Google rolls out Popular Dishes feature on Google Maps created using crowdsourced images

You clicked it, tagged it and Google created a feature thanks to your contributions. For months, Google has been asking Google Maps users to tag restaurant dishes by clicking pictures and adding names to them. Through this, Google created a bank of information to offer a new feature called Popular Dishes in apps. Google Maps will now show popular dishes from a restaurant, based on the images clicked, tagged and reviewed by users. This is an approach Google has used since a long time to train its image recognition algorithms. Remember identifying street signs in reCAPTCHA? That probably helped Google create image recognition features for lens or event its autonomous cars.

Coming back to Google Maps, now when you search for a restaurant on the app, you can head over to its Menu tab (not available for all restaurants) to see the Popular Dishes section right on top. The section features user clicked images in square tiles, with options given for the number of pictures and reviews for that dish at the bottom. Tapping on the dish will present all the user reviews in a list, accompanied by the names of these users. Some of these reviews are also generated by Google’s Local Guides, people who share reviews, photos, and knowledge about the places around them on Google Maps. Local Guides are also rewarded with points for tagging and reviewing dishes on Maps.

There’s also an option to edit reviews and mark changes like wrong dish names, inappropriate dish name and dish not served here. Moreover, Google Map users can tap the + button to add their own images of dishes as well as tag them to help Google better its Popular Dishes recommendations.

“At the end of the day, this feature is  made possible because of contributions from people around the world who want to help others using Google Maps. So if you want to pay it forward to the next diner, simply take a photo of your meal (before you’ve scarfed it down!) and add a dish name so others can know what’s good on the menu,” Google noted in a blog post.

Popular Dishes is now live on Google Maps for Android devices worldwide and will be rolled out to iOS users in the coming months.

from Latest Technology News http://bit.ly/2VYiy4I

Microsoft Xbox Game Pass comes to PC: All you need to know

One of the best things to happen to the Xbox two years ago was a little service called Xbox Game Pass. It gives gamers access to more than a hundred games for a monthly fee. The service includes all Xbox first party games at launch. Game Pass is now making its debut to the PC. Rather than being called the PC Game Pass, Microsoft is still calling the service Xbox Game Pass, which leads many to think that their service from the console could be carried forward to the PC. Whether this is the case or not isn't clear as the release doesn't detail a price for the service nor a launch date. It also doesn't highlight whether the PC version of the Xbox Game Pass will be bundled with Game Pass Unlimited. For those unaware, Game Pass Unlimited gives users Xbox Live Gold subscription and Xbox Game Pass subscription in one roof. More information about the new service will come at E3 2019.

Coming back to Xbox Game Pass for the PC, the service will give players unlimited access to a curated library of more than 100 PC games on Windows 10. The list of developers that will support the service includes Bethesda, Deep Silver, Devolver Digital, Paradox Interactive, SEGA, and more. Microsoft has said that titles from newly acquired studios like Obsidian and inXile will also be available to Game Pass subscribers on the PC and the consoles. Microsoft says, “We’re working with over 75 developers and publishers to bring PC content to the service and we’ll ensure the library remains curated and full of great PC titles across a variety of genres, with new games added every month.”

Xbox Game Pass for PC members will also receive the benefits enjoyed by console players. Gamers will get discounts in the Microsoft Store on Windows of up to 20% on games currently in the library and up to 10% off related game DLC and add-ons. Microsoft has also said that they are bringing cross-platform play and cross-network play across Windows 10 PCs and console. Microsoft says, “Building communities across all of those players, regardless of the store or platform they’ve chosen (console or PC), is also vitally important because it helps bring players together, allows games to find their largest audience and allows gaming to deliver its true potential of uniting people around the power of play.”

Microsoft has also said that their first party games will be available in multiple stores, including the Microsoft Store on Windows. The company has said that Halo: The Master Chief Collection will come to PC later this year, launching on Steam in addition to the Microsoft Store on Windows. “We will continue to add to the more than 20 Xbox Game Studios titles on Steam, starting with Gears 5 and all Age of Empires I, II & III: Definitive Editions. We know millions of PC gamers trust Steam as a great source to buy PC games and we’ve heard the feedback that PC gamers would like choice. We also know that there are other stores on PC, and we are working to enable more choice in which store you can find our Xbox Game Studios titles in the future.”

You can read the announcement in details on the Xbox News website here. 

from Latest Technology News http://bit.ly/2XgHIwR

Moto Z4 goes official with Snapdragon 675, 48MP camera, Moto Mod support and more

After an ‘accidental’ listing on Amazon and being leaked in its entirety, the Motorola Moto Z4 smartphone is finally official. Moto Z4 is the smartphone manufacturer’s latest mid-range handset, which runs on the Snapdragon 675 platform. As is the tradition with company’s Z-series of phones, the Moto Z4 also comes with Moto Mod support and ships with a moto 360 camera mod in-the-box. While the specifications of the device clearly show that it is a mid-range handset, its pricing suggests otherwise. The Moto Z4 has a price tag of $499.99 MSRP (Rs 34,893 approx), which is in the same price range as the OnePlus 7, and it will be available via Verizon for a cheaper price. 

Moto Z4 specifications

The Moto Z4 features an updated design as compared to its predecessors. The overall display bezels are thinner and there’s a waterdrop notch on the top that houses the front camera. The smartphone comes equipped with a 6.39-inch Full HD OLED display with a 2340x1080p resolution with a 19:9 aspect ratio. As mentioned earlier, it is powered by the Snapdragon 675 SoC, which is coupled with 4GB RAM and 128GB of internal storage. The phone also supports memory expansion of up to 512GB via a microSD card.  It runs on stock Android 9 Pie and is backed by a 3600mAh battery that is touted to deliver up to two days of battery backup. 

In terms of optics, the Moto Z4 is equipped with a single 48MP sensor on the rear, which is capable of delivering 12MP output using Quad Pixel technology. The sensor has 1.6um pixel size and is paired with f/1.7 aperture lens with OIS, PDAF, and Laser Autofocus support. The phone’s camera features different modes such as Cinemagraph, Portrait / AI Portrait Lighting, Night Vision, Spot Color, AR stickers, Panorama, Live Filter, and Google Lens. On the front is a 25 MP sensor with an f/2.0 aperture lens. The Moto Z4 features a headphone jack as well, is compatible with all moto mods and gets an in-display fingerprint sensor. 

from Latest Technology News http://bit.ly/2EKaMWq

Xbox Game Pass Subscription Service Headed to PC With Over 100 Titles

Microsoft is bringing the Xbox Game Pass subscription service over to the PC ecosystem. Xbox Game Pass for PC will offer access to more than 100 titles on Windows 10 for a monthly fee.

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Redmi Note 7 Pro goes on sale today at 12 PM via Flipkart, Micom and Mi Home Stores: All you need to know

Redmi recently launched its Redmi Note 7S smartphone in India, which is now available via an open sale. However, the Redmi Note 7 Pro with 48MP camera goes up for sale today at 12 PM. The mid-range smartphone by the company is powered by the Snapdragon 675 SoC and comes equipped with a dual camera setup. Highlights of the smartphone include a 48MP Sony IMX586 sensor, which is claimed to capture good images even in low light conditions. Since the device is not yet available in open sale, one is advised to keep their trigger finger ready for buying it. 

Redmi Note 7 Pro specifications

The Redmi Note 7 Pro features a dual rear camera setup, which, as mentioned earlier, includes a 48MP primary sensor with an f/1.79 lens. There’s also a 5MP secondary depth sensor. On the front, it gets a 13MP shooter. The smartphone is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 675 chipset and comes with up to 6GB RAM and up to 128GB of internal storage. It runs on Android 9 Pie out of the box with MIUI 10 layered on top. The Redmi Note 7 Pro comes equipped with a 6.3-inch full-HD+ display that offers a resolution of 1080x2340 pixels and has a 19.5:9 aspect ratio. 

Redmi Note 7 Pro price and sale offers

The 4GB RAM + 64GB model of the Redmi Note 7 Pro is priced at Rs 13,999, while its 6GB RAM + 128GB version costs Rs 16,999. It will be available in Nebula Red, Neptune Blue, and Space Black colour models. The smartphone goes on sale today at 12 PM via a Flipkart, Mi.com and Mi Home Stores. 

For launch offers, Reliance Jio users can avail a double data offer when they recharge with Rs 198 and above. Xiaomi is also offering up to 1,120GB data along with unlimited calling for Airtel subscribers.

from Latest Technology News http://bit.ly/2JQcWrt

Pokemon Sleep Will Let You Earn Points for Sleeping, Coming Next Year

Pokemon Company is developing "Pokemon Sleep", a mobile app that tracks players' sleep and uses the data for gameplay, with a release date set for next year.

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Australia Sues Sony for Refusing Refunds on Faulty PlayStation Games

Sony Interactive Entertainment Europe broke Australian consumer law by telling customers they could not get a refund for faulty PlayStation games, Australia's consumer watchdog said in a lawsuit.

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