apps-news

happy-retirement-google reader

While alternate RSS services have started popping up left and right in the wake of Google Reader’s death sentence, the strongest contender so far is certainly Feedly. In a few months, the service already has 12 million users and a pretty sophisticated platform.

Today Feedly officially turned on its own cloud sync, effectively cutting ties from Google Reader for good. The web app has also been redesigned to adapt to multiple browsers on different screen sizes without the need for a plugin.

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Google has released its stock virtual keyboard layout as a separate download in Google Play. Aptly named “Google Keyboard,” the download brings everything from Android 4.2 Jelly Bean, like dictation and gesture-based typing. The same typing experience you get on a Nexus device is now available for nearly all Android smartphone and tablets.

You can use gestures to type with a dynamic floating preview. There is voice dictation, autocompletion and suggestions, multiple layouts, and support for 26 languages. You can download Google Keyboard now for free in Google Play.

pandora-publish-to-facebook

Pandora has finally updated its mobile apps and website to let you connect with Facebook’s “Open Graph.” This means that you can now flip a toggle and share everything you listen to on Facebook. What you listen to is collected under the music section of your profile. Services like Spotify and Rdio have had this ability for awhile.

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Pinterest has updated its official app on both Android and iOS with several big features. Users can now receive push notifications for things like comments, mentions, and repins. “@” mentions have also been added for messaging friends on the service. Pinterest will now show you search suggestions as you type, like Google.

An iOS exclusive feature is the ability to send a pin to someone directly within the app. You can also invite friends to pin on group boards.

Pinterest is a free download and today’s update is available in Google Play and the App Store.

facebook-home2

Facebook Home has been downloaded more than one million times since its release in Google Play last month, according to the social network. Today Facebook announced the one million milestone alongside the news that Home is getting its first major update this afternoon.

When Home was released, Facebook said that it would be releasing an update during the second week of May. Home’s first update will focus on squashing bugs. Plenty of additional features are in store for updates down the road.

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