Geek News

Apple has confirmed to The Verge that it will stop taking new iTunes LP submissions as of this month. The format, which was launched in 2009, was a way for users to buy albums with bundled elements, like videos, liner notes, or bonus tracks. Earlier today, UK-based website Metro claimed to have a leaked internal email from Apple sent to music producers titled “The End of iTunes LPs.” The email supposedly stated that “Apple will no longer accept new submissions of iTunes LPs after March 2018,” and that “existing LPs will be deprecated from the store during the remainder of 2018. Customers who have previously purchased an album containing an iTunes LP will still be able to download the additional content using iTunes Match.” While iTunes... Continue reading… via The Verge - Tech Posts "http://ift.tt/2Fgmme6"

BlackBerry Limited, the enterprise software arm of the Canadian company that used to sell smartphones, filed a lawsuit today against Facebook, alleging that the social network and its WhatsApp and Instagram subsidiaries infringe on BlackBerry messaging app patents. The core of BlackBerry’s complaint, which is a sprawling 117 pages , is that the company’s proprietary and patent-protected messaging product BlackBerry Messenger, known colloquially as BBM, was a cornerstone of modern mobile communications. BlackBerry is now contending that its intellectual property has been infringed upon by Facebook’s “using a number of the innovative security, user interface, and functionality enhancing features that made BlackBerry’s products such a... Continue reading… via The Verge - Tech Posts "http://ift.tt/2tpn4Aq"

Technology The rise of Bitcoin and its ilk have seriously shifted some collectible prices. Magic: The Gathering and other markets have jumped thanks to cryptocurrency investors. via Popular Science "http://ift.tt/2tlOV4d"

Google announced today that Gboard for Android is getting a handful of new languages including Korean and both traditional and simplified Chinese. The company said that those have been the most requested languages for Android -- they're already on Gboard for iOS -- and they join 20 others that are rolling out to Gboard for Android now. Gboard launched in 2016 and it now supports over 300 language varieties. You can check out a full list here . Google said that while a few of the newly added languages are some of the most widely-spoken, it's also working on including others like Manx, Maori and the Fulani alphabet Adlam that are not as well known. The new languages are rolling out worldwide and should be available within the next few days. Source: Google via Engadget RSS Feed "http://ift.tt/2G1Eypa"

Mercedes’ futuristic headlights are going to be included in a limited quantity of Mercedes-Maybach S-Class cars, Daimler announced today. Mercedes first demoed an LED grille back in 2015 in its F 015 research car, but these new digital lights are supposedly more precise than the multibeam LED headlamps. Each smart HD quality headlamp has over one million pixels and can control where and how much light is thrown in front of the car. They have sensors that control the level of brightness so that onlookers or nearby drivers aren’t blinded by lights. The headlamps are also capable of projecting information onto the road. For instance, if you’re driving through a construction site, two lines of light can be projected to show the width of... Continue reading… via The Verge - Tech Posts "http://ift.tt/2FgkEJH"

Amazon hasn't had much of an answer to Netflix's numerous animated shows, but that should change in the near future -- and it's even 'borrowing' from Netflix in the process. The internet giant has ordered its first half-hour animated series, Undone , with BoJack Horseman alumni Raphael Bob-Waksberg and Kate Purdy at the helm. It'll also have the executive production work of BoJack 's Noel Bright and Steven Cohen, with A Scanner Darkly 's Tommy Pallotta rounding things out. The series will revolve around Alma (played by The Maze Runner 's Rosa Salazar, above), who discovers a "new relationship with time" after a near-fatal car crash and uses this to learn more about the truth behind her father's death. Life in Pieces ' Angelique Cabral is also signing on as Alma's sister. The show is characterized as a "dramedy," so you can expect a somewhat more serious tone than BoJack 's tale of a washed-up anthropomorphic h...

Today's Deal: Save 40% on Human Resource Machine !* Look for the deals each day on the front page of Steam. Or follow us on twitter or Facebook for instant notifications wherever you are! *Offer ends March 14th at 10AM Pacific Time via Steam RSS News Feed "http://ift.tt/2FwVi9G"

Google is officially rolling its Lens out to Android phones that have Google Photos installed. This means users will be able to scan things through the app to receive information, like a dog’s breed or a flower type. Users can also create a contact from a business card or identify a landmark. Certain phones will eventually be able to access Lens through the Google Assistant, too, including flagships from Samsung, Huawei, LG, Motorola, Sony, and HMD / Nokia. Google says Lens is rolling out in batches, so you might not get the update right away — sorry! Rolling out today, Android users can try Google Lens to do things like create a contact from a business card or get more info about a famous landmark. To start, make sure you have the... Continue reading… via The Verge - Tech Posts "http://ift.tt/2thR4xQ"

Save 60% on The Surge during this week's Midweek Madness*! A catastrophic event has knocked you out during the first day on the job… you wake up equipped with a heavy-grade exoskeleton, in a destroyed section of the complex. Robots gone haywire, insane augmented co-workers and rogue AI - everything wants you dead. Defy deadly enemies and huge bosses in tight, visceral melee combat. Target and slice specific limbs off your foes, with a next-gen loot system where you loot what you dismember. Equip, upgrade and craft new weapons and armors sliced from enemies, and make yourself stronger through a fresh take on leveling-up. *Offer ends Friday at 10AM Pacific Time via Steam RSS News Feed "http://ift.tt/2toBCzU"

Mobile spam calls have been a nuisance for years, but over the last few months, it’s felt to me like there’s been a surge of them. I get between four and six calls daily, and a quick survey of friends shows that I’m not alone. Every waking day brings with it a new barrage. Robocalls have upped their game by masking their spam with local, genuine-looking phone numbers. Sometimes their nonsense is amusing — like when you get a threatening voicemail about your impending arrest over owed taxes — but the vast majority of the time, it’s an unwelcome distraction. It’s all too easy for these scammers to wield the power of the internet and fire off countless calls with ease. Robocalls have become so infuriating that the Federal Trade Commission r... Continue reading… via The Verge - Tech Posts "http://ift.tt/2FmrEka"

Microsoft is once again tackling privacy concerns around Windows 10 today. The software giant is releasing a new test build of Windows 10 to Windows Insiders today that includes changes to the privacy controls for the operating system. While most privacy settings have been confined to a single screen with multiple options, Microsoft is testing a variety of ways that will soon change. There have been some concerns that Windows 10 has a built-in “keylogger,” because the operating system uses typing data to improve autocompletion, next word prediction, and spelling correction. Microsoft’s upcoming spring update for Windows 10 will introduce a separate screen to enable improved inking and typing recognition, and allow users to opt-out of... Continue reading… via The Verge - Tech Posts "http://ift.tt/2D4hmDB"

If you were a fan of the original God of War , then chances are you're pretty hyped about the reboot. If you're planning on playing the Sony-exclusive game but haven't picked up a PS4 yet, then you may want to check out the Limited Edition God of War PlayStation Pro bundle . This will launch on the game's release date, April 20th, and retail for $400 in the US and $500 in Canada. You can pre-order it now . The bundle will contain a customized PS4 Pro console, a matching Leviathan Gray DualShock wireless controller, a physical copy of the game and extra digital content. It's a good looking console, and it's hard to beat that price considering it matches the cost of the regular PS4 Pro without a game. The road to God of War has been long . Sony announced almost two years ago that the stagnant franchise would receive a much-needed refresh in the form of a sequel. You can see a trailer for the game here ; pre-orders for the game include a $130 collector's ...

Google is offering resources to the US Department of Defense for a “pilot project” to analyze drone footage using artificial intelligence. The collaboration was first reported in a story by Gizmodo , which noted that some Google employees had been “outraged” by the news after it was shared in an internal mailing list last week. Details regarding what Google is actually providing to the DoD are not clear, but we know the work is part of Project Maven — a Pentagon research initiative to develop computer vision that can better understand video footage. Such technology could have a range of uses in the military, including helping to surveil and track targets using drones, and providing the brains for static CCTV cameras in military camps and... Continue reading… via The Verge - Tech Posts "http://ift.tt/2Fg83Gq"

Segway’s mini (and adorable) personal transporter Loomo is now available on Indiegogo with an estimated delivery date of May 2018. The Verge first saw Loomo at CES , where Paul Miller rode around on the AI-powered, hoverboard-like Segway bot. The Loomo looks different and is more compact than a traditional Segway. Apart from being smaller, it has transformed from just a self-balancing rideable to a friendly robot that responds to commands. It’s also designed to look for faces and bodies to track, so if you say, “Loomo, follow me,” it should follow you autonomously. The company worked with BMW’s self-driving car team so Loomo should “park” itself on its own. Like most things, Loomo comes with an app, which allows you to do things like move... Continue reading… via The Verge - Tech Posts "http://ift.tt/2tkZN2q"

Amazon has added support for Deezer to Alexa, so now you can directly control the streaming music service with your voice. Deezer should work with most Alexa-enabled devices, including Amazon’s line of Echo speakers, the Sonos One, and the UE Megablast and Blast. Deezer is the latest music service to offer integration with Alexa voice controls, a list that now includes Amazon Music, Spotify, Pandora, TuneIn, SiriusXM, iHeartRadio, and more. The functionality should be rolling out today in 66 countries, including the US, UK, and Germany. Deezer Premium+ users will also be able to take advantage of Deezer’s Flow feature, which plays “a never-ending personal soundtrack” directly through Alexa voice commands, in addition to the usual play,... Continue reading… via The Verge - Tech Posts "http://ift.tt/2FxiDZ4"

We now know much more about the HTC U12, thanks to a leak from Llabtoofer on Twitter , a ROM developer known for their HTC scoops. The phone will mark HTC’s first return to the dual-camera game since it abandoned them in 2015. According to the tweet, the HTC U12, codenamed “Imagine,” will have a 5.99-inch QHD+ screen. Although the leak doesn’t specify what aspect ratio the screen has, we know from last month’s supposed showcase at a 5G event that it’s likely to be 18:9. The HTC U12 will reportedly be powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 and a 3,420mAh battery. It has 6GB of RAM and 256GB of storage. There are dual rear cameras, one 12-megapixel sensor and another 16-megapixel sensor. Both are made by Sony. There’s also a single... Continue reading… via The Verge - Tech Posts "http://ift.tt/2D5pcNc"

Mercedes has been testing smarter headlights, and now it appears they're no longer just a concept. Daimler announced today that these futuristic headlamps will be available in top of the line Mercedes-Maybach S-Class vehicles. These smart headlights are equipped with the equivalent of a digital projector, which can control how and where the light is thrown. The sensors on the car can determine when and how bright the headlamps should illuminate, preventing drivers from blinding pedestrians or people in other vehicles. The headlamps can also project information onto the road. You can read more about our experience with these smart headlights, which have a resolution of over a million pixels each, here . It should be noted that this is an incredibly small production line, but purchasers of vehicles equipped with these headlamps can expect to take delivery of their cars during the first half of this year. It's going to be awhile before this tech makes it down to regular vehic...

FINAL FANTASY XV WINDOWS EDITION is Now Available on Steam! Take the journey, now in ultimate quality. Boasting a wealth of bonus content and supporting ultra high-resolution graphical options and HDR 10, you can now enjoy the beautiful and carefully-crafted experience of FINAL FANTASY XV like never before. via Steam RSS News Feed "http://ift.tt/2oSkRZB"

Last month, Amazon launched its Whole Foods delivery service , allowing Prime members in some Austin, Cincinnati, Dallas and Virginia Beach neighborhoods to order Whole Foods groceries through Prime Now and have them delivered within two hours. Today, Amazon announced that the service has expanded to select areas of Atlanta and San Francisco. Customers in those regions can order produce, bakery items, dairy, meat, seafood, flowers and everyday staples through Prime Now. San Francisco customers can also order alcohol through the service. Whole Foods delivery is available from 8AM to 10PM and doesn't cost any extra as long as orders are at least $35. However, if you'd like your order within one hour, you can pay an additional $8 for that quicker turnaround. Fast delivery was the next logical step in the Whole Foods-Amazon integration and Amazon says the service will reach more cities throughout the year. Source: Amazon via Engadget RSS Feed "http://ift.tt/2FtMyBf...

Nexus Media News They can be beautiful monuments or ugly eyesores depending on how you feel about clean energy. Depending on your ideas about renewable power, you may view a towering, twirling wind turbine as the paragon of elegance or a hideous monstrosity. via Popular Science "http://ift.tt/2FxLHjf"

It's that time of year again: Tax season! But don't fret, with all the intelligent services being offered now, there's less to worry about than ever. The Intuit TurboTax app and web interface let you complete your taxes without even leaving the house -- but you can if you use the mobile app and can even finish later on your PC. The household name in e-filing services has also launched its TurboTax Live feature this year. Now you can get virtual assistance from a network of certified tax preparers, just in case you hit a snag or really want to get the most out of your refund. There's even an Alexa Skill to check the status of your refund. So this week, TurboTax has provided us with a set of Sonos One smart speakers so you can keep track of that money just by asking, plus a gift card for TurboTax Live support which can give you some assistance maximizing your refund while minimizing any potential issues. All you need to do is head to the Rafflecopter widget below...

Netflix has released the first full trailer for its Lost in Space remake , and it definitely isn't a retread of the 1960s TV show... or the 1998 movie, for that matter. While the core premise remains intact (the Robinsons have been stranded following a colonization mission gone wrong), much has changed in the past few decades. It's not just the modern special effects or the grittier (if still family friendly) tone -- the show is tinkering with important characters. The most obvious change is to Robot, which now has alien origins and is potentially dangerous, not just the friendly helper from before. You also get to see the radical change to Dr. Smith, who's played by Parker Posey. Showrunner Zack Estrin noted to EW that his version of Lost in Space will answer some questions about Smith that weren't addressed the first time around, such as why the doctor is there and why the Robinsons would keep someone the audience knows is duplicitous. Netflix debuts the new ...

At the Geneva Motor Show, a show that’s traditionally about hot sports cars, Renault decided to emphasize its driverless future. The Renault EZ-GO is an electric autonomous car that people can flag down from a fixed or mobile location in small groups of up to six people or on their own. The EZ-GO is envisioned to be available on demand via an app but also at permanent stations throughout a city. EZ-GO has Level 4 autonomous driving capability, meaning it’s able to change lanes, turn at an intersection, and manage its distance from the vehicle in front of it. The car has a sleek cocoon structure, which Renault says was designed to maximize the autonomous sensors’ field of vision. Passengers enter via a hatch through the front, and the... Continue reading… via The Verge - Tech Posts "http://ift.tt/2I9P9is"

Exactly how and what air purifiers do when cleaning your air is a mystery to a lot of consumers. Most people set a machine down and change the filter every so often to find all sorts of dust inside. Dyson is hoping to help people better understand what an air purifier is sucking up, so the company is introducing a new version of its air purifier that now comes with an LCD screen to tell you what pollutants are inside your home. The Dyson Pure Cool looks like all the other purifiers the company has sold in the past, with a hollow oval shape that gives it a distinct look. But there’s now a circle-shaped LCD screen on the base that can cycle through various pollutant levels like smoke, pollen, or fumes from vehicles. When the machine... Continue reading… via The Verge - Tech Posts "http://ift.tt/2oYeFOX"

DIY Tech help for bringing up baby. Raising kids of any age tends to create chaos. Luckily, your smartphone can help you reclaim your time. Here are seven parenting apps for bringing up baby. via Popular Science "http://ift.tt/2G02kSr"