For $75,000, you can get the world’s first broadcast-quality 6K VR drone

Why it matters to you

As the world turns increasingly to VR content and 360 video for its immersive media, drones like the Flying Eye will certainly come in handy.

This isn’t your average drone. Meet the Flying Eye from 360 Designs, heralded as the world’s first broadcast-quality 6K VR drone. Capable of streaming live, 6K, 360-degree video over a range of five miles, this may just be the most advanced live-streaming drone on the market.

Much of the Flying Eye’s magic depends upon a custom wireless transmission system known as Breeze developed exclusively by 360 Designs. Thanks to this high-tech system, live VR streams can be shared just about anywhere in the world via YouTube, Facebook, or VR headsets, and all in high quality. You’ll have a literal sense of what it means to get a bird’s eye view of things as you virtually hover over your favorite football stadium, music venue, and more.

“We wanted to create a broadcast-quality live 360 drone platform for professionals, so they can create stunning live VR productions, with or without the drone in shot,” said Alx Klive, CEO of 360 Designs. “The sky is no longer the limit.”

As the world turns increasingly to 360 video for media consumption, drones like the Flying Eye will become ever more important to how audiences see their news, their entertainment, and everything in between. Thanks to this drone’s studio-grade camera sensors and a broadcast-standard SDI/NDI workflow, 360 Designs promises customers high-quality live image and an easy-to-integrate system.

Key features of the Flying Eye include its near uncompressed, low latency (less than one second) broadcast-grade 6K video, along with a best-in-class 360 camera in the form of the Mini EYE 3 (though the drone can carry other 3-camera, HDMI, or SDI-based VR rigs). And because the drone offers automated live stitching, you won’t need to string together your footage at a later date — it’ll all be done for you on-site. Best of all, perhaps, is the ability of the Flying Eye to be operated by a single person. Because it shoots in 360 degrees, you won’t need someone else to deal with camera positioning.

The drone system includes a Matrice 600 series commercial UAV; a choice of VR camera (Mini Eye 3 or other SDI/HDMI cameras), a camera stabilization system, the Breeze wireless transmission and stitching system (includes ground station), and waterproof Pelican case(s). But be warned, this kind of technology doesn’t come cheap. The Flying Eye will set you back an arm and a leg at $75,000.

From the Eggitor’s Desk: Do we need a Galaxy Note 8?

Happy Easter! Let’s talk about the next Samsung Galaxy Note.

At the start of Galaxy S8 launch week, the last thing Samsung wants to do is reflect on the Note series. However, the imminent arrival of a 6.2-inch Galaxy S8+ (albeit in the same sized body, roughly, as the Note 7), poses an interesting question: Do we need a Galaxy Note this year? And if we do, how can it sensibly coexist with the larger GS8?

Firstly, thanks to Samsung mobile boss DJ Koh, we know there will be a Note 8. Speaking to Reuters in the wake of the Note 7 fiasco, Koh promised fans a “better, safer and very innovative Note 8.”

What will Samsung’s ‘better, safer and very innovative Note 8’ look like?

The word “innovative” is an important clue. The Note line has jumped around a lot in terms of its role for Samsung over the years. Some years it would be this crazy technological showcase with new features or radically upgraded specs over the Galaxy S line. The original Galaxy Note was itself this crazy experiment, with an enormous display for the time, and stylus-based input that didn’t suck. Notes 3 and 4 boasted technological firsts. The former was among the first with a Snapdragon 800 / 3GB RAM combo, and a new design language for Samsung that moved away from the old greasy, glossy plastic. And the Note 4, still an under-appreciated phone, was among the first to boast Quad HD SuperAMOLED, a really great camera with OIS, and further build quality refinements.

More recently, with the Note 5 and Note 7, the Note has been basically the same as that year’s Galaxy S phone, with an S Pen and a bigger screen. Now, it’s possible Samsung could just add an S Pen to the GS8+ and call it a day. That wouldn’t be the most exciting phone but it would still be pretty good. What it certainly wouldn’t be, however, is innovative.

The Note brand needs a strong re-launch, particularly in Europe, where the Note first debuted six years ago, and where Samsung hasn’t shipped a functional Note since 2014’s Note 4. The company needs to do more than just releasing a phone that works and is safe, and that means bringing the Note back to its origins as a phone with new technology and (meaningful) features first. (Don’t talk to me about the Note 7’s terrible iris scanner.)

The Note brand needs a strong re-launch, particularly in Europe, which hasn’t had a functional Note since 2014.

There are a few obvious clues about what’s next for the Note. A fingerprint scanner built into the display is an obvious one — a feature Samsung reportedly wanted in the GS8 but wasn’t able to pull off. Dual cameras are another — in fact, Samsung’s Exynos 9 announcement showed that the chip has dual camera support. If you’re Samsung, you probably don’t do that unless you have a specific product in mind. (The rumor mill also suggests Samsung was experimenting with this feature in early GS8 prototypes.)

And then there’s the question of a 4K screen, long rumored for Note devices, and potentially a huge development for VR, eliminating the dreaded screen door effect for Gear VR users. Higher pixel density doesn’t matter when you’re tweeting or browsing the web, but it makes an enormous difference when you’re watching a movie of playing a game in VR. Like Sony’s 4K phones, a 4K Note 8 wouldn’t run in 4K mode all the time — look no further than the GS8’s resolution scaling features to see how that might work. The default resolution would likely be Full HD or Quad HD, with 4K mode being limited to a small number of apps where it makes sense.

Those are just a few of the features Samsung could deploy to make the next Note a really exciting phone, and a good counterpoint to the more mainstream Galaxy S8.

A few more Easter weekend musings…

• My final (European) LG G6 arrived this week, in a comically large crate straight from the factory in Korea. The phone itself is basically identical to the early-production-run U.S. unit I’ve been using up until now, with the exception of the CE mark around the back, somewhat warmer colors on the LCD and slightly softer haptics. (And no wireless charging. Womp womp.)

• We also republished our G6 review this past week, and I stand by everything in there after using this thing for almost two months. This is one of the best phones out there right now. Sure, the Galaxy S8 is going to be the default Android phone purchase for a lot of people, but the G6 is a fantastic alternative with a lot going for it. (I’m still a huge fan of the wide-angle camera.)

• I’m also really enjoying the gorgeous new Midnight Black OnePlus 3T — and I agree with Daniel Bader that the company which used to be known for PR blunders is getting a lot right these days.

• A lot of people are down on the first leaked photo of the HTC U, revealed by Evan Blass in the past day. (It’s basically the back of a U Play and the front of an HTC 10.) And with substantial bezels top and bottom, you can’t argue that it looks a little dated compared to Samsung and LG’s latest efforts. That doesn’t mean it won’t be a great phone, as the HTC 10 certainly was. But HTC also needs something exciting to drum up enthusiasm for its high-end stuff, which the 10 arguably lacked.

• On a related note, the HTC U will live or die by its carrier coverage. Being able to buy on installment through HTC.com isn’t the same — there’s no substitute for that in-store shelf space. In the UK, the HTC 10 picked up only two of the big four operators last year, while Huawei has all of them for its P10 line, and OnePlus has O2, the second-largest, onboard. Without carriers, HTC’s phone business would look increasingly precarious. Again, even OnePlus is successfully playing the carrier game these days.

• To state the completely obvious: There’s gonna be a lot of Galaxy S8 coming up on the site this week as we help you answer a few key questions: Do you want one? If so, which one? And when yours arrives, how can you get the most out of it?

• Hit the comments if you’ve got one on the way and let me know which you’re picking up! (S8+ Orchid Grey here.)

• And Happy Easter to everyone celebrating today! 🐰🥚

Samsung Galaxy S8 and S8+

• Galaxy S8 and S8+ hands-on preview!
• Galaxy S8 and S8+ specs
• Everything you need to know about the Galaxy S8’s cameras
• Get to know Samsung Bixby
• Join our Galaxy S8 forums

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After Math: It’s so hard to say goodbye

It’s been a tough week for farewells. We’ve seen the NES Classic get canceled, Microsoft pull the plug on Vista, and the impending end of free registration for California’s electric vehicles. Numbers, because how else would we know how much time we have left?

The best beard trimmer

By Séamus Bellamy

This post was done in partnership with Sweethome, a buyer’s guide to the best homewares. When readers choose to buy The Sweethome’s independently chosen editorial picks, it may earn affiliate commissions that support its work. Read the full article here.

After spending 51 hours on research, surveying more than 550 Wirecutter readers, spending a week testing tools with a pair of professional barbers, and personally sacrificing a beard in the name of science, we concluded that the Wahl Lithium Ion all-in-one is the beard trimmer for most people.

How we picked and tested

In four years of reporting and updating this guide, we’ve considered about 80 pieces of hardware and tested 40 of them. Though none of these trimmers are perfect, they are the best we’ve found. Our picks in particular are standouts, having risen to the top after a week of scrutiny and testing against 10 devices by the employees at Victory Barber & Brand in Victoria, British Columbia. In 2016, we found a total of nine new trimmers that met our criteria. Of those, we thought only three were worth calling in for hands-on testing.

We spent close to two months using these trimmers multiple times per week to see how well they trimmed with the beard guides on and off, and how they did quick touch-ups in easy-to-screw-up areas like along the lip and jawline. We also looked at each trimmer’s construction, the quality of the blades, whether the trimmer was designed with user ergonomics in mind, how long the device could go between charges, and how much of a pain each was to clean and maintain. To learn more about our testing process, see our full guide.

Our pick

The cordless Wahl Lithium Ion all-in-one trimmer cut more hair in a single pass (and cut that hair shorter) than all the other rechargeable trimmers we tested. Photo: Michael Hession

After hours of testing with professional barbers and more than three years of personal use at home, we still think that of all the battery-powered trimmers we’ve used, the Wahl Lithium Ion all-in-one trimmer provides the cleanest lines, for the price, consistently offering an even trim with or without a beard guard—a feat that many of the more expensive trimmers we tested had difficulty with. With its powerful motor, sharp and near-professional-level blades, long-lasting battery life, and excellent selection of sturdy beard guides, the Wahl Lithium Ion all-in-one is the best beard trimmer for most people.

Working without a cord is convenient, and this tool’s battery offers the best balance of charge times and run times in our test group: With a roughly two-hour run time from a one-hour charge or the option to use it for five minutes after plugging it in for one minute, it’s almost always ready to go. Though not as powerful as the Wahl Peanut, our pick for an “also great” beard trimmer, it proved more than capable of cutting through coarse facial hair, no matter whether we trimmed around an upper lip or took a beard off. Among the battery-powered trimmers we tested, the Wahl Lithium Ion had the most power of any trimmer (with one exception—the Walker & Company Bevel trimmer—a competitor that’s had ongoing supply problems, costs three times more, and lacks beard guides).

A more powerful, corded pick

The Wahl Peanut’s powerful motor and sharp blades make it a great choice for men with thick, coarse beards. Photo: Michael Hession

If you have a thick, coarse beard and find that battery-powered trimmers take several passes to clear the thicket on your face—all the while pulling your hair instead of cutting it—you’ll want the Wahl Peanut. Of the four finalists we asked barbers to test two years ago, the Peanut did the best job of removing the largest amount of beard hair in one pass, leaving an immeasurably small amount of stubble in its wake. It also managed to remove the stubble that all three of our battery-powered finalists left behind during our tester’s de-bearding at Victory Barber & Brand. The Peanut clearly cut closer than any other tool we tested. Two years later, it’s still our favorite corded trimmer, due to its low cost, power, portability, and ease of maintenance.

Our barber experts, who have used the Peanut professionally, say it’s tough enough to survive a few years at a time in a high-volume shop. Home users can get many years of service out of it, making it a great investment. The Peanut was our winner in the 2013 version of this guide thanks to its strong AC-powered rotary motor, which is capable of producing a serious amount of torque that helps the tool cut through dense facial hair like butter. The only reason it didn’t get our top recommendation this time is that our survey indicated most folks prefer a cordless device. But given how well it performed in our experts’ tests, it’s still a compelling alternative to our main pick.

A pick for fine length control

If you want incremental control over your facial-hair length, the Panasonic’s guides give you 39 different settings. Photo: Michael Hession

We learned from our reader survey that some people want a lot of control over the length of their facial hair—but they also want to avoid dealing with a ton of interchangeable beard guides to get that control. Unfortunately, most adjustable beard guides are made of plastic flexible enough to bend in use, leaving you with varying beard lengths. That’s not cool.

But one of the trimmers we tested proved to have an adjustable beard guide that wasn’t as terrible as those of all the others: the Panasonic ER-GB60-K. It comes with two trimmer guards that you can adjust to cut at lengths between 0.5 and 20 millimeters for a total of 39 different length settings. Its cutting power is mediocre when compared with that of the high-quality blades and motors of the Wahl Lithium Ion and Peanut trimmers, but no other tool we’ve found can match its blend of fine stubble-length adjustment and ease of use.

This guide may have been updated by The Sweethome. To see the current recommendation, please go here.

Note from The Sweethome: When readers choose to buy our independently chosen editorial picks, we may earn affiliate commissions that support our work.

Protect your PC from the cyber-flu with these awesome free antivirus options

Viruses and malware are bad news; they can slow down your PC by ramping up CPU usage, modifying important files, and messing with the way your system behaves. If you’re reading this, it’s likely that you’re making an effort to avoid such infections — or worse, looking for a way to exterminate them. Luckily, there are a host of free, high-quality programs built specifically to keep your PC safe from all manner of viruses and malware. Better yet, these free options are often just as good, and in some cases better, than premiums apps that offer similar functionality and features.

More: Your Mac needs an antivirus, and we’ve found five free options

To help you find the best option, we’ve assembled this list of the best free antivirus software available for Windows 10, whether you prefer innate utilities Like Windows Defender, or quality third-party alternatives in the Avira vain.

Avast! Free Antivirus 2017

In terms of basic protection, Avast has been shown to be one of the best antivirus programs out there, scoring a 5.5 out of 6 in in AV Test’s protection test. The latest free antivirus suite from Avast! is an impressive package. Aside from the usual virus and malware protection — including anti-rootkit and anti-spyware capabilities — the software comes with a slew of customizable options you can toggle at installation, including protection for your Android devices through Avast mobile Security & Antivirus. The 2017 version of Avast goes the extra mile when it comes to making sure you feel safe using the program; at installation, there is a very clear breakdown of exactly how Avast! uses your private information.

Related: Do you new an anti-virus for Android? Signs point to yes

Avast gets out in front of potential malware attacks by initiating scans before an unknown file opens, and will prevent it from doing so should it cause any red flags. The software is good at protecting your PC while online, blocking malicious URLs and stopping auto-downloads from occurring. The 2017 version watches the behavior of specific apps to see they are doing anything suspicious, as well. 

Of course as a free program, you’ll be missing out on some features exclusive to the paid package, including auto-scans and auto-updates. Those wanting such upgrades will need to opt for a subscription plan, which ranges from $10 to $180 per month. Still, sticking with the free version will keep you well-protected.

Airbnb is stepping up its security game with multi-factor authentication

Why it matters to you

You have to be pretty trusting to be an Airbnb host, but to earn your trust, Airbnb is implementing new security measures.

You’re sharing your home with strangers by way of Airbnb, so naturally, you want to feel secure. And as cyberattacks and hacks become ever more common, the short-term rental platform is stepping up its game to ensure that your home is protected — at least from a digital perspective.

As such, Airbnb has introduced “new defenses to further prevent bad actors from taking over an Airbnb account.” These include multi-factor authentication, which will require additional verification for users logging in from a new device, and improved account alerts, so that you can get text messages whenever account changes have taken place.

“Trust is the fundamental currency of the sharing economy — it’s at the very heart of our Airbnb community,” wrote Airbnb’s Chief Strategy Office and co-founder Nate Blecharczyk in a blog post. “As our global community continues to grow, we remain vigilant of the ways bad actors are looking to take advantage of this trust.”

As of late, the security community has been paying more attention to account takeovers, or ATOs. This kind of hack happens when a malicious actor accesses user accounts by stealing passwords, either by way of password dumps, phishing, or malware. While Airbnb has previously defended against ATOs via a machine learning model meant to predict that likelihood of an account login being performed by its legitimate owner, the company is now implementing additional preventative measures to ensure that you’re staying safe.

“Our model is effective at stopping most account takeovers, but unfortunately there have been some incidents where hosts and guests have suffered,” Blecharczyk admitted. “This is not acceptable to us, therefore we’re working around the clock to do everything we can to improve our detection and prevention methods. While the machine learning approach is common for online platforms, the nature of Airbnb’s product and the critical importance of trust within and among our community requires an even higher bar for security.”

With the addition of multi-factor authentication, users will now have to confirm account ownership by inputting a one-time unique confirmation code from their linked phone number or email in order to access Airbnb on a new device. Airbnb will also be more proactive in alerting you to any account changes “so that you can take action to recover your account in the event you were not the one who made those changes.”

For additional security measures, you can check out Airbnb’s recommended practices around strong passwords, safe payments, and more here.

Airbnb is stepping up its security game with multi-factor authentication

Why it matters to you

You have to be pretty trusting to be an Airbnb host, but to earn your trust, Airbnb is implementing new security measures.

You’re sharing your home with strangers by way of Airbnb, so naturally, you want to feel secure. And as cyberattacks and hacks become ever more common, the short-term rental platform is stepping up its game to ensure that your home is protected — at least from a digital perspective.

As such, Airbnb has introduced “new defenses to further prevent bad actors from taking over an Airbnb account.” These include multi-factor authentication, which will require additional verification for users logging in from a new device, and improved account alerts, so that you can get text messages whenever account changes have taken place.

“Trust is the fundamental currency of the sharing economy — it’s at the very heart of our Airbnb community,” wrote Airbnb’s Chief Strategy Office and co-founder Nate Blecharczyk in a blog post. “As our global community continues to grow, we remain vigilant of the ways bad actors are looking to take advantage of this trust.”

As of late, the security community has been paying more attention to account takeovers, or ATOs. This kind of hack happens when a malicious actor accesses user accounts by stealing passwords, either by way of password dumps, phishing, or malware. While Airbnb has previously defended against ATOs via a machine learning model meant to predict that likelihood of an account login being performed by its legitimate owner, the company is now implementing additional preventative measures to ensure that you’re staying safe.

“Our model is effective at stopping most account takeovers, but unfortunately there have been some incidents where hosts and guests have suffered,” Blecharczyk admitted. “This is not acceptable to us, therefore we’re working around the clock to do everything we can to improve our detection and prevention methods. While the machine learning approach is common for online platforms, the nature of Airbnb’s product and the critical importance of trust within and among our community requires an even higher bar for security.”

With the addition of multi-factor authentication, users will now have to confirm account ownership by inputting a one-time unique confirmation code from their linked phone number or email in order to access Airbnb on a new device. Airbnb will also be more proactive in alerting you to any account changes “so that you can take action to recover your account in the event you were not the one who made those changes.”

For additional security measures, you can check out Airbnb’s recommended practices around strong passwords, safe payments, and more here.

Get this 200-hour network security training bundle at 98% off!

Network security is an issue that plagues plenty of internet users, especially corporations with important data they must safeguard. To ensure their security is up to snuff, they call in a professional who understands the risks involved and who can test their systems. These professionals are in high demand, but the training needed to pass the certification exams is usually quite expensive.

Get 200 hours of network security content for $49! Learn more

Anyone interested in becoming a network security ninja needs a course that won’t break the bank — it’s tough switching careers, but it’s usually a move that pays off.

Right now, Android Central Digital Offers has an incredible offer on a network security mastery bundle. Normally priced at $2719, you can grab it right now for $49. That’s 98% off the regular price.

For this amount of money you might expect a small number of courses — not so. There are 200 hours of content within eight complete courses, which include:

• Certified Ethical Hacking
• CompTIA SY0-401: Security+
• Cisco 210-260: CCNA Security
• Computer Hacking Forensic Investigator (CHFI)
• Data Security Compliance
• Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA)
• Certified Information Security Manager (CISM)
• Certified Information Systems Security Pro (CISSP)

By the time you’ve completed all these courses, you’ll be ready to tackle the key certification exams required to become a network security professional.

Ace your network security certification exams with this amazing bundle Learn more

If you’ve been waiting for the right time to get the training needed for a new, in-demand career, the time is now. Don’t wait too long; this deal won’t last forever.

Ben Heck’s Nintendo Classic Edition teardown

It’s time for another hardware teardown! This time it’s the Nintendo Classic Edition — specifically, a unit belonging to David of the “Technophiles” podcast. Using Keysight’s DSOX1102G oscilloscope, Ben is able to find out how the NES controller talks to the base of the NES Classic. He then compares the inner workings of the NES Classic controller to the Wii Pro gamepad — and he discovers something rather shocking in the process. Once the cable has been cut, Ben solders everything back together for David to test out some games. What other hardware should Ben teardown? Let us know over on the element14 Community.

Awesome tech you can’t buy yet: Chain-free bikes and a spherical Segway

At any given moment, there are approximately a zillion crowdfunding campaigns on the web. Take a stroll through Kickstarter or Indiegogo and you’ll find no shortage of weird, useless, and downright stupid projects out there — alongside some real gems. In this column, we cut through all the worthless wearables and Oculus Rift ripoffs to round up the week’s most unusual, ambitious, and exciting projects. But don’t grab your wallet just yet. Keep in mind that any crowdfunded project can fail — even the most well-intentioned. So do your homework before cutting a check for the gadget of your dreams.

Chainless — chain-free, direct-drive bicycle

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Ever wished your bike didn’t have chains? No, that’s ridiculous, you say? Well whether you wanted it or not, the chain-free bicycle is finally here. So how exactly does the chainless technology work? As its creator explains, the Chainless bike replaces the traditional mechanism with a series of tungsten gears, which won’t rust or ever need to be oiled.

But just because there are no chains doesn’t mean this bike can’t compete with the best of them — the wheels are constructed from a high density magnesium alloy, and come in three sizes: 20-inch, 24-inch, and 26-inch. And thanks to both front and rear disc brakes, the Chainless is allegedly able to stop on a dime.

Then there’s that RTS stuff, which is activated via a Shimano lever. In the company’s words, “RTS activates the back wheel to turn freely allowing rider access to unparalleled maneuverability. Tight corners are no longer a problem.”

Finally, with the Lock-N-Go mechanism, you can fold your bike in half for storage in just 15 seconds, so you can take it anywhere you need to go.

Read more here