07.13.18

WATCH: Sony unveils the new Xperia XA2 Plus

BY Gabriella Steyn < 1 MINUTE READ

Japanese manufacturer Sony has unveiled a new device called the  Xperia XA2 Plus calling it the device “designed to entertain”.

The phone features a 6-inch Full HD+ display with an 18:9 aspect ratio and is the first device in the XA2 line with it.

The device has rounded screen corners and still includes bezels.

The device still has a headphone jack and has an LCD that stretches to 6” and packs Full HD+ resolution. It is also protected by Gorilla Glass 5.

 

Here are the other specs:

  • Qualcomm Snapdragon 630 processor
  • Either 3GB RAM and 32GB storage, or 6GB RAM with 64GB storage
  • 23-megapixel rear-facing camera with 4K video recording and 120 fps slow-motion records
  • 8-megapixel, super wide-angle front-facing camera
  • Runs Android 8.0
  • Supports Qualcomm Quick Charge with USB-C
  • Rear fingerprint sensor
  • Available in silver, black, gold, and green

Sony Xperia XA2 Plus is set to be made in four colors – Black, Silver, Gold, and Green. Availability and pricing is yet to be confirmed.

Business Report reached out to Sony to find out if the device will be available in SA.

“Sony Mobile is currently studying the market situation and will review availability in the Middle East & Africa markets accordingly”, Sony said in a response.

– BUSINESS REPORT ONLINE

06.19.18

See Google’s new features for Android Messages

BY Gabriella Steyn 2 MINUTE READ

Google is has announced that it will be introducing new features to Android Messages.

“We’re creating a messaging experience that’s available on multiple devices, lets you share whatever you want to share, and makes it easy to take action on your messages with Google AI. We’ve started making some of these updates to the Messages app and rounded up what’s new to show how you can use these features”, said Sanaz Ahari Product Management Director at Google in a post.

“Over the past few years, we’ve been working on improving the messaging experience on Android—from working with carriers to upgrade their networks to RCS to building new features”, said Ahari.

Here is a list of the new features added to Messenger:

1.  Send and receive texts from your computer

Messages for web will allow users to send and receive texts from your computer.

How it will work: 

1.Select “Messages for web” in the menu of your Messages mobile app or

2. Visit messages.android.com and scan a QR code presented in their web browser to start texting from their PC.

Similar to WhatsApp Web, On Messages for web, you can send stickers, emoji, and attach images in addition to sending text.

2. Search for and send a GIF

Users can now, you can tap the + button on the left-hand side of the compose bar to search for GIFs for your conversation.

3. Use Smart Reply to respond with a tap

Smart Reply saves you time when you’re messaging on the go by suggesting quick text or emoji responses to your messages. Once you’ve tapped a Smart Reply suggestion, it sends immediately.

Smart Replies will be available in English for now, and come to more languages over time.

4. Preview links within your conversations

The next time your friend sends you a link to an article or a new restaurant, you’ll have an idea of what you’re about to click on.  You’ll see an inline preview of the link, directly in your conversation.

5. Copy one-time passwords with one tap

Now, when you receive a message with a one-time password or code from a secure site —such as your bank—that you’re logging into, you can save time by copying that password directly from the message with a tap.

Messages for web is available from today, with the rest of these features coming to the Messages app over the next week.

– BUSINESS REPORT ONLINE

03.07.18

The dreaded blue tick on WhatsApp and how to avoid it

BY Gabriella Steyn < 1 MINUTE READ

WhatsApp has become the main source of communication and just like any ordinary SMS or phone call, there is a way to avoid someone on WhatsApp without them knowing.

The ticks you see next to messages, also known as read receipts are always useful as it alerts a user when messages are sent through and read. Sometimes you may not want to let the sender know that you have read a message and there is a way to mask the fact that you have read the message.

How it works: 

1. Click the menu button or the three dots above your screen in WhatsApp

2. On iOS, the Settings button is in the bottom-right corner.

3. Select Settings and then choose the Account option

4. You then select the privacy option and you’ll see read receipts will be ticked on.

5. To turn it off, untick the option and nobody will know when you’ve read their messages.

WATCH:

 

Apart from avoiding the blue tick, another tip you may find useful is that WhatsApp also allows you the ability to hide your ‘Last Seen’ time from your contacts.

To do this, you go to settings and then to account, click on privacy and then to the last seen option where you can disable it.

Hiding your last seen time will also prevent you from seeing your contacts last seen time as well.

– BUSINESS REPORT ONLINE