Google+ update lets users instantly install Android apps

Google has introduced a new feature that allows users to install Android apps shared via Google+ with a single click.

In an increasingly competitive social media ecosystem, Google has made a new addition to Google+ that could separate its social network from the rest. Google has integrated its online store and its social networking platform even more closely with a recently introduced feature. Google+ users can now post direct links to Android apps from the Google Play store on to a user’s timeline, making it easier to share games and applications.

Once the link has been posted, the recipient will be redirected to the app’s Google Play page. An install prompt will also appear to demonstrate how to download the app with a single click. Google+ automatically embeds an image and description of the app alongside the link. Similarly, When Google Play patrons +1 an app within the store, the app is automatically shared on Google+ but without the Install/Buy buttons.

This isn’t the first time the search engine giant has attempted to connect its Google Play store with Google+. The company previously added a function that allowed users to share their favorite music tracks and albums on another user’s profile, complete with 30-second previews. However, there has yet to be a feature that lets users instantly share movies via Google+.

As Google introduces new sharing features, it’s becoming clear that the company is attempting to facilitate the way users access media content through the Google Play store. Last week, Google announced that music and movies from its online store would be available on Google TV in Germany, France and the UK.

While the addition of instant app sharing may be a subtle update for Google+ it will undoubtedly streamline the way Android users recommend and share apps. It could also shape the way businesses and brands promote their mobile presence, giving Google+ a unique edge against competitors Facebook and Twitter.

Each social media platform has its own flavor when it comes to fulfilling business needs: Facebook gives brands the chance to showcase their product through a dedicated page and flashy cover photo, while Twitter lets businesses spark a conversation about their product among the Internet community. With Google+, users can now instantly download a company’s product. This could be particularly crucial for start-up businesses relying on social media to circulate their application.

Source : http://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/google-update-lets-users-instantly-install-android-apps/

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RIM introduces BBM Voice to help convince you and your friends to come back to BlackBerry

Research in Motion has added an interesting new feature to BlackBerry Messenger named BBM Voice, which lets you call fellow BBM users for free provided your phone is connected to a Wi-Fi network. It's a great idea, provided your friends also use BlackBerry phones.

Research in Motion knows it needs to win back the general public’s support, and it also knows that one way to do so is by coming up with a feature that will save someone money. BlackBerry Messenger was that feature several years ago, as it made use of the BlackBerry network plan you had to pay for anyway, and provided “free” text message conversation with fellow BlackBerry owners.

Now though, a high percentage of the dedicated BlackBerry owner’s friends use iPhones and Androids, rendering BBM a relic from better days past. Now RIM has come up with BBM Voice, which it claims is “for the times when you want to hear a friend’s laughter instead of reading LOL.”

That’s right, BBM has become Skype, as it now offers the chance to call your BBM friends through version 7 of the software, using only a Wi-Fi connection. There are no geographical borders and no time limits, and as it doesn’t count towards your monthly bill, no extra charges either.

RIM makes no mention of whether BBM Voice will break free from a Wi-Fi connection and use a 3G/4G data connection in the future. It’s hardly a surprise, as networks – particularly in the U.S. – are rarely enamored by features that lose them money.

BlackBerry Messenger will show who in your contact list is available to call using BBM Voice, and a split screen display lets you send text messages or files at the same time, plus the service is compatible with Bluetooth headsets too; setting it up perfectly as a way to work collaboratively while away from the office. Those not using a BlackBerry for business will appreciate the chance to avoid massive international roaming bills too.

So, free messages and free calls, all through a single app. Sounds great, right? It is, but – and here’s the problem – to take advantage of BBM Voice, your friends and colleagues all have to have BlackBerry phones too, and as we’ve established already, they’re now using iPhones and Androids.

BBM Voice is a beta program at the moment, but you can bet it will have been perfected by the time BlackBerry 10 arrives after January 30 next year, as being able to say “free calls and messages with BlackBerry 10” should help people take notice of the new OS. All RIM needs is for those people to convince their friends/family/acquaintances/dog it’s a good idea too.

Source : http://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/rim-adds-free-calls-to-blackberry-messenger-with-bbm-voice/

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BlackBerry Messenger gets free voice chat feature

Voice chat: a welcome addition

BlackBerry owners are now able to voice chat with each other for free over BlackBerry Messenger.

The new feature, included in the BBM 7 update for the popular service, allows users to talk free-of-charge provided they are connected to a Wi-Fi network.

This addition will be welcomed by those with top-up phones and the frugal alike, as well as those travelling abroad and those who live in far-flung corners of the country where network signal is lacking.

Split screen

A 'split-screen' functionality has been integrated into the service to allow BBMers to switch between text and voice chat at will, or use both together simultaneously. Handy when sending pictures…and perhaps in situations where there's more to tell than you can let on over the phone.

BBM 7 also allows BlackBerry owners to use other functions of their device while in voice chat, such as reading texts and emails and navigating through apps.

Another crucial feature in BBM 7 is BlackBerry ID, which backs up users' BBM profiles, groups and contacts. This information is automatically restored when a new BlackBerry device is activated, allowing for hassle-free phone-switching.

Currently the BBM 7 beta is only available to owners of BlackBerry 6 OS devices and higher, with RIM planning to bring the feature to BlackBerry 5 and BlackBerry 10 at a later date. Users can sign up to the BBM7 beta by going to BlackBerry's Beta Zone at http://techradar.com/www.blackberry.com/betazone

Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/blackberry-messenger-gets-free-voice-chat-feature-1112480

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Microsoft ran out of time to add notifications to WP8

One feature of the Windows Phone 8 platform that Microsoft failed to mention at the launch this week was a central hub for notifications. That's because it doesn't exist, with Microsoft's Thomas Fennel admitting it wasn't included because the developers ran out of time.

While Microsoft's platform allows for notifications delivered through its Live Tiles system, there isn't a central hub to deliver notifications of all a user's important information.

For some applications that don't take advantage of Live Tiles, this leaves developers without a way to send users notifications.

A notification centre also helps users track older notifications that may be lost in among the more popular apps.

Giving notice

But it's also something that Microsoft is aware of and could potentially implement in future updates.

"It's very, very important to me… we get tons of feedback from developers that they want something like that as well. I promise we're thinking very, very hard on that one," Fennel admitted when questioned about the lack of a notification centre in WP8 at the Microsoft Build event.

It's obviously a long way from an official announcement, but it does seem likely Microsoft will push to incorporate the feature in future builds of the mobile operating system.

Via: The Verge

Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/microsoft-ran-out-of-time-to-add-notifications-to-wp8-1109488

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Nokia Belle FP2 update is now fixed, reseeded to users

Finally, the issues have been ironed out and Nokia has restarted the rollout of the Nokia Belle Feature Pack 2 firmware update.

The update is headed for Nokia OS devices including the Nokia 808 PureView, 701, 700 and 603. The PureView will also get some extra imaging and gallery features.

As for other changes - the user interface will get a new swipe to unlock, the camera UI will get a refresh, while the navigation bar, widgets and transition effects all get minor tweaks. The keyboard will now offer word completion and predictive text input. The web browser is also updated and comes with an improved JavaScript engine for better performance.

The update is available through Nokia Suite and owners of the eligible devices should be getting the update notification any moment now.

Via
Source : http://www.gsmarena.com/nokia_belle_fp2_update_is_now_fixed_heads_towards_users-news-4927.php

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Report: Apple ditched Google maps over turn-by-turn directions

Talks between Apple and Google broke down over voice-navigation

Much has been made about Apple's decision to eschew Google's map app that had been a default feature of iOS until the release of iOS 6.

Apple's replacement, Maps, has suffered its fair share of criticisms in the early going, and Google has since moved on to improving their maps for Android.

The split between the two companies wasn't always meant to be though, according to sources close to the matter.

In fact, the latest reports found the departure of Google maps from iOS came down to a dispute over the inclusion of just one feature.

Voice-directed navigation

One of the key differences between the versions of Google's map app is the exclusivity of voice-directed turn-by-turn navigation on Android devices.

AllThingsD's sources claimed Apple wanted that feature included in an updated iOS version of the app, however Google wasn't about to give away one of its defining features for free.

These same sources said a deal between the two companies could not be reached once Apple found out Google wanted more say in the development of the iOS app.

Google also reportedly wanted to include Google Latitude, but Apple balked at the idea, purportedly shunning Google for wanting to gather so much user data.

That's a deal-breaker

Apple had been acquiring mapping companies before these negotiations with Google broke down, but only fast-tracked their own app once they realized a deal could not be reached.

One source close to the discussions told AllThingsD other factors were involved in the decision, but the lack of voice-navigation was the breaking point.

"There were a number of issues inflaming negotiations, but voice navigation was the biggest," the source said. "Ultimately, it was a deal-breaker."

Navigating a compromise

Despite Maps poor first impression, Apple still may have made out better than Google.

The loss of all those iPhone users previously using Google's app could end up being just as big a disappointment for Google.

It's estimated Google may have lost some 100 million users dependent on their maps with the upgrade to iOS 6.

While Google Executive Chairman Eric Schmidt did say the company wasn't working on an iOS 6 version of their map app, he did seem open to the idea of working with Apple.

"We want them to be our partner. We welcome that," Schmidt told investors earlier this week.

Whether the two companies can come to an agreement at this point seems unlikely, but it's still not entirely out of the realm of possibility.

TechRadar has reached out to both Google and Apple, and will update this story if and when they return requests for a comment.

Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/software/applications/report-apple-ditched-google-maps-over-turn-by-turn-directions-1100048

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Instagram evidently phasing out live filters with iOS 6 update

The update for Instagram on iOS 6 is here, and while it fixes the resolution issue, you'll notice one big feature missing: Live filters.

Those who have purchased the iPhone 5 may have already noticed that several apps that have not received their iOS 6 updates are often cut off in display, leave a large chunk of black blocks to fill in the shorter display of the iPhone 4. Instagram finally fixed this issue with its iOS 6 update, but that’s not the only thing users noticed. Sorely missing is the live filter feature, which allowed iPhoneographers to apply an overlay of their intended filter in live camera view before snapping a photo. If you’re one of the Instagrammers who frequent this functionality, tough luck. Instagram has updated its “known issues” section of the Help Center to reflect the following message:

“As of the current release (v3.1), Instagram does not support live filters on the iPhone 5. Going forward, live filters will be phased out as we work to improve the Instagram experience for all users.”

We’re not sure how exactly removing live filters is an improvement, considering this added functionality was one of the bigger focus of past Instagram updates for iOS. For fans of live filters, this will also prove to be a dilemma for whether or not they should update the app. On one hand, you can only avoid the update for so long, and the black bars that cut off on iPhone 5′s screen continues to be awkward without the update. On the other, updating means you might lose a feature you’ve come to use more commonly. Could you possibly stand to not see the world in Instagram filter after all?

Who knows, perhaps phasing out live filters is for the best. After all, my Android version of Instagram crashes often enough even without live filters so the company definitely has bigger issues at hand that might require the removal of this functionality overall — across all platforms — to make the app less buggy.

Image credit: The Next Web

Source : http://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/instagram-evidently-phasing-out-live-filters-with-ios-6-update/

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