Walmart extends iPhone scan-and-checkout feature

Walmart is expanding its Scan & Go checkout feature to over 200 stores, up from the current 70, according to Reuters. Scan & Go allows Walmart shoppers to scan items in the store with the Walmart iPhone app and then pay for them at self-checkout terminals.

The pilot program began in Arkansas stores in September 2012. According to Retuers, new markets that will feature Scan & Go inlcude Denver, Colorado; Phoenix, Arizona; Omaha, Nebraska; Dallas and Austin, Texas; Oklahoma City and Tulsa, Oklahoma; Wyoming; Bozeman, Montana; Seattle, Washington; San Jose, California; and Portland, Oregon.

It's important to note that Scan & Go does not allow a user to pay for items through the iPhone app. From the Reuter's report: "Shoppers scan bar codes on items they want to buy, using the Walmart app on their iPhone, iPod touch or iPad to keep track of the planned purchases and the total cost. Then they pay at a self-checkout screen, bypassing the typical registers."

[Source: TUAW]

WhatsApp on iPhone to charge yearly subscription fee

Here's a morsel of news for fans of WhatsApp -- the instant messaging app is going to start charging iPhone owners an annual fee to use the service.

Currently anyone using an iPhone or iPad will splash out a modest 69p to buy the app, after which you get unlimited use of the service. That's not how it works on Android and BlackBerry however, where customers download the app for free, and then pay an annual fee of $0.99 (about 65p) after that.

At some point this year the iPhone strategy will fall in line with other platforms, TechCrunch reports, citing interviews with WhatsApp's CEO.

The good news is that it seems the new approach will only apply to new customers, so if you've already shelled out your 69 pence, WhatsApp probably won't be demanding any more from you. It's also likely that you'd still get a year's worth of free use before you have to start paying.

WhatsApp is popular because it costs much less than texting, and lets you send messages, photos and emoticons to pals who are using rival operating systems. iPhone, Android phones, BlackBerry and Windows Phone devices all play host to the popular app. A testament to its popularity is that WhatsApp is occasionally plagued by daft hoax messages.

In the same interview, the WhatsApp boss said that a desktop version wouldn't be getting made "any time soon". As for networks getting irate at WhatsApp stealing its SMS customers, the head honcho is quoted as saying, "We actually have a really good relationship with a lot of carriers.

"We understand that a lot of people are switching to our product instead of SMS but we look at it as evolution."

[Source: CNET]

Dropbox for Mac updated to version 2.0

Dropbox has released an overhaul to its Mac client today. Version 2.0 of the client for OS X introduces a new tray feature. Now users can see the most recently shared files right from OS X's menu bar and share files directly from the drop-down menu. Users can also accept or reject shared items directly from the drop-down menu.

Dropbox noted the new features in a posting on its forums and a companyblog post:

Introducing a shiny new feature: a new tray popup that combines the old tray menu features with a timeline of the most important sharing events in your Dropbox. For instance, if someone shares a link with you, you can now see it immediately! Moreover, if someone shares a folder with you, you can now accept or decline the invitation directly from your desktop. Not only are you notified of these events in real time, but you can easily get to them later. Also, files recently edited are made available so you can easily view or share them.

This is a big change to the way the client looks, and it enables us to build powerful new user experiences. As such, we're calling this version 2.0!

[Source: TUAW]

Mozilla: Forget Firefox for iOS

Mozilla launched Firefox Home for iOS back in July 2010, but it wasn’t a full featured browser experience that Mozilla was particularly proud of, especially because it was limited to only providing access to Firefox desktop history, bookmarks and open tabs. Mozilla recently commented on that release, which was yanked in September, and said that because Apple is so limiting on its app store controls it won’t launch a full fledged browser for the platform.

Still, somehow Google has managed to keep a relatively decent experience on its Chrome for iOS browser, so we’re not entirely sure why Mozilla is limited where Google is not. To clarify a bit, Mozilla’s vice president of product Jay Sullivan told CNET that it’s about an inability to add the JavaScript and rendering enhancements that it wants to provide. Meanwhile,.Firefox offers a full browser on Android because Google allows the company much more control over the experience, but it faces steep competition from Chrome and Dolphin among other third-party browsers.

Perhaps the real story is that Mozilla doesn’t think it can compete effectively enough against Safari and Chrome on iOS. Still, it’s not the first company to complain about Apple’s limiting approval policy.

[Source: TechnoBuffalo]

Google Maps updated with Google contact search, local categories

Google updated its Maps application with several new features that make the app a bit more personal. The biggest change will be in search, which now integrates with your Google contacts. Once you sign in to your Google account with Google Maps, the app will pull in the names and addresses from your contacts. These addresses will appear when you search for your friends or family members by name.

Google also added a new local feature that lets you search for nearby businesses by selecting categories such as restaurants, bars, gas stations and more. It's a quick and easy way to find services that are near to you. Last but not least is a setting that lets you toggle between kilometers or miles for your distance units.

Google Maps for iOS is a universal app that is free for the iPhone, iPad and iPod touch.

[Source: TUAW]

YouTube for iOS Updates Adds Send to TV Functionality

YouTube for iOS received a small upgrade this week that essentially turns a user’s device into a controller. Basically, users can now pick which video to watch from within the YouTube appand it’ll start playing through either a Smart TV, Xbox or PS3.

It’s almost like AirPlay; to see how it works, YouTube has a page setup that you can interact with. When you start playing a YouTube video on your device, a small TV icon will appear. Tap on that, and it’ll beam to your TV and resume playing there. From your device you can do things like play or pause, rewind or fast-forward, choose a different video and toggle between your phone and TV.

Additionally, other users can join in with their iOS device to create a playlist of Kid President videos to watch.

[Source: TechnoBuffalo]

Yahoo to close 7 products, including BlackBerry app

Yahoo is taking a leaf out of Google's business book, and closing down seven products that aren't bringing home the bacon.

These are: Yahoo App Search, Yahoo Sports IQ, Yahoo Clues, Yahoo Message Boards, Yahoo Updates API, Yahoo Avatars, and the Yahoo app for BlackBerry.

Yahoo announced the closures on its company blog. It said it was regulating its product line-up, and would do so regularly. "The most critical question we ask is whether the experience is truly a daily habit that still resonates for all of you today," Jay Rossiter, Yahoo's executive vice president of Platforms, wrote on the blog.

It's the second batch of products that have been given the heave-ho since Marissa Meyer took over as CEO. Mayer was previously at Google, where "spring cleaning" announcements -- in which it nixes products and services that aren't performing well -- are a regular occurrence.

Mayer also banned Yahoo employees from working from home recently, sparking a debate over whether it was more productive to go to an office every day.

More cuts are on the way, too. Mayer told a conference last month that Yahoo would reduce the number of mobile apps it offers from its current total of between 60 and 75 to a more manageable 12 to 15.

Yahoo's Blackberry app won't be available for download, or be supported, after 1 April. It shows Yahoo doesn't have much faith in the platform, seeing as its apps for other mobile operating systems will continue as they are.

Yahoo Avatars tend to be quite popular, with many using custom avatars on the Yahoo Answers boards. If you want to keep your avatar, you'll have to download it and manually re-upload it as your profile picture.

[Source: CNET]

Google Says Fix Incoming for Chrome Bug on OS X

Hoo boy, I thought I was the only one. Multiple Chrome users on OS X are experiencing  unexpected crashes, and it’s happening as many as 20 times a day. I checked with the TechnoBuffalo stuff who hadn’t noticed any issues, so I’m the odd man out here. But it’s as annoying as all heck.

Google said it’s aware of the issue and already has a fix, but only said it’ll arrive “soon.” The sooner the better, because it sure is annoying. There’s only so many times I can handle a crashed browser. I’ve even considered using Safari until this thing blows over.

According to Wired, the issue only happen when users visit sites such as Google Drive and Facebook. I’m no scientist, but a quick experience in Chrome’s Omnibox made the browser crash on the first try. Coincidence? It doesn’t happen every time, mind you. But ugh.

I’m glad to know it’s not just me, and that a fix is imminent. I’ll just try and stay away from Facebook and Google Drive for a little while.

[Source: TechnoBuffalo]

Yet another Java vulnerability discovered, researchers recommend disabling browser plug-in

Following an attack on a smaller number of corporate Macs that exploited exploited a flaw in the Java browser plug-in, researchers from security firm FireEye are warning users of yet another new Java zero-day vulnerability. According to a blog post published yesterday (via IDG), browsers running Java v1.6 Update 41 and Java v1.7 Update 15 are currently vulnerable to a malware attack that installs a remote access tool known as McRAT. The exploit is reportedly different from the one used to attack Facebook, Twitter, Apple and several other companies last month. Following the earlier attack, Apple released an updateto Java for users to version 1.6.0_41. These recent vulnerabilities come after several updates over the past year to Java addressing exploits.

FireEye is recommending users disable Java until Oracle addresses the issue:

We have notified Oracle and will continue to work with Oracle on this in-the-wild discovery. Since this exploit affects the latest Java 6u41 and Java 7u15 versions, we urge users to disable Java in your browser until a patch has been released; alternatively, set your Java security settings to “High” and do not execute any unknown Java applets outside of your organization.

Oracle provides the instructions below for uninstalling Java on Mac:  

  1. Click on the Finder icon located in your dock
  2. Click on Applications tab on the sidebar
  3. In the Search box enter JavaAppletPlugin.plugin
  4. This will find the JavaAppletPlugin.plugin file
  5. Right click on JavaAppletPlugin.plugin and select Move to Trash

[Source: 9to5Mac]

Skype update brings back 'classic' UI option for tablets

Skype has just been updated to give users the option of selecting a "classic" UI instead of the new and improved tablet interface. The previous update to Skype added many new features and a more tablet-optimized interface overall, including a portrait UI for calling -- the curious part was the rest of the app was still locked in landscape mode. Skype is now backpedaling, sort of, by letting tablet users go back to a phone-style UI in the settings if they prefer. The new option is probably a better choice if you're on a smaller screen like the Nexus 7 that is often used in portrait.

10-inch tablet users are still better off with the new "tablet" UI because the larger devices are quite comical in portrait mode. Until Skype figures out how to do a responsive tablet UI that changes appropriately for landscape and portrait use, it's good to have this option. You can grab the update from the Play Store link at the top of this post.

[Source: AndroidCentral]

Adobe Launches Photoshop Touch for Smartphones

Adobe announced today that Photoshop Touch is no longer just in the realm of tablets, and you can now purchase it for your iOS and Android smartphones.

If you want to get really creative while on the go with your pictures, then you may want to pick up Photoshop Touch for $4.99 both from the iOS App Store and Google Play. While we’re sure you won’t be attempting any heavy editing on your phone, this could be a nice way to clean up at least some of the more common issues in pictures.

The app, beyond giving you photo editing capabilities, will also give you access to 2GB of online storage for your creations.

For iOS devices you will need iOS 5 or higher running on an iPhone 4S or iPhone 5, and for Android you will need to be running Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich or higher.

[Source: TechnoBuffalo]

Ubuntu Touch Developer Preview Available Now

Well that was fast. Canonical, the parent company behind Ubuntu, recently announced itsintentions to provide Ubuntu for tablets, in addition to its goal to launch Ubuntu smartphones in 2014. Good news, tinkerers: the developer preview of Ubuntu Touch is now available for download.

Ubuntu promises the software, which is available for the Galaxy Nexus, Nexus 4, Nexus 7 and Nexus 10, will provide support for WiFi, GSM network connections, functional cameras and the shell and core applications needed to experience the software in full. You’ll need to have some coding chops to get started, however, since there are a few commands required. You also have to make sure your device is unlocked so that Ubuntu can access the bootloader.

Thankfully, if you don’t dig the experience and want Android back, it’s as easy as downloading the factory image and reflashing it to your device. If you run into troubles along the way, you can join the company’s mailing list or head over to its IRC channel at irc.freenode.net and joining the #ubuntu-phone channel.

[Source: TechnoBuffalo]