Apple Wins 2017 Technical/Engineering Emmy for Siri Integration on Apple TV

The National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences today announced the recipients of the 69th annual Technology & Engineering Emmy Awards, with Apple winning an award in the “Contextual Voice Navigation for Discovering and Interacting with TV Content” category.

Apple received the award for the Siri voice integration built into the fourth-generation Apple TV, which allows users to search for content using voice-based commands. Other winners in the same category include Comcast, Universal Electronics (UEI), and Nuance Dragon TV.

Siri has been available on Apple TV since 2015, which is when the fourth-generation set-top box with tvOS became available for purchase. Siri has a range of functions on the device, ranging from TV show/movie/actor/topic search capabilities to features like a vocal rewind option that allows users to do things like ask “What did she say?” to jump back 15 seconds and temporarily turn on subtitles.

Siri can open apps and games, respond to typical commands for information about sports scores, movie times, weather, and more, and Siri can answer questions about movies and TV shows. “Who directed this movie?” and “Who stars in this movie?” are just a couple of examples of the kinds of queries Siri can respond to. Siri can even answer complex topic-based requests, like “Find comedies from the 80s starring Chevy Chase” or “Find movies for kids from the 90s.”

Award recipients will be honored at the Technology & Engineering Emmy Awards at the National Association of Broadcasters on Sunday, April 8, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Apple plans to introduce a new fifth-generation Apple TV at its September iPhone-centric event, believed to be taking place on the 12th of the month. The fifth-generation Apple TV will continue featuring Siri support, and could even introduce new Siri-related features.

Related Roundups: Apple TV, tvOS 10
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Netflix engineers dream up a way to search your queue with Morse code

Netflix’s annual Hack Day event saw a host of funky projects this year, including a Redbox-style Netflix vending machine, a spooky new interface that makes eyes and heads of characters in thumbnails follow your cursor, an interface to track your binge watches and an audiobook mode that plays Audio Descriptions from movies so you can listen to your Netflix queue instead of watch it. The most interesting project, though, is called TeleFlix, which uses a Raspberry Pi and an old telegraph key to search Netflix with Morse code.

The TeleFlix project was created by Netflix employees Guy Cirino, Alex Wolfe, and Carenina Motion and Christiane Petite. When searching for a new hack to top previous Hack Day retro projects, Cirino was inspired by a chat with his father, who pointed out that telecommunications technology goes way back. He found a vintage AT&T brass telegraph key on eBay, convinced his partners to join and created the system. It works by sending the Morse code tapped out on the telegraph key to a Raspberry Pi, which then interprets the letters to fill out a Netflix search field. It’s slow, but impressive. Cirino has a full write-up of the hack and its production on his own blog.

Netflix has been running Hack Day for years now, with fun projects created by its internal developers. These ideas aren’t necessarily for the production version of the video streaming service, but are intriguing nonetheless, like bump-based video sharing, a virtual reality movie queue, a virtual video rental store, a “mind control” interface and even an NES version of the company’s popular House of Cards (also created by Cirino’s team).

Via: The Verge

Source: Netflix

Skype’s interview feature pairs video calls with a code editor

Skype recently launched a preview version of a new feature that could be appealing to people who conduct technical interviews online. Now, while on a video call, Skype users have the option to simultaneously use a real-time code editor through the platform’s new Interviews site.

There are some limitations. Your browser has to be set to English and the code editor only runs through Microsoft Edge or Chrome browsers. But the editor supports seven programming languages — C, C++, C#, Java, JavaScript, Python and Ruby — and has built-in syntax highlighting to help users spot errors as they work. Users can also be tested on multiple programming languages at once.

As TechCrunch points out, there are other options for real-time code editors, such as HackerRank, CodeVue and Codility. But incorporating the editor alongside the video call makes for a simpler process that doesn’t require users to jump between multiple apps.

The feature is currently just in preview and Skype is urging those that try it out to provide feedback. It hasn’t said when we can expect it to be fully launched or when it might be available through the Skype app.

Via: TechCrunch

Source: Skype

Fish-inspired missiles and eel-like subs? U.K. Navy explores those possibilities

Why it matters to you

They may look like science fiction right now, but these submarine concepts could well be tomorrow’s reality.

Have you ever wondered what submarines might look like decades from now? Engineers from the United Kingdom’s Royal Navy have dedicated their considerable expertise to answering just such a question — and the results are pretty darn intriguing.

In keeping with the kind of nature-inspired biomimicry seen in fields like robotics, the U.K. Navy’s ideas include undersea vehicles shaped like manta rays, swarming fish-inspired missiles, and unmanned eel-like vehicles that are able to dissolve when required.

The research project also touches on innovative emerging technology concepts including 3D printing, brain-controlled interfaces, offensive shock wave emitters, hybrid “algae-electric” propulsion, underwater drones, and more. While some of the ideas are probably too far-fetched to ever become a reality, they are all based on current research and development projects taking place around the world.

“With more than 70 percent of the planet’s surface covered by w,ter, the oceans remain one of the world’s great mysteries and untapped resources,” said Commander Peter Pipkin, the Royal Navy’s fleet robotics officer. “It’s predicted that in 50 years’ time there will be more competition between nations to live and work at sea or under it. So it’s with this in mind that the Royal Navy is looking at its future role, and how it will be best equipped to protect Britain’s interests around the globe.”

The concepts were drawn up under the banner of a project called Nautilus 100, named after the USS Nautilus, the world’s first nuclear-powered submarine. External groups that participated in the initiative included representatives from companies including, but not limited to, BAE Systems, Lockheed Martin, and Rolls-Royce.

“We want to encourage our engineers of the future to be bold, think radically and push boundaries,” said Rear Admiral Tim Hodgson, the Ministry of Defence’s director of submarine capability. “From Nelson’s tactics at the Battle of Trafalgar to Fisher’s revolutionary Dreadnought battleships, the Royal Navy’s success has always rested on a combination of technology and human skill. The pace of global innovation is only going to increase, so for the U.K. to be a leader in this race, it needs to maintain its leadership in skills and technology.”

Smart first-aid kit uses algorithms to explain how to prioritize emergencies

Why it matters to you

An “intelligent” first-aid kit and CPR Kitchener can help you treat injuries and possibly save someone’s life.

Technology and medical research have both progressed enormously over the past few decades, but first-aid kits have not necessarily advanced at the same rate. Emergency management startup Mobilize Rescue Systems wants to change that with its new “intelligent” first-aid kit, the Comprehensive Rescue System. Alongside the first-aid tools you expect to find in order to deal with a serious injury, it also boasts an embedded tablet in its lid — containing lessons and instructions from thousands of pages of triage and emergency response documents.

Not only is the information available to read, but it will also advise you on exactly what you need to do (and when you need to do it) in an emergency situation. And, no, you do not need a medical degree to follow its advice.

“What we’ve done is give anyone immediate access to custom instructions to aid an injured or sick person, no training necessary,” Matt Pelak, director of business development and technical co-founder of Mobilize, told Digital Trends. “Because of our unique algorithm, the input you give to the app gives you back simple directions, specifically tailored for the victim, on how to stop bleeding, do CPR, or several other treatments. This isn’t just a one-size-fits-all list of generic instructions, but exactly what you need, when you need it.”

Pelak says that the system could be usefully incorporated into any environment, although Mobilize has had particular interest from schools and universities, the oil and gas industry, and local authorities.

“Because of the different sizes of the kits, there’s generally a size for every need and budget, plus having the app on your phone makes it incredibly portable,” Pelak said. “The app requires no data or cell service so it can be used anywhere, and it [can be updated] through the app stores.”

The high-end hard-case version runs for $2,250, while a soft-case version will set you back $1,750. That is not cheap by any stretch of the imagination, but if you’re going to shell out on technology, you may as well do it for technology which could one day save a person’s life. If you can’t afford that, a $180 version offers a scaled-down kit that works with a user’s cellphone rather than its own tablet.

How to use the Amazon trade-in program

Did you know you can trade-in products like smartphones and tablets to Amazon and get store credit? The Amazon Trade-in program has been around for some time, but if you haven’t heard about it before, here’s how to use it.

Through the program, you can trade in a slew of different items — but perhaps the most important these days is the smartphone. If you’re in the market for a new phone, Amazon will buy your old phone from you to help offset the cost. Interested in the new Samsung Galaxy Note 8? Amazon could pay you up to $170 for a Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge, which could go straight to helping you buy your new phone.

But how does the trade-in program work? Here are the steps to follow:

Submit a trade-in: Head to the Amazon trade-in store and find the items you’re looking to trade-in. To do that, first select the category (cellphones, tablets, etc.), then click on the right item.

Ship your trade-in: The next step is to ship out your product. Within 7 days of submitting the trade-in, you’ll be issued a shipping label, which you can use to ship out the product to Amazon. Make sure to include the packing slip inside the box so Amazon knows the item is from you.

Get paid: When Amazon gets the product and confirms its condition, your account will receive credit that can then be used to buy anything on the Amazon store.

In between shipping the item and getting paid, you can actually track the status of the trade-in. This is done by heading to the trade-in account and clicking on Review the status of your trade-in item. It may take a few days for the payment to be credited to your account, so don’t worry if after shipping you don’t immediately get paid.

Apart from the Galaxy S7 Edge, there are a number of phones you can trade-in for Amazon store credit. Perhaps the most notable is the black iPhone 7 Plus, which could net you a whopping $370 for use on your Amazon account. Again, phones aren’t the only items you can trade in — you can even trade in your old textbooks, DVDs, video games, and so on.

How to use the Amazon trade-in program

Did you know you can trade-in products like smartphones and tablets to Amazon and get store credit? The Amazon Trade-in program has been around for some time, but if you haven’t heard about it before, here’s how to use it.

Through the program, you can trade in a slew of different items — but perhaps the most important these days is the smartphone. If you’re in the market for a new phone, Amazon will buy your old phone from you to help offset the cost. Interested in the new Samsung Galaxy Note 8? Amazon could pay you up to $170 for a Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge, which could go straight to helping you buy your new phone.

But how does the trade-in program work? Here are the steps to follow:

Submit a trade-in: Head to the Amazon trade-in store and find the items you’re looking to trade-in. To do that, first select the category (cellphones, tablets, etc.), then click on the right item.

Ship your trade-in: The next step is to ship out your product. Within 7 days of submitting the trade-in, you’ll be issued a shipping label, which you can use to ship out the product to Amazon. Make sure to include the packing slip inside the box so Amazon knows the item is from you.

Get paid: When Amazon gets the product and confirms its condition, your account will receive credit that can then be used to buy anything on the Amazon store.

In between shipping the item and getting paid, you can actually track the status of the trade-in. This is done by heading to the trade-in account and clicking on Review the status of your trade-in item. It may take a few days for the payment to be credited to your account, so don’t worry if after shipping you don’t immediately get paid.

Apart from the Galaxy S7 Edge, there are a number of phones you can trade-in for Amazon store credit. Perhaps the most notable is the black iPhone 7 Plus, which could net you a whopping $370 for use on your Amazon account. Again, phones aren’t the only items you can trade in — you can even trade in your old textbooks, DVDs, video games, and so on.

Google Maps can help you find a parking spot in 25 cities outside the U.S.

Why it matters to you

Finding parking and then keeping tabs on where you parked can be hard. Google Maps allows you to leave a parking reminder and search parking difficulty depending on your destination.

As part of its latest update, Google added 25 more cities outside the U.S. for people to use parking difficulty icons via Google Maps for Android and iOS. The icons inform you ahead of time of how difficult it is to park wherever you are headed.

To find out how hard it could be to park, simply get directions to your destination and look for the parking difficulty icon in the directions card at the bottom of the screen. Based on historical parking data and machine learning, parking difficulty levels can vary from limited to medium to easy.

The app can also help you remember where you parked. By tapping a little blue dot that represents your car, you are able to leave yourself a parking reminder. It is an option that Apple Maps has actually had for quite some time (Apple first began offering its users parking reminders last year), but better late than never, Google.

Once you tap that familiar little blue dot, you are able to enter notes and take photos that help guide you to the exact location of your vehicle. So whether you are in an expansive parking lot in suburbia or a winding parking garage in the middle of a big city, you have the information you need to find your ride.

If you happen to be in a metered spot, Google Maps will also let you input data on how much time you have left, setting a timer to remind you to either high-tail it back to your car, or pay the piper.

On iOS, the experience is pretty much identical. Tapping the blue dot and selecting “Set as parking location” adds a spot to the map. If you connect to your car using USB audio or Bluetooth, Maps takes care of the heavy lifting for you, automatically adding your spot to the map when you disconnect and exit the vehicle.

While this is all very useful, the bummer is that none of this process is automated. That means that while you do not have to recall the location of your car, you will have to recall the need to manually set a reminder for yourself and enter all of the details. This differs from the Apple Maps feature, which lets users create parking reminders without having to input a ton of additional information. Google added automatic parking detection to the iOS app recently, but it is not quite as robust as Apple’s solution.

Update: Google rolled out an update to the parking difficulty icons on Google maps for Android and iOS.

Misfit Vapor smartwatch boasts a touch-sensitive bezel and full waterproofing

Why it matters to you

Smartwatches are on the rebound, but price is still a barrier for a lot of people. At $200, Misfit’s Vapor is one of the more affordable Android Wear smartwatches.

Ever since Misfit took the world by storm with its subtle Shine fitness tracker back in 2011, it has been making unique products. Now that it’s part of the fashion company Fossil Group’s portfolio of brands, Misfit has released activity trackers at a breakneck pace, partnering with brands like Speedo and Swarovski for prime placement. It’s perhaps best known by the Shine 2 and Ray, screen-free fitness trackers with notification lights, vibration motors, and activity-tracking features. But at CES 2017, Misfit broke tradition by debuting the Misfit Vapor, its first touchscreen smartwatch.

The Misfit Vapor ran Misfit’s proprietary operating system when it was first announced, and while Misfit confirmed that the device would get Android Wear 2.0 in January, we now finally know when the device will launch — in October. The device will get all the standard Android Wear 2.0 features, including a customizable watch face, fitness tracking, and more.

“Our partnership means hundreds of your favorite apps will be available at launch, opening up a multitude of possibilities for Android and iPhone users alike,” the company said in a statement.

The Vapor boasts a 44mm satin-finished stainless steel upper casing and hand-polished case back. The body is swim proof and water resistant up to 50 meters. The interchangeable straps feature stainless steel hardware in matching tones.

The Vapor’s 1.39-inch OLED screen packs 326 pixels per inch, Qualcomm’s Snapdragon Wear 2100 processor, and 4GB of internal storage. You use a touch-sensitive bezel to navigate through the Vapor’s menu of watch faces, applications, and notifications. Sensors including a “dual-injected polycarbonate” heart-rate sensor, accelerometer, altimeter, gyroscope, optical heart rate sensor, GPS, and microphone perform real-time fitness tracking. Since the watch has Bluetooth, it supports offline, phone-free music streaming to paired headphones.

The Vapor lasts an estimated two days on a charge and juices up wirelessly via a magnetic charging cradle. The Misfit Vapor is available for pre-order in two colors, jet black and rose gold. It will retail for $200 when it launches on Misfit’s online store late this summer.

With the Vapor, Misfit is entering an overcrowded field. But with an estimated two-day battery life, waterproof capabilities, and a low price point, it may best its other Android Wear competitors such as the $350 Huawei Watch 2, and the $350 LG Watch Sport.

Update: Misfit delays Vapor launch with Android Wear 2.0 until October.

Best Accessories for the LG G6

Get the most out of your LG G6 with these great accessories!

As we head into the Autumn season, the LG G6 is still quite the compelling flagship and surely in the running for the best of 2017. Featuring a premium build design and a generous 5.7-inch screen, the LG G6 is a very beautiful and capable phone that you can enhance with the right accessories.

We’ll start off with some cases and screen protectors to keep your phone safe, then move on to some great charging options to make sure you never run out of battery during the day.

• Spigen Rugged Armor
• SUPCASE Full-body Rugged Holster Case
• Trianium Clarium Series Case
• Spigen Tempered Glass Screen Protector
• Samsung EVO+ 256GB
• Anker Micro-USB to USB-C adapter (2 pack)
• Tronsmart Dual USB Car Charger w/ Quick Charge 3.0 technology
• Anker PowerPort Q1 10 Wireless Charging Pad
• Dretal Desktop Charging Dock

Spigen Rugged Armor

Spigen’s Rugged Armor case is always a great option to protect your new phone, so of course we’re going to recommend it for your LG G6.

This one-piece case offers great protection for your phone while keeping a mostly sleek and slim profile. Made of flexible and durable TPU material that makes it easy to install, it’s got a premium look to it with carbon fiber textures at the top and bottom on the back. Featuring cutouts around the camera and fingerprint scanner on the back, and with tactile buttons for the volume control on the side, this case feels natural in hand while ensuring all your phone’s functionality remains intact.

For a stylish case that offers quality protection, get the Spigen Rugged Armor case for your G6 for just $14.

See at Amazon

SUPCASE Full body Rugged Holster Case for LG G6

If keeping your new investment in good condition is important, you’ll want to slap a rugged case on your phone. SUPCASE provides some of the sturdiest cases you’ll find for smartphones, so you can buy with confidence here.

SUPCASE offers full protection for your phone, with a front plate that includes a built-in screen protector and port covers for the headphone jack and charging port. Made from a combination of TPU and polycarbonate materials, your phone will be protected from anything life throws your way for just $17.

Ideal for heavy use and outdoorsmen, it also ships with a 360-degree swiveling belt clip holster so your phone is always within arms reach.

See at Amazon

Trianium Clarium Series Case

A clear case offers great protection for your LG G6 while providing a mostly unobstructed view of the LG G6

Trianium’s Clarium Series cases are sleek and as minimalist as it gets, so if those are important features in a case for you, you’ll definitely want to check it out. Your phone will get the all-around protection you want from this slim case that also perfectly preserves the look of your LG G6. It’s thin enough to work with wireless charging pads no problem, and should also work with charging docks as well. You can get yours for only $8 from Amazon.

See at Amazon

For more great case options for your LG G6:

The best cases for LG G6

Tronsmart Dual USB Car Charger w/ Quick Charge 3.0 technology

Tronsmart’s car charger with a built-in USB-C cable is a great option for keeping your LG G6 juiced while on the road.

The built-in USB-C cable is convenient since you’ll never need to remember your cable each time you drive. The included USB Type-A port is handy for charging another device at the same time via Quick Charge 2.0 or 3.0. It’s a great value at just $15 on Amazon.

If you need a car charger that to keep your LG G6 charged when you’re on the go, check out the Tronsmart 33W dual USB charger.

See at Amazon

Spigen Tempered Glass Screen Protector

Spigen’s tempered glass screen protectors are available in a very affordable two-pack, which will let you keep that brand new LG G6 screen protected right out of the box.

This screen protector will cover the entirety of the screen while still remaining case friendly. This is a dry install screen protector with everything you need for a clean, dust-free installation on your first attempt included in the package. You can buy with confidence knowing that Spigen offers a lifetime warranty for any product defects. You can get this two-pack of quality screen protectors for just $8.

See at Amazon

Samsung EVO+ 256GB microSD card

The LG G6 offers storage expansion up to 2TB via microSD. While a 2TB microSD card doesn’t yet exist, it’s good to know that this phone is virtually future-proof when it comes to storage.

For now, your best bet for expanding your phone’s storage is Samsung’s 256GB EVO+ microSD card. Featuring read speeds of up to 95MB/sec and write speeds up to 90MB/sec, this card is plenty fast enough to handle storing all the photos and videos you take with your G6, while also letting you load up all your favorite media so you have your favorite music and movies with you on the go.

At over $150, it might be too pricey for some, and that’s ok. Check out our other MicroSD card recommendations for your Android phone.

See at Amazon

Anker Micro-USB to USB-C adapter (2-pack)

If the LG G6 is your first Android phone that relies on USB-C charging cables, chances are you’ve got a stockpile of Micro-USB cables laying around that are about to become fairly obsolete. If you want to be able to use your old Micro-USB cables with the G6, you’ll want to pick up this two-pack of Anker adapters. They’re cheap and will get the job done, especially if you’ve got chargers or devices that have integrated cables you can’t easily swap out. Get two adapters for just $7 on Amazon.

See at Amazon

Anker PowerPort Qi 10 Wireless Charging Pad

The U.S. variant of the LG G6 is the only model that supports Qi wireless charging. If you want to take advantage of this exclusive feature, you’ll need a wireless charging pad.

The Anker PowerPort Qi 10 wireless charging pad is your best bet. It’s simple to use with a premium design that features breathing LEDs to indicate your devices’ charging status. The non-slip pad keeps your phone secure while your phone takes advantage of Fast Charge Mode, which delivers 10W charging to your LG G6. All this comes with the advanced safety features you demand to ensure your phone doesn’t overheat and is protected from short-circuits and electrical surges.

You will need to supply your own wall charger, (of course, Anker recommends their own for guaranteed compatibility) but if you’ve got a couple spares already kicking around they should work just fine. Best of all is the price — at only $20 it’s a great value!

See at Amazon

Dretal Desktop Charging Dock

Looking to incorporate your phone into your workspace set up while simultaneously keeping it fully charged when it’s time to go? You need a desktop charging dock.

This charging dock from Dretal will keep your LG G6 topped up and propped up, helping to eliminate stray cables on your workspace and declutter your desk. The dock lets you watch videos or control your music while providing a good viewing angle for keeping tabs on any incoming calls or messages as you work. Also works great as a nightstand charger.

The design makes it incompatible with most cases, but it will work with slim cases like the Spigen Thin Fit. Simply pop it onto the USB-C connector at the base and you’re good to go. It’s available in five different color options, so you can pick one to match your phone or your desk color scheme for just $16.

See at Amazon

What are your favorite accessories?

Got any opinions on the products we’ve highlighted here? Anything we missed? Let us know in the comments!

Update August 2017: Updated product links and descriptions. These are still the best accessories for your LG G6!
.update

LG G6

• LG G6 review!
• LG G6 specs
• LG G6 vs. Google Pixel: The two best cameras right now
• Everything you need to know about the G6’s cameras
• LG forums

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