The next version of Google’s ReCAPTCHA may not need your input anymore

If you have used the Internet for the past few years, you are almost certainly familiar with ReCAPTCHA. Google's online sign-in technology is supposed to keep the many bots that are roaming the Internet out of websites Now the company is teasing a major new version of ReCAPTCHA that may do away with all human interaction.

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ReCAPTCHA started with sites showing a mixed-up series of numbers and letters that humans had to replicate before they could sign onto some sites. However, the efforts to defeat bots became frustrating for some users who could not see the required patterns in the ReCAPTCHA box. Later, Google updated the technology so that users could just tap or click a box to prove they were not a pesky Internet bot, which was much easier. The tech used pointer movements and timings to detect if that box click comes from a human being.

Now Google has posted a "Invisible ReCAPTCHA" page for website developers to check out. They can sign up on that page to receive more information on the new tech once Google reveals more details. So far, the company has not reveal how this "Invisible" version of the technology will work, but it's likely to use an improved version of its current tech to figure out pointer movements are from humans. In any case, it would appear that conscious interaction (typing or tapping) may soon be a thing of the past for ReCAPTCHA.

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Google Duo gets some major video improvements with 5.0 update

Google launched its Google Duo app earlier this year, and the video calling and chat app was supposed to be the company's Android answer to Apple's FaceTime for iOS. Today, a new 5.0 version of the app is rolling out, and it is supposed to include some "major video quality improvements" among its additions.

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September 15, 2016

At least, that's the good word from Justin Uberti, the technical leader on the Google Duo team, via his Twitter feed tonight. He added that "user testing has shown great results" with this new version. Hopefully, that translates into the real world as well. In addition, Uberti stated version 5.0 includes a "simpler signup flow" along with "seemless camera rotation" for Duo users. Finally, the update fixes a bug that was causing sound not to play for some users.

The update just started its rollout, and as with all such updates from the Google Play Store, it may take a few days to make its way to everyone. If you have downloaded and installed Google Duo 5.0, can you see any major video improvements in the app? If so, let us know in the comments.

Get it at Google Play

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Pandora Premium will take on Spotify in early 2017

Pandora is getting close to going head-to-head with its big rival, Spotify. The long-running music streaming service announced a new subscription plan, Pandora Premium, that will officially launch sometime in early 2017.

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July 20, 2016

Pandora already has a subscription tier, Pandora Plus, that costs $4.99 a month and eliminates ads for accessing its music online. Tonight, Engadget reports that Pandora Premium will throw in on-demand access to a big music library, just like Spotify, along with offline support for playing tunes. In addition, it will merge any created playlists and albums from each user into one big combined list.

The service's familiar thumbs up and thumbs down icons will still be around, and users who click on thumbs up on a song will have it added to an ever growing playlist. The service will also have a search feature that will be customized for each user, bringing up choices that are based on previous music choices that the user indicated he or she has liked before.

So far, there's no word on a price point for Pandora Premium, but it would be a shock if it didn't follow the $9.99 a month fee that other similar services charge. The company plans to offer access to Pandora Premium for its "VIPs" before launching it to the public in a few months.

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Some Android app updates could cut their file sizes by 65 percent or more

As any Android smartphone owner knows, updates from the Google Play Store can come quite frequently for many popular apps. They can also use up data if updates are conducted on a cellular network. Today, Google announced a new approach for Android app downloads. The good news is this method could solve the problem of using a ton of data for such updates.

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In a blog post, Google describes the new approach, which it calls File-by-File patching. In the old days, Android apps were updated by downloading the app's entire APK file. In 2016, the company began using the bsdiff algorithm to cut app file size updates by 47 percent. File-by-File patching can go even further, reducing app updates by an average of 65 percent. In fact, some app updates could be cut down by as much as 90 percent with this method.

Normally, an APK file is compressed using a technology called Deflate, but Google says any change to the app's original uncompressed content "can make the compressed output of deflate look completely different." Google uses File-by-File patching to achieve its results by detecting the changes in the uncompressed data. Google says this allows apps to uncompress the data, then apply a patch, and then recompress that data back to the same number of bytes that were originally uploaded by the publisher.

The good news is that the actual file size for each update can go down, but the bad news is that it does take more time to apply that same patch on a smartphone, due to the extra processor power that is needed. Google says it will apply the new File-by-File patching method to Android apps that take place in the background. If you plug in your smartphone at night, your apps will likely use this method to auto-update themselves while you are sleeping.

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That big Pokémon Go update with 100 new creatures could go live this week

Pokémon Go fans have been hearing rumors for weeks that the popular AR app will add 100 new creatures to catch soon. Now, new leaks suggest that big update could happen this week. The game's developer, Niantic Labs, will also reportedly announce new partnerships with at least two companies in the U.S. this week as well.

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October 15, 2016

The one thing we know for sure is that Sprint and Niantic plan to make a joint press announcement on Wednesday, December 7 at 11:30 a.m. ET (8:30 a.m. PT) on something related to the wireless carrier and Pokémon Go. Exactly what that reveal will be is currently unknown, but it would be a perfect time for Niantic to officially announce a huge update for the game.

Another big partnership for the game could go live the next day, on Thursday, December 8. Reddit users leaked what they claim are internal documents from Starbucks earlier this week. They show that starting on Thursday, the majority of Starbucks' company-owned stores will become official PokéStops or Gyms for the game. Players who show up at those stores will also unlock a virtual Pokémon Go Frappuccino Blended Beverage. Finally, that same drink will be available for all Starbucks customers in the real world to purchase and drink.

All of this would strongly suggest Niantic is prepared to make a big push to update Pokémon Go with a major content update, at least in the US. While it was hugely popular when it launched in July, the game's player base has declined from its extreme highs since then.  Clearly, Niantic wants to claim some of those lost players back with these new partnerships and, hopefully, a big update.

If the game does indeed add 100 new creatures, will you come back to Pokémon Go to try to catch 'em all?

Get it at Google Play

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Moto Mod smart car dock from Incipio announced for Moto Z (Update: now available!)

Update (12/6): Moto Z owners – we've got some good news! The new Incipio Vehicle Dock and mophie juice pack Moto Mods are now available for purchase.

Incipio's Vehicle Dock Moto Mod can be yours for $64.99 from Verizon, while the 3,000mAh mophie juice pack Moto Mod is available for $79.99. Interested? Follow the links below to grab yours today.

• Buy the Incipio Car Dock from Verizon
• Buy the mophie juice pack from Verizon

Original post (12/1): The lineup of modular Moto Mods for the Moto Z family of smartphones continues. Motorola officially announced that Incipio will launch a smart car dock Moto Mod sometime next week. It also confirmed the previously revealed Mophie battery pack Moto Mod that's now on sale at Verizon Wireless.

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July 27, 2016

The Verge reports that the car dock attaches to the Moto Z on its back with magnets, like any other Moto Mod. The dock can then be attached to a vent on the car's dashboard in both vertical and horizontal positions. When the phone is connected to the dock, it automatically launches the recently revamped Android Auto app, which was redesigned to work on a phone's display. You can also charge the phone on the dock and connect to your car's stereo speaker with a 3.5mm jack. The price for the car dock will be $64.99.

Motorola also indicated that more Moto Mods are in the works for 2017, with the plan to release about four of them per quarter. One of them might be a Tango 3D camera that would enable the Moto Z phones to use the growing number of AR apps using Google's technology.

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This smartphone tripod is the size of a credit card

The AAPicks team writes about things we think you'll like, and we may see a share of revenue from any purchases made through affiliate links.

Sure, it's great that you have all these smartphone accessories, but how portable are they really? You've got to plan ahead if you're going to be hauling along a selfie stick or – God forbid – an actual tripod.

That's what makes Pocket Tripod such an elegant solution. You can literally just slip it into your pocket and forget about it until you need it.

It's an idea that's so natural and obvious that even Steve Wozniak was smacking his forehead over it:

Why didn't someone do this before… What a great idea that I wish I'd thought of. I put one of them in my backpack so it's always with me… Great project. Never would have come about without a great deal of creativity and desire to do something different… I never had thought that something like that could be done.

The Pocket Tripod is exactly what it sounds like. The durable construction and clever 'unfolding' capability means you can have it on your person at all times, easily within reach for those unexpectedly photogenic moments.

It transforms from a credit-card-like shape into a tripod with a simple twist and flip action and can sweet 90 degrees from four different mounted positions, landscape or horizontal.

Pocket Tripod started as a crowdfunded project, and the concept received an enthusiastic response. The creators actually funded about twice as much as their campaign goal.

Normally you might expect to pay as much as $104 for a quality smartphone tripod. Hell, if you're really willing to break the bank, some are going for as much as $550.

Pocket Tripod only costs $25 normally, but the company is currently having a sale that knocks 20% off that. If you're looking for an ideal stocking stuffer or a nice gift for yourself this holiday season, look no further!

Click the button below to grab your own Pocket Tripod for just $19.99, and stop letting those photographic moments go to waste!

Read more!

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