Mobile Applications
Apple App Store Hits 40 Billion App Downloads
January 7, 2013 10:11 am | by Andrew Berg | News | CommentsApple today announced that customers have downloaded over 40 billion apps from the iTunes App Store, with nearly 20 billion in 2012 alone. According to a press release, the App Store has over 500 million active accounts, which recorded a record-breaking December with over two billion...
Samsung Continues Evolution of ChatON to Version 2.0
December 27, 2012 9:27 am | by Andrew Berg | News | CommentsSamsung today announced the launch of version 2.0 of ChatON, the company’s Over-the-Top (OTT) messaging service. Much like Apple’s iMessage and FaceTime products, ChatOn allows users of the service to connect with others via voice, video...
First News Briefs for December 14, 2012
December 14, 2012 10:22 am | by Wireless Week Staff | News | CommentsFacebook announced a faster Facebook app for people who use Android devices. Facebook for Android 2.0 is twice as fast when looking at photos and opening your Timeline and quicker to launch. Facebook rebuilt several of Facebook for Android's core features in native code...
Review: New Google Maps Boasts Big Improvements
December 14, 2012 9:26 am | by Bree Fowler, AP Business Writer | News | CommentsLike a lot of people, I was happy and relieved to see Google Maps return to the iPhone. I'd been frustrated with the Apple mapping software that had replaced it three months ago. For one thing, it didn't have public transit directions, a feature important for New Yorkers like me...
Google Maps App Back on iPhone
December 13, 2012 11:11 am | by Andrew Berg | News | CommentsA new native Google Maps app for iOS devices went live in Apple's App Store today, bringing some relief to those suffering Apple's own flawed maps app included in iOS 6. While iPhone and iPad users operating on iOS 6 have been able to access...
Amazon Launches Kindle Content Service for Kids
December 5, 2012 9:58 am | by Barbara Ortutay, AP Technology Writer | News | CommentsAmazon is launching a subscription service for children's games, videos and books aimed at getting more kids to use its Kindle Fire tablet devices. Amazon.com Inc. plans to announce Wednesday that the Kindle FreeTime Unlimited service will be available in the next few weeks as part of an automatic software update...
Facebook Updates Messenger for Android
December 4, 2012 12:25 pm | by Ben Munson | News | CommentsSMS took another hit today, as Android users will now be able to sign up for Facebook Messenger with only a name and phone number. The update to the OTT service opens up direct messenging, photo sharing and more to users still holding out on diving into social networking...
ISIS, USA Technologies Trial NFC in Vending Machines
December 3, 2012 11:18 am | by Andrew Berg | News | CommentsUSA Technologies (USAT) today announced a partnership with ISIS to enable up to 7,500 vending machines in Austin and Salt Lake City to accept mobile payements via USAT’s NFC-enabled ePort technology and ePort Connect service. According to a press release, the technology will work with the sis Mobile Wallet product.
VZW Will Shutter Apps Store
November 6, 2012 5:50 am | by Andrew Berg | News | CommentsVerizon Wireless said yesterday it will close its application storefront, Verizon Apps.
Nuance Evolves Dragon Virtual Assistant
October 24, 2012 7:20 am | by Andrew Berg | News | CommentsWhile Apple has never confirmed that Nuance's technology is behind Siri, many believe Siri is nothing more than a Dragon in an administrative assistant's business suit.
Isis to Launch Oct. 22, App for T-Mobile Goes Live
October 17, 2012 7:44 am | by Maisie Ramsay | News | CommentsIsis has confirmed it will launch trials of its NFC-based mobile payments service in Austin, Texas and Salt Lake City on Oct. 22 after delaying the summer debut of the app.
Slack Consumer Demand Top Hurdle for Mobile Wallet
October 11, 2012 11:11 am | by Maisie Ramsay | News | CommentsConsumer adoptions remains the single greatest hurdle to mobile payments, a group of panelists reported on the final day of CTIA’s fall conference.
Isis Scraps Summer Mobile Payments Launch
September 14, 2012 7:12 am | by Maisie Ramsay | News | CommentsIsis has scrapped plans to launch its NFC-based mobile wallet before summer ends next week.
Tango Expands, Adds Games, Messaging and Photo Sharing
September 10, 2012 7:35 am | by Andrew Berg | News | CommentsTango, a provider of the over-the-top video calling, announced additional features today including text messaging, picture sharing and an interactive gaming experience.
Mobile Wins Gold for US Audience
August 7, 2012 6:43 am | by Andrew Berg | News | CommentsLuckily for American audiences, NBC is providing extensive online and mobile offerings for those who want to catch Olympic action live and in real-time.
Nuance Launches Nina: Like Siri in a Suit and Tie
August 6, 2012 7:15 am | by Andrew Berg | News | CommentsWhile Nuance's involvement in Apple's Siri virtual assistant has never been confirmed, the company is owning up to another enterprise-focused assistant with today's launch of Nina.
Amazon Keeps Pressure on Apple, Bolsters Ecosystem
August 1, 2012 7:27 am | by Andrew Berg | News | CommentsAmid rumors of a possible smartphone offering to complement its line of eReaders and media tablet, Amazon continues to put pressure on Apple with its content and cloud-based offerings.
Google Firms Up Developer Rules
August 1, 2012 7:25 am | by Andrew Berg | News | CommentsWhat was once deemed the "Wild West" of apps stores, Google's Google Play appears to be refining its policies some in an effort to give the store a bit more civility.
The Daily Tablet Newspaper Lays Off Third of Staff
August 1, 2012 7:23 am | by The Associated Press | News | CommentsThe Daily, a digital-only news publication championed by News Corp. founder Rupert Murdoch, is laying off nearly a third of its staff.
Google Maps Smithsonian's 17 Museums for Visitors
July 11, 2012 7:23 am | by Brett Zongker, Associated Press | News | CommentsThe world's largest museum complex is being mapped room by room through a partnership with Google Inc.
EU Launches New App for Passengers' Rights
July 5, 2012 7:27 am | by The Associated Press | News | CommentsThe European Union says it has launched a new smartphone application which allows air and rail passengers stranded in the EU due to cancellations or delays to immediately check on their legal rights regarding rebates and compensation.
Waze Hits 20M Users
July 5, 2012 7:23 am | by Andrew Berg | News | CommentsEven as Apple preps the release of its own maps and turn-by-turn navigation in iOS 6, social traffic and navigation app Waze announced today via its official blog that it has 20 million registered users, with 10 million signing on in the past 6 months.
Report: Mobile Web Tops Apps for Retail
March 9, 2012 7:09 am | by Andrew Berg | News | CommentsConsumers more often turn to a company's mobile website than to an app for shopping, according to a report conducted by Nielsen...
Sen. Schumer Calls for FTC Probe into Apps
March 5, 2012 7:08 am | by Monica Alleven | News | CommentsSen. Charles Schumer, (D-N.Y.), is calling on the FTC to launch an investigation into the app download practices of Apple and Google/Android...
Looking For Work? There May be an App for That
February 7, 2012 6:37 am | by Michael Liedtke, AP Technology Writer | News | CommentsLooking for a promising career in a lousy economy? A new study suggests you're apt to find it in apps.
