Skype’s ‘Mojis’ insert Muppets into your boring video calls
Skype announced a new feature for its chat and messaging services on Tuesday that will allow users to incorporate short, Gif-like video clips into their conversations. The company is calling these new visual hybrids “Mojis” (le sigh). Just as Gmail now allows users to drop Giphy Gifs directly into emails, Skype now allows users to browse and select a moji by tapping an in-chat emoticon button. The new feature currently includes clips from Despicable Me, Bridesmaids, Pitch Perfect, Jurassic Park, The Muppets and other intellectual properties. There’s no word on whether users will be able to upload their own clips or whether the service is limited to participating corporate content partners. The feature begins rolling out to users running the latest app version on Windows, Mac, Android and iOS today.
Filed under:
Internet, Apple, Microsoft, Google
Source:
Skype
Tags: Android, apple, Gmail, google, iOS, microsoft, Microsoft Windows, MobileMe, moji, Skype, The Muppets
Verizon and AT&T are opening mini-stores in 250 Best Buys
Best Buy announced a pair of independent agreements on Tuesday with both Verizon and AT&T, according to Re/Code. The deal will reportedly see both brands receive dedicated floor space within 250 of the electronics chain’s locations by the end of the year. In many cases, both AT&T and Verizon outlets will be located in the same Best Buy. Each mini-store will range from 90 to 180 square feet and be staffed by Best Buy Associates specifically trained in each brand’s products and services. These agreements follow similar pacts struck with Apple, Samsung and Microsoft (not to mention Best Buy and Macy’s), all of whom are angling to reach consumers without having to invest in independent storefronts of their own. Best Buy has not released financial details regarding the agreements.
[Image Credit: Gene J. Puskar/Associated Press]
Filed under:
Misc, Internet, Apple, Samsung, Microsoft, Google, Verizon, AT&T
Source:
Re/Code
Tags: apple, Associated Press, att, Best Buy, BestBuy, google, Macys, microsoft, mini-store, Recode, Retail, samsung, Samsung Group, verizon
Bank of America adds fingerprint logins to its Android and iOS apps
One of the most anticipated features arriving with Android’s Marshmallow OS update is the new fingerprint reader capability. And while Marshmallow won’t go live until the end of the year, a number of companies are already gearing up with fingerprint-enabled apps. Bank of America is one of them. The company announced on Tuesday (via its app update screens) that it has added fingerprint recognition for both Android and iOS’ Touch ID to its mobile banking app.
[Image Credit: Associated Press]
Filed under:
Cellphones, Wireless, Internet, Apple, Google
Via:
9to5 Mac
Source:
Google Play, iTunes
Tags: Android, apple, BankofAmerica, fingerprint, google, ios, marshmallow, TouchID
Google is being accused of violating anti-trust laws in Russia
Just yesterday, Google was accused guilty of anti-trust laws in Russia. According to reports, Google’s violation is due to its mandatory applications that come pre-installed on Android devices. This isn’t the first time we’re hearing about this violation.
Google’s mobile operating system Android has become by far the most popular mobile OS on the planet. Reportedly, Google has been accused of abusing its market position by forcing manufacturers to pre-insall some its core applications. As most of you know, in return of Google’s openness to let any manufacturers create their own Android device, Google requires OEM’s to pre-load some its applications. After all, a large sum of Google’s profits come through advertising in these applications.
According to WSJ, Google will receive a fine from Russia for its actions and may be forced to make a settlement on what’s permitted in the territory. In other words, Russian Android users might get the Google bloatware cut down they’ve been wanting. But this is not good for Google. In contrast, most Android users don’t see Google’s pre-installed apps as bloatware as the majority of people actually use them.
What are your thoughts?
Via: Wall Street Journal
Come comment on this article: Google is being accused of violating anti-trust laws in Russia
Facebook can notify Android users via Chrome, as well as its app
Facebook has just flicked the switch on notifications via Chrome on mobile. Previously, if you wanted the social network to send you updates, you’d have to have the Facebook app installed. Now, if you browse to Facebook’s site with Google’s mobile browser, you’ll be asked if you’d like to receive notifications (or not). At least on Android, for now. If this sounds familiar, it’s because Google announced the planned feature back in Spring, only Facebook (by far and away the biggest notifier of anything?), finally added the feature this week.
Web notifications are important for sites like Facebook and content providers generally, because it adds a way to reach users without requiring they install an app. In some cases, that’s a way to give users a taste for the extra layer of “stickiness” an app provides; in other situations — like developing nations — it’s a way to overcome obstacles such as variable access to data. There’s another group, curmudgeons like me, that find the lack of notifications on a mobile browser a plus — you can still access the site when you want, without any alerts or pop-ups. Whichever camp you’re in, you have full control under Chrome’s settings to turn them on or off at any time.
Filed under:
Internet, Mobile, Google, Facebook
Source:
TechCrunch
Tags: android, app, chrome, facebook, google, mobilepostcross, noescape, notifications
Google told to unbundle apps from Android in Russia
Another country isn’t too happy with Google, this time Russia is accusing the search giant of breaching its anti-trust regulations, as it gains an unfair competitive advantage from the pre-installed Google products bundled in with Android phones and tablets. The situation arose after the Yandex search engine, a Russian internet company, complained to regulators about Google back in February.
The Russian Federal Anti-Monopoly Service found that Android unfairly favours Google services and accuses Google of abusing its dominant position in the smartphone and tablet markets. It would rather that phones simply shipped with the Google Play Store, leaving users free to choose the rest of their apps. The body will be issuing detailed instructions to Google about how to proceed within the next 10 days.
“We welcome the positive ruling of the Federal Antimonopoly Service, which took up this complex case and, having examined the evidence, recognised a violation on the part of Google … We believe the FAS’s decision will serve to restore competition on the market.” – Yandex
Yandex seems to already be a winner following the announcement, as the company’s stock leapt up by around 10 percent. According to Bloomberg, Yandex’s search results have fallen to 50 percent of traffic this year, while Google’s climbed to 42 percent. Yandex clearly doesn’t like the extra competition.
Google has not issued a reply yet, stating only that it will study the case and plan its next move once it receives demands from the Russian Federal Anti-Monopoly Service. Google is likely looking at another costly and lengthy legal battle.
Russia is not the only one upset with Google’s dominant market position lately. The tech company is also under investigation by the European Commission regarding its Android OS and pre-installed services. Google is also fighting a similar anti-trust case in Europe over alleged preferential shopping search results.
Deal: HTC selling the 16 GB Nexus 9 for $239.40, 32 GB version only $287.40 (US-only)
Trying to get yourself a brand new Nexus 9 tablet? You are looking to spend $399 to $479… that is, unless you buy it straight from HTC. The Taiwanese manufacturer just went nuts and started selling the Google tablet at amazingly reduced prices. You can now grab the 16 GB version for only $239.40, while the 32 GB iteration will go for $287.40.
Those are some very sweet deals, considering the prices these tablets usually go for. This would be only for the WiFi versions, though. There’s currently no discount on the LTE-enabled pads. Now, do keep in mind there is one significant caveat – the website states “all purchases must be billed and shipped to a valid mailing address in the 50 United States and the District of Columbia only.” Pretty straight forward.
All things considered, the Nexus 9 is a very nifty tablet to have. It managed to get a 9/10 in our review, which places it well above many other competitors. And even though its an aging device, it continues to hold its own pretty well.
The Nexus 9 packs a Tegra K1 processor, 2 GB of RAM, and 8.9 2048x1536p display, an 8 MP rear camera, a 1.6 MP front shooter and a 6700 mAh battery. It’s certainly no weakling, and at this price point it happens to be a very good deal too. Just make sure you act fast if you want to jump in on this deal, because we are not sure how long it will stick around. Are any of you signing up?!
Buy the Nexus 9 from HTC’s website!
Hurry: HTC Nexus 9 one day sale for as low as $240
HTC is having a one day sale on the Google Nexus 9 today and will end on Sept. 15th at 11:59PST. You can pick up the 16GB WiFi model for as low as $239.40, down from the MSRP of $399.00. The 32GB WiFi version can be had for $287.40 down from $479.00. Both versions come brand new and are Google’s pure Android tablet running Android Lollipop 5.1. Again, this is only a one-day sale and quantities are limited so act fast.
Designed for work and play, Nexus 9 combines a brushed metal body and soft grip back with the best of Google and Android for virtually limitless entertainment content and business tools.
For movers and makers
- 8.9” screen
- Front-facing stereo speakers
- Access to over a million apps
- Automatic Android updates
- Seamless device integration
Accessories are also on sale like the Nexus 9 Keyboard Folio can be had at 50% off.
Check out the deal at HTC.com. Other deals at HTC listed here.
Source – Slickdeals
The post Hurry: HTC Nexus 9 one day sale for as low as $240 appeared first on AndroidGuys.
Property business app Domain increased installs by 44% by adopting Material Design and Play Services
Domain is a multi-platform property business based in Australia that provides info and advice for anyone looking to buy, sell, rent, or invest.
The app itself originally wasn’t so fantastic, but has since increased its installation rate by 44% and improved its overall app rating from 2.8 to 4.1. The app didn’t use any sneaky tricks or anything to get those drastic improvements, either; all Domain did was integrate Google Play Services and follow Google’s Material Design standards for Android apps.
The company has posted a video showing some of what went into the change and how much better the changes have been for the company. It’s a pretty good indicator that when developers do apps right on Android, they see the kind of success they deserve.
source: Android Developers
Click here to view the embedded video.
Come comment on this article: Property business app Domain increased installs by 44% by adopting Material Design and Play Services
Facebook push notifications now available via Chrome, no official app needed
With the introduction of the Chrome Push API, Google made it possible for websites to push notifications through their popular mobile browser. This proves to be a huge step for many web developers and companies, as they no longer have to make users download an app in order to get updates on the latest happenings. Facebook has now joined the party after working with the Search Giant to bring convenient alerts to web users. This Facebook notification feature is live on Chrome and can be activated at will!
Now, we know what you are thinking: why not just get the app? And that is a legit doubt for many of us tech geeks with ample internet and storage availability, but there’s definitely plenty of people out there who would rather use the web version of the social network. First, remember the Facebook app is huge; in my phone it weighs in at 210 MB and an extra 135 MB of additional data. That is a lot of space for someone who’s phone storage space is limited.
In addition, the Facebook website is known for being faster, less data hungry and not requiring any updates. It’s actually a very popular solution in emerging markets, which is why this feature’s introduction is much more exciting than many of us would believe.
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Those who want to take advantage of Facebook push notifications via Chrome can do so very easily. Let’s run you through the steps.
How to get Facebook push notifications through Chrome:
- Before anything, let’s make sure your Chrome app is updated to the latest version. You can check this at the Google Play Store.
- If all is good to go, simply open the Chrome app on your Android smartphone.
- Go to m.facebook.com and sign into your account.
- A request to allow push notifications should show up. Tap on the “Allow” button.
- You are done! You can also double check by tapping on the 3-dot menu button, going to Settings > Site Settings > Notifications and seeing if Facebook is in the “Allowed” section.
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margin-left: 0;
/* see gallery_shortcode() in wp-includes/media.php */
This is an important stepping stone for a better future in mobile communications. Not that native apps are going anywhere, but it’s obvious not every company needs a whole app, and they may still want to get in touch with users when an important notification becomes available. Now it’s possible to do this straight from the most popular browser in the world.
Have any of you guys tried this? Is it something you will be using every day? Hit the comments and let us know! By the way, I have Facebook notifications active on Chrome and it works like a charm.
AIVAnet 