LG to include Google Assistant and its own AI assistant into 2018 TV lineup

LG TVs are about to get smarter this 2018. The company plans to introduce both Google Assistant and its own “ThinQ” artificial intelligence brand into its upcoming OLED and Super UHD LCD televisions. The ThinQ AI can be used for more TV-specific, contextual tasks like asking it to search for a movie’s soundtrack or having it turn off the TV when you’re done watching a program. But then for some unspecified countries, users will also get Google Assistant to help turn the TV into a smart home hub of sorts and bring Google’s AI assistant right into the heart of your home. The Verge speculates that these TVs will still likely run webOS underneath for the interface. On top of this, LG is also introducing the new Alpha 9 image processor that provides better color performance, noise reduction, and support for 120fps high frame rate (HFR) content.

Microsoft discontinues production of the Kinect Adapter

Microsoft has put the final nail on the coffin for the Kinect Adapter as it confirms that the company has discontinued production for the accessory. This means it’s going to be almost impossible (or really expensive if you try to find some online) for new Xbox One S and One X owners to get an adapter if they don’t already have one. Microsoft ran a promo offering the dongle for free to Xbox One S owners who wanted to use their old Kinects with the new system but later charged US$39.99 for them. According to a statement the company released to Polygon, “After careful consideration, we decided to stop manufacturing the Xbox Kinect Adapter to focus attention on launching new, higher fan-requested gaming accessories across Xbox One and Windows 10.”

Major music publisher Wixen sues Spotify for US$1.6 billion

Wixen Music Publishing Inc., which licenses music from around 200 artists that include Tom Petty, The Beach Boys, Neil Young, and the Doors, has sued music streaming service Spotify for US$1.6 billion for allegedly using thousands of songs” without the correct license. According to the lawsuit, Spotify didn’t get a direct or compulsory license from them to let them reproduce and distribute the songs. As mentioned in the complaint, “Prior to launching in the United States, Spotify attempted to license sound recordings by working with record labels but, in a race to be first to market, made insufficient efforts to collect the required musical composition information and, in turn, failed in many cases to license the compositions embodied within each recording or comply with the requirements of Section 115 of the Copyright Act.”

Wixen also claims Spotify outsourced the work to a third-party licensing and royalty provider, the Harry Fox Agency, which was “ill-equipped to obtain all the necessary licenses.” Spotify fired back by filing with the court an assertion that Wixen didn’t give its clients enough time to opt out of being included in the case. The lawsuit comes as a response to a $43 million settlement Spotify had with songwriters and publishers back in May, where the streaming service allegedly failed to pay royalties for songs it makes available to users.

Source: Reuters + The Verge

Camera NX brings Pixel 2’s portrait mode to older Pixel and Nexus devices

You might not have the budget to get the Pixel 2 but if you own the first-gen Pixel, Nexus 6P, and Nexus 5X, you can still get access to the new Google devices’ portrait mode. Developer Charles Chow updated his Camera NX app to include the feature. Version 7.3 of the app will let you achieve what the new Pixel devices can do. All you need to do is open the hamburger menu and choose portrait mode and you’re good to go. If you want to read the technical bits of how he pulled this off, you can through this link.