Apple Releases Second Beta of iOS 11.2.5 for Public Beta Testers

Apple today released the second public beta of iOS 11.2.5 to its public beta testing group, one week after seeding the first public beta and one week after releasing iOS 11.2.1, an update that addressed a HomeKit vulnerability. Today’s beta is identical to the beta that was provided to developers yesterday.

Beta testers who are members of Apple’s beta testing program will receive the iOS 11.2.5 beta update over-the-air after installing the proper certificate on an iOS device.

Those who want to join the beta testing program can sign up on Apple’s beta testing website, which gives users access to iOS, macOS, and tvOS betas. iOS betas are not always stable and should not be installed on a primary device.

No new features were discovered in the first two developer betas of iOS 11.2.5, so it’s not entirely clear what new features this beta introduces.

It’s possible it focuses primarily on security improvements and bug fixes, and if that’s the case, we may not know the extent of what’s in the update until it sees a public release complete with detailed release notes.

Related Roundup: iOS 11
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Apple Releases Safari Technology Preview 46 With Bug Fixes and Feature Improvements

Apple today released a new update for Safari Technology Preview, the experimental browser Apple first introduced more than a year ago in March of 2016. Apple designed the Safari Technology Preview to test features that may be introduced into future release versions of Safari.

Safari Technology Preview release 46 includes bug fixes and feature improvements for Security UI, Privacy, CSS, Rendering, Storage Access API, Web Inspector, Web Assembly, Web Driver, JavaScript, Media, and WebRTC. Today’s update also enables Service Workers by default and makes several Service Workers tweaks and improvements.

The Safari Technology Preview update is available through the Software Update mechanism in the Mac App Store to anyone who has downloaded the browser. Full release notes for the update are available on the Safari Technology Preview website.

Apple’s aim with Safari Technology Preview is to gather feedback from developers and users on its browser development process. Safari Technology Preview can run side-by-side with the existing Safari browser and while designed for developers, it does not require a developer account to download.

Tag: Safari Technology Preview
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The five best BlackBerry Motion cases and covers you can find

Are you a fan of Blackberry smartphones? If you were interested in the KeyOne, you’ve probably been looking forward to the Blackberry Motion. It has similar specs to the KeyOne, but does away with the keyboard for a more traditional smartphone experience.

As we noted in our Blackberry Motion review, it’s a well made and durable phone that’s IP67 water-and dust-resistant. The phone has two very thick bezels at the top and bottom, and it has a sturdy aluminum frame. The good news about this design is that it should be a lot more durable than the fragile all-glass designs we’re seeing from manufacturers like Apple and Samsung. The bad news is that it still has a large 5.5-inch screen that’s vulnerable to damage if dropped.

Finding Blackberry Motion cases isn’t an easy task, so we rounded up some of the best cases and covers we could find to give you that extra protection and peace of mind.

Incipio Dualpro ($24+)

The DualPro case has the classic Incipio multilayer design, combining a hard inner case with a soft and shock-absorbing outer layer. The exterior of the case is a patented material Incipio calls Plextonium that protects your case against bumps and drops. Incipio says that this material is drop-tested to a height of up to 12 feet. The case comes with a one-year warranty.

Buy one now from:

Amazon Incipio

CoverON Flexguard ($8)

Sometimes you just want something that will give you adequate bump protection, and that will protect your phone against nasty scratches, but at the same time, you don’t want to add any bulk to the phone. CoverON’s Flexguard case is exactly that. It’s made of a soft and flexible material that bends, but is scratch and tear resistant. The case will only add a few millimeters of thickness to the Motion. It weighs less than an ounce, and it has a raised front bevel around the screen to protect it from contact with surfaces. The case comes in black and clear finishes.

Buy one now from:

AmazonCoverON

Yiakeng Silicone Case ($8)

This BlackBerry Motion case combines a flexible bumper with a hard back cover, and gives you good protection against drops, scratches, and bumps. Unlike CoverON’s Flexguard, this case is made to be sturdy. The volume and power buttons are covered to protect them from damage and dust. The case also has a raised bezel to protect the display, padding in the corners to guard against falls, and it enhances your grip.

Buy one now from:

Amazon

Kwmobile Flip Cover ($10)

Here’s a nice, affordable faux leather flip cover that protects the phone, but is also functional. You can rest assured that your Blackberry has 360 degrees of protection while inside this wallet. The front flap stays secured with a magnet, and you can also fold back the cover and use it as a stand, in case you want to watch a video or share pictures with your family and friends.

Buy one now from:

Amazon

Kroo smartphone clutch ($17)

For ladies who need to run out the door and don’t want to carry around a big purse, this universal smartphone clutch is a perfect solution. The material is PU leather, and the phone pocket’s dimensions are 6.2 x 3.0 inches. So you can fit any large smartphone including the Blackberry Motion inside. On the other side of the clutch, you will find a compartment that holds your cards, coins, cash, and anything else you need to carry, such as receipts and other things. You can also replace the wrist strap with a cross body chain, so you can choose how to wear it.

Buy one now from:

Amazon

Editors’ Recommendations

• The best Galaxy S8 cases and covers to protect your device
• Here are the 9 best Moto G5S Plus cases for the king of budget smartphones
• The best Galaxy S8 Plus cases and covers for that stylish Samsung of yours
• Check out the best iPhone 8 cases and covers you can buy so far
• Check out 30 of the best iPhone 7 cases and covers for your shiny new phone

‘Pokémon Go’ levels up its augmented reality abilities with Apple’s ARKit

Pokémon Go will soon be getting an upgrade on all recent Apple devices with the integration of iOS 11’s new, built-in augmented reality development framework, called ARKit. After an upcoming patch, devices capable of utilizing ARKit features will see an improvement to the basic AR capabilities of the game, as well as new gameplay mechanics that take advantage of the upgraded capabilities.

After activating AR+ mode in the game, Pokémon will be more accurately placed in the world when viewed in the AR encounter mode. Trainers will be able to change their distance and angle and the Pokémon will track to your perspective, better achieving the original game’s promise of finding and catching Pokémon that feel like they’re in the real world.

The improved AR tracking is more than cosmetic. It will be easier to catch Pokémon from close up, but they will also be more likely to notice you and run away if you approach too quickly, adding a new element of risk and reward to catching Pokémon in the wild. Catching Pokémon from close range will award a new Expert Handler bonus, which nets you more XP and stardust, providing a strong incentive to utilize and master these new features. AR+ mode will work on iPhone 6S, 5th generation iPads, all iPad Pro, and any subsequently released iOS devices.

Pokémon Go was the first breakout AR app, introducing the world to what the medium could bring to gaming. It did so using only the basic camera capabilities of smartphones, and thus the seams of its fantasy were always pretty apparent. Now the technology is catching up to the game’s promise. Most of the apps utilizing ARKit so far are for either marketing products or novelty photos, so Pokémon Go‘s AR+ mode will be one of the most exciting uses yet.

Although Pokémon Go has faded in stature somewhat from its 2016, zeitgeist-defining launch, developer Niantic has kept busy with a steady stream of updates for the community, regularly adding events and new Pokémon to keep things interesting for its loyal community. Niantic also recently announced that it has acquired the rights to develop an AR game based on the Harry Potter franchise, so any experience earned here with Pokémon Go‘s AR+ mode will feed directly into the AR features of that upcoming project.

Editors’ Recommendations

• Niantic promises it won’t abandon Pikachu for Buckbeak anytime soon
• We’re all wizards now — ‘Pokémon Go’ developer sets its sights on Harry Potter
• Just in time for Halloween, ‘Pokémon Go’ adds selection of third-gen monsters
• Pull out those phones: Another legendary creature is coming to ‘Pokémon Go’
• What is Windows Mixed Reality? It’s simpler than you think

Honor View 10 and Honor 7X to be sold across Latin America starting in 2018

Latin America is getting a little love from smartphone manufacturer Honor in 2018. The manufacturer announced it will begin selling its Honor View 10 and Honor 7X smartphones throughout Latin America starting next year.

The Honor View 10, already available as the Honor V10 in China, will come to the U.S. in January before it lands in Latin America. The phone is similar to the Huawei Mate 10 Pro, and features a 6-inch display with a resolution of 2160 x 1080, as well as a Kirin 970 chip. While Honor has yet to announce pricing for Latin American consumers, we expect it to be around the same price as in the U.S. — $590.

Pricing for the Honor 7X will be around $200. It features 32GB of storage and 3GB of RAM. Its high-resolution screen and attractive aluminum unibody makes it one of the most attractive budget smartphones we saw this year.

Honor, a subsidiary of Huawei, offers budget phone for users across the world. The company targets its product toward “digital natives” and, until recently, sold its devices primarily online. Honor’s brand focuses on internet-optimized smartphones. While the brand is gaining traction in the U.S., it’s already a popular option in most of the world. 

Honor’s expansion to Latin America is an obvious strategy. Over the last several years, numerous device makers have started to sell phones in the region. Latin America is a huge growth market for Huawei and other smartphone manufacturers. A report published by Knowledge@Wharton estimates that mobile will comprise 68 percent of all connections in the region by 2020. By the same time, nearly 105 million people in the region, close to 50 percent of the population, will use their mobile phones to access the internet.

Exact release dates for the Honor View 10 and Honor 7X  in Latin America have yet to be announced.  The smartphone manufacturer will partner with retailers to provide the phones in-store. While Honor is launching its Latin American expansion with just two phones, there will likely be more to come. Latin America is expected to be a very competitive market for Honor, as it battles other established manufacturers in the region. Samsung currently accounts for nearly half of all smartphone purchases in Latin America.

Editors’ Recommendations

• Honor 7X review
• Huawei Honor 9 review
• Honor View 10: Everything you need to know
• Honor 7X vs. Honor 6X: New school versus old school
• Honor View 10 hands-on review

How to switch phone carriers like a pro and avoid early termination fees

Early termination fees for smartphones are a thing of the past with phone installment plans. AT&T was the last of the four major carriers to end two-year contracts for smartphones, and you’ll face early termination fees if you are still stuck on a two-year contract. You’ll still have to pay off the rest of your device before you switch or turn it back in, however.

But how do you actually swap cell phone carriers? How do you take advantage of the current cash incentives? And is it possible for new customers to stick with their old phone? We’ve put together a guide on how to switch phone carriers, including how to get out of cell phone contracts without paying the early termination fee.

Note: Before you do anything, we recommend backing up your important data. Phone carriers can “port in” some of your data to new providers, but it’s always a good idea to back up yourself. Furthermore, when you switch wireless carriers, beware, you’ll most likely have to trade in your current phone. Here are a few steps to take on the path to liberation from your current carrier.

The first steps

Compare wireless providers

Before you make any drastic decisions, you should first compare all the major carriers’ plans. Here are a few things to consider:

• Cost: How much will your service plan cost each month? This includes minutes, messages, and data. Most carriers have overage charges. For example, Verizon charges $15 per 1GB exceeded. AT&T used to as well, but they have a plan known as Mobile Share Advantage that doesn’t include such charges (though your data speeds will take a hit). T-Mobile is the cheapest of the major carriers and doesn’t have overage charges. Instead, the Un-carrier reduces your speed after you’ve exceeded your limit. Sprint doesn’t charge overages, either. Don’t worry, though, because we’ve crunched all the numbers. Check out our best family plan guide.
• Network: It’s also important to consider what kind of coverage can you expect from each carrier. Verizon and AT&T have the best coverage, though T-Mobile and Sprint aren’t far behind. T-Mobile and Sprint are known for shortcomings in rural areas but excel in cities.
• Phone selection: It’s very difficult to buy a phone from one carrier and take it to another (unless it’s an iPhone). AT&T has the largest selection of phones, though all four have the big-name devices from Samsung, Apple, LG, HTC, and others.

Available from:

AT&T    Sprint   T-Mobile   Verizon

Research phones and plans

Do you need a large screen and a high-end camera? Do you need the latest operating system? Decide beforehand what matters most. Then, reference our best smartphones list to find which phone and carrier is best for you. Sprint, T-Mobile, and Verizon are now willing to pay your early termination fee or part of your remaning phone payment balance when you switch networks (check each provider’s website for details). Before switching, it’s always good to reread your current phone plan and compare it to your desired new plan.

Now that two-year contract plans are dead, you’ll have to pick a monthly phone installment plan. Previously, when you had a two-year contract plan, you’d pay a one-time subsidized fee, and then the phone would be all yours. For example, the iPhone used to cost you a $200 down-payment on two-year plans with AT&T and Verizon before contracts were phased out. That’s over $500 less than the non-contract price. Now, you don’t have that option if you get a new plan.

Here’s how your new monthly payment plan will work:

• No contract monthly payments: All the major carriers offer plans that require little or no up-front payment. Instead, you’ll pay off the full price of your phone over 24 months.
  • Pros: Nearly $0 due upfront (you’ll still have to pay the taxes when you sign), no two-year contract, no additional cost to upgrade, smaller device fee.
  • Cons: You have to pay the full price of your phone.

Some carriers, like Sprint, also offer leasing programs, where you pay less than the whole amount of the phone you’re leasing over the course of 12 months and get an immediate upgrade to a new phone when it comes out.  The leasing program is for iPhone lovers who need the latest and greatest iPhone each year, but Sprint also offers the same plan for other smartphones from Samsung and other big-name devices. Learn more about the different leasing programs offered by T-Mobile, Verizon, and AT&T by following the links.

Get a quote from service provider

Receiving a quote takes minutes. You can get quoted on each carrier’s webpage by simply shopping for a phone. When you select a phone a menu will appear outlining the prices of different service plans. They’ll give you a monthly estimate, but be sure to read the fine print about overage charges and other hidden fees.

If you’re not sure which plan is right for you, take a look at our picks for the best cheap plans available.

GOP representative intros bill to restore some net neutrality principles

You forgot something, Marsha.

As you’re all probably aware, the FCC chose to eliminate net neutrality laws on December 14 in a three-two vote. This news came as a pretty big blow to the free and open internet that we’ve known since 2015, but less than a week after its repeal, a representative from Tennessee already has a bill to restore two of net neutrality’s biggest principles.

The bill is called the “Open Internet Preservation Act”, and it was introduced by Representative Marsha Blackburn on December 19. With the Open Internet Preservation Act, Blackburn wants to prevent websites from being blocked or throttled by ISPs, in addition to creating an inbox through which the FCC must receive and address any complaints regarding net neutrality.

However, there’s something big missing from the bill – a ban on ISPs creating fast lanes for certain sites/customers.

Blackburn says a ban of this nature isn’t included in her bill as it’s something that focuses too much on a bipartisan agreement, and a quick look through Blackburn’s Twitter post announcing the bill makes it easy to see that people aren’t happy at all with this omission.

@AjitPaiFCC has done his job, now it’s up to Congress to do theirs. This bill will ensure there is no blocking, no throttling. It is my honor to sign this bill- let’s get it to @realDonaldTrump’s desk. pic.twitter.com/jOf0fvFwcd

— Marsha Blackburn (@MarshaBlackburn) December 19, 2017

In the video that shows Blackburn signing the bill, she says “we can do this now that Chairman Pai has successfully done his job of getting the net neutrality rules off the books” and that it will “preserve a free and open Internet.”

Commenting on Blackburn’s bill, Democrat Representative Frank Pallone Jr. said that it’s “worse than [he] expected” and that he didn’t have any interest to “participate in half-baked Republican efforts.”

A restoration of net neutrality is something that we can absolutely stand behind, and while Blackburn’s bill would get us part of the way there, the general consensus seems to be that it’s simply not enough.

Net neutrality, consolidation, monopolies, and you

8 Great Tech Gifts for Mom and Dad, 2017 edition

8 Great Tech Gifts For Mom & Dad 2017

Mom and dad deserve the best, but they also need something that may be a bit more accessible than the average tech gift. These are some of our favorite gifts that only need a brief introduction, and perhaps a power outlet, and you’re good to go! Updated for 2017!

Sony WH1000XM2 Noise-Canceling headphones

The best headphones are the ones you don’t want to take off, and Sony makes what we think are the most comfortable wireless headphones that sound great in any situation. Not only do these $300 beauties feel weightless on your head, but their noise canceling is spectacular — take them on a plane and the engine sounds disappear.

$298 Buy Now

Amazon Echo (2nd Gen)

Now cheaper (starting at $79), smaller, and better-looking, Amazon’s second-generation Echo is quickly becoming an essential home tool. Alexa has thousands of skills (some useful, some silly), sure, but Alexa is at its best when it’s simple: getting the weather, asking for directions, or just playing a song from Spotify.

from $79 Buy Now

Amazon Kindle Oasis (2nd gen)

Holy cow, this is a nice piece of equipment. We didn’t think the e-reader had much left in the way of innovation, but Amazon’s 7-inch, waterproof Oasis a gem of a product. Perfectly weighted with a sharp e-ink screen and a bright backlight perfect for dark nooks or the lightest beach, you’re going to read more than ever with this one.

from $270 Buy Now

Sonos One

Music never sounds better than when you don’t have to mess with wires, receivers, apps and adapters. Sonos One is the best-sounding speaker you can put anywhere in your home, with an app so easy and a feature set so intuitive that mom and dad can just press play. Sonos has taken what’s amazing about the Play:1 and added far-field microphones and Alexa support, with Google Assistant coming in 2018. A must-have product for $249!

$199 Buy Now

Nixplay Seed 10-inch Wi-Fi photo frame

Everyone loves photos, but no one prints them anymore. Take that hassle away by getting mom and dad a Wi-Fi-enabled digital photo frame that can download images and video from the cloud — and with 10GB of free storage, keep ’em there forever. There’s even an app for iOS and Android that sends photos from any phone. Available in four awesome colors!

$170 Buy Now

Samsung Chromebook Pro

These days, it’s easy to recommend a Chromebook to anyone — especially a parent who just wants to browse the web and send the occasional email. The Chromebook Pro has a super-bright and sharp display and comes with an S Pen stylus for taking notes or sketching. There’s also Android app support!

$499 Buy Now

Fitbit Charge 2

Easy to set up, fun to use, and incredibly comfortable, the Fitbit Charge 2 is one of the best fitness tech gifts you can give mom or dad this year. With great apps for iOS, Android and Windows, unparalleled support, and a huge network of people ready to challenge and motivate, the Charge 2 is Fitbit’s best tracker yet. Even better? It lasts five days on a battery charge!

from $129 Buy Now

Spotify subscription

Spotify is everywhere, and it’s one of the best ways to access music, podcasts and music videos on practically any screen. At $9.99 per month, it’s inexpensive enough to gift for a year, and its apps are well designed and easy to use on all platforms.

$9.99 Buy Now

Honor phones coming to Latin America in 2018

Honor is targeting Latin American millennials.

We’ve already seen some of Honor’s 2018 lineup, including the Honor 7X and View 10. Today, Honor has released a press release confirming plans to expand that selection to Latin America in the coming year.

As per usual, Honor is targeting younger audiences with its expansion to Latin America, claiming to offer phones for “cost-conscious yet uncompromising Internet-minded millennials.” Whether or not you fit that label, the Honor 7X certainly is a good value for just $200 in the U.S. In particular, Honor is emphasizing its focus on video streaming, gaming, social media, and long battery life for its devices.

At the center of Honor’s overall strategy is a focus on leading the value-driven market by delivering the best product quality and technology innovation at unconventional prices, and this commitment will not be any different with our customers in Latin America. — Zack Zhang, Vice President of Honor USA

It’s unclear if the View 10 will be coming to Latin America, but at the very least Latin American consumers can expect to see the Honor 7X in store shelves soon.

Honor 7X review: The new budget champion

Razer Phone update has camera improvements and new security patch

Improvements for camera, audio, security, and more.

The Razer Phone gets a lot of things right, but one area where it struggles the most is with camera performance. Razer’s been pushing out updates to help make things better after addressing customer and critic complaints, and the latest update that’s now being rolled out tackles a lot of pain points.

Razer’s got four main updates in store for the Razer Phone’s camera with this update, and they include:

• Improved shutter speed in low light and when using HDR
• Reduced noise and clearer shadows
• Improved picture quality with better color contrast
• Crushed bugs and performance improvements

Along with the camera, audio on the Razer Phone is also being upgraded with better playback clarity, enhanced call quality with HD Audio, and issues with Dolby Audio have been fixed as well.

Other odds and ends for this update include a smoothing out for auto-brightness luminosity, new icons for the Arrival theme to match a darker style, October 2017 security patch (no idea why it’s not December’s), and other various bug fixes.

The update weighs in at 97.0Mb, and it’s rolling out to the Razer Phone now.

Razer Phone said to receive new camera features and improved performance