Tech News Today for July 27, 2016
Tech News for July 27, 2016
Families will finally have the ability to share apps, movies and TV shows purchased within Google Play on their Android devices and beyond with its new Google Play Family Library feature rolling out today. Once a Family Manager is setup, that person can select a default payment method for purchases made by the family, and then select users that are included in the family account. The Family Manager has controls over how purchases are made by others, including an optional approval process for each purchase. Also, content can be specifically marked for sharing, or not, by users, and users can choose to pay with their own payment methods which would keep those purchases from being shared in the family plan. Read more at googleblog.blogspot.com.
Today Microsoft launched a new camera app that wants you to use it instead of the built-in camera on your iPhone. Microsoft Pix is free in the app store and it claims to use AI to enhance your photos. It automatically detects faces, keeps only the best images from your burst mode photos, and even creates a looping video of sequential shots like Apple's Live Photos or Google Photos. Read more at recode.net.
SoundCloud is a music service that many people simply don’t understand. At one point a few years back, Twitter considered buying the company but ultimately passed on that according to sources. Last month, Twitter Ventures returned to invest around $70 million into the company. But now, multiple sources say the owners of SoundCloud are considering an exit to the tune of $1 billion dollars. All they’d have to do is find a buyer, which could be difficult, especially considering the Twitter investment valued the company at around $700 million. Read more at bloomberg.com.
Don't want to shell out the big bucks for a MacBook Air? Then get yourself a Mi Notebook Air for only $750. That's less than the price of a high end iPhone. It's also fast and light. The 13.3-inch laptop is gaming ready with an Nvidia GeForce 940MX discreet graphics card and weighs only about 2.8 lbs, which is lighter than the MacBook Air. It also comes in a 12.5 in screen version. At the same event Xiaomi also announed the Redmi Pro, a dual rear camera OLED phone. Read more at engadget.com.
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