Twitter to Expand 140-Character Limit With New Product
Twitter is planning to introduce a new solution that will allow users to create tweets that exceed 140 characters in length, reports Re/code. Twitter will implement longer tweets through a new product, but it is not yet clear what that product will look like or how it will work.
There are existing services designed to let users publish long-form content on Twitter, like TwitLonger, which directs users to a website to read a full tweet, or OneShot, which lets users post images of text, but Twitter may have a better solution in mind for its own product.
Twitter is also said to be considering removing links and usernames from character counts, which would also expand the allowed length of tweets.
In addition to the long-form product, execs have been openly discussing the idea of tweaking how Twitter measures its 140-character limit by removing things like links and user handles from the count, multiple sources say. In the past, Twitter has tinkered with the limit in other ways. Twitter Cards are still beholden to the 140-character limit but are intended to help people (and advertisers) share lots of information, and Twitter added a “retweet with comment” option in April to give people more room to comment on tweets they share.
Twitter has already been making moves towards expanding its signature limitations. Earlier this year, the company officially removed the 140-character limit from Direct Messages, allowing for unrestricted conversation much like other chat and messaging apps.
Apple Seeds Second OS X El Capitan 10.11.1 Beta to Developers
Apple today seeded the second beta of an upcoming OS X El Capitan update to developers for testing purposes, more than a week after releasing the first OS X 10.11.1 beta and one day before the scheduled public release of OS X El Capitan on September 30.
The new beta is available through the Software Update mechanism in the Mac App Store and through the Apple Developer Center.
The first beta of OS X 10.11.1 introduced support for Unicode 8 and new emoji like taco, burrito, cheese wedge, hot dog, middle finger, and unicorn head.
It is not clear what other improvements the first update to OS X El Capitan will bring, but it’s likely to be a minor update that includes bug fixes and performance improvements for issues encountered following the operating system’s official release. According to Apple’s release notes, the beta offers stability, compatibility, and security improvements.
A9 Chip Manufacturing Split 60/40 Between TSMC and Samsung, Not Segmented by Device Size
Teardowns of the iPhone 6s and 6s Plus have revealed two different A9 chips inside the devices, one created by TSMC and one developed by Samsung, which is slightly smaller in size, having been manufactured on a 14-nanometer process instead of a 16-nanometer process.
There was early some speculation that the chips were divided by model, with the iPhone 6s getting the smaller Samsung chip and the iPhone 6s Plus receiving the larger TSMC chip, but new data collected by an iOS developer suggests that is not the case.
Hiraku Wang has created an app that’s able to determine whether an iPhone has a TSMC chip or a Samsung chip, and has shared some data on results gathered from users who have installed his app.
According to results from approximately 2,500 iPhones, there are more TSMC chips than Samsung chips. TSMC chips were found to be installed on 58.96 percent of devices, compared to 41.04 percent for Samsung chips.
The iPhone 6s Plus appears to have relatively equal split of Samsung and TSMC chips, with slightly more Samsung chips. Of 1,329 iPhone 6 Plus devices, 56.81 percent have the Samsung chip while 43.19 percent have the TSMC chip.
With the iPhone 6s, the numbers skew heavily towards the TSMC chip. Of 1,086 devices, 78.27 percent have the TSMC chip while 21.73 percent have the Samsung chip.
At this point in time, there is no evidence that the two chips perform differently, as more extensive testing must be done to determine any performance discrepancies. Though the chips are two different sizes, it’s highly unlikely there are going to be performance differences large enough to be noticeable during daily usage.
It is possible for users to check which chip version is installed in their iPhones using Wang’s tool, but users should be cautious about installing an app via enterprise certificate from an untrusted developer. We do not recommend MacRumors readers install the app.
Incoming! Android 6.0 Marshmallow to land on Nexus devices starting next week
Proud owner of a previous generation Nexus device? You’ll be happy to know that sometime next week, you’ll be getting a mouthful of Marshmallow.
The Nexus 5, Nexus 6, Nexus 7 (2013), Nexus 9, and Nexus Player will all be receiving the highly-anticipated software update to the latest version of Android. The new Nexus 5X and Nexus 5P will ship with Marshmallow already installed.
Obviously Google can only confirm when its devices will be receiving Android 6.0, so it’s unclear at this time when other OEMs will be joining the Nexus devices with Marshmallow. It is likely going to occur on October 5 as Telus named that date last week.
Come comment on this article: Incoming! Android 6.0 Marshmallow to land on Nexus devices starting next week
New Chromecast and Chromecast Audio devices launched by Google
As expected during the live event today, Google launched the second generation Chromecast device and added the new Chromecast Audio device to the line. Google says the new Chromecast device will bring some significant improvements to the casting experience to match the growth they are seeing in the number of apps that supporting casting. These include content providers like the NBA, NHL, Showtime, and Google’s own Photos product.
The new, round Chromecast dongle comes with a new antenna system and support for both 2.4GHz and 5GHz wifi along with 802.11ac. Google says the device’s software will automatically adjust to the best available signal in order to provide better throughput with less buffering. Another change, besides the switch to a round form factor, is the flexible plug for the HDMI as Google recognizes the ports on TVs are getting filled up and they wanted to help consumers make it easy to hook up a new Chromecast.
The Chromecast Audio dongle is meant to mirror what Google did for hooking up TVs in the world of speakers. The Chromecast Audio is capable of being connected to any speaker via a 3.5mm audio jack, RCA jacks or optical input. Once hooked up, users will go through a similar setup process to get connected to their WiFi network. On the smartphone end, users will find it is just as easy to connect to a Chromecast Audio device as it is to cast to a regular Chromecast – just pick the name from a pop up list when you are ready to cast from a media app.
To go with the new hardware, Google has updated the Chromecast app. A big focus is on helping users with content discovery. The new What’s On tab will display a Play Store-esque listing of what they can watch by only pulling titles from apps a user has installed on their device. Although there will be some difference in search results, it is probably worth noting that when combined with Google’s voice search capabilities, the new search-enabled Chromecast app comes close to matching Gary Busey’s favorite feature found on Amazon’s Fire TV devices. Users will also find the Chromecast app itself has control buttons like pause and play, meaning it can function as a remote without a user having to tap into the source app for whatever is displaying.
Helping improve the user experience, Google is also adding technology to speed up the display of cast content. When users launch an app, like Netflix, the Chromecast will go ahead and preload that app rather than waiting for a user to hit the cast button. In similar manner, it will look ahead and what you are likely to watch, like recent titles, and start loading up the next episode. Google says this results in content starting up about 80% faster than with the first generation Chromecast.
Google indicates they are adding additional Backdrop feeds to Chromecast, including support for Facebook photos. They also announced support for Spotify is coming to the new version of the Chromecast and the Chromecast Audio and will eventually rollout to the first generation.
The new Chromecast devices are available in the Play Store starting today for $35 in 17 countries. The Chromecast is available in black, yellow or coral while the Chromecast Audio is available only in black, but with a grooved design reminiscent of a vinyl record.
You can check out Google’s new promotional video for their Chromecast below.
Click here to view the embedded video.
Come comment on this article: New Chromecast and Chromecast Audio devices launched by Google
Google’s Pixel C tablet is like a Chromebook that runs Android
Google’s conference just finished with a ton of new products and announcements being unveiled. One of them is the brand new Pixel C, which is a high-end tablet with optional Bluetooth keyboard attachment.
Up until now, the Pixel name has always been for Chromebooks running Chrome OS. This will be the first Android based system to be a part of the Pixel line up. It looks like Google is making the name Pixel similar to their Nexus line. Where Nexus is for phones and fun, Pixel products will be designed more for work and productivity.
What makes the Pixel C different from other tablets or Chromebooks is it combines the best of both worlds. It has a 10.2″ 308PPI touch display, a brightness level of 500nits, is powered by an NVIDIA Tegra X1 processor with Maxwell GPU, and has 3GB of RAM. Their are two different storage options, 32GB or 64GB. Of course, being the latest from Google, it will be running Android Marshmallow.
What makes this more than just your average tablet is the detachable keyboard. Very similar to the Microsoft Surface or the newly unveiled Apple iPad Pro, the Pixel C is ideally used with an optional $149 Bluetooth keyboard. The keyboard is attached to the back of the Pixel C when it’s not in use and can be quickly magnetically docked for when you need to do a lot of typing. It also charges when it’s attached to the back and not in use. The Pixel C also features a new USB Type-C connector. Unlike most other cables, this one is reversible and can be used to charge the Pixel C or your new Nexus phone which uses the same cable.
Google says the Pixel C will be out in the coming months with a cost of $499 for the 32GB and $599 for the 64GB version. The keyboard needs to be purchased separately and is priced at $149.
Come comment on this article: Google’s Pixel C tablet is like a Chromebook that runs Android
Google debuts cool fingerprint scanner with new Nexus devices
Finally the wait is over for Android lovers who had been waiting for the unveiling of the new Google Nexus devices with bated breaths. As Google debuted Huawei’s Nexus 6P and the LG Nexus 5X today, it also announced a great hardware feature of these phones – Nexus Imprint.
While fingerprint sensors have been here for some time, they have not always been entirely secure or lag-free. Google’s engineering chief Dave Burke announced at today’s event that Nexus Imprint uses a new sensor that not only makes unlocking the phones more secure, it recognizes your fingerprint in less than 600 milliseconds. The new sensor also has an extremely low false reject rate that means you won’t have to swipe your fingers over and over again to unlock your phone.
The Nexus Imprint is supposed to become more accurate at recognizing your fingerprints over time, which means the likelihood of someone misusing your mobile device, making fraud payments or stealing credit card details becomes extremely low.
Speaking of payments, Google revealed that using Android Pay will be a breezy experience on the new Nexus devices thanks to Nexus Imprint. All you have to do is, tap the sensor at the back of the smartphone twice to unlock it and then tap the payment terminal in the Google Play Store. Voila, your have just purchased yourself a new app, a book or who knows a Chromecast.
Do you think that Nexus Imprint will guard your phone’s privacy and security more efficiently than other flagship phones launched this year such as the Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge+, the HTC One M9+, the new Galaxy Note 5 and the OnePlus One 2?
Come comment on this article: Google debuts cool fingerprint scanner with new Nexus devices
Cases and cables for the Nexus 5X and Nexus 6P are live in the Google Store
The Accessories section of the Google Store just got busier. With the introduction of the Nexus 5X and Nexus 6P, Google needed to bring in new cases and cables. Both phones need to cases to protect them (and maybe add style), but the inclusion of cables is more important as Google has implemented USB Type-C ports with the Nexus 5X and Nexus 6P. So now there are all different types of cables that allow your device with a USB Type-C port to work with other phones, ports, and chargers.
Hit the break to see the accessories Google is now selling.
Nexus 5X cases:
- Nexus 5X Folio ($39)
- Nexus 5X Case ($34)
- ADOPTED Protective Case for Nexus 5X ($19)
- Speck CandyShell Grip Case for Nexus ($34)
Nexus 6P cases:
- Nexus 6P Folio ($49)
- Nexus 6P Case ($34)
- ADOPTED Protective Case for Nexus 6P ($19)
- Speck CandyShell Grip Case for Nexus ($34)
USB Type-C chargers and cables:
- Universal 15W USB Type-C Charger ($24)
- Universal 22.5W Dual Port USB ($39)
- USB Type-C to Type-C Cable ($19)
- USB Type-C to USB Standard-A Plug ($12)
- USB Type-C to USB Standard-A Adapter ($12)
- USB Type-C to DisplayPort Cable ($39)
- USB Type-C to HDMI Adapter ($39)
- Universal Type-C Charger, 60W ($59)
Come comment on this article: Cases and cables for the Nexus 5X and Nexus 6P are live in the Google Store
Google Store now selling the Nexus 5X, Nexus 6P, Chromecast (2015), and Chromecast Audio
Today, Google showed us a lot of new hardware. The company launched the Nexus 5X, Nexus 6P, Pixel C and two new Chromecast models. Most of those are actually available right now through the Google Store.
The Nexus 5X and Nexus 6P have varying prices depending upon the storage size selected, both come with a 90-day subscription to Google Play Music and a $50 credit to be used in the Play Store. The new, more powerful Chromecast is priced at $35 just like its predecessor and the unique Chromecast Audio has the same price attached. The Pixel C, though, is currently without a listing in the Google Store.
Need any accessories to go along with your purchase? The Google Store has plenty of new cases and cables for you to add to your cart.
[Nexus 5X – Google Store] [Nexus 6P – Google Store] [Chromecast – Google Store] [Chromecast Audio – Google Store]
Come comment on this article: Google Store now selling the Nexus 5X, Nexus 6P, Chromecast (2015), and Chromecast Audio
Google announces the Pixel C, a new 10.2-inch premium Android tablet aimed at productivity
For months now, there have been rumors floating around about Google not having a tablet offering for 2015, though the assumption has been that there would be no new Nexus to sell. Rumors had popped up of a purported 8-inch device, however they were quickly written off and forgotten. Those longing for a new tablet need not fret, as today Google has announced a somewhat unprecedented product: the Pixel Convertible, known simply as the Pixel C.
The Pixel series, for those who follow Chromebooks, has been previously used only for the most premium offerings, and manufactured and sold directly through Google itself. The Pixel C follows in the tradition of being a high spec, high performance, high price device, though in the case it’s running Android 6.0 Marshmallow as opposed to ChromeOS.
The Pixel C features a 2560X1800 10.2-inch screen with 308ppi, 500 nits of brightness, and sRGB color gamut. It has an Nvidia X1 SoC with Maxwell GPU, 3GB of LPRDD4 RAM, and either 32GB or 64GB of on-board storage. It will make use of USB Type C, is made of aluminum, and as mentioned earlier, will ship with Android 6.0 Marshmallow. As per the Pixel laptop series, the device also includes an LED strip that can be double tapped to indicate battery life.
One accessory has been announced so far, an aluminum keyboard which can attach to the tablet in a Microsoft Surface/Apple iPad Pro-type fashion via magnets and connects to the system via Bluetooth. Google has indicated the accessory is the same size as a standard keyboard due to some strategic rearrangement of keys and use of the tablet’s touch screen. It should make for a very comfortable user experience.
The device will retail for $499 (32GB) or $599 (64GB) and will be available for purchase by the end of the year. The keyboard will retail for $149.
A curious creation
The Pixel C is, oddly enough the only real “secret” that came out of Google’s PR event today, as the pair of Nexus devices as well as the refreshed Chromecast dongle had been leaked significantly. The tablet remained essentially unknown until the past 24 hours.
While the Pixel moniker will be sure to excited those interested in high specs and a truly premium product, there is an air of curiosity present as Google has clearly sought to select a branding rather unfamiliar to the general public as opposed to using the Nexus designation that has been employed for years.
Behold the Pixel C’s keyboard size comparison with a standard-issue typing device.
One possibility might be that the Pixel C is meant to stand in stark contrast to the ill-received Nexus 9 that launched last year. The device, while certainly a fantastic piece of kit, was beleaguered by build quality issues and a clear lack of premium construction despite being made by HTC. Given that Project Tango is also marketed separately from the Nexus line, this could indicate that Google itself may start to branch out and create devices that extend beyond the branding, or it just as well could be a one off to test the waters for something else entirely.
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Despite the phablet cannibalization, various commentary around the internet had indicated a desire for a simple Nexus 7 refresh. It will be interesting to see how the device fares in a very crowded market with slugging sales. At the very least the use of a widescreen resolution – as opposed to the Nexus 9’s 4:3 – will please some purchasers, and the size clearly makes it stand out from the big-screen phone territory.
It will also be interesting to see how well the device does on-the-whole considering that Samsung has been offering productivity-oriented tablets for years now, including last year’s Galaxy Note PRO that supports the S-Pen and even the new Galaxy Tab S2 which has an optional touch cover. Whereas both the Microsoft Surface Pro and Apple iPad Pro have stylus support, the Pixel C – at the moment – does not, and therefore stands to offer a much more traditional business experience.
What are your thoughts on this particular product? Does it meet demands for a new tablet offering this year or has Google possibly made a mistake in pricing it at such a premium point? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below!
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