Microsoft gets contextual with new Bing update on Android

You’ve probably heard of Google’s Now on Tap contextual functionality coming out with Android Marshmallow? Well, Microsoft is preempting this new feature by releasing an update for its Bing Search app on Android that does something similar. Called Bing Snapshots, it has the capability to look at your screen and call up “snapshots” to provide you links you can act on. For example, you’re watching a trailer and want more information. You just need to hold the home button of your device and pull up a Bing Snapshot. This can show you reviews about the movie and links to Fandango to buy tickets.

Source: PCWorld

Google cuts down on bloatware on Android

Never used Google+? Now you don’t have to see that on your phone if you don’t have to. New partner guidelines from Google have taken out Google Play Games, Google Play Books, Google+, and Google Newsstand as mandatory apps to be included in all Android phones. This move helps free up more space for the apps you do want on your phone. If you, however, do use those apps, well, you can still download them on the Google Play Store.

Source: Android Central | Via: Engadget

Android Wear update brings Google Translate to smartwatches

The upcoming Android Wear update will make it easier for you to talk to someone who can’t speak your native language. The update will have Google Translate preinstalled on all Android Wear devices, even if you don’t have the app on your phone. How does it work for Google’s wearable? You just need to speak into the watch one of the 44 supported and indicate into what language you want it translated. The app will then translate it for you and then you show it to the other party. He/she can then speak in their native language and have the app translate for you. As you go on you don’t have to switch the language setting back and forth as the app can detect what languages are being spoken. This new update should be arriving in the coming weeks when Android Wear 1.3 launches.

Source: Droid Life

Review: Motorola Moto X Play

By Gadjo Cardenas Sevilla

The Moto X Play felt as fast and responsive as last year’s model and matched the performance of a more expensive Samsung Galaxy Note 4, it exceeded both of these in battery life, easily edging into two and a half days of mixed use.

The latest and most advanced Moto X smartphone (at least for Canadians) is the Moto X Play, which fits in as a nice middle model between the stellar Moto G (3^rd Gen) and the Moto X Pure/Style coming to other countries.

The Moto X Play takes many of the renowned features and styling of the the Moto X (2014) and actually improves on them. We have a larger 1080p HD display at 5.5-inches (403 ppi) and no longer using the AMOLED technology but a more even-coloured LCD technology. This isn’t a jaw-droppingly stunning display, but it is clear, readable, and reflection free and is more energy efficient which plays into the device’s overall superb battery life.

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