Month: April 2016

Is Apple in big trouble? iPhone sales hit rock bottom

Apple just announced that for the first time in more than a decade, the sales of their products have fallen in the last quarter. Sure, we could expect this from other companies, but from Apple? Something just doesn’t add up.

The last time Apple sold less than it its previous quarter was in 2003. At that time the “PowerMac” was its star product, and then they introduced the legendary iPod – however iTunes didn’t yet exist.

Bearing in mind that in 2016, Apple owes around two-thirds of its sales to the iPhone, so if its star product isn’t selling (and this quarter has been the lowest so far), their profits are clearly going to suffer.

So what’s with the sudden drop in sales?

Well, the new iPhone might have something to do with it. Although it seems to be a great device, it doesn’t show much innovation over the previous models. So what will Apple do?

Everything kind of indicates that the Apple revolution will return in 2017, when the company is rumored to be changing materials, screen technology and much more! We can’t do anything but wait and see!

The latest iPhone craze (and you don’t even have to unlock the screen)

If you don’t know who Steve the Jumping Dinosaur is, then the chances are that you’ve probably been living under a rock for the last few days.

This new highly-addictive iPhone game has one special feature that makes it different to the other games – you don’t have to unlock the screen in order to play it. Yes, you read correctly – this game is played from the Notification Center on your iPhone lock-screen.

The game was created by 23-year-old developer Ivan De Cabo, who apparently made the game in just one weekend.

I wanted to do a simple game just to improve my code skills and decided to do so in the Notification Center for two reasons: to challenge myself and to see if it was possible!” says De Cabo.

Steve the dinosaur 

The aim of the game is to get “Steve” to jump over as many obstacle cacti as possible (think Flappy Bird on the ground). The game was apparently inspired by the Google Chrome easter egg, which allows you to play a versin of the game even when  isn’t connected to the internet.

Have you tried it yet?

Google Chrome for Android: Get rid of all those annoying notifications

“This website wants to use your location” and “would you like to translate this site?”….Messages like this and many more are constantly appearing when we surf with Google Chrome from our Android devices. Most of the time, they’re pretty useless, and only make our browsing experience more annoying.  But, fear not! We will show you a simple and quick way to disable them, so that you will never be bothered again! Just follow these steps!

1. Turn off location

Various sites like Google who ask you if they can use your location will prompt you with a message every time you enter. Although you try and block the message, it’ll only come back to haunt you the next time you open Chrome. In order to disable this, do the following:

a)      Click on the icon with three dots at the top of the Chrome screen and select Settings.

b)      Access Site settings > Location

c)       Turn off the blue Location option – you need to leave it “Blocked”.

2. Deactivate the automatic translation

“This page is in French, do you want to translate it into English?” will appear every time you go to page that’s not in your configured language. In order to get rid of this notification, do the following:

a)      Click the icon with three dots and select Settings.

b)      Go to Site settings > Language

c)       Turn off the Google Translate option (shown below)

3. Deactivate the Autofill

Some people prefer to keep this option as it saves a lot of time when having to fill in an online form, but if you want to be a bit more careful with your personal information, you can quickly make it disappear:

a)      Click on the icon with the three dots and select Settings

b)      Go to the Autofill forms option and turn it off on the next screen (shown below)

c)       (Optional) As you’ll see on this screen you also have the possibility to manage your private data, and can add or delete addresses and credit card numbers if you so wish.

Apps are being removed from the Google Play Store for being better than they should be

“Fenix” – an unofficial application that improves Twitter’s official app, has been removed from the Google Play Store, making it now impossible to download “officially”. But there’s more – even if you do get to download the app using other sources (which of course, we don’t recommend), you won’t be able to register as a new user. Fenix’s develoeprs are now only able to update the app for its thousands of existing users. The question is: Is it actually worth it?

The reason for its disappearance is obvious – Twitter realized that non-official applications had a considerably higher amount of users than Twitter itself. Twitter eventually got to the stage where it had to start limiting the number of users that were accessing twitter through third-party apps, which of course, is not a great sign.

With a limited number of users with no chance of future growth, applications such as Fenix will find it extremely difficult to justify their long-term plans.

What will be the next application to suffer this cruel fate?

WhatsApp’s new feature will stop your contacts getting angry with you

We’re starting to feel like we’re talking about a new feature on WhatsApp every week, but it certainly seems to be the case! This week is no different, and we’ve had another leak that will soon affect your favorite messaging service!

The source of the leak again comes from the WhatsApp translations center, where the company introduces the future changes of the app. It doesn’t take long to work out what a new feature could entail just by looking at a few new phrases sent by the company.

This time, it looks like WhatsApp plan to introduce a new answering machine to the platform that will allow your contacts to record a voice message if you fail to answer your WhatsApp calls. Here you can see a screenshot of the leaked translation to see where people are getting this idea from:

It is still yet unknown as to when we can expect to see this feature on our devices, but we expect it’ll make an appearance around the same time as they launch the video calling feature. What will happen next week?

YouTube’s mobile app changes to satisfy all your needs….. in theory

The YouTube app for both iOS and Android has just undergone a bit of a facelift in order to address one its biggest flaws: the absence of video recommendations that are relevant to users.

The YouTube homepage for mobiles has been redesigned to integrate a new, clearer user interface so that you only have to worry about one small thing – the next interesting video.

But, the change is not just aesthetic. YouTube aims to use a new neural network that can offer better and more appropriate content recommendations for your viewing pleasure. In theory, it should be constantly learning to adapt to your habits and preferences, which means that instead of being bombarded with loads of recommended, yet irrelevant content, we’ll be provided with a few suggestions for videos we may actually find interesting and appropriate. We think they’re taking the “less in more” route.

Evidently, the theory of neural networks sounds awesome, but we’ll have to just wait and see if Google’s plan for YouTube keeps its promise!

Facebook users are about to get a big shock with Messenger

A few weeks ago, we were introduced to the idea of ChatBots on the Facebook Messenger app – a form of artificial intelligence that businesses will soon be using (and are already using) in order to “have interactive conversations” with their customers and promote their products or services.

The social media giant has recently announced its plans to start testing various things, such as News Feed ads that would directly take users to message threads, allowing brands to start sending their potential customers “sponsored” message snippets.

It had already been reported that Facebook had planned to implement these features in the second quarter this year, however there has been some confusion as to whether or not brands will able to reach out to people who haven’t had any previous connection (ie, previously liked or visited their page).

Business Insider has revealed that brands are unable to start chatting with you out of the blue, however they are able to send you sponsored posts. The website also revealed that a Facebook user was sent a ChatBot from a shoe brand that she had only visited the website once (not their actual Facebook page):

It’s important to remember that if you are logged into Facebook while browsing the web, Facebook recognizes what websites you have visited, and therefore brands can use this information to send you these sponsored messages.

Users can block these messages as they would with any other message they receive from an unknown user.

The question is – how far is Facebook willing to go with this form of advertising? We’re all used to seeing numerous (some say too many) ads on our feeds, however there’s something especially  intrusive about receiving ads through our Messenger inbox.

Have you received anything similar through your Messenger? How do you feel about it?

Google Maps: 7 tips for Android and iOS

Google Maps introduces more new features in each update, features that help it stand out. But more features can sometimes make the things confusing and can obscure some of Google Map’s more useful options.

That’s why the seven tips included in this article are ones that I can’t live without. By following these simple tips you’ll be able to use Google Maps more efficiently and will maximize its potential.

Warning: In iOS, you’ll need to sign into your Google account to store addresses and download offline maps. You just have to press the button marked with a silhouette in the top right corner of the screen in order to log in and access your Google account.

Google Maps

Locate yourself and see which direction you’re facing

Once you’re in Google Maps, tap the button at the bottom right of the screen to locate yourself. The map then centers itself around your position. The blue dot is you. Your direction is indicated with an arrow (or triangle, depending) of the same color.

Google Maps

To make sure that the map automatically turns in the right direction, just press the button again. The map will rotate to guide you with a compass view. It’s very handy for seeing where you are while walking around.

Warning: pressing the button a third time will cause the map to return to its original mode.

Find a good route

Google Maps allows you to quickly find routes for walking, driving, and public transport. There is a quick way to access this feature on Google Maps.

Click the arrow in the blue circle on the right-hand side of the screen. The app will open the page where you can select your preferred route.

Choose your travel type by pressing one of the buttons at the top and enter your destination into the text field below. Then select the route you wish to take to return to the main screen.

The red pin marks your destination, while the blue dot indicates your position.

Google Maps

Save maps for offline use

Google Maps lets you download offline maps to consult if you don’t have a data connection. Unfortunately, the feature is hidden.

Search for the area you want to save on your phone. Once you have the map on your screen, tap on the bar at the bottom of the screen and drag it up.

Tap on Save and select the area you wish to download using the zoom feature. Follow the instructions on the screen and give the mpa a name – it’s that simple!

To open your saved maps on your device, you need to access the app options of Google Maps and select Offline areas. A list of your saved offline maps will appear, where you’ll also have the option to open or delete them.

Warning: some areas of the globe are not covered by this service. You can see the official list of available countries on the Google Help page.

Place markers and save your favorite places

Google Maps lets you add favorite places and store them for future reference. To save a place, simply leave your finger pressed on the place in question on your map. The app will then place a marker on the map.

To save the place, tap the bar at the bottom of the screen and drag it up. Then press Save. Google Maps will place a star on the map so that you can quickly and easily locate the place again.

Google Maps

If you want to save the place where you are currently, you can press the blue dot that shows your position to bring up a list of nearby places or hold your finger on it to place a marker. You then just have to drag up the bar on the bottom of the screen and press Save to record your find. You can also use the search engine in Google Maps to save places. Once your search is done, drag up the bar at the bottom of the screen, then press Save to save the place.

For a complete list of your favorite places on Android, go to the options menu by pressing the button at the bottom left of the screen. Then tap on your places.

On iOS, press the profile button marked with a silhouette in the top right corner of the screen.

Your stars are listed in the Saved places section.

To delete a saved place, simply press the Save button a second time.

Save your address to go faster

To save time in Google Maps, you are able to save your home and work address. You can then simply enter the words Home or Work in the app’s search field to find the corresponding addresses.

To perform this operation on your Android device, you just go to the options menu by pressing the button at the bottom left of the screen. Then click on your places.

On iOS, this is done in the Google Maps account screen. To access it just press the profile button marked with a silhouette at the top right of the screen.

Click on home and enter your address. You can then repeat this procedure for your work address.

Use Street View

To use Street View in the mobile version of Google Maps, you must first do a search of the location you wish to display.

Once you’re in the map, click on the bar at the bottom of the screen and drag it up. Then press the Street View window. This feature is very useful if you want to check out where you’re planning to go without leaving the couch.

Google maps

Change the perspective of the map

Swipe up with two fingers on the map to change the angle. This feature, coupled with the three dimensional building display can be very useful in urban areas. and often helps me find my way when I’m lost.

Google Maps

These seven tips should help you with Google Maps. With your smartphone in your hand, you’ll never get lost again.

Related Articles

Is Google Maps better than Apple Maps and Nokia HERE? We put them to the test in Barcelona

App of the Week: Maps.me

How to activate and deactivate roaming on your phone

Follow me on Twitter: @samsoftonic

Article originally published in French on Softonic FR.

How to recover an unsaved Word document on Windows 10

We’ve all been there. That moment when your PC just decides to shutdown spontaneously and you forgot to save that super-important document. Then you remember about Microsoft’s special feature that automatically recovers unsaved documents, but then you realized that it actually hasn’t saved at all.

Fear not! There is still a way to recover the ultimate version of the document, however you can’t do this in Word itself.

How to recover your document:

1)      Use the Windows key (on your keyboard) to open the Windows Start Menu

2)      Click on File Explorer

3)      Select This PC on the left-hand side

4)      Type .asd in the search bar and click Enter


Your most recent document will appear in the results! All you have to  do is simply click on it! The document will open in Word, giving you a second chance to save it!

Download Windows 10

Source: CNET

Scientists have accidently invented a battery that lasts a lifetime!

Some scientists have recently invented a system that multiplies the life of a battery to at least 200,000 charge cycles (basically, a lifetime!). The funny thing is that these scientists from the University of California at Irvine have no idea how they managed to do it!

The researchers were initially looking for an alternative to lithium (which liquid state helps conduct the charge), however it can combust due to its sensitivity to temperature. They created a battery that used gold nanowire in electrolyte gel as a substitute for lithium, and discovered that they only lost 5% battery capacity after 200,000 charges!

This new material (Nanowires) has been long thought of as the perfect battery material, as the surface area has the ability to hold a lot of electric charge, however wire usually corrodes in traditional lithium environments after a few thousand cycles.

Doctoral student Mya Le Thai from UCI was the one who discovered that by coating the gold nanowires in a manganese dioxide shell.

“Mya was playing around, and she coated this whole thing with a very thin gel layer and started to cycle it. She discovered that just by using this gel, she could cycle it hundreds of thousands of times without losing any capacity” said one of her fellow participants.

Thai, who was leading this study, tested the product over 200,000 times over the course of three months and discovered that there was no indication of loss of capacity or damage to the nanowires.

So what could this mean for the future of batteries? Well, basically we may soon be able to have a battery on our mobile or PC that has the ability to last a lifetime! Now, wouldn’t that be great?