androidapp
Latest
Twitter bug exposed private tweets of some Android users for five years
A bug that has plagued Twitter since 2014 exposed the tweets of some Android users that were intended to be private. Twitter first disclosed the issue on its Help Center today after apparently fixing the issue on January 14th. The bug didn't affect people using Twitter on iOS or desktop.
Google adds challenges to Fit just in time for New Year's resolutions
It's almost January 1st and you are once again promising yourself that this will be the year you finally get into shape. This time around, Google is looking to help with new challenges in the recently redesigned Google Fit app. The 30-day long events task you with earning points by staying active and will keep you moving enough to meet your New Year's resolution.
Instagram's latest Stories feature is all about flashbacks
While Snapchat struggles to nab more users, Instagram is steaming ahead the only way it knows how: By copying Snapchat. The Facebook-owned service is adding a feature to its (vastly more popular) take on Stories that's all about throwbacks. The update essentially allows you to add pics and videos to your Story that are more than 24 hours old -- a function that was oddly amiss in the past. That way, the entire camera roll is available for your disappearing #FlashbackFridays posts.
Google Photos eases video sharing on slow connections
With Google pre-loading Google Photos on a range ofAndroid devices, it's no wonder the app has racked up 500 million users. The search giant is already capitalizing on its success using AI-assisted tools that pester you to share more visuals. Now, it's hellbent on eradicating any mobile signal barriers that could hinder your sharing pleasure. The app's latest update builds on a feature unveiled earlier this year. Back in March, Photos began backing up images in a lower resolution when it detected weak connectivity, later giving the pics a high-res bump via Wi-Fi. That way you could upload and share lightweight preview pics on the go, without worrying about a signal dropout ruining your progress. Video fans will be happy to hear that same functionality is now available for recorded clips.
Blizzard's Battle.net mobile app is strictly social
With its original moniker intact (sort of), Blizzard Battle.net is making the jump to mobile. The online gaming platform already boasts a desktop portal, through which players can install and patch games, voice chat, message one another, and livestream their gameplay to Facebook. Its brand-spanking new iOS and Android apps, on the other hand, offer a pared-down service focusing entirely on the social aspect.
Alexa helps Android users shop in the Amazon app
iPhone users have been enjoying Amazon's Alexa digital assistant within the retailer's main shopping app for some time. Now, however, Android owners can finally ask Alexa about package shipping, to watch a show on Netflix, or even to pay their American Express bill from the Amazon shopping app on their Google-powered handsets.
Rifftrax app takes the guesswork out of syncing jokes to film
For fans of snarky, alternative film commentary, Rifftrax has long been a haven of amusement. For only a few dollars, one can hear MST3K veterans Mike Nelson, Kevin Murphy and Bill Corbett rag on classic and modern cinema. There was only one problem: syncing these audio tracks to the actual movies could be a minor nightmare. Fortunately, those days seem to be behind us: the group's new RiffTrax app will do it for you.
Vevo's Apple TV and Android apps offer a more customized experience
Ask most people what comes to mind when they think of Vevo, and the answer will probably be the massive number of Vevo-sponsored musical artist pages on YouTube. If you watch a popular music video on YouTube, it's probably through the artist's channel in partnership with Vevo. However, the company wants to be known for more than just YouTube -- it wants its own apps and website to be a place for people to discover music and, yes, watch the most popular videos. To that end, the company rebuilt its iOS app from the ground up to offer users a personalized music experience based on artists they loved and the things they played the most. Today, the company's expanding that experience to two big platforms: Android and Apple's tvOS. Both apps launch today and are available in Google Play and the Apple TV app store, respectively.
Google's mobile app gets more detailed weather info on Android
You can now get more detailed info about the weather from Google's standalone Android app. In an effort to help people better prepare, the search giant has revamped its interface with new climate-related tidbits that'll be useful for everyone. Starting today, the Google app will display an array of fresh data, such as severe weather alerts (pictured above), 10-day forecasts, hourly sky conditions and what the chances of rain are, among other things. This update also lets you set multiple favorite locations, in case you'd like to access information regarding these at a later time.
Jawbone updates its Android app with wireless syncing and push notifications (updated)
If you own a Jawbone fitness tracker, you may have read last week that the company made some changes to its app. Unfortunately for some of us, the updates were all for iOS only -- in fact, the company didn't even bother to mention Android that day. Turns out, Jawbone had a good reason: it was planning an update for the Android app that brings it more in line with its iOS counterpart. In particular, it now fully supports the wireless Up24 band, which is to say it syncs wirelessly and sends out push notifications (e.g., you're about to hit your daily step goal). In addition, the app includes most of the new features that were introduced on iOS last week -- things like sunrise/sunset times in the sleep graph and "Insight Reports," which establish a connection between things like how much sleep you got and what foods you're likely to crave the next day. So, even if you own an older Up band you'll want to head over to Google Play straight away. Update: An earlier version of this story reported that the Android app would be missing the new features that were just introduced on the iOS version last week. A Jawbone rep later said that the Android app would, in fact, include most of these features, with the exception of custom reminders.
Microsoft updates its Outlook.com Android app with server-side search, vacation replies
If you're one of those non-conformists who uses Microsoft's Outlook.com email service on an Android phone, you'll definitely want to hit up the source link at the bottom of this post: Microsoft just updated its Outlook app for Android with a bunch of new features, including some that users have been demanding for almost a year now. Chief among them is server-side search, so that you're not just limited to the emails stored locally on your device. To that end, you can now download all of your mail, though, again, you might not need to now that searching Microsoft's mail servers is an option. Continuing on, you can also set a vacation responder from the app, in case you forgot to do it when you were sitting at your desk. Wrapping up, the Android application supports aliases (finally), and there's now a total of 11 color choices for personalizing your inbox. And that about sums it up: the download link is listed just below. Go nuts, kids.
Fleksy touch keypad arrives on Google Play, now available for beta testers
The beta version of Syntellia's Fleksy keypad for Android phones and tablets has arrived on Google Play, months after it first became available on the company's website in January. However, there's a catch: You can only download it if you join its Google+ community as a beta tester. To do so, simply log in with your Google account, click Join then navigate your way to Download Fleksy Beta at the sidebar. Note that when you activate the keyboard via Settings, you'll be warned that it can access everything you type -- even your credit card details -- except your passwords. It takes practice to get used to Fleksy's predictive text engine (as you can see above, it forcibly replaced "Hi, Engadget" with "Hi, Schaefer"), but if you're searching for the elusive touch keypad of your dreams, it's worth giving the erstwhile iOS exclusive a whirl.
ParkMe's Android app officially launched, does everything but the maneuver
Finding a spot to stash your whip, especially in unfamiliar territory, can be a chore, so you might want to employ ParkMe to do the finding for you. The service -- which has been available on iOS and via the web for a while -- has now officially debuted its Android app after a few months of soft-launch tweaking. (What ever happened to Google's own parking app?). It's basically a database that uses the Google Maps API to help you locate a spot in almost any city you can think of. It also shows you prices, how you can pay and when garages are open, but best of all, it'll tell you how busy specific locations are using real-time figures, thanks to partnerships with some of the companies that deal in floor space. You can get it for free in the Play store, but one thing it won't do is actually park for you -- luckily, there's an app for that, too.
Microsoft's Switch to Windows Phone app for Android attempts to prove you're not missing out
Ever since its launch, Windows Phone has faced criticism for lacking a broad app selection compared with its main mobile OS competitors. Microsoft is out to convince users otherwise, and in a rather cheeky move, has launched the Switch to Windows Phone app for Android. Available now on the Google Play store, the app takes note of all the software currently on your Android handset and suggests official WP8 apps that correspond to what's on your phone, or apps that match up best if official versions aren't available. The results can also be saved and recalled using an app of the same name for WP8 to make installing those alternatives that bit easier. You may remember a similar app for PCs called Welcome Home to Windows Phone that Nokia put out last year, which uses the same app-matching search tech from Quixey. Microsoft has also taken this opportunity to launch a new ad campaign (embedded after the break) pumping itself up as a sensible alternative to the Android / iOS battles, timed perfectly to arrive with this app. Assuming you have the requisite devices handy, hit the source links to install the software and let us know how good it is at finding a match.
Google TV's PrimeTime app update welcomes Amazon Prime content
An update to the PrimeTime Android app for Google TV has been released, bringing with it some bug fixes, as well as a "subscription selector" which means Netflix, HBO Go and Amazon Prime content now shows up as free if you're paying for any of those services. Wait, Amazon Prime content, you say? Well yes, we did, as the Amazon Prime Instant Video catalogue has been worked into the new version of the guide and recommendation app. Yet more ways to make sure we're up to date with The Good Wife? Sounds fine to us.
Jawbone Up fitness band gets an Android app, wider availability outside the US
Well, this took long enough, don'tcha think? Ever since the original Jawbone Up fitness tracker came out, we've been saying it needs an Android app so you can use it with more than just an iDevice. Heck, even when the redesigned second-gen version went on sale last year, it was still for iOS only. Finally, though, that Android app is here, and it's ready to download in the Google Play store. Like the iOS version it's free, and can be used to log daily meals, as well as view pretty charts illustrating your various sleep and activity patterns. You'll also notice some strong similarities in the UI, though the iOS version has a few features the Android software doesn't have yet, such as the ability to share things on Twitter and Facebook. The band, too, is the same as ever, which means you can use it with a mix of iOS and Android devices, if you so choose. Finally, there's one last (very big) group of people who will be getting to try the Up for the first time: the wristband is now for sale in Europe, with Asia, Australia and the Middle East to follow next month. Update: The second-generation Up is now available in the UK priced at £99 -- you'll be able to grab one at Apple and Carphone Warehouse stores, alongside Jawbone's own site.
DirecTV Android tablet app knows it's late, makes suitably low-key entrance
We bet you thought your DirecTV receiver and Android tablet would never get along, didn't ya? Well, it has been over two years since the satellite provider released an iPad app, and although software for both Android and Apple smartphones were available long before that, Android slates have curiously been neglected. That's all changed now, however, as "DirecTV for Tablets" quietly snuck onto the Play store yesterday. Better late than never, we suppose, and at least it's got the functionality you'd want to make up for its tardiness. The app allows you to use your tablet as a remote, stream various channels (including the Audience Network), manage your DVR, access a bunch of TV-related content, and overshare your viewing habits on several social networks. If you've been waiting for the app so long you refuse to believe it's actually here, don't trust us. Head to the source link for proof.%Gallery-181121%
O2's TU Go software spreads your phone number across multiple devices
Between Skype, Google Voice, Viber and several smaller players, there are plenty of platform-agnostic services vying to put your voice through their IP (get it?), and now UK carrier O2 is introducing us to its twist on multi-device communication with TU Go. It's like a marriage of the traditional phone service with the idea of making calls on your laptop, or sending messages from your tablet. An evolution of parent company Telefonica's similar TU Me apps, the TU Go software spreads your phone number across up to five devices simultaneously. You can make and receive calls / texts and manage your voicemail from compatible kit with a cellular or data connection, with all activity aggregated into one "timeline." You can't hook your smartphone up to WiFi, or gab away on another device to avoid eating into your plan's allowance, though -- all usage is treated as if it originated from your phone. TU Go is now available to all O2 customers on a monthly contract, and if you want your whole house to ring at once, head to the link below to find apps for iOS, Android, and a beta for Windows 7 (note: it really is 7-specific, and won't run in Windows 8).
Tesla Model S app hits Android in beta
Sending commands to a Tesla Model S via a native smartphone app is already old hat for iPhone users who have one of Musk and Co.'s electric chariots, but Android users are just now getting their first crack at a dedicated app. Google Play has finally been graced with a beta version of the software, packing the look and features of its iOS counterpart. Armed with the application, Model S owners can remotely control charging, keep tabs on the car's battery level, adjust the cabin's climate, find and track the auto on a map, trigger door locks and more. Regarding bugs in the beta, Tesla warns that some UI glitches are on its radar. Jab the bordering source link for the download. [Thanks, Jarrod]
Yelp for Android gets updated with Yelp Talk, new action bar UI
Yelp on Android has reached version 3.7, and it's gotten a little more social with the addition of Yelp Talk. Now, users can discuss whatever their recommendation-seeking hearts desire by starting and replying to threads. In addition, a fresh action bar UI element has been added to the app's navigation, and users who're the first to add a tip for a business will now receive a "First to Tip" commendation. To round out the update, the folks at Yelp have gussied up their logo with a hint of holiday cheer. Hit the bordering source link for the download.
