Twitter ditches 140 character limit on Direct Messages
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push();
Twitters 140 character limit on posts keeps things short and sweet. It forces users to think carefully about their message and keeps your feed free from novels. However, that limit when conversing with someone via a Direct Message, or DM, can be a bit irritating if you have lots to talk about. Twitter has announced today that those 140 character limits have now been removed from the DM side of the service. At least on the Android and iOS apps along with twitter.com, TweetDeck and Twitter for Mac.
Twitter also lets us know that nothing will change on the public side, meaning your character limit is still very much in tact on your average tweet. The change is rolling out now and will be globally altered over the next few weeks. I assume that means the US is the first locale to see the change.
Are you breathing a sign of relief with the change, or are you worried about your friends sending you books now?
Via Twitter
The post Twitter ditches 140 character limit on Direct Messages appeared first on AndroidSPIN.
Creators of Ingress and Field Trip, Niantic Labs, spinning off from Google as its own company
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push();
Lots of movement happening lately in the Googlespere. The most recent news is from an internal company known as Niantic Labs. That is company/team that is behind the global phenomenon, and responsible for more battery bank sales than anyone else, Ingress. They were also the guys that brought us the discovery and learning app Field Trip. In an announcement today that graced Ingres players emails, and was announced by Google, Niantic Labs will be spinning into its own company out from under the umbrella that is Google. Here is the email many of you should have sitting in your inbox somewhere.
YOUR INGRESS ACCOUNT INFORMATION
We’re excited to share with you that Niantic Labs – the creator of Ingress and Field Trip – is becoming an independent company. You can read more about the announcement here. We’re looking forward to taking our unique blend of exploration and fun to even bigger audiences. More details coming soon.
To prevent any disruption in your gameplay, Google will transfer to Niantic Labs certain data that you agreed to share with Google for the Ingress app under the Google Privacy Policy, specifically gameplay information and your email address. Accordingly, we are providing you this notice that this information will transfer to Niantic Labs thirty days from August 12th, 2015.
If you do not wish to have this personal information transferred to Niantic Labs, please follow the steps at http://www.ingress.com/optout.
Please note that if you select “No” all your Ingress app data, including Achievement History, Game Progression and other Account information, will be deleted on or before September 11, 2015 and cannot be restored.
The name and contact information for the new company are as follows:
Niantic, Inc.
Email: transfer@nianticlabs.comThank you,
The Google Team
Their email was a lot prettier than that poor copy paste attempt. For player of Ingress, you shouldn’t notice anything different unless you intend to opt-out of the data transfer. I do imagine there will be a change to the apps publisher on the Play Store though as they move to simply Niantic Inc. instead of NianticLabs@Google sometime after 30 days from today.
The post Creators of Ingress and Field Trip, Niantic Labs, spinning off from Google as its own company appeared first on AndroidSPIN.
Get your telescopes: the Perseids meteor shower peaks tonight
It’s that time of the year again when you can enjoy a spectacular natural light show in the sky, courtesy of the Perseids. The meteor shower peaks tonight, so if you’re living somewhere in the Northern Hemisphere, ready your binoculars or telescopes, because it’ll be raining light streaks until the early hours of August 13th. NASA says the skies’ conditions are especially good this year, as the moon is nearly new and doesn’t reduce the shower’s visibility. You know what does affect its visibility, though? City lights. If you can’t drive away from all the light pollution to watch the Perseids yourself, you can do the second best thing and tune in to NASA’s live broadcast starting at 10PM to 2AM (ET).
The Perseids meteor shower happens when the Earth passes through the dust and gravel left by the comet Swift–Tuttle when it drops by the inner solar system every 133 years. We were actually supposed to see some high-res images of the phenomenon captured by the ISS crew this year. Unfortunately, it just wasn’t meant to be: NASA’s original meteor shower camera blew up with the Antares rocket in 2014. Its backup tried to make it to the space station aboard SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket this June during a resupply mission, but as you know, that one exploded, as well.
[Image credit: Dominic’s pics/Flickr]
Filed under:
Science
Source:
NASA (Google Plus), NASA Science News
Tags: meteorshower, perseids
The next versions of iOS and OS X will track your flights
Apple has made much ado of Spotlight’s smart, info-fetching abilities in iOS 9 and OS X El Capitan, but one relatively undersold feature might just prove a lifesaver if you or your friends are frequent travelers. Both of the upcoming operating systems include a “flight data detector” that can spot mentions of flight numbers in apps and let you peek at that trip’s details. This doesn’t just mean the departure or arrival times, either — in many situations, you’ll also get a map showing you where the aircraft should be at that moment. While this won’t replace a dedicated travel app, it’ll be handy if you want to check for flight delays or satisfy your curiosity about an airplane’s location.
Filed under:
Cellphones, Tablets, Internet, Software, Mobile, Apple
Via:
9to5Mac
Source:
Reddit
Tags: apple, elcapitan, flight, flighttracker, internet, ios9, ipad, iphone, mac, mobilepostcross, osx, osxelcapitan, software
Sony Xperia Z5 rumor roundup
The Sony Xperia Z4 (or Z3+) may have been a great device for the Japanese market, but it was certainly not the flagship phone we were all hoping for. The truth is the newest Xperia device is only an incremental upgrade over its predecessor, the Z3. Sony is known for releasing a couple flagship series per year, though. Now all eyes are on the Sony Xperia Z5 and Z5 Compact, which are said to be the high-end phones we have all been expecting to see coming from the mighty Japanese manufacturer.
As you can expect, rumors and leaks have begun surfacing and we can now get a slight idea of what to expect. Let’s take you through all the bits of information we currently know. By the way, this Sony Xperia Z5 rumor roundup will continue to get updated as more details emerge. Sony fans and other interested readers should keep this page bookmarked and look out for changes as they continue to appear!
Disclaimer: Keep in mind these are all rumors. None of the information you will find in this article has been confirmed by Sony, so please don’t quote us on these details just yet. With that said, let’s get down to business!
Design
Sony has been known to play a key role in 007 films’ product placement, and this year seems to be no exception. Sony shared an image last month, sending out a teaser that mentioned an Xperia device with the number “5” in its name. It was a phone that would be “made for bond”, which led us to believe there would be major changes to the design.
Sony is not one to stray from its classic design language, though, and it seems the case will be similar with the Z5 series. The latest image leaks from @vizileaks display a couple Sony smartphones next to the iPhone 5s (for size comparison reasons). These phones (likely the Xperia Z5 and Xperia Z5 Compact), have the same square, sleek design the brand is now so popular for. The device still has a dedicated camera button, the volume rocker and a power button placed on the right side.
The only key difference in here is the power button, which is now larger, but there is a reason for that (more on that in the specifications section). Otherwise, the phone still uses that black slab design that happens to make many Sony fans very happy.
Sony has always been good at making its products waterproof and resistant to active lifestyles, so we can expect that from the Z5 series, as well. So far no leaks have corroborated that, though.
Display
Sadly, we haven’t heard too much about the display yet. The little we have heard comes from website AndroidOrigin. Their sources suggest Sony will finally take the plunge and upgrade to QHD resolutions, but only for the regular version (and the Xperia Z5 Ultra, which we haven’t heard many rumors of). The Xperia Z5 Compact would keep a 1080p display. Other sources do say all new Xperia Z5 phones will come with 1080p displays, though. We are not exactly sure who to trust here.
We haven’t heard a thing about size either, but the Xperia Z4 and Z4 Compact have 5.2-inch and 4.7-inch panels, relatively. We can assume sizes will be similar on their direct successors.
Specifications
This is another area we don’t know much about. The only thing we can put more trust on is the fact that the phone should come with a fingerprint reader, and it is integrated into the power button (hence the larger size).
Aside from this, we have nothing but sourceless rumors coming from multiple sites. Needless to say, we would especially not hold our breath on these details, but here they are. Murmurs say the phone should come with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 processor, 4 GB of RAM, a 21 MP camera (likely Sony Exmor) and a massive 4500 mAh battery. I am really praying for that battery size! Unfortunately, that 820 is pretty much impossible, as Qualcomm recently revealed the chip won’t be seen until Q1 2016. More likely, we are looking at 810 or 808.
Software
There’s not much info on this either, but we can assume the phone will come with the latest Android software. Depending on when the phone is released, that could be Lollipop or possibly even Android M, which should launch along with the new Nexus phones later this year. For what it is worth, Sony has been reportedly testing out redesigned software so it’s possible that the UI experience could get a major refresh for the Sony Xperia Z5 — but it’s really too early to say for sure.
Announcement and release date
Once again, nothing has been confirmed (or even highly suggested) but Sony does have a major press conference scheduled for September 2nd at IFA 2015, in Berlin. Most of us are hoping that is when the new Sony flagship phone will be announced. Regardless, we would say a release is to come before the end of the year. Sony wouldn’t like to miss the Christmas shopping season.
E’ confermato: il 2 settembre terremo una conferenza stampa da #SonyIFA per annunciarvi tante novità! pic.twitter.com/LOPiwjK4kd
— Sony Italia (@sonyitalia) July 27, 2015
Wrapping up
Sony Xperia Z5 (and Compact) rumors are still very fresh, so keep coming back for more as the details become more clear. Like we said above, this post will continue to be updated as more rumors emerge, so stay tuned to it!
The Xperia Z5 series is looking to be exactly the flagship we were hoping to get with the Z4, so things are starting to look up for the Japanese manufacturer. Those numbers need to start rising, and that won’t happen if Sony sticks with slight upgrades (at least not outside of Japan).
Are you thinking of getting a Sony Xperia Z5 or Z5 Compact? Hit the comments and let us know what you would like to see your next phone touting. Are you happy with the rumors we have so far?
DOOGEE F3 Pro up for pre-order on GearBest
The DOOGEE F3 is a nice little smartphone coming out of China. The F3 comes with a 5-inch display in a 5.62 x 2.79 x 0.27 inch package.
This device is kept running by a 64-bit octacore processor from MediaTek. The MT7753 is coupled with a Mali0T720 GPU. This SoC should be plenty for your day to day life including gaming.
“MediaTek MT6753 is a 64-bit octa-core WorldMode 4G LTE® platform based on the ARM® Cortex®-A53 64-bit processor with ARM Mali™-T720 graphics. Designed for the super-mid market, MT6753 delivers a premium mobile experience and gives consumers a wider choice of smart devices at more affordable prices.“
Now, the F3 ships with 2GB of RAM, but this is the F3 Pro. 2GB just wasn’t enough, and DOOGEE gave the F3 Pro 3GB of RAM which has become the high end standard.
Internal memory is 16GB, but it is expandable via a microSD card slot and can support up to a 128GB card to store anything that you could possibly want.
One thing that you can store on your DOOGEE F3 Pro’s 128GB microSD card is photos taken via its 13MP rear camera that boasts .1S autofocusing and superior low light performance.
With gesture controls and a 2,200mAh battery, there isn’t much more you could possibly want. And that isn’t even all this phone has to offer!
You also have OTG capabilities, fast charging (70% in less than half an hour), customized shell styles and even Android 5.1! Of course, the device will ship factory unlocked with the following bands.
- Network type: GSM+WCDMA+FDD-LTE
2G: GSM 850/900/1800/1900MHz
3G: WCDMA 900/2100MHz
4G: FDD-LTE 800/1800/2100/2600MHz
Currently, the DOOGEE F3 Pro is up for pre-order on Gearbest for $159.99! That is quite a deal if you are looking for a budget device or a back up device to keep around the house.
Pre-orders go til August 21st and they expect devices to start shipping around August 31st.
The post DOOGEE F3 Pro up for pre-order on GearBest appeared first on AndroidGuys.
Apple Recalling Small Number of Third-Generation Apple TVs Due to Faulty Part
Apple yesterday began contacting some customers who recently purchased third-generation Apple TVs, informing them that their devices had shipped with an unspecified faulty part and offering an exchange for a brand-new unit shipped from the company.
Unlike some other repair or recall programs, Apple has not posted a public advisory about the issue, suggesting it is a small batch of affected units. As a result, the company is proactively reaching out to owners of the devices known to be defective and offering an exchange. Our defective Apple TV was purchased just a few weeks ago, and other affected customers are likely to have purchased their devices in a similar timeframe.
Replacement Apple TV shipped overnight from Apple
Hi Mitchel,
I understand the concern, Apple typically does not reach out to customers proactively this way.
I just need you to confirm that you have this device and to make sure I have the right shipping address (i see that below). I will then send you a new apple tv, we will email FedEx labels to send back the old one then once we get the old one, we will send you an iTunes gift card for the troubles.
Some users receiving emails from Apple may not have experienced any issues with their Apple TVs, as workers at the Help Desk have noted the company is taking preventative measures in identifying devices with the faulty part before any problems may arise.
Because Apple is contacting affected users individually and has not posted an information page on the Apple TV issue, it’s likely that only a very small number of people purchased a faulty Apple TV. Readers do not need to worry whether their Apple TVs are defective, as anyone with a bad device will be contacted directly by Apple. Those who have been contacted, however, should be reassured that this is a legitimate replacement program initiated by Apple.
Apple Working With More Than 40 Tech Companies to Make iPad a Better Work Tool
Apple is working with more than 40 technology companies to make the iPad a better work tool, according to a new report by The Wall Street Journal. The initiative, which is called the Mobility Partner Program (MPP), is an effort to change the way business is done and boost lagging iPad sales.
The initiative is a bet that Apple, which has never been a big player in the $2 trillion annual spending on workplace technology, can grab a bigger slice of the market by reshaping the nature of work in mobile-friendly settings—where Apple has an edge.
Apple’s partners in the program include smaller companies like accounting firm Xero, digital cash register company Revel Systems, and field-service software firm ServiceMax. Some partners, like Xero, have been invited to train Apple business specialists while other undisclosed partners were invited to an Apple sales conference in March, an event that is typically closed to company outsiders.
Within the program, Apple reviews its partners’ apps and makes suggestions on their work. Apple has also suggested that companies who make complementary apps work together to make their apps compatible, ensuring a richer experience for users. In fact, the partnership has also worked in the reverse, with the Cupertino company’s partners getting Apple in touch with business customers in a way it hasn’t before.
However, the program is still shrouded in secrecy. It’s unclear which companies are participating in the program, and some of Apple’s partners don’t even know the other participating companies or what their role is in selling apps. Apple also doesn’t want companies to refer to the program by its given name, MPP, in public.
The new initiative is similar to the exclusive partnership Apple and IBM forged last year, in which IBM will begin selling iOS devices to corporate customers and develop 100 industry-specific native apps. As iPad sales continue to shrink and the tablet market continues to decline, it’s likely Apple feels boosting enterprise sales of its tablets could offset lack of consumer demand.
Google Map Maker back in select markets, new moderation system in action
Google’s Map Maker user submissions are usually on point, but we do get the occasional joker showing the world why we can’t have nice things. A giant image of an Android robot peeing on an Apple logo was displayed in Pakistan last April. Needless to say this was a huge embarrassment for Google. The Search Giant had to apologize, take the image down and shut down editing in Map Maker.
As promised last month, today Google is re-enabling user submissions to Map Maker, but precautionary measures and new moderation techniques have been applied. For now, this feature will only be available for a few markets. These include Bangladesh, Brazil, Canada, India, the Philippines and Ukraine. All six countries will have access to Map Maker editing starting today, with more areas being included “over the coming weeks”.
What exactly are the differences? Google’s automated system will still be in place, but the company has also armed itself with a team of dedicated users they call Regional Leads. These members will be able to moderate changes submitted within their areas, which means edits may take a while longer to go live. In addition, Google’s own team members will also moderate edits from time to time, but they will mostly stay hands-off.
To further strengthen the system and make sure no one is fooling around, the Mountain View tech giant is also temporarily disabling the ability to add or edit geometric figures or polygons in Maps.
By the way, you can be a Regional Lead if you are interesting in keeping your area’s maps accurate. Google chooses these users based on contribution quality and history. If you want in, just fill out this form and get started.
So there you have it, guys! Google Map Maker editing is finally back, even if it is with a lot more limitations and only in some markets. It’s all for the greater good, though. Are any of you looking to sign up to moderate your regions?
Eagle takes umbrage with interloping drone
You know who hates drones — I mean besides homeowners, fishermen, chimpanzees and the San Bernardino Fire Department? Eagles, that’s who. When Melbourne Aerial Video recently sent one of its quadcopters over a wooded area to capture footage, a Wedge-Tailed Eagle with a 2-meter wingspan was having none of it. Within moments of taking off from its perch, the eagle had punched the UAV from the air and sent it tumbling to the ground.
“Eagle was fine — she was massive, and used talon’s to ‘punch’ the drone out of the sky. Hung around overhead so I got a really good look,” the video’s description states. “Eagle’s health was my main concern also.” The moral of this story: Nature may abhor a vacuum but it downright despises your quadcopter.
Filed under:
Transportation, HD
Via:
Polygon
Source:
YouTube
Tags: australia, drone, eagle, hdpostcross, nature, quadcopter, uav
AIVAnet 