Apps Lists, News/Rumors

Twitter adds two-factor authentication to fight hackers

Together with a new updated Mac app with built-in Notification Center integration, released by Twitter, it also announced a system-wide two-factor authentication solution for heightened account security. Two-factor authentication uses your password and an additional method to verify your identity.

Such a login verification feature can be selected to require entry of a six-digit code, in addition to their standard password, to gain access to their Twitter accounts. To receive it, people have go to account settings and select “Require a verification code when I sign in.”

Then the user has to confirm his e-mail and verify the phone number. Thus, when signing into Twitter on a new device or new app, he’ll receive an SMS with a six-digit code. After using it to enter the system new device can be fully used to communicate. Users will receive a six-digit code each time they sign in to Twitter.

“With login verification enabled, your existing applications will continue to work without disruption,” Twitter said. “If you need to sign in to your Twitter account on other devices or apps, visit your applications page to generate a temporary password to log in and authorize that application.”

With the two-factor authentication, most hacks are expected not to work as they wouldn’t have access to password for the account. The additional security measure complicates the login process, but Twitter believes it’ll be welcomed by most its users. The Associated Press’ account was cracked, when hackers sent out a message claiming the White House had been bombed.

 

 

News/Rumors

How to establish Facebook and Twitter posts with Siri

It’s rumored that the personal virtual assistant Siri would be capable of sending messages and reading them on Facebook and Twitter thanks iOS 6, being launched at WWDC. Until then, we provided a few tips&tricks for managing to send tweets and Facebook messages on iOS 5. Normally, Siri’s response would be “Sorry, I can’t help you with Twitter”.

  • Firstly, you need to set up Twitter text by texting “Start” at 40404. Afterwards complete with the username and password and add 40404 as “Twitter” in your address book. So follow, unfollow, @reply to friends quite easily. For further details you could check the support terms from Twitter.
  • As for Facebook, set up Facebook Text by writing “F” to 32665. The next step is clicking on a link and confirming the account in the mobile browser. Last but not least, add 32665 in the address book as Facebook.

You are free to social network round the clock. Activate Siri and say “Send a text to Twitter/Facebook…” including your status update and the current text will be posted.

 

News/Rumors

Twitter App updated for iPhone and Android smartphones

Twitter made public on Tuesday the news that the Twitter App for iOS and Android will be improved to suit best the new smartphone technology.

The improvements consist in adding new features and also in re-introducing the best features from older versions, but they will not be the same for both platforms.

Twitter App for Android will be enhanced to run on Ice Cream Sandwich versions and on Kindle Fire and Nook tablets.

The iPhone users should be more thankful because the iOS Twitter App will better improved, compared to the Android version. Besides the new design of the direct messages and new options added, such as the “Read Later Service” the company also brought to light older options, the most relevant being the possibility to change font size and to mark all messages as read with one single tap of the fingertip.

Both iPhone and Android versions got back the swipe shortcut that enables one to @reply, favorite, share, retweet and see other profiles without leaving he’s own. Twitter App also received a feature that can find one’s friends looking through e-mail or phone contacts.

All in all, even if you are an iPhone passionate or an Android fanatic, using Twitter will certainly be an improved experience.

Source: Mashable

News/Rumors

Pinterest as a social media for business

For each enterprise, social media represents a promotion environment. We already are familiar with how things work on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn or other social services and the principle is quite the same. Pinterest comes with a challenging and a more thorough concept, giving a bit of soul to this marketing strategy.

Pinterest gained a good deal of members faster than any other social service gained before. This type of social network is based on people’s interests, which are expressed by images pinned on one’s virtual board. When someone else shares the same interest then a certain picture is re-pinned on its board. Interest can be described by things that people are attracted to, such as places to see, hairstyles, fashion, technology or savory recipes.

Now, the main question, how this process can be practical and useful for business promotion? First of all, when the Pinterest account is created, one needs to add he’s company URL, connect with he’s Twitter and Facebook accounts and follow other users in he’s area of interests. Once this powerful sharing bond is developed feel free to pin your company’s interest on the board.

There is one major mistake to be avoided though. Take care not to put the brand on each picture. People like to share interests expressed by images and not brands. As a hint, a company could add marketing infographics, a photo with the HQ building or with a product, but without marking it with the name of a brand.

Pinterest’s aim is not to advertise but to promote. It’s up to the company to find an original way of presenting its domain through images. Either way, you must get the content re-pined.

As Twitter and Facebook, Pinterest also has a mobile app for iOS, so you can check feeds and updates even when you are not at the office.

Source: Boston Business Journal

Apps Guides, iOS, iPhone, iPhone 4S, Jailbreak, News/Rumors

Tweet by voice with Sireet Cydia Tweak for Siri

Along with the interest showed by Apple community regarding Siri, the jailbreak developers also worked hard to improve this experience and they succeeded to introduce Sireet, a new Cydia tweak which allows you to send tweets with voice by using Siri.

The application has been launched into Cydia and it is ready to download and install for your iPhone 4S. You just have to go through settings.application to check Twitter configuration, and then speak “Tweet, whatever you want to say.” Immediately, Sireet will handle most of the job by automatically creating a tweet from what you’ve just said. To understand better how to use Sireet, please watch this video:

Apple also promised to release an update for Siri which will include deeply Twitter integration, having the same functionality as Sireet but it is considered being lazier compared to the jailbreak version.

If you are interested in this tweak, you can find it in Cydia store through ModMyi repo for free. Have a nice experience using Siri!

Note: the tweak can be installed only on a jailbroken iPhone.