Apple's next mobile operating system in due soon but it will not come with Google's YouTube app. 9to5mac noticed that the app was missing from beta 4 version of iOS 6 meaning it won't appear on any iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch with the latest version.

Apple said in a statement to The Verge: "our license to include the YouTube app in iOS has ended, customers can use YouTube in the Safari Browser and Google is working on a new YouTube app to be on the App Store."

A Youtube Spokesperson said "We are working with Apple to ensure we have the best possible YouTube experience for iOS users.

The news comes after Apple announced it was dropping Google Maps from the OS in favour of its own app. It is expected that iOS 6 will make its debut on the highly anticipated iPhone 5 which could launch on 21st September along with an iPad Mini on the 12th of September.

Apple· Beta· Google· Headlines· iOS· iOS 6· iPhone· iPhone 5· pre-release· Release· Release Date· YouTube

Apple scraps dedicated YouTube app from iOS 6

Apple's next mobile operating system in due soon but it will not come with Google's YouTube app. 9to5mac noticed that the app was missing from beta 4 version of iOS 6 meaning it won't appear on any iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch with the latest version.

Apple said in a statement to The Verge: "our license to include the YouTube app in iOS has ended, customers can use YouTube in the Safari Browser and Google is working on a new YouTube app to be on the App Store."

A Youtube Spokesperson said "We are working with Apple to ensure we have the best possible YouTube experience for iOS users.

The news comes after Apple announced it was dropping Google Maps from the OS in favour of its own app. It is expected that iOS 6 will make its debut on the highly anticipated iPhone 5 which could launch on 21st September along with an iPad Mini on the 12th of September.

As you all know, the Alpha version of Tweetbot has been out for Mac for a couple of weeks now. It was just hit with a major update that includes a few useful features. You can now view multiple columns (just like Tweetdeck). To do this, all you have to do is click on the gear icon, and click "Open in new window," and now you'll have a separate column that'll automatically snap to the original feed when dragged to its right side. This feature can also be  used to keep an eye on Mentions, search and so on without taking your eye off of the main Twitter feed.

Another feature that you will probably see sraight away when you update is a menu bar icon from which you can create a new tweet or go straight to your mentions, direct messages, or feed. Other features include the new streamlined interface which takes up less vertical space, support for custom URL shortening and media uploading services, and improved Mountain Lion notifications that will work with multiple accounts. Tweetbot for Mac is still free of charge, but it will become a paid app when it reaches a stable version 1.0.

Headlines· Mac· social Media· Social Network· Tweetbot· Twitter· Twitter Client

Tweetbot for Mac updated with some great features

As you all know, the Alpha version of Tweetbot has been out for Mac for a couple of weeks now. It was just hit with a major update that includes a few useful features. You can now view multiple columns (just like Tweetdeck). To do this, all you have to do is click on the gear icon, and click "Open in new window," and now you'll have a separate column that'll automatically snap to the original feed when dragged to its right side. This feature can also be  used to keep an eye on Mentions, search and so on without taking your eye off of the main Twitter feed.

Another feature that you will probably see sraight away when you update is a menu bar icon from which you can create a new tweet or go straight to your mentions, direct messages, or feed. Other features include the new streamlined interface which takes up less vertical space, support for custom URL shortening and media uploading services, and improved Mountain Lion notifications that will work with multiple accounts. Tweetbot for Mac is still free of charge, but it will become a paid app when it reaches a stable version 1.0.

Facebook has just launched a brand new site that aims to collect interesting stories based on different theme each month. The site is called Facebook Stories and the first month is called "remembering". It includes everything from a video feature about a man who has lost in memory (embedded below) to a selection of New Yorker pieces that relate to the topic. You can also see Facebook users share important memories like travelling or getting married, and users can submit stories as well. Facebook does it the 'God' like control over the website on what gets featured on the site.

"We wanted to create a place where we could celebrate great stories," Facebook's Tucker Bounds told ABCNews. Other features includes a Good-reads-powered Bookshelf featuring relevant books, and Playlist that users Spotify to eature new music by "inspiring artists" - and there is even a monthly podcast. Check out the site here.

ABCNews· Facebook· FacebookStories· Headlines· social Media· Social Network

Facebook launches 'Facebook Stories'

Facebook has just launched a brand new site that aims to collect interesting stories based on different theme each month. The site is called Facebook Stories and the first month is called "remembering". It includes everything from a video feature about a man who has lost in memory (embedded below) to a selection of New Yorker pieces that relate to the topic. You can also see Facebook users share important memories like travelling or getting married, and users can submit stories as well. Facebook does it the 'God' like control over the website on what gets featured on the site.

"We wanted to create a place where we could celebrate great stories," Facebook's Tucker Bounds told ABCNews. Other features includes a Good-reads-powered Bookshelf featuring relevant books, and Playlist that users Spotify to eature new music by "inspiring artists" - and there is even a monthly podcast. Check out the site here.

Whoever is a Left 4 Dead fan will know that 'Cold Stream' is the next update for Left 4 Dead. The downloadable content will be available on Friday 3rd August, Valve says:

 "Cold Stream" will add five campaigns to the Xbox 360 version of Left 4 Dead 2 — the community-created "Cold Stream" and four campaigns from the original Left 4 Dead, "Dead Air," "Death Toll," "Blood Harvest," and "Crash Course." Additionally, all of Left 4 Dead 2's Mutations will be available to play at any time, instead of on a weekly, rotating cycle.

The 'Cold Stream' Add-on was release for PC and Mac last week. The Xbox version will cost just 560 Microsoft points ($7.00) and requires about one gigabyte of storage.

Games· Headlines· Left 4 Dead· Left 4 Dead 2· Valve· Xbox 360

Left 4 Dead 2 'Cold Stream' gets release date

Whoever is a Left 4 Dead fan will know that 'Cold Stream' is the next update for Left 4 Dead. The downloadable content will be available on Friday 3rd August, Valve says:

 "Cold Stream" will add five campaigns to the Xbox 360 version of Left 4 Dead 2 — the community-created "Cold Stream" and four campaigns from the original Left 4 Dead, "Dead Air," "Death Toll," "Blood Harvest," and "Crash Course." Additionally, all of Left 4 Dead 2's Mutations will be available to play at any time, instead of on a weekly, rotating cycle.

The 'Cold Stream' Add-on was release for PC and Mac last week. The Xbox version will cost just 560 Microsoft points ($7.00) and requires about one gigabyte of storage.

A few months back, Apple announced two adapters to add Ethernet and FireWire 800 capabilities to the machine through its Thunderbolt ports last month. While Thunderbolt to Gigabit Ethernet Adapter was available immediately, Apple's tech specs page for the Retina MacBook Pro has listed the FireWire adapter as launching in July.

Apple now appears to be making the Thunderbolt to FireWire Adapter available in its online store with a price tag of $29 and a shipping estimate of 1-3 business days.

Macrumors reported that "some users are experiencing intermittent success in viewing the new adapter in the store, with some users able to view the adapter while others simply see a "page not found" error." The issue is apparently related to caching, and all users should hopefully see the adapter shortly.

Dutch site One More Thing Reported earlier this week [Google translation] that one of its readers had sent an email to Apple CEO Tim Cook asking about the status of the adapter, with Cook replying "Tomorrow". This suggests that Apple would just barel make its July shipping estimate.

Accessories· Adapter· Apple· Firewire· Headlines· Thunderbolt

Apple ships Thunderbolt to Firewire adapter

A few months back, Apple announced two adapters to add Ethernet and FireWire 800 capabilities to the machine through its Thunderbolt ports last month. While Thunderbolt to Gigabit Ethernet Adapter was available immediately, Apple's tech specs page for the Retina MacBook Pro has listed the FireWire adapter as launching in July.

Apple now appears to be making the Thunderbolt to FireWire Adapter available in its online store with a price tag of $29 and a shipping estimate of 1-3 business days.

Macrumors reported that "some users are experiencing intermittent success in viewing the new adapter in the store, with some users able to view the adapter while others simply see a "page not found" error." The issue is apparently related to caching, and all users should hopefully see the adapter shortly.

Dutch site One More Thing Reported earlier this week [Google translation] that one of its readers had sent an email to Apple CEO Tim Cook asking about the status of the adapter, with Cook replying "Tomorrow". This suggests that Apple would just barel make its July shipping estimate.

If you hadn't of already know, Microsoft have released a Metro-Style Outlook.com email service, and with it comes a new chance to claim an email address that could actually be your real name, a noun, a proper word, or at least something with lots of random numbers tacked on to the end of ti.

If you have a Hotmail account, Microsoft will give you a chance to use your Hotmail address as an alias and "rename" to an @outlook.com address, but the name is not guaranteed to be the same - so be quick!

Email· Headlines· Hotmail· Microsoft· Outlook

Get your Outlook.com email address now

If you hadn't of already know, Microsoft have released a Metro-Style Outlook.com email service, and with it comes a new chance to claim an email address that could actually be your real name, a noun, a proper word, or at least something with lots of random numbers tacked on to the end of ti.

If you have a Hotmail account, Microsoft will give you a chance to use your Hotmail address as an alias and "rename" to an @outlook.com address, but the name is not guaranteed to be the same - so be quick!

Spotify announced earlier today that the company now has over 15 million active users and more than 4 million paying subscribers, according to The Next Web. The news was broke out by Spotify's Chief Content Office Ken Parks during the Global Business Summit on Creative Content in London. It also looks like there is more than one million subscriber improvement than what we saw back in January.

The announcement came after Spotify praised its US users on a successful first year, and after both iOS and Android versons of the music-streaming app have been updated with free internet radio.

Sources: The Next Web

Global Business Summit on Creative Content· Headlines· International· Ken Parks· Music· Spotify· Streaming· Subscribers· US

Spotify now has 4 million paying subscribers and 15 million active users

Spotify announced earlier today that the company now has over 15 million active users and more than 4 million paying subscribers, according to The Next Web. The news was broke out by Spotify's Chief Content Office Ken Parks during the Global Business Summit on Creative Content in London. It also looks like there is more than one million subscriber improvement than what we saw back in January.

The announcement came after Spotify praised its US users on a successful first year, and after both iOS and Android versons of the music-streaming app have been updated with free internet radio.

Sources: The Next Web

So far, Microsoft have been slowly adding customisation features into Windows 8 throughout there major preview releases, but the final Release will include 20 Start Screen patterns. From the leaked screenshot, it is hard to make out if this is real or fake, and some patterns look a bit more complex compared to the other the five existing patterns that have shipped in the Preview copies of Windows 8 - suggesting that the customisation options will quickly change the look of the Start Screen for some. Win8china posted a new lock screen image today, which includes a render of Seattle's space needle. Microsoft is expected to announce the Release to Manufacturing (RTM) of Windows 8 this week.

Source: Win8China

China· Headlines· Metro· Microsoft· News· Rumours· Start Screen· Windows 8

20 new Windows 8 Start Screen patterns in final build

So far, Microsoft have been slowly adding customisation features into Windows 8 throughout there major preview releases, but the final Release will include 20 Start Screen patterns. From the leaked screenshot, it is hard to make out if this is real or fake, and some patterns look a bit more complex compared to the other the five existing patterns that have shipped in the Preview copies of Windows 8 - suggesting that the customisation options will quickly change the look of the Start Screen for some. Win8china posted a new lock screen image today, which includes a render of Seattle's space needle. Microsoft is expected to announce the Release to Manufacturing (RTM) of Windows 8 this week.

Source: Win8China

Many Gmail users have wanted this feature for a long time, and Hangouts has been a key part of Google's Social network since last year; and now Google has integrated the feature right into Gmail. For Gmail, this isn't entirely new. Google first implemented it back in 2008, but Google says this will be a more "modern" implementation of video calling. Gmail video chats used peer-to-peer technology, but Google+ Hangouts use "the power of Google's network" for reliability and quality. Some other useful features is now you can benefit from other Hangout features, such as the ability to chat with nine other people at once. You also have the option to use "masks" by turning yourself into a Cat or Dog. One more thing... You can now chat through Gmail directly with people using Google+ on your Android or iOS devices.

It wasn't a big surprise that Google is taking its Hangout service to Gmail, mainly because people have requested it for some time now. We may also see it in some of Google's other services as well. Google says that the service rollout is starting today and should be available to all users in the coming weeks.




Sources: Google

Gmail· Google· Google Plus· Headlines· News· Video

Google updates Gmail's 'Video Chat' with 'Hangouts'

Many Gmail users have wanted this feature for a long time, and Hangouts has been a key part of Google's Social network since last year; and now Google has integrated the feature right into Gmail. For Gmail, this isn't entirely new. Google first implemented it back in 2008, but Google says this will be a more "modern" implementation of video calling. Gmail video chats used peer-to-peer technology, but Google+ Hangouts use "the power of Google's network" for reliability and quality. Some other useful features is now you can benefit from other Hangout features, such as the ability to chat with nine other people at once. You also have the option to use "masks" by turning yourself into a Cat or Dog. One more thing... You can now chat through Gmail directly with people using Google+ on your Android or iOS devices.

It wasn't a big surprise that Google is taking its Hangout service to Gmail, mainly because people have requested it for some time now. We may also see it in some of Google's other services as well. Google says that the service rollout is starting today and should be available to all users in the coming weeks.




Sources: Google

Today, Apple has announced that Mountain Lion (10.8) has been downloaded three million times in four days, "making it the most successful OS X release in Apple's history".

"Just a year after the incredibly successful introduction of Lion, customers have downloaded Mountain Lion over three million times in just four days, making it our most successful release ever," said Philip Schiller, Apple's senior vice president of Worldwide Marketing.

Mountain Lion was released to the Mac App Store on the 25th of July 2012 for £13.99 ($19.99). Apple announced one million downloads of OS X Lion (10.7) in the first day of its launch. 

Apple· Headlines· Mountain Lion· os x· OS X Mountain Lion

OS X Mountain Lion Downloaded 3 Million Times in Four Days

Today, Apple has announced that Mountain Lion (10.8) has been downloaded three million times in four days, "making it the most successful OS X release in Apple's history".

"Just a year after the incredibly successful introduction of Lion, customers have downloaded Mountain Lion over three million times in just four days, making it our most successful release ever," said Philip Schiller, Apple's senior vice president of Worldwide Marketing.

Mountain Lion was released to the Mac App Store on the 25th of July 2012 for £13.99 ($19.99). Apple announced one million downloads of OS X Lion (10.7) in the first day of its launch. 

iMore reports that they have heard that the next generation iPhone, new iPod nano, and the new 7.85" iPad mini will be announced on September 12th. They also said that the actual launch date for the next iPhone is September 21, 2012.

"iMore has heard that Apple is planning to debut the new iPhone at a special event on Wednesday, September 12, 2012, with the release date to follow 9 days later on Friday, September 21. This information comes from sources who have proven accurate in the past."

The next-generation iPhone, is expected to have a 4" screen as shown in the photo above. Rumours have also suggested that the phone may include high speed LTE wireless networking.

As many of us generally refer to the next iPhone ans the "iPhone 5", Apple may follow the example of their most recent iPad release, by dropping the numbering scheme.

There has been a giant increase in rumours about the 7.85" iPad mini. The smaller iPad is believed to help Apple fill a cheaper price point in their tablet lineup.

iMore has been an accurate source of information in the past, such as pinpointing the iPad 3 launch date, as well as pre-order date for the iPhone 4S.

Apple· Breaking News· Headlines· iPhone· iPhone 5· News· Release· Release Date· Rumours

iPad Mini to be Announced on September 12th with iPhone 5 Release September 21st

iMore reports that they have heard that the next generation iPhone, new iPod nano, and the new 7.85" iPad mini will be announced on September 12th. They also said that the actual launch date for the next iPhone is September 21, 2012.

"iMore has heard that Apple is planning to debut the new iPhone at a special event on Wednesday, September 12, 2012, with the release date to follow 9 days later on Friday, September 21. This information comes from sources who have proven accurate in the past."

The next-generation iPhone, is expected to have a 4" screen as shown in the photo above. Rumours have also suggested that the phone may include high speed LTE wireless networking.

As many of us generally refer to the next iPhone ans the "iPhone 5", Apple may follow the example of their most recent iPad release, by dropping the numbering scheme.

There has been a giant increase in rumours about the 7.85" iPad mini. The smaller iPad is believed to help Apple fill a cheaper price point in their tablet lineup.

iMore has been an accurate source of information in the past, such as pinpointing the iPad 3 launch date, as well as pre-order date for the iPhone 4S.

Do you remember yesterday, the leaked photos of the fully connected 'iPhone 5'? Well now, there is a video over view of the phone itself. Now, over the weekend, we have now seen the side-encompassing backplate, paired with the front cover that showed up in the first assembled photos of this handset. Today, Macotakara has a video of the same assembly, giving us a quick glimpse of what the next-generation iPhone may look and feel like in the hand.

There are also some extra parts, including black and white home buttons, the probability of the entire thing is still tough to establish since the video is titled with a question mark at the end.




Source: Macotakara

Apple· Headlines· iPhone 5· Mobile· News· Rumours· Video

Claim of 'iPhone 5' case now makes video appearance

Do you remember yesterday, the leaked photos of the fully connected 'iPhone 5'? Well now, there is a video over view of the phone itself. Now, over the weekend, we have now seen the side-encompassing backplate, paired with the front cover that showed up in the first assembled photos of this handset. Today, Macotakara has a video of the same assembly, giving us a quick glimpse of what the next-generation iPhone may look and feel like in the hand.

There are also some extra parts, including black and white home buttons, the probability of the entire thing is still tough to establish since the video is titled with a question mark at the end.




Source: Macotakara

Earlier this year, Microsoft revealed its new Touch Mouse. Microsoft is now planning to add support to Windows 8 for its existing Touch Mouse. THe company is detailing the exact gestures this week. 

The new support, that will arrive when Windows 8 ships to the public, will include a one finger swipe to scroll up and down in documents, a two finger movement to manage apps and display the Windows 8 charms, a three finger movement to zoom in and out and a thumb gesture to navigate forwards and backwards though apps. 

Microsoft says that the updated gestures will "help make navigating through Windows 8 a breeze." Microsoft is not detailing when this support will be made available in driver form, but it appears updated drivers will be available once Windows 8 is released this fall. 

Source: Windows Team Blog

Gestures· Headlines· Mice· Release· Touch Mouse· updates· Windows 8

Microsoft announces upcoming gestures for its Touch Mouse

Earlier this year, Microsoft revealed its new Touch Mouse. Microsoft is now planning to add support to Windows 8 for its existing Touch Mouse. THe company is detailing the exact gestures this week. 

The new support, that will arrive when Windows 8 ships to the public, will include a one finger swipe to scroll up and down in documents, a two finger movement to manage apps and display the Windows 8 charms, a three finger movement to zoom in and out and a thumb gesture to navigate forwards and backwards though apps. 

Microsoft says that the updated gestures will "help make navigating through Windows 8 a breeze." Microsoft is not detailing when this support will be made available in driver form, but it appears updated drivers will be available once Windows 8 is released this fall. 

Source: Windows Team Blog

The Japanese website iLab has posted a set of high-resolution photos (via CydiaBlog)of what the iPhone 5 may look like.

CydiaBlog:

"The leaked parts shows the bigger screen, different internals (such as a new flex cable holding the Home button in place), and the camera modules (front and rear). The camera module cutout looks to be larger, there is an enhanced version of speaker and microphone configuration at the bottom, new smaller dock connector (instead of 30-pin Dock Connector, 16-pin connector could be introduced). Another notable design change in the new iPhone front panel shows the FaceTime camera has been moved to a centered position above the earpiece speaker (it is currently to left of the earpiece in iPhone 4S and iPhone 4)."

Rumours suggest that the next iPhone would sport a taller 4" screen, but would remain the same width. The next iPhone is expected to be released sometime this fall along side of iOS 6.

Apple· Headlines· Imagery· iPhone· iPhone 5· News· Rumours

Photos of Complete Next-Generation iPhone Enclosure Leaked

The Japanese website iLab has posted a set of high-resolution photos (via CydiaBlog)of what the iPhone 5 may look like.

CydiaBlog:

"The leaked parts shows the bigger screen, different internals (such as a new flex cable holding the Home button in place), and the camera modules (front and rear). The camera module cutout looks to be larger, there is an enhanced version of speaker and microphone configuration at the bottom, new smaller dock connector (instead of 30-pin Dock Connector, 16-pin connector could be introduced). Another notable design change in the new iPhone front panel shows the FaceTime camera has been moved to a centered position above the earpiece speaker (it is currently to left of the earpiece in iPhone 4S and iPhone 4)."

Rumours suggest that the next iPhone would sport a taller 4" screen, but would remain the same width. The next iPhone is expected to be released sometime this fall along side of iOS 6.

It looks like Google is still improving its Maps and Earth by adding high-resolution imagery. The company announced that it's added better aerial and satellite photos for 25 cities and 72 regions or countries. You can see the full list on the Lat Long blog. Several parts of Spain and the US have new high-resolution aerial imagery, and Brazil, China, Mexico, and many other countries have new satellite pictures. There's a new 45-degree imagery in 21 US cities and seven elsewhere.

45-degree imagery is what Google uses to build its 3D models. Bing Maps got a big update recently by adding a high resolution database, and also adding 230,004 square kilometres of territory.

Source: Google Lat Long Blog

Google· Google Earth· Google Maps· Headlines

Google adds more high-resolution imagery to Google Maps and Google Earth

It looks like Google is still improving its Maps and Earth by adding high-resolution imagery. The company announced that it's added better aerial and satellite photos for 25 cities and 72 regions or countries. You can see the full list on the Lat Long blog. Several parts of Spain and the US have new high-resolution aerial imagery, and Brazil, China, Mexico, and many other countries have new satellite pictures. There's a new 45-degree imagery in 21 US cities and seven elsewhere.

45-degree imagery is what Google uses to build its 3D models. Bing Maps got a big update recently by adding a high resolution database, and also adding 230,004 square kilometres of territory.

Source: Google Lat Long Blog

Dropbox

Free

Dropbox is probably one of the most key app that you need on your Nexus 7 device. You can access your important documents from anywhere, and now, even your Nexus 7. You get 2GB in the free account, and that it quite a bit given that the maximum memory of the device is 8GB to 16GB. The latest version features upload notifications and custom-tailored video streaming, and the app also automatically uploads photos and videos in the background over Wi-Fi on the Nexus 7.

Facebook

Free

Pretty much everyone is on Facebook now, so this is a well needed app to keep up-to-date with your Facebook notifications, chat to friends, browse pages and more all from this app.

Mint

Free

Mint's Android tablet app is pretty much the same as its iOS app, including a homescreen that focuses on charts and graphs letting you see your current overall financial picture at a glance. The latest version lets you create and edit budgets right from within the app.

Pulse

Free

Pulse pulls in news from thousands of sources and presents them in an amazing format, complete with art work. You can easily customise it by browsing lists sources and tapping the plus sign that interests you. This creates a completely personalised news page and delivers every story as it happens, so your always up-to-date. The app also contains news and information about any Jelly-bean related fixes. 

TweetCaster

Free

While you can easily download the Official Twitter client for Android, TweetCaster has a much more fluent interface and takes better advantage of the Nexus 7. TweetCaster also offers more of a sophisticated search, customisable retweets and content filters, and you can set up individual tables for local trends and retweets.

Skype

Free

The Nexus 7 has a built in mic and a front facing camera, so why not put it to use with Skype? Video call or audio call your friends or colleges. You can also instant message your friends or colleges. You can also make low-cost calls to regular mobile phones and landlines. 

DC Comics

Free

Who doesn't love comic books? If you are fans of Batman, Superman and Green Lantern, then you have waited a long time for this day to come, and now you can read all of the comics from your Nexus 7. You can also view the comics with choices from guided page views and full-page views. 

Kindle

Free

Google play has over 4 million titles, but that doesn't come close to Amazon titles. The Kindle version takes advantage of the Nexus 7's screen - which is still one inch larger than all dedicated E Ink-based Kindles - and now offers more control of margins and line space. 

TED

Free

The official TED app brings over 1,200 TED talks straight to your Nexus 7 device, from tech wizards, business experts, and music legends, among others. Now, you can save each individual talks to the device for later viewing - even offline. The latest version includes a better video player for 7-inch tablets, as well as plenty of bug fixes.

Hulu Plus

Free; $7.99 per month

Hulu Plus is one of the biggest competitions to Netflix and as far as streaming movie and TV apps are concerned, both of them cost the same amount. There are a few differences in the available catalogues; Hulu offers full seasons of The Office, Modern Family, Battlestar Galactica, and Family Guy, among others. The latest version includes improved support for 7-inch tablets like the Nexus 7, and you can now sign up for a weeks trial in the app.

IMDb

Free

Lets say you are watching a movie or a TV show that you like and you would like to quickly see the actors in that show, you can easily and quickly do this right from your Nexus 7 devices. The IMDb's interface is highly optimised for tablet like the Nexus 7, and the latest update adds the ability to stream movie trailers in HD.

Netflix 

Free; $7.99 per month

Netflix remains the go-to destination to watch all of your favourite movies and TV shows. Your $7.99-per month subscription works for all devices, so you can install it on your Smartphone and play it back on your Playstation 3 or Xbox 360. The latest version supports Jelly-bean - so it looks like you are all set. 

Pandora 

Free

Like free music? Then it doesn't get any better than this. The Pandora app is more expansive tablet-based interface that fits just right on the Nexus 7's screen. And Pandora's discovery algorithms - which break down down by tempo, chords and other features in a much more granular fashion than relying on mere genre - are still the best in the business. Finally audio now pauses whenever you unplug your headphones, instead of continuing to play out-loud through the tablet's speaker. 

Spotify 

Free; $9.99 per month

The amazing cloud-based music streaming service now contains over 15 million songs, all of which you can listen to on your Nexus 7. Unlike any other music streaming services, Spotify lets you set up playlists and choose all of your songs. Spotify has so many songs in its catalog, that it is in-fact possible you'll never need to buy music again. 

Dungeon Hunter 3

Free

Dungeon Hunter 3 is a little different, as it's not quite the action role-playing game earlier installments were; instead, you choose one of four new character classes and fight in 16 different areas, gaining experience points and unlocking over 1,000 items along the way. Motion blur and dynamic particle effects make the areans look sharp.

Galaxy On Fire 2 THD 

Free for first solar systems; $14.99 in-app purchases for full game

Explore over 20 different solar systems, mine asteroids, work as a pirate, and hone your space - mercenary skills with Galaxy On Fire 2 THD, a smooth running, Nvidia Tegra 3-optimised game that plays beautifully on the Galaxy Nexus 7 and runs on the tablets native 1280-800 - pixel resolution. The game features over 100 space stations and 30 customisable space stations.

Minecraft Pocket Edition

$6.99

Minecraft works extremely well on the Nexus 7, with very fast frame-rates and more screen real estate. Build anything you want with 36 different kinds of blocks, play with friends and save multiplayer worlds on the Nexus 7. 

Oregon Trailer: Settler 

$4.99

Make yourself at home on the American frontier in 1843. This newly-optimised game for the Nexus 7 features sharp, well drawn graphics and compiling gameplay that sucks you right in from the start, and the latest version looks amazing on the Nexus 7.

Riptide GP

Free

This game was incredibly fun on smartphones, but give it a amazing 7-inch display and watch how impressive the game gets. It's amazing and plays great, it offers higher-resolution textures on multi-core tablets like the Nexus 7. The game still defaults to a slightly lower resolution than what the screen is capable of, but that could change in the future. If you crank the sharpness slider to "native" and you saw impressive smooth frame rates, if not always at 60 per second. 

Android· Apps· gaming· Google· Headlines· News· Nexus 7

The Best Google Nexus 7 Apps

Dropbox

Free

Dropbox is probably one of the most key app that you need on your Nexus 7 device. You can access your important documents from anywhere, and now, even your Nexus 7. You get 2GB in the free account, and that it quite a bit given that the maximum memory of the device is 8GB to 16GB. The latest version features upload notifications and custom-tailored video streaming, and the app also automatically uploads photos and videos in the background over Wi-Fi on the Nexus 7.

Facebook

Free

Pretty much everyone is on Facebook now, so this is a well needed app to keep up-to-date with your Facebook notifications, chat to friends, browse pages and more all from this app.

Mint

Free

Mint's Android tablet app is pretty much the same as its iOS app, including a homescreen that focuses on charts and graphs letting you see your current overall financial picture at a glance. The latest version lets you create and edit budgets right from within the app.

Pulse

Free

Pulse pulls in news from thousands of sources and presents them in an amazing format, complete with art work. You can easily customise it by browsing lists sources and tapping the plus sign that interests you. This creates a completely personalised news page and delivers every story as it happens, so your always up-to-date. The app also contains news and information about any Jelly-bean related fixes. 

TweetCaster

Free

While you can easily download the Official Twitter client for Android, TweetCaster has a much more fluent interface and takes better advantage of the Nexus 7. TweetCaster also offers more of a sophisticated search, customisable retweets and content filters, and you can set up individual tables for local trends and retweets.

Skype

Free

The Nexus 7 has a built in mic and a front facing camera, so why not put it to use with Skype? Video call or audio call your friends or colleges. You can also instant message your friends or colleges. You can also make low-cost calls to regular mobile phones and landlines. 

DC Comics

Free

Who doesn't love comic books? If you are fans of Batman, Superman and Green Lantern, then you have waited a long time for this day to come, and now you can read all of the comics from your Nexus 7. You can also view the comics with choices from guided page views and full-page views. 

Kindle

Free

Google play has over 4 million titles, but that doesn't come close to Amazon titles. The Kindle version takes advantage of the Nexus 7's screen - which is still one inch larger than all dedicated E Ink-based Kindles - and now offers more control of margins and line space. 

TED

Free

The official TED app brings over 1,200 TED talks straight to your Nexus 7 device, from tech wizards, business experts, and music legends, among others. Now, you can save each individual talks to the device for later viewing - even offline. The latest version includes a better video player for 7-inch tablets, as well as plenty of bug fixes.

Hulu Plus

Free; $7.99 per month

Hulu Plus is one of the biggest competitions to Netflix and as far as streaming movie and TV apps are concerned, both of them cost the same amount. There are a few differences in the available catalogues; Hulu offers full seasons of The Office, Modern Family, Battlestar Galactica, and Family Guy, among others. The latest version includes improved support for 7-inch tablets like the Nexus 7, and you can now sign up for a weeks trial in the app.

IMDb

Free

Lets say you are watching a movie or a TV show that you like and you would like to quickly see the actors in that show, you can easily and quickly do this right from your Nexus 7 devices. The IMDb's interface is highly optimised for tablet like the Nexus 7, and the latest update adds the ability to stream movie trailers in HD.

Netflix 

Free; $7.99 per month

Netflix remains the go-to destination to watch all of your favourite movies and TV shows. Your $7.99-per month subscription works for all devices, so you can install it on your Smartphone and play it back on your Playstation 3 or Xbox 360. The latest version supports Jelly-bean - so it looks like you are all set. 

Pandora 

Free

Like free music? Then it doesn't get any better than this. The Pandora app is more expansive tablet-based interface that fits just right on the Nexus 7's screen. And Pandora's discovery algorithms - which break down down by tempo, chords and other features in a much more granular fashion than relying on mere genre - are still the best in the business. Finally audio now pauses whenever you unplug your headphones, instead of continuing to play out-loud through the tablet's speaker. 

Spotify 

Free; $9.99 per month

The amazing cloud-based music streaming service now contains over 15 million songs, all of which you can listen to on your Nexus 7. Unlike any other music streaming services, Spotify lets you set up playlists and choose all of your songs. Spotify has so many songs in its catalog, that it is in-fact possible you'll never need to buy music again. 

Dungeon Hunter 3

Free

Dungeon Hunter 3 is a little different, as it's not quite the action role-playing game earlier installments were; instead, you choose one of four new character classes and fight in 16 different areas, gaining experience points and unlocking over 1,000 items along the way. Motion blur and dynamic particle effects make the areans look sharp.

Galaxy On Fire 2 THD 

Free for first solar systems; $14.99 in-app purchases for full game

Explore over 20 different solar systems, mine asteroids, work as a pirate, and hone your space - mercenary skills with Galaxy On Fire 2 THD, a smooth running, Nvidia Tegra 3-optimised game that plays beautifully on the Galaxy Nexus 7 and runs on the tablets native 1280-800 - pixel resolution. The game features over 100 space stations and 30 customisable space stations.

Minecraft Pocket Edition

$6.99

Minecraft works extremely well on the Nexus 7, with very fast frame-rates and more screen real estate. Build anything you want with 36 different kinds of blocks, play with friends and save multiplayer worlds on the Nexus 7. 

Oregon Trailer: Settler 

$4.99

Make yourself at home on the American frontier in 1843. This newly-optimised game for the Nexus 7 features sharp, well drawn graphics and compiling gameplay that sucks you right in from the start, and the latest version looks amazing on the Nexus 7.

Riptide GP

Free

This game was incredibly fun on smartphones, but give it a amazing 7-inch display and watch how impressive the game gets. It's amazing and plays great, it offers higher-resolution textures on multi-core tablets like the Nexus 7. The game still defaults to a slightly lower resolution than what the screen is capable of, but that could change in the future. If you crank the sharpness slider to "native" and you saw impressive smooth frame rates, if not always at 60 per second. 

The widely used email client Sparrow has been acquired by Google today.

From Sparow's website:

"We're excited to announce that Sparrow has been acquired by Google!

We care a lot about how people communicate, and we did our best to provide you with the most intuitive and pleasurable mailing experience.

Now we're joining the Gmail team to accomplish a bigger vision — one that we think we can better achieve with Google.

We’d like to extend a special thanks to all of our users who have supported us, advised us, given us priceless feedback and allowed us to build a better mail application. While we’ll be working on new things at Google, we will continue to make Sparrow available and provide support for our users.

We had an amazing ride and can't thank you enough.

Full speed ahead!

Dom Leca
CEO
Sparrow"

Sparrow was first launched on the Mac, but now an iPhone version was released earlier this year. Leca also said that Sparrow's products will continue to be made available with "support and critical update", but Sparrow does not plan to release new. There is still no word whether the Push email support (which was promised this year) will make its way to the iOS app, or if it will be delayed or it will never make it's way to the iOS app.

Late last year, Google did in-fact release an iOS Gmail app, but it did not take off because of the poor feedback from users.

"The Sparrow team has always put their users first by focusing on building a seamlessly simple and intuitive interface for their email client. We look forward to bringing them aboard the Gmail team, where they’ll be working on new projects."

Apps· Google· Headlines· iOS· Mac· News· Sparrow

Sparrow email client acquired by Google

The widely used email client Sparrow has been acquired by Google today.

From Sparow's website:

"We're excited to announce that Sparrow has been acquired by Google!

We care a lot about how people communicate, and we did our best to provide you with the most intuitive and pleasurable mailing experience.

Now we're joining the Gmail team to accomplish a bigger vision — one that we think we can better achieve with Google.

We’d like to extend a special thanks to all of our users who have supported us, advised us, given us priceless feedback and allowed us to build a better mail application. While we’ll be working on new things at Google, we will continue to make Sparrow available and provide support for our users.

We had an amazing ride and can't thank you enough.

Full speed ahead!

Dom Leca
CEO
Sparrow"

Sparrow was first launched on the Mac, but now an iPhone version was released earlier this year. Leca also said that Sparrow's products will continue to be made available with "support and critical update", but Sparrow does not plan to release new. There is still no word whether the Push email support (which was promised this year) will make its way to the iOS app, or if it will be delayed or it will never make it's way to the iOS app.

Late last year, Google did in-fact release an iOS Gmail app, but it did not take off because of the poor feedback from users.

"The Sparrow team has always put their users first by focusing on building a seamlessly simple and intuitive interface for their email client. We look forward to bringing them aboard the Gmail team, where they’ll be working on new projects."

On July 12, the social aggregation site Digg announced that it had been purchased for $500,000 by Betaworks. Digg has an another announcement, with a new site called 'rethinkdigg.com,' where it says it plans to rebuild Digg from "scratch," and would like to do it in just six weeks.

On August 1st it will roll out its first version, and Digg is not taking in feedback from users from an online survey that anyone can fill out.

Source: Rethink Digg

Betaworks· Digg· Headlines· News· Rethink Digg· social Media

Digg announces 'Rethink Digg' plan to rebuild in six weeks

On July 12, the social aggregation site Digg announced that it had been purchased for $500,000 by Betaworks. Digg has an another announcement, with a new site called 'rethinkdigg.com,' where it says it plans to rebuild Digg from "scratch," and would like to do it in just six weeks.

On August 1st it will roll out its first version, and Digg is not taking in feedback from users from an online survey that anyone can fill out.

Source: Rethink Digg

Ever heard of a mirrorless camera? Well now you have. The world's largest DSLR maker, Canon will be making a change soon if rumours are to be correct. The EOS M camera has been revealed on a Japanese website called Digicame. The site claims that they have got their hands on the camera and that it came straight from a retailer. The camera looks to use a new lens mount called EF-M, and is pictured with a 22mm f/2 STM macro lens.

The sensor size is still unclear, but Canon Watch's source claims that the EOS M will take on a APS-C sensor, but it is a possibility that Canon will reuse the slightly smaller 1.5-inch chip found in the G1 X. The camera looks to be small, simple and accessible camera, the design is very much close to the Nikon J1 or the Panasonic GF5. The camera doesn't appear to have a pop-up flash either, but it does have a hotshoe mount. The image could be fake, but with a official reveal said to be coming on Monday, we do not have long to find out.

Camera· Canon· Headlines· Leaked· News· Rumours

Canon EOS M mirrorless camera leaked

Ever heard of a mirrorless camera? Well now you have. The world's largest DSLR maker, Canon will be making a change soon if rumours are to be correct. The EOS M camera has been revealed on a Japanese website called Digicame. The site claims that they have got their hands on the camera and that it came straight from a retailer. The camera looks to use a new lens mount called EF-M, and is pictured with a 22mm f/2 STM macro lens.

The sensor size is still unclear, but Canon Watch's source claims that the EOS M will take on a APS-C sensor, but it is a possibility that Canon will reuse the slightly smaller 1.5-inch chip found in the G1 X. The camera looks to be small, simple and accessible camera, the design is very much close to the Nikon J1 or the Panasonic GF5. The camera doesn't appear to have a pop-up flash either, but it does have a hotshoe mount. The image could be fake, but with a official reveal said to be coming on Monday, we do not have long to find out.

Blizzard has announced today that World of Warcraft's Recruit-a-Friend program now allows players to transform into the Obsidian Nightwing mount for other players to ride.

The Recruit-a-Friend Program, is a World of Warcraft referral system that rewards players for brining in new players through free Starter Edition accounts, and now has added the mount as a subsitute for the typical summoned ones, replacing the X-53 Touring Rocket reward mount.

Recruiting through the program will give you the Obsidian Nightwing for free and if the player upgrades to the game's full edition, then you can get 30 free days of WoW.

Source: Battle.net

Blizzard· Games· Headlines· World of Warcraft

'World of Warcraft' Recruit-a-Friend now lets players become mounts

Blizzard has announced today that World of Warcraft's Recruit-a-Friend program now allows players to transform into the Obsidian Nightwing mount for other players to ride.

The Recruit-a-Friend Program, is a World of Warcraft referral system that rewards players for brining in new players through free Starter Edition accounts, and now has added the mount as a subsitute for the typical summoned ones, replacing the X-53 Touring Rocket reward mount.

Recruiting through the program will give you the Obsidian Nightwing for free and if the player upgrades to the game's full edition, then you can get 30 free days of WoW.

Source: Battle.net