Harvard’s new RoboBee can fly in and out of water

Apparently, we haven’t seen RoboBee’s final form yet. Harvard researchers introduced the robot back in 2013 and developed a version that uses static to stick to walls in 2016. Now, the scientists have created an upgraded robotic bee that can fly, dive into water and hop right back up into the air. That’s a lot tougher than it sounds, since the tiny machine is only two centimeters tall and is about one-fifteenth the weight of a penny. For such a small robot, swimming in water is like swimming in molasses and breaking through the water’s surface is akin to breaking through a brick wall.

To solve the issue, the researchers from Harvard Wyss Institute and John A. Paulson School of Engineering designed new mechanisms that make it possible for the RoboBee to transition seamlessly from water to air. First, they had to figure out the right flapping speeds for its wings in aerial and aquatic environments. By using a combination of theoretical modeling and experimental data, they determined that 220 to 300 hertz is perfect for aerial travel, while 9 to 13 hertz is the perfect speed in the water.

Once that was done, they had to figure out how the machine can break surface tension to be able to get out of the water. They came up with a two-step system: First, the machine collects water into a buoyancy chamber as it swims to the surface. An electrolytic plate inside the chamber converts the water into oxyhydrogen, which provides enough extra buoyancy for the robot’s wings to pop out of the water. A sparker in the chamber then ignites the combustible oxyhydrogen, turning it into fuel that gives RoboBee the boost it needs to be able to get back into the air.

In the future, microrobots can be used for search missions, deployed to far-off places for surveillance before sending in bigger machines to rescue people. The RoboBee team hopes their work “investigating tradeoffs like weight and surface tension can inspire future multi-functional microrobots — ones that can move on complex terrains and perform a variety of tasks.”

Via: Boston Globe

Source: Harvard Wyss Institute

Facebook opens its Workplace Chat desktop app to everyone

Facebook brought its Slack-competing service out of private beta last year and rebranded it as simply ‘Workplace.’ Its messaging side offering, Workplace Chat, had browser and mobile components — and today, it’s bringing its desktop app out of beta so all users can converse in text or over video, send files and share screens though their computer.

The service will also be adding group video chat support to the desktop and mobile Workplace Chat apps in the coming weeks. At some point later in 2017, Workplace will also release a streamlined free version without all the bells and whistles in a bid to compete with the similar small-team offerings from Slack and Microsoft Teams.

Hopper app uses predictive pricing tech to find NYC hotels

You always hear about the best time to book your travels for big savings, but do you ever follow up? Hint: You’re better off nabbing Thanksgiving flights now. That’s according to Hopper, a startup that relies on big data to help you purchase cheap airfares through its app. Now, it’s applying its predictive smarts to hotels, starting in NYC.

Why should you care? Let’s crunch the numbers. Hopper has amassed 17 million installs in just a couple years, and secured $83 million in funding along the way. To deliver the best deals, its algorithm consults around 10 to 15 billion historical flight prices per day. And, over time, it learns from your preferences to dish up personalized recommendations. The startup told TechCrunch its predictions are 95 percent accurate, up to six months in advance.

With its latest feature, Hopper is hoping to do the same with hotels. Its tech will collect 10 million price quotes daily for over 500 hotels in New York City, which happens to be its most popular travel destination — making it the ideal place to start. Of course, there are plenty of rival booking services out there already, so it will have its work cut out.

Like flights, hotels will be displayed on a color-coded calendar (and through a new map interface). Once you modify your selection — using filters for rating and location — the app will tell you whether to buy, wait, or if prices are expected to go up. Hotel profiles are also on hand in the form of Snapchat-style Stories. The update is initially available on iOS, and more locations (including San Francisco, LA, Miami, and more) will arrive soon.

Source: Hopper (YouTube)

Fiio X7 Mark II Android HiFi Audio Player

We’re celebrating ten years of AndroidGuys with a ton of giveaways!

Last year, we reviewed a nice surprise from Fiio – its entry into the high-end digital audio player market (DAP). The Chinese company has historically been known as a manufacturer of bang-for-the-buck HiFi audio devices – and according to the audiophile community, one of the best ones out there. The X7 was new territory for Fiio in two ways: 1) A player made and priced to compete with higher-end competitors, and 2) Its first hack at using Android to drive it.

In a nutshell, we found the X7 to be a great first try at a high-end Android DAP, but in some ways it felt like a beta. At the $700 range, the design and function need to be near flawless. Well, Mark II of that device is now here, and we can see that Fiio worked very hard since. Fiio’s catchphrase for the X7 II is “Thoroughly Transformed, Inside and Out”, and that certainly is the case. Let’s go over the improvements and if we can recommend the X7 II at its still substantial $650 price.

Design

The Fiio X7 II comes with the clear TPU case and screen protector installed out of the box.

Contents includes two cases, torx screwdriver, SD card slot ejector tool, coaxial adapter, and microUSB cable

The packaging of the Fiio X7 II is noteworthy, particularly because the company includes not one but two cases – a TPU wrap and a premium-feeling leather cover-up. Not many companies are this generous. What’s more, a screen protector comes pre-installed. Something else you won’t typically find in a device box is a torx screwdriver. If you know anything about the original X7, you may remember that it had a unique removable module feature that provided the flexibility to upgrade the amp or add balanced output. This design is back with the X7 II.

The amp module design of the X7 II is the same as the original, so they are interchangeable.

As for the player itself, the form doesn’t stray too far from the original, but it’s definitely more than just a touch-up. Most notably, the edge with the physical controls is lifted in an eye-catchingly angled manner. This creates a notch for the volume scroll wheel to reside in. The scroll wheel itself is also an upgrade from the volume rocker in the original, though we wish that Fiio made it a bit firmer. It locks to each increment (with a click sound) but very lightly and with a little play to it.

The X7 II is still a chunky, silver aluminum block like before, but feels much better in hand.

We like that all controls are on one side now, and distinguishable on the raised edge.

The X7 II maintains that same eye-catching blue light underneath the display. It is purely for looks and can be turned off if desired.

Two of our complaints in our review of the original X7 were that the display was raised above the chassis (increasing its vulnerability to mishaps) and a hump on the back that made the thick device even thicker. Fiio addressed both of these things with the X7 II. The screen is now flush and the elevation on the back is less noticeable. The unit lost about 1mm of thickness and 8 grams of weight.

Function

Internally, Fiio made some natural component progressions, such as doubling the RAM from 1GB to 2GB and internal storage from 32GB to 64GB. What’s more, there’s now two microSD card slots that can each handle 256GB (so a whopping 512GB externally).

The two microSD trays are flush on the flat side of the X7 II, and require an ejector pin to access.

Battery capacity has also been bumped from 3,500mAh to 3,800mAh. But it looks to be using the same quad-core Rockchip RK3188 processor as before, along with same spec’d 4″ LCD IPS display with a measly 480×800 pixel resolution. I’m sure Fiio’s thinking was to focus on the components that really matter in an audiophile player. We just need the processor and display to work, and they do just fine.

The 8 hour battery rating is via the 3.5mm output. Using Balanced, we saw more like 7 hours. This isn’t spectacular. Also, while we appreciate better fidelity wireless audio with the AptX codec, we would’ve expected at least AptX HD in a high-end audio player.

More importantly is what upgrades have been made to improve sound quality? The original model used the latest from ESS Technology (the same high-end audio chip company that LG partners with on its V-series flagships), and the same is true here. Sound on the X7 II is processed with the SABRE ES9028PRO DAC, which particularly makes big steps to improve frequency response and signal-to-noise ratio.

A strength of the X7 is the ability to use Tidal HiFi streaming.

Our biggest gripe about the original X7 was that we intermittently heard interference when streaming music over WiFi. Fiio acknowledged the issue and rectified it in the X7 II by not just using better components but shielding area of the PCB that could cause it. And we’re happy to report that we don’t hear any noise whatsoever, even with highly sensitive Shure SE846 earphones.

On the software side, the X7 II features a custom Android 5.0 build (no, it’s far from the latest from Google but better than version 4.4.4 KitKat from before) and a revamped player interface. We didn’t find the original X7’s player to be very user friendly, and it sounds like that pain was heard. The X7 II software is a breath of fresh air.

Browsing your stored music library in the Fiio Music app is simple and intuitive.

Now Playing screen in the Fiio Music app. The pop up menu shows icons that clearly show the options.

Fiio’s equalizer only works in the Fiio Music app – we would like to see a system-wide one in the future.

On the Android side of things, we’re looking at a bare-bones version of Lollipop with minimal pre-loaded apps (basic things like clock, email, file explorer, and browser). The Play Store is on there, so you can install what you want. But being that you probably didn’t get this device to watch movies and surf the web, what you’ll add is music apps that you use.

Home screen of the X7 II.

Drop-down notification has stock Android look. Fiio placed audio relevant options in the quick settings menu.

System wide audio settings include digital filters and a switch between low and high gain (we’d like to see more gain tiers in the future).

One thing to note is that Fiio has a nifty software trick to throw the X7 II into a “Pure Music” mode. This essentially turns off every software feature but Fiio’s player. This way, if you want to use stored music, you don’t have to keep stuff on that you don’t need. The Fiio Music software is still available in Android mode via an app.

Sound

The stock amp module on the X7 II now includes a Balanced jack (2.5mm, TRRS).

Plainly said, Fiio wasn’t kidding when it said that the X7 II was revamped on the inside as well as out. As a user of the original X7, I can say that Mark II is a whole ‘nother animal (in a completely good way).

One of my biggest gripes with the first X7 was the sterile sound. It was detailed, no doubt, but Fiio’s reference aim sided too much for analytical listeners than those who want toe-tapping fun and energy. It’s immediately apparent with the X7 II that Fiio turned up the speakers, so to speak. The sound is now stupendously full and engaging. This is thanks in part to a commanding mid-range. That said, balance is beautifully struck, not just in the frequency response but in the delivery. The X7 II is equally as musical as it sonically skillful.

Separation is a grade-A quality of this DAP. There’s a real nice cleanness and discernible positioning to the different sounds. Its airiness serves well for the perceived dimensionality. Another notable quality is the sub-bass. It is deep and powerful, but in no way overdone. Moving into the mid-range, I don’t hear any bleeding. It’s all clean and articulated, even up to the elaborate treble. No particular frequency range is favored; each is equally detailed and present enough to be analyzed and appreciated.

I really struggle to find any flaw in the sound of the X7 II, which in itself leaves me at a loss for words. I review a lot of audio gear and can always pick off an imperfection or two in high-end devices. I just can’t here. This is what my ears want to hear, and what my headphones need to show their potential. As far as I’m concerned, Fiio has a hit with the X7 II.

Well, there is one thing…

If you recall my mention that the X7 II has standard 3.5mm (single-ended) and balanced 2.5mm jacks, turns out that they don’t sound quite the same. My impressions above were with the balanced output, which the audio system clearly favors. I don’t put Fiio completely at fault, because the company is simply trying to adhere to today’s audiophile standards. Many high-end mobile audiophiles use the 2.5mm balanced standard, and Fiio is far from the first company to do a DAP with standard and balanced options. Astell&Kern and Onkyo are two big examples that embrace balanced output.

So with that said, I find the standard output of the X7 II to be still be good, but it’s missing the key aspects that I praised with the balanced output. The full/liveliness takes a clear step back. The detail and balance is still present, but the punch and dynamics is average.

Final Thoughts

So back to the question from the beginning – Is the X7 II worth it? Well, the answer comes with a caveat. If you’re going to use the balanced output, then yes, yes, and yes. Unfortunately, that condition limits most of the mobile audio listeners out there. Most people probably don’t even know what a balanced cable is, let alone the ability to use one with their current headphones.

But for what it is, Fiio did an amazing job on the X7 II. It can definitely stand among the best DAPs out there, and at a price that undercuts them. Do not overlook this DAP if you’re in the market, especially for one that runs Android and can utilize streaming music services.

Fiio X7 Mark II product page

Verizon will allow 4K video streaming for $10 extra a month

Starting on November 3rd, Verizon customers who want to stream full 4K video on their phones can finally do so. Just two months ago, the company had split its unlimited plans into two tiers; one capped streaming at 480p, while the more expensive one was capped at 720p (1080p for tablets). Now, that restriction has been lifted, but only if you pay an extra $10 per month.

That means that if you were paying $85 for the high-end tier, you now have to cough up $95 a month if you want the video quality cap lifted. It should also be noted that it’s $10 per line, so if you have a family plan for multiple people, you’ll need to figure out which one of you gets to have full-quality streaming (or just pay more money if you want more than one person to have it).

Seeing that Verizon had reintroduced full unlimited plans back in February where none of these restrictions existed, the higher cost is a bit of a slap in the face. Sure, other carriers have similar quality caps as well, but Verizon is currently the most expensive of the big four.

Source: CNET

30 Best Mac Apps If You’re New to Apple!

So you’ve got a new Mac and you’re looking to make the most of the robust application environment in MacOS High Sierra? Well, we’ve got you covered. There are literally hundreds of thousands of great software programs compatible with MacOS in the App Store —  not to mention the thousands more that are scattered across the web. Because of this, we’ve compiled some of the best Mac apps available. Since there are so many apps, we pared our list down to only include programs that are most likely to be useful to the average Mac user, whether you’re looking to quickly access an abundance of RSS feeds or automatically upload your photos to the proverbial cloud.

Interface

Alfred 3

Think of Alfred as Spotlight with a dash of Siri. It’s an application launcher, but it can do a lot more than just that. With Alfred, you can quickly perform calculations, execute web searches, and quickly find word definitions, among many other functions. It fills the gap between Siri and your Spotlight search, by allowing you to automate tasks and perform advanced functions that, frankly, Siri should be able to handle without voice input.

Download now from:

Alfred

Bartender 3 ($15)

Bartender 3 is an app made for when you’re utilizing too many apps. It’s a subtle tool that’s specifically designed with organization in mind, and as such, it lets you better systematize various aspects of your interface. With Bartender 3, you choose which apps appear in the menu bar and rearrange their position to your liking. You can also search for specific items, or move them into the optional Bartender Bar if you’re in dire need of additional space. The latest version added support for MacOS High Sierra, an interface that leverages the new operating system, and the ability to navigate via your keyboard.

Purchase now from:

Surtees Studios

Caffeine

Always a favorite, this one keeps your computer from going into sleep mode, starting the screensaver, or performing the auto-dim function. It’s ideal for reading lengthy documents, or any other activity in which you don’t touch the keyboard or mouse for an extended period of time. Just give it a click.

Download now from:

Lighthead Software

Dropzone ($10)

Once installed, Dropzone 3 feels like an integral part of MacOS High Sierra. The bare-bones application functions as a shortcut tool, meaning you can use it to quickly copy and move files, launch applications, and share content through popular services such as Facebook and Flickr. You can also upload files via FTP and Amazon S3, or shorten URLs using the newly-added Goo.gl shortener. It’s all housed within a tiny icon that sits in the menu bar.

Purchase now from:

iTunes

f.lux

F.lux is a tiny utility that makes the color of your display adapt to more accurately mimic outside light. If you stare at a bright computer screen late into the evening, all that blue light from your screen can screw with the melatonin levels in your brain and make it hard for you to fall asleep. Fortunately, f.lux helps fix this problem. You don’t need f.lux if you’re running MacOS Sierra 10.12.14 or later, however, because Apple introduced its own blue light filter, Night Shift. Still, if you’re using an older version of MacOS, then f.lux will help get you to sleep.

Download now from:

f.lux

Google Chrome

Safari will never boast the kind of intuitive integration afforded by Google’s proprietary browser. Chrome is one of the fastest browser available for desktop platforms, one that also features the ability to automatically sync all your information — bookmarks, open tabs, recent searches, etc. — across multiple computers and mobile devices. That, combined with its robust customization and instant search capabilities, make it worthwhile.

Download now from:

Google

Magnet ($1)

It’s not always easy to view multiple windows side by side, at least, not without Magnet. The app is made for the multitasker inside all of us, and thus presents a quick way to arrange your desktop. With Magnet, you can drag and snap windows to the edges and corners of your screen, which will then lock into place. It’s a terrific tool, complete with predefined keyboard shortcuts, if you want to copy content from one app to another.

Purchase now from:

iTunes

Unclutter ($10)

Unclutter is a basic piece of software that suits its name. The app is accessible with a quick swipe from the top of your screen, and, better yet, functions as a convenient place for storing quick notes, recent files, and clipboard information. Recent updates also allow for a light or dark theme, and include an option for dragging cards on top of other desktop windows. Files and notes even automatically sync across your devices via Dropbox, a suitable addition that adds to the app’s lasting appeal.

Purchase now from:

iTunes

Editor’s Recommendations

• The 100 best iPhone apps (October 2017)
• Get smart: The 25 best educational apps for iPhone and Android
• The best Apple Watch apps to download
• The 100 best iPad apps for your Apple tablet (October)
• Best iOS app deals of the day! 6 paid iPhone apps for free for a limited time

Microsoft’s game broadcast service Mixer now works in 21 languages

You certainly don’t need to speak English to watch or broadcast games on Microsoft’s Mixer, but wouldn’t it be nice if you could navigate in whatever your native language happens to be? There’s now a good chance you can do just that. Mixer.com now supports 21 languages, including a few variants on common languages. You can find a Cuphead stream using Chinese (Simple or Traditional), for example, or surf Playerunknown’s Battlegrounds feeds in Portugese (including its Brazilian form). Major European and Scandinavian languages are also covered alongside Japanese, Korean, Russian and Turkish.

This could be a bigger move than you might think. If Microsoft is going to present Mixer as an alternative to Twitch for gamers around the world, it arguably wants to court them in their native tongues. Twitch is already available in a slew of languages (including a few Microsoft doesn’t have yet, like Greek and Vietnamese) and might be more alluring if your English skills aren’t that great — this helps level the playing field by making Mixer that much more accessible to a wide swath of the human population.

Source: Mixer Blog

Android 8.1 preview unlocks your Pixel 2 camera’s AI potential

Remember how Google said the Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL both have a custom imaging chip that’s just laying idle? Well, you can finally use it… in a manner of speaking. Google has released its first Developer Preview for Android 8.1, and the highlight is arguably Pixel Visual Core support for third-party apps. Companies will have to write support into their apps before you notice the difference, but this should bring the Pixel 2 line’s HDR+ photography to any app, not just Google’s own camera software. You might not have to jump between apps just to get the best possible picture quality when you’re sharing photos through your favorite social service.

You don’t have to use a Pixel 2 to see some benefits. There’s a neural network programming kit that offers hardware-boosted machine learning through frameworks like TensorFlow Lite. Google has also spent some time fine-tuning memory use to improve performance for low-cost Android Go devices, and there’s a new kit that lets apps hand out shared memory to speed access to common data. And if you’re fond of password managers, they can make better use of Google’s Autofill framework.

Anyone who’s enrolled in the Android Beta Program can install the 8.1 preview on a compatible Google device (the Nexus 5X or later). You may want to hold off until the completed update’s expected December release if you aren’t a programmer, though. Even relatively minor test releases like this can have their share of bugs, and there won’t be that much of an incentive to upgrade until 8.1-ready apps reach Google Play in earnest.

Source: Android Developers Blog

‘Social robot’ Jibo reaches Indiegogo backers three years later

Three years after an astronomically successful crowdfunding campaign raised over $3.6 million, Jibo the robot is finally ready. The social bot is available to buy on its site for $900; Those who backed its Indiegogo have already started receiving their robots, while more recent preorders will start shipping on November 7th.

Huge smiles. Tons of laughs. #Jibo’s already making an impression, and it’s only the beginning. Order yours today. https://t.co/EII4DvRqdQ pic.twitter.com/lRYZsJOx1N

— Jibo Inc. (@jibo) October 25, 2017

On its Indiegogo page, Jibo claimed to be “The World’s First Social Robot for the Home,” which was a bold and auspicious claim in 2014. But delays to work out the robot’s kinks pushed the release date further and further back. In the interim, personal assistants from Google, Amazon and soon Apple have hit the market and given users a modicum of what Jibo promised.

But Jibo intends to be a companion, not just an assistant to bark at. It uses speech and face recognition to remember individuals, remembers preferences, and attempts to converse with jokes and stories. Plus, its angled head bends and moves to face whoever it’s talking to. Unfortunately, it seems that Jibo still isn’t shipping outside the US and Canada — the company refunded outside backers, citing international latency to its US servers as reason to avoid giving non-North American customers a subpar user experience.

Source: Jibo

Cochlear Launches New Made for iPhone Hearing Implant in Partnership With Apple

As was announced back in July, Apple partnered with Australian company Cochlear to develop the Nucleus 7, the first made for iPhone Cochlear implant, which is able to stream audio from a compatible iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch directly to a surgically embedded sound processor.

Cochlear’s new Nucleus 7 Sound Processor is launching in Australia this week, and should soon also be available in other countries for customers who have profound hearing loss that can’t be alleviated with traditional hearing aids and requires implant technology.

Apple’s accessibility engineering team worked with Cochlear to create a new form of Bluetooth low-energy audio that allows the implant to connect to the iPhone without draining significant amounts of battery life. Through an iPhone connection, patients who adopt the Nucleus 7 implant will be able to watch movies, listen to music, make calls, and more.

In a comment to The Australian about the launch of the Nucleus 7 from Cochlear, Apple director of accessibility Sarah Herrlinger said the Cochlear project is something Apple is “passionate about.” Creating the Bluetooth improvements and developing integrations across multiple companies with hearing aid products took two to three years to complete, says Herrlinger.

“It’s something that we are really passionate about as a company,” she said. “We consider it one of our core corporate values, an area where we put significant amount of time and energy ensuring our products work for everyone.

“We started looking at this program around the concept of Bluetooth LE and how it would be a beneficial tool in this specific circumstance. The work we have done is applicable both to hearing aids and sound processors.”

The Nucleus 7 Sound Processor is compatible with a wide range of Apple devices, including the iPhone 5 and later, all iPad Pro models, the iPad mini and later, and the fourth-generation iPad and later.

Tag: accessibility
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