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Xiaomi Mi Watch: Apple clone from the outside, Google on the inside

From smartphones to smartwatches, Apple’s designs are unsurpassed the most copied and cloned on the market by far. And here comes another iteration of test tube-born gadget. Unsurprisingly, another Chinese company is the culprit in this seemingly unending endeavor of photocopying products that work on a global market.

Xiaomi’s new smartwatch, the Mi Watch looks undoubtedly like the Apple Watch. Maybe a bit more clunky, but even the colors on the screen could make you think you are wearing or buying one of Apple’s smart products.

Smart device lookism

I mean, it makes sense: If something works, don’t change it. With all that being said, Xiaomi might have successfully copied the looks, but what’s inside couldn’t be further apart from the truth – as the truth being the Apple Watch.

With the fourth and fifth generation of the Apple Watch already having struck the global market, these smartwatches offer experiences still unmatched, even for the Xiaomi Mi Watch. Life-saving features, like the fall detection, an integrated ECG, also OS 13 to fit in smoothly into the Android ecosystem, the Chinese maker hardly cannot follow into those big and deep footsteps.

So what’s inside?

The Xiaomi Mi Watch runs its own version of Wear OS, meaning the operating system for wearables comes in a Xiaomi skin Google will most likely not permit outside of China, so the chance of you officially acquiring the smartwatch from Target or Media Markt seems also less than likely and you will have to hit exporting online shops such as AliExpress. But is that going to be worth it? The watch will cost around $185, much cheaper than the Apple Watch. But from my experience with Wear OS devices, it’s probably a better idea to stick with wearables that have penetrated the market already and that you can buy without a mediator you cannot trust.

The Fossil Sport is one of the devices that show what Wear OS can do and how harmonious and stylish it can look like if you like to go about your day using Wear OS. To my likes, I’d rather stick with the Apple Watch. One thing some Wear OS devices might have the upper hand in is battery life. But hey, the times when we don’t charge a device at least once a day are far gone. In the end, it will truly depend on how much you use the device and not charging for even a day is a risk I’m not open to taking.

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(Video via Twitter @SamsungUSNewroom)

Fold it like a clamshell: Samsung’s concept Flip-Phone 

How ironic moving away from the old flip-phone with LCD-displays could decades later bring us back to the point where we started from? Some might argue this is not the case, but indeed, Samsung teased us with a new phone concept after revealing not too long ago a phone that could fold its screen.

Surprise unveiling

As of late, and after much to be talked and reported about the Galaxy Fold, the first of its kind to hit the market, the way we flip our phones shut might look a bit different in the future than previously thought or seen. Samsung unveiled a phone concept at its annual Developer Conference in which a phone is vertically folded like a clamshell or, if you are old enough, like a retro flip phone we all used to love to communicate with and carry around.

A short demo you can watch on the official Samsung US Newsroom Twitter-account displays the user video calling someone in full screen until the phone is folded to a 90 degree angle creating a split view of the video with the bottom unveiling more extensive controls.

Flip-phones are still In

Flip-phones are still being made, even by Samsung, and are still popular in Asia where not everyone has a smartphone at hand. So this seems like a relevant step into the right direction. Even though, the concept seems a bit gimmicky when watching the demo, the compactness of the device and the display being protected from direct exposure to other surface might come in handy for certain type of users. Hence, the popularity of the Galaxy Fold.

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AirPods Pro: In-ear headphones with sleek new features

And here they finally (or already) are: The AirPods Pro have been officially announced and will hit the shelves starting October 30th 2019. With this new generation a switch in design as well as more features is granted. So let’s take a closer look!

Since the birth of the first generation AirPods Apple’s headphones have come a long way. Now with an even sleeker and compact design with the third edition now being in-ear headphones with adjustable size caps, there is much to be desired about the new AirPods Pros – for those fond of in-ear buds.

More sleek than ‘leek’

From a design aspect, Apple has hit a high note again this time, coming from less compact design to now this. They look sleek and it makes sense. The new headphones are supposedly more stable in your ear with interchangeable earbuds, housing the microphone as well tightly and close to the eardrum, which makes it possible for the stubs to be much shorter. The software even allows to help you find the right adjustment for your eardrums for the best listening experience, quiet innovative if you ask me.

Quiet and “wet”

The AirPods Pro are water resistant and offer noise-cancelling with the option to turn on environment noises back on when driving. As in-ear headphones the complaint department of bass-hungry Apple fans might also fade furthermore, while on the other hand fans of the more airy design might be turned-off by the new in-ear concept of Apple. The noise-cancelling feature can be activated by holding the sensor (see below) and be deactivated with the same measure to hear sounds in your surroundings again. The same sensor also replaces the til-now used tapping to play, pause, forward or backtrack a song on your playlist and, of course, activating Siri.

What more can you expect?

Next to features we might not have expected, battery life and how the headphones’ sensors work are always the main focus of attention. With the new H1 chip that enables noise-cancellation and management of all the software inside the new AirPods Pro, we should expect greatness. Translated into layman’s terms, you can listen to 4.5 hours with one charge, not to mention again with the noise-cancellation feature enabled. Which packs quiet a punch if you think about the case being able to hone another 24 hours of listening time. Apple even promises that in only 5 minutes of charging you are back to listening 1 hour music. Quiet excellent if that’s the truth, and about 30% faster than the previous generation you had to charge for 15 minutes to squeeze another 2 hours of music and entertainment out of your AirPods.

More than Black and White?

Just in case you might be wondering, no, the picture above is not an official one, but concept art, but seems very plausible if you ask me and all the other white AirPod users out there. With a greater color variety it offers for its BeatsSolo 3, Apple could also opt for a greater color range for its latest iteration of AirPod since the new iPhone 11 Pro and Pro Max also come with a new variety. As of now, the options is not available, but was rumoured before Apple had announced the AirPods Pro. Let’s hope and wait until next year where they might reveal a bit more maybe coming with an AirPods Pro upgrade.

Is it worth it?

Looking at the price of the new rendition, of course, Apple expects you to pay major for a major upgrade. As a first generation AirPod user who paid to the fullest for the headphones, I still believe with the new features offering much more freedom while on the go above or under sea level should have its respected price. With that being said, you still have to make the choice for yourself. The price is at a hefty $250 (in Korea ₩330,000) and that’s not cheap when, as always, looking at the competition. But that’s only a 50 dollar difference if looking at the most recent 2019 AirPod generation. What Apple delivers again and again, is to lure you into its eco-system and, hey, if you like the convenience factor of the Apple world, feel free to join in.

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AirPods 3: new “AirPods Pros” on the way?

The third generation of the popular AirPods headphones might soon be launched and they will probably hold the name “AirPods Pro”.

The rumour mill is grinding out details about the newest AirPod generation that might be out as soon as the end of October. After a big iPhone 11 and iPhone 11 Pro launch Apple might also launch an updated version of its headphones this year.

What is new?

What’s probably most exciting is the noise-cancelling feature, a first for any AirPods that might enhance the music listening experience just a tat more. (With all the deaf AirPod users soon to be out on the streets, the memes will probably roll out just as fast as the new AirPods will be sold)

Also the new AirPods Pros will have interchangeable tips be fit more snug into the consumer’s ears. At least for me, they didn’t stay in as tight as I wished them to be when being out on the b-ball court.

From a leaked image we can see a more bulbous head as well as a shorter stem where the microphone for hands-free usage will be placed in. The charging case seems to have shrunk as well, which might also shorten the battery packed, but will likely help to fit the AirPods into your Jeans pocket more easily.

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One of the biggest gaming titles on PC will soon make its way to mobile. Riot Games has announced League of Legends Wild Rift for mobile devices and unspecified consoles. The expansion of the massively popular eSports game seems obvious as other companies have already established themselves in the mobile market with very similar games.

The foundation of cult-MOBA game play with remain basically the same, while the user interface will be redesigned to accommodate keyboard-less mobile device play. Also, games will be adjusted for on-the-go play and will only take between 15-20 minutes. The maps will be smaller as well as other considerations to speed up the game play will the major differences setting the mobile game apart from the PC platform version.

Android and iPhone users will soon be able to register to partake in a first beta test. Riot Games plans to launch the official game by 2020. The exact date as well as the announced console devices are still unknown.

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Security flaw of fingerprint sensor let’s anyone unlock your Galaxy S10!

For those convinced of the fingerprint sensor being a safe measure to hide your private information behind, think again. Recently, a woman discovered that her Galaxy S10 device could be unlocked via fingerprint sensor – with anyone’s fingerprint and not just her own.

The new style of fingerprint sensor integrated in the newest flagship model of Samsung’s premium device generation has a remarkable security flaw that unlocks the S10 phone with any fingerprint. The ultrasonic 3D sensor supposedly safer and more convenient to use since its built in the screen was unlocked by a British woman who only put a cheap gel-based screen protector on the screen. When she put her unregistered fingerprint on the phone, the phone would unlock.

Samsung is already aware of the security flaw and announced to fix the problem with a software update. Til then, owners of a S10 device should rather stick to other security measures such as face unlock or a more traditional password lock to keep the date inside safe.

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Hardware of Death: Malware-infested Laptop sold for $1.3 Million

Viruses and Malware are usually things people don’t want on their laptops and are removed the quicker the better. Oddly enough, some people actually see those perilous digital bugs as art.

In a Memorial Day auction someone spent $1.345 million on a laptop that was infested with the most malicious and infamous malware that had caused over $95 billion in damages in the past. The Laptop of Death is called “The Persistence of Chaos” and is actually a work of art.

The designer of the art oddity, Guo O Dong, considers himself a “contemporary internet artist”. Dong created this malicious art piece containing six of the most infamous virtual plagues together with the cybersecurity company Deep Instinct. They made sure to safely provide and install the malware of the laptop. The laptop sold is a older model considered a classic – a 2008 Samsung NC10-14GB 10.2-Inch Blue Netbook running Windows XP.

The laptop is infected with:

1. ILOVEYOU is a computer virus or worm that spread through an email with the subject line “I love you” in 2000 and has caused more than $5.5 billion in damages.

2. Mydoom also known as W32.MyDoom@mm, Novarg, Mimail.R and Shimgapi is a computer worm that attacked Microsoft Windows. As of January 2004, it became the fastest-spreading e-mail worm ever, even faster than ILOVEYOU and has not been surpassed as of yet (2019). Like the ILOVEYOU worm Mydoom spread through emails containing the text message “andy; I’m just doing my job, nothing personal, sorry,”.

3. SoBig is another worm on the list and has infected millions of computers running Microsoft Windows and with an internet connection. Guess, how it spread! That’s right, also through your emails.

4. WannaCry is a ransom cryptoworm which attacked older Windows systems encrypting data on those PCs held captive. To free data back again, the worm demanded Bitcoins to let users gain access to files.

5. Dark Tequila is a banking malware that targeted Latin American users, more specifically banks, stealing financial information, even when the PCs went offline. The malware can clone itself and is unleashed through a simple USB flash drive, but could also be sent as a file.

6. BlackEnergy came in form of an email attachment in disguise of a Word document or PowerPoint file. When opened the malware generated denial of service attacks rendering the infested computers useless. Later generations of this malware could wreak even more havoc waiting for further updates and being able to launch new executables on demand.

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Google bans Huawei, including Android for mobile devices

Effective immediately, Google has suspended Chinese device maker Huawei including future Android updates for all mobile devices.

Following the U.S. government’s blacklisting of the Chinese technology company reasoning that devices and technology of Huawei were open for spying on the U.S., Alphabet Inc’s Google has suspended business with Huawei effectively immediately.

All devices exiled from Android

Any device made by Huawei will be exiled from getting Android updates in the future including the newest flagship models, the P30, P30 Pro, Mate 20 Pro and more.

This action by Google follows the announcement by the U.S. Commerce Department on Wednesday that Huawei and 68 affiliates are placed on the Entity List, a trade blacklist, following the executive order signed by U.S. President Donald Trump.

The Chinese tech giant states that it was “against the decision made by the Bureau of Industry and Security of the U.S. Department of Commerce.”

Ban hits sub-brands too?

Sub-brand of Huawei Honor was set to launch its newest model on Tuesday, May 21, the Honor 20. It’s not clear how this ban will affect the presentation, but will most likely harm the brand’s and devices’ future.

ZTE had been placed on the ban list in 2018 but was subsequently removed again in the same year causing massive disruptions internally and in sales. With the ban, Huawei is not only banned from getting any future Android updates for its devices but is also forbidden to buy parts and components from U.S. companies without U.S. government approval.

(UPDATE May 20, 2019, 4:40 p.m.)

After drastic measures taken by Google, through the Android account the company has released a statement on Twitter ensuring the access for already existing Huawei devices to the Google Play Store and other Google Play services as well as security from Google Play Protect.

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Minecraft Earth: Now you can build in the real world!

The original Minecraft game gathers builders from all ages and all over the world together to collect and create as their hearts desire. With Minecraft Earth the collecting and building experience can soon be enjoyed with your mobile device in the real world.

Whereas in Pokemon Go the goal was to gather items and trainable pets to battle others for the glory of the best pokemon trainer, Minecraft takes its original idea with augmented reality into the real world.

What we know so far

To collect resources to start building, players have to walk around their neighborhood while at the same time using to the chance to watch constructions of other players through the screens of their smartphone. That means no more servers separating the builder’s worlds and a free-for-all construction site for life-sized collaborations or small-scale projects.

Of course, as in the original game, constructing is not everything. Players also have to fend off creep, take care and breed kept animals. According to the Microsoft FAQ, the game will be free to play and available this summer for Android and iOS, or any other AR-capable device, alike. Surprisingly, no loot-box-system will be implemented, but some way of microtransaction most likely will find their way onto the game.

For those of you curious and excited enough, here is a little trailer for what Microsoft has in store for us with Minecraft Earth.

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Dating too expensive for South Koreans

For Westerners having a stable job and good looks are a given when it comes down to dating. But we don’t consider dating itself to be too expensive. A romantic candlelight dinner, going to the movies with our fresh love, or just taking a short trip out into nature, are all very common options when we try to get to know one another. In South Korea, times have changed so drastically that many see dating as a burden, financially and romantically.

I’m a single lady (gentlemen)...

According to a news article published by CNN in 2018, the majority of South Koreans aged 20-44 were single. Only about a third of all unmarried men and women (26% of men, 32% of women) were in relationships, according to the Korea Institute for Health and Social Affairs (KIHSA). Half of all men and more than 60% of women chose to remain single from Koreans asked, who were not dating. At the heart of this crisis and choice to remain without a partner lies in the economic hardships and societal problems South Koreans nowadays have to face.

Rising unemployment

Unemployment reached its highest in 17 years with currently being at 3,8%, with a youth unemployment rate at a much higher 10,8% for those aged between 15 to 29. According to a 2019 survey conducted by recruitment company JobKorea, only one out of 10 graduates were employed full-time.

Dating is expensive

KIHSA data indicates also that the likelihood for a relationship increases when both men (31%) and women (34%) are employed. Financially fluidity seems to heavily influence once love life. A survey by market research firm Embrain states that 81% said dating was too expensive. Over half stated that they wouldn’t start dating if they couldn’t afford it. A date in South Korea costs around 63,495 won (around $55) whereas the minimum-wage is at 8,350 won ($7,22). About a days’ work finances one date, according to Matchmaker Duo.

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Tetris 99: Now available offline!

For those with a Nintendo Switch subscription Tetris 99 as an only online game was one of the best news for older videogame heads and newcomers alike. Those without a subscription couldn’t access the Battle Royal-esque Tetris game until now.

Offline and new modes 

In a Twitter-post Nintendo has finally given in to make Tetris 99 playable offline, which means that no online subscription is necessary anymore to enjoy the famous puzzler. The game is available on the Nintendo eShop and will allow players to compete against 98 other computer players as well as offering two new modes, including the classic Marathon mode to test a builders survival skills. The whole ordeal will cost you $9.99, a pretty fair deal for the newest Tetris game to date.

Test your skills

If that is not already enough to get your moods high, sit tight! To celebrate the 35th anniversary of Tetris, Nintendo hosts its third Maximus Cup on May 17 at 12 a.m PT until May 19 11:59 p.m. PT. While competing as usual you will earn points towards ranking high in matches. The 999 players with the most points will be rewarded My Nintendo Gold Coins to spend in the Nintendo eShop.

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iOS 13: Apple drops iPhone 6 generation from upgrade

The iPhone 6 is the best selling Apple smartphone of all time with 220 million units sold to date. What may come as a big surprise, the 6th generation will not be included in the iOS 13 update, according to iPhonesoft.fr. The great reveal and shock to owners of the 6th generation, including owners of the iPhone 6 Plus, might be the first major move by Apple to leave out not only one generation of iPhones but two – the iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus as well as the iPhone 5s and iPhone SE.

Two birds with one stone

As of now, even the iPhone 5S gets the iOS 12 update but as expected it will be cut from the next major iOS update. The move to kill off two generations at the same time is to drive sales for newer generations, whereas much criticism for the design and prices of the iPhone X generation has been accumulating.

The Apples don’t fall far...

While we might think that Apple makes a huge mistake by killing off its most popular smartphone generation, the possible exclusion of two generations at once has to be put in perspective. iPhones have received much longer support than their Android-counterparts, also considering that Apple launches a new software update in a more timely and organized fashion than Google. Of course, there are reasons for this: A better ecosystem and fewer devices to focus on when upgrading the system software. The iPhone 6 was supported by five generations of iOS so speculations might be on point when it comes to the exclusion of it with iOS 13.

The one to rule them all

Where Apple once used to be the crowned king of mobile devices, other companies have caught up in technology, specifically when looking at the design as well as camera quality. To no surprise, Apple smartphone sales have dropped significantly shifting the market to a more diverse customer base with several companies offering different focuses when buying a new mobile device. The new measures might start with iOS 13 to drive sales and users of older iPhone models to newer models. Apple customers are one of the most loyal, especially when it amounts to upgrading to a new OS.

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More privacy on the web: Google feature to delete personal data

In today’s world, data is worth a lot and it takes a lot to protect it. Once you have googled anything and entered a website far off the search engine, your information might leak onto the web falling in dubious hands. This might be the worst case scenario, but in the best case, your personal information and what you do on the web is stored for ages, just waiting for the wrong people to acquire and abuse.

Google has finally rolled out a feature to contain the damage, allowing you to configure how long you want to save your data from all Google services. This includes search results, maps, and your online footprint as a whole. 

The option to manually delete your information or turn the data saving completely off has been there, but sometimes an automated function just brings more comfort to the soul and your data. The only disadvantage of deleting the data is that Google might not be able to match your preferences when on the hunt for search results but I’m sure most of us can live with this fact.

Auto-delete

Your information can be optionally deleted in intervals of three or 18 months and works as follows:

1. Visit myaccount.google.com and login to your website.

2. Choose “Data & personalization” on the top.

3. Click on “Web & App Activity” and then choose “Manage Activity”.

4. Here you select “Choose to delete automatically” and then decide for an option of either three or 18 months.

Voilà!~~~

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Swipe-to-type: New keyboard feature for the next iPhones

Instead of tapping or dictating your thoughts across, iPhone users might soon drag their fingers across the keyboard to message contacts with the next big update.

Nostalgic Feature

A hugely popular way of typing message, e-mail or calendar entry, swiping has been around for a long time. Finally, Apple seems to have caught up with the hype and might bring this feature to the iPhone with the next big update, according to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman. 

“The company is testing a new keyboard option that allows users to swipe across letters on the keyboard in one motion to type out words,” Gurman posted.

This feature has been embraced by the Android community already but never been done without third-party-app on an iPhone before. The advantage of swiping instead of tapping to text is that it can make typing with one hand much easier especially when you are gripping a latte or your suitcase on the go.

When is the next big update?

Well, it seems that with the big Apple-September the feature will make way to our iPhones, most likely with iOS 13 next to the upcoming new iPhone generation. As a beta-tester, you might even be able to get your hands on this feature sooner as Apple will release this feature for participants ahead of time.

If that won’t hold your horses, just simply download Google’s Gboard Keyboard or the popular Swiftkey Keyboard to bring this feature right away to your mobile or tablet device.

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Movie ‘Sonic the Hedgehog’ redesign following complaints

Following a flood of complaints on the Twitter, Reddit & Co., the filmmakers of the upcoming Sonic the Hedgehog movie recently announced the redesign the look of the iconic SEGA videogame mascot in its first major film debut.

Most of the people, who grew up in the 90s are most certainly familiar with a  fuzzy, blue-headed hedgehog spinning and dashing through the television sets all over the world. Now after more than two decades on a mission to save his furry friends from a certain Egghead-shaped evil genius in more than a dozen videogame appearances, the first time for the spiky, hasty mammal to run through the big screen has almost arrived.

The first trailer had hit the net and was met by most with excitement and surprise, but not without a grain of salt. People familiar with the Sonic videogame saga were confused and upset to see the hedgehog’s design onscreen, especially when seeing the human-like teeth of the spiky mammal as well as other facial and bodily features unlikely of the virtual childhood hero.

On Twitter, the director Jeff Fowler has heard the cries and responded with a follow-up redesign to calm tempers flared online.

We all know that movies most often don’t hit the right spot when it comes to presenting stories and characters that have been deeply engraved in our childhoods and minds, above all when we talk about probably the biggest rival to the Super Mario Brothers. But at least we know that the filmmakers are trying to appease the community on this one. It’s hard to say if the movie will actually be a success among old fans, as it also has to follow the trends of time, as it seems rather late to bring SEGA mascot back into the minds and hearts, but we soon might be proven wrong.

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Energy flakes: Electricity from Snowfall

We have heard of generating electricity from all types of elements. We harness the energy of the sun and convert it to light and heat our homes, we use dams and generators to provide energy for whole cities, we even burn fossil fuels to accommodate to our daily needs of juice for smartphones, batteries, and laptops.

UCLA researchers have now found a way to create electricity from falling snow. The device making this possible is supposedly inexpensive, small, thin and as flexible as a piece of plastic sheet. “The device can work in remote areas because it provides its own power and does not need batteries,” UCLA’s Dr. Myung Ki Hong Endowed Chair in Materials Innovation said. With the help of weather station that can predict the direction of snowfall as well as the direction and speed of the wind, the device might be a clever device for the cold winter days.

Static Power

The researchers call this device TENG, short for snow-based triboelectric nanogenerator. The way it generates charge is through static electricity, producing it through the exchange of electrons. "Static electricity occurs from the interaction of one material that captures electrons and another that gives up electrons," Kaner, distinguished professor of chemistry and biochemistry, and of materials science and engineering, and a member of the California NanoSystems Institute at UCLA said.

The way the device works is that snow just has to fall on its surface. As easy as it sounds, the science behind is far more complex. Snow is positively charged and gives off electrons. The Silicone surface composed of silicon and oxygen atoms, combined with carbon, hydrogen and other elements is negatively charged. So when snow falls on the device, the contact creates electricity.

What the future might bring

This device might be very useful when used for winter sports or any activities in powdery wonderlands and might even act as a back-up battery for an emergency in snowy isolated emergency situations. More likely, the device could be used to measure activity such as running, jumping, walking or marching. the amount of captured energy might not be efficient enough to power gadgets, even as small as an emergency GPS system.

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Mosquitron promises ‘Mosquito free’ nights

People have all sorts of fears, especially when it comes to animals. The bigger and ‘badder’ they are, most often the greater the fear, right? Sometimes it's not even the size that matters. And the crowned king of terror is none other than the Mosquito. According to a chart on Bill Gates’ blog, mosquitos are not only feared or at least annoyed to a degree of terror, but they actually are the deadliest animals on our planet, even if we account for human’s to be on that list. And since summer’s get longer due to global warming, the swarms get bigger, so the sleepless nights longer. One company wants to help prevent this dilemma and dam the risk of viruses, diseases, and infections by the pesky house guests.

Until now ‘DEET was considered to be the most effective against mosquitos, but the chemical is not only damaging to pesky insects but is also bad for humans. And the effect only lasts for 45 minutes. A better solution offers Mosquitron, a new device that attracts mosquitos and other bugs with harmless UV light, trapping them with an integrated fan in its body and drying them out.

The silent but deadly gadget can be bought for around $100 and gets cheaper when several devices are bundled in a purchase.

Using UV light to attract bugs and zapping them with electricity has been known for quite some time, but trapping and drying them inside for easy exposal might be something we should look out for during the coming summer nights.