Beddit, the sleep tracking tech firm from Finland, has been acquired by Apple.
The company’s latest sleep monitor – which is sold in Apple Stores – is also compatible with iOS and the Apple Watch, so the company is no stranger to Apple technology.
Beddit hasa been bought by Apple (Beddit)
Through the Apple Watch, the iPhone maker is already very prominent in the activity tracking space, however the wearable doesn’t currently offer any sleep monitoring capabilities.
While there are third party apps, rumours suggest Apple is planning to enter the space more seriously itself.
The acquisition of Beddit fits in with some reports that Apple is planning on bringing sleep tracking to the Watch, as it can now take advantage of the Finnish firm’s knowledge.
The Apple Watch (John Stillwell/PA)
The company updated its privacy policy following the acquisition, revealing that data collected by the firm’s products would now be “collected, used and disclosed” in accordance with Apple’s own privacy policy.
Perhaps a nod towards how Apple values sleep data going forward.
The company is no stranger to investing in areas it has an increased interest in, having used the acquisition of Dr Dre’s Beats audio firm as a springboard for their Apple Music streaming service and Beats 1 radio station.
A new update for the original Huawei Watch has been released allowing owners to update their watch to run the Android Wear 2.0 operating system, as reported by Android Central.
The new update comes three months after Android Wear 2.0’s original release and two years after the release of the Huawei Watch.
The update optimises Android Wear 2.0 for circular displays and adds a built-in keyboard for use navigating plus the ability to use watch faces from third parties.
Huawei Watch owners can update their device by accessing System updates in the Settings menu
Nokia’s reboot of the classic 3310 mobile phone will go on sale in the UK on May 24, it has been revealed.
HMD Global, the Finnish firm now home to Nokia phones, confirmed the £49.99 revamp of the 17-year-old device will be available to buy from selected retailers.
(Martyn Landi/PA)
The phone, which has month-long battery life in standby mode and no internet connection, was unveiled back at Mobile World Congress (MWC) at the beginning of March, with HMD pitching the device as a simple, possible second phone for business or recreational travellers overseas who just want to make calls and send texts.
The other big selling point of the phone is the return of classic mobile game Snake, which comes pre-loaded onto the device.
The new 3310 also has a 2.4-inch colour screen and two megapixel rear camera – far from modern flagship smartphone specs, but that’s exactly what this phone is trying to avoid.
(HMD Global)
Nokia is trying to rebuild its standing in the mobile market after several years in the wilderness, and bringing back the 3310 has been the company’s way of grabbing the public’s attention again.
It also follows a steady trend of nostalgic devices making triumphant returns – Nintendo’s shrunken down version of the NES, the NES mini, quickly sold out worldwide upon its launch last year – while vinyl players and Polaroid cameras have also been enjoying a new lease of life too.
Instagram has added a new feature to its mobile website that allows users to upload photos directly to the mobile site, as noted in an article from TechCrunch.
The new feature was first spotted by Matt Navarra and was later confirmed by Instagram to TechCrunch, with the company telling the publication:
‘Instagram.com (accessed from mobile) is a web experience optimized for mobile phones. It’s designed to help people have a fuller experience on Instagram no matter what device or network they are on.
Instagram also added a ‘lite’ version of the Explore tab to the mobile website.
Amazon yesterday launched the Echo Show, a new smart speaker featuring a 7-inch screen for provide visual information with voice requests, as revealed by a product listing for the product on Amazon’s website.
The listing for the Amazon Echo Show also includes information about what the device can do:
Watch video flash briefings and YouTube, see music lyrics, security cameras, photos, weather forecasts, to-do and shopping lists, and more
Make hands-free video calls to friends and family who have an Echo Show or the Alexa App, and make voice calls to anyone who has an Echo or Echo Dot
See lyrics on-screen with Amazon Music. Just ask to play a song, artist or genre, and stream over Wi-Fi. Also, stream music on Pandora, Spotify, TuneIn, iHeartRadio, and more
The Amazon Echo Show is available to pre-order now and goes on sale from June 28.
Microsoft holds its annual developer conference – Build – on Wednesday, where the tech giant is expected to lay out its plans for the future of Windows 10.
(Microsoft)
Another big update to the software is due in September, so plenty of discussion is expected around what that update might look like as developers and the public countdown to release.
Smart home speakers to rival Amazon Echo, augmented reality and the Surface Pro could all be discussed – this is everything to look out for.
Windows 10 redesign
(John Stillwell/PA)
A big change to the Windows 10 interface is expected this year – known by the codename ‘Project Neon’ it’s believed Microsoft is planning a much slicker version the Windows 10 interface when the next big update is released.
Images that have appeared online suggest a cleaner, more transparent design to the software – much closer to some of its rivals.
Some more detail on exactly what is rumoured to be among Microsoft’s plans.
More info on Windows 10 S
(Microsoft)
Announced last week, Windows 10 S is the more streamlined version of Windows 10 built around apps in the Windows Store rather than big desktop apps. It’s being aimed at less powerful computers and the education sector, but we don’t know a huge amount beyond that.
Expect Microsoft to offer some more details on 10 S – perhaps even a release date or at the very least when developer previews might go live.
Cortana smart speakers
(Martyn Landi/PA)
The biggest trend in the technology world right now is smart home speakers.
Amazon Echo and Google Home have made the idea of artificial intelligence in the home mainstream, and now others are scrambling to get involved, including Microsoft.
The first speaker that takes advantage of Microsoft’s own virtual assistant, Cortana, has already been announced through a partnership with Harman Kardon.
Expect Build to be a showcase or maybe one or two more similar devices.
Augmented Reality
(Microsoft)
Microsoft’s augmented reality headset HoloLens has been around and in development for some time now, so we’re likely to see it again at Build, with more information on how Microsoft sees AR fitting into every day life.
The company is also working with other manufacturers on other AR hardware, so there’s every chance other headsets and hardware could be demoed on-stage or unveiled for the first time.
There are plans to start selling such headsets that are compatible with Windows 10 later this year, so news in this area is likely.
Surface Pro?
(Microsoft)
But one thing you shouldn’t expect to see is a new Surface Pro. Microsoft has announced another event for the end of this month in China and it’s believed this is where the Surface product line will be discussed – perhaps with a new Surface Pro housing faster Intel processors and better battery life on the agenda.
At Build though, the experts say Microsoft will be quiet on this front.
One tattoo artist is turning the visual art into an audio medium as well having created inkwork that you can listen to.
LA-based tattooist Nate Siggard has built what he calls soundwave tattoos that use a companion app to turn audio recordings customers make into soundwave patterns which can then be inked on to skin.
This pattern is then given an overlay which can be read by your smartphone camera and the device then plays back the audio, enabling users to “listen” to their tattoo.
Siggard has already demonstrated the technology by creating a soundwave tattoo of his girlfriend saying “I love you” and their baby gurgling.
He has now created his own company based around the technology – Skin Motion – and plans to work with tattoo artists around the world to create soundwave designs, certifying them in the process as Skin Motion artists.
The Skin Motion app is set to launch next month.
Siggard said the idea was first put to him by his girlfriend after two friends had the opening line of Elton John’s Tiny Dancer tattooed on themselves, and she pointed out how “cool” it would be to be able to “hear” the inkwork.
Snapchat is to allow users to view images and video without a time limit for the first time as part of a major update to the social app.
The popular smartphone service has introduced “limitless snaps” and “looping videos” to its platform, which enable recipients to see photos and watch videos on a loop without a time limit – one of the service’s original signature features.
Until now, senders have been able to put a time limit of up to 10 seconds on content they share – this option will remain, but a new infinity option will enable recipients to view images until they choose to close it.
Snapchat has said photos and videos sent will still be deleted once they are closed by the recipient.
The app, which is extremely popular among teenage smartphone users, has more than 158 million daily active users globally, and over 10 million in the UK.
The announcement comes as Snapchat has come under increased pressure from Facebook in recent months, as the social networking giant has added several features similar to Snapchat’s own core functions.
The update also includes a new Magic Eraser tool which will enable users to edit and remove objects and imperfections from images before sharing them.
A “draw with emojis” tool has also been introduced, allowing Snapchat users to draw on to their photos and videos using the colourful animations.
Snapchat floated on the US stock market for the first time earlier this year, having been valued at more than £17 billion ahead of its initial public offering (IPO) in March.
The app was created by current chief executive Evan Spiegel, Bobby Murphy and Reggie Brown when they were students together at Stanford University.
Noise-cancelling earphones have been taken to new levels by a Dutch start-up who have created adjustable earphones that can control the amount of noise you want to let in.
Knops have just surpassed their funding goal on crowd-funding site Indiegogo, and provide a unique approach to noise-cancelling technology in that they require no batteries.
Instead, turning the switch in each earpiece changes the settings on the built-in acoustic filters, cutting out different levels of outside noise they let in.
There are four ‘steps’ to Knops – the highest of which cuts out all but the loudest noises – while step one offers minimal blockage, two reduces city noise and step three is designed to lessen the impact of live music.
As well as the obvious focus on ear health, there’s an element of fashion to Knops too, with the Indiegogo page showcasing a number of different colour designs and finishes for those who want to remain stylish while protecting their hearing.
Samsung may have just launched the Samsung Galaxy S8 and S8+ but it appears the South Korean company has no intentions of slowing down as it just announced a new Samsung smartphone will be released later this year, one which many believe will be the Samsung Note 8.
The company revealed the news of a previously unannounced smartphone in a press release (via Know Your Mobile), stating:
‘The company will aim to improve performance YoY by maximizing sales of the Galaxy S8 and S8+ and successfully launching a new flagship smartphone in the second half. In addition, the company will maintain profitability in the mid- to low-end segment.’
A new article from WCCFTech suggests that Red Dead Redemption 2 may not be the only AAA Western themed video game to be released this year, as Far Cry 5 is rumoured to feature a Spaghetti Western setting.
WCCFTech notes a recent report from Great Falls Tribune about a local church in north-eastern Montana that will be featured in promotion for a video game due for release in September, a game many thought was the aforementioned Red Dead Redemption 2.
However, the article also reveals that producer Jeff Guillot was involved in filming the footage for the game.
Guillot previously worked on the live action trailer for Far Cry Primal, which has led to a number of online commentators to speculate that the game in question will be Far Cry’s take on the Wild West.
Google has announced the upcoming Android O operating system beta will launch soon as the company prepares for its I/O developer conference taking place on May 17-19 in California.
Google revealed the news of its soon to be released Android O beta in a note on the Android Beta Programe page stating that the Android Nougat beta has been completed:
‘The beta for Android Nougat has concluded, and all devices that were opted in have been updated to the current public version… We'll update this site when the Android O Beta Program begins.’
Android O is expected to provide users with greater control over their apps and app notifications.
Amazon has launched a live event programme for members of its Prime scheme to give them exclusive access to live music and other shows.
Prime Live Events will offer tickets to what the tech firm calls “unique and intimate” experiences for crowds of fewer than 800, with Blondie confirmed as the first act to use the service with a gig at the Round Chapel in Hackney on May 23.
Blondie’s Debbie Harry (Ian West/PA)
Shows in the programme will also be filmed and made available on the Prime Video service for all members to watch, Amazon said.
Geraldine Wilson, general manager of Amazon Tickets – which runs Prime Live Events, said: “We want to offer Prime members the best live entertainment experience they’ve ever had by giving them the chance to see their favourite artists perform up close and personal in iconic and intimate venues.
“We’re delighted to reveal our first line up of fantastic artists performing Prime Live Events in stunning venues to audiences of less than 800, and Prime members in the UK and internationally will have the chance to watch the performance on Prime Video.”
This is the latest venture by Amazon (Chris Radburn/PA)
The programme is the latest extension to the tech giant’s service portfolio – the online retailer having started life as a web book store – but now also has its own film and TV studio as well as music and video streaming services, cloud storage business and is currently testing a drone-based delivery scheme.
The Prime membership scheme gives those who sign up access to the firm’s various streaming services, as well as faster delivery from its online store for £79 a year.
Texas and Katie Melua have also been named among the original line-up of Prime Live Event gigs in June and July, tickets for which will cost £75.
Katie Melua (Isabel Infantes/PA)
Amazon also confirmed tickets for the Blondie event will cost £150.
The Amazon Tickets programme, which launched in 2015, is seen as a rival to the likes of Ticketmaster as it offers Prime members early access to tickets for music, theatre and touring shows in the UK.
Amazon has launched a live event programme for members of its Prime scheme to give them exclusive access to live music and other shows.
Prime Live Events will offer tickets to what the tech firm calls “unique and intimate” experiences for crowds of fewer than 800, with Blondie confirmed as the first act to use the service with a gig at the Round Chapel in Hackney on May 23.
Blondie’s Debbie Harry (Ian West/PA)
Shows in the programme will also be filmed and made available on the Prime Video service for all members to watch, Amazon said.
Geraldine Wilson, general manager of Amazon Tickets – which runs Prime Live Events, said: “We want to offer Prime members the best live entertainment experience they’ve ever had by giving them the chance to see their favourite artists perform up close and personal in iconic and intimate venues.
“We’re delighted to reveal our first line up of fantastic artists performing Prime Live Events in stunning venues to audiences of less than 800, and Prime members in the UK and internationally will have the chance to watch the performance on Prime Video.”
This is the latest venture by Amazon (Chris Radburn/PA)
The programme is the latest extension to the tech giant’s service portfolio – the online retailer having started life as a web book store – but now also has its own film and TV studio as well as music and video streaming services, cloud storage business and is currently testing a drone-based delivery scheme.
The Prime membership scheme gives those who sign up access to the firm’s various streaming services, as well as faster delivery from its online store for £79 a year.
Texas and Katie Melua have also been named among the original line-up of Prime Live Event gigs in June and July, tickets for which will cost £75.
Katie Melua (Isabel Infantes/PA)
Amazon also confirmed tickets for the Blondie event will cost £150.
The Amazon Tickets programme, which launched in 2015, is seen as a rival to the likes of Ticketmaster as it offers Prime members early access to tickets for music, theatre and touring shows in the UK.
A robotics start-up is testing a new robot that can pick fruit with the same accuracy and gentleness as humans.
Abundant Robotics has been carrying out trials in Australia, where its prototype can identify and pick apples by vacuuming them off branches, before gently placing them into the same collection crates used by humans.
The company says it believes its robot can pick fruit at the same rate as “crews of tens of people” and hopes to have the prototype ready to be sold by 2018.
According to research in the US, the availability of seasonal agricultural workers in the country is in decline, a trend it has been suggested could be extended by President Donald Trump’s tough stance on immigration, cutting the number of migrant labourers that farmers currently turn to.
Abundant believes automation is the answer and the firm’s chief executive, Dan Steere, told the MIT Technology Review that technological advances are part of the history of the industry.
“Look at the history of agriculture going back to the 1800s,” he said.
“Machinery has changed how harvesting’s done, and huge benefits to society have come from that.”
More testing of its prototype is to take place in Washington later this year, and Abundant has secured more than seven million pounds to develop the project.
Google’s virtual reality school trips programme has now reached one million pupils in the UK, the technology giant has revealed.
The Google Expeditions Pioneer Programme uses the tech firm’s Cardboard virtual reality headsets to enable pupils and teachers to “visit” new locations without leaving the classroom.
Using the free Expeditions app, pupils are able to go on virtual reality tours of locations such as Loch Ness, which is among more than 600 tours the software offers.
The scheme was introduced to the UK last year and Google says it has now visited more than 3,000 schools in more than 430 towns and cities in the UK showcasing the technology, which features content created alongside the British Museum, English Heritage and Westminster Abbey.
Jon Duffy, a computer science teacher at Chesterfield High School in Liverpool, said using Cardboard had helped enhance lessons for both pupils and teachers.
“Having access to that level of detail in an image – you just don’t normally get that kind of resource that’s already curated for the very purpose of teaching,” he said.
“It’s a tool that makes lesson planning easier and engages pupils right from the start.”
Google has said it will tour schools in the UK until the end of May.
Expeditions’ Georgina Grace said: “Ongoing feedback from teachers continues to help us improve the product, from building lessons tailored to the curriculum, to running teacher training events on how to incorporate Expeditions into effective lesson planning – working alongside teachers and students has helped ensure these experiences enhance student learning.”
The Nokia 3310 (2017), the updated version of the classic Nokia 3310 mobile phone, has started shipping as revealed in a short video clip posted on the official Nokia Mobile Facebook page.
However, no information has been provided as to where the Nokia 3310 is shipping to but it’s likely that we’ll find out in the coming weeks.
The Nokia 3310 (2017) will feature a 2.4-inch colour display with a resolution of 240 x 320 pixels, a 2MP rear camera and 16MB of storage.
Smartphone manufacturer OnePlus has confirmed the OnePlus 5, a brand new smartphone set for release this summer, as reported by The Verge.
The OnePlus 5 is the successor to 2016’s OnePlus 3 and 3T smartphones, and is expected to feature a dual camera setup plus high-end features.
The report also reveals that OnePlus decided to name the smartphone the OnePlus 5 rather than OnePlus 4 due to the number 4’s association with bad luck in China, where the manufacturer is based.
Facebook has added its set of Reaction emojis to the comments section of Facebook posts, as revealed by Facebook in a statement to Mashable.
Facebook users will now be able to add the love, haha, sad, angry emojis and other Reaction emojis to individual replies on Facebook posts.
A Facebook spokesperson said in the statement:
‘We’ve heard from people they’d like more ways to show their reaction in conversations on Facebook, so we’re rolling out the ability to react to comments.’
Microsoft has unveiled a new version of Windows in a bid to rival Google’s Chromebook.
A "new flavour" of the flagship operating system, Windows 10 S looks like the current version, but can only run apps and programs downloaded from the Windows Store.
It has been designed to make sure computers maintain their original speed and battery life for longer, Microsoft's chief executive Satya Nadella said.
The company said the new "walled" version of its software should help computers to "run as well as it does on day one as it does on day 1,000" by controlling how applications work.
One of the main reasons Windows computers slow down and lose battery life over time is that invasive software can launch on startup and load code into the memory. In the more secure Windows 10 S all apps are managed and installed through "containers" on the store.
"Windows over the years has been a very open platform meaning people can install software that writes across the Windows environment," said Nadella. "By ensuring apps can only be installed through the store it gives a very managed environment and ensures consistent performance."
As well as a new version of Windows, Microsoft also unveiled the next generation of its Surface laptop. The $999 (£770) computer has up to 14 and a half hours of battery life, a 13.5-inch screen, and runs Windows 10 S. It has a touch screen and will be available from June 15.
Separate manufacturers are expected to introduce the software onto devices, including laptops, tablets and desktop computers, later this year.
The release comes as a direct challenge to Google's Chromebook and Apple's MacBook Air.
How well Microsoft can compete, however, is not clear. In particular, the easy security of Windows 10 S comes with a major drawback: its store isn't as well stocked as Apple and Google's equivalents. It only recently added Netflix and is yet to offer Spotify.
Nevertheless, the company will be hoping that its pitch to students and the education sector will give it an edge over its rivals.
