Facebook Messenger now lets brands send you ads that look like messages

Don't get me wrong, I don't want to deny any company the ability to make money, but isn't there a line somewhere that shouldn't be crossed? Maybe not. Facebook, in its never-ending pursuit of pleasing advertisers rather than users, has just updated Messenger to allow brands to send you ads disguised as messages. Hooray.

In the Messenger Platform 3.1 update, Facebook informs all advertisers that they can now create News Feed ads that open a conversation in Messenger. If you ever clicked on one of those ads, in future you will be able to be contacted by that brand in Messenger directly.

See also:

Best messenger apps for Android

January 5, 2016

While users will have the ability to block or delete troublesome "advertimessages" we're likely going to be seeing more and more of them because they clearly work. Absolut, a company that has been trialling the News Feed-Messenger feature in beta form for months, provides a convincing testimonial regarding exceeded expectations. As Absolut's vp of marketing states:

Using News Feed ads to open conversations in Messenger allows Absolut to move beyond the call to action – it's a call to conversation, which ultimately leads to a conversion. It's a novel way to use Facebook ads to drive consumers from content to commerce. So far, our activation rate has exceeded execution benchmarks by 2x.

As if that wasn't bad enough, the blog post continues: "but driving people to Messenger isn't enough. How can businesses continue to engage and excite people to keep coming back? This is where sponsored messages can play a role."

Sponsored messages are ads delivered straight to your Messenger inbox, bypassing any initial interaction with a News Feed ad (because you must have interacted with the brand in the past). The only way to avoid advertimessages is to either never interact with ads in your News Feed or to block each one as it comes in.

Up next: Messenger will now keep track of PayPal payments in the U.S.

from Android Authority http://www.androidauthority.com/facebook-messenger-sponsored-message-ads-727745/
via IFTTT

Poster leaks Vivo X9 and X9 Plus hardware specs

Whoops, it appears that someone has given the game away about the upcoming Vivo X9 and X9 Plus smartphones. A promotional poster has been spotted out in the wild revealing almost a complete rundown of the phones' hardware specifications.

According to the poster, the Vivo X9 will come with a 5.2-inch 1080p display, and is powered by an unlabeled octa-core Snapdragon processor, 4GB of RAM, and 64GB of internal memory. There's also a reasonably sized 3,050mAh battery on board, and a soft LED flash to accompany the camera.

As the name suggests, the Vivo X9 Plus will be a larger model, boasting a 5.86-inch display with the same 1080p resolution. The phone is powered by Qualcomm's 8976 Pro, aka the Snapdragon 653, and some additional RAM, bringing the total up to 6GB. There's the same amount of internal storage as the regular X9, but the Plus model also receives an upgrade to a 4,000mAh battery. Overall, the design and hardware will be almost identical to the X7 series released earlier in the year.

The poster also reaffirms Vivo's earlier teaser that the X9 series will come with a dual front facing camera configuration, which appears to be the range's most notable new feature. The front facing camera will be built from one 20 megapixel and one 8 megapixel sensor, but we don't know anything about how Vivo intends for this configuration to be used yet. We could be looking at a wide-angle option like the LG V20, or a monochrome sensor technology from the likes of Huawei. This powerful looking selfie setup is accompanied by a 16 megapixel camera on the handset's back.

See also:

Vivo X9 and X9 Plus to include 20MP and 8MP dual front-facing cameras

1 week ago

The Vivo X9 and X9 Plus are scheduled to be unveiled at a launch event in China on November 16th. What do you think about the hardware?

from Android Authority http://www.androidauthority.com/poster-leaks-vivo-x9-plus-specs-727762/
via IFTTT

This is what Android Nougat looks like on the Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge

Following the introduction of an Android 7.0 beta program for Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 Edge users in the UK and South Korea, we knew Samsung was close to rolling out an early version of Android Nougat. Now, we know what it looks like.

Sam Mobile obtained screenshots of the new UX, which appear to come from a Korean device, and uploaded some videos showing it in motion. Samsung's UI once again features the typical white and blue Grace color palette but appears to have seen some changes in its icons and menus.

Check out the media below.

In other news, the Wi-Fi alliance has also just certified the Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge's Android 7.0 firmware. Though this doesn't mean that Nougat is now ready to be deployed, it's a crucial step in the quality assurance process and confirms that the UI is in its final stages.

The new Grace software is still in production, so the images above may not reflect the final design. Still, what on your thoughts on how the new interface looks so far? Let us know in the comments.

from Android Authority http://www.androidauthority.com/samsung-galaxy-s7-android-nougat-screens-727760/
via IFTTT

ASUS launches ZenFone 3 Max in India with two variants

At a launch event in New Delhi, ASUS announced the launch of the ZenFone 3 Max in India. ZenFone 3 Max comes in two size variants – one with a 5.2-inch display and another with a 5.5-inch display. The Max completes the ZenFone 3 line-up in India. ASUS had previously launched its other ZenFone 3 smartphones in the country back in August.

The handset's big selling point is its large 4,100mAh battery, which ASUS says can offer 38 days of 4G standby time and 17 hours of 3G talk time, and can double up as a powerbank to charge other gadgets (The product comes bundled with an OTG cable for reverse charging and file transfer). Obviously, you're going to get a lot less than that if you're even a moderate user though. Both devices sport a fingerprint sensor positioned near the top of the rear panel, allowing the user's index finger to rest naturally upon it.

"We understand the needs of the mobile consumers who are constantly on the move and require access to everything at the tip of their fingers. Through Zenfone 3 Max, we have been able to combine high-end aesthetics, a great photography experience, as well as a battery that ensures that users can enjoy their smartphone experience for longer durations without having to look for a plug point."

– Peter Chang, Region Head – South Asia & Country Manager for ASUS India

ASUS Zenfone 3 Max (ZC553KL) Specifications

• OS: Android M with ZenUI 3.0
• Display: 5.5-inch FHD (1920 x 1080) | 2.5D contoured glass
• Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 430 Octa-core 64-bit processor | Adreno 505 GPU
• RAM: 3GB
• Internal Storage: 32GB; expandable up to 128GB via microSD card
• Front Camera: 8MP | f/2.2 aperture
• Rear Camera: 16MP | f/2.0 aperture | 0.03s Laser AF/PDAF | EIS | Dual Flash | 64MP Super Resolution
• Battery 4100mAh
• Dimensions: 151.4 x 76.24 x 8.3mm
• Weight: 175g

ASUS Zenfone Max (ZC520TL) Specifications

• OS: Android M with ZenUI 3.0
• Display: 5.2-inch HD (1280 x 720) | 2.5D contoured glass
• Processor: Quad-core 64-bit MediaTek processor | Mali T720 GPU
• RAM: 3GB
• Internal Storage: 32GB; expandable up to 32GB via microSD card
• Front Camera: 5MP | f/2.2 aperture
• Rear Camera: 13MP | f/2.0 aperture | 52MP Super Resolution
• Battery 4100mAh
• Dimensions: 149.5 x 73.7 x 8.55mm
• Weight: 148g

See also:

The Asus Zenfone 3 Laser is now available in India

4 weeks ago

While the Zenfone 3 Max ZC520TL is available starting today across major online and offline retailers in the country, the Zenfone 3 Max ZC553KL will be available by the end of this month. Available in three metallic colours – Titanium Gray, Glacier Silver, and Sand Gold – the 5.5 inch-variant (ZC553KL) is priced at ₹17,999 ($270) and the 5.2 inch-variant (ZC520TL) is priced at ₹12,999 ($195).

The Zenfone 3 Max lands in a crowded budget-to-mid-range segment in India. What are your thoughts on the internals of the Zenfone 3 Max, and would you be picking one up?

from Android Authority http://www.androidauthority.com/asus-zenfone-3-india-launch-specs-price-727732/
via IFTTT

Facebook is having another go at cloning Snapchat

Facebook has just launched a new app called Flash, which is yet another attempt by the company to take on Snapchat. The app is being billed as a Snapchat competitor for emerging markets, as it boasts a small memory footprint and will work in areas with more limited data connectivity.

Flash weighs in at "less than 25MB" in size, which is approximately a third of the size of Snapchat's Android app. It's also smaller than Facebook's core app, which comes in at around 54MB, varying slightly depending on the device. The app was apparently developed by a team specialized in building apps for emerging economies.

This is not the first time that Facebook has attempted to take on Snapchat with what is essentially a software clone. The company's Poke and Slingshot apps both failed to pick up many users and have been pulled from Google and Apple app stores over the past couple of years. Facebook is also testing camera-first features in its core app and is adopting familiar features with Instagram too.

But rather than challenging Snapchat head on for a third time, it would be incredibly tough to catch up to the app's 60 million daily users in the US and Canada, Facebook's new strategy is to beat Snapchat in emerging market adoption. As the app boasts similar features but uses less data, customers may be tempted to download Facebook's option instead, which could finally be a winning formula.

"In most social apps today, a text box is still the default way we share. Soon, we believe a camera will be the main way that we share." – Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg

Flash launched in its first market, Brazil, on Tuesday, and the company has plans to bring the app to other markets too. Facebook hasn't given out information on regions or a timeline yet though, but it seems likely that Flash will be targeted at markets with limited WiFi availability and lower Snapchat adoption rates.

See also:

WhatsApp testing out Snapchat-like "Status" feature

5 days ago

from Android Authority http://www.androidauthority.com/facebook-flash-app-brazil-727742/
via IFTTT

100 new Pokemon could be coming soon to Pokemon Go

Second generation Pokemon could be on their way to Pokemon Go soon. Some folks from Pokemon Go fansite The Silph Road have been poking around the code of the latest Pokemon Go APK file, which has revealed a few clues about what's coming up next in the hit augmented reality title.

The biggest news is that 100 new Pokemon have been referenced, number 152 (Chikorita) to number 251 (Celebi), as well as 52 new Pokemon families. This would be the first influx of new Pokemon since the game's July launch. Additionally, a new quick move, 'Transform' is mentioned – a move associated with Ditto, the only non-legendary Pokemon of the original 151 yet to be seen in the game.

See also:

Pokémon Go to add daily bonuses 'soon' to get you even more addicted (Update: rolling out now)

2 days ago

Rounding things off, the code also suggests that an anti-gym-lockout system – to prevent players who weren't active in a gym takeover reaping the rewards – is on its way.

There's no indication as to when these additions will appear in Pokemon Go but their presence in the code implies that they aren't far off.

Are you excited to catch 100 new Pokemon? Let us know in the comments.

 

from Android Authority http://www.androidauthority.com/pokemon-go-100-new-pokemon-727735/
via IFTTT

Google demands standard in-line headphone controls for Nougat devices

Google gives Android away to OEMs for free. But gaining access to Google's suite of apps – especially the Google Play Store – comes at a cost. That cost is met by satisfying the demands of the Android Compatibility Definition Document (CCD), the latest of which has just been released for Android 7.0 Nougat, a full two and a half months after Nougat was released.

The CCD has a lot of interesting tidbits in it, but some are likely to be of greater concern than others. For example, Google has hinted that it may start forcing OEMs to support fast charging via USB Power Delivery (which the Pixel phones use) in future Android versions. In many ways, this is a good thing: universal fast charger compatibility across all Android devices. So far, so good.

The same goes for audio standards and in-line headphone controls. The CCD has a couple of sections on audio, the first of which dictates that devices claiming "professional audio" playback must satisfy the standards laid out in the OpenSL ES for Android reference document. Again, a little consistency never hurt anyone.

Google is clearly trying to minimize the amount of arbitrary differentiation in audio standards on Android Nougat devices.

Next up are analog audio ports, which, as you know, are slowly becoming an endangered species. According to the CCD, if a device has a 3.5 mm audio jack, the system must support three basic in-line headphone controls: volume up, volume down and headsethook (which allows you to answer and hang up calls).

Just to be clear, the CCD demands that "if a device implementation includes one or more analog audio ports, at least one of the audio port(s) SHOULD be a 4 conductor 3.5mm audio jack." This means including a 3.5 mm port is entirely optional, but if a device does have a 3.5 mm port, it must meet Google's parameters for in-line controls.

7.8.2.1. Analog Audio Ports

If a device implementation has a 4 conductor 3.5mm audio jack, it:

• MUST support the detection and mapping to the keycodes for the following 3 ranges of equivalent impedance between the microphone and ground conductors on the audio plug:

70 ohm or less : KEYCODE_HEADSETHOOK

210-290 Ohm : KEYCODE_VOLUME_UP

360-680 Ohm : KEYCODE_VOLUME_DOWN

• STRONGLY RECOMMENDED to detect and map to the keycode for the following range of equivalent impedance between the microphone and ground conductors on the audio plug:

110-180 Ohm: KEYCODE_VOICE_ASSIST

It must be said that a lot of OEMs already support in-line headphone controls and volume up, down and pickup/hang up are pretty standard. But by laying out the specific impedance values for each setting, Google is enforcing a degree of consistency on what has previously been left up to OEMs. The result of this has been headphones whose in-line controls don't work on all phones.

Standardized headphone controls, combined with the prospect of uniform fast charger adaptor compatibility in future, are definitely steps in the right direction. While Android is and should continue to be a free and open platform, reducing the amount of arbitrary differentiation on Android devices makes a lot of sense. And Google is the only one that can make it happen.

What other compatibility issues would you like to see addressed in Android?

from Android Authority http://www.androidauthority.com/google-in-line-headphone-controls-android-nougat-devices-727734/
via IFTTT