Archive for the ‘Free Software’ Category

Xiaomi just announced an aggressively priced 75-inch QLED Android TV – Android Police

Xiaomi announced the Mi 11 for international markets today and detailed its MIUI 12.5 rollout plans, but that isn't the only thing the company took the stage for. It's also expanding its Mi TV lineup with one of its biggest products yet, the 75-inch big Mi TV Q1. The QLED Android TV set will come to Europe first and cost from 1299 (~$1560).

The Mi TV Q1 has a sleek metal finish and bezels so small they might as well not be there. It comes with an HDR+ capable 4K screen with quantum dot technology. Gamers and streamers can take full advantage of the TV's 120Hz refresh rate via HDMI 2.1 and an auto-low latency mode. Thanks to 192 zones of full-array local dimming, the set reaches a contrast of 10,000:1. If you don't want to hook up a soundbar to the TV, you can use the integrated 30W stereo system comprised of two tweeters and four woofers. It supports Dolby Audio and DTS-HD.

On the software side, the set runs Android TV 10, giving you access to all the usual apps, streaming services, and smarts you'd expect. The Mi Q1 has a built-in microphone that allows you to use it as a Google Assistant-equipped smart speaker without having to reach for a remote. The microphone can be turned off with a switch, and if you don't like the Assistant, the TV is also compatible with Amazon Alexa.

The Mi TV Q1 75'' will be available in Europe starting in March 2021 and will cost 1299 (~$1560), which seems extremely competitive compared to other QLED TVs. It'll first be available in France, Germany, Italy, Poland, and Spain on Mi.com and authorized resellers. As part of early bird sales, you'll only have to pay 999. Quantity is limited and store availability may vary. The TV will come to other markets soon.

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Xiaomi just announced an aggressively priced 75-inch QLED Android TV - Android Police

Adobe adds collaboration features to its creative suite – Engadget

Adobe just made life considerably easier if youre working with others on a creative project. The software giant has updated Photoshop, Illustrator and Fresco with an Invite to Edit feature that lets anyone on a computer, iPad or iPhone asynchronously edit a shared cloud document. Much like in productivity tools like Google Docs, you can hand work over to someone else knowing it will be updated when you come back.

iPhone users will have to be content with edit invitations in Fresco, but theyre otherwise broadly available across apps and platforms.

Theres an extra upgrade for Photoshop users. You can now sync the creative apps presets wherever you use them, including brushes, gradients and even the order of those tools. Mac and Windows users can try syncing today, while synced brushes are coming soon for iPad owners.

Adobe is to some extent catching up to other productivity apps with its new editing and sync features. This does bring Creative Cloud in line with the other productivity apps you already use, though, and could help you finish artwork that much sooner.

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Adobe adds collaboration features to its creative suite - Engadget

Apple should jump on the cryptocurrency bandwagon, analyst report says – CNET

Could Apple make the leap to Bitcoin?

Apple should launch its own cryptocurrency exchange, an analyst report suggested Monday. The report by Canadian brokerage firm RBC Capital Markets, spotted earlier by Coindesk, said that since Apple Wallet is used by millions in an increasingly cashless society, Apple could easily generate over $40 billion by making the jump to cryptocurrency.

"If Apple went down this path, the USA would likely acquire the most crypto assets from a global perspective," the report said. "If the USA owns the most crypto assets (be it Bitcoin or other assets), it would not make logical sense in our view to ban it. In addition, with Apple's secure and world-class software, the USA would be able to have confidence in user information and balances if needed in the future."

CNET's Apple Report newsletter delivers news, reviews and advice on iPhones, iPads, Macs and software.

CNET reached out to Apple and we'll update when we hear back.

The chatter around Apple comes shortly after CEO Elon Musk voiced interest in cryptocurrency Dogecoin. Tesla said that it'd soon accept bitcoins as payment for its electric cars.

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Apple should jump on the cryptocurrency bandwagon, analyst report says - CNET

Spotify Testing Live Lyrics Feature in the United States – MacRumors

Spotify is now testing its live lyrics feature in the United States, so some Spotify users will see an option to view lyrics synced to the music they're listening to on an iOS device.

"We can confirm we're currently testing our lyrics feature to a select number of users in the US. At Spotify, we routinely conduct a number of tests in an effort to improve our user experience. Some of those tests end up paving the way for our broader user experience and others serve only as an important learning. We don't have any further news to share at this time."

Spotify's live lyrics feature won't show up for all Spotify users as the company is using A/B testing to determine demand for live lyrics in the U.S. If you have Spotify, you can check to see if live lyrics are enabled by choosing a song and then checking for the lyrics option in the playback controls.

Spotify's live lyrics option is powered by Musixmatch and has previously been launched in 26 markets around the world, including Brazil, Mexico, Hong Kong, Thailand, and India.

It's not yet clear if the live lyrics feature will fully launch in the U.S. because as Engadget points out, Spotify has tested it in markets like Canada and has then not followed through with the feature's release.

Major Spotify competitor Apple Music has a built-in live lyrics option that has been available since iOS 13. The lyrics in Apple Music scroll as a song plays, keeping time with the music, which is similar to how Spotify's live lyrics work.

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Spotify Testing Live Lyrics Feature in the United States - MacRumors

Micromobility startup Helbiz to go public via a SPAC, and will expand into ghost kitchens – TechCrunch

Micromobility startup Helbiz, which now operates across Europe and the USA, is merging with a special purpose acquisition company (SPAC) to become a publicly listed company, giving it a war chest to potentially roll-up smaller competitors in the space, as well as the resources to expand into cloud or ghost kitchens as part of a move into food delivery.

Helbiz intends to merge with GreenVision Acquisition Corp. (Nasdaq: GRNV) in the second quarter of 2021. The combined entity will be named Helbiz Inc. and will be listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the new ticker symbol, HLBZ.

The transaction includes $30 million PIPE anchored by institutional investors and approximately $80 million in net proceeds will be fed into Helbizs micromobility and advertising businesses, which have 2.7 million users.

Helbiz says the merged entity will have a valuation of $408 million, and by run Helbizs existing management under CEO Salvatore Palella.

Palella said: Through this transaction, were committed to fulfilling our vision in revolutionizing transport by using micromobility to become a seamless last-mile solution.

He further revealed to me that the company plans to establish ghost kitchens in Milan and Washington, DC later this year, with the aim of introducing a five-minute delivery time.

Helbiz has tried to differentiate itself from other players like Lime and Bird by offering e-scooters, e-bicycles and e-mopeds all on one platform.

Key to Helbizs offering is an integrated geofencing platform that tends to appeal to city authorities who dont want scooters left in random places, as well as a swappable battery that enables easier charging of the devices. Its subscription service allows users to take unlimited 30-minute trips on its e-bikes and e-scooters every month.

In Europe the company currently operates a fleet of e-scooters and e-bicycles in Milan, Turin, Verona, Rome, Madrid and Belgrade, and in the U.S. it operates in Washington, DC, Alexandria, Arlington and Miami.

David Fu, chairman, and CEO of GreenVision, commented: Helbiz has distinguished itself as the only company to offer e-scooters, e-bicycles, and e-mopeds all on one user-friendly platform Helbiz has a proven and capital-light business model that combines hardware, software, and services with extensive customer relationships.

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Micromobility startup Helbiz to go public via a SPAC, and will expand into ghost kitchens - TechCrunch