HMD releases Android Pie release schedule for Nokia phones

HMD Global has consistently been releasing the latest Android updates for its phones. The company just announced on Twitter which phones will be getting the update. And this batch are promised to receive Android Pie by early Q2 2019, at the latest. Five of the company’s Nokia phones already have the update (Nokia 7 Plus, 6.1, 6.1 Plus, 7.1, and 5.1 Plus), while two of them (Nokia 8 Sirocco and 8) are listed as ongoing. The Nokia 5 and 3.1 Plus are expected to get the update this month. The Nokia 6, 5.1, 3.1, and 2.1 are lined up for a Q1 2019 release, while the Nokia 3 and 1 are expected to get the update in early Q2 of this year. Unfortunately, the Nokia 2 doesn’t seem like it’s getting the update—or at least not in the immediate future. And it must be noted that while roadmaps are a good guide, these aren’t definitive timelines. But things might fare better with HMD as the company has shown it’s kept to its promise.

Source: The Verge

Acer renews commitment to education with new batch of Chromebooks

Acer is ramping up its education-focused offerings at BETT (British Educational Training and Technology), a show that's focused on technology and education.

Acer debuted its first 12-inch Chromebooks, the Acer Chromebook Spin 512 and Acer Chromebook 512, for students and education customers. The new Chromebooks feature a 3:2 aspect ratio display — a ratio that falls between the ratio used in books and mobile media, and similar to using pen and paper.

The convertible Acer Chromebook Spin 512’s (R851TN) 360-degree hinge lets students use the Antimicrobial Corning Gorilla Glass2,3 display in four modes: clamshell, tablet, display and tent. An included dockable Wacom electro-magnetic resonance (EMR) stylus makes note-taking and sketching natural and can be conveniently stored in the device slot. The Acer Chromebook 512 (C851/C851T) features a traditional notebook design with touch and non-touch options.

Click to read more ...

Gboard gets Material Design tweak in server-side update

If you noticed some changes in Gboard, Google did a little tweaking. The keyboard now has some Material Design tweaks injected into it. The new “Enter” button has a more rectangular border with rounded corners. The cards and GIFs section also gets this same rounded-corner treatment. And GIFs now have a vertical scrolling menu. There are also new emoticons added to Gboard along with a list of categories to make it easier to search for the emoticon you want to use. It’s a server-side update, so if it hasn’t made its way to you, unfortunately, you can’t force it. You’ll just have to wait to get your hands on those new emoticons.

Source: Android Police

Yours could be the next 'Shot on iPhone' challenge winning photo

Apple is out to recognize the next great 'Shot on iPhone' photos and photographers.

From January 22 to February 7, Apple is looking for outstanding photographs for a Shot On iPhone Challenge.

A panel of judges will review worldwide submissions and select 10 winning photos, to be announced in February. The winning photos will be featured on billboards in select cities, Apple retail stores and online.

iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, and iPhone XR bring innovations to photography, from sophisticated portraits with an adjustable depth of field, to Smart HDR which leverages multiple technologies — like faster sensors, an enhanced ISP and advanced algorithms — to bring more highlight and shadow detail to photos. It will be exciting to see what creative photographers will capture.

How to enter:

Post your best photo taken on iPhone to Instagram or Twitter with the #ShotOniPhone hashtag to participate in the the Shot on iPhone Challenge. Weibo users can participate as well using #ShotOniPhone#. In the image caption, note which model was used. Alternatively, you can also submit the photo in its highest resolution to shotoniphone@apple.com with the file format ‘firstname_lastname_iphonemodel.’ Photos can be straight from the camera, edited through Apple’s editing tools in the Photos app or with third-party software. Submissions for photos begins at 12:01 a.m. PST on January 22 and ends at 11:59 p.m. PST on February 7. You must be 18 years of age or older to participate, and this challenge is not open to Apple employees or their immediate families