Verizon muddles its unlimited plan, will begin throttling all video

Video throttling is back for all Verizon subscribers, and it seems here to stay.

Back in February, Verizon rolled out a decent new unlimited plan, saying that mobile videos would be presented at the quality the services offered them at. Today, alongside the announcement of new unlimited plans, it has gone back on that, saying that video will indeed be throttled to 720p for most customers, and in some cases to 480p, starting August 23. Some users started noticing the throttling last month when streaming Netflix or YouTube, and now it’s confirmed that the big red carrier will indeed be cutting back video quality for everyone, regardless of plan or how much data they’ve used.

The throttling news was bundled into an announcement of Verizon’s new plans and rates, dividing the formerly-simple (for a carrier) unlimited plan into three. New subscribers can buy a $75 single-line plan called Go Unlimited, $5 cheaper than before, with video throttled to 480p on phones and hotspot speeds limited to 600kbps (!). These subscribers can also be throttled at any time during the month, not just after a certain amount of data use as has been the tradition — that means that if the Verizon network is congested in a certain area, users on a Go Unlimited plan may be throttled at the beginning or middle of their cycle.

If they want 720p video, they can pay $10 a month extra for the new Beyond Unlimited plan, which also limits customers to 22GB of data per month before throttling. Tablet and laptop users will be able to stream video at 1080p, but Verizon isn’t saying whether that’s a sure thing; instead, the company is merely throttling all video feeds to 10Mbps, which can affect phones and larger screen devices differently.

The kicker? Existing customers on all existing plans will be throttled to 720p starting tomorrow, too. Customers on the older, more generous unlimited plan will get to keep all other aspects of the plan, but video streaming quality isn’t one of them.

The one good piece of news from this? Mobile hotspot limits are increasing to 15GB per month on the Beyond Unlimited plan, up from 10GB per month currently. And perhaps to appease current unlimited customers, those who signed up since February will also benefit from the same 5GB per month hotspot increase.

So, if you were going to switch to Verizon, stop what you’re doing and do it now, because streaming at 720p is going to cost $5 a month more starting tomorrow.

See at Verizon

DJI won’t let you fly your Spark drone without a safety update

DJI is no stranger to imposing limits on drones unless you take certain actions, and that’s truer than ever right now. The company is releasing new firmware for the Spark this week to tackle problems with in-flight shutdowns, and it’s giving users an ultimatum: if you don’t update the aircraft or battery by September 1st, the drone won’t take off. The company says it made the judgment call to “maximize flight safety and product reliability.”

It’s not hard to see why DJI would make this particular upgrade mandatory. It doesn’t want to risk even the slightest possibility of a drone injuring people as it crashes to the ground. However, this is bound to be slightly disconcerting if you’re an owner. Effectively, DJI has full control over whether or not your drone works. The company isn’t likely to abuse that power (it has strong incentives to keep you flying), but it gives the impression that you don’t really own your drone — you’re just paying for permission to fly it.

Via: sUAS News, BBC

Source: DJI (Mynewsdesk)

You can buy Nintendo games with Paypal now

PayPal has been on the Xbox One and PS4 stores since day one of each, but so far, Nintendo users haven’t had the option. That has changed, though, as Nintendo says that Switch owners can now pay for games with PayPal directly on the console’s eShop or at its web store. Wii U and 3DS owners, meanwhile, can’t use PayPal directly from their consoles, but can use the payment service to buy games from Nintendo’s online store.

PayPal first arrived to Switch owners in Japan, Nintendo Everything noticed, but has now rolled out around the world, including North America and Europe. The payment system effectively fulfills Nintendo’s promise to make the Switch a region-free system, as it’s nearly universally available.

It could also be preparation for the $4 per month ($20 per year) launch of the paid multiplayer system in 2018 (currently the service is free). As mentioned, Wii U and 3DS owners still don’t have a PayPal option in their eShops, but can use PayPal to buy digital games on Nintendo’s website.

PayPal has been pushing its services hard, recently getting on Apple Pay, Samsung Pay and Skype via a “Send Money” feature. Rumors have floated up over the past month or two that Amazon, which did $135 billion in sales last year, may launch a competing service.

Nintendo still has quite a few items on its Switch to-do list, as it plans to launch apps like Netflix, and still doesn’t even have YouTube. Those should come, but don’t hold off any Switch binge-watching plans, as the apps aren’t expected soon.

Researchers want astronauts to put their biological waste to work

Researchers at Clemson University are presenting work at the National Meeting and Exposition of the American Chemical Society that could change how astronauts handle waste in the future. For long trips — to Mars, for instance — astronauts will need to maximize the utility of everything they bring on board. Extra weight means more fuel is required, so keeping stocks low while being able to recycle waste into something useful is going to be necessary for these sorts of trips. “If astronauts are going to make journeys that span several years, we’ll need to find a way to reuse and recycle everything they bring with them,” Mark Blenner, one of the researchers on the project told Phys.org. “Atom economy will become really important.”

Blenner’s work focuses on taking biological waste like urine and even exhaled air and putting it to good use. The research team is using the waste to fuel a certain type of yeast — Y. lipolytica — that requires nitrogen and carbon to grow. And those yeast strains can produce useful chemicals like omega-3 fatty acids and monomers that can be linked to create polymers. Those polymers could in theory then be 3D printed into plastic parts. Overall, the work shows that human waste can be used to create necessary products for spaceflight while minimizing what’s stored on board. “Having a biological system that astronauts can awaken from a dormant state to start producing what they need, when they need it, is the motivation for our project,” said Blenner.

Right now, the yeast can only generate small amounts of product, but the team is working to increase their output. And they’re exploring how this method can be used on Earth as well. “We’re learning that Y. lipolytica is quite a bit different than other yeast in their genetics and biochemical nature,” Blenner said. “Every new organism has some amount of quirkiness that you have to focus on and understand better.”

Source: Phys.org

Verizon’s new unlimited plans throttle video all the time

Verizon’s revival of the unlimited data plan was supposed to be a good thing: it was bringing back worry-free service that let you use your smartphone as much as you like. Unfortunately, the carrier is making things complicated again. In the wake of tests that capped streaming video speeds, Verizon is splitting its unlimited access into multiple plans that face new restrictions. As of August 23rd, the standard Go Unlimited plan costs $5 less than before at $75 per month (if you use AutoPay), but you’re limited to streaming video at 480p on phones and 720p on tablets — shades of T-Mobile, anyone? The $80 prepaid plan and the Business plan cap you at 480p, too.

The bigger issue is with the $85 Beyond Unlimited plan. Despite paying a premium, you’re limited to 720p streaming on phones and 1080p on tablets. Yes, that means that 1080p phone streaming (and any streaming higher than 1080p) is off the table regardless of how much you’re willing to pay. The carrier says there’s “no visible difference” in quality at those resolutions, but, well, that’s just not true. It might not be a night-and-day quality change, but you’re bound to notice if you have a large device like a Galaxy S8 Plus or a newer iPad Pro.

The basic plan gives you unlimited hotspot access, but only at a pokey 600Kbps. You can spring for the business or Beyond plans to get LTE speeds, but only for the first 10GB or 15GB, respectively. And if you regularly visit Canada or Mexico, you’ll need to go to Beyond to use your service in those countries as you would at home.

You’re grandfathered into a previous unlimited plan if you have one, and you’ll actually get 5GB more data at LTE speeds (15GB total) than you did before. However, even those older plans will be subject to the same throttling as new customers, so the only reason to hold on is to save money over the Beyond Unlimited plan.

The carrier explains its move to Ars Technica as “managing our network” in a way that lets bring unlimited data “to more people.” That’s not completely unwarranted: OpenSignal found that average LTE speeds on Verizon dropped after the move to unlimited, so it’s clear that some people are using data so often that they’re bogging down the network. It’s still a step backwards for many customers, though, and the throttling at all tiers means you’ll still have to hunt for WiFi to get the best possible quality. It’s technically unlimited service, but it sure won’t feel like that in practice.

Via: TechCrunch, The Verge

Source: Ars Technica

Latch Announces First Enterprise-Certified HomeKit-Compatible Smart Lock

Latch, a company that designs locks for use in apartment buildings, today announced the launch of its latest product, the Latch C. Latch C is compatible with HomeKit and according to Latch, is the first HomeKit smart lock designed for enterprise use.

The Latch C will let apartment dwellers unlock their doors with their iPhones, via the Home app, Siri, or a dedicated Latch app, eliminating the need for a physical key. It connects to a HomeKit system using WiFi and Bluetooth, and it includes a touchscreen.

Because the lock comes equipped with a wide-angle camera and digital log, it can be used to check who’s at the door and keep track of who’s coming and going. Users can also generate one-time access codes to share with guests and delivery services as needed.

According to Latch, apartment buildings that install support for Latch C will be able to provide residents with access to the HomeKit functionality as a standard feature from the moment they move in. Along with access via Siri and the Home app, HomeKit support also allows the Latch C to be included in Scenes for automation purposes.

“We are focused on improving every detail of the user experience at the modern building, and the Latch C with Apple HomeKit extends our ability to provide new access and delivery opportunities to customers,” said Luke Schoenfelder, Latch Co-Founder and CEO.

Latch C is available for purchase from the Latch website for $299, with the purchase price including a two-year service contract along with installation and support. Latch C can be combined with existing Latch M and Latch R locks.

Latch is an enterprise solution designed for entire apartment buildings and sold to property managers, so it is not available for individuals to purchase.

Tag: HomeKit
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DJI Announces Battery Optimizing Update for Spark and Back-to-School Promotions on Drones

DJI this week announced an incoming update for its newest drone, the DJI Spark, which will further enhance the drone’s battery management system to “optimize power supply during flight.” DJI was unclear by how much this might extend the Spark’s flight time beyond its original ~16 minutes of in-air time.

Additionally, the firmware update offers better stability for the Spark’s Palm Launch feature, improves the accuracy of controls in the QuickShot Dronie mode, and enhances the compatibility of DJI’s additional remote control accessory. Users will now also be able to fully integrate the Spark with DJI Goggles.

The company warned that if users don’t update their Spark by September 1, their drone will not be able to fly until the firmware update is performed. Updates can be performed through the DJI GO 4 app on iOS or the DJI Assistant 2 desktop software.

DJI will be releasing a new firmware update this week to further enhance flight safety and performance of the DJI Spark.

If the firmware of either the aircraft or the battery is not updated by September 1, Spark will not be able to take off. DJI decided on the option of a mandatory firmware update in order to maximize flight safety and product reliability which we consider as top priorities.

DJI also announced a series of discounts on its drones and handheld products as part of a new back-to-school promotion for students, educators, and academic research staff with an approved educational email address. The DJI Spark Fly More Combo pack is marked down by 12 percent ($615) for those who apply between August 22 through August 24, and drops down to 10 percent off ($629) after that period of time.

There are also discounts for the Osmo Mobile, Mavic Pro Fly More Combo, DJI Goggles, and more. For the full list of the products on sale during DJI’s back-to-school promotion, as well as how to apply for the discount, check out DJI’s website.

Last week, DJI announced another update coming to its drones soon, which will allow users to fly a drone without needing an internet connection. Called “local data mode,” the feature will stop a DJI drone from communicating with a connected smartphone, so maps, geofencing information, and newly-issued flight restrictions will no longer be updated during flights. DJI pointed out that the upside is an increase to user security and privacy when the mode is enabled.

Tag: DJI
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AccuWeather’s iPhone app may track you even if you opt out

AccuWeather on iOS might be deceiving users and violating Apple’s developer terms of service, security expert Will Strafach has discovered. If you deny it access to location info, the popular app reportedly still sends WiFi data, namely your router name and BSSID, to a third-party ad firm called Reveal Mobile. Furthermore, the app can even track you when it’s not open by using Bluetooth beacon data.

Strafach, well known for his early iOS jailbreak hacks, notes that he was actually researching a separate security problem on Accuweather’s iOS app. However, during testing he discovered that the app sent data 16 times to Reveal Mobile, installed as a third-party SDK on AccuWeather. According to the company’s own PR, it works as a way “to help app publishers and media companies extract the maximum value from their location data.” That can generate a lot of money both for Reveal Mobile and AccuWeather, he notes.

example: the value of your personal data to some app developers.https://t.co/XPgJUyvIYC

— Will Strafach (@chronic) August 19, 2017

Furthermore, Reveal Mobile’s SDK may also collect user location data via Bluetooth beacons, Strafach believes. According to Reveal Mobile’s own product description, when you’re near one, it can figure out your location and turn the info into data it can sell. “While traditional lat/long audiences require the app to be open and running, detecting or ‘bumping’ beacons can occur when apps are not in use,” the company writes. “This allows Reveal Mobile to build larger, and more accurate, location-based audiences.”

Obviously, the company can generate more revenue if an app collects data even when users opt out. However, that “violate[s] user trust,” Strafach notes, and seemingly Apple’s developer agreement as well.

You may not track an end-user’s WiFi network usage to determine their location if they have disabled location services for your application. –Apple developer agreement.

Though tracking WiFi BSSID names may seem innocuous, the FTC is investigating a company called InMobi about that same thing, he adds. “By collecting the BSSID (i.e., a unique identifier) of the WiFi networks that a consumer’s device connected to or was in-range of, and feeding this information into its geocoder database, InMobi could then infer the consumer’s location,” the FTC says, adding that InMobi also did this when users opted out of geolocalization.

On Twitter, Strafach replied to users who say that app tracking is expected nowadays. “Most app analytics are usually quite tame … this case goes further than what most apps do.” Tracking such information doesn’t appear to be possible on Android, as Google has been aware of the potential for WiFi tracking abuse for a while now. Since version 6.0 (Marshmallow), applications must obtain user permission before they can access a network’s BSSID. We’ve reached out to Apple and AccuWeather for more information.

Via: 9 to 5 Mac

Source: Will Strafach (Medium)

NHS could trade free cinema tickets for hitting fitness goals

Just as insurers are looking to wearables to motivate people to lead healthier lifestyles, the NHS is now also exploring a scheme that would reward active participants with discounts on shopping, fitness gear and gym memberships, as well as free cinema tickets. The concept programme would use a mobile app to track exercise and encourage people to hit targets in order to earn such bounties. The end goal being, naturally, to promote healthier lifestyles and thus “reduce pressure on the NHS.”

The proposal forms part of a winning bid in NHS England’s “Healthy New Towns” programme, launched last year. The NHS is working with ten new housing developments with the aim to “put good health at the heart of urban design and planning.” The rewards scheme is one of several ideas cooked up by the city planning researchers at Citiesmode for the Halton Lea site in Cheshire. Other facets to the plan include public gym equipment, running tracks marked out on pavements, healthy cooking lessons for locals, free bicycles, and potentially even an outdoor cinema and community space to encourage people to get off the couch and socialise.

The final proposal and implementation strategy for the Halton Lea site is expected to be published in January next year, so it’s all very much in the concept stage at this point. The activity-related rewards scheme would also need retail partners to get off the ground, but that’s not inconceivable. UK insurer Vitality already offers discounted fitness trackers and a tradable points system for meeting exercise goals, for instance. Similar schemes exist elsewhere, too, showing that it’s not a great stretch to imagine an NHS-backed version could also work.

Via: Huffington Post

Source: NHS England, Citiesmode

Comcast tries using Roku to hook college kids on cable

A few years after launching the Xfinity on Campus service, Comcast says it’s now available for over 100 schools — up by 60 percent from last year. Originally, its streaming TV setup only worked through phones, PCs and tablets, but this fall new and returning students can also watch via Roku. That should work via a stick, box, or even a TV with the system built-in — like the TCL set included in our Back to School buyer’s guide — with live TV, video on-demand and a cloud DVR setup.

Of course, getting college students used to cable service is a big deal for Comcast too, as it tries to stem the tide of cord-nevers who graduate and avoid traditional TV service altogether. Even if it leads to another internet-delivered service like its planned Xfinity Instant TV or DirecTV Now, getting the kids a taste of cable now could keep them from sticking to antennas and Netflix in the future.

Source: Xfinity on Campus