Facebook has yet another inbox for hidden messages: Here’s how to find it

You could have hidden Facebook messages that you didn’t know about and might actually want to read.

And, no, we’re not talking about Facebook’s “Other” tab, which is probably something you’ve heard about, even though Facebook has purposely made it somewhat hard to find. It’s where messages received by strangers or people you aren’t friends with are stored. It’s like a spam folder, but unfortunately, a lot of messages from real people can be delivered there and end up lost forever until you find them waiting.

Facebook, however, recently enabled a notification for message requests from non-Facebook friends. It also separates these messages on desktop into a “Message requests” folder. The same folder can be accessed from the Facebook mobile app under Settings (Settings > People > Message Requests). But did you know Facebook has an entirely different area for even more hidden messages?

This area could probably be considered Facebook’s other, other inbox. For whatever reason, the social network now notifies people of message requests, though it still tucks away what it considers spam into a place you’ve probably never seen before but would like to find.

Facebook Messenger: Where is the other, other inbox?

Desktop

• Log in to Facebook
• Click on Inbox (top-right corner of site, next to Friend Requests button)
• Select Message Requests (top of pop-up window, next to Recents)
• Scroll down and click See Filtered Requests (bottom of pop-up window)
• Select See All to open pop-up window into full-screen page

Mobile apps

• Open Facebook Messenger app
• Tap on Settings (far right of bottom navigation bar)
• Tap People section (below Notifications section)
• Tap Message Requests (near the top of screen)
• Tap See Filtered Requests (at the bottom screen)

And that’s it. 

You’re welcome.

Facebook updates Search to better promote Live Video

Following the debut of new Facebook Live features yesterday, the social site announced on Thursday that it is adjusting its Search functionality to help users uncover Live video content more easily. For one, any Live video that’s trending will appear in the general search results — assuming it’s relevant to what you’re searching for, of course. Facebook is also rolling out a dedicated Live search function that trawls exclusively through video content that’s been shared with you.

Source: Facebook

Call Sweden’s national number and talk to a random Swede now

The news almost reads like an Onion headline: Sweden, the country, has got its very own telephone number. And you can call it anytime you like to chat with a random Swede about, well, anything really. The quirky announcement is the work of the Swedish Tourist Association, which has created the number as a 250th anniversary tribute to the country’s abolishment of censorship. It’s an initiative designed to highlight the country’s commitment to freedom of expression in a time when, according to the tourism board’s CEO Magnus Ling, “many countries try to limit communication between people.” But before you open the dialer on your cellphone, be aware that the call is not toll-free and you will be charged local and international rates.

In the spirit of ‘why not?’ (and because I have some Google Voice credits to burn), I called the number hoping to engage a Swede in some discussion about Weezer’s new album. The results were disappointing. On my first attempt, I was connected to a Swedish man who rambled a bunch of very polite sounding Swedish noises into my ear. I asked if he spoke English, but then the line soon went dead. So I tried calling again. The second time, I had to wait a bit as a recorded message informed me that “a lot of people are calling Sweden right now.” Obviously. When I did manage to get through to another Swede, the call quality crapped out, prompting a handful of broken “hellos” back and forth and not much else.

I never did find out what Sweden thinks of Weezer’s White album… if they think it’s as good as Pinkerton. But maybe one of you intrepid folks can spare the change and bridge that social divide.

Source: The Swedish Number

Toyota’s developing a ‘guardian angel’ to take the wheel

Toyota’s taking a different approach to creating the self-driving cars of our future. Unlike other automakers and tech giants that have already begun investing time and resources into the space, the Japanese company’s developing a partially autonomous system to occasionally take the wheel. According to MIT Technology Review, the “guardian angel” feature, which is under development at Toyota Research Institute, would only temporarily take control from the driver during potentially hazardous moments.

Toyota’s hybridized take on self-driving comes in the wake of research that suggests drivers can take about eight seconds or more to readjust and gain control of a formerly fully autonomous vehicle. The “guardian angel” system could alleviate that disconnect by activating only to avoid a collision, much like automatic braking does.

Testing for this new system will soon be underway at a TRI location near Mt. Fuji in Japan, although the company also intends to run simulations at its US-based research facilities. To clear the system for eventual use in commercial vehicles, Toyota will first need to amass a trillion miles worth of road testing. And it’s hoping to do this with a combination of simulations and real-world driving. Further testing will also be carried out at TRI’s three US-based facilities, one of which is currently under construction.

Source: MIT Technology Review

Implantable computer chip could spot seizures before they start

Researchers from the University of Melbourne have teamed with IBM to develop an implantable computer chip capable of constantly monitoring the patient’s brain activity and, hopefully, predict when they’ll suffer an epileptic seizure. The chip is based on IBM’s TrueNorth technology and uses a neural network architecture — similar to the deep learning AIs that Facebook and Google have been toying with.

Much in the same way that neural networks can be taught to identify objects, the University of Melbourne team hopes to teach theirs to identify the electrical patterns that presage a seizure. “We’re trying to extract all the meaningful information from all the background noise,” University of Melbourne researcher Stefan Harrer told Wired. “We want to be able to detect a specific seizure for a specific patient.” But before they can teach the system to do that, the team needs a lot more raw data.

The system is still just a proof of concept, mind you. A recent test run, in which the chip was tasked with analyzing brain waves to guess whether the patient squeezed a ball with his right or left hand, only tallied a 76 percent accuracy rating. That’s about 10 points less than previous test simulations, though the researchers are confident that number will rise with further training. Unfortunately, that means we won’t see these devices in a medical setting for years. Until then, people with epilepsy will have to continue relying on their seizure response dogs. Harrer’s team is scheduled to present their findings at the ACM Computing Frontiers conference in May.

Via: Popular Science

Source: Wired

Team behind ‘Shadow Moses’ to focus on ‘Metal Gear’ VR museum

Shadow Moses was intended to be a Metal Gear Solid fan remake, but development came to a halt last month over copyright issues. As a result, the group behind that project, iRam Gamer, has now shifted focus to creating a virtual reality museum honoring the franchise. Called The Fan Legacy: Metal Gear Solid, its designers are quick to label the VR experience as unofficial and non-profit. Still, given how the situation with Shadow Moses played out, there’s a chance Konami won’t feel appreciative. If all goes according to plan, though, iRig Gamer hopes to release The Fan Legacy: Metal Gear Solid in May.

Source: GameInformer

Apple’s Developer Center Gets New Account Page With Refreshed Look

Apple today updated the Developer Center portal designed for developers an interface redesign for the account page that makes it easier to access all of the different developer resources.

The new account page, which features a clean look with quick access to Certificates, Identifiers, & Profiles, and iTunes Connect, replaces the previous “Member Center” for developers. Along with front-and-center buttons for frequently used tools, there’s a left-side navigation bar that makes it easy to access resources like CloudKit, documentation, forums, and the bug reporter.

Aside from the new account page, the rest of the Developer Center is unchanged, but it’s possible the updated look will be extended to additional pages in the future.

Tag: Apple Developer Program
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AT&T Raises Smartphone Upgrade Pricing From $15 to $20 to Match Verizon’s New Fee

Starting last year, AT&T began charging a $15 activation fee for customers who wanted to upgrade to a new smartphone purchased outright or through an AT&T Next plan, and as of yesterday, that fee has been increased from $15 to $20.

As Droid Life noticed yesterday, AT&T updated its wireless activation and upgrade fees document to reflect the new $20 pricing on April 6, matching Verizon’s recently implemented fee.

On Monday, Verizon started charging $20 for activating smartphones purchased through an installment plan or at full retail price, $5 less than AT&T was charging at the time. Less than two days later, AT&T raised its prices to $20.

AT&T customers who bring a phone to the AT&T network, purchase a phone using AT&T Next, or purchase a device through Apple’s Device Upgrade program will need to pay the one-time activation fee as outlined below. Customers with a two-year contract will need to pay the standard $45 fee, which has not changed.

Wireless activation and upgrade fees,1 are one time fees that may be added to your first or next AT&T bill.
– Activation and upgrade fees for smartphones with AT&T Next – Activation and upgrade fees are $20 per smartphone added or upgraded with AT&T Next.
– Activation fees for installment agreements and bring your own devices – The fee is $20.
– Activation and upgrade fees for two year agreement – Fees are $45. Note: Two year agreements are available only on select devices.

As Ars Technica points out, AT&T doesn’t provide any explanation or justification for the fee that it charges on its website, nor does it give an explanation for the price increase. In a leaked document we shared last week, Verizon said its own fee was to cover “increasing support costs associated with customers switching their devices.”

Of the four major carriers in the United States, T-Mobile is the only carrier that does not charge an upgrade or activation fee. AT&T and Verizon both charge $20, while Sprint charges a fee of up to $36 per device.

Tag: AT&T
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Wurrly – Show the world your talent! Get noticed. Get famous. Be you. [Review]

Wurrly is a unique take on the karaoke app. With access to hundreds of songs and an integrated in-app social network, Wurrly aims to showcase who you are and the natural talent you possess, to the world. Wurrly is a karaoke that’s not about the music; it’s about you.

What sets it apart?

I have a unique perspective on this application because I have personally had two conversations with Wurrly LLC’s CEO, Nadine Levitt. These conversations have provided me with a deeper understanding of what Wurrly is and what it’s meant to accomplish. You can learn more about Nadine’s vision for Wurrly in my Opinion Editorial here.

First and foremost, Wurrly is about you. Yes; you. Wurrly is meant to highlight who you are and what you are capable of. This app was designed to allow you to be yourself, showcase whatever singing ability you may have, and share it with the world. Most have a natural apprehension towards singing in front others, much less thousands or even millions of people. That’s the beauty of Wurrly. It is designed to provide you with a safe environment to be yourself; to be silly, have fun, laugh, and cry along with others who just want to have a good time and sing together.

How is this accomplished?

Wurrly, despite being a karaoke app, is also aiming to eventually become a portable studio tool. Currently, in its infancy, Wurrly offers very basic editing tools that allow you to adjust the tempo, instrumental focus, and key of a song. After making a recording, you can add an effect to your voice and edit the balance between your singing and the music you’re singing to.

This is where Wurrly really begins to shine. You’ve got your shiny new recording. Now what? Share it. Wurrly has a fully integrated, high quality social network built right into the app. You are given the ability to share your song with thousands of other Wurrly users who are doing the same thing you are: showcasing who they are to the world.

I cannot put enough emphasis on Nadine Levitt’s desire for this app to focus on you. She said to me in one of our conversations, “You are enough. No one does you better than you.”

“You are enough. No one does you better than you.”

And ultimately, that’s what Wurrly is all about, and that is what sets it apart from the competition. Despite it’s plethora of songs, editing tools, or its simplicity and ease of use, Wurrly is you. Wurrly is unique because you are unique.

The future

There’s a lot planned for Wurrly in the future. Eventually, there will be three versions:

• Consumer – what most users will use and what is currently available for download, now
• Commercial – this will be aimed at professional and independent musicians, with the goal of providing a portable studio tool rich with in-depth, professional-grade editing tools. The commercial version of Wurrly will also aim to help independent artists gain the exposure they need to succeed and break out into the music industry. A monthly subscription will be required for access to this version.
• Education – Nadine works very closely with a charity known as “Little Kids Rock.” Little Kids Rock aims to bring music education into less privileged schools by training teachers and providing instruments for the students to play. Wurrly LLC plans to have a version of Wurrly aimed directly at school music education programs. I don’t have the specifics on this version, but I do know that explicit content will be blocked.
• An in-app store that will allow you to purchase more editing tools, effects, and songs.

Overall impressions

Wurrly is fun, simple, and very easy to use. You literally can pick the app up and just go. Wurrly LLC has found that rare balance between simplicity and depth, and I applaud them for it. The user interface is clean and bright. There are tons of songs to choose from, and the editing tools are incredibly simple and easy to use.

I would rate the app’s production value as high. Recordings sound pretty good and the effects you can use are intentionally minimal. You will notice the absence of an auto-tuner. This actually took me by surprise when I first used the app. After talking to Nadine, however, I learned that the absence of an auto-tuner was very, very intentional. It all goes back to Wurrly being about you. The effects and editing tools in the app are minimal, and the auto-tuner is missing because Wurrly LLC does not want anything available in the app to overshadow you.

Conclusion

Wurrly is delightful. It’s simple to use and a lot of fun. I really appreciate what Nadine Levitt and Wurrly LLC are aiming to accomplish with this app. I can tell you that 3% of all revenue Wurrly LLC makes from this app, will go to charity. I can also tell you that Nadine Levitt is involved with several charities other than “Little Kids Rock.” Here are links to them:

• Little Kids Rock
• CAMMO
• Sickle Cell Georgia

Currently, Wurrly is free and it is absolutely worth your time. Wurrly is a safe environment for you to just let loose and be you. Connect with your friends. Make new friends. Share content with each other. Laugh and cry with each other. Wurrly is going places. It’s rare to see an app designed to apply its focus on you, the user, instead of on the app itself.

Please know that when you support Wurrly LLC, you are not just supporting the company and its app; you are supporting 400,000 kids getting access to music education in school. You are supporting American troops getting access to music therapy and receiving the tools and exposure they need to pursue a career in music. You are also helping kids with Sickle Cell Anemia get the medical treatment they need in local hospitals in their area.

You can download Wurrly at the below link.

Wurrly – Google Play Store

Please also take a moment to read my in depth Opinion Editorial on Nadine Levitt and Wurrly LLC. It provides great insight into Nadine’s vision for Wurrly as well as the wonderful things she is doing to help those in need. As an added incentive, at the end of the article, you will find a link to my own personal Wurrly version of “Fat Bottomed Girls” by Queen.

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If you would like to get more directly involved with Wurrly, take a look at its ambassador program here.

2016 Tesla Model S review – Roadshow

The Good The Tesla Model S 90D’s electric drivetrain is substantially more efficient than any internal combustion engine, and gives the car smooth and quick acceleration. All-wheel drive comes courtesy of a smart dual motor system. The new Autopilot feature eases the stress of stop-and-go traffic and long road trips.

The Bad Even at Tesla’s Supercharger stations, recharging the battery takes significantly longer than refilling an internal combustion engine car’s gas tank, limiting where you can drive. Tesla hasn’t improved its infotainment system much from the Model S’ launch.

The Bottom Line Among the different flavors of Tesla Model S, the 90D is the one to get, exhibiting the best range and all-wheel drive, while offering an uncomplicated, next-generation driving experience that shows very well against equally priced competitors.

Having tested driver assistance systems in many cars, and even ridden in fully self-driving cars, I should have been ready for Tesla’s new Autopilot feature. But engaging it while cruising the freeway in the Model S 90D, I kept my foot hovering over the brake.

My trepidation didn’t come so much from the adaptive cruise control, which kept the Model S following traffic ahead at a set distance, but from the self-steering, this part of Autopilot managing to keep the Model S well-centered in its lane with no help from me. Over many miles, I built up more trust in the system, letting the car do the steering in situations from bumper-to-bumper traffic and a winding road through the hills.

Although the middle of the Model S range, the 90D offers the best range and a wealth of useful tech, such as Autopilot self-driving.

Wayne Cunningham/Roadshow

Tesla added Autopilot to its Model S line as an option last year, along with all-wheel-drive. More recently, the high-tech automaker improved its batteries, upgrading its cars from their former 65 and 85 kilowatt-hour capacity to 70 and 90 kilowatt-hour. The example I drove, the 90D, represents all these advances.

More importantly, the 90D is the current range-leader among the Model S line, boasting 288 miles on a full battery charge.

The Model S’ improvements fall outside of typical automotive industry product cycles, fulfilling Tesla’s promise of acting more like a technology company, constantly building and deploying new features. Tesla accomplishes that goal partially through over-the-air software updates, improving existing cars, but the 90D presents significant hardware updates over the original Model S launched four years ago.

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Sit and go

Of course, this Model S exhibited the ease of use of the original. Walking up to the car with the key fob in my pocket, it automatically unlocked. When I got in the car, it powered up without me having to push a start button, so I only needed to put it in drive to get on the road.

Likewise, the design hasn’t changed, its sleek, hatchback four-door body offering excellent cargo room, both front and back, and seating space. The cabin feels less cramped than most cars due to the lack of a transmission tunnel and a dashboard bare of buttons or dials.

The flat floor in the Model S’ cabin makes for enhanced passenger room.

Wayne Cunningham/Roadshow

The big, 17-inch touchscreen in the center of the dashboard shows navigation, stereo, phone, energy consumption and car settings. I easily went from full-screen to a split-screen view, the windows showing each appearing instantly. A built-in 4G/LTE data connection powers Google maps and Internet-based audio. The LCD instrument panel in front of me showed my speed, energy usage, remaining range, and intelligently swapped audio information for turn-by-turn directions when started navigation.

The instrument panel actually made the experience of driving under Autopilot more comfortable, reassuring me with graphics that showed when the Model S’ sensors were detecting the lane lines and the traffic around me. Impressively, the sensors could differentiate, as shown on the screen’s graphics, a passenger car from a big truck.