Hasta La Gadget!

Despite App.net’s positioning as a Twitter alternative, it hasn’t had either an app to call its own or a way to sign up without at least an invitation. The social network has just crossed both of those items off its list with its new App.net Passport for iOS, albeit through an unconventional path. Passport is a gateway app, not a client: it lets users manage their profiles, but it really exists to point users to third-party apps and people they’d want to follow. Don’t write off Passport as a promo stunt, though. It also represents the first place where the curious can sign up without either an invitation or paying up front. CEO Dalton Caldwell warns that the wide-open registration is an experiment, not a guaranteed change in policy — if it doesn’t work out, the company may return to business as usual. Whether or not the strategy bears fruit, Passport should both serve as a fast track for newcomers and a launchpad for App.net development beyond iOS’ borders.

Filed under: Cellphones, Internet, Mobile

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Via: iMore

Source: App Store, App.net

If you’re not familiar with Kevin Thau, you ought to be: he worked on many of Twitter’s early mobile efforts, helped integrate it into major platforms and headed up the Twitter #Music app. That’s what makes his newly confirmed move to Twitter co-founder Biz Stone’s new firm, Jelly, so interesting. While little is known about Jelly beyond its plan for a decentralized service, Thau will be heading up numerous aspects of business operations at the company while it builds “world class mobile products.” We’ll have to wait awhile before we see his influence, but his presence hints that Jelly is more than just a casual project.

Filed under: Cellphones, Tablets, Internet, Mobile

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Via: The Next Web

Source: Jelly

It was just a matter of time, really. We’re well acquainted with Facebook letting us tag friends in our photos, so it’s no shock that a similar feature has just spread to the social network’s mobile darling, Instagram. The Android and iOS apps will both hit version 3.5 today, letting users tag others in a shot (whether or not they’re human). A new Photos of You section has also been added to members’ profiles, where you can see any photo linked to that account. As you might imagine, Instagram is already trying to head off potential privacy issues — account holders have until May 16th before their Photos of You sections become public, and settings will let them turn down connections to any revealing (or simply inaccurate) images. The update is already available through the iTunes App Store and should be landing soon in Google Play. Hit up the source links if you’ve ever wanted to see how other Instagrammers see you.

Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile, Facebook

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Via: Instagram

Source: App Store, Google Play

There’s a fairly good chance that Mark Zuckerberg’s heading Home today without a massive bonus check. Zuck’s social network, Facebook, hasn’t quite reached the level of profitability that some investors once expected — its first year of public trading brought highs and lows (though, mostly lows). But, revenues steadily grew, and, in the final quarter of 2012, the company finally turned a profit. And now, for the most recent quarter, Facebook is reporting revenue of $1.46 billion, a 38-percent boost over the same period in 2012, with a net income of $312 million and earnings of 12 cents per share.

Daily active users jumped to 665 million worldwide, compared with 526 million in Q1 2012. As we learned last month, Instagram also saw a significant boost, with more than 100 million people actively using the service each month. Mobile is clearly in focus this year, and 751 million users are already accessing the site each month through smartphones and tablets, though the company’s efforts in that arena may be better reflected in the future — the site’s legacy products are responsible for Q1 2013’s figures. We hope to get some more insight during the earnings call this afternoon, and we’ll be sure to share any notable tidbits as they’re made public.

Filed under: Internet, Facebook

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Source: Facebook

Look, we’ve all been there — that moment when palm meets face after viewing the umpteenth image of your best friend’s child. As cute as Louie is, there’s a finite quantity of JPEGs that one can stand if you aren’t Louie’s creator. Of course, scaling back the number of offspring photos uploaded to public social networks wasn’t the intention of those who crafted Ukky, but it’s a side effect that the childless among us will no doubt appreciate. Showcased this week at The Next Web Conference, Ukky is a (gorgeous) iPhone app that’s designed to journal the life of your youngster, and your interactions along the way. The word itself is Dutch for “little one” (or so I’m told), and it effectively brings the world of Path to a different niche.

Filed under: Internet, Software, Mobile

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Source: Ukky