Swarm by Foursquare is the next biggest thing in social Networking
Foursquare, as a social media platform, has become somewhat obscured by the meteoric improvements to all its competitors while it has languished behind as glorified location game. Swarm by Foursquare is Foursquare’s new app and latest effort to improve its social network focus and its focus is on still using the existing Foursquare mantra of competing with others for location check-ins, but also allowing friends to be able to see each other when they are nearby for impromtu meetups.
Swarm’s focus is mainly on enabling you to communicate with friends that are nearby (and gives you an estimation of how close they are) and the people you want to stay in contact with; Swarm has a messaging system that will allow you to converse with groups of friends. Naturally, this is dependant on the friends that are actually using Swarm, but you will be able to add your Facebook friends through the sign-in feature.
If you want to try out Swarm now, you can download it from the Google Play Store now for free (link below). What do you think about the idea behind Swarm? Are you going to try it out? Let us know your opinion in the comments below.
Source: Phandroid
Application: Swarm
Price: Free
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EFF Report Highlights Apple’s Efforts to Protect Consumer Data, Increase Transparency
The Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF), a non-profit digital rights group, today released its annual “Who Has Your Back” report, ranking companies on their efforts to protect user privacy and resist government data demands.
Apple was awarded a full six stars in all of the categories the EFF measures, including requiring a warrant for content; telling users about government data requests; publishing transparency reports; publishing law enforcement guidelines; and fighting for users’ privacy rights in courts and in Congress.
The EFF notes in its report that Apple has made a “remarkable” improvement over the course of the last year when it comes to user privacy policies, as it only earned a single star in past years. The report, which is based on publicly available information, does not include secret surveillance orders.
Apple earned credit in all 6 categories in this year’s Who Has Your Back report. Apple’s rating is particularly striking because it had lagged behind industry competitors in prior years, earning just one star in 2011, 2012, and 2013. Apple shows remarkable improvement in its commitments to transparency and privacy.
After the public revelation of PRISM, a top secret intelligence gathering program run by the U.S. National Security Agency, Apple made several moves towards increasing transparency about data requests to assure users it was not participating in the program.
The company issued a “Commitment to Customer Privacy” statement and began disclosing information on government data requests and its own policies, which include asking for warrants for information. It also released a “Report on Government Information Requests” back in November, and has pledged to implement a policy to notify users of information requests from law enforcement.
In addition to its new transparency policies, Apple also joined the Government Surveillance Coalition to urge the U.S. government to agree to greater transparency over demands for user data and Apple CEO Tim Cook met with Barack Obama and other tech executives to discuss government surveillance in August of 2013. In March, Apple hired Sabrina Ross to oversee the protection of consumer data and in May, the company released guidelines for law enforcement requests, specifying what information the company can and cannot retrieve from devices after receiving a search warrant.
In an interview with ABC, Cook publicly discussed the NSA’s surveillance operations and once again assured users that the Government does not have access to Apple’s servers. “They would have to cart us out in a box for that. And that just will not happen,” he said. “I’ve been pushing very, very hard to open the books and be totally transparent.”
Along with Apple, Dropbox, Facebook, Google, Microsoft, Twitter, and Yahoo also received a full six star rating from the Electronic Frontier Foundation.
Note: Due to the political nature of the discussion regarding this topic, the discussion thread is located in our Politics, Religion, Social Issues forum. All forum members and site visitors are welcome to read and follow the thread, but posting is limited to forum members with at least 100 posts.
Google Play Store v4.8.19 with Simplified Permissions, Bigger Buttons and lots More [APK Download]
This last Wednesday was a lackluster Google Apps update day. We caught the Google Play Newsstand update, but it wasn’t all that big of a deal. Thursday a new Google Play Services started filtering out and now we finally have an updated Google Play Store. Those are usually the best updates around, next to Google+, Gmail and Hangouts updates.
The update moves the Play Store from version 4.6.17 to v4.8.19. With the update you will see a very noticeable change in the visual appearance at the top where the action bar is. Yes, it is gone. More so it is transparent and the top image shifts up to fill the void. Unfortunately it isn’t gone everywhere, but in a variety of places, like in Books, Music and TV shows. However it fades in when you scroll down.
There is a new “Additional Information” section in apps. The new section offers up more detailed info like application version, installed file size, content rating and a permissions detail link.
They also simplified the permissions screen some. Rather than a huge list, not it sits in a nice collapsible menu style layout complete with icons for what the app accesses along with the apps icon at the top. Looks so much nicer.
You will also see the buttons to install, update, uninstall and the likes have been increased in size making them easier to get to and easier to see.
Last but not least, the PayPal integration is added in. We previously reported that this was a new addition to the PlayStore. Now you can finally take advantage of it.
The update is rolling out slowly to devices everywhere and you can expect it to trickle in over the next week or so. however, if you are impatient and want to jump to the front of the line, you can just download the APK and install it on your own time. Hit the link below to go grab it.
Google Play Store v4.8.19 APK download
1st img via Kirill Grouchnikov G+
Via AndroidPolice
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Grand Theft Auto III series lands on Amazon’s tablets and Fire TV
The Grand Theft Auto games have been on seemingly every platform known to humankind, but those with Amazon devices have had to make do without Rockstar’s vehicular mayhem. That changes today: you can now snag Grand Theft Auto III, Vice City and San Andreas on both the Kindle Fire tablet line as well as Fire TV. You’ll be very familiar with the experience if you’ve used any of the earlier mobile versions, although that’s no big complaint given the quality of the ports. With that said, the real allure may be the pricing. Each game normally costs $5 a pop, but purchasing San Andreas currently gets you enough Amazon Coins to buy the other two releases — this could be a good way to get started in the crime-filled world of GTA without making a big investment.
Filed under: Gaming, Home Entertainment, HD, Amazon
Source: Amazon (GTA3), (Vice City), (San Andreas)
MapMyFitness brings coaching and improved post-workout stats to Android
After being nabbed up by Under Armour late last year, things have been relatively quiet for MapMyFitness and its activity tracking app. That all changed this week though, as the outfit has rolled out a totally redesigned version of its Android software with a host of new features. On top of the UI refresh, you can now compare stats with friends from Facebook, Twitter and your contacts list from within. Improved data and mobile graphs make bragging about your progress post-workout a bit easier as well. Route recording received a boost, adding Google Maps 3D tech for navigating the course with tilt and compass functions that update in real time as you run or ride. For MVP members, a coaching option is now built in for a dose of extra motivation. This serves up audio cues according to time, pace, speed, distance and duration goals that you’ve dialed in. Of course, that voice to keep you going comes at a cost of $5.99 a month or $30 annually.
Vanhawks’ connected bike helps you avoid traffic and potholes
Vanhawks’ Valour is a connected commuter bicycle that hopes to make your travels both smarter and safer. The 16-pound carbon fiber bike can help you find a route to the office that avoids heavy traffic, and gives you turn-by-turn bike-specific directions to your destination along with blind spot detection while you’re on the road. It’s a combination of features that’s likely to have you traveling on two wheels a lot more often.
Unlike other solutions that use add-on computers, information you get from Valour comes through its handlebars. In the case of directions, the bike communicates with your smartphone using Bluetooth LE and lights up small LEDs at the center of the bars when it’s time to turn. Rather than just regurgitate Google Maps, the bike determines the “best” route for you through its app based on its own experience with your commute and other Valour owner’s travels. For instance, if you hit a pothole on your way to the office several times, it might start suggesting you take a detour around it rather than risk an early-morning faceplant. Likewise, if several riders find a road closure at 6AM, the bike will make sure you’re on time for work by guiding you around the issue at 8AM. When you’re checking out the sights on your new route and get a little too close to traffic, the handlebars will even vibrate to let you know there’s something in your blind spot.
The high-tech bicycle is currently raising money on Kickstarter for its first production run, with units going for around $1000. After 15 days of being live, the project has already raised more than four times its original goal. The extra cash means that Vanhawks is now offering the bike in several different frame and rim colors, and units will also include Avid BB5 road disc brakes and a Cardom Gates belt drive. If you want to snag a set of wheels for yourself, you still have 16 days to get in on the Kickstarter. The first shipments of the bike will hit the streets in October.
Filed under: Transportation
Source: Kickstarter
Here’s an electric bike that’s easy on your eyes, not just the road
With certain exceptions, many electric bicycles make it all too clear that there’s some technology involved: they’re big, heavy and otherwise ungainly. You won’t have those gripes with the new Vanmoof 10 Electrified. It hides a 250W pedelec (that is, pedal-dependent) motor and batteries in a frame which isn’t much bigger than that of a regular bike, and is actually a bit charming with its minimalist (if very PVC pipe-like) design. It’s a relative featherweight at 42 pounds, too, and it includes GPS tracking to help catch thieves. The Electrified isn’t going to outrace the Specialized Turbo with its almost pedestrian 18MPH top speed, but it also costs nearly half as much at $2,998. That’s just low enough that it could be the right e-bike for your daily commute — especially if you’d rather not give up some style just to get a performance boost.
Filed under: Transportation
Via: Wired
Source: Vanmoof
Vudu opens up UltraViolet sharing with up to 5 friends with 3 simultaneous streams at Once
The digital movie and TV show service from Wal-Mart, Vudu, has recently announced that you can now share your collection of titles with up to 5 friends. It is as simple as making a few clicks, adding their email address and sharing.
There are a few small, and annoying, downsides. The friends you share with have to have a Vudu account of their own. not really a huge deal, but you should make sure you are inviting them to share through their Vudu email and not a different email address. Secondly, while you can share to 5, only 3 streams can be rolling at one time. Again, only a huge deal if you rely on Vudu heavily and the five that you invite spend more time watching your collection than you do. Vudu says the sharing is free and that there is no limit to the number of movies or shows your shared friends can watch. Heck, they even let them download them too, that would free up a stream.
This is a pretty big deal really. Especially with Vudu being on multiple platforms and having Chromecast support. I suppose I need to start looking for friends with a large Vudu collection.
Source: Vudu
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Developers Now Able to Provide Promo Codes for In-App Purchases
Apple appears to be allowing developers to create promo codes for in-app purchases, a useful feature that makes it far easier to test and promote freemium games and apps with content that can only be purchased within an app once it has been downloaded.
Promo codes for apps have long been available, but were previously limited to initial app downloads and were not available for in-app purchases. This change will make it easier for developers to give early app testers, reviewers, and other users access to the full content available within freemium apps.
While it is unclear if the feature is currently available to all developers, Jeff Scott of 148apps.com shared a screenshot on Twitter of an in-app purchase promo code for Real Racing 3, from major developer EA. EA is using the promotion to give customers 10 free gold within the app, which has an in-app value of $1.99. The gold can be obtained by visiting this link on an iOS device.
Entering the promo code provides users with gold in the app, and if the app is not installed, it will automatically download before redeeming the in-app purchase code.
Apple has not yet updated its developer site to reflect the availability of in-app promo codes and its rules still state “Promo codes don’t work for In-App purchase products, including Newsstand issues.”
Buyer’s Guide: Discounts on iMac, MacBook Air, and Apple Accessories [Mac Blog]
There’s a great deal on the entry-level 27-inch 3.2GHz iMac with 8GB of memory and a 1TB hard drive this week. It’s available for $1,659.99 from Best Buy, Amazon, and B&H Photo, which marks a discount of $139 and one of the lowest prices we’ve seen.
The best deal for many users will likely be from B&H Photo, as the site does not charge sales tax outside of the state of New York. Best Buy and Amazon, on the other hand, will charge sales tax, making B&H the lowest available price.
Lower prices are also available on some of Apple’s other iMacs, but the deals aren’t quite as nice. The entry-level 21.5-inch version can be purchased for $1,179 from Adorama or B&H Photo, a savings of $120, while the higher-end 21.5 inch model is available at $1,399 from Best Buy or B&H Photo, a savings of $100. The high-end 27-inch model is also available for $122 off from Adorama, at $1,878.
There are still deals to be had on Apple’s 2013 MacBook Airs, which are nearly as good as the 2014 models. The entry-level 11-inch model can be purchased for $787 from Amazon, $112 less than the comparable 2014 model. The high-end 11-inch version is available for $939 from Amazon and $949 from B&H Photo, a savings of $150+.
As for the entry-level 13-inch 2013 MacBook Air, the best deals this week come from B&H Photo and Amazon, both of which are offering it for $899. The higher-end 13-inch model is available for $1,044.99 from Amazon and B&H Photo, $155 off the comparable 2014 model.
Several Apple accessories are available at a discount this week, including Apple’s EarPods, which can be purchased for $15.95 (down from $29.99) from A4C. Lifeproof is offering 25 percent off of all its Fre and Nuud cases for the iPhone 5, 5s, and 5c with the promo code EVENT25 and Otterbox cases for the iPhone 5 and 5s are available for $18 from LivingSocial, a discount of $32.
MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these vendors.
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