Buffer introduces news and content sharing app

Buffer is getting in on the news aggregation and sharing business with its new iOS app called Daily. The app borrows concepts from Tinder when it comes to gestures. You can swipe right to queue content for sharing on the likes of Facebook, Twitter, Google+, and LinkedIn or swipe left to dismiss the story. As you know, Buffer is a service that lets you schedule and post stories across various social media channels so Daily is an extension of that.

Buffer said they curate the content at the moment with the help of an algorithm. Current topics available on the app are based on those shared by its current users including business and startups, marketing, inspiration, design, lifehacking, and “Buffer picks.” Hopefully they expand the topics further to cater to more people.

Source: TechCrunch

Google takes out plug-in requirement to use Hangouts on Chrome

Annoyed with having to download too many plug-ins to get sites or apps to run? Well, Google is making it at least easy for you to at least use Hangouts on the Chrome browser. Coming in a few weeks, Google’s group video chat service will run instantly on Chrome without the need for any plugins. Those on Chrome Canary or on other developer builds of Chrome have access to the update now. 

Skype gets Cortana integration

We have more voice recognition software news for you today. Microsoft has integrated its own virtual assistant Cortana into Skype on your Windows Phone devices to let users make calls by just asking Cortana. Microsoft said Thursday, “Now you can start Skype video and audio calls by simply asking Cortana something like ‘Skype, get Mom on the screen.” The feature is currently available in the 2.19 update for Skype on Windows Phone 8 and 8.1 in the U.S. The new update also added more language support (from 19 to 51 languages) and improved notifications.

TELUS tells you to #keepitinyourpants for Cellphone Courtesy Month

Think you have the perfect smartphone etiquette? A recent Google Consumer Survey conducted on your fellow Canadians might say otherwise. The TELUS-commissioned survey found a few interesting tidbits about mobile phone use in the country. Around 53.9% of the respondents say whipping out a smartphone on a first date is a big turnoff with 16.5% saying they will leave the date early if their companion can’t keep it in their pants. Nearly half of the respondents (49.6%) also don’t like being interrupted during a conversation by someone suddenly using their phone. However, a lot of users admit (75% of the respondents!) that they use their phones to tune other people out. Not exactly good behaviour we’d say, especially since about 40 percent of people think their smartphone use doesn’t bother other people (but 9 out of 10 Canadians say they are bothered by other people’s smartphone use).

That is why TELUS has started a new campaign for Cellphone Courtesy Month this July. They have a few tips for you mobile phone users out there or you can share your cellphone etiquette confessions on Instagram or Twitter with the hashtag #keepitinyourpants or through KeepitinYourPants.ca starting July 1. If you want to read the full data of the survey, you can find it here.