Official Instagram App Finally Comes to Windows Phone 8

Instagram is an online photo sharing social site has launched official app for Windows Phone 8 devices. The app is much awaited one for Windows Phones for long time, after the launch of Android and iOS apps. Instagram released as beta version and it comes with all the usual photo filters similar on Android versions. Windows Phone apps also getting popular, recently we have seen Vine app for Windows Phones launched.

Instagram app for Windows phone is designed with metro user interface and looking good. The app is missing one big feature that does not support video uploading. Also it does not support in-app photo taking, so you can’t capture photos within the app. You need to take photos with your camera and then upload the photos into the Instagram app.

Read Also: Lenovo Yoga 8 and Yoga 10 Android Tablets Launched in India for Rs.22999

Instagram for Windows Phone 8 Features:

• Customize your photos with different custom filter effects
• Share your photos to friends and follow others with one click
• 100% free custom designed filters: XPro-II, Earlybird, Rise, Amaro, Hudson, Lo-fi, Sutro, Toaster, Brannan, Inkwell, Walden, Hefe, Nashville, 1977, and others.
• Video recording with breathtaking cinematic stabilization 
• Linear and Radial Tilt-Shift blur effects for extra depth of field. 
• Instant sharing to Facebook, Twitter, Flickr, Tumblr and Foursquare
• Unlimited uploads 
• Interact with friends through giving & receiving likes and comments 
• Full front & back camera support 

Instagram app now lacks in-app photo taking and video uploading features, but Instagram is currently working and it will update the app with new features soon. The app is available for free and it supports Windows Phone 8 version only.

Download Instagram for Windows Phone 8

Download Official Vine App for Windows Phones Now Available

Vine is the popular social network based on videos has launched the official application for Windows Phones. Vine was acquired by Twitter and launched the feature of capture short looping videos in 6-seconds. And you can share the 6-seconds videos instantly on social networking sites. Already Android and iOS versions of this app available, so Windows Phone users were used another third party app named 6sec.

Vine for Windows Phone app is similar to Android and iOS versions. You can just tap and hold screen to capture new videos. There are different camera tools available to customize the video quality and you can use your front facing camera to take videos. Windows Phone version has some unique features that you can pin your favorite vine accounts and channels to your home screen, quick shortcut from default camera app and start screen shortcut to record videos faster.

Read Also: Gmail Includes Quick Action buttons for Dropbox, Docs, YouTube 

Vine for Window Phone Features: 

• Free, unlimited uploads 
• Instantly post videos on Vine, then share to Twitter and Facebook! 
• Find, follow, and interact with people close to you 
• Explore trending posts, featured hashtags and editor's picks 
• Pin favorite Vine accounts and channels to your home screen 
• Connect to Vine from within camera mode 
• Pin the Vine camera to your home screen and launch with one tap 

Instagram also implemented its own app similar to Vine later. Vine app is now officially available on Windows Store and you can download for free. The app works with Windows Phone 8 operating system. 

Download Vine for Windows Phone.

How to Get Custom URL for your Google Plus Profiles / Pages

Google rolled out custom URL (vanity URL) feature to Google Plus profiles and pages. Google Plus profiles have long numbers in URLs, which is hard to remember and sharing with others. Before this feature only available for famous people, Google employees and other special users. So all of the users were used third party services like GPlus.to to shorten their page URLs. Now anyone can get short and custom URL for your pages and profiles too.

How to Get Custom URL for your Google Plus Profile? 

Your profile must have a photo, minimum 10 followers and your account age is more than 30 days. These are the requirements for setting a custom URL for your Google+ profile.

1. Go to About tab of your profile and you will see the message “Your profile is preapproved for the custom URL: google.com/+PonmalarS” on top of the page. Alternatively you can get it from Links section. Click on “Get URL” button.

 
2. Tick the checkbox near “I agree to the terms of service” on the next window. If you don’t want the pre-assigned URL by Google, you can change your URL name by click on the link “Request a different one” [Google providing this based on your first and last name]

3. Click on Change URL and Confirm Choice buttons. Now I got phone verification code in my Phone and entered the code to verify this process. I think that happened because of using two-way security for my Google account.

After verifying process, I got my Google+ profile custom URL : google.com/+PonmalarS. I was tried to simplify my name, but I can’t get one. So hurry up and get your Custom URL before anyone claims it.

How to Get Custom URL for Google+ Pages? 

Your page should have linked with with your website or blog. So add your site link in your Google+ Page and add a badge to your site. Google is providing pre-assigned Custom URLs based on the site’s URL, so blogspot users may get the URL ending with “Blogspot”. And you cannot change this later. If you don’t want this URL, you have to wait for some time for more options.

Read: How to Create Google+ Pages

1. Go to your Google+ page and make sure you are using Google+ as your page.

2. You can see the message “Your page is preapproved for the custom URL: google.com/+Techstumps” on the top of the page.

3. Click on “Get URL” button and tick the checkbox near “I agree to the terms of service” on the next window.

4. Click on “Change URL” and “Confirm Choice” buttons. That’s it.

My site got the Custom URL: google.com/+Techstumps. If you don’t see the above message yet, don’t worry. Google is rolling out this feature for all users within this week.

More Google+ Tips:

1. How to Automatically Share Blogger Posts to Google Plus
2. How to Embed Google+ posts to your Website
3. How to Add Google+ Comment Box System to Blogger Blogs
4. How to Tag your Google+ Friends on Blogger posts
5. How to Create Google Plus Badge for your Blog?

How to Import Google Reader data to Digg Reader

Google Reader is officially stopped recently so we have to go for alternative readers to read our favorite stories on the web. Fortunately the other readers provide the support for import your Google Reader data to build your favorite list of sites and starred items. Google only allows downloading your data until July 15, so you have to export your data from Google Takeout. 

After the exporting your data, you can import the all old items into your alternative feed readers like Feedly, Digg Reader and more. Digg Reader is developed by Digg social news site and it is becoming one of the popular readers now. Here are the steps to import your Google Reader feeds into Digg Reader.

How to Upload Google Reader Data to Digg Reader?

1. First download your Google Reader Data from Google Takeout

2. Sign in to your Digg Reader Account. If you do not have one, you can simply create through your Facebook, Twitter or Google accounts.

3. Click on the top right icon to view the settings. In the Digg Reader section, click the “Upload” button.

4. Click on “Upload your data” button and then select your downloaded zip archive file of Google Reader data. Digg Reader also supports importing OPML XML files, which most readers services will export.

After the import process completes, you will see and access all of your old Google Reader subscriptions including your starred items from the saved section.

How to Enable Two Step Verification in Twitter?

Twitter finally launched two step verification system to use Twitter more securely. Two factor Authentication or Two Step Verification protects the users account by adding extra security and prevents from hacking accounts. Google, Microsoft and more popular web services are implemented this two way authentication system already because of low security in using passwords only.

Two-factor authentication enables your online account more secure and you have to enter additional security password when you are trying to login your account on any new device. Generally you have regular password for your account, and the second password will be generated and sent to your Mobile by SMS or call. Even if anybody hacks your password, they cannot login your account without the second password.

How to Enable Two-Step Verification in Twitter?

• Sign in to your Twitter Account and go to Account settings page. Otherwise you can directly go to your Twitter settings here. https://twitter.com/settings/account.

• Scroll down the page and you can see the option “Account Security” in left side. Tick the check box near “Require a verification code when I sign in” option.

• Click on “Add a Phone” option to add your country, phone number and service provider.

• You have to send an SMS from your mobile to the number provided on the screen.

• After your phone will be verified and now Twitter will send a text message that contains your two factor password.

• Finally save your settings.

After the activation of 2-Step verification system, Twitter will send you six digit security code to your phone number through an SMS, every time you login to your Twitter account with a new device.

Note:  There are 3 mobile operators only supported currently in India are Reliance, Airtel and Tata Docomo.

Viber Launched Desktop App with Video Calling for PC and Mac

Viber is the most popular VOIP client and messaging app like as Skype. Viber lets you make voice calls, video calls and send messages to other viber users. Viber is used by more than 200 million users across all the mobile systems such as Android, iOS, Blackberry, Symbian and more. After the success of Mobile platform, now they released the desktop version of Viber app to Windows and Mac computers.

Viber app lets you send free messages and make free calls to other Viber users, on any device and network, in any country. This app syncs your contacts, messages and call history with your mobile device, so you can easily continue conversations from your PC. Also you can make group conversations with your friends across all the devices. 

Viber Desktop App Features: 

• Best quality HD voice calls and video calls
• Send free text messages and photos also
• Make easy group conversations
• You can transfer ongoing calls between devices
• Sync your data between mobile and windows

Download Viber Desktop App 

Note: Viber app for PC requires your phone number to connect and use the application.

How to Add Google+ Comment Box System to Blogger Blogs?

Google introduced the Google+ comment box system on blogger blogs which enables Google+ users can comment on blogger posts with their Google+ user details. This is an important update because Google has been connecting more features of Google Plus with the Blogger service. You too have already noticed with these services on blogger such as Google+1 Button, Badge, Followers Widget, Mention Peoples feature and switch to Google+ profile.

Google+ commenting have more features than default blogger comment system and the main benefit is social media signals that boost your SEO of your site. And also wherever your posts to be linked or shared on Google+, those comments and replies will be displayed in your original article. This will be getting more comments from the Google+ and your post will get more traffic also.

Features of Google+ Comments

• All the conversations in one place – you can see following things when you looking your blog’s comments.
Comments from direct visitors,
Comments on the post that you’ve shared to Google+,
Shared content on Google+ that links to your post

• The readers have the option to comment publicly or privately to their particular circles.
• When you commenting on a blog, you will see the option to share the post on Google+ instantly.
• The blog author cannot see the comment if a comment is not shared with him.
• If the original comment is shared to Google+, replies to the comments on the blog will show up in Google+ and vice versa.
• If you are an author of a post, you can receive Google+ notifications when readers comment or share your post.

How to Add Google Plus Comments to your Blog?

First of all, you have to switch to Google+ profile instead of your blogger profile. For this go to your Blogger dashboard and select your blog. You will see the option “Google+” in left side menu bar and select it then click on “Get Started” button. Then your new Google+ profile will be displayed on screen and click on “Switch Now” button. Now your blogger profile upgraded to Google+ Profile.

After switching your Blogger profile to Google+, you have to turn on Google+ commenting system on blogger settings.

1. Go to your Blogger Dashboard=>Google+ (Left side menu)
2. Tick the checkbox near Use Google+ Comments on this blog.

That’s it. These are the steps to show Google+ comments on most blogs or the blogs which using default blogger templates.

How to Enable Google+ Comments on Custom Templates?

If the comment box not showing in your blog or your blog having custom template try these steps.

1. Go to Blogger Dashboard=>Template=>Edit Html
2. Search this line by pressing CTRL+F

<b:if cond='data:post.showThreadedComments'>

3. Before that code, paste the following code.

<div class='cmt_iframe_holder' expr:data-href='data:post.canonicalUrl' expr:data-viewtype='data:post.viewType'/>

4. If the code appears more than once, paste before in all places.
5. Save your Template.

That's all. You have successfully enabled the Google+ commenting in your blogspot blog. Please share your comments below about this commenting method.

How to Enable Threaded Comments to your Facebook Page

The leading social networking site Facebook has rolled out a new threaded comments feature for Facebook pages. Now Facebook page owners and the readers can reply to comments individually on their pages. This new feature automatically available for Facebook profiles having more than 10,000 followers. Also all Facebook pages will get this threaded comments feature within July 10, 2013.

No wait, yes you can enable threaded comments feature to your Facebook page right now with simple tricks. Here are the steps to activate threaded comments feature.

How to Enable Threaded Comments?

• Sign in to your Facebook account and select your page and click on it. Now your Facebook page admin panel will be opened.
• Click on “Edit Page” tab on the top right side and go to “Manage Permissions”

• In the bottom of the Settings window, Tick the check box near the “Replies” option.

 • Click on Save Changes button. That’s it.

You are successfully turned on the threaded comments feature to your Facebook page. Now you can reply to any comments as Facebook Page. Enjoy :-)

Download Blogger and Google+ Data with Google Takeout

Google Takeout is an online service that helps to download or export data of various services of Google. Takeout service is maintained by Data Liberation Front, and now they added two popular services Blogger and Google Plus. Some of the services already connected in Google Takeout are Buzz, Contacts, Drive, Picasa, Reader and YouTube.

 How you can download your Blogger Data? 

You can export each of your blogs as an Atom Xml file in one place. Go to Google Takeout page and click on Choose Services and select Blogger. You will see number of your blogs and its estimated size. You can download all blogs or you can configure what blog to be exported. Then click on Create Achieve to download your data.

How to Download your Google+ Data?

Also you can download or export all of your Google Plus profile data such as Profile information, Google+ Stream, Circles, Pages and +1 detail. Your Google+ posts will be downloaded as Html files and your Circle details are as json files.

Go to Google Takeout

How to Use Social Media for Your Online Business Growth

You can promote your online business through your blog. If you do not have a blog yet, you can consider the idea of starting it. Many users concentrate on blogs rather than reading a newsletter or an email. To start a blog, a person must be aware of few things that are to be concentrated upon while writing and designing it. Your blog must be user friendly. It should contain information in a clear way. Optimizing the site in a proper way increases traffic to the website. Try to use facts in your content, rather than giving a story kind of information. A short and sweet article will have more viewers.

Some tips to use social media for online business growth :

You can share your blog links in fan pages in any networking site. Posting on social media improves traffic and advertisement for your blog. Interaction with the customers becomes easier.

You can interact with people through messages in comment box. Provide the same for posting the opinions or views of visitors to improve the quality of service. It also helps you to get suggestions from customers. Social media connects with people world-wide. Promoting your business in social networking sites will definitely lead to growth..

Create an account on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, YouTube, Skype etc. to promote your online business. You can share your business ideas and interact with people. Once your business gains reputation, there will be a number of visitors to your site.

Utilize different networks in different ways to endorse your service. For example, YouTube is meant especially for uploading and sharing videos. Upload a video about your business which can attract users. In Facebook, you may provide pictures of the products along with the descriptions. Whereas, Skype helps you to interact with people worldwide through calling. There are other means to make calls, but by using Skype you can make calls free of cost.

You can promote your business by posting ads, either free or paid. A free advertisement has its own advantages compared to a paid one, as free ads save your money. Pay per click comes under paid advertisements. You need to pay the website owners who advertise your ads on their site, based on the number of clicks. In case you do not have the required finances for it, you can go for a payday loan .

Social media helps online businesses to generate traffic. It provides you a platform to build a powerful network. Here, you get a chance to learn innovative ideas which you can apply in your business. You can also improve the search engine ranking through it. You can even make your presence known in the online marketing scenario and make it an advertising platform for business, thus aiding business growth.

About the Author:

The guest post was contributed by Sophie, financial guest blogger from Manchester, UK. Find out more about her finance related blogs @financeport.