Facebook continues to attack Apple, with the social-networking giant accusing Apple of unfair business practices. Photo: PxHere
The war of words between Facebook and Apple heated up further on Wednesday, with the Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg stating, “we increasingly see Apple as one of our biggest competitors.” And the rivalry between the might be headed to court, with the social-networking giant accusing Apple of using the App Store to disadvantage rivals.
Beeper is a new all-in-one chat app that merges 15 different platforms into one. That sounds pretty interesting already, but what makes Beeper really exciting is its promise to put iMessage on Android and Windows.
The app, from Pebble founder Eric Migicovsky and his team, is “using some trickery” to make the impossible possible. But you’ll have to cough up a monthly subscription fee if you want to take advantage of it.
Facebook is rolling out new message-forwarding limits in an effort to cut down on the spread of misinformation.
A similar version of the feature, which ensures messages can be forwarded to only five people or groups at a time, is already available inside WhatsApp — another Facebook service.
With Dr. Fone - WhatsApp Transfer, moving chat histories between iOS and Android devices is no longer a puzzle. Photo: Wondershare
This WhatsApp chat transfer post is presented by Dr.Fone.
When you get a new device and transfer your WhatsApp account to it, you might be surprised to find your past conversations don’t automatically make the trip from the old device. Thankfully, WhatsApp transfer, backup and restore are nice and simple with Wondershare’s Dr.Fone – WhatsApp Transfer, even when you’re going from an iPhone or iPad to an Android device (or vice versa).
The functionality is part of Shenzhen, China-based Wondershare’s popular Dr.Fone suite, which includes various apps covering everything from screen unlocking and system repair to data recovery and backup for iOS and Android devices.
Don't be fooled by fake news stories. Image: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac
WhatsApp has long been taking steps to fight the spread of fake news on its platform. The latest, a new feature being piloted in many markets, makes it easier to fact-check any news stories you receive.
Don't let your WhatsApp messages end up in the wrong hands. Image: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac
Worried your WhatsApp conversations might end up in the wrong hands? Give them an additional layer of security by enabling Face ID or Touch ID protection for the WhatsApp app.
Look out for the newest WhatsApp update. Photo: WhatsApp
WhatsApp has begun rolling out a big increase to its group call limit that will make it easier to keep in touch with colleagues and loved ones while stuck at home during the COVID-19 pandemic.
It’s now possible to have voice and video calls with up to eight people. The change comes just days after code hinting at a new limit was spotted in an early WhatsApp beta release.
WhatsApp currently allows just four people in a single group call. Photo: WhatsApp
Seeing friends and family in person just isn’t possible during a global pandemic, so WhatsApp could be making some changes to ensure that we can still have face-to-face contact (via a screen) without leaving our homes.
Changes in the app’s latest beta release suggest the limit for group audio and video calls will soon increase. It currently allows for just four participants at any one time, while others — like Facebook Messenger — can support up to 50.
It includes tighter restrictions on message forwarding. Photo: WhatsApp
WhatsApp on Tuesday outlined measures to keep its more than 2 billion users safe and secure during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The measures include tighter limits on message forwarding, and working with organizations and governments like the World Health Organization to help connect user with more accurate information.
“We believe that now more than ever people need to be able to connect privately,” WhatsApp said. “Our teams are hard at work to keep WhatsApp running reliably during this unprecedented global crisis.”
Zoom definitely isn't your only option for videoconferencing. Photo: Life on Air
Zoom might be the best video-conferencing app, but that’s a bit like saying Facebook is the best social network. It might be true 1, but that doesn’t mean you won’t feel dirty if you use it. Despite a seemingly never-ending stream of privacy violations, security holes and utter disregard for its customers, Zoom is still being used as the de facto standard video conferencing and broadcasting tool during the COVID-19 crisis.
We’ve already seen the problems with Zoom. And we’ve also shown you how to protect yourself if you choose to use Zoom despite the company’s many privacy missteps. (Zoom pledged to do better this week.) But what about other services you could rely on during the coronavirus shutdown? Read on. We have five great Zoom alternatives you can use.
The WhatsApp dream might one day come true. Photo: WhatsApp
WhatsApp might be the only messaging platform that you cannot use on multiple devices simultaneously — but that might finally change. A discovery in the latest WhatsApp beta suggests a true multi-platform experience is coming.
In a civilized society, there would be no such thing as a “read receipt” for messages or emails. You’d send your message, and that would be it. But read receipts are here, and if you’re one of the folks that doesn’t turn them off, then you’re going to love this WhatsApp tip.
You already know the meanings of the checkboxes that indicate successfully sent, delivered and read messages in WhatsApp. Today we’ll see how to check the exact time a recipient read your WhatsApp message.
iMessage could get even better later this year. Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac
Apple is reportedly testing a number of new iMessage features that could debut with iOS 14 later this year. They include the ability to retract messages after they’re sent, and to tag other people in group chats. We could also get the option to mark messages as unread.
It promises to be easier on the eyes. Photo: WhatsApp
WhatsApp’s much-anticipated dark mode is finally available to all iPhone users after months of beta testing. It looks great — particularly on OLED displays — and you can enjoy it today by downloading the latest WhatsApp update.
Coming soon to an iPhone near you? Photo: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac
WhatsApp’s newest beta release is out with password protection for your chat backups. The feature provides an additional layer of security — and added peace of mind — that ensures only you can access your conversation history.
WhatsApp’s brand-new dark mode will be exclusively available on devices running iOS 13 when it finally makes its debut. The feature is now being tested in early versions of the app ahead of its rollout to everyone.
It's in beta testing now! Photo: WhatsApp/Cult of Mac
Being blinded by WhatsApp’s bright white interface when replying to a late-night text will soon be a thing of the past. The messaging app’s long-awaited dark mode is finally on its way to iPhone.
Beta testers already have access to the new look, which means we should all be able to enjoy it soon.
Facebook is focused on owning messaging. Photo: Instagram
Chatting with your friends on Instagram is coming soon to a desktop computer near you.
Instagram revealed today that it is testing a new feature that allows users to access their Instagram DMs through the company’s website. For now, the feature is only being tested with a small percentage of users, but it might be available to everyone later this year.
Tim Cook & Apple stand behind its stance that iPhone encryption is "vital to protecting our country and our users' data."
Apple denied late Monday that it has not cooperated with U.S. federal authorities to help unlock a pair of iPhone’s believed to have belonged to a Saudi aviation student that killed three people at a Florida Navy base in December, saying it always works with law enforcement in their investigations and directly contradicting claims by the U.S. Attorney General that it had not given “substantive assistance.”
Apple is embroiled in another unlocking controversy. Photo: Leander Kahney/Cult of Mac
Apple could be headed for another collision course with U.S. federal law enforcement, similar to the spat it had with the FBI over creating backdoors into iOS.
Attorney General William Barr has asked Apple to provide access to two phones used by the gunman at the Pensacola Naval Air Station shooting last month. Barr said this morning that Apple has provided no “substantive assistance” so far and indicated that he’s ready for a fight regarding the issue.
Apple is one of the tech companies named in petition. Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac
Apple is among the parties named in a notice issued by the Delhi High Court, regarding evidence concerning a recent assault on a campus at India’s Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU).
Apple is being asked to hand over user data that may include messages, pictures, video, and more. In other words, this sounds like another potential privacy headache for Apple.
Coming soon to an iPhone near you? Photo: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac
WhatsApp today confirmed it will drop support for devices running iOS 8 early next year.
You’ll need to update to iOS 9 or later to continue using the app. WhatsApp warns that some features could stop working at any time after support ends in February.
The WhatsApp dream might one day come true. Photo: WhatsApp
Security researchers have discovered that a single text message can destroy your group chats inside WhatsApp.
The flaw, present on both Android and iOS, causes WhatsApp to crash and forces users to reinstall the app. Affected group chats must be deleted to prevent the “crash-loop” from happening again.
But there’s good news: WhatsApp has already fixed the issue, so all you need to do is update to the latest version of the app.
Facebook had a great decade. At least as far as downloads are concerned. Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac
Facebook owns the top 4 most downloaded apps of the last decade, analytics firm App Annie reports.
The app analytics platform runs down its list of the most downloaded and highest grossing apps of the past decade. This covers both iOS and Android. While Facebook may have had a tough time PR-wise recently, there’s no doubting its levels of downloads dominance.