DirecTV spreads 4K around to more customers, businesses
If you’re trying to get access to 4K video through DirecTV, now you don’t have to pick up its most expensive TV packages for access. TVPredictions confirmed with AT&T that almost all customers (anyone with the Select plan or higher) can watch the three 4K channels with NBA and other content. You’ll still need a Genie HR54 DVR and an Ultra HD television, of course, but previously, for 4K customers needed Ultimate or Premier service plans that could cost twice as much.
Of course, even if you don’t have a 4K TV at home (or waiting for you under the tree) keep an eye out for local bars and restaurants making the upgrade. AT&T says DirecTV is the first provider to offer 4K broadcasts to businesses. That’s happening just in time for UFC 207 next week, as Ronda Rousey returns to the ring in a match that will be available in Ultra HD. Finally, a rep tells HDGuru that HDR is “on the radar for next year.”
Source: TVPredictions, AT&T
Phil Schiller: Apple Working With Consumer Reports to Understand MacBook Pro Battery Test
Yesterday Consumer Reports revealed that Apple’s 2016 MacBook Pro became the first MacBook to fail to achieve a recommendation due to inconsistent battery life. Apple SVP Phil Schiller today tweeted that the Cupertino company is working with Consumer Reports to understand the battery tests.
“Working with [Consumer Reports] to understand their battery tests, ” Schiller tweeted. “Results do not match our extensive lab tests or field data.” Apple claims its internal testing has seen the new MacBook Pro providing up to 10 hours of battery life when watching iTunes movies or browsing the web.
Working with CR to understand their battery tests. Results do not match our extensive lab tests or field data. https://t.co/IWtfsmBwpO
— Philip Schiller (@pschiller) December 24, 2016
Consumer Reports’ test has come under scrutiny since publication of the non-recommendation. The tests were conducted by opening a series of 10 web pages sequentially on Safari. This tests’ inconsistency had the 13-inch MacBook Pro with Touch Bar registering 16 hours, 12.75 hours and 3.75 hours of battery life. A 15-inch MacBook Pro ranged from 18.5 hours to 8 hours of battery life.
When Consumer Reports tried the test with Chrome rather than Safari, it found consistently high battery life. “For this exercise, we ran two trials on each of the laptops, and found battery life to be consistently high on all six runs,” the report said. Consumer Reports did not think it was enough data to draw a conclusion, though they also point out their test results only take default browsers into consideration.
Critics, like iMore’s Rene Ritchie, argue that inconsistent test results require more testing to ferret out whether the issue is easily fixable, like a Safari glitch. Consumer Reports noted in its report that if Apple issues a software update that it claims will fix battery life inconsistency, they will conduct fresh tests.
Related Roundup: MacBook Pro
Buyer’s Guide: MacBook Pro (Buy Now)
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Virgin Galactic’s SpaceShipTwo completes second glide flight
Two years ago, Virgin Galactic’s first SpaceShipTwo tragically crashed during a test flight, killing one pilot and severely injuring the other. The company unveiled its successor back in February, the VSS Unity, which has additional safety features to prevent another crash. It completed its first glide test two weeks ago, gathering precious data about how the reusable craft behaves in the air, and just performed a second unpowered flight to round out the year.
Virgin Galactic president Mike Moses said in October that they would need to hit all their test objectives before progressing to powered flight, which could take between 8 and 15 total staged glides. Assuming no other delays, Unity could move on to rocket-propelled tests sometime in 2017.
There’s still too much testing for Virgin Galactic to state when they’ll begin commercial flights, or even an outline schedule for future tests. Despite the program’s delays, the company claims that it has about 700 customers who have signed up for a flight on SpaceShipTwo.
VSS Unity’s second glide flight test occurred yesterday. Here she is gliding home. Thanks to our pilots & crew & you all for cheering us on. pic.twitter.com/L5zzSyDAUS
— Virgin Galactic (@virgingalactic) December 23, 2016
Source: SpaceNews
iFixit ranks repairability of 2016 flagships, LG G5 comes out on top
The LG G5 received the repair-friendly score of 8/10.
The LG G5 may not have garnered the lion’s share of love from critics (or sales) in 2016, but it is the easiest phone to repair.
People who are good at the business of taking things apart and putting them back together again — iFixit — gave the G5 a repairability score of 8 on a 10 point scale in their 2016 roundup. They cite the removable back and battery and modular components — the circuit boards inside and not the outer modules in this case — as the reason why it’s so easy to take the phone apart.
Things like standard screws and easy-to-remove screens also garner points in the judging, while excessive adhesive, soldered components and “complex opening procedures” make the process more difficult and result in a lower score.
The full results for 2016 were (in order):
- LG G5 (8/10)
- Pixel and Pixel XL (7/10)
- iPhone 7 and 7 plus (7/10)
- iPhone SE (6/10)
- Galaxy Note 7 (4/10)
- Galaxy S7 and S7 edge (3/10)
We won’t suggest you take your phone apart and try any repairs yourself unless you know what you’re doing, but if you have a G5 it’s going to be a lot easier to do.
LG G5
- LG G5 review
- LG 360 CAM review
- LG G5 complete specs
- LG’s G5 Friends modules are a neat idea, but they won’t matter
- LG G5 Hi-Fi Plus w/ B&O
- Join the LG G5 discussion
AT&T
Unlocked
Sprint
T-Mobile
Nintendo says it plans to release up to three mobile games every year
Super Mario Run released for iOS recently and was a massive success, so it’s no surprise to learn Nintendo has more mobile games in the works.
Super Mario Run racked up 40 million downloads in its first four days – beating the instant success of Pokemon Go from this past summer. It officially topped 50 million downloads as of Friday and is more than likely generating tonnes of revenue for Nintendo, especially considering the title costs $9.99 to fully unlock and play. App Annie said Super Mario Run’s revenue estimates are in the $14 million range for its first three days.
Now, Nintendo has said it is keen to release two to three new mobile games every year starting in 2017. According to a new interview (via MacWorld) with Tatsumi Kimishima, Nintendo’s president, Nintendo already has a couple games on the roadmap for next year: Animal Crossing and Fire Emblem. Those two are in addition to the Android version of Super Mario Run, which released in December for iOS devices only.
Keep in mind Niantic’s Pokemon Go launched this past summer and was massively hyped. While it’s not exclusive to iPhones and iPads (it launched cross-platform), it is available across the globe and hit 30 million downloads in two weeks. And it’s free to play, though there are in-app purchases.
- Super Mario Run: How to play
- Super Mario Run: Tips and tricks
- Super Mario Run cannot be played offline, the non-mobile mobile game
- Pokemon Go is coming to Apple Watch by end of 2016
- Pokemon Go for Apple Watch: How to play and when can you get it?
Kimishima also said he believes Super Mario Run will eventually reach 100 million downloads.
Tesla hides two Easter Eggs in its latest software update
Tesla’s latest firmware update comes with more than just bug fixes — there are a pair of fun surprises just in time for the holidays hidden in there as well.
Model X owners can activate a secret light show that transforms the SUV into a four-wheeled disco ball. To activate it, you simply press the Tesla icon at the top of the screen for 5 seconds and then enter “Holiday” in the passcode screen that pops up. Once you exit the vehicle and lock the doors, the X will set off its exterior lights while playing music.
Both Model X and Model S owners can try the other hidden feature. Just enter “Mars” into the navigation’s destination zip code field and it will replace your local map with one from the surface of the Red Planet. As you drive, the surface map will pan accordingly but, alas, you’ll never actually get any closer to Mars that way. You’d need a spaceship for that.
Source: TechCrunch
If you ask Alexa, Tim Curry will read you ‘A Christmas Carol’
The Amazon Echo might be sold out everywhere this holiday season, but those who’ve picked one of the smart speakers up prior have a treat in store. From now through January 3rd, saying “Alexa, read A Christmas Carol from Audible” will do exactly as the command suggests — for free. And not only that, the Dickens classic is read by none other than Tim Curry — the dastardly hotel manager from Home Alone 2 and voice of Ebeneezer Scrooge in the animated version of the story, from 1997. Pair this with the Eye of Sauron yule log, a glass of (boozy) egg nog and you’ll be all ready for the big day.
From now until Jan. 3, 2017, Alexa customers can listen to a holiday classic for free. #JustAsk “Alexa, read A Christmas Carol from Audible” pic.twitter.com/fSIu6V1Xsv
— Amazon Echo (@amazonecho) December 23, 2016
Source: Amazon Echo (Twitter)
Apple Pulls All Withings Accessories From Apple Online Store Following Nokia Lawsuit
In the wake of its legal dispute with Nokia, Apple has pulled all Withings-branded accessories from its online store and presumably from all of its retail stores around the world.
Apple appears to have pulled the accessories in the last day or two, eliminating Withings products like the Body Cardio Scale, the Smart Body Analyzer, and the Wireless Blood Pressure Monitor. When searching for these products on Apple’s site, they are no longer listed as available for purchase.
Apple has stopped offering all Withings products because Withings is owned by Nokia following a spring 2016 purchase worth an estimated $192 million. The Withings brand has been integrated into Nokia’s Digital Health unit and is led by Cedric Hutchings, formerly the CEO of Withings.
A cached version of the listing for the Withings Wireless Blood Pressure Monitor, no longer available from Apple.com
Earlier this week, Apple filed an antitrust lawsuit accusing Nokia and several patent assertion entities of illegally transferring patents to attempt to extort excessive royalty fees from the Cupertino company. Apple had established FRAND (Fair, Reasonable, and Non-Discriminatory) deals with Nokia, but by transferring patents to patent holding companies, additional royalties can be demanded.
In response, Nokia filed 40 patent infringement lawsuits against Apple across 11 countries, accusing the Cupertino company of failing to establish licensing deals for Nokia patents that cover displays, user interface, software, antenna, chipsets, and video coding.
According to Apple, Nokia has been conspiring with patent assertion entities (Acacia Research and Conversant Property Management) in an “illegal patent transfer scheme” to wring money out of Apple because Nokia’s cell phone business is failing. Nokia, meanwhile, says that it has not been able to reach a licensing agreement with Apple and must defend its rights.
Tags: Withings, Nokia, Patent lawsuits, lawsuits
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Pokemon Go made it easier to catch those new Pokemon for the holidays
Forget about opening gifts. Niantic wants you to catch ’em all on Christmas.
Pokemon Go recently launched for Apple Watch and introduced new Pokemon for you to catch, and in effort to get you up and using that new app or at least finding all those new Pokemon, Niantic has announced a new holiday event.
From 25 December to 3 January, Pokestops will award a single-use Incubator each day after your first Photo Disc spin. Also, when you visit PokeStops during this time period, you will have a better chance at finding Eggs that hatch Togepi, Pichu, and Johto-based eggs.
As if that wasn’t enough, come 30 December, t will be easier to find the original starting Pokemon (Bulbasaur, Charmander, Squirtle and their evolutions) will be easier too: “As a way to increase your chance to encounter one of these Pokemon, Lure Modules will also last for 60 minutes instead of 30 minutes,” announced Niantic Labs in a press release posted on 23 December.
Pikachu will also continue wearing adorable Santa hats until the beginning of January.
Happy Holidays indeed!
Soon cops will search your phone just like your car
Imagine a routine traffic stop where the officer has the legal right to search not just your car, but your phone too.
That’s where we’re likely headed after a Florida court recently denied Fifth Amendment protections for iPhone passcodes, saying that suspects must now reveal them to police. The decision came after a previous court had ruled that a suspect couldn’t be compelled to give up the key to unlock his phone based on laws against self-incrimination.
A trial judge had denied the state’s motion to compel the suspect to give up his passcode, finding that it would be tantamount to forcing him to testify against himself in violation of the Fifth Amendment.
But the Florida Court of Appeal’s Second District just reversed that decision. Judge Anthony Black said, “Unquestionably, the State established, with reasonable particularity, its knowledge of the existence of the passcode, Stahl’s control or possession of the passcode, and the self-authenticating nature of the passcode. This is a case of surrender and not testimony.”
“More importantly,” he added, indicating future cases about passcodes and Fifth Amendment protections, “we question the continuing viability of any distinction as technology advances.”
The case tipping the scales in favor of the police comes by way of a total creep getting caught shoving his phone under a woman’s skirt and taking photos. It’s pretty hard to feel bad for the guy. Many people know that so-called “upskirts” are illegal, and most know it’s also a really shitty thing to do to someone. But Aaron Stahl didn’t care. He followed a woman around a store, and when he thought she wasn’t looking, he crouched down, shoved his phone under her skirt to take photos, and got caught doing it.
When she asked him what the hell he was doing, he claimed he’d dropped his phone. She yelled for help and tried to stop him from leaving. He ran. But the store had him doing everything on surveillance cameras, and got a clear shot of his car’s license plates. When police caught up to Stahl and arrested him for third-degree voyeurism, he’d conveniently had left his phone at home.
In a police interview, Stahl consented to a search of his phone, an Apple iPhone 5. But when police actually went to his house with a warrant and got the phone, he withdrew his consent before giving them his passcode. Basically, Stahl attempted to show he’s innocent by not being accountable for his phone.
And as we all know, without the passcode even Apple can’t pop open someone’s iPhone and hand the contents over to police.
That’s meant authorities have had to get a little creative about looking through people’s phones.
After much wrangling and embarrassment earlier this year, the FBI forked over $1.3 million to have the San Bernardino shooter’s iPhone hacked into. Just a few weeks ago, Scotland Yard actually “mugged” a suspect. In that instance, British cops waited until their target was on a call before physically snatching the phone and continually swiping it to keep the screen unlocked while they apprehended their guy.
The Florida case shows a flip in the opposite direction from 2015’s ruling by a Pennsylvania federal trial court, which decided the authorities can’t force someone to surrender their phone’s passcode. Just as he opposed the Pennsylvania court decision, I’m sure law professor and SCOTUS blogger Orin Kerr would agree with Florida’s judges that a code isn’t in itself incriminating.
“For example, imagine the government orders you to turn over any and all crystal meth in your possession,” Kerr opined about Pennsylvania’s passcode ruling. “In response to the order, you hand over a plastic bag filled with some substance. Your response effectively testified that you think the item in the bag is crystal meth and that it is in your possession. That’s admitting to a crime — possession of crystal meth — so you have a Fifth Amendment right not to have to produce the item in response to the order.”
Here, the judge hasn’t asked Florida’s creeper of the year Aaron Stahl to turn over any and all upskirt photos. Just the passcode.
The decision will likely lead to further challenges, but different courts around the United States are currently tackling the iPhone-evidence conundrum. Judge Black’s opinion will no doubt influence how others rule.
“Providing the passcode does not ‘betray any knowledge [Stahl] may have about the circumstances of the offenses’ for which he is charged,” Black said, writing for the Florida court’s three-judge panel. “Thus,” he said, “compelling a suspect to make a nonfactual statement that facilitates the production of evidence for which the state has otherwise obtained a warrant … does not offend the privilege.”
This is a compelling argument for handing over Stahl’s passcode. But then again, it’s also compelling because he’s such a blatant scumbag about all of this. Maybe it’s a false equivalency, though I’m inclined to believe it’s the rest of us who’ll pay for this guy’s troll-like behavior. He brazenly violated a woman’s privacy and expects his privacy protections to be upheld, so he can get away with it. He’s not all that different from the guy on Twitter claiming death and rape threats are protected free speech.
This ruling is supposed to be about the greater good, but there’s nothing that feels great or good about it.
We’ll probably wade through a hodge-podge of law enforcement rules across the nation until this gets ironed out, while precedents get set that aren’t thought through. In the meantime, we can be sure bad cops will collect passcodes and see what else they can get into with them. Because, thanks to security fatigue, people reuse the same passwords and pins wherever possible.
It doesn’t take the mind of a hacker to figure that someone’s four-digit cellphone pin is probably the same as their ATM and voicemail pincode.
So look: It’s not that cops and border guards and probably stormtroopers can’t demand access to people’s phones and computers nearly everywhere else in the world, because they can. It’s just that here, we’ve been living in an arrogant fantasy that we were somehow immune to that type of control. Rest assured that countries on every other continent circling our shaky blue orb don’t live in this fantasy.
We might be inclined to think that the world has gotten more fascist. No. It’s just we’re losing our virginity, and effectual consent is bad for authoritarianism. Welcome to the rest of the world. It’s time to quit whining about Android vs. Apple security, or how broken the password model is, and realize your cutesy privacy island never existed in the first place.
Laws like these might be what we deserve, after years of remaining relatively ignorant to the realities of how tech tools like cellphones and Facebook are used by authoritarian leaders and surveillance-happy police. We’re about to enter a future where our president embraces letting government off the leash when it comes to surveilling citizens.
I remember when Google’s Eric Schmidt said, “If you have something you don’t want anyone to know, then maybe you shouldn’t be doing it in the first place.” And when Facebook’s Mark Zuckerberg said that if you’re not doing anything “wrong” then you don’t have anything to worry about when it comes to losing your privacy. It’s starting to look like these weren’t just harmless words from eccentric tech billionaires.
All I’m saying is that this is all connected, and the road that led to cops being able to search your entire life during a traffic stop is one paved with greed, perverse ideals, and nightmarish lapses of empathy. Of course, some of us tried to raise the alarm back then, but we were written off as bad people with something to hide because we wanted boundaries.
But this story, the one about the Fifth Amendment and passcodes, is supposed to be about fairness and justice. Except with bad guys like Aaron Stahl, it’s a fairness that feels so cynical we barely understand how we got here.
Images: Getty Images/iStockphoto
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