Software and App Updates Archives - Page 2 of 6

Qept: The New iOS Note-Taking App Designed for Texting Yourself

In today’s digital age, it’s become quite common for people to use messaging apps as a quick way to send notes, ideas, or reminders to themselves. Recognizing this prevalent “DM-to-yourself” phenomenon seen in apps like WhatsApp, Signal, and Telegram, developer Willem de Beijer has crafted a fresh and straightforward iOS note-taking app called Qept.

De Beijer’s vision for Qept centers on enhancing the organization and editing aspects of note-taking, distinguishing it from the standard messaging app experience. Beyond this, the app offers a convenient platform for creating quick to-do lists, simplifying tasks like planning groceries or managing daily activities.

Much like any chat app, using Qept is as simple as typing out your note or thought and hitting “send.” An added perk is the handy checkmark icon located above the text box, making it effortless to transform your message into a checklist or to-do list. While you can assign a “Topic” to a note for improved organization, it’s entirely optional.

All notes, regardless of whether they have a designated topic, neatly populate the home timeline. Notably, users retain the ability to edit notes even after they’ve been sent to the timeline. De Beijer has also hinted at a forthcoming update that will allow users to either hide or collapse notes within a topic and easily toggle between displaying and concealing archived notes with a single tap.

In the coming weeks, Qept’s developer plans to introduce updates that will enhance its visual appeal and navigation, offer a filter for archived notes, provide the ability to add reminders to notes, and introduce bullet points as a formatting option. De Beijer’s ambitious roadmap includes releasing a Mac app within the year and incorporating features like note search, bulk editing capabilities, and support for rich links.

The app is available for free download, but for those who require more than three topics, there’s a subscription fee of $7.99 per month. De Beijer also has plans to introduce additional pro features, including support for images and files.

In terms of functionality, Qept shares similarities with Stashpad, which garnered $1.8 million in funding last year from notable figures such as Alex Solomon (CTO at PagerDuty), Will Larson (CTO at Calm), and key players from Postman, Loom, and Webflow. However, Stashpad primarily targets developers and imposes limitations on free usage, capping it at 50 notes across devices. Users seeking unlimited note synchronization and pro features can subscribe for $10 per month or $96 annually.

For users with basic note-taking needs who heavily rely on checklists to stay organized, Qept presents an attractive and cost-effective alternative, delivering the essential features without breaking the bank.

Cinemin – An Artistic Camera App Embracing Traditional Animation Aesthetics Without AI

Tinrocket, renowned creators of beloved applications like Waterlogue and Olli, have introduced a captivating new camera app named Cinemin, designed to capture animated photos and videos, all without relying on AI filters.

This innovative app, which is available for free, draws its creative inspiration from the world of traditional animated art and cinema to craft its enchanting filters. Users have the option to apply these filters in real-time while capturing their images or videos, providing an immediate glimpse of the artistic transformation. After taking a snapshot, users can further enhance their images using a range of editing features, including line cleanup, shadow adjustments, flatness enhancements, brightness control, tinting, adjustments for dark and light colors, temperature adjustments, and contrast tuning.

For video enthusiasts, Cinemin offers a full-screen cinema mode, allowing them to focus entirely on capturing their footage without any distracting elements.

Cinemin also presents users with in-app purchase options to unlock premium features. These include the ability to save unfiltered photos and videos for later editing and the option to export videos in 3K and 4K resolutions. Users can opt for a subscription model at $0.99 per month or $5.99 per year to access these features. Alternatively, there is a one-time purchase option available for $9.99.

John Balestrieri, the visionary founder of Tinrocket, brings his background in art and design to the forefront in this app. Cinemin primarily emphasizes the realm of 2D animation when capturing visuals, resulting in images and videos with a distinctive flat aesthetic.

Balestrieri explained his artistic approach, stating, “For the past 20+ years, I’ve used computer graphics to explore art and vision. Each of my apps (Percolator, Waterlogue, Cinemin, etc.) focuses on some visual or aesthetic principles grounded in the human visual system backed by hundreds of years of art tradition.”

In a landscape where numerous apps rely on generative AI to manipulate photos, Balestrieri takes a different path, citing concerns about the use of artists’ existing work for AI training data. He emphasized, “Generative AI is great if you don’t know what you’re doing—dump in a million pictures and have the computer ‘figure it out’—but figuring it out for myself is part of my art journey.”

Cinemin, with its dedication to preserving traditional artistic values and techniques, offers a refreshing alternative for users seeking to infuse their photos and videos with a touch of classic animated charm, all without the assistance of AI filters.

Microsoft Introduces Python Integration in Excel for Enhanced Data Analysis

In a significant move aimed at enhancing data analysis capabilities, Microsoft has unveiled the integration of the popular programming language Python with its Excel software. This innovative feature is now available for public preview, empowering Excel users to seamlessly manipulate and analyze data using the capabilities of Python.

Stefan Kinnestrand, General Manager of Modern Work at Microsoft, highlights the versatility of this integration: “You can manipulate and explore data in Excel using Python plots and libraries, and then use Excel’s formulas, charts, and PivotTables to further refine your insights.” With this development, advanced data analysis becomes achievable within the familiar Excel environment, enabling direct access to Python from the Excel ribbon.

An intriguing aspect of this integration is that users won’t need to install any additional software or set up add-ons. The Python integration in Excel is seamlessly incorporated into Excel’s built-in connectors and Power Query. Microsoft is also introducing a new “PY” function that allows Python data to be seamlessly exposed within an Excel spreadsheet’s grid. Furthermore, through a collaboration with Anaconda, a prominent enterprise Python repository, well-known Python libraries such as pandas, statsmodels, and Matplotlib will be readily accessible within Excel.

Crucially, the computations performed using Python in this setup run in the Microsoft Cloud, and the results are effortlessly returned to an Excel worksheet. This means that users can harness Python’s robust capabilities while maintaining the convenience and flexibility of Excel. The integration enables the creation of formulas, PivotTables, and charts based on Python data. Moreover, charting libraries like Matplotlib and Seaborn can be integrated to generate sophisticated visualizations, including heatmaps, violin plots, and swarm plots.

Guido van Rossum, the creator of Python and a distinguished engineer at Microsoft, expressed his excitement about this collaboration: “I’m excited that this excellent, tight integration of Python and Excel is now seeing the light of day. I expect that both communities will find interesting new uses in this collaboration, amplifying each partner’s abilities. When I joined Microsoft three years ago, I would not have dreamed this would be possible.”

The Python in Excel integration is being introduced as a public preview for Microsoft 365 Insiders in the Beta Channel, beginning today. It is worth noting that the initial rollout will be limited to Windows, with plans to extend the availability to other platforms at a later date. During the preview period, Python in Excel will be included in a Microsoft 365 subscription. However, it’s important to be aware that certain functionality may be restricted without a paid license once the preview phase concludes.

In conclusion, Microsoft’s integration of Python with Excel ushers in a new era of data analysis capabilities, where the power of Python and the convenience of Excel come together seamlessly. This collaboration between two industry-leading platforms holds immense promise for users across various domains, opening up novel opportunities for insights and innovation.

Tumblr Unveils Redesigned Web Interface, Draws Inspiration from X

Tumblr has introduced a fresh visual update for its web interface, following a month-long trial period with selected users. The redesigned navigation layout bears a resemblance to X, formerly known as Twitter, shifting the navigation bar to the left side of the screen. Additionally, the ‘compose’ button has been relocated to the lower left corner, mirroring X’s arrangement.

In a recent blog post, Tumblr explained that this redesign aims to enhance user-friendliness and facilitate seamless exploration of the platform’s content, catering to both newcomers and existing users. The company acknowledged its previous approach of introducing new icons to the navigation bar without ample context and noted that users are more inclined to interact when given explanatory text labels. This change has encouraged users to venture into previously unexplored areas of the platform.

Drawing insights from user feedback during the testing phase, Tumblr has introduced several refinements to the new interface. Notable adjustments include relocating settings subpages (such as Account and Dashboard) from an expandable item on the left to a dedicated section on the right, addressing issues related to messaging window functionality on smaller screens, and streamlining the Account section for easier access to user blogs.

OHHHH TUMBLR CHANGED TO LOOK LIKE TWITTER. NOT GOOD NOT GOOD NOT GOOD pic.twitter.com/ZG4sFg8ccw
— Sophie 💖 (@sophiebaybey) July 19, 2023

Looking ahead, Tumblr is exploring the possibility of introducing a collapsible version of the new navigation system, with an emphasis on optimizing screen real estate for users with larger displays. The platform is also committed to improving account and sideblog accessibility.

After Elon Musk assumed control of Twitter (now X) in the prior November, Tumblr experienced an influx of new users seeking an alternative social media outlet. During that period, CEO Matt Mullenweg reported significant surges in app downloads for both iOS (58% increase) and Android (57% increase) users within the first week of November.

According to data from data.ai accessed by the media, Tumblr’s app installs across iOS and Android totaled 880,000 in November, representing an upswing from 450,000 and 500,000 in September and October, respectively. However, downloads reverted to standard levels (ranging from 400,000 to 500,000 per month) in subsequent months.

In light of the persistent demand for Twitter alternatives, Tumblr seems to be strategically aligning itself with X’s interface to attract new users. Nevertheless, this shift has faced resistance from a portion of the Tumblr community, who have taken to X to voice their discontent.

These changes arrive a few weeks after Mullenweg disclosed that Tumblr operates at a yearly deficit of approximately $30 million. This financial situation isn’t entirely surprising, considering Tumblr’s history. Originally founded in 2007, the company was acquired by Yahoo for $1 billion in 2013. Yet, by 2019, Automattic, the parent company of WordPress.com, acquired Tumblr for a mere $3 million.

Introducing Series: Your Ultimate iOS Photo App for Instagram Threads

In the realm of iOS photo app, Series has emerged as a dynamic tool, designed to fuel your creativity while presenting your photos in captivating ways across social media platforms. Particularly, Series has stepped into the limelight as the essential companion for users looking to share their images seamlessly on Instagram Threads. The app’s innovative features enable users to relish full-screen image viewing, and with impeccable formatting, to craft panoramic visual narratives that resonate profoundly.

Already, users are embracing this fresh format, with artists like Pete Halvorsen pioneering experimentation. He skillfully played with diverse aspect ratios, breaking down images to be clicked and swiped through in full-screen mode – a technique that artfully engages the viewer.

This trailblazing movement within the Threads community spurred the ingenious mind behind Series, Ryan Carver, to introduce new tools. One such tool, TH+, was thoughtfully incorporated to cater specifically to the needs of Threads users, streamlining the process and elevating the visual storytelling experience.

Ryan Carver brings a wealth of photography and design expertise to the table. His track record includes pivotal roles in notable ventures such as product development at the acclaimed photo-sharing app VSCO, and his co-founding of Typekit, an endeavor that was ultimately acquired by Adobe, now known as Adobe Fonts. The past four years have seen him passionately focused on Series, where he has channeled his creative energy as an independent iOS developer.

From Vision to Innovation: Ryan Carver’s Journey in Photography and Design

The initial spark for Series was ignited by Carver’s own photographic journey, which culminated in curating and designing a compelling gallery show in 2019. Reflecting on this experience, Carver revealed, “Two desires emerged: the need for enhanced tools to explore the visual dynamics between images, and the aspiration to facilitate seamless sharing of multiple images.” The Instagram Carousel emerged as the ideal canvas for this endeavor, given its innate ability to present multiple images in captivating and unique layouts.

For optimal utilization, Carver recommends uploading a series of photos and delving into Series’ diverse layout options, enabling you to craft your visual narrative through pairings, stacks, grids, and carousels.

The discovery of Threads’ support for full-screen panoramas triggered an instant response from Carver. He promptly integrated the TH+ Frame Ratio into Series, a move that took mere days following Threads’ public launch. Since then, this feature has been embraced by Meta employees, including CTO Andrew Bosworth (@boztank), who astounded the Threads community with an awe-inspiring Everest panorama, amassing over 7,000 likes and 180 responses.

Threads users have enthusiastically embraced the panorama option, transforming a single image into a captivating spread across multiple panels, enticing viewers to swipe through. Some users ingeniously position the full image at the culmination of their carousel, enhancing the visual journey.

TH+ Frame Ratio: Elevating Threads Users’ Visual Adventures

Access to the TH+ Frame Ratio feature necessitates an upgrade to the Pro subscription, which comes at a modest annual fee of $15. This premium package unlocks an array of advanced tools, ranging from the ability to import and arrange more than two photos or videos simultaneously, to the power to extend content across more than three panels within Instagram’s Carousel or Threads. The package further encompasses high-resolution export capabilities, the export of videos up to 60 seconds in duration, the preview of Instagram Posts or Stories before exporting, customizable templates for preserving and applying favored aesthetics, robust tools for intricate layouts, and personalized app icons.

Since its inaugural launch in December 2019 with version 1.0, Series has garnered a dedicated user base of approximately 5,000 monthly active users, with nearly half embracing the role of paying subscribers. The app evolved to version 2.0 in December 2022, introducing video support and an expanded array of layout options. Most recently, the TH+ Frame Ratio was introduced with a July release, tailored to Threads users seeking to elevate their visual narratives.

Notably, Series captured the attention of Instagram head, Adam Mosseri, who responded affirmatively to a request from the Series team on Threads. This dialogue aims to cultivate closer integration, promising swifter workflows, enhanced previews, and an expanded range of layout choices – a testament to Series’ commitment to continuous improvement.

Series is available for free download with optional in-app purchases on the App Store. It offers compatibility with both iPhone and iPad devices, promising to enrich your visual storytelling journey on Instagram Threads and beyond.

Opera’s iOS Browser Introduces AI Assistant Aria

Opera’s iOS web browser app is set to receive a boost with the integration of an AI assistant named Aria. In a recent announcement, Opera unveiled its collaboration with OpenAI, bringing Aria directly into the iOS web browser, providing this AI-powered product to all users at no cost.

Aria originally launched on Opera’s desktop version and Android browser, amassing over a million users. Now, with its inclusion in Opera for iOS, Aria boasts compatibility across all major platforms, encompassing Mac, Windows, Linux, Android, and iOS.

It’s worth noting that engaging with Aria is at the user’s discretion; there’s no compulsion to use the AI service. After opting in, Aria extends an array of intelligent insights, thoughtful suggestions, and responsive voice commands. To utilize Aria, users are required to log into their Opera accounts. For newcomers, creating an account directly from the app is an option.

Composer Foundation: Powering Aria’s AI Capabilities

The foundation of Aria lies in Opera’s proprietary “Composer” infrastructure, which seamlessly integrates with OpenAI’s GPT technology. This connectivity empowers Aria with the ability to access various AI models, setting the stage for future advancements in search and AI services. These expansions include delving deeper into generative AI, among other revelations that Opera plans to unveil in due course.

Functioning akin to other AI-driven search companions, Opera’s iOS version incorporates a chatbot-like interface, facilitating user queries and providing responses as an alternative to conventional web searches. Users can access the AI’s capabilities through vocal interactions, eliminating the need for text input, by tapping into the “more” menu situated in the far-right tab on the bottom navigation bar within the Opera iOS app.

Following the recent milestone of Aria achieving one million users, Opera highlighted the significant impact that AI integration had on various metrics. Lin Song, co-CEO of Opera, expressed satisfaction with both the initial adoption and the quality of engagement with Aria, noting an increase in overall time spent on the platform, accompanied by heightened search activity and pageviews per session.

Notably, Aria isn’t Opera’s inaugural foray into AI solutions. The company had previously introduced AI Prompts, a feature enabling users to swiftly initiate conversations with generative AI services. This facilitated the summarization or elucidation of articles, tweet generation, and requesting pertinent content based on highlighted text.

Opera’s iOS browser is accessible as a complimentary download and encompasses an array of beneficial attributes, such as built-in ad blocking, a VPN service, tracking prevention, a cryptocurrency wallet, private browsing capabilities, and more.

Google Chrome Quantum Apocalypse

Google is gearing up its flagship Chrome browser for the anticipated “quantum apocalypse,” as outlined in a recent blog post by the tech giant. While still largely existing in the realm of theory, quantum computers are anticipated to possess significantly heightened computational power compared to classical computers. This capability raises concerns that existing encryption methods could be easily overcome. Consequently, experts emphasize the need to take proactive measures to counter this emergent cybersecurity threat.

The Imminent “Quantum Apocalypse”

According to a report by The Independent, the efficacy of security technology largely hinges on intricate mathematical problems that challenge computers, thereby ensuring data security. However, the advent of quantum computers has the potential to swiftly solve these problems and gain unauthorized access to data—a scenario referred to as the “quantum apocalypse” by experts. In response, the field of post-quantum cryptography has arisen to devise novel strategies for safeguarding data against this impending threat.

Google has integrated portions of its research into Chrome by introducing innovative cryptographic techniques capable of withstanding potential attacks by quantum computers. This technology employs a blend of two cryptographic algorithms termed X25519Kyber768. This integration ensures data security through a combination of a dependable algorithm and one that remains impervious to quantum computer threats.

Elaborating on this, Google elucidates that this hybrid approach “melds the outcomes of two cryptographic algorithms to generate the session key responsible for encrypting the bulk of the TLS connection.”

Google’s Intent and Implementation

To assess potential ecosystem inconsistencies stemming from this transition, Google is progressively deploying these changes to both Chrome and its servers. This deployment encompasses both TCP and QUIC protocols, with vigilant monitoring for any compatibility issues. Furthermore, Chrome will leverage this updated key agreement while connecting to third-party server operators, like Cloudflare, as they incorporate support for these changes.

These updates form part of Google’s comprehensive efforts to “prepare the web for the transition to cryptography that can withstand quantum computers.”

In a Google blog post, Devon O’Brien, the technical program manager for Chrome security, underscores the paramount importance of data security. While acknowledging that quantum computers might remain elusive for several decades, O’Brien emphasizes that safeguarding data today is instrumental in preventing its compromise when quantum technology eventually materializes.

Championing Quantum-Resistant Chrome

O’Brien clarifies, “While experts speculate that quantum computers could potentially break modern classical cryptography in the next 5, 10, or even 50 years, it remains essential to initiate traffic security measures today. This necessity stems from vulnerabilities presented by attacks like Harvest Now, Decrypt Later, involving the accumulation and storage of data for subsequent decryption as cryptanalysis techniques advance.”

TikTok and Lemon8 Collaboration: Cross-Posting Feature in Development

TikTok is reportedly in the process of collaborating with Lemon8, an additional social application under the umbrella of ByteDance, TikTok’s parent company based in Beijing. Recent findings from Watchful.ai, a product intelligence firm, suggest that this emerging partnership involves TikTok working on a feature that enables users to synchronize their Lemon8 content with TikTok. This feature would permit users to enhance their Lemon8 posts on TikTok by incorporating sounds and music through TikTok’s editing tools.

While specific visuals of this feature remain unavailable, Watchful.ai employs a methodology that combines computer vision, machine learning algorithms, and analysis of publicly accessible data flow. This approach enables them to identify and simulate changes within apps before their public launch, a practice they’ve executed successfully in the past. This includes unveiling forthcoming TikTok attributes like the AI chatbot Tako, a dedicated Shop feed, video stickers, and more.

Despite repeated requests for comment, TikTok has yet to respond to queries regarding this collaboration.

Recalling events earlier this year, Lemon8 experienced a rapid ascent on the App Store charts. Coincidentally, this rise transpired around the time when U.S. legislators were deliberating on the possibility of a TikTok ban or mandatory divestiture. Originally introduced in March 2020 as a lifestyle-oriented social network, Lemon8 gained an artificial boost in popularity on TikTok this spring.

Curiously, the application achieved “viral” status on TikTok’s video platform as several influencers posted enthusiastic videos endorsing Lemon8, often utilizing similar language comparing it to a blend of Pinterest and Instagram. Notably, none of these videos indicated any form of sponsorship or advertising. This orchestrated surge propelled Lemon8 into the top 10 overall apps on the U.S. App Store for multiple days in March 2023.

Earlier reports by Insider had highlighted ByteDance’s payments to content creators for promoting Lemon8 on TikTok, a strategy aimed at seeding Lemon8’s initial user base and content within the United States.

This sequence of events suggests that ByteDance intended Lemon8 to potentially serve as a contingency plan to engage and captivate U.S. users in the event of a comprehensive TikTok ban.

Should the cross-posting feature recently uncovered become available on a larger scale, ByteDance could harness TikTok’s influence to amplify Lemon8’s visibility, thereby driving fresh installations and user engagement. Yet, it remains uncertain whether and when this cross-pollination feature will officially debut or if it’s merely under contemplation at this juncture.

Spotify Expands its AI-powered DJ Feature Globally

After successfully debuting its AI-powered DJ feature in North America six months ago, Spotify is now rolling out this innovative tool to numerous international markets.

Accessible via the “music” feed section within the Spotify mobile app, the DJ function personalizes users’ listening experiences by curating a selection of music. This selection is accompanied by spoken-word commentary, brought to life by a synthetic voice. The commentary encompasses playful conversations and contextual insights, referencing specific songs and artists that the user has previously enjoyed.

In essence, it’s akin to having a personalized radio DJ who customizes their show for each individual listener.

Spotify initially introduced DJ to audiences in the United States and Canada in February. Subsequently, the company expanded its availability to the United Kingdom and Ireland three months later. Although DJ will continue to be in beta testing, it is now accessible to premium subscribers across approximately 50 markets worldwide. These markets include countries such as Sweden, Australia, New Zealand, Ghana, Nigeria, Pakistan, Singapore, and South Africa.

However, it’s important to note that a large portion of the European Union will not yet have access to this feature. Furthermore, in the newly added markets, DJ will only be offered in the English language.

Spotify Introduces Confidence – A New Product for Software Development Teams

Spotify, the renowned music streaming service, has recently unveiled its latest commercial product for software development teams called Confidence. The platform is based on Spotify’s in-house experimentation platform and aims to provide teams with an easy-to-use solution for setting up, running, coordinating, and analyzing user tests. The goal is to help teams optimize their ideas quickly and efficiently. As of now, Confidence is in its private beta phase.

In a blog post, Spotify highlighted the extensive experience of its data scientists and engineers who have been refining the company’s product testing methods over the years. Whether it’s automating simultaneous A/B tests or implementing AI recommendation systems across various platforms, Spotify’s experimentation platform has been instrumental in scaling best practices and capabilities to benefit all teams. Now, Spotify plans to extend this platform to other companies, enabling them to build, test, and iterate ideas with speed, reliability, and confidence.

Confidence is specifically designed to cater to software development teams that have outgrown their current testing platforms or those seeking a quick and straightforward way to initiate A/B testing. Spotify’s experimentation efforts date back to the early 2010s, when a small group of data scientists and engineers began conducting manual A/B tests internally. Recognizing the significance of experimentation, Spotify developed its own A/B testing platform called ABBA, which enabled standardized metrics analysis and feature flagging. This move triggered a wave of experimentation across the company, leading to hundreds of experiments annually across multiple squads.

The Confidence platform will be accessible to customers in three ways. Firstly, it can be utilized as a managed service, allowing access to the experimentation platform as a standalone web service managed by Spotify. Secondly, it can be integrated as a Backstage plugin, adding more flexibility to the implementation process. Lastly, teams can integrate the Confidence platform into their existing infrastructure through APIs, providing seamless compatibility.

Software development teams can now sign up for the waitlist to be eligible for an invitation to join the Confidence platform. However, Spotify has not yet disclosed the timeline for its wider availability.

It’s noteworthy that Confidence marks Spotify’s second commercial product targeting developers. Previously, the company introduced its plan to monetize developers through the open-source Backstage project. This platform streamlines companies’ infrastructure by allowing them to create customized “developer portals,” consolidating various tools, apps, data, services, APIs, and documents into a single interface.

Today’s announcement underscores Spotify’s ambitions to expand beyond its consumer-facing music streaming service, indicating a strategic shift towards catering to developers and software development teams in the tech industry.