Xiaomi teases Android One-based Mi A2 ahead of official unveil

Xiaomi’s 2018 Android One device will be unveiled on July 24 in Madrid.

Xiaomi teamed up with Google to launch an Android One-based phone last year, and it looks like the collaboration wasn’t a one-off. The Mi A1 turned out to be one of the best phones of 2017, and now Xiaomi is all set to launch a successor. The company has teased the launch of the next-gen model in the series, which will be dubbed the Mi A2, ahead of its official unveil. Xiaomi has a global launch event scheduled in Madrid, Spain, on July 24, and it’s likely the Mi A2 will be unveiled at that event.

Are you a big fan of #MiA1? You will love this…#Xiaomi #AndroidOne #2isbetterthan1 pic.twitter.com/aLlfothn9g

— Mi (@xiaomi) July 16, 2018

The teaser doesn’t reveal much other than stating that fans of the Mi A1 will love the upcoming device. Like last year’s Mi A1 — which was based on the Mi 5X — the Mi A2 is set to be a rebrand of the Mi 6X. As such, we’re likely to see a 5.99-inch FHD+ panel, Snapdragon 660, up to 6GB of RAM, 128GB of internal storage, dual 12MP + 20MP cameras, 20MP front camera, and a 3010mAh battery.

Last year’s Mi A1 turned out to be a hit with consumers because it offered great hardware based on the Android One platform, and the Mi A2 looks set to build on that foundation. That said, the Mi A1 wasn’t without its faults — Xiaomi pulled the Android 8.1 Oreo update earlier this year, with the rollout resuming at the start of July.

This year, we’ll likely see a Mi A2 Lite alongside the standard variant of the device. With the launch just a week away, we should know more about the Mi A2 shortly. In the meantime, what are you looking forward to seeing from the device?

Xiaomi Mi A1 review: Best of both worlds

18 Lightroom keyboard shortcuts you can actually remember

Bacho12345

Lightroom is designed to be fast, and while the user interface is pretty quick, there’s still another way to make those edits faster: the keyboard. But there’s a problem. Adobe’s list of Lightroom shortcuts is somewhere in the ballpark of 300 combinations – pretty impressive for a laptop’s 80-some keys.

Unless you use a keyboard skin or you have a photographic memory, you’re probably not going to be whizzing through your edits using every memorized hot key anytime soon. Thankfully, several of the most helpful keyboard shortcuts aren’t too difficult to remember. After you’ve mastered the basics of Lightroom, memorize these 18 most-often used Lightroom shortcuts — and note that we’ve provided an easy way to remember them.

Lightroom shortcuts for organizing and flagging photos

Many photographers who start with digital shoot many more photos then they actually need (I’m so guilty of this that my first newsroom editor nicknamed me Pepper). Keyboard shortcuts make quick work of picking out the best shots. Most users know that you can use the arrow keys to navigate to the next image and the backspace or delete key to remove photos, but there are a number of other commands that are (almost) as easy to remember.

Action
Windows Command
MacOS Command
Memory Trick

Switch to the compare View, to see two photos side-by-side
C
C
C is for for Compare

Zoom
Z
Z
Z is for Zoom

Add a Flag
P
P
P is for Pick

Unflag
U
U
U is for Unflag

Select all flagged photos
Control + Alt + A
Command + Option + A
Control or Command A works in a number of apps to select everything — just add an Alt or Option to select only the flagged photos

Reject photo
X
X
Cross out that photo

Delete all rejects
Control + Backspace
Command + Delete
Just add control or command to the delete keyboard shortcut to control all those rejects

Add a star rating
Number keys 1-5
Number keys 1-5
This one really is as easy as 1-2-3

Add a color label

6 – Red

7 – Yellow

8 – Green

9 – Blue

6 – Red

7 – Yellow

8 – Green

9- Blue

Color labels are used in the order of the rainbow: Remember ROY G. BIV? Just skip the vowels.

Add a keyword
Control + K
Command + K
K is for Keyword

One more handy trick — Hold down shift to move to the next photo after marking, this trick works for flagging, star ratings, color labels and rejecting a photo.

6 pro tips to taking amazing portrait photos with the Huawei P10

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Inez del Prado Photography

Inez del Prado Photography

Inez del Prado Photography

Inez del Prado Photography

Inez del Prado Photography

Inez del Prado Photography

The Huawei P10 has a dual-lens Leica camera on the back, just like the P9 and the Mate 9, but it also has several cool new software features — including a Portrait photo mode — and it has already impressed us with its ability. What’s more, the front camera has been given the Leica treatment, with a bokeh mode for some amazing selfies. A good camera is only part of the equation when it comes to taking great pictures. Your own ability, and a basic knowledge of how the camera app works, is just as important.

To prove it, and to show just what the P10 can do in the hands of a professional photographer, Huawei ran a “Photo Masterclass.” Hosted by Manfred Baumann, known for his striking celebrity portrait photos and use of monochrome, he helped us put the P10 through its paces, while sharing some valuable tips on composition and editing. We concentrated on taking pictures of people, using the new Portrait mode on the P10.

While we used Huawei’s new phone, the tips we’re going to share with you equally apply to the P9 and the Mate 9, along with most other dual-lens cameras with a manual mode. Don’t worry if manual mode seems complicated, we actually used auto for all the images shared here, and some post-production editing.

Get closer

Don’t be afraid of putting your camera in the subject’s face. Baumann would get in really close, almost filled the frame on several occasions, which worked very well shooting monochrome against a stark, featureless background. To take one particular portrait, he stood on a chair, about two feet in front of the subject. He experimented with different angles and stances, too.

Inez del Prado Photography
Inezdelprado Photography

If your camera has a bokeh mode, like the P10, it will blur out background detail. We took some spectacular photos in front of a window overlooking Barcelona, but it doesn’t over-power or detract from the person’s face in the picture. However, also try framing your subject against a featureless background — an alternative way of making them the focal point of the picture.

Ignore the camera

Yes it sounds like a cliché, but it really works. Baumann explained he shot a lot of celebrity pictures, but many are not models and wouldn’t automatically start posing for the camera. He’d have to choose his moments carefully, after getting the person to relax and act naturally. We were taking pictures of each other in a fun environment, and laughing about it produced fun, lively, and happy pictures. Standing back and just observing what’s going on around you, especially if people aren’t that comfortable around the camera, may end up giving the best results.

Monochrome

This is best experienced with the Huawei P10, the Mate 9, or the P9, due to its dedicated monochrome Leica camera lens. It produces amazingly detailed black and white pictures. However, pictures taken with other cameras will have filters that provide a similar effect. We were in a bright, airy room with a high ceiling, large windows, and neutral coloured walls. The afternoon light created shadows which could be used creatively when shooting with it behind the subject. We tried leaving parts of the face covered in shadow, for example.

With the light in front of the subject, another option for classy pictures is to choose a dark or shaded background. The light ensures this comes out almost black, but the subject remains lit. The bokeh mode obscures any detail, pushing the subject to the forefront of the picture. We had particular success using this method, and took pictures in settings we’d never have considered before.

Highlights and shadows

Don’t get fixated on taking the best photo possible the first time. Take several, and then edit them. Most camera apps have extensive editing features that can change the end result after the picture has been taken. If you’ve been taking portrait or bokeh pictures on the P10, even the focal point can be altered. We came away with a really excellent tip, which transformed the way our monochrome images looked. Instead of changing the brightness and contrast settings, plays around with the highlights and the shadows. These settings exposed more detail, or made already moody shots even more effective.

Crop the picture in creative ways

Inez del Prado Photography
Inezdelprado Photography

It turned out we’ve been cropping our selfies and pictures of other people all wrong. Rather than centralising our subject, try cropping faces right down, and setting them at the side of a photo. Don’t always stick to a basic aspect ratio either, play around with the sizes. Baumann sliced the very top of our heads off, which surprisingly ended up looking superb. He’d also cut off backs of heads, shoulders, and minimize background detail. Yet all the time, he was bringing the subject of the photo into better view. It’s a simple, yet incredibly effective trick to learn, which can transform a mundane selfie into one worthy of a professional.

Don’t be shy

Perhaps the biggest tip we can share comes from our own experiences taking photos. Many of us (me included) probably don’t consider ourselves photogenic. However, this doesn’t mean you can’t be photographed well. Through our experience with Baumann, we saw it’s not always about the subject; it’s about taking the right picture in the right way, in the right environment, then using the tools available to creatively compose an attractive final image. Like us, you may end up being genuinely surprised and very pleased with the final result.

We had a great afternoon learning about getting the most from the P10’s Leica camera, and hope these suggestions will help you get the most from it too. The great thing is, because dual-lens camera phones made for producing bokeh-effect pictures are plentiful today — from the iPhone 7 Plus and the Honor 6X, to the ZTE Blade V8 Pro and Xiaomi Redmi Pro — so you can apply them to taking portrait photos with many phones.

Editors’ Recommendations

• Tips on how to take jaw-dropping monochrome pictures with the Huawei P20 Pro
• What is portrait mode? How tech helps smartphones capture a better you
• Using this A.I.-based healing brush, repairing an image is no biggie
• Huawei P10 camera guide
• How to take perfect Portrait Mode selfies with an iPhone X

Ussss-Twwwwooah [#acpodcast]

Daniel Bader and Russell Holly speak with Brian Mueller, founder of Carrot apps. Brian’s apps have long been a mainstay of the iOS ecosystem, now he’s brought his most popular app, CARROT Weather, to Android. CARROT Weather is in itself a terrific weather app, but wrapped in a hilariously snarky AI persona. He shares his experience developing for Android and his impression of the platform.

They also discuss the latest developments (pun intended) for AR/VR creation on Android. Listen carefully, meatbags!

Listen now

• Subscribe in iTunes: Audio
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• Download directly: Audio

Show Notes and Links:

• CARROT Weather

Sponsors:

• Thrifter.com: Thrifter uncovers the best deals on your favorite tech every day of the year and kicks into high-gear during special events like Prime Day. Make sure you sign up for the Thrifter Prime Day newsletter and follow them on Twitter (@ThrifterDaily) to receive breaking news, leaks and pro tips during the run-up to the big day and a curated selection of the best deals once they go live.

• LightStream LightStream rewards consumers who have good credit with a great interest rate and no fees!

Lockheed Martin 3D printed an impressive titanium dome for satellite fuel tanks

Lockheed Martin has just taken 3D printing to new heights, printing an enormous titanium dome meant for satellite fuel tanks. It’s the largest space part the company has 3D printed to date, and measures 46 inches in diameter — just under four feet. The dome is also significantly larger than the next most impressive 3D-printed structure from the company. Previously, the biggest part was the size of just a toaster, and served as an electronics enclosure for the Advanced Extremely High Frequency satellite program.

This month, Lockheed Martin’s new structure passed its last rounds of quality testing, bringing to a close a multi-year development program that seeks to build large, high-pressure tanks capable of carrying fuel on board satellites. Constructed of titanium, the structure is comprised of three main parts, which we should point out, are not in fact all 3D printed. There are two domes that are the caps of the structure, as well as a variable-length titanium cylinder that serves as the body. Both domes were 3D printed, while the cylinder was constructed using traditional manufacturing methods.

“Our largest 3D printed parts to date show we’re committed to a future where we produce satellites twice as fast and at half the cost,” said Rick Ambrose, Lockheed Martin Space executive vice president. “And we’re pushing forward for even better results. For example, we shaved off 87 percent of the schedule to build the domes, reducing the total delivery timeline from two years to three months.”

3D printing for the fuel tank isn’t simply meant for show. Not only is the process far faster than traditional methods, but it also helps to reduce waste in the construction process. Lockheed Martin notes that non-3D printing techniques can waste more than 80 percent of materials. But 3D printing purportedly makes use of all the titanium employed in the job, making for a far more efficient process.

“We self-funded this design and qualification effort as an investment in helping our customers move faster and save costs,” explained Ambrose. “These tanks are part of a total transformation in the way we design and deliver space technology. We’re making great strides in automation, virtual reality design and commonality across our satellite product line. Our customers want greater speed and value without sacrificing capability in orbit, and we’re answering the call.”

Editors’ Recommendations

• What is 3D printing? Here’s everything you need to know
• Homes in the Netherlands are concrete example of 3D printing’s potential
• 15 major milestones along the brief history of 3D printing
• Don’t print with crappy plastic. Here’s the best 3D-printing filament you can buy
• This 21-year-old’s 3D-printed aquatic jetpack makes scuba fins look prehistoric

An iPhone survived 48 hours in the ocean and retained most of its battery

adrianhancu/123RF

An iPhone 7 went for a dive, and lived a full 48 hours in the water to tell the tale. In what may be the most impressive story about a waterproof case ever, a scuba diver found a very rare form of marine memorabilia when she saw an odd light come from the bottom of the seabed. As it turns out, the iPhone began to glow when it received — get this — a text message. Really, I just want to know two things — who makes this waterproof case, and who is this cell service provider capable of providing coverage in the bottom of  the ocean?

More shocking still was the fact that the iPhone was still more than 80 percent charged when it was discovered. Somehow, the phone had managed to not only survive underwater, but maintain a charge for two days, too. Seriously, what magical Apple device is this?

Scuba diver Cerys Hearsey discovered the phone upon noticing a flashing light about 30 feet below where she was exploring. Upon closer inspection, she found the fabled iPhone in working condition and with 84 percent of its battery life remaining. She  then did what any responsible scuba diver would do — she  retrieved it, and went through its contacts in order to find its owner.

The owner turned out to be one Rob Smith’s cousin, who apparently dropped the phone while the two of them were kayaking out at Durdle Door in Dorset, England. While the duo paddled toward the coastal landmark, the iPhone was unfortunately dropped over the edge of the watercraft. Smith and his cousin assumed that the iPhone had been lost for good, but just two days later, Cerys discovered that miracles do indeed happen.

Smith and his wife made arrangements to meet with Cerys, as the cousin had already departed the country for Canada. Since then, the iPhone has also made a (safe) journey across the Atlantic, and has been reunited with its owner.

Cerys told the Mirror that she was pleased to play a part in the rescue mission. “I could see the phone sitting on the bottom of the seabed because it received a message and lit up,” she told the publication. “I picked it up and returned to land where I cut it out of its case as it was starting to get a bit of water inside. I then looked up the numbers and got in touch with the owner’s family.”

She added, “Phones are so critical to life nowadays they can be difficult to replace.” But apparently, this is one iPhone that is hardier than the rest.

Editors’ Recommendations

• This diving system lets you stay submerged for 2 hours, no tank needed
• Guy dunks a ‘naked’ iPhone X to make a whimsical underwater movie
• False civil emergency alert text panics Oregon’s Marion County
• Swapping an iPhone for a BlackBerry made me appreciate the physical keyboard
• The best movies on Netflix right now (July 2018)

Apple Says Third-Generation Keyboards Exclusive to 2018 MacBook Pro

Last month, Apple initiated a Keyboard Service Program for MacBook and MacBook Pro, after determining that a “small percentage” of the keyboards in 2015-2017 MacBook and 2016-2017 MacBook Pro models may experience keys that feel “sticky,” repeat, or do not respond in a consistent manner.

Apple did not identify a cause for the issues, which they call “behaviors,” but they’re believed to be caused by dust and other particulates becoming stuck in the butterfly switch mechanism underneath keycaps.

Apple has been servicing affected keyboards free of charge, with the process involving the replacement of one or more keys, or the whole keyboard. For the MacBook Pro, the replacements are second-generation keyboards — often the 2017 variant with slightly different markings on the Control and Option keys.

Then, last week, Apple surprised us with new 2018 MacBook Pro models that feature an “improved third-generation keyboard for quieter typing.” These models are not eligible, at least not now, for Apple’s service program.

Apple hasn’t directly acknowledged whether the quieter, third-generation keyboards dually address the keyboard issues, but iFixit discovered the 2018 MacBook Pro has a thin, silicone barrier underneath each key, which they believe are intended to prevent the dust and crumbs from getting stuck.

iFixit discovered a thin, silicone layer underneath keys on the 2018 MacBook Pro
For this reason, some customers have been hoping that Apple will start swapping out second-generation keyboards with third-generation keyboards, as part of its service program, but MacRumors has learned that isn’t the plan.

When asked if Apple Stores and Apple Authorized Service Providers will be permitted to replace second-generation keyboards on 2016 and 2017 MacBook Pro models with the new third-generation keyboards, if necessary, Apple said, no, the third-generation keyboards are exclusive to the 2018 MacBook Pro.

Hopefully, in that case, it means that Apple has quietly tweaked the second-generation keyboard to be more reliable. It wouldn’t really make sense, and wouldn’t feel very Apple, for them to continue using replacement keyboards that are just as prone to break as the ones they are replacing.

Of course, it is possible that a few customers who send in their 2016 or 2017 MacBook Pro may end up with a third-generation keyboard in rare circumstances, at the discretion of Apple Stores and Apple Authorized Service Providers.

To initiate a repair, head to the Contact Apple Support portal, select Mac → Mac notebooks → Hardware Issues → Keyboard not working as expected → Bring in for Repair and book an appointment with an Apple Store or Apple Authorized Service Provider. Remember to back up your Mac before any servicing.

Related Roundup: MacBook ProBuyer’s Guide: MacBook Pro (Buy Now)
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Photography 101: Mastering the golden hour

Peggy2012CREATIVELENZ/flickr

You know those photos that look snapshots of a memory instead of an actual person or place? The ones that seem to glow, and everything in them seems rimmed with a halo of light? The ones with stunning flares of light that look like the subject’s soul is exploding out of them and dust clouds that look like magic suspended in air? Well, most of the time that wasn’t just coincidence – those photos were taken during what’s commonly known as the golden hour, also known as the magic hour.

“Hour” is figurative here. The golden hour refers to the period just after sunrise or just before sunset, and its length depends on where you are, what time of year it is, and the weather conditions. Also, while the terms are nearly synonymous, golden hour actually has a definition based on the measurable angle of the sun to the horizon, whereas magic hour is a broader term that sometimes incorporates both the golden hour and the blue hour — another measurable time based on the sun’s angle to the horizon. In this article, we’ll use them interchangeably. Regardless of season or location – or what you call it – it’s a special time for photography. But why, exactly?

Light. Light is the most important photographic element. The light just after sunrise and just before sunset is unlike any other light and it can’t be replicated, no matter how hard you try (well, you could cheat if you have photo-editing software, but it doesn’t beat the real thing or feel as rewarding). There are a few things about this kind of light that make it unique and beloved.

What is the golden hour?

It’s warm

The golden hour is all about light. The temperature of the light during this time is, as the name suggests, in the yellow range when it comes to the light spectrum. Without delving too deeply into your AP Chemistry textboon, light has a spectrum of temperatures that correspond to different colors of light. Remember ROY G BIV? On one side of the spectrum you have high-temperature blue light, and on the other end you have low-temperature red light. During the golden hour, the temperature is in the yellow range, which gives the light that coveted, golden hue.

It’s diffuse

When the sun is near the horizon, its light has to travel through more atmosphere than at other points in the sky. That atmosphere acts as a giant diffuser, thus reducing and softening the intensity of direct light. This creates a more even light, so the difference in correct exposure between your darks and lights is less, meaning it’s far easier to capture a more evenly exposed photo. It’s as if the whole sky is one giant light box, only better. Furthermore, all that atmosphere the light has to travel through filters out the blue light and makes the light appear more reddish.

Diffuse light from the sunrise spreads over this vineyard, lighting the foreground and background without sharp shadows. Malcolm Carlaw/Flickr

It’s directional

When the sun is very low in the sky, its angle is more drastic in relation to the earth, making shadows longer and softer. Having long shadows in your shot helps show all three dimensions of the world when you’re trying to capture them in a two dimensional space. Also, because your exposure is more even, the sky and whatever else is in the background, your middle ground, and the foreground can all be clearly defined and properly exposed, which creates a greater sense of depth. You can also use the direction of the sun to create specific effects and to highlight textural details.

The low angle of the sun help when creating longer shadows, which makes this photo more dimensional. Rabiem22/Flickr

These ‘tentacular’ jellyfish lamps bring the deep sea to the surface

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Art has always found inspiration in nature, from prehistoric cave paintings to dynamic modern architecture. In the tradition of bio-inspiration, a German designer named Max Jürgensen has created a stunning lamp that mimics the appearance and fluid movement of a jellyfish. The Jellyfish Motion Lights are part lamp, part installation, and completely captivating.

“I’ve always been intrigued by jellyfish and actually kept some in a special tank on my desk,” Jürgensen told Digital Trends. “Watching their slow moves and unearthly appearance was simply mesmerizing. I wanted to capture this beauty in my first design.”

Max Jürgensen

Figuring out how to re-create the jellyfish’s effortless movement wasn’t easy — it took months of trial and error for Jürgensen to unlock a simple mechanism that worked. But all that effort paid off with a handmade prototype, which he recently took to Kickstarter to promote.

“From casting the silicone to the milled body parts, I put so much love and effort in to this project,” Jürgensen said. “All visible parts are made from silicone to give it that realistic look. The body parts are made from injection-molded plastic. Right now I am working on a mirror-polished metal version. These look like they come right from a science fiction movie and create gorgeous light refraction.”

These tentacular lamps don’t come cheap, though. A handful of early birds can back the Kickstarter campaign and order one around $280. If the lamps launch (Jürgensen is aiming for December 2018) they’ll retail for around $340. However, with a little over half of its $52,500 funding goal reached, Jürgensen isn’t entirely optimistic that the campaign will succeed.

“This is my very first step as lamp designer and I am proud of it, even if the campaign fails, I believe in the idea of motion-miming lights,” he said. “I have a patent and will exhibit my work at design shows. I hope to find in this way a partner I can realize my project with.

“Meanwhile I will work on other designs, I can produce without the help from others,” he added. “I am a restless mind and have tons of ideas for new lamps that haven’t been there before.”

Editors’ Recommendations

• Here’s how to hack an Ikea lamp and transform it into a mixed-reality projector
• Triwa’s latest watch is made from the parts of illegal firearms
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• Revant Optics wants to save the planet one pair of sunglasses at a time

Motorola announces Android Go edition of the e 5 Play

Motorola has recently been making a name for itself in the budget smartphone space by providing quality phones at an affordable price point. Moto’s upcoming e 5 play looks to continue that trend by embracing Google’s Android Go platform designed to maximize performance on lower-end devices.

The phone is expected to launch in Europe and Latin America later this month and will cost 109 euros or roughly 127 U.S. dollars. In addition to the Go version of Android Oreo, that price point will get you a 5.3-inch screen with an 18:9 aspect ratio, an 8-megapixel rear-facing camera and a 5-megapixel front-facing camera for selfies. In terms of security features, the e 5 play will include a fingerprint reader located, thankfully, on the back of the device.

We don’t know too much about the phone’s software features aside from the fact that it will be running the Go version of Android Oreo which should, hopefully, provide the phone with better performance given that Go is built for lower-end devices. One potential downside is the fact that the press release specifically mentions “fewer pre-installed” apps which means there will be some pre-installed apps on the phone. Rather that refers to necessities such as a calling and texting app or bloatware that you’ll want to uninstall remains to be seen.

Unfortunately, U.S. consumers may be out of luck on this one. The press release specifically mentions that this device will “only be available in various countries in Europe and Latin America.” Provided you ensure the device is compatible with U.S. carriers, you could theoretically have one imported for you, but the shipping fees and other costs associated with such a move may ruin the phone’s value proposition.

U.S. consumers might be disappointed that they won’t be able to get their hands on the Go edition of the e5 Play, but take heart, because there are still plenty of great budget smartphones out there for the U.S. market. In fact, there are so many that we had to write create a list to keep track of them all. With options ranging from “flagship-killers” to sub-$150, there’s a phone for every budget.

Editors’ Recommendations

• Android vs. iOS: Which smartphone platform is the best?
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• Moto G6 vs. Moto G5: Is it time to crown a new budget king?