Geek News

Just as 4K and HDR are finally going mainstream, the ambitious folks at LG Display have also been busy pushing its OLED technology to 8K. Come CES, the Korean manufacturer will be letting attendees get up close with its new 88-inch 8K OLED display, which is both the largest and the highest-resolution OLED panel to date. But as far as specs go, that's all we have for now. Previously, the largest OLED screen size was 77 inches, and it "only" came in 4K. While this combination is currently offered to consumers by the likes of LG Electronics, Sony and Panasonic, they all source their large OLED panels from LG Display. With its main rival Samsung Display having long shifted its focus from OLED TVs to QLED TVs , LG Display is now the sole large-size OLED display maker in the world. That said, with potential competition from other countries like Japan , LG Display has made huge investments to ensure that it continues to have the upper hand by ramping up OLED production c...

Twitter's stricter approach to verification isn't just taking checkmarks away from the leaders of racist groups. The social network has pulled the verified badge from conspiracy peddler Liz Conkin after Chrissy Teigen and her husband John Legend reacted to Conkin's unsupported claims that the two were trafficking their child in a Washington, DC pedophile ring. As Teigen explained, it didn't make sense that Twitter would verify someone who was accusing her of horrific acts, especially not when this person has nearly 50,000 followers. Legend helped elaborate on the concerns. He noted to one of Conkin's supporters that the bogus Pizzagate scandal "almost got someone killed" -- the concern is that a Conkin devotee would believe the unsubstantiated claims at face value and threaten the couple. Legend vowed to sue Conkin if she kept making her claims. The conspiracist deleted her posts and backtracked in a bid to avoid a lawsuit, claiming that Teigen an...

OnePlus really didn't waste any time fulfilling its promise of bringing the 5T's Face Unlock feature to the original 5 . The smartphone maker has rolled out an OxygenOS beta that lets OnePlus 5 owners sign in with a quick glimpse at their phone, just like those with newer handsets. This isn't a stable release, so you probably don't want to install this if you can't afford to deal with glitches, but it beats waiting weeks into 2018 to give the feature a try. As before, Face Unlock isn't strictly secure -- it's not using depth sensors , iris scanning or other methods that reduce the chances of someone fooling the system. This is about convenience more than anything else. OnePlus doesn't pretend otherwise, though, and it's good to see a tentpole feature coming to a not-so-current device. Via: Android Police Source: OnePlus via Engadget RSS Feed "http://ift.tt/2lxqIB1"

Using "acoustic shock waves" to promote healing isn't just for Overwatch , as Sanuwave has obtained FDA approval for its Dermapace System (Pulsed Acoustic Cellular Expression = PACE). Its approval is specifically to help heal foot ulcers in diabetic patients, where damage to blood vessels and nerves can lead to reduced circulation, infection and sometimes amputation. The Dermapace mechanically stimulates the wound, which Sanuwave says promotes healing. Like several other "first" FDA approvals we've seen recently, this device went through the de novo review process designed specifically to get new technology on the market. After two double-blind studies , the results showed an increase in wound healing at 24 weeks with a 44 percent wound closure rate with the real Dermapace device, vs. a 30 percent closure rate for patients treated with a fake system. Now that this device has been approved, it also opens the door for similar technology, if it can show t...

Intermedia Labs' live trivia game HQ has launched a little earlier than expected -- and just in time to mark the end of the year, too. Anyone willing and able to download an early access app can see whether or not the formerly iOS-only title lives up to its reputation. You won't have long to wait before you can give it a shot. HQ is holding a special New Year's Eve game at 11PM Eastern, and there's a chance to win as much as $18,000 if your knowledge is up to snuff. There's no mention of when a polished version of HQ will reach Android, although Intermedia has been scrambling to fix bugs to get the app ready ahead of its public test. HQ is ultimately a simple game at its heart: it's an elimination-based challenge where progressively harder questions whittle down the contestant pool from hundreds of thousands to just a handful. The allure is the live, schedule-based nature of gameplay. Instead of interacting with faceless software by yourself, you're par...

The new year is proving to be a headache for some car makers in China. As of January 1st, the country has suspended production of 553 car models that didn't meet its fuel efficiency standards. Some of these come from partnerships with foreign heavyweights, including Beijing Benz Automotive, Chery and FAW-Volkswagen. It's not certain how soon those companies might restart production lines, although that likely involves finding powertrains that meet fuel consumption targets. There were signs that this crackdown was coming. Regulators had said earlier in December that they would gradually impose stricter emissions standards on new cars, and they recently extended EV tax credits through 2020. Moreover, China hasn't been shy about wanting to eventually ban all fossil fuel cars . Automakers know they can't continue the status quo if they want to continue doing business in China, and that means more efficient engines, hybrids and ultimately pure electric cars. The produc...

Earlier this month, HQ Trivia announced that the app would finally be available for Android users , allowing them to pre-register to download it. The app is now available in the Google Play Store’s Early Access section. The game launched this past fall on iOS. The Android app is still in beta, and the product page notes that the app is potentially unstable. Recode reported earlier this month that the company is working to raise money from venture capitalists for a potential $100 million valuation. The addition of an Android app will likely help boost its user base. Created by Vine co-founders Rus Yusupov and fellow co-founder Colin Kroll, the game is a live trivia contest that has become extremely popular in recent months . Players... Continue reading… via The Verge - Tech Posts "http://ift.tt/2C1lcNL"

Before his death in January 2016 , David Bowie was a noted musician, actor, and was a prolific reader . On Twitter , Bowie’s son, Duncan Jones recently said that he has been “feeling a building sense of duty to go on the same literary marathon in tribute” to his late father, and will be holding an online book club based on his father’s favorite books. Bowie’s website provides a list of his 100 favorite books , and Jones, the director of Moon , Warcraft , and the forthcoming film Mute , said on Twitter that he’ll be starting off with Peter Ackroyd’s 1985 novel Hawksmoor. The novel follows two parallel storylines: one follows an 18th century church builder in London who performs human sacrifices, while the other is about a detective who is... Continue reading… via The Verge - Tech Posts "http://ift.tt/2lsq4FH"

Science The ideal form, equipment, and conditions for the first bobsled push. We dove into the ideal form, equipment, and conditions that contribute to these pivotal two seconds. via Popular Science "http://ift.tt/2ChqJEi"

Telegram has been busy parrying government attempts to collect user data over the past year, but it hasn't forgotten its users. It's ushering in 2018 with a handful of offerings you'll likely find helpful if it's your chat app of choice, starting with the ability to support multiple accounts on Android. The latest version of Telegram for the platform supports up to three accounts with different phone numbers. You can quickly switch between them on the side menu, but you'll get notifications for all of them regardless of which one's active. While the iOS app remains a step behind its Android sibling and still can't support multiple accounts, the company has something for Apple users, as well. Telegram is finally giving you a way to change what your app looks like under the new Appearance setting. The iOS version now has several themes to choose from, including two dark "night time" themes and a "day" theme with colors you can tweak. T...

A team of reptile and amphibian enthusiasts is asking for the public’s help training artificial intelligence to spot snakes, frogs, and more from photos. The team wants to eventually create an app that can help people identify these creatures in their backyards — and prevent people from killing them. But first, their AI has to get better at making those photo IDs. The AI, named Fitch after the late, renowned herpetologist Henry S. Fitch , is part of a new platform called What the Herp? Right now, it’s a webpage and a Twitter bot (@WhatTheHerp) where people can submit photos for Fitch to try and identify. “The biggest issue with conservation of herps is that we work with one of the most detested groups on the planet — you’re up there... Continue reading… via The Verge - Tech Posts "http://ift.tt/2C5kgYI"

A court in Germany has told Amazon.com that it can no longer use search terms to lure in customers who misspell “Birkenstock,” according to Reuters . The German sandal maker filed an injunction, complaining that the online retailer had been using variations on its brand name, such as “Brikenstock”, “Birkenstok”, and “Bierkenstock” on Google’s Adwords. Birkenstock alleges that by luring in customers with keywords, it’s potentially selling counterfeit sandals, potentially damaging the company’s reputation. Amazon told Reuters that it works “diligently with vendors, sellers and rights owners to detect and prevent fraudulent products reaching our marketplace.” Reuters notes that the company has severed ties with amazon in Europe and in the... Continue reading… via The Verge - Tech Posts "http://ift.tt/2Cm4211"

The UK still isn't convinced that internet giants are doing enough to curb online extremism , and it's now considering hitting those companies where it really hurts: their bank accounts. In an interview with the Sunday Times , security minister Ben Wallace said the country should use taxes to either incentivize stronger anti-extremist efforts or compensate for "inaction." While Wallace didn't go into detail as to what he'd like, the Times suggested it would be a windfall-based tax that targeted companies' large profits. Wallace certainly doesn't think very highly of internet companies -- he called them "ruthless profiteers" who put "profit before public safety." They'll sell info to loan sharks and "soft-porn companies," he claimed, but won't give it to the UK's elected government. The companies in question object to the claims. Facebook's Simon Milner said Wallace was "wrong" that the soci...

The Steam Winter Sale continues today, through January 4th!* Save big on thousands of games for Windows, Mac and Linux! Be sure to vote in The Steam Awards! Come back every day through January 2nd to vote for each award, and find out the winners on January 3rd. Voting continues today with The "Whoooaaaaaaa, Dude! 2.0" Award. Here are the finalists: Antichamber CPU Invaders Hotline Miami 2: Wrong Number Luna The Evil Within 2 Remember to check back every day to see the new category and cast your vote! *Discounts end January 4th at 10pm Pacific, unless otherwise indicated. via Steam RSS News Feed "http://ift.tt/2DEBddf"

By Lauren Dragan This post was done in partnership with Wirecutter , reviews for the real world. When readers choose to buy Wirecutter's independently chosen editorial picks, it may earn affiliate commissions that support its work. Read the full article here . After testing 136 sets of headphones and considering an additional 90, we are yet again convinced that the JLab Epic2 is the best pair of wireless workout headphones for most people, because they sound good, fit comfortably, and stay out of your way during rigorous workouts. Our testing showed that these earbuds should withstand abuse, sweat, and moisture when used properly, plus they're backed by a one-year warranty and responsive customer service. Who should get this Wireless workout headphones are for people who want to block out external distractions and don't need to hear their surroundings during a workout. You'll need to charge them from time to time, and they're not meant for swimming. If either...

The biggest story about apps in 2017 was, well, stories. Snapchat still deserves the credit for coming up with the concept, and Instagram shamelessly ripped it off back in 2016, but this year, everyone got on board . WhatsApp added stories (and then later made them less prominent after users complained ). Facebook added stories (and tried to guilt users into using them with digital ghosts of friends .) Medium — a largely text based app — added stories ! YouTube added stories ! It’s stories all the way down as far as the eye can see. Of course, there’s a very good reason for all this — stories are popular, and popular places on the internet are ripe for that sweet advertising money . Aside from stories, though, the past year saw Instagram’s... Continue reading… via The Verge - Tech Posts "http://ift.tt/2lruixk"

Earlier this month, hackers stole $63 million from crypto-currency mining site NiceHash , prompting the company’s founders to apologize on Facebook Live and to shut down operations for 24 hours. Now, the company’s co-founder, Marko Kobal, has stepped down as CEO. The company allows users to offer up their computer’s processing power to help with the calculations needed to create new bitcoins. In a statement on LinkedIn , Kobal says that the company has been working to recover from the hack, and that he will step aside to “allow new management to lead the organization through its next, exciting period of growth.” He will be replaced by Zdravko Poljašević, according to Slovenian newspaper Delo (via Business Insider ). Kobal founded the... Continue reading… via The Verge - Tech Posts "http://ift.tt/2zTqHw4"

It's a busy weekend for oppressive governments trying to suppress digital communication . Iran has blocked mobile access to at least Telegram and Instagram as it tries to thwart protests that started over economic concerns (particularly inflation), but have extended into broader resistance to the government and clerical rule. Officials claim the censorship is meant to "maintain peace," but the argument doesn't hold water. Telegram founder Pavel Durov noted that his company refused to shut down "peacefully protesting channels," and Instagram is primarily being used to document protests -- Iran clearly doesn't want to reveal the extent of the demonstrations. There are also numerous reports of Iran blocking mobile internet access in several cities, although the full extent isn't clear. The Iran Student News Agency noted that desktop access to Telegram was working, so this appears to be more of an attempt to disrupt on-the-ground protest coordi...

A club in Prague named Karlovy Lazne has recently introduced a robot DJ that alternates with a human to program music for the dance floor throughout the night, as reported by Reuters . Now in rotation for a few weeks, the robot has software that allows it to choose songs, select CDs from a rack, insert them into CDJs, and then play the songs. It also has some pretty sweet dance moves. The club employed a robotics firm to have the robot specifically made for DJing. It’s an adaptation of a KUKA arm primarily used in the automotive industry. Rigged with software that helps it choose songs, the robot’s pincers grab CDs, and then show off some moves before placing them in one of the two CDJs in front of it. It’s unclear from the article if the... Continue reading… via The Verge - Tech Posts "http://ift.tt/2lzxDd1"

If 2016 was the year that streaming music became a necessity , 2017 is the year streaming music showed its clout. This couldn’t have been showcased any more clearly than at the Grammys, where Chance the Rapper won best new artist, best rap album, and best rap performance — an honor only made possible because nomination rules changed, allowing for streaming-only albums to be eligible for nomination. In his acceptance speech, Chance gave a shout out to SoundCloud . Streaming music consumption continues to ramp up, not slow down. Mid-way through the year, the RIAA (the Recording Industry Association of America) released statistics on the US music industry , and during the first half of 2017, revenues from streaming services accounted for 62... Continue reading… via The Verge - Tech Posts "http://ift.tt/2Cur5nO"