Here are September’s winners of the Honor/Huawei incentive program!

These are the lucky September winners of some cool Huawei/Honor swag.

There’s nothing like being a cool person on the internet and winning great gadgets while doing so. But with our Huawei/Honor Community Incentive Program, you can do just that! The basis is pretty simple: be an active, engaged and friendly member of the Huawei or Honor communities in our forums to win great stuff.

Here are the winners from September:

• dpham00 — Congrats, you’ve won a Huawei Watch 2
• fatproduce — Congrats, you’ve won an Honor Band Z
• lumivalo — Congrats, you’ve won an Honor Band Z

We’ve already into October, but there’s still plenty of time to get to the top of the charts and win some amazing stuff! All you need to do is be active our Huawei/Honor communities!

Learn more about the Huawei/Honor Incentive Program!

Paul Allen puts $40 million towards combatting illegal fishing

Microsoft cofounder Paul Allen is working on a system that will monitor the oceans for illegal fishing, reports Bloomberg. It’s called SkyLight and Allen is putting $40 million towards the project. Currently, the system is being tested in Palau and Gabon, but it’s set to be more widely available early next year.

SkyLight sources data from satellite images, shipping records and information collected by dock officials. Machine learning is then applied in order to predict which ships might be engaging in illegal fishing and where. “The stakes are high and the threat is real,” Dave Stewart, the head of government affairs for Allen’s company Vulcan Inc., told Bloomberg. “Very few countries have access to timely, actionable intelligence and technology to address this issue. We are developing an illegal fishing intelligence network that will bring this to them.”

Illegal fishing contributes to overfishing and the continued decline of important species populations. The World Wildlife Fund says that around 520 million people around the world rely on fishing to sustain their livelihoods and 2.6 billion depend on fish as a staple in their diets. Unsustainable fishing practices are a growing problem and it’s one that others have tried to tackle before Allen. Global Fishing Watch, of which Google is a part of, has been combatting illegal fishing since 2014 and UK researchers developed a similar program called Project Eyes in 2015.

Allen’s funds are being used to set up the service, and fees paid by those using SkyLight will go towards expanding and sustaining the program.

Via: Bloomberg

Puerto Rico governor will discuss Tesla solar systems with Elon Musk

Following hurricanes Irma and Maria, millions of Puerto Rico residents were left without electricity and it’s expected to take months for power to be restored. Well one person mused on Twitter whether Elon Musk could help out by rebuilding the island’s electricity grid with solar and battery systems and Musk responded that it wasn’t out of the realm of possibility.

The Tesla team has done this for many smaller islands around the world, but there is no scalability limit, so it can be done for Puerto Rico too. Such a decision would be in the hands of the PR govt, PUC, any commercial stakeholders and, most importantly, the people of PR.

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) October 5, 2017

Like he said in his tweet, Musk and his companies have done this before. After Tesla acquired SolarCity last year, the company revealed that it had converted the island of Ta’u from diesel generator-based power to solar energy using thousands of solar panels and Tesla Powerpacks for energy storage. Tesla also brought its solar power and energy storage system to the Hawaiian island of Kauai as well as California earlier this year. And these systems don’t take terribly long to get up and running. In the case of California, the Ontario station only took three months between groundbreaking and running.

I would be happy to talk. Hopefully, Tesla can be helpful.

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) October 6, 2017

The potential must have sounded appealing to Puerto Rico Governor Ricardo Rossello who tweeted at Musk that they should talk. Tesla has already shipped hundreds of its Powerall battery systems to the island and maybe that will be just the beginning. We could hear more very soon since it looks like Rossello and Musk will be talking today.

Let’s talk today; I will be in touch. I have no doubt #Teslasolar will work w/#PuertoRico to globally showcase the power of its technology. https://t.co/wJcm9fCNVV

— Ricardo Rossello (@ricardorossello) October 6, 2017

Boeing buys Aurora, an autonomous drone company

Boeing has announced that it’s buying Aurora Flight Sciences, a company that is developing autonomous flying vehicles. Aurora’s strengths are in creating aircraft that take off and land vertically, and is looking to eliminate pilots from the equation entirely. The company has been working on such technology for the better part of three decades, and also worked with Uber on its own flying taxi project.

Aurora’s main business is in advancing the world of military aircraft, and has won several contracts from NASA and DARPA. Most famously, the company won funding to build phase two of the VTOL X-Plane — beating out both Boeing and Lockheed Martin. The VTOL X-Plane (codenamed LightningStrike) promises to achieve top flight speeds of up to 400 knots with a more efficient hover and lift-to-drag ratio.

It’s believed that Boeing will buy the company to help bolster its own expertise in autonomous aircraft and VTOL technology. It’s likely that the bulk of that knowledge will be used to develop military vehicles, although we can hope that it will also trickle down to drone taxis and the like. It’s not clear how deep Aurora’s relationship with Uber went, or if that deal has ended now that Boeing is in charge.

The deal is structured so that Aurora will exist as an independent subsidiary under the Boeing brand, although without direct control. Although it’s worth saying that the company will have access to the aerospace giant’s vast R&D and financial resources.

Source: Boeing

The best USB-C adapters, cables, and hubs

By Nick Guy

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

After 10 hours of preliminary research, we tested more than 25 USB-C accessories to put together this guide to the best ways to connect peripherals and devices to a USB-C–equipped computer. It’s by no means exhaustive. USB-C can, in theory, replace every other port, and there are a seemingly infinite number of port combinations you might encounter. We focused on the most important tasks you’ll likely face, such as connecting older peripherals like hard drives and hooking up an external display.

How we picked and tested

Each type of adapter or connector we evaluated required different kinds of testing, but we were able to use some common tests across the board. Our main testing machine was a MacBook Pro (13-inch, Late 2016, Two Thunderbolt 3 Ports), with ancillary testing done using a 2016 Dell XPS 13, our pick for the best Windows ultrabook. We tested the data-transfer speed of the USB ports on hubs and adapters using our favorite flash drive from SanDisk with the AJA System Test app, repeating the test three times per device. To test USB-C–to–USB-A cables, we connected Samsung’s Portable SSD T3 (one of the fastest drives with a USB-C connection) to the Dell XPS 13 and ran CrystalDiskMark.

We tested video adapters using a Dell P2715Q (our pick for the best 4K display), Intel’s Skull Canyon NUC computer, an older VGA monitor, and a 1080p TV. We measured the refresh rate using the Blur Busters Motion Tests.

For connecting older USB gear: USB-C–to–USB-A adapter

You can use two Aukey adapters simultaneously on the 2016 and 2017 MacBook Pro models, but it’s a tight fit. Photo: Kimber Streams

If there’s a single accessory most people with a USB-C–only computer will need, it’s a USB-C–to–USB-A adapter. Available as either a small nub or a short cable, this kind of adapter lets you connect legacy USB accessories, including flash drives and cables, that have a traditional USB-A plug. We tested nine adapters and found that they all work equally well. Our favorite nub-style adapter is Aukey’s CB-A1-2, available in a two-pack for less than $10. The plastic-bodied dongle is a little over an inch from end to end, about half an inch wide, and barely thicker than the USB plug that you’ll connect to it.

If you prefer a short cable over a nub adapter, go with Anker’s USB-C to USB 3.1 Adapter. The black cable feels sturdy and has solid housings at the ends. The advantage of a cable over a nub is that it moves the connector away from the computer a bit—about 5 inches in this case—which can make connecting bulkier devices without blocking other ports easier.

For video, USB-A, and charging from a single USB-C port

The Sanho (left) and Satechi (right) models are identical, inside and out. Photo: Kimber Streams

Our favorite adapters for adding USB-A ports, connecting to HDMI displays, and powering your computer at the same time are Sanho’s HyperDrive USB Type-C Hub and Satechi’s Slim Aluminum Type-C Multi-Port Adapter. They’re identical in every way, including design, performance, and MSRP. Each consists of a solid-feeling aluminum block that connects to your computer via a permanently attached, 6-inch USB-C cable. On one edge are two USB 3.0 ports and a USB-C port—the latter only for passthrough charging—and a single HDMI port is found on the end opposite the cable. Unfortunately, each USB port provides a maximum of only 0.45 amps to connected devices, so neither adapter is well-suited for charging devices or powering bus-powered hard drives.

For video only: USB-C–to–DisplayPort cable

The Cable Matters USB-C–to–DisplayPort cable has a clip to keep the DisplayPort plug securely connected to your monitor. Photo: Kimber Streams

If you’re connecting to a DisplayPort-based monitor, you’ll need a dedicated cable—none of the adapters we tested include a DisplayPort port. (If you’ve got a MacBook with only a single USB-C port, you’ll instead need to use an HDMI-to-DisplayPort cable with one of the adapters with an HDMI port.) Every USB-C–to–DisplayPort cable we tested worked perfectly, offering a pixel-perfect image and full 60 Hz performance, even at 4K. That said, we recommend Cable Matters’s USB-C to DisplayPort 4K 60 Hz Cable if it’s available. It’s the only one of the three cables we tested that has a clip on the DisplayPort plug housing to hold the plug in place—you have to squeeze the clip to release the cable from the port.

For multiple older USB devices: USB-A hub

Photo: Kimber Streams

For those who don’t need video output but still want passthrough power and multiple ports for older peripherals, we like HooToo’s HT-UC004 Shuttle USB 3.1 Type-C Hub. It’s wider and thicker than the HDMI-equipped adapters from Satechi and Sanho, but a lot less expensive. In addition to a USB-C port that supports Power Delivery for passthrough charging, it includes three USB 3.0 ports, as well as an SD card slot—the latter something we didn’t consider necessary for this category, but a nice extra. However, as with other adapters, the HooToo’s USB ports provide only a disappointing 0.45 amps for charging—you won’t be able to charge phones or tablets at anything near full speed, and some bus-powered devices, such as hard drives, may not work properly.

For power and data between USB-C devices: USB-C–to–USB-C cable

Photo: Kimber Streams

Chance are you’ll eventually need a USB-C–to–USB-C cable for charging and connecting USB-C devices. You’ll find a ton of inexpensive options, and though we’d normally lean toward saving a few bucks on cables, that’s not worth the risk with USB-C: Some cables that don’t adhere to the USB-C specification can actually fry your computer. You should spend a little bit more to get something that’s verified to work safely with your machine.

Based on the testing he and Google engineer Benson Leung have done, Nathan K., a member of Google’s Top Contributors Program and an independent USB-C accessory tester, recommends J5Create’s JUCX01 in his accessory guide, where it’s ranked “definitely get.” We tested the cable ourselves, and though our tests weren’t as exhaustive, the cable worked well for us. It supports USB 3.1 Gen 2 speeds of up to 10 Gbps, as well as 5-amp and 100-watt charging, and it’s USB-IF certified. Put simply, it will charge your computer as fast as possible (as long as you’re using the right charger) and will move data as fast as USB can. Every JUCX01 also has a unique serial number, so if the company ever has a recall or support issue, you’ll know if your cable is affected.

If you’re not concerned about moving data at the fastest speeds, Apple’s USB-C Charge Cable is a great charge cable that’s a bit less expensive than our top pick. (Just be sure to get model MLL82AM/A in a rectangular, not square, box.) It offers 5-amp, 100-watt charging (the most power USB-C is designed to provide), but supports only USB 2.0 data speeds, so it will be considerably slower than the J5Create if you’re transferring data.

For charging USB-C devices: USB-C charger

Photo: Kimber Streams

In 2015, PCWorld ran a test comparing USB-C chargers across different laptops and found that no single charger could even charge every computer, let alone charge them all rapidly. For this reason, we recommend using whichever charger came with your computer, or an adapter specifically recommended by your computer’s vendor. If it’s too difficult or expensive to replace your computer’s stock charger, we like Apple’s 61W USB-C Power Adapter because it’s widely available and works with many non-Apple devices. You can read about this adapter and our other recommendations in our guide to USB-C chargers.

For connecting to VGA projectors and displays: USB-C–to–VGA adapter

Photo: Kimber Streams

If you need to connect to a projector or an older monitor with a VGA connection, the best option is Kanex’s USB-C to VGA Adapter. All the adapters we tested worked equally well, pushing out 1920×1080 resolution at 60 Hz. The Kanex model is one of the least expensive we found, it comes from a very reputable brand, and it has the longest cable of any VGA adapter we tested—a longer adapter cable gives you more flexibility for connecting video cables, and reduces the stress those heavy cables put on your computer’s ports.

For connecting to HDMI monitors and TVs: USB-C–to–HDMI adapter

Photo: Kimber Streams

The best way to connect a USB-C computer to a high-definition TV or monitor, even at 4K resolution, is to use Anker’s USB-C to HDMI Adapter. All five of the adapters we found that promise a 60 Hz refresh rate worked as advertised. The Anker is our pick because it’s fairly inexpensive, it has a nice metal body, and it works with the 2016 and 2017 MacBook Pro. Some other models either explicitly warn that they don’t work with the newest Macs or have customer reviews claiming as much.

For connecting to legacy chargers and older computers and peripherals: USB-C–to–USB-A cable

If you’d like to connect a USB-C device to an older computer or charger that has only USB-A ports, you’ll need a USB-C–to–USB-A cable. If you’re concerned more about charging speeds than data-transfer speeds, we recommend Anker’s PowerLine USB-C to USB 3.0 Cable. Much like Anker’s Micro-USB and Lightning versions of the cable, this one features a simple design and good construction at an affordable price. We saw power draw approaching 3 amps when we plugged it into a high-amperage USB-A port, and its data speeds were on a par with every other USB 3.0 cable we tested.

At this point, very few devices support the 10 Gbps data rate that USB 3.1 Gen 2 cables can offer, so we don’t think most people need to spend the extra money on a Gen 2 cable. If you can take advantage of those speeds or would like to future-proof, we recommend Google’s USB-C to USB-A Cable. It matches the charging rates we’d expect, and though we measured read speeds of 3.49 Gbps and write speeds of 3.32 Gbps on the USB 3.1 Gen 1 Samsung T3, it’ll theoretically support faster speeds with faster devices. The build quality is also really nice: The cable is thinner than that of many other models, and the well-designed strain-relief collars should help prevent breakage over time. It even has a built-in plastic clip for keeping the cable coiled.

For connecting to DVI displays and projectors: DVI adapter

We found only a handful of DVI adapters that claim to handle 1920×1080 resolution at 60 Hz, and the best among them is StarTech’s USB-C to DVI Cable. Unlike the other adapters we tested, this one doesn’t require a separate DVI cable: It has a USB-C plug on one end and a male DVI connector on the other. In our tests, the resolution and refresh rate were exactly as promised.

If you need an adapter with a female DVI connection, Cable Matters’s USB 3.1 Type C to DVI Adapter also did well in our tests, but reviews on Amazon suggest issues with some MacBook Pro models.

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.

There’s a tiny Master Chief etched inside the Xbox One X

The Xbox One X, Microsoft’s mid-generation answer to the PlayStation 4 Pro, is launching next month. The $500 system is a more powerful version of the Xbox One that will “enhance” games up to 4K and 60 frames per second. Other than its beefier specs, we haven’t learned much about the new console, but YouTuber unocero got one early and popped it open and found a couple surprises — namely, a depiction of Halo’s Master Chief riding a scorpion that’s etched into the system’s circuit board.

The engraving is a twofold joke: First, as a nod to the Xbox One X console’s working name, Project Scorpio, and second as a reference to Xbox mascot Master Chief, who often drives a battle tank type nicknamed — you guessed it — the Scorpion. If you’re really attached to the console’s old codename, there’s even a 1TB Project Scorpio edition of the Xbox One X available for preorder. The system goes on sale November 7th.

Via: CNET

Source: YouTube

Google Home can help you find your phone when asked

As teased by Google at its Pixel 2 launch event earlier this week, its Home speakers can now actively ping your phone when you’ve misplaced it. (It’s down the couch cushions, I bet.) For Android devices, the smart speaker will actually call your phone even if silenced. The feature works with iOS too, although it’s a more like a typical phone call. Calling out “ring my phone” or “where’s my phone” will stir the Home Speaker into action. And if, like some Engadget editors, you have multiple phones to find, Home will call each device before cycling on to the next one. But, like I keep telling you: it’s down the side of the couch. Can’t you just check there?

Via: 9to5Google

Source: Android Police

Nike’s NFC-powered NBA jerseys are a door to exclusive goods

When the National Basketball Association’s 2017-2018 season tips off on October 17th, it will mark the beginning of a new era for the league. For the first time in more than a decade, all 30 teams are going to wear Nike uniforms on the court. The company is replacing Adidas as the NBA’s main apparel sponsor, after its sportswear rival decided not to renew a deal that had been in place since 2006. Now, as part of Nike’s plan to create novel experiences for fans through this partnership, it is launching jerseys from every NBA squad with a technology called “NikeConnect.”

The jerseys feature authentication tags powered by Near-Field Communication (NFC), which can be paired to an iOS or Android device via a companion NikeConnect app. People who buy these will get access to exclusive content from their favorite team and players, including personalized videos, pictures, GIFs, tickets and game highlights directly from the NBA. Not surprisingly, Nike is also using the tech as an opportunity to sell you stuff, so you’ll have the chance to buy limited-edition products, such as sneakers and other gear that’s suggested based on whose Connect jersey you’re rocking.

Based on our NikeConnect demo, everything works seamlessly and with little effort. To connect your jersey to your phone or tablet, all you have to do is fire up the NikeConnect app, wait for a “Ready to Scan” prompt, tap your device on the NFC hangtag and, voila, you’re good to go. After that, you’ll be greeted by a video message from a player on the team whose jersey you bought. Right now, because the season hasn’t started, certain content is from last year. But Nike says that as soon as the new campaign begins, you’ll see game highlights, GIFs and new products pop-up.

In addition to those offerings, Nike’s teaming up with Spotify to serve you playlists curated by NBA athletes. And there’s also a 2K18 tie-in, which will give you “boosts” to use in the video game. Again, all of the content you’ll see in the app is based on whichever NBA Connected jersey you have. Say yours is from the Warriors’ Kevin Durant — then you should expect your app’s feed to be filled with stuff related to him. That includes being able to buy limited-edition versions of his signature shoe, which will give you an advantage over shoppers who don’t have a jersey.

Nike says the key with Connect was to not sell the jerseys at a premium, or at least not for more than NBA jerseys tend to cost. They’re priced between $110 and $200, with the most expensive being the “Authentic” models, which are made from the same materials as the ones NBA players wear. You’ll notice subtle design cues throughout the jerseys, such as a golden tag that pays homage to the number of championships your team has won. The stitched Swoosh logo on the front is also notable, particularly because the league didn’t let Adidas display its own in years past.

Beyond its current app functionality, which may be a bit gimmicky, there’s plenty of potential for Nike to use Connect in more ways. What if the company adopted the technology to fight counterfeits? Something like what’s being done in football, where NFC tags are being used to help teams keep track of memorabilia. When asked that question, a spokesperson said the company’s certainly looking into all options available, though nothing is officially in the works at the moment.

Nike’s focused on making Connect work with the NBA at the moment, but it’s only a matter of time before it brings its jersey tech to other sports. The company already has a deal with the National Football League, as well as some of soccer’s biggest clubs, including F.C. Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain, Chelsea and Juventus. And with the FIFA World Cup 2018 in Russia just around the corner, so don’t be surprised when Nike-sponsored teams who make it to the tournament sell kits with NikeConnect in them.

You can buy the NBA Connected jerseys online right now, while brick-and-mortar retailers will have them on October 12th. Just don’t expect to see LeBron James or Stephen Curry wearing one with NFC tags when they play, as the tech is designed to be only for fans of the sport, not the actual players. Maybe that’ll change in the near future.

Cortana can command your smart home devices on Windows 10

Now that Google has unveiled the new additions to its Home speaker lineup and Sonos has launched its own Alexa-enabled device, Microsoft seriously has to hurry up if it wants its assistant to have a shot at finding a place in our homes. Even though we may finally be close to seeing the Cortana-enabled Harman Kardon Invoke speaker arrive in stores, Microsoft is still lagging its rivals in the smart home race. The company may be trying to catch up, and has added a new “Connected Home” section to the Cortana Notebook menu in some Windows 10 PCs.

If you’re using a Windows 10 computer, just type “Cortana Notebook” into the Start menu. You should see a new item called Connected Home. After you enable this, Cortana can connect to smart home services like Hue, SmartThings, Nest, Insteon and Wink. These are the only five options available at the moment. I was able to sign in to my Hue account, but Cortana kept pulling up Wikipedia search results when I asked her to turn on my lights. That failure to communicate with Hue is something we’ve noticed before, so you might have better luck with the other four services.

According to Windows Central, the Connected Home feature is also available on Windows 10 Mobile, so you may be able to try it if you’re one of the few people using a Windows phone. We’ve been expecting Cortana to get smart home integrations on the PC for awhile now, so this isn’t the most surprising news. Still, Microsoft hasn’t officially announced this update, and we’ve reached out for more information on when it will roll out to everyone and what services will be compatible.

Via: Windows Central

Katherine Adams to Become Apple’s New General Counsel as Bruce Sewell Set to Retire This Year

Apple today announced that Katherine Adams will join Apple as General Counsel and Senior Vice President of Legal and Global Security this year. She will serve as the chief lawyer of Apple’s legal department and report to Apple CEO Tim Cook.

Katherine Adams, left, will replace Bruce Sewell as Apple’s general counsel
Adams will replace Bruce Sewell, who has served as Apple’s general counsel since 2009 and will be retiring at the end of the year.

Apple’s general counsel oversees all legal matters, including corporate governance, intellectual property, litigation and securities compliance, global security, and privacy, according to Sewell’s executive bio.

Cook said Adams is a “seasoned leader with outstanding judgment” in her field. He also offered best wishes to Sewell.

We are thrilled to welcome Kate to our team. She’s a seasoned leader with outstanding judgment and that has worked on a wide variety of legal cases globally. Throughout her career she’s also been an advocate on many of the values we at Apple hold dear.

Bruce has our best wishes for his retirement, after eight years of dedicated service to Apple and a tremendously successful career. He has tirelessly defended our IP, our customers’ right to privacy and our values. Bruce has set a new standard for general counsels, and I am proud to have worked with him and proud to call him a friend.

Adams said “it’s an honor” to join Apple.

Apple has had a tremendous impact on the world and it’s an honor to join their team. I’m excited to help Apple continue to grow and evolve around the world, protecting their ideas and IP, and defending our shared values.

Sewell said the eight years he spent working at Apple have been the “most gratifying” of his entire career.

To have worked with this amazing executive team and all the incredibly smart people at Apple, especially my colleagues in legal and global security, has been the honor of a lifetime. The years I have spent in this job have been the most gratifying of my career. I’m delighted Kate is joining and I know she will be a huge asset.

Adams was most recently senior vice president and general counsel of Honeywell, where she had worked since 2003. Prior to then, she was a partner at New York law firm Sidley Austin LLP. She has also served as a law clerk for the U.S. Supreme Court and as a trial attorney for the U.S. Department of Justice.

Sewell came into the spotlight twice last year during Apple’s separate battles with the FBI and Spotify.

Tags: Bruce Sewell, Katherine Adams
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