Are we getting another version of Snap’s Spectacles?

We aren’t just getting one new iteration of Snap’s Spectacles. Rumour has it the company is working on two new Spectacles models. The second-generation version will offer bug fixes, performance improvements, and new colours. Meanwhile, the company is also preparing another version that could come with two lenses and feature more advanced camera technology that could cost up to $300. The second-generation model is supposedly far along in the production process and we should expect a Q2 or Q3 launch. With the big US$40 million loss on the first generation verson of Spectacles, Snap is expected to produce fewer units this time around.

On top of this, Snap has reportedly acquired imaging company FiveFocal at the end of 2017 to expand its camera ambitions. Snap is also reportedly in talks with major glasses manufacturers Warby Parker and Luxottica to license out its camera tech.

Source: The Verge

Netflix looking to get Keanu Reeves to star in upcoming superhero movie

Anna Hanks/Flickr

Even when faced with less than warm reception for it movies, Netflix still isn’t backing down from trying to make films. It’s being reported that Netflix has greenlit a new superhero film called Past Midnight and it wants Keanu Reeves to be its start. The movie is going to be co-directed by Rick Famuyiwa and the Russo Brothers. Written by TJ Fixma, Past Midnight is reportedly a story about “a new kind of vigilante superhero.” Not much else is known about the production but the team behind it is pretty promising. Famuya is known for directing the 2015 film Dope and will be directing the upcoming adaptation of Charles Burns’ Black Hole. And you might have known projects of the Russo Brothers, ever heard of Captain America: Winter Soldier or Avengers: Infinity War?

Source: io9

Amazon tipped to be trying to add real-time translation to Alexa

Possibly taking its cues from Google Assistant, Amazon is reportedly trying to turn its Alexa voice assistant into a real-time translator. What would be different this time around is that it won’t just translate phrases but also supposedly include local culture into its responses. Amazon is reportedly looking into making this feature available on multiple devices and it’s hoping to translate multiple conversations at once. It isn’t clear though where Amazon’s translation skills will be coming from. But if this is happening, we should hear about it soon enough.

Source: The Verge

Instagram tests out audio and video call feature

Looks like Instagram is adding one more feature that pits it up against Snapchat. TechCrunch has spotted icons in the Android version of theapp that shows the company is working on calling features: one for traditional audio calls and one for video calls as well. The tech site speculates Instagram might be considering putting this into its Direct Messaging system to put it squarely up against Snapchat. This isn’t the first time this option has been talked about, though.  Support for these features have been spotted in testing last month.