HTC to announce a new product on January 12

HTC has something coming up. We’re not sure what it is yet all we know it’s “For U.” Basically, the Taiwanese company announced it has a new product launch coming on January 12. There is no venue yet or time of said event but we’re sure HTC will release more details in the coming days. The product could be a phone or something else. HTC hasn’t exactly stayed the path of releasing just smartphones so it could even be an entirely new product in a different segment.

Source: Android Police

Prisma finally introduces full-resolution pictures

Prisma brings some much needed improvements to the art filter app. The 1,080 x 1,080 pixel square resolution limit is now gone so users are free to crop photos how they please and filtered images now have twice the resolution as before to get better-quality photos. There is also now a new location-based photo feed in the app to algorithmically show you nearby photos from other Prisma users. Those images that get more likes will be shown more. An interactive app is also visible in the app so you can show easy access to landmarks. The update is coming to Android and iOS. However, the free aspect ratio feature is currently only available to the iOS app.

Source: The Verge

The Apple Beat: Apple's year in Review

By Gadjo Cardenas Sevilla

Looking back at Apple’s 2016, it was hard to expect the company to match the frenetic pace of product releases from 2015. After all, the previous year saw the introduction of the Apple Watch, iPad Pro, the remixed Apple TV, new and improved iPhone 6s as well as major moves in the areas of car infotainment (Car Play), home automation (Home Kit), Health (Health Kit) and the inception of Apple Music. So, let's look back at what 2016 was all about.

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Facebook introduces Live Audio, takes on podcasts and the radio

Facebook has been steadily building its Live Video feature but it seems that isn’t the only thing the social network is building in the live broadcasting space. This time, it’s taking on the podcast and radio markets with Live Audio. Facebook launched the feature with a small group of publishers with plans to open up the service to everyone by 2017. Just like Live Video, the service will bring these Live Audio streams into the News Feed. Right now Facebook launched with BBC World Service, book publisher Harper Collins, talk radio broadcaster Leading Britain’s Conversation, and authors Adam Grant and Britt Bennett.

The social giant claims this’ll be a good way for low-connectivity areas to broadcast data-efficient media. And if, for example, signal gets low, hosts can switch to audio for a seamless stream. Facebook sees these working particularly well for a semi-professional stage setup for things such as book readings and interviews with Live service viewer interaction included. If you listen on Android, you’ll be able to use other apps while the audio streams in the background. For iOS, you need to keep the Facebook app open.

Source: Engadget