Snapseed Update Returns One Tool and Enhances Others

Google has released a nice update to their photo editing app, Snapseed.  The update brings back a popular perspective tool while adding a new export feature and other improvements.  The vertical and horizontal correction tool is back, allowing you to quickly and easily adjust the contrast and saturation of a photo just by dragging your finger across the photo.  It makes editing quickly and like other filters in the app, there are several preset ones for you to use as a starting point or final edit.

Along with this, the Face filter has been improved with a choice of styles for you to use.  In addition to the Smooth and Eye filters, there are a couple of new Spotlight as well as combination filters to help enhance the faces in your photos.

Starbucks Finally Brings Favorite Drink Saving Feature

The Starbucks app for Android has an update rolling out that brings a long desired feature:  The ability to create and save your favorite drinks.  The feature is aimed at those who use the ordering feature in the app as it allows you to, with one tap, order your favorite drink then go to your local Starbucks and pick it up.  The ability to order within the Starbucks app has been there a while but every time you used it, you had to create your drink, even if you are a creature of habit and order the same thing every time.

To use the new feature, go to the Order section of the app.  It will find the Starbucks location closest to you and present you a menu of the food and drinks that are available at that location.  Build your favorite drink using the drink menu and once you have created your masterpiece, tap the heart icon to save it.  The next time you order, you can go to the Favorites tab and your drink will be there and ready to order with a tap of the Floating Action Button.

Android Nougat 7.1.2 Beta Released – Not Available for the Nexus 6 or Nexus 9

Google has released the first beta of Android Nougat 7.1.2, the next maintenance release for the latest version of Android.  The build became available today for those in the Android Beta program with the final release expected to be “in a few months”.  If you have a Nexus 6P, Nexus 5X, Pixel, Pixel XL, or Pixel C tablet, you can download the beta through the program.  Like any beta release, it will have bugs and other issues so it is probably not best to load it up on your main phone at this point.

Of note is that the Nexus 6 and the Nexus 9 are not in the list of devices that will be getting the 7.1.2 update.  The Nexus 6 just received the 7.1.1 update earlier this month while the Nexus 9 got the update when it was available for the Nexus 6P and 5x.  All indications are that these devices will not be getting the .2 update.  Google specifically left them out of the announcement around the beta.

Nextbit Acquired by Razer – Robin Sales Immediately Ceased

Nextbit was acquired by Razer today, ending the company’s independent status as well as ending the sale of their only phone, the Nextbit Robin.  In an announcement today, Nextbit will become an operating unit within Razer going forward.

While we have stopped selling Robin and all accessories through our official channels, we are still dedicated to supporting all of you. We will continue to fulfill warranties for 6 more months. And as promised, we will continue to provide software updates and security patches through February 2018.

The news isn’t entirely a surprise but still interesting given that the Robin has been a solid Android option that has nice specs at an affordable price.  What this means for Nextbit’s next phone, if there is one, remains unclear.

Google Opinion Rewards Expands and Adds Notification Sounds

The Google Opinion Rewards app for Android has had a small but nice update to it this weekend.  The update expands the free Play Store cash app to Austria and Switzerland firstly, allowing Android users in those countries to fill out surveys and get Play Store credit in return to spend on whatever they want in the Store.  This brings the app to 17 different countries globally.

If you aren’t familiar with the app, it is pretty simple.  You are sent survey’s periodically to fill out and get anywhere from a few cents (or your local currency) up to $1.00 for completing them.  They are sent to you at random and as you fill them out, you get these credits to spend in the Play Store.  You can always check out which countries are eligible and added at this link.

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