Google I/O 2018: CEO Sundar Pichai confirms May 8 kick-off date

Google has announced the dates for its annual I/O developers conference. The event kick starts on May 8, and will run until May 10 at Shoreline Amphitheatre in Mountain View, California. As is the tradition with Google, the dates of the conference were also revealed through an online puzzle, which has been finally decoded.

This week, Google Developers Twitter account teased the event through a tweet with binary codes. The binary codes, when converted to text lead to the website google.com/io where a series of puzzles need to be solved to reveal the dates of the event.

One of the riddles includes a pineapple cake in a room (perhaps that’s what the next Android version, Android P, will be called!). However, what we decipher from Google’s cues, especially for the Android names, is never what it is labeled eventually.

ALSO READ: Samsung Galaxy S9, Galaxy S9+ to launch on February 25

As for Google I/O 2018, it is expected that the focus will continue to be on Google Assistant, Google Photos, Daydream standalone headsets, and of course the successor to Android Oreo. Google CEO Sundar Pichai later tweeted confirming the dates for I/O 2018, with a side note asking the team to make the puzzles harder the next time.

In addition to details about Android P beta, it is expected that Pichai will announce new additions to the Android Wear 3.0 at the conference. In all likelihood, we might also hear a word or two about software improvements to the Google Home smart speaker range.

Samsung Galaxy S9, Galaxy S9+ to launch on February 25

After a myriad of speculations, Samsung has now official marked February 25 on the calendar for the launch of the Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S9+, which also marks the beginning of MWC 2018. The invite for the Samsung Unpacked event is minimal with a big ‘9’ written on it, which is a clear hint on the expected smartphones. Also not to miss is the three words “The Camera. Reimagined”.

Additionally, Samsung released a statement accompanying the invite, which read, “Samsung Electronics will showcase the next generation of Galaxy devices that reimagines the camera and redefines the way you share your moments.” Based on the invite and the information released in conjunction with the announcement, it’s clear that Samsung is touting big changes when it comes to the Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S9+’s photographic capabilities.

In fact, earlier this week, Samsung detailed its new ISOCELL image sensors that are expected to be featured in the new Galaxy smartphones. These image sensors have been revealed to come with technologies such as Tetracell and Smart WDR to enhance image results. It is also revealed to enable features such as a variable aperture and slow-mo video recording.

Essentially, with the new sensors, you can expect improved speed in the future Samsung smartphones to focus, as well as the ability for the camera to keep locked-on and track moving objects. And this will all be possible in low light too. Among the three sensors, there is also a Slim sensor that was revealed, which vows to keep the next smartphone bump-free, while also delivering ‘bokeh’ effects with just a single lens.

Now, if you go back to the ‘9’ on the invite, could Samsung move back to a single-camera setup with the Galaxy S9’s, considering it has teased the Slim sensor just days ahead of the launch?

Apart from that, recently a video of the purported Galaxy S9 has also been spotted on Weibo, which if true, will be the first time we will see the working model of the smartphone. The clip lasts a brief 10 seconds and does not reveal much information to allow us to verify the model. Given the design of the navigation buttons at the bottom of the screen though, you can be pretty sure it is a Samsung device. But because the Galaxy S9 is going to be identical to the Galaxy S8, especially when it comes to the front panel design, there’s no way to prove this is indeed a working Galaxy S9, as claimed.

Samsung is believed to reuse the Galaxy S8 design for the 2018 flagship, although the rear panel will get a significant makeover. When it comes to hardware, the Galaxy S9 will pack the latest chips from Qualcomm and Samsung and storage of up to 512GB according to reports.

WhatsApp Business app now available on Android in India

To help businesses communicate better with their customers in India, WhatsApp has officially rolled out “WhatsApp Business” — a free-to-download Android app for small businesses — in the country. The new app, available on Google Play Store, will make it easier for companies to connect with customers, and more convenient for its users to chat with businesses that matter to them.

“WhatsApp Business”, yet to come on Apple App Store in India, asks for a separate phone number from the one users have for their individual WhatsApp account. “People all around the world use WhatsApp to connect with small businesses they care about from online clothing companies in India to auto parts stores in Brazil,” the Facebook-owned app had said in an earlier statement.

“WhatsApp Business will make it easier for people to connect with them, and vice versa, in a fast and simple way,” the company added. “WhatsApp Business” was launched last week in Indonesia, Italy, Mexico, Britain and the US. The app will help customers with useful information such as a business description, email or store addresses and website.

It will also save time with smart messaging tools — quick replies that provide fast answers to frequently asked questions, greeting messages that introduce customers to your business, and away messages that let them know you’re busy.

“People will know that they’re talking to a business because you will be listed as a Business Account. Over time, some businesses will have Confirmed Accounts once it’s been confirmed that the account phone number matches the business phone number,” WhatsApp said.

People can continue using WhatsApp as usual as there’s no need to download anything new. “People will continue to have full control over the messages they receive, with the ability to block any number, including businesses, as well as report spam,” the company added. In India, 84 percent of SMBs think that WhatsApp helps them communicate with customers, and 80 per cent of SMBs think that WhatsApp helps them grow their business.

WhatsApp Business app download it here

PhonePe app (UPI Payment app) download it here

Google Tez (UPI Payment app) download it here

Please Join this Facebook group for big discount and offers on an online shopping only on Amaze Deals (Indian Deals Only) : HERE