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The latest news on all your favorite apps.
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Apple accused of clamping down on apps competing with Screen Time (updated)
The introduction of Screen Time in iOS 12 was ostensibly a boon for parents and anyone else wanting to keep a lid on device use, but there are concerns that it's cracking down on apps that compete with that feature. The New York Times and Sensor Tower have learned that Apple has either pulled or requested feature limitations for "at least" 11 of the 17 most popular parental control and screen time apps, and leaders at those developers claim it's trying to discourage apps that rival Screen Time's functionality. The creators of two apps, Kidslox and Qustodio, filed an EU competition complaint on April 25th.
Slack is adding email conversations and calendar integrations
In case you don't already count on Slack for just about every part of your work day, the business communications service is adding a whole bunch of new features that will keep you chatting with your co-workers without having to open new tabs and applications. The company is introducing shared channels, email and calendar integrations and an improved search feature that makes it easier to find just about anything.
Google Fit activity tracking comes to iOS with Apple Watch support
Google Fit is no longer the sole province of Android users. Google has released Fit for iOS, giving you the same tracking of "Heart Points" and "Move Minutes" as your Android-toting friends. And importantly, it's not an island of fitness data -- it can connect to Apple Health like other activity apps, so any other app or device that supports Health will contribute to your Fit data. Yes, your Apple Watch workouts will count toward your fitness goals.
Zillow's 3D home tours are available across North America
You might have an easier time getting a feel for a home the next time you're looking for a new place to live. Zillow has finally made its 3D home tours available across the US and Canada, letting real estate agents spice up their listings through an iOS app. The basic concept remains the same -- sellers create 360-degree panoramas of rooms (either with an iPhone or though a Ricoh Theta V or Z1 camera) and let the app stitch them together to create a "seamless" tour. It's not a VR tour, but it could help you save the in-person visits for the homes that truly catch your eye.
Google Lens may add translation and restaurant 'filters'
As clever as Google Lens can be, it's still quite limited in what it can do before it points you to another app. You might not have to lean on those other apps quite so often n the near future. In the wake of an initial discovery earlier in April, the 9to5Google team has spotted evidence that Lens could soon include a host of "filters" aimed at fulfilling specific augmented reality tasks. A "translate" filter, for instance, might auto-detect one language and offer to convert it to another instead of simply copying text and asking to launch Google Translate.
Mental health apps are sharing data without proper disclosure
It's important for health apps to keep your data under lock and key, but it's not clear that's the case for some mental health apps. A study of 36 mental health apps (not named in the public release) has revealed that 29 of them were sharing data for advertising or analytics to Facebook or Google, but many of them weren't disclosing that to users. Only six out of 12 Facebook-linked apps told users what was happening, while 12 out of 28 Google-linked apps did the same. Out of the entire bunch, just 25 apps had policies detailing how they used data in any form, while 16 described secondary uses.
Google blocks TikTok downloads in India over pornography concerns
Today, Google blocked TikTok downloads from its Google Play store in India, and Apple has been asked to do the same. The move comes after India's federal government sent a letter to the companies requesting that they abide by a state court's decision to ban the popular video app. India's concern is that TikTok encourages pornography and makes child users vulnerable to sexual predators, Reuters reports.
Lyft adds New York’s Citi Bikes to its app
Beginning in May, Lyft customers in New York City will be able to use Citi Bikes through the ridesharing app. Users won't need a separate account or login to locate or unlock the bikes. The Lyft app will automatically show how many bikes are available at nearby stations. When users are ready to ride, they'll receive a five-digit code, which they can enter in any dock at a given station to release the bike of their choice. Both of the services are popular on their own, so together, they could have a meaningful impact on transportation in New York.
'Pokémon Go' challenges you to photograph its AR creatures
Now that Pokémon Go has a photo mode, Niantic is encouraging you to use it the best way it knows how: the promise of goodies. It's launching a Go Snapshot Challenge that rewards you for taking photos that include the game's augmented reality critters. A Buddy Challenge category encourages you to take selfies with your favorite creature, a Habitat Challenge asks you to take a picture based on a Pokémon's 'natural' element, and a Go Create Challenge allows more free-form photography.
Facebook explores folding Messenger back into the main app
Facebook's Messenger might return to the main app, letting you access your social media feeds and messages in one spot, according to testing spotted by researcher Jane Manchun Wong. The Messenger app icon would remain, but instead of launching a standalone app, it would open Facebook and take you directly to a section called "Chats." That's roughly how it used to work before Facebook released Messenger as a standalone app in 2011 and removed it completely from the main app in 2014.
Fox Sports lands US broadcast rights to 'FIFA 19' eSports events
Fox Sports will play host to a number of FIFA 19 eSports events this year. Following the EA Sports FUT Champions Cup last weekend, it will broadcast FIFA 19 Global Series events in the US, including this weekend's FIFA eNations Cup in London and the season finale FIFA eWorld Cup.
Apple is testing a new web interface for Podcasts
It seems that the Apple Podcasts web interface is getting a makeover. The previous design, which mirrored the iTunes web interface binned in 2017, was a simple list of episodes, titles and descriptions -- no show notes or episode details. The new refresh is cleaner, with full descriptions and dedicated pages for each podcast episode.
Netflix is turning to print to promote its shows
Netflix is using a tactic far removed from the nature of its service to make the best of its movies and TV series stand out. Not in the eyes of ordinary viewers, though, but in the eyes of award show voters. According to Bloomberg, the streaming service is publishing its own magazine to promote its stars and programs ahead of the 2019 Emmy Awards. That's why you won't be able to buy it at a newsstand: starting in June, the company plans to distribute copies at the events it stages for the awards show.
The next macOS may include separate Music and Podcasts apps
Never mind attempts to slim down iTunes -- on the Mac, Apple might shove it to the side. In the wake of some sleuthing by coder Steve Troughton-Smith, 9to5Mac claims that the next version of macOS will include separate Music and Podcasts apps on top of the redesigned TV app. They would run using Marzipan (the technology that enables porting iOS apps to the Mac), and are likely to be functionally similar to whatever you see in this year's version of iOS.
Slack integrates Office 365 tools into its platform
A lot of companies (Engadget included) rely on Slack to get things done, and in recent times the "MSN Messenger for the workplace" has integrated a whole bunch of apps into its platform, including Dropbox, Zoom and G Suite, to make workflow smoother. Now it's adding Office 365 tools to the mix.
Blackmagic's free video editing app helps YouTubers cut faster
DaVinci Resolve has proven itself to be an excellent inexpensive or even free alternative to Adobe's Premiere Pro CC. Now, Blackmagic Design has unveiled DaVinci Resolve 16 with a brand new "cut" page that's aimed at YouTubers and others who need to work quickly. The module is separate from the current edit page (though you can switch back and forth) and features a new innovative dual timeline that shows the entire program above and work area below, eliminating the need to zoom.
Finally, a Switch controller with a headphone jack
Using voice chat on the Nintendo Switch is about to get a whole lot easier, thanks to a new controller from PDP. Its Faceoff Deluxe+ wired controller – slated for launch this summer -- features a 3.5mm headphone jack, so you can simply plug in your headset and play without messing around with Nintendo's mobile chat app.
Snapchat tests Foursquare-style place check-ins
Snap has been trying a number of methods to one-up Instagram, but its latest is decidedly old-school. Well-known code sleuther Jane Manchun Wong has discovered a test for Snapchat Status, a feature that would check you in Foursquare-style (or Swarm, rather) on the Snap Map to not only show where you are, but to signal your intent through Bitmoji characters. You could indicate that you're nearby but hanging out with family, for instance, or far away but up for a text chat.
Apple Clips adds support for custom soundtracks
It's been a while since there was a big upgrade to Apple Clips, but it might be worth the wait if you're a budding mobile auteur. An update to the iOS app has introduced support for custom soundtracks -- if you're tired of the royalty-free tunes, you can bring in your own track to set the mood. You might also like this release if you're big on nostalgia, since there's plenty of retro features o go around.
Spark email app debuts on Android as Inbox gets the axe
For years, iOS and macOS users have had access to Spark, an organization-focussed email app. Until now, Android users were left in the dark, but as of today, Spark is officially available in the Google Play store.