The Scewo self-balancing wheelchair can climb a flight of stairs with ease
Why it matters to you
Scewo makes life easier for its users by climbing effortlessly up and down stairs — even spiral staircases.
A group of five masters students from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology and Zurich University of the Arts developed a self-balancing wheelchair that is capable of climbing stairs.
Called Scewo, the next-gen wheelchair uses rigid rubber grips as a way to navigate up and down steps, even including spiral staircases. In addition, it can lift users up to either provide them with a better vantage point or allow them to grab objects that would otherwise be out of reach.
“Scewo gives a completely new experience of freedom, and lets you forget your disability,” Bernhard Winter, one of the brains behind the project, told Digital Trends. “The wheelchair is very agile indoors and allows you to drive and turn in a tiny space. It removes any barriers in your life, allowing you to use the public transport such as buses and trains effortlessly. The few steps in front of a restaurant or the flight of stairs on the way to work are no longer an obstacle because you can climb them in a smoothly and elegant way.”
The wheelchair utilizes three gyroscopes which measure the angular velocity to keep the chair balanced automatically. According to Winter, driving up and down steps is virtually effortless, while accelerating and then rapidly breaking won’t throw a user out of their chair because of the lack of horizontal forces involved.
“The challenging part about the balancing control was to be able to steer it with a joystick,” he said. “This is unique in our chair and allows people without any upper body strength to drive around with Scewo without problems.”
At present, the team has one working prototype. However, the group is raising money on Patreon with the goal of bringing a finished product to market by the end of 2018.
“Our dream is to bring our wheelchair to the market so people can take advantage of this new technology and use it in their daily life,” Winter said. “But there is still a long way to go. Currently, we are still studying and working on the wheelchair in our free time.”
Is the Galaxy Tab S3 a suitable successor to an aging Pixel C?
The Android tablet market is a rather barren landscape, but all you need is one …
I was late to the party, but eventually became a big fan of Google’s Pixel C tablet a handful of months after it was released. For all of its flaws in being heavy and inherently lacking app support, I loved it as an extra-portable backup computer with a really good keyboard and powerful internals. But the Pixel C is coming up on two years old now, and while it has aged pretty well, its flaws haven’t seen any remedy since release.
That has me looking for a replacement, and it seems the only reasonable option for this type of high-end, large tablet with a keyboard is Samsung’s new Galaxy Tab S3. Not only does the Galaxy Tab S3 have a similar form factor and feature set as the Pixel C, but it’s a modern device with a much better screen that weighs less and arguably has a better tablet-focused software.
After using the Galaxy Tab S3 for a couple weeks following a year of still loving my Pixel C, here’s what I found.
Hardware and keyboard
Given its age, the Pixel C actually still feels pretty modern in many ways. The metal construction is simple but plenty solid, and things like its stereo speakers and the USB-C port are still welcomed features. Unfortunately, the Pixel C is pretty heavy at 1.1 pounds and its screen is decidedly mid-range today. It surely doesn’t feel like a $600 tablet by modern standards.
But all of that aside, the primary reason why you’d still be using a Pixel C today is for its hardware keyboard(s): particularly, the metal magentic variation. It isn’t perfect, but the way it attaches via magnets, charges wirelessly, and offers a wide range of stable operating angles is fantastic for a portable keyboard. Even more important, the keys are easy to stroke and I can type on it just as quickly as I can a full-sized laptop keyboard.
Samsung only offers one keyboard case for the Galaxy Tab S3, and it’s closer to Google’s “folio” keyboard for the Pixel C and very similar to Apple’s keyboard for the iPad Pro. It’s definitely more compact to match the smaller overall footprint of the Tab S3 and sadly doesn’t have an adjustable angle. It is much lighter and doesn’t require wireless charging or Bluetooth, though, which overall is an improvement. I’ve warmed up to the Tab S3’s keyboard quite a bit in using it for a couple weeks, but its smaller keys and more compact layout don’t let me type as quickly as the Pixel C.
The Tab S3 is a better tablet in just about every way … even if the keyboard isn’t quite as nice.
Although the keyboard may not be as great as the Pixel C’s, the rest of the hardware easily makes up for it. The Tab S3’s screen is dramatically brighter and more colorful than the Pixel C, letting you actually use the tablet in the sun, and the speakers are better as well. It includes a fingerprint sensor, which is just as convenient on a tablet as it is a phone. The only hardware complaints I can make are that the bezels are still quite large, and Samsung’s use of capacitive navigation buttons and a portrait-like hardware layout for a decidedly landscape-focused tablet makes little sense.
In terms of experience, the Tab S3 matches the Pixel C’s battery life while also offering fine performance from a more efficient processor that lets the tablet be nearly 15% lighter and much thinner. Whereas the Pixel C is hardly usable as a standalone tablet, you could actually see the Tab S3 being used for media consumption or held up without a keyboard for a bit. You just can’t say the same of Google’s tablet.
Is the Galaxy Tab S3’s hardware perfect? Not quite, but it definitely offers a lot more than the Pixel C. It’s basically a scaled-up Galaxy S7, and there’s nothing wrong with that.
Software and future support
This is where things start to divert. You probably know by now that I’m not as big a fan of Samsung’s tweaks to Android as I am the clean look of Google’s software, but in the case of a large tablet I understand Samsung’s motivations a bit more. Sure the core interface of the Tab S3 isn’t as clean or simple as the Pixel C’s, and Google has actually made some good strides in the last couple of updates on its tablet, but when it comes to the actual tablet-focused software, Samsung is actually doing a better job than Google in some ways.
Somehow Samsung is making more functional large screen tablet software than Google is.
Samsung designs its overall interface, settings, and default apps to work with the extra screen real estate of a large landscape tablet, and it’s just easier to use as a result. Samsung’s multi-window implementation is far and away easier to manage as well, with proper pop-out windows, an easier way to manage split screen view, and simple (if not the prettiest) interface elements to handle it all. Multitasking on the Pixel C is still a bit of a chore, while many of its stock apps aren’t in any way designed for tablet use, and it’s surprising Google hasn’t figured out the right formula for it yet.
The app catalogue for large-screened Android tablets isn’t much better today than it was when the Pixel C was launched, but that’s an issue on both devices. I can (and will continue to) complain about a lot of the fringe things Samsung does, but it knows how to make the most of a bad situation on its tablets and make the Android interface work on a larger screen even though third-party tablet apps are still bad.
When comparing the future of software support on these two tablets, you’re at a bit of a crossroads. The Pixel C, coming up on two years old, should be in line for Android O, but that would definitely be the end of the road for the big tablet. When the Pixel C receives its Android O update, it’s surely going to get it faster than the Galaxy Tab S3, which itself is only on Android 7.0 currently, but of course being newer has more possibilities for the next couple of years. Samsung of course has a shaky history of keeping its tablets up to date, but you’re at least at an advantage having a tablet that’s new in your hands than one that’s nearing end-of-life status.
The Tab S3 is basically your only option for now
The biggest issue with finding a proper successor to the Pixel C is that you just don’t have many tablets to choose from in general. Short of going with an iPad Pro (which some may cave in and do), the Galaxy Tab S3 is, at this point, a successor to the Pixel C just by default. But thankfully, the Tab S3 is also a pretty good big tablet that offers a very similar experience and feature set to the Pixel C with the modernizations you expect for a device released 18 months later.
The Galaxy Tab S3 is expensive just like the Pixel C was, and it’s a better overall tablet too.
The Tab S3’s keyboard isn’t quite up to the same super high standard of the Pixel C’s, but everything else about the experience is improved. The Tab S3 offers a better total hardware package while also being lighter and more compact, giving you opportunities to actually use it as a tablet without the keyboard from time to time. And while Samsung’s software can sometimes be annoying, it offers many tablet-specific features that help you make the most of your big screen better than Google’s current offering.
If you dropped $749 on a Pixel C and have been using it all this time, chances are you see the value in this type of hybrid tablet-with-keyboard device. You want something thin, light, and portable that isn’t quite a laptop but can masquerade as one when you need it and then lose the keyboard entirely and be suited to full-screen media apps. And if you haven’t yet grown tired of those inherent compromises, but do recognize the Pixel C is getting a bit long in the tooth, spending $729 on the new Galaxy Tab S3 may not seem so crazy.
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Lots of people are switching from iPhone to Galaxy S8
Many people are tired of Android vs. iPhone. They just want a Galaxy S8.
The Galaxy S8 is a great phone, and with the iPhone 7 series looking a little dated, it makes sense that plenty of iPhone users are looking to pick up a Galaxy S8 or S8+.
Moving to a Galaxy S8 is fairly easy, especially if you already use Google services. But what about those who don’t have a lot of experience with Android in general? We delved into the forums to see how some people were faring.
Switching from an iPhone to Android: Everything you need to know
alpha752
05-06-2017 10:27 AM“
Like the others I had an iPhone from 4-6s. Just got a galaxy 8+ about a week ago. The only things I miss are imessage, because the rest of the family is on it. And the emojis. I hate the Samsung emojis, but that’s not a big deal.
I am having a hard time learning to type again, I was super fast and smooth on the iPhone but it’s like a whole different world typing on this thing. I’m trying…
Reply
Let’s start here. This user brings up a few key pain points when shifting to Android: losing iMessage is a big deal for a lot of people, and even with services like WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, Telegram and others, nothing can really replace iMessage for ease of use, especially when the whole family is on it. And, yes, Samsung’s emojis are pretty terrible.
And typing on a Samsung phone can be fixed by using Gboard or SwiftKey.
Galaxy S8 vs. iPhone 7: Battle of the platforms
bandofbrothers2112
05-06-2017 12:15 AM“
Hi,
I’ve been using iPhones since the iPhone 4 up to the iPhone 6 Plus and was so disappointed with the iPhone 7 my eye wandered 😉
To the Samsung Galaxy s7 edge which I used for 8 months and then moved to the s8.
Took a few weeks at first to adjust to the hardware and platform change.
It’s been nothing but a positive experience and interesting learning curve too.
Reply
We’re finding this a lot: avid Apple fans maintaining their other Apple products — iPads, Macs, Apple TVs — while switching their primary computing device, their phone, to Android.
05-05-2017 11:10 PM“
I switched from the iPhone 7 Plus and after a few weeks I’m already back with the iPhone. I had the pink tint issues in three consecutive phones. Apart from that, I was having a really hard time without iMessage and some of the apps on Android are decidedly flaky (e.g. the app of my electronic door lock which would unlock the door every single time I took the S8+ out of airplane mode).
And…
Reply
Some people can’t handle the heat, so return to the iPhone. A defective Galaxy S8 may do that, and complaining that the Galaxy doesn’t feel as snappy as the iPhone is a valid concern, too — though not one that we necessarily agree with (maybe try a Pixel in that case?).
bassjo
05-08-2017 02:52 PM“
So ever since the whole Note 7 debacle I’ve been using an iPhone. (iPhone 7+ 256gb) Last Friday I picked up a S8+ and I think it’s an awesome phone, Samsung really knocked it out of the park when it comes to the hardware design of this one, (sans FPS). I even think this years version of TouchWiz is the lightest it’s ever been. However, I’ve had a horrible time finding apps comparable to the ones…
Reply
One avid Galaxy S8 fan loves the hardware but is struck by the difference in app quality and availability, which still exists today. That makes sense, given that developers tend to make more money from iOS than Android, but the vast majority of apps are not only comparable in features, but identical in quality, too.
What do you think? Do you know of anyone who has switched from an iPhone to a Galaxy S8? Is that person you?
Join the conversation in the forums!
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- Galaxy S8 and S8+ review!
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- 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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How to get started with Samsung Health
Samsung Health is filled with plenty of great features for you to utilize, but first you need to get set up.
When it comes to trying to get healthier, there are tons of apps out there that can help you in one avenue or another. Samsung Health, previously S Health, is an all in one app here to help you build better habits, and track the habits you already have. While there is a lot going on within the app, getting started is easier than you might think.
Create an account
The first thing that you’ll need to do to get started with Samsung Health is create a new account or log into an existing S Health account. If you’ve ever had an S Health account, then you’ll be able to log in and access all of your previous health information that was stored. If you want to start over or need to create a new account, that’s also an easy process.
Launch Samsung Health.
Tap Agree to the terms and conditions.
Tap Next.
Type in your information to create an account.
Tap Sign in.
Set goals for yourself
The first thing that you should do after getting logged in to Samsung Health is set some goals for yourself. While there are plenty of specific goals that you can fine tune later, you get suggestions for the first few goals you set. These include counting calories if you’re trying to eat better, a step counter to help your activity level, and a sleep tracker to help you get a solid amount of sleep each night.
Launch Samung Health.
Tap Set goals.
Drag the slider bar to adjust the goal to where you want it.
Tap Next to save your goal. Repeat this process with each goal.
Fill out your Profile
The last big step of getting started with Samsung Health is to fill in the information on your profile. This includes benign information, like your display name, as well as entering information about your gender, height, weight, and activity levels.
Your profile page has all the information about your recent activities too. It’s where you can see your personal best, as well as view a weekly summary that has a breakdown of your activity.
Launch Samsung Health.
Tap the green icon of a person in the upper right corner to navigate to the profile page.
Tap on gender and tap to choose between male and female.
Tap Next.
Tap the date you were born to set your age.
Tap Next.
Tap and drag the slider to set your height.
Tap Next.
Tap and drag the slider to set your weight.
Tap Done to finish inputting profile info.
Are you using Samsung Health?
Samung Health has plenty of tools to help you build better habits, but before you can jump into everything going on, you’ll need to get set up. From creating an account to filling out your profile to setting your initial goals, this is an easy process. So are you using Samsung Health? Be sure to let us know about it in the comments below!
Honda Clarity Fuel Cell preview: Driving the future of hydrogen?
Are alternative energy vehicles the future? As consumers actively try to do their bit to help clean up the environment – and save on tax, congestion charging and refuelling costs in the process – we’re seeing a surge in all-electric and electric-hybrid cars on the roads.
Hydrogen fuel-cell technology is the latest – and cleanest – alternative energy of the lot though. Problem is, it’s difficult to service in most countries at present, given the lack of hydrogen fuelling stations.
Honda, however, is a big supporter, with its Clarity Fuel Cell paving the way for more cars of its type on our roads. It’s not the only manufacturer investing in the technology either: Toyota, Hyundai, BMW and Daimler are also pledging support to the HyFive project – a European project committed to bringing hydrogen fuel-cell powered cars to the mass market, along with the infrastructure to support it.
Although we’re not quite at the mass-market stage with hydrogen fuel just yet, we’re not talking about science fiction here: we’ve driven the Clarity Fuel Cell, which joins its biggest rival, the Toyota Mirai, in the green stakes, but ups the ante with a few world firsts.
Can the Clarity be the first car to act as the catalyst for a hydrogen powered future?
How does Hydrogen Fuel Cell power work?
Hydrogen fuel-cell technology works by mixing hydrogen gas with natural oxygen to generate electricity, which is then stored in a battery to power a motor and speed you along, with only water residue dripping from the exhaust as a result. It’s incredibly clean.
Honda
However, the hydrogen does need to be sourced from somewhere in the first instance. It can be produced using renewable sources, but this method can be quite expensive – which is a major hurdle in making the product mass-market.
The cheapest way to produce hydrogen is to heat natural gases in the presence of steam and a nickel catalyst. The downside to this method is that is produces an awful lot of carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide, both of which are harmful greenhouse gases.
So what’s the solution? Kiyoshi Shimzu, project development leader for the Clarity Fuel Cell, says a lot of hydrogen can be obtained as a by-product from steel production to make it can be as environmentally friendly as possible.
The Honda Clarity Fuel Cell
The idea of hydrogen as a fuel isn’t brand new. Indeed, Honda has been researching and developing the technology since the late 1980s and prior to this Clarity Fuel Cell has already realised seven hydrogen fuel-cell cars (the majority of which were just experimental and not available for purchase or lease, simply made to prove the technology could work).
Honda
So, to Honda’s new car: it’s the world’s first hydrogen fuel-cell powered car to have five seats – the company’s previous Clarity could only seat four – thanks to clever positioning and down-sizing of components. This not only increases space inside for passengers, but it improves power output too.
The powertrain in the old Clarity was mounted underneath the driver and passenger sides, but Honda has – in another world first – moved it to the front of the new Clarity, under the bonnet, where you would normally find a combustion engine.
Honda has also reduced the height of the entire unit simply by rotating it 90 degrees. The fuel-cell stack (this is where the hydrogen and oxygen meet) has been on a diet, too, and is now 33 per cent smaller. The number of cells inside the stack has reduced by 30 per cent, too, but the power density of those cells has been increased one and a half times.
The onboard battery sits underneath the driver and passenger. You don’t need to plug it in to recharge like you would a conventional electric vehicle, as it’s charged by regenerative braking and, of course, the hydrogen fuel-cell.
Honda
Finally, there are two tanks to store hydrogen: a large one that stores 117-litres and a smaller one that stores 24-litres. The two combined can store 5kg worth of hydrogen, which is pumped into the car as a liquid at -40C.
The biggest benefit of hydrogen power over electric power is the range. Hydrogen gas burns at a slower rate compared to the amount of electricity used under the same driving conditions. This means the Honda Clarity has a driving range of up to 400 miles (650km), putting it level with some regular fuel-powered cars on a full tank.
What is the Honda Clarity FCV like to drive?
So what’s a hydrogen fuel-cell powered car like to drive? If you’ve driven an electric vehicle before you’ll feel right at home as it’s just as quiet.
Honda
However, the exterior design will divide opinion as much as it’ll turn heads. Is the Clarity the best looking car ever? Absolutely not. It is, however, scientifically designed to be as aerodynamic as possible. There are air vents just in front of the rear wheels which accept air that’s been channelled down the side of the car. Which is all well and good from the inside, but we’re not sold on the unusual appearance.
Honda has gone to great lengths to acoustically dampen the Clarity to minimise road and wind noise, and to great effect. On our two-hour drive around Copenhagen, Denmark, we only heard a peep of noise from the tyres along with the subtle hum from the motors.
There’s also instantaneous response when you put your foot on the accelerator. If you really want to pick up some speed, the Clarity Fuel Cell has a sport mode that increases throttle response. You can see how much power you’re generating in the digital driver’s display by way of a blue orb. The more power you give, the larger the orb gets.
Honda
Sticking with the eco theme, Honda has clad 80 per cent of the interior with recycled materials, including Ultrasuede accents on the dashboard and Prime Smooth leather on the seats, which has been derived from plants.
You get a whole host of mod-cons, too, including heated seats, rear parking camera, automatic lights and wipers, and a touchscreen infotainment system with satellite navigation. The touchscreen itself wasn’t always reliable in operation, and we would’ve liked a brighter screen implementation to negate bright sunlight. Honda has integrated Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, though, which go some way to making up for the lack of better screen.
Honda has also fitted an air quality sensor in the front of the car which filters the air coming into the cabin from outside through an allergy-free deodorising filter.
What is the future for Hydrogen Fuel Cell power?
While hydrogen powered cars such as the Clarity may be able to drive further than their battery-powered counterparts, refuelling them poses the biggest obstacle. There are currently only eight hydrogen refilling stations in the UK, all of which are in southern England. But the good news is more are coming, and fuel giant Shell has opened up its first hydrogen refuelling station in Hendon.
Honda
Which is a start, but the ball is barely rolling just yet. For us in Europe, this particular Clarity will never go on sale. It will be only be sent to Japan and, for now, California in the US. Honda has said a second-generation Clarity will be on sale around 2022 when, so the plan goes, hydrogen refuelling infrastructure should have caught up.
And what about the cost for a planet-saving spaceship on wheels? In Japan it’s available for 7.66-million Yen, which equates to about £43,000. In the US it’s only available on a leasing plan, but nominally it’s worth $57,000. How about that as a fair price for the future?
Apple confirms it will hold its WWDC 2017 opening keynote on 5 June
Apple has officially invited the press to attend its opening keynote at the annual World Wide Developer Conference.
The keynote will be held on 5 June at the McEnery Convention Center in San Jose, California. It is scheduled to start at 1 pm ET/10 am PT. We already knew that WWDC 2017 would be held from 5 June to 9 June, but now we know when Apple executives will take the stage to make all the major announcements. Apple tends to kick off WWDC with a main keynote around 10am PST, and it’s usually available to watch online.
You can typically also watch through the Apple developer website or the WWDC app on iPhone, iPad or Apple TV. Check out Pocket-lint’s WWDC 2017 guide for more information on how to stream the keynote on 5 June. In past years, Apple used its keynote to unveil the next version of the company’s operating systems. So, if it does the same this year, we should see iOS 11, macOS 12.13, watchOS 4, and an updated tvOS.
- Curved OLED iPhone 8 confirmed by Samsung?
- Apple will officially test its self-driving tech on this car in California
- Apple and Nike made a new Apple Watch called NikeLab and it’s limited
Recent reports have also suggested Apple will announce its Amazon Echo competitor with built-in Siri speaker. The new device may even have a built-in camera, sort of like the latest touchscreen Echo device. However, keep in mind that WWDC is a developer-focused event, so Apple may only announce software-related updates rather than new hardware products or even refreshes to existing products.
Looks like we’ll know for sure soon. We’ll keep you posted.
Facebook’s new AI aims to destroy the language barrier
Is there anything AI can’t make better? Artificial intelligence can recognize musical genres better than humans, improve our running performance and may soon become standard issue for the mobile devices in our pockets. Facebook, in fact, has found some stunning results in new research using convolutional neural networks (CNN), a type of artificial intelligence that uses the benefit of parallel processing to complete complex tasks. The social networking company’s AI research team revealed research that shows these systems can outperform traditional language translation software by a factor of nine. In addition, the source code and trained systems are available under an open source license, making it easy for other researchers to verify and replicate the gains in their own work.
Language translation has typically been done by recurrent neural networks (RNN), which process language one word at a time in a linear order, either right-to-left or left-to-right, depending on the language. This CNN-based architecture pays attention to words farther along in a sentence to help understand the meaning from context farther along the string of words, much like humans do. While the older RNN method has been typically fine for end users in regards to speed and accuracy, there’s a functional limit to the tech, one which the parallel processing model of CNNs can address. This is the first time a CNN has outperformed the more traditional RNN techniques. Facebook hopes to use the new methodology to scale its translation efforts to cover “more of the world’s 6,500 languages.”
Now that the popular social network has chosen CNN translation processing architecture, it will be interesting to see what comes next. Fast, accurate language translation might make our world feel a little smaller and more connected without the barrier of language in the way. The impact of this new technology will likely be felt globally, especially across the many Facebook-owned apps that help connect us all, like Messenger, WhatsApp and Instagram.
Via: Fast Company
Source: Facebook AI Research, Facebook
What to expect at Microsoft’s Build 2017 conference
Microsoft’s Build conference is not only about giving developers the tools they need to write apps or create Windows-friendly hardware but also Microsoft’s chance to outline its vision of the future. What software and devices will matter in the months (or even years) ahead? And this time around, there’s no shortage of new developments to discuss: Windows updates, the Cortana AI assistant, HoloLens, partner hardware and even a chance at new Surface gear. It’s not necessarily clear what’s likely to show up, but don’t worry: That’s what we’re here to sort out. We’ve rounded up some of the most promising leaks, rumors and logical predictions to give you a sense of what to expect when Build 2017 kicks off May 10th.
Windows 10: a new look
If there’s anything that’s a near certainty at a Build event, it’s discussion of the next version of Windows. Microsoft is still expected to release one more big Windows 10 update in 2017 (currently code-named Redstone 3 and due in the fall), and this might be one of the most conspicuous changes to the OS since its original release. The highlight would be a leaked interface design language nicknamed Project Neon. As Windows Central explains, it would add some visual spice to Windows 10’s relatively ho-hum look with more textures, lighting, animations and even app elements that “escape” their window borders. If you believe the rumors, this would be particularly important for augmented reality: The interface would be better-suited to HoloLens and other headsets that map virtual images to the real world. Neon wouldn’t be a completely new interface, to be clear. Rather, it’d represent an added level of polish.
Of course, Redstone 3 wouldn’t just focus on cosmetics. Qualcomm confirmed that ARM-powered Windows 10 machines should arrive in time for 2017’s holiday season, so it’s only reasonable to anticipate some discussion of ARM support. A feature named My People, cut from the current Creators Update, would make it easier to reach friends through whichever communication apps they use. And if you’ll recall, rumors had Microsoft gradually rolling out both a family-oriented Home Hub sharing feature (which would give households a central repository for calendars, memos and other shared info) and longer-distance, Echo-style Cortana voice control over the course of 2017 and 2018. The Verge understands that Home Hub is poised to ship in September, so there’s a distinct possibility that you’ll hear about it at Build.
Cortana: a voice platform for all of your devices
Microsoft hasn’t been shy about transforming its Cortana assistant into a device-independent platform for voice-controlled AI. It drove that point home shortly before Build with the unveiling of Harman/Kardon’s Invoke, a speaker that lets you use Cortana commands for everything from playing music to controlling your lights. To us, the timing of the Invoke’s debut isn’t coincidental: It suggests that Microsoft is ready to say more about how Cortana works when it’s not confined to phones or PCs. The company might even show off third-party Cortana gear we haven’t seen yet, although anything you see onstage is unlikely to ship until months later.
Also, Redstone 3 is expected to carry a strong focus on Cortana support, including communication with speakers and other decidedly non-PC devices. Microsoft might offer that long-distance Cortana control we previously mentioned, but you could also see tight integration between Cortana-equipped gadgets and Windows 10. You could tell your PC what to do through a speaker on the other side of your home, for instance, or control your Cortana-powered fridge without leaving your desk. It’s not guaranteed that you’ll get such advanced control, but it’s hard to rule it out when there’s pressure to one-up Amazon and Google.
More Windows 10 S computers … and a new Surface?
When Microsoft unveiled Windows 10 S in its bid to take on Google’s Chrome OS, there wasn’t much hardware announced to show it off — just the Surface Laptop and an Acer convertible. Beyond that, the firm was only willing to name supporting manufacturers. As such, it wouldn’t be far-fetched to see Microsoft follow up at Build by showing off more 10 S-equipped PCs. These are more likely to be budget laptops than premium machines given the education focus of 10 S, but we wouldn’t rule out some pleasant surprises.
Even so, you might see new Surface hardware. Microsoft’s Panos Panay ruled out a full-fledged Surface Pro 5 in the near future, but that doesn’t preclude an updated Pro 4 that uses Intel’s seventh-generation Core (aka Kaby Lake) chips and otherwise receives some much-needed spec bumps. We wouldn’t rule out minor Surface Book or Surface Studio improvements either. The main question is timing. Microsoft has already scheduled a Surface-related event in Shanghai for May 23rd, so it might not want to spoil the party by announcing a product at Build two weeks earlier. It might only unveil something at Build if the Shanghai gathering is strictly intended as a regional event.
Wildcards: HoloLens, VR and Xbox
As you might guess, what we’ve mentioned so far only touches on a fraction of what Microsoft could cover: It has many more projects it could talk about, even if some aren’t likely to receive as much attention as you might hope. HoloLens is one example. A second generation of the mixed-reality headset isn’t expected until 2019, so any Build talk is more likely to focus on apps than shiny new hardware. You might see demonstrations of HoloLens apps from companies like Netflix.
We wouldn’t count on Microsoft saying much about the Xbox either. Although it won’t be surprising if some Windows 10 Redstone 3 updates find their way into the Xbox One, any other talk surrounding the console is bound to focus on developers. E3 is just a month away: Microsoft is going to save Project Scorpio and other earthshaking gaming announcements for that event.
As for other tidbits? Windows 10 Mobile may well receive some of Redstone 3’s features. More VR software and headsets are possibilities. If there are any big Skype updates coming, Build is a good opportunity to reveal them. And regardless of what we expect, there’s a chance that Microsoft could have one or two left-field announcements. About the only surefire prediction is that Microsoft will have a lot to talk about. Build keynotes are often marathon affairs, so you may need some extra coffee if you’re going to read our live blog.
[Project Neon image: Windows Central]
Amazon quietly drops its free-shipping minimum back to $25
Slowly but surely, Amazon is bringing its free-shipping-threshold back to amount we collectively remember it being. Now, in an apparent bid to undercut the likes of Walmart and Target, Jeff Bezos’ online-shopping juggernaut has dropped the cart total for free shipping (for folks who aren’t Prime members) to $25 from the $35 amount set in February.
As Best Black Friday notes, this happened sometime last week, but Amazon didn’t made a big deal out of it. If you’ll recall, Walmart and Target’s thresholds for free shipping are cart totals of $35 or more. If you needed another blast from the last time free shipping without Prime was $25, we’ve embedded the video for Macklemore and Ryan Lewis’ “Thrift Shop” below.
Via: TechCrunch
Source: Best Black Friday
Nintendo speeds up the Switch eShop with an obvious fix
When you go to buy a digital game on Nintendo’s Wii U or 3DS consoles, you only have to enter your payment information once. The systems store your credit card number so you can make your next purchase without having to type that string of digits in each time. Nintendo’s hot new mobile/TV-based Switch, however, did not have this same ability. Thankfully, the gaming company has tweaked the Switch eShop today with the feature, making it even easier to spend all your money on digital downloads.
This is only one of the consumer-friendly moves Nintendo has made for it’s Switch purchasing fans. In February of this year, the company made sure that your purchases would be tied to your Nintendo account, bringing the system much more in line with Sony and Microsoft’s consoles, which already allowed it.
We’ve confirmed the update on our own Switches — you need to buy a game or add funds using your credit card, then click the new “Save” checkbox before you hit the Next button. Nintendo’s also written a little note: “If you already have a credit card stored, that information will be overwritten.” Proceed as normal and the next time you purchase an item you’ll be able to use the stored info.
Luckily, you won’t have to perform an update on your Switch to get the new feature, as the eShop is web-based. Nintendo has made the change on their end and you can save your credit card info now to be ready for Thursday’s releases like Minecraft.
Via: Polygon
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