Even a disguise might not save you from next-gen facial-recognition technology

Why it matters to you

New facial-recognition technology could be used for smarter surveillance systems.

There is no question that facial-recognition technology is getting better. But what if a person tries to purposely obscure their identity by sporting a fake beard or giant sunglasses? Up until now, that has been a lot harder for even smart facial-recognition systems to deal with.

This is where new technology developed by researchers from India and the U.K. hopes to address. Engineers at India’s National Institute of Technology and Institute of Science and the U.K.’s University of Cambridge have developed a facial recognition framework that can identify even people who actively obscure their faces.

“This system can be used to identify a person even if they are disguised,” Amarjot Singh, from the University of Cambridge, told Digital Trends. “This can be used to identify criminals trying to disguise their appearance to avoid law enforcement. The problem of Disguise Face Identification (DFI) is an extremely challenging and interesting problem that is of great interest to law enforcement — as they can use this technology to identify criminals.”

The deep learning-based system works by identifying 14 key areas of the face, including 10 for the eyes, three for the lips, and one for the nose. It is capable of estimating these even when they are obscured in some way. It then compares these readings to images to find a match. In early tests, the results were 56 percent accurate at finding the right person when their face was covered with a hat or scarf — although this dropped to 43 percent when they also wear glasses. Those figures are not going to be considered evidence in a court of law anytime soon, but they could certainly help police narrow down a search.

“This, in my opinion, is the first AI-based work that solved the problem of DFI with a reasonable accuracy,” Singh continued. “The datasets developed by us were essential in solving this task. We hope that more researchers can use the proposed data set to develop strong AI models that can perform better on this task or can expand that dataset to include more disguises. Overall, this work will get the ball rolling.”

Next, he notes that the team is trying to get the technology to function in real time with less computational power. “After that, the next step would be to deploy it on cameras to see how well it performs,” he continued.

From a computer science perspective, it is impressive stuff. In terms of what it means for potentially authoritarian surveillance, we’re not convinced things are quite so clear-cut. In the meantime, a paper describing the work will be presented in October at the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers International Conference on Computer Vision Workshop in Venice, Italy.

Lenovo Moto X4 vs. Sony Xperia XZ1 Compact: Is more expensive actually better?

Sony has officially taken the wraps off a few of its upcoming phones — and they boast some pretty nice specs given their price point. The Sony Xperia XZ1 is the company’s newest flagship, but it also has smaller sibling called the Xperia XZ1 Compact.

The Sony Xperia XZ1 Compact has great specs at a slightly lower price point than the standard Xperia XZ1, but they’re packed into a smaller body. It does face some serious competition, though. For example, Lenovo recently revived the Moto X line, which could pose a serious threat to devices like the Xperia XZ1 Compact. So how do the two phones compare? Here, we pitted them against one another to find out.

Specs

Lenovo Moto X4

Sony Xperia XZ1 Compact

Size
148.4 x 73.4 x 8 mm (5.84 x 2.89 x 0.31 inches)
129 x 64 x 9.3 mm (5.08 x 2.52 x 0.37 inches)
Weight
5.75 ounces (163 grams)
4.94 ounces (140 grams)
Screen
5.2-inch IPS LCD
4.6-inch IPS LCD
Resolution
1,920 x 1,080 pixels (424ppi)
1,080 x 720 pixels (319ppi)
OS
Android 7.1
Android 8.0 Oreo
Storage
32GB (64GB in some markets)
32GB
SD Card Slot
Yes, up to 2TB
Yes
NFC support
Yes
Yes
Processor
Qualcomm Snapdragon 630
Qualcomm Snapdragon 835
RAM
3GB (4GB in some markets)
4GB
Connectivity
GSM / HSPA / LTE
GSM / HSPA / LTE
Camera
Front 16MP, rear 12MP and 8MP
Front 8MP rear 19MP
Video
4K
4K at 30fps, 1,080p at 60fps, 720p at 960fps
Bluetooth
Yes, version 5.0
Yes, version 5.0
Fingerprint sensor
Yes
Yes
Other sensors
Gyroscope, accelerometer, ambient light, proximity sensor
Accelerometer, gyroscope, proximity, barometer, compass
Water Resistant
Yes, IP68
Yes, IP68
Battery
3,000mAh
2,700mAh
Charger
USB Type-C
USB Type-C
Quick Charging
Yes
Yes
Wireless Charging
No
No
Marketplace
Google Play Store
Google Play Store
Color offerings
Black, blue
Black, Snow Silver, Horizon Blue, Twilight Pink
Availability
TBA
October 4
Pricing
$475 (estimated)
$600
DT Review
Hands-on review
Coming soon

There’s a clear winner here when it comes to performance, and that’s the new Sony Xperia XZ1 Compact. While the Moto X4 isn’t a bad device with its Qualcomm Snapdragon 630 processor and 3GB of RAM, the Xperia XZ1 Compact takes things to the next level with Qualcomm’s flagship processor, the Snapdragon 835, and 4GB of RAM.

There’s no competition here. The Xperia XZ1 Compact is going to perform far better in every way, so if performance is important to you, then it’s the phone for you.

When it comes to storage, both phones offer similar configuration. The Moto X4 offers 32GB of storage, though in some international markets, there are 64GB options. The Sony Xperia XZ1 Compact only comes with 32GB, but both phones come equipped with MicroSD card slots, so you’ll be able to expand upon that storage if you so choose.

Winner: Sony Xperia XZ1 Compact

Display, design, and durability

While the Xperia XZ1 Compact is the clear winner in the specs department, when it comes to the display, things are a little different. Both phones offer LCD displays, but while the Xperia XZ1 Compact offers a 1,080 x 720-pixel display, the Moto X4 boasts 1,920 x 1,080-pixel resolution.

The design of the phones is a little more subjective, but we can still talk about the overall look. The Moto X4 features a typical Motorola design, one that boasts a large, dual-camera module toward the top of the phone’s rear. Unlike the Moto Z, this phone is not compatible with Moto Mods — but it still has a design reminiscent of the phones that are. The Sony Xperia XZ1 Compact features a typical Sony design, and offers a rectangular look. The phone doesn’t have a dual-camera sensor on the back, but for some, that won’t matter.

So what about durability? The Moto X4 features a glass front and back, meaning it’s likely more prone to damage, but cases for both are probably advisable. Both phones also offer an IP68 rating, meaning they can withstand up to 1.5 meters of water for up to 30 minutes. Sure, you probably won’t want to take them swimming, but they should do fine if you accidentally drop them in the bath or get caught in the rain.

Because of the sharper display, the Moto X4 is the winner here.

Winner: Lenovo Moto X4

Battery life and charging

The Lenovo Moto X4 offers a battery capacity of 3,000mAh, which isn’t bad, and puts it slightly ahead of the Xperia XZ1 Compact, which has a 2,700mAh battery. Of course, a larger battery doesn’t necessarily translate into longer battery life. In fact, the phones are probably similar in battery life given the Moto X4 has a more power-intensive display. Both phones also offer Quick Charge 3.0, so they should charge at roughly the same speed, though, neither offers wireless charging.

Because of the larger battery, the Moto X4 wins here. Once we get our hands on the Xperia XZ1 Compact, however, that may change.

Winner: Lenovo Moto X4

Camera

The cameras on the back of these two phones both seem to have a lot to offer, but they’re pretty different. For starters, the Lenovo Moto X4 boasts a dual-sensor camera with one 12-megapixel sensor and another 8-megapixel, wide-angle sensor. That combination is great for those that like to get cool effects, like the bokeh effect, though in our review it was noted that the phone does sometimes take some time to process images. The front-facing camera on the phone sits in at a hefty 16-megapixels.

The Sony Xperia XZ1 Compact, on the other hand, has a single-lens, 19-megapixel camera. It stands out for its video-recording capabilities — the device can record up to 960 frames per second, which is pretty intense. The front-facing camera on this phone is 8-megapixels.

Both of the cameras on these phones have a lot to offer, but in different ways. Because of this, we’re declaring this one a tie.

Winner: Tie

Software

Both of the phones run Android, but they offer different variants of it. Motorola phones typically offer pretty close to stock Android, while Sony phones offer a tweaked design. There are a few things about the interface that are visibly different — like the app drawer and keyboard — but in general, the interface isn’t as different as the likes of Samsung.

Of course, there is a difference in software here — the Xperia XZ1 Compact ships with Android Oreo, while the Moto X4 ships with with Android Nougat. Still, the Moto X4 is getting an update to Android Oreo, so users of the phone won’t miss out.

Perhaps more important than small interface tweaks is how quickly you’ll get updates. Generally speaking, Lenovo’s Moto phones receive updates a bit quicker than Sony phones. Because of that, we’ve awarded this one to Lenovo.

Winner: Lenovo Moto X4

Price and availability

Neither of these two phones are available in the United States just yet. Lenovo hasn’t shared when we can expect the Moto X4 to land in the states yet, however, the Xperia XZ1 Compact will be available starting October 4.

What about pricing? Well, there’s a clear winner here. While the Xperia XZ1 Compact comes in at a hefty $600, the Lenovo Moto X4 comes in at only around $475, based on prices given in other countries. That’s a pretty serious price difference, which might make the Moto X4 a far better choice for those on a tight budget.

Winner: Lenovo Moto X4

Overall winner: Lenovo Moto X4

In a somewhat surprising victory, the Lenovo Moto X4 has come out on top — but there are some caveats. If you’re looking for a more powerful phone, then the Sony Xperia XZ1 Compact is the better choice. If, however, you’re looking for a better all-around device — one outfitted with a better display, better battery, and quicker software updates — the Moto X4 is a slightly better choice. Plus, it’s $100 cheaper than the Xperia XZ1 Compact.

‘Mission Impossible’ would approve — humidity causes device to self-destruct

Why it matters to you

Transient electronics could be used for everything from biomedical devices which dissolve within the body after use to eco-friendly disposable gadgets.

An international team of researchers from the University of Houston and research institutes in China have developed a new type of self-destructing electronic device which can dissolve with nothing more than exposure to water molecules in the atmosphere — in other words, humidity. It could have potential applications in everything from Mission Impossible-style gadgets for holding sensitive information, to biomedical devices which dissolve within the body after use, to eco-friendly disposable personal electronics.

“The concept of transient electronics is not new,” Professor Hangxun Xu, from the University of Science and Technology of China, told Digital Trends. “However, previous devices only work under aqueous solutions or biofluids — and sometimes aggressive chemicals such as acids or bases would be required to realize the transient process. An obvious drawback is lack of control over the degradation process. Moreover, the materials that can be used to fabricate transient electronics are limited. Normal materials such as copper, nickel, or aluminum are not applicable in transient electronics.”

In the team’s unique approach, the dissolving mechanism occurs due to a reaction between the device’s polymer substrate and water molecules in the atmosphere. No kind of immersion is necessary; instead, a chemical breakdown is triggered using ambient moisture which then digests the various electronic materials and components — which could include aluminum, copper, nickel indium-gallium, zinc and magnesium oxide, and more.

“In short, for the first time we introduce a novel chemical reaction into the transient electronics,” Xu continued. “Through manipulating the kinetics of the chemical reaction, we are able to control the transient process, which is extremely challenging to achieve.”

Next up, the team wants to explore more metastable polymers that can degrade the functional devices sitting on top of the substrates. They also want to shorten the time the degradation process takes, which is currently days rather than hours — or even less. “We want to develop a novel triggering mode which can destroy the electronics in seconds,” Xu said.

While this isn’t the only example of self-destructing transient electronics we’ve covered, with so many fascinating use cases, we’re excited to see where this research goes next. A paper describing the work was recently published in the journal Science Advances.

Even Apple haters can’t afford to ignore the iPhone X launch. Here’s why

The sun and the moon have aligned once this year already; but on September 12 in Cupertino, California, many less cosmic but equally crucial factors will come together in a spectacular, potentially monumental way that will eclipse the, um, eclipse. Apple will hold an event where it will almost certainly show off its 2017 iPhone models. That’s pretty exciting on its own. Apple events are always anticipated. But the September event isn’t just, “pretty exciting.” It’s eye-widening, pulse-quickening, trouser-dropping, forget-about-any-other-tech-event-in-2017 exciting.

This Apple event is so important, and likely so pivotal to the tech scene, even the most hardened Apple hater has to watch. Not convinced? Here’s why.

Goodbye iPhone 7S, hello iPhone 8

We’re likely not going to get an iPhone 7S and 7S Plus. Instead, Apple is now expected to give us an iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus. This is fantastic news. The S revisions are stop gaps in the evolution of the iPhone. Feature-lite phones that don’t look any different to the existing iPhone, that serve to give Apple more time to work on a proper revision for the following year. Skipping the iPhone 7S and jumping straight into the iPhone 8 potentially means there are way too many awesome changes and new features in the 2017 device — it’s too damn good to slap a boring old 7S label on it.

Gabor Balogh

Joining the iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus will be the iPhone X, if all the rumors are accurate. There have been a lot of rumors about this device, which is supposedly built to commemorate the iPhone’s 10th anniversary. Announcing a third iPhone would be a massive shake-up on its own; but we’re expecting the iPhone X to have a borderless OLED screen — a first for Apple — and potentially other features unique to the device too. It promises to be the flagship iPhone, and the most technically advanced iPhone we’ve ever seen, if rumors are correct.

Apple’s notorious for sitting back and letting the rest of the mobile industry have a stab at bringing something new to the table, and then polishing the same tech up for its own release later on. This time, it’s borderless screens that we’ve seen on the Xiaomi Mi Mix, the LG G6, and the Samsung Galaxy S8 to name just a few. Except Apple’s not waiting until 2018 to bring out its own bezel-less wonder-phone, as it may have done so in the past. Why? The pressure’s on. Phones like the HTC U11 and OnePlus 5 already look “old” next to the Galaxy S8 and the Essential PH-1. Apple doesn’t want to be in the same company.

Three new phones, a completely new look, and new tech? Yes please, Apple.

The pressure is on

Apple is reacting to increased pressure from its competitors, which has been a long time coming. Apple is usually terribly laid back, and has been almost complacent over the past few years. The devices it has planned for September 12, or so we think, indicate a fire has been reignited. Yes, it has always sold a truckload of phones; but by getting up on stage and showing off next-generation hardware that gets the blood rushing to fan’s nether regions, it’ll need to design new, massive load-carrying trucks to cope with the demand.

Announcing a third iPhone would be a massive shake-up.

The stakes are unusually high this year. Samsung has recovered in a mighty fashion from its abysmal end to 2016 with the superb Galaxy S8 and S8 plus. The Galaxy Note 8 isn’t for everyone, but it’s still a very capable device. LG has come with the G6 and excellent LG V30, and we’re still waiting for new Pixel phones from Google. That’s before we consider the camera on the HTC U11, the bargain OnePlus 5, and many more excellent smartphones. The fight for your money has never been more heated.

Apple simply has to attack. It can’t afford not to wow us. An iPhone 7S and 7S Plus, with a smattering of features and the same design, would be a terrible misstep. Even if dropping the 7S name for 2017 is just a marketing ploy, it’s the right one. Apple needs to have something really new, not a rehashed 2016 phone to lazily rake in some more profit while engineers take it easy before earning their keep in 2018. An iPhone 8 is new, and an iPhone X could be the future made available now. How’s that for grandstanding? Step aside Samsung, LG, and the rest: Watch and learn from the masters.

If Apple gets it wrong, or doesn’t quite deliver, there are plenty of amazing Android phones already available waiting to be purchased.

The right location

That’s not all the pressure Apple’s facing. This will be the first event held at the Steve Jobs Theater inside the Apple Park “spaceship” campus. A thousand lucky invited souls will cram inside to see the presentation, seated on leather chairs rumored to cost $14,000 each, while thousands more will watch a livestream of the event, likely in chairs that cost considerably less.

We know less about the auditorium’s layout and final look than we do the new iPhones. It’s as much of a new attraction as the devices that will be shown on stage. Think about this: When is the last time we were excited about the location of a tech launch event, eagerly anticipating what it will look like inside, and the design wonders — inevitably constructed from glass — it may conceal? It’s another piece of what makes this event so special, and another hyped-up promise on which Apple needs to deliver.

It’s not just about the iPhones either. There’s an almost-certain chance a new Apple Watch with watchOS4 will be announced, we could see demonstrations of Apple’s augmented reality technology through ARkit, the release of iOS 11, and more. After several years of rather ordinary, sometimes disappointing Apple events, we’re poised for what could be the best yet; honoring the memory of Steve Jobs in a theater named after him, and doing the iPhone proud on its 10th anniversary. Pressure? We’ve got no idea.

Anticipation

After all that hyperbole, are you labeling me an Apple fanboy? Fine, on the eve of this event, I’ll take it. Anyway, it’s you I’m addressing. Apple fans, and unbiased tech fans, will watch the event anyway. It’s the people who dislike Apple and scream “fanboy!” at their computer screen that will ignore it; but it’s the wrong thing to do this year.

The hype is through the roof.

Apple is all set up for a mega event. The hype is through the roof, the atmosphere, and is chasing down the Voyager 1. There is, as we explained, a lot riding on it being a success, and on Apple delivering new iPhones that live up to the anticipation. In the same way as some of the early Apple events are seen as “classics” for how they influenced product launches over the years, this one potentially could be the same. If you’re interested in tech, you’ll want to see it. Don’t buy an Apple product if you don’t want one, but don’t let that stop you witnessing what could be a special moment in tech history.

There is, if you’ll forgive my indulgence, one last thing: Apple has disappointed us in the past. We’re amped up for September 12, but Apple isn’t directly responsible for this, and still has the chance to disappoint us again. The phones may not be as good as we think, the prices may be astronomical, and only 152 iPhone X phones may be made, with a delivery date of 2019. If so, who wouldn’t want to see that nightmare unfold too? Either way, settle down for September 12’s Apple event. We think it’s unmissable.

You can download and try these iOS 11 wallpapers on your phone right now

Why it matters to you

Want to feel like you have the latest iPhone without having to spend the cash? These leaked wallpapers could be the next best thing.

We’re mere hours away from finally being introduced to the latest and greatest set of iPhones, including what is rumored to be called the iPhone X. On top of that, we’ll get Apple’s new mobile operating system, iOS 11, which was first introduced to audiences at WWDC in June. Thanks to a leak picked up by 9to6Mac, iOS 11 has leaked to the public, giving us a look at some pretty neat wallpapers to show up in the software.

That leak has made it possible for iPhone users to download and use some of those wallpapers right now. There are a total of 16 wallpapers, with three more being exclusive to the iPhone X, and they show an interesting shift for Apple’s design trends. Instead of getting images of the cascading landscapes of California, Apple seems to be taking things in a decidedly more retro direction. Some of the wallpapers feature flowers with nice, transitioning colors behind them. Others feature a simple black background with a rainbow of stripes cutting across the screen. Still more feature the Earth at night and during the day, with one of the moon.

One thing is for sure: The wallpapers are designed to show off the capabilities of the iPhone X’s rumored OLED display. OLED displays can typically show much deeper blacks and more vivid colors than LCD displays, which have been used on every iPhone model so far. The reason blacks are so much deeper on OLED displays is the fact that OLED displays can backlight individual pixels — so instead of lighting the whole display, it can not light certain pixels. That also results in less of a draw on battery life, considering less light is required.

Of course, new wallpapers aren’t the only thing we can expect from the Apple event on Tuesday. We’ll see new iPhone hardware, but we’ll also likely see a new Apple Watch, and we even see Apple’s entrance into the world of augmented reality.

Check out the full high-res wallpapers for the new set of iPhones below, and feel free to download them for yourself so you can pretend you have the high-priced iPhone X.

How to use variable speed on YouTube mobile — without the chipmunk voice

Why it matters to you

You can now speed up that lecture — or slow-down that how-to video — without switching to the desktop version of YouTube.

Fast-forwarding that lecture or slowing down that complicated how-to has been part of YouTube’s desktop player for several years but the video platform recently brought variable playback speed to mobile. The update brought one of the most requested features to the mobile app beginning last week, but what took so long between launching the feature on a browser, and launching the feature on Android and iOS? And how do users access variable speed on YouTube? An inside look from the YouTube developers blog offers insight into the app’s newest feature.

YouTube says that a number of features make slowing down a video a complex task — particularly when working with the more limited hardware of a mobile device. Changing the speed of a video involves altering how quickly the frames play, as well as adjusting the audio so that collegiate lecture doesn’t turn the professor into a chipmunk. On a mobile device, the hardware doesn’t have as much CPU and memory to reserve for the task, not to mention differences stemming from battery life and the reliability of the wireless connection.

In order to slow down or speed up those video frames, the decoder has to work faster than watching the video at full speed. Working off an internet connection, that means the program needs to decode the video faster than the video can be rendered — a speed that varies with the internet connection. In order to make speeding up a video actually faster than watching it in the original time frame, YouTube developers programmed the app to adjust the video’s quality to the maximum that can be downloaded while still keeping up with that decoder.

Audio, however, was the biggest problem — speed up a video without any changes to the audio and you get that chipmunk voice. (Fun fact: that was how the voices for Alvin and The Chipmunks were recorded). To slow down audio, the developers used a technique called audio stretching that allows the duration of the sound to change without distorting pitch. Audio manipulation inside the app is powered by a Sonic Player algorithm in Android, and AVplayer inside iOS.

“The most commonly used speed setting on the web is 1.25x, closely followed by 1.5x,” wrote YouTube Software Engineer Pallavi Powale. “Speed watching is the new speed listening which was the new speed reading, especially when consuming long lectures or interviews. But variable speed isn’t just useful for skimming through content to save time, it can also be an important tool for investigating finer details.”

With an app update, viewers can now adjust a video’s speed from a quarter of the original speed to twice the speed. The options are located inside the overflow menu — to access variable playback speed on the YouTube app, tap those three dots “…” in the corner and select “playback speed” from the menu, then choose the desired speed. The variable speed comes in a long string of updates, including HDR compatibility and faster live streaming, features that followed a major redesign.

Safety-minded AI system can tell when you’re texting and driving

Why it matters to you

Texting while you’re driving is irresponsible and dangerous. This smart AI system could help crack down on it.

Texting while driving is an incredibly irresponsible, potentially dangerous thing to engage in. However, despite any number of laws, police initiatives and public service announcements, too many still do it. That is a problem that engineering researchers from Canada’s University of Waterloo think they have come up with a solution to — with the development of a system which uses a combination of cameras and artificial intelligence to determine when drivers are texting, or otherwise engaged in distracting activities.

“Distracted driving is one of the major causes of car crashes around the world and North America in particular,” Fakhri Karray, an electrical and computer engineering professor at Waterloo, told Digital Trends. “In this work, an artificial intelligence-based system is investigated for driver distraction detection. A full prototype [with both] software and hardware has been designed, implemented and tested, based on the latest tools of deep learning AI and computer vision. The work is motivated by its performance in designing next generation self-driving cars, and by alerting in real time a driver of the imminent danger of his or her action when undergoing text messaging, drinking, reaching objects at the back or side seats, calling on the phone, or operating a radio, [air conditioning unit], or other devices on the dashboard.”

The smart camera setup detects hand movements which deviate from normal driving behavior (i.e. hands on the wheel) and then classifies them according to their potential threat level. In addition to this, it takes into account the length of particular actions and information about the surrounding vehicles — meaning that texting on a busy highway would be ranked considerably higher in the danger stakes than, for example, turning on your air conditioning on a quiet country road. The system can then be used to trigger protective measures, which might range from warning the driver about his or her behavior to, in a car with self-driving features, temporarily taking control of the vehicle.

“ This is an integral part of a larger project on driver behavior recognition and driver action prediction for the design of next generation cognitive Advanced Drivers Assisting Systems,” Karray said. “This should contribute to the design of next generation systems to be implemented in level three or level four self-driving vehicles.”

Given that distracted drivers are reportedly to blame for up to 75 percent of traffic accidents worldwide, technology such as this could be a major benefit — not just for the drivers of these vehicles, but for everyone on the road. It’s not every day that AI could help save lives!

Cheap Chromecast Speakers: Best Under $35

Just because you want a great-sounding speaker doesn’t mean you have to spend more than you did on your Chromecast Audio.

Chromecast Audio provides us with an easy way to stream media from our mobile devices to our favorite speakers, whether they feature Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, or neither. We’ve selected five of the best portable speakers that go great with this audio accessory and cost no more than the Chromecast Audio itself. Keep one in your bedroom, living room, kitchen, or bathroom — these speakers will give you the superior sound you crave without breaking the bank.

• Cambridge Soundworks OontZ Angle 3
• Photive Hydra
• AYL Portable Mini Speaker
• Anker Classic Portable Speaker
• VTIN Cuber

Cambridge Soundworks OontZ Angle 3

While the Chromecast Audio may not be waterproof, the OontZ Angle 3 from Cambridge SoundWorks certainly is. This 5-inch speaker speaker has an IPX5 rating, making it completely splashproof for any setting. Inside is a long lasting 2200mAh battery that provides up to 15 hours of music through its dual drivers for a total of 10W of stereo sound. The OontZ Angle 3 sounds great on every level — mids, highs, and even bass are clear thanks to the passive subwoofer design. If you’re after a speaker that’s built for a tougher environment, this is a great option for you.

You can pick one up for around $25.

Read our in-depth review

See at Amazon

Photive Hydra

The Photive Hydra is perfect for people that want a cheap speaker and are more concerned about sound quality than convenience. Sporting a passive subwoofer and two 40mm drivers, the Hydra delivers a fuller-sounding low end, while still providing pleasing, clear treble.

Its IP66 rating means it can get wet, but not submerged. Obviously, your Chromecast Audio is not water-resistant at all, but its a nice feature to have if you ever choose to use it away from the tether of your Chromecast Audio. For about $35, the Photive Hydra could be yours.

See at Amazon

AYL Portable Mini Speaker

For something a bit more compact, but surprisingly loud, the AYL portable mini speaker is definitely one to check out. The 3W speaker on top provides quality sound that jams for up to 10 hours on a full charge. The unique design of this speaker makes it ideal for travel, quickly collapsing into a smaller size when needed. There’s even a built-in 3.5mm headphone cable on the bottom for hooking up your Chromecast Audio, along with an extension cable if you need a little extra length. Priced around $15, you can’t go wrong with this mini speaker.

Read our review of the AYL Mini

See at Amazon

Anker Classic Portable Speaker

Anker’s Classic Portable Speaker, a box design that uses a single 2-inch, 4W driver and bass port to deliver its amazing quality sound. Powering the unit is a 2100mAh Li-ion battery that will keep the music going for up to 20 hours. The built-in mic allows you to use the Anker Classic as a speakerphone, but for keeping things simple just plug in your Chromecast Audio to the 3.5mm port on the side and enjoy what this crafty speaker has to offer. Included is a longer auxiliary cable, travel pouch, microUSB charging cable, and an 18-month warranty. You can grab one in black, blue, or white for around $30.

Read our review of the Anker Classic

See at Amazon

VTIN Cuber

If you’re looking for a speaker to use with Chromecast audio that is ultra portable, check out the VTIN Cuber.

With an IP67 rating, this small square speaker is made to withstand the elements, which is great if you ever want to use your Chromecast beside the pool or when you’re outside grilling.

Believe it or not, this tiny thing actually has a pretty solid battery life, giving you up to 8 hours of listening time. It comes with a strap you can attach to make it even easier to carry, and if you want to venture away from your Chromecast you can always use it with standard Bluetooth.

The VTIN Cuber will run you about $32.

See at Amazon

What speakers are you using with Chromecast Audio?

Those are our top picks for an affordable speaker to use with Chromecast Audio. Which speakers are you using or looking into getting for yours? Sound off in the comments!

Updated Spetember 2017: Added prices for all the speakers listed.

Chromecast

• Chromecast and Chromecast Audio review
• Chromecast Ultra vs Roku
• Chromecast vs Chromecast Ultra: Which should you buy?
• Join the discussion in our forums

Chromecast:

Google
Best Buy

Chromecast Audio:

Google
Best Buy

Chromecast Ultra:

Google
Best Buy

Amazon set to launch new 4K Fire TV dongle and set-top box with built-in Alexa

Amazon’s next Fire TV box is basically an Echo Dot with an HDMI port.

Amazon is planning to release two new Fire TV models before the end of 2017. As reported by AFTVnews, the new flagship Amazon Fire TV set top box will have built-in Alexa functionality and support 4K and HDR content, while Amazon is also set to release a new mid-tier dongle — essentially a cross between a scaled-down Amazon Fire TV box and Google’s Chromecast — that will also support 4K and HDR.

The new Fire TV dongle features 2GB of RAM, 8GB of internal storage, and a 1.5GHz processor which will make it slightly less powerful than the current generation of Amazon Fire TV box, fitting in nicely between the budget Fire TV stick that isn’t going anywhere and the new flagship Fire TV box.

But let’s talk about the new Fire TV box, which packs the functionality of an Echo Dot (complete with the physical buttons on top and the familiar blue Alexa strip) with an upgraded Fire TV set box into a black cube casing. With built-in far-field microphones and a speaker, the Fire TV box will be able to listen and respond like any other Echo Dot would — even when the TV is off.

The new Fire TV box will support HDMI-CEC controls for powering on the TV and also includes a built-in IR blaster for older TVs that don’t support the HDMI-CEC standard. This means you’ll be able to control much more using just your voice and the Fire TV box, although Amazon is still including a remote with a built-in microphone as well.

Pricing and full specs for the new Fire TV box have yet to announce, but AFTVnews speculates that we’ll learn more before the end of the year. Meanwhile, expect the Fire TV dongle to be formally announced by Amazon sometime later this month.

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How to watch Football in VR

See the pass up close with Football in VR.

The leaves have started to turn, kids are back in school, and Summer has come to an end, which means it’s time for the great American sport: Football. While hanging out on the couch with all of your buddies while you cheer for your favorite game is a past time, but there is a new way to experience the intensity of the game up close and personal, with VR.

We’ve got all the details for you here on what you can — and can’t — watch in VR!

Read more at VRHeads