Apprtize

BBM gets updated to version 2.2 on Android, iOS update incoming

Sharang Sharma

-

May 31, 2014

While the initial euphoria around the Android and iOS ports of BBM is pretty much dead, at least the developers haven’t completely forgotten about it. The app has been pushed to version 2.2 on Android and is expected to get the same update for iOS in the coming days.

Among several changes the most important is the easier sign up method. Unlike competitors (that are in a much better shape), BBM required users to fill in several fields before you could start using the app on your phone. Well, some of them are gone and you just need to enter your name, email and password. The app has also been given a much more easier way to add friends. If you now receive an invite through email, all you need to do is click the link and that’s all. Earlier, users were supposed to send a PIN back, which wasn’t the most convenient or time saving process. BlackBerry has also added 16 new emoticons to the app.

The update is live on Android and can be accessed here. Meanwhile, it should go live on iOS in a couple of hours. BlackBerry users shall be getting the update in the coming days with the above features along with some exclusive ones.

[Source]

Windows Phone gets an official file manager named Files

Sharang Sharma

-

May 31, 2014

0

Windows Phone so far had been missing on a file manager. Windows Phone 8.1 came and still the simple file explorer was missing. Luckily, Microsoft hadn’t forgotten about it all this time and was working on one. Delivering on its promise a few days earlier, the team has released the official file manager for Windows Phone 8.1. The app is simply called ‘Files’ and allows simple operations like moving files around from the internal memory to the external one or vice verse. You can also browse, search and directly launch files from within the app. That’s not all since the app also allows you to delete, rename, copy and organize files.

OneDrive comes integrated with app and it only allows you to browse non system folders. It’s basic just like several thrid party apps that have popped up in the Store in the last month or so, but is free, just like it should be. You can grab the app on the Windows Phone Store here.

Rdio’s latest update adds gapless playback on Android, push notifications on iOS

Sharang Sharma

-

May 30, 2014

0

With the competition in the music streaming industry intensifying after Apple’s acquisition of Beats, popular streaming service Rdio has been updated on both Android and iOS. The updates bring different set of features to the two versions.

Android update

While seamlessly transitioning from one song to another might not even seem like something noticeable during offline playback, it matters for streaming music services. The update for the Android app of Rdio just brings that based on popular user demand. You can now seamlessly transition between songs, live concerts and comedy shows. Besides this, the update also brings some minor UI changes and bug fixes.

iOS update

The update on iOS takes Rdio to version 2.5.9. While it doesn’t add the same features as the Android update, it brings push notifications to the app that allows you to get notifications about the activities of your choice, such as music shared with you, new followers, subscribers to your playlists and more. The usual bug fixes and minor UI changes are common between the two updates though.

You can find Rdio at the store links below. The app is free to download and comes with a two week trial period, post which you’ll need a $9.99/month prescription.

Apple App Store

Play Store

Android Device Manager and Google Maps get updated on Android

Sharang Sharma

-

May 30, 2014

0

Two apps from the Google kitty have picked recent updates on the Play Store. We’re talking about Google Maps and Android Device Manager.

Android Device Manager

Android Device Manager is a security tool that can be used to track a lost or stolen phone and remotely wipe data from it. Now Google has added another useful feature to the app that allows users to guest login into their ADM using a friend’s phone. The guest mode on the app allows the same function as the tablet or desktop version, offering to remote locate, ring, lock and wipe data off the phone. Once complete, users can safety logout from the Android device that is being used with the guest mode. The changelog also mentions bug fixes and performance improvements. The update is live and can be picked from the Play Store here.

Google Maps

Google Maps has also picked a handy update that takes it to version 8.1. The biggest feature that the update brings (back) is Terrain mode, that was withdrawn from the app in version 7. Terrain mode gives information about change in elevation in the surrounding hills, valleys and mountains. Other than that, the app has also received some minor UI changes like the transit time now being shown in bold, along with additional time spent in walking on the bottom of the screen. Biking and pedestrian views now resemble car navigation view with mini map and Start navigation button on the first result.

You can pick the app on the Play Store here.

Windows Phone Store adds phone model and make in user app reviews

Sharang Sharma

-

May 29, 2014

0

Microsoft overhauled the Windows Phone Store with Windows Phone 8.1 adding features like histogram for ratings, better overall layout and what not. Now the team is pushing out another small update that shows the phone model and make against every app review in the Store.

Why is that useful? For a lot of reasons. Say there’s a paid game in the store that has been rated as “Excellent, runs smoothly.” By a user with a Lumia 1520. Now, another user with a Lumia 520 might not have the same experience with the game and might give it a low rating. In that case, it becomes quite understandable that the app is rather poorly optimized and isn’t worth the purchase on low end devices. However, users with high end phones shouldn’t worry about getting the app at all.

Such small changes usually go unnoticed, but add a lot of value to the overall user experience. We’re glad that the Microsoft team is working to get things done in the right direction.

Sega classic Castle of Illusion lands on Windows Phone and Windows

Sharang Sharma

-

May 28, 2014

0

Castle of Illusion is a Sega Genesis classic from the golden era of gaming, Now, Disney is trying to recreate some of that old magic on Windows Phone and Windows. The studio has launched a game of the same name on Store. It seems like Disney and Microsoft have signed some sort of contract to bring all major Disney titles to Microsoft’s platforms. The game was launched on iOS and Android last year.

Controlling Mickey Mouse in third person, here’s what the game has to offer:

“The evil witch Mizrabel has kidnapped Minnie Mouse and taken her to the castle, where Mickey must seek her out. Mickey must travel through enchanted forests, take on armies of rebellious toys and navigate mazes of living books – all in search of his captive sweetheart. There are five magical worlds filled with Mizrabel’s powerful minions, twists and turns, and hidden challenges to uncover and master.”

Of course the graphics have been updated from the Sega era to match current standards. The game wighs close to 47MB on both the platforms and on Windows Phone, it requires 1GB RAM. The sad part is the pricing of the game. On the Windows Store, you’ll have to pay $14.99 to enjoy the game, while on Windows Phone it costs a whopping (by Windows Phone standards) $9.99. No it’s not an universal app (which is surprising) and it’s not an Xbox Live title either. What’s more shocking is that it comes sans a trial.

Probably the best thing to do would be to let the game get discounted during special offers like the Red Stripe Deals of the week. In case yo’re the impatient types, find the store links below.

Windows 8.1
Windows Phone 8

BBC iPlayer gets a major overhaul on Windows Phone, drops Radio support

Sharang Sharma

-

May 27, 2014

0

BBC’s iPlayer has received a rather big update on Windows Phone, adding many new features. The update makes several much welcomed design changes to the app. Here’s the full changelog:

Adaptive bitrate support, so those of you with poorer internet connections will still be able to watch content while those with faster connections will get the best playback quality available.
Support for subtitles.
Live TV streaming ,
Improved stability
Improved device compatibility

The update makes the app look more consistent with Windows Phone UI rather than an Android port. Also, iPlayer has lost Radio support post the update, something that was present earlier. Although the developer team has promised that it is working on a separate app for radio that optimizes listening experiences. Not only that, but the app could also get programs download and offline playing support in the future, if Windows Phone share rises enough to make it a sound investment,

You can catch the iPlayer app on Windows Phone here (region restricted).

Samsung adds stress meter to S Health app on the Galaxy S5

Android
News

Sharang Sharma

-

May 26, 2014

0

Samsung’s S Health app has received an update and has gained the capabilities to measure your stress. All you need to do is place your finger on the heart rate monitor on the backside of the phone and the app will take care of everything else.

The app even allows you to measure your stress level over a period of time, along with the regular instant use, provided you use the app regularly. The app can give you data about your hourly, daily, weekly or monthly stress levels.

Although how much of it is accurate and not like some other gimmicky features Samsung brags about is a whole another issue that only time will tell as users test out the new feature.

[Source]

Refunded apps will no longer update or get reinstalled on the App Store

iOS
News

Chetna Chauhan

-

May 25, 2014

0

Here’s a funny thing. Until now, if you applied for a refund on an app on the iPhone or iPad, you could still reinstall or update that app even after getting the refund. This essentially made the app free for users. It’s surprising that Apple never took notice of such a big issue up till now. However, Apple has closed the loophole and if someone who has already got a refund tries to reinstall the app, he’s greeted by an error saying that the app is no longer available since it is either owned by another user or has been refunded/canceled.

Users on iOS devices can apply for a refund by selecting one of the options when they choose “Report a problem”. We have no doubt that some users who were aware of the loophole would have exploited it well enough. Although it didn’t hurt anybody, but this obviously made them get free apps when the money should have gone to developers. But now that this gate has been shut all we can think of is it’s better late than never, right?

[Source]

Microsoft reveals data about app activity on Windows Phone and Windows

Sharang Sharma

-

May 25, 2014

0

Microsoft reveals data about app activity on Windows Phone and Windows

Microsoft has shared some insightful data regarding the trends in the Windows Store and the Windows Phone Store across categories. Not surprisingly, games are the most downloaded apps on both the platforms, accounting for just under 40 percent of all app downloads on the Windows Store and under 35 percent on the Windows Phone Store.

On Windows Phone Store, games are followed by productivity apps with a respectable 20 percent share, while Entertainment apps take the 2nd spot on the Windows Store with close to 10 percent market share. In terms of downloads per apps, games again top on Windows Phone, while the first spot is occupied by Social apps on the Windows Store. Although, Social is a close second on the Windows Phone Store.

Breakdown by market reveals that the US is the biggest consumer of Windows apps with a staggering 31 percent share, followed by France and the UK at 6 percent each. For Windows Phone Store, Others take the top spot with one fifth of downloads, followed by the US, China and India.

English is the preferred language when it comes to Windows Phone apps, followed by Spanish, while Mandarin takes the second spot for Windows apps.

When it comes to generating revenue, in-app purchases are the biggest source of revenue on Windows Phone apps followed by advertisement revenues. The trend is opposite for Windows Store, where the majority of the revenue comes from advertising.

Microsoft has also made some suggestions for the developers and you can check them at the source link below.

[Source]