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Posts Tagged ‘App’

App devs notice iOS 6 hits in analytics software

May 16th, 2012

iOS application developers are spotting devices running iOS 6 in application usage logs.

iOS 6 is the next incarnation of the iOS software used in Apple’s iPhone, iPad and iPod touch. This update is highly anticipated, due the addition of new software features, including a new Maps application with a 3D option.

9to5mac reports that developers running analytics software are beginning to notice users running versions of iOS 6. Analytics software let developers keep track of who is using their applications. This information includes the version of iOS that said users were running.

While most hits began appearing sometime in the past week, some developers reported hits as early as late April. Several versions of iOS6 have been going around the Apple campus. This indicates that the software is likely going to be released soon, presumably during June’s World Wide Developers Conference.

There is always excitement when Apple prepares to update its software, especially that of mobile devices. So many people actually own Apple devices, which are getting improved on every year. While there will surely be much to rejoice about in iOS6, users should not expect the addition of Android-like widgets and major home screen changes. While hackers will always have their way with the software, the official UI style of iOS has stayed very consistent throughout its history, and isn’t likely to change any time soon.

Source:http://vr-zone.com/articles/app-devs-notice-ios-6-hits-in-analytics-software/15878.html

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Tags: App Software

Facebook App Center Launched

May 11th, 2012

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Ahead of its Initial Public Offering, Facebook has launched its App Center, which provides a platform for application developers to distribute their software and services to mobile device users. Developers will be given an opportunity to monetize their offerings, which makes App Center akin to an app store like Google’s and Apple’s own app repositories.

Facebook has launched its App Center to ensure easier access to applications designed for mobile devices.

However, the Facebook App Center will not be an app store, per se. Facebook’s Aaron Brady wrote that the platform is not meant to compete with the Google Play Store and Apple App Store. Still, the Facebook App Center will be a “new, central place to find great apps like Draw Something, Pinterest, Spotify, Battle Pirates, Viddy, and Bubble Witch Saga,” Brady said.

App Center will have a gradual roll-out in the coming weeks, and developers are advised to prepare “to make sure their app is included for the launch.”

The app platform was designed to future-proof Facebook from the onset of the mobile revolution. Since an increasing number of users are accessing the Internet from mobile devices, Facebook stands to lose revenue if it doesn’t think of ways to monetize mobile apps. Facebook has highlighted this in discussions with potential investors in its pre-IPO roadshow.

If users increasingly access Facebook mobile products as a substitute for access through personal computers, and if we are unable to successfully implement monetisation strategies for our mobile users, or if we incur excessive expenses in this effort, our financial performance and ability to grow revenue would be negatively affected.

Apps that make use of Facebook Connect will be eligible for listing under App Center. However, it will not directly serve apps if these are available on their respective platforms. “[I]f a mobile app requires installation, they will be sent to download the app from the App Store or Google Play.”

Facebook App Center gives application developers a better chance to reach the 900 million users on Facebook, particularly those on mobile devices.

Source:http://www.techwireasia.com/2995/facebook-app-center-launched/

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Tags: App Center Launched Software

Facebook Facial Recognition: A New Take on it Via the Klik App

May 11th, 2012

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Just when you thought you were safe from Facebook’s facial recognition software, there’s a new app in town using the social networking site to tag photos automatically. It’s called Klik, and is every bit as creepy as the facial recognition software that Facebook tried to use.

Available for the iPad and iPhone, Klik connects to your Facebook profile and scans the pictures of your tagged friends. Klik will then auto-detect the faces using that tagging information, and does so in real time when taking pictures from the app or from pictures in your photo library on your iDevices. To use Klik, you need a Facebook account, and iOS 4.3 or above.

In my own tests, I found the facial recognition to be creepily accurate, although the photo needs to be pretty clear and the faces in the image pointed at the camera for best results.

When Klik cannot match the face to a friend, it asks for the user to tag that person. In the live picture-taking option, a question mark appears above the person’s head with an option to help Klik ‘learn’ the face. The learning feature is not available when using pictures from your photo library, which forced me to tag those photos manually. That negated the app’s niftiness.

Once the picture is taken and the people tagged, Klik gives the option to add filters to the picture like Instagram does, as well as the option to add the names of tagged people on the photo itself. In addition to Facebook, users can share photos publicly on Klik’s website, through Twitter, and by e-mail.

Maybe Useful, But Still Creepy

Klik is a cool app, but has the same privacy concerns as Facebook’s facial recognition does. It is not clear what the app does with tag data from detected faces, and whether or not it stores this information: If it does, that may be too invasive for some. Klik also combs through you and your friend’s photos. While you may have no problem with what it does here, chances are that one of your friends does.

I do think the app has a place for frequent Facebook photographers and taggers. It makes a tedious process a fairly simple one. At the same time, some people don’t want anybody but friends going through their Facebook information, and we must respect that.