AirPod 2 to launch with Bluetooth 5.0 and Health-related features

November 7, 2018

All seem to be falling in place for Apple Inc. to release its long-awaited sequel to its first generation wireless AirPods. Dubbed the AirPods 2, the launch was highly speculated to be sometime in October, not too long after the company announced its 2018 iPhones. While the accessories failed to launch last month, new information now suggest that the second-generation AirPods 2 are incoming.

The AirPods 2 recently passed the obligatory Bluetooth Special Interests Group (SIG) certification required of any device in the market that uses Bluetooth as a form of communication.

In a regulatory filing posted by the Bluetooth SIG, there were indications of the models numbers A2031 and A2032 for the upcoming Apple accessories. It isn’t exactly clear if the presence of two model numbers indicates that the AirPod 2 will come in two versions or if the model numbers belongs to two units of an AirPod pair. The listing also indicated that the AirPods 2 will support the latest Bluetooth 5.0.

In another entirely different filing under Hong Kong and Europe trademark revealed a name modification/expansion of the AirPods from an audio equipment to a “General wellness instruments”. This is an indication of health-related functionalities on the upcoming AirPods 2. There are reports that the second-generation AirPods will support heart rate monitoring, tracking capabilities, fitness sensors and more.

That’s not all, though. The upcoming AirPods is believed to be undergoing a number of revisions and upgrades when compared to its predecessor. Some new features to expect on the Apple AirPods 2 includes support for wireless charging via charging mat, an upgraded charging case, Siri (Hey Siri) integration, etc.

Albeit the AirPods 2 have surfaced on a couple of filings, patents and trademarks, there is no fixed/official launch date at the moment. We however expect to hear from Apple about the accessory in the coming weeks.

Google Permanently Shuts Down Google Plus

Olanrewaju Sodiq

October 9, 2018

Google have shut down its internet-based social network, Google Plus (or Google+) following a security glitch that caused the exposure of data of almost half a million users.

The exposure of users data occurred between the period of 2015 — 2018 and was caused by a faulty API that allowed developers have access to these data. While Google mentions that the exposed data were limited to Google+ profile fields information, it says that only 438 apps made use of this API and 496,951 users may have been affected.

The above figure is barely an estimate as Google cannot exactly confirm which users or how many users’ data were affected. This is because Google keeps the API’s log data for two weeks only. Even worse is the fact that not only users who use the affected apps were exposed but also, people connected to those users.

Exposed data include users’ full names, email addresses, birth dates, gender, profile photos, places lived, occupation and relationship status. According to Google,

“It does not include any other data you may have posted or connected to Google+ or any other service, like Google+ posts, messages, Google account data, phone numbers or G Suite content.”

Although Google says it has carried out investigations into the data breach and found no evidence of data misuse by these developers, it went ahead to shut down the social network, also citing low usage and poor on-site engagement as reasons.

Adieu, Google Plus!

Due to data breaches in some apps that affected about half a million users on its social network, Google officially pulls the plug from Google Plus.

Microsoft adds 4 new hardware to its Surface line of products

Olanrewaju Sodiq

October 3, 2018

microsoft-surface-pro-6 — Microsoft Surface 6 Pro

Microsoft held a “Surface Event” in New York yesterday where it announced four (4) new hardware to its Surface line of products. Some of the products are entirely new, while some are updates to previously existing devices.

The new products are: Surface Pro 6, Surface Laptop 2, Surface Studio 2, and Surface Headphones.

The Surface Pro 6 is Microsoft’s latest laptop-tablet hybrid with interesting upgrades and modifications. The device comes as an update to last year’s Microsoft Surface Pro and it sports a new matte black colour and Intel’s 8th Gen Quad core processors that will make it faster (up to 67%) than its predecessor. The new Surface Pro 6 also boasts of impressive 13.5 hours battery life and improved internal cooling technology.

microsoft surface laptop 2 — Microsoft Surface Laptop 2

The Surface Laptop 2 was also unveiled and it succeeds the Microsoft Surface Laptop that was released over a year ago. The Microsoft new Surface Laptop 2 also debuts in a new matte black colour option and brings on a redefined keyboard for smooth and quiet typing. The laptop also rocks Intel’s latest Core i5 or Core i7 8th Gen Quad core processor with 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, or 1TB storage variants. Interestingly, RAM on the base model now starts at 8GB while battery can now supply more than 14 hours of usage time.

The Surface Studio 2 is Microsoft upgrade to the first Surface Studio that was released in 2016; Microsoft says the Studio 2 is the fastest Surface ever. Although the design is almost identical to that of its predecessor, it comes with improved graphics (50%), brighter screen (38%), and more contrast (22%).

The last Surface Product is the Surface Headphones. The accessory is a wireless Bluetooth headphone with built-in Cortana, active noise cancellation, 8 microphones, automatic pause and play (audio is paused when headphone are removed from the ears), and an impressive 15 hours of battery life from only 2 hours of charge (via the USB-C port). The Microsoft Surface Headphones are presently available in Light Gray colour only and will sell for $350.

The Surface Studio 2 on the other hand will cost $3,499; Surface Pro 6 – $899; and Surface Laptop 2 – $999. Shipping of these three products will commence on October 16 while the Surface Headphones will go on sale later in the year.

Xiaomi releases XR, XS and XS Max to show Apple’s new iPhones are overpriced

Olanrewaju Sodiq

September 17, 2018

In a bid to take a jab at Apple’s exorbitant pricing of its products, Xiaomi puts up special ‘product bundles’ named after the latest models of the newly launched 2018 iPhone.

The product bundles are named the Xiaomi XR, Xiaomi XS, and Xiaomi XS Max. And to further spice things up, the bundles are priced at exactly the same amount each 2018 iPhone models sells for.

The iPhone XR, for example, has a retail price of CNY 6499 (approx $947) in China. The device is the cheapest of the new 2018 iPhones. Xiaomi’s XR suit on the other hand come will, for the same price of the iPhone XR, get you a 6GB/128GB storage variant of the Xiaomi Mi 8 SE smartphone, one Mi Band 3 smartband, Bluetooth handsfree, and a 12.5-inch Mi Notebook Air with 8GB RAM and 256GB ROM version.

The message Xiaomi’s trying to pass here is: why buy one phone when you can get a laptop, a top-of-the-line Android flagship, and other accessories for the same price? And it makes sense.. doesn’t it?

The XS suit is Xiaomi’s iPhone XS shade. With the XS bundle, Xiaomi is offering the 8GB/256GB variant of the Mi Mix 2S smartphone, 13.3-inch Mi Notebook Air, Mi Band 3 and Bluetooth headset for the same C CNY8699 ($1266) price of the iPhone XS.

The last bundle — the XS Max suit— will sell for the same CNY 9599 ($1397) price as the new 6.5-inch iPhone XS Max and come with 6GB/128GB Mi 8 smartphone, Mi notebook Pro, a Mi Band 3, and a pair of neckband-style Bluetooth earbuds.

The Xiaomi XR, XS, and XS Max packages will be available for sale in China only and it is Xiaomi’s way of saying ‘Hey Apple, your devices are too costly’ while opening the eye of the public to Apple’s ridiculous pricing structure.

LG announces new Bluetooth and AI Speakers to its XBOOM audio lineup

Olanrewaju Sodiq

August 21, 2018

With the intention of improving its XBOOM line of audio products, LG Electronics will be introducing 2 new wireless and smart speakers to the series at the upcoming IFA 2018 expo — a consumer electronics and home appliances trade show which will commence from 31 August in Berlin, Germany.

The upcoming audio products are the LG XBOOM Go and XBOOM AI ThinQ smart speakers.

Designed with user convenience and quality in mind, the LG XBOOM Go is a wireless speaker (the first of its kind) that will adopt Qualcomm’s aptX HD support for a lossless 24bit/576kbps hi-res audio streaming experience. The XbooX Go will also come with unmatched quality in terms of clear treble and thumping bass.

Other features of the XBOOM Go include external multicolour mood lighting, Grab-N-Go and X-grip handles for portability and stability, Pro DJ Wheel for creative mixing and scratching. The XBOOM Go will be available in three variants; the PK3, PK5, and PK7.

The LG XBOOM AI ThinQ speaker, on the other hand, will have features of the XBOOM Go and Google Assistant-enabled; allowing users control the speaker via voice commands and function in similar fashion as the Google Home does.

The audio quality of the LG XBOOM AI ThinQ speaker is expected to blow users away as the device was made in conjunction with Meridian Audio, an English manufacturer of high-performance, high-fidelity audio and video components and systems. The XBOOM AI ThinQ will arrive in two variants, the WK7 and WK9.

The WK9 model of the XBOOM AI ThinQ will reportedly launch with an 8-inch display. With the display and Google Assistant on top, the WK9 XBOOM AI is expected to function the same way the Lenovo Smart Display works, but with better speakers.

Other feature of the speaker include water resistance and long battery life. No pricing details are available but it is expected that information regarding all models of both speakers are expected to be unveiled at the upcoming IFA 2018 event.

Gmail’s ‘Confidential mode’ feature makes it way to mobile

Olanrewaju Sodiq

August 18, 2018

According to Google’s latest update to its email platform, Gmail, users will now be able to send and receive ‘confidential’ emails; just when we thought email security couldn’t get any better.

Google has, no doubt, furnished Gmail with quite a number of feature over the past couple of months (Nudge and Smart Unsubscribe, for example), but this one’s definitely a super cool addition…and a big deal.

Although the confidential mode has been around for a while (say July) as part of Google’s redesign of the Gmail platform, it is now making its way to mobile devices.

When turned on, the new feature allows Gmail users send and receive confidential emails by setting an expiration period to mails; expiry date can be set to 24 hours, a couple of weeks, months or even years (max 5 years).

Sender of a confidential email can also withdraw the recipients access to the email at any time. To make the mail even more confidential, receivers of such mail cannot reproduce the mail either by copying, printing, downloading, or forwarding the content to a third-party.

However, there is no measure in place to restrict recipients of a confidential mail from showing someone else the mail, or taking a screenshot of the content. While Google doesn’t have total control over the recipients device, it can at least notify the sender whenever a screenshot of his/her mail tagged ‘confidential’, just how SnapChat does.

In addition, the recipient(s) could set a mail to request a password (which will be sent to the receiver by Google via SMS) before accessing the content of such mail. The sender, however, has to provide the receiver’s phone number before such message is sent.

Passcodes to unlock a confidential mail will be sent to recipients using a Gmail address via SMS while recipients using other mail providers can receive passcodes either through SMS or in their email box.

How to use Gmail Confidential mode

To send a confidential mail:

1. Ensure you have the latest version of the Gmail app

2. Launch Gmail

3. Compose mail

4. Click on the three dots menu button

5. Click ‘Confidential Mode’

6. A new page will open up, then you can proceed to set expiration date or turn off confidential mode

Google’s GBoard gets support for 28 new languages in new update

Olanrewaju Sodiq

August 1, 2018

GBoard, the official keyboard of Google, is arguably one of the best and most popular keyboard on Android and iOS platforms. The app just got an updated version that comes with new improvements that will surely snowball its popularity and usage.

As seen on the new changelog on the app page on the Google Play Store, there are 3 major changes made to the keyboard app:

Add text to Make a GIF
Search stickers in 15 more languages
Support for 28 new languages

The new GBoard comes with a “Make a GIF” icon/feature which allows users create customized GIFs with the front or rear-facing camera. In addition, users can further customize their GIFs by adding text.

The “Make a GIF” icon is next to word suggestion bar and GIFs can be created in either “Fast Forward” or “Loop” mode.

Another highlight feature is the support for 28 new languages: Bagri, Batak Toba, Bench, Bhili, Capiznon, Chavacano, Eastern Min, Fiji Hindi, Ge’ez, Gurani, Ingush, Karachay, Khorasani Turkic, Kipsigis, Maharashtrian Konkani, Lezgian, Mizo, Maguindanao, Malay (Brunei), Maranao, Southern Min, Northern Sami, Qashqa’i, Rinconada Bikol, Surjapuri, Tausug, Upper Saxon, and Vasavi.

With over 500 millions downloads on the Google Play Store, this new update is sure to trigger more downloads and it won’t come as a surprise if download hit the 1 billion mark.

Yahoo discontinues “Yahoo Messenger”

Olanrewaju Sodiq

June 11, 2018

Yahoo messenger shutdown — Yahoo Messenger shutdown

Through this help page on its official website, Yahoo announced that the popular, used-to-be our favorite messaging platform and app will longer exist later this year.

This news took many by surprise because, albeit the usage and popularity of the platform has been clouded by popular (and better) messaging platforms like Facebook’s Messenger, WhatsApp, Google Hangouts etc. that have surfaced over the years, nobody really saw this coming.

Yahoo’s Messenger say the light when it was launched (as Yahoo Pager) on March 9, 1998 before it was rebranded a year after to Yahoo Messenger. The platform is scheduled to be put down on July 17, 2018 — lived 20 years, 4 months, and 8 days.

R.I.P, Yahoo Messenger ?

As to why Oath, the company (controlled by Verizon) that runs Yahoo!, is killing the messenger, the quote below is the company’s explanation:

We know we have many loyal fans who have used Yahoo Messenger since its beginning as one of the first chat apps of its kind. As the communications landscape continues to change over, we’re focusing on building and introducing new, exciting communications tools that better fit consumer needs.

After shutting down the platform on July 17, 2018, Yahoo says you will no longer be able to login to the Messenger, either through the mobile app or on desktop. Yahoo, however, recommends that you delete your Messenger app after it shuts down.

Interestingly, for record sake, you can download your entire chat history for the next six months — even after the shut down date. All you need to do is the visit the data request page, enter your details, go through some verification steps, and input the preferred email address where you want your chat history sent to.

What’s your reaction to the Yahoo Messenger shutdown? Will you miss the messaging platform? What alternative messenger will you be switching to?

With Gmail’s new “Nudge” feature, you won’t miss important mails anymore

Olanrewaju Sodiq

May 18, 2018

Google has laced its mailing service, Gmail, with a new feature (incorporated with AI) to help solve the problem of forgetting to reply or follow up on important emails and conversations. Google calls the feature “Nudge”.

It wasn’t too long ago that Google announced a “Snooze” feature that allows you mute emails to carry out actions on them later. Snoozing a particular mail (for a specified period) will bring back the mail to the top of your box when the set time clocks.

The Snooze feature helped people remember to take actions on certain emails later..but there was still a problem; users still miss important mails. For some reasons, people forgot to snooze mails probably because of the unbearable number of the they’ve got in their box.

Interestingly, Google will henceforward help solve that problem automatically with the newly introduced “Nudge” feature. So irrespective of whether you remember to favourite or snooze a mail so you can remember to take action(s) on it later, Google will remind you of important mail using Artificial Intelligence (AI).

“When your inbox is flooded with emails, some will inevitably slip through the cracks. Luckily, the new Gmail can help. It will now ‘nudge’ users to reply to emails they may have missed and to follow up on emails for which they haven’t received a response,” says Google in its official statement about Nudge in a blog post.

The AI powering through nudge feature will scan through all your emails, try to find the important ones and pushes them to the top of your inbox. Then at the top right corner of the message, you will informed how many days it has been since you have received the mail and left it unanswered.

You can then proceed to click on mail to read it reply, or ignore — your choice. The Nudge feature will be automatically “on” for every user but you can deactivate it in the settings menu.

It’s about time you never miss any important mail anymore.

Facebook Stories hit 150M Daily Active User

Olanrewaju Sodiq

May 18, 2018

It’s been more than a year since Facebook introduced the “Stories” feature to its social networking platform… and it seems to be doing some numbers. Recently, Facebook announced that the Stories on the platform have hit a daily usage count of 150 million.

When Stories was announced in March 2017, Facebook said it was diverting away from the “text and link focused” mode of updates to experiment with the trending visual (photos and videos) updates are preferred by most users. To continue, Facebook also admitted that the 150 million daily user milestone of Stories on Instagram also the move to start testing the feature on Facebook.

Now, a year and a couple of months later, Facebook Stories have hit the 150 million daily users and Facebook is taking it to the next level…by incorporating Ads — just like Stories on Instagram.

The Ads that will debit in Facebook Stories are still in their basic and initial stages as advertisers will only be able to display their products or services to their targets. There will be no click-through or call to action for now but they will debut later as the feature age.

For the time being, ads will be pictures or videos that will have a 5- to 15-second duration. You can skip these ads though by just tapping/swiping left or right of the ads.

In addition, since Facebook and Instagram are owned by the same parent company, advertisers can easily extend their Instagram Stories Ads to Facebook Stories Ads. Interestingly, Facebook can also automatically help reformat ads placed on the News Feed to fit Facebook Stories Ads; Facebook will recreate the Ads to have matching borders and background as well as text.

This Facebook Stories-Instagram Stories, as well as News Feed-Stories Ads flexibility, are features I’m sure will attract advertisers and business to put up their businesses on Facebook Stories.

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