In case you missed that LOL, Facebook Messenger video now has emoji reactions

Why it matters to you

Messenger chats can now be a bit more creative with live filters, animated masks, and emoji reactions.

Video chats inside Facebook Messenger are starting to look a lot like, well, the rest of Facebook. On Monday, the social media platform launched several special effects inside Messenger’s video capability, including emoji reactions, camera filters, and masks that respond to movements and facial expressions.

In case the visual cues from a video chat isn’t enough, Messenger users can now turn themselves into an emoji reaction while chatting via video. The five new reactions don’t just pop up as a simple like but are added to the video itself. Tapping love will bring up hearts around your head, for example, while the sad icon will sprout fake crocodile tears from your eyes. The emoji reactions include the same ones Facebook users find on status updates and comments, including love, haha, wow, sad, and angry.

Since the reactions use facial recognition to add special effects, there’s also a version for when there’s no face on the screen. All five of the emoji reactions disappear after their original animated stint on the screen.

Video chats are also getting several new features that are not too far unlike the new Facebook Camera. Users can add filters to their video chats in real time. The effects are previewed first before the user applies the effects live. Along with more bold options from duo-tone and black and white, the feature also includes more subtle lighting tweaks as well.

Masks aren’t exactly a new feature inside of Messenger’s video chats, but with this update they are even more interactive. Like some of the live masks inside Facebook Camera (the latest of which is a Justice League themed set), the masks will react to specific motions on camera. Waving an arm, opening your mouth or raising an eyebrow alters the special effect. Unlike emoji reactions, Facebook says the new masks stay put until you use another one or switch the mask off.

The final feature added with today’s update is a bit less fun and a bit more practical — recognizing many people like to screenshot video chats, Facebook now makes it easier to do so with a dedicated photo button. Now, a camera icon appears inside the video chat which allows the user to grab a screenshot and quickly save it to the camera roll or, of course, share it. The image is also easily shared with other members of the chat, Facebook says.

Using satellites and solar power, education portal brings teachers to refugee camps

Why it matters to you

New charity initiative is using smart tech to deliver education to children who would otherwise have no access to it.

As much as we enjoy geeking out over giant mech robot battles and stories about 3D printing in space, one of the most amazing — and amazingly easy to take for granted — aspects of modern technology is the ability to convey information anywhere in the world. That’s something that a new project aimed at teaching kids in the Ampain refugee camp in Western Ghana is taking full advantage of with an education portal.

The organizers are using smart tech — including satellites, solar-powered computer hardware, and an interactive live feed — to deliver two-way lessons to people who otherwise would miss out. According to its organizers at the Varkey Foundation, this is the world’s first satellite-enabled live two-way interactive distance-learning program for children living in refugee camps.

“The Ampain primary school has been fitted with a satellite dish, which, through solar-powered technology, receives a live link to highly qualified teachers in a studio in Accra, who broadcast lessons direct to the refugee camp,” Leonora Dowley, country director for Ghana at the Varkey Foundation, told Digital Trends. “Each classroom has a projector so all the children can see the teacher giving the lessons, and each classroom has also been provided with a computer so that children can interact with the teacher in a direct, live, two-way link. This is much more effective than simply providing children with textbooks, as nothing can beat access to a great teacher.”

The interactive classes have been running since April, with the express aim of helping kids who are currently out of school, or at risk of dropping out of education altogether. The hope is that the project will enable these students to catch up with their basic classes, continue on with secondary education, and learn the language of their host country.

In addition to offering literacy and numeracy lessons, the program also offers after-school sessions aimed at teaching subjects like reproductive health, human rights awareness, financial literacy, and leadership.

“We believe this is a highly replicable solution that could be deployed in other settings,” said Dowley. “Given the extent of the refugee crisis, it will be exciting to see how things could develop on this front in future.”

Google holds contest to feature Pixel photography on Chromecast

Why it matters to you

If you own a Google Pixel, you have a chance to broadcast your original photography to millions on Chromecast by entering Google’s photo contest.

Google Chromecast users can probably admit they are often mesmerized by the backdrop content that appears on the screen when there is nothing streaming on the device. With a new contest by Google, Pixel users now have a chance to see their own photography featured in the Chromecast lineup.

Posted on the Pixel User Community in a Google Forums post last week, a Google employee announced the opportunity for users to have their photos seen by millions around the world. According to the forum, the contest is only open to owners of the Pixel and Pixel XL.

Even though HTC manufactured the devices, Google’s Pixel and Pixel XL are the first phones “made by Google.” This means Google chose internal components for the devices which were then integrated with the Android operating system. With Google having control over the process, the device gives users an Android experience unlike any other.

The Pixel has 12.3 megapixels in the rear camera –with 1.55-micron pixels that are great for taking photos in low-light — and eight megapixels packed into the front camera. Similar to past Nexus devices, the Pixel also includes HDR+ — Google’s software used to capture multiple photos at once to produce an image with little noise by picking the best one to use as a base and layering the rest.

To have your photos considered for the Chromecast backdrop contest, the post explains users need to hashtag their photos on any social channels — Google+, Instagram, and Twitter — using #teampixel. A Google employee will reach out to potential candidates through a direct message on the platform the photo was posted on with additional instructions.

If you are planning on taking tons of photos to submit the perfect shot, you will be happy to know Google offers full-resolution storage in Google Photos for free. While this is also available in the app, for Pixel owners it will not take up your Google account storage. So, you will not have to worry about losing any of those precious outdoor photos if you don’t back them up.

According to the forum post, any photos submitted should stick to the same aesthetics as the ones already on Google Chromcast. The tips include submitting photos featuring landscapes, cities, nature, and animals — but asks to forego people and branded content.

Best Battery Cases for Google Pixel

Keep your Pixel’s battery topped up with these battery cases.

The Google Pixel has been out for a while now, and you might be finding its 2,770mAh battery struggling to make it through a full day of usage without needing a charge.

Battery cases are one option to consider, if you’re alright with the added bulk. While your options are quite limited, here are the best we’ve found, which include options for both the Pixel and Pixel XL!

Mophie Juice Pack for the Pixel XL

We were waiting for Mophie to release a charging case for Google’s latest smartphones and they finally delivered with with the Mophie Juice Pack — available for the Pixel XL only.

The Juice Pack includes a 2,950 mAh battery that will add at least 60% more battery capacity as a back up for the Pixel XL’s already ample 3,450 mAh battery. It also adds a key feature missing on the Google Pixel for some — wireless charging. Mophie says their case will work with Qi technology, and other wireless services, letting you charge both your phone and the case without dealing with the hassle of wires. For those times you do plug your phone in, pass-through fast charge technology via USB-C lets you charge up your Pixel XL first before recharging the case battery.

Like Modern Dad says in his review, this thing is a big honking case that’s going to make your phone thicker, longer, and heavier — to be expected with any battery. But if you’re keep for a great battery case that supports both wireless and fast-charging (and are willing to pay $100 for the privilege), get yours today for the Pixel XL.

See at Mophie

ALCLAP Portable Charger Case

This case from ALCLAP offers a 4,000mAh lithium-ion battery to power your 5-inch Pixel, with a look and feel that’s as slim as you can make a case like this. ALCLAP offers dual charging capabilities, meaning you’ll be able to plug your case in at night and wake up to a full battery on your phone and the case.

Simply press the button on the back of the case to start the charging and you’ll get many hours of extra usage from your phone when you’d otherwise be stuck plugging into a wall. This case also adds about a half-inch of bulk, but will also keep your phone protected from drops, and also accommodates a screen protector for full protection. This case regularly sells for $130 but you can get it for $60 from Amazon.

ALCLAP also offers a 5,000 mAh battery case for the larger Pixel XL.

See at Amazon

ZeroLemon Google Pixel Charger Case

This gargantuan battery case for the standard Google Pixel includes a massive 6,500 mAh battery and some… shall we say unique design decisions, with an archway of sorts on the back for access to the fingerprint scanner.

As you’d expect, packing a battery this big into a case means completely changes the dimensions of your sleek Google-designed phone. This case will make your phone nearly an inch thick and also adds an extra inch to the height of your device — but you’ve probably made peace with that fact if you’re in the market for a battery case. If maximum battery capacity is your aim, you simply won’t find a bigger battery case for the Pixel than this offering from ZeroLemon.

Zero Lemon also offers an appropriately larger 8,000 mAh battery case for the Pixel XL if that’s what you’re after.

See at Amazon

Update June 2017: Added Mophie’s offering for the Pixel XL, added the ZeroLemon case for the Pixel, and removed the products no longer available on Amazon.

Google Pixel + Pixel XL

• Google Pixel and Pixel XL review
• Google Pixel XL review: A U.S. perspective
• Google Pixel FAQ: Should you upgrade?
• Pixel + Pixel XL specs
• Understanding Android 7.1 Nougat
• Join the discussion in the forums!

Google Store
Verizon

OnePlus team fields OnePlus 5 questions in Reddit AMA, reveals little

Every once and a while it’s great to get a feel for what’s going on behind the scenes of a smartphone launch.

As they have done before, a handful of high-level people from OnePlus fired up a Reddit AMA to field questions from some of the most die-hard fans of the company. This time, it’s all about the OnePlus 5 of course.

As is typically the case with Reddit AMAs, there’s a whole lot of cruft to wade through to find the “good stuff.” But nestled within all of the strategically unanswered questions, there are a few good nuggets in there relating to decisions on the camera, design, accessories and overall marketing of the phone.

If you’re interested in getting some additional insight into the OnePlus 5’s creation and future prospects from the OnePlus team itself, the Reddit thread is definitely worth browsing. After taking a look through I don’t see any major bombshells, nor was I expecting any, but it’s still worth seeing how some of the OnePlus engineering, software and product team feel about the phone.

OnePlus 5

• Complete OnePlus 5 review
• Reviewing our first OnePlus 5 photos
• OnePlus 5 specs
• Which OnePlus 5 model should you buy?
• Camera comparison: OnePlus 5 vs. Galaxy S8
• The latest OnePlus 5 news
• Join the discussion in the forums

OnePlus

The Elders Scrolls: Legends offering ‘legendary’ gift for Android pre-registers

Pre-register for The Elders Scrolls: Legends and get a free legendary card at launch!

The Elders Scrolls: Legends is a free-to-play collectible card battling game, similar to the popular Hearthstone franchise, that will soon be available for Android. Pre-registration is currently open in the Google Play Store, and those who pre-register will be gifted a legendary card to start building your deck around.

Developed by Dire Wolf Digital and published by Bethesda, this game is based on the creatures, characters, and lore from The Elder Scrolls and has you collect and upgrade your cards as you battle against AI opponents as well as PvP battles against other players. There’s a single player story mode along with a multiplayer arena so Elder Scroll fans or simply fans of this style of game will have plenty to do when the game launches on Android.

Bethesda has also unveiled the first expansion for the game, Heroes of Skyrim at E3 2017 which is scheduled to drop on the other platforms June 29.

Our friend’s over at iMore have reviewed the game on iOS and considered it a fresh take on the mobile genre. Check out their review and then be sure you’re pre-registered on the Google Play Store to secure your free gift.

Pre-register at Google Play Store

Android Gaming

• Best Android games
• Best free Android games
• Best games with no in-app purchases
• Best action games for Android
• Best RPGs for Android
• All the Android gaming news!

EU’s antitrust regulators expected to set a record fine for Google this week

European Union’s ruling may change the way Google displays its advertisements across the web.

Google has been in a long legal battle in the European Union over its Adsense for Search platform. The “statements of objections” were initially filed last year over Google’s practice of having an unfair advantage in the ad wars by preventing third-party websites and platforms from showing competitor’s ads. Now, the EU’s antitrust regulators are ready to settle on a penalty for the search company.

Bloomberg reports the fine for Google is expected to top a previous $1.2 billion record. Regulators are so eager to administer it that they’ve opted to “skirt the usual rules that see all of the EU’s 28 commissioners discuss controversial decisions at a weekly meeting, usually on a Wednesday.”

From the article:

The EU accelerated action on a decision in recent days. Officials who’d previously targeted a July date had brought that forward to this week, one person said. Multiple Google representatives still hadn’t been told of the EU’s timetable as of early Monday. While the EU isn’t required to inform companies, it often does so as a courtesy.

The rapid pace comes after a lengthy seven-year probe fueled by complaints from small shopping websites as well as bigger names, including News Corp., Axel Springer SE and Microsoft Corp. European politicians have called on the EU to sanction Google or even break it up while U.S. critics claim regulators are targeting successful American firms.

This decision is potentially the most significant antitrust enforcement ruling in almost two decades — since the U.S. Justice Department went after Microsoft. The case could also affect how Google displays its products in search results. For its part, Google told Bloomberg that it was “continuing to engage constructively with the European Commission and believes ‘strongly that our innovations in online shopping have been good for shoppers, retailers and competition.’”

Overall, this particular case seems to be more about changing Google’s advertising practices across the web. Will it be successful? Only if the EU issues a binding order requiring Google to change its practices.

Already missing Silicon Valley? Then you’ll want to download this app

Find out if what you’re eating is a hot dog — or not.

HBO’s famed show about the Silicon Valley has officially aired its last episode for the season, but don’t fret! There’s an app available to help tide you over until the next season.

That’s right, Jian-Yang’s venerable Not Hotdog app is in the Google Play Store. It’s ridiculous, and it doesn’t do much save for identifying if whether or not what you have in your midst is a hot dog.

I don’t currently have any hot dogs or hot dog-shaped meats of any sort in the refrigerator, so there was no way for me to test the actual efficacy of this particular app. However, it did successfully identify that my salad was not a hot dog. And it was then that I realized genuine sorrow, as it hung over me like the thick smoke emanating from Erlich Bachman’s combusted palapa. For you see, you don’t make friends with salad.

Perhaps the best part of the app is the comments and reviews that accompany it. For instance, I’m extremely curious about whether the one person who voted with one star was aware that this was a gag. Anyway, the app is only a mere 15MB on Android, and it’s available for your iPhone-using pals, too.

Pocket-lint UK deals of the day: SNES Mini for £79.99

Welcome to Pocket-lint deals of the day were we scour the internet to find you the very best deals that are available in the UK today.

We will be regularly updating this page, so bookmark it and check back regularly to make sure you don’t miss out on some of the best tech deals online.

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Tech and Gadgets

• NeeGo Raspberry Pi 3 Kit – reduced from £100 on Amazon today to £36.99.
• Oral-B Smart Series 4000 Electric Rechargeable Toothbrush – £39.99 on Amazon.
• Pebble 14 mm Time Round Smartwatch – Silver/Red – £59.98 on Amazon.
• Logitech MX Anywhere 2 Mouse is reduced on Amazon today from £69.99 to £36.99. 
• Lenovo 65CDGAC1UK ThinkVision X24 OLED FHD Monitor has been reduced from £179.99 to £119.99 on Amazon.
• HP Pavilion x360 15-bk150sa 15.6-inch 2 in 1 – Silver laptop is £499.00, saving you £150 off on Currys.
• Microsoft Universal Foldable Bluetooth Keyboard is £32.99 today reduced from £99.99 on Amazon.

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Games

• Super Nintendo Entertainment System Classic Edition – £79.99 on GAME.
• Xbox Live 3 Month Gold Membership and Rocket League for free – £14.99 on Amazon.
• Sony PlayStation VR – £317.99 on Amazon.
• Mortal Kombat XL (PS4) – £12.49 on Base.
• Dead by Daylight (PS4) – £19.99 on Amazon.
• Yakuza Kiwami Steel Book Edition (PS4) – £23.85 on Base.
• 8BITDO NES30 Pro Wireless Bluetooth Controller Dual Classic Joystick YIKESHU For Android Gamepad – £28.45 on Amazon.
• Rime (PS4 & Xbox) – £17.49 on Argos.
• Need for Speed: Most Wanted (PlayStation Vita) – £7.49 on Base.
• Deus Ex: Mankind Divided Day One Edition (Xbox One) – £8.64 on Amazon.
• Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon Wildlands Inc The Peruvia PS4 – £26.86 on ShopTo.net.
• Prey (PS4) – £22.85 on Base.

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Audiovisual

• HISENSE H49M3000 49″ Smart 4K Ultra HD HDR LED TV – £369.00 on Currys.
• LG 43UH603V 43 inch Ultra HD 4K Smart TV – £379.00 on Amazon.
• Philips 55PUS6401 55 Inch SMART 4K – £499.00 on Amazon.
• Hisense 55M7000 4K TV – £599.00 on John Lewis.

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Phones

• Google Pixel 32GB Black with 5GB data – £25.00 upfront cost £27.99 per month £696.76 total cost over 2 years at Mobiles
• Diamond X 4G Andorid 6.0 – £75.68 on Amazon.
• Apple iPhone 7 256GB in red – £779.00 on John Lewis.
• Bush Spira D3 – £99.95 on Argos.

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Entertainment

• Heroes complete box set in Blu-ray is £17.99 using code BINGE10 on Zavvi.
• John Wick 2 – £19.99 on Zavvi.
• Rogue One: A Star Wars Story Blu Ray – £15.00 on Amazon.

How to get iOS 11 right now and get it working on your iPhone and iPad

Apple has made the public beta of iOS 11 available to download now.

The next major software update for iPhone and iPad will officially release alongside new iPhones, which could for the first time see three models, this autumn. If you’d like to try a version that’s currently in the final stages of development, Apple just opened the iOS 11 public beta program, so you can download and run a major pre-release version of iOS 11 before a formal release.

In traditional Apple style, the Cupertino tech giant said iOS 11 is the biggest update yet to iOS, as it sports a number of new features designed to further enhance your iPhone, including changes to Siri, Control Center, Music, and much more. You can read about the 11 biggest features coming to iOS 11 here. Like all other software updates from Apple, iOS 11 will be free to download and use.

If you care about getting iOS 11 up and running on your phone now, Pocket-lint has detailed everything you need to know below.

• Apple iOS 11: 11 new features coming to your iPhone and iPad
• These are the best iOS 11 features Apple didn’t announce
• Apple iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus: What’s the story so far?

Apple

How can you get iOS 11 public beta?

With the public beta program, you can download and install iOS 11 to your iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch. It doesn’t require a developers account or involve the hassle of registering your device’s UDID.

And it’s completely free.

Visit the Apple Beta Program website and click the sign up button.
Sign in with your Apple ID login credentials.
From there, read and accept Apple’s agreement.
In the past, you’d also be taken to Apple’s Guide for Public Betas website, where you’d click the “Enroll Your Devices” link. You’d then be warned to backup your device (see this Apple support page).
From your iOS device, visit beta.apple.com/profile.
Download the iOS Beta Configuration Profile (follow the on-screen steps: tap the iOS tab, then tap Download Profile, and tap Install). You may need to enter your passcode and tap Restart to reboot your device.
Once downloaded, go to General > Software Update in the Settings app on your device and wait for the iOS 11 public beta prompt to appear. Tap it to download and install the beta.
You’ll also get an email inviting you to download the iOS 11 public beta.

Apple’s iOS public betas, as well as subsequent updates, are automatically pushed to devices over the air.

Which devices support iOS 11?

As with most Apple updates, some older devices unfortunately get left behind, and not all will be able to support the new software. Here’s a list of all the iOS devices that will be capable of running iOS 11:

• iPhone 5s
• iPhone SE
• iPhone 6 Plus
• iPhone 6
• iPhone 6s Plus
• iPhone 6s
• iPhone 7 Plus
• iPhone 7

• iPad Pro 12.9 (1st and 2nd generation)
• iPad Pro 10.5
• iPad Pro 9.7
• iPad Air 2
• iPad Air
• iPad 5th generation
• iPad Mini 4
• iPad Mini 3
• iPad Mini 2

• iPod Touch 6th generation

Should you test the iOS 11 public beta?

It’s entirely up to you whether you decide to install the beta software to your device to start using all the new features early. However, some may want to wait until the final version is released, just in case there are any problems. We’d always recommend downloading the software onto a secondary iOS device if you have one, as you wouldn’t want your main iPhone or iPad to get any bugs.

Whichever device you decide to install the iOS 11 public beta onto, make sure you carry out a full backup first.

Can I revert back to iOS 10?

Yes, you can. If you run into any problems with the iOS 11 public beta, or just want to revert back to iOS 10, Apple has made it possible to do so. Simply go into the Settings menu, tap General and then tap Profile. Select the iOS 11 Beta Software Profile, tap Delete and confirm you want to remove the public beta.

How do you provide feedback to Apple?

The OS X and iOS public betas come with a Feedback Assistant app, which can be opened from the second page of the Home screen on your iOS device or from the Dock on your Mac. You can learn more about the app here. The app is also available from the Help menu of any app.

Want to know more?

Apple also has a guide and instructions on how to get the iOS beta installed on your device.

• Apple Pay Cash in iOS 11: What is it and how does it work?