Nvidia could reboot its game bundle with ‘The Crew 2’ and GTX 1080s

Nvidia may start giving away free games with its graphics cards again, suggesting that the average buyer may now be a more typical gamer than some of the alternative audiences that became all too common over the past year. The first bundle to break the free-game drought of the past few months is reported to be The Crew 2, which will be given out free when gamers buy a qualifying 10-series graphics card or pre-built system with one of those respective GPUs inside.

Blame cryptocurrency miners if you want, but for whatever reason, Nvidia hasn’t been very keen to give out free games with its graphics cards for quite a while now. It even began a new effort in early 2017 to block the resale of free bundled games which had clearly become a problem.

The leaked promotional giveaway links Ubisoft-published racer, The Crew 2, with Nvidia’s GTX 1080, 1080 Ti, and laptops and desktops fitted with those particular chips. That does put this promotion at the high-end of the 10-series generation, so you may wonder how impactful one free game would be to those spending $600-plus on a new graphics card. However, considering the mid-range has traditionally been the most popular for cryptocurrency miners, it may be that Nvidia wants to limit free games to those who are more likely to be buying cards for gaming.

It’s not clear yet whether this promotion is one that will stretch across the globe either, as VideoCardz’s discovered advertisement is in Dutch. Nvidia has not made the official announcement yet, but if this leaked ad proves to be real, we’ll likely see the GPU giant make some sort of announcement in the near future.

If it does, The Crew 2 is likely to be a good showcase title for anyone buying a new qualifying system or graphics card. The expansive, open-world racer is set to debut on June 29 and on top of introducing new vehicles like planes and boats to the already deep and broad roster of cars and bikes, has a story mode, too.

Alongside the wide variety of races and activities to take part in, we found The Crew 2 to be fantastic to look at it in our hands-on preview, which could make it a great first-game for anyone looking to push the limits of their new, high-end graphics card.

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Freakishly accurate A.I. security system identifies you based on your footsteps

From our voice to our faces to more unorthodox methods like our “heartprint,” there are a growing number of ways for computers to recognize their users. One we have yet to come across, however, is based on our footsteps. Researchers from the U.K.’s University of Manchester and Spain’s Universidad Autonoma de Madrid are working to change that. A new A.I. biometric verification method can successfully identify individuals by the way they walk across a pressure pad on the floor. The technology could one day be used as an alternative, or augmentation, to existing biometric identification system in places like airports.

“We have realized that sensing human gait has biometric potential from the early days when we demonstrated the Manchester ‘Magic Carpet’ to user groups back in 2010,” Krikor Ozanyan, Professor of Photonic Sensors & Systems at Manchester, told Digital Trends. “However, decisive progress has been made recently by using artificial intelligence to process the floor senor data in a new way. As the latest development, we teamed up with Universidad Autonoma de Madrid to apply our existing models, and to develop new ones, for experimenting on an existing unique footstep database SFootDB — containing a single stride from a large number of individuals.”

In test conditions, the footstep-recognizing A.I. was able to correctly identify individuals with close to perfect accuracy, with an error rate of just 0.7 percent.

According to Ozanyan, the methodology could be particularly useful for identifying individuals in crowded locations, such as on an airport concourse. Despite a recent story from China claiming that a known criminal was identified using facial recognition in a crowd of thousands, such approaches may not necessarily prove effective. On the other hand, the ability to single out known individuals from a large group of unknowns by getting them to cross a pressure-sensing threshold could be extremely helpful. It could also potentially be used in smart home environments to recognize individual members of the family or household.

“The use of artificial intelligence on footstep data is efficient from the point of view of cost of deployment, resources, upgrades, connectivity and privacy concerns,” Ozanyan continued. “Beyond biometrics, the home scenario is the entry point for the huge area of healthcare, where the occupants’ gait can be monitored over a very long period of time so that subtle changes in their gait patterns can be attributed to normal ageing or to cognitive decline — possibly linked to the early onset of mental illness.”

A paper describing the work was recently published in the journal, IEEE Transactions on Pattern Analysis and Machine Intelligence.

Become an Excel whiz with this bundle of training courses!

Microsoft’s Excel, the spreadsheet tool in its Office suite, has an incredible amount of depth that most people never touch. Figures and graphs are what Excel is usually used for, but there’s so much more potential if you have the correct knowledge.

Master Microsoft Excel for just $49! Learn more

Whether it’s PivotTables, Pivot Charts, macros, or powerful formulas, in-depth Excel training to automate spreadsheets and solve complex problems can be quite expensive. There’s a lot of content to cover, and there are many questions to answer.

If you’re interested in extensive spreadsheet training, Android Central right now has a Microsoft Excel course that includes over 70 hours of content spread over four courses. Instead of paying the regular price of $1,380, you’ll instead pay just $49. That’s 96 percent off the regular price!

Get in-depth Excel training that lets you learn at your own pace! Learn more

Access to this course remains open forever, so even if you don’t have the time at this moment, you can jump in whenever you’d like. At just $49 for extensive Excel training, how can you go wrong?

LG G7: Review, Specs, Availability, Problems and more!

Interested in the LG G7 ThinQ? We’ve got the basics covered here!

LG re-invented itself a bit in 2017 with the G6: a back-to-basics design that focused on being a great phone rather than relying on mods and other superfluous hardware features. That trend continues in 2018 with the LG G7 ThinQ: a great smartphone with interesting branding — and some tricks up its sleeve.

This is everything you need to know about the LG G7 ThinQ!

Check out the coverage so far

We’ve had some time with the LG G7, and we have some early impressions ready for you to read. Additionally, Mr. Mobile has a full review. So far, we like the G7, and we’ll have a full review up shortly.

More: LG G7 ThinQ hands-on preview: All about that bass

The specs

The G7 doesn’t have too many surprises when it comes to internal hardware, featuring Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 845, plenty of internal storage (with the option to use a microSD card for expansion), and Android 8.0 Oreo for software. LG not only keeps the headphone jack, but continues offering a high-end DAC for excellent audio. Check out the full specs below!

Yes, it has a notch

The topic of notches on Android phones is… divisive. You can go either way on your opinion of a display notch, and with the LG G7, you can go either way on having a notch. It’s enabled by default, but if you disable it in the settings, you just have a plain black status bar.

Dual cameras are back

LG has had dual cameras for a few years, with one standard lens and one wide-angle lens. That continues on the G7, and it’s just as great as it has ever been. LG seems to be the one manufacturer interested in great wide-angle photography, and it’s become a legitimate reason to choose LG phones over the competition.

The main lense is optically stabilized for better low-light photos and videos, but unfortunately the wide-angle lens is not. There’s also a Super Bright Mode to lighten up dark scenes, and it works well enough without the photo getting grainy.

Where to buy it

Interested in the G7? Fortunately, you can pick one up starting now. Every major U.S. carrier (minus AT&T) has started stocking the G7, between $750 and $792. Canadian carriers will also have the G7 available to purchase.

More: Where to buy the LG G7 ThinQ

Grab some accessories

If you’re going to get the G7, make sure to get some accessories for it as well. Screen protectors and cases are already available, and it’s never a bad idea to get a microSD card for more storage.

More: Best LG G7 Cases

More: Best Screens Protectors for LG G7

More: Best microSD cards for LG G7

More: Best accessories for the LG G7

Check out our forums!

Want to chat about G7, or ask the community a question. Be sure to stop into to the Android Central forums!

More: LG G7 ThinQ forums

LG G7

• LG G7 hands-on preview: All about that bass
• LG G7 Specifications: Everything you need to know
• Join the LG G7 forums

Amazon has slashed prices on a variety of Timbuk2 bags

Amazon is offering discounts on a selection of Timbuk2 bags. Prices start at $34. From laptop bags to full-on luggage, there’s something in this sale for everyone.

These bags are designed to be durable and stylish. They’ll protect your gear and help make everything from commuting to long-haul travel much easier.

Some standout deals include:

• Command Laptop Backpack – $53.40 (usually $77)
• Parkside Laptop Backpack – $36.05 (usually $57)
• Classic Medium Messenger Bag – $38.99 (usually $56)
• Commute Messenger Bag – From $49 (usually from $84)
• Copilot 20″ Luggage Roller – $118.66 (usually $200)

Check out the full sale here.

See at Amazon

How to customize the Shelf on the OnePlus 6

How do I use and customize the shelf in the OnePlus Launcher?

OnePlus has a knack for leaving Android mostly untouched in OxygenOS, but one unique aspect of its custom software is the Shelf to the left of the home screens in the OnePlus Launcher.

• How to customize the Shelf
• How to disable the Shelf

Why would you want to use the Shelf?

As a longtime user of the popular third-party home screen replacement Action Launcher, I’ve grown accustomed to the convenience of having a screen dedicated to my favorite widgets, without having to worry about app shortcuts or non-matching wallpapers getting in the way.

OnePlus 6 review: The matter is settled

The Shelf in the OnePlus Launcher gives a similar experience, allowing you to sort your widgets into a vertically scrolling list to the left of your home screens (where Google Now would be on the Pixel Launcher). You can add custom widgets from any of your apps, and OnePlus throws in some widgets of its own; one for setting quick reminders, one displaying your ten most recent apps, one displaying recent contacts, and a dashboard breaking down system usage.

How to customize the Shelf

Swipe right from your home screen to access the Shelf.
Press and hold on any widget, then drag it up or down to reposition it in the list.

Drag the white circle at the bottom of the widget to resize it.

Tap the red X button in the top-right corner of a widget to remove it from the list.
Tap the blue + button in the bottom-right corner of the screen to add a new widget.

Select Widget to add a new widget to the Shelf.

That’s it! You can arrange the widgets any way you like, or if you just don’t like the Shelf you can remove it altogether.

How to disable the Shelf

It may be simple, but the Shelf is one of my favorite parts of OxygenOS. Still, it isn’t for everybody, and if you just can’t stand accidentally swiping to it from your home screen, luckily it’s easy to disable.

Use the Pinch to zoom out gesture anywhere on the home screen.
Tap Home Settings.

Swipe the toggle next to Shelf to the off position.

Just like that, the Shelf will no longer appear when you swipe right from the leftmost home screen — just remember that if the OnePlus Launcher isn’t to your liking, you can always download a third-party launcher in its place. That’s the beauty of customization.

Questions? Comments?

If you have any questions about the Shelf, or want to share your love (or disdain) for OxygenOS, we want to hear about it. Sound off in the comments below!

Updated May 2018: This article was rewritten to reflect changes to OxygenOS on the OnePlus 6.

OnePlus 6

• OnePlus 6 review
• OnePlus 6 vs. OnePlus 5T: How much changes in six months?
• OnePlus 6 vs. OnePlus 5: Should you upgrade?
• These are the official OnePlus 6 cases
• The OnePlus 6 doesn’t work on Verizon or Sprint
• Join the discussion in the forums

Discover things you never knew with these discounted 23andMe DNA tests

Amazon has 23andMe kits on sale! You can get the 23andMe Ancestry DNA Test for $69, when it normally sells for $88, or the 23andMe Health + Ancestry DNA Test for $139 instead of the usual $172 price tag.

The $69 23andMe Ancestry DNA test will tell you all about where you come from. You provide a saliva sample and send it in to the company. Six to eight weeks after, you’ll get a detailed breakdown of your ancestry from 150+ populations worldwide. You can also upgrade to add health reports for an extra fee upon sending in your sample.

If you’d like to learn about your hereditary health, then the $139 23andMe Health + Ancestry Test is what you’re looking for. Aside from telling you about where you come from, this uses a saliva sample to let you know about your health and wellness risks, as well as your carrier status for several diseases. It can let you know if you’re at risk for Alzheimer’s, hair loss, and more.

If you’ve always wondered whether or not Dad was part caveman, these test for Neanderthal DNA as well. Give him this for Father’s Day and satisfy your curiosity (and cement a lifetime of jokes) once and for all.

See at Amazon

Random Android bug shows your recent texts if you search ‘the1975..com’ [Update]

Oh my hair smells like chocolate.

Updated June 1, 2018: Google recently confirmed to the BBC that this is a “language detection bug” and that a fix will be released in a few days. According to Google, the keywords were “erroneously interpreted as a request to view recent text messages.”

As awesome as technology is, it’s not uncommon for bugs/glitches to pop up every now and then. If just the slightest thing goes awry, a multitude of unexpected things can happen. Most recently, Android users have been discovering a particularly odd one that causes your recent texts to show up when searching for very specific words on Google Search.

First spotted by a few Redditors over Memorial Day weekend in the U.S., typing the1975..com into Google Search on an Android phone causes your most recent text messages to pop up.

The Redditor that initially caught this was apparently trying to go to the website for The 1975 rock band (who are really great if you’ve never listened to them), but after accidentally entering two periods instead of one, stumbled across this little gem.

Shortly after this, another user discovered that searching Vizela viagens, Izela viagens, and Zela viagens does the same thing.

As worrisome as this may seem, it’s not something you should be too concerned about. Turning off SMS permissions for the Google app prevents this bug from popping up, meaning that it’s a local issue and not something that someone can remotely trigger.

Even so, it’s still weird as hell. Some of the AC crew tried it out, and we’ve been able to confirm this happens on the Pixel 2, OnePlus 6, and Galaxy S8. If you’re worried, just make sure you’ve got a secure lock screen setup so any of your pesky/nosy friends can’t go snooping about your messages.

Best Android Phones in 2018

Schematics and Renderings Depict Apple’s 2018 iPhone Lineup

Amid rumors that Apple is working on three iPhones for its fall 2018 lineup, Russian site Wylsa.com has shared alleged schematics and renderings showing off the design and size difference between the three devices.

The site has two schematics, one for the 6.5-inch OLED “iPhone X Plus, which is rumored to have a dual-lens camera, and one for the lower-cost 6.1-inch iPhone, which is said to have an LCD display and a single-lens camera to keep costs low.

6.1-inch iPhone schematics
According to the schematics, which are from an unknown source, the larger iPhone measures in at 77.41mm wide, 157.53mm tall, and 7.68mm thick. The 6.1-inch iPhone measures in at 75.72mm wide, 150.91mm tall, and 8.32mm thick.

6.5-inch iPhone schematics
There is no schematic for the second-generation 5.8-inch OLED iPhone that will be sold alongside the two other devices, presumably because it will continue to have the same dimensions as the current iPhone X. For comparison’s sake, the existing 5.8-inch iPhone measures in at 70.9mm wide, 143.6mm tall, and 7.7mm thick.

Several renderings have been created based on the schematics to give us a better picture of what the three iPhones might look like side by side (provided these numbers are accurate, of course).

These renderings do correctly depict rumored features as we’ve heard them so far. All three iPhones are expected to feature an edge-to-edge display with a notch and a TrueDepth camera system for Face ID, allowing Apple to eliminate the Touch ID fingerprint sensor from its iPhone lineup entirely.

The second-generation iPhone X and the iPhone X Plus, which will be Apple’s more expensive flagship devices, feature OLED screens and dual-lens camera systems, while the middle-sized device has a single-lens camera and an LCD display to keep costs lower. Rumors have suggested this device could cost $700 to $800, less than the $1,000+ price tag for the OLED devices.

While the lower-cost 6.1-inch iPhone won’t adopt OLED display technology, rumors have suggested it could have a better-than-average LCD, perhaps using MLCD+ display technology and a new cover glass sensor. Former KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has said the switch to new technology means 3D Touch won’t be included, but it’s still not clear if Apple will implement it through another method.

Rendering of 6.1-inch iPhone next to 6.5-inch iPhone
For full details on all three iPhones that we’re expecting to see in 2018, make sure to check out our roundup, which we keep updated with all of the iPhone rumors that we’ve heard so far.

Related Roundup: 2018 iPhones
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Apple’s Workforce Growth in Oregon Could Point to Desktop-Class CPU Ambitions

Yesterday, we reported on Apple’s opening of a new technology hub in Oregon, along with the hiring of several former senior Intel engineers. Oregon is the site of Intel’s Hillsboro facilities, featuring the chipmaker’s leading-edge 14 nm and 10 nm foundries, as well as CPU design expertise for desktop-class processor thermal budgets. A search of Apple’s open positions indicated there were several openings for hardware engineers with backgrounds in computer architecture and silicon verification.

Intel’s Ronler Acres campus in Hillsboro (Randy L. Rasmussen/The Oregonian)
Digging deeper into these job positions reveals keywords indicating performance validation in non-iOS workloads, as well as a heavy focus on memory concepts such as memory controllers, memory hierarchy, and cache coherency protocols. The focus on the memory subsystem is significant because this is one area where mobile device and PC form factor usage models differ based on their power consumption profiles, along with PCs featuring tools that can stress a memory system in ways not typically seen in mobile device workloads.

PC systems also tend to feature much higher memory bandwidths, due to both wider memory busses and higher memory clocks. Apple is often rumored to be working on an ARM-based MacBook, but such a device would likely feature some variant of LPDDR memory seen in Apple’s mobile devices, as well as Apple’s entire line of MacBooks.

This means that Apple already has the necessary memory controller designs to interface with LPDDR memory. Apple is also no stranger to the 128-bit memory busses seen in MacBook Pros with LPDDR3 RAM, along with previous iPad iterations featuring a 128-bit memory bus.

Given this information, the focus on memory subsystem could indicate a higher performance target for the memory system, with memory bandwidths more reflective of desktop or workstation class devices where memory bandwidth can reach into the hundreds of gigabytes per second.

Perhaps the most demanding component of a memory subsystem in custom SoC destined for macOS devices is the GPU. On the iOS side, Apple recently shifted from licensing Imagination Technologies’ family of PowerVR GPUs to designing its own custom GPUs. Additionally, Apple’s Orlando-based GPU design center has gone through several hiring spurts, and is also hiring now, including a position for a platform architect aimed at creating a family of GPUs across multiple Apple platforms.

The inclusion of a GPU on an Apple custom SoC destined for macOS devices would need several gigabytes of dedicated RAM, with memory bandwidth well into the hundreds of gigabytes to run modern games on the Retina screens featured in many Mac products. Depending on the die size allocated to its solution, Apple could potentially replace the Intel chips with integrated graphics in its lower performing MacBook products or even replace the dedicated GPUs found in its higher-end notebook offerings. Desktop-class machines would likely need a separate discrete GPU due to power and cooling constraints, as well as allowing a general ramp-up of GPU sizes and complexities.

For comparison, the CPUs and APUs with integrated graphics found in modern notebooks and desktop systems are typically in the 200–400 mm^2 die size range, whereas Apple’s mobile solutions tend to hover around 100 mm^2. Apple has already achieved performance rivaling Intel CPUs featured in laptops with its latest A11 chip, and allowing its designs to scale up in core counts and power consumption would help it compete with the higher core count CPUs featured in today’s higher performing notebooks and desktops.

Additionally, Apple is well positioned to take the leap into higher performing products after demonstrating several generations of custom CPU architectures, including its own instruction set extensions to the underlying ARMv8 ISA. Apple was behind the genesis of the effort that would eventually become ARM as we know it today, and its architecture ambitions have been clear for quite a while. The question of custom Apple-designed CPUs destined for notebooks and desktop systems seems less a question of capability, and one more focused on will and perceived market advantage.
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