Apple Seeds Fourth Beta of tvOS 11.2.5 to Developers

Apple today seeded the fourth beta of an upcoming tvOS 11.2.5 update to developers for testing purposes, one week after seeding the third beta and almost a month after the release of tvOS 11.2.1, an update that introduced a fix for a HomeKit vulnerability.

Designed for the fourth and fifth-generation Apple TV models, the new tvOS 11.2.5 developer beta can be downloaded onto the Apple TV via a profile that’s installed using Xcode.

We don’t yet know what features or changes might be included in the tvOS 11.2.5 update, but it likely focuses primarily on bug fixes and performance improvements rather than major outward-facing changes.

There were no outward-facing changes discovered in the first three developer betas, but we’ll update this post should new features be found in the fourth beta.

Related Roundup: Apple TVBuyer’s Guide: Apple TV (Buy Now)
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Apple Seeds Fourth Beta of macOS High Sierra 10.13.3 to Developers

Apple today seeded the fourth beta of an upcoming macOS High Sierra 10.13.3 update to developers, one week after seeding the third beta and more than a month after releasing macOS High Sierra 10.13.2, the second major update to the macOS High Sierra operating system.

The new macOS High Sierra 10.13.3 beta can be downloaded from the Apple Developer Center or through the Software Update mechanism in the Mac App Store with the proper profile installed.

It’s not yet clear what improvements the third update to macOS High Sierra will bring, but it’s likely to include bug fixes and performance improvements for issues that weren’t addressed in macOS High Sierra 10.13.2.

The previous macOS High Sierra 10.13.2 update focused solely on security fixes and performance improvements, with no new features introduced.

Related Roundup: macOS High Sierra
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Here’s how to send a text from your email account

Despite the fact that just about everyone can read their email on their smartphone, there will always be times and situations in which it is more advantageous to send a short email as a text.

This is particularly useful if you’re emailing a non-smartphone user, need to send a text when you’re away from your phone, or want to use a text for branding purpose. Professionals tend to pay far more attention to texts than emails, so it can be a powerful communication strategy!

The process works via an email to SMS gateway. As long as you know the phone number of the recipient in question — and the name of their service provider — it’s easy to locate an appropriate gateway address for forwarding your message. Here is everything you need to know about how to send a text from your email account.

Sending an email as an SMS

Step 1: Using the email client of your choice, compose your email as you would normally. You can use either your smartphone or your computer to do so.

Step 2: Instead of entering an email address in the recipient box, insert the 10-digit phone number of the person you’re trying to reach.

Step 3: Once entered, tack on the appropriate “@gateway” address behind it. Below, we’ve put together a list of some of the most common service providers in the United States and their corresponding gateway addresses.

Carrier
SMS gateway domain
MMS gateway domain
Alltel
[insert 10-digit number]@message.alltel.com
[insert 10-digit number]@mms.alltelwireless.com
AT&T
[insert 10-digit number]@txt.att.net
[insert 10-digit number]@mms.att.net
Boost Mobile
[insert 10-digit number]@myboostmobile.com
[insert 10-digit number]@myboostmobile.com
Cricket Wireless

[insert 10-digit number]@mms.cricketwireless.net
Project Fi

[insert 10-digit number]@msg.fi.google.com
Sprint
[insert 10-digit number]@messaging.sprintpcs.com
[insert 10-digit number]@pm.sprint.com
T-Mobile
[insert 10-digit number]@tmomail.net
[insert 10-digit number]@tmomail.net
U.S. Cellular
[insert 10-digit number]@email.uscc.net
[insert 10-digit number]@mms.uscc.net
Verizon
[insert 10-digit number]@vtext.com
[insert 10-digit number]@vzwpix.com
Virgin Mobile
[insert 10-digit number]@vmobl.com
[insert 10-digit number]@vmpix.com
Republic Wireless
[insert 10-digital number]@text.republicwireless.com

Keep in mind that if you’re trying to send an email that’s more than 160 characters long, it will often be sent through the Multimedia Message Service (MMS). If the person you’re messaging doesn’t have a messaging plan that includes Multimedia Messaging, then they will not receive the message. Some carriers also offer email to MMS gateways — detailed in the table above — so if you’d like to send a message that’s more than 160 characters, use an MMS gateway instead of an SMS gateway.

Download an extension for faster texting

There is also a Chrome extension that is specifically designed to help users send texts from Gmail. If you use Gmail and send a whole lot of emails as text messages, this little extension is a valuable — and free — download.

The extension is called Send Your Email to SMS (text), and you can download it here if you are currently in the Chrome browser. This won’t change much: It simply adds a little phone icon to your Gmail email window. Type out the email that you want to send, and then click the phone icon. This will bring up your list of Gmail contacts and allow you to search through it to find the person you want to text. You also have the option to add a new phone number just by typing it in.

The email is automatically formatted for proper texting and replies to the text will be emailed back to that Gmail address, allowing you to successfully carry on conversations. It’s not that useful if you don’t use Gmail at all, but if a lot of your contacts and activity are in Gmail, this extension makes email-to-text much easier and more efficient — and you don’t have to worry about carrier codes. The app also allows you to reverse the process and get text alerts for important emails that you receive in Gmail, which may be nice if you are on the go but really need to follow a particular email conversation.

It’s also worth mentioning that Gmail and Google Calendar also tie in with the If This Then That smart device management system. That means you can set up IFTTT to, for example, schedule a text using Google Voice, which may be easier than jumping directly into an email for some devices.

Update: The Gmail extension option was added. 

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Razer Project Linda hands-on: Your Razer Phone becomes the brain of your laptop

As our phones get more and more powerful, an increasing number of people have started ditching their laptops. While there are still a few things you can only do on a dedicated computer, mobile phones have gotten to the point where we can do most of our daily tasks on them. Still, a full keyboard a bigger screen are really nice, and Razer is looking to mix two of their most popular products together to make that happen.

Razer’s Project Linda is essentially a Razer Blade Stealth with a Razer Phone replacing the trackpad and the brains of the laptop. It slots in with a simple USB Type-C connection, which immediately shifts the interface to the 13.3″ display once the connection is made. While the unit we looked at just used a 1080p 60 Hz display with no touch capacity, Razer wants the final chassis to allow for 1440p 120 Hz, and also include a touch screen. This way you’ll be able to interact with your laptop in a very similar way you would with your phone, and should get an overall similar experience.

You might think it would be inconvenient to have your phone slotted into a laptop, but you can pretty much do everything you would do on your phone on this thing. There is an array of microphones at the top of the unit so you can do high resolution audio calls, and a webcam in case you want to use something like Skype or Google Duo.

The chassis also acts as a battery bank for your handset. It’s got 53.6 Watt-hours of capacity standard, and Razer says this can charge your phone from 0 to 100% a full three times. Because of this, you’ll actually be tempted to keep your phone in the laptop for longer, as it can keep your phone topped off for when you need to take it out and hit the road.

The laptop is powered through a USB Type-C port, and also includes one USB Type-A port and a headphone jack for peripheral attachment. This way you’ll be able to use a mouse with your phone, which actually worked quite well in our demo, and would probably help you get ahead in all your competitive mobile games.

Razer didn’t announce a price point or release date for Project Linda, but I do hope that it actually launches at some point, since it’s one of the more interesting concepts we’ve seen out of the company.

What do you think of the concept? Make sure you stay tuned to Android Authority to get updates as they come, and leave all your hot takes in the comments section below.

Skagen has just announced the most beautiful Android Wear smartwatch (Video)

Skagen is perhaps most well known for its beautiful analog watches, and over time those watches have been getting smarter. The company now has a wide variety of hybrid smartwatches available, including the wonderful Jorn Hybrid that we reviewed back in July.

If you’ve been looking for a Skagen-made smartwatch with a touchscreen display, today’s your lucky day. The company has just taken the wraps off its very first touchscreen smartwatch, the Skagen Falster.

Skagen really nailed the design of the Falster.

The first thing you’ll notice about the Falster is its minimalist, modern design. It features a fully-round display, very little bezel, a single dial on the right side, and interchangeable straps.

Skagen really nailed the design of the Falster. This is one of the best looking smartwatches we’ve ever seen.

The Falster runs Android Wear, which means it’s compatible with both Android and iOS devices. This means you’ll have access to voice commands with Google Assistant, all the smartphone notifications you can think of, customizable watch faces (the pre-loaded ones are great, by the way), and music control on your wrist. It’s also powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon Wear 2100 processor. During our hands-on time with the watch at CES 2018, we were blown away by how snappy the Falster navigated through the Android Wear interface.

The Falster is launching in January 2018 for $275-$295. Considering how well designed this smartwatch is, paired with the fluidity of the software, this may be in the running for one of the best Android Wear devices of 2018.

So, who’s buying?

What happens when Detroit and Silicon Valley meet? Automotive-grade magic

Tesla turned the automotive industry on its ear in 2014 with the push of a button, updating several thousand cars overnight as they sat parked in driveways and garage ports around the country. Electric cars like Tesla’s can do this thanks to a much simpler infrastructure, and a willingness to take bold risks.

“It’s probably one of the biggest opportunities on the face of the planet.”

Four years later, you can count on one hand the number of car companies that are even close to similar capabilities: Ford upgraded its infotainment system remotely last year, a related technology on a far-less-important scale. GM plans over-the-air (OTA) updates for 2020.

Until now.

On Tuesday at CES 2018, Hyundai and Cisco revealed a new technology road map to completely reinvent in-vehicle networking, bringing fast and reliable Ethernet connectivity, the Automotive Linux platform, and the ability to roll out new features throughout the vehicle at the push of a button. Both companies say the technology paves the way for autonomous driving in the future. Similar collaborations between technology and automotive companies are being announced throughout the technology show – and it’s heralding an opportunity that will transform the car as we know it.

“It’s probably one of the biggest opportunities on the face of the planet,” James Peters, Connected Car vice president for Cisco, told Digital Trends. “Think about merging Silicon Valley and Detroit. It’d be a game changer for the automotive industry.”

Meet the hyperconnected car

The first fruits of are the new platform for “the next generation of hyperconnected car” that the two companies have unveiled. It replaces some of the complex and weighty spaghetti mess of wires found in current vehicles (something called a CAN, or Controller Area Network) with a vastly simpler one based around 1-Gbps Ethernet, the same stuff you plug into your computer or your router. Replacing wires isn’t just small potatoes. The miles of wiring in a car’s wiring harness adds not just complexity and cost but also weight, as much as a hundred pounds. One company Cisco spoke with thought it might be able to add a mile per gallon to fuel economy stats with the system.

It’s the first step toward throwing out the legacy mess of wires in most cars and moving them toward the simpler system in vehicles like Tesla’s – but cleanup and simplicity aren’t the goals here.

“The main purpose is not to reduce the weight of the wiring harness itself. That’s a byproduct. The main purpose is to get those automobiles ready for new services in the future,” explained Seung-ho Hwang, executive vice president and head of Hyundai Motor Group’s Auto Intelligence Business Department.

Buy the hyperconnected car Hyundai’s Genesis brand will roll out in late 2019, and it won’t be able to patch the brakes if a flaw is found in a controller, nor will it add plaid mode (or even ludicrous mode). But it will make video feeds from the backup cameras and blind-spot monitoring cameras more accessible to the driver. It will also offer OTA updates to the infotainment system, and down the road – well, the potential is enormous. Think of it as future-proofing.

Future proofing (while keeping it secure)

“It’s preparation for the connected car. Connected-car services — remote maintenance, diagnosis, and even repair, and more intelligent navigation,” Hwang told Digital Trends. Many of those services rely not on bandwidth in the car but out of the car, he said, and updating the vehicle is necessary nonetheless. To that end, Cisco has built a central gateway for the car, just like your router in essence, which connects to the legacy networks in your car and to the “head unit,” auto-speak for the infotainment system on your dash.

Taking a gamble that may brick 8 million vehicles is something Hyundai is reluctant to do.

“You’ve got a lot of low-speed, low-security networks in cars today. Most of them are closed networks,” Peters explained. Cisco wants to replace that with modern, secure networking based on the tools it has spent decades building and honing. And because of that expertise, and software that connects to some of the legacy networking, Cisco can update, say, the backup camera if need be.

“We’re able to open up a connection to a camera, download some new software, and then close it up again,” Peters said. Just like Tesla’s vehicles can. Cisco also brings decades of security expertise, and the new network is no different, offering multilayer security: link-layer encryption, prescriptive white lists, firewalling, and other safety mumbo jumbo.

So it’ll be just like Tesla, right? Well … sort of.

While updating a few thousand or even tens of thousands of Teslas is risky, taking a gamble that may brick 8 million vehicles is something Hyundai is more reluctant to do. So Hyundai will start with convenience features, Hwang explained, such as infotainment system updates. Safety updates will be more serious. And safety is baked into the very design of the car, explained Luc Donckerwolke, executive vice president of Hyundai Design Center.

“The fact that all electronic devices can hear – are hearing  — everything we say, and all the devices are able to see us, hear us, and interact with us,” Donckerwolke said. “We have to think about all that as designer … it’s a question we have to address.”

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Digital Storm packs plenty of Nvidia GTX punch in its tiny Project Spark PC

Digital Storm revealed a new miniature gaming desktop PC dubbed as Project Spark during the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. It’s based on the Micro STX platform, meaning it only measures a mere 12 inches in height. But that small size doesn’t mean Project Spark is short in performance, as it’s capable of packing up to an eighth-generation Intel Core i7 processor, up to a GeForce GTX 1080 discrete chip, and up to four storage drives. The TARDIS it’s not, but there’s enough room inside for a few other goodies as well. 

The secret behind Project Spark is the motherboard. We suspect it is the same one used in the updated Z370 DeskMini GTX desktop manufactured by ASRock making its debut at CES 2018 as well. The board is roughly 5 by 7 inches in size, fitting between solutions found in NUCs, and those in standard Mini ITX systems. Outside their compact size, another standout feature on Micro STX boards is a slot for Mobile PCI Express Modules (MXM). 

This connector is typically provided in notebooks with discrete graphics chips. Nvidia spearheaded a movement to create a standard that would make upgrading the graphics easy for laptop owners so they weren’t forced to purchase a new device. These GPU modules simply plug in and out of the MXM slot, and are used in many laptops on the market today including Alienware-branded laptops manufactured by Dell, and GT and GX series laptops from MSI. 

Given Project Spark is a compact desktop form factor, having the MXM compatibility is a good thing. According to Digital Storm, you can upgrade the processor, memory, and storage options in the upcoming PC in addition to swapping out graphics modules. Here’s what you’ll find on the Project Spark menu: 

Processor: 

Up to Intel Core i7-8700K 

Chipset: 

Intel Z370 

Graphics: 

Up to GeForce GTX 1080 

Memory: 

Up to 32GB DDR4 @ 2,666MHz 

Storage: 

3x M.2 NVMe SSDs
*Up to 500GB Samsung 960 Pro each
1x SATA SSD
*Up to 2TB Samsung 850 Evo 

Connectivity: 

TBD 

Ports: 

TBD 

Power supply: 

TBD 

Dimensions: 

6 (L) x 4 x 12 (H) inches 

Weight: 

TBD 

Release date: 

Q2 2018 

Starting price: 

$1,299 

 According to Digital Storm, the starting configuration is based on the GeForce GTX 1060 module. The model on display at CES 2018 will be packed with everything you can cram into the compact system, including the Core i7-8700K chip, the GTX 1080, 32GB of system memory, three 500GB M.2 NVMe SSDs from Samsung, and the 2TB Samsung SATA-based solid-state drive. 

“We’ve always wanted to design and build a PC that raises the bar in terms of performance-per-square-inch and cooling,”Harjit Chana, Digital Storm’s founder, said in a statement. “Advances in motherboard design have finally allowed us to make this goal a reality for our customers.” 

To put its size in perspective, check out how Project Spark compares with Digital Storm’s other mid-tower and small form factor gaming PCs: 

Height(in inches) 

Length(in inches) 

Width(in inches) 

Velox 

22 

20 

9 

Slade 

21 

18 

10 

Lumos 

20 

19 

9 

Bolt 

20 

16 

6 

Vanquish 

18 

17 

9 

Spark 

12 

6 

4 

 Digital Storm’s Project Spark will be highly customizable when it goes live in the second quarter of 2018. 

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Need help? ZTE’s safety wearable contacts first responders with touch of a button

Chinese smartphone manufacturer ZTE is partnering up with Qualcomm and Wearsafe to create a new personal safety wearable, the companies announced at CES. ZTE describes the device as “a discrete wearable device that is designed to connect the consumer to third parties such as first responders, monitoring companies, and family almost instantly through the push of a button.”

There’s no device yet, but the wearable will be one of a growing number of always-connected mobile personal emergency response system solutions for consumers.

Taking advantage of Qualcomm’s Snapdragon Wear 1100 platform frequently used in fitness trackers and other wearables, ZTE’s wearable will feature GPS tracking and LTE connectivity. Since the wearable will use the Snapdragon Wear 1100 chip, it should offer an extended battery life as well. We do know the device will have global band support, meaning you should be able to use the device anywhere there is a signal.

The device will rely on Wearsafe’s software, which allows wearers to use a series of taps to summon emergency assistance.  The service is subscription-based and costs from $5 to 7 a month. While ZTE’s wearable will likely use a similar subscription model, we don’t know if pricing will be the same because the new wearable will use LTE service to operate.

While Wearsafe provides a personal safety device called Tag, the company tells Digital Trends that the wearable created with ZTE and Qualcomm will be a little different. Wearsafe Tag requires the user’s phone to be within 200 feet to operate, but the new wearable will have be able to transmit information without a phone close by. This will make the device a nice option for users who don’t want to carry a smartphone when exercising or in situations where it may not be safe to pull out your smartphone. Since the forthcoming wearable will use a Qualcomm chip, it will likely be rechargeable, as opposed to the Tag, which uses a coin cell battery.

ZTE’s device will join a number of wearables on the market aimed at keeping people safe. While many of theses devices, like the Revolar, provide a similar service, ZTE’s anticipated wearable is the first we’ve seen that contacts emergency response, provides your exact location, and does not require a mobile device to be nearby.

ZTE has yet to provide specifics on the wearable, but we will update the story when it does. Expect to see the device in the U.S. first, with a global rollout to follow.

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Razer unveils Hyperflux wireless mouse and Nommo speaker line for gamers

Gaming specialist Razer has unveiled two new products in its range of high-end PC accessories at CES 2018. The Mamba Hyperflux is a truly wireless gaming mouse, while the Nommo speaker line will offer top-tier audio to complement the visuals on screen.

Razer’s new Hyperflux Wireless Power Technology allows compatible mouse mats to transfer power to a paired mouse without the need for any wires connecting the two. The mat creates a magnetic field that supplies power to the mouse directly, rather than using a bulky battery like other attempts at this kind of device. The end result is a wireless mouse that’s comparable in terms of weight to wired mice offering convenience and comfort to dedicated gamers.

While other companies have attempted to do wireless charging for mice, they have been unable to achieve true wireless power as their mice still need a battery to be charged,” said Razer co-founder and CEO Min-Liang Tan. “HyperFlux Wireless Power Technology is a game changer in the world of wireless gaming.”

The Mamba Hyperflux is also outfitted with Razer’s Adaptive Frequency Technology, which continuously scans for the strongest possible signal in the 2.4GHz band in order to maintain a stable connection. The mouse will be available in the first quarter of 2018, and will be bundled with the Firefly Hyperflux mousemat at $250.

Meanwhile, the new Nommo line is set to give gamers a couple of appealing options when it comes to high-end audio equipment. The range has been designed with accurate audio positioning in mind, and will make it easier to accurately track noises in the environment while in-game.

The Nommo is described as an “everyday” 2.0 speaker system that utilizes Custom Woven Glass Fiber 3-inch drivers to deliver a clear, crisp sound, with elongated rear-firing bass ports that deliver bass without distortion. A Chroma variant will also be available, with USB connectivity and a built-in digital-to-analog converter.

The Nommo Pro is a THX-certified 2.1 speaker system that’s a cut above the standard edition. It can simulate Dolby 5.1 surround sound, and features USB, Bluetooth, and optical connectivity options, as well as a 3.5-millimeter jack.

Nommo will cost $100, Nommo Chroma will cost $150, and Nommo Pro is priced at $500. The standard models are available now via Razer’s online store, with the Pro model set to follow at a later time.

Hyperflux Mamba

Hyperflux Mamba and Firefly

Nommo

Nommo

Nommo Pro Chroma

Nommo Pro

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The Misfit Path is Misfit’s smallest hybrid smartwatch yet

Misfit’s latest addition to its line of watches is the Misfit Path, which the company announced at CES 2018, and it’s unique because the timepiece is the company’s smallest hybrid smartwatch yet.

Using a 3-axis accelerometer, the Misfit Path tracks steps taken, calories burned, the distance traveled, and sleep duration. With its connected app, you’re also able to receive calls, texts, emails, and various app notifications straight to the watch.

Similar to the Skagen Signatur T-Bar hybrid smartwatch we had a chance to test out, you can set each number on the watch to a specific contact or app. When you receive a notification, your watch alerts you by vibrating and the watch hands go to the specific number — between 1 and 12 — that you assigned.

Other features include the ability to set a second time zone, customize vibration alarms, create movement reminders, and update the date and time. Using Path’s smart button feature, you can call your phone when you can’t find it, control the music, take photos, and connect it to other smart devices.

Made of stainless steel with a matte finish, Misfit Path is a more chic and discreet alternative to its predecessors. Available in four soft color variants — stainless steel, rose tone, gold tone, and stainless steel with gold tone accent —  its silicon sport straps are interchangeable with Mistfit’s 16mm watch straps.

Misfit is also no stranger to hybrid smartwatches — with a few already on the market. In November, Misfit released the Misfit Command hybrid smartwatch with a larger watch face and more traditional look. The Path will certainly appeal to a certain demographic that prefer small watches.

Prior to the Command, the company launched the Misfit Phase in October 2016. The hybrid smartwatch has a similar, fashionable look to Misfit’s Path but includes a larger case size and darker colorways.

The Misfit Path is swim-proof and water-resistant up to 50 meters. It also includes a replaceable coin cell battery that lasts up to six months, which means you won’t have to worry about charging it.

You’ll be able to purchase a Misfit Path this spring, and the hybrid smartwatch will be available on Misfit’s website for $150.

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