Love wins when you use these Pride-themed wallpapers

Show your love and your compassion with pride.

June is Pride month, one of unity and hope and celebration and love, and in trying times like these, I can think of nothing we need more. No matter who you love — or who you don’t love, for the asexuals and aromantics out here — we can all unite in love, and we can let that love and unity protect us all. We all want the same thing: to be safe, to be accepted, to be happy. So let’s be happy and let our colors fly.

Some parts of the Pride community are more visible than others, but they are all beautiful and they are all worthy of admiration and acceptance. That’s why this series from FannimalToTheBone brings me joy and pride for showcasing some of the sexualities that are often overlooked: Pansexuality (attraction to people of any gender), Aromantic (little to no romantic attraction), and Asexuality (little to no sexual attraction). These wallpapers are bold, vibrant, and incorporate each sexualities’ colors in beautiful, fluid ways.

Pansexuality by FannimalToTheBone

The Pride Flag is beautiful and beautifully diverse, and this patchwork Pride Flag wallpaper reminds us that within each color, within each aspect, within each person lies a myriad of beauty, symmetry, and divinity. This patchwork wallpaper also feels communal, as each square speaks to a different style and sensibility.

LGBT+ Pride Flag from Lilyas

Technically Pride Month is June, but who are we to argue with a wallpaper this bright and hopeful? Let’s have a whole Pride Summer! This design may seem familiar to Apple fans, but it’s brighter, bolder, and it gives me hope that tomorrow could be just as bright.

Rainbow July by Dynamicz34

This seemingly simple wallpaper works well on busy desktops or simple home screens, once again blurring the lines and showing a gentle, shifting rainbow.

Pride by DangerouslyComposed

The flower that blooms in adversity is the most rare and beautiful of all. And while the LGBTQIA community is a community that has almost always faced adversity, that adversity brings it together and makes it stronger. And I have no doubts that this community will indeed continue to bloom and grow in love and inclusion.

Let Me Be Your Rainbow by Anyzamarah

No matter who you are, no matter who you love and who you surround yourself with, there is a place for us all in this society and there is a place for us all in the light. No matter how dark it seems at times, the light of love will prevail, and at the end of a dark storm, all we can hope for is that we see a rainbow shining in the sky.

Silky Rainbow Curtain by This-Lovely-Horse

Best headphones for Daydream View

Headphones make a massive difference in your Daydream View experience.

Few things improve your Daydream View experience quite like a good set of headphones. It’s the difference between having a mediocre VR trip through a game and feeling totally immersed in the world around you. Sometimes that immersion can be a little too real, like when you’re having the daylights scared out of you, but in most situations you need some good headphones to really complete the experience!

Read More at VR Heads!

For less than $15, you can add this missing feature to the OnePlus 5

The OnePlus 5 is out and it looks pretty great… except for one thing.

The OnePlus 5 has landed and it looks top shelf — featuring high-end specs, blazing fast charging speeds and that premium build quality that OnePlus is known.

But the one thing that is missing (besides water resistance, I guess) is support for microSD expandable memory. If you end up settling for the 64GB model, you might feel the storage crunch sooner than if you went with the 128GB model depending on how many apps, games, media, and photos you collect on your phone. Fortunately, there’s a workaround available using USB On-The-Go.

You’re able to turn on USB OTG in the Advanced Storage Settings on your device, which then let you plug in a USB-C adapter for connecting flash drives, microSD cards, or other USB accessories. Having an SD card filled with your favorite media is perfect for those times you’re traveling or out of service range, or for those of us who quickly fill up your phone’s included storage. Best of all, these accessories are typically around $15 or less.

It needs to be said that these accessories are for temporary situations. Leaving a small accessory plugged into your phone’s charging port 24/7 isn’t a great idea, as your daily pocket carry and usage might put stress on the phone’s port, which might lead to damage. With that said, let’s take a look.

Dash Micro USB-C Mini MicroSD Card Reader

This handy adapter has been tested on the OnePlus 3 and works great, letting you quickly connect a microSD card to your phone and access all your favorite media on the go.

Alternatively, you can use this accessory to transfer photos or larger videos off of your phone to free up space. The adapter comes with a pocket-sized carrying case with a ring for adding it to a keychain. That way, you can take this handy tool with you, and have it within an arm’s length at all times.

See at Amazon

Anker USB-C to USB 3.1 Adapter

If you’re like me, you probably have a ton of USB flash drives sitting around collecting dust. Give them new life with your OnePlus 5 and this handy USB-C to USB 3.1 adapter from Anker.

This short cable connects to your phone via USB-C and then offers a full USB 3.1 port for connecting your own microSD card adapter, flash drives, or any other USB accessory you may have including a mouse and/or keyboard. If you want more options for transferring or accessing files, along with using other accessories you might have to kicking around the house, this is an affordable accessory to look into. It will also work with the latest laptops that use USB-C, too, so you should get years of use out of it.

See at Amazon

Transcend JetFlash 890S

Combining the best of both worlds mentioned above, the Transcend JetFlash 890S is a USB-C to USB 3.1 adapter with 64GB of onboard flash storage. This means you can connect your own flash drives or microSD cards for transferring files, or simply use the 64GB of storage included on this keychain-sized accessory.

It’s the pricier option but offers much more functionality and convenience. Double up your OnePlus 5’s storage with this sleek, impressive accessory.

See at Amazon

Is 64GB enough for you?

It seems like just yesterday that 16GB was an insurmountable amount of storage for the average user, but that’s no longer the case. If you’re getting the OnePlus 5, let us know which size you’re getting (64GB or 128GB) and whether OTG storage options are something you’d consider!

OnePlus 5

• Complete OnePlus 5 review
• Reviewing our first OnePlus 5 photos
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• OnePlus 5 specs
• The latest OnePlus 5 news
• Join the discussion in the forums

OnePlus

Samsung Galaxy S8 in wonderful Coral Blue is now available to pre-order from Carphone Warehouse

When the Samsung Galaxy S8 was launched, we quickly gravitated to the Coral Blue edition of this phone. Sadly, only the black and grey versions have been available, until now.

Carphone Warehouse has announced that its exclusive Coral Blue Samsung Galaxy S8 is now available for pre-order, so you can get the hottest colour of what might be this year’s hottest phone.

• Latest Coral Blue Samsung Galaxy S8 on Carphone Warehouse

Carphone Warehouse are offering the Galaxy S8 in Coral Blue SIM free for £689, or it’s being offered on a Vodafone contract with 16GB data with unlimited texts for £42, with an upfront payment of £50.

• Samsung Galaxy S8 64GB in Coral Blue, 8GB data, unlimited texts & minutes, £89 upfront – £32.99 a month
• Samsung Galaxy S8 Plus 64GB in Coral Blue, 4GB data, unlimited texts & minutes, £25 upfront – £50.00 a month
• Sim free Samsung Galaxy S8 64GB in Coral Blue 
• Sim free Samsung Galaxy S8 Plus 64GB in Coral Blue

Pocket-lint

The Samsung Galaxy S8 and S8+ have evolved the great work started by the Galaxy S7 edge, but expanded the display, obliterating the bezels, while packing in plenty of power. The software offers loads of functionality, along with an excellent camera on the rear of the phone.

We rate the Samsung Galaxy S8 as being one of the best phones we’ve seen in 2017 and the Coral Blue is certainly the more original colour that it comes in.

• Samsung Galaxy S8+ review: The best Android phone, bar none

Andy Rubin-backed Owl Labs’ new 360-degree camera looks like an owl

You know what could make 360-degree conferencing cams more interesting? Make them look like owls.

Owl Labs, a startup that’s backed by Playground Ventures, the firm from Andy Rubin, who is the creator of Android, has been working on a standalone video conferencing device since at least 2015. That device, called Owl, is now available for purchase. It’s a cylinder-shaped, fabric-covered, Wi-Fi-enabled robotic video camera with two round LED indicator lights and a single fish-eye lens.

And, yes, it looks like an owl. It can recognise and focus on whoever is speaker and works with all sorts of video conferencing services, including Skype. Its ability to automatically shift eliminates the need for remote control or manual turning of the camera. Everything is captured in 720p HD from the fish-eye lens at the top. There’s also an eight-microphone array at the top and built-in speakers.

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It’s powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 410 processor and runs a forked version of Android. And it connects to a computer or monitor via USB. It has much of the tech needed to become a full-fledged assistant like Amazon Echo, but for right now, it’s only offering video conferencing capabilities. You can’t use it to control the lights with your voice or take notes. But that doesn’t mean it can’t evolve.

The Owl works with a mobile app that enables remote control of the camera. Owl Labs is also planning smart meeting analytics software and has told Venture Beat and The Verge that it will one day push software updates with features, though for right now, it’s interested in getting user feedback. Once it better understands how consumers use the device, it may develop new features down the road.

The Owl camera is now available for $799. There’s no word yet on UK pricing or availability.

Sony might use 6-inch LCD screen with 2:1 ratio on next Xperia phone

Sony’s future Xperia smartphone could feature a 6-inch display panel with a 2:1 aspect ratio.

The company’s joint venture, Japan Display Inc, has begun mass production of a 1080p Full Active LTPS LCD display with a 2:1 aspect ratio. It is a 6-inch display diagonally with thin bezels, and it features “Pixel Eyes” technology, which will allow for significantly darker black levels than what’s typically associated with LCD panels, as well as the ability to operate the screen with wet fingers.

The display was achieved by “adopting a new high-density wiring layout, and new processing and module assembly technologies,” JDI explained in its 19 June announcement. “This newly-designed LCD module structure will allow the size of a smartphone device to be nearly the same as the display size. It is expected that these features will contribute to create entirely new smartphone designs.”

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JDI is a joint venture between Sony, Toshiba, and Hitachi. Sony has used mobile display panels from JDI in the past – specifically for its flagships. Keep in mind Sony has confirmed that it’s planning to launch two additional high-end devices by the end of the year. It’s also rumoured to be playing around with the new image standard; it may release a new phone in 2017 with a 2:1 aspect ratio.

However, Sony’s marketing director, Don Mesa, recently said Sony has no plans to adopt 2:1 (also called 18:9) at this time, according to Android Headlines. We’re assuming the company just wants to tread carefully, rather than take a dramatic shift, considering its smartphone sales haven’t been stellar lately. That said, its other handset due out this year is thought to sport a conventional 16:9 format.

So, maybe Sony will go with 2:1 after all – for at least one device in 2017. Only time will tell.

What was missing from E3 2017? The consoles and games that failed to show

E3 2017 is done and dusted now, and there were plenty of amazing games on show, along with an all-new console in the form of the 4K powerhouse Xbox One X. However, while the convention was jam packed with stuff to see, there were also some previously rumoured and expected games and hardware conspicuous by their absence.

Here we list the games and gaming kit we expected to see at E3 2017 but, for one reason or another, failed to show.

• E3 2017: All the games and announcements that matter
• PlayStation E3 2017 press conference: Watch it again and find out what was launched
• Xbox E3 2017 press conference: Watch it again and find out what was launched
• Nintendo Spotlight E3 2017: Find out what was launched for Switch
• Best games of E3 2017: Xbox One, PS4 and Switch games that stole the show

SNES Classic Mini

Luftholen (Flickr)

In the month before the show, several rumours pointed to a new mini console to be launched by Nintendo: the SNES version of its Nintendo Classic Mini.

The previous version – based on the NES – sold out soon after launch at the end of last year and all the signs point to a replacement coming ahead of this Christmas. However, Nintendo kept tight-lipped about any such device during the show or its online showcase livestream.

We still expect the SNES Classic Mini to appear, but it looks like it’ll get its own dedicated unveiling in the next couple of months instead.

• Nintendo SNES Classic Mini: Release date, games and everything you need to know

Red Dead Redemption 2

Rockstar

We all know that Red Dead Redemption 2 is on its way. We even know it’s been delayed to a spring 2018 release. However, many rumours ahead of the PlayStation Media Showcase on the Monday night claimed that Sony had nabbed an exclusive unveiling of gameplay footage and end the press conference with it.

It didn’t. It ended with Spider-Man instead.

The Last of Us 2

Sony

Perhaps a more surprising absentee from the Sony E3 press conference was The Last of Us 2. Yeah, we don’t expect the game to be released for another year, but considering it showed a teaser during its own PlayStation Experience event in Las Vegas in December, we would’ve put money on more of a tease at E3.

But nothing was shown. Nothing. Nada. Cue stunned faces all around us at the venue.

Master Chief

Microsoft

Despite several glimpses at shiny helmets in trailers – including a cheeky nod to Halo-esque design tropes in the Forza Motorsport 7 unveiling, there was nary a Master Chief in sight. You were more likely to see a Chief cosplayer than an official sniff.

That might be a bit strange considering Microsoft’s biggest news was its all-new, all-signing, all-dancing, all-pocket emptying console, the Xbox One X. A 4K upscale of Halo 5 was the least we expected.

2K Games

2K Games

Instead of just a game or character being missing from the 2K Games stand, the stand itself was completely absent this year.

2K Games might have NBA 2K18 and WWE 2K18 coming this year, at the very least, but the company clearly didn’t feel they were enough on their own to exhibit at the show.

The Elder Scrolls: Skyrim 2

Bethesda

To be honest, we had heard in the weeks ahead of E3 2017 that there was little likelihood of Skyrim 2 being announced during the Bethesda press conference. Wolfenstein II and The Evil Within 2 were enough in the sequel stakes this year.

We did get to see a bit of Skyrim running on a Nintendo Switch during the Ninty online stream though, which sated our appetites a touch.

Netflix on Switch

Pocket-lint

We had partly expected Nintendo to announce its talks with streaming partners, such as Netflix and Amazon, had come to a conclusion – and that Netflix at the very least was heading to Switch soon.

Unfortunately, there’s still not a whiff of the streaming service coming to the platform. We’re still doomed to carry a Switch and an iPad everywhere we go.

Cyberpunk 2077

CD Projekt Red

The Witcher developer, CD Projekt Red, didn’t exhibit at E3 for the first time in many years and that meant we couldn’t get a glimpse of its much-anticipated sci-fi role-player, Cyberpunk 2077.

We’ll just have to wait until illegal hackers release design documents online instead. They have threatened to leak stolen files online unless the developer pays a large come of cash. It quite rightly will not meet demands.

PlayStation 5

Sony

Although we never thought it would happen, there were some rumblings that Sony would upstage the Microsoft announcement the day before with its own powerful games console that even puts the PS4 Pro to shame.

It was always unlikely though, with a PS5 more likely to be on the cards in 2018 or 2019 instead.

Half-Life 3

Valve

Yeah, every year we hope for something. Every year we are disappointed. E3 2018 anybody? Ahem…

Volvo launches a dedicated performance EV brand

Car manufacturers are focusing more and more on electric cars, and now Volvo is making its EV intentions even clearer. It’s announced that Polestar, its performance brand, will become a standalone line focused exclusively on electric cars.

The new EVs that Polestar produces will no longer have a Volvo logo, emphasizing Volvo’s intent to create a separate brand. Thomas Ingenlath, the SVP of design at Volvo (who has been responsible for many of the car company’s recent redesigns), will become Polestar’s CEO.

Polestar was originally conceived by race engineers who wanted to determine how to apply what they’d learned in racing to regular cars driving on normal roads. They’ve been working closely with Volvo since 1995, and in 2012, they produced their first performance cars, which were based on the Volvo S60. Volvo acquired Polestar in 2015.

It’s interesting that Volvo is specifically turning its performance line into EVs. It’s comparable to if Mercedes focused its premium AMG badge entirely on electric vehicles. Clearly, Volvo thinks that electric cars are, or soon will become, a large enough market to require their own performance brand.

Via: Autoblog

Source: Volvo

Dabble in the murderous world of ‘Hitman’ for free

Since it was announced that publisher Square Enix was selling off Hitman developer IO Interactive, the studio’s fate has been uncertain. With last week’s news that IO bought the Hitman license, things have been looking up, though. And now, in an effort to get more people playing (and purchasing) its fantastic back-to-basics reboot of the long-running stealth franchise, the newly independent studio is giving it away. Well, a portion of the murderous puzzle game, at least. Specifically, Hitman’s the ICA Facility section of the first episode is available for free on Steam, PlayStation 4 and Xbox One.

This isn’t a bare-bones demo version of the map. All cutscenes are present and accounted for, there are two story-driven missions, some 40 challenges and you have access to the player-created missions from Contracts mode. More than that, all your progress will carry over to the full version of the game should you decide to buy it.

And speaking of which, the full game has been deeply discounted across all platforms. On Steam it’s been marked down from $60 to $23.73 for the first season bundle, while folks on PlayStation 4 and Xbox can pick it up for $41.99 and $24, respectively.

Via: Eurogamer

Source: IO Interactive

The Olympics’ VR aspirations will be powered by Intel tech

Intel is teaming up with the International Olympic Committee on “future experiences” for the Olympics, the company announced today at an event in New York City. The new partnership, which will run through the 2024 games, is set to focus on tech like virtual reality, 5G connectivity and drones. According to Intel CEO Brian Krzanich, the idea is to use these technologies to help athletes, coaches and, of course, fans, including those who will be watching the summer or winter Olympics from home. For example, Krzanich says that Intel is going to set up a 5G network at the 2018 games, while its True VR platform will let fans watch events in 360-degree video.

And then there are the drones. Intel says it’ll be using these to “create never-seen-before images in the sky,” similar to the fancy light show it showcased during Lady Gaga’s Super Bowl 51 half-time performance. The company has also used drones in an NBA All-Star game before, where it used one of its high-tech flyinf devices to help a player in the Slam Dunk Contest. “Bringing together the two visions,” said IOC President Thomas Bach, “will allow us to make a great progress with regards to the experience of the games.”

As for which virtual reality headsets are expected to be compatible with Intel’s plans, Krzanich mentioned Gear VR, Daydream and “one of the tethered” devices.