Motorola Moto G7 and One lines are getting Google’s call screening feature - The Verge

One of the best new features for Android users is Google’s call screening tech it first released in the US last fall, but it’s only been available so far on Pixel phones. That changes soon, as Motorola has announced today that its G7 and One smartphone lines will be the first phones outside Google’s Pixel family to get the feature.

The feature, which launched first on the Pixel 3 and was later expanded to the original Pixel and the Pixel 2, uses software to automate the answering of the call and the gathering of information about who’s calling and why. You initiate the feature by pressing the “screen call” button when you see an unrecognized call, and then you’re given the information onscreen both in real time and in the the form of a transcript afterward.

The feature is mainly designed to combat robocalls. The Federal Trade Commission says it receives around 500,000 complaints per month related to automated calls and texts, and Americans suffered a record 26.3 billion spam calls last year. Now, not just Google, but also large telecoms and internet providers are also working to cut down on automated calls and spam texts. AT&T, Comcast, T-Mobile, and Verizon have all either announced a service for identifying and blocking spam calls or, in Verizon and T-Mobile’s case, have already released free services to do just that.

Motorola says its families of G7 and One devices have already begun receiving access to the feature as part of a broader integration of Google’s Digital Well Being suite. It’s not clear at the moment when most users should expect to see the features show up, but they should be arriving as part of an update from Motorola. Digital Well Being exited beta last November and became available for a broader array of Android phones, so Motorola is very likely not the last Android handset maker who will gain access to Call Screen, which is currently in beta in Canada as the first international market for the feature.

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https://www.theverge.com/2019/4/3/18294510/google-call-screen-feature-pixel-android-transcription

2019-04-03 23:37:23Z
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Android Q’s second beta embraces foldable phones, multitasking Bubbles - The Verge

Google released its second Android Q developer preview today for all Pixel phones. They’re mostly under-the-hood tweaks, but the update also helps get apps and games ready for the first wave of foldable phones, and it brings along Bubbles, Google’s new take on multitasking that looks similar to Facebook Messenger’s Chat Heads, which could change how Android looks and works depending on how it’s implemented.

See the animated GIF immediately above? That’s Android Q’s new foldable screen emulator for developers (and us) to see what today’s apps and games might look like on actual foldable phones. Speaking of actual foldables, the emulator appears to target two rather familiar hardware configurations in particular: a 7.3-inch screen that folds down to 4.6 inches, and an 8-inch screen that folds to 6.6 inches. Those screen dimensions just so happen to match up with the Samsung Galaxy Fold and Huawei’s Mate X.

Meanwhile, Bubbles might end up being a pretty divisive change to Android Q, depending on how it plays out — it’s a twist on multitasking that lets individual apps leave some floating bubbles on top of whatever else you’re doing on the screen. The idea is that when you get a notification in, say, Messages, you’ll be alerted by a Bubble and a keyboard will pop up so you can type a reply, but it won’t totally obstruct the app you’re using beneath it.

If that sounds familiar, it’s probably because a bunch of individual Android apps already do the same thing, most prominently Facebook Messenger with its Chat Heads — but Bubbles isn’t limited to messages. Google says that Bubbles can give users “a convenient view over ongoing tasks and updates, like phone calls or arrival times. They can provide quick access to portable UI like notes or translations, and can be visual reminders of tasks too.” This could end up being a better solution for some than running apps in split-screen mode, but for others, it might be annoying. Google’s actually already been experimenting with Bubbles in its Phone app, but this could make the idea go broader.

The Android Q beta has already made sharing things on social media and with your contacts faster and more intuitive, and now the share sheet interface can show a quick preview of what you’re sending before you share it, potentially preventing you from sharing an embarrassing photo with your family. Sure, it’s a relatively small quality-of-life improvement, but it’s a boon for those who share a lot of stuff.

We expect Google to release at least one more Android Q beta before Google I/O kicks off on May 7th. But don’t expect much in the way of buzzworthy features just yet; Google tends to save the more impressive announcements for the stage. If you want to download the beta, here’s how to do it.

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https://www.theverge.com/2019/4/3/18293964/android-q-beta-foldable-phones-bubbles-chat-heads-multitasking

2019-04-03 19:24:58Z
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Apple just launched another pair of truly wireless earbuds. Here's how they compare to the new AirPods. - INSIDER

• Beats just unveiled the Powerbeats Pro, which are truly wireless headphones just like Apple's AirPods.
• The debut comes after Apple released a new pair of AirPods in March that offer the option for wireless charging and "Hey Siri" support.
• Here's a look at how the two new headphones compare.

Coming on the heels of Apple's second-generation AirPods announcement, Beats has announced a new pair of wireless earbuds, the Powerbeats Pro. They're launching in May and will cost $250.

Like the latest AirPods, the Powerbeats Pro run on Apple's H1 chip which enables faster pairing with devices. And while the two headphones bear some similarities, the pricier Powerbeats are a more premium choice that have more to offer when it comes to custom fitting options and audio quality.

Here's how the AirPods and the Powerbeats Pro wireless headphones compare:

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https://www.thisisinsider.com/apple-airpods-2-vs-powerbeats-pro-2019-4

2019-04-03 17:46:21Z
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Android Q Beta 2: Gestures now swipe between apps just like iOS - 9to5Google

One of the big new features in Android Pie was the arrival of gesture navigation. However, Google’s take on gestures was highly criticized. Now, in the second beta release of Android Q, gestures have apparently been reworked in a big way.

The best gifts for Android users

The best way to describe how Android Q’s new gestures work is “iOS, but worse.” The new system actually works extremely close to how things are on the iPhone. Just like in previous releases, you’ll have the pill button and a contextual back button on screen, with a swipe up revealing your recent apps.

However, pulling on the pill button no longer switches between apps. Rather, a quick swipe along the navigation bar goes back and forth between your apps in chronological order. Just like on iOS, this functionality lets you access apps in the order you’ve had them open, as well as swiping in the other direction to go forward.

Currently, though, the functionality is largely broken. The animation itself is buggy on our devices and often the launcher’s search bar on the Pixel 3 comes through. Clearly, this is in early stages. Interestingly, we did see a glance of this change in Beta 1.

Update: The folks at XDA-Developers have taken things a step further and discovered that Google may just be ditching the home button entirely. Apparently, a long “handle” is hiding beneath the surface in this beta release which looks just like what you’d find on an iPhone. Things aren’t working fully just yet, but clearly, Google has some big changes in store.

The gesture bar can be accessed with the ADB command below.

adb shell settings put global quickstepcontroller_showhandle 1

More on Android Q:

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https://9to5google.com/2019/04/03/android-q-beta-gestures-iphone/

2019-04-03 17:30:00Z
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Borderlands 3 Supports Cross-Platform Co-Op According to Microsoft Store - IGN

Platforms don’t divide friendships.

By Matt Purslow

The listing for Borderlands 3 on Microsoft’s store page claims that the game will support cross-platform co-op.

So far in the game’s short-but-loud marketing campaign, developer Gearbox has yet to say anything about cross-platform play. And yet here it is, in black and white, under the ‘Capabilities’ section of the Microsoft store listing.

Exit Theatre Mode

We reached out to publisher 2K for comment, who say: “Cross play is something we’re looking at closely, but don’t have anything to confirm or announce at this time.”

Hopefully Borderlands 3 will support full cross-platform compatibility, but chances are it more likely refers to co-op play between PC and Xbox One. A recent example of this kind of co-op is Sea of Thieves, although it should be noted that Rare’s pirate sandbox is a Microsoft exclusive, and thus would naturally be limited to Microsoft platforms. Still, there’s significantly less corporate mess to untangle with PC to Xbox cross-platform play than there is when Sony is involved.

Borderlands 3 has now had its release date confirmed, as well as four different versions of the game, and the names of the four new vault hunters you’ll be able to play as. If you can’t wait, check out our Borderlands: Game of the Year edition review to see if the new remaster is worth jumping into.

Matt Purslow is IGN UK's News and Entertainment Writer, and would very much like to play Borderlands 3 (or indeed any game) on PC alongside his console pals. You can follow him on Twitter. 

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https://www.ign.com/articles/2019/04/03/borderlands-3-supports-cross-platform-co-op-according-to-microsoft-store

2019-04-03 15:45:09Z
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Walmart and Google Are Teaming Up Against Amazon Over Groceries - Motley Fool

A new front has opened in the battle for your grocery dollars.

Aiming to narrow Amazon.com's(NASDAQ:AMZN) technology advantage, Walmart (NYSE:WMT) is teaming up with Alphabet's(NASDAQ:GOOG) (NASDAQ:GOOGL) Google to enable voice ordering for the retail giant's grocery shoppers. 

Walmart said in a blog post that, starting this month, customers would be able to grocery shop through the Google Assistant by saying, "Hey, Google, talk to Walmart." Walmart will use shoppers' past orders to guide requests so when they ask for milk, for example, they'll receive the milk they usually order, rather than having to specify what size and brand they want. Shoppers can add items to their carts over the course of the week as they think of what they need, and their shopping list will be ready when they decide to make their online order for eventual curbside pickup. Walmart also plans to partner with other voice assistants eventually.

Image source: Walmart.

The enemy of my enemy

Walmart's deal with Google comes several months after Amazon launched a similar service, which allows Whole Foods shoppers to add items to their cart using Alexa, Amazon's voice-activated assistant.  Last August, Amazon said shoppers could add items to their grocery lists through the company's Echo smart-speaker devices, but Walmart's initiative promises to bring voice-activated shopping to many more consumers as Walmart is the country's biggest grocery seller, while Whole Foods claims just about 2% of the market.

This is not the first time Walmart and Google, who share a common rival in Amazon, have teamed up to fight the e-commerce giant. In 2017, Walmart joined Google Express, the search giant's same-day delivery service that also partners with popular stores like Costco and Target. That service also allowed voice shopping. Walmart left Google Express in January, and speculation at the time was that Walmart was developing its own voice-ordering system. It's possible that this week's announcement is Walmart's answer to that speculation. 

Similarly, Walmart forged a strategic partnership with Microsoft, Amazon's biggest cloud competitor, to challenge the e-commerce leader in both technology and retail in areas like cashier-free stores similar to Amazon Go. 

Is voice shopping the future?

Voice shopping is still in its infancy, though close to half of Americans now own smart speakers. OC&C Consulting Group projects sales ramping up from just $2 billion in 2017 to $40 billion by 2022, and says that 62% of Americans who own a smart speaker have used it to buy groceries or other such items. 

If voice shopping will indeed make up $40 billion or more in U.S. retail sales in just a few years, it's incumbent on Walmart to compete in that arena. The company is the country's (and the world's) biggest retailer, and captures nearly 10% of all non-automotive retail spending in the U.S. 

But there are obstacles to mass adoption of voice shopping that Walmart needs to account for. For instance, it's difficult for consumers to do things like compare prices or read reviews through a voice assistant. That means shoppers need to trust the voice technology and the assistant with their orders because they are giving up more control over what they order than they would by using a screen interface like a smartphone or computer.

Avionos, a management consulting firm, found that just 1% of consumers surveyed said they would choose voice to make an intentional purchase over other options. That's a strong indication that voice as a shopping platform still has a long way to go.

Voice technology and interfaces are likely to improve over the coming years, making shopping with a smart speaker even easier. But it's unclear if the format will ever go mainstream in the way that e-commerce has.

Still, it's crucial for a retailer the size of Walmart, which has leaned on its grocery advantage in the past, to be at the forefront of new shopping channels, and strengthening its partnership with Google is a smart move as the company seeks to defend itself from Amazon. 

 

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https://www.fool.com/investing/2019/04/03/walmart-google-team-up-against-amazon-grocery.aspx

2019-04-03 15:15:00Z
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Borderlands Game Of The Year Edition Is Out Now - GameSpot

Fans of the Borderlands series can rest easy, as developer Gearbox announced Borderlands 3 during its PAX East panel last week. Also during the panel, Gearbox confirmed the remaster of Borderlands: Game of the Year Edition. The release date for the remastered Borderlands: GotY is nearly here--here's exactly when it unlocks and how to get it for free on PC.

[Update: Borderlands: Game of the Year Edition is out now on PS4 and Xbox One. You can pick it up from the PS4 and Xbox One digital stores right now; if you're waiting for the PC version (free upgrade or otherwise), it'll be live later this afternoon, as noted below. Additionally, Gearbox has shared a bunch of new information about Borderlands 3, including confirmation of its release date: September 13. We also got the first details on its playable characters.]

The official Twitter account confirmed that Borderlands: GotY drops tomorrow, April 3. It'll be available for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One at 7 AM PT / 10 AM ET. Steam customers who own the existing Game of the Year Edition can download an update for free at 10 AM PT / 1 PM ET. It's possible to obtain physical copies of the game on consoles, but they're limited to US and Canada stores only.

When the Borderlands: GotY launched in October 2010, it gathered the original Borderlands with all four of its DLC packs--The Zombie Island of Dr. Ned, Mad Moxxi's Underdome Riot, The Secret Armory of General Knoxx, and Claptrap's New Robot Revolution--into one package. This remastered version will do the exact same, but will also bring about some new additions like gameplay tweaks (such as a new minimap, for example), a series of new guns, new character customization options, and more. Gearbox is also altering the campaign's final boss, making it "more engaging, challenging, and rewarding."

Further, an Ultra HD texture pack for Borderlands: The Handsome Collection will be available the same day as the Borderlands: GotY drops. According to the official Borderlands website, the UHD texture pack will affect "characters, vehicles, weapons and environments." Gearbox didn't specify how the UHD texture pack will affect the game, so it's unclear if it's receiving more frames per second, higher graphical fidelity, or both.

Borderlands: GotY is currently not live on neither the PlayStation 4 nor Xbox Store. However, it's currently available for pre-order through GameStop for $30 on both platforms.

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https://www.gamespot.com/articles/borderlands-game-of-the-year-edition-releases-tomo/1100-6465990/

2019-04-03 14:44:00Z
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