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How To Restore Tap To Tweet & Tap To Post Widget In iOS 8 Notification Center

13 November 2014 11:13 PM
TapToShare By Nonthawat Srichad

TapToShare By Nonthawat Srichad

iOS 5 and iOS 6 introduced some social integration features which, among other things, allowed users to quickly post tweets to Twitter and status updates to your Facebook right from the Notification Center using a simple tap. It was a convenient, effective way for users to get their 2 cents in without too much hassle.

However, with iOS 8 this it’s not longer a feature. But with Apple having given third-party developers a license to develop third-party Notification Center widgets – something only previously available via jailbreak – the NC can now be filled up with useful shortcuts and functions, and one developer has naturally seized the opportunity to re-introduced those sorely-missed functions.

Called TapToShare (By Nonthawat Srichad) on the App Store, the widget nestles itself into the Notification Center, and as you’ll see from the screenshot, it looks comfortably native enough. Then again, given that these buttons were once a part of the stock repertoire, this shouldn’t be too surprising, and if you’re an avid online socialite, then you’ll surely be pleased to have them back.

Once installed, you can readily pull down the Notification Center blind and use the Tap to Tweet for those casual, short utterances on The Twitters, and should you feel the need to divulge your most intimate thoughts on one extraneous topic or another, then you’ll probably want to consult the Tap to Post option. But remember, it won’t bring the Share Sheet up in the Notification Center, instead, it will launch the app from where you can tweet or Facebook away. A small compromise, but a worthwhile one.

We’ve tested it on an iPhone 4s, iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus already and as well as confirming that it works as advertised, we’re very much enjoying our reunion with these tap-to buttons.

Download it, give it a whirl, and as ever, be sure to post your thoughts in the comment section below.

Download TapToShare (By Nonthawat Srichad) for iPhone on the App Store – It’s completely free of charge.

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WhatsApp is testing a ‘message read’ with blue double tick

6 November 2014 10:22 AM
WhatsApp FAQs

WhatsApp finally tells you when your messages have been read

WhatsApp will now finally tell you when your messages have been read. WhatsApp messages have always been accompanied by ticks to show sent and delivered messages, but they have also been the source of some confusion.

Now the company is experimenting with a third version: the blue double-check that represents a message has been read, listened to or viewed. The confusion around the ticks is long standing. People often believe one tick means ‘delivered‘, and two ticks means ‘read‘. However, one tick actually means ‘sent‘, and two means ‘delivered‘, not read. The double blue ticks would mean ‘read‘.

You can already see on Facebook Messenger when a message has been seen, and this is WhatsApp’s version. However, it may upset some users that don’t want to mark messages as read. You have the option of turning off the ‘last seen’ timestamp on WhatsApp, giving you some privacy.

The social pressure to reply to a message might be greater if someone knows if you have actually read a message or not, making some people uncomfortable. It remains to be seen what will happen with the blue double tick – perhaps it will be optional, or maybe tests won’t lead WhatsApp to roll out the feature.

The double blue check marks have been rolled out to WhatsApp without the need to update the app. WhatsApp has added information about them to its FAQ section, confirming that two blue ticks does mean your message has been read. In a group message, you’ll see the blue ticks when all members have read the message.

You cannot turn this feature off.

WhatsApp: [Updated] Facebook Buys WhatsApp for $18 Billion

[Updated] Facebook Buys WhatsApp for $18 Billion

19 February 2014 10:37 PM
Mark Zuckerberg - https://facebook.com/zuck

Mark Zuckerberg – https://facebook.com/zuck

A huge acquisition but one which is important for Facebook to both continue its growth but also continue to gather the valuable data it needs to deliver monetizable services to its customers. The deal is pending regulatory approval and should it not get across the line Facebook will pay WhatsApp $1B in cash and $1B in shares.

Facebook has entered into an agreement to acquire WhatsApp, the popular messaging app, for $16 billion in cash and stock, according to a filing Wednesday.

The deal is by far Facebook’s largest acquisition to date (On one level this is insane – it’s a significant amount of Facebook’s total valuation) and comes after rumors in late 2012 and early 2013 that Facebook and Google were vying to buy the messaging service.

“WhatsApp is on a path to connect 1 billion people. The services that reach that milestone are all incredibly valuable,” Mark Zuckerberg, Facebook’s cofounder and CEO, said in a statement. “I’ve known Jan [Koum, WhatsApp co-founder] for a long time and I’m excited to partner with him and his team to make the world more open and connected.”

According to the filing, Facebook has agreed to pay $12 billion in stock and $4 billion in cash for the company. Facebook has also agreed to pay an additional $3 billion in restricted stock units to WhatsApp’s founders and employees as part of the deal, which would bring the total deal price to about $19 billion.

If the deal doesn’t go through, Facebook will pay a breakup fee of $1 billion to WhatsApp, which is still more than the total amount Facebook ended up paying to acquire Instagram.

Facebook stock declined by more than 4.5% in after hours trading following the announcement.

Instagram web profiles begin to roll out

6 November 2012 8:15 PM

Instagram is to start rolling out a web version of its photo-sharing service, for those who want to share pictures they’ve taken beyond their mobile phone.

In a move that will surprise many that it didn’t already exist, Instagram, now owned by Facebook, will be rolling out Instagram profiles on the web.

“Your web profile features a selection of your recently shared photographs just above your profile photo and bio, giving others a snapshot of the photos you share on Instagram,” says the company, explaining the new feature.

“In addition, you can follow users, comment & like photos and edit your profile easily and directly from the web. It’s a beautiful new way to share your Instagram photos!”

Users can check out other people’s profiles by adding a username after instagram.com – here’s mine.

The company warns that not all users will get the new feature straight away.

“If you don’t see your profile yet, be assured that you’ll see it in the next few days. We’re rolling out profiles to everyone on Instagram over the course of this week.”

Users will be able to share their own profile with anyone they want to see their Instagram photos, while anyone will be able to comment and like photos you’ve shot.

Users worried that the sudden move will mean all their secrets will be shared by everyone shouldn’t be.

“If your photos are set to public, anyone will be able to see your profile by visiting instagram.com/username on the web,” says instagram. “You do not have to be an Instagram user to view a public user’s profile on the web…”

“If your photos are set to private, your photos will be visible only to logged-in Instagram users you’ve allowed to follow you.”

Follow me on Instagram @JordanTBH

Via, pocket-lint

Apple’s iOS6: 5 New Features You Should Know

19 September 2012 8:36 PM

Apple is starting to roll out iOS 6 for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch.

The new version of the OS brings lots of new features — including Apple’s brand new Maps app, deep integration with Facebook and enhancements to Siri. As of iOS 5, Apple is making the the update available as an over-the-air (Settings > General > Software Update) download. If you don’t have access to the download now, check again in a few minutes. You will also have the option of upgrading from within iTunes, if you prefer.

1. Apple’s Very Own Maps App (RIP, Google Maps)
Getting around with your iPhone will be an experience by itself now, with spoken directions and turn-by-turn navigation, real-time crowdsourced traffic updates, Quick routes and re-routing options, Yelp-powered details on nearby businesses and more. One of the highlights of this feature would be Flyover, a 3D rendition of buildings and major landmarks for a close-up interactive 3D view of cities around the world.

2. Facebook Integration
It’s easier than ever to share on Facebook with the new iOS6. Share photos and locations straight from your device and get your updates about what’s happening on Facebook in your contact and Calendar. Profile information will be integrated into Calendar so you won’t get to miss a thing, especially since you now get notifications for both Facebook and Twitter updates from the notification centre. The App Store is now Like-friendly.

3. Siri’s Smarter
Siri is now savvy in sports stats, restaurant reviews and rotten tomatoes (imdb movie ratings). You can make reservations with Siri through the OpenTable app, and check out movie schedules and ratings. Have a lot of apps to sift through, look up and launch? Launch it the new way by asking Siri to launch the app for you. With the iOS6, you can even dictate your posts for release on Facebook and Twitter.


4. Photo Stream Over ICloud
Share photos with the people you want to share with via the iCloud on an iOS 6 device or Mountain Lion OS. Photos will sync in real-time via iPhoto or the Photos app and are also available on the Web. Commenting is enabled on the albums and you can share as much as you want with no effect on your iCloud storage.


5. Passbook App
Tickets, boarding passes, movie tickets and store cards are things of the pass. Scan in your details to get on that plane, into that cinema or that concert and keep constant tabs on your store card balance all from your iOS devices.

Updates are in real-time so that when flight details have been changed, you get informed of the latest updates straight on your device. This app can turn your iPhone into a GPS-enabled virtual wallet, keeping your cards, coupons and tickets safe, convenient, handy and fuss-free.

What do you think of iOS 6? Let us know in the comments down below!

Pssst! Don’t forget YouTube is no longer part of iOS remember to download the new YouTube app from the Apple App Store.

YouTube for iOS is Compatible with; iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4, iPhone 4S, iPhone 5, iPod touch (3rd generation), iPod touch (4th generation), iPod touch (5th generation) and iPad. Requires iOS 4.3 or later.