Don’t believe the carriers, the 5G revolution is still years away

3GPP — the partnership of telecommunications companies working on global standards — is in the final stages of narrowing down the specifications needed to establish the 5G standard. The group recently came to a consensus on the 5G New Radio Non-Standalone specification essential for the adoption and rollout of the first 5G networks. But what is it?
Originally scheduled for March 2018, the release of Non-Standalone (NSA) 5G NR was accelerated following pressure from 3GPP members involved in network operation and hardware design to speed up the development, testing, and deployment process. This announcement isn’t the final product; the 5G Standalone part of the specification is expected to arrive later in 2018.
This begs the questions, what’s the difference between Standalone (SA) and Non-Standalone 5G? What differences will this make for user data connections in the short and long terms? Can a rollout based on the Non-Standalone specifications even be considered true 5G at all?
Standalone vs Non-Standalone
To differentiate between Standalone and Non-Standalone, we need to explore what they will offer.
Non-Standalone 5G still makes use of existing 4G LTE radio and backend technologies, and combines them with the New Radio technologies of 5G to provide faster connections to users. For brevity’s sake we’ll avoid the specific technical details, but you can read those here if you like.
Just know that 5G NSA and New Radio covers mostly hardware and encoding changes that will be required to reach the eventual capacity, latency, and data speed goals of 5G networks. It doesn’t include specifications for any backend, infrastructure changes, like how cloud servers are organized, which would enable new 5G use cases (More about that in a moment).
The specification enables support for higher frequency carrier bands, up to 6 GHz, and lays the foundation to support very high frequency mmWave bands above 24 GHz. This will enable carriers to increase their network capacity, resulting in higher speeds. 5G NSA also includes support for advanced carrier aggregation technologies that work across bands. This includes those operating in the Wi-Fi spectrum, such as LTE-U/LAA, LWA, LSA, CBRS, and MulteFire. This type of technology is already supported by the LTE-Advanced Pro specification.
5G NSA focuses on hardware improvements for lower latency, more efficient encoding, and new spectrum aggregation techniques. 5G SA will overhaul back-end technologies too.
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Standalone 5G will feature full user and control plane capability using a next-gen core network architecture. In human-speak, it will reconfigure infrastructure for cloud data behind the scenes, as well as how data is parcelled up and sent over a network. In addition, Release 16 — scheduled for next year — and later will detail the technologies used for the larger-than-6 GHz mmWave spectrum.
The next-gen 5G core architecture will enable the construction optimized virtual networks running on a unified infrastructure, known as network slicing. In other words, those running services on 5G networks will have greater control over where critical server or storage elements are positioned in the network in relation to the end user. This is particularly important when placing emphasis on low latency for critical devices at the edge of the network (autonomous vehicles) or on the need for very high bandwidth to talk to data servers (streaming 4K video).
With 5G catering to a wider range of use cases with various bandwidth and latency requirements, a more flexible and modular approach to infrastructure is required. This includes support for device-to-device, mesh, and relay networking. The diagram below highlights how different virtual networking topologies could be implemented for different use cases, despite running on the same 5G infrastructure.
Huawei
5G SA will also deliver flexible subscription models and dynamic creation of services for new devices, including IoT and automotive technologies. Flexible subscription models could include one subscription for multiple devices, which may be more applicable to business-facing products. While data speeds will get a boost in the short term, major changes to the way mobile networks operate and the types of services they can support will have to wait.
The Non-Standalone specification will be fully forward-compatible with Standalone 5G, enabling networks to ramp up to a full switch. It won’t be until the 5G SA specification is finalized and compatible networks begin to roll out that many of the major shifts expected with the introduction of 5G — smart city IoT, autonomous vehicles, and the like — become a real possibility. The full Release 15 specification is anticipated around June 2018, and will enable standalone 5G deployment sometime in 2020.

Is Non-Standalone true 5G?
To summarize, Non-Standalone lays the groundwork for “proper” 5G but certainly doesn’t offer the full experience. It’s instead focused on expediting the hardware design, testing, and adoption necessary to support the final, full version of the specification. Consumers will see faster speeds and lower latency as these changes primarily apply to enhanced mobile broadband. But it won’t be until the arrival of the Standalone specification that major paradigm shifts in mobile networking — from mass machine communications to low latency autonomous vehicles — become a possibility.
Non-Standalone 5G will present faster networks for consumers, but won't yet enable next-generation use cases like mass IoT.
It’s important to note there’s not a single technology or component that will define 5G networks. It’s a combination of a number of different technologies, which together increase the available capacity, speed, and latency of mobile networks on which consumers rely. In that sense, the first 5G networks that carriers roll out based on this Non-Standalone specification are only part of the final picture. We will soon be dipping our toes into part of what 5G can offer, but the full experience will be coming down the line once the entire standard is finalized.
It will be important to remain skeptical when carriers claim to flick on their first 5G networks. The marketing opportunities and revenue at stake by being first cannot be understated, and the parties involved have already demonstrated a willingness to accelerate the roadmap to get ahead. While the advent of 5G is truly exciting, the press and wider industry must properly scrutinize carriers’ 5G claims once they come along, especially as the technologies and benefits become harder to parse. Suffice it to say: the full benefits of 5G are still a way off, despite what the carriers would like us to believe.
Don’t believe the carriers, the 5G revolution is still years away

This is (Likely) the Galaxy S9

On this return episode of the Droid Life Show, we’re reacting to our first clean shots/press renders of the Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S9+. We also have a date where we’ll see them officially, so you’ll want to tune in, Samsung fans.
After wrapping on the new Galaxy S line, we’ll dive into the latest on LG and the G7, talk Motorola leaks from a week ago and RED Hydrogen One phone specs, as well as early thoughts on Google I/O.
We’ll be live at 11AM Pacific (2PM Eastern).
If you miss us live and/or want the audio version of our podcast, you can subscribe through the various links below.
This is (Likely) the Galaxy S9 is a post from: Droid Life
This is (Likely) the Galaxy S9

Chrome OS’ split-screen snapping might eventually work with Android apps

A new commit revealed the ability to eventually use Android apps in split-screen mode.
There is no word on when the feature will be included in a future Chrome OS update.
The feature would work well with a recent update that allows Android apps to run in the background.


With Google‘s intentions to integrate Chrome OS with Android clear, it makes sense that the folks at Mountain View look to eventually let you use Android applications in split-screen mode.
This is not an entirely new feature for Chrome OS, since you can use split-screen windows in tablet mode. As XDA Developers discovered in a new commit, split-screen will eventually work with Android apps as well, whether you are in desktop or tablet mode.
Combined with a recent update that allows Android apps to run in the background, the updated split-screen feature should allow for the level of productivity and multi-tasking that Chrome OS can greatly benefit from.
Many of ChromeOS’ critics have long complained the operating system isn’t capable of the same level of productivity and flexibility that Windows and Mac OS allow for. Android app support certainly helps with that, andthe past few updates have only increased their usefulness when jumping between tasks.
Unfortunately, we have no idea when split-screen for Android apps will arrive. The commit was discovered a day or two ago, and Google has said nothing about what to expect in the next Chrome OS update.
Either way, we will be sure to keep you updated with any news from Mountain View.
Chrome OS’ split-screen snapping might eventually work with Android apps

Galaxy S9’s Variable Aperture Camera Should Look and Work Like This

Samsung’s big teaser for the Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S9+ event on February 25 hints at one thing: a “reimagined” camera. Since we’re mostly expecting familiar designs with the new S9 line, it’s clear that Samsung is going to try and set itself apart by going all out in the camera department. Thanks to a purported leaked retail box for the S9, we think that may be through a “Super Speed Dual Pixel” 12MP camera with OIS and a variable aperture. That’s a significant change for smartphones, and something we haven’t really seen but one time before.
As it turns out, the Galaxy S9 and S9+ won’t be Samsung’s first phones with a variable aperture. That title actually belongs to the Samsung W2018, a ridiculously expensive flip phone that was made for China. It sports a wild set of specs for a flip phone, like an octa-core processor, dual 1080p AMOLED displays, 256GB storage, 6GB RAM, and a 12MP variable aperture camera with optical image stabilization (OIS).
What is variable aperture?
Wait, so what is a variable aperture and why should we care? There are a couple of benefits that I think we’ll observe with the phone in hand. For one, at a maximum aperture like f/1.5, the camera should be able to take in more light than most smartphone cameras (V30 was f/1.6 and S8 was f/1.7) and really help in low-light situations. It could also help the Galaxy S9 capture photos with more depth and bokeh. By being able to flip to f/2.4, though, we’ve got added flexibility in better lighting conditions, where you don’t necessarily need all of that extra light that f/1.5 is trying to pull in.
Samsung is achieving this variable aperture with the help of mechanical aperture blades. To get to f/1.5, those blades open up as wide as they can, before closing back down to get to f/2.4. To see that in action, take a look at this awesome GIF.

Pretty cool, right? Your current phone certainly can’t do that.
Variable aperture mean better photos?
Will it amount to better photos? Samsung has featured some of the best smartphone cameras in history, so I can’t imagine this implementation won’t work well or they’d probably have scrapped it. If anything, flexibility is the key here, where you’ll get a better aperture depending on your lighting conditions, something no other phone can do.
The GIF above was pulled from the video below, for those curious. Again, this is cool.



Galaxy S9’s Variable Aperture Camera Should Look and Work Like This is a post from: Droid Life
Galaxy S9’s Variable Aperture Camera Should Look and Work Like This

Deal: Buy refurbished Google Pixel for $320 and Pixel XL for $360

Daily Steals has refurbished versions of the original Google Pixel and Pixel XL currently on sale at deep discounts.
You can cut down the prices even more if you add in promo codes “RICKPIXEL” for the original Pixel, and “RICKPIXELXL” for the Pixel XL.
All of the phone’s color options are available at the moment as well.


The original Google Pixel and Pixel XL smartphones may have launched way back in October 2016, but both are still excellent phones that will continue to receive great software updates in the future. Now you can get refurbished models of both phones at some solid discounts, thanks to the Daily Steals website (via Android Police).
The site has listed the Pixel at $339.99 for the 32 GB model, but you can get it for just $319.99 if you add in the promo code “RICKPIXEL” at checkout. You can get the same $20 discount for the 128 GB version, which is normally priced at $399.99 on the site, but priced at $379.99 with the code. The 32 GB version of the Pixel XL is priced at $399.99, but applying the “RICKPIXELXL” discount code at check out chops off $40 from that price, down to just $359.99. Again, the same $40 discount is available for the 128 GB version, which is normally priced at $449.99 on the site, but with the discount code, the price goes down to just $409.99.
At the moment, the site has all of the Pixel and Pixel XL’s colors available for sale. They are also are the models made specifically for Verizon Wireless, although they can still be unlocked to work on all US carriers. Keep in mind Google plans to update the Pixel and Pixel XL with not only upcoming versions of Android Oreo but also at least the next version of Android when it is released.
Get it at Daily Steals
Deal: Buy refurbished Google Pixel for $320 and Pixel XL for $360

Weekly Recap: Hey, Look, It’s the Galaxy S9 and S9+

For fans of leaks and unveiling date announcements, it was a solid week for you. Over the past few days, we learned Google will be hosting I/O on May 8-10 in Mountain View (Android P!), Samsung will unveil the Galaxy S9 and S9+ on February 25, and we even got a good look at the devices thanks to a new leak. Solid week, indeed.
Other news centered around LG and HTC’s likely quiet week at the upcoming MWC (don’t expect much), audiobooks launching on Google Play, RED discussing more of its Hydrogen One smartphone (launch later this year), plus we started seeing Google Pay branding pop up on phones.
Here are the stories you don’t want to miss from this week.

Watch: The Droid Life Show – Episode 163 [Subscribe]
Samsung: Our first good potential look at the Galaxy S9 and S9+.
Samsung confirms the Galaxy S9 for February 25.
LG: Probably nothing special at MWC from LG this year.
HTC: Probably nothing special at MWC from HTC this year.
Google: I/O 2018 takes place May 8-10, registration opens Feb. 22.
Google Pay branding starting to appear on devices.
Oreo: Google posts additional Android 8.1 images.
Chrome 64 for Android is good for those who hate annoying ads.
Audiobooks now available on Google Play!
RED discusses Hydrogen One phone, but not in great detail.
Google is cleaning up the Android Beta program page.
Opinion: Squeezy sides on the Pixel 2 XL? Yeah, we love them.
T-Mobile and Layer3 TV wrap up acquisition.
YouTube TV has over 300K subscribers, which is pretty good.

Have a good weekend, y’all!
Weekly Recap: Hey, Look, It’s the Galaxy S9 and S9+ is a post from: Droid Life
Weekly Recap: Hey, Look, It’s the Galaxy S9 and S9+

Google Maps may soon let users add or remove places they have visited

Android Police


The new 9.70 beta release of Google Maps adds a feature that lets users manually add locations they have visited to their timeline.
The new version also lets users remove any place they may have travelled to in the app’s timeline.
These addition will likely be added to the non-beta Google Maps app in the near future.


If you use Google Maps on your phone, and want to check to see the location of a specific place you may have visited in the past, you can do so by going to the “Your places” list, which is found in the app’s “Visted” tab. However, sometimes you may not find a place you went to on that list, or maybe there’s a location on the list that you want to remove, for some reason.
Android Police
The recently released 9.70 beta version of Google Maps, as reported by Android Police, adds a new option to its overflow menu that lets you add a specific business or location to your visited places. When you tap it, it will now show that you have indeed been to that location, and when you were last at that place. You can also view it in your timeline. Finally, there a new “Remove” option that takes away any place that is recorded in the app that you have visited from your timeline.
Keep in mind that these new location adding and removing features are in the beta version of Google Maps, and have not yet been moved over to the non-beta edition of the app. It’s likely they will be added to the stable Google Maps app sometime in the very near future. Android Police also did one of their detailed code teardowns of the beta’s APK, and found evidence of other upcoming features that may or may not show up in Google Maps. They include custom shortcuts, movie showtimes and ticket sales support, a native screenshot feature and more. Again, keep in mind APK teardowns are no guarantee that these features will actually be added to Google Maps.
Google Maps may soon let users add or remove places they have visited

What is IOTA? — a short guide

The Merkle IOTA is a cryptocurrency, but that doesn’t tell you much. It’s very different from other forms of digital money like Bitcoin, Ethereum, Ripple, and Dash — it’s designed for the Internet of Things (IoT). Its developers see a future where machines trade resources (electricity, storage, bandwidth, data, etc.) and services with each other using IOTA as payment.
So what is IOTA, exactly? How does it work, and what are its advantages over other cryptocurrencies?
IOTA solves many of the problems other cryptocurrencies face. This is because it’s not based on a blockchain but rather on a directed acyclic graph (DAG), referred to as the Tangle.
Related: What is a blockchain? – Gary Explains
Traditional blockchain technology works by bundling various transactions in each block. Then paid miners verify each transaction. Things are different with Tangle, where making and validating transactions go hand in hand. To make a transaction, you have to participate in the network by approving two past transactions.
The result? All transactions are free. You don’t have to pay a single cent when using IOTA, whereas sending someone a Bitcoin can cost a few bucks these days. And the transaction fee associated with Bitcoin increases as more people use the cryptocurrency. Not so with IOTA, which will stay free regardless of how popular it may become.
GlobalData
The free nature of IOTA opens the door to micropayments, which will be important as the IoT industry develops and grows. Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies fail in this area: when sending a small amount of money to someone, you have to pay a transaction fee that can be many times larger than the payment.
In addition to being free, IOTA has room to grow. With Bitcoin, the more transactions there are, the slower the system gets. Scalability is one of the biggest problems with Bitcoin, which led to the introduction of Bitcoin Cash. IOTA is different, as the network speed increases when more users are making transactions.
What is IOTA, how was it created, and where can I buy it?
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IOTA first came onto the scene in 2014. It’s not mined like the majority of other cryptocurrencies. All IOTAs that will ever exist have already been created with the genesis transaction. This means the total supply of coins will always stay the same.
And how much is the total supply? A lot — exactly 2,779,530,283,277,761 coins. IOTA is designed for machines, so the high supply makes the cryptocurrency optimal for nanotransactions.
Getting your hands on IOTA isn’t as straightforward as buying Bitcoin — you can’t buy it directly with your credit card. You first have to get a cryptocurrency like Bitcoin or Ethereum and then transfer it to an exchange that supports IOTA, where you can trade one cryptocurrency for the other. Binance is a great option for US citizens, while those in Europe and other regions should also check out Bitfinex.
Is IOTA a good investment?
Banyan Hill
What is IOTA’s mission? Namely to become the backbone of IoT. On the other hand, Bitcoin aims to become a globally adopted currency that could improve or even replace conventional money, and Ripple mainly serves as a payment network for financial institutions. Nevertheless, the majority of people today still only see cryptocurrencies as an investment opportunity.
IOTA is the seventh largest cryptocurrency in the world by market cap. At the time of writing, one IOTA will set you back around $5 — see up to date price below — making it far less valuable than Bitcoin.


Is IOTA a good investment? That question is almost impossible to answer. Financial experts all have their own views, but the fact is that no one knows in which direction the price will move.
But so far, IOTA has proven to be a fantastic investment. If you had bought $1,000 worth of IOTAs in July 2017 when you could get one for around $0.40, you would now have $12,500. That’s a fantastic return on investment, and a remarkably quick one. Try putting $1,000 in a savings account at your local bank and check how much interest you’ll get after only six months — not much.
IOTA’s value has increased dramatically in recent months, but that doesn’t mean the trend will continue in the future. Some financial experts see cryptocurrencies as a bubble that will eventually pop, while others still believe that they should be a part of everyone’s investment portfolio.
You should never invest more money into cryptocurrencies than you can afford to lose.
So, a word of caution: never invest more money into cryptocurrencies than you can afford to lose. They are extremely volatile — value goes up and down a lot — making them less stable than standard currencies like dollars and euros.
AtoZ Forex

These are only a few basic facts about IOTA. The technology is still relatively new, and while we may treat it primarily as an investment opportunity today, IOTA might soon become a bigger part of our daily lives.
Although people mostly talk about Bitcoin (and occasionally Ethereum, Litecoin, and Dash), there are more than 1,000 cryptocurrencies out there. Some could impact our lives in major ways, while others will quickly be forgotten. It’s hard to predict which camp IOTA will fall in.
What is IOTA? — a short guide

Meizu 15 render leak shows off dual rear camera and curved display

Twitter


A render leak of the upcoming Meizu 15 has made its way to the Internet.
The rather dark render still shows a dual rear camera setup for the China-based phone.
It also shows a curved display and what could be a fingerprint sensor on the bottom front bezel.


A few days ago, renders of the upcoming Meizu 15 Plus were posted on the Internet, showing a phone with a small amount of bezel and an 18:9 ratio for its display. Today, another render has made its way to the Internet, reportedly showing the smaller Meizu 15 model.
The renders were posted by a Twitter user (via GSMArena) but unfortunately, they are extremely dark and don’t show a lot of detail. Assuming they are accurate, we can see that the Meizu 15 will have a dual camera setup, with both sensors mounted vertically, similar to what was shown in the earlier Meizu 15 Plus renders. There’s also a silver circle below the camera, but there’s no word on what that might be. It’s possible that it could hold a laser autofocus and/or a 10-LED flash, which is similar to what’s found on the older Meizu Pro 6 Plus.
The front side of the render shows that the Meizu 15 may have a curved display on both edges, along with what looks like a home button on the bottom bezel that may double as the device’s fingerprint scanner. There’s no word yet on the phone’s hardware specs, although the larger Meizu 15 Plus is rumored to have the upcoming Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 chip, along with either 6 GB or 8 GB of RAM.
Both the Meizu 15 and Meizu 15 Plus are rumored to be officially revealed sometime in February, just in time to help celebrate the company’s 15th anniversary. What do you think of the look of the Meizu 15?
Meizu 15 render leak shows off dual rear camera and curved display

Latest Galaxy S9 and S9 Plus render leak show off their big displays

A new render leak shows the front design of both the upcoming Samsung Galaxy S9 and S9 Plus.
The phones are rumored to have more differences inside in terms of hardware than the Galaxy S9 and S8 Plus.
Both the new S9 phones are scheduled to be officially revealed by Samsung on Feb. 25.


MWC 2018 is just around the corner, kicking off on February 26th. Even more exciting is the impending announcement of the Samsung Galaxy S9 and S9 Plus the day before. The big question left is what these phones look like and what differences they may pack. And now we have the answer, as a new render leak reportedly shows off the front of both of these new flagship phones from Samsung.
The leak came from VentureBeat and noted Internet gadget leaker Evan “@evleaks” Blass. Both the 5.8-inch Galaxy S9 and the 6.2-inch Galaxy S9 Plus look essentially the same as their year-old counterparts. They aren’t completely the same however, as both phones will have some key differences inside in terms of hardware.
Blass states the standard S9 will have 4 GB of RAM and 64 GB of onboard storage, while the larger S9 Plus will have 6 GB of RAM and 128 GB of storage. Both phones are rumored to use the Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 processor for the US and China markets, and Samsung’s in-house Exynos 9810 chip everywhere else it is sold.
As this week’s official reveal of Samsung Unpacked 2018 hinted at, the Galaxy S9 and S9 Plus will get some big camera improvements. Blass and previous rumor reports claim the S9 and S9 Plus will have a 12 MP rear camera that will support the making of “super-slow-mo” videos, along with variable aperture features. The S9 Plus, like 2017’s Galaxy Note 8, is supposed to have a dual camera setup, with a second 12 MP sensor that has a fixed aperture. The S9 Plus will reportedly place both sensors vertically, along with the rear fingerprint sensor. Both phones are rumored to have an 8 MP front-facing camera.
The S9 variants are also supposed to have stereo speakers on the bottom, which is an improvement from the single speaker found on the S8, S8 Plus and Note 8 phones. The Galaxy S9 and S9 Plus will reportedly go on sale on March 16, as hinted by the date shown in the renders leaked above. Stay tuned as we will have first-hand coverage of the new Samsung flagships on Feb. 25 at MWC 2018.
Latest Galaxy S9 and S9 Plus render leak show off their big displays

Moto E5 leaked with rear fingerprint scanner, may arrive April 3 (Updated)

Update (01/26): A new CAD render video from CouponRaja and @OnLeaks has given us a better look at what is believed to be the Moto E5. The device is depicted in a light gold color and corroborates a design language seen in a recent image leak (found in the original coverage below).
The video didn’t arrive alongside any further specs information, but it does indicate that the handset will include a headphone jack.





The short clip is also unable to confirm the presence of a fingerprint scanner, but we expect it to be housed in the circular area with the Moto logo on the rear. For more details, check out our previous coverage below.

The Moto E range of smartphones is the most cost-effective in the Lenovo/Motorola range. This series is responsible for some of the best value Android phones on the market, and they regularly feature on our best cheap Android phones article (the Moto E4 is there right now). The next device in the range, the Moto E5, is expected soon, and we’ve already caught a glimpse of what it’s going to look like.
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A leaked image from MySmartPrice (via Android Police), shows what is thought to be the gold variant of the upcoming device. The handset features what is anticipated to be a roughly 5-inch display, with single front-facing and rear-facing cameras, and a rear fingerprint scanner—what would be a first for the series. This area may just be a holder for the Moto symbol—like on the Nexus 6—but given the lack of scanner on the front of the device (and presuming that Moto hasn’t implemented under display scanning in its budget handset), a rear scanner seems likely.

There also appears to be a microUSB port on the bottom of the phone, and single earpiece speaker at the top. We expect a MediaTek chipset inside, too.
MySmartPrice suggests that the April 3 date on the device clock could be a clue as to its release date. The Moto E4 arrived in June last year, but Motorola doesn’t keep such a strict schedule for these phones, so it could be here in the next couple of months.
What are your initial thoughts on the Moto E4? Let us know in the comments.
Moto E5 leaked with rear fingerprint scanner, may arrive April 3 (Updated)

Michael Kors Access line gets lavish new colors for Spring 2018 collection

Luxury brand Michael Kors is introducing new colors for its popular Android Wear watches the Access Sofie and Access Grayson. The new designs were announced earlier this week (via Digital Trends) as part of MK’s Spring 2018 collection. Editor's PickYour guide to fashion smartwatchesSmartwatches are a lot of fun and exceedingly useful, but they're hardly fashionable.

Maybe you’re gearing up for a night on the town, or just have an exquisite sense of taste, and you're looking for something …
The Access Sophie (the 42 mm women’s version) will arrive in four new colors: two-tone rose-gold, blushed rose-gold, brilliant sky blue (above right) and silicon-wrapped gold (above left). The Access Grayson (the 47 mm version for men), will receive a black, silver (below right) and dark green (below left).

The watches come with a Snapdragon Wear 2100 chip, run Android Wear 2.0 and support activity tracking and customizable faces. They also include the MK specific My Social “microapp” which integrates with Instagram and Facebook account to pull photos for use as watch faces. MK is also introduucing another microapp soon, called My Next, which will keep you informed of upcoming birthdays or anniversaries. Take a look at that in the video below.





The new watch styles are expected to hit the official Michael Kors website today for $350. Give us your thoughts on them in the comments.
 
Michael Kors Access line gets lavish new colors for Spring 2018 collection

Get Google Pixel features on any phone with Rootless Pixel Launcher v3

The Rootless Pixel Launcher 3.0 app has been launched, bringing the Google flagship experience to any Android handset—without root requirements. Developer Amir Zaidi (AmirZ) detailed the new version of the app in a Reddit post yesterday (via Droid Life), and it includes a wealth of features.
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The latest version is based on Android 8.1 Oreo on the Google Pixel 2, but it’s tuned to the specific Android version (Lollipop upwards) that you have on your phone. Among the included features are the Google Feed, app shortcuts, notification dots, and automatic theme changing based on the wallpaper.
The developer has also tossed in some improvements of their own into the launcher, like icon pack support, installed app suggestions based on what you’ve previously clicked, and the ability to open and close notifications from anywhere on the home screen.
It isn’t available in Google Play but you can download the APK from the GitHub page at the link if you want to check it out; read over its numerous features in the Reddit post here.
Get Google Pixel features on any phone with Rootless Pixel Launcher v3

Android Wear Getting New Unread Notification Indicator

The Android Wear team has detailed an upcoming change that all users should see in the next public release of the wearable OS. According to its post, users will see a new unread notification indicator, which should integrate into any watch face you use.
In the picture below, which shows off the different default and custom implementation options, you will see a small dot that will indicate there are unread notifications. The default indicator looks like a Pixel 2 home button, while the custom options that developers will need to create, show exactly how many notifications are there and should look pretty seamless with custom watch faces.
What you see will come down entirely to how developers intend to implement the new indicator, so your experience may vary.

If you’re a developer, this is exciting. If you’re a user, you’ll need to wait for it to rollout at some point soon.
Anyone here still rocking Android Wear?
// Android Developers
Android Wear Getting New Unread Notification Indicator is a post from: Droid Life
Android Wear Getting New Unread Notification Indicator

Xiaomi Redmi 5 with 4GB of RAM now available for purchase

Xiaomi


Xiaomi quietly launched a third variant of the affordable Redmi 5 on its website.
This third variation features 4 GB of RAM and 32 GB of storage.
It, along with all other Redmi 5 and Redmi 5 Plus variants, are available through Xiaomi’s website in China.


Whether it was due to market demand, or whether it was because it just felt like it, Xiaomi quietly launched a third variant of the Redmi 5 on its website.
Previously, the Redmi 5 was available with either 2 GB of RAM and 16 GB of storage for ¥799 (~$120), or 3 GB of RAM and 32 GB of storage for ¥899 (~$135). Gizmochina spotted a  third variation, which brings 4 GB of RAM and 32 GB of storage and is available for ¥1,099 (~$174). We are not sure why Xiaomi decided to release this third variant, but more memory is always welcome.
Everything else about this new Redmi 5 variant remains the same. That means we have a 5.7-inch, 18:9 display with HD+ (1440 x 720) resolution, rear-mounted fingerprint sensor, 5 MP front camera, and 12 MP rear camera.
Editor's PickXiaomi needs to adhere to the rules of Android



Most Android smartphone users understand the operating system which powers their device is “open source.” For many, that’s where their understanding ends. The legality of open source technology like Android is a mystery outside the …
Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 450 chipset and a 3,300 mAh battery power the Redmi 5, though the phone sadly features micro USB instead of USB Type-C. That blow is softened by the low price tag, but micro USB is quickly becoming a legacy connector.
The Redmi 5 Plus, meanwhile, sports a larger display with higher resolution, Snapdragon 625 processor, and larger 4,000 mAh battery. You also get 64 GB of storage, so long as you are okay with 4 GB of RAM.
Much like the other Redmi 5 and Redmi 5 Plus versions, the Redmi 5 with 4 GB of RAM is available now from Xiaomi’s Chinese website.
Xiaomi Redmi 5 with 4GB of RAM now available for purchase

Google is testing ‘My subscriptions’ and ‘Free up space’ features in Play Store

Google is testing a new “Free up space” feature, which lets you install your least frequently used apps all at once.
Google might also bring a new tab called “Subscriptions.” Any apps, TV shows, and magazines you’ve subscribed to will show up in one place.


Google might bring a faster and more convenient way to not only remove unused apps but also see all your subscriptions in one place.
Editor's PickOK Google, read my book: audiobooks are now available on the Play Store



Google Play just launched audiobooks in 45 countries and nine languages. To celebrate, it’s offering dozens of best-sellers for under $10.



Various reports have suggested that Google was preparing to launch its own audiobook section in …
According to 9to5Google, the search giant may bring changes to how users can remove unneeded apps on devices that are running out of space. Similar to what it’s doing on Google Photos and Files Go, Google might soon display a prominent sign that reads, “You’re running low on storage. Free up space.” If you’re running out of room on your Android device, simply go to “My apps & games,” and if you have the latest version of the Play Store, you should see an option to free up your device. The best part is that this app-uninstall feature gives you a list of apps to get rid of, sorted in frequency of use.
The new app-uninstall feature gives you a list of apps to get rid of, sorted in frequency of use.
That’s not all that Google is testing in the Play Store. As Android Police reports, some users are seeing a brand-new “Subscriptions” tab right under “My apps & games.” If you’ve subscribed to apps, TV shows, or magazines through the Play Store, they’ll be neatly displayed in one place now. At least theoretically. Unfortunately, it seems as though only a limited number of users have access to this tab in the Play Store at the moment.
Google is testing ‘My subscriptions’ and ‘Free up space’ features in Play Store

T-Mobile, Verizon, and AT&T customers in South Korea get free network access for the Olympics (Update)

 Update #1 (1/25): Verizon and AT&T also have offerings for their customers visiting South Korea for the Winter and Paralympic Games.
To get free access to Verizon’s network, you will first need to sign up for Verizon Up by January 28. To do so, download the My Verizon app, find the Verizon Up section, and follow the steps.
From there, sign up for Verizon’s TravelPass either through the same My Verizon app or by texting “TRAVEL” to 4004.
If you want to avoid Verizon Up, the carrier is still handing out a free TravelPass on February 9. TravelPass includes unlimited calls and texts, though you are limited to 512 MB of LTE speeds. You are throttled down to 2G speeds once your high-speed bucket runs dry.
Thankfully, AT&T’s process is much easier to follow. From February 1 through March 20, you can go here and grab free International Day Passes. In addition to unlimited calling and texting, these passes give you access to the data in your regular data.
Original story (1/25): With the Winter Olympics a few weeks away, T-Mobile looks to keep you connected during the popular event. The carrier is offering customers unlimited high-speed data in South Korea.
From February 7 through March 20, customers also get unlimited texting and calling within South Korea and to the US without paying a dime. This is a stark departure from T-Mobile’s typical international offerings, which include unlimited texts and data up to 2G speeds in over 140 countries and destinations.
According to T-Mobile, postpaid customers are eligible for the promotion at “absolutely no additional cost.” Prepaid customers are not completely left in the dust, since they can still pay for the carrier’s regular international offerings, but they are not eligible for this promotion.
Editor's PickYou can partially blame T-Mobile for the FCC’s changes regarding smaller ISPs



It's a contentious time for the internet. The Federal Communications Commission recently did away with net neutrality, undoing the classification of internet service providers (ISPs) as Title II common carriers.

Unfortunately, the FCC isn't stopping there. The …
Also, video streaming is capped at 480p resolution, a bummer for those with Quad HD resolution displays on their smartphones. Finally, those who use over 50 GB of data might see diminished speeds due to “data prioritization.”
Even with the caveats, T-Mobile has been on a roll recently. According to OpenSignal’s data, T-Mobile offers the fastest 4G LTE speeds and the fastest overall speeds. The carrier also has the highest percentage of 4G availability among all four major US carriers, though regional performance varies slightly.
When considering a recent study that suggests T-Mobile customers use the most data, it is a surprise that the carrier’s network has yet to buckle under the pressure. Either way, it appears that T-Mobile has your back if you visit South Korea for the Winter or Paralympic Games.
T-Mobile, Verizon, and AT&T customers in South Korea get free network access for the Olympics (Update)

Dell’s rugged Chromebook 5190 with USB Type-C is meant for the classroom

Dell


Dell has just announced the Chromebook 5000 series, with the debut device being the Chromebook 5190.
Available in either a clamshell or 2-in-1 design, the Chromebook 5190 features USB Type-C, a rugged design, and more.
The laptop will be available in February starting at $289.


Acer, ASUS, HP, and Lenovo all announced their education-focused Chromebooks in January alone. As such, it is only fitting for Dell to announce its own Chrome OS-powered wares with the Chromebook 5000 series.
The debut device for the series is the Chromebook 5190, which will be available either as a traditional clamshell or 2-in-1. Dell did not provide specific specifications, though the company said you can opt for a quad-core Intel Celeron processor if the dual-core model isn’t fast enough for you.
The Chromebook 5190 also features up to 13 hours of battery life, stylus support, an optional world-facing camera, and USB Type-C support. The laptop still features traditional USB ports that let students plug in their flash drives and other accessories.
Speaking of students, the Chromebook 5190 was designed for the education market. As such, it can survive drops from four feet in the air, as well as “10,000 micro-drops” from a few inches in the air. These are pretty standard features for education-focused Chromebooks, but it is still good to see Dell keep up with the competition.
Editor's PickAcer launches $349 Spin 11 hybrid Chromebook with Google Play support

After a shaky start, Google’s pairing of Chrome OS and Android apps has progressed enough to make Google Play support something of a deal breaker for many Chromebook buyers. Thankfully, there are plenty to choose …
That does not mean the Chromebook 5190 will be ultra affordable, however. When it goes on sale in February, the laptop will start at $289. If the cheaper 3000 series is any indication, prices could go up as high as $400 for the Chromebook 5190’s max configuration. We call that an inexpensive laptop around these parts, but that sort of price tag is on the higher end for schools.
Even so, it makes sense for Dell to further push into the educational market. IDC numbers from 2016 point to Chromebooks making up 49 percent of school computers. These numbers make the educational market a lucrative one, though we will see if the Chromebook 5190 delivers the goods.
Dell’s rugged Chromebook 5190 with USB Type-C is meant for the classroom

Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile Give Customers Free Usage in South Korea During Winter Olympics

The PyeongChang 2018 Olympics kick of February 9 and run through February 25. If you are planning to travel to South Korea to take in any part of the winter games, there is a good chance your carrier has gifted you free access while there. In fact, Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile are all letting customers use their plans in Korea without charge, though T-Mobile’s is the easiest to get setup.
Verizon
For Verizon customers, if you want free usage while in South Korea, you’ll have to do a couple of things. First, you’ll need to sign-up for Verizon Up, a promo plan we’ve told you to avoid, by January 28. You’ll do that by installing the My Verizon app, finding the Verizon Up section, and following the sign-up steps. Once you do that, you’ll then have to sign-up for Verizon’s TravelPass through the same My Verizon app you just installed (or previously had). You can also text “TRAVEL” to 4004.
If you don’t want to sign-up for Verizon Up and get a full month’s worth of free access, Verizon is at least giving everyone a free TravelPass on February 9 in Korea. To get that, follow the same steps I laid out above.
Verizon’s TravelPass includes calls and texts, plus up to 512MB/day of LTE speeds, followed by 2G speeds thereafter.
Verizon: Verizon Up sign-up | TravelPass sign-up
AT&T
AT&T is running a similar deal to Verizon, where they’ll give you free International Day Passes for the time you are in South Korea. AT&T is opening them up for free from February 1 through March 20. All you need to do to sign-up is hit that link below and follow the steps to add the feature to your plan.
AT&T’s International Day Pass gives you unlimited talk and text, as well as access to the data in your plan.
AT&T: International Day Pass sign-up
T-Mobile
T-Mobile, unlike those other two carriers, has made using your data plan at the PyeongChang games incredibly simple. All you have to do is just use your plan. T-Mobile says that from February 7 through March 20, you’ll get free unlimited high-speed data wherever your travels in South Korea take you, as well as free unlimited calls and texting. And seriously, you don’t have to sign-up for anything – this stuff is just included already in your T-Mobile postpaid plan.
Sprint
I have no idea if Sprint will offer anything. They haven’t said anything yet, but should they, we’ll update this post and let you know.
So there you have it, world Olympics travelers. If you plan to hop on over to the PyeongChang 2018 Olympics, Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile have you covered.
// Verizon | AT&T | T-Mobile | IMAGE
Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile Give Customers Free Usage in South Korea During Winter Olympics is a post from: Droid Life
Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile Give Customers Free Usage in South Korea During Winter Olympics

Today in Hip Hop History:The Lox released their second album We...

Today in Hip Hop History:The Lox released their second album We Are The Streets January 25, 2000
Today in Hip Hop History:The Lox released their second album We...

Today in Hip Hop History:Ghostface Killah released his second...

Today in Hip Hop History:Ghostface Killah released his second album Supreme Clientele January 25, 2000
Today in Hip Hop History:Ghostface Killah released his second...

Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+ Oreo Beta Ends January 26 in US

If you have been testing Android Oreo in the Samsung Beta Program with your Galaxy S8 or Galaxy S8+, your time is almost up. Samsung started notifying users that the Oreo beta for the S8 and S8+ ends on January 26 in the US. That’s tomorrow, guys.
This news comes after each device received its 7th and final Oreo beta update last week as builds G950U1UEU2ZRAE (S8) and G955U1UEU2ZRAE (S8+). That update was actually the third in January, so it’s pretty obvious that Samsung was squashing any final bugs with rapid releases as they approach a stable Oreo release.

When’s stable Galaxy S8 Oreo update coming?
The question now becomes, when will the stable release drop? The Oreo beta program for the Galaxy S8 and S8+ featured T-Mobile, Sprint, and unlocked models. I think it’s safe to assume that those devices are in the best position to get stable Oreo and the Samsung Experience 9.0 first, though Verizon’s Samsung phones seem to be staying quite up-to-date these days. Samsung only said in this final notice that they “look forward to releasing the official software update as soon as [they] can.”

What’s new in Oreo for the Galaxy S8 and S8+? The list is actually quite lengthy, because it does bring with it the Samsung Experience 9.0. We’re talking about new emoji, GIFs, and stickers, as well as an improved keyboard, fast and smarter search results within the phone, color lenses for your screen, access to Dual Messenger for using two accounts from the same messaging app, and more.
We’ll let you know when that stable Oreo update is ready.
Cheers DimStyle!
Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+ Oreo Beta Ends January 26 in US is a post from: Droid Life
Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+ Oreo Beta Ends January 26 in US

DEAL: Essential Phone Drops to $435 on Amazon ($65 Off)

The Essential Phone is down to just $434.99 today at Amazon, a solid $65 drop in price from its normal $500 spot. This isn’t the first price drop for Andy Rubin’s first phone from his young company, but it is the lowest price we’ve seen since that ridiculous Black Friday bundle.
At $435, I’d say that the phone is probably still a decent bet if you don’t have a huge smartphone budget, yet need something capable. This phone won’t ever have a top tier camera, and it’s clear that Essential is still ironing out some performance and cellular issues, but they are one of the best so far at keep phones up to date. In fact, on most months, they push the current security patch before Google can.
I re-reviewed the phone after it dropped to $499 and had seen a wave of improvements. My thoughts have changed some since then, meaning I’m not as big of a fan since Essential still seems to be struggling with a couple of long-standing issues (touch latency, for one), but at $435, it’s probably worth it. You are still getting the best feeling phone on the market with a really striking design, plus stock Android that is always current. In the low $400s, you are in Moto X4 territory, and I’d take this over the X4 every day of the week.
Amazon Deal Link
DEAL: Essential Phone Drops to $435 on Amazon ($65 Off) is a post from: Droid Life
DEAL: Essential Phone Drops to $435 on Amazon ($65 Off)

Xiaomi needs to adhere to the rules of Android

Android is an open source operating system, which forces manufacturers to have certain legal responsibilities.
Chinese manufacturer Xiaomi has a track record of violating the GNU General Public License by not posting source kernels of their devices.
Will Google have to step in and force the company to comply?


Most Android smartphone users understand that the operating system which powers their device is “open source.” However, for many, that’s where their understanding ends. The legality of open source technology like Android is a mystery outside the geeky inner circle of coders and hackers who make a hobby out of tinkering with the system.
But we can be forgiven for our ignorance because it’s just not our wheelhouse. There’s no reason for us to care. However, for Android smartphone manufacturers, things are different. For them, a deep understanding of the laws governing open source technology is a necessity.
So why is Chinese smartphone manufacturer Xiaomi, the world’s fifth largest, constantly on the wrong side of the law when it comes to open source rules and regulations?
Why is Chinese smartphone manufacturer Xiaomi, the world’s fifth largest, constantly on the wrong side of the law?

For those readers who don’t know the ins and outs of the laws governing Android, here’s a brief synopsis:

Android is based on Linux, an open-source operating system. Linux is published under the General Public License (GPL), which regulates how Linux can be used, edited, and distributed.
As well as the Linux kernel, there are lots of other components to Android, most of which are also licensed under an “open source” license. The preferred license for the Android Open Source Project is the Apache Software License, Version 2.0 (“Apache 2.0”), and the majority of the Android software is licensed with Apache 2.0.
Anyone can download and share the Linux kernel for free. If they edit the Linux code in any way, they can share that too, as long as they make the altered system available for anyone else to freely download. This is because their Linux derivative is still bound to the GPL.
Since Android is a Linux derivative, it is thus bound by the GPL. Therefore, the Android source code must be freely available to anyone who would like to see it.
If anyone changes the Android source code, it is also bound to the respective licenses. If that new code is then amended, it is regulated by the same license, and so on ad infinitum.

The Mi A1 is Xiaomi’s very first Android One device. Android One devices run on a nearly-stock version of the operating system, and companies work closely with Google to integrate the software. Google introduced the Android One program to bring some cohesion to the Android user experience across different types of hardware, and the Mi A1 has the distinction of being the first Android One device to launch globally.
But it’s been three months since the device hit shelves, and Xiaomi has yet to post the source kernel.
That infraction of the GPL might be understandable if there weren’t a disturbing trend: it was six months after the releases of 2016’s Mi 5 and 2017’s Mi 6 when their source codes went live. If this trend continues, it will be April 2018 before we’ll see the source of the Mi A1.
How can a company as large as Xiaomi be at odds with the GPL so regularly and not face any consequences?
It was six months after the releases of 2016’s Mi 5 and 2017’s Mi 6 when their source codes went live.

To be clear, there is no ostensible reason for these delays. The Samsung Galaxy S8 and S8 Plus hit store shelves on April 21, 2017. The source code for the devices appeared on April 26, 2017. Five days is a reasonable amount of time to copy a pre-existing file to a website for the public to consume. Six months is not.
This is especially confusing since the Galaxy S8 runs a heavily modified version of Android known as Samsung Experience. Samsung taking some time to post a kernel that is filled with unique code is understandable, but the Mi A1? The code is not much different from the files publicly available right now at the AOSP site, so why isn’t Xiaomi following the rules?
See alsoXiaomi Mi A1 review: the perfect budget phone?


Introduced in 2014, Google’s Android One program never quite took off the way the company had envisioned. The program focused on developing markets like India and aimed to deliver budget smartphones with a stock Android …
The most obvious explanation for Xiaomi’s playing fast and loose with the GPL is because, generally speaking, there are no repercussions. There have been numerous cases of companies violating their GPL obligations in the past, but offenders have rarely been taken to court over it. In fact, legal action over GPL is practically unheard of in the Android ecosystem. Even if a stakeholder would decide to sue Xiaomi, they would need to do it in China — which has notoriously lax regulations when it comes to intellectual property infringements — India, or one of the other markets where Xiaomi has significant market share. Suing Xiaomi in the US wouldn’t make sense, simply because Xiaomi doesn’t have an official presence there.
Legal action would have to be filed in multiple jurisdictions in order to have a real effect (similar to how Apple and Samsung fought each other in courts from a dozen countries). It can take close to a decade, and millions of dollars, to bring such cases to their final conclusion. And, in the end, the plaintiff would probably not be awarded any damages, simply because it’s hard to prove that the GPL violation caused any financial loss to the plaintiff.
But if Xiaomi wants to come to America (which reps for the company have mentioned several times as being a goal) it might not be able to ignore GPL statutes for long. Under threat of litigation, the Mi A1 code would have to be posted to the public within a reasonable amount of time.
If Xiaomi wants to come to America it won’t be able to ignore GPL statutes.

While the company is focused on China and India though, Xiaomi doesn’t have to worry about abiding by the standards set by their competitors that operate globally. This is unfortunate because the power of the GPL is set by the companies and individuals who uphold it. It may seem alarmist, but it’s a slippery slope from not posting source code in a reasonable amount of time, to not posting source code at all, to then charging people for accessing the code (which companies have tried to do). 
Even if you ignore the ethics of non-compliance with the GPL, the safety and security of devices are put at risk when the source code isn’t freely available. One of the significant benefits of open source code is that anyone can go through it to look for issues. Once a vulnerability appears, it can be examined, patched, and that patch can spread. But if users can’t view the source code, security threats could go unmonitored for weeks or even months, putting smartphone owners in genuine danger.


And where is Google in all of this? As the developers of the Android operating system, Google and its parent company Alphabet have a vested interest in making sure Android derivatives adhere to the GPL. But even though the Mi A1 is the first of its kind and a flagship device of the Android One program, Google has yet to comment on Xiaomi’s track record of source code releases, and hasn’t made any public moves to push Xiaomi to release the code.
Ultimately, Xiaomi is a successful brand and will continue to dominate sales in China, India, and other markets, regardless of whether or not it follows the GPL. But if it ever wants to make its mark worldwide, this glaring issue will have to be addressed.
Editor’s Note: Both Xiaomi and Google were contacted for this article, but comments were not available at press time. We will update the article should either company make a statement.
Xiaomi needs to adhere to the rules of Android

Pichai says AI is like fire, but will we get burnt?

The impact of artificial intelligence and machine learning on all of our lives over the next decade and beyond cannot be understated. The technology could greatly improve our quality of life and catapult our understanding of the world, but many are worried about the risks posed by unleashing AI, including leading figures at the world’s biggest tech companies.
In an excerpt from an upcoming interview with ReCode and MSNBC, Google’s Sundar Pichai provocatively compared AI to fire, noting its potential to harm as well as help those who wield it and live with it. If humanity is to embrace and rely on capabilities that exceed our own abilities, this is an important commentary worth exploring in more depth.
Rise of the machines
Before going any further, we should shake off any notion that Pichai is warning exclusively about the the technological singularity or some post apocalyptic sci-fi scenario where man is enslaved by machine, or ends up locked in a zoo for our own protection. There are merits to warning about over-dependence on or control exerted through a “rogue” sophisticated synthetic intelligence, but any form of artificial consciousness capable of such a feat is still very much theoretical. Even so, there are reasons to be concerned about even some less sophisticated current ML applications and some AI uses just around the corner.
The acceleration of machine learning has opened up a new paradigm in computing, exponentially extending capabilities ahead of human abilities. Today’s machine learning algorithms are able to crunch through huge amounts of data millions of times faster than us and correct their own behavior to learn more efficiently. This makes computing more human-like in its approach, but paradoxically tougher for us to follow exactly how such a system comes to its conclusions (a point we’ll explore more in depth later on).
AI is one of the most important things humans are working on, it's more profound than electricity or fire ... AI holds the potential for some the biggest advances we are going to see ... but we have to overcome its downsides tooSundar Pichai
Sticking with the imminent future and machine learning, the obvious threat comes from who yields such power and for what purposes. While big data analysis may help cure diseases like cancer, the same technology can be used equally well for more nefarious purposes.
Government organizations like the NSA already chew through obscene amounts of information, and machine learning is probably already helping to refine these security techniques further. Although innocent citizens probably don’t like the thought of being profiled and spied upon, ML is already enabling more invasive monitor about your life. Big data is also a valuable asset in business, facilitating better risk assessment but also enabling deeper scrutiny of customers for loans, mortgages, or other important financial services.Editor's Pick2017 was the year Google normalized machine learning2017 was a hell of a year for a multitude of reasons. In tech, this was officially the year we saw artificial intelligence engines leading consumer product lines. Most notable was the role AI played …
Various details of our lives are already being used to draw conclusions about our likely political affiliations, probability of committing a crime or reoffending, purchasing habits, proclivity for certain occupations, and even our likelihood of academic and financial success. The problem with profiling is that it may not be accurate or fair, and in the wrong hands the data can be misused.
This places a lot of knowledge and power in the hands of very select groups, which could severely affect politics, diplomacy, and economics. Notable minds like Stephen Hawking, Elon Musk, and Sam Harris have also opened up similar concerns and debates, so Pichai is not alone.
Big data can draw accurate conclusions about our political affiliations, probability of committing a crime, purchasing habits, and proclivity for certain occupations.
There’s also a more mundane risk to placing faith in systems based on machine learning. As people play a smaller role in producing the outcomes of a machine learning system, predicting and diagnosing faults becomes more difficult. Outcomes may change unexpectedly if erroneous inputs make their way into the system,  and it could be even easier to miss them. Machine learning can be manipulated.
City wide traffic management systems based on vision processing and machine learning might perform unexpectedly in an unanticipated regional emergency, or could be susceptible to abuse or hacking simply by interacting with the monitoring and learning mechanism. Alternatively, consider the potential abuse of algorithms that display selected news pieces or advertisements in your social media feed. Any systems dependant on machine learning need to be very well thought out if people are going to be dependant on them.
Stepping outside of computing, the very nature of the power and influence machine learning offers can be threatening. All of the above is a potent mix for social and political unrest, even ignoring the threat to power balances between states that an explosion in AI and machine assisted systems pose. It’s not just the nature of AI and ML that could be a threat, but human attitudes and reactions towards them.
TED
Utility and what defines us
Pichai seemed mostly convinced AI be used for the benefit and utility of humankind. He spoke quite specifically about solving problems like climate change, and the importance of coming to a consensus on the issues affecting humans that AI could solve.
It’s certainly a noble intent, but there’s a deeper issue with AI that Pichai doesn’t seem to touch on here: human influence.
AI appears to have gifted humanity with the ultimate blank canvas, yet it’s not clear if it’s possible or even wise for us to treat the development of artificial intelligence as such. It seems a given humans will create AI systems reflecting our needs, perceptions, and biases,  all of which are shaped by our societal views and biological nature; after all, we are the ones programming them with our knowledge of color, objects, and language. At a basic level, programming is a reflection of the way humans think about problem solving.
It seems axiomatic that humans will create AI systems that reflect our needs, perceptions, and biases, which are both shaped by our societal views and our biological nature.
We may eventually also provide computers with concepts of human nature and character, justice and fairness, right and wrong. The very perception of issues that we use AI to solve can be shaped by both the positive and negative traits of our social and biological selves, and the proposed solutions could equally come into conflict with them.



How would we react if AI offered us solutions to problems that stood in contrast with our own morals or nature? We certainly can’t pass the complex ethical questions of our time to machines without due diligence and accountability.
Pichai is correct to identify the need for AI to focus on solving human problems, but this quickly runs into issues when we try to offload more subjective issues. Curing cancer is one thing, but prioritizing the allocation of limited emergency service resources on any given day is a more subjective task to teach a machine. Who can be certain we would like the results?
Noting our tendencies towards ideology, cognitive dissonance, self-service, and utopianism, reliance on human-influenced algorithms to solve some ethically complex issues is a dangerous proposition. Tackling such problems will require a renewed emphasis on and public understanding about morality, cognitive science, and, perhaps most importantly, the very nature of being human. That’s tougher than it sounds, as Google and Pichai himself recently split opinion with their handling of gender ideology versus inconvenient biological evidence.

Into the unknown
Pichai’s observation is an accurate and nuanced one. At face value, machine learning and synthetic intelligence have tremendous potential to enhance our lives and solve some of the most difficult problems of our time, or in the wrong hands create new problems which could spiral out of control. Under the surface, the power of big data and increasing influence of AI in our lives presents new issues in the realms of economics, politics, philosophy, and ethics, which have the potential to shape intelligence computing as either a positive or negative force for humanity.
The Terminators might not be coming for you, but the attitudes towards AI and the decisions being made about it and machine learning today certainly have the possibility to burn us in the future.
Pichai says AI is like fire, but will we get burnt?