President Trump working to get ZTE back into business

Trump to Commerce Department: Get it done!

Truth is stranger than fiction. In April, ZTE was banned from using U.S. hardware or software by the Commerce Department Secretary Wilbur L. Ross, Jr. Fast forward to May and the company was banned from selling any products on U.S. military installations along with Huawei. These bans resulted in ZTE shutting down all its operations because it’s hard to make money when you can’t sell any products.

Today? Trump is back to Twitter and back to breaking his own news stories.

President Xi of China, and I, are working together to give massive Chinese phone company, ZTE, a way to get back into business, fast. Too many jobs in China lost. Commerce Department has been instructed to get it done!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 13, 2018

This is certainly an unexpected event. But not necessarily a bad event. ZTE was banned from using U.S.-based hardware or software because the U.S. government felt it did not follow through on a court ruling that said the company needed to pay a hefty fine, fire several key executives, and admonish 32 employees — a charge ZTE denies. Ordering a denial may have been the Commerce Department’s idea of playing hardball to force compliance.

Having said that, the original issue — ZTE admittedly sold technology products to North Korea and Iran — is still troubling. As is a sitting U.S. President working in that company’s best interests after this was done.

This is surely just a small part of a bigger picture and only Presidents Trump and Xi know how it will play out. We’re going to watch closely, along with the rest of America.

This AmazonBasics 50-mile indoor HDTV antenna is only $21

Cut the cord and save even more.

This AmazonBasics 50-mile indoor HDTV antenna is down to its lowest price ever. It regularly sells for $28 and has only dropped from that price once before, but even that previous drop didn’t go as low as this one. This price drop makes it only $1 more than the 35-mile version.

You can also get a budget version on sale today. The AmazonBasics Ultra Thin 25-mile range HDTV antenna is down to only $8.44 from a street price around $13.

The 50-mile range is helpful particularly for people who don’t live in urban centers. You want to make sure your antenna can reach the signals coming from the nearest broadcast tower. This antenna lets you pick up channels like ABC, NBC, PBS, Fox, and more. It has black and white sides, and it can be painted over if you would like it to be a different color. The coaxial cable is 16 feet long. Use this map of DTV signals from the FCC to make sure this antenna works for you.

If you want to go all-in on cutting the cord, you can get a month of DIRECTV NOW and a Roku Streaming Stick for just $35 or your first 3 months of service for $30 if you’re a new customer.

See at Amazon

Project Treble is turning out to be more important than we thought

We’re already seeing the fruits of Google’s labor with Treble and Android P.

While we’re all busy arguing about Android P’s gestures and swooning over the new features, something far more exciting didn’t get the attention I think it deserves: seeing the first fruits of Google’s labor with Project Treble. In a completely unexpected move, Google released the first beta version of Android P for not only its own Pixel phones, but also phones from seven different companies. It’s neat for owners of the individual phones from each of the manufacturers to get an early look at Android P, but that’s not why this announcement is so exciting.

The real importance is that seven phone makers get extra-early access to Android P and can start working with the new platform. Yes, Google has partnered with Nexus manufacturers in the past, and Developer Preview versions of Android have been available for some Sony phones. But this is a whole new level of manufacturer access, and it’s all because these phones support the new Project Treble system for more seamless application of software updates. By making phones with Android Oreo out of the box and Project Treble enabled, these companies can more easily make Android P run on their phones because the user-facing software is separate from the firmware underpinnings developed for Oreo.

Google provided the groundwork and tools necessary to update software quickly.

Sony, Nokia, OnePlus, Oppo, Xiaomi, Essential and Vivo are all part of the beta program. These are huge companies that sell tens of millions of phones a year. And now each and every one of them has already started its work on making Android P work on its phones — about six months before Android P is released with the upcoming Pixel 3. And let’s be clear, this doesn’t just help them release P updates for the one phone that’s part of the beta program — it sets the development in motion for getting Android P to their entire lineups faster.

There are many moving pieces at play here that could eventually get in the way of Android P updates from these companies, but Google’s laid the groundwork and given the tools necessary for each of them to release new software on a far quicker time frame. Both providing extremely early access to the software and an operating system that facilitates a simpler update process is a recipe for faster software updates for end users. It isn’t as exciting right now as using Android P’s new gesture interface, but it’s undeniably more important for the Android market as a whole moving forward.

Now, a few more thoughts on the hectic week that was:

• As you may have read, I’m still not sold on Google’s new “digital wellbeing” initiative — even though I agree we should all consider using our phone less. I just think Google isn’t coming at it from the most sincere perspective.
• Digital wellbeing aside, it’s been fun to play with Android P — particularly since I didn’t really bother with the initial Developer Preview on my Pixel 2 XL.
• The gestures clearly aren’t finished, and I’m almost entirely withholding judgement because of it. Same goes for many of the visual/color changes. I’m loving the transitions and feature additions, though.
• We all got distracted by Google I/O for a hot minute, but there’s also a whole lot of hardware coming soon. The LG G7 is about to hit stores, the OnePlus 6 will be unveiled in just a few days, the HTC U12 is close. It’s a great time to be in the market for an Android phone.
• Also, BlackBerry “KEY2” it is. It’s so intriguing that the new TCL-made BlackBerrys have kept alive the thought that someone needs to offer an Android with a physical keyboard.

-Andrew

Android P

• Android P: Everything you need to know
• Android P Beta hands-on: The best and worst features
• All the big Android announcements from Google I/O 2018
• Will my phone get Android P?
• How to manually update your Pixel to Android P
• Join the Discussion

The Yeelight LED bulb is a great alternative to Philips Hue

The Yeelight LED bulb is a great option if you’re looking for an affordable smart lighting solution.

Yi Technology made its name in the action camera space by rolling out affordable alternatives to the likes of GoPro, and the company is taking the same approach to connected devices. That’s especially true of its $29 LED bulbs, which offer an experience similar to that of Philips Hue bulbs at a lesser cost.

One of the main selling points about the Yeelight LED bulbs is that they don’t require a hub to connect to your Wi-Fi network, unlike Hue. Just hook up the bulbs to an E27 (or E26) socket, and install the Yeelight app to connect the bulbs to your home Wi-Fi network. The lack of a hub means that you’ll have to shell out $90 to get started with three Yeelight bulbs, which is less than the $160 retail price of a Hue starter kit.

A great quality product that costs significantly less than a Hue setup.

Once the initial setup is done, you’ll be able to use your phone to control the lights, including setting a scheduler to automatically turn them on or off, adjusting the intensity and brightness of the lights, and much more.

There are preset scenes available from the Yeelight app, and you can also pick a color by uploading a photo from your phone’s gallery. The app offers a ton of customization options, so it shouldn’t be too hard to find a setting that works for you.

You can adjust the colors by sliding left or right in the app, and the intensity by sliding up and down anywhere on the screen. The app also offers options for a mode called Flow, which cycles through a set of colors. Color temperature of the Yeelight bulb ranges from 1700K to 6500K, and you can control multiple lights from the app simultaneously.

The lights get fairly bright as you increase the color temperature, but you’ll be able to get that with the standard white variant of the bulbs. The RGB version is all about the colors, and it shines in that regard.

Like Hue, you’ll be able to control the Yeelight LED bulbs through Amazon Alexa or the Google Assistant. Yi Technology rolled out the integration last year, and you will be able to pair the bulbs with an Echo or Google Home with ease and control the lights by issuing voice commands.

The Yeelight LED bulb’s affordability gives it a distinct edge in this space, and the amount of features combined with the fact that you can control it with Alexa or Google Assistant makes it an enticing option if you’re looking to get started with smart home tech.

The Yeelight LED bulb is now available officially on Amazon in the U.S. for $29, meaning it will work over 110V. If you’re looking to pick up the bulb internationally, then you’ll have to head on over to GearBest, where it’s available for $17.

See at Amazon

Updated May 2018 with Amazon U.S. links and details on Alexa and Google Assistant integration.

Today’s best deals you won’t want to miss

Whether you’re looking for new tech gear or household items, we’ve got you covered.

Today you can get big discounts on the Nintendo 2DS XL gaming system, the Roku Streaming Stick Plus, HDTV antennas, and more! Don’t pass these up.

View the rest of the deals

If you want to know about the deals as soon as they are happening, you’ll want to follow Thrifter on Twitter, and sign up for the newsletter, because missing out on a great deal stinks!

Tim Cook Challenges Graduates to ‘Think Different’ in Duke University Commencement Address

Apple CEO Tim Cook today delivered the 2018 commencement address at his alma mater Duke University in Durham, North Carolina.

Cook challenged students to “think different” rather than accept the status quo, and to leave the world better than they found it, by following in the footsteps of leaders like Steve Jobs, Robert F. Kennedy, and Martin Luther King Jr. He also reflected on Apple’s commitment to the environment and privacy.

An excerpt from his speech:

The pace at which progress is possible has accelerated dramatically. Aided by technology, every individual has the tools, potential, and reach to build a better world. That makes this the best time in history to be alive. Whatever you choose to do with your life, wherever your passion takes you, I urge you to take the power you have been given and use it for good. Aspire to leave this world better than you found it.

I didn’t always see life as clearly as I do today. But I’ve learned that the greatest challenge of life is knowing when to break with conventional wisdom. Don’t just accept the world you inherit today. Don’t just accept the status quo. No big challenge has ever been solved, and no lasting improvement has ever been achieved, unless people dare to try something different. Dare to think different.

I was lucky to learn from someone who believed this deeply—someone who knew that changing the world starts with following a vision, not a path. He was my friend and mentor, Steve Jobs.

Steve’s vision was that great ideas come from a restless refusal to accept things as they are, and those principles still guide us at Apple today. We reject the notion that global warming is inevitable—that’s why we run Apple on 100 percent renewable energy. We reject the excuse that getting the most out of technology means trading away your right to privacy. So we choose a different path: collecting as little of your data as possible, and being thoughtful and respectful when it’s in our care.

Cook’s commencement address was similar to those he has delivered at a number of other universities in recent years, including at his undergraduate alma mater Auburn University in 2010, at George Washington University in 2015, and at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology last year.

Cook is a 1988 graduate of Duke’s Fuqua School of Business and a member of the university’s Board of Trustees.

Tag: Tim Cook
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Here’s what we’re reading, watching, playing, and listening to this week

How we’re spending our leisure time.

Everyone has a bit of quiet downtime once in a while. Whether you’re sitting quietly at home or trying to relax on a plane or just giving your busy mind and hands a break, it’s important to relax.

A good way to do that is to read a book, listen to some music or watch a movie or show. See what’s caught our attention for the week of May 12th.

Ara Wagoner

Prepare to have your minds blown.

When it comes to most TV shows, I’m a fast-and-binge kind of girl. I’ll watch a ton of episodes in the span of a week or two, and then I won’t watch the show again for months when I have a new crop of episodes to binge on. This is especially true of shows with erratic release schedules like Steven Universe. Steven Universe as a show has a lot of layers, a lot of drama, and a fair bit of surface stupidity that I like to skim off as I watch. Well, this week was the week to dive back in, because we got our last episode of the spring and WHAT. AN. EPISODE.

Most shows are lucky if they pull off one episode that makes you question everything that came before, that completely changes everything in a show’s history and universe. Steven Universe has already had a few of these, but ‘A Single, Pale Rose’ is on a new level. If you’ve fallen off the SU bandwagon before, it’s time to climb back on, because things are going to get insane this summer.

See Steven Universe on Google Play

Marc Lagace

We got an official date for Arrested Development Season 5 and I’m super excited. The new season will drop on Netflix May 29 and I’m sure I’ll binge watch it over the course of a weekend.

In the meantime, I’ve been watching the freshly remixed version of season 4, which was recut by series co-creator Mitch Hurwitz to transform the character-centric episodes (necessary because of conflicting actor schedules) into something that better resembles the first three seasons from the original run on Fox.

If you haven’t watched Arrested Development at this point, you can catch the entire series on Netflix. And even if you have seen it before, it’s a show that rewards repeat viewings.

Oh, and check out the cool Star Wars/AD crossover from May 4th.

Joe Maring

Throughout my life, I’ve had numerous friends and family members tell me that I just had to check out Monty Python. I always sort of blew these recommendations off thinking I wouldn’t have any interest in it, but after catching Monty Python and the Holy Grail in theaters this past weekend, I’ve fallen in love with the comedy troop.

I wasn’t really sure what to expect going into the movie, but I ended up laughing through nearly the entire thing. I’ve already begun quoting it, and I’m pretty sure my fiance is getting tired of hearing “I’m being repressed!” and “‘Tis but a scratch” every day since.

I’m excited to watch more movies from the group, but I’m not sure where to go next. If you’ve got any recommendations, I’ll keep an eye on the comments below!

Tom Westrick

This week, I’ve made a dedicated effort to watch stuff that I’ve ripped to my Plex library long ago, rather than watching anything “new.” Among these movies I’m watching for the first time is Blazing Saddles — and yes, I deserve every ounce of scorn for not seeing this movie sooner. I’ve seen it now, and I love it. A lot. Another of my favorites from this back catalog has been Ingrid Goes West. That movie struck a chord because it seems we’re all chasing the allure of digital approval — how many likes or retweets or comments we get. Ingrid Goes West is the story of that taken to the extreme.

I also started reading the Infinity War comic story to see how it matches with the movie. To avoid spoilers, I’ll just say the movie is a faithful recreation, minus some characters that aren’t in the MCU.

Your turn

What are YOU reading, watching, or listening to this week? Let us know in the comments!

Update, May 12, 2018: This is a weekly series where we tell you what we’re into, so check back every weekend!

Cookie AutoDelete is my new favorite Chrome extension

You can control all your cookies with one easy-to-use tool and that makes it the best extension ever.

A few days ago, I discovered the best Chromebook extension ever made. It crushes cookies using some simple rules and now I don’t have to dig in and do it myself whenever I get a little twitchy.

What is a cookie? When you browse the internet, you get bombarded by little bits of information called HTTP cookies. Your browser stores them and they can be really helpful, especially when you visit the same place on the web over and over. The thing is, they don’t just contain information your browser reads — they also hold data that websites can read if they are looking for them. Some cookies exist only to track you and that’s why Facebook, days or weeks laer, can put ads for things you’ve looked at on the bottom of some random website. It’s more than a little creepy.

I freely admit I get a little paranoid when it comes to online security. I don’t wear a tinfoil hat or anything (because secret government quantum entanglement communication signals can go right through tinfoil) but I also don’t like anything happening that I don’t know about. Like those nasty little tracking cookies. I’ve always wanted an easy way to delete some cookies without having to go through a bunch of steps to do it. And now I can. Hallelujah.

OMG the settings are perfect

Cookie AutoDelete) won’t do anything by itself when you install it. That’s another thing I like. So many things to like in one place. You have to enable “Auto-clean” which deletes every cookie when you close the tab or the browser. That’s a little drastic and Cookie AutoDelete has an awesome way to deal with it — whitelists and greylists.

When you visit a website and open the extension you can see every individual cookie that it uses. 👍💯. Beside each one is a button to add it to the whitelist or the greylist. If added to the whitelist, the cookie is never deleted and can live until it expires. The grey list lets a cookie persist until you close the browser so having a million Amazon tabs open because you can’t decide which USB-C cable to buy is easy. Can I get a like for easy?

(Buy this set of USB-C cables from Aukey and save yourself two hours of uncertainty. Trust me.)

You can export and import whitelists and greylists, see how many cookies a site is using via the icon, clean all cookies from the same domain (like facebook.com), and clean things by hand through the pop-out extension window. This is the best extension ever and using it is more fun than Pokémon Go. Maybe that’s just me.

Even if you don’t think this is better than Pokémon it’s a great way to maintain a tiny bit of your privacy and keep websites from tracking you whilst you do your internet. Go on and install it.

Download Cookie AutoDelete (free)

The best Moto E5 Plus cases to keep your budget phone beautiful

Julian Chokkattu/Digital Trends

If you’re looking for a budget handset with long battery life, then there’s really only one phone for you — the Moto E5 Plus. With a massive 6-inch screen, modest specs, and an enormous 5,000mAh battery, this is a cheap phone that just keeps going and going. But despite all that long-term power, the Moto E5 Plus won’t fare well against concrete, asphalt, or any outside surface. A protective case is an absolute must to make sure that your budget phone lasts until your next upgrade. We’ve put together a list of the best Moto E5 Plus cases that you can buy to make sure your phone lasts and looks pretty while doing it.

Olixar Ultra-Thin Clear Case ($10)

A clear case is a great option for anyone who wants a modicum of protection that doesn’t detract from the original design of their phone. Olixar‘s ultrathin clear case is a great addition to this lineup, and an excellent choice for you if you want to keep the design of the E5 Plus on display. It’s made from TPU, which has shock-absorbent qualities, as well as being soft enough to aid in grip. It’s superthin, and adds a minimal amount of bulk to your phone, which is especially important with that huge battery. It comes with a raised bezel around the outside of the display and camera to make sure the phone doesn’t rest on those vulnerable areas.

Buy one now from:

Mobile Fun

Skinomi Dark Wood Skin with Screen Protector ($16)

Still not keen on the idea of having even a thin case on your phone? Maybe a phone skin would be more your style. This skin from Skinomi is applied to the back of your phone, and while it won’t provide any protection against drops and bumps, it’ll stop scratches from marring the body, and the dark wood aesthetic lends a cool style. If dark wood isn’t your thing, Skinomi also boasts a huge range of other variants like brushed aluminum, light wood, and carbon fiber. Even better, this skin also comes with one of Skinomi’s TechSkin screen protectors for all-around protection.

Buy one now from:

Skinomi Amazon

Rnicy Flower TPU Case ($8)

Cases aren’t just for protection — they’re also great for reflecting your personal style. This case from Rnicy is a pretty standard TPU case with shock-absorbent qualities that reduce damage from drops, bumps, and scratches. It also provides additional grip. But the real draw here is the selection of designs emblazoned on the back of each case. They’re bright, colorful, and show off your style to the rest of the world. Each case has been treated to reduce wear-and-tear on the design, and can even be washed and dried before being reapplied to your phone.

Buy one now from:

Amazon

Dretal Slim Bumper Case ($8)

The edges of a phone are far more likely to hit the ground first during a drop, so it’s especially important to keep them well insulated. Dretal’s bumper case uses soft and shock-absorbing TPU to dull the energy from drops and stop them from damaging your phone. Even better, it also comes with a hard PC back panel that protects against scratches and other hazards, while also being completely clear so you can still show off your phone’s style. There’s also a raised edge to elevate your phone from surfaces and a finish that improves grip on your phone.

Buy one now from:

Amazon

KuGi Anti-Slip Case ($9)

Looking for something with more of an executive look? This anti-slip case from KuGi could be right up your alley. It’s made from our old friend TPU, so you can expect it to be durable and capable of taking a blow, while also aiding in grip. KuGi has added more than a few features to help in that though, including a series of cuts down either side of the case, and a stylish textured back panel. That back panel looks like leather, but it’s actually just TPU again — but don’t let that put you off, as it feels great and looks even better. There’s an area to attach a lanyard if you want real drop-proofing, and it’s slim and comes in other colors if you’re not taken with the blue.

Buy one now from:

Amazon

Idea Line Heavy Duty Protector ($9)

Forget those ultrathin cases — you want protection and utility in equal measure, and you don’t care who knows it. This case comes with a two-layer construction of a TPU inner shell and hard polycarbonate outer shell to strike a great balance of protection from a variety of hazards, including drops, bashes, and scratches. There’s a raised edge along the outside of the case to elevate your phone from surfaces, and it also comes with a belt clip so you can easily secure your phone without needing to use a pocket. The horizontal kickstand allows you to place your phone down to watch a video or two. It even comes with a tempered glass screen protector for all-around protection. It’s big and bulky, but with everything it adds, that’s easy to overlook.

Buy one now from:

Amazon

Poetic Revolution All-Around Protective Case ($17)

A phone like the E5 Plus is great when you’re expecting to be without a charger for a period of time, and simply need your phone to last as long as possible. If that’s the case, then you might also need it to be as well-protected as possible too, so whether you’re out camping, hiking, or are just extremely careful, you might want to consider this case from Poetic. It’s extremely solid, made from a combination of hard PC and soft TPU for a great balance against threats — but the protection doesn’t stop there. It also comes with built-in screen protection and dust traps for all the ports. If you need great protection at a price that won’t break the bank, then this is the case for you.

Buy one now from:

Poetic Amazon

Still struggling to figure out which of Motorola’s new E-range is for you? Check out our Moto E5 Plus vs. E5 Play head-to-head comparison to see which is better, or find out about the rest of Motorola’s 2018 smartphone range.

Editors’ Recommendations

• Guard your Galaxy with the best Galaxy S9 and S9 Plus screen protectors
• The best Motorola Moto G6 cases to keep your Moto motoring on
• Avoid screen damage with the most Note-worthy Note 8 screen protectors
• The best Nokia 7 Plus cases to keep your noteworthy Nokia untarnished
• The best screen protectors for the Galaxy S8 and S8 Plus

A.I. and Google News: The push to broaden perspectives

There is no editorial team at Google News. There is no building filled with hundreds of moderators monitoring the thousands of stories hitting the web every second, making sure the full story is presented. Instead, Google uses artificial intelligence algorithms, as well as its partnerships with fact-checking organizations providing headlines from credible, authoritative sources.

“Humans are generating the content,” Trystan Upstill, Google News engineering and product lead, told Digital Trends. “We think of the whole app as a way to use artificial intelligence to bring forward the best in human intelligence. In a way, the A.I. is controlling this fire hose of human stuff going on.”

“We think of the whole app as a way to use artificial intelligence to bring forward the best in human intelligence.”

A.I. is a big part of the redesigned Google News app, which was recently announced at the annual Google I/O developer conference in Mountain View, California. The algorithms filter or demote stories after detecting the spread of misinformation, and they also understand terms and fragments of text coming through the news cycle, aligning them with fact checks from partner organizations.

But one of the A.I.’s main tasks is to provide a full picture of major, nuanced stories through a feature called “Full Coverage.” It’s a small button you can press on stories, which will lead you to similar articles from a variety of publications — including ones you do not follow or may not like. The main section of Google News shows content tailored to you, but “Full Coverage” does not respect your likes and dislikes — everyone sees the same information pulled together by the A.I.

That includes modules for fact checks, frequently asked questions, a timeline of events, international coverage, and even tweets from primary sources. Everyone reading “Full Coverage” sees the same information, which Upstill said is crucial.

“The core premise we have is that in order to have a productive conversation about something, everyone basically needs to be able to see the same thing,” he said.

While the breadth of data the algorithms pull is impressive, it’s entirely on the user to click on the small “Full Coverage” button to read more perspectives on the topic at hand. It’s why the button features Google’s red, green, blue, and yellow colors — it stands out from a page that’s mostly black and white.

“Fundamentally, we’re trying to build tools that are easy, that people can use to develop their understanding,” Upstill said. “A part of the challenge for people to break out of their bubbles and echo chambers is that it’s just hard; it’s hard work, and we set out to make that easy.”

Pulling together a variety of sources has always been a part of Google News’ roots. The desktop service began right after the 9/11 attacks in 2001, when people were scrambling to find as much information as they could about the tragic event.

“It came to the table with this idea that in terms of understanding a story, you shouldn’t read a single article,” Upstill said. “You should read a set of articles around that story to really position what you’re reading. That is a key message that resonates with people even today, in this age of people having increasingly polarized views.”

“You should read a set of articles around that story to really position what you’re reading.”

Google has been criticized for helping people stay in their bubbles. Search results are personalized based on location and previous searches, and people end up seeing what they want to see rather than the full picture. Upstill said Google isn’t in the business of censorship, and “in Search, if you come in and say ‘give me the fake news publication’ or type ‘fakenews.com,’” it will show up. But with Google News, Upstill said you shouldn’t find disreputable sources.

The new Google News app is currently rolling out on both Android and iOS, and the desktop redesign will go live early next week. Both will share the same features, but the desktop version will have a different format.

Editors’ Recommendations

• Google News receives a major overhaul, replaces Google Play Newsstand
• Here’s everything we saw at the action-packed Google I/O 2018 keynote
• Before Google’s lifelike Duplex A.I., these chatbots paved the way
• Machine learning? Neural networks? Here’s your guide to the many flavors of A.I.
• Google Home Mini review