HTC Vive Deluxe Audio Strap: Should you buy it?

What is this Deluxe Audio Strap all about, anyway?

The first of many accessories slated for the HTC Vive this year has shipped to those who pre-ordered, and it’s all about adding audio and structure to the Vive experience. It’s called the Deluxe Audio Strap, and HTC is asking $100 for this upgrade to what is already the most expensive — though also most feature complete — virtual reality kit you can buy today.

Is this new strap worth the upgrade fee? Lets break it down.

Read more at VR Heads!

OnePlus 5: Do you really need 8GB of RAM in a phone?

Nope. But it opens a lot of possibilities.

You can buy a OnePlus 5 that has 8GB of RAM on board. That’s 4GB more than most other high-end Android phones (and Chromebooks and cheap Windows Laptops) have and about 6GB more than the absolute bare minimum you can get away with. We’ll answer the question right here in the first paragraph: No, you do not need 8GB of RAM in a phone.

But it does mean some really cool stuff could happen.

Read our OnePlus 5 review

What your phone does with RAM

We all know that more RAM means more apps can be kept running at the same time (sort of at the same time, anyways) but that’s just one thing your phone does with the RAM inside of it. In fact, a portion of that RAM gets used before Android even starts running.

Without getting too nerdy and injecting ideas like compcache into the mix, your phone uses RAM like this:

• The kernel-space: Your Android phone runs on top of the Linux kernel. The kernel is stored is a special type of compressed file that’s extracted directly into RAM during the device power-on sequence. This reserved memory holds the kernel, drivers and kernel modules that control the hardware and room to cache data in and out of the kernel.
• A RAMdisk for virtual files: There are some folders and files in the system tree that aren’t “real.” They are pseudofiles written at boot and hold things like battery levels and CPU speed data. With Android, the whole /proc directory is one of these psuedofile systems. RAM is reserved so they have a place to live.
• Network radios: Data about your IMEI and radio settings are stored in NVRAM (Non-Volatile memory that’s not erased when you power off your phone), but get transferred to RAM along with the software needed to support the modem when you first turn on your phone. Space is reserved to keep this all in memory.
• The GPU: The graphics adapter in your phone needs memory to operate. That’s called VRAM, and our phones use integrated GPUs that have no stand-alone VRAM. System RAM is reserved for this.
• Available RAM: This is what’s left over, minus any extra reserved for file-system cache and minfree settings. This is what the apps you run can use.

Having 8GB of RAM means any or all of these different ways RAM is used can use a lot more of it if it needs to. Or if a person writing the operating system wants to try something new and different.

What can you do with extra RAM

I’ll start by saying we’re not yet sure what OnePlus is doing with the extra RAM or what plans it has for the future. We’ll know more when the phones get in the right hands. At first glance, it appears that it’s not doing anything different at all.

But there is one thing that OnePlus (or any custom ROM developers) can do that would be a great way to use an extra 2GB of RAM: store the entire system home launcher in it.

8GB of RAM means more could be set aside for the user interface or a game mode.

Think back to the HTC M7 if you’ve been around Android that long. It was the first phone that used Android and was super-responsive when you were zipping around the OS. It was because a good portion of the system RAM was “reserved” for HTC Sense and wouldn’t be freed when another app asked for more memory. In the M7’s case, that meant it couldn’t hold as many apps open as other phones. Most companies making Android phones do something similar now and set things up so that parts of the launcher are never removed from RAM, and Android feels much better to use because of it. With 4GB of RAM, getting a balance that offers good performance without upsetting users who want to keep apps open in the background can be tough.

With 8GB of RAM, the whole user interface can not only be kept in RAM, but done with a real reserved block outside of the system memory parameters.

Writing a device driver that enables DMA (Direct Memory Access) for the user interface means RAM can be set aside for use by only the user interface. The operating system still controls the i/o, but no other application can overwrite any part of it so everything needed for “instant” scrolling and swiping is held in RAM where it’s fast and ready at all times.

OnePlus may not have anything planned for the extra RAM, but I’m sure developers at XDA will.

This is a little different than the memmap kernel parameter that reserves space outside the operating system for the radios and VRAM, but it lets the OS manage the RAM so data can move in and out and a buffer can be written when you shut the phone down to prevent data loss. It’s a more robust solution than using the standard Linux LMK (Low Memory Killer) system to keep important processes running. The end result is a user interface that’s fluid and responsive all the time, without affecting the way other apps run or stay alive in the background.

And that’s just one example I thought of without digging too deep into it all. Imagine a “game mode” that reserves more RAM for the GPU or can keep more of a 3D game in memory while you’re playing it. Or even tweaked minfree settings so we can leave every app we love open in the background all of the time.

Don’t forget the cool factor

The OnePlus 5 can have 8GB of RAM to do crazy stuff with the OS for better performance, but it likely has it simply because it can.

RAM isn’t expensive. At least not component RAM used on a phone mainboard. Spending a few dollars more per unit (which can be a lot if you sell millions of units) to give the OnePlus 5 something the Galaxy S8 or iPhone doesn’t have is a real selling point in parts of Asia and for a lot of enthusiasts. Plenty of people are obsessed about the specs of a phone because they understand how they could be used, or simply because more is always better. Double the RAM of other flagship phones makes the OnePlus 5 more futureproof.

I’m sure someone at OnePlus did the math and figured that through a combination of all these factors, it was beneficial to sell an 8GB RAM model.

We’ll end this the same way we started: by saying no, you don’t need 8GB of RAM in a phone. But it doesn’t hurt anything, and the creative freedom it gives to Android developers, both at OnePlus and third-party devs, could very mean some cool things will be coming.

OnePlus 5

• Complete OnePlus 5 review
• Reviewing our first OnePlus 5 photos
• OnePlus 5 vs. OnePlus 3: Should you upgrade?
• OnePlus 5 specs
• The latest OnePlus 5 news
• Join the discussion in the forums

OnePlus

Project Fi takes the guesswork out of splitting the phone bill

Don’t fight with your friends and family. Let Google be the mediator at the end of every month.

Have you ever rounded up a bunch of friends to go in on a carrier subscription in an effort to save some cash on a major family plan? I personally know people who have done this, and it’s akin to the same way that I stay subscribed to my family plan to save a couple of bucks. Splitting the bill at the end of each month can be a pain, however, which is why Google wants to help in an effort to convince you to come over to Project Fi.

It’s payback time. 💰 Introducing Project Fi group repay (and a limited time new member bonus) → https://t.co/eM8V13noCX pic.twitter.com/hieTiVwXid

— Project Fi (@projectfi) June 20, 2017

Project Fi now offers group plans. Per the official announcement:

To take the headache out of sharing your wireless plan, today we’re introducing group repay—an easier way to split your Project Fi group plan bill. Each month, we’ll calculate participating members’ portion of the bill, send out payment reminders, and provide a simple way for members to repay plan owners directly through Project Fi.

How nice of Google to take on the arduous task of splitting the bill. The company will even do all the math for you based on each individual’s data usage. Any Project Fi plan owner or member can set up the monthly repayment reminders, too, though the plan owner will have control over the amount. There is even a payment history tracker so that you’ll always have that archived information available when the inevitable dispute comes up. And if you sign up now and add a new member to your group plan, you’ll both receive a free month of Fi Basics. This promotional offer is only good for a limited time, though.

Google’s working hard to push Project Fi, and why wouldn’t it? It’s the Android maker’s own carrier offering, not to mention that every new user means that there’s another person in the world using a Google-branded smartphone.

What do you think? Is this something you’d benefit from as a Project Fi user?

Google Project Fi

• What is Project Fi?
• Get the latest Project Fi news
• Discuss Project Fi in our forums
• Phones: Google Pixel | Nexus 6P | Nexus 5X | Nexus 6
• Sign up for Project Fi

How to add a user to your Alexa Household

Share your Amazon content with your special someone with Alexa Household.

Household profiles are an option that you can use on Alexa to share certain Amazon content and purchases with another user. This means that you and your sweetie can share your Audiobooks, Music, Lists within Alexa, and plenty more. We’ve got all the details for you here!

What is an Alexa Household?

By using Alexa Households, you can ensure that no matter which of you buys the new Stephen King audiobook, you’ll both be able to listen. When you join in a Household with someone, you’re essentially linking your accounts by using Alexa. This is so that purchasing content twice or having to log out and then log back in doesn’t become an issue. Since many couples only purchase content on one account, this is a serious godsend for making sure you can always access the content that you shelled out dollars for!

Now it’s worth mentioning that by adding someone to a Household with you, you are authorizing them to use the credit or debit card that is linked to your account. If you’re worried about accidental misuse, you may want to set a verbal pin number that must be used when trying to make voice purchases.

How to add another member to your Household

Open the Alexa app on your phone.
Tap the menu button that looks like 3 horizontal lines.

Tap settings.

Scroll down and tap Household Profile.

Tap Start.

Tap OK after passing your device to the person whose account you want to add to your Household.
Enter the email address and password for the Amazon account you are adding to the Household and tap Verify Account at the bottom of the screen.

Tap Join Household.

Have you added anyone?

Have you added a member to your Alexa Household? Have questions? Let us know in the comments below!

Amazon Echo

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• Echo Dot review
• Top Echo Tips & Tricks
• Tap, Echo or Dot: The ultimate Alexa question
• Amazon Echo vs. Google Home
• Get the latest Alexa news

Amazon

OnePlus 5 vs OnePlus 3: Should you upgrade?

If you’ve been holding onto a OnePlus 3 for the past year, is now the time to upgrade?

After a barnstorming 2016, OnePlus is back with its most anticipated smartphone yet, the OnePlus 5. It’s slimmer, with improvements to build quality and battery life, and a new dual camera system. But if you’re rocking the year-old predecessor, the OnePlus 3 — or its upgraded cousin the 3T — is the new model worthy of a $479 splurge?

That all depends on your priorities, so let’s examine why you might want to take the plunge and upgrade to a OnePlus 5 — and why you might be smarter to hold onto your cash and stuck with a 3 or 3T.

The core physical design of the OnePlus 5 is clearly inspired by the 3 and 3T — particularly around the front, where it’s virtually indistinguishable from the older models. Around the sides and back, the 5 has softer corners, a slimmer profile and less overt antenna lines. (And of course, the new dual camera module gives the back of the OnePlus 5 a very different look, too.) It’s a little more compact and ergonomic than last year’s handsets, building on what was already a svelte smartphone design.

More: OnePlus 5 vs OnePlus 3 vs OnePlus 3T spec comparison

On the inside, it’s mostly a generational leap in hardware specs. The OnePlus 5 steps up to a Snapdragon 835 — up from the 820 or 821 in the 3 and 3T, respectively. The new chip is blazing fast, but the biggest difference we’ve noticed in Snapdragon 835 devices so far is power efficiency — an 835 phone like the HTC U11 or Galaxy S8 can go a lot further on a 3000mAh battery than last-gen chips like the 821. So naturally, the OnePlus 5 absolutely screams in both day-to-day apps and more demanding tasks like gaming — but then again, so do the 3 and 3T still. For most people, the more noticeable upgrade will be the battery life.

The OnePlus 3 was already ridiculously fast — and so is the OnePlus 5, but the difference is more about battery life this time.

If you’re coming from a OnePlus 3, the more efficient CPU and slightly larger battery — 3300mAh, up from 3,000 — should result in a noticeable bump in longevity. So if battery life is a major consideration, that’s one big reason to upgrade.

There is also the option of a whopping 8GB of RAM, should you opt for the more expensive 128GB OnePlus 5. While there is an argument to be made about future-proofing here, in 2017 having such a huge quantity of RAM in a smartphone is more about bragging rights than any practical concerns. But hey, if you’re thinking about a new high-end smartphone, you’re making a substantial purchase anyway … and if you want the extra internal storage, there’s certainly no harm in pairing it with more memory than you’ll ever need.

Other areas are pretty much a wash. Both OnePlus 3 and OnePlus 5 feature 5.5-inch AMOLED panels that while good, don’t quite match the very best available. And there’s also an excellent front-facing fingerprint scanner, with optional capacitive keys, in both handsets. No change there.

A largely identical software experience — but the OnePlus 5 will now be first in line for updates.

On the software side, you’re right up to date on Android 7.1.1 Nougat, and the latest version of OnePlus’s OxygenOS software. OnePlus 3 and 3T owners have been able to get a taste of the new OxygenOS features from the OnePlus 5 for a while, thanks to the many community builds available for those phones. A stable release based on this new firmware, with the updated launcher and a handful of other features, should be forthcoming soon. In the meantime, OnePlus 5 owners get exclusive access to new tricks like a Pixel-style home screen panel, and the new Gaming Do Not Disturb Mode. Nice to have, but not a reason to upgrade.

When it comes to updates, however, it is worth considering that the OnePlus 3 and 3T will probably no longer be first in line for new OS updates. Expect the OnePlus 5 to get Android 8.0 a good few months before its predecessors.

The most sizeable upgrade this year is, obviously, the new dual camera setup in the OnePlus 5. The main camera retains the same 16-megapixel resolution and loses OIS (optical image stabilization), but steps up to a faster f/1.7 lens. (Plus, the improvements thanks to the Snapdragon 835’s new image signal processor shouldn’t be underestimated.) And complementing all that, there’s a 20-megapixel telephoto camera behind an f/2.6 lens, which can be used in conjunction with the main in the new iPhone-style portrait mode.

These are all things you simply can’t do on a OnePlus 3 or 3T, however respectably that phone’s camera performs. And the dual-camera setup gives you some new creative possibilities, even if low-light performance from the telephoto camera isn’t great. Fortunately, though, the main camera comes closer than ever to matching today’s $700-800 flagships, as Andrew Martonik explains in our full review:

The main camera is a solid step up from the OnePlus 3 and 3T overall, managing to provide clear, sharp and colorful images even with small pixels and no OIS. In low light it relies on higher ISOs, though, leading to some grain and occasional blur when the shutter speed also has to be slowed down — it’s in these situations that you miss having that physical stabilization. OnePlus still makes the right decision overall to leave some grain in the photos rather than aggressively over-sharpen images artificially, which never looks good.

And sure, portrait mode isn’t perfect in its current incarnation, but still, OnePlus has come a long way toward closing the feature gap with the big-name phone makers.

Camera and battery life are the two main reasons to upgrade this year

So the biggest reason to upgrade from a OnePlus 3 (or 3T, if you’re feeling particularly crazy) is the camera, which provides tangible improvements to image quality and allows you to shoot the kind of zoomed photos that simply aren’t possible in most smartphone cameras. Beyond the camera, the biggest performance difference between the two is in battery life, with the slightly larger cell — relative to the OnePlus 3, if not the 3T — working in tandem with a much more efficient CPU.

If you’re already happy with the way your current OnePlus 3 and 3T perform in the areas of photography and battery life, you’re probably safe to skip this year. But if those two things are a priority, and you like the OnePlus software and design language, you’ll find an excellent upgrade waiting for you with the OnePlus 5.

OnePlus 5

• Complete OnePlus 5 review
• Reviewing our first OnePlus 5 photos
• OnePlus 5 vs. OnePlus 3: Should you upgrade?
• OnePlus 5 specs
• The latest OnePlus 5 news
• Join the discussion in the forums

OnePlus

The two OnePlus 5 colors are almost identical

Chances are you won’t be able to tell the difference between ‘slate grey’ and ‘midnight black.’

The new OnePlus 5 comes in two color options, and damned if they’re not almost identical. Should you opt for the $479 6GB / 64GB OnePlus 5, you’ll get a “slate grey” chassis. Crank your purchase up to 8GB / 128GB for a cheeky $60 extra, and it’s “midnight black” — similar to the murdered-out hue of the midnight black 3T.

Dark grey, and a slightly darker dark grey.

There’s really very little difference between the two hues, though. Even side by side, it’s touch to tell which is which — perhaps partly because OnePlus has gone to great lengths to ensure the antenna bands blend seamlessly with the metal unibody on both versions of the phone.

Essentially, you’re looking at a dark grey, and a slightly darker dark grey. Colors shift slightly depending on whether you’re looking in daylight or artificial lighting. But regardless, without the context of seeing both alongside each other, it’s almost impossible to tell which you’re looking at.

It’s likely more colors will follow, based on OnePlus’s pre-release teaser of at least three additional hues. In the meantime, you needn’t worry about how your launch-day OnePlus 5 will look. The more meaningful differences between the two SKUs can be found on the inside.

OnePlus 5

• Complete OnePlus 5 review
• Reviewing our first OnePlus 5 photos
• OnePlus 5 vs. OnePlus 3: Should you upgrade?
• OnePlus 5 specs
• The latest OnePlus 5 news
• Join the discussion in the forums

OnePlus

OnePlus 5 vs Sony Xperia XZ Premium: What’s the difference?

OnePlus has announced its new “flagship killer” smartphone in the form of the OnePlus 5. The new device will hit shelves on 27 June for under £500, but how does it compare to its competition?

We’ve put the OnePlus 5 up against the LG G6, Galaxy S8 and iPhone 7 in separate features, all of which you can find in our OnePlus Hub, but here we are looking at how the OnePlus 5 compares to the Sony Xperia XZ Premium.

• OnePlus 5 review

OnePlus 5 vs Sony Xperia XZ Premium: Design

• OnePlus 5 is smaller and lighter
• Sony Xperia XZ Premium is waterproof
• OnePlus is all aluminium, Sony is aluminium and glass

The OnePlus 5 features an anodised aluminium build, rounded corners and a chamfered hard edge. A horizontal dual camera is positioned in the top right corner of the rear, while a fingerprint sensor is situated within a capacitive button on the front of the device beneath the display.

Measuring 154.2 x 74.1 x 7.25mm and weighing 153g, the OnePlus 5 is slightly smaller than the Sony Xperia XZ Premium. There are two colours available, comprising Midnight Black and Slate Grey and there is no official IP rating for water or dust resistance.

The Sony Xperia XZ Premium measures 156 x 77 x 7.9mm and weighs 191g, making it quite a bit heavier than the OnePlus 5. It features an aluminium frame with 2.5D Corning Gorilla Glass on both the front and the rear and it offers the signature Xperia OmniBalance flat-slab design as well as a side-mounted fingerprint sensor built into the power button.

There are three colour options available comprising Luminous Chrome, Deepsea Black and Bronze Pink, all of which are IP68 rated for both water and dust resistance.

OnePlus 5 vs Sony Xperia XZ Premium: Display

• Both have 5.5-inch displays, 16:9 aspect ratio
• Sony Xperia XZ Premium has much sharper, 4K resolution
• Mobile HDR compatibility on Sony Xperia XZ Premium

The OnePlus 5 has a 5.5-inch AMOLED display with an 16:9 aspect ratio and a Full HD resolution. Its pixel density is 401ppi, which is the same as the OnePlus 3T. 

There is no Mobile HDR compatibility on board, but the OnePlus 5 does have 2.5 Corning Gorilla Glass protection for a seamless design finish between the screen and the edge of the device. 

The Sony Xperia XZ Premium has a 5.5-inch display too, also with a 16:9 aspect ratio but it opts for an LCD panel over AMOLED, meaning the OnePlus 5 should deliver more vibrant and punchier colours in comparison, even if not as realistic. 

Sony offers Mobile HDR compatibility however and it also has a 4K resolution, resulting in a super sharp pixel density of 801ppi. Like the OnePlus 5, Sony’s Xperia XZ Premium also has 2.5D Corning Gorilla Glass Protection.

• Mobile HDR: Dolby Vision, HDR10 and Mobile HDR Premium explained

OnePlus 5 vs Sony Xperia XZ Premium: Camera

• Dual camera on OnePlus 5 for bokeh effect and optical zoom
• Higher resolution front and rear snappers on OnePlus 5
• Sony has 960fps super slow-motion video feature

The OnePlus 5 has a dual rear camera featuring a 16-megapixel main sensor with a f/1.7 aperture, coupled with a 20-megapixel telephoto sensor offering a f/2.6 aperture. There is a dual-LED flash on board, up to 4K video recording capabilities and up to 8x optical zoom.

The front camera on the OnePlus 5 is 16-megapixels with a f/2.0 aperture and it is capable of video recording up to 1080p. The OnePlus 5 has a Portrait Mode for bokeh images, along with a Pro Mode for manually adjusting settings such as ISO and shutter speed.

The Sony Xperia XZ Premium has a 19-megapixel f/2.0 main single sensor on the rear, capable of up to 8x digital zoom and 4K video recording. It is a memory-stacked sensor, which means it is capable of recording slo motion video at 960fps compared to the standard 240fps, making for one of its best features. 

The front camera is a 13-megapixel sensor, also with a f/2.0 aperture and like the OnePlus 5, it is capable of shooting video up to 1080p. Sony also offers manual control of certain settings for its rear camera.

• Sony Xperia XZ Premium review

OnePlus 5 vs Sony Xperia XZ Premium: Hardware

• More RAM and internal storage on the OnePlus 5
• Both Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 and similar battery capacity
• MicroSD on Sony Xperia XZ Premium, as well as high-res audio support

The OnePlus 5 features the Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 processor under its hood, coupled with either 6GB of RAM and 64GB of internal storage or 8GB of RAM and 128GB of internal storage, depending on the model selected. 

There is a 3300mAh battery capacity under the hood, which is charged via USB Type-C and compatible with the company’s fast charge technology, Dash Charge. A 3.5mm headphone jack is also present.

The Sony Xperia XZ Premium also features the Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 processor, but it is supported by a little less RAM than the OnePlus 5 with the only one model available at 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage. Sony offers microSD support for storage expansion though, something OnePlus doesn’t provide.

An ever so slightly smaller battery capacity is also on board the Sony Xperia XZ Premium compared to the OnePlus 5 at 3230mAh, but it too is charged via USB Type-C and it also supports a form of fast charging with Quick Charge 3.0 on board. The Sony device has a 3.5mm headphone jack too and it supports 32-bit audio and digital noise cancelling. 

OnePlus 5 vs Sony Xperia XZ Premium: Software

• Both Android Nougat at core, but different experiences 
• Sony adds bloatware, OnePlus modifies Android for OxygenOS

The OnePlus 5 runs on OxygenOS, which is a modified version of Android Nougat 7.1.1, while the Sony Xperia XZ Premium runs on Android Nougat with Sony’s software over the top.

Both therefore have Android at their core, though Sony will offer a closer to pure Android experience with some bloatware. The OnePlus 5 on the other hand will deliver a slightly different experience, with a few extra features.

OnePlus 5 vs Sony Xperia XZ Premium: Price

• OnePlus is £200 cheaper for same internal storage

The OnePlus 5 will start at £449 for the 64GB model, creeping up to £499 for the 128GB model.

The Sony Xperia XZ Premium meanwhile costs £649, making it £200 more expensive.

OnePlus 5 vs Sony Xperia XZ Premium: Conclusion

The OnePlus 5 and the Sony Xperia XZ Premium are both all about the specs, with both devices offering plenty of power. The OnePlus 5 is the smaller of the two devices, whilst also offering more RAM, more storage, higher resolution cameras and a slightly larger battery capacity.

The Sony Xperia XZ Premium is waterproof though, whilst also offering a super sharp HDR display, a brilliant 960fps super slow motion video recording feature, microSD for storage expansion and high-resolution audio support.

The decision between these two handsets will therefore come down to what smartphone features are more important to you and how much you have to spend, especially as the Sony comes with a £200 price hike over the OnePlus 5. 

• OnePlus 5: Release date, specs and everything you need to know

Facebook Pride reaction: Here’s how to get that rainbow flag ‘like’ button

Have you noticed recently that some people can respond to Facebook posts with rainbow flag ‘likes’?

This new type of ‘like’ button is actually called the Pride reaction. In June, Facebook launched a set of features to celebrate Pride month, including the option to react to posts with a rainbow flag. But this option is not enabled everywhere or even automatically. It’s only available as a default option for people in “major markets with Pride celebrations”. So, if you live in a rural area, it’s not enabled for you.

However, there is a way you can still gain access to the feature. Here’s everything you need to know.

• Facebook F8 (2017): All the announcements that matter
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What is the Facebook Pride reaction?

Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Pride month is currently celebrated in the US each year in the month of June, though Pride celebrations are also held across the world. Facebook announced in June that it is “proud to support” its diverse community, including those who have identified themselves on Facebook as gay, lesbian, bi-sexual, transgender, or gender non-conforming.

The company said that more than 1.5 million people plan to participate in one of the more than 7,500 Pride events on Facebook, so to give those users a way to express themselves, it is rolling out a colourful, limited-edition Pride reaction. When you choose this temporary reaction, you’re essentially expressing your “pride” to the post. But the reaction is not available everywhere.

How can you get the Pride reaction?

Facebook said it is testing the Pride reaction as a “new experience”, so it’s not for everyone. If you don’t live in a major markets with Pride celebrations, you must ‘like’ this facebook.com/LGBTQ page to access the reaction. Once you like it, you can hover over any post on Facebook to see the new rainbow flag ‘like’ button. Like any other reaction, just select it to show how you feel.

Are there other Pride features?

Profile picture

You might see a message from Facebook in your news feed inviting you to add a Pride-themed profile frame. If not, you can always access the profile frame by visiting facebook.com/celebratepride, or by tapping on the Edit button on your own profile picture.

Facebook camera

In Facebook Camera, you’ll also see new Pride-themed masks and frames. Just swipe to the left of news feed, then click on the magic wand to bring up camera effects, and browse through the effects in the mask and frame category.

Facebook Messenger and Instagram

You can add some colour to your conversations in Messenger, with new Pride-themed stickers, frames, and effects found in the Messenger Camera. Facebook is also letting Instagram users celebrate Pride with colourful stickers and a rainbow brush.

Using a 3D render as a French ID card ‘photo’

Everybody wants a decent photo ID, but French artist Rafael Fabre took the quest to a new level. Rather than just having someone snap him, he built a 3D model of his head and torso, then created a nearly photorealistic rendering of himself for a new project called CNI. He submitted that to the French authorities, who duly issued him a carte nationale identité, never realizing that the image was, as he put it, “practically virtual, a video game version, a fiction.”

To create the image, Fabre used “techniques used for special effects in movies and in the video game industry.” Specifically, he sculpted his head and torso from a bare cube using the 3D modeling program Blender, then adorned the model with clothing purchased from the Turbosquid 3D marketplace. The model was textured with photos of himself, as is typically done for photorealistic humans, then touched up to correct the lighting and proportions. Fabre said he created around 50 versions of his head before he found one that was believable.

When seen at the full render size, you can see tiny faults with the hair, jacket and details on his face. However, at the 32mm official size (about 1.2 inches) it’s easy to see why French officials bought it. Unlike with driver’s license photos in the US and Canada taken in person, France allows you to submit your own, much as you would with a passport.

Fabre’s ID photo does have a point and fits into a larger part of his art. Much of that revolves around the idea of leading viewers into a virtual, “non-existent universe … the construction of a permanent fiction,” he writes on his website. For instance, another project called Opening brings viewers into an installation featuring a fake company, complete with its own Facebook page, logo, promotional materials and website. Actors speak to the visitors, but frustratingly, never respond to them, not unlike chatbots on sites like Facebook.

It’s meant to illustrate how our increasing interaction with the digital via VR and 3D is, in effect, placing us more and more often into works of fiction. “The viewer, which is almost the only real thing in this fiction, circulates in the fake scenery, talking to the actors, going on fake websites, and interfering in this virtual world,” he said in an email to Engadget.

The photo ID fits perfectly with that idea. “I wanted to put fiction, digital and virtual into the most real object there is,” he said. “Since it is a representation, the idea of the identity itself becomes a sham … a reflection of the world of digital retouching, big data and social media in which we live.”

Via: Prosthetic Knowledge

Source: Raphael Fabre

Samsung ready to relaunch the Galaxy Note line in August

Samsung isn’t letting the Galaxy Note 7’s battery failure hinder the release schedule for its next pen-toting smartphone. A Reuters source understands that Samsung is planning a New York City launch event for the Galaxy Note 8 in August, or roughly around the same time as it introduced the Note 7 last year. The tipster hasn’t revealed many details of the phone itself, but does appear to corroborate earlier rumors. It’ll have a curved screen slightly larger than the 6.2-inch display on the Galaxy S8 Plus, the source says, and there should be an iPhone 7 Plus-like dual camera setup on the back.

There’s no indication that Samsung is being overly hasty in launching the Note 8 on a familiar schedule. The safety processes that emerged from the Note 7 debacle were already in place for the S8, which isn’t known to have run into any battery fires so far. In other words, there’s no reason why it can’t get back to business as usual.

All the same, it’s apparent that Samsung still feels pressured to launch the new Note sooner than later. It not only has to worry about courting skittish buyers (particularly fans who had to return their Note 7s), but preempting what could be one of the larger iPhone launches in recent memory. If it can deliver the Note 8 in August, it might steal a bit of Apple’s thunder and hold on to customers that might otherwise look for alternatives.

Source: Reuters