From AI to enhanced security, here is what's new in Google Android 9 Pie OS

The Android 9 Pie also brings native gesture-based navigation control that would allow phone manufacturers to remove aged old key-based navigation

Search engine and technology giant Google on August 6 announced the Android 9 Pie, a next iteration of its operating system for smart devices. The new OS is currently rolling out as an update to Google Pixel phones and other phones from brands such as OnePlus, Nokia, Xiaomi, Sony, Oppo, Vivo and Essential would get it by this fall.

The Android 9 Pie brings major improvements in terms of usability and user interface. Importantly, it brings native support for artificial intelligence, which learns usage patterns to predict tasks, optimise battery consumption by apps and show relevant information. The new OS also bring native gesture-based navigation control that would allow phone manufacturers to remove aged old key-based navigation.

Here are the key features of the Android 9 Pie:

Artificial Intelligence

The Android 9 gets native AI support that learns usage patterns to adapt phone’s settings. The operating system comes with features such as adaptive battery, which learns the apps you use most and prioritises battery for them, and adaptive brightness, which learns how you like to set the brightness in different

The Android 9 also helps you get things done faster with App Actions, which predicts what you would want to do next based on your context and displays that action right on your phone. For an example, on early weekdays for an office goes, the OS would suggest actions like navigating to work on Google Maps or resuming an audiobook with Google Play Books.

Gestures support

The Android 9 Pie introduces a new system navigation featuring a single home button. This is helpful as phones grow taller and becoming difficult to operate using with one hand. With new gesture-based navigation, you can swipe up to see a newly designed overview, the spot where at a glance you have full-screen previews of your recently used apps.

The Android P also brings a redesigned quick settings, a better way to take and edit screenshots, simplified volume controls, an easier way to manage notifications and more.

App dashboard

The Android 9 Pie would also get new features in future that would allow users control the time they spend on different apps. These features include a new dashboard, which shows how much time you spend on each app; an app timer that lets you set time limits on apps and greys out the icon on your home screen when the time is up; the new Do Not Disturb, which silences all the visual interruptions that pop up on your screen; and wind down, which switches on night mode and Do Not Disturb and fades the screen to grayscale before bedtime. These features were first introduced at the Google I/O 2018 and would roll out as a part of Android 9 Pie add-on features later this year. Read more

Now you can send messages with stickers, emojis from web: Know how to do it

Google had recently rolled out an update for its Android messaging app enabling WhatsApp-like web operation for sending messages, emojis, stickers and pictures from computer

Global search engine and technology giant, Google has recently rolled out an update for its Android messaging app enabling WhatsApp-like web operation for sending messages, emojis, stickers and pictures from a computer. The app also gets several other features such as GIF search, smart reply, link preview, etc. that brings it on par with other instant messaging apps.

Dubbed as ‘messages from web’, the WhatsApp-like web-based service allows users to operate Android messages app from notebook or computer. However, the feature is available as a part of the latest update, therefore, will not work in previous versions of the app. Interestingly, the messages app now also supports image attachments, stickers and emojis, which were earlier restricted to only internet-based instant messaging apps.

Here is how to use web-based Android messages client:

Step 1: Check your device for Android messages app. Smartphones with stock Android may have the app by default, whereas other smartphone users may have to download and install it from Google Play store.

Step 2: Make sure the messages app is up to date, and there is no new update notification pending in the Play Store for the app. Update the app if there is a new version available.

Step 3: Open the messages app and go to more options setting by clicking on the three vertical dots icon visible on top, near to search icon.

Step 4: Inside the more options settings, click on messages for web option, which then asks to scan QR code

Step 5: Go to messages.com on your computer and scan the QR code with your phone

Step 6: Your messages app is now connected with browser-based web client. However, it would stay functional until the phone is connected to working internet. Without internet services in the phone, the web-based messages platform could not be used.

Here are other features added to the Android messages app

GIF search

Now, the message app makes finding appropriate GIFs easier by enabling GIF search feature. To search for a GIF from keyword, you can tap the + button on the left hand side of the compose bar and enter your keyword to find the best available options.

Article source : BS

Nokia 8 Sirocco is as elegant as original Nokia 8800: First impressions

The Nokia 8 has top-tier innards, sturdy stainless steel body, curved plastic-OLED screen and Android Oreo operating system, which comes with Android One promise of guaranteed timely updates

HMD Global, a Finnish company behind Nokia-branded phones, finally has a flagship – the Nokia 8 Sirocco – that can take on the competition. The device has top-tier specs, sturdy stainless steel body, curved plastic-OLED screen and Android Oreo operating system, which comes with Android One promise of guaranteed timely updates.

In terms of design and features, the Sirocco edition is a completely new device with major improvements and, therefore, is nowhere close to the original Nokia 8, which was launched last year. The phone’s curved sides grabs the attention and looks plush. The compact form factor improves usability, but the glossy stainless steel back and curved side profile make it prone to accidental drops.

Things get interesting once the device is powered on. The front is dominated by a curved pOLED screen that results in zero side bezels and limited top and bottom bezels. The screen looks vivid and touch response is top-notch. However, due to curved profile, the sides of the screen registers accidental touch, which results in unstable phone’s behaviour.

The ultraHD (2K) pOLED screen is a delight to watch video content. It renders deep blacks and is bright enough to stay visible under direct sunlight. However, the mono speaker output is on a muted side and, therefore, hinders the performance. The lack of 3.5mm audio port is another miss -- the phone comes bundled with USB type-C to 3.5mm port jack.

our brief use, the Nokia 8 Sirocco imaging showed promising results in good day-light conditions. However, it was not up to the mark to capture low-light scenes. The dual-camera module is tuned for warm colour reproduction and the output shows saturated colours, instead of natural colours. The selfie camera also showed similar results but with prominent noise levels across light conditions.

The vanilla Android Oreo experience is smooth and the phone easily sails through tasks without breaking sweat. The software shows no sign of lag or unresponsive behaviour, at least in our first impression. The battery life seems good and the charging time is quick.

The Nokia 8 Sirocco has impressed us with its blueblood traits in first impressions. However, we are reserving our verdict until detailed review, where we’d test the device on several parameters to test its overall capabilities.

Google Pixel 2 launch hit by display, pricing and shipping issues

Such issues prompted the company to open an investigation and issue multiple apologies to customers

The launch of Alphabet Inc's second-generation Google Pixel smartphones has been hampered by display screen problems and pricing and shipping issues, prompting the company to open an investigation and issue multiple apologies to customers.

The Pixel 2 and Google Pixel 2 XL, which start at $649 and debuted in stores on Thursday, are the lynchpin of Google's efforts to take on Apple Inc's

iPhone directly.

Early Pixel 2 users have voiced frustration with mishaps, including a potentially serious problem with the screen.

Google said on Sunday it is investigating whether graphics are burning into the display of the Google Pixel 2, following a report on the Android Central blog detailing the issue after a week of use. Burn-in, which usually becomes a problem only after several years of activity, can make it difficult to see information on the display.

Google likely would need to halt production if there is a problem, said Ryan Reith, a mobile device analyst at research firm IDC.

"We take all reports of issues very seriously, and our engineers investigate quickly," Mario Queiroz, Google's vice president for Pixel product management, said in an emailed statement to Reuters. "We will provide updates as soon as we have conclusive data."

The investigation follows Google's acknowledgement that it may introduce new software to respond to users' concern about a blue tint to the Pixel 2 XL's 6-inch screen. The device incorporates new OLED display technology, which Google described as offering "a more natural and accurate rendition of colours."

Reviewers and users in online support forums have also reported a clicking noise during calls and poor Bluetooth connections between the Pixel 2 and other devices. Google did not immediately comment on the issues. (more)

Google Pixel 2 camera sets new record, beats Apple iPhone 8 & Samsung Note8

According to DxO review, the Pixel 2 smartphones score an impressive 98 points out of 100, which is 9 points more than yesteryear's Google Pixel and 4 points more than dual camera clad iPhone 8 Plus

Google Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL devices might lack the luster of flagship smartphones but they possess some major enhancements that not only give them an edge but also help them race past over the competitors in some of the departments.

Notwithstanding absence of dual camera lens set-up, which has been a common feature followed by Apple and Samsung in their flagship iPhone 8 Plus and Samsung Galaxy Note8, both the handsets sport singular 12-megapixel shutter.

The 12-megapixel camera in Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL is one of the key feature among many others that has been getting a lot of attention. The camera not only outshines in terms of performance, it also takes away the title of ‘best camera in mobile phone’ from Apple iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus.

According to DxO mark review, the Pixel 2 smartphones score an impressive 98 points out of 100, which is 9 points more than yesteryear’s Google Pixel and 4 points more than dual camera clad iPhone 8 Plus. With this score, the Google Pixel 2 sets a new record for overall smartphone camera quality.

Boasting the success of Pixel 2 camera performance, the Google team shared a bunch of videos and photographs allegedly taken from the device to showcase the imaging capabilities of the smartphones and provided below are some of the samples:

Billing for 800,000 affected as ransomware hits power company in Bengal

However, Wannacry has proved less severe than anticipated in Asia

The global Ransomware Attack has affected several computers of a state power distribution company in West Bengal but the central government computer system has largely escaped, officials said on Monday.

State agencies that manage government websites and build supercomputers have installed security patches issued by Microsoft Corp.

Federal Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad told reporters that there was no serious impact on India, with only isolated incidents in parts of Kerala and Andhra Pradesh states, and the government was monitoring the situation.

However, West Bengal Power Minister Sovandev Chattopadhyay told Reuters that several billing centres of the state's Electricity Distribution Company Ltd (WBSEDCL) had been infected by the ransomware worm.

Related Articles :

• Giving in to ransomware threat: Indian firms ignore govt directive, pay up
• Ransomware attack: Indian-origin Google researcher hints North Korea link

"The full extent and magnitude of the problem will be realised by tomorrow," he said, the situation will be very serious if household electricity consumption data from the central server of the utility could not be retrieved beforehand.

A power department official who did not want to be named said billing for around 800,000 households was affected when the ransomware blocked access to files in the computers.

A senior official at the Federal Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology said its Computer Emergency Response Team was gathering all possible information about the ransomware. Read more

Five things you should look forward to in Android N

Five things you should look forward to in Android N

Google has finally let us know what the ‘N’ in Android N stands for. And this time they decided to crowdsource the name. And no, it’s not Neyyappam or Nankhatai. The ‘N’ in Android stands for Nougat, that chewy, sticky dessert.

Nougat is a sweet made from sugar or honey, nuts, and egg white.

Now, nougat isn’t as mainstream as say KitKat or Ice Cream Sandwich or Marshmallow, but it does have its fans. I have an old relationship with it. As a kid, I would pop into my mouth the moment I didn’t want to answer inane questions such as “Do you like your teacher?” or “Recite a poem for us”. While such nougats are long gone, the closest one can have over the counter is a Snickers bar.

But Google chose Nougat over Neyyappam, the deep-fried concoction from God’s Own Country. This despite the fact that we’ve had reports that among the names being considered were Nankhatai and Neyyappam, and that Neyyappam was leading!

Every time we talk of crowdsourcing, we expect to win by sheer numbers. And of course, doesn’t our own “Sundi” head Google? Neyyappam was a winner even before you finished saying it. Yes, India is a land of over a billion people, but we forgot to read the fine print: Google takes the final call on the name, despite whichever name getting the maximum ‘votes’. And while Sundar Pichai is the CEO of Google, that in no way affects what the next version of Android should be named. So while we might think it’s a loss of face for Indian fans, we should spare a thought for the millions of non-Indians who also use the world’s most popular mobile operating system. And if one goes by sheer numbers, shouldn’t all phones run only Chinese versions of software? Read more

Larry Page is secretly investing millions to build flying cars

Larry Page is secretly investing millions to build flying cars

Three years ago, Silicon Valley developed a fleeting infatuation with a start-up called Zee. The company had set up shop right next to Google’s headquarters in Mountain View, California, which was curious, because Google tightly controls most of the land in the area. Then a reporter spotted patent filings showingZee.Aero was working on a small, all-electric plane that could take off and land vertically — a Flying car.

In the handful of news articles that ensued, all the start-up would say was that it wasn’t affiliated with Google or any other technology company. Then it stopped answering media inquiries altogether. Employees say they were even given wallet-size cards with instructions on how to deflect questions from reporters. After that, the only information that trickled out came from amateur pilots, who occasionally posted pictures of a strange-looking plane taking off from a nearby airport.

Turns out, Zee doesn’t belong to Google or its holding company, Alphabet. It belongs to Larry Page, Google’s co-founder. Page has personally funded Zee since its launch in 2010 while demanding that his involvement stay hidden from the public, according to 10 people with intimate knowledge of the company. Zee, however, is just one part of Page’s plan to usher in an age of personalised air travel, free from gridlocked streets and the cramped indignities of modern flight. Like Jeff Bezos and Elon Musk, Page is using his personal fortune to build the future of his childhood dreams. Read more.