TuneIn Radio for Android gets Ducking/Pausing playback & Sign In/Sign Up design.

TuneIn just got better today with an update that raises the version number to 14.1. With other 100,000 online radio for your listening pleasure it's a lot that your ear can listen to. In today's update, TuneIn added the following new features:

• Ducking/Pausing playback when using other apps.
• A fix that makes the song name in playlists readable.
• new design for Sign In/Sign Up.

Download TuneIn in Google Play Store

Microsoft Translator now supports Android 6 & gets transliteration for Chinese Simplified.

The Microsoft Translator app for Android now supports over 50 languages and is the first app of its kind to have added support for Android Wear, letting owners of Google's watch to get translation in 50 languages on their wrist.

Microsoft has today published an update that adds support for the latest Android 6.0 Marshmallow. Those few devices, mainly Nexus, that received the update will get a better experience with Microsoft Translator. As a side note, my Nexus 7 (2013) is still in the waiting line for the update.

In addition to Marshmallow support, Microsoft also added "transliteration support for Chinese (Simplified)". I went to check what "transliteration" is and according to my favorite search engine, it is the conversion of a text from one script to another. 

Last in the list are the usual minor bug fixes. Head over in Google Play Store to download Microsoft Translator version 1.0.2.

Microsoft updates Office Lens for Android to help you get rid of that pile of business cards.

I haven't seen a business card in ages and with Microsoft updating it's Office Lens app today to support scanning those same business cards not only reminded me that they are still out there, but that some humans are still contributing in bringing down trees so they can exchange business cards. But Microsoft wants that to change with its Office Lens app now capable of scanning that pile of business card in your Rolodex and have them in your pocket wherever you go, as the app adds them to OneNote or your address book. 

Microsoft also added the ability the open Word and PowerPoint from within Office Lens. The update is available for download in Google Play Store. The same features have been added to the iOS version of the app. Check it out in the App store if you own an iOS device. 

WeChat introduces group voice and video call, group notices and group ownership transfer.

There are so many ways to stay connected with family and friends these days that it has become a debate on which platform to use. It was not easy agree on a common platform that works for everyone, but we eventually made it and the family are all on the same messaging platform. Some platforms, like WeChat, are very popular and the app has garnered more users in Asian countries. I was using it when brother lived in Hong Kong, he himself was using it because all his customers were using it. He shifted to WhatsApp after he moved to Europe. 

In today's update, WeChat introduces voice and video group chats, allowing users to invite up to 9 members to join in. It also makes it easy to switch between video and voice should your connection have trouble handling the group video calls.

The update also brings along Group Notices which as its name implies let the group creator send out notices or alerts to members. WeChat is also introducing the ability for the group creator to transfer ownership to other members.

If you use WeChat, this is an update you really want to download from Google Play Store.

Instagram adds private post sharing as messages.

Depending on your geographic location, some of you may have received this update already. But for those who, like me, are in the same timezone, you may want to check the latest update to the popular Instagram which adds a nice feature to Instagram Direct. The latter lets you send photos privately to your friends and delete the photos a la Snapchat. Let's see what is new in Instagram version 7.9.2.

As I said above, the new feature that will pique your interest, is the ability to share posts from your timeline as messages, which makes it very convenient to say establish a discussion with your friends on particular topics. Instagram added an arrow under each post and a simple tap will pull up the messaging interface for you to add the recipients. In case some of you maybe wondering, this does not replace a regram. The latter lets you share a post for all to see on your timeline whereas sharing post as messages is private.

This update also include the following features:

• Send photos, videos and text messages back and forth to keep conversations going.
• Name group conversations so they're easy to find.

Head over to Google Play Sore to download the update.

Avast Mobile Security provides protection against Stagefright exploit that may be stored in files on your device.

Avast has updated its Mobile security software for Android providing protection against Stagefright exploit that may be stored in malicious files on your device. Remember this exploit was discovered back in July by a company called Zimperium. Google and most OEMs provided  a patch, but it was not completely patched as another company said that at least one exploit remained unpatched. So make sure you apply this update as a layer of protection until a patch is released.

This update also includes some fixes listed below:

• AppLocking fixed on newer versions of Android.
• Fixed webShield Sitecorrect feature.

Download/Update Avast Mobile Security & Antivirus in Google Play Store.

Microsoft brings Skype to Android Wear.

If you own an Android Wear watch and use Skype on your phone, check out Microsoft's latest update for Skype. The Redmond-based software giant has indeed added support for Android Wear in its latest iteration of Skype for Android which will let you perform some basic tasks on your wrist without having to fetch for your phone inn your pocket, assuming that's where you keep your phone.

The first item in the change log is the reception of message notifications and view the message on the watch. Of course, Microsoft lets you reply to messages by speaking to your wrist and if you're not comfortable with that, you can choose a pre-written response or simply respond with emojis.

The third item in the change log is about calls. Here again, Microsoft brings the basic with the ability to accept and reject calls, mute ongoing conversations and hang up on your Android Wear device.

The final item is about Skype Mojis to send "short clips fro your favorite movies and TV shows in a Skype chat. This new feature seems to be an update for the Skype Android app itself.

This Skype update is available in Google Play Store.

Evernote updated with three new widgets: Actions Widgets, Action Bar and List widget.

Evernote is a great productivity tool and it just got better on Android, offering new ways to create notes on the home screen using 3 three new widgets. The previous widget was a separate app, while this update, which raises the version to 7.2, integrates the widgets.

Below are the three new widgets that come with the new Evernote:

• Actions widget (1×1) – Need quick access to a note, the camera, or search? Pull your favorite feature out of the app into a single, dedicated icon to just start doing whatever it is you need to do.
• Action bar (4×1) – Select from 11 different actions to create your personal best-of-Evernote functions.
• List widget (4×2) – Shortcuts to key actions of your choosing as well as a list of notes. The source of the notes is up to you. Designate a specific notebook, use recent notes to hop into what you were just editing, or populate it with your reminders to stay on top of to-do’s.

Head over to Google Play Store to update Evernote.

Google's Clock gets support for Android wear and more.

Who doesn't use its phone as an alarm clock nowadays? Every mobile platform have a clock of their own which offer the basics. Then you have clocks from third party developers with unique features of their own. I use Timely Alarm Clock, a beautiful alarm clock for Android developed by Bitspin. The company was then acquired by Google. I was expecting the app to become the default alarm clock on Android or the design ported to Google's default alarm clock, but that never happened and the app got its last update in February. But I digress.

Google has today updated its clock app with some features that still won't make it your alarm of choice, but they're still of some interest, especially if you own a android Wear watch. Check out the change log below before heading over to Google Play Store to download the update:

• Gradually increasing volume for alarms and timers.
• Choose your favorite timer ringtone.
• Preemptively dismiss alarms within the Clock app.
• Control timers from a notification.
• Easier alarm and timer management on Android Wear.
• Interactive alarm notifications on Android Wear.

Gmail for Android lets you easily unsubscribe from email lists; blocking specific email addresses coming soon.

Google has made it easier for Gmail users to unsubscribe from email lists in a few taps. This feature was already available in the web version of Gmail and today Google is porting it to Gmail for Android. Gmail users will be able to unsubscribe to "eligible bulk mailing lists" in the settings of the email. 

In a blog post on the official Gmail blog, Google also announced a new email blocking feature which will roll out to Android in the coming weeks. This feature has for now been made available for Gmail on the web and will let Gmail users block specific emails. Of course, this can be reversed in Gmail settings. 

Check out the full blog post on Gmail official blog and download the update on Google Play Store.