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Jun

Google+ Update Rolling Out Now, Ditches Its Old New Interface For A New New Interface, Now With Tablet Support

Posted by Eric Ravenscraft in Google, News

Last Updated: July 4th, 2012

The Google+ app has received another fancy new update today. Avid Google+ followers will remember that just a month ago, the mobile Google+ got a facelift. Well, forget everything you knew about that app. Google's social network is getting another new facelift. And a sweet tablet interface to boot.

The new interface has a much lighter, brighter look, while still maintaining the large focus on pictures and videos of the previous update. The update also brings a much-needed tablet interface to the app, and finally enables the latent Events support that we knew was hiding there. Also, Google subtly snuck in the ability to see your entire feed, or just the feed from certain circles in a drop down box.

Jun

Viggle For Android Comes Out Of Beta And Lands In The Play Store – Earn Rewards From Your Couch By Checking In To Popular TV Shows

Posted by Liam Spradlin in Applications, News

Viggle, which pairs a great idea with a funny name, is an app we covered last month during its beta period. The TV check-in app, which has already seen great success on iOS, recently landed in the Play Store though, finally out of beta.

For those not familiar with the app, Viggle essentially listens to your TV's audio (at your command), and figures out which show(s) you're watching by comparing the audio it heard to a database, rewarding points depending on the programming (for instance, promoted shows get more points). Those points can then be redeemed for tangible rewards, including everything from Starbucks gift cards to sweepstakes entries or hulu PLUS subscriptions.

Jun

Facebook Messenger Updated To Version 1.8 – Add Friends Of Friends To Messages, Switch Conversations With In-App Notifications, And More

Posted by Liam Spradlin in Applications, News

Facebook Messenger, an app the social giant says provides "a faster way to message," got a significant update today, bringing it up to version 1.8. The update, besides promising to speed up app loading, navigating (by way of some small UI tweaks), and message sending, contains several new features that are worth mentioning.

Among these new features is the ability to switch between conversations using handy (dismissible) in-app notification bars which appear any time a friend sends you a message in another conversation. Facebook has also added the option to bring friends of friends into your existing conversation, using the same interface you'd use to add any of your friends to the message.

Jun

Official Wimbledon App Brings Live Tennis Commentary, Photos, And More To The Play Store

Posted by Liam Spradlin in Applications, News

For those looking forward to 2012's playing of what is widely considered the oldest (and most well-known) tennis tournament in existence, the official Wimbledon app hit the Play Store recently, bringing live scores, results, schedules, and more.

The app, despite its somewhat all-over-the-place UI, provides a ton of functionality, not only giving users information about the games, but also about players – Wimbledon's official app gives users player profiles, video previews, highlight reels, features, interviews and "golden moments" photos. If that isn't enough, players can tune in to three "Live @ Wimbledon" radio channels – one providing general "Daily Coverage" and two channels dedicated to Centre Court and No.

Jun

Flipboard Finally Lands In The Play Store, Promises "You'll Be Amazed By What You See"

Posted by Liam Spradlin in Applications, News

Well folks, it's finally (officially) here. Since it was yanked from the S3 (and put through a beta period), Android users have been anticipating the "Social Magazine" which has already seen great success on iOS. The app, which is billed as "the one thing to simplify your daily life," hit the Play Store tonight, bringing a social news reader with an innovative user interface to Android users everywhere.

For those unfamiliar with Flipboard, the app allows users to not only read news related to their favorite topics, but to share what they're reading and "be amazed by what [they] see when everything people are sharing, collecting, and publishing in every moment comes together in a single place." Users can connect Flipboard to 12 social networks ranging from Twitter and Facebook to Instagram, Google+, YouTube, Google Reader, and more.

Jun

The Official Google I/O 2012 App Is Now In The Play Store

Posted by David Ruddock in Android OS, Applications, News

Come one, come all [Google I/O attendees] - the official I/O app is now available in the Play Store. It includes maps, event schedules, the conference agenda, and detailed information about all sorts of devvy stuff. Oh, and this year you can play back various "I/O Live" talks and events straight to your 3.0+ tablet. Awesome. In addition, Google will be open sourcing the whole app once I/O has ended.

Another new feature comes in the form of Android Beam support for 4.0+ devices, allowing you to "bump" session details between two NFC-enabled Android 4.0 phones.

Head over to the Play Store to pick it up now.

Jun

Crafty Apps Launches Tasker App Factory (Beta), Allowing Users To Export (And Distribute) Tasks As Standalone Apps

Posted by Liam Spradlin in Applications, News

Tasker is a versatile app to say the least. In allowing users to create and schedule sophisticated automated tasks, it has made a name for itself as one of the most useful apps available for Android. The developer behind Tasker, Crafty Apps, is now expanding on that functionality, working on Tasker App Factory, an extension of the original app which allows users to export certain actions as individual apps.

The app (which will only work for Tasker beta users) has the capability to create standalone apps which have no reliance on the main Tasker app to run. According to App Factory's instructional document, app creation takes mere seconds, meaning users can capture Tasker's awesome functionality in a zippy, (relatively) easy process.

Jun

Official WinZip App Hits The Play Store With All The Functionality Of Its PC Counterpart In Tow

Posted by Liam Spradlin in Applications, News

Bringing all the functionality of the renowned Windows-based .zip handler to your Android phone and tablet, WinZip Computing has released an official app to Google's Play Store.

WinZip for Android, in keeping with its PC counterpart, handily opens zipped files, also offering support for encrypted files (including AES128 and AES256), promising secure viewing and transmission of sensitive data from your mobile device.

The app also features sophisticated third-party app integration to open .doc(x), .xls, .ppt, and .pdf files, while offering built-in support for image files, text files (from .txt to .csv, .bat, .js, .xml, .css and many more), web files, and .apk files.

Jun

Zombies, Run! Spices Up Your Running Routine With A Little Undead Uprising

Posted by Eric Ravenscraft in Applications, News

Since the invention of the smartphone, the number one concern on everyone's mind is "How can I use this to help prepare for the zombie apocalypse?" And if that's not your number one concern, it should be. Zombies, Run! is a game designed to augment your current running routine with a story and extra, *ahem*, motivation. Of the keeping-your-brains variety.

The game actually started as a Kickstarter project (but what doesn't these days?) and was released on iOS a few months ago. The game is fairly straightforward. Plug in your headphones before you go running, and hit play. The audio creates an environment and a narrative that engulfs you in a post-apocalyptic world.

Jun

Groupon App For Android Receives Total Overhaul, Goes Version 2.0

Posted by David Ruddock in Applications, News

Popular deals service Groupon has had its Android app facelifted, resulting in a new look, as well as a couple new features and services. Take a look at the brand-new UI:

As you can see, the app now looks looks decidedly more Ice Cream Sandwich-y, has added a universal share button, and swipeable categories. You'll also notice new categories for Pets and Rewards (spend enough money at certain businesses and you get loyalty rewards). Overall, this was a much-needed refresh.

However, if you've ever used the Groupon app in the past, you'll know it was something a slow mover.