Quickdo Blog: Tech
Showing posts with label Tech. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Tech. Show all posts

April 23, 2017

Easter calendar: ZenFone 3 Max of Asus to win


The answer the day question in the Easter calendar and win with a little luck a ZenFone 3 Max ZC520TL from Asus. The smart phone in chic Zen design has an enormous battery with 4,100 milliameters. This means that the phone can last for up to 30 days in the energy saving mode and, as a Powerbank, even powers other mobile devices on the go. The display is 5.2 inches in size and rounded at the edges and made of scratch-resistant Gorilla glass. The quad-core processor, rich 3 gigabytes of memory and the expandable 32 gigabytes of data memory leave nothing to be desired about performance and performance. The built-in fingerprint sensor ensures the security of your data is the fast and uncomplicated unlocking of the smartphone. Other highlights of the ZenFone 3 Max ZC520TL are the 5 megapixel front camera and the back 12 megapixel main camera. Thanks to the Pixelmaster technology, you can also capture incredibly brilliant photos and videos at any time.

Extrachance: 3 months TV feature film live for free
As a special accessory, COMPUTER BILD raffles a total of 1,500 3-month vouchers for all the participants of the Easter Sweepstakes 2017 in a play-around of € 30. The subscription ends automatically after three months, unless you wish to extend it. With the 3-month premium package of TV feature film live, you will see 70 stations advert-free anywhere on your mobile devices, laptop/PC and streaming boxes (Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV and Chromecast). More than 30 stations stream in HD quality and wherever you are. Important : The subscription ends automatically after three months no obligations, no hidden costs.

Register and win
To participate in COMPUTER BILD's Easter competition, you must register once for free.You missed a few questions? Do not worry, you can also answer all questions as soon as they are unlocked by clicking on the red button below.

Subscribe to our newsletter
You do not want to miss any raffle or action? Then subscribe to the daily newsletter free of charge and you are always up to date.

Climate Change Coloring Book: Climate change to color

Climate Change Coloring Book: Climate change to color

For adults have come back into fashion for some time. As a rule, the relaxed pastime when switching off in stressful everyday life will help. On the crowdfunding platform kickstarter is now a copy dipped, which is less relaxed, but rather thoughtful. The " Climate Change Coloring Book " by designer Brian Foo is one of the most disturbing issues of our time: climate change. Instead of cute animals or pretty stencils, this book contains illustrations that represent scientific research and environmentally relevant data.

Climate change for painting
This is how self-proclaimed painters experience in a creative way the extent to which the ice of the Arctic 20 years ago - and what has since been lost. For the illustration of air pollution in Beijing, users color the individual days of 2015 according to the degree of smog. The coastal lines can also be colored in the book to see how much land mass falls victim to the rising sea level.

Informed handling of environmental problems
As Foo told The Verge , his coloring book hopes to raise awareness of the current environmental problems and a more informed approach to the subject. Through the active painting process, people are to be more intensively involved with the drama of climate change and learn to access reliable data and information sources. In addition to the causes of climate change, the illustrative data include the effects as well as solutions such as renewable energies.

Available from summer 2017
The 40-page book with over 20 paintings is made of recycled paper and vegetable ink. The kickstarter action continues until May 21, 2017 and has almost doubled the original funding target of 5,000 US dollars. The coloring book will be delivered to the first donors from the summer of 2017.

April 22, 2017

Say the truth: From now on in the ARD evening program

Say the truth: From now on in the ARD evening program

For a change, not knowledge, but knowledge of human nature is in demand in the new game show that will be always be seen from Friday, 21 April 2017 18:50 to ARD. The show will be followed by the well-known sports reporter Michael Antwerpes, who has also moderated the show since 2003 in the SWR.

It's all about this
For the maids driving in the ARD, the makers have changed some of the rules and procedures of the show. So there are from now on four instead of three chapters, there are only three candidates to the stage. They always claim to be special, to have a special ability or to have a special hobby. The prominent guessing team can ask questions to find out the swindlers and find out the right person. In turn four is then even reduced to two candidates.
But this does not make things simpler, because they are looking for an unleashing artist and a bag handkerchief - and this is not necessarily the case. Five prominent guesses are to come to the liars. Among them are Pierre M. Krause, Kim Fisher, Ursula Cantieni and Smudo as a permanent team, supplemented by a fifth celebrity every week. In the first shows are the actor Hannes Jaenicke, Tagesschausprecher Jan Hofer and cabaret artist Lisa Fitz. Of course, the audience can advise at home: do you have more detective insight than the celebrities?

Long tradition
The idea of ​​the show is already very old: in 1956 it ran for the first time as "Tell the Truth" on US television, three years later there was the first German version, which ran until 1971 with great success. From 1986 there was a new edition in Bavarian Radio, which ran until 1995. In 2003, the SWR then took up the idea and reissued it - this version runs until today and can now switch to the large ARD. Their advice team brings the show from the SWR, so the audience can expect experienced detectives.

Not for the first time
Quizshows from the third programs of the ARD on success to bring in the first, has with the ARD transmitter family already tradition. So also "asked - chased", meanwhile a quota hit on the eve of the ARD, was tested first at the NDR before it could first migrate. The presenter, who was originally from Great Britain, was also taken over by the presenter, and here, too, he was a sports expert: Alexander Bommes. The other shows on this radio station, "Who knows something," "Quizduell" and "Paarduel" started on the evening before, but have now also slipped with special editions into the Saturday evening. It remains to be seen which Showidee from the third programs it next in the ARD creates.

Colorful case cover for the Samsung Galaxy S8 and S8 Plus

Colorful case cover for the Samsung Galaxy S8 and S8 Plus

Langst it becomes serious, the sales start of the Samsung Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8 Plus is close to the door. Next week Friday, the 28th of April, it's finally time. Of course, the new smartphone is not to be hurt so pack it safely in a visually appealing case. Do not forget the screen protector! Here, even this time, Samsung offers its own screen protection film for both devices and even more. As with the predecessor models S7 and S7 Edge, the manufacturer is waiting with a whole armada of chic and functional sleeves. But not only Samsung itself has covers in the program, even with other manufacturers like Mumbie, Spigen or Caseology you will find. COMPUTER PICTURE drops the sleeves from cheap to expensive. There should be something suitable for every future Galaxy-S8 owner.

Samsung Galaxy S8 - galore
The covers for the Samsung Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8 Plus shown in the picture gallery are just a fraction of what the wide world of envelopes has to offer. Online you will find a lot more. But watch out, sometimes there are also cases underneath that are spotbillig and do not fit properly. It can also happen that you wait for your ordered goods for weeks, because the case is delivered from China. So look carefully at the purchase on the Internet, from where the desired cover the journey to you.

Login at the PC: Schallkulisse is to replace the password

Login at the PC: Schallkulisse is to replace the password

The Swiss start-up Futurae introduces a procedure in which you can easily log on to online services with the sounds of your environment. Why? The background is that identity theft is a serious problem in our digital society. The passwords with which you identify with many online services are rarely certain. They can be steered firstly, as numerous data screw trains occupy , secondly, they would have to be so complex that one can only very difficult to memorize. For this reason, 2-factor authentication has existed for some time: For a bank transfer, for example, you receive a transaction number (TAN) via SMS on the mobile phone, which you then enter into the browser. This is safer, Because criminals usually do not reach your smartphone, but still uncomfortable wait for SMS, read on the mobile phone, enter. But hey, security costs comfort.

2-factor identification without user input
Futurae, founded by graduates from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH) Zurich, has been working on more comfortable procedures for a long time. The solution is Soundproof : The PC, which you are currently registering, takes up the ambient sounds (bird chirps, music, conversations) and calculates a checksum. On your mobile, Futura's app is the same. If the checksums match, the smartphone app allows the login on the PC. This would make soundproof a 2-factor identification without user input. The phone can even stay in the case of the bag, according to Futurae.

Security or privacy nightmare?
Of course, this raises questions: Is not that a bad danger to privacy when listening to the PC and smartphone? "No," says Claudio Marforio from Futurae, "we can not spy on the users." Because the recorded sounds do not leave the device, it only compares typical characteristics of the sounds. But could not an attacker run in the same room or run the same radiosender trick out? According to Futurae: If you log in for the first time in a new browser or on a new device, the app requires a manual confirmation.

Comfort and safety? Not yet!
Futurae has been researching soundproof for several years to make it really safe. The Swiss security researchers have already presented the procedure to a critical public even two years ago at the Usenix Security Symposium.Since then, the main focus has been on fine-tuning the process and financing Futurae. What is really new is how the Swiss are writing about the start-up capital and the first pilot projects. It takes a while, however, until you can easily identify yourself with Soundproof.

F8 2017: Facebook wants to read our thoughts

F8 2017: Facebook wants to read our thoughts

Es sounds like science fiction, but Facebook is actually working on a method of thought-reading: the world's largest online network would like to transform human thoughts directly into text. Need an example? At the in-house developer conference F8 in San José (18 and 19 April 2017), Facebook manager Regina Dugan gives the opportunity to send a text message to a friend without extracting the smartphone. At the moment, 100 words per minute are needed, which is realistic in just a few years, Dugan continued.

Thoughts read without implanted electrodes
In her speech, Dugan referred to recent studies at Stanford University. There, researchers succeeded in making a paralyzed woman write eight words per minute into the computer, thanks to electrodes in the brain, "as big as a bean" letter for letter. However, implants are not suitable for a massive use of the technology. Instead, one needs very sensitive sensors on the surface of the head, which monitor brain activity "one hundred thousand times per second to the millimeter". "Such technology does not exist today. We will have to invent them, "said Dugan. A team of 60 researchers is working on this vision at Facebook. In time, it would no longer be necessary to form words from individual letters in the head. A secondary effect is that people are then able, To express themselves in other languages ​​without having learned them. For example, the idea of ​​a cup could be translated directly into the corresponding foreign word in Spanish or Chinese.

Elon Musk is also researching the human brain
Not just Facebook is thinking about such a technology: tech billionaire Elon Musk is also probably researching in a new company how to connect the human brain directly with computers. The 45 year old is involved in the company Neuralink,which wants to develop corresponding electrodes according to the " Wall Street Journal " at the end of March.

F8 2017: Facebook relies on augmented reality
In addition to technologies for thought reading, Facebook wants to build a new developer forum around the so called extended reality ("Augmented Reality" or "AR"). Via the " Camera Effects Platform " one would like to integrate virtual objects into the real environment. The decisive device for this is the smartphone, with its camera and the screen, founder and chief Mark Zuckerberg on 18 April to the opening of the F8 conference. It is about games, but also about works of art that appear for viewers on a smartphone screen in the city, when they align their mobile phone camera to specific walls. Or messages that are only visible to certain people on the display. "We are starting today to build this new platform."

The competition also builds on AR
Facebook is not alone on his way. For example, Apple CEO Tim Cook repeatedly emphasized that the concept of extended reality is very promising. And the photo service Snapchat already experimented with virtual masks in photos which Facebook copied. Similarly, Microsoft has been working on AR devices such as the HoloLens and other manufacturers-produced glasses that combine virtual and extended reality. (With DPA material)

XXL Smartphone: The best Phablets from 5.5 inches

XXL Smartphone: The best Phablets from 5.5 inches

Es comes to the size nevertheless: Who uses his smartphone like a small, portable computer, needs a large display. Surfing, writing mail or playing a game makes a giant screen just more fun. COMPUTER BILD reveals the so-called Phablets (mixture of Ph one and T ablet ) in front. Are the giant smartphones too big for you? Then take a look at the most popular smartphones up to 4.7 inches.

Development to the grandeur
It all began at the end of 2011,when the iPhone 4S still had a 3.5 inch touch screen from today's point of view a mouse kitchen. At that time HTC titled its largest mobile phone so far as Sensation XL,so Extra Large.It had for then conditions "huge" 4.7-inch display.A few years later, smartphones with similar diagonals were called "Mini" ( Samsung Galaxy S5 mini : 4.5 inches) for a long time,but they still have the "Compact"(Sony Xperia Z5 Compact : 4.6 inch).Apple set new standards in 2014: already the smaller iPhone 6 came with 4.7 inches, the iPhone 6 Plus is with 5.5 inches a lupenreine Phablet. The size of the Apple smartphones has not changed in the iPhone 7 generation.For lovers of smaller devices, however, the company from Cupertino has published the iPhone SE.

Mobile phones from 5.5 inches are the trend
Meanwhile, all manufacturers have XXL smartphones on offer. Therefore it is worth taking a closer look: The best tested devices of the kind from 5.5 inches (13.97 centimeters) are in the overview. For each of the devices, the resolution ppi is to be read for pixel per inch. This number, regardless of the display size, indicates how close the pixels are to each other - the higher the ppi, the better. And what are the new top models from their predecessors? The Apple iPhone 7 Plus (5.5 inches) features an innovative dual camera on the back. In addition, it is waterproof just like the Samsung Galaxy S8+ (5.5 inch). Samsung's flagship is also inductively fast-charging. The Huawei Mate 9,5)

Large is not the same size
To the "ever-greater-madness", however, is another trend: manufacturers draw on the set screw "display size", but also equally at the display-to-case ratio. This year's high-end Phillips LG G6 (5.7 inches) and the Galaxy S8 (5.8 inch), which has thus been added to the Phablet category, come with large displays, but are smaller than many other devices with a similar display size. The consumer is pleased: Large screen and yet a handy format a good symbiosis of small display edges and compact device construction.

Price tips for XXL smartphones
Mobile phones with large displays do not have to be expensive. The Microsoft Lumia 950 XL with 5.7-inch display (for around 379 euros at Amazon) with good camera and Windows 10 operating system. Other price-cutters: The Honor 6X with 5.5 inches is available for about 239 euros (at Amazon). The battery life is particularly convincing here. The Elephone P9000 has a 5.5 inch display and is available for around 210 euros (at Amazon,all prices as of April 21, 2017): It is a China mobile phone with fingerprint sensor and a likewise strong battery.

Bluetooth speakers: test the best boxes

Bluetooth speakers: test the best boxes

Selbst the best smartphone is little if you want to listen to music on the go there must be a real box! Portable Bluetooth speakers with rechargeable batteries are excellent, but there are now in almost infinitely many variants and price classes. The music can be received without the need for a stripe: Bluetooth transmits songs up to a distance of about 10 meters. Built-in batteries or batteries provide the power and make the small box mobile. Which models sound really good, the test of COMPUTER BILD clarifies.

Rocks every party: Teufel Rockster XS
The Berlin-based producer Teufel has already proved with his disco on roles the Rockster that he knows how to sound a really fat party. The Rockster XS is a radically shrunk version with a similar character. It is designed for outdoor use equipped with a perennial rechargeable battery. Of course the sound can not be left on the road. In this discipline too, power dwarfs the competition: it sounds strong with rich, deep basses and lively, playful highs. An outdoor button is designed to provide more power outside. It affects the sound by amplifying the mids and taking back the basses.

Noble sound puck: Beoplay A1
With its format, the Beoplay A1 remembers the popular Ultimate Ears Roll.The Bang & Olufsen Beoplay A1 is a different way of design: Noble aluminum in a harmonious shape, the A1 is not suitable for outdoability. After all, a leather tracetrack makes the small, surprisingly weighty and therefore worthy appearing loudspeaker prima transportable. It sounds good: warm, balanced, voices discolor it minimally nasal.

Integrated Light Show: The JBL Pulse 2
Refreshingly different, JBLs Pulse 2 is at least visually appealing: it spreads a special ambience that can be adapted to your own preferences, especially in dark surroundings in the evenings on the couch with a cozy light mood. Thanks to its splash-proof housing and the powerful sound, the Pulse 2 is also suitable for use on the bathtub rim or on the terrace. In the field service, the loudspeaker has a very long battery life of 18 hours.

Made for outdoors: Ultimate Ears Wonderboom
With the Wonderboom, UE not only introduces a new format with the well-known and very high-quality case. The Wonderboom also sounds a better nuance than Roll 2 and Boom 2 despite a smaller volume - and above all in the more lively high-frequency range. Already a box provides for powerful mood, in concert, two Wonderboom make loud and powerful enough for extended beach fetish. And with over 18 hours also safe long enough. Good: The coupling with another Wonderboom box now finally works without the app by simultaneously pressing the button on the top.

For the big parties: Teufel Rockster
Not all tested Bluetooth speakers can simply be clamped under the arm and pull out with it: The huge Devil Rockster weighs 34 kilograms and is best to roll forward. Satte 118 decibels sound pressure spat out the monster box in the test lab. For comparison, a passenger aircraft reaches the human ear pain threshold by 130 decibels. At such a brutal volume level, the Rockster loosely loosens every party. Since anger is almost programmed with the police, Teufel provides the first 666 copies with a legal protection against retirement. In addition to the powerful bass, the sound block convinces above all with precise mids and highs, in the test there was the grade 2.21 (good). The catch: The loudspeaker costs almost 1,000 euros.

Can Amazon's echo compete?
Also Amazons loudspeaker Echo has already gone through the COMPUTERBILD-Testparcours. Why does it not appear in the test overview? Listening to music via Bluetooth is only one of the many echo functions, Amazon designed its tube as an all-rounder with language assistant and Smarthome connection. Things that flow into the test score, conventional Bluetooth boxes but can not a direct comparison would be unfair. Looking at only the sound of the echo, it is a bit mau: it is passable, but really rich sound from small housings? This can make other Bluetooth speakers better. At higher volumes the echo is increasingly tinny, sound details or deep basses are largely absent.

Also at home wireless: WLAN speakers
Apart from the monster Teufel Rockster, all the loudspeakers tested are perfect for on the go but at the expense of powerful bass or spatial sound. Who also in the domestic living room without cable messes want to get along, should reach the WLAN box. Models like the Teufel Raumfeld Stereo M are replacing the stereo system in a double pack. WLAN speakers play music from the home network and from the Internet, some thanks to Apple's standard AirPlay wireless from the iPhone or iPad. COMPUTER IMAGE has tested small and large WLAN boxes.

Easter calendar: WD hard disks and SanDisk USB sticks to win

Easter calendar: WD hard disks and SanDisk USB sticks to win

The answer the daily question in the Easter calendar and win with luck one of a total of four high-quality WD hard disks or one of a total of four top USB sticks.

WD My Book
Two lucky mushrooms leave a WD My Book with a rich 6 Terabyte storage space. The desktop storage media accommodates huge amounts of photos, videos, music and documents. To ensure that no data is lost, the data backup software "WD Backup for Windows" is included. The integrated 256-bit AES hardware encryption and WD Security protect sensitive data from external access.

WD My Passport for Mac
A winner is the WD My Passport for Mac with 1 terabyte of memory. With this portable hard disk, you always have large amounts of data. The WD My Passport for Mac supports Apple Time Machine, making it the ideal companion for your MacBook. If the hard disk is lost, data remains secret due to 256-bit AES hardware encryption.

WD My Passport
A winner dusts the WD My Passport black. The WD My Passport black floppy is ideal for on the go and offers 1 terabyte of storage space for videos, photos and documents.

SanDisk iXpand flash drive
Two participants can look forward to the iXpand flash drive from SanDisk. This allows you to expand the memory of your iPhone or iPad. Simply plug and free up memory, with 64 additional gigabytes you create massive space.

SanDisk Ultra DualDrive USB Type-C
Another two winners each received a SanDisk Ultra Dual Drive USB Type-C. This allows you to free up space on your smartphone in no time or use the memory stick as a fast data transfer between devices with the fast USB 3.1 speed of up to 150 megabytes / second. The SanDisk Ultra DualDrive USB Type-C can also be used as a conventional USB stick.

Extrachance: 3 months TV feature film live for free
As a special accessory, COMPUTER BILD raffles a total of 1,500 3-month vouchers for all the participants of the Easter Sweepstake 2017 in a play-around of € 30. The subscription ends automatically after three months, unless you wish to extend it. With the 3-month premium package of TV feature film live, you will see 70 stations advert-free anywhere on your mobile devices, laptop / PC and streaming boxes (Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV and Chromecast). More than 30 stations stream in HD quality and wherever you are. Important : The subscription ends automatically after three months - no obligations, no hidden costs.

Register and win
To participate in COMPUTER BILD's Easter competition, you must register once for free . You missed a few questions? Do not worry, you can also answer all questions as soon as they are unlocked by clicking on the red button below.

Subscribe to our newsletter
You do not want to miss any raffle or action? Then subscribe to the daily newsletter free of charge and you are always up to date.

April 21, 2017

New laptops: These laptops are causing a sensation in 2017!

New laptops: These laptops are causing a sensation in 2017!

The notebook market is a hard pavement. Samsung, Sony and Toshiba know this all too well - they have withdrawn from the European market due to shrinking sales . Completely give up is at least for Samsung and Toshiba not question, as the following device overview shows. Other manufacturers such as Acer, Hewlett-Packard, Lenovo & Co. are also launching new notebooks, especially in the entry-level and gaming sector. COMPUTER BILD presents the most important novelties and highlights the notebook trends of the year!

For small money bags: entry-level laptops
Even with a limited budget you get 2017 quite neat notebooks. The reason: In the entry-level market, the manufacturers still use many devices and try to mutually exclude each other. This benefits the customer. One of the most exciting innovations has HP in the starting holes. From 400 Euro there is the new edition of the Pavilion notebook in the simple metal case and colorful display cover. HP gives the models a particularly narrow display frame, which provides for a noble look and 2017 seems a trend. The Lenovo Yoga A12 is an extraordinary convertible because it does without a conventional keyboard, instead there is a sensor field. The TrekBook W2 from Trekstor is a 14, 1 inch notebook with full HD resolution and simple processor - great for surfing and for under 300 euros quite cheap. 

For gamers: notebooks with power graphics card
Last year, Asus (ROG XG2) and Razer (Core) tested dockable enclosures with integrated graphics cards for additional computing power. The costly trend has not been right; Probably because graphics specialist Nvidia counteracted with their own new notebook graphics cards. It was decided not to offer longer weakened models especially for notebooks. The models GTX 1080, GTX 1070, GTX 1060 and GTX 1050 (Ti) are technically equal to the desktop versions. This boosts new notebooks and provides powerful steam. Asus is pushing it with the ROG GX800VH to the top and installed two upper-class graphics cards. An optional dockable water cooling system ensures that the temperature is as low as possible, in order to maximize the maximum output from the double action. Thus, the "docking" trend remains in a modified form 2017. Cazes at the CES at the beginning of January in Las Vegas Razer: Project Valerie is a not yet final notebook with screens on both sides (resolution: 11520x2160 pixels). The Legion series from Lenovo comes in the market as Y520 (15.6 inch) and Y720 (17.3 inch). Intel's latest processor generation Kaby Lake is a must for most notebook novelties. It brings a few percentage points more pace compared to the Skylake predecessors. »Gaming notebooks: Latest models put to the test Project Valerie is a not yet final notebook with screens that can be pulled out on either side (resolution: 11520x2160 pixels). The Legion series from Lenovo comes in the market as Y520 (15.6 inch) and Y720 (17.3 inch). Intel's latest processor generation Kaby Lake is a must for most notebook novelties. It brings a few percentage points more pace compared to the Skylake predecessors. »Gaming notebooks: Latest models put to the test Project Valerie is a not yet final notebook with screens that can be pulled out on either side (resolution: 11520x2160 pixels). The Legion series from Lenovo comes in the market as Y520 (15.6 inch) and Y720 (17.3 inch). Intel's latest processor generation Kaby Lake is a must for most notebook novelties. It brings a few percentage points more pace compared to the Skylake predecessors. »Gaming notebooks: Latest models put to the test Intel's latest processor generation Kaby Lake is a must for most notebook novelties. It brings a few percentage points more pace compared to the Skylake predecessors. »Gaming notebooks: Latest models put to the test Intel's latest processor generation Kaby Lake is a must for most notebook novelties. It brings a few percentage points more pace compared to the Skylake predecessors. 

For Google fans: Notebooks with Chrome OS
Are you looking for a cheap notebook for surfing? Do you have a Google profile and already use many services from the provider? Then you should take a closer look at the device category "Chromebooks". These are usually very cheap and compact laptops with the operating system Chrome OS. The equipment is - with the exception of Google's Chromebook pixel - spartan, but for surfing is completely sufficient. Chromebooks are leading the way to a niche, but the devices that are trendy in the US could also get their hands on this year with more functionality in Germany. New models come from Acer ( Chromebook 11 N7 with rugged case), Asus (Chromebook Flip 2 with folding display) ), Samsung ( Chromebook Plus and Pro with input pen). They support the Google Play Store to play apps. Lenovo has also recently announced a new Chromebook called Flex 11, whose display can be folded. 

For Apple fans: The MacBook for stroking
The latest MacBook Pro with Touch Bar (Note: 2.09) convinced in the test with a high working temperature, a great display and a long battery life (under Mac OS). How innovative the touch-sensitive bar is in the end instead of the function buttons in the day-to-day life has to be shown. Here, software providers are required to exploit the new possibilities. If you are interested in one of the smart Apple notebooks: COMPUTER BILD shows in the following article all models and tips, how you save on the purchase a few euros. However, as long as the mysterious cracking in the new MacBook has not been clarified , wait until the purchase. 

Notebook software: The perfect starter package
Even the best notebook without a suitable software is a toothless tiger - this applies to Windows and Apple devices. COMPUTER BILD has compiled a starter kit with notebook programs, which will prepare you for every requirement.

Amazon: Group pushes forward chatbot development

Amazon: Group pushes forward chatbot development

Amazons voice technology should not only run on the in-house loudspeaker echo (picture).
Amazon provides its voice control technology to third-party developers. This allows external developers to access the software behind the in-house digital assistant Alexa. In the future, developers using the "Lex" platform will be able to equip their own apps with voice and text recognition functions.

Use Lex to create your own chatbots
As the news agency Reuters reports , Amazon's technical director Werner Vogel is working on the fact that users will control almost every software with their voice technology. For example, by using Lex, interactive software such as chatbots should be easily created by software companies, without the manufacturers themselves having to take care of the speech recognition and speech processing platforms themselves. These chatbots should then offer the same functions as Alexa, Siri, Cortana and Co.

No free service
The step illustrates the efforts of the shipping giant to put itself in the competition for the leading voice-controlled data processing to the top. According to Vogel, Amazon's progress in the processing of human language behavior clearly improves the interactive abilities of chatbots. In order to improve the artificial intelligence behind the software, Lex would continue to feed with texts and recordings from app users. Thus, the program learns to understand more and more requests. However, the service is not free. According to Reuters, the group charges its service according to the number of language queries and text messages via Lex.

April 20, 2017

Wunderlist: Microsoft stamps software

Wunderlist: Microsoft stamps software

Die ways of Microsoft are inscrutable: With Wunderlist the Redmond company has for years a completely functioning organization application at the start. But instead of making them fit for the future, the company prefers to work on a whole new software. Which carries the simple name "to-do" and is only available in a preview version for iOS, Android and Windows now available . By the end of 2016 Microsoft had presented the program under the name "Project Cheshire". After the final completion of the app, she will replace Wunderlist. Until the time is up, the old software is preserved.

Office integration and intelligent suggestions
To-Do is waiting for Office 365 integration and cross-platform synchronization. A new design is designed to provide a better overview and more intuitive operation. In addition to numerous features known from Wunderlist, the new app also offers automatic suggestions for efficient day scheduling. The encryption of the data stored in the cloud, known from Office 365, should ensure absolute security. The software produced when Wunderlist developers, Microsoft in 2015 for about 100 million US dollars has bought . The company plans to supplement and introduce further functions in the coming weeks. In a teaser video released yesterday , you can get a first impression of To-Do.

Sony Alpha 9: Mirrorless, fast and superschar!

Sony Alpha 9: Mirrorless, fast and superschar!

Sony has presented the Alpha 9 a new top model in the field of photography. The mirrorless camera is surprising especially with its action capabilities: According to the Japanese company, it reaches a serial image speed of 20 images per second without dark phases in the viewfinder. In addition, the camera stores up to 241 raw data images until the device reduces the speed. This is made possible by a multi-layer CMOS full-format sensor, which, according to Sony, is the first of its kind to offer a resolution of 24.2 megapixels and an ISO range of 100 to 51,200.

Improved autofocus
Sony has also staked the autofocus of the Alpha 9, which with its 693 autofocus fields now covers about 93 percent of the field of view. In this context, a long-awaited feature is likely to be a favorite: an AF field select joystick on the back. On the rear is also a 3 inch touch screen (1.44 million pixels), which like the A6500 focussing by finger pointer.

Videos in 4K
The camera shoots not only pictures, but also takes videos in 4K (3840x2160 pixels). The special thing: The Alpha 9 reads according to Sony the complete full-screen sensor, so that recordings in 6K arise, but the device then down to 4K. Away from this, the full-HD video (1920x1080 pixels) can be rotated at up to 120 frames per second with the autofocus camera, without the need for a mirror. In addition to a five-axis image stabilization of the sensor, the camera also includes an Ethernet port and space for two SD memory cards of the type UHS-II. USB 2.0, WLAN-n, NFC and Bluetooth are also on board.

Software-Charts: The top promoter of the month

Software-Charts: The top promoter of the month

With the download charts, it is like the hit parade the placement of a program depends on its popularity and the amount of users. The leap to the front in the proximity of CCleaner and Firefox create only the fewest. Nevertheless, there is always a lot of movement in the download area. Some programs make giant sets during the placement within one month: This article tells you which downloads have been completed in the current month.

Turbo Downloads top
The Upgrade Wizard for the Windows 10 Creators Updator (+11.759 seats) is the biggest challenge: it puts Microsoft Windows on a more modern stand, introduces a games mode, completes the classic Paint Paint 3D - and offers much more. To obtain longer security updates, a mandatory download! Optimization fans rely on Ashampoo WinOptimizer 14 (+1.174 seats): Normally the package costs 39.99 euros, with COMPUTER BILD it is exclusively free. They free up occupied space, optimize autostart and service configuration, manually or automatically, in process priorities and defrag the registry. Setting modules or an icon-position-safe round off the powerful toolkit. Black & White Projects 3 Elements (+7.081 Positions) takes care of the fine-tuning of your photos:An inviting image automatically provides the application with a nostalgic, noble black and white look. Regular selling price: almost 70 euros. 

Other program tips
JetDrive Ultimate (+292) sets again it defrags your hard disk and memory, optionally deletes data waste. All this should speed up the computer. The full version in the download area will cost you nothing. Ashampoo HDD Control 2017 (+289 seats) writes about disk health, performs benchmarks, and restores deleted files. The Falk route planner climbs up to a respectable 251 places : it determines meaningful travel routes for car, bicycle or public transport. TreeSize Free 4 (+220 ranks) introduces a ribbon-based user guide and improves the support of high-resolution monitors; The utility also covers dispensable storage chunks. The Comodo Internet Security (+189 seats) proves that a security suite does not have to cost money: Drin have antivirus and firewall modules with a Windows 8-like tile interface. 

Meaningfulness of the download charts
The download charts are sorted according to the change in the ranking compared to the previous month a top promoter may therefore be behind the established programs in the absolute number of downloads. The "Software Evergreens" that thousands of users download month by month, can be found in the article " The 50 Top Downloads of the Month ".

Instagram can also be used in offline mode

Instagram can also be used in offline mode

Maybe every smartphone owner has always and everywhere around the clock access to the Internet. What is wrong for many people is a normal situation, particularly in emerging markets, but also in other regions of the world. This obviously also knows Facebook and integrated into the photo app Instagram according to TechCrunch shortly an offline mode. All the pictures and contributions you have previously downloaded at your last session are available. The Android version of Instagram is supposed to be the first, an implementation for iOS will follow later.

This is how offline mode works
Once you are offline, all contents of your last session are available. To scroll through pictures and contributions as usual. It is even possible that you comment on content, add a little heart or store it privately in the profile. You can even remove unloved profiles if you do not like the content anymore. All these actions will be passed to Instagram the next time you are online again. It is even possible to access profiles from other users, once they are cached. Only the stories are not yet available offline, which still wants to change Instagram. When it comes to this, it is not yet known.

Lenovo Moto Z: Bizarre smartphone advertising!

Lenovo Moto Z: Bizarre smartphone advertising!

You can look at a video for a product and then ask yourself what has just happened. This is exactly the feeling left by the new commercial of Lenovo's daughter Motorola.To be seen in it: Two designers in black clothes who wiggle to the beat of the music with the legs and throw darts on an oversized smartphone.

What is this advertising?
The smartphone dartboard is a hybrid of Apple's iPhone and Samsung's Galaxy models. To the background music, someone sings in English with a strong accent, whereby the text primarily revolves around the headphone jack and its position on the smartphone. The two designers seem to make fun of these unimportant decisions. Last but not least, there is a page hit on other smartphone developers:"You have changed the headphone jack. We changed the smartphone."COMPUTER BILD says: The video is definitely oblique, but somehow funny. Above all, the advertising and the Moto Z remain in memory with which Motorola has achieved its goal.

Project Apollo: Baidu opens platform for self-propelled cars

Project Apollo: Baidu opens platform for self-propelled cars

Chinas largest search engine operator Baidu has announced an open platform for the development of self-propelled cars. The so-called "Project Apollo" is intended to accelerate the expansion of the corresponding technology and enable fully automated vehicles by 2020, in which a person has to do nothing more and is only on board as a passenger. According to his own data, the platform will cover the latest advances in hardware and software, programming and electronics, as well as the use of the latest technology to build their self-propelled cars faster and more innovative.

Fully automated cars by 2020
Baidu wants to open the platform in July 2017 for the automotive industry. By the end of the year the Apollo project will also provide solutions for autonomous vehicles in simple urban traffic conditions. By 2020, open motorways and the streets of suburbs will follow.

Fight for top position
With the platform, Baidu wants to establish itself in the market for self-propelled cars. Just like its competitor Google, the company has already been testing autonomous vehicles in China and the US for some time. From the Apollo project, Baidu hopes new partners will compete for the most advanced vehicle technology.

Telekom StreamOn: Videos and music unlimited streamen

Telekom StreamOn: Videos and music unlimited streamen

Telekom customers already know the game: With the "Music-Streaming" option, there was a package in which the use of the music service Spotify was not calculated on the data volume. But then the regulation on the net neutrality of the Telekom made a dash by the calculation: Spotify may enjoy no preferential treatment, now for all users also with Telekom tariff again data are due. Now the company is again trying with the tariff option StreamOn: the company does not expect the data volume to be music and video streaming of certain services. The option is now bookable.

Revolution of the German mobile market?
"Users are afraid to consume their data volume. With this fear, we are now putting an end to it, "said Telekom-Germany's CEO Niek Jan against the daily Die Welt. The launch of the corresponding streaming-flat takes place with 21 partners, including Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, YouTube, ZDF and world news on board. Discussions with Spotify and Deezer are currently underway. For music, Apple Music, Juke, Amazon Music Unlimited, Napster and Radioplayer.net are already available. Streaming for telecom users from the tariff level L Users with M-Pack are allowed to stream music with their partners without limit. The corresponding tariff option is free, but the user has to book it actively.

DVD quality: StreamOn with smears
However, the streams can not be retrieved with the highest resolution, but only in "mobile-optimized quality" according to the Telekom information page,this is comparable to DVD quality (according to telecom presentation 480p resolution at a data rate of 1.7 Megabit per Seconds). On smartphones with a big and ultrasargere display like the new Galaxy S8 or the coming this could be a bit pixelated. Who needs HD quality has two possibilities: Either he switches the on-stream option for 24 hours via the website pass.telekom.de on his mobile phone on pause but then the data consumption is again calculated on the volume. Or he booked a MegentaEins tariff (offer for customers, Which have a DSL as well as a mobile phone contract with the Telekom), whereby it can automatically stream on the road in HD quality. There is another smear: Whoever has consumed his mobile data volume, ie, with throttled speed surfs, the throttling also applies to the StreamOn package. Only when new data volume is available or an additional package for data volume bookings (SpeedOn option from 2.95 Euro), unlimited streaming is usable again.

StreamOn: Is Vodafone going after?
With O2 free,the Telefónica brand already provides tariffs that enable O2 customers to surf at 1 megabit per second when the data volume is exhausted. With StreamOn, Telekom is now proposing a similar concept even if the throttling after data volume consumption persists. Vodafone offers business customers unlimited tariffs with unlimited data volume, but they are not very attractive for private customers. It remains to be seen how Vodafone reacts to the models of the two competitors.

Media Market Prospectus: Offers in the bargain check!

Media Market Prospectus: Offers in the bargain check!

Im online shop and in the branches is a fresh media market prospectus! This is mainly smartphones and audio accessories - are the promised bargains? The Prospectus is expected to be valid until April 24, 2017 as long as stocks last. In the bargain check, COMPUTERBILD reveals which products you can access at Media Markt without hesitation while saving money. However, the editorial staff also reveals which offers are more favorable for internet competition!

Action: Finding the Golden Side, Huawei P10 win
Now it rings again in the nest, writes Media Markt in upper-case letters on the current flyer and points thus to a new action: The new prospectus is available in two variants, one normal and one with a golden side. Anyone who finds such a special item in his mailbox can be lucky. He or she is waving a brand new Huawei P10 (RRP: 599 Euro). 

Media Markt: Here you can hit!
One of the good offers is the iPhone SE with 16 gigabytes . Media Markt takes 333 euros per device, while the competition requires at least 350 euros. The Huawei MediaPad T2 10.0 Pro for 179 euros is also worthwhile . The comparison price for the Android tablet is 199 euros. The Doro Liberto 825 is a simple smartphone designed for seniors. For 222 Euro at Media Markt it is nowhere more favorable. The discreet loudspeaker with Bluetooth technology Bang & Olufsen BeoPlay A2 Active offers the discounter for 299 euros and underneath the internet competition by a whopping 100 euros. If you are just looking for an in-ear headphone and want to exercise, Makes a good deal with the Sony MDR-XB70BT,because the purchase is entitled to use the fitness centers of McFit for one month free of charge. 

Media Markt: Get away from these offers
For some offers you pay for it: The two Samsung smartphones Galaxy A3 and Galaxy A5 of the 2017 series cost more than 20 euros more at Media Markt than elsewhere.Distance is also offered with the Huawei P10,which the discounter offers to the manufacturer price of 599 euros. The Internet competition is only 530 euros for the device. With the Lite version of the P10,Media Markt hits around 50 euros on it fingers away!

Conclusion of the price check
In the overview you will find the current media market offers, as well as the always best price of internet competition. The new brochure offers some bargains, online retailers offer most of the products at similar prices. Remember, before you buy on the net, however: Many shops on the Internet require high shipping fees. Therefore, you should pay more attention before you access and drop your eyes when you look at the bill. By the way: If the action of the electronics market is finished, online prices are often rising again.

Amazon: New redemption rules for retailers - are prices rising?

Amazon: New redemption rules for retailers - are prices rising?

VM any trader on the Amazon Marketplace are acidic: The online shopping giant leads from 19 April a new policies. The return processing with third-party vendors is now no longer run according to its own rules, but rather adapted to the Amazon system and thus be standardized.

Returns up to 30 days after receipt
Does the new regime create an improved shopping experience for consumers? Customers can now return a product up to 30 days after receipt without giving reasons and request reimbursement of the sales price, provided the goods are intact. If a customer returns an item with a selling price of more than 40 Euro within the first 14 days, he also receives the return costs. Within 30 days returns of shoes, clothing and handbags are always free of charge. Traders must reimburse the customer for the costs of return and return. And: In the Christmas shop, an extended return period applies. Customers who purchase between 1 November and 31 December may return the goods by 31 January of the following year.

New Amazon Return: Are prices now rising?
Those concerned are wondering if Amazon is allowed to prescribe the change. The answer is yes, because Amazon sets the conditions for trading on its platform. Traders who want to sell on the market must therefore adjust their right of withdrawal, otherwise they will be warned. Amazon has already suggested to retailers an addition for their individual legal advice. The retailer warns, however, before a take over, as some passages would restrict the rights of the consumers in comparison to the lawfully regulated right of revocation. Customers now have to reckon with the dealers re-calculating their prices and screwing them up. This is because current prices will no longer be expected due to the assumption of the return costs.

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