DJI’s scanner can nab info on drones mid-flight

This morning, Chinese drone company DJI demonstrated its new AeroScope device that can track UAVs in a 5-kilometer radius. At the moment, it can only monitor the company’s drones, but it’s a potentially potent tool for law enforcement (or other DJI-authorized customers) to keep an eye on aerial activity within their radius.

The AeroScope tracks drones via the radio transmission between them and their remote control. This gives the device everything it needs to know, from the UAV’s location and speed to its registration or serial number, and even where it took off — and its operator’s position. DJI preempted questions about the AeroScope in a series of tweets, assuring that it couldn’t take control of a drone, receive videos or photos from it or automatically transmit personally identifiable information. Another tweet pointed out the system’s low cost to law enforcement, ability to theoretically track every existing drone and that it “respects the rights of responsible pilots.”

Photos of the new @DJIGlobal #Aeroscope drone detection system. Ensures #drone pilots data privacy while still protecting the airspace.#dji pic.twitter.com/24TPvcAOEE

— Brett Velicovich (@TheDroneWarrior) October 25, 2017

Drone identification has been on DJI’s radar for awhile: Back in March, the company pitched an “electronic identification network,” but US authorities didn’t bite, nor did productive plans emerge from later industry and FAA summits in July. The AeroScope is the realization of that idea, down to the method of intercepting data over radio transmission. But instead of automatically tracking every drone in the sky, DJI is inviting other companies to make their products compatible with AeroScope. That would only take a firmware update, DJI told The Verge.

Of course, DJI made clear that the AeroScope would need to respect drone owners’ privacy while being a useful tool.

“AeroScope is designed to meet authorities’ legitimate needs concerning safety, security and privacy while also respecting the rights of people and businesses who use drones,” Brendan Schulman, DJI’s VP of policy and legal affairs, told The Verge. “DJI’s solution provides the information authorities need, while ensuring that flight data is only collected on the small number of drone flights that could raise concerns. The overwhelming majority of drone flights are safe, responsible, and uneventful, and we believe there is no reason for them to be centrally tracked and recorded nationwide.

Via: The Verge

Source: DJI

Uber’s new credit card could be a tough sell (updated)

Uber isn’t exactly known for protecting the privacy of its drivers or riders. Tim Cook reportedly had to threaten to remove the Uber app from iPhones after he discovered the app was “fingerprinting” iPhones with a permanent ID. The ride sharing company had to stop gathering location data from passengers, even after a ride ended, and it settled with the FTC over abuse of customer data. Now Uber is offering a new credit card, available November 2nd, which might seem a bit counter-intuitive.

The Uber Visa has no annual fee, and users earn $100 after they spend $500 in the first 90 days of owning the card. You’ll get rewards for using the card, and they’ll accrue even faster for buying food in a restaurant, booking a trip, taking an Uber (obviously) or shopping online. You’ll be able to redeem the rewards for Uber credits on rides and UberEats delivery, as well as cash back or gift cards. It will even grant you an annual $50 “subscription credit” you can use towards Netflix, Spotify or Amazon Prime. Uber also says that cardholders can get coverage for theft or damage of their mobile devices, and invites to secret shows and dining experiences. All subject to “terms,” of course. Still, given the company’s track record, it might be a tough sell to ask customers to sign up.

Update: Uber clarified to Engadget that it would not get any information on individual spending, as that will stay with the issuing bank, Barclays. The only thing Uber will know is the amount of spending that occurs on their cards in aggregate. The company says it will have access to how many Uber credits that rider has earned through the percent back on an individual level. This post has been edited in light of those details.

Via: TechCrunch

Source: Uber

Roku streaming may soon be available on many more devices

Roku is still synonymous with its media devices, but you may have to shake that notion before long. Variety tipsters claim that Roku is planning a first move into streaming video on third-party hardware. Reportedly, it’s negotiating rights to offer its ad-supported video beyond its own gear, with support “likely” coming first to mobile devices like phones and tablets. There’s also the potential for adding additional channels, whether they’re Roku-owned or from other companies. The mobile app could become more than a souped-up remote replacement — you could use it to watch familiar programming when away from home.

To no one’s surprise, Roku isn’t commenting on the rumor. However, it may have given the game away in a job listing for an iOS engineer. The post indicates that Roku’s mobile app is “on the cusp of a major expansion” and demands people experienced with iOS’ media playback, which looks like streaming at first glance.

It wouldn’t be a radical break for Roku to start streaming on other gadgets. The firm makes 41 percent of its revenue from ads and licensing, and this is an easy way boost that profit. More importantly, it would represent a major opportunity for Roku to reduce its dependence on hardware. Even with those extra sources of cash, Roku’s financial health still revolves around the popularity of its media players. Spreading its video services to other products would give it less reason to panic if its hardware products flop.

Source: Variety

Industry Group Representing Apple and Google Releases AI Policy Principles

The Information Technology Industry Council (ITI), an industry group that represents several tech companies like Apple, Google, Microsoft, Amazon, and Facebook, this week released Artificial Intelligence Policy Principles [PDF] covering responsible and ethical artificial intelligence development.

“We recognize our responsibility to integrate principles into the design of AI technologies, beyond compliance with existing laws,” reads the document. AI researchers and stakeholders should “spend a great deal of time” working to ensure the “responsible design and deployment of AI systems.” Some of the specific policies addressed are outlined below:

Government: The ITI supports government investment in fields related to AI and encourages governments to evaluate existing tools and use caution before adopting new laws, regulations, and taxes that could impede the responsible development and use of AI. ITI also discourages governments from requiring tech companies to provide access to technology, source code, algorithms, and encryption keys.

Public-Private Partnerships: Public-Private Partnerships should be utilized to speed up AI research and development, democratize access, prioritize diversity and inclusion, and prepare the workforce for the implications of artificial intelligence.

Responsible Design and Deployment: Highly autonomous AI systems must be designed consistent with international conventions that preserve human dignity, rights, and freedoms. It is the industry’s responsibility to recognize potential for misuse and commit to ethics by design.

Safety and Controllability: Autonomous agents must treat the safety of users and third parties as a paramount concern and AI technologies should aim to reduce risks to humans. AI systems must have safeguards to ensure the controllability of the AI system by humans.

Robust and Representative Data: AI systems need to leverage large datasets to avoid potentially harmful bias.

The ITI goes on to encourage robust support for AI research, a flexible regulatory approach, and strong cybersecurity and privacy provisions.

ITI President Dean Garfield told Axios that the guidelines have been released as a way for the industry to get involved in the discussion about AI. In the past, the group has learned “painful lessons” about staying on the sidelines of debates about emerging technology.

“Sometimes our instinct is to just put our head down and do our work, to develop, design, and innovate,” he said. “But there’s a recognition that our ability to innovate is going to be affected by how society perceives it.”

Tag: artificial intelligence
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Apple Watch Series 2 Aluminum Models Drop to $230 in 38mm and $260 in 42mm

Following the launch of the Apple Watch Series 3 last month, the previous generation of Apple’s wearable device — Series 2 — has seen a steady stream of sales hit both aluminum and stainless steel editions, with the best discounts arriving for the aluminum models. The first discounts (from B&H Photo) marked 38mm devices down to $290 and 42mm devices down to about $320, while the second wave (from Best Buy) brought those numbers down by $20, to about $270 and $300, respectively.

Today, Best Buy has dropped the price of aluminum versions of the Apple Watch Series 2 down by another $40, resulting in 38mm models priced at just $230 and 42mm models at $260. Cases in the sale include Space Gray, Gold, and Silver, and collections are only focused on Sport Bands, although there are a few Nike+ editions. We’ve listed a few of the models below, compared to their previous sale prices at Best Buy. For the full list visit Best Buy’s deals page right here.

Apple Watch Series 2

• 38mm Space Gray Aluminum Case Black Sport Band – $229, compared to $269

• 42mm Space Gray Aluminum Case with Black Sport Band – $259, compared to $299

• 38mm Gold Aluminum Case Midnight Blue Sport Band – $229, compared to $269
• 42mm Gold Aluminum Case Midnight Blue Sport Band – $259, compared to $299

• Nike+ 38mm Silver Aluminum Case Pure Platinum/White Nike Sport Band – $229, compared to $269

• Nike+ 42mm Silver Aluminum Case Pure Platinum/White Nike Sport Band – $259, compared to $299

As a point of comparison, current prices of aluminum Series 3 models stand at $329 for 38mm and $359 for 42mm without LTE.

Best Buy’s new sale isn’t just focused on Apple Watch, however, and includes deals on MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, iMac, iPad Pro, and select Beats products. The retailer also has a special offer running right now for anyone interested in both the 12.9-inch iPad Pro and Apple Pencil accessory. If you buy both items simultaneously, you’ll save $100 on the order, essentially making the Apple Pencil free.

For more details on Best Buy’s new sale — and other ongoing discounts — head over to our Deals Roundup.

Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Best Buy

Related Roundups: Apple Watch, watchOS 4, Apple DealsBuyer’s Guide: Apple Watch (Buy Now)
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Verizon to Lift Video Streaming Restrictions for Unlimited Plans With Extra $10/Month Payment

Verizon in August limited video quality on all of its unlimited data plans to a maximum of 720p on smartphones, but starting in November, the carrier is allowing customers to pay an additional $10 per month for higher-quality video streaming, reports CNET.

With $10/month payment per line, Verizon customers can stream video at the maximum quality available on any VZW device, up to 4K, removing all video restrictions.

Verizon currently limits customers who subscribe to its entry-level Go Unlimited plan to 480p, while customers who have the Beyond Unlimited plan have access to 720p streaming on smartphones and 1080p streaming on connected tablets.

Go Unlimited starts at $75 per month for a single line, and the plan includes unlimited LTE data that may be throttled during times of network congestion, 480p video streaming, and 600kb/s mobile hotspot streaming.

Beyond Unlimited starts at $85 for a single line and includes unlimited LTE data that’s not throttled during times of network congestion until 22GB has been used, 720p video streaming, and 15GB of LTE mobile hotspot access.

Verizon plans to make the new $10 video add-on available to customers on November 3.

Tag: Verizon
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How to Pre-Order the iPhone X as Quickly as Possible With Apple Store App

iPhone X pre-orders begin this Friday, October 27 at 12:01 a.m. Pacific Time on a first come, first served basis, and customers that want any chance of receiving the smartphone on launch day will need a combination of speed and luck.

The quickest way to pre-order the iPhone X is to use the Apple Store app on iPhone. Prospective buyers that want any chance of receiving the iPhone X when it launches Friday, November 3 should follow the steps below to be ready.

Before Pre-Orders Begin

Add the iPhone X to Your Favorites

Download the Apple Store app from the App Store on your iPhone.

Open the Apple Store app and tap on the iPhone X banner in the main Discover tab.

Tap the iPhone X with 5.8-inch display box.

Choose the color: Silver or Space Gray.

Choose the capacity: 64GB or 256GB.

Tap the heart icon in the top-right corner to add the iPhone X you configured to your Favorites for quick access.

Use Apple Pay and Ensure Credit Card and Billing Info Are Up to Date

If you don’t have Apple Pay set up, tap “Add Credit or Debit Card” or the blue “+” button in the top-right corner and follow the on-screen steps.Open the Wallet app on your iPhone.
Tap on the credit or debit card that you will use to pay for the iPhone X. Make sure it is still a valid and functioning card.

Scroll down and ensure the billing address is accurate. If not, tap on the address and edit it or enter a new one.

Open the Apple Store app.
Select any product and tap the blue Add to Bag button at the bottom.
Tap on the Bag tab.
Tap on the black Buy with Apple Pay button at the bottom. You won’t actually have to purchase the item.
Tap on the black Apple Pay button at the bottom again.
A prompt for Touch ID will open. Ensure your shipping address, phone number, and email address appear correctly ahead of time.

When iPhone X Pre-Orders Begin

Open the Apple Store app.
Tap on the Account tab at the bottom.
Tap on the iPhone X you saved under My Favorites.

Tap on the blue Add to Bag button at the bottom.
Tap on the Bag tab.
Tap on the black Buy with Apple Pay button at the bottom.

Tap on the black Apple Pay button at the bottom again.
Hold your thumb enrolled in Touch ID over the Home button to authenticate and complete the purchase.

Tips and Tricks

• Set an alarm for at least 15 minutes before 12:01 a.m. Pacific Time to ensure you are awake for pre-orders. Make sure that you wake up at the correct time by using Google or a Time Zone Converter.
• Ensure the iPhone X configuration you add to your Favorites is the color and storage capacity you absolutely want.
• Practice by adding any available product to your Favorites and proceeding with the checkout process until the final step before payment. Every second counts towards your chances of getting an iPhone X on launch day.
• If you have multiple iPhones and iPads, have backup devices ready with the Apple Store app open in case something goes wrong. You can also have Apple.com open in a desktop browser as another alternative.
• If the Add to Bag button can’t be tapped, double tap the Home button and swipe up on the Apple Store app to force close it and then reopen it. Rinse and repeat until the moment iPhone X pre-orders go live.
• If you are participating in the iPhone Upgrade Program, make sure to complete the pre-approval process in the Apple Store app so that you can speed through checkout when pre-orders begin.
• You can still pay with a credit card without Apple Pay by tapping on the “buy with other payment options” button during checkout, but doing so could take longer. We recommend using Apple Pay if it is available to you.

Final Words

iPhone X pre-orders will likely sell out in a matter of minutes, at which point shipping estimates will be pushed back by several weeks or months, so it’s important to complete the pre-order process as quickly as possible.

Once you place your pre-order, Apple will send you an email with an order number and other information. The order will be processed, prepared for shipment, and eventually delivered to the address you provided on launch day or later.

If you aren’t quick enough or forget to pre-order, Apple said the iPhone X will be available for walk-in customers at its retail stores, carrier stores, and select authorized resellers like Best Buy on November 3, but supplies will likely be very tight.

Related Roundup: iPhone XBuyer’s Guide: iPhone X (Caution)
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Mekorama is Monument Valley without the gloom (review)

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

Most mobile devices owners are at least aware of an immensely popular game called Monument Valley. It’s a puzzle platformer; but that’s not what made it a standout. Instead what made it so unique was two main things:

It’s very original visual scheme.
It’s very deep/philosophical storyline.

While the art & visuals were just fantastic and almost impossible to find fault with, some people (including yours truly) did see the storyline as being borderline too melancholy, philosophical, and overall deep. I mean, we’re talking about a mobile game here; not a life-changing experience, am I right? It actually became difficult to play it for long periods, as it almost got gloomier the longer you stayed with it. Oh, and it also is a paid game, which can turn some players off to start with.

Perhaps you’re looking for a similar but free gameplay experience. Or you’d like your kiddo to try out this type of game, but not worry about them being lost in all the gloom, an excellent candidate would be Mekorama, by Martin Magni. Let’s take it for a spin to see all there is to see on this great Android game.

Setup & Storyline

I’ve put setup & storyline in the same section of this review because, well, there isn’t much to either. Setup is simply downloading from the Play Store and starting the game. After a tutorial level you are left to go explore on your own.

I’m honestly not sure there really is a storyline here. Per the developer, “Mekorama is a mobile puzzle game where you help a tiny robot stumble home”. That’s it; that’s the premise. A big part of the game’s charm is the tiny robot itself….it’s a cute, almost bumbling little R2D2-esque tin-can droid. You are initially given 50 cards (levels) to conquer, using your sense of your spatial intelligence, deduction, and some neat 3-D perspective command the game offers you.

Gameplay

If you have played or even seen Monument Valley before, then you already have the knowledge on how this game works. The robot stands before you, awaiting your command. You move him around the level by way of tapping a square where you want him/her (it?) to go. Each level has a square with a red dot on it; that’s your target. The problem is that each levels has a unique series of physical obstacles for you to conquer….be it a hole in the trail of squares, a vertical gap, or a Rube Goldberg-type of action puzzle to solve, to get from one place to another.

Conquering the cards….

Card example.

Card completed!

To see how to best solve each problem, your main on-screen weapon is the ability to spin the screen left and right, flying around the level in a circular fly-by pattern, stopping exactly where you want to, so you can find the secret to solving your conundrum.

Like most platformers, the levels start out simple enough, but graduate in both their variety and complexity to challenge you more and more as you progress. Eventually you end up with both allies and enemies compounding your troubles in further levels.

The gameplay is very relaxed and simple, allowing quick pick-up and put-down, letting you jump back in on a moment’s notice. This is another advantage (in my opinion) over the likes of Monument Valley, large time chunks of each level is dedicated to scripted, drawn-out animations. Mekorama seems to purposely be the antithesis of this….I’ve rarely seen a game that so elegantly lets you go in & out of gameplay at your leisure. And it’s appreciated.

If VR is your thing, there’s also a Dreamcast version available in the Play Store (not free, I’m afraid).

Visuals and Sound

Mekorama is grand in its visual presentation, bringing an extremely clean aesthetic with enough color to capture the eye (and keep kiddos entertained), while not being overly painted-looking. 3-D depth and motion matches the leisurely, pleasing effect of the gameplay, while the animations are intentionally slowed down so as to bring a calming influence. Not trying make it sound sleepy here, but there is just the right amount of pacing that keeps your heart rate at a good, even pace while playing.

For sound, I have a little less to say on it. It stays in the background, for the most part, push a series of rather cartoon-y music, beeps, boops, and synth throughout gameplay. Which is just fine; as the both the visuals and the puzzles are meant to be on center-stage, anyway.

Social

Level Builder…built right in.

Beyond the 50 developer-supplied cards to play, Martin Magni has a couple of ways to extend your enjoyment of this title. Downloads of additional developer-created cards, and a built-in level builder, allowing fellow players to build their own levels and offer them to everyone else for download.

There are literally thousands of fan-made levels out there for you to download & try…another fun twist on an already pretty fantastic gaming experience.

Overall

Mekorama is an excellent mobile title if you are looking for a pleasurable visual experience that will tax your problem-solving skills as much as you’re willing to consume it, then let you set it down until next time. But fair warning: putting it down can be a challenge in itself.

Download Mekorama from the Play Store here.

Amazon Cloud Cam is the key to its unattended home delivery program

Why it matters to you

Amazon’s new security camera is an affordable way to keep an eye on your property.

Amazon has taken the wraps off its latest device, the Amazon Cloud Cam, a small, white, streaming security camera that has two-way audio communication, night vision, and 1080p HD resolution. It looks a lot like Google’s Nest Cam, and a number of other internet-connected security cameras that have hit the market in recent years.

But the Amazon Cloud Cam is significantly cheaper, at just $120 each (or $200 for a 2-pack, and $290 for a 3-pack), plus it’s designed to work seamlessly with all of Amazon’s Alexa-powered devices, including its video-enabled Echo Show and Echo Spot. You can ask Alexa to show you what the Cloud Cam is streaming on the devices, as well as on Amazon’s Fire TV, or Fire tablet.

Much like the Nest Cam, the Amazon Cloud Cam is designed to stream its video to the cloud for storage — there’s no on-board SD card or other storage — and there are several tiers of service, including a free level which includes 24 hours of recording, and the ability to connect (and get notifications from) up to three Cloud Cams. There’s also basic ($7/month), extended ($10/month), and pro ($20/month) options which gradually increase the length of the cloud recording time (up to 30 days), and the number of cameras supported (up to 10). All three paid price points include the ability to tell if an unrecognized — or unwanted — person appears in the footage, and to set up zones within the video frame to avoid unnecessary notifications.

Simply by offering a similar service to Nest Cam, at a fraction of the cost, Amazon will likely see strong demand for the Cloud Cam, but the company has greater ambitions for its streaming security cam: It’s the first device that’s designed to work with Amazon Key, an unattended home delivery service being offered exclusively to Amazon Prime members in select cities in the U.S. With Amazon Key, there are two main components: A smart lock, which gets installed on your front door, and the Cloud Cam. Amazon delivery personnel are able to drop off your packages inside your home via the smart lock, meanwhile, the Cloud Cam lets you verify that nothing bad happened during the process. Amazon is selling a Key In-Home Kit for $250, which includes a Cloud Cam and Kwikset smart lock.

The Amazon Cloud Cam is available for pre-order today, with deliveries starting on November 8, for U.S. customers only at this point.

Editor’s Recommendations

• TP-Link Kasa Cam KC-120 review
• Nest has a smart security system and video doorbell to complement its thermostat
• TP-Link Kasa Cam KC120 is an affordable smart camera with Amazon Echo Show
• All Alexa-enabled devices you can utilize with Amazon’s Echo lineup
• Nest Secure hands-on review

Peace of mind for parents: Sproutling Wearable Baby Monitor now available

Why it matters to you

Millennials are having babies now, and some of them may use apps to help figure this whole parenting thing out. The Sproutling Wearable Baby Monitor tracks your baby’s sleep patterns, sends you notifications to your smartphone when he or she wakes up, and more.

Baby-friendly wearable Sproutling originally came on the scene in 2014, but was never released for purchase. Last year, the company was acquired by Mattel and products were put through rigorous quality testing to line up with the toy manufacturer’s standards. As of Wednesday, the new tool to help manage baby’s sleep is now available through Fisher-Price.

Sproutling is a small wearable device that wraps around your baby’s ankle. The sensors on the wearable can determine if your baby is asleep or awake. By utilizing machine learning, it provides real-time insights into a baby’s sleep patterns. The washable strap is soft and gentle, so it won’t irritate the baby’s skin, and the sensor is covered in soft, red silicon.

The sensor can detect different measurements at the same time and send the data to your smartphone via the Sproutling app, which is available for iOS and Android. You’ll get push notifications when the baby wakes up, gets restless, or really needs attention. It’s also intended to help you gain insights into the way your baby sleeps, when he sleeps well, and if his sleeping patterns are irregular.

All of this data is then synthesized into an easy-to-understand analysis of your baby’s sleeping schedule. With the app, parents can also receive custom sleep reports after each night of sleep or nap, and can tailor the notifications sent to their phones. The Sproutling app also offers articles and tips from sleep experts.

It gives parents, especially first-timers or those who are especially anxious, valuable information about their baby, as well as peace of mind. You’ll get an alert sent to your phone if the baby rolls over while sleeping. along with a visual representation of the baby’s heart rate.

The wearable can be charged wirelessly on its own charging pad, and the battery should last up to three days on a single charge after continuous use. The wireless charging pad has other functions — it can be used as a night light and sound machine.

Sproutling ensures data streams are well-protected. Each wearable comes with a unique digitally signed token that’s used for authorization and security..

The Sproutling Wearable Baby Monitor comes equipped with a wearable sensor, smart charger, two bands — small and medium — along with a power cord and plug. It’s now available from Fisher-Price for $250.

Update: The Sproutling Wearable Baby Monitor is now available for purchase.

Editor’s Recommendations

• A wearable soap and a smart necklace win the UNICEF design challenge
• Infani smart baby monitor gives parents peace of mind, a little extra shut-eye
• Parenting is hard. These gadgets make it a little easier
• Teach your child how to sleep right with the new Suzy Snooze baby monitor
• Nokia Go review