Facebook’s new, experimental Whale app lets you create your own memes
Facebook has released a new app called Whale that lets you create your own memes from scratch. The app debuted on the Canadian iOS app store last week, and comes with a standard set of annotation features that let you add elements such as text, emojis, and filters over images.
TikTok owner Bytedance aims to launch a music-streaming app before year’s end
A new report Bytedance will announce a new music streaming app next month in a bunch of countries including India, Brazil, and Indonesia. The subscription will likely be paid, however, it will be priced competitively, and may undercut incumbents such as Spotify and Amazon Music.
Google wants an iMessage Android alternative. RCS won’t help it do that
Google is having another go at building an iMessage alternative for Android with RCS. But its plans have way too many moving parts and already begun to show cracks. Instead, it likely has a better chance of succeeding by merging a simple instant messaging service inside its existing SMS app.
That’s rich: Apple VP knocks classroom Chromebooks for being cheap
In an interview with CNET, Apple's senior vice president of worldwide marketing, Phil Schiller, dismissed Google's Chromebooks "cheap testing tools." He further added that Chrome OS computers can never inspire kids and believes an iPad or a MacBook will allow a child to be more creative and successful.
An iOS bug gives Facebook background access to your iPhone’s camera
A new iOS bug allows the Facebook app to access your iPhone’s camera in the background. The issue keeps the camera active in the background when you scroll through your personal feed. The glitch becomes apparent when you open a picture on the Facebook app and swipe it down to return to the feed.
Pirates are using publishing platform Medium to distribute bootlegged movies
Scammers have been found to be abusing the publishing platform, Medium to distribute bootlegged copies of the latest movies such as Joker. The posts feature links to the video files and a range of search keywords. Most sources lead visitors to registration pages that demand credit card details.
Switching back to a dumbphone was the smartest thing I’ve ever done
Smartphones are designed to hold our attention, and we often end up spending hours on them each day. I set out to see if a smarter feature phone, like the Nokia 8110, can help us break those habits and restore balance in our digital lives. With support for WhatsApp and more, I really didn't miss my smartphone.
Android is a dead-end for new devices — and Google knows it
Google launched Android over a decade ago but has struggled to replicate the explosive success of the OS beyond phones. There was only one Android-powered device at Google's hardware event. Is Android a one-trick pony? As Google increasingly focuses more on the Assistant, where is Android really headed?
Google Pixel 4’s astrophotography mode is now rolling out to older Pixels
Google Pixel 4's astrophotography mode is now making its way to a bunch of previous-generation Pixel phones. Google has begun rolling out the version 7.2 update for its default camera app, which enables the astrophotography mode for the Pixel 2, Pixel 3, and Pixel 3a, among other additions and changes.
Third-party devs improperly accessed some Facebook groups’ private data
Facebook has revealed that about 100 third-party app developers had improper access to personal data of several groups’ members, such as their profile pictures and names, despite the fact that the social network overhauled its APIs to prevent this exact behavior last year.
Why Google’s $2.1 billion Fitbit purchase won’t fix its WearOS woes
Google's Fitbit acquisition may end up being a step in the wrong direction. WearOS has struggled over the years in the smartwatch world, but not because it lacks a decent health platform or activity trackers. The real problem is vertical integration and in-house end-to-end development.
Google continues to ignore the Chromecast, the best product it ever made
There was no sign of the Google Chromecast at the company's Pixel event. The Chromecast was launched more than six years ago, but remains fundamentally the same. The lack of attention has allowed competitors like Amazon and Roku to prosper. Here's why the Chromecast desperately needs a major upgrade.
Opinion: Why my next phone might be an iPhone and not another Google Pixel
The new iPhone 11 phones offer a better camera experience than the Google Pixel 3 as well as stronger battery life.The upcoming Pixel 4 might not be able to compete based on my experience using Pixel phones and based on the leaked rumors about the phone. Here's why I'm likely making the switch to an iPhone.
Google is giving away free Home Mini ahead of its Pixel event next week
Google is currently giving away free Home Minis to lucky YouTube Premium and Google Assistant users. The promotion looks to be limited to the United States. While Google is waiving the entire $49 price tag, the lucky users do need to pay for the shipping cost of about $5.
PlayStation 4 update expands Remote Play compatibility to all Android phones
Sony is extending PlayStation 4 Remote Play compatibility beyond its own Xperia and iOS phones. The new 7.00 PS4 update will allow any Android phone (5.0 or above) to remotely stream and play their PS4 games. Sony is also doubling the number of members a single party can hold from eight to 16.
Google’s new Personal Safety app will detect car crashes and call 911 for you
Google is reportedly developing a new app called Personal Safety, which will be capable of figuring out when a user is involved in a crash and automatically alert first responders as and emergency contacts on their behalf. The app will depend on data from the GPS and microphone components.
TikTok’s creepy new feature lets you search for videos based on people’s faces
You’ll soon be able to look up the faces featured in a TikTok clip. The Bytedance-owned short-form video app is testing a new reverse-image search tool in China. In addition to items such as clothes, the feature will allow you to select a face and browse other videos the person it belongs to appears in.
If Facebook wants to stick around, it needs to disappear for a bit
Despite its ongoing privacy and trust battles, Facebook has continued to launch new products, like its line of Portal cameras. But most of them have done more harm than good for its public image. It's time for Facebook to take a leave of absence.
Pocket Casts goes freemium, adds Plus subscription for diehard podcast fans
One of the best podcast apps on the market, Pocket Casts is shifting to a freemium model. Unlike before, when the podcast-listening app charged a $4 upfront fee, Pocket Casts is now a free download, but it locks a few exclusive perks behind a new “Plus” subscription for diehard podcast listener.
Six clever ways to decide what to watch on Netflix
Here are a bunch of clever apps and websites including Flixi and Taste that use smart methods to offer personalized TV and movie recommendations on the fly.
You should update the LastPass password manager browser extension immediately
LastPass has patched a loophole that exposed your last used password. Originally reported by a Google security researcher last month, the security flaw allowed malicious websites to trick the browser extension into giving away credentials you entered on a previous site. Here's how to make sure LastPass is updated.
Leaked Google Pixel 4 promo video shows off a new astrophotography camera mode
The Google Pixel 4 leaks -- both official and unofficial -- keep pouring in as we inch closer to the expected launch period. Now there's a promo video of the phone in action, showing off its impressive new astrophotography features, as well as air gesture controls and a tease of Google's new voice assistant.
U.S. government orders Google and Apple to identify users of a gun scope app
The U.S. Department of Justice has ordered Google and Apple to turn over personal data of users of a gun scope app. The app, Obsidian 4, is used to remotely operate rifle scopes and is made by by American Technologies Network Corp (ATN), a manufacturing company that specializes in thermal rifle scopes.
DJI raises drone prices by 15% because of Trump’s trade war tariffs
China-based drone maker DJI is passing on the cost of President Donald Trump’s latest round of tariffs on imported Chinese goods to American buyers. Following the new 15% tariff increase, DJI has made several alterations to its online catalog and ratcheted up prices of a handful of its drones.