Google Home and the Google Assistant gain support for GE appliances

Why it matters to you

If you have a GE appliance and Google Home, good news: Clothes washing is now hands-free.

Google Home, Google’s AI-powered speaker, isn’t just good for summoning cars and ordering pizza. It can control a growing number of smart appliances (like Honeywell products and Nest thermostats), connected locks (August deadbolts), and LED bulbs (Lifx and Philips Hue), among other devices. And on Wednesday, May 17, it added yet another ecosystem to its roster: General Electric.

Starting on May 17, integration with GE’s Geneva platform will go live for the Google Home and the Google Assistant, Google’s AI-powered helper on Android smartphones, set-top boxes, and smartwatches. Like the app for Amazon Alexa that GE debuted last year, you’ll be able to delegate tasks like preheating the oven, checking if the dishes are clean, and asking if a dryer load’s finished via a Google Home speaker.

The list of supported commands includes:

• OK Google, ask Geneva Home to make hot water
• OK Google, ask Geneva Home to turn on Sabbath mode
• OK Google, ask Geneva Home if the dishes are done
• OK Google, ask Geneva Home to preheat the oven to 350 degrees
• OK Google, ask Geneva Home is my laundry clean?

“Everyone’s busy these days and our consumers are looking for simpler and more convenient ways to control their home, especially when busy in the kitchen or working around the house,” Liz VerSchure, vice president responsible for GE Appliances’ connected strategy, said in a press release. “Integrating our full suite of connected appliances with the Google Assistant makes it easier for owners to control their appliances and get on with their day.”

Since Google Home and the Google Assistant made their respective debuts last year, they’ve only gotten better at handling smart home commands. In March, WeMo integration brought voice control to Belkin’s collection of internet-enabled thermostats, lightbulbs, and outlets. More recently, Wink finalized device support for light, temperature, and lock commands.

New recipe and food features make it perfect for the kitchen. Google Home can place grocery orders via Google Express, Google’s retail-to-door delivery service. And Google Home’s new recipe feature sources step-by-step guides from Food Network, Wine Guide, and elsewhere.

In perhaps bigger news, Google-powered smart home controls — and voice, by extension — are coming to more devices. The Google Assistant SDK, which launched in April, allows enterprising hardware developers to plug the Google Assistant into any device that meets a core set of requirements.

It might be perceived as a preemptive measure against Amazon’s upcoming Echo Show, an AI-powered speaker with a full-color touchscreen, video camera, and messaging features. But it’s not just Amazon. Microsoft partnered with Harmon Kardon to build a speaker powered by Cortana, its voice-controlled assistant. And rumor has it that Apple is working on a Siri-powered hardware assistant — reportedly with Beats speaker technology, AirPlay integration, and HomeKit compatibility.

Protect your privacy with our 5 favorite security apps for iPhone

The risk of having your phone, data, or even your identity stolen is all too real. As we live our lives increasingly online, it pays to take precautions to protect your privacy and stay secure. There are a lot of good, built-in features that you can take advantage of to make your iPhone safer. Apple takes security seriously, but you can never be too careful. If you’re concerned about privacy, then we also strongly recommend using one of the best iOS VPN apps to safeguard your online activity.

Your options don’t end there. We’ve gathered together a list of some other iPhone security apps that you might want to try. If you have an Android smartphone, then check out our top Android security apps.

1Password

Remembering all your passwords for different accounts is one of the major challenges of modern life. We know complex passwords are more secure and that we should never re-use the same password, but how do we keep track of them all? This app helps you generate and manage your passwords, keeping them locked in a securely encrypted vault. All you need is your master password. The first 30 days are free, then it costs $4 per month for a single account, or you can opt for a family account at $7 per month, which makes sharing passwords nice and easy.

Download now from:

iTunes

Signal

This free messaging app allows you to send text messages and files, or make video and voice calls, in complete privacy. It also supports group chat. Everything you send is end-to-end encrypted, so there’s no way to intercept or see what you’re sending. That’s far from unique, but what sets Signal apart is the fact that it doesn’t even store metadata on its servers, the code is open source, and it’s funded by grants and donations. There’s no incentive for the developers to store the data that other apps may collect for advertising purposes.

Download now from:

iTunes

Lookout

You’ll find a wide range of different features in this popular iPhone security app. The free, basic version monitors apps for suspicious activity, helps you locate your iPhone or paired Apple Watch, and has a built-in backup service. You’ll also be alerted to vulnerabilities and data breaches, with advice on what to do. If you’re willing to splash out $10 per month for the premium version, then you also get identity theft protection and insurance to alert you to possible fraudulent activity and to help you deal with it quickly.

Download now from:

iTunes

Avira Vault

If you want to hide photos on your iPhone, this security app is a good option with a lot of extra features. You can hide selected photos and videos, as well as notes, credit card details, and passwords. It also boosts your browser security by filtering out malware and phishing attacks. It’s free with some limitations on storage space, but you can pay $4 for the pro version for unlimited storage and the ability to set up a decoy account to satisfy suspicious minds and keep your real stash private.

Download now from:

iTunes

ProtonMail

Keeping your emails strictly private is easy with this app. It supports PGP end-to-end encryption, so only the sender and recipient can read email messages sent with ProtonMail. It’s every bit as clean and easy to use as some of the other best iOS email apps, and it’s completely free. Developed by CERN scientists after a big donation campaign and hosted in Switzerland, this is an app you can trust.  It also allows you to set self-destruct timers on messages and send password-protected, encrypted messages to normal email addresses.

Download now from:

iTunes

The latest Amazon Fire 7 and Fire HD 8 tablets are slimmed down and powered up

Why it matters to you

If you’re in the market for a new tablet, you now have a few new color options for the Fire 7 and Fire HD 8 — but that’s about all that’s changed.

Amazon has taken the wraps off of its next generation of Fire tablets, which represent an incremental update to the Fire 7 and Fire HD 8 tablets. The company on Tuesday announced both the “all-new” Fire 7 and Fire HD 8, as well as kids versions of those two tablets — the Fire 7 Kids Edition and the Fire HD 8 Kids Edition.

The Kids Edition versions of the tablets are built to last. According to the company, Because “kids break things,” as the company says, the tablets feature a “kid-proof” case, as well as a two-year warranty that allows parents to send back a broken tablet and get a replacement.

So what sets the new tablets apart from their predecessors? According to Amazon, the new Fire 7 is thinner and lighter, and comes with an “improved 7-inch IPS display.” It also has a better battery life of 8 hours. Very little has changed with the Fire HD 8, but it is available in a few new colors, and Amazon says it’ll offer “faster performance.” If you already have a Fire 7 or Fire HD 8 tablet, you probably won’t need to upgrade to the new one.

Apart from Alexa, Amazon’s digital assistant, the Fire 7 features a 7-inch display along with 8GB or 16GB of storage and a microSD card slot to expand upon that storage. The Fire HD 8 sports an 8-inch widescreen display, along with 16GB or 32GB of storage, and a microSD card slot. The tablets also feature unnamed quad-core 1.3GHz processors.

Perhaps the best thing about the tablets is their price. Amazon has never offered overly expensive tablets, and the Fire 7 starts at $50, while the Fire HD 8 comes in at $80 — matching the price of the previous Fire 7 and Fire HD 8 tablets respectively. Of course, Amazon isn’t aiming to make its money from the hardware — it’s banking on users having Amazon Prime subscriptions and getting their content through Amazon’s services.

To get the stronger and bulkier kids versions of the tablets, you will need to pay a little extra. The Amazon Fire 7 Kids Edition comes in at $100, while the Fire HD 8 Kids Edition will cost $130. Of course, you’re also paying for the extra content — the Kids Edition tablets offer things like educational apps and games. As a parent, you won’t have to worry about your kids doing anything inappropriate on their tablet — the tablets feature FreeTime, Amazon’s parental controls service that helps ensure kids are only browsing through age-appropriate content.

You can get the Amazon Fire 7 for yourself here, or the Fire HD 8 here. If you’re looking for a device for your kids, you can get the Fire 7 Kids Edition here, or the Fire HD 8 Kids Edition here.

Best app deals of the day! 6 paid iPhone apps for free for a limited time

Everyone likes apps, but sometimes the best ones are a bit expensive. Now and then, developers make paid apps free for a limited time, but you have to snatch them up while you have the chance. Here are the latest and greatest apps on sale in the iOS App Store.

These apps normally cost money, and this sale lasts for a limited time only. If you go to the App Store and it says the app costs money, that means the deal has expired and you will be charged. 

More: 200 Awesome iPhone Apps | The best Android apps for almost any occasion

Adrian James 6 Pack Abs Workout

Adrian James 6 Pack Abs Workout has become an international sensation. Download the chart-topping app to transform your body and gain a newfound lust for life.

Available on:

iOS

TopScanner

This app turns your iPhone or iPad into full-featured PDF document scanner. For example, you can scan your receipts and save as PDF file to trace your expenses.

Available on:

iOS

Photosets

This camera is meant for taking stunning motion photography. And while other photo apps may have serious competition on the App Store, Photosets promises to be one-of-a-kind.

Available on:

iOS

Abstract Wallpapers

Spend no more time in abstract wallpaper quests; you are in the right place. Grab incredible and innovative abstract wallpapers in a single click.

Available on:

iOS

Expenses OK

Expenses OK is the fastest way to track your expenses. Just enter data in the widget of the app and see how you’re spending your money.

Available on:

iOS

Time Manager

Time Manager is an easy way to keep track of your daily activities. With one touch you can access all your common tasks and edit them at any time.

Available on:

iOS

Nvidia quietly rolls out low-end GeForce GT 1030 to accelerate productivity

Why it matters to you

If you’re low on cash but need to speed up your video and imaging editing, Nvidia has a new low-cost option just for you.

When it comes to GPUs, most of the attention is paid to the high end of the market. For Nvidia, that means its GeForce GTX 1080 Ti, which offers exemplary performance at a premium price starting at around $700. And AMD is expected to officially announce its new Vega GPUs that will also offer high-end performance and, likely, relatively premium price points.

However, not everyone needs that kind of graphics performance. Someone who doesn’t play high-end modern gaming titles or has no desire to give virtual reality (VR) a try could likely get away with a more entry-level option, and that’s exactly what Nvidia has introduced with its newest low-end GPU, the GT 1030.

As Tom’s Hardware reports, Nvidia quietly announced the GT 1030 and it is now available for purchase from a number of graphics card makers. The GT 1030 is designed to compete with Intel’s integrated HD graphics in non-gaming tasks like video editing and photo editing. According to Nvidia, the GT 1030 provides twice the performance in such tasks as the integrated GPU in the sixth-generation Intel Core i5 processor.

In terms of specifications, the GT 1030 uses Nvidia’s new GP108 Pascal GPU and has three Streaming Multiprocessor (SM) units offering 384 CUDA cores, 24 TMUs, and 16 ROPs. The cards utilize a 64-bit memory interface and can support up to 2GB of 6GHz GDDR5 memory, which works out to 48GB/s of memory bandwidth.

One of the first to offer GT 1030 cards is EVGA, which has introduced three options based on Nvidia’s newest budget option. These cards differ most in terms of their designs and cooling solutions and include single slot, low profile, and passive-cooling low-profile versions. Each of the cards is clocked at 1,290MHz with boost up to 1,544MHz, and each comes with the standard 2GB of 6GHz GDDR5 memory.

Pricing starts at $80 for the low profile EVGA card, which is available today, with the other two models to be available in the coming weeks. Other manufacturers are planning to introduce GT 1030 cards as well. Nvidia itself hasn’t yet posted information on its GeForce site, demonstrating that it is far more focused on higher-end solutions.

Apple makes a play for the subcontinent, starts assembling iPhones in India

Why it matters to you

Apple’s move may be part of a trend toward local production by major global tech firms that are seeking to establish a presence in emerging economies.

Apple is moving to a different part of Asia for its iPhone assembly needs. On Wednesday, the tech giant confirmed to the Wall Street Journal that it had completed a trial of its first-ever iPhones to be assembled in India. And as the industry at large continues to explore new ways to break into the fast-growing South Asian market, Apple’s latest move could be a crucial step forward.

In a statement, Apple noted that initial production of a “small number of iPhone SE handset,” the company’s cheapest smartphone offering, has begun in Bangalore. These Indian-made units are expected to begin shipping to domestic customers later in May. In fact, initial shipments could arrive in stores as early as this week.

While iPhones have traditionally been manufactured in China and Taiwan, sales of the handset haven’t been quite as robust lately, and now, Apple is looking for new markets to conquer. Indeed, government officials in India have noted that Apple has already asked for incentives to manufacture its products in the country. And if Apple pays less, it seems to follow that customers in India would pay less, too.

As it stands, even the least expensive iPhone (the SE), is considerably more expensive at $250 than the average smartphone price in India, which research firm IDC estimates to be around $150. But if Apple can compete in or at least near that ballpark, it may have a shot at winning customers over.

“Apple is likely to sell a good number of iPhones if it prices them so aggressively,” said Faisal Kawoosa, principal analyst at research firm CMR. “In three to five years, these users will be able to graduate to a standard-priced iPhone.”

But pricing aside, the Indian government is certainly pleased to have Apple in the country.

“Apple coming to India is a [matter of] pride for us,” said R.V. Deshpande, Karnataka’s commerce and industries minister, referring to the SE production. “We are trying to get them in Karnataka as it’s the right place with all the required ecosystem.”

Qualcomm takes iPhone maker Foxconn to court over royalties dispute

Why it matters to you

Qualcomm and Apple’s legal battle over patents has reached the iPhone maker’s manufacturers.

Qualcomm’s legal kerfuffle with Apple just escalated. The Sand Diego, California-based chip supplier filed a breach of contract suit late Tuesday against Foxconn, Pegatron, and two other manufacturers that Apple contracts to build the iPhone and iPad.

In documents submitted to San Diego Federal Court, Qualcomm alleges that Foxconn (also known as Hon Hai Precision Industry Co.), Pegatron Corp., Winstron Corp., and Compal Electronics refused to pay licensing fees on the company’s intellectual property.

All of Apple’s contract manufacturers, which are based in Taiwan but have manufacturing operations in China and elsewhere, have have patent license agreements with Qualcomm. Normally, Apple reimburses any royalties owed on patented technologies in the iPhone and iPad, but the company blocked Foxconn and others from paying last month.

Qualcomm, which is seeking $1 billion in damages, said its court action was in direct response to Apple’s decision.

“Apple is definitely behind this, and certainly what the contract manufacturers would say is the reason they are not paying,” Don Rosenberg, Qualcomm’s general counsel. told the Associated Press. “Our response to that is you are big, sophisticated companies. You have contractual obligations. You have license agreements with us that don’t involve Apple. You are responsible for paying that.”

Qualcomm’s legal action falls short of what some analysts expected. Last week, Bloomberg reported that Qualcomm would ask the United States International Trade Commission to issue an injunction prohibiting iPhone imports.

“While not disputing their contractual obligations to pay for the use of Qualcomm’s inventions, the manufacturers say they must follow Apple’s instructions not to pay,” Qualcomm said in a statement.

Over the better part of the year, Qualcomm and Apple have traded blows over what the chipmaker characterized as a “global attack.”

Qualcomm has been accused of government regulators that its patent licensing scheme, which ensnared electronic giants like Samsung and Intel, is “monopolistic.” The company owns cellular patents that it’s agreed to lease under “fair, reasonable, and nondiscriminatory” terms because they’re an essential part of the technology inside most smartphones. But Apple and licensees say that Qualcomm abused its market dominance to overcharge for patents and block competition.

The Korea Federal Trade Commission fined Qualcomm more than $850 million, and has sought to dismantle the company’s patent licensing. The U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) filed suit shortly after, and Samsung and Intel have filed briefs in support the FTC’s case.

Apple has pushed back more aggressively. Earlier this year, it withheld $1 billion in reimbursements on grounds that Qualcomm had violated a closed-doors agreement between the two companies in retaliation for Apple’s cooperation with regulators.

In response, Qualcomm’s counter-sued, appealing the Korea Fair Trade Commission decision and asking a Northern California federal judge to dismiss the FTC case.

Hands off — Rive wants to make it impossible for you to text and drive

Why it matters to you

As much as you want to stop yourself from texting and driving, sometimes the temptation is just too much. This option will eliminate that temptation altogether.

The best way to ensure you won’t text and drive? Make it impossible to do so.

That’s the logic behind new Kickstarter project Rive, a combination of hardware and software that promises to “eliminate the ability to text and drive while keeping you connected to what matters.” The goal of the product is to take away both the temptation and the ability to use a mobile device while you’re on the road, all the while keeping your phone on your dashboard. Because ultimately, wouldn’t you rather your device be where you can see it instead of hidden away in your pocket or purse where you might be tempted to fish it out at its first ring?

So what goes into Rive? First and foremost, there’s the hardware. Simply plug one side into your dashboard, and the other side (a clip) will block your phone’s home button, which means that you literally won’t be able to check your phone while you’re driving. As for the Rive software, when your vehicle is in use, the Rive app will hold all your text message alerts (and anything else you ask it to keep for later). If you’re on a longer road trip, your contacts can receive a customizable auto-reply letting them know that you’re driving and can’t get to the phone.

However, should you need to make a phone call or use your smartphone’s GPS capabilities, Rive lets you take advantage of all these functionalities. And of course, all your entertainment services like music and podcasts will be unhindered by Rive.

Sure, there are other products that purport to serve a similar purpose, but Rive promises to offer “effective safety protocols without the overbearing and invasive restrictions (e.g. blocking all phones in the car, requiring a complicated dashboard installation, or allowing for GPS tracking of the vehicle’s location).” Installing and using Rive is about as easy and intuitive as buckling your seat belt, and thus far, its Kickstarter backers seem to agree, as they have pledged $27,000 to the project.

Pre-ordering a Rive will set you back $100, and delivery is estimated for November 2017.

The body’s own charged molecules could power pacemakers, say researchers

Why it matters to you

By using ions for power, this device can reduce the size of pacemakers and make them last longer, meaning less surgery for patients.

Charged particles in the human body could someday power pacemakers, according to a team of researchers from UCLA and the University of Connecticut. Powered by this biocompatible super-capacitor, life-saving medical implants could last last longer with fewer needs for invasive surgery.

There are a few main advantages to this new “biosupercapacitor,” according to its developers — it’s non-toxic, long-lasting, and has the potential to reduce the size of pacemakers by half.

“Unlike batteries that use chemical reactions that involve toxic chemicals and electrolytes to store energy, this new class of biosupercapacitors stores energy by utilizing readily available ions, or charged molecules, from the blood serum,” Islam Mosa, first author of the study, said in a statement.

Traditionally, pacemakers and similar implantable devices get power from batteries that need to be replaced through surgical operations once they run out of juice. This new device instead gets energy through electrolytes that readily flow through the body — for example, in blood and urine — while functioning alongside an energy harvester, which converts the body’s heat and movement into electricity.

“Combining energy harvesters with supercapacitors can provide endless power for lifelong implantable devices that may never need to be replaced,” said co-author Maher El-Kady.

Batteries take up about half of a pacemaker’s size. The new device, which is made up of graphene and human proteins, would be smaller than the width of a human hair.

There’s still work to be done though. Supercapacitors have yet to be regularly adopted in medical devices and, since the study simply shows the design is feasible, the researchers will still need to fabricate and test the device.

“In order to be effective, battery-free pacemakers must have supercapacitors that can capture, store, and transport energy, and commercial supercapacitors are too slow to make it work,” said El-Kady.

The design was detailed in a paper published last week in the journal Advanced Energy Materials.

Farpoint Tips and Tricks for survival

These tips will help you survive the inhospitable world of Farpoint.

Farpoint has arrived on PlayStation VR, delivering an excellent sci-fi experience for you to shoot your way through. If you want to be well and truly ready for everything this desolate planet is going to throw at you, then knowing what you are about to get into is handy. So we’ve put together a few tips and tricks to help you survive what is coming.

Read more at VRHeads.com