Forget about iOS 6.0.1, developers have been sent iOS 6.1 for testing

In addition to releasing the bug fixing iOS 6.0.1 update yesterday, Apple has also seeded the first beta version of iOS 6.1 to developers. This is traditionally where new features will be discovered, so does 6.1 hold any great surprises?

Yesterday, Apple released its first revision of iOS 6, entitled iOS 6.0.1, which as you would expect from such a lowly number is all about bug fixes and performance updates. That’s fine, and will come as good news for those affected by bugs it claims to fix, but what about iOS 6.1, where new features could make an appearance?

At the same time as 6.0.1 was released, Apple also seeded the first beta version of iOS 6.1 to its developers. As it’s an early version of the software, exciting new features are thin on the ground, however Apple Maps has seen a small feature update.

Before anyone gets too excited, alterations to Apple Maps’ mapping ability don’t need a software update, with improvements being made to the much-maligned Google Maps replacement being pushed through all the time, without you even knowing.

But what about when you find something missing, broken or just plain wrong? Apple wants to make it much easier to tell them about these issues, and has therefore added a massive button marked “report a problem.” It has been given the upper most position under the flap in Apple Maps, and is considerably larger than any other button on the screen.

Additionally, iOS 6.1 beta gives developers the chance to integrate map searches into their own apps, which will work even when normal language is used in the search phrase, for example entering “books” would return information on book stores in the area. Handy if your unfamiliar with your surroundings, unless Apple Maps is even more clueless than you, that is.

Apart from this, iOS 6 beta 1 changes the style of the music controls on the homescreen — buttons are more widely spaced, and the volume slider is now consistent with the design seen elsewhere in iOS — plus a tweak to Passbook, where developers are advised to provide both date and relevant location information on boarding passes.appl

For now, that’s it on the new features list of iOS 6.1. Anyone wondering where all the good stuff is, don’t forget, it’s only the first beta version, and Apple won’t give everything away immediately. As for its possible release, judging by the gap between iOS 5.1’s first beta in November 2011 and its final release in March 2012 there’s still plenty of time to go before it graces our phones.

Source : digitaltrends[dot]com

How To Safely Watch Free TV Shows Online

Little did developers realize so many years ago that what they would find themselves allowing years later is the biggest exchange of information imaginable on daily basis. So much that people do not have to ever leave their computers for the content and entertainment they are looking for.

If you are someone that rather enjoys television, you might have not even realized the massive amount of content that is available online for you. No matter which show you might be looking for, you should be able to find it with limited trouble just by browsing online. How to do this, though, might not be something that is as simple as opening a window on the computer.

Streaming Boxes

You are now able to stream to your TV with streaming boxes such as Apple TV via Airplay

Roku TV

There are now streaming boxes such as Apple TV and Roku which are available in the market, Roku’s $50 streaming box for instance comes with an impressive lineup of content, which icludes but not limited to Amazon Instant, Netflix, Pandora, NHL Game Centre, Hulu Plus, HBO Go, MLB.TV, NHL GameCenter, Epix, Crackle, Picasa, Flicker, Mog, Rdio, TED Talks, Revision3, TWiT.TV, NASA, just to name a few. You can take a look at the full list of the content available on Roku’s site, Unfortunately, YouTube is not yet available but it’s available on Apple TV

Flickr image courtesy of robertnelson

Apple TV

Apple TV on the other hand started as a relatively limited streaming-video box, but with constant update, this box has become transformed from what we could call a glorified Netflix player to one of the best streaming-video boxes available today. Just like with any other apple product, this product is twice the cost of Roku ($99 in the US), I bought mine for £99 in the UK but you get what you paid for which is high quality and a very good browsing experience that could be described as first class for movies and TV shows.

Flickr image courtesy of methodshop.com and nakagawa

Tips

You need to be careful about finding content on the internet, often times this great content that you stumbled across is carrying a Trojan virus or something similar that can quite literally destroy your computer. This is not something that should keep you from hunting out the real and legitimate sites, because these are in fact worth your time. The point in saying this is that you should always be operating an antivirus program that can scan your computer in real time for incoming threats.

Simply searching those key terms “watching tv free online” should generate numerous websites that can get your search started. However, many of these websites are going to ask you to download things or complete participating offers for membership to the site. While downloading things should not be too much to ask, especially if you are running your scanner, you should shy away from completing participating offers to watch tv online.

These are often coupled with spyware and adware that can access personal information of yours, and you never end up close to getting what you were hoping for in the first place. Remember that there are websites that are actually offering free streaming television online, and you do not need to jump through any hoops to find them and access what they have to offer. All it does take, is a little bit of patience.

As regards to the earlier mentioned downloading, this often means a particular player that is designed to play the files that they have created with the content. This is not an uncommon thing, and many streaming websites only upload their content with specific file types. So it should not necessarily be a red flag when asked to download a player.

Whether you are looking for classic television programming from the 70s or 80s, or even a show that might have aired the night before last,  ”How to” is as simple as finding the website, but be mindful of some precaution that should be taken.

Tags: Free Shows, Free TV, TV For Free, Watch TV

Source : techtalkafrica[dot]com

Outdated apps may rain on Windows Phone 8′s parade

Microsoft has yet to release its software development kit for Windows Phone 8 despite the OS's impending launch, raising concerns that developers won't have time to update their apps.

On October 29, Microsoft will finally tell us everything there is to know about Windows Phone 8, its new mobile operating system. But surely we know everything already, right? After all, we’ve seen the software and all the major manufacturers have announced their hardware too.

Microsoft says it has kept some facts back about WP8 to help maintain anticipation, and revealing those will be part of the October event. Unfortunately, this secrecy has caused Microsoft to delay the release of its Software Development Kit, or SDK, presumably to help avoid thunder-stealing leaks; but the final version is expected to arrive at the end of this month.

However, the wait has angered many Windows Phone developers, as did a decision to allow certain developers limited access to the SDK in return for signing a non-disclosure agreement.

Angry developers without access to the right software could mean problems in the new Windows Phone Store, which will be a worry for anyone wanting to buy one of the new handsets. Windows Phone already lags behind Android and iPhone when it comes to quality apps. Should we be concerned by this delay?

Will app availability be a problem?

A delayed SDK means developers won’t be able to fine-tune, test, or add in additional features to get their apps ready for Windows Phone 8. They also can’t create new apps that take advantage of the new platform. The good news is Microsoft has said Windows Phone 7 apps will be compatible with Windows Phone 8, so every app that’s already in the store will still be available — they just won’t be optimized.

More good news is that those developers with early access are likely to be the big studios, as Microsoft will want to ensure high profile apps have been enhanced to show off the OS’s abilities. Don’t forget, Windows Phone 8 hardware has faster processors and higher resolution screens, so there’s plenty of scope to improve existing apps.

We asked Microsoft representatives if the lack of an SDK would be a problem. Predictably, we were assured that it’s all part of the plan:

“We’ve been quietly previewing the SDK with hundreds of top developers and on September 5 announced a broader SDK Preview Program for registered developers with apps in Marketplace. As usual we aren’t going to release the SDK to the general public until the full OS is revealed, but we feel this Preview Program delivers on the commitment we made in June and allows developers to test and update their apps for Windows Phone 8.”

Regardless of why Microsoft is being secretive, this delay brings us on to the bad news: older apps may not look all that great until they’ve been updated. It looks like some developers have been given the information needed to update, but not all of them. Remember the switch from a 320 x 480 pixel screen on an iPhone 3G/3GS to the iPhone 4’s Retina Display? While it won’t be quite that pronounced, this situation is very similar. The bottom line here is that yes, there will be apps, but most will not be enhanced for Windows Phone 8 in time for release.

There is one more thing to remember, and that’s the October 29 date isn’t the date Windows Phone 8 hardware goes on sale. Due to Microsoft holding back, manufacturers have stayed quiet on when phones will hit stores, with sometime in November being the only word.

Provided the SDK comes out on October 29, then developers will still have a few weeks to play with their apps before you get your hands on a WP8 phone. Let’s hope they work fast.

Microsoft has upgraded it developer portal, promising improvements in the app certification process and overall site performance. Another 13 countries have been added to this list too, bringing the total to 191, and more developers able to sing up means more apps for us.

Is all this normal?

Apple releases different versions of its iOS SDK between the date of its announcement and the date of final release. Not all the versions have every new feature, but they at least allow developers to start work on new apps, or update existing ones. For example, according to this chart, the first iOS 5 beta appeared on June 6 2011, and four subsequent beta versions were released before the final October street date. iOS 6 was similarly released a few months prior to the iPhone 5 going on sale.

Historically, Google has released its SDK a short while after it announces the new version of Android, with 4.1 Jelly Bean’s SDK coming out in July this year following Jelly Bean’s announcement at Google I/O.

The real star at the moment, surprisingly, is RIM (Research in Motion). Despite BlackBerry 10 not appearing until next year (current guestimates hint at March 2013), Beta versions of its SDK are already available to developers, and this week it began accepting app submissions too. It’s even offering an incentive to early bird devs, promising selected apps a prominent position in BlackBerry App World. It looks like it really is lovin’ its developers.

Microsoft’s approach is unorthodox, and does exactly the opposite of RIM’s, as it alienates developers and could potentially annoy buyers when the app selection is sparse. There’s still time to fix this, but Microsoft needs to start soon.

Will it all be OK come release day?

Maybe. Microsoft has dug itself a hole with the handling of Windows Phone 7. No one running a WP7 device will be able to upgrade to Windows Phone 8, making the old OS and hardware completely obsolete. Developers want to turn their attention to the new version, but are being hampered by Microsoft’s desire to keep things “secret.” RIM is often ridiculed, but it knows how important it is to keep developers working on its platform.

The first thing any new Windows Phone 8 owner will do is check out the available apps in Microsoft’s Windows Phone app store. If the selection is poor, or the version available is for outdated hardware, that negative experience will spread — fast. Worse, experienced smartphone buyers are already used to Google Play and/or the iTunes App Store, which are full of good apps.

Microsoft needs Windows Phone 8 to have a more successful launch that Windows Phone 7, and is playing with fire by denying developers access to the WP8 SDK right now. Or, for all we know, the software has problems and isn’t finished, requiring last minute adjustments. If it’s the former, the reasoning is bizarre but not unforgivable provided the secrets are truly exciting; but if it’s the latter, then Microsoft has got bigger problems to worry about than a software developer kit.

Source : digitaltrends[dot]com

Jetpack Joyride arrives on the Google Play Store

After being exclusive to the Amazon Appstore for a while, the developers of Jetpack Joyride have now released the game on Google’s Play Store. As you’d expect, the game is available free of cost.

In case you’re not aware of this game, Jetpack Joyride is a 2D side-scrolling game where you ride a jetpack and have to go as far as possible, thus getting a higher score. You collect coins during the game, which can be used to upgrade your jetpack and the special vehicles that you get in the game. You also collect spin tokens, which let you spin the slot machine at the end of each game.

I haven’t played the Amazon Appstore version so this is the first time I’m playing the Android version of the game. Compared to the iOS version, the Android version is not as smooth, with occassional stuttering although overall, it is still playable. The stuttering should hopefully be fixed in future versions. The sound and the graphics are similar to the iOS version and are just as good.

Jetpack Joyride is a fun game and offers a lot of value for $0.00. If you haven’t played the game already, download it from the Play Store now.

Source : blog[dot]gsmarena[dot]com

Google Play hits 25 billion downloads, celebrates with app sale and special collections

The Google Play store hit 25 billion downloads this week. To celebrate, the online store is offering a bunch of 25-cent apps from some major developers throughout the week.

The Google Play store, home to more than 675,000 apps and games for Android-powered devices, hit 25 billion downloads this week, less than four years after opening for business.

To celebrate the milestone, discounts on a number of apps will be available over the next five days.

Anyone interested in picking up some cut-price software will have the chance to choose from a range of titles created by high-profile developers such as Gameloft, Electronic Arts, and Rovio. With an asking price of just 25 cents, Google Play is sure to see a spike in paid-for downloads in the coming days.

Google Play, called Android Market until earlier this year, is also offering special collections, such as “25 movies you must own, 25 banned books, 25 albums that changed the world and our 25 top selling magazines, all at special prices,” Google’s Jamie Rosenberg wrote in a blog post announcing the news.

Arch-rival Apple hit 25 billion downloads with its iOS App Store back in March, taking only slightly less time than Google Play in terms of how long the stores have been up and running. In fact, in terms of downloads and apps available (Google Play has 675,000 compared with iOS’s 700,000), Google Play and the iOS store are now pretty much neck and neck.

But there are now more Android devices in the hands of users than iOS-powered devices, so it surely won’t be long before Google Play surpasses its rival in terms of download numbers.

“Twenty-five billion is more than twice the distance, in miles, that the Voyager 1 spacecraft has travelled since its launch 35 years ago,” Rosenberg wrote on the official Android blog. “It’s the amount of time, in minutes, that have passed since some of our earliest ancestors began to set foot in Europe. And now, thanks to all of you, it’s a Google Play milestone. We look forward to the next 25 billion.”

Source : digitaltrends[dot]com

Want to install custom ROMs? Don’t buy Exynos phones.

Users may find the performance of Samsung’s Exynos processors exhilarating, but it seems the developers who work on custom ROMs for these devices don’t share the same enthusiasm.

Responding to a query on xda-developers forum, CyanogenMod developer who goes by the forum ID ‘codeworkx’ explained why he and other developers think that Exynos processors are bad for developers. It essentially boils down to lack of proper support from Samsung in terms of providing sources or documentation for their processors and when they do it’s either outdated or incompatible.

In comparison, he found Qualcomm and TI to be far better. He even gave an example where he compared two of Samsung’s phones, the I9100 Galaxy S II and the I9100G Galaxy S II, essentially the same phones but running on different SoCs, the former on Samsung’s Exynos and the latter on TI OMAP. The I9100 is still struggling with an unstable and poorly performing Jelly Bean ROM whereas the I9100G has a fully functional Jelly Bean ROM.

In the end, his advice is to avoid buying Exynos phones, that is, if you care about installing custom ROMs on your device.

Source : blog[dot]gsmarena[dot]com

Facebook apps get personal with new Notifications API

Facebook gives apps the ability to send personalized notifications, but reminds developers that users are in control - fingers crossed.

Don’t you love that feeling when you open Facebook or the mobile app to see that the world is lit up? The little red box catches your eye telling you how many people love you and how many new photos you look great in? Get ready for that feeling to change; Facebook announced on their blog Friday a new way for application developers to get your attention with the Notifications API. 

The API has been tested and is now entering beta. It provides developers with the coding capabilities to send personalized messages to you through your Notifications. These notifications could be in response to specific actions taken by you or your friends who are users of the app, or they could just be general messages with a more personal feel. Any application that you’ve authorized can use the API to communicate with you via your Notifications hub without requesting any additional permissions.

Apps also have the power refer to any other User ID that has authorized it, so your friends’ names may show up in your Notifications, and any app you have authorized can include your User ID in your friends’ notifications. Try to remember that when you decide to authorize the Match.com app.

The tone of Facebook’s announcement and the official documentation for the feature strongly encourage developers to focus on delivering users “high-quality app notifications.” In the API’s documentation, Facebook reminds app developers that users are still in control of the notifications they receive. By clicking the X in the notification, users have the ability to opt out of receiving notifications from a particular app. If the user makes the decision to opt out, they are then provided the opportunity to “Report app for spam.”  The blog post informs developers that “Apps with exceedingly high turn off rates for notifications may be classified as spam and disabled.”

 Facebook also introduced a Notifications Best Practices guide for app developers with the headline: “Quality Matters.” The guidelines make suggestions for appropriate use and provide guidelines for length and syntax of notifications.

To the end of delivering only highly effective notifications to users, an additional feature is debuting alongside the Notifications API in the Insights Dashboard (the page where developers can access analytics about their apps). Notifications analytics will be added under the Traffic category so that developers can see “data such as click to publish ratio, number of accepted and rejected notifications, in addition to your mark as spam rate.”

The focus on the user experience is welcome and if the recommendations are followed, they’ll benefit the app developers as well, with fewer spam reports and a way to interact on a personal level with users. With the existing ability to block notifications from certain groups and apps, along with the spam reporting features, Facebook seems to be making an earnest effort to balance user control over the content they’re sent and third parties’ ability to send it. Nevertheless, this will likely change the way we view new notifications — right now, they are essentially people-focused; bite-sized news about how our friends are interacting with us. Trying to introduce how our apps are interacting with us is a mental switch that isn’t likely to go over all that smoothly. 

Source : digitaltrends[dot]com

Apple introduces Content Dispute system for the App Store

The App Store is not without its share of copycat apps. Often you will see developers trying to rip-off a successful app or game by having a similar name, icon or UI and try to benefit from someone else’s success.

For a long time, developers of popular apps could do little but watch copies of their app or game appear on the store. But now Apple has come up with a new Content Dispute system that might just put an end to this situation.

With the help of this new system, developers who feel their intellectual property has been infringed can now file a complaint with Apple by filling out a form. After that, Apple will put the developer in contact with the offending party and see if they can reach an agreement. If that doesn’t work, the developer can contact Apple’s legal team for further action.

This should hopefully reduce the number of copycat apps on the Store that confuse unknowing users and will also deter other developers from trying to create such apps that free ride on someone else’s success.

Source : blog[dot]gsmarena[dot]com

Drag and drog app platform Tiggzi adds database functionality

WIth an emphasis on a productivity-rich UI and its new database functionality, Tiggzi competes for app developers platform love.

There is no doubt in anyone’s mind that the app economy has uprooted how we think about the technology market. In a landscape formerly dominated by hardware titans and products that targeted the IT crowd and not the everyday consumer, the app has become not only a legitimate startup idea but the foundation of the hottest, fastest-growing industry — mobile. 

Which is why it stands to reason that there’s plenty of interest not only in developing apps but in developing tools for developing apps (say that three times fast). Apps are supposed to be inherently simple and enjoyable on the user-end — and now that’s being applied to the developer side of things as well. 

One startup attempting to infuse some ease and accessibility into this process is Tiggzi. Founded last year, the company falls under the umbrella of software engineering company Exadel, and it’s a cloud-based mobile app platform that relies on the simplest of the simplest actions for app creation: Drag and drop. 

“We started Tiggzi as a prototyping tool so that developers could create their UI,” says head of community and developer relations Max Katz. “We just realized, ‘Well we can’t go much further than just building the UI with that.’ So it grew from there.” 

With Tiggzi, you’re launched into a digital workshop where, to put this in the simplest terms possible, you drag and drop the elements you want over to the device image. You can use these functions to create iOS, Android, HTML 5, and Windows Phone apps. 

Of course, while the action itself is familiar and easy, don’t confuse Tiggzi with something you can pick up sans developer skills. “At the end of the day this is a development tool, and you’ll need to have Web development skills,” Katz says, adding that HTML, Javascript, and CSS proficiency are generally what you’ll find necessary to use Tiggzi. But these skills, combined with the action-orientation and immediacy of Tiggzi turn it into a great productivity tool for developers. 

The fact that Tiggzi is entirely cloud-based and runs in the browser with no download or install necessary is also part of its allure. 

New to Tiggzi is its database. The platform previously announced it would be adding some a backend and storage for developers’ Tiggzi-made apps. It also comes with plugins so that developers can auto plug pre-made functionalities into their apps — as an example, Katz showed me how a developer could pull and put in the AT&T sms messaging feature via the available plugin. 

“We started as just the builder, but the backend services make us a platform,” says Katz. “A lot of companies have the backend, but they don’t have the builder, but we have both. We can offer the entire stack.” 

Source : digitaltrends[dot]com

Twitter becomes more secretive about where tweets originate

While Twitter management wants to emphasize content more, Twitter users may get suckered into clicking on more advertising links.

Quietly rolling out a change to the user interface, developers at Twitter have removed the text that indicates which third party application was used when posting a new tweet. Prior to the change, users would see the name of the third party tool, like Seesmic, posted next to the time elapsed since the tweet was published. Prior to the removal of this information on the Web version of Twitter, this change was made on the mobile version of Twitter and a spokesperson for Twitter told Venturebeat “This is part of our work to simplify tweets and emphasize the content being shared.“

When it comes to celebrity accounts, one downside to this alteration is that it will be more difficult for the average Twitter user to tell the difference between tweets that are original to the celebrity and tweets that have been generated by a team of third party, social media handlers. Prior to this change, one clear sign that a tweet probably didn’t originate directly from a popular figure was the notation of a third party application that typically didn’t appear anywhere else in the feed.

In addition, celebrities and other popular figures that sell tweets to advertisers simply don’t have to be involved in the posting process anymore if they choose. For instance, access to the account could be shared with an advertising firm and tweets could be posted from any third party tool without any loyal fans catching on. According to the Associated Press, celebrities can be paid $10,000 or more per tweet or Facebook status update. 

This change also significantly reduces the amount of free advertising given to third party tools like HootSuite. This will ultimately decrease the amount of Twitter users that are exposed to these management tools in addition to making it extremely difficult for a new third party client to become popular. As of late, Twitter has received criticism from developers due to new limitations placed on the Twitter API. Some developers believe that user growth will be limited by the changes and will eventually cause the elimination of third-party clients. 

Source : digitaltrends[dot]com

Mixed messages: After API lockdowns, Twitter announces Bootstrap 2.1

After a tense announcement and even tenser silence from Twitter regarding stricter API regulations, developers were told last week what exactly would be happening. To summarize, apps seen as Twitter client alternatives are being targeted; they can only grow to so many users, they can only make so many API calls, and they can only know so much. The biggest take away from the announcement was that Twitter is erring toward the vague, keeping its cards as close to the chest as possible, and that developers will have to play a bit of a guessing game to keep the company happy.

The sentiments from third-party Twitter developers about all this range from slighted to outraged. Which is why, in light of the recent changes and Twitter’s tsk-tsk tone, its latest announcement is a bit of a surprise. Yesterday Twitter unveiled Bootstrap 2.1, its open source framework for Web developers.

“With Bootstrap 2.1, we focused on simplicity. We completely overhauled the documentation to make it easier for people just getting to know Bootstrap and Web development,” Twitter explains via blog post. “We placed more emphasis on live examples and succinct, thorough text to walk people through each aspect. And, as is the case with every release, we’ve added a handful of new features and made existing ones even better. But that just brushes the surface: we’ve closed over 100 issues in Bootstrap 2.1 – issues all reported and documented by the very folks who use it.”

There are a lot of very pro-developer messages Twitter’s sending with this post. From talking about how “amazed” the team is by what Boostrap has been used to do (mentioning this NASA project, the Rdio powered SoundReady, and the Digital Government initiative from the White House) and pointing out how much the Bootstrap community means to its growth, this is a well-timed announcement on Twitter’s part.

In reality, Bootstrap was built by two head Twitter developers, but it’s a development tool for the open Web – not for Twitter. It has GitHub to thank for much of its popularity and growth as well. It’s affiliated by Twitter, which gave its developers the resources they needed to build it. There’s no mistaking that Bootstrap has become a very important platform, and that Twitter’s to thank for its origins. But don’t confuse what’s happening here as a change of heart for its own platform’s outside devs.

The details surrounding the API changes remain fuzzy, though decidedly far more strict than when the site first launched. Twitter remains incredibly active regarding the open source Web movement, however, and it’s quite possible there are conflicting ideas about how to run the platform within the company – engineers and board members aren’t always going to see eye-to-eye, and making money and making a platform aren’t always going to line up. 

Source : digitaltrends[dot]com

Hands on with App.net, the pay-for Twitter disruption platform

In the wake of Twitter's harsh words for outside developers, App.net managed to surpass its funding goals and launch an alpha service. Check out our first impressions.

The Dalton Caldwell blog post-inspired App.net has been hatching plans to take on Twitter with its pay-for model for weeks now. At last report, the platform was well short of its $500k goal, but over the last week, the hype and interest was enough to tip App.net over the edge ahead of its deadline.

“Thank you for believing,” Caldwell wrote on Saturday. “I know in my heart that what made join.app.net succeed was your willingness and openness to give App.net the benefit of the doubt, to read our github documentation, to ask to participate in the alpha, to write blogposts in our support. Thank you.”

Now, the alpha version is up and running.

Interface

App.net’s interface is, to summarize, bare bones. You have a mere four landing pages you can check out: Your personal stream (posts from those you’re following), your posts, mentions, and the global feed. It’s certainly more sparse than Twitter, both in what and how you navigate, and its looks. While you have a Facebook-like profile page complete with a personal picture and cover photo, the rest of the site is quite stark.

And front and center, in big, bold, plain type, is a export tool for grabbing all of your App.net-posted data.

Actions

There’s a lot of work to be done, clearly, so plenty is going to fall onto the “what’s missing” list, but that’s to be expected. That said, let’s dive in.

Instead of 140 characters, you get 256. You can reply to other people’s posts (which a small handful are referring to as “appdates”), but there are no “retweet” or favorite options. You can select and view individual posts for backlinking purposes, which is incredibly helpful when using content for news breaking reference. 

It can probably go without saying that multimedia features like sharing photos and videos haven’t been added to App.net, but the developer community is so enthused about the platform that the building is coming fast and furious.

In development

Which brings us to a quick note on all the building that’s happening around App.net. Much of the reason for starting App.net in the first place revolved around how platforms exist and interact with their third-party developer ecosystems. Twitter’s continued distancing between itself and outside developers was a big part of the inspiration. So it’s only fitting that much of the discussion on the alpha site revolves around the third-party community.

Web and mobile apps are in the works, as are desktop and browser extensions. You can check out the in-progress catalogue over at Github. And there are a few fun tools already at your disposal, like this app that finds your Twitter friends already using App.net, and this one that shows an endless stream of posts as they’re published, in real time.

Users

There are a few problems that come with alternative social networks. The main one, of course, is building the userbase. As it can be assumed, Twitter’s numbers are far great than App.net’s… obviously. And the fact that there’s no native way to find people can make diving in a little intimidating. You’re just sort of thrown in the mess, although you can use the aforementioned tool that helps you find Twitter users you know using the application to help out.

The other intimidating thing about jumping into App.net is the community – or rather, it can be intimidating. Think about the type of people interested in paying at least $50 to start using a real-time communication application – so yes, it’s pretty tech-oriented. There’s a lot of developer-speak and a lot of App.net-speak. It’s pretty narrow.

To be fair, this means that the obnoxious drivel that Twitter often dissolves to hasn’t hit the site (at least not yet). It’s a relief not to be flooded with constant celebrity news and pictures of food, if we’re being honest.

The other element that hasn’t invaded App.net (again, yet) are spambots. The price gate is certainly helping, as is its just-launched status, although there’s no chance the platform will be able to remain spam free. Regardless, it definitely shouldn’t dissolve into the massive cesspool of fake users that has engulfed Twitter’s basement.

Conclusion

App.net is ambitious and exciting, but it’s not a solid bet quite yet. There are also already rumors that there will be a free tier of App.net, and I’d certainly suggest waiting until we hear more on that.

As it stands, it’s interesting to be part of the early crew. And if you ever wished you could have been a part of the early Twitter machine and all the user-sourced development that happened way back when, then ante up that $50 and come on in. Otherwise, wait until there’s more outside app integration and native built-in controls.

The larger question, of course, is, does App.net stand a chance? It’s hard to say yes — but given Twitter’s fickle heart these does, it actually seems possible. I don’t want to beat a dead horse here, but Twitter isn’t the company that it used to be; its priorities are shifting. We can criticize and yell about it, but it Twitter wants to go ahead and be a media company — and it’s in a really good position to do that. It’s frustrated for many of its core users, but it’s still Twitter’s perogitive.

That means the timing is right: We have this brief moment where real-time communication is important and popular and where the largest player to date appears to be creating some market space. Paying for apps is a hard hurdle to cross, but it could deliver us from many of the issues our social networks have trapped us into. 

Source : digitaltrends[dot]com

Craigslist comes to its senses, drops exclusivity terms for postings

While Craigslist is still fighting outside developers, it's not going to demand total control to user-created content.

 For the last month, Craigslist has been tussling with outside applications and their use of its content. After yanking content from PadMapper and then issuing a complaint against the apartment hunting service, as well as Craigslist API provider 3taps, the site went ahead and added an exclusivity clause to its posting page that gave Craigslist sole license to your data.

Today, the Electronic Frontier Federation announced that Craigslist has dropped the clause. “It was important for Craigslist to remove the provision because claiming an exclusive license to the user’s posts – to the exclusion of everyone, including the original poster – would have harmed both innovation and the users’ rights, and would have set a terrible precedent,” the organization says. The EFF, where Craigslist founder Craig Newmark serves on the Advisory Board, met with the company to dissuade them from keeping the content exclusivity terms.

It’s a small coup for the many outside developers who have been frustrated by Craigslist’s incredibly closed strategy. The site is still not allowing search engines to index its listings, and by all accounts still pursuing legal action against the Internet’s beloved PadMapper and its ally 3taps, but at least users can rest easy knowing they won’t be forced into agreeing to exclusively give craigslist ther content.. As EFF mentions, founder Craig Newmark has been incredibly active fighting for users’ Internet rights, as well as using the Web as a means to solve larger problems with his craigconnects organization. In general, he seems like he’s one of the good guys.

Of course, despite the site’s name, Newmark’s own involvement in higher-level decision-making at Craigslist is far less than you’d think. He mostly works in customer service for Craigslist these days, so his own personal ideals shouldn’t necessarily reflect the company’s business tactics. Which, even as it drops the exclusivity terms, are making Craigslist look like a data-hungry bully. 

Source : digitaltrends[dot]com