Netflix Rolling Out iOS Update That Adds Bottom Tab Bar for Easier Navigation

Over the past few days there have been multiple reports of a new update to the Netflix app on iOS and Android devices, which includes a design overhaul for the streaming service’s navigation bar on smartphones. Instead of placing every piece of navigation within the top lefthand corner “hamburger” menu, Netflix has introduced a simpler tab bar at the bottom of the app with four tabs for Home, Search, Downloads, and More.

Netflix’s hamburger menu (iPad) compared to the new bottom tab bar (iPhone)
Previously, the left-handed menu housed profile switching, notifications, downloads, My List, and various themed categories. Now, these options are mostly located in the “More” tab, and Netflix has broken out Search and Downloads as a quicker method of jumping into those areas of the app. TV and film categories are also now located in the Search tab, including those Available for Download, Netflix Originals, Action, Dramas, Horror, and more. On Android, it appears that there will be an additional tab for users called “Coming Soon,” displaying TV shows and movies launching soon on Netflix.

Apple encourages developers to use tab bars at the bottom of their apps in its Human Interface Guidelines, since they’re easier to use one-handed and provide more information at a glance. Two years ago Spotify made a similar change, replacing its hamburger menu with five tabs for Home, Browse, Search, Radio, and Your Library, akin to Apple Music’s tabs on iOS. Earlier this month, Google Maps added a bottom tab bar in its iOS app as well, so users could easily jump to Explore, Driving, or Transit information.

Netflix’s rollout plan for the new tab bar remains unclear, with some iPhone and iPad users already seeing the update and others remaining on the older hamburger menu style.

Tag: Netflix
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iPhone X Clone ‘Leagoo S9’ Will Cost $150 and Include ‘Face Access’ Biometric Security Feature

Late in 2017, a crop of iPhone X clones began popping up in China, with each device deciding to copy the tenth anniversary iPhone’s main identifier: the front-facing “notch.” One such model was the “Leagoo S9,” and at Mobile World Congress this week the company has announced new details about the phone, including a price tag of $149.99.

Images via Leagoo
Leagoo confirmed that the device has a 5.85-inch “HD+” IPS notch display, further describing the phone as the “World’s First Android iPhone X.” Leagoo’s notch includes technology that fuels a “Face Access” feature, allowing users to unlock the phone in under 0.1 seconds. According to the company’s website, there will also be a “Leagoo S9 Pro.”

Other internal specs include an eight core chipset, 4GB RAM, a 3,300 mAh battery, and 32GB of storage, with a microSD card slot for further expansion possibilities. As a comparison, iPhone X’s A11 chip includes six cores, the smartphone has 3GB of RAM, and it uses a 2,716 mAh battery.

The Leagoo S9 also features a rear fingerprint sensor for additional biometric security entry options for users, physical lock and volume buttons on the right of the device, a vertical rear camera, and a bottom bezel with the Leagoo logo. Each shot of the phone’s software shows what appears to be consistent on-screen controls for returning home and going backwards within apps, suggesting these might be Leagoo’s answer for the iPhone X’s swipe up to go home gesture.

Besides the new information on the internals and cost of the Leagoo S9, the company has yet to announce a release date. Many more Android versions of the iPhone X are expected throughout 2018, with Google itself said to be expecting such a huge wave of iPhone X clones that it’s “embracing” an iPhone X notch-like design within Android P.

Related Roundup: iPhone XTag: AndroidBuyer’s Guide: iPhone X (Buy Now)
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Apple’s 6.5-Inch ‘iPhone X Plus’ Said to Have 1242 x 2688 Resolution, Could Come With Dual-SIM and Gold Color Option

Apple in 2018 will release three new iPhones, according to a report shared by Bloomberg this morning. The three devices, as we’ve heard before, will include an upgraded version of the iPhone X, “the largest iPhone ever” with a screen size close to 6.5 inches, and a third less expensive model.

Apple is said to be aiming to offer “a model for everyone” to rekindle iPhone sales after iPhone X sales came in lower than analyst expectations last quarter.

iPhone X Plus rendering via iDrop News
Bloomberg’s report confirms details we’ve been hearing from KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, who often shares accurate insight into Apple’s plans. Kuo has said for months now that Apple is working on a second-generation 5.8-inch OLED iPhone, a larger 6.5-inch OLED iPhone that can be thought of as an “iPhone X Plus,” and a lower-cost 6.1-inch iPhone with an LCD display.

While the 6.1-inch iPhone will feature a lower price tag, Kuo (and now Bloomberg) say all three devices will feature Face ID. The three devices will also feature edge-to-edge displays with the exception a notch on the front of each device that will house the TrueDepth camera system.

The two higher-end devices will use A12 processors and will feature stainless steel edges, and at least one model could be available in gold, a color Apple is said to be considering adding. As for the lower-cost model, it will feature aluminum edges to keep costs down. Like the two higher-end models, it will feature a glass back for wireless charging.

For the larger iPhone model, Apple is said to be considering implementing a dual-SIM feature that would make it easier for people to switch carriers when traveling, but Bloomberg says it’s not yet clear if the company will implement the feature.

Apple hasn’t made a final decision on including the feature and could choose to wait for E-SIM technology, which will connect phones to multiple networks without the need for a removable chip. Apple has wanted to offer E-SIM technology, but some carriers are resistant to the idea and Apple needs their support. A dual-SIM capability would provide a compromise.

Apple’s largest iPhone, which will measure in at 6.5 inches, is code named “D33.” According to Bloomberg, some prototypes of this device feature a screen resolution of 1242 x 2688. Kuo has previously said the device will feature 480 to 500 pixels per inch, similar to the new 5.8-inch model, codenamed “D32.”

Our first look at what could be the display for Apple’s larger 6.5-inch iPhone leaked over the weekend, allegedly sourced from an LG Display plant in Vietnam. Apple is rumored to be sourcing displays for the larger 6.5-inch iPhone from LG, so the leak is potentially accurate.

As you might expect, the display component and digitizer looks a lot like an iPhone X display, only larger. The cutout at the top for the TrueDepth camera is visible, but little else can be gleaned from the image.

According to Bloomberg, Apple is already running production tests with suppliers, and so we could start seeing a significant pickup in part leaks in the near future.

Related Roundup: 2018 iPhones
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How to use Skype

As one of the world’s most premier text, video, and voice chat applications, knowing how to use Skype is a great idea — especially since it’s entirely free unless you’re calling mobiles or landlines. With just a few clicks, you can call someone on the other side of the world in crystal-clear HD video and you don’t need to know a single phone number.

So, how do you actually use Skype? It’s easier than you might think, but if you’re at all concerned or confused by its array of options, we’re here to help. In this guide we’ll walk you through how to download, run and use Skype and all of the great features it has to offer, so you’ll be chatting and calling in no time.

Note: Although Skype is available on everything from Xbox consoles to smartwatches today, this guide will focus on Windows 10 users. Many of the same tips and steps will apply elsewhere, but they may not be exact.

Getting set up

The first step in using Skype is downloading it and setting up your account. They are two steps that are far easier today than they’ve ever been and will get you well on the way to your first Skype chat or call.

Step 1: Open your browser of choice and navigate to the Skype homepage. Click the big, blue “Get Skype” button and it will open the corresponding Microsoft store page. Alternatively, open the Microsoft Store yourself by clicking the taskbar icon, or searching for “Microsoft Store” in the search box. When there, search for “Skype,” and click the corresponding app page.

Step 2: Click the blue “Get” button to download and install Skype for Windows 10. The Microsoft store may ask you if you want to use it across multiple devices, in which case you’ll need to sign in with your Microsoft account. If you’d rather just have a dedicated Skype account, choose “no thanks.”

Step 3: Skype should now be installed on your system. To start it up, use the search box in your Windows taskbar and look for “Skype.” When it pops up in the search box, click the corresponding icon.

Step 4: If you already have a Skype account, you can login with your Skype name, email or phone number and skip through to the next section. To make a new account, click the “Create a new account,” text.

Step 5: You can sign up to a Skype account with an email address or phone number. It’s totally up to you which you would prefer to link with your new account. When you’ve decided, input the relevant information and click “next.” Note: Doing so automatically agrees with Microsoft’s services agreement and privacy statement.

Step 6: The next screens will ask you to input personal information like age, name and location. Input all of that and continue clicking through. When asked for a verification code, check your corresponding email or phone number and input the code.

Step 7: If asked for a CAPTCHA code, input that and click “Create Account.” You now have a functioning Skype account.

Finding friends and family

Where once you needed to know all of your friends’ details and had to add them as Skype contacts, today all you need to know is a single piece of information and you can find them easily and start chatting straight away.

Step 1: When you first login to your account, Skype will ask you if you want to import your existing contacts. If you already have some set up on your Microsoft account, doing so will fill out your contact list immediately.

Step 2: To find anyone else you want to talk to, select the “Search Skype” box in the top left-hand corner and search for their real name, Skype name, or email address.

Step 3: If your friend has a common name — and sometimes if they don’t — you may find that there are a number of people to choose from in the list that pops up. Use profile pictures to find the person you’re looking for, or alternatively click on them, then the name at the top of the window, to view their profile information.

That’s it, you’re ready to begin chatting. Anyone you talk to will automatically be added to your contact list.

Text chats

Not in the mood for a voice call? Having a sneaky chat at work while the boss isn’t looking? Text chats are just as useful today as they’ve ever been; there’s a reason Facebook Messenger and WhatsApp remain two of the most popular apps in the world. Here’s how to text chat on Skype.

Step 1: Select the person you want to talk to either from the list of recent conversations on the left, or from your contact list at the top of the Window. This will open up a conversation on the right-hand side of the app window.

Step 2: Click the bottom of the conversation panel where it says “Type a message.” Type what you want to say and hit enter, or click the send arrow on the right-hand side.

Step 3: Await a response. Rinse and repeat!

Voice calls

When Skype first launched, its big selling point was its voice over internet protocol (VOIP) abilities. While it would go on to facilitate voice calls to landlines and mobile devices, its Skype to Skype voice calling function remains a key component of its service. Setting up a call is as easy as ever.

Step 1: Make sure you have a compatible microphone and headphones/speaker set up. Plug them in and make sure Skype has picked them up by clicking the three dotted menu at the top of the Window, then going to “Settings.” You can leave your “Speakers” and “Microphone” as “Default device,” but you can specify your chosen input and output options with the drop-down menus if so choose.

If you want to test that your hardware is working correctly, use the “Test audio” link in the Settings menu. Alternatively, call Skype’s “Echo” services using the same steps as below.

Step 2: Select the contact or person you want to talk to in the same manner as the text chats.

Step 3: Click the blue phone icon in the top right-hand corner. If that person is online and Skype is open, you will then call them directly. If they accept the call, you will begin a voice call automatically.

If someone rings you in the same manner, just click the corresponding button to pick up the call. Alternatively, if you don’t want to talk to them click the red button instead.

Video calls

To add an extra dimension to your conversations, why not use Skype’s video call function? All you need is a webcam and a willingness to show your face on it.

Step 1: Make sure that your camera is working correctly with Skype in a similar manner to your speakers and microphone. Click the three-dot menu icon and select Settings. Click “Default Device” under the video heading at the top of the page and select your webcam from the drop-down menu.

If you want to double check it’s working correctly, toggle the “Test video,” button in the settings menu. If it’s working correctly, a live-video of you will appear within the menu.

Looking thrilled is optional.

Step 2: When ready, select the contact you want to call and click the blue camera icon in the top right-hand corner. Alternatively, start a voice call and then click the same camera button in the call window.

When the call is running, you can see a miniature version of the video your friend sees in the bottom right-hand corner. If they start their webcam in return, you’ll see them in the main window.

Step 3: If you want to text chat during the call for whatever reason, click the text chat button in the top right-hand corner of the video call window. That will shrink the main video section of the window and give you the usual text chat options below.

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O2 will begin testing its 5G network at The O2 in 2018

The entire venue will have 5G access by 2020.

While we often talk about U.S. carriers developing their 5G networks here at AC, there are exciting things happening in these regards in other parts of the world, too. Earlier this month, O2 announced that it will soon be adding 5G coverage to certain parts of The O2 so customers can get an early test of what’s to come from the carrier over the next few years.

O2 will begin installation of its 5G network this March, and it expects visitors of The O2 will be able to use the network beginning at some point in the second half of 2018. The O2 Blueroom and O2 Store will be the first to parts of the venue to initially support these enhanced speeds, and visitors will be able to test them out thanks to VR, AR, and live streaming demos that will be available.

This project will be used as a testbed for O2’s 5G network, and along with gathering customer feedback, it’ll be able to test out new technologies and potential use cases to see where it wants to focus its 5G plans going forward.

Commenting on this announcement, O2 CEO Mark Evans said:

The arrival of 5G technology, and the range of unprecedented benefits it will bring, will play a key role in keeping our society and the British economy moving for years to come. That’s why we are delighted to announce our plans to launch a 5G test bed at The O2 later this year.

O2 plans on expanding its 5G coverage to the entire footprint of The O2 by the end of 2020, and as expected, access to the increased speeds will be exclusive to O2 subscribers as it rolls out.

Qualcomm’s simulated 5G tests show a 20x increase in download speeds over 4G

Samsung’s AR Emoji are better than Animoji in every way but the one that matters

You’re going to see way more AR Emoji than you ever will Animoji.

Apple’s iPhone X launched with a quirky little emoji thing where you can use your face to animate an emoji message to send to your friends. It’s cute, but Samsung’s Galaxy S9 is launching with something far more feature complete and accessible. The new AR Emoji feature is going to see adoption rates well over what Apple has seen with Animoji, but there’s one huge thing Samsung has done that will have people arguing over which implementation is “better” for quite a while.

The winner right now is clearly Samsung, but there is one important thing Apple is doing better.

Emoji everyone can use

In much the same way Google built AR Stickers into its Pixel Camera app, Samsung has baked AR Emoji right into the camera app for its phones. You can open up your camera, grab an AR Emoji photo or video, and instantly share it anywhere like any other thing you do in the camera app. It’s an instant thing you can do anywhere and share with anyone. Because you’re using the camera app, you get the flexibility of GIFs or photos or videos with ease.

Meanwhile, Animoji on the iPhone X is locked to Messages. You can only record Animoji from within the Messages app, and then you have to export the video from a message so you can upload the file to whatever service you want to use. It’s frustrating, to say the least, and not something a ton of people are going to want to do. It’s also entirely video, no other options are available.

Apple’s commercials for Animoji are fun, but Samsung’s implementation is a great deal more accessible.

Personalized and customizable

When you use AR Emoji for the first time, the app scans your face and creates a character for you based on your actual facial features. The end result is like an instant, personal Bitmoji that can smile when you smile and be just as excited as you are. You can even put your character in costumes, creating a unique look. You can save multiple people’s faces as AR Emoji for you to mess with, and if you’d rather not use a human face you can choose from a selection of cartoonish characters as well.

Animoji on the iPhone X is not at all personal or customizable. You’re limited to a handful of admittedly adorable emoji-style characters, but you can’t do anything to alter their appearance. Apple has added additional Animoji over time, but the characters themselves are locked to the aesthetic Apple created.

Even if you’re not excited about personalization, Samsung has done quite a bit here to let you have some fun with its creation that Apple is nowhere near implementing.

Accuracy and tracking

While both the Galaxy S9 and the iPhone X offer a face tracking system, only one of these companies uses that technology in its animated emoji offerings. As much fun as AR Emoji are, it’s clear Apple’s Animoji do a better job tracking your face and providing lifelike expressions.

Apple’s implementation uses the Face ID sensor on the iPhone X to get a map of your face before you start recording Animoji, and then uses the camera to do the rest. The Galaxy S9 skips that initial facial scan, which means the movement is less detailed and occasionally inaccurate. In fact, the AR Emoji system works almost exactly the same way Animoji work if you cover up the Face ID sensor on the iPhone X before starting Animoji.

Is this a deal-breaker when using AR Emoji? Not at all, but it’s interesting to see where these companies placed priorities. Apple’s implementation is a little more polished, but extremely limited. Samsung’s AR Emoji are not only a great deal more fun to use, but very easy for everyone to use everywhere. It couldn’t be more clear which is more likely to be seen everywhere, so be prepared for the wave of AR Emoji headed to everywhere later this year!

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Best Battle Royale games for PlayStation 4

In the market for some fast-paced battle royale action? Check these PS4 titles out!

For many years running first-person shooters were the reigning champs of gaming. Games like Call of Duty and Halo dominated the release cycle and for a while, it seemed that no other style of game could stand a hope of taking the crown. However, in the last year, there has been a slight shift and it seems there may be a new champ.

Arguably the trail was blazed by PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds. With an early access release in March of 2017, PUBG as it is colloquially known captured the hearts, minds, and imagination of the gaming public. While it was not a completely seismic shift away from first-person shooters, PUBG’s battle royale style represented a clear step away from straight the straight FPS.

As is the case when an overwhelmingly popular game is released, other developers jump at the chance to create games in the same vein. As PlayStation 4 owners wait patiently for PUBG to come to their consoles, some have turned to games that offer a similar experience. Here are a few of the best battle royale style games available on the PS4 right now.

Ark: Survival Evolved

Ark: Survival Evolved is not perfect by any means and it does tread a bit close to a survival game but it does tick some of the boxes essential to a battle royale gaming experience. Survival is job one as you are dropped into a prehistoric style open world. Collect resources, craft items, and while you are at it you can make friends with massive dinosaurs.

There is a single player experience but if you want to get close to the battle royale feel you will definitely want to jump into some multiplayer. You can pick up a copy for $42.

See at Amazon

Grand Theft Auto Online: Smuggler’s Run

If you’ve got a copy of Grand Theft Auto V then you already the proud owner of a game which might scratch some of your battle royale itch. GTA online is an experience that runs parallel and separate to the main story of GTA V. The online world is open and evolving and you are sharing this world with up to 30 other players which can lead to some pretty extensive and serious deathmatches.

While it’s not quite PUBG it gets closer than some for $46.

See at Amazon

Tom Clancy’s The Division: Survival

Ok, now we are getting a little closer to the mark. Survival is an expansion to The Division which was released in 2016. It is a totally separate mode to the core game which drops you and 23 other players into Manhattan. The whys and wherefores that lead to your being there are somewhat irrelevant. What’s important is that you have to survive in the face of extreme weather and other players gunning for you and your gear. It is incredibly tough but it can be a heck of a lot of fun.

You can pick up the core game at Amazon for $26 and you can get the expansion for $15

See at Amazon

Fortnite Battle Royale

Currently, this is as good as it gets on PS4. There is a reason that this game is so popular. It’s free to play and it also happens to be really fun. There, of course, is a full paid version of Fornite but if you want to get your battle royale on you don’t have to drop one red cent. If you are familiar with this style then you know what to expect. You are airdropped onto the map and it’s your job to collect items and survive.

The addition of being able to build structures and traps also adds a little something different to the gameplay. Not only is it the cheapest offering on this list, it’s also the closest option if you’re looking for a pure battle royale experience.

See at PlayStation

As it stands, the popularity of battle royale games show no signs of waning. I would have to imagine that we will be seeing more games in this style released in coming years. Many players have been waiting to see PUBG push over to the PS4 but if they don’t get it together soon they may see that Fornite is armed to the teeth inside a well-protected base when they get there.

What are your favorite battle royale style games on PS4?

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Delta, Sprint, and others team up to offer better in-flight internet access

The Seamless Air Alliance wants to offer 5G speeds via satellites.

Being able to access your emails, social media sites, and more while traveling at 30,000 feet in the air is pretty amazing, but as anyone that’s used in-flight Wi-Fi knows, getting everything working with your devices can sometimes be a pain in the butt. Speeds are often slow, devices often don’t want to connect at all, and this can create a less than enjoyable experience.

In an attempt to iron out these quirks, a few companies are joining forces to create the “Seamless Air Alliance.” The goal of the Seamless Air Alliance is to deliver 5G data speeds to users via satellite technology, and this transition would eliminate the need to authenticate devices for in-flight access, log into special accounts, and pay for service via a credit/debit card before being able to use it.

Delta and Airbus SE are the first two airlines leading the new initiative, and they’re joined by U.S. wireless service carrier Sprint, OneWeb (a satellite startup that’s backed by SoftBank in Japan), and Bharti Airtel out of India

Each airline currently uses its own specialized cabin system for offering internet access to its planes, but the Seamless Air Alliance wants to cut down on costs and extra use of resources by creating a single standard to be used by all.

It remains to be seen if these companies can deliver on the goals they’re setting for themselves, but I’m personally all about anything that makes in-flight internet faster and more user-friendly. What about you?

O2 will begin testing its 5G network at The O2 in 2018

Keep your drinks cool and your soups warm with this Thermos tumbler sale today only

Keep your coffee safe from spilling, whether you’re at your computer or on the go.

The Thermos Stainless King 16-Ounce travel tumbler is down to $17.99 as part of an Amazon Gold Box sale. Before today it was selling for as much as $25 and regularly sells around $22. This price is the lowest it has gone since Black Friday and only the second time in the last year it has dropped below $20. Only the Midnight Blue color is on sale, but Smoke is also down to $19.99 from $25. That version drops in price a lot less than the others, so that’s also a good deal.

The Stainless King uses vacuum insulation technology to retain temperatures, whether what’s inside is hot or cold. It can keep liquid hot for 7 hours or cold for 18, and the double walls prevent your hands from feeling it either way. There’s a built-in tea hook for tea bags, and it’s designed to fit most car cup holders. It has more than 7,400 user reviews giving it 4.4 stars.

Gold Box sales on Amazon are temporary and only last through the end of the day. This one includes a variety of Thermos tumblers all down to low prices. Here’s a couple of our favorites:

• Stainless King 24-ounce Food Jar – $18.23 (from $25)
• Vacuum-insulated 24-ounce Hydration Bottle – $18.10 (from $25)
• Sipp 16-ounce Drink Bottle – $16.34 (from $21)

See the full sale on Amazon

Vivo’s Apex concept phone has tiny bezels, pop-up camera and in-display fingerprint sensor

A glimpse into the (near) future of smartphones.

It’s no secret that smartphone screen bezels are getting smaller. With curved displays and miniaturization of common smartphone components, the idea of a “bezel-free” phone is getting closer than ever.

Vivo has a new concept phone, dubbed Apex, that shows off the company’s vision for a smartphone with tiny screen bezels — and all of the crazy technology involved with achieving the goal. It’s wild to see in person and amazing when you think about everything at play here.

The Apex uses a 6-inch 18:9 flexible OLED display, and that’s key for multiple reasons. Vivo doesn’t use the flexibility of the panel to curve the usable surface, but rather to bend the components and connectors along the edges to reduce the bezels. On the top and sides, the bezels are tiny at 1.8 mm. The bottom bezel is currently set at 4.3 mm, but Vivo is confident it can get that one down to the same 1.8 mm in time — but even still, the Apex has a screen-to-body ratio over 90%.

This is an amazing combination of technologies to enable a future of bezel-free smartphones.

Using an OLED display also lets Vivo place fingerprint sensor technology underneath the panel, which in this case isn’t a single point but instead a large swath of the screen — about one-third of the area, right where your thumbs land when holding the phone. When activated, you can place your registered finger anywhere in the area, at any angle, and have it recognized. Because this is an optical sensor it takes a beat longer to recognize than we’re used to with modern capacitive-style sensors, but I think it’s worth it to get this style of device.

But there’s more to a smartphone that gets in the way of a bezel-free display. The new notch-style displays we’ve seen crop up in the last year attempt to make room for sensors, speakers and cameras — well, Vivo has solutions for those. The earpiece speaker is replaced by a vibration-based bone conduction-style speaker, which is a proven technology that works just fine. It has placed the proximity sensor underneath the display, and the ambient light sensor (for automatic screen brightness) on the top of the phone. Then there’s the front-facing camera, which somewhat hilariously pops up from the top edge of the phone when you switch to the selfie mode in the camera. (Watch the video above to see it in action!) Not only does it look awesome and work flawlessly, but it’s also a little privacy feature.

Many of these technologies come with compromises in terms of phone thickness and things of that sort, but not as much as you’d think. This concept phone didn’t feel out of the normal realm of thickness, size or weight, and this model had a glass back, dual rear cameras, a loudspeaker, USB-C and a headphone jack. I could easily see all of these solutions designed to fit into the types of form factors we expect in smartphones today.

Unlike the phone Vivo showed off back at CES with an in-display fingerprint sensor, this Apex phone is a concept built to show off the company’s new technologies and what it envisions for the future. So the final devices using these technologies, whenever that may be, won’t necessarily look like this — but it really didn’t feel all that unfinished to me.

Sure the Apex itself is a little thick and heavy, but the fact that all of this technology came together into a single device without massive compromises is extremely exciting. You can bet that Vivo, and other companies, will be releasing phones that look a whole lot like the Apex concept phone in the near future.