Apps and Updates

1,647 'Apps and Updates' stories June 2013 - September 2014

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Apps and Updates

Chrome iOS update enables third-party app extensions, iOS 8 support

Jordan Kahn Sep 22 2014 - 10:05 am PT

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Google today updated its Chrome browser for iPhone and iPad with support for iOS 8’s new third-party App Extensions feature. That means that Chrome’s sharing menu will now show additional sharing options from apps you have installed supporting the new App Extensions feature. We previously put together a roundup of some of the best apps offering App Extensions when iOS 8 launched.

Google says the update, version 37.0.2062.60, also includes iOS 8 compatibility, stability improvements, and bug fixes.

The updated Chrome app for iPhone and iPad is available on the App Store now.

What’s New in Version 37.0.2062.60

• Supports using 3rd party App Extensions to post and share content.
• iOS 8 Compatibility.
• Stability improvements and bug fixes.

Pebble 2.5 firmware lands w/ support for Emoji, new Compass app, more

Stephen Hall Sep 18 2014 - 3:40 pm PT

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Pebble has launched version 2.5 of its smartwatch firmware, packing a bunch of great new features. The company says that the firmware brings the ability for the Pebble and Pebble Steel smartwatches to display Emoji, replacing the previous small white boxes that are all too familiar across platforms without Emoji support. The company is also launching the Compass app that they promised long ago, which can be picked up on the Pebble appstore.

Additionally, the app includes some interesting new abilities for users who have recently upgraded to iOS 8. Notably, the update now allows iOS users to dismiss notifications by clicking the X button to dismiss one, and holding it down to dismiss all. Pebble also says that the app should stay live in the background more often on iOS, but the company says that users should make sure not to disable “Smartwatch Proximity.”

The smartwatch should have improved Bluetooth and notification reliability compared to previous firmware versions, and Pebble says that 2.5 also fixes a plethora of bugs.

PayPal Here app now available for Android tablets

Jordan Kahn Sep 18 2014 - 11:43 am PT

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PayPal announced today that it’s bringing its PayPal Here app to Android tablets starting with select markets. The app, which allows users to accept credit, debit, and mobile payments through PayPal, was previously available for Android smartphones.

Accept credit cards, debit cards, and mobile payments with PayPal.
Manage Items so you can customize your inventory and products.
Monitor Sales Activity so you check your sales history and transfer funds straight from the app.
Customize your selling experience with the ability to set discounts, taxes and tips.
Swipe Cards anywhere so you can make a sale no matter what screen you are in.

Initially, the new tablet app will be available to users in United States, United Kingdom, Australia, Japan and Hong Kong.

The Android tablet optimized app is available to download on the Google Play store now.

Starbucks for Android updated w/ new widgets, ability to digitally tip, shake your phone to pay, more

Chance Miller Sep 17 2014 - 3:44 pm PT

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The Starbucks app on Android has always been on the forefront of mobile payment and technology features, and this evening, the app has received an update making it even more useful for customers. Bumping the app to version 2.7, the update today adds a handful of new features, including the ability to pay tips digitally and shake your phone to pay.

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Google Glass companion app MyGlass for iOS updated w/ photo syncing, bug fixes

Chance Miller Sep 17 2014 - 2:25 pm PT

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Google’s companion app for Google Glass was updated this afternoon on iOS with a few minor changes. The update to MyGlass bumps the app to version 0.8.0 and brings it closer to the generally more capable and more powerful MyGlass Android app.

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Google’s new iOS Sync features for Google Apps users are now available

Jordan Kahn Sep 17 2014 - 12:51 pm PT

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After announcing its new iOS Sync feature for Google Apps customers last week, the new iOS Mobile Device Management solution is now available to users:

The advantages of iOS Sync for users and administrators include:

Manage Google Apps: Set a policy that prompts employees to enroll their device when they log into Google Apps such as Google Drive and Gmail.

Configure WiFi networks: Distribute WiFi passwords and certificates to employees so they can easily connect to trusted networks.

Support for existing policies: Manage password requirements, data encryption and camera policies, as well as actions like remotely wiping a device, activation approvals and blocking devices.

The feature is available starting today for Google Apps for Work, Google Apps for Education and Google Apps for Government users. Admins can access the new features from the Admin console now: Admins should access the Device management function in the Admin console to establish an Apple push notification certificate and begin enabling these new functions.

Google Apps for Work users can now install software without the need of an administrator

Mark Hearn Sep 17 2014 - 11:53 am PT

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If your employer uses Google Apps, you can now install new software from Mountain View’s business-centric catalog without the need of an administrator. To start digging around for new third-party apps to use, click More,” and select “More from Apps Marketplace.” While employees will have access to a stockpile of new applications by default, admins can fine-tune settings to display which apps are available to their staff.

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Google Play Services 6.1 rolls out to developers

Jordan Kahn Sep 16 2014 - 3:33 pm PT

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Google just announced that it’s rolling out Google Play Services 6.1 for developers today with a number of enhancements to analytics, Google Drive integration, and Google Fit.

In addition to improvements to the Google Drive Android API and analytics features, Google is making the Google Fit Developer Preview it launched back in August available for testing on any Android device.

Google Play services 6.1 adds Enhanced Ecommerce analytics support from Google Tag Manager and offers new improvements to the Google Drive Android API. With the latest release, we’re also including a refresh of the Google Fit developer preview, so that you can test your fitness apps on any Android device.

You can get full details on today’s release from Google here.

Google Drive now supports curved and elbow connector lines in Drawings and Slides

Mark Hearn Sep 16 2014 - 10:58 am PT

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In an effort to make its office software suite more appealing to business types, Google Drive desktop users can now use Drawings to make elbow and curved connections between items. These new options are ideal for visual projects like flowcharts and instruction manuals.

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Microsoft OneNote now available for Android Wear

Mark Hearn Sep 16 2014 - 10:05 am PT

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Today, Microsoft announced that its OneNote application is now available for Android Wear smartwatches. This means that owners of devices like the LG G Watch, Samsung Gear Live and Moto 360 can now install the 3.2MB software and start recording notes with their wearable by saying “OK Google, take a note.”

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WATCH Disney apps, Twitch, iHeart Radio, & more updated w/ Chromecast support

Jordan Kahn Sep 16 2014 - 8:48 am PT

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Google announced today a new batch of popular apps being updated with Chromecast support. Perhaps most notable are the WATCH Disney apps including WATCH Disney, WATCH Disney Junior and WATCH Disney X D. All three apps on both iOS and Android now support streaming to Chromecast.

Also available starting today support for sending content from the popular iHeartRadio app: Music aficionados can now cast and blast music from the best speakers in the house with iHeartRadio. The app lets you listen to more than 1,500 live radio stations from all over the U.S. or customize your own.

Additionally, users of the Twitch gameplay video platform can now stream to Chromecast from both the iOS and Android apps.
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Apps and Updates

Google is investigating Google Drive service disruptions this morning

Jordan Kahn Sep 16 2014 - 7:04 am PT

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If you’re having issues with Google Drive this morning, you’re not alone. Google has just confirmed that it’s investigating a service disruption with the service this morning after a number of users reported issues with accessing various Drive features.

The problem isn’t being listed as a flat out service outage just yet, but Google’s app status page does list Google Drive as experiencing service disruptions as of earlier this morning. We’ll update when we hear back.

Shazam app adds Google Play Music streaming & purchasing options

Jordan Kahn Sep 15 2014 - 11:55 am PT

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Popular song recognition app Shazam announced today that it’s integrating Google Play Music, allowing users to preview, purchase or stream the song on from Google Play Music or Google’s All Access streaming service in one tap.

Google Play Music joins the other options Shazam offers users for purchasing and or listening including Rdio, Beats Music, and Spotify.

The feature is available first to users in the Shazam app for Android and later the iOS version of the app.

HTC Lock Screen now available at Google Play

Mark Hearn Sep 11 2014 - 12:20 pm PT

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Today, HTC continued its trend of separating its Sense software by releasing its homegrown lock screen to Google Play. The lone change for this quasi-app is listed as a “mechanism to prevent you from unintentionally triggering factory reset.” Compatible with newer HTC devices running Sense 6, this app has likely been added to the Play Store to help the company crank out faster updates for specific software.

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eBay for Android updated with a new design and in-app notifications

Mark Hearn Sep 11 2014 - 10:34 am PT

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If you’re eyeing a new smartphone and plan on unloading your old gear on eBay to finance your next purchase, you’ll be glad to know that the world famous e-commerce company has redesigned its Android app. Hopping on the Material Design bandwagon, version 2.7 ships with a simple, flat, sterile look that features larger photos and refined search results.

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Viber aiming to be the new Skype as it adds video calls to its Android & iOS apps

Ben Lovejoy Sep 11 2014 - 4:03 am PT

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Skype has long been a popular way to make free video calls to your friends and family from your Android device, but Viber is now joining the party. While video calling has been available on the desktop version of Viber for some time, the mobile app had previously been limited to voice, text and photo messages.

With Viber, everyone in the world can connect. Freely. More than 400 million Viber users text, call, and send photo and video messages worldwide over WiFi or 3G – for free […]

Make video calls from your phone to other Viber contacts on mobile or Desktop. You can also transfer video calls between mobile and Desktop!

The USP of Viber is that no username is needed – only your mobile number. When a contact joins Viber, the service spots that their number is in your contacts app and sends you an alert to let you know.

Viber is a free download from the Google Play store. Voice and video calls between Viber users are free (bar any data charges on LTE/3G). The company makes its money by selling stickers and – like Skype – by offering low-cost outgoing calls worldwide.

Google Voice for iOS updated w/ refreshed design and Hangouts integration

Chance Miller Sep 10 2014 - 5:23 pm PT

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Google this evening rolled out an update to the Google Voice app on iOS, adding several new features and much-needed visual enhancements. Bumping the app to version 1.6, this evening’s update is the first the app has seen since September 2013, and the first major update since 2012.

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Google Play two hour refund policy now official for apps and games

Mark Hearn Sep 10 2014 - 1:05 pm PT

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Last month, we found out that Google was extending the return period for some of Google Play’s games from 15 minutes to two hours. A new update to the company’s support page has confirmed the change, making the two hour refund policy official for paid applications and games. An extra hour and 45 minutes sounds great, but it should be noted that way back in the days of the Android Market, Google used to give customers a full day to return undesirable software.

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Google launches Applause, a Hangouts on Air feature that tracks cheers and jeers in real-time

Mark Hearn Sep 9 2014 - 10:19 am PT

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Google announced a new feature for Hangouts on Air today called Applause, which lets viewers give a thumbs up or down to the content they’re viewing during a live video broadcast. In addition to sharing cheers and jeers, this new features lets the search giant generate a real-time chart documenting the audience’s feedback as it happens. Despite looking like a game of Guitar Hero, the colorful graph gives broadcasters an easy way to monitor viewers’ feelings about their efforts. Think of it as a modern-day version of The Gong Show.

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You can now install free Chrome Web Store apps without a Google account

Mark Hearn Sep 9 2014 - 8:13 am PT

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Casual Chrome users rejoice! You can now install free apps without having to sign into the Chrome Web Store. Revealed by platform evangelist François Beaufort, this new option lets people pick up software without the need of a Google account. This type of setup could be useful to people who haven’t fully committed to using Mountain View’s web browser on a full-time basis.

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Android users at last get access to Amazon Instant Video as of today

Ben Lovejoy Sep 9 2014 - 4:27 am PT

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Amazon seems to have finally accepted that access to Amazon Instant Video still isn’t going to make anyone want to buy a Fire Phone. As of today, Amazon Prime members in the U.S. can watch Instant Video on any Android device using the updated Amazon app.

Prime members in the US can stream unlimited Prime Instant Video from inside the Amazon app using the Prime Instant Video player, including HBO shows The Sopranos, Boardwalk Empire, Six Feet Under, and The Wire …

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Twitter’s new ‘Buy’ button lets you purchase products directly from within your timeline

Mark Hearn Sep 8 2014 - 11:13 am PT

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Starting today, a small group of US Twitter users will start seeing tweets from the shorthand social network’s partners loaded with products and a sales pitches, along with a new “Buy” button option for quick purchases. In a blog post today, the company announced that this is one of its first efforts to introduce shopping to your timeline.

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Spotify app to offer 30 mins of ad-free listening if you watch a 15-30 second video ad first

Ben Lovejoy Sep 8 2014 - 5:18 am PT

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Spotify currently offers you a choice: pay ten bucks a month to listen without ads, or listen for free but have your music interrupted by audio ads. Those using the Android or iOS app will be offered a third option later this year: watch a 15-30 second video ad in return for 30 minutes of ad-free listening.

Known as Sponsored Sessions, the idea is that advertisers get the ability to run video ads for the first time, while the experience is made relatively painless for consumers by guaranteeing 30 minutes of uninterrupted listening afterwards.

Spotify began pitching the option to advertisers back in June, and Ad Age reports that a number of major advertisers have now signed-up.

Spotify will start testing the video ads in the fourth quarter with a limited number of brands and plans to extend them to all advertisers in the first quarter of 2015.

Coca-Cola, Ford, McDonald’s and Universal Pictures have signed on as the ads’ first global buyers. Kraft Foods, Target and Wells Fargo will be the U.S.-only launch advertisers.

The Spotify Music app is a free download from the Google play store.

Samsung releases Tizen Wearable SDK for new Gear S

Jordan Kahn Sep 5 2014 - 8:29 am PT

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Samsung today announced the release of a new Tizen Software Development Kit for the recently introduced Gear S smartwatch. The SDK will let app developers tap into network, call and location based APIs, as well as notifications and the device’s various sensors.

The Tizen SDK will allow developers to make the best use of the following features and APIs for the Samsung Gear S:

•Enhanced Standalone Features: Network, call and location-based APIs to take advantage of the fact that the Samsung Gear S can connect directly to 3G networks without the need for a separate mobile device.

•New Sensor APIs: Magnetic, Ambient Light, Barometer, and UV sensor APIs as well as Accelerometer and Gyroscope APIs.

•Rich Notifications: Create a variety of notifications for the Samsung Gear S.

While other companies are investing heavily in Google’s new Android Wear platform, Samsung is clearly still hoping that developers will embrace its own Tizen-based platform. It hasn’t completely abandoned Android for its wearables, however, as it also recently launched the Android Wear-powered Samsung Gear Live.

Developers interested in developing apps for the Gear S can learn more and download the SDK here.