'Super Mario Run' heads the Top Grossing category in the App Store already

Mere hours after its unveiling, Nintendo's Super Mario Run blockbuster climbed up the ladder to reach the top spot in the Top Grossing category of the App Store. 

Needless to say, it also tops the Free section chart, as it is free to play until 20 seconds into the fourth level. After that, the game is $9.99, which is on the steep side for a mobile game, but with 20 years of fame behind its back, this Italian plumber has earned his mettle. 

Apple will also stands to benefit from Nintendo's push into mobile, as it collects 30% of the App Store revenue in exchange for exposure to a billion iOS devices worldwide. The other title with Nintendo in the mix, Pokemon Go, is still high in the Top Grossing ranks, too, and the company has plenty of titles left to bring to mobile still.

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Google updates Snapseed with many improvements on Android and iOS

Snapseed, the application developed by Google that should provide users with a complete and professional photo editor features, has just received the last update before the holidays.

According to Google, the new update includes many improvements for both the Android and iOS platforms. However, some of the change are only available on Android, while other may only be used on iOS devices.

But let's start with a new feature that's been implemented on both platforms. Snapseed users on either Android or iOS will now be able to center the text in the Text tool vertically and orizontally.

In addition, Google confirmed that it has updated the presets of the Face filter with more options for quick and easy enhancements.

Two new features have been included in Snapseed for Android, so they aren't available in the iOS version. The first one is called Perspective and it's a tool that brings back the old horizontal and vertical adjustment modes.

The Perspective tool was one of the most requested features that users have asked for, so Google has decided to bring it back in this update. It allows users to apply any kind of transformation and perspective adjustment.

Lastly, Snapseed for Android users will now be able to to choose the target for exporting a photo, so they can store it on an SD card or anywhere else. In order to enable this option simply head to the settings menu for exports.

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Nintendo releases Super Mario Run in the App Store

The time has finally come for Super Mario Run to make its debut in the App Store. Nintendo has just released the game on iOS devices and fans of the franchise can get it for free.

If you've been playing another Mario game in the past, Nintendo's new title will surprise you since the Japanese developer managed to tailor Super Mario Run so that it can be played with a single hand.

Super Mario Run is an arcade platformer in which players have to guide Mario through the courses while using a variety of jumps. Depending on the timing of your taps, Mario will behave differently, so it's up to you to have a smooth run while reaching the goal.

Speaking of which, your ultimate objective in Super Mario Run is it rescue Princess Peach from Bowser's clutches. The game comes with six worlds that consist of 24 new courses designed for mobile devices.

Super Mario Run features three gameplay modes, but all three require a persistent Internet connection. The story mode is called World Tour and will get you through all six worlds in order to save the princess.

Toad Rally is another Super Mario Run that allows players to compete against their friends and challenge people from across the globe. This is a challenge mode that plays different each time.

The third mode included in the game, Kingdom Builder enables players to gather coins and Toads and build their own kingdom. You can create unique kingdoms using decorations and buildings that you can acquire with the help of Toads gathered in the multiplayer mode (Toad Rally).

Although Super Mario Run is available for free, players who want unlimited access to all three game modes will have to pay $9.99.

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Bluboo Dual takes the stage with two camera sensors and elegant aluminum chassis

You can count on phone makers like Bluboo to out handsets that seem like a great value-for-money proposition, and the latest Bluboo Dual is no exception. Don't get confused by the title, the phone is not called that because it sports two SIM card slots (most phones from the region do), but rather because it has two camera sensors and two lenses, riding on the dual-camera trend.

Two sensors/lens combos collect more light than one, and allow for more credible and precise depth of field (bokeh, in Phil Schiller's parlance) effects for artsier portraits and closeups, if the software that stitches it all together is done right. The Bluboo Dual offers a 13 MP Sony sensor, supplemented by a secondary 2 MP shooter for more accurate depth of field representation. The set also allows to shoot first, and then refocus later for some unexpected vantage points. In addition, selfie maniacs will appreciate the 8 MP frontal snapper with the obligatory beatifying effects that can save you a trip to the make-up cabinet.

Granted, the main selling point of the phone are the dual camera abilities, but in terms of design and specs the handset is no slouch, either, especially at that price point. It is housed in a thin 8mm machined aluminum chassis that comes in Black, Gold, and the inevitable Rose Gold. As for assorted value-added extras, Bluboo has graced the phablet with a fast finger scanner situated handily in the middle of the rear panel right under your index finger, and the super-sensitive touchscreen can be operated with gloves on, or when wet.

Equipped with a 5.5" 1080p Sharp LCD display, the Bluboo Dual is still shorter than your average 5.5-incher at 150mm, and looks quite elegant. As for the horse power under the hood, the phone is run by a quad-core MediaTek chipset coupled with 2 GB of RAM, and offers 16 GB storage plus a microSD slot that supports memory cards up to 256 GB. A 3000 mAh juicer back it all up, and the phone supports USB OTG

When it comes to the software part, stock Android aficionados will be please to hear that Bluboo Dual comes with pure Android 6.0 Marshmallow, with only light feature tweaks here and there, like the ability to take screenshots by simply touching the display with three fingers. 

The stock interface would potentially speed up future Android version upgrades, and ensures a smoother, more stable overall performance. Saving the best for last, the phone is priced at $114.99 for the presale window that is going on right now, and will go for $119.99-$129.99 afterwards. Better hurry up if the description has piqued your interest, though, as the promo tag supply is limited, and seemingly runs until December 18th, when the Blueboo Dual introductory period ends.

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A new Android app from the Skype dev team has SMS texting integration built right in

Every time a reputable developer releases a “hidden” app in alpha version on Google Play, we just can't resist to take it for a spin. This time around it's actually a brand new app from the Skype team, developed from the ground up as a mobile-first experience.

The app is dubbed Skype Mingo on Google Play, but it installs as just Mingo on your phone, which might be an indication for some sort of branding change when the final product is released. We are also curious as to whether it will replace the old Skype app eventually or co-exist with it as a separate product. Either way, it's to early to tell so let's take a closer look at Mingo (derived from mingle?).

The app sports a familiar Skype-like icon but substitutes the “S” for an “M”. When launched, Mingo greets you with the familiar tabbed blue-and-white interface, but the changes are immediately obvious. First off, the “Recents” screen now displays not only your recent Skype, but also your texting conversations. Similarly, the “Recent calls” screen displays calls made both through Skype or Mingo, as well as your device's call history. The contacts list hasn't changed all that much, only when you tap on one of your contacts now – even if it is someone who you haven't added on Skype yet – you can text them immediately nonetheless, as Mingo supports standard texts (SMS).

That's right, Mingo can serve as a replacement to your default messaging app, as it allows you manage all your texts from within it. However, plain old SMS texting is kept separate from the Skype messaging service, and if you send a Skype message to someone who is unavailable, the text won't be automatically sent as a regular SMS. That said, it's still a nice all-in-one communications hub that could serve as a replacement for, say, Google Messenger or Textra.

Another cool thing that Mingo will allow soon is to receive messages sent from Skype for PC as SMS texts, as well as to reply to these. Dubbed SMS relay, this feature was introduced in the Windows 10 Skype preview app, but it only worked with Windows 10 Mobile devices. Microsoft teased that relay will be coming to Skype for Android as well, and it seems like Mingo will serve as a lab rat for this feature.

Skype Mingo is still in alpha, which means it could be unstable in certain situations, but we took it for a short spin and had no problems. So, if you like to try out new apps ahead of their final release, follow the link below and try out Mingo for yourself. 

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Uber launches self-driving cabs in San Francisco, California DMV claims it's illegal

Self-driving cars are quite hot topic lately. And as one of the top ride-hailing services out there, Uber also wants to ride the hype train of autonomous vehicles. Just yesterday the company announced and launched its first self-driving cab tests.

Uber said that users will be matched with a self-driving car if one is available, but ones that don't trust the tech, or the driver sitting behind the wheel, so he can take over if needed, can reject the self-driving car and request a regular one.

However, the California DMV doesn't seem to agree with Uber. It appears that the company failed to acquire a permit, which makes this campaign illegal, according to the state.

“It is illegal for the company to operate its self-driving vehicles on public roads until it receives an autonomous vehicle testing permit,” the DMV wrote in a letter to Uber yesterday. “Any action by Uber to continue the operation of vehicles equipped with autonomous technology on public streets in California must cease.”

Brian Soublet, the DMV's chief legal counsel, held a conference call with reporters after Uber's announcement of self-driving cabs. According to him, the DMV has warned Uber a month ago that it needs a permit for its operation, and did so again the day before the official launch of the self-driving Volvos. Uber did nothing to acquire such a permit, though.

And just like with any other legal controversy Uber's created, the company claims that it's in the right. According to Anthony Levandowski, vice president of self-driving technology at Uber, there is a “debate over whether or not” the company needs a permit. “We have looked at this issue carefully and we don't believe we do,” Levandowski continued.

We wouldn't call it a debate, considering the DMV has repeatedly told Uber it needs a permit. We think the correct term here would be “law”. Uber doesn't seem to be fazed by the DMV's warnings, though, as the self-driving Volvo SUVs are still on the streets.

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Amazon Prime Video goes global in 200+ countries at a price cheaper than Netflix

Following in the footsteps of Netflix, Amazon is also opening its Prime video subscription service globally. Amazon Prime Video is now available in 200+ countries to sign up for, at an introductory price that will make many salivate. Needless to say, the folks in Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, India, Italy and Spain who already have Prime services subscription won't have to pay anything. For the rest of the globe the fee is just 2.99 USD or EUR for the first six months, and 5.99 USD or EUR afterwards, with a week of free trial offered.

For those unfamiliar, Amazon Prime Video is a streaming service that lets you watch movies, docs and TV shows for one simple monthly subscription, with original programming just like HBO or Netflix, though most its shows have yet to reach the sheer quantity and ratings of those two. It's getting their, though, with shows like The Grand Tour from Jeremy Clarkson, The Man in the High Castle, Transparent, and many more. You can watch on your computer, on your phone or tablet with the respective app, and on TVs. The content can also be downloaded and stored to watch offline. Here's a breakdown of original content from the three major video streamers, with its ratings.

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Use these apps to stream movies from your PC to your iPhone, iPad, or Android device

Being able to stream movies and TV shows directly to your phone or tablet is an amazing luxury in our 21st-century lives. Washing the dishes and doing the laundry are much less boring chores when you have this small screen that you can take with you in any room of the house and play an entertaining piece of media on.

And sure, there are a lot of services that allow you to stream shows directly from the Internet — Netflix being probably the most popular. But what about that library of movies and shows that you have on your PC's hard drive? You sure would love to be able to watch these on your mobile device without having to actually copy them over, since it both takes time and eats up precious storage, right?

Well, thankfully, streaming media from your PC to your phone is rather easy, so long as you use the right apps. Check out our top 5 apps for streaming movies to your iOS or Android device below!

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Apple and Google reject an app designed as a workaround for female nudity filters on social media

There's an app for everything these days. Apparently, there's also one that's supposed to make your nudes compliant with social media policies, so you can post your explicit photos without the fear of an account suspension.

At least, that's the idea of Nood, an app designed by the model Melina DiMarco and targeted exclusively towards women. The app lets women place cartoon representations of their breasts and private parts on top of their real counterparts, so nude photos comply with social media policies and users can post them freely around the web.

According to DiMarco, other forms of censorship, such as black bars and crosses, encourage the sexualisation of the female body. “I get very frustrated when I see Xs and bars and cutesy stickers on the female body. To me that promotes the over sexualisation of the female form,” she said for BBC. We're not entirely sure how cartoon breasts and vaginas will stop this sexualisation of nudes, though.

Apple and Google both disagree with the idea of such software. According to Apple, the app “includes content that many users would find objectionable and offensive”, and Google said “we don't allow apps that contain or promote sexually explicit content”.

Both the App Store and Google Play rejected the software. If we have to be honest, we could've seen that happen even before the app was submitted. It's quite obvious that neither app store would allow a piece of software that has the sole purpose of letting you bypass social media rules and post nudes left, right and center.

The release of such an app is more of a statement, than anything else, however. As DiMarco puts it, “I don't quite understand why my male counterpart can post freely on social media but I cannot. Nipples are nipples, there's no difference. Female nipples, male nipples, they're all the same”. The model failed to comment on the feature that lets you post a cartoon version of your private parts, though.

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Tinder on Apple TV: “Fun for the whole family”

We promise, this is not an April fools joke five months in advance. Tinder is actually available on Apple TV now. And the press release that announced it is quite surprising if not bizarre.

The new TV spin-off of the dating app comes with very basic functionality – you can view profiles and swipe. But if you'd like to edit your own profile or message a match, you'd still have to reach for your phone.

What strikes us as odd would be the marketing strategy Tinder has chosen for its TV app, though. According to the company, “it's the biggest thing to hit family night since Yahtzee”. It appears that the marketing campaign is completely focused on swiping with your grandma sitting next to you on the couch.

If we have to quote the masterminds behind the dating app themselves, “why swipe alone when you can let Aunt Donna have a say? She's known you since you were two; she's watched you grow. If she says you should Swipe Right on that nice girl in the penguin costume, you Swipe Right on that nice girl in the penguin costume”. We believe that was weird enough without the penguin costume, but who are we to judge?

You can see all of the ads of this new, and truly unexpected, campaign in the gallery below.

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Microsoft's Arrow Launcher picks up a small update that adds Bing wallpapers

The completely free Android launcher coming from Microsoft, Arrow recently received a new update that adds a couple of new features. If you've been a long-time Arrow Launcher users, then you should be looking for version 2.8 now.

Google Play store does not seem to show the updated version, but it's probably on the way. Anyhow, let's take a look at the very short changelog that details the new features and improvements in the latest update.

The most important change is the addition of Bing wallpapers, which for some reason weren't available in the Microsoft app. Also, for those who haven't yet tried the Android launcher, the developers made the “apps mode” explanation much clearer and easier to understand.

Last but not least, a bunch of bugs have been squashed and some crashes reported by users have been addressed and hopefully won't affect the launcher anymore.

As mentioned earlier, Arrow Launcher 2.8 is available for download for free, so one more reason to give it a spin if you haven't done that already. 

Keep in mind though that the Android launcher will only work on devices running Android 4.0.3 and newer, so make sure you meet the software requirements before getting it.

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Linia is the free iOS app of the week

The latest free iOS app of the week is Linia. The app will normally run you $3.99, but for this week only you won't have to open your wallet to download and install the puzzle game. With more than 80 levels, the game asks you trace a line that connects shapes in various colors. The colors try to hide from you by changing shapes. Once you stop your Linia session, the game is saved to the cloud.

If you complete all levels, a special surprise is supposed to take place. The developer says that the game takes place in a relaxing atmosphere, so this is not a frantic puzzler for adrenaline junkies. And Linia is also available in the Google Play Store for Android users. However, Android users will have to shell out 99 cents for the game.

If you want to play a fun, relaxing and addictive game, download and install Linia now. Simply click on the appropriate link found on the sourcelink. You can get an idea how to play the puzzle game by clicking on the video found at the top of the story.

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Netflix VR app for Daydream launched in the Google Play store

So, if you can't have enough of Netflix shows, the company has just released another mobile application aimed at Android users who own the Daydream VR. Why another Netflix app if there's already one available in the Google Play store?

We don't know the answer, but Netflix has decided not to build its VR app around the Netflix app, so you'll now have two apps that do different things, but could be joined together.

The new Netflix VR app allows subscribers to its movie streaming service who own Google's Daydream View headset to watch 36-degree video content.

Unfortunately, the Daydream View is the only VR headset supported by the Netflix VR app for the moment. Hopefully, Samsung Gear VR and other headsets will receive support in the future. You can use the VR app to watch any content available on Netflix.

Reading through the reviews posted on Google Play store, it appears that the application has some issues as many Pixel users have reported that their phones overheat after 20-30 minutes of use.

Other than that, the apps should be plain and simple to use, unlike Hulu and HBO apps that have a bit more options to take advantage of. If you have a Netflix subscription and a Daydream View, it might be worth a try.

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Pokemon GO update expands Nearby feature to “most regions of the world,” adds Sightings

Niantic has just released a new update for their Pokemon GO smash hit, one that will probably make a lot of players very happy. Ever since the Nearby tracker has been added, the developers have had issues with tailoring the feature to suit players needs.

After Niantic removed the Nearby tracker and replaced it with Sightings, a new feature that allowed players to locate Pokemon, but only when in a certain range of nearby PokeStops.

Obviously, that change didn't bode well for those Pokemon GO players who did not live in close proximity to any PokeStops, so Niantic has decided to further work on this feature and make it available for everyone in some form.

Today, the Japanese company announced that the Nearby feature is now available for Trainers in “most regions of the world” where Pokemon GO is available. 

Another important change is that Sightings feature has been improved so that players who live in regions where there aren't enough PokeStops will be able to locate Pokemon.

The change is very useful to rural players who will now be able to see nearby Pokemon even when not in the proximity of a PokeStop.

To provide a better experience when searching for Pokémon in the real world, we have also made some changes to the way the Nearby Pokémon feature functions when there are only a few PokéStops in range.

The new changes have been implemented on both the Android and iOS platforms, so you can go ahead and update to the latest version via Google Play and App Store.

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The Facebook app on Android now allows you to upload videos in HD

Over the past few months, Facebook has been making a big push for video content. Whether it be through live streams or pre-recorded uploads, Facebook wants its users to start using the platform more for creating and sharing videos. This is all fine and dandy, but up until now, folks using the Facebook app on Android haven't been able to upload videos in high-definition. That really was shameful in late 2016, but thanks to a small update that Facebook appears to be rolling out, the lack of HD video support on Android is no more.

The fine folks over at Android Police recently shared a screenshot of the Facebook Android app showing a toggle that reads "Upload Videos in HD." This is something that's been missing from the Facebook app on Android for quite some time, so it's great to see that it's finally been made available. Facebook has supposedly rolled out this feature to most Android users by now, but if you still don't have this option popping up for you, it should be made available over the next couple days or so.

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Update to fix vibration notification bug in Pokemon Go's Nearby feature is on the way

An update is on the way to Pokemon Go to fix an annoying notifications bug found in the game's Nearbyfeature. Pokemon trainers are supposed to feel a vibration on their phone to notify them whenever one of the pocket monsters is nearby. But with the bug, incorrect vibrations are being sent out making trainers believe that they are in the presence of a Pokemon, when in reality there is no Pokemon nearby. As Pokemon Go developer Niantic said the other day, "We are aware of and actively working on a fix for a bug that causes incorrect vibration notifications related to the Nearby Pokémon feature."

After being removed from the game, Niantic now says that Nearby can now be found "in most regions of the world." In a separate issue apart from the buggy vibrations feature, not everyone is happy that the latest version of Nearby will find Pokemon only near PokeStops. Niantic has arranged things so that those that live far from a PokeStop can use the Sightings feature to see which Pokemon are close by. 

The next big update is supposed to take place on December 12th. 100 new Pokemon are being added to the game along with some of the legendary persuasion. Players will be allowed to trade Pokemon and the eagerly awaited Player vs. Player battles will commence. In addition, over 10,500 Sprint, Boost Mobile, and Sprint at RadioShack locations will become PokeStops on December 12th.

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My Disney Experience receives an update; this is the app that should accompany you to the parks

A Disney World vacation can be hectic to say the least. If you're not ready to have a little bit of organization, the whole vacation could go south in a heartbeat. And no matter how many times your kids get to hug Mickey Mouse or hear Idina Menzel sing "Let It Go," having to search the park for a missing child can put a damper on the trip.

To avoid all of this, you might want to install My Disney Experience on your handset. The beauty of it is that it offers many different features in one app. Dynamic Wait Times give you an idea of how long you will need to wait to see Carousel of Progress or experience Splash Mountain. The GPS based map gives you dining options and offers step-by-step directions to certain attractions. You can even purchase theme park tickets or make dining reservations using the app.

A new update to the app makes it more streamlined as maps and menus have been revised. Maps, for example, now have a white bar on top which eliminates the old style hamburger menu that was unwieldy. Swipe to the left or right to see your options at the top of the screen.

If you want your Disney vacation to go as smoothly as possible, it is imperative that this app be installed on the handset of each of your family members and friends making this journey with you. To install the app, click on the appropriate link in the sourcelink.

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YouTube Kids update: Parents can now block videos and channels

With the release of YouTube Kids, Google gave parents a valuable tool in protecting their children from profanity and inappropriate content on YouTube. After all, no one wants their child to watch The Ellen Show, unless they like explaining awkward jokes and inappropriate subjects to their young ones.

Overall, the app was well received, but there was a feature lacking, which a lot of parents requested – blocking individual videos and channels. Yes, the content on YouTube Kids was well picked, so no bad videos slip through the cracks, but that's not what the blocking is for. If your kid plays Elsa's “Let It Go” on repeat for an hour each day, during its screen time, you're bound to get sick of it at some point. And as the grown-up you are, you'd like to smite this song and send it to the furthest edge of the Universe, when you do get tired of letting it go, because it would be easier than explaining your 5-year-old why it shouldn't watch the video over and over again.

Also, every family is different and what would be deemed acceptable for one parent, could classify as not-so-good for another. In YouTube's example, this is illustrated with a video, titled “How to make a mess” (we dare to agree that's not something we'd like our kids to learn).

As of yesterday, though, this will no longer be an issue. Now parents can use their own Google account to restrict individual videos and channels from their child's YouTube Kids feed. If you'd like to give your children some freedom of what to watch, but there are specific videos you don't agree with, you can just add them to the blacklist and they will not be suggested for view during your young ones' screen time.

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Trump's victory pushes people to download encrypted chat app

In his campaign, Donald Trump stated that he'd like to increase government surveillance, in order to improve national security and protect the US from terrorism. This, however, didn't seem like a good idea for a lot of people. In recent years, there have been plenty of scandals around government surveillance of civilians and the population is generally on edge when it comes to someone tapping in their phone.

This is why a lot of users have taken preemptive measures. The LA Times reports that encrypted chat and calls app, Signal, has seen a massive spike in downloads after the election results became official. The app offers end-to-end encryption and doesn't store its users' conversations anywhere on the Internet.

“Many users have reported that their entire social circle switched to Signal in the past week,” said Moxie Marlinspike, founder of the company behind Signal. He didn't want to give exact numbers, but said that downloads have increased by 400% after the election.

Despite the fact that Trump's intentions are good, it appears that the general public questions his means. We still don't know if the Signal trend will catch on, but according to Marlinspike, a lot of the new downloads actually resulted in new everyday users.

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Twitter for iOS 10 introduces Rich Notifications

Twitter for iOS has adopted the Rich Notifications feature introduced by Apple in iOS 10. Rich Notifications allow users to view and play media content, including images, videos, and audio, straight from the notification card, as well as perform various in-app actions, such as replying to messages, without launching the application itself.

Twitter's notification cards for iOS 10 now contain a small thumbnail alongside the usual five lines of text, located in the bottom left corner, but expand when force touched, revealing any images or media inside in much larger size.

If you are running iOS 10 or higher, Twitter should already be sending its revamped notification cards your way. If you can't tell the difference at first glance, don't forget use force touch to reveal the media content inside, if you are using an iPhone 6s/Plus or the new iPhone 7 models. If you are on an iPhone 6 or another device with no support for 3D touch, just swipe to the left from the notification card and tap the "View" button.

Rich Notifications were initially used only by Apple's first-party apps, such as iMessage, Maps, and Mail, but an increasing number of iOS developers are implementing the feature into their products, pushing more interactive and content-rich notifications to their users.

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