Bump adds support for sharing files via Dropbox

I remember Bump from its early days on the App Store, when it was one of the first "contact sharing" apps with a unique gimmick: where you simply "bumped" your iPhone to someone else's to share contact information. Since then, however, Bump has been steadily upgrading its app, adding lots of other sharing functionality.

And the app's latest update adds even more: In addition to sharing any files stored on your iOS device (functionality that was added in the 3.5 update), the latest update (3.5.3) adds the ability to share any files sitting on your Dropbox. All you need to do is hook up your Dropbox account, choose which files you'd like to share and bump away. Obviously, there are loads of ways to share Dropbox files already, but if you and a friend happen to both have Bump, that's one more thing you can do with it.

There's an impressive amount of functionality they're putting into that app. Bump is still a free download on the App Store.

[Source: TUAW]

Oracle patches Java exploits, toughens its default security levels

Oracle hasn't had a great start to 2013. It's barely into the new year, and Apple and Mozilla are already putting up roadblocks to some Java versions after discoveries of significant browser-based exploits. The company has been quick to respond, however, and already has a patched-up version ready to go. The Java update goes one step further to minimize repeat incidents, as well -- it makes the "high" setting the default and asks permission before it lauches any applet that wasn't officially signed. If you've been skittish about running a Java plugin ever since the latest exploits became public, hit the source to (potentially) calm your nerves.

[Source: Engadget]

Hackulous closure prompts rise of portals that allow bootleg iOS apps without a jailbreak

The somewhat unexpected shutdown of Hackulous' community, and the corresponding departure of related tools like Apptrackr and Installous, left iOS app pirates in something of a panic: many of those who jailbroke their devices expressly for ill-gotten goods suddenly lost one of their main sources. While they haven't earned much sympathy, they've also triggered a surge in services that don't require a jailbreak at all. Months-old pay service Zeusmos has seen a spike in popularity, but more recent upstart Kuaiyong is drawing the most attention. It's offering others' commercial releases through the web, for free -- and on a scale into the thousands of bootleg installs per app, suggesting that it may be abusing enterprise policies rather than Zeusmos' apparent reliance on developer slots.

[Source: Engadget]

Path 2.9 update introduces contextualized, personalized search

Many of us enjoy looking through our social network history to reflect on shared memories, and Path is helping users do just that with its latest 2.9 update. Adding a comprehensive search feature that uses metadata in addition to user-defined tags, searching "Photos from Thanksgiving" pulls relevant images even if they didn't have those words in the post. The same concept applies to different days and times, like "sunset" or "weekend brunch." Other contextual categories include friends, places, seasons and the weather. There's also a "Nearby" function that taps into your phone's GPS for moments captured in your immediate vicinity.

One particular search that impressed us during a hands-on briefing is the ability to search for "emotions." Similar to the "like" feature in Facebook, Path lets users mark a post with one of five emoticons (smile, frown, laugh, gasp or heart). With the 2.9 update, you can search for all the posts that received a particular emoticon ("funny" searches all the laugh-tagged posts for example). As a little easter egg, if you search for "royal flush," you'll bring up the posts that have received at least one of each emoticon. It's more amusing than useful, but we found it cute nonetheless. The search feature is only in English to start, but the company is planning on additional language support in the future. Check after the break for more screens, or hit the links below to grab the latest version of Path from Google Play and iTunes.

[Source: Engadget]

Adobe acquires Behance, sets sights on community-driven Creative Cloud

Well, it looks like Adobe is wrapping things up nicely before the long holiday weekend. Mere days after the most recent round of updates, the software outfit has just announced its acquisition of Behance, the online portfolio community for creatives in a number of disciplines. Founded in 2006 by CEO Scott Belsky, they NYC-based outfit will remain it's current location and retain all of its 32 current employees. Touting over 1 million active users and 90 million project views in the past month, Behance is an online repository for portfolios, feedback, inspiration and the hiring of creative pros. Adobe is planning to fully integrate the design community's wares into it's Creative Cloud arsenal "allowing members to seamlessly create content, seek feedback, showcase their work and distribute it across devices." For now, there won't be any changes for free and paid members of the Behance offerings, but Adobe is evaluating how to integrate the paid portions into Creative Cloud memberships with the free option from the community remaining as such. Head on past the break to take a gander at the full announcement.

[Source: Engadget]

Google Field Trip makes its way to the UK, helps you one-up the Queen with Buckingham Palace trivia

Want to learn a bit about that giant obelisk just outside your bedroom window? Or perhaps you're curious about the 16th century structure a few blocks away. As you approach, Google's Field Trip app will chime in with a bit of trivia, along with a photo of the site -- and, if you're wearing headphones or using Bluetooth speakers in your car, it'll even "read" that description to you. The app has been available to Android users in the great US of A since September, but it's now making its way to the UK as well, displaying content from local partners Dezeen,Historic UK, Historvius, Time Out and Run Riot, among others. Looks like it's time to dust off those walkabout shoes and hit up the source link to snag the latest version for your smartphone.

[Source: Engadget]

Garmin smartphone apps updated with Foursquare integration, location-sharing via Glympse

Garmin's StreetPilot Onboard and Navigon apps were recently updated to include public transport information and a parking finder, and a just-announced refresh will add even more navigational goodies: namely, integration with Foursquare and the location-sharing service Glympse. The Foursquare tie-in will help users find venues and access special deals -- and once a Foursquare account is linked, checking into locations can be done directly through the apps. Glympse, on the other hand, lets users share their location with contacts via email and text, with info on current location, ETA and even speed. Finally, the update brings iCloud support for syncing saved destinations across various Apple devices. Perhaps in light of the holiday hustle ahead of us, Garmin is offering the apps for 25 percent off until January 7th through App Store or Google Play. (Of course, the update is a free download for those who already have them.)

[Source: Engadget]

Google has no plans to develop Windows 8 or WP apps, cites lack of users

If you're eager to load up a Windows Phone or Windows 8 PC with dedicated Gmail or Google Drive apps, it's time you ease up on the anticipation, as Mountain View isn't bent on bringing apps to the platforms thanks to a lack of interest. "We have no plans to build out Windows apps," Google Apps product management director Clay Bavor told V3. "We are very careful about where we invest and will go where the users are but they are not on Windows Phone or Windows 8." That might sound grim, but Bavor added that a change in user base would warrant applications brewed up by Page and Co. As it stands, however, Google's focused on polishing its iOS and Android efforts, so Redmond devotees should get mighty comfortable with the search giant's web-based offerings.

[Source: Engadget]

Adobe Lightroom 4.3 now available, brings support for Retina displays and more

It's been but a mere few days since Adobe added some much-welcomed Retina support to its Photoshop and Illustrator CS6 apps, but that's not stopping the outfit from coming back with more updates today. This time out, however, it's the creative software giant's Lightroom, which leaves its 4.3 beta stages behind and is now available in full, bringing with it compatibility with high-res screens while developing / viewing pics, RAW image support for about 20 new cameras and a number of bug fixes that should solve issues with the application being unfriendly with some lenses. The new version of Lightroom is up for download now, and you can grab it by checking for updates from within the app or via Adobe's own site.

[Source: Engadget]

Sky refreshes mobile app, lets you remotely download on-demand content to your Sky Box

Sky is ensuring that you'll have some TV to binge on once all of that turkey's been polished off. It's updated the Sky+ app to include on-demand listings, letting you set programs to download to your Sky Box remotely. That way, if you're trapped upstairs, you can tee-up a half-day's worth of Game Of Thrones to make leaving the TV room worth your while. That said, if you just want to watch the shows while you're pretending to shoot the breeze with your relatives, there's always Sky Go.

Update: Sky has added that remote downloading only currently works while at home (presumably on the same network), but it's planning to add a roaming functionality at a later date.

[Source: Engadget]

Adobe updates Photoshop and Illustrator CS6 to get cozy on Retina displays

Despite a brief mention when the first Retina display-wielding MacBook Pros were first announced this summer, Adobe hadn't officially made a compatibility announcement until now. The company has rolled out an update to both Photoshop and Illustrator CS6 that outfit the design software for Apple's high-res panels. To sweeten the deal, all customers will receive the tweaks at the same time, instead of those with Creative Cloud subscriptions seeing the new features first.

[Source: Engadget]

Microsoft confirms 'a delay in approval' of updated SkyDrive app for iOS

Feisty, no? Following a report from The Next Web, Microsoft has confirmed to us that there is indeed a hangup in moving the updated SkyDrive app into the App Store. For those unaware, it was reported that Microsoft and Apple were deadlocked in discussions due to the former's decision to allow users to buy more storage from within the app. In other words, Apple's trying to maintain its controversial 30 percent in-app revenue split, while Microsoft is arguing that some users may end up buying more storage through the iOS app, but then make a switch to Android or Windows Phone. Apple's stance is that users who did such a thing would forever entitle it to 30 percent of the revenue, while Microsoft clearly sees things differently. Today, a Microsoft spokesperson gave us the following quote on the matter:

"Similar to the experiences of some other companies, we are experiencing a delay in approval of our updated SkyDrive for iOS. We are in contact with Apple regarding the matter and hope to come to a resolution. We will provide additional information as it becomes available."

While it doesn't say much, it doesn't outright deny the allegations -- something you'd think a company of Microsoft's size would be quick to dismiss if there wasn't a shred of truth to it. Hopefully the two parties can sort things out, but honestly, we'd suggest the Windows Phone team put the whole "add proper Gmail and Google Suite integration to WP8" thing above this little squabble.

[Source: Engadget]