Netgear’s smart security light alerts you of unwanted guests

Netgear is taking another stride into smart home security under its Arlo banner. The company has already released a bunch of comprehensive surveillance cameras, and its latest piece of connected hardware is a wireless, outdoor security light. Like smart bulbs before it, the light hooks up to a mobile app to let you customize its color and brightness. But, you probably won’t be using it to set the mood for a dinner party. Instead, it will ping you when it detects motion, and automatically turn on in the process. Thankfully, you’ll be able to tinker with its sensors on your smartphone, so it doesn’t blink every time a pet runs by.

There’s even the option to switch to red light mode, which should scare the wits out of unwanted guests. And, if you own Arlo’s existing cameras, you can sync them with the smart light to create a smart home security network. That way, they can be set-up to trigger recordings, switch on additional lights, and IFTTT-enabled smart locks — turning your home into an impenetrable smart fortress. The IFTTT tag (which is basically a connective system for web-facing services) also means the light works with Amazon’s Echo speakers and Google Home.

There’s no word on the Arlo Security Light’s price, so we can’t say for sure whether it’s more affordable than its closest rivals: The $200 Wink security bundle and the $249 Ring Floodlight Cam. But, you will have to fork out an extra $80 for a separate solar panel if you don’t want to rely on the rechargeable batteries that come out of the box.

The Arlo Security Light will arrive in the US in the first half of 2018.

Chrome will soon prevent irritating, unwanted website redirects

Today, Google announced some tweaks coming to Chrome that are aimed at blocking surprise website redirects and irritating pop-ups. In a blog post, Google said that around one out of every five feedback reports regarding Chrome mentions users being directed toward unwanted content and so it’s working to address those issues in upcoming Chrome releases.

In Chrome 64, Google will automatically prevent webpages from unexpectedly navigating to a new page, which Google says is often due to third-party content embedded in the original page and often not intended by the page’s author. Chrome will now block those redirect attempts and will show that a redirect was attempted and prevented in an infobar, an example of which you can see in the image below.

Another problem that Chrome users often complain about is when clicking a new link not only opens a new tab but also causes the original page to navigate to a different, unintended webpage. Google says this is a circumvention of Chrome’s pop-up blocker and with Chrome 65, those unwanted redirections in the main tab will be blocked and an alert notifying users of such will show up in an infobar.

Finally, Google is also tackling more aggressive redirects, such as play buttons that actually send users to a new page and transparent overlays on websites that result in lots of pop-ups or new tabs when a user clicks anywhere on the page. Chrome’s pop-up blocker will start to prevent those things from happening in early January.

Google is also working on a few other features that will make web browsing less irritating. For example, with Chrome 64, Google’s browser will no longer autoplay videos that have sound. And future Chrome versions will also block ads that are overly annoying or intrusive. Chrome 64 is currently in pre-beta testing and is expected out early next year.

Images: Google

Source: Google

Pokémon Go Developer Niantic’s Next Augmented Reality Smartphone Game Will Be Harry Potter Themed

Following the success of Pokémon Go, TechCrunch is reporting today that developer Niantic Labs’ next augmented reality game will be themed around the world of Harry Potter. The smartphone app will be called “Harry Potter: Wizards Unite” and is set to launch in 2018.

Specific details about the app’s gameplay have not yet been released, but it’s said that “there will be significant influence” from Niantic’s original game, Ingress, which also influenced Pokémon Go. The developer’s previous two games task players with exploring the real world to perform in-game actions, defending locations, and collecting items. Still, it’s unclear which aspects of the Harry Potter universe would be used to create an augmented reality experience.

Niantic Labs had tremendous success with Pokémon Go, which paired their expertise in building location-based augmented reality mobile experiences with a top-flight IP with a ravenous fan base. So, it stands to reason that we should expect a similar fan response to Harry Potter: Wizards Unite, an AR title set to launch in 2018, co-developed by Warner Bros. Interactive and its new sub brand Portkey Games.

The app is now official, bu the details are still scarce, with the launch timeframe of just sometime next year, but it sounds like there will be significant influence from the Niantic game Ingress, which allows players to roam the real world collecting power-ups, defending locations and exploring their environment.

Augmented reality is quickly becoming a popular feature on smartphones, particularly for Apple’s products. This year, the company debuted ARKit in iOS 11, greatly expanding the reach and availability of AR apps on the iOS App Store. Company CEO Tim Cook is constantly referencing his excitement for the technology, and a report by Bloomberg earlier today reinvigorated rumors that Apple is now on a “very aggressive” timeline to debut AR glasses by 2020.

Tags: Harry Potter, Pokémon GO, Niantic
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Apple Has Given Drake Permission to Produce ‘Whatever He Chooses’ Amid His Push Into TV and Film

In an in-depth article about Drake’s push into the TV and film industry, The Hollywood Reporter claims that Apple has given the Toronto-born rapper permission to produce “whatever he chooses.”

Here’s what the report says, with emphasis ours:

But the biggest indicator of Drake’s big Hollywood push is whom he is partnering with next: Steve Golin, who runs Anonymous Content (one of Hollywood’s hottest production houses and home of Spotlight and Mr. Robot), for an untitled TV series; film studio A24; and, perhaps most significantly, Apple, which has given him the go-ahead to produce whatever he chooses — at least, according to Jimmy Iovine — just as the cash-flush titan is poised to shake up the content space.

Drake’s exact strategy remains to be seen, but Apple says it will simply support whatever he wants to do, according to the report. After all, the artist has been an extremely valuable partner for Apple over the past few years.

Drake and Apple’s Eddy Cue introduced Apple Music at WWDC 2015 via Associated Press
Not only did Drake help unveil and promote Apple Music on stage when it launched in 2015, but he became the first artist to top one billion streams on the service with his hit album “Views” last year. His show OVO Sound Radio on Apple’s Beats 1 station also holds the record for the most listened-to episode to date.

“Drake almost single-handedly helped us become culturally relevant from the day we launched,” said Robert Kondrk, a vice president of Apple Music.

The report claims American rapper Future, who is friends with Drake, may also have the green light from Apple to produce content.

“If I had a company today, I would give it to Drake and Future to run in a minute,” said Jimmy Iovine, the record mogul who has worked at Apple since its $3 billion acquisition of Beats in 2014. “They’re incredibly talented guys. Very, very gifted.”

Full Article: Drake’s Hotline to Hollywood: Inside an Ambitious Push Into Film and TV

Tags: Drake, Apple’s Hollywood ambitions
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HBO’s Interactive TV Show App ‘Mosaic’ Launches Today for iOS and tvOS

Last month, HBO announced a new project called “Mosaic,” a murder-mystery TV show that allows you to interact with and discover branching paths based on characters you choose to follow. This interactive version of Mosaic has now arrived in the form of an app for iOS and tvOS, and in 2018 a traditional, linear version of the story will debut on HBO. HBO will air the plot line that creators Ed Solomon and Steven Soderbergh envision for the series, which viewers can compare with their own versions.

The free app allows you to choose from various viewing orders, character decisions, and branching information options over the course of a 7.5-hour mini series, which stars Sharon Stone, Garrett Hedlund, Beau Bridges, Paul Reubens, and more. “Mosaic” won’t just be a one-off series, with Soderbergh telling TechCrunch that he has made two more “made-for-Mosaic” shows, which will be coming after this first series launches. Soderbergh referred to the app as an “open source format” that will be available to other creatives in the future.

Soderbergh says “I looked at this as sort of an open source format that other fimmakesrs can come in and push.” Beyond the next two Mosaic titles he’s making, it’s unclear if other creators will launch their own separate apps based on the Mosaic tech, or if today’s app will become a hub for viewing or even buying this branching narrative content.

Soderbergh explained that the outcome of the story doesn’t change because of choices you make, but that the app is more focused on what information you have — or lack — based on the branches you’ve taken. On Apple TV and iOS devices, the branching narrative will pop up with options after the end of certain scenes, letting you decide what a character should do next or switch to another plot line completely.

As you delve more into the mystery, you’ll unlock “Discoveries” with extra clips, documents, and secrets that serve as additional pieces of the show’s overall puzzle.

“The outcome and the events of the story don’t change based on your choices” says Soderbergh who avoided making Mosaic an overly-complicated video game. “It’s merely what information do you have about the story based on what you’ve been following.’ Some people like to just keep making choices and get to the end of a path, some people like to minesweep” jumping between separate characters in chronological order.

The Mosaic app was developed by PodOp, which was said to have filed 14 patents for the technology behind the interactive storytelling experience. The developer built storyboard management software that assisted Soderbergh and Solomon in planning out and scripting the branching narrative, as well as analytics tools that will help HBO and the creators see how audiences respond to the new format. If you’d prefer to wait for a more traditional experience, HBO’s linear cut of the show will be six hours and debut on January 22, 2018.

You can download Mosaic on iPhone, iPad, and Apple TV for free starting today. [Direct Link]

Related Roundups: Apple TV, iOS 11Tag: HBOBuyer’s Guide: Apple TV (Buy Now)
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MacRumors Giveaway: Win an iPhone X Case From MagBak

It’s not Friday, but we’re doing an extra giveaway this week, in partnership with MagBak. If you’re not familiar with MagBak, it’s a magnetic case that originally started out as a popular Kickstarter.

The latest MagBak cases are for the iPhone X, Apple’s newest flagship iPhone. The MagBak for iPhone X is made from a soft, flexible rubber material that protects the iPhone on all sides. MagBak is available in Black, Gray, Blue, and Red.

There are cutouts for the camera, mute switch, Lightning port, and speakers, but the rest of the iPhone is covered, giving it protection from drops and bumps. There is a lip around the MagBak that also keeps the display from getting scratched when the iPhone is placed face down on a surface. A plastic material at the sides adds grip, so it’s easy to hold onto the iPhone X in the case.

The MagBak isn’t just a simple case, though. It has built-in magnets that allow it to mount to any magnetic surface, like a refrigerator. It also ships with two magnetic “MagStick” strips that can be applied to any flat surface via adhesive, allowing the iPhone X to be mounted in the car, in the kitchen, and more.

MagBak’s magnets are located at the top and the sides of the device and have been designed not to interfere with the wireless charging feature of the iPhone X. So wireless charging does work with the MagBak case.

In addition to shipping with two magnetic MagSticks, MagBak also bundles the MagBak with an alcohol-based cleaning pad to be used before placing the MagSticks and a SIM tool. There’s a cutout inside the MagBak case for the SIM tool, so you can make sure you always have one with you.

MagBak for iPhone X is normally priced at $39, but we have 15 cases to give away. To enter to win, use the Rafflecopter widget below and enter an email address. Email addresses will be used solely for contact purposes to reach the winners and send the prizes. You can earn additional entries by subscribing to our weekly newsletter, subscribing to our YouTube channel, following us on Twitter, or visiting the MacRumors Facebook page.

Due to the complexities of international laws regarding giveaways, only U.S. residents who are 18 years or older and Canadian residents (excluding Quebec) who have reached the age of majority in their province or territory are eligible to enter. To offer feedback or get more information on the giveaway restrictions, please refer to our Site Feedback section, as that is where discussion of the rules will be redirected.

a Rafflecopter giveawayThe contest will run from today (November 8) at 9:30 a.m. Pacific Time through 9:30 a.m. Pacific Time on November 15. The winners will be chosen randomly on November 15 and will be contacted by email. The winners will have 48 hours to respond and provide a shipping address before new winners are chosen.

Tag: giveaway
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Best iOS app deals of the day! 6 paid iPhone apps for free for a limited time

Everyone likes Apple apps, but sometimes the best ones are a bit expensive. Now and then, developers put paid apps on sale for free for a limited time, but you have to snatch them up while you have the chance. Here are the latest and greatest iOS app deals available from the iOS App Store.

These apps normally cost money and this sale lasts for a limited time only. If you go to the App Store and it says the app costs money, that means the deal has expired and you will be charged. 

Weather Watchman

Looking for the best weather report for your Apple device? Welcome to Weather Watchman for Apple, the top rain forecast tool to help you predict the likely weather in your part of the world. Monitor the weather before you travel.

Available on:

iOS

Weather Now

Beautiful 3D images of our planet draw your attention for so long that you may forget that the application has other useful features that allow you easy access to precise, global weather information.

Available on:

iOS

Pilsy

Keep your 21 precious pills under control! Track your cycles and mood changes. Customizable, powerful, and intuitive design, will help you to control your cycles and be able to predict your mood.

Available on:

iOS

Focus

Focus is the best way to organize your work, stay motivated throughout the day, and have a more productive work life. Focus for 25 minutes, then take a short break to relax your mind.

Available on:

iOS

Traffic Time

Traffic Time makes it easy to view and share exactly how long it will take to reach all of your favorite destinations.

Available on:

iOS

Tweety Pro

Binaural beats are scientifically proven frequencies designed to induce specific states of mind. The beats in Binaural Meditation have been engineered to help you get into deep states of meditation and mindfulness as quickly and effortlessly as possible.

Available on:

iOS

Editors’ Recommendations

• Best iOS app deals of the day! 6 paid iPhone apps for free for a limited time
• Best iOS app deals of the day! 6 paid iPhone apps for free for a limited time
• Best iOS app deals of the day! 6 paid iPhone apps for free for a limited time
• Best iOS app deals of the day! 6 paid iPhone apps for free for a limited time
• Best iOS app deals of the day! 6 paid iPhone apps for free for a limited time

Best Essential Phone cases to protect your edge-to-edge display

One of the pioneers of the bezel-less trend, the Essential Phone impressed us when it landed in the summer. The edge-to-edge display is stunning, it performs well, and we like pure Android, but there were some teething troubles. Now that the price has dropped, and the camera has been updated, it’s a more tempting prospect than ever.

If you do buy one, then you’ll want to consider snagging one of the best Essential Phone cases to protect it. Sadly, that may be easier said than done, because case manufacturers haven’t exactly rushed to market with a bevy of great cases to choose from. We’ve been keeping a close eye on the case scene and there are now three options worth checking out.

Incipio NGP Pure Case ($20)

Easily our top pick, the NGP Pure case from Incipio is a soft, flexible shell that stands up well to everyday knocks and tumbles. It’s made from a special polymer blend that offers real durability without adding too much bulk. You can expect reliable drop protection up to 3 feet, ideal for your typical hand height drop. It’s a perfect fit with generous cut-outs for easy camera and fingerprint sensor access on the back and port access on the bottom. Well-defined button covers and a protective lip around the screen complete this reliable case. You can get a clear variety or one with a darker smoke finish.

Buy one now from:

Amazon Incipio

Tudia TPU Cover ($13)

Purveyors of unfussy TPU cases for basic protection, Tudia manufactures an enormous number of cases every year. This one is a flexible shell with a special design to enhance your grip. There are a couple of mock carbon fiber panels on the back to spice up the look. You’ll find openings for all the essentials on your Essential Phone and decent tactile button covers. It’s slim, so drop protection is limited, but there is a raised lip to protect your gorgeous display. It comes in black, gray, or navy blue.

Buy one now from:

Amazon

Viva Madrid America Metalico Flex Case ($23)

This Essential Phone case brings something a little different to the table. It’s still fashioned from TPU, but it has a crystal-clear back panel and a metallic finish to the bumper. You’ll also find metallic highlights around the accurate cut-outs for the camera and fingerprint sensor on the back. The fit is good, and it shows off the Essential Phone well, but we think drop protection is going to be pretty minimal. However, it does also have a protective raised lip around the screen to prevent it touching down on surfaces.

Buy one now from:

Viva Madrid America

We’re not big fans of universal cases, but if you’re willing to settle for a wallet or pouch, then you can check out Mobile Fun for some options. You may also notice there’s an Olixar Ultra-Thin case in the works. Currently available for pre-order, it’s a slim, clear option for basic protection that costs just $7. We’ll keep you posted if we discover any more Essential Phone cases.

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Ethereum bug locks $280 million of cryptocurrency in owners’ accounts

The operator of one of the largest collections of wallets for cryptocurrencies, Parity Technologies Ltd., has been hit with a bug that has left a million Ether (ETH) inaccessible to users. That works out to around $280 million at the time of writing.

Of all the cryptocurrencies released in the years since Bitcoin’s popularity began to spike, Ethereum and its “fuel,” Ether, has proved to be one of the most popular and impactful. Unfortunately, just like other currencies, it’s not without its problems. That latest is a bug with multi-signature wallets, that require multiple-user approval to sign a transaction.

Although those sorts of accounts and transactions are designed to be more secure and allow for decentralized escrow payments, a bug allowed someone to become part of every multi-signature wallet that was created since July 20. That means that without that person’s approval, none of the currency can be transferred out of affected wallets, locking up hundreds of millions of dollars of cryptocurrency

Fortunately the bug ‘only’ affected those new wallets, but considering that many wallets were recently created to take advantage of the new Parity Wallet library system deployed on that date, its reach has proved to be broad and deep.

It does appear though, that the bug was not triggered maliciously. As Parity itself explained in a blog post, the problem was exacerbated when the person who triggered the bug went ahead and “suicided” the wallet which had a controlling stake in so many, leaving the currencies effectively frozen.

While Parity claims to still be investigating the issue with no timeframe of if or when the bug may be fixed, Ars dug up what appears to be a conversation with the person responsible for causing the problem in the first place. They claim to be relatively new to Ethereum and made the mistake without knowing what they were doing.

If you’re excited by the recent uptick in value of Bitcoin and other currencies and are considering investing, make sure to do your reading first so you know what you’re getting into. Our beginner’s guide to buying Bitcoin would be a good place to start.

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Here’s how to convert a Kindle book to PDF using your desktop or the web

I secretly cringe every time I hear how successful ebook readers are becoming. I myself, am a man of my own stubbornness, of tradition — and most importantly — of paper. Still, I cannot deny that the Kindle is one of the most convenient and efficient tools ushering in this new age of ebooks and digital media. The device offers a viable solution for anyone who wants to pack thousands of free and comparatively cheap publications into a single frame weighing less than 5 ounces.

But what happens when you decide you’d rather view your precious Kindle files as PDFs on your computer, or more likely, on another device that doesn’t support native ebook formats such as AZW or MOBI? Luckily, there are plenty of online and offline tools that will help you quickly convert files purchased through Amazon to a format that’s viewable on any number of PDF-supported devices. Below are two such pieces of software, along with detailed instructions on how to convert a Kindle book to PDF.

Are you a Kindle user? Read our picks for the best free Kindle books. If you’re new to Kindle, we recommend you take a look at how to share books on a Kindle, how to remove books from a Kindle, and how to get EPUB books on your Kindle.

Convert using EPUB Converter — web-based

As the name implies, EPUB Converter is a free online utility used to convert ebook files to and from their native format. The tool currently includes options for converting electronic publications, aka EPUBs, to PDF, MOBI, and AZW, among others, as well as one for directly converting Kindle files to PDF. It’s speedy, simple, and lacks a heavy desktop footprint. How’s that for sustainable?

Step 1: Access EPUB Converter

Launch your favorite browser, then navigate to EPUB Converter’s Kindle to PDF Converter.

Step 2: Upload and convert your Kindle file

Assuming you have the file(s) in question housed on your machine, click the yellow Add File button located below the PDF information and above the conversion instructions. Afterward, locate the Kindle file you wish to convert — most likely formatted in Amazon’s proprietary file type, AZW or MOBI — and click the gray Open button located in the bottom-right corner of the pop-up window. EPUB Converter also allows for simultaneous uploading and converting, so feel free to add as many files you’d like. When finished, click the yellow Start Upload button to the right of the file you just added.

Step 3: Download the PDF

Once the conversion is complete — a potentially lengthy process depending on the file size — right-click or CTRL-click the resulting PDF file and select the Save link as option to save the file to your desired location. Alternatively, left-click or single-click the link to prompt the download, or to view the PDF in your browser. EPUB Converter will host the file on its server for two hours, providing you with plenty of time to download your new PDF. You can repeat the process as many times as necessary by clicking the Add File button housed below your newly converted file.

Editors’ Recommendations

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