Sponsored

Techradar

---

• A university in Sydney is turning scientists into Minority Report agents
• Netflix is updating its TV app to get you to your content faster
• Does the Apple Watch really own 75% of the smartwatch market?
• Sony's making a drone strike
• The Moto X 2015 may have just been revealed
• iOS Tips: How to use Apple Maps with public transit directions
• Watch a million minutes of history, all on YouTube
• In Depth: 10 things you didn't know about the Pebble Time
• Updated: 3 features console gamers can look forward to on Windows 10
• Here's how Microsoft is fighting revenge porn
• Gamescom 2015: what you should expect from Microsoft, Bethesda and others
• Samsung phones get iMessage-like texting on T-Mobile
• Get ready to hate AT&T even more starting August 1
• EXPLAINED: Where to watch 4K TV shows and movies
• New Google Maps feature lets you relive your old trips
• An OS X vulnerability could allow someone to hijack your Mac
• Updated: Here's how YouTube Gaming can outplay Twitch
• buying guide: 7 best over-ear headphones available today
• Playing Xbox One with a mouse and keyboard is 'not far off'
• Vertical videos suck, but Google is fixing the problem

A university in Sydney is turning scientists into Minority Report agents Posted: 22 Jul 2015 08:43 PM PDT This week, the University of Technology Sydney released a new multimedia room called the Data Arena, to help researchers look at data in ways that haven't been possible before. Imagine standing in a perfectly circular ten-meter-wide room surrounded on all sides by four-meter-high projector screen walls with a closable screen-door, creating a seamless 360º viewing platform. Then add in 6 stereoscopic 3D projectors powered by a rig running 9 top of the line Nvidia graphics cards and a sixteen speaker surround sound system and you might get a hint of what this 20K display looks like in real life. Not a lonely VR experience Sprinkle on top a set of remotes that look like miniature molecular models and allow up to 20 people interact with the display at once and this Data Arena is as close as the real world gets to Minority Report or the Holodeck from Star Trek. The man behind the Data Arena's curtin, Ben Simons, was a former head of visual effects at Dr. D Studio's who worked on animated films like Happy Feet and Mad Max: Fury Road, so the fact that the Data Arena looks like a futuristic film set is at least partially understandable. But despite how impressive this multimedia cocoon is, what is most interesting about the Data Arena is the open source software UTS built to run it. The life of numbers This software has been specifically designed to turn copious amounts of spreadsheet data -- something that the scientific community has no shortage of – into larger than life interactive visual displays. To demonstrate UTS has already let some of its researchers at it, including Cynthia Whitchurch, an associate professor of microbiology at UTS who studies the migration of mycobacteria. Whitchurch and other UTS researchers have been able to use the software to visualise the movement of bacteria across a flat surface, stating in a launch interview that, "The Data Arena has been able to provide us with a powerful visual tool that allows us to interact with our data in a way that we haven't yet been able to do." The screen is the showpiece for the open source application that the university intends to make available to researchers around the world through GitHub. This will allow users to run their own research through the 3D modelling software virtually on any computer. The limitations of the computer running the virtual machine software will however, often only run a scaled back model of the data, meaning the Data Arena has a place as a more powerful tool for researchers to fully explore the parameters of the complete data models in real time. YouTube : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S58Rg2jC6RU

Netflix is updating its TV app to get you to your content faster Posted: 22 Jul 2015 06:53 PM PDT We've arrived at a very nice place when it comes to navigating Netflix on our televisions, with an intuitive interface that's pretty much unrivalled in its field – but that doesn't mean that there isn't room to make it even better. Having recently provided a long-overdue overhaul of its web app, Netflix has announced via a blog post that as of today, it will begin globally rolling out its first major TV app update since late 2013. The update won't fundamentally change the app's design, but it will cut down the number of clicks it takes you to start playing a video. Netflix? More like 'less clicks', amirite? This GIF illustrates how the update will automatically start playing your chosen video after one click, with episode information layered over the top of your video and then fading out after a few seconds. This will also streamline the process of switching between episodes, eliminating the need to back out entirely to the menu. Netflix has stated that the update will be available on eligible devices over the next few days though it didn't specify which devices those will be. Check out our in-depth Netflix review

Does the Apple Watch really own 75% of the smartwatch market? Posted: 22 Jul 2015 06:41 PM PDT Apple refused to reveal exact sales figures for it Apple Watch, and that hurt its stock today, but new estimates indicate that it's still a top performer among smartwatches. Wrists of 75% of new smartwatch owners in the second quarter are donning the Apple Watch, estimates Strategy Analytics, citing its approximation of four million of "iWatch" units shipped. That's not exactly hard sales numbers. Apple now sells its iPhone-compatible smartwatch in stores, and there's no telling how long they'll sit on shelves (or in drawers). And while controlling two third of smartwatch shipments is impressive, as is a 457% surge in all global smartwatch shipments year-over-year, the category is still in its infancy. Bragging rights withheld. Here are the best smartwatches available Samsung takes another silver medal The next big category leader is Samsung, with an 8% smartwatch market share backed up an estimated 0.4 million watches shipped, according to the research firm. This includes its sole Android Wear-based smartwatch, the Samsung Gear Live, and Tizen-run watches like the Samsung Gear 2, Samsung Gear 2 Neo, and phone-free Samsung Gear S. The South Korean company could boost its smartwatch popularity with a round-faced, GPS-equipped entry codenamed Samsung Orbis and rumored to be called Samsung Gear A. That could happen at IFA 2015, or as soon as August, which is when the Samsung Galaxy Note 5 and Samsung S6 Edge Plus are thought to be launching. See: Vertical videos suck, but Google is fixing the problem

Sony's making a drone strike Posted: 22 Jul 2015 05:53 PM PDT Unwilling to leave Parrot's new drone range to hog all of the glory, Sony is making a move into the realm of unmanned flying vehicles with its new partnership, Aerosense. Aerosense sees Sony teaming with a Tokyo-based autopilot technology startup called ZMP Inc. to make drones that employ Sony's in-demand image sensors, which are currently used in Apple and Samsung smartphones. But before you start putting money aside for your own Sony-branded bird botherer, the venture will not be selling its aerial wares. Business only Instead, Aerosense will initially only be offering drone services, rather than the drones themselves, targeting businesses requiring assistance with aerial land surveys and infrastructure assessment. Sony's smartphone unit is providing resources for the drone venture. The head of the unit, Hiroki Totoki, said: "We're looking to explore new opportunities beyond our core consumer portfolio in enterprise markets. "The key to driving growth in these areas will be adapting Sony's innovation in various technologies." With Sony splitting from VAIO, and its smartphones languishing behind the likes of Samsung, Apple and HTC, Sony appears to be focusing on its sought-after sensors. Source: Wall Street Journal Sony hasn't given up on the smartphone game, and its Z5 Compact could join Xperia Z5 at IFA 2015.

The Moto X 2015 may have just been revealed Posted: 22 Jul 2015 05:11 PM PDT A handful of images have emerged of what could very well be the next Moto X handset, giving evidence to the rumor of a front-facing flash. Posted on the Facebook page of Android Peru, the photos come less than a week before Motorola is expected to unveil the 2015 Moto X at a live event on July 28. Android Peru credits Jose Vasquez Ruiz as the source of the photos, and the images line-up with previous rumors, showcasing a textured back panel, very thin bezels and a front-facing flash on the top right corner of the handset. Expected to come with Android 5.1.1 pre-installed, rumors for the Moto X include a 5.2-inch QHD AMOLED display and a 64-bit octa-core Snapdragon 810 chipset, though there are also other conflicting rumors, too. But with no confirmations yet from Motorola, we'll have to wait one more week to see exactly what the next Moto X has in store for us. Here's some more leaked photos of the 2015 Moto X

iOS Tips: How to use Apple Maps with public transit directions Posted: 22 Jul 2015 03:52 PM PDT Apple Maps has come a long way. Although its early reliability wasn't great, Apple has done a lot to bring the service up to speed, making it a pretty solid option now for use as your go-to mobile map. As with most of Apple's software it has good design, smooth performance, and relative ease of use, as well as Siri integration. However, there's one thing that it has yet to fully embrace: public transit info. This information is scheduled to be added with iOS 9, but there's actually no need to wait: you can make Apple maps work with public transit info right now. The trick to accessing public transit info via Apple Maps is to make it work in conjunction with other apps already installed on your iPhone. It's a built-in feature of Maps, but that functionality might not be obvious unless you know where to look. When you search for or touch a specific location in apps and select the navigation option (by touching the car icon) you'll see three options across the top: Drive, Walk, or Apps. When you click that last option, Apps, you're offered the chance to see your route in an alternative app, and you'll also be presented with several options from the App Store. When you select an app in this manner, your starting and destination points should transfer over (so you won't have to enter that info over again), serving as a workaround to get public transit directions through apps such as Google Maps, Transit, Here, or other options. This feature also works great when you want more info than Apple Maps provides - it works especially well with Google Maps (which tends to have generally the most accurate directions and a lot of extra details that still aren't found inside of Apple Maps) and Waze, which provides a cartoonish interface that works well for navigating through traffic and keeping tabs on your friends. Though it's not as nice as built-in public transit info, the apps-inside-the-app feature is a convenient workaround for now. Even after iOS 9 hits, Apple's transit pledge may not make its way to your specific city right away, so this procedure could still be a useful option for many months to come. If nothing else, it's a pretty good method for discovering new map apps - something Apple is always happy to facilitate. The 50 best free iPhone apps

Watch a million minutes of history, all on YouTube Posted: 22 Jul 2015 03:43 PM PDT The Associated Press and British Movietone have teamed up to post over 550,000 videos of archival digitized film footage to YouTube. AP says it will be the largest upload of historical news content on the video-sharing platform to date, with film footage going back to 1895 up until present day. "At AP we are always astonished at the sheer breadth of footage that we have access to, and the upload to YouTube means that, for the first time, the public can enjoy some of the oldest and most remarkable moments in history," said Alwyn Lindsey, AP's director of international archive. An archive for everyone The videos are available on YouTube on the AP Archive page, while the news agency has also created playlists which will be "continually updated." Playlists included Accidents and Natural Disasters, Iconic Moments in History, and Movietone Highlights, which includes footage of the Titanic and the Hindenburg disaster from 1937. "It's an historical treasure trove that will give YouTube users around the world a moving window into the past and I can't wait to explore it," said Stephen Nuttall, the director of YouTube in Europe, the Middle East and Africa. YouTube : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=06TGkYxUafE And because we can't stop watching it, here's a video of people dressed as pandas doing Tai chi in London for Panda Awareness Week, filed in the Weird and Wacky playlist. YouTube : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2MA256_E_DI&list=PLh_tr7knrAS2SdANsn14hfvsgObScfZAH YouTube is now your new source for verified eyewitness news

In Depth: 10 things you didn't know about the Pebble Time Posted: 22 Jul 2015 03:31 PM PDT Things you didn't know 1-5 While everyone spent their sweet time talking about the Apple Watch, many users were looking for a cheaper option that was compatible with Android as well as iOS devices. Enter the Pebble Time smartwatch, a significant improvement on the original Pebble Watch, but with all the charm that a color e-ink screen brings. The Pebble Time Watch is one of the most overlooked smartwatches on the market, especially when you consider that it costs less than $200, and is compatible with iOS and Android smartphones (something that the Apple Watch and Android Wear cannot claim to do). But what can you actually do with a Pebble Time Watch? Here are some of the secret Pebble Time functions that you may not have known about. 1. Quick launch One of the most important features for a smartwatch? Getting instant access to the apps and software that you need on a daily basis. That's why the Pebble Time incorporated settings for Quick Launch. This will let users choose two apps as their favorites to quickly activate with either the up or down button. You can set Quick Launch by clicking Select > Settings > Quick Launch. From here, choose either the up or down button and set a corresponding app. 2. Send quick replies straight from your watch One significant benefit of wearing a smartwatch is that it allows users to quickly reply to texts and emails with the click of a button. The Pebble Time watch comes with the option to download the Pebble Messenger app on Android and Smartwatch+ on iOS. These apps are designed to simplify communication through pre-selected messages. Users can select messages from a preset collection. After receiving a text, they can click the reply button, choose their favorite response and hit send. If you aren't a fan of the current set of reply options, you can add your own through the pre-installed tertiary keyboard. 3. Water resistant up to 50 meters When most people look at smartwatches, they find it hard to believe some really are waterproof. However, like its predecessor the Pebble, the Time can go up to 50 meters underwater without suffering damage. This means you can also hop in the shower or relax in a hot tub with it on. 4. Act as a remote camera shutter Sometimes, when you need to take a picture of a group, a selfie just won't do. You need something more professional. Most people will either ask someone else to take a picture of them or someone in the group sacrifices their place for the "greater good" to take the picture. The Pebble Time offers users another option: remotely activating your smartphone camera. Developers have created a variety of Pebble Time friendly apps for you to remotely take pictures, including PebbleCam and Pebble Snap. Not only do these apps let the you remotely activate your phone's camera, but they also let you remotely view what the camera sees, and adjust the camera accordingly. The varying apps have a number of options that let you covertly take pictures with your smartphone without displaying the image on the screen, remotely change which camera is taking the picture, set a timer, change flash settings and more. 5. Shake for Yelp recommendations Are you in a large city, but don't know where to go for dinner? The Pebble Yelp app can offer options for choosing your next restaurant. Not only does the watch let users read reviews while on the go, but it also shows recommendations. If you shake your Pebble Time watch while looking at the Yelp app, you will receive a positive review for a nearby restaurant. Just make sure you have Discovery Mode turned on. Things you didn't know 6-10 6. Buy coffee While the Pebble Time doesn't have anything as impressive as Apple's Apple Pay transaction system, there are some third-party apps that can help users pay for certain products. For example, there's the PayPal for Pebble app, which lets you pay for a variety of products at PayPal-enabled restaurants and vendors with a purchase code. There are also apps that let you order products from particular vendors. For example, there's the Domino's app, which lets you order and track the progress of your pizza delivery via the Pebble Time. There's also Javapay, a third-party application that stores your Starbucks card info and lets the you pay for your coffee with just a scan. 7. Customize the app menu An important function of any OS is having the ability to adjust and change its visual design in a way that increases functionality and effectiveness. Thankfully, Pebble designed a setting for this. If you want to change an app's place on the menu list, head to the Pebble Time app. From there, you can select "My Pebble" where you'll be able to shift apps around. 8. Control your house If you've installed Phillip Hues smart bulbs in your house, then you can control them with your Pebble Time. Users can download a variety of smart home apps to control the light bulbs, such as the Huebble app. These programs allow the user to control a certain factors, including changes in light intensity, turning the bulb into a light-metronome, or even programming the bulb to run a color loop. There's also the Nest app, which lets users control their home's temperature, and Pebblelock, which controls remote locks. 9. Increase your Pebble Time's 'cool factor' While the Pebble Time's interface isn't as cool looking or intuitive as the Apple Watch, the smartwatch does have one distinct advantage over its iOS-powered competitor: it's easier to customize. All Pebble and Pebble Time watches use a standard 22mm band to strap the device to the your wrist, which is easily replaceable. Simply press the quick release pins on the back of the current watch band to detach, then reattach the band of your choice. 10. Create your own watch face When users first activate their Pebble Time, they're offered a variety of watch faces and designs to choose from. However, if the watch face options aren't enough for you, someone created a Pebble Watch face generator. The site offers a several customization options for the Pebble and Pebble Time, including the addition of background images, digital and analog clocks, Bluetooth tracker customization and more. The options are currently limited, but it appears that the developer is still adding features. Once you've designed your perfect watch face, you can download the watch face file and upload it directly to your Pebble Time.

Updated: 3 features console gamers can look forward to on Windows 10 Posted: 22 Jul 2015 03:15 PM PDT This time next week, the worlds of Windows 10 and Xbox One will completely converge, forming a new Microsoft ecosystem that spans tablets, PCs and game systems. At the epicenter you'll find universal apps that work on all platforms thanks to some nifty coding on Microsoft's end, as well as cross-platform play thanks to the all-new Xbox app that comes pre-built into every Windows 10 machine. But those are just the tip of the iceberg for Microsoft's new ecosystem. Xbox Chief Phil Spencer imagines an interconnected platform that erases the divide between PC and consoles, even going as far to say that Xbox One will soon officially support mice and keyboards. But what exactly is on Spencer's agenda for gamers with both Microsoft platforms? If you have an Xbox One, here's what you can expect come Windows 10 launch day. Xbox DNA in Windows 10 Microsoft has tried to work the Xbox into its Windows experience before. Games for Windows Live was an (failed) attempt to Xbox-ify its PC gaming output, and the Smartglass app has long allowed for gamers to use their Windows devices as second screens for Xbox games, displaying maps and the like. Now, though, Xbox One seems to be built into the design of Windows 10 from the ground up. Central to this, every Windows 10 copy will come with an Xbox app, which connects players to their consoles and brings an Xbox-style dashboard experience to PC gaming. The app will allow users to access their friends list, their messages, and information about their Xbox games from the desktop. And, unlike the aforementioned Games for Windows Live, the Xbox app looks like it's going to be a fairly open service, allowing you to access games you purchase on platforms like Steam as well as games bought from Microsoft itself. We don't know precisely how games will implement this service, or whether developers have to opt into it or if it will incorporate older games, but the blueprint shows promise. In addition, the "Game DVR" software that Xbox One offers for recording, editing, and sharing game footage will be packaged in as well, available for every Windows 10 device save for smart phones (sorry, folks). Saved clips can be shared between a PC and an Xbox One and, for those with a gamertag, can be uploaded directly to your highlight reel from either platform. Cross-play On top of that ground-level service, Microsoft is offering a couple of other big features that more tightly integrate Xbox and Windows. The most important of these is the potential for cross-play across both platforms, meaning you can play an Xbox One game online with people playing the PC version. This isn't a common feature in the current gaming landscape, as it's fairly technically demanding and could require new approaches to issues like server lag and competitive balance on the part of developers. Phil Spencer, head of the Xbox division (and owner of at least one snazzy Battletoads shirt), demonstrated the feature by playing the upcoming Fables Legends with one of its developers during a Microsoft keynote at GDC 2015, Spencer on Windows and the dev on console. It seemed to work well, though obviously that's with a Microsoft internet connection. If functional and widely integrated, this is an option that could greatly increase the richness of the multiplayer environment on both console and PC, and it'll be exciting to see how it shapes up. Game streaming Secondly, Microsoft announced they're going to support game streaming across platforms. Microsoft promised that, with service beginning later this year, players will be able to stream games from Xbox One to their Windows 10 PCs and tablets. This would use the Xbox as a local server, essentially, allowing players to get visuals and deliver inputs using a home Wi-Fi connection. Sony already has some streaming services, allowing its customers to stream games to the PS Vita and PlayStation TV, so Microsoft's entry into this venue isn't surprising. The main hurdle to implementing this feature successfully is the demands it places on a user's Internet connection, and Microsoft didn't release details on how fast your network will have to be to take advantage of these features. There's also an intriguing potential here for Microsoft to implement streaming from PC to Xbox One, which would be an unprecedented console feature and could do a big hit to Valve's Steam Box initiative. Cortana is coming to Xbox One But Windows 10 isn't the only one getting an upgrade, Xbox One's user interface is getting a major overhaul in the fall, bringing with it a few tricks taken from other Windows devices. The most notable of these changes is the integration of Cortana into the Xbox One dashboard. She'll sit and wait for commands in the left-hand side of your screen and can perform simple instructions like sending a message to another player or performing a Bing search. This left-hand menu also provides quick access to party chat, your friends list and Twitch streaming. Finally, an updated dashboard will look similar to Windows 10's Xbox app, further cementing the experience for multi-system gamers. There's always been a substantial gap between the PC gaming market and the console scene, and attempts to bridge the two by console manufacturers over the years have been half hearted and ineffective. With a hand in both worlds, Microsoft is uniquely suited to bridge the gap, and it'll be an exciting time if they can succeed.

Here's how Microsoft is fighting revenge porn Posted: 22 Jul 2015 02:30 PM PDT Revenge porn, the ultimate form of online and personal blackmail, is a toxic trend that Microsoft wants to help reverse. Jacqueline Beauchere, Microsoft's chief online safety officer, detailed how users can help put an end to the problem on its service. Microsoft launched its own site where users of its services, including OneDrive, Xbox Live and Bing, can report instances of intimate images and videos that have been uploaded without their consent. Beauchere stated that while Microsoft has provided ways for users to report inappropriate, personally damaging content in the past, this site makes it easier to do and removes it globally. The reporting site can't reverse the violation of privacy felt by revenge porn victims, nor can it remove those images or videos from other services. Nevertheless, Beauchere hopes that Microsoft's step to protect its users lessens the pain and nudge other companies to follow in step to remove this type of content across the web. Via The Verge

Gamescom 2015: what you should expect from Microsoft, Bethesda and others Posted: 22 Jul 2015 02:28 PM PDT We're still getting over the incredible spectacle that was E3 2015, but Gamescom is just around the corner and preparing to deliver a second sucker punch of gaming goodness. It might not quite attract the same amount of fanfare are its US cousin, but Gamescom has hosted plenty of big announcements and reveals in its time - and 2015 will give us plenty to talk about. The action kicks off on August 4 in Cologne, Germany, but what exactly do expect to see? Read on and find out. Microsoft Microsoft is going pulling out all the stops for this year's show, and its briefing will take place on Tuesday, August 4 at 7am PT / 10am ET / 3pm GMT. Halo 5 for Xbox One will be one of the headline acts, but Quantum Break, Scalebound and Crackdown will all be getting some exclusive coverage. However, Sea of Thieves and Recore will be missing the show. Microsoft is also teasing some surprise announcements. Whatever could they be? Sony Sony is actually skipping Gamescom this year, giving the proximity of E3 as the reason. Instead, Sony is planning big things for October's Paris Games Week. Bethesda After its phenomenal E3 showcase, Bethesda will be hitting Gamescom to show us more of Fallout 4. Unfortunately it won't be offering up a playable trailer, but Bethesda will be showing off more gameplay at a presentation. Don't expect footage of any of the other Bethesda titles - Gamescom will be dedicated to the nuclear wasteland. EA EA will be hosting a press conference at this year's Gamescom, but it's keeping quiet on the content that will be shown off. Expect Star Wars Battlefront, Mirror's Edge and maybe Need for Speed. Or it could turn out to be a two-hour gameplay demo of Plants vs. Zombies: Garden Warfare 2. Konami The relationship between Konami and Hideo Kojima may have come to an end, but before the ties are severed they have unfinished business: Metal Gear Business. Konami has confirmed that Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain will be playable at Gamescom 2015.

Samsung phones get iMessage-like texting on T-Mobile Posted: 22 Jul 2015 02:25 PM PDT T-Mobile is upgrading its text messaging service by adding features like read receipts and large file transfers. The Uncarrier is calling the new service Advanced Messaging, and it brings with it a host of enhancements including near real time chat. Users will be able to see when their correspondence is busying typing along with whether or not they've read your message - and subsequently count up the minutes until they finally, freaking reply. The new feature will also allow T-Mobile subscribers to send high-resolution photos and video up to 10MB in size. Coming to a new phone near you To start off Advanced Messaging will only come preloaded on the newly announced Samsung Galaxy Grand Prime. The Samsung Galaxy S6 and, its predecessor, the Galaxy S5 are slated to get Advanced Messaging next through software updates. By the end of the year, the pink carrier plans to have Advanced Messaging on a dozen more devices. The best thing yet is users won't have to download a new app, as the Advanced Messaging services will kick in automatically once their device is upgraded. What's more, it will even work across different device, mobile operating systems and even competing wireless networks. This is largely thanks to Advanced Messaging being built on Rich Communications Services standard, a GSMA messaging standard that other carriers may adopt in the future. In the face of evolving messaging clients like Facebook Messenger, Google Hangouts and Apple's iMessage, T-Mobile Chief Technology Officer Neville Ray explained "U.S. wireless operators have made virtually zero advances in the messaging tech that comes built in to most phones." The best smartphones in the US

Get ready to hate AT&T even more starting August 1 Posted: 22 Jul 2015 01:46 PM PDT Upgrading your phone on the AT&T network is going to cost more at the top of next month due to another increase in activation fees. Starting August 1, the US carrier plans to charge you a $45 fee whenever you upgrade your smartphone. That's a $5 increase from the $40 imposed over the last 13 months. Before June 2014, it was $35. For the first time, BYOD and ATT Next customers can't escape activation fees. They're on the hook for a $15 fee beginning August 1, too. Just in time for iPhone 6S ATT Next was the carrier's way of offering phones for $0 down and small monthly payments, like $21.67 for the iPhone 6, paid for 30 months or until the phone was turned in for an upgrade after about a year's time. Now, ATT will have to tweak its $0 down ATT Next marketing campaign, and rival Verizon will have to determine if it wants to follow the greedy path from $40 to $45 and for its similar Verizon Edge program. It did just that a year ago when ATT increased its fee from $35 to $40. Take special notice, people: this all starts in August, which is one month before the iPhone 6S and iPhone 6S Plus are expected to be announced. ATT couldn't have slipped it into the late summer months any better. At least it can't add surcharges to upgrading to iOS 9

EXPLAINED: Where to watch 4K TV shows and movies Posted: 22 Jul 2015 01:45 PM PDT Here's a fun fact: Ultra HD, commonly referred to as 4K, has four times the amount of pixels of standard HD. It has twice the horizontal pixels and twice the amount of vertical pixels, resulting in a 3,840 x 2,160 resolution that makes 4K one of the sharpest formats on the market. But despite its nearly unparalleled visual fidelity, Ultra HD has one major hurdle to leap before it's ready for prime time: a lack of content. Trying to find a show to watch in 4K is like finding a needle in an ultra crisp haystack, with more hay added to the pile every single day. If sifting through the chaff isn't your cup of tea, we're here to help with a list of every place you can find 4K Ultra HD content from sources like Netflix, Amazon Prime Instant Video and YouTube as well as some more obscure places like UltraFlix, M-Go and even Sony's insanely expensive FMP-X10 Ultra HD media player. Netflix Netflix is a great first stop for A/V enthusiasts on the hunt for ultra-sharp content. Offering plenty of UHD programming from original shows like House of Cards, Daredevil and Marco Polo, to hosting a half-dozen movies like World War Z, Star Trek: Into Darkness, The Avengers and Skyfall, there's more than enough content here to keep you occupied until 4K picks up speed. Ready for Netflix in 4K? Check out our handy "How to watch Netflix in UHD" guide. Recommended 4K content: House of Cards Daredevil Breaking Bad Marco Polo Sense8 World War Z Star Trek: Into Darkness The Avengers Skyfall Ghostbusters Amazon Prime Instant Video Netflix isn't the only streaming service with access to an Ultra HD collection of films and TV shows: Amazon has plenty of 4K video in both paid and free varieties. But in order to get the most out of the service's UHD selection, you're going to need an Amazon Prime subscription so you can access Prime Instant Video. On it you'll find original programming like Bosch, Alpha House, Transparent, Mozart in the Jungle and Red Oaks as well as films like Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, Hitch and Philadelphia in 4K. Can't find something you like on Prime Instant Video? Check out Amazon Instant Video storefront for tons of 4K content available to purchase or rent. Recommended 4K content: Bosch Alpha House Transparent Mozart in the Jungle Red Oaks Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon Hitch Philadelphia YouTube Here's the scenario: You just bought a brand-new 4K TV and are looking for something to show off at your next party to impress your guests. As strange as this might sound, the Ultra HD content you're searching for is in the same place that you go to watch cute cat videos and skateboarders eating it on concrete. YouTube offers dozens of 4K videos that display landscapes from all over the world in stunning 3,840 x 2,160 resolution. Recommended 4K content: 10 Incredible 4K (Ultra HD) Videos Eye of the Storm 4K Ultra HD Awakening | New Zealand 4K/UHD Tears of Steel - Sci-fi Short Film 4K HD GoPro HERO4: The Adventure of Life in 4K UltraFlix In the category of "Don't judge a book by its cover" is the Ultra HD streaming service UltraFlix which, admittedly, has a website that looks like it's stuck somewhere around 2005. The service supplies you with 4K movies directly to your PC, Android device or select brands of televisions for a small rental fee. UltraFlix is supported on Samsung, Sony and Vizio TVs. Recommended 4K content: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly Interstellar Robocop Rocky Ip Man Elton John: The Million Dollar Piano M-Go (exclusively on Samsung TVs and Roku) M-Go's rise to relative power directly correlated with the fall of the physical disc-renting service Blockbuster. When M-Go became the place to rent movies on devices like the Roku 2 and Roku 3, brick and mortar video stores took a dive in attendance. Now that M-Go has to compete with more mainstays like Amazon Instant Video and RedBox, it's had to come up with different ways to stay on top. One such way is Ultra HD movie rentals. Recommended 4K content: Dawn of the Planet of the Apes X-Men Days of Future Past The Wolverine Life of Pi Die Hard Sony FMP-X10 4K Media Player Everything mentioned up until this point had two things in common. Content is relatively cheap and most are available anywhere in the US and UK. The Sony FMP-X10 is a little different. Pricing for the US-exclusive device starts at $699 (about £450, AU$940) and movies go for around $30 (about £20, AU$40). Movies are downloaded from Sony directly, as opposed to being streamed from one of its servers, however because Sony also owns one of the biggest movie production houses on the planet, its player has one of the largest sources of content to draw from before anyone else. An extra word of warning before you pony up the $700 for Sony's ultimate UHD machine: Make sure that your TV supports HDCP 2.2. If it doesn't, the X10 will be one of the most expensive paperweights you ever purchase. Recommended 4K content: The Amazing Spider-Man 2 American Hustle Godzilla Pineapple Express Th...th...th...th...that's all folks! Want to see what the future holds? Check out our home entertainment in 2015 feature.

New Google Maps feature lets you relive your old trips Posted: 22 Jul 2015 12:50 PM PDT Google is introducing a new feature called Your Timeline that will let you see the routes you've taken in the past. Google is describing the new feature as a "useful way to remember and view the places you've been on a given day, month or year." The routes and places will be displayed on Google Maps, and it will also show any photos you took on that particular trip if you use Google Photos. "Your Timeline allows you to visualize your real-world routines, easily see the trips you've taken and get a glimpse of the places where you spend your time," Google wrote in a blog post. All the data While this is a good display of exactly how much data Google is actually storing, the search giant is assuring users that Your Timeline will private and only be available to you. You'll also be able to edit the places that appears in Your Timeline, like giving certain places a private name, like a family member's house, and you'll even be able to delete certain places or all the locations on Your Timeline. Currently, Your Timeline will be available on the web and to Android users if you've previously opted-in for Google to store your location history. If you find the whole thing terribly creepy, you can opt-out of Google storing your location history through your Google account settings. Check out our review of the Google Nexus 6

An OS X vulnerability could allow someone to hijack your Mac Posted: 22 Jul 2015 12:45 PM PDT A researcher uncovered a security exploit in Apple's latest OS X operating system that allows your Mac to grant privilege escalation to attackers. In turn, attackers can gain control and hijack your Mac. The exploit affects systems running OS X Yosemite. Security researcher Stephan Esser discovered that the vulnerability was not present in the early OS X 10.11 El Capitan betas, but remains unpatched in OS X10.10.4 and the beta of OS X 10.10.5, so it remains unclear if Apple is aware of this vulnerability. The vulnerability is the result of the way that errors are logged in OS X. Changes to OS X that enables the vulnerability Apple made changes to the dynamic linker dyld with the release of OS X Yosemite, allowing the DYLD_PRINT_TO_FILE to write errors to an arbitrary file. Under normal circumstances, the dynamic linker would reject environmental variables passed to it for restricted files, but Apple didn't implement any safeguards in Yosemite. Because there are no restrictions, dyld will accept the error logging files, even for restricted root binaries. The result, if exploited, would give hackers easy privilege escalation in Yosemite to hijack your Mac and take over control of your system. The fix Esser says that the vulnerability is no longer present in OS X 10.11 beta, but that the patch may have been accidental on Apple's part. A fix for this vulnerability has been created by Esser, which you can download and install if you don't want to wait for Apple to release an official patch. The fix has been posted to GitHub. Read our coverage of OS X El Capitan

Updated: Here's how YouTube Gaming can outplay Twitch Posted: 22 Jul 2015 12:28 PM PDT A new challenger emerges Update: Twitch announced in a blog post that it will finally make the transition from Flash to HTML5 to improve stability and speed starting today. YouTube transitioned to the platform in January and has seen those aforementioned changes already. YouTube revealed in June that it's jumping into the game-streaming arena with a new service called YouTube Gaming. Its opponent? The Amazon-owned Twitch, one of the most popular destinations on the internet. This 800-pound gorilla of the streaming world is where 100 million viewers go every month to catch their favorite personalities, watch live announcements and see the latest events from around the gaming industry streamed live. Though other competitors have risen to take on Twitch, the most notable of which was the upstart Hitbox, YouTube might be the strongest yet. After all, it's got tech giant Google in its corner. Even so, YouTube is still fighting an uphill battle. What can YouTube do that Twitch doesn't already? I have a few ideas, but I also wanted to get a sense of what streamers - from small hobbyists to well-known personalities, all of whom focus on different kinds of content - think about YouTube's move into the field. Specifically, I asked what they think YouTube could offer that would give it an edge against the well-entrenched Twitch. As some of them have Twitch partnerships, I opted to keep them anonymous. You'll find their thoughts below, along with my own take on how YouTube Gaming can take down Twitch. 1. Offer better archival and search tools In August 2014, Twitch rolled out several changes to the way it stored old broadcasts. Among them was a limit to the amount of time video of a past broadcast would be stored on its servers, unless it was designated as a "highlight." While users can export video streams from Twitch to YouTube, doing so remains a cumbersome process. But since YouTube Gaming is, well, YouTube, archival has the potential to be much easier, simpler and faster, if not instantaneous. Another difficulty Twitch faces is finding pre-recorded streams of specific games. It's easy to find someone who's currently online, but finding past streams of someone playing New Super Mario Bros. 2 on 3DS, for example, remains a major problem. YouTube, with Google's search engine backing, could make finding streams of your favorite gaming obscurities a cinch, and could possibly even appear in basic Google searches if the company decides to go down that route. 2. Get exclusive broadcast rights to big events It might seem like a dirty move, but it's the truth: the easiest way to get an audience is to secure exclusive broadcast rights to an event that people want to see. "I think Twitch doing that in 2012 or so helped fuel the migration of gaming streams to their service from Ustream's," one gaming marathon organizer told me. "So I could see it happening again if [YouTube] offered a better-enough service." However, YouTube doesn't necessarily have to snag big-time eSports like EGL or EVO to grow an audience. A lengthy event with multiple must-see sessions, like the week-long Games Done Quick charity showcases, draws a lot of viewers and participants over seven days. An event along those lines could bring in the viewers for the new service who would then hopefully stick around to watch other streams – and make their own. To that point, YouTube Gaming had a major presence during the recent E3 2015 gaming expo in Los Angeles, complete with hosts who followed along with show happenings all day long. Twitch hosted several E3 press conferences, too, so the two may need to lay claim to other big gaming events - or duke it out over who owns E3. 3. More reliable servers and less stream delay Anyone who has streamed on Twitch has likely encountered outages or other server hiccups from time to time. While these outages can be a hassle, the big issue is stream delay, which affects when viewers can see what a player is doing and when the streamer can see what's being said in the chat. Stream delay was first introduced in August 2014 as a compromise to try to improve the service's general performance and reduce server strain, it's still a topic of much consternation. "[I'd like it] back to the levels it used to be at a 5-10 second delay," said a well-known stream personality. Other streamers, however, didn't see the delay as too problematic. "Less stream delay isn't as big of a deal [for me]... It's nice, but frankly it's hard for me to read everything while playing," says a Twitch speedrunner. For those bothered by lag times, a shorter delay between streamers and viewers could put an easy point in YouTube Gaming's win column. Will game streamers make the switch? 4. Harness the power of HTML5 At one time, Twitch used Adobe Flash, a program which can be volatile to say the least. (I've lost track of how many times Twitch streams have crashed on my PC.) An up-and-coming streamer who uses Twitch to build an elaborate fictional universe for their viewers went into a bit more detail. "Flash is a resource hog and Twitch reps have said they're working on moving to HTML5, but time will tell when it comes out," the streamer said. In the time since this interview that time has come, and according to a blog post on Twitch's website, that transition is happening. Regardless, YouTube Gaming already has a leg up in this regard. YouTube runs HTML5 by default in supported browsers, having dropped Flash in January this year. As we wrote at the time: "[HTML5] allows YouTube to dynamically alter video quality to suit the bandwidth available. And that means less time watching the buffering screen." It also means YouTube can "use the VP9 codec (which enables 4K video at 60fps), as well as [enable] faster video load times and WebRTV support for easy sharing of videos and video broadcasts." If YouTube Gaming can fully harness the power of HTML5 for its new streaming endeavor, Twitch will have a difficult time keeping up. 5. Spread the wealth A lot of people stream occasionally in their spare time, but there are very few folks who can make their hobby even slightly profitable. More money for streamers would mean more people streaming - and more viewers coming to watch. Many Twitch streamers offer paid channel subscriptions (the revenue of which is split with Twitch), and get a small take of ad revenue, but some feel the terms aren't the best. "Twitch and Hitbox are both 50% on [subscription revenue splits], and it'd be nice if they pushed it to 70/30," says a hobbyist streamer I surveyed. "[That way] more people could do this as a thing … since [the streaming services] provide 99% of the service free/just on ad revenue, it always felt greedy on their part, [but] no one has really tried to up-heave that." So is Twitch just being greedy, or does it need the money to run its business? When asked to comment on whether it would ever consider changing its policy to better reward streamers and potentially attract even more on-screen talent, Twitch PR replied, "We don't share details about our revenue share with broadcasters. Since the success of Twitch is based on the success of our broadcasters, enabling them to generate more income is always top of mind." "This is why we partnered with Teespring earlier this year," they continued. "Now all of our Partnered broadcasters can sell merchandise directly through their Twitch dashboard in a very turnkey fashion while receiving the majority of the profit from the sales." If YouTube Gaming could negotiate a higher rate for its streamers and stick to that message over the next year, it's possible Twitch could start losing those streamers - and viewers - to the approaching challenger. But will it be enough? Despite the possibilities for the upstart YouTube Gaming, among almost everyone I surveyed, there was a general feeling that migrating from Twitch would be a major hassle. "Twitch already has a lot of services that you don't see on other sites/see others mimicking like subs, IRC chat, emotes, etc.," notes a major streaming personality. "It's tricky, because I already feel like Twitch has what I need to do what I enjoy, and YouTube's service has a lot of catching up to do." This apathy towards switching sides is understandable: When you're entrenched with thousands of followers and subscribers, you risk alienating your audience if you move. "It would take quite a bit for me to seriously consider switching away from Twitch, since I have a pretty good-sized personal following there," says the marathon planner. Ultimately, though, most feel that another player in the video game streaming arena is a good thing. "I'm planning to wait and see - if nothing else I'd like to see Twitch face some real competition, since usually the consumer wins in the end," says the marathon organizer. "Honestly, perhaps Google has something that I just don't know about," says the speedrunner. "If they have a surprise up their sleeves, [that's] awesome."

buying guide: 7 best over-ear headphones available today Posted: 22 Jul 2015 12:24 PM PDT Best over-ear headphones Update: We've added some new contenders to the list that will satisfy both budget-minded listeners as well as those will a little more cash to spend: the Sony MDR-ZX770BT and the Parrot Zik 2.0, respectively. Compared to on-ear and in-ear headphones, which are loved for their portability and generally low asking-price, over-ear headphones tend to be the best option to get if you're looking for the most immersive sound experience and don't mind a bigger set of headphones. Each kind of headphones has its perks, but people gravitate toward over-ear headphones for a few key reasons: their sound and comfort. If you're ready to bite the bullet on a set of expensive over-ear headphones, check out our list of the top-ranking options on TechRadar. 1. Philips Fidelio X2 Brilliant headphones for a brilliant price Acoustic design: Open | Weight: .85 pounds | Cable length: 9.8 feet | Frequency response: 5-40,000Hz | Drivers: Two 1.9" speakers | Driver type: Dynamic | Sensitivity: 100 dB @ 1mW | Impedance: 30 Ohm | Battery life: N/A | Wireless range: N/A | NFC: N/A See more Philips Fidelio X2 deals Brilliant sound Superb value Lacks extras The Philips Fidelio X2's are a superb pair of headphones offering premium comfort and build quality with a sound that rivals even the most vaunted audiophile cans. Read the full review: Philips Fidelio X2 2. Beyerdynamic Custom One Pro Plus Get personal with these tweakable over-ear headphones Acoustic design: Closed | Weight: .63 pounds | Cable length: 4.2 feet | Frequency response: 5-35,000Hz | Drivers: N/A | Driver type: Dynamic | Sensitivity: N/A | Impedance: 16 ohms | Battery life: N/A | Wireless range: N/A | NFC: N/A See more Beyerdynamic Custom One Pro Plus deals Super customizable Stellar sound Lacks volume controls These cans bring the stellar sound performance we expect out of over-ear headphones, but offer a ton of tweakable settings that listeners who want everything their way will love. Along with a plethora of changeable bass response settings and design elements, the Beyerdynamic Custom One Pro Plus goes beyond the standard offering. Additionally, comfort and a full, warm sound help justify the price. Read the full review: Beyerdynamic Custom One Pro Plus 3. Audio-Technica ATH-MSR7 These over-ear headphones bring both performance and value Acoustic design: Closed | Weight: .64 pounds | Cable length: 3.9 feet | Frequency response: 5-40,000Hz | Drivers: Two 1.7" drivers | Driver type: Dynamic | Sensitivity: 100 dB | Impedance: 35 ohm | Battery life: N/A | Wireless range: N/A | NFC: No See more Audio-Technica ATH-MSR7 deals Elegant design Includes lots of goodies Incredible sound performance Tight fit No inline volume control It can be an expensive journey if you're looking for a set of headphones that sound as good as they look. That's why Audio-Technica's MSR7 are a sight (and sound) to behold if good sound and sharp build quality are priorities. These wired headphones retail for $250 (£199, AU$349), which isn't cheap, but we think you'll love these. Why? First off, the sound is incredibly well-balanced, pushing out crisp highs and deep lows without distortion. Second, the build materials and included goodies help to offset the cost. Read the full review: Audio-Technica ATH-MSR7 4. Sony MDR-ZX770BT Affordable wireless headphones that deliver big Acoustic design: Closed | Weight: .52 pounds | Cable length: N/A | Frequency response: 20-20,000Hz | Drivers: Two 1.6" speakers | Driver type: Dynamic | Sensitivity: N/A | Impedance: N/A | Battery life: 20+ hours | Wireless range: 30+ feet | NFC: Yes See more Sony MDR-ZX770BT deals Comfortable fit Fantastic battery life Cramped soundstage Light on bass Sometimes, sacrifice isn't necessary. Sony's wizards stuffed a glut of features, cool design and a long-lasting battery into the MDR-ZX770BT, making this cheap set of wireless headphones a must-buy. Read the full review: Sony MDR-ZX770BT 5. Sennheiser Momentum Wireless Incredible audio fidelity backed by a serious price Acoustic design: Closed | Weight: N/A | Cable length: 4.6 feet | Frequency response: 16-22,000Hz | Drivers: N/A | Driver type: Dynamic | Sensitivity: N/A | Impedance: 28 ohms | Battery life: 25+ hours | Wireless range: 30+ feet | NFC: Yes See more Sennheiser Momentum Wireless deals Best-in-class sound Everlasting battery life Finicky multi-function button Terribly pricey These no-holds-barred wireless headphones are oozing with positive qualities, but for many, they're almost prohibitively expensive. However, if you're an audio lover that can spare the expense, do not hesitate on this comfortable, hard-working set of headphones that will likely last for years. Read the full review: Sennheiser Momentum Wireless 6. Bose QuietComfort 25 Headphones that deliver an excellent value for all Acoustic design: Closed | Weight: .42 pounds | Cable length: 4.5 feet | Frequency response: N/A | Drivers: N/A | Driver type: N/A | Sensitivity: N/A | Impedance: N/A | Battery life: 35+ hours | Wireless range: N/A | NFC: No See more Bose QuietComfort 25 deals Full sound Stunning noise-cancellation Color customization is costly If you can swing the price, you'll be treated to a deluxe set of headphones that delivers an unparalleled audio experience that's well worth the price of admission. Read the full review: Bose QuietComfort 25 7. Parrot Zik 2.0 App-powered Bluetooth headphones with many features Acoustic design: Closed | Weight: .59 pounds | Cable length: N/A | Frequency response: 20Hz-22kHz | Drivers: Two 1.5" drivers | Driver type: N/A | Sensitivity: N/A | Impedance: N/A | Battery life: 6+ hours | Wireless range: 30+ feet | NFC: Yes See more Parrot Zik 2.0 deals Expansive soundstage Deep customization via app Expensive Iffy battery Parrot's attempt at stirring up the stale headphone market is a success. The vibrant style, reliable functionality of both hardware and software and stellar sound performance make up for the steep price. Read the full review: Parrot Zik 2.0 8. Bowers & Wilkins P7 Possibly the most regal looking headphones out there Acoustic design: Closed | Weight: .63 pounds | Cable length: 3.9 feet | Frequency response: 10Hz-20kHz | Drivers: Two 1.5" drivers | Driver type: Dynamic | Sensitivity: 111 dB @ 1kHz | Impedance: 22 ohms | Battery life: N/A | Wireless range: N/A | NFC: N/A See more Bowers & Wilkins P7 deals Wonderful sound Replaceable parts Poor audio isolation Not kind to big ears The P7 offers wonderful sound, and if you couldn't tell, they look dashing. Dressed to the nines in leather and shiny metal detail, the prowess expressed in design carries over into the robust sound quality pumped out of the drivers. But for nearly $400, we recommend finding a set to try on before taking the big plunge. Read the full review: Bowers & Wilkins P7 We're constantly reviewing new over-ear headphones, but let us know if there is a set that you'd like us to take a look at.

Playing Xbox One with a mouse and keyboard is 'not far off' Posted: 22 Jul 2015 12:14 PM PDT The Xbox One took one more step to becoming your next living room PC yesterday when Xbox Chief Phil Spencer made an innocuous response on Twitter to user @Tak225Th. The user asked about the possibility of streaming PC games to the Xbox One, a feature TechRadar has asked Microsoft about in the past. Other users chimed in, claiming that in order for Xbox One to support PC games it would need native keyboard and mouse support - the former of which is actually already available, but perhaps one of the system's lesser-known features. Spencer's reply was short and sweet: "Yep, keyboard and mouse support for Xbox would need to be there for this to work, those aren't far away." The Xbox One gained the ability to stream games to a Windows 10 PC late last week, but until now Microsoft hasn't confirmed that gamers would be able to stream PC to Xbox One. What Windows 10 means for Xbox and PC gaming

Vertical videos suck, but Google is fixing the problem Posted: 22 Jul 2015 10:46 AM PDT Vertical video clips are annoying, and currently, YouTube makes it harder to watch on your phone with awkward vertical letterboxing on its default landscape playback window. But it looks like Google is looking to fix the problem with a new YouTube update, which was initially found by Android Police. Version 10.28 of the YouTube app will allow vertical videos to be played in fullscreen on your phone, instead of letterboxed in landscape, meaning you won't have to squint anymore. The update hasn't been rolled out to the Google Play store just yet, but an APK is available online and looks to be only available for Android phones to begin with. Hopefully, this doesn't mean we'll be seeing even more vertical videos being posted, but it alleviates some of the headache for now. Here are 6 essential streaming apps for Android

You are subscribed to email updates from techradar To stop receiving these emails, you may unsubscribe now.	Email delivery powered by Google
Google Inc., 1600 Amphitheatre Parkway, Mountain View, CA 94043, United States