Android P will remember volume levels for individual Bluetooth devices

Per-device volume levels will finally be a thing 🙏

There’s a lot to look forward to in Android P, and during next month’s Google I/O conference, we should get even more info on what to expect from the new software later this year. We already outlined some of our favorite features found in Android P so far, but it looks like another recently discovered one will make using Bluetooth speakers and headphones much more enjoyable.

As it currently stands, the volume you set for one Bluetooth device remains the same for whatever else you use. For example, if you’re jamming out to your favorite tunes at max volume with a Bluetooth speaker, your volume will remain at full blast when you put on your wireless headphones – even if you were last listening to them at a lower level.

Thankfully, according to XDA Developers, Android P will change this. Spotted in a commit in the Android Open Source Project, there’s a new item called “Implement Bluetooth device volume memory” and states –

Bluetooth volume memory is now handled on a per device basis. The volume is stored in a shared preference and is loaded every time the device is active.

In other words, if you have your Bose QC 35s set at 50% volume, they’ll remain that way even if you crank things up to 100% on your UE Boom 2.

The commit was merged shortly after it was discovered, meaning that it’ll more than likely be available to use in the second developer preview for Android P.

Android P: The best new features so far

Moss for PlayStation VR: Everything we know about Book One and Book Two

Helping a little, armored mouse solve puzzles? squee!

A new game by Polyarc games studio, Moss is the fictional world told of in a book that you, the player, are reading. Through the book, you create a connection with Quill, the eponymous hero of the tale, a small mouse with armor and sword who, with your help, solves puzzles and fights other woodland creatures to achieve some unknown end.

The premise of the game is shrouded in mystery. All we really know is that you play some sort of spirit that has a connection with Quill, a denizen of the world of Moss, who is out to make her mark in the world. Using your connection to Quill and some helpful sign language on her part, you must quest to save the world! Or destroy the world! or.. actually we really don’t know what the quest is for, but we excited to find out!

Polyarc has released some super cute cards explaining the backstory of some of the people you are likely to meet in your journey through the game. I’ve not seen any of these characters in the demo so it’s exciting to know there are other cute, small creatures in this game for me to squee over.

What’s new with Moss?

On April 9th Moss Animation Director Rick Lico wrote a post over at the PlayStation Blog focusing on how Polyarc brought Moss to life and answered a few questions about the possibility of Book for the game.

Someone asked that as there was a trophy called “Book One” when you complete the game was there going to be a Book Two?

Rick answered by saying “Like any small, indy startup, we have a bigger plan we’d like to accomplish. We’re hoping that, thanks to our amazing fans, things will go well so we can see this plan through to completion. Fingers crossed.” So while that sounds like Polyarc would like to release a Book 2 they are being cautious on how they talk about it but given the critical success of Moss and the fan base, it has managed to create I think a Book 2 is looking really likely.

When asked whether Book 2 would take 3 years like the original game Rick did say “I certainly hope not! We’re working hard to make sure that’s not the case.” So take heart, it sounds like Polyarc wants more Quill adventures as much as we do.

On February 19, Polyarc revealed over Twitter release details as well as a new launch trailer.

And to hold you over until Moss launches on February 27, Studio Director Tam Armstrong’s blog in which he reveals our Moss Launch Trailer providing a glimpse of Quill’s story, more gameplay, and some of the fantastic places you’ll travel with her. https://t.co/wDJvMxhf8F #Moss

— Polyarc Games (@PolyarcGames) February 19, 2018

Moss was released on PSVR February 27, 2018. You can purchase it at Amazon for around $30.

Find it at Amazon

Check out the launch trailer to see a bit more about this cute little mouse on a heroic journey!

What is the Gameplay like?

In gameplay terms, Moss is a puzzle-solving game with some quirky fighting thrown in. The viewpoint is somewhat unique as you are playing a First Person game while controlling another character in 3rd person. This really gives the effect of you and Quill working together to achieve the goals instead of you actually being Quill.

Yes, you move her around and press buttons to make her fight but you are also you, moving things with the Sixaxis controller to help her solve puzzles. It makes the game feel very collaborative especially when you start moving the monsters around while also controlling Quill to help you solve puzzles. It’s a pretty unique looking experience.

In the latest footage, they have also mentioned that there will be collectibles to find in the game, always a pleasure for those of us who need to complete every little thing, that you can find in boxes, crates, and hidden ledges. At one point they show Quill running behind the scenery to access a ledge, there is nothing there right now but in the full release, there should be. We also got a chance to see how Quill is healed and it’s a delight! If you move your glowing orb into Quill you help her heal, and you get some of the best animations I’ve seen in a VR game ever.

More: Moss now available for purchase on Amazon for $29

Is it only in VR?

I spoke to the team at Polyarc on Twitter and asked them that exact question. Their response was was short and sweet though not reassuring.

Me: Have you thought about making a non-VR version? Similar to what Star Trek: Bridge Crew has done?

Polyarc: We have, but it will not work. There’s no way you could have the emotional experience playing Moss without VR.

So as much as I would love to see Quill in the hands of more people it’s clear that Polyarc has a vision for their little mouse adventurer and keeping it in VR is an integral part of that. But that also gives me hope that this foray into VR and Moss won’t be Polyarc’s last.

What is the World of Moss like?

Recently Polyarc gave the guys at Sony a sneak peek at 14 minutes of new footage from the world of Moss and it shows some interesting revelations. It seems that the world Quill inhabits was once ruled by Giants! In the opening scene, we see Quill looking cute as all heck, sleeping by a campfire on the lee side of what looks to be a statue of a human, or whats left of one. We can also see a shipwreck out in the ocean and a huge castle in the very far background that seems to be her goal. All these hints make us think the world Quill lives in did once have people in but they are no longer around.

What’s interesting about the world of Moss is that it’s clear the small creatures of the world have flourished. They don’t live in giant homes that were left by something else, they have their own, mouse-sized houses, and in the case of the new footage, mines that have been around for a long time. All of this makes me feel like it’s a living, breathing world. One that is fleshed out in a way we rarely see in VR games.

More: Learn about the world of Moss

Can I use Motion Controllers?

The controls for Moss are like any other 3rd person platform game, using thumbsticks and button combos to move, jump and fight, but with the added bonus of using the motion controls on the Sixaxis to grab pieces of the world and move them so Quill can reach her goal.

You won’t be able to use the motion controllers on PlayStation VR for Moss as they have no thumbsticks or even a d-pad to control Quill as you journey through the game. Until Sony update their Controller system the best, and easiest way to control the game is through the Sixaxis. At least the Sixasis allows you to move the controller in free space making use of the room VR gives you to work with.

More: Top tricks to help you complete Moss

How long is Moss?

Polyarc has said that an experienced, hardcore gamer could get through the main story in 2-3 hours but for those of us who want to savor the world, look at the beautiful scenery, and get to know our hero, we should be looking at least 7 hours of the main storyline.

For a game that’s only $29.99 and looks to be just the start of a whole new world, I think we will have a lot of time to explore the world of Moss.

What systems is Moss available on?

Recently in an AMA, the Polyarc team said that they were concentrating on making Moss the best game they could PlayStation VR but would love to bring it to other platforms including Daydream and GearVR. The issue right now for them is that they require both head and hand tracking which the phone based headsets don’t allow. With the imminent arrival of the Oculus Go and Daydream Standalone things may change, however. You can find the full AMA here for more details.

I think we are likely to see a Rift/Vive port of the game fairly quickly after initial launch as both those headsets have thumbsticks on their controllers as well as buttons so it should be possible. We will update you when we can.

More: Everything you need to know about Oculus Go

When Can I play Moss and How much will it cost?

Polyarc released Moss in February, too much acclaim but if you can’t afford the full game right now there is another way to play Moss. If you head over to the PlayStation Store you can download the PlayStation Vr Demo Disc 2 which has a short level of Moss to play.

In the Demo, you get to meet Quill for the first time, work on some puzzles, fight some cute monsters, and even see Quill use ASL for the first time! I have to say seeing Quill use an actual sign language in the game was a real treat for me, as I’m sure it will be to people who use it on a daily basis. Polyarc said it seemed the ideal way for Quill, who doesn’t speak your language to communicate in-game. It is well worth playing the demo before buying the game as the demo disc is free to download and lets you get a taste of things to come.

Moss is available to purchase now for $29.99.

Updated April 2018: Did you beat Moss? It looks like there might be more to this story eventually!

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

Save up to 45% on select Timbuk2 messenger bags and backpacks

Carry your stuff from here to Ti…. well, you know.

Amazon is having a huge one-day sale on Timbuk2 backpacks and bags, saving you 25% on your purchase. This sale includes messenger bags, backpacks, and duffel bags, like the Blink Pack in black for $48, The Closer Case for $113.24, and many more.

Not all sizes and colors are on sale, so here’s a few that are with the specific qualities to look for:

• Ramble Backpack – $66.75 (Was $89)
• Classic Print Messenger Bag – $74.25 (Was $99)
• The Closer Case – $113.24 (Was $149)
• Blink Pack – $48 (Was $119)x

This is an Amazon Gold Box deal so this sale ends today. Check out the full list.

Huawei P20 Pro and P20 Lite are launching in India on April 24

Huawei is bringing its latest flagships to India next week.

Huawei unveiled the P20 and P20 Pro last month in Paris, and the flagships are set to make their way to India next week. Huawei India is sending out invites to the media for an event on April 24 in New Delhi, where the company is expected to launch the P20 Pro and the P20 Lite in the country.

The Huawei P20 Pro is notable for having three cameras at the back, with a 40MP sensor joined by a 20MP monochrome sensor and an 8MP telephoto lens that offers 3x optical zoom. The phone also features a 6.1-inch 2240 x 1080 panel (with a notch), Kirin 970 chipset, 6GB of RAM, 128GB of internal storage, 24MP front camera, Wi-Fi ac, Bluetooth 4.2, and a massive 4000mAh battery.

On the software side of things, the P20 Pro offers EMUI 8.1 based on Android 8.1 Oreo. The phone ticks all the right boxes both on the hardware and software side of things, and we’ll have to wait until next week to find out what it costs in the country. The Huawei P20 Pro retails in the UK for £799 ($1,130), so it will go up against the likes of the Galaxy S9+ in India, which costs ₹64,900 ($990).

As for the P20 Lite, the phone offers a 5.84-inch 2280 x 1080 panel (also with a notch), Kirin 659 chipset, 4GB of RAM, up to 64GB of storage, dual 16MP + 2MP cameras at the back, and a 3000mAh battery.

I’ll be on the ground at Huawei’s launch event in Delhi, so stay tuned for updates regarding the P20 Pro and P20 Lite in India.

Huawei P20 and P20 Pro hands-on preview

Best Fitbit Versa Watch Bands

Fitbit’s been struggling to make a truly stylish smartwatch since it debuted the awkward-looking Blaze in early 2016, but with the Versa, the company’s finally found its footing.

The Versa is easily Fitbit’s best smartwatch design yet, but if you buy the standard version, you’ll only get a basic silicone watch band to go with it. It’s perfectly comfortable and looks fine, but its boring aesthetic can quickly leave you longing for something more.

Whether you choose to buy another watch band directly from Fitbit or go with one of the many third-party options that are available, these are the best ones you can get right now.

• Fitbit Saddle Stitch Horween Leather Band
• Fitbit Black Stainless Steel Metal Mesh Band
• Hooroor Milanese Loop Stainless Steel Band
• Patrohoo Adjustable Sport Strap Band
• Hagibis Fitbit Versa Sport Silicone Band

Fitbit Saddle Stitch Horween Leather Band

The first two watch bands on this list are official ones from Fitbit itself, and one of my personal favorites is the Saddle Sitch Horween Leather one. Fitbit sells a number of leather bands, but Saddle Sitch is the most eye-catching with a bright brown color and stitching all along the left and right sides.

You can get the band in both Small and Large sizes, and the leather is paired perfectly with a sturdy metal clasp that feels reassuringly sturdy every time you take the Versa on or off.

The price of $49.99 might be a lot for some buyers to swallow, but this is a watch band that should last you for years of use. There’s also a 45-day money-back guarantee, and since the band’s made by Fitbit, you know it’ll be a perfect fit for the Versa.

See at Fitbit

Fitbit Black Stainless Steel Metal Mesh Band

Along with leather bands, Fitbit also makes a variety of metal watch bands. The one that caught my eye the most was the black stainless steel metal mesh one, and it certainly doesn’t disappoint.

The metal that’s used feels excellent, and unlike some third-party bands, there’s not one sign of paint chipping.

This is a one-size-fits-all type of band, and while adjusting the clasp can be a tad tricky at times, the band stays securely in place once you’ve found the perfect fit.

Fitbit really knocked it out of the park with this band, but the $79 price tag may keep some customers at bay.

See at Fitbit

Hooroor Milanese Loop Stainless Steel Band

If you’d like to get a metal band for your Versa but aren’t ready to shell out 80 bucks for one, Hooroor has you covered. A magnetic clasp is used for holding the band in place, and not only does it feel just as secure as Fitbit’s metal band, it’s also a lot easier to use.

There are two sizes to choose from (Small and Large) and Hooroor has a lot of color options at hand — including black, silver, rose gold, lavender, and more.

The band is comfy to wear, and it makes the Versa look incredibly dapper when worn out to a nice dinner or formal gathering. The $12 price tag is more than reasonable, and you’re also covered by a one-year warranty after your purchase.

See at Amazon

Partohoo Adjustable Sport Strap Band

Metal and leather bands are great for giving your Versa a sophisticated look, but if you want something simple that’s a bit more casual, Partohoo’s sport bands are a great choice.

Made out of rubber and available in Small and Large sizes, this band is offers a classic look with a reliable clasp that just works. There are a variety of colors to chose from, including purple, pink, blue, gray, and black, and the $9 price is awesome.

Partohoo throws in a one-year warranty with your purchase, and if you want to really build up your collection, there are three different bundles to choose from that let you get 5 bands at once for an even cheaper rate.

See at Amazon

Hagibis Fitbit Versa Sport Silicone Band

The silicone band that comes included with the Versa out of the box works perfectly fine on a run or at the gym, but if you want something that’s a bit more striking and even more breathable, I’ve found the Hagibis sport band to be one of the best options currently available.

Hagibis’s sport band features a number of holes all over, and along with looking cool, this design also makes it one of the best fits for when you’re breaking a sweat. Add that together with a waterproof construction and secure clapse, and you’ve got the perfect workout companion.

You can get the band in Black/Gray, Black/Green, Dark Blue/White, and Red/Black, and the under $10 price is something I know a lot of you will be able to get behind.

See at Amazon

What are your top picks?

Are you rocking a fancy watch band on your Fitbit Versa that we didn’t mention on this list? Drop a comment down below and let us know what your favorite finds are!

Amazon recruits Best Buy to sell Fire TV Edition smart TVs

Best Buy has partnered with Amazon to sell voice-controlled Fire TV Edition branded TVs in its stores and on its website, the companies announced. CEOs Jeff Bezos from Amazon and Best Buy’s Hubert Joly said the retailer will sell 11 Amazon-powered TVs, including 4K and HD models, starting this summer with Toshiba models. At the same time, Best Buy will become a merchant on Amazon’s website and get exclusive rights to sell Amazon Fire TVs.

“Amazon and Best Buy have a long history of working together,” said Bezos, referring to Best Buy sales of Kindle readers. “Today we take our partnership to a new level.”

Amazon unveiled its first Fire TV Edition sets last year with TV maker Element, starting at $449 for a 43-inch model. The TVs expand on what you can do with a Fire TV stick, letting you see live TV alongside streaming options, detect devices connected to your TV, and consult a channel guide, to name a few features.

At the same time, you can use Alexa to control not just your TV, but also Hue lights and other smart home devices. Unlike with an Echo device, you have to hit a button to reach Alexa, as it’s not listening for a wake word.

At first glance, the partnership seems one-sided in favor of Amazon, but it appears to be a good deal for Best Buy, too. The retailer now has exclusive access to Fire TV Edition TVs, both at its stores and as a newly-minted Amazon third-party reseller. Best Buy will sell third-party brands along with its own house-brand Insignia Fire TV Edition smart TVs, both physically, on its own website and at Amazon.

Amazon will benefit, of course, by having its sets in physical stores. Customers might be more apt to grasp the benefits of an Alexa-powered set if they can try one out. At the same time, if you’re convinced, running to Amazon for a cheaper price will take you straight back to Best Buy. “What we’re doing is so deeply integrated,” Bezos told the WSJ. “It’s only possible because we trust each other.”

Under Joly, Best Buy has made a fairly miraculous recovery from its moribund state in 2012. It remains to be seen if both parties will benefit from the partnership, though, and Amazon has only just started selling the Fire TV Edition sets, so their popularity is not assured (see: the Fire Phone). We’ll soon find out, though, as the first Fire TV Edition smart TVs from Toshiba will go on sale this summer at Best Buy stores, BestBuy.com and on Best Buy’s upcoming third-party seller site on Amazon.com. Future models and manufacturers will arrive later on in 2018.

Source: Amazon

Use Chevy’s in-dash system to pay for your Shell gas

If you have a 2017-and-later Chevy with access to GM’s on-board marketplace, you might be able pay for gas without having to take out your wallet. The automaker has teamed up with Shell to roll out what it says is the first in-dash fuel payment in the US. If you’re fueling up at participating Shell station, simply tap on the brand’s icon in Marketplace and choose the station’s location to generate a code you can use to activate a pump. It will charge your payment to the method you have on file, and yes, you can still access your loyalty reward perks.

GM debuted its in-dash marketplace late last year, allowing you to buy coffee and even book restaurant tables and hotels from your car’s dashboard. Around 1.9 million vehicles immediately got access to it, but GM plans to make it available to millions more across its brands throughout the year. Shell’s in-dash payment itself is only out in select markets for now, but Chevy will roll it out across the country throughout the next few months, as well. It might not be easier than paying with a card, but it could be the first step towards having your car pay for tolls and drive-thru purchases.

Hyperloop TT plans to build a working line in Abu Dhabi in 2019

Hyperloop Transportation Technologies has announced that it has signed a deal to begin construction on a working Hyperloop in 2019. The company will work with Aldar Properties PJSC, an Abu Dhabi-based real estate developer, on both a route, innovation center and visitor center. The plan is to begin with a very small trip of track close to the border separating Dubai and Abu Dhabi, and growing from there. If successful, then it’s possible the United Arab Emirates will be connected by a network of high-speed vacuum tubes.

The initial route will be a ten-kilometer (6.2 miles) stretch on land owned by Aldar Properties, the Seih Al Sderiah landbank, to the new settlement of Al Ghadeer. That’ll put it within 20km of Al Maktoum International Airport and 40km away from the Dubai Expo site. At present, we don’t have details on the direction of the route, but it will likely need to run parallel to Dubai’s E311 or E611 highways to successfully connect to the two territories in future.

This isn’t the first time that the company has shaken hands with a property developer to begin work on a route. The first was HTT”s long-standing, and abortive, role in the Quay Valley eco-town project in California. The eco-town situated between LA and San Francisco would have had its own city-wide Hyperloop, but legal wrangling over water rights and cashflow scuppered the plan. And it appears that, much as we predicted, a cash-rich Emirati will be putting up most of the funding to bankroll the project.

Just last week, the company announced that it would begin construction of the first of two test tracks at its Toulouse HQ. But executives believe that construction on the Abu Dhabi project will begin in 2019 despite a lack of testing time in France. It’s claimed that the feasibility study the company previously carried out with Abu Dhabi has solved all of the potential roadblocks to construction. And, if successful, HTT could stand a chance of winning the Hyperloop space-race.

Update: We have received confirmation that the route will be pointed towards Abu Dhabi, and the idea is to use the pipe as the first stage in a link between

Buick’s offroad EV concept boasts an ambitious 370-mile range

Buick, a brand not known for adventurous styling, has unveiled an electric concept that, dare I say, actually looks cool. The Enspire crossover is like the love child of a Camaro SS and Cadillac XT5, but it’s more about what’s under the hood, or wherever they put electric motors and batteries. It packs a 410kW electric powertrain that can take it to 60 mph in four seconds, and a battery that will last up to 370 miles — pretty ambitious specs, even for a concept that will never be built.

Since GM is just playing anyway, it put in a lot of other tech, too. The Enspire is fitted with the Super Cruise semi-autonomous system from the Cadillac CT6 that we recently tested and said “fixes the worst parts about driving.” Other de rigeur techie features include multiple OLED screens to display vehicle, navigation and entertainment info, 5G connectivity and “suspended theater-type seating,” whatever that is.

Judging by the press photos, Buick is pitching the Enspire concept as a luxury EV than can also ford rivers and climb mountains. It is showing it off at the Beijing Auto Show in China, where the Buick brand is quite popular. The automaker has previously promised 20 electric vehicles by 2023, and if it uses the Enspire to, well, inspire those future EVs, then that’s a pretty promising start to its electrification shift.

Source: Buick

Wikipedia adds page previews to prevent endless link clicking

If you absolutely love spending your Friday nights going down rabbit holes on Wikipedia (don’t judge), then this week’s news from the Wikimedia Foundation may be a bit of a mixed bag for you. If you hover over a link on Wikipedia, you’ll now see a new page preview, which allows you to explore related topics on the site without leaving the entry you’re currently viewing.

Wikipedia rabbit hole jokes aside, this feature makes a lot of sense. It allows you to research a topic from a single Wikipedia page, rather than having to open multiple related pages in new browser tabs and move back and forth. Page previews display the first few sentences of the corresponding Wikipedia article, allowing readers to determine whether the topic is relevant to the subject they are currently researching.

The Wikimedia Foundation did extensive testing before deploying page previews to the general public, and they found some interesting (and extremely encouraging) results. For one, a negligible percentage of people disabled the feature, which means it wasn’t intrusive. But perhaps most interestingly, the number of regular page views on the site slightly decreased. As the Wikimedia Foundation notes, page views are an important benchmark, but they aren’t the end all be all. “For the Wikimedia Foundation, success is based on how we’re able to fulfill our free knowledge mission and make the Wikimedia sites more useful, relevant, and engaging for people around the world, even if it means our pageviews might go down as an effect,” the blog post says.

So, if you do love those Wikipedia rabbit holes, page previews won’t prevent you from embarking on that kind of journey. But they will streamline your Wikipedia experience, helping you research the topics you’re interested in without sending you on tangents that take you away from what you’re trying to accomplish. If you have any feedback on the feature, you can leave a note on the page previews discussion page.

Via: Venture Beat

Source: Wikimedia Foundation