Ultimaker 3 can 3D-print using two materials at once
There aren’t many 3D printers out there that have two extruders for putting out two materials at once, and of those even fewer are ready to hit the market. But Ultimaker’s latest device is up to the task. The Ultimaker 3, which starts at $3,495, has two extruders that can hold different materials so you can produce more intricate prototypes. The device also comes with WiFi and Ethernet support, in addition to a USB port, so it can receive your jobs over the internet.
One of the most popular (and, frankly, more interesting) applications of this dual-material capability is using the second nozzle to print integrated support structures that you can remove the inside of your print-out. In a recent demonstration, Ultimaker showed how it was able to create a complicated cage-like structure by using a water-soluble material for the support structure against the nylon-based primary material. Then, by dunking the whole thing in water for a few hours (depending on water temperature and movement), the support structures dissolve, leaving behind a clean-edged product.
To prevent the materials from crossing over each other mistakenly, the Ultimaker 3’s extruders will also dodge each other if they get too close. They slide back up into their housing and stop printing, not unlike how a turtle hides its head back in its shell when danger is near. Lights on each nozzle will indicate when the head is hot, cool and ready, so you won’t have to hurt yourself when swapping out the cores.
The Ultimaker 3 also adds NFC readers to its spool racks, so it can automatically detect the material you’ve chosen and adjust its settings accordingly. It also offers automatic bed-leveling, and has an on-board camera so you can watch your project’s progress without leaving your workstation.
The new extruders can print up to 215mm x 215mm x 200mm each, while their output volume when used together is 197mm x 215mm x 200mm. The company is also offering the Ultimaker 3+ for larger build capacities, and it can produce a taller 197mm x 215mm x 300mm print. The popular Ultimaker 2 and 2+ will continue to be available for $2,499 and $2,999, respectively.
Fairphone’s easy-to-fix handset relaunched with a slim cover
Most smartphones are doomed to the scrap heap several years after they’re new, because glued and soldered parts make them too pricey to repair. With the modular Fairphone 2 handset, on the other hand, you can replace the screen in a minute without tools, and other modules can be swapped with a screwdriver. In fact, iFixit gave the device a perfect 10 for repairability. The company behind it has refreshed the device, and released its first replaceable component: the cover
The case is slimmer than the one that came with the original Fairphone 2, which first went on sale late last year. New buyers will get the refreshed case, and the 50,000 buyers of the original can update. “With the new cases we are exploring an interesting part of modularity: customization,” Fairphone’s Fabian Hühne tells Engadget. “You can now get a refreshed look for your phone without having to buy a completely new device.”
The Fairphone has a Full HD screen, 8-megapixel back camera (2-megapixel front cam) Snapdragon 801 CPU, Android 5.1 Lollipop, dual-SIM slots for travelers, 4G wireless capability, 2GB RAM and 32GB of RAM with expandable storage. The company uses conflict-free minerals, recycles e-waste and promises better working conditions at its factory.
The new covers are easy to change and come in four colors, and you can still purchase the transparent or custom older models. If you’re worried about the phone becoming obsolete, Fairphone will eventually offer updated components, starting with the camera.
All of that comes at a price: it’s on pre-order for €525 in Europe (around $575), with delivery by December 16th. That’s $175 more than the technologically superior OnePlus 3, for example. You will feel less guilty, however, knowing you can keep it around by fixing or updating parts if need be — provided the company itself has the same longevity.
Source: Fairphone
Sky Q smartphone app lets you take your recordings with you
One of the clever things about the Sky Q box is that it can sync recordings to devices throughout your home. The company has offered a tablet app since launch, but if you wanted to transfer TV shows and movies over to your smartphone, you were out of luck. Thankfully, that changes today with the launch of a dedicated mobile app that lets you stream live and on-demand programmes but also remotely set your Sky Q box to record episodes while you’re out and about.
As you’d expect, the Sky Q app will only let you access channels and programming available under your existing subscription. Recordings won’t be available if you’re outside of your home network, which means you’ll need to download content to your device over WiFi before you leave the house. It’s a welcome update for commuter types who want to fill their journey to work with an episode or two but would rather not blitz their entire data allowance when doing so.
Via: Sky
Source: Sky Q (App Store), (Play Store)
Samsung is setting up Galaxy Note 7 exchange stations in airports
Sasmung has officially cancelled the Galaxy Note 7 following its exploding battery scandal, but there are still plenty of people out there who need to exchange their phones. If you’re planning to fly soon, that need got stronger a few days ago, when the US banned the phone from all flights. To help air travelers get a phone that they’re actually allowed to have on a plane, Samsung is setting up exchange stations in airports to give customers refunds or a new phone.
So far, the company has only officially announced the program in Australia, but ABC News out of San Francisco reports that Samsung is set up at the San Francisco International Airport to help customers exchange their phones. If you get a new phone from Samsung at an airport, the company will transfer all the data from your Note 7 so you don’t lose any vacation pictures.
Samsung has a team of representatives at SFO to help customers with the Note7 phone. It’s banned from US flights. pic.twitter.com/2IiEcg6hsU
— Sergio Quintana (@svqjournalist) October 17, 2016
CNET notes that Samsung also has exchange stations set up in South Korea and has plans to get them into high traffic airports around the world. They’re set up ahead of security checkpoint, where the Note 7 would be cause to turn passengers around, at least in the US. If it somehow hasn’t become clear yet, the obvious message here is that you should turn in your Note 7 and get another phone, as soon as possible. Why wait until you get to the airport? But for those who have been traveling while the airplane ban went into effect, these exchange stations could be quite handy.
Via: The Verge
Source: Samsung, ABC 7 News, CNEt
Amazon Japan’s manga-ready Kindle has 8 times the storage
Amazon Japan has an unusual challenge with the Kindle: it not only has to cater to your typical bookworm, but to a local fondness for image-heavy (and thus storage-intensive) manga books. What it’s going to do? Release a special model just for those readers, apparently. The company has introduced a manga version of the Kindle Paperwhite with 32GB of storage, or eight times as much space as the run-of-the-mill 4GB model. You could cram every single volume of Asari-chan, Kochikame and Naruto into this e-reader, Amazon says. On top of that, a 33 percent faster page turning speed promises to keep you engrossed in your comics.
The manga Kindle is available for pre-order now, with pricing commanding a slight premium over the usual Paperwhite. You’re spending ¥16,280 (about $157), or ¥12,280 ($118) if you’re an Amazon Prime subscriber. The first units ship October 21st, and the update to improve page turning performance should arrive by the end of the month. As you might gather, it’s not very likely that you’ll see this model elsewhere in the world — when the 4GB in regular Kindles is enough to hold thousands of regular books, Amazon doesn’t have much incentive to boost their capacity any time soon.
Source: Amazon Japan (translated 1), (2)
NVIDIA’s GTX 1050 graphics card starts at $109
This year has been a busy one for NVIDIA, what with the introduction of its highly anticipated GeForce GTX 1080 and, most recently, the high-end Titan X graphics cards. But the company isn’t forgetting about the entry-level crowd. Today, it announced the GTX 1050 and GTX 1050 Ti, a pair of GPUs built for people who want to get into PC gaming. They’re both based on NVIDIA’s Pascal architecture, and the company says you’ll be able to play many titles at a “smooth” 60 frames per second in 1080p. That includes games like Bioshock Infinite, Grand Theft Auto V, Star Wars Battlefront, The Division and more.
As for the difference between the two, the GTX 1050 Ti is slightly more powerful, featuring 768 CUDA cores and 4GB of GDDR5 RAM. The GTX 1050, in comparison, offers 640 CUDA cores and only 2GB of GDDR5 RAM. Neither card supports virtual reality platforms, but that’s not surprising given their low starting price. What’s more, although there’s no external power connector needed, the company promises that the cards’ performance won’t disappoint.
You can buy the GTX 1050 on October 25th at $109, while the GTX 1050 Ti is expected to arrive around November 8th for $139 and above. And if these aren’t good enough for you, don’t forget NVIDIA also has the GTX 1060 and GTX 1070, which cost $249 and $379, respectively. Unless, of course, you prefer AMD’s budget-friendly gaming cards, the RX 460 and RX 470.
Source: NVIDIA
Plantronics’ new wireless cans deliver noise-canceling for $200
Plantronics’ latest wireless headphones double-down on the company’s strengths: sound quality and price. For a relatively low price of $200, the BackBeat Pro 2 packs in decent noise-cancelling and even more thumping bass than its predecessor. But, once again, you certainly won’t mistake them for Beats or Sony cans, with a design that’s even less appealing than before. They won’t do much to change Plantronics’ image, but they might end up being the ideal pair of noise-cancelling over-ear headphones for less style-conscious buyers.
I was a big fan of the original BackBeat Pro, Plantronic’s first foray into premium noise-cancelling headphones in 2013. They were cheaper than the competition — which typically ranges from $300 to $400 — and they sounded pretty great, to boot. Last year’s BackBeat Pro+ refresh aimed to simplify pairing with the addition of a Bluetooth dongle, but that didn’t justify its higher $300 price. With this new model, Plantronics had to right a few wrongs. And for the most part, it succeeds.
While Plantronics’ previous headphones were large with circular earpieces, the BackBeat Pro 2 is a bit less bulky with oblong ear pad designs. The company claims it’s 15 percent lighter than before, and the overall volume has been reduced by 35 percent. You can certainly feel the weight difference just by picking them up. Not surprisingly, the BackBeat Pro 2 feels a lot more comfortable when you’re wearing them, and they’re also less comically large when they’re actually on your head. As for that earpiece design change, Plantronics says it’ll allow the Pro 2 to fit more comfortably for more people.
You’ll also notice some design changes this time around. The headset is still mostly made up of plastic, but Plantronics added a few flourishes to spice up its previously minimalist design. There’s a pseudo-carbon fiber material around the outside of the ear pads, and the inner circle has a wood-grain plastic finish. I wasn’t expecting much from the company design wise, especially since it was aiming for a lower price, but what we’ve got in the BackBeat Pro 2 is mostly dull. And in certain angles, they simply look ugly. I’m particularly turned off by the huge “L” and “R” on the inside of the ear pieces. Next time, I hope Plantronics puts more thought into aesthetics (though I’m glad they were able to de-bulk the headphones, at least).
Controlling the BackBeat Pro 2 is simpler than with previous models. Instead of having track and volume controls spread across rotating dials on the left and right ear pieces, the Pro 2 simply pushes them all to the left can. Turning the outer ring changes the volume, hitting the center circle plays and pauses the music, and hitting the inner ring lets you change tracks. While it seems confusing at first, I didn’t have any problem differentiating between the buttons while wearing the the Pro 2.
When it comes to wireless sound quality, though, the BackBeat Pro 2 are stellar. They have more of a bass kick than the previous versions, but it’s not overdone to the point of distraction. Most importantly, they sounded great across several genres of music, no matter if I was listening to David Bowie, Janelle Monae or Radiohead. When it comes to orchestral music, especially film scores, they conveyed a surprising amount of nuance for wireless headphones. They also sounded good while taking calls; I had no trouble making out what other people were saying, and the microphone did a good job of picking up my voice while ignoring background noise.
Plantronic’s active noise-canceling (ANC) also did a good job of reducing subway and street noise during my commute between Brooklyn and Manhattan. It’s not a feature I’d use all the time — in quiet environments ANC can make things sound too quiet to the point of being eerie — but it works well when you need it. Without ANC turned on, the BackBeat Pro 2 still sounded solid, while letting in a bit of background noise. For situational awareness, you can also flip on the “open listening” mode, which pipes in external sound into the headphones.
When wired, the BackBeat Pro 2 sounds even better. They’re best used when connected to a headphone amp (not just straight into a PC or phone), but with the proper power driving them they sound almost as good as headphones twice the price. Unfortunately, they don’t work as USB headphones, which is a nice feature I’ve seen on other wireless cans (including cheaper non-noise canceling options from Jabra). That feature you an easy way to connect them to PCs without going through the whole Bluetooth pairing dance.
As before, the BackBeat Pro 2 features sensors that automatically pauses your media when you take them off. That’s particularly useful for things like podcasts and audiobooks where you don’t want to miss out on anything. The BackBeat Pro 2 also automatically paused what I was watching when connected to the Apple TV, which was a lifesaver during recent binge watching sessions. And yes, they sound great for film and TV watching too.
For the quality hounds out there, Plantronics also included support for the AptX Bluetooth codec, which delivers even better sound wirelessly than the typical BT profile. AptX is supported by a handful of Android devices, PCs and Bluetooth accessories, though it’s still missing on the iPhone and iPad. Surprisingly enough, the codec is supported on Mac OS. I noticed slightly more detail when listening to the BackBeat Pro 2 on my MacBook Air compared to the Pro+.
Plantronics claims the BackBeat Pro 2 gets 24 hours of battery life, and while I haven’t clocked it closely, I’m surprised that they’re still on a “medium” battery after using them for music and movies over the past week. The previous BackBeats also delivered solid battery life, so this is an area I know Plantronics has experience with. If you happen to leave them on accidentally, the company claims they’ll last for up to six months in “Deep Hibernation” mode. Basically, they’re ideal if you’re anxious about battery life.
In the box, you also a soft carrying case, a micro-USB cable for charging and a 3.5mm audio cable. There’s also a slightly more expensive “SE” version of the Pro 2 for $250, which includes NFC pairing and a hard case. Given how useless NFC pairing typically is, though, I’d recommend avoiding that model.
Overall, the BackBeat Pro 2 is a solid upgrade for Plantronics, despite its aesthetic missteps. It’s a particularly good deal for people who pride quality and comfort over good looks. But here’s the thing: Design does matter, especially if Plantronics wants to be considered alongside Beats, Bose and Sony. While it can certainly compete when it comes to sound quality, Plantronics would be a force to be reckoned with if it could hone its design chops.
Instagram introduces new suicide prevention tools
If a friend is having a hard time or even in danger of hurting themselves, sometimes the first warning signs appear in social media. Instagram can now help you intervene anonymously with some new support options. If you report a post that worries you, your friend will get a message saying, “someone saw one of your posts and thinks you might be going through a difficult time. If you need support, we’d like to help.” They’ll then get the option to talk to a friend, contact a helpline or receive tips and support.
“We understand friends and family often want to offer support but don’t know how best to reach out,” Instagram COO Marne Levine told Seventeen. “These tools are designed to let you know that you are surrounded by a community that cares about you, at a moment when you might most need that reminder.” Instagram parent Facebook unveiled its own suicide-prevention tools earlier this year, and has a team that reviews reports to flag serious cases and weed out false reports.
These tools are designed to let you know that you are surrounded by a community that cares about you, at a moment when you might most need that reminder.
To craft the feature’s language, Instagram collaborated with folks who’ve experienced eating disorders or self harm issues, and worked with the National Eating Disorders Association and The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. “We listen to mental health experts when they tell us that outreach from a loved one can make a real difference for those who may be in distress,” Levine said.
However, mental health experts feel that Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and other social networks cause social pressure that can make users, especially teens, sleepless, anxious and depressed. And while it’s admirable that Facebook, Instagram and others have tools to help troubled users, they still haven’t properly dealt with the bullying and harassment at the root of many problems.
For those in crisis and in need of immediate help, please visit the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline or call 1-800-273-8255. UK users can visit the Samaritans website or call 116 123. You’re not alone.
Via: Refinery 29
Source: Seventeen
Spotify App Not Coming to Apple TV ‘Anytime Soon’
A conversation thread on Github between a few developers and Spotify project leader Samuel Erdtman has confirmed that the streaming music company isn’t looking into developing an app for Apple’s fourth-generation Apple TV “anytime soon” (via AppAdvice).
In the thread, which began as a feature request for the Spotify SDK to support tvOS, Erdtman eventually closed out the comments saying that building support for Spotify on Apple TV has been “down prioritized.” That might not be an official confirmation that Spotify will never arrive on Apple’s set-top box, but Erdtman’s wording hints that it’s far from Spotify’s top priority at the moment.
To support tvOS has been down prioritized, You should not expect a release supporting it any time soon. I’m sorry about that.
Although Spotify users might like to take advantage of a tvOS app for Spotify, it’s not entirely surprising that the two companies may never reach an agreement on how such an experience would work. Over the summer, Spotify and Apple quarreled over the 30 percent cut that Apple now takes from iOS App Store subscriptions, which has caused Spotify to charge $12.99 for subscriptions purchased through the App Store, a $3 premium over subscriptions purchased on the web and $3 more than the price of Apple Music.
Spotify claimed Apple was using such a tactic as a “weapon to harm competitors,” while Apple accused Spotify of “resorting to rumors and half-truths” to gain public opinion in its favor. Apple’s new music royalty proposal for streaming services also adversely affects the free tiers of companies like Spotify and YouTube.
A potential Spotify tvOS app would likely be a free download users could use as a companion app to stream their music, but with so much bad blood between the two companies, it still seems likely that Spotify will simply avoid creating an app for tvOS at all. Amazon is also refraining from launching an Amazon Prime Video app on Apple TV, reportedly until Apple presents it with “acceptable business terms.”
For Spotify users frustrated with the news, Apple’s AirPlay feature can still be used to stream music from Spotify on an iPhone or iPad through a connected Apple TV.
Related Roundups: Apple TV, tvOS 10
Tag: Spotify
Buyer’s Guide: Apple TV (Caution)
Discuss this article in our forums
Full-Device Skins Causing ‘iPhone’ and Regulatory Labels to Peel Off Back of Jet Black iPhones
While full-device skins can be a good solution for iPhone owners looking for scratch protection without using a full case, those with Jet Black models should exercise caution when applying or removing the plastic wrap.
A small number of iPhone 7 Plus owners with Jet Black models have noticed the text printed on the back of the device, such as “Designed by Apple in California,” becomes transposed onto the skin upon being removed from the device.
MacRumors forum member ksyu found out the hard way when he removed a full-device skin from his iPhone 7 Plus and noticed the letters transferred onto the plastic. Under bright light, all of the rear markings, including “iPhone” and the required regulatory labels, are easily distinguishable.
“I had a normal protector on for about 1 minute and took it off,” he said. “The writing peels right off.”
MacRumors reader Keith experienced a similar situation when removing a Slickwraps from his iPhone 7 Plus:
The writing actually came off onto the clear Slickwraps just like pulling silly putty off of a newspaper comic strip. If you’re one of the people hoping to keep their phone in brand new out of the box condition this might cause a problem for you. I don’t know if the writing came off because the wrap is sticky or because it was a wet install meaning getting your phone wet then drying the phone could lead to the writing rubbing off.
The fine print does not completely come off the iPhone, but it does become faded. This type of issue has not affected previous iPhone models, nor does it appear to affect Black, Gold, Rose Gold, or Silver colors.
Apple says the high-gloss Jet Black finish is achieved through a precision nine-step anodization and polishing process, but it remains unclear why the letters are rubbing off for some users. Fortunately, the problem does not appear to be widespread, but full-skin aficionados should be extra careful.
Related Roundup: iPhone 7
Discuss this article in our forums
AIVAnet 