Apprtize

Apple gives developers time until June 1st to make their apps 64-bit

iOS
News

-

December 18, 2014

Not just sitting back after using 64-bit processors in its newer devices, Apple is now pushing developers to make use of the advanced hardware. The company has issued a notice to developers stating that post 1st February, all new apps submitted in the App Store must come with 64-bit support and must be built using the iOS8 SDK. Also, post June 1st, updates to existing apps must also include the same change. Apple recommends that developers build apps using the default X code build setting “Standard architectures,” that allows to build a single binary with both 32-bit and 64-bit code.

Apple had already notified developers of the incoming change back in October so it shouldn’t come as a surprise for anybody. In terms of user experience, it isn’t likely to be a big change initially, but of course, the effects will start to show up gradually.

[Source]

Google Drive updated on Android and iOS

Nityansh Seth

-

December 17, 2014

0

Only recently Google added support for Microsoft Office files on its Drive apps and now the company has pushed update for its Google Drive apps on Android and iOS.

Starting with iOS first, the update now allows you to upload files to Drive from other apps. The feature will work only on iOS 8 though. On Android, you will now be able to search for files in Drive from the Google app. For instance, saying “OK, Google — search for holiday letter on Drive” will get you to the files without opening the app and typing keywords. Also, you can now access and share custom maps you create with Google My Maps on both Android and iOS.

The update is available on iOS, but will be made available on Android in the coming days (although it could be available in some regions already). The store links for the app are below.

Google Drive – Android

Google Drive – iOS

Instagram adds five new filters

Sharang Sharma

-

December 17, 2014

0

Instagram has received its first set of new filters in over two years. The team has added five new filters to the app, along with other improvements. The new filters are called Slumber, Crema, Ludwig, Aden, and Perpetua. These filters will fit in the same space as your usual filters.

When you want to apply a filter on your picture, the filter icons on the bottom now displays a blurred preview of your photo with its effect applied. This gives you a preview of sorts before the filter is applied. There’s also a new manage button at the end of the filter tray. The option allows you to arrange your filters so that you keep the ones that you use most often in front of the row and leave out the ones that you rarely use in the end.

Instagram version 6.4.0 is live in Apple’s App Store, and Instagram for Android version 6.12.0 is also available in the Play Store. Unfortunately, nothing for the Windows Phone users.

Instagram – Android

Instagram – iOS

Angry Birds Stella arrives on Windows Phone

Sharang Sharma

-

December 17, 2014

0

After making all its Angry Birds titles free on Windows Phone, Rovio has now released Angry Birds Stella on Windows Phone. With this, the platform is almost on par with Android and iOS when it comes to games in the franchise, except for the exception of Angry Birds Trasnformers, which is yet to be released on the platform.

Features:

– PLAY OVER 120 LEVELS! Slingshot your way through the treetops of Golden Island!
– MEET THE FIERCE FLOCK! Six fun birds with unique personalities!
– MASTER THE MOVES! New kick-ass superpowers – tap and hold to target attacks!
– STOP BAD PRINCESS! Her pesky piggies are wreaking havoc across the island!
– COMPLETE YOUR SCRAPBOOK! Collect pics and wacky outfits to use in the game!
– SEE FRIENDS’ SCORES! Then try to beat them (but don’t fall out!)
– SCAN YOUR TELEPODS! Bring extra-special birds into the game!
– ENJOY LUSH GRAPHICS! Vivid visuals that put the “gold” in Golden Island!

Angry Birds Stella is again free to download but comes with in-app purchases. The game has been developed with female audience in mind, with all its female characters and pretty backgrounds only hinting more at so. the game isn’t different from the other titles and features the same bird slinging action. There are six unique characters in the game with each having her own personality.

Grab the game for free from the store link below.

Angry Birds Stella – Windows Phone

Flipboard adds support for 512MB RAM devices on Windows Phone

Sachin Sharma

-

December 16, 2014

0

The Flipboard app on Windows Phone has been given a fresh update on Windows Phone, bringing support for devices with 512MB RAM. Flipboard promised support for 512MB RAM back in October and has finally delivered on it in version 2.5.

Changelog for version 2.5:

– Support for devices with 512MB of RAM.
– Additional native Windows Phone controls for an overall smoother experience.
– Polish for tapping to expand images, notifications and accounts on Flipboard.

Besides working on low end devices, the app also gets native Windows Phone controls, which will enable a smoother experience overall. The app also gets some additional animation, however, it still does not flip. Grab the app from the store link below.

Flipboard – Windows Phone

Shazam gets updated on Windows Phone with Cortana integration

Sharang Sharma

-

December 16, 2014

0

After Android and iOS, Shazam has now updated its app on Windows Phone. Unfortunately, the update doesn’t bring the same set of features that were recently introduced on iOS and Android, but it’s still a major update nonetheless. Here’s the full changelog:

– Better Music Recognition – With quicker app startup, users can start Shazaming faster and expect more accurate results. The Windows Phone app will now deliver the world-class performance of Shazam on other platforms.
– Brand new interface, designed specifically for Windows Phone 8.1
– Live Tiles – Shazam will display your most recent discovery right on the home screen by taking advantage of Windows Phone’s Live Tiles, giving fans quick access to the app.
– New Track Pages – Music results will now be enhanced with music videos, lyrics and links to Xbox Music where users can buy the music they love.
– My Shazam – Users can easily access all the music they’ve discovered and saved, with easy access to buying tracks on Xbox Music.

The update brings support for Live Tiles as well as a new interface, that’s been designed specifically for Windows Phone. The app will also be able to recognize songs better on Windows Phone thanks to the new tweaks.

That’s not all, since Daniel Danker, Chief Product Officer, Shazam has said that this is first of the planned updates for Shazam on Windows Phone, with more to follow in the coming months. Well, we can’t wait.

Shazam – Windows Phone

[Source]

Google Wallet update on iOS allows to easily split the cost among friends

iOS
News

Promil Bhardwaj

-

December 16, 2014

0

Google has pushed a new version of its Wallet app on iOS. The update takes the app to version 8.174.19 and adds a few neat features to it, although NFC integration on iPhone 6 and 6 Plus continues to elude.

Version 8.174.19 of Google Wallet allows users to unlock the app using Touch ID sensor instead of a password. The app also allows users to see loyalty cards and gift cards when offline. But the biggest change is the ability to split costs with friends. You can pick any charge, add the people you want to split it with, choose how you want to divide it up, and they’ll receive a request for their share of the total.

Grab the latest version from the store link below.

Google Wallet – iOS

Half-Life 2: Episode One lands on Android exclusively for NVIDIA Shield tablets

Sharang Sharma

-

December 16, 2014

0

While we might not get to play Half-Life 3 anytime soon, there’s something new from Valve nonetheless. The company along with NVIDIA has released Half-Life 2: Episode One on Android. However, the game is available exclusively on NVIDIA Shield tablets, thus making it unavailable for majority of Android users. And if the developer is anything to go by, we doubt it’ll make an appearance on other other hardware any time soon. Unfortunately, the game is incompatible with the older NVIDIA Shield console, since it’s Tegra 4 isn’t powerful enough to run the game. Also, the game requires a controller to play.

Features:

– A brand new episode for one of the best-selling and critically acclaimed action games of all time. Reveals new secrets.
– Incredibly advanced Artificial Intelligence powers the most sophisticated characters ever witnessed in a game.
– Physical Gameplay: Objects obey the laws of gravity, friction, and buoyancy. Explore new uses for the physics cannon.
– Powered by Source and featuring High Dynamic Range (HDR) lighting, Aftermath provides amazing gameplay settings.

Episode One brings new story and action and advances where Half Life 2 left. The game looks stellar and it seems like NVIDIA has taken full advantage of the newer and more powerful hardware on its tablets. The game costs $7.99, but for fans who’ve been waiting for a new Half-Life title for what seems like eons, it’s worth every penny. Grab the game from the link below.

Half-Life 2: Episode One – Play Store

Rdio, Netflix and BBM receive fresh updates on Windows Phone

Sharang Sharma

-

December 16, 2014

0

After the launch of some high profile games on Windows Phone, the developers are also spreading love to existing apps by pushing new updates. The three high profile apps that just got updated recently include Rdio, Netfli and BBM. Let’s take a look at what update for each of them brings to the table.

Rdio – Although the Rdio app on Windows Phone was only updated recently, the last time it received a major update was in 2013 before today’s update. The latest version of the app makes it more in line with the Android and iOS versions and brings in a host of changes mentioned in the changelog below:

– Home. An evolving mix of music stories, personalized for you.
– Favorites. Find something you love? Favorite anything from albums to artists, songs to stations, and keep them all in one place. All songs and albums from your existing – Collection and playlists you’ve subscribed to now live here.
– Browse. Stations can now be found here, from genre stations to all-new curated stations for any mood.
– Trending. What’s most popular right now, combining Heavy Rotation and Top Charts.

Rdio – Windows Phone

Netflix – Netflix has also received a major update again, taking the app to version 4.0. The update brings Cortana integration to the app and many other features enjoyed by users on Android and iOS. Again, here’s the changelog for version 4.0.0.13:

– New User experience
– Profile selection
– Post-play
– Better video quality
– Application tile
– Content pinning
– Cortana search

Netflix – Windows Phone

BBM– It seems like it couldn’t be a better day for Windows Phoen users. BBM is another major app to receive an important update. Today’s update takes BBM to version 2.0.0.24 The update brings some changes that were introduced on BBM beta only recently, including Timed Messages and Message Retraction. The changelog is mentioned below.

– TIMED MESSAGES: Set how long contacts have access to messages and pictures shared in a chat. See the full description for more information.
– MESSAGE RETRACTION: ‘Retract’ a message to remove it from your BBM chat. See the full description for more information.
– STICKERS & BBM SHOP: Browse and download stickers in the new BBM Shop to bring more fun to your BBM chats.
– HD PICTURE TRANSFER: It’s easier than ever to get a high quality version of the pictures you receive in BBM.

Rdio – Windows Phone

Viber adds three games to its Android and iOS app

Sharang Sharma

-

December 15, 2014

0

Viber seems to be trying everything to stay ahead of competing Messengers. It’s already offered voice calls on landline and cellphone, Social Chats and what not. Now, it’s even offering games on its app. Yes, you heard it right. Viber is offering games developed by Storm8 and Playtika. These are Viber Candy Mania and Viber Pop, developed by Storm8 and Playtika developed by Wild Luck Casino. The games feature the same characters as found in Viber stickers (which makes sense).

This is not something brand new in the market though, since WeChat, Kakap and Line have walked a similar path in the past and have even drawn profits out of it. Viber’s games are only available in four countries for now – Belarus, Malaysia, Singapore and the Ukraine, possibly because the company wants to iron out any kinks before a wider launch scheduled for early next year.

These titles are available both on Android and iOS. Viber plans to only put up handpicked quality titles in the future instead of flooding the app with umpteen titles.

Viber – Android

Viber – iOS

[Source]