Revolcam mixes light and lens in a $29 five-in-one smartphone photo accessory

Why it matters to you

The Revolcam may not be available outside of Kickstarter yet, but it offers more than just the typical smartphone lens combo.

Smartphone camera accessories aren’t hard to find — but a new product is claiming to reinvent smartphone photography by integrating not just swappable lenses, but a light and a selfie mirror, too. RevolCam, a smartphone accessory with a universal fit, became a fully funded Kickstarter project in less than five hours and now has nearly 10 times the original funding goal.

RevolCam comes from the same company behind the ShiftCam, an iPhone 7 camera case designed to make lens swaps easy. The RevolCam keeps the idea of simple lens swaps intact, but expands on the concept even further, joining the ranks of multi-function accessories like the Smoovie MiniRig, with a light, mirror, and a non-specific fit for use with both Apple and Android smartphones, laptops, and even the built-in web cam on a laptop.

A  trio of lenses sit on RevolCam’s clip-style design. These lenses rotate to swap the different options over the smartphone’s built-in lenses, offering a macro (20x magnification), fish-eye (160-degree view) and wide-angle lens (110-degree view) in one product.

At the top of the rotating lens trio, RevolCam uses a detachable LED light. Mounted on the device, the LED works like an on-camera flash, but expands the possibilities with brightness that can be adjusted just by twisting the light. The LED offers 230 different brightness levels and is powered by batteries that can be recharged through a Micro USB port.

Since the light is both continuous and battery-powered, the designer opted to allow the light to slide off the mount system for off-camera lighting as well. When the light is removed, a selfie mirror sits in its place, allowing selfie-snappers to use the higher resolution rear-facing camera while still having some idea of what’s actually being shot.

Despite the five-in-one feature list, the RevolCam measures at less than three inches at the largest point and weighs about 1.6 ounces.

Now a fully funded campaign, developer ShiftCam, based in Hong Kong, expects to begin shipping the RevolCam in November — though the product will undergo final testing and quality control this month. If the final development is successful, backers can pick up the RevolCam for pledges starting at $29.

This device protects packages delivered to your door while you’re away

Why it matters to you

Make sure your packages are staying where you want them — on your porch, and out of thieves’ hands.

It’s always exciting to have a delivery on the way, and so it’s massively disappointing when that package doesn’t make it into your hands. Unfortunately, “porch pirates” are common enough that over 15 million people have a delivery stolen from their home each year, according to Package Guard. To protect deliveries when they arrive, the company has created a new product that serves to deter thieves. After a successful Kickstarter campaign, which raised over $45,000 from 381 backers, the Package Guard is now available for pre-order on its website.

Package Guard is a small alarm, about the size of a Frisbee, that can be placed outside your front door. The device clearly says, “Place Package Here,” so that those delivering items know where to set the packages. Once a delivery has been set on the device, Package Guard’s alarm is armed. If anyone tries to remove the package without entering the necessary passcode in the app, an alarm will sound, much like a car alarm.

For those who have home security cameras, Package Guard can be set to work in conjunction with the system. In this case, the alarm will also take a photograph of the person who snatched the package. The image can then be automatically shared with the police or on Facebook to warn neighbors.

The idea behind Package Guard comes from founder Michael Grabham, who was himself once the victim of a porch pirate. He had been expecting a delivery of coats to be distributed to the homeless over the holiday season, but the package was stolen from his front porch.

“With an increasing number of people ordering items delivered to their homes, I wanted to create a simple solution that would solve the problem of protecting a delivery when no one is home,” said Package Guard founder Michael Grabham in a press release.

You can now pre-order the Package Guard and keep your deliveries safe for $69. This represents $20 off the retail price of $89, so if you’re interested in ensuring that your packages stay on your porch (and out of the hands of strangers), this may be a good investment to make.

Update: The Package Guard is now available for pre-order on the company website. 

Windows Mixed Reality details new Samsung headset, pre-orders go live

Why it matters to you

Microsoft’s Windows Mixed Reality vision will be realized soon and here is everything that you need to know to be ready to place your order.

Microsoft’s Windows Mixed Reality vision is nearing its debut on October 17 as the final software bits will be released with the upcoming Windows 10 Fall Creators Update and a few headsets will start shipping. On Tuesday, October 3, the company hosted an event where it provided some additional details, introduced a new Samsung headset, and talked about some key software partnerships.

At the event, Microsoft clarified its Windows Mixed Reality vision, highlighting how it is working to move beyond paper and screens to erase the barrier that exists between the physical and digital worlds. Their approach to mixed reality will continue along very specific lines:

• Embrace the entire continuum from augmented reality to virtual reality and everywhere in between
• Build cutting-edge devices and the technologies that power them, such as HoloLens
• Create a unified platform for applications and the services to target

Samsung Odyssey

The Samsung Odyssey mixed reality headset was announced, adding another member to the list of Microsoft partners making headsets for the Windows Mixed Reality marketplace. The Odyssey will provide the same relatively standardized set of specifications and capabilities as the lineup of headsets that’s already been announced, and it will be available with motion controllers for the slightly higher than usual price of $500. The higher price is justified by the use of larger, higher-resolution AMOLED displays compared to the LCD displays used by other manufacturers

The Odyssey’s specifications are as follows:

Displays:
Two 3.5-inch high-resolution AMOLED displays
Resolution:
1,440 x 1,600 each
Field of view:
110 degrees horizontal
Refresh rate:
Up to 90Hz (native)
Ports:
1x HDMI 2.0
1x USB 3.0 Gen1 Type-A
1x headphone / microphone jack
Other features:
Front-hinged display
Detachable HDMI/USB combo cable
Inside-out tracking

Alanna Cotton, Samsung Electronics vice president and general manager, provides some details on the Odyssey’s release:

“When we began designing and engineering the Samsung HMD Odyssey with Microsoft, there was only one goal in mind, create a high-performing headset that’s easy to set up and can transport people to the incredible world of virtual reality. Powered with dual AMOLED displays which Samsung is known for, that results in vivid colors and the highest resolution in the industry, built-in spatial AKG headphones, inside-out tracking, built-in microphone, and quick, responsive motion controllers, the Samsung HMD Odyssey immerses users with a 110-degree field of view as they discover the new frontier of Windows Mixed Reality.

Samsung is committed to working across platforms to build cutting-edge technology, and we’re excited to partner with Microsoft to shape the future of virtual reality. But most of all, we can’t wait for you to take the Samsung HMD Odyssey out for a spin, and see it for yourself.”

Windows Mixed Reality headsets available for pre-order

If you’ve been champing at the bit to get your hands on a new Windows Mixed Reality headset, then Microsoft wants you to know that each model available for purchase this holiday season can now be pre-ordered. Here is the list of products that will soon be available for order at the Microsoft Store:

• Acer Windows Mixed Reality Headset: preorder for $400 with controllers with availability October 17
• Dell Visor: pre-order for $450 with controllers with availability October 17
• HP Windows Mixed Reality Headset: pre-order for $450 with controllers with availability October 17
• Lenovo Explorer: pre-order for $400 with controllers with availability October 17
• Samsung HMD Odyssey: pre-order for $500 with controllers with availability November 6

AltspaceVR joins Microsoft

Next up is news that the team at AltspaceVR is joining Microsoft, bringing immersive communications to the Microsoft stable. AltspaceVR has been a pioneer in that particular technology, enabling VR events in 160 countries including large-scale events hosted by NBC, Drew Carey, and more.

Immersive VR content

Microsoft announced that more than 20,000 apps leveraging Windows Mixed Reality will be available in the Microsoft Store as of October 17. That includes a host of some of the most popular VR titles, such as Obduction, Dreams of Dali, Space Pirate Trainer, Superhot, Arizona Sunshine, Luna, Skyworld, Move, Free the Night, Minecraft, Fantastic Contraption.

In addition, developers can now access the Windows Mixed Reality SteamVR preview, to get an advanced feel for how the two VR platforms will integrate. Consumers will get access to the preview this coming holiday season.

Finally, Microsoft will provide the first look on October 17 at the coming Halo-based Windows Mixed Reality experience. That follows on from the Halo: Recruit introduction that was shown off during Tuesday’s event.

Update: Added more details following the press event.

Go ahead, be a crybaby! There’s now a way to harvest energy from human tears

Why it matters to you

This discovery could turn out to be invaluable for the development of future biomedical devices, such as pacemakers.

From solar power to hydroelectricity to evaporation, there are plenty of sustainable energy sources out there that are worth exploring. One that we have not personally come across before? Human tears. That’s the basis for new research from scientists at the Bernal Institute at the University of Limerick in Ireland, who have found that a protein present in our tears — as well as saliva, milk, and bird egg whites — can be used to generate electricity when pressed.

“In our research, we were looking at the property of piezoelectricity in a protein called lysozyme,” Aimee Stapleton, one of the researchers on the project, told Digital Trends. “Piezoelectricity is a property of some materials, whereby if you squeeze them, an electric charge, or electricity, is generated. We know a lot about how piezoelectricity works in standard piezoelectric materials like quartz, but know a less about how it works in biological materials. From the study of traditional piezoelectric materials, we know that having a certain type of crystal structure is important and we were interested to see if the same was true for proteins. So, we grew crystals of lysozyme and found that if we apply pressure to them they produce an electric charge.”

Stapleton said that the team is currently looking for real-world applications for this research. One as-of-yet unexplored avenue might involve finding some specific use case for lysozyme’s unique antibacterial and electricity-producing properties. For example, it may be useful as an energy harvester to support the functionality of biomedical devices such as pacemakers; especially since traditional piezoelectrics are often toxic — as is the case with lead.

Another possible use would involve the creation of a device able to control the release of drugs in the body by using lysozyme as a physiologically mediated pump which works by scavenging energy from its surroundings. Personally, we just like the idea of being able to squeeze out a few tears to recharge a smartphone which has died at an inopportune time!

A paper describing the work, titled “The Direct Piezoelectric Effect in the Globular Protein Lysozyme,” was recently published in the journal Applied Physics Letters.

How to turn off Bluetooth and Wi-Fi in iOS 11

Wi-Fi and Bluetooth settings have a little problem in iOS 11: You can’t use the Control Center to turn them off anymore. You can try, but when you pull up that shortcut menu and tap on the Wi-Fi/Bluetooth icon, it will no longer shut those features off. Instead it will only disconnect from any current devices or networks. Wi-Fi and Bluetooth signals will remain active, even when Control Center says they are turned off, and less obvious wireless transfers can still occur.

Apple’s goal appears to be service-motivated. If Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connections always stay on, they can still automatically connect to Apple services like AirDrop, AirPlay, Apple Watches, and so on. That gives Apple easier ways to collect more information on product use/location, and it also keeps up background processes or connections that you may not have noticed, so nothing important (syncing, backups, etc.) is disrupted.

However, the deal isn’t so great for users. The always-on connectivity takes up a bit more battery life, especially if you are near other Apple devices; it allows for constant tracking when people may prefer privacy, and leaves the iOS more open to hacking via Bluetooth. If this is too much for you, you can scale back iOS 11 to a previous iteration. But if you want to keep the update, there are still a few ways you can fully turn off Bluetooth and Wi-Fi in iOS 11. Let’s walk through them.

Option 1: Use Airplane Mode

Bring up the Control Center, and you will notice that one of the icons beside the Bluetooth and Wi-Fi buttons is an airplane: That’s the popular Airplane Mode, known to most of us as an effective way to shut down all connections to save battery life when boarding flights or traveling out of service areas. It’s designed to be a handy shortcut, and it still works.

To test this option, swipe up on the screen to bring up the Control Center and tap the Airplane Mode icon. It should turn red, and your other connection icons should turn off. When Airplane Mode is activated, these connections really are off, and will not connect even for background Apple services. When you turn Airplane Mode off again, your Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connections will still remain off. You can activate them again by tapping on the icons.

Since Airplane Mode is right there on your Control Center, this is a very easy alternative for turning off both Bluetooth and Wi-Fi at off, especially since you don’t need to leave Airplane Mode on for this to work. However, since it’s a device-wide shutdown of all connections, it may not work well for more delicate control, especially if you depend on a data connection to get things done.

Option 2: Go into Settings and turn them off manually

The new iOS 11 limitation appears to only affect the Control Center. Head over to iOS settings and take a look at the top three options: Airplane Mode, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth. Select any of these, and you will see a small toggle to turn them on or off immediately.

If you were already using Settings to turn off your Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, congratulations! You don’t have to change anything. If not, consider this a way to have more choices now that Control Center isn’t as reliable. There will probably be times where you want to disconnect from Bluetooth devices around you (such as Bluetooth speakers when you are privately trying to listen to music), but you will want your Wi-Fi connection active. Airplane mode won’t help you here, but going into Settings will allow you to turn only one off. Likewise, you may sometimes want to shut down Wi-Fi for security purposes while maintaining a Bluetooth connection to your Apple Watch or other devices.

Cat faces too childish? Snapchat just launched AR artwork in nine locations

Why it matters to you

Snapchat is for more than just chatting with friends — now the platform’s AR lenses include virtual art installations to explore.

Snapchat’s cat face filter may be more like kids face painting than art, but now the social media platform is working to explore art through augmented reality. On Tuesday, October 3, Snap Inc. launched several virtual Snapchat art installations by artist Jeff Koons, along with an application for other artists to join the platform.

The art installations — leaked when eager viewers set their computer clock ahead on the countdown website — are now live in nine locations around the world. The Snapchat app directs the user where to go to find the new virtual pieces, then allows visitors to walk around the virtual statue.

“We all come about creativity in different ways but the main thing that’s taking place is we’re experiencing play,” Koons said in a statement. “Snapchat is a creative platform and it lets us be able to communicate with each other and transmit ideas.”

The artwork, now listed at art.snapchat.com, includes nine virtual sculptures mixing with the real world in Paris, New York City, London, Toronto, Sydney, Chicago, Rio de Janeiro, Washington D.C., and Venice, Italy. The statues include larger-than-life balloon animals — including a dog that’s three stories high in New York’s Central Park and London’s Hyde Park.

Snapchat is not the first to create virtual artwork discovered in the real world through a smartphone camera. The Bellevue Art Museum in Washington has featured digital graffiti, viewers with the Microsoft Hololens get a different look at the Armory Show, while the Whole Story Project aims to fix the gender skew favoring male sculptures with virtual renditions of historic female figures. Unlike virtual reality applications that allow users to explore art from the comfort of their home, augmented reality places virtual artwork in a real, physical place.

Snapchat’s art installations were likely a design challenge since a majority of the fixtures are actually designed to look like they are made from real, reflective materials. Koons says that the reflective quality of the artwork is designed to reflect the viewer, making the piece about each viewer.

Snapchat didn’t release an official comment but simply launched the website after a countdown. An icon in the corner invites artists to apply, suggesting that Koons’ work is just the start of a more widespread project.

Smart table works out what you’re drinking to select the right music

Why it matters to you

Classyfier smart table is a fun demo of how machine learning can be used to improve the ambience in your home.

Thanks to the Internet of Things, breakthroughs in machine learning, and the plethora of cheap sensors that are readily available, virtually every “dumb” piece of household furniture now has a smart counterpart. The latest example of this? A table created by researchers at Denmark’s Copenhagen Institute of Interaction Design that is able to detect what beverages people are drinking around it and select the appropriate mood music.

“Have you been in situations where the mood dropped because someone took forever to decide which music to play?” Kelvyn Marte, one of the three designers (along with Benedict Hubener and Stephanie Lee) who created the table, told Digital Trends. “The Classyfier is a table that automatically chooses music to fits the current situation. It does that by picking up the characteristic sounds of beverages consumed around it, [such as] the clinking of wine glasses or the sound of opening a can of beer. It basically takes the role of the designated DJ so that people can focus on other things. We found it exciting to use sound as an input because it opened up a lot of new interactions that could be either very intentional or completely seamless to your normal behavior.”

In terms of hardware, the table boasts a built-in microphone which picks up sounds. These sounds are then compared to a catalog of pre-trained examples. Depending on whether it detects hot beverages, wine, or beer, it can then select the perfect playlist for each occasion.

Sadly, if you’re thinking this would be the perfect centerpiece for your next drinks soirée, Marte, Hubener, and Lee have some bad news for you: There are no plans to commercialize the Classyfier table right now. “We were [really] thinking about ways to use machine learning in a fun and light way to enhance ambiance in daily situations,” Marte said. “In the beginning, the thought of picking up the sound of opening a beer can was more of a joke, but we kept coming back to it. For now, we are all a bit caught up in other projects, but who knows [if we’ll revisit it later on!] Machine learning is a great tool for designers, and we are excited to find more ways to interact with smart objects using sounds as an input.”

We will drink to that! With the appropriate soundtrack, of course.

5 settings to change for better battery life on EMUI 5

Huawei’s EMUI 5 is a powerful version of Android. Here’s how to make it even better!

Huawei’s EMUI 5 Android Skin adds a bit of personal flair and functionality to the company’s line of devices while including some additional tools and features aimed directly at helping you get the most out of your device’s battery.

The following tips should help you maximize the battery life of any Huawei device running EMUI 5.0, be it an Honor 6X, Mate 9, or MediaPad tablet.

Most of what we will cover below is found in the EMUI 5 Settings app under Battery, which makes sense, of course. If a setting is found outside of that section, we will point it out.

1. Auto-close apps when locked

Rogue apps running in the background will almost always be an area to check when it comes to battery drain. Huawei gives you the option to force close background apps each and every time you lock your EMUI 5 device.

Select the option titled Close apps after screen lock in the Battery settings to view a list of all installed apps on your device, as well as adjust whether you want the app to be closed automatically.

Slide the switch next to an app to the Off position to disable force close for that respective app.

Something that’s easy to overlook in this section is the list of apps at the bottom that default to Off and will never force close when your device is locked. For example, Snapchat exempted itself from closing without any input whatsoever from me. And it’s almost always one of the apps I find at the top of my battery usage chart.

2. Power Intensive Apps

EMUI 5.0 provides a list of apps that are using, well, a lot of power. When you open this section of Battery settings, a list of apps that are currently running in the background will fill in. Sometimes there will be only one, other times the list will go on and on.

You can kill any of the apps listed by checking the box to the right, then tap Close at the bottom of the screen.

Tap on the app name itself to adjust whether or not you want to be alerted when it’s using too much power, as well as indicate if you want it to force close at screen lock.

3. Lower screen resolution

As with Samsung’s Galaxy devices, lowering display resolution on a Huawei device can improve battery life. Huawei doesn’t give you an option to pick the exact resolution you want to use, instead, you’re given an option to allow the device to automatically lower screen resolution when it determines it can save battery by doing so.

I currently have the setting enabled and have yet to experience any drastic change in experience.

4. Optimize

Within the Battery settings there’s an Optimize section. Select it and then let the scan complete. Once it’s done, a series of suggestions will populate the screen. Suggestions range from detailing how many apps are running when the screen is off, to screen timeout changes, to disabling vibrate on touch to save more battery.

Don’t take each and every suggestion here as gospel. If you prefer having vibrate on touch-enabled, it can’t be using too much battery. On the other hand, a lot of apps running in the background even after your device is locked is sure to eat into your daily battery life.

Some suggestions are enabled with a single tap of a button, while others offer a shortcut to adjust the setting yourself.

5. Disable notifications on lock screen

Indeed, viewing a notification on the lock screen of your Huawei device without having to manually wake it is convenient. But each time the screen lights up, it’s using a bit more of your battery, and throughout the day and bound to take a toll.

Open the Settings app > Notifications & status bar. Slide the switch next to Notifications turn on the screen to the Off position.

The obvious things, too

Not specific to Huawei, you should always check to ensure things like auto-brightness are turned on (or if you prefer turned off, your screen’s brightness is turned way down), and disable features you aren’t using. An app like IFTTT can be set up to toggle Wi-Fi on/off when you’re away from home or work, for example.

Go into Settings > Apps and disable or delete any non-essential apps, such a crapware that may have carried over from a carrier device. (My Mate 9 is loaded with AT&T apps, even without a SIM in it.)

In other words, do all of the things we recommend for each and every device we cover.

Battery life is still one of the biggest challenges for smartphone makers’ there’s no harm in doing our part to squeeze out every last bit of performance.

Huawei Mate 9: 9 months later

Amazon is offering its Prime members $30 off select Kindle E-readers

Leave your paper book at home and pick up a Kindle today!

Amazon knows how important reading is for the mind and the soul. Right now the company is offering Prime members $30 off select Kindle E-readers.

The Kindle is down to $49.99 from its regular $79.99; the Kindle Paperwhite was originally priced at $119.99, and is now on sale for $89.99 and the Kindle Oasis WiFi + Free Wireless Connectivity was $359.99 now on sale for $309.99. Check out the full selection here.

If you are an avid reader like myself you might already know that a Kindle beats an iPad hands down. I like my iPad for storing pictures, important files and documents, and the never-ending amazing apps and games. But not for reading. The Kindle is specifically designed just for reading. You will not be distracted by the many apps or other features that an iPad offers. I also find it more reliable for long reading sessions because of its massive battery life. If I want to take my Kindle with me to the park, the beach or while traveling, I can do it without the stress knowing that if I lose it, I would lose everything, like I would with an iPad.

A Kindle also makes for a better gift to someone who is not super technically inclined. If I were to give my mom or dad a Kindle it would be easy to explain to them, and they would not get overwhelmed. If I gave them an iPad, they would instantly go into shock with all the “gizmos and gadgets”. They would most likely say “I would rather just have a book” and hand it back and tell me to keep it because they “don’t need all that fancy stuff.”

For those who do appreciate the technical features, the Kindle offers some great ones. For instance, The Kindle Paperwhite is designed to look like paper to make you feel as though you are reading a paperback. For those who may have poor eyesight like me, you can easily change the font and the font size. They are also lightweight, so much so that you can hold it in one hand without putting tons of strain on your arm. Happy reading!

See at Amazon

More from Thrifter

• Which Warehouse Shopping Club is Best for You?
• Top 10 Thriftiest U.S. cities to live in

For more great deals be sure to check out our friends at Thrifter now!

How to use Live message on the Galaxy Note 8

You can add some flair and personality to your messages by using Live message on the Note 8.

The Samsung Galaxy Note 8 is a great phone that gives you more control over aspects of your experience using the S Pen. One of these great features is Live message, a widget that lets you animate messages using text, drawing, and backgrounds. We’ve got the details on how to use it right here!

• How to create a live message
• How to change the writing color
• How to change line thickness
• How to change effecrs
• How to view previous Live messages
• How to add a background to a Live message

How to create a new live message

Creating a new Live message is easy enough once you open up the widget. To find it you just need to remove the S Pen, and it will pop up as an option.

Open Live message by removing the S Pen from your Note 8.
Draw the message you want to send.

Tap Done.

How to change the writing color in a Live message

Live messages are a fun way to add animation and color to the messages you send to friends and family. This includes, being able to change the color of the message you are sending in just a few moments.

Open Live message by removing the S Pen.
Tap the color icon in the left corner.

Tap to choose a new color for your message.

How to change the line thickness

Being able to change the thickness of the lines when you draw your message gives you greater range for everything you send. Thankfully, changing the thickness of your lines can be done in just a moment or two.

Open a Live message by removing the S Pen.
Tap the thickness icon in the left corner.

Use the slider to adjust the line thickness for your message.

How to change text effects

When you draw out a message, there are three different effects that you can take advantage of.

Open a Live message by removing the S Pen.
Tap the effects icon in the left corner.

Tap to choose a new text effect.

How to view previous Live messages

Open Live message by removing the S Pen.
Tap Collection.

Tap a previous Live message to open it.

How to add a background

If you really want to take your messages to the next level, you can add a background. From here, you can still write on top, which means you can draw on photos and send them instead of just what you have drawn or written.

Open Live message by removing the S Pen.
Tap background.

Tap to choose a image from your gallery for the background.

Questions?

Have you been using Live Message on the Note 8? Do you prefer normal messages to being able to draw it out? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!

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

Verizon
AT&T
T-Mobile
Sprint
Best Buy