Thursday
Aug222019

Android drops dessert nicknames for mobile OS

After years of naming its mobile operating system after sweet treats, the company has decided to take a more straightforward approach. Android Q is just going to be called Android 10. Perhaps thinking up of a Q-named dessert was too much of a challenge. But Android's official release is that this approach makes it more "relatable." Sameer Samat, vice president of product management for Android, wrote in a blog post, "As a global operating system, it's important that these names are clear and relatable for everyone in the world. So, this next release of Android will simply use the version number and be called Android 10. We think this change helps make release names simpler and more intuitive for our global community."

On top of changing the name, the Android logo gets a new "more modern, accessible look" with droid prominent in the logo as well. Google hasn't officially announced when the new software will roll out to users. But the company says this new logo will come out in the "coming weeks with the final release of Android 10."

Source: CNET

Thursday
Aug222019

Android Messages now lets you delete multiple messages in a conversation thread

It's a feature that should've been available for a while, but better late than never, we say. Version 4.7 of Android Messages will allow you to delete multiple messages in a conversation thread.  For many Android phones, Android Messages is the default messaging app for a lot of Android phones, but some OEMs have their proprietary messaging app. If you aren't using Android Messages and want to use it, the app is available for download on the Play Store.

To batch delete messages, open the app and select the chat thread you want. Once you're there, long-press on a message to highlight it. You can then tap on any additional messages you wish to remove. You can then tap on the trash can icon from the menu bar up top to delete the texts.

Source: Lifehacker

Thursday
Aug222019

Disney+ is coming to Canada on November 12th, will stream on a number of devices at launch

We now get confirmation that Disney's streaming service will launch in Canada at the same time as it will in the US. Disney+ will be coming on November 12th for CA$8.99. And it will be available on the following devices: Apple TV (tvOS-supported models), iPad, iPhone, Android phones, Android TV, Chromecast, web browsers, PlayStation 4, Roku streaming players, Roku TV, and Xbox One. There is no word yet if it'll be coming to Amazon's Fire TV platform.

Disney has also confirmed that customers can subscribe to Disney+ on iOS devices and other platforms. And the company plans to integrate its content with the Apple TV app.  So, those who look for shows or content to watch on the app will get to see Disney shows/films there as well. Disney hasn't mentioned whether it'll integrate with channel marketplaces like Apple TV Channels or Amazon Prime Channels. But the Disney+ app will have dedicated sections for each of the company's major brands, support for offline downloads, and the ability to stream select content in 4K HDR.

Source: The Verge

Wednesday
Aug212019

Netflix's new dystopian survival series takes a jab at the Fyre Festival

Netflix's upcoming show The I-Land has no qualms about parodying the failed Fyre Festival. But the intention behind that is something we don't know yet because the show seems to be focusing on something different entirely. While this does offer an island getaway, too, here in the trailer we see people go through some life-threatening "extreme psychological and physical challenges. The series stars Kate Bosworth (who's also a producer) and Natalie Martinez. They're joined by other people who've woken up on a "treacherous island with no memory of who they are or how they got there." And it looks like they need to find a way to get off that island. Feels very The Hunger Games, we have to say. Is there a connection to the Fyre Festival and this show? We don't know for now. The only way we'd find out is when it debuts on September 12th.

Source: Gizmodo