Month: October 2016

Pebble 2 reviewed: Proof that a heart rate monitor doesn’t make a fitness tracker

$130 may get you a HRM, but that doesn’t mean it’s a serious fitness device.

Video shot/edited by Jennifer Hahn. (video link)

When Pebble made its last big product announcement, the company clearly wanted to focus on fitness. The new Pebble 2 and Time 2 devices are the first Pebble smartwatches to feature built-in heart rate monitors. Pebble also announced the tiny Core running computer. The Core has yet to be released, but customers who’ve been eager for a Pebble device with more fitness features are probably excited about these new watches.

In addition to the embedded heart rate monitor, the Pebble 2's UI is different from its predecessor as well. The new interface gives Pebble Health the same level of attention as its Timeline interface and adds on-watch text and call replies. Although the $130 Pebble 2 + HR integrates these new features well, the new watch still leaves much to be desired when it comes to fitness.

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Nokia makes a play for 5G with purchase of US startup

Eta Devices specializes in improving power efficiency at base stations.

Nokia has signalled fresh commitment towards 5G infrastructure with the acquisition of Eta Devices—a small US-based startup that specialises in improving power efficiency at base stations.

The Cambridge, Massachusetts-based outfit has around 20 staff, some of whom work at its research and development site in Stockholm, Sweden.

Nokia said it hoped the buyout, financial details of which weren't disclosed, allow it "to enhance base station energy efficiency, an increasingly important area for operators on the path to 4.9G and 5G."

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Satya Nadella: Microsoft verdoppelt Cloud-Kapazität in Europa

Der Microsoft-Chef ist mal wieder in Berlin, um sein gemeinsames Cloud-Angebot mit der Telekom zu feiern. Rund drei Milliarden US-Dollar will der Konzern hier investiert haben. (Cloud Computing, Microsoft)

Der Microsoft-Chef ist mal wieder in Berlin, um sein gemeinsames Cloud-Angebot mit der Telekom zu feiern. Rund drei Milliarden US-Dollar will der Konzern hier investiert haben. (Cloud Computing, Microsoft)

Many Android 7.1 features are Pixel-exclusive, and Nexuses can’t get it yet

It may be a few months before Google’s older devices see the update.

Enlarge / The Google Assistant is just one of several new features that will be Pixel-exclusive, at least for now. (credit: Ron Amadeo)

Google quietly announced Android 7.1 alongside its new Pixel phones yesterday, but it wasn't immediately clear which of the new Android features were specific to Google's phones and which would be available to other Android phones.

The full list of Pixel-specific enhancements is a mix of hardware-specific stuff and Google's software and services:

  • Pixel Launcher—swipe up for all apps, new Search Box, date/weather header on home
  • Google Assistant
  • Unlimited original quality photo/video backup to Google Photos
  • Smart Storage—when storage is full, automatically removes old backed up photos/videos
  • Phone/Chat support (new support tab in settings), screen-share functionality
  • Quick switch adapter for wired setup from Android or iPhone
  • Pixel Camera:
    • Electronic Image Stabilization (“video stabilization”) 2.0
    • Pro Features
      • White Balance Presets
      • Exposure Compensation
      • AE/AF Locking
      • Viewfinder grid modes
    • HW-accelerated (on Qualcomm Hexagon coprocessor) HDR+ image processing
    • Smartburst
  • Sensor Hub processor with tightly integrated sensors (accel, gyro, mag) + connectivity (Wi-Fi, Cell, GPS)
  • Cosmetic
    • Solid navbar icons with home affordance for Assistant
    • SysUI accent color theming
    • Wallpaper picker with new wallpapers and sounds
    • New setup look and feel
    • Dynamic calendar date icon

Some of these things may eventually make it to other Android phones—the Pixel launcher, the Google Assistant, and some of the UI stuff. Others, like the phone and chat support features and the unlimited storage of photos and video, could come to other phones but are more likely to remain Google-exclusive to add value to the Pixels.

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Cybertruppe: Bundeswehr startet neue Abteilung für IT-Sicherheit

Der Cyber- und Informationsraum der Bundeswehr wird künftig von 13.500 Soldaten und Zivilisten bevölkert. Ein kleiner Teil davon hat bereits seine Arbeit aufgenommen. (Technologie, Computer)

Der Cyber- und Informationsraum der Bundeswehr wird künftig von 13.500 Soldaten und Zivilisten bevölkert. Ein kleiner Teil davon hat bereits seine Arbeit aufgenommen. (Technologie, Computer)

TLS-Zertifikate: Auch Apple wendet sich gegen Wosign und Startcom

Apple tut, was Mozilla bislang nur erwägt: Wosign und Startcom werden aus dem Truststore von iOS und MacOS entfernt. Eine Möglichkeit zur erneuten Bewerbung ist offenbar nicht vorgesehen. (Verschlüsselung, Apple)

Apple tut, was Mozilla bislang nur erwägt: Wosign und Startcom werden aus dem Truststore von iOS und MacOS entfernt. Eine Möglichkeit zur erneuten Bewerbung ist offenbar nicht vorgesehen. (Verschlüsselung, Apple)

Blue Origin: New Shepard testet erfolgreich Fluchtraketen im Flug

Jeff Bezos Weltraumfirma Blue Origin hat erfolgreich die Fluchtraketen der Kapsel getestet, mit der ab nächstem Jahr Menschen kurze Flüge in den Weltraum unternehmen sollen. (Raumfahrt, Internet)

Jeff Bezos Weltraumfirma Blue Origin hat erfolgreich die Fluchtraketen der Kapsel getestet, mit der ab nächstem Jahr Menschen kurze Flüge in den Weltraum unternehmen sollen. (Raumfahrt, Internet)

Wacom MobileStudio pen computers coming in Nov for $1499 and up

Wacom is probably best known for making graphics pads that artists can use to create digital sketches, or maybe for the pressure-sensitive digital pen technology incorporated in some Windows and Android tablets. But for the past few years, Wacom has be…

Wacom MobileStudio pen computers coming in Nov for $1499 and up

Wacom is probably best known for making graphics pads that artists can use to create digital sketches, or maybe for the pressure-sensitive digital pen technology incorporated in some Windows and Android tablets. But for the past few years, Wacom has been offering its own standalone computers which are basically tablets and graphics pads built into a single device.

Now Wacom is expanding its line of portable PCs with the launch of the Wacom MobileStudio Pro 13 and MobileStudio Pro 16.

Continue reading Wacom MobileStudio pen computers coming in Nov for $1499 and up at Liliputing.

Gutachten: Verbot von Adblockern verfassungsrechtlich bedenklich

Bund und Länder wollen ein gesetzliches Verbot von Adblockern prüfen. Doch das Selbstbestimmungsrecht der Nutzer und die Wettbewerbsfreiheit dürften solchen Plänen entgegenstehen. (AdBlocker, Virus)

Bund und Länder wollen ein gesetzliches Verbot von Adblockern prüfen. Doch das Selbstbestimmungsrecht der Nutzer und die Wettbewerbsfreiheit dürften solchen Plänen entgegenstehen. (AdBlocker, Virus)

Ubuntu on Intel Atom mini PCs (Linuxium’s builds for Bay Trail and Cherry Trail computers)

Ubuntu on Intel Atom mini PCs (Linuxium’s builds for Bay Trail and Cherry Trail computers)

Over the past few years a number of companies have released small desktop computers with Intel Atom processors. Some ship with Windows software. Some have Linux. And others have no operating system at all.

Want to install your own operating system? If you’re using Windows that shouldn’t be too hard. But Linux may be another story, since many GNU/Linux-based operating systems lack some of the wireless or HDMI/audio features you may need.

But developer Linuxium (Ian Morrison) has been releasing patched builds of Ubuntu Linux for tiny, Atom-powered computers like the Intel Compute Stick for a while.

Continue reading Ubuntu on Intel Atom mini PCs (Linuxium’s builds for Bay Trail and Cherry Trail computers) at Liliputing.

Ubuntu on Intel Atom mini PCs (Linuxium’s builds for Bay Trail and Cherry Trail computers)

Over the past few years a number of companies have released small desktop computers with Intel Atom processors. Some ship with Windows software. Some have Linux. And others have no operating system at all.

Want to install your own operating system? If you’re using Windows that shouldn’t be too hard. But Linux may be another story, since many GNU/Linux-based operating systems lack some of the wireless or HDMI/audio features you may need.

But developer Linuxium (Ian Morrison) has been releasing patched builds of Ubuntu Linux for tiny, Atom-powered computers like the Intel Compute Stick for a while.

Continue reading Ubuntu on Intel Atom mini PCs (Linuxium’s builds for Bay Trail and Cherry Trail computers) at Liliputing.