News
Xiaomi starts teasing Android One powered Mi A3
Xiaomi and its never-ending launches
Xiaomi’s Redmi-series focuses on delivering maximum value for a budget price. They ship with MIUI out of the box and are wildly popular in developing markets like India, Philippines, Indonesia, and Bangladesh.
On the other hand, Xiaomi also started making A-series phones that ship with pure Android and are a part of Google’s Android One program. A huge chunk of users prefer the no-frills vanilla experience of Android and Xiaomi intended to grab this niche. After the success of Mi A1 and Mi A2, the brand is now gearing up to launch the Mi A3.
They’ve already started teasing the new phone and are boasting the predecessor’s success. A tweet says “The world’s best selling Android One series is back”, and we’re sure this has to be the Mi A3 because the company doesn’t have any other Android One line-up.
Our hit Mi A series is coming back with a serious bang! #PhotosWithoutLimits pic.twitter.com/ak2MycQN2m
— Xiaomi #PhotosWithoutLimits (@Xiaomi) July 12, 2019
https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js
There are numerous reports floating online that suggest the Mi A3 could be powered by a Snapdragon 730 processor. In fact, the phone could also have a sibling called Mi A3 Lite and it’ll be powered by a Snapdragon 675 processor.
Another report claims it’ll sport a 48-megapixel camera. We could actually see this materialize because Xiaomi has been launching a lot of phones with similar sensors and has a reputation of utilizing common hardware to ease software development.
Android One also ensures security patches and feature updates are delivered on time. Since the user interface is stock Android, it’s faster for companies to optimize the core package and deliver updates OTA.
All Nokia-branded phones are also a part of Android One, but HMD Global hasn’t been as aggressive as Xiaomi in pushing its products via marketing.
Apps
Disney+ launches a TikTok-coded vertical feed called Verts
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
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
Entertainment
KPop Demon Hunters is officially getting a sequel
Maggie Kang and Chris Applehans will return to write and direct.
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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