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jeudi 22 décembre 2016

Samsung Internet app for Gear VR adds custom backgrounds and more

This article first appeared on our sister site, VR Source.

Samsung smartphone owners who also use the Gear VR headset can now check out an updated version of the Samsung Internet web browser. Version 4.2 includes some new features, including a way to add custom backgrounds to make your virtual reality browsing experience a bit more colorful.

The backgrounds come from premium images that have been created by the cloud graphics company OTOY. They are designed to offer Samsung Internet users more of a PC desktop experience when they use the app to check out web sites while wearing the Gear VR accessory.

In addition, the new version of the app now supports the WebVR 1.0 API. This is a first-generation version of a new JavaScript API designed for web sites. If a site supports WebVR, the Samsung Internet app will be able to view 3D images on those pages from a number of different angles. Future versions of WebVR will allow site designers to create full virtual reality experiences in web pages.

Gear VR owners can download version 4.2 of the Samsung Internet app now from the Oculus Store. In addition to serving as a web browser, the app allows owners to view any images or video stored on their smartphone with its File Explorer feature.

How often do you use your Gear VR? Will you be adding custom backgrounds?



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Double Irish with a Dutch sandwich saves Google $3.6 billion

And no, these are not some deductible noms. We are talking about the tax loopholes that Google used to save $3.6 billion in 2015. While this is a trick that Google – among many other big corporations – has been using for over a decade now, the amount evaded seems to be increasing each year.

See also:

Consumer advocates: Google is a 'serial privacy violator'

2 days ago

Oh, those deadly taxes! And oh, those darn tax loopholes! Apple had its turn with the Irish controversy and a hefty 13 billion euro fine, and now it's Alphabet's turn. According to new filings from Alphabet's Google, the company managed to save a whopping $3.6 billion from a common tax avoidance technique known as "the double Irish with a Dutch sandwich."

Essentially, the tax loophole takes advantage of differences in national tax codes. By using multiple Irish and Dutch subsidiary companies, you can technically "legally" avoid paying a large sum in tax money. A simple explanation goes something like this: a company sends its profits through an Irish subsidiary to a Dutch company. Using generous tax laws in the Netherlands, the company can then transfer the profits to yet another Irish subsidiary headquartered in a tax haven.

Using generous tax laws in the Netherlands, the company can then transfer the profits to yet another Irish subsidiary headquartered in a tax haven.

In the case of Google, it's Bermuda. Google's operations take place mainly in Ireland, and to avoid paying income taxes there, the company sends its profits to the Netherlands. Sending them directly to a tax haven doesn't make much sense, given Ireland's harsh laws regarding that. Conveniently for the search giant, it has Google Netherlands Holdings BV subsidiary. All of that is subsequently transferred out to Google Ireland Holdings Unlimited in Bermuda, and neither the Netherlands nor Bermuda have strict laws regarding this practice. And that's how the search giant has been sheltering billions of dollars from the US and other nations.

According to Bloomberg, through this, Google was able to bring down its tax rate outside the US to 6.4 percent in 2015. And the total amount of profit has amounted to $58.3 billion as of 2015. Yes, $58.3 billion. Unfortunately, the double Irish with a Dutch sandwich technique is frequently used by large tech companies, and will be allowed until the end of 2020. That's why Google can simply say that it's complied with every country's tax law where the company operates.

Do companies' unethical behavior affect how you perceive them or whether or not you'll buy their products? Let us know by leaving a comment below!



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Report: Foldable smartphones expected to have 20 percent market share in 2019

By 2019, foldable devices are expected to have skyrocketed in popularity after just a short time on the market. Kang Chung-seok, an executive at Kolon Industries, which makes a critical component for foldable displays, told The Korea Herald today that he expects foldable devices to have a 20 percent market share in South Korea in the same year.

You're probably wondering who this guy is and where he's getting his information from. Well, Kolon Industries is currently the only company in the entire world that is able to mass produce colorless polyimide, an essential ingredient in foldable devices. Kang said that Kolon Industries is already working closely with big names like Samsung and LG, by supplying them with the already mentioned material.

See also:

LG reportedly partnering with Apple and Google on out-foldable OLED panels

6 days ago

Based on his insider knowledge, Kang expects that between three and five companies will start mass producing foldable smartphones in 2018. He thinks that the first devices that will hit the market will have a bend radius of 5 mm instead of just 1 mm, as some have predicted.

In case you're wondering, a bend radius is simply the minimum radius something can be bent without causing damage to it. Therefore, a smaller radius means that a certain material is more flexible: obviously a very important consideration when talking about folding smartphones.

The bend radius of 1 millimeter is the most ideal but that may cause a safety issue. So, tech companies are likely to unveil the bend radius of 5 millimeters first and then gradually unveil devices with less bend radius. — Kang Chung-seok, Kolon Industries.

So there you have it. Looks like we'll still have to wait a little while before foldable smartphones become a reality. But will the devices really turn out to be as popular as the guys over at Kolon Industries expect them to be? Only time will tell.

What do you think about the upcoming foldable devices? Will they be an instant hit? Let us know.



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LG has an awesome gear bundle giveaway including a V20

LG Mobile USA has a couple of wicked giveaways going right now on social media. You can go into the draw to pick up a massive LG gear bundle including the LG V20 and a whole lot more valued at close to $1800. Entering is dead easy too: just retweet on Twitter or comment on a Facebook post.

The whole giveaway comprises an LG V20 smartphone ($829.99), LG G Pad X II 10.1 tablet ($349.99), LG TONE Platinum headphones ($199.99), LG Tone Active+ headset ($179.99), Rolly Keyboard 2 ($99.00) and the LG Sound 360 Bluetooth speaker ($129.00). 

Entry is restricted to legal residents of the Unites States and you must be over 18 years of age to walk away with the bountiful booty. This is actually the fourth and final giveaway LG is doing in December, but you've got to enter by 11:59:59 EST on December 23 to be eligible. There will be one winner selected on Facebook and another on Twitter.

All you need to do is retweet LG USA Mobile's tweet to qualify on Twitter and comment on the LG USA Mobile Facebook post to be in that draw. On Facebook you'll need to complete the sentence "Life's good when…" to enter, although the giveaway rules state the comment (and retweet) will be chosen at random. The winners are expected to be announced not long after the competition closes, so keep your eyes peeled tomorrow if you enter. Good luck.



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The new RollerCoaster Tycoon Classic game now available on Android for $5.99

If you're a fan of the RollerCoaster Tycoon series, we have some great news for you. Atari has recently launched the new RollerCoaster Tycoon Classic game on Android. According to the developer, the new game combines the best features of the previous two games — RollerCoaster Tycoon and RollerCoaster Tycoon 2.

In RollerCoaster Tycoon Classic, you step into the shoes of an amusement park owner and must make sure that everything runs smoothly and that the park's visitors are happy. You design the entire park yourself by building exciting and scary roller coasters, fine-tuning the landscape, and routing the footpaths. You can also set up food and drink stalls and even organize transportation around the park for your visitors.

See also:

15 best free Android games of 2016!

2 weeks ago

But that's only half the story. In order for the park to turn a profit, you must keep a close eye on your finances and organize your staff to keep the park running well and looking its best. If you want to give the game a try, head over to the Google Play Store via the button below. But keep in mind that it's not free of charge, as you'll have to fork out $5.99 to become a tycoon-in-training.

Get the game

Thoughts on RollerCoaster Tycoon Classic? Any other similar games you rate?



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LG launches the Stylus 3 and four other smartphones ahead of CES

LG has introduced a bunch of new smartphones ahead of CES, which kicks off on January 5 in Las Vegas. The South Korean giant has just taken the wraps off four new K series smartphones — the K3, K4, K8 and K10 — along with the Stylus 3 phablet.

The Stylus 3 is the biggest and most powerful of LG's new devices. It features a 5.7-inch display with a resolution of 1280 x 720 pixels. The device is powered by MediaTek's MT6750 processor clocked at 1.5 GHz and comes with 3 GB of RAM.

At the back, you'll find a 13 MP camera along with a fingerprint scanner that will keep your data safe. LG's phablet also boasts an 8 MP selfie snapper, 16 GB of storage, a removable 3,200 mAh battery, and an improved Stylus Pen with a 1.8 mm diameter fiber-tip. It runs Android 7.0 Nougat and comes in Metallic Titan or Pink Gold.

The next in line is the K10. The device comes with a 5.3-inch HD display and is powered by the same processor as the Stylus 3. It has 2 GB of RAM, a 13 MP primary camera and a 120-degree wide-angle selfie snapper with a 5 MP sensor. The device is available with either 16 or 32 GB of storage, sports a fingerprint sensor and comes with a 2,800 mAh battery. It ships with Android 7.0 Nougat on board and is available in the Black, Titan, or Gold color option.

If you're looking for something a little bit smaller, the K8 might be more up your alley. The smartphone sports a 5-inch HD display, the Snapdragon 425 processor, and 1.5 GB of RAM. Other specs include a 13 MP/5 MP camera setup, 16 GB of storage, a 2,500 mAh battery, and Android 7.0 Nougat.  The LG K8 comes in four colors — Silver, Titan, Dark Blue, or Gold.

The K4 has the same screen size as the K8, but offers a lower resolution of 854 x 480 pixels. As expected, it also has a less powerful processor — the Snapdragon 210 — and comes with only 1 GB of RAM. There's 8 GB of storage on board for your images, apps, and other data, which can be expanded for an additional 32 GB. The K4 also comes with two 5 MP cameras, a 2,500 mAh removable battery, and Android Marshmallow. It can be yours in either Titan or Black.

See also:

LG reportedly partnering with Apple and Google on out-foldable OLED panels

6 days ago

The smallest and the least powerful device that LG has announced is the K3. You'll find a 4.5-inch (854 x 480 pixels) display on the front and the Snapdragon 210 processor along with 1 GB of RAM under the hood. Other specs of the device include a 5 MP/2 MP camera, 8 GB of expandable storage and a battery with a capacity of 2,100 mAh. The LG K3 runs Android Marshmallow and comes in Black.

All five smartphones will be on display at CES in Las Vegas, where LG will hopefully announce the prices of the devices as well as launch dates for different markets around the world.

What do you think about LG's new smartphones? Which one do you find most interesting? Let us know down below.



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Samsung Galaxy J7 2017 leaks in renders and 360 video

The upcoming Samsung Galaxy J7 (2017) has been leaked in new renders and a 360-degree video. In the endless sea of Samsung's mid-range devices, the Galaxy J7 model has proven to be particularly popular due to its combination of premium metallic design with affordable mid-range specs.

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The Galaxy J7 (2016) arrived in March with an April launch this year, so there's every likelihood we'll see next year's model revealed at MWC 2017 with an April release date too. The leaked device is reported to feature a 5.5-inch Full HD AMOLED display which offers a resolution increase from its predecessor, although the display diagonal remains the same.

The leak comes from @OnLeaks (in collaboration with 91 Mobiles) so we only have visuals to go on, as these renders come from factory CAD specifications. However, they do reveal the presence of a micro USB port and 3.5 mm headphone port, indicating Samsung is still appealing to the mass market with its next mid-ranger.

The physical home button is also on board and we again see that side-mounted speaker above the power button. On the back, there's a detail accent across the top, highlighting the camera and flash area and adding a little flair to an otherwise nondescript device.

The Galaxy J7 (2017), with model number SM-J727V, received its Bluetooth certification from the Bluetooth SIG today and has already received its Wi-Fi certification. The same model number also appeared recently on Indian import tracking site Zauba, with a price that converts to just over $200 (Rs. 13,686).

Other rumored Galaxy J7 (2017) specs include an octa-core Exynos chipset, 3 GB of RAM, 16 GB storage with microSD expansion, 13 MP primary camera, 5 MP front-facing camera, 3,000 mAh battery and Android 7.0 Nougat out of the box. The device reportedly measures 151.34 x 76.20 x 8 mm.

What do you think of the Galaxy J7 (2017)? A step in the right direction?



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