Dell’s new 2-in-1 Chromebook has USB-C and stylus support

Pricing starts at $289.

Devices like the Pixelbook help Chrome OS be more appealing and attractive to general consumers, but in addition to this, there’s a giant slew of Chromebooks that are targeted specifically at schools. The Dell 5190 is the latest education-focused Chromebook to come to market, but even if you aren’t a student, there’s enough here that makes it worth checking out nonetheless.

The 5190 is Chromebook with an 11-inch screen, and it’s available as either a traditional laptop or with a 2-in-1 design so you can have it double as a tablet. In addition to this, there’s also stylus support and USB-C (making the 5190 the first Dell Chromebook to adopt the new charging/syncing standard).

You’ll be able to configure the 5190 with up to a quad-core Intel Celeron processor and battery life is rated to be up to 13 hours. Plus, if durability is a big concern for you, Dell states that it’ll be able to withstand “10,000 micro-drops” from four inches.

Dell will begin selling the 5190 in February with a starting price of $289.

Lenovo has three new rugged Chromebooks for the education market

New tech meets old toy with the $10 View-Master Virtual Reality Starter Pack

Kid-friendly VR at an amazing price.

The View-Master Virtual Reality Pack just dropped to $9.99 on Amazon. Its average price lies around $19, and this is just a dollar above its lowest price ever which it saw in late 2016.

View-Masters used to be one of the coolest toys when I was a kid. You could buy slides featuring various scenes from movies and shows, slip them into the toy and view the scene in a larger format. Today’s View-Master puts that thing to shame. Instead, you simply download one of the View-Master VR apps to your smartphone and slide your phone into the viewer. From there, you can enter a 360-degree immersive experience by putting on the goggles and looking around. Of course, it’s kid-friendly – which is great considering many VR experiences tend to be scary, though you will want to make sure your child isn’t walking around with these things over their eyes for hours too.

To use this device, your smartphone must have a screen size between five and six inches. It requires iOS 8 or above for use on iPhones. It comes with a Preview Reel which lets you demo all the available apps, though to use them properly, you’ll need to buy additional “Experience Packs” which are available on Amazon from $4.

See at Amazon

Android Wear 2.9 will add unread notification dots on all watch faces

Developers also get new goodies with the new Android Wear SDK 2.2.0.

If you’re an Android Wear loyal and still rocking a smartwatch that’s powered by Google’s wearable OS, you’ve got a new feature to look forward to with the upcoming 2.9 release – an unread notification indicator.

Receiving notifications from your phone is one of the highlight features of smartwatches, but if you get busy and forget to check your watch after some time has passed, there’s no way to see if you have unread texts or emails without swiping to access them. With the release of Android Wear 2.9, you’ll begin to see an unread notification indicator on all of your watch faces if there are notifications you missed.

This indicator will be positioned at the bottom of your watch faces by default, but developers can use the new Android Wear SDK 2.2.0 to adjust the position and appearance of this.

Additionally, the new SDK also adds better permission handling and a new drawable callback to improve the performance of watch face complications.

Android Wear 2.8 adds system-wide black theme

IP Cameras vs. Nest, Arlo, and other integrated systems: Which security ecosystem should you invest in?

Whether you want something simple or need a complicated whole-house system, there is a security camera that will work for you.

Home surveillance cameras are more popular than ever before. Whether you want cameras as part of a larger home security system, to use as a baby monitor or even to keep an eye on the pets while you’re at work, there are plenty of options available at just about every price point.

But before you buy, you need to think about things like placement, power needs and, most importantly, what type of system to start with: a simple integrated system like a Nest Cam, or a standard IP camera. There are pros and cons to both types and a bit of time spent deciding which is best for you will save frustration and money.

• Integrated camera systems
• Standard IP cameras
• Which is best?

Integrated camera systems

Camera packages from companies like Nest or Netgear’s Arlo are available as a complete turnkey system in one box. You’ll have everything you need to get a camera in place and monitoring the things you want to monitor without any headaches or difficult installation instructions.

Once installed, you’ll have a system that can stream HD video with advanced features like motion detection triggers and zone fencing that works with your smartphone to do things like sending push notifications for motion alerts. The cameras use your home internet connection to stream video to the company’s servers where you can monitor things in real time or download clips to save them for later. The companies making these consumer IP camera kits have thought of nearly everything, and it only takes a few minutes to get it all up and running. Additional features can integrate your system with Amazon’s Alexa service, Google’s Assistant service or Apple’s HomeKit without any headaches.

What makes installation and setup of these types of cameras so easy are their proprietary nature. They are designed to work very well in limited ways, with little to no flexibility in how you set them up and use them.

Everything is easy because nothing is flexible.

There are some really great options in this space. Nest and Arlo have already been mentioned, but other companies like Logitech and their Circle 2 system or Canary, or Ring’s Spotlight cameras work really well and are simple to set up. More importantly, they are simple to keep running month after month, year after year. We love them both because they can give us a clear picture of our home, both inside and out, and because they are so simple to use.

After connecting a camera or a base station to your home network, they are attached to a user account through the company that manufacturers them. You’ll notice during the setup process that all you need to do through the app on your phone or a PC is enter your network name and password; the cameras themselves do the rest. Your only options for viewing and storage are the ones approved by the manufacturer, and depending on your needs the hosting plans for camera storage can be pretty pricey. Workarounds from other companies who offer cloud-based camera FTP services exist, but can be complicated to set up and limit the features supported.

Fully integrated camera systems and the ecosystem that drives them are great for families who need something that can be easily set up and requires little to no maintenance. The initial high price of the equipment as well as long-term expense for hosting services are mitigated by the ease of use and well thought out feature set.

• See Arlo security camera systems at Amazon
• See Nest security camera systems at Amazon
• See Logitech Circle 2 security cameras at Amazon
• See Ring’s Spotlight camera system at Amazon

Standard IP cameras

Standard IP cameras are usually a very different experience than an all-in-one-box setup. Instead of a simple camera or cameras designed to work with a specific service from the manufacturer, a standard IP camera is just a camera. It transmits video, both wired and wireless options exist, and it’s up to you how to capture and preserve the streams. A typical IP camera setup will have several inexpensive cameras connected to an NVR (Network Video Recorder) on a standalone storage device or a computer system.

These systems can be more complicated to setup than an integrated system. But part of the reason is the number of options you have for just about every piece of the system itself. IP cameras come in many different styles with different mounting options, can use PoE (Power over Ethernet) for a single-wire FHD installation, often come with zoom lenses and true night vision, and can work when you have special needs like a tamper-proof design or a stealthy setup. Countless hardware and installation options make a standard IP camera an excellent part of a larger automation system and “regular” IP address based stream access means you won’t have any trouble seeing what the camera sees with an on-site monitor or through a web server over the internet.

Standard IP cameras are prefect for anyone who loves to DIY.

The biggest difference between these cameras and an integrated camera kit is the video storage. A basic system like this one from Zmodo comes with four indoor/outdoor autofocus cameras (with IR cut filters for basic “night” vision), a stand-alone NVR storage device and the software to set everything up through a computer on your existing home network. Others, like this Samsung 16 channel FHD DVR system come with everything needed to cover your home inside and out in one box. The cost of these systems is about the same as a basic integrated multi-camera system with no additional costs for cloud services or storage.

Most IP camera systems also have the benefit of not having video from your cameras in the cloud. Popular use cases for security cameras include children’s rooms, bedrooms and other places where privacy is paramount. With proper installation and setup, only you will be able to access your camera recordings, and they are stored on media in your home. If you want the convenience of cloud storage, you’ll usually find that option available, too. But it’s an option — you still have all the footage on site where you can secure it or dispose of it as you see fit.

You can also build your own NVR storage devices, and capture and administrative software is available for everyone from the hobbyist to the enterprise. If you have particular needs or just want to set everything up yourself, a standard IP camera system is the way to go.

See IP cameras and systems at Amazon

Which is best?

One type of security camera system isn’t inherently better than the other. The easy setup and use of products like a Nest Cam are worth the extra cost and storage service plans for many. Others will be more comfortable keeping their recordings local or have needs better served by a standard IP camera system.

If you found your way here because you’re an enthusiast and enjoy the setup process or will have no problem going through all the options and troubleshooting things, you will want an IP camera system. They are more felxible, cost less, and have no monthly or yearly storage fees attached. This also applies if you have any special needs like needing to disguise your cameras so they aren’t stolen or need a real zoom feature. Hobbyiests and tinkerers can also buy into an IP camera system on the cheap and if you find it something you want to expand you’ll be able to move from a single inexpensive Yi Camera to a bigger multi-camera NVR system with no loss of your initial investment.

There is no one-size-fits-all security cam solution.

Some of us would rather spend a little more money for a system that’s more plug-and-play, then let someone else worry about storing the feed and monitoring the connection. It’s hard to put a price on ease of use, but if we could we’d probably feel that products like Netgear’s Arlo system or a Nest Camera system are a bargian. The higher starting costs are offset by the time you’ll save installing things, and the yearly fees are worth it if you would rather not have to worry about local storage or feel that you aren’t yet ready to take care of it yourself. That’s exactly why these types of products came to market — people want the simplicity and are willing to pay a little more for it.

Decide what your needs are, and if you want to work through a more complex setup or want a system that just works. Luckily, both are readily available options. If you are using security cameras and have a particular brand you like or any feedback, feel free to talk about it in the comments!

Updated January 2018: New products are awesome and we added some thoughts about them to this post.

‘Minecraft’ is a microcosm of Microsoft’s gaming strategy

Minecraft is pretty important to Microsoft. Not only did the company spend $2.5 billion in 2014 to own the world’s most popular building-block game, but just last week it promoted Matt Booty, the head of Minecraft, to Corporate VP of Microsoft Studios. As far as Microsoft sees it, there’s a direct line from Minecraft to Gears of War, Halo and all of the company’s major first-party games. And now, with Booty’s ascent, there’s a new Minecraft boss.

Helen Chiang has been with Microsoft for 13 years, and the past 11 of those were spent in the Xbox division, managing the Live team and working with developers in the Xbox Live Arcade program. She helped Minecraft get settled on Xbox long before Microsoft’s acquisition, and now she’s in charge of the entire game.

“It’s really important for the overall gaming strategy,” she told Engadget. “What I like to think is that we’re out in front thinking about a lot of different things.”

Chiang says Microsoft can use Minecraft as a proving ground for new ideas and features that might make their way to other Xbox projects. For example, Microsoft recently partnered with NetEase to release a version of Minecraft in China, and Chiang says the game is doing well in the region. This opens the door for other Xbox games to make the international leap. In the coming years, players might also see more Microsoft games coming to a range of devices, just like Minecraft.

“We’re one of the games that’s on all of the platforms outside of just Microsoft platforms,” Chiang says. “When I started at the company, and it’s really evolved over time — that is something that’s changed in our strategy. I’m really excited to work on a game that, really, it doesn’t matter where the players are playing. Part of what’s important to Minecraft is that we make it available to anybody, anywhere they want to play, on any device that they want to play. And that’s something I think we’ll see Microsoft do more of.”

With more games on more platforms, an obvious question looms: What about cross-console play? Currently, Microsoft allows PC and Xbox players to join select games together, including Gears of War 4, but the list is limited. The company is even willing to enable cross-play between Xbox One and the Nintendo Switch — here’s looking at you, Rocket League — and it wants to work out similar deals with Sony’s PlayStation 4. Cross-platform play is possible from a technical standpoint, and both Microsoft and Nintendo have expressed interest in connecting their consoles. However, Sony has historically rebuked these efforts.

Minecraft is an ideal test case here. The Better Together update unifies all versions of Minecraft, from consoles and PC to mobile, allowing players to interact with people on different devices and receive updates at the same time. Better Together is live for Xbox One, Windows 10, mobile and virtual reality versions of Minecraft, and Chiang’s team is working on the Switch version right now. It should be available “shortly,” though there’s no concrete launch date.

Sony, meanwhile, is still playing coy.

“In my role as the new studio head for Minecraft, I’m looking forward to continuing the discussions with Sony about bringing the Bedrock engine over to players on PlayStation,” Chiang says. “I think that is something that is very important to us and I’m looking forward to continuing to have those conversations with Sony.”

If everyone decides to play along, Minecraft’s future will be more connected, communicative and open than ever, and Microsoft’s broader game strategy could follow suit.

“I think games are such a dynamic industry, one that really builds on everything that’s happening in technology,” Chiang says. “So I’m really excited about what we’ve done in games and how much farther we still have to go.”

‘RunGunJumpGun’ is coming to Nintendo Switch on February 8th

Deceptively-simple automatic runner RunGunJumpGun is coming to Nintendo Switch on February 8th, according to a tweet by its developers, Good Shepherd. The game first hit iOS and Android in 2016, amassing an army of fans initially intrigued by its simple premise — shoot, jump, survive — and subsequently ensnared by its addictive intelligent level design and masterful difficulty curve. Under the slightly tweaked moniker ATOMIK: RunGunJumpGun, the game will offer Switch players the same twitchy platforming fun — and for just $8/£8.

Source: Good Shepherd

Researchers create ‘true’ 3D holograms by trapping particles

SciFi movies like Star Wars and Avatar depict holograms that you can see from any angle, but the reality is a lot less scintillating. So far, the only true color hologram we’ve seen come from a tiny, complicated display created by a Korean group led by LG, while the rest are just “Pepper’s Ghost” style illusions. Now, researchers from Brigham Young University (BYU) have created a true 3D hologram, or “volumetric image,” to use the correct term. “We can think about this image like a 3D-printed object,” said BYU assistant prof and lead author Daniel Smalley.

The team used something called an “Optical Trap Display” to create the volumetric images. The difficulty with holograms so far is that you need something to reflect the laser light so your eyes can see it. BYU’s device uses lasers to trap a a tiny particle in free space, and can force it to move in a path, much like how electromagnets deflect the electron beam in a CRT television. Other blue, red and green lasers then illuminate it. If the particle moves fast enough, it creates the illusion of a solid, animated holographic image.

“A single point was dragged sequentially through all these image points, and as it did, it scattered light,” said Smalley in a video (below). “And the accumulated effect of all that scattering and moving was to create this 3D image in space that is visible from all angles.”

The researchers say the system is the first to create a floating, animated images that you can actually interact with. The video shows various shots of the researchers placing their fingers under some of the generated images, for example.

So far, the group has “3D light printed” a butterfly, prism, animated rings and Leia-like figure. The images so far are rather crude, probably because of the limitations of how quickly the lasers can move the particle, and they’re also rather tiny, so the research clearly has a ways to go. To be fair, though, it apparently looks better in person than on video, which picks up flicker that the human eye doesn’t see.

The aim now is to scale things up for larger images and work out other bugs. Smalley admits that the images will never be as realistic as you’d expect in movies and other medium, but could still revolutionize medical imaging and other fields. “If you could get a high-resolution MRI image of the data before the procedure … you could use this little display to give you the cross section of the artery,” he said.

Source: BYU

Pre-match ‘PUBG’ meet-ups won’t be nearly as violent

PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds is shaking things up. But why improve a formula that’s already helped it nab 25 million PC players and over three million Xbox One players? Well, the problem lies with its pre-match meet-ups, which spawn players in the same area causing strain on its servers. Bluehole’s solution is to plop groups of players in different starting locations on both its maps, according to a Steam community post. Anything that solves the game’s rocky performance issues should be welcomed by fans.

But, there’s more. The developer is removing weapons on the starting island prior to a match — a measure likely aimed at reducing the mayhem ahead of the actual carnage. And, spurred by its purge of 150,000 cheaters, Bluehole is also ready to test a new anti-cheat security tool.

Source: Steam

How to buy a smartwatch in 2018

The smartwatch industry’s identity crisis may be coming to an end. Familiar tech brands like Motorola, Microsoft and Pebble have retired from making wearables, while others like ASUS are rumored to be giving up on the category, leaving us with a shrinking selection of devices to choose from. But fitness and fashion brands have rushed to fill the vacuum, while more specialized watches are also on the rise. This means shoppers will need to prioritize some features over others. As it turns out, there’s not yet a perfect solution.

If you’re reading this, chances are you already know you want a smartwatch and have at least a cursory understanding of the benefits. (Or you could be trolling in the comments about why people shouldn’t buy smartwatches.) I’m not here to convince you to get one; I’m here to help you navigate the smartwatch world by showing you our favorites and flagging some key questions to ask.

The basics

Before we dive into our short list, bear in mind the phone you’re using will significantly narrow down your options. Android users won’t consider the Apple Watch, since the device only works with iOS. On the other hand, iPhone fans won’t get as much out of Android Wear (not to mention third-party systems like Fitbit OS or Tizen OS) as Android users. In fact, folks with Samsung phones may even prefer the company’s Tizen-based Gear smartwatches to Android Wear offerings.

You should also consider whether you want LTE connectivity. Most people won’t need this feature, since there are few instances where you would leave your phone behind and still want to remain connected. But if you find your handset a burden and still want to keep an eye on your notifications, a watch with a cellular radio might serve you well. Bear in mind, though, that this connectivity often comes at the expense of battery life and requires a chunkier case (with the Apple Watch Series 3 LTE being a notable exception). You’ll also be limited to a handful of options, and they’re typically more expensive than their non-LTE counterparts.

Our top picks

To make your life easier, here’s a quick rundown of our favorite smartwatches. From our experience, these offer the best combination of features and design. All of our top picks have built-in GPS, heart rate sensors, mobile-payment tech and swim-tracking, in addition to support for third-party apps and some sort of digital assistant.

Chris Velazco / Engadget

Apple Watch Series 3

If you use an iPhone, the Apple Watch Series 3 is practically a no-brainer. It offers robust health tracking, Apple Pay compatibility, music streaming, convenient messaging tools and useful third-party apps. While some may not like the device’s square face, Apple’s design is otherwise inoffensive and blends in with most outfits. You can spring for an LTE version, but as I said earlier, this will hamper the Watch’s battery life, which is already shorter than what rival devices are capable of.

Edgar Alvarez / Engadget

Samsung Gear Sport

We also like the Samsung Gear Sport, which integrates well with Galaxy phones and has a unique rotating bezel that makes navigation easier. It’s hardy enough to withstand seawater, so you can keep it on at the beach, and it runs the company’s own Tizen OS, which now supports thousands of third-party apps. The Gear Sport is rated to last up to four days on a charge and can control SmartThings appliances, making it a good option for those who have already bought into Samsung’s ecosystem.

Daniel Cooper / Engadget

Fitbit Ionic

Fitbit’s first full-fledged smartwatch is also a strong contender, thanks to its precise sleep-tracking and onscreen workout guides. The Ionic’s bold hexagonal design won’t be for everyone, but those who don’t mind Fitbit’s aesthetic will appreciate the well-rounded suite of health features. The company promises up to five days of battery life, which is longer than rival devices with color touchscreens. In fact, this only falls short of the Garmin Vivoactive 3, which uses a transflective panel that’s relatively dull by comparison.

Daniel Cooper / Engadget

Garmin Vivoactive 3

Garmin’s latest Vivoactive smartwatch also makes our list. Many runners swear by the company’s running watches, thanks to their accurate distance-tracking and typically long battery life. Indeed, the Vivoactive 3 is supposed to last up to seven days on a charge, and it can measure metrics for a wide variety of activities, including less-commonly supported exercises like indoor rowing, stair stepping and yoga. It even tracks your golf game, keeping an eye on hazards, obstacles and your shot distance. If you’re willing to spend about $150 more, the Forerunner 645 GPS running watch can stream music to your Bluetooth headphones.

Honorable mention: Samsung Gear S3 and Huawei Watch 2

The best smartwatches available now tend to focus on fitness, but there are some multipurpose devices from traditional tech companies that deserve special mention. In particular, Samsung’s Gear S3 and Huawei’s Watch 2 squeeze plenty of features into relatively small frames, offering lots of value for the money.

Chris Velazco / Engadget

The $350 Gear S3 Frontier runs third-party apps on Samsung’s Tizen OS, automatically tracks exercise and features a useful rotating bezel. With some Googling, you can even find it for less than $300. The Huawei Watch 2 ($300) bundles GPS, NFC payments, music streaming and a heart rate sensor with an inoffensive design.

Both these options aren’t as capable as our top picks when it comes to fitness tracking, but they’re powerful enough for average users who just want a snapshot of their daily activity.

Pick a priority: fitness versus fashion

If you can’t live with Apple’s square face, Fitbit’s hexagonal design, Samsung’s rotating bezel or Garmin’s not-really-color screen and you don’t believe using a nicer strap will change your mind, then look for something from your favorite fashion brand. Just keep in mind that these fashion-forward devices tend to lack the comprehensive features that our top picks all offer.

If it is indeed a fashion watch you’re after, you won’t be wanting for options. Fossil Group alone has released 300 models licensed to various fashion brands (think: Kate Spade, DKNY, Emporio Armani, Diesel, etc.) while other companies like Movado, Montblanc, Tag Heuer and Louis Vuitton have launched their own devices as well.

Most of these run Android Wear, which performs basic fitness tracking (counting your steps and active time), puts a digital assistant on your wrist and streams music to Bluetooth headphones. In general, they lack built-in GPS or heart rate sensors. There are non-Android Wear options available as well, but they tend to support fewer apps and have less functionality.

You might also consider hybrid smartwatches — analog timepieces with basic fitness-tracking and notification systems. They’re usually much more fashionable than touchscreen watches, but you won’t get much more than step counts and confusing vibration alerts. Mondaine’s Helvetica stands out as a particularly stylish option while established watchmakers like Timex and Frederique Constant (recently acquired by Citizen) have some nice offerings too. Nokia’s Steel HR is also a worthy candidate: What it lacks in style cred it makes up for with more-robust fitness tracking via an onboard heart rate sensor.

Wrap-up

It remains to be seen which companies will stick with smartwatches, but if nothing else it’s clear that tech giants like Apple and Samsung will continue to update their existing product lines. Fitness watches and trackers don’t seem to be going anywhere either. For now, if you don’t like the Apple Watch Series 3 or Samsung’s Gear Sport, you’ll have to agree to some trade-offs in functionality. Fashionistas in particular will have to wait for stylish options with more-robust features, but in the meantime the all-purpose models have come far enough that we can now recommend them to the masses.

ESPN is adapting its popular ‘First Take’ show for Facebook

Facebook has been busy adding new shows to its Watch tab for a while now. But let’s face it, big name broadcasters aren’t exactly flocking to the social network as an avenue for their content. That’s what makes today’s news pretty significant. ESPN announced a new version of its popular First Take sports talk program that will be tailored to the more interactive confines of Facebook. The key difference? More viewer participation.

Titled First Take: Your Take, the new show will stream three times a week (Monday, Wednesday and Friday) at 3PM ET on the show’s Watch page. It’s scheduled to debut this coming Monday, January 29th, so ESPN can take full advantage of Super Bowl week. The show will feature the same host trio as the normal TV broadcast: Stephen A. Smith, Max Kellerman and Molly Qerim. What makes it different is viewers will be encouraged to submit their hot take videos as a means of weighing in on a topic. According to Variety, producers will select the best ones and one fan will be chosen to debate Smith and Kellerman on each week’s final show.

The cable network isn’t just doing this on a whim. Variety reports that Facebook is paying the sports network for a six-month exclusive on the show. However, Facebook isn’t the only social network ESPN plans to blanket with Super Bowl coverage. It also announced a show for Twitter hosted by Katie Nolan and Mike Golic Jr. called Double Coverage. That one is scheduled to air next Wednesday, Thursday and Friday at 4PM ET live from Minneapolis — site of next weekend’s big game. If you’re not familiar, Nolan was the host of the Sports Emmy-winning show Garbage Time on FS1 before Fox Sports pulled the plug on it last year. Golic Jr., of course, is the son of long-time ESPN personality and former NFL player Mike Golic of Mike & Mike fame.

Facebook has been open about its desire to land more sports content for its video hub, reportedly willing to spend a “few billion dollars” to get just that. The company recently hired Europort CEO Peter Hutton to help it secure global rights to more events, so its definitely serious about padding the library. If ESPN makes a big commitment to Facebook Watch, the social network could be well one its way to achieving its goal. Let’s just hope the next show includes Dan Le Batard and Stugotz.

Source: Variety