Apple’s Craig Federighi Answers Face ID Questions in New Interview

Face ID, Apple’s new facial recognition feature in the iPhone X, has left users with a lot of questions about how it works. While Apple has offered detailed explanations of Face ID on its website, there continue to be questions and concerns given that this is a new biometric system.

To answer some of those questions, Apple software engineering chief Craig Federighi did a telephone interview with TechCrunch, where he covered topics on privacy, security, and functionality.

TechCrunch’s Matthew Panzarino, who spoke to Federighi, says he’s heard Face ID is “incredibly reliable” and “very fast,” worth noting because many people have wondered how quickly it works.

According to Federighi, Face ID needs to see your eyes, nose, and mouth, so there are some situations where it won’t work and a passcode will need to be used instead. The limitations are similar to the limitations with Touch ID, which, for example, prevent it from being used with gloves.

“If you’re a surgeon or someone who wears a garment that covers your face, it’s not going to work,” says Federighi. “But if you’re wearing a helmet or scarf it works quite well.”

Panzarino asked Federighi to expand on how the feature works with sunglasses and whether polarization is an issue, following confirmation earlier this week that Face ID is compatible with most pairs. Federighi says polarization isn’t a problem, but there are some lenses that have a coating that blocks IR, and if that’s the case, a customer will need to use a passcode or take them off.

Face ID will work from multiple angles and distances when a device is held at a natural angle, but it needs to see your face.

“It’s quite similar to the ranges you’d be at if you put your phone in front facing camera mode [to take a picture],” says Federighi. Once your space from eyes to mouth come into view that would be the matching range – it can work at fairly extreme angles — if it’s down low because your phone is in your lap it can unlock it as long as it can see those features. Basically, If you’re using your phone across a natural series of angles it can unlock it.”

When it comes to security, Apple says that all Face ID processing is done on device with nothing uploaded to the cloud or Apple’s servers, a point Federighi reiterated in the interview. Apple collects no data when the TrueDepth camera in the iPhone X scans your face, and the feature that allows Face ID to adapt to appearance changes is done entirely on device.

“We do not gather customer data when you enroll in Face ID, it stays on your device, we do not send it to the cloud for training data,” he said.

When it comes to law enforcement requests for Face ID data, Apple has no data to provide. Your Face ID scan is converted into a mathematical model in the Secure Enclave on the iPhone X, and it can’t be reverse engineered back into a face. As with Touch ID, none of that data is ever sent to Apple. Third-party developers don’t have access, either.

Federighi also expanded a bit on the method Apple implemented to discretely disable Face ID in a situation where someone might steal your phone and attempt to unlock it with your face. On the iPhone X, holding down on the buttons on either side of the device goes to the power down screen, which also disables Face ID. If someone demands your phone, squeeze the buttons to disable Face ID, Federighi suggests.

Face ID will also disable itself after five failed attempts at recognition. Earlier this week, Apple documentation suggested it would be disabled after two failed recognition attempts, but Federighi has clarified that it’s five, just like Touch ID. Apple’s documentation has now been updated accordingly. Also, when the iPhone reboots or Face ID hasn’t been used in 48 hours, a passcode will be required. Additionally, if you haven’t entered a passcode for 6.5 days and Face ID hasn’t been used in the last four hours, Face ID will also be disabled until a passcode is entered.

Federighi’s full interview, which includes more details on how Apple trained Face ID and how it works, can be read over at TechCrunch.

Related Roundup: iPhone X
Tag: Face ID
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Element Amazon Fire TV unboxing and setup: Get your big screen ready to watch

Unboxing and setting up a TV can be intimidating, but if you follow the directions and take it step by step, it can be pretty easy. What makes the Element Amazon Fire TV unique is that it runs the Amazon Fire TV operating system, which comes with a long list of perks. We have here a video showing the Element Amazon Fire TV unboxing and setup to make your job a little easier, should you choose to purchase this television.

What’s in the box

• Product literature.
• A remote.
• Batteries for the remote.
• Four screws.
• Two legs.
• A TV.

Items Not Included

Several items are not included in the box with the TV. You will need to buy HDMI cables to connect your TV to other devices. The easiest way to ensure you have the right HDMI cables when you need them is to buy AmazonBasics High-Speed HDMI cables at the same time you buy your TV. If you do not buy the AmazonBasics HDMI cable, make sure that the HDMI cables you do buy meet the requirements for what you will be using them for — whether that is in wall use or not. The TV also does not come with wall-mounting equipment. For more information about wall mounting a TV check out our wall-mounting guide.

You will want to have a Phillips screwdriver handy to secure the legs into the TV.

Setup Physical Parts

This TV is very easy to put together because the only work you need to do is attach the legs. The legs are clearly labeled with side and direction for easy placement. For example, if the leg you are looking at has an ‘R’ on it, then it is the right leg. The other indicator on each leg is an ‘F’ with an arrow, the arrow points toward the front of the TV. On each leg there are two little holes next to the screw holes, these little holes line up with the dimples in each leg slot on the bottom of the TV. Once you line the leg up and fit it in with the dimples, the screw holes should be in line. Then all you have to do is put in the two screws and the legs are on.

When you are looking at the back of the TV, you will see a lot of different ports and connections. The first thing to notice is that the power cable is hard-wired to the TV. All you have to do with the power cable, then, is plug it into the wall. On the left side of the TV, there are four HDMI connections and two USB connections. The older connections are underneath the HDMI connections. Most devices now use HDMI cables to connect to the TV, but the older connections are there should you need them.

Design Features

If you are going for a sleek design, this TV has it. A trim bezel runs around the whole TV and matches with the metal legs. The legs stand at 35.25 inches wide, giving plenty of stability to your new TV. The screen has an anti-reflective coating, but the coating is not strong so you will get a little bit of reflection, especially in bright rooms.

The remote looks a lot like the Fire TV remotes we have seen in the past, with a few additions. Toward the bottom, there are three white buttons for Prime Video, Netflix, and Amazon Music. At the top of the remote, there is a speaker button giving you the ability to speak with Alexa on the TV. Keep in mind that if you own an Echo speaker you can use far-field communication to activate Alexa and communicate with the TV.

Setup Connections

When you power on the TV, you will be directed to sign in to your Wi-Fi router, provided you are not already connected to a network via Ethernet cable. After you connect to the internet, you will find your TV will already be signed in to your Amazon account. If you connect an antenna for watching local over-the-air (OTA) channels, you will want to let the TV scan for stations. Amazon will then play a brief introductory video to introduce you to your TV.

Adjusting settings

Once you get your TV up and running, you will want to adjust the picture settings to suit your watching environment. First, go to each individual input and adjust the settings for each — there is no way to apply the same settings to all inputs. Second, go into a streaming app and start playing a show. From there press and hold the home button, then go to the picture settings option. Once there, you can adjust the mode and backlighting, along with accessing the advanced options. Doing this once applies the picture settings for all video apps.

Unboxing and setting up your TV shouldn’t be a terrible experience, but if you have never done it before it can be intimidating. Hopefully, this video helped make the whole process a little less daunting.

How to watch NFL games online, with or without cable

While the NFL’s ratings are down this year, it remains the most watched sport in America. Fans across the country (and the world) come together from Thursday through Monday to watch some of the best athletes on the planet compete between the pylons. But nothing ruins a perfectly good game day faster than the realization that you don’t have the means to watch your favorite team knock some heads.

Whether you’ve decided to forgo cable and join in on the cord-cutting revolution, or you live in an area that doesn’t show your favorite team’s games, it’s not always easy to get your NFL fix. To help, we’ve compiled this comprehensive guide on how to watch NFL games online, for both the regular season and playoffs. So put on your favorite jersey and find a comfortable spot on the couch; here’s your (digital) ticket to the NFL.

Cord-cutting options

CBS, NBC, NFL Network, and Amazon Prime

Once again the Thursday Night Football schedule has been turned upside down. Last year it was Twitter playing the surprising black sheep in the NFL streaming game. This season, Amazon took the mantle and paid $50 million to stream 10 Thursday night football games and one Christmas game through Amazon Prime Video. Below is a list of all the TNF games scheduled on traditional networks — available to most viewers with an HD antenna — which will also broadcast on Amazon.

CBS
NBC
9/28: Bears at Packers
11/9: Seahawks at Cardinals
10/05: Patriots at Buccaneers
11/16: Titans at Steelers
10/12: Eagles at Panthers
11/30: Redskins at Cowboys
10/19: Chiefs at Raiders
12/7: Saints at Falcons
10/26: Dolphins at Ravens
12/14: Broncos at Colts

All Thursday Night Football games will also be simulcast on NFL Network, but not all the games are available in one place. In an effort to totally confuse us, some games have been relegated to NFL Network alone. The full TNF schedule is available here, including games that are available only through NFL Network.

NFL Sunday Ticket

If you live in an area or apartment complex that can’t access DirecTV, you can buy the company’s robust NFL Sunday ticket subscription without having to buy into any of its TV packages. The standard streaming package — which currently costs $70 a month under a four-month promotional period — allows you to stream out-of-market games on your computer, smartphone, game console, or smart TV. Unfortunately, if you want the coveted RedZone channel, the commercial-free wonder which focuses exclusively on teams about to score, you’ll have to jump up to the new Sunday Ticket MAX package (starting at $95 a month). Along with RedZone, Max also includes the NFL Fantasy Zone channel, which streams every Sunday with “live look-ins” and fantasy football analysis.

While this option represents one of the most comprehensive ways to watch the NFL this season, it does come with a few caveats. First, Sunday Ticket only grants users the ability to watch games on Sunday, without access to Sunday night, Thursday night, or Monday night contests. Local games are also subject to blackout, which means DirecTV is “restricted from showing events near where a game is played or broadcast locally.”

DirecTV does offer special student pricing, though, which costs just $25 per month for Sunday Ticket access for those who qualify.

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DirecTV Now

DirecTV knows that cord cutting will be the new norm for watching tv sooner than later, so the company’s trying to get in on the online action by offering DirecTV Now. For $35 a month, you get access to more than 60 channels, including Monday Night Football on ESPN. If you’re lucky, you might also be able to to watch live Sunday football on CBS and Fox, and Thursday games on CBS and NBC. Don’t get your hopes up though, as live local channels are only offered to a select group of cities. You also can’t DVR games, and you won’t have access to the NFL Network, but that might change soon.

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Verizon Wireless

If you’re already paying a hefty Verizon bill every month, than all of these prices to watch football can seem intimidating. But believe it or not, that bill comes with some perks, like live stream access to every regular season and playoff game, as well as the Pro Bowl and Super Bowl. All you have to do to access hundreds of dollars worth of content for free is have a Verizon account and download the NFL Mobile App. If you never want to miss a Sunday touchdown, you can also pay a one-time $2 in-app purchase to get NFL Redzone too.

If you already have Verizon, this is by far the best NFL deal available, especially if you’re able to stream your tablet or smartphone to your TV.

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NFL GamePass (sort of)

Starting in 2015, NFL.com decided to offer a new streaming option called GamePass, though it isn’t as desirable as you might think. For $100, a GamePass subscription allows you to stream any regular season game after it’s aired, and lets you rewatch games going back to 2009. Obviously the biggest draw to watching sports is watching the game unfold in real time, so this option doesn’t really offer much for most fans. But GamePass is a great choice for fans who can’t watch games live, or just students of the game.

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YouTube TV

It’s currently available in only select cities, but if you’re lucky enough to live in one of those areas, then you might want to take a look at YouTube TV. For $35 a month you’re guaranteed to have CBS, NBC, and Fox, so you’ll be able to get your Sunday afternoon, Sunday night, and Thursday night football fix every week week of the season. It also comes with Monday Night Football on ESPN, but no NFL Network.

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PlayStation Vue

PlayStation Vue — which isn’t limited to PlayStation owners despite the name — offers four subscription levels: Access, Core, Elite, and Ultra. Customers who choose Core for a maximum price of $45 per month will receive NFL Network as part of their package, meaning every live broadcast of a Thursday game, as well as a few Monday, Saturday, and Sunday broadcasts. You can also get local broadcasts of games too, depending on where you live.

Users can upgrade to The Sports Pack which comes with NFL RedZone for $10 a month. Vue also includes DVR recording capabilities, and is available to stream via apps on Amazon Fire TV devices, iOS, Android, and Roku devices.

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CBS All Access

If you’re not committed to a Fantasy team or are only a casual football fan, CBS All Access might work for you. For six bucks a month you get live access to all of CBS’ Thursday games as well AFC games on Sundays. This is the cheapest subscription on the list, but that’s because you’re missing more games than you get. Still, if you’re looking to tip toe your way into football fandom, All Access is a decent starting point.

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Sling TV

Subscribers to Dish Networks’ Sling TV get live access to a wide variety of channels, including options for ESPN and NFL Network — but like a lot of relationships online, it’s complicated. With Sling Orange, you can watch Monday night games on ESPN for $20 a month. The main restriction there is you can only stream from one device at a time — and there’s no NFL Network, or option to purchase NFL Redzone. For $25 a month, Sling Blue users get access to NFL Network, and the ability to stream to multiple devices, as well as possibly watching games on NBC and Fox, depending on where you live, but for some reason, you don’t get access to ESPN. You can however purchase the Sports Extra package for $10 a month and have NFL Redzone. Yes it’s convoluted, but that’s where we are now.

If you want the best of both worlds, you can plunk down $40 for both Sling Blue and Orange, and an extra $5 for Sports Extra. For those counting, that’s $45 per month, plus your internet subscription, making it close to many cable packages. But it is an option.

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Hulu with Live TV

Hulu’s live tv subscription is less than a year old, but it’s already proving to be a favorite for a lot of cord-cutters. At $40 a month, you get access to Monday Night Football on ESPN, Sunday Night Football on NBC, and other nationally broadcasted games throughout the week on CBS and Fox. Like most other online subscriptions, your locally televised games may or may not air, depending on where you live. You also don’t have access to the NFL Network, and if you want to DVR a game you have to pay an extra $15 a month to fast-foward commercials.

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Look out, Nest: Bosch introduces its Connected Control smart thermostat

Why it matters to you

The Bosch BCC100 smart thermostat will let you control your home’s temperature from anywhere in the world.

As we bid adieu to summer and offer a wary welcome to fall, we need to depend on our thermostats more than ever to ensure that our home’s environment remains consistent, even as the weather outside turns fickle. Luckily, Bosch is here to help. The company announced an expansion of its connected products lineup with the Bosch Connected Control BCC100 Thermostat. Featuring Wi-Fi connectivity, weather access, and programmable options all on a full-color, five-inch, touchscreen display, this thermostat just may be what your home has been missing.

While there is certainly no shortage of smart thermostats floating around, the BCC100 hopes to carve out its own place in the market with a slightly more straightforward interface. Unlike the circular design of the Nest, the Bosch connected thermostat is rectangular, with all options and functionalities clearly laid out.

The home screen displays the current room temperature, temperature schedule, and humidity levels. There is also a fan status indicator, as well as a set of up and down arrows that allow for quick and easy temperature adjustment. The BCC100 claims to save users energy and money by automatically adjusting heating and cooling to maintain a constant temperature even when you are not home, and you can either follow the BCC’s factory-loaded presets for maximum efficiency, or create your own schedule to suit your individual needs.

Plus, the BCC100 is said to be compatible with most HVAC systems on the market, so you should be able to bring even old systems into the 21st century.

“As a trusted manufacturer of HVAC products, we created an integrated approach to heating and cooling solutions with the Bosch Connected Control,” Goncalo Costa, product director at Bosch Thermotechnology, said in a statement. “Our approach links the thermostat directly to the HVAC equipment, giving homeowners more control over ambient temperatures.”

Of course, the connected thermostat comes with a companion app, available on both iOS and Android. That means that you can set your home temperature from anywhere in the world and the app will also allow users to connect to an unlimited number of thermostats (for all your different vacation homes, of course). So if you’re looking to bring your home into the 21st century, temperature-wise, the BCC100 may be a good place to start.

AI could help diagnose Alzheimer’s disease a decade earlier than doctors can

Why it matters to you

Early diagnosis can help patients make lifestyle changes which may help slow the progression of Alzheimer’s.

A devastating chronic neurodegenerative disease, Alzheimer’s disease (AD) currently affects around 5.5 million people in the United States alone. Causing progressive mental deterioration, it ultimately advances to impact basic bodily functions such as walking and swallowing.

Looking for a way to help, researchers at the University of Bari and Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare in Italy have developed new machine learning AI technology that may help identify Alzheimer’s a decade before doctors usually can, by way of non-invasive MRI brain scans. An early diagnosis — before any of the symptoms a doctor might recognize become apparent — could give patients a chance to make changes to their lifestyle which may slow Alzheimer’s progression.

“We used publicly available data, consisting of 67 brain MRI scans from the Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative, including healthy controls and AD patients,” Nicola Amoroso, one of the lead researchers on the project, told Digital Trends. “We used this cohort to feed [our] artificial intelligence, then an independent test of about 148 subjects — including controls,

Alzheimer’s disease and mild cognitive impairment (MCI) subjects — was performed. According to our results, it is possible to distinguish a healthy brain from one with Alzheimer’s with an accuracy of 86 per cent. Crucially, it is also possible to detect the difference between healthy brains and those with MCI with an accuracy of 84 per cent.”

This isn’t the first similar study that involves using cutting-edge technology to help diagnose Alzheimer’s and other neurodegenerative diseases. Researchers at VU University Medical Centre in Amsterdam have also been using MRI scans to try and carry out similar early diagnosis of Alzheimer’s. Another intriguing high tech approach is one being taken at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, University of Southern California (USC), and University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), where researchers are working to develop an early diagnosis eye test for Alzheimer’s.

“Our goal is to use our approach for other pathologies,” Nicola Amoroso continued. “In particular, we are now investigating Parkinson’s disease, and preliminary results are really encouraging. It would be very important to support studies and clinical trials to let emerge novel preventive or disease modifying therapies.”

You can read a research paper on the University of Bari’s machine learning project here. With millions of people who could benefit from the research, they have our total support.

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