Apple Stops Accepting Returns and Exchanges in Hong Kong Ahead of New iPhones

Apple today updated its sales policy in Hong Kong to indicate all products purchased at Apple’s online and retail stores in the country on and after August 15, 2017 cannot be returned or exchanged indefinitely.

As an exception to the rule, Apple will still honor exchanges for defective products in Hong Kong at its sole discretion.

Apple didn’t provide a reason for the policy change, but it’s likely a precautionary move ahead of new iPhone models expected in September. The same policy went into effect in Hong Kong on iPhone 7 launch day last year.

Hong Kong is a hotbed for black market electronics due to the lack of import taxes and duties added to foreign goods purchased, as is the case in neighboring mainland China. Scalpers often attempt to illegally smuggle new iPhones across the border to mainland China to make significant profits.

Hong Kong scalper spotted “walking strangely” across the border into mainland China in 2015 via South China Morning Post
When the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus launched in Hong Kong last year, for example, the smartphones hit the black market for as much as $15,000 in Hong Kong dollars, which was slightly over $1,900 in U.S. dollars.

Apple’s standard return policy in Hong Kong is already stricter than in some other countries. For volume purchases of four products or more, the return window is seven days, and there is a 25 percent restocking fee per unit.

Apple will likely revert back to its standard return policy in Hong Kong at some point, but it didn’t specify when.

Tags: Hong Kong, Apple retail
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DJI Announces ‘Local Data Mode’ to Fly Drones Without Internet Connection

Drone company DJI this week announced a new “local data mode” that breaks any internet connection between the DJI drone and a user’s smartphone, which the company said will greatly enhance security and data privacy when users enable the mode (via Reuters).

The announcement comes a few weeks after the United States Army ordered its members to stop using DJI drones due to “cyber vulnerabilities,” believed to be related to the drones’ ability to save flight logs, photos, or videos onto a smartphone app, and then onto DJI’s servers if the user chose to do so.

DJI announced the Spark drone earlier this year
Brendan Schulman, vice president of policy and legal affairs at DJI, said that business and government customers in particular have since raised concerns about sensitive content — “such as movie footage or images of critical infrastructure” — potentially leaking out.

DJI said it does not collect images, video or flight logs from users unless they share them. But turning on the new “local data mode” will prevent accidental syncing with DJI’s servers. Its drones do not rely on an internet connection to fly.

Cutting the link between the internet and DJI’s controller apps that run on tablets and mobile phones will disable updates of maps, flight restrictions and other data that the controller application receives from the internet while the drone is in use, he said.

Because of the Army’s memo, DJI sped up work on local data mode, which it says has been in the works for several months. When activated, the new mode blocks all internet data, so DJI apps will not update maps, geofencing information, newly-issued flight restrictions, “and may result in other performance limitations.” But, even without an internet connection, the company’s drones can still be piloted as normal.

While the mode will be available for everyone, DJI is focusing on “professional, commercial, government, and educational users” who might fly a DJI drone to capture critical infrastructure, commercial trade secrets, or governmental functions.

“We are pleased about how rapidly DJI’s customer base has expanded from hobbyists and personal drone pilots to include professional, commercial, government and educational users,” said Jan Gasparic, DJI head of enterprise partnership. “As more of these customers have asked for additional assurances about how their data is handled, DJI has moved to address their needs by developing local data mode to provide enhanced data management options for customers who want to use them.”

Local data mode will arrive in an update to DJI’s suite of apps by the end of September. If any location has regulations that require drone pilots to fly with the most updated maps and information, the offline mode “may not be available” in those areas.

Tag: DJI
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Schlage Sense Smart Deadbolt Now Remotely Controllable With Wi-Fi Adapter

Schlage today released a new Wi-Fi adapter that enables iOS and Android users to control the Schlage Sense Smart Deadbolt away from home.

Schlage Sense is a Bluetooth-enabled smart deadbolt compatible with HomeKit, allowing homeowners to control it using Siri voice commands or the Home app on iOS 10 or later. The lock has a touchpad and comes in various finishes.

The adapter plugs into a wall outlet, connects to a home’s Wi-Fi network, and allows the lock to be controlled remotely with the Schlage Sense app, which is free to download on the App Store [Direct Link] or Google Play.

With the Wi-Fi adapter, Schlage Sense owners can check on and change the lock’s status from anywhere in the Schlage Sense app. The app also provides push notifications when the adapter detects that the lock has been used.

It was already possible to remotely control a Schlage Sense lock with a third-generation Apple TV or newer and, in terms of price, that may remain the less expensive or more worthwhile option for many homeowners.

Schlage’s Wi-Fi adapter costs $70, the same price as the third-generation Apple TV at many retailers, in the United States. In fact, many new or used third-generation Apple TVs are considerably cheaper by this point.

At $149, even a fourth-generation Apple TV is worth considering, as it can be configured as a Home Hub to control other HomeKit-enabled smart home accessories. Needless to say, it’s also an entire Apple TV.

Schlage said the Wi-Fi adapter is available today at Amazon, HomeDepot.com, Lowes.com, and Build.com. The Schlage Sense Smart Deadbolt is sold by Apple, Amazon, and select Lowe’s and Home Depot stores for $229.95 or less.

Tags: HomeKit, Schlage, Schlage Sense Smart Deadbolt
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Swim support and Spotify streaming rumored for Samsung’s Gear Fit 2 Pro

Why it matters to you

The Gear Fit 2 Pro set to become a more comprehensive fitness tracker than its predecessor with the addition of swim support.

Samsung may be focusing most of its efforts on the Galaxy Note 8, but rumors are gathering the company may have a new wearable device to announce alongside the big-screen phone. It’s called the Gear Fit 2 Pro, and it’s rumored to be an evolution of the Gear Fit 2, one of our favorite fitness tracking wristbands.

If the leaks are correct, it’s clear why the Gear Fit 2 Pro doesn’t really deserve the name Gear Fit 3. Its design is very similar to the Gear Fit 2, and the features are general updates over the existing model. The alterations made to the original Gear Fit to create the Gear Fit 2 were far greater. The gently curved screen stays on, and is snugly integrated with a silicone body with a plastic underside, presumably where a heart rate monitor will live.

There is one difference between the Gear Fit 2 and Fit 2 Pro that the leaked images highlight: The end of the press-stud fixing, and the introduction of a watch-like clasp. This makes the Gear Fit 2 Pro look more mature, and should make it more secure on the wrist. The leak shows a black and red Gear Fit 2, but we’d expect to see different colors offered at launch.

What’s new? The Gear Fit 2 Pro will be swim-proof, and water-resistant to 5 ATM, unlike the IP68 rated Gear Fit 2. Additionally, Samsung has apparently integrated support for a Speedo app, which we assume is the Speedo Fit platform. Aside from the swimming aspect, no other changes to the fitness tracking side have been rumored for the Gear Fit 2 Pro, though it may come with a subscription to Under Armour’s premium Record fitness management platform.

Samsung wants you to wear the Gear Fit 2 Pro and not have to carry your phone. In addition to introducing GPS on the new wearable, it’s expected to add offline Spotify music playback. This should mean you can download playlists directly to the band, and then listen using a Bluetooth headset when out running, without the need to carry your phone. Handy. Whether any other streaming music services will be supported is unknown. Like the Gear Fit 2, the Fit 2 Pro should work with Android and iOS devices.

While a launch date of August 23 is being rumored, it’s not known when the Gear Fit 2 Pro will be released. We’ll keep you updated here.

Qualcomm depth-sensing tech could turn your phone into an AR powerhouse

Why it matters to you

Your phone will soon not only take better photos, but will also be able to handle high-tech augmented reality applications.

Rumors are gaining steam that the next iPhone will boast an impressive depth-sensing camera that will be able to map the room in front of you in 3D. Well, seems as though Qualcomm is beating Apple to the punch — the company just announced its new depth-sensing tech in the form of an upgrade to Spectra.

So what’s the point of depth-sensing technology? There are some pretty neat applications for it — one of which is augmented reality. Depth-sensing is, for example, a big part of the camera module used in Google Tango phones, which are built for augmented reality use. That could be pretty important going forward — especially as AR and VR continue to become important aspects of future smartphones.

Having better depth-sensing technology has applications beyond AR — in fact, it could seriously improve our simple photographs. For example, it could improve the quality of the bokeh effect we’re seeing available on newer smartphones. In fact, it could allow users to change the focus in the picture even after taking a photo — that’s made possible through a so-called “depth map,” which stores all the depth-related information with the image itself.

There are a few things that make Qualcomm’s new tech so impressive. For starters, the company told us that its camera module captures a hefty 10,000 points of depth — and even that number is apparently conservative. In the highest resolution, that represents 0.1mm in between each point, which, according to Qualcomm, makes it the most accurate depth-sensing technology on the market.

First launched last year, the Qualcomm Spectra camera module made it easier for manufacturers to implement dual-sensor cameras in smartphones. The new module takes things to the next level — and will require three camera sensors to take advantage of active depth sensing.

Of course, it may be at least a few months before we start seeing this tech in the real world. Qualcomm says it will be available as part of the company’s next flagship processor — which will be the Snapdragon 836. Some reports indicate that the Google Pixel 2 will be among the first phones to feature the new chip — so it’s possible we could see the new camera tech on the upcoming Pixel, though only time will tell.

Deal: Get 2 lines of unlimited data with Cricket for $80

Cricket Wireless is introducing a new special offer: 2 Lines of unlimited data for $80 out-the-door!

Cricket Wireless has a great deal for new customers looking to get unlimited data. Right now, you can get two lines of unlimited data for just $80 — get the first line for $55/month and the second line is just $25/month ($30 discount!). And that’s not all — you can also get a $50 bill credit when you bring your current number to Cricket (credit will be received within 60 days). Cricket supports any GSM-compatible phone.

And don’t forget the $80 pricing for 2 lines with unlimited data is the sweet, out-the-door price; the all-in pricing includes all taxes, surcharges, and fees. This deal is not eligible for autopay or GroupSave discounts.

Here’s what you’ll get with Cricket Unlimited data plan:

• Unlimited talk, text to/from US, Canada, and Mexico
• Unlimited data running on AT&T’s network
• Video streaming at SD quality (480p)

Shop Plans at Cricket

Qualcomm announces new depth-sensing technology for Android cameras

Second generation Spectra Module Program brings 3D depth-sensing and improved biometric authentication to Android devices.

Qualcomm introduced the Spectra ISP powered Clear Sight dual-camera system in 2016 with the promise of “astonishing results that mimic human vision.” Today it is upping the ante with the second generation Spectra Module Program that brings 3D computer vision to Android products using the Qualcomm Snapdragon Platform.

That’s the sort of news that gets futurists and engineers excited, but everyone benefits here, and not in a small way. What Qualcomm is promising amounts to a two-camera setup that can sense physical depth and motion in real time, using off-the-shelf parts. Manufacturers can use these products for AR and biometric security on phones, tablets, and stand-alone Head-Mounted displays like the coming LG and HTC Daydream models.

While our first instincts will be to compare this to Google’s Tango product, which Qualcomm also supports through its optimized Snapdragon 835’s ISP, we shouldn’t make that leap. Where Tango uses specialized equipment complete with sensors and cameras specialized for specific AR applications, the new Spectra Modules are replacements for the existing camera hardware used on “regular” phones.

This new hardware will be able to bridge the gap between existing hardware and something more specialized like Google’s Tango.

Using the new system on rear-mounted camera setups, apps can track motion and determine distance using the depth-sensing properties. Developers will be able to use this to create applications that incorporate alternate reality on a per-app level. And they should be able to take some really great photos, too.

When used in a front-facing camera, biometric security through Iris scanning or 3D facial recognition will be greatly increased. Collecting data and processing it in “real-time” bridges the gap between existing systems and the specialized Tango platform.

Qualcomm hasn’t yet announced any partners who plan to incorporate the new Spectra Module system, but we imagine those will follow as companies develop and announce new products.

You can read the full press release below and find out more information at Qualcomm.com

Qualcomm First to Announce Depth-Sensing Camera Technology Designed For Android Ecosystem

— Unveils next-generation Qualcomm Spectra ISP for computer vision, extended reality and computational photography technologies—

SAN DIEGO — August 15, 2017 — Today Qualcomm Incorporated (NASDAQ:QCOM), through its subsidiary, Qualcomm Technologies Inc., announced an expansion to the Qualcomm® Spectra™ Module Program, capable of improved biometric authentication and high-resolution depth sensing, designed to meet growing demands of photo and video for a broad range of mobile devices and head mounted displays (HMD). This module program is built on the cutting-edge technology behind the Qualcomm® SpectraTM embedded image signal processors (ISP) family. Engineered by Qualcomm Technologies from the ground up, Qualcomm Spectra paves the way for future image quality and computer vision innovations in upcoming Qualcomm® SnapdragonTM Mobile Platforms.

“Whether used for computational photography, video recording, or for computer vision applications that require accurate motion tracking, it’s clear that power efficient camera image signal processing has become more important for the next generation of mobile user experiences,” said Tim Leland, vice president of product management, Qualcomm TechnologiesInc. “Our breakthrough advancements in visual quality and computer vision, combined with our family of integrated Spectra ISPs for Snapdragon, are designed to support an ecosystem of cutting edge mobile applications for our customers.”

Together, the new ISPs and camera modules are engineered to support superior image quality and new computer vision use cases that utilize deep learning techniques and bokeh quality image experiences with a faster time to market for smartphone and HMD devices. The next-generation ISPs feature a new camera architecture designed for advancements in computer vision, image
quality and power efficiency for the next Snapdragon mobile and VR platforms. The camera module program additions consist of a trio of camera modules, including an iris authentication
module, a passive depth sensing module and an active depth sensing module.

Qualcomm Spectra Module Program

Launched last year, the Qualcomm Spectra Module Program was designed to help customers accelerate time to market for devices with stunning image quality and advanced camera technology. Last year’s offerings provided customers with optimized, dual-camera module solutions that make it easy for manufacturers to produce smartphone cameras with improved low light photography and video recording with smooth zoom. Now, the camera module program is
being expanded to include new camera modules capable of utilizing active sensing for superior biometric authentication, and structured light for a variety of computer vision applications that require real-time, dense depth map generation and segmentation.

Second-generation Qualcomm Spectra ISP

The second-generation Qualcomm Spectra ISP is the next family of integrated ISPs that utilizes new hardware and software architecture designed specifically for advancements in computer vision, image quality, and power efficiency in future Snapdragon platforms. It features multiframe noise reduction for superior photographic quality, along with hardware-accelerated motion compensated temporal filtering (MCTF), and inline electronic image stabilization (EIS) for
superior camcorder-like video quality.

The low-power, high-performance motion tracking capabilities of the Qualcomm Spectra ISP, in addition to optimized simultaneous localization and mapping (SLAM) algorithms, are designed to support new extended reality (XR) use cases for virtual and augmented reality applications that require SLAM.

The Qualcomm Spectra family of ISPs and new Qualcomm Spectra camera modules are expected to be part of the next flagship Snapdragon Mobile Platform.

About Qualcomm

Qualcomm’s technologies powered the smartphone revolution and connected billions of people. We pioneered 3G and 4G – and now we are leading the way to 5G and a new era of intelligent, connected devices. Our products are revolutionizing industries, including automotive, computing, IoT, healthcare and data center, and are allowing millions of devices to connect with each other in ways never before imagined. Qualcomm Incorporated includes our licensing
business, QTL, and the vast majority of our patent portfolio. Qualcomm Technologies, Inc., a subsidiary of Qualcomm Incorporated, operates, along with its subsidiaries, all of our engineering, research and development functions, and all of our products and services businesses, including, our QCT semiconductor business. For more information, visit Qualcomm’s website, OnQ blog, Twitter and Facebook pages.

How to replace Bixby Voice with Google Assistant on your Galaxy S8

Replace Bixby with Google Assistant in a jiffy!

When it comes to having a pocket assistant for your Galaxy S8 not everyone is sold on using Bixby Voice. If you prefer using Google Assistant, or you want to give a different assistant a try, then there are a few things you’ll need to do. The Galaxy S8 has a dedicated button to map Bixby, along with voice commands. However, there are a few things you can do to replace Bixby Voice with Google Assistant.

• How to disable Bixby Voice
• How to remap the Bixby button

Disable Bixby Voice

Launch the Bixby app on your phone.
Tap the menu button in the upper right corner of your screen. (It looks like three vertical dots.)

Tap on Settings.

Tap the toggle next to Bixby Voice.

Tap Turn Off.

Remap Bixby button with an app

The big hurdle in replacing Bixby with Google Assistant is that Bixby button. While you can’t remap the button by just using your phone, apps like BxActions, or BixRemap can get the job done. It is, however, worth noting that in the past few months, Samsung updates have wreaked havoc with certain remapping apps. At the time of this writing, BixRemap is the app we suggest for remapping your Bixby button.

Keep in mind you’ll still see Bixby flash before Google Assistant launches, but it only lasts a moment.

Install BixRemap.
Open BixRemap.

Tap Enable.

Tap BixRemap
Tap the toggle to Allow usage tracking.

Tap the arrow to go back.

Tap the arrow to go back.

Tap the Play button in the lower right corner of the screen (It is blue).

Questions?

Do you still have questions about replacing Bixby Voice with Google Assistant? Is there another method that we should have included here? Be sure to drop us a line in the comments and let us know!

Samsung Galaxy S8 and S8+

• Galaxy S8 and S8+ review!
• Galaxy S8 and S8+ specs
• Everything you need to know about the Galaxy S8’s cameras
• Get to know Samsung Bixby
• Join our Galaxy S8 forums

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The Morning After: Tuesday, August 15th 2017

Hey, good morning! What happened? DeLorean’s making a flying car, that’s what. Well, it has a render and plans. There’s also a ready-for-swimming wearable for Samsung and Mewtwo wants to fight.

Where we’re going, we won’t need roads, but we will need sophisticated air-traffic control.
DeLorean’s next car is a flying one

Didn’t the DeLorean always fly? Oh wait…

It can also play your offline Spotify songs.
Samsung’s next Gear Fit will track your swimming

The Gear Fit 2 Pro appears to look much like its predecessor, complete with a tall, curved display, but with some big design upgrades. Most notably, it would add 5 ATM water resistance and that hoped-for swim tracking. It may just be a leak for now, but if you’ve missed aquatic-fitness metric tracking — this could be the (niche) wearable for you.

Buyers can see how much they’ll save with solar panels and a Powerwall battery.
Tesla’s Tiny House roadshow demystifies its energy tech

Renewable energy is good for the planet, but it can be great for consumers — depending on your location, you can actually make a profit using solar panels and backup battery storage. Those benefits can be hard for consumers to grok, however, so Tesla has launched the Tiny House tour in Australia with all of its latest technology in tow (literally).

I’m glad I walked away from it.
A break from Twitter showed me how broken it is

Senior Editor Daniel Cooper decided to take a week-long break from the platform to see if, like all those other quitters, he’d find life is happier on the other side.

The psychic cat for only the very best.
Fighting Mewtwo in ‘Pokémon Go’ is invite-only

Mewtwo finally made an appearance in Pokémon Go today in Japan. The legendary pocket monster helped show off the new Exclusive Raid Battle system in Japan, and soon will be making its way to domestic shores.

But wait, there’s more…

• Intel CEO Brian Krzanich drops out of Trump council
• Get Google’s own contacts app on any Android phone
• Softlab transforms ’empty’ space with light and mirrors
• What we’re playing: ‘Tacoma,’ ‘Final Fantasy’ and ‘A Dark Room’

Qualcomm’s new depth-sensing camera is surprisingly effective

Dual cameras are so passé. Qualcomm is getting ready to define the next generation of cameras for the Android ecosystem. It’s adding three new camera modules to its Spectra Module Program, which lets device manufacturers select ready-made parts for their products. The additions are an iris-authentication front-facing option, an “Entry-Level Computer Vision” setup and a “Premium Computer Vision” kit. The latter two carry out passive and active depth-sensing respectively, using Qualcomm’s newly revamped image signal processing (ISP) architecture.

Of the three new modules, the most intriguing is the premium computer vision kit. That option is capable of active depth sensing, using an infrared illuminator, IR camera and a 16-megapixel (or 20-MP, depending on configuration) RGB camera. The illuminator fires a light that creates a dot pattern (using a filter), and the IR camera searches for and reads the pattern. By calculating how the dots warp over a subject and the distance between points, the system can tell how far away something is. And since this technology uses infrared light, it can also work in the dark.

During a recent briefing in New York, Qualcomm representatives also showed us a video (embedded above) of the setup in action. What was truly remarkable was how the system was able to accurately display the profile or a person’s hands playing the piano, despite only shooting from above. We’ll have to wait and see it in action for ourselves before knowing if it’ll be effective in the real world, but so far the technology is impressive.

The module can get very detailed, since it uses more than 10,000 points of depth and can discern up to 0.125mm between the dots. This precision is important. “Depth-sensing is going to be mission critical going forward,” Qualcomm’s product marketing lead for camera and computer vision Philip-James Jacobowitz told Engadget.

There are plenty of useful applications for depth-sensing — one of the most widespread being creating artificial depth of field in images. It can also help in face detection, recognition and authentication, 3D object reconstruction and localization and mapping, according to Qualcomm.

If this is all starting to sound very familiar, you might be thinking of Intel’s RealSense. It’s used more commonly in laptops for facial or iris authentication via Windows Hello, although it has made its way to a few phones (and even drones) recently. But Qualcomm said that according to its understanding, the thermal overhead on Intel RealSense is a barrier to entry for smartphones. That means it most likely runs too hot to work well in a handset. Regardless of the differences in equipment, it’s clear depth-sensing has a wide variety of useful applications, and Qualcomm working on a competing option could help improve performance across the board.

That’s not to say the two other modules Qualcomm announced today aren’t useful. The entry-level computer vision option, for instance, allows for similar (albeit less-precise) features at a lower price. But it consumes more power than the premium kit. And according to Qualcomm, its iris authentication module can read your eyes even when you have sunglasses on — something the company’s representatives demonstrated effectively at the briefing.

No word yet on exactly when we can expect the new cameras to arrive in devices we can play with, but Qualcomm says the new modules and ISPs “are expected to be part of the next flagship Snapdragon Mobile Platform.” Smartphone makers have to incorporate the components into their products first, too, meaning we’ll probably have to wait for next year’s phones.