apps

Everpix wants you to actually see your photos

For those with thousands of photos on their iOS devices, Apple's iOS 7 photo organization efforts are probably welcomed. In the end, though, it likely won't be that much help for finding a specific picture or simply enjoying your collection. That's where a service like Everpix comes in handy.

The cloud-based service basically collects and combines all of your photos into a single place from any source you allow it access to: Mac and Windows computers, iOS devices (Android is in development), and social networks. Once pictures are uploaded, Everpix analyzes your shots by date and content (… Read more

Yahoo News gets a face-lift to become 'more personal'

Yahoo News on Thursday became the company's latest site to get a facelift.

The Internet company added new features that it believes will deliver a "more personal, intuitive and modern design." That includes a news stream that's customizable to a user's interests and a redesigned iOS app. A new Android design will be hitting devices soon, Yahoo said.

"This new design is one step towards creating a more consistent feel across Yahoo," Mike Kerns, Yahoo vice president of product, said in a blog post.

Kerns noted that Yahoo News will get smarter over … Read more

Facebook makes a play for more mobile ads with instant setup

Facebook said Wednesday that it has sped up the process for creating mobile app install ads, the unit developers can buy to promote their own iOS and Android applications.

App makers can now create and run mobile app install ads by simply entering a link to their apps in Apple's App Store or Google Play -- rather than first registering their apps with Facebook, a company spokesperson told CNET. Developers then need only set their target audience and budget to get the ad unit in the wild.

Essentially, with the change, all it takes to advertise your app is … Read more

Star Apps: Engadget's Tim Stevens

Founded in 2004, award-winning tech blog Engadget has brought a lot of shiny and new aspirational gadgets and software into the light through the years. Tim Stevens--named "the nicest guy in tech" by "Fortune" magazine--has acted as the blog's editor-in-chief since 2011. Tim was gracious enough to share some of his latest and greatest software finds--for work and play--with Download.com readers.

What are your top five apps and why? 1. Gmail: I'd be lost without this app. There are some mail apps that are a little better, but none integrate with labels, filters, … Read more

Google Search for Android gets a new voice command and more

If your mobile device is running Android 4.1 or higher, consider yourself lucky, as you today get access to the latest version of the Google Search app.

With the updated version, you can now play music -- either songs saved on your device or from Google Play -- by issuing a voice command. In addition, if you have a hard time remembering what voice commands are supported, the app now offers voice action tips to remind you.

Lastly, the Search app also comes with new Google Now Cards that show Google Offers and information about TV shows. Conveniently, Google … Read more

Uber, Lyft, Sidecar get cease-and-desist letters from LA

Los Angeles is the newest in a long line of cities to pick a fight with ride-sharing apps. Uber, Lyft, and Sidecar all received cease-and-desist letters from the Los Angeles Department of Transportation on Monday.

The Department of Transportation claims the companies are operating "unlicensed commercial transportation service in the City of Los Angeles in violation of Los Angeles Municipal Code." The Department is demanding that the companies halt all vehicle operations "immediately."

"In the interest of public safety, your company and all drivers and vehicles dispatched via your mobile app sysem [sic] are hereby … Read more

Garmin readies Android-powered Monterra outdoor GPS

Today, Garmin pulled the wraps off of its new Monterra -- a handheld, outdoor GPS device that can survive in conditions and environments where few smartphones dare to tread.

At first glance, the newest model in Garmin's line of outdoor GPS devices looks remarkably similar to the existing Montana models -- which is good for reasons that we'll revisit later. The Monterra differs from the current Garmin product line in running on the Android mobile operating system. The advantage here is that users will be able to download outdoor-related apps to augment the device's functionality, such as … Read more

Remote-control wall ovens heat up with GE upgrades

Of all the kitchen appliances that make their home in the busiest room of the house, there is one that refuses to budge during mealtime. Sure, the refrigerator and the dishwasher aren't going anywhere anytime soon, but the big meal-maker is the oven, and it historically hasn't been very mobile. Unless, of course, you have a mobile phone.

Expanding the capabilities of its wall oven line, GE has introduced True European Convection with Direct Air. Available for 30-inch models, the addition of a top interior vent allows for better circulation of heated air in the oven cavity. The … Read more

Six ways to share your exact location with family (and why)

Families outfitted with a fleet of smartphones have a lot of options for checking in that don't require exercising those texting thumbs or distracting a driver with a call just to find out exactly when he or she is coming home for dinner.

I've gathered a handful of Android applications designed to help smartphone users keep an eye on each others' whereabouts. Indeed, the first thing that comes to mind in this NSA age is whether or not this stuff is private. Rest assured, dear reader, I've got your interests at heart.

These are apps are opt-in … Read more