WhatsApp Android beta version gets Snapchat-like stickers

We’ve reached a point where social media apps have started to employ similar features in hopes of keeping its user base or attracting more people into its platform. The latest example is another Facebook-owned company copying Snapchat. WhatsApp released an update for its Android beta app that introduces stickers and the ability to doodle on messages.

Aside from that the app gets pseudo-flash for taking night-time selfies and emojis will start to appear larger in chats when you don’t include text with it. If you use Facebook Messenger, that messaging app has the same feature (re: the bigger emojis).

Source: The Next Web

Sony announces new flagship 4K and HD Action Cams

Sony Electronics announced three brand new products that push their imaging capabilities to the next level.

The FDR-X3000R 4K and HDR-AS300R Full HD Action Cams are Sony’s first-ever POV cameras to feature the innovative Balanced Optical SteadyShot (B.O.SS) image stabilization technology. Being the flagship feature of both devices, B.O.SS is an advanced form of image stabilization. Internally, the lens and sensor work together to compensate for shaking, which allows the footage captured to be smooth and stable, even in 4K. To learn more about these Action Cams read the full release here.

Along with the new POV Action Cams, Sony added a new lens to the family, with the 18-110mm Super 35mm / APS-C lens with power zoom capability (model: SELP18110G). This lens uses Smooth Motion Optics (SMO) allowing users to minimize unwanted focus and image shifts while focusing or zooming. To learn more about the lens read the full release here.

Google Photos shares Motion Stills features to iOS app

After releasing Motion Stills for iOS a few months ago, Google integrates some of its features in the Photos app. Motion Stills allowed you to create GIF-like moving images that had frozen backgrounds. Photos can now edit these Live Photos for you to make them more stable. After that, the app will let you keep the file as a video clip in your camera roll.

Google Photos on iOS also gets a new organizational features like being able to sort photos in albums chronologically and select thumbnails for the faces of your friends in People. The new features are set to head to Android and web versions of Google Photos as well.

Source: Engadget

Microsoft rumoured to be launching Surface PC in late October

While this is still all up in the air and speculation at the moment, Microsoft will supposedly unveil a Surface All-in-One alongside new Windows 10 devices from partner manufacturers. But what’s caught our interest is this AIO that’s being called Cardinal. Past rumours surrounding the device claim it’ll come with three different screen options: a 21-inch Full HD display, 24-inch 4K display, and 27-inch 4K display. Some are speculating it could be a consumer version of the Surface Hub using Perspective Pixel screen technology. What fueled the speculation further was Microsoft applied for a patent for an all-in-one modular PC back in 2015. But Microsoft is keeping tight lipped at the moment and won’t acknowledge that the event is happening. We are keeping our eyes peeled for any updates.

Source: CNET