FCC Speed Test app for iOS lets the government track your iPhone’s network performance
Downloading an app from the federal government might not top your list of priorities at the moment, but if you’re looking to tick that public service box without a need to worry about measly pay, background checks and furloughs, the FCC could sure use your help. That org’s latest venture, the FCC Speed Test app for iOS, delivers yet another connectivity benchmark tool to iPhone and iPad users. This free download also benefits the government’s Measuring Broadband America program, however, enabling the FCC to build out a public database of network performance across the country. Unlike its Android counterpart, this iOS app doesn’t test performance in the background, so you’ll need to fire it up to see how well your cellular or WiFi connection is doing. It’s available from the App Store today.
Source: FCC
Twitter search results get advertising via ‘Promoted’ users
There you are, leisurely perusing Twitter (as one does), when the stinking funk of marketing speak smacks your cerebellum like a Mack truck: “Want to grow your presence on Twitter? Reach more people with your Tweets using Promoted Accounts. Learn more today!” It has begun.
Too serious? Perhaps, but today’s news that Twitter’s “Promoted Tweets” (read: adverts) are now also part of Twitter’s search results is unfortunate at very least. For one, it takes the point of search and adds confusion — why would Pizza Hut’s new, hand-tossed pizza show up in results for, say, unrest in Ukraine? Here’s hoping the algorithms are smart enough to avoid messy situations like that.
It’s long been the case that (contextual) ads show up in Google search results, but in the case of Twitter search we’ve come to expect an ad-free experience. As Twitter product manager Nipoon Malhotra says in the announcement, “One of the best ways for users to discover what’s happening on Twitter is through search, giving users the ability to instantly connect to conversations and topics of interest.” That the logic following such a statement goes directly to advertising is, again, unfortunate. We’ve yet to see any promoted tweets in our search results just yet, but please let us know what you’re seeing (good and bad alike).
Filed under: Internet, Software, Mobile
Source: Twitter
OS X update closes networking security hole, brings more FaceTime features
Just days ago, Apple released an update for iOS that closed up a web networking security hole, and today Macs running OS X Mavericks have gotten similar treatment. The update to 10.9.2 doesn’t explicitly list the SSL vulnerability patch among its updates in the download notification, but we’ve confirmed its presence with Apple. The update also brings along a slew of other security fixes as well. And, if you aren’t running Mavericks just yet, Apple tells us not to fret, for separate security updates tailored to other affected versions of OS X will be coming along shortly.
Along with the peace of mind knowing your laptop is more secure than it was yesterday, the update also delivers FaceTime audio calling and call waiting to desktop voice chats, plus iMessage is getting the power to block folks from sending you messages. Naturally, 10.9.2 also brings various audio, Safari and email bug fixes, too. The update’s available now, so don’t let us keep you from it. Stay safe, folks.
Filed under: Software
Samsung unveils Knox 2.0, lets users run Google Play apps even more securely
Exactly a year to the day after it first announced its Knox security solution, Samsung’s returned to Mobile World Congress with news that it’s making it even easier to secure and manage Galaxy devices. With the launch of Knox 2.0 today, Samsung’s changed the way the platform handles Google Play apps, digitally securing their data without the need to run them in a dedicated Knox workspace. Before, personal and work-related apps were separated, but Samsung says “most” Google Play apps can now live in Samsung’s secure world. It’s certainly serious about its new features, as CEO JK Shin popped up at the event to drive home Samsung’s desire to nail the enterprise market.
Samsung wants more secure apps across the board, so it’s also launching Knox Marketplace, a dedicated cloud-based app store that lets tech managers grab apps and install them on all employee phones with a few clicks of a button. Box and GoToMeeting are already on board, and there’s plenty of enterprise companies already working to make their apps available. Samsung tells us that the new features will begin rolling out in the second quarter, and it’ll comes pre-installed on the newly unveiled Galaxy S5. First generation Knox users will get an upgrade to the new version as soon as their device gets an upgrade to Android 4.4 KitKat — whenever that may be.
Filed under: Cellphones, Internet, Software, Mobile, Samsung
This is how Xbox One’s game broadcasting works
It’s true: Xbox One is getting its long overdue gameplay broadcasting functionality on March 11th, just in time for the launch of Xbox/PC-exclusive multiplayer blockbuster Titanfall. Some folks will get a chance to try out that functionality early through the beta program, but no one outside of Microsoft and Twitch have ready access to the service just yet. That’s not stopping Microsoft from touting the service as, “the first truly next-gen Twitch experience, one that can’t be matched by any other console.” So, uh, what does that mean?
It boils down to two main aspects of Twitch on Xbox One that aren’t available on PlayStation 4: archiving live feeds and the ability to view all of Twitch (read: any game on any game console). The latter ability already exists on your Xbox One; load up the Twitch app and watch any broadcast you want. When the app gets updated on March 11th (yes, there will be one application — Twitch — that handles broadcasting), it gets the ability to broadcast games out as well. Initial setup requires two basic audio/visual choices: if you’re using video, where do you want the picture-in-picture of your face to show up in the feed? if you’re using audio, there are some “basic levels” to work out. Looking to replicate the ease of use of PlayStation 4′s Share button ability? Say, “Xbox, Broadcast!” and you’re there. If you don’t have/don’t want to use a Kinect? That’s less simple.
Xbox Live program manager Chad Gibson tells Engadget it’s question of completing the following steps (from in-game): pushing the Home button, opening Snap, choosing Twitch and jumping back into the game. Not aggressively complicated, but certainly not as simple as the voice command option (or a Share button, for that matter).
Like Twitch on PS4, you can turn off video/audio capture as you wish and toggle comments. Also like the competition, streaming controls can be left or removed as “snapped” along the right rail — should you choose to unsnap it, a “bug” will let you know that recording’s on. And no, despite the HDMI-in ability (not to mention the myriad other media playing options) on Xbox One, you won’t be able to stream anything other than games to Twitch. All our dreams of a CNN-based Mystery Science Theater 3000 knockoff, dashed in one instant!
It’s not clear if Xbox One’s broadcasting has a similarly adorable standby screen to PS4 if you dump to the Dashboard during a broadcast, but it will outright cut off (read: end, non-restartable) if you attempt to load media in place of a game. The broadcast can be restarted, of course, but anyone watching must rejoin and, well, it sounds like kind of a hassle.
Twitch, like the Xbox One’s other software, will evolve as time goes on. We expect to see far more customization abilities in the future, as neither console is coming anywhere close to the level of support offer on PC. For now, though, we’re glad to see competition between Microsoft and Sony driving innovation in console-based broadcasting.
Yahoo launches UK edition of its News Digest iOS app
With MWC in full swing, CES seems but a distant memory. It was at last month’s trade show that Yahoo debuted its News Digest app for iOS, which serves up twice-daily dumps of important news bites. It launched with a US audience in mind, but as of yesterday, Brits can now download their very own UK edition of News Digest. In principle, it delivers exactly the same kind of curated content — quick-to-read news nuggets that summarize the takeaway using various types of media — just with a greater focus on UK-centric stories and, we assume, with everything spelt correctly.
Filed under: Cellphones, Tablets, Software, Mobile
Xbox One gets gameplay broadcasting in March update (update)
Xbox One owners eagerly awaiting Titanfall should be glad to hear that the Xbox One’s gameplay broadcasting functionality will light up ahead of the game’s March 11th launch. Included in the second half of the first big Xbox One update is Twitch gameplay broadcasting, enabling users to share gameplay via Twitch.tv (similar functionality already exists in Sony’s PlayStation 4). That update is expected just ahead of March 11th (and Twitch functionality is listed as coming directly on March 11th itself).
Gameplay broadcasting on Xbox One was one of the tentpole features touted at the console’s unveil event last year — the service was delayed ahead of launch, with Xbox lead Marc Whitten telling us at CES to expect it before gaming’s big trade show in June. No real reason is given for the delay; Xbox marketing lead Yusuf Mehdi told the AP that Sony’s version of gameplay broadcasting is, “too limiting,” and Microsoft wanted to take its time to get it right. It’s not clear what that actually means in practice just yet, but rest assured we’re asking Microsoft for more info.
Update: Microsoft detailed the service a bit more this morning. Twitch on Xbox One has at least one feature unavailable on PlayStation 4: the ability to archive streams right from the console. There’s also a video showing the service in action (that we’ve dropped below the break).
Filed under: Gaming, Software, HD, Microsoft
Source: AP
ZipShare from WinZip lets you manage all your cloud storage from one place
WinZip’s long been the go-to .zip file manager for many PC users, but no longer is it just a tool for freeing up some hard drive space. The desktop client embraced cloud storage around the same time it tiptoed into mobile, and now it has a new service based entirely on the web. ZipShare, currently in beta, is a portal for managing data you keep in the cloud on platforms like Dropbox, Google Drive, Box, OneDrive and others. Through the ZipShare site, files uploaded to cloud services are automatically compressed, and can be password protected. They can then be shared by means of an URL, which you can publish straight to social networks, and downloads of that file can subsequently be tracked. Being able to access all your files also means you can easily manage and move them between different storage providers. It’s not the best it can be on mobile devices just yet, but should be when it drops the beta tag within the next few months. Go check it out for yourself before that happens, though: all advanced features are currently free, but could cost up to $10 per month when the service launches for real.
Filed under: Storage, Internet, Software
Source: ZipShare, TechCrunch
Are Social Apps Key to Smart Phone Business Promotions?
The smartphones are the most prominent portable mechanisms, utilized by individuals far and wide. Individuals of all ages are pulled in to the smartphones as they profit a ton from the extensive variety of characteristics accessible with these portable gadgets. It is of no shock that nowadays, the advancement of apps for the advanced cells has turned into an essential venture in the versatile promoting fights of generally associations. Given the way that countless utilize these portable units, it is extremely useful to include shrewd mobile phone apps advancement in all limited time methods.
Here are the reasons why creating apps for these mechanisms will be helpful for your business
– It is the pattern in today’s reality, accompanying the pattern is extremely essential for the achievement of any business. Since most businesses nowadays are included in application advancement for the Pdas, it is paramount that your business additionally takes after this pattern so individuals don’t feel that your business is not progressive. Since most individuals are tech keen, they anticipate that businesses will think of innovation based showcasing fights. Those businesses which neglect to do so need to endure in the long run.
– Viral showcasing potential – through the procedure of application improvement, you will have the ability to make viral advertising battles that will focus on all the clients of advanced cells. Such crusades can make your business exceptionally prevalent inside a brief time of time. Assuming that the clients revel in the characteristics accessible with the requisitions, they won’t just download and utilization it, however they will additionally urge other individuals to do so. The crusade will have the capacity to make a great and enduring impression of your business on the personalities of the individuals.
– Cost successful when you need to select different types of advancements, for example, TV notices, ads on daily papers and so on you will be using a ton of cash all the while, without getting any true outcomes. Then again, through application improvement for the Pdas, you will have the capacity to accomplish a great deal from your limited time deliberations without needing to use a fortune on commercial. When the requisition is created, you won’t need to use any more cash on it.
– Connect through online networking all the advanced mobile phones like iPhone, Samsung Galaxy Tab and so on accompany online networking modules for Facebook, Twitter and so on. Consequently, application improvement will permit you to interface with an extensive variety of individuals through online networking. The point when the clients of these versatile gadgets will join with their companions through social networking, they will have the ability to impart the smartphone provision your organization has created. The fame of your business will expand and your site will profit from higher measure of activity.
With our present innovation driven social order, it might be trying to stay aware of the most recent devices and advancements. It’s turned into a fixation, particularly with smartphones, because of their potential for business development and connections. It doesn’t make a difference assuming that you’ve been utilizing a smartphone or tablet for quite some time, or in the event that you are simply bouncing on the temporary fad, this technology is without a doubt staying put.
To keep making an effect or achieve your crowd on a more extensive level, once in a while the main alternative is to uncover how new innovation can absolutely affect your business and grasp it using phone system direct.
Microsoft’s hardware leader steps aside ahead of Stephen Elop’s arrival
Microsoft said that Stephen Elop would run its hardware division as soon as it finished acquiring Nokia’s device business, and the company has just taken a big step toward making that leadership change a reality. Current Devices & Studios lead Julie Larson-Green has told her staff that she’s leaving her position to become the Chief Experience Officer at the Applications and Services group, which oversees Bing, Office and Skype. The move sees her report to Qi Lu, the app section’s Executive VP. Larson-Green will manage devices until Elop arrives, but the announcement effectively marks the end to her brief 7-month tenure of the crucial organization. She was certainly busy during that time — she oversaw the launches of the Xbox One, new Surface tablets and Xbox Music, among other projects. However, we may not know the full extent of her legacy until sometime after she has changed roles.
Filed under: Gaming, Tablets, Software, Microsoft, Nokia
Source: GeekWire
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