Technology - Google News

Next Apple Watch could include new ceramic and titanium models - TechCrunch
PDFs are a pain to edit, but these 4 free apps make it easy - CNET
Korg Volca Modular synth review: As weird as it is affordable - Engadget

Next Apple Watch could include new ceramic and titanium models - TechCrunch

Posted: 17 Aug 2019 06:22 AM PDT

Apple's next Apple Watch revision could include new materials for the case, including titanium and ceramic. That's according to new assets pulled form the latest watchOS beta release, as uncovered by Brazilian site iHelp.br (via 9to5Mac). The new screens discovered in the beta show graphics used to pair the Apple Watch during setup, and list "Titanium Case" and "Ceramic Case" alongside model size identification info.

Apple has previously offered a ceramic Apple Watch, alongside its Series 2 and Series 3 models, with a premium price and white and black case options. The company hasn't previously used titanium, but the lightweight, durable metal is popular among traditional watchmakers because it can really significantly reduce the heft of a watch case, while still providing a premium look and feel.

Last year's Apple Watch Series 4 was the first significant change in body design for the wearable since its introduction in 2015, so it seems unlikely that Apple will change that this year again. The new physical design includes larger case sizes (40mm and 44mm, respectively, vs. 38mm and 42mm for previous generations), a thinner profile and a display with rounded corners and slimmer bezels.

Offering new materials is a way for Apple to deliver new hardware that is observably new on the outside, in addition to whatever processor and component improvements they make on the inside. Apple will likely also offer these alongside their stainless steel and aluminum models, should they actually be released this fall, and would probably charge a premium for these material options, too.

The Series 4 Apple Watch proved a serious improvement in terms of performance, and added features like the onboard ECG. Splashy new looks likely won't be the extent of what Apple has planned for Series 5, however, especially since the company is revamping watchOS to be much more independent of the phone, which would benefit from more capable processors.

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PDFs are a pain to edit, but these 4 free apps make it easy - CNET

Posted: 17 Aug 2019 02:30 AM PDT

Sending PDF files is pretty straightforward, but editing one can be a hassle, especially on your phone's relatively small screen. Luckily I found easy and fast ways to edit a PDF file on an iPhone ($1,000 at Amazon) and Android phone, as well as on a Mac and PC. I'll walk you through basics like adding text, signing documents and filling out forms. And the best part is that all of the apps and software I recommend here are free.

If you'd like to follow along or see an overview, check out out the video at the top of the story.

Editing a PDF on a Mac

Every Mac comes with a program called Preview from Apple. You can use it to view and edit photos and PDF files.

To start, simply double-click on your PDF file and it should automatically open in Preview. If for some reason this doesn't happen, open your Applications folder and then open Preview. It's the icon with a postcard of the ocean and a small magnifying glass on the corner. From there, you'll be greeted with a window asking you to select the file you want and when you're ready, click the blue Open button and you're back in the game.

To access the toolbar, click the Markup tool on the top right side next to the search field. The icon is a pencil tip inside a circle. Click the Text tool -- it's the icon of a letter T inside a square -- and a text box will appear in the middle of your document. You can move the box anywhere on the page.

To change the appearance of the text, tap the Text Style tool -- it's the icon with the italicized A. If you need to resize the text box, click on either of the blue dots. This will allow you to make the text field wider or more narrow by dragging them left or right.

There are also tools for drawing and sketching. The Draw tool lets you draw pretty much whatever you want with your cursor while the Sketch tool turns the objects you draw into shapes with a customizable fill and border. If you are just drawing a line or squiggle, you can change the color and thickness with the Shape Style tool -- the stacked parallel lines -- or Border tool -- the small square inside of a large square. If you're not feeling particularly artistic, you can also add premade shapes.

bac403aa50e6ab4d3ba598882128aa85 — Preview gives you a couple of ways to add and save a copy of your signature.
Apple

Perhaps my favorite tool is the ability to add a signature. Click on the arrow next to the Sign tool -- the cursive letter J -- and click the button Create Signature. You have to option to use your trackpad to sign your signature with your finger or scan it in with your Mac's built-in camera.

To use the trackpad, click the Trackpad tab then hit the Click Here To Begin button then once you're done signing press any key. If you like your signature, hit Done. The other way to create a signature is to sign your name on a white piece of paper and scan it. Instead of the Trackpad tab, choose the Camera tab. Place the piece of paper in front of the camera and line up your signature on the black line. After a moment, your signature will appear on screen in the camera preview. If you like it, hit Done.

To add one of your stored signatures, you just click on the one you want from the Sign menu. Then drag, resize and reposition it wherever your signature needs to go.

Finally to save any edits, simply hit Save. You can also export your changes an create a new PDF file.

Mark Up mode on the iPhone

Just like the Mac, you don't need a special app for basic edits on an iPhone. Instead of Preview, there's Mark Up mode. Whether you want to edit a PDF inside an email message or a file that's been saved in the Books app, tap on the Mark Up mode icon -- circle with a pencil tip in it -- to start. It's actually the same tools that pop up on your screen after you take a screenshot.

Across the bottom of the screen, there are different tools: a highlighter, pen, pencil and eraser. You can also tap on the plus sign on the right to add text boxes, shapes, a magnifier and even signatures.

iphone-mark-up — Mark Up mode is built right into iOS and allows for fast and easy edits of photos and PDF files.
Apple

If you have a signature saved in Preview on your Mac, your iCloud account will automatically sync it to Mark Up mode on your iPhone. To add a new one directly to your phone, tap Add or Remove Signature, then tap the plus sign on the top left of your screen. Use your finger to sign on the line and hit Done to save.

As you add edits to your PDF file, you can use the left and right undo arrows at the top to move forward or backward sequentially through your additions. But there's also an eraser tool that can be used to remove any unwanted drawings, sketches or highlights you made no matter the order you made them.

When you're done with edits, you can reply via an email message with your updated PDF or if you're inside Books, you can AirDrop it, email it or print it via the iOS share menu.

Adobe Fill & Sign on Android

Sadly there isn't a system-wide PDF editing tool built into the Android operating system, but luckily there is what seems to be an endless list of apps for editing PDF files in the Google Play Store. For basics, especially forms, I like Adobe Fill and Sign which is free on the Play Store.

To start, open Adobe Fill and Sign and choose your PDF file. The first time you open the app, you'll have the option to set the app to open by default anytime you open a PDF file. Once your file is open, tap anywhere on the screen add a text box. Once you've entered text, you can move the box around by tapping and dragging it. You can resize it using large and small letter As along the top bar of the text box.

Adding signatures and initials are easy. Adobe Fill & Sign limits you to one signature and one set of initials. The first time you tap on the tool a signature line will appear across the screen. Use your finger to sign your signature or initials. If you ever want to change your saved signatures or initials, just tap the X to the right side of the tool.

Your signature or initials will appear on your document in a resizable box that can also be dragged and repositioned. There is a small blue circle with white left and right arrows on the right side of the box. Tap and slide the circle either left or right to make it larger or smaller.

Adobe Fill & Sign also has a profile that you can store information like your address and email to populate forms. When you need to add any of this information to a PDF form, just tap on the field you want to populate and tap on the information saved in the same field in your profile.

Throughout your editing, Adobe Fill & Sign saves as you go. When you're done, you can email your PDF file, save it to Google Drive or other apps via Android's share menu.

Adobe Acrobat Reader DC on PC

If you are on a PC, I recommend downloading Adobe Acrobat Reader DC. It's a free scaled-down version of Adobe Acrobat Pro DC that costs $15 per month or $180 per year. Reader DC has plenty of powerful tools for basic edits and if you're in an environment with a mix of PCs and Macs, there is also a Mac version.

Open Reader and choose the file you want to edit. There is a Tools tab that lets you select different toolsets depending on the edits you want to make. For example, one of the toolsets is Adobe Fill & Sign.

From the tool bar, you can add text boxes, signatures, initials, shapes and checkboxes. It works very similar to the way Preview does.

One of my favorite tools in Acrobat Reader is the rubber stamp tool. Click on the Tools tab, and open the Stamp toolset. The toolbar will now have a Stamp tool and a Stamp tool palette which includes a number of different types of stamps you can choose from, like "Approved," "Sign Here," and "Confidential," among others.

When you're done with your PDF edits, you can save them or export them into a new PDF file or a different file format like a Word Doc.

Now that you have several ways to edit a PDF file, take a look at our video on how to make your own GIF below.

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Korg Volca Modular synth review: As weird as it is affordable - Engadget

Posted: 17 Aug 2019 05:53 AM PDT

This review is a little different. Normally when Engadget reviews something, we're bringing years of experience and expertise to the table. But not here. The Volca Modular is a semimodular, West Coast-style synthesizer. And until I received this review unit, I had zero experience with either modular or West Coast-style synths. I am coming at this device from the perspective of a novice. And that's exactly the target audience. The Volca Modular is an affordable entry point to two worlds typically priced out of the range of the casual hobbyist. So the real question isn't "what do modular experts and West Coast veterans think about it?" It's "what can a beginner like myself learn from it?"

Gallery: Korg Volca Modular review | 12 Photos

Now, to be clear, I'm not new to the world of synths. I own a few (including a couple of Volcas) and understand the principles at work. But I'm far more familiar with East Coast, or subtractive synthesis. This is the style of synthesis popularized by instrument makers like Moog, where a harmonically rich sound source is shaped primarily through the filtering, or removal, of frequencies. (This is a bit of an oversimplification, but it will do for our purposes.) This is usually what people think of when they imagine the sound of a synthesizer.

West Coast synthesis, as embodied by the likes of Buchla, goes in a much different direction. Generally, it starts with a simple sound source (in this case a single triangle wave) and then applies various waveshaping functions, like frequency modulation or wave folding, to generate something more complex. And, perhaps just as important, these synths often dispense with the familiar piano-style keyboard.

A modular synthesizer is just that -- it's modular. This means that rather than a predetermined signal path, you actually have to combine multiple synth parts and wire them together to get the sound you want. Now, to be clear, the Volca Modular is what is called "semimodular." That means it is prewired and will make sound right out of the box. But you can reroute the signal using patch cables to achieve different effects.

In short, I was entering uncertain territory when I opened the box. The device I was looking at was clearly a Volca. It's the same size and shape as every other instrument in the series. And it has a lot of the same design DNA, from the recessed touch strip and tiny plastic knobs to the small rivets in the corner of the faceplate. But keyboard had no sharps or flats, there were a bunch of tiny cables in the box, and it had odd labels like LPG (low pass gate) and "woggle." It was honestly a little intimidating.

Korg Volca Modular

Thankfully Korg did something a little out of character: It provided useful documentation.

Most Volca's come with one large sheet of folded paper that explains only the most basic functions of the device. The Modular and FM also come with a reference card that allows you to make sense of their somewhat complicated interfaces quickly. But on the back of the card for the Modular are also some simple patching instructions that tell you what wires to connect where to get basic functions like an LFO (low-frequency oscillator) or ring modulation.

The Modular also comes with a second piece of large folded paper that contains a number of example patches. This is about as close as you're gonna get to a preset here. But that's OK. Having to hook up the wires every time I wanted to make a new sound really forced me to learn how the various parts of the synth interacted. I couldn't fall back on an awesome gut-rumbling bass built by a highly trained sound designer at Korg; I had to figure it out for myself.

That said, there is one issue I kept running into time and time again. It turns out, it's hard to get something that you would call traditionally musical out of the Volca Modular's two analog oscillators. It is, by design, kind of weird and abrasive sounding. It excels at noisy squelches, percussive clicks and metallic stabs. If you're hoping to get delicate pads or a classic synth lead sound of this, you'll be sorely disappointed. But if you've ever wondered what a bunch of water droplets would sound like if they did a pile of cocaine, well, the Volca Modular might just have the answer.

As atonal as most of the sounds it produces are, they're still quite fun to mess with. The eight modules and 50 patch points give you so many different combinations to explore. And the range of noises the Modular spits out are unlike anything else in the Volca range. The Volca Keys, Beats, Bass, Kick, Drum and even FM are all pretty straight forward. While the FM can be difficult to program, all of them are relatively immediate and fill familiar musical niches. The Modular, on the other hand, is far more experimental, far more alien and requires far more patience to get the most out of it. I do not mean that as a negative, though. It just makes the Volca Modular unique among Korg's lineup of entry-level synths.

Like the rest of the Volca range, there are sacrifices made to keep the instrument portable and battery-powered. The knobs are small, and in poor lighting, it can be difficult to tell where they're set. (I've used a white-out pen to mark the notches on my FM and Keys for better visibility.) Tiny adjustments can have a huge impact on the sound, too, which can make recapturing something you like problematic. The speaker is also passable at best. It's nice that you don't have to plug in headphones or an external speaker to get sound from a Volca. But the internal one is kinda small and tinny.

Volca Modular's tiny, pin-tipped patch cables. Terrence O'Brien / Engadget

The biggest tradeoff here, though, is the patch cables. While you can connect external gear to the Volca with the standard 3.5mm cables used on most modular synths, patching within the Volca itself relies on the sort of tiny pin-tipped cables you'd stick in a breadboard. They're a little annoying to work with at times, and it's not clear how much abuse they'll be able to take.

The good news: Korg dramatically improved the sequencer and added some useful features to the keypad. Rather trying to navigate your way around an incredibly small piano-style chromatic touchstrip, the Volca Modular can be set to only play notes in a certain scale. You can also create unique scales using the microtuning feature, which is perfect for shedding the shackles of Western 12-tone equal temperament.

The 16-step sequencer can be programmed live or in step mode. And there's the usual Korg motion sequencing, which allows you to record changes to certain parameters. But there's also two new modes of playback: bounce and stochastic. The bounce mode plays a sequence forwards then backward in a loop, while stochastic progresses semi-randomly through the sequence.

Korg Volca Modular

That dash of unpredictability is sort of the defining trait of the Volca Modular. You can randomize the microtunings of notes, the notes in a sequence, which steps in a sequence are played, and what order they're played back in. The "woggle" function I mentioned earlier is just a sample-and-hold connected to a noise generator for introducing randomness to your patches. This is an instrument that doesn't want to be tamed. It wants to surprise you. Its ultimate goal is to provide as much opportunity for happy accidents as possible.

If making something odd and unpredictable sounds appealing to you, the Volca Modular ($200) isn't a bad deal, especially when you consider that West-Coast synths tend to be expensive niche devices. (If you know of other affordable ones, please them in the comments.) Make Noise's 0-Coast (that's pronounced "No Coast") blends West and East into what qualifies as affordable in this realm -- it costs $499. It also requires a separate keyboard or sequencer to play. If you wanted to get a true West Coast classic like the Buchla Music Easel (which the Volca Modular cribs its design from) you'll have to cough up $4,999.

Even if you're looking to stay with the more traditional East Coast sound, a cheap semimodular like Behringer's Neutron will still set you back $300. The company's Crave synth is supposed to cost just $199 when it comes out, but I haven't heard a firm release date just yet.

Korg's Volca Modular serves a very different purpose from those other devices. It's there to introduce musicians and sound designers to something new. It's a way to explore two worlds that are often just out of reach of the novice or budding synth addict. It's unlikely to find its way into as many musicians' arsenals as earlier entries in the Volca series. But it might whet their appetite for something more experimental.

In this article: art, av, buchla, gadgetry, gadgets, gear, korg, Modular Synthesizer, music, musical instrument, review, synth, synthesizer, volca, volca modular, west coast synthesis

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