The iPhone’s viewfinder might soon let you see both cameras simultaneously

Apple may be considering beefing up the viewfinder in the camera app for dual-lens iPhones. The company was awarded a new patent that shows views from both camera sensors on the display at the same time, essentially allowing users to see the difference between two cameras and better judge which would be better for a particular use.

The new patent is called “Digital Viewfinder User Interface for Multiple Cameras,” and shows that users would be able to zoom from both cameras where appropriate, and even offer a composite image when the appropriate zoom for a particular setting sits between the two cameras. Users would also be able to zoom each camera individually from the viewfinder.

The feature would likely be pretty helpful, if it was ever deployed. Sometimes, it makes sense to use a telephoto lens rather than the standard lens on the iPhone, but camera users can’t always discern when to use which camera. Currently, the iPhone automatically switches lenses depending on the zoom — but some prefer to have a little more control over their shots. In the patent application, it can be seen that it would also apply to video — and users could even record video from the two cameras at the same time.

The patent is actually a continuation of a patent that was first filed in 2015, and it’s unclear why Apple didn’t implement it when it was first awarded the patent. It’s possible the company didn’t use it because of the toll it would have on processing power — it already takes quite a bit of power to use one camera sensor. Still, as time goes on and Apple’s processors get more powerful, it’s possible the company could reconsider it — and the fact that it filed a continuation proves that it’s still something Apple might be working on. Of course, Apple regularly files new patents, and they often don’t make it into a new product, so it’s entirely possible that this is simply another patent that ends up never being used.

If implemented, we imagine that the new viewfinder will show up as an option, but not as the default view in the camera. Apple is also rumored to be adding a third camera to a new iPhone model — and if that happens the company may have to take the concept to the next level.

Editors’ Recommendations

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• Apple’s latest patents hint at sleep tracker and continued work on AR
• Apple’s latest patent ensures your screen turns on to the right brightness
• Panasonic Lumix GH5S review
• Latest Apple patents hint at souped-up Apple Pencil that can measure 3D objects

Here’s what Google Lens’ Style Match, Smart Text Selection features look like

Like a pair of sneakers someone’s wearing? Or maybe a dress? There are quite a few apps and services — like Amazon’s Firefly or Samsung’s Bixby Vision — that let you simply point your smartphone camera at the object and search for it, or similar styles. Google is following suit with a similar feature in Google Lens, but it has the potential to reach far more people.

Google Lens is currently built into the Google Assistant on Android phones, as well as Google Photos. It lets you point the smartphone camera at objects to identify them, teach you more about landmarks, recognize QR codes, pull contact information from business cards, and more. At its annual Google I/O developer conference, the search giant announced four new improvements to Lens, and we got to try it out.

Built into camera apps

Dan Baker/Digital Trends

Google Lens is now built into the camera app on phones from 10 manufacturers: LG, Motorola, Xiaomi, Sony, Nokia, Transsion, TCL, OnePlus, BQ, Asus. That is not including Google’s very own Google Pixel 2. You are still able to access it through Google Assistant on all Android phones.

We got a chance to try it out on the recently announced LG G7 ThinQ, and the new option sits right next to the phone’s Portrait Mode.

Style Match

Dan Baker/Digital Trends

The biggest addition to Lens in this I/O announcement is Style Match. Like Bixby Vision or Amazon Firefly, you can point the smartphone camera at certain objects to find similar items. We pointed it at a few dresses and shoes, and were able to find similar-looking items, if not the exact same item. Once you find what you’re looking for, you can purchase it if available directly through Google Shopping.

It’s relatively quick, and an easy way to find things you can’t quite write into the Google Search bar.

Smart text selection

Perhaps even more useful is Smart Text Selection. Point Google Lens at text, say like from a book or a menu, and it can single out the text from everything else. You can then tap on the text and copy it or translate it. When we tried it, Lens managed to grab an entire three paragraphs of text, though we’d have to do more testing to see how well it can pick up handwritten text.

Real time

Google Lens now works in real time, so you don’t need to pause and take a photo for it to understand the subject. That means you can point it at several things and you will see it creating colored dots on the objects it grabs information for. Google said it is identifying billions of words, phrases, and things in a split second all thanks to “state-of-the-art machine learning, on-device intelligence, and cloud TPUs.”

Google said it will be rolling out all of these features toward the end of May.

Editors’ Recommendations

• Google Lens’ landmark, text recognition expands to all Android devices
• How to use Samsung’s Bixby assistant for all of your smartphone tasks
• Everything you need to know about Google’s Wear OS for smartwatches
• Flagship face-off: Samsung’s Galaxy S9 Plus vs. Google’s Pixel 2 XL
• Google’s new recommendation program showcases the best phones for business

Tello review: An in-depth look at the Sprint MVNO

Phone prices show no sign of slowing down, but competition in rate plans and cheaper service options always prove attractive to cost-conscious customers. Consumers like choice and they love when they save a buck or two. To this end, we’re giving our readers a look inside Tello, a relatively new Sprint MVNO that can save you money.

What is Tello?

Tello is a mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) that uses Sprint’s network but charges far less. Sprint customers who have excellent coverage can bring their number and phone over and take advantage of its affordable plan prices. Since Tello runs on Sprint’s network, you can expect much of the same coverage area.

Coverage Area

Sprint has primary coverage, which applies to 4G LTE customers, and an extended coverage area for 3G and 2G customers. Extended coverage customers will face some obstacles with the carrier, as Tello says that its network doesn’t cover Sprint’s extended coverage areas.

Those who live within Sprint’s premier coverage areas (read as: blazing LTE) can expect the very best of Sprint and Tello. Sprint has updated some cities of the US with its new LTE Plus network; Tello takes advantage of it as well.

To view your coverage on Tello, go to the carrier’s main page and select “Support” at the top right, then “Coverage” under support options. Enter your address, city, state, and zip code to check 3G and LTE coverage.

One more important thing to know: Tello provides information at your given residential address regarding both indoor and outdoor coverage. Some locations only have outdoor coverage, so bear this in mind.

Tello advises that it wants to make sure all of its potential customers know what they’re getting into. It asks that customers enter their information during the signup process so Tello knows if it can provide service in a given area. We gave them high marks for this proactive approach.

Plans and Pricing

What helps Tello stand out from many MVNOs is that it lets you “mix and match” what minutes/texts/data combo works best for you. A 100 texting minutes with no internet (basic) phone plan costs just $5 a month.

Unlimited calls and texts are $11 a month; data prices range from $7 (200MB) to $34 (10GB) per month. The highest plan with unlimited calls, texts, and 10GB of data costs $39 a month.

Tello’s pricing is more affordable than Google’s Project Fi (another MVNO that utilizes Sprint). Unlimited calls and text are $5 monthly while the same on Fi costs $20. Tello’s 10GB of data costs $34, but Google’s new Bill Protection Plan offers 9GB of LTE for free after paying for the first 6GB ($10 per GB).

Where Project Fi gains the advantage is in its tri-carrier support. Aside from Sprint’s towers, it also takes advantage of T-Mobile and US Cellular for coverage.

Ting, another Sprint MVNO charges separately for both calls and texts, which contrasts with Tello’s combo price for the same. Whereas Ting charges $10 per GB beyond the first 2GB, it allows for more than Tello’s 10GB data allotment.

Although 10GB data is the maximum allowed, you do get unlimited 2G data after you’ve reached your data limit. Throttled speeds are better than no internet, right?

While Tello prizes itself on plan flexibility, it does offer some ready-made plans for customers who want to “pick and run.” For what it’s worth ,calls to Canada, China, and Mexico are included in all call plans at no additional charge.

If a low-cost plan isn’t your thing, Tello also offers pay-as-you-go options. Calls in the US will run you $.03/minute and just a penny to send a text. Data is rather expensive though at $2/MB. You can also call places like India, Namibia, and Cuba for a nominal fee.

Service and Activation

To start service, visit the carrier website and select “Join” at the top right. Fill out the needed information, then join. Tello will contact you for verification before processing your order. The carrier says it verifies every customer to prevent internet fraud, a wise move in our cyberspace age.

Bring Your Own Device

Sprint customers can bring a Sprint-branded phone to Tello. Tello is careful to point out in its FAQ that “You can enroll into our network any CDMA device free of contract, developed for Sprint or any Sprint MVNO.” If you purchase a phone from Tello, you can request a free SIM card to get started. Bring your own phone, and your SIM card is $9.99.

Additionally, there’s a small list of other devices from other carriers that you can bring to Tello. These include the Apple iPhone 6, 6 Plus, 6S, 6S Plus, and SE sold unlocked, or from AT&T or T-Mobile. Additionally, you can bring Verizon-branded Apple iPhone 5S, 5C, 6, 6 Plus, 6S Plus, SE, 7, 7 Plus, 8, 8 Plus, and iPhone X.

Tello also supports Nexus devices (5X and newer), and the Alcatel Idol 5, Blu S1, Essential Phone, Motorola GX Pure Edition, G4, G4 Play, G4 Plus, G5 Plus, E4, E4 Plus, Z2 Play, and Samsung Galaxy devices from the Galaxy S7 and newer.

If you don’t want to bring a phone with you, Tello also sells gently used devices as well. Customers who want to purchase a phone will need to select “Shop” at the top of the main page, then “phones.”

Once the SIM card arrives in the mail, you’ll need to activate your service either 1) on the Web or 2) within the My Tello app. Download it, log in with your personal info, then follow the instructions on-screen.

Tello provided the Samsung Galaxy S6 we used for this review, but it offers much newer devices as well. There appears to be something for every budget.

Access service, Wi-Fi calls with My Tello

My Tello is useful for more than activation and service information; it is also useful for Wi-Fi calls. Wi-Fi calls are handy for customers who live in extended coverage areas that cannot access Tello’s cellular network.

Unfortunately, Tello does not provide Wi-Fi texting. The good news, however, is that you can use apps such as WhatsApp, Telegram, and Google Duo or Google Hangouts. The lack of Wi-Fi texting may not be a deal breaker, but it does complicate an otherwise worry-free experience.

My Tello can also help with data usage as well as miscellaneous questions you may have. Contact Tello within the My Tello app for chat support.

Performance

Tello performs as you would expect Sprint’s network to perform. In many places, Sprint’s network remains on the old slow network, while it has updated some cities to LTE Plus. The new LTE Plus technology far outperforms the old LTE network, but it is only accessible to a few so far.

Tello Network Testing

I performed Tello network testing in three local cities and found the Galaxy S6 with Tello performed well in call quality and texts. Calls were nearly instantaneous, and texts were fast to process messages, even in non-LTE Plus cities. Wi-Fi calls did have some occasional static and echo, but calls in LTE Plus areas were crystal clear. In one instance, a Wi-Fi call dropped without warning.

In data performance, however, LTE Plus cities shined the brightest with their double-digit download speeds. Cities without LTE Plus registered in the single digits, some measured slightly above zero (0.01 Mbps, for example). LTE Plus cities saw as high as 44.2Mbps download speeds and as low as 2Mbps upload speeds.

Non-LTE Plus cities saw as low as 0.44Mbps download speeds and as high as 19-25Mbps. Upload speeds were between 0.01 and 2Mbps, with some registering as high as 4Mbps in LTE Plus cities. Of course, the throttled 2G data remaining after your LTE allowance is even slower.

Downloaded apps bore the same results, with faster downloads in LTE Plus cities and slower ones in non-LTE Plus cities. Cities lacking Sprint’s new LTE could see app download times as high as 4-5 minutes, while the LTE Plus spectrum downloaded apps in a minute or two.

Other factors impact data speeds, but Sprint’s LTE Plus technology is faster than its original LTE network. Unsurprisingly, Tello follows.

MVNOs: Advantages and Disadvantages

As one can see above, MVNOs often have price advantages over their parent companies. They allow you to activate and drop plans as you go, or pay as you go based on how much or little data (or minutes) you use. MVNOs don’t tie customers down to expensive unlimited options, or force customers to pay for texting when they only want data. MVNOs tend to have pricing and flexibility as their main advantages.

And yet, there are disadvantages. Among them, you must purchase a phone at full price or bring your own phone. Google’s Project Fi is an exception in this case, but there’s a credit check. A family of four might find it quite expensive if they purchased four Galaxy S9s outright.

If you select an online-only MVNO such as Tello, you can’t visit a retail store with phone problems, repair needs, or monthly payments. You can return your phone for repairs, fixes, and a full replacement if the need arises, though, but unfortunately, you’ll have to wait some days to receive it back. Monthly payment drafts could exclude customers who prefer to pay by check or cash only.

A limited phone selection is another drawback; Project Fi’s Pixel and Moto X4 phone selection is such an example. Tello has a better phone selection than Fi, but there are no high-end Android phones past the Galaxy S7 edge to purchase at Tello.

MVNOs can either support the extended coverage area of their parent carrier or not. While Tello does not support Sprint’s extended network, Sprint MVNOs like FreedomPop and Ting do.

One other disadvantage that Google’s Project Fi exploits is single-network or single-carrier access. Tello, like typical MVNOs, offers one-network access. Fi grants access to three, making it one of the most competitive network MVNOs in existence.

MVNOs have their good and bad, and it pays to check a number of factors before you proceed.

Is Tello right for you?

Is Tello right for you? Based on what you want in your first or next MVNO, it’s a definite yes. Want flexibility in your package selection? The most affordable pricing ever seen in a carrier? Okay with an online-only experience? To keep your old phone? If you want all of the above, Tello is for you.

However, if you want more LTE data, Wi-Fi texting, extended coverage on Sprint’s network, or better phone selection, other MVNOs may prove superior.

Choosing an MVNO, like choosing a pair of glasses or shoes, is all about knowing what you need and want. Check out our MVNO Buyer’s Guide for even greater clarity.

Gmail’s new confidential mode is finally rolling out. Here’s how to use it

Aleksey Boldin/123rf

After Google announced its Gmail overhaul late last month, users could enable the new interface immediately but certain features didn’t go live right away.

One of those features is the new privacy-focused confidential mode, which allows users to set an expiration date for emails, similar to ethereal messages on Snapchat. Google is now starting to enable confidential mode in a staged rollout, so don’t panic if it’s not available to you right away.

Enable the new Gmail interface

Step 1: To find out if you have confidential mode on your account, you’ll need to first enable the new Gmail interface.

Step 2: Launch Gmail from your browser, and click on the gear icon on the upper-right-hand side of the window, where you’ll be able to enable the new Gmail interface.

Step 3: Once the interface is enabled, open the compose window as if you’re sending an email. At the bottom of your compose window, you’ll notice an icon with a lock and a clock on the right of the toolbar. If you see that icon, congratulations — you have confidential mode.

How to use confidential mode

Confidential mode comes with Google’s new Information Rights Management tool, which allows you to set restrictions on how your email is displayed, viewed, and shared. Essentially, an email sent with confidential mode cannot be forwarded or printed, and you can set up an expiration date and add a passcode requirement for added security when the email is viewed.

The biggest caveat with confidential mode right now is that you must enable it for each email you send, so you can’t set it as the default for all communications.

Step 1: Open the email composer window and compose an email as usual, filling out the fields for the recipient, the subject, and the email body.

Step 2: Click on the confidential mode icon at the bottom of your compose window. A popup with options will appear. All emails sent in confidential mode restrict the recipients from being able to “forward email contents, copy/paste, download, [and] print,” Google advises.

Step 3: The popup will allow you to set an expiration date and require a passcode to view the email. While you can toggle the passcode requirement, an expiration date is a requirement for confidential mode, meaning you can’t require a passcode but have an email set to never expire. Expiration dates come with predefined expiration intervals set at 1 day, 1 week, 1 month, 3 months, and 5 years. Setting a custom expiration date is not a possibility.

Step 4: Setting a passcode requirement makes the email more secure, akin to a two-factor authentication on a per-message basis. This way, if someone has access to your recipient’s computer, they’ll still need a passcode to view the email. Google will automatically generate a passcode and send it to the recipient’s phone via a text message every time the email is opened, and the recipient must enter the code to view the contents of the email. Requiring a passcode will require you to know your recipient’s mobile number.

Step 5: After you’ve completed the confidential mode information, click Save. Once you’re finished with your email, hit Send. If you enabled the passcode requirement, Google will ask you to enter your recipient’s mobile number at this point. Currently, Google only supports sending passcodes to mobile numbers in a select number of countries.

When you send an email in confidential mode, the email isn’t stored in your recipient’s inbox. Instead, they’ll get a link to view the message on Google’s servers. The link is valid until the email expires. If a passcode was required, Google will notify the recipient that it will send one to their mobile number. 

Confidential mode is a good security measure for messages containing sensitive information, but it isn’t foolproof. Even though Google puts sharing restrictions on messages I received with confidential mode enabled, I found I can bypass them by merely taking a screenshot of the email. Alternatively, I could also use a camera or a smartphone to take a picture of the message.

Editors’ Recommendations

• Inbox full of spam? Here’s how to block an email address in Gmail
• So long to security? ‘GrayKey’ box picks the locks on Apple’s iPhones
• Gmail to get much-needed visual updates and advanced security features
• Google adds snooze button, Google Pay to Gmail for iOS
• How to create disposable email addresses

Baikoh review: An intense word game for the modern era

Word games provide an unrivaled style of entertainment that presents an educational challenge which enriches word power.

Everyone loves a good word game and that’s why games like crosswords and Scrabble have been around for ages, providing children and adults alike with countless hours of fun.

But if you’re looking for the next evolution in word games and not your classic grandma kind, then you might want to give Baikoh a chance. Developed by the indie studio Mum Not Pride, the game shows you word games can get a lot more creative and…ironic.

How do you play Baikoh?

Simple, download the app from the Google Play Store, it’s free. Then install it on your Android (it’s also available on iOS). Launch the application and check out the short tutorial before diving in.

Impressions

Created with Unity, Baikoh boasts a minimalist, yet beautiful interface that will instantly draw you in. The matte colors are very pleasing and the subtle backgrounds ensure your eyes won’t get tired as you immerse yourself in gameplay.

Like the majority of word games out there, Baikoh has a few different ways for you to play. There’s Solo Campaign which is divided into Solo and Zen, and Versus. Versus is just like Solo although you will use weapons against other humans. Basically, it’s the game’s multiplayer mode.

Solo and Zen are almost identical too, but the former mode does not allow players to use badges, traps, or bet baikoins.

But regardless of the mode you choose, gameplay is similar. You have to spell out words using the tiles on the screen. And you have to do it fast. Because tiles keep falling down from the top of the screen and creating stacks. Think of it as Tetris meets Scrabble.

The end goal? Don’t let the tiles reach the top of the screen. Keep spelling words as fast as you can. While shorter words are best for being quick, you will get more points if you create larger ones. Ah, and you need to be careful not to misspell words. Three misspells and you’re out.

If that’s not enough, the game is riddled with various obstacles or traps. There are giant face stones which take up the space of several letters, frozen tiles, bombs and much more. More traps are unlocked as you level up.

The game adjusts its difficulty based on your level, so the better you get, the harder the game will be.

As you progress, you will start earning baikoins, in-game currency, which can be traded for badges. These power-ups, if used wisely, can greatly prolong your game by doing things like destroying the tallest stack of letters.

Baikoh also includes a series of challenge rounds like Dictation, Word List or No Repeat. For example, in the former, you have to type the words that are dictated to you, as fast as you can.

Baikoh comes with some in-app purchases, in case you feel you need more baikoins or badges. But luckily, the game can be thoroughly enjoyed without having to spend money.

Like most mobile games, Baikoh does contain some ads. Watch an ad and you can get an extra life which allows you to jump back in the game after you’ve been eliminated. Ads also pop up at the end of the game, but fortunately, they don’t interfere with gameplay. So that’s a good thing.

For me, the game proved very challenging to play and I loved that. I did get frustrated a lot, but at myself, not the game. I often found myself in a situation where I just couldn’t zero in on the letter I needed to complete the word. And it drove me nuts. I definitely need to improve my observation skills.

The developers say Baikoh is a game about love and suffering, and I guess that sums it up right.  It can get intense and hard pretty quick, but nevertheless and the end of your gaming session you’ll be left craving more.

Kendrick Lamar’s using AR to sell pairs of the new Cortez Kenny on tour

Your ticket to the next Kendrick Lamar concert could potentially help you get more than just a raucous show. During Top Dawg Entertainment’s (TDE) Championship Tour, Lamar and Nike will enable fans at select shows to use the augmented reality camera in Nike’s SNKRS app to purchase a pair of his new Cortez Kenny III sneakers.

At a random moment during the concert, fans will receive an alert via their SNKRS feed — along with the arena screen — that the SNKRS Stash for the Cortez Kenny III has been activated. Unlike previous SNKRS Stash Spot activations, however, these won’t be digitally buried in secret locations but rather, attendees can claim a pair of the shoes anywhere in the arena. The Stash Spot activation will run as long as there are still pairs available.

The first Stash Spot activation of the tour occurred on May 10 at The Forum in Los Angeles, California. TDE has four more scheduled to take place with the next on May 19 at The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion in Houston, Texas. The last three are on May 29 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, June 5 at the Xfinity Center in Boston, Massachusetts, and June 15 at the Hollywood Casino Amphitheater in Chicago, Illinois.

Fans who can’t make either of these shows won’t miss out completely as they’ll still have a chance to the Nike SNKRS app to secure a pair of Cortez Kenny III’s — as well as select clothing from Lamar and TDE’s collaboration with Nike. At each tour stop listed above — as well as Toronto, Ontario — Nike and TDE plan to sell items from the pair’s latest collaboration at pop-up retail locations the day of the show.

Though this isn’t the first time Nike’s leveraged the AR technology native to its SNKRS app, it does mark its first foray into using it at concert venues. Typically, for a SNKRS Stash activation, app users within a designated area will be presented with three 360-degree photos hinting at where the Stash Spot is located. Once someone thinks they’ve found it, they simply tap I’m Here on the SNKRS app, verify their location in the app, and (if all checks out) a 3D rendering of the sneaker appears, allowing them officially claim their new sneakers.

Think of it as Pokemon Go for kicks. It’s part of a larger push by Nike to use AR in an attempt to “everyone and everything” a Nike store.

Editors’ Recommendations

• 50 years in, Nike’s new digital studio defends its title as the king of kicks
• Nike takes big step into connected tech by testing it in limited-edition sneakers
• Google just simplified virtual tour creation — using new images or Street View
• The evolution of sneakers and basketball, told by the NBA legends who lived it
• Nike’s 3D-printed uppers take weight off your feet

XGIMI CC Aurora review: Android smart projector that falls short in important places

Chinese manufacturer XGIMI has its share of expensive smart projectors, but the company is back with a more affordable projector: the XGIMI CC Aurora. “Aurora” means “dawn,” and I don’t think the name is a surprise when you consider all the device does (and doesn’t) have to offer. It’s a start, a leap into a market that few have considered worthy of such an endeavor, and XGIMI both surprises and underwhelms.

Hardware

The XGIMI CC Aurora comes in a compact CNC Alloy case at 5.43 inches x 5.31 inches x 4.69 inches. The device resides in a stylish gray box with a zipper across it and a space at the top for the brown leather, XGIMI-branded strap to sit.

Upon opening the box, one discovers a pair of rechargeable, 3D glasses for content viewing alongside the CC Aurora smart projector, warranty information, and projector manual.

A separate, rectangular box provides an adjustable tripod stand for projector mounting on flat surfaces that you can turn in various directions. The front of the 1.5kg or 3.3-lb. device, a small door with “JBL by Harman” branding, slides down to reveal the projector lens.

The top of the CC Aurora features a brown leather strap that attaches to the projector by way of cylindrical, silver knobs.

The top back of the device features four dots that serve as the CC Aurora’s battery charging indicator. Directly beneath the dots are large volume indicators on the far left (volume down) and far right (volume up), and three audio buttons for rewind, fast forward, and pause/play options. The back of the device features the charging adapter port, two USB ports, an HDMI port, and a headphone jack.

Two audio speakers sit horizontally beneath the connection ports and provide excellent sound.

There’s one piece to the equation that I can’t leave out: it concerns the CC Aurora’s projector XGIMI-branded, rectangular remote along with two AAA batteries. The white remote contains black, functional buttons for power, voice command, projector settings, scrolling and selection, back, home, and volume up and volume down.

Setup

To set up the CC Aurora, you need only slide the small door down the front of the device to uncover the lens. Give it a minute or so to run through some initial projector presentation images. Connect the Aurora projector to your home Wi-Fi network to get started.

Once you complete the initial setup, the Android-powered smart projector’s desktop will appear. Use the hardware remote to navigate the desktop, and click “ok” when you want to open an app or access a service.

My first recommendation to get the most out of the CC Aurora is to first visit System Setup > About > System Update and download any system updates available. If you don’t see an “Aptoide TV” on your desktop where YouTube is, then you need to install a system update. Without Aptoide TV, there’s little to do.

Software and Services

Once at the desktop, you’ll first be greeted with four pre-installed apps: YouTube, Web Browser, WPS Office, and FileManager. YouTube is a welcome app here, as so many Android users love the service.

The hardware remote works fine if YouTube is the only reason you’ll use the projector, and WPS Office should be okay too. However, if you want to use the Web browser or Aptoide TV you’ll need to download XGIMI’s “XGIMI Assistant” app from Google Play on your smartphone to type words, letters, and search terms in Aptoide TV, among other things.

YouTube

The YouTube experience works here on the CC Aurora as it does on your smartphone, tablet, and smart TV, so you need not worry about the unexpected. You’ll be able to use the hardware remote without trouble, but you’ll need the VControl app (XGIMI provides this on the Aurora’s main desktop) to access voice commands and voice search for videos. YouTube remembers search terms and brings up your favorite videos with one letter typed.

XGIMI Assistant

The XGIMI Assistant app can be downloaded from the Google Play Store, and it provides a virtual remote control on your smartphone from which to navigate the user interface of the CC Aurora.

You can use your Android smartphone as a remote control when you don’t have the hardware remote nearby or the remote batteries die out.

The XGIMI Assistant app has a few modes that you’ll need to get a handle on so as to navigate web browsers, Netflix and Hulu logins, and so on. One mode is the virtual remote, while another mode, “TouchPad,” allows you to use the remote as a computer mouse. This will come in handy with regard to Google’s search engine, the in-built Google web browser, as well as privacy-friendly web browsers (you can find these private web browsers at Aptoide TV).

Some games in the Aptoide TV app store demand a mouse, while others demand a gamepad. While the “TouchPad” mode on the XGIMI Assistant app provides the mouse you’ll need, XGIMI doesn’t provide a virtual gamepad whatsoever. Real Racing 3 and the original classic Sonic the Hedgehog can’t be played with the virtual TV remote.

Aptoide TV (Smart Projector App Store)

With access to YouTube on an Android-powered smart projector, you’d expect the CC Aurora to dazzle users with Google Play Services and Google Play Store integration. Sadly, I have to inform you that it does not.

There is no Google Play Services integration here, so the best you can hope for is app selection by way of XGIMI’s third-party app store, “Aptoide TV.” Once you download an app from Aptoide TV, it will appear on your desktop automatically.

 

Aptoide TV has some options, including FreeCell (Solitaire), Real Racing 3, Mahjong, old Sega Genesis games such as Sonic the Hedgehog 1 and 2, and newer games such as Candy Crush and Clash of Clans, but the app selection is rather underwhelming.

Some sections of the Aptoide TV app store have nothing in them, many with only 5-6 titles (max) available for purchase. Skype and Facebook are here, but you don’t get Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp, or Google Duo, if you’re wondering.

 

You do get CBS, ABC, NBC, and even popular services such as Netflix, Hulu, and CBS All Access, but you don’t get YouTube TV because, as the screen popup says, “YouTube TV won’t run without Google Play services, which are not supported by your device.” Of course, the same popup appears for Mahjong Village but you can still play Mahjong (it even has Facebook social sharing integration).

If you’re a parent looking for cartoons and kid content, PBS Kids is an excellent choice. I was able to go online to PBS Kids on my smartphone and enter an access code and immediately gain access. I’ve watched “Ready Jet Go!,” “Arthur,”

Do note that you only have 16GB of internal storage with the CC Aurora, so don’t get too program-happy when selecting programs to view. XGIMI says that its 16GBs of storage can hold 4,000 songs and 10 movies, so you can download music to your heart’s content.

Charging and Battery Life

The XGIMI CC Aurora smart projector charges by way of the supplied adapter, but it takes about 4 hours for the device to charge. It’ll charge up to three of the battery “dots” in about 2.5 hours, but don’t expect the remaining battery dot to charge quickly.

Four hours of charging is quite a lot, but the additional misfortune is that the CC Aurora will only last 4 hours on a single charge. XGIMI says that the short battery life of the CC Aurora is “enough for an outdoor party,” and the CC Aurora still outlasts the 2.5-hour battery life of the LG MiniBeam Projector, but the battery life is a disappointment.

Price and Availability

 

The XGIMI CC Aurora costs $699 at Amazon.com, but you can get it for either the typical $699 price at eBay or the discounted price of $625 at eBay. The MSRP is $569, so you’ll likely pay a slightly steeper price for access to the smart projector that can do a little of everything.

What the XGIMI CC Aurora smart projector does right

 

The following are strengths of the XGIMI CC Aurora smart projector:

• Easy Setup: The XGIMI CC Aurora is easy to set up and easy to use
• Audio by JBL (Harman) is excellent: The audio quality in internet TV streaming is where the JBL/Harman audio shines
• Multipurpose: The CC Aurora is many things at once: a Bluetooth speaker, music player, internet browser, TV/movie-watching machine, game console, etc., all in one device.
• Price: While some may not want to pay around $600 (around $569) for a smart projector, I think the price is acceptable for its capabilities.
• Connect to other devices:  One doesn’t need a smart projector to watch Netflix and Hulu, but might want to stream Spotify or Pandora through the CC Aurora.

Where the CC Aurora smart projector could improve

 

• Size: The CC Aurora isn’t terribly heavy but it isn’t as lightweight as, say, the one-pound ZTE Spro2 smart projector from 2015. A more compact feel and look would sell the device even more.
• Battery life: The CC Aurora only provides about 4-4.5 hours of battery life.
• Resolution: 720p content viewing is acceptable at times but appears washed out at other times. The CC Aurora projects 180 inches across walls; I’d like to see 720p become 1080p or 2K (4K viewing is ideal).
• Storage: 16GB of storage is okay for music because you can store up to 4,000 movies, but 10 movies (max) on a home theater device is insufficient.
• Controller: XGIMI includes a pair of 3D glasses in the box of every CC Aurora smart projector, but some games in Aptoide TV “require a GamePad”. I think that XGIMI should either add a GamePad.G
• Google Play Store and Google Play Services: This is one of the biggest drawbacks that XGIMI must fix. It seems odd that the company offers an Android-powered smart projector that has YouTube, Chrome web browser, Google Translate, and the Google search engine but doesn’t include Google Play or Google Play Services.
• Water and dust resistance: Water and dust protection would make the smart projector more kid-friendly.

Final Thoughts

 

The XGIMI CC Aurora deems the smart projector to be an all-in-one substitute for TV, music player, Bluetooth speaker, computer, tablet, and smartphone. As an ambitious device that looks to supplant all others in the coming years, the CC Aurora must do more to meet the needs of consumers who might expect a “galaxy” device for $600.

The nature of the smart projector creates the “everything” problem. If a product promises to be “several devices into one,” then the product must make good on that claim. The CC Aurora fails on some important fronts, and this must change if XGIMI has ambitions to corner the American smart projector market.

Robocall case results in record $120 million fine for Florida man

Discussing robocalls in 2017, Ajit Pai, chairman of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), said Americans are “mad as hell” about them.

That doesn’t come as much of a surprise when you learn that U.S. consumers receive an estimated 2.5 billion robocalls a month.

The automated, prerecorded calls result in the FCC receiving 200,000 complaints annually, with ongoing efforts to stamp them out apparently making little headway.

This week the commission hit a Florida man with a $120 million fine for an operation that resulted in 96 million robocalls nationwide, all of which were made across a single three-month period in 2016.

The allegation against Miami-based Adrian Abramovich was originally made by the FCC in 2017. It proposed the huge financial penalty at the same time, but only finalized it this week. The FCC said it’s the largest fine it has ever imposed.

Abramovich has denied involvement, insisting he was not “the kingpin” behind the dubious enterprise.

The FCC described the three-month robocalling operation as “massive” and said it was geared toward selling timeshare packages and other travel deals to members of the public. Of particular concern was the perpetrator’s use of fake numbers to make recipients of the calls think they were coming from the local area, a practice known as “neighbor spoofing.” Consumer complaints about neighbor spoofing have more than doubled in the first few months of this year, the FCC said in a statement issued on Thursday, May 10.

The FCC also highlighted how the messages purported to be from well-known travel or hospitality firms such as Marriott, Expedia, Hilton, and TripAdvisor, with consumers encouraged to “press 1” to hear about “exclusive” vacation deals.

“Those who did were transferred to foreign call centers where live operators attempted to sell vacation packages — often involving timeshares — at destinations unrelated to the named travel or hospitality companies,” the commission said.

The neighbor spoofing and wrongful use of well-known company names made the case particularly troubling, according to the FCC. “The Truth in Caller ID Act prohibits callers from deliberately falsifying caller ID information with the intent to harm or defraud consumers or unlawfully obtain something of value,” it said in its statement.

The commission said it received “numerous” complaints not only from members of the public, but also from the likes of TripAdvisor, which itself received complaints from consumers who believed the robocalls had come from the company.

Abramovich now has to pay the fine or take the dispute to federal court.

Tricky nut to crack

In 2016, the FCC launched a “robocall task force” aimed at finding solutions to “prevent, detect, and filter” the annoying calls. More than 30 tech firms participated, but while a subsequent report outlined several ideas for dealing with the challenge, it nevertheless concluded that “there is no ubiquitous solution” for the issue.

With no end in sight for the unwanted calls, what can we do by ourselves to deal with them? The FCC offers a list of tips that include being aware that Caller ID from a “local” number may not be what it purports to be. It also tells people to reject calls from unknown numbers, and to never provide personal information to suspicious callers should you inadvertently find yourself engaged in conversation.

It also suggests periodically reviewing all of the blocking tools offered by your phone company, and to file a complaint with the FCC after receiving a nuisance call.

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Grim Soul – Don’t Starve meets Dark Souls, in the worst possible way.

I wanted to like Grim Soul; really I did. It sounded great. The dark, gothic fantasy of Dark Souls mixed with the crafting and survival mechanics of Don’t Starve – what could go wrong?

A lot, as it turns out.

Starting Out

The first thing one does when loading up the game is log in to Play Games – so far, so good. Then you load into a grim, foggy forest next to the corpse of the last unfortunate adventurer that played this game. You get some loot from his body, and then you’re turned loose into the region. This first area is your “Stronghold.” There are a couple minor enemies, as well as wood, stone, and fiber you can loot or harvest. This lets you build tools and a rudimentary shelter – and not much else.

To progress any further into the game you need to explore other areas by running into the mist surrounding your Stronghold. This brings you to a world map, filled with other, randomly generated areas, as well as the Strongholds of rival players. And it’s here that the game falters. As with many mobile games these days, you have an Energy Meter that limits the number of things you can do before you have to wait for the meter to recharge.

In this case, that meter drains when you travel from one area to another. These areas are populated much like your starting one – enemies, wildlife, and natural materials. So similar, in fact, that it doesn’t feel like you’re doing much of anything. You find a baddie, you swing at him a few times until he dies, and you go back to collecting.

Eventually – after perhaps two or three enemies and a lot of farming – you’ll level up, and gain access to a new research point to craft a new item. But frankly, the amount of time you invest into leveling isn’t worth the payoff of actually getting there. It doesn’t feel fulfilling or gratifying – it’s a grind in the truest sense of the word.

Graphics

It’s tough to really evaluate the quality of the graphics in this game. It’s too dark, drab and foggy to see much of anything at all. The weapons, armor, and enemies in the game are distinctly reminiscent of the Dark Souls games. It can be a little tough to distinguish between enemy types at times, especially between the standard Leper enemies and the faster, more dangerous Damned.

The color palette is painfully drab. All grays, browns, and blacks, with barely any color to speak of. While clearly inspired by Dark Souls, that franchise knows when to inject brilliant moments of beauty into its games to break up the utter hopelessness of the environment. Grim Soul, however, does not. Every part of the game is as gray and wretched as the next.

Mechanics & Economy

Grim Soul teases you with the future – you can see your entire skill tree at any time. It teases you with the prospect of riding a horse, of building a castle, of sailing to another land. But the time investment required to attain these things is prohibitive, at best. It took me hours upon hours just to reach level 7. To build that ship to sail across the seas? Level 75.

Time waste and intentional grind aside, the game plays pretty well. The crafting is decently balanced, with challenging but attainable requirements to craft each item. As is typical with survival games, there’s very little tutorial or guidance. But this one seems a little more casual and lenient than most, presenting you with plentiful resources in your starting region and marginal threats.

One problem you’ll run into right off the bat, though – inventory space. There’s not enough of it, and it looks like a bigger bag is hidden behind an IAP. You can craft one pretty early on – it provides you a whopping six more slots. It’s rough. When you die – and you will, often – you drop everything you were carrying, and it’s lost forever. So when you go to explore, it’s best done with an empty bag, everything else safely stored in a chest in your Stronghold.

Combat is a bit of a slog. There’s one attack button, no special abilities to speak of, and only rudimentary sneaking mechanics. As such, it seems like the game has a bit of an identity problem. Does it want to be an action game? A survival game? A stronghold-building game? An exploration game? It does a little bit of all these things, but none of them particularly well.

Value

Honestly, I got bored of Grim Soul after my first couple sessions. You can’t level up in the amount of energy you’re given, even at low levels, and there aren’t enough crafting options to make that grind worthwhile. This is a simple case of a game with potential, ruined by IAPs and bad economy/tuning.

Download Grim Soul on the Google Play Store

No notch, no bezels: Lenovo’s Z5 phone looks incredible

If you haven’t paid much attention to Lenovo’s smartphones in the past, that’s about to change. The Lenovo Z5 is coming, and this concept sketch shows just how excited we should be about it. This is no source-less leak either, it was shared by Lenovo’s mobile group product manager Chang Cheng on the Weibo social network, so we can be assured it’s not only genuine, but also representative of what the Z5 will really be like.

This isn’t the first time Cheng has mentioned the Lenovo Z5 either, having also shared a teaser image a few days before the concept sketch, hinting at just how much screen the phone will have. He asks followers to guess the screen-to-body ratio, giving four options from which to choose, culminating in a whopping 95 percent. While he doesn’t give an answer, we’re going to assume he’s saying the Z5 will reach the highest number. For reference, the Essential PH-1 leads the current pack with an 84.9 percent screen-to-body ratio.

While the concept sketch shows the bezel-less design we’ve all dreamed of, mainly because it doesn’t have an opinion-splitting notch, it raises plenty of questions. Where is the selfie camera? Where are the sensors for ambient light and proximity? How about the speaker? Cheng writes the Z5 contains 18 patented technologies, which may help answer these points. Other companies have also addressed these problems in different ways, from the pop-out selfie camera on the Vivo Apex, to placing the speaker and associated sensors behind the screen on the Xiaomi Mi Mix.

There’s no indication when the Lenovo Z5 will be announced, although unsubstantiated reports claim it will launch on June 14, which may only be taken from the numbers on the phone’s screen in the teaser image. When it does arrive, do not expect it to be cheap. When Xiaomi pushed the design envelope with the original Mi Mix, it cost at least $1,000, a price tag shared by the equally innovative Apple iPhone X. Lenovo sells its phones internationally, primarily through its own online store, so at least if you do eventually want one, and can stomach the cost, there’s a strong chance you’ll be able to buy a Z5.

We’ll keep you updated about the Lenovo Z5 here, so check back for more news soon.

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