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mercredi 2 novembre 2016

Microsoft unveils Teams, a chat app for work, and Slack’s response is priceless

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Microsoft unveiled today its "chat-based workspace" called Microsoft Teams. Sound familiar? I don't blame you because apps like this have been coming and going for the past decade now. Well, Slack obviously sees the irony in all this as a key market player: the company published an open letter to Microsoft, and their sass is just savage.

The basic concept behind Microsoft Teams is nothing novel – it essentially wants to connect workers and render email an obsolete form of enterprise communication. Now, Microsoft-owned Skype is already used for that along with Outlook, but Teams takes it one step further: it is truly chat-centric with built-in access to Microsoft essentials like SharePoint, and it even lets you work on documents right within the app. As with any other chat app, you can customize each team to include all the features your team needs to access and use every day.

Facebook-Workplace 1See also: Facebook debuts enterprise tool Workplace for ads-free chat1

Now that you know what Microsoft Teams is, let's get to Slack's response to Microsoft's unveiling. Slack, as you probably know, is a main player in enterprise communication. Among a myriad of chat applications, it managed to capture a significant amount of market share. I mean, this three-year-old company managed to get $200 million in funding just a few months ago at a $3.8 billion valuation. Slack clearly knows what it's doing, to say the least, and that's why they've take a moment to throw huge shade:

Dear Microsoft – Wow. Big news! Congratulations on today's announcements. We're genuinely excited to have some competition. We realized a few years ago that… every business would be using Slack, or "something just like it," within the decade. It's validating to see you've come around to the same way of thinking… However, all this is harder than it looks. So, as you set out to build "something just like it," we want to give you some friendly advice…

You can read the full list of advice from Slack here, but the company is very clear on the fact that Slack is here to stay and compete with Microsoft Teams.

Obviously, given that many businesses use Microsoft Outlook and Office software already, Microsoft Teams may be easier to integrate than to install a separate app. So we'll have to wait to see whether Microsoft will emerge as the winner amongst Slack, Facebook, and a slew of others.

If you want to try Microsoft Teams, click the link below:

Download Microsoft Teams from Play Store


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The Google search bar widget may be getting a rounder look soon

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The familiar Google search bar widget on Android phones could be getting a small, but very noticeable, makeover. Reports are coming in that the regular rectangular bar has been changed to one with rounded edges, along with a microphone icon on the right side and the "G" logo on the left.

google-search-uber-olaSee also: You can now book an Ola or Uber ride directly from Google Search in India5

google-rounder-search

Android Police notes that the new rounded Google search bar widget has been spotted by some users as a change from the standalone version. So far, it has not been spotted as part of the Google Now Launcher's integrated search bar, only the 4×1 widget that you can place anywhere. It's a bit similar to the Google "pill" look that was put in with the company's new Pixel phones. It's likely that the company is just testing the look of this design with a small section of the Android audience before deciding whether or not to roll it out worldwide.

What do you think of this new look for the Google search bar widget? Do you prefer it over the current one with the sharp edges or do you like the smoother look of the curved sides? Let us know in the comments. We will, of course, post an update if and when Google decides to make this change for every Android user.

Get it at Google Play


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Uber starts rolling out a simpler design for its Android app

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Fans of the Uber ride-sharing service will soon be able to access a new, and hopefully easier to use, version of its mobile app for Android and iOS. The company announced that the new version is making a slow rollout beginning today, and the update should be available worldwide over the next several weeks.

Uber iconSee also: Uber testing affordable flat rate fares in some US cities10

Frequent Uber users will see in the updated app that they will be offered "shortcuts" for any predicted routes they may wish to take, so picking the one you want will just take one tap. Uber says that in the future, the app will be able to go into a person's smartphone contacts. That will allow the app to find the best route to a specific person, rather than a location.

The app will also add a way to use a person's calendar so they can create Uber routes directly to their meeting locations without a middleman. The app will also offer different services for where you want to go:

If you're on the way to a meeting and want to prep, you'll choose a solo ride with uberX. To ride in style to a celebration, maybe UberBLACK. And for a run-of-the-mill trip across town, uberPOOL. It's now much easier to compare the cost of all your options with upfront fares.

Other features that will be added to the app include being able to check Yelp restaurant reviews directly, along with tips on where you might want to go via Foursquare. Do you use Uber often and, if so, do you think these new features will be a help when you have to call for your next trip?

Get it at Google Play


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IFTTT ditches Recipes for Applets and merges all of its mobile apps

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IFTTT, the connected device service, is making some major changes today, as it ditches its "Recipes" for creating connections between two services for the new Applets. In addition, the company is merging all of its DO and IF mobile apps into the all new IFTTT app.

best android tools and utility appsSee also: Best Android tools and utility apps89

In a blog post, IFTTT stated the new Applets support will be able to do more than the old Recipes, such as the ability to do multiple actions with just one command. For example, you can say, "Trigger Lock Down" to your Amazon Echo, and multiple devices will react by turning off connected lights, shutting down your phone and more. IFTTT says:

Applets can do everything that Recipes could — and much more. They bring your services together, creating new experiences that you can unlock with a single switch. A house that welcomes you, an efficient workplace, an easier way to stay informed — there are thousands of experiences to choose from, or you can create your own.

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The new IFTTT app for Android and iOS will take the place of all the previous apps the service had released. The company says that all of the DO Applets will still work, but they will now be managed from the new single app. The company says that it currently has over 360 different wearable and Wi-Fi enabled IoT devices that support the service. One of the more recent additions is the Google Assistant app, which can now be used with IFTTT to issue commands to many of those devices via the Google Pixel smartphones and the Google Home speaker.

Get it at Google Play

What do you think of this major change for the IFTTT service and do you think you will be using it to help automate actions in your home or office in the future?



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Learn Unreal Engine by making games (Update: New Deal)

The AA Picks team is on the prowl for things we think our readers will value. If we make an affiliate partnership to reduce the costs of purchases, then we may see a share of revenue.

UPDATE: We originally caught wind of this deal a little late, so readers only had a few hours to take advantage of it. Now, however, the course creator is offering a new discount. The information below has been updated accordingly.

Last week, we discovered Ben Tristem, a online coding instructor whose approach to teaching involves walking students through making games. We thought that this was an interesting method that bypassed much of the dull rigmarole that usually comes part and parcel with learning how to program.

It seems our readers did as well, so we looked around to see what else Tristem had to offer.

Although that previous course focused on building games using Unity, Tristem also teaches another course that focuses on Unreal Engine. This could be a good option for potential developers who are looking on building more robust, triple-A titles.

It's an ambitious goal, but Tristem walks through game development at the same gradual pace as his previous course. Since you get lifetime access to all the course materials, you can walk through all 240 lectures and the 40 hours of video content at your own pace.

Tristem notes that Unreal Engine makes a good option for the more artistically inclined game maker, as it offers a bevy of tools that enable you to unleash your creativity in the gaming medium.

It's a smaller course than his Unity one, with only 23,400 students currently enrolled (compared to over 100,000), but this may be due it attracting more ambitious students. It currently boasts a 4.7-star score from over 4,300 ratings.

Normally the course runs $195, but right now Tristem is running the same offer on this one as he is on the Unity course: 90% off. That means you get the whole kit-and-kaboodle for just $19, but even at that price, Tristem will give you your money back if you decide the course isn't for you within 30 days.

What are you waiting for? Start learning how to program by making games!

The Unreal Engine Developer Course – Learn C++ & Make Games

Disclosure: This offer is brought to you by AA Picks. Our purpose is to highlight products or services we think you as our readers might be interested in and, if you buy them, we may get a share of the revenue. We operate independently from our advertising sales team, and we welcome your feedback and questions. Email us at aapicks@androidauthority.com.



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Wileyfox Swift 2 and Swift 2 Plus are new budget-friendly phones starting at £159

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UK-based Wileyfox has just introduced two new smartphones that offer high-end hardware specs for a small price, the Wileyfox Swift 2 and Swift 2 Plus. You can now grab the Cyanogen-based Swift 2 for £159 and Swift 2 Plus for £180.

Midrange smartphones 2015-1See also: 6 newcomer smartphone brands looking to shake up the industry55

Both of the new phones have a 5-inch 720p display with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 430 octa-core processor with a clock speed of 1.4GHz, along with a 2700mAh battery and support for Qualcomm's Quick Charge 3.0 tech with its USB-C port. The Wileyfox Swift 2 has 2GB of RAM and 16GB of on-board storage, along with a 13MP rear camera. The Swift 2 Plus boosts the memory up to 3GB, along with 32GB of storage and a 16MP rear camera. Both have an 8MP front-facing camera.

The phones have Cyanogen 13.1 out of the box, which is based on Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow. Engadget reports that Wileyfox plans to offer regular software updates to both phones, including to Android 7.0 Nougat. Both models sport all-aluminium bodies and also include a fingerprint reader and NFC chip with support for Android Pay. Wileyfox will offer the new Swift 2 and Swift 2 Plus phones in Midnight, Gold and Rose colors.

If you live in the UK, will you consider getting these new Wileyfox phones?

Get it at Wileyfox


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Meet Huawei S1, a gorgeous fitness tracker with e-ink display

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Back in September, we reported that Huawei is considering launching a Tizen-based smartwatch in the future. While it's not clear whether the all-new Huawei S1 fitness tracker is running Tizen, one thing is for sure: it is most definitely not Android Wear. The watch was first unveiled mid-October and went on sale at the end of last month for around $100, and it's proof that a well-priced fitness tracker doesn't have to sacrifice its looks for functionality.

Best fitness trackers 2016 AA 2See also: Best fitness trackers (October 2016)22

Back in October when the Chinese electronics company unveiled the Honor 6X and the Honor Pad 2, it had a surprise in store for us: the long teased fitness tracker/smartwatch hybrid. As you can see, the Huawei S1 boasts a minimalist design with a circular e-ink display. While it won't give you all the vibrant colors that other smartwatches might, according to Huawei, the watch will last six days on regular use. You can check out the gallery below for more images:

In terms of features, the S1 seems ideal for the athletically-inclined. It has a heart rate sensor on the back, real time exercise intensity monitoring based on your physical condition, a personal pedometer, and you can even go for a swim with the watch on since the Huawei S1 is water resistant up to a depth of 50m. It also has some smartwatch features. Once paired with your smartphone, it will let you know who's calling, give you message alerts and sedentary reminders, and function as an alarm clock.

According to VMall, an online retailer that carries the S1, the watch will come with two options for the strap length: long and short (though that's a little ambiguous, my guess it's 22mm and 18mm). And you have three color options: Navy Blue, Deep Gray, Vibrant Orange. Unfortunately, the S1 is only available in China for now, and Huawei doesn't seem to have any plans to bring it outside the country.

What kind of features do you look for in a fitness tracker or a smartwatch? Let us know in the comments below!



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