Make 360 video calls via chat with the iPhone-compatible Insta360 Nano S camera

The company that launched the first smartphone 360 camera is opening up a new type of recording using one of the most used functions of a smartphone: chat. Insta360’s Nano S, an iPhone-compatible 4K 360 camera, allows users to share via chat without an app download.

The Insta360 Nano S allows users to make 360 video calls — and the recipient doesn’t even need to download an app. Inside the Insta360 app, users can generate a URL for the 360 video chat and send the link through any messaging platform. All the recipient needs to do is open the link in a web browser to join the call (provided they are using a device that meets the minimum system requirements). Similar to viewing other 360 videos, swiping around shows the 360 view.

For pre-recorded videos, the Nano S has a new shooting mode with MultiView, a setting that allows the user to choose two different viewpoints to record in a split screen on a standard aspect ratio. The feature, Insta360 explains, is helpful for tasks like simultaneously recording an event and the user’s reactions in the same shot. By splitting the screen, viewers can see both simultaneously without scrolling. Users can also choose to split screens with the tiny planet view on one side and a standard view on the other.

Another new mode, FreeCapture, allows 360 videos to be cropped later into a standard aspect ratio, a helpful tool for following the motion in a scene without actually having someone to direct the camera’s movements. The idea of capturing everything in 360 and editing it down later is a growing concept for 360, including the GoPro Fusion’s Overcapture mode.

As a successor to the earlier Insta360 Nano, the Nano S has several similar features, including connecting via the lightening port rather than relying on a wireless connection. The update also brings stabilization, but rather than making the device larger to build in a gyroscope, the Nano S accessed the iPhone’s own gyroscope to stabilize the footage. The Nano S also offers 4K, a bump up from the 3K on the original Nano.

The Insta360 Nano S is available now directly from Insta360’s website with a $239 list price and two color options, silver and matte black.

Editors’ Recommendations

• Insta360 launches Android adapter for its 360-degree smartphone camera
• Rylo Camera takes a software-first approach to 360-degree video
• 8 GoPro tips and tricks to take your footage to the next level
• With world’s fastest autofocus, Panasonic Lumix G9 is a mirrorless powerhouse
• Rylo 360 camera review

Bad Karma: GoPro will exit the drone market, cut more than 250 jobs

GoPro just can’t catch a break. On Monday, January 8, the action camera company announced it will stop manufacturing the Karma drone and exit the aerial market entirely in 2018. As a result of the move, GoPro will cut more than 250 jobs. The company has also lowered the price of the Hero6 Black to $400.

The price drop follows the December 10 holiday price reduction on the Hero5 Black and Hero5 Session. “Despite significant marketing support, we found consumers were reluctant to purchase HERO5 Black at the same price it launched at one year earlier,” CEO Nick Woodman said in a statement. “Our December 10 holiday price reduction provided a sharp increase in sell-through.”

As noted in our GoPro Hero6 Black review, introducing the camera at $500 while the Hero5 Black remained on at its launch price of $400 seemed perhaps a bit overconfident. Both cameras are now selling for $100 less, while the smaller Hero5 Session has also been reduced to $200. The older Hero Session has been removed from the lineup. While GoPro said sales of the Hero6 met expectations last year, the company noted Hero5 Black sell-through doubled after the price reduction, while Hero5 Session sell-through tripled. A lower price on the Hero6 Black will hopefully spur a similar increase in demand.

As for the Karma drone, GoPro said it was unable to overcome the challenges of a competitive market. It will continue to sell the drone while stock remains and is offering $200 off when bundled with a Hero6 Black. The company will still support Karma customers for the foreseeable future. The Karma drone got off to a rocky start after customers reported midair battery failures, causing the quadcopter to fall out of the sky. Although the problem proved easy to fix, a safety recall delayed sales and GoPro simply couldn’t keep up as rival DJI continued to pump out new models.

In addition to reducing its workforce from 1,254 global employees to “fewer than 1,000,” Woodman’s cash compensation for 2018 will be cut to $1. In all, GoPro is aiming for an $80 million reduction in operating expenses in 2018.

There was at least one tidbit of good news in the statement, however. Sales of the Fusion, GoPro’s 360-degree action camera, were better than expected.

Editors’ Recommendations

• The top 10 most expensive drones that you (a civilian) can buy
• These new Parrot drones could save lives and crops
• Pitta is a palm-sized drone that moonlights as an action cam and security system
• Behold the majesty of our world with the 50 best drone photos
• Hero6 was the hero GoPro needed as company posts first profit in two years

Android Pay and Google Wallet are consolidating under Google Pay brand

Google is taking the first step to unifying its disparate payment brands.

Since it was announced back in 2015, Android Pay has overshadowed another legacy Google payment brand, Google Wallet, which, though it once offered in-store payments, has since been relegated to a cross-platform peer-to-peer money exchange system.

Today, that all changes as Android Pay and Google Wallet are combining to form a single payment brand under the Big G: Google Pay. For existing users of both services, the move is mainly just a logo refresh, but down the line Google says it will take considerable advantage of these new synergies. The branding will also encompass other ways users pay for, and with, Google services, such as on the Play Store and when automatically filling out credit card details in Chrome.

With Google Pay, it’ll be easier for you to use the payment information saved to your Google Account, so you can speed through checkout with peace of mind. Over the coming weeks, you’ll see Google Pay online, in store, and across Google products, as well as when you’re paying friends.

To entice people to sign up, Google is working with a number of retailers on promotional items, such as $10 off any $50+ order at B&H or $5 off a Fandango ticket. Google also says that some apps, such as Airbnb, Dice, and Fandango, have already updated their branding, while more will come in the next little while.

So no new features or countries supported with this announcement, but it’s nice to know that Wallet is sunsetting properly and Google is taking payments more seriously than ever.

Verizon Wireless is making international roaming free for Winter Olympics attendees

Verizon Up members headed to the Winter Olympics just got good news.

Travelling internationally comes with all kinds of expenses you don’t usually associate with travel, and your phone is one of the big ones. International roaming is never not expensive, but it looks like Verizon Wireless is giving all of their customers headed to the Winter Olympics in PyeongChang a break by making it free for all of February. Well, mostly. There’s a catch — you have to be a part of Verizon’s rewards program and TravelPass service before January 28th.

Verizon’s rewards program, called Verizon Up, offers free movie rentals and gift cards to various places for every $300 you spend with Verizon. The good news is this includes anything you spend at Verizon, which means those of us with big family plans see the results of those rewards frequently. This special Winter Olympics bonus makes the TravelPass service you would usually pay extra for cost nothing for the month of February, but only for qualifying plans.

TravelPass pricing, and the free Winter Olympics offer along with it, are available to any Verizon Wireless subscriber with More Everything Verizon plans and any Unlimited plans. That covers a healthy number of users, but it’s also important that your phone be a WorldPhone. Fortunately all modern phones are considered WorldPhones by Verizon, but if you haven’t upgraded in a while you’re going to want to check with Verizon before you leave the country.

How to upload and download music on Google Play Music

Put your music in the cloud and stream it anywhere

Before All Access, before the white and orange overtook Google Play Music, the service was rather simple: you uploaded your music, and you streamed it anywhere. It was a simpler time. It was a better time. Nowadays, many users use Google Play Music without ever uploading their libraries. Whether you want to download the music you bought, upload the music you own, or just get music saved on your phone for offline listening in the car, here’s how to manage your Google Play Music library.

• How to upload and download music on Chrome
• How to upload and download music through Music Manager
• Why can’t we upload on Android?
• Saving albums or playlists for offline playback
• How to automatically save music while you listen
• How to automatically save new podcast episodes

How to upload and download music on Chrome

Uploading and downloading music can be done quite easily in Google Chrome, thanks to Google Play Music for Chrome. This web extension adds a miniplayer for Google Play Music while listening on your laptop or desktop, and it also adds the behind-the-scenes necessities to upload and download music from Google Play. Keep in mind before using Play Music for Chrome that using it to download or upload music will add that computer to your device list, so make sure the computer you’re using it on is the computer you’re normally going to use.

To upload:

Tap the three-line menu icon in the top-left corner of the screen.

Tap Upload music.

Drag and drop your music into the window.

If you haven’t already added Google Play Music for Chrome, Google will prompt you to add it so that it can commence the upload.

To download a song or album:

Tap the three-dot menu next to the song or album you want to download.
Tap Download.
If you haven’t already added Google Play Music for Chrome, Google will prompt you to add it so that it can commence the download.

You can only download a song or album twice through the Google Play Music website and Chrome extension, so be mindful, and if you’re planning on doing a large download or upload, switch from Google Play Music for Chrome to Google Play Music Manager.

How to upload and download music through Music Manager

Google Play Music Manager was originally the only way to get your music in or out of Google Play Music’s music locker service, and while the program is slightly old, it works well and more importantly, it works in the background, so you don’t have to look at it very often. Music Manager is available for Windows, Mac, and several Linux distributions; in fact, it’s compatible with just about every major laptop/desktop OS out there except for Chromebooks.

After downloading and installing Google Music Manager, you’ll log into your Google Account, and then you’ll be presented with a few options:

• Uploading from iTunes — or Windows Media Player, if anyone still uses that — or uploading music from specific folders on your computer
• Whether Play Music automatically uploads new music from iTunes or your chosen folder
• If you want to download your library, you can choose to only download free and purchased music or your entire library

Once you’ve applied your settings, simply close the window and let the program run in the background while you use your computer normally. Because the app relies on background uploads and downloads, it’s not lightning fast but it also doesn’t bog down your computer’s internet speeds while it manages your music. Uploading your initial library or downloading your whole library will of course depend upon how many songs you have and how fast your internet is, but if you have a few thousand songs, I’d give it a day or two to finish uploading everything. Your times may vary but your patience will be rewarded.

Why can’t we upload on Android?

You’ll notice that for a Google service that is so geared towards the mobile experience, Google Play Music doesn’t actually have a way to upload or download music directly from its Android app. The “download” option that exists in the Google Play Music app is actually more akin to the save for offline playback in Google Play Movies. The music’s on your phone, but it’s encrypted, so no other music app can see or play it.

At least for the downloading side, I can see how that might get a touch dicey, especially when you get the paid subscription songs involved in offline downloads. However, it’s been over five years, and it’s long past time for Google Play Music to have an option for uploading your music directly through the Android app, especially when the device you upload or download music through counts towards your device limit. If Google Photos can automatically scan your phone and ask you if you want to upload photos and videos in whatever random folder of your phone, then damn it, so can Google Play Music. Don’t make users go through a desktop middle man.

Saving albums or playlists for offline playback

Open the playlist or album you want to download.
Tap the download icon next to the three-dot menu icon.

Want to download an individual song? Well, you have three options: download the whole album that song is from, add it to a playlist and download the playlist, or turn on the setting in our next section.

How to automatically save music while you listen

Don’t want to hassle with manually going and downloading every album, song, and playlist you’re listening to? Not a problem. Google Play Music has a handy hidden feature to help users download music for offline playback while they’re streaming their libraries. Cache music while streaming is a great setting that you should turn on immediately, whether you spend a lot of time off Wi-Fi or just want to make sure you’re not tuneless should your trusty Wi-Fi go down.

Tap the three-line menu icon in the top-left corner of the screen.
Open Settings.
Tap Cache music while streaming.

How to automatically save new podcast episodes

Having new podcast episodes downloaded and ready to listen without having to go hunt them down while you’re on Wi-Fi is a blessing for long commuters, and Google Play Music makes it very easy to keep the latest episodes downloaded on your phone. There is, however, one caveat: Google Play Music will only auto-download 3 episodes at a time. So, if you listen to a podcast that’s updated every day — or sanity help us multiple times a day — auto-download might not keep everything you haven’t heard yet downloaded unless you really stay on top of your subscriptions.

Tap the three-dot menu on the podcast’s page.
2 Tap Subscribeif it’s a podcast you haven’t subscribed to before or Manage subscription if it’s a podcast you already subscribe to.
Tap Auto-download to toggle it on.
Tap Subscribe if it’s your first time subscribing to the podcast or OK if you already.

Looking for more Google Play Music? Here’s everything you need to know!

Ring adds Beams to its ‘Ring of Security’ as Ring Alarm set to ship this spring

New cameras and lights are coming, and the delayed security system gets a new name and a March launch date.

Ring — you know ’em from their connected doorbells — is unleashing a slew of news today out of CES in Las Vegas. The big strokes are coming from Ring’s acquisition of Mr Beams, which has a portfolio of wireless LED lights. These will tie in to Ring’s existing “Ring of Security” suite, which of course features the doorbells and external cameras we’ve used previously.

Ring also has updated its outdoor Stickup Cam to 1080p, and it’s introduced the Stickup Cam Elite, which has advanced motion detection and can use Wifi or PoE for an internet connection.

The bigger news, perhaps, is that Ring has apparently cleared the hurdles (brought forth by competitor ADT) that stood in front of its new Ring Protect alarm system, and the whole thing is going to be rebranded as Ring Alarm. The basic system will still cost $199 and will start shipping sometime this spring.

CES 2018: Ring Provides Whole Home Security Like Never Before With Latest Security Devices

For the first time, Ring introduces smart lights and indoor/outdoor cameras to the Ring of Security.

LAS VEGAS – Jan. 8, 2018 – Ring , t he leader in home security, unveiled at CES 2018 its whole home security ecosystem, which includes several new security devices that bolster the Ring of Security around homes and neighborhoods. Among the new products are two new indoor/outdoor security cameras and a line of smart, connected outdoor lights, called Ring Beams. Additionally, Ring announced its new, professionally monitored home security system, Ring Alarm, will begin shipping to customers in March 2018. The Ring product line, along with the Ring Neighborhoods network, enables Ring to offer affordable, complete home and neighborhood security in a way no other company has before.

Jamie Siminoff, Chief Inventor and Founder of Ring, said: “In order to execute on our mission of reducing crime in neighborhoods, homeowners need security that is affordable, proactive, easy to install, and comprehensive. All Ring products are integrated so homeowners can create a complete security system with custom zones, commands and settings to best deter thieves. As we begin shipping Ring Alarm, which offers professional monitoring and unlimited cameras at just $10 per month, and continue to innovate and layer new products and features into the Ring of Security and Ring Neighborhoods network, we’re going to make being a burglar in 2018 a very tough job.”

Stick Up Cam Elite
+ Indoor/outdoor security camera
+ Two-way audio
+ Advanced motion sensors with zone detection
+ 1080p HD video
+ Power over Ethernet (POE) or standard wall outlet
+ Wi-Fi or POE for internet

Stick Up Cam

• Indoor/outdoor security camera
• Weatherproof
• Battery-powered
• 1080p HD video
• Two-way audio
• Passive Infrared Sensor (PIR) motion sensors with zone detection
• Compatible with Ring’s Solar Panel Charger

Ring Beams

Ring recently acquired Mr Beams, an innovative LED lighting technology company, in order to integrate
additional smart lights with its security devices.

• Patented smart, outdoor security lights
• Integrates with Ring app and all Ring security Cams and Doorbells
• Pathway lights
• Step lights
• Spotlights

Ring Alarm

The much anticipated Ring Alarm will begin shipping in spring 2018; bundles start at just $199 and include:

• Base Station
• Keypad
• Contact Sensor (for a window or door)
• Passive Infrared Sensor (PIR)
• Z-Wave Extender

Ring Protect Plans

• 24/7 professional monitoring
• Cloud video storage for an unlimited amount of Ring devices at any location
• Free Ring mobile app usage
• 10 percent off all future Ring.com device purchases

This $7 fast wireless charger is a perfect addition to your nightstand

Fast and wireless!

If you’re in the market for a new wireless charger, you won’t want to miss this one. RAVPower is currently offering its fast charging pad for just $7.49 when you use the coupon code 9D4N5YKB during checkout at Amazon. This is a savings of 50% and makes it super affordable to have one of these in every room of your home or office. This is a fast wireless charger, but you need to buy a wall plug that supports it. You can pick up a compatible plug for just $8.49 if you don’t already have one.

• Fast Charge & Wide Compatibility: Fast Charges up to 10W Qi-enabled and Quick Charge devices like the Samsung Galaxy S8 / S8+ / S7 / S7 edge / S6 edge+ / Note8; or charges Qi-enabled, non-Quick Charge devices at a standard 5W
• Tips for Optimal Usage: Charge full throttle by using a 15W or higher QC2.0 / QC3.0 adapter; simply equip your device with a Qi receiver if it’s not Qi-enabled out of the box. Does not charge through metal phone cases or cases thicker than 3 mm
• Safer Devices with Added Protections: Comes with overcurrent, overheat, over-voltage, and short circuit safeguards; standing behind our products, we include an 18-month warranty
• Discreet, Informative LED Indicator: Low-key, yet fully visible LED light turns blue or green to indicate whether it’s in standby or charging respectively

You’ll want to make sure you remove any metal cases or magnetic objects from the back of your phone before you use this (or any) wireless charger.

See at Amazon

Amazon has the 32GB Moto X4 on sale for $280

Mid-range device at a low-range price.

The 32GB Moto X4 is currently on sale at Amazon for just $279.99, a match of its lowest price ever. This device regularly sells for $330 since its release last October. It is unlocked for use on both CDMA and GSM cellular networks. The phone is available in Sterling Blue and Super Black at this sale price.

This version of the Moto X4 smartphone includes special offers and ads on its lockscreen. It features 12MP + 8MP dual rear cameras along with a 16MP front-facing camera with selfie-flash. It also features a 5.2-inch display, 3GB RAM and hands-free Amazon Alexa allowing you to play songs, listen to the news, check the weather and more by simply asking. This device is also water resistant.

It can hold up to 32GB of music, apps, documents and other files, though you can expand its storage space by adding a micro SD card to your order. Just $20 can triple the amount of space the device currently has.

Our review said the device is “a mid-range Android phone done right” and noted “for $400, it’s tough to find a better overall experience than the Moto X4 today.” Now at under $300, it’s more than worth the price.

If the price is still a bit too steep for your budget, the Moto G5 Plus is also currently on sale for only $199.99.

See at Amazon

HQ Trivia for Android: Everything you need to know

What you need to get started with the hottest new game!

We love trivia games. Whether they be on the television or at the table-top, quiz and trivia games have been a long-time favorite for a lot of people. HQ Trivia is the evolution of everything from those old black and white shows from yesteryear through to today’s newest tech, all mashed together into one heck of a fun app.

HQ can be a lot of fun, and with a chance to win real money — a lot of it — everyone is playing! There are 500,000 to 750,000 players regularly tuned in to the twice-daily show and the app has hit the whopping 1,000,000 player mark in very short order with its debut in beta-form for Android.

1M! congrats @hqtrivia pic.twitter.com/jS2gewo5ee

— Sam Sheffer (@samsheffer) January 8, 2018

Here’s what you need to get started having fun and winning some cash.

What is HQ Trivia?

Think of HQ Trivia as a live game-show app. It’s very much like Jeopardy! except you don’t have to fly to a TV studio to get in on the action and play.

Twice a day at 3 pm and 9 pm Eastern, a host hands out multiple choice questions on a wide range of topics and you answer as best you can. Get all 12 correct and you win a share of the pot. Get a question wrong, and you’re out for the session and will need to wait until the next round to try again.

You watch and play right from your phone, as it happens in real time, against hundreds of thousands of other players. Prizes range from a few dollars to a whopping $18,000 we saw gave away this past New Year’s and it goes straight into your PayPal account. It’s a lot of fun and a chance to win real money — two things we all love.

How to download HQ Trivia

That’s the easiest part! All you need to do is fire up the Google Play Store app!

The app is in beta “unreleased” form on Android, but that hasn’t stopped hundreds of thousands of people from giving it a go since it’s release on Android. Install it like you would any other app.

Download HQ Trivia from Google Play (free)

Downloading and installing HQ Trivia is completely free. Because it’s still in an unofficial beta state, the app might be a little unstable according to the developers. But don’t worry, it’s not going to mess up your phone and for the most part, it plays just fine and you’ll have a lot of fun.

How to sign up

You’ll need a unique username and a phone number to get started with HQ Trivia.

You sign up right inside the app and it is the first thing you’ll be asked to do when you open it. When a game isn’t in session, opening the app tells you when the next one starts and lets you see your total winnings or look through the leaderboards.

Be sure to read the terms and conditions before you go any further, and after you’re properly signed in you are asked f you’d like to receive push notifications letting you know when games are about to begin so you can get in on the action.

How to play

Right now HQ Trivia is free to play and free of any ads. Make sure you’re signed in on your phone and every day at 9 pm and weekdays at 3 pm all you need to do is open the app to get started.

You’ll be asked a question and given three possible answers. Questions cover just about every topic imaginable and just like the game shows you’ll see on TV they can be hard or they can be easy, but get progressively more trivial as the game goes on. Answer correctly before the 10-second timer runs out and you move to the next question. Get it wrong or take too much time and you’re out until the next game.

There’s a live chat during each game if you want to be a little social, but you can also swipe it off the screen if it gets too distracting.

If you’re booted, you still get to stay and watch the others play. This is almost as much fun as playing yourself!

Extra lives

Like any good game worth its salt, HQ Trivia gives you extra lives.

If you have an extra life while you’re playing a game, you get a chance to answer a question wrong or take too much time and not be ejected from the game. Instead, your extra life is taken and you get to move on to the next question.

You earn extra lives by referring your friends to HQ Trivia.

How much can I win?

A lot! While HQ Trivia is free to download and play, you can win real money if you make it to the end of a game.

Total prizes start around $2,000 and are split evenly between everyone who survived the 12-questions. If everyone is eliminated the prize rolls over to the next game. It keeps going until someone wins.

Winnings are stored in your account and once you hit the $20 mark you can cash out via PayPal. You won’t need to enter a credit card or pay anything to play.

The Chrome Supervised Users feature is coming to an end on January 12

Google’s Family Link program has you covered, plus a lot more.

Google is ending support for the Chrome Supervised User feature starting January 12. Starting then, you’ll no longer be able to create or re-import a managed user account and on January 15 remote supervision through chrome.com/manage will no longer be available.

Existing Supervised User accounts on Chromebooks as well as browser accounts on Chrome for Windows, Mac, and Linux will still function as they do now, but a manager will not be able to set or change any browsing restrictions or use any other management features.

Google says they are depreciating managed Chrome accounts in favor of the recently launched Family Link program, which also allows for Google account creation and web browsing restrictions in addition to app and device management for Android devices.

More: Google gives parents some much-needed help with Family Link

Supervised User accounts were one of the many Chrome features that didn’t get much attention. But if you are using a managed account, or are the manager of other Supervised User accounts, now would be a great time to look at switching everything over to the Family Link program. You’ll have the same user features through the browser, as well as everything you need to keep tabs on the kids if they have an Android phone or tablet.

Chromebooks

• The best Chromebooks
• Should you buy a Chromebook?
• Google Play is coming to Chromebooks
• Acer Chromebook 14 review
• Join our Chromebook forums