YouTube unveils Reels to quickly share collections of short videos

YouTube wants to make sure that its creators have a variety of ways to distribute their content, and jumping on the Stories bandwagon, made famous by Snapchat and capitalized on by Instagram and other social networks, is one way to do that.

Today YouTube announced a variety of new tools to expand its reach within the YouTube community. The new feature is called Community and it has been in testing for quite some time. It has a variety of different tools baked in, with the idea to help creators connect with their audiences in more interesting ways.

The biggest new feature of the bunch is a spin-off of the “popular ‘stories’ format” we’ve seen in other social media tools. But YouTube is making a few key changes that should make it stand out. First and foremost, it’s called Reels, and it serves a similar function as film reels: store a variety of videos, designed to be shorter than a typical YouTube upload, and make them easily accessible for viewers.

The Reels will never expire, so they aren’t the same ephemeral messages we’ve seen in other story-like features. And YouTube creators will be able to make multiple Reels and store multiple videos in each one, so they can basically make a plethora of short videos about a camping trip and label that Reel as such.

Creators will also be able to link to their longer video content from within the videos in the Reels, and they will also be able to add filters and stickers.

This is another feature that will require beta testing, which YouTube is doing right now with a select number of creators. There’s no word on a wider rollout just yet.

What do you think of the idea?


Android Match

Amazon launches Silk web browser on Fire TV

Set-top boxes are designed to give owners a one-stop shop for most of the things they would want to do on their TV, including apps to games. And now for Amazon Fire TV owners, that also includes browsing the web.

Today Amazon officially launched its Silk web browser for select Fire TV models as well as the Fire TV streaming stick and the Westinghouse/Element 4K television that has Amazon’s Fire TV software built in. The new app is available to download through the app stores on those devices.

It’s worth noting here that only the first- and second-generation Fire TV set-top boxes support the Silk browser, but that the newest model does not support the web browser yet. Amazon says an update coming in December will address that issue, so if you’ve got the newest Fire TV set-top box, you’ll have to wait a bit longer to get this functionality.

The Silk web browser will let you navigate the internet right from your TV, and according to AFTVnews, the in-browser video playback is pretty solid. Otherwise it sounds like a pretty straightforward web browser. You’ll even be able to add bookmarks for quick navigation.

Is web browsing on your TV something you want to do?


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Here are 16 temporarily free and 20 on-sale apps for your Wednesday

Now that the Thanksgiving/Black Friday/Cyber Monday madness has calmed down, I feel like I can breathe again. Welcome back to your thrice-weekly app sales post, everyone. The size of the lists is, once again, decreasing, meaning that everything is returning to normal. Amongst today's pickings, you will find most of Forever Entertainment's catalogue on sale. Have fun.

Free

Apps

  1. Equalizer Booster Pro- Simplistic $0.99 -> Free; 1 day left
  2. UltraCorder $2.99 -> Free; 1 day left
  3. Currency Converter Easily+ $0.99 -> Free; 6 days left

Games

  1. Dragon slayer - i.o Rpg game $0.99 -> Free; 5 days left
  2. James’ amazing adventures $3.49 -> Free; 6 days left
  3. Math Shot Add and Subtract 100 $1.99 -> Free; 6 days left
  4. Spelling Bug Hangman Kid's App: Spelling Practice $2.99 -> Free; 6 days left

Icon packs & customization

  1. DOS Watch Face $0.99 -> Free; 1 day left
  2. Fireplace 3D Pro lwp $0.99 -> Free; 1 day left
  3. S8/Note 8 Pixel - Icon Pack $0.99 -> Free; 1 day left
  4. Mina Icon Pack Pro $0.99 -> Free; 2 days left
  5. Candoy - Icon Pack $0.99 -> Free; 6 days left
  6. Earth 3D Live Wallpaper $0.99 -> Free; 6 days left
  7. Oreo Square - Icon pack $0.99 -> Free; 6 days left
  8. S8-UI Note 8Launcher Icon Pack- Nova, Apex, Action $0.99 -> Free; 6 days left
  9. Minimal Colors - Icon Pack $1.49 -> Free; 7 days left

Sale

Apps

  1. GeoExpert - World Geography $4.49 -> $0.99; 1 hour left
  2. Push to Kindle $3.49 -> $1.99; 1 day left
  3. Geometry Calculator $3.95 -> $1.95; 6 days left

Games

  1. BlastZone 2: Arcade Shooter $1.99 -> $0.99; 2 days left
  2. One Up - Lemonade Rush !
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Here are 16 temporarily free and 20 on-sale apps for your Wednesday was written by the awesome team at Android Police.


Android Match

Google Wifi app updated with advanced LAN settings including router IP, subnet, and more

The Google Wifi app started life as "Google On" for OnHub, and it's always been one of the nicer Android router clients. However, it was missing some advanced settings from non-Google routers. Today, the Wifi app is gaining some new features, including some of those advanced settings.

Here's the changelog (for vBV10127_RC0011) direct from Google.

  • Family Wi-Fi: Delay a schedule for 30 minutes, even after it starts.
  • Advanced settings: Customize LAN settings including router IP, subnet, and DHCP address pool.
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Google Wifi app updated with advanced LAN settings including router IP, subnet, and more was written by the awesome team at Android Police.


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Naruto x Boruto: Ninja Voltage is Bandai Namco's latest action RPG available on the Play Store

At the beginning of this month I wrote up an article about the pre-registration availability for Bandai Namco's action RPG brawler Naruto x Boruto: Ninja Voltage. Despite the tardiness of this post (thanks to a recent holiday), I figured it would still be worth it to follow up on the pre-registration announcement to let everyone know Naruto x Boruto: Ninja Voltage has indeed been officially released.

If you have read my pre-registration article, you would see that the main mechanic of this game has you building up a home base in order to fill it with traps and soldiers in preparation of upcoming attacks.

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Naruto x Boruto: Ninja Voltage is Bandai Namco's latest action RPG available on the Play Store was written by the awesome team at Android Police.


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Fresh Meat: 10 new Android apps worth checking out

New apps need lovin’ too, right? Every day there are thousands of additions to the Google Play store, but many go unnoticed and never receive the attention they deserve. We’ve shown in the past that this community can discover great apps and propel them to new heights. Our weekly Fresh Meat column highlights new apps with fewer than 100,000 installs. Browse our new Android app picks below and let us know which ones you enjoy.

FreeFlight Thermal

 

FreeFlight

Description: Download Freeflight Thermal, the official application that allows you to set-up and pilot your Parrot Bebop-Pro Thermal drone. INSPECT, RECORD, TAKE PICTURES USING VISIBLE AND THERMAL IMAGING.

 

RetroBrowser – Time machine

 

RetroBrowser

Description: RetroBrowser is the time machine of the web! Lets you browse through the past in almost every web site to see how it looked back in time.
With a clean and easy to use interface you can browse any web site just like with a normal browser, with the power to select any date in the past.

 

Focus Go

 

Focus Go

Description: Galleries are a big canvas to showcase your pictures/cat gifs/videos on a chronological order, from new to old, nothing else. You click the picture, it loads up in a fancy animation, and voilá full screen with touch controls.

 

Mosaic from Steven Soderbergh

 

Mosaic

Description: In MOSAIC, as in life, the path you pick affects your perception of reality. What one viewer may consider a fundamental fact on one path may be an insignificant piece of trivia on another — or may not even be a ‘fact’ at all. As its title suggests, MOSAIC isn’t complete until all the pieces are viewed in their proper perspective.

 

CNET: Best Tech News, Reviews, Videos & Deals

 

CNET

Description: Everything in the new CNET app (designed for phones and tablets) is focused on the areas you (as a tech fan) care the most about: staying up-to-date with the news and making informed product purchases.

 

Library

 

Library

Description: This library app is here for you to finally have your books organized – in a library of books that is on your phone and therefore always with you. Have a list of your books packed in one library: Scan their QR code and automatically get all of their informations.

 

Spotify for Artists

 

Spotify for Artists

Description: Get the most out of Spotify with the app designed for artists and their teams. With free tools to manage your artist profile, watch your new release grow, and understand your listeners, it’s never been easier to manage and measure your new release, all from your phone.

 

Paphos Theatre in VR

 

Paphos Theatre in VR

Description: Travel back in time to visit the ancient theatre of Paphos in Cyprus. This app will allow you to explore the theatre from a number of different vantage points as it would have appeared in the middle of the second century AD, under the rule of the Roman Antonine emperors, Antoninius Pius and Marcus Aurelius.

 

,"5":{"1":[{"1":2,"2":0,"5":[null,2,0]},{"1":0,"2":0,"3":3},{"1":1,"2":0,"4":1}]},"6":{"1":[{"1":2,"2":0,"5":[null,2,0]},{"1":0,"2":0,"3":3},{"1":1,"2":0,"4":1}]},"7":{"1":[{"1":2,"2":0,"5":[null,2,0]},{"1":0,"2":0,"3":3},{"1":1,"2":0,"4":1}]},"8":{"1":[{"1":2,"2":0,"5":[null,2,0]},{"1":0,"2":0,"3":3},{"1":1,"2":0,"4":1}]},"9":1,"10":1,"12":0,"23":2}”>com.LVR.paphos“]

Finice – Money Tracker

 

Finice

Description:  Finice helps to track your money. When you buy dinner of coffee just add an expense to the app. It can be done with just one click – tap on a category icon and set amount. How simple is that? 

 

My Pixels

 

My Pixels

Description: My Pixels provides a relaxing and entertaining experience for both, children and adults. You’ll find hundreds of original pictures to choose from, all of them created specifically for My Pixels in cooperation with pixel artists from around the world. By playing My Pixels you support pixel artist community and help it grow!

 


Android Match

[Ho ho ho] Google's Santa Tracker app updated for 2017

You know it's getting to be that time of year when Google updates the Santa Tracker app. Yes, the app has gotten its 2017 makeover so you can follow Saint Nick on his totally real journey across the globe. The updated app includes some new games, Android TV support, and more.

Here's the changelog.

Santa and the elves' are back for 2017 with lots of new games, a redesigned village, updates for Android Wear and you can follow Santa's journey on Android TV!

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[Ho ho ho] Google's Santa Tracker app updated for 2017 was written by the awesome team at Android Police.


Android Match

Snapchat updates design with increased focus on friends

The Snapchat app has always been a horrendous lag-fest on Android. Users have been asking the company for years to improve the experience, but only when its earnings began to plummet did Snap Inc finally decide to fix it. Today, the company announced an updated design for Snapchat, but this isn't the all-new Android app we've have been waiting for.

If you're not familiar with the existing design, allow me to quickly go over it.

Read More

Snapchat updates design with increased focus on friends was written by the awesome team at Android Police.


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