Today’s Google Doodle teaches you to scratch and mix turntables

Google’s doodles are an outlet for the company’s playful urges. And, even though they’ve become all too common, the redesigns still manage to pack the odd surprise. Take today’s offering, which resembles New York’s iconic street graffiti. But, that’s not all, click the pulsing play icon at its centre, and the logo transforms into an interactive turntable. Now, you can play DJ, spinning a bunch of records that were instrumental to the creation of hip-hop. An accompanying video tutorial boasts narration from graffiti artist and TV presenter Fab 5 Freddy.

The doodle marks the 44th anniversary of the Bronx block party that birthed hip-hop. It was there that DJ Kool Herc invented the “break” (by isolating the percussive portion of a beat). The term also lends itself to breakdancing, a style of dance synonymous with early hip-hop.

While it’s no DJ Hero, Google’s interactive music tool does boast some replay value. Using click-and-drag controls you can scratch the records, change the crossfader and BPM, and pick and choose from a crate of iconic vinyls. It even boasts achievements (ten in total) that reward experimentation. Before you know it, you’ll be spinning beats like a pro. All that’s left is to get a friend to rap over them. Wisely, Google auto-mutes the music if you navigate to a new tab. Allowing you to put your procrastination (sorry, mix) on hold while you attend to more important matters.

Source: Google (blog)

The ISS is getting a ruggedized computer upgrade

When SpaceX’s rocket takes off on August 14th, it will be carrying a machine that could make things a lot easier for future astronauts embarking on deep space missions. That machine is the Spaceborne Computer, a high performance commercial off-the-shelf computer system running Linux that NASA and Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) “ruggedized” for use in outer space. It will stay aboard the space station for a year, so the two organizations can find out whether it’s tough enough to operate seamlessly amidst the harsh conditions computers are bound to encounter on their way to Mars and farther locations.

These days, computers on Earth still perform most of the calculations needed by spacecraft in orbit. It’s still easy enough for astronauts or autonomous probes to beam back info to the ground and get the results back in near real time. However, the farther we go, the bigger the communication lag is, which could be disastrous for manned missions. For instance, it could take up to 20 minutes to beam data back to Earth from Mars and another 20 minutes to get the results.

A powerful onboard computer that can withstand radiation, solar flares, unstable power supply, extreme temperatures and other conditions could solve that issue. To make a machine like that, you’d typically have to use rugged equipment, but that would bulk up the computer too much and would cost a lot of money. Instead of tweaking the computer’s hardware, HPE developed software to toughen up the machine. This software powers down the computer when it detects radiation and other anomalies to mitigate environmentally induced errors.

HPE said in a statement:

“The Spaceborne Computer experiment will not only show us what needs to be done to advance computing in space, it will also spark discoveries for how to improve high performance computing (HPC) on Earth and potentially have a ripple effect in other areas of technology innovation.”

If Spaceborne’s year-long trial turns out to be a success, HPE and NASA plan to send other advanced computing systems to the ISS. The partners might have a few more years to test any technology they want anyway, since the first manned mission to Mars most likely won’t happen until the 2030s.

Source: NASA

Steam Link puts PC games on Samsung smart TVs

You can now play Steam games on your Samsung 2016 or 2017 smart TVs without having to worry about beta bugs and performance issues. The Steam Link app for the chaebol’s latest smart TV models is now out of beta and available for download from the Smart Hub app store. Take note that your TV’s firmware must be up to date to be able to install the app, but once you’re done, you won’t need the $50 Link device to play Steam games on what could be the biggest and clearest display in your home.

In addition to the app’s launch, Steam has also officially announced that Link is compatible with Xbox 360 wired and wireless, Xbox One wired and Logitech F510/F710 controllers in addition to its own gamepad. Testers were actually able to use those controllers with the app during the beta period, which is why Steam knows rumble on Xbox controllers causes a lag spike. The Link team is trying to find a way to fix that and will likely include it in future update, along with any other patches and new features.

Source: Steam

Game-Streaming Platform Twitch Launches First Desktop App for Mac

Popular game-streaming platform Twitch officially launched its first desktop app on Thursday, allowing Mac users to enjoy all the features of the existing web-based platform within a standalone native application.

Based on the CurseForge platform acquired last year, the Twitch Desktop App lets users watch live streams, clips, and video on demand, all while chatting with fellow gamers. Plus there’s a new Friend Sync feature that promises to help users find friends “across the creator-verse”.

In addition to private messaging, Twitch on Mac supports voice and video calls, indicating a clear bid to compete with rival platform Discord, which began testing a new video chat feature yesterday. The app also supports thousands of game add-ons made by the modding community, as well as in-game overlays so users can manage calls without needing to switch between windows.

The desktop app also includes the Dark Mode recently introduced in the mobile version, making watching streams in low light environments easier on the eyes. Amazon-owned Twitch is also promising a cloud storage feature in the near future that will allow users to access their data remotely.

In addition to established features, the Twitch desktop app introduces Servers, a new virtual home for gaming communities where users can watch video, play, and chat together even when a game stream is offline.

The Twitch desktop app for macOS is available now and can be downloaded for free directly from the Twitch website.
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Gmail for iOS will warn you about visiting phishing links

A few months ago, Google introduced an anti-phishing feature for Gmail on Android after a widespread attack affected millions of users. Now, Mountain View is adding the extra security measure to Gmail for iOS. Sometime within the next 15 days, a warning message will pop up when you click on a suspicious link. It will let you know that the URL you want to access leads to an untrusted site, and it will ask if you’re absolutely sure you want to continue.

If you do choose to continue, Google will load another warning that the website you’re trying to visit “has been identified as a forgery.” It’s a multi-layered protection against phishing attempts, and you’ll have to knowingly visit scam websites to fall victim to their schemes. Of course, it can only protect you if you click a link in Gmail — you’ll still have to practice vigilance everywhere else on the web.

Source: Google

‘GLOW’ is body slamming its way to Netflix for a second season

The Crown isn’t the only Netflix series that’s returning to the platform. The gorgeous ladies of wrestling will also be grappling their way back on to your screens. On Thursday, the GLOW Twitter account announced that season 2 is officially on its way. The show’s second season will reportedly feature 10 episodes, according to Deadline.

Here we #GLOW again… Season 2 is coming. pic.twitter.com/LXF8OIxcNG

— GLOW (@GlowNetflix) August 10, 2017

That’s all the info available, thus far. No word yet on returning cast members, a release date, or even when production begins. But, seeing as Netflix isn’t afraid to give its properties the chop, fans will be pleased to know that GLOW has performed well enough to survive. It probably helped that the show comes from the creative team behind Orange is the New Black. The crescendo of critical acclaim that greeted it — including praise for its period detail and sharp writing — can’t have hurt either. Inspired by the real-life wrestling league, GLOW follows the lives of a group of women who join its ranks during the mid-’80S.

Source: GLOW (Twitter)

You’ll need your phone to get into Miami Heat home games

You can’t collect ticket stubs for Miami Heat home games anymore, because the team is shifting to mobile-only entry. Even if buy your ticket from American Airlines Arena’s box office, you’ll still have to present your phone at the entrance to get in. While other teams also have mobile ticketing, Heat is the the first to completely ditch paper tickets. A spokesperson said in a statement that the team decided to go mobile only after looking at figures and realizing that one in three audience member used a digital ticket last season anyway.

The spokesperson also said that NBA teams are shifting to mobile tickets to reduce fraud. Like other types of digital transaction, though, it will also give them a chance to gather more info about their audiences, which could lead to more opportunities to market goods and services. To buy digital tickets for the team’s home games, you’ll have to download Heat’s official app from Google Play or iTunes. Go to the events tab to buy one… and don’t leave your phone at home when you go to the game.

Source: NBA, NBC Miami, ESPN

Google Rolls Out Anti-Phishing Feature to Gmail on iOS

Google introduced an anti-phishing feature for Gmail on Android earlier this year after millions of users were affected by a widespread attack. On Thursday, the company announced it is now extending the functionality to the iOS version of its mail app to protect users on Apple devices.

Going forward, whenever a user clicks on a suspicious link in a Gmail message on iPhone or iPad, Gmail will show a prompt warning them of visiting the associated site.

The cautionary feature is actually double-layered, so if users choose to proceed after the first dialog, they will be shown a page warning them against visiting the original URL given the high likelihood that it’s a forgery.

Users don’t need to install any updates to see the new anti-phishing feature as it will appear in accounts automatically, although Google says rollout could take up to 15 days for all users to see the change as it propagates through Gmail’s scheduled and rapid release tracks.

Gmail is a free download for iPhone and iPad available on the App Store. [Direct Link]

Tags: Google, Gmail
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Microsoft claims Surface reliability isn’t really that bad

Consumer Reports said that it would no longer recommend Microsoft’s Surface laptops and tablets because of “poor predicted reliability” compared to other brands, based on its surveys. Now Microsoft has responded, with a statement saying that it is “disappointed” in the decision and providing some of its own data.

Panos Panay, Corporate Vice President, Microsoft Devices:

We are proud of our products and the amazing things our customers are doing with them. We stand firmly behind the quality and reliability of the Surface family of devices, and I can confidently tell you there has never been a better time to buy a Surface.

The company says it has “learned a lot” while building Surface devices, with 1-2 failure and actual return rates for the Surface Pro 4 and Surface Book that are “significantly” lower than the 25 percent number CR found. Meanwhile, its “incidents per unit” is claimed to have improved to the point that is below one percent. The Surface line has certainly had its share of issues over the years, with some issues fixed via software updates, but it’s tough to say who is right on this one — most of the laptops I’ve had from any company have failed to last beyond a year without at least one significant issue.

Source: Microsoft

Nintendo faces lawsuit over the Switch’s detachable controllers

The Nintendo Switch certainly isn’t the first gaming tablet, but is it directly riffing on others’ ideas? Gamevice thinks so. The accessory maker is suing Nintendo for allegedly violating a patent for concepts used in the Wikipad, its gaming-oriented Android slate, as well as its namesake add-on controllers for phones and tablets. According to the suit, the Switch and its removable Joy-Con controllers are too close to Gamevice’s vision of a combination of detachable game controller and a device with a “flexible bridge section.” Not surprisingly, the lawsuit calls for both damages and a ban on Switch sales.

Gamevice declined to comment on the lawsuit. We’ve reached out to Nintendo as well, and will let you know if it has a response.

In some ways, the lawsuit is an epilogue to a long-running story. The Wikipad team started out with grand plans for tablet gaming in 2012, when it promised elaborate features as glasses-free 3D and game streaming. However, it didn’t work out that way: delays and a rethink prompted a change in design, and while the Wikipad did receive some acclaim, Gamevice eventually dropped it in favor of its add-ons for phones and tablets. Although Nintendo’s Switch clearly has some differences (it’s intended more as a hybrid TV and portable console, for one thing), it’s effectively showing what could have been if the Wikipad had taken off.

Source: RPX Insight