Facebook’s Lifestage App Launched for Android

Facebook’s “teens-only” application “Lifestage” was made to compete with the Snapchat by giving younger users a place to connect out of Facebook’s vast social network. This application is now available for Android users. Earlier Lifestage was only available on iOS but as it has been launched for Android as well, it is going to have much bigger user base gradually.

Lifestage is considered one of the ways Facebook is trying to target user base of Snapchat. Facebook is well-aware of Snapchat’s camera-first design mechanism which makes it is one the social application’s main attraction.

In order to engage its users, Facebook is undertaking similar ways, the company bought photo and video filtering application MSQRD, then experimented with selfie filters on Facebook using that technology, along with “camera opening” right on top of the News Feed.

The company also internally tested a Snapchat replica named as “Facebook Stories.” And recently, Facebook is seen testing another Snapchat replica as a standalone application named as Messenger Day. Moreover, it released a Snapchat-type feature in Instagram by the name “Stories,” which has become a hit among users.

Now Facebook has a new weapon in its app arsenal called Lifestage to compete with Snapchat. However, the latest app is made limited to the high school folks only. In technical terms, this app is for 21 and below, but Facebook is expecting for it to get viral spread gradually.

 In Lifestage app, users will answer bio questions through videos, which will then unlock further questions. When a user will update the profile, he/she will see tiny sunglasses-smile emojis next to his/her name. If not updated, the smile will turn to a frown or even the emoji of poop. This is intended to encourage the user to be in regular touch with the app. Also, with Lifestage, users can swank what they like/dislike by sharing it to their profile.

Lifestage was launched this summer but has not been a great success. This is evident from a recent report which shows that the app ranking has dropped in the Social Networking category on iTunes. However, as this application is made available for Android users also, it should improve the ranking of this application but still age is one factor which will affect the potential of this app among users.

Apple iPod Turns 15

Fifteen years ago on October 23rd, 2001, Apple announced the birth of iPod which revolutionized the world of music and has transformed the people’s perception to music. Apple sold millions of devices and extended its reach to millions of people worldwide.

On the occasion of iPod turning 15, here is a look back at all the iPods starting from the physically scrolling wheel of the first iPod to the smooth finish and sturdy built of today’s iPod Touch.

1.) First Generation iPod (2001)

It’s been exactly 15 years since the launch of first generation iPod. Priced for $399 it had a 5GB hard drive space, a physically rotating scrolling wheel and a FireWire port for syncing.

2.) Third Generation iPod (2003)

The first major transformation for the iPod was made in 2003. In the 3rd generation, iPod media controls were designed as separate touch-sensitive buttons on top of the scroll wheel. It also introduced the 30-pin iPod connector.

3.) iPod Mini (2004)

The iPod mini was a thinner, smaller, iPod having less storage (4GB or 6GB). The plus point with this iPod was it different colorful bodies. Moreover, Apple introduced the click wheel with this iPod.

4.) Fourth Generation iPod (2004)

The 4th generation iPod is most likely the image that most people get in mind when someone talks about iPod. It featured a white plastic face with a gray click wheel.

5.) U2 Edition iPod (2004)

In 2004 only, Apple introduced U2 editions of the fourth-generation iPod and then a fifth-generation iPod in an exclusive red and black color combination.

6.) First Generation iPod Shuffle (2005)

iPod Shuffle was the first iPod to feature flash memory. It seems like a flash drive, fitted with removable USB cap. This one had no screen.

7.) First Generation iPod Nano (2005)

This iPod was small as its name suggested. It was absolutely thin measuring just 0.3 inches thick. The first gen Nano was available only in black or white, but its 2^nd gen version featured colorful aluminum casing.

8.) Fifth Generation iPod (2005)

The 5th generation iPod came with a wider body and screen as Apple made its focus to video, adding features such as TV shows, music videos, and later offered full movies to the iTunes Store. The 5th generation model also was the first full-size iPod model to be launched in black, along with the original white.

9.) First Generation iPod Touch (2007)

First gen iPod Touch was launched a few months after the original iPhone. It looked and felt like a phone.

10.) iPod Classic (2007)

iPod Classic was the last model of the original iPod. This iPod was a refreshed with software and got a replacement from the plastic front casing to aluminum. The highest capacity version came with 160GB of storage, which also remains the biggest capacity iPod ever sold. Unfortunately, it was discontinued in September 2014.

11.) 5^th Gen iPod Nano (2009)

2009 was the year for the launch of 5th Generation iPod Nano. A 5th Generation featured a video camera and a speaker.

12.) Fourth Generation iPod Touch (2010)

The 4th Gen iPod Touch was made more slimmer and featured front and rear facing cameras for FaceTime support and a Retina display.

13.) Fourth Generation iPod Shuffle (2010)

After the third-generation Shuffle, which was made button-less and had controls on headphone controls, the fourth-gen iPod Shuffle was launched with a clip-on device with hardware controls.

14.) Seventh Generation iPod Nano (2012)

This iPod Nano resembled the iPod Touch as it has a touch screen and home button, but didn’t provide much functionality.

15.) Sixth Generation iPod Touch (2015)

The latest sixth-generation iPod Touch model was launched last year which had a similar design but came with iPhone 6’s A8 chip processor.

It will be interesting to see what Apple will be offering in its next launch of iPod family.

Android Nougat 7.1 Developer Preview Now Available

Google announced earlier this month that the Android 7.1 Nougat Developer Preview and its SDK tools would be made available to developers sometime later this October. And as it’s already the middle of the month, the preview is certainly coming out to those who have enrolled up for the Android Beta Program.

Although the Android Beta Program is usually geared toward developers, but this doesn’t mean you can’t have a hold of Android 7.1. If you are curious and don’t want to wait for what this newest update has to offer you, give it a try now.

However, remember that it’s a beta version so it may still have a lot of bugs. And, if you remember this is the same Android 7.1 which is already running on the Google Pixel. So, we can assume that it may be a quite stable release. Unfortunately, Google is not introducing all the Pixel’s top features to other devices. So, don’t get over-excited that your Nexus 6P will have the same features like Pixel. For example, you will not be able to get hands on the system-wide Google Assistant feature.

In addition to this, Google is planning to release next preview sometime around in November month and after that, you can expect a final version of Android 7.1 in December. If you are having a Nexus 5X, 6P or Pixel C and are registered for the beta program, very soon you would see the over-the-air update for your device. The final release will be available for Nexus 9, Nexus Player and Android One devices, and as well as the Pixel phones.

Well those who prefer stable version over the Beta ones, they will have to wait till December.

Snap Glasses for Snapchat

Snapchat, which is now known as Snap has introduced sunglasses which take videos through a built-in camera placed in the frame – reminding the Google's Glass device.

The new Snap's glass allows users to record 10-second videos by tapping a button located on the top left-hand corner of the glass frame. Such videos can be transferred over Bluetooth or WiFi to iOS and Android.

As per the company, the glasses can work for one day on a full charge, and are recharged by keeping them in their case. The company is going to price the product for about US$130. The glasses will be available in teal, black, and coral.

Snap Glass connects directly to the Smartphones having Snapchat Application, and videos automatically get stored in the service's Memories feature. The camera offers circular videos with a wide view of 115-degree. Lights on the inside and outside of the frame indicate users that a video is being captured.

The snap glasses remind of Google Glass, but let’s hope these glasses doesn’t face opposition from privacy groups as many restaurants, bars and other similar joints banned Google glasses on their property.

Moreover, it will be interesting to see whether the Snap glasses appeal to the public or it’s going to have a fate like Google glasses.

Developers Have a Deficiency of Vitamin “A”

According to a recent study, it has been found that most of the mobile app developers all around the world are facing the deficiency of Vitamin “A”.

You might have been expecting similar lines in this topic and why one wouldn’t as such titles generally begins with such lines only. However, I am not here to discuss the developer’s health, but it doesn’t mean I don’t care about it; being a developer myself, I wish a great health, body, and mind for developers all around the world. Not only for developers but for every living being.

Well, coming to back to my title, some of you might be confused and wondering as if it is not about the health then how developers lacking Vitamin “A”.

Well, to clear the smoke of confusion here by Vitamin “A”, I am referring to Vitamin “A” where A stands for “AppFirms”.

AppFirms is really an essential nutrient for mobile app developers as this platform has the potential to give their future a much-needed head start in today’s competitive mobile app world. With AppFirms on their side, mobile app developers can make themselves “IMMUNED” with the ongoing mobile “Appdemic” around the world. (By “AppDemic”, I mean the huge demand for mobile application which has forced the developers on focusing quantity more as compare to the quality. This has suppressed the innovation and skill of developers adversely, thus AppDemic.)

Why Am I Praising AppFirms?

Well, I may not be the first but surely the satisfied and a “Busy” mobile app developer registered in the AppFirms. Sorry, I forgot to mention the world “Proud” in the above line.

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But surely, sooner or later the AppFirms is going to cast its shadow over the world!

Register today and get yourself an antidote of Success”

Google’s Pixel Smartphones Announced

All the rumors, gossips, and speculation surrounding Google’s Pixel Smartphones are now entirely cleared. Google's latest Pixel and Pixel XL Smartphones are now launched finally. Both are distinguished mainly by the resolution and dimension of their screens. The users will get 5-inch 1080p display on the Pixel and 5.5-inch Quad HD panel on the Pixel XL. Though both devices are manufactured by HTC, but Google takes complete credit for the design.

Processor

Both models are loaded with the latest Snapdragon 821 processor and boast a specialized version of Android software, which embraces support for the Daydream virtual reality (VR) platform which was announced at Google I/O earlier.

Google Assistant Introduced

At present, Pixel is the only phone having Google Assistant feature. You just need to touch and hold the home button or say whatever you wish to look for, the Assistant perform the said action. It also combines the Google Now on Tap functionality, enabling the user to get the information on the screen, such as a name of a place, and provides extra information, like routes and different shops in that place.

Camera

When DxMark has given both Pixel and Pixel XL rear camera a score of 89 (the highest ever), there is nothing much to comment about it. Although this benchmark may not be the most consistent measure of great performance but it’s surely a signal of the sensor's potential in the Google phones. It offers a 12.3MP resolution with f/2.0 aperture and large 1.55-micron pixels. Google further stated that its new camera comprises "the shortest capture time on any Smartphone camera ever." The users will also find a very intricate, gyroscope-based video stabilization; however, it doesn’t come with optical image stabilization for stills.

Unlimited Cloud Storage

Google will offer free endless cloud storage for full-resolution videos and images shot with the Pixel. So, no worries about the storage issue click and shoot as much you want.

Connectivity and Communications

The advantage of buying Pixel is that the users will get the latest Android updates straight from Google as soon as they are available.

Extra Features

The company has also worked on the Pixel's stamina by including fast charging which gives you about 7 hours of power with just 15 minutes of charging. Also, Google has included 24-hour live support, which allows a tech support executive to see exactly what's on your screen and thus help you resolve the issue better. Moreover, the Pixel has pre-installed Google Duo.

Mobile Virtual Reality

Apart from the Pixel Smartphone, Google also presented Daydream View headset to accommodate the Pixel for Virtual Reality use. The Daydream View comes loaded with a small motion controller which is so accurate (as per Google) that one can even draw with it.

Hardware

Both Pixel phones are made from aluminum having a glass at the back. This glass is surrounding the flash, camera, and the fingerprint sensor. The Pixel XL is powered by a 3,450mAh battery and the other on has a 2,770mAh battery. Display of both phones is AMOLED, have 4GB of RAM, USB-C, Bluetooth 4.2, an option of 32GB or 128GB of inbuilt storage, and 3.5mm headphone jack.

Pricing

For the smaller 5inch Pixel, the price is $649 with 32GB of storage and $749 with 128GB of storage. While the Pixel XL 32GB version is for $769 and $869 for the 128GB version.

Color

Google is offering its latest Smartphones with a color option named officially as Quite Black, Really Blue, and Very Silver. Yes, you read it right these are the official name of the color available for Google’s Smartphones.

Be Your Own Boss Developers!

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• Right to choose the project
• Right to fix your charges
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