Sci-tech / 11

Baidu Has Overtaken Google in the Smart Speaker Market

August 27, 2019

In the U.S., meanwhile, shipments were down 2.4 percent to a total of 6.1 million units. Baidu's devices are only available in China, and Google's smart speakers aren't sold there. The US smart speaker market showed slight weakness, declining 2.4 per cent with a total of 6.1 million units shipped. About 55 percent of Google smart speaker sales occurred outside the USA, compared to 42 percent a year ago.

Windows 10 1903 update messes up your Bluetooth audio pairing

August 26, 2019

The update, however, is causing some critical issues related to Bluetooth connectivity. Once you've installed the update, there's a chance that your Bluetooth speaker will not connect at all. A Bluetooth speaker can connect to the computer. Last month, Microsoft forcibly moved Windows 10 users to the half-baked 1903 update. The process takes a few minutes, and will require a restart when it's done.

'Mortal Kombat 11's Joker Is Getting Mixed Reactions

August 26, 2019

Mortal Kombat 11 is developed by NetherRealm Studios as well as published by Detector Bros. Boon's tweet sent a sizable portion of the Mortal Kombat 11 community into meltdown - with many fans jumping to the conclusion that the T-800 in the game would be voiced by Arnie himself.

Team OG for the second time in a row won The International

August 26, 2019

It was the first time the annual competition had been held in China in its nine year history. The International 2019 leapfrogged the Fortnite World Cup to have the highest purse in the history of eSports. OG lost the first game of five to Team Liquid who were also vying for a second grand final at The International . 2018's tournament actually marked a downward trend in viewership for the first time in its history, dropping 100,000 viewers from the 2017 tournament.

OnePlus 7T leak hints at three rear cameras

August 26, 2019

Instead of reusing a vertical alignment, the image renders now suggest that the OnePlus 7T's main camera sensors will now be featured in a circular housing. The video, for those who can't watch, shows what is allegedly the OnePlus 7T in 360-degrees giving us a pretty clear look at the device. Yes, this time the company will be shifting to the triple-camera setup from the dual-camera setup.

Modern Warfare 2v2 Gunfight Alpha Includes Increased Pistol Damage, New Maps

August 26, 2019

Activision has surprised everyone and enabled the Modern Warfare alpha servers early, meaning you can download and play the Modern Warfare 2v2 alpha right now. - Listen carefully: Modern Warfare's multiplayer removes the mini-map by default. It's an excellent mode to showcase everything that's new, and it's really helped me appreciate all the changes Infinity Ward has made to make Modern Warfare a thrill to play.

Ori and the Blind Forest is getting a surprise Switch release

August 26, 2019

It is understandable that customers purchased the old model of the Nintendo Switch because there is little sign on the packaging of the console to distinguish it from the new version. As part of a super surprise announcement, the Superhot team have announced that the game is available now on the Nintendo Switch ! You get 4.5-9 hours of battery life, which is a marked improvement over the 2.5-6.5 hours of usual battery life on the past Switch.

Huawei's Kirin 990 flagship chip to debut Sept 6 - revü

August 26, 2019

He also said, as per the report, that the processor will be made using a 7 nm manufacturing process. In a tweet shared on the Huawei Mobile Twitter account, the company writes, "Are you ready for 5G?" The company officially posted " Huawei Kirin 990 Warm-up" teaser video on YouTube which details the chipset would come with 5G capabilities.

Fortnite caves slightly on the B.R.U.T.E. Mech

August 25, 2019

It's safe to say that Season 10 of Fortnite has been a mixed bag, because while a lot of the new features have been welcomed, the Brute vehicle - which is essentially a giant mech that two players can pilot - has received criticism, with a lot of fans saying it needs nerfing.

PS5 patent leaked - is this our first look at the new PlayStation?

August 25, 2019

He also surmises that the devkit could end up being the final design. After articles have been published about the patent , game developer Matthew Stott seemingly confirmed the design to be a dev kit . Sony didn't comment on this story. So if that is indeed the PS5 devkit, then expect the model that goes on sale next year to look different than this.

Sphero buys LittleBits in a bid to dominate connected educational toys

August 25, 2019

Sphero did not disclose the sale price. Some hardware companies focus on consumer subscriptions, like the Keurig coffee pod model, but Sphero and LittleBits instead sell to teachers and offer subscription plans that cover standard wear and tear, which is essential for products used by hundreds of kids yearly.

Cyberpunk 2077 Gameplay Livestream Coming on August 30

August 25, 2019

Although it will not be the first time that CD Projekt Red is showing Cyberpunk 2077 gameplay, it's a good opportunity to see whether or not the game has changed in any way, and possibly learn how to not die in Night City. The main video game in development at CD Projekt, Cyberpunk 2077 , will not be an exclusive Epic Games Store but will be launched on GOG.com and Steam from launch day, which we do not forget to be scheduled for April 16th, 2020 on PC, PlayStation 4 and Xbox One.

Xbox's New Studios Will Be Focused On Making Exclusive Games

August 25, 2019

Let us know if you'd like Xbox Game Pass on your Switch with a comment below. Microsoft isn't planning to release more first-party games on rival console platforms. "We continue to believe deeply in cross play and progression of games with the right flexibility for developers to insure a fair and fun experience".

Death Stranding Gamescom Gameplay Demo: Everything We Learned From The New Footage

August 25, 2019

You can also find a trailer for the character Heartman ( Nicolas Winding Refn , Darren Jacobs ), which was released a couple of weeks back for anyone who hasn't seen it. Also lending their talents to the game is Norman Reedus, Lea Seydoux, Lindsay Wagner, Mads Mikkelsen , and Tommie Earl Jenkins . The first two, as already done in the case of the trailer dedicated to Heartman, focused on specific characters: Mama and Deadman played respectively by Maragaret Qualleyand Guillermo Del ...

You can now catch Jirachi in Pokemon Go

August 25, 2019

Niantic Labs already released a list of different bonuses to reward " Pokemon Go " players if they complete all the Global Challenges in the " Pokemon Go " Fest event in Japan. Fans of Pokemon Black and White are probably ecstatic over this since they waited quite a bit for these monsters to be available. Other Pokemon appearing in raids will help you build a good team to challenge Deoxys.

DICE drops the axe on Battlefield 5's planned 5v5 mode

August 25, 2019

We've known for a while that DICE was planning to include a competitive 5v5 mode in Battlefield V after launch, but senior producer Ryan McArthur has revealed on the game's site that this is no longer the case, with the priority instead being focused on the base Battlefield content.

Microsoft is listening to your Xbox One voice commands

August 25, 2019

Previous reports revealed how contractors working for Microsoft admitted to have listened in to some voice conversations recorded via the Skype Translator service as well as conversations or commands given to Cortana . Microsoft reiterates its willingness to expand Xbox Game Pass to other platforms besides PC and Xbox , which is now an important long-term goal.

Apple launches new beta version of its iCloud web portal

August 25, 2019

Apple will launch iOS 13 and MacOS Catalina next month. Instead, there's now a simple minimalist white background. Below it is a link to access Account Settings and the usual set of apps, which now contain the revamped Reminders app introduced in the betas of iOS 13 and macOS Catalina, albeit with some limited features.

This Could Be the OnePlus 7T Pro's Final Design

August 25, 2019

The leak shows the OnePlus 7T sporting a big, round camera module, positioned centrally right above the OnePlus logo. OnePlus is reportedly working on a device with a circular camera module. The common denominator between these leaked images is the massive camera bump with a circular shape. No other details about the OnePlus 7T Pro are known at the moment but it is expected that the phone will be powered by the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 Plus processor which will be paired with up to ...

Microsoft finally brings Minecraft Earth on Android devices, but only in beta

August 25, 2019

Are you eager to get into another mobile game similar to Pokemon GO or Harry Potter: Wizards Unite? . Players will still gather resources, build, craft and explore. On Twitter today, Mojang revealed that the Minecraft Earth closed beta will soon be coming to Android. Only players 18 and older are eligible for the Android beta.

Jaguar Land Rover developing 3D in-car technology

August 24, 2019

JLR says the technology could be further adapted for autonomous technology, so that both passengers could watch 3D films individually. "In a fully autonomous future, the 3D displays would offer users a personalised experience and allow ride-sharers to independently select their own infotainment", the company said in a press release.

Bose launches Portable Home Speaker with Google Assistant, Alexa support

August 24, 2019

It features an aluminum case with an IPX4 water resistance rating, meaning the speaker is durable enough to withstand the occasional splash. This update will apply to all the soundbars as well. "Bose mono-signal technology makes corrections in real-time, so you hear everything the artist recorded". It charges over USB-C or with an optional $29 charging cradle that's sold separately.

Google Photos Now Lets You Search Text in Your Images

August 24, 2019

It reportedly works well on all sorts of images including screenshots, photos of books and even text you'd see in the real world, like a stop sign or a public Wi-Fi password. Once users find the text that they were looking for, they can use the Lens button within the app to copy and paste that text. Therefore, we expect to see the feature turning more powerful in the coming months.

Huawei Releases 'World's Most Powerful' AI Processor

August 24, 2019

Huawei announced on Friday that it has launched its own AI processor, the Ascend 910, amid escalating tensions between the USA and China. The new chip, the Ascend 910, is intended for AI model training and delivers 256 teraflops in computing power - two orders of magnitude more than the output of CPUs and GPUs.

Tom Seaver is "Tom Terrific"; Tom Brady's trademark application is rejected

August 24, 2019

Seaver and the applied-for goods would be presumed", the letter said. New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady's trademark application for "Tom Terrific", the nickname more associated with former Major League Baseball pitcher Tom Seaver, has been rejected, The Washington Post reports.

Intel unveils first artificial intelligence chip

August 23, 2019

Aside from AI, Intel discussed details of its Lakefield hybrid chip packaging technology. The chip has been manufactured in the development facility in Hafia and is based on 10 nm Ice Lake processor to cope with huge workloads utilizing minimal energy.

YouTube to kill direct messaging feature in September

August 23, 2019

With this feature, people can share their YouTube videos with friends, which is the reason why Google introduced this in-app messaging feature. After direct messages was launched, YouTube says it put focus and effort into improving comments, posts , and stories.

Feds indict 80 people in massive web of scams tied to Nigerians

August 23, 2019

Six defendants believed to be in the country are fugitives, while the dozens of remaining defendants live in other nations, mainly Nigeria . Among the people arrested are Valentine Iro , 31, of Carson, and Chukwudi Christogunus Igbokwe , 38, of Gardena, both Nigerian citizens.

Vivo iQOO Pro China launch: Prices, offers, features, specifications

August 23, 2019

The iQOO Pro 4G variant is already on pre-order in China and will be shipping starting 30 August while the 5G model will be going for sale from tomorrow with limited availability. Meanwhile, the 5G variant offers up to three choices. Vivo iQoo Pro features a 6.41-inch (1080 × 2340 pixels) Full HD+ Super AMOLED 19.5:9 aspect ratio display.

This fat 'CHONK' of a cat is looking for a new home

August 23, 2019

Their tweet describes "Mister B" as a "Chonk" - which according to Urban Dictionary is an "Aggressively chubby housecat". The Morris Animal Refuge is facing on of its biggest challenges as it tries to find a home for one of its largest residents, Mr B.

Lenovo’s Smart Clock becomes a more capable home hub

August 23, 2019

The new change drastically reduces the number of times you'll have to say "Hey Google". A new and very welcome update rectifies that. You can display images from your Google Photos collection when the device is idle. The Smart Clock should work with "most" Assistant-enabled cameras. The Lenovo Smart Clock launch came and went without too much fanfare, simply because it's hard to justify spending $79 on an alarm clock with Google Assistant functionality when your smartphone already does ...

Spotify extends Premium free trial to three months worldwide

August 23, 2019

Now Spotify Premium is receiving a change that newcomers will be interested in, with it now available for free trial for 3 months instead of one . Conversion rates were subsequently much higher for Apple Music, but Spotify is finally ready to fight fire with fire.

Alibaba, IBM, Microsoft and others partner to improve data security

August 23, 2019

At present, it is a common practice to secure data when it is at rest (storage) or in transit (network). The consortium is focused on the security of data used by service providers, as well as data processed in local datacenters or "edge computing".

USA state legal chiefs, telecom firms set to crack down on robocalls

August 23, 2019

A dozen telecom firms and state attorneys general from across the USA agreed Thursday to a set of principles aimed at curbing illegal "robocalls". Other carriers adopting the pledge include Bandwidth, CenturyLink, Charter, Consolidated, Frontier, U.S. Cellular and Windstream. Principles crafted as voluntarily industry practices included wielding technology to block automated, mass-delivered calls from con artists or dodgy marketers.

Cyberpunk 2077 gameplay stream announced - when and how to watch

August 23, 2019

The game also features actor Keanu Reeves who is no stranger to cyberpunk dystopian settings having starred in the Matrix Trilogy and has recently been announced for the Matrix 4. The screens below show off some new environments and character models, but be sure to check out the dozens of screenshots offered up as part of CD Projekt RED's cosplay contest.

LG K50S & K40S Smartphones Announced with Military-level Durability - Details

August 23, 2019

LG K40S and 50S are powered by Android 9.0 Pie and feature rear-mounted fingerprint sensors along with Google Assistant button and DTS:X 3D Surround Sound support. In addition to DTS:X 3D Surround Sound support, rear fingerprint scanners, and a handy Google Assistant button, both phones are also created to meet the US military MIL-STD-810G standard.

YouTube Music is now integrated in Waze

August 22, 2019

That lasts for a month, after which it's $9.99 per month in the US. This allows drivers to make changes to the music streaming through their iPhone or Android without leaving the Waze app. "We always want to make sure our users have the best possible experience in the vehicle, and now providing them with access to YouTube Music's huge catalogue means they'll always have access to their favourite tracks and playlists while on the road".

Gmail will soon fix your shoddy grammar using AI

August 22, 2019

Google is rolling out new artificial-intelligence features in Gmail that should improve the quality of email messages rushed out under deadline pressures. When you resolve them, the blue color line will be disappeared. As for auto-correction, it simply shows an underline under the corrected change for a few seconds before disappearing, which is a subtle way of letting you know that a correction was made.

Samsung announces mid-tier Galaxy A30s, A50s smartphones

August 22, 2019

For example, both phones boast massive 6.4-inch Super AMOLED Infinity-V displays, but the one on the Galaxy A30s has HD+ resolution, whereas the Galaxy A50s' offers full HD+ resolution. The Samsung Galaxy A30s packs the same sized 6.4-inch Super AMOLED panel as the Galaxy A50s but the resolution is only HD+ (720x1560 pixels). Another added feature is the in-display fingerprint scanner - the old phone had a rear-mounted one.

YubiKey 5Ci is the first security key with Lightning and USB-C

August 22, 2019

If you take your online security seriously, and you should, I would strongly advise investing in a hardware-based security key for 2-factor authentication. Application developers interested in adding support for the YubiKey 5Ci into their iOS mobile apps, can access the Yubico Mobile SDK for iOS along with other helpful resources such as implementation guides, webinars, or reference code on the Yubico website.

Murder suspects recorded 'will' on phone, family member says

August 22, 2019

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police are believed to be in possession of the full video recording but have declined to discuss the matter with multiple local media outlets. On July 24, RCMP announced that Schmegelsky and McLeod were suspects in the three murders after the RAV4 was found in flames near Gillam by local residents Billy and Tamara Beardy.

Android ditches desserts as Q becomes 10

August 22, 2019

This bucks the trend of Android operating systems being named after sweet foods, and marks a change in the naming direction going forward. The new scheme sounds much less quirky and delicious, but it'll likely serve Google's objective: come up with more relatable and intuitive names.

Microsoft Contractors Have Listened to Xbox Recordings For Years

August 22, 2019

Former contractors said that audio recordings should have been triggered only by specific voice commands when the user was speaking to the Xbox, but that occasionally the recorder would be triggered in error and record other bits of speech .

Apple: Don’t keep your precious Apple Card near denim or leather

August 22, 2019

That means that if you want to keep your Apple Card looking pristine, you'll have to treat it a little more carefully than other credit cards . After doing a soft, invite-only launch earlier this month, Apple on Tuesday announced that it's expanding applications for its credit card to anyone in the United States who's interested.

Finally! 591 Horsepower Audi RS6 Avant Is Coming To America

August 22, 2019

It must be everyone's thirst for big, hulking land yachts or maybe the stigma of being seen in a boring, plebeian family auto. Its body has been widened by around 1.6 inches (40 mm) on each side thanks to the flared wheel arches, making the new vehicle wider overall than the previous-gen C7 model.

Complete List Of iOS 12.4 Jailbreak Tweaks For Unc0ver And Chimera Jailbreak

August 22, 2019

Apple has accidentally re-introduced a bug in iOS 12.4 that can jailbreak an updated iPhone, and also expose the same device to easy take over from a malicious app. Earlier Google hacker found the same flaw in iOS 12.3 version. That researcher also told the publication that the vulnerability in iOS 12.4 can be exploited in a number of ways, including by malicious actors developing apps that can bypass Apple's sandbox and access data stored on your phone.

Huawei's HarmonyOS-powered smartphone isn't coming this year

August 22, 2019

However, Huawei still emphasizes that the company is committed to staying in the eco-platform of Google. Well, not only it was already mentioned at the HUAWEI developer Conference 2019, but Vincent Yang, the Senior Vice President of Huawei just confirmed it again recently during his interview in NY this week saying "We want to maintain one standard, one ecosystem" for the time being.

Another report claims 2019 Apple iPhones will include USB-C charger

August 22, 2019

Apple is said to eventually drop the dated 5W charger and bundle its awaited USB Type-C charger with the iPhone 11 . This would allow Apple to finally include a fast-charger with iPhones. However, that may also change with the new iPhones. SoftBank President Ken Miyauchi recently tipped that following September 13 unveiling, the new iPhones will go on sale starting September 20.

Google Nest Mini Might Launch This Fall

August 22, 2019

According to 9to5Google, the smart speaker will have better sound quality with a higher maximum value and better bass. According to a report from 9to5Google, the new device will be launched as the Nest Mini, thanks to Google consolidating its smart-devices line up under the Nest brand.

WhatsApp starts negotiations to introduce mobile payments in Indonesia

August 22, 2019

The Indonesian model would serve as a template for WhatsApp to adopt in other emerging markets to get around the rules and regulations on the global players making their own digital wallets, as per sources . The nation is set to see its ecommerce industry tripling to US$100 billion by 2025, according to some estimates, but it also has some of the region's strictest digital payments regulations.

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