Tag: redesigned
Instagram’s redesigned home screen ditches the shopping tab
Were you irked that Instagram’s shopping obsession relegated the “new post” button to a corner? You’re not alone. Instagram has revealed a home screen refresh, due in February, that axes the Shop tab and moves the Create button back to the center of the bottom navigation bar. That, in turn, shunts the Reels tab to the side.
The social network’s Adam Mosseri added in a video that shopping will still exist in your feed, Reels, Stories and ads. There just won’t be a dedicated tab for it. The section usually offers targeted recommendations to encourage shopping beyond the usual mid-feed offerings.
Instagram started testing the new design in September. In a video announcing the rollout, Mosseri characterized the refresh as a bid to “simplify” the service and focus on connecting people to the “things they love.” Insta is remembering that it’s a social network, to put it bluntly.
However, the change may also be part of a larger strategy shakeup. As The Vergenotes, The Informationclaimed to have seen an internal memo in September indicating that Instagram would cut many of its shopping features. Instead, the site would concentrate on commerce efforts that are “more directly tied” to ad revenue. Simply put, the shopping push doesn’t appear to have helped — this would boost Meta’s bottom line as it pivots to the metaverse.
There’s also the matter of competition. TikTok, the inspiration for numerous Instagram features, still features a prominent “new post” button. That placement isn’t a guarantee of success, of course, but that platform has continued to thrive in spite of Instagram. It had about 1.64 billion monthly active users as of October, according to Data.ai figures. The Instagram rethink might encourage more posts, not to mention give would-be converts a more familiar experience.
Check out AtlasOS, a redesigned Windows 10 version for gamers and potato PCs
AtlasOS is an “open source” modification of Windows 10, a redesign of the most popular PC operating system which, according to its creators, has been specifically “designed for gamers.” Atlas users can enjoy higher frame rates and lowered input delay & latency, according to developers. The OS requirements, however, are…
The Super Mario Movie Features A Redesigned Donkey Kong, Shigeru Miyamoto Says
Donkey Kong is one of the very oldest video game characters. Born in 1981, Donkey Kong is what some might call a geriatric millennial. For the upcoming Super Mario Bros. Movie, he received his first redesign in almost 30 years for the movie, said creator Shigeru Miyamoto in the latest Nintendo Direct dedicated to the film.
This trailer gives us a clearer look at Mario and Luigi, and our first look at Donkey Kong himself, who will be voiced by actor Seth Rogen in the film.
“It’s been over 40 years since the release of the original Donkey Kong game, which was also my debut title. We’ve also changed his design for the first time since he became a 3D model in the original Donkey Kong Country game,” Miyamoto said in comments directly after the trailer. At a glance, Donkey Kong looks quite familiar. Just like the version seen in Donkey Kong Country, he’s a big ape wearing a bright red tie with his initials in yellow letters–it’s hardly a reimagining for the character. Even the font on the tie is the same.
Does the redesigned Donkey Kong smoke weed?
How chill do we think the new DK is?
Spotify’s redesigned Apple Watch app feels less like an afterthought
Spotify is giving its Apple Watch users some love, adding UI and playback upgrades that more closely align with the familiar experience from larger screens. In an update that starts rolling out today, watchOS users will see a beefed-up Your Library view with more in-depth music controls and the ability to download playlists without going back to your iPhone.
Before today’s update, Spotify’s Apple Watch features were rudimentary. For starters, the app displayed the Your Library view as a text-only list of titles. The new update provides a more attractive UI, including artwork thumbnails. In the watchOS app’s old version, once you tapped on an album or playlist, it would immediately launch playback without letting you choose any options beforehand. The new update adds a screen with two prominent buttons for downloading and shuffling your music.
Spotify initially added offline playback in an update from May of last year, but that version still required you to use your iPhone to choose offline music, and you could only download individual songs to your wearable. Downloading entire playlists and albums without pulling out a phone will be a welcome addition for Apple Watch owners. The new update also lets you swipe to like a song from the list view, a gesture already familiar to users of the Spotify iOS app.
Today’s update also improves Apple Watch podcast playback, letting you view your listening progress and pick up right where you left off. The previous version would always restart podcasts from the beginning.
In addition to the Apple Watch app upgrades, Spotify also highlighted new tap-to-listen controls for Meta’s Ray-Ban Stories and music curation for the overhead boarding music on Delta airlines. The company also announced support for the “Ambient Experience” that displays playlist or podcast artwork on Fire TV Omni QLED Series TVs when you aren’t watching anything. Owners of the $800 and up television can scroll through their music using either the TV’s remote control or Spotify Connect devices.
Everything Apple Announced Today: M2 iPad Pro, Redesigned iPad, Updated Apple TV, and More
In addition to the hardware announcements today, we also learned about release dates for iPadOS 16 and macOS Ventura, and Apple also seeded to developers the final versions of iOS 16.1, watchOS 9.1, and tvOS 16.1 that will be released to the public next week.
iPad
- Apple Unveils 10th-Gen iPad With Complete Redesign, 10.9-Inch Display, USB-C, and More
- Apple Shares 9-Minute Keynote-Styled Video for New iPad and iPad Pro
- New iPad Only Supports First-Gen Apple Pencil, Requires Adapter to Charge
- Apple Launches Magic Keyboard Folio for 10th-Gen iPad With Two-Piece Design, Kickstand, and Function Row
- Ninth-Gen iPad Still Available for Same $329 Starting Price
- 10th-Gen iPad Features Apple’s First-Ever Landscape Camera Design on an iPad
- Apple’s New 2022 iPad Lineup Gives Customers More Options Than Ever
- Logitech Crayon for iPad Now Available With USB-C Port
iPad Pro
- Apple Announces New iPad Pro With M2 Chip, Hovering Apple Pencil Feature, and More
- M2 iPad Pro Supports Wi-Fi 6E for the First Time
- M2 iPad Pro Wi-Fi + Cellular Models Drop GSM/EDGE Support
- M2 iPad Pro Features New Hover Mode for Apple Pencil
- iPad Pro and iPad Now Include Woven USB-C Cable, Also Sold Separately
- M2 iPad Pro Seemingly Features Exact Same Display and Camera Hardware as 2021 Model
- M2 iPad Pro Tidbits: ProRes Video Support, RAM Configurations, and More
Apple TV
- Apple Announces New Apple TV 4K With A15 Bionic Chip and HDR10+ for $129
- Apple TV Remote Now Has a USB-C Port
- $149 Apple TV 4K 128GB Model Includes Ethernet and Thread Support, 64GB Version Does Not
- Apple Removes Apple TV HD From Sale on Online Store
- New Apple TV is Thinner and Weighs 50% Less With Fanless Design
- New Apple TV No Longer Includes Charging Cable for Siri Remote in Box
Software and Other Updates
- iPadOS 16 With Stage Manager, Weather App, and More to Be Available on October 24
- macOS Ventura With Stage Manager and More Launching October 24
- Apple Begins Selling Belkin Mount for Using an iPhone as a Mac’s Webcam
- Apple Seeds iOS 16.1 and iPadOS 16.1 Release Candidates to Developers
- Apple Seeds macOS 13 Ventura Release Candidate to Developers
- Apple Seeds tvOS 16.1 Release Candidate to Developers
- Apple Seeds watchOS 9.1 Release Candidate to Developers
- iOS 16.1 to Feature iCloud Shared Photo Library, Key Sharing in Wallet App, and Apple Card Savings Account
- Live Activities on iOS 16.1: App Store Now Accepting Apps, Sports Scores via TV App Potentially Delayed
The new iPad, iPad Pro, and Apple TV models are all available to order now with the iPad and iPad Pro launching next week on Wednesday, October 26, and the Apple TV launching on Friday, November 4.
This article, “Everything Apple Announced Today: M2 iPad Pro, Redesigned iPad, Updated Apple TV, and More” first appeared on MacRumors.com
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Google updates Photos with redesigned Memories and a new collage editor
Google is rolling out some changes to the stories-style Memories feature in Photos. Until now, these automatically generated highlights have been private, but Google is adding some sharing options. Starting today, you’ll have a way to natively share memories with others if you have an Android device. Friends and family will be able to view your memories on any device through Google Photos. The sharing option is coming to iOS and the web soon.
The update is part of broader changes to Memories, which will mostly be available starting today. The redesigned feature will offer up more videos, including what Google believes are your best clips from longer videos that you have captured. Photos will automatically grab what appear to be the most meaningful moments from longer videos and add them to a memory. Starting in October, Google will append instrumental music to some memories as well.
Google says there will be a subtle zoom effect on still photos it includes in memories to make them feel less static. On that note, there’s a new type of memory called Cinematic Memories. This will build on cinematic photos, one of the most-used effects in Memories, which creates moving, 3D representations of still images. Google says that Cinematic Memories, which will be available soon, will turn “multiple still photos into an end-to-end cinematic experience.” Those memories will feature music, too.
When it comes to viewing your memories, there will be a welcome new way to navigate through them. Along with tapping on the left or right of the screen to move between photos in an individual memory, you can switch between memories by swiping up or down. You’ll still be able to omit certain people or time periods from showing up in Memories too.
Elsewhere, there’s a new feature called Styles. This will automatically add graphic art to your memories to perhaps make them more vibrant. Google will offer multiple designs at the outset, including limited-time options from artists Shantell Martin and Lisa Congdon
As of today, Photos users on Android and iOS will gain access to a new collage editor. You’ll be able to choose images, pick a design and rearrange the layout as you wish. There’s the option to tweak photos from the collage editor too — you can adjust the contrast and brightness, add filters and make other changes. If you have a Pixel or a Google One membership, you’ll have access to more editing tools, including Portrait Light and HDR options. You’ll have a broader selection of designs too. These collages will also be sharable.
Google says that Memories is one of the most-loved features in Photos, as users view more than 3.5 billion of them every month. These updates could make it even easier to create more dynamic highlight clips. While the sharing options are still limited, you’d still be able to record a memory with your phone and post it on the likes of Instagram or Snapchat if you desire.
Apple Watch ‘Pro’ Accessory Cases Hint at Redesigned Chassis and Flat Display
According to Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman, the Apple Watch Pro will debut with an all-new design that’s a reworking of the form factor Apple first introduced with the Series 4 in 2018. Today, new leaks out of China allegedly give us a better idea of the rugged new Pro model ahead of time.
Two images, one tweeted by leaker Sonny Dickson (above), the other posted to Weibo by user UnclePan (below), both of whom have shared accurate information in the past, purport to show accessory cases for the forthcoming Apple Watch Pro.
UnclePan notes in his post that the “Pro is not square in the traditional sense, but a new form factor,” and the casings do indeed hint that the main body of the watch will be rounded, while the upper rim of the chassis that meets the display will be flat and potentially sit flush with a flatter screen than the Series 7 model, possibly to provide better all-round protection against impacts.
There are also several cutouts suggesting larger, more protruding Digital Crown and Side buttons on the right, paired on the left with what appear to be larger-than-usual individual openings – one round, one pill-shaped – where the device’s thin speaker slats are usually located. Whether these are to accommodate a new speaker design or additional physical buttons is unclear.
Prior to the release of the Apple Watch Series 7, multiple rumors suggested Apple was working on a refreshed design with flat edges similar to the flat edges of the iPhone 13 and iPad Pro, but that didn’t end up happening. Rumors now suggest that the Apple Watch Pro could feature a similar sort of design with a flat display, but the device is not expected to get flat edges.
The new Apple Watch Pro is said to have a noticeably larger display on which users will be able to view more fitness and health-tracking data at the same time. The Pro model will also feature redesigned watch faces and a new low-power mode, according to Gurman.
The display is said to measure in at almost two inches diagonally, which is larger than the 1.9-inch diagonal screen size of the current Apple Watch Series 7 and the planned Apple Watch Series 8. It is also expected to include a more shatter-resistant screen and have a larger battery to accommodate longer workout times.
The standard Apple Watch Series 8 models are expected to feature the same design as the Apple Watch Series 7 with no updates to the chassis.
Apple is expected to announce the iPhone 14 lineup during a special event at Steve Jobs Theater on Wednesday. Alongside the new iPhones and Apple Watch models, Apple is also said to be unveiling new AirPods Pro earbuds.
This article, “Apple Watch ‘Pro’ Accessory Cases Hint at Redesigned Chassis and Flat Display” first appeared on MacRumors.com
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Valve is testing a redesigned Steam mobile app
For over a decade, Valve has offered access to Steam through Android and iOS clients. In recent years, however, the Steam mobile app hasn’t gotten much attention from the company. Not only does it look dated, but it’s also a pain to use. I only keep it on my iPhone to take advantage of Steam Guard verification.
The good news is that Valve is working on a new version of the mobile app. In a blog post spotted by PC Gamer, the company invited “invested Steam users” to beta test its redesigned Android and iOS client. “We’ve rebuilt the app on a new framework and modernized the design. (2015 called and wanted their app back,)” Valve wrote.
In addition to previously included features, the redesigned app adds more intelligent notifications, multi-account support and a new way to log into your Steam account. Instead of inputting your username, password and Steam Guard verification, you can use a QR code to simplify the process. It’s probably the most useful feature added by Valve.
The early consensus among testers is that the new app is a welcome improvement over its predecessor. It does have the usual blemishes you find in beta software, including sluggish performance and plenty of bugs, but it’s a step forward. “The sooner we get your feedback on a product, the better,” Valve wrote. “This is especially important when the app can be used on so many different phones and devices.”
There’s no public release date for the redesigned app yet. However, the beta is open to anyone who wants to take part. You can find installation instructions on the Steam website, but note that the iOS beta is limited to 10,000 concurrent participants due to Apple’s TestFlight restrictions.