Vine App Coming to Android 'Soon'

The popular iOS video-sharing app Vine will be coming to Android in the near future, according to its founders.

The Verge is reporting the app — which Twitter launched in January — will bring the ability to create and share six-second GIF-like looping videos to Android "soon."


Vine has also submitted at app update to the Apple App Store for a feature that lets you tag friends in videos, the report said.

The news comes just a few weeks after the company introduced the ability to embed Vine videos (at full 600 x 600 resolution) on any website.

The platform has gained popularity over recent months. It's been used by musicians and brands to promote products, news stations to get out news, job applicants and even by the White House. Of course, Vines are also acceptable for sharing with friends how you make dinner and what you're doing in your free time.

What other features do you hope to see from Vine? Let us know in the comments below.

Image by Mashable, Nina Frazier

Facebook Adds Voice Messaging to Its Messenger App

Facebook added the ability to send voice messages to its Messenger app for iOS and Android Thursday.
To send a voice message, tap the + button beside where you traditionally type a message in the Messenger app. Then select Record, holding the button down to speak. When you release the Record button, your voice message will be sent to your recipient.

Along with today's update, Facebook has also started testing VoIP functionality in Canada. iPhone users in the country can try the feature by tapping the "I" button in the top right corner of a conversation with a person they would like to call, and then tapping Free Call.

Important to note: While free to use, these VoIP calls will use your existing data plan, which could get pricey if you use the feature often.
Messenger is one of several stand-alone apps developed by Facebook. The company often uses the apps to test new features with power users before deciding which features to include in the traditional Facebook app for the social network's general audience.

Late last month Facebook released a new stand-alone app called Poke, which allows users to send short photo, text, or video messages to Facebook friends. Messages sent via Poke expire after a certain period of time (one to 10 seconds).

Will you use Messenger for voice messaging with friends? Let us know in the comments what you think about the new feature.

Image courtesy of iStockphoto, akinbostanci

Pinterest Android and iPad app launches

The virtual pinboard site has been ringing in the changes recently, much to the delight of its users, and this move will further add to the sites popularity with the greatly requested Andriod app.

Android users will be thrilled by this news after being ‘very vocal with their requests for an app’. Pinterest have ensured a job well done by designing the app to be fully functional on both Android tablets and phones, allowing users to spend more of their time productively on the site. This news will be similarly welcomed by Kindle Fire owners who can download the app from the Amazon Appstore later this week.

As well as addressing the need for an Andriod app, Pinterest have simultaneously released their iPad app, which they believe may be ‘the best Pinterest experience yet’. This is because the app makes it even more effortless to discover and pin new material. Furthermore, it has always been part of the vision of Pinterest as the sites co-founder, Evan Sharp, has recalled witnessing Steve Jobs demo of the iPad and realising that “Pinterest would be used [like that] sometime in the future”. According to the Pinterest blogpost, the app will also offers new ways to engage with pins through the ‘embedded browser’ and swipe screen feature, which returns the user to the main screen. Whilst the iPad app has just been created, Pinterest have updated their existing iPhone app to allow users to see more pins in a more efficient 2 column layout.

Part of the aim behind these apps is to allow users to go out and do the things they love, inspiring them to later contribute to the site. By having it in the form of an app, users will be able to utilise the site when and wherever they feel. It is expected this will increase usage of the site and possibly even see a growth in the number of users. This may increase even further with hints that Pinterest will be working on an app for Windows mobile platforms.

Becoming a force in the mobile market may have another consequence in leading to further brand engagement. With already51% of the top 100 global brands on their site, this is destined to rise. The brands must follow where the users go to maintain their status and Pinterest is often the perfect platform to showcase them. The creation of new categories will also suit these brands as it becomes even more crucial to their social media marketing work.

Overall, these new developments at Pinterest represent clear steps they have taken to address the needs and requests of their users. Maintaining a clear line of communication and stressing how invaluable the Pinterest community of users is, has really endeared people to the site. It must also be noted that Pinterest has risen to these impressive heights by working with existing social networks, not shunning them. A lot could be learnt from the examples Pinterest are setting.

Google reports sales and profits jump

Internet giant Google has reported a jump in sales and profits for the three months to the end of June in its first results statement since taking over Motorola Mobility Holdings (MMH).

Net income for the quarter was $2.79bn (£1.77bn), up 11% compared to $2.51bn a year earlier.

Google said revenue rose 35% to $12.21bn for the period after a $1.25bn boost following the acquisition of MMH.

Revenue at its core internet business rose 21%.

Shares in Google rose about 3% in after-hours trading following the results.

As well as generating money through advertising based on searches, Google also makes the popular Android mobile phone operating system.

During the period, the company also launched its Nexus 7 tablet computer.

The company's chief executive, Larry Page, said the Nexus had received "rave reviews".

However, he did not take part in a conference call with analysts following the earnings release because of illness.

Mr Page is suffering from an unspecified throat problem that meant he was also unable to speak at the firm's developers conference last month either.

Analysts were told Mr Page continues to run the company, but it had no news to share about his health.