Whatsapp now has 500 million active users to offer its new social overlord
Some companies lose their following after an acquisition, but not Whatsapp — apparently, its userbase just continued to grow after Facebook bought it for $19 billion. The FB-owned entity has revealed that it now has 500 million active users, up 50 million from the time the social network snapped it up. According to Whatsapp CEO Jan Kuom, the app has seen the fastest growth in Brazil, India, Mexico and Russia in recent months. Kuom didn’t mention whether the buyout helped boost Whatsapp’s influence in those regions, but it’s worth noting that Brazil, India and Mexico had some of the biggest Facebook user numbers in 2013, according to a statistics analyst. He also mentioned that people have been sharing over 700 million photos and 100 million videos per day over the app.
With growth like this, we wouldn’t be surprised if it’s true that providers everywhere have collectively lost out on $33 billion due to the popular messaging app. Unfortunately, the CEO didn’t have anything to share about the VoIP feature for iOS, so the Whatsapp faithful will have to wait a bit more.
Filed under: Misc, Mobile, Facebook
Source: Whatsapp
Apple Fixes FaceTime on Older Versions of OS X, iOS 6 Still Not Working
Apple tonight released an update for FaceTime on OS X [Direct Link], which resolves connections issues and is recommended for all FaceTime users currently running OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard. The connection issues are presumably related to the problems reported last week which affected both older versions of OS X and iOS 6 versions of FaceTime.
Apple, however, has not yet addressed the problems with FaceTime that are in iOS 6. While it is encouraging that Apple released an update for FaceTime for OS X 10.6, Apple support’s recommendations for iOS 6 users has been to upgrade to iOS 7. One user has quoted Apple support as saying that the only fix for iOS 6 is to upgrade to the latest version of iOS 7, with no current plans to release a fix on iOS 6 or iOS 5.
According to Apple’s updated FaceTime troubleshooting page, users who are still having trouble with the application are recommended to update to the latest version of iOS or OS X.
Japan’s not getting the Xbox One until this September
If we’re being civil, Japan’s relationship with the Xbox could be described as “tenuous” at best, and the release date for Microsoft’s latest game console probably won’t do much to change that. Come this September 4th, gamers in the country will finally be able to claim an Xbox One for themselves. Yes, that’s around 10 months after it launched in the US and other “first tier” countries, and seven months after the PlayStation 4′s Japanese debut. Redmond’s Eastern wing hasn’t mentioned pricing just yet (what, one announcement isn’t enough?), but with E3 on the horizon it likely won’t remain unknown for too much longer.
Filed under: Gaming, Home Entertainment, HD, Microsoft
Source: Microsoft (Japanese)
Google offered to help Samsung with Apple patent battle costs
Confirming what a lot of us thought already, Google is more than a little interested in Apple and Samsung’s continuing court battle. New evidence revealed by Apple’s lawyers outlines emails from Google that offered to foot some of the damages (if Samsung lost), as well as cover part of the legal costs in the current trial. This would cover two of the five patents that Apple is fighting over. Google lawyer James Maccoun confirmed that it would help Samsung as part of the Mobile Application Distribution Agreement, the framework that allows Samsung to use Google-made apps on its Android devices. According to Maccoun’s taped deposition: “As I read it, Google’s essentially offering to defend Samsung to the MADA and does offer to defend some [patent] claims.”
Apple is looking to claim $2.2 billion from Samsung over five patents, while in return (you know how these things go), the Korean company is claiming a smaller $7 million for infringing two of its patents. Samsung had already stated that four of Apple’s patents are covered by Google’s Android OS, and has called in engineers to testify to that effect. The details of exactly how much cash Google will be willing to offer up haven’t been disclosed, although it’s likely hoping it won’t have to pay a thing.
Filed under: Cellphones, Software, Apple, Samsung, Google
Source: WSJ
Apple mends a Heartbleed security bug in its latest WiFi routers
Filed under: Networking, Apple
Via: Macworld
Source: Apple
The Supreme Court heard Aereo’s case, whether they understood it could mean everything
We have no doubt the justices of the Supreme Court are well versed and prepared for any copyright law, but do they understand TV or the hows and whys it can be so frustrating sometimes? Like many of us, possibly not that well — like why HBO can’t keep its streaming service up during Game of Thrones? — which could make reaching a decision in the case between Aereo and the broadcasters seeking to put it out of business especially difficult. During today’s oral arguments Justice Antonin Scalia wondered whether the cable- and satellite-only network HBO might be picked up by Aereo’s antenna-to-internet setup. The justices were mostly on point, however, needling lawyers for the networks about a previous case for Cablevision’s cloud DVR, and how a ruling in their favor could affect cloud internet services.
Breyer initially confused by #Aereo argument. Said to counsel: “that’s not your problem, but it may well turn out to be.”
– Geoff Bennett (@GeoffRBennett) April 22, 2014
They also had tough questions for Aereo, with Chief Justice Roberts telling the company’s lawyer “there’s no technological reason for you to have 10,000 dime-sized antenna, other than to get around the copyright laws.” So who will prevail? A decision is expected by the end of June, and it’s anyone’s guess which way the court is leaning, but you can read through the entire proceedings as they occurred this morning right here.
Filed under: Home Entertainment, HD
Source: Oral Argument Transcripts (PDF)
YouTube cat videos can finally play on most Roku devices
Roku has just announced that the YouTube app, once exclusive only to the Roku 3, is now available to all of the company’s “current-gen” players. That includes the Roku LT, Roku 1, the Roku 2, the Roku HD, the Roku Streaming Stick… and, well, pretty much all of them. Like we announced back in December, the YouTube app lets you send videos from your phone or tablet to the tiny media streamer when you’re connected to the same wireless network. You’re also able to sign in and watch your favorite subscribed channels — like, ahem, ours perhaps? — as you would on your computer. In other news, Roku has also announced that the Fox Now channel is now finally available to Comcast customers (it’s already accessible via other providers like AT&T U-Verse and Dish). Simply link the app up to your Xfinity account, and you’ll be able to watch the upcoming season of 24 whenever you like. To get either the YouTube or Fox Now app, simply download it from the store or just hit the links in this very sentence.
Filed under: HD
Source: Roku (YouTube), Roku (Fox Now), Roku (1), (2)
Google’s new mobile ads help find apps that fit your daily habits
Ads for mobile apps are rarely personal; they’re more often based on search keywords than your actual habits. Google is fixing this today with new ads in search and on YouTube that reflect your day-to-day app uses and purchases. If you regularly track your runs with fitness software, for instance, you may get ads offering to install a companion diet app.
Google is also taking a cue from Facebook with keyword-based ads that launch into apps you have. Search for hotels on an upcoming trip and you may see an ad that takes you directly to an installed hotel booking app that would otherwise be gathering virtual dust. The smarter ads may ultimately exist to improve the bottom line for both Google and app developers, but they should also be a big help if you’ve had trouble finding the right app for your needs — even if it’s already sitting on your phone.
Filed under: Cellphones, Internet, Mobile, Google
Via: TechCrunch
Source: Inside AdWords
You can take your Sprint phone to other US carriers next year
If you’re with Sprint, you don’t have many options for unlocking your phone’s SIM card slot; if you can do it at all, you’re limited to service on foreign networks. You’ll have far more flexibility in the near future, though. The carrier has revealed that it will unlock devices for American use starting with those launched on or after February 11th, 2015. The move will let you use SIM-based features (such as LTE data) on AT&T, T-Mobile and other US providers as long as your device supports the right frequencies. Sprint’s prepaid brands, including Boost Mobile and Virgin Mobile, will also offer the added freedom.
The move isn’t a complete surprise when Sprint had committed to unlocking phones as part of the CTIA’s Consumer Code. Still, this is a big step toward having real choices among US carriers. If you’re unhappy with Sprint’s service next year, there’s a real chance that you’ll get to jump ship without having to ditch your handset at the same time.
Filed under: Cellphones, Wireless, Mobile, Sprint
Via: 9to5 Google, Android Police
Source: Sprint
Apple Debuts New ‘Gigantic’ TV Ad Focusing on iPhone 5s
Apple has debuted a new TV ad alongside Marvel’s Agents of SHIELD tonight on ABC called “Gigantic”. The ad, which was first spotted by 9to5Mac, showcases iPhone 5s owners using the device to enhance their lives in multiple ways.
With “Gigantic” by the Pixies [iTunes] playing in the background, the app has users using the iPhone 5s to check their health, check for directions, create short monster movies, record videos, create art installations and more, including the Pixies preparing to play their song. The ad ends with the tagline “You’re more powerful than you think”.
Apple has not aired an iPhone 5s ad since the seasonal holiday ad “Misunderstood”, which has since been removed from its YouTube channel. In the meantime, Apple has instead focusing its advertising efforts on the iPad’s “Your Verse” ad campaign.
AIVAnet 