What’s on TV: ‘Forza 7,’ ‘FIFA 18,’ ‘Inhumans,’ ‘Def Jam’

This week we have too many premieres and finales to mention them all as the fall TV season gets into full swing, but we will highlight the return of Curb Your Enthusiasm on HBO, and the series premiere of Marvel’s Inhumans (despite its tepid reviews so far, superhero fans may be better off streaming the latest Spider-Man flick). Netflix will stock its queues with a Def Jam reunion special, as well as the premiere of its new Magic School Bus series. On Blu-ray, the 80s flick SpaceCamp makes its first appearance, while gamers can dig into the early release of Forza Motorsport 7 and FIFA 18. Look after the break to check out each day’s highlights, including trailers and let us know what you think (or what we missed).

Blu-ray & Games & Streaming

• Transformers: The Last Knight (4K, 3D)
• Spider-Man: Homecoming (VOD)
• SpaceCamp
• David Lynch: The Art Life (Criterion)
• Longmire (S5)
• Death Wish
• After Midnight
• Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band
• The Devil’s Candy
• The Princess Bride (30th Anniversary Edition)
• The Piano Teacher (Criterion)
• Batman: The Enemy Within Episode 2 (PS4, Xbox One)
• HOB (PC, PS4)
• Pinball FX3 (Xbox One, PC, PS4)
• Fallout 4: Game of the Year Edition (PS4, PC)
• Nioh: Bloodshed’s End (PS4)
• Lightfield (Xbox One, PS4)
• Voltron VR Chronicles (PS VR)
• Arcade Archives: Mario Bros. (Switch)
• Fort Defense (PS4)
• Ruiner (Xbox One, PC)
• Outcast: Second Contact (PS4)
• Danganronpa V3: Killing Harmony (PS4)
• FIFA 18 (PS4, Xbox One – 9/29)
• The Girl and the Robot: Deluxe Edition (PS4)
• Cuphead (Xbox One, PC – 9/29)
• Forza Motorsport 7 Ultimate Edition (Xbox One, PC – 9/29)

Monday

• Cowboys/Cardinals, ESPN, 8:15 PM
• The Big Bang Theory (season premiere), CBS, 8 PM
• The Voice (season premiere) NBC, 8 PM
• So You Think You Can Dance (season finale), Fox, 8 PM
• Young Sheldon (series premiere), CBS, 8:30 PM
• Dancing with the Stars, ABC, 8 PM
• WWE Raw, USA, 8 PM
• Penn & Teller, CW, 9 PM
• Kevin Can Wait (season premiere), CBS, 9 PM
• The State, National Geographic, 9 PM
• Me, Myself & I (series premiere), CBS, 9:30 PM
• Clinica de Migrantes, HBO, 10 PM
• Scorpion (season premiere), CBS, 10 PM
• Brave (series premiere), NBC, 10 PM
• The Good Doctor (series premiere), ABC, 10 PM
• Siesta Key, MTV, 10 PM
• Midnight, Texas, NBC, 10 PM
• People of Earth (season finale), TBS, 10:30 PM
• Desus & Mero, Viceland, 11 PM
• The Opposition with Jordan Klepper, Comedy Central, 11:30 PM

Tuesday

• Difficult People, Hulu, 3 AM
• The Mindy Project, Hulu, 3 AM
• Def Comedy Jam 25, Netflix, 3 AM
• Terrace House (season premiere), Netflix, 3 AM
• Wishenpoof (season premiere), Amazon Prime, 3 AM
• The Voice, NBC, 8 PM
• Lethal Weapon (season premiere), Fox, 8 PM
• NCIS (season premiere), CBS, 8 PM
• Celebrity Family Feud (season finale), ABC, 8 PM
• WWE Smackdown, USA, 8 PM
• Dancing with the Stars, ABC, 8 PM
• Bull (season premiere), CBS, 9 PM
• The Mick (season premiere), Fox, 9 PM
• This is Us (season premiere), NBC, 9 PM
• Inside the NFL, Showtime, 9 PM
• Fantomworks, Velocity, 9 PM
• Face Off: Game Face, Syfy, 9 PM
• Brooklyn Nine-nine (season premiere), Fox, 9:30 PM
• Law & Order: True Crime (series premiere), NBC, 10 PM
• NCIS: NO, CBS, 10 PM
• Ink Master (season finale), Spike TV, 10 PM
• American Horror Story, FX, 10 PM
• The Challenge, MTV, 10 PM
• Tosh.0, Comedy Central, 10 PM
• The Therapist, Viceland, 10:30 PM
• 90s House (series premiere), MTV, 11 PM
• Desus & Mero, Viceland, 11 PM

Wednesday

• The Blacklist (season premiere), NBC, 8 PM
• 30 for 30: Tommy, ESPN2, 8 PM
• Empire (season premiere), Fox, 8 PM
• The Goldbergs (season premiere), ABC, 8 PM
• Survivor (season premiere), CBS, 8 PM
• Lucha Underground, El Rey, 8 PM
• Speechless (season premiere), ABC, 8:30 PM
• Modern Family (season premiere), ABC, 9 PM
• Law & Order: SVU (season premiere), NBC, 9 PM
• Seal Team (series premiere), CBS, 9 PM
• Star (season premiere), Fox, 9 PM
• American Housewife (season premiere), ABC, 9:30 PM
• Criminal Minds (season premiere), CBS, 10 PM
• Chicago PD (season premiere), NBC, 10 PM
• Designated Survivor (season premiere), ABC, 10 PM
• Greenleaf (season finale), OWN, 10 PM
• Liar (series premiere), Sundance, 10 PM
• Are You the One, MTV, 10 PM
• Channel Zero, Syfy, 10 PM
• You’re the Worst, FXX, 10 PM
• Garage Squad, Velocity, 10 PM
• South Park, Comedy Central, 10 PM
• Broad City, Comedy Central, 10:30 PM
• Desus & Mero, Viceland, 11 PM
• Rosehaven (series premiere), Sundance, 11 & 11:30 PM

Thursday

• Startup (season premiere) Crackle, 3 AM
• Grey’s Anatomy (season premiere), ABC, 8 PM
• Superstore (season premiere), NBC, 8 PM
• Gotham, Fox, 8 PM
• Penn & Teller: Fool Us, CW, 8 PM
• Bears/Packers, NFL Network, 8:30 PM
• The Good Place, NBC, 8:30 PM
• The Orville, Fox, 9 PM
• Whose Line is it Anyway? (season finale), CW, 9 PM
• Will & Grace (season premiere), NBC, 9 PM
• F*ck That’s Delicious, Viceland, 9:30 PM
• Great News (season premiere), NBC, 9:30 PM
• Chicago Fire (season premiere), NBC, 10 PM
• Better Things, FX, 10 PM
• The Mist, Spike TV, 10 PM
• Bong Appetit, Viceland, 10:30 PM
• The Guest Book (season finale), TBS, 10:30 PM
• The Rundown with Robin Thede (series premiere), BET, 11 PM
• The Timeline, NFL Network, 11 PM
• Desus & Mero, Viceland, 11 PM

Friday

• Club de Cuervos (S3), Netflix, 3 AM
• Big Mouth (S1), Netflix, 3 AM
• The Magic School Bus Rides Again (S1), Netflix, 3 AM
• Real Rob (S2), Netflix, 3 AM
• Tin Star (S1), Amazon Prime, 3 AM
• Our Souls at Night, Netflix, 3 AM
• Macgyver (season premiere), CBS, 8 PM
• Marvel’s Inhumans (series premiere), ABC, 8 PM
• Tackle My Ride, NFL Network, 8 PM
• Active Shooter (series premiere), Showtime, 9 PM
• Z Nation (season premiere), Syfy, 9 PM
• The Exorcist (season premiere), Fox, 9 PM
• A Football Life: John Madden, NFL Network, 9 PM
• Tough Guys, Showtime, 9 PM
• Mike Judge Presents: Tales from the Tour Bus, Cinemax, 10 PM
• Anjelah Johnson: Mahalo & Goodnight, Epix, 10 PM
• Room 104, HBO, 11:30 PM
• Comedy Central Stand-Up Presents: Casey James Salengo/Jo Firestone, Comedy Central, 12 AM

Saturday

• Oklahoma State/Texas Tech college football, Fox, 8 PM
• Clemson/Virginia Tech college football, ABC, 8 PM
• Ole Miss/Alabama college football, ESPN, 9 PM
• Halt and Catch Fire, AMC, 9 PM
• Felipe Esparza: Translate This, HBO, 10 PM
• Saturday Night Live: Ryan Gosling / Jay-Z (season premiere), NBC, 11:30 PM

Sunday

• The Toy Box (season premiere), ABC, 7 PM
• Outlander, Starz, 8 PM
• Shark Tank (season premiere), ABC, 8 PM
• The Simpsons (season premiere), Fox, 8 PM
• Sunday Night Baseball, ESPN, 8 PM
• Colts/Seahawks, NBC 8:20 PM
• Star Trek: Discovery, CBS All Access, 8:30 PM
• Ghosted (series premiere), Fox, 8:30 PM
• Wisdom of the Crowd (series premiere), CBS, 8:30 PM
• Family Guy (season premiere), Fox, 9 PM
• Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown (season premiere), CNN, 9 PM
• Poldark (season premiere), PBS, 9 PM
• Ray Donovan, Showtime, 9 PM
• The Last Ship, TNT, 9 PM
• The Deuce, HBO, 9 PM
• Fear the Walking Dead, AMC, 9 PM
• The Last Man on Earth (season premiere), Fox, 9:30 PM
• NCIS: LA (season premiere), CBS, 9:30 PM
• Curb Your Enthusiasm (season premiere), HBO, 10 PM
• Ten Days in the Valley (series premiere), ABC, 10 PM
• This is Life with Lisa Ling (Season premiere), CNN, 10 PM
• Get Shorty, Epix, 10 PM
• Unsung Hollywood, TV One, 10 PM
• Survivor’s Remorse, Starz, 10 PM
• Vice Principals, HBO, 10:30 PM
• Talking Dead: Fear Edition, AMC, 11 PM
• Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, HBO, 11:10 PM
• Rick & Morty (season finale), Cartoon Network, 11:30 PM

[All times listed are in ET]

Researchers can use the size of your heart to unlock a PC

Most biometric security has one inconvenience: you have to take an active step to sign in, whether it’s putting your finger on a pad or staring at sensors. Wouldn’t it be nice if simply being near your device was enough? It might happen. Researchers have created a computer authentication system that uses your heart’s shape and size to sign in. It uses low-level Doppler radar to continuously scan your heart’s dimensions, granting access so long as you’re in the right place. In other words, Cindy-Lou Who couldn’t hijack the Grinch’s PC when he steps away for a coffee break.

As your heart doesn’t change throughout your adult life outside of extreme situations (such as heart disease), it’s as surefire as any other biometric sign-in method but works passively. It could even work at long distances, too. The team envisions airports using this to authenticate people up to 98 feet away, which is slightly creepy but undoubtedly convenient when you’re rushing to your gate. And before you ask: the radar’s strength is “much less” than that of WiFi, so you won’t be torturing your heart simply to avoid typing in a password.

The team hopes to shrink its system to the point where it could sit inside the corner of a computer keyboard, and believes it could be useful for smartphones. That’s promising, but there are security concerns. After all, American officials can already compel you to offer your fingerprint if you lock your phone with one. With heart scans, they wouldn’t even need to do that much — they’d just have to sit you in front of a device for as long as they want in. Still, the ease of this system could encourage people to adopt some kind of security method if they were skittish about adopting one before.

Source: University at Buffalo, GitHub (PDF)

British Airways pushes planes with remote-controlled vehicles

From renewable fuels to eco-friendly airplane tugs — British Airways is interested in decreasing its ecological footprint. The airline has just announced the roll out of five new Molotok remote-controlled electric vehicles that can push back aircraft from the gate. These eco-friendly vehicles replace the standard diesel tugs that you typically see at airports so that a single ramp agent can push an aircraft out with a little control device worn on their belt. British Airways claims that it is the “first airline worldwide” to implement these tugs.

The five new electric airplane tugs are in operation at 25 gates at Terminal 5 in Heathrow Airport. The Molotoks are able to move planes with more precision than traditional driven vehicles. The Mototok website claims that the electric vehicles can park up to 40 percent more airlines in the same amount of parking space. They hold their charge for up to three days and will be charged at stations at each of the 25 gates at Heathrow.

“British Airways is the most punctual, major short-haul airline in London,” said British Airway’s COO Klaus Goersch in a statement. “The introduction of the Mototok will help us to stay at the top of the league and keep our flights departing on time. This major step to modernize our operation is a first in the airline industry, and part of wider investment in new technology that will enhance the experience our customers have.”

Source: British Airways

iPhone 8 Supports Enhanced Voice Services Codec for Better Quality Audio on Some Carriers

The iPhone 8 and the iPhone 8 Plus include support for the Enhanced Voice Services (EVS) audio codec that offers improved voice quality and better call reliability, KDDI president Takashi Tanaka told Engadget Japan in a recent interview.

EVS is the first codec that offers up to 20 kHz audio bandwidth for higher quality audio, higher frame/packet error resilience, and higher compression efficiency than other speech codecs for a better user experience.

In the United States, T-Mobile supports Enhanced Voice Services and has offered EVS since early 2016. According to T-Mobile, EVS on its network offers improved voice call reliability in areas of weaker signal for fewer dropped calls and higher-fidelity calls for more realistic voice audio.

AT&T, Sprint, and Verizon have not yet announced support for EVS.

Apple does not mention support for the feature in its iPhone 8 documentation, but UK carrier EE also recently confirmed that the iPhone 8 and 8 Plus work with EVS in a press release announcing EVS support on its network.

Along with T-Mobile and EE, several other carriers in Europe and Asia also support EVS, including Vodafone Germany and NTT DoCoMo.
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Apple’s Craig Federighi Confirms APFS Coming to Fusion Drives in a Future macOS High Sierra Update

The initial version of macOS High Sierra released this morning limits the new Apple File System (APFS) to Macs that have all-flash built-in storage, excluding iMacs and Mac mini machines that feature Fusion Drives.

Apple announced the limitation last week in a support document that said the initial release would not allow Fusion Drives to be converted to APFS, implying future support, and now Apple software engineering chief Craig Federighi has confirmed APFS will indeed be coming to Fusion Drives in a later update.

Federighi shared the info in an email sent to MacRumors reader Michiel, who asked if APFS would be added later.

“Yes, we plan to add support in a future update,” replied Federighi.

Fusion Drives, available as a storage option for Apple’s iMac and Mac mini desktop machines, combine a hard drive with flash storage to provide the speed of an SSD with the affordability of a standard hard drive. Frequently accessed files are stored using flash storage, while less frequently used files are moved to the hard drive.

The first macOS High Sierra beta released in June did include support for Fusion Drives and converted iMacs and Mac minis to APFS, but support was removed in subsequent betas and was not reimplemented, presumably due to stability problems and bugs with the feature.

Apple File System is a more modern file system than HFS+ and is optimized for solid state drives. It is safe and secure, offering crash protection, safe document saves, stable snapshots, simplified backups, and strong native encryption.

Developers who happened to install APFS on their machines have been provided with instructions for how to convert back to HFS+ for the time being.

Apple’s macOS High Sierra press release also confirms the company’s plans to introduce APFS support for Fusion Drives and standard HDDs, but Apple has not offered a timeline on when we can expect the APFS update to be released.

Related Roundup: macOS High Sierra
Tag: APFS
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iPhone 8 Component Costs Estimated to Start at $247.51

The iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus are more expensive for Apple to manufacture than the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus, according to component cost estimates research firm IHS Markit shared today with Bloomberg.

An entry-level iPhone 8 with 64GB of storage costs Apple an estimated $247.51 in raw materials, an increase of almost $10 compared to the $237.94 it cost Apple to make last year’s 32GB iPhone 7.

The 64GB iPhone 8 Plus costs an estimated $288.08, up from $270.88 for the iPhone 7 Plus.

Image from iFixit’s recent iPhone 8 teardown
To compensate for the increased cost, Apple charges $699 for the 64GB iPhone 8, up from the $649 starting price it charged for the 32GB iPhone 7 in 2016. The iPhone 8 Plus is priced starting at $799, up from $769 in 2016.

“The added value went to memory, camera, and processing. That’s where we can materially identify where they’ve improved the overall product, and hence why they can command a higher price for it,” according to Wayne Lam, an analyst at IHS.

According to Bloomberg, some of the most expensive components in the iPhone 8 and 8 Plus include the screens and the mechanical enclosures. Apple’s new glass-bodied devices are built around a strong internal frame and include new displays with True Tone support.

Compared to iPhone 7 pricing, the wireless charging module increases costs by $2, the A11 Bionic chip costs $5 more, and the larger 256GB storage options increase prices by $6.

IHS’s component costs are only estimates of what the iPhone 8 and the iPhone 8 Plus cost to manufacture, and sometimes those estimates are not spot on. For example, while IHS told Bloomberg cost $237.94 to manufacture an iPhone 7 in 2016, its initial estimates following the iPhone 7’s release were at $219.80.

These estimates also only look at raw component costs and do not take into account other iPhone manufacturing expenses like research and development, software creation, advertising, and distribution, so this information, while interesting, is not an accurate measurement of Apple’s profit margin for the iPhone 8 and the iPhone 8 Plus.

Back in 2015, Apple CEO Tim Cook said that cost breakdowns are generally “much different than the reality.” “I’ve never seen one that is anywhere close to being accurate,” he added.
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Greater body awareness may make this robot an ace at helping with everyday tasks

Why it matters to you

A bipedal robot called COMAN (Compliant Humanoid) could be an important step in building multipurpose robots that can help around the home.

Having a robot sidekick capable of helping us whenever we need it is something that’s been promised since the earliest days of science fiction. It’s also something that’s been frustratingly absent for the most part — although it may finally be inching closer to reality. A new project from Swiss researchers involves a bipedal robot named COMAN (Compliant Humanoid). The goal of the project is to develop a robot with more human-like walking capabilities by giving COMAN an understanding of its own body, which is achieved through the use of some smart algorithms and more flexible joints. The results are a robot that can navigate a range of different terrains, and even stop itself from tripping up by knowing where to place its feet to counteract the force of a push.

These skills are aimed at creating a robot that can not only carry out solo tasks like pushing wheelbarrows or (at long last!) bringing us our dinner on a tray, but also work alongside humans in tasks that involve two-person cooperation, such as carrying a table.

“Our interest in evaluating the implication of the coupling on the walking gaits can be associated to two main reasons,” Jessica Lanini, a researcher on the project, told Digital Trends. “On one hand, we would like to better understand human motor control — trying to find out how and why the haptic feedback through an object determines walking gait adaptation and even gait synchronization phenomena. We found out that in more than 70 percent of cases, humans tend to synchronize their walking gaits reproducing quadrupedal like gaits — like pace and trot. We believe that such a study can be useful in the field of physical human-robot interaction.”

At present, the project is still very much a work in progress. The aim is to develop a smooth walking motion, although right now the results still look a bit jerky compared to the efforts of other robot initiatives like those carried out by Boston Dynamics. However, the goal of developing robots that can work alongside humans, rather than replacing them, is definitely interesting.

“Once we have understood the natural ability of humans to adapt and synchronize to their partner while carrying a rigid object, we are focusing on how to identify specific commands requested by the human operator through the haptic interaction,” Lanini said. “In particular, the robot partner should be able to understand when the human operator wants to take an object, start walking, accelerate, stop walking, turning, etc. In other words, we would like to make the robot smarter during the collaboration.”

For more on the research project, check out the associated paper that was recently published in the journal PLOS-One.

Snapchat sky filters let you turn skies from boring to majestic with a swipe

Why it matters to you

Snapchat isn’t the first to consider switching out boring skies — but its new app might be the simplest way to swap skies yet.

Snapchat is reaching for the sky — err, make that replacing the sky. The social media app has launched a new tool that allows users to swap the sky in their photo for an entirely different one, trading clouds for stars, sunsets, or even rainbows. The Snapchat sky filters update for both iOS and Android began rolling out on Monday, September 25, on the eve of Snap Inc.’s sixth anniversary.

Snapchat will now automatically recognize when the photo contains a sky and include sky filter options inside the filter carousel. No sky in the photo means no filters to sift through. The filter options rotate daily, but Snapchat says the option to add in a starry night, stormy clouds, sunset, rainbow, and more are part of the new feature.

After taking a photo while in Snapchat’s camera mode, just swipe to the right to bring up the different filter options. If the program determines that there’s a sky in the image, sky filters will come up under options, allowing users to swipe to choose which option to apply to the image.

The idea of replacing the sky in a photo isn’t anything new — Adobe has already demonstrated a sneak peek of an upcoming program for replacing the sky, aptly named Sky Replace. Snapchat’s latest update, however, brings the feature not only to a mobile platform, but makes the edit as simple as a swipe, no manual clipping of the sky required.

The feature joins a list of more than 25 updates that the social media platform has added over the last year — a list the company is looking back at while celebrating its sixth anniversary. September also marks one year since Snapchat rebranded to Snap Inc., launched its Spectacles camera glasses, and later went public on the New York Stock Exchange.

The new sky filters join the option of adding a web link inside snaps, which arrived on the platform with Backdrops in July. Unlike the sky filters, Backdrops requires users to use their finger to outline objects that shouldn’t be part of the pattern.

The summer also brought Snap Maps, which allows users to share and see Snap Stories nearby if location sharing is switched on.

25 best laptop bags for everyone, from students to globetrotters

The first purchase for any laptop owner should be a case to carry it in. Whether it’s a chic messenger bag for around town or rough-and-tumble backpack that goes well beyond general commuting purposes, keeping your computer safe is essential and crucial to your machine’s lifespan — and that applies to cheap laptops just as much as it does the most expensive gaming laptops.

We’ve rounded up some of the most stylish, fashionable, and practical laptop bags for every man and women looking to add a bit of peace of mind to their daily travels. Some of the bags are costly, however, there are some budget-friendly choices to pick from. Below are 25 best laptop bags that the best laptops around deserve.

Commuters & Students

AmazonBasics Laptop Bag ($15)

The AmazonBasics Laptop bag is everything you’d expect from the Seattle-based shopping giant. It’s relatively comfortable and easy to carry, conveniently equipped with a padded interior that offers a separate space to hold your laptop without adding any unnecessary bulk. The minimalist shoulder bag’s multi-compartment design also provides all the necessary space for housing your cables and pens, and given the rock-bottom pricing, you could feasibly purchase a separate bag for each device in your arsenal. The bags accommodate laptops and tablets ranging between 7 and 17 inches and size, so you need not worry about finding the right size for you. Just don’t expect anything fit for a fashionista, or an indestructible build–pick a durable laptop to complement this bag!

Buy one now from:

Amazon

Ice Red AVA urban laptop backpack ($70)

The AVA backpack-handbag hybrid for women is a real eye catcher. Crafted with stylish urban aesthetics in mind, it’s also built to last given its ripstop nylon construction and quality guarantee. The vertical bag, available in four colors (black, blue, red, and yellow), is equipped with a 10- to 15-inch laptop compartment and an assortment of different-sized pocket organizers for electronics and stationary alike. It’s as minimalist as you want to it be, yet roomy enough for any bulk you might want to add for your agonizing bike commute or romp around the city.

Buy one now from:

Amazon

Herschel Supply Company Retreat Backpack ($70+)

It’s hard to beat the unique style of a Herschel Supply Co bag, and the Retreat is no exception. Available in a variety of colors, this spacious pack is dressed in coated polyester, with a reinforced bottom so you don’t break anything when you set it down quickly. The laptop sleeve is perfect for keeping your computer steady, or holding onto anything you don’t want mixed with everything else in your pack. When you need to close everything up, the flap on the top provides adequate protection, with a pull cord inside, and metal clasps to really batten the hatches when the elements try to get the best of you. The Retreat comes in at an appealing price point, and there are sizes above and below it if your needs differ a little from the norm.

Buy one now from:

Amazon Zappos eBags

Asus ROG Nomad V2 backpack ($170)

If you’ve got a massive 17-inch gaming laptop, and you’ve just gotta bring all your stuff with you to the LAN party, the Asus ROG Nomad is a top pick. With a laptop compartment specifically designed for the Asus ROG G750 series of gaming laptops, you can carry any 17-inch laptop, along with your keyboard, mouse, peripherals, power supply, extra controllers, snacks, drinks, a tablet, a change of clothes, and a jacket. That might be an exaggeration, but only a slight one. It looks great too, boasting the same detail and aesthetic as the Asus ROG G750 series. With plenty of organizational pockets and lots of room, the Asus ROG Nomad is more of a weekend warrior than a work bag.

Buy one now from:

Amazon

Booq Cobra Squeeze ($182+)

Booq has a well-designed lineup that’s worth more than a cursory glance, but the Cobra Squeeze is currently one of the best laptop backpacks available. The turtle-shell pack is designed with the MacBook and iPad in mind, but you can fit other 15.4-inch laptops in here as well. The fabric is durable, water-repellent, and surprisingly smooth, with construction that won’t embarrass you, regardless of where you go. There’s also a dedicated phone pocket that benefits from an ultra-soft lining.

Buy one now from:

Amazon

Hynes Eagle Soft Canvas Messenger Bag ($40)

Designed for 17-inch laptops, this Hynes Eagle bag accommodates larger laptops that may not fit into small sleeves—and backs up this room up with versatility. The bag includes two main compartments, two front pockets, a zipper pocket, three interior slip pockets, two mesh pockets, and a sleeve section for the laptop. In other words, you can carry nearly whatever you need, making this bag a great selection for commuting or school.

Buy one now from:

Amazon

Would you pay $350 for Levis’ new smart jacket?

Well, it’s about time. On Monday, October 2, you’ll be able to order Levi’s touch-sensitive denim smart jacket for $350. That’s quite a bit for a simple jean jacket, but thanks to its integration of Google’s “Jacquard” technology, it’s more than just outerwear — it has a few tricks up its sleeve. Well, on its sleeve, actually.

The Project Jacquard denim jacket features a touch-sensitive sleeve that allows you to control your smartphone with taps, swipes, and brushing motions. According to the Verge, it’s primarily designed with cyclists in mind, so you’ll be able to pause your smartphone’s music playback or skip songs with a simple gestures.

At launch, its capabilities will be limited, but it’s interesting to see clothing manufacturers working in concert with companies like Google to make something unique. According to Levi’s, the difference between Project Jacquard and other smart clothing on the market is simple: They set out to make a garment, not just a device.

Would you buy Levi's new $350 smart jacket? https://t.co/I3aq36OOUP

— Digital Trends (@DigitalTrends) September 25, 2017