Apple says Face ID demo fail was feature actually working as it was designed

By Gadjo Cardenas Sevilla

Credit goes to Apple for running on stage demos with live devices and software, even if some of these features are still in beta or pre-release. In the case of the hotly debated Face ID, which now replaces Touch ID on the iPhone X, what seemed like demo fail was actually a security feature kicking in.

A demo by Apple SVP for Software Craig Federighi showing off Face ID for the first time failed to fire when the iPhone X refused to recognize his face and went straigh to the PIN code screen as a means of authentication.

Thinking quickly, a flustered Federighi quickly used a backup iPhone X which recognized him instantly and unlocked instantaneously. Federighi drove the point that the feature works well by quickly demoing it a few times. So, what happened?

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Video: Hands on with the Google Pixel

By Gadjo Cardenas Sevilla

Here's a quick look at the Google Pixel smartphone released earlier today plus an intro to many of the personal assitant and camera features that this new flagship device will showcase. Google Pixel is available for preorder now and will come to Canada in 2-3 weeks. It will also be available from Rogers, Bell and TELUS as well as other carriers on various plans. 

Specs include a 5 or 5.5-inch AMOLED display, a SnapDragon 821  Quad-Core processor running 2.15 GHz + 1.6 GHz, 4GB of RAM, turbo-charging capability giving 7 hours on a 15 minute charge, 32GB and 128GB storage capacities, a 12 megapixel rear camera, an 8 megapixel front-facing camera and a rear fingerprint sensor which doubles as a trackpad for navigation.

Google enters premium smartphone game with Pixel and Pixel XL

Text and photos by Gadjo Cardenas Sevilla

Google is now a player in the smartphone game. While the company did dabble in creating specific devices with hardware partners during its now defunct Nexus phase, it left the building of the hardware to OEMs. Nexus is all but dead and there are valid reasons for that. Google is looking forward to a future where they make the whole widget in order to ensure the best experience. 

The 5-inch Pixel and the 5.5-inch Pixel XL represent the most cohesive idea of a Google Phone since the first Android device shipped eight years ago. The Pixel devices are flagship phones (they start at $899) that boast top-tier specs, camera performance that Google says will beat any smartphone as well as a bevy of intelligent assistant features powered by Google services. 

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HTC Vive now shipping, new demo locations announced

HTC's Vive VR can now be purchased through www.vive.com in 24 countries, shipping within 2-3 business days of purchase. In addition to online availability from HTC, individuals can now buy the Vive virtual reality system in 51 Microsoft Stores,  40 GameStop outlets and 10 Micro Center locations. Pre-orders placed through these retailers will be fulfilled beginning this week. 

Vive will also be demoed in 100 retail locations throughout North America. In addition to current retail demo locations, Microsoft Stores will expand from 29 to 51 locations, GameStop will increase demo locations from 10 to 40, and Micro Center will add 5 more locations for a total of 10. The demonstrations are open to the general public to experience room-scale virtual reality first-hand with the variety of content available on Steam^¢ē.  The full list of participating locations is available at www.vive.com. Check here to see my intial impressions of the HTC Vive.