Microsoft's AI-powered offline translation now runs on any phone

Like many translation apps, Microsoft Translator has only used AI to decipher phrases while you have an internet connection. That's not much help if you're on a vacation in a place where mobile data is just a distant memory. Well, you won't have to sacrifice quality for much longer -- Microsoft has released offline language packs for Translator (currently on Android, iOS and Amazon Fire devices) that use AI for translation when you're offline regardless of your hardware. The move not only provides higher quality translations, but shrinks the size of the language packs by half. If you're a jetsetter, you might not have to shuffle language packs whenever you visit a new country.

The feature was available on a handful of Android phones with AI chips before, but Microsoft has optimized the algorithms to run on most any modern phone's processor.

The AI-capable offline packs are available in Translator's "most popular" languages, with more on the way. Windows device support is also in the cards. This certainly isn't the first use of offline AI, but it hints at what you can expect down the road. Now that many phones have processing power to spare, you might only need cloud-based AI for the most demanding tasks.

Source: Microsoft

Dropbox gets full-screen iPad navigation and drag-and-drop for iOS - It's now easier to access files even if you don't have a PC.

You know how an iPad's screen real estate is wasted on Dropbox? Well, it's wasted no more. The file hosting service has rolled out a pretty meaty update for Apple devices, which includes full-screen file navigation for Cupertino's tablets. Just collapse the preview pane to see files' full names, so you can be sure you're clicking on unbelievablylengthyfilename01 instead of unbelievablylengthyfilename02. You'll also notice that you can now drag and drop files around when you tap and hold them -- so long as your device is running iOS 11 -- making it easier to arrange them a certain way or organize them in folders.

Another feature bundled with the latest update is the ability to grant access to files while you're on the go. If a classmate or a colleague asks for permission to access a specific document while you're on mobile, for instance, you can grant them access through the push notification that pops up. Finally, Dropbox says it has added the ability to edit text for over 120 types of file extensions, giving you a way to edit documents without having to open them on another application or on a computer. All these features are now available on iOS -- since they sound especially useful for trips and vacations, simply update your app before you go.

Source: Dropbox

T-Mobile will pay $40 million for failing to fix rural calls

T-Mobile has agreed to pay (PDF) the FCC $40 million for failing to fix ongoing call failures for rural customers. The carrier previously claimed that it had resolved the problem, but the Commission kept getting complaints about calls that weren't going through. The company also admitted it had committed another grave FCC sin: Injecting false ring tones while customers are on the line, which misleads them into thinking the carrier isn't to blame if a calll fails.

Per the agreement, T-Mobile admits fault and will pay the fine, though it's far from the first time the company has done so. In 2015, it settled with the FCC for $17.5 million around a pair of 911 outages, which prevented customers from contacting emergency services. The carrier also paid the Commission $48 million in 2016 over its misleading data plans, which throttled users consuming the most information without properly disclosing such a policy.

Source: FCC

Leaked pictures of a gold iPhone X

On the same day that an Apple memo urging employees to stop leaking company info leaked, the company is now dealing with another, well, leak. But, this time it wasn't anyone from inside Apple who spilled the goods; it was the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). As spotted by 9to5Mac, a gold iPhone X appears to have arrived at the FCC offices, which is surprising considering Apple hasn't made an official announcement about the new color on its flagship smartphone. The tones on this iPhone X are quite shiny and, at a glance, look like a darker version of those on the gold iPhone 8. One of the main differences with the gold iPhone X is that it has black bezels, whereas the gold iPhone 8 comes with white ones. Apple just tried a similar formula with the Product RED iPhone 8 Plus we checked out yesterday.

Even though the FCC isn't a random person on the internet who claims to have a gold iPhone X, don't get too excited about it until Apple confirms its existence. Something worth noting, as 9to5Mac points out, the leaked iPhone X has a model identifier of "A1903," which is different than the "A1865," "A1901" and "A1902" that are already out on the market. If this gold iPhone X is indeed the real deal, though, then it probably won't be too long until Apple launches it.

We reached out to Apple for comment and will update this post if we hear back.

Source: engadget

Mozilla activates Tracking Protection by default for Firefox on iOS

Mozilla has a handful of updates for Firefox on iOS, privacy-minded and otherwise. Now, Tracking Protection is turned on by default rather than being an opt-in bit buried in the settings menu. You can set specific filters so retail sites (or others) can or can't track you, according to the Mozilla blog. The company says that the Tracking Protection is the same tech that's used in Firefox Focus on mobile and the desktop browser.


With personal data use and privacy as the topic du jour, it's easy for Mozilla to earn a few brownie points by turning Tracking Protection on by default. But, will that be enough to stop people from installing Chrome or using Safari on iOS?

As far as iPad goes, now you can drag and drop tabs to re-order them just like you would on desktop. Just long-press to start moving stuff around. And speaking of drag-and-drop, you can take a tab and drop it into iMessage, Twitter or wherever else you see fit, no copy and pasting required. And if you're in the spirit of using your iPad as a PC replacement, there are a handful of keyboard shortcuts for use too. Enhanced productivity!

Source: engadget

Apple's red iPhone 8 and 8 Plus go on sale tomorrow - There's a red leather folio case for the iPhone X, too.

For over a decade now, Apple has worked with HIV/AIDS charity Product RED, raising over $160 million for the non-profit to date. That money comes from the sales of scarlet-colored covers, cases, Apple Watch bands and rarer, special edition devices. A recent rumor suggested the iPhone 8 and 8 Plus would be next to receive the Product RED treatment, which has just been validated by Apple. The deep red editions will be available to buy online tomorrow and in stores from Friday April 13th for the same price as existing models.

There's no Product RED version of the iPhone X, but a new claret-colored $99 leather folio case for the flagship will also be up for grabs tomorrow. And for anyone interested, it's a win-win. Not only do you get to be the envy of your boring, Space Gray peers, but have the added benefit of knowing some of your cash is going towards a good cause.

Source: Apple