Mobile Nations Weekly: MrMobile!
Say hello to the one, the only, the MrMobile.
Michael Fisher is back in action, ladies and gentlemen! As the one and only MrMobile, he’ll be bringing to YouTube, Snapchat, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram his own unique take on the latest and greatest in technology.
MrMobile launched officially with the above amazing video, plus a review of the new OnePlus 3, a nerdy in-depth examination of the Star Trek Bluetooth Communicator, and a look at Tesla’s EV offerings.
Give MrMobile a subscribe for even more great videos from the world of mobile technology!
Android Central — Chrome domes
Honor unveiled its latest budget device, the 5C, in Europe early on this week. It seems to have a lot going for it at a solid price, following up on the Honor 5X. And for those interested, it’s available right away in the UK.
We just keep learning more about running Android apps on Chromebooks, and relaying that information on to you. Questions about how to update apps, using a mouse, and checking out the dev channel are all being answered.
In further Google news, you now have yet another way to enable two-step verification with a super easy “prompt” on your phone to authenticate log-ins. Use it!
- OnePlus 3 vs. Galaxy S7 edge: Challenging at half the price
- The importance of a OnePlus phone you can actually buy
- Will EU roaming become more expensive after Brexit?
- How we’d change the Nexus 6P
- When will Android N be released?
- Samsung Gear 360 review
- OnePlus 3 vs. Xiaomi Mi5: A thoroughly one-sided contest
- What it’s like (so far) to use Android apps on a Chromebook
- OnePlus 3 vs. OnePlus 2: Getting better every year
CrackBerry — Earnings time
This week, BlackBerry held their annual meeting of shareholders and announced their Q1 2017 earnings. With all of that being in play, BlackBerry CEO John Chen also hit the media circuit to discuss the earnings, BlackBerry’s future and more.
- Listen to the BlackBerry annual and special meeting replay
- BlackBerry announces Q1 Fiscal 2017 results
- John Chen discusses BlackBerry profit forecast and new smartphones
iMore — Thunderbolted
It’s been a week since WWDC 2013 came to an end, but the beta period has just begun. From now until the fall, Apple will be releasing developer betas for iOS 10, macOS Sierra, watchOS 3, and tvOS 10, likely on the company’s usual two week cycle. That’s a lot of betas and a lot of time, but we’ll need all of it to really dig in and go over what it all does and, more importantly, what it all means.
Oh, and Apple just discontinued its Thunderbolt Display. But don’t worry, we’ve already rounded up the best Thunderbolt alternatives, and the best 4K displays for Mac.
- WWDC 2016: Beyond the keynote
- watchOS 3 first look: A big roll in the right direction
- macOS Sierra preview: Smarter, easier, better
- How to use Apple TV: The ultimate guide
- iPad Pro is the new Mac
- What to do when your iPhone or iPad gets stolen
Tesla Central — Solar buy-out
Tesla surprised everybody — the markets, customers, and their target — with a $2.7 billion offer to buy SolarCity. Tesla CEO Elon Musk (who is also Chairman of SolarCity), explained the acquisiton as “a no-brainer” and the only way to build an end-to-end clean energy company.
But not everybody is buying it, so to speak. Tesla and SolarCity are both loaded with billions of dollars in debt and face equally arduous paths to profitability. But, should it work out, Musk thinks that the combined Tesla could someday be worth a trillion dollars. (We’ll see.)
In the near-term, however, Tesla’s big project is stil the Model 3, and we for the first time got a good look at the interior of a Model 3 prototype. It’s a spartan layout and we can’t guarantee that the production car will look the same, though the uniquely clean design bodes well for the future of Autopilot. But if you want a car that won’t change appearance, might we suggest you enter in Tesla Central’s Model S (for kids by Radio Flyer) giveaway?.
- Elon Musk-run Tesla Motors offers to acquire Elon Musk-chaired SolarCity for $2.7 billion
- This is Elon: Tesla’s CEO on the proposed acquisition of SolarCity
- Tesla’s proposed SolarCity acquisition makes all the sense in the world — and none at all
- Could Tesla someday be worth a trillion dollars? Elon Musk seems to think so
- This is our best look yet at the Model 3’s spartan dashboard
Enter to win a Tesla Model S for kids by Radio Flyer
VR Heads — Everyone’s excited and things are great
There’s a whole lot of smiling and adventure happening in the VR Heads world right now. PlayStation VR demo stations have started arriving around the world, our post E3 coverage has ended in some interesting hands-ons, and it turns out IKEA has a wierd and wonderful VR experience.
Check out all of the eyes on adventures we’ve had!
- Damn, PlayStation VR is going to crush everything
- I visited IKEA in VR, and it blew my mind!
- Battlezone VR served as an awesome introduction to VR
Enter to win an HTC Vive VR headset and ASUS VR-capable gaming PC!
Windows Central — Tap to build
Microsoft pushed out two more updates this week for Fast Ring Insiders with build 14371 and 14372 going out to Mobile and PC users. The updates bring more fixes and improvements to the expected Anniversary Update due at the end of July.
Verizon surprised many of us with a Windows 10 Mobile update for the aging Lumia Icon, and AT&T followed by updating the Lumia 1520.
Roku and Sirius Radio launched new apps for Windows 10 as does anime-fave Crunchyroll.
Microsoft also did a soft-launch of their Wallet and NFC Tap to Pay feature for those in the US with select banks. The company also put out a decent promo video for when the new convenience tool goes wider later this summer.
- Why I dropped LastPass for Enpass on Windows 10 — and why you should too
- Huawei Matebook pre-orders begin today at Microsoft Store; available on July 11
- Get a Lumia 950 XL and get a Lumia 950 for free in Canada and the U.S.
- Dell XPS 13 (2015) review: Best of the small
Check out the latest Windows 10 #DoMoreEveryDay Gems!
AC editors’ apps of the week: WiFiMapper, Atomas, OneBusAway and more
It’s Appday Sunday and that means we’re back with more of our favorites to share. Every week we bring a handful of great apps to the table and share them with everyone. Sometimes they are new apps, sometimes old standards, but every time they are apps we love to use.
Give these a look and then take a minute to tell us all about the apps you are using and love so we can give them a try. We all find some of our favorites right in the comments on these posts!
Alex Dobie — WifiMapper
Finding reliable, non-terrible public Wi-Fi can be a challenge. Whether you’re traveling abroad without a roaming data package, or just looking to save a few megabytes on your cellular plan at a coffee shop, WifiMapper by OpenSignal is a fantastic guide to tracking down Wi-Fi hotspots that don’t suck. The main app view shows you open hotspots nearby, along with their estimated location and signal strength, and details of whether it’s paid or free.
You can also scroll around and see hotspots further afield, complete with the same data, as collected by OpenSignal. And there’s also a neat filter system for narrowing down different types of hotspots. While it’s not an app I use every day, it’s one that’s extremely useful when I really need it.
Download: WifiMapper (free)
Ara Wagoner — DC All Access
DC is awesome, and if you watch the DC All Access series on their YouTube channel, like me, you’ve no doubt been hearing a lot about their new app. I downloaded the app this week to see what the fuss was about, and I’m keeping it in my app drawer for the foreseeable future because not only will it give me the latest info on what the hell is going on in Rebirth, but it gives me plenty of stickers, gifs, and DC ’emoji’ with which to express my shock, joy, and rage at the changes. You can even decide how many stickers you want taking up space on your phone by starting with the basics and then downloading (not buying – just downloading) extra packs from the DC gallery.
And since these stickers are sent to your other apps through the Share menu, you can save them to Google Drive for use on your computer! Win-win!
Download: DC All Access (Free)
Andrew Martonik — OneBusAway
OneBusAway is the app I use for transit information around Seattle, and this week it received an absolutely massive Material Design interface update that’s worth making note of. For so long I reluctantly used its tired interface so I could have access to the great data it had, but that’s no longer the case — the new design is beautiful.
The new layout makes it even easier to see upcoming busses/trains/streetcars at every stop, how they’re doing in terms of on-time performance and where they’re going. You can still set favorite routes and stops, as well as search for specific routes and stops or just look at recent stops you’ve used. The wealth of transit data on offer is really wonderful if you need to make it around a city without a car.
OneBusAway isn’t expansive in its available regions like some bigger apps, but it works in the following areas: Atlanta; Rogue Valley, Oregon; San Diego; Seattle/Tacoma/Puget Sound, Washington; Tampa Bay, Florida; Washington, D.C.; and York Region Transit, Ontario. If you have an opportunity to use it one of these places, I can’t recommend it enough.
Download: OneBusAway (Free)
Russell Holly — S Health
Since I’m already using a Galaxy S7 and a Gear S2, I figure why not give more of my data over to Samsung and actually give their health and fitness app a try. S Health is surprisingly good, active as a full meal breakdown tool, a step counter, a heartrate health monitor, and a sleep tracker all at once for me. I’m barely scratching the surface of what this app is capable of, and the only thing I’ve found that it doesn’t do well so far is to give me a good idea of how many calories I’m burning as I sweat to death shooting hundreds of virtual arrows in Holopoint on the HTC Vive.
Download: S Health (Free)
Jen Karner — Atomas
I really like puzzle games. Games that make me think strategically, or plan out future moves. So when I found Atomas, a game that is based on combining elements to create bigger elements I was intrigued. The game is deceptively simple. All you need to do is combine similar elements in groups of two to get to the next tier. But as you’ll quickly realize grouping atoms becomes difficult quite quickly, especially if you aren’t paying attention. If you have too many atoms on your screen, the game will end.
Atomas encourages you to think critically when placing your atoms, and occasionally throws you boosts which will help clean out your screen so it isn’t game over. On top of the classic mode, you can also play a timed game. There are also upgrades that you can grab after you’ve unlocked them by playing in classic mode. It’s ridiculously fun, and a great way to burn time while traveling or waiting for your appointments.
Download: Atomas (Free)
Jerry Hildenbrand — Bitmoji
What’s more annoying that a message filled with emojis? When the message has one giant obnoxious emoji sticker!
That’s where Bitmoji comes into the picture. You can create a stylized avatar of yourself and choose from a pile of different poses, backgrounds and words of inspiration. Once you have created your masterpiece of emoji terror, you can share it with just about any app that will let you attach a .png file, or you can save them to your phone so you have them ready when needed.
The app is free, but you can spend real money to buy new theme packs that include even more stickers.
Download: Bitmoji (Free with in-app purchases)
Best gaming controllers for the Amazon Fire TV
Gaming on your Amazon Fire TV? You have more controller options than you might think.
Looking to invite friends over for a multiplayer session on your Amazon Fire TV but not sure what controllers are compatible with it?
No worries. We’ve broken out a list of some of your best controller options for the Amazon Fire TV — and chances are you may already own something that’s compatible without knowing.
- Amazon Fire TV Gaming Controller
- Xbox 360 Wired Controller
- DualShock 4 Bluetooth Controller (for PS4)
- SteelSeries Stratus XL
- Logitech Gamepad F310
Amazon Fire TV Gaming Controller
An obvious but necessary inclusion on this list, if you enjoy the gaming controller that came with your Amazon Fire TV Gaming Edition, you can buy extra controllers from — where else — Amazon.
The Amazon Fire TV controller connects via Bluetooth and has a number of features specifically designed to get the most out of your Amazon Fire TV box. For starters, it includes a built-in microphone, which gives you full access to Alexa features and allows you to search for games, movies, music, and more information, using only your voice.
The controllers also feature a headphone jack, so you can fully immerse yourself in a movie or game without bothering the people around you.
The Amazon Fire TV controller takes two AA batteries, so you should stock up on those if you plan on becoming a heavy gamer.
See at Amazon
Xbox 360 Wired Controller
The wired version of the Xbox 360 controller works nearly flawlessly with the Amazon Fire TV. Simply plug in the controller to the USB port on the back of your Amazon Fire TV and you’re good to go.
Looking to attach more than one USB controller? It’s as simple as first plugging in a USB hub then plugging in up to four controllers. If you’ve got a couple plugged in, you’ll even notice the player indicator lights will light up properly — a small but reassuring feature.
There’s a whole bunch of [third-party controllers that work with the Amazon Fire](, including the wireless versions of the Xbox 360 controllers, but the reason why we’re not recommending the wireless variant is because you’ll also need to own Microsoft’s Xbox 360 Wireless Receiver for Windows.
If you happen to already have a few of the wireless Xbox 360 controllers around, the dongle receiver may be the better option. If you don’t, the wired variety are your best bet, as you won’t have to worry about batteries or connectivity issues.
See on Amazon
DualShock 4 Bluetooth Controller (for PS4)
The DualShock controller has been an industry standard and trailblazer since first being introduced for the original PlayStation back in 1998. While the technology inside the controller has improved, the overall design has remained largely unchanged and it’s clear to see why — it’s incredibly comfortable to hold.
Sony’s DualShock 4 Bluetooth Controller is a great option that’s compatible with your Amazon Fire TV. It’s quick to pair — simply go into the Amazon Fire TV’s Bluetooth controller settings, then hold down the Share and PS button on the DualShock controller to start the pairing.
The DualShock 4 controller is a surprisingly versatile controller; beyond using it with your PS4 and Amazon Fire TV, it’s also compatible with Windows for PC gaming.
See at Amazon
SteelSeries Stratus XL
The SteelSeries Stratus XL is a great controller that works for gaming on your Windows PC, Android phone, and Amazon Fire TV. SteelSeries has basically taken the best features from the DualShock and Xbox 360 controllers and combined them to create the Stratus XL.
It connects via Bluetooth and plays for up to 40 hours on two AA batteries. It’s got nearly perfect weight to it and has been designed to fit comfortably in your hands for marathon gaming sessions.
Starting at over $60, the price might give you pause, but you really can’t go wrong with this versatile, comfortable controller.
See at Amazon
Logitech Gamepad F310
If you’re looking for a cheaper USB controller option, the Gamepad F310 from Logitech is a good choice.
It features the same analog stick layout as the DualShock and a cord that should be long enough to reach from the Amazon Fire TV to the couch. This one is also plug-and-play, meaning you shouldn’t have to worry about setting things up.
And since this is a cheaper option, starting at $19.99, you could stock up on a couple of them, along with a decent USB hub and always be prepared for some multiplayer action.
See at Amazon
What’s your preferred third-party controller?
Do you have a favorite gaming controller that didn’t make our list? Tell us about it in the comments!
Amazon Fire TV
- Read our full review!
- Get the latest news
- Join the discussion
Amazon
Best Buy
Google reportedly ships its first non-Nexus phone this year
You might not have to wait long to see whether or not rumors of Google having more say over phone designs are true. Sources speaking to the Telegraph claim that Google will release a smartphone with tighter controls over “design, manufacturing and software” before the end of the year. The details of the phone aren’t available, but this wouldn’t be a Nexus from the sound of it — those are shaped more by third parties that maintain at least some of their influence. The Pixel C tablet might (might) offer an inkling of what to expect.
Google didn’t comment on the rumor for the newspaper. With that said, its leadership hasn’t been shy about wanting to take the reins. CEO Sundar Pichai recently said that Google would be more “opinionated” about designs. The issue may simply be a matter of how far Mountain View wants to go. Is it willing to risk alienating Android’s hardware partners with a phone designed largely in-house, or would this be more about making a bigger mark on the Nexus program? One thing’s certain: if the rumor is at all accurate, Google’s hardware strategy will never be the same.
Source: The Telegraph
See the unusual way cancer cells spread
In many ways, the biggest problem with fighting cancer is containing it: you may kill the main tumor site, but there’s a real chance that it’ll spread and reemerge as a threat. At last, though, scientists have a better understanding of how that migration happens. British researchers have learned that cancer cells invoke an unusual survival mechanism when they start to float through the body. Proteins on the cell surface (integrins) switch from their usual role, adhesion, to internal signalling that has the rest of the cell protect itself against death. The cancer is steeling itself for the journey, in other words.
The findings could prompt a major change in how doctors treat at least some forms of cancer. Current treatments targeting those proteins try to block the adhesion — it may be smarter to prevent those proteins from entering the cell, stopping the trip entirely. Much more research is necessary to make that happen (studies have revolved around zebrafish so far, for example), but there’s already hope of stopping tumors in their tracks.
Via: Wired
Source: QMUL, Nature
Best accessories for Toshiba Chromebook 2
Customize your Toshiba Chromebook 2 with these great accessories!
So you’ve got yourself a Toshiba Chromebook 2 and want to know how you can make it your own.
Don’t worry, we’ve done the searching for you and we know just what you’ll need, so you can deck it out with all the best accessories.
- Skinit vinyl skins
- iPearl mCover hard shell case
- Toshiba dynadock universal docking station
- JETech Bluetooth mouse
- Sound Intone headphones
- Logitech multimedia speakers
- Evecase briefcase bag
Skinit vinyl skins
A vinyl skin is a great way to decorate your Chromebook 2 and protect it from scratches. Skinit offers hundreds of skins with designs ranging from Hello Kitty to your college alma mater, classics paintings to abstract art starting at around $30. You can also customize a skin with your own photos or artwork.
The skins are a breeze to install and just as easy to remove, with no residue left behind, so you can change it up as often as you like. They take into account the Chromebook 2’s indicator lights and ports so you always have access to what you need.
See at Skinit
iPearl mCover hard shell case
To protect your Chromebook 2 from bumps or drops you’ll need a hard shell case, and iPearl’s offering is just right. It’s designed specifically for the Chromebook 2, is available in nine colors, and is priced around $20.
The translucent polycarbonate material is shatter-proof and it covers every corner. It’s also designed not to interfere with the heat vents at the bottom, to prevent your laptop overheating, and retractable feet at the rear bottom of the case make typing at a desk ergonomic and comfortable.
See at Amazon
Toshiba dynadock universal docking station
The dynadock will turn your Chromebook 2 into a multi-tasking, multi-media machine. If you can’t live without adding screens and having a massive variety of ports and options, this is the accessory you need. You can buy it directly from Toshiba for about $166.
You’ll be able to connect two additional HD displays for movies and gaming, along with added surround sound capabilities. It has six USB 2.0 ports and two USB 3.0 ports, so you’ll never run out of ways to plug in your other devices, whether it’s for fast data transfer or connecting to a printer.
See at Amazon
JETech Bluetooth mouse
Sometimes you just need a mouse to get the job (or the game) done. This Bluetooth mouse from JETech pairs with your Chromebook 2 to give you the portability of a laptop and the feel of a desktop — all for about $17.
The design is slim and ambidextrous. It clicks quietly and with precision, thanks to the high-definition optical sensor, and holds the connection to your Chromebook 2 wherever you are. All it takes is one AA battery, which will power the mouse for up to one year before needing to be replaced.
See at Amazon
Sound Intone headphones
Block out the noise around you with headphones from Sound Intone. You’ll be able to focus on your music or hear every piece of dialogue from your favorite show on your morning commute. The built-in microphone also lets you talk away during video calls.
The on-ear design is comfortable, with padding that isn’t overly bulky. The headphones also conveniently fold up for easy storage when you’re on the move. Sound Intone makes them completely adjustable so that anyone can wear them and they come in at around $18.
See at Amazon
Logitech multimedia speakers
Everyone needs to get a little loud from time to time, and so does your Chromebook 2. Unleash those movie and game soundtracks with gusto by adding Logitech’s multimedia speakers for about $23.
You’re able to plug in two devices, such as your phone and your laptop, and the speakers will play from both sources at the same time. If you want to switch to headphones , just plug into the headphone jack into the front of the right speaker and you’re good to go.
See at Amazon
Evecase briefcase bag
Easily take your Chromebook 2 everywhere you go with this briefcase bag from Evecase. Your laptop will fit snug inside (even with a skin or hard case on it) and be protected from bumps and jostles while you’re travelling or just getting from one place to another on a busy day.
It comes with a mousepad and a smaller pouch that snaps onto the bag that’s designed to hold your phone, your mouse, a USB or two, or a charging cable. You can get yours in one of four different colors for around $22.
See at Amazon
So wise to accessorize
Have you found some stellar accessories that you and your Chromebook 2 just can’t be without? We want to know about them! Tell us all the details in the comments!
Chromebooks
- The best Chromebooks
- Should you buy a Chromebook?
- Google Play is coming to Chromebooks
- Acer Chromebook 14 review
- Join our Chromebook forums
Chrome exploit makes life easier for video pirates
Media giants insist on copy protection systems in browsers to prevent bootleggers from copying video streams, but these anti-piracy measures aren’t foolproof. Security researchers have found a flaw in Chrome (and any Chromium-based browser) that circumvents Google’s Widevine digital rights management. As the system doesn’t check to make sure that decrypted video is playing only in the browser, it’s possible to capture that video right as it’s passed to the browser’s media player. With the right software, you’d only need to hit play to start copying a Netflix movie.
The investigators aren’t saying exactly how the technique works until and unless there’s a patch. However, they describe it as relatively simple. It has likely been around ever since Google implemented Widevine in Chrome, they add.
How much Google can do about it is another matter. The company tells Wired that it’s looking closely at the exploit, but that Chromium’s open source nature means that anyone could “create their own versions” of the software that either use different copy protection or modify how it works. Also, it’s not certain that this is a Google-specific problem. Firefox and Opera use Widevine, so it’s possible that they might behave the same way. There’s no guarantee that other anti-copying systems (like those used by Apple’s Safari or Microsoft’s Edge) are safe, either. Still, Google may need to close this hole as best it can if it wants to maintain the media industry’s trust.
Via: Wired
Source: Ben-Gurion University (YouTube)
South Korea hopes traffic signs will cut phone distractions
Cities have tried a number of exotic solutions to get phone-toting pedestrians to focus on where they’re going (or at least, out of the way). However, Seoul thinks there’s a simpler answer: traffic signs. The South Korean capital is testing signs that warn smartphone owners in five accident-prone areas (such as City Hall or Gangnam Station) about the perils of distracted walking. In theory, those periodic reminders will have you looking up more often and spare you from smacking into a car.
Whether or not the trial expands will depend on the effectiveness of the signs, and there’s no certainty that they’ll work. The whole problem is that people are buried in their screens — will they look up for long enough to notice, let alone care? It’s hard to imagine Seoul officials giving up on the idea quickly, though. While smartphones are popular in many places, South Korea is particularly obsessed given that both LG and Samsung call the country home. Even a cursory reminder to pay attention may have a tangible effect.
Via: TechCrunch
Source: Seoul Metropolitan Government
After Math: What are we watching?
These days, it seems the only news being reported is bad news. Britain’s surprise exit from the EU stands to tear the nation in twain, Zika is spreading across the planet like viral wildfire, economic and racial divisions are widening; Trump is still a thing and none of it looks even close to being resolved. Thank goodness for the internet which, this week, brought us 25 hours of congressional sit-ins, Adele’s latest album over streaming and 23 new Instagram video channels. Numbers, because how else will we know how badly the global economy is tanking?
Ben Heck’s Essentials series: Logic gates
Join Ben, Karen and Felix as they teach you the basic functions of digital circuitry and electronics with logic gates. Using the basis of the Hackmanji game, you’ll soon learn the difference between NAND, AND, XOR and OR logic gates. These components, with their basic Boolean logic, are the backbone for all sorts of electronics, from cameras to mobile phones. Get in touch and help The Ben Heck Show team with the puzzles for the game on the element14 Community page, where you can also find the build files to code along with the projects on the show.
