Wednesday 30 November 2016

“Gooligan” Android Malware Infecting 13,000+ Devices A Day, Installs Apps, Leaves Fake Reviews


A newly discovered Android malware dubbed Gooligan, infecting as many as 13,000 devices per day, is hijacking Google accounts to install apps from the Play Store and leave fake reviews. Here’s what you need to know.


Android and malware are, unfortunately, two words that just can’t quite escape each other. Whether it is fair or not – and it probably is – Android has something of a reputation for perhaps not being the most secure of operating systems. It’s something that both fans of Apple’s iPhone and indeed Apple itself have been keen to hold over Android, and a newly announced malware discovery means that isn’t going to change that any time soon.


Android-Malware-apps-play-store


The latest malware, discovered by security firm Check Point, is apparently infecting as many as 13,000 devices per day and has been out in the wild since some time in August.


Dubbed Gooligan by the folks at Check Point, this new malware isn’t actually new at all. In fact, it takes advantage of security holes within the kernel of Android versions 4 and 5, which have since been plugged, but given Android’s fragmentation problem, that still leaves a huge number of devices that are out in the wild and are susceptible to a malware attack.


The way Gooligan works is surprisingly simple. Users install an app from a third-party app store that happens to be carrying the Gooligan malware. This then infects the device on which it was downloaded and takes control of it via the aforementioned security flaw. Next up, the malware compromises the device’s Google authorization token, which in turn gives it access to the user’s Google account including Gmail, Drive, and Photos. As it turns out though, that isn’t the point of the attack.


Googlian


Rather than take advantage of its newfound access in predictable ways, Gooligan instead runs off to the Google Play Store and downloads seemingly legitimate apps as well as adware. The fun, however, starts when it begins to leave 5-star reviews for those apps, apparently in an attempt to game the review system within the store. With so many devices infected, it’s possible that apps receiving fake reviews thanks to Gooligan could certainly benefit, so much so that Gooligan is apparently best used in this way rather than simply stealing credit card data.


The fix for Gooligan has, of course, already been rolled out, but if Android devices never receive the update due to carrier and OEM software upgrade madness, this particular brand of malware could be in for the long haul.


(Source: Check Point)


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“Gooligan” Android Malware Infecting 13,000+ Devices A Day, Installs Apps, Leaves Fake Reviews

Tech Deals: Sony’s Wireless Noise Canceling Headphones, Philips Hue Go, Apple Watch Band, More


It’s been an absolutely exception week or so for fantastic deals. With Black Friday and Cyber Monday out of the way now, you could be forgive for thinking the saving would grind to a halt under the new year. You’d most definitely be wrong as we once again have some notable savings on some extremely sought after products and accessories.


First up we are looking at is a brilliant pair of Sony wireless noise canceling headphones, with $150 off its retail tag, making it a real bargain for audiophiles.


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Moving on, there’s a $6 3-port USB wall charger as well with QC 2.0 tech, as well as a smart light from Philips that works in conjunction with Amazon’s Alexa virtual assistant. Got an Apple Watch? treat it with an inexpensive premium third-party leather band for a mere $18. Last but not the least is the Dell UltraSharp LCD monitor in 24-inches coming in with $150 slashed off the original price.


As always, all the deals listed here are time sensitive and subject to stock levels, so if there’s a product in the list here that you have your heart set on, make sure you act quickly before the offers expire. Enjoy the savings!


Sony H.ear on Wireless Noise Canceling Headphones ($199.99, usually $349.99)


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If you’re looking to hear digital music at its very finest, but want to ensure your audio experience is mixed with the highest visual experience out there, then the Sony H.ear headphones could certainly be the product for you. You can connect and stream music easily with Bluetooth without the interruption of outside interference.


Buy: Sony H.ear on Wireless Noise Canceling Headphone from Amazon: $199.99 | Original price: $350


Quick Charge 2.0 AUKEY 3-Port USB Wall Charger ($6 with promo code, usually $21.99)


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It’s difficult to take a product of this nature and actually turn it into something visually beautiful, but if you can look past the slab nature of the product design, then you get a highly efficient USB wall charger capable of charging up to three devices at any given time. It’s versatilely is further bolstered by the fact that it comes with Quick Charge 2.0 as standard for fast, efficient charging.


Get it for $6 using the following promo code at checkout: HN8L8AYI.


Buy: Quick Charge 2.0 AUKEY 3-Port USB Wall Charger from Amazon: $6 | Original price: $22


Philips Hue Go Light ($59.98, usually $79.99)


Philips-Hue-Go-Light


Home automation from a lighting perspective isn’t all about replacing bulbs like-for-like in the home. Thanks to companies like Philips and the Hue range, it’s also possible to get accent, feature and mood lighting throughout the home. One such product to offer that is the gorgeous Hue Go light that not only works with Apple’s HomeKit and via the Hue app, but can also be controlled audibly via an Alexa-enabled Amazon device, such as the Echo.


Buy: Philips Hue Go Light from Amazon: $59.98 | Original price: $80


Dell UltraSharp 23.8-Inch LED Monitor ($199.99, usually $350.00)


Dell-UltraSharp-U2414H-23.8


Sometimes you just need to pay extremely close attention to the work that you’re doing. And you can do that in style thanks to this gorgeous Dell UltraSharp 23.8-inch LED monitor. It is billed by Dell as having the “world’s thinnest border” for nearly seamless viewing across multiple screens. A great price for a highly performant monitor.


Buy: Dell UltraSharp 23.8-Inch LED Monitor from Amazon: $199.99 | Original price: $350


Hermes-Like Band For Apple Watch ($17.99 with promo code, usually $59.99)


Apple-Watch-Band-GEOTEL-42mm


Purchasing Apple Watch bands directly from Apple can sometimes be classed as the “romantic” option, but it doesn’t always make financial sense. If you’re in the market for a stunner leather band, Hermes-like that Apple charges a premium price for, with a gorgeously crafted deployment buckle, then this leather option is definitely worth taking into consideration. All of the quality without the ridiculous price.


Get it for $18 using the following promo code at checkout: NK3CXWYM.


Buy: Hermes-Like Band For Apple Watch from Amazon: $18 | Original price: $60


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Tech Deals: Sony’s Wireless Noise Canceling Headphones, Philips Hue Go, Apple Watch Band, More

How To Download Netflix Movies & TV Shows For Offline Viewing


Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to download Netflix movies and TV shows in HD for offline playback and viewing.


When companies take the opportunity to update their native mobile apps with new features, it can be an equally exciting and frustrating time. Exciting, because there could be new and sought after features to interact with. Frustrating, because for some people it isn’t always evident how to actually use those new features.


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So while Netflix’s new feature for downloading content is pretty straight forward, not everyone is able to figure out exactly how to go about using this feature. This is where we come in, showing with step-by-step instructions on exactly how to go about using this feature.


We’ve also discovered the ability to change the quality of the content being downloaded, if that is the sort of thing that concerns you. We have shown how to adjust that as well in the guide below. So without further ado, let’s get digging!


Note:


  • This feature is currently only available on iOS and Android version of Netflix.

  • Not all of content on Netflix can be downloaded for offline playback.

Step 1: First and foremost, you’re going to need to launch the newly updated Netflix app in order to get access to this new feature. When the app has launched, tap on the hamburger menu icon on the top left, and from the resulting menu, tap on the Available for Download option. As the name suggests, this takes you to all of the content that is currently available to download from Netflix. This will continuously be changed with new movies and shows being added to download, so keep checking it for updated list.


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Step 2: Now with all downloadable content being displayed, you will see it’s segregated into sections such as Recently Added and Because you watched. The content will of course vary from market-to-market as well, so don’t be dismayed if an acquaintance in a different country has different available content to you. Tap on the TV show or movie that you want to download and proceed with.


Step 3: Normal behavior resumes here as Netflix then immediately pushes you into the dedicated feature page for that selected content. This page looks almost identical to what it previously did, save for the addition of a ‘download’ icon under the description of the media or next to the “Episodes” list.


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Step 4: Tap on the ‘download’ icon to proceed. You’ll instantly notice that a new blue progress bar appears at the bottom of the interface that shows the content being downloaded. You can even tap into that to actually view the downloads section of everything that you’ve actually downloaded thus far. Of course, this is where you can actually cancel downloads as well if necessary.


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Step 5: When the video has downloaded, and is available to play directly from your device, you’ll get a small little phone icon on the right-hand side of the cell that has a check mark in the middle of it. Download complete.


Depending on your WiFi or cellular data speed, or how much storage space you actually have available on your device, you may want to play around with the quality of the download to suit your needs.


To do this, head back into hamburger menu, tap on App Settings, here you will see a new Downloads section. This section allows you to stipulate whether or not you want to only be able to download content on a WiFi network, or cellular and WiFi. It also allows you to actually specify if you want to download Standard or Higher quality content, by heading into Video Quality and then changing it to your desired quality.


netflix-download-step04


That’s it. Enjoy offline playback on Netflix!


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How To Download Netflix Movies & TV Shows For Offline Viewing

PlayStation Communities iOS, Android App Released For PS4 Gamers


Sony has just released a brand new app for PS4 gamers called PlayStation Communities on both iOS and Android platforms.


As many of you may be wondering, the purpose of Sony’s latest entry into the app world is to basically allow its latest console owners to keep in touch with their PS4 friends or other PS4 gamers while being away from the console itself. So if you’re planning to convene some team meeting, you could do that remotely without needing to power up the console and signing in.


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Of course the app is meant to serve a larger purpose as well, where gamers will be able to come across those with similar interests in gaming, or topic of their interest. As Sony tells us: “Within a Community, you can join parties and launch into games with other Community members, or talk about your shared interests. For instance, if you’re having trouble finding players to tackle Destiny’s newest raid, Wrath of the Machine, a Destiny community may help you fill out your fireteam.”


As Sony points out, the ability to identify potential team mates, or perhaps plan out a modus-operandi with the team, is what makes PlayStation Communities app a brilliant addition for those who take their online gaming really seriously.


Gamers will also be able to keep a close eye on different communities, including being able to check who else is in a community that they are a member of, and the whole experience will be based upon recommendations drawn from their existing interests, as well as the games they have been playing using their PSN account.


playstation-communities


In addition to all that, PlayStation Communities will also highlight communities that will be trending at a time so that users can keep up with the latest happenings around them in the PlayStation gaming world. More so, the app is also designed to provide push-notifications so that users can remain alert about any incoming messages or updates on posts.


So, if you are in a possession of a PS4, have an active PSN account, and are more than just an occasional gamer, downloading PlayStation Communities app is a no brainer!


You can download the app right now for free on your iOS or Android device from the App Store or Google Play Store respectively.


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tvOS 10.1 Beta 4 For Apple TV Available To Download With TV App And Single Sign-On Feature


Apple has just made available to download tvOS 10.1 beta 4 for Apple TV fourth-generation set-top box to those users registered on the Apple Developer Program.


This release comes approximately two weeks after third beta of tvOS 10.1 was made available, four weeks after the initial beta, and couple of days after beta 4 was released for all of other Apple platforms, including iOS 10.2, macOS 10.12.2 and watchOS 3.1.1.


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At this stage in a release, the updates become more about streamlining the platform over actually introducing brand new functionality or feature-sets that haven’t been seen before.


Apple has really excited Apple TV owners with the development of tvOS 10.1 by not only introducing the new Single Sign-on feature that had been promised a while back, but also bundling the brand new TV app into the firmware. So yes, in addition to bug fixes and performance improvements, Apple TV owners now have the fantastic new TV experience to interact with starting with tvOS 10.1.


The Single Sign-on feature (also available on iOS 10.2-running devices) currently supports DirecTV, Dish, GVTC Communications, Hotwire and Dish’s Sling TV with more networks and cable operators to be added in due time.


tvOS 10.1 Single sign on2


As for the new TV app, which by the way is also available on iOS 10.2-running iPhones and iPads, you can learn about its features and functionality in our separate post over here.


Those plucky developers and enterprising individuals who have a configuration profile for tvOS beta updates installed on their Apple TV via iTunes, this latest tvOS 10.1 beta 4 can be downloaded over-the-air from the Software Update mechanism right from Apple TV itself.


For those who don’t have the profile installed yet can head over to developers.apple.com to download the required configuration file and then install it via iTunes.


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tvOS 10.1 Beta 4 For Apple TV Available To Download With TV App And Single Sign-On Feature

Apple AirPods Release Date Tipped By Tim Cook In Email To Customer


Looks like Apple AirPods release date may not be far off now with Apple CEO Tim Cook reportedly replying directly to a customer enquiry email, highlighting his expectation that the highly anticipated Apple AirPods will begin shipping “over the next few weeks.”


Excitement levels were taken to an all-time high when Apple introduced the AirPods and painted the picture of the next step in the wireless age on September 7th. The audio accessory were originally expected to launch in October, not long after the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus, but were later delayed as the Cupertino-based company looked to finalize the product. It looks as though that delay could finally be about to end.


airpods-02


It’s not very often that as a consumer you can be upset about the delay of a product, go directly to the CEO of the business via email, and actually expect to get a response, let alone a response that potentially provides information that wasn’t previously known.


But that appears to be exactly what has happened in this instance. We’re sure Tim Cook doesn’t have time in his packed schedule to reply to all emails he gets, and specifically from customers, but it looks as though he was feeling generous this time:


[Customer’s Email]: Give us a release date. I really bought in to the wireless vision you painted. Now I’m stuck waiting with my EarPods but can’t charge my 7 at the same time which I need to do at work. Let us know if it’s a month or 6 months, because then I’ll just buy some other wireless headphones.


[Tim Cook]: Thanks for your note. Sorry for the delay—we are finalizing them and I anticipate we will begin to ship over the next few weeks.



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It’s not exactly known what is meant by “finalizing” them at this stage. After all, you’d expect that if Apple was comfortable enough to show the AirPods off during the iPhone 7 event, and confident enough to take pre-orders for them for a period of time, then the company must have been happy with the stage the product was at. However, the company has quite clearly encountered problems with the design or production of the hardware, meaning a delay was required.


If this email is genuine, and Cook’s reply is accurate, then we could see the beautiful and innovative AirPods shipping in time for the festive period.


(Via: MacRumors)


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Apple AirPods Release Date Tipped By Tim Cook In Email To Customer

Netflix Now Lets You Download Videos For Offline Playback


The wait is over. Netflix is finally allowing users to download movies and TV show videos for offline playback.


The world’s largest subscription streaming service has long defended its decision to not actually allow downloading of content for offline usage, but it appears that the company has performed somewhat of a change of direction and opinion, tweeting that “your favorite stories are now available for download any time.”


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The official announcement, initially made via the Netflix US Twitter account, doesn’t provide any intricate details about the functionality, nor does it actually provide any details on what territories will be able to benefit from this feature, but from our own research, it seems like the feature is live in most regions Netflix is available in today.


The official announcement does paint a good enough picture though of the new functionality to suggest that Netflix subscribers (on all plans) will find themselves able to still consume amazing and immersive content in the absence of an active Internet or cellular connection with this new feature. To be precise, Netflix highlights just when and in which situations this new feature could be useful. It said “Airplane mode. Road trip mode. Stuck-in-the-subway-for-20-minutes mode. Your favorite stories are now available for download any time.”


With that said, although official details are light on the ground at the moment, it doesn’t appear that downloads functionality is available for entire Netflix catalog, at least not yet, with from what we have seen, there’s a dedicated section on Netflix called “Available for Download” which shows exactly which content is available to download at a given time.


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We imagine that this list will be continuously updated with more content being available for offline playback as time goes on.


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The ability to download movies and TV shows in Netflix is currently only available to those with iOS and Android devices, both on smartphones and tablets, with support for other devices, like set-top boxes, hopefully arriving at a later date.


Make sure you grab the latest version of the app from App Store and Google Play to make use of this new functionality.


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Netflix Now Lets You Download Videos For Offline Playback

Apple Music Student Membership Plan Now Available In 25 New Countries At 50% Discount


Apple Music Student Membership is now available in more countries as students from an additional 25 countries around the world can immediately start benefiting from significantly reduced Apple Music membership cost as of today.


What this means is that students in those newly supported territories can access Apple’s full catalog of streaming music via the Apple Music app with a 50-percent reduction in cost.


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Apple’s streaming Music platform has been growing in subscribers at an impressive rate ever since it was first launched to the public. Those numbers rose at an elevated rate when the ion-now-just-4.99-for-students/”>Apple Music Student Membership program was rolled out in May 2016, meaning that academics in the United States, Australia, United Kingdom, Denmark, Germany, Ireland, and New Zealand were able to subscribe to the Apple Music experience at a discounted rate as long as they could verify their student status.


That money-saving scheme has now been rolled out to 25 additional countries to add to the existing launch territories. As of today, it appears that the Student Membership program is also available in the following countries: Austria, Belgium, Canada, Brazil, Colombia, Chile, China, France, Hong Kong, India, Finland, Italy, Japan, Indonesia, Mexico, Norway, Russia, Holland, Switzerland, South Africa, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Thailand, and finally, the United Arab Emirates.


As long as student in those areas can validate their student status, then they will be good for a heavily reduced subscription tariff when they come to the end of their initial three-month free trial.


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Apple Music pricing in India


From a validation perspective, Apple will continue to enlist the services of UNiDAYS, a company which will continue to provide Apple with the positive confirmation that a student is registered within an educational institute that grants degree-quality education. That same service is also then used to confirm on a semi-regular basis that the individual is still a student, where, if not, Apple will move the account across to a full priced tariff.


Subscribing to Apple Music, either as a student or on a full subscription, grants access to a seemingly endless set of playlists curated by experts, and perhaps more importantly, a recommendation of tracks and playlists that have been provided based on your own playing habits and preferences.


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Tuesday 29 November 2016

Rumor: Premium Alexa-Powered Echo With Touchscreen, Better Speakers In The Works


A premium Alexa-powered Echo-like device is in the works according to a new report. That alone may be of no surprise to most people, but the said report also cites sources familiar with the matter when saying that the new device will not follow the same cylindrical hardware design as the current model but will instead feature a touchscreen, believed to be around 7 inches large.


Apparently keen to build on the success that the Echo, and its digital assistant Alexa has managed to garner over the past year, Amazon is said to be hard at work getting a replacement device ready for market.


Amazon Echo main


However, the new product will apparently be tablet-like in that it will feature a large touch-based screen to allow for input, although voice commands are still expected to form the foundation of user interactivity with the unannounced device.


Alongside the new screen, the new device is expected to also feature an upgraded speaker system that would improve on the small, single speaker system currently employed by the Echo.


This (screen) will make it easier to access content such as weather forecasts, calendar appointments, and news, the people said.



Products such as the Sonos devices currently take care of music and media consumption roles for those looking for sound quality, and an upgraded speaker is expected to give Amazon’s new Echo the ability to compete in that regard.


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As for when the new Echo will be announced, sources for Bloomberg believe that Amazon may be ready to announce the new device as soon as the first quarter of next year, 2017. With both Apple and Google making strides into the connected home and the Internet of Things, Amazon will want to strike whilst the iron is hot and make a play for those looking for something a little more powerful than the existing Echo.


(Source: Bloomberg)


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Rumor: Premium Alexa-Powered Echo With Touchscreen, Better Speakers In The Works

Videos Show iOS 10.2 Beta 4 Vs iOS 10.1.1 Benchmarks And Performance Comparison


Here’s a side-by-side benchmarks and performance comparison between iOS 10.2 beta 4 Vs iOS 10.1.1 carried out on iPhone 6s, 6, 5s, 5 and iPad Air.


We told you yesterday that Apple had released iOS 10.2 beta 4, edging ever nearer to a final release for the latest update to its iPhone and iPad software. We also mentioned that we had a feeling that Apple is not all that far from having iOS 10.2 in a position where it is ready for primetime use, and that is an opinion that quite a few people would echo.


iOS 10.2


With that in mind, it may be pertinent to see just how well iOS 10.2 beta 4 stacks up, performance wise, with iOS 10.1.1 across a host of iOS devices including a handful of iPhones and an iPad. Wouldn’t you agree?


As it turns out, the ever-willing YouTuber iAppleBytes has already gotten the ball rolling by putting together not just one, but five YouTube videos that include different devices being put through their performance paces whilst running the latest beta of iOS – 10.2 beta 4 – and the most current, shipping version of the software, which so happens to be iOS 10.1.1.


The devices used during testing were an iPhone 5, 5s, 6, 6s and iPad Air. That should be enough to at least get a feel for how well iOS 10.2 beta 4 stacks up against previous software. As it turns out, the differences between the two versions of the same software are minimal, though all iPhones do at least now boot faster using iOS 10.2 beta 4 than they did on iOS 10.1.1. However, the same cannot be said for the iPad Air that was tested.


If you want to see everything in full flow, then be sure to check out one or all of the five videos that have been lovingly prepared. We’re sure they should get the point across better than just words!


iOS 10.2 Beta 4 Vs iOS 10.1.1 on iPhone 6s



iOS 10.2 Beta 4 Vs iOS 10.1.1 on iPhone 6



iOS 10.2 Beta 4 Vs iOS 10.1.1 on iPhone 5s



iOS 10.2 Beta 4 Vs iOS 10.1.1 on iPhone 5



iOS 10.2 Beta 4 Vs iOS 10.1.1 on iPad Air



(Source: iAppleBytes [YouTube])


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Videos Show iOS 10.2 Beta 4 Vs iOS 10.1.1 Benchmarks And Performance Comparison

Facebook Launches Instant Games On Messenger, Here Are The Details


Facebook is undoubtedly trying to remove the need for anyone to need to use an app or website that isn’t in the Facebook stable, so it should come as no surprise to anyone that the company has today announced that users can now play games with their friends without ever leaving the Messenger app.


Games ranging from the classic Pac-Man to the highly addictive Words with Friends: Frenzy can all be played from the iOS and Android Messenger apps, with the only limitation being that both users must be running “newer” builds of their smartphone operating system.


Instant-Games-on-Facebook-Messanger


Facebook Messenger games are rolling out now to users of the platform across 30 different countries.


With Facebook Messenger, gamers will be able to play both on their own and with friends, with games initiated right from within a chat conversation by tapping the game controller icon. If you’re not seeing it yet, then don’t worry – Facebook says everything is still rolling out. Patience, we’re told, is a virtue.


For some time now, Facebook seemed to have been intent to add a gaming element to its instant messaging solution. The social media giant claims that one billion users take to Messenger every month, which makes for quite the potential user-base for anyone creating games for the platform.


The 1 billion people who use Messenger every month connect, banter and share in so many ways. They do this by sending Stickers when words aren’t enough, tapping on Instant Video to share smiles with Mom after an awesome day, or making a quick voice call to let friends know they’re running late. Now they can connect and compete over their favorite games.



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We’re still not quite convinced about the wisdom of everything living within Facebook or its apps, and we don’t really understand what was wrong with the old idea of playing games inside, well, games instead of our conversations, but with Apple making similar strides with its iOS 10 Messages app recently, which allows apps to tie into it, it does make plenty of sense for Facebook to up its game now rather than later.


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Ask Siri: “What Do My Pets Do When I’m Not Home?”


Apple’s Siri digital assistant has been on our iPhones, iPads, Apple Watch and Apple TVs for a while now, and is even on our Macs as of macOS Sierra 10.12, but it also seems that Siri has taken the first step to a Hollywood takeover with an official injection of movie intelligence.


As part of an official partnership with Universal Pictures, it seems that Apple has taken Siri through an education course allowing the digital assistant to provide an array of authoritative answers when asked a question that links in with the production company’s ‘The Secret Life of Pets’ movie.


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To tie-in with the official release of The Secret Life of Pets on Apple’s iTunes Store, the Cupertino-based company has come together with Universal Pictures to provide Siri with the smarts required to answer the question “what do my Pets do when I’m not home?”


Anyone who has already taken the opportunity to go and see the animated movie at theaters will instantly know that that itself is the underlying concept of the movie. If you’ve ever wondered exactly what your pets do when you aren’t there, then Siri can now provide you with fifteen different examples.


Rather than just slip this into the Siri experience and expect curious animal owners to come across it organically, the company did actually put together a small advertising video on the feature and slip it onto the official iTunes Facebook page. But that’s as much of a song and dance that the company has actually made about it.


Siri pets movie


The account has a relatively small following in comparison to other social accounts of Apple, which means that it only has a small number of views, but it includes clips taken from the movie itself, as well as showing the characters interacting with some of Apple’s products, such as the iPhone and iPad.


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According to Universal Pictures, this is the first time Apple has collaborated with a home entertainment title, and most definitely the first time that Siri has been provided tailored responses to an iTunes released movie. Check out the video of the feature for yourself by heading over to the official Facebook page of iTunes here.


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Tech Deals Cyber Week 2016: 8TB External HDD, Sonos Speaker, $10 Bluetooth Earphones, More


Black Friday and Cyber Monday may have come and gone, but that doesn’t mean that the deals have walked off into the sunset with those events. As a method of keeping consumers coming back for more, retailers are still offering some fantastic deals as part of what is called “Cyber Week” that will put new products in your possession, but keep money in your pocket.


Starting off today’s deals is Sonos PLAY:3 with a $30 discount. There’s also a pair of Bluetooth earphones with a discounted price of just $10.


tech-deals-cyber-week-2016


Speaking of earphones, there’s another option too, with the TaoTronics wireless earphones coming in at just $19 after special discount. There’s also the Samsung Wireless Charging Pad going for a paltry $30, down from $50. Last but not the least, is an 8TB external hard drive with a $70 discount to make sure you never run of out that storage space again.


As always, grab the product of your choice from the list here at the earliest since the deals are time sensitive and subject to stock levels. So keep that credit card close by and act fast before the offers expire. Enjoy the savings!


Sonos PLAY:3 Wireless Smart Speaker for Streaming Music ($269, usually $299.99)


Sonos-PLAY3-Mid-Sized-Wireless-Smart-Speaker


If you want something from the audio sector, and are looking to part with money for premium, then the chances are that you have looked at the Sonos brand in the past. This wireless smart speaker comes with rich, deep sound experiences. Not only is extremely beautiful, but comes with a relatively easy set up process, and can be added to an existing home set up via an existing WiFi network. It also works with Apple Music, and can be extended with more speakers from Sonos in future when needed.


Buy: Sonos PLAY:3 Wireless Smart Speaker for Streaming Music from Amazon: $269 | Original price: $300


iClever Bluetooth Wireless Earphones ($10.oo with promo code, usually $34.99)


iClever-BoostRun-Bluetooth-headphones


Those who are looking for a set of wireless headphones for the gym, or for any activity that they may take part in, will undoubtedly want something sweat resistant. Step forward the iClever BoostRun options with crystal clear sound and an easy connection to mobile devices via seamless Bluetooth.


Grab it using the following promo code to get it for a reduced price of just $10: DIGBTH08.


Buy: iClever Bluetooth Wireless Headphones from Amazon: $10.00 | Original price: $35


TaoTronics Bluetooth Wireless Earphones ($19.00 with promo code, usually $25.99)


TaoTronics-Bluetooth-Headphones


If you want a similar experience to above, but are willing to part with a little more money for your wireless Bluetooth headphone experience, then the TaoTronics are a consideration. They come with noise cancellation technology, a comfortable and secure design that should keep them in place, and a decent audio quality that should be more than sufficient for getting that work out on.


Grab it using the following promo code for a reduced price of just $19: Y3BOP4V8.


Buy: TaoTronics Bluetooth Wireless Earphones from Amazon: $19 | Original price: $26


Seagate 8TB External uSB 3.0 Hard Drive ($169.99, usually $239.99)


Seagate-Expansion-5TB


This slab of a product has the ability to hold a whopping 8TB of additional data, features USB 3.0 speeds, and can be formatted for Windows or Mac compatibility.


Buy: Seagate 8TB External USB 3.0 Hard Drive from Amazon: $169.99 | Original price: $240


Samsung Wireless Charging Pad with 2A Wall Charger ($30, usually $49.99)


Samsung-Wireless-Charging-Pad


It’s only a matter of time until all smartphones ship with wireless charging, either via something like Qi compatibility, or a manufacturers own proprietary solution. Until then, if you’re one of the lucky few who has this magic baked into their device, then you can grab this handy little Samsung wireless charging pad with 2A wall charger to make the experience a little more pleasant.


Buy: Samsung Wireless Charging Pad with 2A Wall Charger from Amazon: $30 | Original price: $50


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Tech Deals Cyber Week 2016: 8TB External HDD, Sonos Speaker, $10 Bluetooth Earphones, More

How To Play Android Games On Windows 10 PC


Here’s how to download, install and play Android games on your Windows 10 PC, be it a desktop computer, laptop or a hybrid.


Have you ever downloaded a game on your Android-powered smartphone or tablet and become so immersed in that you simply don’t want to put it down? Have you ever found an Android game that is so addictive and enjoyable that you wish you could get that game on your PC in order to have a more enjoyable gaming experience on a bigger screen?


android-emulator-games-on-windows


Well, what once may have seemed impossible is now actually very possible thanks to the Nox App Player which is essentially an Android emulator, but one that is as simple as an emulator could possibly get and is optimized for gaming.


Hardware-based solutions like the Nvidia Shield tablet, or software solutions like Remotr, have long allowed gaming fans to play desktop games on a smaller, mobile device, but this is a direct inverse of that solution. And if you think that Nox App Player is a emulator that takes weeks to get up to speed with, or that it takes a lot of technical knowledge to actually work out how to use it and get those Android games up and running on a PC, you’ll be wrong.


The developers of the Nox App Player have really made the experience as simple as possible. Simply download and install the app onto your Windows machine, launch it as you usually would, and navigate through the emulated Android world just like you would on a smartphone or tablet. In fact, the whole experience feels as “native” as possible, meaning that there’s literally zero barrier to actual usability. The only thing to remember is that taps and swipes are replaced by activity from the mouse rather than a finger on a touchscreen.


android games on Windows 10


When you actually get into the experience, you can instantly understand why it’s been done. A larger screen really allows you to immerse yourself in the games that you love but were otherwise only available on a tablet or smartphone. There’s also the fact that keys can be mapped to your own style to instantly allow the game to benefit from a keyboard experience.


And of course, if you actually look at the bigger picture, you come to the understanding that Nox is actually more than just an ability to play games on a PC. It’s an emulation of the full Android experience, but one that is limited to Android 4.2.2, so some apps may run into compatibility issues.


Head over to bignox.com right now to download Nox App Player on your Windows-powered PC for free and start playing your favorite Android games on the big screen.


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Samsung Considering Splitting Company In Two, Here’s Why


Samsung has announced that it is considering splitting the company in two amidst pressure from shareholders to simplify its business structure, resulting in a holding company and an operating company being created from the current, singular Samsung.


According to a new report, the move would increase shareholder value whilst representing the biggest change to the company in its history. In its current form Samsung has assets spread across multiple affiliated businesses, which some say makes it difficult for investors to value the company as a whole.


Samsung-logo.png


If Samsung was to establish a holding firm, all of these business could be brought under one overarching name, making it easier for Samsung Electronics as a whole to be valued.


Samsung said it also plans to increase returns to shareholders by as much as a third, while also accelerating its existing share buy-back scheme. U.S. hedge fund Elliot Management, which owns 0.6 percent of Samsung, called for a managed split of the company last month which is believed to have helped push Samsung towards at least considering such a move.


Samsung said it would increase dividends for 2016 by 36 percent to 28,500 won ($24.36) per share, and buy back and cancel additional shares in January 2017 with whatever excess free cash remains from 2016.



Samsung, predictably, is keen to point out that the fact it is considering such options, does not mean that it has made a decision one way or another. In a statement, Samsung has said that “the review does not indicate the management or the board’s intention one way or another,” and further added that it had hired external advisers for a review which is expected to take at least six months.


samsung-main


The last few weeks have been trying ones for Samsung following the recall and subsequent cancellation of its flagship Galaxy Note 7 smartphone, and even though the company is pushing Apple in that industry, shareholders are becoming increasingly concerned regarding the company as a whole. Samsung will hope to turn that around quickly.


(Source: Reuters)


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Download Official 2016 MacBook Pro Wallpapers From macOS 10.12.2 Beta 4


You can now download the official 2016 MacBook Pro Color Burst wallpapers from macOS 10.12.2 beta 4. Here are the details.


Apple’s latest pre-release seed of macOS 10.12.2 contains the new Color Burst wallpapers that have previously been seen in Apple’s MacBook Pro with Touch Bar marketing material. In addition to progressing the platform, and hopefully getting into a position where it’s nearly ready to give to the general public across a wide variety of Macs, Apple has also provided a new visual treat for those who love to customize the desktop of their Mac with new and varying images in macOS 10.12.2 beta 4.


MacBook-Pro-2016


Tim Cook’s company has a history of teasing new, vivid and visually appealing wallpapers as part of the marketing of a new product, and then not immediately making those images available as part of the operating system that powers the aforementioned hardware.


It was only with a recent iOS update that we actually saw Apple give access to the wallpapers used in the iPhone 7 marketing material. This latest macOS 10.12.2 beta means that developers and those testing the platform can access the new Color Burst wallpapers, but the public will need to wait until macOS 10.12.2 is released via the Mac App Store on a worldwide scale to get them. At least officially, anyway.


Of course, being the giving and caring individuals that we are here at RP, we really don’t want you to have to wait that long when you could be adorning your desktop with those simply stunning wallpapers containing extremely impressive bursts of color right now. There are four images to choose from. Three of those wallpapers are fairly similar, showing an exploding array of colors emanating from a central point with a full black background, with the only difference being the colors used in the image. The fourth image is slightly different, offering a full-screen color fest with layers of stunning visuals that looked beautiful on the new MacBook Pro.


macbook-pro-2016-range


In addition to shipping with the new Color Burst wallpapers, Mac owners can expect a version of macOS 10.12.2 that includes support for Unicode 9 emoji characters to better fall in line with what’s being offered in iOS 10.2 and watchOS 3.1.1, as well as the usual slew of bug fixes, performance improvements and compatibility enhancements to better support the new Touch Bar and Touch ID sensor on Apple’s new MacBook Pro hardware.


You can grab the aforementioned wallpapers right now from here.


(Via: 9to5Mac)


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KGI: All iPhone 8 Models To Feature Wireless Charging & OLED, Will Beat iPhone 6 Sales Record


According to KGI Securities, all of Apple’s iPhone 8 models will feature truly wireless charging tech, OLED displays, and glass body.


According to the same source, Apple could be in line for unprecedented sales success as well with the launch of next year’s iPhone. The latest report estimates that demand for Apple’s next-generation iPhone will surpass the successes of the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus, with the company expecting Apple to shift around the 150 million units mark before the close of the next calendar year. If accurate, that would firmly put the iPhone 8 as the best-selling iPhone to date.


iPhone-8-main-blue


One of the main reasons for this expected success is down to the belief that Apple will penetrate the smartphone market with three new iPhone models next year.


The first new model, which is speculated to be the device that represents the major overhaul, is expected to reinvent Apple’s iPhone proposition and will include curved OLED display technology for the first time in the company’s smartphone history. That device is expected to be the one that appeals to the high-end market, and likely the one that will encourage iPhone 6 or iPhone 6s owners to eventually move away from that hardware with an upgrade.


The other two models are expected to be iterative upgrades to what Apple already offers with the 4.7-inch iPhone 7 and 5.5-inch iPhone 7 Plus, though it’s likely that both devices will incorporate some major design changes, such as the inclusion of an non-curved OLED display, as well as a potential visual overhaul.


iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Box


One interesting thing, which will definitely appeal to consumers, is that all three new models are expected to ship with truly wireless charging and a redesigned all-glass chassis that will house the new technology in a beautiful external envelope.


It looks as though the success of next year’s iPhone could be truly driven by the fact that Apple is looking to integrate most features across all models, rather than keeping the cutting-edge technology for the top-end model, as was the case with the iSight-Duo camera in this year’s iPhone 7 Plus.


This means both those upgrading to the top-end ‘iPhone 8’, as well as those looking to save a little money by grabbing the bottom-end 4.7-inch device will be able to experience the latest iPhone tech across the board.


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KGI: All iPhone 8 Models To Feature Wireless Charging & OLED, Will Beat iPhone 6 Sales Record

Download: Google Featured Photos Screensaver For Mac Released


Google has made available for download Featured Photos Screensaver for Mac. The software takes advantage of the vast library of stunning photography that gets uploaded to the Google+ social network, packages them into a handy little screensaver solution, and makes them available in all of their glory for Mac owners.


Earlier, these images have been utilized as backgrounds on products like the Google Chromecast, as well as other devices in the market, but are now available for Apple’s platform as a free download.


googleplus-screensaver-mac-app


Google has been putting a fair amount of time and effort into wallpapers, screensavers, and generally trying to take advantage of the vast array of stunning photographs that it holds in its possession.


More recently, the company released a beautiful Wallpapers app for the Android platform, with that app being exclusively available on the new Pixel hardware in the first instance. Google has updated the aforementioned Wallpapers app for Android to include these images, but has now expanded the proposition to Mac computer owners as well.


With our new Featured Photos screensaver for Mac, you can display stunning, high-resolution photography from our Google+ members whenever your computer is inactive. The photos are attributed to their photographers so it’s easy to find and follow the ones you like on Google+.



The app is simple to use, and very simple to install by design, but it remains to be seen how many photographers who take the opportunity to share their images on Google+ will be aware that there’s a fairly good chance of those images being scraped and served up on desktops around the world. As part of the official announcement via Google+, the company has informed photographers how they can actually go about setting their uploads to private to ensure that they don’t get scraped by the service and used as part of this new app.


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Usage of the new screensaver app is as simple as downloading the file directly from Google, double-clicking the .saver file and making sure that Google Featured is selected in the Desktop & Screensaver section of the Mac’s preferences. When the right amount of time has passed without activity on the Mac, the screensaver will kick in by filtering through beautiful images with the photographers attribution linked against it.


Head over to plus.google.com/featuredphotos to download the screensaver app on your Mac for free.


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Download: Google Featured Photos Screensaver For Mac Released

Monday 28 November 2016

iOS 10.2 Beta 4: Changes And Feature Improvements


Now that iOS 10.2 beta 4 is available, here are the new changes, if any, and feature improvements that are part of this release.


Apple has today pushed the fourth beta release of iOS 10.2 out to both developers and the public beta stream in order to allow testing to commence ahead of a final general release to the public. Apple has been publishing beta versions of the software for a few weeks now, and this fourth release brings with it stability updates and bug fixes rather than new features, suggesting that the wait may not be a long one before iOS 10.2 proper is released to the masses.


iOS-10.2-beta-4


Available to download via both the Apple Developer portal and the over-the-air update system with which we have now all become so familiar, iOS 10.2 beta 4 gives us our latest glimpse at the features that Apple has lined up for public release.


Whilst nothing new appears to have arrived as part of this latest beta release, Apple has honed what it already has baked in, with new emoji and Messages effects added since previous betas for those who like a little whimsy in their lives. Support for additional “Celebrate” and “Send with Love” Screen Effects is included, and Apple’s new TV app is also part of the beta releases, seeing the age-old Videos app replaced, among other things.


Apple also has plenty of iOS 10-related under-the-hood work that it has been keen to finalize, and with iOS 10.2, it has gotten yet closer to finalizing the overhaul that the operating system in many ways received. With this fourth beta receiving bug fixes rather than new features, we would not be at all surprised if this is the last beta release we see for iOS 10.2.


Quite when we can expect it to be released to the public is unclear as yet, but Apple does appear to be happy with the featureset at least.


TV-App


Official iOS 10.2 beta 4 changelog includes:


Fixed in this Release


TV App


  • “Clear Play History” in TV app settings should now delete the movies or shows a user has
    previously watched across devices.

  • Users should no longer be prompted repeatedly to connect their apps to TV.

  • Synced content in the TV app library should now display correct artwork and play back
    properly.


So, iOS 10.3 next please, Apple.


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AT&T Announces DirecTV Now Streaming Service, Sling TV Debuts Cloud DVR


AT&T has announced its very own TV streaming service, with DirecTV Now set to go live on November 30, while Dish’s Sling TV has added Cloud DVR to its repertoire.


Apple may not quite have managed to tie up all the loose ends that are needed in order to make its streaming video dream into a reality just yet, but that doesn’t mean that other companies aren’t trying to have a go at it themselves. Both AT&T and Dish’s Sling have announced new features and services in the arena that has seen so much growth and change over the last few years, and whilst the Apple TV is getting in on the action, Apple needs to get the ball rolling on its own services before it’s left out in the cold.


DirectTV-Now


Kicking us off is AT&T, which has announced DirecTV Now, a new customized streaming TV service that offers bundles of content with prices ranging from $35 to $70. Live sport, premium content and popular shows are included depending on the price range you plump for, with the four bundles on offer being Live a Little for $35/month (60+ channels), Just Right for $50/month (80+ channels), Go Big for $60/month (100+ channels) and Gotta Have it for $70/month (120+ channels).


If you forgive the names of those bundles, you will be able to watch content on iOS, Apple TV, Android and Amazon devices, and the web once the service goes live on November 30th, with the $60 “Go Big” package on offer for $35 for a limited time in celebration of the launch.


There is a free seven-day trial that AT&T users can avail for any of the four aforementioned packages from the DirecTV Now website at directvnow.com. Best of all, DirecTV Now usage won’t count against your AT&T data. Oh and if you pay 3-months in advance, you will get free Apple TV set-top box.


It’s important to note that DirecTV Now allows only two simultaneous streams at a time. At launch, there’s no cloud DVR or live TV pausing functionality though they are said to arrive sometime next year.


Dish’s popular streaming service Sling has also announced a new feature, with Sling TV’s Cloud DVR now available as a beta program. Sling says that users will be able to “record movies, episodes, full series and more and watch the TV you want whenever is best for you,” much like PlayStation Vue. The beta will roll out to customers who subscribe to Sling Orange and/or Sling Blue using Roku devices and, of course, signed up for the beta process.


Features include:


  • Easy access – Your DVR content will be integrated directly into your “My TV” screen, so you can get to your recordings easily and quickly.

  • Conflict-free recording – Users may record multiple programs simultaneously, with no recording conflicts.

  • Simple space management – Just sit back and relax! We’ll automatically manage your DVR space to make room for new recordings by deleting the oldest ‘watched’ recording when capacity is full, so you don’t have to!


SlingTV-Cloud-DVR


Signing up for the beta is a case of heading over to www.sling.com/dvr and providing an email address, so the barrier of entry is fairly low indeed. If you do sign up though, please do remember that beta title!


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AT&T Announces DirecTV Now Streaming Service, Sling TV Debuts Cloud DVR