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Weekly Tech Recap - № 232 - Mi Mix Alpha, Echo Frames, Atlas robot, Google Play Pass and Galaxy Fold returns

September 27, 2019.

Mi Mix Alpha

Mi Mix Alpha.

Mi Mix Alpha.

Mi Mix Alpha. © Xiaomi.

Xiaomi unveiled what it calls a “concept” phone, in other words a phone with a new and bold design. What makes the Mi Mix Alpha unique is that its screen wraps around the device, covering most of its surface. The status icons (battery, connectivity, Bluetooth, sound, etc.) have moved to the side of the device, with a pressure-sensitive strip with haptic feedback to mimic buttons. There is no selfie camera on the front, since you can just turn the device over and use the back side of the screen as a viewfinder. In terms of specifications, the Mi Mix Alpha has a Qualcomm Snapdragon 855+ processor, 5G connectivity, 12GB of RAM, 512GB of storage, a 4,050mAh battery and Samsung’s new ISOCELL 108 megapixel sensor. Other than that, Xiaomi is hiding its hand; for example, they won’t disclose screen resolution, and don’t say how Android and Android applications will work with this design. Maybe they’ll be more forthcoming as the release date nears. The Mi Mix Alpha will be produced in limited quantities and will be available as of December for a hefty RMB20,000 (CAD3,720, USD2,805).

YouTube, “Mi MIX Alpha: Surround Display 5G Concept Smartphone.”

Ars Technica, Ron Amadeo, “Xiaomi’s crazy new $2,800 phone has display on the front, sides, and back.”

 

Echo Frames

Echo Frames.

Echo Frames.

Echo Frames. © Amazon.com, Inc.

Amazon seems determined to never let you leave home without Alexa. The cloud and on-line shopping titan has introduced several new products that let you access your Alexa assistant on the go, for example with the wireless Echo Buds earbuds, or, in partnership with General Motors, in any Buick, Cadillac, GMC and Chevrolet vehicle. However, two more experimental products caught our eye: the titanium Echo Loop ring (USD130) and the Echo Frames glasses (USD180). The glasses can be paired with a smartphone to hear notifications or make a call, as long as it’s an Android phone (for now). The Echo Frames lack visuals, unlike North’s Focals or Google Glass. If you’re interested in either of these two products, you’ll have to beg for an “invitation”, leading us to believe that their availability will be limited. However, the Echo Buds are already widely available.

YouTube, “Amazon Echo Frames hands-on​.”

The Verge, Dieter Bohn “Using Amazon’s Echo Loop ring is like whispering a secret to Alexa.”

The Verge, Dan Seifert and Chris Welch, “Amazon Echo Frames preview: trying on the Alexa smart glasses.”

 

Atlas tumbled

Atlas.

Atlas. © Boston Dynamics.

The Boston Dynamics videos showing their robots performing their latest tricks are like chocolate: we just can’t get enough. So here’s the latest, showing the famous bipedal robot, Atlas, doing his morning calisthenics. Jumps, handstands, spins, somersaults… he puts us to shame. The 80kg robot with 28 hydraulic joints seems to master every floor exercise. And, as always with Boston Dynamics, it’s both amazing and creepy. In the meantime, Atlas’s quadruped friend, Spot (formerly SpotMini) has gone into full production mode, and is available for order. But don’t unleash your credit card just yet, since Spot is selective as to its owners. Since production is slow, Boston Dynamics will hand-pick its new owners based on the interest of their projected use of the robot.

YouTube, “More Parkour Atlas.”

YouTube, “Spot Launch​.”

YouTube, “Boston Dynamics Spot hands-on: new dog, new tricks.”

MIT Technology Review, Charlotte Jee, “Boston Dynamics’ robot dog Spot is going on sale for the first time.”

Engadget, Marc DeAngelis, “Boston Dynamics’ Atlas robot is now a gymnast.”

 

Google Play Pass

Google Play Pass.

Play Pass. © Google.

Google revealed its new Play Pass service which, for USD5 per month, gives you unlimited access to a library of over 350 Android games free of microtransactions. Strangely, Google also included non-game applications like Photo Studio Pro and AccuWeather, which kind of confuses the message. By subscribing before October 10, you get a 10-day free trial period, followed by 12 months at just USD2 per month. This announcement comes on the heels of Apple’s Arcade service, offered at the same rate and including over 100 games for iOS, iPadOS and even MacOS.

YouTube, “Introducing Google Play Pass.”

Ars Technica, Sam Machkovech, “Google Play Pass on Android: $5/mo for 350+ games, apps sans microtransactions.”

 

Galaxy Fold returns

The (new and improved) Galaxy Fold.

The (new and improved) Galaxy Fold. © Samsung.

After a disastrous launch in February, the foldable Samsung phone is back in an improved, more robust and hopefully problem-free version. Indeed, the early buyers and reporters who had gotten their hands on the early devices found the display quickly gave out, sometimes on the first day of use, a situation which even Samsung’s CEO called embarrassing. The new Galaxy Fold will be available as of this Friday in the US, at the same price as before (USD1,980). It offers no special warranty beyond the standard, one-year after-market Samsung plan, but if you buy your phone in 2019, you get a one-time out-of-warranty screen replacement for USD149. We think that Samsung brass will be touching wood with crossed fingers this week-end in the hopes of avoiding another February fiasco.

Ars Technica, Ron Amadeo, “After a five-month delay, the $2,000 Galaxy Fold arrives in the US on Friday.”