a couple of laughzillas on a blue diamond background

Facebook now lets you call a business right from its News Feed ad

May13
by on May 13, 2015 at 9:03 pm
Posted In: Around the Web, Insider

Facebook
Facebook is making available some nifty features aimed at local campaigns for small businesses. Today it added two new kinds of buttons for ads. A Call Now buttons lets people immediately call a business if they see something interesting, while a Get Directions button will automatically load up a mapping application with the relevant location. Also notable: you can now make an ad right from your Page. You just need to select a call to action (Like This Page, Call Now or Get Directions), set the area you want to reach, and pick a budget. You’ll see the new ad…

This story continues at The Next Web

└ Tags: ,
a couple of laughzillas on a blue diamond background

9 notable young companies from the 500 Startups demo extravaganza

May13
by on May 13, 2015 at 8:15 pm
Posted In: Around the Web, Entrepreneur, Insider

500feat
Pulsating with high-energy startup fever, the 10th 500 Startups Day in Mountain View yesterday afternoon offered the best of what 33 young companies in Batch 12 had on offer to enhance the way we live and work. While Demo Day is a private viewing for investors of 500 Startups’ newest accelerator startups, TNW got a peek at what the innovators of Silicon Valley and beyond have on their minds. Most companies were software-based with a service concentration, many had a large growth potential, while several catered to the emerging arts community. Here are nine of our favorites. Alfred You can buy a home,…

This story continues at The Next Web

└ Tags: 
a couple of laughzillas on a blue diamond background

iOS developers can now try App Analytics without requesting access

May13
by on May 13, 2015 at 8:11 pm
Posted In: Around the Web, Insider

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA
iOS developers wanting to try out Apple’s App Analytics, based on TestFlight’s technology, will now be able to do so a bit more easily: Apple no longer forces them to request access before trying it out. 9to5Mac noticed Apple had started sending out emails today saying a request was no longer needed to try the service out. Although these requests were generally granted pretty quickly, removing that extra step for new developers is certainly welcome. Apple introduced the beta for the tool just two weeks ago, after promising it in WWDC of last year. It’s available via iTunes Connect, and…

This story continues at The Next Web

└ Tags: ,
a couple of laughzillas on a blue diamond background

Tapping on Gmail avatars in Android now shows conversations, contact info, photos and more

May13
by on May 13, 2015 at 7:43 pm
Posted In: Apps, Around the Web, Insider

gmail
Google is rolling out a few updates to Gmail for Android over the next few days that should make the app a bit more user friendly. Most notably, now when you tap on someone’s avatar, you’ll see a plethora of information styled in cards similar to Google now, including recent conversations, contact info, Google+ posts, photos, recent places and more. It’s basically all the information you’d find on someone’s Google+ profile, with the addition of Gmail conversations. On a smaller note, Google says it’s also improved the apps reliability with non-Gmail addresses, making the process for adding alternate accounts smoother.…

This story continues at The Next Web

└ Tags: 
a couple of laughzillas on a blue diamond background

Google Fit can finally track how many calories you’re burning, gets its own watchface

May13
by on May 13, 2015 at 7:03 pm
Posted In: Apps, Around the Web, Insider

Google Fit
Google might have released Google Fit almost a year ago, but it’s been missing one key metric compared to other health apps: calorie counts. That changed today with the most recent update to Google Fit. The app will now let you know how much energy you’re expending, as well as what distance you’ve traveled any given day. You’ll need to make sure your profile lists your gender, height and weight for the estimates. Additionally, the interface is being revamped to help you track your activity over time. Your timeline will show your activity levels and exercises through days, weeks or…

This story continues at The Next Web

└ Tags: