Apple will deactivate Flash by default on Safari 10
You know that Maya Angelou quote that says “Never make someone a priority when all you are to them is an option?” If Flash were a person following that tenet, then it now has to drop Safari from its dwindling list of priorities. In a post on the WebKit blog, Apple engineer Ricky Mondello has revealed that the company is deactivating Adobe Flash by default on Safari 10. That’s the version of the browser shipping with macOS Sierra this fall.
If you access a website that has both Flash and HTML5, the browser will opt for the latter. But if the page requires Flash to work, then a prompt will pop up asking if you’d like to switch it on. You can choose to active it just for that session or to keep it on for that URL forever. If you’ll recall, Microsoft and Google have been distancing themselves from Flash for quite some time, as well. Edge only displays Flash if it’s a central element on the page you’re looking at (say, a game or a video), while Chrome has started blocking Flash ads late last year.
On the mobile side of things, Apple has announced at WWDC that it’s requiring all iOS apps to connect to the internet via HTTPS by January 1st, 2017. That means developers have to switch on a feature Cupertino launched with iOS 9 called App Transport Security. ATS forces apps to use a secure connection to help keep your data safe.
Via: MacRumors
Source: WebKit, TechCrunch
Watch Apple’s WWDC 2016 keynote in 15 minutes
In typical Apple fashion, yesterday’s WWDC keynote kicked off the annual developer’s conference with a two-hour slate of software-focused announcements. While you may want to go back and relive all of the news, you probably don’t have that amount of free time to dedicate to the task. Fret not, friends: we’ve condensed the chatter about all four of Apple’s OSes down to a 15-minute affair, easily digested over your coffee break. There’s talk of watchOS improvements, what’s new for Apple TV, a massive overhaul of iOS and the move from OS X to macOS. For more detailed info on what went down, consult all of our WWDC 2016 coverage right here.
Apple is getting serious with Messages
Apple announced at WWDC 2016 on Monday that it is drastically changing the way its Messages app operates. Don’t worry, it’s a good thing. Users will now be able to add a bunch more context to their conversations beyond colorful language.
You can add photos and live video feeds to the transcript or drop in rich links. And lo, the emojis. They now appear three times larger than before, so you don’t have to squint at the screen as hard. Apple is also integrating an emoji search engine directly into Messages’ keyboard, a la Google’s gBoard. What’s more, the keyboard will also automatically notice and highlight “emojiable” words so you simply tap on the word to replace it with an emoji. Hopefully, there’s a reversible process for parents so they can have some idea of what their kids are typing at them.
Additionally, you’ll be able to add scalable “bubble effects” that adjust the font size of your text, simulating whispers and shouts. Plus, you can now add your own handwriting as well as small special effects — think, fireworks or strobe lights — to individual texts that briefly take over the screen. Because that won’t get irritating after the first dozen times.
And, like Facebook’s Messenger app, Apple’s Messages now allows you to overlay text atop images. The difference here is that Apple allows you to add actual handwriting rather than fonted text, similar to what Snapchat does. You can expect more new features and functionality in the coming months as Apple is opening up the Messages platform to developers. This is going to be awesome.
Get all the latest news from WWDC 2016 here!
Uber’s delivery service just went mainstream
You probably know Uber as a company that takes you places. Soon, you may know it as the company that brings you pizza. And groceries. And laundry. And… well, everything. Today, Uber took its on-demand delivery service out of beta, opening the UberRush courier program to any company that wants it. The downside? The delivery program’s service area is still limited to just three cities: San Francisco, Chicago and New York.
Still, by opening the UberRush API to developers, Uber has taken the first step towards expanding its courier service. Companies can now add on-demand delivery services to their apps with just a few lines of code. Companies like Nordstrom and 1800flowers have been using the program since January, and Uber says more partnerships are on the way, including Dryv, a Chicago-based dry cleaning delivery service and Up Sonder — a company rents on-demand drones to aerial photographers.
If UberRush does well in its starting cities, it’s likely that the company will expand the program to other towns with active Uber drivers — which means we’re all one step closer to never having to leave home again.
Source: Uber
Lowe’s has a Tango AR app for home improvement projects
We’ve explored the Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya using Google’s Tango technology, and we’ve also used it for a little gaming. Now that Lenovo is bringing the first Tango device for the masses, we’re also going to see new augmented reality software that make use of Google’s 3D mapping software tech. Lowe’s, the hardware and home improvement store chain, has an app of its own that allows you to place appliances, add accessories and make other virtual tweaks to your house before you begin a project.
What’s more, the company will sell Lenovo’s $500 Phab2 Pro starting around the holidays this year. The Tango software will give you an idea of what a certain shade of hardwood flooring will look like in your living room or confirm your suspicion that the refrigerator you’ve been eyeing won’t actually fit in your kitchen. In addition to gaming and educational uses, this Lowe’s Vision app provides a real-world solution not only for interior designers, but also DIYers who are looking to spice up their houses on their own.
For virtually placing furniture, there’s a Tango app from retailer Wayfair. The software gives you an AR version of the piece you’re thinking about buying, allowing you to place it in your house to see if it will really work. You’ll get the dimensions and other info about the furniture or accessory alongside pricing and, of course, a button for adding it to your shopping cart.
Get all the news from today’s Lenovo and Motorola event right here!
Google will give app developers a bigger cut of the revenue
It’s not just Apple that’s looking to the deal sweeter for app developers. According to Recode, Google is also introducing a new revenue-sharing model that will give them a bigger cut. Just like Cupertino, the big G plans to increase the amount Android developers take home from 70 percent to 85 percent of all revenue from subscriptions. Google’s offer sounds even better than the iPhone-maker’s, because the company will reportedly give publishers 85 percent of the revenue from every subscriber, not just from those who sign up and pay for 12 full months.
Sources also told the publication that Mountain View started testing the new sharing model with entertainment companies, particularly video services, over a year ago. It sounds like Google used it to entice the services to add Chromecast compatibility. Recode doesn’t have info on when the new scheme will be more widely available. But at least you now know that a bigger portion of your hard-earned money could go straight to developers’ pockets.
Source: Recode
Google shows how Android apps will run on your Chromebook
Google was quick to tout Chrome OS’ upcoming support for Android apps during its I/O 2016 keynote, but how does it actually work in practice? You won’t have to travel to Mountain View to find out: the search firm has posted the video of a developer presentation that shows how the Play Store and Android apps will run on your Chromebook. As a rule, it appears to be seamless. Android’s intent system makes it relatively easy to share files between apps, while offline support will keep you entertained during those long flights. And yes, games appear to run smoothly.
The demo took place under ideal conditions, so you might want to avoid leaping to conclusions. The odds are that a lower-end Chromebook won’t be quite as adept with Android apps, especially if it doesn’t have a touchscreen to parallel the experience you get on your phone. Nonetheless, this clip is a good sign for anyone worried that an Android/Chrome OS union could get messy.
Via: Android Central
Source: Google Developers (YouTube)
Recommended Reading: The Golden State Warriors’ tech training
Golden State Warriors
use tech to their
on-court advantage
Terry Collins,
CNET
The Golden State Warriors set an NBA single-season record this year with 73 wins and are currently facing the Cleveland Cavaliers for the championship. Part of the reason for that success can likely be attributed the team’s use of tech to track player performance and physical activity. CNET has the story on all the gadgetry and how the Warriors are using it to ensure they continue their winning ways.
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What Silicon Valley’s billionaires don’t understand about the first amendment This piece from The Guardian offers some great insight into Peter Thiel’s battle against Gawker. |
The kingdom of crying Kim Kardashian Celebrity emoji apps are all the rage right now, but how did we get here? Crying Kim Kardashian may hold the answers. |
Instagram rolls out its Facebook-style algorithmic feed
Back in March, Instagram announced plans to re-order the feed of accounts you follow based on what you’re likely to care about most. The idea is similar to with Facebook does with the News Feed: displaying posts that might interest you the most rather than showing content in chronological order. A few days after the announcement, Instagram took to Twitter to let us know the algorithm-driven approach wasn’t in place yet, but this week the company announced the feature is now rolling out to all users.
In a short blog post the company revealed that in the time since the March announcement, the small group of users who’ve been privy to the re-ordering were much more active in the app. Instagram says that “portion of the community” has been liking more photos and posting more comments. If you haven’t already noticed the new order of posts when you log in, you will soon as its rolling out to everyone now. Instagram vows to continue to approve the feature as well, which should mean the snapshots and videos you want to see most will rise to the top of your feed.
Source: Instagram
VSCO update simplifies how you capture, edit and browse photos
Last time we heard from VSCO, the company trotted out a separate photography app for GIFs. Turning its attention back to its flagship software for snapshots, the VSCO options for both Android and iOS are set to receive a substantial update to better balance creativity and discovery. First, a retooled gesture-based UI lets you easily flip back and forth between the photography editing tools and a feed of images from the folks you follow in the app. The overall look of the interface is simplified, too.
In addition to improved image capture and search functionality, there’s a new “Find My Friends” tool as well. You’ve likely seen something similar in other apps, especially those that integrate with Facebook. The feature basically allows you to find the people you know who are also taking pictures with the VSCO app. Social features were added to the app a few updates back, and the pending updates will only build on the discovery options. New versions of both the Android and iOS app are rolling out over the next couple of weeks, but for now, you can take a look at what’s on the way via the video below.
Source: VSCO
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