WhatsApp Gets Long-awaited Material Design Overhaul
In numerical terms, an app update to something like version 2.12.38 typically involves a few bug fixes and some stability improvements. For venerated communications app WhatsApp, however, it represents a first and long-overdue foray into Material Design. The app isn’t available in the Play Store yet, so hit the break to download it directly from the powers that be.
The shift in aesthetics is drastic. Gone are the interface and color palette that screamed Ice Cream Sandwich, replaced with a Material Design-friendly green title bar with simple side sliding between calls, chats, and contacts.
In the chat window, users now have clear and easy access to Gallery, Photo, Video, Audio, Location, and Contact attachments. There’s also one-touch access to recording voice message, a mainstay of the WhatsApp experience.
Media browsing is also much cleaner now, with a bold and simple interface that, at least for me, reminds me most of QuickPic’s gallery, but there’s a flair of Google+’s photo gallery in there, as well.
Speaking of galleries, check out ours below and let us know how the upgrade goes for you.
Source: The Next Web
Download: WhatsApp
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Leaked internal memo details Google’s response to potential EU antitrust charges
An internal Google memo that details the search giant’s response to potential antitrust charges from the EU has leaked today.
Following a report from earlier today that the European Commission is set to bring formal antitrust charges against Google, Re/code has reportedly obtained an internal memo sent out to all Google employees in which the company says it believes it has a good case and points to strong competition from the likes of Microsoft, Yahoo, and Amazon.
Leaked internal memo details Google’s response to potential EU antitrust charges
An internal Google memo that details the search giant’s response to potential antitrust charges from the EU has leaked today.
Following a report from earlier today that the European Commission is set to bring formal antitrust charges against Google, Re/code has reportedly obtained an internal memo sent out to all Google employees in which the company says it believes it has a good case and points to strong competition from the likes of Microsoft, Yahoo, and Amazon. From the memo, as reported Recode:
The competition is just one click away — and it’s growing. People can use Bing, Yahoo, Quora, DuckDuckGo, and a new wave of search assistants like Apple’s Siri and Microsoft’s Cortana, as well as more specialized services like Amazon, Idealo, Le Guide, Expedia, or eBay. In addition, users increasingly turn to social networks like Facebook and Twitter to find news and suggestions — where to eat or which movies to watch.
The memo follows up this argument with a number of charts using comScore data that show tough competition from Amazon and Ebay in France, Germany, and the UK. However, with the exception of a chart showing travel searches in Germany, the data only address one sector: online shopping.
Further into the memo, Google also says that it expects that the EU will open an investigation into Android, but it is confident that it has a good case against potential antitrust concerns there as well:
Consumers decide which apps they use and download on Android devices. Apps that compete directly with Google such as Facebook, Amazon, Microsoft Office, and Expedia are easily available to Android users
As noted in the memo, Google expects that the EU will file its formal antitrust charges tomorrow, April 15. If you’d like to check out the memo in full (it’s a fascinating read), you can read more from Re/code at the source link below. In any case, it will be interesting to see where this goes, and we’ll keep you updated as things move along.
Source: Re/code
Hearthstone: Heroes of Warcraft is now compatible with Android smartphones
When developer Blizzard launched Hearthstone: Heroes of Warcraft on Android back in December, it was only compatible with tablets. Blizzard promised fans that a smartphone-compatible version was in the works, and now it’s finally out. That’s right, you can now play Hearthstone, one of our favorite mobile games of all time, on your smartphone.
The new version has an all-new interface that will take advantage of smaller screens. If you’ve played the tablet version in the past, this is basically the same thing. But if you choose to play the game on mobile, whether you’re a first-timer or a veteran, you’ll receive a free Classic card pack if you play the game in Play, Arena, or Practice mode.
For those unfamiliar with the game, Hearthstone: Heroes of Warcraft is a free-to-play card game that is based around the Warcraft world. Your aim is to build a deck, go on missions and collect as many cards as you can. Speaking from experience, this game is fun – even for those who are unfamiliar with the Warcraft world.
The update is now live in the Google Play Store, so head to the link below if you’re interested.
Mophie Debuts New ‘Watch Dock’ for Apple Watch [iOS Blog]
Ahead of the Apple Watch launch, several companies have debuted charging accessories, bands, cases, and more for the Apple Watch, and as of today, popular iOS accessory maker Mophie is also offering its own version of a Watch Dock for the Apple Watch.
The Watch Dock from Mophie is constructed from a silver aluminum and it offers black leather accents on the base and behind the watch. The dock is designed to work with the charging cable that ships with the Apple Watch, allowing users to simply place their watches on the stand at night for easy charging.
The slightly elevated, slightly angled charging position makes it easy to use your watch’s touchscreen and other features while charging. Use the dock at home or in the office knowing your watch is charging in comfort and you’ll never have to mess with tangled cables again.
Mophie’s Watch Dock measures in at 4.64 x 2.87 x 2.52 inches and it weighs 3.86 ounces. Design wise, Mophie’s dock is minimalist and elegant, offering a slimmer body than other competing products from companies like Griffin and Twelve South.
The Mophie Watch Dock can be pre-ordered from the Mophie website for $59.95. According to the website, it will ship out on April 24, the same day as the official launch of the Apple Watch.
San Francisco mayor proposes 120 day caps on Airbnb rentals
As San Francisco’s housing crisis continues to pit long-term residents against the recent influx of affluent tech employees, Airbnb and other short-term rentals have become a source of tension. Today San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee and Supervisor Mark Farrell hoped to ease some of that tension by introducing reforms to the city’s short-term rental laws that put a 120 day yearly cap on all short-term rentals. The package of amendments also introduced the creation of a new Office of Short-Term Rental Administration and Enforcement for the city staff to “coordinate in the administration and aggressive enforcement of the law.”
Airbnb and other short-term rental services have come under fire in San Francisco because they take rental units off an already limited housing market. The current law caps short-term rentals at 90 days when the host is not present. If the host is present — for example a room rental in an occupied home — there is no yearly cap. Today’s amendment package sets caps for both types of rentals. Mayor Lee said in a statement, “this legislation will help keep our City more affordable for homesharers, preserve rental housing for San Franciscans, protect neighborhood character and streamline permitting and enforcement under a fair set of regulations.”
T-Mobile’s release of Lollipop for the LG G2 starts today
Starting today, T-Mobile customers with the LG G2 will begin to receive a software update. It unsurprisingly is for Lollipop. The carrier says that the update will take place between April 14 and May 22, but we assume everyone will be updated fairly quick. The changelog issued by T-Mobile only states that Android 5.0 Lollipop is among the new features.
Let us know in the comments when you receive the over-the-air (OTA) update.
Source: T-Mobile
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OnePlus adding two handsets this year
The OnePlus One has remained the company’s sole handset on the market for nearly an entire year. Technology in the mobile industry has advanced and it is time for OnePlus to revitalize its offering. Bloomberg, after spending time at OnePlus’ Shenzhen headquarters, has learned that the company will introduce two handset to the market this year. The first handset is expected to arrive in the third quarter of 2015 while the other, which will be cheaper, is set for the end of the year.
Source: Bloomberg
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Nightly Clock updated with improved Passport support and brightness control
Did you manage to snag one of the 1500 free copies of Nightly Clock? If so, you’ll want to load up BlackBerry World and grab the latest update to the app as it brings a lot of bug fixes based on user feedback, especially for BlackBerry Passport owners.
Deezer brings enhanced audio quality with their latest update
I honestly cannot remember the last time Deezer’s streaming music app was last updated for BlackBerry 10 but, I know without a doubt that right now, there’s a new update available. Although it remains an Android port at this point, Deezer has added a rather significant change to this release, one I’m sure anyone who is using the app will certainly appreciate. So what is it? Well, it’s better sounding music, essentially.
AIVAnet 