White Amazon Echo in pictures, get it for £50 off
Along with finally announcing the Amazon Echo for the UK, the retail giant revealed a new colour scheme that is also new for the US.
Previously, the Amazon Echo voice-controlled speaker and smarthome system only came in black, and while that still looks nice, it doesn’t match the white version for sleek looks. You can take a look in our gallery above to check that out for yourself.
It also has a matt finish, so looks classy. Indeed, we couldn’t help feeling that it would be a fantastic match for the Xbox One S console, also recently released.
Like the black edition, the white version is available on Amazon.co.uk for pre-order now, priced at £149.99. However, if you’re quick, Prime members get £50 off for a limited period (so just £99.99). And if you’re not a Prime member yet, you can sign up for a month’s free trial and make use of the discount anyway.
- Amazon Echo UK pre-order discount gives Prime members £50 off, but be quick
The Amazon Echo is a tube speaker with multiple drivers and microphones. It connects to the internet and if you start voice queries with the term “Alexa” it will fetch information or play music through services like Spotify automatically. It can even control many smarthome devices, including Hue lighting and Nest thermostats.
There is also a version of the Amazon Echo without the speaker drivers. Called Amazon Echo Dot, it gives access to Alexa voice control and services, but you can hook it up to your own speaker system or AV receiver instead.
- Amazon Echo review: Ace assistant, average speaker
- Amazon Echo comes to Europe, UK customers can finally use Alexa
- Amazon Echo vs Amazon Tap vs Echo Dot: What’s the difference?
- Amazon Echo Dot (2016) preview: Alexa for those who use their own speakers
Qualcomm could make dual cameras standard on phones
Qualcomm’s new offering called “Clear Sight” could put dual cameras in more Android phones. It’s a single module that’s already equipped with two rear cameras and low light imaging algorithms, after all, and phonemakers can simply slap it onto their devices instead of developing their own. It’s more similar to Huawei P9’s Leica-endorsed dual cams than to the iPhone 7’s in that Clear Sight is comprised of a black-and-white and a color image sensor. See, black-and-white sensors can take better images in low-lighting than color sensors can. So, the tech combines the B&W photo taken by one of the cameras with the colors captured by the other to get the best of both worlds.
Since it’s only compatible with phones powered by a premium Snapdragon 820 or 821 processor, expect any Clear Sight device to be on the higher end of the pricing scheme. But who knows — it could make dual cameras so common until they become a staple even in more affordable Android devices.
Via: The Verge
Source: Qualcomm
UK ISP rapped for disguising flyers as missed delivery slips
It’s fairly common for the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) to wag a finger at ISPs and mobile operators for misleading claims or poorly worded fine print. Every now and again, though, the watchdog deals with a slightly more unusual complaint. The latest company giving the ASA a headache is fibre broadband provider Hyperoptic, which is in trouble for a snail-mail marketing campaign that looked a little too similar to the cards you get through the door when you’ve missed a parcel delivery.
As the ASA ruling describes, the card was headed “SORRY, Your current broadband provider couldn’t deliver.” Alongside some seemingly handwritten info such as date and time (like you’d see on a courier’s card), the list of undelivered items included movies, games, music and cat videos. Cute, but perhaps a little too clever on Hyperoptic’s part, as one recipient complained to the ASA it wasn’t immediately apparent the correspondence was an advert.
Despite the flipside of the card (and the envelope it was delivered in) dropping various hints by way of logos, promotional terms and various mentions of broadband, the ASA agreed it could give a confusing first impression. That was almost certainly the whole point of the campaign, of course, but a breach of advertising code is a breach of advertising code. Typical of these rulings, Hyperoptic is escaping with only a light slap on the wrist. The ASA has simply told the ISP it can’t use the ad again without appropriate tweaks, and to not be so naughty in the future.
Via: Ars Technica
Source: Advertising Standards Authority
Oculus makes achievements a part of Gear VR and Rift games
Oculus is joining the ranks of Xbox Live, PlayStation Network, Steam and even GameCenter. That’s right: Rift and Gear VR games are adding achievements. They’re live in a handful of games now including Minecraft and Hitman Go and it’ll only be a matter of time before they become the rule rather than the exception. As The Verge writes, the update will be rolling out over the next few weeks, and you’ll be able to opt out of sharing the meta-challenge activities if you want. You know, if you’re ever embarrassed of playing the inevitable Candy Crush VR in the future.
Source: The Verge
Kangaroo Notebook uses mini PCs to separate work and play
InFocus has unveiled the Kangaroo Notebook, an inexpensive laptop computer with an interesting concept: interchangeable mini-PC modules. Each is a completely self-contained Windows 10 PC, so you can dedicate one to important business functions, and another to family games, movies and apps. It comes as a package with the laptop dock and two modules, each equipped with Windows 10, 2GB of RAM, 32GB of storage (expandable to 256GB), and an Intel “Cherry Trail” CPU.
You’re not going to play Crysis on one, but they’re surprisingly well equipped. The mini PCs have Bluetooth 4.2 LE and 802.11AC Wifi, but use custom connectors, so they can’t be connected to separate monitors, keyboards or other peripherals. However, the laptop dock does have an 11.6-inch HD screen (1,366 x 768), full keyboard, Synaptics trackpad, battery, USB 2.0 and 3.0 ports, SD card reader, 3.5mm audio jack, microphone and speakers.
The disadvantage is that you can only use one module at a time because of the custom connectors. If Kangaroo could figure out how to stick a few ports on the modules themselves, like on its Kangaroo Pro mini PC, it would be a bit more useful. If that’s not an issue, it’s a clever way to keep your personal stuff firewalled from the kids’ Flash games without the need to pay for two PCs. The whole package runs $300, including both modules, and will arrive at Newegg.com in mid-October.
FBI chief James Comey recommends taping over your webcam
FBI director James Comey revealed during the Center for Strategic and International Studies conference that he knew he was mocked for admitting that he tapes over his webcam. But that didn’t stop him from recommending that other people do the same. “There’s some sensible things you should be doing, and that’s one of them,” he said at the event. He likened it to locking cars and doors at night, as well as setting up alarm systems for your own safety and security. He added: “You go into any government office and we all have the little camera things that sit on top of the screen. They all have a little lid that closes down on them. You do that so that people who don’t have authority don’t look at you. I think that’s a good thing.”
If hackers get a hold of your webcam, they can easily turn your life into a reality show without your consent. Back in 2014, someone put up a website that showed live feeds from people’s CCTVs, baby monitors and webcams, while a hacker live streamed footage from people’s computers on YouTube last year. In some instances, hackers use the victims’ webcams to take sensitive photos, like what happened to Miss Teen USA 2013 Cassidy Wolf.
Despite the dangers of leaving webcams uncovered, Comey was still mocked online because, as The Hill noted, people find it funny that the FBI’s head honcho takes extra care of his privacy. Some reference the agency’s efforts to force Apple into unlocking the San Bernardino shooter’s iPhone, in particular. If you’ll recall, Apple didn’t budge, and the feds had to pay a third party for a tool to unlock the device. Comey defended himself during his talk, however, telling attendees that “It’s not crazy that the FBI director cares about personal security as well.”
Source: The Hill, 9to5mac
Amazon Taking Pre-Orders For its Echo Smart Speaker in U.K. and Germany
Amazon yesterday announced its Echo connected smart speaker is now available to pre-order in the U.K. and Germany, signaling the end of a 14-month wait for the device to become available outside of the U.S.
For those unfamiliar with the device, the Echo’s array of microphones lets users query voice-based assistant Alexa, who can be asked to do things like play music, read the news, use apps, check the weather, turn on the lights, set timers, and more.
The Amazon Echo costs £150 in the UK and 180 Euros in Germany, while Amazon Prime members get a £50 or 50 Euros discount off the sale price if they pre-order today. The Echo ships on September 28 and October 26, respectively, and the device is available in black or white.
The company also made good on Tuesday’s deleted tweet and announced an “all-new” version of the Echo Dot, a smaller $49.99 speaker that allows existing Echo owners to extend the smart system around the house.
The Echo Dot, originally launched in March of this year at the price of $89.99, also lets existing Echo owners connect up their entertainment system and use Alexa to control streaming music services.
The new Dot includes a faster speech processor than the old one and feeds into its Echo Spatial Perception feature, which enables the device to identify which speaker is closest to the user when a query is put to it.
Otherwise, design differences between the first- and second-generation Echo Dot are subtle: the new Dot is marginally smaller and lighter, with an identical diameter but a height of 1.3-inches, compared to 1.5-inches, and weighs 5.7 ounces versus 8.8 ounces.
In addition, volume buttons have replaced the control slider on the top, and a 3.5mm audio cable is no longer included in the box. The device also comes with a 90 day warranty, as opposed to the original model’s one-year warranty, and is likewise available in the U.K. and Germany.
Tag: Amazon Echo
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iPhone 7 Series is Faster is Than Any MacBook Air Ever Made
Yesterday, John Gruber at Daring Fireball highlighted just how well Apple’s A10 Fusion chip found in its iPhone 7 stands up to the competition in terms of raw speed.
(Image taken from Daring Fireball.)
Looking at Geekbench results for single and multi-core performance across a range of smartphones, Gruber noted that the iPhone 7 series beats all newcomers on every score, including Samsung’s new Galaxy S7 and Note 7 Android phones.
More impressively perhaps, the A10 Fusion processor scores faster overall results than every MacBook Air Apple has ever made, only once falling behind a multi-core score recorded for the early 2015 MacBook Air, which is powered by an Intel Core i7 and scores 5650, just edging the iPhone 7’s result of 5630. Still, the laptop can’t keep up with the A10 chip’s raw single-core performance (2989 compared to 3261). Apple’s latest flagship phone also performs comparably to an early 2013 MacBook Pro, powered by an Intel Core i5.
Apple has invested heavily in its Ax-series of processors, with some commentators and rumors suggesting it could eventually transition an ARM-based processor to future MacBooks. You can learn more about the technology behind Apple’s A10 Fusion chip in MacRumors’ dedicated article on the subject.
Related Roundup: iPhone 7
Tag: A10 Fusion
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Apple’s iPhone 7 Plus has already sold out
In a break from tradition, Apple said last week that it would no longer report the volumes of new iPhones it sells over the first pre-order weekend. The justification, according to the company, is that pre-order numbers are “no longer a representative metric” and that it basically knew the iPhone 7 would sell out anyway. That prophecy has come to pass, at least in part, after Apple released a statement confirming that it has already allocated all of its iPhone 7 Plus stock and sold all Jet Black iPhone 7s.
Apple told TechCrunch: “Beginning Friday, limited quantities of iPhone 7 in silver, gold, rose gold, and black will be available for walk-in customers at Apple retail stores. During the online pre-order period, initial quantities of iPhone 7 Plus in all finishes and iPhone 7 in jet black sold out and will not be available for walk-in customers.” Put simply, if you’re looking to get an iPhone on launch day (September 16th), it’s probably best that you don’t visit an Apple Store. The company’s partners, including carriers, will have differing stock levels, but may be better placed to handle your order.
You can, of course, order online. However, that means you’ll have to wait until the backlog clears. In the US and the UK, both iPhone 7 models are showing a 2-3 week wait time on the Apple website. It’s also clear that if you’re after the new Jet Black variant — which has undergone a “precision, nine-step anodization and polishing process” — you may need to wait up to five weeks for the iPhone 7 to become available or until November for a shiny black iPhone 7 Plus.
To that, Apple says: “We sincerely appreciate our customers’ patience as we work hard to get the new iPhone into the hands of everyone who wants one as quickly as possible.”
Via: Recode
Source: TechCrunch
Dell’s 2016 XPS 13 arrives with new Rose Gold finish
Dell’s XPS 13 laptop has always been a serious competitor to Apple’s MacBook Air and the latest version comes in a new Apple-like Rose Gold colour finish. One of our favourite features of the previous version, the virtually borderless display, makes a return and will be available in full HD or quad HD variations.
The new ultraslim laptop runs on Windows 10 and be specced with either an Intel 7th Gen i5 or 7th Gen i7 processor, both come with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of solid state storage. The i5 model comes with the full HD screen while the i7 gets the quad HD.
Dell claims battery life is better than ever, claiming 22 hours for i5 model and 13 hours for the i7. When we reviewed the 2015 model we found battery life to be some way off Dell’s claims, so we’re looking forward to finding out if things have improved.
Everything is housed in a machined aluminium casing with splashes of carbon fibre and a Gorilla Glass screen, should it should be able to stand up to a few knocks.
Dell’s new XPS 13 will be available from October 4th for $799, UK pricing has yet to be announced.
That’s not all…
It’s not just super slim and sexy laptops that Dell has for 2016, as there’s two new Inspiron models as well. There’s the Inspiron 15 5000 touch-screen laptop and Inspiron 17 5000 desktop. The 15 5000 has an infra-red camera letting you sign in using Windows Hello, which scans your eyes to unlock the computer.
Colours include such things as “Cosmic Purple” and “Tango Red”, alongside regular black and white. The new Inspiron models will also be available from October 4th from $550.
