Today Microsoft has released an update for the Facebook app on Windows Phone as part of their beta program, which allows users to get the latest app versions to test out upcoming features. The new Facebook beta app for Windows Phone has been updated with a major redesign with some new features that include post sharing, uploading hi-res photos and the Facebook timeline.

Facebook Ditches Metro-style

The new UI moves away from the "metro style" interface found in the existing Facebook app, and more closely matches the iOS and Android Facebook apps. Sliding to the right will expose the navigation bar reveals the chat interface. Facebook's Windows Phone update follows a similar move by twitter recently to align its Windows Phone UI with its iOS and Android apps.

Microsoft says it is looking for "energetic volunteers" to join the program and test the new features, while the existing app will remain in the store alongside the beta one. The Facebook beta includes an option to send feedback in the settings area of the app, where Microsoft will collect bug reports and feature requests. The newly designed Facebook Beta app is available immediately in the Windows Phone store. 

Facebook· Metro· Microsoft· update· Windows 8 Phone· Windows Phone

Facebook for Windows Phone Gains Major Update

Today Microsoft has released an update for the Facebook app on Windows Phone as part of their beta program, which allows users to get the latest app versions to test out upcoming features. The new Facebook beta app for Windows Phone has been updated with a major redesign with some new features that include post sharing, uploading hi-res photos and the Facebook timeline.

Facebook Ditches Metro-style

The new UI moves away from the "metro style" interface found in the existing Facebook app, and more closely matches the iOS and Android Facebook apps. Sliding to the right will expose the navigation bar reveals the chat interface. Facebook's Windows Phone update follows a similar move by twitter recently to align its Windows Phone UI with its iOS and Android apps.

Microsoft says it is looking for "energetic volunteers" to join the program and test the new features, while the existing app will remain in the store alongside the beta one. The Facebook beta includes an option to send feedback in the settings area of the app, where Microsoft will collect bug reports and feature requests. The newly designed Facebook Beta app is available immediately in the Windows Phone store. 

Probably one of the quickest updated from Apple is iTunes 11.0.1, that has just been released into the wild. The software's first noticeable update is making its way into OS X's Software Update. While only bumping it to v11.0.1, the refresh adds the ability to easily weed out duplicate iTunes in users' library's. A feature that was - for some reason removed in the original move from iTunes 10 to iTunes 11. There are other bug fixes that we have been told of. iTunes 11.0.1 solves an issue where "purchases in iCloud may not appear in a user's library if iTunes Match is turned on," makes the program as a whole more responsive when sifting though a vast music library, and solves a spanner in the works where the AirPlay button may not "appear as expected." For those eager enough, a simple refresh of Software Update should have you on your way to a little newness.

AirPlay· Apple· iCloud· iTunes· iTunes 11· Software· update

iTunes 11.0.1 update: Revives Duplicate Song Tool and more!

Probably one of the quickest updated from Apple is iTunes 11.0.1, that has just been released into the wild. The software's first noticeable update is making its way into OS X's Software Update. While only bumping it to v11.0.1, the refresh adds the ability to easily weed out duplicate iTunes in users' library's. A feature that was - for some reason removed in the original move from iTunes 10 to iTunes 11. There are other bug fixes that we have been told of. iTunes 11.0.1 solves an issue where "purchases in iCloud may not appear in a user's library if iTunes Match is turned on," makes the program as a whole more responsive when sifting though a vast music library, and solves a spanner in the works where the AirPlay button may not "appear as expected." For those eager enough, a simple refresh of Software Update should have you on your way to a little newness.

The Iconfactory, the developer of Twitterrific and Flare for Mac, has released a major update of its Twitter client for iOS. Twitterrific 5 debuted the App Store tonight and features a completely redesigned interface, themes and font customization, cross-device synchronization, and more. 

As in previous versions, Twitterrific offers all of the basic Twitter client functions like timeline browsing, access to mentions and direct messages, search, and list access. New features include two themes, Light and Dark, that can be switched manually or done automatically at 7:00 am and 7:00 pm every day. Twitterrific 5 also offers five font choices and nine font sizes, as well as control over line spacing. 

Apps· interface· iOS· redesigned· Twitter· Twitter Client· twitterrfic 5· update

Twitterrfic 5 now available for iOS with a redesigned interface

The Iconfactory, the developer of Twitterrific and Flare for Mac, has released a major update of its Twitter client for iOS. Twitterrific 5 debuted the App Store tonight and features a completely redesigned interface, themes and font customization, cross-device synchronization, and more. 

As in previous versions, Twitterrific offers all of the basic Twitter client functions like timeline browsing, access to mentions and direct messages, search, and list access. New features include two themes, Light and Dark, that can be switched manually or done automatically at 7:00 am and 7:00 pm every day. Twitterrific 5 also offers five font choices and nine font sizes, as well as control over line spacing. 

In his review of iTunes 11, AllThingsD's Walt Mossberg notes that Apple is preparing a minor update to address a few issues with the next generation media player from Apple. The change included in the update will be the return of a feature that allows users to find duplicate songs in their libraries. 

A feature that finds duplicate entries is missing. Apple says it will soon be restored in a minor update of the program. 
In my tests, some album covers were missing in album view. Apple says this is a rare bug, but one it has solved and will fix in a minor update soon. Another bug the company says will be remedied prevents owners of Apple TVs from wirelessly streaming cloud-based movies to their TVs.

 Mossberg also reports that Apple has no intention of bringing back the Cover Flow view of album art, because the company found that users were were not really interested in that feature, but instead, Apple brought out the new Expanded View offering a fresh take on integrating large album art into library browsing. 

Apple· iTunes· iTunes 11· update

iTunes 11 update: Restore Duplicate Search, Fix Album Art and Movie Streaming Bugs (Coming Soon)

In his review of iTunes 11, AllThingsD's Walt Mossberg notes that Apple is preparing a minor update to address a few issues with the next generation media player from Apple. The change included in the update will be the return of a feature that allows users to find duplicate songs in their libraries. 

A feature that finds duplicate entries is missing. Apple says it will soon be restored in a minor update of the program. 
In my tests, some album covers were missing in album view. Apple says this is a rare bug, but one it has solved and will fix in a minor update soon. Another bug the company says will be remedied prevents owners of Apple TVs from wirelessly streaming cloud-based movies to their TVs.

 Mossberg also reports that Apple has no intention of bringing back the Cover Flow view of album art, because the company found that users were were not really interested in that feature, but instead, Apple brought out the new Expanded View offering a fresh take on integrating large album art into library browsing. 

It is about time. I have been waiting for ages for this update, I've been having to use safari on my iPhone 5 for a decent full screen experience when watching YouTube videos. The YouTube app has been updated to add 4-inch support for the iPhone 5.

In addition, the new update now includes complete native support for viewing videos on Apple’s iPad, too, with users now able to share this video content via Apple’s content streaming API – AirPlay.

The app’s new iPad-targeted interface now also displays a guide of channels, and will now allow those with an account at the video sharing site to fully manage their playlists on-the-move by either adding or removing items

Other changes:

- Clickable links in video descriptions
- Improved accessibility with VoiceOver

The update is such a significant update and many iPhone 5 users really wanted this update and it may pull a few users away from alternative YouTube apps.

YouTube for iOS is a completely FREE download, now supporting iPhone, iPod touch and iPad. The new update weighs in at 11.6 MB and requires iOS 5.0 – (or later).

app· Apple· iOS· iPhone 5· update· YouTube

Official YouTube app has finally been updated for iPad and iPhone 5

It is about time. I have been waiting for ages for this update, I've been having to use safari on my iPhone 5 for a decent full screen experience when watching YouTube videos. The YouTube app has been updated to add 4-inch support for the iPhone 5.

In addition, the new update now includes complete native support for viewing videos on Apple’s iPad, too, with users now able to share this video content via Apple’s content streaming API – AirPlay.

The app’s new iPad-targeted interface now also displays a guide of channels, and will now allow those with an account at the video sharing site to fully manage their playlists on-the-move by either adding or removing items

Other changes:

- Clickable links in video descriptions
- Improved accessibility with VoiceOver

The update is such a significant update and many iPhone 5 users really wanted this update and it may pull a few users away from alternative YouTube apps.

YouTube for iOS is a completely FREE download, now supporting iPhone, iPod touch and iPad. The new update weighs in at 11.6 MB and requires iOS 5.0 – (or later).

As of today, Skype has just released an update for its iOS app, making it much easier to merge Skype accounts with your Microsoft account. Microsoft recently decided to phase out Windows Live Messenger in favor of Skype, finally putting the $8.5 billion acquisition to good use, which allows users to Skype with Messenger, Hotmail, and Outlook.com contacts.

Start using and enjoying the update by signing into Skype with their Microsoft account and all the information, including history and contacts, will immediately be merged with their Skype account.

The update also brings other features, like the ability to edit individual messages by tapping and holding down on a message. The update has included emoticons, both animated and stagnant, that can be placed on IMs on Retina-equipped devices.

The update also contains some bug fixes Skype did not tell which bugs have been fixed.

Apps· Hotmail· iOS· Microsoft· Outlook· Skype· Software Update· update· updates· Windows· windows live messenger

Skype for iOS gets update to allow easy merge of Windows Live Messenger, Skype accounts

As of today, Skype has just released an update for its iOS app, making it much easier to merge Skype accounts with your Microsoft account. Microsoft recently decided to phase out Windows Live Messenger in favor of Skype, finally putting the $8.5 billion acquisition to good use, which allows users to Skype with Messenger, Hotmail, and Outlook.com contacts.

Start using and enjoying the update by signing into Skype with their Microsoft account and all the information, including history and contacts, will immediately be merged with their Skype account.

The update also brings other features, like the ability to edit individual messages by tapping and holding down on a message. The update has included emoticons, both animated and stagnant, that can be placed on IMs on Retina-equipped devices.

The update also contains some bug fixes Skype did not tell which bugs have been fixed.

It has almost been a month since iOS 6 was debut to the public and now the first bug fix update has started entering the testing stage. At the moment, we know that the update is likely to fix the weird keyboard glitch that users sometimes get when entering their password on the iPhone's App Store.

 
Another reliable source called BGR (Boys Genius Report)  claims that Apple has been testing the update with a few carriers in the U.S adding:

”iOS 6.0.1 should fix the horizontal lines bug on the screen when the keyboard or app folder is open, and it will also fix a problem with the camera’s flash not going off.”

“In addition, the new software will improve Wi-Fi support, fix cellular data not working in some cases, add a consolidated cellular data switch for iTunes Match, fix a bug that allowed access to Passbook pass details from the lock screen, and also finally fix the bug that caused Exchange meetings to be unexpectedly cancelled for the entire calendar invite group.” 

Also, the company is also just beginning to test iOS 6.1 update, which makes this "extremely unlikely" that it will ship with the iPad Mini on November 2nd.

"This makes it extremely unlikely iOS 6.1 will ship with the new iPad mini by November 2nd unless there is a separate build just for the new iPad, and iOS 6.1 for all other devices will launch at a later time."

We are still unsure of the timeframe of the update but it could come after the holidays or sometime this year.

6.0.1· Apple· Bug Fix· Bugs· iOS 6· iOS 6.0.1· iPad Mini· iPhone 5· update

iOS 6.0.1 entering carrier testing stage. Likely to fix keyboard screen glitch and more!

It has almost been a month since iOS 6 was debut to the public and now the first bug fix update has started entering the testing stage. At the moment, we know that the update is likely to fix the weird keyboard glitch that users sometimes get when entering their password on the iPhone's App Store.

 
Another reliable source called BGR (Boys Genius Report)  claims that Apple has been testing the update with a few carriers in the U.S adding:

”iOS 6.0.1 should fix the horizontal lines bug on the screen when the keyboard or app folder is open, and it will also fix a problem with the camera’s flash not going off.”

“In addition, the new software will improve Wi-Fi support, fix cellular data not working in some cases, add a consolidated cellular data switch for iTunes Match, fix a bug that allowed access to Passbook pass details from the lock screen, and also finally fix the bug that caused Exchange meetings to be unexpectedly cancelled for the entire calendar invite group.” 

Also, the company is also just beginning to test iOS 6.1 update, which makes this "extremely unlikely" that it will ship with the iPad Mini on November 2nd.

"This makes it extremely unlikely iOS 6.1 will ship with the new iPad mini by November 2nd unless there is a separate build just for the new iPad, and iOS 6.1 for all other devices will launch at a later time."

We are still unsure of the timeframe of the update but it could come after the holidays or sometime this year.

Today Xbox have released a new update for the Xbox 360 dashboard, this occurs yearly, and to be perfectly honest I wasn't expecting any dramatic over hauls of what they currently have, but there have been a few significant tweaks to the dashboard.

Well this is it! The new dashboard, obviously it does look better when there is a premium theme as the background, but the actual dashboard is the main focus. As you can probably see, this layout is almost identical to Microsoft's brand new operating system 'Windows 8'. I knew for a fact that there would be some similarities between the two of them, but I did not think that they would look this much alike! Although I approve of the new Xbox dashboard, I feel that they could have really gone out on a limb and made it something special, something to appeal to more customers, and increase their sales, as good as it is, it doesn't look like Microsoft have used maximum effort in designing this operating system.

'Windows 8'

There are a few new features on the dashboard (all be it small ones). The most significant one, I think is  the introduction of Internet explorer, which is extremely useful and I really am quite fond of this idea. I felt that the Xbox has always been lacking in the web browser department, the reason being that the Playstation 3 had one, and the 360 did not. Now that has changed I feel that the Xbox's browser 1-up's the PS3's. The reason being that Internet Explorer has been around for quite some time, and Microsoft have had the time to enhance it, and listen to the constructive criticisms of their customers. Whilst PS3 have made a browser specifically for Playstation (PS3, PSVita, PSP), which is an advantage, but I think it is more of a disadvantage. This is because Internet Explorer is used for both computers, and the Xbox, (although some adjustments had to be made to allow it to run on xbox) and this means that Microsoft will have previous experiences with fixing their browser, ensuring that it is as safe as possible, so if any problems are found with the Xbox Internet Explorer, they will be able to fix them with ease.

Internet Explorer· PS3· Tablet· Technology· update· Windows 8· xbox· Xbox 360 dashboard

Xbox 360 October 16th Update

Today Xbox have released a new update for the Xbox 360 dashboard, this occurs yearly, and to be perfectly honest I wasn't expecting any dramatic over hauls of what they currently have, but there have been a few significant tweaks to the dashboard.

Well this is it! The new dashboard, obviously it does look better when there is a premium theme as the background, but the actual dashboard is the main focus. As you can probably see, this layout is almost identical to Microsoft's brand new operating system 'Windows 8'. I knew for a fact that there would be some similarities between the two of them, but I did not think that they would look this much alike! Although I approve of the new Xbox dashboard, I feel that they could have really gone out on a limb and made it something special, something to appeal to more customers, and increase their sales, as good as it is, it doesn't look like Microsoft have used maximum effort in designing this operating system.

'Windows 8'

There are a few new features on the dashboard (all be it small ones). The most significant one, I think is  the introduction of Internet explorer, which is extremely useful and I really am quite fond of this idea. I felt that the Xbox has always been lacking in the web browser department, the reason being that the Playstation 3 had one, and the 360 did not. Now that has changed I feel that the Xbox's browser 1-up's the PS3's. The reason being that Internet Explorer has been around for quite some time, and Microsoft have had the time to enhance it, and listen to the constructive criticisms of their customers. Whilst PS3 have made a browser specifically for Playstation (PS3, PSVita, PSP), which is an advantage, but I think it is more of a disadvantage. This is because Internet Explorer is used for both computers, and the Xbox, (although some adjustments had to be made to allow it to run on xbox) and this means that Microsoft will have previous experiences with fixing their browser, ensuring that it is as safe as possible, so if any problems are found with the Xbox Internet Explorer, they will be able to fix them with ease.