iOS

• iOS
• Apple Watch
• Tech Industry
• BlackBerry
• enterprise

BlackBerry buys iOS enterprise software maker Good Technology in $425 million deal

Zac Hall Sep 4 2015 - 8:47 am PT

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BlackBerry is back in the news today as the company is making a move further into the enterprise mobility management space. BlackBerry is buying the Sunnyvale, California-based company Good Technology in an all-cash deal worth $425 million. For BlackBerry, the purchase is about investing into cross-platform mobile device management for enterprise customers, an increasing focus for the company since it’s reign as the top handset maker was stifled by iOS and Android.

Enhanced by Good, BlackBerry will expand its ability to offer a unified, secure mobility platform with applications for any mobile device on any operating system – supported with security that has been certified by governments around the world embedded in every component of the mobility infrastructure.

Included in Good’s portfolio of products is the Good Collaboration Suite for iOS and Android which includes enterprise-focused calendar, email, messaging, and document sharing apps for business customers.

In announcing the acquisition, BlackBerry notes that iOS makes up a majority of Good’s install base at 64% with Android and Windows Phone following. BlackBerry has also had its hand in more consumer-focused apps with BlackBerry Messenger for iOS plus a number of business-centric apps for the platform.

The two companies shared an executive Q&A to discuss the deal. Particularly interesting in that was Good CEO Christy Wyatt’s comments on wearables including the Apple Watch:

In addition to smartphones and tablets running iOS, Android, Windows Phone, BlackBerry 10 and BlackBerry OS, Good will enable BlackBerry to add support for wearables. This is something we do today for both Apple Watch and Android Wear.

BlackBerry’s purchase of Good Technology comes as Apple itself grows its MobileFirst enterprise initiative with IBM and entering into a new agreement with Cisco to improve enterprise services for iOS users.

• Apps & Updates
• iOS
• update
• Firefox

First Firefox for iOS preview now available in New Zealand ahead of public launch later this year

Chance Miller Sep 3 2015 - 6:02 pm PT

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Firefox today has released the first public preview version of its browser for iOS. Unfortunately, the company is first making the preview version of the browser available to users in New Zealand only. Firefox notes, however, that it will expand the preview to a few more countries as time progresses, before ultimately launching the browser to the public.

Firefox says that it is primarily using the first preview to collect feedback from users to help it improve the features and stability of the browser before a widespread launch. One notable feature that the company is collecting data on is Intelligent Search. This feature, built into Firefox, provides suggested search results and the choice of search providers, as seen in the middle screenshot above. Another notable feature of the app is support for Firefox Accounts, which allows you to keep all of your browser history, passwords, and tabs synced between your various devices. Finally, the app also supports Visual Tabs, which makes it easy to keep track of the tabs you have open at any given point.

If you’re interested in being notified when Firefox for iOS launches in your country, you can sign up here. It’s unclear how long it will be until Firefox for iOS expands to more countries for testing, but the company says it will launch on the App Store by the end of this year.

• Apps & Updates
• iOS
• Apple Watch
• update
• Airbnb

Airbnb for iOS updated with support for Apple Watch

Chance Miller Sep 3 2015 - 5:41 pm PT

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Airbnb, the popular service that allows you to instantly book homes, apartments, and more on the go, has today been updated with support for Apple Watch. The update, which bumps the app to version 15.35, adds support for Apple’s wearable and makes it even easier and quicker for both hosts and guests to handle reservations.

[tweet https://twitter.com/airbnb/status/639468592002543616 align=’center’]

With Airbnb on Apple Watch, hosts can quickly be notified of new booking requests and be presented with the traveler’s name, photo, requested dates, and personal message directly on the Watch itself. The hosts can then decide whether or not to accept the reservation on the spot. Hosts and travelers both can also initiate and reply to messages. Hosts have the ability to create and save replies, allowing them to keep their response rate high.

• Apps
• iOS
• HomeKit
• Samsung
• SmartThings

Samsung launches next-gen SmartThings Hub with 10-hour backup battery, new iPhone app

Cam Bunton Sep 3 2015 - 4:38 am PT

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SmartThings, Samsung’s answer to Apple’s HomeKit, got some valuable stage time at IFA in Berlin this morning, with the announcement of a brand new SmartThings Hub.

The hardware has been revamped, and no longer needs a connection to the cloud in order to work. What’s more, it’s got a built in backup battery capable of giving you 10 hours use in the event that you have a power cut.  The new Hub is available to order today and was launched alongside a handful of complimentary sensors for tracking water leaks and motion among other things.

Whether you have two smart devices or 200, all you need is one Hub to create a smart home. Like a live-in translator, the Hub communicates with all of your different connected products—regardless of their wireless protocol—so that you can easily monitor and control them from the SmartThings app.

Samsung’s new SmartThings hub has a more powerful processor enabling it to handle video streaming and sensor monitoring tasks without the cloud. With this feature in mind, Sammy also introduced its new Smart Home Monitor which lets users access a continuous vide live-stream and can trigger video recording when something unexpected happens. Only important video is saved for viewing, and early detection enables it to capture the footage before the event.

[vimeo 138101882 w=500 h=281]

As well as new hardware, Samsung has released a new app for iPhone today, with an Apple Watch app expected in the near future. You can organize and control your connected devices by room, view live streaming from cameras and manage the routines right from the app. It’s probably worth noting that although the hub itself has a built-in battery capable of keeping it active during power outages, there’s little point to that feature if all the connected products also require power from the mains.

SmartThings is compatible with nearly 200 products, including the Amazon Echo, and devices from manufacturers like Bose, D-Link and Honeywell. It’s unlikely that many Apple owners will be tempted, but just in case there are, the SmartThings hub is available to buy from today for $99 from SmartThings.com or Amazon, with sensors priced between $30-$55.

• Apps & Updates
• Apps
• iOS
• update
• app
• Imgur

Imgur for iOS updated w/ interface tweaks, improved push notifications, more

Chance Miller Sep 2 2015 - 7:00 am PT

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Imgur has today announced a new update to its iOS app that brings a handful of changes that have been highly requested by users. Earlier this year, the app was updated with the ability to quickly and easily upload images on the go and was also relaunched on Android with an entirely new interface. Today’s update bumps the app to version 2.4 and builds upon the features introduced earlier this year.

First off, Imgur says that the update includes a new grid view interface with large thumbnails and details about images such as headlines and votes. The update also introduces the ability to search for content. Imgur explained that both of these features were highly requested by users of its app.

In addition to those user-requested features, today’s update also improves the notification functionality of the app. You can now receive push notifications when your content “starts to go viral” and when you earn new trophies based on the performance of your uploads. Finally, the update also revamps the profile screen interface, making it easier to quickly view information about the uploader of an image.

–          The top two requests we heard from the community in regards to our iOS app was adding in a grid view that shows bigger thumbnails including more details like headlines and votes, and the ability to Search. We’re always listening to users and taking feedback, and we’re excited to share that both of these features are now available on iOS.

–          With this app update, we’re also introducing:

• Revamped profile screens & better notifications, so you can see when your content starts going viral and when you earn new trophies

The Imgur update is available now on the App Store for free.

• Apps & Updates
• Apps
• iOS
• App Store
• Facebook Messenger
• LinkedIn

LinkedIn revamps messaging experience on iOS with redesigned app

Cam Bunton Sep 1 2015 - 8:41 am PT

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LinkedIn, the popular social network for connecting business people, has announced that its messaging experience is getting a serious design overhaul from today. Unlike the previous inbox, messages will no longer follow a traditional email format. Instead, it’s turned towards a messaging app design similar to Facebook Messenger.

LinkedIn has built everything from scratch, from the ground up with a cleaner, streamlined look with a brand new chat-style user interface. You can chat with contacts individually or send group messages, and conversations are organized around the people who are important to you. What’s more, you’ll be able to send documents, images, stickers, emojis and GIFs in your messages.

Starting today, we are rolling out a new messaging experience on LinkedIn that offers an easier and more lightweight way to have professional conversations with your connections.  We know many of you have been asking for this ability and we’ve taken a thoughtful approach to reflect the evolving ways professionals are communicating with one another today, as well as, the different ways our members are interacting with each other across our international markets.

From today, the new messaging experience will by rolling out to English-speaking LinkedIn members across the globe on iOS, Android and on the web. If you have LinkedIn installed on your iPhone, check the App Store for updates and you should find one waiting for you over the coming days or weeks.