BEACON TRANSCRIPT – GIFs have just turned 30, so Facebook decided to honor them in a fun way for users. After allowing us to comment by using a GIF, we can now create animated sequences of images by just accessing the app’s incorporated camera. However, this option will be available only on iOS for the moment.

GIF maker in Facebook Camera

Around a month after introducing GIF comments, Facebook now wants to let users make their own animations. However, this feature is currently in testing phase, but it might soon be rolled out for everyone. Or, for iOS users at least, but it might face a lot of popularity, so Facebook will probably adopt it for all users, regardless of their operating system.

The GIF maker will be available in Facebook Camera, which you can easily access if you swipe left in the News Feed. If you are part of those users who are going to be testing the feature, the Camera will offer you two modes, Normal Mode and GIF Mode. The GIF Mode will record sequences of images for a few seconds, and then deliver them as GIFs.

The GIFs you create are to be used exclusively on Facebook

However, you won’t be able to use your creation under the same format outside Facebook. If you want to download it, the app will automatically convert it back to video. This might be a disadvantage for some users, but Facebook is trying to create content created exclusively for its own platform.

Despite the limitations, it is good to see Facebook has finally decided to wholly adopt this format. So far, the platform was reluctant to introduce GIFs on the News Feed or in comments, as it thought it would make everything much too chaotic. However, seeing how popular they are among users, it decided to embrace them and let them invade the News Feed.
Image Source: Pixabay

BEACON TRANSCRIPT – Smartwatches are tools which help you stay fit, and usually focus on utility rather than looks. Louis Vuitton decided to challenge this conception and release its own wearable, the Tambour Horizon Watch. This device skillfully combines what is useful with the fashionable.

To create the smartwatch, Louis Vuitton collaborated with both Qualcomm and Google. The operating system it’s running on is Android Wear 2.0, but the design is all Louis Vuitton. In fact, it is based on the Tambour line which is being produced since 2002.

What features is the watch equipped with?

Tambour Horizon is made of stainless steel, and features an AMOLED display with a diameter of 1.2 inches. This display comes surrounded by a dial ring which lets you access whichever time zone you live in or might be interested in.

If you are familiar with Android Wear, you already know many of the functions available on Tambour Horizon. It comes with several timers, alarms, weather info, a pedometer, or different notifications when you receive a message, a call, or an email. What typical Android smartwatches have and Tambour Horizon doesn’t have is a heart rate monitor.

How is Tambour Watch different?

Since it’s such a fancy watch, it had to bring something new. An exclusive feature for this device is My Flight, providing real-time travel info. Louis Vuitton thought of people who want to discover new places, and also introduced City Guide, the feature which informs you on hotels, restaurants, and other things to visit nearby.

You can connect the Tambour Horizon with both Android devices, as well as with iOS ones. The connection should work via Bluetooth, but the wearable also features Wi-Fi. What might keep some people away from buying the device is its overwhelming price. Tambour Horizon will be available for $2,450. For a Louis Vuitton watch, it is affordable, but everything changes when you think about it as a smartwatch.
Image Source: Wikimedia Commons

BEACON TRANSCRIPT – Usually, you don’t need a better-looking search app to get the results you’re looking for. However, Google always thinks about everything, and wants to give users a better experience even when they’re looking up information. Therefore, the Google search app for Android might soon have a fresh new look.

Google is always trying to bring better looks to all its apps, as it believes every small thing counts in offering the best user experience. Therefore, the company decided to redesign the search app available on Android.

A permanent redesign or a beta test?

However, we cannot say if the redesign is permanent. The company might roll out the new look only on a few devices, as a beta test and, if it doesn’t receive the expected feedback, it is quite likely the search app will return to the former appearance.

Do not expect a drastic change, as they didn’t want to change the interface of the app completely. What is different is the look of the search results, which have rounder edges. Also, four little dots are featured in the upper right corner of each result. These dots color-match the Google logo.

How will the new search app look like?

Actually, what this redesign does is to make the search app more similar across all Google-powered smartphones. Currently, this look is available on Pixel and Pixel XL phones, and it should spread across all Android devices.

This redesign doesn’t affect what results you get, but it might have an impact on how you see them. The font and the spacing between results will also change, and this might reduce the number of results displayed on a page. For some users, this might be a problem. If they want to browse more sources, the first page ends more abruptly, and they need to access the second Google page.

Some Android users have already reported seeing some of these changes, but no iOS users were given the chance to experience them. Therefore, we cannot tell if the redesign of the search app is just a test or if it might soon roll out on all devices.
Image Source: Wikimedia Commons

BEACON TRANSCRIPT – Apple is currently working on a new operating system for Mac, called High Sierra. The company will even start testing it soon, since a beta version for the MacOS is already available. Therefore, if you have a Mac, you can test it yourself by signing up to receive a download of High Sierra.

Apple has recently released the beta version of High Sierra, and is already available to the public. As expected, it brings some improvements. Many Apple apps will be the subject of these changes, such as Mail or Photos, as well as the graphics. However, not all improvements are obvious, but the OS’s performance and video encoding are definitely better.

The beta version might come with bugs

Although the prospect of High Sierra is great, don’t forget it is still a beta release. So, like any other such versions, it’s not perfect, and it might come with several bugs. Therefore, Apple advises users not to install the MacOS on their main device, but on a secondary one, if they have it.

Also, never forget to make a backup of all your important files. In case something goes wrong, either with the beta version or with anything else, you know there’s no chance you lose all your files without being able to retrieve them.

Here are a few improvements of High Sierra

Even though High Sierra looks like a slightly more brushed up version of last year’s MacOS Sierra, there are still some good improvements which might be worth the risk of installing a beta version. The Photos app has some new editing tools and a redesigned interface. Also, Safari will prevent videos from auto-playing, and the Mail app allows you to search faster among your emails.

Other apps which get improvements are Notes, Siri, and Spotlight, which also come on iOS 11. However, probably the best thing about High Sierra is the fact that it will be the first MacOS which will support VR technology.
Image Source: Pexels

BEACON TRANSCRIPT – The creative director of Dishonored and Prey, Raphael Colantonio, announced he would resign from his position and leave Arkane Studios. This happens 18 years after he contributed to the creation of the video game studio.

Colantonio wants to move on with his life in a different direction

Colantonio was one of the founders of Arkane Studio, which opened in 1999, and contributed to the creation of the first game, Arx Fatalis. In 2010, the studio joined ZeniMax Media, known for helping with the release of Prey and the Dishonored series. After the games achieved praise and popularity, Colantonio decided it might be time for him to step away from the video game industry.

The one who is going to take Colantonio’s place is Harvey Smith, his friend and co-director of the first Dishonored game. Colantonio will not leave the studio immediately, as he plans to see the management transition goes smoothly and everything is solved before his resignation.

The former director is happy with the achievements of Arkane Studios. He agrees that ZeniMax Media helped them reach a whole new level and thrive on the video game market. After living many exciting moments, as well as hardships, with the studio, he decided it was time to part ways and think about his family and future.

Arkane Studios won its fans with the Dishonored franchise

Arkane Studios won a valuable place in the video game industry with the release of the first Dishonored game. The title became popular after offering exciting sandbox-style levels, and unusual mechanics which gamers quickly embraced.

After seeing the success of the first game, the studio released a Dishonored sequel at the end of last year, and announced an individual add-on called Death of the Outsider. This is programmed for launch sometime this year. Arkane Studios’ Prey was a reboot to Bethesda’s Prey franchise. Despite coming with some small issue, the sci-fi shooter captured the fans with the sandbox style they were already enjoying.
Image Source: Flickr

BEACON TRANSCRIPT – During Google I/O 2017 event, the tech giant unveiled an incoming new version of Android codenamed Android O. Several rumors suggested Google would embrace the name Android Oreo for the 8.0 version, but more evidence comes in support of the Oatmeal Cookie name.

More evidence in favor of Android Oatmeal Cookie

The evidence in favor of the Oatmeal Cookie theory is quite solid. The website myce.com analyzed the source code for Android O and discovered some references to ‘oc-dev’. This follows the line of the previous operating system denominations, and many believe ‘oc’ stands for ‘oatmeal cookie’. Maybe this sounds like a weak piece of evidence, but there’s more.

More than a month ago, Google presented a sample code for Android O at Google I/O 2017. These lines mentioned quite often the term ‘oatmeal_cookie’ so, if Google didn’t settle for this name, at least it considered it as a denomination for the future Android version.

Many people still think and want that the new Android should be called Oreo, but the process is not that easy. To embrace it, Google will have to strike a deal with the owners of the Oreo trademark, Nabisco and Kraft. Therefore, it seems much easier to choose a name without a trademark.

What does the new Android version bring?

Android O will not bring any striking new feature or a major redesign, but will significantly improve user experience. What is worth mentioning includes new pictures for picture mode, dots which mark notifications, the introduction of third-party calling apps, and many more.

Not all improvements are directly visible, since developers also worked on back-end optimizations. Therefore, the audio capabilities will be better, the management of battery life received new algorithms, and many apps received improvements.

Android O is already available in Beta so, if you’re curious, you can sign up for it and wait until the update reaches your phone. However, it supports a limited number of devices, including Nexus 6P, 5X, Player, and Google Pixel, Pixel XL, and Pixel C.
Image Source: Flickr