Twitter drops stars for hearts

Changing a central item in an established app or service is a tricky thing to get into. Regardless, Twitter has done so with its “stars” and “favorite” option and replaces this with “hearts” and the term “like.” Their reason behind this is the heart is supposed to be a universal signal and it encompasses a greater range of emotion than a star. It would also help new users understand their service better since a heart is more understandable than a star. According to Twitter product manager Akarshan Kumar, “You might like a lot of things, but not everything can be your favorite.” Although it would seem Twitter is falling behind its competitors as Tumblr and the like have been using hearts for a while and Facebook has been using the “like” term. The change will appear on Twitter.com, TweetDeck, Twitter for Windows 10, and also in Twitter's video looping app, Vine. What do you think? Do you approve of the change?

Source: Twitter | Via: Popular Science

Tweetbot 4 gets Apple Watch support

Twitter client Tweetbot 4 releases a new update that adds Apple Watch support into the mix. The app on Apple’s wearable shows Activity Feed as its default and shows other things like Mentions, Favorites, and Follows. You can view individual tweets and choose to Reply, Retweet, or Favorite them. You can even send Direct Messages to users. To send a tweet, you just force press on the Watch, composing messages will be done via voice dictation.

Source: MacRumors | Download: Apple App Store ($5.79)

SoundCloud now has an app to help creators manage their community

SoundCloud as we know is an audio-based app or site that lets you upload audio clips or even sample tracks by some artists. Taking cues from YouTube and its video stars, SoundCloud is helping out content creators on its platform with a new companion app to help them manage their community called SoundCloud Pulse.

The app is designed to make it easier for creators to check on their followers and even help grow them. You can view things like stats on your posts/tracks, reply to people commenting on your uploads, follow other users, and share uploaded tracks privately or publicly to selected users. Other features coming to the app include the ability to upload tracks from your mobile device, edit track information, expand message capability, and more in-depth stats. The app is available for free download on Android.

Source: SoundCloud | Via: Android Community | Download: Google Play Store (Free)

Dieselgate scandal deepens, now involves Audi and Porsche models

There seems to be no end to the Volkswagen dieselgate scandal which involved millions of vehicles across various countries that have been designed to cheat emissions tests using Defeat Device software in the cars' computers. While the initial scandal revelaled that various diesel VW models dating back to 2009 were outfitted with the defeat device, we are now finding out that this now involves newer Audi and Porsche models. 

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