Apple teams up with Accenture to build iOS business apps
Apple has announced another major expansion of its Internet of Things (IoT) services with a significant new partnership.
The computing giant has revealed it will be teaming up with Accenture for the launch of a new platform that will let businesses better interact with their customers.
Verified accounts are coming to WhatsApp
On various social media platforms, attaining a verified account is a major goal for users. It's something that's been available on Facebook for a while, and Twitter users from all walks of life are able to apply for verification. Soon to be added to this list is WhatsApp.
The messaging app -- owned by Facebook -- has not only started to verify certain business accounts, but is also planning to release a standalone app that will allow companies to chat with customers.
With Android Oreo, Google is stepping up app security
App security is undeniably an issue for Android users, particularly those who choose to install apps from outside of Google Play. Even apps that are housed in the main store are not immune to security issues, but those from other sources are rather more risky.
With Android O, Google has ditched "Allow unknown sources" -- the setting that could be toggled to allow for the installation of non-Play apps. Instead, there is a new "Install unknown apps" permission, and Google thinks this offers more control and greater security.
New portal helps developers integrate payment solutions
One of the keys to monetizing apps is to have an effective and easy to use payments solution built in. Payment solutions company Qualpay is aiming to make this process easier by offering a portal to make the selection of systems easier.
Qualpay for Developers allows developers looking for easy-to-implement payment APIs to use the portal to evaluate and deploy multiple payment solutions or work with Qualpay to tailor the platform for specific environments.
New solution aims to cut mobile app fraud
One of the ways developers can boost the popularity of their mobile apps is via pay-per-click advertising. But this leaves them open to fraud where bots can be used to generate large numbers of hits.
Mobile advertising technology firm AppLift is launching a new Fraud Buster tool, which combats app install fraud in real time to ensure users are genuine and deliver increased return on advertising spending.
YouTube introduces a breaking news section
To make it easier for people to access up to date information about what is going on the world, YouTube is adding a "Breaking News" section to its website and mobile apps.
The new section takes the form of an additional video carousel, and it provides access to new stories from a number of sources. At the moment, not all users are seeing the Breaking News carousel, and Google has not made an official announcement about it, but it does seem to be spreading out at the moment.
Customer service is key to a good app experience
A new survey reveals that 89 percent of Americans will recommend an app based soley on a customer service experience, but 47 percent will simply delete apps that are frustrating and don’t provide any customer support.
The research from customer support company Helpshift surveyed over 2,000 18+ adults in the US and finds that 81 percent use mobile apps.
Google adds Q&A to search and Google Maps on Android
Android users now have a new "Question & answers" option in both Google Maps and search. This is not a general Q&A feature along the lines of Yahoo Answers, but a way to ask questions about businesses.
This appears to be Google's attempt to draw people away from the likes of Facebook when they want to ask questions about hotels, restaurants and other places they may visit. Business owners are able to respond to questions -- as are users -- and they are encouraged to create FAQs to prevent the same queries being posted time and time again.
Download Google's experimental data-sipping Search Lite app
Technology companies are increasingly realizing that if they are to break into emerging markets, they're going to have to reduce the amount of data their apps use. Facebook Lite, Twitter Lite and LinkedIn Lite are just some of the less demanding apps to have been launched recently.
Google doesn’t want to miss out on the action. It is currently testing a data-light version of its search app for use in countries with slow connections. Search Lite (or Search (Test App)) is currently available to download from Google Play in Indonesia -- or from other sources if you're elsewhere in the world.
Newton email officially available on Windows
Newton is my favorite email app, not least because I can use it on all my devices -- no matter if they run Android, iOS, macOS or Windows, the last of which arrived in private beta in early-May. Now, after four months of testing, it is ready for prime time.
The Windows version of Newton arrives today in Windows Store, and it's designed with Windows 10 users in mind. CloudMagic, the company behind the app, has included pretty much every feature that Newton has on other platforms, meaning the experience should be pretty similar to Android, iOS and macOS.
Donald Trump loses legal battle over iTrump app
President Trump has lost a six-year legal battle against the creator of an iOS app.
Tom Scharfeld is the man behind iTrump -- an app designed to teach people how to play the trumpet. He successfully represented himself in court, and prevailed over the US president, earning the right to retain the iTrump trademark.
Samsung browser will be available to most Android users soon
Samsung has announced that more Android users will soon be able to download and install its mobile browser on their smartphones.
The news was announced in a blog post by a developer advocate for Samsung Internet named Peter O'Shaughnessy, who revealed that users running Android 5.0 Lollipop or later will be able to sign up to test out the Samsung Internet V6 app, saying:
Facebook rolls out Trending News to its mobile apps
We'll forgive you if you've lost track of all of the changes Facebook has introduced to the News Feed over the years -- it's often something of an experimental playground. The social network's latest idea is a dedicated "Trending News."
The section is currently rolling out to mobile users, and is something of an extension of Facebook's Trending Topics. It is making its way out to Android and iOS users in the US.
Peek enables you to locate local activities on your next vacation
Travel to any destination, whether for leisure or business or leisure, and the question we ask ourselves is what should we do when we’re there. Leave it late and you find yourself scrambling online and looking for tour guides to find what there is to do when you’ve arrived. Then there is the issue of finding the best value for the experience you desire.
Peek is an all in one app which enables you to discover and book incredible activities. Whether you want to go spearfishing in Cabo San Lucas, doing the Haunted Ghost walking tours in New Orleans, an electric bike tour around Paris, or a culinary walking tour around one of many cities, Peek has you covered and so much more.
Uber adds app messaging between driver and rider
If you’re anything like us, you land after a long plane journey, slightly shattered and attempting to adjust to your new time zone then once you’ve finally left passport control and picked up your bags, you simply want to grab a taxi and get to your hotel as quickly as possible.
To achieve this, many of course choose to book an Uber. When the process works smoothly, everything is fine. But, sadly, Uber drivers aren’t always offered the same privileges as regular taxis, so you have to somehow navigate your way to a pickup location. To do this, a phone call from the driver is often required.
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