News from the tech world

CEBU, Philippines – Facebook to implement a "dislike" button feature.

Facebook's Mark Zuckerberg announced last week that the social network is gearing up to roll out a "dislike" button feature.

Announced during a Q&A session that was held at Facebook's headquarters in Menlo Park, California, the "dislike" button won't be similar to the "downvote" button that's popular in forum/imageboard sites like Reddit or 9Gag. Instead, it functions as a way for people to better express how they feel about sad or gloomy posts.

It is still unclear when the "dislike" button is to be launched or if it will be explicitly termed as "dislike button" at all - only that it's at its early development stages.

The "iPhone 6S" and "iPhone 6S Plus"

- The "iPhone 6S" and "iPhone 6S Plus" don't really look all that different from the "iPhone 6" and "iPhone 6 Plus," but these next gen iPhones do have new hardware and software features running under their respective hoods.

For starters, the new iPhones tout what's being termed as "3D Touch" functionality, a feature that's based on pressure-sensitive display technologies. With this feature, Apple intends to break the ground for new interaction standards and conventions between iPhone handsets and their users.

The handsets' primary cameras have also been updated in the next gen iPhone line. Now boasting 12 megapixel sensors that can be used to record videos in 4K HD resolutions, this update is arguably a big thing in the history of the iPhone - considering that the line's last major camera megapixel update was with the iPhone 4S in 2011.

The new iPhones' are also powered by an A9 chip, an update over last year's A8 processor. Though the "iPhone 6S" and "iPhone 6S Plus" appear to be no different from the "iPhone 6" and "iPhone 6 Plus," the similarities are merely cosmetic.

Enter: The "iPad Pro"

The previous months' rumors of Apple gearing up to release a souped-up version of the iPad turned out to be spot-on with the recent introduction of the "iPad Pro".

Topped by a screen that measures 12.9 inches (packing a screen resolution rated at 2732 x 2048 pixels) and powered by the company's new A9x processing chip, the tablet is a productivity-intended iDevice that can be integrated with a "smart" keyboard accessory and an Apple-branded stylus that's been given the moniker, "Apple Pencil".

Attributed to be 1.8 times faster than previous iPad versions, the tablet's "desktop-class CPU" (as it is described by Apple), makes it a productivity powerhouse that's a functional alternative to a laptop, or whatever it is one's primary computing device when on the road.

The tablet's keyboard accessory is "smart" in the sense that it doesn't have an internal battery, as  it is designed to be get power from the tablet, making it lighter to lug around; while the "Apple Pencil" is a stylus that can be charged via Lightning Port connections.

Video of Blackberry's "Venice" makes rounds online

A four-minute video that featured Blackberry's upcoming Android-driven and hardware-keyboard enabled smartphone - the "Venice" - made rounds online last week.

The site Baka Mobile featured the "hands-on video" that reveals that the smartphone will tout front facing speakers, a physical camera button, and hardware support for microSD cards, among others.

The video doesn't indicate when the Blackberry-branded Android phone would go on retail, but it has fairly sparked some interest over the device.

Apple rolls out the company's first mobile app for Android

Apple launched last week its first app for Android. the app is designed to help users transfer data from an Android smart device to an Apple-branded product.

Named "Move to iOS," tech pundits and Android advocates were quick to label the mobile app's release as a predictable move for Apple - considering that the app is made to help Android users move their data to iOS-driven gadgets.

"Apple Watch x Hermes"

- Working with high-end fashion house Hermes, the new gen "Apple Watch" will be made available in a variety of design choices - choices which include gold or rose-gold finishes that can be matched with a variety of strap options; hand-stitched leather straps included.

The next gen Apple smartwatch is powered by the new WatchOS2, which comes with updates and enhanced integration provisions with third party-developed apps like Facebook Messenger. (YRST)