Spotify beats iTunes to the Windows Store

Microsoft promised back at Build that that a slew of big-name apps would reach the Windows Store, and it’s making good on that vow. Spotify has released a Windows Store version of its app in every country where its streaming music service is available. This isn’t a redesign, for better or worse — Spotify is really just porting its existing app over using Microsoft’s Centennial framework. The biggest immediate difference is that you’ll get updates through the Windows Store. This release is more important in what it represents for Microsoft’s long-term Windows plans than anything else.

As with iTunes (which is only slated to arrive sometime this year), the Spotify launch is really about ensuring that Windows 10 S users have access to must-have software that hasn’t been available in the Windows Store until now. You’re theoretically less likely to jump ship for Google’s Chrome OS if you know that you can get a comparable Windows 10 S PC with native desktop apps, not just web or Android apps. While there’s no guarantee Microsoft will succeed with this strategy, it was certainly going to face an uphill battle without Spotify’s support.

Source: Spotify News, Windows Store

Microsoft improves Office’s hands-free typing with Dictate

Microsoft has released a new app called Dictate. It’s an add-in for Word, Outlook and Powerpoint and uses Cortana’s speech-recognition technology to let you speak what you want to type.

The company is obviously not the first to work on dictation technology. Nuance’s Dragon software has been around for awhile and is available for both desktops and mobile devices. And, last year, Google added more features to its voice typing option in Docs.

Office has already supported voice-to-text typing, but Dictate brings along some new features. It supports more than 20 languages and has a number of commands that let you edit as you go. Simple statements like “new line,” “delete” and “stop dictation” let you manipulate the cursor and correct the text with your voice. Punctuation is also easily managed with voice control.

Another feature offered is real time translation. Just adjust some of the settings and Dictate will type a translation of what you speak. You could speak in Spanish and type in French, for example, and the 20 languages supported for dictation can be translated into over 60.

Right now, Dictate is available for 32- and 64-bit Office and Windows 8.1 is a minimum requirement. The download is free, but because it’s a Microsoft Garage project, it’s not clear what the future holds for the app.

Source: Microsoft

OnePlus Mocks Removal of Headphone Jack in iPhone 7 While Copying its Design for New OnePlus 5

OnePlus today introduced its new flagship device, the OnePlus 5. During the event where the new phone was announced, OnePlus threw some shade at Apple, mocking the removal of the headphone jack in the iPhone 7 and the iPhone 7 Plus.

“On the bottom, you’ll notice that we ditched the 3.5mm headphone jack. The elegance of the overall design is instantly heightened. And who needs a headphone jack anyway? That’s why Bluetooth exists, right?” deadpanned Diego Heinz, a designer at OnePlus. “Just kidding. Of course the OnePlus 5 has a headphone jack.”

Clip courtesy of iPhone Addict
Heinz goes on to pull up a tweet on the subject of headphone jacks, displaying a poll where 88 percent of 8,000 responders said they “like headphone jacks.”

Ahead of the launch of the OnePlus 5, there was a lot of discussion on whether OnePlus would follow in Apple’s footsteps and remove the headphone jack from the device. There were early design leaks and cases that featured no headphone jack, sparking speculation and leading to the on-stage joke.

This isn’t the first time an Apple competitor has mocked the company’s design decisions. When Samsung introduced the now-defunct Galaxy Note 7 in August of 2016, Samsung marketing VP Justin Denison made sure to point out the device’s headphone jack. “Want to know what else it comes with?” he asked. “An audio jack. I’m just saying.”

Unlike many of Apple’s design choices, the decision to eliminate the headphone jack from the iPhone 7 and the iPhone 7 Plus has not caught on with other smartphone manufacturers, likely due to the negative reaction from consumers. Though Apple has introduced wire-free AirPods and included Lightning-based EarPods along with the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus, many iPhone customers continue mourn the loss of the headphone jack.

Though the OnePlus 5 still has a headphone jack, the company has adopted many other design elements from Apple, with curved edges, rounded rear antenna bands, a dual camera complete with Portrait Mode, and a “Slate Gray” or “Midnight Black” casing. In fact, The Verge called it “a slightly smaller iPhone 7 Plus that runs Android.”

The OnePlus 5, which is priced starting at $479 for 64GB of storage, features a 5.5-inch AMOLED display, a high-end Snapdragon 835 processor, up to 8GB RAM, fast charging, haptic feedback, a 16-megapixel wide-angle camera, a 20-megapixel telephoto camera, and a 16-megapixel front-facing camera.

Tag: OnePlus
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Uber App Gains Long-Desired Tipping Option

Uber today announced a new “180 Days of Change” initiative that’s designed to improve working conditions for its drivers and bolster its public image. As part of the upcoming changes, Uber plans to implement tipping, a feature that drivers have long desired.

Tipping is currently available in the Uber app in Seattle, Minneapolis, and Houston, with Uber pledging to add more cities over the next few weeks. Tips will be available to all U.S. drivers by the end of July, says the company.

For end users, when a ride is complete, there’s a new option alongside the star rating to add a tip of $1, $2, $5, or a custom amount. The new in-app tipping option is a huge change, as Uber has long resisted tipping with the excuse that it kept the service “hassle-free,” even as competitors like Lyft implemented tips for drivers.

Along with tipping, Uber also announced several other changes that are being implemented starting today. Driver Destination trips will count towards promotions and are available for all U.S. drivers, $2 has been added to the base fare for all teen account trips, drivers will earn a per minute fee for waiting over 2 minutes for riders, a cancellation fee will be implemented if a rider cancels after two minutes (it was 5 minutes), and there’s a new Driver Injury Protection insurance option offered by Aon.

Uber plans to announce and implement additional changes over the course of the next six months.

Tag: Uber
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Apple Adds Phobio as New Mac Trade-In Partner

Apple today updated its Mac recycling program to partner with a new company, replacing longtime partner PowerOn with Phobio, a company that promises a seamless device buyback program. Apple’s recycling program is designed to offer Apple users cash for their old devices by providing simple trade-in options.

Starting today, when you use Apple’s Renew and Recycling program to recycle a Mac desktop or notebook, Apple will now direct you to Phobio’s site where you can find your Mac by entering a serial number. After answering a couple of questions about condition, Phobio offers up a price estimate and lets users choose an Apple Store Gift Card, Paypal, or Virtual Visa Reward as a payment option.

According to a source that spoke to MacRumors about the partnership change, Apple opted to go with Phobio because the site offers higher trade-in values, is easier to navigate, and provides an option for cash payments alongside Apple Store Gift Cards, something that wasn’t available via PowerOn.

Based on our testing, Phobio and PowerOn offer similar trade-in values for many machines, with PowerOn offering a slight edge in value for newer Macs, while Phobio seems to have slightly better pricing for some older models.

Apple is only partnering with Phobio for Mac trade-ins at the current time. For PC trade-ins, Apple continues to work with PowerOn, and for iPad and iPhone trade-ins, Apple is still using longtime partner Brightstar.

Tags: reuse and recycling program, Apple trade-in, Apple environment, environment, Phobio
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Brydge 12.3 Keyboard for Surface Pro review

Research Center:
Brydge 12.3

While the Surface Pro line has a great portable keyboard in its Type Cover, some struggle with the “lapability” of the Surface Pro when the Type Cover is attached. Simply put, most detachable tablets suffer from some instability when used in situations other than sitting on a flat surface, and the poor lapability of the Surface Pro remains a sore spot for many. The built-in kickstand just doesn’t work on a lap.

That’s where the Brydge 12.3 keyboard dock comes in. It’s an accessory that’s designed specifically to turn the Surface Pro into a more traditional clamshell notebook. Pop a Surface Pro into the Brydge 12.3, the idea goes, and it gains instant lapability. The Surface Pro 3, Pro 4, and Pro (2017) are all supported.

Sounds great, right? The Brydge 12.3 is $150, however, making it yet another accessory that adds the Surface’s already expensive price. Let’s see if it’s worthwhile.

A solid build that provides some real stability

Brydge, creator of the dock, did a great job of ensuring the Brydge 12.3’s connection to the Surface Pro is both solid and attractive. The Brydge 12.3 is constructed from a chunk of solid aluminum and is a close enough match for the Surface Pro’s machined magnesium. It’s sized to cover the Surface Pro completely, folding into a clamshell form factor with rubber stoppers to keep the display safe from scratches.

Mark Coppock/Digital Trends

Mark Coppock/Digital Trends

Mark Coppock/Digital Trends

Mark Coppock/Digital Trends

The Brydge 12.3 is a dense accessory that weighs a hefty 1.48 pounds, which comes close to doubling the Surface Pro’s weight. That’s a good thing, because the weight balances the tablet, and keeps it stable in use. As a result, the Brydge 12.3 lives up to its billing in the lapability department.

The Surface Pro connects to the Brydge 12.3 via the company’s patented hinge, with rubberized clamps that grip the tablet when it’s pushed into the hinges’ grooves. Out of the box, the Brydge 12.3 supports the new Surface Pro and the Surface Pro 4, and an included set of hinge pads can be swapped in to support the Surface Pro 3.

The hinge is easy to open and close, with enough stability to keep the tablet in the preferred position from zero degrees (closed) to 160 degrees. The keyboard does close very quickly when it reaches a certain point, so care should be taken when closing things up.

One strike against the Brydge 12.3 is that inserting and removing the Surface Pro requires some effort. That’s good in terms of keeping the tablet in place, but it makes removing the device for tablet use a real pain.

Pairing is easy and reliable

The Brydge 12.3 connects to the Surface Pro via Bluetooth 3.0. Pairing was easy enough, and a solid connection was maintained throughout our testing. In addition, we experienced little of the lag that sometimes occurs with Bluetooth keyboards. The Brydge 12.3 uses AES encryption, which is a nice privacy touch if you’re worried about having your keystrokes intercepted.

Brydge 12.3 Compared To

Logitech K480

Logitech MK850

Corsair Tenkeyless K63

Logitech K780

Aukey KM-G3

Logitech G213 Prodigy

Razer Turret

Razer Blackwidow X Chroma

Razer Deathstalker Chroma

Logitech K400

Microsoft Wireless Desktop 5000

Cooler Master Storm QuickFire

Logitech iPad 2 Keyboard Case by…

Cherry JK-0300

Logitech K750 Wireless Solar…

The Brydge includes a battery that recharges via micro-USB cable. An AC adapter isn’t included, and so you’ll have to provide your own, or use one of the many USB ports you already own. The company expects the keyboard to last around three months on a charge. A key press provides an indication of remaining battery life.

A decent typing experience, but a disappointing touchpad

The Brydge 12.3 features a full-size keyboard with all the usual function keys. Key travel felt more than sufficient. However, the keys were stiff, and required a bit too much force to depress, which might be fatiguing over long typing sessions.

The touchpad is the Brydge 12.3’s weakest feature.

Keyboard backlighting is supported, and while not exceptionally bright, we thought it perfect for use in a dark room.

The touchpad is the Brydge 12.3’s weakest feature. It’s the smallest touchpad we’ve used on a device in recent memory, smaller even than that on the Surface’s Type Cover. That seems an odd decision. Brydge’s keyboard is supposed to make laptop use better. Its responsiveness, feel, and accuracy are fine, with limited gesture support, and usable-yet-stiff buttons.

However, using the touchpad feels like navigating a 12.3-inch display using a postage stamp. Worse, the touchpad is recessed into the keyboard, so our fingers tended to bang up against the edges.

Warranty information

The Brydge 12.3 comes with a one-year hardware warranty.

Our Take

The Brydge 12.3 is a solidly built keyboard dock for the Surface Pro that fits tightly to create an attractive and stable clamshell notebook. The keyboard is only average, however, and the touchpad is simply too small.

Is there a better alternative?

Microsoft’s Type Cover provides a more comfortable typing experience, and its touchpad is significantly better. You might not like using the Surface Pro and Type Cover combination on your lap, but you might be more productive.

Both are priced similarly at $130 for the standard Type Cover, and $150 for the new Premium version. You’ll pay $150 for the Brydge 12.3. That makes it hard to recommend the Brydge unless you really need to use your Surface Pro on your lap with perfect stability.

How long will it last?

The Brydge 12.3 works with the last three generations of the Surface Pro, but there’s no guaranteed that it will fit then next version. It’s obviously built to last, so there’s good reason to believe it will work for as long as you have your current Surface Pro, but there’s no guarantee.

Should you buy it?

It’s difficult to recommend the Brydge 12.3 given its poor touchpad experience. You could use it with an external mouse and have a workable solution, but then again, you’re more likely to use a mouse on a desktop that’s stable enough for the standard Type Cover, rendering the Brydge 12.3 unnecessary.

Armani takes on Android Wear 2.0 with its latest smartwatch

Why it matters to you

If you’re in the market for a new smartwatch, Armani’s latest device is fashionable and high-powered.

Fashion brands are increasingly moving into the smartwatch space. Armani, which is owned by Fossil, first did so with the Emporio Armani EA Connected Watch, however that device was more of a hybrid watch. Now, the company is back with a full-fledged touchscreen smartwatch.

The watch is part of Fossil’s effort to launch 300 new smartwatches this year and it will be available through the Armani website starting on September 24. It was first announced at the Milan Fashion Week and while we do not yet know how much it will cost, it will likely come in at slightly more than its $375 hybrid devices.

Like other smartwatches, the new device will boast a selection of custom-built Armani watch faces, and Armani will also offer eight watch bands, which are interchangeable. That is a nice feature for those that might want to use the watch with different outfits or have different colors for different situations.

Apart from that, however, the watch is a generally typical Android Wear 2.0 smartwatch. It offers basic fitness-tracking features, though there is no word on a heart rate monitor in the device. It also comes with a Qualcomm Snapdragon Wear 2100 processor, and an AMOLED display. We do not yet know exactly what the resolution of that display is, but Fossil says that it is “high resolution.” It also allows users to summon Google Assistant, track your smartphone’s notifications, and even allow you to send and receive text messages.

As mentioned, Fossil is attempting to launch a few hundred new smartwatches this year, both through the Fossil brand and through its sub-brands — like Armani, Michael Kors, Diesel, and so on. So far, it is hovering somewhere around the 100 mark, but it is showing no signs of slowing down. It os important to note that not all of these watches will be Android Wear smartwatches — many will be hybrid devices.

First dual-nozzle 3D-printing pen lets you draw in three dimensions faster

Why it matters to you

A new dual-nozzle 3D-printing pen lets you draw in three-dimensions with greater speed and flexibility than its rivals.

Why settle for drawing in just two dimensions when you could be sketching full 3D models of anything you can dream up? If you can’t think of a good answer to that question, you might be interested to hear about a new Kickstarter campaign for the so-called Scribbler Duo 3D-printing pen.

“The 3D pen in general can be a very unique art and craft tool, which can be very beneficial for young people,” creator Alexander Vasilev told Digital Trends. “It helps them to think in 3D, learn structure, and help in 3D modeling. We have many schools that are getting these pens for the entire class. Our newest model Scribbler Duo has less limits compared to other models of 3D pens; you can draw with right or left nozzle separately, or with both at the same time. Our pen uses standard 1.75 mm plastic filament, which is much cheaper than the plastic that our competitors use.”

As its name implies, the big selling point of the Scribbler Duo is that it claims to be the world’s first dual-nozzle 3D-printing pen — thereby offering a plethora of new possibilities when it comes to your hand-drawn 3D printing. In terms of materials, the pen can support a wide variety of filaments, including ABS, PLA, glow-in-the-dark materials, metals, silk, and more.

The dual nozzle makes drawing twice as fast, while an innovative new method for quickly changing the nozzle head makes that task easier than ever. No, it’s not a replacement for your regular 3D printer, but as an extra tool, it’s a pretty nifty thing to get your hands on.

You can currently pre-order the Scribbler Duo 3D-printing pen on Kickstarter, with prices starting at $60. You can also get more expensive options that come bundled with up to 500 feet of PLA filament to create 3D models to your heart’s content. Shipping is set to take place in August.

That leaves the rest of the year for some heavy-duty three-dimensional drawing.

What PC game announcement from E3 2017 has you hyped?

As we round the corner on our way out of another E3, it’s worth taking a look back and seeing what really stuck with us throughout the gigantic, announcement-filled gaming conference. Computers tend to take a back seat to consoles in the summer, but that doesn’t stop some big names from leaking through — here are some of our favorites, in no particular order.

What PC game announced at E3 2017 are you most excited for? ????

— Digital Trends (@DigitalTrends) June 19, 2017

At the top of the list, Age of Empires: Definitive Edition snuck in at the end of PC Gaming Show. The remastered, re-engineered version brings updated graphics, better resolution scaling, and of course heavy doses of nostalgia. The updated version will make its appearance in the later part of 2017.

Next up, Bungie’s latest franchise is finally making the leap from console to computer with Destiny 2, and while PC gamers will have to wait a few weeks to actually play, it promises unlocked framerates, 21:9 and 4K support, and full keyboard and mouse integration. This MMOFPS looks gorgeous as ever, with a distinct art style and engaging social features to keep players talking and working together.

Although you may not have heard of it until E3, Lone Echo is poised to strike at the heart of virtual reality with a story-fueled, zero gravity adventure on a futuristic space station. Its multiplayer component, Echo Arena, pits real players against each other in a high-flying, full-contact version of Ultimate Frisbee. Intel announced that the game would be free for all Oculus Rift users to claim for a limited time after its July 22nd release date.

Finally, a unique Rogue-lite adventure from Devolver Digital makes our list for a unique take on the genre. The protagonist of Sword of Ditto attempts to cure the land of an evil force, but should they die, the world will collapse into darkness, and the player’s reincarnated spirit will have to try all over again. It’s always nice to see an indie game shine among titles with much bigger budgets.

What PC title are you most excited for that was announced at E3 2017? Let us know in the poll above, or respond on Twitter and Facebook to let us know if something else caught your eye.

Google offers a free Home smart speaker with your Pixel XL purchase

Why it matters to you

If you’re on the verge of buying Google’s larger Pixel phone, do it now and you’ll have a chance of receiving the Google Home smart speaker for free.

If you’re in two minds about whether to buy Google’s Pixel XL handset, might the offer of a free Google Home connected speaker help to seal the deal?

The Mountain View, California-based company launched the offer on Monday, though you’ll need to hurry as it will only run “while supplies last.”

To secure your own free Google Home smart speaker, you’ll have to purchase Google’s newest smartphone via its online store, a transaction that’ll set you back $769 for the 32GB version of the 5.5-inch phone.

If that’s too much to hand over in one go, there’s also the option to spread your payments with Google Store financing at $32.04 a month for 24 months. Google’s smart speaker, which launched in the United States in November 2016, usually costs $129.

“Both products (Google Home and Pixel XL) must be added to your shopping cart to receive the offer,” Google notes as part of the offer’s terms, adding that “customers who return or cancel their order of Pixel XL must also return the Google Home device to receive a full refund.”

Oh, and if you need a case for your new handset, check out Google’s accessories page, where you’ll see it’s knocked 50 percent off all its offerings for a limited period.

Google Home is a voice-controlled smart speaker and home assistant similar to the Amazon Echo and Apple’s recently unveiled HomePod. Via the incorporated Google Assistant software, it can perform a myriad of tricks, including controlling home appliances, playing requested music tracks, and giving out news updates. Google recently announced a slew of new functions, including the ability to make hands-free voice calls, and more features are being added all the time.

It seems that the Google Home incentive only applies to U.S.-based customers. Hit the same page on, for example, Google’s United Kingdom site, and you’ll see that purchasing either the Pixel XL or the smaller 5-inch Pixel phone will only get you three free months of Google Play Music — there’s no mention of a free Google Home.