Feedback Loop: Bad Apple, app automation and more!
In this week’s edition of Feedback Loop, we discuss Apple’s rough September, share our favorite tools for automating tasks and talk about Google’s Project Ara. Head past the break to find out what Engadget readers like you have to say.
What’s going on with Apple?
September was a rough month for Apple, thanks to things like iCloudgate, U2gate, bendgate and updategate. This runs counter to a company that’s commonly recognized for having some of the best customer service and quality products around. What’s happening inside 1 Infinite Loop? Head over to the forums and share your thoughts.
Let’s get automated
Services like IFTTT make our lives way easier by automating simple tasks. Frank shares some of his favorite apps for getting things done, automatically. From things like Alfred and Launchy, to Huginn and Zapier, there’s a lot of great tools out there. Check out his list and then share your own preferred apps right here.
Are modular smartphones the way of the future?
Google’s Project Ara has the lofty goal of giving users the ability to customize smartphones to their hearts content. Is this the way of the future or are super thin (and sometimes bendable) phones here to stay. Tell us what you think about Project Ara right here.
Other discussions you may also like:
- Where do you go for sightseeing tips?
- Authy: 2-factor authentication without texts
- Operation Finish all the Games, September 2014
That’s all this week! Want to talk about your favorite gadget or have a burning question about technology? Register for an Engadget account today, visit the Engadget forums and start a new discussion!
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Google+ is the latest Android app to get a Material Design makeover
Google’s quest to bring that extra-flat, extra-colorful Material Design look to every single app is still underway, it seems. The search giant has posted an update to Google+ for Android that flattens even more of the social network’s interface and adds splashes of solid color, such as a bright red “new post” button. This isn’t just a cosmetic update, mind you. The Photos section is both simpler and better-looking, so it should be easier to share recent snapshots with your circles. At this rate, about the only software Google has left to officially Materialize is Android itself… which might happen soon.
Filed under: Cellphones, Tablets, Internet, Mobile, Google
Via: Droid-Life
Source: Google Play
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Move over daily deals, Groupon’s getting into groceries
Groupon has always been pretty good for scoring cheap dinners and discounted skydiving lessons, but now that disseminator of daily deals wants to help you save money on your groceries too. Yes, really — the company just launched a new app called Snap that promises to give you ardent shoppers money back when you buy certain products at the store. The formula is simple enough: once you’re done your weekly jaunt to the local grocer, you use the app to snap a photo of your receipt for Groupon to chew on. Buy the right item and you claim some cash back that sits in a wallet of sorts until it hits the $20 threshold — after that, Groupon cuts you a check and that’ll soon land in your mailbox. If that sounds a little unlike the Groupon we all know and tolerate, well, you’d have a point. With so many players vying for recognition in the daily deals space, companies like Groupon have had to search to new ways of making money… even seemingly out-of-character ones like this and the home bulk shopping endeavor it kicked off earlier this year..
Via: New York Times
Source: Groupon
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Flipboard finally arrives for Windows Phone
Have you been frustrated that your Nokia handset hasn’t had the same Flipboard access as your Windows PC and tablet? Well, you’re in luck. The popular reading app has finally made its way to Microsoft’s mobile OS. Outfitting Windows Phone 8.1 devices with at least 1GB of RAM, the software has been retooled specifically for smartphones with easy access to Cover Stories’ highlights, search and sharing options. It’ll come preloaded on the Lumia 830 that’s set to arrive soon, and compatibility for phones with less memory is in the works as well. If your device meets the current requirements though, you can get to downloading right now.
Source: Blogging Windows, Flipboard
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Evernote to add collaborative chat to its note-taking app
In an effort to make Evernote a more efficient workspace, CEO Phil Libin announced a new chat feature in its note-taking app. Simply called Work Chat, it’s meant as a collaboration tool for the workplace where co-workers can communicate and work together on a document or a project in real time. Not only will you be able to see who’s viewing the note, you can also see if they’re looking at it from the desktop or mobile. “We’re trying to break the tyranny of the inbox,” says Libin. “We want to reduce your dependence on that.” Realistically, he says that we’ll never be free from email, but he would like Work Chat to help alleviate that burden. Work Chat should be available for all platforms — Android, iOS, Mac, PC and web — later this year.
Filed under: Internet, Software
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Popular reading app Instapaper is now free on iOS and Android
Thanks to a new subscription model it plans to take on, Instapaper’s making its mobile applications available at no cost starting today. That said, the reading app does plan to lure in users to a premium tier it recently created, which costs $3 per month or $30 a year. If you recall, last year Instapaper was acquired by Betaworks, a company that also owns websites Bitly and Digg, so this recently adopted business scheme is part of the goal to continue growing and developing the read-it-later service. Those who choose to go the premium route will get access to features that won’t be on the free version of the app, such as unlimited highlighting, text-to-speech playlists and others that haven’t been announced yet. Having solid competitors like Pocket meant that Instapaper had to change its pay-for-play ways sooner or later, and this is definitely a great start.
Filed under: Misc, Internet, Software, Mobile
Via: iMore
Source: Instapaper
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Dropbox for Android can now move your cloud files to an SD card
If you’re a longtime Dropbox user on Android, you’ve probably bemoaned the lack of SD card support. What good is having gobs of cloud storage if you can’t use all the free space you have on your own phone? At long last, though, Dropbox has released an Android update that lets you export files directly to external storage. It’s a simple addition, but it’s potentially a big deal — you no longer have to worry about downloading that multi-gigabyte video so long as you have a card with enough room. The upgrade is already available in Google Play, so go and grab it if you’re eager to fill up your device.
Filed under: Cellphones, Storage, Internet, Mobile
Source: Dropbox Blog, Google Play
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Wunderlist now lets you attach Dropbox files to tasks
Wunderlist has long been a popular choice for folks looking to wrangle both individual and collaborative to-do lists. With today’s update though, the productivity app gets a major boost from Dropbox. When creating a new task, you can attach files from that cloud-based repository, and they’re accessible right from the to-do list. From an item’s detail menu, simply clicking the paperclip or Dropbox icon allows you to hunt for the file(s) you’ll need, added as links for easy grabbing later. Update a document that’s attached to a task? No worries. It’ll automatically sync, ensuring that the latest version is available when needed. As TechCrunch notes, this is Wunderlist’s first third-party integration and it’s one that’ll save some time searching for and opening up files. TC also reports that Evernote and calendar syncing could be next up. If you’re anxious to give it a try, the new version is available now on iOS, Android and on the web.
Filed under: Software
Via: TechCrunch
Source: Wunderlist
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Tweetbot now does justice to Twitter on your iPhone 6
Tweetbot 3 for iOS is frequently regarded as one of the better mobile Twitter apps, no matter the platform — it’s full of shortcuts and visual flair that most clients (including Twitter’s own) sorely lack. It has been lagging on support for Apple’s latest developments, however, which makes today’s version 3.5 update pretty important. The interface now scales properly on the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus, giving you much more screen real estate when you’re browsing tweets. There are also a few noteworthy upgrades that apply to everyone, including interactive notifications, sharing sheets and support for fetching your login from 1Password. It’ll cost you $5 to get the new release if you don’t already use Tweetbot, but it might well be worth the outlay if the free Twitter apps aren’t quite cutting it.
Filed under: Cellphones, Internet, Mobile
Source: App Store
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Deezer’s redesigned its web interface to look more like a tablet app
Excited to take advantage of Deezer’s ad-free desktop streaming, but prefer the look of the service’s tablet app? You’re in luck: the company just gave its web interface a visual overhaul, conveniently inspired by its own tablet interface. The new design puts music discovery front and center, replacing the current header with a prompt for Flow, the service’s recommendation engine. The updated UI also redesigns the sidebar to grant faster access to Deezer’s basic features and adds more feedback options for for liking or disliking suggested music. Interested? Log in to your Deezer account and check it out –the new look should be live today.
Filed under: Internet
Source: Deezer
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