Google Hangouts 2.0 for iOS redesigned with iPad tweaks, 10-second video messages
Google Hangouts just jumped a full version number on Apple hardware — the first major update since it added voice calls late last year — and 2.0 has more than just a new iOS 7-ready look. The new app is “fully optimized” for iPads, with a “two-pane” conversation view. On all devices, it’s ready for animated stickers — look out Whatsapp and Facebook Messenger — 10-second video messages for when your friends are offline, and can send a map of your current location with a few button presses. It’s rolling out on the App Store now, assuming you prefer the matchup of Google services and Apple devices.
Filed under: Internet, Software, Mobile, Apple, Google
Source: iTunes, Frank Petterson (Google+)
Daily Roundup: Apple explains Touch ID, Google’s modular phone and more!
You might say the day is never really done in consumer technology news. Your workday, however, hopefully draws to a close at some point. This is the Daily Roundup on Engadget, a quick peek back at the top headlines for the past 24 hours — all handpicked by the editors here at the site. Click on through the break, and enjoy.
Apple explains Touch ID
Apple updated its iOS Security white paper today, shedding new light onto the iPhone 5s’ Touch ID fingerprint scanner. And while its end-to-end encryption measures are impressive, we’re still waiting for the feature to be opened to developers.
Megapixels and mobile imaging
In recent years, smartphone photography has been centered around pixels. Lots and lots of pixels. But Google’s latest concept phone, dubbed Project Tango, could take mobile imaging to an entirely new level. Read on as Engadget’s Steve Dent explores the potential of handsets equipped with with multiple sensor technologies.
Nintendo shutting down multiplayer services
Nintendo’s shutting down its original Wii and DS multiplayer services worldwide on May 20th. A few select features will remain online after the fact, but we’d suggest you get in a few games of Mario Kart DS while you still can.
Google’s modular smartphone may cost $50
If you’re a fan of Project Ara, you’ll be happy to know that Google wants its modular smartphone to be very affordable. For $50, users would get a working, barebones exoskeleton that could be upgraded with parts from special kiosks.
Filed under: Misc
Google upping the ante against Malware on Android
Malware is a very hated word for many technology users out there. The intent of a particular malware program is to exploit information or rack up charges for a profit. There are a number of safe guards against malware, but that doesn’t mean that it doesn’t still get through at times. Yes, Android has malware apps out there, but as long as you are picking up your apps from trusted sources (the Play Store) you are pretty safe. If you happen to use file sharing services, torrents, some dudes dropbox account, or other random locations for APK’s, then you obviously run the risk of picking something up that could be rather nasty.
A lot of common sense goes into protecting yourself against malware on your device. Obviously getting your apps from trusted sources is a good start. Not opening up that random email or text from someone that has a link or an attachment. Being sure to read through an apps permissions doesn’t hurt either. You can also install a security app to help out if you are super paranoid, like Malwarebytes, AVG, Lookout Security or other reputable names you might know of from the PC world.
Yes, Google and Android also do their part to keep the nasty malware at bay. Every app you download and install, particularly sideloaded ones, already gets scanned before it is installed to make sure their isn’t anything fishy. Only if you have the setting turned on in your device settings of course. Currently the process runs once per app you install. If it looks good, then you are on your way. In the next Google Play Services update, it will scan in the background constantly to keep a better look out. Why you ask? Simply because malware creators aren’t stupid. They can build an app that passes the initial install check, but have it coded to remote into a server and download something else later. Obviously we don’t want that to happen. We assume it will still be an opt-in option that you can keep turned off if you so desire.
“At this point, there really is a collection of services that we’re starting to think about as the Google security services for Android,” Ludwig says. “We want to make sure there is no single point of failure within our platform so users can be protected.”
We will have to wait and see what happens when the new Play Services update starts to roll out. There is the immediate concern that another constantly running service will hit the battery life of our devices. It is a constant cat and mouse game between security, malware and users. I don’t mind the thought of an added layer of security and protection, especially if it is all handled behind the scenes where I don’t even have to think about it. However, I don’t randomly install things from John Doe’s off the wall link on some forum.
Source: Computer World Via Android Authority
Amazon May Add Streaming Music to Prime Service
Amazon may be planning to introduce a streaming music product that could be bundled into its Amazon Prime service, competing with existing streaming music services from companies like Spotify, Pandora, Apple, and Google reports Re/code.
Amazon is reportedly in talks with major music labels with the aim of releasing a music service in the future, hoping for low rates much as Apple did when negotiating for iTunes Radio.
One label source reports that Amazon isn’t close to getting a deal done, because its executives are asking for a substantial discount on the pricing the labels have given to other services, like Spotify, Rhapsody and Beats.
Still, label talks have been going on for the past few months, sources say.
Amazon already offers its Amazon Prime subscribers a Netflix-style movie and television streaming service – Amazon Instant Video – but music could entice customers to pay more. Earlier this year, Amazon said that it may be raising the price of Prime by up to $40, increasing the cost of the service from $79.99 to $120. Amazon already offers a Cloud Player service for playing music purchased or stored using its Cloud Drive, which is similar to iTunes Match.
Last year, Apple released its own streaming music service, iTunes Radio, which is built into the Music app of iOS 7. The service is radio-based, allowing users to discover new music through stations based on specific artists and songs, much like Pandora. It is unclear whether Amazon’s service would mirror Apple’s, or if it will more closely resemble services like Spotify, which allow users to search for and play specific songs.
Like Amazon, Apple was originally aiming to pay lower prices than the industry standard at six cents per 100 songs streamed, or half of Pandora’s royalty rate, but the company was unable to reach deals with music labels at such low rates. Apple ended up agreeing to pay labels 0.13 cents for each song played, along with 15 percent of net advertising revenue, and it is likely that Amazon may have to make similar pricing concessions to bring a music service to fruition.
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California Appeals Court Rules State Law Doesn’t Prohibit Driver Use of Smartphone Maps
A California appeals court has ruled that a driver cannot be convicted of distracted driving for using a smartphone mapping application under current state law that prohibits the use of talking and texting while driving.
Because the law is so narrowly tailored — it prohibits “listening” and talking on a phone without a hands-free device, as well as sending and receiving text-based messages — it does not specifically apply to using smartphones in other ways.
The 5th District Court of Appeal reversed the case of a Fresno man who was ticketed in January 2012 for looking at a map on his iPhone 4 while stuck in traffic. The driver, Steven Spriggs, challenged the $165 fine and won.
Spriggs was caught up by road work and grabbed his cellphone to find an alternate route when a California Highway Patrol officer on a motorcycle spotted him and stopped him to write the ticket.
It is possible that the California state legislature will address the issue in a future session as the law was likely intended to ban drivers from playing Angry Birds or making changes in a smartphone mapping app while driving, though a strict reading of the law doesn’t explicitly make those activities illegal.
The decision reversed the ruling of a lower appeals court from last year.
Laws in other states may or may not cover the use of smartphone mapping apps, and this ruling will have no impact in states other than California. In addition, California drivers can still be cited for distracted driving, but could point to this case when fighting their ticket in court.
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Google Hangouts for iOS Gains iPad Optimization, iOS 7 Redesign [iOS Blog]
Google’s messaging app Hangouts was today updated to version 2.0, adding an iOS 7 redesign and several new features including animated stickers, 10 second video messages, and iPad optimization. This is the app’s first major update since it received voice calling and Google Voice integration back in October of 2013.
Following the update, the app supports a two-column conversation view on the iPad. Like many other social networking apps, Hangouts now supports animated stickers that can be included in messages, and maps of current locations can also be sent in a message.
Along with a new look and feel, Hangouts has also gained new option to send a video message that’s up to 10 seconds in length to offline users, which can be viewed later.
– Stickers: express your mood with fun animated stickers. Think of them as emoji, but even more awesome.
– Video Messages: record and send short videos to everyone in the conversation. Now you can really say what you need to say.
– Location sharing: send a map of your current location with a few simple taps. Great for coordinating the whole gang when you’re ready to hangout IRL.
– Optimized for the iPad: enjoy big, beautiful video calls, and a two-pane conversation view. Perfect for the iPad’s larger screen.
Google’s Hangouts app can be downloaded from the App Store for free. [Direct Link]
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4 Things That Absolutely Every Customer Loves
Customer service can be a slippery slope these days. Some companies have a reputation for outstanding service, while others are known for being grumpy and unhelpful. Unfortunately, once a company garners a bad reputation, it can be extremely difficult to get back into the good graces of their customers.
The most successful and highest-rated companies are well aware of the importance of their customers, and they prioritize service above (almost) every other aspect of business. If you’re wondering what makes customers happy, then check out the list below of four things every customer absolutely loves.
1) When Everything Is On The Table
A lot of not-so-admirable companies (online especially) try to lure you into a trap and keep you there forever. Thankfully, not all companies are shady, and many of them are actually very honest and upfront. Customers always appreciate a company that puts it all out on the table, and by that we mean that there’s no fine print or hidden fees.
What you see is what you get, and companies that adhere to this are bound to rank high when it comes to customer satisfaction. For example, Instant Checkmate is one of the most popular sites on the Internet, and they’re constantly getting new members. However, if an existing member chooses to cancel, they can simply visit the company’s cancellation page, which makes the process quick and easy—as it should be.
2) Talking To A Real Person . . .
There is nothing, and I mean nothing, that is more frustrating than calling a customer service line and getting a generic robot recording. Seriously, it’s the most annoying thing in the world, especially the ones that actually try and get you to talk to them. You attempt to speak into the phone, and of course, the robot can’t understand you. So you sit there repeating yourself until you get angry and decide to give up.
On the opposite side of the spectrum, there is nothing more refreshing than a customer service line that actually gets through to a real person. Most people are delightfully surprised when a human answers the phone because they’ve become so accustomed to that annoying robot voice. Thankfully more and more companies are ditching the recordings and hiring real people to handle their member care services.
3) . . . Who Is Friendly And Helpful
Getting through to a real person is great, but if they seem grumpy or annoyed at your questions, then you might as well go back to the robot. It’s unfortunate when you come across a customer service representative who lacks the people skills that are absolutely vital to the profession. So, it comes as no surprise that people love it when customer service reps are friendly and genuinely interested in providing assistance in any way they can. The companies with the highest customer satisfaction ratings (like Amazon and Zappos) are passionate about hiring cheerful, outgoing, and helpful individuals to manage their member care efforts.
4) Feeling Appreciated
Every customer loves to feel like they are appreciated, and the best companies always make sure to convey this feeling whenever possible. Whether it’s a restaurant, clothing store, online service, etc., there are endless ways that companies can show how much they value their customers. One of the most common methods is to offer special deals or promotions that are only available to existing customers. This instills a feeling of exclusivity, and people always want to feel like they have access to something that others don’t. Deals and promotions also grab the attention of non-customers who want in on the action, so it’s an effortless marketing strategy that can ultimately lead to growth.
What makes YOU fall in love with a company’s customer service? Let us know in the comments!
About the author:
Jennifer Holden is a blogger from San Antonio, TX. She specializes in writing about customer service and business development.
[New Game] Cloud Raiders Launched by Game Insight
Earlier in February we shared some details on an upcoming game from Game Insight called Cloud Raiders. The new title is a an action packed strategy game that takes place on floating fortresses in the sky.
In Cloud Raiders, players can fortify their bases with different types of defense equipment: from cannons and traps to magical artifacts. You must be ready to fight off massive monsters and legendary buccaneers wandering the skies in search of easy prey as well as be prepared for raiding parties sent by enemy players in search of loot! In order to keep your own holdings safe and conquer this brave new world, you should research and unlock new troop types, brew powerful potions to strengthen your forces, launch mighty cannon volleys to even the odds, and build ever-larger armies of axe-wielding marauders, grenade-lobbing bombardiers, and fire-breathing dragons to win the day!
It all sounds quite fanciful and should keep a person busy for a number of hours. The game is available in the Play Store and is free, but does offer in-app purchase. I know that might be a turn off for many. However, it is getting favorable reviews in the Play Store already. If you still want to take a look at it and see if it can entertain you then feel free to hit the Play Store image below and go pick it up.
Google’s new web gallery helps you find public map data
A number of organizations offer public map data through Google Maps, but finding it can be tricky — if you even know it exists. That may not be an issue now that Google has just launched its Maps Gallery. The web portal showcases location info from both Google and a slew of its Maps Engine partners, ranging from the World Bank’s internet usage stats to National Geographic’s historical overlays. This is really just the start of the search firm’s map discovery efforts, though. Google tells TechCrunch that it wants to surface public maps in regular search results, and it would also like to draw attention to Maps Engine Lite data created by amateur cartographers.
Via: TechCrunch
Source: Google Maps Gallery
Google Trends is now, finally, a screen saver
The flying toasters and infinite space your sleeping computer’s been living with are being retired. No, After Dark isn’t being resurrected and, well, does Windows even come with a screen saver built-in anymore? It’s Google, and specifically the Trends section of Google, that’s leading the bleeding edge of screen saver tech: Mac users can now download a Trends-driven screen saver that…yep, it culls trending Google topics and pushes them to your screensaver. It’s quite pretty! Head over here to grab it for yourself.
Filed under: Misc, Internet, Software, Google
Source: Google Trends Screen Saver, Google
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