TechCrunch notes that people who buy phones and tablets based on Android OS 4.0 (aka Ice Cream Sandwich) are asked to join Google+ and enter a valid credit card as part of the new system configuration process. So, what does this mean for the Google+ social network and Google’s bottom line?
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LinkedIn announced a 3.0 update for its business card processing app for the iPhone. The app’s main function is to take a photo of business card and then convert the information on the card into contacts.
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The color ebook reader tablet market is getting very crowded this fall. Amazon’s Kindle Fire looks like the ebook reader tablet to beat at $199 and launched today. There’s also Barnes and Noble’s Nook Tablet at a slightly pricer $249 (it has more hardware resources). And then, there’s the Kobo Vox eReader that has its launch event tomorrow (Nov. 16) and priced at $199.99. It has a 7-inch multi-touch color display that, Kobo claims, is optimized for outdoor reading. This Android based eReader tablet (like both the Kindle Fire and Nook Tablet) also has a web browser, email client, 8GB memory, a 7-hour battery life and its own app store.
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Myxer Social Radio is a free app for the iPhone and iPad that lets you listen to music with your friends over the network. You can create music listening rooms to share with friends or join a friend’s listening room. Simultaneous music listening and chat is available. However, you can listen to the streaming music alone too. There are featured rooms to get you started. Some of the rooms I see listed are: Return to 54 (disco), 80′s Rewind, Pure Rock, Me and My 10 Gallon Hat and Laugh Lounge (comedy).
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Quora is a popular community-organized Q&A website. But, did you know there Quora also has an iPhone app with an interesting feature tweak? The free Quora iPhone app lets you ask questions, contribute answers and browse topics as you can on Quora’s desktop website. And, the tweak? Quora for iPhone has a Nearby icon that, when tapped, displays questions and answers related to topics in your general area. You can ask for example, where are the best places to have breakfast in the area. Or, ask about interesting places to visit based on specific interests.
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I took a look at the free Spreaker Radio for iPhone app just a few weeks ago and came away reasonably impressed by its podcast recording service, features, ease of use and easy of sharing. A new 2.1 version update was just released and addresses one of the missing features I noted in my original commentary about it.
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If you really need a good reason to make yet another trip to Starbucks, here’s one to consider. On November 15, apps for Android and iPhone will be released that uses Augmented Reality (AR) to bring characters encoded on the Starbucks red cups to life.
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It may seem like the web has coughed up more than enough social networks by now but, if the internet has taught me anything over the years it’s that no digital niche will ever go unfilled. Meet Agent155, the recently announced site that plans to launch a network aimed at the entertainment industry.
My main source of information about science fiction and fantasy related TV shows and movie’s is Syfy’s (formerly the SciFi Channel) Blastr app for the iPhone and iPad. I check it every weekday. Reading entertainment news using Blastr in the iPad is, in my opinion, faster and easier than doing so in a desktop browser. However, in addition to a couple of function quriks, the app has lacked a couple of features that would make it much more interesting to use. The Blastr 3.0 update addresses these missing features and throws in a few things I had not considered. Here’s what’s new in 3.0.
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Nokia City Scene is a prototype app from Nokia Beta Labs that combines street maps, 3D panoramic views with gesture navigation and social network integration to provide what appears to be a powerful map discovery tool.
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