Apps

Pokémon Go Plus wearable is out, doesn’t really do much

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The Pokémon Go Plus accessory is finally available, and it’s here to rid users of the nuisances Pokémon Go players have been experiencing since its launch. No, the wearable won’t cure the broken tracking system or the in-game errors, but it’ll make creature catching a little less of a headache.

With a single button that lights up for notifications, the accessory allows players to leave their smartphones tucked away while both devices are connected through low-energy Bluetooth. It can be attached to any part of your clothing or the bundled bracelet — really depends on how proud you are of your Pokémon Go addiction.

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It’s all as simple as it looks. Once paired with your phone, the Plus will flash a blue light when a PokéStop is in the vicinity. Press the lonesome button at that moment, and you’ll acquire all the available goodies. When a green or yellow light comes up, that means a Pokémon appeared in your area. Green means you’re about to catch a Pokémon you’ve seen before; tap the button, and the game will automatically throw a regular Poké Ball for you. Yellow signifies a pocket monster you’ve yet to own, so you’ll have to bring out your phone in order to catch it.

Successfully collecting from a PokéStop or securing a Pokémon will be confirmed by multiple flashing colors; failure leads to a string of red lights. Since there’s no screen to speak of, you have to check your phone’s notifications or the game’s journal to find out exactly what happened.

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As you can tell, the Pokémon Go Plus is essentially a supplement to the mobile game, and can in no way stand alone. There’s also a bunch of functions you can’t pull off, such as battling gyms and sorting your items. On the bright side, users will have a much easier time hatching eggs, as the wearable device can record distance without the phone’s display being on.

Excited to purchase one of your own? Hold on, because here’s the bad news. Availability is quite limited, and even if you do find one, it’ll cost you $35. That’s an outrageous amount for a piece of blinking plastic with nothing but a button.

If you must have it, Nintendo’s Official UK Store, Amazon.com, and GameStop.com might have it in stock.

[irp posts=”10698″ name=”Pokémon Generation 2 is out”]

Source: Pokémon Go

Apps

Tinder rolls out a $500-per-month subscription tier

Exclusive only to top users

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How much is a date worth to you? For most people, US$ 500 is way more than enough for a fancy night with a special partner. Tinder, however, thinks US$ 500 should be the baseline for its most dedicated users. The dating app has rolled out a premium subscription tier worth US$ 500 per month.

Though Tinder is still a free service, the app also offers more features locked behind different subscription tiers. The regular lineup includes Tinder+, Gold, and Premium tiers. Now, the app has a fourth paid tier, and it’s a pricey one.

Rolling out exclusively to only the top 1 percent of users, Tinder Select will cost users US$ 500 per month. Invited users will still need to apply to avail of the new tier. According to an interview with Bloomberg, the company says that the tier will include more premium features such as “’VIP’ search, matching, and conversation.”

It’s hard to say how much more value that the tier will offer subscribers. After all, only a very small handful of users will have access to the tier. As always, users can keep using the app at no cost.

Despite the addition of new features over the past months, Tinder has struggled to keep up with the industry. The Match Group also has other apps in its portfolio including Hinge. Other companies, such as Bumble, are also competing against Tinder.

SEE ALSO: Tinder now lets users specify pronouns and relationship type

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YouTube launches AI-powered video-editing app for creators

YouTube Create

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YouTube Create
Image c/o YouTubeYouTube Create

YouTube has unveiled a new video-editing app that leverages the power of AI technology to help creators. The beta version of YouTube Create is now available on Android in select markets.

The app is free of charge and is designed to make video production for Shorts or even lengthier content much more simple and easier.

Among the app’s tools are:

  • precision editing and trimming
  • automatic captioning
  • voiceover capabilities
  • access to a library of filters, effects, and transitions
  • royalty-free music with beat matching technology

More services on the YouTube Create app utilize AI technology like the assistive search on Creator Music and automatic dubbing with Aloud.

Meanwhile, users will be able to test Dream Screen on Shorts later in the year. 

Dream Screen will be an experimental feature that allows anyone to create an AI-generated video or image background by simply typing an idea into a prompt, to complement their Shorts.

In the future, YouTube is also looking at users being able to mix existing videos or content with this feature.

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YouTube improves guidelines against medical misinformation

Taking the fight to the next level

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Google is taking its fight against medical misinformation on its streaming platform to the next level.

YouTube has started streamlining its existing medical information guidelines, categorizing them into “Prevention”, “Treatment”, and “Denial” for a solid foundation for developing guidelines as other medical data arises.

Prevention will remove any information that contradicts prevention and transmission of health conditions.

This includes content around harmful substances, practices, or prevention methods, as well as claims that there is guaranteed protection against diseases like COVID-19 or other cases such as videos saying that MMR vaccines cause autism.

Treatment, meanwhile, deletes content that contradicts treatment of health conditions. For example, a video that promotes the use of caesium chloride (cesium salts), Hoxsey therapy, and coffee enema, among others, for cancer treatment shall be banned.

Lastly, Denial erases content that disputes the existence of a health condition. A popular instance would be videos denying that there is COVID-19, or that people have not died from the contagious disease.

Apart from these improved guidelines, YouTube plans to make playlists of cancer-related videos, partnering with Mayo Clinic for informational content.

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