Weekly rewind: A new breed of megayacht, the best iPhone photos, AI salvation
A lot can happen in a week when it comes to tech. The constant onslaught of news makes it nigh impossible for mere mortals with real lives to keep track of everything. That’s why we’ve compiled a quick and dirty list of this week’s top 10 tech stories, from how AI could save the world to how an exploding smartphone could come back into the world — it’s all here.
From predicting quakes to supercharging farming, how AI could save the world
Picture this — It’s the year 2100 and our worst dystopian fears have come true. The Earth is in shambles; society is rife with poverty and inequality; you can hop across the Pacific on floating patches of plastic.
Humanity is facing more problems than it we can probably fix on our own. Without some drastic and immediate changes, we’re sure to usher in a bleak future. But we may also be able to solve these problems, or at least minimize their negative impacts, with the help of AI. Here are some of the ways how.
Read: From predicting quakes to supercharging farming, how AI could save the world
Refurbished Samsung Galaxy Note 7 R: News and rumors
Samsung, not one to let recalled phones go to waste (even fire-prone ones), may soon sell a refurbished Galaxy Note 7. The smartphone maker announced it is investigating ways to recycle the Galaxy Note 7 in an environmentally conscious way, which may include selling refurbished versions of the previously recalled device.
Most recently, a version called the Galaxy Note 7 FE, or Fandom Edition, has been rumored to launch on July 7. According to The Wall Street Journal, the device will have different internal components, and will be sold in South Korea. Altering the phone’s internals will help the public overcome fears about device safety, and may also lower the initially expensive price.
Read: Refurbished Samsung Galaxy Note 7 R: News and rumors
Volvo’s driverless-car engineers face a kangaroo conundrum
Some Volvo engineers developing autonomous-vehicle technology recognized that they needed to test it in a range of conditions. After all, that’s why the likes of Waymo and Uber are trying out their self-driving gear in a number of states across the U.S. — to learn about how it handles different weather conditions, landscapes, road systems, and the like … and that includes handling kangaroos.
Ambitious companies as they are, no doubt these firms plan for their technology to one day go global, allowing drivers everywhere to hang up their car keys, sit back, and enjoy the ride. In that case, they’ll need to head Down Under at some point so they can work out how to get their cars to take evasive action when a kangaroo hops onto the road.
Read: Volvo’s driverless-car engineers face a kangaroo conundrum
How’s this for a milestone? Facebook hits 2 billion monthly users
There are 7.5 billion people on this planet, and more than 25 percent of them are on Facebook.
In yet another impressive achievement for the social media behemoth, CEO and founder Mark Zuckerberg announced on Tuesday that the Facebook community is now 2 billion people strong (in terms of monthly active users). Given that it started as nothing more than a college directory for the students of Harvard University in 2004, it is safe to say that the project has exceeded expectations.
Read: How’s this for a milestone? Facebook hits 2 billion monthly users
Becoming a smart city takes more than sensors and buzzwords
What is a smart city? Not even the people building them seem to know yet.
“Get 10 people in a room and ask what a smart city is, you’ll get 11 answers,” Bob Bennett, Kansas City, Missouri’s chief innovation officer, told Digital Trends. That might be true, but most involved in smart city projects agree on one thing: No one’s really there yet.
“I think it’s the Wild West at this point, and smart cities mean something different to everybody,” said Jarrett Wendt, executive vice president of strategic innovations at Panasonic.
Read: Becoming a smart city takes more than sensors and buzzwords
Pandora says bye to users in Australia and New Zealand
Pandora is calling it a day in Australia and New Zealand.
The Oakland, California-based music streaming company will shutter its service in the two countries — the only markets outside of the U.S. where it operates — in the next few weeks.
A spokesperson for Pandora said it needed to concentrate its efforts on its main block of users, while pointing out that it’s not abandoning all hope of moving back into international markets at a later date.
Read: Pandora says bye to users in Australia and New Zealand
U.S. holds off expanding laptop flight ban, but increases security measures
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has announced plans for stricter security checks for passengers flying into the U.S.
Recent news reports suggested the DHS would expand an existing ban preventing passengers on certain Middle Eastern and African airlines from taking laptops and other electronic devices into the cabin, but for the time being at least, this won’t happen.
Instead, new security measures affecting 325,000 airline passengers coming to the U.S. daily from 280 international airports will be put in place in July.
Read: U.S. holds off expanding laptop flight ban, but increases security measures
These photos could be the best images shot with an iPhone this year
The iPhone is now a decade old — and the iPhone Photography Awards (IPPAWARDS) continue to prove that small cameras can still pack a pretty big punch. This week, the IPPAWARDS announced the winners for the tenth annual global competition.
Brooklyn-based photographer Sebastiano Tomada took the grand prize as the iPhone Photographer of the Year with a photo of two children playing in Qayyarah, Iraq, as an oil well burns in the distance. The vertical shot utilizes leading lines and a punch of contrast to add artistic interest to the photojournalist’s shot.
Read: These photos could be the best images shot with an iPhone this year
The newest mega-yacht has its own garden (and its own beach!)
Norwegian company Hareide Design has unveiled a new yacht that makes the common man’s yacht look like a leaky canoe.
The ship is named “108M” after its impressive size: 108 meters, or approximately 350 feet. The concept features a garden, floor-to-ceiling windows in the grand hall, and even its own private beach. The yacht’s design is meant to invoke a seamless indoor to outdoor experience so that passengers can be in touch with nature. It features a classic monohull design, yet it’s quite different from your traditional megayacht, which usually looks more like a luxury hotel than a nature conservatory. But you knew that, right?
Read: The newest mega-yacht has its own garden (and its own beach!)
‘Twin Peaks’ explained: ‘Part 8’ takes an experimental journey through darkness
One of the great difficulties of writing about Twin Peaks, or even just watching it, is David Lynch’s “18 hour movie” approach to the new season. With most weekly shows, even more serialized productions like Breaking Bad, episodes have a distinct story arc. During the course of our Twin Peaks evaluation and analysis, it’s become clear that each episode is like a chapter of a novel, and without having seen the story from beginning to end, the importance and meaning of each episode can seem inscrutable.
That’s what makes Part 8 so fascinating. If a viewer is hoping for forward movement in Agent Cooper’s story, or ready answers to any of the pestilential questions the show has raised, this episode provides neither. What it does offer is a stunning experiment in form, and perhaps even an origin story for the evils that plague the world of Twin Peaks.
Read: ‘Twin Peaks’ explained: ‘Part 8’ takes an experimental journey through darkness
Weekly rewind: A new breed of megayacht, the best iPhone photos, AI salvation
A lot can happen in a week when it comes to tech. The constant onslaught of news makes it nigh impossible for mere mortals with real lives to keep track of everything. That’s why we’ve compiled a quick and dirty list of this week’s top 10 tech stories, from how AI could save the world to how an exploding smartphone could come back into the world — it’s all here.
From predicting quakes to supercharging farming, how AI could save the world
Picture this — It’s the year 2100 and our worst dystopian fears have come true. The Earth is in shambles; society is rife with poverty and inequality; you can hop across the Pacific on floating patches of plastic.
Humanity is facing more problems than it we can probably fix on our own. Without some drastic and immediate changes, we’re sure to usher in a bleak future. But we may also be able to solve these problems, or at least minimize their negative impacts, with the help of AI. Here are some of the ways how.
Read: From predicting quakes to supercharging farming, how AI could save the world
Refurbished Samsung Galaxy Note 7 R: News and rumors
Samsung, not one to let recalled phones go to waste (even fire-prone ones), may soon sell a refurbished Galaxy Note 7. The smartphone maker announced it is investigating ways to recycle the Galaxy Note 7 in an environmentally conscious way, which may include selling refurbished versions of the previously recalled device.
Most recently, a version called the Galaxy Note 7 FE, or Fandom Edition, has been rumored to launch on July 7. According to The Wall Street Journal, the device will have different internal components, and will be sold in South Korea. Altering the phone’s internals will help the public overcome fears about device safety, and may also lower the initially expensive price.
Read: Refurbished Samsung Galaxy Note 7 R: News and rumors
Volvo’s driverless-car engineers face a kangaroo conundrum
Some Volvo engineers developing autonomous-vehicle technology recognized that they needed to test it in a range of conditions. After all, that’s why the likes of Waymo and Uber are trying out their self-driving gear in a number of states across the U.S. — to learn about how it handles different weather conditions, landscapes, road systems, and the like … and that includes handling kangaroos.
Ambitious companies as they are, no doubt these firms plan for their technology to one day go global, allowing drivers everywhere to hang up their car keys, sit back, and enjoy the ride. In that case, they’ll need to head Down Under at some point so they can work out how to get their cars to take evasive action when a kangaroo hops onto the road.
Read: Volvo’s driverless-car engineers face a kangaroo conundrum
How’s this for a milestone? Facebook hits 2 billion monthly users
There are 7.5 billion people on this planet, and more than 25 percent of them are on Facebook.
In yet another impressive achievement for the social media behemoth, CEO and founder Mark Zuckerberg announced on Tuesday that the Facebook community is now 2 billion people strong (in terms of monthly active users). Given that it started as nothing more than a college directory for the students of Harvard University in 2004, it is safe to say that the project has exceeded expectations.
Read: How’s this for a milestone? Facebook hits 2 billion monthly users
Becoming a smart city takes more than sensors and buzzwords
What is a smart city? Not even the people building them seem to know yet.
“Get 10 people in a room and ask what a smart city is, you’ll get 11 answers,” Bob Bennett, Kansas City, Missouri’s chief innovation officer, told Digital Trends. That might be true, but most involved in smart city projects agree on one thing: No one’s really there yet.
“I think it’s the Wild West at this point, and smart cities mean something different to everybody,” said Jarrett Wendt, executive vice president of strategic innovations at Panasonic.
Read: Becoming a smart city takes more than sensors and buzzwords
Pandora says bye to users in Australia and New Zealand
Pandora is calling it a day in Australia and New Zealand.
The Oakland, California-based music streaming company will shutter its service in the two countries — the only markets outside of the U.S. where it operates — in the next few weeks.
A spokesperson for Pandora said it needed to concentrate its efforts on its main block of users, while pointing out that it’s not abandoning all hope of moving back into international markets at a later date.
Read: Pandora says bye to users in Australia and New Zealand
U.S. holds off expanding laptop flight ban, but increases security measures
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has announced plans for stricter security checks for passengers flying into the U.S.
Recent news reports suggested the DHS would expand an existing ban preventing passengers on certain Middle Eastern and African airlines from taking laptops and other electronic devices into the cabin, but for the time being at least, this won’t happen.
Instead, new security measures affecting 325,000 airline passengers coming to the U.S. daily from 280 international airports will be put in place in July.
Read: U.S. holds off expanding laptop flight ban, but increases security measures
These photos could be the best images shot with an iPhone this year
The iPhone is now a decade old — and the iPhone Photography Awards (IPPAWARDS) continue to prove that small cameras can still pack a pretty big punch. This week, the IPPAWARDS announced the winners for the tenth annual global competition.
Brooklyn-based photographer Sebastiano Tomada took the grand prize as the iPhone Photographer of the Year with a photo of two children playing in Qayyarah, Iraq, as an oil well burns in the distance. The vertical shot utilizes leading lines and a punch of contrast to add artistic interest to the photojournalist’s shot.
Read: These photos could be the best images shot with an iPhone this year
The newest mega-yacht has its own garden (and its own beach!)
Norwegian company Hareide Design has unveiled a new yacht that makes the common man’s yacht look like a leaky canoe.
The ship is named “108M” after its impressive size: 108 meters, or approximately 350 feet. The concept features a garden, floor-to-ceiling windows in the grand hall, and even its own private beach. The yacht’s design is meant to invoke a seamless indoor to outdoor experience so that passengers can be in touch with nature. It features a classic monohull design, yet it’s quite different from your traditional megayacht, which usually looks more like a luxury hotel than a nature conservatory. But you knew that, right?
Read: The newest mega-yacht has its own garden (and its own beach!)
‘Twin Peaks’ explained: ‘Part 8’ takes an experimental journey through darkness
One of the great difficulties of writing about Twin Peaks, or even just watching it, is David Lynch’s “18 hour movie” approach to the new season. With most weekly shows, even more serialized productions like Breaking Bad, episodes have a distinct story arc. During the course of our Twin Peaks evaluation and analysis, it’s become clear that each episode is like a chapter of a novel, and without having seen the story from beginning to end, the importance and meaning of each episode can seem inscrutable.
That’s what makes Part 8 so fascinating. If a viewer is hoping for forward movement in Agent Cooper’s story, or ready answers to any of the pestilential questions the show has raised, this episode provides neither. What it does offer is a stunning experiment in form, and perhaps even an origin story for the evils that plague the world of Twin Peaks.
Read: ‘Twin Peaks’ explained: ‘Part 8’ takes an experimental journey through darkness
Weekly rewind: A new breed of megayacht, the best iPhone photos, AI salvation
A lot can happen in a week when it comes to tech. The constant onslaught of news makes it nigh impossible for mere mortals with real lives to keep track of everything. That’s why we’ve compiled a quick and dirty list of this week’s top 10 tech stories, from how AI could save the world to how an exploding smartphone could come back into the world — it’s all here.
From predicting quakes to supercharging farming, how AI could save the world
Picture this — It’s the year 2100 and our worst dystopian fears have come true. The Earth is in shambles; society is rife with poverty and inequality; you can hop across the Pacific on floating patches of plastic.
Humanity is facing more problems than it we can probably fix on our own. Without some drastic and immediate changes, we’re sure to usher in a bleak future. But we may also be able to solve these problems, or at least minimize their negative impacts, with the help of AI. Here are some of the ways how.
Read: From predicting quakes to supercharging farming, how AI could save the world
Refurbished Samsung Galaxy Note 7 R: News and rumors
Samsung, not one to let recalled phones go to waste (even fire-prone ones), may soon sell a refurbished Galaxy Note 7. The smartphone maker announced it is investigating ways to recycle the Galaxy Note 7 in an environmentally conscious way, which may include selling refurbished versions of the previously recalled device.
Most recently, a version called the Galaxy Note 7 FE, or Fandom Edition, has been rumored to launch on July 7. According to The Wall Street Journal, the device will have different internal components, and will be sold in South Korea. Altering the phone’s internals will help the public overcome fears about device safety, and may also lower the initially expensive price.
Read: Refurbished Samsung Galaxy Note 7 R: News and rumors
Volvo’s driverless-car engineers face a kangaroo conundrum
Some Volvo engineers developing autonomous-vehicle technology recognized that they needed to test it in a range of conditions. After all, that’s why the likes of Waymo and Uber are trying out their self-driving gear in a number of states across the U.S. — to learn about how it handles different weather conditions, landscapes, road systems, and the like … and that includes handling kangaroos.
Ambitious companies as they are, no doubt these firms plan for their technology to one day go global, allowing drivers everywhere to hang up their car keys, sit back, and enjoy the ride. In that case, they’ll need to head Down Under at some point so they can work out how to get their cars to take evasive action when a kangaroo hops onto the road.
Read: Volvo’s driverless-car engineers face a kangaroo conundrum
How’s this for a milestone? Facebook hits 2 billion monthly users
There are 7.5 billion people on this planet, and more than 25 percent of them are on Facebook.
In yet another impressive achievement for the social media behemoth, CEO and founder Mark Zuckerberg announced on Tuesday that the Facebook community is now 2 billion people strong (in terms of monthly active users). Given that it started as nothing more than a college directory for the students of Harvard University in 2004, it is safe to say that the project has exceeded expectations.
Read: How’s this for a milestone? Facebook hits 2 billion monthly users
Becoming a smart city takes more than sensors and buzzwords
What is a smart city? Not even the people building them seem to know yet.
“Get 10 people in a room and ask what a smart city is, you’ll get 11 answers,” Bob Bennett, Kansas City, Missouri’s chief innovation officer, told Digital Trends. That might be true, but most involved in smart city projects agree on one thing: No one’s really there yet.
“I think it’s the Wild West at this point, and smart cities mean something different to everybody,” said Jarrett Wendt, executive vice president of strategic innovations at Panasonic.
Read: Becoming a smart city takes more than sensors and buzzwords
Pandora says bye to users in Australia and New Zealand
Pandora is calling it a day in Australia and New Zealand.
The Oakland, California-based music streaming company will shutter its service in the two countries — the only markets outside of the U.S. where it operates — in the next few weeks.
A spokesperson for Pandora said it needed to concentrate its efforts on its main block of users, while pointing out that it’s not abandoning all hope of moving back into international markets at a later date.
Read: Pandora says bye to users in Australia and New Zealand
U.S. holds off expanding laptop flight ban, but increases security measures
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has announced plans for stricter security checks for passengers flying into the U.S.
Recent news reports suggested the DHS would expand an existing ban preventing passengers on certain Middle Eastern and African airlines from taking laptops and other electronic devices into the cabin, but for the time being at least, this won’t happen.
Instead, new security measures affecting 325,000 airline passengers coming to the U.S. daily from 280 international airports will be put in place in July.
Read: U.S. holds off expanding laptop flight ban, but increases security measures
These photos could be the best images shot with an iPhone this year
The iPhone is now a decade old — and the iPhone Photography Awards (IPPAWARDS) continue to prove that small cameras can still pack a pretty big punch. This week, the IPPAWARDS announced the winners for the tenth annual global competition.
Brooklyn-based photographer Sebastiano Tomada took the grand prize as the iPhone Photographer of the Year with a photo of two children playing in Qayyarah, Iraq, as an oil well burns in the distance. The vertical shot utilizes leading lines and a punch of contrast to add artistic interest to the photojournalist’s shot.
Read: These photos could be the best images shot with an iPhone this year
The newest mega-yacht has its own garden (and its own beach!)
Norwegian company Hareide Design has unveiled a new yacht that makes the common man’s yacht look like a leaky canoe.
The ship is named “108M” after its impressive size: 108 meters, or approximately 350 feet. The concept features a garden, floor-to-ceiling windows in the grand hall, and even its own private beach. The yacht’s design is meant to invoke a seamless indoor to outdoor experience so that passengers can be in touch with nature. It features a classic monohull design, yet it’s quite different from your traditional megayacht, which usually looks more like a luxury hotel than a nature conservatory. But you knew that, right?
Read: The newest mega-yacht has its own garden (and its own beach!)
‘Twin Peaks’ explained: ‘Part 8’ takes an experimental journey through darkness
One of the great difficulties of writing about Twin Peaks, or even just watching it, is David Lynch’s “18 hour movie” approach to the new season. With most weekly shows, even more serialized productions like Breaking Bad, episodes have a distinct story arc. During the course of our Twin Peaks evaluation and analysis, it’s become clear that each episode is like a chapter of a novel, and without having seen the story from beginning to end, the importance and meaning of each episode can seem inscrutable.
That’s what makes Part 8 so fascinating. If a viewer is hoping for forward movement in Agent Cooper’s story, or ready answers to any of the pestilential questions the show has raised, this episode provides neither. What it does offer is a stunning experiment in form, and perhaps even an origin story for the evils that plague the world of Twin Peaks.
Read: ‘Twin Peaks’ explained: ‘Part 8’ takes an experimental journey through darkness
ZyXEL Armor Z2 review
Research Center:
ZyXEL Armor Z2
The home and office networking market has become a huge mess. While manufacturers are competing to provide unique approaches to Wireless AC connectivity, others are taking a step back to create alternatives to the standard one-unit router, such as the Eero “mesh” networking kit, and Netgear’s Orbi two-piece kit . ZyXEL, it seems, isn’t taking the “mesh” bait just yet, pumping out new routers and compatible repeaters aimed to fill every space in your house or office – the old-fashioned way. For our ZyXEL Armor Z2 review, we put the high-end router to the test to see if it can blanket a whole home in fast Wi-Fi.
It’s a router, but it looks like a robot spider
The Armor Z2 consists of four external antennas capable of delivering up to a theoretical 1,733Mbps on the 5GHz band, and up to 800Mbps on the 2.4GHz band. To break this down, each antenna has a single outgoing stream of up to 433Mbps on the 5GHz band, and a single outgoing stream of 200Mbps on the 2.4GHz band. Each antenna also has an incoming stream on each of the two bands, at the same speeds.
If your Wireless AC device only has two internal incoming antennas and two outgoing antennas, it will have speeds of up to 867Mbps on the 5GHz band, and 400Mbps on the 2.4GHz band. That 2×2 antenna setup is quite common with recent smartphones, tablets, and laptops. Thus, to get the full benefits of the Armor Z2’s wireless speeds, you’ll need a device, wireless adapter, or add-in PC card supporting a 4×4 connection. Most devices don’t have that.
Kevin Parrish/Digital Trends
Kevin Parrish/Digital Trends
Kevin Parrish/Digital Trends
Kevin Parrish/Digital Trends
In addition to the four external antennas, the router relies on a dual-core processor clocked at 1.7GHz, 512MB of system memory, and 4GB of internal storage used only by the operating system. On the back, owners will find a gigabit Ethernet port dedicated to the router-to-modem connection, and four additional gigabit Ethernet ports for wired devices. The router even includes one USB 3.1 Gen1 Type-A port, and one USB 2.0 Type-A port on its right side, for sharing files or a compatible printer across the network.
Visually, the router looks neat, sitting like a silent, robotic spider with its legs jutting up into the air. There are vents lined along the sides to passively dissipate the heat generated inside, along with two gold-lined vents on the front, and two eye-like gold-trimmed vents on the top. Its appearance would fit nicely alongside a gaming PC, but might look out of place in most living rooms.
Finally, a decent router interface without an app
Once the router is connected to the ISP’s modem, there are two ways to set up the network — via a wireless mobile device, or by a wired connection such as a desktop PC. The default wireless connection information is located inside the packaging, but because we’re old school, we chose to set up the Armor Z2 via an Ethernet connection.
The Armor Z2 aims to be future-proof by providing a maximum Wi-Fi speed not supported by many current wireless devices.
We loaded up a web browser and typed in “http://myrouter” into the address bar. From there, the router took us through the process of changing the default username and password, updating the router’s firmware, and creating a name for the two network connections (5GHz and 2.4GHz). After that, we were fee to explore the router’s main interface.
Before we did that, we set up the WRE6606 wireless range extender device provided by ZyXEL. Designed specifically to extend the Armor Z2 router’s reach, it plugs into a wall’s electrical outlet. It can also be powered by a USB-based power supply (sold separately).
Once powered up, we went back into the router’s interface, clicked on Expert Mode (more on that in a minute), clicked the Wireless tab, clicked on the WPS option, and then chose “Push Button,” which told the router we were hitting the WPS button on the extender. When pressed, the extender and router then began talking to each other to extend wireless coverage.
Kevin Parrish/Digital Trends
Before moving on, we need to point out that the WRE6606 is an AC1300-class device. That means it has two internal incoming antennas and two outgoing antennas. While the router is capable of speeds of up to 1,733Mbps on the 5GHz band, and up to 800Mbps on the 2.4GHz band, the extender can only handle a maximum speed of 867Mbps and 400Mbps on each respective band.
Take it easy, or flip into expert mode
The web-based interface loads Easy Mode by default. Splashed across the screen is a map of connected devices, such as all laptops, desktops, mobile devices, and even the WRE6606 repeater. Along the bottom of this interface are five on/off switches for the overall wireless broadcast, separate guest access, parental controls, notifications, and the router’s LEDs. Simple, Right?
Having a dedicated wireless repeater is a nice touch, but in our testing, ZyXEL’s WRE6606 extender just wasn’t needed.
The screen-wide map is quite useful. Move the cursor over one of the connected devices, and you’ll see a menu appear with choices to rename the device, change its icon, block the device from the network, and see general information such as assigned IP address, MAC address, device type, and operating system. For some reason, the router believed our Windows 10 Pro laptop was running Windows XP, but it was accurate in its description of other connected devices.
Parents will find the renaming feature a necessary component in network management. Although Windows 10 and Android allow you to assign a name locally on the actual device, the router can save time by simply allowing you to assign names on the router side, so they’re easy to identify on the map. This comes in handy later, when setting up parental control rules.
A special Expert interface just for tweakers
For advanced users, ZyXEL has a tab on the right side of the interface window labeled “Expert Mode” that brings up a more detailed view of all the settings and reports. The default window is the main Status page providing device and usage data while a toolbar resides at the bottom for accessing six other sections of the backend: WAN, Wireless, LAN, Applications, Security, and Maintenance.
For instance, the Applications section is where you’ll find tools for parental controls, managing bandwidth, and sharing media (USB, FTP, and SAMBA). The Maintenance area is where you upgrade the firmware, change the router’s login information, turn on remote management, and so on.
Kevin Parrish/Digital Trends
In the Parental Control section, parents simply click on the Add Rule button to pull up a new window to set limits. The router will provide a list of all connected devices by their MAC address and any associated name defined by you or the device. Parents add the device to the rule, and then select the days and times the device can access the network in a 24 x 7 grid. Parents can also block sites and addresses using a keyword, and block/allow services that use a specific protocol or port.
The router looks nice, sitting a silent, robotic spider with its legs jutting up into the air.
If you liked the previous network map splashed on the Easy Mode interface, but don’t want to leave Expert Mode, there’s one located under Live Network Monitor in the Status section. This map is a bit more detailed, showing each connected device, their names (network-based or router-based), and the amount of data tossed between device and router. It also shows the up/down data amount between the router and modem.
There’s lot to see and tweak in the Expert Mode. However, customers wanting to simply plug-and-play the router should have enough settings for shallow customization through the Easy Mode interface.
ZyXEL provides the ONE Connect app for Android and Apple’s iOS platform too, which can be used to view all devices connected to the router, see the connection details of both wireless bands, update the router’s firmware, and run a network diagnostics test.
For streams up to 1,733Mbps across 500 square meters
Based on ZyXEL’s product page, the router has a range of around 500 square meters, which translates to 5,381 square feet. In other words, it projects a circle of coverage of up to 41 feet out from its current position. This is where range extenders come in: users place the devices at the edge of the router’s circular coverage to create another extended bubble of connectivity.
ZyXEL Armor Z2 Compared To
Google Wifi
TP-Link Deco M5
Linksys Max-Stream AC2200 MU-MIMO…
Zmodo Beam Alert
Synology RT2600AC
Linksys WRT3200ACM
Starry Station
D-Link DIR-869 EXO AC1750
Ubiquiti Amplifi HD
TP-Link AC3150
Linksys EA9500 Max-Stream AC5400
Zyxel NBG6815 AC2200
Netgear Nighthawk X4S
Netgear Nighthawk X8
Google & TP-Link OnHub
However, extenders simply repeat the weakened state of the router’s signal, so you may have connection in an otherwise unreachable area. The throughput of data from the modem, to the router, to the extender, to the connected device, may still be rather slow.
That said, we grabbed our Alienware laptop, which is capable of up to 867Mbps on the 5GHz band and up to 400Mbps on the 2.4GHz band, and tested the throughput in two locations: five feet away from the router, and seated next to the companion extender device. Remember, the extender broadcasts the same network name, so to test its connection, we connected via wireless and via Ethernet.
First, here are the 5GHz numbers sitting near the router:
Minimum
Maximum
144Mbps
204Mbps
Here are the 2.4GHz numbers sitting near the router:
Minimum
Maximum
42.4Mbps
57.4Mbps
Next, we took the same laptop and sat down next to the repeater in the adjacent room. Two walls and around 30 feet of space separate the repeater from the router in this specific test. For starters, here is the 5GHz connection:
Minimum
Maximum
62.2Mbps
66.3Mbps
Now here are the 2.4GHz connection numbers next to the repeater:
Minimum
Maximum
33.6Mbps
41.2Mbps
Finally, we assumed we would have better throughput speeds by connecting the laptop directly to the extender via its single gigabit Ethernet port. What we discovered is that although our Alienware laptop resided next to the repeater device, it was apparently still connected to the router itself. The numbers above have nothing to do with the repeater, but rather the drop-in throughput was simply due to the laptop’s distance from the router.
Thus, here are the numbers we received when wired to the repeater device:
Minimum
Maximum
6.23Mbps
27.5Mbps
Of course, we would likely see better numbers had we tested both devices in an open space, like a ballfield. But that’s not really a real-world scenario given they’re meant to reside within a home environment. Still, on the router front, its performance is admirable at close range, and not too shabby when you’re at least 30 feet away in another room.
Warranty
Finding warranty information on ZyXEL’s website was a real pain. Eventually we landed here, which states that ZyXEL covers hardware for two years after purchase. If the product fails due to faulty workmanship and/or materials, the company will repair or replace the device. If ZyXEL can’t resolve the problem, then it will provide a refund matching the original purchase price.
Our Take
ZyXEL’s Armor Z2 router aims to be future-proof, providing up to 1,733Mbps for wireless devices that can handle four incoming and outgoing streams. Many Wireless AC devices can only handle two, but as component prices continue to drop, wireless devices will eventually catch up to this router. Until then, it performs great up close and admirably from afar. Having a dedicated wireless repeater is a nice touch, but in our testing, the repeater just didn’t perform as expected.
Is there a better alternative?
As of late, the Armor Z2 seems rather average when the client device is placed near the router, if not slightly better. But despite having the WRE6606 wireless extender repeating the signal 30 feet away, we saw better throughput with Netgear’s Orbi two-piece kit at that distance. Then again, the Orbi kit is more expensive, selling for $350 whereas ZyXEL’s combined router ($170) and extender ($80) add up to a cheaper $250. Also make sure to check out our best wireless routers.
How long will it last?
This router should last awhile, given its support for 4×4 wireless connectivity. Wireless AD (WiGig) is crashing the 2017 networking scene, and other manufacturers are testing the networking waters to provide better whole-home coverage than what the typical standalone router can produce. Still, we this the Armor Z2 will feel fast enough for three to five years.
Should you buy it?
The Armor Z2 offers solid performance for gamers and mainstream customers alike, so you can’t go wrong purchasing this router. Heck, it’s even futureproof, as Wireless AC devices with additional internal antennas begin to saturate the market and support this router’s fastest speed.
Remember, though, that the Armor Z2 is not a whole-home solution, so customers wanting “blanket” coverage complemented by quick-and-simply plug-and-play setups should look at a mesh router like the pretty Luma Surround WiFi kit. The Armor Z2 is focused on performance over a smaller area, and customization for enthusiast users.
Best apps for celebrating Canada Day
Happy 150th birthday, Canada!
This weekend is extra special, as Canada celebrates its 150th year of confederation! There’s so much to do and explore not only on July 1st but throughout the entire summer!
We’ve compiled some great apps to help you get the most out of this long weekend and the weekends to follow, along with a couple Canadian-made games that are also worth celebrating. Now get out there and explore our great nation!
Canada Day in the Capital
If you’re planning to head down to Ottawa to celebrate Canada 150 in the nation’s capital, download Canada Day in the Capital to help you plan out all the celebrations. Whether you’re headed to Parliament Hill or other events throughout the weekend the app has all the information you’ll need including schedules, maps, and a list of all the participating artists.
There’s also an official photo filter for capturing your favorite moments. If you’re fortunate enough to be in Ottawa on Canada Day, let this app guide you around town.
Download: Canada Day in the Capital (Free)
Parks Canada — National App
Canada is rich with natural resources, including our network of national parks that span from coast to coast. To celebrate Canada’s 150th birthday, every Canadian has been granted free access to those parks — Parks Canada has been handing out vehicle passes like candy at a parade.
Interested in learning more about the National Parks in your province or elsewhere? Check out Parks Canada’s app for Android, which not only helps you discover some of Canada’s hidden gems but also includes a section for upcoming events related to Canada’s 150th.
Download: Parks Canada app (Free)
Parks Canada Learn to Camp
Building off the previous app, if you’re interested in taking advantage of the free parks pass this summer but have never gone camping before, Parks Canada has you covered with its Learn to Camp app.
Preparation and planning are key for a successful camping trip, but it’s surprisingly easy to forget to pack some essentials. This app features a guide of camping basics, recipes for cooking meals on a camp stove or campfire, as well as a checklist to confirm you’ve got everything you need before you head out of the city.
Download: Parks Canada Learn to Camp (Free)
CFL Mobile
It’s football season in Canada! Yes, the 2017 CFL season is just getting underway, and the CFL Mobile app is the best way to follow your favorite team when you’re not able to make it down to the stadium.
The CFL Mobile app is your one-stop for the latest news, scores, stats, and video including highlights, recaps, and interviews with CFL players and coaches. Unable to watch the game? Follow along on your phone with the Live Game Tracker. I know I’ll be watching the Canada Day match up between the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and the Saskatchewan Roughriders. Go Bombers!
Download: CFL Mobile (Free)
How Canadian are you, eh?
Canada has a rich, 150 years of history — how knowledgable are you?
Developed by the Department of Citizenship and Immigration, this quiz will test you with 20 questions relating to Canada’s history. While it’s not really a contest to see who’s more Canadian, it’s a fun way to quiz your friends and family.
Download: How Canadian are you, eh? (Free)
Alto’s Adventure
Fact: Alto’s Adventure is one of the best games you’ll find on Android.
Also a fact: Alto’s Adventure was entirely developed and published by Canadian teams.
While it might see odd to recommend a snowboarding game right as summer is kicking off in earnest (snow is the last thing any of us want to be thinking about right now), it still holds up two years on and is a great option
Download: Alto’s Adventure (Free)
Tom Clancy’s ShadowBreak
At E3, Ubisoft Montreal unveiled a couple of new games for Android, Tom Clancy’s ShadowBreak and South Park: Phone Destroyer. While they haven’t been officially released yet, Ubisoft has soft launched the games in Canada!
I’ve highlighted ShadowBreak in particular because it’s really well done and also topical to Canada, with the recent news of a the Canadian sniper who saved lives with a world record shot of over 3km. The game is a mix between first-person shooter and an arena battle game like Clash Royale, and you can play it exclusively with other Canadians for the time being!
Download: Tom Clancy’s ShadowBreak (Free w/IAPs)
Best adult apps in VR
Finding adult apps for VR is easy, finding awesome adult apps in VR can be more difficult.
Porn in VR is all over the place these days. In fact, all you have to do is a quick Google search and you’ll find plenty of websites and apps that can give you what you’re looking for. Not all adults apps are awesome though. So instead of slogging through the internet and hoping you find an awesome app, we’ve done the work for you. Below you’ll find the best apps in VR for adult entertainment.
Read more at VRHeads.com
Is LG working on a mini LG G6 smartphone called LG Q6?
LG is already planning a new version of the LG G6.
No, we’re not talking about the LG G7, but rather a smaller version of the LG G6 itself. And, technically, we’re not sure if the company is working on the phone now or mulled the idea of one months ago. You see, according to TechnoBuffalo, which viewed a leaked internal document that showed a 5.4-inch device with an 18:9 aspect ratio, LG at one point planned to manufacture a mini LG G6.
It would have the same unique aspect ratio that LG introduced with the 5.7-inch LG G6, the document revealed, though there were no other details in regards to specs, and the document was dated to last year. Nevertheless, TechnoBuffalo indicated the phone is still a possibility. If you need more proof than that, tipster Evan Blass has also verified that a mini version of the LG G6 is in the works.
- LG G6 vs LG G5: What’s the difference?
- LG G6: Release date, specifications and everything you need to know
Blass said the will offer 3GB of RAM and one 13MP camera on back. He also revealed that the phone recently passed through the Federal Communications Commission as model number M700 and that it will be known as LG Q6. Interesting.
We’ll keep you posted as we learn more, concrete info.
AT&T’s DirecTV Now expands its local channel lineup
As pay TV subscriber growth declines, regional content affiliates are looking for more ways to bring in customers (and their money) via digital platforms like Sling TV, Hulu, PlayStation Vue, and DirecTV Now. One way to stem the tide of vanishing local cord-cutters is to offer more local programming, which could entice customers to bundled internet TV packages. AT&T’s Direct TV now service just announced that it has more than doubled its own live local channel line up, adding local NBC, ABC and FOX affiliates around the US. The company claims that the expansion gives DirecTV Now local coverage for almost 70 percent of US households.
It’s notable that CBS is not available through the service, as the broadcaster has typically gone its own way and offered it’s own CBS All Access package and is available on Hulu and PlayStation Vue (in select markets). CBS is also unavailable on Sling TV.
AT&T plans to add even more local ABC, NBC and FOX affiliates to its lineup by the end of August. “We are pleased to add additional content to the DirecTV Now offering by more than doubling our live local channels lineup today,” said AT&T’s Daniel York in a statement. “We will keep the momentum going, and have plans to keep the number of local channels growing on DirecTV Now.”
Source: AT&T
Twitter to stream live coverage of Wimbledon and Comic Con
Twitter’s livestreaming efforts have been well documented, and today we have news that the microblogging service is expanding it further. Variety writes that next month Twitter will broadcast the opening preview night from San Diego Comic-Con as part of a deal with entertainment publication IGN — much like what the pair did with E3 earlier this month.
Beyond geek coverage, Twitter will also stream Wimbledon coverage again. This time it’s a partnership with The All England Club rather than ESPN, as TechCrunch reports. Except instead of live matches, it sounds like you’ll see highlight reels and interviews instead. So much for not needing access to ESPN to watch top-level tennis. The tournament started June 25th and runs to July 16th.
Source: TechCrunch, Variety
‘GTA Online’ update brings new multiplayer mode and patriotic swag
Rockstar’s new update for Grand Theft Auto Online is (mostly) all about Independence Day, a holiday Americans will be celebrating through the weekend and, some, until Tuesday. The goods, which are now live, include an adversary mode dubbed “Dawn Raid,” where two teams of up to six people can parachute into a combat zone and battle it out to find hidden packages. And, since this is a 4th of July-themed update after all, you’ll also get a bunch of patriotic Stars and Stripes swag, including weapons and apparel for your avatar.
In addition to that, Rockstar is bringing a new Supercar into the mix, the “Dewbauchee Vagner.” It’s gorgeous and probably crazy fast, but that means you’re going to have to spend a good amount of virtual cash if you’d like it in your garage.
Source: Rockstar Games
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