‘DirecTV Now’ Offering Free 32GB Apple TV 4K When Signing Up for 4-Month Service at $140

With DirecTV Now’s latest offer, if you sign up for four months of the streaming TV service at an upfront cost of around $140, you’ll get the 32GB Apple TV 4K for free. DirecTV Now starts at $35/month for the “Live a Little” package, which adds up to $140 for four months of service (without any additions like HBO or Showtime). Higher tiers increase to $50/month, $60/month, and $70/month with more channels added to each.

If you opt for the lowest tier, you can get Apple’s latest Apple TV 4K device for just $140, which is $40 cheaper than its traditional price point of $180 at Apple and other retailers. If you take advantage of the savings and eventually decide you don’t want to continue paying for DirecTV Now, you can cancel the service at any time on the company’s website.

The sale is for new customers signing up to DirecTV Now, but existing subscribers can likely use another email and credit card combination to get the free Apple TV 4K. The offer will last through the end of 2017, requires a credit card or PayPal payment, and will see the Apple TV 4K delivered in around three weeks from the order date.

Here’s more of the fine print, which also mentions that DirecTV Now does not currently support 4K HDR content streaming:

4K Apple TV (32 GB): Must prepay first four months of service at full price. Non-refundable. Online orders will be shipped via FedEx ground to address provided at point of sale. Allow 2-3 weeks for delivery. Offer limited to 1 per DIRECTV NOW account; 2 per household. Not combinable with select offers. 4k HD not avail. w/DIRECTV NOW.

To get started, visit DirecTV Now’s website, click “Start your free trial now,” and on the fourth step of the sign-up process you’ll encounter the “Special Offer” section with mention of the Apple TV 4K deal. When you’re done, be sure to head over to our Deals Roundup and Black Friday Roundup to catch up on all of the latest sales as we head into Black Friday.

Related Roundups: Apple TV, Apple DealsTag: DirecTV NowBuyer’s Guide: Apple TV (Buy Now)
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Apple Discounts BeatsX, Solo3 Wireless, and Powerbeats3 Wireless by $40 to $60

Apple has discounted its BeatsX, Solo3 Wireless, and Powerbeats3 Wireless headphones by $40 to $60 for a limited time in the United States.

• BeatsX — $149.95, now $99.95
• Beats Solo3 Wireless — $299.95, now $239.95
• Beats Powerbeats3 Wireless — $199.95, now $159.95

Apple’s discount on Beats Solo3 Wireless headphones also applies to the newer “Neighborhood Collection” colors.

Apple’s BeatsX deal matches some other retailers, but Amazon and Best Buy each have better deals on the Powerbeats3 Wireless and Solo3 Wireless, with the products on sale for as low as $134.99 and $199.99 respectively.

Like AirPods, the BeatsX, Solo3 Wireless, and Powerbeats3 Wireless are equipped with Apple’s W1 chip for instant pairing with an iPhone. They can then simultaneously connect to an Apple Watch, iPad, and Mac via iCloud.

All three headphones feature Fast Fuel. Five minutes of charging provides up to three hours of playback for the Solo3 Wireless, two hours of playback for the BeatsX, and an hour of playback for the Powerbeats3 Wireless.

Apple’s special Beats prices are available in the United States only for a limited time.

Disclaimer: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Amazon and Best Buy and may get paid if you click one of the above links and make a purchase.

Related Roundup: Apple DealsTags: Beats, BeatsX
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Watch this human-sized robot perform a perfect backflip

Just a few months ago, Boston Dynamics’ Atlas robot was making a bit of a fool of itself, losing its way on stage in front of an expectant audience before tripping and landing in a heap.

Oh, how we laughed. “The robot apocalypse is a ways off,” we scoffed before taking another look at that hilarious compilation video where lots more robots make themselves look a bit silly.

But then Boston Dynamics posted another video on Thursday, November 16. And we’re not laughing anymore.

Titled, “What’s New, Atlas?” the one-minute sequence begins with the humanoid robot leaping with incredible ease onto a series of blocks of various heights. On the final platform, Atlas performs an impressive 180-degree turn before — and this is the chilling part — executing a spectacular and perfect backflip. Let’s say that again: A spectacular and perfect backflip.

It’s astonishing and horrifying in equal measure, for it now seems only step one away from performing bone-shattering karate kicks, and perhaps just two steps from the robot takeover that deep down we all fear.

The backflip is remarkable on so many levels, not least because Atlas stands at 5 feet 9 inches and weighs 180 pounds. Indeed, the sight of this robot leaping head over rump is certain to leave you wondering if there might be a diminutive Olympic gymnast pulling all the moves from right inside the metal contraption.

Boston Dynamics‘ team of engineers still has to perfect the flip, however, as the end of the video shows Atlas failing to nail it, with amusing consequences.

Still, it’s a remarkable accomplishment, and while we don’t yet see a use for a backflipping robot, the acrobatic leap highlights the technology’s extraordinary ability to achieve great agility, balance, and control. Atlas can already move with ease across a range of terrains using its built-in Lidar and stereo sensors, and even get back up by itself if it falls down, so it appears to be heading toward an endless range of applications.

Boston Dynamics’ new SpotOne

This latest video from Boston Dynamics comes just days after it posted another one highlighting the latest version of its dog-like SpotMini robot. It shows a super-agile machine bounding up to the camera before pausing to “look” into the lens with its head or stump or whatever you’d like to call it. The revamped SpotMini no longer sports the creepy retractable arm that allowed it to carry out a number of tasks, and we’re now waiting to learn more from Boston Dynamics about what plans it has for the robot.

As for Atlas, we dare not speculate as to what the Massachusetts-based team will have it doing next. But when the video shows up, just make sure you’re close to a sofa in case you need to hide behind it.

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The bezel-less Vivo V7 and its astonishing selfie camera breaks out of China

In the same month Xiaomi made its first major push into Europe, smartphone competitor Vivo has also made its first big move outside of China, by announcing the Vivo V7 for international release. But while Xiaomi is concentrating its plans on Spain, including building a retail store network there, Vivo has chosen Russia as its first new market, along with Taiwan, Singapore, and parts of Africa.

Vivo is a big player in China, and is frequently listed as one of the top five smartphone brands in the world, but its name isn’t as well-known internationally as Xiaomi, or even other Chinese phone brands making waves in Europe like Meizu. The Vivo V7 is its calling card, and its release comes just a short time after Vivo signed a $4 billion technical partnership with Qualcomm, where it will share patents and work on emerging mobile tech, such as 5G, together. Vivo means business, and more international releases are expected in 2018.

Why should we pay attention? Let’s look at the Vivo V7. It’s a sister device to the V7+, and embraces that most fashionable 2017 phone trend, the full screen display. It measures 5.7 inches and takes up 83 percent of the front panel, emphasizing the slim bezels at the top and bottom of the device. The resolution is a disappointing 1440 x 720 pixels, though, which seems very low for a modern smartphone. The Vivo V7+ is slightly larger with a 6-inch screen, but is otherwise identical.

The other big feature is a 24-megapixel selfie camera with a portrait mode, a comprehensive beauty mode, HDR, and a soft light flash. Vivo has long sold its phones on the basis of taking great selfies. It also operates the V7’s face unlock system. The V7’s selfie camera has a higher pixel count than the 16-megapixel rear camera, which can also take portrait-style shots using its single lens.

The V7 has an unnamed Qualcomm Snapdragon octa-core processor with 4GB of RAM, 32GB of memory, and a MicroSD card slot. There is a fingerprint sensor on the back of the phone, which comes in either black or gold colors. Android 7.1 Nougat is the operating system, with Google Play and other Google services, but with Vivo’s own user interface over the top. It’s called Funtouch, and it’s not familiar to us. Expect it to deviate from stock Android considerably though.

Around $300 will secure a Vivo V7 if you use an importer to get one; but beware, it’s not configured for networks in the United States, therefore may not connect to the fastest 4G signal.

Vivo is an interesting company, and has close ties to both Oppo and OnePlus. It has recently shown off a working version of an in-display ultrasonic fingerprint sensor — something Apple and Samsung both failed to integrate into its 2017 phones — with Qualcomm, which combined with the new partnership, highlights why we think it’s potentially one to watch in the future.

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• Beautiful blue Xiaomi Mi Note 3 has an iPhone-challenging dual-lens camera
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• Huawei Mate 10 Pro vs. Google Pixel 2 XL: Can Huawei top the Android powerhouse?
• OnePlus 5 vs. OnePlus 5T: Is it worth making the upgrade?

OnePlus 5T is coming to India on Nov 21 for ₹32,999 — the same price as the OnePlus 5

The OnePlus 5T will launch at the same price point as its predecessor in India.

India is a key market for OnePlus, and the company is looking to stay competitive in the mid-range segment with the OnePlus 5T. The phone will make its debut in the country starting November 21 via an early access sale on Amazon India, with general availability kicking off from November 28. Crucially, the OnePlus 5T will debut at the same price point as the OnePlus 5: the 64GB variant will retail for ₹32,999 ($507), whereas the 128GB edition will cost ₹37,999 ($585).

The OnePlus 5T features an 18:9 6-inch Optic AMOLED display with a resolution of 2160 x 1080 (FHD+), and OnePlus switched out the secondary telephoto lens from the OnePlus 5 and introduced a sensor that focuses on low-light performance. The fingerprint sensor has also been moved to the rear of the device to accommodate the all-screen display.

Otherwise, the phone has specs similar to that of the OnePlus 5: a Snapdragon 835, 6GB or 8GB of RAM, 64GB or 128GB of internal storage, 16MP + 20MP dual cameras at the back,16MP front camera, Wi-Fi ac 2×2 MIMO, Bluetooth 5.0, aptX HD, and a 3300mAh battery with Dash Charge. The phone will be sold in a single Midnight Black color option.

With the introduction of the OnePlus 5, we could see a price cut on the OnePlus 5 in the coming weeks. According to a recent IDC survey, OnePlus devices account for 28% of the market share in the premium smartphone segment in India (phones worth over $400), with the company noting a sizeable bump from the 12% recorded in Q1 2017.

The OnePlus 5 alone managed to carve out a 24.75% share in the premium smartphone category, and a price cut would make the device a much more enticing option for buyers.

As for the OnePlus 5T, you’ll be able to get your hands on the device starting 4:30 p.m. IST on November 21. The first sale is limited to Prime members, but the open sale will kick off on November 28, the same day as the U.S. launch. Head to Amazon from the link below to register your interest.

See at Amazon

Amazon kid-friendly tablets are on sale right now, starting from £69.99

Keep the little ones entertained with their very own tablet, specifically tailored to providing content to a younger audience.

Kids are massive fans of technology, providing them countless hours of entertainment. While handing the little ones your phone or personal tablet can be a way of keeping them occupied for an hour or two, it’s not the best solution. This is where Amazon’s Kid series of tablets come into play, offering a more restrictive experience in a more kid-friendly format.

For the next handful of days, you’ll be able to pick up the Fire 7 and Fire HD 8 tablets for £69.99 and £89.99, respectively.

As well as offering a two-year guarantee, Amazon packs a whole heap of features into these tablets, including parental controls, memory card storage expansion, and one year of Fire for Kids Unlimited. This unlocks content for the youngling, depending on their age and interests.

See Fire 7 at Amazon See Fire HD 8 at Amazon

‘Connected’ cars are hitting UK roads for the first time

Slowly, the UK government is realising its dream of making the nation a self-driving research hub. UK Autodrive, a publicly funded consortium that includes Jaguar Land Rover, Ford and TATA Motors, has announced a new set of trials in Coventry today. They will focus on self-driving cars and vehicles that can instantly share information with other motorists and city infrastructure. Researchers will be testing a signal, for instance, that can be sent out by the emergency services — ambulances, fire trucks and police cars — to nearby drivers, advising them when and where to move aside.

Other test features include a warning signal for intersections deemed too unsafe to cross, in-car information about accidents and traffic jams (negating the need for signs on bridges) and an alert system when a driver in front suddenly hits the brakes (the idea being that this can be hard to spot in rain and fog). UK Autodrive is also looking at connected traffic lights that could help self-driving vehicles optimise their speed, avoid red lights and reduce road congestion. The team’s autonomous vehicles are tied to a half-mile route in the city centre, while a second group focused entirely on “connected” features prowl a longer six-mile course.

The self-driving cars will have a backup driver in case of an emergency. The test routes are small, but it’s still rare for driverless vehicles to be out on public roads. Most are kept to test tracks or pedestrianised spaces. Milton Keynes, for instance, has been trialing the Lutz Pathfinder pod as a potential form of public transportation. A larger, four-person shuttle was tested at the Greenwich Peninsula, while a self-driving van delivered groceries in a quiet neighbourhood near Woolwich Arsenal station. There have been exceptions, however, such as the Nissan Leaf in east London.

The trials aren’t as glitzy as those being conducted by Waymo — the self-driving division of Alphabet — Uber or Tesla. But they add to an already broad package of self-driving research projects in the UK. If the results are positive, they could attract the attention and investment of Silicon Valley’s finest. That would give Britain a pivotal role in what many consider to be the next step-change in transportation. It could also serve the interests of Dyson, the British vacuum cleaner, hairdryer and hand dryer producer, which confirmed a couple of months ago that it’s building an electric car.

The Morning After: Friday, November 17th 2017

Friday is here — you made it. Over the last 24 hours, Tesla revealed a new prototype Roadster with a ridiculous spec sheet. Oh, and the company showed off its new all-electric big rig. Meanwhile, OnePlus announced its latest smartphone, the 5T, which looks much pricier than it is.

Surprise!
Tesla’s new Roadster will be the fastest production car ever – in 2020

At last night’s big Semi event, Elon Musk and Tesla had a special surprise, a prototype of the company’s next Roadster. A follow-up to its original EV, the new car is a four-seater with a removable roof, a 200kWh battery capable of going 620 miles, and incredible performance specs. With a claimed 0 – 60 MPH time of 1.9 seconds, 8.9 second quarter mile and top speed of over 250 MPH, Musk claims it will be the fastest production car ever. The only problem? It’s not coming out until 2020, and getting in line for a pre-order will cost $50k of the $200,000 base price, or $250,000 up front for a limited “Founders Edition” model.

Keep on truckin’.
Meet the Tesla Semi

Tesla also showed off its Semi, an all-electric big rig with a 500 mile range, plus Enhanced Autopilot technology. Inside, a pair of Model 3 displays inform the driver of what’s going on, while its four independent motors are powerful enough for a 0 – 60 time of 5 seconds when empty, and 20 seconds while hauling 80,000 pounds of cargo. It’s supposed to start production in 2019.

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Nintendo’s hybrid console isn’t quite a year old, but it can already claim two of 2017’s best games in its line-up. Barring Mario and Link, what else is worth playing?

A stronger hinge and a stronger offering.
Surface Book 2 review: Microsoft gets closer to the ‘ultimate laptop’

The Surface Book 2 is one of the most powerful and well-designed Windows laptops on the market. And thanks to its improved hinge, it doesn’t feel any different than a traditional notebook. It’s the best MacBook Pro competitor we’ve seen yet. Check out our full review.

Spend a bit more, get more.
Hands-on: OnePlus 5T’s fancy screen and upgraded dual cameras cost $499

The OnePlus 5T is official — and it’s at once everything you expected and a bit more. The centerpiece, as you’ve no doubt guessed, is the 6-inch, 2,160 x 1,080 AMOLED display — and that sub-$500 price. The fingerprint reader is now on the back as a result of the taller screen, but it means a larger canvas for your apps and videos in a device that’s roughly the same size as its predecessor. Compared to the not-that-old OnePlus 5, we’re getting a device that looks decidedly more modern — we’ve already taken it for an early spin.

It will be one of the Extremely Large Telescope’s most interesting subjects.
Neighboring exoplanet could be one of the most habitable

A team of astronomers have discovered an Earth-like exoplanet that’s only 11 light-years away and is one of the most potentially habitable celestial bodies we’ve ever come across. Ross 128 b’s star doesn’t emit as much solar flare as the Proxima Centauri, so it’s not as exposed to deadly ultraviolet and X-ray radiation that destroy life. In addition, it could still have an atmosphere to support life, since its slow rotation and weak magnetic activity means its atmosphere isn’t likely to erode that quickly.

It could be the end for several popular add-ons Hollywood strikes back against illegal streaming Kodi add-ons

An anti-piracy alliance supported by many major US and UK movie studios, broadcasters and content providers has dealt a blow to the third-party Kodi add-on scene after it successfully forced a number of popular piracy-linked streaming tools offline. In what appears to be a coordinated crackdown, developers including jsergio123 and The_Alpha, who are responsible for the development and hosting of add-ons like urlresolver, metahandler, Bennu, DeathStreams and Sportie, confirmed that they will no longer maintain their Kodi creations and have immediately shut them down.

But wait, there’s more…

• Amazon Key flaw could let a courier disable your Cloud Cam
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Netflix outbids Disney for superhero movie starring Daisy Ridley

There’s no shortage of superheroes on Netflix, yet it’s found room for a subversive spin on Hollywood’s favourite genre, courtesy of Josh Gad. The streaming giant outbid Disney to nab the film, dubbed Super-Normal, according to The Hollywood Reporter. The character-driven flick will also star Daisy Ridley (who’s back in the saddle as Rey for Star Wars: The Last Jedi) and Gad’s Beauty and the Beast co-star Luke Evans. The script comes from the writing duo behind animated hit Moana (another Disney connection), with Gad in the production chair alongside It producer Dan Lin — who’s also involved in Netflix’s Death Note.

Those hankering for super-charged Netflix action right away can fire up Marvel’s The Defenders (or the squad’s solo shows: Jessica Jones, Luke Cage, Daredevil, and Iron Fist). The grimmer exploits of Marvel’s The Punisher also arrive today. While the dysfunctional adventures of Dark Horse Comics’ property The Umbrella Academy are in the pipeline. As if that wasn’t enough, there’s also Raising Dion: A show about a super-kid’s mom — because Netflix heroes don’t wear capes.

Via: The Hollywood Reporter

Spotify App Updated With Support for iPhone X Displays

Spotify updated its iOS app today with support for iPhone X, exactly two weeks since Apple’s latest smartphone launched. The update removes the letterboxing of Spotify’s interface on the iPhone X’s 5.8-inch OLED display, which should come as welcome news to heavy users of the app, allowing them to see more of track lists and search results on the screen, and more artwork when browsing albums and playlists.

“Stranger Things Mode” before (left) and after Spotify iPhone X update
The music streaming service is unusually late to the game on this front, with many top App Store apps already having updated their interfaces for the iPhone’s 1,125 × 2,436 resolution display, which results in roughly 20 percent additional vertical space for content compared to the 4.7-inch displays of the iPhone 6, 7, and 8.

Apple was naturally quick to publish human interface guidelines for developers coding iPhone X apps. The documentation explains the changes that need to be made to ensure apps make the most of the additional space. At the same time, the guidance warns developers away from encroaching on certain areas of the screen, including the rounded corners, sensor housing, and indicator for accessing the Home screen.

Spotify is a free download for iPhone and iPad available on the App Store. [Direct Link]

Related Roundup: iPhone XTag: SpotifyBuyer’s Guide: iPhone X (Buy Now)
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