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31 Oct 11:54

With Popcorn Time Faltering, Stremio Eyes the Top Spot

by Andy

stremio-logoMost readers will not need to be reminded of the chaos that has surrounded the Popcorn Time brand this last couple of weeks, but for those needing a short summary, here goes.

The main fork of Popcorn Time, PopcornTime.io, is now dead. Previously sanctioned by the original Popcorn Time creator, the project in its most recent form is now consigned to history. In its place sits ‘Butter‘, a new project which aims to take the legal heat off the project’s developers but is less likely to become an instant hit like its predecessor.

Making matters worse, most variants of Popcorn Time relied on the YTS torrent site for their main movie content. That site has now been down for well over a week and will not be coming back. As a result the Popcorn Time applications installed on users’ computers are less useful than they previously were.

While movie companies around the world will have hoped that disenchanted users simply switched off Popcorn Time at the first signs of trouble and signed up with Netflix, life just isn’t that simple. There’s now room at the top of the unofficial streaming market for a new challenger and a group of programmers from Europe think they have such a contender up their sleeve. It certainly looks impressive.

stremio1

Under development since 2012, Stremio is hardly a newcomer. Back then, however, it was known under a different name.

“We always knew that torrents were a huge source of video content so we decided to try building an app that can stream torrents – for fun,” Stremio co-founder Ivo informs TorrentFreak.

“A few months later, we had our first prototype called Cinematic. The app was based on libtorrent, python and nw.js. We basically had a click-and-play movie catalog streaming from torrents.”

Cinematic utilized the Peerflix engine and Ivo says he loved what developer ‘Mafintosh‘ was doing.

“We helped with Peerflix as well as integrated it into Cinematic,” he explains.

At this point in its life Cinematic remained an unpublished project. “It wasn’t as polished or legally sustainable as we’d like,” Ivo says. But then another application with Peerflix roots hit the big time.

“Born out of Peerflix, came Popcorn Time,” Ivo says. “It was very interesting for us to see what was going to happen with their product.”

With Popcorn Time grabbing the majority of the headlines, Ivo and his co-founder continued work on their own software and last year had a breakthrough.

“In 2014 we focused on creating a general-purpose app that’s a movie/series browser, which provides content from different sources. Not just torrents. We started developing an add-on system to supply the content. That’s how Stremio was born,” he reveals.

“We left the development of our torrent streaming add-on to our community. Currently we have ‘Torrent Stream’ – a third-party add-on available if Stremio users want to enable it.”

While Stremio had the ability to pull content from YTS, that site is gone for good. However, in its absence it uses sites such as Kickass, Torrentz and others. It then augments the video content with artwork and data pulled from the world’s leading movie databases.

“Stremio associates every usable video file within the torrents with an IMDB ID. The beautiful thing here is that even if YTS goes off, and never recovers, this system will continue working with other sources,” Ivo says.

“It’s based on the Multi-Pass Torrent open-source software. In comparison to Popcorn Time, I think Torrent Stream and the way it works makes Stremio more content rich and reliable streaming from torrents, if you enable it and if it is legal in your area.”

In addition to pulling video from torrents (people can also post a magnet link in the search bar), Stremio is also able to grab recorded and even live content from elsewhere.

stremio2

“Right now, Stremio’s official add-ons allow people to watch from YouTube and [live TV broadcasts from] Filmon.tv. We also have an add-on providing you with the cheapest legal source to stream a movie / TV show. You can also watch videos locally from a hard drive,” Ivo notes.

“Our plan for the future is to provide a one-stop place to organize and watch instantly all your favorite video content – movies, TV shows, video channels, TV channels.”

But in addition to merely viewing content, Stremio’s devs hope to assist users to remain both organized and mobile. The app already has a library feature to keep track of TV series and movies plus notifications and recommendations. It can also cast (work in progress) to Smart TVs and mobile devices.

Furthermore, since Stremio uses an add-on system (making it a little more like Kodi than Popcorn Time), third-party developers are free to chime in with their own ideas and tools for extra functionality. For those that way inclined, anime and adult add-ons are reportedly on the way.

“We’re also working on providing more official add-ons ourselves – in fact, we even have a TV show officially licensed for us now in the Cinema add-on,” Ivo concludes.

Stremio is still being developed (PC, Mac, Linux – partially open source) so can be a little temperamental at times. However, it illustrates perfectly where a Popcorn Time-style application can go in the future when plug-ins are utilized. Perhaps this is what ‘Butter‘ has in mind.

Update: Stremio has some infrastructure problems, possibly due to a DDoS attack. More details are available here.

stremioddos

Source: TorrentFreak, for the latest info on copyright, file-sharing, torrent sites and ANONYMOUS VPN services.

30 Oct 22:01

The Japanese cat collecting game Neko Atsume is finally in English

by Laura Hudson

nekoatsume1

Cat collectors rejoice: the cult favorite mobile game Neko Atsume has finally made its way to Android—and soon, to iOS—in English under the name Neko Atsume: Kitty Collector. (more…)

30 Oct 22:01

EU Parliament votes to drop criminal charges and grant asylum to Snowden

by Cory Doctorow

animation

The 285-281 vote was nonbinding and thus "largely symbolic" but it's a hell of a symbol. (more…)

30 Oct 17:33

Microsoft Band 2 now for sale - How good is it?

by Staff

The Microsoft Band 2 brings significant changes to all aspects of the fitness wearable making it pleasing to the eye and more comfy. The core functions remain the same, however, with only a few new tweaks and features.

Exactly one year ago to the day Microsoft surprised many with the release of their first wearable device simply called the Band. Announced late into the evening with little fanfare the Band always came off as an investigational device for Microsoft, with a slow international rollout and restrictive availability even in the U.S. Microsoft seemed to be testing the waters with the Band, unsure of how people would respond.

One year later and Microsoft is releasing its successor the Band 2 on Friday, October 30. At the core, the Microsoft Band 2 does the same things as the original Band mostly. However, the only thing that has changed is everything to borrow a recently popular slogan. With a refreshed design, better materials and a super sleek curved display the Microsoft Band 2 looks like it is ready for primetime.

Here is our full review of the new $249 Microsoft Band 2.

Microsoft Band 2 – What's different

Like its predecessor, the Microsoft Band 2 can be described as half fitness and half smartphone companion. It's not exactly a smartwatch, but it is more than just a health device too. Indeed, it finds its niche right between Apple's Watch and Fitbit's suburban-athlete message. At $249 the Band 2 is not cheap, but it is more affordable than a full Apple Watch. There is also less commitment to the idea of it as a smartwatch. That enables you to wear the Band 2 on one wrist while still wearing a fancy watch on the other.

The Microsoft Band 2 is similar to what the Surface Pro 4 is to the Surface Pro 3. The overall functionality is the same but there are so many smaller improvements that it feels – and acts – like a whole new wearable.

Microsoft Band 2 versus Band 1

Let's talk about design. Microsoft clearly went back to the drawing board after feedback from the first Band. That first iteration was divisive with some people loving it, and others hating it. It wasn't too long before people jokingly referred to it as The Shackle. Here is what changed with the new Band:

  • The Band 2 is made from new materials including medical-grade steel and a new type of rubber (Thermal plastic elastomer silicone vulcanate (TPSiV))
  • Larger, curved display now at 320 x 128 pixels and as a bonus it's now AMOLED instead of TFT
  • Corning Gorilla Glass 3 with improved touch responsiveness
  • New Barometer sensor for elevation measurements for stair climbing That is in addition to the other sensors including heart rate, accelerometer, GPS, ambient light, UV, microphone, skin temperature and galvanic skin response sensors.

Additionally, Microsoft moved around a lot of internal hardware to make the Band 2 much more comfortable and practical. For instance:

  • Battery moved from the sides of the Band to the new clasp
  • Heart-rate sensor moved from the clasp to underneath the display
  • The charging port moved from underneath the display to the clasp
  • UV sensor is now on the clasp

The benefits of making all of those moves make the Band 2 much more comfortable as the sides now flex along the wrist. The heart-rate sensor is now on the inside of the wrist, and the charging port never touches the skin, which prevents skin irritation and the connector from getting dirty.

All of these changes address the big complaints with the Band 1 including discomfort, scratched displays and the soft touch peeling off after a few months.

Band versus Band

Category Band 2 Band
Material Thermal plastic elastomer silicone vulcanate (TPSiV) Thermoplastic elastomer
Display Size 12.8mm x 32mm 11mm x 33mm
Display Type Curved AMOLED Flat TFT
Resolution 320 x 128 pixels 320 x 106 pixels
Battery 48 hours (GPS may impact battery life) 48 hours (GPS may impact battery life)
Average Charge Time Full charge in less than 1.5 hours Full charge in less than 1.5 hours
Battery Type Li-polymer Lithium-ion polymer
Operating Temperature Ranges -10°C to 40°C (14°F to 104°F) 14°F to 104°F (-10°C to 40°C)
Maximum Operating Altitude -300m to +4877m 3,937 feet (1,200 m)
Sensors Optical heart rate sensor
3-axis accelerometer
Gyrometer
GPS
Ambient light sensor
Skin temperature sensor
UV sensor
Capacitive sensor
Galvanic skin response
Microphone
Barometer
Optical heart rate sensor
3-axis accelerometer
Gyrometer
GPS
Ambient light sensor
Skin temperature sensor
UV sensor
Capacitive sensor
Galvanic skin response
Microphone
Connectivity Bluetooth 4.0 LE Bluetooth 4.0 LE
Supported mobile devices Windows Phone 8.1 update or greater
iPhone®5, 5C, 5S, 6, 6 Plus with iOS® 8.1.2 or greater
Android™ 4.4 or later phones with Bluetooth®
Windows Phone 8.1 update or greater
iPhone®5, 5C, 5S, 6, 6 Plus with iOS® 8.1.2 or greater
Android™ 4.4 or later phones with Bluetooth®

On paper, these two wearable seem very similar. However, the difference in display quality, comfort, design and even tweaked UI changes the overall dynamic of the Band 2 as a viable alternative in the fitness market.

This Band is smarter

Besides the hardware fixes and improvements, the Band 2 also has a few new software enhancements that are useful.

For example, there is a slightly updated UI. When tapping the clock for your fitness tracking the progress meter now takes up the full display instead of being a tiny line-bar at the bottom. The back arrow key area is now black with an accent line instead of a solid color. New toggle buttons for GPS reflect the new pill design in Windows 10. Although subtle, these UI refinements look good.

Microsoft Band 2  clock

There is now an optional Smart-Alarm tool that only goes off when you are tossing and turning in bed. Fun fact I used to be a sleep technician at Cornell, and we never woke a patient out of a deep sleep because it causes disorientation. Instead, you wait until the patient moved as their sleep state is very light during that moment. The Band 2 feature works by monitoring your movement during a 30-minute window around your alarm time. So if you set your alarm for 7 am the Band 2 may wake you between 6:30 and 7 depending on when you toss and turn in bed. The result? You wake up refreshed and not groggy. Don't worry, though, you can still use the snooze feature.

Microsoft Band 2  clasp

There is also an optional Auto-clock feature called Rotate. The clock turns on only when you raise your arm up to view the Band. Fitbit does something similar, and it is tremendously useful, so I'm glad to see it here as you can now save battery life while gaining a clock.

Finally, there is a UV reminder function. This is an alarm that goes off after a defined period of exposure to the sun, and it is ideal to avoid sunburn. Since the UV sensor is now on the clasp, when worn with the display on the inside of the wrist it exposes the sensor towards the sky.

Unfortunately, none of those new features are coming to the Band 1 either.

Microsoft Band 2 heart rate

Interestingly, Microsoft is doubling down the 'inside wrist' orientation. To be clear, you can wear the Band 2 with the display facing out, but the Band 2 re-orientates the UV and HR sensors for more optimal usage when worn display down. I prefer this style too as it makes checking notifications in social settings less awkward.

Fix everything and change nothing

Okay, so how is the Band 2? To be fair, I was a big fan of the Band 1 although I agree with the criticisms that people made against it. As far as I can tell, Microsoft fixed almost everything in the Band 2. That's not to say that people won't find personal reasons not to like it. The new buckle clasp is still rather large and prominent, and some people still won't like the horizontal display.

For myself, I enjoyed the Band 2. It's comfortable. The display is delightful, and the sensors all work quite well. Battery life is decent, and you will still need to charge every other day. Like before, the best tip is to throw the Band 2 on the charger when taking a shower. The Band 2 can charge to around 70% in just 30 minutes with 2 hours needed for a full charge.

Microsoft Band 2

The new charger is superior to the previous incarnation. The magnets are much stronger now. You won't be able to shake it off, and it clicks into the sculpted port. The clasp doesn't quite fall into the charger port, so you need to align it, but overall it works fine.

Anything wrong with it?

Technology is never perfect, and the same goes for the Microsoft Band 2. Although Microsoft has made tremendous improvements in this version there is still room here to make it better. Here are a few weaknesses I noticed.

For one, I'd like to see a double-tap on the display to turn it on. Fitbit does this with their recent wearables, and even Windows Phone have a double-tap to wake. This may seem like nitpicking (and it is) but doing this can be easier sometimes, and it is doable technology.

There are also some feature inconsistencies that works in the favor or Windows Phone, for once. On an iPhone or Android phone, there is no Cortana option, no voice to text, and you cannot use the awesome on-screen keyboard for text replies. Those aren't deal breakers for non-Windows Phone users, but they would be cool to have as options. At least Windows Phone gets a win here.

Microsoft Band 2

The Band 2 is still not waterproof, only water resistant (e.g. rain, doing the dishes, washing hands). To be fair, the Band 2 is built much better than the last generation, and I expect the water resistance to be very good. Still, you cannot use this in the pool, and it is not advised to wear it in the shower. This restriction is the norm for these types of wearables, so it is hard to ding the Band 2 too much, but it is worth mentioning for aquatic athletes.

The price of the Band 2 also went up by 50 bucks to $249. This price is fair compared to the competition, but it is one more thing to consider.

I also have some concerns over the stainless steel that is used in the new Band. Although it does not cause any irritations, it still can scratch like any other metal and the clasp had some slight marring after a few weeks of usage. Others have noticed in-store demo units also heavily scratched. Like all wearables, the Band 2 is still slightly vulnerable to damage from everyday bangs and scrapes. The Corning Gorilla Glass 3 is durable but if you scrape it against a rock while climbing, it can scratch.

What about accuracy? I did find the heart-rate sensor to be better than the Gen 1 version, and Microsoft says it is 20% more optimized. It is still not always on and instead check periodically to save battery. Steps counting is conservative when compared to Fitbit too. (We'll be doing a deeper comparison to Fitbit and Band 1 in the coming weeks).

Microsoft Band 2

The Band 2 also still lacks controls for music, which is a big selling point for many users when exercising. Regrettably, the Band 2 still does not run a full OS, so it is not possible to multitask. In other words, when in exercise mode you cannot go to another task such as theoretical controls for music. I suspect that the Band 3 will go to Windows 10 IoT and there it will gain many more features with newer APIs and multi-tasking.

Finally, my biggest complaint about the Band 2 is the lack of social features. Part of the appeal of Fitbit is the same as Messengers: Your friends are on them. This lets you compete, set fun challenges, and rewards. None of that is on the Band 2 yet so you are using all of the health features in isolation. Sure, in the web dashboard (dashboard.microsofthealth.com) you can compare to the general populace and similar demographics, but this is not the same as a friends list. Microsoft says they are working on social, but it is something we'll just have to wait for. That makes switching from Fitbit a tough choice in my opinion.

C'mon Microsoft. Bring Xbox integration, achievements, and friends list already.

Wrap up and should you buy?

Forgetting about health the Band 2 is just a great phone companion. I do enjoy the notifications for text messages, emails, weather, and more. Luckily, that is all configurable too. In fact, I find the Band 2 more interesting as a smartphone accessory than pure fitness, and I have no issues recommending it for that reason alone.

Overall, Microsoft did right with the Band 2. The new design not only feels better than the first one, but the whole thing looks more elegant too. The price point is fair, and there are no real weaknesses to it. Most drawbacks are likely to be addressed in forthcoming firmware and software updates, which also lets Microsoft add new features.

Like the Surface Book, the Band 2 represents some crazy engineering from Microsoft. I am disappointed that it is not running Windows 10, possibly adding limits to the wearable, but I believe this will be addressed in next year's model. My biggest hope is that it gets abilities to add friends and family, adding more social value to Microsoft Band and Health.

I still recommend trying on the Band 2 in person, and I hope Microsoft releases it to more markets as well. But overall, the Band 2 is a winner, and it shows Microsoft is serious about this new category of technology.

The Microsoft Band 2 is available starting October 30, 2015, and in the coming weeks for $249 at Microsoft Stores, Best Buy, and online retailers in the US and the UK.

Looking for more Band 2 coverage? Windows Central will be doing numerous follow-up articles, including direct comparisons and deeper dives into features in the coming weeks!

Order the Microsoft Band 2 from Microsoft for $249

Order the Microsoft Band 2 from Amazon.com for $249

Order the Microsoft Band 2 from Target for $249

Order the Microsoft Band 2 from Best Buy for $249

More information

If you need more information on the Microsoft Band 2 you can read our main topic page or jump into our forums!

Microsoft Band 2

Microsoft Band 2 forums

30 Oct 15:28

Christ, what an asshole.

by Cory Doctorow

large

Chris Grayling, UK Tory MP and leader of the House of Commons: The Freedom of Information act isn't for journalism, it's for "those who want to understand why and how government is taking decisions." If you want to hold your government accountable, you, personally, should do it, without any help from the press. It will make Britain great again. (more…)

30 Oct 15:25

UK police & spies will have warrantless access to your browsing history

by Cory Doctorow

056c026d-1c66-4d42-9fae-a8e96df290c5-1020x818

A new plan from Tory Home Secretary/Sith Lord Theresa May will require ISPs to retain one year's worth of Britons' online activity, and hand it over to the police and security services on demand, without a warrant. (more…)

30 Oct 15:24

EE introduces new international calling packs and add-ons

by Rich Edmonds

Mobile network operator EE has announced new international calling packs and add-ons for customers who need to contact those who do not reside in the UK. The operator now offers EE contract and SIM-only plan customers added convenience when making international calls with these new extras.

30 Oct 15:23

Amazon Prime Music Adds Support For Android Wear, Offline Playback From SD Cards

by Sarah Perez
prime-sd-cards Amazon today rolled out a small, but useful benefit for Amazon Prime members who use the company’s Prime Music streaming service. Though the service already offered the ability to download songs for offline playback, it’s finally addressing one of users’ top requests: you can now download songs directly to your phone’s SD card, in order to free up internal storage… Read More
29 Oct 23:50

Chrome OS rumored to be folded into Android as early as 2017

by Dan Thorp-Lancaster

Google is apparently planning to fold Chrome OS and Android into one operating system.

29 Oct 23:49

UpThere is a new cloud storage service that wants to make file syncing a thing of the past

by Casey Newton

A defining technology of our age is the sync. Keeping your files synchronized between devices, whether by Dropbox or Google Drive or iCloud, is the starting point for so much of our work. Syncing is also a chore: it can create multiple copies of files, which must then be reconciled. It can fail to work automatically, forcing you to sync manually (looking at you, Evernote). Or it simply fails to work, leaving you without an important file at the moment you need it.

The drawbacks of syncing were not lost on Bertrand Serlet, the former senior vice president of software engineering for Apple. Serlet spent eight years at Steve Jobs’ NeXT and 14 more at Apple following its acquisition, and in those years Apple made a cautiousthen...

Continue reading…

29 Oct 23:46

Google is merging Chrome OS and Android

by Jacob Kastrenakes

Google's two operating systems will soon be one. Chrome OS is going to be combined with Android, and the combined OS could be revealed as soon as next year, according to The Wall Street Journal. The Journal reports that Chrome is essentially being folded into Android, because Android has emerged as the dominant operating system by quite a long stretch. Combining the two operating systems means setting up Android to run on laptops and desktop computers, which would require big changes, as well as supporting the Google Play Store. Chromebooks will reportedly receive a new name to reflect the new OS.

Continue reading…

29 Oct 23:45

Microsoft Integrates Skype With Office Online, Rolls Out An Office Chrome Extension

by Sarah Perez
office-online-skype Microsoft today announced its plans to extend the social features of Office by integrating Skype into Office Online, allowing users to communicate by voice and video chat within Word, Excel, PowerPoint and OneNote Online documents, as well as in Outlook.com. With the integration, users will be able to see and chat with Skype contacts right from within their file, which Microsoft says will… Read More
29 Oct 23:40

Gorgeous oil paintings on tree slices

by David Pescovitz

Moritsugu_Trophy_1998

Alison Moritsugu paints beautiful landscapes, including some on slices of trees that make the logs resemble portals onto the natural scenes in which they grew. Her new work, a collection called titled "inconsequence / in consequence," will be exhibited at the Littlejohn Contemporary gallery in New Canaan, Connecticut from November 12 through December 12, 2015.

Log-Paintings-by-Alison-Moritsugu-7-889x644

Log10

screenshot

29 Oct 17:03

Blu Announces The Massive 7-inch Studio 7.0 HD LTE For Those Who Want A Tablet Trapped In A Phone's Body

by Cameron Summerson

1

Sometimes in a person's life, they just need a huge phone. And I'm not talking Nexus 6 huge — think bigger. Like, sometimes you just want to be able to talk on something more along the lines of a Nexus 7, right? I mean, even if that's not something you actually want to do, it's now an option with the new Studio 7.0 HD from Blu. Yes, this is a 7-inch phone.

Read More

Blu Announces The Massive 7-inch Studio 7.0 HD LTE For Those Who Want A Tablet Trapped In A Phone's Body was written by the awesome team at Android Police.



29 Oct 17:01

Door repair technician's excellent t-shirt

by David Pescovitz

JQdYVjp

Very clever and also practical! (via feed-me-tacos, r/pics)

29 Oct 14:46

David Cameron promises law to force ISPs to censor a secret blacklist

by Cory Doctorow

David_Cameron_(28_January_2011)

The UK Prime Minister has doubled down on this Great Firewall of Cameron, which is an arrangement whereby the UK ISPs "voluntarily" agreed to block websites that had been secretly ruled to be pornographic, unless customers specifically asked them not tp. (more…)

29 Oct 14:46

UK govt: no crypto back doors, just repeal the laws of mathematics

by Cory Doctorow

217

The UK government continues to exhibit its historic, dangerous cluelessness about crypto. After promising to ban working crypto in the previous election campaign, the Tory government has advanced a nonsensical compromise: apps can use working crypto, but also have to be able to break that crypto on demand, without using backdoors. (more…)

29 Oct 14:44

Download Over $70 Worth of Android Apps For Free, Courtesy of Amazon

by Shep McAllister, Commerce Team on Deals, shared by Shep McAllister, Commerce Team to Lifehacker

Download Over $70 Worth of Android Apps For Free, Courtesy of Amazon

To celebrate Halloween, Amazon is giving away over $70 in premium Android apps for free today. Highlights include LEGO Star Wars, Bridge Constructor, and Runtastic Pro, but be sure to head over to Amazon to see the full list.

Of course, you can download as few or as many as you want, but you might as well “purchase” everything, even if you don’t see an immediate use for them. Once you’ve tied to your Amazon account, and you can always go back and download them later. [Amazon Halloween App Sale]


Commerce Content is independent of Editorial and Advertising, and if you buy something through our posts, we may get a small share of the sale. Click here to learn more. We want your feedback.

Send deal submissions to Deals@Gawker and all other inquiries to Shane@Gawker.

29 Oct 14:42

U.K. Gov’t: No End-To-End Encryption Please, We’re British…

by Natasha Lomas
388215971_42bef10093_b The U.K. government continues to tie itself in ugly knots about encryption. The question is why? Earlier this year Prime Minister David Cameron made comments on the tech widely interpreted as an intention by a Conservative-led government to seek to ban encryption… Read More
29 Oct 14:37

A closer look at the OnePlus X

by Vlad Savov

On a cool autumnal morning in October, Carl Pei brought his international house of affordable Android excitement to London. Perhaps I'm feeling poetic because I've been inspired by the new product being introduced today: the OnePlus X. In a sea of very large and very capable Android smartphones, of which OnePlus already has a couple, the X stands out for its unimposing dimensions and minimalist aesthetic. Much like HTC's One A9 that I just reviewed, this handset's best asset is its single-handed design.

Continue reading…

28 Oct 23:08

Make a Savory, Vegan-Friendly Risotto With Miso Paste Instead of Parmesan

by Patrick Allan

Make a Savory, Vegan-Friendly Risotto With Miso Paste Instead of Parmesan

Risotto is a tough dish to perfect, but if you’re vegan or cooking for someone who is, things get even more complicated. Fortunately, you can whip up some delicious, savory risotto by substituting miso paste for Parmesan cheese.

http://lifehacker.com/5986095/the-im...

Parmesan (and sometimes mozzarella) cheese is a primary ingredient for most risotto’s, but J. Kenji López-Alt has an easy workaround for a more savory dish that’s also 100% vegan-friendly. Instead of throwing in a few tablespoons of grated cheese, heft in about a quarter cup of miso paste. Of course, you don’t have to be vegan to follow López-Alt’s recommendation. This preparation method is sure to be pleasing to almost anyone’s palette. You can find a complete recipe at the link below.

Use Miso Instead of Parmesan for Extra-Savory, 100% Vegan Risotto | Serious Eats

Photo by J. Kenji López-Alt.

28 Oct 21:53

Google Keep update lets you doodle on your notes

by Dan Thorp-Lancaster

If you're an avid Google Keep, there's a nifty new—albeit minor— feature on its way to the app: doodling. In an update that should begin arriving today, you'll now be able to draw and doodle on your notes, bringing the note-taking app further up to parity with some of its competitors.

28 Oct 21:53

Tip: Tapping The G Icon In The Google Search App Creates A New Search And Leaves The Previous One Accessible Using The Recents Button

by Bertel King, Jr.

Search-ThumbHaving a dedicated app just for searching Google may seem like overkill, yet tapping the Search icon remains the fastest way to start looking for something on your Android device.

But what if you want to search for something mid-search? Just tap the G icon in the search bar.

Screenshot_2015-10-28-16-36-07

This will start a new search and, as one of our readers has pointed out, leave what you were previously searching for in a separate instance that you can return to using the Recents button in your navigation bar.

Read More

Tip: Tapping The G Icon In The Google Search App Creates A New Search And Leaves The Previous One Accessible Using The Recents Button was written by the awesome team at Android Police.



28 Oct 18:42

Microsoft Officially Unveils Its Arrow Launcher For Android

by Sarah Perez
Screen Shot 2015-10-28 at 2.16.42 PM There are a number of ways to customize an Android smartphone, but one of the more unexpected tools to emerge earlier this year was Arrow, an Android launcher application designed by Microsoft. This summer, an unfinished version of the launcher was discovered by way of a Google+ group for beta testers. But, today, the app has gone live on the Google Play store for all to try. While it may… Read More
28 Oct 18:35

Motorcycle jackets deemed cool again

by Rob Beschizza

kitty

The New York Times reports on how the motorcycle jacket lost its cool and got it back again. (more…)

28 Oct 18:24

Snapchat Adds Slow-Mo, Fast-Forward, And Rewind Video Filters

by Josh Constine
Snapchat Video Filters GIF Teenagers have short attention spans, but Snapchat’s latest feature could keep them tuned in. Today Snapchat is introducing a new set of filters called “Speed Modifiers” for videos you shoot on iOS or Android. They let you add slow motion, fast-forward, or rewind effects to your video. Just swipe sideways after shooting a video and you’ll eventually see them applied to… Read More
28 Oct 18:24

230 Entrepreneurs Rebuke UK Gov Plans To Curb Migration For Tech Talent

by Mike Butcher
keep-calm-and-hire-an-engineer Plans by the UK government to curtail the number of skilled tech workers allowed into the country have received a stinging rebuke from over 200 of the UK’s most successful technology entrepreneurs. The founders of Lastminute.com, TransferWise, Zopa, Unruly, Crowdcube, Nutmeg and Shazam, amongst 230 other tech start-ups and investors, today sent an open letter, to UK Prime Minister… Read More
28 Oct 18:21

MIT researchers used Wi-Fi to recognize people through walls

by Lizzie Plaugic

Researchers at MIT's Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Lab have developed software that uses variations in Wi-Fi signals to recognize human silhouettes through walls. The researchers built a device, called RF-Capture, that transmits wireless signals and then analyzes the reflections of those signals to piece together a human form, according to a study published this morning.

Continue reading…

28 Oct 18:20

Microsoft is merging its Outlook and Sunrise apps

by Tom Warren

Microsoft acquired email app Acompli last year, and calendar app Sunrise earlier this year. Both are the best email and calendar apps for iOS, and now Microsoft is merging them together to create an even better version of Outlook for iOS and Android. The first signs of the combined result will be available today in the form of an Outlook for iOS update. While the features of Sunrise won't be available just yet, Microsoft is tweaking the design of the entire Outlook for iOS app and improving navigation in the calendar.

It's a refined look that brings small, but useful, features like the date on the calendar button, and visual cues to make it easier to navigate Outlook for iOS. Calendar event details have been tweaked to provide more...

Continue reading…

28 Oct 18:19

Google's Android gaming app will support making Let's Play videos for YouTube

by Adi Robertson

On the heels of adding live Android game streaming to the YouTube Gaming app, Google has announced that it's adding video-uploading capabilities to its gaming app. In the coming days, Google Play Games will roll out a feature that lets players record footage of their Android games — alongside voice and video commentary — and post it directly on YouTube. It'll be available first in the US and UK, with support in more countries coming "soon after."

If this sounds a lot like Google's last game streaming announcement, that's because it is. While you'll use Google Play Games instead of YouTube Gaming, recording still involves launching the app, selecting a game to record, choosing your screen capture resolution (the service supports 720p and...

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