Blog

Wearing headphones at a concert isn’t as weird as I thought it would be

[ad_1]

All of this is, objectively, pretty neat.

But what matters is the experience of using it at a concert, and I have to say that despite my skepticism, I was pretty impressed. For one, there is absolutely zero latency. The audio was synced up perfectly the entire time, no matter where I was positioned in Barclays: Mid level directly opposite the stage, upper level to the side, down on the floor, even behind the stage, I encountered zero hiccups. I only ever lost signal when I wandered out into the halls to change locations. The mixer app is clean and functional, though it did crash on me in the middle of “Rocket Man,” forcing me to pair with the rX again, which can take some time.

Now, I’m not gonna lie: It was definitely weird to be wearing headphones at a concert. And I’m not sure I’d ever get used to it. But it wasn’t as isolating or strange as I feared. The earbuds Peex hands out are designed to let in a decent amount of ambient noise. You can in theory connect any wired headphones you want to the rX, but I’m not sure I’d recommend it. I brought two pairs of headphones with me — a pair of Sony MDR-7506 studio monitors and a set of Sennheiser CX300 II earbuds — but I ended up leaving them in my bag. The over-ear Sonys simply would have removed me too much from the concert atmosphere, and the Sennheiser buds wouldn’t have delivered a much different experience than the Peex pack-ins.

See, the balance of ambient noise and headphone audio is key to the success here. Directly opposite the stage, with the mixer tracks all set to about halfway, the effect of the Peex was subtle but noticeable. It was able to add some definition to the bass frequencies, which get muddy pretty quickly the further you are from the stage. (Not to mention that reflections off the walls and jumbotron only make things worse.) And it did so without making me feel like I was just listening to music on headphones — I still felt like I was seeing a live band.

The same was true in the cheap seats on the side of the stage. This is where I suffered through Television, the Unicorns, Dan Deacon and Arcade Fire (all bands that I love) five years ago. The sound at that show was what you might expect out of a middle school auditorium… if you were out in the hallway. Now, to be clear, the audio was much better at Elton John, even without the Peex. But it still helped clean up some of the reflections that are unavoidable when you’re right up against a concrete wall.

Things started to fall apart slightly when I got to the extreme ends of the spectrum. Behind the stage, where I was staring at the back of a giant video screen with no speakers facing me, the illusion was shattered. Here it was obvious that I was listening to music on headphones. As the quality of the sound in the arena got worse, the disparity with what was coming through the Peex became clearer. And suddenly it felt like I might as well be listening to a live album at home. To be fair, though, there were no seats behind the stage at the Elton John show, nor are there at most concerts. This was purely for demonstration purposes.

Farewell Yellow Brick Road

Down on the floor, it was a similar story. Having one of the best seats in the house means enjoying some of the best sound in the house too. Frankly here, there wasn’t much need for the Peex. And in a crowd of people dancing and singing along to “Saturday Night’s Alright for Fighting,” wearing headphones did feel a little isolating. (I’ll admit that I took them out here.)

There is still one big unanswered question right now, though, and that’s how much the Peex will cost to rent at a show. Whether or not it succeeds will depend on where the company lands with pricing. If it’s not any cheaper than simply springing for a better seat, then it’s hard to see a lot of people opting to rent headphones at a show. The company is going to have to figure it out soon. While the Peex is currently limited to VIPs and press, the company plans to start opening up to more people at more venues. (Though it was a little vague about when exactly.)

Perhaps its best chance of success, though, is with outdoor festivals. Anyone who has attended Rock the Bells or Bonnaroo can tell you that sound at these giant events is generally atrocious. And since often tickets are general admission, there isn’t the lure of buying a better seat to compete with.

It still might take you out of the moment to pop in a pair of earbuds while you’re jostling for position at Randall’s Island or Union Park. But if your number one priority at a concert is sound quality, then it might be worth the trade-off.

[ad_2]

Source link

Sony fixes bug that prevented Kodi installs on its TVs

[ad_1]

Kodi and others initially alleged that Sony had intentionally blocked the software to discourage piracy. While Kodi distances itself from bootleggers, it’s well-known that the app is a haven for pirate video add-ons and otherwise makes it easier to play video (pirated and otherwise) in the living room. However, this appears to have been just an error — albeit one that raised more than a few suspicions.

[ad_2]

Source link

Why has Spotify filed a complaint against Apple to the EU?

[ad_1]

What does Spotify want?

Spotify hasn’t published what it sent to the EC, but Ek’s blog outlines the company’s grievances. Ek believes that Apple has, essentially, made life as hard on Spotify as it can, with regards to the Spotify app on the App Store. The company believes that Apple’s practices have been designed to suppress Spotify as a competitor to iTunes and Apple Music.

Ek is looking for three things to change in the future, starting with Spotify being treated the same as Apple’s own apps. Secondly, he wants Apple to relax its rule about only being able to pay for apps through its own platform. Finally, he wants Apple’s ban on apps communicating with users to be removed, so Spotify can talk to its customers directly about deals and offers.

OK, why?

Rightly or wrongly, Spotify believes Apple is singling it out because it offers a competing product. Spotify has published a timeline, running from 2007, outlining when its iOS app was rejected and alleging that Apple threatened to remove the app altogether. Spotify adds that the App Store rules were altered in “ways to disadvantage rivals like us.”

Spotify also says its products have been unfairly excluded from accessing Apple’s hardware services. Like the fact that you can’t invoke Siri to play songs from Spotify on the iPhone or on Apple’s new(er) HomePod speaker. The company says that it tried, several times, to build an app for the Apple Watch, which Apple didn’t agree to until 2018.

These aren’t as crucial to Spotify’s case, however, as Apple taking a 30 percent commission on every app sold in its store. And that it insists on only using Apple’s payment platform, rejecting apps that ask to be paid by other means. Compounding the issue, according to Spotify, is Apple refuses to allow apps to communicate this detail to its users.

Spotify was unwilling to incur the 30-percent charge on its monthly subscription revenue from iOS users. After a lengthy back-and-forth with Apple, Spotify pulled the ability to upgrade to Premium, its paid-for product, from the iOS app. And Spotify suggests that Apple broke its own rules when it launched Apple Music and communicated offers to users — something other app makers are blocked from doing.

Is that fair on Apple?

Not entirely, and Spotify may claim as conspiracy what could simply be two arms of a company behaving in conflict. If Apple was determined to exclude Spotify to make sure that Apple Music was all-conquering, why not block it from the App Store? It could easily amend its policies in a way that would make that a fair call, and it has not.

Spotify is also complaining that it can’t tell users to sign up to Premium via its website, or link to the website in the app. But if all apps simply bounced users to third-party websites, it would open the door for large-scale fraud, hacking and harassment. You could argue that Apple’s policies are often built to avoid harm to consumers, which seems the case here.

The music service may have also over-egged its justifications about being blocked by Apple from accessing its hardware. Spotify claims that Apple blocked Spotify from running on the HomePod, a Siri-only speaker that doesn’t natively run competing products. There are obvious reasons why HomePod doesn’t run Amazon Alexa, same as the Echo doesn’t run Siri.

But Apple does allow any app that can usee AirPlay to stream music to the HomePod, including Spotify. And if Apple was desperate to exclude Spotify, why does it use its rival’s logo in its public messaging around the speaker? Just check this screenshot from the HomePod site, snapped shortly before publication.

Spotify on HomePod

Apple’s App Store transaction fees, as well, aren’t being metered out on Spotify unfairly — it’s a blanket rule. It takes a 30-percent cut of all transaction revenue, as is its right for providing the store in the first place, and some of the revenue is used to run the store itself. Subscription deals actually drop after the first year, to 15 percent, which isn’t being discussed either. As one developer puts it, that cash pays for security, app review, hosting, distribution and payment processing.

It’s a clumsy metaphor, but imagine Apple owns a parking lot where a flea market is about to take place. Every stallholder would be, and is, expected to kick in some cash to compensate for the use of the parking lot. Why should it be that, rather than alter prices or eat the charge as a cost of doing business, Spotify is demanding preferential treatment?

Could Apple be found liable?

The EU treaties include rules that prevent companies from abusing their “dominant market position” to “prevent effective competition.” And both of those terms will be given a lot of scrutiny by some of the world’s smartest lawyers. For a start, can Apple be described as “dominant” in Europe, where iOS market share is reportedly 27.69 percent, versus Android’s 71.2 percent?

How about in music streaming itself, where Apple can leverage its global dominance? Not so much. Spotify has 207 million monthly users and 96 million paid subscribers, compared to just 50 million Apple Music users. In Europe, Statista believes that Spotify controls 40 percent of its home market, probably making it the dominant player.

Of course, this is partly semantics, as everyone knows that Apple has an outsized influence on the industry. But regulators can’t simply slap down Tim Cook (or Eddy Cue) just because a local competitor feels aggrieved. And, when EU officials were going after Google, it discounted Apple’s existence as a justification for consumer choice.

It’ll also be interesting to see how much Apple’s own conduct plays into this, given Spotify’s accusations. The company says that Apple put Spotify “under constant pressure” to adopt in-app purchases and “threatening to remove us from the App Store.” If there is documentary proof of these threats, then Spotify’s case is likely to be much stronger.

Why Europe?

The European Union is a massive continent-spanning body that is designed to ensure its free market remains a free market. It monitors companies and acts as a referee if it spots something that looks like foul play. It has been leading the charge against Big Tech in recent years as the big four (or five) companies in the space throw their weight around.

The EU and its bodies represent the views of close to 510 million people, making it one of the biggest markets in the world. It sets minimum standards for consumer protection, including laws protecting private data, and prevents companies from abusing their position. In recent times, that has included fights with Microsoft over browser choice and Google’s abuses around Android and Shopping. Oh, and Spotify is a Swedish company, so this was always going to be its first port of call.

Why now?

Spotify says that the timing of the complaint is unrelated to anything else, but it’s another voice in the chorus against Big Tech. There are growing calls for platform holders to be blocked from being both player and referee, with Senator Elizabeth Warren leading the charge. The 2020 presidential candidate has called for Facebook, Amazon, Google and Apple to be broken up.

She believes that it’s too easy for a company like Amazon, which has a sales platform and sells its own goods, to abuse its position. She added that Amazon could easily identify a hot product, copy it and block the original, stifling competition. Similarly, Warren told The Verge that “you’ve gotta break [Apple] apart from their (sic) App Store. It’s got to be one or the other.”

Netflix is another company that has engaged in some pushing and shoving with Apple over App Store fees. Late last year, Netflix removed the ability to subscribe from inside the iOS app as a way of avoiding paying Apple its 30 percent cut. Not to mention that there is a Supreme Court case on App Store commission fees brewing away in the background.

What are the consequences?

In the short term, nothing, since the EC has merely acknowledged that Spotify has made a complaint. European investigations are rarely done in a hurry, and we don’t expect much to shake out of this for at least a year, if not longer. The first stick that officials can use to beat Apple with is a fine, which could be up to 10 percent of its annual revenue. Although given that Apple has a variety of European subsidiaries, it’s not clear how the calculus will be made.

In the State Aid case, in which Ireland was found to have given Apple inappropriate tax breaks, the company had to pay $15.4 billion in back taxes, plus interest. Although that matter is still under appeal as Apple and Ireland try to get the penalties lowered or reduced.

Europe will also have legislative remedies available to it, in the same way it did with Microsoft during the browser wars. In that case, Microsoft had to offer users a choice of browsers to download when they first opened Explorer. In this one, Apple may be required to alter its policies or directly notify users about getting Spotify for less money elsewhere. Or, just as likely, officials will find no wrongdoing and close the complaint. At this point, it’s too early to tell.



[ad_2]

Source link

Insta360 Evo captures 180- and 360-degree content for VR headsets

[ad_1]

The Evo is essentially the One X morphed into a foldable form factor, yet at $419.99, it only costs about $20 more. You get the same 5.7K video resolution and 18-megapixel still resolution, along with handy features like FlowState stabilization, TimeShift hyperlapse plus WiFi hotspot connectivity for its dedicated iOS or Android app.

The most obvious difference here is the new 180-degree capture mode, which is automatically enabled when you unfold the Evo and lock its position using the top latch. Then it’s just a matter of toggling either photo or video capture before you start shooting, and you can manage all of these on the camera itself or via its companion app over a Wi-Fi connection.

According to CEO JK Liu, his team came up with this versatile device to offer an extra means of capturing one’s special moments, because depending on the content, sometimes 180-degree capture works better. I can imagine how this may benefit parents who want to remember what it feels like gazing at their newborn baby, for instance. Liu added that the Evo is also fit for capturing sporting activities in first-person view, the depth perception of which contributes to extra immersiveness.

Insta360 Evo

Like before, you can easily download or stream the camera’s content in the app, and then share it on Facebook (except for 3D photos at the moment), YouTube or Insta360’s own hosting service. But for those who want to get immersive right away, the company is now offering two more ways to enjoy your own VR content.

First of all, owners of the Oculus Go, Samsung Gear VR and HTC Vive Focus (support due later this month) will be able to connect their headsets directly to the Evo over WiFi, then they can transfer files over or even stream videos within the dedicated VR app, as opposed to having to manually copy (and maybe convert) files using a PC or an OTG accessory. I can imagine how this newfound convenience will make the Evo a useful learning tool for VR filmmakers as well as newbies.

Insta360 Evo

The second option is Holoframe, a clever glasses-free 3D solution using eye tracking, and it’s co-developed by Samsung spin-off, Mopic. This requires an optional $29.99 transparent smartphone case with a special filter on the back, and to use it, simply flip the case around so that it’s covering the screen, and then toggle Holoframe playback in the app. For now, this case is only available for the iPhone X, XS, XS Max plus XR, with Samsung’s Galaxy S8, S8+, S9, S9+ and Note 8 to be supported at a later date.

After an initial calibration, I was able to use Holoframe to view my 3D content on my iPhone XS Max, and the results were better than I expected — think of it as a much sharper version of what you might have seen on the HTC Evo 3D and the LG Optimus 3D from 2011. There’s still room for improvement, though, and Liu added that his team is already working on an update which will enable dynamic 3D effect — it’ll look as if you’re peering through a window, especially if you tilt the phone around.

There’s technically a third option, too, as the Insta360 Evo comes with a “3D Viewer,” which is just a little foldable VR goggle attachment for any phone. This is obviously a quick and dirty way to play with the VR playback mode in the Evo’s app, but alternatively, you can also pop your phone into a Cardboard-like enclosure just like in the good old days.

Sadly, I don’t have an Oculus Go nor a GearVR headset to try the new Insta360 VR app, so I’ll have to wait for the app to hit the HTC Vive Focus later this month. For the rest of you, the Insta360 Evo is already available for purchase, and in addition to the 3D Viewer, the camera comes bundled with a mini-tripod grip (not pictured here) plus a protective pouch. Just make sure you also have a microSD card rated with UHS-I V30 speed, and you should be good to go.

[ad_2]

Source link

Smartphone sales in China plummet to their lowest in six years

[ad_1]

Overall, handset sales totaled 14.5 million units, down almost 20 percent from a year ago. The latest figures are the lowest since 2013, when shipments totaled 20.7 million. According to Reuters, some of the blame can be laid on a slow February, during which the Chinese were busy marking the Lunar New Year.

The wider regional canvas spans China’s economic slowdown — its worst in almost three decades — and a tit-for-tat trade war with the US that’s seen Beijing place tariffs on $110 billion of American goods. Apple blamed the latter in January, when it told investors that it wasn’t going to sell as many devices in Asia as in the past. Tim Cook and co. are now resorting to new tactics to lure shoppers in the region, like interest-free credit on new iPhones — a notable development for a company that’s historically been averse to discounts.

At least Apple can take solace in the fact that it’s not the only company that’s losing out. According to recent stats from IDC, Chinese upstarts Vivo and Oppo are struggling to improve their sales, despite releasing innovative handsets at competitive prices. Local giant Xiaomi has also watched its numbers dip. Before that, IDC noted that Samsung shipped 13.4 percent fewer smartphones in the third quarter of last year. It did, however, predict that 5G could prove to be the industry’s saving grace in 2019. And everyone from OnePlus to Samsung will try to prove IDC right this year.

[ad_2]

Source link

Paramount is urging theaters to show Ang Lee’s new sci-fi movie at 120 fps

[ad_1]

Paramount’s letter includes directions on how to conduct a HFR test and describes the 120 fps-4K-3D combo as the “most pristine and immersive format” for showing the film. “We want to do everything possible to make projecting the high frame rate version of Gemini Man a turnkey experience for you and provide audiences with the latest technological advancement in cinema,” the letter reads. A glance at Lee’s IMDB page also shows that he’s still attached to 3D boxing epic Thrilla in Manilla, named after the fight between Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier.

Billy Lynn was the first film to be presented at 120 fps, meaning it had a higher frame rate than the 28 frames per second adopted by most movies. HFR advocates James Cameron (who’s shooting the Avatar sequels in the format) and his long-time producer pal Jon Landau have been opining about its benefits since 2011. Critics, on the other hand, claim it results in hyper-real and unnatural visuals.

Peter Jackson introduced the masses to what a 48 fps film could look like with The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey in 2012. That movie made more than $300 million domestically due to its links to the LoTR series. Without a tentpole franchise behind it, Billy Lynn mustered a paltry $1.7 million at the US box office — though its failure can also be attributed to tepid reviews and America’s reluctance to turn up for anti-Iraq-war movies. What’s more, a lack of appropriate projector equipment resulted in only half a dozen theaters around the globe presenting it in its intended 120 fps format, only two of which were in the US.

Lee’s next film, however, is an altogether different beast. Due in 2019, Gemini Man stars Will Smith as an ageing hitman on the run from a younger clone. The film’s VFX supervisor Bill Westenhofer (who worked on Lee’s last crowd-pleaser, Life of Pi) previously told IndieWire that motion capture technology was used to de-age Smith for the 400-plus scenes containing his evil double. Like Billy Lynn, Gemini Man will be available in additional formats, including 60 fps. Paramount, at least, seems convinced it has a hit on its hands.

[ad_2]

Source link

Google Fit update delivers a much-needed power-saving mode

[ad_1]

Details about the update are still vague — there’s no word on exactly how the feature works, for example — but Google has confirmed to 9to5Google that if a Wear OS watch supports the mode’s requirements (whatever they may be), any Wear OS partner can take advantage of it, and users will see “an improvement in battery life in most situations.” The new low power mode update is launching first on Mobvoi’s Ticwatch Pro, and will eventually roll out to other smartwatch models.

[ad_2]

Source link

Uber will pay $20 million to settle drivers’ lawsuit

[ad_1]

The settlement amount is considerably lower than the $100 million offer Uber proposed in 2016, but which US District Judge Edward Chen ruled to be inadequate. However, the original lawsuit involved some 385,000 drivers across California and Massachusetts. Following Chen’s rejection of the deal, Uber won an appeals court ruling that forced many drivers into arbitration, and in a bid to settle these dispute more quickly, the company offered some a settlement of 11 cents for each mile they had driven, which could add up to a payout of several thousand for individual drivers. Uber’s most recent settlement proposal now covers just 13,600 drivers between the two states, so they’ll get more money than they would have under the $100 million settlement offer.

According to Shannon Liss-Riorden, an attorney for the drivers, the settlement is “substantial” and should work out at around 37 cents per mile for the drivers involved. This is a marked improvement on the total $12 some drivers would have made under the previous settlement offer, but as Reuters notes, still not as much as the reimbursements seen in earlier claims. According to documents shared with Reuters, one driver was reimbursed 64 cents per mile in early 2018.

Nontheless, the settlement helps resolve another challenge in a long list of lawsuits, disputes and investigations Uber is trying to tidy up before going public later this year. The company confidentially filed for an initial public offering in December and could be valued at as much as $120 billion. In a bid to appease its drivers, Uber will allegedly give them the opportunity to buy shares at its IPO. However, the settlement still needs to be approved by Chen, so Uber might not be out of the woods yet.

[ad_2]

Source link

LG’s prototype Keurig for ice cream

[ad_1]

Durability tested by Engadget.
A closer look at Vivo’s all-glass, port-free concept 5G phone

Vivo’s APEX concept phone doesn’t just have a slick all-glass Super Unibody design that lacks buttons and ports, it also has a full-screen fingerprint scanner. Just touch it anywhere to log in. Unfortunately, just as our intrepid reporter got a chance to hold one of the the demo units — he dropped it.

Build it.
LG’s SnowWhite is like a Keurig for ice cream

This prototype SnowWhite machine is basically like a Keurig, featuring a pod-based system that allows you to choose the base and flavor for a variety of frozen desserts. That means it isn’t just limited to ice cream: You might also be able to make gelato, granita, sorbet, yogurt and more.

It’s on.
‘Fortnite’ will force PS4 and Xbox One players to fight each other

As part of Fortnite‘s 8.10 update, Epic has introduced crossplay matchmaking for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One player pools, as well as mobile and Nintendo Switch. Players must opt in to play, and if they don’t, they’ll be limited to Creative Mode and Playgrounds.

The plan is for it to land first, then meet up with humans once they arrive.
Toyota is designing a moon rover for Japan

The Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) has teamed up with Toyota to build a pressurized self-driving rover that will land on the lunar surface in 2029. The six-wheeled transporter will be able to carry two humans for a distance of 10,000 kilometers, using solar power and Toyota’s fuel cell technology.

Simple, right?
Tesla’s change of heart will bring Autopilot prices ‘back to normal’

Elon Musk has confirmed that prices for Enhanced Autopilot and Full Self-Driving will “revert to normal” on March 18th. The company shouldn’t have dropped prices in the first place, Musk said, and only did so “because some simply couldn’t afford it.” Everyone who bought the Full Self-Driving Package before the price drop will still be eligible for the Early Access Program, and they’ll also get the Autopilot Hardware 3.0 upgrade. You can still take advantage of the discounted rates before the 18th if you don’t already have either feature.

Maybe it’s time to try again.
The World Wide Web at 30: We got the free and open internet we deserve

Rather than the free and open online utopia Tim Berners-Lee envisioned, “The web has evolved into an engine of inequity and division,” he wrote in 2018, “swayed by powerful forces who use it for their own agendas.” And, by God, he’s going to fix it — even if he has to break the entire system to do so.

The bundle is getting better.
Spotify Premium subscribers can get Hulu for free

After bundling Hulu’s ad-supported plan with Spotify Premium for an extra $3 per month, the streaming giant is going a step further. For a limited time, Spotify will offer that Hulu plan for free with a $9.99 Premium subscription.

But wait, there’s more…

The Morning After is a new daily newsletter from Engadget designed to help you fight off FOMO. Who knows what you’ll miss if you don’t Subscribe.

Craving even more? Like us on Facebook or Follow us on Twitter.

Have a suggestion on how we can improve The Morning After? Send us a note.



[ad_2]

Source link

Spotify files EU complaint against Apple’s App Store rules

[ad_1]

Spotify announced in a blog written by CEO Daniel Ek that it has filed an unfair competition complaint against Apple with the European Commission (EC). The streaming company is claiming that Apple’s App Store stifles competition by “acting as both a player and referee to deliberately disadvantage other app developers.”

By way of illustration, it said that Apple forces Spotify and other services to “pay a 30 percent tax on purchases made through Apple’s payment system.” That in turn forces Spotify to artificially inflate the price of its Premiere membership “well above the price of Apple Music.” In other words, by acting as a gatekeeper to apps like Spotify, while also offering a competing app, it’s competing unfairly, Spotify said.

[ad_2]

Source link