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A fix for the OnePlus 7 Pro's 'phantom tap' issue is on the way
The OnePlus 7 Pro has only been on the market for a matter of days, and some users are reporting problems with their screens. Some owners are dealing with "phantom taps," which cause the device to register false inputs when they haven't touched the screen. There are suggestions that turning off NFC works as a stopgap to fix the problem, which seems to be a software issue -- OnePlus plans to roll out a patch to resolve it "in the coming weeks."
Aston Martin's futuristic hypercar uses your smartphone as its touchscreen
Aston Martin dropped a hat-trick of announcements today, confirming work on three new vehicles: the Vanquish Vision Concept (codenamed AM9), the AM-RB 003 hypercar and the Lagonda All-Terrain Concept. The Vanquish Vision Concept -- which revives the Vanquish name -- has been in production for two years. Its arrival marks the first time Aston has put a mid-engine model into series production (which is slated for 2022). The twin-turbocharged engine's capacity is as-yet unspecified, but is likely to be around 3.0 liters, given the size of similar engines from other carmakers.
Latest Chrome OS update includes a redesigned tablet interface
You won't need a Pixel Slate to use a more touch-oriented version of Chrome OS. Google has released an update (version 70) that brings the Slate's interface changes to all touchscreen Chrome OS PCs and tablets. There's a more finger-friendly app shelf with contextual menus, an overhauled control panel with faster access to common features (plus a unified notifications feed) and a launcher that shows recent sites. you'll also find a Gboard-based on-screen keyboard with an option to float a small keyboard if you'd rather type with one thumb.
Kano adds a touchscreen to its complete DIY computer kit
Twelve months ago, Kano unveiled a complete build-it-yourself computer kit powered by Raspberry Pi. It looked the part but ignored the fact that most children love tablets, smartphones, and other devices with a touchscreen display. Now, the company is launching an updated version that swaps the standard 10.1-inch screen for a touch-friendly version. That means you can swipe around the company's custom operating system and take care of programming challenges with your finger. It's called, unsurprisingly, the Computer Kit Touch and is available today for $279.99 through Kano.me and a bunch of online and bricks-and-mortar retailers.
Leica's M10-P rangefinder has an ultra-quiet mechanical shutter
Leica has unveiled the M10-P rangefinder, an update to last year's M10 with a couple of changes that makes it even more discreet and technically proficient. The biggest change is a new mechanical shutter that's Leica's quietest ever, even more so than its old film cameras that were famous for their silent operation. It's not completely noise-free like, say, Sony's A7 III in silent mode, but unless you're right next to your subject, they likely won't hear a thing.
Samsung is 'looking into' Galaxy S9 touchscreen issues
Tonight Samsung has responded to growing reports of Galaxy S9/S9+ phones with touchscreen problems. Android Police and PiunikaWeb point to a few threads on Reddit and Samsung's own support forums where owners have noted issues with their phones registering touches. Where on the device they see this issue has varied, and some said they were able to resolve it with a factory reset or turning up the sensitivity but most needed a new phone. A Samsung spokesperson said to Engadget that "We are looking into a limited number of reports of Galaxy S9/S9+ touchscreen responsiveness issues," and encouraged any owners with problems to contact the company directly. Of course, we've seen worse hardware issues, and iPhones have had their own bouts with things like "touch disease" but we'll be watching carefully to see if this issue is truly widespread or limited to just a few devices. At Samsung, customer satisfaction is core to our business and we aim to deliver the best possible experience. We are looking into a limited number of reports of Galaxy S9/S9+ touchscreen responsiveness issues. We are working with affected customers and investigating. We encourage any customer with questions to contact us directly at 1-800-SAMSUNG.
Olympus' tiny Pen E-PL9 has 4K and image stabilization
Olympus has introduced the PEN E-PL9, giving its smallest Micro Four Thirds mirrorless camera a significant overhaul with the addition of 4K video and in-body stabilization. The new model carries the retro look of its predecessor, the E-PL8, but improves on it with a bigger grip and mode dial. It now packs the same 16-megapixel sensor, TruePic VIII processor and 121-point contrast-detect AF (with face and eye detection) as the larger OM-D E-M10 Mark III, but is still limited to 3-axis instead of 5-axis stabilization.
Lamborghini’s 650HP Urus is equal parts muscle and infotainment
Lamborghini's Urus is more than just an absurdly overpowered SUV, it's packed with technology both on the entertainment and safety sides too. That means along with its 650 horsepower twin-turbo aluminum 4.0 liter V8 (whew) you also have the option for a pair of Android Auto tablets mounted to the back of the driver and passenger seats. Oh, and there's a digital instrument cluster as well, which will either make keeping it under the 305 KMH (189.5 MPH) top speed easier or harder, depending on your driving style.
Yale's Nest-controlled smart lock arrives in early 2018
Yale, the lock company that recently purchased August, recently joined forces with Nest on a new smart lock, and we now know more about the product and when it will arrive. The Nest x Yale lock gives you a key-free, touchscreen deadbolt with a lot of options for remote unlocking and granting access to family or guests. For one, you can unlock it by entering a passcode (it holds up to 250), which can be limited to specific times of day for cleaners or others who need limited access.
Leica's CL gives an iconic design the modern tech it deserves
Up until recently, Leica built lovely, expensive cameras that no-one ever called "state-of-the-art." The TL2, however, recently marked a change in direction. Not only was it relatively cheap for a Leica at $1,950, but it was endowed with modern features like 4K video. It's pushing that idea further with the CL, its new $2,795 flagship 24.2-megapixel APS-C mirrorless that looks and feels more like an old-school Leica, thanks to a new body and manual dials. At the same time, it's got the tech you'd expect in a modern camera, including an all-new electronic viewfinder.
British warships will soon have Siri-like voice controls
British warships will soon integrate Siri-like voice systems into their controls, according to the head of the UK's Royal Navy. Speaking at the Defence and Security Equipment International exhibition -- one the biggest arms fairs in the world -- First Sea Lord Admiral Sir Phillip Jones said the Royal Navy wanted to embrace the speed at which warfare is being transformed by IT, and pointed to new Type-31 frigates as an example.
Google's Dashboard redesign simplifies your privacy tools
Google announced today that its Dashboard feature is getting a big update including a new look and simpler controls. In a statement, the company said that it asked over 4,000 people last year across 15 countries to give them feedback on privacy and security -- information that has helped Google tweak its user controls and Dashboard interface.
Subway hopes touchscreens will bust up its sales slump
It couldn't be that their bread used to contain the same chemicals as yoga mats. It certainly isn't the fact that their high-profile spokesman of 15 years is now serving 15 more in federal prison on charges of sex with minors and child pornography. No, no, no. Obviously the reason that Subway's sales have been in a three-year slump, one of the worst in company history, is that their restaurants aren't sufficiently high tech.
Create a masterpiece on the Switch's touchscreen in 'Qbics Paint'
A new game coming to the Nintendo Switch promises to make good use of its touchscreen. Qbics Paint, developed by Abylight Studios, lets you sculpt and paint works of art from the comfort of your living room -- or wherever else you've toted your Switch.
Amazon's Echo Show is Alexa with a touchscreen
As expected, Amazon has revealed the Echo Show, a squared-off Echo device equipped with a 7-inch touchscreen. The company lost the element of surprise, as it was already unveiled via a series of leaks culminating in clear pictures of it from reputed spoiler Evleaks. That may be a good thing, however -- the device's design has already been widely panned, so everyone can now focus on the specs for the official launch.
Let's hope this isn't Amazon's touchscreen Echo
Rumor has it Amazon is about to introduce a touchscreen version of its Echo speaker. Bloomberg was the first to report about this last November, although no images of the purported device were shared back then. But today, thanks to AFTVnews, we may be getting an idea of what Amazon has been working on. The original gossip suggested the new Echo would come with a 7-inch touchscreen, and this leaked photo certainly fits the bill. You'll also notice what appears to be a front-facing camera above the display, which makes you wonder whether Amazon could port over some of the fashion features from the Echo Look.
Nintendo finally discovered capacitive touch screens
At Nintendo's Switch press conference today, the company revealed that its upcoming gaming console will have -- wait for it -- a capacitive touch screen. This is a pretty big move for Nintendo, which has traditionally gone with resistive touch displays -- the DS, the 3DS and the Wii U all had resistive touch screens and had to be used with a modicum of finger strength or a stylus. Resistive touch screens are typically not as finger-friendly as capacitive displays that are widely used in smartphones and tablets today. Capacitive screens also allow for multitouch gestures, which is lacking on resistive models. It's a small difference, perhaps, but it's a move that makes the Switch that much more enticing to a modern audience. Click here to catch up on the latest news from Nintendo's Switch event.
Kwikset goes keyless with its 'Obsidian' smart lock
Most app-enabled smart locks like the August or any of the Schlages will still include a traditional cylinder mechanism, you know, just in case. The new Obsidian lock from Kwikset, however, has no need for your puny keys. Like, at all.
AirBar gives your MacBook Air a touchscreen for $99
Sure, the new MacBook Pro has that fancy Touch Bar, but some Apple laptop owners long for a machine with a full touchscreen display. A company called AirBar already gave the PC faithful a USB accessory that gives a 15.6-inch screen a more tactile function, and at CES it's doing the same for the 13.3-inch MacBook Air. The company calls the device "plug-and-touch," which means you don't have to worry about futzing with drivers before you can use the gadget.
Samsung's leaked Chromebook Plus is built for Android apps
Samsung is getting ready to release a convertible, stylus-equipped Chromebook, judging by an apparently accidental Best Buy listing. It bears a striking similarity to another leaked model, the 12.5-inch, 1080p ASUS Chromebook that appeared last month on Newegg. Samsung's device is reportedly called the Chromebook Plus, but there are no specs accompanying the images. However, we can see that it's a thin, all-metal laptop, probably in the 12- to 13-inch range, equipped with USB-C and an SD card reader.
