MobileVillage (MV) & Appcelerator (APP) bring you a quick read of the week’s biggest mobile apps news and other mobile tech news stories. In this mobile news roundup: LG G7 ThinQ, LumiWatch projection watch, Apple VR headset rumor, Oculus standalone VR headset, Oculus TV app, Facebook Dating app, Facebook 3D photos, Facebook Messenger translation, Facebook Clear History, Facebook Analytics app, Instagram AR, paint picker app AR, Facebook in-game purchases, Apple Q1 revenue, T-Mobile Sprint merger and more.
LG G7 ThinQ phone debuts Google Assistant Key
LG is crashing the smartphone scene in a big way with its LG G7 ThinQ, which boasts the brightest outdoor display, loudest sound, and a better AI Cam. There’s plenty of power for those with Qualcomm’s new Snapdragon 845 processor, 4GB or 6GB of RAM, and 64GB or 128GB storage. You can also add up to 2TB of storage with a microSD card. The LG G7 has a 6.1-inch QHD+ LCD, which Engadget says is “almost as vibrant” as the pricier OLED screens on the iPhone X and Galaxy S9. The cameras are a 8 megapixel selfie cam and dual 16MP Sony sensors in the back.
Another standout on the LG G7 ThinQ is the Google Assistant Key, which offers three Google Assistant launch modes. You click once for the usual voice input, or press and hold to talk to Google Assistant as on a walkie-talkie, or double click to toggle visual recognition.
The LG G7 ThinQ comes in four colors (black, gray, blue and raspberry red) and will be released globally after first launching in South Korea. No word yet on pricing, so for now you can head to Engadget for its first hands-on review. — MV
Projection watch prototype makes your arm a touchscreen
Who needs a smart screen display when you can just use your arm? Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University have created a projection watch prototype that transforms your arm or hand into a touchscreen. The LumiWatch projection watch uses a projection module and touch sensor to cast a functional touchscreen on your arm or hand. You then tap and swipe your skin to control and access apps using LumiWatch’s continuous 2D finger-tracking. The projection watch prototype runs on Android 5.1 and features Bluetooth and WiFi. Unfortunately, there are no plans yet to mass produce the LumiWatch. — APP
Insiders: Apple VR headset due by 2020
We may see an Apple VR headset by 2020, according to insiders who leaked the plans to CNET. After allowing its competitors to gain ground in the VR space, Apple is finally working on a Apple VR headset, which will boast an 8K resolution for display for each eye—that’s far more pixels than even today’s 4K TVs.
You won’t need a computer or smartphone to use your Apple VR headset, since it will be a standalone device powered by a separate controller box via a high-speed, short-range wireless technology called 60GHz WiGig, according to the CNET sources. The box would also be powered by Apple’s custom 5-nanometer processor that’s twice as powerful as the iPhone X’s 10-nanometer processor. The Apple VR headset, code-named T288, should launch in 2020 unless Apple delays or cancels it. As you’d expect, Apple has declined to comment. — MV
Oculus standalone VR headset arrives, Oculus TV app coming
You can now pre-order Facebook’s Oculus Go standalone VR headset in 23 countries. The device has a 2560 x 1440 (538ppi) display, spatial audio and integrated microphone, and works as a standalone VR headset, without a smartphone or PC. For US $199 you get 32 GB of storage, or 64 GB for $249. For more about the specs and available experiences, check out Oculus’ blog post and Engadget’s new Oculus Go review.
After showing off the Go standalone VR headset, Oculus also showed a video of its future VR tech. The so-called Oculus Half Dome headset prototype has lenses that move closer to and farther from your face while you’re using a VR app, such as to instantly refocus on something close up. The Oculus Half Dome prototype will also have 140-degree field of vision, which is far more than existing 110-degree maximum in both Oculus Rift and HTC Vive. Oculus didn’t provide more details or a release timeline.
Oculus TV app, better Facebook Spaces VR
In other Oculus news, your Facebook avatars in Facebook Spaces VR experiences will now look more realistic with more natural movements, better lighting and shadows. You can also customize the new Facebook avatars with new body types, head shapes, facial features and hairstyles.
And finally, Facebook announced a new Oculus TV app to launch later in May. The Oculus TV app creates a virtual home theater and supports Facebook Watch, Red Bull TV and Pluto TV, as well as more content partners in the works. — MV
Facebook 3D photos coming this summer
Also at F8 this week, Facebook announced that starting this summer, users will be able to take and post photos with VR 3D effects. If that wasn’t enough, you’ll also be able to convert old photos into Facebook 3D photos. For example, using the Facebook 3D photos feature you’ll be able to see your childhood home or town in 3D, thanks to machine learning technology. Facebook didn’t reveal more details, but we’ll be sure to share more info as it’s announced. Engadget tried out the Facebook 3D photos feature, and calls it “dreamlike”. — MV
Facebook Messenger translation, AR, 4K photos coming
Facebook has announced a Messenger app redesign that’s cleaner, faster, and lighter in size. Few details were given, except that you’ll soon be able to share augmented reality visuals (only for businesses at first), 4K photos and 360 degree video in the app. The Messenger app redesign will also support English-Spanish translation for Marketplace messages, with other languages added later. Facebook says Messenger now supports 300,000 chatbots, and about 8 billion messages are sent every month. The Facebook Messenger translation and app redesign will be out soon.
In related news, Facebook’s WhatsApp messaging app will soon add stickers and finally support group video calls, which is a feature many other communications apps have long supported. Look for the feature in an upcoming WhatsApp update. — MV
Facebook Dating app? It’s coming, too
Since so many people first meet on Facebook, it’s no surprise that a Facebook dating app is now in the works. Mark Zuckerberg announced the upcoming feature at its F8 conference this week, and stressed it’s being designed with attention to privacy and safety.
The Facebook Dating app or feature won’t match you with your Facebook friends, and even if your friends are also using the Facebook Dating app, they won’t be able to see your dating profile, which will be separate from your regular Facebook profile and only show your first name. Also, Facebook Dating app conversations will be in a private messaging inbox not linked to Messenger or WhatsApp. Engadget has more details here. — MV
Facebook Clear History, Crisis Response, & more F8 news
As part of its response to the Cambridge Analytica scandal, Facebook also announced an upcoming ‘Clear History’ feature that will allow users to see a list of all apps and websites you’ve visited that send Facebook data. Facebook Clear History will let you delete that data from your account, and turn off Facebook’s ability to store it with your account. Some apps and websites use features such as the Like button or Facebook Analytics to send data to Facebook for more personalized content and targeted ads.
Last year Facebook announced Crisis Response, an area on Facebook where people can get information about recent crises and access Safety Check, Community Help and Fundraisers. And starting later this year, people affected by a crisis will be able to share firsthand updates such as like local conditions, road closures and damage photos or videos.
Facebook also says that starting “in a few weeks”, users in India, Bangladesh and Pakistan who want to donate blood will also be able to quickly find nearby donate blood donation centers listed in one place.
For more F8 news, see Facebook’s F8 news roundup blog post. — MV
Facebook Analytics app released for businesses
In tandem with F8, Facebook added a new iOS and Android app called Facebook Analytics, which complements Facebook’s Pages Manager and Ad Manger. The Facebook Analytics app helps you track your apps, websites, bots and event source groups, including metrics for growth, engagement, conversion efforts and revenue.
In the app you can quickly check automated insights, receive notifications when changes occur, create custom mobile views of important metrics like revenue, retention, demographics and active users. The Facebook Analytics app also connects with Facebook’s web Analytics suite to let you see any funnels, cohorts and segments that you’ve created there.
You can get the app now on the App Store and Google Play. — MV
Instagram AR effects, instant app sharing coming
If you’re one of the many who use Facebook’s Instagram app, you’ll soon be able to use video chat, which the app will be adding globally. Instagram’s Explore function is also getting an update, with suggested content organized into relevant topics, so you can more easily browse your interests.
Instagram Stories will now let you instantly share what you’re doing or seeing in another app, without having to connect your Instagram account to the app. For example in the Spotify or the GoPro app, just tap the share button, and your favorite song or GoPro video is pulled directly into the Instagram camera, where you can edit it or send it via Direct.
Finally, you’ll soon be able able to make interactive Instagram AR camera experiences such as face filters and world effects, using Facebook’s AR Studio. For example, you can turn any video into a NBA dunkcam or add a cloud of hearts and Pomeranians to fluff up your photo. If you see a new Instagram AR effect in Stories from an account you follow and want to try it yourself, just tap ‘Try it on’ and the tool will be added to your tray. For more about these new Instagram AR features, see the company’s blog post. — MV
Sherwin-Williams paint picker app adds AR
First released in 2015, Sherwin-Williams’ ColorSnap Visualizer paint picker app now has a new AR feature called “Instant Paint”, which lets you use your smartphone or tablet camera to virtually apply any of over 1,500 color shades to an actual wall or other surface. Your paint choices are saved to a custom palette.
For now, the ColorSnap Visualizer paint picker app with Instant Paint is only in the US on the Apple App store for iPhone 6s or newer running iOS 11, and on Google Play for AR compatible Android phones. — MV
Facebook dev news: in-game purchases, no more feed sharing
Facebook’s Instant Games are getting in-game purchases, and game creators can start submitting apps on May 7. For now, Facebook in-game purchases are web and Android only, most likely because Facebook game developers for iOS would get far less money when selling on Apple’s App Store.
Facebook and Instagram are ending custom-feed sharing prompts and many other APIs, as part of Facebook’s promised changes around how third-party apps access profile information. They’re now ending some APIs that pull user data without permission or dupe users into sharing content without their consent. The shutdown includes the publish_actions API that allowed developers to create a custom-sharing prompt for their app. Those apps will now need to use the standard Facebook sharing dialog to publish to users’ News Feeds.
For Instagram, one noteworthy change includes the Graph API, which will no longer allow third-parties to pull the real name and bio of users who leave comments. In order to comply with the EU’s upcoming GDPR regulations, Instagram has also launched a new tool that allows users to download their data should they want to leave the app. Facebook will also bring a similar download data tool to Whatsapp.
Some API changes have already gone into effect while others are slated to roll out on August 1st, so app developers still have some time to make adjustments. — MV, APP
Apple Q1 revenue, earnings
Meanwhile, Apple posted results its fiscal 2018 first quarter (Q1) which ended December 30, 2017. Apple Q1 revenue wa $88.3 billion, an increase of 13 percent from a year ago, and an all-time record. Apple Q1 earnings per diluted share were up 16 percent, also an all-time record. International sales accounted for 65 percent of Apple Q1 revenue. Adequate iPhone sales, a new $100 billion stock buyback and a boosted dividend were enough for investors to send shares higher. — MV
T-Mobile US, Sprint merger now needs regulators approval
After years of false starts, T-Mobile US and Sprint have finally agreed to a merger. If approved, the all-stock, $26 billion deal would create a new combined T-Mobile worth $146 billion and anywhere from 80-127 million subscribers, depending on whose subscriber numbers you believe. That would put T-Mobile fighting with AT&T for second place behind No. 1 Verizon. T-Mobile CEO John Legere would still serve as CEO, while Sprint CEO Marcelo Claure will serve on the board of directors alongside Masayoshi Son, the CEO of Sprint’s parent company, SoftBank.
The big reason for the T-Mobile Sprint merger is to more quickly build up a 5G network faster. The bigger T-Mobile plans to invest up to $40 billion in its new network and business in the first three years, which should fuel job growth at the new company and across related sectors. The carriers claim that the new company will employ more than 200,000 people in the US, which is more people than both companies would employ separately.
And because 5G will be useful for fixed broadband, the new bigger company would likely compete against cable providers in addition to wireless carriers. But the T-Mobile Sprint merger may face more regulator scrutiny than usual, since the US Justice Department is currently facing AT&T in court over AT&T’s bid for Time Warner. You can read more about the T-Mobile Sprint merger and 5G network plans in T-Mo’s press release. — MV
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This mobile news roundup is by MobileVillage Editor Gary Thayer and Erin Bailey of Appcelerator, a top mobile development platform company. Want your news featured in ‘Mobile Week’? Please check out our guidelines. We give preference to mobile news about trends, innovations, major app updates, big players and official Mobile Star Awards Entrants.
This week’s trending mobile news tags: LG G7 ThinQ, LumiWatch projection watch, Apple VR headset rumor, Oculus standalone VR headset, Oculus TV app, Facebook Dating app, Facebook 3D photos, Facebook Messenger translation, Facebook Clear History, Facebook Analytics app, Instagram AR, paint picker app AR, Facebook in-game purchases, Apple Q1 revenue, T-Mobile Sprint merger
