Google Play app beta program continues to expand with Twitter

The folks at Twitter are the latest in a group of app developers to take advantage of the Google Play app beta program, this allowing users – friendly bug-seekers, to take part in an early release schedule. This program works quite simply – just sign up through a Google Group, agree to be a tester, […]

BlackBerry Beta Zone app released for early adopters on BB10

BlackBerry Beta Zone app released for early adopters on BB10

Well, it looks as if Twitter isn’t the only one announcing something beta-related today. BlackBerry has (quietly) released Beta Zone for BlackBerry 10, an application geared toward folks who are game to try stuff before it’s ready for prime time. The firm’s newly outed app gives members an easy-to-access hub where they can download the latest software arriving on the platform in beta. As you’d expect, Beta Zone for BB10 won’t cost a dime to download, though you will need to have an account before being able to access any of those rough-hewn apps.

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Via: N4BB

Source: BlackBerry World

Parallels Desktop 9 supports OS X Mavericks and cloud services, provides mighty performance boost

Parallels Desktop 9 supports OS X Mavericks and cloud services, provides mighty performance boost

Parallels usually does a pretty great job at heavily improving its Mac / Windows fusion software, and we’d say this newly minted version doesn’t fall remotely short of that. Parallels Desktop 9 brings an array of improvements and enhancements to the table: integration with popular cloud services (iCloud, Dropbox, Google Drive, SkyDrive and more), support for Power Nap on compatible laptops, the ability to have a keyboard customized for Windows and, perhaps most importantly, being friendly with OS X Mavericks. This new iteration is on sale now to new customers for $79.99 or $39.99 for the Student Edition, while Desktop 7 and Desktop 8 users will only have to shell out $49.99 to upgrade. The full list of novel features can be perused in the PR after the break, and there’s also a video in case moving visual images are something you prefer.

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Source: Parallels

SimCity for Mac issues causing some gamers frustration

With the SimCity launch fiasco that took place earlier this year still in fresh in the mind of gamers, many have plodded ahead and downloaded the newly launched SimCity from Mac. Not too long after the download became available, however, comments and tweets are appearing from users who are experiencing a variety of issues with […]

TiVo adds Opera SDK support to Roamio platform, wants more HTML5 apps

TiVo adding Opera SDK support to Roamio platform, opens up possibilities for more HTML5 apps

The TiVo Roamio platform is still extremely young, what with it only having been launched earlier this month and all. Still, the DVR maker isn’t wasting any time and is now finding ways to bring as many features as possible to its new set-top boxes. With this in mind, TiVo let it be known today that it’s adding support for Opera’s Devices SDK and TV Store to its lineup of Roamio DVRs, providing developers an opportunity to create a variety of HTML5-based applications. TiVo’s hoping the partnership with Opera can introduce a slew of apps in different categories to the platform, including entertainment, fashion, sports, business, gaming news and more. As for Opera, we can imagine it’s rather pleased to get its app-creating tools used by yet another company.

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Via: TechCrunch

Source: TiVo

Mozilla aims to socialize app shopping with Marketplace for Firefox OS (video)

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Firefox OS has an uphill battle to impress consumers, and Mozilla is hoping that the social app store it’s developing will be the thing that sets it apart. Marketplace designer Liu Liu took to Mozilla’s blog to discuss the team’s decision to focus on “the feed,” which appears to share content much like a social media site. In this brave new Marketplace, users would be able to customize their homepages, receive personalized suggestions, like specific apps and view download statistics. To create a friendlier environment, Mozilla has also included profile photos so you can put a face to the name behind the apps. Liu was careful to point out that the Marketplace prototype is, for the time being, a concept, not a product, and it’ll certainly undergo several rounds of revisions before it’s ready to unleash upon the world. To learn more, read Liu’s blog post at the source or check out the video after the break.

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Via: The Next Web

Source: Mozilla

Facebook Privacy rules changing: data collection, use, personalized ads

The Chief Privacy Officer of Policy for Facebook Erin Egan has this week begun setting down a series of changes to several of the key Facebook Governing Documents, with emphasis placed on their Data Use Policy and their Statement of Rights and Responsibilities. For the average Facebook user, this means you’ll be seeing Facebook make […]

Kindle e-bookstore and self-publishing platform now available in Mexico

DNP Kindle ebookstore and selfpublishing platform now available in Mexico

Both readers and writers in Mexico have a reason to rejoice today, as Amazon has just launched the Kindle Store and Kindle Direct Publishing in their country. The e-bookstore will feature over 70,000 Spanish-language titles, as well as e-books in indigenous tongues like Nahuatl. To help fill up those new e-readers, Amazon will also be offering upwards of 1,500 free books among the store’s 2 million titles. The availability of KDP is especially significant, as it offers both unknown authors and big name writers like Paulo Coelho (who’s using it to release his books El Alquimista and Once Minutos) an alternative path to publishing. Additionally, Gandhi, one of the largest bookstore chains in Mexico, will now sell the basic Kindle and Kindle Paperwhite in its brick and mortar shops for MXN$1,399 (USD$105) and MXN$2,399 (USD$180) respectively. For more info, check out the source links below or the press releases after the break.

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Via: The Verge

Source: Amazon (Kindle Store), Amazon (Kindle Direct Publishing)

Foursquare’s new push recommendations appear even when you don’t check in

Fourquare's new push recommendations appear even when you don't check in

Sure, Foursquare is a nice option for recommendations from friends and those who have already explored your current locale. It appears, though, that the days of manually searching the app for nearby treasures will soon be a thing of the past. Today, Foursquare began a rollout to select Android users a “smarter” version of the service — one that’s proactive with its recommendations. That’s right, folks, the app will ping you via push notification when you’re near a friend’s go-to sushi place or offer up cocktail suggestions based on the bar that you just cozied up to. Fret not, you can still check in like you’re used to, but now Foursquare will offer up recommendations even if you don’t. Battery drain shouldn’t be a concern here as the company says a day’s worth of advice should roughly translate to a 20-minute Angry Birds session. In the next few months, the feature will reach all Android users, with iOS to follow sometime after that. For now, if you’re not one of the lucky thousand or so, you can peruse the backstory via the source link below.

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Via: TechCrunch, AllThingsD

Source: Fourquare

Flickr for iOS update brings new filters, camera features and editing tools

DNP Flickr for iOS update brings new filters, camera features and editing tools

Given the stiff competition from other photo editing apps, Yahoo is approaching its Flickr renaissance with steely determination. Today’s update to the iOS app introduces a slew of new features designed to give it a fighting chance in a crowded market. Love ’em or hate ’em, filters remain all the rage, and Flickr is rolling out a handful of new ones with suitably hip names to please the masses. Now, users will also have the ability to see a live preview of the filter before they apply it to their photo. Also included in the update are several beefed up — and free — editing features, like color balance settings, level adjustments and a sharpening tool. Lastly, the camera function is getting a minor overhaul as well. You can now pinch to zoom, compose a shot with the handy dandy grid and lock your exposure and focus points. To get your hands on the update, head on over to the source link below.

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Source: iTunes