This week in tech

Apple watch is world’s 2nd most popular wearable

MANILA, Philippines - It’s been a good year for the Apple Watch. Following reports that Apple’s smartwatch was outselling Android Wear devices combined, the Apple Watch debuted at number 2 on the worldwide wearables list according to the latest report by analytics firm IDC. In the second quarter of 2015, 3.6 million Apple Watches were sold, just shy of the 4.4 million Fitbit fitness trackers. Rounding out the Top 5 are Xiaomi, Garmin and Samsung.

The feature phone isn’t dead, meet the Nokia 222

Remember those candybar Nokia phones of ages past? You can still get one. Announced this week, the Nokia 222 is an Internet-enabled feature phone that looks and works just like a phone you would have bought in 2005, but with a 2015 twist. 2.4-inch display, up to 20 hours of talk time, and a humble 2MP camera. The phone also comes in a dual-SIM variant. Microsoft says the Nokia 222 will be available globally in September starting at $37 (approx P1,600).

Upcoming Microsoft Lumia smartphones leaked

It’s been a long while since Microsoft unveiled a flagship smartphone, more than a year now actually. According to reports that should change this October when Microsoft is set to unveil a new Surface Pro tablet and its new smartphones. But if you can’t wait, then see then early. These product shots were just released by reliable leakster Evan Blass, better known as @evleaks on Twitter (everything he’s leaked has been correct including last month’s Galaxy Note 5) showing off Microsoft’s upcoming Lumia 950 (black) and Lumia 950 XL (blue).

LG fits a full sized keyboard in your pocket

Is that a stick in your pocket or are you just happy to see me? Instead of pushing for a keypad case for its lineup of smartphones, LG is offering a full-sized bluetooth keyboard that can be rolled up what looks like an extra long tube of lipstick. The new Rolly wireless keyboard is made of polycarbonate plastic so it feels like a real keyboard, comes with a built in stand for docking a tablet, and auto-pairs with up to two devices. Pricing has yet to be announced, but it will be officially unveiled this week at IFA 2015 in Berlin.

Instagram is not just Square

From its inception, photos (and eventually videos) on Instagram have only had one shape – square. But that changed late last week when Instagram rolled out a new feature that allowed both rectangle landscape and portrait formats. In a blog post, the popular photo sharing site wrote, “Square format has been and always will be part of who we are. That said, the visual story you’re trying to tell should always come first, and we want to make it simple and fun for you to share moments just the way you want to.” This also means you can now upload widescreen videos to Instagram. When inserting a new photo or video just tap on the format icon to change the orientation of your post.

 

 

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