June 26, 2011 in At Work, Recommended Reading by wapwallis
Skype for iPad coming next week?
If Facebook can have its dedicated iPad app, so can Skype. Apparently the VoIP giant is working on a new application that will fully take advantage of the big screen Apple’s tablet rocks. The rumor is that Skype for iPad will launch at some point next week, bringing some cool features to the tablet. We’re hearing the application will work both over Wi-Fi and 3G networks and support full screen video calls. Moreover, there will be an option to swap cameras in the middle of a chat, as well as built-in messaging that layers over video calls.
On the downside though – file sharing won’t be supported, though we’re sure it’s one of the features that will be included in forthcoming updates.
Skype posted a promo video for its iPad app on YouTube only to remove it few hours later. However thanks to the savvy folks of Razorian Fly we have the “sound-free” clip to show you. We’re not sure it will stay forever on YouTube, so you better press “Play” as soon as you’re done reading.
[Via: Unwired View]
Skype for iPad coming next week? is a post from: IntoMobile
June 26, 2011 in At Work, Recommended Reading by wapwallis
Wi-Fi roaming programs join forces
The Wi-Fi Alliance will certify products using a Wireless Broadband Alliance roaming standard. The technology lets one operator’s subscribers use another’s Wi-Fi network.
Originally posted at Deep Tech
June 24, 2011 in At Work, Recommended Reading by wapwallis
Loopt’s u-Deals let everyone create his/her own local deal
Forget Groupon, it serves you all kinds of deals some of which you probably don’t care about at all. Loopt (think it) has something better – their newly launched u-Deals service allows you to create your own deal and invite friends to take advantage of the offer, too. Of course, not all of the deals created will be accepted — Loopt will check with (pitch) the local business to see whether they are willing to participate and if so, the deal is on. Everyone who committed will receive the deal, and some deals will remain open for a limited time for additional users to buy in.
Sounds cool though at the moment u-Deals is limited to Android users in the San Francisco Bay Area. We’re sure additional cities and platforms will follow as soon as u-Deals proves profitable to local businesses and Loopt.
Right from the start, there’s a great offer waiting for you. Loopt is offering $100 off roundtrip travel on Virgin America. Limit 1 per person and 1 voucher per itinerary. Travel (SFO routes only) must be booked by 7/31/2011 and occur between 8/16/2011 and 10/27/2011. Valid for non-refundable main cabin tickets.
Loopt (FREE) [Android Market link]
Loopt’s u-Deals let everyone create his/her own local deal is a post from: IntoMobile
June 24, 2011 in At Work, Recommended Reading by wapwallis
UK-based Eagle Eye Solutions raises 1.5 million GBP to mainstream mobile coupons
Eagle Eye Solutions — which is the market leader in mobile voucher issue and redemption technology for retailers — has secured 1.5 million GBP in a Series A round of funding, led by Sir Terry Leahy (the former chief executive of Tesco), and top-ranked City retail analysts – Bill Currie and Iain McDonald.
As a matter of fact, it’s not the amount raised, but three gentlemen mentioned above that make this story interesting. Eagle Eye is already working with a number of high profile retailers such as Comet, Aurora Fashions, Blockbuster and Virgin Active; and with the new money and the expertise the trio brings to the table, there’s a potential to make mobile coupons and mobile couponing mainstream.
The company said it will use the new money to expand the team, consolidate and grow its retail partnerships. If they manage to bring big players like Tesco on board — and I think that’s the idea here — we may be easily talking about one of the biggest players in the space. We’ll definitely be watching this market and let you know as soon as we hear something new. Stay tuned in the meantime, k?
UK-based Eagle Eye Solutions raises 1.5 million GBP to mainstream mobile coupons is a post from: IntoMobile
June 24, 2011 in At Work, Recommended Reading by wapwallis
Windows Phone Mango gaming hub gets new avatars, better Xbox Live
Windows Phone Mango is supposed to have over 500 new features and Microsoft continues to slowly detail what all of these will entail. The company showed off some of the new features in the gaming hub and mobile gamers should start to get excited.
I’ve always felt that one of the biggest advantages Windows Phone has is that it has Xbox Live built in. Hardcore gamers swear by this service and Windows Phone Mango will improve the mobile integration. From the Windows blog:
- Improved Xbox LIVE messaging: Read and reply to Xbox Live messages sent from another Windows Phone, a PC, or an Xbox console. We’ve also added more avatar delighters here. If a message contains certain emoticons (e.g. , ), you’ll notice your avatar’s expression change to reflect that emotion! (If a sender overloads a message with conflicting emoticons, your avatar will look bewildered.)
- Connect with Xbox Live friends: Find out if your Xbox LIVE friends are currently online through the friend status view. You can also search, browse, initiate, and respond to friend requests right from your Windows Phone 7.
- Integrated achievements and new comparison views: See the recent games your friends have been playing, and compare gamerscores and achievements for all Xbox LIVE games played on the phone, console, or PC.
- Edit your profile: Moved to a new city? Have a new motto in life? Now you can update your name, bio, motto, and location right from the phone.
Improved Spotlight content: We’ve improved the news and info delivered to you via Spotlight in the Games Hub. Your window to the Xbox LIVE community will now be complemented with rich and vibrant images!- Improved game request notifications: In Mango, you’ll receive notifications for multiplayer game or turn requests and can track them in the Requests section of the Games Hub.
That’s quite a good list of improvements but I’m really hoping we’ll see developers push the bar on what we can do on mobile gaming with Windows Phone Mango. There are some other improvements as well, so hit the via link to get all the details.
[Via Windows blog]
Windows Phone Mango gaming hub gets new avatars, better Xbox Live is a post from: IntoMobile
June 24, 2011 in At Work, Recommended Reading by wapwallis
Card.io tries to remove friction from paying by phone
One of the major problems about buying things on your phone is that it’s a pain to input your credit card via the phone. Card.io is trying to change that, as it has just released an SDK which makes buying things on your phone as simple as pointing your phone’s camera at your credit card and it will fill in all the information securely.
The Card.io SDK will be available for iOS first but it could eventually find its way to Android or other platforms if the demand warrants it. With this payment platform, apps could quickly use a credit card to pay for things like hotel rooms, flight trips, e-commerce and more. The company is focusing on the e-commerce side of things as opposed to the retail side, so we don’t really consider this a competitor to Square.
The Card.io system is secure, the company assures me, and it doesn’t actually store your credit card information on the phone itself. Some merchants will still have you input that CCV number but that will be dependent on the app.
“We’re betting that, over the long term, software will win out over hardware-dependent payment solutions,” said Mike Mettler, co-founder and CEO of Card.io, in a prepared statement. “Because we’re software, we can scale and improve more quickly. Also, we can reach every device owner from day one – as long as you have your phone, just point and pay.”
It’s a very interesting idea but there are going to be some major challenges facing Card.io. The company told me that it sees Apple and Google as its biggest competition, as both offer payment services that can be deeply integrated into its platforms. Purchasing in-app items on the iPhone is as simple as putting in your iTunes ID and it wouldn’t be out of the realm of possibility that Apple expands that payment area to other things.
Still, it’s an interesting idea and the team behind it is very strong. I’ll be keeping an eye on this one.
Card.io tries to remove friction from paying by phone is a post from: IntoMobile
June 24, 2011 in At Work, Recommended Reading by wapwallis
Google Sites owners: Sites now auto-optimizes for mobile devices
As the dramatic growth of the mobile web changes the way people consume content, it’s becoming increasingly important for publishers to provide a good mobile experience. With this in mind, we just added automatic mobile rendering in Google Sites for iOS 3.0+ and Android 2.2+ devices, and a mobile version of the Google Sites lists. Learn more on the Google Docs blog.
Posted by Luciano Cheng, Software Engineer
June 24, 2011 in At Work, Recommended Reading by wapwallis
Samsung Galaxy S II taking a trip out of this atmosphere July 15th
Most phones don’t get the chance to say they’ve been outside our atmosphere, but the Samsung Galaxy S II isn’t most phones. Samsung’s latest super phone is taking a very special trip outside our layer of the atmosphere and chilling out 98,000 feet above sea level in the layer called the stratosphere. This trip is a special promotional stunt by Samsung and will take place July 14th. This same stunt was performed with the Nexus S, and it’s meant to show how strong these phones are.
This whole thing happens with the help of a specially made weather balloon that has been made to reach that height. Samsung has tested this weather balloon many times, so it’s good to know that they do this before launching a new phone into space to make sure it’s top quality.
The event will be broadcasted live on UStream on July 15th, so make sure to keep reading here to remain updated. This video below was produced to get you excited about this event, and hopefully get you to tune in on the actual date.
I am excited to see the Galaxy S II take a trip out of the atmosphere and into outer space and get a taste of where its name comes from – our galaxy. Doing this isn’t anything more than a purely fun way to advertise their phones, but I’m sure they can evolve this to be much more than that. No word on whether this phone will get signal up there. If this turns out to have bars up there, I fear we have some major radiation deformities coming our way.
[Via: GSMArena]
Samsung Galaxy S II taking a trip out of this atmosphere July 15th is a post from: IntoMobile
June 22, 2011 in At Work, Recommended Reading by wapwallis
Zipcar for Android now available, locate cars with your smartphone
If you’re a fan of Zipcar and its services, and you own an Android device, you’ll be happy to know that there is now a Zipcar app available for your smartphone. The new Android app uses your device’s GPS to locate nearby cars, your current car or any favorite cars you might have used in the past. If you haven’t used the service prior to downloading the Android app, you can also check out car models near the area.
Zipcar is definitely an awesome service if you travel quite a bit and aren’t a fan of rental car offices, or if you live in a city where you really only need a car every now and then. With the Android app, here are some of the things you’ll be able to do in addition to what’s mentioned above:
- Reserve Zipcars around the corner or across the globe
- Find cars by time available, car type and model
- View, extend or cancel reservations on the go
- Honk your Zipcar’s horn with your Android phone to find it in a crowd
- Unlock and lock your Zipcar with your Android phone after scanning your Zipcard at the start of each reservation
As far as what you can do with your membership, it seems like the app has it all covered. If you’re interested in downloading the app, you can find it a the Zipcar website linked below.
[Via: Zipcar]
Zipcar for Android now available, locate cars with your smartphone is a post from: IntoMobile
June 22, 2011 in At Work, Recommended Reading by wapwallis
Want a 90% drop in your site visitors? Yes folks, you too can implement EU cookie law!
Fancy a 90% drop in website visitors? This amazing offer could be yours thanks to a wonderful new law about cookies from EU regulators. Yes folks, the people who brought you regulations about the bend in a banana are back!
The new law applies to all EU websites and requires website owners to get a user’s consent before cookies are saved onto a device.
Guess what that means? It means putting something like this on your site:
This is exactly what the UK’s Information Commissioner’s Office has done on its own site. Thus over 90% of site visitors have declined to accept a Google Analytics cookie, thereby disappearing from their analytics, writes marketing site Chinwag. Awesome!
Of course this is bound to impact site traffic, massively.
Prior to this, site owners just had to provide users with information about how the cookies were used and explain how to ‘opt-out’ if they objected, usually in Terms and Conditions. Under the new rules, cookies can only be stored on devices where the user has given their consent. The UK’s Information Commissioner has actually recommended this be incorporated into UK law.
The web industry in the EU has a year to work out what how to implement this law.
The graphs obtained by leading web analytics expert, Vicky Brock (@brockyvick), under a Freedom of Information (FOI) request.
