band consists of two antennas in the RBK30 units, and four antennas in the RBK40 and RBK50 units. Thus, all data originating from the ISP’s modem travels across this private two-lane or four-lane access road connecting the Orbi units together. Data is then transferred to and from wireless devices through the generally accessed 5GHz and 2.4GHz bands (or Ethernet for wired).

More: Netgear Orbi review

In theory, this tri-band design speeds up connectivity because the Orbi units aren’t relying on a single 5GHz band for Orbi-to-Orbi communication and Orbi-to-client-device communication. That is supposedly the problem with standard mesh networking kits because the more client devices users add to the network, the slower the overall connection to the ISP’s modem becomes.

Here is a diagram found in an older Netgear press deck that draws the comparison of Orbi versus Luma/Eero-type hockey puck networking kits:

Orbi is also highly different than mesh-based systems in that the hub unit is an actual router. Users can dive into the browser-based interface to configure a plethora of network settings. By contrast, the Luma and Eero kits depend on Android/iOS apps with highly shallow customization capabilities. To that extent, Orbi is ideal for gamers, Ultra HD content streamers, and customers wanting complete control over every aspect of their network. The Luma and Eero kits are seemingly made for plug-and-play customers.

Ultimately, Netgear made a smart move by adding more affordable options to the Orbi brand. Customers now have a $300 starting point to take advantage of Netgear’s unique tri-band networking design.

Why is the Pixel’s camera so good? Google explains it, and what’s next

Why it matters to you

When you snap a photo with Google Pixel or Google Glass, you aren’t taking a picture — you’re taking several, stitched together by computers for a high-resolution image.

Last year, DxO Mark named the camera inside the Google Pixel the best smartphone camera yet — and new insight from Alphabet is showcasing just where the tech behind that camera camera from, and where it’s headed next. In an article for the Graduate Series exploring the tech that comes out of the X research division, Google says the camera tech inside Pixel was actually initially intended for Google Glass.

The tech, called Gcam, was first sparked in 2011 when researchers began looking for a high-resolution camera that could still fit inside a pair of eyeglass frames for Google Glass. Since adding a giant camera on the side of the glasses was out of the question, the team instead started looking at computational photography.

Instead of taking a single image on a large high resolution sensor, Gcam takes several images on a low-resolution sensor and, by merging them together with software, creates a high resolution image — or at least an image that can compete with the typical smartphone camera. The team, lead by Stanford Computer Science faculty Marc Levoy, called it image fusion and the feature launched in Google Glass in 2013.

More: Google may be testing a third, even larger Pixel phone code-named ‘Taimen’

Creating a small camera didn’t just introduce problems in resolution, however — a smaller lens captures less light, so photos from the lens small enough to hide in Google Glass was also a pretty poor low light performer. Merging the photos helped correct that. But the team next looked at getting more from the tiny camera using high dynamic range, a technique merging multiple images at different exposure levels together to create a wider range of light and detail. HDR+ then launched as an Android camera app for Nexus 5 (and later 6) in 2014.

The computational photography behind the Google Glass camera and HDR+ is now inside the Google Pixel, as well as the Google Photos app, YouTube, and Jump, a virtual reality device. The feature makes the lens blur setting inside Google Photos possible while the same program is piecing together 360 videos for Jump.

Levoy says that it took five years to get the Gcam software right before it launched in the Pixel smartphone. Since the system relies heavily on software, when users started complaining of lens flares, the team launched a firmware update for the software to automatically detect and remove it.

So what’s next for the tiny camera that started in Google Glass and now covers multiple products? The software-focused camera system could be getting a boost based on artificial intelligence. “One direction that we’re pushing is machine learning,” Levan said. “There’s lots of possibilities for creative things that actually change the look and feel of what you’re looking at. That could mean simple things like creating a training set to come up with a better white balance. Or what’s the right thing we could do with the background  —  should we blur it out, should we darken it, lighten it, stylize it? We’re at the best place in the world in terms of machine learning, so it’s a real opportunity to merge the creative world with the world of computational photography.”

Whatever’s in store for the next variation, the success of the Pixel likely sets that bar pretty high.

Why is the Pixel’s camera so good? Google explains it, and what’s next

Why it matters to you

When you snap a photo with Google Pixel or Google Glass, you aren’t taking a picture — you’re taking several, stitched together by computers for a high-resolution image.

Last year, DxO Mark named the camera inside the Google Pixel the best smartphone camera yet — and new insight from Alphabet is showcasing just where the tech behind that camera camera from, and where it’s headed next. In an article for the Graduate Series exploring the tech that comes out of the X research division, Google says the camera tech inside Pixel was actually initially intended for Google Glass.

The tech, called Gcam, was first sparked in 2011 when researchers began looking for a high-resolution camera that could still fit inside a pair of eyeglass frames for Google Glass. Since adding a giant camera on the side of the glasses was out of the question, the team instead started looking at computational photography.

Instead of taking a single image on a large high resolution sensor, Gcam takes several images on a low-resolution sensor and, by merging them together with software, creates a high resolution image — or at least an image that can compete with the typical smartphone camera. The team, lead by Stanford Computer Science faculty Marc Levoy, called it image fusion and the feature launched in Google Glass in 2013.

More: Google may be testing a third, even larger Pixel phone code-named ‘Taimen’

Creating a small camera didn’t just introduce problems in resolution, however — a smaller lens captures less light, so photos from the lens small enough to hide in Google Glass was also a pretty poor low light performer. Merging the photos helped correct that. But the team next looked at getting more from the tiny camera using high dynamic range, a technique merging multiple images at different exposure levels together to create a wider range of light and detail. HDR+ then launched as an Android camera app for Nexus 5 (and later 6) in 2014.

The computational photography behind the Google Glass camera and HDR+ is now inside the Google Pixel, as well as the Google Photos app, YouTube, and Jump, a virtual reality device. The feature makes the lens blur setting inside Google Photos possible while the same program is piecing together 360 videos for Jump.

Levoy says that it took five years to get the Gcam software right before it launched in the Pixel smartphone. Since the system relies heavily on software, when users started complaining of lens flares, the team launched a firmware update for the software to automatically detect and remove it.

So what’s next for the tiny camera that started in Google Glass and now covers multiple products? The software-focused camera system could be getting a boost based on artificial intelligence. “One direction that we’re pushing is machine learning,” Levan said. “There’s lots of possibilities for creative things that actually change the look and feel of what you’re looking at. That could mean simple things like creating a training set to come up with a better white balance. Or what’s the right thing we could do with the background  —  should we blur it out, should we darken it, lighten it, stylize it? We’re at the best place in the world in terms of machine learning, so it’s a real opportunity to merge the creative world with the world of computational photography.”

Whatever’s in store for the next variation, the success of the Pixel likely sets that bar pretty high.

Best emoji keyboards for iOS and Android

Gone are the days when simple words were enough to communicate our thoughts and feelings. The 21st century has given rise to a new form of communication — the humble emoji. Most major keyboards for both Android and iOS feature built-in support for emojis, but that doesn’t mean they present them front and center.

If you’re looking for a keyboard to truly satisfy your emoji-typing needs, then you may need something more substantial. That’s why we’ve put together a list of the best emoji keyboards out there. Conveying your emotions via text has never been easier.

More: 12 Android keyboards that will have you texting faster than a 13-year-old

iOS

Emoji>

Emoji> is one of the most popular emoji keyboards out there, and for good reason. The app recently reached 50 million downloads, and is perfect for those looking for a way to up their emoji game. There are a ton of emoji you can use through the keyboard, and they’re split into different categories, making it easy to find the emoji you like best. The keyboard also offers animated stickers, and the ability to set up emoji as “favorites,” so you can access them at a moment’s notice without having to take the time to search for the ones you want.

Download now for:

iOS

Swiftkey

Swiftkey may not be a emoji keyboard per se, but it is the next best thing — an excellent keyboard that comes pre-loaded with hundreds of emoji for you to use. Swiftkey is known as one of the better keyboard apps out there, namely because of its excellent predictive typing, which can also be applied to emoji use. When you type a word or phrase, for example, the app suggests emojis that you can quickly tap on to use.

Download now for:

iOS

Slash Keyboard

Slash Keyboard is another keyboard that’s not exclusive to emojis, but it does have a ton of emoji support. For starters, the keyboard allows users to share songs, files, and more from connected apps. It also allows you to search through a robust catalog of emojis, GIFs, and stickers. Because of this, you won’t have to wade through hundreds of emojis to find the one you want — just search for the term in question and it should pop up.

Download now for:

iOS

Minuum ($4)

Minuum has been around for some time, and it offers relatively strong autocorrect options, word prediction, and more. Not only that, but the keyboard is being billed as one of the best for typing with one hand, making it suitable for larger phones. One of its best new features, however, is smart emoji, which predicts the emoji it thinks you’ll want to use based on the message you’re typing. The app also learns how you type, meaning said predictions should get better as you keep using the app. The $4 price tag is a little steep for a keyboard like this, but if you find that it works well for you, it may be worth the cash.

Download now for:

iOS

New Razer Blade Pro is a THX-certified, GTX 1080-packing gaming monster

Why it matters to you

Gamers now have a THX-certified option with stellar audio and video performance — and GTX 1080 — all packed into a relatively svelte laptop you won’t mind carrying around.

Razer is best known for making high-end gaming systems that also manage to look good and avoid weighing a ton. The Razer Blade Pro is the company’s top-end gaming machine, and it promises to elevate the company’s reputation even more.

The 2017 version of the Razer Blade Pro does nothing to mitigate the company’s focus on gaming prowess, but it does add some new features and functionality that should do nothing but enhance the machine’s drool-worthy status among hardcore gamers.

More: Razer takes a big step beyond gaming with acquisition of audio tech icon THX

First up are the specs. The Razer Blade Pro includes the usual seventh-generation Core i7 quad-core processor and up to 32GB of fast DDR4 RAM running at 2667MHz. But Razer is also packing in the Nvidia GeForce GTX 1080 GPU for the utmost in 4K and VR gaming — giving it bragging rights for producing the thinnest laptop equipped with the high-end chip.

“The Blade Pro was recently hailed as ‘the ultimate Windows laptop,’ and we’ve leveled up on our previous achievements with certification by THX,” says Min-Liang Tan, Razer CEO and co-founder. “Each refinement of the Razer Blade Pro moves us closer to an ultimate desktop replacement.”

The new THX Mobile Certification, the first for a laptop and not a surprise given Razer’s acquisition of THX, is intended to ensure the highest-quality audio and video performance. As Ty Ahmad-Taylor, THX CEO, puts it, “The Razer Blade Pro is a top-level laptop providing an excellent THX viewing mode and audio experience. It can easily handle extreme gaming and content creation with exceptional mobile audio and visual performance.”

The video portion is provided by a 17.3-inch 4K IGZO monitor with Nvidia G-Sync technology ensuring smooth framerates and video playback. It’s not just good for gaming, either, as it also offers up 100 percent AdobeRGB color gamut support for creative professionals.

In terms of audio performance, the Razer Blade Pro has been designed to meet THX’s strict requirements for voltage output, frequency response, distortion, signal-to-noise ratio, and crosstalk for clear sound via headphones. Between its audio and video performance, the machine promises an exceptional experience whether watching an action-packed movie or playing an intense session of first-person-shooter gaming.

More: Razer Blade (2016) Review

Other specs include up to 2TB of PCIe M.2 SSD with RAID 0 support, a built-in SD card reader, a USB Type-C port with Thunderbolt 3, and three USB 3.0 ports for solid legacy support. The keyboard uses Ultra-Low-Profile mechanical switches with true actuation and reset points, registering a full 65 grams of force to mimic full-size mechanical keyboards. Razer Chroma tricolor LED technology lends some pizzazz to the keyboard and touchpad.

At 0.88-inches thick and weighing eight pounds, the Razer Blade Pro is a substantial gaming notebook but well under the industry norm for a machine with its level of performance. It’s available now in the U.S. and Europe via Razerzone.com and select retailers, but you’ll pay for the privilege of picking one up — the machine starts at $4,000, or 4,400 euros.

Let Chris the digital co-driver be your navigator, in-car entertainment director

Why it matters to you

Chris, the digital co-driver, is a versatile Alexa-like in-car companion that responds to your voice.

A digital co-driver voice assistant from German Autolabs, just went live with its Kickstarter campaign. German Autolabs’ hope is that “Chris” will become the “Alexa of the automotive world,” referring to Amazon Echo’s Alexa voice assistant.

The basic concept is that Chris will pair with your smartphone so you can use it for communication, entertainment, and navigation, all hands free. However, German Autolabs wants to go a lot further than most hands-free smartphone audio accessories. One difference is that you can interact with your digital co-driver with gestures as well as voice. For example, you can use hand gestures to raise or lower music volume. The greatest difference, however, is the company’s use of artificial intelligence to enhance speech recognition that can improve with experience with a specific driver.

More: Lose the remote: Open your garage door via phone, voice assistant, or IFTTT recipe

According to CEO Holder Weiss:  “While automotive manufacturers like Tesla, Lexus, Audi, and BMW pursue building connected vehicles over the next several years, consumer demand for AI-enabled technology is rapidly on the rise today. Drivers and passengers can have this AI-powered technology at their disposal now, and with a low barrier to entry both in installation and cost. Chris works in every car, regardless of the age or model.”

The hardware module mounts on the windshield or dashboard. Chris has a full-color display so messages or statuses are available at a glance. The device has a lithium-ion battery with one week of standby battery life and one hour of operation time. A USB Type-C port on the back connects to recharge the battery and to run Chris while connected to a power source. The navigation feature works with or without a phone connection, which adds to its versatility.

According to German Autolabs, Chris is scheduled to ship to backers in December 2017. The device will be produced by ISO certified manufacturers and certified for use in all cars. Chris will retail for $300 when it launches at the end of the year, but special pricing discounts of up to 40 percent are available during the Kickstarter Campaign.