Corsair’s new hot-rod-inspired memory kit combines style, top-tier performance
Why it matters to you
If you like your memory fast and flashy, Corsair’s hot-rod-inspired DDR4 kit is sure to get you all revved up.
Corsair’s latest memory kit, the Dominator Platinum Special Edition Torque DDR4 set, comes with a unique look and high-speed performance. Beyond its stylish color scheme and brushed aluminum heat spreader, each stick features a heat-treated effect top-bar, giving it that high-performance engine look.
The Dominator series of Corsair kits have always courted the top tier of memory performance while sporting powerful passive cooling for added stability and enhanced aesthetics. This new kit takes that to the next level, by offering high-end performance with unique styling.
It comes in two 32GB configurations — two 16GB modules and four eight gigabyte modules. Each features a stock speed of 2,133MHz, though they’re rated at up to 3,200MHz. Whichever kit you opt for, they run at a default voltage of 1.2v, though have been tested up to 1.35v. Timings start at 15-15-15-36, but have been tested at 14-16-16-36 as well.
Each kit is built with a custom 10-layer printed circuit board (PCB) for “superior signaling” that enables greater overclocking potential. Corsair claims you should be able to safely overclock these modules to 3,600MHz and beyond.
To go along with that high-end performance, the new Dominator Platinum Special Edition Torque kits have a unique visual look to them. There’s a brushed aluminum heatspreader running along their flank. and it’s built right into the PCB for swifter cooling.
There’s also an aluminum hea sink mounted atop them with an orange paint job. Really separating this kit from the competition, though, is the heat-treated effect top-bar, which Corsair hopes evokes the feeling of speed associated with powerful vehicles.
If all of that isn’t enough for you, each stick features built-in lighting, and you can keep an eye on how the kit is running using Corsair Link software.
The Corsair Dominator Platinium Special Edition Torque DD4 kits are now available straight from Corsair starting at $400 for the 2 x 16GB kit, and ranging up to $450 for the 4 x 8GB kit.
Best iPhone 7 Plus screen protectors to shield your big, beautiful display
The iPhone 7 is a sizable financial investment, but the larger iPhone 7 Plus is even more expensive. Covering the entire phone to keep the body dent- and scratch-free is one thing, because nobody wants to get their new toy scratched up within a month, but you shouldn’t neglect the front of the smartphone. After all, the touchscreen is the part you’ll be using the most.
It’s a good idea to equip your smartphone with a screen protector, but selecting the right one isn’t always easy given the multitude of choices. Some boast features like scratch resistance, while others offer self-healing and anti-yellowing properties. Some are definitely better than others, and those are the ones you want. That’s why we’ve found the best iPhone 7 Plus screen protectors on the market and gathered them here. Picking the right protector for your newfangled device is rarely as easy.
The Best
OtterBox Alpha Glass ($5+)
For the best screen protection, you want to go with OtterBox, a manufacturer that’s often brought up when talking quality smartphone cases. The Alpha Glass is a bit pricier than some of the others on this list, but that money gets you quality protection that revels in a crystal-clear design, perfect touchscreen sensitivity, and scratch and shatter resistance. Even if you drop your iPhone and it lands face down, you shouldn’t have to pick up the shattered remnants of your screen protector or, more importantly, your iPhone’s display.
Buy one now from:
Amazon OtterBox
The Rest
Moshi Airfoil Glass ($40)
Moshi’s Airfoil Glass is designed to make the application process easier, eliminating air bubbles. A special adhesive layer makes this possible, and once the protector is applied, it’s fairly difficult to spot, especially if you use a case. The Airfoil Glass also reduces the number of fingerprints and smudges you’ll find blemishing your display, thanks to an oleophobic surface coating. Rounded edges, cutouts for the speakers and camera, and a build that’s 40 percent thinner than other protectors all make for an ergonomically friendly accessory that doesn’t interfere with your iPhone 7 Plus. Thankfully, it will still be there to take the hit if and when your phone takes a tumble.
Buy one now from:
Amazon Moshi
Skinomi MatteSkin ($10)
If you often use your smartphone in the great outdoors, Skinomi’s MatteSkin could be the way to go given it has anti-glare properties that make it easier to see your display in direct sunlight. The MatteSkin completely covers the front of the phone, too, instead of just the touchscreen. The material is capable of slowly fixing smaller scratches over time, and it should cut down on finger smudges. This screen protector also promises protection against scratches, precise punctures, and everyday use, and it’s made with cases in mind, so you shouldn’t have to deal with peeling when using a case and the MatteSkin together.
Buy one now from:
Amazon Skinomi
TechMatte amFilm Tempered Glass ($9)
The amFilm screen protector doesn’t completely cover the front of your iPhone 7 Plus, but this allows space for protective cases and room for adjustment during the application process. For those seeking edge-to-edge protection, amFilm’s design choice may be disappointing, but this protector still safeguards the touchscreen. The 1080p HD display won’t be compromised, nor will touchscreen functionality or accuracy, so you can continue to use 3D Touch normally. It’s incredibly thin, but will prevent scratches and fingerprint marks, and should take the sting out of any drops your phone encounters.
Buy one now from:
Amazon
Omoton Crystal Clear Tempered Glass ($8)
Omoton’s screen protector covers the entire front of the iPhone 7 Plus, except for the curved edges, which may be a huge turn off if you’re hoping to cover every part of your phone. That said, its ultrathin, and when combined with a protective case, you’ll hardly be able to tell you’re using a screen protector. Scratch resistance is its leading feature, but clarity, bubble-free installation, and the ability to fend off oil residue and smudges round out the rest of its features.
Buy one now from:
Amazon
Tech Armor Ballistic Glass Screen Protector ($6)
While Tech Armor’s screen protector is yet another that doesn’t extend to the iPhone 7 Plus’ curved edges, it does protect the 5.5-inch display incredibly well, making it perfect for those that are prone to cracking their screens. The protector’s most unique quality is that it’s made using Japanese Asahi glass, which basically means it won’t shatter as easily as other, cheaper, screen protectors, though we recommend avoiding drops if possible. Nearly perfect HD clarity, uninterrupted 3D Force Touch, and compatibility with most protective cases make Tech Armor’s product a decent choice if you’ve yet to decide on a screen protector.
Buy one now from:
Amazon Tech Armor
Spigen GLAS.tR SLIM HD ($8+)
If you’re familiar with Spigen’s products for other smartphones, you’ll get a similar experience when using the GLAS.tR Slim with the iPhone 7 Plus. Like others on this list, it also doesn’t reach the curved edges of the iPhone, but the protector’s own edges are rounded to provide a better feel during use and to reduce the number of sharp edges in the event that it’s 9H tempered glass is chipped or cracked. The phone’s HD resolution is maintained, and the applied oleophobic coating ensure’s you’ll have fewer fingerprint stains to wipe off.
Buy one now from:
Amazon Spigen
iCarez True Glass Pro ($7)
Nothing about iCarez’s True Glass Pro screen protector really sets it apart from the competition, but that doesn’t mean it’s not as good — it’s still a suitable choice if you feel the need to protect your iPhone 7 Plus’ display. The protector maintains the phone’s touchscreen capabilities, HD quality, and has cutouts for the Home button and speakers; basically everything you’d expect from a standard screen protector. It’s also smudge and scratch-resistant, with the former characteristic becoming immediately useful during installation. Like we said, it’s not mind-blowing, or wildly different from other screen protectors, it’s just another good one we think you should check out.
Buy one now from:
Amazon
Supershieldz Anti-Glare Screen Protector ($6+)
As its name suggests, Supershieldz’s screen protector will protect you phone from the annoying glare caused by nearby light sources, making it possible to use your phone while outside and in direct sunlight. It’s a film protector instead of the tempered glass we’re accustomed to seeing, meaning it’s flexible and won’t shatter into tiny pieces if/when the unfortunate drop occurs. Other qualities of the protector are pretty standard: Scratch-resistance, flawless touch screen accuracy, reduced fingerprint smudges, bubble-free application, and 6 come in the box.
Buy one now from:
Amazon Supershieldz
BodyGuardz SpyGlass Screen Protector ($40)
BodyGuardz SpyGlass is most beneficial to those concerned about people looking over their shoulder to see what’s on their screen. The SpyGlass screen protector, aside from providing the usual protection, makes it impossible for the iPhone’s display to be seen from an angle, meaning you can bring up personal information such as phone numbers, bank accounts, and work documents without worry. The concept is very similar to PC monitors that are unable to be seen unless you’re standing directly in front of it. If you enjoy your privacy, and are often on your phone in public, BodyGuardz’s SpyGlass is perfect for you and is probably the protector you should be using.
Buy one now from:
Amazon BodyGuardz
Updated on 05-11-2017 by Kyree Leary: Updated prices. Added 5 new screen protectors from Tech Armor, Spigen, iCarez, Supershieldz, and BodyGuardz.
New Google patent hints at infrared device that could better track your sleep
Why it matters to you
Sleep is an important part of everyone’s life and the ability to better manage it could be helpful in ensuring a restful night.
Google, Apple, and other major tech companies have started putting a heavy emphasis on health, which is supported by the new wearable trend as well. But what about when you’re not wearing a wearable? Google is looking into ways to still ensure you can manage and track your well-being.
Specifically, the company filed a patent for a system that uses an infrared sensor to track a user’s sleep. The patent basically describes an infrared sensor that collects data about the subject’s movement and compares it to a sleep profile, helping determine whether the subject is asleep or not. The patent even goes as far as to note that the system could collect information about a subject’s breathing patterns based on the infrared light reflected back to the device.
“The disadvantages of contact sensors are magnified during sleep studies, where the presence of the sensors can influence a person’s sleep patterns. Similarly, when monitoring the sleep of an infant, contact sensors often interfere with infant’s ability to sleep and otherwise inhibit the infant’s interaction with the world around them,” notes the patent, which was recently posted on the U.S. Patent Trademark Office website.
It’s certainly an interesting concept and it highlights the importance of health tracking in modern phones, wearables, and other devices. If Google were to build an effective way to track sleep into a smartphone without the need for a wearable device, it could help more people track and manage their sleep. Still, the patent does seem to highlight the use of a stand-alone infrared device which would be mounted near the bed to collect as much data as possible.
It will be interesting to see if Google ends up pursuing the patent, but until then we will have to stick with wearable sleep-tracking solutions.
Pocket-sized personal drone gives soldiers an extra pair of eyes
Why it matters to you
Don’t be alarmed if mini-drones are soon hovering overhead at your local park.
Foot soldiers may soon carry micro-drones in their backpacks, deploying them on the battlefield to survey the surrounding area. Developed by California-based AeroVironment, the 5-ounce Snipe Nano Quadrotor can be neatly packed into a hard-shell case and launched within a minute.
AeroVironment has a history of micro-drones. Six year ago, it released its Nano Hummingbird, a small unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) capable of complex maneuvers like hovering while flapping its wings. Snipe is apparently the next iteration of this device.
With a range of one kilometer (0.62 miles), top speed of 22 mph, and flight time of about 15 minutes per battery, the Snipe may greatly increase the battlefield capacity of a single solider. A soldier, after all, can only see so far with his or her own eyes.
But Snipes won’t be exclusive to military personnel. AeroVironment is expected to make its tiny drones available for police forces and first responders as well by the end of the year, according to New Atlas.
Snipes are designed to perform close-range reconnaissance, surveillance, and intelligence missions, recording or relaying footage back to the operator in real time. The drone is equipped with low-light electro/optical and nighttime thermal cameras that can be tilted to focus on various targets.
As a loud drone on the battlefield would blow a soldier’s cover, AeroVironment said they’ve developed the Snipe with relative silence in mind. Controlled remotely, if the drone loses connection with its operator, it’s programmed to automatically return to its point of origin.
Whether taking the drone out in a park or in the battlefield, strong winds can be an issue. While the Snipe is built to withstand winds up to 15 mph, an onboard stabilization system subtracts the subtle movements of the aircraft and makes sure operators receive a relatively clear feed.
“The guys that fly Snipe are not necessarily UAV guys,” said Jon Ross, senior program manager. Instead, the soldiers who will use Snipes just happen to have a UAV as part of a bigger arsenal — as such the drones are designed to be easily controlled and require minimal training.
Latest Windows Insider build lets users animate, annotate photos with Story Remix
Why it matters to you
Microsoft just introduced a revamped photos app called Story Remix, and the latest Windows Insider build will introduce users to it.
Even with its Build 2017 event in full swing, Microsoft took the time to roll out an important Windows Insider preview update ahead of the upcoming Fall Creators Update. The latest build, now available for Insiders on the Fast Ring, lays the groundwork for the Fall Creators Update’s very first Bug Bash, and includes a brand-new content creation app.
Today at Build 2017, Microsoft introduced a revamped photos app called Story Remix. This new photo app allows users to create video stories using photos and videos to help capture and relive memories. Story Remix, in its earliest form, is now available as part of Build 16193.
The app itself, as part of the Creators Update’s stated mission, makes creating content easier for Windows 10 users. Not only can you remix your own videos and photos in the app, Windows 10 will browse your available photos and videos, and arrange them automatically using machine learning, to determine how individual photos and videos are related.
Using that information, Windows 10 will automatically sort and tag the photos and videos, making it easier to put together your own Story Remix.
Moving on to more utilitarian tweaks, today’s Windows Insider build enables users to individually control the volume of Universal Windows Platform apps from the taskbar. So, clicking on the volume icon now not only pops up controls for your speakers and system sounds, but also for any UWP apps that are running — such as Groove Music and Microsoft Edge.
There are a number of other smaller tweaks included in the latest update, which you can read in full here. But the other important aspect of this build is the upcoming Bug Bash. Starting at 12:01 a.m. PT on Monday, May 15, Insiders will be able to take part in the first Fall Creators Update Bug Bash. From the feedback hub, Insiders will be able to take on quests, and contribute to making the new Windows update as stable and user-friendly as possible.
NASA plans to send astronauts on a yearlong Moon mission to prepare for Mars
Why it matters to you
A one-year lunar pit-stop could be hugely helpful in NASA’s mission to make humans a multi-planetary species
Earlier this week, at the Human to Mars Summit in Washington DC, NASA unveiled the juicy the details of the agency’s plan to finally send humans to Mars — and according to official statements, that plan apparently involves sending astronauts to the moon for a full year to prepare.
This will happen in two phases. The first phase includes launching four manned vehicles to cislunar space — an orbit between the Moon and Earth — to transport building materials, a research module, a power source and an airlock, according to Space.com. Each of these missions will occur between 2018 and 2026 with the second phase set for 2027.
Then NASA will launch the Deep Space Transport (DST) vehicle to cislunar space. This will be followed by a crew who will live in this lunar habitat for one year. The leap to Mars — currently slated for the 2030s — will launch the DST using the planned Space Launch System (SLS).
This tight timeline is wholly dependent on the completion of the SLS which is already three years behind schedule with the first launch currently slatted for 2019. If the rocketry is delayed yet again NASA may have to extend this ambitious timeline or partner with the private sector currently building other heavy rocket models such as SpaceX’s promising Falcon Heavy vehicle.
With a rather lofty schedule already loosely set and banking on a roughly trillion dollar price tag over the course of 25 years, this extensive mission timeline has a lot of loose ends and budget constraints to tidy up. Buzz Aldrin recently even proposed giving the private sector the keys to the ISS to free up more money for this preliminary mission to Mars.
To paraphrase the late, great Notorious B.I.G., it looks like we’re “going going, back back to”… the Moon.
Get your Netflix binge on at 30,000 feet with Gogo’s doubled Wi-Fi speeds
Why it matters to you
If you’ve ever bought in-flight Wi-Fi before, you’ll know the speeds likely weren’t worth the high cost. That may be changing soon thanks to new systems Gogo is implementing in select flights.
If you’ve ever used airplane Wi-Fi, chances are your blood pressure just went up a couple points just thinking about what you got versus what you paid. Historically speeds have been slow, connections spotty, but prices high. While the price may not be changing for the better, the service is — the days of just reading emails are gone. Now you can stream your video and music services at 30,000 feet almost as easily as you do 30 feet from your in-home router.
Gogo, the internet service provider with about 70 to 80 percent of the in-flight Wi-Fi market, has changed the type of satellite it’s using for your connection as well as how it uses that signal. The company says users will now see double the performance compared to its current top tier in-air service.
When flights first started offering internet connections, they were getting a signal from Air-to-Ground systems, meaning flights grabbed data as they passed cell towers on the ground. The speeds on those flights would make you pine for the days of your AOL dial-up connection. Within the last few years, Gogo’s competitors, such as ViaSat, Panasonic, and Inmarsat, began launching satellites offering better speeds and coverage. To retain its hold on the market, Gogo launched its own satellites and a service called 2Ku back in 2015. About 170 planes on several airlines were outfitted with 2Ku systems, including Delta, British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, and Air France. About 1,600 more planes are scheduled to also get the upgrade. Those 2Ku systems, being used today, offer at best a 15mbps download speeds per seat.
But Gogo said it now has a new high-throughput Intelsat satellite plus a new next-generation modem to further help with speeds. The company claims each plane now gets 100mbps of download speeds, or roughly 30mbps per seat. That’s plenty for streaming anything from full-length movies on Netflix to your favorite playlist on Spotify. We experienced some lag logging into those services — for example, on a test flight we noticed each page or service took as much as 30-seconds or so before fully loading. Once locked in though, everything looked and sounded as you would expect with any high-speed connection.
Gogo will start upgrading the current 170 2Ku planes the second half of this year. It says it’s working with airlines to figure out how best to alert passengers which flights will have the higher speed internet connections.
Get your Netflix binge on at 30,000 feet with Gogo’s doubled Wi-Fi speeds
Why it matters to you
If you’ve ever bought in-flight Wi-Fi before, you’ll know the speeds likely weren’t worth the high cost. That may be changing soon thanks to new systems Gogo is implementing in select flights.
If you’ve ever used airplane Wi-Fi, chances are your blood pressure just went up a couple points just thinking about what you got versus what you paid. Historically speeds have been slow, connections spotty, but prices high. While the price may not be changing for the better, the service is — the days of just reading emails are gone. Now you can stream your video and music services at 30,000 feet almost as easily as you do 30 feet from your in-home router.
Gogo, the internet service provider with about 70 to 80 percent of the in-flight Wi-Fi market, has changed the type of satellite it’s using for your connection as well as how it uses that signal. The company says users will now see double the performance compared to its current top tier in-air service.
When flights first started offering internet connections, they were getting a signal from Air-to-Ground systems, meaning flights grabbed data as they passed cell towers on the ground. The speeds on those flights would make you pine for the days of your AOL dial-up connection. Within the last few years, Gogo’s competitors, such as ViaSat, Panasonic, and Inmarsat, began launching satellites offering better speeds and coverage. To retain its hold on the market, Gogo launched its own satellites and a service called 2Ku back in 2015. About 170 planes on several airlines were outfitted with 2Ku systems, including Delta, British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, and Air France. About 1,600 more planes are scheduled to also get the upgrade. Those 2Ku systems, being used today, offer at best a 15mbps download speeds per seat.
But Gogo said it now has a new high-throughput Intelsat satellite plus a new next-generation modem to further help with speeds. The company claims each plane now gets 100mbps of download speeds, or roughly 30mbps per seat. That’s plenty for streaming anything from full-length movies on Netflix to your favorite playlist on Spotify. We experienced some lag logging into those services — for example, on a test flight we noticed each page or service took as much as 30-seconds or so before fully loading. Once locked in though, everything looked and sounded as you would expect with any high-speed connection.
Gogo will start upgrading the current 170 2Ku planes the second half of this year. It says it’s working with airlines to figure out how best to alert passengers which flights will have the higher speed internet connections.
How to move apps to your SD card on the Galaxy S8
Save some internal storage by moving apps to your SD card.
With 64GB of internal storage on the Galaxy S8 and S8+ most people won’t need to use their SD card for more than media storage, but if you’re finding a crunch on internal storage you can move apps there, too. Not every app can be moved to the SD card, but if you shuffle a few around it could make a difference for you.
Thankfully, apps won’t move to the SD card unless they know they can do so without issue. So long as you have a good SD card in your phone, you’ll be good to go. Now here’s how to move the apps.
How to move apps to your SD card
Open Settings.
Scroll down, tap on Apps.
Scroll to find the app you want to move to the SD card and tap it.
Tap on Storage.
Under “Storage used” tap Change.
- You’ll notice that a majority of apps won’t support moving to SD card. If there’s no “change” option, it simply can’t be moved.
Tap the radio button next to SD card.
On the next screen, tap Move and wait for the process to complete.
- To move the app back to internal storage, simply go through the same process again and select “internal” in the settings.
As noted above, you’ll see that most apps can’t be moved to the SD card. This is for good reason: many apps know that they can’t keep high levels of performance when they’re on the SD card, or need special permissions only allowed by being on the internal storage. If the app can’t be moved, just move on and see what others can be moved instead.
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
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- Join our Galaxy S8 forums
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BlackBerry KEYone: Seeing the forest for the trees
The BlackBerry KEYone isn’t trying to be the best phone ever — just the best BlackBerry ever. It’s succeeded, and given the faithful something to use and abuse all over again.
It’s easy to forget that on-screen keyboards weren’t always as good as they are today. In fact, for years they kinda sucked. Those were the years in which BlackBerry ruled for pounding out message after message. It also was the only real source for secure(ish) messaging. And the cult following that became what we all know (and, yes, love) as CrackBerry was born.
A lot has changed since then, of course. The iPhone changed everything, actually. Android got good and spread everywhere. And the BlackBerry faithful — you fine folks — were left with a choice. Adapt, or languish.
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I was never a BlackBerry guy, but that doesn’t mean I didn’t appreciate a good physical keyboard back in the day. My first smartphone was a Treo 750. I had an HTC Touch Pro 2 — angled screen and all. I rocked a Motorola Q9h like it was nobody’s business. The OG Moto DROID after that. But proper capacitive displays and multitouch — along with increasingly good text prediction — led me to give up the keyboard for the larger displays.
That leads us to the BlackBerry KEYone. It’s as retro as it is forward-looking. It by nearly all accounts a very solid phone. We tend to overuse the word “workhorse,” but not in this case. The internals give great battery life. The Android operating system gives flexibility.
This is the phone BlackBerry fans have deserved for years.
And the keyboard is a gift. It’s not a necessity anymore. We’ve all gotten by just fine without them. And the world has mostly moved on from BBM to other forms of secure messaging, be it iMessage or Whatsapp or Facebook Messenger or Signal or something else.
But the rebirthed BlackBerry Mobile (with Alcatel parent company TCL on board as the manufacturer) has given us something special here. Maybe not a phone you have to have, but one that a good many people truly want to have. A phone with a keyboard. A phone with more special sauce tucked into those little plastic things than we’ll probably ever see anywhere else. I really am in love with the fingerprint sensor in the space bar, to say nothing of swiping all over the thing to move the cursor around. (And a phone running Android — which really is the only way this was every going ton happen anyway.)
Nobody else has ever done that. No other company will ever do that, because they don’t have to.
And I’d be remiss in not mentioning the fact that BlackBerry has consistently been the only other company to keep its phones on current software, second to only Google itself. (Yes, Apple, too, but you know what I mean.)
Add all that up. You have some seriously solid hardware. While not cutting edge, it’s definitely built to last. You have software with customizations that folks will want, and updates that we should all require. And you have a keyboard experience that takes us back to the good old days when we actually needed keyboards.
This isn’t a phone for everyone. It’s not trying to be. It’s not going to be.
It’s a phone for people who love BlackBerry. It’s a phone for people who still want to love BlackBerry. And for those folks, BlackBerry Mobile and TCL have nailed it.
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