AI will predict key moments at the Tour de France

Machine learning is popping up in a range of different sports, helping to predict everything from athletes’ injuries to peak performance levels. Enter the Tour de France — the world’s biggest cycling event, consisting of 198 riders across 22 teams who must traverse a total distance of 3,540 kilometres — which is utilizing AI for the first time ever during this year’s event.

The 104th edition of the race will see the Tour carry out a pilot machine learning program that will aim to predict the likelihood of various race scenarios. For example, the data could help researchers glean whether the peloton (the main pack of riders) will catch the breakaway riders at certain stages of the race.

Using GPS transponders, installed under the saddles of each bike, a whopping 3 billion data points will be collected throughout the 21 stages of the Tour. These insights will be combined with external data (such as the course gradient and weather conditions) to bring viewers a range of breaking stats, including live speed and the location of individual riders, distance between riders, and composition of groups within the race.

The hub for this information will be a cloud-based data centre, which will relay stats to broadcasters, allowing them to tell you even more about your favorite teams or riders. The Tour de France kicks off this Saturday July 1 in Düsseldorf, Germany, and concludes just over three weeks later at the Paris Champs-Élysées on Sunday July 23.

Source: Dimension Data

Anchor lets you record and publish podcasts from your phone

If you haven’t heard of Anchor yet, it’s an app that lets you record little bits of audio and broadcast them to your followers with minimal fuss. In a lot of ways, it’s like Instagram or Snapchat stories, but focused purely on audio recordings — you can find friends, publications, internet stars and so forth when you sign up on the app and then listen in to whatever they decide to broadcast. These segments can be as brief or as complex as the person recording them wants, but they’ll disappear after one day.

Given the recent podcasting boom, it’s not surprising that Anchor itself has been getting more attention over the last six months or so. In February, the company released a big update that added a “call-in” feature where your listeners could chat with you live, the ability to publish full-length Spotify or Apple Music tracks and the ability to record an interview over the phone and publish it straight to Anchor. But today’s update marks perhaps the most significant change yet: Anchor users now will have the option to push their recordings out to the world as podcasts and have them live forever.

Anchor CEO Mike Mignano told us that this is one of the biggest requests that the company has had from its users. “Something we’re seeing lacking in the industry in general is the ability to quickly and easily publish a podcast,” he said. Anchor’s latest update solves that by integrating directly with Apple’s podcasting platform as well as Google Play. Users can just record audio and publish it to Anchor the way they always have — but when they’re done, they can now select segments, give the podcast a name and publish it immediately. The app even generates some podcast artwork for you so you can get going with minimal fuss, but naturally you can replace that with your own creation if you want.

Once you’re set up, Anchor will automatically publish any audio you record to your podcast feed, but you can also be selective and only share specific segments. That’s probably a good thing, because — much like Snapchat — you won’t necessarily want everything you publish on Anchor to stick around forever.

To keep things simple, Anchor is starting with only Apple and Google’s podcast networks; the former is perhaps the biggest podcast purveyor out there, while the latter is more of an afterthought. But fortunately, Anchor plans to add more options over time, including the ability to get the RSS feed necessary to put your podcasts in more places.

Like everything else in Anchor, publishing podcasts is a free feature that anyone can take advantage of. I asked Mignano what the company’s plans for generating revenue were; he said that, for now, Anchor is focused on building out its product and making all of its tools readily available and easy to use for no cost. But he also noted that they’re thinking about how to monetize in the future through things like ads or subscriptions. But, just like YouTube, he also wants Anchor to be a place where creators can also be paid for their work if it finds a sizable audience.

In the meantime, though, users don’t need to worry about any of that. Just download the app, record some audio, and get it out there in the world. It’s debatable whether most people who try Anchor will have deep thoughts worth archiving forever as a podcast — but at the very least, the app’s more dedicated users will now have a simple way of archiving and sharing their creations with a bigger audience that might not even know what Anchor is. If you want to give it a go, the updated app should be available in Google Play and the App Store now.

Source: Anchor

Light-powered ‘robot’ cleans while it crawls

Scientists in the UK and Netherlands have developed the first-ever device that can “walk” along like a caterpillar using a single, constant light source for power. The concept is clever: A polymer material is installed in a frame shorter than itself to create a bulge. By shining a concentrated, violet LED on the front of the bulge, it contracts, exposing the next part of the strip to the light. That creates a continuous, relatively powerful movement that could be used to “transport small items in hard-to-reach places or to keep the surfaces of solar cells clean,” the team says.

The trick relies on a light-sensitive liquid-crystal material that changes shape very quickly in the presence of light. The researchers engineered it to deform nearly instantaneously when exposed to an LED, and relax just as quickly when the light is removed. “This way, the dent moves backwards, creating a continual undulating movement [away from the light],” the team notes.

While the polymer looks transparent, it blocks 100 percent of the violet light so that the side facing away from the light remains relaxed. When it’s placed upside down, the bulge moves the opposite way, causing the strip to crawl toward the light. While we’ve seen things like laser-powered steering before and, of course, solar-cell powered devices, it’s the first walking device to use light to directly propel it.

As mentioned, the team thinks the “bots” could be used to clean solar cells or other hard-to-reach surfaces. The scientists even tested the idea, and were able to remove grains of sand with the snappy, undulating movement. Whether or not it slithers from the lab into the real world, it’s a cool concept that takes awhile to wrap your head around, even when you see the video (below).

Source: TU Eindhoven

Instagram puts AI to work burying offensive comments

Earlier this month, Facebook announced that it had begun using a language AI called DeepText on its platform. Language is complex, and in order to better understand intent (an important part of flagging hate speech, for example), any computer program needs to figure out how humans use language. Now, Instagram, which is owned by Facebook, has announced that it’s begun using DeepText to eliminate comments that violate Instagram’s Community Guidelines.

DeepText is currently in limited deployment on Facebook, but immediately after learning about the AI, Instagram’s top people wanted to test it out on their own platform. They first focused on spam, rather than mean or spiteful comments, asking human workers to wade through a giant set of comments and flag spam by hand. They then fed most of this data into DeepText, which created algorithms based on what it found in the spam comments. The team then turned around and tested the algorithm on the portion of the human-filtered data they’d left in reserve.

While it’s unclear exactly how well DeepText worked in this trial run, Wired reports that Instagram CEO Kevin Systrom was “delighted.” Now, Instagram has rolled out DeepText-powered comment moderation to the public, but its purpose is twofold. While the system will indeed tackle spam comments, Instagram also has put a filter in place to hide mean or offensive comments. It’s currently only available in English, but the service plans to roll out the filter to more languages soon.

Time will tell how well DeepText works on Instagram; hate speech and spam will likely slip through the filters, but will legitimate comments become caught as well? It’s possible. But hate speech has become such a common occurrence across social media platforms; if DeepText has a chance of making that any better, we’ll call that a win.

Source: Instagram, Wired

Greenlight’s Smart MasterCard Debit Card for Kids Now Supports Apple Pay

Greenlight today announced that its smart MasterCard debit card for kids now supports Apple Pay and can be used in over 120 countries.

Greenlight is a MasterCard debit card for kids that parents can manage using their smartphones. Parents can top up the card with money instantly, from anywhere, and then specify the exact stores where a child can spend. There’s also a Spend Anywhere tab for parents that trust their children’s spending habits.

With Apple Pay support, kids no longer have to carry the physical debit card on them, and can simply pay using their iPhone or paired Apple Watch. The card can be set up through the Wallet app on eligible devices.

Every transaction is recorded in the Greenlight app [Direct Link] for iPhone and iPad, and parents receive instant notifications on where and when a child spends, or tries to spend. The card, protected by a PIN number, can be toggled on or off entirely as well, particularly in the event that it’s lost or stolen.

For added assurance, Greenlight cards can not be used to withdraw cash at an ATM or get cash back from a purchase. The card also can not be used at any store or website in the categories of wire transfers, money orders, escort services, massage parlors, lotteries, gambling, horse racing, and dog racing.

Greenlight accounts are FDIC insured in the United States through the company’s partner Community Federal Savings Bank.

Greenlight costs $4.99 per month, with a free 30-day trial available. Beyond the monthly charge, there are generally no additional fees.

Parents interested in a similar Visa option can look into the recently launched Current smart debit card for kids.

Related Roundup: Apple Pay
Tag: MasterCard
Discuss this article in our forums

The Apple iPhone is 10 years old: Look how much the iPhone has changed

The Apple iPhone went on sale on 29 June 2007, some 5 months after it was originally announced, making today the 10th anniversary of the original iPhone availability, in the US at least. iDay saw queues outside Apple stores for days, with people selling spaces to get nearer the front, something that’s become commonplace on subsequent iPhone days.

The iPhone was originally announced on 9 January 2007 in San Francisco when Steve Jobs presented the new smart phone to a packed audience of Apple guests, staff, and journalists, including Pocket-lint.

“This is the day I’ve been waiting for the last 2 years,” he said as he announced the new phone at the keynote speech at MacWorld 2007 before making the first call on the phone to Jony Ive.

At the time, companies like Motorola, Nokia, Microsoft, and BlackBerry laughed off Apple’s event and plans to change the phone industry.

It’s hard to imagine now, but the first iteration of the iPhone didn’t have a number of features we take for granted today including “copy and paste”, 3G, or even apps as we know and enjoy today. You could also only sync it via iTunes on the desktop.

Since 2007 Apple has adapted and changed the design of the iPhone a number of times, ditching the metal design for a plastic one for the iPhone 3G and 3GS before moving to glass for the iPhone 4 and 4S models. It was back to metal with the iPhone 5, and with the exception of the iPhone 5C, the company has stuck with metal ever since.

The iPhone hasn’t escaped criticism over the years though. There’s was “bendgate”, “antennagate”, and even a claim by some that their beard got trapped in the casing. Here’s how the iPhone has evolved over the 10 years of its life.

Apple

Apple iPhone

The original iPhone (2007): 3.5-inch screen with 480 × 320 resolution for 163ppi and a 412MHz ARM processor. This was where it all started for the iPhone. In many ways it wasn’t the first, but it was certainly to be the most important smartphone launch.

Pocket-lint Verdict at the time:

So would we sign up for a 2-year contact? It’s a tough one. The iPhone is still a great handset, however, it’s also a handset that comes with multiple downsides; as we’ve listed above.

We are going to give it top marks, however before you sign up yourself, you must make sure you are aware of its many limitations.

• Read the full iPhone review

Apple

Apple iPhone 3G

The iPhone 3G (2008): Largely identical to the original iPhone but with slimmer metallic outer edging and the addition of 3G connectivity. Also note the appearance of the App Store icon. The shift to centralised app stores changed the way we used our phones.

Pocket-lint Verdict at the time:

So should you?

Love it or hate it, there is no denying that Apple has raised the bar on the interface front. It might not be the tech spec king compared to the likes of the HTC Diamond but from a usability point of view for the consumer it is hard to beat.

As for that BlackBerry user looking to transfer, you’ll miss search, you’ll miss “read all”, you’ll miss cut and paste.

Despite the downbeat tune it is a thumbs up from us, but if you’ve got an old iPhone and aren’t fussed about 3G or GPS, the iPhone 2.0 software update will mean the “buzz” phone of the moment is all but virtually in your pocket already.

• Read the full iPhone 3G review

Apple

Apple iPhone 3GS

The iPhone 3GS (2009): Similar to the 3G in design but with a faster 600MHz ARM A8 CPU, double the RAM at 256GB and fingerprint-resistant screen coating. This was about refining the experience to bring speed, with the addition of things like a digital compass and video capture.

Pocket-lint Verdict at the time:

There are so many things that work well here making the iPhone a pleasure to use. Text entry is fast and responsive, the new MMS features bring it up to date, email, calendars and contacts are all well handled. Browsing is good and fast, the screen is sharp and bright (but not the best around). The new features like the compass and voice control make it just a little easier to use.

It may offer one of the best experiences that mobile telephony has to offer, but there is still room for improvement, meaning we can all look forward to future updates with that same palpable sense of excitement.

• Read the full iPhone 3GS review

Apple

Apple iPhone 4

The iPhone 4 (2010): This is where design and power really jumped up with a 3.5-inch 960 x 480 resolution screen and the introduction of the Retina display. The flattened glass design is now rather iconic, it introduced a front camera with FaceTime.

Pocket-lint Verdict at the time:

The iPhone 4 isn’t just a new piece of hardware, it’s the next vehicle for the world of iOS 4 and the App Store. But those hardware changes are welcomed. The inclusion of a higher-spec screen is the most significant step, combined with a faster processor, meaning it can capture and playback HD content from the new 5-megapixel camera.

The internal camera, whilst attracting a fair amount of attention at launch may just vanish into insignificance, but if you can connect it up to other video conferencing clients successfully, then there is more of a case for it. Of course bloggers will be able to talk to camera and upload to YouTube on the fly very easily.

Is the iPhone perfect? Of course not. The experience is very well managed by Apple and many love this intuitiveness, however many will loathe the restrictions you find in place. The design, whilst it looks nice, isn’t the most comfortable phone to hold or use and the reception problems just compound a long history of discomfort around actually making a phone call.

Apple has made its play with the iPhone 4 which we expect to be its handset for the next few years. Other manufacturers will respond in kind, but gaining the strength of the Apple ecosystem is no mean feat. While there is space to improve the iPhone, you don’t necessarily feel you are missing out. What you have is a device that is an excellent multimedia platform and open to a new generation of unfolding possibilities.

• Read the full iPhone 4 review

Apple

Apple iPhone 4S

The iPhone 4S (2011): Much alike to the iPhone 4 but with the addition of more speed and the introduction of Siri as the personal assistant. The iPhone 4S announced by Tim Cook on 4 October 2011; Steve Jobs passed away the following day on 5 October.

Pocket-lint Verdict at the time:

The iPhone 4S is every bit a smartphone, and an excellent one at that. The range of functionality that it delivers, along with the entire ecosystem that it inhabits, still make it one of the best phones on the market. Apple has done an excellent job pushing things like the App Store and incorporating features that see wider adoption, like AirPlay, its wireless streaming system, for example.

Although we’re not huge fans of iTunes as a software package, there is some convenience in having an end-to-end system that will deliver your music and movies in a format you can enjoy simply any easily. The headphones in the box are still poor, but you’re spoilt for choice when it comes to buying accessories.

It’s easy to criticise the iPhone for the things it doesn’t have: the screen could be bigger, the battery life should be longer, iOS still could be improved, there is no NFC, Flash support or options for memory expansion. But you have to decide whether these things are important to you. If they are, you now have many choices elsewhere.

To us, the iPhone 4S feels as though it has responded to the competition, it’s adapted a better notifications system, and ushered in new features, but in many ways we can’t help feeling it has adopted some of the nice things about Android. For some, the concern might be that it’s adapted Android’s battery management issue too. The iPhone 4S is likely to be exactly what some people are looking for. For others, the excitement in other smartphone quarters could well draw their eye.

• Read the full iPhone 4S review

Apple

Apple iPhone 5

The iPhone 5 (2012): Another jump for Apple with a larger 4-inch display running 1136 x 640 resolution, bringing with it a change in aspect for the iPhone, it also introduced a new connector, Lightning.

Pocket-lint Verdict at the time:

What Apple has created with the iPhone 5 is an extremely polished smartphone that oozes appeal. It’s incredibly well built, easy to use, features a beautiful screen, and comes packed with enough speed and power to service all your requirements. The hardware is just stunning. It really is impressive how much is crammed into such a tiny box.

On the software front the story isn’t as cut and dried. Apple’s iOS operating system is clean and easy to use, but iOS 6 adds little to the story over iOS 5. It doesn’t feel like it has taken the same leap forward as the hardware, and that this version of the OS has been more about filling gaps or replacing services rather than re-writing what’s available from the ground up. There are some nice touches, but they are just that.

Change isn’t always necessary, nor needed, but if there were things you didn’t like in iOS 5, chances are they will still be here in iOS 6. Microsoft’s Windows Phone trounces iOS 6 on the social connected stakes even though Apple has added Facebook this time around. BlackBerry’s BB10 OS, due out in February 2013, beats it on the email and messaging integration (we’ve played with the OS already), and Android is perfect for those that want customisation and control beyond choosing wallpapers.

That’s not to say it is a poor experience, far from it. The chances are you will be more than happy with the performance of the phone and what it offers on the software stakes. The iPhone is still the smartphone we would recommend when it comes to apps. While Android is getting closer to enjoying a parallel launch schedule for apps, Windows Phone and BlackBerry are light years behind the ingenuity shown on a daily basis either from Apple or third-party developers.

While the hardware and design here is cutting edge, the software plays it safer than we would like. For those of you that have already left the Apple eco-system for Samsung or HTC, for example, the iPhone 5 isn’t likely to draw you back. You might marvel at the build and design, but Apple with the iPhone 5 has created a smartphone that is too safe for you: you’ll feel too mollycoddled.

Instead Apple has created a phone that the millions of current iPhone users will want to upgrade to. iPhone owners will love it, enjoy all those new features, and appreciate all the hard work, design, and engineering that has gone into it.

The iPhone 5 is a phone that makes you feel safe. A phone that you know exactly how to use as soon as you take it out of the box and that is perfect for a huge number of people.

It’s a phone that, until you start craving the iPhone 6, will serve you very well indeed.

• Read the full iPhone 5 review

Apple

Apple iPhone 5C

The iPhone 5C (2013): Basically the same as the iPhone 5 but with a plastic body. The iPhone 5C was all about colour and fun, with a range of cases to make contrasting designs.

Pocket-lint Verdict at the time:

The iPhone 5C is a lovely phone that is solid in its performance and playful it its approach. The combination of the colourful exterior sits beautifully against the latest iOS 7 operating system and it’s good to see Apple ditching the ode to faux leather and yellow legal paper shtick. New Apple is an embrace of a modern future.

As an upgrade to the iPhone 4S, the 5C is a perfect option, and it refreshes the iPhone 5 in a way that makes it a lot more fun than the iPhone 5 ever was.

But there is no denying that the 5C is merely a lick of paint on a year-old device, a non-upgrade to the iPhone 5. Some will see that as regressive, treading water. Yet, somehow, that still works in today’s world. For all the phones we spend our time using, when we come back to Apple there’s just something eminently usable about it.

The phone’s selection of apps, camera capabilities, and no fuss approach still means that it holds its own against the HTC One Mini devices of this world, for the right users. Even more so when you put the 5C up against the mid-range offering Android brings in the guise of the Motorola X, or the Nexus 4. But then Apple is charging a fair whack of cash more for the 5C.

However this is still last year’s tech. There is no NFC, no clever trickery that we are seeing on the new Nokias, new LGs, or new Samsung devices and that will be a huge turn-off to many. This is a phone that is designed to appeal to the iPhone 4S crowd who can’t afford an iPhone 5S and who don’t want to go to a different brand. 

The iPhone 5C is not a flagship product – Apple’s iPhone 5S is for that – nor does it fix any of the annoying niggles you’ve perhaps started to feel with your current iPhone, but if you are looking to upgrade from the 4 or the 4S, want to stick with Apple, but can’t justify the 5S and its price, then this colourful option is could to be perfect for you.

Despite initial reservations we love the iPhone 5C – it’s colourful, joyful, capable and just works.

• Read the full iPhone 5C review

Apple

Apple iPhone 5S

The iPhone 5S (2013): Sticking to the design of the iPhone 5, the iPhone 5S dropped the home button and introduced Touch ID, providing a way to unlock the phone and authenticate purchases from the App Store.

Pocket-lint Verdict at the time:

The iPhone 5S fulfils the pre-determined destiny of all Apple “S” devices – it’s the one that’s normally met by the baying crowd as “meh”.

At the start of this review someone asked what we though of the iPhone 5S in two words and we replied “same as”. But the more we’ve played with it, the more we’ve used it, and the more it’s clear that Apple has made vast improvements here, even if we are yet to see the full realisation of those improvements.

In many ways Apple has released a phone for tomorrow rather than today. That’s a hard sell, but it’s also the exciting part. The Touch ID scanner is yet to be fully realised, as are the A7 and M7 processors and the 64-bit support. But the potential for that power is huge – it’s got more grunt than its near competitors and that makes it extra exciting.

But we do still have a shopping list of wants: we would like a bigger and higher resolution screen, there is still no NFC (even though we believe iBeacons will destroy the need for that) and the software, despite looking cleaner, doesn’t really move the 5S on too far from where the iPhone 5 was (indeed, plant iOS 7 on your iPhone 5 and it’s a similar experience). iCloud still needs to be overhauled to be more fluid, while the social aspects of the phone such as helping you join the dots in your contacts book still need to be addressed and improved.

If you want a phone that just works, then the iPhone 5S is a very good place to start. Apple has made it look effortless which is no simple task, and in doing so – by making it look almost too easy – you can sometimes miss the beauty and power in your hand. It’s stunning to use, there’s stacks of power, it’s without gimmicks and a nod to the future. It’s these simple elements that make the iPhone 5S, for us, one of the best phones on the market. There’s a lot to admire about that.

• Read the full iPhone 5S review

Apple

Apple iPhone 6

The iPhone 6 (2014): This model saw a jump in size to a 4.7-inch 1334 x 640 screen with 326ppi, with a shift to a metal body. It also introduced Apple Pay, but was blighted by “bendgate”.

Pocket-lint Verdict at the time:

In the iPhone 6, Apple has managed to make a phone that doesn’t necessarily bring anything new to the smartphone arena – Apple Pay aside – but at the same time makes everything work so effortlessly. All the features you will find on the iPhone 6 can be found elsewhere in the Android or Windows Phone world, but not always in such a fluid and easy-to-use way.

With iOS 8 and the new screen size, Apple has pretty much removed all excuses not to upgrade from older devices, as well as making the iPhone 6 a phone that’s difficult to ignore for those on other platforms.

Of course there is still plenty missing: you don’t get the highest resolution display around, there’s no wireless charging, replaceable battery, no waterproofing, no microSD card, no real NFC beyond Apple Pay, and no wide open operating system for all to use regardless.

But many won’t care. The app choice of Apple is outstanding, the 128GB storage quota is enough (as long as you can afford it), and do we really need NFC pairing? Add that to an incredibly polished operating system in iOS 8 and you end up with a phone that will sell truck loads for many months to come.

For iPhone 5 or 5S users looking to upgrade, the decision is a no-brainer: the iPhone 6 is superior in all aspects to previous devices sporting a better design, a better display, a better experience all around.

The build quality on the iPhone 6 is exquisite, leaving you with one really tough decision: whether to go for the iPhone 6 or the much bigger iPhone 6 Plus. Regardless of which you do opt for, this is the best iPhone yet.

• Read the full iPhone 6 review

Apple

Apple iPhone 6 Plus

The iPhone 6 Plus (2014): The same as the iPhone 6 largely except for a bigger 5.5-inch screen with 1920 x 1080 resolution for 401ppi, plus a larger 2,915mAh battery to keep it running. This was Apple recognising the growing trend in big phones.

Pocket-lint Verdict at the time:

The iPhone 6 Plus is certainly one for the power users and certainly one for those looking for a big screen experience. But with a bigger battery and a bigger display comes a device that for many will be just too big overall.

Having the benefit of using both the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus over the last week we’ve kept coming back to the iPhone 6 Plus, only to return to the iPhone 6 every time. It’s as if our heart drawing us to something new and exciting, but our head is going with the more practical and more efficient, familiar, device.

Do you want a phone that slips in your pocket and is great for making calls, snapping pictures, and doing emails on the go, or are you after a device that is a smaller iPad, even better for watching movies or surfing the web on the train?

It really comes down to how you want to use your phone. If you are normally sitting down or taking a more considered moment to check something then the 6 Plus is perfect. If you are more of an on-the-go kind of person, checking emails whilst wrestling with an umbrella, we suspect that you’ll do better with the regular iPhone 6.

Where it gets even more confusing is when you start to factor in the Apple Watch and, if you own a Mac, how Continuity and Handoff will let you access key snippets of your phone without you having to get it out of your pocket. It means you can opt for the bigger size, knowing that for the most time you will probably be using another device to read messages. Oh the torture.

As for how it compares to the competition, the likes of the Samsung Galaxy Note range or the LG G3 are a very different proposition. The Note with its S Pen stylus is very good at what it does and Apple isn’t trying to tackle that approach, even if, in some way, it should be.

The iPhone 6 Plus is something different that some will say is confused and some won’t understand, but for that niche that wants to have it all Apple and all over the big screen, then the iPhone 6 Plus is there for them.

We suspect the iPhone 6 Plus will be the source of perplexity for a long time to come. Bigger really is bigger, but not always better.

• Read the full iPhone 6 Plus review

Apple

Apple iPhone 6S

The iPhone 6S (2015): No visual design change from the iPhone 6 but an upgrade to the aluminium used to make it stronger, along with important changes in performance and battery life and advanced features like Touch 3D and 4K video capture. It stuck to the 4.7-inch 1334 x 750 pixel resolution and packed in the Apple A9 chip. 

Pocket-lint Verdict at the time:

An iPhone S update year usually means a couple of new features that most people could take or leave, but the iPhone 6S is the most exciting S model for a long time. It bucks the usual trend, delivering a phone that will offer plenty to iPhone users new and old alike. In practice the Touch 3D element has proved to be a gimmick that we could easily live without though.

Improved battery life, enhanced cameras, slick operability from iOS 10 all make the iPhone 6S great to use, even if the screen resolution is still behind the current flagship curve. The addition of Live Photos, 4K video and baked-in Hey Siri might be less integral to all, but they’re the kind of fun features people want and that Apple delivers well.

While the new iPhone 7 offers a waterproof design, ditches the physical home button, and of course controversially, the headphone jack, there is still plenty to enjoy and like with the iPhone 6S making it a good handset for those that want Apple, but can’t afford the top of the range flagship 2016 handset.

For iPhone 5S readers looking to upgrade you’ll move leaps and bounds ahead of what you’ve come to expect from your phone, while even keen iPhone 6 users will see benefits too. The iPhone 6S doesn’t disappoint.

• Read the full iPhone 6S review

Apple

Apple iPhone 6S Plus

The Apple iPhone 6S Plus (2015): The larger version of the 6S, it too offered a stronger body to fend off bendgate, while the display sat at 5.5-inches with a 1920 x 1080 pixel resolution, powered by the A9 chip.

Pocket-lint Verdict at the time:

Just like the original, the Apple iPhone 6S Plus is the big-scale Apple phone for the kind of user who uses two hands and isn’t bothered about the weight or space needed to fit one into their pocket.

Although most S upgrades bring minor tweaks, the iPhone 6S Plus sees notable advantages from 3D Touch. Whether that’s to write on that large screen, or by hard-pressing to interact with iOS 9 in a slicker and quicker fashion than before, it’s the S model to buck the annual trend.

There’s even greater pay-off in other areas for going bigger: you’ll get a lovely large, almost tablet-like screen (although it’s still not flagship-matching qHD resolution); a fantastic camera with optical image stabilisation (which the standard 6S lacks); and a battery life that will last you well beyond a day.

For some, though, those same factors will be negated by the sheer scale of the device. The iPhone 6S Plus is a lovely smartphone, but it’s also a big and heavy one.

• Read the full iPhone 6S Plus review

Pocket-lint

Apple iPhone SE

The iPhone SE (2016): The iPhone SE made the unusual move off shifting back into the older design of the iPhone 5 models. It did so to offer a smaller, cheaper, iPhone option, but it kept the powerful innards of the iPhone 6S, so the Apple A9 chip and the latest camera, but with a 4-inch display with 1136 x 640 pixels.

Pocket-lint Verdict at the time:

The iPhone SE is a great smartphone that brings plenty of power in a small package. It’s designed to appeal to those who aren’t fussed by today’s typically large flagship phones.

If you are upgrading from the iPhone 5S or iPhone 5 and don’t want a larger phone then the SE is a no-brainer. It’s faster in every aspect and delivers a phone that will feel familiar but deliver the goods at today’s current top-spec level.

Current Android users, too, looking to shift over but avoid inflated flagship costs or the large-scale budget pitfalls that swamp some poorly built and frustratingly sluggish mid-level devices may find recompense in Apple’s smaller-scale offering. Apple is hoping that by offering powerful, but small, it will appeal to those who haven’t gone to Sony.

While iPhone 6S users are likely to turn their noses up at the SE, during our review time we’ve really enjoyed the liberating dinkiness of the SE, especially when out running. Perhaps it’s a radical idea, but we can easily see some wealthier iPhone 6S and Plus users finding appeal in the iPhone SE being a weekend or running phone.

As far as shortcomings go, the SE lacks some of the top top spec features sound in the 6S, such as 3D Touch, while the front-facing camera isn’t particularly good. Plus, and it almost goes without saying, that 4-inch screen isn’t going to suit everyone.

Bigger is normally always better, but sometimes great things come in small packages too.

• Read the full iPhone SE review

Apple

Apple iPhone 7

The iPhone 7 (2016): The surprise for many was that Apple didn’t do a major redesign for the iPhone 7, although the introduction of Jet Black caused a stir, as did the evolution of (Product) Red. The iPhone 7 is powered by the A10 chip and adds waterproofing, while the display size and resolution remains as it was.

Pocket-lint Verdict at the time:

The iPhone 7 is not the overhaul that Apple usually presents us with every two years, but there is enough here to keep those upgrading from the iPhone 6 happy.

At first glance, however, it’s perhaps not the phone to draw in iPhone 6S fans who might be upset that their phone is now old and needs to be replaced – for the iPhone 7 could almost be seen as an “S” version of the iPhone 6S.

The removal of the 3.5mm headphone jack may remain briefly controversial, while the odd-looking AirPods (£159) have also raised some eyebrows. But this biggest point of change isn’t really going to impact most users as much as it might sound.

Ultimately it’s the iPhone 7’s other, more subtle changes – the new Home button and glossy/matte black finishes with better hidden antennas – that add to the refinement, without tearing up the rule book and starting again. It’s also these technologies that continue to ensure the iPhone 7 is a state-of-the-art smartphone.

So Tim Cook is right: the iPhone 7 is the company’s best iPhone yet. It’s just that the best is only slighter better than what we’ve already had for the past year.

• Read the full iPhone 7 review

Apple

Apple iPhone 7 Plus

The iPhone 7 Plus (2016): This larger version of the phone marked its arrival by doing something that Apple hadn’t done before: it presented a major difference in feature set with the introduction of the twin camera on the rear. While the rest of the phone incrementally moves on from the 6S Plus, partnering the new iPhone 7, the dual camera as all new, offering bokeh portrait functions and 2x optical zoom for higher quality close ups.

Pocket-lint Verdict at the time:

Of the two new iPhone 7 devices, the Plus certainly gets the most new features – making it the more worthy upgrade from either the iPhone 6 Plus or the iPhone 6S Plus.

The core design of the iPhone 7 Plus isn’t an overhaul though, it’s about refinement, with subtle changes – the new Home button and glossy/matte black finishes with better hidden antennas – elevating the design without tearing up the rule book and starting again. The lack of a headphone jack will either infuriate you or go unnoticed.

The biggest change is with the cameras. Sure, the Depth Effect is a work in progress, but it doesn’t have to be used and doesn’t take away from the cameras’ overall excellence. Ultimately it’s the resulting images that are great, and the 2x optical zoom functionality is welcomed.

However, as we’ve always said of the Plus range, it’s a big and heavy device that will divide opinion because of its wide body. Equally, it’s an incredibly well-built device that won’t disappoint – especially on the power and battery life fronts – because you’ll be hard pushed to find a smartphone as capable and well-rounded elsewhere.

• Read the full iPhone 7 Plus review

Pocket-lint

Apple iPhone 8

With the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus having both now launched all heads have turned to the next iPhones. The 2017 models will mark a decade since the birth of the original iPhone. 

Rumours have been circulating and there’s a lot of talk about what Apple’s next iPhone will offer.

• Read more about the iPhone 8 rumours

Samsung Galaxy Note 8 vs Galaxy Note 7: What’s the rumoured difference?

Samsung is rumoured to be launching its much-anticipated Galaxy Note 8 at the end of August. The device will succeed the Note 7, which was a fantastic device until its battery issues destroyed its reputation and left it for dead.

Nothing official has been announced regarding the Note 8’s specs from Samsung itself but there have been plenty of rumours to help us see how it might compare to the Note 7. With that in mind, here are the two devices neck-in-neck, based on the speculation.

• Samsung Galaxy Note 8: What’s the story so far?

Samsung Galaxy Note 8 vs Note 7: Design

• Glass and metal design expected on both
• Note 8 expected to reduce bezels around display
• Both expected to be IP68 water and dust resistant

The Samsung Galaxy Note 7 was a beautiful device featuring a metal and glass sandwich design, a dual-edge display and a singular camera lens on the rear with the flash positioned alongside it on the right. As it was a Note device, it also featured the S-Pen stylus that had a slot built into the design.

A home button with a embedded fingerprint sensor was situated below the display on the front and it measured 153.5 x 73.9 x 7.9mm and hit the scales at 169g. Like the Galaxy S8 and S8+, the Note 7 was also IP68 water and dust resistant.

The Samsung Galaxy Note 8 is rumoured to be taking some of its design cues from the Galaxy S8 and S8+, offering an almost all-screen front, a dual-edge display again and a metal and glass sandwich design with a built-in stylus. If this is the case, expect significantly reduced bezels compared to the Note 7.

Reports and renders suggest the new Note will be slightly thicker than the S8 and S8+, though exact measurements have yet to be leaked. Some reports did originally suggest the Note 8 would have a fingerprint sensor built into the display but it is now thought the sensor will be positioned on the rear next to a dual-camera setup. The Note 8 is also expected to be IP68 water and dust resistant like its predecessor.

• Samsung Galaxy S8+ review

Samsung Galaxy Note 8 vs Note 7: Display

• Note 8 display expected to be larger with 18.5:9 aspect ratio
• Dual-edge AMOLED display with Mobile HDR expected for both
• Note 8 reported to have higher resolution display

The Samsung Galaxy Note 7 featured a 5.7-inch Super AMOLED dual-edge display, which is the same size as all the previous Note devices from the Note 3 onwards.

It had an aspect ratio of 16:9 and it offered a Quad HD resolution, resulting in a pixel density of 518ppi. The Note 7 was also the first to introduce HDR compliancy in a smartphone, making it compatible with HDR content on Netflix and Amazon Video, even if it was a feature a little before its time due to lack of content.

The Samsung Galaxy Note 8 is reported to be increasing the display size to 6.3-inches, which would make it a little larger than the 6.2-inch Samsung Galaxy S8+, though we’re not expecting the footprint to change much as the aspect ratio is also reported to be the same as the S8+ at 18.5:9.

It is thought the new Note will also have the same Infinity Display as the S8 and S8+ models, meaning an AMOLED panel again with a dual-edge display, though the resolution is thought to be increasing to 4K. If this is the case, the Note 8 would offer a pixel density of 699ppi, which would put it in a good position for the new Gear VR. Expect Mobile HDR to be on board again too, this time with a little more purpose.

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

Samsung Galaxy Note 8 vs Note 7: Camera

• Note 8 reported to be coming with dual rear camera
• Note 8 expected to have improved front camera
• S8 and S8+ camera tech may be seen on Note 8

The Samsung Galaxy Note 7 had a 12-megapixel Duo Pixel rear camera with an f/1.7 aperture, phase detection autofocus, optical image stabilisation and an LED flash.

Its front camera featured a 5-megapixel sensor, also with an f/1.7 aperture and results from both cameras were excellent. The rear was capable of up to 4K video recording, while the front topped out at 1080p.

The Samsung Galaxy Note 8 is reported to be coming with a dual-rear camera, as we mentioned previously, though there haven’t been any substantial leaks to suggest what resolutions we might see. One analyst claims the Note 8 will have a better rear snapper than the Apple iPhone 7 Plus with a 12-megapixel CIS support dual photodiode sensor, coupled with a 13-megapixel telephoto lens but that’s all we’ve heard for now.

We’d expect an improvement on the Note 7’s front facing camera resolution though and we’d also expect to see the same features, such as OIS, on board the new device. The S8 and S8+ have autofocus on their front camera, as well as multi-frame image processing on their rear camera so it wouldn’t be too surprising to see both technologies on the Note 8.

Samsung Galaxy Note 8 vs Note 7: Hardware

• Note 8 will have more advanced platform
• USB Type-C, 3.5mm headphone jack and iris scanning expected across both
• Note 8 could have more RAM and storage, though both should have microSD

The Samsung Galaxy Note 7 featured the Exynos 8890 chipset, coupled with 4GB of RAM, 64GB of internal storage and microSD support for further storage expansion up to 256GB.

It featured USB Type-C for charging the 3500mAh battery and it supported fast charging. There was also a 3.5mm headphone jack on board, support for 32-bit audio and it featured iris scanning capabilities.

There haven’t been many rumours surrounding the Samsung Galaxy Note 8’s hardware as yet, though we’d expect the latest platforms on board, whether this is the Exynos 8895 or the Qualcomm Snapdragon 835. At least 4GB of RAM and 32GB of internal storage are likely, though it wouldn’t be too shocking to see 6GB of RAM and 64GB storage. Either way microSD is probable.

Battery will be a big focus on the Note 8 and although no specific capacities have been detailed in the rumours so far, around 3500mAh like the S8+ would be our educated guess. USB Type-C for charging will no doubt on board again, along with fast charging support and we’re also expecting a 3.5mm headphone jack and iris scanning like the S8 and S8+.

Samsung Galaxy Note 8 vs Note 7: Software

• Note 8 should have Bixby voice assistant
• Improved stylus features reported for the Note 8 over Note 7

The Samsung Galaxy Note 7 launched on Android Marshmallow with Samsung’s TouchWiz interface over the top. It offered much the same experience to the S7 and S7 edge but with a few extra features that took advantage of the S Pen functionality.

The Samsung Galaxy Note 8 will likely launch on Android Nougat, again with Samsung’s TouchWiz interface over the top. It has been reported the new device will offer improved stylus features over the Note 7, along with Samsung’s Bixby voice assistant that launched on the S8 and S8+.

• What is Bixby? Samsung’s smart AI explained

Samsung Galaxy Note 8 vs Note 7: Price

• Note 8 reported to be £170 more expensive

The Samsung Galaxy Note 7 went on sale around the £699 mark before it was discontinued.

The Samsung Galaxy Note 8 meanwhile is rumoured to be going on sale for €999 (£870) which if true, will not only make it significantly more expensive than last year’s Note 7 but it will also be the most expensive Samsung smartphone to date.

Samsung Galaxy Note 8 vs Note 7: Conclusion

Most succeeding smartphones make some big improvements over their predecessors, but not many have the challenge that lies ahead of the Note 8: rebuilding consumer confidence in an entire range that was, until last year, excellent.

Based on the rumours, the Note 8 will offer a more streamlined design like the S8 and S8+, along with a larger and potentially sharper screen, camera advancements and hardware improvements. There are also likely to be some software improvements too and no doubt a big focus on the battery.

For now, everything surrounding the Note 8 is speculation but we will update this feature as we see more leaks and of course as soon as the official details are revealed.

Hisense’s new TV is the “ideal size” at 45-inches

Hisense, the purveyor of affordable yet well-performing TVs, has announced its latest set, the 45N5750. That first number is a clue as to the screen size; 45-inches.

We’ve never come across a 45-inch set before, as screens in the past have gone from 40 to 42 to 46 and then usually straight to 50-inch. Occasionally there have been 48-inch sets to help bridge the gap.

Lately, TVs have either been 40-inch or 50-inch, with no real in between. This is largely because with the rise of 4K Ultra HD TVs, you’re able to sit closer to the screen than with full HD, without losing any of the detail. This has led many consumers to upgrade their screens for a bigger model.

Hisense’s 45-incher is in response to market research, that claims customers have had to settle for a 40-inch screen, because a 50-inch was simply too big for their room.

The 45N5750 has the majority of modern TV technologies onboard, save for Dolby Vision. But that means it’s equipped with HDR10 and is HLG compatible, making it virtually future-proof.

The new screen runs on a quad-core processor, so should be slick in operation, and pre-installed access to Netflix, Amazon Video, YouTube and BBC iPlayer means you won’t be left short of options when it comes to viewing 4K content, providing you have the relevant subscriptions.

If you have any media content on your phone that you want to share on the TV, you can do so using Anyview Cast and Anyview Stream, instead of having to rely on something like a Roku or Chromecast.

Pricing and availability for the Hisense 45N5750 has yet to be announced, but UK deputy managing director Howard Grindod said: “We’re delighted to offer this market-first product, it’s testament to our product team here at Hisense UK and around the world that we are able to spot these trends and cater for them so responsibly and successfully.”

“Over the next 18 months we are looking to extend our portfolio of products on offer considerably and this latest innovation is just one of the first developments as we aim to become a market leader.”

Virgin Media customers get to play Destiny 2 first, here’s how

Virgin Media has teamed with Activision to give its customers first dibs on getting hands-on time with Destiny 2.

The much-anticipated online FPS, which Pocket-lint played extensively at the launch event in May, will be released for PS4 and Xbox One on 8 September. It will also be available on PC for the first time, albeit a tad after the console versions.

Prior to release, Activision is releasing a public beta version of the game. An open beta will be available to play for free from 21 to 23 July, with early access starting for PS4 owners who pre-ordered the full game starting 18 July, and Xbox One owners on 19/20 July.

Virgin Media is offering the chance for customers to play it on PS4 consoles Monday 17 and Tuesday 18 July in a London venue yet to be revealed.

• Destiny 2 preview: Hands-on with PS4 and PC campaign, strike and PVP modes
• Destiny 2 Gameplay Premiere: Watch it again here, see the campaign mode
• Destiny 2: Release date, screens, formats and everything you need to know

To be in with a chance of getting tickets for the exclusive opportunity to play the game first, at the Virgin Fibre x Destiny 2: The Beta Experience event, just head to a dedicated webpage at virginmedia.com/destiny2beta and apply with your details and Virgin Media ID.

Virgin Media will also be offering tickets through its Facebook and Twitter channels.

Destiny 2 is a huge leap forward for the franchise, with an extensive campaign mode that can be enjoyed just as much solo and it can in co-op. There are also new features with the sequel, including clans and guided games, where experienced players can aid newcomers through some of the games’ hardest multiplayer missions.

Virgin Media offers a dedicated broadband service for gamers, Vivid Gamer, which offers download speeds up to 200Mbps and up to 20Mbps upload speeds. You can find out more here.

Cox expands its 1TB data caps to more territories

Cox is bringing its terabyte internet data caps to a bunch of new territories, having already introduced the plan to Cleveland, Ohio; Omaha, Nebraska; Sun Valley, Idaho; Florida, and Georgia. As a result, customers in Arizona, Las Vegas, Louisiana, and Oklahoma will now also have to pay $10 for every 50GB of data they consume over the cap — Cox hasn’t announced when it will introduce it to other markets.

The changes will go into effect in July, with a two-bill grace period that will last up until September. After that, customers will have to fork out for any extra usage above the terabyte limit. Cox, like other US internet providers, claims the dramatic rise in data usage left it with no choice.

However, the company says that a terabyte of data — which it claims allows you to watch 140 2-hour HD movies — is sufficient for the overwhelming majority of customers (98 percent to be precise). Customers signed up to its faster Gigablast plan (available in select regions) will be capped at 2TB of data. Cox customers can manually track their usage using the data usage meter online or via the Cox Connect mobile app.

US internet providers are increasingly adopting 1TB caps. This despite the fact that the plans have come under fire in tech circles for being anti-competitive, with both companies and net neutrality advocates urging the FCC to investigate the practice of zero-rating that exempts favored services from data caps.

Source: Cox