Tag: iOS

Android Occupies Nearly 80% of Smartphone Market, iOS 13%

Apple’s iOS is losing ground to Android when it comes to smartphone operating system market share, according to a new report from research firm IDC. Apple’s share of worldwide smartphone shipments dropped to 13.2% during the second quarter of 2013, while Android climbed to 79.3%.

The loss in market share is of course attributed to the lack of new product launches during the three month period, as was the case with IDC’s report on tablet market share earlier this week. But it’s also losing ground to both Android and Windows Phone, both of which increased market share and shipments year-over-year during Q2.

“The iOS decline in the second quarter aligns with the cyclicality of iPhone,” says Ramon Llamas, Research Manager with IDC’s Mobile Phone team. “Without a new product launch since the debut of the iPhone 5 nearly a year ago, Apple’s market share was vulnerable to product launches from the competition. But with a new iPhone and revamped iOS coming out later this year, Apple is well-positioned to re-capture market share.”

Available on a growing range of Nokia and HTC devices, Microsoft’s Windows Phone 8 operating system was launched late last year and has continued to make third place its own, while BlackBerry continues to fall. Windows comes in at 3.7% during the second quarter of 2013, up 77.6% from its 3.1% share during Q2 2012.

[Via]

August 7, 2013
Prince of Persia: The Shadow And The Flame Arrive For iOS And Android

Ubisoft today released the legendary Prince of Persia franchise back to mobile devices with Prince of Persia: The Shadow and the Flame. Available to download now, Prince of Persia: The Shadow and the Flame is compatible with iPad, iPhone and iPod touch as well as on Android devices.

The mobile adaptation takes place 11 days after the conclusion of the original Prince of Persia, and the remake will include both gesture-based and virtual joystick controls over 14 levels. Prince of Persia: The Shadow and the Flame will also ship with GameCenter leaderboards on iOS, “brand-new visuals” created for its mobile rebirth and a new combat system that arms players with a new combo system and pits them against multiple enemies.

The original Prince of Persia game released in 1993 and then re-released as a 3D version in 2007, but the entire franchise has nearly a dozen versions of the action-adventure game with a focus on different incarnations of the eponymous prince.

Ubisoft announced the remake in April. The Prince’s latest adventure is available on iTunes, Amazon, and Google Play for $2.99.

July 26, 2013
WhatsApp For iOS Reverts To Subscription Model, Adds iCloud Backup, Multi-Photo Sharing

The enormously successful mobile chat tool WhatsApp, which Apple recently listed as the 6th most popular paid app of all time, has received some major updates today.

Today, the company has issued an update with a few nice features, and have quietly removed the 99c / Rs. 60 barrier to entry, reverting to an annual subscription model of the same amount.

The paid app business model is really a vestige of an older era where developers would sell their work up-front. But over time, many paid apps have made the switch toward going free with paid features. Games really triggered this wave, but other high-usage apps like messaging have gone for a freemium strategy.

The new version also adds iCloud message backup, which allows synchronization of chat states between devices and backup and restoration of content after logging out of changing devices.

The company has also added third-party URL schemes, which allows various apps to share data to WhatsApp and vice versa, and users can now send multiple messages to an individual or group (much needed!).

While this isn’t the visual overhaul many users were hoping for, it’s a great update nonetheless.

WhatsApp is one of the most popular cross platform messaging services out there. It recently announced that the service has over 250 million monthly active users, not to mention the fact that WhatsApp handles more than 27 billion messages every single day.

July 17, 2013
BlackBerry CEO : BlackBerry Messenger Coming to iOS and Android ‘Before the End of Summer’

For those millions of eager iOS and Android users who are dreaming of a day that you’ll be using BBM on your device you’ll have to a bit longer. During the quarterly call, CEO Thorsten Heins stated that BBM for iOS and Android will be released “before the end of the summer.”

It was originally rumored that BlackBerry Messenger would make its way to iOS and Android on June 27, but obviously that didn’t happen.

T-Mobile UK confused the entire Internet as they released a teaser image of BlackBerry Messenger running on a Samsung Galaxy S3 announcing BlackBerry’s popular messenger would be making its way to both iOS and Android on June 27.

Competing with top messaging services like WhatsApp, Viber, Google’s Hangouts and Apple’s iMessage, BlackBerry is betting on its messaging platform to stay relevant, and hopefully, to keep consumers engaged on its product and services. Blackberry Messenger allows users to communicate by text through data connection instead of traditional SMS text charges. It is also faster than traditional texting.

The app will be free and will work with devices running iOS 6 or later and Android OS 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) or higher. At first, Blackberry Messenger for iOS and Android will be limited to messaging and groups, but, later, an update will bring other popular BlackBerry features, including BBM Voice, screen share, and BBM Channels.

Also, Blackberry had promised a BlackBerry 10 update for its aging PlayBook tablet, which was released over two years ago, but has reneged on the offer. According to CEO Thorsten Heins, the device just never felt right with the test versions of BlackBerry 10. The experience was not up to the company’s high standards. This is likely due to the older dual-core Cortex-A9 architecture of the 1Ghz Snapdragon chipset, along with the monumental task of having to re-engineer core aspects of the BlackBerry 10 experience.

June 29, 2013
Age Of Empires Heading To Android And iOS

According to a report from Japanese news outlet the Nikkei, by way of Reuters and MacRumors, Microsoft is gearing up to release some of their classic gaming franchises on iOS and Android devices. This initiative will begin this year and it is said that the first title to grace our touchscreens will be the historical real-time strategy epic Age of Empires.

A Microsoft representative has confirmed that a mobile version of the Age of Empires series is being developed for mobile devices as a result of the partnership, with no other games currently announced.

Microsoft has released an official statement to Polygon saying:

“Today, KLab Inc. announced a licensing agreement with Microsoft Corp. to develop a mobile version of Microsoft Studio’s Age of Empires franchise, which will be initially developed in English for iOS and Android and launched globally, with plans to release the game in other languages and on Windows Phone in the future. Some reports included incorrect information about additional Xbox Live-based games on iOS and Android but there are no further announcements beyond Age of Empires at this time.”

The mobile version of Age of Empires will follow a free-to-play model, and will be released by the end of the 2013 financial year. There are no more details at this time about which other titles Microsoft will bring to iOS and Android.

[Via, Via]

June 25, 2013
Hike Launches Stickers, Walkie-Talkie, Last Seen And Hike Offline Features (PR)

Hike, a free cross-platform messaging app from BSB, announced the launch of a major update. The update offers its users expressive and fun stickers, ‘last seen’ amongst circle of friends, walkie-talkie and enables users to send messages even when the recipient is offline.

Commenting on the update, Kavin Bharti Mittal, Head of Product and Strategy, BSB said “At BSB, we’re constantly thinking on how to re-invent messaging, make it simpler and easier to use in a mobile-first world. The latest update is a great example of how we’ve put that thinking into action. We’ve handcrafted some really fun and expressive stickers that we believe will add a lot more character and fun to messaging especially amongst the youth.”

With the new Hike update, users can now chat with each other using new innovative stickers at the tap of a finger. Hike now comes power-packed with a variety of sticker packs, including Miley the cat, Snuggles the dog, Expressions, Rage Faces and even a playful Bollywood pack.

In a conversation, Hike recognizes when one of the users is offline and allows users to send the message as a free SMS to that person. The reply from the offline user comes back into hike for other online users, making messaging extremely seamless on hike.

Kavin said, “From the feedback we’ve received, we’ve realised that the lack of such a feature was creating a break in messaging, not only for hikers but also for the entire messaging populace. We’re extremely proud about hike offline. We believe its a game changer for this market.”

The company also introduced two additional features. A brand new Walkie-Talkie feature that allows users to send voice messages in real-time and the ability to see when your friends were ‘Last Seen’. Users will be able to choose who sees when they were ‘Last Seen’ on the app.

Hike is available globally on iOS, Android, Blackberry, WP, S40; and is made with love in India.

[toggle title=”Press Release”]hike launches Stickers, Walkie-Talkie, Last Seen and hike Offline features
· Crossed 5 million users in April and is now handling close to a billion messages/month
· Announces availability on Blackberry

New Delhi, June 19th, 2013: hike, a free cross-platform messaging app fromBSB, today announced the launch of a major update. The update offers its users expressive and fun stickers, ‘last seen’ amongst circle of friends, walkie-talkie and enables users to send messages even when the recipient is offline. Commenting on the update, Kavin Bharti Mittal, Head of Product and Strategy, BSB said “At BSB, we’re constantly thinking on how to re-invent messaging, make it simpler and easier to use in a mobile-first world. The latest update is a great example of how we’ve put that thinking into action. We’ve handcrafted some really fun and expressive stickers that we believe will add a lot more character and fun to messaging especially amongst the youth.”

With the new hike update, users can now chat with each other using new innovative stickers at the tap of a finger. hike now comes power-packed with a variety of sticker packs, including Miley the cat, Snuggles the dog, Expressions, Rage Faces and even a playful Bollywood pack. When words are just not enough, you can say it all with stickers.

The company today, is also introducing first of its kind, revolutionary feature called ‘hike Offline’. In a conversation, hike recognizes when one of the users is offline and allows uers to send the message as a free SMS to that person. The reply from the offline user comes back into hike for other online users, making messaging extremely seamless on hike.

Kavin avers, “From the feedback we’ve received, we’ve realised that the lack of such a feature was creating a break in messaging, not only for hikers but also for the entire messaging populace. We’re extremely proud about hike offline. We believe its a game changer for this market.”

The company also introduced two additional features. A brand new Walkie-Talkie feature that allows users to send voice messages in real-time and the ability to see when your friends were ‘Last Seen’. Users will be able to choose who sees when they were ‘Last Seen’ on the app.

With the new update, hike intends to introduce a new communication style where users can connect and share with each other, using a plethora of features that have been developed keeping in mind the unique needs and interests of the Indian market.

With the launch of these new features hike also announced the availability of hike for Blackberry. The app was previously available in beta for Blackberry users.

hike is available globally on iOS, Android, Blackberry, WP, S40; and is made with love in India.

You can download the app at – http://get.hike.in/[/toggle]

June 21, 2013
BBM For Android And iOS Not Coming On June 27th

BlackBerry Messenger (BBM) is coming to Android and iOS this summer and according to a T-Mobile UK Tweet the released yesterday, the date is set for June 27th.

When Thorsten Heins announced the news that their popular messaging app would arrive on other platforms he also noted that BBM would be slimmed down. The app will be free and compatible on devices running iOS 6 and Android Ice Cream Sandwich (OS 4.0) or higher. BBM for iOS and Android will be limited to messaging and groups at launch, then updated “later on” with BBM Voice, screen share, and the BBM Channels.

T-Mobile UK then deleted their Tweet claiming BBM for Android and iOS coming June 27th. Rumours are that they jumped the gun on pressing publish and that the app is not available for download on that date.

The company has confirmed the rumored date is wrong,

“On May 14th, BlackBerry announced plans to make its ground-breaking mobile social network, BlackBerry Messenger (BBM), available to iOS and Android users this summer, subject to approval by the Apple App Store and Google Play. While there have been reports that BBM will be available to iOS and Android on June 27th, this is not accurate. We will communicate an update as soon as we have an availability date to share. (via MobileSyrup)”

T-Mobile UK later apologized for the error, noting on Twitter that “Sorry folks, we got over-excited about the #BBM app coming to Android / iOS. No specific availability date yet, stay tuned for details”

Are you guys excited about BBM coming to Android And iOS? Let us know below!

June 7, 2013
Pinterest Now lets you send pins directly to friends.

The Pinterest app got updated, along with a tiny overhaul of the mainframe, now allowing users to send pins directly to their friends. On the web however you can only email the pins as of now, the send pin option is currently only available to mobile app users.

Have you ever seen a pin you knew a certain friend or family member would love? Now you can send pins directly to your friends and fellow pinners from the web or your phone. You can even include a message to give it a more personal touch!

Just tap Send from either web or mobile to send a pin. You can send pins to fellow pinners (if you both follow each other), Facebook friends, or email contacts. We’ll show you the most recent people you’ve sent pins to for easy access.

[Pinterest]

May 17, 2013
BBM app will come to Android and iOS this Summer

In a shift of strategies Blackberry has announced that they will be launching the BBM app on Android and iOS for free this summer. Available to users running iOS 6 and Android 4.0 ICS or higher, the free BBM app will bring the magic of BBm messaging to every handset.

On the outset, however, only the messaging and group features will be accessible for outside users, but by the end of the year, the company plans to bring about the coveted BBM voice, BBM channels, screen sharing and video capabilities.

Rumors of Blackberry (Previously Research In Motion) following this path have been around for years, and with an official statement form the company chief it looks like it is done.

Blackberry has also announced Channels. BBM Channels is a new way for BBM users to connect with the businesses, brands, celebrities and groups they are passionate about.

[toggle title=”Press Release”]BBM for iOS and Android to Launch This Summer

WATERLOO, ONTARIO–(Marketwired – May 14, 2013) – BlackBerry(R) (NASDAQ:BBRY)(TSX:BB) today announced plans to make its ground-breaking mobile social network, BlackBerry(R) Messenger (BBM(TM)), available to iOS(R) and Android(TM) users this summer, with support planned for iOS6, and Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) or higher, all subject to approval by the Apple App Store and Google Play. BBM sets the standard for mobile instant messaging with a fast, reliable, engaging experience that includes delivered and read statuses, and personalized profiles and avatars. Upon release, BBM customers would be able to broaden their connections to include friends, family and colleagues on other mobile platforms.

In the planned initial release, iOS and Android users would be able to experience the immediacy of BBM chats, including multi-person chats, as well as the ability to share photos and voice notes, and engage in BBM Groups, which allows BBM customers to create groups of up to 30 people.

“For BlackBerry, messaging and collaboration are inseparable from the mobile experience, and the time is definitely right for BBM to become a multi-platform mobile service. BBM has always been one of the most engaging services for BlackBerry customers, enabling them to easily connect while maintaining a valued level of personal privacy. We’re excited to offer iOS and Android users the possibility to join the BBM community,” said Andrew Bocking, Executive Vice President, Software Product Management and Ecosystem, at BlackBerry.

BBM is loved by customers for its “D” and “R” statuses, which show up in chats to let people know with certainty that their message has been delivered and read. It provides customers with a high level of control and privacy over who they add to their contact list and how they engage with them, as invites are two-way opt-in. iOS and Android users would be able to add their contacts through PIN, email, SMS or QR code scan, regardless of platform. Android users would also be able to connect using a compatible NFC-capable device.

BBM has more than 60 million monthly active customers, with more than 51 million people using BBM an average of 90 minutes per day. BBM customers collectively send and receive more than 10 billion messages each day, nearly twice as many messages per user per day as compared to other mobile messaging apps. Almost half of BBM messages are read within 20 seconds of being received; indicating how truly engaged BBM customers are.

Today, BlackBerry also announced BBM Channels, a new social engagement platform within BBM that will allow customers to connect with the businesses, brands, celebrities and groups they are passionate about. BlackBerry plans to add support for BBM Channels as well as voice and video chatting for iOS and Android later this year, subject to approval by the Apple App Store and Google Play.

If approved by Apple and Google, the BBM app will be available as a free download in the Apple(R) App Store(SM) and Google Play store. Additional details about system requirements and availability will be announced closer to the launch.[/toggle]

May 15, 2013
Twitter Updates Android And iOS App, Expands Trends Locations

Twitter for iPhone has been updated today with some minor feature improvements and better support for in-line Vine videos. The Android version has also been updated.

The company has been rolling out updates to its mobile apps in quick succession since the beginning of the year, after clamping down on what third-party developers can do with their own software. This latest version for iOS adds Trends data to over 160 different cities around the world, including many in India, and improves in-line Vine video playback.

Vine was acquired by Twitter and has since been systematically integrated into the Twitter experience, while continuing to be available in a standalone Vine app. After the acquisition, rival social network Facebook moved to limit the ability to cross-post Vine videos from Twitter to Facebook in apparent retaliation for Twitter’s attempt to do the same to Facebook acquisition Instagram.

Perhaps the most important addition to the app is one that will come in under the radar. When replying to a retweeted Tweet — for example, if you see a Tweet I retweeted of someone you don’t follow — it will include both the original person and retweeter within the response. Users can also invite others from within the app itself. That, and bug fixes and performance improvements, round out changes made in this new version.

As for the Android version, the company now uses an overflow menu (the three dotted lines) on compatible devices such as the HTC One to quickly switch between accounts and access the settings.

The folks at Twitter have also said that users will now be able to “enjoy a smoother experience” courtesy of some bug fixes and other improvements.

The new versions of the apps also added the ability to invite friends to join Twitter from within the app.

You can download the updated version of Twitter for Android and iOS now from their respective app stores.

May 2, 2013
OS X 10.9 Rumoured To Have “Tabbed Finder”, Faster Safari, And iOS Like Multitasking

According to sources speaking on condition of anonymity with 9to5mac, the new Mac OS includes major Finder enhancements, like “application such as tags and tabbed browsing modes.”

Code-named “Cabernet,” OS X 10.9 is expected to focus on various “power-user enhancements” and Safari will feature a completely redesigned back end that improves speed and efficiency. Users will also gain the ability to open different Spaces on connected monitors, 9to5Mac says. Some minor user interface changes are expected as well.

According to 9to5Mac:

The new operating system includes major enhancements to the Finder application such as tags and tabbed browsing modes. Those additions are notable as many pro-users have relied on third-party solutions and hacks to enable these features. Additionally, the new operating system will include a new Safari web browser with a redesigned backend for improved page loading, speed, and efficiency…

The most interesting notes in the report pertain to the possible inclusion of some “core features” from iOS in addition to the iOS features already present in OS X, such as iMessage and AirPlay.

According to one source, Apple has been testing a new multi-tasking system for OS X that is similar to the quick-app-switcher function on iPhones, iPads, and iPod touches. The multitasking feature will be functional for applications in the background, according to this person.

Additionally, Apple could use app-pausing technologies from iOS to pause background application processes in OS X. This is significant as full performance could be given to foreground apps, which could help optimize battery life on Apple’s notebook computers. It is unclear if this feature will make the cut for 10.9?s public release.

[9to5Mac]

April 29, 2013
Blackberry Mobile Site Lets Android And iOS Users Experience BB 10 Via Browser

The biggest roadblock to adoption of the Blackberry 10 is simply getting the device and the experience into peoples’ hands. The average smartphone user rarely walks into a mobile store searching for new operating systems to use, so instead of of BlackBerry waiting impatiently for its chance to shine, it’s decided to come to the people.

The company launched an HTML5-powered smartphone portal for iOS and Android users this week which attempts to emulate the BlackBerry 10 experience. By swiping, tapping and experiencing, users can ascertain a taste of the real thing, it’s nowhere near as smooth as the Z10 itself.

Even if you’re a dedicated iOS or Android fan, you still might have some curiosity about BlackBerry 10. And by using your mobile browser to head to the BlackBerry 10 Demo page, you can get to experience exactly what it feels like to use the virtual QWERTY on the BlackBerry Z10, check your messages and social networks with BlackBerry Hub, select the best head shot with BlackBerry Time Shift and check out BBM with Screen Share.

It introduces users to the swipe-and-peek navigation of the new operating system, hoping its innovation will shine through in person rather than on billboards or commercials.

It’s a brilliant idea, one that more mobile makers should take on. Online demos are a great way to let potential users test-drive a platform or major update without making a major commitment.

[Engadget]

April 4, 2013
iOS 7 To See Major UI Overhaul, Running Behind Schedule

There have been some whispers floating around the web tonight that hint that Apple may be having trouble preparing for an iOS 7 launch down the road. Multiple rumors put the debut of iOS 7 some time this summer at Apple’s Worldwide Developer’s Conference with a launch a couple months later, but Apple could be struggling to meet that deadline.

In a Branch chat, which at the time of this writing is still going on, Daring Fireball’s John Gruber says, according to what he’s heard, iOS 7 is running behind schedule and that it will bring a significant user interface (UI) refresh.

What I’ve heard: iOS 7 is running behind, and engineers have been pulled from OS X 10.9 to work on it. (Let me know if you’ve heard this song before.)

Gruber went on to say that he’s heard that iOS 7 is a “significant system-wide UI overhaul” and the iOS engineers who are allowed to carry around devices with iOS 7 on them even have special privacy filters on their devices which reduces viewing angles. This is to prevent others from accidentally getting a glimpse of the new iOS design.

Back in 2007, Apple delayed the release of OS X Leopard to concentrate work on iPhone. Gruber claims that since iOS 7 development is “running behind,” it has promted OS X 10.9 engineers to be pulled from their work to lend a hand in getting the mobile OS ready in time for launch.

Rene Ritchie of iMore adds, “Ive’s work is apparently making many people really happy, but will also apparently make rich-texture-loving designers sad.”

As for what could be on the iPhone 5S, both Siegler and Panzarino say they’ve heard a lot about biometrics on the new device. The feature would apparently be used for payments and identification. Panzarino notes it wouldn’t be surprising to see AuthenTec’s biometric technology in Apple devices so soon after Apple purchased the company last July because of the urgency of the deal.

[MacRumours]

April 3, 2013
Some iOS Developers Targeted With iMessage “Denial Of Service” Attack

The Next Web is reporting that a group of iOS developers has been targeted with a series of rapid-fire messages on iMessage, creating a sort of denial-of-service (DoS) attack that crashes the iMessage app.

App developers iH8sn0w, well known for his jailbreak tool, and Grant Paul were among those targeted by the DoS attack that overwhelmed their respective Messages inboxes with a load of automatically-generated transmissions.

The two devs believe the messages to have been sent one after another from the Messages app on OS X, with a simple AppleScript effecting the barrage that prompts a victim to constantly clear notifications and text.

Grant Paul, one of the targeted iOS developers explains how the attack worked:

“What’s happening is a simple flood: Apple doesn’t seem to limit how fast messages can be sent, so the attacker is able to send thousands of messages very quickly,” Paul says.

The second part of that, he explains, is that if a user sends a ‘complex’ text message using unicode characters that force a browser to render ‘Zalgo’ text, or simply uses a message that is enormous in size, them the Messages app will eventually crash as it fails to display it properly. This will effectively ‘break’ the Messages app on iOS by forcing it to close and stop it from re-opening because it can’t render that text.”

iH8sn0w mocked up a proof-of-concept AppleScript to demonstrate how such an attack may work. If Apple doesn’t limit the influx of messages, a user’s app will quickly become filled with what amounts to piles of spam.

The attacks hit at least a half-dozen iOS developer and hacker community members, and appear to have originated with a Twitter account involved in selling UDIDs, provisioning profiles and more that facilitate in the installation of pirated App Store apps which are re-signed and distributed.

Currently, there is no way to block particular senders in iMessage, though iH8sn0w said it should be possible for Apple to notice the bursts of messages and block them as repetitive spamming. Victims can also disable iMessage entirely.

[The Next Web, Mac Rumors]

March 30, 2013
“XCOM : Enemy Unknown” Coming To iOS

Firaxis has announced that the full version of console and PC strategy title XCOM : Enemy Unknown will release on iOS.

XCOM‘s developers spoke with Joystiq on Saturday after revealing the iOS port of the award-winning strategy game during a PAX East panel. The iOS version of XCOM : Enemy Unknown, they said, will arrive fully intact, with all the features available on its PC and console counterparts.

“It is a straight port,” XCOM lead designer Jake Solomon said. “We have not made any gameplay exceptions. You play the exact same game… it’s just now fully playable on an iPhone or an iPad.”

XCOM : Enemy Unknown is a re-imagined version of the 1994 game X-COM: UFO Defense. The game puts players at the head of a secretive agency charged with protecting Earth from extraterrestrials. Players must monitor alien activity throughout the globe and respond to it with force. They can scramble jets to shoot down UFO’s, or send teams of agents into battle against alien ground forces. Players will directly control their agents in turn-based battles. They’re also in charge of researching new technologies to ensure that their team is adequately equipped to stop the alien invasion.

The game’s developers stressed that XCOM : Enemy Unknown on iOS will be a premium product and priced accordingly.

“It’s going to be priced appropriately for what it is,” Solomon said. “It’s going to be a premium price point. It is the game. It is the full game.”

Some questions remain, however. Will multiplayer make the port? Will any kind of cross-platform saving or online matches be possible?

March 25, 2013