T-Mobile is about to put borders on its ‘Mobile Without Borders’ plan

Why it matters to you

If you’re using Mobile Without Borders and use your device a lot in Canada and Mexico then you may be affected by the cap.

T-Mobile unveiled Mobile Without Borders to great fanfare in 2015, a plan for customers that added unlimited calling, texting, and 4G LTE data throughout Mexico and Canada at no extra cost.

It meant that using your phone or making a call in Canada, Mexico, and the U.S. would be “just like going out of state,” T-Mobile CEO John Legere said at the time. “Go from New York to Canada, or from California to Mexico; it’s just like going from Idaho to Texas, from Georgia to Kentucky.”

Two years on and the Uncarrier has decided to slap a monthly limit of 5GB on LTE data before throttling speeds. Why? “In order to prevent usage beyond the intent of the product,” according to T-Mobile.

The change comes into effect on November 12, 2017, and hits customers on T-Mobile One, One Plus, Simple Choice, and legacy rate plans.

Once you reach the new 5GB limit of high-speed data in Canada and Mexico (or your high-speed data allotment is reached, whichever comes first), connection speeds will be throttled to just 128kbps, or 256kbps for T-Mobile One Plus customers. If that’s a problem, then those on postpaid T-Mobile One plans can also add T-Mobile One Plus International for an extra charge and receive unlimited high-speed LTE in Mexico and Canada, T-Mobile said.

When the new cap kicks in, some customers traveling to Canada and Mexico might want to know how they’re doing with their data. For those on an unlimited high-speed plan, T-Mobile says it’s going to send out alerts when you hit 80 percent and 100 percent of your 5GB data limit. You can also check overall data usage by dialing the short code #WEB# on your device.

The company said that less than than 1 percent of people with Mobile Without Borders travel to Mexico and Canada and use more than 5GB a month, indicating the cap will have little impact on its customers. But for the 1 percent, whether they’re travelers hooked on YouTube or business people relying on the service, it could be problematic.

For more information on the upcoming change and a list of related FAQs, check out T-Mobile’s dedicated webpage on the matter.

Samsung once again forecasts record-breaking profits

Samsung forecasts an operating profit of $12.8 billion in Q3 2017.

Samsung Electronics is losing a CEO, but the company itself is riding a high. In its earnings guidance for the third quarter, Samsung says it recorded operating profit of $12.8 billion (14.5 trillion won) on sales of $54.7 billion (62 trillion won).

Samsung is set to record a revenue hike of 29% from the same period a year ago, with operating profits going up a massive 178%. The latest figures highlight a third straight quarter of record profits for Samsung. Back in Q1 2017, Samsung posted a profit of $9.9 billion, its best-ever first quarter, and followed it up with a Q2 profit of $12.5 billion, its most profitable quarter ever. That number is set to be eclipsed once again in Q3.

Strong sales of the Galaxy Note 8 — the device saw 850,000 pre-orders in South Korea — combined with an increase in demand for DRAM and NAND modules are the likely contributors to the record profit this quarter. We’ll know the division-wise breakdown once Samsung announces its earnings later this month.

Samsung Galaxy Note 8

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

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T-Mobile puts 5GB cap on high-speed data in Canada and Mexico

T-Mobile has been a tempting option for travelers, and for good reason: if you’ve traveled to Canada or Mexico, you’ve had as much LTE data as you wanted without fear of returning to a giant phone bill. Unfortunately, the party’s over. T-Mobile has revealed that, as of November 12th, it will cap the no-extra-charge LTE data to a maximum of 5GB per month while you’re visiting the US’ neighbors. You won’t run into overages (this is T-Mobile), but you’ll have to make do with speeds as low as 128Kbps if you go over your high-speed allotment. One subscribers can tack on unlimited LTE by adding One Plus International, but that’s another $25 per month on top of the base plan.

Also, you may have less data to play with if you aren’t subscribed to an unlimited plan. A customer with a 6GB limit will only have 4GB to use abroad if they’ve already burned through 2GB, for instance. Also, those with capped plans can no longer use their Data Stash while in Canada or Mexico (though any unused data will carry over).

It’s not shocking that T-Mobile would do this. The network still has to pay roaming costs, and it’s probably dreading the bill from your Netflix marathon in Vancouver. All the same, this does limit T-Mobile’s appeal to jetsetters. While 5GB is a healthy amount for a short trip, it’s still going to change your behavior — you may end up using hotel WiFi when you can instead of relying solely on cellular data.

Via: Android Police

Source: T-Mobile

Tesla recalls 11,000 Model X SUVs for seat issues

Tesla is no stranger to voluntary recalls. The company issued notices to 90,000 Model S sedan owners for possible seatblet defects back in 2015, another for 2,700 Model X SUVs in 2016 for a third-row seat problem, and one for 53,000 S and Model X SUV earlier this year over potential parking brake issues. It’s the price of doing business — and better that the company jumps ahead with a voluntary recall than a legally-mandated one after tragedy. Today, the automaker issued another for about 11,000 Model X’s released last year, this time for the second-row seats.

The recall only affects Model X’s with second-row fold-flat seats built between October 28th, 2016 and August 16th, 2017, and the company estimates that only 3 percent of vehicles sold experience the issue. Any of Tesla’s SUVs with single-post seats aren’t affected. During internal tests, the company found that poorly-adjusted cables connected to the driver’s side second-row seat yanked it forward during a crash. Tesla hasn’t received any reports of this happening to Model X owners, but is issuing the recall based on its research.

Thankfully, the fix is easy: Just take your Model X into a service center or use Tesla’s mobile repair service and a technician will adjust the cable correctly, which takes all of 10 minutes. Until then, the company suggests not stacking two adults in the center and behind-driver seats in the second row.

Source: CNBC

‘Dragon Age’ director Mike Laidlaw leaves BioWare after 14 years

Today Mike Laidlaw announced his departure from Bioware, where he’s been involved with games including Jade Empire, Mass Effect and the entire Dragon Age series. He served as creative director on Dragon Age: Inquisition, and mentioned in a note about the team that “I have every confidence that the world we’ve created together is in good hands and I’m excited for the road ahead.” He didn’t mention a reason for leaving other than that it is time to move on, even as his exit follows DA:I lead writer David Gaider, who left the company early last year.

pic.twitter.com/gFOiV53W3q

— Mike Laidlaw (@Mike_Laidlaw) October 12, 2017

Big day. Intense. Gonna stream some Overwatch tonight, though.

— Mike Laidlaw (@Mike_Laidlaw) October 13, 2017

Source: Mike Laidlaw (Twitter)

What is HDR photography and how can I shoot it with my camera?

Ever tried to photograph a high-contrast scene, only to be frustrated when you find that the pictures you snapped just don’t do it justice? Don’t worry, it’s not just you. Even with the perfect exposure, there are certain scenes that will always tend to get blown-out highlights, flat shadows, or both. Despite the fact that it’s nearly impossible to find a happy medium in these types of situations, there is a solution. This age-old dilemma can be solved through the magic of HDR processing. We’ll explain what is HDR photography, and how to make it.

What is HDR photography?

HDR stands for “high dynamic range.” For those who aren’t so acquainted with this high-tech shutterbug lingo, dynamic range is basically just the difference between the lightest light and darkest dark you can capture in a photo. Once your subject exceeds the camera’s dynamic range, the highlights tend to wash out to white, or the darks simply become big black blobs. It’s notoriously difficult to snap a photo that captures both ends of this spectrum, but with modern shooting techniques and advanced post-processing software, photographers have devised ways to make it happen. This is basically what HDR is: a specific style of photo with an unusually high dynamic range that couldn’t otherwise be achieved in a single photograph.

You’ve probably seen these types of images scattered across the web. Depending on how they’re processed, HDR photos can be anything from stunningly accurate reproductions of what your eyes see, to mind-blowing, surreal works of art that transform reality into a high-def dreamscape. Here are a few examples from HDR guru Trey Ratcliff.

How it works

At the most basic level, an HDR photo is really just two (or three, or nine) photos taken at different exposure levels and then mashed together with software to create a better picture. It’s a bit more complicated than that, but not much more — that’s basically the gist of it. Ideally, the photographer takes a range of bracketed photos – that is, photos of the same subject taken with varying shutter speed/aperture combinations in order to produce a set of images with varying luminosity and depth of field. Then, with the help of advanced post-processing software, the photographer is able to blend the photos together and create a single image comprised of the most focused, well-lit, and colorful parts of the scene. Check out the images below to see how it looks:

-4 stops

-2 stops

+2 stops

+4 stops

Stitched-together HDR image

How to create an HDR image

Before you set out on your mission to create a mind-bogglingly beatiful HDR image, you’ll need a few things. For best results, here’s what we recommend:

A camera, preferably with an Auto Exposure Bracketing (AEB) function. AEB isn’t 100-percent necessary, but without it you’ll have to adjust your camera settings manually between each shot, which increases the chances you’ll move the camera, and takes more time — increasing the likelihood that your subject will move or change positions. If your pictures don’t line up, the final HDR image will probably come out looking weird. (Not sure if your camera has an Auto Exposure Bracketing feature? Check out this chart to find out.)

A tripod or other type of stabilizer. You can shoot by hand if you must, but you’ll likely have trouble aligning your images later on, so a tripod is definitely recommended for best results. It’s true that certain HDR software programs are equipped with image alignment features, but they don’t always work perfectly, so generally speaking the best plan is to take measures necessary to ensure a stable shot. If you’re in the market, check out our seven favorite tripods for DSLRs and smartphones.

HDR photo-blending software. There are a number of different programs out there that’ll get the job done, but the general consensus amongst the HDR photography community is that Photomatix is one of the better options. It is powerful, fast, and full-featured, but those features do come at a price: $99 for the Pro package and $39 for the Essentials pack. Another very popular software is Aurora HDR ($89). Obviously, these programs isn’t ideal if you’re just looking to dip your toes into the HDR pool and do a bit of experimenting, so for those of you looking for a good free option, we recommend Luminance HDR. Luminance is one of the most capable and flexible HDR programs we know of, despite the fact that it doesn’t cost a dime. It offers six different photo-blending algorithms for you to mess with, so no matter if you’re going for a more realistic or surrealistic look, you should be able to achieve it with Luminance. These programs are a good place to start, but keep in mind that once you’ve stitched the images together and have something to work with, there’s nothing stopping you from using other programs to achieve further effects.

Once you have all the necessary equipment gathered up, it’s time to go out and snap that jaw-dropping, eye-popping National Geographic-status photo. Here are a few tips for getting a good shot:

• Due to the nature of HDR and exposure bracketing, you probably won’t be able to capture a moving subject very easily. HDR just isn’t meant for things that move. Stillness is the name of the game here, so do your best to shoot a scene that isn’t going to change very drastically in a 5-10-second period.
• Try to keep an eye out for scenes and subjects that have a large, noticeable contrast between light and dark areas. This is usually easier said than done since our eyes see in HDR already, but if you can spot these types of scenes it totally pays off in the end. These are the kinds of shots that benefit most from HDR post-processing techniques, since you otherwise wouldn’t be able to capture all the full dynamic range in one shot.
• If your memory card is big enough, shoot in RAW format. JPEGs use heavy compression to cut down on file size and will typically result in a noticeable loss of detail in your photos. Shooting in RAW is better for quality, but takes a bit longer for your camera to process and write to your memory card. For best results, snag yourself a class 6 or class 10 SD card — these have faster minimum write speeds and will help reduce the time your camera takes to store RAW images after you shoot them.
• Above all, remember that these tips are nothing more than loose guidelines. It’s all good advice, but don’t let our tips impede your artistic impulses. Experiment and play around lot, and you’ll start to get a feel for it on your own.

Mobile HDR

DSLR and mirrorless cameras aren’t the only devices capable of capturing HDR images. Nowadays, even the most basic smartphones capture impressive HDR images. In fact, Android and iOS both offer HDR shooting modes in their stock camera applications, while third-party mobile apps, like Adobe Lightroom, are implementing HDR editing as well.

The process for capturing HDR photos on your smartphone is almost identical to capturing them on a dedicated camera — a series of images are captured at varying exposures to ensure the greatest possible dynamic range in a scene. The big difference is that capturing HDR photos on a smartphone is far less complicated, thanks to software.

Rather than capturing three separate images at different exposures, overlaying them, and merging them together for the best tonal range, your smartphone will do all of this for you — and likely with a single click. The only thing you should have to do, besides pressing the shutter, is make sure the HDR mode on your phone is enabled.

HDR on iOS

Apple devices will have three distinct HDR options that can be used with any of the still image modes: On, Auto, and Off. When turned “On,” your iOS device will automatically capture three separate images and merge them together into a single image that will be saved in your camera roll. Setting your iOS device to “Auto” will ensure your phone uses HDR mode when it notices a high-contrast scene. “Off,” of course, will deactivate HDR capture mode. In iOS 11, however, you only have Auto and Off. Note: iOS can save an HDR and a normal exposure version; enable Keep Normal Photo in the camera settings.

HDR on Android

Android also offers an HDR mode, but it’s not always as straightforward. Due to manufacturers adding their own skins and default camera apps, the experience isn’t the same across the board. That said, the experience isn’t much different. Inside the camera app, you will find an HDR shooting mode, although sometimes it’s called something else, such as “Rich Tone.”

When shooting in this camera mode, your Android device will capture multiple exposures in a quick sequence and automatically stitch them together to create a final HDR photo.

HDR video

Still photography isn’t the only form of visual media HDR imagery has impacted. Now, thanks to increasingly capable video cameras and compatible TV sets, HDR video capture is possible as well. But HDR photography and HDR videography use different processes.

While the end result is almost identical to still HDR photography, HDR video is captured by different means. Rather than capturing multiple images and merging them together, either in-camera or via post-production, HDR video is (more often than not) captured as a single exposure.

How is this possible? Two parts: hardware and software. Newer camera sensors are capable of capturing more dynamic range than ever before. Combine the impressive sensor technology with the increasingly-capable color profiles used to capture the video and what you end up with is an out-of-camera image with so much color and exposure information that almost any range of tones is acheivable in post-production.

As you can see in the above comparison, the image on the left is straight out of camera, captured with RED’s proprietary image profile. It appears flat, almost to the point of it looking gray. But when you import the video into a post-production program and color grade it, the ridiculous colors and dynamic range comes through, creating a stunning look that hasn’t been possible until recent years.

Got any pro tips for taking great HDR photos? Share them with us in the comments below.

Best portable phone chargers (October 2017)

Smartphone technology has come a long way in the past few years, but there is a lingering issue that is taking time to evolve – battery life. Sure, batteries are getting bigger and phones more resourceful, but many of us still have a problem keeping our devices alive. One solution is to charge your phone throughout the day, something that proves to be an issue when there is no outlet around. The next best solution is to buy yourself  portable charger to charge on-the-go.

With so many options around, we know it’s hard to find the best units in the market. This is why we have curated a list with our very favorite portable chargers!

Shall we get started and show you the goods?

• Best USB-C portable battery chargers
• How to extend your Android’s battery life
• Best Android phones with removable batteries

RAVPower External Power Bank 26,800 mAh

RAVPower is a trusted name when it comes to portable chargers, and this particular option offers it all. To start with, you get the massive capacity of 26,800 mAh, that is more than enough to fully recharge your smartphone multiple times. The power bank comes with three USB ports, including a USB-C port with 30W output to let you charge a MacBook and charge the Nintendo Switch while using it. Four LED indicators let you know how much charge is left on the power bank, and charging it is quite fast as well with via the USB-C input. Like every portable charger on this list, you get protection from short circuits, overcharging, and current and voltage surge.

Worth noting is that the USB-C charging isn’t compatible with every device that comes with a USB-C port like the OnePlus 5, Huawei P10, and more, so do make sure to check for compatibility before picking this charger. Another point of note is that you will have to press the power button and turn on the portable charger first before plugging in your phone in case you are using the USB-C output.

Key details:

• Capacity: 26,800 mAh
• Output: 2 x USB ports 5V/3.4A max (2.4 A per port), 1 x USB-C port 5V/3A or 9V~15V/2A or 20V/1.5A
• Dimensions: 172 x 80 x 20 mm, 372 grams
• Current price: $79.99

Buy now on Amazon

Anker PowerCore+ 20,100 mAh

Anker is one of the most popular makers of portable chargers, with a variety of options available, ranging from slim, ultra-portable ones, to those like the PowerCore+. This battery pack comes with an impressive capacity of 20,100 mAh, that should be enough to fully charge your smartphone or tablet multiple times. You get two USB ports that utilize PowerIQ technology, as well as a USB Type-C port that can be used to charge current generation smartphones, tablets, and even the new Macbook.

Worth noting is that the USB-C charging isn’t compatible with every device that comes with a USB-C port like the Google Pixel, Sony Xperia XZ, and more, so do make sure to check for compatibility before picking this charger. Another point of note is that you will have to press the power button and turn on the portable charger first before plugging in your phone in case you are using the USB-C output.

Key details:

• Capacity: 20,100 mAh
• Output: 2 x PowerIQ ports 5V/3A max (2.4 A per port), 1 x USB-C port 5V/3A
• Dimensions: 182.9 x 61 x 22.9 mm, 454 grams
• Current price: $53.99

Buy now on Amazon

Vinsic Terminator P3 20,000 mAh

The Vinsic Terminator P3 external power bank also comes with a large 20,000 mAh battery, and features three USB ports, including a USB-C port and one that supports Qualcomm QuickCharge 3.0 fast charging capabilities. There is an easy to read digital screen that shows you exactly how much charge on the power bank is left instead of having to guess from three or four LED lights. Even with all its features, this battery pack is one of the cheapest option available when compared to other portable chargers with a similar capacity and that’s why it is easily one of the best portable battery chargers you can buy.

Key details:

• Capacity: 20,000 mAh
• Output: 1 x USB port 5V/2.4 A, 1 x USB-C port 5V/3A, 1 x QC 3.0 port 5V/2.4A or 6.5V~9V/1.5A or 9V~12V/1.2A
• Dimensions: 155 x 91.4 x 20.3 mm, 422 grams
• Current price: starting at $29.95

Buy now on Amazon

EasyAcc External Power Bank 20,000 mAh

The final high capacity power bank on this list is the EasyAcc external battery pack, which features a large 20,000 mAh capacity. What makes this battery pack stand out is the fact it comes with four USB ports to charge multiple devices at the same time, with one of them supporting Qualcomm QuickCharge 3.0 fast charging capabilities. Another useful feature is that there are dual inputs available, including one with QC 3.0 support, and both can be utilized to charge the battery pack faster than other similar devices. And for those who might find it useful, the EasyAcc power bank also comes with bright flashlight. That’s a lot of features, so no wonder we consider it one of the best portable battery chargers you can buy.

Key details:

• Capacity: 20,000 mAh
• Output: 3 x USB port 5V/3.1A, 1 x QC 3.0 port 5V~9V/2A or 9V~12V/1.5A
• Dimensions: 167 x 81 x 22 mm, 410 grams
• Current price: $39.99

Buy now on Amazon

Eighty Plus power bank 10,000 mAh

Looks aren’t an important criteria when picking a power bank, but the Eighty Plus portable battery charger is definitely one of the sleeker and more stylish options out there, and hence why we consider it one of the best portable chargers on the market today. A capacity of 10,000 mAh ensures that you can charge your smartphone multiple times, and the device comes with one Quick Charge 3.0 port and a USB-C port. Included in the box is a microUSB cable and and a USB-C cable.

Key details:

• Capacity: 10,000 mAh
• Output: 1 x USB-C port 5V/3A, 1 x QC 3.0 port 5V/3A or 6.5V~9V/2A or 9V~12V/1.5A
• Dimensions: 148 x 74 x 13.5 mm, 270 grams
• Current price: $29.99

Buy now on Amazon

Anker PowerCore Slim 5,000 mAh

The Anker PowerCore Slim, as the name suggests, is a think, sleek, and ultra portable portable battery charger. The device comes with a 5,000 mAh capacity, that should be enough to fully charge or get close to a full charge with most current smartphones. The device comes with a single USB port that takes advantage of PowerIQ technology to allow for the fastest charge possible. While the PowerCore Slim may not be as feature packed as the other power banks on this list, its portability is the biggest selling point.

Key details:

• Capacity: 5,000 mAh
• Output: 1 x PowerIQ port 5V/2A
• Dimensions: 124.5 x 63.5 x 10.2 mm, 126 grams
• Current price: $29.99

Buy now on Amazon

Heloideo portable charger 5,000 mAh

The Heloideo portable charger comes with a built-in USB input cable, USB-C cable, and AC adapter, which means that you don’t have to worry about carrying around extra adapters and cables with you. For additional non USB-C devices, the device also comes with two regular USB ports. This portable charger may not offer as fast a charge or as much capacity as the others on the list, but the convenience of not needing additional cables may supersede that for some people.

Key details:

• Capacity: 5,000 mAh
• Output: 1 x built-in USB-C cable 5V/2.4A, 2 x USB ports 5V/2.4A
• Dimensions: 140 x 63.5 x 15 mm, 204 grams
• Current price: $27.99

Buy now on Amazon

OUTXE Rugged Power Bank 16,000 mAh

The OUTXE Rugged Power Bank is one that is built for the outdoors and will be an ideal companion for all the adventurers out there. The power bank comes with a large capacity of 16,000 mAh, which will let you fully charge your smartphone multiple times. The power bank comes with an IP67 rating for dust and water resistance, and it is also shock resistant. It also includes a solar panel that will give you some charge back in case you run out, and finally, it comes with a bright flashlight with three modes – normal, SOS, and strobe, which is great for emergencies.

Key details:

• Capacity: 16,000 mAh
• Output: 1 x USB port 5V/2A, 1 x USB port 5V/1A
• Dimensions: 166 x 82 x 20.5 mm, 356 grams
• Current price: $39.99

Buy now on Amazon

Aukey Solar Charger 16,000 mAh

If you like the idea of the OUTXE solar charger but need a little more speed charging speed from the device, the Aukey Solar Charger is the one to consider. This device also comes with a 16,000 mAh capacity, and while you do not get any of the rugged features like waterproofing and shock resistance, it comes with a faster USB-C port and a regular USB with Qualcomm Quick Charge 3.0 support.

Key details:

• Capacity: 16,000 mAh
• Output: 1 x USB-C port 5V/3A, 1 x QC 3.0 port 5V/3A or 6.5V~9V/2A or 9V~12V/1.5A
• Dimensions: 160 x 75 x 23 mm, 360 grams
• Current price: $39.99

Buy now on Amazon

Beatit 500A Portable Jump Starter 10,800 mAh

If you are looking for a single device to address all of your emergency power needs, including being able to jump start your car, the Beatit Portable Jump Starter is the one for you.  This portable chargers will jump start a 3.0 L gas or 2.5 L diesel engine up to 20 times on a single charge. It also comes with three USB ports, including one with support for Qualcomm QuickCharge 3.0 fast charging capabilities, and a USB-C port, to keep all your devices charged on the go. Finally, there is also a flashlight with three modes – normal, SOS, and strobe. Considering all its features, this portable jump starter is rather affordable as well.

Key details:

• Capacity: 10,800 mAh
• Output: 1 x USB port 5V/2A, 1 x USB-C port 5V/3A, 1 x QC 3.0 port 5V/2A or 6.5V~9V/1.5A or 9V~12V/1A
• Current: Start current 250A, Peak current 500 A
• Dimensions: 145 x 84 x 25.4 mm, 454 grams
• Current price: $43.99

Buy now on Amazon

There you have it, guys. Those are our favorite portable chargers currently available! Now hit the comments and let us know which is your favorite. Do you have any other portable chargers you think your fellow Android fans would like?

Emporio Armani Connected smartwatch review

Research Center:
Emporio Armani Connected touchscreen smartwatch ART5002

Smartwatches need to look good, and as luxury brands enter the market, we find they end up producing some of the best-looking wearables. One of the latest is the Emporio Armani Connected, Armani’s first Android Wear 2.0 smartwatch. It’s unquestionably attractive, with a name that oozes class, style, and sophistication. In our Emporio Armani Connected review, we see if the watch is all style and no substance, and if it is, whether it really matters.

Understated and stylish

The reason you’ll buy the Emporio Armani Connected is because you like the way it looks. Smartwatches like this, and others from Diesel, Movado, and Fossil, are all technically identical. The differences are in the way the watch looks, the straps and bands, and the custom watch faces. It’s like shopping for a traditional timepiece from all these companies. You’re choosing the watch based on how it looks on your wrist, not how the tech enriches your life. Sound harsh? It’s really not. It’s the essence of how smartwatches should be.

There are five different models of the Emporio Armani Connected, each made from slightly different materials, and with different strap designs. Our review model is (in our opinion) the best looking. It’s made from black-plated stainless steel, and the strap has a mixture of polished and matte links. Look closely at the crown and you’ll spot the Emporio Armani logo. It’s flanked by two secondary buttons to control the Android Wear operating system.

Andy Boxall/Digital Trends

Andy Boxall/Digital Trends

Andy Boxall/Digital Trends

Andy Boxall/Digital Trends

The Emporio Armani Connected is stealthy, smart, and surprisingly thin. Like the Diesel On Full Guard smartwatch, this is a new generation of Android Wear wearables, with a slimmer body that doesn’t sit so boldly on the wrist. It’s easier to wear with shirts, and looks more like a traditional analog watch, rather than a bulky piece of tech. Our review model has a metal link strap, which did painfully catch wrist hair sometimes. Adjusting the size of the band can be done yourself with the right tools, or taken to a jeweller.

If you don’t like the stealth black, there is a silver stainless steel version, a silver stainless steel and gold model, as well as two with leather straps and either a steel or gold body. The straps are also quick-release, so it’s easy to change the look, with Emporio Armani selling its own reasonably priced bands too. We rather like the rubber strap listed here.

The Emporio Armani Connected is stealthy, smart, and surprisingly thin.

The beauty of a smartwatch is you can change the watch face at a moment’s notice. Armani has included several branded watch faces, which are highly customizable. Everything from the color of the hands, the background, the complications, and the digits can be switched to suit your own tastes. It’s easy to do, making it realistic to change the style to match what you’re wearing daily. That’s before you try out the hundreds of third-party watch faces available through Google Play. This is where Android Wear wins over the Apple Watch — you’re not restricted to a few official watch faces.

The AMOLED screen isn’t too small: It’s bright, clear, and the always-on display — where a simple watch face is displayed to save battery — is legible even in sunlight.

This isn’t a cheap watch, and it doesn’t feel like one. It’s understated, stylish, very well made, and light enough to wear every day. Its presentation is superb, right down to the cool travel case it comes in. Judged purely by design, it’s worth the investment; but what happens when we look closer?

Android Wear 2.0

Android Wear is the wearable operating system from Google, and this year the company introduced version 2.0, which introduced many new and important features to the platform — from the Google Play Store and access to the Google Assistant, to a simplified design. Nearly all Android Wear 2.0 watches will feature the same software — the user interface isn’t different on each watch unlike Android phones. Manufacturers can, however, create micro apps that personalize the watch closer to the brand.

Diesel has a micro app that acts like a special interactive home screen, and Michael Kors offers an Instagram-focused My Social app. The Emporio Armani Connected foregoes all that and sticks to the bare minimum — what you see is what you get.

Andy Boxall/Digital Trends

Android Wear 2.0 includes Google Assistant, which is called up by long pressing the crown. The Assistant uses voice control, meaning you have to get over any fears of talking to your watch in public. Like Assistant on your Android or iOS device, it’s effective and understands a growing number of natural, conversational phrases. The microphone doesn’t need to be right next to your mouth to pick up voices, but still struggles with noisy environments. Android Wear’s keyboard still frustrates because it’s a bit small, but at least you can swipe across it with your finger, or scribble letters to form a phrase. There’s also Smart Replies, which uses on-device machine learning to offer up short, contextually-relevant phrases you can quickly use in a conversation.

Notifications are still a lengthy list without much categorization, but it’s better than it used to be in Android Wear 1.0. The Google Play Store is accessible in version 2.0, and there’s a reasonable amount of apps available for your smartwatch. It’s easy to use on the watch so it you are looking for an app, it’s not a nightmare, but it’s still just a long list of mediocre apps to scroll through. Android Wear (and wearables in general) work best with notifications, calendar access, navigation, and increasingly, music. Load music onto the watch, connect a pair of Bluetooth headphones, and you’ve got a convenient music player that’s ideal for workouts. The Google Play Music app is well designed, with large, easy-to-tap buttons.

While controlling Android Wear is primarily done with the touchscreen, you can scroll through menus, messages, and lists by twisting the Connected’s crown. This is similar to the rotating crown on the LG Watch Sport and the Apple Watch. It’s very sensitive, so a gentle touch is required if you don’t want to go zipping through any menus at an incredible pace.

What doesn’t the Connected have?

This isn’t a wearable for the tech-lover; it’s a smartwatch for the fashion-lover.

This isn’t a wearable for the tech-lover; it’s a smartwatch for the fashion-lover. It has no special features at all. It doesn’t have a heart rate sensor, so it’s not one for fitness fanatics; no GPS; and it doesn’t have an eSIM to enable voice calls and messages when untethered from your phone. It’s not modular like the latest Tag Heuer, and there isn’t a flashier model with a sapphire screen and more luxurious materials available, like the Apple Watch.

It doesn’t have especially long battery life either, even without energy draining features like a heart rate monitor. If you turn the watch off each night, then you’ll just about get two working days from it. If you forget, then it won’t last through the second day. Charging takes an hour or so, and is performed by magnetically attaching the watch to a small charging tab. It’s small and easy to carry around, but not exactly luxurious. It’s also the same as you get with most other fashion smartwatches developed by the Fossil group. The final feature it doesn’t have is NFC, so the watch doesn’t have Android Pay.

Not as fast as an Apple Watch Series 3

A Snapdragon Wear 2100 with 512MB of RAM powers the Connected, which has become the standard for most Android Wear 2.0 watches released over the past year. It’s not slow, but it’s hardly a rocket ship either, and there are pauses while apps or features load up. However, if all you’ve used is Android Wear 1.0, then it’ll feel like traveling in hyperspace by comparison. What it’s not is an Apple Watch Series 3, which is considerably faster, smoother, and more responsive.

Emporio Armani Connected touchscreen smartwatch ART5002 Compared To

Apple Watch Series 3

Motorola Moto 360 (2015)

LG Watch Sport

Huawei Watch 2 Sport

Huawei Fit

Samsung Gear S2

Apple Watch Series 2

Vector Luna

Martian Passport MP100WSB

Garmin fenix 2

Meta M1 Watch

LG G Watch R

Wellograph

Martian Notifier Watch

Phosphor Touch Time

Android Wear is designed to work with Google’s Android mobile OS, and it connected to various smartphones without a problem. If you own an Apple iPhone, an Android Wear app is also available to download through the App Store, ready to link any Android Wear smartwatch to your phone. We had no trouble pairing the two, but there are fewer features available when the watch is used with an iPhone. For one thing, you’ll have to keep the Android Wear app running in the background on iOS.

Price, warranty, and availability

This is an Armani watch, and as we have already mentioned, it’s not cheap. The basic stainless steel model with a leather strap is $345, while the metal band models are $395. Additional straps from Armani range between $25 and $35. Our recommendation is to grab the stainless steel model in silver as a gift set. It costs $395, and comes with a black leather strap too. The straps have quick release fittings, so it can be swapped in moments. The Connected can be purchased through armani.com.

The company offers a two-year warranty, where it will replace your unit if there are any manufacturing defects.

Our Take

Just like anything with the name Armani attached to it, wearing the Emporio Armani Connected smartwatch is about the way it makes you feel, and not what it actually does. Having a “bare essentials” feature list means the tech-smarts don’t overshadow the sophisticated style.

Is there a better alternative?

Yes. If you have an iPhone, the Apple Watch Series 3 is better. If you own an Android phone, we need to clarify the meaning of better. If you want more features, the $300 Huawei Watch 2 and $350 LG Watch Sport both do more; but they don’t look as good. A better look comes down to personal preference. The $325 Diesel On Full Guard, the $350 Michael Kors Access Grayson and Sofie, and the $595 Movado Connect all have different looks. Not better necessarily, but maybe more to your individual taste.

We also like the $295 Emporio Armani hybrid smartwatch, confusingly also referred to as the EA Connected. It doesn’t run Android Wear or have a touchscreen; but the style is fantastic, and it performs simple features like delivering notifications without any fuss. It’s also cheaper, and doesn’t require charging.

How long will it last?

There are two aspects of the Emporio Armani Connected that affect its lifetime: The battery and the software. The battery will inevitably lose its ability to hold a charge, but that shouldn’t happen for at least two years, and by that time, Google and Armani may stop sending the watch software updates. However, the watch will continue to work beyond this time. No specific water resistance level is given, so we’d suggest not showering with it on.

Should you buy it?

Yes, there’s no reason not to if you like the look, and are partial to the Emporio Armani brand. We continue to wear the watch even though the review is complete, which says a lot about its attractiveness and comfort. It does everything we want from a smartwatch, without overloading with rarely used, energy-sucking features. It provides designer cool without the high prices attached to the slick, minimalist Movado Connect, or other big-name smartwatches from Montblanc and Tag Heuer.

Samsung’s CEO is resigning after 32 years with the company due to ‘unprecedented crisis’

Samsung Electronics’ CEO Kwon Oh-hyun will be resigning in March 2018, and a replacement for his position has yet to be announced.

Samsung is one of the most recognized electronics companies in the world, and in the Android space, it’s Galaxy S and Note series are two of the most popular on the entire market. Samsung’s sales for 2017 has been consistently strong, but despite this, big changes are happening under the surface. Most recently, Samsung’s CEO, Kwon Oh-hyun, has announced that he’s resigning from his position at the company.

Along with his role as Samsung Electronics’ CEO, Kwon Oh-hyun also serves as the CEO and board member for Samsung Display. He’s set to resign from all of his roles in March of 2018, and part of his resignation letter reads as follows:

It is something I had been thinking long and hard about for quite some time. It has not been an easy decision, but I feel I can no longer put it off. As we are confronted with unprecedented crisis inside out, I believe that time has now come for the company start anew, with a new spirit and young leadership to better respond to challenges arising from the rapidly changing IT industry”

Notice Oh-hyun’s mention of the “unprecedented crisis.” Although he doesn’t disclose exactly what this crisis is in his resignation letter, it’s safe to say that this is in reference to Lee Jae-yong prison sentencing earlier this year. Lee Jae-yong was an heir to Samsung, and he was faced with a prison sentence of five years this past August for totaling bribes of $6.4 million USD with four other executives within the company.

It wasn’t clear at the time as to how this would impact Samsung going forward, but Kwon Oh-hyun’s resignation seems to be the first sign of its ripple effect.

In another part of his letter, Oh-hyun continues by saying:

There are no words to describe how proud I am that we built together one of the most valuable companies in the world. We have come a long way to create a company that truly changes how people live, work and communicate with each other. But now the company needs a new leader more than ever and it is time for me to move to the next chapter of my life

Kwon Oh-hyun first started working at Samsung back in 1985, and 27 years later, was appointed to CEO in 2012. Samsung has yet to announce who will be replacing Oh-hyun, and it’ll be interesting to see how his departure has an impact on the company. Samsung managed to recover remarkably well following the Galaxy Note 7 debacle, and Oh-hyun undoubtedly played a big role in that entire event. Whether or not this is a good move for Samsung is something we’ll have to wait for and see for ourselves.

Samsung heir sentenced to 5 years in prison for bribery

Tom DeLonge needs your help funding his next UFO obsession

Former Blink-182 singer and guitarist Tom DeLonge is taking his fascination with/conspiracy theories about UFOs to their logical conclusion point: He’s partnering with former government officials on a public benefit corporation studying “exotic technologies” from Unidentified Aerial Phenomenon (UAP) that the consortium says can “revolutionize the human experience.”

To The Stars Academy says it strives to be a powerful vehicle for change and that its members will have the “freedom to explore exotic science and technologies with the infrastructure and resources to rapidly transition them to products that can change the world.” Phew. The Academy will focus on three pillars: science, aerospace and entertainment.

For science, DeLonge and Co. want to study consciousness, brain-computer interfaces, UAPs and telepathy. That’s in addition to a proposed human ultra-experience database that they hope will collect “supranormal experienced, with the goal of creating proprietary algorithms to find detailed patterns and correlate them with other academic research.” Sure.

As far as the other pillars go, To the Stars wants to further develop the tech needed to launch small satellites into orbit using ground-based lasers. Entertainment includes plans to develop a feature film, further expand Delonge’s Sekret Machines novel and move into animation and short films.

To The Stars is raising money via crowdfunding and currently has pulled in $265,605 from 535 investors.

“The public interest in the outer edges of science and the understanding of phenomena has always been suffocated by mainstream ideology and bureaucratic constraint,” the pitch page says. “We believe there are transformative discoveries within our reach that will revolutionize the human experience, but they can only be accomplished through the unrestricted support of breakthrough research, discovery and innovation.”

Sounds pretty normal right? Buckle up.

“The team members all share a common thread of frustration and determination to disrupt the status quo, wanting to use their expertise and credibility to bring transformative science and engineering out of the shadows and collaborate with global citizens to apply that knowledge in a way that benefits humanity. Without the restrictions of government priorities.”

The bold text and italics are exactly how they appear on the fundraising page. The idea of unchecked science is a bit concerning. After all, we have BioShock to look to for evidence of how poorly that can go. I guess this is growing up?

Via: Rolling Stone

Source: To The Stars Academy