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Google Assistant is finally coming to tablets, smartphones running Lollipop get it too

Alexandra Arici
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Originally, the Google Assistant was a Pixel-exclusive. Then Google started offering it on smartphones with Android Marshmallow+ on board.

Interestingly, so far tablets were left out of the equation.  But this will no longer be the case, as Google just announced the Google Assistant is finally making its way to tablets, but only in English and for US users. Oh, and your device will have to be on Nougat on Marshmallow in order for the virtual helper to work.

Furthermore, Google also said the Assistant has started rolling out for smartphones that run the outdated Android Lollipop. The roll-out will include users who have the language set on English on their device in the US, UK, Canada, Australia, Singapore, and India, as well as Spanish in the US, Mexico, and Spain. The Assistant is also going you be available on your Lollipop-power smartphone if you are in Italy, Japan, Brazil, Germany, or Korea. Once users get the Google Play Services update and opt-in, they will be able to see an Assistant app icon in their All apps list.

As for the Google Assistant for tablets, it will start rolling out to Marshmallow or Nougat devices sometimes during the coming week, although Google didn’t mention a specific day. So be on the lookout.

T-Mobile has a new TV service coming in next year

Alexandra Arici
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Cord cutting is accelerating at a pace faster than previously estimated. But despite the rising trend, T-Mobile just announced it will be launching its own TV service in 2018.

In order to make this happen, the Magenta carrier has acquired Layer3 TV – a startup which integrates TV, streaming and social networking into the packages it offers in five states.

T-Mobile aims to bring its “Uncarrier” campaign to TV the way it with wireless service and seeks to attract customers from other carriers by offering unlimited streaming and a one-size-fits-all plan for a flat monthly fee. T-Mobile’s CEO John Legere denounced competitors such as AT&T and Comcast for offering bundles with wireless, internet and video, which despite their lower rates force users to buy services like landlines they don’t actually need.

Interestingly, while the majority of the industry is trying to woo cost-conscious customers by offering affordable packages with fewer channels, Layer3 launched as a high-end TV service in metropolitan areas such as Washington or Chicago.

But even if T-Mobile didn’t offer any details on how much their new service will cost, we have to assume it’s going to be priced on the more affordable side. The carrier did specify the service will be part of a package, but will also give customers several options.

T-Mobile acquisition of Layer3 is the latest example of a wireless company going into the TV business. Last year, AT&T purchased Time Warner, although the deal is still the subject of a government lawsuit.

Yet the move comes at a strange time. People are ditching cable more than ever, so this is a big bet on T-Mobile part. However, if the carrier manages to create a compelling service, it could overhaul the entire TV industry.

Vinci 2.0 standalone smart headphones want to replace your smartwatch

Alexandra Arici
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Remember the Vinci headphones which most surprisingly included a virtual assistant on board? Well the startup behind them, Inspero Inc. is back with a new pair of wireless headphones with an intriguing design and smart features.

The Vinci 2.0 are marketed as sports headphones reinvented and your personal fitness coach in your ear. So the gadget – which is to be worn around the neck – is qualified to track your heart rate, steps, cadence and workout speed and then offer coaching tips on how to improve your performance.

Because it can connect either to the Internet (3G/Wi-Fi) or your mobile, the Vinci 2.0 can act as a standalone music player that does not require a nearby smartphone to stream music from Spotify, SoundCloud, Amazon Music, and KKBOX. It can also receive notifications from your handset, no matter how far you’re from it.

Unlike its predecessor, the Vinci 2.0 is powered not by one but two virtual assistants – Inspero’s proprietary Vinci and Amazon’s Alexa, so users will have access to more than 15,000+ skills.

Owners can ask their headphones by using the hotword “Hey Vinci” to make phone calls, set a reminder, or give you directions, while their handset sits comfortably on the desk back home.

Don’t like to be seen talking to yourself while out on a jog? You can do things like changing a song or raising the volume without asking Vinci to do it, as the headphones integrate so-called true gesture control. Sounds interesting?

The Vinci 2.0 cellular has been gathering funds on Indiegogo and recently managed to surpass its funding goals. The first Vinci 2.0 units are expected to ship out in April 2018, but come next month Inspero Inc. will be present at CES 2018 in Las Vegas and will have the headphones on display.

The company is offering three versions of Vinci 2.0 on Kickstarter: the Lite, Pro, and Super. You can check out the differences between them in the table below.

Right now, you can still catch Super Early Birds on Indiegogo. Pledge $79 to get a Vinci 2.0 Lite in Black, White, Red or Blue.

Caterpillar’s rugged CAT 31 smartphone is up for grabs in the US for $329.99

Alexandra Arici
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Announced back at IFA 2017 in Berlin, the rugged CAT 31 smartphone by Caterpillar is now available for purchase in the US. Interested parties can grab the sturdy device from the company’s official webshop for $329.99 a pop.

The Cat S31 might not be pretty to look at, but it’s a robust device which can function in harsh conditions. For starters, it comes with MIL-SPEC 810G rating, meaning it can take a 1.8m fall and come out unharmed, as well as an IP68 rating (can be immersed in up to 1.2m of water for 35 minutes).

As for specs, the Cat S31 is a pretty middle-range device coming in with a 4.7-inch IPS display with 1280 x 720 resolution and Corning Gorilla Glass 3. It bundles a Qualcomm quad-core Snapdragon 210 processor under the hood, aided by 2GB of RAM and 16GB of storage (expandable up to 128GB via a microSD card slot).

In the photography department, the Cat S31 offers a rather unimpressive 8-megapixel/2-megapixel camera combo. On the bright side, Caterpillar has equipped the device with a large 4,000 mAh battery. It runs Android Nougat out of the box.

If you want something more advanced, you should know the company is also selling the Cat S41 which offers better specs, including a 5-inch IPS LCD display with fullHD resolution, an octa-core MediaTek processor, more RAM and 5,000 mAh battery. The phone also benefits from Android Pay integration and obviously, it’s a bit more expensive than the Cat S31. You can get it for $449.99.

Top 7 Android writing apps for students (Promoted)

Guest Blogger
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I definitely know two things about students. They’re on a budget. And they always seek for free tools to help them get through their courses.

There’s a mistaken belief that great software is always chargeable. In fact, some free applications improve students’ academic life as well as paid alternatives.

In this article, I enlisted 7 Android apps that can help you cope with your major problems – time management, budgeting, procrastination, and academic paper writing. To survive exams, you can rely on custom writers EssayPro or take a look at some of the best software for students I’ve come across.

Mint

You already know a few money-saving tips. But the best one is using Mint for managing finances. Check the up-to-date information about your bank accounts, credit cards and bills. Track what you’re spending and don’t miss a chance to save a couple of bucks. Set reminders in order not to forget to pay your bills.

You don’t have to worry about your private information. The security is ensured with multi-factor authentication. You can set a password. So, if your phone happens to be lost or stolen, no one will be able to see your spending and savings.

Evernote

It is often included in the must-have apps for students. This feature-rich app helps to stay organized and boosts productivity.

Evernote lets you create better notes in a variety of formats, including text, photos, sketches, audio, video, web clippings and more. The latest feature is handwriting. You can take your Android device and jot down your thoughts with your finger or stylus. Later you can transform handwriting into other note type and use your ideas for essay writing or presentation preparing. Evernote will sync your content across devices. So, you’ll be able to keep working on the document on your computer. Discover other great features after downloading the app.

Studious

Studious is a homework planner. It is designed for students struggling with procrastination. With its help, you’ll Stay on track and know what’s coming up in your courses.

There’s a wide range of reminder apps available to download. Studious has a unique feature that distinguishes it from others. The app automatically puts your phone in a silent mode right as you come in the classroom. Just specify your class locations.

iA Writer

It can be hard to start writing your paper. You imagine how much work you’ll have to do and get discouraged at once. iA Writer app has a set of features that will make writing process faster and easier.

iA Writers offers MultiMarkdown to edit. It also has a built-in dictionary. The app underlines misspelled words in red and suggests corrections. This feature is very useful when you type in a hurry and make many typos.

To enhance your essay writing experience even more, iA Writer offers Night Mode and Word Count. Its focus mode will help you concentrate on one sentence at a time.

When the work is over, you can choose a template for your document. It is possible to export the file to various formats (PDF, DOCX, HTML, or plain text). The app supports syncing with Dropbox and Google Drive.

Dragon Anywhere

This speech recognition app is designed to type without touching the keyboard. Dragon Anywhere listens to your voice and converts the words into digital text. It makes essay writing several times faster. Just imagine, you can write a research paper without typing a single word!

What makes this voice-to-text app unique is that Dragon familiarizes itself with the user’s voice and improves in accuracy over time. Thus, the more you use it, the better it works.

Trello

Trello is an incredible tool that can be used for various writing and editing tasks. It is perfect for long-term projects. Consider using it for dissertation writing. It allows breaking down a ton of work into smaller chunks. You can plan your work by creating the lists of tasks and adding the lists of subtasks under each one. While that isn’t an innovative idea, Trello is an ultimate helper in simplifying the workload.

The app is packed with a bunch of great features. It is possible to create a style sheet template to store your common stylistic choices. Doing research for your academic papers is much more convenient with Trello. You can store the resources and make sure you don’t lose any important article. Download the app and discover its other helpful features.

JotterPad

This cool app has almost no competitors. Its plain text editor is devoid of the fuss and distractions of a usual word processor. The clean typing interface boosts your focus on putting your thoughts into words.

JotterPad is so popular because it supports writing not only in English but in Spanish, Italian, French and Dutch. If you’re learning a foreign language, you won’t have to look for a new app for paper writing.

Let’s list JotterPad’s several features. The app incorporates such essential features as undo/redo, universal dark theme, night vision, phrase finder, typewriter scrolling and snapshots. A built-in dictionary will help you find the right words, a thesaurus will show you synonyms, and a rhyming dictionary will assist in creative writing assignments like poems or songs. You can convert your files to different formats and sync them with Google Drive, Dropbox, and OneDrive.

Jotter Pad is suits both for short- and long-term projects. It has fans among students, scriptwriters, poets, novelists, bloggers, and journalists. You’ll definitely like this app.

I hope this list will help you with your studies. I believe that these apps will complement your Android device and your college degree. Of course, there are many other tools you can find useful. Maybe you already have a favorite app. However, I recommend you try out new software all the time. You may find more suitable tools.

About the Author: Michelle Brooks is the blog editor and the blogger specializing in career, e-learning and self-development. Currently, she contributes to the educational resource.

The Mirabook is a laptop powered by your Samsung Galaxy S8, Note 8 or Huawei Mate 10

Alexandra Arici
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Remember the DeX dock which allows Samsung Galaxy S8 users to turn their Android phone into a desktop computer? But in order to do that, you’ll need a monitor and some peripherals including a mouse and keyboard. Which basically defeats the idea of portability associated with a smartphone.

Well, the company Miraxess has come with a better idea which aims to allow Samsung Galaxy S8 users to get that desktop experience on the go.

It offers the Mirabook which is basically a dedicated dock for your phone (the company calls it “lapdock”) that comes in the form of laptop shell equipped with a 13.3-inch FullHD display, two USB Type-C ports, two USB 3.0 ones, an HDMI port, an audio jack, SD card reader, backlit keyboard, mousepad and a battery that’s said to be able to last up to 10 hours. It also houses an extendable dock in which users will plug the phone that will power the laptop.

The Mirabook is now only compatible with the Samsung Galaxy S8, but also the Galaxy S8+, Note 8 and Huawei Mate 10. The device also works with Windows 10 Mobile devices like the Lumia 950 or Lumia 950 XL or Alcatel Idol Pro 4, Acer Liquid Jade or HP Elite X3.

The mobile powered laptop is available for an affordable $249 a pop. But given that the Mirabook was first put on display back at CES 2017 and that many, many months later the company has only just started taking pre-orders for the device, we have to wonder whether the lapdock will turn out to be a successful product.

What are your thoughts on the Mirabook?

Google Maps will soon help you to get off at the right bus stop

Alexandra Arici
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Navigating in a new city can be very challenging and that’s why Google wants to help you with that. According to a new report coming out of TechCrunch, Google is expected to roll out a new feature in Google Maps that will offer real-time updates on your trip, including a reminder to get off a particular stop.

These updates will appear in your Google Maps app, as well as on your Android lock screen. What’s more, the notifications are said to be interactive, so users will be able to check their journey’s steps as they move to a specific goal.

In order to get started, you’ll need to enter the location you want to reach. Then you should tap on the “Start” button which appears at the bottom of the screen. Once in the bus or the train, live updates will start popping up on your phone, so you’ll never get off at the wrong stop again.

This new feature, which will be available in a future update, will prove particularly useful when you’re traveling to a new location or in the early hours of morning or evening and there’s the risk of falling asleep.

Google has been constantly updating its Maps application with the new features. Not so long ago, for example, the search giant made it possible for users to share their locations in real time and added a new Motorcycle mode.

You can now follow #hashtags on Instagram

Alexandra Arici
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Are you on Instagram and interested in a certain topic? Good news, Instagram now lets you follow hashtags, just as you’d follow people. So if you’re a cat lover, now you can get all the adorable updates in your feed and latest stories in your stories bar by following #catsofinstagram.

In the official announcement post, Instagram offers a few other examples of super popular hashtags you might want to follow including #onthetable, #slime and #floralnails.

Following hashtags is super easy. All you need to do is search for a topic you are interested or tap on a hashtag that speaks to you from any post. Once on the hashtag page, tap on the follow button located on top.

To help you discover even more new things, Instagram now lets you see the hashtags other people follow in their profiles. So make sure to check that account you so admire and see its list of hashtags.

Instagram respects your privacy, so if you set your account to private only the approved followers will see the hashtags you follow.

Instagram plans to provide users with more tools to discover and get inspired by the community in the near future. So keep an eye out.

What do you think of the new feature?

10 futuristic tech gift ideas for the Sci-Fi aficionado

Alexandra Arici
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This holiday season you might be searching for an awesome gadget to gift your tech-loving friend or family member with. But some products available on the market today might seem a little too ordinary. If you want to impress this Christmas with something that looks truly futuristic, we have a few ideas that will hopefully be of help.

Below you’ll find a list of gadgets you can purchase right now, which will surely speak to a true lover of Sci-Fi.

A funky tree ornament

This Christmas, Sci-Fi fans can decorate their Christmas tree with this fun Star Wars Death Star Tree Topper ornament. The gadget can be controlled via a remote control and made to flash blue or red with green in the laser dish.

For Star Wars fans who are eagerly waiting for the new The Last Jedi episode, the tree topper ornament might make the perfect gift. You can get yours for $79.99 in Red or Blue.

A cool mini robot companion

Since we’re on the topic of Star Wars, here’s another great gift idea – the Sphero Mini R2DS Droid Robot. Connect the robot to an Android or iOS smartphone and watch it as it rolls around on treads, or sprouts its third leg and leans back for movement on rougher surfaces.

The accompanying smartphone app not only handles remote control, but also specific actions and effects. What’s more, the little droid is programmed with a series of holographic simulation that will let users explore the Star Wars universe through augmented reality. You can grab the robot for $130.

A badge with a twist

But maybe you’re shopping for a Star Trek fan instead. Then they will probably love this bagde. As the next-generation channel of communication, the Star Trek TNG Bluetooth ComBadge lets users answer their calls using the word “Go”. It connects to your phone via Bluetooth and thanks to the built-in microphones, you can take calls even with your hands are full. You can order one for $59.99.

Modern-looking headphones

What about an audio accessory? Check out these gorgeous looking headphones which have a futuristic vibe to them. Manufactured by Caeden, the Linea Nº1 look stunning while boasting superior noise isolation and a fully-balanced profile which lets users enjoy a rich sound. A pair will set you back with $149.99.

A gaming console that looks like a spaceship

Have a friend who feels nostalgic about all the great games in the 80s? Well, then he or she would probably be thrilled to receive this spaceship-shaped gaming console. It comes packed with 23 games including the Tetris-style Block Party, as well as Endurance Racer and Endless Defender. The mini console is available for just $9. An affordable, yet cool present indeed!

A flower pot that’s more than a vase

This flower pot does way more than just hold flowers. It’s also a Bluetooth speaker, so it can connect to your smartphone and stream all the music you want. On top of that, the gadget is bundled with some fun tricks – for example, just touching the inside of the pot will prompt a piano tune. Get it for $12.99.

A live event camera with a twist

Remember Hal, the evil artificial intelligence from a Space Odyssey? Well, the Mevo Plus camera certainly brings about some strong Hal vibes. Fortunately, it’s not a malicious gadget with a wicked plan.

Instead this is a life event camera that lets you stream to Vimeo, Livestream, Facebook, YouTube, Periscope and Twitter in up to 1080p over Wi-Fi and LTE. The camera features 4K recording capabilities and comes with built-in stereo microphones. You can get it for $499.99.

A smart Wi-Fi router

Who said Wi-Fi routers have to be full? Not the Starry Station, which also comes with a touchscreen to make it easier for users to do things like view which devices are connected to the home Wi-Fi, customize the connection for a faster experience, as well as view and fix connectivity problems. The futuristic-looking router is available for $282.

Google Clips

The Google Clips is a neat little camera which quietly sits in your home waiting for the next big event to happen. This intelligent device is able to recognize faces or an important happening and when it does, it will start snapping photos and recording video without being manually triggered. It’s not connected to the internet, so it’s totally secure. Yet, you’ll be able to see all the content with Google Photos or on your Pixel device. It’s available for $249.

The impact of mobile technology on the financial services industry (Promoted)

Guest Blogger
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With technology being utilized in every industry imaginable, it’s hardly surprising that it’s made an appearance in the financial services industry as well. With the use of mobile technology in particular, investing has become more seamless than ever, with people having more flexibility when it comes to trading. Due to the transformational effect that mobile, cloud and other new technologies are having on our financial services industry, a huge amount of investment is happening to allow businesses to thrive off of these technological changes. In both the B2C and B2B space businesses are dedicating resource to fostering new start-ups based off these technologies, such as Unilever Foundry, NEX Opportunities, and Barclays Accelerator. Below, we’ve explored the main ways in which mobile technology has transformed the financial services industry.

Trading Can Be Done Anywhere at Any Time

Before mobile technology emerged, the process of trading could often be a lengthy process, meeting up with the opposite party at a time that suits both them and yourself. However, with just the few clicks of a button on our smartphones, trades can be done whenever, regardless of how busy the trader is. Because of this, the financial markets are more accessible than ever, making business easier for experienced traders who need to secure deals on a daily basis.

Access To Data Driven Money Management

It isn’t always the most practical to travel to an ATM to receive information about your cash flow or recent transactions. In fact, compared to the new money management features that we can access on our smartphones, there’s a lot that ATM’s can’t do! Whether you’re running a small business, or you just want to keep a close eye on your spending habits, data driven money management now allows customers to make smart decisions about their investments and how they spend their money. These mobile apps use infographics to allow customers to understand what their banking data represents, and thus represent a huge technological shift in the financial services industry, as understanding the latest trends of mobile technology can provide better service for consumers.

There Are Fewer Legal Barriers

Since 2010, over 25 companies have been granted banking permissions, or are instead applying to operate in the retail banking market, and it’s estimated that 80% of the start-up institutions go to markets with a mobile-first or mobile-only offering to consumers. Plus, with 5 major banks holding 80% of current accounts with fewer regulator barriers, we could expect to see a huge transformation in the financial services sector. Within the financial services industry, changes in regulation are designed to stimulate competition within the market, as well as provide customers with better value. However, staying on top of mobile regulatory changes is often challenging for financial services markets, as the changes are usually very significant and often cost quite a lot of money. Regulation has decreased over the years, although this hasn’t yet translated into a large number of customers switching banks – only time will tell.

Use of AI

The priority for financial services organisations is to ensure that all customer service facilities are of a high quality. By using AI, these companies can provide pristine services to their clients without the need of frequently training their staff – instead, they just need to programm a robot! Due to the extensive technology that resides within AI, these robots are able to retain huge amounts of data regarding financial services, streamlining the consumer’s customer service experience. With chatbots present on mobile apps and websites, customers are able to receive an instantaneous answer to their queries, providing them with higher satisfaction.

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