Software & Apps News - Page 75

The latest and most important Software & Apps news - Page 75.

Follow TweakTown on Google News

Nintendo launches Mii app

Sean Ridgeley | Mar 31, 2016 3:15 PM CDT

Nintendo has launched an app for Android and iOS in the US and Europe that lets you interact with your Mii and your friends' Miis. Miitomo, as it's called, features Mii creation, customization, photography, and social media sharing.

Also included: a minigame called Miitomo Drop where you 'drop' your Mii and depending on which platform it lands, you win a given prize (sometimes clothing). Drop costs coins which can be obtained through in-app purchases.

Miitomo can be downloaded here for iOS users and here for Android users.

Continue reading: Nintendo launches Mii app (full post)

Microsoft's new Windows 10 app converter is a big game-changer

Derek Strickland | Mar 30, 2016 9:09 PM CDT

Microsoft's new desktop app converter ensures that tons of legacy programs will now be folded into the Windows 10 UWP platform.

Microsoft's new Windows 10 app converter is a big game-changer

At its Build 2016 conference, Microsoft unveiled a new tool that will change everything. The "Project Centennial" app converter allows developers to easily convert legacy Win32 programs into Windows 10 compatible apps. This means that .exe and even .msi files used on older OS like Windows 7 can be seamlessly transformed into the AppX format used by Windows 10, and then be put on the Windows Store.

This is Microsoft's answer to essentially bringing over existing apps to the Windows Store, ensuring the storefront continues to grow. It's also a means of building up the Universal Windows Platform and solidifying Redmond's plan for a unified ecosystem. Microsoft didn't reveal an official release date for the Centennial App Converter, but it'll be available soon to members of the Windows Developer Preview Program.

Continue reading: Microsoft's new Windows 10 app converter is a big game-changer (full post)

Snapchat update makes video, audio, and text chat seamless

Sean Ridgeley | Mar 29, 2016 3:36 PM CDT

The Snapchat team is looking to revolutionize online communication further with its Chat 2.0 update. One of the goals with it is to make speaking and video chat a seamless transition from text chat; one tap will now do the trick. But it goes further than that.

"You can start by sending a few chats, and when your friend shows up, start talking or video chatting instantly with one tap," they explain. "Your friend can simply listen if you want to sing them a song, or watch if you have a new puppy to show them. If they aren't there, you can quickly send an audio note to say what you mean. And sometimes, a sticker says it best."

"What we love most about the new Chat is how easily you can transition between all these ways of communicating - just like you do in person. When that's possible, you aren't texting, calling, or video chatting... you're just talking. We've been working on this redesign for a while - we can't wait to hear what you think!"

Continue reading: Snapchat update makes video, audio, and text chat seamless (full post)

iOS 9.3 causing problems on some older devices, Apple pulls it

Sean Ridgeley | Mar 25, 2016 2:11 PM CDT

The much-hyped iOS 9.3 update hasn't gone smoothly on older devices (specifically, the iPhone 4S, 5, 5C, and 5S; and the iPad 2, third- and fourth-generation Retina iPads, and the iPad Air), preventing users who forget their Apple ID passwords from activating their devices.

As such, they've pulled the update and in the meantime, they advise you try to reset your password or disable the Activation Lock feature via iCloud.com or by connecting your device to a computer with iTunes. Another option is to downgrade to 9.2.1 by clicking Update or if that fails, Restore, but be warned: this may erase your data.

A new version of the update has been released for the iPad 2, so users should be good to go on that front. The rest of you will be taken care of "in the next few days."

Continue reading: iOS 9.3 causing problems on some older devices, Apple pulls it (full post)

Windows 10 Maps app receives major enhancements to search

Sean Ridgeley | Mar 18, 2016 7:02 PM CDT

Windows 10 Insiders get the benefit of some major enhancements to the Maps app today, namely to search, but also navigation and interface, among other areas.

For search, there's the new ability to conduct and view multiple searches simultaneously (e.g. see nearby hotels and restaurants at the same time, or see multiple directions at the same time), with the option to view them separately if need be. Algorithms are improved, too, which closer and better results.

Regarding the interface and navigation, navigation buttons are now at the top of the app on desktop and at the bottom on mobile, making everything more intuitive whatever device you're on; labels are now found directly on the map; elements can be hidden or shown at will; public transit routes are easier to follow with more precise instructions and an improved design, and Cortana will give you instructions when enabled.

Continue reading: Windows 10 Maps app receives major enhancements to search (full post)

Tweetdeck will be a web-only app soon

Sean Ridgeley | Mar 17, 2016 9:14 PM CDT

Twitter is retiring the Tweetdeck standalone app, supposedly to "better focus on enhancing your TweetDeck experience." As of April 15, it will be a web-only application, although as Twitter reminds, Chrome users can pin it to their desktop by following these instructions:

Things get a little smoother between Twitter and Tweetdeck, too: if you log in to Twitter.com, that will also keep you logged in at Tweetdeck.com, so there's no need going forward to keep switching back and forth. This change will be slowly rolled out over the next few weeks about.

Continue reading: Tweetdeck will be a web-only app soon (full post)

Microsoft says that Windows 10 isn't installing itself on user PCs

Derek Strickland | Mar 17, 2016 5:04 PM CDT

Microsoft wants the entire world running on Windows 10 (for obvious reasons), so it's not so far-fetched to think that Redmond would start sneakily upgrading Windows 7 and 8.1 users to the new OS. That's exactly what a significant amount of users claim happened, but Microsoft (once again) denies that this is even possible.

Microsoft says that Windows 10 isn't installing itself on user PCs

According to Redmond, users remain "fully in control" over their Windows PCs, and Windows 10 will not upgrade or install without your permission. "We have updated the upgrade experience to make it easier for customers to schedule a time for their upgrade to take place. Customers continue to be fully in control of their devices, and can choose to not install the Windows 10 upgrade or remove the upgrade from Windows Update (WU) by changing the WU settings."

Despite these assurances, thousands of Windows users are reporting that Windows 10 has been forcefully installed on their systems.. These are the users who have opted not to upgrade to Windows 10 just yet and still run Windows 7 and 8.1 as their platform of choice, willingly choosing not to upgrade, so its fair to think they didn't give any permissions to upgrade to Windows 10.

Continue reading: Microsoft says that Windows 10 isn't installing itself on user PCs (full post)

DICE, Frostbite Engine team get behind GPUOpen

Sean Ridgeley | Mar 16, 2016 5:34 PM CDT

DICE and the Frostbite Engine team are putting their weight behind AMD's GPUOpen initiative, as you can see from the tweet and video below.

DICE, Frostbite Engine team get behind GPUOpen

In the video, DICE rendering engineer Arne Schober touts the level of hardware access GPUOpen offers programmers like himself, while also praising the friendly, powerful ecosystem it encourages.

"It is really nice to have physical access to the source code and be able to handcraft the tools to our own needs," he says, later adding, "By opening up the source, we can help each other across the entire industry, solving problems together instead of individually. This would improve our effectiveness and lower development costs at the same time by sharing our knowledge."

Continue reading: DICE, Frostbite Engine team get behind GPUOpen (full post)

Opera 36 features an interface overhaul, Windows 10 love

Sean Ridgeley | Mar 16, 2016 2:03 PM CDT

Opera 36 is out and marks a major release for the alternative browser, bringing with it a new look and some key new features.

First up is the overhauled start page, which is now better optimized for widescreen monitors, and includes a customize button that allows you to alter themes and your news section, among other things. More will come in version 37.

There's lots of love for Windows 10 users, too: colours will change depending on your OS theme and such, touch input is supported (and accommodated with UI elements that auto adjust in size, and a fullscreen icon), and native notifications are included.

Continue reading: Opera 36 features an interface overhaul, Windows 10 love (full post)

Apple Music adding previously unlicensed DJ remixes, mashups

Sean Ridgeley | Mar 15, 2016 8:05 PM CDT

Apple has partnered with digital distributor Dubset Media Holdings to bring many thousands of previously unlicensed DJ remixes and mixes -- or in old people terms: that DJ music the kids are listening to -- to its Apple Music service. For now, these aren't available anywhere else, but Dubstep claims every distributor will be supported in time.

The deal is made possible by Dubset's agreements with over 14,000 record labels and publishers, as well as its MixBank technology (used in combination with other proprietary and related software), which can analyze songs to determine original artists and make sure their labels and publishers as well as DJs are paid accordingly, all at flat rates. It's an impressive feat given one of these mixes can have more than 600 different rights holders, and one that's already making both DJs and labels happy.

"Remixes are a huge part of our culture - they allow DJs and fans to put our own creative spin on music," says DJ Steve Aoki. "Apple working with Dubset now is a really simple solution to something traditionally complex, and allows everyone to make money on this content for the first time."

Continue reading: Apple Music adding previously unlicensed DJ remixes, mashups (full post)