Blackmart Alpha 1.1 APK 2014 latest edition for Android smartphones and tablets download

Blackmart Alpha has released first update of 2014 and now the version number is v. 1.1. Blackmart Alpha v1.1 has drastic improvements in performance over its predecessor v0.99.  The new version is also feature rich and performs very well on Android devices. 

Kindly remember that Blackmart Alpha App connects your Android device with a P2P system where premium paid Apps are shared by either the developers of the apps for testing purpose or by common Android users.  Some of the Apps may be available for testing purpose but most are paid Apps and are shared without authors permission and it isn’t legal to download the premium Apps for free without giving its author his due.   Some of the Apps may also contain malware as a payload therefore ComboUpdates doesnt recommend downloading premium paid Apps on your Android device. 

The new version released by the authors on 23rd March gives a marked improvement in the download speed.  The App is listed on the Google Play Store and you can download it here.

If you wish to go for Blackmart Alpha 1.1 APK instead, you can download it here.  

Latest Google Maps v8.2 APK File and Google Play download

Google has updated its Google Maps to v8.2.  The new updated version v8.2.0-802003424 has a lot of improvements over and above the last version.  You can download both the official version and the APK version if you have Nokia X or other unsupported Android smartphone or tablet.

The latest version makes navigation extremely faster across different geographical images. If you download the latest APK from below, the official Maps App will work swiftly on your device.  The latest update includes almost all geographic regions with over 220 countries around the world.

As far as features are concerned, the improved “My Places” feature of Google Maps allows you to locate the desired address and navigate easily to your saved places.  The App also has bike directions feature which now displays elevation values, so you can more accurate information about the routes to avoid steeps.

One of the coolest features introduced in the latest version of Google Maps App is information specific to time and places. The App now detects the current time of the day of that particular place which you are viewing and displays information and recommendations according to that particular part of the day.  So if you live in UK and are searching for a place in the Atlanta USA, the App will give you the information and recommendations about that place based on the Atlanta local time.  If you tap on the “My Location” button it will display information about your current location along with elevations and options for bikes, walks or drives. 

If you own a Android smartphone supporting the Google Apps you can download the Google Maps from Google Play here.

If you intend to sideload the APK file, just follow the first download link to download Google Maps v8.2 APK file. After downloading the file, transfer it to your phone if you used your PC to download the APK file. There, open the APK file with package installer of your device and install the App

Mobile Apps are here to stay!!

Beginning with simple question? Do you own a mobile phone or a smart phone? And hoping your answer is yes, I am sure you must be accessing the Internet through it as well.  Apart from watching videos and chatting, you could even shop online through your mobile. No need to log on through your desktop or laptop any longer. 

Since the times, Internet has been made available on the mobile, new developments leading to mobile technology have evolved. These aim at providing more and more intuitive experience to the users in the form of mobile apps.  Through these mobile apps you could play games, check weather updates, get calendar information and much more. With mobile apps enjoying heavy traffic, ecommerce stores developed their own mobile apps encouraging customers to shop through their mobile as well.  

Users downloading the ecommerce stores mobile apps are offered additional discounts and freebies too. Working out advantageous to both the parties, these apps have become very much popular and preferred. Most working individuals and shoppers have high end smartphones which work perfectly in sync with these mobile apps to offering them the convenience of mobile shopping. 

Going ahead with the mobile user interface, many ecommerce stores have even gone ahead offer mobile versions of their websites or modified their websites to suit mobile screens enabling customers to check their products right on the mobile screens. 

What more, you will find coupon aggregators such as Couponraja offering Couponraja apps which help customers in locating the best discount coupons and deals while helping them visit the merchant page directly. This ensures you get the best deals and shop at their convenience.  Couponraja mobile apps are available for download through their website and also through Apps store of Apple and Google Play too. 

Well, if you are hesitant to do download the app or consider it a marketing gimmick, you are mistaken for mobile apps are truly convenient. Imagine situations where you have been invited to birthday parties or have forgotten your spouse’s birthday or your own wedding anniversary and have been too busy to select a special gift. At such times, these mobile apps come handy and you can easily make your purchase while on the move or whilst traveling to and fro from work. Isn’t it time saving and convenient?

Mobile Apps are truly going to be popular and with the virtual marketplace operating 24x7, accessing them through a device which is with you 24x7, it makes sense to use them.  So, if you are about to step out for shopping, wait, download the Couponraja app and check out the best online deals on the offer. Make sure you check them out as visit offline stores and make the best purchase decision ever. 

Shopping and staying connected is surely going to be through wire-free devices such as smartphones, tabs and so on. So, it’s better to be on par with the latest technology and be a smart shopper!! Look out for more exciting technology revolution in the coming times.

Google Now Launcher available for all Android smart phones running on Android 4.1 and above from today

One of the best features of Google Nexus 7 or KitKat Android 4.4 run devices is the Google Now Launcher.  But upto now it was available only for select devices as a native App.  Today, Google released the Google Play version of Google Now Launcher so if you own a device running on Android 4.1 and above, you can enjoy the fun of Google Now Launcher. Kindly remember old smart phones without enough RAM wont support Google Now Launcher.

Now you can also you the trademark  “OK Google” feature through the Google Now Launcher on the main screen.  On some smart phones this feature will be available by pressing home screen for a tad longer. This option is currently compatible with HTC One M8, One E8, One Mini 2, Desire 816, Huawei Ascend P7 and LG G3, among others.

Do remember that if you own a HTC smart phone your,  Blinkfeed UI will get replaced after installing this update and instead you have the Google Now panel which is customizable to your liking.

So till the time you get a full Android 4.4 Kitkat update you can enjoy the full features of this App on your Android smart phone.  If you are interested, kindly download the Google Now Launcher from Google Play here. 

Amazon giving paid Apps of $100 (Rs.6000) FREE through its App Store as part of Free App of the Day Program

This is your chance to own a paid Android App for free and that includes some pretty costly games and Apps.  If you own an Android or Amazon Kindle device, you can download up to 29 paid apps for free from the Amazon Appstore thanks to a new promotional offer. You can start downloading the below mentioned Apps and games for free from now itself as the the promotion has already begun and will end Saturday, August 2 at 12PM IST.

Amazon today released a press statement announcing it will be giving away paid Apps worth over $100, for free as part of the Free App of the Day programme. Most of these Apps and games are currently available on Google Play as paid games and are very costly.  So this is your chance to get them for free.  Amazon believes that this promotional event will eventually increase the footfalls on its Appstore which is not hit among users. 

Also remember these free Apps are for both Android as well as Android Kindle device users.  However, regular Android phone and tablet owners will have to download the Amazon Appstore to get the below mentioned Apps and Games for free. Normal Android smart phone and tablet owners do remember not to uninstall the Appstore after availing this offer as the Apps you download through this offer may not be updated in case you uninstall the Amazon Appstore.

The best of the lot which I liked is Oxford Advanced Learners Dictionary,8th edition($29.99) which will be available for Free. Todays free App is the Shuttle + music player app which costs $0.99 or Rs 55.89 on the Play Store.   HOWEVER you can download all the below mentioned Apps and Games for Free. Just enter the App/Game name in the search box and you can get it for free.

Amazon is offering a variety of Apps which include gaming, travel, utility and finance Apps. Here’s a complete list of apps with their pre-discount prices that you can download for free:

Health & Fitness, Games and Photography apps

• Carcassonne ($4.99)
• Sonic & SEGA All Star Racing ($1.99)
• Daily Workouts ($3.99)
• White Noise ($1.99)
• Essential Anatomy 3 ($24.99)
• Photo Editor+ ($0.99)
• Food Diary and Calorie Tracker PRO ($3.99)

Utility Apps

• Convertor Pro ($0.99)
• My Alarm clock ($1.99)
• Instapaper ($2.99)
• WiFi File Explorer PRO ($0.99)
• MathsApp Graphing Calculator ($4.99)
• Fraction Calculator Plus ($0.99)

Finance, Music, Productivity, Entertainment and Travel apps

• Bills Reminder ($3.99)
• CalenGoo ($5.99)
• Weather Live ($2.99)
• Ultimate Guitar Tabs and Tools ($7.99)
• Docs to go premium ($9.99)
• Oxford Advanced Learners Dictionary,8th edition($29.99)
• Flightradar24 Pro ($2.99)
• List Master Pro ($1.99)
• PDF Max – The PDF Expert for Android ($7.99)
• All recipes Dinner Spinner Pro ($2,99)
• Home Budget Manager ($2.99)
• Keep Track Pro ($1.99)
• Drawing Pad ($1.99)
• Little Piano Pro ($5.99)
• KAYAK Pro ($0.99)
• Language Coach ($9.99)

Go here and download the Amazon Appstore from Google Play, NOW to avail this fabulous offer.  Amazon Kindle users may install it normally but normal Android users will have to unclick settings > Unknown sources to install the Appstore.  Be sure to revert the setting after installing the Apk.  Remember you do have to set up a Amazon account if you already dont have one.  Also you have to provide Credit Card details.  The Free Apps do take a lot of fun away doing all this unwanted things !!!

Blockchain Releases New Android Wallet App To make bitcoin available for every Android user

Bitcoins have been a game changer for some, mystery for others and simply profits for hoarders.  Bitcoin wallets are a way to keep your Bitcoins safe in your account.  By intending to make the bitcoins more popular and more easier for users to handle, the popular bitcoin wallet provider Blockchain.info has released a new version of its Bitcoin Wallet App for Android devices.  The new App promises to allow you to store, receive and send bitcoins directly from your Android phone. Blockchain says that the App has been developed thinking of making bitcoin more accessible to users. This App hides the complexity of the protocol in order to encourage adoption of bitcoins by common Android users.

“Our Android app has to do with making bitcoin so easy to use that people don’t even have to think about addresses for example,” co-founder and CEO Nicolas Cary told TechCrunch “That stuff exists in bitcoin, but just like there are complicated things happening in email, they are hidden.” “When you explain why bitcoin is valuable, 99 percent of people understand that it’s useful. But it gets a little intimidating when they actually start using bitcoin”

Keeping is simple is the Blockchain.info's USP for this App.   If you want to send bitcoins to someone, you can just browse your address book and tap on someone’s name. After that, there are two possibilities. If this person is already a bitcoin user with an associated bitcoin address, it will simply send the bitcoins. If it’s someone new, it will send an email with a redemption code so that they can get their bitcoins.

The App also provides a  map view of with merchants who accept bitcoins so the users can find out the sellers and buyers of Bitcoins at a touch of a button. “It’s a world’s first,” Cary said. “We verified every single one of these merchants and we’re bringing new ones every week.”

The App will also help you understand how to manage your bitcoins. It will tell you to set a very strong password and two-factor authentication, it will suggests backup solutions, and it will show you tutorial videos.

“When you explain why bitcoin is valuable, 99 percent of people understand that it’s useful. But it gets a little intimidating when they actually start using bitcoin,” Cary said.

If you are into bitcoins then this is a must have App for your Android device.  If you are not into bitcoins, you may download it to learn about the worlds most famous cryptocurrency.  You can download the App from Google Play here.

Google updates is Google Drive to the data leaking flaw, download the latest version now

A flaw which existed in Google Drive has been fixed with the new update and all readers, PC, smart phones and tablet users are requested to update their Google Drive App.  The flaw which was similar to the Dropbox flaw made some of the files stored on Google Drive and shared with friends or colleagues via a direct link potentially which could be reached or accessed by unwanted person or unauthorized third parties. 

The flaw was explained by the Technical Program Manager at Google,  Kevin Stadmeyer as follows.  The flaw was relevant only if the file in question was uploaded to Google Drive directly without converting it into Docs, Sheets, or Slides (Google Drive formats) which means that the flaw existed only for those files which remained in their original format such as .pdf, .docx, etc. on Google Drive.  Once the user made this original format files available to "Anyone with the link," and the file contained hyperlinks to third-party HTTPS websites in its content, the flaw kicked in.  The flaw could allow the admins of those third-party HTTPS websites to receive header information from which the URL leading to the file could be extracted.

With this update the, Google has resolved that flaw but all previously upload and shared documents which where uploaded unconverted to the drive are till vulnerable to the access of unwanted users. Therefore Google has advised users to create a copy of the document, share the link to it with the intended recipients, and finally delete the old file.

You can update your Google Drive Apps below :

Windows PC 

Android

iOS 

Crunchfish launches an iOS App called GoCam which lets you take touchless 'Selfies' and 'Groupies'

Selfie or Groupie is the latest trend that has the social networking sites agog.  There are loads of Apps for both iOS and Android for taking selfies but all these are camera Apps and need for the user to click or tap a button.  Crunchfish has recognised just that and come out with an App called GoCam  for iPhones, iPads and iPod Touch devices. 

Swedish technology startup Crunchfish has developed the App, GoCam which lets users take photos of themselves without having to touch their screens. Crunchfish hopes to GoCam will be game changer in the highly popular selfie Apps market.  Crunchfish’s GoCam lets users trigger photos or videos from a distance with just hand gestures.   The selfies or groupies can be triggered from a distance of up to 3 meters according to Crunchfish.  LG has a similar kind of feature to take selfies using gestures for its flagship G3 but GoCam will be the first App for iOS operating system to give such a feature.  Crunchfish plans to release a Android version based on user adoption.  

The Malmo Sweden based company said that the GoCam will be available for free for users in Sweden and Australia and would be released whole over the world soon. Gesture control is not new in the technology world but a very resource hungry feature thus limiting its applicability for mobile devices, so it will be a good sign to see how GoCam progresses with its release.  

iOS users from Australia and Sweden can download the App from Apple Store and enjoy taking selfies or groupies.

Dattch the online dating App for lesbians, bisexuals and bi-curious now available for Android smart phones and tablets

Dattch a dating App for lesbians, bi-sexuals and Bi-curious women, which around for over a year and silently gained popularity among single female world is now available on Android smart phones and tablets.

Dattch is also slowly and steadily adding new cities to the App to make it easier for the more and more women to sign up for the App. Recently they added New York City to their list and CEO Robyn Exton launched the App for New Yorkers along with launching of the Android version.

Males may find this App a bit  off limits as it is meant to be a exclusively for women App. You can’t sneak inside the App as the crucial screen takes place before letting your profile being created in App. Facebook is used for login and to prove the authenticity of the user.

Right now this App is available for free but company is working on creating a premium membership with extra privileges, though it’s not sure when the company will go commercial in the venture.  The features of Dattch are given below :

-> Unlimited and totally free

-> Profile checks to stop straight men or fake profiles on the app. 

-> Pinterest style profiles that are easy to build and great to see who someone really is 

-> Push notifications so you always know when a great lesbian or bi girl has messaged you 

-> Blog with daily posts about women, LGBT topics and a lot of fun content

-> Matching game Would You Rather - the fastest way to get talking with new women

-> Send picture messages

-> See who has viewed your profile

-> The greatest network of lesbian and bisexual women so you can get chatting and meeting up with other great ladies, as and when you want.

Android users interested in the Dattch App may download it from Google Play and iOS users can download the Dattch App for their iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch from Apple Store. Kindly do check whether its services are available in your city.

Facebook self destructing photo and video sharing App 'Slingshot' released yesterday in USA, world wide release soon

Facebook creative Lab has designed and launched a new ephemeral messaging App called Slingshot on 17^th June 2014 in USA.Its a Photo and video sharing app, just like Snapchat and its going to give a tough competition for Cnapchat. Facebook. after acquiring Instagram and WhatsApp, it also tried buying SnapChat after it became popular among users for its self destructing sexting, but snapchat’s CEO Evan Spiegel refused a $3Billion offer according to the media reports.

Also Read Snapchat takes chatting to a whole new level with destructible instant messaging and video calls

Users of this new App, Slingshot, can send pictures and videos up to 15 second long and once the recipient views the message, it gets cleared up from inbox on its own. It works just like Snapchat with a little twist. The twist is that if recipient wants to see the picture or video sent, he/she needs to first send reply (Image/Video) back to the sender to unlock the message. This mechanism put into place by Facebook looks pretty complicated and it may turn off the users to an extent. But for the users who think privacy is a paramount priority, it’s the best way to be a safe online user. Popularity of the App is depends on whether the recipient will perceive the reply to unlock the message or not.

User can sign in to Slingshot like WhatsApp, i.e using their mobile number and connect with friends using phone book contacts or through Facebook contacts. I don’t have information about privacy of the user as I didn’t get the chance to venture out with App; it’s not yet available in India. As per the news, our assumption is App is available in USA for Android and iPhones. We haven’t received any information regarding global release but once the App's popularity picks up, Facebook will release it world over.

Last week Facebook launched the very same App  on App stores through some accident or mistake on engineers part but it was short lived joy for the users.  Because before anyone can venture out with it, App was gone. Facebook didn’t give any explanation for the premature accidental launch.

US users interested in Slingshot can download it for their iOS driven iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch from from Apple Store whereas Android users based in United States can download Slingshot from Google Play.

WhatsApp Plus vs WhatsApp, a mod with themes and additional emoticons but is it worth installing

In recent days you might have heard of your friends asking you to download WhatsApp+ and you may have searched for the download link by googling it.  I am writing this post to bring you the advantages and disadvantages of WhatsApp+ over WhatsApp.

First and foremost, WhatsApp+ is a mod App created by the Spanish developer Rafalete in 2012. The WhatsApp+ or WhatsApp Plus Holo is free and uses the same user license as WhatsApp.  The only outward difference is the WhatsApp+ icon which is blue in colour.  

WhatsApp+ is not a legal version of WhatsApp so you are at risk of data theft, contacts theft if you download it.  It also requires you to remove the original WhatsApp to install WhatsApp+.   Once you have removed your WhatsApp and installed WhatsApp+ here is what you will get.

Themes : - The most notable feature of WhatsApp Plus is the ability to add new styles or themes to completely change the way your WhatsApp looks.  

WhatsApp+ has over 700 FREE themes which are sorted by top downloads, names, date and version. WhatsApp+ themes can not only change the background of the chat, but the bottom of the contact list, and the colors of the bar and texts.  This is one of the main reasons why users prefer to install WhatsApp+; the other reason is the number of emoticons.  The WhatsApp+ author has managed to merge the Google+ emoticons with it and the result is fabulous.  Below is the complete image of emoticons available for WhatsApp+

If a WhatsApp+ user send the extra emoticon to a normal WhatsApp user, he/she will only see a empty box with a question mark in it.  

The other advantage WhatsApp+ had was to hide the users online status. This feature has now been incorporated in the official WhatsApp. Another WhatsApp Plus option lets you change the size limit of sent files from 2, to 50 MB. There are also options for maintaining the size and quality of images and videos.

By the looks of it, WhatsApp+ or WhatsApp Plus Holo seems a very brilliant mod by the author/s but users have to remember that it does not have any privacy policy or EULA which can safeguard your privacy/data/contacts.  If you still feel that you can download the WhatsApp+ APK from here.  Do remember to uninstall the original WhatsApp before installing the APK.   Also goto Security > Click Unknown Sources and unclick verify apps in the Android settings.

WhatsApp relaunched for Windows Phone devices like Lumia series smart phones

WhatsApp is again available for your Windows Phone device. Two weeks ago WhatsApp was pulled of abruptly without any notice by the publishers to the users of Windows Phone. This had lead to many users left frustrated and  venting out their frustration on Facebook as well as Twitter. Tech forums also had many users  questioning as to why WhatsApp was removed from Windows Phone app store but the publishers delivered a stoic  one sentence ‘’Technical Issue”.

Though later WhatsApp clarified that they had to take down the App from Windows App Store due to the issue with notifications within Windows OS. Whatever the issue between WhatsApp and Microsoft, users are happy about the return of the WhatsApp and back in messaging spree action with friends.

Whats app for windows phone is available with new features.

§  Chat backgrounds

§  Broadcast lists

§  Privacy settings (settings > account > privacy)

§  Media auto-download settings (settings > chat settings > media auto download)

§  Custom notification tones (Windows Phone 8 Update 3 required)

§  Various enhancements and bug fixes

You can download the WhatsApp for Windows Phone from Windows App Store here.

Samsung KidsTime App- Samsung launches new content subscription for Southeast Asia's kids

Samsung is doing its best to keep consumers glued to their brand of Android phones. After launching its music streaming App called Milk Music and video-streaming space with its own digital rental service for TV shows called Project Glued in Singapore and the Philippines, now Samsung’s new venture is for south east Asia kids, its content subscription service called-Samsung Kids Time, for kids aged between 3-7yrs old.

It is designed for Samsung Tablet and it will be first available the flagship Galaxy 3, 4 and 5 series and later will also be available for the Galaxy Note series. The App will be available to download in Samsung App website and Google Play Store  on June 12^th onwards.

This App will have kids entertainment related things and e-books content, which will be refreshed monthly with new titles. A parent also get an access to the dashboard to keep an eye on kid’s activities. It also offers a parental control with a ‘App Lock” which will help the parents to keep the child from being addicted to the App.  Another plus point of the App is its totally free and also be advertisement free.  There will also be premium version available for those who want extra content. The free version provides access to 1o titles and parents can upgrade to a monthly subscription by paying $4.99 and it gives access to 30 e-books and game Apps, but Samsung says it will be eventually expanded to more than 50 Apps.

The author can be reached at @knithaurs

BBC updates its iPlayer App for Windows Phone with Live and streaming TV

The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) has released a new update for its iPlayer App on Windows Phone with a major visual overhaul. The iPlayer App for Windows Phone was first released in 2013 but the features were lacking as compared to its iOS and Android App.  With this update the App has a new interface feature which works on internet connection. So even the connection is slow, still you can stream content from the App. The latest release of the App makes it easier for an App user to enjoy their favorite show while they are moving.

Features of iPlayer:

1. Watch live and on demand over Wi-Fi, 4G and 3G
2. Enjoy smoother viewing with less buffering
3. Browse new channel pages, themed programmed collections and clearer categories
4. Keep track of programmes you love by adding them to your favorites
5. Access subtitles

Another major change in the new iPlayer is radio content which was there on the previously available version is missing in new version. BBC is now focusing majorly on offering a greater TV viewing experience for their users. BBC stated that their iPlayer Radio team is working on a new similar app with optimized listening experiences.

Though the updated App is much better than the old version, its still lacks in certain area and need to improve it. The way BBC is working on its App, users can wait for another improved update shortly.  You can download this awesome App from Windows Phone store here.

Yahoo's News Digest App launched for Android smart phones and tablets

After a successful venture of Yahoo’s News digest App for iOS, now it has launched News Digest app for Android users also. Previously in iOS version, app offered news around United States and United Kingdom and available only in UK and US. In newly launched version for android offers Canadian and an English-language international edition. These 2 new editions join the existing US and UK versions of app which are available on iOS.

News Digest App delivers news twice a day at 8 AM and 6 Pm local time. The android version also includes new home screen widget that will display recent unread news to make reading easy. The widget will also keeps track of what you have read and offers the same count down as in the app until your next day. The most popular international news can switch between all four editions to target at different audiences.

iOS version was launched in January and Yahoo says it has observed very encouraging behavior from App users. Yahoo senior director Maria Zhang said that 40% of the app’s total users open the news digest app every day. And she didn’t add any comment on how many downloads or users of the app are,

News Digest is compatible with Android 4.0 and later versions of the operating system, and can be downloaded from the Google Play Store. For now, the app is only available in English, but Yahoo promises to add versions in other languages soon

Reach me via Twitter @knithaurs

GoAnywhere File transfer App released for iOS and Android smart phones for secure file sharing

The Nebraska based secure back encryption firm, Linoma Software has released its GoAnywhere File Transfer app for the iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch and Android smart phones and tablets.  This new App enables users of iPhone/iPad and Android smart phones to connect with their corporate or personal network and transfer files securely.  As all readers know, security and privacy is the new buzzword after all the snooping, wiretaps, heartbleeds etc. going on.

According to Linoma, this new app enables users of Apple and Android phones and tablets to easily and securely connect with their corporate network to transfer files. The user friendly menus and a very user friendly UI allows even a non tech person or layman to download or upload files without any special tutorials or training. 

“File management is a critical function in any workplace and, without a secure BYOD solution, users will find a workaround to maintain productivity”, said Bob Luebbe, chief architect for GoAnywhere. “Delivering mobility tools that make it easier for workers to connect with corporate servers reduces reliance on policy enforcement to control data security.”

The mobile app connects with GoAnywhere Services – a secure FTP server for enterprise – all file transfer events are logged to meet compliance with SOX, PCI DSS, HIPAA and state privacy laws which means that the files are secure and eyes only for the users.

“We’re always listening to our customers, and this new mobile app is a direct result of that feedback”, Luebbe explained. “Our customers’ trading partners and vendors can also use this app to exchange files with our customers’ systems. It’s a win-win for everyone.”

You can get the GoAnywhere File Transfer App for your iPhone/iPad/iPod Touch from Apple Store here.  Android users can download the GoAnywhere File Transfer App from Google Play here. 

As of now, it is free to customers licensed for the GoAnywhere Services HTTP/s module. GoAnywhere Services – part of the GoAnywhere Managed File Transfer (MFT) software suite – makes it easy for trading partners, remote employees and other external parties to initiate encrypted file exchanges through standard protocols including SFTP, FTPS and HTTPS.

Facebook Messenger now available for Windows Phone 8 devices like Nokia Lumia

Two years after it was launched for Android and iOS devices, Facebook Messenger has finally come to the Windows Phone 8. Microsoft had promised that Facebook Messenger would soon be available at the recent Press briefing and today the Redmond tech giant confirmed the Facebook messaging App is now finally available to users of Windows Phone.

Like the Facebook Messenger for iOS and Android, the Windows Phone 8 also offers the following features :

- Get to all your messages without having to open Facebook.

- Bring your conversations to life with stickers and send photos privately.

- Have group conversations and make plans on the go.

- Share your location so people know when you're nearby.

- Know when people have seen your messages.

- See who's using Messenger and who's active on Facebook. 

- Stay logged in so you never miss a message.

- Turn off notifications when you're working, sleeping or just need a break.

- Never lose your conversation history or contacts.

So if you own a Windows Phone 8 powered Nokia Lumia devices like Lumia 520, Lumia 525, Lumia 620 etc, you can download Facebook Messenger from the Windows Phone Store  here.  Remember if you search for Facebook Messenger on the store, the results will be quite amusing as it still brings up rival IM apps and Facebook’s main app, instead of official version.

FREE Flappy Bird Alternatives for Android smart phones, tablets and iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch devices

If you have missed the Flappy Bird, dont worry there are plenty of alternatives available for download.  They may not be as good as the original but installing them to a malware prone duplicate App sounds more feasible.   Do remember the original Flappy Bird App has been removed from Google Play by its publisher hence do not fall prey to the plenty of malicious Flappy Bird Apps floating around.  I am listing the alternatives to Flappy Bird below.  This are genuine Apps so you can enjoy them as much as you want.

Clumsy Bird : This game is available only for Android at the moment and is going great with 1 million + downloads.  This game combines the madness of popular game Angry Birds with the game play of erstwhile Flappy Bird.  This one is free for download with easy game play features as follows

- Simple one touch controls: touch to flap the wings

- Easy and fun to play, but a challenge to fully master

- Stunning graphics: beautifully detailed world comes to life on Android

How to Play:

- Tap anywhere on the screen to fly higher!

- Online Play: Fly as far as possible to beat other players within 60 seconds

It is a rather addictive game so be warned, you can download it for your Android smart phones and tablets from Google Play here.

The next one is called Ironpants and is available both for Android and iOS devices.   This is again a free game and involves a similar game play as Flappy Bird.  You have remain in flight as long as possible and do all things possible to avoid the obstacles.   This game also has easy and simple controls like holding your finger to go up and releasing your finger to go down.

Android users can download the game from Google Play here while iPhone/iPad and iPod Touch users can download it from Apple Store here.

Fly Birdie is another rip off of Flappy Bird but is available only for iOS devices at present.  It also offers the same game play with you tapping continuously to make the birdie fly.  This is a free game but once you lose your lives you have to make a in-App purchase of 3 lives for $0.99 (£0.69 /Rs.62.00).  You can download this game for your iPhone/iPad or iPod Touch from Apple Store here.

Next one listed is also for iOS devices.  Called Fluffy Birds, this one is a Fre game but contains a lot of ads so if you hate ads stay away from this one.  It also has most in-App purchases among all clones. The in-App purchases range from removing the ads for $1.99 (Rs.124.00) to getting extra 10,000 coins for $0.99 (Rs.62.00).  The ultimate one is the unlocking the "Ruller [sic] of the skies" for $4.99 (Rs.310.00).  All this buys make this game ugly but it is one of the best and most unabashed clone of Flappy Bird.  You just have to continuously tap to remain afloat. To change directions, hold left side of the screen to go up, release the screen to go down.  

You can download the Fluffy Birds for your iOS device from Apple Store here.

The next one contains no birds but rather bees.  Called the Flappy Bee, this one is available only for Android.  The game play involves you guiding a bee back to its group.  The game has different modes like day and night mode and you have to avoid all obstacles in helping the bee back to its family.  The game also has a global leader board.  You can download this one for your Android smart phones and tablets from Google Play here.  

iOS users can download a similar game called the Jumpy Bee for your iPhones/iPads and iPod Touch from Apple Store here.

Remember there are number of clones available for download but do select only those which have more than 100K download to protect your smart phones and devices from malicious codes.

VLC Player 2.2 now available for iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch with Google Drive and Dropbox integration, download now

Publishers VideoLAN today published version 2.2 of VLC for iOS on the iTunes App Store.  This updated version offers a very new, redesigned and refreshing interface for Apple's latest os,  iOS 7 and also the old iOS 6 users.  Among the new features on the VLC for iOS, notable are Google Drive integration and Dropbox streaming.

The VLC for iOS 2.2 now integrates with your favourite cloud services for downloading video with Google Drive and Streaming with Dropbox.  You also get new and improved multitouch gestures and a vastly improved library of TV Shows and audio files.  The update also brings about better UPnP integration with downloading support, improved privacy options, a start up tutorial for newbies, new streaming formats and protocols.

The update has also added support for HTTP Live Streaming (HLS), https playback, system-wide HTTP proxy settings, m3u streams, and vlc:// custom protocol handling.

The other features which will come with the update are as follows :

• Improved feedback for media download progress including data bitrate, procentual progress and estimated remaining download time

• Opening network streams no longer leads to a collapsed file system hierarchy on the remote system. After playback, you can continue where you left off.

• Added bookmarks for FTP servers

• Previously removed episodes and tracks no longer show up in the respective group listings

• Improved privacy by requesting the passcode immediately after leaving the app and by obfuscating playback metadata if passcode lock is enabled

• Added support to endlessly repeat the currently playing item

• Added option to disable file name display optimizations

• TV Shows are sorted by Season number / Episode number and Music Albums respectively by track number

• Added ability to rename any media item in the library view

• Added deletion of multiple media items in one step

• Improved TV Show handling for shows with more than 100 episodes

• If your media was recognized as part of a music album, the next track will automatically start playing afterwards

• New translations to Czech, Malay, Persian, Spanish (Mexico)

You can download this must have player for your iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch from Apple Store here.

Download and install Blackmart Alpha on your Android smart phones and tablets and enjoy Apps and Games for free

You may have heard about Blackmart Alpha download manager.  It is a very popular Android App just like Google Play which which lets you download free Apps and Games for your Android mobile phone or tablet from Blackmart market. 

In fact Blackmart has second largest number of Apps and Games after Google Play.  You can also find various Apps which are paid on Google Play for free on Blackmart Market.  The basic advantage of having a Blackmart App is that all the Apps and Games available there are free of cost. Most App developers their Apps and Games in the Blackmart market  and Blackmart Alpha Android App lets you search and download your favourite App and Game for free!

To download Blackmart Market App for your smart phone or tablet, download the the APK by clicking the hyperlink below to your SD card (sideload it).  Then open your smart phone/tablet File Manager or ES Explorer and tap on the Apk to install. 

To download the APK please click on this link (version v0.99.3.37). Kindly remember this App uses peer to peer network to share APKs and has been REMOVED from Google Play. Also you may get get malware and trojans through this App.