Wondering how to backup an iPhone without iTunes? Try these six alternatives

Everyone drops their iPhone at some point. Accidents happen — we’re only human. But what do you do when you pick it up and it won’t turn on? No amount of frenzied tapping elicits a response. It doesn’t take a genius to tell you that a trip to the Genius Bar is probably in your future. Replacing a broken iPhone screen may prove to be the easy part. Replacing the photos, contacts, and messages you have on your phone takes a little more forethought.

We know how painful it is to start over when you lose a phone, which is why we’ve come up with some of the best resources for backing up your iPhone. You can always go the Apple route, sure, but iTunes and iCloud aren’t the only way to go. Plus, you’ll pay more for iCloud’s storage services than you might for a third-party app. iCloud currently offers 5GB of free storage, but 50GB will cost you $1 per month and 200GB is an extra $3 per month. Things only become more expensive from there — 2TB, anyone? Thankfully, there are other backup services available for your computer and smartphone that can keep your contacts, photos, and videos safe should your device give up unexpectedly.

If you’re wondering how to backup an iPhone without iTunes, we have six alternatives that will get the job done. We’ve also included iCloud in the roundup because, well, it does the job pretty well.

Recently purchase Apple’s iconic smartwatch? Here’s how to back up your Apple Watch, if you’re in need of a tutorial.

SynciOS

This is a free iTunes alternative that enables you to transfer and back up music, videos, photos, ebooks, apps, contacts, messages, and more. Connect your iPhone, iPad, or iPod to your Windows PC or Mac, and you can start managing the content immediately, though you’ll still need iTunes installed. The software also includes a few handy tools for creating ringtones, managing playlists, and converting audio and video files. Among the top reasons to use SynciOS is the fact that it offers the ability to download and convert videos from YouTube, Facebook, and a host of other sources. It’s easy to use and it’s free. If you don’t want to be pestered about registering, the Ultimate version costs $35.

Download now for:

Windows MacOS

PhoneCopy

PhoneCopy is a freemium app for iOS, Android, and a number of other platforms. It’s designed to create a backup of your data and store it in the cloud, where it’s then accessible via the developer’s website. It backs up contacts, SMS, calendar events, tasks, and notes. After the initial backup, it synchronizes your data for quicker backups going forward. It also saves a history of your previous backups, so if you accidentally delete an important contact or a chain of text messages, you can retrieve them directly through PhoneCopy.

Start by creating an account from your smartphone or online. Afterwards, simply tap the blue Synchronize button to back up your data to PhoneCopy’s server. Once it’s done, log into the site to view everything the app saved, or make changes to your data. Just make sure you tap Synchronize to save the changes. The basic, free version is limited. You’ll have to pay $25 per year to get the premium version.

Combine this app with a free photo and video backup app such as Shoebox or Google Photos, and you’ll be well covered.

Download now for:

iOS

CopyTrans 4Pack

For starters, Copytrans doesn’t use the cloud like some of the other choices in our roundup. The basic software represents a viable solution for anyone who just wants to backup their iPhone data and access it without an internet connection. You can click and drag contacts, calendars, apps, notes, and other data to a folder on your desktop. Aside from the attractive granular controls, the software does a good job organizing data via a contact book and a music library. The simple application comes at a price, albeit one likely cheaper than other software designed for locally storing your data. Opting for the 4-Pack ($30) will allow you to manage photos, calendars, apps, music, notes, contacts, and more from your desktop.

To use the software, download the suite from the developer’s site and connect your iPhone as you would normally. Afterwards, select the type of data you wish to back up within the CopyTrans Control Center and your device from the resulting drop-down menu before clicking the backup button.

Download now for:

Windows MacOS

Dr. Fone — $70 (Windows), $80 (MacOS)

Backing up to the cloud has definite advantages, but there are some trade-offs to consider in the form of monthly subscription fees and possible security breaches. Dr. Fone is another option for keeping it local, one that works directly with your iTunes backup to recover notes, messages, contacts, voice memos, and even Safari bookmarks that might have accidentally met their end when your finger grazed the Delete button. Sadly, this kind of granular recovery doesn’t come cheap. Though there is a free trial, the full version of Dr. Fone costs a whopping $70 for Windows, and $80 for Mac users. The software is able to recover more than 15 types of files, though, including photos, apps, and videos from older devices such as the iPhone 3GS and iPhone 4. Apple’s iCloud may be able to recover more lost media content from your iPhone, but unfortunately, you’ll need Dr. Fone to recover photos and videos directly from apps.

To use it, download the software on your PC or Mac from the Dr. Fone site and connect your iPhone as you would normally. Then, allow the program to guide you through the necessary steps to back up and recover your data from your device.

Download now for:

Windows MacOS

Lookout

Hate having to remember to back up your contacts? How about that moment of panic when you can’t find your phone? If this sounds familiar, Lookout may be the solution for you. This free app automatically saves your contacts in the cloud. Like PhoneCopy, your contacts are securely stored and easily accessible on the developer’s website.

Should you lose your phone or forget where you last left it, the app can also help you locate it when you log in to your account. From there, the app will ring your phone — even if it was placed on vibrate when you misplaced it — which is often the problem we have when our phone runs away from us. If your phone gets really lost, the app even features a kill switch designed to wipe all of your precious information should your phone fall into the wrong hands, along with a convenient feature that will ask whoever finds your phone to call specific friends who may be able to help. Of course, iCloud can do all of that as well, but Lookout also provides basic security measures to protect against malware and spyware. Moreover, the premium version of the software ($3 a month or $30 per year) allows you to automatically back up photos and manage up to three devices from a single account.

Download now for:

iOS

iCloud

Not convinced by the above backup tools? Apple provides the easiest way to back up your iPhone through iTunes on your home computer. Just remember to do it regularly and your content will be safe, even if your phone’s luck has run out. It’s easy to do, takes only a few minutes, and gives you peace of mind. Apple additionally offers automatic backups through its iCloud service, allowing you to back up the most important data from your iPhone in the cloud. Keep in mind it’s currently restricted to a mere 5GB of data — meaning you likely won’t be able to back up all your photos and videos — but you can always opt for one of three premium storage options if you prefer more space.

To use iTunes or iCloud, simply connect your iPhone to your machine as you would normally. Afterward, check the bubble directly beside the iCloud or This computer option to choose your preferred backup method from the list of available options in the Summary pane. Then, if desired, simply click the Back Up Now button to manually back up your device.

Check out our in-depth look at how to use iCloud for more information.

Access now via:

iCloud

Safe and secure

Boom! Now your iPhone’s data is safe from unpredictable mayhem and destruction. We can’t say the same for the phone’s hardware, which is always susceptible to slippery fingers, but if you’ve found a bulletproof case, feel free to toss your iPhone around with reckless abandon. After all, your data is backed up and safely stored.

Update: Revised for relevancy and pricing.

Free yourself! How to unlock a phone from the icy hands of your wireless carrier

Your two-year contract is finally up, and you want to save some money by bringing your phone to a carrier with lower rates. Sadly, odds are that your phone is locked to your carrier, which prevents you from jumping ship and using your phone on another network. Thankfully, legislation and the FCC made the process of unlocking your phone easier than ever. More importantly, it superseded an earlier decision made by the Library of Congress that interpreted cell phone unlocking as a violation of copyright (a ruling that actually saw phone unlocking rise in popularity). Cell phone unlocking, in other words, is legally permissible.

Just because unlocking your phone is legal doesn’t necessarily mean it’s easy to do, though. To that end, let’s dive into how to unlock a phone and break free of your two-year cycle with your carrier.

What you’ll need

Before you set your mind on unlocking your phone, you’ll need to keep in mind that doing so isn’t a fast process by any stretch of the imagination. Unlocking your phone can take several phone calls and hours of work. In addition, unlocking your phone before you leave your current carrier would be wise, as the incentive to help you through the process won’t be as great.

With that in mind, there are a few nuggets of information you’ll need:

• The account holder’s name and account number
• IMEI of your device
• Your phone number
• The account holder’s social security number or password
• A finished contract and/or device payment plan
• Overseas deployment papers, if the nature of your inquiry involves you being in the military and wanting to unlock your phone before your contract is up

Now that you have that information by your side, let’s see how each carrier handles unlocking your phone.

Unlocking a Verizon phone

Even though Verizon uses CDMA instead of GSM, most of Big Red’s devices come with an unlocked SIM card slot. According to Verizon, its 4G LTE devices aren’t locked, and, if you want to bring one of them to another carrier, there is no code you need to rejig the phone’s radios for other networks.

Even though SIM-equipped Verizon phones can be used on AT&T, T-Mobile, or other GSM carriers, the phone will need to have roaming GSM radios in order to make phone calls and send texts in the United States. While most recent Verizon handsets will work just fine on American GSM bands, your mileage will vary when it comes to LTE support.

Verizon doesn’t have an online unlock request, but you can call 800-711-8300 and request a SIM unlock.

The procedure’s a bit different for postpaid 3G devices on Verizon’s network. Most aren’t locked, but require that you enter a code — either “000000” or “123456” — to enable third-party cellular compatibility. Verizon’s specially branded World Devices, on the other hand, can’t be unlocked without the assistance at the request of a store tech, which you can request by dialing the company’s support line at 800-922-0204.

Unlocking a prepaid device can get a bit dicier. A vast majority of the prepaid 3G phones on Verizon can be unlocked with the code “000000” or “123456,” but Verizon’s off-the-shelf Phone-in-the-Box Prepaid handsets are locked into the network for 12 months after activation. And, as with Verizon’s World Phones, you have to call Verizon support at 888-294-6804 in order to start the process.

Unlocking an AT&T phone

The process on how to unlock a phone from AT&T is a bit more complicated than with Verizon – indeed, you’ll need to jump through a few more hoops with AT&T than you do with Verizon.

Here’s the checklist of prerequisites you’ll need to meet in order to unlock your AT&T handset:

You must be a current or former AT&T subscriber.
The device in question must be from AT&T.
It must not have been reported lost or stolen.
It must be attached to an account with “good standing” — i.e., one not associated with fraudulent activity.
It must not be active on a different AT&T customer’s account.
It must have been active for at least 60 days with “no past due or unpaid balance.”
If you’ve upgraded early, you must wait for the 14 days “buyer’s remorse” period to pass before unlocking your old phone.

Unlike Verizon, AT&T offers an unlock request form you can fill out online. After submitting it, you’ll have 24 hours to click the link within the confirmation email sent to you. After about two business days, AT&T will send instructions for unlocking your device via email. AT&T no longer specify a hard unlock limit per year, as was previously the case – instead, the company crack down on individual cases. But unless you’re sending a hundred unlock requests a month, you shouldn’t need to worry.

Apple’s iPhones, however, don’t need an unlock code. Instead, after receiving the email specifying that your unlock request was approved, remove your AT&T SIM card and insert the SIM for your new carrier to begin the setup process.

In the case of prepaid devices (anything on AT&T Prepaid/GoPhone), AT&T also requires that they’ve been active for at least six months. The network offers limited unlock support via its support line, 800-331-0500, but doesn’t officially unlock handsets over the phone.

Unlocking a T-Mobile phone

There are several things to keep in mind if you want to unlock your T-Mobile phone:

It must be a device from T-Mobile.
It must not have been reported lost, stolen, or blocked.
It must be attached to an account that has not been canceled, and is in “good standing.”
It must have been active at least 40 days on the requesting line.
If the device is on a service contract, at least 18 consecutive monthly payments must have been made.
If using T-Mobile’s Equipment Installment Plan, or if your phone is leased through JUMP! On Demand, all payments must be made and the device must be fully paid for.
You’ve made fewer than two unlock requests, per line, in a single year.
T-Mobile may request to see proof of purchase.

If your handset is a prepaid model, it’ll need to have been active for at least one year, and the account associated with it must have had more than $100 in refills.

So long as you satisfy those requirements, you can use T-Mobile Mobile Device Unlock app to complete the unlocking process. Alternatively, you can unlock your phone through a live chat with a T-Mobile customer representative, or by calling 800-746-0949 (or 611) from a T-Mobile device.

Unlocking a Sprint phone

Before unlocking your Sprint phone, you’ll need to ensure your device and account meet the requirements below.

It must be a device from Sprint.
It must be Domestic SIM Unlock capable (if unlocking for the domestic United States).
It must not have been reported lost, stolen, blocked, or associated with other fraudulent activity.
It must be attached to an account with “good standing.”
It must have been active at least 50 days on the requesting line.
There must be no outstanding or pending payments or fees.
You’ve made fewer than two unlock requests per line in a single year.

If you’re unlocking for international use, there are a couple of other requirements you need to meet:

The device must be capable of international SIM unlock.
The device and associated account must have been active for at least 90 days.

If you’re a member of the U.S. military deployed overseas and you want your Sprint phone unlocked, the aforementioned requirements still apply. In addition:

You, and any relatives on the same account, must be active members of a branch of the United States military, and need to have overseas deployment papers, if applicable.

There’s a massive caveat when it comes to Sprint’s unlocking capabilities, however. Because the carrier, like Verizon, relies on a relatively obscure networking technology (CDMA), Sprint-branded phones that have been manufactured with a SIM slot within the past several years can’t be unlocked to accept a different carrier’s SIM card.

Sprint says that domestic SIM card-based devices launched after 2015 will automatically unlock when they become eligible. Alternatively, you can request an unlock either through an online chat with a customer representative or via a call to 888-211-4727 (*2 from a Sprint device).

Uniquely, Sprint offers short-term unlocking for international travel. Assuming you meet the above requirements, you can log into your online account and navigate to the relevant page. Simply click on the “My Account” tab, pick your phone from the resulting list, and select “Unlock device to use int’l SIM” from the “Manage this device” drop-down menu. If you’d rather have a Sprint rep walk you through the process, though, you can request an over-the-phone unlock at 888-226-7212.

Watch our Samsung Galaxy Note 8 hands-on preview video!

The Galaxy Note 8 is finally here, and there’s a whole lot here to take in. You’ve seen the latest news and probably read our Galaxy Note 8 preview as well, trying to learn as much as you can about the latest Note. But if you want to get the condensed take on the phone, and actually see it in action rather than just in photos, you’ll want to watch our excellent hands-on preview video as well!

So be sure to watch the video above to get a better feel for the Note 8, and then stick here at Android Central to get all of the details you crave.

• Android Central on YouTube
• Samsung Galaxy Note 8 hands-on preview
• Latest Galaxy Note 8 news

Moto Z2 Play vs. OnePlus 5: A one-sided contest

OnePlus and Motorola currently offer two of the best phones in the sub-$500 segment.

OnePlus differentiated itself by offering phones with high-end specs for a couple hundred dollars less than the competition, and the OnePlus 5 builds on that foundation. The Chinese manufacturer hasn’t changed its formula all that much, with the OnePlus 5 retaining the same Full HD panel as last year’s phones. However, it does feature an all-new dual camera setup, 8GB of RAM, and runs Qualcomm’s 10nm Snapdragon 835.

Motorola also decided to play it safe with the successor to the Moto Z Play. The Z2 Play sports an all-metal chassis, but the internals have remained largely intact and the battery life has been reduced in favor of a sleeker profile, with the phone coming in a whole millimeter thinner than its predecessor. The Z2 Play retails for $499 — $20 more than the $479 OnePlus 5 — and while the phone may not offer as much value from a spec standpoint, it is one of the better options available in this segment.

Motorola’s commitment to the Moto Mods ecosystem — wherein phones in the Moto Z series will continue to support mods for three generations — means there isn’t a whole lot of leeway when it comes to designing a new device. And even though the brushed aluminum chassis certainly makes the Z2 Play feel much more premium when seen next to its predecessor, the OnePlus 5 looks better overall — its similarities to the iPhone 7 notwithstanding.

The smooth aluminum exterior combined with the flowing curves and rounded edges give the OnePlus 5 a leg up over the Z2 Play, and the build quality is right up there with the likes of the Galaxy S8 and the LG G6.

The OnePlus 5 has a more refined design, but it isn’t without its drawbacks.

Motorola and OnePlus took two different approaches when it comes to integrating the antenna bands into the design of their phones — the Z2 Play has bands that run along the edges at the back, while the OnePlus 5 has the bands tucked away at the top and bottom of the device. OnePlus’ implementation gives the OnePlus 5 a cleaner look at the back, but Motorola has also managed to do a great job of maintaining a similar design aesthetic with the rest of its portfolio.

The Z2 Play has the power and volume buttons located on the right, which isn’t the most well-thought-out design decision. Although the power button is textured, it is positioned slightly lower than where you’d normally find it on a phone. This was done to accommodate the volume buttons (which sit above), so more often than not you end up hitting volume down when you’re trying to unlock the phone.

The OnePlus 5 doesn’t have any such issues. The power button is on the right, the volume rocker is to the left, and the Alert Slider — which lets you easily toggle Do Not Disturb — is above the volume buttons. Alert Slider continues to be one of those minor additions that make a lot of difference in day-to-day use, and as much as I like it, it’s about time OnePlus offered a way to set schedules automatic rules for Do Not Disturb.

Both phones have reliable fingerprint sensors located at the front, and they’re quick to authenticate and unerringly accurate. Continuing on with the similarities, both devices sport camera protrusions at the back. It is a minor hump on the OnePlus 5, but the sensor on the Z2 Play juts out considerably from the frame of the device. That said, the paint job around the camera sensor of my OnePlus 5 is the worse for wear after a month of use.

The Z2 Play is powered by a 14nm Snapdragon 626, offering a 10% uptick in performance from the 625 featured in the Z Play. You also get 4GB of RAM, 64GB storage, and a 3000mAh battery. Meanwhile, the OnePlus 5 is running the Snapdragon 835, along with 6GB of RAM, 64GB storage, and a 3300mAh battery. The 6GB model is more than adequate for most consumers, but if you’re looking for a future-proof device, you can always pick up the variant with 8GB of RAM and 128GB storage for $539.

The Z2 Play is no slouch either, but it loses out to the OnePlus 5 when it comes to sheer performance. The OnePlus 5 is one of the fastest phones available in the market today, and it’s just a delightful experience to use the phone on a day-to-day basis knowing that it won’t slow down no matter what you throw at it.

As for battery life, you can expect a day’s worth of usage out of both phones. The Z2 Play is no longer a battery champion, but the 3000mAh battery gives at least four hours of screen-on-time spread out over the course of a day. And when you need to top it up, you can always use TurboPower fast charging. The same holds true for the OnePlus 5 — you’ll get anywhere between three and a half to four hours of screen-on-time.

The OnePlus 5 and Z2 Play are evenly matched when it comes to the software side of things. Both companies offer a clean software experience that doesn’t include a ton of pre-installed apps, instead providing differentiation with a variety of customizations. For Motorola, that revolves around Moto Display and Moto Actions.

Moto Display is the best way to preview incoming notifications when the screen is off, and with Moto Actions, you get a series of gestures that makes it easier to use the phone. The gestures include a swipe up motion from the bottom of the screen to launch one-handed mode, a double-chop motion for toggling the flashlight, a twist gesture to open the camera, and more.

Both the Z2 Play and OnePlus 5 offer an uncluttered software experience.

As for the OnePlus 5, OxygenOS offers a ton of customization options that let you make the device your own. The best part about the way it is implemented is that you don’t necessarily have to tinker with your phone’s settings if you don’t want to. There are gestures for controlling music playback, waking up the screen, and launching apps, and the OnePlus also features a Reading Mode that makes the screen go grayscale, making it easier to read text.

The only question when it comes to the software is the update situation. OnePlus has rolled out consistent updates to the OnePlus 5 over the last two months, and has committed to releasing Android Oreo within the end of the year for the OnePlus 3/3T. It’s likely the OnePlus 5 will also pick up the update at around the same time.

One of Motorola’s main strengths is its ability to roll out quick updates, but with an ever-growing portfolio of devices under its belt, the company will be straining its engineering resources.

When it comes to camera quality, the 16MP primary shooter on the OnePlus 5 comes out in front. The 12MP camera on the Z2 Play is decent in its own right, but it is outmatched by the OnePlus 5. That’s not even taking into account the fact that the OnePlus 5 has a secondary shooter that acts as a telephoto lens.

Moto Z2 Play on the left, OnePlus 5 on the right.

Bottom line

Overall, Motorola introduced several key changes with the Z2 Play that make it a better device when seen next to its predecessor. The phone no longer has a battery that lasts for two days, but you get a much more premium design and a better camera. However, with a price tag of $499 for the unlocked version, the Z2 Play doesn’t really scream value for money.

That’s what makes the OnePlus 5 so enticing. Even though it retails for $479, the phone manages to offer an experience that’s comparable to devices that cost several hundred dollars more.

OnePlus 5

• Complete OnePlus 5 review
• OnePlus 5 specs
• Which OnePlus 5 model should you buy?
• Camera comparison: OnePlus 5 vs. Galaxy S8
• The latest OnePlus 5 news
• Join the discussion in the forums

OnePlus
Amazon

The Morning After: Thursday, August 24th 2017

Hey, good morning! You look fabulous.

The Galaxy Note 8 has arrived. Sure, we have the full breakdown below, but if you just want to relive the reveal event, we’ve cut a highlight video of the best 10 minutes to help you catch up quickly. Oh, and Elon Musk showed off a stylish new space suit. It’s Thursday.

Samsung’s big phone is back.Meet the Galaxy Note 8

Fans of large phones have been waiting for Samsung’s next Galaxy Note since the last one suffered a devastating recall last year. Now that the Note 8 is revealed, Chris Velazco says it’s “a huge, beautifully made phone that just might be good enough to make people forget about its poorly designed predecessor.” That includes the first dual-camera setup on a Note — it’s worth the wait — a slightly smaller battery than the Note 7 (for reasons that should be obvious) and new software tweaks like shortcuts that launch two apps at once in split-screen mode. All of those features drive up its price, which will start north of $900, although Note 7 owners can expect a hefty discount.

Fanboy fuel.Galaxy Note 8 by the numbers

Forget the preview, you’re all about the specs, and here they are. We’ve got your comparisons ready, breaking down Samsung’s new phablet vs. its predecessor as well as some large-screened competition (S8+, U11, iPhone 7 Plus).

Ready for landscape, event and portrait photographersNikon’s D850 blends speed and resolution

The newest DSLR from Nikon includes a massive 45.7-megapixel sensor, and it’s capable of capturing full-res images at up to 9 fps. For video, it’s capable of 4K at 60 fps, 1080p at up to 120 fps and 8K time-lapse clips. Spec-wise the D850 compares very well to competition like the 5DS or GFX 50S, and will cost $3,300 (body only) when it starts shipping next month.

Who needs a thin-and-light?HP’s Omen X is a monstrous, customizable gaming laptop

While other gaming laptops are trending towards slim and portable, HP is showing off its hefty 10.8 lb Omen X. It’s expandable, with the opportunity to upgrade RAM, storage and other parts. Plus, the cooling system is prepared for overclocking, and it has a mechanical keyboard. Look for this one in November with a price starting at $2,000.

Can the cold vacuum of space crush the ‘gram?Elon Musk shows off SpaceX’s custom space suit on Instagram

According to the SpaceX and Tesla boss, this suit is no mere mockup, already tested to “double vacuum pressure.” We’re expecting more glamour shots over the coming days, so stay tuned.

Yes, it’s named after ‘WoW’Inside ‘Carcraft,’ Waymo’s virtual world for testing self-driving car AI

Google’s autonomous vehicle project has logged about three million real-world miles, but a report in The Atlantic opens up its virtual world where 25,000 simulated cars cover 2.5 billion miles every day.

Keep an eye on IFASamsung will unveil its next Gear S smartwatch on Aug. 30th

After the Galaxy Note 8, Samsung’s next big mobile debut is probably a wearable device. Executive DJ Koh says we can expect to see a new Gear S smartwatch at IFA, where Samsung will have a press event on August 30th. As far as features, it will probably have a renewed focus on health monitoring, while previous leaks hinted at the arrival of a water-resistant Gear Fit 2 Pro as well.

But wait, there’s more…

• The next phase of Apple’s self-driving car project is an employee shuttle
• Get ready for ‘Monument Valley 2’ on Android
• ‘Fallout,’ ‘Doom’ and ‘Skyrim’ will launch in VR this year
• Life with AI: one week with Samsung Bixby
• ‘Star Wars Battlefront II’ adds tactical weight to space combat

The Morning After is a new daily newsletter from Engadget designed to help you fight off FOMO. Who knows what you’ll miss if you don’t subscribe.

Ariel’s electric supercar promises 1180 horsepower

No sooner had rumors started circulating that car manufacturer Ariel had something special in the works than the company came out and confirmed it was true. An electric supercar with more than 1000 horsepower is on its way, and fittingly for a vehicle capable of such impressive speeds, it’ll be arriving soon, unveiled fully in 2019 and on sale in 2020.

Its working title is Hipercar, short for “high-performance carbon reduction” (although its final name is TBC — the company registered “Elektron” in late 2016), and its credentials are seriously exciting. The all-wheel drive version uses four small motors at each wheel to produce 1180 horsepower and 1330 pound-feet of torque. It’ll hit 60mph in just 2.4 seconds, with a top speed of 160mph. The two (rear) wheel version boasts 590 horsepower and 665 pound-feet of torque. It’ll also be fitted with a range-extending petrol generator turbine, providing 35kW for the batteries as needed. Ariel says it’ll be “the first true electric supercar that’ll cross continents, drive to town and lap a race track”.

Unlike Ariel’s previous automotive ventures, the Atom and the Nomad, Hipercar will be a closed car. We won’t find out until 2019 exactly what it’ll look like, but you can expect it to pack a visual punch. The renderings show angular body panels, gullwing doors and chunky tyres — the sort of thing Batman might drive. And, given the specs, the sort of thing only Batman could afford. Speaking to autoblog, Ariel founder Simon Saunders said, “It will be an expensive car because of the technology involved. But when compared to £1 million-plus supercars, which it will outperform, it’s going to represent excellent value for money.”

Via: autoblog

Source: Ariel

Carphone Warehouse says a lack of ‘innovation’ is hurting sales

Your smartphone is probably the most important technology purchase you’ll ever make. It travels everywhere you go, delivers the sum of total human knowledge and helps you capture important memories with photos and video. In fact, they’re so good at providing these features that you might not feel the need to upgrade when the time comes. That, or the next-generation devices designed to replace them simply don’t innovate enough.

It’s a trend that many technology enthusiasts already recognise. But now one UK retailer is loudly echoing that sentiment. On Thursday, Dixons Carphone — owner of the Currys PC World and Carphone Warehouse brands — issued a trading update, warning that profits would not meet its previous expectations. Electrical sales are performing well, up 6 percent, but “a more challenging UK postpay mobile phone market” is playing havoc with the company’s balance sheet.

Dixons Carphone forecasts that the rising price of premium handsets and lower EU roaming charges will cause profits to drop to between £360 million and £440 million, which is significantly down from £501 million it recorded last year. “Currency fluctuations have meant that handsets have become more expensive whilst technical innovation has been more incremental,” the company said in its statement. “As a consequence, we have seen an increased number of people hold on to their phones for longer.”

This week, the pound hit its lowest level against the euro since 2009. The currency has weakened considerably since the Brexit vote in June 2016, which has resulted in higher import costs and higher inflation. Since the vote, the world’s biggest technology companies — including Apple, Microsoft, Sonos and HTC — have raised the prices of their products.

But that doesn’t take away from the fact that smartphones, at least over the past couple of years, have largely failed to innovate. All mid-to-high handsets now have big vibrant displays, camera sensors that capture an insane amount of detail and enough RAM to put a PC to shame. Samsung’s snazzy Note 8 event yesterday showed that while smartphones continue to improve, it’s basically a bigger Samsung Galaxy S8+ with smattering of small feature upgrades.

Is that enough to tempt Britons into upgrading to the latest and greatest? Dixons Carphone does believe that the smartphone market will return to normal, but it might take a while. The Samsung Note 8 and the upcoming iPhone 8 launches might help, but the company reckons it’s too early to say whether the flagships can reverse the negative trend it’s experiencing.

Source: Dixons Carphone

‘Life is Strange: Before the Storm’ is all about being a wiseass teen

Before she was the absurdly cool burnout who stole our hearts in Life is Strange, Chloe Price was just a normal, melodramatic teenage loner trying to cope without her best friend. Chloe doesn’t have the ability to rewind time, like the original game’s lead Max Caulfield. But, in the prequel Life is Strange: Before the Storm, she does have an impeccable wit and the courage to tell anyone off. As you’d expect, those are traits that can both help her or get her into more trouble.

Chloe’s snarky nature is front and center in Before the Storm, thanks to a new feature called Backtalk. Basically, it’s a way of countering your conversational opponents at key moments, often by using information they’ve revealed against them. In a demo at Gamescom today, Chloe managed to squirrel out of a confrontation with her high school’s principle over her drug use. The key to her success? She mentioned that revealing the full extent of drugs being taken at the school could severely hurt its reputation and insurance premiums.

“It’s not a replacement for rewind, that’s not how we’re looking at it and treating it,” producer David Hein told Engadget. “It’s a dialog system crafted specifically for Chloe Price, that adds another level to the complexity of choices and consequences. It’s not about winning or losing, it’s just about setting you down a different branch or path.”

Sure, it doesn’t sound as fun as time travel, but it’s a smart way of portraying Chloe as the ultimate rebellious teen. Just imagine how sick your burns would have been at her age if you had the time to think and carefully articulate all of your responses. (The game also displays a small overlay that tracks just how well you’re sassing during an important chat.) While developer Deck Nine hints that we might see some supernatural aspects of the story, the big difference between Before the Storm and the original title is that the prequel is rooted in very simple and human problems.

Chloe is effectively alone at the start of the game. Max left for a fancy art school away from Arcadia Bay; her mom is dating a guy she can’t stand; and she has little regard for almost everyone around her. Everyone, that is, except Rachel Amber, the mysterious girl who ends up becoming her close friend (and whose disappearance kicks off the events of the first game).

Beyond the Backtalk feature, the prequel series will also offer more branching pathways for its story, as well as more ways for small decisions to have a big impact. In the first scene of the demo, Chloe confronted a bouncer in front of a grungy club. She could have gotten in with a successful Backtalk attempt, but if she failed, she would have had to find another way to sneak inside the club. Once she made her way in, she could choose to steal an expensive band t-shirt from a particularly disrespectful vendor. Going further, she could steal his money, as well, and later use it to either pay off her drug dealer or surreptitiously help her cash-strapped mom.

Deck Nine

It’s clear that Deck Nine is trying to make a big impression with the game. For one, they have to prove that they can handle the series as well as the original developers, Dontnod (who are working on a full-fledged Life is Strange sequel). But Deck Nine, which has been behind games like Ratchet: Deadlocked when they were previously known as Idol Minds, is also eager to establish themselves as specialists in narrative-driven titles.

They’ve developed two custom tools that lets them script and stage those sorts of games, which is one reason Square Enix tapped them for Before the Storm. Instead of the Unreal Engine, they’ve also transitioned the game’s engine to Unity, which might be why it looks a bit different than the first title. And while the trailer above looks a bit rough, rest assured that the game looks significantly better in action.

Based on what I’ve seen so far, it looks like Deck Nine has managed to capture the teenage spirit of Life is Strange. But it remains to be seen if that’s enough to carry the prequel series. You can snag the first episode of Before the Storm on August 31 on Xbox One, PlayStation 4 and PC.

Follow all the latest news live from Gamescom here!

Safari in iOS 11 Turns Google AMP Links Back into Original Web Links When Shared

Apple has made a subtle tweak to Safari in iOS 11 to ensure the browser automatically strips out Google AMP URLs when a web page is shared or copy-pasted on an iPhone and iPad (via The Verge).

The discovery was made yesterday by MacStories’ Federico Viticci when he tried sharing an AMP article viewed in Safari to iMessage and Reading List.

Accelerated Mobile Pages (AMP) is an open source publishing format that was made by Google to strip online articles of extraneous page furniture and improve their loading speed. AMP results are built into the company’s mobile search engine results (for example, in the carousel in the Google News app).

Very nice: when sharing AMP pages to iMessage or Reading List, iOS 11 Safari automatically removes AMP’s crap from the URL. Go Apple 👍 pic.twitter.com/aHgSMcofUv

— Federico Viticci (@viticci) August 23, 2017

However, the format has come in for heavy criticism from several developers because of the way it obfuscates the canonical web URL that the content is gleaned from. Most AMP pages remove any URL link to the original publication and often strip out branding along with advertising and internal links, which also cedes control of web page analytics data to Google.

Apple’s decision to have iOS 11 serve original links appears to be a willful rejection of Google’s publishing format, which differs from Apple News links in that AMP links don’t require an installed app in order to function. It’s not certain this decision will be reflected in the final version of iOS 11, but we’ll know soon enough – the public release of Apple’s new mobile OS is due sometime next month.

Related Roundup: iOS 11
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Amazon Offering $101 Off Sony’s MDR-1000X Noise-Canceling Bluetooth Headphones

Amazon is currently offering $101 off the price of Sony’s highly rated MDR-1000X noise-canceling Bluetooth headphones, which came out last October and usually retail at $399.

The headphones boast the same drivers as the company’s well-regarded MDR-1A headset made for listening to Hi-Res Audio, as supported by the company’s Walkman range and its line of wireless home speakers and in-car audio systems.

They also offer up to 20 hours’ battery life, touch controls, and exceptional adaptive noise-canceling, rivaling the likes of Bose’s QuietComfort 3 and Sennheiser’s PXC 550.

In addition, Sony’s headset supports the full range of wireless codecs, including AAC, aptX, SBC, and the company’s proprietary LDAC, which transmits up to three times more data than conventional Bluetooth for superior sound on supporting devices.

The cans are available on Amazon for $298 in beige or black. You can read MacRumors’ in-depth review of Sony’s MDR-1000X headphones here.

Note: MacRumors may benefit from affiliate links clicked in this article.

Tags: discounts, Sony
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