Netflix 4K UHD streaming coming soon to Nvidia’s GTX 10 Series graphics cards

Why it matters to you

Windows 10 PC owners with a sixth-generation Intel processor or older will soon have a way to stream 4K UHD Netflix content to their device.

Don’t have a seventh-generation Intel “Kaby Lake” processor in your PC? No worries: there’s still a way to stream Netflix content in a 3,840 x 2,160 (4K UHD) resolution. Nvidia is now testing a graphics card driver that supports 4K UHD playback specifically on its GeForce GTX 10 Series graphics cards. When the driver goes public is currently unknown.

Right now, the “beta” driver is served up only to participants in the Windows Insider program (v381.74 as of April 27). It covers all GeForce GTX 10 Series cards from the GTX 1050 Ti to the monster $1,200 Titan XP. Unfortunately, the 3GB video memory requirement leaves the GTX 1050 cards out of the 4K UHD streaming picture…at least, for now.

In addition to the GTX 10 Series cards, the 4K UHD playback will also require a monitor with HDCP 2.2 copy-protection technology, which prevents the copying of video content and digital audio as the stream passes along the cable connection. Customers will need an internet connection of at least 25Mbps, too, in order to support the big chunks of data creating all that 4K UHD visual goodness.

Up until Nvidia’s beta driver for Windows Insider participants, Netflix subscribers could only stream 4K UHD content on the latest seventh-generation processors from Intel. The processor requirement had nothing to do with providing horsepower for streaming the UHD content, but rather with preventing piracy. That’s why 4K UHD Netflix streaming required Microsoft Edge, too.

Microsoft introduced copy prevention technology called PlayReady in 2007 and integrated version 3.0 of this tech into Microsoft Edge. Netflix uses v3.0 to protect its 4K UHD content, and right now no other browser natively supports PlayReady v3.0, hence the Microsoft Edge requirement for playback.

Adding to that, the 4K UHD Netflix stream uses a 10-bit video compression standard called High Efficiency Video Coding (HEVC) that’s not supported by processors prior to Intel’s seventh-generation chips. Instead, they only support 8-bit HEVC.

Ultimately Netflix caused the 4K UHD stream lockdown due to its choice of copy protection and video compression. Thus, customers stuck with a sixth-generation Intel processor or older were left out of the 4K UHD Netflix club even if they owned a compatible monitor or HDTV. However, not only can GeForce GTX 10 Series graphics cards decode 10-bit HEVC video, they support PlayReady, too.

That leads us to another detail provided by Nvidia: the Netflix app. The version distributed through Microsoft’s Windows Store supports 4K UHD streaming, thus Windows 10 PC owners aren’t locked to the Microsoft Edge browser. Again, subscribers still need an HDCP 2.2 compliant screen in addition to the Intel or Nvidia hardware requirement for the 4K UHD Netflix stream.

“In case of a multi-monitor configuration on a single GPU or multiple GPUs where GPUs are not linked together in SLI/LDA mode, 4K UHD streaming will happen only if all the active monitors are HDCP2.2 capable,” Nvidia states. “If any of the active monitors is not HDCP2.2 capable, the quality will be downgraded to FHD.”

4K streaming is not supported for multi-GPU SLI configurations, Nvidia adds.

How to move your Gear VR game saves to a new phone

Save your Gear VR progress when moving between Samsung Galaxy devices!

With the Samsung’s Gear VR platform quickly growing with new titles, it’s getting easier than ever to sink your hours into mobile virtual reality. But once a new phone comes along and you jump ship, why should you lose your cherished progress from your Gear VR games?

With the launch of Samsung’s Galaxy S8, it’s now the time to move your Gear VR saves. Provided you have access to both devices, this process is made a little simpler thanks to a third-party application. Here’s how to love your Gear VR saves between compatible Samsung Galaxy devices.

Read more at VR Heads!

Classy covers: Reviewing Caseology’s Galaxy S8 and S8+ cases

Haven’t found the perfect case for your new Galaxy? Take a look at Caseology cases!

Finding the perfect case for your brand new Galaxy S8 or S8+ can be a daunting task especially if you don’t want to sacrifice style for protection or vice versa.

Luckily for you, Caseology’s lineup for Samsung’s latest flagship phone caters to a wide variety of style preferences and protection needs. Plus, Caseology has added three new designs — the Coastline, Vault II, and Fairmont series — which means you have even more great options to choose from. Here’s a look at what Caseology has to offer for the Samsung Galaxy S8 and S8+.

Legion Series

If you’re looking for heavy-duty protection with a slim profile, look no further than the Legion series.

Caseology’s most rugged offering uses a dual-layer design consisting of a shock-absorbent TPU sleeve that protects your Galaxy from drops and the hard polycarbonate shell to avoid scuffs. Its matte finish on the shell will give offer you a better grip and comfort while holding the Samsung Galaxy S8 or S8+ in your hand, and the corners have extra cushioning to help protect the phone in case it does slip out of your hand.

The TPU sleeve covers the buttons along the edge of the Galaxy, preventing dust and dirt from getting through the cracks, while the bottom ports and speaker are readily available due to precise cutouts.

The Legion series case is available for both the Samsung Galaxy S8 and the Samsung Galaxy S8+ in gunmetal, rose gold, and orchid gray.

Coastline Series

Brand new in Caseology’s line up, the Coastline series offers excellent protection without taking away from the natural beauty of the phone.

This clear case is comprised of three different layers: transparent polycarbonate, a colored polycarbonate panel, and a transparent TPU frame. Dropping your Galaxy on the corners would usually end in a lot of tears, but the added cushioning in the Coastline series will help protect that glass and metal chassis.

The buttons along the edges of the Galaxy are all covered to prevent dust and dirt from entering your phone, but you won’t have to worry about losing functionality, as all the ports along the bottom freed by precise cutouts.

The Coastline series case is available for both the Samsung Galaxy S8 and the Samsung Galaxy S8+ in orchid gray and frost gray.

Parallax series

Who says a case that offers excellent protection can’t have a bold design? The Parallax series offers a unique geometric design so your Galaxy can stand out from the crowd.

The dual-layered design of the Parallax series offers the same great shock-absorbing TPU sleeve and impact-resistant polycarbonate you expect in a protective case. The etched grooves of the design into the back of the phone offer excellent grip, so your Galaxy won’t tumble out of your hand.

The Parallax series case is available for both the Samsung Galaxy S8 and the Samsung Galaxy S8+ in black, burgundy, and orchid gray.

Vault I series

If you aren’t a fan of the extra bulk heavy-duty cases offer, the Vault I series case could be perfect for your Galaxy S8 or S8+.

Made from a single piece of flexible TPU, the Vault I still offers great shock-absorbing capabilities, to help you out when you accidentally drop your phone.

The brushed texture on the back of the phone will not only improve your grip but also offers a distinct design to help your Galaxy stick out from the crowd.

All of the ports and the speaker on the bottom of the Galaxy S8 and S8+ are accessible by way of cutouts, and all the buttons along the sides are covered to protect from dust and dirt.

The Vault I series case is available for both the Samsung Galaxy S8 and the Samsung Galaxy S8+ in black.

Vault II series

If you like the protection and style of the Vault I series, but dislike the design on the back, the Vault II series case could be for you.

The textured design on the back of the Vault II offers more grip than your Galaxy S8 or S8+ would bare, and is a much more subtle to the eye than the Vault I. The Vault II is also made up of a single-piece TPU that features cushioned corners. Just like with the Vault I, your buttons will be covered for dust protection and your ports will all be available to you with ease.

The Vault II series case is available for both the Samsung Galaxy S8 and the Samsung Galaxy S8+ in black and burgundy.

Fairmont Series

The luxury Fairmont series is new to Caseology lineup and is perfect for people who prefer an elegant sense of style.

This slim case compliments the sleek design of the Galaxy S8 and S8+ and is made of hard polycarbonate to prevent scratches and scuffs from marking up your phone.

The faux-leather cover has a slightly textured grip, meaning you should be able to hold onto your Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8 Plus much easier. Plus, the design is very bold and will stand out in a sea of ordinary cases.

The Fairmont series case is available for both the Samsung Galaxy S8 and the Samsung Galaxy S8+ in black and cherry oak.

Which case do you like?

Which of the caseology lineup is your favorite? Let us know in the comments below!

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Pixel and Nexus images with May 2017 security patches now available

Right on schedule, Google device owners have access to the latest security patches.

For those who want to be on the bleeding edge of security with your Pixel or Nexus, Google has just released the latest factory images and OTA files that include the May 2017 security patches. The Pixel XL, Pixel, Nexus 6P, Nexus 5X, Pixel C and Nexus Player have Android 7.1.2 with the latest patches integrated, while the Nexus 6 and Nexus 9 get the latest patches on top of Android 7.1.1.

If you’re so inclined, you can hit the links above to download the appropriate factory image or OTA file for your device. Keep in mind that for some devices, like the Pixels, there are separate images for some carriers like Verizon and Deutsche Telekom — it’s important to make sure you keep the right image on your phone.

More: Android Security Bulletin — everything you need to know

For those who aren’t in such a rush, over-the-air updates should be arriving on supported devices in the coming days, so keep on the lookout for those.

Manually updating your Pixel or Nexus is actually quite easy, particularly now that Google provides OTA images that will do nothing but update your system and can be simply sideloaded. If you need any help with the steps, be sure to read our step-by-step guide on manually updating and head to the forums!

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Best Cases for Midnight Black Galaxy S8 and S8+

Forget brightest day; go with blackest night and get an awesome case to match.

The midnight black Samsung Galaxy S8 and S8+ are phones of mysterious beauty. On one side: a bright and vivid infinity display; on the other: infinite darkness.

That might be a bit dramatic, and you might have even gone with the black Galaxy S8 or S8+ because you didn’t care about the color. Either way, check out these awesome cases that pair perfectly with your ebony phone.

• Spigen Rugged Armor
• Trianium Clarium
• Caseology Parallax
• Spigen Ultra Hybrid
• Anything from Society 6

Spigen Rugged Armor

Right off the bat, the main reason you buy a case is protection for your Galaxy S8 or S8+, right? If you’re looking for solid protection without a lot of bulk or extra weight, then check out Spigen’s Rugged Armor in black. The black is deep enough to almost match the midnight black of your Galaxy S8 or S8+, and the exact fit means all ports are readily accessible, and the camera can snap away unfettered.

Made of a strong, fingerprint-resistant TPU, this case absorbs impact, and the TPU’s texture ensures a steady grip. Spigen’s “Air Cushion Technology” in each corner helps to alleviate impact on the most vulnerable spots on your phone.

Available for both Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+.

Trianium Clarium

If you chose midnight black for its deep space-level beauty, then you might want to go with a clear case, so that you can protect and enjoy the look of the phone itself. The Trianium Clarium is inexpensive (about $8), and its clear TPU bumper and hard polycarbonate protect your Galaxy S8 or S8+ against scratches, bumps, and drops. TPU around the edges allows you to keep a firm hold on your phone, and though the buttons are covered, tactile response is present and satisfying.

The TPU bumper comes in clear, black, and turquoise.

Available for Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+.

Caseology Parallax

I love Caseology cases. They fit well, they come in cool patterns, and they’ve saved my phones from certain death on more than one occasion. The Parallax Series has a cool geometric pattern on its TPU back, and the TPU/polycarbonate border makes for optimal shock absorption, an excellent grip (thanks to textured TPU), and a solid in-hand feel.

Each corner is cushioned, because even a slight smack on a corner can create the spiderweb of death for both the front and back of your Galaxy S8 or S8+. The best part is that these cases are a deep matte black that compliments midnight black gorgeously.

Caseology Parallax is available for both the Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+.

Spigen Ultra Hybrid

Spigen’s Ultra Hybrid is another dynamite clear case that features a hard, clear polycarbonate back and a TPU bumper that comes in clear, blue, pink, matte black, and midnight black to match your midnight black Galaxy S8 or S8+.

Ports are precisely cut out, there’s a raised bezel on the front and around the camera to protect your screen and camera, respectively, and each corner feature Spigen’s “Air Cushion Technology”, so you’re protected all the way around.

Available for both Galaxy S8 and S8+.

Anything from Society 6

Like I mentioned in the introduction, you might have gone with the midnight black Galaxy S8 or S8 Plus because you really don’t care about the color. Or maybe that’s all your carrier had in stock. Either way, you get to make your statement with your case, and why not go with something artsy, cartoony, or outlandish to let everyone know that this is your phone?

I recommend checking out Society 6’s selection. Each case is the same model, but Society 6 has tons of prints to choose from, covering everything from comic books to fine art to animals to funny sayings — you want it, you can probably get it on Society 6. The cool part is that most of the designs you see are created by independent artists, so you’ll find some pretty unique stuff.

If you’re looking to add some oomph or pizzazz to your midnight black Galaxy S8, then definitely check out Society 6.

Unfortunately, Society 6 only has cases for the Galaxy S8 right now, but I’d expect to see something for the S8+ pop up sooner or later.

What do you have?

Are you using a case with your Galaxy S8 or are you going to when you get one? Let us know which case you want for your midnight black Galaxy S8 in the comments below!

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‘House of Cards’ paints the portrait of an American monarchy

After months of drumming up hype, Netflix has released its first trailer for House of Cards’ fifth season (not-so-coincidentally after President Trump’s first 100 days in office)… and it’s clear that the Underwoods will both have and want a lot on their plate. Not surprisingly, things pick up almost immediately where they left off: Frank and Claire are grappling with a heated presidential election, a troubled marriage, terrorism and journalists vowing to expose Frank’s shady activity. Not that they’re deterred, however. Frank imagines the couple remaining in power for decades, term limits be damned.

The familiar cast will remain (plus accomplished actors Patricia Clarkson and Campbell Scott). However, it’s important to remember that the fifth season is the first to go without US series creator Beau Willimon — it’s up to existing showrunners Melissa James Gibson and Frank Pugliese to take the reins. While we wouldn’t expect a radical departure from House of Cards’ successful formula, it’ll represent the first time that the show goes without its key architect. There’s certainly some risk involved. Although Netflix is much less dependent on the series for original content than it was when the show started, it would be a significant blow to Netflix if its marquee material didn’t attract many viewers.

Via: Variety

Source: Netflix (YouTube)

Trump creates American Technology Council to ‘modernize’ US government

The White House has issued an executive order creating the American Technology Council. “Americans deserve better digital services from their government,” Donald Trump writes. “The Federal Government must transform and modernize its information technology and how it uses and delivers digital services.” The Council’s aim is to “coordinate the vision strategy, and direction for the federal government’s use of information technology (IT) and the delivery of services through information technology,” according to the order.

The executive order further states that the Council will use IT to advise policy decisions. But, it “shall not extend to any national security systems.” The order also says that the director of national intelligence will be “encouraged” to provide access to classified information regarding cybersecurity threats, vulnerabilities and mitigation procedures. The biggest concern with the order is that it reads incredibly vague. Parsing what this group is and what it will do is difficult given how open-ended the Council’s description is written.

Trump’s personal grasp on technology calls how he’ll lead the Council into question as well. He allegedly used an out-of-date and vulnerable Samsung Galaxy S3 handset as recently as early March, for instance. On the campaign trail, Trump also mused that Bill Gates could tell him how to shut down parts of the internet.

And while the executive order focuses heavily on modernizing the White House, there are still several vacancies in existing technology and science positions in the administration. For example, a new US Chief Technology Officer wasn’t appointed within Trump’s first 100 days in office. Same goes for a replacement for the first-ever chief data scientist.

Filling this Council with people from outside the Trump administration (specifically from Silicon Valley) may prove difficult. The tech community has repeatedly railed against the president, saying that he’d be “a disaster for innovation.” That’s in addition to collectively being an outspoken critic of the immigration bans.

The White House’s silence on open data and open government — hallmarks of the Obama administration — doesn’t help much either. We’ve reached out to the White House for additional information and will update this post should it arrive.

Via: Recode

Source: White House

Verizon thinks it can be a serious player in self-driving cars

Verizon has long had a strong interest in connected cars, and it’s no surprise as to why: it stands to make a lot of money if your ride is constantly transmitting drive data or streaming music. It would only make sense that the telecom wants in on self-driving cars, then. To that end, Verizon’s venture wing has invested in Renovo, an automotive startup that has lately turned its attention to creating a platform that would help manage a whole fleet of autonomous vehicles. Renovo wouldn’t be taking Tesla head-on with this tech — it would be focused more on ridesharing and other services where driverless cars would need to work in harmony.

The carrier hasn’t said how much it’s investing in Renovo, although it’s part of a larger $10 million funding round. This is less a huge bet and more about getting a foot in the door. Even so, it’s a potentially significant move. If Verizon can help get this technology off the ground, it’s creating a customer base for itself — those thousands of connected cars will need someone to bring them online. That, in turn, will help Verizon remain involved in transportation even if its current efforts grow obsolete.

Via: UPI

Source: Wall Street Journal

Fitbit’s upcoming smartwatch and wireless headphones leak out

We’ve heard that Fitbit was having trouble developing its upcoming smartwatch, but based on a batch of leaked photos obtained by Yahoo Finance, it looks like the company is making progress. Codenamed “Project Higgs,” it’s Fitbit’s first “proper” smartwatch; last year’s Blaze was basically just a fitness tracker that looked like a watch. In many ways, the new product looks like a refined version of the Blaze. It swaps out the clunky octagonal design for a more traditional square face, and it features a metal unibody case, which adds some colorful accents around the screen.

Sources tell Yahoo Finance that the smartwatch will feature built-in GPS, heart-rate monitoring and a display with 1,000 nits of brightness, like the most recent Apple Watch. Additionally, it’ll be able to make wireless payments, play music from Pandora and have around four days of battery life. Software-wise, it sounds like Fitbit is sticking with its own OS, instead of jumping aboard the Android Wear bandwagon. Unfortunately, it likely won’t have an app store at launch. Instead, you can expect a few apps customized for the device.

As for those production issues, sources say Fitbit had to tweak the device to fix a problem with its GPS antenna. The company also had trouble making the watch completely waterproof, a feature that it would definitely need to go toe-to-toe with the Apple Watch. While “Higgs” is certainly more attractive than the Blaze, it’s not exactly groundbreaking. Even a Fitbit employee considers it “not sexy” and “retro-looking.”

Fitbit will also be taking on Apple’s BeatsX wireless headphones with its own pair, codenamed “Parkside.” It’ll hang around your neck and feature a slight metallic accent. We don’t know much about its features yet, but based on the leaked images it looks like a typical pair pair of wireless earbuds. Given that this is a completely new category for Fitbit, I’m particularly interested in seeing if the company brings something new to the table.

While Fitbit’s smartwatch was originally slated for a launch this spring, the production delays have pushed it into later this year. You can expect it to be available in the fall for around $300. The wireless headphones will likely drop around the same time for $150. Not surprisingly, Yahoo’s sources claim Fitbit is betting big on these new products. The company recently laid off six percent of its workforce, and it’s weathering a general downturn in the wearables market.

Source: Yahoo Finance

Samsung is testing self-driving car technology in South Korea

Samsung’s ambitions to be a player in the self-driving car space aren’t new, but today the company hit a big milestone. The company’s home country of South Korea has approved Samsung’s plans to test self-driving cars on real roads, not just test courses. According to the Korea Herald, Samsung isn’t building cars itself. Instead, the company is working on developing sensors and computer parts that are backed up by its artificial intelligence and deep learning software.

The car itself that’ll be hitting the road is a Hyundai customized with Samsung’s own gear, but little else is known about exactly what sort of technology Samsung is providing. It sounds like a similar situation to Apple’s own self-driving car that hit the road in Silicon Valley recently — though Apple’s Lexus is using plenty of off-the-shelf parts right now, it also likely contains some custom hardware of software on board. Both Apple and Samsung are likely angling to be providers or partners with auto-makers in the future, offering up their self-driving solutions.

The permit Samsung was just granted in South Korea is just the latest in a flurry of self-driving activity in the country. Nearly 20 test permits have been granted by South Korea’s land ministry in a little over a year, with Hyundai being the first to get government approval.

While Samsung is keeping fairly quiet about what it’s doing in the self-driving space, the rapid pace of development and intense interest in projects like this mean we’ll likely hear what Samsung is working on in more detail before too long. Self-driving car technology is rapidly becoming a crowded space, so we’ll have to see what Samsung thinks it can offer to stand out in the pack.

Source: The Korea Herald