Google isn’t ruling out making a Google Home speaker with a screen

The JBL Link View is one of the third-party Google Assistant-enabled speakers

Before you wonder if Google is thinking on letting third-party manufacturers occupy the space of Google Assistant-enabled speakers with display, we’re here to set the record straight, sort of. Google’s VP of home products Rishi Chandra said in an interview with Variety that the company isn’t completely ruling out developing a Google Home device that comes with a screen. He says, “It’s an emerging category. I’m not saying we are not going to do it.” Having a display on a Google Home speaker would help enhance the experience of using it. You’ll be able to see the map, if you’re asking for directions or check your calendar, among other things. But it’s too early to say when this might happen or if it really will. And if Google will tie in exclusive features to their homegrown product. What it means for consumers though is one more option to consider.  

Source: CNET

Are we getting an ‘Avengers’-themed OnePlus 6?

Last year, OnePlus drew attention for its Star Wars-branded OnePlus 5T. And it looks like they might try this again with another Disney-owned title: Avengers. A video got posted on OnePlus India’s Facebook page that showed a teaser of OnePlus and Avengers logo. It seems to have been wrongfully published as it was taken down soon after. It hints though that the OnePlus 6 might be heading our way sooner than we think with Avengers: Infinity War heading to theatres this April 27. Perhaps OnePlus will use this opportunity to launch its newest flagship? We can’t say just yet. We also can’t tell whether this will be another India exclusive or it’ll get a wider release. We have a few more weeks before we find out. But we’re keeping our eyes peeled.

Some of the rumoured specs of the next OnePlus flagship include Qualcomm Snapdragon processor, up to 8GB of RAM, and 256GB storage. It’ll have a notch and may get different finishes for the back.

Source: Android Central

Instagram lets go of its Apple Watch app

As silly as it may sound, before you were be able to scroll through your Instagram feed on the tiny display of the Apple Watch. But that’s about to change. Version 39.0 of the app only states in the changelog the words “general bug fixes and performance improvements” and when you update, the app is taken away from your smartwatch when it’s paired. An Instagram spokesperson also confirmed with The Verge that there will no longer be a “standalone experience” of the app starting with this version. Instead, you’ll only get notifications, if you have that turned on within the app.

9to5Mac believes this has to do with the new restrictions from Apple where Apple Watch apps need to use watchOS 2 SDK or later but Instagram’s app came out during WatchKit 1.0 when third-party apps weren’t able to run natively on the watch. It didn’t even get features like video support and the ability to work over LTE connection. It seems Instagram figured this particular Apple platform doesn’t appeal to them as much.

Facebook adds support for 360-degree photos and HD videos for Messenger

Facebook is in hot water right now but it’s trying to make sure the wheels keep turning. A new update for its messaging app Facebook Messenger brings a couple of nifty features. One is the ability to send 360-degree/panorama photos through the app. You send it the same way you would regular photos but this time your recipient will see a compass icon next to it to let them know it’s a 360-degree or panoramic photo. The photos can be viewed both on mobile and on Messenger.com

Another is being able to send 720p HD videos on the service. You would think this should’ve been available before but it hasn’t been made available until now. And while 360-degree photo sharing is rolling out across the globe, we’re one of the few countries that get access to HD video sharing.

Source: Android Central