News

Apple iPhone X remains as the best-selling smartphone in the world

Based on March 2018 sales

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Do you own any iPhones? Because five models of Apple’s handset are among the best-selling smartphones in the world based on data by Counterpoint Research dated March 2018. Of course, Samsung is still on the charts but two Chinese manufacturers were able to beat the South Korean company with budget devices.

Remaining on top during said month is the Apple iPhone X with 3.5 percent of the global smartphone market. In second place, with 2.3 percent, is the Apple iPhone 8 Plus. Three other iPhone models are on the list, but we’ll get to them later.

As previously reported, Xiaomi is the proud producer of the top-selling Android handset, which is the Redmi 5A, with a 1.8 percent share of phone sales closely followed by the OPPO A83. The entry of OPPO is a bit surprising, but the A83 is a well-packaged budget phone.

Samsung battles itself in the fifth and sixth spot with the Samsung Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S9+. Both of the latest Galaxy flagships have a 1.6 percent share in the market. Also grabbing 1.6 percent of the sales is the iPhone 7, followed by its newest sibling, the iPhone 8, with 1.4 percent. The Galaxy J7 Pro is next on the chart also with a 1.4 percent share. Surprisingly, the two-year-old iPhone 6 is still among the best-sellers with a 1.2 percent share.

According to the analysis firm, the iPhone X maintained its lead as the top-selling ultra-premium phone, but Samsung was able to rise with the release of the Galaxy S9 phones. While Samsung and Apple fight in the high-end segment, the mid- and low-tier markets are dominated by Chinese OEMs like OPPO, Huawei, Vivo, and Xiaomi.

You may read more about the report here.

SEE ALSO: Xiaomi is still the number one smartphone brand in India for Q1 2018

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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