Google aims to launch its consumer Project Ara phone in 2017
Despite some grim portents last year, Google’s “Project Ara” modular smartphone is far from dead. For starters, it now has its own business unit within Google’s mysterious Advanced Technology and Projects (ATAP) group, and the nearly magical modular hardware we’ve been anticipating for years is indeed getting closer. ATAP Head of Creative Blaise Bertrand confirmed at Google’s I/O conference today that a new developer phone will be available in Q4 of this year with a “thin, light, beautiful” consumer Ara phone to follow in 2017.
Considering the ATAP team’s early progress, it seemed for a while that the predicted launch in 2016 was still a possibility. Still, some time away from the spotlight seems to have done the entire project a lot of good: The developer version showed off on stage today was considerably sleeker than iterations we’ve seen in the past. The modules used to be separated from each other by a thick metal grid, for instance, a technical necessity that didn’t look so great. Now, there’s essentially no boundary between the modules, lending the phone a more unified — if still eclectic — look. The first batch of modules seem mostly flush with each other (remember the old Ara’s camera hump?), which only helps the phone look more premium.
The new Ara frame supports up to six modules, which form what Google calls the “world’s first UniPro network” with the phone. Don’t worry: Future frames can be larger or smaller, and future modules will also be compatible with earlier Ara devices. Most importantly, it seems much, much easier to install modules and start using them. All you have to do is plug one in and you’re good to go — the process doesn’t even require a reboot. Ejecting them is simple too, if a little more involved: You’ll have to jump into the settings app and select which module you want to eject. Once done, the module physically pops up from the back of the device. You’ll even be able to eject modules with voice commands like “OK Google, eject the camera.”
Maybe the biggest thing to remember is that Project Ara is only as good as the modules available for it. Thankfully, the ATAP team still has a considerable number of partners either interested in, or actively developing, such smartphone add-ons. The list for now includes E Ink (for tiny secondary displays), Toshiba (maybe for additional storage?), Gotenna (for potential off-the-grid communications) and Sony Pictures Home Entertainment (for God knows what). Alas, developers who sign up for their pre-release kits might not get to play with many of these — we’re told the dev units only ship with a few modules.
For all the latest news and updates from Google I/O 2016, follow along here.
Google wants make it easier to craft apps that go big
The Google Play Store serves over a billion users globally a month, so the potential for an app to go big is nothing to sneeze at. Alas, the chances of that actually happening is a different story, which is why Google has released a bunch of updates to help developers craft apps to make more of an impact.
First off, Google is making it easier for would-be beta testers to find non-final software in the Play Store. For the first time, open beta apps will show up in your Play Store search results, with the most promising betas getting some spotlight in a new Early Access section. This latter effort is part of a bigger push to make it easy for users to find new, valuable apps — that same rationale is why Google is rolling out Collections in the Play Store. Looking for real estate apps, or apps that are great for young ones? Your search should become easier very shortly.
These changes are welcome additions for users, but most of the big news today is for developers who want to reach bigger audiences. New to the Play fold is a set of guidelines called “Building for Billions” meant to give devs insight into crafting apps for crucial emerging markets. And to help apps feel just a little neater internationally, the Play Store will automatically round prices converted between currencies. After all, a $1.99 app seems pretty normal in the US store, but seeing the equivalent ¥218.12 in the Japanese store lacks a certain panache: Now the Play Store will round it to ¥200.
For all the latest news and updates from Google I/O 2016, follow along here.
Motorola’s legendary RAZR flip phone is making a comeback
The year was 2004, and Motorola had just announced what was then an insanely thin flip phone, the RAZR V3. It was — and still is — a head-turner, and eventually over 130 million units were sold in total. Such were the glorious days of Motorola. Twelve years later, the now Lenovo-owned brand appears to be prepping a relaunch of this legendary model, according to its teaser video of a nostalgic walkthrough at a high school. “Flip back to the Razr days of yesteryear and get ready for the future.” Well, our money’s on an Android refresh of the RAZR flip phone, and we’re already quite stoked about that. The big unveil will take place at Lenovo Tech World on June 9th, and we have a feeling that this new RAZR may overshadow the new Moto X devices that are also expected there.
Via: T3
Source: Motorola (YouTube)
Apple pulls update for iPad Pro after bricking reports
Apple’s pulled the latest iOS update (9.3.2) for the 9.7-inch iPad Pro, following reports that this version of the software was bricking some devices. To make matters worse, the affected tablets can’t be restored through iTunes, even though owners are being prompted to try that computer-based method. It’s unclear what caused the issue, but Apple says it’s already working on a fix.
A spokesperson for the company provided us the following statement:
“We’re working on a fix for an issue impacting a small number of iPad units that are receiving an error when trying to update the software. We’ll issue an update as quickly as possible.”
This isn’t the first time Apple has had something like this happen. Back in March, it had to release an updated build of iOS 9.3, after an earlier version kept people with older iPhones and iPads from installing the update correctly. Thankfully Apple typically only takes a day or two to push out a fix, so we expect that to be the case here as well. Still, as 9to5Mac points out, it’s unclear whether the next update will bring those bricked iPad Pros back to life. We’ll find out soon enough.
Via: Ars Technica
Source: 9to5Mac
OS X update could use iPhone’s Touch ID to unlock Macs
As we approach Apple’s annual WWDC event that starts June 13th, the rumors about upcoming iOS and OS X features are sure to ramp up. This week, MacRumors is reporting that the company is working on a way for you to unlock a Mac using your iPhone’s Touch ID feature. The security measure is said to bypass a typed log-in using Bluetooth when the phone is “in close proximity” to a computer running OS X. As MacRumors notes, there’s a similar feature on the Apple Watch that allows an unlocked iPhone to provide access to the wearable without the need to enter a second password.
If this Touch ID to unlock a Mac functionality sounds familiar, the third party Knock app for iOS and Apple Watch unlocks a nearby computer with those devices rather than having to key in a password. Back in March, Recode reported that Apple Pay was on its way to the browser for making purchases on the web. This new report suggests that the Touch ID interaction with Macs will be used to confirm those transactions as well. As is the case with any rumor, it pays to be a bit skeptical. However, we won’t have to wait long to see if this news is indeed true.
In terms of other rumors for OS X 10.12, reports indicate that Siri could finally make its debut on the desktop. This week, rumblings surfaced about the design of the dock icon, but we’ll have to wait a few more weeks to see if that virtual assistant or Touch ID unlocking will be a part of this fall’s software update.
Source: MacRumors
The best USB battery packs
By Mark Smirniotis
This post was done in partnership with The Wirecutter, a buyer’s guide to the best technology. Read the full article here.
We brought in almost 50 pounds of batteries and tested them in a specialist lab in Vancouver, British Columbia, to find the best USB battery pack for any situation.
If you need a pocketable pack to get through an evening out, we recommend the TravelCard Charger because our previous top pocketable pick, the AmazonBasics Portable Power Bank with Micro USB Cable 2,000 mAh, is inconsistently available. If you need a unit to leave in your bag to keep your device going for a busy day of meetings, pick up the EasyAcc 6000mAh Ultra Slim Power Bank. If you need to charge your phone repeatedly, grab the larger AmazonBasics Portable Power Bank 16,100 mAh, and if you require a pack that can power a bagful of devices for a full day, buy the RAVPower 26800 mAh Xtreme Portable Charger.
How we picked and tested
Cadex devoted a corner of its lab to testing almost 60 batteries.
When it comes to USB battery packs, someone who wants a pocketable model for occasionally topping off a phone has different needs than a business traveler who wants to keep a tablet and two phones charged for back-to-back international flights. For each scenario, we set out to find the best balance of capacity, charging speed, size, and features. A hulking, heavy, cheap pack, for instance, isn’t as good as a moderately priced one you’ll actually use. We also looked for models that can cut down the clutter in your bag or pockets through the inclusion of convenience features such as multiple ports and integrated cables.
Once we established our test lineup, we worked with Cadex Electronics to put the packs through an exhaustive series of technical tests. We hooked up three samples of each model to Cadex’s lab gear to get insight into voltage curves, amperage, and how close the batteries’ actual capacities came to matching what their makers claimed on the box. With the help of Cadex engineers, we sifted through and analyzed all of that data and came up with solid recommendations for whatever amount of juice your power-hungry devices may need.
Our pick for your pocket
The TravelCard Charger comes in both Micro-USB and Lightning flavors.
If you need the absolute smallest battery to keep your phone going when you can’t get to an outlet, the TravelCard Charger is the most convenient and reliable option. A little longer and wider than a credit card and roughly three times as thick, the TravelCard stands out from other small batteries because it has two integrated cables–one with a Micro-USB or Lightning-connector plug (depending on the version you buy) to charge your device, and one with a standard USB plug to recharge the battery itself.
That said, even the best batteries at this size have limitations. And although the TravelCard charges at only 1 amp, and has an average of 1,049 milliamp hours, we still think it’s a better choice because of the integrated recharging cable that other similar-size models lack. An extra 100 mAh probably won’t make a huge difference in how you use one of these batteries day to day, but never wanting for an extra cable is more than just a convenience—it’s a relief.
The best battery for everyday use
Our top pick from EasyAcc feels like a midsize smartphone in your hand.
If you can make just a little more room in your pocket or bag, you can upgrade to a lot more power and a better value. The EasyAcc 6000mAh Ultra Slim Power Bank is about the size and thickness of an average smartphone, and it’s the best-performing model in this class—standing out thanks to its integrated Micro-USB cable and high-speed charging port (at least 2 amps).
Measuring at 5,500 mAh in our tests, this EasyAcc model had the most available power, enough to fully charge a smartphone—depending on size—two or three times. You could even charge a tablet more than halfway from this unit’s high-speed port.
Our pick for your briefcase or bag
Our alternate pick from AmazonBasics is about the size of a large portable hard drive.
The AmazonBasics Portable Power Bank 16,100 mAh is our pick if you have to charge a phone repeatedly, want to keep a full-size tablet and phone topped up through a week of commuting, or need to keep your gadgets going on a long flight. It had 15,280 mAh available in our tests—not the highest in the group, but enough power to charge an average smartphone almost every day of the work week or fill a full-size tablet twice.
Now that Amazon has upgraded the USB ports on its offering, this pack puts out enough juice to charge two devices at or near their full speed. Our meters found that the loads balanced to no more than 4 amps combined, or 2.4 amps per port—high enough for this battery to slide into the top spot for this size category. This battery is the most flexible of all our picks, and it’s the one to get if you want something that can work for commuting and for travel.
Our pick for your luggage
The RAVPower is closer to the size of a paperback, but it packs a big punch.
If you require a lot of power, you should get the RAVPower 26800mAh Xtreme Portable Charger. Next to the other large contenders in our test group, it offers more power, more ports, and faster charging, all at a reasonable price.
After charging and draining our three RAVPower test units, we found they averaged an actual capacity of of 19,107 mAh—about 70 percent of what the company advertises, but still enough power to both fully charge a large tablet and a fill a smartphone a few times.
Its three ports are rated at 2.4 amps, 2.1 amps, and 1 amp, and the RAVPower model can output at full speed to all three ports simultaneously. You’ll have to remember which port is which, though, to make sure your device is plugged into the port that supplies its maximum charging potential.
A drawback of this pack is its heft: This model weighs 21 ounces, and it takes up the space of a large paperback. If you need the power, though, this is how you should get it.
This guide may have been updated by The Wirecutter. To see the current recommendation, please go here.
The Post Office is shutting down its year-old mobile network
Competition among mobile providers in the UK is fierce, with four major carriers and many, many more mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs) beneath them. On a battlefield that busy, casualties are inevitable, and already this year we’ve seen Mobile by Sainsbury’s put out to pasture. And now we have another fatality, with the Post Office confirming the closure of its mobile service on August 8th. According to the online notice, the Post Office “decided to conclude the trial as the results did not give us sufficient confidence that mobile will contribute to our goal of commercial sustainability.”
In other words, it’s not making any money. It’s interesting that the Post Office is now referring to its mobile business as a “trial,” which isn’t how we remember it being communicated at launch less than a year ago. The service never grew beyond offering a single pay-as-you-go SIM, though, and only 263 of some 11,600 branches ended up stocking SIMs in-store.
If you happen to be among the undoubtedly small customer base, know that June 22nd will be the last day you can top up. And should you have grown particularly attached to your Post Office Mobile number, then make sure to request a PAC code soon to port it across to your next provider.
Via: Mobile Today
Source: Post Office Mobile
Up close with the Moto G4 Plus, the best from a puzzling new lineup
I’ve been spending my time here at Google I/O hoping to catch a Google exec pull a supersecret VR headset out of a coat pocket. Instead I ran into one using Motorola’s new Moto G4 Plus — the highest-end of the three new Moto G models announced earlier this week. Said exec was surprisingly cool about letting me give a personal phone the full hands-on treatment too. After a few minutes of play time, I can say that Motorola once again has an impressive device on its hands. It’s too bad, though, that a confusing lineup of Moto Gs suggest Motorola’s priorities have shifted in some unsettling ways.
First things first: To quickly recap, the G4 Plus runs Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow with an octa-core Snapdragon 617 chipset, and either 2GB or 4GB of RAM. The pricier 4GB model is paired with either 32GB or 64GB of storage, while the lower-specced version has only 16GB of storage. It’s a good thing, then, that the microSD slot takes cards as large as 128GB. This particular Plus was a 4GB/64GB model, making it a terribly snappy little machine. Swiping through home screens, launching apps and some furious multitasking all felt instantaneous.
Two software factors probably helped here: Motorola once again used a near-stock build of Android, and fortunately the exec who loaned me his phone hadn’t yet loaded up his device with many apps. This level of performance would’ve been flagship quality not that long ago, and now we’re squeezing it out of a mostly midrange phone. The overall experience — complete with mostly clean Android and useful extras like an always-on display — make the G4 Plus a compelling choice compared with other Snapdragon 617-enabled phones, such as the HTC A9.
And, speaking as a phone-design nerd, the slim G4 Plus actually feels pretty great in hand. It’s an entirely plastic phone with a nicely textured removable back (hiding a nonremovable 3,000mAh battery), and its surprisingly skinny frame reminds me a bit of the Galaxy S4. That’s not to say, however, that every design choice Motorola made works well. Consider the square fingerprint sensor below the bright, 5.5-inch TFT LCD screen: It looks like a home button but doesn’t work as one, making the placement feel odd and clumsy. This isn’t something the old Motorola would have done.
At the very least, the 16-megapixel camera seems impressive. Besides the fingerprint sensor, this camera is the only difference between the G4 Plus and the regular G4, which instead comes with a 13-megapixel camera. DxOMark puts it slightly ahead of the iPhone 6s and 6s Plus in terms of image quality. I wasn’t able to snap photos with this phone — mostly because I didn’t want to accidentally look into this guy’s camera roll — but the phase-detect and laser autofocus worked remarkably well.
So yes, the Moto G4 Plus is a fine phone. It’s also part of a confusing trio of Moto Gs, including one — the Moto G Play — that felt noticeably less powerful than the others. Potential Moto E replacement? Maybe, though Motorola said earlier this year it has “no plans to retire” the E. What was always nice about the Moto G was how uncomplicated its ambitions were: If you wanted an inexpensive, undeniably good Android phone, the Moto G was your best choice. That clarity is now gone. You’ll be able to get a good Moto G, or a better Moto G or a slightly worse Moto G.
It’s a sign of pragmatism, I suppose: The company can reach different customers with different needs, but it’s also a sign that Motorola has lost some of the focus that once made it so special. With any luck, I’m totally wrong. Maybe everything is great under Lenovo, and Motorola President Rick Osterloh’s return to Google doesn’t mean the company’s vision has been muddled. We’ll see.
For all the latest news and updates from Google I/O 2016, follow along here.
Are you an Android N beta tester?
Sure, Google only proclaimed its newest build of Android N a “beta-quality” candidate yesterday, but that’s more than enough time to formulate a hot take. With the new method of announcing and testing releases extremely early, the folks at Mountain View have made enrolling as a beta tester incredibly easy — if you own a compatible device (Nexus 6, Nexus 9, Nexus 5X, Nexus 6P, Nexus Player, Pixel C, General Mobile 4G) then you can click a button on this website to dive in. Of course, if you haven’t already enrolled, the usual warnings still apply. This test software still has some issues to work out, and if you decide it’s not for you, then going back to Marshmallow will require a full device wipe so keep your important data backed up elsewhere.
Surely some of you have already taken the plunge, so click below and let us know how it’s going — or what’s holding you back.
a
Are you using the Android N beta?
For all the latest news and updates from Google I/O 2016, follow along here.
Source: Android Beta Program
Point your phone at an equation and Mathpix will solve it
Math isn’t everyone’s strong suit, especially those who haven’t stretched that part of their brain since college. Thanks to the wonders of image recognition technology, we now have Mathpix, an iOS app that lets you point your phone camera at a problem and calculates solutions in seconds.
The interface looks like any standard camera app: simply drag the on-screen reticle over the equation and the app solves it and provides graph answers where appropriate. More useful is a step-by-step guide offering multiple methods to reach a solution, making this a bona fide educational tool. It uses image recognition to process problems and pings its servers to do the mathematical heavy lifting, so it likely requires an internet connection to work.
Mathpix was envisioned by Stanford PhD student Nico Jimenez, who was advised by Stanford grad Paul Ferrell. The app’s other developers are high schoolers Michael Lee and August Trollback, which is impressive for an app that claims to be the first to visually recognize and solve handwritten math problems.
Source: Motherboard
AIVAnet 