The FCC’s new Mobile Speed Test app is revolutionizing the accuracy of the National Broadband Map. This advanced app replaces the old FCC Speed Test app and introduces hands-free testing while driving, enhancing user convenience. Accurate broadband data is essential for programs like BEAD, making this app a game-changer.
A new Japanese law aims to foster competition in the smartphone app market by allowing third-party app stores and billing providers to operate on Apple iOS and Google Android platforms. This legislation, known as the Act on Promotion of Competition for Specified Smartphone Software, was announced by Japan’s Fair Trade Commission (FTC).
PiPcall, a provider of hosted telephony services and solutions for businesses, has released the UK’s first mobile-only business phone system in an application optimized to be used on the personal mobile phones of employees. The PiPoffice app allows users to work from anywhere, be that in an office, their home or even on the go. The telephone system frees the user from their work desk but keeps all the features of a traditional desk phone system. These features include call recording, conference calling, corporate voicemail, IVR, call groups, call tracking and call logging. PiPoffice calls are made over mobile networks only. This technology separates business and personal activities on the device and ensures that call expenses are charged according to the organization’s service plan. When using the PiPoffice mobile app, the user does not incur any charges on its personal calling plan. In addition, PiPoffice states that its…
RingCentral, a US-based provider of high-performance cloud communications and collaboration solutions for businesses, has announced a new high-volume and fully integrated SMS service that allows businesses to send SMS messages and updates to their customers promptly and seamlessly. Developers can build custom applications by using the Application Programming Interface (API) that interfaces with RingCentral’s business communication platform. RingCentral also provides a service with pre-built applications that can be obtained from the RingCentral App gallery. By using RingCentral phone numbers for bulk SMS messages, companies can send one-time messages or bundle requests. In addition, the company supports message insights, such as status, logs, storage and analysis for more progressive compliance. The API also permits RingCentral customers to use SMS for services such as mass marketing, automated messaging, customer surveys, chatbots, two-factor authentication and one-time passwords. The API is currently in beta version and available as part of RingCentral’s…
Apple has recently acquired the Italian startup named Stamplay, a company offering an API-based backend development platform that aims to simplify the cloud-based development of apps for businesses. Stamplay specializes in building a “low code workflow automation” platform, and could assist the iPhone-maker in providing improved backend tools for iOS and macOS developers. In a press release, Italy’s Roma Tre University confirmed that Apple had acquired its startup, although the tech giant itself has not yet issued the customary statement on this acquisition. According to Italian media reports, the deal was worth around five million euros, which equates to roughly $5.6 million. Stamplay, which was founded by Nicola Mattina and Giuliano Iacobelli of Roma Tre’s computer engineering and business economics departments, provides a task automation platform geared toward enterprises. With a slogan “automate your business”, the startup enables companies to create workflows for handling monotonous, labor-intensive chores such as…
Viber has launched the latest revision of its mobile messaging application on iOS and Android – version 10, featuring an updated User Interface (UI) together with several other improvements. This is the first major update to the app in four years. The company stated that Viber Messenger 10 comes with a new look, has enhanced connectivity options, and includes additional privacy measures. Viber services have been improved with the ability to send messages twice as fast as before, and voice and video calls have been given “a quality boost to become crystal clear”. There is a new, bright header across the app, and the main chat list is displayed with convenient access to all private and group chats, communities and favourite public content. The update includes a new “Calls” screen containing recent calls and phone contacts, with the Viber Out balance and subscriptions shown at the top of…
Verizon Media Group has announced the launch of a new Yahoo app, available for iOS and Android. This multi-purpose app serves as a daily guide, providing breaking news, weather forecasts, the latest sport updates and much more. It creates a personalized information hub for the user, and is an effective amalgamation of the company’s other products, such as Mail, Search, Newsroom, Finance. One can watch the latest and most popular videos from across the Yahoo network in the Watch tab, where Yahoo editors provide daily content. The app includes a flexible sign-in with a Yahoo Mail account or a non-Yahoo email address, including Gmail, Outlook and AOL. If the user location data is enabled on the mobile device, it is possible to take advantage of coupons for local retail outlets, cafes and restaurants. There’s also a “Deal of the Day” from partners such as eBay, as well as the ability…
On Monday 24th September, Apple announced that it has finally completed the acquisition of Shazam, an application that helps users identify songs, TV shows, commercials and movies. The takeover of one of the highest rating music apps by the technology giant is said to be valued at 400 million US dollars. “Apple and Shazam have a long history together. Shazam was one of the first apps available when we launched the App Store and has become a favorite app for music fans everywhere. With a shared love of music and innovation, we are thrilled to bring our teams together to provide users even more great ways to discover, experience and enjoy music,” commented the vice president of Apple Music, Oliver Schusser. The application has already been downloaded more than 1 billion times, and remains one of the most popular places to interact with peers by discovering and sharing favorite songs,…
The Beta testers of WhatsApp for Android can now be the first to enjoy the long-awaited voice and video group calling on their mobile devices. These latest features are available on Android Beta versions 2.18.189 and 2.18.192, but first the user has to enroll in the WhatsApp Beta tester program via the Google Play store. Arranging a group voice or video call on WhatsApp is simple; start a call with one person and once the call gets connected, an icon “Add person” appears in top right corner of the screen. On selecting that icon, users will be redirected to a contact list where an additional participant may be selected. Currently, the voice and video group calls only support up to four participants, including the person who initiated the call. The Facebook-owned company’s group calling features were officially announced during the F8 conference this May, and since then only a selected number…
Cisco Vice President Rob Salvagano recently announced plans for Cisco to acquire the cloud-base mobile platform provider, July Systems. July Systems specializes in location services for global enterprises. They collect and generate data-based insights by tracking customer movements within locations such as stores, malls, airports, stadiums and hotels, similar to the methodology used for compiling online browsing information. Headquartered in California, US and with a Global Development Center in Bangalore, India, July Systems has already collaborated with Cisco for several years on their Connected Mobile Experience (CMX). “We plan to add July Systems’ platform and business context capabilities to provide a unified solution on which our partners and customers can build and deliver a range of indoor location services for industries as diverse as healthcare, government, logistics, manufacturing, sports arenas, hotels, education and retail,” explains Salvagano. July Systems was founded in 2001 by Rajesh T.S. Reddy with funding of USD…
