April 2014

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Viber Revamps iOS App, Goes Flat for iOS7

Viber Revamps iOS App - iOS7 Ready

Viber Revamps iOS App – iOS7 Ready

Showing up a bit late to the iOS 7 party, Viber, the free calling and messaging app that Rakuten bought for $900 million, has released a significant update for its iOS app that introduces a new flat design (iOS 7) and a number of additional features.

Viber 4.2, as it’s being called, now features an iOS 7-style design — which the company describes as clean and flat — with a stronger focus on multimedia. Users can now share multiple images at the same time, while they can also record and share longer video messaging and block specific phone numbers. Finally, the indicator that the other person is typing has been switched on for the Android tablet app, and its Linux, Windows and Mac versions.

Viber 4.2, as it’s being called, also offers longer video messages and the ability to see the typing status indicator (Jordan is typing…) for users on Android tablets and desktop.

Here’s what Viber CEO Talmon Marco had to say about the new changes

“Viber has been redesigned from the start for simplicity and ease of use. Taking our cue from the clean, flat look of iOS 7, we wanted Viber to feel like a completely seamless part of your device. Our top priority is the enthusiastic community of users who rely on Viber every day to communicate with their friends, family, and important contacts. The new iPhone version we released today will make it easier and more fun than ever before to stay connected.”

Viber is available across a wide array of platforms. You can learn more here.

Viber is available ad-free for Windows Desktop, Windows 8, iOS, Android, Windows Phone, BlackBerry, Bada and Nokia.

Viber for iOS [iTunes UK Link] [iTunes US Link]

Dropbox releases Mailbox App for Android

Mailbox on Android

Mailbox on Android © Dropbox, Inc

Dropbox has released its Mailbox email client for Android devices.

The cloud storage company has also announced that a desktop beta version of the service is also in development for Mac OS users.

Already available for iOS devices [link], Mailbox arrives on Android with new features, such as an “auto-swipe” function that lets users automatically archive messages.

The application has also introduced Word, Excel and PowerPoint integration as part of a collaboration with Microsoft dubbed Project Harmony.

Dropbox says that “The desktop version of Mailbox will feature a minimal design and track-pad gesture controls. Users can apply to take part in the beta via the service’s website“.

Cloud storage company Dropbox bought Mailbox last year, shortly after the iOS app launched. The app lets users organize emails with simple swipe motions, chasing the notion of having no unread messages, or “inbox zero.” When Mailbox launched initially, it was only compatible with Gmail on iOS, but CEO Gentry Underwood said he planned to expand to other platforms and email services.

Mailbox previously reported 1 million users within a month of launching and said Wednesday that the number has grown to 275 million.

The company also announced that it’s testing a desktop version of the app, Mailbox for Mac. People who want to try the OS X Mailbox can ask for a beta invite here.

While Mailbox is finally on Android, many of the service’s limitations remain in place. It only works with Gmail and iCloud, so don’t go looking to this app if you rely on Yahoo, Outlook.com (formerly Hotmail) or a corporate email account. It also gives yet another company, in this case Mailbox’s parent Dropbox, access to your Gmail account. The app is still not available on Windows Phone.

Another change is that Mailbox will require a Dropbox login to use the app, on both iOS and Android. So, if you’re a Mailbox user, you will be required to be a Dropbox user as well.

The Android edition is now available from the Google Play store for download [link].