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Motorola razr 5G now official

A minor refinement

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Motorola re-ups their foldable with a few improvements here and there but also equipped it with the next generation of connectivity. The Motorola razr 5G is here and it smoothens out any rough edges from its predecessor.

Quick View display

Building on feedback from the previous model, the 2.7-inch  Quick View display lets users access the phone even while it’s close. Even better, users have full control on what shows up there.

It now has a navigation bar that mimics the gestures of Android 10. You can also use it to reply to messages either with speech-to-text, smart reply, or even a full keyboard all on Quick View.

You also have access to Google Maps, Spotify, and YouTube Music. razr pre-selected the apps that will show up by default. These are camera, messages, calculator, Keep, Google News, Google Home and YouTube. However, users have the ability to change these based on their usage.

Updated design

Some of the design changes include a tapered chin, rear-mounted fingerprint sensor, and an updated hinge. These changes were all made to make it even easier for one-handed use. These were all taken from direct customer feedback.

The Motorola razr 5G is made of polished 3D glass and 7000 series aluminum. It will come in three colors: Polished Graphite, Liquid Mercury, and Blush Gold.

When flipped open, there’s still the same sized 6.2-inch Flex View display with a 21:9 CinemaVision aspect ration. The hinge is still zero gap but has been built to be stronger. Motorola says it can now do up to 200,000 flips. Based on usage study, this should be enough to last power users up to five years.

Faster with 5G

The biggest obvious improvement is the addition of 5G capability. It’s now equipped with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G processor.

Naturally, that’ll take more battery power so it’s been upped from 2510mAh to 2800mAh. Still not a lot, but at least there’s some improvement.

Better camera

Replacing the paltry 16MP shooter is a 48MP one with f/1.7 aperture and optical image stabilization. They also added another 20MP camera for selfies.

 

Apps

Disney+ launches a TikTok-coded vertical feed called Verts

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TikTok has changed how we consume media. Everything is now vertical. Even the most established streaming services, often a bastion for traditionally horizontal content, is adopting the different format. Now, Disney+ is getting a vertical feed called Verts.

Like its contemporaries, Verts presents a continuous feed of content but tailored to show the plethora of titles from the Disney+ library. This might include the first scenes of shows or notable highlights. The hope, of course, is to direct users to the longform content.

Directly from the Verts feed, users can easily add the respective title to their watchlist or go straight to the title’s page. In turn, the feed is accessible from the homepage since it has its own tab.

According to Disney, early experiments with the feature have driven engagement to available content. Right now, the feed is mostly for clipping enticing content from shows. However, the platform will experiment further with the format for new ways to tell stories.

Though Verts surely stands for “verticals” in this case, “adverts” might fit better as its full government name. Still, it might be a useful tool if you’re figuring out what to watch for the night.

Currently, Verts is available for Disney+ subscribers in the United States. Disney also has plans to expand the feature to ESPN for sports-related content.

SEE ALSO: Live NBA action on Disney Plus now available in the Philippines

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Apps

Google Maps is finally getting a 3D mode

The app will also have a Gemini chatbot baked inside.

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Some of today’s navigation apps are living in the future. Instead of a two-dimensional map, these apps render the user’s surroundings in 3D. It’s a nifty upgrade that helps drivers more accurately visualize directions on the fly. Finally, Google Maps is getting a much-needed upgrade and will take navigation to the third dimension.

In a new update rolling out today, the new Immersive Navigation feature will bring your surroundings to life. The 3D view creates a render of the surrounding buildings, overpasses, and terrain around the car. It takes the guesswork out of navigation by showing precisely where to turn and what landmarks to look out for.

In the same vein, you can now use Street View to preview your destination before you arrive. Google Maps will also highlight your destination’s entrance, side of the street, and nearby parking.

Outside of how the map is visualized, Google Maps is also infusing its service with Gemini. The new Ask Maps feature will let you engage with the app in a conversational manner. For example, if you’re in the middle of a long drive, you can now ask Maps where the best place is to stop over and have a coffee break. Ask Maps will provide directions, a potential itinerary, and even helpful links to book a reservation ahead of time.

Now, availability for both of these features is still a bit limited. Immersive View is rolling out today to compatible devices and vehicles in the United States. Further, availability will expand over the coming months.

Meanwhile, Ask Maps is available now in the United States and India for Android and iOS. A desktop version is coming soon.

SEE ALSO: Google Maps is finally getting a power saving mode

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Entertainment

KPop Demon Hunters is officially getting a sequel

Maggie Kang and Chris Applehans will return to write and direct.

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This feels like a formality at this point. Netflix and Sony have officially confirmed that KPop Demon Hunters is getting a sequel.

If you feel like you’ve read this exact title before, then you’re not alone. Since its massive success last year, the hit animated film constantly spawned talks of a potential franchise. It probably helped that the title quickly became Netflix’s most-watched film of all time. From the last we’ve heard of the rumors, Netflix was reportedly eyeing a 2029 premiere for the sequel.

Now, it’s official. As posted by Netflix itself, KPop Demon Hunters will get a sequel soon. Even better, the follow-up will be written and directed by the same duo, Maggie Kang and Chris Applehans.

Kang, who celebrated the first movie’s ability to tell a Korean story, says that there’s a lot more to explore in the film’s universe. “There’s so much more to this world we have built and I’m excited to show you. This is only the beginning,” she said.

Right now, the plot’s sequel is still unknown, especially since the Saja Boys were defeated in the first film.

Given how big the original movie got, the sequel is no surprise. Besides bagging the top spot on Netflix’s charts, the film also got an eventual release in theaters. KPop Demon Hunters is up for a potential Oscars win after it was nominated for Best Animated Feature. Its hit song, “Golden,” is also nominated for Best Original Song.

SEE ALSO: KPop Demon Hunters is now Netflix’s most-watched movie

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