Marshmallow debuts in less than one percent of Android devices
Google’s latest version of Android, Marshmallow, only started rolling out last month. As such, it shouldn’t come as surprise to see that the current adoption numbers for it are extremely low. According to Android’s Platform Distribution rates for the month of November, Marshmallow is running on a mere 0.3 percent of “active” devices. The data is collected from signals sent to the Play Store, which helps identify what Android version is on handsets or tablets. Lollipop (5.0 and 5.1), on the other hand, accounts for nearly 26 percent, while Kit Kat (4.4) is the most popular version with about 38 percent of the total. The slow adoption rates for Marshmallow are by no means Google’s fault, however, since it is often carriers and manufacturers which fail to keep their phones up to date.
Instagram reportedly testing ads that use 3D Touch and Apple Pay
Instagram ads have been around for some time now, but a new report claims the company is looking to boost the in-app shopping experience. According to Digiday, the photo-sharing app is testing 3D Touch and Apple Pay support for those ads from companies that are looking to sell you goods. With the former tool, a long press could give users access to multiple offers or items instead of just one from the Shop Now button Instagram added earlier this summer. The inclusion of Apple Pay will tack on a convenient method for handling payments for iPhone and iPad users. As is the case with any rumor, we’ll have to wait and see when, or if, the test features make their way to the app.
Via: MacRumors
Source: Digiday
Let’s talk about sex: This is Computer Love
Computer Love is a semi-regular column exploring the weird world of human sexuality in the 21st century.
That’s me four months ago, emerging from the frozen tomb of a near decade-long relationship. OK, that’s Brendan Fraser, but when I finally surfaced from the cold-comfort coffin of love lost, I was thrust into a strange new world, where courtship starts with a dick pic, dating is done by phone and text messages are the preferred mode of romantic communique.
LG rolls out the Android Marshmallow update for the LG G4 in South Korea
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Late last month we heard that LG was putting the brakes on its
Android Marshmallow update for the LG G4 due to some “technical issues”, however, it appears all is well now as reports are coming in that the update is being seen in LG‘s native South Korea. If you have a model number LG-F500K, LG-F500L or LG-F500S, you’ll likely start to see the update very soon.
LG was very proud to announce that it would be the first manufacturer to roll out Android 6.0 to its flagship device, and it seems to have gotten there with a big margin compared to other manufacturers even with the technical issues. We wonder if they can keep it up and whether LG’s older devices will also benefit from LG’s proactivity.
What do you think about the Android Marshmallow update for the LG G4? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
Source: LG via TalkAndroid
The post LG rolls out the Android Marshmallow update for the LG G4 in South Korea appeared first on AndroidSPIN.
Sony’s A7 II camera gets a faster and more accurate autofocus
The Sony A7 II is one of the best mirrorless cameras available right now, although it isn’t perfect. After trying it out earlier this year, one of our main issues with the full-frame shooter was its autofocus performance, which was at times slow and unreliable. But Sony has an update coming soon that, along with bringing a new feature, promises to fix some of these woes. In addition to activating the phase detection AF on the A7 II, the company’s also turning on support for uncompressed 14-bit RAW image capture — something that already exists in models such as the A7S II, A7R II and RX1R II. You can grab the refreshed firmware, version 2.0, on November 18th from Sony’s support website.
Source: Sony
Evernote adds sketching and split-screen features on iOS
Sketching has been available in Evernote’s Penultimate app for quite some time, but now the company’s main productivity app is handling your scribbles on its own. With an update for its iOS apps, Evernote now lets you sketch notes with a Jot stylus or Apple Pencil and stores them for safekeeping. What’s more, if your input device of choice supports 3D Touch, you’ll notice the line weight vary based on how much pressure you apply. You can also adjust the line thickness manually between five settings and choose between 10 color options. When you’re done, those drawings sync just like any other Evernote entry and the app’s handwriting recognition makes those scribbles searchable, should the need arise. The new version of the app also delivers split-screen multi-tasking that’s made possible by iOS 9, so long as you’re using it on a iPad Pro, iPad Air 2, or iPad Mini 4. Ready to give it a go? The update is available now from the App Store.
Source: Evernote
Facebook reportedly launching a stand-alone news app next week
According to Financial Times, Facebook will be releasing yet another stand-alone app. The yet-to-be-released Notify app will feature news from media partners like The Washington Post, CBS and Vogue. Users will receive alerts when one of the outlets publishes an article and it becomes available within the app. Unlike Instant Articles — which embed articles within the main Facebook app — Notify will be a one-trick pony. Both the app and in-app features are meant to reduce the load time of stories and give the social network the opportunity to become the go-to destination for news from multiple sources. If the app does emerge from the company next week, it’ll join a growing number of single-use apps the company has released over the years including, Messenger, Poke, Camera, Rooms, Slingshot, Groups and Pages.
[Image credit: Shutterstock]
Source: Financial Times
Apple CarPlay review: A useful companion, even in its early stages
It’s been two years since Apple announced its plot to put your iPhone’s core features inside the dash of your car, but only now is its CarPlay software becoming available in lots of new models. In brief, CarPlay allows you to connect your trusty iOS device to a vehicle’s infotainment system to make things like texts, maps and music accessible from the console. Sure, the goal is to provide an easier way to use your phone on the road, but it also nixes the distraction of swiping through screens on the phone itself. To put CarPlay through its paces, I hit the highway for a 7.5-hour road trip in a 2016 Camaro SS, a model that’ll arrive soon at your local dealer. From Philadelphia to Raleigh, North Carolina, I used it to navigate, find food and stream in-car entertainment along the way. This first version of Apple’s software for the car is certainly useful, but as I found, there’s room for improvement. Slideshow-339027 Slideshow-339035
Cortana for iPhone beta signups kick off
Just as it did with Android, Microsoft is gearing up to bring its Cortana virtual assistant to iPhones. The beta release of Cortana won’t have all of its features — you can’t say “Hey Cortana” to wake it up, for example — but it sounds you’ll be able to ask Cortana questions manually and add reminders. Basically, it’ll have the same limitations as the current Cortana Android beta. If you want to be a Cortana guinea pig, fill out this survey to sign up for the beta and sit tight for a download link over the next few weeks. Be warned, though, Microsoft also says it’s only looking for a “limited number”of people to try it out, and it’s currently only available in the US and China. You can be sure it’ll open up the Cortana for iPhone beta even more eventually.
Via: The Verge
Source: Microsoft
Actually read the iTunes TOS with this graphic adaptation
It’s a little lie you tell every single time you sign up for anything on the internet. “I have read and agree to the terms of service.” You haven’t read them and everybody knows it, but maybe you should read the iTunes Terms and Conditions, just once. Not for legal reasons of course, or on Apple’s website — that would be boring — but in R. Sikoryak’s ‘Unabridged Graphic Adaptation: iTunes Terms and Conditions.’ It’s exactly what it sounds like: two volumes of unwieldy legal jargon juxtaposed with gorgeous comic imagery.
Via: BoingBoing
Source: Bird Cage Bottom Books
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