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WhatsApp gets end-to-end encryption on Android making it one of the safest messengers

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November 19, 2014

While the latest update to WhatsApp allows you to hide whether you’ve read someone’s message or not (and that should keep most of the users happy), there’s another important feature that the update brings and it’s related to your privacy too.

The app now features end-to-end encryption for your messages. In easier words, your messages will be encrypted and it won’t be easy for government or other agencies to figure out what you’re talking about. What’s significant here is that unlike other services like Google, Yahoo and Microsoft, these messages will be encrypted end to end, meaning not even WhatsApp or Facebook can snoop on your data. This means that even if the government asks for the data, Facebook can simply refuse since they don’t have it either.

This feature makes WhatsApp unique among the plethora of messengers out there and with the recent leaks and scandals, we don’t see why it would not attract more customers. The update has been enabled for Android currently, but we expect an update for iOS and other versions soon too.

WhatsApp – Play Store

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Snapchat introduces Snapcash money transfer service, has a 2 minute flashy video to introduce it

News

Sharang Sharma

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November 18, 2014

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If you’re being valued at $10 billion, you’ll have to show investors that you’re capable of making money sooner or later. And Snapchat’s method of generating money is starting off with something that the company calls Snapcash. The new service allows users to transfer cash as easily as sharing photos on Snapchat. Snapcash has been built with help from Square.

To use the service, users will need to save in their debit card information on Snapchat, which will be stored on Square servers (we don’t think it’s got anything to do with the recent data leak). When users need to transfer cash, simply open up a chat and enter $ followed by the amount you wish to transfer. This brings up a new green button which the users need to tap to transfer the funds. The transaction will be carried out by Square Cash.

The service is currently available in the US to all users who are above the age of 18 and have a debit card. There’s an update for Snapchat sitting in the Play Store, however, we’re seeing nothing for the iOS version yet. Oh, and to help you understand better, Snapchat has posted a sleazy looking video on its YouTube channel. Check it out below.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kBwjxBmMszQ

[Source]

Snapchat – iOS | Android

Google Keep updated with Material Design and new features

Android
News

Sharang Sharma

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November 18, 2014

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Among the wave of updates for Google apps, Google Keep is the latest one to be rolling. The app has been pushed to version 3.0.0.1 with the latest update and the new version brings Material Design along with a host of other changes.

As expected, the app gets a new look with the update that’s more in line with the overall theme of Android Lollipop. Besides the cosmetic changes, the new version of Google Keep allows users to share lists and update them in real time. The app also gets simplified search for notes and you can now group notes by color or other attributes.

For those unaware of Keep, its an app that allows users make notes and attach photos and lists to them and share them with friends and family. Grab the latest version from the Play Store below.

Google Keep – Play Store

First screens of Telltale’s Game of Thrones for iOS emerge

Sharang Sharma

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November 17, 2014

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We’re all excited about the upcoming game based on Game of Thrones from Telltale and now the company has teased the first screenshots from it. The screenshots reveal the faces of a number of known characters in the Game of Thrones universe. These characters are inspired by their counterparts in the Game of Thrones series that airs on HBO. We can’t deny that the graphics do look impressive for a mobile game. The screenshots confirm that among other characters, the game will feature Cersei Lannister, her brothers Jaime and Tyrion (the imp), Margaery Tyrell, Catelyn Stark and others.

The game will follow the story line of five members of House Forrester, a house that has sworn its allegiance to the Starks. Now these five members must save their house from the war that has engulfed entire Westeros. Similar to Telltale’s other games, Game of Thrones will be an interactive graphic adventure. The game will be broken into six episodes, with the first one being “Iron from Ice”. The game will be released on iOS next year alongside the next season of Game of Thrones TV series. Telltale has stated that the game will eventually be released on other platforms (most likely Android) as well.

Check out the other screens below.

[via]

Users can now disable WhatsApp’s blue ticks on Android

Sharang Sharma

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November 16, 2014

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Ever since WhatsApp introduced a new feature that allows users to know when exactly their message has been read, the public outcry has been overwhelming. We’re assuming that the blue ticks that indicate that the message in question has been read by the recipient or not would have jeopardized several friendships and relationships by now.

However, WhatsApp is now offering users a way out of this. The new version of WhatsApp for Android allows users to disable the “Read Receipts” option. Users who disable the feature will be able to cover their footprints and other people who send messages to such users won’t get blue ticks on their messages sent to these users. As with the last seen option, those who disable “Read Receipts” won’t be able to know if their messages have been read or not by others either, which seems like a fair trade to us. To disable the feature, users need to hit Settings > Privacy > and disable the ‘Read Receipts’ option.

To enable the option, users need to download the APK for the latest version of the app from WhatsApp’s website for Android, as the update isn’t live in the Play Store yet. We’re assuming WhatsApp will be rolling out a similar update for iOS and Windows Phone soon as well.

Grab the latest version from WhatsApp website here.

Windows Store and Windows Phone Store collectively cross half million apps mark

Sachin Sharma

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November 16, 2014

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Microsoft has quietly revealed via its By The Numbers page that the total app count on the Windows Store and the Windows Phone Store has collectively crossed the half million mark. A Microsoft spokesperson further revealed to Venture Beat that the total number of apps on both the stores stand at 527,000 together as of September 30. Around 340,000 of these are present on the Windows Phone Store, while the Windows Store accounts for close to 187,000 apps. Some of these might the same apps just designed for different screen sizes of course, but we speculate that this number shouldn’t be very large.

As announced already, Microsoft plans to unify the Windows Store and the Windows Phone Store with Windows 10 (much like you have a single store for both the iPad and the iPhone). The company is also encouraging developers to build universal apps that play well on both the platforms. How it exactly plans to merge these two stores will be revealed at its BUILD conference next year.

While the number is certainly encouraging, it still falls short of the 1.3 million apps present on Apple App Store and Play Store each. And don’t get us started on how many of the major apps haven’t been updated on Microsoft’s platforms in months.

[Source]

Snapchat threatens to block users using third party clients

News

Sharang Sharma

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November 15, 2014

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After the recent leak scandals that have plagued several companies including Apple and Snapchat, some of them have decided to take things in their own hands. Snapchat is supposedly taking down on third party clients which were held responsible for the 13 gigs of private data leak back in October.

Users who use 3rd party clients to access Snapchat are getting the following message from the company:

“We’ve noticed that you’re using a third-party application to access Snapchat, putting yourself (and possibly your friends) at risk. Please change your password and stop using third-party applications when you access Snapchat.”

After the message, users are redirected to a web page that provides similar warning but with harsher consequences should they not heed the warning. According to Snapchat, users who continue to use 3rd party clients might permanently be banned from the service.

Users mostly use third party clients since they allow them to take screenshot of messages, a clear violation of Snapchat policy. The move however, wouldn’t mean the end of third party clients (especially 6snap, since it is the only Snapchat client available on Windows Phone). Snapchat will be releasing official APIs for third party clients that will allow some of them to make a comeback in the future.

[Source]

BlackBerry launches BBM Meetings for conference calls across platforms

Sharang Sharma

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November 14, 2014

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While the BlackBerry hardware is fast moving out of the corporate game, the company has bigger plans for its software. The Canadian maker has released BBM Conversations on Android, BB10, OS X and Windows (not Windows Store). An iOS version of the app will be released shortly.

BBM Meetings allow you to participate in a conference call with up to 25 people at a time. A simple press of a button on the app can convert a chat or a voice call into a live meeting. The app also supports HD Voice and screen sharing. Another useful feature is that it doesn’t require PIN number or unique ID for connecting to a conference call. Simply answer the call like any other call and you’ll find yourself connected to the conference. You can set up a meeting using your phone and invite attendees from your address book using email or BBM. You can also dial in from a phone call, as well as mute line, remove members and do much more.

BBM Meetings costs $12.50 a month per host. The company is offering a 30 day trial period. Hit the store link to know more.

BBM Meetings – Android

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Facebook Messenger gets updated on Windows Phone to version 9.0

Sharang Sharma

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November 14, 2014

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Facebook Messenger on Windows Phone has received a major update to version 9.0. The update brings a couple of new features, including the ability to send anyone a message (that includes non-friends) by sending them a text, the ability to draw text and photos to the images that you’re sharing with your friends. You can also start chatting with their friends by typing their number.

Here’s the full changelog:

-Improvements to make the app faster
-Now you can message people even if you’re not Facebook friends
-Tap People to sync your phone contacts
-Enter Anyone’s phone number to start texting them from the app
-Add colorful drawings and text to photos from your camera roll before you send them

Grab Messenger from the Windows Phone Store here.

Microsoft launches Movie Creator app on Windows Phone and Windows 8.1

Sharang Sharma

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November 14, 2014

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Microsoft has launched a new app in the Windows Phone Store and Windows Store called Movie Creator. As the name suggests, Movie Creator allows you to create videos on your Lumia phones or Windows 8.1 devices using clips already present on your storage. You can join up to 25 videos, photos, cinemagraphs and living images together to create a video. The app also gives you control over the overall length of the movie, as well the ability to add text cards, captions and various filters, pan and zoom, and rotate. Deleting isn’t a hassle either and you can duplicate content too.

You can also add music from the Music app (only non DRM MP3 files) and use pre-installed themes that can save you a lot of time. Some of these themes can be purchased through in-app purchases. Of course, your original content remains intact and untouched.

The app is currently in beta and is available as a free download. Grab it from the links below.

Movie Creator – Windows Phone

Movie Creator – Windows

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