Get Started with Friendly Pix

Friendly Pix is currently available on iOS and web app. Those who have androids can access it via browsers like Chrome or Firefox. The demo app is a cloned version of Instagram where you can upload images and share those using captions and hashtags. You can also follow people and other trends.

Meanwhile, a disclaimer on the web app reiterated the following:

“This is a sample application aimed at showcasing the Firebase platform capabilities. Avoid posting personal or private data.”

However, the application is fully functioning as it supports signing up with Google or Facebook to create a profile and upload photos. You can also like and comment on posts, as well as report the posts.

Despite its intended test nature, it seems that a handful of users from around the world have found the app and have started using it. Even I have logged in the app via Chrome on my phone. Also, I did see many people uploading photos with captions and others have started following as well.

It is actually not clear the intended use of the app whether it is for social networking or some other purpose. Nevertheless, Friendly Pix seem to be amusing as it is really simple and easy to use.

The whole idea behind releasing the app is to show that Firebase is actually a platform worth to consider for developers. So, if you want to have a look at the app and use it, simply click the link below. You can register your account, upload, and share photos and start following others. But just keep in mind not post anything that’s personal as Google has mentioned.

Start sharing your photos here https://friendly-pix.com/

Also read this 9 Amazing Things You Can Do With Google

The post Friendly Pix, a new photo sharing app appeared first on Amazing Things.

We have a list of smartphone games that you can play comfortably without engaging in too many in-app purchases and we hope you enjoy them!

It’s by no means a definitive list, there are lots of games that you could play with your friends online and have a great time after a hectic work schedule.

1. N.O.V.A. Legacy

Near Orbit Vanguard Alliance is game of a soldier who needs to investigate the Colonial Pride Frigate and take on an alien force that threatens to destroy the mankind. This is a multi-player game and 8 people can participate in the game at once. This smartphone game is available on both App Store & Play Store.

2. Asphalt 8: Airborne

This is the latest in the series of mobile racing games from Gameloft. Airborne lets you take to the air, jumping off ramps and performing stunts mid-air with your car. You can play the game with a new range of cars and tracks, improved graphics, and some new gameplay modes. The game is split into a single player solo race, single player career, online multiplayer, and local multiplayer over Wi-Fi. This smartphone game is available on both App Store & Play Store.

3. Critical Ops

The game’s inspiration is none other than Counter-Strike. Critical Ops is a fast-paced Fist Person Shooter that will test your impulses and strategic skill. The game requires to fight for domination alongside your friends or show the world your skill by leading the individual scoreboard. The game currently features three game modes:

1. Defuse Mode: One team tries to plant and defend the bomb until detonation and the other team tries to defuse it
2. Team Death Match: The two opposing teams battle it out in a times death-match and make each bullet count!
3. Gun Game: The two teams fight against each other with individual players working their own way through all the weapons in the game.

This one also available for both App Store & Play Store.

4. Pac-Man 256

Coming from the same minds behind Crossy Road, Pac-Man 256 gives the old game a modern, infinite runner spin for mobile devices. The players guide Pac-Man through a maze, munching through dots and power pellets while outrunning ghosts and, “The Glitch”. The good power pellet makes its return, allowing you to fight against the ghosts, while new feature, laser beam adds a new twist to the familiar gameplay. You can download this smartphone game from Play Store or App Store.

5. PUBG Mobile and PUBG Mobile Lite

This one is one of top popular smartphone games these days. PUBG Mobile hasn’t been out globally for long. However, it’s already one of the most widely played mobile game available. It features a 100-player battle royale on a small island. In this game, each player is required to collect gear, weapons, and vehicles on the island and battle it out. The winner is the last person standing or surviving. There is also a Lite version of PUBG Mobile with lighter graphics, fewer players per match, and more. It’s only available for the lower end devices. PUBG Mobile is both Android & iPhone smartphones. Download it from Play Store & App Store.

6. Clash of Clans

This game is a good combination of slow planning and quick chaotic battles. You can build up your settlement, plan your defences, raise an army, and guide your tribe to victory against nasty goblins or other clan leaders. It’s a very popular and interesting game. Download it from Play Store & App Store.

7. HQ Trivia

HQ Trivia is a hit new trivia game. It’s actually a live game show or kind of quiz show where all the players compete at the same time. There is a host that asks questions and people answer in real time. The game consists of 12 questions per round with a ten-second timer for each question. The players that answer the final question split the prize money. The prize is currently $2,500 for most games but has been as high as $18,000. Amazing, right? Download it from Play Store & App Store.

8. Sky Dancer

Sky Dancer has something particular that keeps you playing, you can’t just stop playing it.

The game requires the player to run and jump across hazardous cliffs from one flying island to another while avoiding large boulders. The game comprises of tiny chunks of land hanging in the air in a manner that rocks usually don’t have. As you hurl yourself off the edge of one, you must quickly maneuver to land on a platform. This smartphone game also available for both Android & iPhone.

9. BombSquad

BombSquad is a multiplayer game. The eight players can participate at once in the game. They all try to bomb each other to supremacy.  It’s an explosive arcade-style party game which is enjoyed with many friends or a good number of players. Jump, punch, bomb your way to victory as you complete in a plethora of mini-games. The game is pretty interesting! Download it now from Play Store or App Store.

10. Alto’s Adventure

Alto’s Adventure is all about snowboarding at a high speed. Very simple one-touch controls let you guide Alto down the mountain while getting big air, grinding edges and performing multiple back-flips. With beautiful endless mountain scenery, amazing day-to-night transitions and a mesmerizing soundtrack, this is a must-have on any device. Download it now from Play Store or App Store.

These smartphone games have become dominant in the gaming industry as these games are easy to find, download, available with free of cost, and if you don’t like it you can easily delete it as well. The smartphones are powered by increasingly capable processors to support these games and have emerged as serious contenders in the gaming arena.  The rapid spread of these games cannot be attributed to one factor, there are many forces that have allowed for such fast growth.

The above mentioned smartphone games are the best ones, if you are a game lover you must try all these games once and the most popular amongst these games is “PUBG”. Make sure you don’t miss it out!

If there is a game you have been spending tons of time playing on your phone this year, please recommend it to us in the comments.

The post Top 10 Smartphone Games appeared first on Amazing Things.

The new features that latest version of iOS provide are as follows:

1. Third-party Navigation in Car Play

With iOS 12 you can use Google maps in Car Play. With this feature, you can search for places, traffic information, alternative routes and more added feature include the ability to access lists to navigate some of your favourite spots, and traffic updates between work and home if you set up your commute. Great right!

2. Group FaceTime

With this new feature, “Group FaceTime” you can chat with around 32 people at once. You can also easily set up a group FaceTime call through the iMessage group chat window and add the effects like stickers and Memoji on the FaceTime call. This feature works on iPhone, iPad, and Mac.

3. Siri Shortcuts & Suggestions

With Siri shortcuts. Siri is capable of doing much more than just the quick questions and answers. Siri can learn your habits from your daily routine and provide suggestions accordingly. You can also create your own shortcuts to invoke specific actions from an app.

Whenever you use the Spotlight Search Tool, you will see suggestions show up underneath. The suggestions vary depending on what you have been doing on your device. The more you use the device, the more suggestions Siri would be able to provide you on a daily basis.

4. Animoji & Memoji

The latest update of iOS brings along more interesting Animoji with a new feature that allows you to add a tongue or a wink to any Animoji. Interesting, right?

Apple has also introduced Memoji through which you will be able to create an augmented reality character that resembles you with an option to choose different hairstyles, eye colours, and more distinct features. Amazing feature by Apple!

5. Redesigned Maps

Apple is making major changes to its maps app by adding more detailed maps with greenery and other public landmarks. The feature is not so active right now, however, the app will soon be updated.

6. Secured Location Data

iOS 12 has a new feature that makes easier to locate iPhone users if they get into an emergency. The feature, by design,  provides secure location data to first responders when you call 911.

The service combines Apple’s exciting HELO technology that estimates location based on cell towers, GPS, and Wi-Fi connectivity with a technology created by RapidSOS to securely deliver the location data information to 911 in an emergency.

7. Improved QR Code Reader

iOS 12 has made improvements to the feature. The feature will now itself highlight the code for you to indicate that it has been detected. You can also now add it to your Control Centre  so that when you want to scan a QR code, you just need to swipe into the Control Centre and tap the tile.

8. Improvements to Portrait Mode

The portrait mode in camera setting is improved since the app generates a mask when it detects a person in order to separate the person from the scene when processing the image. This is an awesome feature.

You can also import RAW-format photos from your laptops/computers/cameras with iOS 12 to your iPhone and iPad and also you can edit the photos on iPad Pro.

9. Improved Face ID

Face Id got a major overhaul for iOS 12. Two different Face ID profiles can be created with this new feature in order to unlock your device. In the settings, you will find an option to add an alternate appearance as well.

10. Better Performance

The focus has mainly been on optimizing the system when it’s under load to speed up the time faster for sheet display. CPU performance will also be ramped up to its highest state for performance and ramped down as quickly in order to preserve battery life.

You will also notice smoother and faster transition animations in iOS 12 than iOS 11.

11. Measurement App

The new “Measurement App” will allow you to measure length and breadth of the flat rectangular surfaces. By tapping the object and dragging out a line, it will display a measurement light on the screen. You can just tap on an object like a photo and the app will automatically detect the measurements providing you with each dimension.

12. Improved Photos App

A new section has been added in the Photos app, “For You” which will have the best photos of your photo library and your memories. You will see suggestions to apply effects to your best photos to make them better. You can also search photos by typing places, events, and activities captured in images. There is also “Sharing Suggestions”, which will come in handy when you see all your friends taking tons of photos together.

13. Grouped Notifications

iOS 12 groups all notifications for you not just by the app but also by topic and thread. This is a great feature! You can tap in and look at particular notification and with a simple swipe, an entire group notification can be wiped off. Siri even suggests which notification should be turned off depending on the apps you don’t use often.

14. Managing Screen Time

To allow users more insight and control over how much time they spend on their device, the updated version provides users with a detailed weekly activity summary. You can see how much time you spent on your device, be it just picking up the call, or on any app. There is also an App Limits feature, you can actually set your own limits for how much time you want to spend on a specific app, you will then receive notification letting you know that time is almost up once you have reached the limit.

iOS12 has brought up a noticeable speed boost wherein apps load really quickly. With its focus on functionality, stability, and performance, iOS12 is not the most revolutionary upgrade ever, but with the upgrade devices have become better and that’s what the users need. Right?

So, what are the new feature of iOS that you are excited about?

How to update ?

To download the update you will have to make sure that all of your data is backed up and you have the latest version of iOS. You can follow the steps to download the update:

1. Go to Settings>General>Software Update Apple’s iOS 12 page
2. Select the option to install iOS 12.
3. If you don’t see an option to update, just check that your device is supported as all Apple devices do not support the latest iOS version.

Here is the list of devices that support iOS 12:

1. iPad Air 1, iPad Air 2, iPad Pro (12.9, 2015), iPad Pro (9.7), iPad 2017, iPad Pro (10.5), iPad Pro (12.9, 2017), iPad 2018
2. iPad mini 2, iPad mini 3, iPad mini 4
3. iPhone 5s, iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus, iPhone 6s, iPhone 6s Plus, iPhone SE, iPhone 7, iPhone 7 Plus, iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus, iPhone X
4. iPod touch (sixth generation)

You can check of compatible devices list on iOS 12 official page here.

Now, it’s your turn to express views on the new iOS 12 and its features. Also, leave your comments below if you have expected some more features and if we missed out on something.

The post iOS 12 is out now. All new and latest features are here appeared first on Amazing Things.

Instant Pre-approved Loans…

The tech giant in order to support the development has also partnered with four Indian banks including HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank, Kotak Mahindra Bank, and Federal Bank to offer instant, pre-approved loans to customers through the Google Pay in seconds. In the event, Google made many announcements (other than renamed Google Tez). These announcements were related to other Google products like Google Assistant, Google Search, Android Go, Google Go, Google Maps, Google Station, and more.

Google launched its Google Tez in September last year. It serves lives of more than 22 Million people and businesses every month. People from over 300,000 suburbs, towns, and villages use it to pay for their electrician, book bus rides, or split a dinner bill with friends. The company also announced that 22 million people now use Tez every month. After its launch in September last year, a total of approx 750 million transactions have  made so far.

Working of Google Pay

Google Tez is a UPI-based payment platform. With the lack of NFC-based mobile payment solutions in the country, Google opted not to launch Google Pay in India. Instead of this, Google launched a UPI-based mobile payment system which is different from NFC-based payment systems. Tez has achieved a certain degree of success in India. In March, Tez had added a chat feature allowing users to communicate with their contacts while sending and receiving money.

According to Caesar Sengupta, ”Google Pay will soon offer deeper integration with Indian apps, single-click transactions”. Caesar Sengupta is Vice President of Product Management at Google.

Meanwhile, It will continue to offer instant mobile recharges, gifting options like a birthday gift, as well as promotional coupons that vary with different payments. Currently, Google Pay have around 22 million users in India. Google has claimed that over 750 million transactions have been completed since the app’s launch in September last year.

Along with other old features, Google has added certain new features which include the following:

• Google Pay will allow online payments on applications, websites, and branded retail stores. Consumers can use GPay on many sites or apps like redBus, Freshmenu, Goibibo and many more partners for transactions currently.
• The company will also do deeper integrations with BookMyShow in future. In coming days, Google Pay will also support payments at  retail stores like Big Bazaar, e-Zone, and FBB.
• Google Pay will also be working on building a dedicated merchant experience to help small business grow. It will help companies/ individuals in getting discovered through Google Search and Maps, and ensuring communication through messages and offers.
• Customers will be able to use this App to take customised loan amounts from their banks with minimal paperwork.  Banks will deposit loan amount securely and instantly into their banks account.

Google also stated that over time, the company will bring many India-specific Tez features to Google Pay users in other countries just as the country has brought features launched elsewhere to India. For more details about Google Pay, visit there official website.

Google Pay is available for both Android & iOS devices. You can download it from App Store & Play Store for your mobile or tab.

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Here are the all new Apps for you

Storyboard

This app is currently available on Android Platform only. Storyboard transforms your videos into comics. It selects, lays out, and stylizes video frames using experimental research technology from Google that runs entirely on your device. Its very easy & simple to use as other Google’s Apps. You need to Load a Video than Pull down to refresh till you get your desired layout & Tap on it to select. Your creativity can be Saved or shared. You can download this all from Google Play.

Selfissimo!

This App is for both Android & iOS platforms. This App is really amazing. It will take your Black & White selfie each time to pose in a new style. When you finish your poses, tab anywhere on screen to see your all selfies in different poses. Now you can select from the grid & Save or Share them. It uses experimental research technology from Google to capture photos automatically each time you pose. iPhone/iPad user can download this from App Store & Android phone user from Google Play

Scrubbies

Google has launched this App only for iOS platform currently. It lets you easily manipulate the speed and direction of video playback to produce amazing video loops that highlight actions, capture funny faces, and replay moments.
How you can use this App – Open the App, tab on Get Started & shoot a video. Click on recording button to once you finish your video. Now you can it back by swiping with one finger. Swipe it with two fingers to record the playback. Here is your loop ready, now you can share it with word & save in phone. You can always return to your captured footage as it automatically saved in the gallery. You can download it from iOS App Store

For more & detailed information, you can go through Google Research Blog Please let us know how much you liked these apps in our comment section below.

Enjoy New Photography highs…!!!

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