Samsung Galaxy Note8 and Galaxy S6 edge+ get security updates

Samsung has begun rolling out new updates to the older Galaxy S6 edge+ and its recent flagship the Galaxy Note8. The updates bring with them security fixes as well as other Android fixes for the month. The Galaxy Note8 update comes in at 707MB and is starting to hit devices in France. Meanwhile, the Galaxy S6 edge+ update is coming to units in Mexico with a build number of G928GUBU4CRA1.

Source: GSMArena

Audiobooks now available in the Google Play Store

Google is making thousands of audiobooks available on the Google Play Store in 45 countries and nine languages. This enables the ability to purchase and listen to audiobooks without the need for a subscription. More importantly, the audiobooks will be accessible by Google Assistant and will work with Google Home speakers.

Just say “Ok Google, read my book” to listen to your favorite audiobook hands free with the Google Assistant on your phone or speaker, like Google Home. Try “Ok Google, who is the author?” if you need a refresher, or “Ok Google, stop playing in 20 minutes” to set a timer for bedtime reading. This is a key feature of rival Amazon on their Amazon Echo devices," says Greg Hartrell, the Head of Product Management, Google Play Books.

Apple's HomePod speaker comes to US, UK, and Australia on Feb 9

After a delay to market late last year, Apple's heralded HomePod smart speaker is coming on February 9 with preorders happening this Friday. Unfortunately, HomePods is coming to three markets -the US, UK and Australia with other countries (possibly Canada) getting the devices in the spring.

HomePod is a new product category from Apple. It looks to be taking on Sonos in terms of MESH enabled Hi-Fi streaming speakers but also looks to compete with the Amazon Echo and Google Home smart speakers which have been available in Canada since last year. Seen as a delivery methof for Apple Music, Siri, HomeKit and other Apple ecosystems, the HomePod is expected to bring big sound in a compact package.

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Apple partners with the Malala Fund to support girls’ education

Here’s one piece of good news. Apple becomes the Malala Fund’s first Laureate partner to help boost the organization’s efforts to support girls’ education and advocacy for equal opportunity. The partnership will hopefully double the organizations ability to award grants by its Gulmakai Network, which supports programs in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Lebanon, Turkey, and Nigeria, as well as extend funding programs to India and Latin America. The initial goal is to extend the secondary education opportunities to over 100,000 girls. On Apple’s part, they will assist by providing technology as well as helping with curriculum and research to make sure policy changes are being implemented everywhere so that girls can attend school and complete their education. Apple CEO Tim Cook will be part of the Malala Fund’s leadership council.

Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Malala Yousafzai, who started the organization, says, “My dream is for every girl to choose her own future. Through both their innovations and philanthropy, Apple has helped educate and empower people around the world. I am grateful that Apple knows the value of investing in girls and is joining Malala Fund in the fight to ensure all girls can learn and lead without fear.”