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HTC publishes it’s default keyboard app in the Play Store

Android
News

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July 23, 2014

Unbundling core apps from the main firmware seems to have caught the attention of smartphone manufacturers these days, since it allows to push updates to these apps without having to wait for carrier approvals and such. HTC is already on the bandwagon and has now published its default keyboard app in the Play Store. This will allow for any future updates to the app to be downloaded immediately by all users across the globe.

Called HTC Sense Input, the default keyboard now includes support for Google Extract View in landscape mode. It also adds .ru/.ro/.nl on Russian/Romanian/Dutch URL keyboard and supports handwriting manual submit mode. The keyboard also learns from from your typing style and suggests more accurate words.

You can catch HTC Sense Input for your HTC device (only) in the Play Store. However, it won’t work with the Play editions of HTC One M7 and M8.

New Google Play update brings Material Design elements

Android
News

Sharang Sharma

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July 23, 2014

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Google is pushing out an update to Google Play, taking it to version 4.3.13. The update brings the new Material Design to the Play Store that was revealed by Google at is I/O event last month. There are several changes onboard making the update a major one.

The content pages have been changed drastically. App pages are completely redone with more emphasis laid on the cover art. There are new icons on the content pages for rating and genre. Animations have also been worked upon considerably. Descriptions also go full screen now and changelogs are only visible for the apps that have been installed by you. Video trailers take the top spot above image galleries while things like the date of last update, APK size, version, “Top Developer” text, and content are now in the full description section of apps.

WHile this doesn’t seem like a full switch to the Material Design, it appears like a halfway through mark. The update hasn’t rolled out yet and should come in the coming days. However, if you’re too eager, you can head over to AndroidCentral and download the APK.

[Source]

OneDrive gets updated on iOS and Windows Phone, adds some new features on both the platforms

Categories

Promil Bhardwaj

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July 22, 2014

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OneDrive gets updated on iOS and Windows Phone, adds some new features on both the platforms

Microsoft’s cloud storage OneDrive has just received recent updates on Windows Phone and iOS. Let’s take a look at the changelog first:

Version 4.3 iOS:

Option to exclude video uploads from Camera Backup
Improved sharing experience, including AirDrop support
Enhancements to video streaming for smoother playback

Version 4.2 Windows Phone:

The ability to download files to your phone and pick where to save them
A new progress page for uploading and downloading
Improvements to picking contacts when you share files
Bug fixes and performance improvements

Both the updates add significant new features. Version 4.3 on iOS adds the option to turn off video uploads from camera backup. It also adds better sharing experience, bringing better AirDrop support. Video streaming has also been for smoother playback.

On Windows Phone, you can select where to download files on your phone. The app also shows a progress page for your downloads and uploads. Then there are the usual bug fixes and performance improvements.

Grab the update from the respective stores at the links below.

OneDrive – Windows Phone

OneDrive – iOS

Facebook adds Save option to bookmark content in your News Feed for later reading

News

Sharang Sharma

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July 22, 2014

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Does it happen with you that while scrolling through your News Feed, you chance upon an interesting post that you just don’t have the time to go through entirely at that point of time? Well, Facebook understands your pain and is introducing a new Save feature that allows you to bookmark content and read it later. The feature allows you to save items like links, places, movies, TV and music. You can also choose to keep this content private or share it with your friends.

The other great part about this feature is that you can save something on one device (say, smartphone) and view it on the other (say, your PC). The saved items lists is categorized and you can either archive the content in there, or share it with your friends using simple swipe gestures. You’ll also be sent reminders about your saved content in your News Feed from time to time.

Save will be made available to Facebook’s iOS and Android apps, as well as the web and should be rolled out in the next couple of days. No word on the Windows Phone version, but we might see it popping up on Facebook Beta soon hopefully.

[Source]

50 percent more Android apps downloaded compared to iOS apps in the second quarter: App Annie

Sharang Sharma

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July 21, 2014

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One by one, Android is breaking all records set by iOS. The latest report from App Annie suggests that 60 percent more Android apps were downloaded in the second quarter of this year compared to the first quarter. The growth for iOS apps in the same period was close to 45 percent. In all, close to 150 million apps were downloaded on Android compared to just 100 million on iOS.

Entry level handsets contributed significantly to the total app downloads for Android. In fact, India shot up two places from fifth to third in total number of app downloads on Android, behind US and Brazil. In the iOS camp, Japan was at the numero uno position, followed by the US, South Korea and Germany in second, third and fourth respectively.

Games continued to be the most downloaded apps category on Android, followed by Tools and Communication.

However, when it comes to the overall revenue generated through the store, Apple was still at the top, raking in close to $100 million in the second quarter. Android grew by 30 percent and managed to make $60 million from the Play Store.

[Source]

Google Maps updated on Android to version 8.2, adds multiple new features

Sharang Sharma

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July 20, 2014

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One of the best navigation maps just became a lot more better. Google has pushed out an update for Google Maps on Android, taking them to version 8.2. Here’s what the team at Android Police was able to discover in the update:

Voice actions in navigation mode (ETA to destination, show traffic, etc.)
Bicycle directions show elevation, including elevation comparison for multiple routes
Your Places now appears in slide-out nav menu
Voice icon replaces the “person” in search bar that used to load Places
Uber card now shown in the car tab of navigation instead of just public transportation and walking
ETA no longer in bold type

The biking elevation feature is still in beta and is an extension of what was released for the web app some weeks back. It can be used to compare elevation of multiple routes and save yourself the time and effort. The other big feature is voice commands. The app will answer questions like, “how long until I reach?” or “how’s the traffic?”. Of course you can mute the feature. However, the voice commands are very specific at the moment and won’t work unless you’re not doing the exact phrasing. Perhaps, this should be improved in the future versions.

You can grab Google Maps on the Play Store here.

Mirror’s Edge, Pocket File Manager, Spectral Souls and more are this week’s Red Stripe Deals on Windows Phone

Sharang Sharma

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July 19, 2014

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You know the drill. Every week six new apps get discounted by 50 percent on more on the Windows Phone Store. We’ll get straight to the point. Here are this week’s apps.

Mirror’s Edge – $0.99

Run up walls, slide down ramps, ride zip lines, and hurdle between rooftops as you burn through 14 levels of increasing intensity. Think fast on your feet, engage in furious hand-to-hand combat, elude your enemies, and push yourself to the very edge.

Fairway Solitaire by Big Fish – $0.99

Big Fish is pleased to announce that Fairway Solitaire™ is back, and it’s bigger and better than ever! The much-anticipated sequel and one of the most exciting and addictive card games available includes solitaire hands dealt on more than 350 hand-crafted golf holes, 4 mini games, 37 trophies, a golf shop, golf announcers, hazard cards, and one SERIOUSLY ticked off gopher!

Pocket File Manager – $0.99

Full access to Phone and SD Card. Now you can store any files in those locations and retrieve them by connecting to PC. Full featured FTP Server. Supports active and passive connections. Supports authentication. Downloader with resume and scheduler. Automatically detects YouTube URL and allows to download video file.

DrawaStickman:EPIC – $0.99

Draw a stickman, then guide him through a fantastic world of adventure! Using an assortment of pencils, draw elements, tools, and weapons to solve puzzles and overcome obstacles.

Draw a Stickman Epic could be compared to an adventure game, RPG, or puzzle game, but the unique drawing mechanic is unlike any game you’ve ever played before! From drawing a rain cloud for growing plants to drawing an axe for chopping down a gate, you control all aspects of your environment.

Spectral Souls- $5.99

“Spectral Souls” the awaited full size Japanese Tactical RPG is available now for your Windows Phone 8 !!! Now with full support for MOGA controller.

Red Crow Mysteries: Legion Full – $1.99

Save mankind from a terrifying fate in this heart-pounding adventure! Your ability to see other worlds makes you the only person who can win the eternal battle between good and evil. Explore dark and eerie locations to find clues, search for special items and solve tricky puzzles. Pass the ultimate test to prove that you are the only one able to defeat the impending threat and preserve the world as we know it.

Facebook launches Mentions app for celebrities

iOS
News

Shivendra Pal

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July 18, 2014

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Celebrities in the US will have an easy time managing their Facebook accounts by seeing all posts where they have been mentioned and responding directly to these posts from the app, thus saving time. The app shows all the posts where that user has been tagged, not unlike how you see News Feed on your Facebook account. Of course, trending posts are shown on the top, other wise, it’ll be a flood of posts on that celebrity’s phone. These people can then Share updates, photos and videos and host live Q&As directly from their phone. They can also join active conversations and have their say.

The app requires you to be a celebrity with a verified account before you can use it. Mentions is currently available only on iOS (because celebrities use it?) and works only in the US. However, it might be expanded to other regions in the future. Even if you have a verified account, you have to request access before you can actually use the app. In case your account isn’t verified, you can get that done through the app too. Find the store link to the app below.

Mentions – App Store

BBM Beta now live in the Windows Phone Store

Promil Bhardwaj

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July 18, 2014

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BBM Beta now live in the Windows Phone Store

The much awaited BlackBerry Messenger has finally hit the Windows Phone Store and is now available to download for those who signed up for the beta program last week. Here are some highlights of what BBM for Windows Phone has to offer:

BBID Setup and Log-in (for Whitelisted BBIDs)
Create BBM Profile
Invite a contact and suggested contacts (people you know)
1-to-1 & Multi-person Chat
Contact Categories
Manage Settings
BBM Groups
Notifications and in-app “splats” for new content. See them in Feeds, Contacts when they’ve sent you a message, etc.

However, BlackBerry is admitting a few issues with the app. Here’s a list of known issues:

Invites and acceptances don’t send when Windows Phone goes out of WiFi coverage
A few newer emoticons are not rendering properly (i.e brrrr, and flex and @-@)
Windows Phone shows as available for BBM Voice call although feature is not supported (seen on Android and iOS, not BlackBerry 10)
Error popup appears when using “Find Friends” and the “OK” button is selected
Suggested Contacts tab only shows users already using BBM, but lists them as potential contacts when BBM is initially launched

Of course, that’s because the app is beta and not the final version. Head on to the Windows Phone Store and grab the app for free if you are a part of the beta program.

Google Wallet now handles your Gift Cards

Sharang Sharma

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July 17, 2014

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Who doesn’t love gift cards? Although, they can be a hassle at times. Lucky for you then that Google Wallet has made things easier for you with the latest addition. You can now manage your gift cards and redeem them in stores using the Wallet app. So you’ll no longer have to worry about carrying all your cards to the store. User will have to click a photo of the card or enter the details manually. Some gift cards will also show the remaining balance available and show notifications when you’re near a store where they can be used.

That’s not all, the app now allows users to borrow money from friends either through the app or through Gmail. You can also send reminders to friends asking them for some cash. Also, you can now add money to your Google Wallet using your debit card for free. That’s no more hassle of checkbooks or waiting for the cash to credit into your app.

Spanish users will find that Google Wallet works perfectly in Spanish now. The udpate is rolling in the US for both Android and iOS users.

Google Wallet – Play Store

Google Wallet – iTunes Store