Twitter begins testing of autoplay videos, ads included

Twitter has finally begun testing autoplay videos in user timelines. But they’re reportedly working on a small percentage of the user base at the moment. Except for Vine videos, all videos will start autoplaying, including video ads. Facebook began autoplaying videos about a year and a half ago and that boosted video uploads and consumption on the social network. It looks like Twitter is hoping to replicate that. There’s no word yet when the widespread rollout will happen. Watch your timeline though. You should be seeing more animated tweets soon.

Source: re/code

Instagram debuts standalone app for photo collages

There are a large number of photo collage apps out on the market and they’re crammed with so many features that you don’t know what to do with all of them. Instagram is taking them on directly with its new standalone photo collage app called Layout. It lets you combine borderless multiple photos to show off selfies with your friends or even get a bit more creative with your landscape shots.

The app really is just meant to create photo collages but it’ll let you take selfies with its Photo Booth feature that will take four consecutive shots at once. It’ll let you pick photos from your camera roll. It even has a Faces option so it’ll just show you photos with people in them. And like other photo collage apps, you can adjust and rearrange photos individually to get your layout right. You can flip and rotate images to create mirror effect and the like. Layout is currently just available on iOS but it will be coming to Android in the coming months.

Source: Instagram | Via: Fast Company | Download: Apple iTunes App Store (Free)

Get fit without a gym with Madbarz street workout app

Want to get fit but don’t have the budget to splurge on a gym membership? Madbarz, a Croatia-based startup wants to help you out as well as promote street workout with its new app. Street workout is a simple yet challenging way to get fit. You just need to find a park with a couple of bars and you’re good to go.

The Madbarz app offers a bunch of workouts to choose from. You just need to select which ones you want and let the app guide you.  The app will also help you track your progress on a global leaderboard, track your weight, and even create your custom workouts on the Madbarz site. The app is available for free on both iOS and Android.

Source: Mashable | Download: Apple iTunes App Store (Free) + Google Play Store (Free)

Vector promises a 30-day battery life for its simple smartwatch

With everyone rightfully griping about the abysmal battery life of smartwatches, a relatively unknown watch brand is hoping to one up the giants like Apple and Google with their take on the smartwatch. Vector announced at Baselworld in Switzerland that they are working on a family of smartwatches that promise a 30-day battery life. Don’t expect it to have all the bells and whistles of the Android Wear devices and the Apple Watch. It’ll have no touchscreen and will be controlled by three physical buttons. It’ll have a monochrome display and stainless steel body and metal link, leather, or rubber strap. We’ll only know for sure what the watch can do and offer when it comes out in the summer.

Source: Vector | Via: Gizmodo