Category: Apps
US ‘launches review of China-owned video app TikTok’
The US government has launched a national-security review of the China-owned video app TikTok, according to reports. The reports on Friday from Reuters, The New York Times and others said that the interagency Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS), which reviews acquisitions by foreign firms, has opened an inquiry into TikTok owner…
Church of England prayer apps on the up as attendance declines
A record number of Christians are using apps and social media to pray and reflect online, data from the Church of England indicates. The number of times its iOS apps were used reached 4.2 million in the last 12 months, up by 446,000 on the previous year. Figures for Android devices show an increase from…
Google Maps app adds more voice navigation for visually impaired
Google is adding more detailed voice navigation options to its Google Maps app in an effort to help those with visual impairments. The feature, which is only available in the US and Japan for the moment, is designed to give blind people greater confidence and reassurance when travelling around in unfamiliar areas alone. Those with…
Apple removes Hong Kong map app after Chinese criticism
Apple has removed a smartphone app from its online store which allows Hong Kong activists to report police movements following accusations from a Chinese newspaper that it was facilitating illegal behaviour. The tech giant became the latest company to come under pressure to take Beijing’s side against anti-government protesters when the Communist Party newspaper People’s…
Cradle app scans children’s photos to spot eye disorders
A smartphone app designed to look for early indicators of eye disorders in children has been able to spot the signs more than a year before actual diagnosis, according to the scientists who created it. The app, called Cradle, automatically scans through photos stored in the phone to spot leukocoria – an abnormal white reflection…
Waze to share traffic data with transport authorities
An example of traffic data gathered from Waze Mapping service Waze is to make data gathered from across the UK accessible to local authorities to help them plan transport upgrades in the future. The tech firm’s maps use crowd-sourced data from users to update on traffic conditions and other live…
Six Great Apps to Help You Find Local Events
LoyalFree founder Sophie Hainsworth picks her favourite apps for finding local events, including Skiddle and Eventbrite... With new technology, finding out what is going on in your local area has never been easier. This is great news if you don’t want to hear about a great local event after it happened, or you have moved…
Government trials new apps to help young people find work
New apps aimed at helping young people find work are to be trialled as part of a multimillion-pound employment initiative, the UK Government has said. Work and Pensions Secretary Therese Coffey said the move was part of a £4 million package. Ms Coffey said disadvantaged young people would receive extra support to find work under…
Plenty of Fish bans filtered face photos
One of the world’s most popular dating services is taking a stand against filtered face photos in a bid to drive authenticity on its platform. Plenty of Fish said it will vet and remove images that are too heavily filtered, after a survey suggested that 84% of singles want a more honest dating experience on…
Mental Health app could help young people who self-harm
A smartphone app designed to manage negative emotions and periods of anxiety could help to reduce self-harm in young people, according to research. BlueIce is a prescribed app – meaning access must be given through medical professionals – and is designed to be used alongside traditional face-to-face therapies. It was developed by clinical psychologist Professor…