C by GE is the first ‘Made for Google’ bulb, available October 22

Here’s a bright idea!

Smart bulbs are great to have around, but one of the pain points of them can be the requirement to have a hub and setting them up can sometimes be a stressful process. GE hopes to solve both points with its C by GE bulb, which happens to be the first and only Made for Google bulb. With these, you won’t need any additional hardware like a hub, and the setup process is literally as simple as a single tap within the Google Home app. To make things even simpler, you’ll be able to purchase a starter kit that includes a Google Home Mini and a bulb that are pre-paired, so all you need to do is take it out of the box, plug it in, and you’re good to go.

You’ll be able to set up schedules and routines, as well as control the bulb even when you aren’t home. The bulbs will be available starting October 22 and will sell for $25 for a two-pack of the regular ones, or $35 for a two-pack of the Sleep version. The Google Home Mini bundle will run $55, which is only about $6 more than the Home Mini regularly sells for. When you consider the cost and convenience, these C by GE bulbs easily beat out much of the competition.

Other lights, like Sengled’s smart bulbs and those from Philips Hue require you to use their own Hub to connect the lights to, and then you connect that to your other smart home gear like the Home Mini or Echo Dot. You do get a bit more versatility with these, as they offer additional styles of bulbs and light strips, but the added convenience of the GE bulbs will make smart lighting more accessible and easier to use for everyone.

Save a trip to the mechanic with the $40 Nonda OBD-II car code reader

Get app notifications for every issue.

The Nonda ZUS smart vehicle health monitor OBD-II car code reader is down to $39.99 on Amazon from a street price of $60. It has never dropped this low before and hasn’t come anywhere close since dropping to $45 back in June briefly.

The Nonda monitor will keep tabs on your engine with real-time alerts and predictions based on the collected data. It will also decode engine error codes and deliver those messages to you. All you need to do is install this in your car’s OBD-II port. If you aren’t sure whether or not your car has that port, any car made after 1996 manufactured in the U.S. is required to have one. Once plugged in, all you need to do is pair the device via Bluetooth with the free app on Android or iOS. There are a few car models that won’t be compatible with the iOS version of the app, and you can find those listed on the product page.

See on Amazon

Here are our first photos taken with the Google Pixel 3

Start to see what this camera is capable of.

Leading the smartphone camera race for a year with the Pixel 2 and 2 XL, Google had a tough act to follow. The Pixel 3 and 3 XL focus on new software-based features and utilizing the Pixel Visual Core to take better photos than the last generation, but also significantly upgrade the front-facing camera setup for selfie shots. As I work through my full review process, I wanted to share my first handful of photos taken with the Pixel 3 and 3 XL so you can get a feel for what these cameras are capable of in the real world.

These photos are, for the most part, submitted without comment. I’m still formulating my opinions on the entire Pixel 3 and 3 XL experience for my full review, and a big part of that is analyzing how well the cameras perform. For now, take a look at my first photos taken with the Pixel 3 and 3 XL and see for yourself what they can do.

Click images to view larger

The one big thing to note here is that Google’s super-low-light mode, Night Sight, is not yet available to test — so all of the darker photos here are taken with regular HDR+ processing. Everything else has been taken with the standard camera app as it shipped from Google, submitted without edits or tweaks.

For more opinions on the Pixel 3 and 3 XL, check out our hands-on preview — come back soon to see our full review!

Google Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL

• Google Pixel 3 and 3 XL hands-on preview
• Google Pixel 3 and 3 XL: Everything you need to know!
• Google Pixel 3 vs. Pixel 3 XL: Which should you buy?
• Google Pixel 3 and 3 XL specifications
• Join our Pixel 3 forums

Best Buy
Verizon
Google Store
Project Fi

What enclosures are compatible with the Raspberry Pi 3 B+?

A Raspberry Pi is a sensitive electronic device. We tend to forget that when we’re making all sorts of things or even just making lights blink, but it’s a computer and subject to the same dangers as any other computer. Putting it inside a case is a must! Here are a few of the top recommended cases to put your Raspberry Pi 3 B+ in to keep things from shorting out.

Heat Sink

Flirc Raspberry Pi Case

The Flirc Raspberry Pi case not only looks good but is a great heatsink, too. Built from solid aluminum with its own thermal pad integrated, this case is an excellent supplemental cooling solution.

$16 at Amazon

Active cooling

Miuzei Rapsberry Pi 3 Model B+ Case

Your Raspberry Pi can get hot when you’re playing games or streaming HD video. This case from Miuzei was built to keep things cool, even if you’ve put your entire setup under the TV or inside a media cabinet.

$11 at Amazon

Crystal clear

KuGi PC protective case

If you want an inexpensive option that still protects your Raspberry Pi and looks great, this crystal clear case from KuGi fits the bill. It even comes with two heatsinks should you need them!

$8 at Amazon

Things just got serious

iUniker Raspberry Pi Cluster Case

If you’re working on a project that needs multiple Raspberry Pi boards, this 4-stack cluster case from iUniker supports the new 3 B+, and it comes with heat sinks and a cooling fan. That’s hardcore.

$25 at Amazon

The OG

Raspberry Pi Foundation Case

This Raspberry Pi case was designed by the Raspberry Pi foundation to fit the exact specifications of the Pi 3 B+. It’s solid, easy to assemble and the red/white look is a nice touch.

$10 at Amazon

Lego!

Building Block Compatible SmartiPi case

You can build your own case out of Lego bricks, but this kit from SmartPi also includes a Raspberry Pi Camera case and a GoPro mount. That takes a Lego enclosure to the next level.

$18 at Amazon

No Frills

Sunfounder ABS case

Sunfounder has been making quality Raspberry Pi accessories for years, and its no-frills ABS case protects without trying too hard to do anything else.

$7 at Amazon

Princess in another castle

Kintaro Super Kuma 9000

If you’re building a retro-gaming console with your Raspberry Pi, you need the right case. This SNES-inspired case from Kintaro is the right case and fits your raspberry Pi perfectly.

$21 at Amazon

All-in-one

Neego Case with official 7-inch Raspberry Pi LCD

The Raspberry Pi Foundation makes a 7-inch LCD designed for the Raspberry Pi 3 B+, and you’ll find it in the box with this all-in-one case from Neego. Includes everything you need plus a high-demand power supply.

$90 at Amazon

As you can see, there is a case for your Raspberry Pi that completes the look of any project. Keeping things protected might be the primary goal, but you can’t deny the appeal of having things look great, too! I’m partial to the Miuzei Raspberry Pi 3 Model B+ Case because I like knowing active cooling is there if I need it. And if I don’t, I can omit it by unplugging one wire.

No matter what you’re looking for, one of these cases should fit right in.

Add a USB-A and USB-C port to your wall receptacles for just $21

These are must haves!

Using coupon code TYWIRE20 during checkout at Amazon drops the price of this TopGreener USB outlet wall receptacle down to just $20.92. It normally sells for just over $26, and this discount is one of the best we’ve ever tracked on this. It replaces your standard wall receptacle with two AC plugs and two USB ports, one of which is USB-A and the other is USB-C. It offers a total output of 5.8A for an improved charging speed, but not quite as fast as this option with Quick Charge 3.0 support.

Unlike some of its other products, this model does come with a face cover, in fact it comes with three of them. You can opt to use a white, black, or almond cover for it, and TopGreener also includes a USB-C cable with it. Installing this is quite simple, but you’ll want to verify that there is no power to the outlet before you begin. Consult a local electrician if you’re uncomfortable doing the work yourself. Be sure to grab a few of these, and replace some of the less useful outlets in your home with these helpful ones.

See at Amazon

Meer bekend over de 4 camera’s op Samsung Galaxy A9 Star Pro

Evan Blass is vandaag lekker op dreef met foto’s lekken en ditmaal is het de beurt aan de Samsung Galaxy A9 Star Pro. We krijgen een scherper beeld op z’n vier camera’s achterop en welke functies ze hebben. Het model wordt als alles goed gaat morgen op 11 oktober officieel aangekondigd in Maleisië.

Beginnen we dit nieuwsbericht meteen met een disclaimer; we vermoeden dat de A9 Star Pro niet naar Nederland komt. Jammer want het lijkt het eerste Samsung Galaxy-model te worden met achterop 4 camera’s. Ieder met een eigen specifieke lens voor een specifiek doel. In een afbeelding die @evleaks zojuist plaatste weten we daar nu wat meer over.

De camera’s op de A9 Star Pro uitgelegd

De hoofdcamera krijgt een 24 megapixel sensor met lichtsterke f/1.7 lens. Om scherpte/diepte en dus wazige achtergronden te krijgen is daar een secundaire camera van 5 megapixel met f/2.2 lens. Beelden dichterbij brengen doe je met een 10 megapixel camera met telezoomlens en diafragma van f/2.4. Hiermee zoom je optisch tot 2 maal toe in. Voor landschappen maak je gebruik van een 8 megapixel camera met f/2.4 groothoeklens met een beeldhoek van 120°. Onduidelijk is nog hoe Samsung in de software omgaat met deze vier camera’s. Mogelijk kun je er zelf uit kiezen maar het is ook niet ondenkbaar dat je naadloos van de ene naar de andere schakelt. Voorop zit een enkele 8 megapixel schieter met f/1.7 lens.

A9 Star Pro specificaties

De afbeelding laat naast de cameramodule nog wat geks zien en dat is de plek van de powerknop. Die zit bij Samsung eigenlijk altijd rechts maar lijkt hier links te zitten. Overige specificaties zijn mogelijk een 6,3 inch met Full HD+ resolutie, mid-range Snapdragon 660-processor met 6 GB aan werkgeheugen en een batterij met een capaciteit van 3720 mAh. Ondanks dat Samsung ook hier haar A-serie uitbrengt slaan ze meestal de hele grote nummers over. Alleen de onlangs aangekondigde A8 (2018) ligt hier in de winkel. Uiteraard houden we de persconferentie morgen scherp voor je in de gaten. Als hij hier wel uitgebracht wordt lees je dat uiteraard terug.

How to Take a Screenshot on Your Mac

In macOS Mojave, Apple has introduced a screen capture interface that unifies the screenshot and screen recording features on Mac, making accessing them easier from one place.

A new floating palette brings the traditional Mac screen capture functions together under a single menu. You can access it by hitting Command-Shift-5. Let’s take a closer look at what’s on offer.

The three buttons to the left of the first menu divider provide you with options to take a screenshot of the entire screen, a selected window, or a selected portion of the screen.

Note that the keyboard shortcuts for these actions still function as before in macOS. Taking a screenshot is as easy as hitting Shift-Command-3 to capture the whole screen, or Shift-Command-4 to capture a portion of the screen using the mouse cursor as a crosshair selection tool (a tap of the spacebar also turns it into a camera for capturing windows).

Meanwhile, on the right of the palette’s first divider are two buttons to begin a screen recording – taking in the whole screen or just a portion of the action. These actions were previously only accessible in the macOS Grab utility.

If you choose to capture a window, hover your mouse cursor over it: The window will be highlighted and your cursor will change to a camera. Simply click your mouse button to take the capture.

If you’re capturing a selected portion of the screen, use the mouse cursor crosshairs to select the area you want to capture. When you take a screen recording, a button will appear in the menu bar for you to click when you’re ready to end the recording.

You can click the rightmost button on the palette to reveal an additional menu of options for controlling other variables, like where you want your captures to be saved (Desktop, Documents, Clipboard, and so on) and whether to include a 5 or 10-second delay before the capture takes place, giving you time to get your screen in order.

As you’d expect, unchecking the Show Mouse Pointer option ensures the mouse cursor doesn’t appear in your capture. The Show Floating Thumbnail option takes a little more explaining.

When you take a screenshot or screen recording in Mojave, a floating thumbnail appears in the bottom corner of the screen, just like it does when you take a screenshot on an iOS device running iOS 11 or later.

Clicking on the thumbnail opens the capture in a window, which includes image Markup tools, or a clip trimming option in the case of recordings, as well as options to share the image/recording or delete it if it didn’t turn out like you wanted.

If you’re taking multiple screenshots in sequence, you probably won’t want the floating thumbnail showing up in subsequent captures, which is why the option to turn it off exists.

For additional tips on controlling the behavior of screenshots using keyboard shortcuts, click here.

Related Roundup: macOS Mojave
Discuss this article in our forums

NSA Senior Advisor Latest to Question Report Claiming China Hacked Apple’s Former Server Supplier

Rob Joyce, Senior Advisor for Cybersecurity Strategy at the NSA, is the latest official to question the accuracy of Bloomberg Businessweek’s bombshell “The Big Hack” report about Chinese spies compromising the U.S. tech supply chain.

“I have pretty good understanding about what we’re worried about and what we’re working on from my position. I don’t see it,” said Joyce, speaking at a U.S. Chamber of Commerce cyber summit in Washington, D.C. today, according to a subscriber-only Politico report viewed by MacRumors.

“I’ve got all sorts of commercial industry freaking out and just losing their minds about this concern, and nobody’s found anything,” Joyce added.

Joyce, a former White House cybersecurity coordinator, noted that all of the companies named in the Bloomberg Businessweek report have issued strong denials, including Apple, Amazon, and Supermicro. He said those companies would “suffer a world of hurt” if regulators later determine that they lied.

Apple’s statement read in part:

On this we can be very clear: Apple has never found malicious chips, “hardware manipulations” or vulnerabilities purposely planted in any server. Apple never had any contact with the FBI or any other agency about such an incident. We are not aware of any investigation by the FBI, nor are our contacts in law enforcement.

Bloomberg Businessweek, citing 17 unnamed sources, claimed that Chinese spies planted tiny chips the size of a pencil tip on server motherboards manufactured by Supermicro at its Chinese factories. The servers were then sold to companies such as Apple and Amazon for use in their respective data centers.

An unnamed government official cited in the report said China’s goal was “long-term access to high-value corporate secrets and sensitive government networks,” but no customer data is known to have been stolen.

The report claimed that Apple discovered the suspicious chips on the motherboards around May 2015, after detecting odd network activity and firmware problems. Two senior Apple insiders were cited as saying the company reported the incident to the FBI, but kept details about what it had detected tightly held.

Apple dropped Supermicro as a supplier in 2016, a decision the company said it made for reasons unrelated to “The Big Hack” story.

Joyce is far from the only source to question the accuracy of the Bloomberg Businessweek report. Both the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the U.K.’s national cyber security agency have said they have “no reason to doubt” Apple’s denial of the story, while the FBI is said to be unaware of the hack.

“We’re just befuddled,” said Joyce. He added that he had “grave concerns about where this has taken us,” according to Politico. “I worry that we’re chasing shadows right now. I worry about the distraction that it is causing.”

In related news, Reuters reports that U.S. Senator John Thune has sent letters to the CEOs of Apple, Amazon, and Supermicro with questions about the allegations. U.S. Senators Marco Rubio and Richard Blumenthal also sent a joint letter to Supermicro CEO Charles Liang with similar questions.

Note: Due to the political nature of the discussion regarding this topic, the discussion thread is located in our Politics, Religion, Social Issues forum. All forum members and site visitors are welcome to read and follow the thread, but posting is limited to forum members with at least 100 posts.

Tags: China, Politico, The Big Hack
Discuss this article in our forums

Waze Rolling Out Support for Separate Carpool App Nationwide

Navigation app Waze today announced the nationwide rollout of Waze Carpool [Direct Link], a separate app that is specifically dedicated to allowing users to pick up rides with other passengers on the same route. Waze Carpool launched as a test in the Bay Area in 2016 and slowly expanded to additional states throughout the years, but this marks the first wide availability of the service (via The Verge).

Waze says it uses the original app’s routing technology to help commuters find the fastest routes that they can carpool in, filling empty seats in a vehicle and reducing the amount of vehicles on the road. Waze Carpool offers the “best match” for riders and drivers, like those closest to a preferred route or a co-worker on the same shift.

These matches will be at the top of the app, as well as information on the driver or rider’s rating, amount of rides, friends, and job information. Users can customize search preference for drivers or co-riders, including toggles for the same gender only or coworkers only.

The Verge explains that Waze Carpool differs from Uber and Lyft’s own carpool apps because drivers are paired with riders “with nearly identical commutes based on home and work addresses.” Drivers and riders are also limited to two rides per day, meaning that Waze Carpool is not a money-making service for drivers.

In an effort to grow the service, Waze is partnering with companies like Amazon and other businesses.

Now that it’s nationwide, Waze Carpool will be leaning on partnerships with other tech companies in order to scale rapidly. Starting on October 10th, Waze Carpool says it will be available at 50 Amazon Fulfillment Center sites, allowing Amazon employees to carpool to work together. The company is also partnering with cities, businesses, transit agencies, and civic organizations as it seeks to grow its presence.

Last month, Waze for iOS was updated with support for CarPlay on devices running iOS 12. With CarPlay support, iPhone users who prefer to use Waze for mapping purposes can do so through the CarPlay interface, something that was not possible with iOS 11.

Tag: Waze
Discuss this article in our forums

Astropad’s Luna Display for Turning an iPad Into a Second Screen for Mac is Now Available

Introduced as a Kickstarter project in 2017, Astropad’s Luna Display adapter turns any iPad into a second wireless display for the Mac.

The Astropad software alone is designed to mirror the Mac’s display to an iPad, while the Luna Display, which plugs into a Mac using Mini DisplayPort or USB-C, extends the Mac display instead of mirroring it.

Once Luna Display is plugged into a Mac and the Luna Display software has been downloaded, a connected iPad serves as an extension of the Mac, letting Mac content be accessed directly from an iPad.

Astropad began taking pre-orders for Luna Display back in July, and with those orders fulfilled, the adapter is now widely available and can be purchased from the Luna Display website for $79.99.
Discuss this article in our forums