‘Ingress’ revamp will take cues from ‘Pokémon Go’

With all the buzz around Pokémon Go and an upcoming Harry Potter game, it’s easy to forget about Niantic’s original augmented reality title, Ingress. It’s looking old in the tooth, and not just because of its 2012-era visuals — it’s using aging tech that was made long, long before augmented reality hit the mainstream. The pioneering release is about to catch up, though. Niantic has offered a peek at Ingress Prime, a revamp of its hidden-reality sci-fi game due to launch in 2018. It’ll sport a more polished, up-to-date design, but the biggest improvements will come from Pokémon Go… and not just the expected under-the-hood elements.

The company explained to The Verge that Prime will share the same underlying platform as its Pokémon counterpart. This will not only let it share upgrades and fight cheaters, but make use of slicker augmented reality frameworks like ARKit and ARCore. More importantly, the reworked Ingress should be considerably more accessible to newcomers. Niantic is aware that the game is relatively cryptic (it’s something of an exclusive club that depends on finding teammates), and it’s using lessons learned from Pokémon Go to give you a gentler introduction.

Story will also get an overhaul. The core plot is familiar (we’d expect exotic matter and the Shapers to play prominent roles), but it’ll unfold differently and will even include anime segments to tell the tale.

Let’s be honest: Ingress will likely continue to live in the shadow of Pokémon (and eventually Harry Potter) without brand recognition to reel people in. However, the improvements coming with Prime could keep it relevant, making sure that the game isn’t just limited to hardcore fans willing to master the game and immerse themselves in the storyline.

Via: The Verge

Source: Ingress Prime

The best Linux laptops you can buy

Hunting down the best Linux laptops is nowhere near as overwhelming as seeking out the ultimate Windows-based PC. That’s likely due to the smaller number of manufacturers that actually support the open-source platform. HP and Dell are your primary well-known outlets, but there are a few others outside the spotlight offering shiny Linux-flavored gems that are tasty as well.

What you’ll find when investigating the best Linux laptops are an assortment of operating systems including Ubuntu, Elementary OS, and a few other lesser-known Linux distributions. Most of the laptops you will discover are based on Intel processors, and if you’re lucky, discrete graphics chips that support high-quality Linux-compatible games.

To help weed through all the options, we provide our favorite Linux-based laptop, and solutions ranging from premium to budget-friendly computing. If you’re worried about security and privacy invasion, we list a laptop just for you as well. You can’t go wrong with this batch, and if you’re on the market for high-dollar extreme gaming, we link to a few examples for your grazing pleasure.

Our Pick

Dell XPS 13 Developer Edition ($849+)

Out of all the Linux-based options you can find, Dell’s XPS 13 is a well-rounded solution for both the general customer and the enterprise market — in fact, it’s been at the top of our list of best laptops for years. It sports what Dell calls an InfinityEdge display, which translates into a screen with borders measuring just 0.20 inches thick. The design is complemented by a thin and light form factor measuring between 0.3 and 0.6 inches thick, and weighing at least 2.7 pounds.

The processor options consist of two seventh-generation Intel Core chips, and you can configure the laptop with up to 16GB of memory, depending on your starting point (there are four). As shown below, all FHD configurations do not support touch-based input while the QHD+ version is your only touchscreen option. Other notable features include a Thunderbolt 3 port, PCI Express-based storage options, and support for enterprise-class security.

Screen size:
13.3 inches
Resolution:
1,920 x 1,080 (non-touch)
3,200 x 1,800 (touch)
Processor:
Intel Core i5-7200U
Intel Core i7-7560U
Graphics:
Intel HD Graphics
Intel Iris Plus Graphics 640
Memory (2 slots):
Up to 16GB LPDDR3 @ 1,866MHz
Storage:
1x 2.5-inch SSD up to 128GB or
1x PCI Express SSD up to 1TB
Audio:
2x speakers
Connectivity:
Killer Wireless AC (Up to 867Mbps)
Bluetooth 4.1
Ports:
2x USB-A (Gen1)
1x SD card reader
1x Headphone jack
1x Thunderbolt 3
Battery:
60WHr
Camera:
720p webcam
Dual array microphones
Operating system:
Ubuntu 16.04 LTS
Dimensions (in inches):
11.98 x 7.88 x 0.33 to 0.6
Weight:
2.7 pounds
Color:
Silver
Rose Gold
Starting price:
$849

The best premium Linux laptop

System76 Oryx Pro ($1,499+)

If you’re looking for a high-dollar experience, System76 serves up its Oryx Pro in two flavors: 15.6 inches, and 17.3 inches. Both versions have enough horse power to serve as a Linux-based gaming machine sporting seventh-generation Core i7 processors, and Nvidia’s GeForce GTX 1060 or 1070 graphics chips. Of course, if you want to go extreme, System76 serves up the bulky Serval WS and Bonobo WS laptops, the latter of which can play host to dual GTX 1080 graphics chips.

As the specs show below, the 15.6-inch model supports FHD and UHD resolutions while the 17.3-inch model only supports FHD. The screens are backed by Intel’s integrated HD Graphics 630 component in its processors in addition to the stand-alone GeForce GPUs. Even more, the Core i7-7820HK is an unlocked processor, enabling Linux gamers to overclock its speed for higher performance. Other notable features include USB-C ports (Gen1), a Mini DisplayPort output, and Thunderbolt 3 support on the 17.3-inch model.

15.6 inches
17.3 inches
Resolutions:
1,920 x 1,080
3,840 x 2,160
1,920 x 1,080
Processor:
Intel Core i7-7700HQ
Intel Core i7-7820HK
Graphics:
Nvidia GeForce GTX 1060
Nvidia GeForce GTX 1070
Memory:
Up to 64GB DDR4 @ 2,400MHz
Storage (up to 9TB):
2x M.2 SSDs
2x 2.5-inch HDDs (7mm)
Audio:
2x speakers
Stereo microphone
GTX 1070 models: Sabre headphone amplifier, HiFi DAC
Connectivity:
Wireless AC
Bluetooth
Ports:
2x USB-C (Gen1)
3x USB-A (Gen1)
1x SD card reader
1x Gigabit Ethernet
1x HDMI
2x Mini DisplayPort
1x Microphone jack
1x Headphone jack
1x S/PDIF
2x USB-C (Gen1)
3x USB-A (Gen1)
1x SD card reader
1x Gigabit Ethernet
1x HDMI
2x Mini DisplayPort
1x Microphone jack
1x Headphone jack
1x S/PDIF
1x Thunderbolt 3
Battery:
60 WHr Li-polymer
Camera:
1080p Webcam
Operating system:
Pop! OS 17.10
Ubuntu 16.04.3 LTS
Dimensions (in inches):
15.2 x 10.7 x 0.9 (GTX 1060)
15.2 x 10.7 x 1.1 (GTX 1070)
16.4 x 11.3 x 1.2
Weight:
5.50 pounds
7.05 pounds
Color:
Black
Black
Starting price:
$1,499
$1,599

The best Linux laptop for security

Purism Librem ($1,399+)

If you’re looking for a security-focused Linux laptop not manufactured by Dell, the Librem models are a good choice. For example, these laptops include physical switches to completely disable the built-in camera, microphone, Bluetooth, and Wi-Fi components. They also rely on the open-source Coreboot firmware, which replaces the typical and proprietary BIOS/UEFI installed in other laptops. You can neutralize the controversial Intel Management Engine on these laptops too.

Outside the security aspect, both models are based on Intel’s sixth-generation Core i7-6500U processor, and Intel’s integrated HD Graphics 520 component. The larger model provides a few additional ports, but both laptops are generally the same feature-wise. Purism plans to offer an 11-inch model based on Intel’s Core M-5Y10c in the near future with a smaller list of connectivity options.

Screen size:
13.3 inches
15.6 inches
Resolution:
1,920 x 1,080
Processor:
Intel Core i7-6500U
Graphics:
Intel HD Graphics 520
Memory (one slot):
Up to 16GB DDR4 @ 2,133MHz
Storage:
1x M.2 SSD up to 2TB
1x 2.5-inch SATA 3 SSD Up to 4TB
Audio:
2x speakers
Connectivity:
Wireless N
Ports:
2x USB-C (Gen1)
1x USB-A 2.0
1x HDMI
1x SD card reader
1x microphone/headphone combo
1x USB-C (Gen1)
2x USB-A (Gen1)
2x USB-A 2.0
1x HDMI
1x SD card reader
1x microphone/headphone combo
Battery:
Up to 9 hours
Camera:
720p 1MP camera
Operating system:
PureOS
Dimensions (in inches):
12.75 x 8.62 x 0.70
14 x 9.6 x 0.86
Weight:
3.3 pounds
4 pounds
Color:
Black
Black
Starting price:
$1,399
$1,599

 The best budget Linux laptop

Alpha Litebook ($249)

For laptop seekers on a budget, Alpha’s Litebook costs a mere $249. It’s powered by Intel’s quad-core Celeron N3150 processor for mobile launched in early 2015, and the chips integrated HD Graphics component. It’s an older chip, but that can be expected with laptops in the $249 price range. The memory and storage options are small too, although your best bet storage-wise may be the 500GB hard drive with a built-in 32GB SSD.

Otherwise, this laptop provides a decently-sized screen with a FHD resolution for the price. It’s powered by the popular Elementary OS platform, so you should experience zippy performance due to the lightweight platform. The Litebook provides both ethernet and Wireless N networking, as well as a handful of ports for outputting video and connecting peripherals. You can’t do any high-fidelity gaming on this solution by any means, but it should be great for general use, streaming video, word processing, and so on.

Screen size:
14.1 inches
Resolution:
1,920 x 1,080
Processor:
Intel Celeron N3150
Graphics:
Intel HD Graphics
Memory (one slot):
4GB LPDDR3
Storage:
120GB SSD or
500GB HDD or
500GB HDD Hybrid with 32GB cache
Audio:
2x speakers
Connectivity:
Wireless N
Bluetooth 4.0
Ports:
2x USB-A (Gen1)
1x Headphone jack
1x Ethernet
1x Micro HDMI
1x Micro SD
Battery:
Up to 9 hours
Camera:
720p Webcam
Operating system:
Elementary OS
Dimensions (in inches):
13.5 x 9.3 x 0.64 inches
Weight:
2.9 pounds
Color:
Black
White
Red
Price:
$249

Editors’ Recommendations

• The monstrous ROG G703 Asus laptop could easily chew through your PC games
• Push your PC to the max with the best graphics cards for gaming
• The best laptops under $500
• Thin and light cage fight: Dell XPS 13 vs. Microsoft Surface Laptop
• AMD CEO shows off first laptop packing a Ryzen-branded chip at Best Buy

The best Linux laptops you can buy

Hunting down the best Linux laptops is nowhere near as overwhelming as seeking out the ultimate Windows-based PC. That’s likely due to the smaller number of manufacturers that actually support the open-source platform. HP and Dell are your primary well-known outlets, but there are a few others outside the spotlight offering shiny Linux-flavored gems that are tasty as well.

What you’ll find when investigating the best Linux laptops are an assortment of operating systems including Ubuntu, Elementary OS, and a few other lesser-known Linux distributions. Most of the laptops you will discover are based on Intel processors, and if you’re lucky, discrete graphics chips that support high-quality Linux-compatible games.

To help weed through all the options, we provide our favorite Linux-based laptop, and solutions ranging from premium to budget-friendly computing. If you’re worried about security and privacy invasion, we list a laptop just for you as well. You can’t go wrong with this batch, and if you’re on the market for high-dollar extreme gaming, we link to a few examples for your grazing pleasure.

Our Pick

Dell XPS 13 Developer Edition ($849+)

Out of all the Linux-based options you can find, Dell’s XPS 13 is a well-rounded solution for both the general customer and the enterprise market — in fact, it’s been at the top of our list of best laptops for years. It sports what Dell calls an InfinityEdge display, which translates into a screen with borders measuring just 0.20 inches thick. The design is complemented by a thin and light form factor measuring between 0.3 and 0.6 inches thick, and weighing at least 2.7 pounds.

The processor options consist of two seventh-generation Intel Core chips, and you can configure the laptop with up to 16GB of memory, depending on your starting point (there are four). As shown below, all FHD configurations do not support touch-based input while the QHD+ version is your only touchscreen option. Other notable features include a Thunderbolt 3 port, PCI Express-based storage options, and support for enterprise-class security.

Screen size:
13.3 inches
Resolution:
1,920 x 1,080 (non-touch)
3,200 x 1,800 (touch)
Processor:
Intel Core i5-7200U
Intel Core i7-7560U
Graphics:
Intel HD Graphics
Intel Iris Plus Graphics 640
Memory (2 slots):
Up to 16GB LPDDR3 @ 1,866MHz
Storage:
1x 2.5-inch SSD up to 128GB or
1x PCI Express SSD up to 1TB
Audio:
2x speakers
Connectivity:
Killer Wireless AC (Up to 867Mbps)
Bluetooth 4.1
Ports:
2x USB-A (Gen1)
1x SD card reader
1x Headphone jack
1x Thunderbolt 3
Battery:
60WHr
Camera:
720p webcam
Dual array microphones
Operating system:
Ubuntu 16.04 LTS
Dimensions (in inches):
11.98 x 7.88 x 0.33 to 0.6
Weight:
2.7 pounds
Color:
Silver
Rose Gold
Starting price:
$849

The best premium Linux laptop

System76 Oryx Pro ($1,499+)

If you’re looking for a high-dollar experience, System76 serves up its Oryx Pro in two flavors: 15.6 inches, and 17.3 inches. Both versions have enough horse power to serve as a Linux-based gaming machine sporting seventh-generation Core i7 processors, and Nvidia’s GeForce GTX 1060 or 1070 graphics chips. Of course, if you want to go extreme, System76 serves up the bulky Serval WS and Bonobo WS laptops, the latter of which can play host to dual GTX 1080 graphics chips.

As the specs show below, the 15.6-inch model supports FHD and UHD resolutions while the 17.3-inch model only supports FHD. The screens are backed by Intel’s integrated HD Graphics 630 component in its processors in addition to the stand-alone GeForce GPUs. Even more, the Core i7-7820HK is an unlocked processor, enabling Linux gamers to overclock its speed for higher performance. Other notable features include USB-C ports (Gen1), a Mini DisplayPort output, and Thunderbolt 3 support on the 17.3-inch model.

15.6 inches
17.3 inches
Resolutions:
1,920 x 1,080
3,840 x 2,160
1,920 x 1,080
Processor:
Intel Core i7-7700HQ
Intel Core i7-7820HK
Graphics:
Nvidia GeForce GTX 1060
Nvidia GeForce GTX 1070
Memory:
Up to 64GB DDR4 @ 2,400MHz
Storage (up to 9TB):
2x M.2 SSDs
2x 2.5-inch HDDs (7mm)
Audio:
2x speakers
Stereo microphone
GTX 1070 models: Sabre headphone amplifier, HiFi DAC
Connectivity:
Wireless AC
Bluetooth
Ports:
2x USB-C (Gen1)
3x USB-A (Gen1)
1x SD card reader
1x Gigabit Ethernet
1x HDMI
2x Mini DisplayPort
1x Microphone jack
1x Headphone jack
1x S/PDIF
2x USB-C (Gen1)
3x USB-A (Gen1)
1x SD card reader
1x Gigabit Ethernet
1x HDMI
2x Mini DisplayPort
1x Microphone jack
1x Headphone jack
1x S/PDIF
1x Thunderbolt 3
Battery:
60 WHr Li-polymer
Camera:
1080p Webcam
Operating system:
Pop! OS 17.10
Ubuntu 16.04.3 LTS
Dimensions (in inches):
15.2 x 10.7 x 0.9 (GTX 1060)
15.2 x 10.7 x 1.1 (GTX 1070)
16.4 x 11.3 x 1.2
Weight:
5.50 pounds
7.05 pounds
Color:
Black
Black
Starting price:
$1,499
$1,599

The best Linux laptop for security

Purism Librem ($1,399+)

If you’re looking for a security-focused Linux laptop not manufactured by Dell, the Librem models are a good choice. For example, these laptops include physical switches to completely disable the built-in camera, microphone, Bluetooth, and Wi-Fi components. They also rely on the open-source Coreboot firmware, which replaces the typical and proprietary BIOS/UEFI installed in other laptops. You can neutralize the controversial Intel Management Engine on these laptops too.

Outside the security aspect, both models are based on Intel’s sixth-generation Core i7-6500U processor, and Intel’s integrated HD Graphics 520 component. The larger model provides a few additional ports, but both laptops are generally the same feature-wise. Purism plans to offer an 11-inch model based on Intel’s Core M-5Y10c in the near future with a smaller list of connectivity options.

Screen size:
13.3 inches
15.6 inches
Resolution:
1,920 x 1,080
Processor:
Intel Core i7-6500U
Graphics:
Intel HD Graphics 520
Memory (one slot):
Up to 16GB DDR4 @ 2,133MHz
Storage:
1x M.2 SSD up to 2TB
1x 2.5-inch SATA 3 SSD Up to 4TB
Audio:
2x speakers
Connectivity:
Wireless N
Ports:
2x USB-C (Gen1)
1x USB-A 2.0
1x HDMI
1x SD card reader
1x microphone/headphone combo
1x USB-C (Gen1)
2x USB-A (Gen1)
2x USB-A 2.0
1x HDMI
1x SD card reader
1x microphone/headphone combo
Battery:
Up to 9 hours
Camera:
720p 1MP camera
Operating system:
PureOS
Dimensions (in inches):
12.75 x 8.62 x 0.70
14 x 9.6 x 0.86
Weight:
3.3 pounds
4 pounds
Color:
Black
Black
Starting price:
$1,399
$1,599

 The best budget Linux laptop

Alpha Litebook ($249)

For laptop seekers on a budget, Alpha’s Litebook costs a mere $249. It’s powered by Intel’s quad-core Celeron N3150 processor for mobile launched in early 2015, and the chips integrated HD Graphics component. It’s an older chip, but that can be expected with laptops in the $249 price range. The memory and storage options are small too, although your best bet storage-wise may be the 500GB hard drive with a built-in 32GB SSD.

Otherwise, this laptop provides a decently-sized screen with a FHD resolution for the price. It’s powered by the popular Elementary OS platform, so you should experience zippy performance due to the lightweight platform. The Litebook provides both ethernet and Wireless N networking, as well as a handful of ports for outputting video and connecting peripherals. You can’t do any high-fidelity gaming on this solution by any means, but it should be great for general use, streaming video, word processing, and so on.

Screen size:
14.1 inches
Resolution:
1,920 x 1,080
Processor:
Intel Celeron N3150
Graphics:
Intel HD Graphics
Memory (one slot):
4GB LPDDR3
Storage:
120GB SSD or
500GB HDD or
500GB HDD Hybrid with 32GB cache
Audio:
2x speakers
Connectivity:
Wireless N
Bluetooth 4.0
Ports:
2x USB-A (Gen1)
1x Headphone jack
1x Ethernet
1x Micro HDMI
1x Micro SD
Battery:
Up to 9 hours
Camera:
720p Webcam
Operating system:
Elementary OS
Dimensions (in inches):
13.5 x 9.3 x 0.64 inches
Weight:
2.9 pounds
Color:
Black
White
Red
Price:
$249

Editors’ Recommendations

• The monstrous ROG G703 Asus laptop could easily chew through your PC games
• Push your PC to the max with the best graphics cards for gaming
• The best laptops under $500
• Thin and light cage fight: Dell XPS 13 vs. Microsoft Surface Laptop
• AMD CEO shows off first laptop packing a Ryzen-branded chip at Best Buy

Here are the 9 best Moto G5S Plus cases for the king of budget smartphones

The Moto G5S Plus is a fantastic device for the budget-conscious among us. It’s powerful, comes equipped with a dual-lens camera, and offers great value for the money if you’re not too worried about having the fastest phone on the market. However, like its flagship brethren, the Moto G5S Plus is not invinvible and comes with the usual safety concerns. That’s why we’ve put together a list of the best Moto G5S Plus cases that you can grab to make sure your budget device lasts as long as possible.

LK Ultra-Slim Gel Case ($8)

The major advantage of a gel case is the thin profile. This all-TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane) gel case from LK fulfils those requirements with an ultra-slim design that clings to your phone and is easy to forget about. The durable TPU is stain-resistant, scratch-resistant, and shock-absorbent, and it provides impressive protection given its size. A pattern of dots on the inside of the case helps to stop bubbles from forming, and anti-slip properties on the outside help keep your device in your hand.

Buy one now from:

Amazon

Dretal Scratch-Resistant Clear Case ($7)

The ideal cases for people who aren’t too concerned with drop protection, clear cases offer some protection without blocking your view of your device’s style. While you won’t be getting the sort of protection you’d get from a larger case, this case from Dretal provides excellent scratch-protection, thanks to the durable TPU material that forms the inner layer. A hard back panel of polycarbonate (PC) completes the protection, guarding against impacts and shocks, while the raised edge around the camera and display ensure those areas don’t touch surfaces they’re placed on, stopping dirt and grit from reaching them as easily. This is a great case for a great price.

Buy one now from:

Amazon

Anccer Rock Sand Ultra-Thin Cover ($12)

If you’re not too fussy about protection, and you just want to add a new style to your Moto G5S Plus, then check out Anccer’s range of clip-on hard cases. Made from hard PC, Anccer has designed this case to have a rough, gravel-style texture. Far from being uncomfortable, the rough texture lends extra grip to your device, and gives a new feeling to your smooth phone’s metal back. At only 0.8-millimeters thick, it’s super thin, and while the tough PC won’t absorb impact shocks, it’ll keep your phone’s backside from being scratched or dented.

Buy one now from:

Amazon

Tekcoo Hybrid Combo Case ($6)

Hybrid or dual-layer cases are great choices if you want to protect against potential damage from drops and falls. Made from a twin construction of TPU and PC, this case from Tekcoo combines a shock-absorbent TPU inner lining with a hard outer shell of PC, giving it all-round protection against shocks from drops and falls. It’s also scratch-resistant and has a solid backbone thanks to the PC shell. It’s fairly bulky, but offers great protection, and the extra bulk means the phone is able to lie flat, rather than on the camera bump.

Buy one now from:

Amazon

Spigen Rugged Armor Case ($13)

One of the most respected names in cell phone accessories, Spigen has proven itself time and time again with great protective options. This Rugged Armor case is all TPU, and offers a flexible but durable covering for your phone. The inner spider-web pattern and Air Cushion technology help to dissipate impact shock away from your phone and into the shock-absorbent TPU. A raised lip protects the screen and camera bump from touching surfaces. It does have some issues with screen protectors, but if you’re not using screen protection, then this case is one of the best you can get.

Buy one now from:

Amazon

Tudia Slim Dual Layer Case ($13)

Tudia has designed its Slim Dual Layer Case to have a sleek and understated look that’s completely different from the usual rugged appearance that you’d expect from a tough case. While we can’t say we’d really call it slim, it does sit close to the device, and this is one of the slimmer dual layer cases we’ve come across. A raised edge protects the vulnerable areas of the phone, it has great drop-protection, and a smooth, executive style. Definitely one of our favorites for this phone.

Buy one now from:

Amazon

Swoders Flower Design Clear Case ($8)

If you’ve found all the cases so far to be a bit bland and without personality, then here’s a touch of color for you. This Flower Design case from Swoders is another simple case that combines a flexible TPU inner shell and hard PC outer shell to protect the rear of the device. It’s a slim case, so it’s great if you don’t want your phone taking up extra space, and the clear areas of the case show your phone off to everyone around you. The only concern we have is that the pattern is printed on the outside of the case, rather than the insid, so it could eventually show wear and tear.

Buy one now from:

Amazon

Incipio NGP Pure Case ($20)

Another case-maker with a fine record, Incipio offers a flexible case with protective qualities that also help you to keep a hold of your phone. Made from a shock-absorbing polymer material called Flex2O, this case is stretch- and tear-proof. Thanks to the soft material the case is made from, it adds excellent grip to your phone, and it’s easy to forget the smooth and slim exterior is even there. It’s possibly the best gel case you can buy.

Buy one now from:

Incipio

Zizo Bolt Case ($30)

This is one of the most protective cases you can get. The Bolt case from Zizo has been drop-tested from a height of 12feet, and comes with a kickstand and optional belt clip. Like others on this list, Zizo has used a dual-layer design, with an inner cushion of TPU absorbing shocks and the outer layer of PC taking the punishment. It’s quite bulky, even though it only adds around 0.5-inch to your phone, but it delivers amazing protection. Even better, it comes with a free tempered-glass screen protector to keep that vulnerable area safe, too. It has a look that’s sure to divide opinion, but if you like the rugged appearance, this case won’t disappoint in protecting your phone.

Buy one now from:

Zizo

Looking for apps to fill your new smartphone? We’ve got a list of the best Android apps this month, as well as the best Android games you can download. Have fun!

Editors’ Recommendations

• Lenovo Moto G5S Plus review
• Moto G5 and G5 Plus: Everything you need to know
• Nokia 6 vs. Moto G5 Plus
• The best Moto X4 cases and covers to safeguard your smartphone
• The best Galaxy S7 Edge cases

Jen’s Favorite Things of 2017

2017 Jen’s Favorite Things

As the end of the year gets closer day by day, bringing the holidays with the passage of time, it means that’s ’tis the season for thinking of gift ideas. Whether you need something for the techie in your life, or you’re looking for something to surprise your gamer friends, 2017 has had plenty of awesome new things to feast your eyes upon. From games to accessories to hardware, these are my favorite things of 2017.

Google Pixel 2

I’m generally not the kind of person who gets super excited when a shiny new phone hits the market. I enjoy them when I use them, but for me, a phone is a tool meant to help me do things, not something to admire on its own. Or, that was the case until I picked up my Pixel 2.

While plenty of features that the Pixel 2 offers are fantastic, it’s that sweet, sweet, camera that made me fall in love. With twice the image stabilization my shaking hands no longer ruin photos with blur, and selfie portrait mode is probably my favorite thing that’s shown up in 2017.

From $649 Buy Now

Daydream View (2017)

I’m a big fan of VR and spend an inordinate amount of time watching videos, playing games, and seeing things from a new angle. I adored the first generation Daydream View, but the 2017 model has taken everything that was already fantastic and made it even better. A slightly different form factor, lovely colors, and a built-in heat sink to ensure that you can enjoy VR for as long as possible without your phone overheating.

$99 Buy Now

Horizon Zero Dawn

When Horizon Zero Dawn finally released in February, I was all in. An awesome female protagonist, an open world fit for exploring, robot dinosaur enemies, compelling storyline, and jaw-dropping visuals combined with a beautiful soundtrack make this game my favorite new video game in years. It does everything it’s supposed to, and then goes even further. This game is the real deal, and there wasn’t a single moment I didn’t enjoy. With the addition of the Frozen Wilds DLC that dropped at the beginning of November, it got even better. I only hope that we’ll hear about a sequel in the next year or two because I haven’t had nearly enough fun in this epic world.

$30 Buy Now

PlayStation Aim Controller

There are plenty of games in VR that let you shoot your way through pouncing arachnids, irradiated zombies, or just enemies in general, but until recently it didn’t exactly feel like I was shooting while in VR. The PlayStation Aim Controller delivers a controller that looks vaguely like a rifle and feels like one when I’m in VR. It initially showed up with Farpoint, but it’s now compatible with nearly a dozen different games and it makes things so much more immersive.

$60 Buy Now

Strange Weather by Joe Hill

When I’m not playing with new tech you can almost always find me reading an awesome new book. I stumbled onto Joe Hill a few years ago, and tend to devour his novels. This year instead of one new novel from him, I snagged a copy of Strange Weather, which is a collection of four short novels compiled together. Each of the stories hits like a hammer, and they take the horror genre a step further. From a camera that erases memories, to actual nails falling from the sky during a rainstorm, there is plenty of bone chilling content here to love.

$17 Buy Now

Cthulu Tales

I’ve loved tabletop games, and storytelling games for just about as long as I can remember. Recently I got the chance to pick up Cthulu Tales, a storytelling game where the goal is to use played cards to tell a story of madness. The party each takes turn retelling how it is they came to be in the asylum where they are telling their story. Your goal is to pull off telling a convincing enough story to convince the leaders of the Asylum that you don’t belong there. It’s a ton of fun, and full of all sorts of references to Lovecraftian horror.

$28 Buy Now

Neil Young’s huge online music archive opens to the public

Neil Young has been talking up his giant online archive for ages, but he’s finally ready to deliver on his promises. The veteran Canadian rocker has launched the simply-titled Neil Young Archives, a website that includes all the media he has produced to date. And we do mean everything — every song Young has made is available to stream for free (until June 30th 2018) through his Xstream Music service, including unreleased tracks.

Young naturally makes a big deal out of the audio quality, which improves the stronger your connection gets. He even devotes his introductory message to a long diatribe about Apple’s music quality choices on top of explaining how the archive works. Young would prefer that you listen on a computer, and even has a guide to help set up access on your home stereo.

Overkill? You bet. And ultimately, it’s serving as a sales pitch for Xstream. However, it’s still miles above the typical musician page offering the occasional freebie and a few music videos. This is an insight into Young’s entire history as an artist, not just a promotion for his latest album.

Via: Pitchfork, Billboard

Source: Neil Young Archives

Ben Heck’s Atari ‘Dragster’ speed run test rig

Even computer games have their own world records, and one of the oldest uncontested ones is the fastest time for Atari Dragster, at 5.51 seconds. But how legitimate is this speed? Ben is tasked with using RAM analysis and a microcontroller to check not only whether 5.51 seconds is possible, but whether this record can be broken. Have you broken or set any electronics or gaming world records? Let us know over on the element14 Community.

Tim Cook Touts Apple’s Contribution to Chinese Economy at State-Run Web Summit

Chinese developers have earned more selling apps on Apple’s iOS platform than devs from any other country, Apple CEO Tim Cook said on Sunday (via Bloomberg). His comments were made in a keynote speech given at China’s annual state-run World Internet Conference, which aims to develop the digital economy, while operating under the rubric of respecting the right of sovereign nations to regulate and control public internet access.

Cook said developers on its iOS platform number 1.8 million in China, collectively earning a total of $16.9 billion, which is roughly a quarter of total global App Store earnings. Apple said earlier this year that the global developer community has earned over $70 billion since the App Store launched in 2008.

Tim Cook delivers a speech at the Fourth World Internet Conference (Photo: IC)

“The theme of this conference – developing a digital economy for openness and shared benefits – is a vision we at Apple share,” Cook said. “We are proud to have worked alongside many of our partners in China to help build a community that will join a common future in cyberspace.”

China’s cyber regulation has stepped up in the last year, with new rules coming into force that require companies to store data locally and make data available for surveillance measures. Apple was the first foreign tech firm to announce amendments to its data storage arrangements in China, when the cybersecurity laws came into effect in June.

“Much has been said of the potential downsides of AI, but I don’t worry about machines thinking like humans. I worry about people thinking like machines,” he said. “We all have to work to infuse technology with humanity, with our values.”

Technology of the future should have openness, creativity and safeguards to protect users while providing privacy and decency, he added.

Cook’s words appeared carefully chosen so as not to upset his Chinese hosts, who routinely curtail access to online services seen as a potential threat to the country’s internal cohesion. Facebook and Instagram have been blocked by China’s Cyberspace Administration since 2009 and 2014, respectively. Encrypted messaging service Telegram was also blocked inside China after it became popular with the country’s human rights lawyers, while several VPN apps – which are commonly used to evade censorship and access services abroad – were recently pulled from China’s App Store in compliance with stricter state rules.

The Wuzhen-based conference was opened earlier on Sunday with comments from Chinese president Xi Junping, read by the head of the government’s publicity department, in which Xi advocated for “cyber sovereignty”, the idea that states should be permitted to manage and contain their own internet without external interference.

“Developments online are raising many new challenges to sovereignty and security, and China is willing to work with the international community to respect cyberspace sovereignty and promote partnerships,” said Xi in the note. “The development of China’s cyberspace is entering a fast lane… China’s doors will only become more and more open.”

China remains the world’s biggest smartphone market, one which historically Apple has struggled to penetrate. The company shipped an estimated 11 million iPhones in China last quarter, up 40 percent from the year-ago quarter, despite six consecutive quarters of declining iPhone sales in the region.

Note: Due to the political nature of the discussion regarding this topic, the discussion thread is located in our Politics, Religion, Social Issues forum. All forum members and site visitors are welcome to read and follow the thread, but posting is limited to forum members with at least 100 posts.

Tags: China, Tim Cook
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Awesome tech you can’t buy yet: A clip for your dip and a toilet for your cat

At any given moment, there are approximately a zillion different crowdfunding campaigns happening on the web. Take a stroll through Kickstarter or Indiegogo and you’ll find no shortage of weird, useless, and downright stupid projects out there — alongside some real gems. We’ve cut through the fidget spinners and janky iPhone cases to round up the most unusual, ambitious, and exciting new crowdfunding projects out there this week. That said, keep in mind that any crowdfunding project — even the best intentioned — can fail, so do your homework before cutting a check for the gadget of your dreams.

Catolet — fully automatic litter box

Automatic litter boxes are nothing new at this point, but as far as we can tell, there still isn’t one that’s fully automatic. No matter how smart your box might be, you still have to carry your cat’s poop to the garbage can when the collector bin gets full — but the brains behind Catolet want to change that.

“There are many automatic trays on the market, but they have a number of problems: some of them require a filler, they are large in size, and usually of high cost,” Tatyana Bayramova, creator of the Catolet, told Digital Trends’ Luke Dormehl in an interview. “Together with cat breeders, we decided to create a tray without those pitfalls. Our target market are cats and small dogs owners who like technology devices and gadgets. We want to offer them a modern device that will help them in their pet caring routine.”

Rather than asking Fluffy or Fido to sit on a toilet seat, the Catolet is based around a smart porous conveyor belt system. Urine passes through the belt, while solid waste is conveyed into the main basin after built-in motion sensors determine that your four-legged friend has concluded its business. The leavings are then run through a shredder, and dispatched into the sewer (yes, you have to connect it to your plumbing system). So in other words, once you have it installed, you never have to fiddle with the litter box ever again!

Sitpack Zen — ultraportable monopod seat

A few years back, a little startup called Mono+Mono released a clever device called the Sitpack. When folded up, it was an unassuming cylinder roughly the same dimensions as a can of soda. When unfolded, however, the cylinder became a seat. Two halves of the cylinder split and swung upward to create a seat, while a telescoping monopod extended down to the floor, effectively forming a sitting platform that could be collapsed or expanded in the blink of an eye. It was a clever idea, but Mono+Mono isn’t stopping there. Now, the company is back with a new and improved version.

The Sitpack Zen, as it’s called, isn’t just a refresh of the original design — it’s a complete overhaul. While it retains many of the same design elements in a broad sense, nearly every element of the Zen is a streamlined version of what you’ll find in the first generation Sitpack. Take the seat platform, for example. In the new device, users sit on a flexible Kevlar strap instead of a hard (and uncomfortable) plastic platform. The Zen is also made from materials that are both stronger and more lightweight than its predecessor, making it easier and more convenient to take along to concerts, conventions, and any other place where you might need a seat.

Flectr 3D — omnidirectional reflector

If you ride your bike (or anything else that isn’t a car) at night, you know how important is to stay visible. In places where the roads don’t have wide shoulders, or where there aren’t enough streetlights, or where people just drive like maniacs; good reflectors and bright lights can be the difference between getting home safely and getting scraped off the pavement by a roadkill cleanup crew. But despite the fact that hi-visibility clothing is readily available and affordable these days, most reflective gear suffers from the same drawback — it only reflects light when hit at a certain angle.

The stuff you’ll find on most hi-vis gear is retroreflective — meaning it bounces light back directly where it came from. Most surfaces reflect light by diffusing or scattering it in all directions, but retroreflective material is specially designed to reflect light back at the exact same angle as it arrived from. That’s a problem though, since it’s only visible when the light source hits you directly. Flectr 3D changes that. Thanks to their clever design, these suckers bounce light in 360 degrees — thereby making you visible from all angles.

MyOeno — digital wine identifier

Ever sipped a glass of good wine and wondered where it came from, why it tastes so good, and how its different than other varietals? Probably not. But if you have, and you also wished there was an electronic device that could answer all those questions for you, then we have good news for you. That gizmo is here, and it’s called MyOeno.  Stick this sucker into your glass, and it’ll analyze your wine and send the details to your smartphone. It can detect such characteristics as strength, tannins, acidity, evolution, and more. You can then add your own preferences to this information in the form of tags, so that over time, you build up a more personalized database of your likes and dislikes, which will help you avoid wasting money on a bottle that you’re unlikely to enjoy.

The technology that makes it work based on near-infrared spectroscopy. Specific wavelengths are emitted by the device and, based on the absorption of each wavelength by the wine, MyOeno’s algorithms can discern particular characteristics. Note that there are already sophisticated analytical tools, such as mass spectrometers, available on the market and aimed at wine-making professionals. But these tools are costly, laboratory-based, and often require damaging the sample.

DipClip — dipping sauce holder

Normally, we include stuff in this list because it’s innovative, clever, or might have a positive impact on the world. DipClip made this week’s list for none of those reasons. We’re putting it in Awesome Tech You Can’t Buy Yet simply because it’s too absurd (and successful) to ignore. It’s essentially a bracket that you can clip onto your car’s AC vents, and use to hold dipping sauce packets from all major fast food chains. This presumably makes it easier and more convenient to dunk chicken nuggets in honey mustard (or whateverthehell you like to dip your nugs in) while you’re in your car. That’s it. That’s all it does.

But that’s not what’s amazing about the DipClip. What’s really blowing my mind right now is that, at time of writing, this project has gathered up more than $40,000 from nearly 2,000 backers. That’s nuts. If you don’t already have faith in the power of crowdfunding platforms like Kicktarter and Indiegogo, then DipClip should make you a believer. If you have an idea — no matter how seemingly stupid, inconsequential, or unnecessary it may be — rest assured that there’s a group of people on the internet who will support you and help bring that idea to life. You just have to find them!

Editors’ Recommendations

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• Google wants to bring augmented reality to your smartphone with ARCore

Netflix cancels YouTube star Miranda Sings’ show after two seasons

YouTube stardom is no guarantee of success on other streaming services, it appears. Netflix has dropped Miranda Sings’ Haters Back Off after two seasons, marking a short run for the first YouTuber to land a scripted series. It’s not certain exactly why Netflix ditched the show, but it’s reasonable to say that lukewarm reviews played a part. Colleen Ballinger’s over-the-top performance as Sings made her a hit on YouTube, where short off-the-cuff videos thrive, but critics have argued that it didn’t work so well when stretched out to TV-length episodes with the scripting to match.

Haters has fared better than some Netflix shows, so this definitely wasn’t a disaster — arguably, the series did well considering the doubts many had. Between this and PewDiePie’s self-inflicted trouble, though, YouTube hasn’t really had a breakout star in the paid video realm. We wouldn’t rule out the possibility of that happening in the future, but studios and YouTube personas dreaming of crossover success may have to be patient.

Source: Variety