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Posts published in “Apps and OS”

Nintendo launches Music streaming service to listen music from games.

November 1, 2024

Nintendo has launch a music app called Nintendo Music. Nintendo Music is a music streaming service provided by Nintendo in which you can listen to music from your favorite Nintendo games that includes Splatoon, Animal Crossing, and The Legend of Zelda.

The Nintendo Music app allows you to stream or download Nintendo soundtracks, create and share playlists, browse music by different categories. In order to use the Nintendo Music service you need to be a paying member of any Nintendo Switch Online membership.

Nintendo Music app can be downloaded from the Google Play Store or App Store.

Viber introduces Dating feature

October 13, 2024

Viber, one of the Philippines top messaging platform, just launched a dating feature that was made to help users “make real connections”.

Even though the feature is still in beta test, users can setup their dating profile by opening the mobile app, then at the bottom tap the “More” option. Your Viber Dating Profile will only visible to users who are also using the feature and will not affect your regular Viber Profile.

Your Viber Dating Profile will include your Name, Birthday, Gender, and Sexual orientation. It also include a brief bio and users can upload a maximum of six (6) photos. Users can also indicate if they are looking for i.e, relationship, new friends, or just some fun. Unlike the sexual orientation and dating preference, your real name and age cannot be change once you’ve set it, the company said that “name or age can only be changed by deleting your profile and creating a new one.”

Since there are hoards of dating apps available out there, Viber’s advantage is that people are already using the app and adding a dating feature within the platform could be ideal for users who do not want to manage another account or profile.

For more details on the Viber Dating feature, you checkout the support page of Viber Dating.

YouTube to increase video length of Shorts to 3 minutes

October 5, 2024

Todd Sherman, Director of Product Management, YouTube Shorts;

Starting on October 15, you can upload Shorts up to 3 minutes long. This was a top requested feature by creators, so we’re excited to give you more flexibility to tell your story. This change applies to videos that are square or taller in aspect ratio, and won’t affect any videos you uploaded before October 15.

Youtube introduces Shorts as a way to compete with Facebook’s reels, IG’s Stories and Tiktook. Youtube Shorts’ limit is currently at 60 seconds and the increase to 3 minutes will give creatives more ways to include more content and flexibility in their shorts.

Youtube added that “they are working on improve recommendations for longer Shorts in the coming months.”

Microsoft launches Windows App for Windows, macOS, iOS, iPadOS, Web and Android   

September 22, 2024

Hilary Braun, Senior Product Manager for Windows 365;

We’re excited to announce that, starting today, Windows App is generally available for Windows, macOS, iOS, iPadOS, and web browsers—and in public preview for Android. This unified app serves as your secure gateway to connect to Windows across Windows 365, Azure Virtual Desktop, Remote Desktop, Remote Desktop Services, Microsoft Dev Box, and more.

With Windows App, you can enjoy a unified experience that makes it simple for people to connect to the Windows experience they know and love from any device. Enhance productivity with features such as customizable home screens, multi-monitor support, and USB redirection. Windows App also offers advanced security features, including multifactor authentication, to ensure a seamless and robust connection and enable efficient work from any location, at any time.

This could be where “Windows OS” is going in the cloud, the device that you will be using is just a way to access your “Windows-Account” that holds all your apps, files and cloud services.

iOS 18 now available to all iPhone Users   

September 17, 2024

iOS 18 is now available, bringing iPhone users around the world new ways to personalize their iPhone with deeper customization to the Home Screen and Control Center; the biggest-ever redesign to Photos, making it even easier to find and relive special moments; and major enhancements to Messages and Mail. Starting next month, iOS 18 will introduce Apple Intelligence, the personal intelligence system that combines the power of generative models with personal context to deliver intelligence that is incredibly useful and relevant while protecting users’ privacy and security.

iOS 18 is a free software update for iPhone Xs and later.

The feature that I’ve been looking forward to is the HOME Screen Customization and as for Apple Intelligence features, it looks like we need to wait until next month.

If you do not have the AUTOMATIC UPDATES enabled, you can manually update to iOS 18 by going to SETTINGS > GENERAL > SOFTWARE UPDATES.

This is how WhatsApp and Messenger will work with other messaging apps in the EU

September 9, 2024

Meta just release an update on how WhatsApp and Messenger will work with 3rd party messaging apps in Europe.

WhatsApp and Messenger are introducing new features to facilitate interoperability with 3rd party messaging apps in EU.

These features includes:

  • New notifications: Users will be informed about available third-party chats.
  • Simplified onboarding flow: Users can easily learn about and manage third-party chats.
  • Flexible inbox management: Users can choose to have third-party messages delivered to a separate folder or combined with their main inbox.
  • Rich messaging features: Users will have access to features like reactions, direct replies, typing indicators, and read receipts.

You can now leave comments on Instagram Stories

September 6, 2024

Instagram just announced that users can now leave a public comment on IG Stories. There is a caveat on who can and cannot leave a comment on IG Stories.

JM Chavaria, writing for Yugatech;

his addition enables a more public way to respond to Stories. Whereas the feature is either limited only to those who follow back each other, set to everyone, or disabled entirely.

While that is the case, as long as the Story is set to public and Story Comments is not disabled, everyone will be able to view the comments.

The social media company also published a short video on how the features works.

For users who wants to disable the features, you can do so by going to the Comments section of your STORIES then TURN OFF COMMENTING.

Angkas testing car-hailing service ‘Angcars’

September 1, 2024

After announcing the launch of ‘Angcars,’ motorcycle-sharing service Angkas is now testing the service. In an article on Yugatech, Angkas is currently beta testing the new service in Metro Manila particularly in Mandaluyong, Makati, Pasig, and Bonifacio Global City in Taguig. If you are currently in the area, you can see the ANGCARS option within the app.

The app also listed that the base fare/flagdown rate for Angcars will be ₱45.00 then the per kilometer charge is ₱15.00; and ₱2.00 for per minute charge, the company also disclosed that the rates will vary depending on traffic conditions.

Currently only 4 seater cars are available and SUVs (6 seaters above) will soon be available for commuters. For those, who wants to be an Angcar driver, you can go here for the details on how to apply.

Angkas is already a big hit among commuters, and Angcarswill be banking on loyal Angkas users to kickstart the service and challenge ride-hailing pioneers Grab in the metropolitan area.

Instagram now allows you to add music to your profile

August 27, 2024

Instagram just added the “ADD MUSIC TO YOUR PROFILE” feature, an option that will give users the ability to add a 30-second portion of your favorite song.

To add music to your profile, you can go to EDIT PROFILE then go down to ADD MUSIC TO YOUR PROFILE section, from there you will be able to search for and select a track from the available licensed music on Instagram’s library which is also available for Reels or posts. Once you have selected your music, you can select which 30-second-long portion of the song you want to add. Once done, you will see the music that you added with the play button on your profile.

Instagram’s “ADD MUSIC TO YOUR PROFILE” feature is reminiscence of the early days of the social media networks where you can “hack” the CSS and even add music of your profile even if the feature is not available. This feature is not available to the web version of Instagram.

Procreate issue “No generative AI” stance

August 21, 2024

Procreate, the popular iPad design app, has issue a “No generative AI” policy, the announcement came after most of its competitor are developing their own generative AI or some kind of AI tool for their products/services.

The company said on its AI section their website;

AI is not our future.

Creativity is made, not generated.

Generative AI is ripping the humanity out of things. Built on a foundation of theft, the technology is steering us toward a barren future. We think machine learning is a compelling technology with a lot of merit, but the path generative AI is on is wrong for us.

We’re here for the humans. We’re not chasing a technology that is a moral threat to our greatest jewel: human creativity. In this technological rush, this might make us an exception or seem at risk of being left behind. But we see this road less travelled as the more exciting and fruitful one for our community.

At the same time, Procreate CEO James Cuda published a 40 sec video on the official X/twitter account of @Procreate reinforcing their stance on generative AI.

Here’s the full video below;

Here are some of the reaction that Procreate receives regarding their “NO AI” stance;

Generative AI technology is an amazing technology but this technology is trained using other artists’ content and artwork, to the point that their copyrights are violated and without any compensation.

Primate Labs launches Geekbench AI 1.0 to benchmark AI Performance

August 18, 2024

Primate Labs Inc. creator of Geekbench, has launch the Geekbench AI, an AI benchmarking tool that measures AI performance. The app measures our devices CPU, GPU, and NPU to determine if it is ready for A.I. and machine learning applications.

Previously called “Geekbench ML,” Geekbench AI 1.0 is the first benchmarking application that will attempt to measure AI performances. Geekbench AI runs ten AI workloads, each with three different data types, giving you a multidimensional picture of on-device AI performance. Using large datasets that mimic real-world AI use cases, both developers and consumers can measure on-device AI performance in just a few minutes with Single Precision, Half Precision, and Quantized scores.

Geekbench AI 1.0 will be available on Android, iOS, Linux, MacOS and Windows. It supports multiple AI Framework like TensorFlow Lite, CoreML, TensorFlow Lite, ONNX and OpenVINO. You can checkout Geekbench AI Workloads documentation to know the tests Geekbench AI uses to measure AI performance.

To use use Geekbench AI 1.0 you can download it from here.

Opera Browser now on iOS

August 13, 2024

Opera has unveil the iOS version of their browser – the Opera One. The company said that the Opera One browser will have the same features as its desktop browser like the redesigned interface optimized for one-handed use with a bottom search bar that can be activated by swiping down.

Opera One includes a revamped search experience with QuickType suggestions, a new “Carousel” for news, scores, and product information, AI image generation capabilities, and various general improvements. The AI features will be powered by the company’s Aria AI, a free, unlimited built-in browser AI that features image generation, text to speech, image recognition and more. The new iOS browser will also feature free VPN, Ad blocker, and Flow file sharing.

You can download the new Opera One here and it will be compatible with iOS devices running iOS 14.0 or later, iPadOS 14.0 or later and visionOS 1.0.

Netflix refreshes iconic classic game Minesweeper

July 3, 2024

Netflix is adding one of the icons of Windows computing and bringing a modern spin to the classic Minesweeper. You can now play the game through the Netflix’s app.

Netflix’s take on the Minesweeper will feature an international setting and giving player the goal to clear underwater mines with rewards. Game still have that usual interface of numbers and flags over vibrant pictures of waterways from around the world.

Since Netflix Games is included with your Netflix membership, as the trailer below promises: “No ads. No extra fees. No in-app purchases.”

Minesweeper can be downloaded and played on mobile devices – Android devices and iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch.

List of iPhones supported by iOS 18

June 30, 2024

Now that the WWC is in the books and with the announcement of the iOS 18, you may be wondering if your iPhone can run the upcoming iOS 18 when it comes out later this year. Well, if you are using the 2nd gen iPhone SE or the later version, then you can rest easy since your device can update to iOS 18 when it becomes available.

Below are the list of iPhones that’s supported by the new iOS 18.

  • iPhone 15
  • iPhone 15 Plus
  • iPhone 15 Pro
  • iPhone 15 Pro Max
  • iPhone 14
  • iPhone 14 Plus
  • iPhone 14 Pro
  • iPhone 14 Pro Max
  • iPhone 13
  • iPhone 13 mini
  • iPhone 13 Pro
  • iPhone 13 Pro Max
  • iPhone 12
  • iPhone 12 mini
  • iPhone 12 Pro
  • iPhone 12 Pro Max
  • iPhone 11
  • iPhone 11 Pro
  • iPhone 11 Pro Max
  • iPhone XS
  • iPhone XS Max
  • iPhone XR
  • iPhone SE (2nd generation or later)

Not all features of the new iOS will be supported by older devices.

  • Messages via satellite will be available in iOS 18 along with Apple’s existing satellite features in the U.S. on iPhone 14 and later.
  • Apple Intelligence will be available in beta on iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max
  • Features are subject to change. Some features are not available in all regions, all languages, or on all devices.

If you want to try out the new iOS 18, you can download the developer beta version at developer.apple.com or wait for the public beta this fall.

Source: Apple

Youtube announces Playables

May 30, 2024

Youtube has announced the release of Playables — a collection of free games you can play directly on the platform, which you can find in the Explore menu of the main YouTube Home page, either on desktop (web) or the iOS and Android app. Youtube’s Playables have been available in select users for testing before becoming available to YouTube Premium subscribers last year.

There are more than 75 games now available to play directly on YouTube Playables – lightweight, entertaining games like Angry Birds Showdown, Words of Wonders, Cut the Rope, Tomb of the Mask, and Trivia Crack.

Youtube is not the only company to add games in their service, Netflix in 2021 introduced Netflix games in their platform.

ICQ: A Messaging Pioneer Signs Off After 28 Years

May 26, 2024

The instant messaging (IM) platform ICQ, a name synonymous with early online communication, is set to shut down on June 26, 2024, after nearly three decades in operation. Originally developed by the Israeli company Mirabilis in 1996, the client was bought by AOL in 1998, and then by Mail.Ru Group (now VK) in 2010. ICQ predates giants like Yahoo Messenger and AOL Instant Messenger, making it a true pioneer in the realm of online chat.

ICQ, pronounced “I seek you,” offered a free service that allowed users to connect with others through unique identification numbers. The platform’s familiar bouncing ball notification system became a pop culture icon, signifying the presence of a waiting message.

While ICQ enjoyed immense popularity in its early days, it struggled to keep pace with the evolution of communication technologies. The rise of mobile messaging apps and social media platforms ultimately led to its decline.

The official ICQ website confirmed the impending shutdown and recommends visitors to try VK Messenger and VK WorkSpace, which belong to the ICQ’s current owners.

New Instagram Feature to Urge Teens on Healthy App Usage

January 21, 2024

Instagram’s daily active users reach a whopping 2 billion people a month and it’s no surprise that Meta is rolling out an update to encourage people to use less of the app. While it may seem counterintuitive for the company to reduce app usage, this is part of their effort to make the popular social media platform less detrimental to its users.

In the new update, the Quiet Mode feature will give “nightime nudges” on Instagram Reels or on Direct messages when the app detects that it’s been active for ten minutes late at night. On their most recent blogpost under “Giving Teens and Parents More Ways to Manage Their Time on Our Apps” dated June 27, 2023, the post says:

Update on January 18, 2024 at 3:00AM PT:

Sleep is important, particularly for young people, so we’re launching new nighttime nudges that will show up when teens have spent more than 10 minutes on Instagram in places like Reels or Direct Messages late at night. They’ll remind teens that it’s late, and encourage them to close the app.

Most phones have built-in health and wellness features to reduce screen time and app usage. But this does not guarantee teens are putting their phones down. In a literature review done by Neza Stiglic and Russell M Viner, they found out that higher screen times are associated with obesity and depressive symptoms.

Not just for kids

The company also has made Quiet Mode available to adults. Meta’s approach to focusing on providing better experiences for its younger users also extends to adults. The feature turns on automatically for app users below an age threshold. For adults engaged in activities like driving or working, Quiet Mode shuts off all notifications. It also sends an automated reply in the Direct Messages.

If a person is in Quiet Mode, other users will be able to see it. The feature changes the activity status to let other users know that the person isn’t actively on Instagram. The feature may affect content creators’ ability to engage with their followers. However, users can turn off Quite Mode anytime in the app.

Instagram also packaged another feature with the recent update. Users can filter out certain topics or emojis to ensure a more streamlined app content experience.

In addition to the rollout, Instagram also updated Parental Controls, allowing parents to monitor the app usage of children. This update lets parents access account settings, including privacy settings. Parents will then be notified of any changes or updates that have been made by the user.

Galaxy Unpacked 2024 in a Nutshell

January 20, 2024

The biggest highlight of the event is Galaxy AI. Multitasking has never been easier thanks to Samsung’s collaboration and use of Google’s Gemini on the device.

Feature #1: Live Translation

Several keynote speakers introduced separate features for the phone. The first feature is a live translation option, allowing users of the Galaxy S24 series to instantly understand what their contacts are saying.

The Live Translate feature has long been available with Google Assistant, but it turns out that the Galaxy S24 series will be the first set of devices to take advantage of the feature without phone users having to switch between apps.

These are the supported languages for now:

  • Chinese
  • English
  • French
  • German
  • Hindi
  • Italian
  • Japanese
  • Korean
  • Polish
  • Portuguese
  • Thai
  • Spanish
  • Vietnamese

Feature #2: Photomoji

There are better ways to encapsulate a response to a friend’s weekend getaway suggestion. Emojis, for example. The Photomoji feature on Samsung Galaxy S24 allows creation of stickers and emojis straight from their photos without the need for third-party apps.

Feature #3: Chat Assist

If pictures aren’t your thing, the Galaxy S24 also makes it possible to rewrite your texts to a more appropriate tone. Say you want to communicate with a Gen Z male teen, the Galaxy S24 lets you choose from several text responses.

Feature #4: Transcript Assist

Recording meetings is a hassle since you have to identify different speakers. This hurdle is minimized by Transcript Assist’s ability to provide you with a transcript, all the while detecting who’s speaking at each turn.

Feature #5: Notes Assist

A stylus is pretty to use with any Galaxy device, but it doesn’t exactly make your handwriting any better. That’s why Notes Assist is there to make your handwriting cleaner. Notes Assist also formats the content in whatever way you like. Formatting will become a thing of the past as AI does it for you.

Feature #6: Circle to Search

There’s also a new way to search on the Galaxy S24 series. Circle to Search is Google’s first gesture operated search method, all without having to manually input it onto a search bar. You can simply draw on an existing image, text, or video, and results will be delivered on the same screen of the currently used app.

However, all this sounds intrusive. That’s why Samsung allows users to choose what information is being processed by AI online. 

Feature #7: Camera and Image Post-Processing

In their partnership with Instagram, Samsung Galaxy’s S24 series will be the first device to have HDR enabled by default. With regards to content creation and social media posts, it’s now easier to edit photos with the help of Generative AI. All edited pictures will have a watermark, though.

The camera is packed with more power, and a video demo by Mr. Beast shows the camera’s stunning clarity on a 10x optical zoom. Other features were also shown during the event.

Feature #8: Share with anyone with Quick Share.

If you’re still using Bluetooth to share files, you’re missing out on Samsung’s Quick Share function. The update is it’s compatibility with a multitude of devices so you only have to press one button to share to other phones. Or PC’s. or TV’s.

Feature #9: Pro-visual Engine.

Gaming-wise, the Galaxy S24 series’ NPU can handle the heaviest. The addition of Ray Tracing make the experience more immersive, as told by guest and streamer Pokimane.

The Samsung Galaxy S24 series will be available for pre-order starting January 17 until the end of the month. Check out the price list below.

  • Galaxy S23 FE – $599 ($699 in the US)
  • Galaxy S23 – $699
  • Galaxy S24 – $799
  • Galaxy S24+ – $999
  • Galaxy S24 Ultra -$1299

Source: Samsung Newsroom

Tiktok updates app for Devices with Large Screens

December 19, 2023

Tiktok just announced that the company has updated the app, so users will have enhanced app experience for viewers using devices with large screens like tablets and foldable smartphones.

The company explained that viewers will now have a better experience watching Tiktok videos using large screen devices, since viewers will have clear video feed, streamlined navigation bars and support for both landscape or portrait view.

The update is a clear indication that not all viewers are using mobile phones to watch TikTok and there may be a growing number of users that uses tablets and foldable smartphones to watch and may be even created tiktok videos.

Apple release the top apps and games on the App Store with Temu as the Top Free iPhone Apps for 2023

December 14, 2023

Apple just published the top downloaded apps and games on the App Store this year. In their announcement, Apple even emphasis that “App Store is the world’s safest and most vibrant app marketplace.”

Below are the top apps and games on the App Store this year in the United States;

Top Free iPhone Apps

  1. Temu: Shop Like a Billionaire
  2. CapCut – Video Editor
  3. Max: Stream HBO, TV, & Movies
  4. Threads, an Instagram app
  5. TikTok
  6. Instagram
  7. Google
  8. YouTube: Watch, Listen, Stream
  9. WhatsApp Messenger
  10. Gmail – Email by Google

Top Paid iPhone Apps

  1. Shadowrocket
  2. HotSchedules
  3. Procreate Pocket
  4. The Wonder Weeks
  5. 75 Hard
  6. AutoSleep Track Sleep on Watch
  7. Goblin Tools
  8. TonalEnergy Tuner & Metronome
  9. SkyView
  10. AnkiMobile Flashcards

Top Free iPhone Games 

  1. MONOPOLY GO!
  2. Roblox
  3. Royal Match
  4. Subway Surfers
  5. Gardenscapes
  6. Call of Duty: Mobile
  7. Block Blast!
  8. Makeover Studio: Makeup Games
  9. Parking Jam 3D
  10. Survivor!.io

Top Paid iPhone Games

  1. Minecraft
  2. Heads Up!
  3. Geometry Dash
  4. Bloons TD 6
  5. MONOPOLY
  6. Papa’s Freezeria To Go!
  7. Plague Inc.
  8. Red’s First Flight
  9. Five Nights at Freddy’s
  10. Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas

Top Free iPad Apps

  1. Max: Stream HBO, TV, & Movies
  2. YouTube: Watch, Listen, Stream
  3. Netflix
  4. Google Chrome
  5. Disney+
  6. Goodnotes 6
  7. TikTok
  8. Amazon Prime Video
  9. Temu: Shop Like a Billionaire
  10. Peacock TV: Stream TV & Movies

Top Paid iPad Apps

  1. Procreate
  2. Shadowrocket
  3. Nomad Sculpt
  4. forScore
  5. Toca Life: Hospital
  6. Bluebeam Revu for iPad
  7. Teach Your Monster to Read
  8. AnkiMobile Flashcards
  9. Endless Paper
  10. ToonSquid

Top Free iPad Games

  1. Roblox
  2. Magic Tiles 3: Piano Game
  3. Subway Surfers
  4. Royal Match
  5. Among Us!
  6. Duet Cats: Cute Cat Games
  7. Stumble Guys
  8. MONOPOLY GO!
  9. Bridge Race
  10. Gardenscapes

Top Paid iPad Games

  1. Minecraft
  2. Geometry Dash
  3. Bloons TD 6
  4. Stardew Valley
  5. MONOPOLY
  6. Five Nights at Freddy’s
  7. Red’s First Flight
  8. Poppy Playtime Chapter 1
  9. Plague Inc.
  10. Garten of Banban 2

Top Apple Arcade Games

  1. NBA 2K23 Arcade Edition
  2. Cooking Mama: Cuisine!
  3. Bloons TD 6+
  4. Angry Birds Reloaded
  5. Sneaky Sasquatch
  6. Warped Kart Racers
  7. Hello Kitty Island Adventure
  8. Snake.io+
  9. Fruit Ninja Classic+
  10. Solitaire by MobilityWare+

Meta rolling out end-to-end encryption on Messenger by default

December 7, 2023

Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Messenger, just announced that it is rolling-out end-to-end encryption on 1-on-1 chats and calls on Messenger. End-to-end encryption have always been available on Messenger but this roll-out the company is making end-to-end encryption on Messenger by default. End-to-end encryption means that only you and the other person you are sending the message to, can see the messages and calls, not even Meta can view them.

Loredana Crisan, Head of Messenger explains;

Since 2016, Messenger has had the option for people to turn on end-to-end encryption, but we’re now changing private chats and calls across Messenger to be end-to-end encrypted by default. This has taken years to deliver because we’ve taken our time to get this right. Our engineers, cryptographers, designers, policy experts and product managers have worked tirelessly to rebuild Messenger features from the ground up. We’ve introduced new privacy, safety and control features along the way like delivery controls that let people choose who can message them, as well as app lock, alongside existing safety features like report, block and message requests. We worked closely with outside experts, academics, advocates and governments to identify risks and build mitigations to ensure that privacy and safety go hand-in-hand.

Aside from the end-to-end encryption, new features have been introduce to Messenger like Editing messages that are sent, Set a message to disappear after 24 hours, read receipt control, photos and video upgrades, speed control on voice messaging and additional security technology to make the Messenger platform more secure.

Microsoft’s Windows app now available macOS, iOS and iPadOS

November 19, 2023

Microsoft just release the preview version of Windows App, an app that acts as a central hub to access Azure Virtual Desktop, Windows 365, Microsoft Dev Box, Remote Desktop Services, and remote PCs, securely connecting you to Windows devices and apps. Aside from macOS, iOS and iPadOS, the Windows app is also available for Windows OS and web browsers. Windows app is not currently available for Android.

The Windows app support multiple monitor, custom display resolutions, dynamic display resolutions and scaling, with device redirection, such as webcams, audio, storage devices, and printers. Windows app also supports Microsoft Teams optimizations. Windows App is available to when you have an active Microsoft business account, features to use a personal account is not yet available.

If successful, Windows app could signal’s Microsoft ambitions to move Windows as a cloud service than an OS that’s installed locally in our devices. To learn more about the Windows App, you can head over to the Windows App documentation page.

X users can now limit replies to verified accounts only

October 10, 2023

X, formerly known as twitter, just announced that it now has roll-out a feature that allows you to control you can reply to your posts. This feature will be available to your new and even old posts.

There are two ways to control who can reply/comment on your posts;
1. When composing your post, go to the EVERYONE CAN REPLY and the screen to set “WHO CAN REPLY?” will appear.

  1. For published posts, just click/tap on the (…) that’s on the right corner of the post and go to CHANGE WHO CAN REPLY.

The new feature is a good way to filter our users who does nothing but spam in the service and also limit those who can interact with you in X/twitter. For now, the features appears to be available to everyone using the service and won’t surprise me if in this will only be available to verified accounts.

It’s Official – Threads.net web version now available

August 27, 2023

As the the title goes, the web version of Threads.net is now available. The web/desktop version was already live last week, as reported by Yugatech but it was just today that it took effect here in Saudi Arabia.

This is the official announcement from Threads’ official account with addtional information on how to access or create your threads account and a features of the service in a post.

Post by @threads
View on Threads

Post by @threads
View on Threads

From my first hour in using the web app, it feels exactly like the app but since you have it on a separate tab on your browser, I find myself using the web version more than the app. It remains to be seen if it can surpass the daily and even the monthly active users of X/Twitter, now that the desktop web version is live.

Google Play Pass Launches in the Philippines, Offering Access to Hundreds of Games and Apps

August 24, 2023

Google Play Pass, a subscription service that gives users access to hundreds of games and apps without ads or in-app purchases, has launched in the Philippines.

The service is available for a monthly price of PHP 109 or receive savings if you pay for the annual pricing of PHP 999. It includes a curated selection of games and apps from different genres, including action, adventure, puzzle, simulation, and more.

Some of the popular games included in Google Play Pass are Stardew Valley, Monument Valley, Terraria, and Sonic the Hedgehog Classic. There are also a number of productivity apps available, such as Evernote, Trello, and Pocket Casts.

To sign up for Google Play Pass, simply open the Google Play Store app on your Android device and search for “Play Pass.” You can then sign up for a monthly or annual subscription. This subscription service is compatible with any Android device running Android 4.4 and above; and Google Play Store version 16.6.25 and above.

Google Play Pass is the equivalent of Apple Arcade and Xbox Game Pass.

Source: Yugatech

Meta to launch a web version of Threads

August 22, 2023

Threads, the twitter-clone of Meta, will soon launch a web version of the service. As of this posting, when you go to Threads.net, you will just get a QR code that when scanned will direct you to your phone’s app store to download the Threads app.

The web version is planned to be launch “early this week” but this is not totally final and could still change. Threads’ web version, a much-requested feature that may be exactly what Meta needs for users engagement within the service. The web version of Threads is currently undergoing internal testing at Meta Platforms and the official rollout may happen as early as the end of the week (August 25, 2023).

A reply by Adam Mosseri to a comment, further confirmed that the company is indeed working on a web version of threads;

Post by @mosseri
View on Threads

Threads initially took the internet by storm and rapidly reached 100 million downloads, making it the fastest app to hit that milestone. However, user engagement has since declined, partly it’s believed due to the lack of a web version.

A web version of Threads is the next logical move by Meta to compete more effectively with platforms like X, formerly known as Twitter. It would be interesting to see whether these move will help Meta stop the ever-decreasing user engagement on Threads, which has gone done by approximately 85% since its peak shortly after launch.

Discord.io suffers data breached and will shutdown the service

August 16, 2023

Discord.io, a third-party service that enables owners of Discord servers to create customized, personal Discord invites, has announced that it would shut down until further notice following a “major data breach” from “unknown actors” on Monday evening.

The breach has affected 760,000 users and the stolen information could include your discord.io username and your Discord ID, your email-address, your billing address, and a salted and hashed password if you signed up in 2018 or earlier.

Payment details are said to be safe because all payments are processed through PayPal and Stripe and the company does not store any payment information on their servers, and this information was not leaked, the company said in an article posted on their website.

Discord.io has confirmed the authenticity of the breach, by an entity acting under the name “Akhirah.” It is important to know that Discord.com is not affiliated with discord.io, a spokesperson from Discord told Stackdiary, “Discord is not affiliated with Discord.io. We do not share any user information with Discord.io directly and we do not have access to or control of information in Discord.io’s custody.”

Discord has revoked the oauth authentication tokens for any Discord user that has used Discord.io, so that app can no longer perform actions on behalf of those users until they re-authenticate3. Affected Discord users should change their passwords and enable multi-factor authentication (MFA).

You can read the full statement of Discord.io on their website – Discord.io has suffered a data breach.

The website’s official twitter also encourages users to directly contact their support team, in connection of the breached.

Apple launches online store on WeChat platform

July 11, 2023

Apple, the maker of the iPhones, reportedly opened a store on the WeChat platform, Tuesday, expanding the American company’s retail options in the second-largest economy in the world.

Users will be able to buy Apple products including iPhones, iPads, and Macs via the shop, according to an announcement made by WeChat, China’s most popular messaging app that also offers e-commerce, livestreaming, and payment services.

Apple’s move comes as Chinese consumers increasingly use social media sites like WeChat and ByteDance’s Douyin, the country’s version of TikTok, to shop online. Requests for additional comment from Apple and Tencent were not immediately fulfilled.

Apple currently runs a store on Alibaba Group’s Tmall online marketplace in addition to its own stores and website. In May, Apple attempted to advertise its products in China for the first time through a webcast of an hour-long performance. Together with the online stores, Apple have more than 40 retails stores in China.

Meta launches Threads, a twitter clone powered by Instagram

July 6, 2023

It’s finally here, Meta has officially launched Threads, the company’s version of twitter and will compete not only with twitter but with Bluesky, another twitter rival backed by Jack Dorsey, who is the co-founder and former CEO of Twitter.

Threads will use your Instagram account for login and will support posting up to 500-character text, photos, and up to 5 minutes videos. Threads is available on iOS and Android in 100 countries, except in EU, since the company needs to iron out the local data privacy regulations.

To signup for Threads, users must have an Instagram account, where their username and verification status will carry over. Threads users can then customized their profile independently.

Under the hood, while it is currently using Instagram infrastructure, Threads will soon offer support for ActivityPub — the same decentralized social networking protocol used by Mastodon and other federated apps. Once ActivityPub takes effect, Threads will be able to widen its reach, as Mastodon’s ecosystem engages 1.7 million active users.

Meta timed the launched of Threads, specially now that Twitter have imposed a number of restrictions including rate-limit and limiting access of twitter account on TweetDeck to verified users only.

This is not the first time that Meta/Facebook tried to copy twitter, in the early days of Facebook, the company took inspiration from twitter the hashtag, verified accounts, Vine, followers and real-time conversation, among others. It’s still too early to know if Threads will be successful in taking the air out of twitter’s space but if the Elon-led twitter continue to implode, Thread may become the twitter replacement.

You can now edit your WhatsApp Messages

May 30, 2023

In the coming weeks, you will be able to edit the messages that you send on WhatsApp. To edit messages, all you need to do is to long-press on a sent message and choose ‘Edit’ from the menu for up to fifteen minutes after. Once done, the word ‘edited’ alongside your modified messages to inform the recipient are aware of the correction without showing edit history.

The edit message feature has started rolling out to users globally and will be available to everyone in the coming weeks.