Google Tez now supports bill payments

Since its debut last September, Google Tez has become one of the most popular peer-to-peer payment services in India. Tez crossed 12 million users just a couple months after its launch, and today, the app is adding a new bill payment feature.

Google announced that this was something it was working on back in December, but now that it’s launching, we have more details on how exactly it’ll work. To add a new bill, all you have to do is go to New Payment -> Pay your bills. From here, you’ll be able to choose from a list of over 80 billers, enter your account info for the ones you’d like to add, and start making payments right away.

Users will be sent notifications as new bills come in, and in addition to paying current ones, you can go through your billing history to see which ones you’ve already paid and how much you’re paying month-to-month. Bill payments you make are categorized by each biller, and you can set up bill payments for multiple accounts.

Supported companies for this feature include the likes of Reliance Energy, BSES, and DishTV. More providers will be added down the road, and in honor of its launch, Google is giving away scratch cards for the chance of winning up to ₹1000 for each biller you add to Tez during February.

Samsung Galaxy A8+: Everything you need to know

Android P wish list: What I want Google to add

Please and thank you, Google ❤️

With each new year that comes, we get a heap of new hardware from the likes of Samsung, LG, OnePlus, Google, and more. However, as exciting as this hardware is, something that I personally get more enthusiastic about is the release of brand-new Android versions.

Last year’s Android Oreo may not have been the most visually different upgrade compared to 2016’s Nougat, but even so, the additions of picture-in-picture, Google’s Autofill API, adaptive app icons, etc. make it the most mature and well-polished version of the software to-date.

2019 will see the release of Android P, and while some of you may think it’s too early to speculate about what we’ll see in the next big Android release, it’ll be here before you know it. A report from February 12 shed some light on features we can expect in the update, and in just three short months, we’ll get our very first look at Android P during Google’s annual I/O developer conference.

As such, these are the features/changes I’m hoping to see the most in Android’s latest and greatest.

A refreshed user interface

Although there have been little tweaks here and there over the years, Android’s looked more-or-less the same since the Lollipop update in 2014. This is when Google introduced the world to Material Design, and its design language has easily been my favorite one Android’s ever had. With that said, coming up on four years of the same general aesthetic does leave me yearning for something new and different.

Android is due for a visual update, not a complete overhaul.

Thankfully, it looks like we may get something along these lines. The Chromium Gerrit has been spotted with references to something called “Material Design 2” – suggesting that Google is working on a successor of sorts to the Material Design we know and love today. Not much is known about Material Design 2 just yet, but there are references to tweaked colors, new icons, and better readability of some items.

If Google’s wants to spruce up Android’s look, this is the way to do it. A complete overhaul would just cause more unneeded fragmentation, but adding new elements and visuals to the same general design principles would allow Android P to look fresh without causing developers to completely redo the look and feel of their apps.

A more powerful Google Assistant

We’ve seen a lot of updates to the Google Assistant since its debut on the 2016 Pixel and Pixel XL, and as much as I love using it on a daily basis, there are some features I’d like to see added with Android P.

The Google Assistant excels when it comes to asking random questions and controlling smart home gadgets, but performing in-app functions is a very different story. You can do simple things like asking the Assistant to open YouTube and search for a video, but that’s about it.

As much hate as it gets, Samsung’s Bixby currently has an edge over Google Assistant in these regards. When I briefly used the Galaxy S8 late last year, I loved being able to use my voice to tell Bixby to open Samsung Health and add a cup of water to my daily intake tracker. This direct tie-in with applications is one of Bixby’s greatest strengths, and it’s something I’d like to see added to Google Assistant.

Tighter integrations with Chrome OS

On a similar note, I’d also like Google to use Android P as a way to get serious about better-connecting Android and Chrome OS. I tried using an iPhone 7 for a few months last year, and while Android will always be my preferred mobile operating system of choice, Apple is killing it when it comes to the relationship between iOS and macOS.

Google needs to give Android users a reason to use Chrome OS, and vice versa.

Things like AirDrop, Universal Clipboard, and a desktop iMessage app that also syncs with your SMS conversations give iPhone owners a reason to buy and stay with MacBooks and iMacs for their computing needs, and this is something Google needs to follow through with, too.

We saw something called “SMS Connect” in October with Android 8.1 suggesting that Google was working on a way for Android users to natively receive and reply to SMS messages on a Chromebook. This was a pleasant surprise, but it never came to fruition with 8.1’s public release.

Along with this, Google already offers some benefits to Pixel 2 and Pixelbook owners, such as being able to unlock with the Pixelbook by using the fingerprint sensor on your phone and allowing the Pixelbook to automatically tether to a Pixel 2 when it detects there are no available Wi-Fi networks.

It’s evident that Google wants Android and Chrome OS to better communicate with one another, and while these little touches here and there have been encouraging to see, I really hope this is something Google gets serious about with Android P. Apple gives consumers a reason to own an iPhone and iMac – it’s time Google does the same with the Pixel and Pixelbook.

More user customizations out of the box

My last point is something of a pipe dream, but I decided to put it in here because — why not?

Android is often said to be superior to iOS due to the greater user customization options that are available, but I’d like to see these expanded even more with Android P. Android Oreo introduced Adaptive Icons and gave users the ability to change their shape, and the Pixel 2 allowed for elements like the notification tray, folders, and app drawer to change between a light and dark theme based on which wallpaper you currently have.

These are things I love messing with, and it’d make me happy to see Google expand on them even more. Allow third-party icon pack support for the default launcher, make the auto-changing themes a standard across Android and not limited to just the Pixel line, and give users some control over the color of the UI like OnePlus does with its own OxygenOS.

There haven’t been any reports or rumors hinting that this is something Google’s working on, but hey – a guy can dream, right?

What are you looking forward to?

Those are the things I’m hoping to see the most in Android P, but what about you? What are the top features or upgrades you’d like to see in the next version of Android? Sound off in the comments below!

Android Oreo

• Android Oreo review!
• Everything new in Android Oreo
• How to get Android Oreo on your Pixel or Nexus
• Oreo will make you love notifications again
• Will my phone get Android Oreo?
• Join the Discussion

Anker’s $32 SoundCore 2 Bluetooth speaker offers 24 hours of battery life per charge

Does the battery ever die?

Anker’s original SoundCore speaker was one of our all-time favorites, and the SoundCore 2 follows right in its footsteps. From the awesome sound quality to the long-lasting battery life, it’s hard to find a better Bluetooth speaker to buy. This speaker normally sells for around $40, but right now you can save $8 on the purchase making it just $31.99 at Amazon.

With 24 hours of battery life, you may expect this to be on the larger side, but it’s actually quite small. It comes in at just 6.4 x 1.7 x 2.1 inches and weighs only 12.6 ounces. It is outdoor-proof thanks to its IPX5 rating, so dirt, dust, snow, and water spills won’t affect its awesome performance. You can connect devices to it using its built-in Bluetooth 4.2 connectivity, or go old school and connect an Aux cable to its 3.5mm jack. Anker backs the speaker with an 18-month warranty, so why aren’t you buying one right now?

Today’s discount is only available on the black version of the speaker. Both the red and blue variants are still at $41.99. The original SoundCore speaker is down to $25.99 today.

See at Amazon

Deal: Get free Gear IconX earbuds with Galaxy S8 or Note 8 purchase

It pays to wait.

As leaks and rumors have shown, the Galaxy S9 will be a very iterative upgrade compared to the Galaxy S8. If you aren’t concerned about having the very latest phone and would rather stretch your dollars as far as possible, Samsung’s running a new promo that’s worth a look.

Between now and March 1, you can get a free pair of Samsung’s Gear IconX earbuds when buying a Galaxy S8, S8+, S8 Active, or Note 8. The offer is limited to residents in the United States, and it applies to the AT&T, T-Mobile, Sprint, Verizon, U.S. Cellular, and unlocked variants of the above phones.

The Gear IconX usually sell for $199 on their own, and in his full review of them last October, AC’s Andrew Martonik praised the earbuds for their solid battery life, easy pairing process, and seamless handling of music transfers.

You’ll only be able to get the black version of the IconX with this deal, but for the price of free, I don’t imagine too many people will be picky about the lack of color options.

See at Samsung

Samsung Galaxy Note 8

• Galaxy Note 8 review
• Galaxy Note 8 vs. Galaxy S8+
• Which Note 8 color is best?
• Complete Galaxy Note 8 specs
• Join our Galaxy Note 8 forums

Verizon
AT&T
T-Mobile
Sprint
Best Buy

Deal: Honor 9 Lite in UK comes with free wireless earphones (£70 value)

Available in both black and blue.

The Honor 9 Lite just launched in the United Kingdom earlier this month, and while the phone already packs a lot of value on its own, Honor is sweetening the deal even more by including a free pair of wireless earphones when buying it.

Honor’s including its own Sport Bluetooth Earphones with the Honor 9 Lite, and they feature the traditional design of two speakers connected by a single wire that you can wear around your neck when not listening to any tunes.

The earphones connect to the Honor 9 Lite via Bluetooth, an IP52 rating protects them against water and sweat, and Honor promises 10 days of standby time and more than 11 hours of actual playback.

You can get the headphones in either blue or black with this promo, and they usually sell for £69.99 on their own.

See at Honor

Best sports games for Android

Get your game on — even in the offseason — with the best sports games available for Android.

After a few golden years of fantastic entries, it seems that sports games, too, have all but succumbed to the freemium model. There’s far too few quality sports games out there that just let you jump into the game without having to deal with player cards, upgrades or waiting for ‘stamina meters’ to refill. Nearly all the top mobile sports game franchises have switched over to a team building system that requires you to unlock (or buy) card packs to upgrade your team.

But there are still great games to be played! We’re covering the five major North American sports here — football, basketball, baseball, hockey, and, ahem, soccer — with two options for each. The first will typically be more sim-based for the hardcore sports fan, while the second is a more arcade-like option for casual players.

• Snowboard Party: World Tour
• Red Bull Free Skiing
• Madden NFL Mobile
• Football Heroes Pro 2017
• FIFA Mobile Soccer
• Score! Hero
• NBA Live Mobile
• NBA JAM
• MLB Nine Innings 2017
• MLB RBI Baseball 17
• Matt Duchene Hockey Classic
• Hockey Hero
• Golf Star

Snowboard Party: World Tour

While Android shamefully lacks a port of quintessential snowboarding franchise SSX, it does have its own snowboarding franchise in the form of Snowboard Party.

The latest title in the series is Snowboard Party: World Tour, and it rocks. The graphics are great, the pop-punk soundtrack is fitting, and the touch controls are surprisingly tight. There are also four different mode to choose from — Time-Attack, Freestyle, Big Air, and Halfpipe, along with a multiplayer mode for playing against your friends. There are 16 snowboarders to customize and upgrade, which you can do without spending a dime although in-app purchases are included.

This is an Editor’s Choice on the Google Play Store, and after spending even just a few minutes playing this game it’s clear to see why. This is the best snowboarding game you can play on your phone!

Download: Snowboard Party (Free w/IAPs)

Red Bull Free Skiing

The first game we’re featuring is Red Bull Free Skiing. This is a surprisingly solid game with decent graphics

It’s very easy to learn the basics of this game. The tutorial walks you through the different game modes — Tricks, Race, and Powder — which also teaches you about the other aspects of the game. Yes, there are loot boxes to open, in-game currencies to collect and spend on player upgrades, and in-app purchases for buying more gold, but the core gameplay itself is pretty good and there are no ads, which is pretty rare for free-to-play games like this.

But the gameplay itself is the real standout. The graphics are pretty decent for a mobile game, and it’s a blast to pull of epic backflips and spins. Whether you’re a skier yourself looking to hit the virtual slopes when you’re not on the mountain, or a fan of extreme sports games in general, this is definitely one game worth checking out!

Download: Red Bull Free Skiing (Free w/IAPs)

Madden NFL Mobile

Football fans know that Madden is king on consoles, and despite the freemium, card-collecting gameplay at the core of the Android version, Madden NFL Mobile still reigns supreme on the mobile gridiron as well.

Yes, you’re stuck building your team through opening card packs, which can be bought with in-game coins or purchased with real cash. Fortunately, there’s a number of ways to earn in-game currency: Head-to-head match-ups against other users where you exchange offensive drives, a single-player season mode where you play out through a full season against CPU opponents, and multiple daily live events to test your skills. The live events offer some nice nostalgia for those who remember the mini-camp drills from Madden 2004. On the field, the touch controls are on point and while the graphics are understandably a far cry from those found on the latest PlayStation and Xbox editions, they’re more than serviceable for the bite-sized football action Madden NFL Mobile provides.

Madden NFL Mobile provides good fun whether during halftime or break time at work — as long as you don’t mind being slightly bogged down by the collectibles aspect.

Download: Madden NFL Mobile (Free, with IAPs)

Football Heroes Pro 2017

Football Heroes Pro 2017 is a full-fledged arcade football game, licensed by the NFLPA. Unlike the more realistic sim-style of Madden, it provides a casual football experience (think Tecmo Bowl) in your downtime when you’re all caught up with the real games. Players build and train their own team with their favorite real-life players and unlock new plays by opening card packs. Premium currency can be used to buy card packs, though you’re also able to buy packs with coins earned from winning and by leveling up your players. Gameplay-wise, this one features a lot of button mashing for tackling and breaking tackles.

For those looking for a casual football game to kill time during commercial breaks, Football Heroes Pro 2017 has plenty to offer.

Download: Football Heros Pro 2017 (Free, with IAPs)

FIFA Mobile Soccer

The FIFA games for mobile used to stand out as one of the best investments available in the paid app section of the Google Play Store, with FIFA 13 remaining one of the best mobile games I’ve ever played. Sadly, EA has shifted to a freemium model with the entire focus of the game being on building your own Ultimate Team.

While I personally feel like the change in format is a disservice to players, the game itself still plays like a dream and will surely keep any footy fans addicted for some time. There are four game modes to choose from: you start out with Live Events and Attack Mode, and unlock Leagues and Season once your profile reaches level 5. Live Events throw you into different drills and game situations where you can unlock coins, XP, and specific card packs. Attack Mode pits you against other players around the world in turn-based gameplay where you’re each given time on offense to rack up as many goals as you can (hence the name). The newest addition is Leagues, which lets you start or join your own global league consisting of other players. It’s both competitive and cooperative, as you can either compete in a league tournament or collectively challenge another league. Season mode is the single-player mode you’ve come to expect, but you’ll need to maintain an internet connection to play FIFA Mobile, even in single-player mode.

While FIFA Mobile is missing the freedom to play as you like from previous editions, it’s still the best footy game you can play on Android.

Download: FIFA Mobile (Free, with IAPs)

Advertisement

Score! Hero

For something a little different, look no further than Score! Hero. Instead of putting you in charge of building a team, you create your own player and work your way through a professional career from rookie to legend.

Another difference from other games is the way you control the action. Instead of the free-flowing action found elsewhere, you only take over once your team has control of the ball. Play freezes, waiting for you to swipe at the ball to take your shot or pass to a teammate. It’s an interesting dynamic that really highlights the strategic elements of soccer and a nice change of pace. Each level sets up the game situation and gives you your mission for completing it, but if the defending team intercepts or otherwise gains control of the ball, you’re forced to restart the level or spends some of your in-app funds to use a rewind to redo your last kick. Sometimes your mission involves scoring back-to-back goals which make those rewinds extra tempting, but you’ll want to avoid relying on them unless you’re intending on dropping real cash into the game. All told, Score! Hero features 420 levels to play through. Can you beat them all?

Download: Score! Hero (Free, with IAPs)

NBA Live Mobile

Another sport, another EA Sports title. If you’re a fan of NBA Live on consoles, or even the NBA 2K franchise, you’ll likely dig the mobile offering. Again, with every other sports title offered by EA this year around, there’s the unavoidable emphasis on card collecting to unlock players. If your sensibilities are offended by that, you’ll want to look elsewhere.

Otherwise, what you get here is pretty solid. Dive into daily live events, or challenge other players around the world to a head-to-head challenge where you go back and forth playing one quarter at a time. Season mode lets you play a full NBA season with your team, all the way through to the NBA Championships. Once you’ve reached level 5, you unlock Leagues, which lets you start up a league for you and all your friends, or join a random league. They operate similar to clans and allow for friendly matches between other league members, or for interleague showdowns. Another neat feature of leagues is if someone in your league makes an in-app purchase, everyone in the league gets a free gift — essentially an added incentive to engage in that freemium model.

Download: NBA Live Mobile (Free, with IAPs)

NBA Jam

NBA Jam has been available on Android since October 2010, and yet it still remains as one of the most polished and fun sports games you can play on the platform.

This remake of the 90s classic features all the fast-paced two-on-two action you remember from back in the day, with upgraded graphics including hilarious big head animations for every player in the game. Touch controls are simple and responsive, making it super easy to set up an epic alley-oop, or sink three shots in a row and hear Tim Kitzrow — the original NBA JAM commentator — yell his infamous line, “HE’S ON FIRE!”

There are four modes of play and no in-app purchases or currencies to deal with, so you can jump into a game right away. On top of quick matches and a Classic Campaign where you can unlock legendary players and other goodies, you can play online (but good luck finding a random opponent) or with a friend over local Wi-Fi.

If you’re an NBA fan or a fan of the original game, NBA Jam should be a mainstay on your Android device.

Download: NBA Jam ($4.99)

MLB Nine Innings 2017

The 9 Innings franchise has been a very popular game on Android over the years, and the latest edition might be the best yet. The game features all 30 MLB ballparks and over 800 players, which have been carefully rendered in 3D for a very authentic gameplay experience.

There’s a number of ways to play depending on how much free time you have. You can jump into an exhibition game or play your way through a full season with options to play bat/pitch only or take control of both sides of the game. The game also features a unique “Live Player System”, which will accurately reflect the real-life performance and value of MLB players throughout the season.

You’re also tasked with collecting your favorite players and building your dream team which, coupled with the free-to-play model, means you’re going to have to deal with in-app purchases. If you can get past that, you should have a great time playing this game throughout the season.

Download: MLB Nine Innings 2017 (Free w/IAPs)

R.B.I. Baseball 17

If you’re looking to play full baseball games on your Android device without being pestered with in-app purchase offers, R.B.I. Baseball 17 is your best bet. This paid app was developed by the MLB and is also available on PS4 and Xbox One.

While the game might feel a little lacking on the consoles, it looks and plays quite nicely on Android, featuring beautifully rendered stadiums and all 30 MLB teams available with regularly updated rosters. Choose your preferred game mode and play a quick exhibition game, take your favorite team through a full season, or jump right into the heat of the post-season.

This game is fairly optimized for mobile gaming, allowing you to play a full nine-inning game in under 20 minutes with intuitive two-button on-screen controls. Keep in mind that all those pretty graphics requires a fairly modern phone to play it, which means R.B.I. Baseball 17 only supports devices with memory/processor comparable to the Samsung Galaxy S5 and up.

This game will set you back $4.99 in the app store but in exchange, you won’t have to deal with clunky free-to-play game mechanics.

Download: R.B.I. Baseball 17 ($4.99)

Matt Duchene Hockey Classic

For whatever reason, EA Sports’ has not ported their celebrated NHL franchise for consoles over to mobile platforms. It’s a shame, but Matt Duchene Hockey Classic might be the next best thing.

The latest in a line of games attached to rising NHL players (previously Patrick Kane), Matt Duchene Hockey Classic is free to try but you only get Team Finland and Team Sweden when you download it from the Google Play Store. Fortunately, you’ll need to pay a very reasonable price to unlock the full game, which includes 60 teams and a plethora of game modes including playoffs, outdoor games and “Hockey Giants”, which is essentially big head mode. As you might have noticed from the title, this game isn’t officially licensed by the NHL, so while, for instance, the team from Boston wears black and yellow jerseys there are no logos nor are there any active rosters. It’s also a bit of a resource hog. You’ll definitely notice some sluggish moments if you play on an older device. But considering the lack of options for full-featured hockey games on Android, Matt Duchene Hockey Classic delivers as well as you’d expect.

Download: Matt Duchene Hockey Classic (Free, with IAP to unlock full game)

Advertisement

Hockey Hero

Hockey Hero is an outlier on this list, as it’s not exactly a traditional sports game — more a sports-themed entry if anything. However, with its charming retro graphics, simple gameplay, and minimal ads, it’s a great break from the rest of the titles on this list.

The concept is both wacky and simple — tap and hold to control the hockey hero, who must deftly deke past wave after wave of opposing players who are looking for a fight. If you lift your finger off, time slows down allowing you to determine the clear path between defenders. You move on an endless sheet of ice comprised of multiple hockey rinks attached end-to-end so that once you’ve skated to the end of one rink and scored, you immediately skate on towards the next rink. It’s a silly and fun concept for an endless runner style and is a great game you can just pick up and play whenever you have some free time. As you progress further, you unlock different jerseys for your hockey hero, giving you goals to work towards.

Hockey Hero is far from a traditional sports title, but with its simple controls and fun concept, it’s definitely worth checking out.

Download: Hockey Hero (Free, with IAPs)

Golf Star

Hit the links in Golf Star, the best golf game for Android!

This game features great graphics and easy controls. Customize your golfer and jump into Career Mode and hone your skills. It’s going to take you a bit of time to figure out the intricacies of the physics and how to properly read the greens and aim your putts, but you’ll pick it up in no time.

Beyond the single-player Career Mode, there are a couple of different ways to play against friends and other online opponents. Tournament Mode lets you compete in one-on-one competitions against live opponents. More game modes are unlocked as you progress your character from beginner to amateur — all the way until you achieve pro status.

Win and you’ll earn rewards, which can also be bought via in-app purchases. Golf Star also requires you to spend a certain amount of hearts each time you play, which you’ll need to wait to regenerate. If you’re alright with dealing with those free-to-play mechanics, you’re sure to enjoy Golf Star for Android.

Download: Golf Star (Free w/IAPs)

What did we miss?

There’s a ton of sports games in the Google Play Store but if we’re completely honest, most of them aren’t worth your time. If you think we missed one that should absolutely be on our list, let us know in the comments!

Android Gaming

• Best Android games
• Best free Android games
• Best games with no in-app purchases
• Best action games for Android
• Best RPGs for Android
• All the Android gaming news!

PlayStation Gold Wireless Headset 2018: Should you upgrade?

There’s a new headset from Sony for your PlayStation, and you might consider the upgrade.

The original PlayStation Gold wireless headset is the perfect headset for gaming. In fact, it’s one of the better headsets you can use for just about anything. While it is a great headset, Sony has released a new updated version of the Gold headset. It looks very similar on the outside, but Sony promises a better all-around experience from this new model.

Is this new headset really that much different from the old headset, and is it worth the money? Here’s my thoughts on whether you should upgrade your headset.

Original Gold Headset

The original Gold headset is rather big, which makes it less comfortable for every head size, but it’s great for gaming with friends online. The microphone is clear and your friends can here you very well. These are not noise-cancelling, but the over-the-ear design does surround you with sound rather well. Sometimes it shares that sound with the person next to you, though, so be careful!

There’s a lot of detail in the sound on these headsets, with loud booms and soft whispers coming through as clearly as if you were in the game. The positive side of the large headset is that you will have no problem using it for extended periods of time, making it easier for you to be immersed into each world. The size makes it a little awkward for VR, which makes sense since it was made long before the PlayStation VR, but it’s still a great option when you want to play wired.

You can currently purchase this headset for $88 if you’re looking to save some money on a great headset.

See at Amazon

New Gold Wireless Headset

This new headset has improved on quite a bit of the complaints many people have had of the old headset. With the 7.1 virtual Surround sound to improve the sound as well as improved ear cushions for refined comfort, this headset will definitely improve your game play. The mic cancels out the sound around you so all your friends hear is your voice, and the controls for the volume of the the mic, the game, and the mute button are all easier to access.

Another great thing about this headset is that you will have access to special audio modes in certain games. Created by developers exclusively, these modes use the special additions of this headset to enhance game play. You can download these custom modes onto your PlayStation through the Headset Companion app on your PlayStation 4, and it’s a special audio experience that will only exist for Sony fans.

Sony improved the design with PlayStation VR in mind, helping with the immersion into which ever world you enter into. With a thinner band and improved comfort, it makes it easier to wear with your VR headset without any discomfort you usually feel with over the ear headphones. With the sound improvement of the 7.1 virtual Surround sound and all the added design features, you’re sure to enjoy your experience in each VR world you enter.

Right now, this headset is only available for pre-order until February 22nd, but you should grab it before it’s no longer available.

See at Amazon

Ready to upgrade?

Whether you’re going to keep your Gold headset or upgrade to the new one, you’ll have a great headset no matter what. If you’re someone who enjoys gaming, then either headset is a great choice. The new design makes it a bit more comfortable, especially if you’re a smaller person like I am. If the sound quality is something that you’re looking to improve as well, then I would definitely go for the newer headset. The individual audio profiles alone will make it worthwhile to you.

If you’re looking for a new headset to fully immerse yourself into the world of VR, then this new headset is exactly what you need. It’s design has been tailor-made for the VR experience, and the added sound quality will make your immersion even better.

Here’s where you can pick up the new PlayStation Gold Wireless headset!

Depending on what kind of gaming you’re looking to get out of the headset, you could use either headset for your gaming experience. However, the newer headset will give you the noise-cancelling that you might be looking for, and has improved on a lot of the qualities the old headset lacks.

Let us know what you think!

PlayStation 4

• PS4 vs. PS4 Slim vs. PS4 Pro: Which should you buy?
• PlayStation VR Review
• Playing PS4 games through your phone is awesome

Amazon

A new form of light could power next-gen quantum computers

Photons are among the most ubiquitous, but loneliest particles in the quantum world — they’re always around us, but never interact with each other. Scientists from MIT and Harvard have managed quite a feat then, by observing groups of three photons interacting and sticking together to create a new weird form of light. The research is purely experimental for now, but could enable researchers to entangle photons, a key part of building quantum computers.

When you throw certain elements together like hydrogen or oxygen, they can bond in pairs or even triplets, forming O2 (oxygen) or O3 (ozone), for instance. Shine two flashlights together, however and … crickets. The photons simply pass through each other like phantoms and there’s no reaction whatsoever. That’s because they have no mass or charge, though they can become highly energized in the form of X-rays or gamma rays.

To get the photons together, then, the researchers beamed a very weak laser through a dense cloud of rubidium atoms cooled to a hair above absolute zero. Instead of exiting randomly one at a time as you’d expect, they bound together in pairs or triplets, creating some form of entanglement. In addition, the normally mass-less photons gained some weight, as well — a fraction of an electron’s mass, but it’s something.

The heftier photon “molecules,” if you like, were considerably less nimble, too. Rather than moving at their regular 186,000 mile per second pace, they were moving 100,000 times slower, less than SpaceX’s Falcon Heavy Tesla Roadster is at the moment, by my calculation.

For benefits, think computers, not light sabers (Lucasfilm/Disney)

How did this happen? When passing through the listless rubidium atoms, the photons passed on some of their energy. However, because of something called the Rydberg blockade, adjacent atoms can’t be excited as much, and the less-agitated atom and a photon formed a hybrid called a “polariton.” As the photons skipped between polaritons, they interacted with each other in ways they normally wouldn’t, and some were still stuck together when they exited the cloud. This happenned slowly on a quantum scale, about a millionth of a second from entry to exit.

It’s not the first time scientists have got photons together; some of the same team managed to get pairs of photons hooked together in 2013. The new discovery, however, marks the first time that three photons have been forced to interact.

The research is not just interesting to particle physicists, but it could eventually pave the way to new types of quantum computers used to crack cryptographic codes and solve difficult equations. The photon triplets are essentially entangled, so they could be used in “qubit” processors or for transmitting information over long distances. Having multiple photons entangled would allow for more robust, powerful systems. “The interaction of individual photons has been a very long dream for decades,” said lead author and MIT professor Vladan Vuletic.

Source: MIT

Microsoft inadvertently outlines the limits of Windows 10 on ARM

Microsoft began introducing ARM-powered Windows devices this past holiday season, and now we have more information on the limitations of these devices. Thurrott noticed that Microsoft published a list of limitations on the ARM version of Windows 10. It appears to have been inadvertant, as the document has since been removed, but The Verge noted that cached versions of the article are still available.

ARM is powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon chips; the aim is to deliver more of a tablet experience on these devices, with the promise of all-day battery life. For it to work with Windows apps, it must emulate x86 hardware, so not everything will work perfectly.

You can see the full list for yourself over at the Wayback Machine, but some of the most important concerns is that x64 apps are not supported. Developers will either have to create separate ARM apps or rely on x86 versions. Additionally, only ARM64 drivers are supported, which will limit hardware compatibility. Also, any games that use OpenGL later than 1.1 or require hardware acceleration for OpenGL will not work.

It’s unclear why Microsoft removed this document, as it’s useful for anyone considering the switch to a Windows 10 ARM device. Still, it seems that the ARM version of Windows 10 will work well enough for most users.

Via: Thurrott, The Verge

Source: The Wayback Machine

Google found another bug in Microsoft’s Edge browser

Google tasks its Project Zero time with finding security issues and loopholes within other companies’ products, and they’re pretty effective at what they do. Now, Google has made public a medium-level security issue within Microsoft’s Edge browser. The vulnerability was first discovered back in November.

The detail are pretty technical, but the issue has to do with how Microsoft Edge deals with code execution. Thanks to this flaw, a hacker could bypass the Edge browser’s security features and place malicious code within the memory of the target computer.

Project Zero’s policy is to give companies 90 days after the detection of a security flaw to fix it. Neowin first reported that Google notified Microsoft of the problem back in November. Because the company hasn’t yet fixed it, Google has made the issue public. It’s not likely to make Microsoft very happy, as the company has previously taken issue with how Google handles reports like these.

Source: Google, Neowin