Blog

Google Photos lets you manually tag faces (as long as it sees them)

[ad_1]

Specifically, you can’t just pull up a photo and start tagging your friends and family. To be able to take advantage of the feature, Photos’ face recognition algorithm needs to first recognize there are in fact human or animal faces in a photo. There are instances in which the app sometimes fails to correctly tag people, such as in shots where someone wasn’t looking directly at the camera. Where it does work, you’ll be able to both edit and add new tags.

To access the feature, tap and then swipe up on a photo to get to the overflow menu — alternately, you can tap on a photo and then tap the three dots icon to get to the same place. If the feature has rolled out to your device, you’ll see a pencil icon to the right of the “People” section heading. Tapping on that icon will allow you to edit any tags as you see fit.

Obviously, Google’s current implementation of face tagging isn’t perfect, but it’s still a step in the right direction. And more so than with a lot of its other apps, Google has been good about improving Photos in smart ways. For example, the company recently added a Memories feature that uses an Instagram Stories-like interface to surface your old photos. While not as attention-grabbing of a feature like Memories, a lot of people will appreciate the ability to edit their face tags, even if it’s a bit limited at this moment.

[ad_2]

Source link

Twitter won’t touch inactive accounts until it can offer memorials

[ad_1]

The company said it might “broaden” enforcement of its inactivity policy to honor rules in other areas, but promised to notify users if it took that route.

Twitter’s move might allay fears that the company could erase deceased users’ accounts and, as a consequence, years of precious memories. Our TechCrunch colleague Drew Olanoff noted that he occasionally revisits the tweets of his late father to remember him, but doesn’t have the login details. If Twitter deleted the account, Olanoff would effectively lose that connection to the past.

There are valid reasons to purge old accounts — someone who simply abandoned Twitter years ago probably isn’t worried about losing their posts. However, Twitter is clearly aware that it will need to be more cautious if it wants to avoid riling users already concerned about its approach to pulling content.

[ad_2]

Source link

The Echo Flex is Amazon’s Alexa gateway drug

[ad_1]

Instead of something that looks like a speaker, the Echo Flex is a wall plug that you can fit into any outlet (. It’s fairly small at only 2.8 inches tall and 2.6 inches wide, and it doesn’t obscure the other outlet when plugged in. Since it’s not reliant on taking up any horizontal surface real estate, the Flex can fit in many more places than the Dot. I was able to plug this into the outlet above my bathroom vanity, for example, which doesn’t have room for much besides a bar of soap and a couple toothbrushes.

Like the Dot, the controls are pretty basic: There’s an “action button” to enable Alexa, a mic mute toggle and an LED indicator that lights up whenever Alexa is triggered. On the side is a 3.5mm jack through which you can attach a speaker, and on the bottom is a USB-A socket, which you can use to charge your phone or attach one of several accessories.

Wait, what? Yes, unlike the other Echo speakers, you can purchase the Flex with various optional accessories, which cost $15 each. One is a smart night light, which works like a regular night light by default, which is to say it shuts off when there’s light and turns on when it’s dark. But pair it with the Alexa app, and you can then adjust its brightness and change the color to one of 16 hues, either with the app or just by talking to it.

Amazon Echo Flex

Another accessory I found useful is the motion sensor, which can be used to create routines, especially if you own other smart home products. For example, when I had the Flex and motion sensor in the hallway, I set it up so that my Philip Hue lights would come on when I walked by. You can also have it so that it turns off the lights when it doesn’t detect any motion for a certain period of time.

Aside from those accessories, the Flex works just like any other Alexa speaker. It’ll tell you the weather, who won last night’s game, what’s next on your calendar and more. You can also connect it to your Fire TV so you can command Alexa to turn on your television. It plays music too, but the speakers sound tinny and were clearly not intended for this purpose. Still, I suppose it works in a pinch if you just need to hear Lizzo while brushing your teeth in the morning.

On the face of it, the Echo Flex might seem like just another Alexa speaker. But it could also turn out to be the perfect Alexa trojan horse in Amazon’s bid to take over the smart home. It’s versatile, it can fit almost anywhere and, as mentioned, it’s also incredibly affordable. For about the cost of a single Amazon Echo ($99), you could buy four Echo Flexes, thus adding Alexa to almost every room in your home.

Yet, even this might soon be for naught. Amazon has since revealed that Alexa will soon be able to run on low-spec devices with as little as 1MB of memory and a cheap Cortex-M processor. That means you’d be able to have Alexa on all kinds of low-end electronics, from lightbulbs to coffee makers, without having to buy specialty hardware like a smart plug for example. An Echo Flex or equivalent might not be necessary in the future. But until that happens, the Echo Flex is a pretty good way to indoctrinate people into the Alexa ecosystem. And at this price, it’s hard to resist.

[ad_2]

Source link

Ford’s Mustang Mach-E First Edition is sold out in the US

[ad_1]

Don’t despair too much if you want the electric Mustang relatively quickly. The not-quite-entry-level Premium model is still due to arrive in late 2020 (not far behind the First Edition) as of this writing. It’s the Select, California Route 1 and GT variants that won’t arrive until early 2021. You can still impress all the kids on your block, but you can’t be too picky about how you do it.

The Mach-E’s early sales performance won’t make Tesla too nervous (at least, not right away) when that company just delivered 97,000 EVs in a single quarter. Ford’s vehicle is generally priced above the Model 3, mind you, and it’s also Ford’s first from-scratch mainstream EV. The brand doesn’t have Tesla’s experience with EVs, let alone giant factories to keep up with demand. The greater challenge is sustaining and expanding on that momentum. Ford is a titan in the automotive world, but it still has a lot of work to do if it wants to compete with Tesla in terms of sheer numbers.

[ad_2]

Source link

Google’s Nest Mini vs. Amazon’s Echo Dot: pick your assistant

[ad_1]

In use

At this point, the capabilities of Alexa and Google Assistant are well known. To quickly recap, you can ask both speakers to control devices in your home, play audio, answer questions, give you info from your personal accounts (e.g., Google Calendar) and link up to third-party services that make these speakers even more capable.

Given how mature both platforms are, the real question when comparing the Nest Mini to its predecessor is how its new speaker sounds. Google says the Nest Mini has twice the bass as the original, something not terribly easy to measure. It does produce fuller sound than the original, but that’s not saying much. When I reviewed the Home Mini two years ago, I said that it was “severely lacking in the bass department and generally lacks the clarity you’d want for listening to music.” Harsh but true.

Nest Mini vs. Echo Dot

The Nest Mini, on the other hand, is much more pleasant. Doubling the bass doesn’t mean a ton when the original speaker had nearly no bass to speak of, but the Nest Mini’s sound profile is generally better balanced and less shrill. I didn’t consider the Home Mini a viable option for listening to music, but I’d be perfectly happy with the Nest Mini for casual playback in a small room. It’s certainly better than blasting music from your phone’s built-in speaker, which is what too many people do these days. Indeed, putting aside my music snob sensibilities for a moment, the Nest Mini will probably be fine for large swaths of the population. It’s surprisingly loud and keeps its clarity even at higher volumes, and that’s about all you can ask for from a tiny $50 speaker.

Nest Mini vs. Echo Dot

I can say the same about the Echo Dot. The Dot definitely has better bass performance than the Nest Mini, but at the expense of some precision in the mids and highs. Things can occasionally sound a bit muddier on the Dot, but it has a more pleasant thump. One thing is for sure: The Echo Dot that was introduced last year (and whose design is carried through to this model with the clock) is significantly better at music playback than the older models. Older Echo Dots sound terrible, full stop, while the new one redefined what I thought such a small speaker was capable of.

When doing some head-to-head comparisons, I thought the Nest Mini handled more complex arrangements better. A song like “Graffiti” by Chrvches has major bass, lots of high-frequency synth work, and a singer who hits some pretty high notes. Basically, there’s a lot going on here — and in that crowded soundscape, the Echo Dot came across a bit muddy. But on a more stripped-down track like “Appointments” by Julien Baker, the Echo Dot came across with a fuller, more true-to-life representation of the sparse vocals, piano, and electric guitar. The same can be said for a more robust, straightforward rock song like Death Cab for Cutie’s “To the Ground.”

Microphone performance is also worth mentioning, and the good news is that both speakers are pretty responsive, even when blasting music. I had to speak slightly louder than I expected to get both to reply, but once I adjusted I was able to get the speakers to pay attention without a problem. Google says that the Nest Mini has improved mics, but I can’t really tell the difference. The good news is that either way, you shouldn’t have a hard time getting the Nest mini or Echo Dot to hear you.

[ad_2]

Source link

AT&T and Verizon agree to change their eSIM practices

[ad_1]

The DOJ was initially concerned that AT&T and Verizon attempted to lock devices on their networks even if the device had an eSIM. But the parties have agreed to change how they determine standards for eSIM, which will allow consumers to use eSIM to switch carriers, rather than having to insert a new SIM card. And as a result, the DOJ is dropping the investigation.

This is a rather anticlimactic ending, but it’s good news for eSIM. The technology hasn’t met the kind of widespread adoption we had initially hoped for, but this change could give it a boost.

[ad_2]

Source link

‘Steven Universe: Unleash the Light’ arrives on Apple Arcade

[ad_1]

The mechanics will be familiar if you’ve tried the game before. You control six of the series’ characters (including, of course, Steven) as they participate in JRPG-style battles for the fate of the galaxy. You can set formations and choose abilities that tip fights in your favor, including combo attacks and “Gem Fusions” that merge characters into new entities like Rainbow Quartz 2.0 and Sunstone. It’s not a radical break, then, but it’s also part of a $5 all-you-can-play subscription — if you’re already inclined to use Apple Arcade, it won’t hurt much to give the game a spin.

[ad_2]

Source link

Engadget will judge the Best of CES Awards for the seventh year in a row

[ad_1]

The categories

  • Best Accessibility Tech: Technology that helps those with disabilities achieve healthier and more independent lives.
  • Best Startup: The startup showing great sophistication and innovation while also demonstrating a clear path to real-world availability. Eureka Park will be a focus.
  • Best Digital Health and Fitness Product: A product exhibiting the most innovative use of technology to improve users’ health and well-being. Example products include smart scales and activity monitors.
  • Best Wearable: The best gadget at the show that can be worn on your person. Examples include smart watches, augmented reality glasses and any piece of wearable item (be it socks or shorts) that have sensors in them.
  • Best Transportation Technology: Technology related to the ever-advancing science of getting from here to there. Example products include infotainment systems and advances in self-driving technology.
  • Best Home Theater Product: This award is all about home entertainment. Example products include set top boxes, streaming players, tuners, audio systems and more.
  • Best Connected Home Product: A product that belongs in the connected home. Example includes smart refrigerators, connected thermostats and smart lighting.
  • Best Phone or Mobile Device: The smartphone or related mobile device that most impresses with its combination of specifications, design and overall ability.
  • Best TV Product: The television that is deemed the best in terms of display, design and overall quality, or the product that might most revolutionize your use of that screen.
  • Best Gaming Product: The product that best moves forward the broad field of gaming. Example products include game-specific tablets and PCs, video game consoles, controllers and gaming services.
  • Most Unexpected Product: The product that turns heads on the International CES show floor without necessarily fitting into any defined product category. This product may not be the best of the best at the show, but it will be one of the most talked-about.
  • Best Sports Tech: The product that changes the game, quite literally. These products will be found on the court, the field, the track or at the gym.
  • Best PC or Tablet: The best laptop, desktop or tablet, judged based on its design and specifications.
  • Best Robot or Drone: A drone or robot that is deemed the best of this unique category.
  • Best Sustainability Product: The device, service or technology with the greatest potential to prevent, mitigate or reverse damage to the environment.
  • Best of the Best Award: The device, service or technology in any category that stands clearly above the rest, judged based on its innovation and design quality.
  • People’s Choice Award: The product from this year’s show that most captured the hearts and minds of our readers. The winner will be determined by viewers and readers.

Eligibility requirements

To be considered, a product must meet the following criteria:

  • The product must be on display at CES 2020. Nominees must be official exhibitors or participants of CES 2020.
  • The product must fall under at least one of our 16 awards categories (excluding People’s Choice).
  • The product doesn’t need to have been announced at CES, but it always helps. Obviously, it also shouldn’t be more than a year old.

Submissions process

If you’re looking to submit something for consideration, make sure you meet our eligibility requirements and then enter all your information in this submission form. Submissions will stay open until 11:59PM ET on the evening of Saturday, January 4th, before press day kicks off on Sunday, January 5th. Please include the following required items for a product to be considered:

  • Product name
  • Company name
  • Product description
  • Which of the 16 awards category/categories your nomination should be considered for. Companies may submit their products for more than one category.
  • Contact information for both media relations and internal point(s) of contact while at the show. We need to be able to reach someone on-site in the event you’re a finalist or winner!

Whenever possible, companies should submit the following materials as well:

  • Photos (minimum 1,920 x 1,080 resolution and 300 DPI)
  • Spec sheet(s)
  • Press release(s)
  • Release date
  • Price

How we judge

As journalists, we’re committed to a fair, unbiased process for choosing winners across all 17 categories. While the People’s Choice winner will be selected by our readers, the remaining 16 awards will be decided by the Engadget staff, without any input or guidance from our parent company Verizon Media (a subsidiary of Verizon).

Engadget editors may also nominate products across all categories (excluding People’s Choice), and these nominations will be evaluated according to the same standards as all other submissions. We will be judging products according to the following criteria:

  • Innovation
  • Design
  • Market appeal
  • Functionality

Once all submissions have been reviewed, the Engadget editorial staff will meet to go through all submitted products, narrowing down the list to two to four products per category. (We expect this will be a long night!) On Wednesday, January 8th, 2020, we’ll announce our Best of CES Award finalists in a post on Engadget. On that day, too, public voting will begin for the People’s Choice award. In that poll, our readers will be choosing amongst the editorial team’s list of finalists.

Once we’ve announced the slate of finalists, a team of senior editors will once again meet to evaluate the entire slate and narrow the selection down to one standout pick per category. All of the winners will be announced on Thursday, January 9th, 2020 on the Engadget stage live from CES, beginning around 5:00pm PT.

[ad_2]

Source link

Valve’s Steam Controller is dead

[ad_1]

While most reviewers originally wrote the Steam Controller off as too weird, Valve sold over 500,000 in the first six months. It became one of the most configurable gaming devices — you could play Street Fighter V strictly with motion controls or Serious Rocket League with the grips programmed for acceleration/brake and drift/boost.

What the Steam Controller truly was was different, and that, predictably, attracted haters — people who didn’t want to spend time mastering a touch surface that blurred the lines between mouse, trackball, thumbstick and button.

Regardless of how you feel about the Steam Controller, it will soon be a misfit piece of gaming history. If you act fast, you can get one before they’re gone for good. The $5 deal ends December 3rd.

[ad_2]

Source link

Apple caves on demands to show Crimea as part of Russia in its apps

[ad_1]

Russia forcibly annexed the Crimean peninsula from Ukraine in 2014. The country faced immediate and severe backlash from the international community, as the takeover contradicted numerous long standing agreements between the two nations. The G8 suspended Russia’s membership and imposed sanctions on the country as punishment. Since then, Russia has been diligent about representing Crimea as its own territory.

Last month, Apple waded into another touchy subject by hiding Taiwan’s flag emoji from users in Hong Kong and Macau. The company seemingly complied with China’s push to remove any symbols of sovereignty related to the territories it claims to own. The company also removed a Hong Kong protest app from the App Store. Apple had previously hidden Hong Kong singers from its music streaming service in response to Hong Kong’s ongoing anti-China protests. The company also removed VPN apps from its Chinese version of the App Store, making it difficult for Apple users to get past the Great Firewall of China.

That’s a lot of questionable moves on Apple’s part. The company places a large value on China, both thanks to its large customer base and its supply chain in the country, so the company has a clear economic incentive to appease its government. Why Apple would give into Russian demands, though, is much less clear.

[ad_2]

Source link