When rendering video, the Alienware Area-51 R5 is literally a time machine

Bill Roberson/Digital Trends

During our time with the Alienware Area-51 R5, we came to realize that some of our benchmarks just weren’t challenging enough to truly put the machine’s 18-core processor to the test.

So, we devised a new one using Adobe Premiere Pro. Using a custom workload, we measured how quickly the fully-loaded Alienware Area-51 R5 could render a video file. Our control in this experiment is a machine renowned for its on-the-go media management horsepower, the MacBook Pro 15.

Apple vs. Alienware

Here’s the thing: Obviously the Alienware Area-51 R5 will outperform the MacBook Pro 15. That’s not really up for debate. What we’re looking at here is how much time a machine like the Area-51 R5 cuts off of a typical Premiere render, the MacBook Pro 15 is just our yardstick.

The MacBook Pro 15 is a familiar laptop, you’ve probably seen it in the background of many of your favorite YouTube content creators’ videos, especially “behind the scenes” videos illustrating just how they go about creating the content that keeps their lights on. For video editors, anyone who has ever fired up Adobe Premiere Pro in a professional setting, the MacBook Pro 15 is a very familiar platform.

Even fully-loaded though, video renders can take an awful long time if you’re working with long videos with complex editing timelines, or manipulating raw 4K, 5K, or 8K video. It’s not uncommon to see render times hit upward of an hour for videos as short as six or seven minutes. Scale that up to feature-length films and you can see why long render times are familiar enough for video editors that they’ve become meme-worthy.

The Alienware Area-51 R5 might have enough horsepower to change all that.

Off to the races

First let’s go over the exact specs of our two test systems here. Our Alienware Area-51 R5 review unit featured an Intel Core i9-7980XE 18-core processor, 64GB of RAM, two Nvidia GeForce GTX 1080 graphics cards running in SLI, and a 1TB M.2 SSD.

The MacBook Pro 15 we used is a late 2016 model with an Intel Core i7-6920HQ quad-core processor, 16GB of RAM, and a discrete AMD Radeon 455 Pro graphics card with 2GB of RAM. We ran the test on the local drive, a 512GB SSD.

For our test project we stitched together three separate 8K raw R3D video files, threw on a bunch of extraneous color correction layers, and measured how long it took each system to finish an in-to-out render from the local drive. On top of that, we ran it a couple times just to be sure, and our numbers speak for themselves here.

Let’s just look at those numbers for a minute. An almost-fully-loaded MacBook Pro 15 took just over 25 minutes to crunch a sixty second raw 8K video. That’s actually not bad at all, that’s pretty quick for a laptop. But the Alienware Area-51 R5 with its 18-core processor, 64GB of RAM, and dual GeForce GTX 1080 graphics cards, just annihilated the MacBook Pro’s time here.

We could have run the Alienware through that same render about 76 times in the time it took the MacBook to crunch the same file. That’s right, the Alienware Area-51 R5 fully rendered sixty seconds of raw 8K video, with several color correction layers, in just 20 seconds.

That’s important for a couple reasons.

Time is money, but it’s also time

Sure, contests of strength like these are fun, but they can serve an important purpose when determining how much you want to spend on computer hardware. The Alienware Area-51 R5 is an exceptionally powerful machine, and as such it’s exceptionally expensive. Our review unit would run you about $6,700. A fully-loaded MacBook Pro 15 is going to run you about half that, maybe $3,300 depending on the specs you choose.

Bill Roberson/Digital Trends

They both have their advantages and disadvantages, you’re obviously not going to be carrying around the Area-51 in a svelte messenger bag as easily as you can a MacBook Pro 15. But when it comes to performing this kind of work, video editing, handling media, time is incredibly important.

If you spent an entire workday editing video on a MacBook Pro 15, you might end up spending half that time waiting for clips to render. Imagine how much work you could get done if your render times took one 76th the time they do now.

Time is valuable, and in the right professional setting, spending some extra cash for a powerful high-end desktop like the Area-51 R5 can give you a hell of a lot more of it.

Editors’ Recommendations

• Intel shows off world’s first six-core mobile CPUs, adds Optane to everything
• Xbox One X vs. PlayStation 4 Pro: Clash of the Titans
• Alienware Area-51 R5 review
• Huawei P20 Pro vs. Samsung Galaxy S9 Plus: Are three better than two?
• Huawei P20 Pro vs. Apple iPhone X: A battle of flagship smartphones

‘We’re going to have to leave this planet’: Jeff Bezos outlines moon colony plan

Amazon founder Jeff Bezos is convinced that one day “we are going to have to leave this planet.” And he believes that his Blue Origin space company can help make it happen.

Outlining his ambitious vision at the Space Development Conference in Los Angeles during a recent on-stage chat with GeekWire‘s Alan Boyle, Bezos said that, ideally, Blue Origin would collaborate with NASA or ESA, Europe’s space agency, to move toward his goal, though he said that if that doesn’t work out, his company would go it alone.

It’s not the first time Bezos has described his plan for colonizing other space rocks, but his most recent comments suggest the long-term plan is still very much at the forefront of his mind.

Bezos believes earthlings will one day have to shift some of their industry to the moon to help our planet better cope with pressures brought on by a rising population. He told Boyle that leaving Earth will “make this planet better,” adding, “We’ll come and go, and the people who want to stay will stay.”

The billionaire entrepreneur predicted that the moon could one day be a home for heavy industry driven by solar power, while Earth would be for residential and light industrial use.

“The Earth is not a very good place to do heavy industry,” Bezos said. “It’s convenient for us right now, but in the not-too-distant future — I’m talking decades, maybe 100 years — it’ll start to be easier to do a lot of the things that we currently do on Earth in space, because we’ll have so much energy.”

While Blue Origin is enjoying success with the development of its New Shepard reusable rocket system, it’s designed for suborbital missions for a proposed commercial space tourism business.

But Bezos’ company is also working on the far more powerful New Glenn rocket, powered by seven BE-4 boosters.

He wants to use that rocket system to transport the necessary components to the moon to build the lunar base. Think of it as a long-distance Amazon delivery service. Such a project could begin in the 2020s, with humans arriving at an unspecified time after that.

The Blue Origin boss is already intent on building more powerful rockets and landers, and is now eyeing the necessary work to create the parts required for a functioning moon base that can support human life.

Time to return to the moon

In March 2017, Bezos wrote: “It is time for America to return to the moon — this time to stay. A permanently inhabited lunar settlement is a difficult and worthy objective. I sense a lot of people are excited about this.”

By the end of the year, the U.S. government authorized NASA to once again focus on achieving a moon landing, 45 years after the last one.

For sure, a moon landing is a long way from a moon settlement. But many space fans will sense the two ambitions edging closer together, where relatively brief visits will eventually develop into longer stays that Bezos believes can one day become permanent as well as productive.

Editors’ Recommendations

• Hello, moon! The lunar surface is set to have 4G network in 2019
• NASA abruptly shuts down its planned 2022 moon rover mission
• It’s so realistic, ‘Surviving Mars’ is turning rocket scientists into gamers
• NASA’s virtual tour of the moon in 4K will blow your mind
• Virgin Galactic ‘neck and neck’ with Blue Origin in space tourism race

In 2019 the most expensive iPhone may lose one of its unique features

If you want an iPhone with an OLED screen, not an LCD, today, you have to purchase the iPhone X. That means spending at least $1,000 on Apple’s most expensive iPhone ever. However, in 2019 all iPhone models may use an OLED screen, according to the latest rumors. If so, all iPhone models will likely share the same screen technology across the range, and not only the flush-with-cash will be able to enjoy an iPhone X-style OLED display.

A report published by Korean news source ETNews quotes anonymous Apple officials, stating the company has started planning its 2019 iPhone range, and has ticked the box marked OLED screen for, “all three models.” The mention of three different iPhone models means an additional third phone will join the traditional iPhone and iPhone Plus versions. Currently, Apple sells the iPhone 8, 8 Plus, and iPhone X. However, it was never certain the iPhone X would continue as an annually updated model, given its introduction on the iPhone’s anniversary.

The iPhone X is the first iPhone to use an OLED screen, and its performance is excellent. It’s also a reason for the phone’s higher price. It’s not certain the introduction of OLED screens across the iPhone range would mean higher prices in 2019. Again quoting an anonymous official, ETNews says costs are lowering elsewhere in production — specifically cameras and sensors — which may offset the extra cost of an OLED. Don’t expect any future iPhone X to get cheaper; but don’t expect regular iPhone models to significantly rise in price either, at least solely due to the screen technology.

The inclusion of an OLED screen isn’t the only rumor we’re hearing about the 2019 iPhone already either. Talk of a 3D sensing, triple-lens camera arriving on at least one model has also started, which may drive Apple’s augmented reality intentions forward for the year.

Samsung, LG, and many other manufacturers use OLED for phones today, and there’s no reason for this to decrease in the future. Samsung and LG are also the world’s top manufacturers of OLED screens.

For now, Apple’s OLED plans are rumors and haven’t been confirmed by the company. Additionally, because this relates to the 2019 iPhone model range, components and feature decisions taken now may change before release.

Editors’ Recommendations

• Apple iPhone X Plus: News, rumors, specs, and more
• Apple iPad Pro (2018): News and rumors
• A foldable iPhone could be released as soon as 2020, according to analyst
• OLED vs. LED: Which is the better TV technology?
• The best iPhone X screen protectors

Google Photos: Everything you need to know!

Save memories, store and catalog your photos, make edits, and more with Google Photos.

Google Photos is more than just an app for storing your photos. While on the surface it’s primarily for backing up photos, there are more ways to edit and share hidden inside. You also have some serious control over every aspect of the photos. This goes from which folders get backed up, to the image quality you upload your photos to, to seeing the photos that you have shared in the past. It gives you a solid place to store and sync all of your photos so that you never lose one again.

• Getting started with Google Photos
• Sharing with friends
• Manage your photos
• Additional features

How to set up Google Photos

Google Photos aims to be your one-stop shop for all of your Photos. Before you can start to take advantage of the many things you can do by using Google Photos, you need to know the basics. This includes things like choosing your image upload quality, understanding the Google Photos Assistant, and choosing which device folders get synced with Google Photos.

• How to set up Google photos
• What is Google Photos Assistant, and how does it work?

Share your photos with friends

Google Photos makes it so easy to share your memories and photos with friends, family, and colleagues. You have control over who can see the photos that you share, and even set up specific folders for sharing.

• How to share photos with Google Photos
• How to share your photo library with someone in Google Photos
• Google Photos Library: An in-depth look at the next big thing in photos

Manage your photos

When it comes to keeping track of all of your photos, Google makes that easy for you to. You can create new folders, share specific folders, and even add to existing folders, or allow folks to collaborate and add their own photos to the folder you have invited them to.

• How to manage existing albums, and create new ones
• How to create collages, animations, and movies with Google Photos
• How to transfer your photos from an iPhone to Android
• How to use the archive feature in Google Photos
• How to reclaim phone storage with Google Photos’ Free Up Space feature

Additional features

Google Photos has plenty of additional features that you might not have heard about. Just because features are hidden a bit under the surface doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t check them out, though. With powerful photo editing built right in, there are some things you may not have seen about Google Photos.

• How to edit photos in Google Photos
• The best part of a vacation is Google Photos
• Google Photos now recognizes your pets as people
• Google photos now uses AI to automatically create photo books for you
• How to design and order Google Photo Books
• How to recover photos from a deceased loved one’s Android phone
• How to transfer photos from OneDrive to Google Drive and Google Photos
• How to export a GIF from a Motion Photo in Google Photos
• Google Photos is being updated with Favorite and Like buttons
• How to use Google Lens in Google Photos

Are you a fan of Google Photos?

Google Photos delivers a great app that can be used to share, save, upload, and even edit, your photos. With plenty of features that are easy to use, it becomes a great storage tool for the photos you take every day. Do you use Google Photos for storing your snapshots? Be sure to drop us a line in the comments and tell us about it.

Update, May 2018: This article has been updated with all the latest links and relevant Google Photos information.

Best watch faces for Fitbit Versa and Ionic

Whether you want a classy analog display or prefer something a bit more functional, these are the best watch faces for the Fitbit Versa and Ionic.

For Android users, your choice of smartwatches is currently pretty limited. Pebble is no more, we’re patiently waiting for new hardware to be released for Wear OS, and Samsung’s Gear watches are really best-served for folks with Galaxy phones.

Thankfully, Fitbit been killing it over the past few months when it comes to the wearable game. The company now has two smartwatches in its portfolio — the Versa and Ionic — and has continued to improve them with software update after software update.

The Fitbit Gallery is home to all of the Versa and Ionic’s apps and watch faces, and today we’ll be taking a look at the latter of those two.

Without further ado, here are my top picks!

Fitbit Versa

Photograph

Watch faces are great for customizing your smartwatch to be just the way you want, and what better way to do that than with your own picture?

Fitbit recently launched the Photograph face, and as the name suggests, you can use this to add your own picture to your Versa’s screen.

A basic time and date are placed on top of your photo near the bottom left, and while it’d be nice to see some customization options added to that in the near future, Photograph offers the easiest way to add custom photos to the Versa yet.

Also available for the Ionic

Layers

Layers is the default watch faces that comes pre-installed on the Versa, but it actually ended up being one of my go-to picks.

The date is shown at the very top of your screen, the time is big and bold in the middle, and below this is a readout of your current heart-rate. As you tap the screen, you can change this to show your steps taken or calories burned.

Dive into the settings for the face, and you’ll find six different color themes to choose from. The themes change the color of the time in the middle, with some giving each number a different color for a bright, vibrant look.

Loops

Sometimes, simplicity is best. When you want a trusty clock face that looks good without trying to do too much, Loops is one of the best options available.

Your main fitness goal (such as steps taken, calories burned, etc.) is shown at the very top, the time is in the middle, and the date resides at the bottom.

There are five different themes you can use to change up the color of the time, and similar to Layers, some themes give each number their own unique color.

Light

You easily dress up the Versa with a leather or metal watch band to turn it into a beautiful timepiece, and a watch face that helps to round out a mature look is Fitbit’s Light face.

This is a fairly basic analog setup, but once again, Light understands that less can be more.

Fitbit gives you five color themes to choose from, each of which alters the look of the seconds hand. The black background remains the same no matter what you pick, and if you’re trying to keep your watch as stealthy as can be, this is a big plus.

Fitbit Ionic

Arc

The Fitbit Ionic is a device that’s motivated me to keep moving throughout the day, and one of the watch faces that’s helped me do this is Arc. Arc is a watch face that was first introduced on the Fitbit Blaze, and it’s the one that’s typically loaded up on my Ionic whenever I’m headed to the gym.

Arc displays the time at the very top in a large format that’s very easy to read, and below this are icons for your steps, heart rate, calories burned, stairs climbed, and active minutes. Circles will close around these icons as you move throughout the day so you can easily keep an eye on the progress you’ve made, and tapping anywhere on the Ionic’s screen will replace the time with a more specific readout of the various icons. Even better, you can choose between a few different colors to customize Arc’s appearance to your exact liking.

Retro-Sunset

For fans of the 1980s, Retro-Sunset is a watch face you’ll want to rock on your wrist 24/7. The time is large with a stylized sun behind it, and below this is a group of mountains. The bottom is a black background with pink and turquoise neon lights that are constantly moving as if you were running straight through Tron, and the whole aesthetic is plain awesome.

In addition to the sweet looks, Retro-Sunset also has some added functionality. If you tap anywhere on the screen, you can replace the time to view your steps, distance, and calories burned.

Also available for the Versa

Fitbit Labs Pets

There are a few different watch faces and apps available as part of Fitbit Labs, and my favorite to come out of this so far are the pets watch faces.

You can choose between four pets in total (two dogs and two cats), and after selecting one, you’ll need to make sure you’re getting your daily steps in order to keep your pet happy. Each pet needs at least eight treats per day, and one treat is equal to 10% of your daily step goal. Walking more and more will keep your pet happy and content, but slacking off will make it sad and leave your Ionic.

There are indicators for your pet’s happiness and a treat counter in the bottom left and right corners, and you can even interact with your virtual pet my tapping on the Ionic’s screen.

Also available for the Versa

Arcs

During my time with the Apple Watch about a year ago, one of my favorite features was the activity rings. I found these to be extremely encouraging to keep moving in order to close them, and this is somewhat mimicked with the Arcs watch face.

Time is presented in a digital fashion in the center, and surrounding this are rings that represent the current time. If you tap on the screen of the Ionic, the rings will change to represent your steps, calories, and heart-rate. It’s not a perfect copy, but it’s a clean-looking watch face that works incredibly well.

Moment

If you just want a watch face that’s simple, elegant, and still provides a decent amount of info on the Ionic’s screen, Moment is a really solid choice. The time is shown at the top, the date resides below it, and at the very bottom is a live readout of your current heart-rate. Next to this is an indicator to show you how many steps you’ve taken, but you can tap on the screen to change this to calories burned, distance walked, stairs climbed, and active minutes.

There are also six different colors to choose from, including black, white, navy, purple, green, and red that change both the text and background of the watch face.

Your choices

Did I miss any watch faces you’ve been rocking on your Versa or Ionic? Let me know what your top picks are in the comments below!

Fitbit Versa vs. Fitbit Ionic: Which should you buy?

Pegatron Tipped to Manufacture Upcoming ‘ARM-Based MacBook’

Pegatron has been tipped to land orders from Apple to produce an ARM-based MacBook, according to a brief DigiTimes report out on Tuesday. Citing industry sources, the Taiwan-based website claims the new MacBook model is internally codenamed “Star” and carries the series number N84, but the report mentions no specific production timeline.

Pegatron is likely to land orders from Apple to produce an ARM-based MacBook model, codenamed Star with a series number N84, according to industry sources.

Pegatron declined to comment on what it called market speculations.

The rumor accompanies news of declining net profits of nearly 50 percent in the first quarter of 2018 for Taiwan-based Pegatron, which expects to get growth back on track in the third quarter, “in line with the peak season”, implying that the new MacBook model could factor into these predictions. DigiTimes’ sources often provide reliable information, but the site has a mixed track record when it comes to interpreting that information and accurately deciphering Apple’s plans, although 9to5Mac has also reported that Apple’s so-called “Star” project could be an ARM-based MacBook.

DigiTimes first claimed in January that Apple would release a new entry-level 13-inch MacBook this year, due in the second half of 2018, which would serve as a replacement for the MacBook Air. Two months later, then-KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo issued a research note claiming Apple has a “more affordable MacBook Air” set to be released at some point in 2018.

Kuo didn’t offer any details on what to expect in an updated MacBook Air beyond a lower price tag, but DigiTimes believes Apple could upgrade the MacBook Air with a Retina display, which led to questions over whether the machine will be an updated MacBook Air or a lower-cost MacBook. However, today’s report is the first time ARM-based architecture has been suggest for the upcoming model.

Speculation that Apple eventually plans to design Macs powered by ARM-based processors has been rumored for some time. A report in September claimed that Apple would build its notebook chips using ARM Holding’s technology, a British company that designs ARM architecture and licenses it out to other companies.

The rationale behind the idea is that developing in-house ARM notebook chips would allow Apple to reduce its dependence on Intel. ARM processors also require less power and fewer transistors, enabling a smaller die size for the integrated circuitry – two reasons why they can be found in iPhones and iPads.

However, it’s possible the rumor about ARM chips in Macs has been spun out of context: the Touch Bar on Apple’s latest MacBook Pro is already powered by an ARM-based T1 chip as a companion processor, suggesting this could be the actual origin of ARM-based rumors. Indeed, Apple said last year that it had no plans for Macs powered solely by ARM chips, rather than Intel processors.

Where that leaves the latest rumor regarding a new MacBook model remains unclear. The introduction of the Touch Bar has received a lukewarm reception among users and is only available as a premium feature on high-tier MacBook Pro models. Confounding matters further, well-connected Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman has suggested the “N84” series number actually identifies Apple’s upcoming low-cost LCD iPhone.

Taiwanese site Economic Daily News recently claimed Apple is working on a more affordable version of the MacBook Air with a price point of $799 to $899, while Bloomberg claims Apple is working on a new MacBook that costs under $1,000, but it still isn’t clear whether it’s in the MacBook Air family or a new sub-$1,000 machine in the MacBook line.

The current MacBook Air models haven’t seen any substantial updates in three years. Since that time, Apple has discontinued the 11-inch model, while the only recent upgrade to the 13-inch model has been a bump to the base processor option last June, but it’s still a Broadwell chip from the 2014–15 timeframe.

Related Roundups: MacBook Air, MacBookTag: digitimes.comBuyer’s Guide: MacBook Air (Don’t Buy), MacBook (Don’t Buy)
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How to Customize Mail App Inbox Gestures in iOS 11

In iOS 11, Apple’s Mail app includes a handful of neat swipe gestures that can help significantly reduce the amount of time you spend managing messages in your inbox on iPhone and iPad. In this article, we’ll show you how to perform these gestures and how to customize some of the actions they reveal according to your personal preference.

The basic inbox gestures are swiping right or left on an email to reveal tappable actions that you can perform instantly, without having to call up additional menus.

For example, swiping left on an email reveals three options: the default Flag action which can be customized, a Delete or Archive button (depending on the account), and a More option that takes you to a pop-up menu with additional email management functions.

Swiping right on an email reveals a single customizable action. By default, this is either Archive or Delete (again, depending on the account). This can be a tad confusing, but basically, accounts that include Archive in the swipe left menu will by default show Delete when swiping right.

Tip: The right swipe menu action and the Archive/Delete action on the left swipe menu can both be performed without having to tap them at all. For example, to delete (or archive) an email, swipe left all the way across the message in one continuous sweep and it will vanish from your inbox instantly.

This single extended swipe action is nice and swift, but it can leave you open to deleting emails a bit too hastily. Fortunately, you can shake your iOS device to bring up the Undo button and revert the last action. (Make sure the option is toggled on in the Settings app, under General -> Accessibility -> Shake to Undo.)

Finally, don’t forget that a tap of the Edit button in the upper right of your inbox lets you select multiple emails in the messages list, allowing you to Mark, Move, or Delete them all in one go.

How to Change Mail Swipe Gestures in iOS 11

Launch the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad.
Scroll down and tap Mail.
Tap Swipe Options.

Tap Swipe Left or Swipe Right under the gesture example images.

Tap a function to assign it to the selected swipe gesture. Your options include None, Mark as Read, Flag, Move Message, and Archive.

Related Roundup: iOS 11
Discuss this article in our forums

Philips Hue Begins Rolling Out Major 3.0 Update to All Users of iOS App

After an announcement at CES in January and more details unveiled earlier in May, Philips Hue today is finally beginning to roll out a major 3.0 update to its iOS app for all users of the connected lighting platform. In the release notes, the developers call version 3.0 “the biggest update to the Hue app since the original release of the 2.0 version.”

Major changes include improved user interface navigation with quicker access to favorite scenes and colors, brightness controls and light visualization for individual lights and not just grouped-together rooms, and new color pickers for better overview and grouping of lights in a room. Hue’s lighting designers have also created 30 new picture scenes for pre-set lighting recipes, and a new picture-to-light algorithm can automatically build scenes using the user’s own pictures.

Users will also find a few existing Hue features again in version 3.0, including lighting routines to automatically dim lights at night and gradually turn them on in the morning, and the location awareness feature so lights can be set to turn on when the owner arrives at home or turn off when they leave. Meanwhile, the timer function activates lights after a specified time by triggering a scene or simply flashing the lights.

In the release notes, the Philips Hue team discussed the app’s changes and thanked its users:

“The 3.0 app update is the biggest update to the Hue app since the original release of the 2.0 version. We’ve tried to make it more intuitive and enjoyable for everyday use. Some changes you might hardly notice, while others are hard to miss.”

Later in July, Philips Hue will also debut a line of Hue lights for outdoors, so that users can connect and control their lighting on a patio, balcony, or other environment outside. The new lights include the Philips Hue Lily, which can be used to highlight key features in a garden, and the Philips Hue Calla, which can be placed in the ground and light pathways through outdoor spaces.

For the app update, version 3.0 is available to download today from the iOS App Store for free [Direct Link].

Tag: Philips Hue
Discuss this article in our forums

You can now tip London buskers without handing over cash

One of London’s more unusual buskers. Farrukh/Flickr

With so many people these days ditching cash for contactless payments, there may be times when they reach into their pocket for a few coins to tip a particularly impressive street performer, only to find nothing there.

With some buskers using public performances as their only source of income, that could be valuable revenue lost. But a new scheme in London hopes to offer a lifeline in the form of, you guessed it, contactless payments.

It’s the result of a collaboration between the Mayor of London’s office, the Busk in London organization, and PayPal-owned payments company iZettle, and equips buskers with a reader device so passers-by can simply tap to donate a pre-defined amount using contactless payment cards or NFC-equipped mobile devices with digital wallets.

It’s thought to be the first organized scheme in the world where buskers can offer the payment method alongside old-fashioned cash donations.

London mayor Sadiq Khan described London as “a powerhouse of music,” with artists such as Adele, Stormzy, The xx, and Dua Lipa emerging from the city in recent years.

“For London to maintain its status as a global capital of music, it’s vitally important that we support the stars of tomorrow,” Khan said.

“Busking helps emerging artists to hone their talent and gives them the chance to perform in front of huge numbers of people.”

The mayor said the new scheme meant more people would now be able to show their support for the capital city’s many street performers.

Charlotte Campbell is one such busker who’s been helping to trial the project. The musician set her reader so that each transaction results in a payment of two British pounds, equivalent today to about $2.65.

Campbell said that if street performers don’t move with the times and embrace modern payment methods, “we’re at risk of becoming a dying art.”

After two weeks of trying out the electronic payments system, she said it’d “already had a significant impact on the contributions I’ve received.”
Campbell said she’s noticed how when one person taps to donate, others who witness the act often follow suit, suggesting people are more than willing to adopt the new way of rewarding buskers.

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OnePlus 6 Marvel Avengers edition is now up for sale in India for ₹44,999

The Avengers edition of the OnePlus 6 comes with a custom pattern at the back and 256GB of storage.

The OnePlus 6 Marvel Avengers edition was unveiled alongside the standard variant of the device, and is now up for sale in India. The phone is the only variant of the OnePlus 6 to offer 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage in India, and is available for ₹44,999 ($666) from Amazon. Those picking up the device with a Citibank credit or debit card will be able to avail a ₹2,000 cashback.

The Avengers edition features a kevlar pattern underneath the glass back, and there’s also an Avengers logo at the bottom. The alert slider has been decked out in a gold accent, and you get a set of five Avengers backgrounds for the device.

Like the 5T Star Wars edition, the Avengers model has a custom theme — this time you get a dark theme with gold accents. You also get an Iron Man case, and there’s an Infinity Medallion in each box — collect all six to win a “special” prize.

From Disney India’s Bikram Duggal:

We strive to work with best-in-class partners like OnePlus to connect with fans in the most creative and engaging ways possible. It’s the 10th anniversary for Marvel Studios and with this collaboration, we are giving consumers an exciting opportunity to make their favourite superheroes a part of their everyday lives.

Aside from the design tweaks and increased storage, the OnePlus 6 Marvel Avengers edition has the same specs as the standard model. There’s a 6.28-inch Optic AMOLED 19:9 display, Snapdragon 845 under the hood, dual 16MP + 20MP cameras, Wi-Fi ac, Bluetooth 5.0, and a 3300mAh battery with Dash Charge.

This is the OnePlus 6 Marvel Avengers edition

The device itself is exclusive to India and China, and OnePlus has mentioned that it will be sold in limited quantities. The phone is now up for sale on Amazon, and will be available at select Croma stores across the country as well as OnePlus’ experience store in Bengaluru starting June 3.

See at Amazon India

OnePlus 6

• OnePlus 6 review
• OnePlus 6 vs. OnePlus 5T: How much changes in six months?
• OnePlus 6 vs. OnePlus 5: Should you upgrade?
• These are the official OnePlus 6 cases
• The OnePlus 6 doesn’t work on Verizon or Sprint
• Join the discussion in the forums