Google Photos now has a favourites feature

It seems like something that should’ve existed from the start but it hasn’t—until today, that is. Google has just started rolling out a favourites feature. This means, you can just tap a star on the upper right corner of your photo of choice and this will then show up in your Favourites. The album will self-generate when you start starring photos. It may or may not be showing up for you yet. If you don’t see the star option, then it hasn’t landed yet. Google is also planning to let users “heart” photos that have been shared with them, adding a bit of a social component to the app.

Source: The Verge

Jake Gyllenhaal might play villain Mysterio in ‘Spider-Man: Homecoming’ sequel

Courtesy of Marvel Entertainment/Steve Ditko

Despite the events of Avengers: Infinity War, we were promised a second Spider-Man: Homecoming movie coming out next year. And now, we’re getting details from the sequel. The Hollywood Reporter claims Jake Gyllenhaal is in talks to play villain Mysterio in the upcoming film. Mysterio was introduced by Spider-Man creators Stan Lee and Steve Ditko in the comics back in 1964. The character’s “real life” name is Quentin Beck, a special effects expert that uses his talent to make elaborate illusions he can use to commit crimes.

Tom Holland will be reprising his role in the sequel and director Jon Watts will be back to direct as well. Chris McKenna and Erik Sommers, two screenwriters from the Homecoming, will also be returning. This Sony and Marvel sequel will be hitting theatres starting July 5, 2019.

Samsung targets 2020 for bringing its Bixby assistant to all its smart home products

Samsung’s Bixby might not be top of mind when it comes to digital assistants but that isn’t stopping the company from bringing it to more products. In fact, Samsung is hoping to bring the assistant t all its Internet of Things products by the year 2020. They aren’t going to stop with phones, TVs, refrigerators, and washers. They want even their ovens and robot cleaners to support the assistant to make sure you get a seamless experience with all its products. The year 2020 might be an ambitious deadline but Samsung says it’s partnering with AI research center competitors and looking for mergers to bring this initiative to life.

Source: Android Police

Is a cheaper Beats-branded Apple HomePod in our future?

It’s a rumour that needs to be taken with a big grain of salt, but word coming out from supply chain sources in Taiwan claim a new HomePod is on its way and it’ll try to go up against its competitors more, at least price-wise. Sales of the original HomePod have not been stellar. A recent report from Strategy Analytics shows that Apple’s smart speaker only accounted for 6% of the global smart speaker market in the recent March quarter. Amazon’s Echo devices account for 81.8% market share.

Price is considered one of the big things the HomePod has going against it. And if the rumours are true, then this might put Apple in better footing to get more people to use HomePods. According to Loveios, this cheaper version of the HomePod can be priced around US$199 and it could be released under the Beats brand. Again, these are all rumours at this point. But if this would happen, will you be willing to get one?

Source: BGR