Zolo announces Model Zero radial speaker with Google Assistant

Anker’s Zolo sub-brand has announced an interestingly designed speaker with Google Assistant.

Anker is no stranger to audio products since it produces some of the best inexpensive earbuds out there. Its Zolo sub-brand is no stranger to experimental products either, with the company releasing its Liberty truly wireless earbuds late last year. That heritage continues with Zolo’s latest announcement: the Model Zero speaker.

Image courtesy of Zolo

I’m not quite sure what the inspiration is for this design, but it makes me want to use the speaker as a kettlebell. The oval cutout should make the speaker easy to lug around the house, assuming it isn’t too heavy, and a strip of buttons on the inside of the oval offers media controls. Besides that and the compatibility with Google Assistant, Zolo didn’t share any other details about the Model Zero. The company is aiming for a fall 2018 release, so we should learn more by then. The Model Zero will be available in black and silver, black and bronze or white and gold color.

What do you think of the Zolo Model Zero? Let us know down below!

Qualcomm’s Bluetooth SoC aims to make truly wireless headphones a whole lot better

OnePlus 5T: Everything you need to know!

This is everything you need to know about the OnePlus 5T!

OnePlus has settled into a six-month cycle for its phones: in the summer, its flagship gets a new design language and number, while in the winter that same phone gets tweaked and the letter “T” added to stand out from its predecessor. OnePlus continued this tradition in late 2017 with the OnePlus 5T replacing the OnePlus 5. This is everything you need to know about the OnePlus 5T!

Check out our reviews

We’ve had our hands on the OnePlus 5T since its unveiling, and we’ve spilled plenty of digital ink to cover it. Check out our video review above, and read our written reviews linked below:

OnePlus 5T review: Come for the value, not the excitement

OnePlus 5T India review: Hitting all the right notes

Flagship specs for less

OnePlus’s mantra has always been offering flagship-level internals coupled with minimalist software, all for significantly less than similarly-specced devices. The OnePlus 5T has all the right stuff you’d expect for late 2017: a Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 SoC, a 6-inch, 18:9 screen, and a dual-camera. Check out the full spec sheet below!

More: OnePlus 5T: Should you pay extra for 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage?

About those cameras…

LG has used a secondary lens for wide-angle shots, Huawei uses its second lens for black-and-white shots, while OnePlus is using the second lens in the 5T to better capture low-light shots. Really low light. Under 10 lux, which is is where most phone cameras start to struggle. The user doesn’t need to do anything to change which lens is in use; the camera software will automatically pick based on the ambient light.

Unfortunately, low-light photos from the 5T aren’t particularly good. Andrew noted his photos had a good bit of grain and strange artifacts from the camera software trying to smooth things out. In fact, the main camera took better low-light shots than the secondary lens. There’s no OIS in either lens, which would have gone a long way towards making those low-light shots better. The OnePlus 5T takes great shots when there’s ample light, but don’t count on it for your concert photos.

More: OnePlus 5T gets numerous camera improvements and December security patch

You can unlock it with your face

Android phones have been able to unlock with the user’s face since the Ice Cream Sandwich era, but the feature was never particularly consistent or secure. OnePlus has solved the first problem with the 5T, with a face unlock system that is ridiculously fast. There aren’t special camera sensors like on the Galaxy Note 8 or the iPhone X, and the face unlock on the 5T isn’t as secure as it is on those phones. But it can’t be fooled with a photograph, which should be secure enough for most users. Even better: OnePlus has started rolling this feature out to its older devices, back to the OnePlus 3.

More: OnePlus 5 now has Face Unlock with OxygenOS Open Beta 3

There’s a Star Wars edition

The Force is strong with OnePlus fans, at least in India. The company released a special edition of the 5T in India for ₹38,999 ($600), and it looks gorgeous. Rather than the matte black used on most 5T’s, the Star Wars edition has an all-white color scheme with a sandstone finish. Accenting the white paint job are the Star Wars and OnePlus logos, Alert Slider, power button, and volume rocker all in red.

More: OnePlus 5T Star Wars Limited Edition launches in India for ₹38,999 ($600)

There’s also a Sandstone White version

For those of you outside India, don’t fret: OnePlus now makes mostly the same device, just without the Star Wars branding. You get the same sandstone texture, the same pure white color, and the same red accents. Be careful with it though: Alex found the device got dirty after only a few days. The phone regularly picked up black and blue coloring from being in his jeans pocket. While it’s not difficult to clean for now, be wary of the long-term durability of this coating. The Sandstone White OnePlus 5T is available for the same $499 that the black version is.

More: The OnePlus 5T in Sandstone White is gorgeous, and probably won’t stay that way for long

Oreo is on its way

One oddity (or maybe not) with the OnePlus 5T is that it launched with Android 7.1.1 Nougat, rather than the more recent Android 8.0 Oreo. That’ll change soon, though: the company has already started fielding beta builds of Oreo through its Open Beta program, with a stable launch in the coming weeks. The OnePlus 5 began receiving its Oreo update before the update was paused, so hopefully the 5T will receive the update once OnePlus gets things figured out.

More: Oreo update cancelled for OnePlus 5 due to unnamed bug

Compared to other devices

The OnePlus 5T’s main selling point is its lower price for mostly the same experience compared to the big names in the Android world, and it holds up favorably. Against the Pixel 2, you get a larger screen and battery size, similar light software experience with some genuinely useful additions to vanilla Android, and (most importantly) a headphone jack. Things look even more favorable when comparing the 5T against the Pixel 2 XL, which has the same screen size and dimensions but costs $350 more. Where the 5T is lacking is water resistance — there isn’t any — and the camera. Again, the 5T has a good camera, but the Pixel 2 crushes it in low-light photography. If those are important to you, it may be worth the extra money for Google’s flagship.

The 5T is also a great phone for Windows 10 Mobile converts. The lighter software will be easier to adjust to than heavier versions of Android that come from Samsung and LG, OnePlus’s features don’t get in your way if you live in Microsoft’s ecosystem, and the lower price is also welcome.

More: Should you get the Pixel 2 or OnePlus 5T?

More: Why the OnePlus 5T is the Android for Windows phone converts

Check out our forums!

Want to know more about the OnePlus 5T? Our forums are full of awesome users who can answer your every question.

More: OnePlus 5 & 5T forums

OnePlus 5T and OnePlus 5

• OnePlus 5T review: Come for the value, not the excitement
• OnePlus 5T specs
• Should you upgrade from the OnePlus 3T?
• OnePlus 5T vs. Galaxy S8: Beast mode
• All of the latest OnePlus 5T news
• Join the discussion in the forums

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Amazon

Blockbusters will continue to live in theaters as VoD talks stall

If you hate going to the movie theater and were eager to see new movie releases at home (for a hefty price tag), we’ve got some bad news for you. AMC Theaters was previously in talks for a possible premium video on demand (PVoD) window as early as three weeks after theatrical release. Now, according to Deadline, the CFO of the world’s largest theater chain, Craig Ramsey, told investors that PVoD talks have stalled and that there is “no consensus” on the issue.

The cost of PVOD to the consumer would be around $30 or $40, and the sticking point is that exhibition venues, such as movie theaters, want a cut. It makes sense; movie theaters would see the biggest hit from this move, as more people would opt to wait for PVoD, rather than going to a theater to see a first-run movie. The problem is that movie studios can’t come to an agreement with these exhibition venues on just how big that slice should be.

It’s certainly disappointing news for people, like parents, who can’t make it to the theater often. While $30 to $40 isn’t cheap, it’s about the price of two movie tickets, not including refreshments. There doesn’t seem to be much hope in Ramsey’s comments that the talks will continue, but anything’s possible, right?

Source: Deadline

TiVo DVRs will take commands from Alexa and Google Assistant

You won’t have to use TiVo’s in-house voice control to steer your DVR in the near future. TiVo has unveiled plans to add smart home integration, including voice control through Amazon’s Alexa and Google Assistant. If you have a supporting device like your phone, an Echo or Google Home, you can control your DVR without reaching for the remote. PCMag describes the functionality as different depending on which voice assistant you choose. Alexa is more about straightforward navigation control, while the Google Assistant support is more about searching for shows and tying in with other devices (such as dimming the lights when you’re ready to watch). However, it’s also adding IFTTT support that could deliver a lot more when combined with speakers and other smart home devices.

TiVo envisions IFTTT recipes that could automatically turn the TV to ESPN when you arrive home, pause what you’re watching when the doorbell rings, or send an SMS if your children try to unlock your DVR’s parental controls. Pre-programmed commands will even automatically skip past commercial breaks. If you spend a lot of time in front of the TV, you may not have to touch your DVR controls much, if at all.

Alexa, Google Assistant and IFTTT support should reach TiVo set-tops over the next few months, so you’ll need to be patient. When you combine this with the company’s Next-Gen Platform, however, it’s evident that TiVo is determined to stay relevant in the streaming era.

Click here to catch up on the latest news from CES 2018.

Via: PCMag

Source: TiVo

International User Accounts Swept Up in Chinese iCloud Data Migration

Apple’s announcement on Wednesday that its iCloud services in mainland China will be handed over to a Chinese company has already run into controversy, after it emerged that accounts registered overseas are being swept up in the migration.

Apple said yesterday that customers based in China had been contacted and advised to examine new terms and conditions, which include a clause that both Apple and the Chinese firm will have access to all data stored on iCloud servers, which will be transferred from February 28. Customers living in mainland China who did not want to use iCloud operated by GCBD had been given the option to terminate their account.

However, according to some users who spoke to TechCrunch, in the data to be handled by local partner Guizhou-Cloud Big Data (GCBD), Apple is including iCloud accounts that were opened in the U.S., are paid for using U.S. dollars, and/or are connected to U.S.-based App Store accounts.

STRANGE: my US Apple ID also got the China iCloud Transfer mail… pic.twitter.com/MZvjsbPiYL

— 王博源 Wang Boyuan (@thisboyuan) January 11, 2018

When asked for comment, Apple pointed to its terms and conditions site, which explains that it is migrating iCloud accounts based on the settings of the user’s device, not where an iCloud account is registered or billed to.

The operation of iCloud services associated with Apple IDs that have China in their country or region setting will be subject to this transition. You will be notified of this transition via email and notifications on your devices. You don’t need to take any further action and can keep using iCloud in China.

After February 28, 2018, you will need to agree to the terms and conditions of iCloud operated by GCBD to keep using iCloud in China.

As it stands, this could result in thousands of users temporarily living in China to study or work having their data migrated to servers under the control of GCBD, which is owned by the Guizhou provincial government in southern China.

The situation is said to have left many users feeling trapped into the migration, but one user has discovered an apparent opt-out. This involves switching an iCloud account back to China before signing out of all devices. The user then switches their iPhone and iCloud settings to the U.S., and after signing back into iCloud, their account should no longer be part of the migration.

“What will Apple do when the Chinese authorities request a backdoor to access data that is encrypted?” Charlie Smith, founder of censorship monitoring site Great Fire, told TechCrunch. “Will they continue to adhere to local laws and regulations and submit to the request? Or are they leaving this decision squarely in the hands of GCBD, their local partner?”

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, iCloud
Discuss this article in our forums

The Moviphone is an Android phone with a built-in projector

This isn’t the first time we’ve seen a projector packed into a phone, but it is the cleanest implementation yet.

CES used to be a decent showcase for a lot of the major upcoming phones for the year, but as time’s gone on, that’s changed. Big phone unveilings are now reserved for MWC, IFA, and other press events throughout the year, but if you look hard enough, there are still some handsets to be found here and there.

One company that’s at CES 2018 is Wireless Mobi Solutions from San Diego, and it’s showing off a product called the “Moviphone.” The Moviphone is a mid-range Android handset that doesn’t look all that exciting at first glance, but upon further inspection, you’ll see there’s something unique on the back – a built-in projector.

The Moviphone can project a 720p HD image up to 100-inches in size, and its brightness rating of 50-lumens is right on par with what Motorola’s projector Moto Mod offers. However, unlike the Moto Mod for Motorola’s Moto Z devices, you wouldn’t know there was a projector on the Moviphone if we didn’t already tell you. It really is amazing just how much the Moviephone looks like any other random Android phone, and while its design might not be very inspiring, the fact that there’s a projector packed inside a familiar form factor is commendable.

Other specs for the Moviphone include a MediaTek MT6750V processor, 4,000 mAh battery, 16MP rear camera, 8MP front camera, 1280 x 720 display, rear-mounted fingerprint sensor, and Android 7.0 Nougat.

You can buy the Moviphone now from Wireless Mobi Solutions’ website for $599, but the company is hoping to expand it to other retailers and wireless carriers.

See at Wireless Mobi Solutions

DJI and Ryze team up to produce a $99 drone that doesn’t suck

DJI and Ryze have teamed up to produce the Tello, a capable low price drone.

Drones are a lot of fun if you know how to fly them correctly, but they’re not cheap: drone maker DJI’s least expensive model is the Spark, priced at $499. That’s inexpensive compared to other drones, but not reachable for most people. That changes today with the announcement of the Tello.

The Tello is actually built by a Chinese company called Ryze, but will be sold through DJI’s storefront. The biggest draw of the Ryze will be its price: it will be sold for only $99. For that price, you get 13 minutes of flight time — only slightly shorter than the 16 minutes of flight on the Spark — a 720P camera, and collision detection to keep the drone in one piece. There’s also VR headset compatibility, which sounds like it will be either fun or completely terrifying depending on the operator.

The Tello will be available in yellow, white and blue. There’s no word on availability, but you can register for email updates on DJI’s site.

Are you interested in picking up the Tello? Let us know down below!

Blocks modular smartwatch is finally available to purchase, but will anyone bite?

The Blocks modular smartwatch launched on Kickstarter in 2015 and is now available to purchase.

Back in 2015, smartwatches were in their golden age. The Apple Watch had just launched, Android Wear was still appealing and Pebble still existed. At the same time, a little company called Blocks launched a Kickstarter campaign for its modular smartwatch, with a promised ship date of May 2016.

May 2016 came and went, and the shipping date kept being pushed back. But now, the company is finally ready to ship its smartwatch ecosystem. The Core smartwatch features notification support, fitness tracking, Alexa integration and even the ability to display the time. Users can then add on one of the following modules to expand functionality:

• An environmental sensor for detecting temperature, air pressure and humidity.
• A heart rate monitor.
• An LED light that can be used as a flashlight or more obnoxious notifications.
• A smart button that can be programmed to perform certain tasks in certain connected apps.
• A GPS.
• An extra battery for 25% longer charge.

If all goes well, Blocks will develop new modules including a fingerprint sensor, air quality monitor, flash memory module and a bone conduction speaker. The Core of the Blocks ecosystem comes in either a black or silver casing, with either a black or red strap. Each module costs $35. The Blocks smartwatch runs a proprietary OS and is compatible with Android and iOS devices.

Are you interested in the Blocks smartwatch? Let us know down below!

See at Blocks

Android 8.0 Oreo is once again rolling out to the OnePlus 5

After a slight hiccup, Android 8.0 Oreo is rolling out to the OnePlus 5.

OnePlus promised it would update the OnePlus 5 to Android 8.0 Oreo before the end of 2017, and began updating the devices near the end of December. That update had to be cancelled due to an unspecified bug, but the show is now back on.

OxygenOS 5.0.1 should now be rolling out to OnePlus 5 users. In addition to the usual Oreo features, the phone is also updated to the December 2017 security patch and has a new camera UI. OnePlus notes that the update will fail to install on phones with an unlocked bootloader. If that’s your phone, backup your files before re-locking your bootloader. If you want to download the update on your own, it’s available on OnePlus’s site and can be sideloaded using the same method to sideload an update on Pixel phones.

Have you received Oreo on your OnePlus 5? Let us know down below!

OnePlus 5T: Everything you need to know!

Lava Red OnePlus 5T is now available in India for ₹37,999

There’s an exciting new color option available for those looking to pick up the OnePlus 5T in India.

OnePlus launched the Star Wars-themed variant of the OnePlus 5T in India last month, and following the “overwhelming response” received by the device, the company is now releasing the Lava Red color option in the country. Registrations are now open for the device on Amazon India, with general availability kicking off from January 20.

The red variant first debuted in China at the end of last year, and it’s great to see the model up for sale in India. There’s abundant choice for customers in the country looking to pick up a 5T: there’s the standard model in Midnight Black hue, the Star Wars edition, and now the Lava Red option.

OnePlus says that the Lava Red 5T undergoes two anodic oxidation processes using double blasting and an AF coating to achieve its texture. The phone also comes with a unique wallpaper that goes well with that fantastic red hue.

Aside from the variation in color, the Lava Red OnePlus 5T has the same innards as the standard model, which means you’ll get a 6-inch Optic AMOLEd FHD| panel with minimal bezels, Snapdragon 835, dual 16MP + 20MP cameras at the back, 16MP front camera, Wi-Fi ac, Bluetooth 5.0, VoLTE, and a 3300mAh battery with Dash Charge.

The Lava Red OnePlus 5T features 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage as standard, and will be available on Amazon India from January 20 for ₹37,999, the same price as the regular edition of the 5T.

Interested? Hit up Amazon India from the link below to register your interest. Who’s looking to pick up the Lava Red OnePlus 5T in India?

See at Amazon India

OnePlus 5T and OnePlus 5

• OnePlus 5T review: Come for the value, not the excitement
• OnePlus 5T specs
• Should you upgrade from the OnePlus 3T?
• OnePlus 5T vs. Galaxy S8: Beast mode
• All of the latest OnePlus 5T news
• Join the discussion in the forums

OnePlus
Amazon