I was recently diagnosed with testicular cancer. Yes, the dreaded c word. It’s probably not what you are thinking. I don’t look at this health issue as an anchor. I look at this as an opportunity for growth. But i just kidding. Naaaa i got you.
You'll know Norton as one of the most popular names in security software, but now it's a piece of hardware too, as parent company Symantec introduced today at CES 2017 its first home router, the Norton Core.
Protection for the entire family
This is a new app-enabled router that has built-in security to protect the entire home, rather than just an individual computer, the way Norton Security software does. Symantec says the device aims to keep devices connected to it safe, including Windows computers, Macs, phones, tablets and any internet-of-things devices, in real time.
According to Symantec, the Norton Core is backed by a team of security experts who are constantly analyzing and eliminating cybersecurity attacks worldwide. The router gets regular updates on cybercrime information and protection mechanisms to keep any device connected to it safe. If an infected device is connected to the network, it can isolate it from the rest of your devices to prevent the spreading of the malware.
You can use the mobile app to view your security score.
Symantec
Easy home network management
Security protection at router level is not new. Asus has teamed up with Trend Micro to offer this for free on its high-end routers, such as the RT-AC5300 or RT-AC88U. The Norton Core, however, has gone one step further by making the protection comprehensive to home users.
Via the mobile app, you can monitor the network and see a list of online threats that the router has blocked. It even shows you the current safety level of your home network with a credit score-like number, from zero (completely vulnerable) to 500 (completely safe). You can also use the app to pause the internet for any connected device or set a bed time, during which the broadband connection is turned off.
Powerful hardware, home mesh ready
The Norton Core is a compact dome-shaped device that measures just 6 by 6 by 5 inches (15 by 15 by 13 cm). Yet it's packed with powerful hardware, including a dual-core 1.7GHz processor, 1GB of system memory and 4GB of flash memory. The router supports the latest 4x4 AC2600 Wi-Fi standard, with a top speed on the 5GHz band of 1.73 megabits per second and up to 800Mbps on the 2.4GHz band.
Symantec says the Norton Core's Wi-Fi can cover a home of somewhere between 3,000 and 5,000 square feet. It also comes with four Gigabit LAN ports for wired clients. Symantec says that the Norton Core is also mesh-ready, hinting that in the future it can be used as part of a home Wi-Fi network. How this is implemented, however, will be reveal later this year.
The Norton Core is a relatively compact router.
Symantec
Availability
The Norton Core is now available for preorder at $200, with a regular price of $280, in either titanium gold or granite gray. The price includes one year of subscription to its security protection, called Norton Core Security Plus, after which the ongoing cost is $99 per year. The subscription includes 20 Norton Security software licenses that you can install on your computers to keep them safe even when they are used outside of the network hosted by the Norton Core. If you choose not to renew the subscription, the Norton Core will still work, but only like any regular router, without the network protection, which is important for Internet-of-Things devices, which are generally more vulnerable to being hacked.
Is this designed to appeal to the very old or the very young?
AirTV
After leaking it in mid-December, Dish Network today officially launched its new AirTV brand with a streaming box and optional over-the-air (OTA) dongle that are "optimized for Sling," the company's other service for streaming everything except OTA TV.
The AirTV Player in an Android-powered box that combines the ability to stream online video services -- including Netflix, Sling TV and other apps available in the Google Play Store -- and access live over-the-air TV channels, too.
While nearly every TV can already receive those free channels with the addition of a cheap antenna, the AirTV is offering the convenience of combining them with the online services into a "one-stop shop," without the annoyance of switching inputs. It unifies the antenna-based channels into the Sling TV online channel guide, too.
It also has the benefit of filling in some of those "missing" channels from the Sling TV lineup, including ABC and CBS (the owner of CNET), without requiring licenses with those broadcasters. (NBC and Fox are available on the two pricier of the three Sling programming tiers.)
The Player box costs $100 including remote, the OTA USB adapter is $40, and if you buy them together you save $10 at $130. You get a $50 credit toward Sling TV service when you buy the Player -- but it won't require a subscription unless you want to sign up for services other than OTA. And, of course, relevant subscriptions like Netflix will still cost extra.
Both products are available right this very minute. AirTV is also offering an installation service for folks who don't already have an antenna or who want optimal positioning ($100 indoors, $150 outdoors), though it's only available in a limited number of regions at the moment.
AirTV supports up to 4K resolution, as well as 2.4 and 5GHz Wi-Fi. The Bluetooth remote incorporates voice, too, and it has dedicated buttons for Netflix and YouTube.
Note, however, that it lacks both local and cloud DVR capabilities, which Sling TV is also missing. (A Sling TV cloud DVR service is in beta.) No timeshifting for you!
The AirTV will compete with newly announced 2017 products such as the new Tablo Droid, Tablo Live and Mohu AirWave, all of which aim to integrate antenna-based TV channels with online streaming options.
A brand new tracking method that anyone can afford.
Have you ever lost your car on a parking lot? It happens.
You park and go shopping. When you get back, you don't have a clue where your car is. Then you start roaming around clicking on the panic button on your car keys so the alarm goes off. It can be frustrating, especially on a hot, sunny day.
No, you don't need to install an expensive GPS system to keep track of your car. It's overpriced.
Besides, you would need to pay a monthly subscription fee just to use it. And we all know that having too many monthly bills is stressful.
But is there a way to track your vehicle without spending a fortune? Yes, now there is!
A California-based company was able to make this a reality. They created a tiny device that works with your smartphone, and it could be exactly what you're looking for!
What is it?
It's called TrackR. It is a state-of-the-art tracking device the size of a quarter. It's changing the way we keep track of the important things in our lives.
How does it work?
It's easy! Install the free TrackR app on your smartphone, connect the app to your device and you're ready to go! Simply attach TrackR to whatever you want to keep tabs on. The entire process of setting it up only takes 2 minutes or less.
iOS & Andorid are supported
The Tracking Possibilities Are Endless!
Forget expensive GPS systems or tracking services. Nobody wants to pay expensive monthly subscription fees. We understand how stressful these things can be, and this is the reason why TrackR was created. This device is your VIP when you need to take care of more important things in life.
Remember the car scenario above? If you have the TrackR, you can just hide it under your car's floor mat, in the trunk or in the glove compartment. Somewhere it won't be found if your car gets stolen.
If you forget where you parked your car, whip out your smartphone and open the TrackR app. Tap on the "lost item" icon on the screen and the app will tell you the exact coordinates of the last known location of the TrackR.
How Much is This Thing Going To Cost Me?
You're probably thinking that this device is very expensive... False! TrackR only costs $37$29. That's a small price to pay for peace of mind, isn't it?
OnePlus likes to be disruptive, both in terms of the products it makes, and the way it sells them. In a price conscious market like India, it’s no surprise the company has managed to make a name for itself rather quickly. Each flagship over the years has consistently offered top-of-the-line components at nearly half the price of the competition, which is what has earned OnePlus its fame.
The OnePlus 2 (Review) didn't quite have that 'wow' factor, to be honest, but the company seemed to have gotten its act together with the OnePlus 3 . We loved the phone when we reviewed it and has been our go-to recommendation when anyone asks what’s good under Rs. 30,000, till now. It was surprising that OnePlus decided to do a mid-cycle refresh of OnePlus 3, which is just five months old. While this was met with cheer from those who were still on the fence, it came as a low blow to all those who had already bought the now-outdated model.
It’s astonishing how far smartphones have come in terms of craftsmanship, and the OnePlus 3T is another shining example of this. OnePlus 3T body is built from a single block of aluminium, which feels as premium as any flagship built by Samsung, HTC, or Apple. The rounded edges make the OnePlus 3T comfortable to hold. The button placement and tactile feedback is also very good. An Alert Slider on the left can be used to toggle between silent and Do-not-disturb (DnD) modes, each of which can be customised. Sadly, due to this physical slider, you can’t schedule DnD to kick in automatically, which is something we sorely miss.
The 5.5-inch AMOLED display of OnePlus 3T has the same full-HD resolution and Corning Gorilla Glass 4 as the OnePlus 3. Pixel density is high enough to mask any jaggedness around text and icons, which leaves you with sharp images and vivid colours. We found that the ‘Dark’ theme with neon green accents looks best on such a panel. Colour temperature is still on the cooler side, just like with the old model, but you can fix this to an extent in the screen calibration settings. Even with the temperature slider all the way to the ‘Warm’ end, colours still seem a bit off - but it’s not as bad as it was on the OnePlus 3.
The OnePlus 3T also seems to have a brighter display, which is evident when the two phones are placed side by side. More than colour calibration, it’s the touch latency issue which we found quite annoying. This is most bothersome when typing, and makes the keys on the keyboard feel ‘sticky’. OnePlus 3T also tends to misread some swipe gestures at times, so we would often pull up Google search when we really wanted the notification shade. OnePlus has acknowledged this issue and a fix is supposed to arrive with the Android Nougat update.
OnePlus 3T's fingerprint sensor authenticates you quickly and you can use it to lock apps too. It also doubles as a capacitive home button, and we have two more of these on either side, which are backlit. You can swap their functions or even enable onscreen buttons for navigation, if you like. The machine-drilled holes for the speaker at the bottom add to the phone's premium aesthetics. There’s a Type-C port and a 3.5mm headphone socket on the bottom too.
The gunmetal coloured back adds to the stealthy look of the OnePlus 3T smartphone. The camera bump remains, but you needn’t worry about scratches thanks to the sapphire crystal glass. In the box, you get a 20W power adapter, a Type-C cable, a SIM ejector, and some instructions. The packaging and quality of the accessories are top notch, so no complaints here. Since the dimensions of OnePlus 3T are identical to those of its predecessor, you can use cases and other accessories designed for the older model.
OnePlus 3T specifications and features
We come to the first big improvement, and that’s the SoC. The OnePlus 3T uses Qualcomm’s newest Snapdragon 821 chip which promises roughly 10 percent better performancein areas like processing power, power consumption, and user experience. There’s 6GB of LPDDR4 RAM and a whopping 128GB of internal storage. The OnePlus 3T model we’re reviewing is the higher priced variant (Rs. 34,999) but you can also get the 3T with 64GB of storage at Rs. 29,999. The smartphone also has improved read and write speeds (at least the 128GB model does) compared to the older model. According to AndroBench results, sequential reads and writes see a 15-20 percent bump but random writes are nearly four times as fast.
Other OnePlus 3T specifications include Wi-Fi 802.11ac, Bluetooth 4.2, USB OTG, NFC, and GPS. FM radio is absent. The phone supports 4G on Indian bands along with VoLTE. The OnePlus 3T runs OxygenOS (3.5.3), which is based on Android Marshmallow 6.0.1. These OnePlus 3T features are pretty similar to what we’ve seen before in the OnePlus 3, just rearranged and redesigned a bit. Swiping right from the home screen lets you access ‘Shelf’, a customisable screen which lets you stack widgets for quick access. Swiping down or up anywhere on the homescreen lets you access the notification shade and Google search, respectively.
OnePlus 3T's capacitive buttons can pull triple duty, as you can program long-press and double-press actions to each of them in addition to their regular function. The ‘Gestures’ menu lets you play around with various shortcuts. In terms of apps, there’s the OnePlus Community app, Amazon, Kindle, Google suite, and basic apps like a file manager and voice recorder.
OnePlus 3T performance
The general app and system performance of OnePlus 3T is incredibly fluid as you always have about 4GB of RAM that’s at your disposal. The generous amount of onboard storage also means you never have to worry about running out of space, even if you’re a compulsive media user. The new Qualcomm SoC can run anything your throw at it without breaking a sweat. Heavy games like Asphalt 8 run flawlessly. Even with extended use, the phone doesn’t overheat, which is quite impressive.
The OnePlus 3T flies through benchmarks too. In AnTuTu, we got a score of 1,61,620, and 60fps in GFXbench. The punchy colours of the display make watching videos really enjoyable. The speaker is fairly loud if there isn’t too much ambient noise but isn’t too audible when you’re out and about on the street. The display has good very good sunlight legibility too with wide viewing angles. OnePlus 3T also handles 4K video playback like a champ. If we have one criticism it would be the placement of the speaker grille, which tends to get covered by your palm when gaming or watching a video.
OnePlus 3T's front camera is the second biggest change compared to the OnePlus 3. It now features a 16-megapixel sensor from Samsung, with an f/2.0 aperture and fixed focus. Pictures are incredibly detailed in good lighting and look good under low light too. There’s a bit of visible noise but no colour noise, so pictures are still very usable. Smile capture works well and automatically starts counting down as soon as it detects your smile.
The 16-megapixel rear camera of OnePlus 3T supports PDAF, has an f/2.0 aperture and can capture RAW images. There’s also Optical Image Stabilisation, just like the on the older model. Landscapes and macros are highly detailed with good colour reproduction. There are some visible artifacts from JPEG compression but this is only noticeable when you zoom in all the way. The Auto HDR mode works well and you even have a HQ mode, which combines a few shots of the same frame to reduce noise, which works decently well.
Tap to see full-sized OnePlus 3T camera samples
We quite liked the OnePlus 3T camera's low-light performance, as images aren’t too noisy and a fair bit of detail is preserved. Shooting modes include slow-motion video, timelapse, manual and panorama. There’s a 1080p 60fps video mode too which is good for capturing sports and action scenes. Video quality for full-HD and 4K capture was really good.
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The third notable change is that the OnePlus 3T has a 3400mAh battery. In our HD video loop test, we managed to go for 14 hours and 3 minutes, which we think is very good. During standard usage, we easily got a day and half, and a bit more at times depending on amount of gaming. OnePlus 3T's Dash charging works brilliantly, achieving a 45 percent charge in just 35 minutes, and finishing up in a little over an hour.
Verdict
On the surface, the OnePlus 3T might seem like a minor upgrade over the OnePlus 3; the key areas being the battery capacity, higher resolution front camera and the faster CPU. However, after using it for the better part of a week, it's clear that the improvements extend to the brighter and more colour-accurate display, and faster internal storage. The newer firmware also plays a big role in providing a better all-round experience compared to its predecessor.
At its current pricing, you should clearly ignore the OnePlus 3 and spend the extra Rs. 2,000 for the OnePlus 3T, because it’s worth it. We’re not terrible convinced about the pricing for the OnePlus 3T 128GB model as we feel that a Rs. 5,000 premium isn't necessarily worth it. Don’t get us wrong; it’s still very good value even at Rs. 34,999 - but something like a quad-HD screen for this version would have helped sealed the deal nicely.
It’s really difficult to fault the OnePlus 3T as it takes everything its predecessor did well and improves upon it. Low-light camera performance is better and we have no reason to complain about the lack of expandable storage anymore. If we have to nitpick, then the lack of an FM radio might bother some people, and the touch latency issue can get annoying when typing, though OnePlus promises to fix this in the Nougat update.
If you want the best Android experience on a reasonable budget, then the OnePlus 3T is the only phone you need. But then, you already knew that.
While I, personally, don't have any use for a computer with a built-in 3D scanner, I have to admit that the HP Sprout G2 is pretty damn cool.
It houses both a 2D and 3D scanner, as well as a projector, cameras and touch mat (with stylus) for scanning and manipulating the objects you've scanned. The computer is kind of like an all-in-one stop for anyone in the 3D-printing field -- minus the printer, of course.
The HP Sprout Pro G2 can capture and detect 3D objects.
Juan Garzón/CNET
HP debuted the Sprout Pro G2 at CES 2017, alongside a slew of new computers and monitors, but I got a look at it a few weeks ago at a private event in San Francisco.
I never thought I'd be so mesmerized by a machine that can digitally render a toy frog quicker than it takes to order a deli sandwich. Yet there I was having a great time using the Sprout Pro G2 to help customize a new appliance I'll never own from a Portuguese retailer I'll never visit.
The most high-tech way to customize a fridge.
Josh Miller/CNET
HP wants the Sprout computer line (it's been making them for a few years now) to be equally accessible and easy to use for the manufacturing, retail and education sectors. I found the computer very user-friendly during my time with it, though, again, I don't know how I'd take advantage of all of its abilities. But that's just me.
Anyone who is interested in the HP Sprout Pro G2's unique features shouldn't hesitate to check out all it has to offer. Pricing and availability is expected to be announced in March 2017.
You have the power to push culture forward. That’s why Honor created a phone for you — the new Honor 8. It’s the smartphone that opens your eyes to a world of possibilities.
Design and Craftsmanship
Define your style
The Honor 8 combines exclusive design and high-end craftsmanship. The premium, slick body of the Honor 8 is made with heavy 2.5D glass on front screen and back surface, finished aluminum alloy, and ultra-narrow bezel design for a much stronger body and a smooth, seamless feeling.
15-layer craftsmanship and light-catching glass finish makes the Honor 8 stand out from the crowd.
Camera
More light, better pictures
The innovative bionic 12MP dual lenses of the Honor 8 are your eyes to the world. One lens allows for rich color and the other lens is monochrome to give your images more light and increased sharpness. Together they help you capture crisper, more detailed photos.
Do you want high-quality photos under macro, black light, low-light, and complex conditions? No problem for the Honor 8. The hybrid auto-focus enables laser focus for short range, precise depth focus for long range, and contrast focus — each working together to help you take better pictures in complex lighting conditions day and night.
The built-in dual ISP improves focus, speed, and process time when you take pictures.
Honor 8’s wide aperture mode enables you to blur backgrounds from F0.95 to F16, and you can redefine the focus even after the photo has been taken, giving you more creative control over your images.
Do you enjoy the full-manual control of professional cameras? Try the Honor 8’s Professional Mode and record your everyday adventure in different ways.
Always look your best in selfies with the 8 MP front-facing camera and “Perfect Selfie” mode. It enables you to customize your beauty settings, while also remembering your preferred look.
Want to get your photo more creative? Wide aperture mode enables you to blur background from F0.95 to F16, and allows you to redefine the focus even after photo taking.
With an 8 megapixel front-facing camera, you can achieve superior selfies even in low light.
Always on your very best look thru the unique perfect selfie from the 8 MP front-facing camera.
Versatile Touch and Feel
Swipe, tap, it’s a snap
Thanks to the latest fingerprint technology, you can unlock your Honor 8 in only 0.4 seconds. The auto-learning skills of the fingerprint sensor improve the recognition of your fingerprint over time.
Honor 8 supports NFC tag read/write, P2P transfer. and HCE-based mobile payment.
CPU
More game, less drain
The Honor 8 is powered by a 2.3GHz octa-core CPU built on a 16nm architecture. 4GB of LPDDR4 RAM enable flawless multitasking and seamless gaming.
The CPU chipset contains an i5 co-processor, which controls the Honor 8’s sensors and other features. The i5 co-processor works together with the Kirin 950 SoC chipset to increase processing speed, response time, and battery life.
The Honor 8 has a rapid, smart file-processing system for a smooth user experience.
Display
Brighter color, smarter visibility control, more details
The Honor 8’s 5.2-inch FHD display with a 96% high color gamut (NTSC), color enhancement, and dynamic pixel-level contrast adjustment provides a better viewer experience, with vivid and crisp images.
The Eye-Care Mode makes looking at your phone more comfortable and safe by filtering part of the blue light to reduce eye strain.
Battery
You’ve got the power and the long-lasting battery
9V/2A fast-charging technology reaches a 47% (from 0%) charge in just 30 minutes. So when you’re out there changing the world, the Honor 8 has you covered — with up to 10 hours of nonstop video playback and a speedy recharge.
And with a 10-minute charge, Honor 8 gives you 2 hours of phone-call time or 6 hours of offline music listening.
**Honor 8 only supports 9V2A charging when used with the factory-provided charger. Charging time may vary depending on the charger used, battery level at the time of charging and the ambient conditions.
**3000mAh (typical), 2900mAh (rated)
** Data based on Honor laboratory tests, actual use time may vary.
Intelligent Communication
Always connected
Double antenna switch: the Honor 8 seamlessly selects the antenna with the strongest signal to ensure you always have the best possible reception.
Smart roaming: Huawei's international carrier database enables your device to register on local networks faster when roaming.
Smart dual-band wi-fi switching: the Honor 8 supports 2.4 GHz/5 GHz bands and defaults to the faster 5 GHz band unless the 2.4 GHz signal is stronger.
Smart Control 4.0
Honor8 includes a separate infrared module with built-in IR codes for popular products, allowing you to control devices even when you are without an Internet connection. Honor8 supports 232,740 products from 5810 brands.
Smart media
Voice +
Don’t want to hold your phone to have a talk? The high-gain microphone, voice plus technology and volume amplification feature release your hands without sacrifice the audio quality at both end of the line.
Dynamic noise-canceling
Honor8 has enhanced hands-free support, including a high-sensitive microphone, Voice+ technology, and volume amplification features. Enjoy improved audio quality at both ends of the line.
Integrated speaker unit
Honor8 features an integrated speaker unit that provides high-quality music playback.
EMUI
EMUI 4.1 + Android 6.0 : Smoothness & Innovation
Eco-friendly
Only fingerprint, no footprint
The Honor 8 is certified with UL 110 (Platinum level) for mobile phone sustainability and positive environmental impact, with packaging and user manuals printed in soy ink.
The packaging is approved by the Forest Stewardship Council, which promotes sustainable forestry.
