Apple releases second public betas for iOS 10 and macOS Sierra
Were you quick to hop on the test versions of iOS 10 and macOS Sierra? It’s time to start updating. Apple has released the second public betas of both platforms, and they’re not just adding some spit and polish. The new iOS 10 beta introduces a functioning option for using Touch ID to unlock your device the “old-fashioned” iOS 9 way, where resting your finger is enough to get to your home screen. If you lock an iPhone 6s or 6s Plus, you’ll get vibration feedback. And if you’re a health maven, you can opt to share your activity and workout data to help improve Apple’s fitness features.
The new macOS beta doesn’t appear to have as many tangible changes, although it’s still recommended if you’ve been trying the first public release. Whether you’re using iOS or macOS, one thing remains true: this is still early software, and you’ll want to think carefully before installing either beta if you either can’t afford to lose access to certain apps or just don’t like grappling with glitches.
Via: MacRumors (1), (2)
Source: Apple
SwiftKey’s first Microsoft-era keyboard predicts your emoji
Wondering what SwiftKey has been up to ever since Microsoft bought it early in the year? It’s not necessarily what you’d expect: meet Swiftmoji, a predictive emoji keyboard app for Android and iOS. The software uses both the context of what you’re typing and worldwide trends to suggest emoji when you’ve decided text just isn’t enough. They’re a bit like iOS 10’s suggestions, only with a culturally savvy bent. Swiftmoji will offer “queen” and “bee” if you’re raving over the latest Beyoncé single, for example. If you regularly venture beyond the basic emoji, this might save you some time digging through 1,800-plus emoji to find the perfect picture.
Swiftmoji is only available in English right now, and its functionality depends on the platform you’re using. It’s a full-on keyboard replacement on Android, while it’s strictly for inserting emoji on iOS devices. Whichever version you use, it’s safe to say that this is more of a specialized tool compared to SwiftKey’s standard keyboard — you’ll know right away whether or not it’s something you can use.
Source: App Store, Google Play
Facebook Messenger tops one billion monthly users
Facebook has just announced yet another milestone: more than 1 billion people now use its Messenger service every month. Combine that with WhatsApp, which reached the billion-user point back in February, and it appears that the company now owns two of the most popular messaging apps in the world. The firm says that this also posits Messenger as the second most popular iOS app of all time behind Facebook itself. Over on Android, the company says the Messenger app has been downloaded over a billion times.
“As part of this journey to 1 billion, we focused on creating the best possible experiences in modern day communications. We remain focused on helping connect people to the people and businesses who matter most,” said David Marcus, VP of Messenger, in a statement. Facebook released a few more stats too: it now has over 18,000 bots on its Messenger platform, 10 percent of all VoIP calls are apparently made through Messenger and more than 22 million GIFs are sent via Messenger everyday. To celebrate this momentous occasion, Facebook has unveiled a special celebratory balloon emoji on Messenger that you can send to your friends and family starting today.
Skype no longer supporting Windows Phone or older Android versions
Microsoft is making some changes to its Skype app going forward, and it may end up making some Android and Windows Phone users frustrated. Today, Microsoft announced it would continue to support Skype across iOS 8, Android 4.03 and Windows 10 Mobile, but is ceasing support for those using Windows Phone 8 or older versions of Android.
Anyone still chugging along on these older versions will no longer receive the newest versions of Skype going forward. Unfortunately, this means that some users won’t be able to utilize the Skype app to the fullest as time goes by.
The changes were outlined by Microsoft’s corporate vice president of Skype and Skype for Business Gurdeep Pall, who was quick to admit that Skype has had its own issues in the past. He noted that “unforeseen issues” have indeed been a thorn in users’ sides for some time, such as “messages not syncing across devices or delayed notifications.”
Microsoft notes that the transition from P2P to cloud service of the last few years may be part of the problem, and with the transition still ongoing, Microsoft is hoping to wrap things up in the coming months.
Via: The Verge
Source: Skype Blog
DARPA’s AI-powered radio challenge is officially on
DARPA’s done ironing out the details for its next Grand Challenge, which revolves around the development of AI-powered radios that work with each other to avoid wireless congestion. The contest will apparently be divided into three year-long phases, starting in 2017. Teams that make it through the preliminary phase will advance to the next stages, ending with a championship event in 2019. The team that comes out on top will take home a $2 million cash prize and could also get into a funded contract with the agency. Teams that finish second and third will get something out of the deal, as well, in the form of $1 million and $750,000 cash prizes, respectively.
As DARPA pointed out, an AI-powered radio that can optimize spectrum usage will be especially useful for the military, which needs its wireless devices to work anywhere soldiers are on the battlefield. It will also benefit the rest of us, though, seeing as manufacturers are adding wireless capabilities to just about anything out there, including cars, drones, fridges and other appliances.
Source: DARPA
Argos to stock network-hopping Anywhere SIM cards
Anywhere SIM, a company that wants to solve poor signal problems in the UK, has snapped up its first retail partner. Argos will be selling its SIM cards both in store and online, giving the upstart some much-needed visibility on the high street. The SIMs are unique because they automatically monitor and switch between three different UK networks — O2, Vodafone and EE — depending on which one has the strongest signal at the time.
It’s handled by a clever bit of business and partnership engineering: the company is working with Manx Telecom, an operator based on the Isle of Man, and has a mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) agreement with O2 in the UK. That deal is what allows you to have a UK mobile number. The other two networks — as well as countless others scattered across Europe — are handled with international roaming agreements. So apart from O2, you’re always being treated like a holidaymaker abroad.
Anywhere offers three different pay-as-you go plans — Home, UK and EU. With Home, you can only make calls on O2 (described as its “home network), but you can receive calls through any carrier. Calls are 5 pence per minute, texts are 5 pence per pop and data is 5 pence per megabyte. The UK option lets you make and receive calls on any of the three networks, but the price of a call and a megabyte of data is 10 pence. The EU plan, lastly, gives you access to all of Anywhere’s roaming agreements in Europe. The price of a call is upped to 12 pence per minute, however.
If you’re interested, there are some major caveats to consider. For one, there’s no 4G. For another, there are no monthly plans, although the company promises to add both sometime this autumn. Also in the pipeline is access to Three’s UK network, which should go live in August. While these might sound like deal-breakers, Anywhere SIM isn’t too bothered. The company believes that the bulk of its business will come from older UK citizens that like to travel a lot or live in places with poor coverage.
Given its target market, the new partnership with Argos makes sense. If the company is to build a subscriber base, it needs to make sure its SIM cards are visible in the right places. Few retailers have the footprint of Argos, so outside of launching its own brick-and-mortar stores, this is probably the fastest way for Anywhere to build a presence on the high street.
Source: Anywhere SIM
Microsoft gives Groove for iOS and Android a facelift
Microsoft’s Groove apps for iOS and Android weren’t quite as good as the Windows version, but this update was designed to change that. The company has given its music apps for both platforms a facelift that makes them look more like their Windows counterpart. It also bundled a handful of new features with it. The apps now have an Explore view listing the most popular songs, and they now take on a higher resolution when scaled up on big phones. Microsoft also promises faster downloads for offline playbacks and various improvements.
By the way, don’t be alarmed if your app starts rebuilding your collection from scratch after installing the update. Microsoft support engineer Ellen Kilbourne says the changes are so big, their database “must be rebuilt in order to move forward.” It will only take a minute or two anyway — you can start using Groove as usual after it’s done.
Via: The Digital Lifestyle
Source: Microsoft, iTunes, Google Play
Uber will use high-res satellite imagery to improve pickups
Uber will soon use high-resolution satellite imagery from DigitalGlobe to help drivers find passengers. According to a press release from DigitalGlobe, the ridesharing company will use its satellites “to help identify and improve pickup and drop-off locations.” Uber recently bought mapping company deCarta and is using Microsoft’s Bing vehicle imagery tech, so the DigitalGlobe deal will further extend its mapping efforts.
DigitalGlobe was the company that convinced the US government to lift its image resolution restrictions on private satellites. Shortly after, it launched its WorldView-3 constellation that can detect images as small as 12 inches (30cm) across. It can also scan short-wave infrared frequencies, letting it see forest fires through smoke that would block other satellites, for instance.
There’s no mention of Uber’s ambitious self-driving vehicles in relation to the high-resolution imagery, but mapping is clearly key to the program. And unlike Google Maps or other sat views, DigitalGlobe can provide current maps with more detail than other private systems.
Uber has been criticized for misusing its “God View” to secretly follow clients, but now lets you opt out of any tracking. It’s unlikely that the DigitalGlobe tech could be used to track anyone, given that you’d need to rent a satellite for a fixed period, which is bound to cost a fortune. With Uber’s recent, possibly illegal efforts to dig up dirt on lawyers suing it, however, the company’s shown it’s not afraid to explore questionable options.
Via: Gizmodo
Source: DigitalGlobe
Try Prisma’s machine-learned art filters on Android
The latest heavily-filtered trend in your Instagram feed, Prisma, is now headed to Android on beta. The Russian-made app uses machine learning to severely tweak your images to something that almost approximates art — and it’s addictive, smart and sometimes annoying if you like photos that look like, well, photos. Since launching on iOS a month ago, the app rocketed to the top of the charts in multiple countries, although another certain app has proved even more popular. The beta is available here, but the company says this is just the start: it’s also promised video filters and (zeitgeisty) 360-degree panoramas too.
According to TechCrunch, the company is working on making the most of its popularity, seeking out investors and there are even rumors of acquisitions — which would make sense with the likes of Facebook or SnapChat. Prisma offers a clever way of reinterpreting your photos, something that’s ideal for sharing on social networks. Founder Alexey Moiseenkov visited Facebook this week, and even showed off some Prisma-filtered video working within Facebook Live:
(Oh, and by the way, you can turn off that pesky Prisma watermark in the settings. The more you know.)
Android Nougat won’t boot your phone if its software is corrupt
Ever since KitKat, Android has verified your device’s boot process to make sure that rootkits and other forms of malware don’t operate undetected. However, it hasn’t done much more than alert you of potential problems (as of Marshmallow)… until now. Google explains that Android Nougat strictly enforces that boot check, giving you far more than just a warning. If your boot image or partition is corrupt, Android will either start in a limited-use mode (with your permission) or won’t start at all. The feature will first show up in devices that ship with Nougat out of the box.
For most people, this is likely to be helpful — it’ll prevent your device from becoming a playground for viruses, at least after you restart. Google notes that it could create some hiccups, however. It’s more likely that you’ll notice error-related corruption, since the verification could shut off access to data blocks and trigger unusual behavior. Also, this may make it tougher to tweak your phone with custom firmware. Google says that any device with a locked bootloader will use this addition to check for modifications — while those bootloaders weren’t exactly mod-friendly to start with, it’s going to get that much harder when Nougat rolls around. Thankfully, this won’t affect the Nexus line or other devices where bootloaders are unlocked as a matter of course.
Source: Android Developers Blog
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