Instagram update brings all new features
Instagram just announced two new features in their app that will help users connect to the world as it happens. The update includes an all new Explore page, with trending “Tags and Places” as well as a powerful search bar that will make it easy to find people and places that you’re looking for.
“We’ve completely reimagined the Explore page to make discovery on Instagram immediate and effortless. “
The all new Explore page will present you with “Trending Tags and Trending Places” as they emerge in real world, which will allow a user to connect to the events that are happening near them and around the globe. In addition to the “Trending Tags and Places”, at the top of Explore page, you will find new curated collections that will be updated regularly. This collection features interesting places, stunning architectures, and extreme athletes categories.
“We’ve dramatically improved the ability to find what you’re looking for“
Instagram has also upgraded the search capabilities of its application. The new top search bar lets you search across people, places and tags all at once. With the new Places search, you can now find images from just about any location on Earth. This allows you to scout out your next vacation spot in the South Pacific, get a look inside that hot new restaurant, or experience your favorite music festival.
The new update is rolling out today and will be available to you very soon. However, the new Explore page is only available for users in the US for now, but the Instagram team says they will work to expand these features worldwide once all of the bugs are ironed out. On the other hand, the new search functionality is available now to everyone worldwide.
Source: Instagram
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Z Camera & Private Gallery(Review)
With nearly everyone having access to a camera conveniently tucked away in their pocket or purse, it has become essential to have a camera that is productive, fast, and gives you multiple photo processing features at a moment’s touch. Z Camera is a light-weight stock camera replacement with customizable features, quick switching between photo, video, beauty modes, and the ability to hide photos in a private gallery.
Features:
- Amazing filter – Many filters available when photograph and photo-editing.
- Real-time filter – Preview your photos before you take photo.
- Fastest capture – Just 1s to capture photo after press the shutter button.
- Simple interface – Intuitive interface, and quickly switch to video and selfie.
- HDR – Open HDR to improve images captured in low light, and backlit scenes.
- Beauty selfie – Just one tap to beautify your photo.
- Private gallery – Keep your private photo safe.
- Video mode – Record video via front facing camera or rear camera.
- Photo Mode – Tons of options, you have the following features flash on/off, set a timer, front camera for selfies and wefies, and also a filter icon.
- Beauty Mode – Take quick “beautiful” enhanced images.
Z Camera has three capture modes: Video, Photo, and Beauty. By swiping your finger left or right, you have the ability to navigate effortlessly through the three modes. Also packed into Z Camera is a Private Gallery. To access the Private Gallery you have to open the Z Gallery that is downloaded along with the app. While in Z Gallery you have three tabs, “My Album”, “Other Album”, and “Private Album”. In Private Album, you are able to set a 4 digit security code in order to restrict access to the images stored in the Private Album.
Zero Team was very thoughtful to incorporate a Private Album. It’s awful when you let someone look at your photos and they continue to scroll past what you intended them to view, and the Private Album keeps their eyes off of those pictures that you don’t want them to see. Although, the Private Album should either be hidden or have an option to long press a title or a section in the app to activate it.
It is never a good idea to easily display Private Album; that’s why the Google Play Store is full of dummy cover apps that allow you to easily and securely hide your photo/video contents. Luckily, Zero Team has baked this feature into Z Camera.
Another complaint I have is the watermark. I was misled by what the watermark feature was. I just assumed that the watermark would allow me to easily have my name or hashtag placed on my photos. I was wrong, the watermark is Z Camera’s name. It would be a very useful feature if Z Camera allowed you to create your own watermarks. This would be a great feature to easily take and post watermark images to your social media networks.
After using Z Camera, I was really impressed with the ample selection of filters that I could quickly apply to my images. Although, after taking images, I realized the quality of the photos came out grainy and had a lackluster pop. I took photos with and without filters and the quality and colors were not comparable to my stock Samsung Note 4 camera.
| What We Like | What We Didn’t Like |
|---|---|
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With the plethora of alternate photo apps available, Z Camera doesn’t stand out from the crowd. Although, it will give you multiple filter options and a different look from your stock camera. Z Camera is useful and allows you to take photos or videos quickly although more isn’t always better.
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Microsoft’s Office apps officially launch for (some) Android phones
Right, well that was fairly quick. Microsoft gave us a taste of how its Office apps would look on Android phones in a preview just last month, and now they’re ready for public consumption. Word, Powerpoint and Excel are available for your delectation — for free, no less — in the Google Play Store right now, just with one big caveat. Those pesky prior limitations are still in effect here, so don’t expect to run these things on a phone without at least 1GB of RAM and anything older than Android 4.4 KitKat.
That, sadly, leaves a decent chunk of Android users out in the cold. According to Google’s own developer dashboard, only a little more than half of Android’s current userbase meet the software requirements for editing spiffy looking spreadsheets on the fly, and that’s not even factoring in the (honestly minimal) RAM limitation at play here. Remember: KitKat was designed to run well even on devices with as little as 512MB of RAM. Everyone else will have to cling to Google Docs, for better or worse. If you’ve mucked around with Office for Android tablets in the past, you won’t find too many surprises here: all the bright colors and touch-sensitive menus are back, and you’ll be able to share your creations via OneDrive, Dropbox and as plain ol’ attachments. Not a bad way to appease your productivity addiction, no?
Filed under: Mobile, Microsoft
Source: Google Play Store
Ily is a smart home phone to stay connected with your family
We have a plethora of smart devices all over the house, all of which can do a million things. You can use smartphones and tablets to call people, check social networks, read the news, watch your movies and much more, but sometimes all this clutter can keep you away from what really matters. This is why New York-based startup Insensi created the Ily, a communication device that makes sure you can stay connected with your family; and it does so very well.
This is not really a smartphone, tablet or even a wireless device. It’s meant to stay at your home, always powered and available whenever you need it. I like to call it a smart home phone, because it pretty much replaces your traditional phone with a system that is worthy of this technologically advanced age.
Ily can work as your regular landline service, or you can connect it to your smartphone via Bluetooth so it may act as a headset of sorts. You can communicate via the integrated speakers and microphone, or you can simply pick up the wireless handset and talk your way around the house. But the real fun begins when you start using the internet-based features.
The camera can be used for online voice, text and video calls with other family members (or friends) using Ily. This gadget has an 8-inch 1024x768p touchscreen that will display icons with images of your family members and friends (these need to be approved by parents). Any user can then easily tap on these faces and tell Ily what method of communication is best at the moment.
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People are often on the go, though, which is why Ily does offer a completely free Android (and iOS) app so users can reach family members when they are not within reach of an Ily phone.
Now, just because this is mostly a communication device, it doesn’t mean Insensi didn’t add some cool secondary features. You can draw for each other, share images and even access apps like Spotify so that you may set the mood with some good tunes.
This is all free, unless you want to rent a local phone number, purchase minutes and set up a voicemail. The company mentions you don’t need to pay for these, but those who need it can get it for a “small fee”. Otherwise, the only cash you will need to fork out is to buy the actual equipment.
You can buy the Ily for $199 if you pre-order it right now, but that price will raise to $299 once the device launches, this Fall. It’s also possible to get multiple device bundles for a discount. Insensi sells 2 for $189 each, or 3 for $185 each.
This is an interesting concept, to say the least. I can see how it could be beneficial to some families, especially because it gets rid of all the confusion involved with using an actual smart device. Also, not everyone wants to give their kids expensive tablets or smartphones, which also happen to be unsafe (the internet is a wild place).
How many of you would spend this much money on an Ily (or multiple)? Will something like this help your family better stay in touch? There’s definitely a demand for it, as the company claims to have raised $2.4 million so far. That sure is no easy feat.
Samsung’s Galaxy A8 should be its thinnest smartphone yet
Samsung isn’t synonymous with extra-thin smartphones — that distinction usually goes to Chinese vendors like Gionee or Oppo. However, you may have to rethink that reputation very shortly. Samsung’s as yet unannounced Galaxy A8 has just been approved by China’s telecom regulator TENAA, and the Android smartphone is unquestionably Samsung’s thinnest yet at just over 5.9mm (0.23 inches) thick. Suddenly, the 6.3mm Galaxy A7 seems downright chunky.
Not that you’ll necessarily be clamoring to get one. This is strictly a mid-range handset with a 5.7-inch 1080p Super AMOLED screen, an eight-core Snapdragon 615 processor, 2GB of RAM and 16GB of expandable storage. Its biggest perks are the subtly-integrated 16-megapixel rear camera, a 5-megapixel selfie cam and a healthy 3,050mAh battery. Moreover, the device might not show up in your neck of the woods. The Galaxy A8 going through testing at TENAA and the FCC only has China-centric LTE data, and the A-series phones haven’t been readily available in the US so far. If you’re absolutely determined to have the slimmest Samsung device you can get, though, you have something to look forward to in the near future.
Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile, Samsung
Via: Phone Arena
Source: TENAA (translated), FCC
Oneplus 2 will come with USB Type-C port
Oneplus announced that they are going to use modified version of Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 810 processor in their next generation smartphone. Just today, leak by leak, OnePlus has announced that the OnePlus 2 will be ship with a USB Type-C port for data syncing and charging.
OnePlus 2 will be the first global smartphone sporting this breakthrough technology which is smaller and thinner than ever before. A USB Type-C port measures in at a meager 8.4mm by 2.6mm which means not only can it charge smartphones, but it can also charge the smaller devices like smartwatches and bluetooth headphones. One of the sweetest features of the USB Type-C plug is that both ends are symmetrical, which means the plug doesn’t have a wider side on the bottom of the connector like the micro-usb plug you use to charge your current Android smartphone, and can be inserted into your device in either direction.
USB Type-C it can carry up to 100 watts of power and also has a high data transfer rate at up to 10Gbits/s, doubling the previous generations USB 3.0 rate of 5Gbit/s. Most 15-inch laptops require far less power than what the Type-C can provide, which means in the future we can charge our smartphones, tablets, and laptops with the same charger. This will be great in minimizing the cables we have to carry around with us when we travel although it will make all of our current devices incompatible with the new standard.
“This year, we want to go one step further. Instead of merely being on par with the flagships of 2015, we want to show our industry buddies the way forward. We want to provide an amazing user experience that our competition won’t merely try and catch up to later this fall, but also throughout 2016 and beyond. The USB Type C port on the OnePlus 2 is just one of these details. “
We think that the OnePlus wants to make its smartphone future-proof and wants to give a tough hand to its competitors. So far, OnePlus is on track to build another flagship killer for 2015 with high-end hardware.
What do you think? Will USB Type-C make any difference? Let us know in the comment section down below.
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Google Play Music takes on Spotify with free streaming
Google must not be content to sit on the sidelines as Spotify tries to conquer the streaming media world — the internet behemoth has unveiled a free, ad-supported version of Google Play Music’s streaming service for the US. It’ll be familiar if you’ve tried these no-charge listening options before. Besides having to deal with occasional commercial interruptions, you’ll lose the direct control that you have with a paid subscription (which, by the way, is dropping the All Access label). You can start a radio-like station based on an artist, album or song, but you won’t have on-demand playback, offline support, playlist creation or background listening for YouTube music videos. It’s more for ambient tunes than anything else.
You’ll also need to be patient to give this gratis edition a spin. Web listeners can try it today, but the corresponding Android and iOS app updates won’t be available until later in the week. Nonetheless, this could be a big deal for Google and your streaming choices. Play Music’s all-you-can-hear paid service typically sits in the shadows of Spotify, which uses its free option to reel in customers who’d otherwise never give the company a shot. Google’s move both expands the potential audience and lets you try a major service without committing to a trial or forking over cash.
Filed under: Cellphones, Internet, Mobile, Google
Source: Google Official Blog, App Store, Google Play
Instagram’s revamped photo exploration helps you follow trends
Want to see all the Instagram shots coming out of that big music festival? It should be much easier after today. Instagram is releasing new versions of its Android and iOS apps whose overhauled Explore and Search features help you follow trends as they happen. You’ll see the most recent trending hashtags and places, and a new Places Search shows the buzz in just about any location on the planet — helpful if you want to know what your vacation spot looks like in real life. Both app updates should be available today, so you’ll find out what’s hot in very short order.
Filed under: Cellphones, Internet, Mobile, Facebook
Source: Instagram Blog
Sonic Dash and Angry Birds Epic Celebration (review)
S
onic. Just saying the name reminds me how cool it was visiting my cousin who had that matte black Sega console. I was a Nintendo kid and thought the world of Mario. Although any kid growing up in the 90’s knew it was a showdown between Mario and Sonic. I could never possess myself to pick a victor.
Sonic sped onto the game scene as a blue hedgehog with lighting speed. He was an instant fan favorite with cult classics like Sonic the Hedgehog, 1-3. There was also a self-entitled tv series aptly named Sonic the Hedgehog, which lasted 2 seasons and had 26 episodes. Sonic was voiced by the talented Jaleel White a.k.a. Steve Urkel. Eventually getting spin-offs such as Sonic Underground and Adventures of Sonic the Hedgehog.
Sonics extensively outstanding body of work from games, tv, comics, etc. speaks for itself. This is why I can’t help but scratch my head. AngryBirds Sonic Dash Epic what a jumbled mess of a title.
What is AngryBirds Sonic Dash Epic?
Game titans Sega and Rovio collaborated for a 3-week celebration of Sonic Dash’s 100 Million Downloads. Sonic Dash, available for download on the Google Play Store, gets angry with a little help from his friends, AngryBirds popular trio, Red, Chuck, and Bomb for a celebration of epic proportions. Epic characters will be appearing in Sonic Dash for a limited time however.
In this endless runner you’ll see flashes out of what made Sonic Great. Blurring through your screen collecting coins whilst avoiding traps and posing for the frame when he powers up. Straight awesomeness, although the date is now 2015 it’s no longer 1995.
So back to scratching my head. Sonic has had his share of time in the bright lights and unfortunately has had a decade of unsuccessful titles that Sega wished they had a time machine to delete from all our memories.
In theaters watching Disney’s Wreck it Ralph observing the cool blue hedgehogs cameo decked out in 3D was incredible as a fan-now-father. With today’s youth thinking all colored characters belong to the Sesame street gang. It’s tough on an aged hero who has had trouble transitioning platforms and time.
AngryBirds has been a monumental success on the mobile gaming platform. So I understand the collaboration on Rovio’s end wanting a classic hero to help regain the stronghold that has been slipping from their birds beaks.
In Sonic Dash, he is still Sonic running, jumping off springs collecting gold hoops. The addition of AngryBirds did come at a price. Unfortunately, you’re unable play with the birds without first unlocking them individually by collecting 100 coins. I failed to mention you also can purchase them conveniently with in-app purchases. The game is solid and at times extremely fun. I am not sure this game resurrects Sonic or benefits AngryBirds but it does provide for at least an entertaining use of time.
| What We Liked | What Needs Improvement |
|---|---|
| Fun and Entertaining | Weird collaboration |
| Classic Sonic | Unable to Play with at least one AngryBird without Unlocking him |
| Smooth game-play | Nothing new or buzzworthy |
| Beautiful visuals |
This endless runner is a must play as the graphics are stunning and the fun is real! Remember this offer lasts for a limited time!
Have you played AngryBirds Sonic Dash Epic? Tell us what you thought in the comments below!
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Buick and GMC vehicles will support Android Auto and CarPlay
If you prefer to drive big honking Buick sedans and GMC trucks, you won’t have to give up a phone-savvy infotainment system for the privilege. Both Apple’s CarPlay and Google’s Android Auto are coming to the Buick and GMC lineups, starting with the 2016 model year. CarPlay will arrive first, beginning with Buick’s LaCrosse and Regal as well as GMC’s Canyon, Sierra and Yukon. The Android option will show up some time later in the model year. Between this and similar moves from Cadillac and Chevy, you won’t have to be fussy about your choice of cars or smartphones — so long as you like GM’s brands in the first place, you’ll be taken care of.
Filed under: Cellphones, Transportation, Mobile
Source: GM
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