More mobile vulnerabilities found in first half of 2017 than all of 2016

Why it matters to you

More and more vulnerabilities are being discovered on our phones — which means you need to be as vigilant as ever to keep your data safe.

Mobile security is becoming increasingly important in an era of mass hacks and data breaches. Mobile hacks and exploits are becoming increasingly common — but some may not be aware of just how common they’re becoming. According to Zimperium‘s latest Global Threat Intelligence report, there were more common vulnerabilities discovered and registered for Android and iOS in the first half of 2017 than all of 2016.

Since 2016, according to the report, a hefty 600 vulnerabilities have been discovered for Android and 300 for iOS, and while not all of those vulnerabilities are severe, they do prove that there’s a lot of work to be done to ensure the security of the Android and iOS operating systems.

That’s a pretty big deal, but it’s made even worse by the fact that the vast majority of Android devices run older — and hence more vulnerable — versions of Android. According to the report, a massive 94 percent of Android devices run older versions of Android. That’s much higher than on iOS, where only 23 percent of active devices are running older versions of the operating system, but the situation is not all that unexpected considering the fragmentation of the Android ecosystem.

Perhaps even more concerning is the fact that a massive 1 in 50 apps downloaded onto enterprise devices was detected to have a serious security or privacy issue.

So what kinds of risks are most common? Perhaps the most serious risk is a man-in-the-middle attack, which eventually allows the attacker to access all kinds of user data — which could ultimately used for an even more serious attack. These attacks occur over networks, when an attacker scans the network to look for potential victims, and the new report notes that as many as five percent of all devices detected such a scan in the first quarter of 2017 — and many devices actually encountered multiple scans. Of the devices that were scanned, a massive 80 percent were targeted in a man-in-the-middle attack, and it’s likely that users were never made aware that they had fallen victim to such an attack.

Of course, there are things that you can do to ensure your data remains safe. For starters, you can try to avoid unsecured Wi-Fi networks, and make sure that you only download apps from the Google Play or Apple App Store — and even when you do download apps on those marketplaces, try to only download apps that you know are legit.

Tiny nanoscale-tidying robots are made from a single strand of DNA

Why it matters to you

A DNA robot is a proof of concept for future nanoscale robots that can help tidy up our bodies from the inside.

Imagine a more advanced Roomba cleaning robot that is capable of not just vacuuming things, but instead picks up objects and puts them away for you. Now imagine if that robot was almost impossibly tiny, created from just a single strand of DNA — and instead of picking up stray socks and dirty dishes, it was able to pick up individual molecules and move them around at nanoscale.

Well, imagine no more because that is whatCalifornia Institute of Technology scientists have created with a new DNA-based “robot” that may one day be performing “cargo sorting” jobs in places like our bloodstream. While it is not yet being used to do so, during a proof of concept, the robot was able to pick up scattered molecules — either from a fluorescent yellow dye or fluorescent pink dye — and sorting them into their correct location. Adding more robots to work alongside it, shortened the time it took to complete the job.

“We demonstrated that a single robot sorted six cargoes of two types in roughly 10 hours, and four to five robots on the surface completed the same task in about one hour,” Lulu Qian, assistant professor of bioengineering, told Digital Trends. “We also demonstrated that two different sorting tasks could simultaneously take place on two surfaces in the same test tube, which shows the possibility of different ‘teams’ of DNA robots working on different tasks in parallel.”

While they are far too small to see without extreme magnification, the robots do look broadly humanoid in structure — with two feet for walking and an arm and hand for picking up their cargo.

The robots are not the only nanoscale creations being developed in labs. Other similar projects have developed everything from tiny cars 100 times smaller than a DNA molecule to similarly sized tools like wrenches, which can be used for adjusted the shape of other molecules.

As fast-moving as the research is in this area, however, Qian explained that it will be some time before we’re injecting Fantastic Voyage-style robots into our bodies to carry out tasks. “These DNA robots are not good for practical uses yet,” Qian said. “We focused on understanding the engineering principles for building complex robotics systems in an ideal test tube environment. There is a long way to go for transferring the understanding to the development of DNA robots that could actually be used for applications in chemical synthesis, therapeutics, and materials.”

A paper describing the research is published in the Friday, September 15 issue of the journal Science.

Weekly Rewind: Techie tiny homes, AR fighter jets, SpaceX bloopers

A lot can happen in a week when it comes to tech. The constant onslaught of news makes it nigh impossible for mere mortals with real lives to keep track of everything. That’s why we’ve compiled a quick and dirty list of this week’s top tech stories, from what happened at the Apple keynote to Game of Thrones’ potential new home  — it’s all here.

The all-screen Apple iPhone X is here, and it’s the new iPhone you’ll want

Apple has commemorated the iPhone’s 10th anniversary with a special edition phone named the iPhone X. Announced at an event on the Apple Campus in the Steve Jobs Theater by Tim Cook, the CEO said, “It’s truly amazing how much the iPhone impacts the world every day.” The iPhone X has been the subject of rumor for months, and now all the official details have been revealed.

Cook said it’s “the biggest leap forward since the original iPhone.” It’s not pronounced iPhone X, it’s the iPhone “Ten,” and the screen takes up the whole of the phone’s front panel. It’s made from surgical grade stainless steel, and glass on the rear panel. It’s water and dust resistant, and available in space grey and silver. You can read our iPhone X hands-on here.

Read: The all-screen Apple iPhone X is here, and it’s the new iPhone you’ll want

Apple Watch 3: News, new features, and release

Wearables may be facing an murky future, but that didn’t stop Apple from announcing the Apple Watch Series 3 alongside the iPhone X, Apple TV 4K, and new AirPods at the Steve Jobs Theater in Cupertino, California on Tuesday. Apple’s most refined interpretation of a wearable yet boasts LTE connectivity, an improved display and battery, and a waterproof design that comes in an endless array of styles, colors, and materials.

This is all building on the Apple Watch’s impressive momentum. Apple says it’s the most popular smartwatch in the world, topping Rolex, Fossil, Omega, and Cartier. And it’s riding on a wave of popularity; Apple says the its Watch has a 97 percent customer satisfaction rating.

Read: Apple Watch 3: News, new features, and release

High-tech, tricked-out tiny homes bring new meaning to the simple life

When people think of tiny homes, words like “simple,” “off the grid,” or even “cramped” probably come to mind.

And while it’s true that many tiny home buyers are seeking a simplified lifestyle that allows for more mobility, some are also unwilling to sacrifice modern technology and high-end finishes that make a tiny house a home.

Enter the trend of tricked-out tiny homes: small spaces loaded with big ticket items such as smart door locks and lights, retractable decks and roofs, high-tech solar panels, and reclaimed wood finishes. Who says that tiny homes need to be stingy on technology?

Read: High-tech, tricked-out tiny homes bring new meaning to the simple life

BMW rewrites its luxury code with the Concept X7 iPerformance

The long wait for BMW’s range-topping SUV continues, but at least we have a better idea of the full-size luxury vehicle’s design. BMW revealed a Concept X7 iPerformance ahead of this year’s Frankfurt Motor Show.

BMW says the concept is not just a preview of the production X7, but it is also a “whole new take on luxury for the brand.” The concept is designed to accommodate six people in a minimalist cabin. Embodied within the teaser vehicle is BMW’s next generation of styling, interior technology, and powertrains.

The German automaker hopes the X7 will expand the group’s luxury sales considerably.

Read: BMW rewrites its luxury code with the Concept X7 iPerformance

Defense giant BAE wants to replace fighter jet controls with augmented reality

To paraphrase the movie Zoolander, augmented reality (AR) is so hot right now. AR is used to refer to technology designed for superimposing a computer generated image onto a user’s view of the real world, and it has been leapt upon by tech leviathans ranging from Apple to Google — all of whom are convinced that it represents the next frontier for consumer technology.

AR isn’t just considered transformative for regular users, however. United Kingdom defense giant BAE Systems believes that augmented reality has a valuable role to play in the future of combat. BAE is known for its far-out tech concepts, which have ranged from UAVs that can be “grown” using chemistry in large-scale labs to submarines piloted by virtual reality. In a “wearable cockpit” concept unveiled today, BAE’s department of military air and information showed off its ideas for incorporating AR and virtual reality (VR) technology into combat jet cockpits.

Read: Defense giant BAE wants to replace fighter jet controls with augmented reality

Ditch the studio lights — Apple’s new camera feature uses AI to light your face

Of all the announcements at Apple’s event today, one stands out as the most interesting for photographers: Portrait Lighting. This new photography feature, designed to emulate studio photography lighting on a smartphone, was only briefly glossed over in the keynote, but stands out as an impressive piece of hardware and software engineering that’s yet to be seen anywhere, let alone in a smartphone.

Put in the most simple terms, Portrait Lighting uses the depth map — captured by the dual cameras on the iPhone 8 Plus — to intelligently dodge and burn the contours of a human’s face to replicate the appearance of studio lighting.

Read: Ditch the studio lights — Apple’s new camera feature uses AI to light your face

Amazon wants the next ‘Game of Thrones’ says CEO Jeff Bezos

Jeff Bezos has made it clear: he wants the next Game of Thrones, and he wants it on Amazon.

An exclusive report in Variety details how plans are underway to develop new high-end drama series for Amazon Studios. Bezos wants new shows that not only resonate with American audiences, but have global appeal as well. “We’ve been looking at the data for some time, and as a team we’re increasingly focused on the impact of the biggest shows,” Amazon Studios chief Roy Price said. “It’s pretty evident that it takes big shows to move the needle.”

Read: Amazon wants the next ‘Game of Thrones’ says CEO Jeff Bezos

‘How not to land an orbital rocket booster’ – Elon Musk shares blooper video

“Failure is an option here,” SpaceX CEO Elon Musk said in an interview in 2005, adding, “If things are not failing, you are not innovating enough.”

In the years that followed, as his team of crack engineers endeavored to perfect its reusable rocket system, we saw boosters not only flying off course, but also blowing up in mid-air, landing in a fireball, and exploding on the launchpad. You name the calamity, and the calamity pretty much happened. For Musk, failure isn’t only an option; it’s a downright necessity.

Read: ‘How not to land an orbital rocket booster’ – Elon Musk shares blooper video

Here’s how to delete your Uber account and cut ties with the controversy

After a streak of bad press, unethical business strategies, and its former CEO joining and then resigning from President Donald Trump’s advisory committee, Uber has had a hard time holding on to its customers and drivers. If you’re one of the millions of customers who took part in #DeleteUber but only deleted the app, then your account is still active and can be used to Uber’s benefit.

It’s relatively easy to figure out how to delete your Uber account, but there is a catch. You can only deactivate your account at first, but after 30 days of inactivity, your account will be permanently deleted by Uber’s tech team.

Read: Here’s how to delete your Uber account and cut ties with the controversy

Weekly Rewind: Techie tiny homes, AR fighter jets, SpaceX bloopers

A lot can happen in a week when it comes to tech. The constant onslaught of news makes it nigh impossible for mere mortals with real lives to keep track of everything. That’s why we’ve compiled a quick and dirty list of this week’s top tech stories, from what happened at the Apple keynote to Game of Thrones’ potential new home  — it’s all here.

The all-screen Apple iPhone X is here, and it’s the new iPhone you’ll want

Apple has commemorated the iPhone’s 10th anniversary with a special edition phone named the iPhone X. Announced at an event on the Apple Campus in the Steve Jobs Theater by Tim Cook, the CEO said, “It’s truly amazing how much the iPhone impacts the world every day.” The iPhone X has been the subject of rumor for months, and now all the official details have been revealed.

Cook said it’s “the biggest leap forward since the original iPhone.” It’s not pronounced iPhone X, it’s the iPhone “Ten,” and the screen takes up the whole of the phone’s front panel. It’s made from surgical grade stainless steel, and glass on the rear panel. It’s water and dust resistant, and available in space grey and silver. You can read our iPhone X hands-on here.

Read: The all-screen Apple iPhone X is here, and it’s the new iPhone you’ll want

Apple Watch 3: News, new features, and release

Wearables may be facing an murky future, but that didn’t stop Apple from announcing the Apple Watch Series 3 alongside the iPhone X, Apple TV 4K, and new AirPods at the Steve Jobs Theater in Cupertino, California on Tuesday. Apple’s most refined interpretation of a wearable yet boasts LTE connectivity, an improved display and battery, and a waterproof design that comes in an endless array of styles, colors, and materials.

This is all building on the Apple Watch’s impressive momentum. Apple says it’s the most popular smartwatch in the world, topping Rolex, Fossil, Omega, and Cartier. And it’s riding on a wave of popularity; Apple says the its Watch has a 97 percent customer satisfaction rating.

Read: Apple Watch 3: News, new features, and release

High-tech, tricked-out tiny homes bring new meaning to the simple life

When people think of tiny homes, words like “simple,” “off the grid,” or even “cramped” probably come to mind.

And while it’s true that many tiny home buyers are seeking a simplified lifestyle that allows for more mobility, some are also unwilling to sacrifice modern technology and high-end finishes that make a tiny house a home.

Enter the trend of tricked-out tiny homes: small spaces loaded with big ticket items such as smart door locks and lights, retractable decks and roofs, high-tech solar panels, and reclaimed wood finishes. Who says that tiny homes need to be stingy on technology?

Read: High-tech, tricked-out tiny homes bring new meaning to the simple life

BMW rewrites its luxury code with the Concept X7 iPerformance

The long wait for BMW’s range-topping SUV continues, but at least we have a better idea of the full-size luxury vehicle’s design. BMW revealed a Concept X7 iPerformance ahead of this year’s Frankfurt Motor Show.

BMW says the concept is not just a preview of the production X7, but it is also a “whole new take on luxury for the brand.” The concept is designed to accommodate six people in a minimalist cabin. Embodied within the teaser vehicle is BMW’s next generation of styling, interior technology, and powertrains.

The German automaker hopes the X7 will expand the group’s luxury sales considerably.

Read: BMW rewrites its luxury code with the Concept X7 iPerformance

Defense giant BAE wants to replace fighter jet controls with augmented reality

To paraphrase the movie Zoolander, augmented reality (AR) is so hot right now. AR is used to refer to technology designed for superimposing a computer generated image onto a user’s view of the real world, and it has been leapt upon by tech leviathans ranging from Apple to Google — all of whom are convinced that it represents the next frontier for consumer technology.

AR isn’t just considered transformative for regular users, however. United Kingdom defense giant BAE Systems believes that augmented reality has a valuable role to play in the future of combat. BAE is known for its far-out tech concepts, which have ranged from UAVs that can be “grown” using chemistry in large-scale labs to submarines piloted by virtual reality. In a “wearable cockpit” concept unveiled today, BAE’s department of military air and information showed off its ideas for incorporating AR and virtual reality (VR) technology into combat jet cockpits.

Read: Defense giant BAE wants to replace fighter jet controls with augmented reality

Ditch the studio lights — Apple’s new camera feature uses AI to light your face

Of all the announcements at Apple’s event today, one stands out as the most interesting for photographers: Portrait Lighting. This new photography feature, designed to emulate studio photography lighting on a smartphone, was only briefly glossed over in the keynote, but stands out as an impressive piece of hardware and software engineering that’s yet to be seen anywhere, let alone in a smartphone.

Put in the most simple terms, Portrait Lighting uses the depth map — captured by the dual cameras on the iPhone 8 Plus — to intelligently dodge and burn the contours of a human’s face to replicate the appearance of studio lighting.

Read: Ditch the studio lights — Apple’s new camera feature uses AI to light your face

Amazon wants the next ‘Game of Thrones’ says CEO Jeff Bezos

Jeff Bezos has made it clear: he wants the next Game of Thrones, and he wants it on Amazon.

An exclusive report in Variety details how plans are underway to develop new high-end drama series for Amazon Studios. Bezos wants new shows that not only resonate with American audiences, but have global appeal as well. “We’ve been looking at the data for some time, and as a team we’re increasingly focused on the impact of the biggest shows,” Amazon Studios chief Roy Price said. “It’s pretty evident that it takes big shows to move the needle.”

Read: Amazon wants the next ‘Game of Thrones’ says CEO Jeff Bezos

‘How not to land an orbital rocket booster’ – Elon Musk shares blooper video

“Failure is an option here,” SpaceX CEO Elon Musk said in an interview in 2005, adding, “If things are not failing, you are not innovating enough.”

In the years that followed, as his team of crack engineers endeavored to perfect its reusable rocket system, we saw boosters not only flying off course, but also blowing up in mid-air, landing in a fireball, and exploding on the launchpad. You name the calamity, and the calamity pretty much happened. For Musk, failure isn’t only an option; it’s a downright necessity.

Read: ‘How not to land an orbital rocket booster’ – Elon Musk shares blooper video

Here’s how to delete your Uber account and cut ties with the controversy

After a streak of bad press, unethical business strategies, and its former CEO joining and then resigning from President Donald Trump’s advisory committee, Uber has had a hard time holding on to its customers and drivers. If you’re one of the millions of customers who took part in #DeleteUber but only deleted the app, then your account is still active and can be used to Uber’s benefit.

It’s relatively easy to figure out how to delete your Uber account, but there is a catch. You can only deactivate your account at first, but after 30 days of inactivity, your account will be permanently deleted by Uber’s tech team.

Read: Here’s how to delete your Uber account and cut ties with the controversy

Weekly Rewind: Techie tiny homes, AR fighter jets, SpaceX bloopers

A lot can happen in a week when it comes to tech. The constant onslaught of news makes it nigh impossible for mere mortals with real lives to keep track of everything. That’s why we’ve compiled a quick and dirty list of this week’s top tech stories, from what happened at the Apple keynote to Game of Thrones’ potential new home  — it’s all here.

The all-screen Apple iPhone X is here, and it’s the new iPhone you’ll want

Apple has commemorated the iPhone’s 10th anniversary with a special edition phone named the iPhone X. Announced at an event on the Apple Campus in the Steve Jobs Theater by Tim Cook, the CEO said, “It’s truly amazing how much the iPhone impacts the world every day.” The iPhone X has been the subject of rumor for months, and now all the official details have been revealed.

Cook said it’s “the biggest leap forward since the original iPhone.” It’s not pronounced iPhone X, it’s the iPhone “Ten,” and the screen takes up the whole of the phone’s front panel. It’s made from surgical grade stainless steel, and glass on the rear panel. It’s water and dust resistant, and available in space grey and silver. You can read our iPhone X hands-on here.

Read: The all-screen Apple iPhone X is here, and it’s the new iPhone you’ll want

Apple Watch 3: News, new features, and release

Wearables may be facing an murky future, but that didn’t stop Apple from announcing the Apple Watch Series 3 alongside the iPhone X, Apple TV 4K, and new AirPods at the Steve Jobs Theater in Cupertino, California on Tuesday. Apple’s most refined interpretation of a wearable yet boasts LTE connectivity, an improved display and battery, and a waterproof design that comes in an endless array of styles, colors, and materials.

This is all building on the Apple Watch’s impressive momentum. Apple says it’s the most popular smartwatch in the world, topping Rolex, Fossil, Omega, and Cartier. And it’s riding on a wave of popularity; Apple says the its Watch has a 97 percent customer satisfaction rating.

Read: Apple Watch 3: News, new features, and release

High-tech, tricked-out tiny homes bring new meaning to the simple life

When people think of tiny homes, words like “simple,” “off the grid,” or even “cramped” probably come to mind.

And while it’s true that many tiny home buyers are seeking a simplified lifestyle that allows for more mobility, some are also unwilling to sacrifice modern technology and high-end finishes that make a tiny house a home.

Enter the trend of tricked-out tiny homes: small spaces loaded with big ticket items such as smart door locks and lights, retractable decks and roofs, high-tech solar panels, and reclaimed wood finishes. Who says that tiny homes need to be stingy on technology?

Read: High-tech, tricked-out tiny homes bring new meaning to the simple life

BMW rewrites its luxury code with the Concept X7 iPerformance

The long wait for BMW’s range-topping SUV continues, but at least we have a better idea of the full-size luxury vehicle’s design. BMW revealed a Concept X7 iPerformance ahead of this year’s Frankfurt Motor Show.

BMW says the concept is not just a preview of the production X7, but it is also a “whole new take on luxury for the brand.” The concept is designed to accommodate six people in a minimalist cabin. Embodied within the teaser vehicle is BMW’s next generation of styling, interior technology, and powertrains.

The German automaker hopes the X7 will expand the group’s luxury sales considerably.

Read: BMW rewrites its luxury code with the Concept X7 iPerformance

Defense giant BAE wants to replace fighter jet controls with augmented reality

To paraphrase the movie Zoolander, augmented reality (AR) is so hot right now. AR is used to refer to technology designed for superimposing a computer generated image onto a user’s view of the real world, and it has been leapt upon by tech leviathans ranging from Apple to Google — all of whom are convinced that it represents the next frontier for consumer technology.

AR isn’t just considered transformative for regular users, however. United Kingdom defense giant BAE Systems believes that augmented reality has a valuable role to play in the future of combat. BAE is known for its far-out tech concepts, which have ranged from UAVs that can be “grown” using chemistry in large-scale labs to submarines piloted by virtual reality. In a “wearable cockpit” concept unveiled today, BAE’s department of military air and information showed off its ideas for incorporating AR and virtual reality (VR) technology into combat jet cockpits.

Read: Defense giant BAE wants to replace fighter jet controls with augmented reality

Ditch the studio lights — Apple’s new camera feature uses AI to light your face

Of all the announcements at Apple’s event today, one stands out as the most interesting for photographers: Portrait Lighting. This new photography feature, designed to emulate studio photography lighting on a smartphone, was only briefly glossed over in the keynote, but stands out as an impressive piece of hardware and software engineering that’s yet to be seen anywhere, let alone in a smartphone.

Put in the most simple terms, Portrait Lighting uses the depth map — captured by the dual cameras on the iPhone 8 Plus — to intelligently dodge and burn the contours of a human’s face to replicate the appearance of studio lighting.

Read: Ditch the studio lights — Apple’s new camera feature uses AI to light your face

Amazon wants the next ‘Game of Thrones’ says CEO Jeff Bezos

Jeff Bezos has made it clear: he wants the next Game of Thrones, and he wants it on Amazon.

An exclusive report in Variety details how plans are underway to develop new high-end drama series for Amazon Studios. Bezos wants new shows that not only resonate with American audiences, but have global appeal as well. “We’ve been looking at the data for some time, and as a team we’re increasingly focused on the impact of the biggest shows,” Amazon Studios chief Roy Price said. “It’s pretty evident that it takes big shows to move the needle.”

Read: Amazon wants the next ‘Game of Thrones’ says CEO Jeff Bezos

‘How not to land an orbital rocket booster’ – Elon Musk shares blooper video

“Failure is an option here,” SpaceX CEO Elon Musk said in an interview in 2005, adding, “If things are not failing, you are not innovating enough.”

In the years that followed, as his team of crack engineers endeavored to perfect its reusable rocket system, we saw boosters not only flying off course, but also blowing up in mid-air, landing in a fireball, and exploding on the launchpad. You name the calamity, and the calamity pretty much happened. For Musk, failure isn’t only an option; it’s a downright necessity.

Read: ‘How not to land an orbital rocket booster’ – Elon Musk shares blooper video

Here’s how to delete your Uber account and cut ties with the controversy

After a streak of bad press, unethical business strategies, and its former CEO joining and then resigning from President Donald Trump’s advisory committee, Uber has had a hard time holding on to its customers and drivers. If you’re one of the millions of customers who took part in #DeleteUber but only deleted the app, then your account is still active and can be used to Uber’s benefit.

It’s relatively easy to figure out how to delete your Uber account, but there is a catch. You can only deactivate your account at first, but after 30 days of inactivity, your account will be permanently deleted by Uber’s tech team.

Read: Here’s how to delete your Uber account and cut ties with the controversy

The Best 360 Roller coaster Videos

Scream if you want to go faster!

VR delivers tons of great experiences from the comfort of your office chair. Some of the most fun you can have is riding a roller coaster without actually strapping yourself into a contraption meant to hurl you through turns at seventy miles an hour. There are plenty of videos out there that will let you ride a roller coaster in VR, but they definitely are not all made equally. If you want the experience, but not the lines, or the actual feeling of being on a coaster, then there are some great videos that recreate what it feels like.

That’s why we’ve scoured the web to find the best 360 rollercoaster videos on the web and collected them for you here!

[Read more at VRHeads](https://www.vrheads.com/best-360-rollercoaster-videos(.cta.large

Eyes without a face [#acpodcast]

This week, Daniel Bader, Alex Dobie, and Jerry Hildenbrand dissect the technology in Apple’s new iPhone X for a deep dive into wireless charging, facial recognition, and the impact they have the entire smartphone industry. Additionally, LG’s V30 continues to generate buzz in the market while the Galaxy Note 8 is now shipping, and the Pixel 2 is officially set for an October 4th announcement. The crew also talk about Andy Rubin, Vic Gundotra, computational photography, and more!

Show Notes and Links:

• LG V30 initial review
• Where to buy the Galaxy Note 8
• Fact-checking the iPhone X event
• iPhone X and iPhone 8 impressions from an Android user
• Take it from a Note 8 user: Temper your iPhone X Face ID expectation
• It’s official: the Pixel 2 is coming October 4

Podcast MP3 URL: http://traffic.libsyn.com/androidcentral/androidcentral352.mp3

Galaxy Note 8 region locking, explained

Picking up an unlocked Note 8 in Europe today? Here’s what that ominous ‘European SIM card only’ sticker means.

If you’re picking up a shiny new, unlocked Samsung Galaxy Note 8 in Europe today, you’ll notice a sticker sealing the box. We’ve been here before with countless other Samsung flagships, and once again, the Note 8, as sold unlocked in Europe, is region-locked out of the box.

But it’s only a temporary situation — and it’s not as huge a deal as you might think.

The sticker on the Euro Galaxy Note 8 box spells out exactly which countries’ SIM cards can be used to activate the phone — essentially any EU and EEA countries, and a handful of other territories: Switzerland, Macedonia, Monaco, Montenegro, San Marino, Serbia and Vatican City.

As we’ve seen with earlier models, the Note 8’s region lock is temporary, and most will disable it through normal use of the phone.

To activate your unlocked Galaxy Note 8 for use with SIMs outside these countries, you’ll need to accumulate five minutes worth of phone calls on the phone with a “European” SIM — any SIM from the countries above. It doesn’t have to be a single phone call, just five minutes total. And once you’ve “activated” the phone, it stays that way even after a factory reset.

The sticker on the dual-SIM Note 8 doesn’t specify which SIM slot the calls need to be made on, sugesting the five minute total apples across both slots for dual-SIM folks. (By the same token, the SIM lock should also apply to both slots.)

So in the grand scheme of things, it’s not a massive inconvenience for regular Note 8 buyers, who’ll almost certainly hit the five minute mark before they’re inclined to travel anywhere outside Europe. The real intention here is to scupper gray importers looking to sell European Note 8s further afield. Samsung, like any large multinational electronics manufacturer, wants phones to be sold where they’re covered by warranties, and where it can easily offer localized customer support.

Sure, individual importers can always open and activate region-locked Note 8s, but it’s an additional barrier to entry which prevents mass distribution of Samsung phones outside of their intended area.

And for anyone picking up a Note 8 and then immediately hopping on a plane, just be sure to hit that five-minute mark before you go.

Samsung Galaxy Note 8

• Galaxy Note 8 review
• Complete Galaxy Note 8 specs
• Galaxy Note 8 vs. Galaxy Note 5
• Which Note 8 color is best?
• Join our Galaxy Note 8 forums

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‘Destiny 2’ studio explains how a hate symbol made it into the game

Earlier this week, Destiny 2 developer Bungie announced that it had become aware of some armor in the game that looked a lot like a symbol used by white supremacists. The company apologized, noted that the symbols didn’t represent its values and said the offending armor would be removed.

2/2 Our deepest apologies. This does NOT represent our values, and we are working quickly to correct this. We renounce hate in all forms.

— Bungie (@Bungie) September 12, 2017

On Bungie’s website, the company has now offered a bit of explanation as to how the symbol was worked into the armor design and what it’s now doing to make sure something like this doesn’t happen again. As for how it happened, Bungie says that graphic designers often draw from real world art, iconography and other design elements. In this case, a question was raised by Bungie staff as to whether the team was ok with the design looking similar to the “original, innocuous ‘kek’ internet meme” but its similarities with the Kekistan flag — a hate symbol — weren’t noticed or discussed. “The more contemporary, vile derivation that has been repurposed by hate groups was not surfaced through this process, and therefore, the armor was approved for ship,” said Bungie in a post.

Bungie has removed the symbols from the armor in question and will be removing them from the UI icon and preview screens next week. The company says it’s also looking into how it can more thoroughly vet content in the future. “We aren’t asking you for the benefit of the doubt. We know we are judged by our actions,” it said.

Via: Waypoint

Source: Bungie

Ford invests in Michigan’s autonomous car testing grounds

Ford might not be the first name that comes to mind when you think of autonomous vehicles (unless you really like Domino’s pizza), but that doesn’t mean the automaker is sitting by while everyone else is making leaps and bounds in the space. The company just announced that it’s making a $5 million investment in the American Center for Mobility. “This is an investment in the safe, rapid testing and deployment of transformative technology that will help improve peoples’ lives,” Ford’s CTO Ken Washington said in a press release (PDF).

The money puts Ford in the same company as AT&T, Toyota Motor North America and Toyota Research Institute as a founder of the 500 acre Willow Run autonomous vehicle testing campus located outside of Detroit in Ypsilanti Township. Willow Run’s first phase is scheduled to open this December. Michigan Governor Rick Snyder called the investment a show of faith from Ford to the world’s automotive capital. “As the convergence between the technological and manufacturing sectors continues to grow, it is very encouraging to see great Michigan companies like Ford leading the way toward our future,” he said in the same release.

The Wolverine State is making a comeback in terms of manufacturing, and a chunk of it is tied directly to the future of mobility. LG recently announced it will open a factory outside of Detroit to manufacture EV parts, for example, and GM announced late last year that it would begin building and testing self-driving cars near Detroit as well.

On the other side of the state in Holland, LG Chem makes batteries for EVs and hybrids. Tesla’s first acquisition was a tool and die shop in Grand Rapids, where it makes automotive stamping parts.

Michigan went through a dark period following the Great Recession and auto industry meltdown (Ford proudly didn’t take any bailout money), and is returning to its roots to help bring the state out of its decade-plus run of bad luck.

Given its manufacturing infrastructure, culture of innovation and long history of marrying software with hardware — something Silicon Valley is only catching up to just now — investments like can only help Michigan rise from the ashes.

Source: Ford