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Samsung unveils Knox 2.0 mobile security platform

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A year after it introduced it for the first time, Samsung unveiled Knox 2.0 security platform for Android. The beefed up enterprise suite will ship with the Samsung Galaxy S5, while older devices will receive it after they upgrade to Android 4.4 KitKat.

The biggest change which Samsung Knox 2.0 brings to the table is different method of handling Android apps. The suite digitally secures Google Play apps data, therefore eliminating the need to run them in a dedicated Knox mode like in the previous version. Read more »

BBM coming to Nokia Lumia [Update: And Nokia X]

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Nokia has taken to the stage at the MWC 2014 and the announcements are coming in thick and fast. One of the first announcements is some new apps for the Lumia platform, including BBM for Lumia.

BBM or BlackBerry Messenger has traditionally been limited to BlackBerry devices until it was made available on iOS and Android last year. Now BBM will also be available on Lumia devices, bringing it to an even wider audience. Read more »

BBM to soon get premium sticker packs

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BlackBerry has revealed that their BlackBerry Messenger or BBM service will soon get premium stickers for use in chats. Like, paid stickers. Involving actual money. For stickers. On BBM.

The stickers will be available for purchase from the new BBM Shop, which will be launched simultaneously. The store will be within the app itself and for now will feature several premium sticker packs containing 20-25 stickers each along with a free BBM sticker pack including stickers of current BBM emoticons. Read more »

Opera Web Pass gives you ad-supported mobile internet for free

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Opera has been hard at work with carriers to make mobile internet more affordable than ever, and their latest Web Pass service is the latest product of that endeavor.

The service lets operators package mobile internet offerings that allow you to browse the web on a 3G network limited by time, content, or both. Read more »

Samsung Galaxy S5 to bring Kids mode

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Borrowing a page out of Windows Phone’s book, the newest installment of Samsung’s Galaxy flagship lineup will reportedly feature a new Kids Mode parental control feature.

Kids Mode takes after Kids Corner in WP8, and will give you a special limited access user account for when you want to lend your Galaxy S5 to a child or someone else. Read more »

Google Currents reaches end of the road, directs you towards Newsstand

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Google Currents was Google’s content aggregating service along the lines of Flipboard for Android. The app was recently replaced by the much better Newsstand but still existed on the Play Store for users to download.

The app has now finally reached the end of the road, as Google has released an update that will essentially hide the app from your device. After you install the update, launching the app will direct you towards the new Newsstand app and the Currents icon will disappear from your app launcher. Read more »

Facebook agrees to purchase WhatsApp for $19 billion

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Facebook has agreed to purchase WhatsApp. The social networking giant will pay the staggering $19 billion for the massively popular cross-platform messaging client in cash and stock ($4 billion in cash, $12 billion in stock, and additional $3 billion in restricted stock which will vest over the four years after the deal’s closing).

As part of the agreement, WhatsApp will continue to operate independently. Read more »

OneDrive is now live, Android’s app gets automatic upload

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Just as planned, Microsoft has just launched the new OneDrive service – the renamed and updated SkyDrive. In case you need a refresh, Microsoft was forced to rename its cloud storage service after a trademark infringement. Now, the rebranded cloud storage service OneDrive got an updated version of its Android app

OneDrive is available to anyone – either existing or new user and the updated Android app brings brand new subscription services. Read more »

Google buys sonic-based password company SlickLogin

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Google acquired today Israeli startup company SlickLogin. Five months ago, the company made its debut on the internet password security scene offering an interesting alternative – sound-based passwords.

The announcement of the acquisition sits on the company’s homepage, where the small team says that now they’ll be making the Internet safer for everyone. Presumably, Google has decided to replace its 2-step verification with a better authentication method. Read more »

Viber considers an acquisition offer worth $300-400 million

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According to Israeli financial newspaper Calcalist, popular instant messaging platform Viber is currently in talks to be acquired by a rival company in Asia. While nothing is confirmed just yet, it’s said that the Asian instant messaging company has made an offer for Viber worth $300 to $400 million dollars.

Popular Asian mobile chat applications include WeChat (China), Line (Japan) and KakaoTalk (South Korea), but the newspaper doesn’t confirm which one has placed the bid. Viber boasts 200 million registered users based in 193 countries and is available on nearly ever mobile and desktop platform there is. Read more »

Google Search for Android updated with a bunch of new features

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Google is rolling out an update to its Search app for Android bringing a bunch of cool new features and improvements.

One of the major novelties that come with the update is the ability of Google Now to let you know when you should leave for work, airport, events and dinner in order for you to get there on time. Read more »

Foursquare to power upcoming WP 8.1 Cortana voice assistant

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Microsoft’s recent investment of $15 million into popular location-based app Foursquare means that it will use the app’s data in its anticipated Cortana voice assistant as part of the upcoming Windows Phone 8.1 release.

The Windows Phone 8.1 update, with which Microsoft aims to get all of its major OSs to the same build number, is set to feature Cortana of the Halo universe as its voice assistant. Read more »

Evernote beta for Android gains handwriting support

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The Evernote’s beta app for Android has gained handwriting support and now lets you scribble down notes or just doodle around, saving everything as is – not transforming your handwriting into neat text like on the Galaxy Note 3 for example.

The update will take its time getting to the official Android app but for now you can test the beta through the Google+ group. Read more »

Facebook’s Paper taking on Flipboard and Currents on February 3

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Facebook unveiled its own news delivering app called Paper. It’s a minimalist app that’s heavy on eye candy and is mostly swipe-operated. It’s also quite immersive by bringing a full-screen clutter-free interface.

Instead of bringing you your news feed the app will let you chose from a list of curated genres – photography, design, sports, food and science. Big names in said categories will get their fair share of showing off but Facebook also promises to shine a light on emerging voices, letting you subscribe to their feeds as well. Read more »

Microsoft is in trouble for the new OneDrive name

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Microsoft seems to have really bad luck with its SkyDrive cloud service. First a UK court ruled out Microsoft is infringing British Sky Broadcasting Group trademark last summer and Microsoft has agreed to change the name.

Just two days ago Microsoft announced the new name of the service – SkyDrive was re-branded to OneDrive. And as of today Microsoft is in trouble once again for the same reason. Read more »