Google Home speakers now double as house intercoms

Amazon isn’t the only one turning smart speakers into intercoms. Google is pushing an Assistant upgrade that lets you broadcast your voice to every Home speaker in your house using either another speaker or your phone. If you need to gather the household, you just have to say “OK Google, broadcast” and whatever you want to deliver. It’ll even ring a dinner bell if you say “it’s dinner time.” And you don’t have to be at home, either — you can tell the family you’re on your way without having to make a phone call or send a text message.

The intercom feature works on all devices signed into the same Google account. You can use it today if you’re in a predominantly English-speaking country (Australia, Canada, the UK or the US), but more languages are coming soon. Is Google a little late to the party when Amazon has had an equivalent for months? Probably, but we won’t knock the addition. It’s one of the most obvious uses for a smart speaker, and it’ll be a relief to anyone who’s tired of marching around the house or shouting themselves hoarse.

Source: Google

Amazon confirms a ‘Lord of the Rings’ TV series is in the works

There have been rumors that Amazon is working on a Lord of the Rings TV series in its quest to find the next Game of Thrones, and now there’s confirmation. Amazon announced today that it has acquired the global TV rights to The Lord of the Rings. Amazon Studios will produce a multiseason television series in cooperation with New Line Cinema, the Tolkien estate and HarperCollins.

It’s important to note that this series “will explore new storylines preceding J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Fellowship of the Ring,” rather than re-tell the stories depicted onscreen in Peter Jackson’s trilogy. The deal, which commits to multiple seasons for the show, also includes a possible spin-off series. Given the popularity of Lord of the Rings as a franchise (we’ll just pretend that the endless The Hobbit movies don’t exist), the rumors of Amazon prepping a free ad-supported video service couldn’t come at a better time.

Source: Amazon

KGI: Apple to Launch 6.5-Inch ‘iPhone X Plus’ and Lower-Priced 6.1-Inch Full-Screen LCD Model Next Year

Apple will launch a trio of new iPhone models in 2018, including 5.8-inch and 6.5-inch models with OLED displays and a 6.1-inch model with an LCD display, according to respected KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.

Kuo believes all three models will be equipped with a full-screen notched design and TrueDepth camera system like the iPhone X.

Kuo expects the 5.8-inch model to have 458 pixels per inch, suggesting the second-generation iPhone X’s display will likely continue to have a resolution of 1,125×2,436. He said the 6.5-inch model will have roughly 480 to 500 PPI, while the 6.1-inch model is estimated to have between 320 and 330 PPI.

In his latest research note, obtained by MacRumors, Kuo said the 6.1-inch model will have a lower-resolution LCD display and target the low-end and mid-range markets with an estimated $649 to $749 starting price in the United States.

Two new OLED models target high-end market; new TFT-LCD model aims at low-end & midrange markets: We believe the major hardware difference in the two new OLED models is size, in a bid to satisfy various needs of the high-end market. The new TFT-LCD model will differ significantly from the OLED models in hardware and design specs (for instance, the PPI will be lower). The primary selling points of the TFT-LCD model may be the innovative user experience of an integrated full-screen design and 3D sensing with a lower price tag (we expect it will likely be US$649-749).

His research note didn’t outline any pricing estimates for the next 5.8-inch iPhone X, which currently starts at $999, or the all-new 6.5-inch model.

If accurate, next year’s new iPhone lineup would consist of the second-gen iPhone X with the same size screen, a larger 6.5-inch version that we’re tentatively calling the iPhone X Plus, and a mid-range 6.1-inch LCD model that adopts an iPhone X form factor and features but with a cheaper price point.

Kuo is upbeat on the shipments momentum of all three new iPhone models, and expects them to launch without any delays in 2018, given Apple’s supply chain will be well experienced with iPhone X production by next year.

While he doesn’t have an absolutely perfect track record, Kuo often relays accurate information from his sources within Apple’s supply chain. Ahead of the iPhone X, he accurately detailed its 5.8-inch display, glass and stainless steel design, lack of Touch ID, 3D sensing, and several other features.

We’ve also already heard a few rumors about a 6.46-inch iPhone launching next year, so iPhone X Plus rumor season is well underway.

Tags: KGI Securities, Ming-Chi Kuo
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Apple Seeds Third Beta of iOS 11.2 to Developers

Apple today seeded the third beta of an upcoming iOS 11.2 update to developers, one week after releasing the second iOS 11.2 beta and two weeks after releasing the iOS 11.1 update.

Registered developers can download the new iOS 11.2 beta from Apple’s Developer Center or over-the-air once the proper configuration profile has been installed from the Developer Center.

iOS 11.2 introduces Apple Pay Cash, Apple’s new peer-to-peer payments service. Apple Pay Cash works through the Messages app and is designed to allow for quick person-to-person money transfers. It’s available as a dedicated iMessage app in Messages, with cash transferred through the app.

Cash can be sent from a linked debit or credit card, while received cash is stored in an Apple Pay Cash card in Wallet that can be used for purchases or sent to a bank account.

The iOS 11.2 update also addresses an animation bug in the Calculator app that caused some numbers and symbols to be ignored when entered in rapid succession. The update removes the animations from the calculator app so calculations can be done quickly with no need to pause between entering numbers to obtain the correct result.

It also addresses an autocorrect bug plaguing many people. The bug autocorrects the letter “i” to “A[?].” Apple has recommended a temporary workaround in the form of a Text Replacement, but the problem will be fixed for good once iOS 11.2 is released.

In addition to these bug fixes, iOS 11.2 introduces a new Now Playing option for controlling content on the Apple TV in Control Center, redesigned camera emoji, a new loading animation for Live Photos effects, and new Live wallpapers for the iPhone X, plus it adds a feature that lets developers offer new customers discounted introductory pricing for auto-renewable subscriptions on the App Store.

Related Roundup: iOS 11
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Apple Seeds Third Beta of watchOS 4.2 to Developers

Apple today seeded the third beta of an upcoming watchOS 4.2 update to developers for testing purposes, one week after releasing the second watchOS 4.2 beta and two weeks after releasing the watchOS 4.1 update.

Once the proper configuration profile has been installed from the Apple Developer Center, the new watchOS 4.2 beta can be downloaded through the dedicated Apple Watch app on the iPhone by going to General –> Software update.

To install the update, the Apple Watch needs to have at least 50 percent battery, it must be placed on the charger, and it has to be in range of the iPhone.

watchOS 4.2 brings support for Apple Pay Cash, Apple’s new peer-to-peer payment service that is designed to let users send money to one another. Apple Pay Cash can be used to send and receive money through the Messages app on the Apple Watch.

Aside from Apple Pay Cash, watchOS 4.2 appears to focus primarily on under-the-hood bug fixes and security updates.

Related Roundups: Apple Watch, watchOS 4Buyer’s Guide: Apple Watch (Buy Now)
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Apple Seeds Third Beta of tvOS 11.2 to Developers

Apple today seeded the third beta of an upcoming tvOS 11.2 update to developers for testing purposes, one week after seeding the second tvOS 11.2 update and two weeks after the launch of the tvOS 11.1.

Designed for the fourth and fifth-generation Apple TV models, the tvOS 11.2 developer beta can be downloaded onto the Apple TV via a profile that’s installed using Xcode.

According to Apple’s release notes, the tvOS 11.2 update enables a new AVDisplayManager feature for developers, designed to allow the device to automatically switch video display modes to match the native frame rate and dynamic range of video content.

The update includes support for switching the Apple TV 4K display output to SDR for apps that are GPU-bound when running in HDR and it re-introduces the Unwatched category in Home Sharing for Movies, TV Shows, and Home Videos.

Apple says tvOS 11.2 also adds new features, bug fixes, and security improvements to the tvOS operating system.

Related Roundup: Apple TVBuyer’s Guide: Apple TV (Buy Now)
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Apple Seeds Third macOS High Sierra 10.13.2 Beta to Developers

Apple today seeded the third beta of an upcoming macOS High Sierra 10.13.2 update to developers, one week after seeding the second beta and two weeks after releasing the macOS High Sierra 10.13.1 update.

The new macOS High Sierra 10.13.2 beta can be downloaded from the Apple Developer Center or through the Software Update mechanism in the Mac App Store with the proper profile installed.

It’s not yet clear what improvements the second major update to macOS High Sierra will bring, but it’s likely to include bug fixes and performance improvements for issues that weren’t addressed in macOS High Sierra 10.13.1.

No significant new features were discovered in the first two betas of macOS High Sierra 10.13.2, but we’ll update this post should notable changes be found in the third beta.

The previous update, 10.13.1, introduced fixes for some serious security flaws and brought new emoji to the macOS operating system.

Related Roundup: macOS High Sierra
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Here’s why I think Nokia 8 is the top choice for a mid-range flagship smartphone

When HMD Global announced its first lineup of Nokia smartphones at the Mobile World Congress earlier this year, the budget devices – Nokia 3, Nokia 5, and Nokia 6 – were underwhelming. Some of them were fine devices, but they were only a timid representation of what the Nokia brand was.

And then came the Nokia 8, the company’s flagship smartphone that we all deserved, and needed.

The Nokia 8 doesn’t attempt to dazzle you with any design shenanigans. Instead, it goes for a safe, minimalist design – some may even call it boring. The design aesthetics of the Nokia 8 are divisive, but I’m in the camp that really likes the clean, refined look. It has a definite Scandinavian, or maybe that’s just our Nokia hangover, feel to it.

Not every smartphone needs to break new ground in terms of design – Mi MIX 2 does that quite well, OnePlus 5 doesn’t even bother – but an understated elegance with solid build quality and brilliant ergonomics can in no way not impress a lot of discerning users.

Carved out of a single block of series 6000 aluminum, the Nokia 8 offers a slim 7.9 mm chassis with rounded sides and curved edges which makes it a delight to hold. HMD Global seems to continue the legacy of solid construction of Nokia devices, and the Nokia 8 too gives you that assurance when you grip it.

While the world has moved on to bezel-less displays with 18:9 aspect ratio, Nokia 8 once again plays safe with a 5.3-inch Quad HD (2560 x 1440) IPS LCD screen. While it doesn’t aim to stand out from the crowd, it delivers one of the best displays out there, despite not being an AMOLED panel.

Once again, the display on the Nokia 8 is a testimonial of the fact that if basics are done right, sometimes the result is more impressive than what eclectic experiments yield. The display boasts of accurate color reproduction and is quite vivid. The text and images are sharp, and the viewing angles are on point with no color shift even at extreme angles. The brightness of the display is impressive, and at 700 nits, sunlight viewing is great. There’s also Gorilla Glass 5 for scratch protection.

While the display is one of the highlights of the Nokia 8 and watching videos or gaming on it is a treat, the significant bezels on the left and right and above and below the screen make it look dated. It enables practical ergonomics, but form over function or vice versa is a subjective debate and a matter of individual preference.

Powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 processor paired with 4 GB of RAM, Nokia 8 delivers snappy performance across the board. It also indicates how 6 GB or 8 GB of RAM is mostly an overkill if the hardware is optimized well to deliver fast and fluid Android experience.

Nokia 8 can easily take anything thrown at it with aplomb – be it everyday multitasking or hardcore graphic-intensive gaming sessions. Even after a month of extensive use, there has been no stuttering or lags while navigating through the UI.

One of the reasons behind that smooth performance is also that Nokia 8 runs on stock Android 7.1.1 Nougat out of the box with no bloatware or unnecessary gimmicks. HMD Global has promised monthly security updates for its entire lineup of devices, as well as an upgrade to Android 8.0 Oreo by the end of the year.

The 3,090 mAh battery on the Nokia 8 is just good enough on the specifications sheet, but in real-world usage, it manages to squeeze in extra juice than what one would expect. Even on heavy usage, the phone consistently offers a full day of battery life, if not more. Then there’s also support for Quick Charge 3.0 for fast charging.

The company claims that the Nokia 8 packs in an elaborate heat management solution with a copper pipe running from the upper right corner of the device to the lower left. It is filled with liquid that evaporates in the middle and condenses when it is carried to the edges, and this continuous cycle carries heat away from the main components. There’s also a graphite layer that transfers the heat to the aluminum body uniformly, thereby getting a larger surface area to dissipate the heat.

There’s no way to see how that works, except take the company’s word and infer from the evidence that the Nokia 8 never gets warm even after long gaming sessions or extended use of Google Maps for navigation in a long commute.

Nokia’s association with Carl ZEISS has given us some iconic smartphones that made the company an absolute leader in smartphone imaging. HMD Global wants to emulate that success and has again partnered with Carl ZEISS to power the optics on the Nokia 8 – both front and back.

Imaging is also the only department where the Nokia 8 keeps up with the latest trend – that of dual cameras. The rear camera setup includes a 13 MP RGB sensor with optical image stabilization and a 13 MP monochrome sensor, along with a dual-LED flash. The secondary sensor allows capturing images with depth of field effects and improves low light photography.

In good lighting conditions, Nokia 8 manages to capture sharp images with no noise. The colors are natural, contrast is on point, and there’s good amount of details. In low light, some amount of noise creeps it although the details are still sufficient. It’s no Pixel in low light, but a pretty good and reliable camera for the price. There are few issues like the shutter lag, but none that cannot be taken care of with a software update down the line.

On its own, the monochrome sensor can take some great black and white shots with striking contrast and details, especially in daylight.

The 13 MP front camera with f/2.0 aperture on the Nokia 8 is an unexpected highlight, and clearly best in class. You’d manage to click some great selfies with accurate color reproduction.

That brings us to the highlight of the Nokia 8 – Bothie. The bizarre naming aside, it’s actually a nifty feature. Like many, I was quite dismissive of it initially – especially because of the awkward name but warmed up to it once I started using the Nokia 8.

Technically called Dual-Sight mode (a fine name, this), the feature allows you to use the front and rear camera at the same time in a split screen view. It’s interesting to click photos of your pets or kids and capturing your reactions while doing so at the same time. You can also record and stream (on YouTube and Facebook) videos in similar scenarios or when you’re recording yourself letting your hair down at a concert or doing an interview with someone across the table. As the marketing pitch correctly points out, sometimes it makes for a better capture than a selfie. Sometimes. Like selfies.

Nokia 8 allows you to record videos (up to 4K) with Nokia OZO spatial 360° audio technology that records surround sound via its three high dynamic range microphones. I’m not an audiophile to judge the specifics, but it does offer an excellent immersive audio experience.

While Nokia 8 claims to runs ‘pure Android’, it is near-stock because of the customizations of the Camera app to accommodate the dual camera setup. The app is set to capture photos in ‘Twin’ mode by default which you can change to ‘Color’ or ‘Mono’ if you so desire.

Overall, the Nokia 8 is a well-rounded package with top-notch performance, an understated elegance, and a darn good camera. All that at the price of a mid-range flagship where it competes with the likes of Xiaomi Mi MIX 2, OnePlus 5, and Honor 8 Pro – each one with more than one standout features. Yet, it is the only one in the segment that offers pure and up-to-date Android experience.

At ₹36,999 ($565) in India, Nokia is a reliable smartphone that you can’t go wrong with. It doesn’t dazzle you, and some would say that HMD Global has played too safe with no unique differentiation. Yet, with all those phones on my table, I picked the Nokia 8 to use as my primary device well beyond the review period. It’s a balanced amalgamation of form and function.

Nokia 8 is a device that fans of the Finnish brand of the past had asked for. It is just the right device for a discerning professional who wants a solid smartphone that just works. Nokia 8 is not cutting-edge but does everything right.

Heat up the oven! Here’s how to enable cookies in your favorite web browser

Due to concerns over privacy, cookies have garnered something of a maligned reputation. While it’s true that they can sometimes be used to for more nefarious activities such as tracking your internet behavior, cookies themselves aren’t the problem.

In fact, cookies are an important part of surfing the world wide web, serving as local data banks created by the web browser for each website you visit. Most sites can’t function without them, as cookies store various information for a personalized experience, including basic user identification, shopping cart contents, products you viewed, and more. Considering that 95 percent of websites use cookies in some way, you really can’t enjoy the digital highways without munching on a few. Here’s how to enable cookies in the latest popular browsers so you’re not surfing a broken internet.

First, we’ll start with the Microsoft browsers, Edge (which has a new mobile version, too), and Internet Explorer. After that, we dig into Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, the Opera desktop browser, and Apple’s Safari for MacOS.

Now let’s fire up the oven!

Microsoft Edge

Path: Settings and more > Settings > Advanced settings > Cookies

Locate and click on the Settings and more button in the top-right corner designated with three dots.
Select Settings at the bottom of the roll-out menu.
Click the View advanced settings button listed under Advanced settings towards the bottom of the Settings panel.
Scroll all the way down the Advanced settings roll-out menu until you see Cookies.
Make sure the drop-down menu reads Don’t block cookies.
BAM! You’re done. Here you can also block all cookies, or just cookies planted by external websites.

Internet Explorer

Path: Tools > Internet Options > Privacy > Advanced Privacy Settings

Locate and click on the Tools button in the top-right corner designated with a gear icon.
Select Internet Options in the drop-down menu.
The Internet Options pop-up window will appear. Click on this panel’s Privacy tab.

On the new Privacy panel, click on the Advanced button listed under Settings.
The Advanced Privacy Settings pop-up window appears. Choose Accept under First-party Cookies. There are also options to enable/disable third-party cookies, and to accept all cookies no matter the source.

Google Chrome

Path: Customize and control Google Chrome > Settings > Advanced > Content Settings > Cookies

Locate and click on the Customize and control Google Chrome button in the top-right corner designated with three stacked dots.
Select Settings in the drop-down menu.
On the new Settings tab, scroll down to Advanced and click on the link.
In the expanded Advanced section, click on Content Settings listed under Privacy and security.
Locate and click on the Cookies link listed directly under the Content settings label.
Make sure Allow sites to save and read cookie data (recommended) is toggled on. You also have options to trash cookies when the browser is closed, and blocking third-party cookies.

Mozilla Firefox

Path: Menu > Options > Privacy > History

Locate and click on the Menu button located in the top-right corner designated with three stacked lines.
In the drop-down menu, click on the Options button.
A new Options tab appears in the browser. Select Privacy in the menu on the left.
On the new Privacy panel, make sure Accept cookies from sites is checked. Here you can also determine when cookies expire, block third-party cookies, and block cookies from specific sites.

Opera Browser

Path: Customize and control Opera > Settings > Privacy & security > Cookies

Locate and click on the Opera logo located in the top-left corner labeled as Customize and control Opera.
In the drop-down menu, click on the Settings link.
A new Settings tab will appear within the browser. Select Privacy & security listed on the menu to the left.
On the new panel, scroll down to Cookies and make sure Allow local data to be set (recommended) is selected with a blue-white dot. You can also make Opera delete cookies when exiting, block third-party cookies, and more.

Finally, there’s nothing wrong with a little fruit in your cookies!

Apple Safari

Path: Safari > Preferences > Privacy > Cookies and website data

Locate and click on Safari in the toolbar at the top.
In the drop-down menu, click on the Preferences link.
On the Preferences page, click on the Privacy button located on the toolbar.
Locate the Cookies and website data option, and make sure that Block all cookies is unchecked.
As an optional step, you can click on Manage Website Data to manually choose which sites you want to delete cookies from.

This concludes our cookie-baking session. Please close all ovens, and repeat the process if you want to delete or block cookies in your favorite browser.

Turn your PC into a work of art with the Cryorig Taku ITX case

The Cryorig Taku is not your average desktop chassis. It combines a functional internal layout with a unique aesthetic design which lets you place it front and center on your desk without it dominating the tabletop. Its clean silver paint job and furniture-like legs make it a fashionable addition to your study, while supporting your monitor at a natural reading height.

Long gone are the days where desktop users had to set aside a sizeable footprint for a full ATX chassis on, or under, their desk. Today, smaller standards are readily available and the Cryorig Taku is an extension of that small form-factor movement. What it does a little differently than most though, is blend in well with contemporary furniture and serve a dual purpose. The Taku is equal parts PC and monitor stand in one.

It’s not an all-in-one, but the Taku is about as close as you can get with a dedicated desktop system that isn’t built into the back of your monitor. It supports itself on four short wooden legs and, in turn, supports the display above it.

Co-developed by Cryorig and Lian Li, the ITX chassis comes in silver with handcrafted wooden legs. Its layout is clean and features just a single power button on the front, with a pair of USB 3.0 ports on the right-hand side, alongside headphone and microphone jacks — everything else is reserved for the rear. The top and back feature perforated grilles to aid airflow in the compact interior, but that doesn’t mean you can’t pack in some typical desktop hardware.

You’ll be restricted to a mini-ITX motherboard, but this case can still pack a full-sized graphics card, according to Anandtech. Don’t expect to fit the ones with the biggest coolers, nor pack in a secondary card, but even fitting a full-size graphics processor in there is no mean feat. It can also take a single 3.5-inch storage drive and a pair of 2.5-inch drives. System cooling is handled by a single 92mm fan at the rear.

Made entirely of anodized aluminum, the Cryorig Taku weighs in at just 5.2 kilograms (12 pounds) and can support a monitor weighing up to 15kg (33 pounds).

The Cryorig Taku is slated to go on sale in the U.S. at the start of December, though those who pre-order or were part of the original Kickstarter campaign will have priority. The price tag is set at $300.

If that’s a little rich for your blood, try one of these top PC cases out for size.