Apple Signs Deal for Space Drama From Battlestar Galactica Developer Ronald D. Moore

Apple has picked up a third new television show, placing a straight-to-series order for a space drama developed by Ronald D. Moore, known for his work on shows like “Battlestar Galactica,” “Caprica,” “Helix,” and “Outlander,” reports Deadline.

The show, which “explores what would have happened if the global space race had never ended,” comes from Sony Pictures Television and Moore’s Tall Ship Productions. It was created and written by Moore and “Fargo” co-executive producers Matt Wolpert and Ben Nedivi.

The new space drama is Apple’s third series that’s in development. Apple in October inked a deal with Steven Spielberg’s Amblin Television and Comcast’s NBC Universal to create new episodes of sci-fi series “Amazing Stories.” “Amazing Stories,” created by Spielberg, originally ran on NBC from 1985 to 1987.

In November, Apple picked up an untitled “morning show drama” that will star Reese Witherspoon and Jennifer Aniston as morning talk show hosts, examining the cutthroat world of morning TV.

Apple’s original content push is being led by former Sony executives Zack Van Amburg and Jamie Erlicht, who joined Apple in June of 2017. Van Amburg and Erlicht, who produced shows like “Breaking Bad,” “The Crown,” and “Better Call Saul,” are running Apple’s video programming efforts on a worldwide scale under iTunes chief Eddy Cue.

Apple has been steadily building out its video team in recent months as it continues to pick up shows to better compete with companies like Netflix and Amazon.

Related Roundup: Apple TVTag: Apple’s Hollywood ambitionsBuyer’s Guide: Apple TV (Buy Now)
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Restoring a Bricked iMac Pro Requires a Second Mac and Configurator 2

If an iMac Pro becomes unresponsive and requires restoring, like if there’s a power failure during a software update, there are a special set of instructions iMac Pro users must follow, which require a secondary Mac.

As outlined in an Apple Configurator 2 support page, an iMac Pro restore requires a second Mac running macOS High Sierra with internet access and Apple Configurator 2.6 or later installed.

The iMac Pro will need to be connected to the secondary Mac with a Thunderbolt or USB-A or USB-C to USB-C cable. From there, iMac Pro users will need to plug the cable into the Thunderbolt port closest to the Ethernet port and then connect the iMac Pro to power while holding the power button.

Apple Configurator must be used on the second Mac to select the iBridge device and then restore. After the restoration process, the iMac Pro will reboot, making it accessible again.

This restore process is similar to what must be done for an iPhone or iPad that is unresponsive, and it is necessary due to the extra security afforded by the Apple-designed T2 chip.

The iMac Pro’s T2 chip is a second generation version of the T1 chip that powers the Touch Bar in the MacBook Pro. The T2 chip integrates the system management controller, image signal processor for the camera, audio controller, SSD controller, a Secure Engine, and a hardware encryption engine.

Among other improvements, the T2 chip encrypts all of the data on the iMac Pro’s SSD using dedicated AES hardware that doesn’t impact the performance of the SSD. It also ensures a secure boot up process, making sure no unapproved software loads at startup.

(Thanks Łukasz!)

Related Roundup: iMac ProBuyer’s Guide: iMac Pro (Buy Now)
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Try out these Honor 7X tips and tricks on your new Huawei

For a $200 smartphone, the Huawei Honor 7X packs a real punch. Its almost bezel-less display is wrapped in a matte blue metal case. The dual-lens camera works well in many conditions, there’s plenty of power under the hood, and the phone has lots of RAM, allowing you to use multiple applications at once.

While the Huawei Honor 7X offers a lot of features for the price, some of its abilities can be difficult to find. Here is our list of Huawei Honor 7X tips and tricks to help you make the most out of your new phone.

How to set up gestures

While the Huawei Honor 7X doesn’t have as many gestures as the Mate 10 Pro, there are a few hidden in the settings. The flip gesture allows you to silence alarms and other notifications by turning the phone over. To set it up, go to Settings > Smart Assistance > Motion Control > Flip. Two toggle bars allow you to customize the gesture.

You can also turn the screen on and off by enabling the double-tap gesture. You enable it, much like the flip gesture, by opening Settings > Smart Assistance > Motion Control > Double Tap. Toggle the Double Tap bar to enable the feature.

How to enable the floating dock

The Huawei Honor 7X offers a floating dock option to control certain functions of the phone. From the floating dock, you can access navigation icons, lock the screen, and perform a one-touch optimization.

Enabling the floating dock takes seconds. Go to Settings > Smart Assistance > Floating dock. Use the slider to enable the feature. Once the floating dock is enabled, you will see a small circular icon on the corner of the screen. Click the icon to open the dock. The dock can also be moved by dragging the icon to your desired location.

How to use Split-screen mode

Split screen is a pretty standard feature on most Android phones. However, the 18:9 aspect ratio on the Honor 7X actually gives you a decent amount of screen real estate for two apps. You can easily turn on split screen by long-pressing the Recent Apps icon on the navigation bar. You can then select the two apps you wish to open. If you want to resize the apps, use the draggable bar between the two apps to make adjustments.

How to use quick settings from the lock screen

Similar to the Control Panel in iOS, the Huawei Honor 7X features a convenience bar that allows you to access quick settings from the lock screen. You can access the quick settings by swiping up at the bottom of the lock screen. Shortcuts to the recording app, flashlight, a QR code reader, timer, and calculator are available. You can also add, delete, and pause the rotating covers that act as a screensaver on the Honor 7X.

How to make two instances of an app

Have two Instagram accounts? For people with multiple social media accounts, the Huawei Honor 7X has a feature called App twin that allows you to create multiple instances of a single app.

App twin doesn’t work for every app; it’s limited primarily to social media apps. To set up App twin, you first need to download the apps you are planning to copy. Once you have the apps downloaded, go to Settings > App twin and enable the apps you wish to copy. Once enabled, you will see two icons for each app on the home screen.

How to customize your home screen

The Huawei Honor 7X has several options to customize your screen. You can change the wallpaper, add widgets, switch to the app drawer, and even change transitions between screens.

By default, apps on the Honor 7X are shown on the home screen. If you prefer the look of the Pixel 2, you can easily add the App Drawer on your phone. To switch to the App Drawer, go to Settings > Home screen style. Select the radio button for Drawer.

If you want to change the look of your home screen, the Huawei Honor 7X allows you several options to customize your phone. Long-press on an empty place on the home screen to start. You will see the screen minimize and several icons appear. You can easily change your wallpaper and add widgets by selecting the appropriate icon.

You can also change the way your phone transitions from screen to screen by long pressing on the home screen. Select the Transitions icon and you’ll see a number of different options appear. You can tap on each transition to see a preview. Once you have selected your favorite transition, tap on a blank area on the screen to activate.

The Settings icon allows you to make even more adjustments to the home screen. You can change the home layout, auto-align apps, turn off notification icons for certain apps, and loop your home screen. Like the other customization options, you simply need to long-press on the home screen and select the Settings icon.

How to use camera modes

While the image quality on the Huawei Honor 7X could be better, the camera app is robust and has several features commonly limited to more expensive smartphones.

There are three screens in the camera app. The primary screen features the viewfinder and settings you typically find on any phone camera. If you swipe to the right, you can access the settings. Swipe left, and you’ll see the different camera modes available. There are more than a dozen different modes for the rear-facing camera on the Huawei Honor 7X. While most of these modes are pretty standard fare for a smartphone, there are a few that stand out.

Light painting lets you make artistic alterations to images. When you select Light painting mode, you are presented with four different scenarios:

• Tail light trails captures the lights of moving cars in the night.
• Light graffiti lets you capture trails of light in static images.
• Silky water captures the flow of moving water in a silky smooth effect.
• Star track captures the trails of stars and galaxies in the night sky.

Effects mode is similar to Snapchat and Instagram lenses. With the effects mode enabled, more than a dozen facial lenses can be used with both the front and rear-facing cameras. The lenses will move with your face and some include added audio.

Document scan is an excellent built-in feature on the Huawei Honor 7X. With Document scan, you no longer have to download a third-party app like Evernote to scan receipts and business cards. Once you have your selected item in the viewfinder, wait for the camera to recognize the item. Once the item is outlined in the viewfinder, press the capture button to complete the scan.

How to take the perfect selfie

There’s no shortage of options for getting the perfect selfie on the Huawei Honor 7X. The camera app includes options for portrait-mode selfies, a beauty filter, and even a setting called perfect selfie.

The Huawei Honor 7X is one of several new phones to feature a beauty filter. The beauty filter polishes out skin imperfections and reduces the appearance of skin inflammation. There are 10 different settings on the beauty filter; higher numbers mean a more dramatic change in appearance. Beauty filter works on both the front and rear cameras when the portrait mode is turned on. To use the beauty filter, open the camera app and tap on the portrait icon in the top menu bar. When portrait mode is selected, you see a beauty filter icon at the bottom right side of the viewfinder; tap on the icon and set the slider to your desired preference.

Taking a portrait-mode selfie is a little more involved on the Huawei Honor 7X than on the Pixel 2 or iPhone. To take a portrait-mode selfie, you need to open the camera app and tap the camera selection icon in the upper right corner; a yellow box will appear in the viewfinder. Next, select the portrait icon on the top menu bar. Two icons will appear on the bottom right side of the viewfinder. The top icon enables a bokeh effect, effectively blurring the background. The lower icon lets you select how much assistance you would like from the beauty filter.

Perfect selfie allows you pre-select certain beautification features based on your facial data. It works with portraits on both the front and rear camera as well as group shots. To use Perfect selfie, open the camera app and swipe left into the settings. Tap on Perfect selfie and toggle on. Next click Edit personal info; the app will ask you to take several shots from different angles.

Once you have completed the preliminary photos, a collection of beautification sliders will appear. You can use these to brighten and smooth out your skin, enlarge your eyes, and even make your face thinner. Once you make your selections, click the check icon in the top right menu bar. If you want to make changes later, you can always tap on Set beauty effects to make adjustments.

Editors’ Recommendations

• Honor 7X vs. Honor 6X: New school versus old school
• Huawei Mate 10 Pro tips and tricks to turn you into a professional
• Honor 7X vs. Moto E4 Plus: Big-screen budget battle
• Honor View 10: Everything you need to know
• Honor 7X vs. Moto G5 Plus: Which cheap phone gets the most bang for your buck?

The 10 best messaging apps for Android and iOS

Let’s face it, our most-used PCs are smartphones. As our dependence on mobile technology grows, so does the need for constant and instant communication with our family, friends, and even work colleagues. Messaging apps have grown to provide rich services and interaction with others, from free text messaging, to voice and video calling, and even photo and file sharing with the added benefit of encryption. Here are some of the best messaging apps you will find on both Android and iOS.

Are you confused by all of Google’s chat clients? We explain all of Google’s different chatting apps. If you’re primarily looking for the best apps for video chatting, then take a look at our top three choices.

WhatsApp

One of the most used messaging apps in the world, Whatsapp is very easy to set up and it’s free. You can chat, and share things like your location, photos, documents, and contacts. You can also make video and voice calls. The set up requires you to grant it access to your contacts, so it can automatically populate your contact list. One of the things that is so attractive about this app, other than its massive popularity, is the addition of end-to-end encryption for privacy and security. It also supports GIFs and Snapchat-like editing features for fun.

Download now for:

Android iOS

Facebook Messenger

Facebook has its own separate messaging app that makes it very convenient to chat with friends and family. It will automatically populate your contacts, but you can also add a contact, or allow someone to add you as a contact, by scanning a unique code. There are plenty of free stickers and you can send GIFs. The video and voice calling is clear and very reliable. On Android, the “Chat Heads” feature allows you to keep a chat icon floating on top of your screen, which is very convenient. You can even start a secret conversation which is end-to-end encrypted conversations.

Download now for:

Android iOS

Line

Line is a very popular app, especially in Asia, with more than 600 million users. This app is feature rich. It combines a timeline similar to Facebook, where you can post and your friends can comment on your posts, in addition to having all the standard features of a messaging app. Calls to landlines, and Line to Line free video or voice calls are available. There’s also a very healthy store of stickers packed with Line characters that are famous in Asia. Group chat allows for chats of up to 200 participants. You can, similar to Twitter, follow artists and brands on Line. It also allows the user to set up albums and share them with friends. Recently, Line introduced encryption to chats as well.

Download now for:

Android iOS

Viber

This is a very popular app that will automatically add your contacts. It allows for text messaging, as well as sending stickers and emoticons, making video and voice calls, and of course sharing your favorite photos. Color-coded encrypted messaging is also available. Viber Out is a feature that allows you to make international and domestic calls at low rates. Viber to Viber calls are always free.

Download now for:

Android iOS

Hangouts

Google Hangouts is available on all Android devices and can be set as the default messaging app. It’s also available on iOS, and you can use it on your PC or laptop. This makes it an ideal way to chat with friends and family. Needless to say, the app requires you to have a Google account, and it allows you to share photos, GIFs, make video calls, and also make group calls. This app is very popular, partly because you can use it on your desktop, as well as your mobile devices.

Download now for:

Android iOS

Google Allo

Allo is the newest chat app from Google. The main attraction is Google’s new Assistant feature. Allo makes it possible for iOS users to enjoy Google Assistant. It offers typical features such as photo sharing, emojis, and stickers, but the main feature is Assistant. You can have a conversation with Google’s Assistant, and it functions in a similar way to Siri or Cortana.

Download now for:

Android iOS

WeChat

WeChat is the most popular app in China with over 700 million users. It offers the usual messaging app features like photo sharing, or video and voice calls. But with WeChat you also get features like “Friend Radar,” “People Nearby,” and “Shake” to help you find friends who are near you. This app is available for Android Wear and Apple Watch, too.

Download now for:

Android iOS

IM+

For people with accounts on every service, IM+ may be the solution. This app allows you to send and receive instant messages from a wide variety of services. If you have accounts with Google, AIM, Twitter, ICQ, Yahoo, Facebook, Live, and more, you can add them all to IM+ and chat with just one app. If you’re still relying on older messaging apps, or have many lingering accounts that aren’t WhatsApp or Line, then you can aggregate them all in IM+ and simplify your life.

Download now for:

Android iOS

Signal

Signal, from Open Whisper System, is one of the most highly recommended apps when it comes to chat encryption and security. This app has military-grade encryption for all your messaging and voice calls. It supports sending texts, voice calls, group messages, and sending media attachments. Edward Snowden famously recommended this app, which makes it a top pick for people who are looking for security, first and foremost.

Download now for:

Android iOS

Snapchat

Snapchat has risen in popularity with the young crowd and celebrities alike. It allows you to share photos and videos that self-destruct. You can send a friend a “snap” for a brief period of time before it disappears. Its most famous feature is funny filters for your video snaps, and it also offers photo editing. It’s definitely the most fun way of delivering bite-sized communications to date.

Download now for:

Android iOS

Wanting to chat right from your desktop browser? We break down the best chat clients for PC and Mac.

Update: We’ve included some links to make it easier for you to find related articles.

Editors’ Recommendations

• The world can be your oyster with a little help from the 21 best travel apps
• 20 Android and iOS apps for kids to keep them entertained (and quiet)
• Easily settle your debts with these 11 money-transfer apps
• Music junkie? Here are the 25 best music apps for consuming and creating tunes
• The 20 best news apps that are fast and fluid on your iPhone or Android

Chase will soon offer cash-back rewards for cardholders using mobile pay

Back in 2015, JPMorgan Chase offered the world its digital wallet, Chase Pay — allowing users to pay using their phone whether they’re shopping online, in stores, or dining at restaurants. On Friday, December 15, Chase Freedom announced it will offer contactless payment with quarterly cash back rewards for the first time, starting January 1.

If you’re a Chase cardholder, you’ll be able to earn up to five percent cash back by using your Freedom card. This also applies to those who use the card with any of the four mobile wallets — Chase Pay, Android Pay, Samsung Pay, or Apple Pay.

For now, the rewards only apply toward purchases made at gas stations or when paying for your internet, cable TV, and phone service. Those who use popular services such as Spotify, Netflix, and Hulu will receive cash back for those, too. If you opt-in for mobile pay, you can earn the five percent cash back on up to $1,500 of combined purchases made within those categories.

With Chase Pay, shoppers pay in stores using a QR code within the Chase Pay app. The code is presented to the cashier at checkout, rather than tapping and paying using NFC technology with Android Pay or Apple Pay.

Chase Pay has been around for the past two years, and retailers have now begun heading down a similar path as well. Last week, Target launched Wallet — its own mobile payment system in its official app.

Target’s Wallet also focuses on supplying customers with rewards. Customers can check out in-store using their smartphone while also applying Cartwheel digital coupons or discounts after scanning their barcode. Since you’re required to use your Target REDcard, you’ll also receive five percent back.

Other retailers include Walmart’s Walmart Pay, which launched the same year as Chase Pay. Similarly, the mobile payment method also requires scanning a QR code that appears on the debit card reader at checkout.

All these mobile payment systems are also part of CurrentC, which is a group of retailers with their own mobile payment solution. While this doesn’t mean that these companies have opted out of Apple Pay or Android Pay, it does encourage customers to use the company’s respected app instead.

Chase Freedom’s latest move into the tech space is more inclusive for those who have become accustomed to using a mobile wallet. Cardholders will be able to stack up rewards on everyday purchases without having to fumble for their credit cards at checkout.

Editors’ Recommendations

• Target gives shoppers a new way to pay with ‘Wallet,’ its mobile payment system
• Uber is going after millennials with its new credit card
• Everything you need to know about Android Pay
• Here are all the places that support Apple Pay
• 8 easy ways for you to transfer photos from an Android phone to a PC

Here’s how — and why — to use Safe mode with an Android phone

Safe mode can help you to track down the causes of problems you may be having with your smartphone. When you boot your phone into Safe mode, it doesn’t run any third-party apps installed on your device. If your smartphone has been overheating, suffering battery drain, or otherwise not performing properly — yet it doesn’t exhibit these issues while in Safe mode — then you know that an app you’ve installed is the culprit. And while the process for booting your phone in Safe mode varies between different Android devices, getting out of Safe mode is always the same. Here’s how to do it.

How to turn off Safe mode in Android

Press and hold the Power button.
Tap the Restart option.

That’s it. A simple restart of your Android device will turn off Safe mode.

How to turn on Safe mode on a stock Android device

If you have a Google Pixel 2, Pixel XL, a Nexus device, or any other stock Android smartphone or tablet, then the process for turning on Safe mode is as follows:

Press and hold the Power button.
Tap and hold Power off.
When the Reboot to safe mode prompt appears, tap OK.

Your device will then restart and it will say “Safe mode” in the bottom-left corner. This method also works for LG and Sony phones.

How to turn on Safe mode on a Samsung Galaxy

If you have a Samsung Galaxy S8, S7 Edge, a Galaxy S6, or another Samsung Galaxy device, then the process for turning on Safe mode is as follows:

Press and hold the Power button and select Power off to turn your device off.
Press and hold the Power button, until you see the animated Samsung logo appear.
Release the Power button, and press and hold the Volume down button.
Keep holding it until your device boots up.
You can let go when you see the words “Safe mode” in bottom-left corner.

This method also works for HTC and Motorola phones.

You can uninstall problematic apps and use your phone’s core functions while in Safe mode. Whenever you’re ready, a simple restart will get things back to normal.

Editors’ Recommendations

• How to root Android phones or tablets in 2017 (and unroot them)
• Is your smartphone frozen? Here’s how to reset your iPhone
• The 20 best Google Pixel tips and tricks you need to know about
• Stop those unwanted phone calls and learn how to block a number in Android
• Everything you need to know about Android 8.0 Oreo

Pixel 2 or Pixel 2 XL — which one should you choose?

Our forum users help answer the question of Pixel 2 vs Pixel 2 XL.

As different as they may look at first glance, the Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL share far more similarities compared to the differences that set them apart. Both phones have the same cameras, processor, front-facing speakers, and software experience, but there are two key areas where they differ – display and battery life.

One individual recently reached out to our forum community asking whether they should go for the Pixel 2 or Pixel 2 XL, and these are some of the top answers.

sulla1965
12-14-2017 11:27 PM

“

It really just comes down to screen size. If you want one handed use, get the Pixel 2. If you like a bigger display, get the 2 XL.

Reply

Byrese
12-14-2017 11:58 PM

“

It also decided on how pocketable you need your device to be. If you need to one hand stuff then obviously the pixel. I don’t one there’s been lots of problems with the 2XL… But it’s a great phone. Tough choice….1st world problems.

Reply

Retinella
12-14-2017 10:25 PM

“

I spent a long time with the demo unit Pixel 2 XL at Best Buy tonight and seriously, there’s no issues with the screen. The demo unit didn’t even have any burn in, which was surprising. I put my S8 Active’s screen next to the screen on the Pixel 2 XL, and yes, even though the colors on the S8 Active were punchier, I preferred the color on the Pixel 2 XL. My S8 Active had the same amount of…

Reply

C5Longhorn
12-13-2017 06:50 PM

“

Agree with Powedroid, if screen size and battery are most important features, go with 2 XL.

Reply

What about you – Would you choose the Pixel 2 or Pixel 2 XL?

Join the conversation in the forums!

Google Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL

• Pixel 2 FAQ: Everything you need to know!
• Google Pixel 2 and 2 XL review: The new standard
• Google Pixel 2 specs
• Google Pixel 2 vs. Pixel 2 XL: What’s the difference?
• Join our Pixel 2 forums

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Grab a new messenger bag or backpack during Amazon’s one-day Timbuk2 sale

Carry your stuff from here to Ti…. well, you know.

Amazon is having a huge one-day sale on Timbuk2 backpacks and bags. This sale includes messenger bags, backpacks and duffel bags, like the Command Laptop Messenger Bag. In the Surplus color and Large size, it’s going for $83 compared to a regular price of $159. It has never gone that low before.

Not all sizes and colors on sale, so here’s a few that are with the specific qualities to look for:

• Classic Tres Colors Messenger Bag, Medium and Cinder for $52 (from $99)
• Classic Unicolor Messenger Bag, Medium and Aquatic for $51 (from $99)
• Blitz Pack, both Surplus and Jet Black for $70 (from $104)
• Command Laptop Backpack, Nautical for $50 (from $130)

This is an Amazon Gold Box deal so this sale ends today. Check out the full list.

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In-display fingerprint sensor launching first on a Vivo phone

Vivo will be the first smartphone to use the Clear ID FS9500.

On December 12, Synaptics (one of the biggest names in the biometric industry) announced that it was finally ready to start mass-producing the first-ever fingerprint sensor that’s hidden underneath a smartphone display. Synaptics initially said that this technology would first be available on a smartphone from one of the “top 5” OEMs, and we now know that that OEM is none other than Vivo.

Synaptics is using its new Clear ID FS9500 sensor to make this all possible, and according to Forbes reporter Patrick Moorhead, using the new sensor is “fast and simple.” The sensor doesn’t actually turn on until you’re ready to use it to help conserve battery life, and when you do go to unlock your phone, you’ll see a fingerprint icon near the bottom of your phone’s display.

Just put your finger on this icon (that OEMs can customize the look of) and your phone will be unlocked with the same level of security and convenience we’ve come to expect from sensors on current handsets.

Vivo’s unnamed smartphone will be the first to market with Synaptics’ Clear ID FS9500, but it shouldn’t be too long after that in which we see other OEMs adopt this technology as well. It’s highly unlikely Samsung will feature this technology on the Galaxy S9, but there’s a very good possibility it’ll make an appearance on the Note 9 later in 2018.

Synaptics announces world’s first in-display fingerprint sensor, launching with a ‘top 5’ smartphone OEM

Get a PlayStation 4 Slim 1TB console with Star Wars Battlefront II for $50 off

Might make a good Christmas present!

This PlayStation 4 Slim 1TB gaming console is bundled with Star Wars Battlefront II for $249. This bundle normally sells for $300, and it has never had a direct price drop before.

The PlayStation 4 Slim is the mid-tier PlayStation 4. It came out earlier in 2016 and is a refreshed version of the original console that released in 2013. It’s the smallest design of the three available versions, which is why it’s called Slim. We broke down the three versions and talk about which one to buy.

If you want to play your new Star Wars game online, you’ll also need a PlayStation Plus membership, which is currently $60 for a year.

See on Amazon