Microsoft updates its Windows Phone web demo for WP8, hopes you’ll update your phone too

Microsoft updates its Windows Phone web demo for WP8

Microsoft remains convinced that you'll like Windows Phone if you only give it a try. Accordingly, it just recently updated its web-based demo to reflect all the changes in Windows Phone 8. If you let the web app access Facebook, you'll get a personalized sample of the OS on your desktop or mobile browser that includes resizable home tiles, Kid's Corner and other newer additions. No, it's not a full-fledged simulator, but it does give about as good a taste as you'll get without the real hardware in your hands. We also can't say that everyone will be sold on the concept -- still, it's worth a spin for anyone keeping their smartphone options open.

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Via: Windows Phone Blog

Source: Windows Phone

Spotify confirms web app in the works, currently in closed beta (updated)

Spotify confirms web app in the works, currently in closed beta updated

There have been rumblings that Spotify would unveil a browser-based client. Well, the company has just confirmed to us that such a service is not only in the works, but is currently in beta testing. The trial version is being rolled out slowly to users over the coming weeks and months, though it may be sometime before the general public is granted access. The statement we received didn't specify an official launch date, the company simply said it "will have more information in Q1 of next year." We weren't able to squeeze too many details out of the spokesperson but, according to a report from The Verge, there is a basic set of features that mirrors what you see in the desktop app. That means a what's new section, simple search and Spotify Radio, though no support for apps at the moment. Now you'll just have to cross your fingers that you'll be one of the lucky few granted testing privileges sooner, rather than later.

Update: As you can see, a lovely reader sent us in a screenshot of the web app and it seems to be designed with fingers in mind. There's big icons, sliding panes (three of 'em in total) and easily tapped buttons. You can see the full width shot -- including the large, mostly blank control pane -- in the gallery below.

Update 2: And thanks to one Thomas Kjemperud anyone can now gain access by using this link which activates the beta through your Facebook account. Enjoy!

[Thanks, anonymous]

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Spotify confirms web app in the works, currently in closed beta (updated) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 15 Nov 2012 17:15:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Stitcher keeps the news flowing for desktop users with new web-based app

Stitcher keeps the news flowing for desktop users with new webbased app

Stitcher is already a heavy hitter in the world of mobile apps, but users will now find their favorite radio shows and podcasts are accessible from the desktop. Today, the company announced an HTML5 version of its popular app that's optimized for all of the major browsers. Upon login, Stitcher users will discover their existing favorites for on-demand listening, playback controls at the bottom of the screen, along with Stitcher's discovery and sharing tools. While still in beta, the service is integrated between the desktop and mobile platforms, which lets users resume listening from wherever they left off, regardless of the device or platform. If you want to see more of what's in store, feel free to check the gallery below, or simply follow the source link to start listening for yourself.

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Stitcher keeps the news flowing for desktop users with new web-based app originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 31 Oct 2012 22:34:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Google Drive apps reach the Chrome Web Store and Chrome OS for quicker web work

Google Drive apps reach the Chrome Web Store and Chrome OS for quicker web work

It's a long overdue match, really -- if the Google Drive productivity suite is considered the centerpiece of Google's web app catalog, and the Chrome Web Store is the catalog, why weren't the two combined? Google has seen the light by turning Docs (text), Sheets (spreadsheets) and Slides (presentations) into neatly packaged web apps that can be installed through the Chrome browser. New Chromebook owners won't even have to go that far, as the trio will surface automatically in the Chrome OS app list over the next few weeks. The web app bundles might be simple, but they could be tremendous helps for anyone who wants to punch out a few quick edits while on the road.

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Google Drive apps reach the Chrome Web Store and Chrome OS for quicker web work originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 23 Oct 2012 16:44:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mozilla opens Firefox Marketplace for Aurora builds of Android, gives mobile a taste of web apps

Mozilla opens Firefox Marketplace for Aurora builds of Android, gives mobile first taste of full web appsMozilla's love of web apps is more than obvious; we just haven't had a real chance to try the Firefox Marketplace that represents a large part of the company's app strategy. The doors are at last open for a peek, although Mozilla has chosen the unusual path of giving mobile users the first crack: Android users willing to live on the bleeding edge of an Aurora build of Firefox can browse and run those web apps in Mozilla's store. Everyone else willing to venture into the Marketplace will have to wait until their own Firefox builds receive a matching update, including that rare group with access to Firefox OS. We're not quite in a rush to try a first wave of apps in an alpha-grade browser. Should you be the sort who thinks that even beta releases are too sluggish, however, your gateway to the Marketplace awaits at the source links.

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Mozilla opens Firefox Marketplace for Aurora builds of Android, gives mobile a taste of web apps originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 19 Oct 2012 01:36:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Jolicloud Open Platform arrives, lets developers put most any cloud service into one hub

Jolicloud Open Platform arrives, lets developers put any cloud service in one hub

Jolicloud has portrayed itself as a sort of one-stop shop for cloud services and web apps, where a single sign-in keeps us on top of everything. It's mostly been limited to big-league content as a result, but that's changing with the new Jolicloud Open Platform. Developers now just have to build JavaScript-based Node.js components that hook their own apps, media and storage into the same central Jolicloud repository we'd use to manage Instagram and Tumblr. More details and full documentation are forthcoming, although the "open" in Open Platform leads us to think there won't be many technical (or financial) barriers to entry.

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Jolicloud Open Platform arrives, lets developers put most any cloud service into one hub originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 18 Oct 2012 14:26:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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TweetDeck gets a makeover, new update brings themes and improved fonts

DNP TweetDeck gets a makeover, new update brings themes and improved fonts

If you're a social media junkie and TweetDeck is your pusherman, you may or may not be happy to know that the Twitter-owned application has received a cosmetic update -- one which inches the platform further away from the post-buyout product that power users once knew and loved. While subtle, the latest software bump brings enhanced, adjustable fonts and a brand new "lighter theme" that features dark text against a light background. The update is now available for Windows, Chrome and Mac web users. As for you app fans, Chrome and Windows requires a restart, while Mac users will need to visit the App Store. Those looking to keep it retro can always get their download on at OldApps.

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TweetDeck gets a makeover, new update brings themes and improved fonts originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 10 Oct 2012 15:01:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Firefox 16 final launches with Reader on Android, VoiceOver on Macs and web app support

Mozilla Marketplace in Firefox

Mozilla knows how to keep on the fast track. Just weeks after the Firefox 16 beta first showed, the finished version is ready and waiting. Surprises are few if you were an early adopter, although the update still has some welcome changes for the right audiences. Mozilla is most keen to talk about preliminary web app support for the Mozilla Marketplace, but you'll also find device-specific additions like a Reader Mode for the Android flock and VoiceOver support automatically switched on for Macs. More responsive JavaScript and on-by-default Opus audio playback give existing surfers extra reasons to upgrade. Firefox 16 is immediately available through all the usual channels, so hit the relevant source link if you're ready to live on the not-quite-bleeding edge.

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Firefox 16 final launches with Reader on Android, VoiceOver on Macs and web app support originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 09 Oct 2012 12:56:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Street View comes to Google Maps web app on iOS, just like they said it would

Street View comes to Google Maps web app on iOS, just like they said it would

While the hubbub surrounding Apple Maps on iOS 6 has been somewhat sedated, some people who made the move to Google Maps' web app had been further encouraged by word that it'd be getting Street View imagery soon. And what do you know, barely seven days into the estimated "in two weeks" and here it is. Search for a location (no long press yet), and you'll spy the familiar icon bottom right. This appears in both Chrome and Safari. While perhaps still not quite as slick as the good old app of yore, a definite panacea for all those iOS toutin' virtual tourists.

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Street View comes to Google Maps web app on iOS, just like they said it would originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 04 Oct 2012 04:48:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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New York Times releases ‘experimental’ HTML5 iPad app, puts Twitter trends front and center

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The New York Times isn't beyond a little "experimentation" -- not when it comes to iPad apps, at least. The old gray lady today is showing off its "experimental" iPad web app, an HTML5-powered reading experience available to digital subscribers with its Web + Tablet and All Digital Access packages. The app's got four ways to consume all the news that's fit to digitize, including the Trending format, which offers up the past hour's top 25 trending stories on Twitter and the more traditional Today's Paper, which recalls those days when people used to get their news from dead trees. More info can be found in the press release after the break, and if you're on an iPad, you can access the site via the source link below.

Continue reading New York Times releases 'experimental' HTML5 iPad app, puts Twitter trends front and center

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New York Times releases 'experimental' HTML5 iPad app, puts Twitter trends front and center originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 02 Oct 2012 11:56:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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