Indian school kids to design Android apps

School students in the age group of 10-13 years will design mobile applications on Android platform in a countrywide contest.

"Students from schools across the country will participate in the first all-India Android mobile applications (app) design competition," Global Discovery Academy's chief product officer Vipul Redey said Bangalore Saturday.

"The contest has been designed to develop the thought process of students by exploring and generating their own unique concepts," Redey said.

The students will also compete in creating problem-solving applications in the areas of social concerns like environment, education, health, nutrition and civic amenities.

The criterion to participate is knowledge of computers and internet applications. The academy will provide training on mobile phone programming.

"We believe in leveraging technology as a tool to enhance conventional teaching and encourage students to ideate, explore and learn through exposure than rote-learning," Redey asserted.

In the three-stage contest, a participant has to describe to the academy by Sep 1 the app he/she will design and develop to serve a specific social cause, its functionality and user engagement.

In the second stage, a student has to submit a prototype of the mobile app to the academy for programme.

"Selected finalists will present the app idea and prototype at a special event in New Delhi and winners will be decided by a panel of judges on basis of creativity, effectiveness of the app and ease of its use," Redey added.

Google updates Play Store, adds 'Recently Updated' section

Google is now rolling out an update to the Android Play Store content and apps marketplace, with version 4.3.10.

Though the update is not a major one and doesn't bring many design changes to the Play Store, it does add some usability improvements.

Android Police has listed some minor tweaks introduced with the Google Play Store update that includes a Recently Updated section, combined notifications, Book sales will displaying full list prices, much like Amazon, and the Buy and Rent keys being swapped in Movies, and the update notification displaying a "Touch to update" message.

One of the most significant changes seen on the new updated version of the Play Store is the addition of the 'Recently Updated' section that will now appear in the 'My Apps' category of the Store. The new section will include apps that have been recently updated now. Earlier, a recently updated app used to be included in the general list or the 'Up to date' list with other apps.

The next major feature added with the update is combined notifications after apps are updated. In the current version, for every successful update there is a separate notification that pops up in the notification bar.

Google has announced the roll out of the new Play Store version but it might take some time to reach your device. But users can expect the update for the Play Store to land on their devices, soon.

Microsoft Office comes to Android smartphones for Office 365 subscribers

Microsoft is bringing a pared-down version of its Office software to Android phones, but it won't work on Android tablets just as it doesn't on iPads.

The software will be available starting Wednesday. It requires a $100-a-year subscription to Office and won't be sold separately.

The new offering follows the release of an iPhone version in June and brings an Office app to phones running the most widely used operating system on new smartphones.

Microsoft Corp. is trying to make its Office 365 subscription more compelling, without removing an advantage that tablet computers running Microsoft's Windows system now have - the ability to run popular Office programs such as Word, Excel and PowerPoint.

"The release of this app shows that we're committed to keep providing additional value for Office 365 subscribers," the company wrote in a blog post. "Office 365 subscribers will now be able to access, view, and edit Word, Excel and PowerPoint documents with Windows Phone, iPhone and Android phones."

(Also see: Microsoft Office for iPhone app review)

Microsoft is pushing subscriptions as a way to get customers to keep paying for a product that was historically sold in a single purchase. The company touts such benefits as the ability to run the package on multiple computers and get updates for free on a regular basis. However, a subscription can be more expensive than buying the package outright for just one or two computers.

Microsoft said it designed Office Mobile for Android phones specifically for small-screen devices, even though many people will prefer editing documents on a tablet's larger screen. The company has a version for iPads and Android tablets, called Office Web Apps, but that runs on a Web browser and requires a constant online connection. The new Android software is an app that gets installed on the phone and can work offline.

With a subscription, customers typically get to use Office on up to 10 devices. Five of them can be Windows or Mac computers or Windows tablets. The other five can be iPhones or Android phones. Windows phones come with Office installed and do not count toward the limit.

In keeping the software off the iPad, the top-selling tablet computer, Forrester Research analyst J.P. Gownder has estimated that Microsoft is potentially ceding $1.4 billion a year in revenue, based on 10 percent of the 140 million iPad owners paying for a $100 subscription. Gownder said failure to provide it on the iPad or Android tablets gives incentives for users to explore competing offerings such as QuickOffice from Google and iWork from Apple.

Like the other mobile versions, the new Android software is designed for lightweight use. For example, you can use it to view and edit an attachment sent by email. But it's not meant to create a complex spreadsheet from scratch.

The new software requires Android 4.0 or later - the Ice Cream Sandwich or Jelly Bean flavors of Google's operating system. It's available through Google's online Play store. At first, it's available only in the U.S., though Microsoft plans to expand to 117 markets with versions in more than 30 languages.

Microsoft did not announce any plans for BlackBerry phones.

Leap Motion ushers in an era of apps controlled by hand gestures

Like waving a wand, new apps are bringing a bit of magic to computers, enabling users to zoom, pan and control the action with hand gestures.

A new app store called Airspace, launched by San Francisco-based company Leap Motion last week, has 75 apps that are all controlled with the wave of the hand.

"Right now in front of your computer, there's dead space. You're only using your desktop, where your keyboard and mouse rest, and the surface of your monitor," said Michael Zagorsek, vice president of product marketing for Leap Motion.

"We take all that otherwise useless space in between and make it come alive," he added.

All of the gesture apps from Airspace use a small device called the Leap Motion Controller, which costs $79.99. It has sensors that can detect motions and translate them for the apps.

Painter Freestyle, a free app for Windows created by the Canadian software company Corel, mimics how artists work. Lightly moving a finger, or paintbrush, toward the computer produces a light brush stroke, while pushing in harder makes a darker, bolder one.

Google Earth's free apps for Mac and Windows let users pan around the Earth with hand motions and zoom in to explore different regions.

With Unlock, a Windows app, users can password-protect their computers and unlock them simply by waving their hands over the controller. The app, which costs $4.99, works by detecting the unique characteristics of an individual's hand.

The popular game, Cut the Rope, has also released a free app for the controller. But instead of swiping on a touch screen, users swipe through the air to control motion. Gamers playing Sugar Rush can steer midair using their fists.

Thalmic Labs, a Canada-based startup, has developed a wearable device called MYO that uses gestures to control apps for gaming, 3D modeling and remote control of other devices. The company plans to ship MYO, which costs $149, to customers who pre-ordered later this year.

Microsoft's Kinect device, available worldwide, also uses gestures to control games, fitness and entertainment.

Although hand gestures are gaining in popularity, Zagorsek does not think the keyboard or mouse will disappear anytime soon.

"There's nothing wrong with the mouse and keyboard today. They have literally millions of pieces of software making those tools effective," he said.

But he envisions a bigger role for the technology for three-dimensional tasks.

"In the real world, you can mold something like a piece of clay in minutes, but to do it on a computer requires hours of training and hours of work," he explained.

"The idea of being able to reach into your computer and manipulate a digital environment is really powerful," he added.

MEAIndia app launched to provide assistance with passport issues and more

Now you can get help with your passport, visa, and if abroad, get consular assistance, or even ask questions of the external affairs minister - all on your smartphone with the 'MEAIndia' app.

The 'MEAIndia' application, being launched Monday evening by Foreign Secretary Ranjan Mathai, will help users find out the nearest Indian mission or post for emergency consular assistance, if required, and also find out how to undertake the Kailash Manasarovar Yatra and Haj Pilgrimage, according to a ministry statement Monday.

Users can also download and watch pictures and documentaries on India, share and contribute their own pictures and suggestions or even follow the prime minister on his visits abroad.

The app will provide all the information required to apply for an Indian passport, locate the nearest Passport Seva Kendra, download the requisite forms, calculate the fees and even track your application status. Online application for passports is also on the way, says the statement.

"You plan to travel abroad for work or study and need to legalize your documents? 'MEAIndia' simplifies the steps involved for you and helps you identify the authorized agencies for attestation/apostille of your documents," says the release.

The app also provides useful information on Indian visas as well as visa requirements for Indians.

"Be the first one to know the latest developments in our external relations and make your own opinions. Get the latest press releases, speeches and statements, agreements, videos and photographs of all the major events on India's foreign policy right on your smartphone."

You can follow more than 120 Indian missions, get to know the latest travel and business advisories issued by Indian missions while travelling abroad.

You can also ask External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid "on the go, anytime, anywhere and get answers to your queries directly from him on foreign policy issues that matter to you most".

"Participate in mobile democracy'- Post your queries (or) vote for the queries posted by your friends".

The top two voted questions will be answered by the minister himself every month, says the statement.

"Share your views, post your comments, contribute your stories/pictures/videos and join the larger conversation on India's Foreign policy."

"'MEAIndia' has dedicated modules on Haj and KailashManasarovarYatra (KMY). It will come handy by bringing you the latest Haj News and providing details of your flight, accommodation and tour operator.

"Or if you are planning for a pilgrimage to Mt. Kailash, you can apply for the Kailash ManasarovarYatra and track your selection status using the 'MEAIndia' mobile application.

"You can also take a quiz on India's foreign relations and check out your Foreign policy Quotient; win exciting prizes or contribute a question. The first 100 winners will each get e vouchers worth Rs.1,000 redeemable on www.landmarkonthenet.com."

The app is available as a free download for Andorid and iOS.

Mobile messaging app Line signs up 5 million users in India

Mobile instant messaging app, Line, which officially unveiled in India three weeks back, claims to have 5 million registered users in the country.

It's worth pointing out that while the brand marketing campaign for the app, including two television advertisements started this month, the app has been available for download on app stores of various smartphone platforms for a long time. So it's likely that the 5 million figure also includes users that signed up before the India marketing initiative started.

Commenting on the achievement,Jun Masuda, Chief Strategy and Marketing Officer (CSMO) of Line Corporation, said, "We are extremely happy with the response to our service in India. This is the testimony that we are in the right market with the right product and at the right time. We believe that the framework for web based messaging has already been laid with consumers hooked to it and now are looking for a product that can elevate their communication experience through richer features and functionality. Line comes in at the right time with an app that will transform the way people communicate in India".
  
"Our aim is to achieve 10 million users in India in a few months. We are confident with our feature rich product and market specific localization, India will be one of the key markets contributing to our global growth," he added.

Line is similar to other P2P mobile messengers such as WhatsApp, Viber, WeChat and Hike, but its USP is its stickers and voice chat features. The app offers more than 8,000 stickers, out of which some are part of premium packs which need to be bought via in-app purchase. This is a major monetization model for the app. Line even inks 4 week deals with brands to offer customised stickers.

Line also monetizes through tie-up with brands to create official brand accounts and artist accounts. The Japanese app company informed that it had signed a deal with Sony India under the same arrangement.

The app is popular in markets such as Japan, Thailand, Taiwan, and Spain, and is now targeting the Indian market. It intends to offer localised stickers and support for Indian languages, in the near future.

Line claims to have 200 million registered users worldwide, as on July 21, 2013, and says that 80.4 percent among these are monthly active users. The app is available on all major mobile OS platforms, including iOS, Android, Windows Phone and BlackBerry.

Evernote 5 beta for Windows brings new interface and features

Evernote, the popular cross platform note-taking app has released a new version (Evernote 5) for the Windows desktop which makes it at par with the Mac app. The app is still in beta, though.

According to the company, the app features over a hundred improvements and enhancements including a new user interface that's inline with Windows 8's modern UI and offers easy access to the app's features.

The update also adds new search and discovery functions. While the interface is now similar to the Evernote Mac app in terms of the layout with different views, it's much flatter and gets rid of the iconography found on the previous Windows desktop version in favour of a much cleaner and distraction-free, minimalistic interface that consists of cards for notes and arranges notes in different panes depending on the view selected by the user. 

It also offers the 'related notes' feature for premium users, showing similar notes saved by them or in notebooks shared with them, as they start typing.

It also brings TypeAhead search which has been available to Mac users, that suggests keywords and phrases, searching all Shared Notebooks, and offering advanced search filtering options, as users start keying-in a search term. It also brings advanced filtering options for Evernote Business users by demarcating between personal and business notes.

Evernote mentions that Evernote 5 is currently in beta and the version is is the first of several betas that it will be releasing. It even users may experience various issues and possibly even data loss, though such cases are rare.

The new version also lacks support for Evernote's new Reminders feature, though it assures that it will soon be added to the app.

Evernote had updated its Mac app in December 2012 with some of these features and had introduced a redesigned user interface.

WhatsApp for iPhone now a free download, brings iCloud backups and more

WhatsApp, the popular mobile messaging service has updated its iPhone app adding support for iCloud chat history backup and restore functionality and sending multiple images at the same time, in addition to bringing URL schema support for third-party apps.

With the update, WhatsApp is also changing its monetization model for the service on iPhone. It will now offer the app as a free download, however, new users will be charged $0.99 every year after getting one year of free access to the service, similar to how the service is offered on other platforms. Existing users of the WhatsApp iPhone app, though, will get the service free for life.

With the iCloud backup functionality, users will now have the option to backup their message history to iCloud, Apple's cloud service. To activate the iCloud backups, users will need to enable 'Chat Backup' through their WhatsApp settings. This would essentially allow users to restore their chat history from iCloud if the delete and reinstall the app on their device or install the app on a device on which they're signed in with the same Apple ID. Users will be prompted to restore from iCloud, while setting up the app.

Support for sending multiple pictures has also been included through a new image interface that comes up after the user selects the first image that is intended to be sent.

The update also includes URL schema support for third-party apps. This means that apps can contain a link or button that directly opens a WhatsApp chat with a contact. If the third-party app wants to add sharing using WhatsApp, the developer can use the Document Interaction API to send media to WhatsApp contacts and groups. 

iOS doesn't feature WhatsApp integration in its system wide sharing menu, so individual apps can add the functionality through the API. As WhatsApp gains more popularity, more developers would want close integration with it.

What's New in Version 2.10.1 
- multi-send UI: can send multiple photos at the same time
- URL schema support for 3rd party apps 
- iCloud chat history backup and restore: WhatsApp > Settings > Chat Settings > Chat Backup