Google releases YouTube Capture app for iPhone

Google has released YouTube Capture app for iPhone in an attempt to plug a gaping hole in its existing YouTube app, which does not include the ability to upload videos.

Google release Maps app for iPhone; no native iPad version

Google Maps have found their way back to the iPhone.

The world's most popular online mapping system returned late Wednesday with the release of the Google Maps' iPhone app. The release comes nearly three months after Apple Inc. replaced Google Maps as the device's built-in navigation system and inserted its own maps into the latest version of its mobile operating system.

Google Maps for iOS said to go live in App Store within hours.

Google Maps app for iOS is set to go live in Apple's App Store within hours from now, AllThingsD reports.

Apple, Microsoft reportedly spar over 30-percent cut of in-app purchases

Microsoft and Apple are reportedly at loggerheads over latter's insistence of applying its policy of taking a 30-percent cut of all in-app purchases on Microsoft's high-profile apps.

iSolated: Bad Apple Maps directions lead to desert

The city of Mildura is not at the end of a dirt road in the Australian bush, in tire-choking desert sand far from food and water. Unfortunately, Apple's much-maligned mapping application thinks it is.

Android-based tablets gaining on Apple's iPad: IDC

The global market for tablet computers is growing faster than earlier estimates suggested, with Android-powered devices gaining on the market-leading iPads, a survey said Wednesday.

IDC said it boosted its forecast for global tablet sales for 2012 to 122.3 million, from 117.1 million, in large part due to demand for Android tablets and the new iPad mini.
IDC also raised its 2013 forecast number to 172.4 million, up from 165.9 million and said shipments by 2016 worldwide shipments should reach 282.7 million.
"Tablets continue to captivate consumers, and as the market shifts toward smaller, more mobile screen sizes and lower price points, we expect demand to accelerate in the fourth quarter and beyond," said Tom Mainelli, research director for tablets at IDC.
"Android tablets are gaining traction in the market thanks to solid products from Google, Amazon, Samsung, and others. And Apple's November iPad mini launch, along with its surprise refresh of the full-sized iPad, positions the company well for a strong holiday season."
IDC now expects Android's worldwide tablet share to increase to 42.7 percent for 2012 from 39.8 percent in 2011. Apple's share is expected to slip to 53.8 percent from 56.3 percent in 2011.
"The breadth and depth of Android has taken full effect on the tablet market as it has for the smartphone space," said Ryan Reith, an IDC analyst.
"Android tablet shipments will certainly act as the catalyst for growth in the low-cost segment in emerging markets given the platform's low barrier to entry on manufacturing. At the same time, top-tier companies like Samsung, Lenovo, and ASUS are all launching Android tablets with comparable to premium products, but offered at much lower price points."
IDC predicts Windows-based tablets, including new devices from Microsoft and others, will gain share from both iOS and Android, growing from one percent of the market in 2011 to 2.9 percent in 2012 and 10.2 percent in 2016.

 

YouTube app for iOS now optimised for iPad, iPhone 5; includes AirPlay

Google has updated the YouTube app for iOS. The app now features an interface optimised for the iPad, iPhone 5 and includes other new features like AirPlay support.

Google originally released the YouTube app for iPhone back in September after Apple announced its decision that iOS devices will no longer ship with the YouTube app preinstalled. The relationship between Google and Apple has frayed over the years, as the shift from PCs to mobile devices has increased the competition between the two companies.

YouTube was among a handful of apps that came pre-loaded onto the screens of Apple's mobile devices since the original iPhone was introduced in 2007. The pre-installed YouTube app - which was actually built by Apple using YouTube standards - was not as full-featured as YouTube's own website, but it was popular.

The latest update is good news for iPhone 5 and iPad users as they can now enjoy their favourite videos on an interface that's optimised for these devices. The app also adds AirPlay support, that enables iOS (and other) devices to stream music to AirPlay-enabled receivers like the Apple TV.

Other new features include the ability to add or remove videos from playlists and improved accessibility.

YouTube (iPhone/ iPad, Free)

What's New in YouTube app for iOS version 1.1.0.4136

• Optimized for iPad and iPhone 5
• Stream videos with AirPlay
• Tap logo to open your Guide of channels
• Add and remove videos from your playlists
• Clickable links in video descriptions
• Improved accessibility with VoiceOver

 

Redesigned Gmail app for iPhone, iPad adds multiple account support

Google has released version 2.0 of the Gmail mail for iPhone, iPad. The update adds long awaited features like support for up to 5 Gmail accounts.

The app features a totally new look and feel, plus a host of improvements like profile pictures in messages, numerous new animations that make the app seem more responsive - from swivels to transitions and infinite scrolling in the message lists.

The app also adds many new time-saving features. For example, when you search, autocomplete predictions will appear as you type, shaving off precious seconds, while also potentially preventing typos. Plus, you can RSVP to Google Calendar invites as well as +1 and comment on Google+ posts directly from within the app.

Gmail - email from Google (iPhone/ iPad, Free)

What's new in version 2.0

• Multiple account support
• App redesigned with a new, cleaner look
• Search predictions as you type
• Infinite scrolling inbox
• Respond to Google Calendar invites inline
• Interactive Google+ posts support
• New welcome experience

Android will power more than two-thirds of smartphones sold in 2012: IDC

 Google's Android operating system will power more than two-thirds of smartphones sold worldwide in 2012, and will remain the dominant platform for at least the next four years, a survey showed Tuesday.
The survey by the research firm IDC showed Android will be the platform for 68.3 percent of smartphones shipped in 2012, far ahead of 18.8 percent for the iOS platform used on Apple's iPhone.

"IDC forecasts Android to be the clear leader in the smartphone mobile operating system race, thanks in large part to a broad selection of devices from a wide range of partners," the market tracker said.
"Samsung is the leading Android smartphone seller though resurgent smartphone vendors LG Electronics and Sony, both of which cracked the top five smartphone vendors during the third quarter, are not to be overlooked. IDC believes the net result of this will be continued double-digit growth throughout the forecast period."
The report said Android will retain the top position through 2016, when it will have 63.8 percent of the market in the face of increased competition from Apple, Microsoft's Windows Phone and others.
"Android is expected to stay in front, but we also expect it to be the biggest target for competing operating systems to grab market share," said Ramon Llamas, research manager with IDC.
"At the same time, Windows Phone stands to gain the most market share as its smartphone and carrier partners have gained valuable experience in selling the differentiated experience Windows Phone has to offer."
Llamas said other players jockeying for market share will include Research in Motion's BlackBerry, which releases a new operating system next year, and the open-source Linux system.
BlackBerry, which until a few years ago was the dominant smartphone, will see its market share slide to 4.7 percent in 2012, according to IDC, and to 4.1 percent by 2016.
Linux will be used on two percent of smartphones this year and 1.5 percent in 2016, it said. Windows will grow from 2.6 percent this year to 11.4 percent in 2016, IDC said.
Apple's iOS will remain the clear number two platform but will be "cost prohibitive for some users within many emerging markets," IDC said.
"In order to maintain current growth rates, Apple will need to examine the possibility of offering less expensive models," it said.
The report said the overall worldwide mobile phone market will grow just 1.4 percent in 2012, the lowest annual growth rate in three years. The total number of devices sold is expected to be around 1.7 billion.
The forecast reflects an estimated 39.5 percent growth in smartphones, but declines in sales of other kinds of mobile phones.
"Sluggish economic conditions worldwide have cast a pall over the mobile phone market this year," said IDC's Kevin Restivo.
"However, the fourth quarter will be relatively bright due in part to sales of high-profile smartphones, such as the iPhone 5 and Samsung's Galaxy S3, in addition to lower-cost Android-powered smartphones shipped to China and other high-growth emerging markets."

Facebook App for iOS gets much awaited update, enables Emoji, Tagging, Sorting and Reposting

The Facebook App for iOS gets the much awaited update allowing users to now tag their friends in posts and comments, along with photos. The new update also enables features like reposting from the news feed and smileys and emoji into your Facebook messages.

Users can also now sort out their feed by pressing the sort button on the left of the sidebar. Check out the changelog below and the link to download the update.

What’s New in Version 5.2.2

Now you can share the best stories from your news feed with just one tap.
• New Share link to re-post stories from your news feed
• Tag your friends in any post, comment or photo
• Smileys, hearts and other emoji in messages
• To sort your feed, tap the button next to News Feed in the left sidebar
• Security and bug fixes