What will it take to get every app on every platform? That's the question we're asking on Talk Mobile today. When it comes to messaging solutions, there's definitely some fragmentation present. Odds are you have friends that don't have iPhones, but Androids or BlackBerries instead. Since iMessage is exclusive to iOS and OS X, you'll have to find another option to communicate with friends and family on other platforms. While texting is always a viable option domestically, international messaging is still an issue for many.
Here are the messaging apps we think you should check out if you need a better way to communicate with all the Android, BlackBerry, and Windows Phone users out there.
The Los Angeles Unified School District has agreed to a $30 million deal with Apple to put iPads into the hands of every student at 47 schools over the next two years. It's the first phase of a larger rollout for the school district, according to Apple.
Phil Nickinson of Android Central, Kevin Michaluk of CrackBerry, Rene Ritchie of iMore, Daniel Rubino of Windows Phone Central, and Marcus Adolfsson of Mobile Nations provide live color and commentary on today's Talk Mobile topic -- What will it take to get every app on every platform?
There are three ways to choose what smartphone experience you're going to have: by carrier, by device, and by apps. Choosing by carrier places the quality of your voice and data service first, whereas making a decision based on the device means you're after a specific platform experience and hardware features. But choosing by apps is trickier.
The current array of mobile ecosystems is simultaneously fragmented and unified across the many platforms. Some major apps are available on all or most platforms, as are apps from smaller developers. Other apps are exclusive to a platform by virtue of features unique to the operating system or the resource constraints of the developer. But if you need that one app to do what you need to do, then the carrier or the device don't matter so much.
But what if all apps could be available on all platforms? Is cross-platform development something that developers should be concerned about, and what are the pitfalls that can be faced in doing so? Is it better to build an app specifically for each platform, or should the app be built with a cross-platform web-based framework?
Users and developers alike can agree that having an app available regardless of platform is a great ideal. But at what cost?
The Apple TV has been updated with access to five new content services, including premium cable broadcaster HBO, sports content from ESPN, Britain's Sky News service, concert film and music documentary service Qello and anime service Crunchyroll.
David Gelphman, former graphics and imaging engineer at Apple, talks to Guy and Rene about working on Postscript at Adobe, his time at General Magic, and how to avoid inverting bug fix prognostication equations. (Part 1 of 2)
GOG.com has announced the free release of Runic Games' dungeon crawler Torchlight, but you have to act fast, because the deal only lasts for 48 hours, and they announced it yesterday.
The Amzer Skin Case is made out of 100% premium silicone and is a great, lightweight option for protecting your iPhone 5. The durable silicone absorbs any shock your device may receive from accidental drops or bumps, keeping it just like new. The smooth silicone gives you a sure and lasting grip on your iPhone 5 and prevents slides on flat surfaces.
The Vauxhall Adam -- or OPEL, if you're in mainland Europe -- hasn't been on the market for long, but from today each Adam that drives out of the showroom will have Siri connectivity. But, current owners aren't left out, as they can take their car back to Vauxhall for a free update to their Intellilink to give them Siri in their car as well.
