Microsoft is opening up about the changes its made to the Windows Store as the premiere date for the new OS draws near. It'll be available in 26 markets (so far) and Redmond's listened to concerns consumers had about getting around. In response, it's added a navigation bar that also links users directly to the apps they already own. Desktop apps will appear from June 1st (today), although when clicking a link, you'll be redirected to the developers own website to make the purchase.

The company has tweaked the terms and conditions to insist that app-builders make the primary experience take place "within the app," rather than merely linking elsewhere. Additionally, everything submitted must fully support keyboard / mouse and touch controls, so people can switch controls if necessary. The company's also mandating that apps must rely upon mechanisms provided by Windows 8, such as process management and using swipe-implemented menus.

Microsoft details Windows Store changes, adds desktop apps, better navigation originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 01 Jun 2012 08:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Scalado's latest 99 cent app for iOS only does one little thing, but it does it well. Its singular mission is to let you share an image from your Camera Roll to any web-connected display in front of you, without having to navigate through a more sophisticated file-sharing platform or use extra hardware on the receiving device. That recipient can be anything -- a smart TV, tablet, PC, Mac, games console, whatever -- so long as it has a browser pointed at the Photobeamer homepage. That page displays a QR code, which provides all the clever linkage you need: you simply load up the app on your mobile, pick the image you want to share, and then point the rear camera at the QR code to beam the image across via the web.

Having given it a quick test, we'd say it's definitely up to regular domestic challenges where you just want to display a few photos rather than perhaps videos or presentation slides, and where there's no need to print or store shared images. You can swipe left and right between different pictures in your gallery, and also choose whether you want those images to be fitted to the recipient display or resized to fill it. There's a video after the break to help you decide if that's worth a dollar, while the Photobeamer app itself waits patiently at the iTunes link below.

Continue reading Scalado Photobeamer for iOS brings rapid photo sharing to any web-connected display (video)

Scalado Photobeamer for iOS brings rapid photo sharing to any web-connected display (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 29 May 2012 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Futulele has come a long way since we saw it in March; it's now on the App Store and has put on a lot of sheen in return for slipping past the original April release target. Along with a few more flowers to reinforce the Hawaiian vibe, Amidio's definitive ukelele app has since gained the requisite support for the new iPad's graphics and a fully automatic mode, just in case you're not yet a virtual Jake Shimabukuro. If your ambitions do involve playing for yourself, you still have access to the promised maximum 132 chords (12 per set) with the flexibility to adjust chorus, delay, EQ and reverb in addition to recording those plucky creations. We're still waiting on the Futulele Remote app (and matching case) to choose chords more like we would on the real deal, but you can do it all on the iPad for now if you're willing to spend a fiver at the App Store. A flower necklace and an impressionable young lover are optional.

Continue reading Futulele goes live for iPad, ukelele serenades just went multi-touch (video)

Futulele goes live for iPad, ukelele serenades just went multi-touch (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 29 May 2012 00:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Tweetbot just got the update treatment, enabling a handful of features aimed at optimizing the way you interact with Twitter, both online and off. These added gems include an option to mute certain keywords ('cereal' may be a good start), location-based keyword searches, along with offline favorite and read later support (for booting links to apps like Instapaper or Pocket, for offline viewing). Most other functionality remains unchanged, as does the $2.99 price tag. You'll find the full list of updates after the break, with download links just below.

Continue reading Tweetbot 2.4 brings keyword mute filters, offline favorite and read later support

Tweetbot 2.4 brings keyword mute filters, offline favorite and read later support originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 24 May 2012 19:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Developers can never have too many options when it comes to ways to take your money. Google has opened the doors to In-app purchases, carrier billing and now, in-app subscriptions. Perhaps it wasn't enough that game creators be able to lure you in with perks and content you could purchase for a one-time fee, now devs can choose to hit you with a monthly charge for the privilege of using their wares. Of course, it's not all that bad. Subscription-based games aren't the only potential uses here. Customers can now buy monthly or annual subscriptions to services or publications as well. There's even a publisher API for extending the subscription beyond the walls of Google Play and your Android device. Glu Mobile will be first out the gate, turning on subscriptions in properties like Frontline Commando, but we're sure plenty of others will follow. Soon enough you might be able to get your New York Times subscription or Spotify Premium account without ever leaving the comfort of the Android app. Any handset with Google Play 3.5 or higher installed should have access to subscriptions starting today.

Google brings in-app subscriptions to Android originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 24 May 2012 13:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading GameFly to begin publishing smartphone apps, will launch its own Android game store

GameFly to begin publishing smartphone apps, will launch its own Android game store originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 23 May 2012 13:18:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

If you're an iPhone or iPad owner, you might have been disappointed that the Delorme inReach two-way GPS communicator launched with app support only for Android users. That's fine if you're trekking with a Casio G'zOne Commando, but not so hot if you're of the Apple mindset and get stranded canoeing down the Amazon. Thankfully, Delorme just posted an iOS version of its Earthmate app that will let your Cupertino-designed gear send either text messages or SOS beacons through a paired-up inReach unit. As before, the handheld relies on its own GPS positioning and embedded locations in messages to keep friends and rescue crews updated anywhere the device can get an Iridium satellite lock-in. It'll still cost you $250 for the device and $10 per month to stay linked up; even so, there's a real chance you'll be texting your friends from your iPhone in Mali, assuming you haven't had to call a rescue helicopter first.

Continue reading Delorme's inReach two-way satellite communicator gets iOS support, sends iPhone texts from Timbuktu (video)

Delorme's inReach two-way satellite communicator gets iOS support, sends iPhone texts from Timbuktu (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 23 May 2012 08:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Android and PlayStation Vita owners have felt the Music Unlimited love on their respective devices for quite some time now, but the Spotify / MOG / Rdio competitor has finally made its way to the App Store, bringing with it yet another option for streaming music on iOS. The free app appears to be optimized for iPhone and iPod touch (though it's also compatible with iPad), and will enable on-the-go jammin' with a $4-per-month Basic subscription over 3G, 4G or WiFi connections. You can pull in tunes from the millions of tracks in Sony's collection, or access songs on your PC using the Music Sync service. The app is currently only available in the New Zealand App Store, but it's expected to hit other Music Unlimited countries soon. For now, you can hit up the source link for the Kiwi App Store preview, or head over to the Music Unlimited site to sign up.

Continue reading Sony Music Unlimited comes to iPhone with streaming music app

Sony Music Unlimited comes to iPhone with streaming music app originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 21 May 2012 14:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Having become a staple for 35 million life-observing extroverts already, Twitpic has suddenly decided to launch itself into the world of iOS apps. You may justifiably question the point of yet another platform for sharing photos and videos over Twitter, given how well the official app, Instagram and others now handle such things. But then you'd be missing out on a community that has been steadily growing since even before mobile photography took off, and whose visual ramblings are actually much funnier and more amazing than even the brightest shots of the Dutch skyline.

Twitpic for iPhone brings four years of image-sharing history, one year too late originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 08 May 2012 05:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

It truly is the end of an era. In just under two weeks, Microsoft will follow through with its plan to shutter the Windows Mobile 6.x Marketplace for good. In a cautionary email, Redmond asked that those still using a WM device "install any available updates in advance of the [...] shut-down," scheduled for May 17th. Not all hope is lost for the antiquated mobile operating system, though, as the announcement reminds technology holdouts that application updates can be acquired directly from developers (good luck with that). If you're out on the town this evening having a few drinks with friends, remember to pour one out for Windows Mobile, a true OG smartphone operating system.

Microsoft reminds users of Windows Mobile Marketplace's imminent demise originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 04 May 2012 17:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

It's here. After all the rumors, leaks and false alarms, Sweden's top music streaming service is finally ready for the big(ger) screen. Spotify has landed on the iPad, and not surprisingly, the new app is a no-brainer of a download for anyone currently in possession of a premium account and an Apple tablet, -- that much we can say right off the bat. But how well did the company harness the capabilities of the magical device, and is the whole thing worth the wait? We got some fingers-on with the app -- follow along after the break.

Continue reading Spotify for iPad launches: impressions and a visual tour of the new app

Spotify for iPad launches: impressions and a visual tour of the new app originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 02 May 2012 07:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Everyone's favorite VoIP service, Skype, has rolled out a fresh update to its iPhone / iPod Touch and iPad clients. First off, the Microsoft-owned outfit added a revamped login screen to both iOS applications, and now offers the ability to move your vid preview around the screen -- much like FaceTime does. To go along with the new pair of features, Skype's changelog also notes the app will now automatically restart after a sudden crash, while other undisclosed enhancements were made to improve the overall UI, stability and accessibility. Of note, Skype v4 requires folks to be running iOS 4.3 or later. So, those of you keeping that Cupertino OS current can hit either of the iTunes links below to get the goods, or grab it from the App Store on your device.

Skype iOS apps hit v4.0: improved stability, minor UI tweaks in tow originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 30 Apr 2012 15:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

It's not like there's any shortage of alternatives, but those sticking with the ooh-ficial Twitter app on iOS and Android woke up to a rather pleasant update today. Briefly, the company's promising improvements to discover, search and notifications, with the new build allowing users to view "Activity" -- described as a "stream of updates that shows which tweets are favorited or retweeted by the people you follow and which accounts those people follow or add to lists." Search has also been made simpler in both programs, with the Connect tab allowing you to start typing the first or last name or username of the person you're looking for and watching autocomplete handle the rest. Finally (and perhaps most importantly), notifications for Interactions are in place, enabling busybodies to know right away when a tweet has been retweeted or favorited. Hit up your market of choice to get the new bytes, or just visit one of the source links below. Your call -- no pressure.

Twitter app update brings improved discover, search and notifications to iOS and Android originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 26 Apr 2012 17:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

When not wearing women's clothing and hanging around in bars, the crew at Engadget towers enjoys nothing better than chomping down on an albatross while watching Monty Python. Heuristic Media has released Python Bytes, the first of six apps that bring together the best clips from each of the four series, Holy Grail and Life of Brian*. You'll be able to watch (say no more, nudge, nudge) the back-story of each sketch and you'll even be able to create your own personalized playlists. It's available right now, costing £1.99 / $2.99. Now, let's all get back to learning how to identify trees from quite a long way away: there's an instructional video after the break.

*All of which are also available unabridged from iTunes.

Continue reading ... It's... ... ... ... Python Bytes (video)

... It's... ... ... ... Python Bytes (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 26 Apr 2012 12:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Move over, My Tracks -- you've got serious company. Google's own adventure tracking app just got majorly one-upped by a company that also happens to make heated jackets. Columbia's just-launched GPS Pal app is not only available on both Android and iOS, but it's actually designed to be used with a user account so that activity logs are neatly housed in a searchable, organized portal. It's free to download, and aside from monitoring your hikes and treks via GPS, it also syncs photos, videos, and trail information to a web journal automatically, complete with pinpoint geotagging information on each piece of media.

As for data points? It'll keep track of elevation changes, current speed and distance traveled, and it makes sharing said trips to social networks quite the lesson in simplicity. Naturally, you'll need a data connection in order to upload media while on the trail -- something that's often hard to find -- but at least the app tells you how poor (or great) your GPS signal is at all times, which is all that's required to keep track of your actual steps. Head on past the break for a promo video, or hit the links below to grab it for your platform of choice.

Continue reading Columbia's GPS Pal app for Android and iOS logs your hikes, geotags memories (video)

Columbia's GPS Pal app for Android and iOS logs your hikes, geotags memories (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 26 Apr 2012 02:13:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Despite its loud anti-piracy notice, Andrey Fedotov's HackStore sees no issue in ripping off the official App Store's interface. Nevertheless, its aim is to gather up legit and readily available apps that didn't make it past Apple's trellis for whatever reason, and hopefully with Fedotov keeping an eye out for malware. You'll find FileZilla, Gimp and many rarer specimens -- and they're all just regular .dmg files so there's actually no hacking involved. That said, we downloaded the RTF to ePUB Converter and then struggled to make it run, so we're not ready to vouch for HackStore's ease-of-use any more than its security or legality. All we're saying, officer, is that it exists.

HackStore is like Cydia for Mac OS X, replaces walled garden with open dacha originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 25 Apr 2012 04:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

One of your favorite, dock-worthy iOS apps just got a tad bit better. We're talking 'bout Line2, who's just hit version 8.0.0 and is bringing with it a slew of long-awaited traits. Of these, the most notable is the inclusion of MMS, which now allows users to send out pics to other folks using Line2's service. That said, you can share media with people outside the Line2 network, but due to carrier restrictions, the MMS being sent will only show up as a link on the receiving end. To go alongside that Multimedia Messaging Service, the app's also adding a new location sharing feature (for those who don't mind the occasional stalking). As of now, the fresh goods are exclusive to the iOS crowd, while an update for the Android variant is said to be in the works. As usual, you can grab the app straight from the App Store on your device or via the iTunes link below.

Line2 for iOS now offers MMS support within its network, adds location sharing originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 24 Apr 2012 07:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

It's not quite as earth-shattering as Zuck's deal to snap up Instagram, but one of the pioneers of photography is making waves any way it can. Kodak Gallery has been available on the App Store since November of last year, but starting this week, users will be able to order photos right on their iPhone for pickup at participating Target and CVS locations in America. Kodak claims that the time between order and pickup is usually around an hour, with all prints (available in 4x6, 5x7 and 8x10 sizes) arriving on Kodak photo-quality paper. Pricing, as you'd expect, will vary by store, and more deets can be spotted in the release after the break.

Continue reading Kodak Gallery iOS app: now with 100 percent more physical printing at Target / CVS

Kodak Gallery iOS app: now with 100 percent more physical printing at Target / CVS originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 19 Apr 2012 00:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

The Windows Store, though still very much in the trial stage, is already growing -- and not just in terms of catalog size. At launch, alongside the consumer preview of Windows 8, the Store was only accepting submissions from devs in five different countries and had region specific markets to match. With the next preview release of its upcoming OS, though, Microsoft plans to expand that greatly. Soon enough 33 more nations will be open to submitting apps and the number of country-specific store fronts will jump from five to 26. And, while you'll still have to submit your apps in one of the 12 certification languages for approval purposes, entries will be accepted in 109 different tongues. This move will require some changes on the backend, of course, to scale globally. So, as part of that transition Microsoft has stopped accepting submissions for Consumer Preview apps. We can only hope the down time is short lived and the next version of the Windows Store (and possibly Windows 8) is hot on its heels.

Windows Store slowly going global, 26 country specific markets launching with next update originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 18 Apr 2012 16:09:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Creative types working their magic on Windows may already be familiar with KillerKeys, a desktop app that brings push-button control to most Adobe apps, Microsoft Office, Sony Vegas and a few others, letting you tap a preset action rather than digging through a multi-layer menu or remembering hundreds of keyboard shortcuts -- if you use any of these apps as part of your workflow, the $10 (and up) investment certainly seems to be worthwhile. Now, Bella, the company behind KillerKeys, is bringing the tool to iOS (the iPad, more specifically), letting you tap your intentions on your tab, rather than using the mouse to click around the desktop.

You can group buttons by function, and the panel adjusts automatically to match the current app -- there's also an application launcher available at the bottom corners of the display, which helps to minimize your mouse time. To that end, you'll also find an on-screen trackpad (which unfortunately wasn't functional during the company's demo at NAB), and once it's enabled you'll be able to reposition your pointer from the tablet, letting you hide that cumbersome mouse. Initially, the app will only be available for iOS when it ships next month, though an Android version is in the works, as is a Mac OS version of KillerKeys, which should launch with the iPad app. The mobile application will set you back $10, and you'll also need to pick up a copy of KillerKeys, which ranges in price from $10 for a home and student addition to $90 for the whole shebang. Check out the hands-on demo after the break.

Gallery: Bella KillerKeys for iOS hands-on

Continue reading Bella KillerKeys brings desktops shortcuts and control to iOS for $20, we go hands-on (video)

Bella KillerKeys brings desktops shortcuts and control to iOS for $20, we go hands-on (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 18 Apr 2012 11:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Universal Studios' films now available on iCloud, Fox still grounded originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 07 Apr 2012 18:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading American Idol gets Shazamed, Captain Marvel ashamed to be eliminated before the live finals

American Idol gets Shazamed, Captain Marvel ashamed to be eliminated before the live finals originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 06 Apr 2012 12:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Flurry's analytics: Apple's App Store revenue still leading, but Amazon Appstore close behind originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 31 Mar 2012 11:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Paper: the iPad sketchbook app from the brains of Courier (video)

Paper: the iPad sketchbook app from the brains of Courier (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 30 Mar 2012 02:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Lenovo outs Enterprise App Shop for business-oriented Android folks originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 28 Mar 2012 02:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

US Army debuts app marketplace prototype: iOS first, Android coming soon originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 23 Mar 2012 20:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Apple updates iTunes Movie Trailers app, lets your Retina watch high-res teasers originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 23 Mar 2012 16:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Meizu Flyme Store surpasses 100 million downloads, now boasts 10,000 apps

Meizu Flyme Store surpasses 100 million downloads, now boasts 10,000 apps originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 15 Mar 2012 11:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Wolfram Alpha in-app purchase for iOS adds advanced image processing capabilities originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 15 Mar 2012 02:36:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Tether for iPhone returns as an HTML5-powered subscription service (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 09 Mar 2012 18:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Apple ups over-the-air download limit to 50MB for iOS originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 07 Mar 2012 17:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

After 25 billion downloads, Apple unveils the App Store's greatest hits originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 06 Mar 2012 17:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Apple crosses 25 billion App Store downloads, thanks all the little people (updated)

Apple crosses 25 billion App Store downloads, thanks all the little people (updated) originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 03 Mar 2012 01:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Apple chomps Chomp to improve App Store search originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 24 Feb 2012 06:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading New privacy policy standards agreed to by world's major app store owners

New privacy policy standards agreed to by world's major app store owners originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 22 Feb 2012 18:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Mozilla Labs Apps set to allow developer submissions for Mozilla Marketplace at MWC

Mozilla Labs Apps set to allow developer submissions for Mozilla Marketplace at MWC originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 22 Feb 2012 14:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Apple: developers now have until June 1 to sandbox apps for the Mac App Store originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 22 Feb 2012 13:38:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Microsoft Office for iOS gets blurrycam treatment in weird party-room originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 21 Feb 2012 11:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

OS X Mountain Lion to be download-only, USB stick going the way of the dodo originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 17 Feb 2012 21:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

It keeps growing. More downloads, more hard-to-comprehend milestones. This time, Apple's gearing up to hit its 25 billionth app download and it's got another $10,000 prize for the lucky soul that claims that very app. The App Store doubled its download count in the last year -- and then some -- so it's got good reason to be in a celebratory mood. To enter, you can either go grab yourself an app or enter via the prize form below. $10,000 for a random download? Count us in.

Apple readies $10,000 prize for 25 billionth app milestone originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 17 Feb 2012 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.