Word Lens gets bought by Google. heres hoping for more language support

This is a great app, basically take a picture of clear sign and the app converts the writing to english.
Would be great for holidays. I just wish it did Turkish!

http://wordlens.com/

LibreOffice upgrade targets Windows integration and power users.

Key points: 

• the ability to centrally manage and lock-down the configuration with Group Policy Objects via Active Directory
• an optional new formula interpreter enables massively parallel calculation of formula cells using the GPU via OpenCL

I like this simple yet elegant part:

In addition to improving the desktop applications, LibreOffice is about to get an Impress Remote Control for iOS, letting iPhone users control presentations from their mobile devices. The app is awaiting review from Apple and should hit the App Store soon. Impress Remote is already available for Android.

http://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2014/01/libreoffice-upgrade-targets-windows-integration-and-power-users/

LibreOffice 4.2 release notes

Google continues its bizzare attitude towards Windows Phone.

I guess they are bitter than MS makes money out of each Android OS purchase (google android licensing issues). MetroTalk is being forced off the Windows phone market place as of May 2014 due to using 3rd party access to Google voice.

Google have a search app for the OS but that's literally all there is. For a platform gaining market share even without Googles services support it's an interesting move. It was recently announced that WP is doing better than iOS in Italy!

Microsoft have had a increasingly open mind when it comes to multi-platform releases as we see some xbox titles and apps coming to the other mobile platforms. Obviously they are holding back on a few of their key software products such as Office but I think they are going about things the right way. Demo the functionality to users and tempt them across..

They are also keeping up the media attention and get involved with companies who need further support / incentive when WP wants their apps on the platform!

The only problem is the OS's glacial pace for key updates. I think it's good to have such strict hardware requirements to give developers consistency but there are some major features that need implementing like a system rotation lock!

http://www.neowin.net/news/google-forces-metrotalk-to-be-pulled-from-windows-phone-store

Windows Phone update in testing, includes rotation lock and text syncing to PCs

About time for the rotation lock. That was so annoying I gave up on the platform. What a pain trying to check your emails in bed when you woke up.

Also I welcome the feature that we had BACK ON WINDOWS MOBILE CE, which was to be able to send SMS from a PC. It'd be better if we could have it emulate the display like we used to. (With the MobileMe app (program as they were known back then)).

If it gets swype / Swift key then I might even go back to the platform, dodging Nokia unless they have a think high spec model that doesn't fall over at the sight of a bit of dust.

I tried to love the platform.... see historic posts. It just didn't love me... 

http://www.theverge.com/2013/8/9/4604990/windows-phone-update-rotation-lock-text-sync-features

Sky Android apps are back on the market after being hacked.

After a short break. They are back, but not like this any more: 

  

Chat apps now more popular than SMS worldwide

Certainly find Whatsapp ideal for group chats and a less messy way of knowing the recipient has received the message (1 tick next to the message means it sent, two and they have received).

http://news.cnet.com/8301-1035_3-57581830-94/chat-apps-now-more-popular-than-sms-worldwide/

NowTV

I got a free 24 pass to try NowTv.com so I gave it a spin.

I didn't realise you can have two simultaneous streams which is nice. It doesn't allow for a third as you'll see below:



Needs a bit more app support but I tend to connect my PC / laptop into a TV via HDMI so its not really an issue for me.

If I didn't already have Sky I could see myself using it for the odd F1 race or football match when having friends over.

Want a better Facebook experience.. don't use their apps!

Sencha Fastbook from Sencha on Vimeo.

http://www.sencha.com/blog/the-making-of-fastbook-an-html5-love-story

Sky go comes to more devices.

Compatibility is expanding to more devices. Note that if you root your device you will no longer be able to use it.

• HTC: Desire X, One X, One XL, One S and One V
• Google: Nexus 4 and Nexus 7
• Samsung: Galaxy S3 LTE, Galaxy S3 Mini, Galaxy Ace 2 and Galaxy Note 2
• Sony: Sony Xperia S, Sony Xperia T
• LG: LG 4X HD

This is in addition to the phones already supported:

• HTC: HTC Desire, HTC Desire S, HTC Desire HD, HTC Incredible S, HTC Sensation, HTC Sensation XE
• Samsung: Samsung Galaxy S, Samsung Galaxy S2, Samsung Galaxy S3, Samsung Galaxy Nexus, Samsung Galaxy Note

Amazon kindle for windows phone 8

It looks like a few apps are playing catch up. One of my favourites for when I forget my iPad is Kindle. Thankfully Amazon have updated the WP7 app and its now showing in the WP8 listings.

Having a quick test, it works nicely just as before with the added improvement of the higher dpi on WP8 devices making the text look very nice and crisp.

Amazon Appstore arrives in Europe

http://www.engadget.com/2012/08/30/amazon-app-store-arrives-in-europe/

Everything's now $1 BILLION DOLLARS!

So Microsoft go and buy 800+ patents from AOL for a cool $1bn which although is a lot, probably makes good business sense in today's hostile business climate. Article: here

What does Facebook do? It buys a photo app for $1bn... Article: here