Google Messenger version 1.2 update adds GIF support
The Google Messenger app has recently received an update to version 1.2. The latest update includes new support for animated GIF files and some options have been moved to a new Advanced settings menu.
To send a GIF, just click the attach icon and pick an image file from your gallery like any other picture type. Messenger will then give you an animated preview before you hit send.
Left: Old settings. Middle: New settings. Right: GIF preview
As for the menu change, under settings there is now an extra Advanced option, which moves your phone number, auto-retrieve MMS setting and delivery report option into a separate screen. It’s a minor tweak, but makes the settings menu feel a little more organised than the long list used before.
The v1.2 update is rolling out gradually to different regions. If you can’t wait for the update to hit your local Play Store, you can install the latest Google Messenger version with the APK file found here.
VAIO’s first smartphone comes to Japan
Japanese residents have a new smartphone option to choose from as VAIO has introduced it’s first Android handset. Featuring a 5-inch 720p display, the VA-10J runs what appears to be a stock Android 5.0 Lollipop build.
Specifications are pretty much what you’d expect in the middle of the pack and include a 1.2GHz quad-core processor, 2GB RAM, and a 13-megapixel rear camera. Additionally, you’ll find 16GB of internal storage with microSD expansion (up to 64GB), and a 2500mAh battery.
The VAIO smartphone price falls exactly where you might expect, that is according to Engadget. Reportedly, the phone shakes out to 51,000 yen or approximately $420 US.
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Intel cuts its Q1 2015 revenue predictions, blames lower PC business sales
Intel announced a substantial reduction in its predicted revenues for the current first quarter of 2015.. The chip maker puts some of the blame on lower Windows-based PC business desktop sales, as many of them, have yet to buy new hardware to replace older PCs that use Windows XP
[Rumor] LG’s newest flagship series could be the G Note
LG hasn’t exactly been secretive in its wishes to make a phablet that rivals Samsung’s Note series or the Xperia Ultra, but we still have yet to see the rumored device. Well if the newest rumor out there is true, we may see it sometime this year coming in as the LG G4 Note or G Note.
The LG G4 Note will be a premium phablet and a trademark for the name has already been proposed in the Korean patent office last month. iI the G4 Note is real, it will be a part of a line of “upcoming premium phones” and a part of a push in achieving the company’s goal in becoming the third largest smartphone maker in the world. At least according to CEO Cho Juno when he dropped the hint about these devices at MWC this year.
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iPad Seen as ‘Weakest Link’ in Stagnating Tablet Market
IDC on Thursday reduced its five year forecast for worldwide tablet shipments following the tablet market’s first year-over-year decline in the fourth quarter. The research firm estimates that 234.5 million tablets will be shipped during 2015, representing marginal growth of 2.1% from 2014.
Android is expected to remain the market leader among platforms throughout the course of the forecast, whereas the iPad is predicted to be the “weakest link” and see its volume share of the market continue to decline in 2015. IDC believes that iOS will drop from its present 27.6% market share to 23% through 2019.
The research firm also estimates that Microsoft could see its worldwide tablet market share nearly triple from 5.1% today to 14.1% market share in 2019 on the strength of Windows 10. IDC research director Jean Phillippe Bouchard claims Microsoft will slowly gain a foothold by delivering a consistent experience across all devices and platforms.
“Microsoft is doing a lot of good things right now and we believe the launch of Windows 10 later this year will not only have a significant impact on Microsoft’s share of the market, but on the industry as a whole,” said Bouchard, Research Director, Tablets. “There is an appetite for a platform that can provide a productivity experience that remains consistent across multiple form factors and device types, and we believe Microsoft is well positioned to capture some of that demand.”
iPad momentum fell flat in the fourth quarter as overall tablet market growth continues to decline. iPad sales have declined for four consecutive quarters, and Apple CEO Tim Cook and CFO Luca Maestri cautioned investors during its latest earnings call that iPad sales are unlikely to see a dramatic year-over-year improvement in the near future. Nevertheless, it is rumored that Apple could have two new iPad in the works in an attempt to reinvigorate tablet sales.
First and foremost, Apple is expected to release the much-rumored “iPad Pro” later this year with a larger 12.9-inch screen and faster A8X processor. Meanwhile, a questionable rumor from last week claims that the company may release an iPad mini 4 with an A8 processor and 802.11ac Wi-Fi in the near future, after some users expressed disappointment that Touch ID was virtually the only new feature on the iPad mini 3.
Xiaomi Mi Pad and Redmi 2 coming to India this month
Xiaomi fans in India will be happy to know that the Redmi 2 smartphone and Mi Pad tablet are coming to Flipkart this month! The former will be priced at RS 6,999 (about $110), and the latter at RS 12,999 (roughly $207).
Considering the Redmi 2’s low price tag, the specs here are pretty mid-range. The handset is powered by a Snapdragon 410 CPU, 2GB RAM, a 4.7-inch 720p display with AGC Dragontrail Glass, 8GB storage, microSD, 8MP rear, 2MP front, 3G support, a 2,200 mAh battery, and MIUI 6. While the Redmi 2 isn’t a powerhouse, it is still more than capable of providing a stellar Android experience, especially when you consider the aggressive price tag.
As for the Mi Pad? The tablet brings consumers a powerful yet affordable tablet option, with an Nvidia Tegra K1 and 2GB of RAM underneath the hood. There’s also a 7.9-inch display with a 2048 x 1536 resolution, 16 or 32GB storage, microSD, a 5MP front cam, an 8MP rear cam, a 6,700 mAh battery, standard connectivity options like Wi-Fi AC and Bluetooth 4.0, and MIUI 6 (based on KitKat).
As mentioned above, both devices go on sale this month, with the Mi Pad selling from March 24th. The Redmi 2 will require folks to register first, and the first batch of registors will be able to buy the phone starting on March 24th as well.
Will the Galaxy S6 be able to compete with the iPhone 6?
The iPhone 6 took the world by storm when it was launched late last year. Collectively, the iPhone 6 and the 6 Plus took away a significant chunk of the Android device market share. And now with Samsung launching the Galaxy S6 and the Galaxy S6 Edge, industry sources have started to wonder whether the Korean manufacturer has done enough to stop the behemoth that is the iPhone 6.
The answer will not be clear until the 10th of April when the smartphone is expected to be available in 20 countries around the world including the U.S. Initial response for the smartphone has been very positive, so Samsung is certainly hopeful that this is the game changer it so desperately needs at this time. And we think Samsung is right in assuming that given the amount of changes we’ve seen on the Galaxy S6.
For the first time since the Galaxy S3, Samsung has taken bold decisions with the design of the handset. Taking this into account, it’s not really a surprise that the company spent more than ever on R&D. The Galaxy S6 packs an all metal design with a unibody enclosure, something we thought was limited to HTC and Apple devices.
The company has also made brave choices with regards to the processor, going with the home grown Exynos 7420 chip instead of the Snapdragon 810 which is expected to be used on all variants of the flagship. Of course, Samsung had its reasons to shy away from the Snapdragon 810, but it tells us that the company was not looking to sacrifice in terms of quality.
The list goes on and on really and Samsung has truly impressed everybody with the Galaxy S6, be it in terms of the camera or the cutting down of unnecessary TouchWiz bloatware. These factors tell us that the Galaxy S6 poses a serious threat to the Apple iPhone 6, although we feel the iPhone has already made significant damage to its Android rivals. The more important question that is upon Samsung is whether it will be able to continue on this path when the competition gets tougher later in the year with the likes of the LG G4 and the new breed of handsets break cover.
Do you think Samsung has done enough to make a comeback in the mobile industry? Sound off below.
Come comment on this article: Will the Galaxy S6 be able to compete with the iPhone 6?
A new Chrome extension from Google adds a little art to your tabs
After a successful run with the Earth View extension, Google is releasing yet another Chrome add-on that brings a bit of artistic flare to your browsing experience. The Google Art Project extension turns those awfully dull gray tabs into digital canvases showing off cultural works of art.
From what we see, there is a variety of artists ranging from Claude Joseph Vernet (above) to Van Gogh. You can set the extension to refresh daily or every time you open a new tab. Should you wish to find out more information regarding the painting you’re seeing, just one click on the image description and you’ll be taken to the Google Cultural Institute web site where you can find out more.
If art is your fancy, hit the source link below to get the extension.
source: Chrome Web Store
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Twelve South will launch its Apple Watch stand in May for $50
Twelve South, which has made high quality stands for the iPhone and iPad in the past, will launch its first HiRise stand for the Apple Watch sometime in May.
Twelve South says that the HiRise stand for the Apple Watch will be able to accommodate all of the official bands that have been announced for the smartwatch. It states:
HiRise for Apple Watch is designed, like HiRise for iPhone, with a stable, metal base that lets you interact with the screen on your watch while it’s charging. See alerts, reply to messages or check the time at a glance. This brushed metal stand is elevated and angled just right so you can see your Watch screen while lying in bed or glancing over at a countertop. A non-slip rubber base keeps HiRise in place.
HiRise is designed so you can quickly and easily insert and remove the charging disk that comes with your Apple Watch. Simply press the magnetic disk on the end of your charging cable into the round, silicone-lined cutout on HiRise to begin charging your Watch. When you need to take your cable on a getaway or business trip, simply pop out the disk and go.
Twelve South will sell the HiRise Apple Watch stand for $49.99 in silver and black colors. At the moment, there’s no word on when it will begin taking pre-orders for the stand.
Source: TwelveSouth
Das Keyboard 4 Professional Mac review
The latest Das Keyboard for the Macintosh: Is it the mechanical keyboard you’ve been waiting for?
Computer keyboards can use electronic or mechanical switches under the keys. I’m a big fan of mechanical keyboards, because I can type faster and more accurately on them. Metadot makes some of the best Mac-specific mechanical keyboards out there, and today they’ve released the Das Keyboard 4 Professional for Mac. Here’s my review.
The good
- Available in two switch types, clicky and tactile
- Media buttons and oversized volume key work well with iTunes
- Lighter, thinner, more efficient than previous Das Keyboard model
- Built-in USB 3 hub
- Unique “Footbar” stand
- N key rollover support
The bad
- Expensive
- Bulky USB cable looks clunky
What makes mechanical keyboards special?
The key switches inside the MacBook are “scissor” switches: rubber domes cover a circuit board. Each time you press a key, a scissor-shaped mechanism underneath the plastic cap collapses and you press the rubber dome to make contact with the circuit board underneath.
It’s a good way to make an inexpensive, extremely low-profile and quiet keyboard, but it lacks the same crisp tactile response of a good mechanical keyboard.
Mechanical keyboards harken back to the dawn of the personal computer business. Many of us “old school” computer users who came up during that time prefer them, as do a growing number of enthusiasts in gaming and other niche markets like journalism and programming.
Mechanical keyboards cost more money, they’re heavier and they’re a good bit noiser (more “clicky”) than modern scissor keyboards, but those of us who love them will tell you that they’re faster and more productive on a good mechanical keyboard.
Inside the Das Keyboard 4 Professional for Mac
Metadot first came to prominence among keyboard enthusiasts in the mid-oughts with their Das Keyboard II, which featured mechanical keyswitches built by German computer hardware maker ZF Electronics (formerly Cherry). They’ve come out with new designs since then, and their original Das Keyboard Model S Professional for Mac remains one of my favorites.
The Das Keyboard 4 Professional for Mac sports a 104-key US QWERTY layout, complete with cursor keys and a numeric keypad. There are also dedicated media control keys built into the keyboard above the num pad that function as rewind, fast forward and play/pause buttons; a circular button mutes sound and a sleep key will also put the computer into sleep mode. A large rotary dial on the upper right side of the keyboard is smartly outlined in a red metallic finish; it controls volume.
Metadot first introduced the Das Keyboard 4 Professional in 2014 for Windows PC users. Mechanically, the Mac keyboard is the same. The Mac version’s media keys activate iTunes and adjust system volume, and the command and option keys are correctly marked. The keys next to F13 (ostensibly SCRL LK and PAUSE on the PC version of this keyboard) control screen brightness.
The keyboard attaches to your Mac using a 6.5-foot USB cable. Built into the back of the keyboard are two USB 3.0 ports, one of the first Mac keyboards I’ve seen so equipped (most have USB 2.0 ports instead). The USB 3.0 hub is a nice feature, but the long USB cable is very bulky and inelegant.
The new Mac Das Keyboard model is available with two different switch options: You can order it either with blue or brown switches. Both are mechanical; the blue version is more crisp and clicky, while the brown is softer but still very tactile. Both feel great, but I prefer the brown switches. Mechanical keyboard enthusiasts probably don’t need a lot of prompting either way; we all have our favorites. I find the brown to be a bit less distracting, even though I don’t get the “click” that I do with the blues, which is oh-so-satisfying.
I still have my Das Keyboard Model S Professional for Mac, and it still works well. The new keyboard is thinner, uses a different typeface on the keys, and doesn’t grab two USB ports.
Metadot’s developed a different raising mechanism for the back of the keyboard than the integrated feet used by the older model. They call it the Footbar, and it attaches magnetically to the bottom of the keyboard when you want to use it.
Metadot has cheekily incorporated inch and millimeter measurements into the Footbar (it’s actually about 16 inches long), so you can use it as a desk ruler if you’re not elevating the back of the keyboard.
N-key rollover is an important consideration for discriminating mechanical keyboard enthusiasts. Keyboards with N-key rollover let you register as many key presses as you can manage at once without dropping any characters. It’s one of the big reasons speedy typists looking for maximum accuracy prefer mechanical keyboards. Not only is N-key rollover supported, but you can toggle it on and off using a key command.
The Bottom Line
If you liked the Model S, you’re going to love what Metadot’s done with the 4 Professional for Mac. The choice of tactile brown Greentech switches and clicky blue switches gives discriminating mechanical keyboard enthusiasts a great choice – tactile but quieter, or loud and clicky. The Pro 4 for Mac is thinner and lighter than its predecessor. Outside of a rather awkward black USB cable, it’s gorgeous inside and out.
- $175 – Buy now
Are you a PC user interested in the Das Keyboard 4 Professional? Pick one up here:
- $161.99 – Buy now
AIVAnet 