Apple Reverses Course, Allows Marijuana Apps in Marijuana-Legal States [iOS Blog]
Just two weeks after Apple pulled marijuana user social app MassRoots from the App Store, the Cupertino company has reversed course and allowed the app in the App Store as long as its geo-restricted to the 23 states where marijuana is legal, MassRoots founder Isaac Dietrich told the San Francisco Chronicle.
Photo via MassRoots
“A few hours ago, an Apple representative called to notify us that our efforts were successful: the App Store is permitting cannabis social apps that are geo-restricted to the 23 states that have legalized medicinal cannabis. MassRoots is available for download in the App Store,” Dietrich said.
In a blog post on its website, MassRoots notes that it will be “implementing new features to strengthen our compliance even beyond what is currently required.”
Currently, the app requires users to login to their account to use the app. When a user registers a new account within the app, it requires location access to verify that the user is in one of the 23 states where marijuana is legal. However, users who register for a MassRoots account on its website and then log into the app do not undergo the state check, opening the possibility for users to lie about which state they’re residing in.
The Chronicle notes that MassRoots is one of a dozen marijuana-related companies to see their social media apps pulled from the App Store. While MassRoots was able to reach a deal with the Cupertino company, the others are still in discussions.
MassRoots for iPhone is available in the App Store for free. [Direct Link]
HERE for Android updated, leaves beta
Earlier today we told you about HERE for Android receiving a global update that added some convenience features to updating maps, along with better viewing of inland waters. What we didn’t tell you was HERE for Android is no longer in beta and has graduated to the Play Store sans beta tag. Besides visual polishing, improved routing and bug fixes, the app offers 3D venues and painless downloading.
For those interested, we have a video for you after the break plus the conventional download and QR links. Enjoy!.
Click here to view the embedded video.
Come comment on this article: HERE for Android updated, leaves beta
Motorola extends Valentine’s Day savings through February 17th
A few weeks ago, Motorola introduced a big sale through the Motorola website in celebration of Valentine’s Day. The deal was scheduled to begin Monday, February 2nd and extend to Saturday, February 14th. As we approach the final days of the sale, Motorola has just announced the sale will now extend to Tuesday, February 17th at 11AM CT.
For the Valentine’s Day sale, Motorola is offering savings up to $100 with all purchases $499.99 and above, or $35 off all purchases $249.99 and above. For reference, the off-contract 16GB Moto X (2nd Generation) costs $399.99, so you’ll need to tack on another item to get you over that $499.99 price point. This can be any combination of gadgets, like the Moto X and Moto 360, a Moto X and a Moto Hint, two Moto 360s, or any number of other combinations.
Unfortunately, this deal excludes the Google Nexus 6, the Moto X (2nd Gen.) on Republic Wireless and the Moto Care Accident Protection Plan. If you’re interested in taking advantage of this sweet deal, either for yourself or your loved one, head to the Motorola link below.
Has anyone picked anything up from this Valentine’s Day sale?
Save up to $100 on Motorola.com
Saturday Night Live launches an official app to let you stream your favorite sketches
As part of its ongoing 40th anniversary celebration, Saturday Night Live has released an official app for iOS. With the SNL app, you’ll be able to stream an extensive backlog of clips, never-aired videos, and even express yourself with SNL-themed emoji.
Here’s a rundown of what you’ll get with the SNL app:
- Search thousands of clips or browse by season, episode or cast member to find favorite monologues, commercial parodies, Weekend Update segments and more.
- Swipe from clip to clip for a seamless, continual viewing experience.
- Features a new video player that allows you to mark favorite sketches and share them via Facebook.
An App that Gets Smarter- Explore and discover new clips with an intuitive recommendation engine. The more sketches you watch and like, the smarter the SNL App becomes in recommending videos for you.
- Includes a free, exclusive emoji keyboard featuring favorites like Drunk Uncle, Matt Foley, Mary Katherine Gallagher, the Coneheads and dozens more!
- Watch never-aired videos from the vault, including Cut for Time sketches, before they’re available on the Saturday Night Live website.
If you want to start streaming your favorite sketches, or simply send a conehead emoji to your friends, you can pick up the app for free at the link below.
- Free – Download
Microsoft will bring transparent tiles to Windows 10 for phones
If you installed the Windows 10 Technical Preview for phones, you may have noticed that the start screen renders tiles differently from what we’ve seen in Windows Phone 8.1. Tiles that use the theme color were transparent in Windows Phone 8.1, allowing you to see the background image, but in Windows 10 for phones, the tiles are merely translucent. If you’re a fan of transparent tiles, you’re in luck, as Microsoft’s Joe Belfiore announced that the feature will be making its way to Windows 10 for phones.
Apple Rejecting Violent App Screenshots for Infringing Long-Standing Policy
Apple has been rejecting a number of apps with screenshots that depict violence or guns from being released or updated on the App Store, as reported by Pocket Gamer. As a result, developers have been forced to modify their app screenshots to either completely remove or blur any violent materials in order to get through the approval process.
A screenshot with a blurred gun to adhere to Apple’s guidelines
Apple has long required developers to ensure all front-facing App Store materials are appropriate for children, although it has been more aggressively enforcing its stance against violent screenshots in recent weeks. Earlier today, Instapaper developer Marco Arment pointed towards language in the App Store Review Guidelines that clearly spells out Apple’s kid-friendly requirements.
“The App Store has parental controls and requires all apps to bear age-appropriate content ratings. While violence, etc. has always been permitted in apps, Apple has always required that all app metadata — title, description, icon, and screenshots — be kid-proof with the lowest rating. […] It’s right there in the rules: 3.6 Apps with App icons, screenshots, and previews that do not adhere to the 4+ age rating will be rejected”
Nevertheless, it is clear that Apple has been quite inconsistent with enforcing its App Store review guidelines over the years. Look no further than Modern Combat 4: Zero Hour [Direct Link], which heavily features violence in its promotional images. Developers have expressed frustration over strict guidelines since the App Store launched in 2008, but Apple remains committed to exercising fine-tuned control over the storefront to ensure the best experience possible for all users.
“We’re really trying our best to create the best platform in the world for you to express your talents and make a living too. If it sounds like we’re control freaks, well, maybe it’s because we’re so committed to our users and making sure they have a quality experience with our products. Just like almost all of you are, too.”
The tighter enforcement comes on the heels of Apple increasing the maximum app size from 2GB to 4GB. Developers that have apps rejected for sensitive content are permitted to resubmit for approval after making the necessary changes.
The Oppo Mirror 3 is now available in India
Oppo just introduced the Mirror 3 in India. The smartphone that was first introduced last month in Vietnam and in China as something else, it’s a mid-ranger phone that runs KitKat. It features a 4.7-inch (1,280×720 resolution) display with a 1.2GHz Snapdragon 410 64-bit processor. It features ColorOS 2.01 and has a 5MP front shooter with an 8MP rear camera with LED flash.
The camera has PI 2.0+ tech that offers depth of field, selfie mode, Beautify Mode 3.0, double exposure along with a lot more. It also sports 1GB of RAM, 8GB of internal storage (expandable to 128GB with a microSD slot), a 2,000mAh battery and dual SIM support. It weighs 126 grams and is only 8.95 mm. It comes in grey and white and will cost RS. 16,990.
source: fone arena
Come comment on this article: The Oppo Mirror 3 is now available in India
Judge validates 2 out of 5 patents in haptic feedback suit against HTC
For those unaware, HTC has been going through some legal troubles for the past few years. Back in 2012, a company called Immersion that’s popular for its touch feed back technology (or haptic feedback), sued HTC and Motorola for infringing on six of Immersion’s patents. The Motorola case eventually fizzled out after Google bought Motorola and agreed to pay Immersion a settlement. That left HTC to deal with the lawsuit on their own. Fast forward to today, and we’re getting closer to a ruling on the lawsuit.
The district court judge assigned to the case has ruled to go forward with litigation over two of the patents, and dismissed the other three. Victor Viegas, CEO and president of Immersion, commented on the ruling after all was said and done:
We are pleased with the Court’s decision to rule in our favor with respect to two of our strongest patents in suit. While it is always expected that certain patent claims will be trimmed during the course of litigation we are disappointed in the judge’s procedural interpretation, believe we have a strong basis for overturning it, and are considering appropriate avenues for relief. In light of this ruling, we remain extremely confident in our case and look forward to the upcoming trial.
According to Immersion, all is obviously not said and done with the case. They’ll do whatever they can to appeal the judge’s decision in hopes to overturn the patent ruling. Now, the case will go to court and decide whether or not HTC has infringed on the two patents the judge validated.
Windows 10 for phone lets you swipe single notifications away in the Action Center
One of the many smaller changes that are found in the Windows 10 Technical Preview for phones is in regards to the overhauled Notification and Action Center. On Windows Phone 8.1, users can swipe away notifications but only as a group based on the app. For instance, you can clear your Outlook email alerts, but it is all email or nothing.
However, in Windows 10, swiping to the right clears just the one notification instead of the whole group.
Xbox Video for Windows Phone scores bug fixes in latest update
Update: Changelog posted!
Just a heads up: Xbox Video for Windows Phone has scored an update tonight. Unfortunately, there’s nothing of note in the change log other than “minor fixes and improvements.”
AIVAnet 