News

The Apple Watch Series 5 is here!

Better than the Series 4?

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Apple has just unveiled the Apple Watch Series 5, introducing new features that will delight every user looking to upgrade their smartwatches.

Starting with the newest Always-On Retina display, the Apple Watch Series 5 will never sleep. Now, you can easily check the time and important information at a glance. To make this happen, Apple made its smartwatch carry an 18-hour battery life by optimizing watch faces and adjusting the screen’s brightness intelligently, depending on the position of the user’s wrist.

Another innovation for the smartwatch is its new location features. There is a new built-in compass and updated Maps app to help people navigate their way. Through the Compass app, you can see where you’re heading, along with details on your current elevation.

Moreover, Apple added an International Emergency Calling feature to help travelers contact emergency services in over 150 countries. It can also place an emergency call automatically if the Apple Watch has detected that the user has taken a hard fall.

Apple Watch Series 5 Nike Sports Band

On top of these new features, the Apple Watch Series 5 uses watchOS 6, packed with health and fitness features first announced at WWDC 2019 last June. Women can now track their menstrual cycle through the Cycle Tracking App. Additionally, there’s a Noise app to help you understand the ambient sound levels in loud environments, as well as the Activity Trends which gives you an overview of your activity patterns.

Design-wise, the Apple Watch Series 5 brings in new, customizable watch faces, thanks to watchOS6. Furthermore, it’s now available in a wider range of materials like aluminum (which came from 100 percent recycled 7000 series aluminum), stainless steel, ceramic, and all-new titanium. There are also a wider range of new band colors and a sport loop, which works with any Apple Watch.

Pricing and availability

The Apple Watch Series 5 (GPS), which costs US$ 399, will be available to order in 41 countries and regions, starting September 10, while the Apple Watch Series 5 (GPS + Cellular) priced at US$ 499 is available to order in 22 countries and regions. Both models will come to stores beginning on September 20.

On the other hand, the Apple Watch Series 3 (GPS) starts at a new low price of US$ 199 while the Apple Watch Series 3 (GPS + Cellular) costs US$ 299. The popular Series 3 has a built-in GPS, optical heart rate sensor, and water resistance.

Apple Event: iPhone 11 | iPhone 11 Pro | Apple Watch Series 5 | iPad 7th Gen

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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