Dec 09
Dec 09
Back in October, there was an issue discovered with the Google Home Mini in which it appeared to be recording everything the user is saying or doing even without being prompted. However it later turned out that this was not a privacy issue or a bug, but rather a hardware issue in which the button on the device got a bit sticky and continued to hold record.
Google disabled the functionality temporarily, and the good news is that thanks to a recent update, it’s back, although not necessarily in the same form. According to a report from Android Police, Google has recently issued a firmware update to the Home Mini that bumps it up to version 1.3.
In this version, touch functionality is back but like we said, not necessarily in the way you remember it. Instead of tapping the top of the device to activate it, users will now long-press the side button. It’s a slight change but we guess it’s better than nothing, especially since if it was a hardware issue and there’s nothing Google can do save for asking customers to return their units.
As Android Police notes, the update is in the preview firmware channel and will eventually make its way to everyone else, but in the meantime for those who can’t wait, you can join the channel through the Home app settings.
Google Home Mini Update Restores The Touch Functionality , original content from Ubergizmo. Read our Copyrights and terms of use.
Dec 09
Shazam was one of the first music recognition apps available for smartphones back in the day, and its functionality has since expanded where it can also recognize TV shows. Apple has also integrated the app and its functionality into iOS, where users can ask Siri to Shazam songs without having to launch the app itself.
Now it seems that Apple might have decided that instead of working with Shazam, why not just buy them outright instead? According to a report from TechCrunch, it seems that Apple is apparently interested in buying the company, with the deal said to be worth as much as $400 million, and could be officially announced as soon as Monday.
It is unclear as to what Apple wants to do with Shazam, especially given that Shazam is already sort of integrated into iOS. However it is possible that maybe Apple wants to mimic one of the Pixel 2’s features, which is the ability to identify songs thanks to an always-listening feature, so perhaps by acquiring Shazam, Apple is hoping to bring that feature onto iOS devices in future updates as well.
In any case Apple rarely discloses their plans for their acquisitions, so even if they do confirm it, we’ll probably never really know until later when it might popup in iOS somewhere, so do take it with a grain of salt for now.
Apple Reportedly Looking To Acquire Shazam , original content from Ubergizmo. Read our Copyrights and terms of use.
Dec 09
As you might have heard, Apple’s HomePod speakers was supposed to launch this year, but Apple later confirmed that the speaker would be delayed to 2018. This is rather unfortunate as we’re sure that some were looking forward to getting it in time for the holidays, but know that Apple feels bad about it.
Speaking to Bright.nl, Apple’s Phil Schiller was quoted as saying, “We feel bad we aren’t able to deliver Homepod for the holidays. We’re going to take the time to do it right and make sure it’s great when it comes out. We need more time to make it right.” Schiller went on to further explain Apple’s plan for the HomePod and how it is expected to fit in with the rest of Apple’s products and services.
According to Schiller, “It has a built-in home hub so if you have a Homepod you can now access all your Homekit equipment and stuff from outside the home because of Homepod. It plays that role just like the Apple TV also can do. It integrates with Siri to control all of your devices in your home. Our vision is you can just walk into a room, the Homepod will be there and you can just say turn on the lights, close the curtains and whatever you like to do and it will do that. It has a very important role to the smart home in the future for Apple.”
Unfortunately Schiller did not provide a specific release date for the HomePod, so for all we know, it could launch towards the end of 2018, although hopefully that won’t be the case. Either way we’ll keep our eyes peeled for a release date, so check back with us in the future for more updates.
Apple ‘Feels Bad’ About HomePod’s Delay , original content from Ubergizmo. Read our Copyrights and terms of use.
Dec 09
Last month Google announced that they will soon start to remove Android apps that uses the Accessibility API for non-accessibility purposes. While we understand Google’s desire to prevent developers from abusing or taking advantage of APIs for purposes other than what it was intended for, this led to a bit of a backlash.
This is because there are quite a few apps out there, some major ones in fact, that rely heavily on the API. In fact taking away access to the API would in some cases break the app completely. The good news is that Google has since decided to reevaluate their decision, and are asking developers to email them, describing their use/need for the API. Google has also stated that they’ll be putting their previous decision on hold for another 30 days while they reconsider their next move.
According to the email which was shared on Reddit by ishaangarg94, “If you believe your app uses the Accessibility API for a responsible, innovative purpose that isn’t related to accessibility, please respond to this email and tell us more about how your app benefits users. This kind of feedback may be helpful to us as we complete our evaluation of accessibility services.”
Basically it sounds like Google could make some exceptions for certain apps, which like we said there are some major ones involved, such as LastPass, Greenify, Tasker, Universal Copy, and so on.
Google To Reevaluate Apps That Use Android’s Accessibility API , original content from Ubergizmo. Read our Copyrights and terms of use.
Dec 09
As a developer, Blizzard loves celebrating the various holidays and loves translating those holidays into their games, such as the Lunar Festival in World of Warcraft which is meant to be Blizzard’s take on Chinese New Year; Love is in the Air in World of Warcraft for Valentine’s Day; and Winter Wonderland in Overwatch which is meant to be Christmas.
The event was introduced last year and if you were interested in seeing it come back this year, you’ll be pleased to learn that in a developer update video uploaded onto YouTube, Blizzard has confirmed that the Winter Wonderland event will be returning to Overwatch this year and will be playable on the 12th of December.
According to Overwatch’s director Jeff Kaplan, he confirmed that Legendary skins will be available, such as a Legendary Hanzo skin that was teased in the comics, along with Legendary skins for Junkrat and Roadhog. There will also be an event called Mei’s Yeti Hunt, where six Mei characters will get to fight and try to defeat one yeti, which will basically be played by Winston, all of whom will be controlled by actual players.
It sounds like it will be a pretty fun update so if you did enjoy last year’s Winter Wonderland event, then you’ll want to keep an eye out for this year’s event.
Overwatch’s Winter Wonderland Will Be Returning December 12 , original content from Ubergizmo. Read our Copyrights and terms of use.
Dec 09
A photographer filmed the “soul-crushing” scene to try to break through climate change apathy.
Dec 09
Ex-Fox News Anchor Juliet Huddy Says Trump Kissed Her On Lips After A Lunch
Posted in: Today's ChiliThe former “Fox & Friends” co-host says she assumed they just “went the wrong way.”
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