If you want to use basic Snapchat filters, you need to turn on location services

A new update to Snapchat was spotted by Redditors and it’s bringing a feature a lot of users might not want. In order to use basic filters on the app, it now requires users to turn on location services. That used to only be required for using geofilters and the speedometer but it seems it’s encroaching on the other features, too. Some users are reporting though that the augmented reality facial recognition filters still work now without the need to enable location services. Snapchat hasn’t explained the change yet but spotted at the release notes a feature that lets you “create a Story for friends in a specific location.” Perhaps this is what the update is for.

Source: The Next Web

Essential debuts home assistant, too

While all eyes were on the Essential Phone during its launch, there is another product coming out of the startup lead by Android co-founder Andy Rubin. It’s a smart home assistant that wants to take on Google, Apple, and Amazon. Aptly called Home, this intelligent assistant features a circular design reminiscent of Nest thermostats. Its display can be activated by either voice commands, a tap of a finger, or just looking at it.

Essential claims the AI in Home is a lot smarter than its rivals. It can do things like turn down the volume when it notices you conversing with someone. It’ll take note of your routines and alert you when “something feels off or if a light is left on,” among other features. These features will be part of the new Ambient OS platform. Essential won’t say if it runs on Android but we won’t be surprised if it is. There is no word yet on price and availability

Source: Engadget

New Macs and iPads registered in Eurasia leading up to WWDC 2017

Monday's WWDC 2017 is going to be the first large Apple event since September last year and, while it is definitely a developer, OS and ecosystem-focused show; we are expecting some hardware announcements specially in product lines with some pent-up demand.

As availability of current MacBook Pros has dropped, in some places for multiple weeks, there's news of five new Macs and iPads registered in Eurasia, identified only with the model numbers A1289, A1347, A1418, A1419, and A1481, are likely to be new 13-inch and 15-inch MacBook Pros alongside a new 12-inch Retina MacBook. Also included four numbers classified under iOS 10 (A1671, A1709, A1670, and A1701), which could be attributed to iPad Pro SKUs. This, plus news of a smart Siri-powered speaker offer the biggest hardware expectations heading into WWDC 2017, which begins with a keynote on Monday June 5 at 10 am Pacific. 

I will be covering the WWDC 2017 keynote live, so stay tuned for all the news from Apple's biggest developer event.

Source: MacRumors.com

BlackBerry KEYone coming to Canada starting tomorrow, available contract-free in June

BlackBerry is back with the new KEYone. Featuring a QWERTY keyboard, a 4.5-inch display, the latest Android 7.0 OS and BlackBerry security and encryption plus a bevy of productivity-focused features and an outstanding 12-inch camera. Read our full review of the BlackBerry KEYone here.

TCL Communication, a leading global smartphone manufacturer and global smartphone licensing partner of BlackBerry Limited, is announcing that the award-winning BlackBerry KEYone will officially be on-sale in Canada beginning tomorrow, May 31. Starting at $199 CAD on a two year term, the BlackBerry KEYone will be available either in-store or online from Bell, Bell MTS, Rogers, SaskTel and TELUS. It will also be available unlocked for $729 CAD outright in June.