Multitouch is about to get more advanced thanks to Qeexo
Multitouch input, as we know it, is mostly for scrolling, rotating plus zooming with two fingers, and you can use more to toggle various actions on supported trackpads. But if you ask Mountain View-based Qeexo, we’ve only scratched the surface of this technology. Over the past couple of years, this company had been working on a software solution dubbed TouchTools, which can let you bring up virtual tools such as a pen, an eraser, a camera, a tape measure, a ruler, a magnifying glass or even a mouse using intuitive multitouch gestures. Many of these resemble the way you’d hold the real thing which is where the challenge lies, yet TouchTools works on all existing hardware that use a standard multitouch screen controller, which should appeal to device manufacturers.
Without giving away his secret sauce, Qeexo CEO Sang Won Lee explained that TouchTools uses just multitouch data plus machine learning to tell the pose of one’s hands. “It’s not just the number of fingers on the screen; just those data will not be enough to decide which tool to use. We need to understand the orientation [of fingers] and size [of fingertips].” After going through multiple stages of evaluations earlier, the result is a lightweight software engine that claims to accommodate 99 percent of users right out of the box, and it’s now available to OEMs plus app developers.
TouchTools isn’t limited to just smartphones and tablets. Lee reckons his software will be particularly handy for large interactive whiteboards, as it’ll save users from having to stretch all the way to a virtual toolbar or fiddle with a stylus. Similarly, it can be applied to digital signage for some fun advertisements. The exec also expects car makers to implement TouchTools on the dashboard touchscreen to let the driver control, say, the temperature or audio volume using knob rotation gestures — they could be differentiated with the size of the spread. As for app developers, Qeexo is offering integration into downloadable apps as well, so you don’t have to be a manufacturer to take advantage of this software.
Even though you may not be familiar with Qeexo, you may have already used its other solutions without you realizing it. For instance, the company’s more famous product, FingerSense, is already implemented on Huawei’s P9 series, Mate 8, Mate S, P8 series, Honor V8 and Honor 7. Here it’s branded as “Knuckle Sense” and lets you take a screenshot by knocking on the screen twice (I’m a big fan of this feature on my P9 Plus), or launch an app by using your knuckle to draw a designated letter, or toggle split screen mode by using your knuckle to draw a line across the screen. Again, this is achieved by using existing hardware — just data from the touchscreen controller plus the accelerometer — in order to distinguish between a fingertip input and a knuckle input. FingerSense has been working well for me all this time, which should be a reassuring sign for the upcoming TouchTools.
Source: Qeexo
Android will tell you when new devices access your Google account
If you have a Google account, few things are more disconcerting than getting a notice that an unfamiliar device just got access… especially when you only got the notice while checking your email considerably later. You might not miss that vital heads-up after today, though. Google is introducing native Android notifications that pop up whenever a new device accesses your account, giving you a chance to change your password before an intruder goes on a shopping spree using your credentials. If you’re ever suspicious, it takes one tap to review what happened.
The feature is rolling out gradually, and Google notes that it make take over two weeks for some people to see the change. Whenever it does arrive, it should provide a useful safeguard against data breaches and the surprise bills that frequently follow.
Source: Google Apps Updates
Introducing Engadget’s 2016 back-to-school guide!
Oh yes, it’s already that time of year. Temperature are still sitting in the triple digits in some places, but many of you are just four weeks away from a new school year, heralding the end of summer. Once again, Engadget has put together a back-to-school gear guide, but this time, we did something a little different.
This year’s guide was curated with college students in mind (sorry, high schoolers), with sections for five broad archetypes: party kids, academics, jocks, freshmen and study abroad students. (What’s that you say? You’re a scholar-athlete and you’re spending the semester in Madrid? Have we got picks for you!) As always too, we endeavored to recommend things across different price points, with a few free options, some more aspirational objects and lots of stuff in between. Check out the whole guide here, and stay tuned throughout the month as we spotlight different picks for different students.
Source: Engadget’s 2016 Back-to-School Guide
Huawei’s Honor Note 8 packs a huge 6.6-inch screen
Honor might be a Huawei sub-brand, but it’s definitely taking the spotlight today. It’s introducing the Honor Note 8, an upper-mid-range behemoth meant to take on the likes of Xiaomi’s Mi Max. Its focal point is undoubtedly its 6.6-inch, 2,560 x 1,440 screen — it’s both larger and sharper than its Xiaomi rival, and clearly built for people whose smartphone might be their only computing device. You won’t get an exotic camera setup like on the Huawei P9 (there’s ‘just’ one rear 13-megapixel camera with stabilization). However, you will get the P9’s Kirin 955 octa-core processor as well as a hefty 4GB of RAM, an 8-megapixel front camera, a fingerprint reader, a sizeable 4,500mAh battery and 32GB, 64GB or 128GB of expandable storage.
It’s being joined by the Honor 5 (below), a more modest device that sits under the Honor 5X. It’s very much a lower-mid-range device between its 5-inch 720p display, quad-core MediaTek processor, 2GB of RAM, 16GB of expandable storage, 8-megapixel rear camera and 2-megapixel front shooter. About its biggest perk is its dual-SIM support for people who need more than one line. Still, it’s a viable alternative if the 5X is too big or pricey.
The Honor 5 will be available in China on August 2nd, where it’ll cost a downright frugal 599 RMB ($90). You’ll have to wait until August 9th to get the Honor Note 8, although its Chinese prices range from 2,299 RMB for 32GB ($346) to 2,799 RMB for 128GB ($420). That’s much more expensive than the $230 Mi Max, but a bargain if you’re looking for a massive but capable handset. The question is whether or not any of these devices will reach the US. The 5X did, but it also hit a sweet spot for screen size, features and price — the Note 8 and 5 are more specialized devices that might have a tougher time in the States.
Via: Engadget Chinese, Android Central, Android Headlines
Source: Honor
Engadget UK giveaway: Win a Sony Xperia XA courtesy of 32nd Shop
The British summer simply can’t win. Either it’s too hot and muggy to go outside, or it rains all day when you’re trying to host a BBQ. Free stuff, however, is one thing you can’t complain about. Thanks to our friends at 32nd Shop, we’ve got two of Sony’s Xperia XA smartphones up for grabs this week. What’s more, each of the camera-centric mobiles has no less than four different covers to go with it — 32nd Shop being a case and accessory specialist, after all. As always, entries are handled by the Rafflecopter widget below, but before you start throwing your hat into the ring, gives the rules a quick read so you know what’s what.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
- Entries are handled through the Rafflecopter widget above. Comments are no longer accepted as valid methods of entry. You may enter without any obligation to social media accounts, though we may offer them as opportunities for extra entries. Your email address is required so we can get in touch with you if you win, but it will not be given to third parties.
- Contest is open to all residents of the UK, 18 or older! Sorry, we don’t make this rule (we hate excluding anyone), so direct your anger at our lawyers and contest laws if you have to be mad.
- Winners will be chosen randomly. Two (2) winners will receive one (1) Xperia XA and assorted cases.
- If you are chosen, you will be notified by email. Winners must respond within three days of being contacted. If you do not respond within that period, another winner will be chosen. Make sure that the account you use to enter the contest includes your real name and a contact email or Facebook login. We do not track any of this information for marketing or third-party purposes.
- This unit is purely for promotional giveaway. Sony, 32nd Shop and Engadget / AOL are not held liable to honour warranties, exchanges or customer service.
- The full list of rules, in all its legalese glory, can be found here.
- Entries can be submitted until August 5th at 11:59PM BST. Good luck!
Source: 32nd Shop
LG’s V20 will be the first Android Nougat smartphone
LG will launch the V20 smartphone in September, and it will be the first to get Android 7.0 Nougat. It’s the successor to LG’s wacky V10 phone, and will have the same dual-screen, dual-selfie camera features (no other specs were revealed). The news means that the V20 will likely be released before any Nexus phones, which are usually the first with the latest Android operating systems. That would be an unusual move by Google, but LG has confirmed the news with Engadget.
LG has built the lion’s share of Nexus phones for the search giant, including the Nexus 4, 5 and 5X. With the generally low prices of Nexus models (the 5X is $349, for instance), it’s understood that companies like LG and Huawei are willing to take smaller profits to work with Google. With the V20, LG gets it both ways — it can sell the handset at a profitable price (the V10 is $600) and still be first to market with a new Android OS. Considering that the V10 was a rare bright spot for LG, that could give its flagging mobile division a boost.
Source: LG (translated)
Philips’ new personal health tech includes a fitness watch
Watch out, Withings — Philips wants to move in on your turf. The Dutch tech giant is launching a slew of personal health devices that take advantage of its expertise in health tech while seeming more than a little familiar. The centerpiece is arguably the $250 Health Watch. The wearable tracks your activity, heart rate and sleep patterns like numerous fitness trackers, but with a few nice twists. You’re getting “clinically validated” data, Philips promises, and you can enter your calorie intake either on the watch or in the companion Android and iOS apps. You also have the option of Apple Watch-like (though thankfully customizable) reminders to stand. Just don’t expect a full-on smartwatch — this is more of a health device that happens to talk to your phone.
Beyond this? There’s a connected scale ($120 on Philips’ site) that can track your body fat and BMI over time, a $60 ear thermometer with historical temperature data and blood pressure monitors for both your upper arm ($120) and wrist ($90). All of the devices are available today, so you don’t have to wait to give any of them a try… that is, if you haven’t already bought something from the likes of Withings or Fitbit.
Via: BusinessWire
Source: Philips (1), (2), (3), (4)
From Machop to Machamp: Surviving London’s 5K Pokérun
One had escaped earlier, but not again — this time, Squirtle, you’re mine. I yanked at the peak of my cap, and began to spin the Pokéball patiently as the target area grew smaller, and smaller still. A good throw, but not a direct hit. The ball shook for what I thought was the last time, then poof… Before you could say “Mew,” it was gone. No time to dwell. “Make that Pokéball your last! It’s time to get moving,” our leader bellowed. Eyes stinging, I dragged an already soaked T-shirt sleeve across my brow. It’ll only be another 10 minutes of pounding the pavement, I thought, before respite at the next Pokébreak. I groaned quietly as my legs kicked into a light jog. This, fellow trainers, is the Pokérun.
It hasn’t taken long for a huge, devoted community to form around Pokémon Go. It’s phenomenal popularity has inspired thousands of fans to meet up and stare at their phones together all over the world; there’s even a dating app specifically targeted at companionless trainers. Not only is the game just good fun, it’s also being praised for benefitting both mental and physical health, since you actually have to get out and about to play. The latter is what gym chain Virgin Active wanted to focus on when it organised the “world’s first” Pokérun, a workout that promised to turn participants from “Machops into Machamps” while also bulking up their Pokédexes. No, seriously.
Scheduled on one of the hottest days of the year in London — because of course it was — the Pokérun sounded like it might be a fun little outing. Something different, you know? I even bought a crappy Ash hat in excitement before immediately regretting it. (Luckily, Virgin Active reps were giving out themed caps to other runners on the day, so I didn’t look like the only hyper-nerd in attendance.) The route of the 5km run covered multiple terrain types, including city streets, parks and bridges across the Thames, because how is Professor Willow expected to make Magikarp candy without food for the Pokéblender?
The run also featured six stops at Pokémon hotspots. Piece of cake… right? Closer to Pokérun day, however, it slowly dawned on me: I exercise once in a blue moon and I’ve never run 5km in my entire life. Oh, and those six breaks during the run were as much for interval training as bagging Drowzees. What on earth had I signed myself up for? As it turned out, a whole lot more running and a lot less Pokémoning than I had anticipated. But hey, I scored an Electabuzz, an Eevee and (almost) a Lickitung in one session. Totally worth four weary days of recovery.
‘Pokémon Go’ update kills battery-saving mode, footprint tracking (updated)
Pokémon Go’s first substantial update adds tweaks for overpowered Pokemon (those consistently at the top of Pokemon gyms: cough, Vaporean, cough), where the critters can be found, and a raft of bug and text fixes. Niantic has decided to drop the footprint tracking system that didn’t even work in the debut iteration of the game; you’ll have to make do with the vague list of nearby Pokémon. And pray. The update also nixed the battery-saving feature (update: on iOS only), although this editor and others found that feature often made the app unresponsive. Your mileage may have varied, but regardless, battery-saving mode is no more. So turn that screen brightness down, and definitely bring your portable battery pack on your Pokémon hunts.
Smaller changes include the ability to customize your trainer again and relocated buttons for transferring Pokémon. Each time you load the app, it’ll remind you to take care when playing, not to trespass, and other common sense nuggets. Because people can’t have nice things.
Favoriting your strongest monsters will protect them from being accidentally sent to the glue factory professor, which is certainly useful. Since the update, some users are noticing that Pokémon have to be much closer to appear “nearby” on the map, although the refreshed app has arrived at the same time as many Pokémon map scanning services have been indefinitely terminated.
PokeVision, one of the more popular services, said it’s respecting Niantic and Nintendo’s wishes by taking its map down for the time being. Tracking just got trickier — and the wearable is still delayed.
Hey guys. We wish we had some news for you
At this moment, we are respecting Niantic and Nintendo’s wishes.
Will keep you guys posted
❤
— Pokevision (@PokeVisionGo) July 31, 2016
Source: Pokemon Go (iTunes)
Mini review video: Our quick verdict on the new Moto Z phones
For years, Motorola put out a flagship phone called the X, and for years it won positive reviews, thanks to its customizable design, clean software build and generally good value. This year, there’s no X. Instead, we have two new Moto phones, the Z and Z Force. And it makes sense that Motorola chose a different naming scheme, because these are indeed very different devices from what the company has put out in years past. The design is no longer customizable, and with prices reaching $624 for the Z and $720 for the Z Force, they’re not exactly what we’d call affordably priced either. Instead of being colorful and cheap, they have a modular design that allows you to snap in optional “Moto Mods” accessories, including a speaker, projector and battery pack. Another risk? Neither phone has a headphone jack. Oh, and they’re exclusive to Verizon.
While we’re not too pleased about those last two caveats, the Moto Mods make the Z line the best modular phones we’ve seen yet. The Z in particular is exceptionally thin and charges quickly, while the slightly chunkier Z Force adds longer battery life, a shatter-proof screen and a more robust 21-megapixel camera. For that reason, we gave the Z Force the higher score. But hey, if a thin phone floats your boat, you’ll be happy with the Z too.
AIVAnet 