Google’s Tango phone, the Lenovo PHAB 2 Pro, is launching in November
Lenovo showcased the PHAB 2 Pro — the first consumer-ready Tango phone — at its Tech World earlier this year, and we haven’t heard much regarding the phone since. The handset was initially slated to make its debut at the end of summer, which got pushed to fall. It now looks like the phone will debut in November, according to a statement from Google’s AR head Clay Bavor to CNET.
The PHAB 2 Pro comes with a massive 6.4-inch QHD LCD display, a Snapdragon 652, 4GB of RAM, microSD slot, and three cameras at the back for Tango’s motion tracking, area learning, and depth perception tech: a standard 16MP sensor joined by an depth-sensing IR camera and a motion tracking camera. At the front, there’s an 8MP shooter, and the phone also sports a fingerprint sensor at the back, Dolby Atmos speakers at the bottom, and a 4050mAh battery.
The PHAB 2 Pro takes advantage of the specialized cameras to take detailed 3D maps of your surroundings, creating immersive augmented reality experiences. Google announced that it would have 25 Tango-specific apps available at launch, with that number extending to 100 by the end of the year.
Unlike the Pixel and Pixel XL, the PHAB 2 Pro isn’t compatible with the Daydream VR platform as it doesn’t feature an AMOLED panel. Bavor talked about a possibility of a phone that supports both Tango and Daydream, but for now, we’ll have to choose between the two: “You can imagine in the future you won’t have to make a choice, but that’s a bit further out.”
The PHAB 2 Pro will retail for $499, and will be available at Best Buy and Lowe’s stores around the country.
Lenovo PHAB 2 Pro preview
Google Pixel vs Pixel XL: Which should you buy?
One of these things is not entirely like the other. Here’s how to choose between the Pixel and Pixel XL.
There’s no doubt that the question that’s plaguing you this very moment as you salivate over the varying color options for the Pixel and Pixel XL is: Which one is even worth bringing home? Well, that will depend entirely on your need, but we’ve put together a quick, helpful guide so that you can choose the right phone for you.
What’s the difference?
Unlike last year’s Google event, which revealed two different Nexus devices developed by two entirely different manufacturers, this year’s Pixel and Pixel XL are both made by Taiwan-based HTC. As a result, they both look quite similar—so much so, that from far away, you can’t really tell them apart, despite their differing screen sizes.
The biggest difference between the Pixel and Pixel XL are their display and battery sizes, though the 5.5-inch Pixel XL isn’t that much larger than its 5-inch sibling. The Pixel also feels more like a refined, matte HTC One A9, while the Pixel XL sits in the hand as comfortably as the OnePlus 3.
Here’s quick specification breakdown:
| Operating System | Android 7.1 with Google UI | Android 7.1 with Google UI |
| Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 821 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 821 |
| RAM | 4GB | 4GB |
| Display | 5-inch AMOLED 1920×1080 | 5.5-inch AMOLED 2560×1440 |
| Rear Camera | 12MP f/2.01.55-micron pixelsPDAF | 12MP f/2.01.55-micron pixelsPDAF |
| Front camera | 8MP | 8MP |
| Battery | 2,770mAh non-removable | 3,450mAh non-removable |
| Charging | Fast charging | Fast charging |
| Connectivity | USB Type-C, Bluetooth 4.2 | USB Type-C, Bluetooth 4.2 |
| Fingerprint sensor | Yes | Yes |
| Storage | 32GB/128GB | 32GB/128GB |
| IP rating | IP53 | IP53 |
| Colors | Quite Black, Very Silver, Really Blue | Quite Black, Very Silver, Really Blue |
| Price | $649 | $769 |
But which one is better?
Well, let’s weigh the options. The Pixel features a regular 1080p AMOLED display with a 2,770 mAh battery, so chances are that its battery life might manage a longer day than the Pixel XL’s Quad HD AMOLED display and 3,450 mAh battery simply because the display doesn’t require as many resources. Then again, larger batteries do usually manage longer uptime. It all comes down to whether you want a phone to be usable in one hand, or one that can double as a small tablet, used with Nougat’s new Multi Window mode in landscape with two apps side by side.
You’re still getting the same Qualcomm Snapdragon 821 processor, however, coupled with 4GB of RAM and the improved 12-megapixel rear-facing camera, as well as rear-facing fingerprint sensor, USB Type-C, and fast charging. Both phones are also IP53 rated, so you don’t have to go into freakout mode if either phone gets rained on.
Which one is better for virtual reality?
Both will do just fine! The Pixel and Pixel XL are both Daydream-ready. The larger Pixel XL does have a higher-resolution display, which translates to better per-eye density in VR, a definite advantage for current content, and a semblance of future-proofing as well. The larger battery may also eke a few more minutes in battery life while playing VR, which is nice.
What’s the price difference between the two?
The Pixel starts at $649 for the 32GB version, while the Pixel XL starts at a whopping $769. If you bump up the storage to 128GB, it’s an extra $100. And if you add on device protection, that’s another $100. These smartphones aren’t as cheap as Nexuses used to be.
Want to know more?
Be sure to peek at our hands-on with both the Pixel and Pixel XL for the full rundown on Google’s two new smartphones. Let us know which one you’ve preordered in the comments!
Google Pixel + Pixel XL
- Google Pixel and Pixel XL hands-on preview
- In pictures: Google Pixel and Pixel XL
- Pixel + Pixel XL specs
- Understanding Android 7.1 Nougat
- Verizon is the exclusive U.S. carrier for the Google Pixels
- Join the discussion in the forums!
Google Store
Recap the Google Pixel announcement in just 13 minutes!
Google’s announcement this week was full of important details about the company’s future, and how it plans to maintain its dominance in the mobile space. But it was also nearly two hours long — which is why we condensed it down to 13 minutes, just for you!
From the Pixel phones to Google Home to the Chromecast Ultra, Google Wifi and Daydream, we’ve got it all here, just shorter.
Like these kinds of videos? Let us know and we’ll be sure to do more of them!
Google Pixel + Pixel XL
- Google Pixel and Pixel XL hands-on preview
- In pictures: Google Pixel and Pixel XL
- Pixel + Pixel XL specs
- Understanding Android 7.1 Nougat
- Verizon is the exclusive U.S. carrier for the Google Pixels
- Join the discussion in the forums!
Google Store
Caption Contest: Chanel and the art of Robocouture
Karl Lagerfeld’s love of technology runs deep. For his latest fashion show at the Grand Palais in Paris, Chanel’s Creative Director celebrated the surreal beauty of information infrastructure by anointing his fashion runway with data center aesthetics. Lagerfeld even went so far as have some of his models don robot helmets like high-fashion Cybermen. But what was going through those models minds as they were crammed inside those robodomes?
Well, that’s for them to know and you to make up, because it’s time to play Caption Contest! The rules are simple: Tweet us (@engadget) with the hashtag #EngadgetCaptionContest whichever funny, weird or oddball idea you think they’re talking about and we’ll retweet the best submissions as well as add them to this post. You’ll be internet-famous! Unless, of course, you decide to act like a major hoser and engage in personal attacks or lascivious conduct, in which case we’ll mute/ban/ruthlessly mock you. Here are some suggestions by our staff to get your creative juices flowing.
Cherlynn Low: “Presenting the tributes from District 1 for the 77th Hunger Games!”
Billy Steele: “New IT uniforms are FIERCE.”
Devindra Hardawar: “Pulling. It. Off.”
Dana Wollman: “Which is it, ladies? Are you a Jackie or a Marilyn?”
Andrew Tarantola: [extremely Darth Vader voice] *Shkoooooooo-kahhhhh, Shkoooooooo-kahhhhh* “Luke, I am your tailor.”
Jessica Conditt: “Brr, I’m getting the chills. I hope I don’t have a virus.”
David Lumb: “Grids are SO in this year”
Roberto Baldwin: “The Downton Abbey reboot seems to be going well.”
Jon Fingas: “We think Daft Punk could use a few fashion pointers.”
Christopher Trout: “This season, try replacing your sun-kissed skin with hard, white plastic. You’ll save on hair and makeup AND be the envy of all your kitchen appliances.”
Bloomberg: Twitter is locked in an internal battle over sale
Something is rotten in the state of Twitter, and it looks as if some of the blame should be laid at the feet of Jack Dorsey. At least, that’s the sentiment of a lengthy report from Bloomberg that discusses the company’s current malaise. According to sources, there’s a three-person battle amongst the firm’s leadership over what Twitter should be, and what its future holds. Dorsey reportedly wants to keep running Twitter as an independent company, while co-founder and board member Ev Williams wants to pursue a sale.
Sat between the two is the company’s Chief Financial Officer, Anthony Noto, who has seized de facto control of the company. The report explains that Dorsey’s management style has become so “passive” and “contemplative” that Noto has stepped up to fill the void. In this telling, it is Noto rather than Dorsey who is credited with sealing a cut-price deal with the NFL to stream 10 Thursday Night Football games this season. Further anonymous sources say that Noto, whose stated job is just to run finance, is spearheading the company’s move into live video. The result is that Jack Dorsey’s power as head of the company has been eroded by his more proactive subordinate.
All of this comes while potential suitors for the company are lurking in, well, they’re not even the shadows at this point. Salesforce, Google and even Disney are all reportedly lining up bids to purchase Twitter and define what it actually is. That remains the site’s biggest problem, since it exists in a quantum state between a social network, microblogging service and broadcasting platform all at the same time. It has untold potential, but the uncertainty over how it operates is one of the reasons that advertisers are taking their money to Facebook and Snapchat.
Source: Bloomberg
Here’s what you missed at the ‘Made by Google’ event
It may be time to bid a sad adieu (sadieu?) to the beloved Nexus line and hello to Google’s new Pixel phones, but we’ve still got a whole slew of fresh hardware to look forward to. In addition to the higher-end handsets, Google also unveiled the Daydream View VR headset, the Chromecast Ultra, a WiFi router, as well as the official price and availability of its Home smart speaker. Tying all of the gadgets together is the company’s AI Assistant, which you can use on the Pixels and Home, and Google promises to make it available on more platforms in future. Our senior editors Nicole Lee and Chris Velazco break down what all this new stuff means for you, and share their impressions of the new products.
Click here to catch all the latest news from Google’s fall event.
OurMine retaliates against BuzzFeed for exposing an attacker
The account hijackers at OurMine are fond of intruding into the personal worlds of their celebrity targets, but they don’t respond kindly when someone turns the tables. BuzzFeed is recovering after OurMine compromised its website in retaliation for an article that claimed a Saudi teen is likely responsible for many of the group’s attacks. The OurMine team “altered several posts,” including the article in question. The stories should return to normal soon, BuzzFeed says.
OurMine didn’t mince words on the modified posts. It claimed that BuzzFeed was sharing “fake news about us” (read: it could be accurate) and threatened to make the site’s “database” public if there’s ever a follow-up attack. It’s not clear that OurMine actually has what it says, though. To date, its ‘hacks’ have really involved discovering account login details — it doesn’t compromise whole servers, like you’d expect with a conventional hack. While we don’t want to rule anything out, it’s entirely possible that this is bluster meant to discourage investigators from pursuing the truth.
Source: BuzzFeed (Twitter), (archived)
Lightseekers brings your video game into the real world
Action figures can look a little staid next to video games where your character can walk, talk and fire all manner of weaponry. But there’s still something special about the tactile experience of holding a cool character in your hand, which is why we’ve seen game developers embrace the world of toys with products like Skylanders, Amiibo and LEGO Dimensions. But, while placing a figure on a base can unlock characters or entire worlds, the interaction between game and toy tends to end there. Lightseekers, launching today on Kickstarter, changes that dynamic by making its action figures a living (and almost breathing) part of its games.
Lightseekers, in some ways, is almost reminiscent of the film Small Soldiers. Except the toys don’t actually move and they definitely don’t try to kill anyone (we hope). They’re fully articulated and will light up and talk in response to the game. Instead of using NFC like many other toys-to-life titles, the figures communicate with the Lightseekers game via low-power Bluetooth, essentially creating an ongoing dialogue between the two.
The program will detect the presence of a figure and allow you to “claim” it in-game, so you can control the character in an action RPG that has you exploring the magical world of Tantos, collecting items and battling against the evil Umbron. Characters level up as you play, with the data stored on the figurine. There’s also a special “lending” feature that will let your friends borrow the character for a while, but ultimately the figure and all its associated in-game data belongs to you.
Though it’s being crowdfunded, Lightseekers is actually a collaboration by game developer PlayFusion and toy manufacturer Tomy. PlayFusion is a relatively new company, but several employees, including CEO Mark Gerhard, worked on the long-running MMORPG RuneScape. Instead of limiting their expertise to just PC and Mac, the Lightseekers game will also be available for iOS and Android — a departure from many other toy-to-life games, which are typically designed for consoles like Xbox, PlayStation and Wii U (Skylanders is available for iOS). It means more people will be able to play the game, since most families own a mobile device of some sort.
The game mechanics are specifically designed toward being touch-friendly and accessible for all ages. There are no tight turns or small platforms that would require the use of a more precise directional pad or physical joystick, and the characters can act independently so beginners and younger players needn’t worry about being fast enough. Special attacks and items can be used, however, so more experienced players still have opportunities to employ some strategy.
While the game works just fine on its own, the figures are the only way to unlock its full potential. If you place a toy weapon in the hand of your action figure, that weapon will immediately appear in the game with a bit of fanfare. A few in-game items will be exclusive to the action figures, such as a jetpack that lets your character hover around. This backpack isn’t just there for decoration: It unlocks a mini-game where you race an NPC in the air while collecting coins. Thanks to a built-in accelerometer, the action figure is the controller — you have to “fly” it in your hand, waving and rocking the toy in the direction you want your avatar to go.
The figures are designed to interact with the real world as much as possible. In addition to detecting when your phone or tablet is nearby, they know when other figures are around and react to those too. If Toy Story 2 broke your heart with Jesse’s story of neglect and abandonment by her original owner, Lightseekers addresses that kind of treatment directly: The figures activate when you pick them up, and comment if it’s been a while. It’s all in jest but, let’s face it, you’re going to feel a little bad. I’m glad that none of my Animal Crossing Amiibo can do this, because it’s been years since I last played and I don’t want to be reminded of all the unwatered flowers and unpicked weeds that are waiting in my village.
Like Animal Crossing, Lightseekers also makes use of special cards to add content to the game. Instead of the old-school barcode cards from the GameCube era or the current NFC Amiibo cards on the 3DS, Lightseekers uses augmented reality. Just place the card on the table and point your phone or tablet’s camera at it and the character or item will pop out and join your game.
When you’re done playing video games, the cards are part of a collectable card game that’s fully playable on its own without the mobile app or the action figures. The Lightseekers universe will also expand into other media, including an animated TV program. The current plan is to have the figures react to key scenes in it. PlayFusion is currently working on its own software that can identify TV shows and movies by their audio patterns faster and with fewer problems than existing apps like Shazam. The current demo features a dinner scene from the Hobbit. When Ori says, “I don’t like green food,” one of the Lightseeker figures lights up — even with people talking loudly in the room.
Before Lightseekers can take over your kid’s playroom or your office, they have a Kickstarter to conquer first. Fifty bucks will snag you a Mari or Tyrax figure, a weapon and a handful of AR cards, along with a slew of in-game perks. One hundred and fifty dollars nets both figures plus extra weapons, while players who are champing at the bit to enter the world of Tantos might opt for the $300 tier, which gets you into the physical beta. Of course, if all of these are too rich for your blood, the game will be free to play on Android and iOS starting early next year.
Source: PlayFusion
Nanomachines just won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry
If you want to know how far nanotechnology has come, you only need to ask the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences. It just awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry to researchers Bernard Feringa, Jean-Pierre Sauvage and Sir J. Fraser Stoddart for their work on the “design and synthesis of molecular machines.” All three have been instrumental to making nanomachines possible. Sauvage kicked things off in 1983, when he linked ring-shaped through a mechanical bond instead of the usual electron-sharing bond. Stoddart carried the torch when he slipped a moving molecular ring on to an axle in 1991, while Feringa built the first molecular motor in 1999.
The technology has come a long way in the years since, but that’s not the point of the prize, the Acadamy explains. It’s an acknowledgment that the scientist trio got the ball rolling. They brought nanomachines to the “same stage” that electric motors reached in the 1830s — while they’re simple novelties right now, they could lead to a revolution. Researchers are already working on microscopic drug delivery systems and smart, property-changing materials, and those are likely just the start of what’s possible.
Via: New York Times
Source: Nobelprize.org
NSA contractor arrested for reportedly stealing secrets
The New York Times reports that the FBI quietly arrested and charged an NSA contractor in late August on suspicion of stealing, and potentially disclosing computer code relating to an offensive hacking program designed to break into the network systems of adversarial foreign governments like Russia, China, Iran and North Korea.
The contractor in question is Harold Thomas Martin III, 51, of Glen Burnie, MD according to authorities. He was charged on August 29th with theft of government property and unauthorized removal and retention of classified materials by a government employee or contractor. If convicted, he faces up to 11 years in federal prison.
Authorities raided Martin’s house back in August, shortly before arresting him and discovered both physical documents and digital files containing highly classified information. Officials also recovered materials from his car and a pair of storage sheds located on his property. There’s no word yet on what source code, exactly was stolen but the fact that the Shadow Broker story dropped right around the same time that the FBI began investigating Martin is an interesting coincidence to say the least.
Lazy: This guy and @Snowden both worked at @BoozAllen, so they are the same.
Not lazy: Booz must have a unique contract. Let’s investigate.
— Edward Snowden (@Snowden) October 5, 2016
Another interesting coincidence is that both Edward Snowden, who famously disclosed the government’s foreign and domestic spying programs to the US media before fleeing to Russia, and Martin were contracted to the NSA through the Booz Allen Hamilton consulting firm. Booz Allen Hamilton consulting declined to comment on the matter. Either way, this is not a good look for the NSA, which has now been burgled by its own contractors twice in three years.
Source: New York Times
AIVAnet 