Essential releases third Oreo beta build, includes patches for Spectre and Meltdown

While we still have no idea when the official Android Oreo release will come to the Essential Phone, the company is at least releasing another beta update roughly a month after the second beta was released. This latest update is an important one. It’s not bringing cool new features, but it comes with Google’s January security patch which includes fixes for the Spectre and Meltdown exploits as well as other stability and bug fixes. So, if you’ve been using the beta version, you might want to update now. It’s 1GB from Essential’s website or will come as an over-the-air update for those running beta 2 and comes in at approximately 106MB.

Source: Android Authority

Apple pledging $350 US Billion contribution to US economy for next 5 years

Apple today announced a new set of investments to build on its commitment to support the American economy and its workforce, concentrated in three areas where Apple has had the greatest impact on job creation: direct employment by Apple, spending and investment with Apple’s domestic suppliers and manufacturers and fuelling the fast-growing app economy which Apple created with iPhone and the App Store.

Apple is already responsible for creating and supporting over 2 million jobs across the United States and expects to generate even more jobs as a result of the initiatives being announced today.

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BMW's plan to offer CarPlay as a subscription service is user-hostile

By Gadjo Cardenas Sevilla

When buying a new car, the Apple CarPlay or Android Auto infotainment system, and the rights to use it, are usually factored into the vehicle's price or offered as an option. In many cases, it is an expected major feature and convenience that simplies a user's buying decision. Once you've purchased the vehicle, you can access CarPlay and its features all you want as a natural extension of your smartphone.

BMW, it seems, has other ideas. The German carmaker, which just recently added CarPlay to their vehicles, wants to charge a yearly subscription fee of US $80 for users. Apple CarPlay is already a $300 option when configuring a new Bimmer and while the first year to use CarPlay is free, customers will need to cough up $80 a year afterward

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Microsoft's newest Surface Book 2 devices coming to Canada

Microsoft os opening pre-orders for the larger 15-inch Surface Book 2 to 17 countries including Canada. The new and improved Surface Book 2 line improves many features in the company's flagship 2-in-1 line, including the latest Intel processors plus the ability to play high-end games as well as power VR experiences.

The larger 15-inch Surface Book 2 is the latest model and a larger form factor that will delight power users and pros looking for a versatile desktop replacement. The Surface Book comes to United Kingdom, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Sweden, and Switzerland this month and will be made available to even more countries in the next two months.

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