Watching liquid crystals undulate under a microscope will melt your brain

Sure, LCD displays are yesterday’s news compared to the swanky OLED displays we see on flagship handsets like the iPhone X and Samsung Galaxy S9. However, the liquid crystals which allow them to function are pretty darn awesome — as a trippy new video makes abundantly clear. Serving as a promo video for musician Max Cooper’s Music of the Tides, it uses footage shot by scientist and engineer Ben Outram to give a glimpse of liquid crystals as they appear under the microscope.

“Most people are familiar with phase transitions like between ice and water, and water and steam,” Outram told Digital Trends. “In some materials, which are common in biological systems, there exist extra phases of matter called liquid crystals. Unlike water, they are fluids that have some crystal symmetry properties. This combination of fluidity and structure results in mesmerizing visuals under a polarizing optical microscope. They are especially beautiful when they undergo phase transitions, where what you are seeing is the rapid self-assembly of matter between different flowing structures: a process that is reflected in the cells of every living organism since the origin of life.”

If you’re wondering why Outram knows so much about liquid crystal science, it’s because it was the subject of his PhD at Oxford and Leeds Universities. The photos, meanwhile, will be the subject of an upcoming book he’s writing for the Institute of Physics.

“The main challenge is knowing which liquid crystals, and which conditions, produce the most effective visuals,” he continued. “The kinds of structures useful for science and technology tend to be uniform, controlled, stationary, and boring. [My photography is about] taking the liquid crystals into conditions that are outside of their use in technology. For example, I photographed a lot of unusual phases, columnar, smectic, and long-pitch cholesterics. I got a lot of suggestions and support from researchers and students at Leeds University. Messing around with floating pools of liquid crystal near their melting temperature, inducing flow, and adding additional chemicals like detergent [added up to] misspent hours of mucking around doing things you’re not supposed to, just to get the thrill of seeing nature doing something intricate and amazing.”

We think the results speak for themselves. Once you add Max Cooper’s music and editing by Jennifer Tividad into the mix, the whole experience resembles the nerdiest acid trip since Steve Jobs took LSD.

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Chrome now supports the new password-free login standard

Although Google’s Chrome browser already enabled “password-free” logins by supporting the FIDO (Fast IDentity Online) U2F standard, the latest desktop version hitting the stable channel this week, Chrome 67, now includes support for the new WebAuthn standard. But don’t worry: If you previously used physical security keys to log into Facebook and Google, they won’t need a replacement given WebAuthn is backward compatible. 

If you’re not sure as to what all this means, websites, browser developers, device manufacturers, and the FIDO Alliance have been working together to eliminate passwords since 2014. The platform relies on cryptographic keys thus login credentials are never stored on your device or on the servers hosting your favorite service. 

The first FIDO standard arrived in December 2014 followed by FIDO U2F in June 2015 and FIDO2 in April 2018. The first two standards rely on secondary devices, like Yubico’s Security Key and YubiKey NEO USB-based devices, to create these cryptographic keys. Other supported technologies include Bluetooth, Near Field Communication (NFC), and biometrics. The alliance began working with the World Wide Web Consortium to create a client-side standard called WebAuthn in early 2016. 

The idea behind WebAuthn is to bring the cryptographic key creation and exchange directly to the browser. Prior to WebAuthn support, logins rely on passwords even though you don’t need to enter credentials each time you log onto a service: Physical security keys and biomeetric devices merely “authenticate” those credentials. But with WebAuthn support in place, you sign into an account only with a username: No password is required.

“In many cases, this single factor authentication is more secure than other forms of two-factor authentication (such as SMS), as there are no secrets that can be phished remotely,” a representative from Yubico told Digital Trends. “WebAuthn has also been blessed by the W3C, which means that all major web browsers are engaged to add support.”

Based on the current demo, you still need some form of physical “security token” like Yubico’s products or hardware supporting facial recognition and fingerprint scanning. As the demo shows, you can create an account without the need to submit a password, but the demo requires access to a physical key or connected biometric device. WebAuthn will eventually support biometrics on mobile devices, too. 

The big takeaway here is that a password-free internet is becoming more mainstream. This method protects WebAuthn-compliant accounts from server-side hacks, on-device malware, and hackers tapping into your internet connection. Firefox 60 introduced WebAdmn support in early May while the mainstream version of Microsoft Edge will include support in the next several months. 

Outside the new WebAuthn component, Chrome 67 includes a new Generic Sensor application programming interface (API). This enables the browser to support accelerometers, gyroscopes, orientation and motion sensors in web-based applications. For instance, a web app within Chrome can now detect movement speed if the parent device contains an accelerometer. 

Chrome 67 also now includes the WebXR Device API (aka web extended reality). According to Google, this feature will provide unified augmented and virtual reality experiences across desktop and mobile spanning from the smartphone-based Samsung Gear VR to the HTC Vive and Windows Mixed Reality headsets. The new API is available as an “origin trial,” Google states, and supports home shopping, art, immersive 360-degree videos, data visualization, traditional 2D and 3D videos presented in immersive surroundings, and games. 

Other features in the latest version of Chrome include the ability for web pages to process mouse events to disable the back and forward mouse buttons in web-based games. On Windows, the right-hand ALT key now serves as AltGraph on some layouts. The list goes on regarding SVG, DOM, custom elements in HTML, and more developer-centric details. 

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Nvidia could debut GTX 11-series graphics cards this summer

A posting for this year’s Hot Chips conference strongly suggests we will see Nvidia’s latest GeForce 11-series graphics cards debut this summer. The listing indicates that Nvidia’s Stuart Oberman will be introducing a new “mainstream graphics card” at the conference, and given Nvidia’s track record, it’s likely we’ll see the cards debut ahead of the conference.

According to WccfTech, Nvidia typically releases some information about upcoming graphics cards in advance of Hot Chips and using the conference as a platform to expand on what we already know about the upcoming graphics cards. So, it’s likely we’ll see some official announcement this summer, in addition to the information we’ve already been able to gather about the upcoming GPU series.

Detailed specifications of Nvidia’s rumored next-generation graphics card, the GTX 1180, have appeared online already at the TechPowerUp GPU database — giving us an in-depth look at the capabilities of the upcoming card. The listing is likely an engineering sample, and therefore subject to change by the time consumer hardware is released, but this gives us our best idea yet of just how powerful the card might be.

Nvidia has expanded its lineup slowly but steadily over the years; the last time it debuted a new graphics card range was the Pascal lineup in 2016. It’s been rather successful, despite problems with pricing and availability over the past year. But progress marches forward and we expect Nvidia’s next generation to debut in the coming months, with the GTX 1180 at its head.

We’ve already seen hints of the “Volta” generation with the Titan V enterprise card, but consumers will be looking for something more affordable and down to earth. Although it may debut under the “Turing” banner, the GTX 1180 will be a top-tier graphics card when released and is likely to be much more affordable (despite rumors to the contrary).

In the TechPowerUp database listing, the GTX 1180 is said to be based on the GV104 graphics chip, which is built on a 12nm process. It features 3,584 shader units and 224 texture mapping units — a noticeable increase over the GTX 1080’s 2,560 and 160 respectively. The core clock is said to be 1,405MHz at idle, boosting to 1,582MHz as required, though as enthusiast site WCCFTech highlights, clock speeds are the most likely aspect of this graphics card to change by its release, especially when you consider third-party overclocked versions.

In terms of memory, the GTX 1180 reportedly sports a little more than 16GB of GGDR6, the newest generation of graphics memory. With a claimed memory clock of 1,500MHz (12,000 MHz effective), it delivers a bandwidth of 384 GBps. That is 64 more than the GTX 1080.

One of the most impressive aspects of this card is its power draw. It’s said to require just 200 watts — more than the GTX 1080, yet significantly less than AMD’s last top-end cards, the Vega 56 and 64, which pull upward of 300w in some settings.

No release date or pricing data has been revealed for Nvidia’s next-generation graphics cards as of yet, but with Computex swiftly approaching in early June, we may learn more or see an official unveiling of the cards then.

Updated on May 31: Added latest info about Nvidia’s potential release window.

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The sound of destruction: Malicious video, audio files could attack laptops

Bill Roberson/Digital Trends

If someone sends you an email with a video or audio file, you might want to think twice before hitting play. Researchers from the University of Michigan and China’s Zhejiang University have discovered that attackers can use certain sounds played through your PC speakers to cause physical damage to hard drives, which might lead to data corruption. The attacks could possibly target PCs, medical devices, and surveillance systems that rely on magnetic disk drives.

These malicious audio files contain ultrasonic and sonic sounds, and playing the file for as little as 12 seconds was enough to cause damage to a PC’s drive, The Independent reported. In addition to physical drive damage, the acoustics could also lead to file corruptions by disrupting the drives to the point that they can no longer write data.

“Intentional acoustic interference causes unusual errors in the mechanics of magnetic hard disk drives in desktop and laptop computers, leading to damage to integrity and availability in both hardware and software such as file system corruption and operating system reboots,” the researchers wrote in their paper. “An adversary without any special-purpose equipment can co-opt built-in speakers or nearby emitters to cause persistent errors.”

In order for the attack to work, the acoustic vibrations must be strong enough and the attack must be difficult to detect or stop. The researchers found that the sound waves cause the head stack assembly to vibrate outside of the operational bounds, resulting in a head crash on a hard drive. These physical drive errors can lead to data corruption at the application or operating system levels.

Given that most modern laptops and a number of desktops now rely on solid-state drives for data storage, consumers working on a newer PC shouldn’t be vulnerable to these types of attack. If you’re on an older PC or rely on a hard disk drive for backups, you may still be affected if someone sends you a malicious audio file. However, hospitals and data centers are still vulnerable because of the high use of magnetic disk systems in those environments, the researchers said.

To mitigate attacks, researchers have created a new sensor fusion model that could be delivered through a firmware update. Using a new feedback controller, once malicious ultrasonic waves are detected, the firmware would help prevent unnecessary head parking in the hard drive.

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The best video-editing software

If you’re working on a professional vlog, building a business brand online, or just trying to impress everyone with some great family video — then you need a great video editor. These editors will help you manage the largest projects, find just the effects you want, or create professional-grade videos in minutes with the latest automated features.

If you’ve already moved on from the great free options out there, the list below represents the best professional options, all of which will cost you a pretty penny.

The best

Adobe Premiere

Elements 2018 got a major upgrade from previous versions of the software, focusing on guided edits that are perfect for newcomers who are still learning the best ways to edit their videos. Plus, unlike many Adobe products, Elements is still available is a one-time-fee download, so you don’t have to worry about monthly payments.

The software splits its time between movies, slideshows, and animated GIFs, depending on what you want to create. There’s plenty of automation, including auto-curation for all your past video files, making this a particularly great option for families that want to produce top-notch videos or more casual users who want to make brief social media videos without investing too much time. Of course, more experienced professional users may prefer the pricey Adobe Premiere Pro, but Elements has broader appeal for the average buyer.

Find out more at:

Amazon

The rest

Apple Final Cut Pro

Working on a Mac? Apple’s Final Cut Pro is expensive but one of best video editors available on Mac. Apple updated Final Cut Pro in 2017 with a new version of the software that transformed basically everything, offering a fluid interface that works like a dream — once you master all of the ins and outs.

It offers comprehensive video and audio editing designed for detailed work and longer productions, with some of the best clip labeling and management that we’ve seen. And while the primary software is a little lacking in digital effects (it focuses more on color adjustment and transitions), you can download FxPlug plugins to help round out the system.

Find out more at:

Apple

Blackmagic DaVinci Resolve 15

Blackmagic’s professional DaVinci Resolve suite is perfect for editing teams, classes, and managing multiple large projects at the same time. Each tool in the suite, from user collaboration and chat functions to Fairlight Audio compatibility, is designed for pro editing.

Thanks to built-in Fusion FX, some of the most detailed color correction we’ve seen, and all the clip stitching tools you can imagine, there’s no video you can’t tackle with this software. It also pairs well with Blackmagic modular micro panels designed to work with the suite (particularly friendly for in-depth audio editing). Of course, an offering that includes nearly everything possible also has a pretty steep learning curve, so those not in the professional field might want something easier to learn.

Find out more at:

Amazon

Avid Media Composer

Similar to DaVinci Resolve, Avid Media Composer is a business suite of tools designed for the pros, particularly larger studios with ambitious projects. It offers as much detailed control as possible over tracks, coloring, workflow management, resolution (up to 4K), VFX creation, motion effects — and well, pretty much everything is on the list here. That’s also why the software costs $20 per month to use, and requires a robust computer setup to master. Preferably with a very large screen, since Avid’s interface is particularly detailed and many tools are tiny.

Also, Avid offers Media Composer First, which is a free version that limits you to combining up to four video sources at only 1080p. That’s plenty for many projects, and all you need is an Avid Master Account, making this one of the most powerful free downloads available.

Find out more at:

Avid

Vegas Pro Edit

A common pick for many hardworking vloggers, Vegas Pro Edit offers one of the best customizable interfaces in the business. It allows you to place the exact tools you need in the right spaces, so no part of the screen is wasted as you work.

The latest version offers full 4k support, instant free frame, event attribute management, a number of handy OFX plugins for pic-in-pic, lookup tables, and much more. If you already have plenty of experience editing videos but are still looking for software for your personal projects, take time to check out Vegas.

Find out more at:

Amazon

Corel VideoStudio Pro X10

If you are looking for a more affordable solution (keep in mind there are also plenty of free video editors available), Corel’s suite is only around $65 but still provides many valuable tools for syncing, editing, and converting footage. The downloaded includes more than 1,500 customizable effects, transitions, and other features you can add to your video.

You can also combine footage from up to four different cameras to examine a scene from different angles, as well as mapping clips for different time frames to slow down or speed up footage according to your requirements.

Find out more at:

Amazon

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HTC U12 Plus vs. OnePlus 6: The new kids battle for supremacy

Julian Chokkattu/Digital Trends

If you’re looking for premium smartphone options outside of Samsung and Apple (and you really should be), then the latest flagships from HTC and OnePlus should be on your radar. As luck would have it, these two have been revealed close to each other, and they each provide incredible good looks, powerful hardware, and some amazingly fun new features.

But, chances are, you only have the budget for one, so which is better for you? We took a look to find out.

Specs

HTC U12 Plus
OnePlus 6

Size
156.6 x 73.9 x 8.7 mm (6.16 x 2.9 x 0.34 inches)
155.7 x 75.4 x 7.8 mm (6.13 x 2.97 x 0.31 inches)

Weight
188 grams (6.63 ounces)
177 grams (6.24 ounces)

Screen size
6-inch Super LCD
6.28-inch AMOLED display

Screen resolution
2,880 x 1,440 pixels (537 pixels per inch)
2,280 x 1,080 pixels (402 pixels per inch)

Operating system
Android 8.0 Oreo
Android 8.1 Oreo

Storage space
64GB, 128GB

64GB (with 6GB of RAM), 128GB, 256GB (both with 8GB of RAM)

MicroSD card slot
Yes
No

Tap-to-pay services
Google Pay
Google Pay

Processor
Qualcomm Snapdragon 845
Qualcomm Snapdragon 845

RAM
6GB
6GB, 8GB

Camera
Dual 12MP and 16MP telephoto rear (both with OIS), dual 8MP lenses front
Dual 16MP and 20MP rear (both OIS), 16MP front

Video
Up to 4K at 60 frames per second, 1080p at 240 fps
2,160p at 60 frames per second, 1080p at 240 fps, 720p at 480 fps super slow motion, HDR

Bluetooth version
Bluetooth 5.0
Bluetooth 5.0

Ports
USB-C
3.5mm headphone jack, USB-C

Fingerprint sensor
Yes (back)
Yes (back)

Water resistance
IP68
No

Battery
3,500mAh

QuickCharge 3.0 (4.0 with adapter, not included)

3,300mAh

DashCharge

App marketplace
Google Play Store
Google Play Store

Network support
T-Mobile, AT&T, Verizon
AT&T and T-Mobile

Colors
Translucent Blue, Ceramic Black, Flame Red
Midnight Black, Mirror Black, Silk White

Price
Starting at $800
Starting at $530

Buy from

HTC, Amazon

OnePlus

Review score
Hands-on review
4.5 out of 5 stars

Performance, battery life, and charging

Andy Boxall/Digital Trends

You’re going to get great performance regardless of your choice because both of these phones are powered by Qualcomm’s latest Snapdragon 845 processor, and it’s a beast that outpaces almost everything else on the market. While OnePlus put a lot into the OnePlus 6’s lightning fast speed, the performance on the U12 Plus isn’t to be sniffed at, either, and we’re reserving judgement until we’ve had a chance to properly test both.

In terms of battery life, you’re likely to see similar results from both of these hefty batteries — though the U12 Plus has the edge with 200mAh more capacity. We got at least a day out of the OnePlus 6, and we expect similar out of the U12 Plus. You won’t be able to wirelessly charge with either phone, despite the glass backs, but the snappy fast charging on both makes up for that. OnePlus’ Dash Charge offers some seriously fast charging, but the QuickCharge 3.0 (and optional QuickCharge 4.0 support) on the U12 Plus is also very speedy. There’s nothing to separate them here, so this category has to be a tie.

Winner: Tie

Design and durability

HTC U12 Plus Julian Chokkattu/Digital Trends

We’ve seen some jaw-droppingly beautiful phones in 2018, and these two are no exception. The OnePlus 6 has a bezel-less design, coupled with vertically stacked cameras on the rear and a cool, stadium-shaped fingerprint scanner. But it’s the glass back that’s the real draw here and the mirror-like reflective surface is incredible. OnePlus used multiple layers of glass to create the effect, and it’s clear the extra effort has been worth it. The HTC U12 Plus has a similar bezel-less design on the front, but flip it over and it’s definitely different. The arrangement of the cameras and fingerprint scanner reminds us of the LG V30, but like the OnePlus 6, it’s the glass back that’s the wow factor here. Specifically, the transparent effect on the Translucent Blue option. It’s very different, and not something we’ve seen from a recent flagship phone.

Moving on to durability — you don’t need us to tell you that glass is fragile. A protective case is a good idea with both the OnePlus 6 and the HTC U12 Plus. In terms of water resistance, only the HTC U12 Plus has any significant resistance, offering an IP68-rating that should make sure the phone survives a trip into the toilet, or into a puddle. The OnePlus 6 has a water-resistant coating on the phone itself, but nothing to stop ingress.

Design is a tough area to call, and we’re glad we have the difference in durability to break the stalemate here. The enhanced water resistance on the HTC U12 Plus wins this round.

Winner: HTC U12 Plus

Display

OnePlus 6 Andy Boxall/Digital Trends

Like big screens? Good, because you’ll find large screens on both. You’ll find a 6-inch Super LCD display on the U12 Plus, running a 2,880 x 1,440-pixel resolution. It’s a bright, sharp screen with a pixels-per-inch (ppi) measurement of 537, making it pretty crisp. The 6.28-inch screen on the OnePlus 6 is huge, bright, and colorful — though you won’t get the same sharpness as you would on the HTC U12 Plus, with the OnePlus phone’s resolution maxing out at 2,280 x 1,080 pixels (402 ppi). However, the LCD in the U12 Plus can’t match the inky blacks you’ll get with the OnePlus 6’s AMOLED screen.

The HTC U12 Plus’s screen is big and beautiful, but we’re suckers for the inky blacks and vibrant colors on an AMOLED display. Despite the sharper HTC display, the OnePlus 6 takes this.

Winner: OnePlus 6

Camera

Julian Chokkattu/Digital Trends

Hubble bubble, double trouble — both of these phones are rocking dual-lens cameras. You’ll find a 16-megapixel and 20-megapixel lens on the back of the OnePlus 6, while the HTC U12 Plus comes with a 12-megapixel and 16-megapixel duo for snapping goodness. We’ve not finished our tests on either of these phones yet, but the initial impressions of both are pretty good — though the HTC U12 Plus has passed DxOMark’s camera tests with flying colors, coming second only to the stupendous Huawei P20 Pro, so we’re expecting great things.

If you’re more of a fan of video, then you’ve come to the right place regardless, since both phones can shoot in 4K resolution at 60 frames per second. You’ll get more out of the OnePlus 6 though, as it offers slow-motion videos at 480 fps — the HTC U12 Plus can only manage 240 fps slo-mo. That said, the U12 Plus also comes with the Sonic Zoom video feature, which easily matches OnePlus’s slow motion, allowing you to focus on and boost the sound of your subject.

Which one you prefer is likely going to come down to personal preference. We suspect that the HTC U12 Plus will outperform the OnePlus 6 in our longer tests, but we wouldn’t bet the farm on that yet. This has to be a tie.

Winner: Tie

Software and updates

Andy Boxall/Digital Trends

Open up either of these phones and you’ll recognize the latest version of Android on both. The OnePlus 6 comes with a slightly altered version of Android — OnePlus’ own OxygenOS — but it’s easily used by anyone with previous Android experience. The same is true of the HTC U12 Plus, which is running mostly standard Android 8.0 Oreo, with a couple of HTC additions thrown in.

If you’re looking for devices that are likely to be updated to the latest versions of Android quickly then you’re also in luck — both OnePlus and HTC have excellent records with Android updates, being among the first brands to update their back catalog of phones when the newest version of Android surfaces. Expect to see Android P on both of these phones not too long after it arrives.

Winner: Tie

Special features

Julian Chokkattu/Digital Trends

The OnePlus 6 brings you flagship specs at a midrange price — as such, corners do have to be cut elsewhere to make sure the quality is kept high in the areas that count. That’s probably why you won’t see much in the way of special features on the OnePlus 6. You’ll find face unlock on the OnePlus 6, as well as an optional gesture-based navigation system that replaces the navigation keys — both similar to the iPhone X. There’s also the “Shelf,” which shows your most recent apps, contacts, and other information, for quick access.

In contrast, the U12 Plus comes with more special features than you can shake a stick at. The Edge Sense squeezable sides are back from the HTC U11, with the addition of a new, single-side squeeze command. The sensors will also sense which way you’re holding your phone, and not rotate the view if you’re lying on your side. HTC has also included “BoomSound,” making for better speaker quality.

Winner: HTC U12 Plus

Price

The HTC U12 Plus is currently up for pre-order from HTC’s website and Amazon, with prices starting at $800 for the 64GB model. You’ll need to be with specific carriers though, as it’s only certified to work on AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon. The OnePlus 6 is a lot cheaper, with prices starting at just $530 — though it’ll only work on AT&T and T-Mobile.

Overall winner: HTC U12 Plus

The OnePlus 6 is one hell of a machine, with some incredible hardware and zippy software. However, money talks, and the HTC U12 Plus is just slightly stronger in a few categories, making it the phone to buy. However, if your budget isn’t up to tackling an $800 phone, then the OnePlus 6 is a strong choice. But otherwise, it’s the HTC phone all the way.

Editors’ Recommendations

• OnePlus 6 vs. OnePlus 5T vs. OnePlus 5: Is it worth it to upgrade?
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• OnePlus 6 vs. LG G7 ThinQ: Can the flagship killer sink LG’s latest?
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iOS photo app Camera+ is reimagined for the future of mobile photography

LateNiteSoft

A lot has happened since 2010 — Canon stopped making film cameras, smartphones still had single lenses and RAW photography was only available on advanced cameras. To keep up with all those changes and prep for the next decade or so of changes to mobile photography, the developer of the popular iOS photo app Camera+ has rebuilt the app from the ground up. Announced on May 29, Camera+ 2 is a redesigned photography app that keeps the original character but rebuilds the app for more speed and features.

Building on the 14 million downloads from the original Camera+, developer LateNiteSoft rebuilt the app to better support future features, along with using an identical interface when switching between iPhone and the iPad. Like the earlier version, the app includes both options for shooting and editing photos.

Camera+ 2 includes manual controls, along with a simpler interface for beginners that find the shutter speed, ISO and white balance options confusing. RAW shooting is built in, along with depth options for dual-lens cameras. The app’s depth-capture mode will save the depth map with the image, which allows the app’s editing interface to edit only the subject or only the background.

The iOS photo app is also equipped with shooting modes that determine the best time to take a shot. The smile detector will wait for a smile in a selfie or group shot before snapping the photo, while a stabilizer mode won’t shoot until you’re holding the phone still enough. The developer also says the app’s macro mode is exclusive to the app, but doesn’t detail how the tech helps the built-in camera shoot closer photos.

The app’s editing tools work with both images shot with Camera+ and for images inside the camera roll. The app’s Lightbox, a new feature stores the photos snapped in app while accessing the camera roll doesn’t require importing shots. Along with one-touch filters, the edits include advanced tools like layered filters and a tone curve.

The developer says that rewriting the program from the ground up helps the app capitalize on image processing technology in iOS 11, which speeds up edits and exports.

“A lot of things have happened in the 8 years since we first released the original Camera+. iPhone cameras have improved dramatically — not only in terms of sheer optical quality, but also in the array of technical and creative tools they provide,” the developers wrote in a blog post.

“Manual controls, RAW capture, depth editing are a few of the capabilities whose presence in a mobile phone was unthinkable just a couple of years ago. We decided it was time to rebuild Camera+ to prepare for the next 10 years of mobile photography.”

The rebuilt version sells for $3 — a slight increase from the original — but the update skips out on the previous in-app purchases.

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How to watch Apple’s WWDC 2018 keynote

With less than a week until Apple’s annual Worldwide Developer Conference (WWDC), predictions of what exactly will be unveiled are cropping up everywhere. The conference runs over the course of a week with a variety of sessions for developers, but the biggest announcements are presented at its traditional keynote at the McEnery Convention Center in San Jose, California.

For those who won’t be attending, Apple is still letting you in on all the action. Whether you’re watching on your iPad, Mac, or PC, we’ve got you covered on how to watch the WWDC 2018 keynote.

When does it start?

Apple will be livestreaming the WWDC keynote, so you can watch along as it happens. Taking place at the McEnery Convention Center on June 4, it starts at 10 a.m. PT.

For additional information, you’ll also want to download Apple’s official WWDC app which provides you with the event schedule, latest news, access to the livestreamed sessions, and more.

How to stream on a Mac

While some use browsers other than Safari on a Mac as their default, it’s the only one you’ll be able to stream the keynote from. You’ll also have to make sure your Mac’s operating system is up to date beforehand — running macOS Sierra 10.12 or later. Once the keynote starts, all you’ll need to do is open up Safari and click on Apple’s livestream link.

How to stream on Apple TV, iPad, or iPhone

For those using Apple TV — second-generation model or later — you can stream the keynote via AirPlay with the latest Apple TV software or tvOS. You’ll then be able to stream it via the Apple Events app which has already been updated ahead of the event.

If you have an older Apple TV model (second and third generation), the Events app shows up automatically on your screen. As for the fourth- and fifth-generation models, you’ll need to either download the app or make sure it’s updated to the latest version.

To stream on an iPad or iPhone, make sure your device is running iOS 10 or higher. You’ll also have to make sure to download the WWDC app via the app store. If you don’t want to download the app, you can also access the livestream through Safari the same way you would on a Mac.

How to stream on a Windows PC

For those who don’t own Apple products to watch the keynote on, there’s still an option for you. As long as you’re on a PC running Windows 10, you can stream the keynote using Microsoft Edge. Simply open the browser on your desktop and follow Apple’s WWDC2018 livestream link.

Apple also says other platforms may be able to access the stream using recent versions of Chrome or Firefox (MSE, H.264, and AAC required).

Editors’ Recommendations

• Here’s what to expect at Apple’s WWDC 2018: iOS 12, iPhone SE 2, and more
• At WWDC 2018, Apple to show off its latest software innovations
• These apps will help you make the most out of your Apple TV
• The best Apple Watch apps
• Apple Music vs. Spotify: Which service is the streaming king?

Google Pixel Buds: Everything you need to know!

Can these Bluetooth earbuds really be worth $159?

Google’s Pixel Buds were one of the under-the-radar announcements back at Google’s late-2017 launch event. With the Pixel 2, Pixelbook, Home Mini, Home Max and new services, a pair of Bluetooth earbuds kind of got lost in the shuffle. But with so many Android phones dropping the headphone jack, people are looking for a good pair of high-end Bluetooth headphones more often than ever — and now Google’s in on the game.

$159 is a lot to ask for a pair of seemingly simple wireless earbuds, so we’re here to give you all of the information you need before you decide to pick them up for yourself.

See at Best Buy
See at Google Store

Read our complete review

For the full breakdown of the Pixel Buds experience, you’ll want to read my long-term review. I’ve spent months with the Pixel Buds, often using them as my only set of headphones for both phones and computers, and have seen the ups and downs of Google’s “smart” headphone play.

For a shorter version, catch a breakdown of the high points below.

Google Pixel Buds review: Wireless, and still encumbered

The fit is comfortable, but has a small trade-off

The Pixel Buds look different from any other earbuds out there. They have a shallow hard plastic earbud and a bit of a cord that’s used to form a loop to keep the bud in your ear. The earbud itself doesn’t have the typical soft rubber tip that goes deep in your ear, and that’s actually a good thing.

Easily the most comfortable wireless earbuds I’ve used.

The core feature of this design is comfort — these are easily the most comfortable earbuds I’ve ever placed in my ear. If it weren’t for the cord dangling on the back of my neck, I would forget they’re there — yes, they’re that comfortable. Part of that is the super light weight of the buds, but also how they rest in your ear rather than jamming down inside. The cord loop is difficult to adjust at first, but you get used to it.

On the other side of that coin, the Pixel Buds have almost no sound isolation. Because there’s nothing that goes into your ear to seal out the outside world, you still hear ambient sound. For someone riding a bike down a busy street that’s probably a good thing, and it makes talking on the phone via the Pixel Buds easier, but if you’re sitting in a cafe and want to concentrate it’ll be an annoyance.

Sound quality is surprisingly good

These are headphones, after all, so the sound quality is important — and it’s surprisingly good! Even with a general lack of sound isolation letting in lots of noise from your environment, you can get a good range of sound and even a little bit of bass out of these tiny buds. They get louder than I’d ever want for my hearing’s sake, but that lack of noise isolation also means that there’s a higher chance you’ll be turning the volume up a bit higher.

Are they as good as wired earbuds of the same size and cost? Nope. But they’re definitely better than what I experienced with the Gear IconX 2018 earbuds and are on par with larger “neckbud” type headphones I’ve used in the past. That’s pretty good for a relatively tiny pair of headphones, and will be good enough for most people — even if they don’t necessarily give you amazing quality for the money.

Bluetooth ‘Fast Pair’ is amazing

This isn’t something that’s specific to the Pixel Buds — you’ll find it on an increasing number of headphones — but the new Bluetooth Fast Pair feature is fantastic. Open the Pixel Buds case, unlock your phone, and with a tap you’re paired. It’s absolutely wonderful, and it removes one of the biggest pain points of Bluetooth headphones.

They work perfectly with non-Pixel phones (except one feature)

With “Pixel” in the name, it’s easy to think that the Pixel Buds are made to only work with Pixel phones — thankfully, that isn’t true. These are still Bluetooth headphones that can be paired with just about anything — Android phones, iPhones and even computers. Google’s new Fast Pair Bluetooth pairing works with other modern Android phones, and for everything else they can pair up just like normal Bluetooth headphones.

Google Assistant even works, again if you’re paired up to a modern Android phone. The only feature that doesn’t work is the real-time Google Translate function, which is limited to Pixel and Pixel 2 phones.

Google’s updates fixed two of the biggest complaints

It took months, but Google finally released a software update for the Pixel Buds to fix two of the biggest complaints with the headphones: accidental touches when taking them in and out, and not being able to easily switch between connected devices.

It took months, but Google finally fixed two of the biggest complaints in software.

The Pixel Buds still can’t detect when they’ve been removed from your ear, but you now have the next best thing — a triple tap on the right earbud immediately disconnects the Pixel Buds from your phone, so you can safely remove them without re-activating the touch controls. This also means you can let the Pixel Buds dangle on your neck for a bit while not in use without fear that they’ll activate things. When you want to re-connect, just triple tap again and it’ll jump back to your last-used device.

Speaking of devices, the same update also dramatically improved the experience of using the Pixel Buds with more than a single phone. You can now pair the Pixel Buds to multiple devices, and once pairing has happened once you can simply initiate a Bluetooth connection from any one of those devices and the Pixel Buds will connect. Whether that’s another phone, a tablet or a computer, it doesn’t matter — the Pixel Buds will always jump to the most recent connection request.

Google Assistant is FAST … and needs some polish

Though these aren’t the only proper “Google Assistant headphones,” this was my first experience with the feature — and consider me impressed. Rather than using “OK, Google” detection, the Pixel Buds trigger Assistant by pressing and holding on the right earbud to speak commands. Lift off of the earbud, and it finishes taking your input and does what you asked it to do.

It’s absolutely ridiculous how fast this is working when connected to my Pixel 2 XL. Most of the speed really comes from the fact that the Pixel Buds don’t have to guess when you’re done talking — as soon as you lift off of the earbuds, it knows you’re done and is ready to give you information back through the earbuds. But the responses come quickly as well.

The only issue, as ever with Assistant, is what it can actually do and how it fails. As we’ve experienced with Google Home, it’s tough to deal with a voice-only interface when things go wrong. Multiple times the Pixel Buds gave me a confirmation-type sound after speaking, only to do absolutely nothing. Rephrasing my question or retrying, it’d hear me and perform the action. Other actions, like “skip forward 30 seconds” while listening to a podcast work, but often didn’t resume playback after doing so. Saying “walking directions to X” pulls up the directions on my phone, but doesn’t give me step-by-step guidance in the earbuds.

Google’s list of suggested Assistant actions for the Pixel Buds is basically the same set of things you’d normally do with your phone, and that’s totally fine. But it’s how those things are manifested in an audio-only interface rather than on a screen that looks like it needs a little work.

Notifications can get annoying

As part of this Assistant-type functionality, the Pixel Buds also feed notifications from your phone into your ears. Rather than just send you the sound, it also gives you extra information, including the app that sent the notification and, if applicable, who sent it. It’s useful the first couple of times, and being able to double tap the right earbud to read the notification aloud and then also reply via voice is very cool in certain circumstances.

It just takes too damn long to manage notifications through voice and taps.

But considering the number of notifications most of us get, you’re likely going to be turning off this feature until you’re in a situation where you can’t actively look at your phone. Having a podcast or music paused for 5-10 seconds so you can try to tap and speak to manage a message in my earbuds just isn’t worth it. With dozens of notifications coming in every hour, you’re going to be spending a large amount of time managing things rather than concentrating on what you’re actually listening to — the whole reason you have headphones on in the first place.

A charging case? That seems fragile and annoying

Just like the Apple AirPods and Samsung Gear IconX 2018 earbuds, the charging case is a big part of the experience of the Pixel Buds — with 5 hours of charge, you need to let the them sleep in this case and charge back up periodically. Google loves fabric right now. Look at the Daydream View, Google Homes or new line of Pixel 2 cases — they’re all fabric. The same type of stuff makes up the Pixel Buds case.

The case is annoying to keep around, but you can’t argue with the battery life.

The case looks nice. The fabric on the outside and soft rubber on the inside are very friendly and easy to get acquainted with. Despite my early fears, the charging case has held up extremely well after months of use. The fabric isn’t faded or stained, and the hinge has even kept its shape.

There are magnets that suck the earbuds into place for charging, and another strong magnet to keep the lid closed. Three LEDs show the charging state of the case itself, and pressing a button shows the charge state of the buds that are inserted. Critically, the case charges the Pixel Buds another 4-5 times, meaning you can get 25+ hours of listening between the earbuds and case before you need to plug in — compare that to less than 10 hours for most other independent earbuds.

Live voice translation

The huge demo feature of the Pixel Buds was their ability to enable real-time voice translation. While it’s certainly unique and an amazing feature demo, it doesn’t really work like you think it would.

The first hurdle is that the Pixel Buds of course aren’t doing any of the translation themselves — they’re simply a Bluetooth audio conduit to your connected Pixel phone running the Google Translate app. The way this works, you hold out your phone to where the other person can speak to it, and then the audio is routed into your Pixel Buds. In the reverse, your voice is picked up by the Pixel Buds microphone and relayed out of the phone’s speaker.

Realtime translation is extremely difficult, and the Pixel Buds are awkward beyond that.

Technology-wise this is very impressive how the audio is being routed. But the whole experience is more awkward than using Google Translate on a phone with another person already is, as it seems a bit non-personal to be wearing headphones while trying to navigate another language.

Then you run into the other, smaller issue of Google Translate in general having trouble picking up nuance, slang and sentence structure and trying to bring it over to another language. Real-time language translation is really hard, and Google’s one of the best at it, but it still isn’t great. For the most part, Google Translate still breaks languages down to their most common sentences, leaving you and other person both sounding like they’re speaking like a 10-year-old kid. That isn’t inherently an issue with the Pixel Buds, but it does create one more barrier to this promised experience of smooth, natural translation on the fly.

See at Best Buy
See at Google Store

Update May 2018: Now that they’ve been out for several months, here’s all of the latest information you need to know about Google’s headphones.

Portable hard drives, Bluetooth headphones, graphics cards, and more are on sale today

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

We found plenty of great deals today that include big discounts on internal PC components, Bluetooth noise-canceling headphones, portable 4TB hard drives, and more! Time’s running out to take advantage of these prices, so hurry!

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