Apple announces iOS 12 with a focus on managing screen time

Apple revealed all the software updates and zero hardware today at their World Wide Developer’s Conference WWDC.

While the company played up expected new features to excite and delight users like new mEmoji, AR functionality as well as even better camera and photos functionality, the key reveals were about managing screen time.

Following in the stead of Google who announced features last month to help track and manage smartphone use and screen time, iOS 12 will  similarly generate activity reports for time spent on apps, websites or social media. Ideal for parents managing their young ones’ iPad or gaming time, these metrics also serve to give a realistic picture of our online and smartphone addictions.

Also improved are the Do Not Disturb function on iOS devices that help people stay in the moment and focus on work and class as well as family time like dinner or a date. Notifications, which have become the bane of almost all smartphone users, can now be managed on a granular level and will be tied to time as well as to location constraints.

iOS 12 comes this fall but will be available as a public beta for intrepid users. Developers can get their hands on the latest build starting today.

Breaking: Microsoft confirms intent to purchase GitHub for $7.5 billion in stock

Chris Wanstrath (left), Github CEO and co-founder; Nat Friedman, Microsoft corporate vice president, Developer Services; Satya Nadella, Microsoft CEO; and Amy Hood, Microsoft Chief Financial Officer.

GitHub will retain its developer-first ethos. Operate independently and remain an open platform. -Microsoft

By Gadjo Cardenas Sevilla

Further to the earlier report that Microsoft is purchasing code repository and developer community hangout GitHub, we now have confirmation from Redmond that Microsoft intends to purchases GitHub for $7.5 billion in Microsoft stock.

Microsoft says that the "two companies will empower developers to achieve more at every stage of the development lifecycle, accelerate enterprise use of GitHub, and bring Microsoft’s developer tools and services to new audiences."

"The era of the intelligent cloud and intelligent edge is upon us. Computing is becoming embedded in the world, with every part of our daily life and work and every aspect of our society and economy being transformed by digital technology.Developers are the builders of this new era, writing the world’s code. And GitHub is their home," Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella stated in a blog post. 

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Samsung Galaxy Note 9 likely coming in August with updated Bixby features

There's still nothing quite like the Samsung Galaxy S9 in terms of power, size and functionality specially when you consider the SPen lacks any analogs or competing products. Reports say the Galaxy Note 9 will be launched by August and while it will look very similar to the Note 8, it will likely have updated specs and migth introduce a new and improved Bixby personal assistant.

The Bloomberg report says an event will be held in New Yotk to launch the device which will also have a brand new Qualcomm processor and improved camera hardware and functionality. What features do you want the next Note device to feature?

Source: 9to5Google

Microsoft reportedly buying code hosting repository GitHub

By Gadjo Cardenas Sevilla

Microsoft is reportedly buying GitHub which is a leading resource for global software development. "GitHub hosts code for 27 million software developers working on 80 million repositories of code,” according to Bloomberg. The deal is apparently expected to be a billion dollar blockbuster deal which is expected to get a formal announcement tomorrow June 4.

GitHub is a critical service used to help develop everything from iPhone apps to websites. Microsoft owning this resource gives it a powerfull foothold in the future of software development. While GitHub is a huge code repository used by Apple, Amazon, Google and many others. Microsoft is also a major contributor to GitHub and a natural fit as a steward of the service.

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