technology news: juin 2020

mardi 30 juin 2020

What is Google Keen? A look at the new rival to Pinterest

google keen

Google has launched many social networking services that have never caught on with the general public. That includes Google Plus, which started out in 2011 with a lot of hype, but finally closed in 2019. In June 2020, the company quietly revealed it was working on a more modest social networking project, Google Keen.

So what is Google Keen? That's what we are going to reveal right now.

The origins of Google Keen

Google Keen was first revealed in a Medium.com post by company team member Cj Adams. In his post, he said that the idea for the service came about when his wife wanted to share information, links, and more about her birding hobby with her husband. Adams, along with three other Google team members, decided they wanted to create a service that made sharing info and resources about hobbies easier.

The four members worked on Keen as part of Google's Area 120 experimental project division. They also collaborated with the company's People and AI Research (PAIR) team, which is developing machine learning-based systems to help people out.

What platforms are available for Google Keen?

The service is currently available as a web app at Staykeen.com. It's also available as an Android mobile app, via a web wrapper.

Is Google Keen free?

The service is free to use, although you will need to access it via a free Google account.

How does the service work?

google keen title

In the end, Google Keen both looks and operates a bit like the popular Pinterest service. When you sign up with your free Google account, all you have to do is type in a title. For example, you may be interested in the original Star Trek TV show. On both the Keen web site or via the web mobile app, just type in Star Trek The Original Series, and then tap or click on the Next box in the bottom right corner

web searches

You will then see a series of Google Search-related web links based on your title. Click or tap on the links that are closest to your interest. Finally, click or tap on the Create box, again in the bottom right corner.

You should see your newly created Keen page. Click on it and you will be taken to your main page. There are three tabs on your Keen page. The one that's displayed first is Explore, where you can see the articles that are shown on your subject via a Google Search. There's another tab called Gems, and each entry in the Explore page has a gem icon on it. Tap or click on the gems to save the articles you most want to access on your page. Finally, there's a Searches tab, which allows you to add more search topics to your Keen page.

You can manually add new photos, links, or even texts on your Keen page via the Add button on top. You can also use the button to add more via search or you can add new sections to your Keen page. There's also the Edit button, which allows you to add more collaborators to your page. Finally, there's the Share button, which lets you send a link to your Keen page to anyone, or invite someone to access and add to the page.

One interesting think about this service is that it uses machine learning to offer up suggestions for new links and content for your page on a regular basis.

Will it last?

Google Keen is designed as an experiment, and it's currently in its infancy. Many of the company's Area 120 projects end up shutting down, although features from these projects sometimes show up in other products. It will be interesting to see if Keen will end up in its own stand-alone service, or if it will also be shut down.

Have you signed up for Keen, and if so what has your experience been like with the service?

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Poll: Do you use Bluetooth headphones or do you live the #donglelife?

Most of today's popular smartphones don't have a headphone jack. It's annoying, but it's the world we live in now.

Initially, this was a bigger deal; such a courageous decision was bound to shock the tech community, as we all relied on wired headphones for our listening needs. As time passed, though, many of the people who originally complained about the shift either bit the bullet and purchased a pair of Bluetooth headphones or resorted to using the wired dongle.

Also read: The best wireless headphones you can buy

Personally, I use Bluetooth earbuds for everything. My Jaybird Vistas have been a staple in my bag ever since they arrived at my house. I was one of those people who initially complained about the headphone jack being removed, but honestly, it's not as big of an issue as I thought it'd be.

What about you? For those of you without a headphone jack, do you live the #donglelife and use wired headphones? Or are you all-in on Bluetooth? Cast your vote and speak up in the comments with anything you might want to add.

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Google just bought a smart glasses firm but reasons for purchase are unclear

Focals by North glasses from angle

Credit: David Imel / Android Authority

In a semi-surprising move, Google buys North, a young company that made AR wearables in the form of smart glasses.
North's Focals are now dead with the company winding down Focals 1.0 and canceling Focals 2.0.
While it's easy to assume Google is working on a new version of Google Glass for consumers, it might not be that simple

In some major acquisition news today, Google buys North, the company that made some waves with its very Google Glass-like smart glasses known as Focals. Our own David Imel got a chance to use the AR glasses you see above — read all about the experience here.

Both Google and North posted separate blog entries announcing the news, with each expressing excitement about the future. However, neither company is being very clear on what this acquisition means for North's future of making smart glasses or Google's future of using North's patents and staff for whatever it has in mind.

Google buys North…but why?

North ended its announcement post with a statement that it will be "winding down" Focals 1.0, the smart glasses mentioned earlier. In addition, Focals 2.0 have been totally canceled, with refunds going out to anyone who pre-purchased a pair.

In other words: Google buys North and then North cancels its current and upcoming products. One would assume that would mean Google plans to use North's products, patents, and staff to make something similar to Focals. However, it could also mean that Google has something else in mind.

Keep in mind that there have been plenty of rumors that Apple is gearing up to launch a set of its own AR glasses, tentatively called Apple Glass. It's very possible Google wants to combine what it learned from the ill-fated launch of Google Glass with the success (and mistakes) North has had with Focals to make a competing product.

Whatever the case, the acquisition is likely terrific news for North, as rumors suggest the company wasn't selling too many pairs of Focals.

Speed Test G: Poco F2 Pro vs Xiaomi Mi 10 (there’s a very clear winner)

Theoretically, we should expect a neck-and-neck race if we started a Poco F2 Pro vs Xiaomi Mi 10 Speed Test G fight. Both devices have the same CPU and come from the same parent company, so they should be relatively evenly matched.

However, when our own Gary Sims put the two devices to the test, there was a definitive winner (and definitive loser). We don't want to spoil it for you, but let's just say that Xiaomi is clearly delivering two very different products as proven by this Speed Test G challenge.

Remember, there is a considerable price difference between these two phones. The Poco F2 Pro starts at €499 (~$560) in its 6GB/128GB format while the Mi 10 starts at €799 (~$897) in its 8GB/256GB format. Even if you go for the higher-end F2 Pro, you're still saving money in comparison, as that model starts at €599 (~$673) for the 8GB/256GB version.

Is spending that extra €200 going to be worth it if you care most about processing power? Watch the Poco F2 Pro vs Xiaomi Mi 10 video and find out!

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Qualcomm’s new wearable chipsets promise performance, battery improvements

Qualcomm Wear 4100 Plus header image

You may not have noticed, but smartwatches are finally becoming commonplace. The question being asked has shifted from "Should I get a smartwatch?" to "Which smartwatch should I get?". Devices like the Apple Watch have made a wearable computer a luxury item and luxury watch companies are now making wearable computers. In fact, it's become difficult to find a watch company that doesn't now make a smartwatch.

The problem that persists though, is that, with the exception of a couple of companies, smartwatches are still a bit slow, and have less than stellar battery life. Google's Wear OS just hasn't been given the R&D resources it deserves, and Apple is one of the only companies that makes yearly improvements to its watch processor, so there hasn't been a ton of incentive to make smartwatches that much better. Qualcomm improved performance with the Snapdragon Wear 3100 in 2018, but the battery life on most watches has remained subpar.

Also read: The best Wear OS smartwatches you can buy

But this year, Qualcomm is looking to tackle many of the problems smartwatches face with the new Wear 4100 and Wear 4100 chips. Here's what's new.

A big little die shrink

Qualcomm Wear 4100 series improvements speed boosts

The umbrella encompassing most of the improvements in the Wear 4100 series is a massive process shrink. While the Wear 3100 series was based on a 28nm process, the 4100 series moves straight to a 12nm process. This results in multiple improvements, including a big speed bump and improved battery life.

The CPU on the Wear 4100 has moved from the Cortex A7 to the Cortex A53. While still quad-core, the clock speed has been massively improved, up to 1.7GHz from 1.1GHz. Qualcomm says this results in 85% better performance, which should make watches feel much snappier. RAM on the chip also gets an 85% speed boost, now running at 750MHz, up from 400MHz on the Wear 3100. Finally, the GPU is upgraded to the Adreno A504 from the Adreno 304, which offers a 2.5x performance boost.

Qualcomm has also added a second Image Signal Processor (ISP) to the Wear 4100, allowing smartwatches to feature two cameras, up from one on the Wear 3100.

A better co-processor

Qualcomm Wear 4100 series improvements

The co-processor is one of its most important features. Qualcomm says smartwatches spend 95% of their lifetimes in ambient mode, with only 5% dedicated to active processing. Because of this, the co-processor needs to be effective at ambiently displaying information in a low-power state.

Qualcomm shifted a lot of lower-powered activities like step counting, alarms, and haptics to its QCC1110 co-processor, which will sip power compared to the primary processor. Because many of the interactions we have with smartwatches are based around these features, the chip can save a lot of power.

Many low-power functions are moving to the co-processor.

This is important for people who use their smartwatches for sleep tracking. If you need to charge your watch every night, you won't be able to use it for these features. With a lot of features being moved to the co-processor to operate in a low-energy state, this should enable enough battery life to use features like sleep tracking.

Qualcomm Wear 4100 Co Processor features

The co-processor has been enhanced in other ways, like an improved 16-bit color range, which can now display up to 64,000 unique tones up from just 16 on the Wear 3100 series. This enables the ambient mode to show more expressive features. An ambient battery indicator will also help you know when you need to charge your watch.

Wear 4100 vs 4100 Plus: What's the difference?

Qualcomm Wear 4100 versus Plus

The biggest difference between the 4100 and 4100 Plus platforms is the presence of the co-processor. Customers who opt for the 4100 will still see the performance benefits from the die shrink and components improvements, but the lack of a co-processor will make ambient mode less than ideal.

The 4100 will probably be priced a decent amount less than the 4100 Plus, but considering the improvements the co-processor brings, it's likely most ODMs will reach for the 4100 Plus more often than not. Qualcomm says customers may choose the 4100 over the 4100 Plus if they are making simpler watches for kids or seniors, or if they want to use their own co-processor.

When will we start seeing devices?

Mobvoi TicWatch Pro 3 stock image

So far, two ODMs have committed to using Qualcomm's new platform. Mobvoi will it for a new TicWatch, the TicWatch Pro 3, and Xiaotiancai, a BBK brand, will use the platform for a new kids smartwatch which takes advantage of the new second ISP to offer two cameras. The new TicWatch will be launching by the end of the year, and the Xiaotiancai Z6 will release within 30 days.

Considering the massive leap in performance and the improved battery life, we're hoping to see a number of new devices with the new platform soon.

Next: Fitbit vs Garmin: Which ecosystem is right for you?

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Huawei and ZTE are officially risks to national security, says FCC

android-authority-fcc-chairman-Ajit-Pai-3

The FCC has officially named Huawei and ZTE as national security threats.
This will prevent US firms from using government funds to buy from either firm.

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) officially deemed Huawei and ZTE national security threats. This will have huge implications for US companies looking to business with either of the firms going forward and will cause even greater difficulties for Huawei and ZTE as they look to expand around the world with their products.

Huawei and ZTE nation security threats

BREAKING NEWS: @FCC officially designates Huawei and ZTE as national security threats. #FCCGov https://t.co/fMgGZ7uHrR

— The FCC (@FCC) June 30, 2020

In a statement that sums up the FCC's stance on both Chinese companies, FCC Chairman Ajit Pai said, "With today's Orders, and based on the overwhelming weight of evidence, the Bureau has designated Huawei and ZTE as national security risks to America's communications networks — and to our 5G future." He continued on to say, "Both companies have close ties to the Chinese Communist Party and China's military apparatus, and both companies are broadly subject to Chinese law obligating them to cooperate with the country's intelligence services."

This news comes after the FCC voted unanimously to block telecoms from using federal funds to buy equipment from Huawei in November. Today's announcement means the ban is officially going into effect. While there was a brief moment when the US eased up on its restrictions against the firms, those measures appeared to be temporary.

This news is also hot on the heels of US President Donald Trump extending the ban on Huawei for another year, which will make it even harder for the companies to do business in the US. The biggest implication of this official designation is that companies within the US cannot use the $8.3 billion given to them in the Universal Service Fund.

Both Huawei and ZTE have repeatedly denied that they are threats, but it's clear the FCC isn't taking them at their word.