News: Instagram Goes Retro with Augmented Reality Tribute to Classic Windows Desktop
Just because augmented reality is the technology of the future doesn't mean it can't reach into the past of computing.
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News: FramesDirect Finally Delivers Prescription Lens Inserts for Magic Leap One Users
In the last few weeks, the Magic Leap ecosystem has ramped up activity with a number of new releases debuting just before the close of the year.
How To: Get Bokeh on Any Phone with Facebook Messenger's Portrait Selfies
Portrait mode works with any dual-lens iPhone, as well as the single-lens iPhone XR, and lets you take impressive portraits with blurry, bokeh-filled backgrounds. Portrait selfies, on the other hand, are only available devices with Face ID. But that's only for Apple's Camera app itself — third-party apps like Messenger have "portrait" selfies for any iPhone — as well as any Android phone model.
News: iOS 12.1.1 Public Beta 3 Now Available to Software Testers
It seems Apple will keep with recent tradition — the third iOS 12.1.1 public beta released to software testers Thursday, Nov. 15, just hours after the 10 a.m. PDT (1 p.m. EDT) release of dev beta 3. Apple likes to take a short time after a developer release to ensure the beta is good enough to release as a whole, as seen with the entire iOS 12 dev beta 7 debacle.
News: Apple Just Released iOS 12.1.1 Developer Beta 3 to Testers
Apple released the third beta for iOS 12.1.1 on Thursday, Nov. 15. This update is not much of a surprise, as it comes just a little over one week after the release of dev beta 2. As with that beta, we expect Apple to release the 12.1.1 public beta shortly, possibly as soon as this afternoon.
News: iOS 12.1.1 Public Beta 2 Released Shortly After Dev Beta 2
Registered iOS developers received their first taste of 12.1.1 dev beta 2 on Wednesday, Nov. 7, and public beta testers received the iOS 12.1.1 public beta 2 shortly thereafter.
News: Apple Just Released iOS 12.1.1 Beta 2 to Developers
Developers opened their iPhones on Wednesday, Nov. 7, to find an update to the iOS 12.1.1 beta. Apple seeded developers the first 12.1.1 beta on Halloween, marking one week between it and the second beta. It's a quick update turnaround but in line with trends as Apple typically waits at least a week in between beta releases.
News: Here's What's New with Samsung's Messages App in One UI
Samsung's version of Android Pie has landed on Galaxy handsets like the Note 9, S9, and S8, though we've known what to expect thanks to leaked beta versions of the software a few months back. The newly dubbed One UI has plenty of new features and improvements, but some of the first you might notice are the visual improvements to the default messaging app.
News: Apple Just Released the First Public Beta for iOS 12.1.1 with FaceTime Updates
Get ready for more software testing. Just two days after the official release of iOS 12.1, Apple seeded public software testers iOS 12.1.1 — one day after developers received the update. While the rest of the iOS world is just getting to know all of the cool, new 12.1 features, testers are now sinking their teeth into what the next iteration of iOS has to offer.
How To: 9 Ways to Improve Battery Life on Your iPhone X, XS, XS Max & XR
While the iPhone XS actually comes with a smaller battery than the iPhone X, Apple claims it, along with the XS Max and XR, offer users longer battery life than last year's first Face ID model. While that may be true, your new iPhone still ships without meeting its full battery-saving potential. There are, however, steps you can take to make sure your X, XS, XS Max, or XR makes it from morning until night.
News: Everything You Need to Know About the iPhone XS
Apple's successor to the iPhone X is a beautifully made smartphone with much of the same characteristics, including a 5.8-inch OLED screen, two storage choices, and Face ID. But many features set the iPhone XS apart from its predecessor, as well as the other 2018 lineup of iPhones, making it a worthy choice to upgrade to if you're in the market for a new mobile device.
How To: Get Fortnite for Android on Your Galaxy S7, S8, S9, or Note 8 Right Now
Time to play — Fortnite is now officially available on Android. However, the game won't be available across the Android ecosystem right away. Fortnite Battle Royale launches on Samsung devices first. That means if you have a Galaxy S7, S8, S9, Note 8, Tab 3, or Tab 4, you can download the game right now.
News: Magic Leap Mobile Companion App Revealed, iOS & Android Supported
Among a treasure trove of new developer information on the Lumin OS that Magic Leap recently published on its Creator Portal appears to be the official confirmation of the Magic Leap Mobile Companion App.
News: New York Times AR Coverage of Guatemala Volcano Disaster Shows AR Isn't Ready for Breaking News
The latest augmented reality feature from The New York Times gives readers a close-up view of the damage left behind by the eruption of Volcán de Fuego in Guatemala earlier this month.
How To: Jump Back to the First Home Screen Page on Your iPhone Without Tons of Swiping
If you have more than two home screen pages on your iPhone, jumping back to the main page can seem like a lot of unnecessary swiping. For example, an eight-page home screen would take seven right-swipes to get back from the last page to the main page — but it doesn't have to take that much work.
News: 8 Apps You Should Install on Your iPhone That You Can't Get in the iOS App Store
The iOS App Store is a big place, offering over two million applications in total. However, there are actually some apps you can and should install on your iPhone that the iOS App Store doesn't include. And no, these apps do not require any difficult jailbreaking or complicated sideloading techniques — they are really simple to install.
News: Sherwin-Williams Uses Augmented Reality to Take the Guesswork Out of Paint Color Selection
Do you see a red door and wonder if it might be a good idea to paint it black? You could "ask Ask Sherwin-Williams," or, better yet, you could just ask the new augmented reality features in the retailer's mobile app.
News: U2 Kicks Off Latest Tour with Augmented Reality App Experience
One of the most successful rock bands still making music has just made augmented reality an integral part of its upcoming tour. Irish rock band U2 has announced a new mobile app experience that allows you to preview the group's live performance in your own home in AR.
News: An Augmented Reality Game Brings the Monsters of The Rock's 'Rampage' to Your City Skyline
Given Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson's blockbuster movie pedigree and the promotional power that usually accompanies his work, there's a certain predictable symmetry in the news that Rampage, a movie adaptation of the classic arcade game, has now become an augmented reality mobile app.
Facebook Messenger 101: How to Keep Your Account When Deactivating Facebook
If you finally decide to take the plunge and delete your Facebook, you should know that your Messenger account may also go missing if that's how you log into it using your Facebook account. You can make a new Messenger profile without tying it to a Facebook account, but if you want to keep all of your old chats, you're going to want to deactivate rather than delete.
News: NY Times Brings Readers Closer to Bowie's Freaky Costumes in Augmented Reality
Continuing with its new paradigm of using augmented reality to cover the news, The New York Times has published a feature story that takes a peek into the late David Bowie's eclectic wardrobe of on-stage outfits.
News: Volume Buttons in Android 9.0 Pie Actually Control Media by Default Now
In stock Android Oreo and below, the volume rockers change ringer volume by default unless audio is currently playing. In order to adjust media volume when media isn't playing, you have to tap the down arrow next to the ringer volume slider that appears at the top of the screen to see the option. Now, Android 9.0 Pie has flipped things around, giving media volume the limelight.
News: Essential Phone Drops Three Stunning New Colors [Photos]
The story of the Essential Phone isn't one for the faint of heart. The company was founded by Andy Rubin, and their first phone was supposed to have only the "essential" qualities. Unfortunately, it lacked a decent camera, and still cost as much as most flagships. Since that rough start, however, things have taken a turn for the better. Now, Eseential's doubling down with a new set of colorways for the PH-1.
News: Forget Face Masks, Facebook Is Working on Full-Body AR Camera Effects
Facebook may have shamelessly copied Snapchat and its camera effects for faces (as well as its World Lenses), but it might beat its social media competitor to virtual body augmentation.
How To: Disable Instagram's Creepy Activity Status Feature
Instagram updated its iOS and Android apps recently with an "Activity Status" indicator. This status allows your friends to see when you are currently active and when you were last active on Instagram. The problem is, Instagram was pretty quiet about this update, so many of you have it enabled without realizing it. Fortunately, it's simple to turn off.
YouTube 101: How to Enable the Dark Theme on Your iPhone
One of the downsides to iOS is the lack of a true dark mode. While Apple has offered a workaround, third-party developers have taken it upon themselves to implement dark themes in their apps. While big names like Twitter and Reddit have led the charge for some time, it appears YouTube is the next app to join the party.
News: iOS 11.2.5 Beta 2 Released with Bug Fixes & Improvements
Apple has released the second beta for iOS version 11.2.5 for developers on Dec. 19. The update comes six days after the release of the first 11.2.5 beta which updated the Music app to include a persistent "play bar" at the bottom of the window, along with some bug fixes. Public beta testers received the update on Dec. 20.
Galaxy Oreo Update: Samsung Adds Screenshot Labeling Feature in Android 8.0
Samsung has kept us busy with their Android 8.0 Oreo beta testing program for the Galaxy S8, and most recently, the Galaxy Note 8. As the beta continues to receive new updates, stability has improved continuously, and new features keep on creeping in for both devices.
Apple AR: Make Song Lyrics Flow Right Out of Your Speakers with This iPhone Augmented Reality App
So you want to do Kendrick Lamar's "HUMBLE." in Animoji Karaoke, but you need the lyrics. Well, now you can see those rhymes spit out in augmented reality.
News: iOS 11.2.5 Beta Released with Bug Fixes & Small Music Update
After a month of working out the kinks in iOS 11.2, Apple pushed out the update to everyone on Dec. 2. Well, over a week later and just hours after a quick iOS 11.2.1 update on Dec. 13, they began beta testing the next big update, iOS 11.2.5, with registered developers. The following day, Dec. 14, it also became available to public beta testers to try out.
News: iOS 11.2.1 Released, Fixes HomeKit Remote Access for Shared Users
Just nine days after the official release of iOS 11.2, Apple has released iOS 11.2.1. The update initially seems to have been seeded to only a handful of users and is intended to fix bugs in 11.2.
Apple Pay Cash 101: How to View Your Transactions History
With Apple Pay Cash, sending and receiving money with fellow Apple users has never been easier. One big plus about Apple's new Apple Pay Cash card is that all of your transactions are available just a few taps away, so you can see all your person-to-person payments, balance additions, and bank transfers.
Apple AR: Vogue App Shines an AR Spotlight on iPhone X Owners
When it comes to identifying what's fashionable on the runway, including cutting edge tech that bleeds into the mainstream of style, Vogue magazine stands at the top of the list.
News: iOS 11.2 Released to the Masses with Bug Fixes, Apple Pay Cash & More New Features
It's been a busy week for Apple. After two beta updates in one week, iOS 11.2 was released to the public around 1:30 a.m. PT on Saturday, Dec. 2. Usually, Apple releases updates around 10 a.m. PT, but this one was rushed in the wake of a huge time/date bug that was causing some iPhones to crash on Dec. 2 once 12:15 a.m. local time hit. But bug fixes aren't the only thing in this new iOS version.
News: iOS 11.2 Beta 6 Released Days After Beta 5 — Expect Public Version Next Week
The official release iOS 11.2 appears to be right around the corner. Apple seeded the sixth beta of iOS 11.2 to both developers and public testers on Friday, Dec. 1, just three days after beta 5. As with the fourth and fifth versions of the beta, no major changes are found here — but this one actually means something.
News: iOS 11.2 Beta 5 Released with Only More Under-the-Hood Improvements
We're getting closer and closer to a final iOS 11.2 release for everyone. Apple just pushed out beta 5 for iOS 11.2 to developers and public testers on Tuesday, Nov. 28, and much like its predecessor from a few weeks ago, there's not much included but bug fixes and security patches.
News: 20 Cool New Features in iOS 11.2 for iPhone
Apple released the iOS 11.2 update for the iPhone to the masses early morning on Dec. 2, and here are all the new features and important bug fixes you need to know about.
News: We Found All the Silly, Wonderful People Playing with Their New 'Star Wars: Jedi Challenges' Lightsabers
If you know your internet history, then you fondly remember the Star Wars Kid and his epic lightsaber display on YouTube. Now, many years later, everyone is following in the footsteps of the Star Wars Kid thanks to the Lenovo Mirage and the new Star Wars: Jedi Challenges app.
News: Porsche Adopts Atheer's AR Platform to Connect Mechanics with Remote Experts
If you own a Porsche, there's a good chance you're interested in two things: speed and quality. Porsche Cars North America wants to extend that experience from the driver's seat to the service center.
News: iOS 11.2 Beta 4 Released for iPhone with Mostly Under-the-Hood Improvements
Apple seeded the fourth beta for iOS 11.2, just one day after releasing iOS 11.1.2 to the public. The new iOS 11.2 beta 4 has also already hit public beta testers and includes mostly bug fixes and security patches to improve the overall experience for iPhone owners.