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Android One Smartphone

Google's Android One program was supposed to help the developing world go mobile and promote 'pure' devices full of Google services, but that's not how it panned out -- the phones flopped as both customers and vendors preferred heavily customized Android devices. However, the search giant may not be giving up just yet. Wall Street Journal sources claim that Google is planning to relaunch Android One in the "coming months" with a more relaxed policy that reflects some lessons learned. It's reportedly loosening the strict hardware requirements, which made it difficult to compete on price and launch phones quickly -- companies now have their pick of multiple parts. That's important in India, where even a small discount can lead to a competitive edge.

With the holiday shopping season just around the corner, this week Motorola will open its first brick-and-mortar store in Chicago. Named Moto Shop, the space is designed to be a showroom and hands-on area for all things Motorola, the company revealed today in a blog post. That includes a Moto Maker mini workshop, which will let you customize a Moto X Pure Edition smartphone; and a Moto 360 boutique, for people who would like to try Motorola's latest smartwatches. If you happen to be in The Windy City and want to check it out, the Moto Shop's grand opening is on Saturday, November 7th.

DEU, Germany, Saarbruecken, INM: nanocomposite micro-lens.

Science seems obsessed with creating tiny objects that can do big things. Like a team at the University of Wisconsin-Madison which has created a new microlens with a 170-degree field of vision. Modeled after an insects multi-faceted eye, the flexible lens is roughly the size of a pinhead. Where typical lenses refract light, this one focuses using diffraction, which bends it as it passes over the folded barrier. Each of these bendable structures look like bullseyes because the lens is made up of both light and dark regions. The distance between these concentric circles determines how far the lens can see and the best part is, because they're flexible, the field of vision can be easily altered.

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  • NASA Spacebot, what big eyes you have

    Space isn't exactly the safest of places for squishy meatbags like us, what with the lack of atmosphere and all. But when satellites in orbit break, somebody's got to fix them. That's why NASA is developing a robotic remote viewing system called the VIPIR (Visual Inspection Poseable Invertebrate Robot)....

It's been two years since Apple announced its plot to put your iPhone's core features inside the dash of your car, but only now is its CarPlay software becoming available in lots of new models. In brief, CarPlay allows you to connect your trusty iOS device to a vehicle's infotainment system to make things like texts, maps and music accessible from the console. Sure, the goal is to provide an easier way to use your phone on the road, but it also nixes the distraction of swiping through screens on the phone itself. To put CarPlay through its paces, I hit the highway for a 7.5-hour road trip in a 2016 Camaro SS, a model that'll arrive soon at your local dealer. From Philadelphia to Raleigh, North Carolina, I used it to navigate, find food and stream in-car entertainment along the way. This first version of Apple's software for the car is certainly useful, but as I found, there's room for improvement.

By Cat DiStasio

Solutions to some of the world's most challenging problems are coming from an unlikely place: teenagers. Around the world, young inventors are developing gadgets and techniques that address issues ranging from ocean pollution to biofuels to food production. These incredible inventions are just a few highlights from teens who bring a fresh perspective and a hunger for real-life problem-solving. Hopefully, we'll be reading about these young geniuses again years down the road, as they become stars of their own STEM careers.

Naran, a South Korean startup, has developed a series novel devices that transforms analog, push-button devices into internet-connected tools for your smart home. The devices, dubbed "Microbot Push" are low-power Bluetooth gadgets that pull commands from an internet hub and physically push analog buttons on, say, your old blender or the toaster oven. That's a radically different functionality than conventional "wall wart" IoT-enablers -- like the Brio or Nyrius -- which simply control the electrical circuits that power your appliances. Additionally, the Microbots can either be manually activated through the associated smartphone app or be automated in much the same way that IFTTT works. Naran plans to launch an Indiegogo campaign for the devices on November 9th.

Samsung's ATIV Book 9 series has mostly targeted Ultrabook buyers with lighweight, powerful and pricey models like the ATIV Book 9 Plus. However, the company's latest model, the ATIV Book 9 Pro is now suited for demanding users like gamers and graphics pros, thanks to workstation-class specs. It's equipped with the latest sixth-gen Intel Core i7 CPUs, a 15.6-inch 4K display with optional NVIDIA GeForce GTX 950M graphics and 6.5 hours of battery life, all squeezed into a 4.45 pound all-aluminum body. Like other ATIV Book 9 models, it also features a slim, tapered front profile.

"One thing we can bet on is that 'making' engages kids," Dale Dougherty, Maker Media founder told Engadget. Anyone that's ever been to a Maker Faire knows that's a solid wager. Children routinely crowd around booths and attractions at the event peppering proprietors with questions about how their devices work. They drag their parents to the marketplace to buy Arduinos, soldering guns, and DIY kits. Getting littles ones excited about science and crafts is easy when it's right in their faces, but then what? That was the question on Dougherty's mind, "what happens on the Monday following a Faire?"

Last fall, OK Go released their latest album Hungry Ghosts. If you happen to enjoy the samples the band used on it, you can employ those sounds yourself thanks to Korg. The audio company revealed a limited-edition of its Volca Sample emblazoned with OK Go art and loaded with clips the band used to make the aforementioned release. In fact, there's 100 different sounds total that are all available for use. This version of the Volca Sample features the same multi-touch keyboard, 16-step sequencer and can run on six AA batteries for mobile music making. It's part of the larger Volca line that includes the Volca Keys, Volca Bass and Volca Beat compact synths. And the original Volca Sample, of course. If all of that sounds too good to pass up, you'll be able to sang one for yourself this month after parting with $160.

It's November. For some, that means planning for Thanksgiving, while others might already be in the midst of holiday shopping. For us here at Engadget, November is when CES organizing kicks into high gear. Not only because CES is the country's largest get-together of tech, but also because for the third year in the row, Engadget has been bestowed the honor of running and hosting the official Best of CES awards. Just as in years past, our team of intrepid editors will search out the cream of the crop, nominate our finalists and pick the winners of the show. Oh and you too will have your voice heard in the People's Choice award. Want to know more? Well, head on over to our newly launched awards hub or read on further for a list of our award categories. And if you happen to be a company who wants to submit your product for such high honors, we've got instructions for that too.

The New York Times 2015 DealBook Conference

Netflix CEO Reed Hastings announced the service will offer more original content in 2016, including Bollywood and anime programming. During his talk with New York Times journalist Andrew Ross Sorkin at the DealBook conference, he said that the company is always looking at new ways to introduce unique shows that other streaming services don't have. Next year Netflix is looking to spend around $5 billion on content alone and since it launched in Japan on September 2, there's never been a better time to broaden the scope of programming with an international focus.​ What type of Bollywood or anime programs will Netflix release? Hastings didn't mention specifically, only noting that it has taken risks before and they've paid off (like Narcos, for example). Get ready for longer bouts of aimless scrolling on nights you're feeling indecisive.

This week on Dear Veronica, I welcome onto the show Dr. Kiki Sanford of This Week in Science. She brilliantly explains the science behind why your whiskey and vodka stays perfectly chilled in your freezer, while your beer completely explodes! Briefly, I wonder why you would bother freezing your whiskey (but I'm not here to judge).

Have you tried out online dating? It's a tough scene out there, but I try to help viewer Nick figure out some other ways to meet the match of his dreams. And don't forget, you can "swipe right" on this show by leaving us a review on iTunes! Because you're the best. Keep sending those questions in to me over Twitter with #DearVeronica, and I'll see you next week!

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Nest Inc. Chief Executive Officer Tony Fadell Studio 1.0 Interview

The possibility of an Apple-made car isn't anything new -- as it turns out, it's practically old news. iPod co-creator (and Nest CEO) Tony Fadell tells Bloomberg that he and Steve Jobs had "multiple" discussions about a car in 2008. They asked each other high-level questions, such as what the dashboard would look like and what the power plant would be. The idea didn't progress beyond that point due to a combination of tight resources and a lousy economic climate. Apple was swamped with iPhone work, and the American car industry was "almost dead." Why get into cars at a time when the field's heavyweights were asking for bailouts?

The developers at Frictional Games have a lot to live up to. This is the independent studio responsible for Amnesia: The Dark Descent, a terrifying first-person game fraught with monsters, mysterious shadows, haunting candlelight and devious puzzles. Amnesia won a handful of awards after its launch in 2010, including two at the Independent Games Festival, and it's widely considered a modern horror classic. SOMA is Frictional's first game since that success (the studio didn't even develop Amnesia's 2013 sequel), and it's an underwater, sci-fi adventure. And, of course, it's a horror game. This means the pressure is on for programmer Ian Thomas. He joined Frictional a few years into SOMA's development and he's been "bowled over" by the response to his studio's latest project. For Thomas, it's good to know that Frictional's instincts were spot-on, especially considering SOMA was almost a very different game.

Autopilot in a Tesla Model S

Tesla introduced Autopilot features to the Model S for the sake of convenience, but some drivers have been using it as a chance to goof off. They've invoked the semi-autonomous mode while speeding, or even while they're sitting in the back seat. Understandably, Tesla isn't happy with these stunts -- and it's getting ready to clamp down. The company's Elon Musk has revealed that Autopilot will get "additional constraints" so that owners can't abuse it. There's no mention of what those features will entail or when you'll see them, but it'd be reasonable to expect speed limits and occupancy checks.

Satya Nadella Delivers Opening Keynote At Microsoft Build Conference

Just as it did with Android, Microsoft is gearing up to bring its Cortana virtual assistant to iPhones. The beta release of Cortana won't have all of its features -- you can't say "Hey Cortana" to wake it up, for example -- but it sounds you'll be able to ask Cortana questions manually and add reminders. Basically, it'll have the same limitations as the current Cortana Android beta. If you want to be a Cortana guinea pig, fill out this survey to sign up for the beta and sit tight for a download link over the next few weeks. Be warned, though, Microsoft also says it's only looking for a "limited number"of people to try it out, and it's currently only available in the US and China. You can be sure it'll open up the Cortana for iPhone beta even more eventually.

Qlipp Tennis Sensor

It wasn't long ago that we rounded up a collection of gadgets aimed at tennis players -- everything from fitness trackers to sensor-laden rackets. But this is still a young market and we've seen several new entries since then. Equipment maker Babolat announced the Pop, a stat-tracking sensor housed in a wristband, back in August. Meanwhile, a new name is entering this growing field. A small team called 9 Degrees Freedom successfully crowdfunded the Qlipp -- a small sensor going for $99 in pre-release deals before jumping to its regular $129 price. It's a "universal" device that should work with nearly any racket and the company boldly claims it's the "ultimate tennis performance sensor." I received a pre-release version several weeks ago and, thanks to a nagging foot injury, I ended up spending far longer with the device than I anticipated. That added time gave me the chance to watch the accompanying app evolve as the Qlipp neared its December release and while the typical crowdfunding growing pains are evident, I do like where the company's going with this device.

US-POLITICS-PROPOSITION F

Airbnb and similar services have won against Proposition F, with most San Francisco residents choosing to vote against the controversial measure. According to the San Francisco Chronicle, the proposition lost by 55 percent to 45 percent, though Reuters is reporting that it lost by 61 percent instead. Prop F, which is also known as the Airbnb Initiative, is backed by hotel workers' unions, landlords and housing activists. They believe that laws governing services like Airbnb's should be stricter and that rentals are making the housing crisis worse, driving up rent and land prices in the city.

The new, simply titled Need for Speed (out this week on PlayStation 4 and Xbox One) is as close as you're going to get to an art-house, video game version of The Fast and the Furious. The series has had players recreating cop chases from movies since 1998's Hot Pursuit, but this is the first time the game actually feels filmic. It isn't going to stand toe-to-toe with Microsoft's Forza series or Sony's ill-fated, but gorgeous Driveclub because it doesn't have to -- visually, they aren't even competing against each other. NfS doesn't run at 60FPS like Forza Motorsport; it doesn't feature those meticulously detailed cockpits either. What's more, car models aren't nearly as detailed as Driveclub's. But whatever NfS lacks in "perfection," it makes up for with killer arcade-like handling and a visual style guided by a clear aesthetic: Make a racing game that looks like a movie shot on film.

Today on In Case You Missed It: A new wearable screen that runs Android while strapped to your wrist is out, but we can't help but make fun of it. MIT's Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Lab created a UAV that can fly through a forest safely with an obstacle avoidance algorithm. And a prototype gun for objects lets users whip together large-scaled 3D designs using run-of-the-mill packing tape.