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Excel’s Formatting Is Screwing Up Human Gene Research

Sat, 08 Aug 2020 02:18:42 GMT

If you’re looking to keep track of things like in a database, then using Microsoft Excel is one way to go about it. It is a great spreadsheet tool that can be useful when keeping track of things like names, phone numbers, finances, and more, but it seems that no thanks to Excel’s formatting, it is messing up the research on human genes.

According to a report from The Verge, it seems that the HUGO Gene Nomenclature Committee has issued a set of guidelines for naming human genes. The need for these guidelines comes on the heels of how Excel’s automatic date formatting feature accidentally ended up altering the data by interpreting the data wrongly.

For example, when researchers entered MARCH1 to indicate Membrane Associated Ring-CH-Type Finger 1, Excel thought it was a date and formatted it as such. As a result, the committee is asking researchers to rename some of the genes to prevent future similar accidents.

While it might seem a bit trivial, the implications could be huge. This is because working with corrupted data or data that has been formatted wrongly could set back the research done by the scientists. In fact, a study from 2016 actually found that out of 3,597 papers that were published, about a fifth of them have been affected by these Excel formatting errors.

Excel’s Formatting Is Screwing Up Human Gene Research , original content from Ubergizmo. Read our Copyrights and terms of use.

Microsoft Could End Up Buying TikTok’s Worldwide Business

Sat, 08 Aug 2020 02:17:37 GMT

With TikTok facing a potential ban in the US, it was recently confirmed that Microsoft is interested in acquiring the company. This would effectively make TikTok an American company without any ties to China as its US operations would no longer be controlled by ByteDance, TikTok’s parent company in China.

However, it seems that Microsoft could actually be planning a much larger acquisition than we previously thought. This is according to a report from the Financial Times (paywall) in which their sources have hinted that Microsoft might not only be interested in TikTok’s US operations, but possibly the company’s global operations as well.

This means that if true, Microsoft would control TikTok in its entirety around the world, not just in the US, and also save for China’s version of TikTok Douyin. The report also goes on to claim that Microsoft will be giving ByteDance one year to separate itself from TikTok and address any data security issues there may be.

However, the publication’s sources have told them that the one year deadline might be too short, and that it might actually take as long as eight years to complete a transaction of this magnitude. In the meantime, TikTok has until the 15th of September to find itself a buyer or risk getting banned.

Microsoft Could End Up Buying TikTok’s Worldwide Business , original content from Ubergizmo. Read our Copyrights and terms of use.

Tesla Launches Its Own Car Wrapping Service

Sat, 08 Aug 2020 02:16:31 GMT

The majority of cars these days tend to be sold in somewhat plain and almost boring colors. Part of the reason is because these colors are more generally accepted and makes the car easier to be resold, but at the same time, the downside is that it lacks a bit of personality.

However, the good news is that if you’re a Tesla owner, it looks like the company has officially launched their own car wrapping service. For those unfamiliar, car wrapping isn’t new and it basically places a vinyl film all over your car to help change its color, and in some cases, adds a pattern.

The upside to wrapping is that you won’t have to spray over the existing color, so if you do decide to sell it off, you can just remove the wrapping and your car will be back to its original color. Tesla owners have been wrapping their cars for a while now, albeit through third-party services, so this actually marks Tesla’s official entry into the car wrapping game.

Unfortunately, at the moment this car wrapping service seems to only be available in China. However, we wouldn’t be surprised if Tesla were to expand its availability to other countries that they operate in as well.

Tesla Launches Its Own Car Wrapping Service , original content from Ubergizmo. Read our Copyrights and terms of use.

Hitman 3 VR Puts You In The Shoes Of Agent 47

Sat, 08 Aug 2020 01:01:42 GMT

The thing about first-person shooters or games that let players play in the first-person perspective is that it is meant to offer a more intimate experience. However, there is still a sense of detachment as you would essentially be playing through a monitor and controllers like a keyboard and mouse or a gamepad.

However, thanks to virtual reality, these types of games are about to get a whole lot more immersive and come January 2021, gamers will be able to put themselves in the shoes of Agent 47 of the Hitman franchise as the latest title in the franchise, Hitman 3, will be playable on Sony’s PlayStation VR.

According to Travis Barbour from IO Interactive, the developers behind the game, “Hitman 3 VR will change the way you play the game by giving you a first person view and allowing you to get truly immersed into the rich and detailed locations that the series is known for. Whether you’re in disguise and walking down the catwalk at a fashion show in Paris, enjoying the seaside in Sapienza or infiltrating a bank in New York, Hitman in VR literally gives you a brand new perspective in first person.”

The PSVR version of the game is expected to launch alongside the regular version of Hitman 3, so if you want to enjoy it on launch day itself, you can, although you will need the PSRVR headset and controllers to take advantage of it.

Hitman 3 VR Puts You In The Shoes Of Agent 47 , original content from Ubergizmo. Read our Copyrights and terms of use.

2020 iMac Benchmarks Suggests That It Might Be Worth Upgrading To

Sat, 08 Aug 2020 01:00:49 GMT

After more than a year, just the other day Apple finally updated its iMac where they gave the 27-inch iMac a refresh and an upgrade in terms of hardware specs. This included the use of newer Intel processors, the shift to full SSDs, and also a much-requested upgrade to the webcam where it now shoots in 1080p.

So the question is, are these new iMacs worth upgrading to? Turns out that they are, at least according to multiple benchmarks. In a video posted on YouTube by Max Yuryev, he tested the top of the line 2019 iMac with a Core i9 processor against the 2020 iMac with a Core i7 processor and the computer scored 8,292 and 9,741 respectively in terms of multi-core scores.

Since not everyone will be getting the most expensive model, Macotakara also conducted their own benchmarks with the Core i5 models where the 2019 model scored 5,100 versus 5,688 against the 2020 model. These are some pretty good gains so if you were thinking of getting the new iMac, it seems like it could be worth it.

However, we should note that this Intel iMac could possibly be one of the last Intel-based iMacs we will be seeing. This is because Apple has confirmed that they will be transitioning to their own custom chipsets over the next two years, which means that it is possible that the next iMac refresh could be powered by Apple’s own chipset. If you’re in no hurry to upgrade, then it might be worth sitting this one out and waiting to see what Apple could have in store.

2020 iMac Benchmarks Suggests That It Might Be Worth Upgrading To , original content from Ubergizmo. Read our Copyrights and terms of use.

iPhone 12 Production Reportedly Runs Into Quality Issues

Sat, 08 Aug 2020 00:59:55 GMT

If Apple plans to launch their new iPhones in the next few months, there is a good chance that manufacturing of parts and components should already be underway. That does seem to be the case according to reports, but based on a new report from analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, it would appear that Apple might have run into some quality issues.

Kuo claims that apparently at least one of Apple’s manufacturing partners has run into some issues with the quality of the coating on the camera lenses for the iPhone 12. These quality issues are said to have resulted in cracked coatings on the camera lenses which will no doubt have a negative impact on the images captured by the phone’s cameras.

This was discovered during high temperature and high humidity testing, which means that it was caught relatively early. Kuo does not expect these quality issues to affect the launch of the iPhone 12, but it is one that definitely needs to be addressed. The iPhones affected by this includes the base iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Max, specifically on the wide-angle lens.

This only appears to be the problem of one supplier, Genius Electronic Optical. Kuo claims that Apple is using multiple manufacturers for this particular process, Largan being one of them, and who apparently isn’t having any issues with their coatings.

iPhone 12 Production Reportedly Runs Into Quality Issues , original content from Ubergizmo. Read our Copyrights and terms of use.

A WeChat Ban Could Spell Bad News For Apple

Fri, 07 Aug 2020 23:52:16 GMT

In addition to banning TikTok, the US government has also recently announced that they would be banning WeChat. This is according to an executive order signed by US President Donald Trump that effectively bans US individuals or companies from doing business with these particular apps.

We imagine that this would no doubt have a negative impact on users and Tencent, the company who owns WeChat, but it also seems that it might have a negative effect on US companies like Apple as well. This is because it has been suggested that the ban of WeChat, which would force Apple to remove the app from its App Store, could result in fewer iPhone sales.

This is according to a survey conducted by a Chinese finance media outlet where based on the results of its survey, it seems that 678,000 Chinese users would buy a different phone if WeChat is no longer available on iOS. This is versus the 38,600 users who said that they would simply uninstall the app.

WeChat is a big deal over in China and various parts of Asia. This is because of how multifaceted the app is, where it not only acts as a way for users to chat, but it can make voice and video calls, make purchases, as well as send and receive money. Over in China, the app is also extremely crucial where many rely on it to make bill payments, purchase train tickets, and so on, which means that losing WeChat would cause a huge disruption in the daily lives of many users.

A WeChat Ban Could Spell Bad News For Apple , original content from Ubergizmo. Read our Copyrights and terms of use.

Facebook Gaming Has Launched On iOS, But It Is Severely Crippled

Fri, 07 Aug 2020 23:50:58 GMT

Earlier this year, Facebook announced a new app in the form of Facebook Gaming. The app is basically the mobile version of Facebook Gaming on the web where it would play home to livestreams of games and also provide gamers with access to certain Facebook-based games all on their phone.

The app has since been released on iOS devices, months after its Android counterpart, but unfortunately it appears to be severely crippled where it does not come with any games on it. This means that the only thing the app is able to do is let players watch livestreams of games, which kind of kills some of its usefulness.

In a statement made by Facebook’s COO Sheryl Sandberg, “Unfortunately, we had to remove gameplay functionality entirely in order to get Apple’s approval on the standalone Facebook Gaming app – meaning iOS users have an inferior experience to those using Android.”

For those wondering why the gaming feature is not part of the iOS app, it is because Apple generally does not allow apps to package other apps. The company recently explained that by allowing apps to package other apps, it would effectively prevent Apple from reviewing those apps and thus not allow them to provide iOS users with a uniform experience. It is also why for the foreseeable future, we won’t be able to expect game streaming services like Stadia or Project xCloud on iOS devices.

Facebook Gaming Has Launched On iOS, But It Is Severely Crippled , original content from Ubergizmo. Read our Copyrights and terms of use.

ESPN+ Will Be Getting A $1/Month Price Hike

Fri, 07 Aug 2020 23:50:04 GMT

If you’re still on the fence as to whether or not you want to subscribe to Disney’s ESPN+, you might want to move quickly because the company has announced that starting August 12, they will be increasing the price of its monthly subscription from $4.99 a month to $5.99 a month, which means that over the course of a year, you will end up paying $12 more.

However, the good news for current subscribers is that you will get to keep paying the current prices for at least a year as these changes will only affect new subscribers. But since this only comes into effect next week, it means that you still have time to sign up under the $4.99 plan and be grandfathered in.

Also, we should point out that while the monthly subscription price will be increasing, it seems that if you are willing to commit for at least a year, the annual subscription will remain the same where it is priced at $49.99 a year. It also seems that the bundle that combines Disney+, ESPN+, and Hulu will continue to be priced at $12.99 a month.

This means that the price hike will only apply to a standalone ESPN+ subscription and will mostly apply to customers who aren’t willing to commit to a one year subscription and want to pay month-to-month.

ESPN+ Will Be Getting A $1/Month Price Hike , original content from Ubergizmo. Read our Copyrights and terms of use.

How To Use Windows Apps On A Mac

Fri, 07 Aug 2020 17:35:05 GMT

Apple’s macOS operating system is more than capable of performing most of the tasks that Windows PCs can. However, there are times when there is a specific piece of software that you need that is only available on Windows. So what can you do? Short of buying a brand new separate Windows PC, there are actually a couple of ways to run Windows apps on a Mac.

Running Windows On A Mac Using Boot Camp

Within macOS, Apple actually bundles a utility called Boot Camp. This allows Mac users to install Windows on their Mac computers and allow it to boot up into Windows, essentially turning your Mac hardware into a PC running on Windows. You will, of course, need a copy of Windows, and here’s how you can get started.

Download Windows 10 First

Download the Windows 10 ISO file from Microsoft’s website
Select your language
Select 64-bit Download

Install Windows 10 Using Boot Camp Assistant

Launch Boot Camp Assistant
Click Continue
Under ISO image, select the Windows 10 ISO file that you just downloaded
Boot Camp Assistant will then suggest how you can partition your drives, and you can drag it to the left or right if you want to give Windows more or less storage, depending on your needs
Click Install and wait for Boot Camp Assistant to download all the necessary software like drivers and support files
Your Mac will restart once the installation is complete
Upon reboot, your Mac will now boot up Windows
Follow the instructions on the screen to complete the Windows installation process
If you have a Windows 10 product key, enter it, if not click “I don’t have a product key” at the bottom of the installation window
Once you’ve completed the installation process and Windows 10 has been launched, you’ll be greeted by the Boot Camp installer
Click Next and wait for Boot Camp to be installed and your Mac will then restart
You should now have a fully functional version of Windows 10 running on your Mac

Switching Between Windows And macOS

If you want to switch back to macOS, you will have to shut down your Mac and reboot to Windows.

Click the System Tray
Click on Boot Camp
Select Restart in macOS

You can also switch from macOS to Windows, although this is slightly tricky.

Click the Apple icon in macOS
Click Restart
Press and hold the Option key immediately after clicking Restart
You will then be given the option to boot into either macOS or Windows, so select Windows if you want to use Windows.

Using Windows Apps

Once you’ve got Windows 10 up and running and installed on your Mac computer, you can go ahead and use it like you would a regular PC. You can download apps and use software that is specifically designed for Windows, so if you are familiar with the Windows 10 operating system, then this won’t be any different.

Running Windows On A Mac Using Parallels

Unlike using Boot Camp which basically installs a full fledged version of Windows, Parallels is basically a virtualization software. This means that it runs an emulated version of Windows within macOS itself. The upside is that it makes it easier to switch between Windows and Mac which is handy if you just need to access certain Windows-exclusive software for a short period of time.

The download is that it can take up more system resources compared to running Windows by itself. This is because with virtualization, you would essentially be running an operating system within an operating system, so unless you don’t mind a bit of drop in performance or if you have a very powerful and capable Mac, Boot Camp could be the better option in terms of optimization and experience.

However, like we said, if you do prefer using virtualization and don’t want the hassle of rebooting and switching back and forth, then read on.

Download Windows 10 First

Download the Windows 10 ISO file from Microsoft’s website
Select your language
Select 64-bit Download

Download Parallels For Mac

Download the latest version of Parallels
Follow the install instructions on the screen
If you have a Windows 10 product key, enter it, if not uncheck the box
Select the primary reason why you would use Windows for
Follow the Windows 10 installation instructions on the screen and wait for Windows 10 to be installed
Once Windows 10 is installed, you should be pretty much to go and can use it like you would a Windows computer

If you are experiencing any performance issues like slight lag, like we said, this is because virtualization means that you are running two operating systems at once and can be taxing on your Mac’s hardware. For those with lower-specced Macs, this could result in a less than ideal experience, but it is admittedly a lot easier and convenient than having to reboot back and forth between both macOS and Windows 10.

There are also upsides to using virtualization as you can drag and drop files into folders, as well as launch Windows apps within the dock. For Mac computers with the Touch Bar, there will also be some Windows specific features that will appear on the Touch Bar. There is not necessarily a right or wrong path to choose, and it’s entirely up to you and your own personal needs.

How To Use Windows Apps On A Mac , original content from Ubergizmo. Read our Copyrights and terms of use.

How To Use Your Camera As A Webcam Without Additional Hardware

Fri, 07 Aug 2020 17:34:33 GMT

Webcams have come a long way from the earlier days, but the quality they capture isn’t necessarily the best. If you just need a webcam for video conferences then that’s fine, but if you want to take your video conferencing to the next level with high quality footage, or if you want to start livestreaming, then you could consider using a camera like a mirrorless or DSLR.

The good news is while these cameras weren’t necessarily designed to be used as webcams, you can actually turn your camera into a webcam in several easy steps. Depending on the model you use, some companies have actually released software that turns it into a plug-and-play situation.

This seems to be in response to the coronavirus pandemic where more people are starting to work and study from home, and camera companies are taking advantage of this by releasing software that lets people turn their cameras into webcams, where previously users would typically have to rely on third-party software and accessories.

Fujifilm

If you own a Fujifilm camera, you’ll be pleased to learn that the company has an app called the Fujifilm X Webcam software that is available on both Windows and macOS. All you need is a compatible Fujifilm camera, a USB cable, and the Fujifilm X Webcam software.

Download and install the Fujifilm X Webcam software
Turn your camera on
Turn the drive dial and set it to “S” (single shot)
Go to your camera’s settings > Connection Settings > Connection Mode and select USB Auto
Using the supplied cable, connect one end to your camera’s USB port, and the other to your computer’s USB port
Launch your video calling app of choice
Go to the video settings and choose your connected Fujifilm camera as your camera of choice and you should be good to go.

At this point in time, the Fujifilm cameras that are compatible with the software include the GFX100, GFX 50S, GFX 50R, X-H1, X-Pro2, X-Pro3, X-T2, X-T3, X-T4.

Canon

Similar to Fujifilm, Canon had also released a software for Windows and macOS that can turn compatible Canon cameras into a webcam. Dubbed the EOS Webcam Utility Beta Software (it is still in beta, but otherwise functional), it providers users with an easy plug-and-play setup with their Canon cameras.

Go to Canon’s Webcam Utility website
Select your Canon camera from the list of compatible models
Download and install the software
Turn on your camera and turn the dial to movie mode
Adjust the exposure settings to your desired look
Take the supplied USB cable and connect one end to your Canon camera and the other end to your computer
Launch your video calling app of choice
Go to the video settings and choose EOS Webcam Utility Beta as your camera of choice and you are all set.

Olympus

While Olympus will be selling off its camera division, the good news is that the company will not be abandoning its users entirely. In fact, not too long after the announcement, the company actually announced the launch of the Olympus OM-D Webcam Beta software that lets users turn their compatible Olympus cameras into a webcam. The method is pretty straightforward like the cameras we mentioned above.

Download and install the Olympus OM-D Webcam Beta software
Connect your camera to your computer using the supplied cable
Turn on your camera and select the USB tether icon (four option from top)
Turn the dial on your camera to video mode
Go to your camera’s settings and select continuous autofocus
Launch your video conferencing app of choice
Go to your video conferencing app’s settings and choose “OM-D Webcam Beta” as the video source and you should be set.

Panasonic

If you own a Panasonic Lumix camera, the company has also released software for both Windows and macOS that will let you turn your Lumix camera into a webcam. Setting it up isn’t quite as straightforward compared to the options that we mentioned above, but this is a temporary measure of sorts while Panasonic works on a more “proper” app.

Download and install the LUMIX Tether app
Connect the camera to your computer using the supplied cable
Turn your camera on and select PC (Tether) mode
Set the camera to movie mode
Turn the AF dial to AFC
Go to your camera’s settings > Movie Mode > Continuous AF and select Mode 2
Go to Face Detection > AF Mode and select Face/Eye Detection
Launch the LUMIX Tether app and click on the “LV” button to launch the live view
Click the box button at the top left corner of the live view screen to remove any GUI overlays
Download and install OBS Studio and the OBS Virtualcam plug-in
Launch OBS Studio
Under Sources click on the + button and select Window Capture and click OK
Under “Window”, select LUMIX Tether Live View
Go to Tools > Virtualcam and click Start
Launch your video calling app of choice
Go to the video settings and under video source, choose OBS Video and you will be good to go.

Sony

Much like Panasonic, Sony doesn’t have a plug-and-play solution for turning its cameras into webcams and you will still need to go through third-party apps like OBS, but it is still a relatively easy process just with additional steps and additional software, but no video capture card is necessary.

Download and install the Sony Imaging Edge Desktop
Launch the application and click “Download” to download all the modules
Connect the camera to your computer using the supplied cable
Turn your camera on
Go to your Sony’s camera settings and under USB Connection, select PC Remote
Launch the Imaging Edge Desktop
Under Remote click Start
Double-click your camera in the list
Download and install OBS Studio and the OBS Virtualcam plug-in
Launch OBS Studio
Under Sources click on the + button and select Window Capture and click OK
Under “Window”, select Imaging Edge Desktop
Go to Tools > Virtualcam and click Start
Launch your video calling app of choice
Go to the video settings and under video source, choose OBS Video and you will be good to go.

Nikon

If you use a Nikon camera, it seems that the company has yet to release an official software that can turn its cameras into webcams. This does not mean that Nikon users are out of luck, but rather they would need to turn to third-party apps in order to get the job done, but it is still a relatively straightforward process.

Download and install SparkoCam
Connect your camera to your computer
Launch SparkoCam
Click Nikon Camera and select your camera from the list and click the checkbox
You should now see the live feed from your camera on your computer screen
Launch your video conferencing app of choice
Go to your video conferencing app’s settings and select “SparkoCam Video” as your source and you are pretty much all done.

Note that SparkoCam is free to use but comes with a watermark overlaid on it. You can purchase the license if you think that you might want to use it over an extended period of time.

How To Use Your Camera As A Webcam Without Additional Hardware , original content from Ubergizmo. Read our Copyrights and terms of use.

How To Turn Your Old Smartphone Into A Security Camera

Fri, 07 Aug 2020 14:00:32 GMT

Chances are over the years, you’ve probably gone through a few smartphones. If you’re the type that keeps your old phones around, how about maybe giving them a second life? One of the things you can do with your old smartphone is that you can actually turn it into a security camera of sorts.

Sure, you might not necessarily get all the features you would from a dedicated security camera or one of those smarter ones from Nest, Arlo, and so on, but if you want to save some money, here’s how you can transform your old smartphone that’s sitting around collecting dust into a home security camera.

Choosing The Right Security Camera App

There are actually several security camera apps available out there. Which one is the “best” is entirely up to you depending on your needs and preferences, and also how much you’re willing to pay for them.

Some of them are free to use out of the box, while some also offer in-app purchases like the ability to store footage in the cloud for a monthly fee. Like we said, this depends on your needs, but we’ve listed several that could be worth checking out.

AtHome Camera

This seems to be one of the more popular security camera apps available today for smartphones.

It comes with features such as night vision, AI that can learn to recognize and differentiate between people and objects so that you don’t always get alerted to movements, two-way talking so that you can speak through your smartphone and listen to what’s going on, and also a timelapse feature that lets you watch what happened in the past 24-hours quickly.

Alfred

Alfred is another popular option for smartphone security camera apps. It supports two-way talking, motion detection, a low-light filter that makes it better at seeing in the dark, and also a siren mode.

There is even the ability to create a “trust circle” that lets your friends access the camera if you want, and there is also support for multiple devices that can tune in and watch the stream.

Manything

Manything is an app that works with regular CCTV cameras, but it also has the added benefit of working with smartphones as well.

It allows users to watch live feeds from anywhere through the accompanying app, and you can also choose to save those videos to the cloud for review later. There is support for remote control, adjusting the detection zones, and motion alerts.

TrackView

TrackView is a multipurpose app where it can act as a home security camera on the smartphone it is installed on. It comes with features such as sound and motion detection, the ability to record to the cloud, and it can also double as a video monitor or baby monitor if you prefer.

The app also supports other non-security related features such as being able to find your smartphone, GPS tracker, family locator, car locator, and so on.

Presence

Much like the rest of the apps we mentioned above, Presence is a home security camera app that turns old smartphones into a security camera. It comes with features like motion detection that will alert you whenever it detects something moving in your home.

There is also the ability to have two-way conversations, which means it can also double as a smart doorbell of sorts, and also support for multiple viewers at the same time.

Picking A Location For Your Smartphone Camera

Now that you’ve chosen the app that you want to use, the next step is to choose the location for where you want to place your smartphone.

This is important for several reasons, because depending on your smartphone’s cameras, some locations might be better than others. For example, if you’re using a much older device, your cameras might not be as good as newer smartphone models.

For instance your cameras might not be as wide as newer cameras, so if you want to capture a larger scene, you’ll need to make sure that your smartphone is positioned in a way that can capture more detail.

You’ll also need to consider lighting where lightning might not always be ideal, but there should still be sufficient lighting to ensure that your footage will be usable and also to help with motion detection if the app supports it.

It also brings us to our next step in turning your old smartphone into a security camera.

Mounting And Powering Your Smartphone

As our smartphones run on batteries, it means that you will need to make sure that your smartphone is plugged in and powered all the time, at least if you want to have continuous video footage.

Also, you need to make sure that your phone is in proximity to your home’s WiFi so that it can stream and store footage it captures to another device, like your primary smartphone, or to the cloud so that it can send you notifications as well.

You might also need to consider purchasing longer charging cables if the height or position you’ve chosen is further away from the power source.

You will also need to choose how you want to mount your smartphone, whether you want to lean it against a stack of books or if you want to purchase a smartphone tripod.

There are some mounts that come with flexible legs so that you can wrap it around the stands of your bookshelf or a lamp to give you a better angle or height.

How To Turn Your Old Smartphone Into A Security Camera , original content from Ubergizmo. Read our Copyrights and terms of use.

The iPhone 12 Will Be Retaining Its Massive Notch

Fri, 07 Aug 2020 11:07:15 GMT

One of the criticisms about the iPhone series with the TrueDepth camera and Face ID would be the notch that Apple has embedded in the display. For the most part, many have become accustomed to the notch in the display, but this isn’t to say that it cannot be improved upon or maybe even removed entirely.

If you were hoping that the notch would be going away soon, you might be disappointed to learn that with the iPhone 12, it looks like not only will the notch be staying, but it will also be retaining the same size. We’ve seen other companies try to work around this by swapping out the notch for the hole-punch camera, but a leak by Mr-white on Twitter seems to suggest that nothing has changed.

Like we said, most of us have become accustomed to the notch so this isn’t necessarily the worst thing in the world, but it is a bit disappointing for those who were hoping that Apple would be the first to solve this “problem”.

Same Face iD Size pic.twitter.com/nn61avvsEc

— Mr·white (@laobaiTD) August 6, 2020

Of course, we can’t say with certainty that the photo posted on Twitter is the real deal, so take it with a grain of salt. Apple is expected to announce four new iPhones later this year, one being a base 5.4-inch iPhone, two sporting 6.1-inch displays, and one that will come with a 6.7-inch display.

The iPhone 12 Will Be Retaining Its Massive Notch , original content from Ubergizmo. Read our Copyrights and terms of use.

This Credit Card Uses AI To Better Manage Your Finances

Fri, 07 Aug 2020 11:06:00 GMT

We all probably think that we have a relatively good handle on our finances, but rarely is that the case. A lot of times, our wants tend to outweigh our needs, which can lead to unnecessary spending and landing ourselves in debt, especially if you own a credit card which makes it way too easy to buy things you might not necessarily be able to afford.

Enter Cred.ai, a startup which has launched its own credit card that will apparently leverage AI technology to help us better manage our finances. How it works is that it takes into account things like your regular expenses and then based on how much money you have, it will then try to make a smart calculation to determine how much you will be able to spend.

Whenever users purchase something, it will take the amount out of your bank account, but will float it for a while so that you can still build credit towards a better credit score. According to the company, it seems that if you’re willing to play by the AI’s rules, you should never have to be in a position where you’ll need to pay interest or late fees on your card again.

It sounds like an interesting idea and if you think that maybe you might need the help of AI to better manage your finances, you can sign up and take part in Cred.ai’s beta program.

This Credit Card Uses AI To Better Manage Your Finances , original content from Ubergizmo. Read our Copyrights and terms of use.

Google Turns To Recycled Plastic Bottles For Its New Phone Cases

Fri, 07 Aug 2020 11:05:11 GMT

In addition to launching the Pixel 4a, Google also took the wraps off a bunch of new phone cases. This isn’t too surprising given that new phones usually have new cases to accompany them, but it seems that what these cases are made out of might surprise you: they are made using recycled plastic bottles.

Plastic, especially single-use plastic, has become an environmental concern, which is why Google decided to look into maybe taking some of that plastic and turning it into something that would last longer than a plastic bottle. The cases are made from 70% recycled plastic and two water bottles are used to help create enough material to make five cases.

According to Miguel Harry, the lead designer of the case also went on to explain the reason behind their design. “We wanted to give the case a cozy feeling. Like a handmade product that is imperfect, even though it is obviously made by machine.”

That being said, Google isn’t the only tech company looking to reduce their carbon footprint. Other companies, especially Apple, have long touted that their products try to incorporate as much recycled material as possible. Even the company’s operations are relatively green where they try to use renewable energy sources like solar energy.

Google Turns To Recycled Plastic Bottles For Its New Phone Cases , original content from Ubergizmo. Read our Copyrights and terms of use.

Apple’s iOS Devices Will Have To Sit Out On Game Streaming Services

Fri, 07 Aug 2020 11:04:03 GMT

Game streaming services are expected to disrupt the gaming industry and the way we approach gaming hardware. Since the majority of the processing is done in the cloud, all gamers really need is a device that can stream those games and a steady (and fast) internet connection. However, it now seems that they will need a device that isn’t an iPhone or iPad.

In a statement to Business Insider, Apple has essentially confirmed that its iOS platform will not be playing host to game streaming services like Google Stadia or Microsoft’s Project xCloud. According to Apple, the reason for this is because unlike more traditional game releases, they aren’t in a position to review the games that gamers stream, and as such, it would not allow Apple to guarantee a uniform experience.

According to the statement, “The App Store was created to be a safe and trusted place for customers to discover and download apps, and a great business opportunity for all developers. Before they go on our store, all apps are reviewed against the same set of guidelines that are intended to protect customers and provide a fair and level playing field to developers.”

We’re not sure if Apple’s stance will change in the future or if maybe the company could be planning something similar of their own, but until the company has a change of heart, it looks like iOS users will have to sit this one out.

Apple’s iOS Devices Will Have To Sit Out On Game Streaming Services , original content from Ubergizmo. Read our Copyrights and terms of use.

Fujifilm Reportedly Has A New Mid-Range Camera In The Works

Fri, 07 Aug 2020 11:03:10 GMT

Fujifilm is known for their high-end mirrorless cameras like the X-Pro3, X-T4, and the X-H1. However, these cameras aren’t cheap and if you are a fan of Fujifilm but don’t want to break the bank, you might be interested to learn that the company could actually have a new mid-range camera in the works.

Apart from the cameras we mentioned above, the company does have some mid-range cameras like the X-T30 and the X-E3, but according to a report from Fuji Rumors, they have heard from their sources that apparently Fujifilm has two new mid-range cameras in the works, and that at least one of those cameras will be part of a brand new lineup.

This means that it might not necessarily be the successor to the X-T30 or the X-E3 and could be something else entirely. We’re not sure what kind of camera this will be or what it could bring to the lineup that the other cameras can’t, so we’ll just have to wait and see. As to when these cameras will be announced, apparently the company is targeting to launch them by the end of the Japanese fiscal year which is March 2021, which means that it could be anytime from now until March 2021.

Take it with a grain of salt for now, but check back with us later where hopefully more details will be revealed.

Fujifilm Reportedly Has A New Mid-Range Camera In The Works , original content from Ubergizmo. Read our Copyrights and terms of use.

Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless Headphones Launched

Fri, 07 Aug 2020 11:02:16 GMT

It used to be that when it came to noise cancelling headphones, Bose would be the default choice for many. However, these days Sony is absolutely killing it and its WH1000 series has become a new fan favorite. In fact, if you’re looking for a new pair of noise cancelling headphones, Sony has unveiled their new headphones – the WH1000XM4.

These are the latest noise cancelling headphones from the company that carries on the tradition of their WH1000 lineup. While the design of the headphones looks like its predecessor, the changes made are mostly under the hood. According to Sony, some of the upgrades they’ve made includes a new Bluetooth audio system on a chip that apparently analyzes music and surrounding noise at a rate of 700 times per second.

It also sports a new algorithm that will apparently make the WH1000XM4s more adept at cancelling out unwanted noises. Sony has also on the voice call quality from the headphones, and also the ability to pair with two devices simultaneously. Apart from that, the rest of the headphones remain more or less the same as the WH1000XM3s.

This includes the use of the same 40mm drivers and 30 hours of battery life. For those who are interested, the Sony WH1000XM4s will be priced at $350 and are expected to begin shipping mid-August.

Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless Headphones Launched , original content from Ubergizmo. Read our Copyrights and terms of use.

Sony Could Have An Entry-Level Full Frame Mirrorless Camera In The Works

Thu, 06 Aug 2020 23:49:15 GMT

Want to get a full frame mirrorless camera? Unfortunately, full frame mirrorless cameras aren’t exactly cheap and Sony’s A7 is probably the cheapest you can expect from the company. However, that might not necessarily be the case in the future, at least according to Sony Alpha Rumors.

The publication is claiming that come September, Sony is expected to announce an entry-level full frame mirrorless camera that will be part of its mirrorless lineup. The naming of this camera is unclear, but it has been speculated to be called either the A5 or the A6, which kind of makes sense given that Sony’s mirrorless lineup consists of the A7 and A9 series.

In terms of specs, not much is known about the camera at the moment. However, it has been suggested that it could sport a smaller and more compact design similar to Sony’s A6XXX series. It has also been rumored that it might not even come with an EVF (which is one of the ways Sony could help reduce the price), and that it might be priced starting at $1,000.

Needless to say that this should be taken with a grain of salt for now, but if you are looking to get into full frame mirrorless cameras, then this could be a camera to look out for especially if you’d rather not break the bank buying one.

Sony Could Have An Entry-Level Full Frame Mirrorless Camera In The Works , original content from Ubergizmo. Read our Copyrights and terms of use.

Intel Hacked, 20GB Of Confidential Information Leaked

Thu, 06 Aug 2020 23:48:19 GMT

This year does not look like a particularly good year for Intel. It would appear that the company was recently hacked and had about 20GB worth of confidential information stolen and posted onto the internet. This was initially revealed by a software engineer by the name of Till Kottmann who was sent the files from an anonymous hacker.

The leak has since been confirmed by ZDNet who managed to verify the data as being authentic, thanks to the help of security researchers. The files that were leaked are said to contain Intel’s intellectual property in terms of the internal designers of various chipsets, including technical specs, product guides, and manuals for Intel products dating back to 2016.

The good news is that the hack does not affect Intel’s customers or employees, so it seems that to be more about stealing Intel’s product information rather than trying to breach customer information. However, the bad news is that it has been suggested that because of the BIOS code that was leaked that hackers could use it to potentially reverse engineer a hack or manipulate it in a way that could affect current or even future Intel products.

Intel has since released a statement in which they deny being hacked, but acknowledge that some of their data might have been shared. “We are investigating this situation. The information appears to come from the Intel Resource and Design Center, which hosts information for use by our customers, partners and other external parties who have registered for access. We believe an individual with access downloaded and shared this data.”

Intel Hacked, 20GB Of Confidential Information Leaked , original content from Ubergizmo. Read our Copyrights and terms of use.