Lomography’s super-cheap film cameras look like disposables

Thanks to the smartphones in our pockets, we all have a basic understanding of digital photography, even if we don’t own a fancy DSLR. But this casual familiarity can make delving into analog, film shooting a bit daunting, at least initially. Champion of film Lomography has made exploring the 35mm format that much more accessible today, though, launching a trio of super-cheap cameras, preloaded with its dreamy films, that even the most inexperienced of photographers can easily get to grips with.

Lomography is known for its trippy 35mm rolls and stocking a wide array of inexpensive, plastic cameras that celebrate the creative (and imperfect) side of film photography. Its new range of “simple use” point-and-shooters are extra cheap, costing $16.90/£15.90 for the 36-shot color negative and black-and-white models, or $21.90/£19.90 for the camera that includes the kooky LomoChrome Purple film. You can also get them cheaper if you buy in bulk, or pick up one of each.

The models preloaded with color films also feature gel flash filters you can mix and match to give photos different tints. And it might be worth grabbing one of those if you’re at all interested, because even though the cameras are modeled after the kind of disposable you can pick up at your local grocery store, each one if fully reusable with any brand of 35mm film. While opening the thing to remove the included film once you’ve burnt through it voids the warranty, there’s nothing stopping you from loading another roll and continuing to snap away. The AA battery that powers the flash is replaceable, too.

Other than turning the flash on and off, though, you have no way to change any of the other settings. This means the aperture is fixed at f/9 and the shutter speed at 1/120, so whatever replacement film you use needs to be 400 ISO or thereabouts — otherwise you risk wasting a whole roll on under/overexposed pictures. But if you like the sound of point-and-shoot simplicity, then remember to get digital copies alongside physical prints when it comes to getting your rolls developed. Because Instagram is life, yeah?

Source: Lomography

Spin your yacht rock playlist from Spotify in Facebook Messenger

If you want to listen to Run the Jewels in Facebook Messenger, you’ll totally be able to do that. From the F8 stage, Facebook’s David Marcus announced that soon you’ll be able to share tracks from both Apple Music and Spotify within the app — all without the need to have either of the music streaming services installed on your phone. Marcus’ example? RTJ’s ode to El-P’s and Killer Mike’s significant others, “Stay Gold” from Run the Jewels 3.

Music is a part of the greater Chat Extensions push to make Messenger conversations a little more lively without having to leave the app. Music integrations, specifically, are similar to what Twitter has been doing for the past year or so.

Now, will Messenger suggest music based on what you’re talking about? Hopefully not. If the app’s current context-deaf suggestions for quick replies or in-app payments are any indication, we’re in for a bumpy ride regardless of the soundtrack.

Click here to catch up on the latest news from F8 2017!

Source: Facebook Developers (1), (2)

Facebook takes on Slack with a free version of Workplace

Facebook’s not-so-subtle bid to take on Slack and Microsoft Teams just got particularly serious. The social network has announced a free version of Workplace that will let virtually any group chat and collaborate online when it arrives later in 2017. You won’t get administrative tools or integrations with other services (such as Google’s G Suite or Box’s cloud storage), but you won’t have to pay a cent if you just need the basics. And if you do need those features, Facebook is promising to undercut at least Slack’s prices.

The full version of Workplace will be free until September 30th, but Facebook plans to charge a modest monthly rate of $3 per person for the first 1,000 people, $2 per person for the next 9,000 users, and $1 per person after that. Slack does offer 5GB of storage and service integrations with its free service, but you’re looking at a minimum of $6.50 per month for perks like additional storage or searching chat archives. That can add up quickly if you’re part of a large outfit.

Workplace is also getting bots that can automate tasks in group chats, such as ordering food for a long meeting or Lyft rides for the trip to an event. You’ll also have the option of broadcasting live video from pro equipment, such as a high-end camera at a presentation.

Should Slack be worried? That’s hard to say at this stage. Facebook’s name and resources will certainly get its foot in the door, but Slack has years of lead time and a presence on virtually every major platform. Also, some organizations may prefer Slack precisely because it isn’t Facebook. You don’t have to think about sharing your Facebook identity with your office, for example. It won’t be surprising if Workplace makes further inroads with its free tier, but it isn’t guaranteed to dominate.

Click here to catch up on the latest news from F8 2017!

Via: The Verge, Mashable

Source: Facebook

Explore the world with Google Earth VR on Oculus Rift

The Google Earth revamp isn’t just focused on the web and mobile crowds — there are a few perks for virtual reality fans as well. Google has updated Earth’s free VR experience to support the Oculus Rift headset and its Oculus Touch controllers. You no longer need HTC’s Vive to fly over landscapes, including 27 new ones like Germany’s Neuschwanstein Castle or South Africa’s Table Mountain. It’ll no doubt seem familiar if you’ve tried it before, but there is big interface update to go along with the widened hardware support.

All VR users now have the option to search for locations by typing on a virtual keyboard. It’s definitely not going to be as fast as punching in an address on your phone, but it will let you fly over any location at a moment’s notice instead of having to navigate there first. In other words, Google Earth just became decidedly more functional. It’s not so much a pure tech showcase (though it can certainly be used as such) as it is a tool for exploring the planet in an immersive way.

Via: VentureBeat

Source: Google, Oculus Store, Steam

Even tiny wireless carriers want their own internet TV service

Wireless providers with a live TV service aren’t hard to find these days. AT&T offers its customers DirecTV Now and Verizon has its own Go90 service to entice new customers. Mississippi-based C Spire is the latest to offer an app-based HD TV service, C Spire TV.

The company promises the full complement of channels you’d expect to have with a traditional cable package, but they aren’t giving out specifics yet. C Spire already has traditional internet and home TV services in addition to wireless, which might have let them leverage existing deals and relationships to provide content.

The C Spire TV app will be on Apple TV, Amazon Fire and Roku as well phones and tablets. The app will also have a cloud DVR feature to let you record and watch shows at home or on the go via the C Spire app. This may give the service an edge over DirecTV, which doesn’t have a cloud DVR feature yet, and Sling, which has a limited one. In addition, C Spire TV will integrate with Amazon’s Alexa-enabled devices so you can search for and start shows with your voice. According to a company spokesperson, this all happens via a back-end server that relays your voice commands to the C Spire app for a “seamless” experience.

Aside from these integrated features, the relatively small company is playing catch-up here. Its larger competitors, including cable providers like Comcast, already have solid offerings, and C Spire’s new service is only rolling out to its gigabit internet customers in Mississippi this spring. That said, C Spire TV promises to offer pretty much the same thing as traditional cable, without the cable box. It might be a solid option for customers in the service area looking to cut the cord.

Source: C Spire

Google Maps brings your destination history to iOS

As a competitor to Apple Maps, Google Maps does a pretty great job on iOS. Of course, it helps that Google started mapping long before Apple’s offering drove people onto airport runways. If you’re one of the millions of people relying on Google’s mapping expertise, you can see all of your past Maps destinations in a list called Your Timeline. This marks the first time iOS users can access the feature, one that Android and desktop users have had for years.

You can get to your timeline pretty easily, both from the cards of places you’ve been as well as through the Google Maps menu. The place cards will now show you the dates of your previous visits, though this information is only visible to you. You can also get a monthly email from Google Maps, reminding you of all the cool places you’ve been. Of course, if you only hit the convenience store, fast food joints and the laundromat, this feature might be less than useful. If so, you can toggle it off in preferences.

Google has kept track of your whereabouts for a while now, so surfacing the data for users seems like a no-brainer. Ultimately, whether you use Your Timeline to remember your vacation or how to find the last Burger King you went to, the feature will now work for you on iOS, too.

Source: Google

Murders, suicides and rapes: Facebook’s major video problem

A nationwide manhunt for Steve Stephens, the 37-year-old from Cleveland who uploaded a video to Facebook of himself shooting an elderly stranger in the head, came to an end today. Stephens committed suicide after a brief car chase with state police in Erie, Pennsylvania. His crime, which took place this past Sunday, sparked outrage not only because of the violence itself, but also the way Facebook handled the situation. It took the social network over two hours to take the video down, although it claims this was because it wasn’t flagged immediately by other users. Facebook says Stephens’ actions weren’t reported until he used the Live feature to stream his murder confession, about an hour and forty five minutes after the shooting video was uploaded. His account has since been suspended.

“This is a horrific crime and we do not allow this kind of content on Facebook,” the company said in a statement. “We work hard to keep a safe environment on Facebook, and are in touch with law enforcement in emergencies when there are direct threats to physical safety.” As it stands, Facebook relies heavily on people flagging graphic content (the same way it does sketchy ads), which means individuals have to actually see something dreadful before they can flag it. As Wired reported earlier this year, Facebook has opted against using algorithms to censor videos like this before they’re posted, claiming that it doesn’t want to be accused of violating freedom of speech rights. But, as these types of cases continue to be on the rise, the company may be forced to change its stance sooner than later.

A photo of Steve Stephens.

It could be hard for the company to build an algorithm that can successfully tell the difference between a video of someone being murdered and a clip from, say, a Jason Bourne movie. But, according to Facebook’s VP of Operations Justin Osofsky, his team is constantly exploring new technologies that can help create a safer environment on the site. Osofsky pointed to artificial intelligence in particular, which he says is already helping prevent certain graphic videos from being reshared in their entirety. Facebook’s explanation of this is confusing, though: it says people “are still able to share portions of the videos in order to condemn them or for public awareness, as many news outlets are doing in reporting the story online and on television.”

The company didn’t clarify how the feature works when we reached out, but it’s clear a video like Stephens’ should be removed completely and immediately. And, as a result of this weekend’s events, Osofsky said Facebook is reviewing its reporting system to ensure that people can flag explicit videos and other content “as easily and as quickly as possible.”

Facebook has really jumped very quickly into the video space, which is exciting, but they’re taking a fail-fast approach to it.

Unfortunately for Facebook, Stephens’ case isn’t the first time it has faced scrutiny over people using its tools to promote violence. Back in March, Chicago police charged a 14-year-old boy after he used Facebook Live to broadcast the sexual assault of a 15-year-old girl, which was just one of many gruesome clips that hit Facebook recently. Per The Wall Street Journal, more than 60 sensitive videos, including physical beatings, suicides and murders, have been streamed on Facebook Live since it launched to the public last year. This begs the question: Should the Federal Communications Commission regulate social networks the way it does TV? In 2015, former FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler said there were no plans to do so, claiming he wasn’t sure the agency’s authority extended to “picking and choosing among websites.”

The FCC, now headed by Ajit Pai under President Trump, did not respond to our request for comment on the matter. That said, a source inside a major video-streaming company thinks services such as Facebook Live, Periscope and YouTube Live would benefit from having a “delay” safeguard in place. This could be similar in practice to how TV networks handle live events, which always feature a seven-second delay in case something unexpected happens. Remember when Justin Timberlake uncovered Janet Jackson’s nipple during the Super Bowl 38 halftime show in 2004? This delay system is designed to prevent scenes like those from showing up on your TV.

“Facebook has really jumped very quickly into the video space, which is exciting, but they’re taking a fail-fast approach to it,” the source, who asked to remain anonymous, said. “In the desire to push Live out to as many people as possible, there were a lot of corners that were cut. And when you take a fail-fast approach to something like live-streaming video, it’s not surprising that you come across these scenarios in which you have these huge ethical dilemmas of streaming a murder, sexual violence or something else.”

As for why individuals are using these platforms to broadcasts their heinous acts, Janis L. Whitlock, a professor at Cornell University’s College of Human Ecology, says it’s hard to understand what exactly is the cause since there’s no way you can do an experimental control. She says there’s a good chance Stephens was struggling with a mental illness and saw his victim, 74-year-old Robert Godwin Sr., as an object in an ongoing fantasy. Whitlock says that while there’s a good side to these social networks, they also tend to bring out the worst in people, especially those who are craving attention: “They make the most ugly of us, the most ugly in us, visible.”

“The fact that you can have witnesses, like billions of people witness something in a tiny period of time, it has to have an enormous impact on the human psyche,” she says. “How does that interact with the things that people do, or choose not to do? We don’t know yet, but it does, absolutely. I have no doubt about that as a psychologist.” Whitlock says companies like Facebook need to start taking some civic responsibility, adding that there needs to be a conversation between it and other internet giants about how their products “interact with who humans are” and how they can expose someone’s limitations and potentials.

“How is it that we can use and structure these things to really amplify all the ways in which we’re amazing,” Whitlock says, “and not the ways in which we’re disgusting?”

Uber Central lets businesses offer you a free ride

While Uber is scaling back some services, the ride-hailing giant is also finalizing some new features for their lucrative business customers. Uber Central, which the company launched last summer, is now live and out of beta, allowing businesses to order multiple cars and handle ride costs for their clients or customers.

Uber Central is a dashboard that works within Uber for Business and runs on any tablet or browser and solves a common problem for businesses. Instead of being limited to ordering one car for the device, Uber Central allows a single user act as a dispatcher and order multiple cars with different pickup and dropoff locations. That means a hotel could easily handle airport transfers for their customers, an event organizer could dispatch a fleet of Ubers to pick up attendees, or a company could send a ride to make sure an important client gets to the big meeting on time.

The app handles the estimated cost and each ride gets charged to the main business account so riders don’t have to deal with the logistics. For passengers that don’t have an Uber account or a smartphone, Uber can send an SMS message with the driver’s name, license plate and vehicle make and model so they can still easier find their ride. On the business’s end, the company can save “Drafts” of common routes so they can easily be re-used.

Although Uber Central was originally free, TechCrunch reports that Uber is now charging a separate fee to activate the service within its business platform.

Apple Makes iMovie, GarageBand, and iWork Apps for Mac and iOS Free for All Users

Apple today updated several of its Mac and iOS apps, making them available for all Mac and iOS users for free.

iMovie, Numbers, Keynote, Pages, and GarageBand for both Mac and iOS devices have been updated and are now listed in the App Store for free.

Previously, all of these apps were provided for free to customers who purchased a new Mac or iOS device, but now that purchase is not required to get the software. Many Apple customers were already likely eligible to download the software at no cost if they had made a device purchase in the last few years.

Apple’s iWork page has not yet been updated and continues to say that customers will only be able to download Pages, Keynote, and Numbers after purchasing an eligible Mac or iOS device, but new wording may be added shortly following the price drop. Apple’s apps have also been removed from the Top Free app charts in the App Store.

Apple has been offering these apps for free to new Mac and iOS device owners since 2013, but dropping the price to free for all users makes it less confusing and opens up downloads for those who have not recently made a new device purchase.

– Pages for macOS [Direct Link]
– Keynote for macOS [Direct Link]
– Numbers for macOS [Direct Link]
– GarageBand for macOS – [Direct Link]
– iMovie for macOS – [Direct Link]

– Pages for iOS – [Direct Link]
– Keynote for iOS – [Direct Link]
– Numbers for iOS – [Direct Link]
– GarageBand for iOS – [Direct Link]
– iMovie for iOS – [Direct Link]

Update: According to a support document, today’s app changes will make it easier for business and educational institutions to download Pages, Numbers, Keynote, GarageBand, and iMovie through the Volume Purchase Program store.

Tags: iWork, Pages, Keynote, Numbers, iMovie, GarageBand
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Apple Music and Spotify Chat Extensions Coming to Facebook Messenger

Facebook today announced plans to integrate both Spotify and Apple Music into Facebook Messenger, allowing Messenger users to link to Apple Music or Spotify content for sharing songs and playlists directly within the Facebook Messenger app.

Apple has not shared details on how its chat extension will work, but Spotify published a blog post detailing the Spotify chat extension, which will undoubtedly share similarities with Apple Music.

Using the Spotify chat extension, users can search and share Spotify songs, albums, and playlists. Song links will play 30 second clips, with users able to tap on a link to open the Spotify app to listen to a full song.

The Spotify bot, in addition to allowing songs to be shared, will offer up playlist recommendations to users based on mood, activity, and genre. It’s not clear if Apple will introduce a similar feature.

Apple has made an effort to make Apple Music widely available on multiple platforms and services. It already integrates with the main Facebook app, and there’s also an Android app and an iMessage extension.

Spotify is available in Facebook Messenger first, with Apple Music integration coming at a later date.

Tags: Facebook, Facebook Messenger, Spotify, Apple Music
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