Topping tech headlines on Thursday, Facebook launched a beta testing program for its Android app, allowing users to opt in and test pre-release versions of the social network's application.
Anyone with an Android device can join the program by opting into the Facebook for Android Beta Testers Google group. Facebook will release "a small batch of fixes and new features every month," the company said; users should run the app as normal, but report any problems. This program was made possible via Google's new beta-testing and staged rollout program for Android.
In other mobile news, Verizon Wireless announced that its nationwide 4G LTE rollout is "substantially complete," serving more than 95 percent of the U.S. population. With most of this round of network building finished, Verizon is looking to the future, with plans to add more spectrum, LTE-only smartphones, and HD voice over the next two years.
Meanwhile, Apple's iOS 7 operating system may come with a hidden gem: head motion control. According to a report from 9to5Mac, the function turns simple right and left head movements into accurate, if not tedious, hands-free controllers. The nameless feature scrolls through all of the on-screen options, highlighting each section in anticipation of a head-jerk command.
Also making headlines Thursday:
- IE11 Embraces Competitors' Standards in Windows 8.1: Support for WebGL and SPDY make a belated appearance in Internet Explorer, while it leads in touch input.
- Swell Brings Pandora-Like News Radio to iOS: Swell learns as you listen in order to deliver a customized news radio experience.
- PayPal Galactic Gets a Jumpstart on Space Currency: Cash, credit, or PayPal Galactic? The payment firm has joined the growing space tourism industry.
- Sony Releases Fix for Bricked PS3 Consoles: Learn how to get your PS3 working again with the recently released 4.46 patch.
- Microsoft Joins Google, Asks to Reveal Secret FISA Data: Microsoft has joined Google in asking the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court (FISC) for permission to publish information about how many requests for data it receives from the secretive court.
- Google Removes Clouds From Maps, Earth Satellite Imagery: It might be overcast in your part of the globe, but the skies are all clear on Google Maps and Google Earth.
- Yahoo Cleans Up Yahoo News Homepage: Yahoo News unveiled a more personal, intuitive, and modern page — the next step in the company's series of makeovers aimed at designing a more consistent Yahoo.
- Aereo Expanding to Chicago in September: Aereo is taking a trip out west this fall, expanding its streaming TV service to Chicago.
- Fake BlackBerry Messaging App Tricks 100,000 Android Users: A fake, ad-laden app managed to get more than 100,000 downloads before Google stepped in.
- Microsoft Beefs Up Azure Cloud Platform at Build: The software giant announced the general availability of several services associated with its Windows Azure cloud computing platform.
- iTunes Radio Royalties Reportedly Higher Than Pandora's: Apple has reportedly been sharing details with independent record labels about royalty pay scales, many of which offer a better deal than rival Pandora.
- Foursquare, Facebook, Flipboard Apps Heading to Windows 8: There's good news on the app front for those with a Windows 8-powered device.
- Angry Birds Trilogy Flying Into Wii, Wii U Aug. 13: Good news, Wii and Wii U users: The Angry Birds Trilogy is flying into both Nintendo systems in August.
- Kickstarter Expanding to Canada This Summer: Calling all Canadian entrepreneurs: Kickstarter is moving to the Great White North this summer.
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