Technology - Google News

Gallery 8 New Features in iOS 13 Beta 2 - iDrop News
The new Kindle Oasis lets you adjust color temperature for night reading - The Verge
Netflix reveals the top TVs it thinks you should use to binge watch in 2019 - TechCrunch

Gallery 8 New Features in iOS 13 Beta 2 - iDrop News

Posted: 18 Jun 2019 08:59 AM PDT

As we're sure you're already aware, there's a ton of new stuff coming to iOS 13, and while the bulk of it has already appeared in the first developer beta that Apple shipped out a couple of weeks ago, we expect we're still going to see a few new smaller enhancements pop up with each of the first few new betas, and yesterday's release of iOS 13 beta 2 to developers didn't disappoint in this regard.

The second beta doesn't contain any features that we'd call groundbreaking, but there are certainly some interesting things here that build on the features that Apple has already teased us with. Read on to find out what's new in iOS 13 beta 2.

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The new Kindle Oasis lets you adjust color temperature for night reading - The Verge

Posted: 19 Jun 2019 06:00 AM PDT

Amazon has a new version of its high-end Kindle Oasis, and it's adding the ability to change the color temperature of the display, in a first for Amazon's e-reader lineup.

The new feature allows users to adjust how warm the color tone of the display is, allowing for a warmer, less harsh light that should be useful for reading at night (or simply for readers who prefer the more off-white color of actual paper).

Like many night mode systems, users will also be able to automatically schedule the warmer tone display, either on a manual cycle or to coincide with sunrise and sunset. The new feature also helps differentiate the high-end Oasis from the increasingly similar Paperwhite (which got updated last fall with waterproofing) and allows Amazon to keep pace with Kobo, which already offers a similar color temperature feature.

Amazon says that the new Oasis features "the next generation of e-Ink technology for fast page turns," although the company didn't go into specifics as to what changes it's made here from the 2017 model.

Otherwise, the third-generation Oasis is virtually the same as the older model, which is largely a good thing, given that the second-gen Oasis was a great device. That means it has the same 7-inch 300ppi e-Ink display, one-handed design, waterproofing, and Bluetooth support for Audible audiobooks. Unfortunately, that also means that — like the rest of Amazon's Kindle hardware — you're still stuck with Micro USB for charging, and not USB-C in what's becoming an increasingly difficult to defend choice from Amazon.

The new Kindle Oasis will start at $249.99 for the 8GB model, and $279.99 for the 32GB version — the same as the previous price, although add-ons like removing ads or cellular data will cost extra. It's set to go on sale on July 24th, with preorders available starting today at Amazon's website.

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Netflix reveals the top TVs it thinks you should use to binge watch in 2019 - TechCrunch

Posted: 19 Jun 2019 06:00 AM PDT

Netflix has a tradition, in practice since 2015, of annually proclaiming which TVs, of all the TVs in the land, are best suited to serving you its content. The streaming company's criteria for determining 'best' is different from what you'd expect from The Wirecutter or Consumer reports – but if you're a Netflix ride-or-die level fan, they might be the only criteria you really care about.

Without further ado, here's the list of 2019's Netflix Recommended TVs:

Samsung Q60R/Q70R/Q80R/Q90R/Q900R series, RU8000, The Serif and The Frame devices
Sony BRAVIA X85G/X90G series and A9G series
Panasonic VIERA GX700/GX800/GX900 series

That list may seem short, and it is, relative to the number of TVs on the market that offer Netflix directly on device. But Netflix points out that the list can grow throughout the year depending on device and software update availability.

If, like me, you are an informed consumer who does a lot of research before making a large purchase like, say, a big-screen TV, you might be curious at the omission of LG's OLED series, the 2019 iteration of which came to market just a couple of months ago. For a possible answer, let's take a look at the criteria Netflix uses to make their list. (Note: I asked Netflix directly about LG and they provided a generic answer about brands dropping from the list year-to-year on occasion based on criteria and performance requirements).

Essentially, landing an official Netflix nod means that a TV can provide its user access to Netflix "within just a few seconds," that it allows you to "quickly and easily" navigate between different apps, that it provides access to the most up-to-date version of Netflix, and that it gives you access to all Netflix's laters features "for a better browsing experience." In total there are 7 criteria, and a TV must meet 5 to be eligible for a Netflix recommendation.

Demo of how much faster Netflix loads on TVs that use the company's 'Always Fresh' background activation feature. Bottom screen is with 'Always Fresh' active.

One criteria that's new this year might be the one that's put the 'Recommendation' out of reach for LG and webOS – it's called 'Always Fresh," and it requires that a TV keep Netflix awake for an occasional background refresh, meaning it's always primed and ready to go, with more or less instant playback regardless of network connection speed.

It'd be easy to knock Netflix for making this one of the conditions of receiving its recommendations (which are based solely on testing and meeting its standards – the company told me no money changes hands in this program), but it's not barring companies that don't meet these criteria from offering its service. And it's using its market weight to help motivate TV makers to provide an experience that will genuinely be better for consumers.

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