Google brings Spotlight Stories to iOS

If you’re a fan of shorts and an Apple user, it might be time to check out Google’s take on the genre with Spotlight Stories app. The app lets you watch 360-degree animated shorts that first debuted on Motorola devices and on other Android-powered gadgets. Now, iOS users can enjoy the same experience on their iPhones. The clips show use 3D and 2D animations aside from the 360-degree spherical video. The videos also use sound sphere audio and sensor fusion technology, meaning if you move the device around and your body, you’ll get to see other parts of the video. Yes, it does this with the help of your device’s gyroscope and accelerometer.

You can’t use it to make content though. The four original stories available on the app include “Windy Day” (which was made by ex-Pixar moviemakers), Duet, Buggy Night, and Help. You need be running iOS 8 or higher to be able to download Spotlight Stories.

Source: TechCrunch | Via: SlashGear

Yahoo debuts Livetext, ‘video messenger’ app

With the countless messaging apps out on the market, it takes a unique concept to get someone to use your app. What Yahoo has in their stable is a pretty unique one. The company released a new messaging app on iOS on the Hong Kong App Store called “Yahoo Livetext”. What the app offers is instead of exchanging texts and photos, you share “live video texting.” This video messenger shows you a live video of your friend texting but without the audio. This is said to make the conversation a bit more natural since you get to see the person you’re talking to. However, the app only works one-on-one, no group chats here.

It’s available in over 20 languages and will remain a free app. You can add friends through your contacts or by looking for their Livetext IDs. The app works with Apple devices running iOS 8.0 or later and it’s been optimized for iPhone 5, iPhone 6, and iPhone 6 Plus. If this makes its way here, will you be trying this out?

Source: SlashGear

Pocket for iOS gets text-to-speech feature

I love Pocket’s text-to-speech feature on Android. It makes it especially easy to go through articles I’ve saved on the app while doing chores or while commuting. It took what seems like forever but now iOS users can take advantage of this feature as well. The “Listen” feature makes it easier for you to skip between paragraphs, adjust reading speed to suit your preference, and has automatic language detection (which is also said to support “all languages”. You can access the feature through the three-dotted button. The iOS app also gets the usual bug fixes and performance improvements.

Source: Pocket | Via: SlashGear

Apple updates iPod Touch line with new camera, processor and 128 GB variant

Apple just updated the iPod Touch which has been long considered 'the iPhone without a phone' and has been a popular iOS introductory product for younger users and teenagers who can't get a phone. Now featuring an updated Apple 8X 64-bit processor, a new 8 megapixel camera as well as new 128 GB capacity for users who want to carry their entire music and video collection with them in their pocket.

"iPod touch gives customers around the world access to Apple Music, the App Store and iOS, the world’s most advanced mobile operating system, starting at just $249,” said Greg Joswiak, Apple’s vice president of iPhone, iPod and iOS Product Marketing. The new iPod Touch is available in a variety of new colours including Space Grey, Gold, Silver, Pink and Blue.

The new iPod touch starts at $249 (CAD) for the 16GB model, $299 (CAD) for 32GB and $369 (CAD) for 64GB, and the entire iPod family in its five new colours is available starting today through the Apple Online Store (www.apple.ca), Apple’s retail stores and select Apple Authorized Resellers. For the first time, iPod touch is available in a 128GB model for $499 (CAD) through Apple Retail Stores and the Apple Online Store