With Inbox, Google wants to change something that hasn't changed since the beginning of the internet: the way you read your mail. The first thing you notice about Inbox is all the white space, compared to Gmail’s cluttered interface. Google's latest Material Design has been put to good use and colours pop out.
Inbox gives you three options to deal with the mail: Pin, Snooze, and Done. Instead of starring, you can pin important mails to the page, with an option to see all pinned mails with a simple swipe. With Snooze, you can choose to have a mail pop up at a scheduled time or at an appropriately hazy ‘Some day’. And what does Done do? It simply archives your mails. On a touch screen, it’s as easy as swiping to the left or right.
One con that users have pointed out: deleting files is now a two-step process.
Inbox has a system called Bundles, where Google scans and groups similar mails under one category. Stuff like tickets and financial statements can be sorted in a pinch. Attachments can be accessed directly from the main page, unlike in Gmail. However, Labels in Gmail don’t automatically become Bundles in Inbox, which can be cumbersome if you already have everything neatly organised on Gmail.
Inbox is fundamentally very different from old-school email, but looking at the gushing responses so far, this could be another game changer from Google. It’s invite-only at the moment, but Google is sending out invites at a steady pace. You can ask for yours at inbox@google.com.
Transformer series gets new models
Asus has rolled out additions to the Transformer Series. The first is is the Transformer Book Flip, a 15.6” laptop with 360-degree rotating touchscreen. The hinge design enables the screen to be set at any angle between zero and 360 degrees, so can use it as a laptop or tablet. The second addition is the Transformer Book T200, a 2-in-1 ultraportable laptop with a 11.6” screen.
There is a 5MP rear camera and a 2MP front camera. Clarity gets a boost with 16:9 ratio, 1366x768 pixel HD resolution and in-plane switching technology. The third one is a Transformer Pad. It's a 10.1" entertainment tablet with a vivid 1280x800 IPS display. It features a 10-point multi-touch display and comes with 8GB of onboard storage, which can be supplemented up to 64GB with a MicroSD card.
Web-based Skype coming
Microsoft has announced a browser-based version of Skype that will allow users to make audio and video Skype calls on any system. According to PCWorld, Skype says the new beta web app will be rolled out slowly to a small number of users, with a worldwide release expected in coming months. The software giant says the beta version of Skype launched for Web will allow users to log into their Skype accounts from all browsers, including Internet Explorer, Chrome, Firefox and Safari, reports ANI. Skype says it is working hard with the Internet Explorer team to create a plugin-free WebRTC version of Skype for Web, says the report.
Facebook has its eyes on you
Facebook has updated its privacy policy, which makes it simpler to understand the company’s controversial methods of gathering user data. It tells you what information it collects and how it uses that data. For example, if you use Facebook on other websites and mobile apps, the company will receive that data. Unless you decline, companies whose websites you visit from Facebook can show you ads on FB. It collects information about how you use FB, types of content you view or engage with, the frequency and duration of your activity. Facebook explains: "We collect content you provide when you use our services, including when you sign up for an account, create or share, and message or communicate with others." You can view the updated policy at http://on.fb.me/1wYGJjt
SHORTCUT: CREATE YOUR VIDEO ON FB
Facebook has rolled out a tool called Say Thanks which lets you create your own short videos and post them on Facebook. To create a video, go to www.facebook.com/thanks; click on a friend’s name; choose a theme and choose photos and posts to include in your video. If you want to include photos or posts in your video, you’ll have to choose at least five. Click Share. Both you and your friend will get a notification that lets you watch the video. If you want to share your video on Facebook, click Post.
APPTRACK: QUICK KEY
Here’s an app for teachers. It turns your phone or tablet into an optical scanner and helps grade quizzes and tests. All you have to do is export the right answers on to the web, then use your mobile device to scan the answer sheets. The app scans and evaluates answer sheets in a jiffy. It is available on the web (www.quickkeyapp.com) and on iOS. The app, which works on a ‘freemium’ model, provides options to add students, course assignments, etc.
