Google Duo now supports Android tablets and iPads

The update is making its way to users over the coming days.

Google Duo, Google’s big video chatting app that’s been around since August 2016, is just now getting support for video calls on Android tablets and iPads.

The Duo Twitter account confirmed this news on August 27 and noted that the new functionality will be rolling out to users “over the next few days.”

Rolling out over the next few days, the newest #GoogleDuo update lets you make video calls on Android tablets and iPads → https://t.co/jNB787MXhd pic.twitter.com/Kz3MeL5RUU

— Google (@Google) August 27, 2018

It’s hard to believe the app’s gone this long without support for larger form factors, and while it’s great to see this is finally being added, it seems like a strange feature to put resources in before group video calling when users have been nagging for that pretty much since Duo’s release.

If you’re a Google Duo user, what do you think about the new support for tablets?

Download: Google Duo (free)

Publicist for Metallica, Madonna and Green Day Joins Apple Music

Brian Bumbery, a publicist who has worked with with Metallica, Green Day, Madonna, and Chris Cornell, has joined Apple, reports Variety. Bumbery ran his own press firm, BB Gun Press, before deciding to join Apple as a Director of Apple Music Publicity.

Bumbery’s hiring comes as Jimmy Iovine, a key Apple Music executive, has completed his transition into a consulting role. Rumors suggested in March that Iovine would step back from daily involvement in Apple Music starting in August to spend more time with his family.

Apple Music’s new global head of music is Oliver Schusser, who was appointed to the position in April and reports directly to Eddy Cue.

Bumbery’s BB Gun Press company has been working with Apple Music for “many months” according to Variety, so his hire has not come as a total surprise. Prior to starting BB Gun Press, Bumbery spent eight years at Warner Bros. Records.

Tag: Apple Music
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How to unlock the galaxy skin in Fortnite

Earlier this month, Samsung announced that with the launch of the Samsung Galaxy Note 9, Epic Games would also be launching the Fortnite Beta for Android. People who preordered the new smartphone between August 10th and August 23rd were given a special offer that included the option to choose between a pair of AKG noise-canceling headphones or 15,000 V-bucks and an exclusive galaxy Fortnite skin. While that offer is no longer available, there is still another way that players can unlock and redeem this rare cosmetic item.

Unlock the Galaxy skin without a pre-order

First, you’ll need to own or buy a Galaxy Note 9 or Galaxy Tab S4. These are the only Samsung products eligible for the offer and pre-ordering them is not required. It’s important to know that Samsung has limited the offer to one skin per mobile device which means if your friend already redeemed the skin on their eligible phone or tablet, you won’t be able to use it again.

Next, you must download Fortnite from Galaxy Apps in your Samsung folder. You can presently find the banner for it under the tab labeled GAMES in the store. Tap the banner and select INSTALL & OPEN. Agree to the terms and conditions to finish installing the game. You will also need to have an Epic Games account to log in.

Once you have the game up and running, play three games of Fortnite on your phone. Make sure that after you finish each round, you select “Return to Lobby”. This will ensure that each match counts toward your three-game total.

After you complete all that’s listed above, wait for one to two days and you’ll receive a gift box with the Fortnite Galaxy skin inside!

Yea, you’re going to need a Galaxy phone

At this time, it seems that owning a Galaxy Note 9 or Tab S4 is the only way you can get this psychedelic space-themed item. Who knew that players would have to spend upwards of $600 to get an exclusive skin? While this technically doesn’t count as a microtransaction, this poses the question — do players really like loot boxes, and other forms of buying in-game items?

Epic Games hasn’t mentioned if the availability of this skin will change over time but we do know that Samsung has encouraged players to redeem the offer by 12/31/18 or you may risk losing it. If you can’t get a hold of the galaxy skin, don’t sweat it too much! Exclusive cosmetic items are on the rise in Fortnite, especially with its release on various gaming platforms so there will be plenty of more opportunities to get a cool, rare skin for your collection.

Editors’ Recommendations

• ‘Fortnite’ for Android beta confirmed as timed exclusive for Samsung Galaxy Note 9 and more
• How to get ‘Fortnite: Battle Royale’ on an Android device
• Rare copies of ‘Fortnite’ are selling for up to $1,000 on Amazon
• ‘Fortnite: Battle Royale’ review
• ‘Fortnite Battle Royale’ is coming to Android, but not the Google Play Store

A nanofiber cloth could pull fresh drinking water straight from the air

Imagine if it was possible for people in drought-stricken parts of the world to literally pull fresh drinking water from the air. Such technology does, in fact, exist in the form of fog collectors. Fog collectors are mesh nets, able to capture between 2 and 10 percent of moisture in the air, depending on the efficiency of the material used. But it’s not a perfect solution since, as its name suggests, it relies on fog to work — thereby limiting it mainly to high altitude, mountainous areas, close to cold offshore currents. Could modern technology provide a better approach?

Yes, it can, suggests work coming of out Ohio’s University of Akron. Researchers at Akron, led by Shing-Chung Wong, have been developing a special nanofiber cloth material which could be used to gather water even in some of the world’s driest regions.

“What I’ve done is to develop a nanofiber membrane, based on an electrospinning process that we have studied for more than a decade,” Wong, a professor in the university’s Department of Mechanical Engineering, told Digital Trends. “The idea is to harvest water from the most abundant source that we have: the atmosphere.”

The electrospun polymers process Wong referred to describes a technique for the creation of nanoscale fibers, wrapped around tiny fragments of expanded graphite. An article for New Scientist aptly describes it as being similar to “spaghetti around meatballs.” The high surface-area-to-volume ratio of the nanoscale fiber polymers around the expanded graphite provides a large surface area for water droplets to condense on. When the material is squeezed or heated, the water drips out of it.

University of Akron

According to Wong, it should be possible to gather up to 180 liters of water daily for every square meter of the material. The technology can function without a battery, but using one to cool an attached element makes it more versatile and effective in locations such as deserts.

“This work is to address a humanitarian crisis,” Wong continued. “The ultimate goal is to provide a viable solution to help those areas around the world which are affected by drought. In my opinion, every human being is entitled to fresh water; not just the richest people globally.”

Going forward, Wong wants to explore new form factors for the material. For instance, he suggested that a backpack might prove the ideal design, since this contains an interior hollow section which could be utilized to gather pooling water — a bit like a mobile water cooler. “If we can get some research funding, it would really help speed up the process to develop a workable prototype,” he said.

The work was recently presented at the National Meeting and Exposition of the American Chemical Society in Boston.

Editors’ Recommendations

• Super absorbent wound dressing will swell up to save soldiers’ lives in combat
• Solar-powered nanoscale coating could defrost frozen car windows
• Even in the desert, an innovative device pulls fresh water out of thin air
• Electrified ‘fog harp’ could make power plants more sustainable
• There’s a new way to 3D print graphene, the strongest material on Earth

YouTube is making it easier to track how much time you spend watching videos

Large tech companies like Google and Apple are slowly but surely realizing that people are addicted to their phones — and that it’s not a good thing. Both are rolling out features aimed specifically at helping people track how much time they spend on their devices — and Google’s latest effort to help people track their usage comes in the form of a new “Time Watched” section in the YouTube app, as well as integration with Android’s Digital Wellbeing feature.

In the Time Watched section of the YouTube app, which is available on both the Android and iOS versions of the app, you can see how long you’ve spent watching videos that particular day, the day before, and the previous 7 days. You’ll also get a daily average. The stats aren’t just derived from time spent watching videos on mobile either — any time you watch YouTube videos and are signed in to your Google account, it’ll count towards the stats. YouTube Music and YouTube TV, however, are not included.

“Our goal is to provide a better understanding of time spent on YouTube, so you can make informed decisions about how you want YouTube to best fit into your life,” said Google in its blog post.

To find the Time Watched menu in the YouTube app, simply head to the Account menu by tapping on your profile picture in the top right-hand corner. Then hit the Time Watched option, and you should be able to see your stats. Google is also promising that Digital Wellbeing on Android, which is currently on beta, will be able to deep link to Time Watched on the YouTube app. At the bottom of Time Watched, you’ll also get shortcuts to other aspects of Digital Wellbeing.

Within the Time Watched section, you’ll get more than just statistics. You’ll also be able to get tools to be able to manage how long you spend watching videos. For example, you can tell the YouTube app to remind you to take a break from watching videos, and you can set when that reminder should kick in. You can also turn off autoplay features, and tell YouTube to send all notifications in one daily digest, instead of when they become available.

It’s nice to see the likes of Google and Apple releasing features for those that feel they spend too much time on their devices, but only time will tell if these features actually make an impact on user habits.

Editors’ Recommendations

• The best free movies on YouTube
• YouTube begins rolling out Dark Theme setting for its Android app
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• How to use YouTube’s Incognito Mode in the Android app
• YouTube Music is replacing Google Play Music: Here’s where, when, and why

The best Galaxy Tab S4 cases and covers

Julian Chokkattu/Digital Trends

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S4 is the powerful new Android tablet for 2018, and it boasts Samsung’s S Pen,the super-productive DeX mode, and an all-new design that looks great. But it’s not an invincible machine. Tablets may not have to weather the same storms as smartphones, but they can still come into harm’s way with drops, bashes, and scrapes.

If you want to keep your tablet looking brand-new, then you’d better get some protection. We’ve put together a list of some of the best Samsung Galaxy Tab S4 cases you can buy to make sure your tablet is fully protected at all times.

Skinomi TechSkin Dark Wood Skin ($20)

Covering a device with a case just isn’t acceptable for people who want their device to feel as slim as it does straight out of the box. But a completely uncovered device can attract scratches, so grab yourself a protective skin rather than a case. This skin from Skinomi attaches to your device with adhesive, and comes off easily. Made from a thin but tough material, it’ll protect against scratches, but not so much against drops. It comes in a huge variety of styles, so if you’re not taken by the Dark Wood skin, you can pick up a Brushed Aluminum or Carbon Fiber one instead.

Buy it now from:

Skinomi Amazon

Olixar Leather-Style Stand Case ($23)

Looking for something simple to protect your tablet and help it function as a media center? Look no further than this effective stand case from Olixar. It’s made from leather-style PU leather — not real leather at this price — but still looks great when placed on your Tab S4. It’s also durable and easy to keep clean. The front cover stays over your tablet when not in use, protecting the screen, and it can be folded back behind the tablet into a stand for easy video watching, or for use with a Bluetooth keyboard. The back cover is made from hard polycarbonate, and the whole thing has a sleek and stylish look that won’t be out of place in any setting.

Buy it now from:

Olixar Mobile Fun

Poetic Turtleskin ($17)

If you’re expecting your tablet to do a lot of legwork, then you might want some more serious protection to keep it safe. Poetic’s line of phone cases has a great record, but don’t overlook its tablet cases. The Turtleskin case is made from kid-friendly silicone, with textures around the sides that help with grip. It’s thick and protective, with special shock-absorbing corners and additional heat vents to help keep your tablet cool. It’s not the slimmest and most subtle of cases, but it’s super-protective, and even comes with a stylus holder to keep it held tightly when not in use.

Buy it now from:

Poetic Amazon

iCarryAlls Crazy Horse Padfolio Organizer ($89)

While not really a case, this Padfolio organizer from iCarryAlls is a fantastic choice if your Galaxy Tab S4 is just part of your daily kit as you travel from place to place. Your tablet is kept safe and snug in the back of the organizer, but is still ready at a moment’s notice. In front of that, you’ll find space for an A4 pad of paper, a phone pocket, multiple spaces for pens, cards and and lots of handy extra pockets. There’s room for another pad of paper too, making this the ultimate organizer for note-taking. It then zips up fully, completely covering all your kit. The outside is made from genuine leather, while the inside is lined with soft microfiber, keeping all your valuables safe. Not keen on the above design? There are other options available, with variations on what can be carried.Buy it now from:

iCarryAlls Amazon

Official Samsung Keyboard Cover ($150)

Jullian Chokkattu/Digital Trends

Samsung‘s official keyboard case is one of the slickest cases you can buy to turn your tablet into a productivity machine. It’s made from tough polycarbonate to resist damage, and while it won’t be as protective as some bulkier cases, it’ll still do a good job keeping your tablet safe and secure. The real magic is the keyboard though — it connects via pogo pins, and once activated, it automatically starts the Tab S4’s DeX mode, giving a Windows-like experience on your Android tablet. There’s even an S Pen holder.

Buy it now from:

Samsung Mobile Fun

Editors’ Recommendations

• Samsung Galaxy Tab S4 vs. Galaxy Tab S3: Android Tablet Showdown
• Samsung Galaxy Tab S4 vs. iPad Pro: Which high-end tablet takes the crown?
• The Samsung Galaxy Tab S4 is a tablet and computer rolled into one
• Samsung Galaxy Tab S4 review
• How to unlock the galaxy skin in Fortnite

MIT invents a way to allow submerged submarines to speak to airplanes

In a world in which we don’t think twice about having Wi-Fi on a plane several miles in the air, it’s easy to forget that there are still parts of the planet it’s difficult to communicate with. One of those is thousands of feet underwater on submerged submarines, which have long had issues communicating with the surface.

However, that could be about to change thanks to researchers from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. MIT engineers created a new underwater-to-air communication system called TARF (Translational Acoustic-RF communication) that is able to seamlessly convert sonar into radar.

“For a long time, the water surface has remained an obstacle for wireless communication,” Fadel Adib, principal investigator for MIT’s Media Lab, told Digital Trends. “Underwater communication relies on sound; in-air communications uses radio signals, like cellular or Wi-Fi — neither of which can cross the water surface. This is why it’s so difficult to find airplanes that disappear underwater, and why submarines can’t directly communicate with satellites.”

The TARF technology turns the water surface from an obstacle into a communication interface by combining sound and radio in an innovative way. It uses an underwater speaker to send data as sound. Sound travels as pressure waves, which vibrate the surface when they hit it from underwater. These vibrations can then be picked up by a sensitive radar above the surface, before being decoded to recover the sound data.

“The research paves [the] way for many applications,” Adib continued. “It would allow submarines to communicate with airplanes without surfacing. It can be used for ocean scientific exploration, where underwater sensors are deployed to monitor marine life and send their data to the surface. In the future, it can also be used to find airplanes that go missing underwater.”

At present, the technology is still in its relative infancy. The team has tested it at depths of 11.5 feet in swimming pools to demonstrate that it can communicate successfully. They have also tested it with circulation currents to mimic some of the environmental conditions it might face in the ocean. Next, the researchers plan to test TARF at greater depths and higher altitudes, along with making the technology more robust to large ocean waves.

Editors’ Recommendations

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• Harvard’s latest robot can walk on water. Your move, Jesus

UV-tracking ‘tattoo’ will tell you when to get out of the sun

Regular, everyday tattoos might tell other people about yourself, but they don’t give you any additional information about your surroundings. That’s where a new programmable tattoo breaks the mold. Called LogicInk, it’s a temporary tattoo-style device which gathers information about your UV exposure, and provides you with at-a-glance information concerning whether or not you’ve soaked up enough sun for the day. It does this using a color-changing technology which gradually transitions from white to dark pink (and back again), depending on how much sun exposure you’re receiving. And, yes, it can factor in sunblock!

The LogicInk UV “tattoo” is as simple to use as that, although it will also connect to a mobile app that allows you to scan the wearable to track your historical data.

“Today, wearables tend to be bulky, expensive, with a steep learning curve, and on top of that require other devices to be operated,” creator Carlos Olguin told Digital Trends. “In our view, this results in a multi-sensing experience that is impractical or unaffordable, or simply not visually appealing for many people — yet many people still want to learn more about their body or surrounding environment to stay healthy. In the broadest terms, [these are] the people we are targeting.”

As it turns out, the UV sensor is just step one of LogicInk’s plans. The team is also developing more sensors able to capture and relay information about a wearer’s hydration levels, their blood-alcohol concentration, exposure to pollution, and much more.

We previously covered LogicInk when it was just starting to gauge the interests of customers. Having done this and apparently been pleased with the results, it has now launched on Kickstarter, where it’s already earned more than half its funding goal — with 39 days still on the clock.

A UV sensor starts at $14, although other price points are available. This includes a $79 option, which allows you to have your say on the designs and features of future sensors that the LogicInk team develops. As ever, we offer our standard warnings about the potential risks of crowdfunding campaigns. However, if you’re aware of these and still want to get involved, head over to the project’s Kickstarter page for more information. Shipping for the first UV sensors is set for November this year. Not that folks in many parts of the world will be expecting too much sun by then!

Editors’ Recommendations

• How L’Oréal designed the UV Sense to fit on your fingernail
• Awesome Tech You Can’t Buy Yet: UV-sensitive tattoos and ultrasonic washing machines
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• How to photograph a solar eclipse (without damaging your eyes or camera)
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Nest Gen 1 through Nest E: Comparison and differences

See what changed from the first Nest to the current model.

Nest is a company that’s been around a while and since the debut in 2011, there have been three generations of hardware. Because a thermostat is something we tend to keep once we buy one there are plenty of older generation units in use and for sale used. While the changes between them aren’t as drastic as what we would see in a smartphone, there are some differences worth talking about.

We’ll start by talking about what hasn’t changed: the overall user experience. When Google bought Nest Labs many were worried that there would be significant “over-engineering” and extra features added that take away from the simple and efficient experience Next delivers. Thankfully, that didn’t happen and using a first generation Nest feels very much like using a third generation Nest, even though there are some substantial changes in functionality and compatibility.

Which Nest do I have?

Each generation has a different diameter and thickness, though the differences are very slight. One of the external differences you can easily see is in the trim ring. A gen 1 Nest has a two part ring in stainless steel, and a gen 3 Nest can have a copper, white or black ring. Another external difference is the size of the display, with the generation 3 Nest having a larger (.5 inch difference in diameter) touch screen that the previous models.

You don’t have to break out any measuring tools to tell which Nest is on your wall. Just open the Nest app, choose your thermostat and in the upper right corner tap the gear icon to open the settings. Under Technical Info you’ll see the Display Model listing. The first digit in the model number corresponds with the hardware version.

Here is a quick overview of the main differences

Changes in gen 2

The biggest difference from the first generation to the second was equipment support. When Nest first arrived it was compatible with approximately 75% of heating and cooling systems in use. That means there were a sizeable number of people who couldn’t use a Nest. Gen 2 brought that number to 95% by adding an extra pair of connectors. The new inputs added support for hybrid heat installations and humidistats in addition to 1-2 stage cooling and 1-3 stage heating systems. One last change made it possible to control 24 volts equipment without a common wire back to the thermostat. These changes made it possible to use a Nest thermostat on advanced HVAC systems found in the newest homes.

Generation 2 brought support for more advanced installations and a more custom setup.

Gen 2 Nest thermostats also introduced System Match. System Match determines the wiring connection then asks you a few questions during the installation. This lets Nest tune other features specifically for your setup rather than treat every installation as a standard forced-air system and makes us more comfortable while saving money.

Additional features introduced with gen 2 include Early On mode for cold mornings, filter change reminders and a True Radiant mode that helps the thermostat determine exactly how much heat is being created.

Changes in gen 3

The biggest visible difference between previous models and the generation 3 model is the display. With gen 3 we see a bigger 480 by 480 touchscreen at 229 pixels per inch. This makes it easier to see information across the room so you don’t need to open the app on your phone or tablet.

Generation 3 brings a better display and support for water boilers as well as more colors.

Not readily seen but more important are some additional features. Gen 3 Nests can control a water boiler if you have one in your HVAC system. Just like other environmental controls through Nest software you can set limits and schedules for when the boiler is heated and a peak water setting is useful as an override if you have guests or need to use some extra hot water.

Gen 3 also has what Nest calls Farsight. Using special sensors your thermostat can tell when someone enters a room or walks past from up to 5 meters away. There are several things you can display on the screen when a person is sensed, including a clock or a weather widget. Nest users coming home from work can see the current indoor temperature as soon as they walk into the house. You’ll know at a glance if you need to adjust the temperature if you arrive earlier than scheduled.

See at Amazon

The Nest E

In 2017 Nest debut the newest model in the thermostat line, the Nest E. The most notable change from the Learning Thermostat model is, of course, the price, but there a few other differences between the gen 3 Learning Thermostat and the Thermostat E that you need to know about.

Industrial design versus minimalism

The design shows some obvious differences as well as two that aren’t quite so obvious. The Learning Thermostat comes with multiple color options for the metal trim ring, while the Thermostat E comes in plastic white only. The display on the Thermostat E is smaller in both physical size and resolution, but it’s also covered with a polarized barrier that hides the edge of the display and slightly blurs the display. This helps the thermostat look like it blends into your wall a bit better, and the effect is really pleasing — I wish my Learning Thermostat was built to look this way.

There is no Farsight support

As far as features go, the Thermostat E does everything the Learning Thermostat does except support Farsight. Farsight is the feature that allows the Learning Thermostat to detect and analyze motion at a distance. The display will light up when it notices you walk by, and the Learning Thermostat has a significantly longer range because of Farsight.

Farsight does more than light up the screen. It’s also used to know when you or anyone else is in the house versus when you’re away, and that’s a big part of the automatic learning a Nest is capable of. It’s also a hindrance if you use a manually set schedule and have pets who can be seen by Farsight and will override your set schedule or throw a wrench into the works when the Nest is learning on its own; it can think you’re home because it saw the dog mosey over to get a drink from his/her bowl.

Farsight is an amazing bit of tech, but it also isn’t perfect for everyone. Just know that it’s not an option on the Thermostat E before you buy one.

Compatibility

The gen 3 Learning Thermostat works with over 95% of all heating and cooling systems, including some pretty obscure methods like radiant geothermal passive air systems. With the Nest E, that’s been downgraded to 85% of HVAC systems. You can check to see if yours is compatible with Nest’s online compatibility tool.

The good news is that most really means most. The Nest E is going to work for almost every home in the Americas out of the box. A thermostat is really only a switch that toggles based on the temperature, and regardless of what style of environmental controls you have in your home, the thermostat is still just a low voltage switch. Where things get tricky is when you need to trigger multiple switches to turn on things like auxiliary equipment or multi-stage equipment, and the Nest E is going to be able to work with “most” of those systems, too.

No matter which Nest you’re thinking of buying, you should use this compatibility checker to know if it will work for you.

See at Best Buy

A Nest Thermostat is a great way to keep your house at the temperature you want and save money while doing it. It’s reasonably simple to install yourself (professional installation is about $125 if you want to go that way) and works with almost every heating and cooling setup. With full control from your phone or Amazon Echo and Google Home, it’s a great first step for an automated lifestyle.

Update August 2018: This page was updated and checked to have the latest and best information about the Nest line of thermostats.

Wemo Mini smart plugs, Black+ Decker trimmers and more are discounted 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 Wemo’s 3-pack of mini smart plugs, Black + Decker’s string trimmer and edger, Amazon’s Fire TV Stick, and so much more.

View the rest of the deals

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