Alcatel Shine hands-on: beauty on a budget

Every once in a while, there comes a phone that seems to be a great value for the money on paper, and the initial impressions come to confirm it. We kid, it happens quite often with Alcatel’с handsets lately, and the Shine Lite we handled today at the IFA expo is no exception. It looks very nice for a sub-$200 machine, with rounded edges, and easy to grab and handle chassis that is however exuding a premium feel from a design that is all glass framed in metal sides.
Those metal edges are the only complaint we have with the chassis, as they go pretty … – Source

Alcatel Shine hands-on: beauty on a budget

Purported camera details leaked for HTC Marlin (Google Pixel XL)

A short while, ago it emerged that Google’s HTC-made smartphone duo codenamed Sailfish and Marlin could soon launch as the Google Pixel and Pixel XL respectively. The naming scheme, if true, will mark a departure from the traditional Nexus branding, which looks set to be retired. With a month to go until the purported October 4th unveiling, the rumor mill should see plenty of action, and kicking things off appropriately, renowned leakster LlabTooFeR has shared some info regarding the Pixel XL’s camera.
According to his recent tweet, the Google Pixel XL will roll with … – Source

Purported camera details leaked for HTC Marlin (Google Pixel XL)

Ring turns pencil crayons 'digital'

A slate that can make a digital copy of drawings as they are sketched on paper is on display at the IFA technology show in Berlin. – Source

Ring turns pencil crayons 'digital'

Virtual reality massage is the ultimate way to chill out

BERLIN — In Fragments of a Hologram Rose, William Gibson’s first published short story, the protagonist has insomnia. To induce sleep, he uses a virtual reality tape that takes him to a yoga class on an exotic beach.

I remembered this story as I leaned into a massage chair and put on a VR headset that took me to a similar beach, a masseur in front of me telling me to relax and showing me how to breathe properly.

SEE ALSO: Samsung’s 88-inch quantum-dot SUHD TV is the largest on the market

The five-minute experience, courtesy of a health-oriented, German company called …

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Virtual reality massage is the ultimate way to chill out

These guys laughing at a new driver are funnier than anything the driver actually does

LONDON — Learning to drive can be a nerve-racking experience.

But in a video posted to Facebook, Marc Porter and Reedy Pretious from Harlow, UK, show no sympathy for a new learner they encountered at a roundabout.

SEE ALSO: Man caught on camera playing bass guitar while driving

The two cackle gleefully as the poor motorist-in-training makes several unsuccessful attempts to enter the roundabout. You can watch the full video below:

Don’t fret, student of the automobile — the sniggering will subside and the roundabouts become less intimidating, eventually. …

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These guys laughing at a new driver are funnier than anything the driver actually does

This builder took a selfie with Will and Kate, and he is every single one of us

LONDON — It’s not often that one gets a Royal visit, so it’s important to make the very most of it.

SEE ALSO: These adorable photos prove that 3-year-old Prince George is still as cute as ever

That’s precisely what construction worker Sam Wayne did when the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge visited Nansledan near Newquay, Cornwall.

While Kate and Wills looked around the 218-hectare site that will provide future business and housing for the local area, Wayne had other plans — ones that involved a selfie, and a pretty awesome one at that.

Here’s Wayne grabbing a cheekie selfie with the Royals.

Sam gets high-vis’ with the Royals.

Image: Getty Images …

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This builder took a selfie with Will and Kate, and he is every single one of us

Two Xiaomi Mi Note 2 models touted; top-end version to get Snapdragon 821 & 6GB RAM

Xiaomi is expected to take the wraps off the Mi Note 2 in the very near future. Hitherto, reports have suggested that the device will offer cutting-edge interior hardware, while leaked snaps have showcased a slick, curved-edge design. The latest tibdit suggests there will be not one, but two versions of the Mi Note 2; a top-tier model with the Snapdragon 821 and 6 GB of RAM, and a still-powerful standard variant with the Snapdragon 820 and 4 GB of RAM.
The latter — which could possibly be given the ‘pro’ or ‘plus’ moniker — will apparently feature 128 GB of on-board … – Source

Two Xiaomi Mi Note 2 models touted; top-end version to get Snapdragon 821 & 6GB RAM

Apple might live-tweet the iPhone 7 launch from its @apple account

Apple is increasing its Twitter game after it activated a new @Apple account on the microblogging service. Read More

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Apple might live-tweet the iPhone 7 launch from its @apple account

Project Ara—Google’s modular smartphone—is dead

The original Project Ara concept render. (credit: Motorola)

It sounds like Project Ara, the ambitious modular smartphone concept birthed in Google’s ATAP division, is finally dead. A report from Reuters says that Google has “suspended” Project Ara in an effort to “streamline the company’s hardware efforts.”

Project Ara never seemed like a particularly viable product, and after the announcement in 2013, progress didn’t come quickly. The device was delayed past its 2015 commercialization deadline when plans for a Puerto Rican “food truck” pilot launch fell through. Earlier this year, the device was delayed again to 2017 and the Ara team announced that Ara would pivot from fully modular to having a fixed CPU, GPU, antennas, sensors, battery, and display. After that announcement, Ara was watered down so much it barely had a reason to exist.

If you were really hoping for a modular smartphone, not all hope is lost, Reuters says that while “Google will not be releasing the phone itself” licensing the technology to third parties is an option. Will anyone dare to pick up the modular smartphone torch when even Google has failed, though?

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Project Ara—Google’s modular smartphone—is dead

Tech and government: The state of our union

Tech innovators tend to operate with an ethos that they consider diametrically opposed to that of government, frequently leading to friction. Given the current regulatory, legal and political climate in our country, and while technology becomes increasingly more pervasive in our society, there is a need for the tech community to devote greater attention to what’s happening in… Read More

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Tech and government: The state of our union

A totally real conversation between Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg about a rocket

Read More

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A totally real conversation between Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg about a rocket

43 million passwords hacked in Last.fm breach

43,570,999 user accounts were breached in a hack of Last.fm that occurred back in March of 2012, according to a report from Leakedsource. Three months after the breach, in June of 2012, Last.fm issued the following statement:

“We are currently investigating the leak of some Last.fm user passwords. This follows recent password leaks on other sites, as well as information posted online. Read More

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43 million passwords hacked in Last.fm breach

JBL speakers get Google Now voice integration

JBL has made quite a name for itself in the speaker business. Now, via an announcement at IFA, their Xtreme, Pulse 2, Charge 3, and Flip 3 speakers are all getting Google Now and Siri voice integration, allowing you to use these portable music makers as personal assistants.

Music lovers can activate the voice assistant features by simply pressing the ‘Multifunction Button’ (the speaker’s Play/Pause button turns into a voice activation button) on their JBL portable device. By activating Siri or Google Now’s push-to-talk, users have the convenience to change the song, make a call or check the weather report – all by speaking to JBL.

See also: HTC and JBL announce USB Type-C noise-cancelling headphones32

JBL says that they’re looking at making this feature standard on their portable speakers going forward. From here on out, if you purchase one of their new products, you’ll be able to request songs and control your speaker using only your voice. They will also be launching a JBL CONNECT app, which should become available later this month.

This is part and parcel with the direction Google expects technology to take in general. They believe the future of our engagement with our devices will be intrinsically conversational, so we can probably expect to see more and more of our gadgets gaining sophisticated voice control integration.redditors google

Related: Google snags Pixar story artist to give Google Home, OK Google personality4 – Source

JBL speakers get Google Now voice integration

CBS All Access' digital edition of 'Big Brother' gets launch date, title

LOS ANGELES — Big Brother — CBS’ tentpole reality show — will launch a digital edition in September.

The show, called Big Brother: Over The Top, is scheduled to launch Sept. 28 on CBS All Access, the network’s digital subscription video on demand and live streaming service.

The 10-week season, hosted by Julie Chen, will welcome an all-new cast of Houseguests.

However, unlike the linear version, the show is “reimagine[d]…for multiplatform audiences.”

CBS said fans “will have more opportunities to engage with the Houseguests,” and utilize interactive features such as 24/7 live feeds, chat and impact votes. …

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CBS All Access' digital edition of 'Big Brother' gets launch date, title

One of those naked Trump statues could be yours

Remember those naked Donald Trump statues that popped up in San Francisco, New York, Seattle and beyond last month? The life-sized likenesses that featured bouffant hair and a healthy orange paunch but no testicles?

Well, one of them could be yours for your very own home.

The Los Angeles Trump is up for auction and the sellers believe it could fetch between $10,000 and $20,000. Don’t expect it to help fund The Wall though; profits are destined for an immigrant support group.

SEE ALSO: Large naked statues of Donald Trump are appearing all across America

Julien’s Auctions are looking after the sale of the item, which is one of art collective Indecline’s “The Emperor Has No Balls” …

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One of those naked Trump statues could be yours