Apps
The latest news on all your favorite apps.
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Firefox Focus can lock your tabs behind Face ID
If you use Firefox Focus for its privacy features, you'd love its latest version for iOS. You can now set it up so that it auto-locks when it's relegated to the background. The only way to unlock it if you choose to switch the feature on is by verifying your identity with the biometrics saved on your iPhone. After you download the new version, you'll find a section under Settings that says "Use your Touch/Face ID to unlock app." That way, whatever you browse before you navigated to another app would remain private even if you lend your phone to a friend.
Hinge uses AI to suggest a 'most compatible' date every day
Now that dating giant Match owns Hinge, what's its first move? It's using a dash of AI to help you find a partner sooner. Hinge is trotting out a Most Compatible feature that uses machine learning and the Gale-Shapley algorithm (aka the "stable marriage" algorithm) to send daily recommendations for people who it thinks would be just as interested in you as you are with them. It's effectively a virtual matchmaker -- you might not have to spend ages swiping right on people who never swipe back, or participating in conversations that go nowhere.
Apple’s iOS App Store changed the way we think about software
Ten years ago today, Apple officially launched the iOS App Store and -- for better or worse -- it helped rewrite the rules of society. The iPhone, which debuted about a year prior, came with just north of 12 built-in apps to start. But with the coming of iOS 2.0 and the App Store, the sort of functionality you could squeeze out of Apple's smartphone was only constrained by a developer's imagination ... and how much storage you had left.
You can now send and receive money through Google Pay
Earlier this year, when Android Pay officially became Google Pay, we were surprised that the ability to send and receive money was still contained in a separate app (called Google Pay Send). Today, Google finally announced that the company is combining the Pay and Pay Send apps. Users in the US can send and request money through Google Pay, and soon users in the UK will have the same option.
All Android users can now use YouTube's incognito mode
YouTube for Android just got a lot better at keeping secrets. The incognito mode the video platform has been testing since May is now rolling out to all Android users. Just like incognito for Chrome, the one for YouTube doesn't log what you watch, keeping your history squeaky clean. To access the feature, simply tap on your avatar to see the new "Turn on Incognito" option, which replaces the Sign Out button. If you choose to switch it on, you'll get a prompt reminding you that your school, employer and ISP will probably still see your activities.
Snapchat's camera may help you shop at Amazon
Snap may rely on more than gaming to help turn around its ailing fortunes -- it might soon offer camera-assisted shopping. App researcher Ishan Agarwal has found hidden Snapchat code for a Camera Search feature (initially called Visual Search) that would use the app to identify objects and barcodes, pointing you to Amazon if it found a match. While it's not exactly certain how this would work, TechCrunch theorized that it might tie into an existing context cards system that pulls up relevant info.
Uber will let users rent Lime scooters through its app
Lime is teaming up with Uber to let you rent electric scooters through the ridesharing giant's app. Uber is also investing in Lime as part of a $335 million funding round led by Google parent company Alphabet's venture capital arm GV that takes Lime into unicorn territory with a $1.1 billion valuation. The company will use the investment to buy tens of thousands more scooters.
Mitsubishi hopes you'll trade driving data for a cheaper oil change
Companies and cities love it when you supply driving data, but how do they convince you to hand it over? In Mitsubishi's case, it's simple: shower people with gifts. The automaker has launched a mobile app that asks American commuters to share data on their driving habits with insurance companies in return for badges they can exchange for rewards. Mind your road manners (such as staying within the speed limit or avoiding sudden braking) and you can get discounts on oil changes and car accessories. You should also receive free coffee and gift cards by the end of 2018.
Tinder adds GIF-like video loops to spice up your dating profile
If you're a dating app regular, you know that a photo only says so much about yourself. But do you really want to go to the trouble of recording a whole video for people who could swipe left before you've even spoken a word? Tinder thinks there's a better balance between the two. It's launching a Loops feature that (surprise) adds two-second looping videos to your profile alongside the usual still shots. You just have to trim an existing video to portray yourself as a fun-loving party person or tender romantic.
HQ Trivia is rewarding regular players with extra lives (updated)
Anyone who's played the frustratingly-addictive HQ Trivia is familiar with the crushing disappointment that follows a wrong answer, especially when you were only a question or two away from the jackpot. So in a bid to stop players rage quitting the app forever, the live trivia game show is launching Streaks, a feature that rewards players for taking part in consecutive games.
NHS to let patients book GP appointments via an app
The NHS is one of the UK's greatest achievements, offering millions of people free healthcare that in other parts of the world costs an eye-watering sum. But it's not always easy for its patrons to access the care they need. Seeing a doctor often involves trudging down to the surgery first thing in the morning and waiting for hours, or joining a legion of other patients all attempting to call the surgery at the same time once it opens. So in a bid to eliminate these bottlenecks, the NHS is launching a new app that makes it easier for patients in England to access health services.
Facebook shuts down tbh and other apps over 'low usage'
Some of Facebook's mobile app efforts fare better than others, and that's clearer than ever right now. The social network has announced that it's shutting down teen polling app tbh, caller ID tool Hello and fitness tracker Moves based on "low usage." It's scrubbing user data for all three within 90 days, but the apps will likely stop working before that. Facebook will deprecate Moves and its programming kit on July 31st, while Hello is facing a similar fate in "a few weeks."
Facebook puts more limits on developer access to user data
Today, Facebook announced new API restrictions for apps. These changes are intended to continue helping developers create apps that the Facebook user base enjoys while also protecting the data and privacy of people using Facebook.
WhoSampled's mobile app is Shazam for song samples
If you're a music junkie (especially in the electronic realm), there's a good chance that you've used WhoSampled to identify song samples, covers or remixes. So far, though, you've had to know the name of the song you're looking for to start your journey -- what if you hear an interesting sample in a song on the radio? You're in luck after today. WhoSampled has introduced Shazam-style music recognition to its Android and iOS apps, helping you identify both the song you're listening to and (if it's in the company's database) discover its connections. Are you convinced a strange song is using the Amen Break? You can find out just by putting your phone within listening range.
Amazon Alexa for iOS can now respond to spoken commands
You can finally use Amazon Alexa for iOS as an (almost) hands-free voice assistant. The tech giant has rolled out voice control to the iOS version of its assistant, so you can simply fire up the app on the iPhone to use it to adjust your smart lights or to start playing music. You can use trigger words to summon Alexa skills, as well as ask the assistant questions about sports, history and pretty much everything you want to. For some queries like weather forecasts and movie times, it also shows on-screen responses with additional details. We said "almost" hands-free, though, because you still need to tap the Alexa button for the app to respond to your spoken commands.
Amazon Kindle finally supports Arabic language books
Arabic language authors don't get many opportunities in the e-book world, whether it's due to a basic lack of support for the language (which reads right-to-left, is written in cursive and includes pronunciation marks) or the complexities of distributing the books in the first place. Amazon may be making it easier, though -- it's launching support for Arabic language books on Kindle devices and apps, including a dedicated section on the Kindle Store. The texts support all the same font adjustment, search and highlighting features you'd expect in other languages, while over 12,000 books are available worldwide.
Bing can use your phone camera to search the web
Microsoft isn't about to let Google's visual search features go uncontested. The tech giant has introduced a Visual Search feature to Bing that uses your phone's camera (either a fresh shot or from your camera roll) to identify objects and serve up links related to what you see. Snap a picture of a landmark and you may get travel info, for instance. Logically, Microsoft is also playing up the shopping angle: search for an outfit or home furniture and you'll get prices and shopping locations.
TouchPal built an AI for its alternative Android keyboard
Over the years, TouchPal has remained one of the most popular Android keyboards with its generous bundle of features, including gesture typing, neural network-powered prediction, multilingual support, GIF search, themes and more; though some of these have also become standard on other keyboards, such as Google's very own Gboard. As an attempt to stay on top of the game, the company has finally pushed its new TouchPal Keyboard Pro out of beta to debut "Talia," its AI personal assistant. Talia is designed in such a way that it delivers quick suggestions in a bubble as you type, but also in a way that doesn't overburden you. These include simple offerings like one-tap paste aka "Swift Paste," very basic calculations (with no more than two numbers for convenience's sake) and currency conversion, as well as something a little more advanced like smart replies, GIF predictions, weather forecast and dining recommendations -- part of this relies on Yelp, so availability depends on your region.
Anchor's iPad app is an all-in-one podcast studio
Back in February, the audio social network Anchor relaunched as a one-stop podcast-making shop. Now it's introducing an iPad app that's designed for the larger device's touch interface. Best of all, it includes editing tools, enabling users to trim, cut and drop in segments and effects at their whim. Get it now for free in the App Store.
Google launches dedicated podcast app for Android
Google hasn't had a direct answer to Apple's dedicated Podcasts app. You've had to either listen in Google Play Music (not ideal if you hate merging audio sources) or use a not-well-publicized player built into Android's search feature. You won't have to make that awkward choice from now on -- the company has released a dedicated Google Podcasts app. As you'd expect, it includes access to a vast library of podcasts (over 2 million) and will sync across virtually everything Google, including Assistant, Home speakers and search. However, the big trick is its upcoming use of AI -- this isn't just a straightforward audio player.