Uploading and downloading Stories April 3, 2013
Google+ now supports full-size photo uploads from desktop
Élyse Betters - Apr. 3rd 2013 7:25 am PT
Google+ now allows users to upload and share full-size photos from their desktops.
Google+ introduced full-size backups for Android photos in December 2012, and now it has expanded support for that functionality. Google's Jon Emerson has the story:
To enable full-size desktop uploads, just visit your settings at www.google.com/settings/plus, and check "Upload my photos at full size." Afterwards, any files larger than 2048px will count towards your Google storage (up to 5GB free). Photo storage at 2048px or smaller remains free and unlimited.
Emerson clarified that the update doesn't allow users to replace previously uploaded images with a new full-size version. But, hey, now they can update their profile photo, create a new album to share, or back up pictures with better-detailed images up to 2048 pixels large.
Uploading and downloading Stories February 5, 2013
Amazon announces 'Coins' virtual currency for Appstore purchases on Kindle Fire
Jordan Kahn - Feb. 5th 2013 6:38 am PT
Amazon today announced that it will soon roll out a new virtual currency, known simply as "Coins," that Kindle Fire owners can use to purchase apps, in-app purchases, and other content from the Amazon Appstore. Amazon said the service will launch for users in the United States in May and noted developers will still take their usual 70-percent revenue for purchases made with Coins. For the launch of Coins, Amazon will give away "tens of millions of dollars' worth of Amazon Coins" to Kindle Fire users. This is definitely good news for developers who submit their apps by the April 25 deadline.
Amazon Coins is an easy way for Kindle Fire customers to spend money on developers' apps in the Amazon Appstore, offering app and game developers another substantial opportunity to drive traffic, downloads and increase monetization even further.. Amazon will give customers tens of millions of dollars' worth of Amazon Coins to use on developers' apps in the Amazon Appstore—apps and games must be submitted and approved by April 25 to be ready when Amazon Coins arrive in customers' accounts
Uploading and downloading Stories January 24, 2013
Temple Run 2 Android app now available on Google Play
Jordan Kahn - Jan. 24th 2013 5:58 am PT
After landing in the App Store for iOS users earlier this month and reaching over 20 million downloadsin just four days, the popular Temple Run 2 sequel from developers Imangi Studios has finally made its way to Android.
The app is now officially available to download from Google Play and, like the first game in the series, will be free to download with in-app purchases available to those who wish to enhance the free experience.
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Uploading and downloading Stories April 20, 2012
German court orders YouTube to filter uploaded content
Élyse Betters - Apr. 20th 2012 8:54 am PT
YouTube must implement filters to stop Germany-based users from uploading videos that contain content held by music-royalty collector GEMA.
GEMA represents over 60,000 German artists. The organization sued Google's video-sharing platform over 12 temporarily uploaded music videos that failed to pay a licensing fee for their content, but YouTube claimed it holds no legal responsibility. Hamburg's state court found YouTube not in violation of copyrights on Friday, but said the service bears responsibility for the uploaded content.
The Washington Post explained:
YouTube currently offers copyright holders software that allows them to identify recordings for which they hold copyright, enabling them to flag the content as infringing their rights. The Hamburg court ruled that once an alleged violation is flagged YouTube must now apply the software to the recording to prevent further copyright infringements. The court also told YouTube to install a new program that filters uploaded videos for possible copyright infringements according to key words — such as musicians' names and song titles — to catch versions of a song that only sound somewhat different, such as live recordings.
It is currently unknown if the ruling will be appealed.