News

Cancelled Project Ara prototype shows up, reveals specs

Published

November 11, 2016

Marvin Velasco

One of the biggest disappointments of the year — and there have been many — is the cancellation of Google’s modular smartphone, Project Ara. We wrote a lengthy piece about the program’s timeline once we got confirmation of its demise, thinking that we’d never hear of it again. Now, out of nowhere, Phandroid acquired a working prototype, and subsequently answered several lingering questions.

The website didn’t disclose how they acquired a developer version, but we don’t really care; we just want more information on Google’s most ambitious smartphone to date. (Sorry, Pixel.)

Check out some of the photos:

As you can tell by the looks, we can see why Project Ara never got past the beta stages: It’s freakishly thick at 12.5mm, and that’s without the bulging camera module!

Actually, the entire design seems impractical. It’s nowhere near as fluid as the partially modular Moto Z or LG G5. The colorful renders we gandered at before were far more appealing than what we’re looking at now.

Like we mentioned in the past, Project Ara’s downfall was in its overcomplexity; you’re going to end up with a bulky, blocky handset no matter what. Or, we simply aren’t ready for a truly modular handset.

[irp posts=”4335″ name=”Project Ara’s story is all about wasted potential”]

While it’s pointless to discuss specs, it’s interesting to note that the working unit has a 5.46-inch Full HD display, Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 processor, 3GB of RAM, and 5-megapixel front-facing camera, all of which are integrated and can’t be replaced.

The only removable modules seen in the photos are the 2.1-megapixel rear camera (you read that correctly; it’s lower than the front image sensor’s resolution), 32GB storage, and 3450mAh battery. With everything put together, you’d have a decent smartphone — if this were 2014.

There’s also a video showing off some module-ejecting action:

Whether or not the final product would’ve looked like this developer unit doesn’t matter anymore at this point. Let’s just file this under ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ for the time being.

Source: Phandroid

Apps

Twitter is working on a way to hide the blue checkmark

May or may not launch

Published

March 25, 2023

Luigi Leonardo

A year ago, Twitter’s blue checkmark was a coveted piece of online identity making. Now, the once-prestigious marker has grown into somewhat of a meme. The blue checkmark doesn’t mean the same as it did a year ago. Now, Twitter is reportedly developing a way to hide the checkmark from your profile.

Last year, Twitter announced a much easier way to get a blue checkmark for themselves. Soon after Elon Musk purchased the platform, Twitter Blue offered the badge with the monthly subscription price. Users who earned the old checkmark without paying for the subscription had their badges converted into yellow legacy checkmarks.

With the change, the value of a blue checkmark changed drastically. It become associated with a joke mocking users who paid for Twitter, an otherwise free-to-use platform.

#Twitter keeps working on the ability to control everything related to account verification and identity by adding the option to show or hide your blue checkmark on your profile 👀 pic.twitter.com/6uTjBON21N

— Alessandro Paluzzi (@alex193a) March 21, 2023

Now, as spotted by notable app engineer Alessandro Paluzzi, Twitter is developing a way to hide the blue checkmark altogether. Currently, the development is still just a leak. It remains possible that the app will not launch the feature after all.

That said, after several months reinventing verification, the platform is still struggling for the perfect way to blend the old with the new. Right around the same time the leak popped up, they also officially announced that it will retire legacy checkmarks starting April 1.

Apps

PayPal slowly rolls out passkey support for Android

Coming to the app soon

Published

March 25, 2023

Luigi Leonardo

Big Tech has been pushing for an end to the password. However, the password-less future is taking a while to get off the ground. Only a few platforms can support passkeys. A big name is lending its hand to the technology, though. PayPal has announced that it is working on implementing passkeys for Android users.

Starting today, the digital payment platform is slowly rolling out support for the new security measure. With a passkey, users will no longer need a password or two-factor authentication. Instead, PayPal will install a passkey onto your device. That passkey will be exclusive to your devices. If PayPal recognizes the device you’re trying to log in from, then the platform will allow you in.

It’s not a grand rollout yet, though. PayPal will introduce the feature for mobile browsers first, rather than the app outright. Android users will need Chrome to access the feature. App integration will come in the future. In the meantime, Android users will start getting the feature from now throughout the year.

Passkeys are moving slowly across the tech space. Some time ago, Apple, Google, and Microsoft mutually pledged to help usher in the future of passkeys as a more secure alternative to passwords. Today, only a few platforms can support the technology. In a time when cybersecurity is quickly becoming a priority for everyone, the arrival of passkeys can’t come sooner.

Gaming

LEGO 2K Drive to arrive on May 19

Build, explore, race

Published

March 24, 2023

GadgetMatch

2K and the LEGO Group has announced May 19 as the official worldwide release date of LEGO 2K Drive for multiple consoles.

The driving adventure game is developed by Visual Concept. It is the first title to be released as part of a multi-title partnership between 2K and the LEGO Group. They seek to evolve the LEGO experience in exciting new ways.

The game will feature a combination of open-world driving and competitive racing. Players can explore the vast world of Bricklandia, build any vehicle LEGO-style, drive anywhere, and become a racing legend.

The Sky Cup Trophy is the game’s coveted prize. Players will have to compete against a series of rivals across a broad range of tracks while taking advantage of unique power-ups that can guide them throughout a race.

LEGO 2K Drive also offers unique customization, with over 1,000 LEGO pieces available when building a vehicle. Color designs, stickers, flairs, and more are likewise customizable.

Players may also collaborate with others in a two-person split-screen mode or multiplayer mode.

There will be three editions for the upcoming game:

Standard Edition – US$ 59.99 on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC, and Nintendo Switch; US$ 69.99 on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S (both physical and digital)

Awesome Edition – US$ 99.99; includes new vehicle, flair, in-game LEGO minifigure, Year 1 Drive Pass (covers four individual post-launch seasons of Drive pass content)