Most of us have something about us that we’re not 100% in love with—an impulsive streak, perhaps, or a short temper. What if those personality traits could be modified with daily use of a smartphone app? That was the focus of a new study from an international research team led by the University of Zurich, published in Proceedings… Read more »
Posts Categorized: App Economy
Provinces aren’t using COVID Alert app properly or widely enough, says report
The federal government is urging the provinces to use its COVID Alert app properly and more widely after a new report said that only five per cent of those who have tested positive for the virus have been given the information required to register their results. An interim report from a federal advisory council said that while the app has… Read more »
Algorithm spots ‘Covid cough’ inaudible to humans
An algorithm developed in the US has correctly identified people with Covid-19 only by the sound of their coughs. In tests, it achieved a 98.5% success rate among people who had received an official positive coronavirus test result, rising to 100% in those who had no other symptoms. The researchers would need regulatory approval to… Read more »
Few provinces still resisting COVID Alert app as new features under consideration
Quebec has joined the COVID Alert app, leaving B.C. and Alberta as the only remaining provinces with no immediate plans to activate the digital tool. Both Nova Scotia and P.E.I. have committed to joining in the coming days. The federal government-administered smartphone app allows users to report a positive coronavirus test and alert others of… Read more »
Apple App Store faces coalition of unhappy developers
Several major developers have formed a coalition to fight Apple over its app store policies. The Coalition for App Fairness counts Spotify, Epic Games and Tinder owner Match Group among its founding members. It claims Apple “taxes consumers and crushes innovation”, criticising what it calls anti-competitive policies.Apple, which is embroiled in legal action with some… Read more »
Coronavirus: Apple iPhones can contact-trace without Covid app
Apple has begun letting its iPhones carry out contact-tracing without the need for users to download an official Covid-19 app. As an alternative, users are being invited to opt in to a scheme called Exposure Notifications Express (ENE). This keeps a 14-day log of other nearby smartphones detected via Bluetooth and serves an alert if… Read more »
Facebook says Apple ad-blocking settings could halve revenue
Facebook has said it could lose most of its revenue from ads on apps, because of changes to Apple’s operating system. In the upcoming iOS 14, apps have to explicitly ask users’ permission to collect and share data, meaning ads will no longer be able to just “follow” users to apps outside of Facebook. Users… Read more »
Fortnite: Epic files new injunction against Apple
Apple has removed Fortnite from its App Store, preventing players from installing one of the world’s most popular games on iPhones. It came after a Fortnite update that let players buy in-game currency at a lower rate if they bought direct from maker Epic Games – bypassing Apple. Epic appeared to know the ban would… Read more »
Coronavirus contact-tracing: World split between two types of app
Countries around the world are developing Covid-19 smartphone apps to limit the spread of coronavirus and relax lockdown restrictions. It’s hoped the information they gather can be used to alert people whether they pose a risk of spreading the contagion, and need to isolate. But, over recent weeks, a split has emerged between two different… Read more »
Coronavirus: What is contact tracing and how does it work?
Governments around the world are proposing contact tracing as a way of limiting the spread of coronavirus after lockdown. Nations are recruiting thousands of people to do the task manually, but smartphones apps that can automate the process will also have a role to play. Source: BBC Technology News Date: April 27th, 2020 Link to… Read more »
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