Giphy Keys for iOS puts GIFs at your fingertips
After Apple allowed third-parties to create custom keyboards for iOS, a flood of apps tried to make typing easier or add a way to send GIFs with only a few taps. Now Giphy, already a popular destination for the internet’s favorite image format, is jumping into the animated image sending fray on iOS with its Giphy Keys app. But, there’s a twist.
As you’d expect, GIF’s are a key feature in the app, but, in addition to the usual search and category tools, Giphy Keys has something that’s actually useful: a regular keyboard you can use to write text. Usually, you have to switch back and forth between these third-party keyboards to type words with one and send images with another; it’s a pain. Giphy Keys puts both features right there in the one app. This means you also won’t have to keep tapping the globe button to the left of the spacebar to switch between keyboards (which, as most iPhone owners know, only works about half the time anyway).
In addition to allowing users to type and GIF from just one keyboard, the app has a trio of fun features behind an “8 ball” button. Sadly, instead of magic, the button uses the existing Giphy Tools to let you create animations with text patterns, blend random images with local weather info, or generate responses from a virtual 8 Ball that answers your questions (in GIF form, obviously).
The 8 Ball’s question feature got boring pretty quickly, but putting a random GIF behind a city’s weather information was fun. Some of the weird image choices can add a dose of surreal fun to messages and Slack updates. That is, if you have the patience to wait for these custom GIFs to be created, which took upwards of a minute or longer sometimes.
Keys probably won’t completely replace your regular keyboard.
Another problem is that Giphy Keys doesn’t support autocorrect. If you think your typing is bad with iOS “fixing” your mistakes, wait until you try to type without it. On more than one occasion what I thought I typed had nothing to do with what actually showed up in the text field. Giphy says that autocorrect is definitely something it’s thinking about.
Yet, even without the ability to compensate for fat-finger jabs at the touchscreen keyboard, and painfully slow image generation at times, the keyboard’s quick access to reaction GIFs and access to the extensive Giphy library of images were enough to make this my new go-to way to share GIFs via text. Giphy Keys is available now for iOS.
Source: Giphy
The latest 3Doodler 3D printing pen is smoother and easier
The team at WobbleWorks has been quick to iterate on the concept of a 3D printing pen in the past 3 years, and it’s not stopping any time soon. The startup has unveiled the 3Doodler Create, a third-generation pen that irons out some of the remaining kinks. The refined drive system should give you smoother output, but the real centerpiece may be the ease of use: WobbleWorks is promising simpler controls that get anyone printing “in seconds.” It’s even a bit flashier, as there’s an both an ambient light bar as well as a transparent panel to show what’s going on inside.
The Create costs $100, or about as much as the earlier 3Doodler 2.0. However, you won’t have to shell out full price if you’ve been enamored with the idea for a while. If you own the 2.0 model, you’ll get half off the price of the Create if you order it by June 3rd. It’s hard to say how much of an improvement you’ll see, but it could be easy to justify the outlay if you prefer to draw your ideas with plastic.
Source: 3Doodler
Kodak is giving free film to Kickstarter directors
Crowdfunded filmmakers will be able to shoot on film for a lot less money thanks to a partnership between Kodak and Kickstarter. Kodak says it will provide free 35mm or Super 16mm film stock for select projects, up to a total of around $20,000 for 35mm film, depending on the total budget. Beyond that, the company will provide discounted film and mentoring for packaging, financing and sales strategies. The choice of filmmakers appears to be at Kodak’s discretion, but so far the company has picked several Kickstarter productions that will launch this spring.
Kickstarter has successfully funded 20,000 productions totalling $330 million so far, though it didn’t say which were shot on film. The platform has garnered a lot of bad publicity in the past by funding large projects like Veronica Mars and Zach Braff’s Wish I Was Here, since the well-known producers probably could have raised the cash elsewhere. On the other hand, it’s an excellent platform for up-and-coming filmmakers, and has helped get Oscar-nominated projects with very small budgets off the ground.
Kodak VP Anne Hubbell says that “Kodak understands that artists working at all budget levels strive to tell their stories with the unique quality and emotion that film provides.” The company points out that footage can be purchased by Kickstarter producers in eighteen countries, including the US, UK, France and Canada. Kodak’s situation is a lot more secure in the film industry since it struck a deal with Hollywood to supply film for the foreseeable future.
DarkFall, a Kickstarter film backed by Kodak
However, it’s equally likely that many young, inexperienced directors would rather shoot digital, given advantages like speed and the ability to easily review takes. As we have pointed out, the costs of shooting on film go way beyond the stock itself. Filmmakers also need to consider processing and transferring footage to a format that can be edited, color corrected and converted to a final screening format.
That, combined with the lower sensitivity of film compared to digital cameras (which necessitates more complex lighting) means that the total budget will likely still be higher, even with the film thrown in. That said, it’s always good to have choices, so if it’s an aesthetic that a director absolutely can’t live without, good old celluloid is now a much more feasible option.
Source: Kodak
Scientists use nanoparticles to crush lingering fat cells
If you think losing weight is simply diet plus exercise, the equation is not so simple. A recent study of Biggest Loser participants showed that even if you manage to drop pounds, your body will fight you for years afterward to gain them back. That’s why scientists have put so much effort into studying obesity in an effort to help us fight our own genes. Researchers from MIT and Brigham and Women’s Hospital think that our ubiquitous friends, nanoparticles, could deliver drugs to specific parts of the body, turning bad fat cells into good ones that burn fat.
The team started with a pair of drugs that are effective at transforming white “adipose” cells into brown ones that burn fat, rather than store it. While very effective at that chore, the drugs have adverse side effects that can limit their use. If targeted to specific parts of the body that contain fat, however, the negative consequences can be limited.
That’s where the tech comes in: The drugs are stored in nanoparticles’ hydrophobic cores using PLGA, a polymer commonly used in drug delivery systems and medical devices. The outer shell, meanwhile, is embedded with molecules that target proteins found uniquely in the blood vessels lining fatty adipose tissue. That turns the nanoparticles into guided missiles that seek out fat cells and release drugs to transform it.
When the system was tested in obese mice, the animals lost 10 percent of their body weight, improved cholesterol and triglyceride levels and showed a reduced risk for diabetes. One potential problem is the need to intravenously introduce the nanoparticles. “For it to be more broadly applicable for treatment of obesity, we have to come up with easier ways to administer [it],” says Omid Farokhzad from Brigham and Women’s hospital. However, the team may be able to use nanoparticles that can be swallowed and absorbed through the digestive track.
The treatment has yet to be tested on humans, but could provide a new way to help obese patients, especially those at risk for diseases like diabetes. The Biggest Loser study shows that the metabolism of many folks drastically slows after successful weight loss, helping it return with a vengeance. If we can force our fat cells to work with us, rather than against us, we may be able to regain the advantage.
Source: MIT
Nintendo Explains Why It Chose ‘Animal Crossing’ and ‘Fire Emblem’ as Next Smartphone Games
Last week, Nintendo announced that the next two games launching on iPhone and Android devices will be Animal Crossing and Fire Emblem related applications, but didn’t speak much to its reasoning behind that decision. In a subsequent financial results briefing Q&A, Nintendo president Tatsumi Kimishima gave some explanation as to why the company decided to prioritize these franchises as its next line of smartphone titles (via Engadget).
Kimishima began by stating that Nintendo chose Animal Crossing and Fire Emblem as the first two “real” game applications “from the viewpoint of increasing the diverse types of consumers interested in Nintendo, and widening opportunities for game play.” Animal Crossing, specifically, will net the company a wider swath of player demographics considering its titles in the past have won over non-gamers with its trademark laid-back gameplay.
We chose Animal Crossing and Fire Emblem as titles to follow Miitomo from the viewpoint of increasing the diverse types of consumers interested in Nintendo, and widening opportunities for game play. The Animal Crossing series has been played by a wide range of consumers including children and women. I think there is a good chance that those consumers would enjoy this.
Interestingly, Kimishima appeared to somewhat dodge the initial question asked (Is Animal Crossing a title that places emphasis on the synergy with dedicated video game systems?), which is the main concern of some series fans as Animal Crossing transitions to mobile.
In the original announcement, Nintendo said the iPhone version of the game will somehow connect to a console-based game and that by playing both, “users will find increased enjoyment.” It’s still unclear whether this means Animal Crossing iOS will be a full-fledged title, or some kind of accessory experience, similar to series spin-offs like Animal Crossing: Happy Home Designer and Animal Crossing: Amiibo Festival.
The company’s decision to introduce Fire Emblem onto mobile seems to be a move entirely focused on finally placating its “die-hard fans,” who have been excited about the possibility of Nintendo games on smartphones since the announcement early last year. Still, no specific reason was given why Nintendo chose Fire Emblem over other similarly popular pure gaming franchises, like Super Mario Bros. or The Legend of Zelda, but most of that might lie in the company’s fear of diluting such well known games onto a platform that’s not yet proven it could work as a location of Nintendo’s top-tier titles.
Kimishima reminded those at the briefing that, moving forward, there is no limit to the potential IPs used in its mobile games, so fans might see more recognizable characters before the fifth Nintendo app launches by March 2017.
As for Fire Emblem, it is not so much the width of the audience as the existence of die-hard fans who have stuck to the series for a long time. We selected two titles of different categories and IP to reach as many consumers as possible. We are not limiting the IP for the titles that will follow these two. We will continue to prepare titles using IP that many consumers are familiar with.
Kimishima also discussed the potential for in-app purchases in its upcoming applications, saying that the implementation of IAPs will essentially change on a game-by-game basis: if its player base is seen as possibly willing to spend more money, then the company will support the feature. Ultimately, Nintendo’s president assured those who are apprehensive about its plan to delve into the smartphone application space by reiterating the company’s current goal is “to grow smart device gaming as one of the pillars of Nintendo’s revenue stream.”
Tags: Nintendo, Fire Emblem, Animal Crossing
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Giphy Launches New ‘Giphy Keys’ iOS Keyboard to Easily Share Animated GIFs
Giphy today launched its own iOS keyboard, called Giphy Keys, that will let users search for and send GIFs without having to navigate to a separate keyboard application. Once users install Giphy Keys as a new keyboard in settings — and allow it full access — the app can be selected as a keyboard by tapping the globe icon whenever the keyboard is open on iOS.
The advantage of Giphy Keys is that anyone who constantly navigated through multiple keyboards to type messages and search for GIFs can now do both in one place. The top of the keyboard has a search functionality to find a GIF related to a specific topic, but Giphy also provides various categories related to moods or trends whenever you don’t have a specific GIF in mind.
GIPHY Keys is the easiest and fastest way to browse, search, and share GIFs in your text messages — right from your keyboard! Not only do you have access to GIPHY’s collection of millions of GIFs, you can play with our special GIPHY commands to make and discover so much more awesome content.
Similar to other GIF apps, once a user finds their desired GIF, all that needs to be done is a simple copy and paste into the message field and then hit the send button. Giphy Keys also introduces a new 8ball tab, where users can ask the app a question and receive an answer in GIF form. The section also gives weather forecasts for specific zip codes, and can animate words and phrases, all with GIFs.
For users who integrate GIFs into every corner of their iOS messaging experience — from iMessage to Snapchat and other clients — Giphy Keys should be a helpful addition to their daily perusal and sending of the popular animated format. Those interested can download Giphy Keys from the App Store for free [Direct Link].
Tag: Giphy
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WhatsApp wants to take over your Windows 10 or OS X desktop
WhatsApp is heavily rumoured to be developing a native application for Windows 10 and OS X.
It is possible to connect to your WhatsApp profile and display messages through a browser, but that only works through your phone. WhatsApp Web simply syncs through your phone and displays communications as a standard web page.
A desktop app would potentially work alone, so you won’t need your phone to hand. It would be a much more elegant solution.
Screengrabs posted by Twitter user @WABetaInfo allegedly show translation requests from the WhatsApp development team suggesting that Windows PC and Mac versions are in the pipeline. Their timing, if genuine, also hint that the applications could appear soon.
You can see these screenshots. #WhatsApp #Mac #Windows #NativeClient #iOS #Android #WP #Blackberry #Symbian #Nokia pic.twitter.com/AKja58zf5C
— WABetaInfo (@WABetaInfo) April 29, 2016
Recent leaks have also suggested that WhatsApp will be rolling out voicemail capabilities too, positioning the mobile versions of the app directly against Microsoft’s Skype and other VoIP services.
With a dedicated desktop version of WhatsApp, it looks like it could seriously rival Slack too.
READ: WhatsApp tips and tricks: Amazing features you never knew about
The rise of the alternative messaging service has clearly given the Facebook-owned WhatsApp food for thought.
We expect to hear more on this in the next few weeks. Keep ’em peeled.
New TomTom Start satnavs go beyond phones, offer average speed camera help
Splashing out on a satnav these days needs to have justification, thanks to plenty of free mobile alternatives. That’s why the new TomTom Start range of satnavs are offering more than ever before.
The TomTom Start 42, 52 and 62 all come with free lifetime maps, meaning no paying for updates – but you’d expect that now with Google Maps offering so much for free. It’s the average speed camera smarts that really appeal.
Thanks to the TomTom database, the UK’s 325 average speed zones can be navigated more safely. The TomTom Start satnavs will measure your average speed while within those zones so you know if you can go a little faster or need to slow down over the distance of that area. These areas are increasing each year so a method to help deal with them is a welcome addition to the TomTom range.
There is a new mount also included that’s reversible to allow for either dash or window mounting options.
The TomTom Smart 42 is 4.3-inch, the 52 is 5-inch and the 62 is 6-inch. They will start at £110 and are available to buy from today in the case of the 42 and 52, but the 62 will be on sale from July.
READ: Range Rover Evoque Convertible first drive: Top down, revs up
iPhone 7 may work with your headphones after all, 3.5mm jack part leaks
Just when we were almost certain Apple was going to shake things up with its iPhone 7 by removing the headphone port, a leak suggests otherwise.
Many rumours and leaks have suggested the iPhone 7 will not feature a headphone jack but will come with Lightning connected EarPods. Now a part, claimed to be for the iPhone 7, has leaked on Chinese site Weibo. This part features space for a headphone jack.
There is also rumour of Apple’s own Bluetooth headphones that charge via the phone’s Lighting port.
Chinese firm LeEco recently unveiled its LeEco phone with no headphone jack and a whopping 6GB of RAM, claiming two world firsts. It was thought that Apple might be the first to offer a wireless phone in the iPhone 7.
This leaked part is very similar to that found in the iPhone 6S and, in fact, could simply be a claim using just that part. So we’re taking it with a pinch of salt.
Getting rid of the headphone port would stimulate sales of new headphones made specifically for iPhone which use the Lighting port. It would also help to push Bluetooth headphones, a good thing for Apple’s accessory partners.
Apple is expected to announce the iPhone 7 at its annual event in September.
READ: Apple iPhone 7: What’s the story so far?
AdBlock Plus wants to help you pay the sites you visit most
With hundreds of millions of internet users choosing to block ads, publishers are being forced to adopt new strategies to survive. Paywalls are one option, but they often put off readers who wish to visit a website just to read one article. As companies scramble to provide a middle ground between subscriptions and pay-per-story services, an unlikely new challenger has emerged: AdBlock Plus. Known for its browser apps and extensions, the service has teamed up with micro-transaction specialist Flattr to let people pay the publishers they visit most regularly.
TechCrunch reports that the new service is called Flattr Plus and comes after Eyeo, the company behind AdBlock Plus, made a small investment in its partner. The payment platform will operate as a browser extension that automatically tracks browsing activity and donates an amount based on the length and regularity of a person’s visits. Users decide how much they want to pay publishers each month — whether it’s a media organization, YouTuber or podcaster — and the system allocates royalties on their behalf.
It’s a different approach for AdBlock Plus, which currently makes money from user donations and its controversial Acceptable Ads program. It invites larger publishers — including Google, Amazon and Microsoft — to pay a licensing fee to whitelist their services. With Flattr Plus, AdBlock Plus and Flattr will take 10 percent of monthly subscriptions and pay publishers only when they sign up. Any money donated before that happens will put aside for them.
Given that AdBlock Plus has helped to strip websites, regardless of their size, of advertising revenue, getting publishers on board could be a big ask. However, the service does differ from aggregated news services like Blendle by taking away the transaction model and awarding royalties based on engagement (just like Spotify does with music streams). Right now, the product is beta, allowing both companies to work out an acceptable way to reward that engagement. If it works out, we could see a full launch later this year.
Via: TechCrunch
Source: Flattr Plus
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