Learn about the roots of the modern computing with the BBC’s free archive

The Computer Literacy Project archive offers full programs and pre-made clips for those with less time on their hands.

From an early ’80s look at 20th-century automation, to the ’90s perspective on the growth of computers in society, the BBC’s archive of several hundred classic documentaries is now free for anyone to access. Including interviews with visionary pioneers of the time like Bill Gates and Steve Wozniak, it’s hoped that the retro programming can help inspire future innovators and teach people young and old about where some of their most used modern technology came from.

The BBC has been a major component in driving digital innovation for decades, not only in its programming, but in encouraging home hardware hackers with the release of the BBC Micro in 1981 and more recently, the ARM-powered Micro Bit in 2016. The purpose of these programs was to encourage computer literacy among school-age children and to foster an interest in programming and electronics. The release of the archives of the BBC’s “Computer Literacy Project,” is another step on that road.

A total of 267 programs make up the archive and are freely available to stream online. Programs were originally broadcast between 1980 and 1992 and run the gamut from interviews with industry leaders, to insights into specific hardware like the BBC’s own Micro computer.

“This archive offers a fascinating and nostalgic glimpse into an important milestone in the history of computing,” said Matthew Postgate, the BBC’s chief technology and product officer, via BBC News. “The hardware may have changed, but the principles still apply — which also makes it a unique resource for teaching and learning that will hopefully encourage a new generation of computer users.”

To give modern viewers a better look at some of the software that was used on that particular platform, the new archive also allows visitors to run a number of BBC Micro programs within their browser. They are, understandably, basic by modern standards, but they include inputs to progress graphical interfaces, a breakdown of the chip manufacturing process from the time, and an outline of basic encryption algorithms. There are more than 160 in total to play around with and they are a great example of just how far we have come in the past four decades of computing.

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• These Raspberry Pi 3 bundles will cover everyone, from coders to gamers

Intel may debut a Core i9 desktop CPU for the general market in 2018

The summer is here, and that means Intel is gearing up to release high-end desktop processors for the mainstream market. These chips will essentially fall under Intel’s fourth wave of eighth-generation processors to be released during the third quarter of 2018. At the forefront of this desktop assault will supposedly be an eight-core chip currently listed as the Core i9-9900K.

This upcoming eight-core desktop CPU will be Intel’s second Core i9-branded processor released to the mainstream market, following the Core i9-8950HK six-core chip released for high-end laptops in April. Prior to these two processors, Intel released four seventh-generation super-high-end Core i9 processors in the third quarter of 2017 packing between 10 and 16 cores for PC gamers and enthusiasts.  

But here we see Intel pushing an eight-core chip into the mainstream market. When Intel launched its eighth-generation desktop processors in October 2017, the company boasted about how it brought a six-core chip to the mainstream market while AMD already topped that count with its eight-core Ryzen chips months prior. Intel now appears to be catching up with its upcoming Core i9-9900K desktop CPU. 

Here are the rumored processors in Intel’s next eighth-generation wave. Note that there currently is no Core i3 part listed with these CPUs, but Intel may stagger its launch similar to what it did with the Core i3-8130U for laptops in February: 

• Core i9-9900K — 8 cores — 16 threads 
• Core i7-9700K — 6 cores — 12 threads 
• Core i5-9600K — 6 cores — 6 threads 

Joining this trio will be the Z390 chipset for motherboards. Previous rumors indicated that the Z390 would be a rebranding of the Z370, but the latest information tagging along with the Core i9-9900K indicates otherwise. The Z390 chipset will be based on the current Z370 but supposedly add a few additional features such as Intel Wireless AC and Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity, support for up to six USB 3.1 Gen2 ports (10Gbps), and more. Other features include support for up to 10 USB 3.1 Gen1 ports (5Gbps), support for up to 24 PCI Express 3.0 lanes, support for six SATA 3 ports, and so on. 

Intel’s first wave of eighth-generation processors was actually based on a tweaked seventh-generation design. These four processors targeted ultra-thin laptops in August 2017 while Intel waited to release its true eighth-generation processor design in six desktop CPUs in late September 2017. Intel’s third wave focused on high-performance laptops in April and introduced the company’s first Core i9 product to the mainstream laptop audience. Now Intel is focusing on the mainstream desktop once more and will likely follow that fourth wave with super high-end X-Series chips for PC gamers and enthusiasts before the end of 2018. 

Meanwhile, AMD tweaked its Zen processor core design and released a second-generation batch of desktop processors in April. There are four in total: Two Ryzen 7 chips with eight cores and 16 threads, and two Ryzen 5 chips with six cores and 12 threads. AMD’s super high-end Ryzen Threadripper desktop processors for enthusiasts and PC gamers are expected to launch in the third quarter of 2018 packing up to 32 cores, if not more. 

Editors’ Recommendations

• Intel’s powerful new 8-core processor could land in desktops this September
• Intel throws down a gauntlet with its 28-core extreme CPU
• Intel shows off world’s first six-core mobile CPUs, adds Optane to everything
• Intel’s Core i9 for laptops is great, but it’s not a true Core i9
• HP’s mainstream Pavilion PCs refreshed with latest AMD Ryzen, Intel Core CPUs

Samsung Galaxy Note 9 event set for August 9 in New York City

S Pen teaser tells us exactly what this is about.

Well, it’s official: the Galaxy Note 9 is coming on August 9, 2018. At least that’s what we’re expecting given the history of Samsung’s announcement schedule and the leaks we’ve seen. The company has just sent out invitations to a Galaxy Unpacked event, taking place on August 9 in New York City — which aligns closely with previous Note announcements. The timing is a little earlier than last year, but this August 9 date was also previously rumored. The Note 8 was announced on August 23, while the Note 7 actually announced earlier, on August 2.

Samsung Galaxy Note 9 rumors: Release date, specs, price, and features!

In typical fashion the invitation has a relatively nondescript tight-in shot of some part of a device to let us all speculate about just what it could be. This time, it’s a very close-up shot — unlike previous teases we really don’t get any indication of what part of the phone we’re looking at or even what direction it’s facing. My best guess is that this is actually just the recessed pad portion of an S Pen. If you have a Note nearby, pull out the S Pen and you’ll see exactly what I’m talking about.

Now that we have a date set, is the Note 9 hype in full effect? Do you have any better theories about what the image above is showing? Let’s get this discussion going in the comments!

Samsung Galaxy Note 9

• Samsung Galaxy Note 9 rumors: Release date, specs, price, and features!
• Is it best to buy the Galaxy S9 or wait for the Note 9?
• Do you plan on upgrading to the Note 9?
• Galaxy Note 8 review
• Join our Galaxy Note 9 forums

Samsung will stop giving out points for using Bixby

The service is officially ending on August 10.

One way that Samsung’s tried to encourage people to put up with Bixby’s various shortcomings and use it anyways has been through the My Bixby Level program. By using Bixby to ask about the weather, create new commands, send texts, etc., users can earn XP that can then be redeemed for new Bixby Home background colors and Samsung Pay points. Unfortunately, on August 10, the program will be shutting down for good.

Under the Notices tab in the Bixby app, Samsung recently issued the following statement:

We are sorry to inform you that My Bixby Level service and related contents will no longer be available as of August 10th, 2018. We appreciate your support for My Bixby Level service.

Any background colors you’ve already unlocked will still be available to use, and while it’s unclear at the moment, it’s expected that Samsung may open these up to everyone.

While those backgrounds are a nice touch, the real draw for a lot of people (including myself) are those Samsung Pay points. The points can be used to enter giveaways and redeem gift cards, and while earning them does take a bit of grinding, it’s a nice excuse to give Bixby a try every now and then.

Will you keep using Bixby once August 10 rolls around?

5 changes that would make the Galaxy S9’s software dramatically better

Samsung Galaxy S9 and S9+

• Galaxy S9 and S9+: Everything you need to know!
• Galaxy S9 review: A great phone for the masses
• Complete Galaxy S9 and S9+ specs
• Galaxy S9 vs. Galaxy S8: Should you upgrade?
• Join our Galaxy S9 forums

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Almost every capacity of the Samsung 860 EVO SSD is down to a new low price

Speed, stability, and fantastically low prices.

The Samsung 860 EVO 500GB solid state drive is down to its lowest price ever on Amazon at $113.89. This SSD was selling around $130 at the beginning of June and has been spiraling downward ever since.

The 500GB is just the start, though. The 1TB is down to $237.99 compared to the $250 deal we shared just a couple weeks ago. The 2TB is at $499.99, which is $30 off its street price, and the 4TB is at $999.99, which is $100 off. All of these prices are lows we haven’t seen from anyone else outside of rare one-time use eBay coupons.

At this price, the 860 EVO is actually cheaper than the older version, the 850 EVO. We’ve already outlined the major differences between the 860 lineup and the 850, so be sure to check that out. The 860 has read/write speeds of 550 MB/s and 520 MB/s respectively. It is powered by Samsung’s most advanced V-NAND technology. It is compatible with Mac, Windows, and Linux, and it comes with a five-year warranty. Users give it 4.7 stars based on 720 reviews.

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BlackBerry KEY2: Everything you need to know

Like the BlackBerry KEYone? You’re going to love the KEY2 😍

Following a heap of rumors and leaks, BlackBerry finally unveiled the highly-anticipated KEY2 on June 7, 2018. The KEY2 is a direct successor to last year’s KEYone and retains the same general design while offering upgraded specs across the board.

There’s a lot to unpack with the KEY2, so let’s go ahead and get into it.

Read our full review!

The KEY2 doesn’t do too much that’s different to the KEYone, but it improves everything in either minor or major ways. Three areas, in particular, get focus: performance, keyboard quality, and design.

There’s no doubt that the KEY2 is a faster, better-looking version of its predecessor, but how do things like the camera, battery, and typing experience hold up in day-to-day use?

For the full lowdown on the KEY2, check out Daniel’s review! 👇

BlackBerry KEY2 review: Just my type

See how it compares to the KEYone

The BlackBerry KEYone was no slouch of a phone, but with the KEY2, BlackBerry made upgrades in just about every area imaginable.

Between higher-end specs, the addition of dual cameras, improved keyboard, and more, the KEY2 is a better gadget in just about every regard.

However, if you already shelled out $550 for the KEYone last year, is it really worth spending another $650 this year? Let Daniel help you out with that dilemma in the comparison below 👇

BlackBerry KEY2 vs. BlackBerry KEYone: Should you upgrade?

The design is mostly the same

One of the main reasons the KEYone stood out so much was thanks to its productivity-focused design. Instead of releasing a glass, all-screen slab like so many other companies, BlackBerry kicked out a chunky, physical keyboard-touting phone.

With the KEY2, that theme is present once again.

The KEY2 measures in at 151.4 mm x 71.8mm x 8.5mm, making it taller, yet thinner, than the KEYone. The screen is once again a 4.5-inch panel with a 1620 x 1080 resolution, and the 3:2 aspect ratio makes a return, too.

You’ve got access to 35 backlit keys on the physical keyboard, and similar to the KEYone, the spacebar doubles as an integrated fingerprint sensor.

It’s got more RAM and a faster processor, but the battery is slightly smaller

Although the KEY2 may look similar to the KEYone on the outside, it’s got a lot of improvements under the hood.

Last year’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 625 processor and measly 3GB RAM have been replaced with a Snapdragon 660 and impressive 6GB RAM. You also have your choice between 64 or 128GB of internal storage, both of which can be upgraded to 256GB via a microSD card.

The battery is ever-so-slightly smaller at 3,500 mAh compared to the KEYone’s 3,505 mAh unit, but thanks to the power-sipping nature of the 660, the KEY2 should still be a battery champ.

BlackBerry KEY2 and 6GB of RAM: Why it’s a big deal

BlackBerry steps up to dual cameras

The single 12MP rear camera on the KEYone was fine. It had the capacity to take decent photos, but often struggled in low-light and produced very shakey 4K video.

You don’t buy BlackBerry phones for their excellent cameras, but this is another area where the KEY2 should offer some serious improvements.

Around back, BlackBerry’s outfitted the KEY2 with dual 12MP sensors. The primary one features a large 1.28um pixel size with f/1.8 aperture while the secondary one touts a 1.0um pixel size and f/2.6 aperture. You can record video in 4K at 30 FPS, dual-tone flash helps to brighten dark scenes, and there’s Phase Detection Autofocus.

In regards to the selfie camera, you’re looking at an 8MP sensor that’s capable of recording 1080p video at 30 FPS.

You’ll need to cough up $650 to own one

As you’d expect, the KEY2’s many enhancements have resulted in a steeper price tag compared to last year’s model.

While the KEYone started out at $550 in the U.S., the KEY2 is $100 more expensive at $650. Elsewhere, the KEY2 will cost €649 EU, £579 GB, and $829 CDN.

Specifics on the U.S. release are still up in the air, but BlackBerry’s since confirmed that the KEY2 is coming to Canadian retailers and carriers in July.

Where to buy the BlackBerry KEY2

BlackBerry KEY2

• BlackBerry KEY2 review
• BlackBerry KEY2: Everything you need to know!
• BlackBerry KEY2 specs
• BlackBerry KEYone review: Coming home
• Join our BlackBerry KEY2 forums!

BlackBerry

Updated June 27, 2018: Added our full review of the KEY2.

The tendrils of media control [#acpodcast]

Android Central’s resident music streaming expert, Ara Wagoner, joins Daniel Bader and Jerry Hildenbrand to talk about YouTube Premium, YouTube Music, and what features they provide.

They also discuss AT&T’s purchase of Time Warner for $85 billion and the potential for abuse by controlling the content and the pipe.

Listen now

• Subscribe in iTunes: Audio
• Subscribe in RSS: Audio
• Download directly: Audio

Show Notes and Links:

• What is YouTube Premium?
• YouTube Music review: A mixtape full of promise
• YouTube Music: Everything you need to know
• YouTube Music vs. Google Play Music: Which should you use?
• Here’s are all the features YouTube Music is still missing
• AT&T has officially purchased Time Warner for $85 billion
• AT&T’s new ‘WatchTV’ skinny bundle is available — here’s what you need to know

Sponsors:

• Thrifter.com: All the best deals from Amazon, Best Buy, and more, fussily curated and constantly updated.

Samsung Galaxy Note 9 rumors: Release date, specs, price, and features!

Here’s everything we know about the Galaxy Note 9!

Now more than ever, Samsung’s Galaxy S+ phones are becoming eerily similar to the Note series. The Note used to be Samsung’s way of touting all of the latest and greatest tech it had to offer, and while this is still the case, the same can be said for this year’s Galaxy S9+.

Samsung needs more than just the S Pen to make the Note 9 stand out from its own phones and the rest of the competition, and luckily, all signs are pointing to something exciting for this year’s release. Here’s what we know so far!

June 27, 2018 — Official launch event set for August 9

Samsung put an end to at least part of the speculation surrounding the Note 9 when it announced an Unpacked event in New York City for August 9, using a teaser image that shows a tight-in shot of an S Pen’s button. The August 9 date was previously rumored, as was the location of NYC.

That’s a couple weeks earlier than the Note 8 event last year, but a week later than the Note 7 event the year prior. This is right in the time frame where Samsung likes to get its stylus-toting phones out into the world.

June 13, 2018 — A large 4,000 mAh battery might be present

There are a lot of aspects that make the Note series unique, and one of those has long been huge batteries. The Note 7 had the largest to-date in 2016 at 3,500 mAh, but after those started exploding and catching fire, Samsung decided to play it safe in 2017 by kicking things down to 3,300 mAh in the Note 8.

This year, however, Samsung might start going back in the right direction. According to Ice Universe on Twitter who’s been fairly accurate about Samsung rumors in the past, they’re “100% sure” that the Note 9 will come with a 4,000 mAh battery.

What will the Galaxy Note 9 look like?

Quick answer — a lot like the Note 8.

We’ve seen one collection of renders for the Note 9 so far (pictured above), and save for the fingerprint sensor being moved below the rear camera sensor, the phone’s shaping up to be nearly identical to last year’s model.

As such, we can expect a large Infinity Display with slim bezels, an all-glass back, and a 3.5mm headphone jack. Samsung’s event teaser suggests that we’ll get at least one bright yellow color option, but I’m still crossing my fingers the Galaxy S9’s Burgundy Red gets a wide release on the Note 9 🤞.

What specs can we look forward to?

Samsung’s Galaxy Note phones are always home to some of the best specs around, and the Note 9 shouldn’t be any different.

Based on the current rumor mill and what we’ve seen from other 2018 flagships, here’s what we think we’ll see this year.

When will the Galaxy Note 9 be released?

The Galaxy Note 9 will be announced on August 9, 2018, at an Unpacked event in New York City.

We can expect retail availability to come in a 1-2 week time frame after the announcement, if any previous launches are any indication.

How much will the Galaxy Note 9 cost?

Pricing for the Note series has steadily been going up each year, as has the majority of the smartphone industry.

The Galaxy Note 8 costs $950 unlocked, and I’d expect the Note 9 to cost either the same or slightly more. Apple proved with the iPhone X that people aren’t afraid to shell out $1000+ for a new smartphone, and I don’t consider it to be out of the question for Samsung to follow suit with the Note 9 – especially if it adopts newer technologies like an in-display fingerprint sensor.

Samsung Galaxy S9 & S9+: Everything you need to know!

Samsung Galaxy Note 9

• Samsung Galaxy Note 9 rumors: Release date, specs, price, and features!
• Is it best to buy the Galaxy S9 or wait for the Note 9?
• Do you plan on upgrading to the Note 9?
• Galaxy Note 8 review
• Join our Galaxy Note 9 forums

Updated: June 27, 2018: Add new information on the announcement and release time frame.

Ringke Air Prism Case for Samsung Galaxy S9+ review: A smokey case with grip and glitter

Who says a glitter case can’t be sophisticated?

Glitter cases aren’t exactly hard to come by in the smartphone case market, but they have a tendency to shed. Surface glitter will run off your case onto your hands; rhinestones will fall, leaving unsightly gaps. Their surfaces can be coarse and uncomfortable. Above all else, glitter cases tend to be a bit garish, with some looking like they fell through a Lisa Frank bedazzler.

Thank goodness the Ringke Air Prism case for the Samsung Galaxy S9+ is none of these things. This thin case has a subtle shine, the glitter is securely suspended within the silicone in a tasteful, twinkling array, and its subtle geometric texture adds both grip and style.

Ringke Air Prism Case for Samsung Galaxy S9+

Price: $9.99-$10.99

Bottom line: Ringke’s Air Prism case adds some shimmer and lightweight protection to your phone without getting in the way of your phone’s natural style.

The Good

• Lightweight shimmer that doesn’t shed
• Texture provides good grip in-hand
• Wide port cutouts and gentle slope to fingerprint sensor

The Bad

• Phone grips slip off the uneven silicone back
• Limited color options

See at Amazon

Shine bright like a diamond

Ringke Air Prism Case for Samsung Galaxy S9+ What I like

It’s very easy to do a glitter case wrong, but when you do it right, it just looks like a gem, and the Air Prism looks like a gem. The translucent silicone is speckled with a tasteful amount of glitter, giving it some shine in the sunlight without turning your case into a disco ball. I had misgivings about the gray of this case, but since the case is translucent, just enough of the blue below bleeds through to make the case seem navy.

The result is a case that adapts well to different colors of phone while maintaining a unique shimmering shine. That shine is helped along by a shallow angular texture on the back that’s reminiscent of another geometric beauty I adore. While this case appears quite slick, it’s actually quite grippy, both in the hand and on the tabletop.

As a case, it’s very easy to slip the phone in and out, but the silicone isn’t so flimsy that the phone will pop out on its own. The grip around the sides of this case are excellent, and the buttons are firm and still satisfyingly clicky through the thin silicone covering. The port cutouts are wide, especially around the USB-C port, so that even boxy, bulky OTG adapters and cables will fit easily around them. The silicone under the fingerprint sensor is gently sloped, helping guide you up to the sensor without sliding you up too far to smudge the camera lens.

Better hold on tight

Ringke Air Prism Case for Samsung Galaxy S9+ What doesn’t work

This is a very lightweight, silicone case, and as such it’s not going to provide the best protection against drops. That’s the trade-off that comes with every light-duty case, but you can usually offset at least some of that extra risk — and add some functionality — by using a phone grip like a PopSocket or Ringke Ring, but that’s not an option here.

This smooth, silicone, textured back is just slippery enough and just uneven enough that phone grips just won’t stick. The Air Prism is grippy enough on its own, even on a sweaty Texas afternoon — and not everyone needs or wants a phone grip — but for those of us who need a little help one-handing a large phone like the Samsung Galaxy S9+, we’ll have to look elsewhere.

The only complaint to be had here is that while the Glitter Gray is a beauty, it’s also the only variant of the Air Prism case to feature that beautiful starry shimmer. The other variants of the Air Prism are a Clear silicone, a transparent Rose Gold Crystal, and a solid Black. Each color is beautiful in its own right, but it’d be nice to have seen a Glitter Glass or Rose Gold Glitter.

Ringke Air Prism Case for Samsung Galaxy S9+

Finding a good smartphone case that isn’t boring, bulky, or ugly has always been something of a challenge. Finding one that’s stylish without being blinding is darn near impossible, but Ringke gives us style and shine with moderation and excellent functionality with the Air Prism case.

4.5
out of 5

While I wish there more glittery colors available, the Ringe Air Prism case offers a great glitter case, and the other variants ensure that even if you’re not about the glitter, you can get a stylish textured case that still lets your Galaxy’s beauty shine through.

See at Amazon

Upgrade your kitchen with a touchless Moen Arbor Motionsense faucet

High-tech meets low cost.

Amazon is offering 30% off Moen Arbor Motionsense Two-Sensor Touchless Kitchen Faucets today. These typically sell for at least $350, but today prices start at just $246.76. They all have great customer reviews, too. There are three different colors to choose from, all of which are on sale.

These faucets are easy to install and fully retractable. My best friends have this in their kitchen, and it’s awesome. There’s a sensor at the front of the faucet that will turn it on when it senses you, similar to what you’ve seen in a public bathroom. You can also wave your hand over the top of the faucet to trigger the second sensor, which will stay on until you wave your hand again. Of course, you can also just turn the spigot to control the flow of water. There’s a button to change the different spray settings as well. You can install this in one- or three-hole sinks.

It’s extremely handy when it comes to cooking. Got raw meat juice all over your hands? Just stand there and let the faucet do the rinsing for you. Need to fill up a pot? Wave your hand twice. These things are incredible. The only downside is that you’ll probably catch yourself standing in front of plain-old-regular sinks, waving your arms over a nonexistent sensor, wondering why the water isn’t turning on. So pedestrian.

See at Amazon