Apr 14

Tweetbot might replace your iOS Twitter client (video)

Posted in: app, Apple, hands-on, ios, iPhone, social networking, SocialNetworking, Software, Today's Chili, twitter, video
We awoke this morning to a deluge of hype surrounding Tweetbot, the version 1.0 Twitter client from Tapbot. So we sucked down some legal stimulant and ponied up the entrance fee to give it a go on an iPhone 4 (the app requires iOS 4.1 or later). Granted, we’re still in the honeymoon period but we’re definitely impressed. The design elements, animations, and audio tones are slickly implemented and the functionality is rich and intuitive. We’re especially smitten by the right and left swiping actions used to reveal conversations and replies, respectively, and the customizable tab bar that gives quick access to lists and retweets. In fact, the list integration is so good as to finally make Twitter lists useful on a smartphone. We also applaud Tapbot’s plucky release in light of Twitter Inc.’s preference that developers stop reproducing the Twitter client experience, especially since the result is superior to Twitter’s own free iOS app. Sure, the user interface can be a bit overzealous at times (think HTC Sense vs. Windows Phone 7) but it’s more fun than it is distracting, especially during these early hours. At $1.99 it’s definitely worth a look — just promise to view the video overview after the break first, ok?

Continue reading Tweetbot might replace your iOS Twitter client (video)

Tweetbot might replace your iOS Twitter client (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 14 Apr 2011 08:16:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink Daring Fireball  |  sourceiTunes  | Email this | Comments

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Apr 08

Backupify Automatically Creates Backups Of Your Online Belongings

Posted in: Today's Chili, twitter, Web Sites

This article was written on December 29, 2009 by CyberNet.

backupify.jpg

Over the last five years, there has been a huge increase in the amount of data we store online. We post pictures to Flickr, bookmark sites on Delicious, keep documents in Google Docs and tweet with Twitter. But unlike with offline data, backing up your online belongings requires a different approach. Luckily, Backupify has come to the rescue.

Backupify is an online cloud backup service. It currently supports the following sites, with more be added soon:

  • Flickr (photo sharing)
  • Twitter (microblogging)
  • Delicious (bookmarks sharing)
  • Zoho (office suite)
  • Google Docs (office suite)
  • WordPress (blogging)
  • Basecamp (project management)
  • Gmail (e-mail)
  • Facebook (social network)
  • FriendFeed (social network aggregation)
  • Blogger (blogging)
  • Hotmail (e-mail)

To have Backupify create a daily or weekly backup of these services, you have to provide your username and password to the site. For some services such as Flickr, Backupify uses safer ways to get access to your stuff so that you don’t have to supply your password. If you have multiple accounts with one service, you can enter all of them.

Once you’ve set up your services, the backups will start appearing under the Archives tab after they are made. That brings us to the bad news: Backupify can’t restore your data automatically yet. Still, this is better than having no data at all.

backupify archive.jpg

Backupify is completely free forever if you sign up before January 31st 2010, so get an account while you can!

Backupify Homepage

Copyright © 2011 CyberNetNews.com

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Apr 07

Get Twitter “Bubbles” on Your Desktop

Posted in: desktop, Freeware, Linux, Mac, Software, Today's Chili, twitter, Windows

This article was written on December 10, 2009 by CyberNet.

tweetbubbles.jpg
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Twitter is taking the world by storm, and because of that we’re seeing a flood of third-party apps becoming available. One that recently caught my eye was the Adobe Air-powered TweetBubbles, which isn’t designed to be your typical Twitter client. In fact, you can’t even post to Twitter with it. How’s it useful then?

During presentations or events people tend to have a projector set up that will be used to go through some slides. Before the presentation starts the screen normally just sits there blank or maybe on the first slide, and the same thing happens again for intermissions. With TweetBubbles you can capture your audience’s attention by pulling in related Twitter posts by filtering according to keyword. When a match is found a chat-like bubble will appear around the edge of your desktop showing off the tweet that was recently posted.

There are some obvious flaws to this. The big one is probably that you don’t have much control over the contents of the tweets that show up. Once people at the conference see the keyword filter you’re using they could instantly post something that is inappropriate. The good thing is that you’d know who posted it… unless they prepared ahead of time by creating a Twitter account that doesn’t personally identify them.

As far as settings go you can only configure a handful of things like the keyword/hash you want to filter by, how transparent you want the bubbles to appear, and whether you want them to appear on the left, right, or both sides of the screen. That’s pretty much it.

So I’m not sure how many people will actually use an app like this, but I think the concept is awesome. It would surely keep your audience engaged even during “down time” in your presentation, which is something that could otherwise be difficult to do.

TweetBubbles Homepage (Freeware)
[via Technix]

Copyright © 2011 CyberNetNews.com

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Apr 07

US Homeland Security Department planning to use Facebook, Twitter for terrorism alerts

Posted in: Today's Chili, twitter

It looks like we finally know what the US Department of Homeland Security plans to use instead of the now infamous color-coded terrorism alert system. According to a draft document obtained by the Associated Press, the department’s new system will simply have two levels of alerts — “elevated” and “imminent” — and it seems those warnings will even be published online using Facebook and Twitter “when appropriate.” There’s no word as to exactly how those alerts will be published, however, or any indication that the two companies have actually committed to aiding the department in any way, for that matter. We should know more soon enough, though — the new system is expected to be in place by April 27th.

US Homeland Security Department planning to use Facebook, Twitter for terrorism alerts originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 07 Apr 2011 12:34:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink The Globe and Mail  |  sourceAssociated Press  | Email this | Comments

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Apr 04

Twitter finally gets a legitimate search function, lets you filter tweets using smiley faces

Posted in: networking, Online, search, social networking, SocialNetworking, Today's Chili, twitter, web

Like Google’s web search, Twitter started off life doing one single thing and doing it very well. And, just like Google, it’s kept adding subtle little enhancements along its way to becoming a mature internet tool. Today, its own famously simplistic search functionality has take a turn through the makeover booth and has emerged shinier, happier, and much smarter on the other side. No longer do you need to have, for example, the specific names of your favorite smartphone jailbreak artists, you just search for the general term and Twitter will do some actual searching for you instead of merely matching your query to usernames. You can even step up to an advanced search, where adding the “:)” and “:(” operators determines whether you’ll get happy or downbeat tweets on the topic. Come to think of it, that is pretty advanced. Yo Google, where are your emoticon operators?

Twitter finally gets a legitimate search function, lets you filter tweets using smiley faces originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 04 Apr 2011 16:19:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  sourceTwitter  | Email this | Comments

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Apr 01

Gadget Lab Podcast: Fake ‘4G’ on AT&T Phones, Android Insecurity

Posted in: amazon, Android, Apple, att, podcasts, security, Today's Chili, twitter

          

Before the Gadget Lab crew dives into this week’s tech news, we raise our phones to celebrate the removal of Twitter’s god-awful QuickBar — that annoying black bar that appears at the top of your Twitter feed to show advertising and trending topics.

It was so putrid that people called it the “DickBar.” Fortunately, Twitter took the feedback to heart and abolished the QuickBar in its latest software update.

In other news, some customers have found that their brand-new “4G-capable” phones (such as the Motorola Atrix and the HTC Inspire) aren’t actually uploading data at 4G speeds. In fact, some of their speeds are even slower than existing 3G phones. The problem? AT&T just hasn’t flipped the switch yet to enable 4G speeds on these phones. Talk about lame.

We’re disappointed that there likely won’t be an iPhone 5 from Apple this summer, even though we’ve gotten a new iPhone every summer for the past four years. We’re guessing it’s because the white iPhone 4 still hasn’t shipped due to production problems, and Apple wants to give that model some shelf life before introducing an iPhone 5. Plus, a Verizon iPhone only just came out recently.

On the Android front, Amazon opened an Android Appstore last week, and many people probably don’t realize the security risks involved in shopping in Amazon’s store. Getting apps from a third-party app store such as Amazon’s requires checking off an option to enable installations from unknown sources, which can subject you to harmful malware, just like a Windows PC browsing the web.

Already this week, we’ve seen a trojan horse appear inside third-party app stores threatening to infect Android phones allowing installations from unknown sources.

Like the show? You can also get the Gadget Lab video podcast on iTunes, or if you don’t want to be distracted by our ugly mugs, check out the Gadget Lab audio podcast. Prefer RSS? You can subscribe to the Gadget Lab video or audio podcast feeds. Thanks for listening and watching!

Or listen to the audio here:

Gadget Lab audio podcast No. 110

http://downloads.wired.com/podcasts/assets/gadgetlabaudio/GadgetLabAudio0110.mp3


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Apr 01

RadioShack to get T-Mobile Sidekick 4G on April 20th

Posted in: 4G, Android, availability, froyo, launch, release, samsung, t-mobile, Today's Chili, tweet, twitter

While T-Mobile’s staying coy about the Sidekick 4G’s availability, RadioShack went ahead and gave us the final piece of the puzzle: according to one of its latest tweets, said Android phone is heading to the Shack on April 20th. Oh yes, this just so happens to be the rumored date for the G-Slate and G2X as well. Coincidence? Only time will tell, and let’s hope that this doesn’t end up being an April Fool’s joke — well, at least the Shack would have something to blame if it actually misheard the information over the phone.

RadioShack to get T-Mobile Sidekick 4G on April 20th originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 01 Apr 2011 04:08:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink Android Community  |  source@RadioShack (Twitter)  | Email this | Comments

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Mar 30

Flickr Adds New Sharing Options

Posted in: Miscellaneous Tech, Today's Chili, twitter

FlickrShare.jpg
Today Flickr announced that it’s added new sharing functionality that allows users to share specific Flickr content on various social networking sites, including Twitter, Facebook, and Tumblr. In an attempt to make “Flickr the hub for your photos on the Internet,” the Flickr folks have made it easier for you to share your photos to the places you want.

Replacing the “Share this” button is new a icon for email, the two sharing services you most recently used, and a drop down menu, which gives you access to other sharing destinations, the URL, and the embed code. You can now not only share your individual photos and photostream, but sets and groups as well. You can also share non-public Flickr content with your Facebook friends, so you can keep your goofy game-night pics private on Flickr, but still share them with your Facebook friends. 

Plus, now, even if you aren’t signed into Flickr, you can share public and safe photos from the site on Twitter and Facebook accounts. On its blog, Flickr says its changes “make it easier to upload once to Flickr and get your photos out to other places you showcase your photos on the web!” We all know that life is hard enough, so why not try the new features out and see if it really does make photo sharing easier.  

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Mar 30

Softbank to offer free phones to earthquake orphans, free replacement for lost iPhones

Posted in: cellphone, iPhone, Japan, mobile phone, MobilePhone, phone, smartphone, Today's Chili, twitter

Following the catastrophic earthquakes and tsunami in Japan, surviving victims from the affected region are going to face a tough time over the coming months, if not years. Many of those who are more fortunate have been actively contributing in one way or another, regardless of distance, to help put Japan on its road to recovery. Back in the country, one such generous person is non other than Softbank founder and CEO Masayoshi Son, who’s recently visited Tamura, one of the cities most affected by the Fukushima nuclear disaster. During that trip, Son announced that Softbank will cover a year’s worth of living costs (commute and food) and provide job positions for the 1,200 people to be relocated to Takeo in Saga, the prefecture where Son originated.

Additionally, Son is using Softbank’s “Let’s Do It” campaign site — a tracker for his “Let’s Do It” tasks posted on Twitter, each accompanied by a completion status indicator — to crowdsource requests for supporting earthquake victims. So far, these requests are mainly about ways to increase efficiency for donation efforts (like publishing a live list of item shortages for each shelter, and setting up new mobile networks at the shelters), but there were two that caught our attention. Last week, one of Son’s followers suggested that Softbank should provide orphaned children free phone credit for a limited time, so that they could contact their friends and other family members. Son then retweeted this idea and announced that all earthquake orphans will receive free phones, along with call costs waived until they reach the age of 18. Another gadget-related initiative came in earlier today with Son promising free replacement for all lost or damaged iPhones due to the earthquake, with details to follow later.

Obviously, anyone providing aid to Japan in any way, shape, or form deserves just as much credit, but Softbank’s extra mileage and cunning use of social networking is certainly praiseworthy in its own right. Here’s hoping that Son’s actions will inspire others for even greater causes.

[Thanks, Tres]

Update: It’s worth pointing out that Son said he’s also happy to help pay phone bills for earthquake orphans who are already on other networks, including DoCoMo. Good on ya, sir!

Softbank to offer free phones to earthquake orphans, free replacement for lost iPhones originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 30 Mar 2011 09:14:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink Engadget Japanese, Macotakara  |  sourceSoftbank, UDN  | Email this | Comments

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Mar 28

Twimal the Twitter reader reads your tweets, looks adorable while doing so (video)

Posted in: Japan, japanese, Today's Chili, toy, Toys, tweet, twitter, video

If you fancy using Twitter as much as we do, you’ll probably scream like a pre-teen when you lay your eyeballs on what toy maker Takara Tomy has conjured up in Japan. Dubbed Twimal, this loveable Pokemon-esque desk companion plugs into your Windows machine via USB and has one reason for its existence — to read your tweets. Available in blue or white (male or female voice, respectively), these little bots are able to read all sorts of tweets (replies, lists, user-specific, etc.), in what appears to be Japanese only. If you’re interested in getting your 140-character messages read in the cutest way possible, look for these toys on digital shelves in Japan on March 31 for ¥2,480 (around 30 bucks). And do yourself a favor; watch the video after the break. You’ll thank us later.

Continue reading Twimal the Twitter reader reads your tweets, looks adorable while doing so (video)

Twimal the Twitter reader reads your tweets, looks adorable while doing so (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 28 Mar 2011 07:10:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink CrunchGear  |  sourceTakara Tomy (Japanese)  | Email this | Comments

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