LG to bring AI camera features to new V30 model

LG is joining the bandwagon of putting artificial intelligence tech into its smartphone’s camera. The South Korean company said they will be showing off “the first of a suite of AI technologies into a new version of the V30 at the upcoming Mobile World Congress. This was leaked earlier in Korea with reports that a phone called the V30s will be coming to MWC and will have AI-powered camera features.

This Vision AI tech, as LG calls it, will be initially focused on image recognition and will provide auto image analysis to recommend shooting modes instantly as well as help recognize objects and offer shopping suggestions (similar to Google Lens on the Pixel devices). The technology will also supposedly be used to offer better low-light performance.

Source: The Verge

This is what you can expect from Android P

Fragmentation is still a big issue with Android’s operating system but that isn’t stopping Google from working on the next iteration of its mobile OS. Android P will supposedly work on “improving the look of the software” so it can appeal to iPhone users who might be considering making the switch to Google’s platform. This might also be the best time for the company to redesign Android as Apple focuses on improving performance and reliability for iOS 12 instead of thinking of revamping the look. Another one of the new things we can expect to come to Android P is better integration with camera notches, similar to what we see on the iPhone X and Essential Phone. The upcoming OS update will also supposedly offer better support for different form factors like the ZTE Axon M’s multiple screens or the upcoming rumoured foldable displays.

Google will also supposedly embed Assistant further into Android with the company supposedly considering letting third-party developers directly integrate Assistant into their apps. Assistant might also find its way into the Google search bar on the home screen. If we rely on past instances, we might see a developer preview sometime next month with a more formal outing at Google I/O in May before the final version hits users in the fall. Well, at least the small number of users who can get access to them. At the moment, there are only 1.1 percent of Android users that are on Android Oreo.

Source: The Verge

EU will review Apple’s acquisition of music discovery app Shazam

We reported back in December that Apple was set to buy music discover app Shazam. The tech giant reportedly signed a US$400m acquisition deal with the London-based company. And now it seems the European Commission wants to investigate the deal following requests from seven countries that fear the agreement will “adversely affect competition.” The seven petitioners include Austria, France, Iceland, Italy, Norway, Spain, and Sweden. When Apple made the announcement last year, it said the deal will be less than the “turnover threshold” for the European Commission. However, it’s above the merger notification threshold for Austria, which is leading the quorum of countries worried about the deal.

This investigation forces Apple to let the EU authorities know about the deal and have to wait for the investigation into the deal’s implications. The EC has up to 35 working days for the initial investigations and another 105 working days if there are serious concerns that need to be looked into. Apple will then have the opportunity for approval by answering and addressing the concerns.

Source: The Guardian

Instagram is trying out screenshot alerts for Stories

Instagram’s latest test might ruffle a few feathers. The social network is trying out a feature that will let your friend know that you took a screenshot of their story. But if you have this feature, you’ll also be able to see who has been taking screenshots of your Stories. You won’t be notified when someone takes a screenshot. Instead, there will be a camera shutter logo beside the user who took a screenshot of the photo in your list of story viewers.

When Instagram was asked about the test, the company said “we are always testing ways to improve the experience on Instagram and make it easier to share any moment with the people who matter to you.” As TechCrunch points out, Instagram might be trying to see if this would affect engagement when it comes to users watching Stories. Some might not use it as often if they knew their screenshots are being seen by the creator. Previously, notifications were only sent out when you took a screenshot of a private direct message.