Alexa speaker and Polaroid printer Moto Mods available in the coming weeks

Motorola’s latest Mods should arrive in time for the holiday season.

Motorola’s recent tendency to release a hundred different phones each year can get tiring very quickly, but even with so many devices being pushed out, the company’s Z series and their accompanying Moto Mods still remain as one of the most unique throughout the smartphone market. Thanks to a leak from Evan Blass on Twitter, we now have a look at two new Moto Mods that are shaping up to be two of the coolest yet.

The two Mods in question include an Amazon Alexa speaker and Polaroid Insta-Share printer, and although Motorola technically announced these back at Mobile World Congress in February, this is the first time we’ve actually seen pictures of the gadgets.

Moto Mods are not to scale

The Alexa Speaker will likely work in the same fashion as the two JBL Moto Mods that are already available, and although we don’t know how the sound quality of this new speaker will compare, the addition of Alexa voice controls will certainly be appreciated by those sucked into Amazon’s walled-garden.

As for the Polaroid Insta-Share Mod, this will allow you to print off Polaroids of photos captured with your Moto Z’s camera wherever you go. It looks incredibly bulky from the render, but then again, that’s to be expected from essentially carrying around a tiny printer on the back of your phone.

Since this photo was shared, Android Central has also learned that these two Moto Mods will be available for purchase in the coming weeks. We still aren’t sure what pricing will look like, but if past Moto Mods are anything to go by, don’t expect them to be cheap.

Moto Z2 Force

• Moto Z2 Force reviewl
• Moto Z2 Force specs
• This is the Moto 360 Camera Mod
• The ultimate guide to Moto Mods
• Moto Z2 Force vs. Galaxy S8
• Join the discussion in the forums!

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Qualcomm wants Apple to stop production and sales of iPhones in China

Qualcomm’s latest lawsuit seeks to end all sales and production of the iPhone in China.

Qualcomm’s been in hot water ever since the beginning of 2017 when Apple issued an antitrust lawsuit against the company, and the battle between the two has been playing out ever since. In the most recent development, Qualcomm is now filing a lawsuit against Apple with the intent of having all iPhone production and sales halted in China.

Although China isn’t Apple’s most profitable country for iPhone sales, it is where the majority of the devices are manufactured. Qualcomm filed the suit claiming that Apple infringed on patents from the chip-maker, and according to Qualcomm spokeswoman, Christine Trimble, “Apple employs technologies invented by Qualcomm without paying for them.”

There are three patents in question that Apple supposedly infringed on, with the biggest having to do with the technology used for Force Touch on all iPhone models since the 6S (minus the iPhone SE). Talking about these patents, Trimble says they are “examples of the many Qualcomm technologies that Apple uses to improve its devices and increase its profits.”

Qualcomm officially filed for this lawsuit against Apple on September 29, but the Beijing court in which it was issued has not yet made the exact details available to the public.

“Apple employes technologies invented by Qualcomm without paying for them.”

Just a day before this latest news broke, it was revealed that Qualcomm was charged with (and appealing) a $773 million USD fine from the Taiwan Fair Trade Commission.

At this point in time, it’s not clear what will happen next. Qualcomm says the $773 million fine won’t affect the company and earlier this year, Apple came out victorious over two patent disagreements.

The halt of sales and production of the iPhone in China could prove to be disastrous for Apple, so it’ll be fascinating to see what happens next.

Where did all of this Qualcomm hate come from?

1 + You = Data Collection

Your privacy and personal data are a major topic this week as Daniel Bader, Andrew Martonik , and Jerry Hildenbrand talk about Google’s quick decision to disable touch-activated listening on the Home Mini before it becomes available to consumers. OnePlus is taking some heat once again; this time for data collection concerns regarding OxygenOS.

On a more positive note, Google is adding Duo video calling to the dialer and SMS app on Pixel, Nexus, and Android One phones. Also, Disney has partnered with other major studios, excluding Paramount (at least for now), to offer Movies Anywhere—a service that lets you more freely access movies you’ve purchased from multiple platforms.

The crew also discuss using Pixel 2 on Project Fi, and whether or not it’s a good decision to buy an original Pixel in 2017.

Show Notes and Links:

• Google Home Mini review units had a bug that recorded everything
• Google to disable touch-activated listening on Home Minis
• Google’s commitment to hardware is no longer in doubt
• OnePlus responds to OxygenOS data collection concerns
• Google is adding Duo video calling to the dialer and SMS app of Pixels
• Movies Anywhere
• Should you use your Google Pixel 2 or Pixel 2 XL on Project Fi?
• Should you buy an original Pixel or Pixel XL in 2017?

Podcast MP3 URL: http://traffic.libsyn.com/androidcentral/androidcentral356.mp3

5 high-capacity power banks that are great for the traveling techie

These aren’t your pocket-friendly power banks, but they can be your lifeline when battery life runs short across multiple devices.

Given today’s power-hungry phones and tablets, any power pack under 20,000mAh shouldn’t be considered high-capacity. While the majority of these beefier backup batteries aren’t suited for storing in your pocket, they’re still compact enough to toss in a backpack, suitcase, or laptop bag for a quick charge when you need it. Check out these five power banks that provide enough battery to keep up with the most demanding tech-lover.

• Anker PowerCore+ 26800 Quick Charge PowerCore+ 26800 PD
• EasyAcc Monster 26,000mAh Power Bank
• USB-C RAVPower 26800
• ZeroLemon ToughJuice V3.0

Anker PowerCore+ 26800 Quick Charge / PowerCore+ 26800 PD

Anker brings two versions of the PowerCore+ 26800 to the market, one with Qualcomm Quick Charge 3.0 and one with USB PD (Power Delivery). Both offer a whopping 26,800mAh capacity and are only 7.1 x 3.1 x .9 inches in size. This is a power bank that you probably can fit into your pocket!

The Quick Charge model also features PowerIQ so that non-Quick Charge devices can still charge at up to 3 amps and can be fully recharged in about 6.5 hours. It’s priced around $70.

See at Amazon (Quick Charge)

The USB PD model features a 30-watt USB-C port capable of charging laptops like a MacBook or Chromebook as well as your phone. It can be fully charged in about four hours and costs right around $100.

See at Amazon (USB PD)

EasyAcc Monster 26,000mAh Power Bank

If you’re after more than just a pair outputs to keep your phones and tablets charged up, the EasyAcc Monster packs a 26,000mAh capacity and provides four USB ports as well as two Micro-USB inputs on the side that can work in tandem decrease recharge time up to 50%. With a total output of 4.8 amps, the more devices connected means a slower charge, but the overall convenience, functionality, and capacity outweigh reduced charging times.

Next to the USB outputs is a built-in LED flashlight that’s handy for seeing in the dark, and on top are four tiny lights that indicate how much battery life remains in the power bank. EasyAcc has added plenty of safety features to prevent any damage to your connected devices, too. You’ll pay about $50 for the EasyACC Monster.

See at Amazon

USB-C RAVPower 26800

The new USB-C RAVPower 26800 can output 30 watts through its USB-C port and has two “regular” USB ports that feature its iSmart technology to charge at up to 2.4 amps each. RAVPower says that its iSmart 2.0 system will automatically sense the correct charging current so that your devices that don’t use a fast-charging standard will still charge as fast as they are able. The USB-C port charges a MacBook at the same rate as the included charger, and can charge a Nintendo Switch while you’re playing.

Using both charging inputs, you can fully charge the RAVPower 26800 in 4.5 hours. The USB-C RAVPower 26800 costs about $60.

See at Amazon

ZeroLemon ToughJuice V3.0

This beastly backup battery rocks an impressive 30,000mAh capacity that’s able to provide power to phones, tablets, and even laptops. It has a total of five USB ports three standard 1-amp outputs, one Qualcomm Quick Charge 3.0 output and one USB-C output so it’s compatible with almost everything.

On top of its brushed aluminum chassis is an LCD display that provides readings of its power level and charging status. With over 13 notebook connectors and AC adapters for the U.S., UK, and EU, the Intocircuit Power Monster is the ideal power bank for serious traveling techies.

It also features a rubber outer shell that makes the ZeroLemon ToughJuice V3.0 the most rugged power bank you’re likely to see. You’ll pay about $100 for it.

Remember, this power bank is too big to carry on a plane in the U.S. without talking to your airline first.

See at Amazon

A note on air travel: What you need to know

While traveling in the U.S., the Federal Aviation Administration allows you to carry a device (like a power bank) with up to a 100 Wh capacity. You are also able to carry a limit of two spare batteries between 101 Wh and 160 Wh with prior approval from your airline. All lithium batteries must be in your carry-on bag and can’t be stowed with checked luggage.

Most power banks list their capacity in mAh (milliamp-hours) and not Wh (watt-hours). Let’s do some conversion using a 3.7-volt average. You can calculate from Wh to mAh using this formula:

(mAh)/1000 x (V) = (Wh)

After some rounding off, that means you can bring a 26,800 mAh power bank on your flight. With approval, you can bring up to two 43,240 mAh (again, some rounding is used) along as well. Just be sure not to put them in your checked luggage!

Other countries may have different regulations, so you should check before you travel outside the U.S.

Update October 2017: Added the latest high-capacity power banks and some information about the FAA and airline restrictions.

Twitter’s opaque thinking fails everyone

It seems like Twitter can’t go long before finding itself embroiled in a new controversy about how it applies its conduct policies. And yet it’s hard not to feel a sliver of sympathy in the face of the latest backlash against the ailing company. In suspending Rose McGowan’s account for 12 hours, it might have done the right thing, but in completely the wrong way.

The recent aftermath of the Harvey Weinstein revelations saw a number of actors speak out about their experiences with the powerful producer. Rose McGowan has accused the producer of an attack, and is a vocal critic of the wider culture of sexual harassment and abuse in Hollywood. Using Twitter as a platform, she has spoken to, and about, others in Hollywood who enable such abuse.

On October 12th, Twitter suspended McGowan’s account, forcing her to post the news of her suspension on Instagram. The automated message she received explained little — just that her account violated Twitter’s conduct policy, but nothing specific that explained the 12-hour suspension. During that period, the only access she had to the platform was to delete the offending tweet.

Twitter has a policy of not explaining the rationale for its suspensions, presumably out of fear that it will create an unintended precedent. But, half a day after the suspension, the company revealed that it suspended the account because McGowan had publicly posted a private phone number. That is a direct violation of the site’s privacy policy (described as “The Twitter Rules”), which includes a blanket ban on publicly sharing personal information.

It’s not clear if Twitter gained McGowan’s consent before going public, but it was clearly forced to say something. The company had rebuffed all attempts to clarify its position, despite Engadget and other publications asking for comment on the reasoning behind the move. This lack of transparency led to the company being attacked on all sides for its opaque processes, with many users saying that double standards are at work. After all, the president can threaten nuclear war without censure, but Rose McGowan tweets something and it’s blocked with unnatural swiftness.

Blocking the tweet was the right thing to do, but everything that came after that was a mistake that began to compound upon itself. Surely there are smarter ways to tackle the issue than just handing down a 12-hour suspension as a punishment. The topic here is clearly divisive, and Twitter needed to handle it carefully rather than following a procedure. Could it not, for instance, have suppressed that one message and then privately communicated its reasoning?

when will nuclear war violate your terms of service? https://t.co/72FiiyoZ59

— rose mcgowan (@rosemcgowan) October 12, 2017

Early Thursday, Twitter told Engadget that it does not “comment on individual accounts for privacy and security reasons.” Fair enough, but that meant that it remained silent for 12 hours while its motivations were left open for speculation by, well, everyone in the world. This highlights the impossible situation that Twitter now finds itself in: How can it be fine with hate speech, racism and the American Nazi Party, but be so quick to clamp down on a single woman speaking out against sexual abuse?

When you see R McGowan getting suspended while sadistic goons Tweet with impunity it tells you who’s running this service. And for whom.

— Matt Zoller Seitz (@mattzollerseitz) October 12, 2017

In addition to this troubling double standard, there’s the concern that moving to block McGowan’s account was an anomaly. Writer Natalie Shure pointed out that her phone number was shared by a ring-wing extremist last year, and Twitter didn’t consider it a violation of its conduct policy. We’ve spoken before about how inconsistently its conduct policies are treated. Clearly, something has to give.

Some alt-right dickbag tweeted my phone number last winter, and when I reported it Twitter denied it was a violation of terms of service https://t.co/Imb5XmJpnC

— Natalie Shure (@nataliesurely) October 12, 2017

If this were an isolated incident, Twitter could shrug it off. But it’s not — the site has become an unwelcome place for many. Today, a group of the site’s female users are boycotting the site in the hope of forcing its hand in doing better. It probably won’t work, because Twitter already has the tools to clean up its membership in a heartbeat. In Germany, where the laws on extremism on social media are much tougher, the site blocks all neo-Nazi accounts as a matter of course. In the US? Not so much.

We do need to do a better job at showing that we are not selectively applying rules.

— jack (@jack) October 12, 2017

Chat app Discord opens official game channels

Gaming-focused chat app Discord is partnering with developers on official chat channels. Verified Servers are places where a game’s community can hang out, talk and get news straight from the teams that made the games. Think of them like official forums, but with real-time communication versus asynchronous. Just look for the checkmark badge next to a server profile and you should be good to go. Developers can even add Discord badges to their website’s social links and directly to their game’s main menu. As Polygon notes, so far Minecraft, Offworld, PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds and Supercell have set up shop.

The tricky thing is that if a team isn’t careful, this could provide another platform for abuse. It’s up to a developer or publisher to keep the channel moderated and cut this sort of thing off before it has a chance to root. Given that most official forums are fairly monitored this hopefully won’t be a huge problem.

Via: Polygon

Source: Discord

‘Stranger Things’ season 2 soundtrack arrives on October 20th

Stranger Things fans are counting down to October 27th. After all, it’s when the second season of the Netflix retro show releases. But there’s another date that fans need to keep in mind: October 20th. That’s when the soundtrack for season 2 will be available for purchase.

Kyle Dixon and Michael Stein, best known for their work as part of of the synth band S U R V I V E, have once again composed and performed the score for this soundtrack. According to Fader, the duo wanted to stay true to the first season’s popular themes while also creating something new for the second round. You can see the full (and extensive) track list below; it will be released digitally first, but CD, vinyl and even cassette tape versions will follow later on.

Track List:

01 “Walkin’ in Hawkins”
02 “Home”
03 “Eulogy”
04 “On the Bus”
05 “Presumptuous”
06 “Eight Fifteen”
07 “The First Lie”
08 “Scars”
09 “I Can Save Them”
10 “Descent Into the Rift”
11 “Chicago”
12 “Looking for a Way Out”
13 “Birth / Rescue”
14 “In the Woods”
15 “Digging”
16 “Symptoms”
17 “Eggo in the Snow”
18 “Soldiers”
19 “Choices”
20 “Never Tell”
21 “She Wants Me to Find Her”
22 “Shouldn’t Have Lied”
23 “It’s a Trap”
24 “Crib”
25 “The Return”
26 “Escape”
27 “We Go Out Tonight”
28 “Connect the Dots”
29 “The Hub”
30 “On Edge”
31 “What Else Did You See?”
32 “Run”
33 “Levitation”
34 “To Be Continued”

Via: Pretty Much Amazing

Source: Fader

Google pledges $1 billion to prepare workers for automation

Before we get worried about the possibility of a robot uprising, we probably have to worry about our jobs first. Yes, that includes me. Since machines could take millions of jobs the next few years, Google has launched a new initiative to help people in the US and around the globe learn new skills they can use to start a new career or to grow their business. Company chief Sundar Pichai has announced the project called “Grow with Google” at an event in Pittsburgh. He said that the tech titan understands “uncertainty and even concern about the pace of technological change” but that it believes “that technology will be an engine of America’s growth for years to come.”

The Grow with Google website houses several programs both teachers and students (of any age) can use. One of the most notable programs is a free Udacity scholarship in Android or web development for 50,000 individuals, even those with no prior experience. In addition, the Grow with Google initiative will be holding events across the US in the coming months to provide free training and demos provided by Googlers.

While the initiative’s offerings are for US residents, Google has also pledged $1 billion in grants to non-profits that also aim to help people prepare for the changing nature of work in an increasingly high-tech world. The big G isn’t the only tech giant aiming to prevent massive job losses brought about by automation and technology in general. In Michigan, Facebook also pledged $25.5 million in training the state’s workers for high-tech jobs.

Source: 9to5Google, Grow with Google

The best camera bags

By Erin Lodi, Mike Perlman, and Eric Adams

This post was done in partnership with Wirecutter, reviews for the real world. When readers choose to buy Wirecutter’s independently chosen editorial picks, it may earn affiliate commissions that support its work. Read the full article here.

If you’re working with only a single camera and a lens, a good camera strap is all you need. But as soon as you start bringing multiple lenses and a tripod, you’ll want a proper camera bag—preferably one that also looks nice enough to use every day. After spending the past two years testing more than 30 camera bags, we’ve found a number of great bags that cover a wide range of styles and carrying needs. For many photographers, the best choices are the 20-liter Peak Design Everyday Backpack or the 15-inch Everyday Messenger.

How we picked and tested

To narrow the field of contenders, we focused on bags with these features:

• Easy access to the camera
• Camera-specific pockets, organization for accessories, and ample padding
• User-configurable internal dividers
• Waist belts
• Weather-resistance or waterproofing
• Big enough to hold everything you need, without encouraging overpacking
• We avoided premium bags from designer fashion labels or made of leather.

To test the bags, we asked professional photographers and Wirecutter contributors Eric Adams, Erin Lodi, and Mike Perlman to take the bags out shooting for at least a few hours, but up to several consecutive days in some cases. Each tester loaded the bags with a compact DSLR or mirrorless camera, lenses, accessories, an assortment of cables, a laptop, and personal items.

A versatile, stylish backpack

The Peak Design Everyday Backpack suits a wide variety of people’s frames and sizes. Photo: Eric Adams

The Peak Design Everyday Backpack is our favorite backpack for enthusiast shooters who don’t want to sacrifice good looks for great performance. The bag is highly adjustable, breathable, and roomy, with many thoughtful features—such as fast but secure access mechanisms, external gear loops with cinch straps, a waist belt and sternum straps, and a flexible hook-and-loop internal organization system. We tested the 20-liter version, but a 30-liter version is also available for those with more gear.

The Everyday Backpack has well-thought-out pockets overall, but its fold-top camera compartment stands out in particular for providing the fastest camera access out of any backpack we tried. It also has a 15-inch laptop sleeve.

An affordable backpack

Photo: Erin Lodi

The AmazonBasics Backpack for SLR/DSLR Cameras and Accessories is ideal for a growing photographer who needs an affordable and flexible option for protecting and transporting their gear while they’re still honing their kit. This bag holds all the basic necessities, including a 13-inch laptop and multiple accessories. It has user-configurable Velcro internal dividers for accommodating a variety of photo kits, and plenty of breathable padding for a comfortable fit. It’s a bit smaller and stiffer than other bags we tested, but it’s a solid value given its low price..

A bigger backpack

Photo: Erin Lodi

The Think Tank Photo StreetWalker HardDrive can hold a surprising amount of gear without feeling or looking bulky, including multiple full-frame bodies, a 17-inch laptop, a handful of lenses, two flashes, and all the accessories you might want. It’s extremely comfortable with a thick, cushioned back and straps. It uses adjustable Velcro dividers in its cavernous main compartment, and has an organizer built into its exterior pocket as well as elastic sleeves for organizing smaller items like SD cards.

Our favorite camera messenger bag

The Peak Design Everyday Messenger (left) and Tenba Cooper 13 Slim. Photo: Mike Perlman

A messenger bag is ideal for when you need something less bulky than a backpack but still want to take a camera, a laptop, and a couple of extras. The Peak Design Everyday Messenger combines the same strong design and thoughtfulness that we enjoyed with the Everyday Backpack, but in messenger form. In place of conventional modular Velcro pads are slim, origami-style foldable inserts that you can arrange in numerous patterns and configurations. It’s perfect for one DSLR or two mirrorless cameras and a few lenses and accessories, and it also has room for a laptop and tablet. Just keep in mind that you’ll be putting all that weight on one shoulder.

A super-affordable messenger bag

Photo: Erin Lodi

If you want a messenger bag that’s very affordable, the Ape Case Envoy Large Messenger DSLR Case is one of the few budget models we found that will hold your laptop as well as your camera. This simple but well-designed messenger bag can hold a 13-inch laptop, a DSLR body, three lenses, a flash, and all your accessories. And it’s comfortable enough to wear for long periods even when fully loaded, thanks to its heavy padding. It has cushioned dividers for customizing the internal pocket, a wide variety of pocket types and sizes, and offers quick access to your camera via a top zipper.

A camera purse

A photo purse isn’t as great for heavy loads of gear—but it does offer a more stylish look. Photo: Erin Lodi

The Kelly Moore 2 Sues 2.0 bag is our favorite purse-style camera bag for carrying a photographer’s essentials to a shorter shoot. It offers easy access to the main compartment and plenty of pockets for stashing everything from memory cards to a smartphone. The bag looks like leather but is a “vegan-friendly” material of the company’s own devising called Cambrio that comes in several colors; the gold hardware accents look shiny and high-end. The longer strap offers considerable padding to carry the bag across one shoulder, but fashion takes precedence when it comes to camera purses, so the 2 Sues 2.0 doesn’t prioritize weight distribution or body contouring.

This guide may have been updated by Wirecutter. To see the current recommendation, please go here.

Note from Wirecutter: When readers choose to buy our independently chosen editorial picks, we may earn affiliate commissions that support our work.

Every ‘Futurama’ episode hits Hulu on October 16th

Starting next week, all 140 episodes and four films of Futurama will be available on Hulu, Variety reports. The streaming service announced in July that it struck a deal with 20th Century Fox to be the exclusive streaming home to Bob’s Burgers and would host Fox’s slate of animated shows, including Futurama. The show stopped streaming on Netflix entirely at the beginning of July.

Futurama, which originally aired from 1999-2003 and then again from 2009-2013, has been cropping up a lot lately though in slightly different forms. A mobile game called Futurama: Worlds of Tomorrow was released in June and the Futurama crew came back for a single 42-minute long podcast last month. The show will also start to air on Syfy in November.

Hulu has been adding a ton of popular shows to its service of late. It now has the entire backlog of Will & Grace, a slew of NBC series including Parenthood and 30 Rock, TGIF throwbacks like Boy Meets World and Step by Step and has added new content like Runaways to air alongside its successful The Handmaid’s Tale.

For those excited to finally get their hands (and TVs) on Futurama, you only have a few more days to wait. The show’s whole catalog will be available to stream on October 16th.

Via: Polygon

Source: Variety