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Skype’s Android app updated with picture-in-picture view and more

Android
News

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November 26, 2014

Skype has been updated on Android with a couple of neat additions to the app. Firstly, the app now supports picture-in-picture view even on phones (the feature has been available on tablets for a while now). This allows users to leave the app and do some other work on the device, while still being connected on the call.

The app will also open up faster now, especially when opened from a notification. Users will also be able to receive photos sent by Skype users using iPhone. The update also brings support for formatted text such as bold, italic and strikethrough. Lastly, the app brings native support for Hindi language.

Grab Skype on Android from the Play Store link below.

Skype – Play Store

Changelog:

• Chats load faster, especially when opened from a notification.
• Picture in picture view lets you keep a video call going – for phones now too!
• Receive photos from Skype for iPhone and other new clients.
• Supports formatted text: *bold* _italic_ ~strikethrough~
• Native Support for Hindi – SAHI!

Facebook Beta gets a couple of improvements on Windows Phone

Sharang Sharma

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November 26, 2014

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Microsoft has pushed an update for Facebook Beta on Windows Phone, adding a number of improvements and additions. The update takes the app to version 8.3.3.1 and adds the ability to view stickers in the comments.

Changelog for version 8.3.3.1:

– Ability to view sticker comments
– Fixes for “dead end” notifications
– Fixes related to data sense settings
– Upload resiliency improvements
– General bug fixes

Besides adding support for stickers, the update also fixes dead end notifications that were plaguing some of the users. It also fixes issues the app was having with data sense settings and adds general bug fixes and other under the hood improvements. Grab Facebook Beta from the link below.

Facebook Beta – Windows Phone

Apple App Store sets a new record for downloads last month

iOS
News

Sharang Sharma

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November 26, 2014

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Apple App Store has set a new record in terms of number of downloads achieved in a month.According to mobile app marketing platform Fiksu, close to 7.8 million downloads were done in the last month among the top 200 free apps available in the App Store. According to the firm, the numbers were up 42 percent from the month before and 39 percent October 2013.

Of course, the sharp spike in downloads can be attributed to the larger iPhone 6 and 6 Plus that became available globally last month. Not only did the new users download the apps, but a good number of existing users who jumped to the newer models were also responsible for the uptick. We already know that the new iPhones are selling in huge numbers, greater than what Apple has ever seen before. So it’s kind of obvious that this new population of iPhone users would download the most number of apps in the first month since purchase.

Interestingly, cost per ad install, an option that charges developers when their app is installed after placing an ad rose 21% sequentially to $1.46 due to strong holiday season. Also, since some of these downloads were re-downloads (for users who jumped from a previous iPhone model to the current ones),the costs of attracting new customers to iOS apps declined to $2.16 in October from $2.25 a month before.

Apple is expected to ship over 71 million iPhone units this quarter, so we can expect the number to rise further in the coming months.

[via]

Dropbox updated on Android and iOS with Office integration

Sharang Sharma

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November 26, 2014

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A few weeks back, Dropbox promised Office integration coming to its Android and iOS apps, along with releasing a Windows Phone version of the app. Well, it has fulfilled first part of the promise and the Android and iOS apps now get Office integration. You can now open Office files saved on Dropbox from within the app. While seeing these apps, you’ll see a new edit button that will take you to the appropriate Office app to edit the file. Once finished, you’ll be able to save the file back on Dropbox storage.

While there are no new updates for the Android and iOS versions of Dropbox, the company claims that the new feature is now available. We’re assuming they were integrated in the app with the most recent updates and Dropbox has simply turned on the switch. Make sure you have the latest version of the app though.

Dropbox – Android

Dropbox – iOS

[Source]

Windows 10 Store will be ready for enterprise customers

News
Windows

Sachin Sharma

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November 25, 2014

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We already know that Microsoft will be unifying the Windows Store and the Windows Phone Store with Windows 10, but that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Among several improvements that the company will be bringing to its app marketplace, Microsoft is also focusing on catering the needs of enterprise.

According to a blog post that was published on its website, Microsoft says that based on user demand, IT administrators will be able to access a new web-based Store portal specifically for organizations. Windows Store apps that will be acquired through the new Store portal will be displayed within private company portal. Users within the organization will be able to download these apps with a simple click of a button.

Also, smaller companies will be able to create their own section in the Windows Store, where they will be able to even upload their own company specific apps. Admins will have full control over the ability to install and uninstall apps on user accounts, control app updates and manage app licenses.

Microsoft is also encouraging companies and individuals to try the early builds of the software and provide necessary feedback, by signing up for the Windows Insider Program.

[Source]

The Longest Journey Remastered gets a worldwide release on iOS

Nityansh Seth

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November 25, 2014

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After being available in Australia and New Zealand for over a month, the remastered version of classic point and click adventure, The Longest Journey Remastered is now available to download on Apple App Store worldwide. The Longest Journey was first released by Norwegian studio Funcom in November 1999 for Microsoft Windows and received universal appraise.

“Explore an interactive and beautifully created universe from the perspective of April Ryan, a young art student who soon discovers that there is more to her world than meets the eye. With the power to pass between worlds like others pass from waking to sleep, April must embark on the longest journey of her life; a journey not only across twin worlds, but also into her very own heart and soul. Embark on a voyage across phenomenal worlds, encounter a fantastic cast of unforgettable characters, and unravel one of the most epic stories ever told.”

The game has been designed around the touch input for the iPhone, the iPad and the iPod and features the same gameplay elements as the original. It costs $8.99 and can be picked from the App Store below.

The Longest Journey Remastered – App Store

All available Angry Birds titles on Windows Phone go free

Sharang Sharma

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November 25, 2014

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Angry Birds fans on Windows Phone will be rejoiced to know that Rovio has made all titles in the series free on the platform. The process started this year with Angry Birds Rio going free, followed by Angry Birds Seasons and Bad Piggies being available for free later in the year. Now, all Angry Birds tiltes that are available on the platform have gone free to download (IAPs still cost money of course)

Also, the change is not a part of any promotional offer but is permanent. All these titles are already free on iOS and Android, so it seems like Rovio finally felt like the time to turn the switch on Windows Phone was right too. Now, only if we could get our hands on Angry Birds Transformers and Angry Birds Stella on the platform soon.

[via]

Monument Valley gets Forgotten Shores DLC on Android

Promil Bhardwaj

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November 25, 2014

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The team behind Monument Valley has made the already excellent and charming game more exciting by pushing the Forgotten Shores DLC to the game’s Android port. The DLC was first released for iOS on November 13th, followed by version on the Amazon Appstore and now on the Play Store.

Forgotten Shores adds eight new beautifully designed levels to the game. The DLC can be bought as an in-app purchase for $1.99. According to the developers, they built several levels for the DLC, but decided to keep only eight so as to not compromise on the quality.

Monument Valley is a puzzle puzzle with the aim of guiding princess Ida through a world with an architecture of impossible geometry by managing camera angles to create paths that are optical illusions. The game has been critically appraised, but falls short on the length of gameplay, which the DLC hopes to address.

In case you haven’t tried it, Monument Valley is available in the Play Store for $3.99.

Monument Valley – Play Store

Game Troopers will help developers port popular iOS and Android titles to Windows Phone

Sharang Sharma

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November 25, 2014

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Disappointed that the latest game that your friends have gone crazy about is still not available on Windows Phone? Well, a new company by the name of Game Troopers understands your pain. The company founded by mobile game startup ‘Space Inch,’ which has several popular titles under its belt (including Make it Rain: The Love of Money, which was #1 on the App Store) will be working on bringing popular games from iOS and Android to Windows and Windows Phone.

The company has already started its work and is porting three titles — Tiny Troopers, Make it Rain: The Love of Money and Abyss. The company will also be helping other developers to port their games. Co-founder Nicholas Reville said:

“In many cases, we will even do the coding to get the game running on Windows. We want to make it easy for developers to decide to bring their game to Windows. It shouldn’t add any extra stress for your team.”

The team feels that due to the small numbers, a lot of developers decide to give Microsoft’s platforms a miss, which is a waste of opportunity.

“There’s a huge amount of potential on Windows and lots of indie game developers don’t have a plan to publish their game. We solve that for them.”

Tiny Troopers will be the first game to hit Windows and Windows Phone sometime in December. The game features 30 levels plus a Zombie Mode, and players can unlock up to 200G in XBOX Achievements.

[Source]

Google Maps updated with more info about destination and alternate routes

Sharang Sharma

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November 22, 2014

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Google recently updated Maps on Android with a major UI overhaul (Material Design) and other features like in-app restaurant reservations and more. Now, the app is receiving another update on Android, taking it to version 9.1.

The update brings more detailed information about your destinations, including weather details and trivia about the place. Then, the app will also give details about alternative routes, like the amount of time that can be saved, road closures and more. Another interesting feature is that you’ll be able to respond to turn traffic on or off via voice interface. There could be more hidden features that get revealed in the coming days.

The update should be hitting the Play Store anytime now. In case you can’t wait, Android Police has the latest APK ready to be downloaded.

Google Maps – Android

[Source]