Shazam for iPhone can now listen for songs and shows in the background
Ever rush to identify a song with Shazam with your phone, only to be frustrated as the tune ends before you’ve even reached into your pocket? That won’t be a concern with the latest update to Shazam’s iPhone app. Much like on the iPad, the new audio recognition software can listen for music, live events and TV shows in the background, even if the device is locked; a night at the bar could leave you with a full playlist. There’s still no corresponding Android update, but iPhone owners can start producing the soundtrack of their lives after a quick trip to the App Store.
Filed under: Cellphones, Home Entertainment, Mobile
Source: App Store
Livestream arrives on bigger iOS screens with new iPad-optimized app
Yes, Apple’s mobile platform lets you use iPhone apps on the iPad, but there’s nothing like having one that’s designed to take advantage of the excess real estate found on a tablet’s display. With this in mind, Livestream today is releasing a new, universal version of its iOS application, complete with iPad optimization and a number of novel features in tow. Naturally, larger-screen compatibility is among the app’s main highlights, while the rest focus on allowing users to easily launch broadcasts and watch real-time content. iOS devices can stream video in HD over 3G, 4G and WiFi — and that includes being able to choose from a variety of live filters, share events on popular social networks (Twitter, Facebook, etc.), chat with viewers and, for those invested in the company’s ecosystem, even use it as Livestream Broadcaster remote.
We had a chance to spend some time with the application and were pleased to see how well it performs, particularly during live streams, which is no surprise as that’s its bread and butter. Creating an event and getting a broadcast on the air using an iPad mini took no more than 10 seconds, making it a pretty powerful tool for someone looking to record and share videos on the go — Livestream points to citizen journalism as a perfect example of how the app could be well utilized. Max Haot, CEO of Livestream, told us that the development of the iPad-enhanced app is part of his team’s goal to have a strong presence across the many existing platforms. “Our mission is to bring all kinds of events to audiences from all over the world.”
Filed under: Internet, Software
Source: Livestream, App Store
Zeebox update for iOS lets you follow TV show news before the air date
Zeebox’s value as a TV show companion usually fades quickly once the credits start rolling, but it should be useful around the clock in the wake of the latest iOS app update. A fresh My TV feature lets viewers follow TV shows like they would a Facebook friend; you can now catch news and chat with fans well before an episode airs. Regardless of when you load the app, it should also be easier to join TV discussion rooms. Android users can’t join the party just yet, but Zeebox promises a My TV update for their platform in late January.
Filed under: Cellphones, Home Entertainment, Tablets, HD
Source: App Store
Google’s charity donation app comes to iOS for the holidays
It’s the season of giving, and this year, iOS users will be entitled to share the love with Google’s One Today app. Each day, users will be shown the details of a different non-profit and encouraged to make a $1 donation. It’s a nominal amount, but the company’s hoping people would challenge their friends to match their pledges through social media. Note that Google still takes 1.9 percent per $10 to cover credit card charges, but the company swears it gives the rest of the amount to charities. For now, the project remains US-only, so those outside of the country will have to resort to other methods to help out those in need.
Filed under: Misc, Mobile, Google
Via: Benjamin Cole
Source: Twelve Days of Giving, iTunes
500px photo-sharing app updated with metadata editor and refreshed UI on iOS
If you’re more likely to tweak your photos in Light Room than Instagram, you might want to take note of 500px’s latest mobile update. The high-end photo-sharing app now lets you edit EXIF metadata, tags and location info for your photos, which should help with organization. Beyond that, its new transition effects and blurred backgrounds match nicely with iOS 7, and there’s a fresh intro video and walk through for new users too. We’re tempted to say this update has something for everyone, but that doesn’t account for the app’s Android users. After all, folks updating on Google Play this week were only offered a handful of bug fixes.
Filed under: Cellphones, Cameras, Mobile
Via: iMore
Source: iTunes
Vine for Android comes to Gingerbread phones, but only for viewing
Android fans running Gingerbread no longer have to sit out the Vine video craze. An updated Vine app now supports playback on the 2010-era Google OS, giving the many people using older Android phones a chance to see all the short clips they’ve been missing. They shouldn’t expect to record clips, though — Vine says that “device limitations” prevent Gingerbread users from creating their own content. That negates much of the app’s reason for being, but the expanded support still represents a kindness toward those who’d otherwise be left out of the (video) loop.
Filed under: Cellphones, Internet, Mobile
Via: Vine Blog
Source: Google Play
Sony QX lens cameras get full HD video capture and boosted ISO in firmware update
Photographers who prefer Sony’s WiFi-equipped cameras are about to get a pair of very welcome updates. In January, both the QX10 and QX100 lens cameras will receive firmware upgrades that bump their maximum light sensitivity settings to ISO 3,200 and 12,800, respectively; theoretically, they’ll have an easier time with dark scenes. The two will also support widescreen 1080p video recording, and the QX100 is getting a shutter priority mode (shown above) to help with action shots and long exposures.
Sony’s mobile shooting app, PlayMemories Mobile, is in line for an important refresh of its own. Version 4.0 for Android (pictured after the break) and iOS will introduce a quick photo browser that should make it much easier to review recent shots. There’s a big speed boost in store for iOS users, too — Sony claims that the app should connect to WiFi cameras twice as quickly as before. The company hasn’t said when 4.0 will be available, but it promises a performance improvement for Android users in a second update due this spring.
Filed under: Cellphones, Cameras, Peripherals, Mobile, Sony
Source: App Store, Google Play
AMC’s Yeah! interactive streaming movie service comes to iPad tomorrow
AMC Networks launched its Yeah! streaming service at SXSW 2013, and this week’s debut marks the first major update since the platform’s introduction back in March. Yeah! will be coming to iPad tomorrow, with a free application making its way to the App Store. The unique service pairs exclusive content, such as filmmaker and star interviews, flick facts and additional info, with full-length feature films. You’ll find Wes Craven interviews packaged with A Nightmare on Elm Street and Scream, Kevin Smith chatting about Clerks and Michael Madsen filling you in on his experience filming Reservoir Dogs. Yeah! films start at $5 for a 48-hour rental, including the full lot of additional features.
Filed under: Home Entertainment, Tablets, Software
Updated Vine for Windows Phone lets you save clips as drafts
Although Vine launched on Windows Phone with many core features intact, it didn’t come with a draft mode — if you switched tasks, your hard work (six seconds of it, anyway) went out the window. That won’t be an issue with the latest version of the app, though. You can now save the video you’ve recorded to finish it later; interruptions and time lapse videos won’t be major headaches from now on. The Windows Phone client still doesn’t have the post-shoot editing of its Android and iOS siblings, but it’s clear that the feature gap is narrowing quickly.
Filed under: Cellphones, Software, Mobile
Via: Phone Arena
Source: Windows Phone Store
Microsoft releases standalone Xbox Music and Xbox Video apps for Windows Phone 8
Microsoft appears to be taking a page from Google’s approach to core software updates: It just launched standalone Xbox Music and Xbox Video apps for Windows Phone 8 users. The music app (currently deemed a preview) is largely what we’ve seen in Microsoft’s integrated software, but it also lets you edit playlists and sync radio stations. A completed version is due in 2014, the company says. The video client, meanwhile, resurrects functionality that hasn’t been a part of the OS since Windows Phone 7; you can now download or stream Xbox Video content directly from your handset, with playback syncing between phones, PCs and game consoles. There’s no certainty that Xbox Music and Xbox Video represent the first steps toward OS-independent media apps in the rumored Windows Phone 8.1 upgrade, but you can at least try them today.
Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile, Microsoft
Via: The Verge
Source: Windows Phone Store (1), (2)
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