Google adds floating keyboard mode to Gboard for Android


Users of Google's own Android keyboard app Gboard have a new option available to them. In an update that is rolling out, a new floating keyboard feature lets you move the location of the keyboard as you see fit.
This is not something that is unique to Gboard by any means; floating keyboards have been available in other keyboard apps for a while, so this is really just Google playing catch-up. But for existing users -- as well as those who are looking for a reason to try out Gboard for the first time -- this update is great news.
Winamp is being updated and reimagined as an audio app for mobile


The name Winamp -- you know, the audio player that "really whips the llama's ass" -- is one that will stir up nostalgic memories for people of a certain age. Since its inception in the mid-90s, Winamp gained a huge and loyal following but, after changing hands a couple of times since the turn of the century, it was then largely forgotten.
But Winamp is making a comeback. In the next few days the desktop app will be getting an update -- not that this is something you should expect too much from -- but it is what's happening in 2019 that's really exciting.
Facebook Lite for iOS is now a thing


Just as there is a trend for dark themes in software at the moment, there is also something of a movement of "Lite" apps that use less data and resources. Originally intended for parts of the world where connectivity iss an issue, such apps have become popular with more and more people; because if you can use less data, why not?
We've seen Twitter Lite, Facebook Messenger Lite, and Facebook Lite -- although, until now, this last app has only been available to Android users. Now, however, Facebook Lite is expanding its reach with the launch of an iOS app.
People love Microsoft's Your Phone so much, it's the top trending Android app in the Google Play Store


Having abandoned its own mobile operating system, Microsoft is increasingly embracing Android and iOS and improving interoperability with Windows. A recent example of this is the Your Phone Companion app which makes it possible to send texts from your computer and easily access photos stored on your Android phone.
The ability to access and use a phone via Windows 10 has gone down very well -- as the interest in our story about the app showed. So well, in fact, that the Your Phone app is the number one trending app in the Google Play Store.
Google's new Voice Access app lets you control your Android phone with your voice


Google has a new app that allows for full control of an Android phone with your voice -- Voice Access. While it has been possible to perform simple actions such as switching apps and writing messages, the ability to interact with on-screen elements is something that has been missing.
Pitched as an accessibility tool, Voice Access fills in many gaps in Android's voice control system, making it possible to navigate apps, edit text and much more.
Kids have already defeated the limitations of Screen Time in iOS 12


With the release of iOS 12, Apple introduced a new feature called Screen Time. As well as making it possible for users to monitor how long they were spending using app on their iPhone, Screen Time also includes parental control features that can be used to prevent children from using apps for too long.
At least that was the idea. Kids -- being kids and having app-related needs -- have managed to work out how to bypass these limitations. In fact, there are at least two methods that can be used to defeat time limits that have been put in place.
Google Maps 5.0 for iOS offers CarPlay support with iOS 12


Before any trip, I like to research. Where’s the best place to eat, pick up a decent coffee on the way, other interesting points of interest and more.
Google Maps makes this easy. Research online, add a new folder to your places and start saving pointers along your intended route. When you land, simply refer to Google Maps and navigate to your saved locations. Easy. Well, it would if your hire car let you use Google Maps.
Android emulator BlueStacks 4 brings massive performance improvements


The latest version of the popular Android emulator for Windows, BlueStacks 4, is now available, bringing with it a huge performance boost over its predecessor. The new release also sees the emulator jumping from KitKat to Nougat as its base -- specifically Android 7.1.2.
The developers say that BlueStacks 4 is many times faster than the Samsung Galaxy S9+ -- or "any mobile on Earth" according to the blurb -- and features Hyper-G Graphics for unparalleled visuals in games. But besides performance, there are lots of other changes in the latest version of this emulator.
Looking to a hire a boat on vacation? Download the Borrow a Boat app!


The sharing economy is dictating how we plan our vacation. We’ve previously featured Airbnb and HomeAway, as well as Uber, Lyft and Coup in Berlin. There are now a number of options you may not have otherwise have experienced if it wasn’t due to the sharing economy.
Now there is a slightly bizarre but interesting option if you wanted to take to the sea as it involves borrowing someone’s yacht when not in use. Borrow a Boat is being touted as the "Airbnb of the boating world", after the company launched its app earlier this summer.
Apple boots Alex Jones and Infowars out of the App Store


Having already removed its podcasts from iTunes, Apple has gone a step further and kicked Infowars out of the App Store.
The app -- which provided access to Infowars articles as well as livestreams of Alex Jones shows rants -- has been permanently removed from the App Store for violations of Apple's rule. The move by the iPhone-maker is just the latest in a string of setbacks for Jones who has already fallen foul of Spotify, YouTube, Facebook and Twitter's policies.
Developers can now use staged releases in Google Play to test their Android apps on users


Google has announced that developers can now take advantage of a new "staged releases" feature to roll out new versions of their apps to a small percentage of their user base.
The feature was first revealed at Google I/O earlier in the year, and Google says that it will give developers the chance to test new features on a limited number of users before opting for a wider rollout.
Developers must give their apps a privacy policy or Apple will kick them out of the App Store


Apple has announced that all apps submitted to the App Store must have a privacy policy, including those apps which are undergoing beta testing.
The change is due to come into force on October 3, and after this date any app lacking a privacy policy that lets users know how their data is being used faces ejection from the App Store.
Microsoft releases Windows 10 Redstone 5 Build 17730 with new Your Phone app for Android and iOS


Microsoft rolled out Windows 10 Redstone 5 Build 17728 to Insiders on the Fast ring three days ago, and at the same it teased its new Your Phone app.
This app allows iOS and Android users to sync content from their phones to a Windows 10 PC. Today, the software giant rolls out another new Insider build, and announces that Your Phone is now live.
Adobe is working on Photoshop for iPad


Apple has long been keen to push the iPad and iPad Pro as a viable laptop alternative, and with a decent selection of apps to choose from it's something that works for many people. There are, however, a number of apps missing that stop some people making the jump from laptop to iPad -- Photoshop being one of them.
Sure, at the moment there is Photoshop Express for iOS, but this is a massively cutdown product that simply does not meet the needs of professionals. Answering the prayers of many, Adobe is now said to be working on bringing a full version of Photoshop to iPad next year.
Malwarebytes arrives on iOS to keep your iPhone safe from snoopers and scammers


Malwarebytes already offers a decent security app for Android, but the company has never had a version for iOS -- until now.
While iPhone and iPad users are less at risk from malware than their Android counterparts, thanks to Apple’s walled-garden, they aren’t necessarily completely safe -- the threat of spam calls, scam websites, fraudulent texts and bad ads remains.
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