Create ‘Mini’ sticker versions of you on Google’s Gboard

With Google slowly phasing out its Allo chat app, some of its features have been making its way to its other products. One of these is the newly launched “Mini” stickers coming to Gboard. These first debuted on Allo as “selfie stickers” but now you can create “Mini” versions of yourself on iOS and Android via Google’s keyboard app. Gboard will let you take a selfie and combines machine learning, neural networks, and artist illustrations to create the best possible Mini version of you that you can use as stickers. These Minis take into account things like your skin tone, hair color and style, eye color, facial hair, and face shape.

Once you take a selfie, it’ll then generate an avatar and pack of 100 stickers that you can use. The designs even come in Bold and Sweet modes so you have a sticker to use when you don’t want to use words to express how you feel. The gif above shows how you can create your own Mini sticker. It hasn’t rolled out to our device yet but we’re expecting it to come soon.

Source: Engadget

BlackBerry teases first look of KEY2 LE

The BlackBerry KEY2 LE looks to have a similar textured back as the KEY2

TCL Communications’ BlackBerry is set to unveil the low-end successor to the KEY2 at the upcoming IFA 2018 in Berlin, Germany. And the company just released the first official teaser for the KEY2 LE, showing off what we assume is the rear of the device. It looks to have a textured, polka dot-like back and comes in a grey black colour that seems like a nod to its more expensive brother. Some of the rumoured specs of the device include a Qualcomm Snapdragon 636 processor, 4GB RAM, and either 32GB/64GB internal storage. Battery is expected to be on the smaller side at 3,000mAh.

Almost time for a new introduction. #IFA18 pic.twitter.com/9KPX5GrgvY

— BlackBerry Mobile (@BBMobile) August 24, 2018

Source: Deccan Chronicle

Google brings Gmail’s quick access sidebar to Google Docs, Calendar

After introducing Material Design to Gmail, Google has slowly made it easier to switch between some of its apps within one browser window. Within the email client, you get quick access to Keep, Calendar, and the newly revamped Tasks apps. Now, this quick access sidebar is coming to Google’s productivity apps like Docs, Sheets, Slides, and Drawings. Google Calendar is also getting access to this sidebar but, as expected, only gets Keep and Tasks. Window switching might soon be less of an issue if you’re fully baked into Google’s suite of apps.

Source: SlashGear

Harman Kardon enters premium Google Assistant-powered speaker market with Citation 500

Harman Kardon isn’t a stranger in the smart speaker space but it just unveiled its first Google Assistant-powered one and it’s right in the premium segment of that market. The Citation 500 packs in 200W stereo speakers that supports 24-bit/96Khz high-definition audio streaming. The smart speaker comes with a small LCD display at the top of the bulky speaker to help with controlling playback. But since it is a Google Assistant speaker, it supports the usual voice commands. As 9to5Google points out, it isn’t clear yet if the display fully integrates with Assistant as it seems too small for any smart display functionality. But we should hear more about this soon as the speaker goes up for pre-order in Europe for £549 (around CA$920) and it’ll be showcased at IFA 2018.