‘Pokémon Go’ is the most downloaded app in its first week on the Apple App Store

With the hype and just all of the nostalgic-stricken Pokémon fans out there, we’re not surprised that the popular augmented reality-based Pokémon Go has broken records. Apple has confirmed to TechCrunch that the game is the most downloaded app on its platform, and it’s not even available in most countries yet. Eight years into the launch of the App Store, it’s amazing that we still get records beaten this way.

TechCrunch’s Romain Dillet points out that this shows the social aspect of app discovery. We already know what our phones are for and the many things we can do with. Now, people want to find out what others are doing. And if it seems relevant and popular, it makes use want to jump on the bandwagon.

WhatsApp brings voicemail and call back options to Android beta app

If you’re using the beta version of WhatsApp on Android, the messaging app is bringing some new useful features. One is bringing voicemail to the service. It comes at a good time as some people are replacing the traditional messaging and phone apps to use the likes of WhatsApp and its other competitors. Aside from that, the app also gets a call back feature.

For the voicemail feature, you’ll be able to use it when you call someone in your list and if they don’t answer, you get three options. One is to call again, cancel the call, or “Record voice message.” If you choose the last option, you’ll be taken to a different screen to record your voice message. If you want to try this out, you can gain access to the beta app via this link.

Source: SlashGear

Honda furthers AI tech development in its cars with SoftBank partnership

Artificial intelligence is at the heart of a new partnership between Honda and internet company SoftBank. The idea is that the AI in vehicles will be able to read and react to the emotions of the drivers as intelligently as it can. “"Imagine if robots, with their super intelligence, devoted themselves to humans,” SoftBank Group Corp.’s Masayoshi Son said during an event in Tokyo announcing the partnership. “And imagine that cars themselves became supercomputers or robots one day. Honda will be the first to adopt this technology.” The team suggests that Honda cars might interact with drivers using the technology used in SoftBank’s Pepper robot. And maybe Pepper could even meet Honda’s own Asimo (Advanced Step in Innovative Mobility) robot.

Honda’s team will be working with SoftBank’s Cocoro SB unit on AI research for cars. This team from SoftBank is currently studying cloud-based AI on their own.  SoftBank recently acquired chipmaker ARM, which is seen as an essential move needed for this partnership to work. Honda previously announced they were establishing a research facility this September dedicated to AI technology.

Source: Reuters | Via: SlashGear

Organize group dates with Tinder Social

Tinder isn’t just trying to set you up with your next date. This time, the dating app has introduced a new feature called Tinder Social to make it easier to setup group dates. Originally tested in Australia, the feature is now available in Canada, the US, the UK, New Zealand, and India. Unlike Tinder, it matches your group of friends with another group. If you think this is something your group of friends want to try, then the prompt for the feature should appear when you open the app after it updates.

It’s an opt-in feature and would require the people who want to participate to be on Tinder and have Tinder Social enabled. It works similar to the main Tinder feature in that you have to swipe like normal until you find a group you want to hang out with. If you’ve found one, the app will bring you into a group chat to help setup plans. The matches will last until noon the next day. After that you have to start the process again. One thing of note though is Tinder Social makes you visible to other Facebook friends that have the feature enabled. If you’re using Tinder discreetly, it might be best not to use this feature.

Source: Lifehacker + PCWorld