Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2 ECG and Fall Detection features expected to land in the US in Q1 2020

The features that will boost the Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2 as an Apple Watch competitor might be on the horizon, at least in the US. The smartwatch's ECG and Afib notifications, as well as Fall Detection, are awaiting FDA approval. A new report from SamMobile gives a rough timeline when Samsung might be able to roll out the features. Both the ECG and Fall Detection are expected to come in the first quarter of 2020. The former will be around February 2020, while Fall Detection will get a "much wider roll out" at some point in the first quarter of next year. The rollout of these features rely on passing local regulations, so we can't say yet if and when it'll make its way here. 

The Galaxy Watch Active 2 Bluetooth edition is available for pre-order now with a starting price of $369.99. You can pre-order at Samsung stores, on the company's site, or at major retailers. For every pre-order made until September 24th, Samsung will offer a bonus Wireless Battery Pack (which usually retails for $79.99). The LTE edition, on the other hand, will be available for pre-order starting September 27th.

Facebook considers hiding likes in its app

Similar to an experiment it's doing on Instagram, Facebook is considering removing the number of likes a post gets to break the fixation its users have with garnering likes on their posts. App researcher Jane Manchun Wong discovered that Facebook is testing this change in its Android app. Facebook confirmed that it's considering testing the removal of likes on posts. Whether this becomes an actual feature available to all users isn't known yet. Even Instagram hasn't fully rolled out the feature to all users.

If implemented though, Facebook posts will no longer show the number of likes or reactions to a post. The user who posted will still see a list of people and their reactions, but the number won't be displayed. Wong also noted that the likes and reactions on comments are still viewable even with the feature turned on.

Source: CNET

Google Maps for Android gets Street View layer

If you wanted to get an overview of where Street View is available, Google is making it easier for Android users of the Maps app. There's a new Street View layer added into the app. It shows the streets where Street View cars drove through with the same bright blue colour you see on the desktop. If you want to see this layer, you need to tap on the map layers option on the top-right corner of the app and select the Street View option. On Android, you can access Street View itself by opening a place's listing or by dropping a pin (holding down anywhere) on the map.

Source: 9to5Google

Burberry and Apple partner for exclusive R Message service

Apple and Burberry build on their long-standing collaboration with the new service integrated right into the Burberry iOS app. The aim is to personalize the shopping experience for the brand's high-value, mobile clients. R Message service allows store associates to directly contact select clients to "make in-store appointments, receive personalized item recommendations, and buy products." The service will be by invite only and will be piloted first at its flagship store in Manchester, England before it rolls out to all Burberry Stores.

The company already offers direct communication to customers in its app through iMessage Business Chat. But since this service targets a specific Burberry clientele, the brand will be able to personalize support for these clients and strengthen the ongoing relationship with them. The service will integrate Apple Pay and allow shopping through a secure payment system.

Source: 9to5Mac