Friday, May 10, 2013

Software : iTunes for Windows 8 isn't app-ening, says Microsoft

Software : iTunes for Windows 8 isn't app-ening, says Microsoft

iTunes for Windows 8 isn't app-ening, says Microsoft

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iTunes for Windows 8 isn't app-ening, says Microsoft

Windows 8 users waiting for iTunes to land might not want to hold their breath - Microsoft has said that Apple is not willing to bring its music application to the platform.

Speaking to CNN this week, Tami Reller, chief financial officer of Microsoft's Windows division, said that iTunes will not be available for Windows 8 users for the foreseeable future.

"You shouldn't expect an iTunes app on Windows 8 any time soon," she said. "iTunes is in high demand. The welcome mat has been laid out. It's not for lack of trying."

Apple doesn't ride the Metro

It looks like Apple isn't too keen on getting aboard Microsoft's Windows 8 UI, which would demand an app with a touch-friendly interface.

iTunes 11 is currently available for Windows 8 Desktop mode but those using the standard "Metro" interface can't access the application.

Microsoft currently has over 60,000 apps available on its own store, with around 250 million downloads by users so far.

Look out: A wink from a Google Glass user is more than meets the eye

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Look out: A wink from a Google Glass user is more than meets the eye

Rumours suggesting that Google Glass users will be able to take a photo simply by winking were given more credence in reports today.

Following multiple reports of the feature last month, TechCrunch sources claimed a small number of engineers are using a version of the specs that allows the winking feature to be turned on and off in the device's settings.

One source explained that the feature will take a photo instantly when the user performs an elongated wink and can even be trained to recognise the wearer's personal winking style, so to speak.

Calibrating the length of the wink required to take a photo would, of course, prevent Google Glass from snapping a pic every time you blinked, the results of which would be quite interesting if nothing else.

Don't be a winker

Just last week controversy erupted when a third-party developer created an application that offered the same functionality.

However, knowledge that the feature may have been willingly built into Google's software is likely to add to the privacy storm already surrounding the specs.

Up until recently, it was felt that users needed to vocally command the Glass unit to take a picture, but if shots can be taken even more covertly then that's a different story altogether.

Of course, it may be that Google is only testing the feature and may decide to drop it before Glass goes on sale to the public, which is likely to be sometime in late 2013/early 2014.

Facebook reportedly dazed by Waze as Home nears 1 million users

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Facebook reportedly dazed by Waze as Home nears 1 million users

Facebook's new Home interface, the social network's Android home screen replacement, may be labeled a success as it nears 1 million downloads.

The company showed off some upcoming changes of its Android overlay today while bragging that Home increases Facebook use by roughly 25 percent.

Facebook Vice President Cory Ondrejka claimed that Home users spend 25 percent more time using Facebook and send 25 percent more comments and likes, according to TechCrunch.

"Chat Heads," that bobble head message feature, increase Facebook chat participation by 7 percent and increase messages sent by 10 percent, Ondrejka said.

Flattery by imitation

Facebook also showed off some new features that will be added to Home in future updates, though not in an update being pushed out today, which focuses mostly on performance improvements and bug fixes.

But future features include a deeper tutorial for new users, a "dash bar" that will make it easier to start new chats, and a dock that will give users more convenient access to their apps.

Sure, Facebook Home is looking more and more like iOS, but that isn't necessarily a bad thing.

Teach us your Waze

Elsewhere, reports came in today that Facebook is in talks to buy Israeli map app company Waze for up to $1 billion (around UK£64 million, AU$99.4 million).

That's what Facebook paid to acquire Instagram, and Hot Hardware reported today that Facebook is considering paying the same for Waze.

Waze is a social GPS app that uses live data from drivers to provide the best routes based on traffic and other conditions.

The acquisition is reportedly in the due-diligence phase, which means both sides have signed a principle agreement. News of the deal first appeared in the Hebrew-language business newspaper Calcalist.

With Facebook's attempt to take over an entire OS with Facebook Home, it's not inconceivable that the social network would look to add social map functionality in the future.

Are you listening, Google? May want to pay attention to what's going on in Menlo Park.

All we need is Rdio Shazam! Top music apps bring partnership to the UK

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All we need is Rdio Shazam! Top music apps bring partnership to the UK

Shazam has updated its app for Android and iOS devices allowing users to instantly play tagged songs in full using the Rdio music streaming app.

The neat integration, which does not require the Shazam app to be manually updated, gives users the opportunity to 'Listen Free in Rdio,' providing the song falls within its 20 million-strong library.

Hitting that tab will launch the standalone Rdio application and gives users the entire song, rather than just the 30-second iTunes / Amazon previews.

However, there's a slight catch. Beyond a free 14-day trial, users will need a £9.99 a month Rdio Unlimited subscription, which is required for mobile playback, in order to make use of the new integration.

Joins Spotify partnership

The partnership has existed in the United States since last year, but is only now being rolled out to other countries, which include the UK, Australia, Canada, Mexico and Brazil.

Jason Titus, CTO of Shazam said: "The combination of Rdio and Shazam gives music lovers the fastest tagging service and a groundbreaking digital music service so they can identify, save, and organise their music discoveries."

Shazam already has existing an partnership with Spotify for subscribers to that service, while there's always the option to play the track for free on YouTube too.
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