Mattel makes free ‘Uno’ mobile game available everywhere

While it launched earlier in some locations, Mattel, has finally introduced its free Uno game worldwide. With the help of NetEase and through its Mattel163 studio, the card game is now available for free through App Store and Google Play. It’ll let you play tournaments, go on 2v2 mode, set up games using custom rules, or try out daily quests. There’s a Valentine’s-themed one coming out next month. According to Mattel163, there are already 45 million people who have played Uno through Facebook Instant Games and the apps so far.

Source: Engadget

Facebook offers its image compression tech to those who need it

Maybe you’re a developer who needs an image compression tool. Well, Facebook is opening there’s up to anyone who needs it. This open source tool is called Spectrum and it can work into iOS and Android projects. Admittedly, we’re not particularly fond of Facebook’s image compression, but for developers who can’t come up with their own tool, this could help. According to Facebook, Spectrum has "improved reliability and quality of image uploads across [its] apps" and that it can reduce file sizes for up to 15 percent while keeping the quality.

Source: Engadget

LG may or may not launch a foldable smartphone at MWC

Could the next LG smartphone look like this ZTE Axon M?

With CES 2019 done, we’re now gearing up for Mobile World Congress in Barcelona next month. But there’s been contradicting rumours about what one of the big companies are putting out at the show. A report claims LG has plans to release a smartphone with a foldable screen similar to what the ZTE Axon M does. LG is reportedly taking this route to help keep price down. Another report says the company plans to add the option for a second-screen attachment, which is going to be some sort of case and would then double the screen size of the phone. It isn’t clear how this will be implemented or what the device will be named. But it shows what the company might be willing to do to stay relevant in the smartphone space. We have a little over a month to hear more about this. But what implementation would you prefer? And would you even consider getting a foldable smartphone in the first place?

Spotify introduces simplified ‘Car view’ mode

Aside from integrating with apps like Google Maps, Waze, and Android Auto, Spotify is rolling out to Android users a new Car view mode. It automatically enables a more driver-friendly interface when your phone connects to your car’s Bluetooth connection. This mode simplifies your controls with bigger buttons for play/pause, skip, shuffle, and favorite. The song’s title and singer come out bigger and it does away with distracting album artwork. According to Android Authority, you might not be able to swipe to the next or previous song. In this mode, it seems like you’ll need to tap on the Previous and Next buttons (which we remind you not to do while driving).

If you’re not a fan of the interface, you can disable Car View for the current ride; or turn it off altogether in the Settings page of your app. While it’s being rolled out to Android users, there is no word yet when iPhone/iOS users are getting the update. Also, it seems to only work with Bluetooth, so if you connect your phone via AUX, this won’t pull up the interface.

Source: Engadget