Facebook tests Shopping feed and immersive ads for in-app purchases
Facebook is testing two new shopping features that could ruin the recovery of impulse buyers trying to kick the habit. While they are two distinct additions, both enable you to make purchases from within the mobile apps. The first experimental feature is called Canvas, and it turns the typical scrolling FB ads you see into immersive ones. When you click on an advertisement that has the capability, it loads a full-screen page where you can choose the item variant/color and buy it on the spot — no need to launch the seller’s website.
The other is the addition of a Shopping feed under Favorites, which displays the merchandise of brands participating in the Shop section Facebook introduced in September. It even has a search bar to make it easier to find whatever it is you’re looking for. Just like every other feature the social network’s testing, though, both will only be visible to a small number of users and might not make it to general release.
Features that enable people to buy right from Facebook’s mobile apps will greatly benefit the social network. A recent US comScore study showed that people spend the most time on their phones using a handful of popular apps, including FB and Instagram. Twitter, which is included in the top 15 applications, also has a Buy Now button for in-app shopping courtesy of Stripe.
Facebook Shopping feed:
Facebook Canvas:
Source: Facebook
Internet porn has pushed Playboy Magazine to go PG-13
Tonight in a New York Times article, Playboy Magazine announced the biggest change in its 62-year history: starting next march it will no longer include pictures of women fully nude. Playboy.com dropped nudes in August of 2014, and the company released a new SFW app earlier this year. According to CEO Scott Flanders the problem is online porn, “You’re now one click away from every sex act imaginable for free. And so it’s just passé at this juncture.” Despite what you may think, after changing things on the website Playboy says its traffic jumped from four million to 16 million users each month. Readers — who now definitely will be picking it up “just for the articles” — will still see a Playmate of the month, but should expect something closer to a racy Instagram feed. The new Playboy will be unveiled next March, although if you find yourself missing anything we’re pretty sure the entire internet will be able to fill in.
Source: New York Times
Adobe and Dropbox make it easier to edit PDFs from the cloud
Dropbox got cozy with Microsoft Office back in the spring, offering a way to easily edit files stored in its cloud-based repository. Now, Dropbox is getting friendly with Adobe Document Cloud, too. More specifically, the company is playing nice with Adobe Acrobat DC and Acrobat Reader to serve up quick and easy access to edit PDF documents. Once you connect your Dropbox account with the Adobe apps, you’ll be able to pull in files without leaving the app. What’s more, when you’re browsing files in Dropbox, you’ll have the option to open a PDF in the appropriate Adobe app to edit, e-sign, comment and markup the file as needed. And as you might expect, no matter how you open the document or which device you’re using, everything automatically syncs in Dropbox across desktop and mobile. PDFs are by far the most common file format stored with the could-driven storage service,and now its improving the workflow for power users. The new functionality goes live on the desktop today with iOS integration arriving “in the coming months.” Android users can expect to employ the PDF-editing workflow next year. Slideshow-328120
Canon’s EOS M10 is a mirrorless camera designed for beginners
Now that Canon has (finally) figured out how to make a decent mirrorless camera, the manufacturer is adding another model to its lineup. Meet the EOS M10, a compact shooter designed for the entry-level market. In terms of specs, it is slightly similar to the M2 from 2013, which Canon introduced in Japan but never brought over to the US. While the M10 features the same 18-megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor as said relative, it does come with an improved Digic 6 image processor — the one also found on the higher-end EOS M3, Canon’s best mirrorless to date.Slideshow-328131
Aside from that, there’s NFC and WiFi for controlling the camera and sharing photos via an app, plus a 4.6 fps continuous shooting mode and Hybrid CMOS AF II (49-point) autofocus system. The M2 shoots 1080p video at 24, 25 and 30 fps, or 720p at 50 or 60 fps, and you’ll be able to view those on a rear 3-inch, tilting LCD. It can be yours in November for $600, complete with an 18-55mm lens and your choice of a black or white camera body.
Canon widens premium point-and-shoot line with the G5 X and G9 X
As it turns out, the PowerShot G5 X we got a glimpse of earlier today is indeed real. But there’s more where that came from: Canon has also announced the G9 X, another new member of its high-end point-and-shoot series. Similar to the existing G3 X, these cameras feature a 1-inch, 20.2-megapixel CMOS sensor, Digic 6 image processor and ISO up to 25,600 (extended). What makes these two PowerShots different from one another is mostly on the outside. The G5X, for example, has a built-in (2.36-million-dot) electronic viewfinder and a tilting 3-inch LCD on the back, whereas its sibling comes with a fixed screen and lacks an EVF. As a result, the G9 X shines in the weight department, coming in at a mere 209 grams (roughly 0.5 lbs), compared to the 370 grams on the G5 X. Slideshow-328133
There is WiFi and NFC on both, though, letting you easily control the camera remotely and transfer images to a mobile device — by way of Canon’s companion apps. Just as well, you’ll be able to record 1080p videos at up to 60 fps, capture RAW files and have access to full manual controls. Canon says there’s an improved Star Mode too, for those times when you’re looking to shoot some stars. The PowerShot G5 X and G9 X will hit stores in November for $799 and $529, respectively.
MovieQu partners with MovieTickets.com to sell movie tickets within their app
MovieQu and MovieTickets.com are partnering together to allow people to purchase movie tickets to over 28,000 screens worldwide using the MovieQu app.
The MovieQu app has only launched in July, but is very unique as it lets users identify movie trailers with audio-recognition. It can then let users set a bookmark to go see the actual movie. It can also recommend new movies to watch based on their previous movie preferences.
However, MovieQu will now be selling tickets using MovieTickets.com in the US. MovieQu will also be providing more information about new movies taken from MovieTickets.com, such as, studio info to first time directors. All of this is done from the convenience of their app.
MovieTickets.com CEO Joel Cohen said:
“Working with MovieQu gives us yet another original platform to provide moviegoers with access to advance tickets and our exhibitors another meaningful distribution option,”
When MovieQu launched it was partnered with Dealflicks, they provide deals on movie tickets that probably won’t sell out. With this new deal, that partnership is now over.
Source: Variety
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Waze list the best and worst countries to drive in
Popular navigation app Waze has provided information about the best and worst places to drive in the world. It also goes over other things like the best and worst places to be a driver as well as who has the most traffic.
They took over 50 million user results from 32 countries and rated their experiences. Scoring a 10 means it’s amazing while a 1 is horrible. This information also includes other things like road quality, traffic, driver safety and more.
Those of you who live in the Netherlands will be happy to find out it scored the top spot in the world to drive with a ranking of 7.9. The US came pretty close, but took the third spot with a 7.2. However, you definitely do not want to drive in El Salvador as it only scored a 2.1 “due to frequency and severity of traffic jams, lack of driver services, and poor road infrastructure”.
Waze go over a ton of other information, but one I found interesting was the best and worst places for traffic. The Netherlands again take the top spot with an 8 while the US isn’t far behind with a 7. Although, at a city level, Phoenix has the lightest traffic overall.
Source: Waze
Come comment on this article: Waze list the best and worst countries to drive in
Magellan announces eXplorist TRX7, an off-road GPS system running Android
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GPS/Navigation system manufacturer, Magellan, has announced a new unit for consumers who prefer the off-road experience via ATV’s, UTV’s 4X4’s and other off-road vehicles. Running Android 4.2, the eXplorist TRX7 brings the power of the trail community to palm of your hand. The TRX7 comes preloaded with 44,000 designated OHV routes from forest and public lands. You can also roll in freestyle mode with “Track Me” to blaze your own trail and easily find your way back to where you started.
Magellan’s detailed off-road maps feature:
• High resolution 3D Terrain
• 2D Topo base map & contour elevation lines
• National and State Parks and Recreational Vehicle Areas
• National and State service roads and trails
• Ever expanding crowd-sourced Trails
• Food, Gas, Lodging, and General Service POIs
• 3rd Party Trail Guides
Magellan added in a number of features and functions that dedicated trail riders are sure to find useful. Those who like to share their rides on social outlets, the TRX7 has your back there too. The device connects to Wi-Fi, which includes using your phone as a hotspot if accessible, and allows you to share your ride to Facebook or Twitter with a tap of a # tag.
“Magellan’s new eXplorist TRX7 is the most fully-loaded, affordable and purpose-built off-road navigator for adventuring,” commented Stig Pedersen, associate vice president of product management for Magellan. “Whether you want to navigate the classic trails, or want to create your own adventures, the Magellan eXplorist TRX7 stands ready to help you traverse some of the most rugged terrain.”
Hardware wise the TRX7 measures in at 5.2″ x 8.7″ x .67″ inches and weighs 21.16oz. It packs in a rechargeable battery that keeps you on track for up to 8 hours at a time and is IP67 water-resistant rated. Internal storage is set at 16GB, but it carries a micro SD card slot to add upto 64GB more. Most of which will be for your trail ride data, tracks and saved/planned excursions, but also leaves lots of room for more outdoor map updates in the future. The screen measures in at 7-inches with a resolution of 1024 x 600. The unit is powered by a dual core cortex-A9 processor and 1GB of RAM. Along with the aforementioned Wi-Fi connection the TRX7 also offer Bluetooth connectivity. Which is probably great for pairing with your helmets internal speakers. Although, I am not sure the TRX7 has a way to play any tunes to your brain while you ride, it most likely will give your verbal directions.
Magellan has the device listed with a complete run down of features and specs on their website with a retail price tag of $599.99.
The post Magellan announces eXplorist TRX7, an off-road GPS system running Android appeared first on AndroidSPIN.
Fantasy sports staff earned obscene cash by playing on rival sites
Those suspicions that DraftKings and FanDuel employees are profiting from being a little too cozy? Yeah, they’ve just gained some serious credibility. On top of a recent lawsuit accusing the two websites of using insider information to commit fraud, the New York Times has learned that staff at these sites have frequently been raking in huge amounts of cash by playing on each other’s sites. Both DraftKings and FanDuel workers have “regularly” ranked as big winners, possibly by using that insider info to gain an unfair advantage. DraftKings co-founder Paul Liberman even noted that some of his team members have made “significantly more money” from competing at FanDuel than they have working their jobs. Taking that option away might discourage people from staying with the company, he claimed.
The companies are trying to mend their image. They’ve both banned their employees from playing in daily fantasy sports of any kind, and the firms are conducting an independent investigation that should report back within weeks. Even if DraftKings and FanDuel clean up their playing practices, though, neither the inspection nor the lawsuit are likely to represent the end of the story. The sites are operating in a largely unregulated field, and it won’t be surprising if the US government eventually clamps down to make sure that everyday players stand a real chance of winning.
[Image credit: Andrew Harrer/Bloomberg via Getty Images]
Via: Deadspin
Source: New York Times
Key and Peele pen TV deal with Vine’s King Bach
When it was announced that Key & Peele were going to wrap up production this year on their self-titled sketch show, comedy fans all around the world were pretty bummed about it. But now Deadline has reported that the two comedy stars will write and produce a new comedy starring Vine‘s Andrew “KingBach” Bachelor. The man who has mastered the social media platform and perfected the six-second loop is no stranger to comedy shows, having already starred in recurring roles in The Mindy Project, House Of Lies and Black Jesus. With the help of Key & Peele writer Alex Rubens, the new show will be loosely based around one of Bachelor’s online personas and follow an undercover cop who goes back to his hometown in order to take out the bad guys who bullied him while growing up.
That’s pretty much all we know about the untitled comedy for now, but with Bachelor being the biggest Vine star with 14 million followers and over 5.1 billion video loops, it’s safe to say that episodes of the new show will be played over again…and again…and again..
When you’re friend is an undercover cop https://t.co/ZyVOe7ACtX
— King Bach (@KingBach) February 28, 2015
https://vine.co/v/hqb6VJU90U3/embed/simple
[Image credit: Casey Rodgers]
Source: Deadline
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