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Huawei's Mate 10 flagship may launch on AT&T in February http://ift.tt/2BYVr4Z Chinese phone makers rarely get top billing in the US, but that might change in a matter of weeks. Sources speaking to The information have claimed that Huawei has scored a previously rumored deal to offer its Mate 10 flagship through AT&T in February -- the first time Huawei has ever sold a phone through a major American carrier "for its main service," the insiders said. It'll reportedly have some "technical adjustments" based on US standards (most likely network frequency support), but it would largely be the handset you first saw in October. The tipsters indicated that this was really part of a bigger strategy to not only gain acceptance in the US, but to take on Huawei's biggest competitors, and Apple in particular. While Huawei hasn't needed American customers to become a powerhouse, it believes that it needs to succeed in the US if it's going to challenge Apple in the high-end smartphone world beyond technological oneupmanship. And if it wants any chance of that, it has to strike deals with big carriers and understand American tastes. The sources said that Huawei's US staff has been quietly scouting stores to gauge buyer habits, and Huawei consumer electronics head Richard Yu has publicly announced plans to spend $100 million in advertising to raise awareness. If the leak is accurate (neither company has confirmed the launch), Huawei will likely face an uphill battle. Never mind the latent distrust some may have for Chinese companies -- it's brand recognition that's most likely to hurt the Mate 10's chances. Many Americans haven't even heard of Huawei, let alone its history in smartphones. Even Google's Pixel line hasn't managed to seriously challenge the dominance of Apple and Samsung despite a familiar name, a major carrier deal and a massive marketing campaign. A February launch might not help, either, as the Mate 10 could be quickly overshadowed by the Galaxy S9. There's also the matter of software. Yu said that Huawei would better integrate Assistant and other Google services in US devices, but there's no denying that its software is skewed toward a Chinese audience where Google services don't exist and you don't always see Android staples like the app drawer. Yu has reportedly declared in company-only messages that some of Huawei's software decisions were "stupid," and that's not good news for a tech giant that needs to give you clear reason to switch from your iPhone or Galaxy. The Mate 10 launch may give Huawei a foothold in the US, but it could take years before its brand and its hardware are strong enough to make Apple or Samsung feel nervous. Source: The Information Gadget News via Engadget http://www.engadget.com December 27, 2017 at 01:36PM
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How to Get HQ Trivia for Android Now http://ift.tt/2l7QoEF After months as an iOS exclusive, HQ Trivia is finally coming to Android on January 1. But you don’t have to wait that long to start playing on your Android device. As part of the lead up to its Android release, HQ is offering a limited beta in the U.S. (meaning only a few lucky people can try it here) and an open beta in Canada. If you can’t go another day without playing HQ Trivia, there’s a way to trick your phone into thinking you’re in Canada so you can download the beta now.
IGN outlined a couple of methods earlier this year for another app with a location-specific beta, but the basic details still apply. The method we’ll be using requires a virtual private network to spoof your location and takes a decent amount of work, but it’s the only option for now. Advertisement The first think you’ll need to do is install a VPN on your computer and set it to a Canadian IP address (here’s our guide to VPNs if you need some help getting started). Once that’s done, go to the Google Create Account webpage and create a new account with your location as Canada. Then grab the Android device you want to use, log into the new Google Play account you just set up, and navigate to HQ’s Play Store page. If it worked you should see an “Install” button, and you’re good to go. If you still see the “Pre-register” button, you may need to activate the VPN on your Android device as well. To do that, go into Settings and then Apps. Select “Google Play Store” and hit “Force Stop” to close the app. Next, go into “Storage” on your device and tap on “Clear Data” and “Clear Cache.” Finally, launch the VPN app and set the location to Canada. Now you should be able to download the HQ beta. If that sounds like a headache, there is an easier way, but it requires an Android application package (APK) and we don’t have that yet for HQ Trivia. Once the APK does leak you should be able to sideload it pretty easily, though there’s a bit of a risk with this method since you’ll have to loosen your phone’s security settings. Advertisement Of course, if you’d rather just wait for the official release you can pre-register now in Google Play so you know as soon as the app arrives. Gadget News via Lifehacker http://lifehacker.com December 27, 2017 at 01:35PM This tech investor bought a gadget a day in 2017. Here are the top picks .. http://ift.tt/2BIUEkx Gadget News via gadgets - Google News http://ift.tt/2zdEA80 December 27, 2017 at 01:11PM How To: Setting Up New Gadgets & Permanently Erasing Personal Info From Old Ones After Christmas12/27/2017 How To: Setting Up New Gadgets & Permanently Erasing Personal Info From Old Ones After Christmas http://ift.tt/2BXBvQ4 Gadget News via gadgets - Google News http://ift.tt/2zdEA80 December 27, 2017 at 01:11PM
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Some Sonos and Bose speakers are being hijacked to play ghostly sounds http://ift.tt/2Ce28wL Researchers at Trend Micro have found that certain models of Sonos and Bose speakers have vulnerabilities that leave them open to hijacking, as reported by Wired. The accessible speakers are being exploited by hackers that are using them to play spooky sounds, Alexa commands, and... Rick Astley tracks. Only a small percentage of speakers by the two companies are actually affected, including some of the Sonos Play:1, the Sonos One, and the Bose SoundTouch. All it takes is for the speaker to be connected to a misconfigured network and a simple internet scan. Once the speaker is discovered via the scan, the API it uses to talk to apps can be utilized to tell the speakers to play any audio file hosted at a specific URL. Of all the models, between 2,500 to 5,000 Sonos devices and 400 to 500 Bose devices were found by Trend Micro to be open to audio hacking. Sonos told Wired in an email that it is "looking into this more, but what you are referencing is a misconfiguration of a user’s network that impacts a very small number of customers that may have exposed their device to a public network. We do not recommend this type of set-up for our customers." Though it would be possible for someone to glean information like IP addresses and the IDs of other connected devices, it’s unlikely due to the elaborate nature of the hack. As Wired notes, it’s much more likely to be used for odd audio pranks, like one woman whose Sonos started playing breaking glass and crying baby sounds in the middle of the night. Because Sonos has an open API program, this isn’t even the first occurrence of its speakers being taken for a spooky ride. Back in 2014, a developer made an interactive hack named Ghosty that essentially did the same thing. While this vulnerability affects only a tiny portion of Sonos and Bose owners, and is likely to be relatively benign if exploited at all, it’s still worth double checking the security of the network they’re connected to. Gadget News via The Verge http://ift.tt/1jLudMg December 27, 2017 at 01:05PM
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Use Your Phone Less in 2018 http://ift.tt/2li5bvK How’s your neck feel right now? Not great? Probably because you keep looking down at your phone, a move that’ll give you more than a tension headache if you keep it up. Ditch the bad habit in 2018, and leave your pocket computer in your pocket instead of pulling it out every 30 seconds. We’ve got a few ways to help you through the tough time of ignoring your emails and texts for the sake of your sanity. Send Your Smartphone Back to The Future By Going GrayscaleThat fancy OLED screen on your device is bright, colorful, and perfect for drawing your attention away from whatever you should be doing. Take a stand against its bright, enticing glow by making it a dull, black and white landscape. The muted screen is less attractive compared to its bright and saturated colorful counterpart, hopefully making you take the time to think about why you want to fiddle with your phone before you do. Social Media Isn’t Helping Your MoodSpending your time on Instagram and Twitter isn’t doing anything good for your self-esteem. Study after study show the more time people spend on social media, the worse they feel about themselves, the more bad news they read, and the more they compare themselves to other people and their seemingly perfect lives. Do yourself a favor and get off Facebook, perhaps to stick your face in a real book. Your Old Phone is Lazy AnywayYou could always psych yourself out whenever you use your smartphone and tell yourself it’s a bit on the slow side. Although, if your phone is a few years old, it might actually be slower than ever thanks to Apple’s recent reveal that it underclocks older iPhones to avoid damaging components. All the more reason to leave it in your pocket and learn to live without it. Work on Your Impulse ControlInstead of managing your smartphone, why not manage your self control? You might be pulling out your phone to play some Clash Royale when you should be studying for your final exam, or finishing that report for your afternoon meeting. If that’s the case, you should edit your phone so it’s more helpful when it does need your attention by modifying your notifications. Your Phone is Hurting Your PerformanceUsing your phone less might mean more than just putting it down. You might have to just leave it out of sight. Even leaving your phone on your desk takes away some precious brain power you could be using to study for a test, or learn a new language. When trying to learn something new, you’re better off keeping your phone out of sight, and going back to basics with a pen and paper. Save your Pocket queue for your train ride. Gadget News via Lifehacker http://lifehacker.com December 27, 2017 at 01:04PM
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The Best Advice of 2017 http://ift.tt/2CbaJjL Everybody needs a little guidance sometimes, and this year we spent a good chunk of time dishing it out. Whether you’re doing some traveling, saving money, seeking your life’s purpose, or wondering if you should send that dick pic, here’s our best advice of 2017. How to Craft Your Life’s Purpose and Stop Wasting Your Precious Time Here on EarthYou don’t “find” your purpose, you craft it. Start by realizing you have no given purpose, then pick something you truly, deeply care about. Where to Go Instead of Times Square When Visiting NYCWhen I recently advised that New York City visitors skip Times Square, I was met with righteous anger by people who don’t live in New York. To be clear: You’re allowed to visit Times Square! But you’re not allowed to go there, then tell everyone that New York is smelly, crowded, too expensive, and full of jerks. That’s like going to Disney World and deciding everyone in Florida is named Mickey Mouse. How to Handle a Coworker Who Dresses InappropriatelyIf you’re not someone’s professional superior, it’s not your place to be commenting on the appropriateness of their attire—at all. Heck, even if they are a subordinate, it’s still pretty inappropriate to say anything about their appearance. Go through the proper channels, people. The Best Advice for Saving as Much as You CanThere’s one question I hear as a personal finance writer more than any other. It’s not how to game the stock market, or become a billionaire—it’s simply how to make a budget work while still saving enough to retire comfortably. How to Stop Being a Lazy Piece of GarbageYou’ve got to learn to love the process. Working toward a goal is like taking a long walk. Some people trudge along, only thinking about what things will be like when they get to their destination, spending the whole walk staring down at their feet in despair. “I can’t wait to get there…” they say. Other people know they’re walking toward something, but allow themselves to enjoy the walk itself. How to Enjoy Anal Sex When You Have HemorrhoidsThe bad news is that there’s no surefire way of eliminating all hemorrhoids forever painlessly. But there are some things that can help make the situation a little better. For one, just because somebody is having sex with your butt does not mean they have to look at your butt. Why You Shouldn’t Ever Send That Dick PicIt’s just not worth it. Sexting can be hot for established couples if you’re both into that kind of thing, but otherwise just don’t. Use your words. Let there be some surprise. And you know what? Even if they had explicitly asked for a close up of your bits, that’s the perfect opportunity to tantalize them a bit. Gadget News via Lifehacker http://lifehacker.com December 27, 2017 at 01:04PM
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Best Explainers of 2017 http://ift.tt/2BJQnNs You can’t improve your life if you don’t understand it. Here are the best of our explainers from 2017 to help you make sense of the news and all the weird little things that happen in your life. Snow Forecasts Are HardThere was a snowstorm in the Northeast this week. Or maybe that supposed storm was just a light dusting. It depends on who you ask. Having grown up in the mountains of Colorado, I am well aware at just how terrible these forecasts tend to be. That’s because snow is especially difficult to predict. The Biggest Misconceptions About VPNsHave you heard? Internet service providers want to sell your data and a virtual private network (VPN) is the best way to tell them to shove off. There’s a problem though. VPNs are notoriously shady, are more complicated than they look, they’re unregulated, and can be more of a security risk than they’re worth if you don’t set them up correctly. Your Guide to All the Devastating Weapons You Hear About In the NewsCheck the news and you’re guaranteed to hear to about conflict in some part of the world. But there are a lot of weapon terms getting thrown around without explanation, and even people in the public eye are totally clueless about what these weapons do. Here’s everything you need to know about the MOAB, Tomahawk missiles, barrel bombs, chemical weapons, and more. Can You Really Blame Your Problems on Mercury Being in Retrograde?No. What Happens When You Get Shot and How to Survive ItIf you’re afraid of being shot, you’re not alone, and your fears are, unfortunately, justified. Guns kill almost 100 people in America every single day. Even worse, guns and the bullets they fire are not the hyper-precise weapons Hollywood makes them out to be. They’re messy, and they do a lot of damage you can’t see. This is what happens if you take a bullet, and what you can do to possibly save your life or someone else’s. What You Need to Know When Recording Your EnemiesTrump was in the news recently for possibly taping conversations in the oval office. But can you do that? Turns out the answer is kinda complicated. If you’re thinking of secretly recording a conversation with someone, you should probably read this first. What ‘Classified Information’ Means, and What Happens If You Divulge ItThe media is ablaze over President Trump sharing classified information with Russian foreign officials—but what is classified information exactly? And what happens if you disclose it? Good news: You’ve been granted clearance to acquire this not-quite-top-secret knowledge. 8 Reasons You Should Care a Lot About the 2020 CensusDo you care about the 2020 census? You should. We all probably should care more about the 2020 census, because John Thompson, the director of the Census Bureau and the man in charge of running the 2020 census, stepped down last week. It’s hard to overstate what huge news this is, and yet the story isn’t getting a ton of attention—possibly because there’s a lot of other huge news too, and, well, the human brain can handle only so much. What Homeopathy Is, and Why It’s UselessEchinacea is not a homeopathic remedy. Neither are essential oils, neti pots, or visits to the chiropractor. If you have a vague sense that homeopathy is outside the mainstream and that I’m about to pooh-pooh it, you’re right, but the weirdness goes farther than most people realize. What Exactly Is Collusion?If you’ve even glanced at the news lately, you’ve probably seen or heard the term “collusion” when referring to President Trump’s senior staff being accused of shady dealings with Russia. But what is collusion? And is it actually a crime? What It Feels Like to DieDeath comes for us all here on Earth at a rate of nearly 7,000 people every hour. Yet, despite its inevitability, most of us know very little about the experience. This is what happens to your body and mind as you slip away—and it’s not as frightening as you might think. All About CTE, the Brain Trauma Common in Football PlayersAaron Hernandez, the former Patriots tight end who died by suicide earlier this year while serving a life sentence for murder, is the latest football player to be publicly diagnosed with chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). The condition is linked to depression, aggression, and problems with impulse control. What the End of Net Neutrality Means for YouWe knew it was coming, but on Tuesday, FCC Chairman Ajit Pai announced his plan to gut net neutrality and hand over control of the internet to service providers like Comcast, AT&T and Verizon (which also happens to be Pai’s former employer). How to Reclaim Your Digital Privacy from Online TrackingIt used to be that tracking a person involved a deep knowledge of nature, a keen eye and maybe a dog or two. Nowadays it doesn’t involve more than a bit of code and a few mouse clicks. Why You Have a Delivery Confirmation and No Package From AmazonSo you ordered that cool new doodad from Amazon and it was supposed to arrive today, but it didn’t. Yet you’ve been sent a delivery confirmation telling you it made it there on time. Was it stolen? Maybe! But here’s another possible explanation. Gadget News via Lifehacker http://lifehacker.com December 27, 2017 at 01:04PM
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LG and Here help self-driving cars share their knowledge http://ift.tt/2pKqxHF Self-driving cars clearly stand to benefit from sharing data -- you want your car to know about traffic jams before you're stuck in gridlock. And LG knows it. The tech giant is partnering with Here on a next-gen communications hub for nearly or completely autonomous cars. Here's location info will help LG share a car's situational awareness with other vehicles, giving you customized driving info and (potentially) smarter decisions. If there's a road ahead with mercifully light traffic, for instance, your car might turn on to it to avoid delays. This isn't LG's first driverless rodeo. It teamed with Mercedes on automatic braking back in 2014, and LG already supplies batteries and other components. However, this new alliance makes it clearer that LG wants a major stake in the autonomous driving world. It may not build the cars themselves, but it wants to form the backbone that these cars need to talk to each other. Source: LG Newsroom Gadget News via Engadget http://www.engadget.com December 27, 2017 at 01:00PM Apple faces multiple lawsuits after admitting to slowing down iPhones as their batteries age12/27/2017
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Apple faces multiple lawsuits after admitting to slowing down iPhones as their batteries age http://ift.tt/2BZsFkF iPhone owners aren't happy with Apple, and they're letting the company know with lawsuits. Five iPhone users filed a lawsuit in New York yesterday and are seeking class-action status over Apple intentionally slowing down their phones as the devices' batteries aged. USA Today first reported the lawsuit, which follows others filed over the past week. These iPhone owners claim that they all upgraded their devices to newer models once their phones slowed down after updating to new versions of iOS. The lawsuit states if they had known their batteries were to blame for the slowdown, they would have replaced the battery instead of buying a new phone. Prior lawsuits make similar arguments. Last week, Apple confirmed that it slowed down the iPhone 6, 6 Plus, 6S, 6S Plus, and SE through a software update. The company said this feature "smooth[ed] out the instantaneous peaks only when needed to prevent the device from unexpectedly shutting down." Lithium-ion batteries, which are used in iPhones, "become less capable of supplying peak current demands when in cold conditions, have a low battery charge, or as they age over time, which can result in the device unexpectedly shutting down to protect its electronic components." The software update prevented this from happening. Still, iPhone owners argue that Apple should have been more transparent about how it treats and recognizes aging batteries. The company only admitted the slowdown feature existed after independent Reddit users and bloggers tested devices. Gadget News via The Verge http://ift.tt/1jLudMg December 27, 2017 at 12:58PM |
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