BittBoy is a retro pocket console that does a lot for very little

The GameBoy Pocket remains one of the best-designed pieces of mobile gaming kit ever in my opinion, which is why I was intrigued by the BittBoy, a new third-party portable console that clearly owes a lot of inspiration to the GameBoy. The tiny handheld packs a library of “300” games built-in, controls that will feel familiar to any Nintendo fan, a battery you can recharge via microUSB and a 2.2-inch IPS display.

First, let’s get to the highlights: This thing is super small. It’s only about 2.5 by 4 inches, and it’ll easily slip into just about any pocket. The battery also appears to last quite a while, even though it’s only 500 mAh; I’ve played for quite a few hours on a single charge without depleting it yet.
That screen is also pretty good, especially when compared to the screens of actual retro consoles. There are some issues with colors being rendered weird, but that’s the emulation software, not the display itself, as those color oddities carry over to TV output, too.

Speaking of TV output, that’s another strength – it ships with a simple mini stereo to RCA AV out, which can plug into any TV with one of those yellow round video inputs. It works, though the cable is somewhat short and the image flickers a bit if there’s much cable play, but it came in handy when spending time in a hotel and looking for something to do to pass some time.
The BittBoy’s biggest strength is its ability to go anywhere while taking up virtually no space in your kit, or adding any weight to your baggage. It’s so light you might actually forget you’re carrying it, as I have on occasion before emptying my pockets. The buttons and case, while not the most luxurious feeling in the world, also seem like they can take a fair amount of abuse before breaking down.
BittBoy’s weaknesses are probably in its software library: It offers “300-in-1” games, but you probably aren’t going to want to play most of them. Plus, they’re emulated NES titles, so you have to be okay with that legal gray area.
There’s plenty enough there to sustain the attention of retro gaming fans, however – especially at $39.99, the retail price of BittBoy. But if you’re hoping to expand the library with your own software, look elsewhere, since there’s a microSD-looking slot on top but it’s not functional.
Bottom line: This is a fun stocking stuffer or add-on gift for the avid retro gamer in your life, and something that you can basically stick in a regularly used backpack as a fun surprise you can re-discover on long commutes or while traveling.

Aston Martin’s vehicle lineup will be 100% hybrid by the mid 2020s

Another automaker is vowing to turn its entire lineup a little more green: Aston Martin told the Financial Times that it’ll offer vehicles exclusively with hybrid and electric cars by the middle of next decade.

It’s not as audacious a goal as it might’ve seemed even just a few years ago; Volvo has committed to selling only hybrid or electric cars by 2019, and Britain and France have both outlined plans to ban the sale of non-electric or hybrid vehicles by 2040.
Aston Martin’s announcement is significant because it’s a high-end luxury performance car maker, however, whose target demographic is precisely motoring enthusiasts. Aston Martin had previously announced plans to launch its first fully electric car, the Rapid-e, by 2019.
Don’t expect news of automakers intending to focus solely on hybrids and electrics to stop anytime soon; the writing is on the wall, now it’s just a question of in what order the dominoes fall.

Google Assistant coming soon to more speakers, appliances and other devices

Google is hoping to catch up with Alexa’s reach by putting its Assistant on a wide range of third-party hardware. At IFA, Google announced that it’s going to be putting the Assistant on partner speakers, appliances, connected cameras, and much more.

That’s likely to be good for both the voice-powered assistant market, as well as for Google’s ability to use its service to collect useful data which it can then use to work on its advertising and marketing products. The more places Assistant appears, the more likely it is that people will engage with the voice companion, and that’s not territory Google wants to cede to someone like Amazon.
Some of the devices getting Google Assistant coming to IFA include the Anker Zolo Mojo, a small cylinder speaker that’s sort of like a third-party Google Home, which will go on sale in late October. Two other smart speakers powered by Assistant, including the Panasonic GA10 and the TicHome Mini, are also on their way.
Google is also now making it possible to use Assistant to check on the state of your laundry or dishes, using an integration with LG’s line of home appliances, which also includes voice commands for LG’s Roomba competitor.
This is definitely turning into an integration arms race for voice-powered assistant providers. Amazon and Google have strong motivation because of their data-focused business, but it’ll be interesting to see how Apple plays the game once its HomePod debuts with Siri support – I have a hard time imagining the iPhone-maker will put Siri on third-party hardware.

Ricoh’s new Theta V 360 camera offers 4K, spatial audio and many more

Ricoh has revealed a brand new version of its Theta 360-degree camera: The Theta V, which upgrades the video capture quality to 4K resolution, adds live streaming support, and immersive “surround” sound audio recording. It takes over as the flagship Ricoh 360 camera, adding some much-appreciated modernized touches to one of the oldest and best-loved lines of consumer 360 cameras around.

The Ricoh Theta V also has a new high-speed wireless radio for faster data transfer, boosting it up to 2.5 times faster vs. the existing version. It also includes improved exposure and white balance accuracy, and boosted dynamic range, which Ricoh says should result in far better image quality in all lighting situations. The improved imaging tech was borrowed from the Pentax line of DSLRs, the company says.

It can capture 14 megapixel stills in addition to the 4K video, and comes with a built-in 19GB of flash storage, which can keep up to 4,800 static images or around 40 minutes of 4K video, which is recorded in a format using the H.264 video codec. You can connect to the Theta V from your smartphone using the companion app, either via Bluetooth LE for a constant connection for remote control, or via Wi-Fi, which allows for faster data transfer.
Another new feature unique to the Theta V is software plug-in support, which means Ricoh can add features to the camera over time. The first feature to take advantage of the plug-in system is a remote playback function, which allows mirrored playback from the camera directly to compatible connected TVs and other smart streaming devices.
Spacial audio capture is also a pretty cool thing to add directly in the camera itself, which isn’t found on many of the Theta V’s more modern competitors. It’s something we need to test before rendering a verdict on, but it could be great for VR viewing in particular.

Ricoh will also sell a separate mic add-on for $269.99 that captures 3D audio, presumably at higher quality, and there’s an underwater housing which will also ship separately and provide protection up to 30 feet deep.
The Ricoh Theta V will sell for $429.95, and goes on sale at Ricoh’s website and the usual suspects today. The microphone is also on sale now, and the underwater housing is going to ship in October and retail for $199.95.

Marshall introduces its own Wi-Fi multi-room speaker system

It seems like everyone these days has a multi-room speaker system – the latest entrant is Marshall, the amp maker that brought its signature style to portable consumer speakers in recent years. The speaker maker is introducing three new models today, each of which packs Wi-Fi connectivity and multi-room capabilities.

The Acton, Stanmore and Woburn multi-room models go up in size from compact to quite large, and each resembles the classic vintage Marshall amp styling that the company is known for. The Acton is $350, the Stanmore is $450 and the Woburn is $600, and features two 5.25-inch woofers along with 110 watts of output power.
Each of these speakers support Chromecast out of the box, as well as Spotify Connect and AirPlay so you’re covered regardless of which devices or music service you want to use. That means you can add them to an existing Chromecast-based multi-room audio setup, too, which is great news for anyone already working with Google Home or Chromecast hardware.


You can also set up Marshall’s own Multi-Room connectivity via the Marshall Multi-Room app (perfectly named), which houses settings for audio EQ, LED lighting, and more as well. Presets correspond to dial options on the speakers themselves, which allow you to set immediate access to streaming of favorite (or hated, I’m not here to judge) artists, playlists and albums.
Many speaker makers now offer similar systems, including Sony, Brookstone and more, but Marshall’s distinct style is likely to be an added draw for some. The Marshall Wireless Multi-Room lineup is up for pre-order starting September 1, and will go on sale in stores on September 27.

Sony’s RX0 is a tiny camera with big ideas and potentials

Sony just announced a new camera called the RX0, but breaking from the trend of lower number = fancier camera, this one is a tiny device that combines an action-cam form factor with some traditional imaging prowess. It’s an unusual combination, yet somehow tempting.

The waterproof, shockproof RX0 has a 1-inch, 15-megapixel (cropped down from 21) sensor and a 24mm-equivalent F/4 lens, which right off the bat differentiates it from GoPro cameras, which generally have smaller sensors with super-wide-angle, relatively slow glass in front. But it lacks a zoom and many of the other useful features of a pocket camera like the RX100. So you’re not going to be walking around taking snapshots with this thing.

It seems that the RX0 is being put forth as a sort of modular system for videographers who need the ruggedness and versatility of a GoPro but want a bit more control and fidelity. B cameras on set and outside (depending on the image quality), shooting from multiple angles (multiple RX0s can sync together), super slow-mo footage (it goes up to 960 FPS), and so on.
While its $700 price tag might be a bit much for people who just want a camera to attach to their bike or surfboard, there are plenty of people who would opt for the RX0 instead of a GoPro.
It’s an odd little device, no doubt, but the more I think about it, the more I feel I’d prefer it for non-traditional duties. It’ll be available in October.

First impressions of Essential’s 360-degree camera attachment

Essential has a unique port around back on its debut Phone, which can handle data and power transfer, and which attaches to accessories via magnets. The first such accessory is Essential’s own 360 camera, which offers you an easy way to capture immersive images and video in a very small package. The Essential 360 camera is much smaller than most other consumer 360 cameras out there, and aims to be something that’s as easy to take with you wherever you go as the phone itself.

I got a chance to take the 360 camera for a spin over the past few days, now that it’s preparing to ship out to early Essential customers. The diminutive camera easily slides into a pocket or bag, and snaps into place on the back of the Essential phone with a satisfying click. The magnetic force also feels strong enough that you can be confident the camera won’t fall off during use, while also keeping the accessory easy enough to remove when you want to.

Snapping the camera on to the back of the Essential Phone results in the camera app itself launching right into 360-degree capture mode. This was a bit hit or miss for me – the camera app also launched, but sometimes I’d have to exit and relaunch to get the image preview to appear. Removing the camera also automatically quits the app, which is a nice feature.
By default, the app launches in photo capture mode, where you tap the virtual shutter button to grab a still. You can also pan around the image in live preview using your finger to see what the whole scene looks like. Essential stitches the image on the fly, so what you see is what you get when you tap the shutter.
Tapping the red dot next to the shutter will jump right into video recording, so that’s always only one tap away, too. Video capture also lets you pan around to see your surroundings, and again stitches the images from its two 210-degree cameras live to provide you with a real-time preview of what you’re recording.
Both the resulting images and the resulting video are good quality, and perfectly usable for sharing on Facebook and YouTube, as you can see with the examples provided. Stills come in at 12 MP, and the video records at 4K UHD resolution – 3840 x 1920, captured at 30 fps. Audio is recorded from the microphone on the camera, too, not the one on the phone, and that features a 4-mic array that captures 3D audio for more immersive effect.
In the end, Essential’s $50 camera add on is as good, or better, than some third-party mobile 360 camera options that are bulkier and more expensive. Also, this doesn’t really impact any of the video or photo results, but the Essential phone has a tiny fan in it to help with heat management, which I just find incredibly cool. Plus, it satisfies that most important quality for a camera: it’s more likely to be with you and usable, which is the key to making this kind of media more commonplace.

Apple to remove home button in upcoming high-end iPhone, report says

The home button is headed to the trash bin, if a report by Bloomberg is to be believed. According to the report, Apple is ditching the button to make room for a larger screen in one version of the next iPhone. Instead of a home button, users will perform actions using on-screen gesture controls involving a sort of dock of icons.

If true this would be the biggest change in iPhone design since the launch of the device in 2007.
The home button has been a staple in iPhone design since the beginning. It’s used to wake a device, return to the app grid, and, more recently, for Touch ID fingerprint recognition. All those tasks would be performed differently if removed. However, the Bloomberg report carefully states only the high-end version of the upcoming iPhone is losing the home button, which jibes with other rumors from the past few months.

Instead of pressing a home button, users would interact with a thin software bar that can be moved around for different actions. Drag it to the middle of the screen to open the phone, or if in an app, activate the multitasking menu. Users can change apps or go back to the home screen, Bloomberg says. And it shouldn’t end there. If this report is true, Apple likely has cooked up all sorts of logical interactions for this software bar.

Apple has been foreshadowing the removal of the home button for some time. For the iPhone 7, it replaced the button with a non-moving version that simulated a click through with tactile response. The iPad also recently gained an app menu reminiscent of OS X’s dock. Bloomberg uses this as an illustration of the upcoming iPhone changes.

This is just part of what’s set to be a radical redesign of the next iPhone. Other rumors state the iPhone could mute notifications when you’re looking at it, include face scanning technology that works even when the phone is on the table, and include a screen that fills the frame of the phone except for a little notch that houses sensors, cameras, and earpiece.

It’s rumored that Apple is preparing to launch three versions of the next iPhone. It’s unlikely all versions will lose the home button for several reasons. The iPhone is Apple’s best-selling device and the removal of the home button is likely to be met with controversy. There’s no reason to rock the boat for everyone. Plus, the high-end version of the next iPhone will likely have much slimmer margins than an upgraded iPhone 7. Apple has long used incremental updates combined with bi-yearly design changes to keep margins healthy and it’s unlikely that will change. However, following this formula, the home button will disappear from all versions in following releases in 2018 or 2019.

Whatever it looks like we’ll be onsite when Apple unveils the next iPhone on September 12 with complete coverage.

Bang & Olufsen and Sony launch AirPod rivals

Everyone wants to get in on the wireless earbud rage and two firms just announced their entry into the market. Today at IFA 2017, B&O and Sony announced their first wireless earbuds that each compete in the space Apple made popular with the AirPods. Sound quality aside, these new earbuds have one thing over the AirPods: They don’t look like AirPods.

The B&O Beoplay E8 sports a four-hour battery life and is constructed out of aluminum, stainless steel, and textured rubber. The case is covered in leather. B&O says the ‘buds have been tuned with the same system used in the rest of its headphone line so hopefully the sound quality can justify the $299 price.

connect through Bluetooth or NFC, the latter which makes it very easy to connect compatible devices.
Both models have modes that allows the wearer to pipe in noise from around them so the wearer is not isolated from the outside world. Sony calls this Ambient Sound and B&O calls it Transparency Mode.
Even though these models sound respectable, when compared to AirPods spec-for-spec, things start to fall apart even when the extra features are considered. AirPods have longer battery life and a smaller case that’s also able to be tracked by the Find My iPhone app — all for $159. Plus, for Mac users, AirPods can effortlessly be used on the computer and a phone.
The market is exploding with these wireless earbuds yet so far it seems few have been able to stand apart. Bragi’s Dash Pro and Hear One are some of the favorites used by TechCrunch staff though a handful have Apple AirPods, too. And that’s how it’s supposed to be. Variety is good for everyone.

 

Apple sets iPhone event for September 12 at new Steve Jobs theater

Apple just sent out invites for its annual iPhone event, which is taking place on September 12 at its new Cupertino HQ, at the Steve Jobs Theater it built there specifically to host special events. It’s expected that Apple will reveal a brand new iPhone with a nearly bezel-free design on the day.

TechCrunch previously reported that the event would fall on this day, confirming WSJ’s sources. This will be the first ever event at Apple’s new headquarters, and the dedicated theater, which is actually built partly underground with an entry in a glass covered rotunda at ground level.

At the event, we’ll likely see the new iPhone, which sources say is a premium priced option to be sold alongside updates to the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus (likely 7s and 7s Plus models). Reports also suggest we’ll see an updated Apple Watch, possibly sporting its own built-in LTE connection, as well as a new 4K-capable Apple TV.

We’ve seen a lot of evidence about what’s coming, through the HomePod firmware leak, and reports including one from Bloomberg this week that outlines exactly how the iPhone interface will work without a home button, but Apple should still have plenty to reveal that we haven’t seen at this event, including at least a few amazing ARKit demos.

The iPhone 8 rumor mill is heating up

The iPhone 8 rumor mill is heating up. It's been variously suggested that the late-2017 iPhone will feature wireless charging, augmented reality and no physical buttons at all; some sources even think the curvy 'teardrop' design of the next model will make it closely resemble the original iPhone.

In this article, we round up all the rumours about the iPhone 8: its UK release date and onsale date (a leaked internal memo points to an announcement on or close to 17 September), UK price, tech specifications and new features. We also cover leaked photos and videos, and designers' concept illustrations.

For advice on the current iPhone range, read our iPhone buying guide and best cheap iPhone deals UK. Or, if you'd like to look even further into the future, read iPhone 9 and beyond: From graphene to motion charging. We also look at new iPhone rumours here: iPhone 7s rumours.

Header/thumbnail image is a concept illustration by Handy Abo Vergleich.
Release date

The iPhone 8 is expected to be released in September 2017, just as the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus came out in September 2016, and a recent leak suggests a launch on or close to 17 September. Mind you, multiple sources had previous suggested delays, which we'll discuss afterwards. Read next: Where will the iPhone 8 be made?
Internal memo hints at 17 September launch

An internal company memo, instructing AppleCare staff when they can and can't take holidays, has been leaked - and gives strong hints about the iPhone 8 launch date, or at least its launch window.

The memo, posted by Benjamin Geskin (who is responsible for several other leaks referred to in this article), names 'black out days', when staff must be present, between 17 September and 4 November. This suggests that the launch announcement will come on or very close to 17 September, and that the following eight weeks represent the product's highest-demand period, when staff will be most urgently needed in the office.


"Black Out Days are days in which we expect call volume to be at the highest, and we need all hands on deck," reads the memo. "Advisors and Leaders will be restricted from requesting days off for Paid Time Off (PTO) and Unpaid Time Off... Absences are unacceptable."

As a worried member of the Macworld team pointed out, 17 September is a Sunday, and it would be extremely unusual for an iPhone to be announced on a weekend. So our suspicion is that the iPhone 8 will actually be unveiled in the week of 18-25 September.

One other caveat: the memo adds that "these dates are subject to change", so things may not be set in stone. But we'd be surprised if the plans weren't reasonably firm at this point.
Delays until October, November... or even 2018

September is looking a good bet, then. But not everyone thinks Apple's plans are proceeding smoothly. Multiple sources had previously been suggesting that Apple's iPhone 8 may be delayed until November, or even 2018... and it's still possible that we'll get the announcement in September as discussed above, but that one or more of the handsets won't become available for months afterwards.

In a research note, Deutsche Bank analysts state that "key component shortages and technical challenges could delay the release of a high-end iPhone 8 device this fall," according to a Business Insider report. While IHS Markit analyst Brian Huh claims Samsung is having trouble meeting demand for the OLED displays ordered by Apple - BGR suggests the delay is because the display will incorporate the home button and Touch ID.

Digitimes has predicted that "production for the new OLED iPhone is unlikely to start until September due to the redesigned fingerprint ID solution", and KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has stated that the expected new 3D camera system will cause delays: "Unless production of the OLED iPhone (expected to begin in September) gets pushed back, there is virtually no time to make changes to the 3D camera system." (Both via Business Insider.)

ST Microelectronics, the company tipped to make this component for Apple, are - according to SlashGear's sources - struggling to hit volume targets and have requested additional time, although it's unclear at this point if the reported "small fire" at ST Microelectronics' manufacturing plant is a factor in all this.

Fubon Securities analyst Arthur Liao claims that Apple and its suppliers are working to resolve overheating issues in wireless charging modules, according to this Nikkei report. And Yuanta Investment Consulting's Jeff Pu points to delays with the OLED display, suggesting the new iPhone won't be available until November.
What will the next iPhone be called?

The big question is whether the company will skip the iPhone 7s generation this time around and move straight to the iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus - or if Apple will release an iPhone 8 alongside the iPhone 7s and 7s Plus, with the iPhone 8 getting the flagship features.

This would be a break from the norm. Apple releases a full-version iPhone update every other year - such as iPhone 4, iPhone 5, iPhone 6 - and a more limited 'S' update in between - iPhone 4s, iPhone 5s and 5c, iPhone 6s. So, based on previous behaviour, we ought to get an iPhone 7s and an iPhone 7s Plus in September. But it's possible that Apple won't continue the S strategy for much longer.

The 'tick-tock' system is a risky policy. When the average user hears that the new iPhone hasn't even been considered worthy of a full version number upgrade, they'll be put off from spending money on it. Not to mention that an S update is more confusing for buyers.
iPhone 8

In October 2016 a little extra weight was added to the 'iPhone 8 in 2017' theory. According to Business Insider, an Apple employee in Israel who solders components spoke to them about the next iPhone and referred to it as the iPhone 8 "unprompted in our conversation".

Making predictions about the upcoming performance of Apple stock, analysts at Credit Suisse forecast that the iPhone 8, to be released on the iPhone's 10-year anniversary in 2017, will skip the 'S' generation in recognition of its major updates.

Kaspersky to US: Check Our Source Code

Cybersecurity expert Eugene Kaspersky has volunteered to turn over his company's software source code to allay fears about possible ties with the Russian government, The Australian reported last week. Kaspersky made the offer public at CeBIT Australia.
Kaspersky to US: Check Our Source Code

Some U.S. officials have expressed concerns that Kaspersky Lab might have a close working relationship with the Russian government.

Kaspersky five years ago replaced a number of high-level managers with people who had ties to Russia's military or intelligence services, Bloomberg reported in 2015.

Some of them reportedly have provided data from the 400 million customers using Kaspersky's software to Russia's intelligence agency, the FSB.

Also, Kaspersky himself reportedly visits saunas with Russian officials on a regular basis.

Kaspersky studied at a university backed by the KGB -- the precursor of the FSB -- in the 1980s, according to reports, and he served as a software engineer with Soviet military intelligence before leaving for the private sector.

The heads of five U.S. intelligence agencies recently expressed suspicions regarding Kaspersky Lab to the U.S. Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, but they "don't have an option due to political reasons," Kaspersky suggested on Reddit.

"Recently, inaccurate statement and claims about Kaspersky Lab have circulated in public," the company said in a statement provided to TechNewsWorld by corporate communications manager Denise Bertrand.

"Eugene never worked for the Russian government," Kapersky Lab contended. "He grew up in the Soviet Union era when almost every education opportunity was sponsored by the government in some manner."

The university Kaspersky studied at "was sponsored by four state institutions, one of which was the KGB," Kaspersky Lab said. He was placed at a Russian Ministry of Defense scientific institute as a software engineer upon graduating, because "it was routine for university faculty to determine students' post-graduate positions."

Stirring a Hornet's Nest

Kaspersky did itself no favors with its all-out pursuit of hackers and malware authors linked to the U.S.

It has uncovered sophisticated malware or spyware connected to U.S. intelligence sources, including Stuxnet, Flame, Shamoon, and The Equation Group.

Kaspersky didn't seem to look equally hard for state-sponsored malware released by Russia, an acknowledged haven for cybercriminals.

Possibly because of that, and also because of the controversy surrounding Russia's possible meddling in the U.S. presidential elections, Kaspersky now is under the microscope.

The FBI is looking into Kaspersky's ties with the Russian government, as is the Senate.

Separately, the NSA and the UK's GCHQ reportedly have been trying to hack into Kaspersky for years.
Is Kaspersky Targeted Unfairly?

The NSA could be behind the latest scrutiny of Kaspersky Lab and its CEO.

"It's always dangerous to piss off three-letter agencies," said Rob Enderle, principal analyst at the Enderle Group.

"Doing so while operating out of Russia would be even more problematic," he told

However, the likelihood of Kaspersky maintaining a wall between its work with the FSB and Russian government, and its work with other clients is effectively zero," said Michael Jude, a program manager at Stratecast/Frost & Sullivan.

Like a John LeCarre Novel

The situation is "like a John LeCarre novel come to life," said Laura DiDio, principal analyst at ITIC.

"You're not going to be able to prove absolutely whether or not Kaspersky has ties to the Russian government, she told

"He has done all he can do -- offer to give the U.S. government his source code," she pointed out.

"The problem isn't whether Russia built a back door into the Kaspersky code, but that Russia may have copies of the source code," Jude told

"Regardless of whom Kaspersky turns his code over to, his reputation is shot," Jude said. "If it's Russia, the U.S. market is dead; if it's the U.S., then just about every non-U.S. market is dead."

Deep Algo was one of the more fascinating companies  in the world. The French team aims to make coding languages more accessible for the masses with SaaS (software as a service) offering that promises to do for languages like C++, C Sharp and Javascript what WYSIWYG does for HTML.

It’s a pretty bold claim, but the company is confident that its system is robust enough to handle the complexity of coding languages, even in the hands of coding newbies.

“We make non-IT people understand code,” CEO Xavier Lagarrigue told TechCrunch at the event. “The technology uses the code as an input and then everything is automatic. We extract the business concepts first from the code and then build questions. And as a user, you select the question and find the answer in the code. If you are a non-coder, you will understand the format.”

The system works by presenting a sort form that helps the user determine precisely what they want out of a piece of code. From there, the system breaks things down into more of a flow chart to help give a better understanding of the actions created by the code. The idea to get employees in other aspects of business involved in the process, to add their unique points of views to the system.

was certainly skeptical of some of the lofty promises being made by the company. Lagarrigue promised a combination of simplicity and a robustness that allowed the user to create “any action,” adding, “With the input, you can explain whatever you want. That’s the power of the format. We can represent anything the code does.”

The whole thing is still in early stages. The company is currently piloting the program with four pilot companies, with plans to expand to more partners. At retail, the system will be sold on a per-user basis, with support from Deep Algo built into the pricing.

After all, there are lots that can go wrong when attempting to get a non-coder to build in code. Remember when everyone started building Geocities websites? It was all MIDI songs and ‘under construction’ GIFs.

The company plans to expand its language offerings in the near future, with Lagarrigue explaining that building out a new package only takes a few weeks’ work.

HP INC. INSPIRES CREATIVITY WITH INKING AND MODERN DESIGNS

HP INC. INSPIRES CREATIVITY WITH INKING AND MODERN DESIGNS FOR TODAY’S STUDENTS AND TOMORROW’S REINVENTORS

At the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival 2017, HP Inc. has announced a new lineup of Pavilion laptops with sophisticated designs and features to inspire today’s students and tomorrow’s reinventors. The new Pavilion convertibles and laptops deliver a rich set of features and performance options previously reserved for higher-end products, including the addition of premium materials like 3D metal to help remove all visual seams, USB-C for more connectivity options and active pen support to bring Windows Ink to life on Pavilion x360s. Additionally, in anticipation of the Creators Update from Microsoft and Windows Ink technology available on the new Pavilion x360, Coachella Festival Music and Arts Festival attendees will be able to interact with the PC in new and unique ways, witnessing how the entire HP portfolio provides unforgettable immersive experiences when technology, art and music come together.

“We are evolving our portfolio of products to meet the needs of everyone from today’s students to digital creatives, as their usage and interactions with computing devices continue to change,” said Anne-Sophie Hadberg, head of consumer personal systems EMEA, HP Inc. “Today’s Pavilion products take proven innovations from our premium lineup and provides end users with the ability to play, create, connect and entertain.”

The new Pavilion x360 gives customers what they want – mobility and flexibility in a convertible PC. Pavilion x360s not only morph into four modes, but also infuse premium materials and features like 3D metal to help remove all visual seams, USB-C to enable more connectivity, and active pen support to bring Windows Ink to life. Windows Ink allows users to interact with content in new ways and quickly turn thoughts into action – create lists, sticky notes, and draw your ideas directly onto the screen. To highlight just how interactive, versatile and creative the Pavilion x360s with Windows Ink allow users to be, the 2017 Pavilion x360 will headline a Bandana Inking experience in the HP LOUNGE at Coachella. Festival attendees will have the ability to design their very own custom bandana, and HP graphic printers bring it to life allowing what is created to be printed on-the-spot and put into people’s hands before heading to see the next big artist on stage. The 2017 Pavilion x360s are offered with an 11.6” HD IPS display, or 14” or 15.6” diagonal screen options with HD or Full HD IPS.

The latest Pavilion laptops bring amazing new designs inspired by HP’s premium Spectre and ENVY lineup. In bringing quality new designs to the Pavilion portfolio, HP is able to offer its Pavilion customers scalability and performance. The use of 3D metal, a single piece of metal that wraps around the sides and back of the PC effectively removing visual seams, on the 2017 Pavilion laptops adds durability and an elegant look while the combination of hues, finishes, and textures give the PCs a more sophisticated look. The incorporation of a lift hinge, previously reserved for ENVY products, provides a more comfortable typing experience, but also more efficient airflow to the bottom vents. With a design engineered for functionality, the combination of comfort for end-users and airflow for performance makes Pavilion perfect for users who are creating their own videos and editing photos, then sharing them on social media. The new portfolio of Pavilion notebooks are offered with a 14”, 15.6” or 17” diagonal screen options with Full HD or Full HD IPS displays2 and the option to add touch.

HP’s Pavilion x360 and Pavilion laptop devices feature a wide range of configuration options to meet the needs of the consumer needing the reliability to connect and get things done or be entertained. Pavilion gives consumers a PC that not only performs but is also a true reflection of how people interact with their devices.

HP Pavilion Features include:

1. All day battery life with up 12 hours and HP Fast Charge (90% in 90 minutes) on select models
2. Processor options: latest 7th Gen Intel® Core™ i3-i7 processors, Intel® Pentium® processors or 7th Gen AMD processors
3. Storage options: Dual storage up to 256GB SSD+1TB HDD or 128GB SSD+ 2TB HDD or single storage up to 512GB SSD or up to 2TB HDD on select models
4. Choice of AMD® Radeon & Nvidia GeForce Discrete Graphics
5. Enhanced Intel 2x2ac WiFi option
6. HP Wide Vision HD camera or optional FHD IR camera which supports Windows Hello
7. Exceptional audio with dual speakers, HP Audio Boost, and tuning by the experts at B&O Play
8. Pavilion Laptops offer unique colour options to fit any personality including Opulent Blue, Silk Gold, Orchid Pink, Mineral Silver, Natural Silver, Shimmer Mint and Empress Red.
9. HP Inspiring the Hidden Artist in Everyone at Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival

In the first year as Coachella’s official technology sponsor, HP is treating music fans to an unforgettable experience at Coachella with its latest portfolio of products that inspires creativity and the artist within everyone. Festival-goers will be able to escape the heat and immerse in The Antarctic, the new 360-degree audio-visual sensory experience housed inside the world’ s largest projection dome powered by HP workstations. The 11,000 square foot audio-visual adventure is programmed exclusively for Coachella’s art and music enthusiast.

Guests will also be able to uniquely express themselves through the use of HP technology at the HP LOUNGE. HP is allowing everyone at the festival to create, reinvent and share their work with their peers for a truly unforgettable weekend. HP LOUNGE experiences include:

Bandana Inking: Create a bespoke bandana on HP Pavilion x360 convertible laptops announced at Coachella, for Coachella. The Pavilion x360s will be using Dial Inking technology and HP graphics printers so you can walk away with your custom creation and prepare for the annual Indio dust.

Kinetic Art: Step into a 360-degree blackout photo booth that captures a sharable 120-degree photo with your very own custom light design created by you on HP Spectre x360s and HP EliteBook x360s.

Light Ink: Design your very own real life, life size kaleidoscope in real time with the HP Inking Laser Show, created on HP’s Spectre x360 laptop and the latest HP Pavilion x360s.

VA Virtual Reality: Combine art, music and dance into a real-time generated, creative virtual reality experience. Guests will be able to manipulate the existing dome content time into their very own unique creation on OMEN X desktops.

Pavilion Pricing and Availability

1. The HP Pavilion x360 11 is available now, starting at €429.
2. The HP Pavilion x360 14 will be available in EMEA in May, starting at €449
3. The HP Pavilion x360 15 will be available in EMEA in May, starting at €479
4. HP Pavilion 14 Laptop will be available in EMEA in May, starting at €529
5. HP Pavilion 15 Laptop with 7th Gen Intel Core processor will be available in EMEA in May, starting at €549
6. HP Pavilion 15 Laptop with AMD processor will be available in EMEA in May starting at €499.

ParaBlu introduces BluVault integration with OneDrive for Business

Cloud data protection and management solutions provider ParaBlu today announced the availability of BluVault, a secure endpoint data backup solution for users of Microsoft's OneDrive for Business service. The next-gen solution is aimed at enabling enterprises to use OneDrive for business as a backup target for endpoints.

Thanks to its integration with OneDrive for business, BluVault can automatically back up user data from endpoints to their respective OneDrive for Business storage accounts. It works in conjunction with Parablu's CASB solution - BluKrypt - which encrypts data streams using the customer's encryption keys before writing it to the OneDrive cloud - thus making the security even more robust. The solution is claimed to offer a 100% defence from ransomware and other malicious attacks.

The Parablu solution, which can be deployed on-premise or hosted in the Microsoft Azure cloud, is claimed to reduce endpoint backup costs by as much as 70% as compared to existing on-premise or cloud based solutions. Existing MS Office 365 customers who already have a One Drive subscription can use the solution without any extra storage costs. The solution is scalable and can effortlessly scale up to cover more than 100,000 endpoints.
"OneDrive for Business make it easy to manage your work files, share them and collaborate from any device. Parablu enriches OneDrive for Business with customizations for backup, security and scalability enhancing the cloud experience for customers", remarked Narendra Bhandari, general manager, developer experience and evangelism, Microsoft India.

ParaBlu's CEO Anand Prahlad said "Enterprises, at just a fraction of their current cost, can now deploy a solution that gives them 100% protection of their data on endpoints, 100% utilization of their OneDrive for Business subscriptions and 100% scalability across geographies and devices."

Microsoft Windows 10 Creators Update: Key features and updates

 Microsoft has started rolling out its Windows 10 Creators Update to all eligible users across the globe. The OS update brings a lot of new enhancements, aimed at providing users better control over system settings and better 3D content creation. It also brings improvements to other important Windows 10 features such as Windows Ink, Windows Hello and Microsoft Edge browser.

Here are some of the key features included in the Windows 10 Creators Update that may improve the way you use your Windows 10 PC.

Paint 3D - The Creators Update introduces a new version of MS Paint. Dubbed Paint 3D, the app, as its name suggests, has been developed keeping in mind the creation of 3D content. It includes features that make it easier to convert 2D illustrations to 3D ones.

Microsoft Windows 10 Creators update: How to download

Night Light - Windows 10 Creators Update introduces Night Light, a feature that reduces the amount of Blue light emitted from the computer's display, making it less strenuous on the eyes in low-light conditions.

Beam - Beam allows Windows 10 and Xbox One users stream gameplay and interact with each other with low latency. No extra hardware or software is needed for this feature to work.

Improvements to Microsoft Edge - Creators Update also improves the company's Edge browser. Users can now easily manage several browser tabs for easily accessing information. It's also possible to access e-books in the Windows Store and read them directly in Microsoft Edge. Microsoft claims that Edge is the only browser that can stream Netflix content in 4K UHD resolution.

Windows Photos with Inking support - Windows 10 Creators Update brings inking support to the OS' native Photos app. This basically means that you can now easily pick an image and put comments or any other annotations on it. The edited images can be then easily shared on multiple social media networks.

Microsoft Windows 10 Creators update will let you setup your PC using your voice

Mini View - Mini View allows users to run apps in a small window over other apps and programs that are running on the rest of the display. Clearly, the feature is aimed at improving user productivity.


Screen Time Limits - With Screen Time Limits, parents can control the amount of time their kids can play games on a Windows 10 PC. The feature allows daily time allowances to be set for each child. After the stipulated time, the configured Child account is automatically signed out from Windows 10 and Xbox One services.


Improved Windows Hello - Windows 10 Creators Update brings improvements to Windows Hello biometric authentication feature. With this, users can use any paired iPhone, Android or Windows 10 Mobile smartphone to lock their PC. The feature also works with fitness bands. Improved controls for updates and privacy - Windows 10 Creators Update brings granular controls for OS updates and user privacy. Users can pause updates for up to a week and the OS itself will prompt them to configure important settings such as speech recognition, location and more, in order to keep important information from getting leaked.
     If you already have a registered copy of a Windows 10 base version installed on a PC, laptop or a tablet, you should be able to download and install the Creators Update for free.

Apple AirPods challenger? Samsung S8 To Come With Wireless Earphones

 Samsung’s spirit would have dampened after the Galaxy Note 7 fiasco, then think again.
Rather Samsung is now seems more determined to break the success path of Apple and get back into the smartphones game once again. How? According to a new information leak, the new Samsung Galaxy S8, to be released in March, is expected to come with a pair of wireless noise-cancelling headphones.

According to Roland Quandt of winfuture.de, the new wireless earphones will be priced at EUR 130 (Rs 9,500 approx). In a tweet, Quandt wrote, “New Samsung Level In ANC wireless headphones with Active Noise Cancelling are coming with the Samsung Galaxy S8 - EO-IG950B.”
The new pair of headphones from Samsung are said to be an upgrade to the existing Level In with ANC In-Ear Wired Headphones which are available to buy in the market.
In terms of specifications, the Samsung Galaxy S8 is expected to sport a 5.7-inch and 6.2-inch display. It will run on the latest Snapdragon 835 processor (or a 10nm in-house processor depending on regions) paired with 4GB RAM, and 64GB storage.

The Samsung Galaxy S8 is expected to be 11 times faster, 23% faster in terms of handling advanced graphics, and be 20% more battery efficient than its predecessor.
Samsung Galaxy S8 is also expected to draw power from 3000mAh to 3500mAh, but will come with other optimisations to improve on overall usage time. Galaxy S8’s front camera will be at 8-megapixel, and the smartphone will come with a service called DeX that will allow you to transform the device into a mini Android computer.

Samsung Galaxy S8 launch today: Everything We Know So Far About It

Samsung is expected to launch its redeeming phone, the Galaxy S8, on Wednesday as it looks to come out of the negative limelight that its exploding Note 7 phones got from consumers globally.
However, as is customary with big smartphone launches, there have been rumours and speculations doing the rounds along with leaked images of the phone.

This is what we know about the phone for sure:

1)Samsung will reveal the Galaxy S8 March 29 in New York City
2)It will feature Samsung’s new AI assistant, Bixby
3)It will use Samsung’s revised eight-point battery testing procedure
4)Samsung will leave more space inside for the battery (even though that’s not what caused the Note 7 to flame out)

What do the rumours tell us?

1) A much narrower bezel and bigger, dual-curved display
2) Ultra-high-def 4K resolution
3) A revamped home button that’s virtual or located on the rear of the phone
4) Facial recognition and/or iris scanning
5) A Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 or Exynos 9 processor (depending on the region)
6) Dual rear cameras
7) Video capture at 1,000 frames per second
8) Headphone jack
9) USB-C port
10) SIM card or microSD slot
11) Color options including black, white, blue, gold, silver and violet.

Snapchat stock finishes up 44% on first day

Snap, the parent company of Snapchat, had a great day in its debut on the New York Stock Exchange. After pricing the IPO at $17 per share yesterday, the stock opened at $24. It then closed the day at $24.48, a 44 percent premium to the people who bought it yesterday.

But like with all IPOs, not everybody got to access Snap’s IPO price. This is usually reserved for a smaller group of institutional investors and high-net worth individuals who are on good terms with the banks. Most investors didn’t have a chance to buy until today, so the gains for them are much smaller.

The debut draws more similarities to Twitter’s, which went public in 2013. The company saw a solid first day of trading, but then saw a lot of volatility in the following months. Facebook, on the other hand, had a rough first day as a public company, with the share price closing exactly where it opened (companies normally try to price it so it goes up about 20 percent on the first day). But then the company flourished on the stock market over time.

Snapchat went public at what was an interesting point in the company’s history. Unlike many companies, like Uber and Airbnb with sky-high valuations, Snapchat decided to go public earlier in its monetization, probably because it’s better to go public before the market considers the company overvalued.

Yet Snapchat is entering the markets at a time when growth has slowed, possibly due to Instagram copying its “stories” feature. And while revenue is quickly growing, they are also significantly unprofitable.

Hemant Taneja, an early investor in Snapchat and managing director at General Catalyst, said he was excited about Snapchat early on because of the “richness of innovation.” He saw that founder Evan Spiegel was “determined to make technology work for us, rather than change behaviors necessarily — like with ephemeral nature of communications.”

Unlike Facebook, Snapchat’s images disappear by default, a feature that baffled many people initially. But it proved to be popular and today’s debut on the stock market is a pivotal moment in technology history.

Snap paid $114.5M to acquire Vurb and gives acquisition details for Bitstrips and Looksery

As Snap becomes a larger company and is able to amass more of a cash pile, it’ll be able to start picking off startups that can either fill out the company’s ranks with talent or add products that will help make its core app even more sticky. Snap’s IPO itself is actually a fundraising event (in addition to getting shareholders some liquidity), which will give the company more cash in order to hunt down these acquisitions.

We’ve reported on a lot of acquisitions the company has made over the last year, but Snap laid out some of the specifics in its public filing today:

1. Snap acquired Looksery in August, which at the time was reported to be for around $150 million. The filing basically confirms this price. Snap acquired the company as part of its push to create animated lenses — another product that would help further increase engagement and stickiness for the app, which is what the company is pitching to advertisers as its core value. The Looksery acquisition was $79.4 million, with $71.2 million in retention bonuses.
2. Snap also acquired Bitstrips, the creators of Bitmoji personal avatars, in March last year. Snap paid $64.2 million for the company, which it looks like didn’t include any retention bonuses.
3. Snap acquired a “mobile search company” in August for $114.5 million — this is Vurb, a mobile search engine that pulls info from partnered apps.
• Snap also says it acquired a “research and development-driven computer vision software company” in 2016 for around $47 million — this may be
•  Seene, a startup that let mobile users create 3D selfies
4. Beyond those acquisitions, Snap also said it was providing an additional $255.2 million in cash and stock as retention bonuses.