Category: Apps and Software

Games, Apps, Softwares, Operating Systems and Software Hacks

Dropbox Update Fixes iOS 8 Issues and Adds New Features

Dropbox has updated its iOS app to fix a number of issues which arose with the latest version of Apple’s mobile operating system. The file-sharing application has rolled out its iOS 8 upgrade, which now includes a new Notification Center widget of its own, offering a quick overview of your files and recent changes.

The problem was spotted just before the release of iOS 8. There was a bug in the operating system that broke Dropbox’s automatic backup of photos and videos. The compatibility issue led to the feature being temporarily put down for iOS, but Dropbox swiftly fixed this backup problem.

With this upgrade, the biggest iteration is that Dropbox can now be added to the iOS 8 Notification Center, providing a view of your most important files, including those associated with business or personal. For those with only either of the two, you’ll just see a single list, instead of three separate tabs which were earlier left empty consuming unnecessary space.

The widget is another major change in the upgraded version. You can track newly added files, as well as changes like renamed files and edits directly from widget. With a tap on a file name, you can quickly launch Dropbox without needing to locate the app on your phone.

Also, the app includes new Shared Folders feature, which can now be created and managed on the go from the Dropbox app on iPhone and iPad. You can also share the link to a folder from an action menu in the app, or invite users to a folder and manage their access levels.

Another feature is that with iOS 8 supports app extensions, so you’ll now be able to import and export files to and from other iOS apps that support Apple’s “Storage Provider App Extensions” functionality. And, for Business or Pro users, the new upgrade enables the users to set and manage read-only permissions on shared folders via the Dropbox app, for control over what’s being shared.

September 24, 2014
Google’s Play Newsstand App Comes to iOS

Today the Google Play Newsstand replaced the iOS app ‘Current’ on the Apple Play Store. If you use the Current app on your iOS device, you’ll be prompted to update to Newsstand.

The app offers a central place for reading articles from select newspapers, magazines, and websites. The offering includes support from hundreds of publishers covering news, sports, business, entertainment, and other topics, and you can also add in RSS feeds for any blogs or sites that don’t yet have a dedicated Newsstand page.

The app also supports video and audio content from some publishers, and you can bookmark it to read later if you don’t have time to finish them on the spot. Essentially Google Play Newsstand is an integrated app that combines the features of Flipboard and Pocket.

The app is amazingly user friendly, running on iPhones as well as iPads with equal efficiency and ease. The Google Play Newsstand is available on iOS App store for free.

September 24, 2014
Prime Minister’s Office to Partner with Google for an App Contest

Just a few days back we heard about the Indian government banning the use of foreign-based email services for government employees. It seems now that one such email provider, Google will be partnering with the government to select an official app for the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO.)

Google on Monday released a statement that supported the government’s Digital India Plan. The Prime Minister has made it clear that he plans to focus on an e-governance model to deliver services to the people. The Digital India plan focuses on developing information infrastructure across the nation.

The Indian Government to take assistance from the Silicon Valley giant to make the PMO app.

Google has also said that it will help the government to encourage digital literacy and internet safety. To do this, they want to introduce curriculums for students, government officials and also for elected representatives. The Silicon Valley giant will work with various state governments and the department of information technology to bring the PMO app to the citizens of India.

The app will be a medium of connection between the common public and the PMO. India, which currently has world’s third largest internet using population (about 245 million,) can really benefit from initiatives like this. It is expected to become the second largest by next year (2015) and will reach the 500 million mark by 2016.

The app seems like a great idea and to partner with the makers of the biggest mobile operating system is also appreciated. But the government has to put the citizen feedback into real world change or else this will just end up piling up feedbacks along will everything else that is pending in our government offices. The government should firmly concentrate on bringing systemic changes to how the government functions and take proactive steps to make it better.

Hopefully the new e-governance model will bring about the change that Indians have been waiting for, for a long while.

September 23, 2014
Adobe to Expand its Cloud Offering with the New Aviary Acquisition

Adobe offers wide range of cloud-based features for designers and developers which continues to flourish everyday. Now, Aviary just announced that it has been acquired by Adobe. Aviary provides developers (and companies like Yahoo) with a set of photo-editing tools they can build into their own apps.

Adobe plans to integrate Aviary into the Creative Cloud and possibly provide a new “Creative SDK” intended to be more friendly with third-party apps. The two firms will work together on bringing Adobe’s editing tools and Creative Cloud services to more mobile apps.

Adobe said it’s developing a new software library—called Creative SDK—that will allow app developers to tap into the company’s offerings and aim to expand connections between mobile devices and its products. Adobe’s Creative SDK will also give third-party developers access to company application programming interfaces which were previously only available to the company’s internal engineering team.

According to the reports, Aviary has seen 10 billion photos processed through the service last year alone. In addition to a toolkit for developers, Aviary also offers a popular iOS and Android app for editing photos, also called Aviary. Aviary will continue operations as usual for now.

The company hinted at a collaboration with another Adobe unit, Behance, an online social media platform for creative professionals acquired by Adobe in 2012. The Aviary team will work closely with both Adobe-owned creative communities, Behance and Adobe’s creative cloud platform.

September 23, 2014
Apple Reportedly Plans to Kill the Beats Music Service

According to a new report, Beats as a brand is going to fade away as Apple plans to modify it over time and integrate it into its own music streaming service through iTunes. TechCrunch reported that Apple plans to eliminate the Beats Music streaming service, which it acquired in May.

Earlier, the reports said that the Cupertino, California based company will shutdown the service. However, Apple declined the reports saying, “Company (Beats) may modify over time, and one of those changes could involved changing the Beats Music brand.” It is still unclear what Apple is planning to do with the service. It seems quite possible that the Beats Music product could be rolled into iTunes rather than being shuttered.

If Apple rolls Beats Music into iTunes and removes the dedicated Beats Music app from the App Store, it might be the end of the service. Beats Music itself came from a rebranding MOG music streaming service it acquired back in its heydays.

Apple has been tight-lipped about its plans for Beats since it acquired the popular headphone maker back in May for $3 Billion. Prior to the mega launch event of the iPhone 6 and the Apple Watch, there had been rumours that Apple will include Beats earphones within the new white box. There was also nothing said about Beats Music during the Apple Watch reveal, even though the service could have worked well on the wearable. Seems like an odd decision on Apple’s part to simply eliminate or ignore a service they paid billions for.

Also, the iPhones which are recently launched did not come pre-installed with Beats Music, while several other Apple apps came loaded on the 6 and 6 Plus. All of these point towards the company’s plan to show red flag to the Beats. This, or they may be working on something and better for the to combine Apple services with Beats. Let’s hope for Beats sake, it’s the latter.

September 23, 2014
Getty Images Releases New Free App for iOS Called Stream

Six months ago, Getty Images dropped the watermark for the bulk of its collection, in exchange for an open-embed program that will let users drop in any image they want, as long as they add a footer at the bottom of the picture with a credit and link to the licensing page.

Now, the company has released an iOS app designed to help you browse and share its massive collection. New app, which is called Stream, lets you search Getty’s archives to find images that you can legally share and embed for non-commercial purposes on blogs and social media.

The app also allows you to browse photo streams created by Getty editors in categories like news, sports, entertainment and special section called “archival,” which highlights photos of historical significance. It connects to Airplay which lets you display a stream on Apple TV. Also, the app gives you options of social media sharing directly from the app interface.

However, you can not copy the image to your camera roll, instead, you can “copy” an image, which saves an embed code to your clipboard. This gives the company control over the image and could eventually be used to earn money by inserting advertising or collecting user information.

September 22, 2014
Top 5 Third-Party Keyboard Apps for iOS 8

iOS is finally here! According to Apple, the iOS 8 is the biggest iOS upgrade since Apple store’s origin. The new upgrade includes better photo-centric features with Photos app for the smarter shutterbug; messages with capability to share video and audio messages directly. However, the best feature to debut with iOS 8 is third-party keyboard apps support.

There will be a wave of new Keyboard software apps in coming months but ahead of them some app already made their debut. We have rounded up 5 keyboard apps for iOS 8, to let you decide which one suits you better.

1. Swype

Swype is already very popular with the Android community, with some manufacturers use Swype for their devices’ default keyboard. It was one of the first keyboards to let you drag your finger around on the screen, connecting the letters in a word, to type, instead of pecking at the screen. The app costs you 99 cents, and is also available for iPad, provides further customization options with five different themes.

2. Swiftkey

Swiftkey is another keyboard app which has been a favorite of Android users. The app is loved for its predictive-typing, adaptability and getting smarter the more you use it. It also incorporates a lot of flair with colorful skins, emojis, and multiple keyboard layouts. It also supports swipe-style input (called SwiftKey Flow). The free app is cloud-connected, so it can remember your personal language patterns and preferences across devices.

3. Fleksy

Fleksy almost same as the Swiftkey with its predictive-typing features, which try to understand what you want to type before you even tap the screen. In Android community, Fleksy is known as “world’s fastest keyboard”. It supports gesture-based typing, but also allows users to choose between small- or large-size keyboards.The $0.99 app comes with 800 of its own emojis, and amazing 40 languages support.

4. Ginger

Well, Ginger is little bit different from others in this list. It helps you improve your grammar and writing style as you type. Apart from basic text prediction, it is packed with tools to proofread, check your grammar, find synonyms, rephrase awkward sentences, and translate texts into other languages. There’s also a dictionary that you can customize with names, locations, slang, and unique words. It comes with a colourful theme, which is customisable too. However, the app is still in its process to come to the App Store.

5. PopKey

PopKey is one of a kind emoji-style keyboard app which is solely dedicated to GIFs. The app will allow users to quickly find and message their favorite GIFs with just a few taps. The GIFs will include dozens of themed categories that get updated in real-time with the latest trending topics and events.

September 19, 2014
iOS 8 Update Will be Available for India Tonight

Apple users have been eagerly waiting for the latest iOS 8 software update. Following the announcement of the latest iPhones and smartwatch, Apple has now announced it will be rolling out the iOS 8 update this month and it is finally going to launch tonight after 10.30pm IST.

It will, of course, come pre-loaded on Apple’s new iPhone 6, but if you have no plans to upgrade your smartphone, you’re in luck. Current Apple phones users after the iPhone 4s model can upgrade to iOS 8. Read about all the new features of the iOS 8 here.

The devices which are compatible with the new upgrade include the iPhone 4S, iPhone 5, iPhone 5C and iPhone 5S. The 5th generation iPod touch and all iPads except for the original one are also compatible with the iOS 8 update.

According to Apple, the iOS 8 is the biggest iOS upgrade since Apple store’s origin. The new upgrade includes better photo-centric features with Photos app for the smarter shutterbug; messages with capability to share video and audio messages directly (aka Whatsapp). Notifications have been given a major facelift as well to aid better iOS experience for iPhone/iPad users. Also third-party keyboard apps will be supported in iOS 8 for typing convenience.

September 17, 2014
Microsoft to Unveil Windows 9 Preview on 30th September

As expected, Microsoft is all set to announce the new major version of the Windows OS. In line with the developing rumors, Microsoft has rolled out the invites of the Windows 9 event which is going to be held on September 30th in San Francisco. The event will focus on enterprise and power users of Windows, with Joe Belfiore and Terry Myerson leading a discussion about the future of Windows.

The company is expected to roll out the “Windows Technical Preview” at the event or soon after, so that developers and enterprise customers can test the number of changes the company has made. The recent rumors and leaks had suggested the addition of a new Start menu, a virtual desktops feature, and a Notification Center.

Microsoft is also expected to fine-tune its desktop user interface to improve and flatten the traditional icons along with some changes in the taskbar for Contara integration and virtual desktop. Other changes are expected to come on a regular basis. The Windows Technical Preview will be available until the operating system is complete and ready for release next year.

September 16, 2014
Whatsapp’s New Voice Calling Feature May Arrive Sooner Than Expected

Whatsapp, the popular messaging app, has given a hard time to telecom operators by eating up their revenue. However, Whatsapp’s arsenal had been missing one big feature, Voice calling. Talks about the new voice calling feature on Whatsapp have been on since February. It all started when WhatsApp CEO, Jan Kuom, announced that the voice calling feature would be added to Android and iPhones first, followed by BlackBerry, Nokia and Microsoft platforms.

Now, it seems that the long-awaited feature will come to the app sooner than expected. A pop-up has been spotted on the app window that seeks user’s permission to use the microphone, hinting the voice-calling feature to be a part of their next update. The latest WhatsApp update was released for the iPhone on September 8. With it, WhatsApp added several features such as improved location sharing and fast camera access.

However, the release notes never mentioned about a pop-up, which requests access to the microphone every time the app is opened. The pop-up will only appear to those people who have not already allowed the app to access their device’s microphone.

WhatsApp is the world’s most popular messaging app with over 600 million users. The messaging app was acquired by Facebook earlier this year in a deal worth $19 billion.

September 16, 2014
Get Ready for Low-Cost Smartphones, Google Set to Launch Android One Today

Google will uncover the first of its series of budget smartphones under the much anticipated Android One today. This initiative gives a key set of references for hardwares to help phone manufacturers make minimal cost smartphones. The phones will be unveiled by Sundar Pichai, Google’s SVP of Android, Chrome & Apps in New Delhi.

Google is expected to launch a range of Android One smartphones, mostly priced under Rs 6,000, via domestic online stores. These have been developed in partnership with local mobile phone manufacturers such as Micromax, Karbonn and Spice. These smartphones are expected to be loaded with top-end features such as dual core chip, 5 MP camera and 4.5-inch display.

Indian tech market has been ruled by budget friendly and value for money devices. The company first unveiled the Android one initiative in June this year at Google’s annual I/O conference as a move to take the platform to markets where low-priced phones with fewer features and less memory are in high demand.

By modifying the working framework, some programming and packaging it with Google’s own service, its web search tool, Android One will help scale up the business for Google.

Android One is tipped to be a game changer in the smartphone market, delivering a better experience to users. The race to make the least expensive smartphone pressed with specs is just going to get bigger as more companies are looking at the budget segment of the Indian market.

September 15, 2014
Popkey for iOS 8 is the World’s First Animated GIF Keyboard

When iOS 8 was announced back in WWDC 2014, one of the main highlights of the new update was the inclusion third-party keyboard apps. This meant that developers would be able to bring third-party keyboard apps to the iPhone, a feature users have been waiting for since practically the launch of iOS.

With this new feature, apps like SwiftKey was expected to be part of the new OS but a new keyboard app is something most iPhone users probably never even expected. The upcoming Popkey keyboard app offer users a totally different keyboard which comprised entirely of animated GIFs.

With this new keyboard you’ll be able to browse featured and trending GIFs, upload your own, save your favorites, and quickly access the GIFs you recently used. You can also browse based on keywords: For instance, tapping LOL will bring up a collection of funny GIFs. There are separate sections for “LOL,” “shocked,” “facepalm,” “swag” and other ideas/words frequently expressed in GIF form.

While iMessage already supports inline GIFs (via copy and paste), Adrian Salamunovic, co-founder of WorkshopX, the company behind PopKey, says this app streamlines the process of searching and sending. Much like the existing emoji keyboard in iOS, PopKey contains different themed sections, each of which will include dozens of GIFs. But rather than keywords, the app is organized by reactions and emotions.

There’s no firm launch date for PopKey, but you can sign up to be notified when the app launches on their website.

September 13, 2014
Google Play Store Increases its Return Window to a Fair 2 hours

Google’s Play Store return policy is one of the best feature the company provides. It has been appreciated by Android community a great deal. The service offers you the option of returning an app you’ve just paid for and downloaded. You can do this by simply heading back into the Google’s store, hit the refund tab, and you’re done.

Obviously, there is a time limit for the refund policy which has been fluctuating since it started because of the reluctant developers who were worried about the loss. Earlier, when the service started Google offered 24 hours to initiate a refund which was bit extreme according to the developers. Then the company pulled down the timeframe to 15 mins where it stood until now.

Google has once again changed its refund policy and increased the return window to a fair 2 hours timeframe. The new 2-hour window strikes a happy medium between the old 24 hours options, giving you a decent length of time to try out an app but not so much that you’d be able to fully utilize an app or finish a game and then return it.

Windows Phone lets willing developers give users a trial period for apps before purchase but mostly you don’t get to play with all the features of the app which defeats the point all together. Apple’s App store in comparison, offers no refund or trial options for the apps and games. Guess it’s time to get apps from Google directly instead of looking for APK files from untrustworthy websites.

September 11, 2014
Apple to Roll out iOS 8 on 17th September

We all saw the launch of the new iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus and Apple Watch on 9th September. We were all so excited to see the new designs of the hardware that we almost forgot that these new hardwares will be powered by the company’s new mobile software, iOS 8.

First appeared back in June at WWDC 2014, iOS 8 is one of the biggest software updates of the company in recent years. Tim Cook, CEO of Apple, at the September 9th event also announced that the company will roll out the new iOS 8 to the public on September 17, just a week after the Apple event. It comes with great new features which have been previewed by us in the video below.

The new iOS come with interactive notifications, third-party keyboard support, new photo editing tools, Snapchat-like self destructive messaging, new integrated health programing system called HealthKit and many more. Check out our full review here.

September 11, 2014
Google’s New Technology Has a Super Sharp Sense of Object Recognition

Recent technology advancement has opened the possibility of more sophisticated image recognition features. Even though in recent year various researchers have come up with significant discoveries, the automatic object recognition in images is still considered tricky. However, Google is all set to change that. In other word, the internet giant has just come up with very sophisticated detection system hat can easily spot lots of objects in a scene, even if they’re partly obscured.

“This effort was accomplished by using the DistBelief infrastructure, which makes it possible to train neural networks in a distributed manner and rapidly iterate. At the core of the approach is a radically redesigned convolutional network architecture. Its seemingly complex structure (typical incarnations of which consist of over 100 layers with a maximum depth of over 20 parameter layers), is based on two insights: the Hebbian principle and scale invariance.” the Google research blog reads.

The result of this groundbreaking technology is far deeper scanning system that can both identify more objects and make better guesses, and will be able to spot tons of mundane items around you.

This technological advances will enable even better image understanding and the progress can be directly transferred to Google products such as photo search, image search, YouTube, self-driving cars, and any place where it might be useful to understand depth, perception and imagery.

September 8, 2014