Google Assistant lets you set songs as alarms and look up TV schedules

These two new features are rolling out to users now.

The Google Assistant is something I’ve come to be quite fond of, and thanks to my Google Home and Pixel 2, I’m using it more now than ever before. There are two new features coming to the Google Assistant, and they allow you to link music to alarms and ask about upcoming TV shows.

Starting with the former of the two, this is something that Amazon just added to Alexa this past December. When creating an alarm with Google Assistant, you can now say something along the lines of, “Hey, Google, set an alarm that plays Never Gonna Give You Up at 7 AM.” Once 7:00 rolls around, Rick Astley’s voice will begin to ring through your home as it was intended.

You can also tell the Assistant to set an alarm that plays music by an artist if there’s not a specific song you care to wake up to, and while it’ll try and default to Google Play Music to source these tunes, it should work with the likes of Spotify, Pandora, etc.

Additionally, the Google Assistant can also look up programming for upcoming TV shows. Just say, “Hey, Google, when does Chopped air next” or “what channel airs The Office.”

These new features are rolling out to users now, and if you don’t have access to them quite yet, they should be available to use within the next couple of days.

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How to factory reset an Android phone

How do I factory reset my Android phone?

There are a number of reasons why you might need to factory reset your Android phone. Maybe your phone is overloaded with apps and running slow, or you’ve downloaded a recent update and it’s causing problems with your phone’s functionality. Or maybe you want to reset to the factory settings because you’re selling your phone (you should always do this when selling an old device, by the way).

Here’s how to factory reset your Android phone through the phone settings or via the recovery mode in case your device isn’t booting up to your home screen.

WARNING: Before we get started, know that a factory reset will erase all the data on your phone. If you haven’t backed up your contacts, pictures, videos, documents and anything else (preferably in the cloud), you should do so now.

Not sure where to back up your data before a factory reset? We have you covered:

How to prepare your Android phone for a factory reset

Given the extensive variety of phones available on Android, I’ll be using the Pixel 2 XL and the Galaxy A8+ as the examples. The Pixel 2 XL is running Oreo and serves as a good baseline as the process is nearly identical on devices from the likes of Motorola, Nokia, OnePlus, and other companies that retain a “stock” user interface.

As for the Galaxy A8+, the phone is running the latest iteration of Samsung’s user interface, and with the company being the largest manufacturer in the world of Android by some considerable margin, it makes sense to see how things differ (if at all). With that out of the way, let’s get started.

• How to factory reset your phone from the settings menu
• How to factory reset your phone via recovery mode

How to factory reset your phone from the settings menu

The easiest way to factory reset your phone is through the settings menu. The location of the factory reset option might vary slightly based on the phone you’re using, but once you’ve found the “backup and reset” menu, you should be in the clear.

On a Pixel 2 XL

Tap the Settings icon from your home screen or app drawer.
Swipe up to scroll down to the bottom of the settings menu.

Tap System.

Hit Reset options.
Select Erase all data (factory reset).

Swipe up to scroll down to the bottom of the page.

Hit the Reset phone button.
Enter your device PIN and select Continue.

Tap Erase everything.

Your device will reboot and you can go through the initial setup as if it were a new phone.

On a Samsung Galaxy A8+

Tap the Settings icon from your home screen or app drawer.
Swipe up to scroll down to the bottom of the page.

Tap the General management tab.

Select Reset.
Hit Factory data reset.

Scroll down to the bottom of the page.

Hit the blue Reset button.
Enter your device PIN and tap Next.

Tap Delete all.

Your phone will reboot and you’ll have to go through the setup process again before you’re able to restore your data.

How to factory reset your phone via recovery mode

If your phone is running into issues with an update or if there’s a malfunction that’s preventing the device from booting up, you’ll be able to factory reset by heading into recovery mode. At a high level, you’ll be able to enter recovery mode by pressing down on the volume up and power buttons simultaneously.

The process varies slightly based on the device you’re using, as we shall see later on. But before we proceed to reset via recovery, you’ll need to know about a security mode called Factory Reset Protection.

Google rolled out Factory Reset Protection a few years ago, and the feature is now standard on all phones running Lollipop and above. Essentially, FRP ensures that someone can’t just factory reset your lost or stolen phone and set it up as new by booting into recovery mode. The mode requires you to sign into to a Google account associated with the device after a factory reset, failing which you won’t be able to proceed with the setup.

Based on what I’ve encountered, FRP kicks in when you reset a device via the recovery mode and isn’t an issue when you’re resetting via the settings. If you’re interested in knowing more about the feature and how it works, you should take a look at Jerry’s excellent article on the subject:

Factory Reset Protection: what you need to know

So if you’re looking to sell your device and are considering a factory reset, a better option would be to go through the aforementioned settings page. If you’re unable to boot into your device and need a way of resetting data, then you can turn to recovery mode. Now that you understand the risks, here’s how to reset your phone via recovery mode.

On a Pixel 2 XL

If your phone is on, power it off.
Hold down the Power and Volume down buttons. Instead of booting up normally, you’ll see “Start” in an arrow pointed at the power button. Here you use the Volume buttons to scroll and the Power button to select an option.
Press the Volume down button until you’ve highlighted Recovery mode.
Press the Power Button to start recovery mode.
When your phone reloads, you should see a screen that says “No command” with an Android robot in distress. Press and hold the power and volume up buttons together to load the recovery mode.
Using the Volume buttons to scroll through the menu, highlight Wipe data/factory reset.
Press the Power button to select.
Highlight and select Yes to confirm the reset.
Once the reset is complete, you will be bounced back to the same recovery mode menu. Press the Power button to select Reboot system now.

Your phone will power on and be reset to its factory settings. Your phone will reboot and you’ll have to go through the setup process again before you’re able to restore your data.

On a Samsung Galaxy A8+

If your phone is on, power it off.
Hold down the Power and Volume up buttons simultaneously. You should see the Samsung logo followed by an “Installing system update” screen.
After a few seconds, you should see a “No command” message flashing on the screen. Wait 10 to 15 seconds at this screen and the device will enter recovery mode.
Use the Volume buttons to scroll through the menu and the power button to make a selection.
Highlight Wipe data/factory reset.
Press the Power button to select.
Highlight and select Yes to confirm the reset.
Once the reset is complete, you will be bounced back to the same recovery mode menu. Press the Power button to select Reboot system now.

Your phone will power on and be reset to its factory settings. The next time you turn the phone on, you will go through the initial setup process as if it were a brand new phone. Once set up, you can go about restoring your data from wherever you had it backed up.

As mentioned earlier, if you’re resetting your phone via recovery mode, Factory Reset Protection kicks in if you haven’t already removed your Google accounts from the device. So if you’re selling your device, make sure you remove your Google accounts and lock screen security before you do a hard reset through the recovery mode.

How do you reset your phone?

What’s your preferred method of resetting your phone? Let me know in the comments below.

Updated January 2018: Steps and screenshots have been updated for Android O.

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You can now ask Alexa about your YouTube stats with the TubeBuddy skill

Wanna know how your latest video is doing, or how many subs you have? Just ask Alexa.

It’s now easier than ever to obsess over your YouTube stats, thanks to a new Amazon Alexa Skill from TubeBuddy. If you’re not using the TB service — it brings together a whole bunch of YouTube stats and best practices and basically helps you do things better — you definitely need to check it out.

Plus, ya know, they got some guy to help ’em show it off. So there’s that.

Check out the TubeBuddy Skill for Amazon Alexa

Sony confirms its flagship phones receive two years of software updates

Mid-range and entry-level phones are left to Sony’s discretion, however.

When buying a new Android phone, one of the things to keep in mind is how fast or slow certain manufacturers release software updates for existing hardware. Google’s Pixel line is the current go-to if you want the fastest updates possible, whereas companies like Samsung can be agonizingly slow in this regard.

Sony’s always done a pretty good job at pushing out software updates in a speedy manner, but it’s never had an official statement on where it stands on this. However, this has now changed with the recently spotted Sony Mobile Android Upgrade Policy.

According to Sony:

We aim to support all premium range devices with the latest Android updates for two years after the device has launched. We may choose not to upgrade a mid-range or entry-level device if testing does not meet our exacting standards and we feel the hardware isn’t capable of delivering a stable user experience.

It’s often the norm in this industry that flagship phones will receive software updates longer than cheaper ones, so Sony’s stance here isn’t all that surprising. I’d prefer the company to be more specific about updates for mid and entry-level phones rather than telling people to just wait and see, but even so, this is better than nothing.

If you plan on getting a new Android handset this year, does Sony’s stance on software updates sway your decision one way or the other? Let me know down in that comments section.

The unbearable slowness of Samsung’s updates

Spotify teams with Discord to soundtrack your gaming chats

Spotify and gaming chat app Discord are joining forces so your entire channel can bump to the same music during a raid. Starting today, you can link your Spotify Premium account to your Discord account and keep the beats rocking for your entire community. “All users are now able to instantly highlight and share their favorite tunes with their friends across Discord,” Spotify writes.

More than that, whatever you’re currently listening to will be attached to a tag on your profile so you don’t have to keep answering the same question over and over again. All told, this sounds a lot like how Turntable.fm (RIP) or Dubtrack work. Previously, Spotify replaced Sony’s Music Unlimited service on PlayStation, and just last year it was available on Xbox One.

The partnership makes sense too, and it isn’t much of a stretch to imagine Twitch streamers or other online communities offering the music feature for their respective subscribers. Regardless, it should make having a listening party with your friends a whole lot easier.

Source: Spotify

Netflix and Univision will co-produce at least five more TV shows

Netflix’s team-up with broadcaster Univision on El Chapo was a hit (it became hugely popular both in Mexico and on Univision), and the two are determined to capitalize on this success. They’ve renewed their partnership with the promise of creating “at least” five more shows together. The productions will be available in both English and Spanish, with Univision getting the chance to air them on TV in the US before they stream worldwide on Netflix. The first show out of the gate will be Tijuana, a Spanish-language show about a “web of corruption” that unfolds when reporters investigate the assassination of a presidential candidate.

It’s not certain when the first shows from the production will arrive, although it may take a while when production on Tijuana doesn’t start until April.

Both sides have strong incentives to work together. Univision, of course, extends the reach of its Hispanic American-oriented programming beyond both its existing viewers and US borders. And for Netflix, this continues a longstanding strategy of releasing shows that target wide audiences — it’s catering to much of the planet, and it’s easier to justify big deals like this when it knows there are hundreds of millions of potential viewers.

Source: Variety

Nintendo Labo gadgets can be remixed with ‘Toy-Con Garage’

Nintendo stunned the gaming world last month when it unveiled Labo, a system that uses the Switch and some cardboard to make lovably homely little minigames. Reception among the Engadget staff was… mixed. But Nintendo might have nullified a growing concern about the system’s longevity with its latest announcement. At a hands-on press event earlier today, the company introduced the Toy-Con Garage, a feature in the Labo’s base software that lets users essentially create their own Switch-empowered cardboard toys.

It might be a complex process, though. Reports from the event explain that users can repurpose cardboard parts and apply new functionality to them through the Toy-Con Garage feature in the Labo software. During a demo, Nintendo showed how one could set the Motorbike cardboard-and-controller setup to drive the RC Car, or reconfigure the piano software and custom cardboard cutouts to make an electric guitar.

I’m ready to play hard #NintendoLabo pic.twitter.com/JlKFrLYKAG

— Devindra Hardawar (@Devindra) February 1, 2018

It’s unclear how much leeway Nintendo will end up giving creators. The issue isn’t in the system’s makeshift controllers — cardboard is cheap — but in the Labo software. If it includes a lot of mappable functionality, it could prolong the platform’s lifespan beyond the handful of projects in each first-party Nintendo kit.

Via: TechCrunch

Source: Polygon

Google Assistant gets music-powered alarms and better Netflix controls

Google has been improving its Home devices for a while now. The company added better search, upgraded the Home app interface and enabled an intercom feature last November. It can also now match your voice to your own Netflix profile, too, a feature that builds upon Home’s multiple voice recognition system. Now Google has added an update that adds a voice-powered alarm function and makes it a bit easier to find shows and music with your Home devices.

If you link your Netflix account with Google Home, you can tell it to watch any of the streaming platform’s shows with a voice command. Home will also answer any questions you might have about when a certain show airs or what network it’s on. You can also control YouTube TV the same way. The update also adds new Google Play Music functionality, too; just ask for the track, album or artist and Home will play it, provided you’ve purchased or uploaded it to the service.

You can also set a music-based alarm with your voice via any Google Home device. Simply tell it to set an alarm for any time and to play any song. You can also just ask it to wake you up to a specific artist. Need a reminder to tune in to your favorite show? You can set an alarm just for that, too. Simply say something like, “Hey Google, remind me to watch Riverdale every Wednesday at 8 PM,” for example.

Source: Google

All-Tesla EV racing series could hit the track this year

Tesla’s electric race car series has been in the planning stages for awhile, and now it has been approved by the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA), the organization that oversees Formula One. Eventually, the plan is to put together an all-electric series of racing events around the world. But because others’ electric racing vehicles aren’t ready yet, the Electric Car Production Series is starting with the Tesla Model S P100D. It was previously called the Electric GT Wold Series.

According to The Verge, the organization is planning on conducting its first race later this year, but nothing has been finalized yet. Motorsport.com reports that the electric series race weekends will include a format of three heats to qualify and two races that are 30 miles long. These will take place during the daytime and in the evening.

Tesla isn’t close to the only car company with an electric racing model, though. Jaguar is planning on an EV racing line of cars in 2018, and Porsche, Lucid, Infiniti, BMW and more have all made strides in the area. Hopefully soon, the Electric Car Production Series will include more than just Teslas.

Via: The Verge

Source: Motorsport.com

Apple’s iPhone sales dropped during the holidays

This past holiday quarter was a particularly notable one for Apple: It released the iPhone X, probably the most hyped and anticipated device the company has launched in many years. And despite some grumblings in the financial and media world that the iPhone X isn’t selling as well as expected, and indeed Apple slipped a little bit. The company just announced that it sold 77.3 million iPhones in its fiscal year Q1, down a scant 1.3 percent compared to the 78.3 million sold one year ago.

It’s the first time iPhone sales have declined during a holiday quarter since the phone launched, as best we can tell. That speaks both to how saturated the iPhone market is getting, how relatively incremental annual iPhone updates are getting, the massive iPhone X revision aside. Despite that, Apple says the iPhone X has been the top-selling iPhone every week since it shipped in early November. It’s also worth noting that iPhone revenues increased 13 percent year-over-year despite sales slipping — that speaks to the higher sales price of the iPhone X. If Apple can keep on bringing in more money, it’ll likely not get too worried about the small sales dip.

Mac sales also dropped slightly, to 5.1 million units — good for a five percent year-over-year decline. iPad sales, however, continued a resurgence, increasing a small one percent over last year to 13.2 million units. But that’s three consecutive quarters where iPad sales bested the previous year, so Apple has to like that trend after years of decline. Services revenue, which has been Apple’s second-largest product category in terms of revenue for a few years now, stayed flat compared to a year ago, coming in at $8.5 billion.

Finally, the “other products” category (which encompasses the Apple Watch, AirPods, Beats hardware and other, lesser products) was an undeniable bright spot: Revenue increased 70 percent year-over-year, hitting $5.5 billion. That speaks to the quiet success that the company has found with the Apple Watch.

All told, total revenue came in at $88.3 billion, up 13 percent year-over-year. Net income came in at $20 billion for the quarter and was up 12 percent compared to a year ago. So despite the slight slip in Mac and iPhone sales, Apple is probably pretty pleased with its holiday quarter. We’ll be listening in to today’s conference call with CEO Tim Cook (starting at 5PM ET) and will update this post with anything else we learn.

Source: Apple