Instagram helps you hide unwanted photos instead of deleting them

That sloppy Instagram selfie from 2 AM on the walk home. That glut of ice coffee compositions. That once-happy vacation photo with your ex. There are no shortage of reasons to delete your old Instagram missives, whether it’s to ensure consistency of your personal brand (ugh), broken hearts, or just old-fashioned shame. Now, however, there’s another option — well, if you’re one of the early testers. Instagram is testing a new “archive” option in addition to the typical (still permanent) delete option.

Tapping on the three-dot option tap on individual ‘grams opens up the usual menu of post options, with archive taking the top spot. Any images you do decide to hide away from your main page remain available for private viewing. The feature further nudges those primary Instagram posts into a different category from anything you choose to upload to Stories — an extra curation option for photos that you don’t want in your profile forever. It might also lead users to share more impermanent clips and photos to Stories rather than leaving them on profiles.

A spokesperson told TechCrunch that the archive option sends your now unloved photos a private space for personal viewing. The company says it’ll expand availability of archive option in the coming months, so if you don’t see the option just yet, give it a few weeks.

Via: TechCrunch

Pinterest Lens finds recipes based on your weekend brunch pics

Pinterest announced its image recognition tool back in February, but the company has already added a number of improvements since then. Today, the company is revealing the latest addition to Lens: full dish recognition. This means that when you snap a pic of your plate with the Pinterest app, the software will find full recipes for complete dishes rather than just options based on single ingredients. This update to Lens isn’t all the company is doing for aspiring cooks though.

Pinterest is also adding new food filters to its search tools. Now, you’ll be able to narrow down the options based on dietary preference, cook time and ingredients so you can find exactly what you’re after a bit faster. There are also ratings and reviews for recipe pins now. When you come across a dish that looks good, you’ll be able to read through reviews and comments to see if it actually is before you decide to tackle it.

Earlier this month, Pinterest added the ability for Lens to identify multiple items in the same image as well as handy shortcuts to the image search tool on Android and iOS. It’s clear the company is betting big on its image recognition abilities, so we’re sure to see even more new features in the near future.

‘iPhone 9’ Rumored to Come in 5.28-Inch and 6.46-Inch Display Sizes in 2018

As stories surrounding the 2017 launch of the “iPhone 8” continue to heat up, a report from The Bell this morning has already begun rumors for next year’s so-called “iPhone 9.” According to the report, which centers on Apple’s and Samsung’s supply chain deal for the 2018 iPhone, the iPhone 9 will launch in two OLED screen sizes: 5.28-inch and 6.46-inch (via The Investor).

Apple currently sells a 4.7-inch and 5.5-inch display in its iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus smartphone devices, respectively. Later this year, the company is expected to launch new iPhones in three sizes: two “iPhone 7s” models will keep the 4.7-inch and 5.5-inch display sizes, while the major new “iPhone 8” will include a 5.8-inch OLED screen.

A rendering of the iPhone 8

The report said the iPhone 9 is expected to come in two OLED models — 5.28- and 6.46-inch display sizes. Samsung’s OLED shipment is also likely to be more than double at 180 million units.

“The two companies have recently signed a non-disclosure agreement on general conditions, including the screen size,” an industry sources was quoted as saying in the report.

The new rumor for the 2018 iPhone devices suggests a screen that would be slightly smaller than the current display of the iPhone Plus models, and then a larger option that would represent Apple’s biggest smartphone display to date. Although the report doesn’t confirm the full sizes of the iPhone 9 models, the screen dimensions suggest Apple could return to a pair of device sizes similar to current generation iPhones but with full-front displays and greatly reduced bezels.

The Bell’s report today doesn’t mention any other rumors related to the iPhone 9, except that Samsung will be the supplier for the OLED displays and will manufacture more than 180 million units for Apple. The report did state that details such as “screen design and functions” might be adjusted down the line, considering how far away the iPhone 9 is from a launch date.

Related Roundup: iPhone 6s
Tag: iPhone 9
Buyer’s Guide: iPhone (Caution)
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Instagram Makes It Easier to Search Stories Through Locations and Hashtags, Adds Archival Feature

Instagram today updated its iOS and Android apps with two new ways that will let users easily search through “Stories,” the company’s version of Snapchat Stories that disappear after 24 hours. The update begins in the Explore tab, where users will see new Stories at the top of the tab related to Stories happening near them. The Stories know user locations only when a location sticker is added into the post.

Users will also be able to specifically search for any location around the world in the Explore tab, so they can find Stories from users all over the globe. In a similar vein, “Hashtag Stories” will let users find content specific to their own interests. So, for example, when a user searches for the hashtag “#onthetable” in Explore, the app will now include Stories atop the search results from users who have placed that tag in their Story.

Today we’re excited to announce two new ways to discover the world around you on Explore: location stories and hashtag stories. Now you can see what’s happening around you and find stories related to your interests.

From discovering new parts of your own city to jogging alongside the #fromwhereirun community all around the world, location and hashtag stories help you share these experiences as they unfold.

The company is making sure users know how many views their Story has gotten as well, with the Stories viewer list now including how many Instagram users might have viewed it as part of a larger Story collection. For privacy, users can tap the “X” next to that item on the viewer list to remove their content from Explore while keeping any hashtag or location sticker in their post.

The company also recently began testing a new feature called “Archive Posts,” which allow users to temporarily hide any picture from their Instagram profile into a private area that only they can see (via TechCrunch). If they ever change their mind, the picture can be reverted back into their profile with a few taps.

To archive a post, simply tap the ellipsis on the top right of any Instagram post and select “Archive.” From there, archive posts can be viewed on the user profile tab by tapping the circular clock button in the top right corner.

Instagram is available to download for free from the iOS App Store [Direct Link], and the company said that the 10.22 update will begin rolling out throughout the day.

Tag: Instagram
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Apple Expands iTunes Carrier Billing to France and Turkey

Apple has enabled iTunes carrier billing in France and Turkey, according to an updated support document, expanding upon the feature’s existing availability among select carriers in Austria, Belgium, Germany, Japan, Italy, Norway, Russia, Singapore, Switzerland, Taiwan, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.

The payment method enables customers to pay for iTunes content, App Store apps, iBooks, and Apple Music subscriptions without needing a credit or debit card, or even a bank account. Instead, purchases are added to a customer’s mobile phone bill and paid off at the end of the month.

Apple has a support document explaining how to set up carrier billing, also called mobile phone billing, on iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch and Mac or PC.

Tags: Turkey, France, carrier billing
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New Microsoft Surface Pro confirmed, coming on 15 June from £799

As leaked last week, Microsoft has announced a new Surface Pro during its #MicrosoftEvent in Shanghai.

On stage at the Chinese press conference, Microsoft revealed that an all-new version of the Surface Pro is on its way to many markets globally, with shipping to start on 15 June.

Although it looks similar to former Pro devices, it has been “rethought” and is the lightest Surface Pro “ever created”, weighing just 0.77kg.

It runs on 7th gen Intel processing and has a 12.3-inch PixelSense display with a 3:2 aspect ratio and 267ppi pixel density.

Battery life is claimed to be 50 per cent longer, lasting up to 13.5 hours. There is also a new hinge system on the kickstand, enabling the device to be used in Surface Studio mode. That means it lays flat to work directly with the new Surface Pen, which Microsoft states is the “fastest digital pen on the market”.

The Surface Pen offers 4,096 levels of pressure and 21ms latency, it also has tilt sensitivity.

Microsoft’s official @Surface Twitter account has also posted a video of the new Surface Pro, which you can view below:

Upgraded, versatile, and exceptionally powerful, with iconic Surface design. Meet the new Microsoft #SurfacePro. #MicrosoftEvent pic.twitter.com/o1RQjzlySE

— Microsoft Surface (@surface) May 23, 2017

Pricing for the new Surface Pro starts at £799 and pre-orders have already started. It will be available from numerous retailers in the UK, including Argos, Amazon, Currys PC World and John Lewis.

Huawei MateBook family expands: Updated 2-in-1, skinny Ultrabook and 15.6-inch beast announced

Huawei is widening its MateBook family with the launch of the MateBook D, MateBook E and the MateBook X.

Let’s start with the MateBook E, as this is the update for the 2016 MateBook, the company’s 2-in-1 Windows tablet designed to offer an alternative to Microsoft’s Surface Pro. 

The MateBook E retains much of the same form factor as it offered in 2016, but has a redesigned folio cover that comes in the box. This is designed to make the keyboard more stable, as well as switching the rear stand from a friction-based moulding to a proper hinge, meaning it’s much better at standing up on its own.

The Huawei MateBook E will cost from €999 for the Core m3 version, up to €1299 for Core i5.

• Huawei MateBook E preview: A better keyboard cover makes all the difference

The MateBook X is perhaps the most exciting addition to the family, as Huawei looks to offer a MacBook rival, a slim and light laptop. The MateBook X is just 12.5mm thick and weighs a fraction over 1kg, making it perfect for use on the move. 

There’s a fingerprint scanner built into the power button and connectivity comes with two USB Type-C connections, although you get a dock/dongle in the box that will expand this to HDMI, VGA and USB, so you can hook up the rest of your devices. 

Power comes in the guise of 7-gen Intel Core i, with a premium metal design through-out – and a touchless display. One the big additions is a Dolby Atmos Sound System, aiming to make your laptop audio a little more meaningful.

The Huawei MateBook X will cost from €1399 for Core i5, up to €1699 for Core i7 with 512GB storage.

• Huawei MateBook X preview: Huawei goes after the MacBook

Finally there’s the MateBook D which is perhaps less exciting, presenting a traditional 15.6-inch laptop that’s pitched at small business and students. It will be powered by Core i chipsets, offer up to 16GB RAM and can be specced up with a GeForce 940MX for those who want a little more punch in the graphics. 

Again, Huawei has teamed up with Dolby on the MateBook D to offer more immersive audio with Dolby Atmos.

The MateBook D will cost from €799 for Core i5, 1TB hard drive, and 940MX Nvidia hardware, up to €999 for the top Core i7, 128GB SSD + 1TB HDD, and Nvidia card.

Huawei MateBook X preview: Huawei goes after the MacBook

Huawei is stepping into laptops, expanding the MateBook family beyond the 2-in-1 tablet that kicked off the line in 2016 and now introducing the MateBook X and MateBook D.

The MateBook X is potentially the most interesting device, looking to challenge the current line-up of slim and light Ultrabooks. This is a device that’s been designed for portability, while still retaining the power you’ll need for everyday computing.

For those who know the Huawei brand, the design might not come as a surprise. Huawei’s focus on smartphones has been around industrial designs, premium materials and offering devices that a slim and well-specified, which the MateBook X repeats.

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Huawei Mate X: Design

• 286 x 211 x 12.5mm, 1.05kg
• Premium metal designs in gold, rose gold, grey

Turning its hand to laptops seems to have come out well in the case of the MateBook X: as Huawei boasts, it’s slimmer than the 12-inch MacBook and it adopts premium techniques that you’ll find on Huawei’s phones, like the so-called diamond cutting leaving a precise chamfer to the very edge of the display, although there’s also a hint of Asus’ ZenBook 3 about it.

It’s a 13-inch device although it doesn’t look like it, with bezels around the display that only measure 4.2mm; there’s no wasted space, there’s only a hint at a black border, with the metal of the lid framing the edges neatly. 

The MateBook X will be available in three colours: gold you might expect if you know the company and might be a little too bling for many, but there’s a more subdued grey – called “Space Gray” – so there’s no mistaking where Huawei has set its sights. If you want a little lift, then the rose gold pulls off pink rather nicely. There’s a lack of good pink laptops and Huawei is setting things right. 

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The parallels with the MacBook can’t be ignored, from the styling of the rubber feet on the bottom to the look of the keyboard and the trackpad, Apple’s design is reflected here. That’s no bad thing because the results are rather good. It’s a good-looking premium laptop, but at 1.05kg, it’s light enough to be ported around on long days. The footprint itself is smaller than a piece of A4 paper, so slipping it into any bag is going to be a breeze. 

For the most part it feels solid too. We like the cool touch of the metal and the matching keyboard colour is nicely done, but there’s a surprisingly spongey section of the speaker grille above the keyboard. The keyboard action doesn’t seem to be affected however, and we were happy to clatter out words, with good travel from those chiclet keys. The touchpad is large and clicky, although we’ve not used it to an extent to really judge its performance.

When it comes to connectivity, the MateBook X also adopts some of Apple’s approach, although you’re given two USB Type-C connections, as well as a 3.5mm headphone socket. It’s a fusion of conventionality with the adoption of new standards, but there’s also a dock/dongle that comes in the box. This will expand you to USB, HDMI and VGA, so it’s more of a desk dock than on-the-go connector for your other devices.

Pocket-lint

Huawei MateBook X: Hardware and display

• 13-inch IPS, 2160 x 1440 pixels, 200ppi, 350 nits
• Intel Core i5-7200U or Core i7-7500U; 4/8GB DDR3 RAM
• 256/512GB SSD

To the meat of the MateBook sandwich now and you’re looking at a 13-inch fully laminated touchless panel with a resolution of 2160 x 1440 pixels, giving you a 3:2 aspect. That results in a little more height than some rivals, meaning a little more working space on that document you might be tapping away on.

First impressions of the display are good: we’ve not had the chance to use it for any period of time, but it appeared to be vibrant enough, offering respectable contrast, but we can’t really judge how well it handles bright conditions just yet, although its specced at 350 nits. We’ve mentioned that there’s no touch, so although that cuts down one of the familiar aspects of Windows 10, it will at least give you a nice clear display and one that’s topped with Gorilla Glass too. 

Powering the MateBook X are seventh-gen Intel Core i processors, but this is a fanless design. That means quiet in operation, with Huawei telling us that it has been designed with the latest space-age technologies to dissipate heat; exactly how it really performs under pressure, we just don’t know yet, but you get the choice of i7-7500U or i5-7200U processors, with Intel HD Graphics 620.

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There will be 4 or 8GB RAM versions, with SSD storage options of 256 or 512GB. We’d expect a range of models to be offered, but we suspect this will vary from region to region and naturally, we don’t know all the prices yet. 

One of the aces in Huawei’s desk is the collaboration with Dolby. This, reportedly, is the first laptop to come with Dolby Atmos Sound System. In the increasingly muddied waters of what Dolby Atmos means (it’s now in cinemas, home movie setups, smartphones, tablets and laptops), here it means that you’re getting great separation and a degree of object placement.

We’ve experienced some demo clips and the effect is surprisingly good. So while the definition of that Dolby Atmos means might be changing, it’s certainly a boost to the normal flat acoustics you’d expect from a laptop.

Pocket-lint

Dolby says this is a result of working with Huawei from early on in the design process: Dolby wasn’t handed a laptop carcass and told it make it sound good, they were able to have an input on hardware and software design to make sure they could get the effect they wanted. In reality, it means that if you’re sitting in your hotel room watching movies, they’re going to sound better than you’d expect from such a slim device.

Then there’s the fingerprint scanner that’s built into the power button. It’s a nice touch, adding a little convenience and avoiding the need to have a separate ugly scanner elsewhere.

First Impressions

First impressions are good. The MateBook X provides another option if you’re after a premium thin and light laptop; exactly how well it runs under pressure and how the 41.1Wh battery will last remains to be seen. Huawei says it’s good for 10 hours of use and we’ve got our fingers crossed hoping that it does.

The MateBook X offers a good design and it appears to be well appointed. With some rivals offering just one USB Type-C you’re getting a 100 per cent lift here, at least meaning there’s somewhere to connect your dongle and keep the thing connected to the power easily.

The Huawei MateBook X will be available from €1399 for the i5/8GB/256GB model, up to €1699 for the i7/8GB/512GB version.

Huawei MateBook E preview: A better keyboard cover makes all the difference

The Huawei MateBook E, before you get confused, is a new version of the original MateBook launched in 2016. Now there’s a family of MateBook devices spanning E, X and D, the latter both being proper laptops as Huawei mounts an assault on a new segment of the market.

The MateBook E, then, looks to continue what it started previously, but making a big change to the design of the keyboard cover, rather than the tablet itself. This is a new, more productive device, with keyboard changes making it a better device for working on the move. Huawei is taking mobile productivity seriously, as it updates its MateBook.

Pocket-lint

Huawei MateBook E: A better cover design

• 278.8 x 194.1 x 6.9mm; 640g (tablet), 1100g (with keyboard)
• Premium metal design, grey or gold colours
• Folio keyboard included

In essence, the design of the MateBook E is the same as the MateBook of 2016. You’re presented with a metal-backed tablet with a thin design only 6.9mm thick, offering you a 12-inch tablet. It’s a good premium design that we like, but it now comes with the keyboard cover. 

It’s the cover that really changes this tablet into a useful 2-in-1 device and it’s in the design of the cover that most of the changes lie. For starters, the keyboard is now completely different. It has moved to a chiclet keyboard style with separated keys, rather than the platform layer of the previous model.

Pocket-lint

The keyboard action is a lot better and first impressions are that the keyboard sits more comfortably now. The whole thing feels better engineered and that’s not just down to the change in the style of the keys, but a significant difference around the back. 

The previous version used a folding design, where you had to tuck part of the stand under to form the triangle that would let it stand up. That’s not uncommon on tablets with stand cases, but it wasn’t a good design for mobile working. Where Microsoft’s Surface Pro offers an easy kickstand on the back that’s great, the MateBook E now offers a hinged cover design to rival it.

The result isn’t the prettiest to look at as there’s a hinge running down the centre of the keyboard cover, but it’s a lot more effective. You can set it at an angle that works for you and it’s all pretty stable. That’s a win overall for productivity and practicality, although we’ve not had the chance to use it for an extended period of time to see how it performs – but we can tell it’s better than it was.

Pocket-lint

Huawei MateBook E: Hardware and specs

• 12-inch IPS touchscreen, 2160 x 1440 pixels, 216ppi, 400 nits
• Intel Core m3-7Y30 or Core i5-7Y54 processors, 4/8GB DDR3 RAM
• 128-512GB SSD
• Fingerprint scanner
• 4430mAh battery 

The MateBook E presents you with a 12-inch display with 2160 x 1440 pixels and a reported brightness of 400 nits. It’s glossy, but first impressions of the colours and contrast are good, although we’ve not had the change the judge how it will perform outdoors in brighter conditions. It’s responsive to the touch though.

And so it should be. When it comes to power there are choices of the Intel Core m3-7Y30 processor or the Intel Core i5-7Y54 with Intel HD Graphics 615 and 4 or 8GB RAM options. On the storage front you’re looking at a 128-512GB SSD choices. So it doesn’t range quite as high as the Surface Pro 4, but it should offer plenty of power for those wanting to work on the move.

Pocket-lint

As previously, there’s a fingerprint scanner to the side of the device for convenient unlocking.

Physical connectivity is a little on the light side, with a single USB Type-C connection and a 3.5mm headphone socket. The USB Type-C will have to connect you to any peripherals (it’s compatible with the MateDock) as well as charge the device’s 33.7Wh/4430mAh battery. Huawei says that this will give you 9 hours of use (measured using video playback).

The battery life was one of the complaints we had about the 2016 version of this device however. We found it typically only lasted around 5 hours in use, meaning it doesn’t get you through the day, something you expect it to be doing.

Pocket-lint

Hopefully the MateBook E is now better positioned to provide that sort of endurance. It’s presenting a better keyboard experience and it would be great to see it deliver on battery life too.

First Impressions

First impressions are good. The MateBook E looks to present a balance of power and design, and it’s been much better executed in this model. The change to the cover is a small thing, but Huawei has learnt from the previous experience and moved to make it better for all users. 

The Huawei MateBook E is now better for those wanting something lightweight and portable; being able to position the screen at an angle that works for you makes it much more useful, a more viable alternative to the Surface Pro 4 or the new Samsung Galaxy Book.

The Huawei MateBook E will cost you €999 for the m3/4GB/128GB model, ranging up to €1299 for the i5/8GB/256GB version.

Apple saw a jump in security requests at the end of 2016

Transparency reports are the main way that tech companies can tell us that the authorities have been asking to look at user data. In its report for the second half of 2016, Apple said that the number of national security requests spiked considerably. Between January and June, the company received around 3,000 of the requests, but between July and December, that number had leapt to closer to 6,000.

In addition, Apple showed for the first time that it was sent a national security letter which was subsequently declassified. Such letters are considered one of the most severe kind of law enforcement subpoena, which do not require prior approval from a judge. The fact that Apple pushed to have the letter declassified means that it’s still pushing back against overly broad requests for data. That was the crux of the post-San Bernardino kerfuffle, in which the company refused to decrypt an iPhone for an investigation.

In addition, while the number of requests remained fairly stable, the number of individual devices that authorities identified increased. In the first half of the year, the US filed 3,335 requests naming 10,260 iOS and macOS devices. Between summer and fall, however, that number jumped to 4,254 requests identifying 20,013 specific pieces of hardware. Presumably if the G-Men are targeting someone’s iPhone, they also want their Apple Watch, iPad and MacBook Pro to be on the safe side.

Via: ZDNET

Source: Apple (.PDF)