How to adjust screen brightness and sleep settings on Android
How do I adjust screen brightness and sleep settings on Android?
On top of changing your phone’s brightness, you can also customize the sleep settings, which allows you to choose how long it takes for your screen to shut when you’re not using it. Here’s how to adjust your brightness and sleep settings.
- How to adjust your screen brightness on Android
- How to turn off Adaptive brightness on Android
- How to turn on Ambient display on Android
- How to change the sleep settings on Android
How to adjust your screen brightness on Android
Swipe down from the top of the screen to reveal the Notification Shade. Depending on which Android phone you have, you may have to swipe twice.
Tap and hold the brightness slider. It’s the icon that looks like the sun.
Drag the brightness slider to your desired brightness.
Release the slider.
How to turn off Adaptive brightness on Android
Adaptive brightness gives your phone the ability to adjust the screen brightness automatically depending on the amount of light around you. The setting is typically on by default, but it’s easy to turn off if you want to.
Swipe down from the top of the screen to reveal the Notification Shade. Depending on which Android phone you have, you may have to swipe twice.
Tap on the settings button. It’s the gear icon in the top right.
Tap Display.
Tap the On/Off switch beside Adaptive brightness.
You can follow these exact steps to turn the adaptive brightness setting back on whenever you need.
How to turn on Ambient display on Android
Enabling Ambient display allows you to view the time and notifications on your lock screen without having to press the power or home buttons.
Swipe down from the top of the screen to reveal the Notification Shade. Depending on which Android phone you have, you may have to swipe twice.
Tap on the settings button. It’s the gear icon in the top right.
Tap Display.
Tap the On/Off switch beside Ambient display.
Follow the same steps to turn off Ambient display whenever you want.
How to change the sleep settings on Android
Swipe down from the top of the screen to reveal the Notification Shade. Depending on which Android phone you have, you may have to swipe twice.
Tap on the settings button. It’s the gear icon in the top right.
Tap Display.
Tap Sleep.
Tap the amount of time you want. Your options are as follows:
- 15 seconds
- 30 seconds
- 1 minute
- 2 minutes
- 5 minutes
- 10 minutes
-
30 minutes
Toronto Transit Commission working on safer way to report harassment on public transportation
The Toronto Transit Commission is working on a new app that will allow riders of its public transportation to easily report harassment in real time. With the app, riders will be able to take a discreet picture of the person who is assaulting or harassing someone and submit the report immediately. This method would work far more effectively than pressing an emergency strip and potentially scaring them off before being able to capture an image or footage of the event in progress.
From the CBC’s report:
The Toronto Transit Commission is working on a new app that would allow riders to discreetly take a photo of a person who is harassing or assaulting someone — and immediately submit a report.
TTC CEO Andy Byford said he hopes the app will be a less obvious alternative to pressing the emergency strip on trains, buses or streetcars. The app should roll out by the end of the year, he said.
Both iPhone and Android users should be able to get the app by the end of 2016. Having the app available is just a third of the battle, the rest of it will be making people aware it exists and getting them to use it. It’s great to see the TTC step up to work on a way to make this easier for everyone, and hopefully help prevent future incidents.
Apple’s first reality TV series is ‘Planet of the Apps’
As rumoured earlier this year, It looks like Apple’s getting in on the TV-content game. Online applications are now being accepted for Apple’s first ever original series Planet of the Apps. As the punny title suggests, the show will give app developers (yes, including you), a chance feature in the reality show. Applications must be received before August 26 if you want a chance of being selected, though.
The show is being created in collaboration with Prospect Productions (the co-owners brought you The Biggest Loser and Master Chef) and the whole series focuses on apps and their creators. Obviously, therefore, any startup or founder that makes it through the audition stage will be getting some valuable airtime for their products. 100 will be chosen in total.
Prospect says that anyone selected will need to be available for non-consecutive shoots in Los Angeles between late 2016 and early 2017 and all applicants need a functioning iOS, macOS, tvOS or watchOS app by October 21 to be considered eligible. Betas are fine too.
Successful applicants will get access to “hands-on guidance from some of the world’s best experts in tech and entertainment,” the chance to meet potential backers to discuss investments of up to $10 million and featured app placement in the App Store at the end of the show. Of course, having a huge metaphorical spotlight shine on you could be a curse if it all ends up going awry, but that”s reality TV for you.
Via: 9to5Mac
Source: Planet of the Apps
Mini review: Our 90-second verdict on the Sony Xperia X Performance
The Xperia X Performance isn’t a bad phone, per se. It’s just that Sony’s newest flagship doesn’t bring anything new to the table. For $700, it offers fast performance (as its name suggests), and the design is water resistant, so that’s nice. Other than that, though, you’re stuck with a middling camera and occasional episodes of overheating. What’s more, it’s missing some features you’d typically expect from a device in this price range — things like a fingerprint sensor, 4K video recording and a Quad HD display. Again, it’s not a bad phone; it’s just not good enough for the price, especially with so many superior alternatives out there.
An FBI ‘pilot’ collected over 434,000 iris scans since 2013
Don’t freak out, but the FBI has been quietly collecting the iris scans of nearly half a million people in the US — as part of a “test” program focused on biometric data. According to a confirmation given to The Verge, the San Bernardino Sheriff’s Department alone has been collecting an average of nearly 200 iris scans each day from arrestees since the pilot began in 2013.
The FBI’s ever-increasing collection of personal data — which also includes a facial recognition system with nearly half a billion photos in it — won’t calm the fears of those worried about a biometric database being slowly built over time.
Obviously, privacy advocates take objection to the creation of any mass database with everyone’s physical data for a number of reasons, not least of all are concerns about there being insufficient safeguards and transparency around which government agencies (and individuals) can access that data, and for what reason.
There’s also potential concerns over racial bias among people arrested in the US. The prison population is roughly the same percentage black and white, which far from reflects the country’s demographic makeup. Collecting iris scans could theoretically result in racial profiling, whether deliberate or not.
The FBI’s existing database of fingerprints and photos has also recently been a bone of contention for privacy advocates after the bureau suggested it wanted the data to no be covered by the Privacy Act. Given that the San Bernardino “pilot” reportedly doesn’t have any privacy impact assessment, either, there’s little to ease the fears of those who are uncomfortable with how the government handles such data.
Source: The Verge
A live action ‘Pokemon’ movie could finally happen after ‘Go’
Following the smashing success of Pokemon Go, Legendary Pictures is reportedly working harder to secure rights to the Pokemon franchise for a live action film, Deadline reports. We first heard that the studio — which was behind recent geek-friendly films like Warcraft, Pacific Rim and Godzilla — was trying to capture the Pokemon license back in April. As is usually the case with film rights, these things take time. It makes sense for Legendary to make a bigger push for the franchise now, given just how well Pokemon Go has taken off. It’s credited for increasing Nintendo’s overall value by $7.5 billion on Monday, even though the console maker is only a partial owner in The Pokemon Company.
Via: Polygon
This is the Gear S2’s upcoming software refresh
According to a recent leak, Samsung is preparing a fresh software update for the Gear S2 smart watch. A collection of images were posted by SamMobile and show a number of welcome new features and user interface changes.
Undoubtedly the biggest update to the watch software is the ability to install recommended apps right from the watch itself. The current software requires you to use the paired smartphone if you want to download any of the recommended applications. From the language of the original post, it seems as though this feature might only apply to the recommended apps that show up in the “get more apps” screen on the watch itself.
As well as changes to the downloading capabilities of the Gear S2, Samsung is seemingly playing with a couple of design tweaks in the world clock app and the weather app.
The clock face in the world clock app turns dark at night time and light during the day. As well as that, tapping on the time in a particular location will give you sunrise and sunset information for that time zone as well as the time. As for the weather app, that’s being updated with a new UV index.
SamMobile
Like Android Wear, it looks as though Samsung’s next Tizen update for Gear S2 will also include the ability to set your own photo as a watch face, and choose from up to 10 different photos.
Apart from the design changes, Sammy is also expected to enhance S Voice’s capabilities, including the ability to start a timer with a voice command. It’s claimed that we’ll also see a new separate contacts app, as well as phone and messages applications.
No specific information has been given on when the watch OS will be updated, but it’s likely to be a minor side-mention during the Galaxy Note 7 event on August 2.
ZTE’s affordable Axon 7 arrives today to take on OnePlus
ZTE is ready to let the public get their hands on the Axon 7. The all-metal smartphone is available for pre-order at $400 starting today via ZTEUSA.com, Amazon, Best Buy, B&H and Newegg.
At that price, ZTE is hoping the Axon 7 can take on the likes of costlier rivals such as Samsung’s Galaxy S7, HTC’s 10 and LG’s G5. It is armed with the same Snapdragon 820 CPU with 4GB of RAM and 2K screen resolution as those competitors.
However, the Axon’s $400 price tag is the same as the OnePlus 3, which also sports a Snapdragon 820 chip, but comes with a whopping 6GB of RAM. The OnePlus 3’s display is a less-sharp 1080p, though.
Its high-res AMOLED panel helps the Axon 7 achieve compatibility with Google’s Daydream mobile VR platform, and the company says the device will be Daydream-ready by the fall.
The Axon 7 is a step up from its predecessor in many ways, but the most obvious improvement is its design. ZTE partnered with BMW Designworks in crafting the Axon 7, and the result is a handsome handset that I couldn’t keep my hands off of when I saw it in May.
Other highlights include a 20-megapixel camera that features dual or “hybrid” image stabilization (IS), which is a blend of optical and digital IS, loud speakers powered by two sound chips and a dual SIM slot. As with previous Axon devices, ZTE is offering its Passport 2.0 warranty service that provides replacements or loaners if you break your phone within two years of purchase. That’s a solid bundle of features for the price. If you’re already sold and will be pre-ordering, you won’t have to wait long to get the phone; The Axon 7 starts shipping July 27th.
The Star Wars Gallery is a love letter to ‘The Force Awakens’
On the fourth floor of Harrods, the ludicrously luxurious department store in London, a special exhibition has been set up inside The Disney Store. Out of sight, locked behind an unremarkable black door, is a collection of items meticulously adapted from Star Wars: The Force Awakens. Poe Dameron’s X-Wing helmet. Kylo Ren’s lightsaber. Chewbacca’s bowcaster. Each is based on a 3D scan of the original movie prop, and built with an expensive mixture of 3D-printed materials, forged and cast items.
All of the pieces have been created by Propshop, a company that has long produced physical props and digital assets for the movie industry. The team is based in Pinewood Studios, where some of The Force Awakens was shot, and has Rogue One: A Star Wars Story and Episode VIII on its resume. Outside of the sci-fi franchise, it’s also worked on Spectre, The Martian and Ex Machina, as well as Guardians of the Galaxy and The Dark Knight Rises.
Each replica is virtually identical to its on-set counterpart. Some of them are available to order online too, but be warned — they’re not cheap. Kylo Ren’s helmet, for instance, will set you back £1,800 ($2,000). For that price, you also get a stand, a chip that proves its authenticity, and a wooden crate inspired by the packaging that was used for the original prop.
These “Ultimate Studio Edition” replicas aren’t the sum of the “Star Wars Gallery” experience, however. Propshop has also reconstructed the Millennium Falcon cockpit — complete with pilot, co-pilot and passenger seats — and the curved sofa where the film’s heroes play a game of Holochess. A couple of minor elements have been changed — one set of levers was switched out to make the cockpit more durable — but otherwise, it’s an absurdly accurate recreation of the legendary spaceship. Oh, and you’re allowed to sit in the pilot’s seat, provided you don’t touch anything.
Dotted throughout the exhibition are a few character statues, including Rey, Kylo Ren and a First Order Stormtrooper. My personal favourite was BB-8, although sadly it’s unable to roll around or make any of its trademark beeps and boops. For that, you’re better off buying the toy by Sphero.
Before you leave, Harrods and Propshop will invite you to sit inside a room with a spherical camera array. Fifty DSLRs will capture your head simultaneously, giving the team the data it needs to 3D print your likeness. Should you have a spare £1,595 floating around, you can then order a custom Stormtrooper, Rebel pilot or Tie fighter pilot with your face on it. The figures stand at nearly half a meter tall and take 16 weeks to build and deliver — again, with a certificate of authenticity and a branded crate.
If, like me, you don’t have the cash to spend on such exorbitant items, you can still look around and admire Propshop’s handiwork. Admission is free, but you’ll need to book in advance online — the gallery shuts at the end of August, so an early booking is recommended to avoid disappointment.
Source: Star Wars Gallery
Island dwellers map their country with Sheep View 360
Google has captured all kinds of places on cam for Street View, from the Batcave to Mt. Everest, but it hasn’t had the chance to visit the Faroe Islands yet. The tiny and remote archipelago in the middle of the North Atlantic Ocean has almost twice as many sheep (80,000) as people (49,188). So when one of its residents decided to take matters into her own hands, she enlisted the help of five fluffy ruminants for a project that’s aptly called Sheep View 360.
Since Durita Dahl Andreassen and her fellow islanders didn’t have access to Google’s Trekkers and cars, they attached 360-degree cameras to harnesses and strapped them to the animals they chose. The cameras have solar panels to harness energy from the sun, and they send pictures with GPS coordinates back to Andreassen who then uploads them to Street View. The result, as you can see below, gives you a chance to explore the islands through the eyes of a sheep.
Despite the success of Andreassen’s project, she’s very much aware of its limitations. A sheep, after all, wouldn’t be able to film Faroe Islands’ roads or the peak of its mountains. She’s still urging Google to drop by and map their nation in an effort to encourage tourists to visit, as well.
Source: Visit Faroe Islands
