Walyou

Google claims unlocking phones via voice is possible

Posted: 14 Apr 2015 10:59 AM PDT

There are several phone unlocking mechanisms, even in the most basic devices: from patterns to eyes, faces, pins and fingerprints. Yet, Google is working on a new one: identification via voice.

The question that comes up is “are all voices unique?. We know faces or retinas are, same with fingerprints, but voices are, sometimes, kind of similar: is it viable to unlock phones via voice, without having any issues?

Google thinks so, and according to their research, it’s almost impossible for two people to speak the same way, use the same mannerisms, and say the same things. That is why they are working on this new technology to unlock stuff via voice, and that could even be used to authorize transactions.

A few new lines of code appeared in Google Now’s latest update, all referencing these new features, and it seems to have come quite a way, judging from it, so it might be ready rather sooner than later: apparently, we’ll only be required to say a specific phrase, and then the phone will unlock for us.

This new upgrade also revamped some voice commands, so now we can make calls or send texts using the nicknames bestowed upon our own contacts.

How to: get Whatsapp updates as Facebook Messenger bubbles

Posted: 13 Apr 2015 11:45 AM PDT

Just like with Facebook Messenger, it’s also possible to get Whatsapp messages as bubbles. All it takes is an app: Dashdow Whatsapp.

Despite its rivals greatest efforts, the whole world seems to favor Whatsapp as its go-to instant messaging app for mobile devices. Whatsapp were recently acquired by Facebook and Mark Zuckerberg, and instead of kicking back and enjoying the success, they took this as an opportunity to grow even bigger, what with Whatsapp Calls and Whatsapp Web. Yet, the one area where Whatsapp doesn’t do that well is when it comes to customization, and that is where Dashdow Whatsapp comes in: this app, amongst many other things, will display Whatsapp notifications as if they were Facebook Messenger bubbles.

Using this app is simple: once installed users give the app permission to access the Whatsapp notifications, and that is that. Once the user gets a message, they’ll be able to see the bubble and even read and reply messages after touching it. Furthermore, users can eliminate the bubbles by just dragging them to the trash bin.

Dashdow Whatsapp offers more customization for the bubbles themselves, but that requires paying. The app is free yet it takes a one time payment to access its full potential after downloading it from Google Play.

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