Software : Android torch app has been secretly telling advertisers where you are |
- Android torch app has been secretly telling advertisers where you are
- Is Spotify planning to free mobile music from the shackles of Premium subs?
- Nokia says it is working to bring Sky Go to Windows Phone beyond Italy
- Bing Maps Preview app offers glimpse at Windows 8.1 nav features to come
| Android torch app has been secretly telling advertisers where you are Posted:  An Android app called 'Brightest Flashlight' has admitted that it sneakily sent location and device ID data of its users to advertisers. The Brightest Flashlight app has been downloaded between 50m and 100m times since February 2011. The app makers have agreed to pay a settlement to the US's Federal Trade Commission after the app "left [consumers] in the dark about how their information was going to be used," according to Jessica Rich, Director of the FTC's Bureau of Consumer Protection. Bright sparkThe FTC says it's worse than just selling on your data - the makers of the app "deceptively failed to disclose" that it would be using users' locations for its own gain. Even if app users chose the option to not share their information, the app shared it automatically - basically rendering the presentation of a privacy option completely pointless. As of the settlement, the app maker Goldenshore is required to delete any and all personal information it has gathered so far, to make their privacy policy clear and detailed, as well as needing you, the user, to expressly consent to your whereabouts being shared. Every time Goldenshore fails to do any of the above, it will be fined up to $16,000 (around £10,000 or AU$17,660) a pop. |
| Is Spotify planning to free mobile music from the shackles of Premium subs? Posted:  Currently, those wishing to listen to Spotify on their mobile devices must fork over a monthly subscription fee or settle for customisable radio stations, but that may be about to change. The Wall Street Journal brings word from "people familiar the plans" that Spotify will offer limited, ad-supported free streaming through mobile apps, as it does on the web and through desktop clients. According to the report, three major record labels have already signed off on the idea by agreeing to new licensing deals. Aside from that, details are thin on the ground at present, but it's entirely possible. If the report turns out to be credible, Spotify could announce the feature next week at a media event in New York City. Mates rates?Elsewhere, it hasn't been the best week for Spotify PR-wise thanks to its welcomed but potentially ill-advised scheme to bring some much-needed transparency when it comes to artist payments. The company said it had paid $1 billion (around £612m, AU$1.1bn) to artists, which translates to as little as $0.006 per play. At that rate, a song needs to be played 166 times before the artist makes a buck. It's great for Lady Gaga and Katy Perry who's songs get millions of plays. At the time of writing, the latter's Roar, which has been played over 65 million times on Spotify would have made her $392,643. For the emerging artist who's play count is in the hundreds or thousands? Well they might be able to buy a 6-pack and a pizza for their troubles. |
| Nokia says it is working to bring Sky Go to Windows Phone beyond Italy Posted:  As word leaked out that Sky Go was launching exclusively on Nokia Lumia Windows Phone 8 devices in Italy, not a lot was said about a potential launch on the platform in the UK. Now Nokia has moved to officially confirm that the on-demand app from Sky Italia will be rolling out by mid-December, the mobile manufacturer has revealed it's in talks with other Sky teams to broaden its reach. "We are working closely with the Sky team in several other countries to ensure the app will be available to Lumia consumers around the world," the company wrote in a statement to the media. While that can't be taken to mean Brits will see a Sky Go app turn up imminently on their Lumia devices, as BSkyB is a different company to Sky Italia, but it does mean that it's something Nokia is pushing for. Where there's a will...Meanwhile, a spokesperson for Sky revealed appeared somewhat less optimistic, claiming it would take more Sky customers to switch to Windows Phone before it'll consider building an app for the platform. The representative said: "We will continue to monitor the marketplace and should we see an uptake by our customers of Windows phones [we] will explore support" BSkyB will, on the other hand, have the benefit of seeing how well the Sky Italia app performs when making its judgement. Just this week Sky Go arrived on Android tablets for the first time, a good 18 months after it first launched on selected Android smartphones. Don't hold your breath Windows Phone fans. |
| Bing Maps Preview app offers glimpse at Windows 8.1 nav features to come Posted:  If it's been years since you've traveled to Bing Maps, Microsoft may have just given you a reason to perhaps consider a re-visit. The Redmonders are out with a Bing Maps Preview app for Windows 8.1, and while it's limited to just some 70 cities for now, it offers a glimpse at what Microsoft has planned for nav down the road. With a crack team of "world builders from the video game industry, expert photogrammetrists, high definition aerial cameras and a massive data pipeline," the re-built app aims to give users a more natural view of the world and all its roads, routes and destinations. The end result is a maps app that looks to challenge Google Earth at every turn, down to the sweeping landscapes rendered in 3D images. It may be limited for now, but the Bing Maps Preview gives a very good taste of things to come. What's new in Bing Maps PreviewThe app includes Windows 8.1's Snap Views, notifications and Live Tiles, features that lived in some form in the Windows 8 app. However, there are a few newer comers that make the Bing Maps Preview that much better. Among the additions is bubble view in Streetside, giving users a close-up preview of the Streetside angle while still keeping a broad, overhead perspective. The tech is so advanced (gasp!) views will change accordingly as users rotate the map.
The new app also makes use of a readily available search box located in the top right-hand corner, and nav tools are located on the left-hand side of the interface. With improved traffic notifications, users can save a favorite route and set up a specific time they want to check traffic conditions. The real-time info will populate a Live Tile on the Start screen or as a notification when inside Windows. Local Scout has found its way to the Preview app as well, offering deets on nearby places to eat, shop, park, etc. Suggestions in "picks for you" are based on users past search history, Facebook friends' preferences and popular spots in the area. Finally, the app comes equipped with integrated Skype support, popping open a Snap View window within the app so users can make a call with a click. The Bing Maps Preview is available in the Windows Store now. |
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