Samsung gives its app store a makeover with a focus on Galaxy devices

John Ribeiro / PC World:

Samsung Electronics has updated and rebranded its app store, in an apparent bid to cut into Google’s revenue from its Play store for apps running on Android devices.

The new Samsung Galaxy Apps store has “hundreds of apps” exclusively available to users of Samsung Galaxy mobile devices, the company said Friday in a blog post. The redesigned app store will offer higher customization of mobile devices and a variety of promotions and discounts to users of Samsung Galaxy mobile devices, it added. The earlier store was called Samsung Apps.

                                                                                                                                     

Jon Russell / The Next Web: Samsung revamps its app store, touting ‘hundreds of exclusive apps’ for Galaxy devices
Karissa Bell / Mashable: Samsung Steps Up Its App Game With ‘Galaxy Apps’ Rebrand
Stephanie Mlot / PC Magazine: Samsung App Store Now ‘Galaxy Apps’

On Saturday, July 12, 2014

Continue Reading

Google breaks down how much email is encrypted during transit, launches End-to-End encryption tool

Jordan Kahn / 9to5Google:

Google wants you to know exactly how much email you send and receive is encrypted during transit, so today it launched a new section in its Transparency Report that does exactly that:

When you mail a letter to your friend, you hope she’ll be the only person who reads it. But a lot could happen to that letter on its way from you to her, and prying eyes might try to take a look. That’s why we send important messages in sealed envelopes, rather than on postcards… Email works in a similar way. Emails that are encrypted as they’re routed from sender to receiver are like sealed envelopes, and less vulnerable to snooping—whether by bad actors or through government surveillance—than postcards.

                                                                                                                                     

Seth Rosenblatt / CNET News: New Chrome extension hopes to demystify encryption
Shaun Nichols / The Register: Google unveils End-to-End Chrome plugin for webmail encryption
Jonathan Vanian / Gigaom: Google ups the ante on email encryption
Emil Protalinski / The Next Web: Google launches Chrome extension End-to-End for sending and receiving encrypted emails in the browser
Frederic Lardinois / TechCrunch: Google Plans To Launch An Easy-To-Use Chrome Plug-In For Email Encryption Soon
Jon Fingas / Engadget: Google's new Chrome add-on secures your email every step of the way

On Tuesday, June 03, 2014

Continue Reading

Instagram 6.0 Seduces Pro Photographers With Adjustable Filters And 9 New Effects

Josh Constine / TechCrunch:

“People come to Instagram today to post their photos but haven’t come back to edit their photos” Instagram CEO Kevin Systrom tells me. So today Instagram is adding sliders to control 9 new photo effects and the intensity of its existing filters. These give everyone the power of desktop editing suites and photo apps like Camera+ and Photoshop Express for free, which Systrom says “creates a nice level playing field for the Instagram community.”

The Instagram 6.0 update is rolling out today to iOS and Android (Ice Cream Sandwich and above).

                                                                                                                                     

Instagram Blog: Introducing New Creative Tools on Instagram
Kara Swisher / Re/code: Instagram 6.0: Tweak It and They Will Saturate?
Ellis Hamburger / The Verge: Instagram's new editing features could make it your only photo app
Cliff Kuang / Wired: Instagram Finally Unveils New and Improved Photo Filters
James Trew / Engadget: Instagram adds nine new editing tools, makes filters adjustable

On Tuesday, June 03, 2014

Continue Reading

Google launches 64-bit version of Chrome, starting with Dev and Canary channels for Windows 7 and Windows 8

Emil Protalinski / The Next Web:

Google today announced the debut of a 64-bit version of Chrome for Windows, starting with the introduction of 64-bit Dev and Canary channels for Windows 7 and Windows 8 users. You can download both now from their respective pages: Dev and Canary.

It’s worth noting that in both cases the 64-bit version is offered by default if you are running a 64-bit flavor of Windows, though the 32-bit version is still available. This would suggest Google eventually plans to serve up the 64-bit version of Chrome as the default version for 64-bit Windows users.

                                                                                                                                     

Ron Amadeo / Ars Technica: 64-bit Chrome is faster, more stable, and more secure
Mark Hearn / 9to5Google: Google adds 64-bit Chrome support to its Windows Canary channel
Nate Swanner / SlashGear: Chrome gets 64-bit Canary and Dev Channels for Windows

On Tuesday, June 03, 2014

Continue Reading

Google Glass Gets Fancy New Frames and Shades

Stan Schroeder / Mashable: 

Google has announced a new collection of frames and shades for Google Glass. Called the DVF | Made for Glass collection, they were created in a collaboration with American fashion designer Diane von Furstenberg.

Five new fames and eight new shades will be available through the Google Glass website and Net-a-Porter starting June 23.

The sunglasses from the collection, which include a grey, rainbow-hued and a brown option, will sport a DVF logo in the corner, akin to sunglasses from brands such as Ray-Ban.

                                                                                                                                     

Google Glass / Google+: Today we're announcing the DVF | Made for Glass collection …
Rich McCormick / The Verge: Google Glass now available in ‘chic’ new designs
Jon Phillips / PC World: Google Glass goes high fashion because nothing says ‘not weird’ like Diane Von Furstenberg
Kif Leswing / Gigaom: Google Glass gets a makeover from fashion royalty
Matt Burns / TechCrunch: Google Glass Goes Chic With New Designer Frames

On Tuesday, June 03, 2014

Continue Reading

Apple Unveils iOS 8, the Biggest Release Since the Launch of the App Store

Apple:

Introduces iCloud Photo Library, New Messages Features & New Health App

SAN FRANCISCO―June 2, 2014―Apple® today unveiled iOS 8, the biggest release since the launch of the App Store℠, giving users incredible new features and developers the tools to create amazing new apps. iOS 8 delivers a simpler, faster and more intuitive user experience, including iCloud® Photo Library, allowing you to enjoy your photos and videos more easily across your devices; new Messages features to easily share voice, video or photos with just a swipe; and an entirely new Health app that gives you a clear overview of your health and fitness data all in one place. iOS 8 also includes predictive typing for Apple’s QuickType™ keyboard; Family Sharing, the easiest way to share purchases, photos and calendars within the same household; and iCloud Drive™, so you can store files and access them from anywhere. 

                                                                                                                                     

Frederic Lardinois / TechCrunch: Apple iOS 8 SDK Gives Developers Access To Faster 3D Graphics, Touch ID And More
Rik Myslewski / The Register: iOS 8 to eye your guts, control your home
Kif Leswing / Gigaom: iOS 8 is a major under-the-hood update, Apple provides no hint of a bigger iPhone
Vlad Savov / The Verge: Apple announces iOS 8 with OS X continuity and widgets
Chris Velazco / Engadget: Apple reveals iOS 8 at WWDC, available for free this fall
Jackie Dove / The Next Web: Apple is overhauling its Photos offering across iOS and Mac

On Monday, June 02, 2014

Continue Reading

No Microsoft Start Menu for Windows 8 until 2015: Sources

Mary Jo Foley / ZDNet:

Summary: It's looking like Microsoft's new 'mini' Start Menu for Windows 8.x won't be part of Windows 8.1 Update 2 as rumored. Instead, it's sounding like a 2015 deliverable now.

Microsoft won't be delivering a new Start Menu for Windows 8 with its coming Windows 8.1 Update 2, after all.

That recent change in plans comes courtesy of a couple of my sources who've had good track records on Windows information.

                                                                                                                                     

Sebastian Anthony / ExtremeTech: Windows 8 Start menu resurrection delayed until next version of Windows in 2015
Gavin Clarke / The Register: Microsoft's NEW OS now runs on HALF of ALL desktop PCs
Nate Swanner / SlashGear: Windows Start Menu may not come back until 2015

On Monday, June 02, 2014

Continue Reading

Apple Announces OS X Yosemite

Apple:

Introduces Refined New Design, Powerful Apps & Amazing New Continuity Features

SAN FRANCISCO―June 2, 2014―Apple® today announced OS X® Yosemite, a powerful new version of OS X redesigned and refined with a fresh, modern look, powerful new apps and amazing new continuity features that make working across your Mac® and iOS devices more fluid than ever. The new Today view in Notification Center gives you a quick look at everything you need to know, all in one place; iCloud Drive™ is located within the Finder and can store files of any type; and Safari® has a new streamlined design that puts the most important controls at your fingertips. Mail makes editing and sending attachments easier than ever; Handoff lets you start an activity on one device and pass it to the other; and Instant Hotspot makes using your iPhone’s hotspot as easy as connecting to a Wi-Fi network. Yosemite even gives you the ability to make iPhone® calls on your Mac.

                                                                                                                                     

Charles Arthur / Guardian: Apple unveils move towards health and home in new iPhone software
The Verge: The 22 most important things Apple announced today
Jordan Kahn / 9to5Mac: Apple replaces Google with Bing search in OS X Yosemite's redesigned Spotlight?
Frederic Lardinois / TechCrunch: Apple Announces OS X Yosemite With Translucent, Flatter Design, Updated Notification Center And More
Donna Tam / CNET News: Apple unveils OS X Yosemite

On Monday, June 02, 2014

Continue Reading

Apple Releases iOS 8 SDK With Over 4,000 New APIs

Apple:

Biggest Developer Release Ever Includes Extensibility Features, HealthKit, HomeKit & Swift

SAN FRANCISCO―June 2, 2014―Apple® today released its iOS 8 SDK, the biggest developer release ever with more than 4,000 new APIs, giving developers the ability to create amazing new apps like never before. iOS 8 allows developers to further customize the user experience with major extensibility features like Notification Center widgets and third-party keyboards; and introduces robust frameworks such as HealthKit and HomeKit. iOS 8 also includes Metal, a new graphics technology that maximizes the performance of the A7 chip and Swift, a powerful new programming language.

                                                                                                                                     

Matthew Panzarino / TechCrunch: Apple's WWDC Delivers Developer Fanservice
Natt Garun / The Next Web: Everything Apple announced at WWDC 2014 in one handy list
Kevin Fitchard / Gigaom: Apple turns OS X Yosemite into an extension of the iPhone with new Continuity feature
John Timmer / Ars Technica: Apple shows off Swift, its new programming language

On Monday, June 02, 2014

Continue Reading

Tech giants team up to take on US Government gag orders

Nick Mediati / PC World:

As it stands now, tech companies can't disclose exact figures on how many national security-related user data requests they've received from the US Government. A group of major tech companies aren't happy about the current state of affairs, however, so they've decided to do something about it.

According to a report from the Washington Post, Google, Facebook, Microsoft, and Yahoo have filed papers with the 9th Circuit Court arguing against ongoing gag orders the Government has put in place to guard against disclosure of these data requests. According to the court papers, which were filed in April, the four companies see the gag orders as a form of prior restraint, and argue that they are therefore a violation of the First Amendment.

                                                                                                                                     

Sean Buckley / Engadget: Google, Yahoo and others are getting fed up with government gag orders
Steven Musil / CNET News: Government gag orders violate free speech, tech giants contend
Hayley Tsukayama / Washington Post: Google, Yahoo, Facebook and Microsoft say government has no right to suppress data request disclosures
Chloe Albanesius / PC Magazine: Microsoft Successfully Challenged FBI Request for Customer Data
Brittany Hillen / SlashGear: Unsealed court docs reveal fight against gag orders by tech companies

On Saturday, May 24, 2014

Continue Reading

Surface Pro 3 review: Has Microsoft finally made a tablet to replace your laptop?

Dana Wollman / Engadget:

It didn't last long, but there was a moment earlier this week when I was sure Microsoft would unveil its own laptop. At a press event, Surface chief Panos Panay took the stage to remind the reporters in attendance how they once said tablets would make laptops obsolete. A quick scan around the room revealed rows of journalists, all typing on Ultrabooks -- including the MacBook Air, no less. For a moment, it seemed like Panay was conceding defeat.

Indeed, Microsoft has had multiple chances to prove it can bridge the divide between slates and laptops: Both the first- and second-gen Surface tablets were intended as do-it-all devices. And both times, the company fell short of its mission. The Surface Pro in particular was powerful enough to rival Ultrabooks, but suffered from several usability flaws: It was awkward to use in the lap, and also unwieldy as a tablet. For most people, a touchscreen laptop was still the better choice.

                                                                                                                                     

Dieter Bohn / The Verge: Surface Pro 3 review: impressive hardware, ideal form factor for Windows 8.1, so-so battery
Tim Moynihan / Wired: Surface Tension — Surface Tension — Rating: 7/10 Very good, but not quite great
Joel Santo Domingo / PC Magazine: Microsoft Surface Pro 3
Ed Bott / ZDNet: Which CPUs will you find in the Surface Pro 3?

On Saturday, May 24, 2014

Continue Reading

Samsung gives up on its homegrown Music and Book Hub services

Sharif Sakr / Engadget:

Just like HTC with its doomed movie service, Samsung is apparently starting to realize that its in-house efforts can't compete with specialist alternatives. While Spotify has been busily publicizing its rapid growth, the Korean manufacturer has been quietly warning Galaxy phone and tablet owners about the impending closure of its similar, own-brand Music Hub. Users can no longer sign up for the premium monthly subscription option, and a message inside the app says they'll need to re-download any purchased tracks and use up any vouchers before the entire service shuts down on July 1st. This at least suggests that any stored tracks will continue to work after that date, perhaps via 7Digital, whose platform underpinned the Music Hub in the first place.

                                                                                                                                     

Adi Robertson / The Verge: Samsung reportedly killing its cloud music service this summer
Ben Lovejoy / 9to5Google: Samsung Music shutting up shop, 1st July deadline to download purchases
Claire Reilly / CNET News: Samsung to retire Music Hub streaming service

On Thursday, May 22, 2014

Continue Reading

Google Wallet Is Coming To Glass

Frederic Lardinois / TechCrunch:

Google Wallet is coming to Glass soon. According to a source close to the company, Google is currently testing a way for Glass users to send money to their friends through Wallet by simply using their voices to ask Glass to “send money.” The company is testing this service internally right now, but chances are it will launch to all Glass users in the near future.

To install the Wallet service on their devices, Glass users currently have to be signed in to a computer on Google’s corporate network. From there, they can install the Wallet glassware, and after setting the service up from there, they are ready to send money from Glass.

                                                                                                                                     

Chance Miller / 9to5Google: Google reportedly working to integrate Wallet functionality into Glass
Nate Swanner / SlashGear: Google Glass may be getting Wallet app to send/receive money
Dara Kerr / CNET News: Google Wallet is said to be landing on Google Glass
Andrew Martonik / Android Central: Ready to send money with Google Glass? It may not be far off

On Monday, May 05, 2014

Continue Reading

Foursquare is splitting its service into two apps: Swarm for check-ins and Foursquare for discovery

Nick Summers / The Next Web:

Foursquare today announced it would be unbundling its location-based service into two separate mobile apps; one will be called Swarm, while the other retains the original Foursquare branding.

The idea is to break its business in half. Foursquare started out as a check-in app, allowing you to easily broadcast your location to friends and family. This will continue to exist under Swarm, a new Android and iOS app due in the coming weeks. A version for Windows Phone will follow shortly afterwards.

                                                                                                                                     

The Foursquare Blog: A look into the future of Foursquare, including a new app called Swarm
Jordan Crook & Darrell Etherington / TechCrunch: Foursquare Splits Into Two Apps, But Will Either Be Strong Enough To Survive?
The Verge: Meet Swarm: Foursquare's ambitious plan to split its app in two
Pete Pachal / Mashable: Get Ready for Swarm: Foursquare to Split Its App in Two
Chris Burns / SlashGear: Foursquare break-off: Swarm to Big Brother your friends

On Thursday, May 01, 2014

Continue Reading

Snapchat adds IM and video calls, but messages will disappear when you leave a conversation

Romain Dillet / TechCrunch: 

Snapchat has been somewhat out of the limelight of late, but now the company that rejected a $3 billion offer from Facebook has introduced two new features for its users: private messaging and video calls.

“Until today, we felt that Snapchat was missing an important part of conversation: presence. There’s nothing like knowing you have the full attention of your friend while you’re chatting. We could not be more thrilled to announce Chat,” the company writes in a blog post.

                                                                                                                                     

Snapchat: Putting the Chat into Snapchat
Ellis Hamburger / The Verge: Real talk: the new Snapchat brilliantly mixes video and texting
Mike Isaac / Re/code: Snapchat Debuts Actual Chat
Jon Russell / The Next Web: Snapchat adds IM and video calls, but messages will disappear when you leave a conversation
Sharif Sakr / Engadget: Snapchat now does video chat and IM, with self-destruct still included
Mark Hearn / 9to5Google: Snapchat updated with video chats and instant messaging
Issie Lapowsky / Wired: Snapchat Isn't Just for Selfies Anymore

On Thursday, May 01, 2014

Continue Reading

$1500 Google Glass costs just $80 in components, claims teardown company

Ben Lovejoy / 9to5Google: 

The Google Glass Explorer edition, which usually sells on an invitation-only basis for $1500, comprises parts whose total value is just $79.78, claims Techinsights after a teardown analysis.

The company was careful to add that this is a preliminary estimate which is likely to be revised in the light of more detailed research. Google, quoted in the WSJ, has dismissed the estimate as “absolutely wrong” … 

                                                                                                                                     

Teardown: Google Glass is Finally Here: What is Inside and What Does it Cost?
Nick Statt / CNET News: Google Glass parts cost around $80, says teardown report
Alistair Barr / Wall Street Journal: Google Glass Parts Estimated to Cost Less Than $80
Russell Holly / Geek.com: Google Glass estimated to only cost $80 in parts

On Thursday, May 01, 2014

Continue Reading