Google Tez payments app gets new chat option to take on Paytm, WhatsApp

Google in order to take on Paytm and WhatsApp has now integrated the new chat option in its Payments app; Tez. Currently, it has over 13.5 million active users and it runs on Unified Payments Interface. The feature is initially rolling out in batches. The new option allows users to quickly chat within the app alongside sending and requesting money. With WhatsApp testing its Payments feature, Google has an edge with the new Chat option and no limit in transactions like WhatsApp. However, it is not available to everyone right away, but will gradually be available in batches. The chat function will only be accessible if both parties are running the latest version of the Tez app on their mobile devices. The dedicated chat button is present right next to the 'Pay' and 'Request' buttons. It has options like block contacts or disable any particular chat thread. Paytm, on the other hand added Inbox button back in November with features including share photos, videos, and location and recall sent messages. Google's spokesperson in a statement said: We’ve added a feature to Tez that allows you to send simple messages back and forth to your contacts about the payments you make. Source

Google Bristlecone 72-qubit quantum computing processor announced

Google at the annual American Physical Society meeting in Los Angeles has introduced the Bristlecone quantum computing processor with an aim to provide its researchers a testbed for into system error rates and scalability of its qubit technology. It is also expected to bring applications in quantum simulation, optimization, and machine learning. Google's Bristlecone chip features 72 qubits and uses the same technology as company's previous 9-qubit linear array technology which demonstrated low error rates for readout at 1%, single-qubit gates at 0.1% and lastly two-qubit gates 0.6%. In order to investigate the applications and most importantly quantify a quantum processor’s capabilities, Google's theory team designed a tool which can be used to assign a single system error by applying random quantum circuits to the device and checking the sampled output distribution against a classical simulation. If the quantum processor can be operated with low enough error, then it can easily outperform a classical supercomputer on a well-defined computer science problem, which is an achievement known as quantum supremacy. It is believed in the industry that it takes 49 qubits to achieve quantum supremacy, but Google cautions that a quantum computer isn’t just about qubits. In order to run a device like Bristlecone at low system error, it requires an understanding of technologies ranging from software ...

LG’s next flagship smartphone with FullVision display with a notch surfaces in renders

Last week live images and video of the upcoming flagship LG smartphone surfaced from the MWC 2018 as G7 (Neo). Now based on the images, TechnoBuffalo has posted concept renders of the smartphone created by Benjamin Geskin. This shows iPhone X-like notch and earlier rumor said that it will feature a 6-inch (1440 x 3120 pixels) FullVision display with 19.5:9 aspect ratio and a whopping 900 PPI pixel density. There is a small bezel below the screen. The image also shows dual rear cameras with a fingerprint sensor below it, flash and laser auto focus next to it. The render shows the phone in silver and black colors. LG G7 (Neo) / (Judy) rumored specifications 6.1-inch  (1440 x 3120 pixels) FullVision MLCD+ 19.5:9 display Octa-Core Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 Mobile Platform with Adreno 630 GPU 4GB LPDDR4x RAM with 64GB storage / 6GB LPDDR4x RAM with 128GB storage, expandable memory up to 2TB with microSD Android 8.1 (Oreo) with LG UX 16MP dual rear cameras with f/1.6-aperture, LED flash, Laser Auto focus 8MP front camera with wide-angle lens Fingerprint sensor Water, dust resistant (IP68), MIL-STD 810G certified 32-bit Advanced Hi-Fi Quad DAC, Stereo Speakers 4G VoLTE, WiFi 802.11 ac (2.4GHz and 5GHz), Bluetooth 5 LE, GPS, NFC, USB ...

Instagram for iOS might get search filters, starred chats, download your data and more

Instagram app for iOS to soon get a bunch of new features including the new search filters, star chat, download your data, organize your conversation and more. There's still no timeframe on when these features would make their way to the app, but there are references present in the Instagram V35. The Star Chat feature now lets you star a specific chat. The new button is present is located on the navigation bar, that will allow to quickly star the chat. However, the location was previously dedicated to video call button, but it can be moved to the user info section, where you can mute the conversation. But since the feature is under development, it can change course anytime. Moreover, you can also see that Instagram is also working to support Stickers in direct messages. With the search filters, you will be able to filter your chats in order to quickly find them. The currently supported categories include Inbox (all messages), Unread and Starred. Filtering the search result of Starred when there aren’t any starred chats available, you will just see a message saying 'no starred messages.' Additionally, Instagram will soon give you the option to download your data from their server, a feature that will also come to WhatsApp in May. Once the feature ...

HTC U12 said to feature new matte white metal frame and glass design

HTC is expected to launch the U12 flagship sometime in April if rumors are to be believed, and today we are hearing more details about the flagship including the build quality and specifications. According to a new report, the HTC U12  will share some design similarities with the HTC U11 and HTC U11+ but will have few unique changes. The HTC U12 will also have the metal frame sandwiched between curved glass on the front and back of the phone where the fingerprint sensor is present much like the U11+ along with the dual rear-cameras. However, the exact design is still under wraps, but the company is working on a new matte white finish which should be a unique approach to a phone wrapped in glass. In terms of specifications, according to previous reports, the HTC U12 will sport a 5.99-inches Quad HD+ full-screen display, powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 845, up to 6GB RAM combined with up to 256GB storage. It will come with a dual-rear camera; 12MP+ 16MP which should have features like portrait mode. It will also come  with face unlock which is slowly catching up. It will run on Android 8.0 Oreo with HTC Sense 10 on top. There is an ...

Google Gboard for Android gets 20 new languages including Chinese and Korean

Google today announced that it is adding 20 more languages including Chinese and Korean for Gboard to Android. With this new addition, a total number of languages that Gboard supports reached over 300 covering 74% of the world’s population. With Gboard you can search for Maps and YouTube directly, quick looping selfie GIFs and much more. China and Korea are two of the largest Android markets and are also two of the most requested languages for Gboard. With Swype offering Chinese and Korean already since 2012, Google is pretty late to the party, though it has support for these languages on iOS for some time. In addition to Chinese and Korean, Google is also adding few lesser-known languages, like Manx and Maori that are being requested by users. Google also worked with brothers Abdoulaye and Ibrahima Barry to bring the Fulani alphabet, Adlam, to Gboard. For lesser-known languages, Google-like Fulani, it worked alongside Abdoulaye and Ibrahima to design and test an Adlam layout on the keyboard which is live on Gboard today. The new update with more languages will be rolled over the next few days through Google Play. Source

BlackBerry sues Facebook, WhatsApp and Instagram over patent infringement

BlackBerry today announced that it is suing Facebook, and its subsidiaries; Instagram and WhatsApp under the ground that these apps copied features like unread count from BlackBerry's proprietary and patent-protected Messenger app, known as BBM.  BlackBerry claims that Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram apps are using a number of security, user interface, and functionality enhancing features that made BlackBerry’s products that brought the critical success for BlackBerry. With BlackBerry selling the rights to design, manufacture, and sell BlackBerry-branded phones to Chinese multinational TCL in 2016, BlackBerry is now in charge of software and mobile security products. BlackBerry accuses Facebook of copying its cryptographic techniques to protect user privacy, mixing mobile gaming and messaging experience, and user-interface elements like notification design, message timestamps, and tagging friends feature. BlackBerry with its lawsuit is seeking to address the pressing issue caused by Facebook. BlackBerry in 2017 sued Nokia alleging infringement of patents relating to 3G and 4G wireless communications technology. Facebook commenting on the BlackBerry lawsuit said: BlackBerry’s suit sadly reflects the current state of its messaging business. Having abandoned its efforts to innovate, BlackBerry is now looking to tax the innovation of others. We intend to fight. Source 1, 2

Xiaomi Mi MIX 2S with Snapdragon 845 to be announced on March 27 [Update: In Shanghai]

Update: Xiaomi today announced that the Mi MIX 2S announcement on March 27th will take place in Shanghai. This also marks the first time a Xiaomi launch event will be held in a Chinese city other than Beijing, said Xiaomi's Senior VP Wang Xiang. After several rumors, Xiaomi today confirmed that it will introduce it its next smartphone in the Mi MIX series dubbed as Mi MIX 2S powered by Snapdragon 845 in China on March 27th, putting an end to rumors that said the phone will be unveiled at the MWC next week. The company has also mentioned the AnTuTu benchmark score of the phone as 273741 on the invite, which is twice the score of the first Mi MIX that was powered by Snapdragon 821. Earlier rumors pointed out it will have a same display as the predecessor, but with improved  95% screen-to-body ratio. It is said to pack 8GB RAM, run Android 8.0 (Oreo), feature Sony IMX363 camera sensor and some rumors also say that it will feature an Under-display fingerprint sensor. Xiaomi Mi MIX 2S rumored specifications 5.99-inch (2160 × 1080 pixels) Full HD+ 18:9 display 2.8GHz Octa-Core Snapdragon 845 64-bit 10nm Mobile Platform with Adreno 630 GPU 8GB LPDDR4x RAM, 256GB internal ...

Google Lens coming to more Android and iOS devices [Update: Now available for all Android devices in Google Photos]

Update: Google today announced that Google Lens is now available through Google Photos app for Android for everyone (rolling out in batches) and will soon be available for iOS. [HTML1] Google Lens was first announced at the I/O 2017 event last year and since then it was only available in Google Photos and in Assistant for Pixel phones. However, Google today announced that Google Lens will roll out to more Android and iOS devices running on latest Google Photos app in the coming weeks. Lens will be available to all English-language users using the latest Google Photos app. Google also mentioned that English-language users on compatible flagship devices will get the camera-based Lens experience within the Google Assistant in the coming weeks. The company says it will add support for more devices gradually. Google Lens allows you to scan your photos for landmarks and objects and fetch more details, all within the same screen. Moving past the compatibility cycle, Google says that in the coming weeks it will add support for recognizing common animals and plants, like different dog breeds and flowers making it easier to search and take action on what you see. Along with Google Lens, the company has also made some major ARCore announcements along with ...

Samsung Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S9+ Experience demo app released

Samsung has released the new Galaxy S9 and S9+ Experience demo app for Android. The Experience App basically offers a close insight into how and what it feels like using the latest Samsung flagship phones. The company did the same with the Galaxy Note8 last year as well. The app contains a number of videos and details outlining the key features of the S9/S9+. It consists of four main sections;  New Camera, S9 Accessories, Helpful Applications, and Device Specifications. The camera section demos the super slow-mo camera, AR Emoji, and more. The S9 accessories section offers information about the useful first-party peripherals. The Helpful Applications section details about the useful applications like the Samsung's Smart Switch and App Pair utilities. The device specifications offer detailed features and configuration of the S9 and S9+ and also lets you compare them with older Galaxy devices. The app is very polished and offers a seamless experience for users to get a taste of the S9 and S9+. Samsung is hoping the app would make the users who haven't used a Galaxy phone previously would make them switch. The app is available to install on Play Store already or you can also download the APK and side-load it from here and it is compatible with most Android phones running Marshmallow 6.0 ...