Snapchat adds IM and video chat to service

Snapchat doesn’t do away with its self-destructing messages but has updated its iOS and Android apps to do a bit more.  The app now lets you instant message your friends and have live video chats with them. You can start chatting with your friends by swiping to the right from your main screen. You’ll see the list of people available for chats. While this is much like the other messaging services out there, the text from your conversations are wiped after you close the chat screen, unless you tell the app to keep them.

For video chats, a blue icon will pop up at the bottom of the screen when your friend is chatting with you. You press and hold this open for a one-way stream. The person you’re chatting with can do the same thing as well. There are gestures you can use to switch back and forth with your front- and rear-facing cameras.

Microsoft releases patch for IE zero-day flaw, includes security update for unsupported Windows XP

It looks like the security flaw discovered in version 6 to 11 of Internet Explorer was serious enough that Microsoft released an “out-of-band” fix for it. (The company usually releases security patches on the second Tuesday of every month.) This means all supported versions of Windows will be getting the patch. Unusually, Microsoft decided to issue a security update for Windows XP, which they discontinued support for already. This might be a bad move on the company’s part because it encourages its users to keep on using the old operating system. Here’s the link to the security update just in case you haven’t activated automatic update for your Windows OS.

Source: The Next Web

Clear to-do list app adds reminders

Realmac Software has released an update for its gesture-based to-do list app, Clear, that finally lets you receive reminders for important tasks. It might be coming late but it’s still very much welcome. You can now set a custom time and date for any urgent deadlines you have coming up on your Mac or iOS device. While this reminder feature is free, Realmac Software added two optional sound packs called sci-fi and 8-bit that costs $0.99 each for iOS and free for the desktop version.

Source: The Next Web

Acer enters wearable tech race with Liquid Leap smartband

Acer isn’t going to sit out the wearable tech race. The company has given reporters a sneak peek at its smartband during a press event in New York. They won’t reveal too many details about the Liquid Leap. What we know so far is it’s a 17mm-thick smartband that works as a smartwatch and fitness tracker and it features a 5-inch or so Gorilla Glass display. Like other wearables, you receive call and text notifications on the device.

Acer said they wanted to keep the look and feel to it quite simple. It will supposedly have around a five-day battery life and it might be bundled with the Liquid Jade flagship smartphone. The launch of the device is set around late July or August. Quite a way off at the moment but we’ll keep you posted for any updates.

Source: Tech Radar