Snapchat Users Can Now Include Music In Uploads

Technology-Portfolio.Net - Snapchat has just announced a new feature called Sounds. With this feature, users of the iOS version of Snapchat can add music to their Snaps.

The music can be added before or after taking the Snap. The music catalog available is varied and has been curated.

"Music can make video creation and communication more expressive, and offer another way to personally recommend music to your closest friends," wrote Snapchat in the caption.

When users receive a Snap equipped with Sound, they can immediately swipe up to find out the album, song title, to the musician.

Then, via the 'Play This Song' link, users can listen to the song in full on music streaming platforms, such as Spotify, Apple Music, and SoundCloud.

Not only does it include music in Snaps, Snapchat also claims to be testing a feature that allows users to create their own sounds and add them to their Snaps.

Together with this feature, Snapchat also announced Justin Bieber and Benny Blanco's newest song, 'Lonely; will be available exclusively in the Sound feature.


Snapchat Opens Office in Singapore, Strengthens Presence in Southeast Asia

Previously, Snap announced the recruitment of its first employee in Singapore. This step also strengthens the commitment of the company that owns Snapchat in the Southeast Asian market.

As a first step, Anubhav Nayyar will be part of the International Markets team led by Nana Murugesan as Managing Director. The International Markets team itself is known to be responsible for a number of Snap's growth strategies.

These strategies typically include expanding the company's operations in key global markets, promoting cultural relevance and building community, including rolling out a series of programs and local partnerships with telecom providers and OEMs.

"We are delighted to have the opportunity to grow our business in Southeast Asia. This region is one of the most dynamic and culturally diverse parts of the world," said Snap's Chief Strategy Officer, Jared Grusd.

Apart from that, Snap also plans to open an office in Singapore this year. Hence, the company is currently monitoring the Covid-19 pandemic and once the situation has subsided, Snap will establish its presence in the country.


Snap Plans in Southeast Asia

"Snap wants to celebrate and support diversity in Southeast Asia, and I can't wait to start building and fostering strategic partnerships, local content and communities across the region," said Director of Southeast Asia Market Development, Anubhav Nayyar.

In the future, the Singapore office will also strengthen Snap's support for multinational brand advertising partnerships based in the Asia Pacific region. For Snap, Southeast Asia has become increasingly important to the company in the last 12 years.

This is evidenced by several initiatives undertaken in a number of countries, including Indonesia. Some of the initiatives are localizing Augmented Reality Lens and creative tools called Kartini Day and Java Jazz Festival.

Photo Credit: Snapchat

Zoom Presents Marketplace Service to Host Virtual Events

Technology-Portfolio.Net - Zoom continues to add new features to its platform. Most recently, the video conference platform has launched a marketplace called OnZoom.

OnZoom is a marketplace that users can use to hold and monetize virtual events they create.

OnZoom can be used for various virtual events, from cooking classes to stand-up comedy. This platform is supported by a number of features, such as ticket sales, event scheduling, to promotions.

Users who are interested in holding events via OnZoom are required to have a paid Zoom account first. But anyone can watch the program.

Later, the organizers can also determine the number of participants attending the event. The maximum number that can be accommodated is 1,000 participants.

For now, OnZoom is only available in beta for users in the United States. However, Zoom plans to bring it to the global market next year.

In addition, Zoom has announced that the platform supports integration with 35 third-party applications. Through this integration, users can access other application functions directly through Zoom.


Zoom Mobile and Desktop Applications are Now Strengthened by 2FA Features

Previously, Zoom recently added two-factor authentication support (two-factor authentication / 2FA) for mobile applications and desktop versions.

This step of course gives users the option to add an extra layer of security to their accounts beyond the standard password.

In the company's official blog, Zoom says users can enable extra security via Zoom Dashboard.

This isn't the first time Zoom has offered support for 2FA. Previously this feature was presented for the web version.

Zoom confirmed that all users will be able to access the new security features, including those using the free service.

In addition to bringing 2FA to more platforms, Zoom also provides users with more ways to receive one-time login codes.


Code via SMS

Previously, users only had the option of using an authentication app like Google Authenticator to generate codes.

Now users can choose to receive them via SMS. However, texting is generally considered to be less secure than using apps on your device because codes are more likely to be intercepted.

Zoom has also added support for recovery codes, which can be used to regain access to the account if a user's mobile device is lost.

This is the latest security feature that Zoom has added this year, after repeated bombardments of intense privacy and security issues following its boom in popularity.

Photo Credit: Zoom

Apple Officially Launches iPhone 12 and Iphone 12 Mini, Provides 5G Support

Photo: Apple,com

Technology-Portfolio.net - Apple finally officially launched the iPhone 12 as the latest smartphone series for this year. The presence of this new iPhone is even more interesting because it is the first series to support 5G cellular technology.

By design, the iPhone 12 still carries a similar design to its predecessor. But Apple made improvements to make it 11 percent thinner and 15 percent smaller than the iPhone 11, even with the same 6.1-inch screen size.

Apple buried the Super Retina XDR screen on this brand-new iPhone. As protection, this smartphone screen is protected with a protection called the ceramic shield.

The performance of this new device is supported by the A14 Bionic chipset. Armed with this new chip, Apple said the iPhone 12 would be the first smartphone with a chip using the 5nm architecture.

iPhone 12 Camera
The need for iPhone 12 photography is left to two rear cameras with 12MP (wide) and 12MP (ultra-wide) resolution lenses respectively.

Apple also provides smartphones with the latest charging technology that is given by MagSafe. There are five color options available, namely black, white, red, green and blue.

iPhone 12 Mini
Apart from the iPhone 12, Apple has also introduced a variant with a smaller screen size, namely 5.4 inches. Despite having a smaller screen, the specifications and capabilities are the same as the iPhone 12.

Please note, in this product Apple no longer includes a charger or earphones for reasons that are more environmentally friendly. However, consumers still get a lightning to USB Type-C port data cable.

Price of iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Mini
Apple sells the iPhone 12 with prices starting at USD 799 and for the iPhone 12 mini, it starts at USD 699.

11 Hidden Features in Android 11

Photo: Blog Google

Technology-Portfolio.net - Google recently launched Android 11, which was not exclusively released for Google Pixel devices.

Android 11 can also be downloaded for OnePlus, Oppo X2, and Reno 3 smartphones through their respective open beta programs.

This latest release focuses on making it easier for you to do important things on your phone, such as managing conversations, connected devices, privacy, and more. To introduce you to it, here are 11 new capabilities that are coming with Android 11.

Google informs that Android 11 will roll out to more partner vendors and smartphones in the next few months. But unfortunately, the technology giant did not reveal the exact date when Android 11 will slide more widely globally.

This latest release focuses on making it easier for users to do various important things on smartphones, such as managing conversations, connected devices, privacy, and more.

For more details, here are 11 hidden Android 11 features that you must know.

The advantages of Android 11

1. Many of us have to frequently switch applications when communicating using text messages. In Android 11, the conversations from the various messaging apps that you have will be provided in a special room in the notification section, so you can manage the conversation more easily. You can also prioritize the conversations of the people who matter most so you don't miss their messages.

2. The balloon feature allows you to seamlessly perform multiple activities at once on your device. Now you can respond to important conversations without having to switch back and forth between the applications you are currently open, including the messaging application.

3. The default setting for screen recording is finally available. Now you can record and share what's happening on your smartphone. Record with the included sound from the microphone, device, or both (no extra app required).

4. You can now access all your smart devices in one place, simply by pressing and holding the power button. Control connected devices such as smart TVs and smart speakers with one tap without having to open multiple applications.

5. The media control design has been updated and now makes it much easier. You can also switch media-playing devices, so you can transfer music from headphones to speakers without missing a single note.

6. Android Auto now works wirelessly for all phones running Android 11, provided you have a compatible vehicle. This way, you can continue to use the best features of your phone without annoying cables while driving, such as activating directions with one tap, having your smartphone send text messages via voice commands, playing your favorite media, and getting help from the Google Assistant.

7. The one-time permission feature allows you to grant one-time access to the device's most sensitive sensor features such as: microphone, camera and location. If in the future you need access to the device sensors again, an app must re-ask you for permission.

8. When it has not been used for a long time, we recommend that an application is not allowed to continue to access data. Now, Android will "auto reset" permissions for long-unused apps and notify you about this. You can always give the app permission again when you want to use it.

9. With the additional Google Play system update module, there will be more security and privacy fixes that can be delivered to your phone immediately from Google Play, in the same way as the app updating process. Once a fix is ​​available, you'll get it without waiting for a full OS update.

10. For Android Enterprise users, Android 11 provides the company-owned devices you use with the privacy protections typically available on personal devices. IT departments can use a set of tools to manage your devices through your work profile, without monitoring any data or activity that you do on your personal profile.

11. If you're using the Pixel 2 or later, you'll get a number of additional tools for organizing and managing your phone, such as app suggestions based on your daily routine. Also new actions that let you select text or an image, or take a screenshot of an app, and so on.