Samsung Scraps Headphone Jack in Galaxy A8s

Having mocked Apple for years for scrapping the iPhone’s headphone jack, Samsung has followed suit. Its new Galaxy A8s phone does not have the component. Instead, users need a USB-C to 3.5mm jack adapter to plug in headphones. Given the taunting adverts and on-stage jibes from Samsung executives about the lack of a headphone jack in the iPhone, I’m sure nobody at Apple will mention this…from MacRumors:

Samsung today introduced its latest smartphone, the Galaxy A8s. It is Samsung’s first smartphone with an Infinity-O display, which has a nearly edge-to-edge, uninterrupted design beyond a small hole for the front-facing camera. It is also Samsung’s first smartphone without a headphone jack, much to the amusement of iPhone users, as Samsung has mocked Apple for over two years over its decision to remove the headphone jack from the iPhone 7 in 2016, a trend that has continued through to the iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, and iPhone XR.

CuriosityStream 2-Year Subscription: $23.99

We have a deal on a 2-year subscription for CuriosityStream, the streaming and on-demand service with more than 2,000 documentaries and shows. It works in a browser, iOS, Apple TV 4 and above, Android, Amazon Fire TV, Roku, Xbox One, and more. It’s $29.99 through our deal, but coupon code GREENMONDAY20 at checkout brings it down to $23.99.

Stephen Fry Voices Einstein in Human Heroes Game

Stephen Fry voices Einstein in a game that launched on iOS recently. Einstein on Time is the first in a children’s educational app series—Human Heroes—centered on history’s greatest minds. From the philosophers of ancient Greece, to the giants of science, renowned artists, composers, mathematicians, authors and architects – these inspirational characters are brought back to life in a futuristic theatrical setting to perform a captivating live-show experience covering their life and their famous discoveries. In addition to the educational value of the subjects covered in each individual app, the series aims to develop a deep-lasting bond between the user and these intellectual champions so that they become life-long role models for children. Created by edtech startup KalamTech and in collaboration with education experts, the app blends computer generated animations, latest gamification techniques and interactive storytelling to bring a fresh kind of learning experience to the next generation. App StoreUS$3.99

Gone Home Game Will Launch on iOS on December 11 (Update)

The Gone Home game, the BAFTA award-winning first-person adventure exploration game from the Fullbright Company launches today, allowing even more players to experience the groundbreaking title. Published by Annapurna Interactive, the game retails for US$4.99 in the App Store. Gone Home previously launched on Nintendo Switch earlier this year in celebration of its 5th Anniversary, and is also available on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Mac, Linux and PC. Critically acclaimed for its compelling narrative, Gone Home invites players to interrogate every detail of a seemingly normal house to discover the story of the people who live there, revealing the events of one family’s lives by investigating all they’ve left behind. App Store: US$4.99

Blackberry CEO Says He Values Customer Privacy

On stage at the Toronto Global Forum, Blackberry CEO John Chen says he values customer privacy.

Chen spoke about BlackBerry’s emphasis on privacy and security-focused software services, as it has moved away from competing with the likes of Google and Apple in the smartphone realm. The event took place the same morning that BlackBerry announced a new Security Credential Management System (SCMS) for cities and car companies, aimed at securing smart cities systems and autonomous vehicles.

You can’t steal customer data if you don’t have any customers. Also, there’s no such thing as privacy in a smart city, and it sounds like Blackberry is moving into that area.