Everything you need to know about iOS 11

Why it matters to you

Last year, we called iOS 10 a remarkable step forward for Apple’s mobile devices, and iOS 11 may up the ante even higher.

Apple’s 28th annual Worldwide Developers Conference is set to kick off on June 5 at the McEnery Convention Center in San Jose, California. There, the world will get its first look at iOS 11, the next edition of the mobile operating system that will make its way to iPhones and iPads.

There are still weeks to go until the unveiling of iOS 11, but rumors are beginning to trickle in about new features we can expect to see. New versions of iOS typically release in beta form shortly after the unveiling in June, with the full release coming early in the fall.

FaceTime Audio, new Pay features, and Low Power Mode

A Reddit post from user Cyanhat, which has since been removed, elaborates upon some of the major additions Apple is planning in iOS 11. The post was picked up by Redmond Pie before it was deleted and claims group FaceTime calling will debut in the next version of Apple’s mobile platform — a rumor that has been making the rounds for some time now.

Cyanhat also stated Apple will make FaceTime Audio the default method of calling between iPhone users in iOS 11, just like how it replaced SMS with iMessage many years ago. FaceTime Audio uses LTE to deliver a significantly crisper and clearer experience compared to typical calling. Perhaps the addition of group calling has made Apple confident enough to make FaceTime Audio the standard going forward.

The post goes on to describe new features coming to Apple Pay. In April, it was revealed that Apple was interested in adding peer-to-peer money transfers to its digital wallet service, in an effort to take on Venmo and SquareCash. According to Cyanhat, that feature will debut in iOS 11, alongside an iMessage extension that allows iPhone users to transfer cash within conversations. Apple Pay will be outfitted with a social feed similar to Venmo’s, so the rumor goes. Accompanying all of this will be a name change of the app — Wallet will supposedly become Pay.

Finally, Cyanhat said Apple is looking to update Low Power Mode in a big way. The redesigned battery-saving feature will intelligently monitor your usage habits to develop a schedule whereupon it will automatically activate. Furthermore, Low Power Mode will comprise contextual cues like your location and connectivity status, in addition to battery life, to determine the best times to turn itself on. For example, it could learn to start conserving battery when you leave your home Wi-Fi network and it is less than 20 percent charged.

That new, intelligent Low Power Mode may also serve as an example of deeper automation functionality coming to iOS 11, according to Cyanhat. In March, Apple bought DeskConnect Inc., developers of the popular tool Workflow, which allows users to string actions and tasks together on iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch. In a subsequent post, the Reddit user claimed Apple would leverage its recent acquisition to deliver a similar first-party app, with expanded Siri support. The new app would accompany updated Automator software for MacOS computers.

Now, those are certainly a lot of rumors to take in, so this seems as appropriate a time as ever to stipulate these are unsubstantiated claims, that neither we nor other outlets have been able to verify. The fact that they were deleted is a curious sign. They are believable as far as rumors are concerned — but they are rumors nonetheless. As we get closer to WWDC, we will have a much better idea of which of them stand up, and which can be debunked.

About 8,400 new Android malware files are discovered every day, report says

Why it matters to you

If you’re an Android user, you want to be very careful where you download apps and files.

We hear about new Android malware every week, but you might not know that new Android malware is discovered more often than that. Far, far more often.

According to security company G Data, a new piece of Android malware is discovered every 10 seconds and, as a result, the company predicts we will see 3,500,000 malicious Android files during 2017. That is an increase from 2016, but not by all that much — in 2016, 3,246,284 malicious Android files were discovered.

“Security holes in the Android OS are nothing unusual, as with other operating systems and software,” said G Data in a blog post. “Numerous companies such as Microsoft, Adobe or Google are simply expected to regularly publish security updates for their software products at least once a month. Owners of Nexus or Pixel devices receive updates for these directly from Google.”

Not only is there a ton of Android malware out there, but the risk is worse considering how few people currently use Android 7.0 Nougat — which is the latest and safest version of Android. Older versions of Android are more at risk because of the fact that many holes in the software had yet to be discovered when they were released, and because many of them no longer receive security updates. Currently, only 4.9 percent of devices run Android 7.0 Nougat, while 31 percent run Android 6.0 Marshmallow and 32 percent run Android 5.0 Lollipop.

It is important to note that G Data sells Android anti-virus software, so playing up the risks does benefit the company. The numbers related to malicious Android files include individual instances of malware — not different apps. On top of that, most of the malware will never be a risk to people who only download apps from the Google Play Store.

Still, it is a noteworthy figure and, if nothing else, it proves that Android malware is becoming increasingly common. If you don’t already, make sure you are careful when downloading new apps and files to your Android phone.

Intel changes naming method for its Xeon chips, giving them metallic names

Why it matters to you

If you’re buying Xeon-powered hardware in the future, the naming convention should make it easier to understand the features of the chips you’re buying.

Intel is changing the names it gives its new Xeon processors from the usual ‘E’ branding to a metallic theme. Moving forward, the entry-level versions will be known as Bronze, with the mid-range taking on the Silver tag. The top-tier chips will be called Gold, with the very best will be branded as Platinum.

We had our first hint of the Xeon name change at the end of April when Intel sent out a product change notification to its partners, but this is considered the first official announcement of the change. These new processors will be part of Intel’s “Scalable Family Platform,” of Xeon processors, which offer a variety of baked-in features which CPUs of yesteryear did not have.

Traditionally, the main difference between Xeon processors has been the core count and cache size, but as Ars Technica points out, Intel is looking to market its processors based on the jobs they are good at, rather than their raw power.

Intel

The Platinum line of CPUs is being targeted at those who need top-tier performance, but also those who want hardware-enhanced security. Xeon Gold processors are marketed to highlight their accelerator engines and advanced reliability. Silver CPUs are said to offer efficient performance at low power, while Bronze chips offer entry-level performance.

This streamlines the purchasing process for those looking to upgrade data center hardware and means Intel no longer needs to try and market CPUs with confusing model names. Those names still exist, so for managers who want to get down to the nitty-gritty, they will be able to do so before buying, but this new metallic banding system should make the purchasing process easier for those want a more general view of what the hardware is capable of.

While Intel’s CPUs are set to release this summer, AMD’s Naples processors are not far off, either. As impressive as its Zen architecture has been so far with the Ryzen consumer CPUs, there is every chance that Naples could be even more impactful.

Genetically engineered algae could bring us sustainable food, feed, and fuel

Why it matters to you

Genetically engineered algae could help our planet by becoming an consistently renewable resource.

A cutting-edge lab which develops a new strain of genetically engineered algae sounds like the setup to an ecological-themed horror movie.

In fact, it is the real-life work of scientists at the University of California, San Diego and renewable energy company Sapphire Energy and it could be exactly what the world is looking for.

What the team developed and tested are genetically engineered algae that can be successfully cultivated outdoors without damaging native algae populations.

“Algae has the potential to be a new, more sustainable source of food, feed, and fuels,” Stephen Mayfield, director of the California Center for Algae Biotechnology at UCSD, told Digital Trends. “It’s sustainable because we can grow algae on non-arable land using non-potable or even salt water. Algae are also more productive than crop plants so we can produce protein, which the world really needs, in a more efficient way, and stop cutting down our rain forest to grow soybeans.”

However, in order to do this, what is needed is to domesticate algae — meaning to use it to produce the things that we actually want. Those things could include everything from animal feed and a replacement for fish meal, to renewable fuels and potential human food. It’s even possible to use the polyurethanes from algae oil as the basis for objects like (yes, really!) a renewable algae surfboard.

“This is how all agriculture works,” Mayfield continued, referring to the domestication process. “But using breeding, mutagenesis, and selection, the domestication process can take decades or even longer. Using genetic engineering in algae we can get there in years — and the world needs us to get there soon!”

Having carried out preliminary demonstrations that the introduced genes are stable in outdoor growth, and that the resultant engineered algae do not disrupt native ecosystems, the aim now is to prove this in greater depth. It is a fine balance, Mayfield said, between rigorous testing and quickly creating something that humanity desperately needs.

“We need to act fast if we are going to stop the degradation of the planet, and our algae can help,” he said. “But it has to be safe, and we need to demonstrate that before we go to large scale.”

Lenovo Moto Z2 Play: News and rumors

Why it matters to you

Lenovo’s original Moto Z was a big hit last year, and the next version is shaping up to be just as good — if not better.

Lenovo’s Moto Z Play was one of the most popular midrange smartphones of last year, and for good reason — it stuffed reasonably high-end hardware into a compact, affordable package. But it’s getting a little long in the tooth. Luckily, rumors about its successor — reportedly dubbed the Moto Z2 Play — have begun to emerge, and they suggest that it’ll be just as compelling as the original.

Here’s everything we know about the Moto Z2 Play so far.

Specs

We’ve finally seen some leaked specs for the upcoming Moto Z2 Play, and they’re shaping up to be quite nice. According to a leak from Slashleaks, the Lenovo Moto Z2 Play will sport a Qualcomm Snapdragon 626 processor, along with 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage.

As far as the cameras on the device go, the Lenovo Moto Z2 Play will boast a 12MP rear-facing camera, along with a 5MP front-facing shooter, which is perfect for your selfies. The display will sit in at 5.5 inches, with a Full HD resolution. The battery on the Moto Z2 Play does seem to be a little smaller than its predecessor, however, sitting in at 3,000mAh rather than last year’s 3,510mAh battery.

Design

One thing about the Moto Z2 Play that isn’t a mystery is its design. TechnoBuffalo managed to obtain an early rendering, and it looks a lot like last year’s model.

Perhaps the most obvious holdover from the earlier model is the 16-prong connector for Lenovo’s Moto Mods, the hardware add-ons that extend the phone’s functionality. Among the growing library of peripherals are high-end cameras, external batteries, speakers, projectors, and even physical keyboards.

The front-facing flash on last year’s Moto Z Play seems to have remained in place, as has the prominent circle-shaped rear camera hump.

But the Moto Z2 Play isn’t without appreciable design tweaks. According to TechnoBuffalo, the home button now doubles as a fingerprint sensor, and supports swiping gestures that can replace on-screen navigation keys (much like the Moto G5 and G5 Plus). And the overall frame is slightly thinner.

Pricing and Availability

It’s unclear just when Motorola will take the wraps off the Moto Z2 Play, but if history is anything to go by, it won’t be long. According to TechnoBuffalo, Lenovo could announce the Moto Z2 Play as soon as June 8.

That’s early. Last year, Motorola launched the Z Play at an event in August and began shipping it in September.

Updated on 05-05-2017 by Christian de Looper: Added news of leaked specs from Slashleaks.

Explore the red Martian sand dunes from the comfort of your couch

Why it matters to you

Since a physical visit to Mars is currently out of the question, you can explore the Red Planet’s sand dunes with this neat photo.

With a fistful of sand, the Curiosity Rover is giving NASA a glimpse of Mars’ sand dunes. With 115 stitched photos, it’s giving everyone else a glimpse of what it would be like to stand in the middle of those rippled piles of Martian dirt. On Thursday, NASA released a 360-degree panorama of Curiosity’s examination of the Ogunquit Beach dunes, a study that spanned from February to early April.

NASA says the study is the first time sand dunes have been studied anywhere outside of our own water-filled planet. Curiosity’s exploration is helping NASA scientists study how the winds shape the dunes, which each have different patterns yet are bunched fairly close together. The group is also looking at whether or not that wind plays a role in where the planet’s minerals eventually wind up.

The linear shaped dunes in the 360 video, along with crescent-shaped dunes about one mile away, make up the planet’s Bagnold Dunes, which NASA says is several miles long on the northwestern side of Mount Sharp. Both dunes and the mountain were part of Curiosity’s recent research. “There was another key difference between the first and second phases of our dune campaign, besides the shape of the dunes,” California Institute of Technology’s Mathieu Lapotre said. “We were at the crescent dunes during the low-wind season of the Martian year and at the linear dunes during the high-wind season. We got to see a lot more movement of grains and ripples at the linear dunes.”

Besides just making up for a pretty cool 360 image, photos were also used to measure the movement of the sand over time since NASA says the rover’s Environmental Monitoring System is no longer sensing the wind after two of the six sensors on board became inoperable after landing in 2012.

The Rover is carrying around that dirt sample in one arm and has already gathered some data using the Sample Analysis at Mars (SAM) inside. High winds and a potential drill feed issue are delaying the rest of the analysis, which requires the rover to pour the sand into ports for the instruments to analyze.

Curiosity is continuing to study the area around Mount Sharp, the same area that leads NASA to believe the planet was once home to several ancient lakes, including analyzing recurring slope lines for signs of H2O.

Tablet sales post their 10th consecutive quarter of declines

Why it matters to you

While tablets may have been hot back in 2010, their glory days appear to be long gone as shipment numbers continue to decline.

Own a tablet? You may be part of a dying breed. As per preliminary data from the International Data Corporation (IDC) Worldwide Quarterly Tablet Tracker, the tablet market is continuing to shrink, posting an 8.5 percent decline over the same time last year. This marks the 10th quarter in a row that tablet sales have declined as customers opt instead for smartphones, wearables, and laptops as their tech hardware of choice.

It’s a steep decline for a product that once seemed to represent a new stanadard. The iPad, which made its debut in 2010, was one of the hottest pieces of tech available for some time, but the fervor around the iPad and its category as a whole has since died down.

“The rate at which the tablet market grew from 2010 to 2013 was unlike many other consumer-oriented device markets we’ve seen before,” Ryan Reith, program vice president with IDC’s Worldwide Quarterly Mobile Device Trackers, noted. “However, it appears for many reasons consumers became less eager to refresh these devices, or in some instances purchase them at all.”

We should clarify that there are two kinds of tablets, one of which is outperforming the other. While keyboard-less tablets (think giant smartphones) are in what IDC describes as a “steep decline,” devices that have detachable keyboards and therefore closely resemble laptops are actually doing quite well. In fact, these types of detachable-keyboard tablets could give computers a run for their money.

As Linn Huang, research director, Devices & Displays at IDC, pointed out, “A long-term threat to the overall PC market lies in how the market ultimately settles on the detachable [tablet] versus convertible [laptop] debate.”

The top five tablet makers of the first quarter of 2017 were Apple, Samsung, Huawei, Amazon, and Lenovo, and of these five, only Huawei saw an increase in shipments. So what gives? According to IDC, “We continue to believe the leading driver for this was the increased dependency on smartphones, along with rather minimal technology and form factor progression.”

Galaxy S8+ vs. Pixel XL camera comparison: The best travel companions

Two phones, one epic vacation. Which one is better at documenting it all? That’s what we aim to find out.

Hauling around a full-size kit of lenses for a DSLR is not exactly the ideal way to travel. Unless you’re an avid photographer and you enjoy the immersive experience of shooting and editing, the vast majority are generally fine documenting leisure time with the camera that’s already in their pocket. Shooting in unpredictable circumstances is also a fantastic way to gauge how effective a camera is in varying situations, which is why I wanted to share some of my findings from a recent trip to Iceland I took with the Galaxy S8+ and Pixel XL in tow.

Outdoor and everywhere

Overcast weather is difficult to shoot in, no matter the hardware you’re shooting with. But I was repeatedly impressed at how able both the Pixel XL and Galaxy S8+ were at adjusting to some especially blase conditions. Both the Pixel XL and Galaxy S8+ were particularly apt at capturing minor details of the scenery at hand, like white-painted houses in the background and a neighboring row of pine trees. You can also easily discern the majestic mountaintop in the background in both compositions, as well as the varying layers of clouds covering it.

Scenery shot with the Pixel XL (left) and Galaxy S8+ (right).

What’s most noticeable in this first shot is that there’s a major difference in post-processing between the Pixel XL and Galaxy S8+. Samsung’s photo editing algorithm is automatic; I avoided using the available manual mode for most of the trip, because I didn’t have much time to adjust it at each location. But since I shot everything in automatic mode — with HDR turned on — each photo was automatically contrasted and saturated. It’s not always obvious, but in this particularly scenery, you can tell that the blonde grass had been made brown, and it’s almost as if the overcast weather is more prominent compared to the Pixel XL’s end result.

More scenery shot with the Pixel XL (left) and Galaxy S8+ (right).

In the below examples, you’ll see that sometimes, the Galaxy S8+’s post-processing algorithm can sometimes add a bit of “oomph” to an otherwise dull photo.

If you like particularly contrasted photography and you want your blues to stick out and your reds to pop, the Galaxy S8+’s camera produces just that. It also has the propensity to deepen colors and shadows, however, in a way that it sort of darkens a photo more on an already dreary day. But in some instances, having deeper shadows and hues can add more oomph to a photo, too.

There’s a major difference in post-processing between the Pixel XL and Galaxy S8+.

The Pixel XL’s end result, on the other hand, not only appears to be less processed, but it also seems to retain more detail. A quick zoom into the photo in Adobe Lightroom revealed that trees in the background are more discernible on the Pixel XL, though that wasn’t always the case across the board. In the final waterfall photo shown above, the Pixel XL failed to focus on the background, so you can barely see the mountain tops as well as you can on the Galaxy S8+’s result. It’s also a great anecdote of the issues that arise when you’re quickly pointing and shooting at a scene rather than taking the time to compose it.

The Galaxy S8+ can produce some stunning up-close shots with the aid of Selective focus and its built-in manual mode.

When it came to focusing photos and achieving the “up close” effect, the Galaxy S8+ produced more favorable results. If I needed additional help, I could use the GS8+’s built-in manual mode (which also allows you to show in RAW — though I did not utilize that ability on my trip) or the selective focus mode.

A selfie taken with the Pixel XL.

Your selfies will appear phenomenal regardless of the hardware you’re shooting with, too. On the Galaxy S8+, you’re equipped with 8 megapixels with auto focus and an f/1.7 lens. You’ll get decent low light photos just as you would with the rear-facing camera, and with the aid of auto focus, the GS8+ will have a simpler time attempting keeping the faces in focus. It’s one of the few phones available with auto focus on the front.

The GS8+ has a little more to offer, particularly when it comes to software.

On the Pixel XL, you’re equipped with 8 megapixels and an f/2.4 lens. It’s not as capable in low light situations as Samsung’s hardware, but it’s still just as capable at taking front-facing photos. The GS8+ has a little more to offer, however, particularly when it comes to software capabilities. For instance, I could choose to take a wide-angle selfie if I needed to fit in a few more people at a time into a photo. One word of caution, however: I took a couple of pictures with the varying beauty modes set to more than half their capacity and the photos came out slightly silly. If your goal is to take shots of yourself with stunning scenery in the background, keep it simple.

Panoramas

Taken with the Pixel XL.

Taken with the Galaxy S8+.

Admittedly, I didn’t take too many panoramas on my trip, despite the incredibly illustrious scenery. Part of the reason is that I never found them to be a particularly good archiving the moment. And in this instance, it felt like even though the Pixel XL offered more options for capturing the scene — like Photosphere, which you can use to upload your own journeys to share with others through Google Maps — the Galaxy S8+ was more successful at stitching images.

Video

Shot in 1080p with the Pixel XL.

Shot in 1080p with the Galaxy S8+.

With video stabilization activated, the Pixel XL and Galaxy S8+ both appear to employ a bit of the “strafing” effect. The Pixel XL is not very good at picking up audio, however; I found the Galaxy S8+ to be better at picking up my voice despite the harsh wind, whereas the Pixel sounded drowned out. The Galaxy S8+ also has extra software features I found helpful to use, like an easy editing video feature, which made it so that I could record long shots and still be able to choose snippets to share on social media without downloading another app.

Which one is the better travel companion?

I was already impressed by the Pixel XL’s abilities on my last adventure, and it was just as consistent this time around. I found its photos to be the best composed and the color profile of each retained enough dynamic range so that I could adjust the exposure and put a filter over it after the fact. The Galaxy S8+’s end results were just as compelling, however, even with some photos appearing overly processed. If it bothers you, there are enough options you can enable to forfeit all that and go manual. I was also really impressed by the Galaxy S8+’s ability to shoot video, particularly when it came to recording sound.

But in the end, even with all the fancy features baked into the Galaxy S8+, I still stuck with the Pixel XL as my main shooter, simply because it’s the only other phone at present that offers unlimited backup to Google Photos.

Samsung Galaxy S8 and S8+

• Galaxy S8 and S8+ review!
• 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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Google Pixel + Pixel XL

• Google Pixel and Pixel XL review
• Google Pixel XL review: A U.S. perspective
• Google Pixel FAQ: Should you upgrade?
• Pixel + Pixel XL specs
• Understanding Android 7.1 Nougat
• Join the discussion in the forums!

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Win a Samsung Galaxy S8 and cases from Zizo and Android Central!

Enter to win a prize package that includes a Samsung Galaxy S8 and three Zizo cases to keep it safe!

Everyone is in love with the new Galaxy S8, and for good reason. It’s a gorgeous phone and one you’ll definitely want to protect with a case, especially if you work in a tough environment, like to do outdoor activities, or are just generally a bit rough on your stuff. Let’s chat about these cases a bit, and then you can enter to win a free Samsung Galaxy S8 and three cases to keep it safe!

Adding less than 1/8th of an inch to your phone, Zizo proves you don’t need a case the size of a brick to protect your phone. You just need good quality materials and design. Zizo’s newest collection of Samsung Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+ cases are here to keep your device safe. Each of these cases have military grade drop test compliance, meaning they are dropped repeatedly on each corner and side from 5 feet to make sure they can handle falls. The flagship case in this line, the Bolt, is drop tested at 12 feet and comes with lots of extra accessories. Every case includes a Zizo Premium Full Edge to Edge Curved Tempered Glass Screen Protector, but only the Bolt comes with a belt clip and integrated kickstand.

Keep an eye on the blogs in the near future for a closer look at each of these cases. Now on to the contest!

THE PRIZE: One Android Central reader will be taking home a brand new Samsung Galaxy S8 plus three cases from Zizo Wireless! Two additional winners will each choose one case from the top 3 cases for any phone model.

THE GIVEAWAY: Head down to the widget at the bottom of this page. There are multiple ways to enter, each with varying point values. Complete all of the tasks for maximum entries and your best shot at winning! Keep in mind that all winning entries are verified and if the task was not completed or cannot be verified, a new winner will be chosen. The prize does not include service, and we cannot guarantee that the device will work on all carriers. International winners will be responsible for any customs fees incurred during shipping.

The giveaway is open until May 18th, and the winner will be announced right here shortly after the close date. Good luck!

Win a Samsung Galaxy S8 or S8+ from Zizo and Android Central!

Can’t see the widget? Click the link above!

Samsung Galaxy S8 and S8+

• Galaxy S8 and S8+ review!
• 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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AT&T
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Nova Launcher 5.1 adds some awesome features to an already-great launcher

Try out the new features in Nova Launcher 5.1!

Nova Launcher is a super popular launcher that lets you tweak and theme your phone to your exact specifications, with cool swipe features, animations, and custom icons and wallpapers. The latest version 5.1 has been in beta testing since late March but is finally ready for prime time. One of the big new features to check out is Dynamic Badges which give you little badge notifications right on your home screen icons.

You can check out all the details on the new version and download the .APK from the Google+ announcement post, or go straight to Google Play and download or update to the latest version there.

Here’s a quick rundown of what’s been tweaked for the new release, including fixes for Samsung’s latest flagship:

• Dynamic Badges — Image badges from notification content
• Respect system level themes on Samsung and Huawei devices
• Minor fixes for Samsung Galaxy S8

Have you checked out the new Nova Launcher features? Tell us what you think in the comments below!

The best Android launchers for theming