Apps

AquaApp is an app that lets you text underwater

Uses sonic waves instead of radio

Published

August 30, 2022

Luigi Leonardo

Image source: University of Washington

Bringing a smartphone to the beach is an undeniable hassle. On its own, a phone is prone to sand, water, and general wear-and-tear. Meanwhile, if you encase your device in a waterproof case, it’s almost impossible to use it while enjoying yourself. An experimental app can now solve one of these ways. Behold, AquaApp, the underwater messaging app.

Developed by grad students Tuochao Chen and Justin Chan at the University of Washington, AquaApp can help send messages while submerged in water.

Instead of using the touchscreen keyboard, the app uses a variety of diving signals to send messages between devices with the app. That said, users will still need a waterproof case to use the app.

Also, instead of using radio, the app uses different audio frequencies that every smartphone can listen to, even while underwater. By using this simplistic system, underwater users can avoid two problems with using a smartphone in water: finicky keyboards and a loss of signal.

Now, while users can use the tool at a public beach, it’s doubly effective for divers. With the loss of signal and visibility, communicating with other divers can become difficult. Regardless, communication, especially in dangerous situations, is key. The app is more effectively used in those conditions.

Even if the app is experimental, the researchers have released the code on GitHub, allowing other tech-savvy divers to refine the app to their tastes.

Apps

UAAP Season 86 is FREE on Smart LiveStream App

Available on the App Store and Google Play

Published

October 2, 2023

GadgetMatch

Want to keep up with the UAAP Season 86 games? You can do so with the Smart LiveStream App.

Much like what SMART did with FIBA World Cup 2023, the telecommunication company is giving its subscribers free access to watch UAAP Season 86 games through the Smart LiveStream App. The games are available both live and on-demand.

Smart subscribers can stream all the UAAP Season 86 games on the Smart LiveStream App using their smartphones or tablets while connected to Smart mobile Internet or their PLDT Home WiFi. Smart subscribers are able to stream for free — no subscription needed.

The app is available on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.

Stream on TV?

Yes, you can do so. The Smart LiveStream TV App is available on Google-certified Android TV Android 8.0 version. It’s downloadable from the Android TV Google Play Store and linking their Android TV to the app. To do this, subscribers simply need to open the Smart LiveStream Mobile App, go to Menu, click Link Device, and enable the camera to scan the QR code displayed on the Android TV.

Alternatively, Android TV users may go to www.smart.com.ph/livestream to sign into their account, then go to Menu, click Device Management to add their Android TV by entering the code displayed on the TV and activate their Smart LiveStream TV App.

Apps

Disney+ starts crackdown on password sharing

Starting in Canada

Published

September 29, 2023

Luigi Leonardo

Earlier this year, Netflix started implementing harsher restrictions against users sharing their passwords with others. Amid the controversial decision, Disney+ contemplated implementing the same restrictions on its own users. Now, the streaming platform’s move against password sharing is coming to light.

Today, Disney+ started emailing its subscribers in Canada (via MobileSyrup). The email states that, starting November 1, users are restricted from sharing their password to others outside of their household. Notably, the change does not explain how Disney plans to enforce the rule. However, it’s a definitive stance against the practice.

For its part, Netflix implemented a new pricing scheme for those who still want to share passwords with others. For a fee, users can onboard others outside of their household into their account. To enforce this, the platform restricts users if they detect log-ins outside of a specified household.

Disney has not announced if they will follow suit in this enforcement method. If anything, the changed policy reads that account termination is not off the table if any violations have been detected.

Besides the new policy, Disney is also experimenting with new pricing schemes across the board. For example, the platform is slowly introducing a cheaper tier which will be supported with ad breaks.

Apps

Apple launches a new workshop program for developers

Meet with Apple Experts

Published

September 29, 2023

Luigi Leonardo

Have you ever wanted to publish your own app on the App Store? If the intricacies of Apple’s ecosystem has been scaring you away, Apple has a new resource for budding developers. Today, the company has launched Meet with Apple Experts, a global resource platform for developers.

As the name implies, the program will allow developers to meet with fellow developers through more than fifty workshops and consultations. While it is not a strict step-by-step guide on how to build your own app, it can offer insight on how to work around the developments of iOS 17, iPadOS 17, watchOS 10, and visionOS. It will also teach developers to effectively market their app on the App Store.

Since the program is global, developers can pick out sessions and workshops tailored to their time zone and language. The list of available languages includes English, Spanish, Mandarin, Japanese, Korean, and Portuguese.

Besides workshops, the program will also offer software development kits, services, and APIs. Registered developers can access all these resources through Apple’s dedicated website for the program.

This isn’t Apple’s first time reaching out to developers and interested parties. Prior to today’s introduction, the company already offered similar programs like Ask Apple, Meet with App Store Experts, and Tech Talks. Most importantly, it holds a giant conference for software development every year called the WWDC.

SEE ALSO: iOS 17 is now available