Instagram brings 3D Touch-style feature to Android
The ability to detect pressure in touch screens and turn it into functionality: whether you see it as a gimmick or not, we can’t deny we do need more layers of interaction to make smartphones flow better. We love our long presses and and right clicks, but these are input methods we haven’t bee exploiting to their fullest in the mobile universe. Sure, you can move apps around and pull up menus, but that can’t be it… right?
See also: Apple iPhone 6S Impressions… from an Android user
The good news is it’s not so hard to replicate this feature, even if Android’s ability to recognize force and do something with it is not evolved yet. It can still be imitated with a long press. That is exactly what Instagram did with the Android version of the app (7.13.0).
In Apple’s implementation, Instagram is able to show a preview of an image when pressing harder on photo icons within the Search section. It works similarly in the newest version of the Instagram Android app, but you don’t have to press harder…. just press longer.
See also: 15 best Android apps of 2015
The feature seems to work like a charm, but as it goes with these updates, they roll out periodically. You could either wait a around for the Google Play Store to push it to your device or you could opt to manually install this APK file.
What do you guys think of this added functionality, though? I feel like it still needs to evolve and become more adopted by the community. At this point it seems people are a bit confused by it. But that is why I am not too upset that Apple is making it mainstream first. Keep in mind the iPhone maker is not good at introducing new technology, but they certainly have a talent for making it popular.
Ancestry kills its desktop software, moves to online subscriptions
Ancestry.com has announced that it’s getting rid of its desktop software options at the end of the year. The company is reacting to what it sees as the “declining desktop software market” (and that pesky smartphone and tablet user boom), adding that it will allow the company to better provide support and updates to users. Its Family Tree Maker software will cease sale on December 31st 2015, but will continue working until January 1st 2017. This will include its TreeSync service that links to the web service — important if you still want to keep scouring your lineage for that all important (yet tenuous) link to royalty.
Source: Ancestry
New Swiftkey update delivers Pinyin, typing enhancements, and an Emoji makeover
Everyone’s favorite third-party mobile keyboard just got a little bit better – especially for Mandarin speakers. Today on their blog, SwiftKey announced that Android users just received a pretty substantial update that adds Pinyin support, changes the way the keyboard anticipates your keypresses, and remodeled their Emoji panel to give users a cleaner, more aesthetic experience.
SwiftKey has been supporting Chinese language input since the beginning of 2015. Although users were given seven different input methods for Simplified Chinese, Taiwan Traditional Chinese, and Hong Kong Traditional Chinese, many were left yearning for traditional Pinyin support. Now SwiftKey users are free to appropriate the QWERTY layout to type away Pinyin input to their hearts’ content.
See also: 15 best Android apps of 2015
For speakers of all languages, the developers also improved typing performance. SwiftKey is famous for its predictive word selection abilities, but the app also learns to what extent where you intend to touch the keyboard is at a variance with where you actually touch the keyboard. By paying attention to your mistakes, SwiftKey slyly adjusts the hitboxes of keys to make your mistakes less and less frequent.
This recent update improves on the method, but it has also reset your keypress model – the data used to adjust the keyboard. If your typing feels sloppy over the next few days, don’t give up on SwiftKey quite yet. It just has to relearn your clumsy typing habits.
Finally, this latest update overhauled the way Emoji are displayed in their panel, making it easier to quickly pick the image you want out of the crowd. It will also retain the last Emoji category you were previously using, hypothetically decreasing the number of swipes between you and that perfectly composed hieroglyphic text message. Users will also be able to choose between light and dark themes. Sounds perfect for those slated to receive the Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow update that includes over 200 new Emoji.
If you’ve already got SwiftKey installed, you can expect the update to hit your phone any moment. If you want to cut the suspense, or if you’re just someone wanting to give the keyboard a spin, you can download it in the Google Play Store by clicking the button below.
Are you a SwiftKey user, or do you have another keyboard you prefer? Let us know in the comments!
Android Marshmallow increases its Android Distribution share to 0.5%
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Google has released its Android Distribution numbers for this month, and Android Marshmallow has shown some sizeable growth. After recording a population of 0.3% last month, Android Marshmallow has grown to 0.5%, which seems like nothing, but considering the total population of Android that’s included is close to a billion devices, that’s a a pretty huge number of smartphones and tablets that are now enjoying the latest version of Android. It’s still going to take some time for Marshmallow to gain sizeable traction, but plenty of manufacturers have queued up their updates for the near future – let’s hope they come before the new year.
Other notable changes include Android Lollipop increasing its share from 25.6% to 29.5%, while KitKat, Jelly Bean and Ice Cream Sandwich all saw their share decrease this month. And for those interested, Gingerbread and Froyo are still hanging around with 3.4% and 0.2% respectively.
What do you think about the Android Distribution numbers for December? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
Source: Android Developers via Droid-life
The post Android Marshmallow increases its Android Distribution share to 0.5% appeared first on AndroidSPIN.
Android 6.0 coming to some Moto X Pure Editions in the US
Android 6.0 is coming to some Moto X Pure Editions in the US. The update should be heading out to Verizon, Sprint, and U.S. Cellular soon according to Motorola’s Davis Schuster.
Also, Motorola has started soak testing the Android 6.0 update in Brazil and India for the Moto X Play, plus, Moto X Force in Brazil.
This afternoon we have started to fully rollout Android Marshmallow 6.0 on 2015 Moto X Pure Edition (3rd Gen) with the following carriers; Verizon, Sprint and USC.
In addition, we have started the soak test period in Brazil and India retail for the 2015 Moto X Play and in Brazil retail for the 2015 Moto X Force.
No word on AT&T and T-Mobile’s Moto X Pure Edition Android 6.0 update just yet, unfortunately.
Source: David Schuster (Google+)
Come comment on this article: Android 6.0 coming to some Moto X Pure Editions in the US
CBS exec says Apple’s streaming TV plans are ‘on hold’
The other half of the rollout for the new Apple TV has always been a rumored streaming TV service. It wasn’t present for the device’s launch, and now CBS CEO Les Moonves (who has previously been good for a quote or two on Apple’s TV plans) says the project is on ice. Speaking at the Business Insider Ignition conference in New York the exec claimed “They’ve had conversations on it, and I think they pressed the hold button.” According to Bloomberg a source said Apple has suspended its plans, and will go ahead with the Apple TV as a platform for content available via the App Store.
The new Apple TV seems built to take on conventional cable and satellite TV bundles for streaming live channels, but for now owners can expect to navigate a segmented experience of different apps, often with their own logins. Moonves went on to say that he believes “it will happen,” through Apple or someone else, and suggested a price point of around $35, with users having more of an opportunity to opt for the channels they want to watch.
As internet TV providers provide services that compete squarely with traditional TV, Amazon just announced the option to tack Starz, Showtime and others onto its Prime video service. Dish Network has Sling TV streaming a bundle of channels while PlayStation Vue is rolling out to more areas with a wider selection of channels and DVR features, but at a slightly higher price. Tim Cook and Apple’s advertising campaign promise that the future of TV is apps, but it doesn’t feel that way to me, even with the new remote’s Siri-powered universal search. Without a truly new video experience to go along with its hardware, the new Apple TV is a lot like the old one.
Source: Business Insider, Bloomberg
Google Store kisses the Nexus 6 goodbye
It is a new era for Google. One in which users don’t have to opt for a supersized smartphone just to get the Nexus experience. The Nexus 6P and Nexus 5X have come to complete the equation with a couple form factors, varied prices and different levels of performance. The time for the Nexus 6 to die was imminent, and Google has pulled the chord today.
See also: Nexus 6P and 5X vs the competition
In what appeared to be a very quiet move, the Nexus 6 has disappeared from the Google Store. There is no available comment or announcement from the Search Giant, so we are not sure if this is really a permanent thing, but I would probably bet on it.
Also read:
This gets some of us a bit melancholic. Regardless of whatever inconveniences it may have brought, it was a special phone. Made by Motorola, it introduced a great design and build quality that didn’t need anything fancy to offer a solid experience. It also happened to be the first Nexus device to come at this (nearly) 6-inch size. And though its initial price was a bit high, it was worth every single penny.
I say it was a great smartphone with one compromise… a large one (yes, I am talking about the size). It will be sad to see it go, but better things are coming… and some are already here! Oh, and if you are really having a hard time saying goodbye, you can still get the 32 GB Nexus 6 from Amazon for only $349.99!
Yahoo reportedly gets serious about selling its core business
The company isn’t saying anything at the moment. If it does go ahead with a sale, though, it won’t exactly be a ringing endorsement of CEO Marissa Mayer’s strategy to date. She promised to “reset” Yahoo’s focus back in October, but that probably won’t be much comfort when the firm has dealt with evaporating profits and a string of acquisitions that did little to turn things around. If there is a deal, it won’t be surprising if there’s a change in leadership at the same time.
[Image credit: Karen Bleier/AFP/Getty Images]
Via: Reuters
Source: CNBC, New York Times
End texts with a period if you want to seem like a jerk
It appears as though those among us who use proper punctuation when texting look like big jerks. A new study out of Binghamton University says that text messages appended with a period come off as kind of rude. Computer Mediated Communication (email, texting, instant messages, etc..) lacks any sort of the context clues of face to face communications methods, so to see what the period meant in terms of CMC, the researchers had a small group of undergrads rate conversations that were framed either as handwritten notes or text messages.
“Even though most of the important social and contextual clues were missing, the sincerity of the short messages was evaluated differently depending on the presence or absence of a period,” a statement from Binghamton reads. When a period was present in short exchanges, the students rated that message as less sincere.
What’s more, according to The Washington Post, a separate study suggests that exclamation points are apparently more sincere than not using any punctuation to end a sentence. Keep in mind, however, that 126 undergrads aren’t nearly enough to be considered a representative sample by any means. Regardless, the anecdotal evidence is enough to make me feel self conscious about using correct grammar and punctuation while texting!
Via: The Washington Post
Source: ScienceDirect, Eurekalert
Amazon’s Streaming Partners Program brings other streaming services to one place
Amazon Prime customers will be getting even more benefits to their subscription. Amazon has just announced its new Streaming Partners Program where other streaming video providers can sell their service through Prime.
This is basically a one-stop-shop for most streaming services. Prime customers will be able to pay for other streaming services all in the same place. Also, they will get them at discounted prices for being Prime customers.
The first two companies that will offer their services are Showtime and Starz. Each are available for $8.99 a month after a free trial. Some other launch partners are A&E’s Lifetime Movie Club, AMC’s Shudder and SundanceNow Doc Club, Gaia, the Smithsonian, and more.
Michael Paull, Vice President of Digital Video at Amazon said:
“The way people watch TV is changing, and customers need an easier way to subscribe to and enjoy multiple streaming subscriptions. With the Streaming Partners Program, we’re making it easy for video providers to reach highly engaged Prime members, many of whom are already frequent streamers, and we’re making it easier for viewers to watch their favorite shows and channels.”
Also, there are other benefits like, latest episodes available simultaneous with broadcast, one Watchlist across all subscriptions, unified voice search and ASAP on Fire TV, and much more.
Amazon says this partnership with other streaming services will benefit them as well. They will no longer have to deal with billing, handling credit cards, or dealing with customers. The services will also be able to run on any device with the Amazon Video app installed.
Press Release:
Amazon Prime members can now add SHOWTIME, STARZ and dozens more video subscriptions to their Prime membership
Now, video providers can reach a new set of highly engaged viewers with Amazon responsible for driving subscriber acquisition
Prime customers benefit from free trials, self-service cancellation of any subscription and special Prime member pricing—subscriptions for SHOWTIME and STARZ are only $8.99 per month
SEATTLE–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Dec. 8, 2015– (NASDAQ: AMZN)—Amazon today launched the Streaming Partners Program, an over-the-top streaming subscription program for video providers that enables them to reach tens of millions of Prime members. With the Streaming Partners Program, video providers have access to a highly engaged streaming audience, and viewers have a more convenient way to manage their streaming subscriptions.
The Streaming Partners Program offers many benefits for video providers. Amazon is responsible for:
- Driving all subscriber acquisition
- Making subscribing friction-free—credit cards are already on file
- Handling all customer service
- Managing all billing
- Managing credit card expirations
- Serving your content through high-quality, reliable streaming infrastructure
- Managing compatibility across hundreds of devices
The Streaming Partners Program offers many benefits for viewers, including:
- Free trials on all subscriptions
- Special Prime member pricing
- Latest episodes available simultaneous with broadcast
- Convenience of one account
- One Watchlist across all subscriptions
- Self-service cancellation of any subscription at anytime
- IMDb X-Ray integration
- Unified search and browse across subscriptions
- Unified voice search and ASAP on Fire TV
“The way people watch TV is changing, and customers need an easier way to subscribe to and enjoy multiple streaming subscriptions,” said Michael Paull, Vice President of Digital Video at Amazon. “With the Streaming Partners Program, we’re making it easy for video providers to reach highly engaged Prime members, many of whom are already frequent streamers, and we’re making it easier for viewers to watch their favorite shows and channels.”
“We’re excited to work with Amazon to offer our streaming service featuring all of our award-winning original series, plus our exclusive sports, news-making documentaries and blockbuster movies, to millions of Prime users,” said David Nevins, President, Showtime Networks Inc. “By marryingSHOWTIME with the powerhouse retail capabilities of Amazon, we continue to greatly expand our footprint, making sure our service is available to new subscribers whenever and however they want to watch us.”
“STARZ is excited to offer subscriptions to our premium hit shows like ‘Outlander’ and ‘Power,’ as well as our thousands of movies, to Amazon Prime customers,” said Chris Albrecht, CEO of Starz said. “This is a terrific product for customers to conveniently navigate their entertainment options quickly, easily and anywhere.”
Initial launch partners include: SHOWTIME, STARZ, A+E Network (Lifetime Movie Club), AMC (Shudder and SundanceNow Doc Club), Gaia, RLJ Entertainment (Acorn TV, Urban Movie Channel, Acacia TV), DramaFever (DramaFever Instant), Tribeca Shortlist, Cinedigm (Dove Channel, Docurama, CONtv), Smithsonian (Smithsonian Earth), IndieFlix (IndieFlix Shorts), Curiosity Stream, Qello Concerts, FlixFling (Cinefest, Nature Vision, Warriors and Gangsters, Dox, Monsters and Nightmares), BroadbandTV (Hooplakidz Plus), DEFY Media (ScreenJunkies Plus), Gravitas (Film Forum, Daring Docs, Fear Factory), and Ring TV Boxing.
To explore the full set of premium content available to Prime members, visitwww.amazon.com/videosubscriptions. To become an Amazon streaming partner, visitwww.amazon.com/streamingpartners.
Today customers will also find a newly designed Amazon Video homepage making it easy for customers to find movies and TV shows available on Prime, available through the Streaming Partners Program, or available to rent or buy.
About Amazon Video
Amazon Video offers customers unlimited access to tens of thousands of movies and TV episodes, including award-winning Amazon Original Series, through Amazon Prime; monthly subscriptions toSHOWTIME, STARZ, and more; and hundreds of thousands of titles including new-release movies and current TV shows for rent or purchase.
The entire range of selection can be instantly accessed through the Amazon Video app on TVs, streaming media players, mobile devices, Amazon Fire TV, Fire TV Stick, and Fire tablets, or online atAmazon.com/amazonvideo.
Prime Video, included in Amazon Prime, enables Prime members enjoy binge-worthy TV shows including Amazon Original Series airing now such as the multi-Golden Globe-winning and Emmy-nominated series Transparent, the breakout hit The Man in the High Castle, based on Philip K. Dick’s novel, the hour-long drama Bosch, based on Michael Connelly’s best-selling books, the Roman Coppola and Jason Schwartzman comedy, Mozart in the Jungle, and the comedy created by and starring Rob Delaney and Sharon Horgan, Catastrophe, in addition to HBO favorites like The Sopranos, True Blood and Girls, and popular primetime series including 24, Downton Abbey, Extant, Falling Skies, Grimm, Hannibal, Justified, Orphan Black, Teen Wolf, The Americans, and Under the Dome. Prime members also have access to an exclusive collection of kids shows now airing including Amazon Original Series’ Annedroids, Gortimer Gibbon’s Life on Normal Street and the Annecy, Annie and multi-Emmy Award-winning Tumble Leaf, as well as popular shows from Nickelodeon and Nick Jr. including SpongeBob SquarePants, Dora the Explorer, Team Umizoomi, and Blue’s Clues. Customers who are not already Prime members can sign up for a free trial at www.amazon.com/prime.
In addition to tens of thousands of titles to instantly stream on Prime Video, the Amazon Prime membership (www.amazon.com/prime) includes more than one million songs, more than a thousand playlists and hundreds of stations through Prime Music, unlimited Free Two-Day Shipping on millions of items, early access to select Lightning Deals, unlimited photo storage with Amazon Photos, and access to borrow from more than 800,000 books for Kindle owners–all for $99 a year.
About Amazon
Amazon.com opened on the World Wide Web in July 1995. The company is guided by four principles: customer obsession rather than competitor focus, passion for invention, commitment to operational excellence, and long-term thinking. Customer reviews, 1-Click shopping, personalized recommendations, Prime, Fulfillment by Amazon, AWS, Kindle Direct Publishing, Kindle, Fire tablets, Fire TV, Amazon Echo, and Alexa are some of the products and services pioneered by Amazon. For more information, visit www.amazon.com/about.
Come comment on this article: Amazon’s Streaming Partners Program brings other streaming services to one place
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