THE NEWS WRAP: When Foursquare becomes two

Check-in app Foursquare is splitting into two separate apps.

 

One of the apps will retain the Foursquare name and will be aimed at discovering new venues, while the other, will be known as Swarm and will continue Foursquare’s more familiar task of checking into locations.

 

According to an announcement on Foursquare’s blog, Swarm will be available on iOS and Android in the coming weeks, and soon after on Windows Phone.

 

New Snapchat mixes video and texting

 

Mobile app Snapchat has added the ability to send text-only messages that disappear as well as the ability to video chat with other active app users.

 

In a statement on its blog the Snapchat team said they felt the app was missing an important part of conversation – presence.

 

“There’s nothing like knowing you have the full attention of your friend, while you’re chatting,’’ the statement said.

 

Amazon smartphone photo allegedly leaked

 

A photo claiming to be Amazon’s long awaited but as yet unannounced smartphone has appeared on tech news website Boy Genius Report.

 

The website says “multiple trusted sources” have verified the authenticity the photo of the phone, which features a smartphone with Amazon branding on the back.

 

Overnight

 

The Dow Jones Industrial Average is down 21.97 to 16,558.87. The Australian dollar is currently trading at US93 cents.

COMMENTS