Category: Apps and Software

Games, Apps, Softwares, Operating Systems and Software Hacks

Google To Launch a Toilet Finder For India

Google has partnered with the Indian Government to launch a toilet finder built into Maps in India. India has one of the worst toilet problems in the world. With over 70 % households lacking basic toilet facilities, this tool aims to help people with access to smartphones, which surprisingly is more than those with toilets.

Google and the Ministry of Urban Development in India have made this tool simple enough that a user can search in multiple Indian languages for words like “toilet,” “lavatory,” “swachhata” and “shulabh.”

This is also a crowd sourced platform which will populate the condition and availability of toilets as users use it more and more. It is expected to be rolled out in the coming months, however, no proper timeline exists.

Now if only Google could work on a currency filled ATM finder, India would be a better place.

November 17, 2016
WhatsApp Launches Video Calling for Everyone

WhatsApp has finally enabled video calling for everyone using their app with voice calling already enabled. This feature is available through the voice call button, once you tap that button you will get an option to choose either voice call or video call.

We’re introducing this feature because we know that sometimes voice and text just aren’t enough. There’s no substitute for watching your grandchild take her first steps, or seeing your daughter’s face while she’s studying abroad. And we want to make these features available to everyone, not just those who can afford the most expensive new phones or live in countries with the best cellular networks.

The video calling feature has been in rumors for a very long time, and it works a lot like FaceTime or Skype, even Google hangouts. During the call you can with between the front or rear camera, jump to messaging or mute the call.

The update will be available across regions in a systematic manner, so you may not see it immediately.

November 15, 2016
Apple updates to WatchOS 3

Apple has updated the WatchOS to version 3, with WatchOS 3 Apple is paying strict attention to performance and basic usage addons.

The new load times for apps on WatchOS 3 are seven times faster. Apple has also included the Mini Mouse watch face and a new activity circle watch face, which will come in either analogue or digital.

You will also get control centre just like iOS by simply swiping up from the bottom of the watch face.

There is also a new scribble feature that will let you scribble characters on the watch face directly to make words and sentences for replying more quietly in various languages.

Apple WatchOS 3 will also allow you to make emergency services calls like 911 in the US, and you will be able to make calls instantly from the watch. Apple watch will automatically switch to emergency numbers in the country you are using the Apple Watch.

The Activity sharing feature allows you to compete with your friends with your workouts and fitness goals. The new Breathe app reminds you to do the most important thing to stay alive, breathe. The app will give you quick directions on how to get quick deep breaths in for a more relaxed mind.

June 13, 2016
Apple WWDC 2016 : What to Expect

Apple’s big WWDC 2016 announcement is hours away, and the Cupertino giant has a lot up its sleeve. The company is expected to launch and announce several improvements to its software products and also possibly upgrade some hardware.

Siri

Apple is serious about making Siri better, not only by making it more open but also more connected. While Google showed off some major improvements at Google IO, Amazon has also been working on Alexa which has left users excited about what next to expect.

However, with Siri being the most used assistant globally, thanks to Apple’s tight control, opening up to select third parties may be next on the agenda.

MacOS

Apple will rename Mac OS X to MacOS to continue its naming system across the board. The next in line is expected to be MacOS Fuji according to rumors. Apple is expected to make the seamlessness between iOS and MacOS smoother and sharing of files is expected to improve even though AirDrop is considered the best file sharing system.

iOS 10

Apple will announce, and launch the developer preview of iOS 10. iOS 10 is expected to include major improvements across the board. Newer design and graphics overlay, improvements to apps and functionality and better multitasking.

Macbook Pro

Apple may announce, or quietly upgrade the Macbook Pro to newer hardware, improved chipsets, However, Apple’s next-generation MacBook Pros are expected to include an OLED touch panel that will replace the function keys on the existing MacBook Pro . Apple may hold off launching these new Macbooks at a separate event.

Apple Watch 2

Apart from a possible design revamp the Apple Watch 2 might also include a larger size, up to 47mm. Apple will also add functionality to straps by allowing third party developers to include large batteries which will sit on the straps and allow for much longer battery life, up to a week. Apple is also said to be working with brands like Hermes to launch higher end Apple Watches at WWDC.

You can watch the keynote live here : 10:30PM IST

June 13, 2016
Allo is Google’s new Messaging App : Google I/O

Allo is Google’s new messaging app, another attempt from the company to take on the massive messaging space.

Featuring a new mode called whisper-shout, which lets you reduce or increase the size of the chat text before sending, Indicating your intent for the message.

The new app uses Google’s intelligent machine learning, to auto-predict replies and reduces typing by several times.

The Google Assistant sits within the messaging app and helps you do things like book movies, or reserve a table using open table. Things for which you would usually need to leave the app.

You can also have a one on one with the Google Assistant, asking questions and playing games with the virtual messaging buddy.

Allo will also include an incognito mode, which will encrypt messages end to end for the users.

May 18, 2016
WhatsApp Adds a Video Call Button on the Android Beta App

WhatsApp is finally ready to take on the likes of Skype, FaceTime and even Facebook Messenger with their very own video calling feature.

The App has included a Video call button on the latest android beta app in attempts to test the features. out. However, the button is not working at the moment. German website Macerkopf was able to initiate the video call and has shown off the screenshots.

Macerkopf says that the feature is currently being tested internally for WhatsApp version 2.12.16.2 for iOS and the build is for developers and beta testers.

If WhatsApp does include this feature, it will take a huge blow at rivals which already train in the number of active users.

May 16, 2016
WhatsApp and Facebook End of Support, Leaves Blackberry Upset

Blackberry is not doing so well, proof of that is the fact that WhatsApp and Facebook are officially killing App support for the platform. Previously known as RIM, Blackberry has not seen a good record in the past few years. With almost all their devices not doing well, either due to price or specifications.

The news which is about a month old has left Blackberry in disappointment. The apps are supposed to end their support end of 2016 leaving any Blackberry users fending for themselves, as no more updates will be available post that. However, devices like the company’s Priv, that work on Android will not be a part of this end of service, and will continue to enjoy updates at the same time as any Android device.

In a blog post, Lou Gazzola, senior manager in charge of BlackBerry’s App Ecosystem and Developer Outreach team, said they are disappointed as they know so many users love these apps (Facebook and WhatsApp).

We fought back to work with WhatsApp and Facebook to change their minds, but at this time, their decision stands (but let them know how you feel on social media, using the hashtag #IloveBB10Apps) Our commitment to BlackBerry 10 and to developers has not changed – we know our developer community continues to be one of the strongest proponents of BlackBerry 10 and they are creating thousands of apps every month

Source

March 26, 2016
Uber Just Bought Over 100,000 Self Driving Mercedes Benz S-Class

Easy go taxi app “Uber” has reportedly purchased 100,000 Mercedes Benz S Class vehicles. Till now Uber owned no cars of its own. Germany’s Manager Magazin, claims that both Uber and Mercedes are both investing heavily in making autonomous cars a reality.

This deal which sets the delivery in the future is for Mercedez Benz and Uber technology which will allow the cars to be Autonomous. It is estimated that the deliveries for the said vehicles will begin early 2020, according to Stuttgart. The premium S-Class has been able to park, maintain safe distances from other cars in tight, stop-and-go traffic without the aid of a driver, these features are said to be enhaced over the next few years to allow more capabilites.

A deal which is in the upper region of 10 Billion Euros, is set to compete against the various other companies aiming to make autonomous cars including the likes of Tesla.

Source

March 19, 2016
Are You on Facebook Lite Yet?

Facebook has always tried to reach out to the most, if not all, of the human population on earth. Facebook currently has around 1.6 billion monthly active users. Seeing as how Facebook also owns Instagram and WhatsApp, it is evident that the company doesn’t want to leave out a single human being. However, despite a world hungry for social media sites, there are still millions who are unable to jump in due to slow internet speed or limited amount of data. To solve this problem, a team of Facebook engineers worked on ways to make the site accessible to those who were left out.

What came out of it was Facebook Lite, a tiny Android-only app that is lighter and less cluttered compared to the original. The app was launched in June 2015 and recently crossed a 100 million mark. That is the magic number that tells us how fast users have accepted the lighter app in just a few months. The app is less than 1MB in size and practically takes no time at all to download.

There are certain design changes with the ‘Lite’ version but the core functionality is uniform in both the Facebook app and its lighter version. Features like News Feed, status updates, photos and notifications on Facebook Lite are almost identical to the original version.

Facebook Lite is the company’s push to make basic Facebook services available in developing countries at the lowest price possible. There are places in the world where buying internet data isn’t the easiest as it is expensive. The app works fast with any device, and is data efficient, providing the same features as you would find on the original app only with less data consumption. It’s like Facebook with an in-built Data Saver mode.

As it works even on slow mobile networks, the page loads comparatively faster. Users can upload, download and check photos instantly, for which users had to wait for more than a couple of minutes on 2G networks. Users can have a real-time conversation with friends – either one-on-one or in group – on the slimmer Facebook edition.

One of the best features about Facebook Lite is that the app helps conserve battery life. Facebook has been recently in the news for being one of the most battery draining apps out there, especially for iOS users. As is the case, we could be seeing a Facebook Lite for iOS in the near future, unless Facebook does something to reduce battery consumption in its original app.

Vijay Shankar, Product Head, Facebook Lite said that the app was made for developing countries like India, Brazil, Mexico, Indonesia and Philippines where slow internet speeds is still a major issue. One of the biggest chuggers of mobile data is videos. To solve this, the team behind Facebook Lite offered users the option to see how large a video so that they may decide whether to view the video or not. There is also the option to view a video later so that you may continue to browse the News Feed and come back to the video once it has been downloaded. Both the features are extremely helpful for users on 2G speeds as it means not having to wait around for a video to load.

It is still unknown as to when Facebook Lite will be available for iOS and Window phone users. As of now, Shankar and his team want to get the Android experience right before moving on to the next step. It is still early in the day but the fact that 9 months on the app has reached a 100 million users means that the app does what it was intended to do – provide a social media experience at an affordable price.

March 10, 2016
Veritas Genetics Will Analyze Your Genome on a Smartphone App

For $999, you can now know everything, and we mean every little thing about your genetics. This is possible through a consumer-friendly know-your-genome service brought to you by Veritas Genetics, that would detail your genetic makeup with a phone app and on-demand video calls with genetic counselors.

The company said a genome test is a one stop destination that will provide all the answers, essentially replacing every other type of genetic test. It will include all six billion letters of a person’s genome, analyzed by an algorithm to highlight medical predispositions. Users will be able to find out facts about their genetics that range from as silly as knowing the wetness or dryness of earwax to serious matters like whether they have “highly pathogenic germline mutations” that cause problems like malignant hyperthermia. They’ll also learn whether their genomes harbor cancerous genes, such as the BRCA breast cancer genes.

This service is particularly helpful as it provides you with all the facts for simply $999 while many genetic tests, like those for cancer risk, are carried out separately and can cost anywhere between a few hundred to a few thousand dollars each.

The company’s service could attract some trouble from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. In an interview, Veritas CEO and cofounder Mirza Cifric said that genome data isn’t a substitute for a diagnosis by a doctor. Moreover, this test isn’t based on exact science and is mainly one that will provide logical facts rather than conclusive facts.“It’s a screening test, it’s not diagnostic,” says Cifric.

Veritas will first collect blood or spit samples from April and will reveal the first results by June, according to Cifric. Its app will include a share button that will allow consumers to share DNA information with a coach or trainer.

The app isn’t completely a “direct-to-consumer” service. A doctor will still have to order the test, and customers will undergo a genetic counseling session on the phone or through the app. involving a doctor means Veritas can dodge FDA regulations on “direct-to-consumer” services.

The service also begs the question as to how Veritas will generate a profit at such low prices. “We are going to do it without losing money,” Cifric promises. He says, for example, that Veritas might earn additional revenue charging customers $100 or more for additional genetic counseling sessions.

March 5, 2016
WhatsApp to Drop Support for Blackberry OS by End of 2016

In another blow to the already fledgling Blackberry OS, Facebook owned WhatsApp has revealed that by the end of 2016 it will withdraw all support for its software from the Blackberry platform.

The announcement came shortly after WhatsApp celebrated its seventh birthday and recently crossed over 1 billion users worldwide. The company in its official blog said, “As we look ahead to our next seven years, we want to focus our efforts on the mobile platforms the vast majority of people use”

The company also revealed that WhatsApp will withdraw support for the once popular Symbian S40 and S60 platforms along with Android 2.1 and 2.2, as well as the Windows Phone 7.1 devices by the end of the year.

WhatsApp’s developers decision to take this step makes sense considering the push the company is making towards providing a streamlined service to its user base across the multiple platforms it offers its services on.

February 29, 2016
This New iPhone Bug Will Leave Your Device Unusable

A new iPhone bug has emerged which is capable of rendering your device absolutely useless. Yes, you read it right -absolutely useless. The only way to fix it would be to take it to an Apple Store where in all likelihood they would have to replace it.

This bug supposedly emerged at 4Chan on Thursday and has also been spotted on Facebook and Reddit since. There is one simple way to protect yourself from the bug -to never set your iPhone date to 1st January 1970.

It is unclear at this point why the specific date is causing Apple devices to behave this way but one speculated reason involves time zones and the device’s internal clock. Additionally, this wouldn’t be the first time when Apple users have faced issues related to the clock. In the past, clocks on Apple gadgets have acted up to tell the wrong time and delay alarms.

Find below the troll which appeared online urging people to change the date on their device to the aforementioned January date. It promises an “easter egg” that would put a retro Apple logo on the display of your phone. But let us break it to you -there are no easter eggs in the evil world of the Internet.

Once the date has been entered, and the phone is rebooted, it would refuse to respond. Even connecting it to a computer or using iTunes would not help you reduce it to its non-brick state.

Making this troll even more interesting is the fact that Apple did not start as late as 1976. It should be noted, however, that only those Apple devices which are powered by the A7 processor and later -iPhone 5s and above, iPad Air, iPad Mini 2 and above are susceptible to it.

February 16, 2016
Apple Music Now Has Over 11 Million Subscribers

It’s only been a little over six months since Apple started operations at Apple Music, and in that short span of time, this promising service has outdone expectations, as well as the previous market leader, Spotify. Apple Music now has over 11 million subscribers, along with 782 million iCloud users.

The new 11 million figure was mentioned by Craig Federighi and Eddy Cue, Apple’s Senior Vice Presidents, on John Gruber’s podcast, The Talk Show, published today. It should be noted at this point that it took Spotify, its main rival, 6 long years to reach its first 10 million milestone.

This is an interesting piece of information because Apple’s streaming service had faced a lot of flak at its launch owing to its bug ridden, and clustered interface. It was only after iOS 9 came in that many of these issues were cleared.

However, Apple Music is not where it ends for the Cupertino tech-giant. “Apple Video” is something else the company has up its sleeve. It’s the next big Apple project with many partners involved, such as ABC, CBS, and Fox. Apple already has a large library of movies and video on its iTunes Store, which can currently be only bought or rented.

Streaming is slowly becoming the preferred form of consumption of music, and is growing rapidly as people give up on downloads. In the US, demand for streaming has increased more than 50 per cent, with 317 billion songs being streamed last year.

Apple despite all of this has a long way to go before it comes close to overtaking Spotify. Spotify last reported its number of subscribers in June, and it is expected to have grown substantially since then. Back then it had 20 million paid members, and in total it reported 75 million users.

Source

February 13, 2016
Google to Shut Down Picasa This March

It’s time to say good-bye to one of the most popular photo editors of all times. Google has announced in an official blog post that Picasa would no longer work come this March. Following which, users would no longer be able to edit Picasa web albums post May. Google plans to shift its focus to Google Photos by shutting down the application.

“After much thought and consideration, we’ve decided to retire Picasa over the coming months in order to focus entirely on a single photo service in Google Photos.”

Users with a Picasa account can access their pictures using the Google Photos app. People who are not using this app can still access their albums and delete or edit them. The company will withdraw support for the Picasa desktop app on 15th March, 2016. For those who have the application on their systems already -it will continue to run just as it does right now, but there will be no further updates or developments.

Google ended the blog-post by way of an apology, “We apologize for any inconvenience this transition causes, but we want to assure you that we are doing this with the aim of providing the best photos experience possible.” Time to bid adieu indeed.

Source

February 13, 2016
6 Free Dating Apps to Download Before Valentine’s Day

The horrendously red hearts dangling from pretty much every Archies store out there tells us it’s that time of the year again. While it’s always great to celebrate love, in whichever form, love for pets and family and hobbies and life, this particular day has come to be associated with a specific kind of love. And in case you have missed out on finding yourself someone to share it with, things might not be too pleasant.

To make sure things don’t come to this for you, here’s a list of apps to make life easier this Valentine’s Day. While Indian parents are busy creating secret profiles for their kids on matrimonial websites, the kids are already taking things a step further with these apps.

1. DesiCrush

This is pretty much the Indian version of Tinder. It requires the user to create an account with an image and basic details. For verification purposes, the user would have to link their account with Facebook. There are preferences that can be given based on which matches would be made. Once two people mutually like each other’s profile, a match would be made and they can begin chatting. DesiCrush is available in both Google Play Store and the App Store.

2. Woo

Called ‘Matchmaking app for singles’, Woo is a fun app that allows the user to connect with the right person. Once again, you are required to create an account using Facebook and enter your basic details. Even though Woo is very particular about its users’ privacy, one concern that many may have with the app is that it leaves your Facebook profile accessible to everyone you chatted with, even if you ‘unmatch’ them later. On the brighter side, the app allows you to record seven second long voice messages to exchange, and shows only the initials of its women users to other people until they choose otherwise. Woo is a free Android app that can be downloaded from the Google Play Store and the App Store.

3. OkCupid

OkCupid is an app that breaks away from hetero-normative roles and lets the user choose from hetero, homo and bi-sexual partners. This app also has one of the most elaborate searches. It asks you detailed questions about your life, habits, choices and preferences. The user can increase these filters, refine their searches and get a better look at who is viewing and visiting their profile by opting for a paid subscription of the app called ‘A-List’. Otherwise OkCupid is available for free download on both Android and iOS devices.

4. TrulyMadly

TrulyMadly is a great app that includes games like ‘Hocus Pocus’ and ‘Styletastic’ to help you find like-minded people. In case you feel at a loss of words, to describe yourself or express ideas in your profile, the app comes to your rescue in the form of stickers that it offers. The profile can be created either using Facebook or your email address. TrulyMadly can be downloaded for free from Google Play and the App Store.

5. Tinder

The immensely popular dating app which needs no introduction -Tinder. Once again, you have to create an account using your Facebook profile and put up a picture with a short description. Depending on whether or not you like the results it shows, you can swipe right to choose or left to move on, along with an option to ‘Super-like’ people you see. In case the user wishes to disclose their location, or undo a left swipe, it can be done on a paid version of the app called Tinder Plus. The usual app is available for free download on both Android and iOS devices.

6. Grindr

Grindr is the world’s largest dating platform for gay and bisexual men. It is available in about 190 countries, including India. It helps users find partners based on their location and is available with both paid and non-paid subscriptions. The official website asks potential users to “View the gorgeous men of Grindr the way they were meant to be – large and in charge.” Point conveyed and noted. Grindr can be downloaded from Google Play as well as the App Store.

February 10, 2016