Author: Clinton

Google has announced that several new features are coming to Google Sheets online that are aimed at bringing more Artificial Intelligence into the spreadsheet service.  All of the features are aimed at increasing productivity, be it through automatic suggestions on formulas or, in natural language, being able to build a pivot table in the Explorer tab.

For most users, the easier creation of pivot tables is the big improvement in this update to Sheets.  Now by typing in a simple question into the Explorer tab in a Sheets file, it will suggest and auto-create a pivot table based on the data in that spreadsheet.  As Google says…

In the Explore panel, you can also ask questions of your data using everyday language (via natural language processing) and have the answer returned as a pivot table. For example, type “what is the sum of revenue by salesperson?” or “how much revenue does each product category generate?” and Sheets can help you find the right pivot table analysis.

This is a powerful way to interact with your data and builds on the already impressive data mining tools that can be found in Explorer.

About a year ago, Google announced that they would be eliminating Chrome apps on the desktop versions of the Chrome browser.  That process has begun today as Chrome apps are no longer available to download from Windows, MacOS or Linux versions of the browser.

You can see in the splash screen above that Apps has been removed.

The move is based more-or-less on the fact that nobody uses Chrome apps.  Google’s own numbers suggest 1% of Chrome users use the apps.  I, as a Chrome user on my Mac and on my Chromebook, can attest to this.  I don’t have a single app installed, especially now on my Chromebook as I’ve been using more Android apps.

Developers have been notified of this change and while their apps will work through the first quarter of 2018, after that, the code will be removed from Chrome all together.

The replacement?  Progressive Web Apps, or PWAs

A new update to Chrome for Android is rolling out today, bringing mostly under-the-hood improvements to the browser.  The update is build 63.0.3239.83 meaning that it is the first build in the Chrome 63 train to go to the stable channel for all users.

While the release notes for the update point to mostly stability and performance improvements, it was noted that in this update there are also improvements to the autocompletion feature in the address bar.  This should make it easier and faster to get to websites while on your mobile.

Today’s Deal at Amazon is on the AUKEY 5-port USB Desktop Charger.  This five port USB charger isn’t much larger than a credit card and one of the ports is fully Quick Charge 3.0 compatible.   If you have a device that has this technology, you will benefit from a rapid charge, something most desktop chargers don’t built into them.  Today on Amazon, you can pick one up for $24.99 and it is completely compatible with Android phones as well as your iPhone.

Full disclosure:  This is the desktop USB charger that I use at home.

With this charger from AUKEY, you can charge up to five devices at one.  Each of the USB ports outputs 5v of power and can charge devices at 2.4A, making it compatible with really any smartphone out there.  Four of the ports have the company’s adaptive charging technology to make sure that devices charge at an optimal rate but also protects against surges and overcharges.  The fifth port, noted with an orange insert, is the Quick Charge 3.0 port.

An interesting leak suggests that the next Huawei P-Series phone could have an almost unbelievable 40MP camera in it.  And if that isn’t enough, the front facing selfie camera will be a 24MP shooter.  Most phones don’t even have a 24MP main camera!

The leak came from Evan Blass and while we don’t have a name for the next P-Series phone (likely the P11) or a release date, it looks like the Chinese manufacture is hard at work on getting the advertising ready for it.

Is the next Huawei P-series going to be an imaging powerhouse? A digital artist at one of the company’s creative agencies added these “PCE Series” ads to their portfolio — claiming 40MP, 3 lens rear (5x hybrid zoom) + 24MP selfie, all Leica-co-developed. pic.twitter.com/t8w3VlL55L

— Evan Blass (@evleaks) December 6, 2017

Long time readers know that I don’t post a lot on rumors or leaks because things change so rapidly in the smartphone arena.  but when it comes to leaks from Mr. Blass, I generally pay attention to them.  And so should you.  He is probably got a 98% (if not higher) accuracy rate.

Today’s Deal is on the new Harman Kardon Invoke smart speaker that is powered by Microsoft Cortana.  This week at the Microsoft Store, you can pick up one of these awesome speakers for $99, a savings of $100.  No coupon code require and you can get it in either Graphite or White to match your décor.

I posted my review of the Invoke just yesterday and as I put in that review, it is one of the most stylish smart speakers out there with stunning audio quality as you would expect from Harman Kardon.  At the heart of the Invoke is Microsoft Cortana which, much like Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant, is a voice command away to help you with tasks or get information.