How to set up a Wi-Fi hotspot on an Android phone
How to share your Android phone’s mobile data connection with laptops, tablets and other devices.
Setting up a Wi-Fi hotspot is an easy way to share your phone’s data connection with another device, like a tablet, Mac or PC. Tethering to your phone over Wi-Fi is often easier than using a cable, and you can have multiple devices connected if need be.
Android has had Wi-Fi hotspot capabilities built in for years now, though depending on your carrier, or the model of phone you have, it may work slightly differently. In this article, we’re going to cover the most common options — stock (unmodified) Android, and Samsung Galaxy phones.
NOTE: Tethering can quickly drain your battery, and use a lot of mobile data, so be careful!
On a Nexus 5X or 6P
How to enable Wi-Fi hotspot
Tap the Settings icon in your home screen or app drawer.
Under Wireless & networks, tap More.
Tap Tethering & portable hotspot.
Tap the toggle next to Portable Wi-Fi hotspot.
You’ll also find a shortcut in the quick settings area.
Swipe down from the top of the screen to view notifications.
Swipe down again to see quick settings.
If the Hotspot shortcut isn’t already there, tap Edit, then long-press on Hotspot and drag it to the grid of tiles.
How to configure your Wi-Fi hotspot
If it’s your first time using the Wi-Fi hotspot feature, you might want to set your own network name and password, or change other settings.
At the Tethering & portable hotspot menu, tap Set up Wi-Fi hotspot.
Here you can enter your network name and password. (Tapping show password often makes it easier to type.)
You can also select the AP Band, though you can usually leave this at the default 2.4GHz. (5GHz sometimes works better in crowded areas with lots of Wi-Fi traffic, but has shorter range.)
Note: You can also disable network security from this menu if you need to, but that’s usually a bad idea.
On a Samsung Galaxy S7
How to enable Wi-Fi hotspot
Tap the Settings icon in your home screen or app drawer.
Tap Mobile hotspot and tethering
Tap Mobile hotspot, then hit the toggle at the top of the screen.
You’ll also find a shortcut in the quick settings area.
Swipe down from the top of the screen to view notifications and quick settings.
If you don’t see Mobile hotspot, you might need to swipe down again to see all quick settings.
To change the position of quick settings shortcuts, tap EDIT, then drag mobile hotspot to where you want it.
How to configure your Wi-Fi hotspot
If it’s your first time using the Wi-Fi hotspot feature, you might want to set your own network name and password, or change other settings.
At the Mobile hotspot menu, tap MORE in the top right corner of the screen.
Tap Timeout settings to choose how long the phone waits before turning off the hotspot, if nothing is connected to it.
Or tap Configure Mobile hotspot to choose your Network name and password (tapping show password often makes it easier to type complex passwords).
Note: You can also disable network security from this menu if you need to, but that’s usually a bad idea.
Samsung Galaxy S7 and S7 edge
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AT&T will now let Note 7 owners return their replacement phone
The plot thickens.
AT&T has reached out to Android Central to let us know that they are offering to replace the Samsung Galaxy Note 7 for another phone if you have any concerns over the safety of the device.
If a customer would like to exchange a replacement Note7 for a different device we will do so.
The short official statement comes on the heels of a replacement Note 7 phone catching fire on a Southwest Airlines plane that was boarding in Louisville and destined for Baltimore. The phone in question was a device bought as a replacement and is now in the hands of local Louisville authorities.
The Note 7 originally launched with much fanfare, most of which was later tarnished by a notice from Samsung on September 2 to power off the device and return it for replacement, followed by an official safety recall in conjunction with the CSPC and Health Canada. A recent statement from CSPC Chairman Elliot F. Kaye reminds users holding on to an original Note 7 that one of the options provided to them under the recall is to return the device for a full refund.
More: Everything you need to know about the Galaxy Note 7 recall
Customers on Sprint can also return their Note 7 in exchange for another phone, and T-Mobile suggests customers with concerns use their Buyer’s Remorse program and exchange it.
Samsung Galaxy Note 7
- Galaxy Note 7 recall: Everything you need to know
- Samsung Galaxy Note 7 review
- The latest Galaxy Note 7 news!
- Here are all four Note 7 colors
- Complete Galaxy Note 7 specs
- Join the Note 7 discussion in the forums!
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Rent Hotel Transylvania for just 31 cents at the Microsoft Store!
Right now you can rent Hotel Transylvania for just 31 cents from the Microsoft Store, a huge discount from its regular $3.99 price. Both the SD and HD versions are available for the same price, and you can even get it for the same price in Canada. With rentals from the Microsoft Store, you have access to it for 14 days from the time you rent it to begin watching it, and 24 hours from the time you start watching it to finish it or watch it again.
If you aren’t familiar with the movie Hotel Transylvania, it is described as:
The last thing Simon Van Helsing, the youngest in a line of monster hunters, wants to do is fall in love with Dracula’s daughter, Mavis. Upon discovering that they are natural enemies, the doomed couple attempt to bring peace between the warring monsters and humans.
This offer won’t last long, so if you want to check this movie out you should do it quickly. Whether you want something new to watch during the storm this weekend or something to keep the kids busy so you can get some stuff done, this is a great way to do so without spending a bunch of cash.
See at Microsoft
Hackers doctored anti-doping files before releasing them
The World Anti-Doping Agency wanted Russia banned from the 2016 Olympics for operating a “state-run doping program.” In response, hackers, believed to be from the country, breached WADA’s systems and published a bunch of athletes’ private health files. But now, the drug-testing body has revealed that some of the documents that were leaked to the public weren’t actually legitimate.
In a release, the organization says that “not all data released” by the hacking group known as Fancy Bear “accurately reflects” the files that WADA holds. It appears as if someone seized the real documents and made spurious amendments that were designed to undermine the organization’s legitimacy. There are no prizes for guessing who’s behind the leak, since most fingers are viciously jabbing towards the Kremlin.
It’s not the first time that Putin’s digital army has been accused of using the internet to undermine its perceived enemies. The FBI believes that Russia was involved in the hack of the Democratic National Committee that forced the resignations of several top officials. In addition, the FBI thinks that political activity could be at risk from a concerted attempt to rig the 2016 election in favor of the Republican candidate.
Via: Ars Technica
Source: WADA
Philadelphia court orders Uber, Lyft to stop operating in the city
Ride-hailing companies Uber and Lyft deal with legal and regulatory issues all the time, but the battle is heating up in Philadelphia. A Common Pleas Court judge ordered the two companies to stop operating in the city yesterday, but both are still offering rides to customers today. Engadget has confirmed via the apps for both Uber and Lyft that the services are still up and running in Philly.
The injunction comes on the heels of a lawsuit filed by taxi drivers against the Philadelphia Parking Authority back in July. That suit argues that equal protections were not provided for all operators of the city’s car services. It also says that ride-hailing services aren’t required to adhere to the Americans With Disabilities Act like taxis do, so people with disabilities aren’t being offered the same options. Neither Uber or Lyft were named as defendants in that suit.
Lyft said the hearing that led to the ban didn’t involve the company and it wasn’t given the change to respond to the proceedings. “Lyft was not given any notice or opportunity to be heard on this issue before yesterday’s ruling,” the company said in a statement to Engadget. “We are appealing the order and will continue operating in Philadelphia as the legal process moves forward. People in Pennsylvania want access to ridesharing, and we remain committed to finding a statewide solution that keeps this modern option available across the state.”
In a statement to Engadget, Uber said it plans to remain operational in Philadelphia during the appeals process. “While our appeal is pending at the Commonwealth Court, Uber will remain available for riders and drivers,” the statement read. “This situation makes it clear that Harrisburg needs to act: Pennsylvania must have permanent, statewide ridesharing legislation as soon as possible.” Uber also explained that its authorization for uberX in the city expired on September 30th and it awaits a permanent solution from the legislature.
While the two companies wait on that decision, it appears to be business as usual while the legal process plays out. Both Uber and Lyft face another regulatory battle in Pennsylvania in a few days as the state legislature plans to discuss ride-hailing apps later this month. New regulations could override the current injunction and appeals process that resulted from the aforementioned lawsuit. Both ride-hailing companies are urging government officials to adopt a “statewide solution” as soon as possible.
Via: TechCrunch
Source: Philly.com
The weird and wonderful tech of CEATEC 2016: Here are the crazy gadgets you’ll be using in future
Japan’s top tech show, CEATEC, was held this week in Chiba, just outside Tokyo. And although it has always been traditionally known as a consumer electronics event, this year the show’s organisers took a sharp turn and focused on IoT instead.
The result was a futuristic show with many companies showing off prototypes and future tech. We were there to check them out.
Getting right into the spirit of things was Panasonic with a large display of its latest innovations and aspirations for the next three to five years.
Pocket-lint
Best gadgets of CEATEC 2016: Bendy batteries
A flexible Lithium-Ion battery was a real show stopper, mainly because it’s due for release at the end of the month. The battery can be flexed or twisted repeatedly without degrading and will most likely be used in wearable devices or smart clothing. Maybe we’ll even see bendable phones come to fruition too, as have been talked about for a while.
Best gadgets of CEATEC 2016: Panasonic’s future smarthome
Panasonic also showed several concept technologies that could really improve home life.
Pocket-lint
Future kitchen
We particularly warmed up to its future kitchen. It included a snazzy drinks fridge/wine cooler which not only stores your drinks at three different optimum temperatures but also displays information on the ideal serving temps and glasses. It also gives you background information such as the origin and ingredients of your booze. You should never be at a loss to accurately describe your wine or sake collection again.
Pocket-lint
For those with smaller kitchens or who like smooth uncluttered lines Panasonic does away with ugly stove tops, proposing a conductive unit that doubles as a regular surface when you’re not using it to cook. If your kitchen is even too small for that, how about cooking your food straight on the plate? Simply pop off the protective cover and your dinner can be microwaved right on a tabletop.
Pocket-lint
Future living room
Forget flatscreen TVs, within five years you could have a clear glass display that transforms into a television screen. One minute you’re displaying an antique vase and giving off the impression of being super sophisticated and highbrow, flick a switch and you could soon be enjoying Netflix.
Pocket-lint
Future bedroom
In the bedroom, Panasonic showed off a prototype Smart Mirror which can assess your skin’s condition, map blemishes and then print out nano-metre thick cover patches to allow you to achieve a flawless complexion without piling on the make-up products.
It can also assess the condition of your skin, including wrinkles, fine lines and not yet visible damage. While it all sounds great there are a couple of complications. The printer is large and presumably only serves that one function. And the company is still looking for a partner to develop this concept with. We imagine it will get both smaller and more sophisticated when that happens. Hopefully.
Best gadgets of CEATEC 2016: Lenovo’s own smart mirror
Lenovo was also showing off a smart mirror: the ThinkMirror. This one is more focused on lifestyle with an accompanying smart scale which feeds your body stats, such as BMI and bone density, to the mirror which then displays them.
Pocket-lint
It can also suggest exercises and inform you of how many calories you burnt carrying them out. Again, the one on show was only a prototype, and not one that the company’s representatives were comfortable with demoing on actual people, so that suggests it is far from ready.
However, the developer thought that it is something that could be ready by next year. If that’s the case, it seems like both Panasonic and Lenovo will be pipped at the post by a third option: Cal-Comp’s HiMirror. It combines skin analysis and a smart scale, and it’s set to launch this October.
Best gadgets of CEATEC 2016: Fancy a massage?
Also on the home front, we’ve been to Asia often enough to get used to electronic massage chairs but we have to say that Inada’s Lupinus is in another league.
Pocket-lint
The chair has large pads in the foot and leg well which act like hands applying pressure along your limbs. The same goes for your arms, which are usually neglected.
We really liked the way the chair manipulated your body by stretching it out before applying different massage techniques. It also has pads to press down on your shoulders, which allows pressure to be properly applied. There’s a display on the side showing you which actions are coming up next and all-in-all it was a thorough massage. We started off the day with a stiff shoulder and have to say after 15 minutes in the chair it was totally gone.
It’ll set you back a pretty penny though at a shade over £3,500.
Best gadgets of CEATEC 2016: Kirobi – Toyota’s mini robot
Toyota’s biggest draw at the show was the adorable Kirobi; the firm’s new mini robot. The tiny companion was officially announced on 3 October and will launch in Japan in early 2017. Pre-orders are now currently being accepted.
Pocket-lint
The thinking behind the Kirobi is that Toyota would like to get closer to its customers by providing a personalised experience. The genderless, child-like robot fits in the palm of your hand. And we have to admit that, when held, it did mange to feel cute. The size, weight and slightly oversized head do inspire certain protective instincts – maternal even.
However, when we asked the engineer who it is designed it for, rather than immediately referencing young childless women – as much of this week’s coverage pointed to – they instead said young women, the elderly who might like a bit of extra company, and families with small kids.
Kirobi only speaks and responds to Japanese at present but it cleverly recognised our rather poorly-pronounced attempts. It responds in a voice reminiscent of a five year-old’s. We asked it how it was (“very well”) and it then announced it felt like going to see some animals. When we asked which was Kirobi’s favourite animal it said it wasn’t sure yet.
As you communicate with your mini robot it sends information back to the cloud and begins to develop its own memories. Not only will it realise and comment on arriving at a place a second time (using GPS, but shhh don’t tell the kids or grandpa that) but each Kirobi will eventually have different personalities. After three years, say, should you take one person’s Kirobi and swop it with another, they will have totally different memories stored and therefore have developed differently.
Kirobi can also recognise moods through the camera between its overlarge Kawaii eyes and at one point in our demo – admittedly when we were trying hard to remember some Japanese – suggested that we ought to cheer up and try to smile a bit.
Its just 10cm tall and weighs 180g – although when we asked Kirobi how much he weighed he considered the question for a moment and responded, “About the same as an apple.”
It was a lot more certain of its birthday though, gleefully declaring it to be 3 October. Kirobi mini is currently only confirmed to be available in Japanese (which is great if you need a language partner), but Toyota isn’t ruling out introducing other languages in the future.
Best gadgets of CEATEC 2016: VR hangliding
We tried virtual parachuting last June at Taipei’s Computex, so we couldn’t resist trying out a VR hanglide at CEATEC. The graphics were far more complete than the student-developed version we previously tried.
Pocket-lint
Players are strapped onto a platform with a control bar to hold onto. Although the flight was preset it was fun to be lifted up for real, then swooping down into a volcano in the VR world and through rocky arches across the sea. The demo booth even had a fan going to imitate air flow.
Best gadgets of CEATEC 2016: Robot table tennis tutor
Keeping on the gaming theme, fancy playing a game of ping pong against what essentially looks like a giant Tripod?
Pocket-lint
Forpheus is the world’s first robot table tennis tutor, as certified by the Guinness Book of Records. We had a go and while our skill level was pretty rubbish to begin with, we soon improved. Unfortunately, so did our opponent. The mammoth machine actually adjusts its skill level as you get better yourself.
Although Omron, the company behind it, is pushing smart machines to intuitively help in factory production we have to say we were glad to be taught a lesson or two ourselves. Sadly our skill level was pretty low, climbing to just four and half, but it would be great to see someone with real skills take on Forpheus.
Best gadgets of CEATEC 2016: Honda’s 3D printed electric car
Honda is pushing the boundaries of 3D printing with a printed electric car, also shown at CEATEC.
Pocket-lint
The model on the showfloor was produced for a Kanagawa-based biscuit company, in conjunction with design agency Kabuku. That’s why the single-seater delivery van was decorated in an intricate 3D pattern from the company’s boxes.
It only took 20 hours to print out the shell which is then assembled and placed on the axle and car base. Neither company was willing to disclose how much the cars retailed for but should you want to spot one they should be buzzing around Kamakura town from early next year – subject to approval from Japan’s department of transport.
Other designs showed included one with a surfboard holder on the side. As the designer from Kabuku pointed out, the great thing about 3D printing a car is the freedom that it allows in terms of shape and form.
Although CEATEC is still a relatively small tech show, the push towards the IoT is a welcome change and we hope that the organisers will build on this to grow as a more innovative show in the years to come.
Microsoft is holding a hardware-focused event on 26 October
Microsoft has sent invites to the media for an autumn hardware event.
The event is happening on 26 October at 10 am ET in New York City. Pocket-lint’s press invite is stamped with an “Image what you’ll do” tagline, as are other versions of the invite that are floating around.
ZDNet/Microsoft
According to ZDNet, which said the theme of the event will be “The next chapter in the Windows story”, we can expect OEM devices, Microsoft Surface device news, and some gaming updates. A Surface Phone is not expected until sometime later, if Microsoft doesn’t ditch the project, and Microsoft officials already confirmed there’d be no new Band this year.
Previous reports have claimed Microsoft is readying three all-in-one PC desktops and that it would hold a hardware event in late October to launch them. These Surface-branded devices currently go by the codename Cardinal, might come in 21-inch, 24-inch, and 27-inch screen sizes, and likely use the same Perceptive Pixel screen tech found in Surface Hub.
Apart from the all-in-one Surface PCs, Microsoft will primarily spotlight new hardware such as laptops and tablets from Windows 10 device manufacturers. Other Surface devices, including the recently leaked Surface keyboard and mouse, should appear at the autumn event as well. We also might hear news on the next Windows 10 “Redstone 2” update.
Minor refreshes to existing Surface tablets is plausible too. However, the Surface Book 2, Surface Pro 5, and Atom-based Surface 3 probably won’t debut this calendar year. The Verge claimed the company isn’t planning to update its Surface Pro 4 or Surface Book devices at the autumn event, because it will unveil laptops and devices from OEMs instead.
Microsoft will also focus on its vision for the future of Windows 10, such as new features in Windows 10, which it reportedly plans to introduce via two major software updates next year, as well as some Xbox-related announcements, as those new Windows 10 features will tie into its Xbox gaming strategy.
Check out Pocket-lint’s Microsoft hub for related news.
The Pixel’s release doesn’t mean your Nexus is completely toast
Google unveiled its fancy new Pixel phone during a press event on Tuesday. If you haven’t seen it yet, it’s an impressive handset, with VR capabilities, a fast-charging battery, supposedly the best-ever phone camera, a super-smart AI assistant and Android 7.1. It’s also the harbinger of death for the current line of Google Nexus smartphones.
As soon CEO Sundar Pichai announced the Pixel on-stage, Google set about scrubbing listings for the Nexus 5X and 6P from its online store. If you want to buy one of them direct from Google now, you’re out of luck. You can however still get one through Google Fi if you don’t mind switching carriers. So what are consumers who have recently purchased these phones (*raises hand*) to do? Does the introduction of the Pixel mean that Nexus owners are on their own, hemmed in by a Nougat 7.0 ceiling, relegated to the technological sidelines until our service contracts expire and we’re free to upgrade?
Turns out, the situation isn’t quite as dire as I feared. Per Google, the company will continue to support existing handsets (think: customer service, software updates and the like), but the company has no plans to build any more Nexus-branded products.
Although there are definitely some features that will remain exclusive to the Pixel handsets themselves, a Google rep told me that a number of them will eventually spread to the rest of the Android ecosystem. Assistant, for example, will start off as a Pixel exclusive and probably won’t be porting to other devices any time soon. Daydream VR support, though, will be available on day one for any Android device new enough to accept the Nougat 7.1 upgrade.
All told, the Pixel will ship with the following exclusives: the Pixel launcher, Google Assistant, screen sharing and various UI/wallpaper tweaks. It will also be the only one to offer the Pixel camera (obvs) as well as Smart Storage, and unlimited space on Google Photos. Plus the Pixel is the first Android phone to offer a quick switch adapter that ports content from your old phone, so of course that’s an exclusive too. Again, some of these features will eventually find their way to other phones, some will not. It depends on a litany of marketing and technological factors so Google isn’t publicly saying what or when just yet.
That said, our Nexuses are not chopped liver. When Nougat 7.1 arrives, you can look forward to a slew of new software features. These include Night Light, touch and display performance improvements, Daydream VR mode and a new manual storage manager that will allow users to see which apps are using the most onboard memory. The update will also enable Moves: an opt-in gesture-based feature that will open or close the notifications slider.
So, no, Nexus owners aren’t going to get Assistant or a fancy new camera — those are the perks of riding the early-adopter train — but we’re not being left in the wilds to fend for ourselves either. Plus, no matter which handset you have, Nougat 7.1 is going to give us VR and that’s something everyone can get excited about.
AT&T, Sprint will exchange replacement Note 7s after airplane incident (updated)
A replacement Samsung Galaxy Note 7 started smoking and burned through the carpet on board a Southwest flight this week. Following the incident, one US carrier is allowing owners to exchange those replacement devices even though the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) hasn’t issued a formal warning or recall yet. Sprint confirmed to Engadget it will allow customers to return their replacement Note 7 for another device at its retail stores “during the investigation window.” The carrier says that it’s working with Samsung “to better understand the most recent concerns” with the handset.
Here’s Sprint’s full statement on the matter:
“Sprint is working collaboratively with Samsung to better understand the most recent concerns regarding replacement Samsung Galaxy Note 7 smartphones. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is also investigating the Note 7 replacement device. At this time, CPSC has not specifically said if customers should or should not use the replacement model. If a Sprint customer with a replacement Note 7 has any concerns regarding their device, we will exchange it for any other device at any Sprint retail store during the investigation window. We will provide additional information when the investigation has concluded.”
So, what if you’re on T-Mobile, AT&T or Verizon? Well, Recode reports T-Mobile will accept returns so long as they fall within its normal 14-day “remorse” policy. The carrier began offering replacement Note 7s to customers on September 21st, so if you got one that day, the return window has already closed. T-Mobile began selling the phone to new customers this week, so they still have time to take it back. We’ve asked the carrier for more info on the return process and we’ll let you know when/if its responds.
AT&T confirmed to Engadget that it will also allow customers to exchange replacement Galaxy Note 7s for another phone. We also reached out to Verizon on the matter and haven’t heard back. When or if we do, we’ll update this post with more information. Both carriers have 14-day return policies similar to T-Mobile, but again, if you picked up a replacement on the 21st, that exchange period has already run out.
Update: This post has been updated to reflect AT&T confirmed that it too would offer exchanges.
Via: 9to5 Google
Source: Recode
Backpage CEO arrested and charged with pimping a minor
Online classified ad site Backpage.com has been going through legal turmoil for years, and with good reason — there’s plenty of evidence that the site’s “adult” section has been a haven of sex trafficking, including some advertisements for sexual encounters with minors. All those issues are hitting the company in a big way today: CEO Carl Ferrer and founders Michael Lacey and James Larkin were charged today in California on charges of conspiracy and pimping a minor, reports The New York Times.
Ferrer was arrested Thursday in Texas and is awaiting an extradition hearing to return him to California, while Lacey and Larkin haven’t been apprehended just yet. The affidavit for the warrant claims that the defendants “have known that their website is the United States hub for the illegal sex trade and that many of the people advertised for commercial sex on Backpage are victims of sex trafficking, including children.” The charges come after a three-year joint investigation between Texas and California.
Earlier this year, a congressional investigation found that Backpage would edit some of its classified ads to disguise the fact they were selling the services of minors. The US Senate issued subpoenas for documents relating to how the company screens its ads, a request that went unfulfilled. The Senate then held the company in contempt in an effort to force a response to its subpoenas. Ferrer himself was subpoenaed about a year ago, but didn’t show up.
It sounds like the case against Ferrer and the company’s co-founders is pretty strong — documents filed included interviews with children who were forced to take out ads on Backpage. One 15-year-old girl said she was forced into prostitution at the age of 13 and that the company has been profiting from prostitution for years. “I mean really, coming from someone my age, there is too much access, like it’s too easy for people get on it and post an ad,” the unnamed minor said. It’ll likely be a while before these cases are seen through to a conclusion, but these arrests are an important step towards shutting down a site that appears to be engaged in seriously unsavory activity.
Source: The New York Times
AIVAnet 