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Amazon quitely makes its Android Appstore app redundant

Android
News

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October 26, 2014

Don’t worry, you’ll still have access to the Amazon Appstore on your Android device, just not like you used to earlier. Amazon’s recent update to its Android app adds a new “Apps & Games” section that replicates the content present in the Appstore app.

This obviously makes the Appstore app obsolete. This marks an important change for Amazon because while the Amazon app can be downloaded from the Play Store (at least for now), users add to sideload the Amazon Appstore app since it wasn’t published in the Play Store.

You’ll still have to change your Android device’s security settings to allow downloads from unknown sources and install them. With the reach of Amazon app being far more than Appstore’s, we’re sure Amazon is going to be selling a lot more apps in the coming days. Surprisingly, this feature has been available since September 9th, just no one cares to talk about it before, including Amazon (except for a mention in the press release).

It remains to be seen what Google has to say about the rather smart move from Amazon. We just hope consumers will be able to buy apps from both the stores.

[Source: Techcrunch]

Amazon adds dedicated voice search to its Android app

Android
News

Sharang Sharma

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October 25, 2014

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Amazon has recently pushed a new update for its Android app taking it to version 5.1. The update makes it possible to do voice searches within the app instead of having to type down the name of the product you’re looking for.

Upon tapping on the magnifying glass within the app, users will be presented with a “Voice” option with a microphone instead of “Scan it” that used to be present earlier. Amazon will store these voice searches to improve its voice searches, however, you also have the option to opt out of it.

Another change that is present in the apk but hasn’t been made available just yet is the ability to scan credit cards. What good would that do, you ask? Well, it will save you time by scanning your credit card details instead of you typing them using the keyboard.

The update is out in the Play Store and ready to be downloaded. Unfortunately, the changelog is still from version 5.0.

Amazon – Play Store

Pako lands on Android and iOS after enjoying exclusivity on Windows Phone

Games
News

Sachin Sharma

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October 24, 2014

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Pako is no doubt an excellent game. However, it was only available for Windows Phone users until now. The good news is that the developers have now released the the game on Android and iOS as well.

Pako is a car chase game based on Unity engine. Players are supposed to steer a car in five different locations and evade cops for as long as possible without colliding into anything in the surrounding. Each of these five areas are enclosed and the number of cops that are after you only increase as you keep them on your tail. What’s more, each of these five locations feature their own unique vehicles with different handling and characteristics adding to the fun. A particular level called Graveyard also features zombies which can be romped down to earn extra time. At the end, your best score is posted online, where you can compare your rank with all other players across the globe.

Pako is free to download, but features ads. You can spend $1.25 to get rid of them though through in-app purchase. Check out our review of the game here.

Pako – Android | iOS | Windows Phone

Rockstar celebrates tenth anniversary of GTA: San Andreas with huge discounts on Android, iOS and Windows Phone

Games
News

Sharang Sharma

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October 24, 2014

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It’s hard to believe that 10 years have passed since Rockstar released Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas on the Play Station 2 and Xbox. And to celebrate the 10th anniversary, Rockstar is giving huge discounts on GTA: San Andreas, GTA: Vice City and GTA III on Android, iOS and Windows Phone. The deal is available on Apple App Store, Play Store and Amazon Store and even Windows Phone Store.

After the discounts San Andreas costs $3.99 (43 percent discount) on all the four stores. Meanwhile, GTA III and GTA Vice City cost $2.99 each on Apple App Store, Play Store and Amazon Store. The last two aren’t available on Windows Phone so there’s no question of a discount. GTA III was launched on mobile platforms in 2011 to celebrate the tenth anniversary of the PC version of the game, while Vice City was released in 2012 to mark its same milestone.

The offer is valid till 9th November, so you should probably grab these titles and enjoy months of gaming ahead. Grab the games at the store links below.

Facebook’s new Rooms app on iOS reminds of an era gone by

iOS
News

Sharang Sharma

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October 24, 2014

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Facebook has launched a new app on iOS called Rooms. What makes this one special is that reminds of the 90s when anonymous chat rooms were something big. The app has been crafted in this way on purpose, of course.

Rooms allow users to create or be part of a groups called Rooms that bring people of common interests together. You won’t be needed to login to your Facebook account or set your profile picture. In fact, the app’s got nothing to do with your Facebook account (except probably for the fact that all the data will be stored on Facebook’s servers). It’s all supposed to remain undisclosed. What’s more, you can choose a different nickname for every room, as well as customize its look and feel. There are certain restrictions though. The rooms will have moderators and then, there’s age restriction, as well as rules for participation.

The app is the brainchild of Josh Miller, who worked with Branch before Facebook acquired it. Rooms seems like another effort to cover up the messaging sphere with another kind of app, lest someone else comes before and Facebook finds itself late to the party like it happened with Snapchat. You can try the app for free at the store link below.

Rooms – iOS App Store

Yahoo Mail gets travel and event notifications, takes on Google Now

Promil Bhardwaj

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October 23, 2014

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Yahoo has updated its Yahoo Mail app on iOS and Android, making it more than merely an email client. The update adds travel and event notifications within the app, something that was added to Google Now not too long ago. Specifically, the “Today” section within the app can tell you if your flight is on time or has been delayed. It goes an extra mile by giving directions to the airport or connecting to the airlines though their website or call with just one small tap to resbook the flight.

It doesn’t end at that and once you reach your destination, you’ll be given suggestions about the attractions and eateries in the vicinity using data from Yelp. In case you’re attending Evite, Eventbrite and Ticketmaster events, Yahoo Mail will be so kind as to give you the event details and directions for the venue. The only downside to the update is that it’s only available in the US for now, although it could be made available in more markets in the future (we hope). Grab the update at the source links below.

Yahoo Mail – Android

Yahoo Mail – iOS

Game of Thrones Ascent adds The Long Night expansion pack on iOS and Android

Games
News

Sharang Sharma

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October 23, 2014

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While Tolkien fans get tons of games to play across different platforms, the choices for Game of Thrones (or “A Song of Ice and Fire” in case you’ve read George R. R. Martin’s work) loyalists are limited. Luckily, we have a few options available though, Game of Thrones Ascent being one of them. Developed by Kongregate, Game of Thrones Ascent is a strategic role-playing game that is based on the books and the popular Game of Thrones TV series.

Now, the game has been given its first expansion pack named ‘The Long Night’. The update focuses around the north and the wall where you’ll need to fend of hordes of white walkers and stop a new plague brought down by wights and wildlings into the Gift from spreading further. The game also features new Tactics and Quartermaster modes. Tactics include Alliance and Member Tactics, with the former affecting your team and the latter your own character.

That’s the second present for Martin fans in the recent past, with Random House having released Dothraki Companion App a few days ago. Grab Game of Thrones Ascent from the store links below.

Game of Thrones Ascent – Play Store

Game of Thrones Ascent – Apple App Store

Changelog:

— Added functionality for Alliance and Member Tactics feature!
— Use Tactics to add bonuses that can affect your character or your entire Alliance!
— Added a variety of Alliance and Member Tactics to apply.
— Added the Quartermaster Feature!
— Get a free spin every day for Prestige and other prizes!
— Complete other actions to gain one extra spin per day!
— Started the Long Night Cycle!
— Added new quests, items, adventures and more!
— Resolved issue where Prologue Complete screen had no background image.
— Resolved issue where Friends box on Fealty screen had no background image.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zOfypnv9qZ0

Rovio’s Retry takes off on Play Store

Nityansh Seth

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October 23, 2014

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While Flappy Bird might not have received much critical acclaim, it certainly did open a new genre of games that only live to torment players with their sheer difficulty level. Rovio’s Retry is one such game that has been around on iOS fora while now. However, now Android users will be able to enjoy the game too, since Retry has been launched on the Play Store.

Features:

FLY. CRASH. REPEAT. No one said this would be easy.
SPIN FOR THE WIN! Loop, stall, dive – master the moves, or eternally retry.
COLLECT COINS! It’s the 80s – what did you expect? Don’t say Bitcoins…
DAILY CHALLENGES! Unlock these intense levels and humiliate your Facebook friends.
RETRO 8-BIT GRAPHICS! Next gen? How ‘bout first gen.
SLICK SYNTHESIZER SOUNDTRACK! Crank it up and hit the skies

Retry asks you to take control plane of a plane and steer it through treachorous obstacles. As you succeed, you earn stars to unlock new worlds. The game relies on its difficulty and more often than not you’ll be crashing the plane instead of steering it. Similar to Flappy Bird, Retry features retro style 8 bit graphics.

Retry is free to download and unlike some of Rovio’s other games, doesn’t bug you with IAPs.

Retry – Play Store

Google Play Music gets Material Design and Songza integration

Sharang Sharma

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October 22, 2014

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Google has pushed a new update for Play Music app on Android and iOS. First and foremost change you’ll notice is the shift to Material Design, which is nothing unexpected, given we’re seeing the same being done on other Google apps as well.

Google’s acquisition of Songza has beared fruits in this update since the app now features contextual music stations. These stations play music based on your mood or activity. So say you’re in a happy mood, a particular station will play songs that complement your mood. These stations have been hand made by a team of experts which not only include engineers, but DJs, musicians, music critics, and ethnomusicologists. These music stations can be downloaded for offline playing and can be edited by users. You can see what song is next, reorder the playlist and add or remove songs from the list. These radio stations are available in the US and Canada only.

The Listen Now page has also been revamped and now shows cards for your recently played music, new releases you might be interested in, and radio stations based on what you like to listen to. The feature is available in 45 countries.

The new Play Music is out for Android, iOS and the web.

Play Music – Android

Play Music – iOS

Changelog for Play Music iOS version 1.4.3057:

– Pick the perfect radio station for any situation easily on Listen Now [US/CA All Access only]
– Search for radio stations based on mood or activity (e.g Running, Feeling Happy or Partying) [All Access only]
– New Listen Now that shows recently played music and improved recommendations
– The queue understands and shows what you are playing from (playlist, album, etc)
– Shuffle fixes

IMDB app on iOS updated adding technical details and box office data to the movie page

iOS
News

Sharang Sharma

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October 22, 2014

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IMDB has pushed a new update for its IMDB Movies & TV app on iOS with new features and improvements.

The most important change that the update brings is that the app now shows a new technical details section and box office information section on every movie page. The technical details lists out information like runtime, sound mix, color, aspect ratio, and more, while the box office details cover things like budget, collections, opening weekend gross and other details.

You will also be able to add trivia or plot details for a movie or TV show directly from the app. Then, the app gets some visual tweaks along with a quick access to photo galleries and trailers. You can also choose to view the showtimes in AM/PM or 24 hour format, as it pleases you. Also, the top 250 movies and trending movies lists now display icons that detail methods to watch these movies. Lastly, IMDB has worked to improve those annoying ads. You will no longer see more than one full screen ad a day. Other ads should also behave themselves and not interrupt in your usage of the app.

Grab the app for free at the store link below.

IMDB Movies & TV – App Store