You can now translate your WhatsApp messages into foreign languages directly inside Android apps

android marshmallow translateA new feature is available for those who use WhatsApp with Marshmallow, the latest Android OS, and it’s quite a useful one. With this new option you can use Google Translate to convert your messages into foreign languages, and it works inside Android apps but not only. In fact the feature is available also within other apps such as TripAdvisor and LinkedIn.

According to Google, the incredible number of 100 billion words a day are translated on Google Translate by more than 500 million people. So in January was released “Conversation Mode“, which allows iOS and Android users to have immediately available on their screen a written translation of what they are saying. And that’s not all. In fact using Word Lens you can have translated into 36 languages a text which you have photographed. Currently, this tool can translate English to and from German, Italian, French, Russian, Spanish and Portuguese.

Talking about the feature just released, in a blog post Barak Turovsky (Product Lead of Google Translate) explains the aim of this last update: “We face communication barriers every day. Switching back and forth between apps and screens to translate shouldn’t be another one. We’ve heard your feedback, and have worked with the Android team to make translating text, chats, and other app content a whole lot easier. Beginning this week, you’ll be able to translate in 90 languages right from within some of your favorite apps like TripAdvisor, WhatsApp and LinkedIn. This update works on any device running the newest version of Android’s operating system (Android 6.0, Marshmallow). To get started, you first need to have the Translate app downloaded on your Android phone. From there, just go to an app, like TripAdvisor or LinkedIn, and highlight and select the text you want to translate. This feature is already enabled in apps that use Android text selection behavior. Developers who created custom text selection behavior can also easily add the new feature.

But what changes with Android Marshmallow? The first thing to know is that it will replace Lollipop. Also, Marshmallow will support Google’s mobile wallet, which will make it easier for users to set permissions for apps.

How to Encrypt WhatsApp

Even though WhatsApp is one of the most popular messaging solutions around, it is far from the most secure. Recent news stories indicate that WhatsApp has become a popular target for all manner of cyber predators, including data thieves, hackers, blackmailers, and fraudsters.

Not surprisingly, a lot of users would like to know how to make WhatsApp more secure. In particular, they would like to know how to encrypt the messaging solution to keep unwanted visitors from getting access to their data.

Fortunately, WhatsApp Inc. and its parent Facebook Inc. (NASDAQ: FB) have responded to this problem by implementing end to end encryption with the help of a software called TextSecure in November 2014. End to end encryption means that all WhatsApp messages have at least some security protection.

How End to End Encryption Works

The new security measures mean that all WhatsApp messages are encrypted. Basically, the message is encrypted on your phone when you send it and decrypted by the recipient’s device.

The use of TextSecure actually makes WhatsApp more secure than Apple’s iMessage, Wired reported. Unfortunately, news reports indicate that end to end encryption for WhatsApp is not yet available on the iPhone; instead, it is currently only available on Android phones. The media did not say whether it is available for Windows phones either.

Messaging systems that utilize end to end encryption are harder to break because the data need to decrypt the messages is only found on users phones, The Guardian reported. That information is also stored on WhatsApp and Facebook’s servers, so it could presumably be stolen by hackers.

The good news is that end to end encryption is free for all WhatsApp users and is automatically turned on whenever you use WhatsApp over an Android device or the Google Chrome browser. That means average people do not need to take extra measures to utilize it.

Some Governments Hate WhatsApp

Even though it is free and impressive, the end to end encryption on WhatsApp is far from perfect. Since WhatsApp is utilized by several hundred million users worldwide, it is targeted by everybody from individual hackers to intelligence agencies. .

The encryption is controversial; there are even news reports from the United Kingdom that indicate Prime Minister David Cameron would like to ban all encrypted messaging apps. Law enforcement and spy agencies hate end to end encryption because it allows criminals and terrorists to send messages they cannot intercept.

Fortunately for British subjects, the laws of the European Union make it illegal for governments to ban encryption. Both the European Convention on human rights and the United States Constitution guarantee an individual’s right to privacy, which makes it illegal for the government to ban encryption.

One reason why Cameron wants to ban WhatsApp is the high level of encryption, which makes it very hard for British police to crack messages. The service has a high level of security because one of its founders, Jan Koum, grew up in the Soviet Union, where Communist secret police spied on everybody. When he set up a messaging system, Koum wanted to try to help maintain privacy.

WhatsApp Security Flaws

There are some real and potential security flaws to WhatsApp. A big one is that malware downloaded to your phone can get access to your encryption. Malware can get access to your messages and other data and send them to the bad guys.

Many hackers use phishing scams, which try to entice users to open Trojan messages that contain malware or malicious links. Popular variations of this tactic include messages that claim to offer you a job or ask you to claim your prize. Others might be from somebody that claims to be romantically interested in you.

There are also some that even claim to be from a friend. If a hacker cracks somebody else’s phone, he can get access to that person’s contacts and send all of them phishing messages. The messages will appear to come from a friend, coworker, relative, or loved one and might even mimic that person’s writing style.

WhatsApp Web, which allows people to access their messages via computers, may not be as secure as WhatsApp over the phones. The Telegraph reported that it is fairly easy for hackers to insert malicious code into WhatsApp Web if they can learn somebody’s phone number.

Some of the code included ransomware, which takes over your computer and forces you to pay money in order to access your own data. The ransomware was sent out via a vCard.

WhatsApp has offered an update to WhatsApp Web that can help block this malicious code. Users can get it by simply downloading and adopting the latest version of WhatsApp Web.

This means that it might be a good idea for WhatsApp Users not to access via desktop or laptop computers with WhatsApp Web. It might not be as secure as the regular service is.

Additional WhatsApp Encryption and Security

News stories indicate that there could be other security flaws to WhatsApp, so users may need to take some other precautions.

You can add an additional level of encryption to WhatsApp by adopting one of the many free message encryption apps available from Google Play. The best include TextSecure Private, VIPole Secure, Vault-Hide SMS, Seecrypt, LOXApp Lock, and Open Keychain. Some of these may also be available at the App Store and the Windows Store as well.

It would also be a good idea to add a smartphone security and antivirus app to your phone. There are many excellent free security apps for Android phones available at Google Play, including McAfee, Smartphone Security from DreamWeb, Trustgo Team, Antivirus, and Lookout Security, Avira, and Antivirus. The best are apparently CM Security Antivirus, Area Smartphone from Smart Ester World, and Kasperky Internet from Kasperky Lab.

Running two or more different security applications can provide an added layer of protection. You should download a security app and try to run it on a regular basis, usually once a week, because you never know when malware is on your phone. Something to remember is that malware is targeting your phone and your WhatsApp right now and will keep trying until it gets in. Hackers never give up and never should you.

WhatsApp for iPhone: the next update will introduce 3D Touch support

whatsapp 3d touchBig news are coming for those who use WhatsApp with iPhone 6s and iPhone 6sPlus smartphones: the latest beta will introduce support for 3D Touch. This is what we found out from a tweet of a German developer which is currently testing a new version of the popular instant messaging app. For the moment, the support for this new feature is rather limited: in fact it is active on the application icon on the main screen and allows you to quickly write a message, an instant access to the settings, and to “Star” a message.

Today we are not yet able to tell you if in the final version of the application you will be able to use the 3D Touch support even within your chats, or to Peek and Pop. We have just to wait and see what happens. But when this new version of WhatsApp for iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus will be released? It seems that the update that introduces the 3D Touch support should arrive only after the release of the stable version of iOS 9.1, and everything suggests that it should happen soon.

whatsapp for android new betaBut if WhatsApp for iPhone is going to change a lot with the 3D support, what’s changing in the Android platform? Just yesterday we talked about the new feature which finally officially integrates Google Drive into WhatsApp (at the moment available only for Android users), enabling the backup of conversations, photos and videos. Today we have news about a new Beta version 2.12.302.

What does it bring? Really not much, mainly some bug fixes and improvements. To install this new 2.12.302 Beta version you have to follow the standard procedure, that is: 1)  download the APK file from WhatsApp website (whatsapp.com/android); 2) you need to enable the “Unknown Sources” (going to Settings > Applications); 3) now you have to uninstall WhatsApp from your Android device; 4) at this point you can go where you have saved the 2.12.302 APK file and tap on it to launch the installation.

WhatsApp for Android: finally you can back up your contents on Google Drive

google drive reintrodotto backupAre you a WhatsApp user? Do you use it on an Android device? Well, today there are great news for you. The feature that we were all waiting for is finally arrived. Google Drive has been officially integrated into this popular instant messaging service, to enable the backup of conversations, photos and videos. The announcement was made directly by Google through its own blog, confirming WhatsApp users that the service has already been integrated into the app, but it may take several months before it is available on all smartphones. This is the full message released by Scott Johnston, Google’s Director of Product Management:

Whether it’s recounting a story, watching a video, or enjoying photos with family and friends, our memories help us reconnect with what’s really important. And every month, nearly a billion people use WhatsApp to do just that. Of course: you don’t want your memories stuck on your phone. (What if something happens?!) So starting today, WhatsApp for Android lets you create a private backup of your chat history, voice messages, photos, and videos in Google Drive. And once you do, you can restore everything on a new device with just a couple taps. The new backup feature is rolling out over the next few months, so keep an eye on your WhatsApp settings to see if it’s available. In the meantime, please visit our Help Center if you have questions about today’s update. And check out our developer site if you’d like to integrate your app with Google Drive.

So now we’ll finally be sure not to lose our chats or our most important files. Of course those who use WhatsApp with other devices (for example Windows Phone or BlackBerry 10) will be quite disappointed, but unfortunately this is a matter of numbers. In fact, according to a recent survey published by Global Web Index, it seems that 73% of WhatsApp users access the app through Android. But we are sure that WhatsApp developers are already working to provide this useful feature to all of WhatsApp users.

Best WhatsApp Moneymaking Ideas

Many of us spend a lot of our time on WhatsApp and have a great deal of fun with it. Not surprisingly, a lot of people will be wondering if they can turn this experience into a steady income or some quick cash.

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The good news is that there are some ways to make money from social media solutions such as WhatsApp. The bad news is that these methods can be limited because messaging applications are a relatively new technology.

Despite that, the evidence indicates that a creative individual with an open mind that is willing to work hard can make money from WhatsApp. It will take some time, and you probably will not get rich from WhatsApp, but you can utilize it to make a few extra bucks.

Some proven methods of making money with WhatsApp include:

  • Performing errands or doing micro jobs for others. Simply advertise your services with your phone number then ask respondents to text you a description of what they want done. WhatsApp can help with this process by enabling people to quickly contact you.

There are a number of micro job websites out there. You could mention that you are willing to perform certain tasks for others, such as cleaning, washing the car, or grocery shopping. There are some websites designed to facilitate this process, including TaskRabbit.

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The best way to make money from micro jobs is to capitalize on experience, resources, or skills you already have. If you’ve had experience cleaning or gardening, advertise that. If you have a car and you like to drive, mention that you’d be willing to pick up somebody’s laundry or take their mail to the post office.

You should also concentrate on tasks you like doing, such as gardening, cooking, or even shopping. Remember, there are others that hate those activities that might be willing to pay you to do that stuff.

Ideally, you should be able to get a list of clients that will contact you through WhatsApp whenever they need something done. Try talking to friends and neighbors because word of mouth is the best advertising.

  • Affiliate Marketing. Yes, many people find it obnoxious, but it is still a great way to generate extra cash. There are a number of services out there that will pay you to market products or services for them on WhatsApp. This is called Affiliate Marketing. You will have to do a lot of research to find a legitimate one because there are a lot of scams out there. A good rule of thumb is to never join an affiliate marketing program that asks you to pay. Legitimate marketers will pay you to promote their products. There are some websites, such as OfferVault, that can connect you with Affiliate Marketers.
  • Marketing. WhatsApp marketing is already big business in India, and it could soon come to America. If you have a marketing background, you can start a marketing company and market goods or services for others. Those that enjoy marketing could devise WhatsApp marketing strategies for local businesses by adapting guerrilla marketing tactics. Check out the many WhatsApp marketing organizations in India for ideas that can be implemented in other countries.

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  • Selling images, text, audios, and videos for WhatsApp and WhatsApp marketing. There are a number of companies in India, such as Webxion, that sell readymade and bulk text, audio, and video messages and images designed specifically for WhatsApp. You could create and market your own or purchase and resell some of the material from India. Since WhatsApp marketing is a growing field, there will be increased demand for such materials in the future.
  • Creating WhatsApp marketing materials. As WhatsApp use expands, more and more people will want marketing materials for it. If you can write or make videos or audios, you could sell them to businesses or marketers. Those with a graphics art or photography background could create images specifically for WhatsApp.
  • Pay Per Download, or PPD, Networks. This a form of affiliate marketing in which you get paid every time somebody downloads a product you recommend. Finding a legitimate PPD can be difficult, and the amount you make per download is usually small, so you will have to send out a lot of messages. Still, those that get good at it can make a steady stream of income. There are some lists of PPD networks out there to help you get started.
  • Link shortening services. These are services that pay you to shorten URLs or web addresses and put them out on social mediums such as WhatsApp. If one goes viral, you could collect some extra cash. It will usually take some time and experience to learn to make money at this, but it can be fun for those that enjoy marketing.

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  • Create apps that can work with WhatsApp. We all know that people are willing to pay good money for apps at places like the App Store and Google Play. Some of the most popular and profitable are those that integrate with popular solutions like WhatsApp. If you know how to write apps or you are willing to go to school to learn those skills, you too could write and sell an app. Generally, it is best to have some background in software or app writing. There are some companies that will help you develop mobile app ideas, and some colleges, including Full Sail University, do offer app writing courses.

A good way to begin is to sit down and think of a new solution you would like but you’ve never seen; for example, something that you’d like to do with your phone or WhatsApp but cannot, or try to identify a weakness or limitation to WhatsApp that you can rectify with another app. If it works, you could sell it through Google Play or the App Store. If you could charge just $1 and several thousand people downloaded your solution, you would make several thousand dollars.

  • Brainstorming. Simply sit down and think of ways you can make money from WhatsApp. A good way to begin is to get a blank piece of paper and write out a list of money-making ideas; then start researching them.

Something to remember is that WhatsApp work is not a get-rich-quick scheme. Making money on it will take time and probably require a fair share of hard work.

New Bookmarking Feature available for WhatsApp for iOS

whatsapp ios updateA new version of WhatsApp is now available for iOS users, and it introduces a great (and desired) feature. What changes? This new version 2.12.7 for iOS finally adds a new section to WhatsApp which will surely help users to immediately pinpoint important messages. You can find this new, practical, feature under the profile and it’s called “Starred Messages“.

Using this new function it is now possible to bookmark any text message, photo or video and then find them in the new “Starred Messages” section. In this way iOS users will be able to access their bookmarked contents quickly. This is quite a useful function, and we are sure that it will be really appreciated. Don’t forget that a lot of people use WhatsApp for their job, so this feature can help a lot the management of our instant messaging communication.

But how does it work? Don’t panic. As often happens with WhatsApp, it works in a very simple way. In fact, when you need to “Star” a message, you just have to do two things: tap and hold it. With this action the message will be saved in the new “Starred Messages” section. Yes, as simple as that. In addition, it’s quite important to note that this feature works also for WhatsApp Groups. You can find this new version 2.12.7 ready to be downloaded on the App Store.

And what about users who access WhatsApp using Android or Windows Phone devices? This is an obvious curiosity considering that Android users are the majority. For once, they have to wait a little bit, but we are sure that WhatsApp developers are not neglecting users of those platforms and that they will enjoy this new feature soon. In the meantime, during the last few months, we have seen that many new Beta versions for Android, BlackBerry 10, Windows Phone or other platform have been released, and certainly many others are coming.

WhatsApp for Windows Phone gets updated: the new Beta version 2.12.152 has been released

whatsapp per windows phone beta nuovaAnother week, another update. The 900 million monthly active users of WhatsApp (and the number keeps on growing on a daily basis) are surely happy to notice that, little by little, their beloved instant messaging app is changing, actually improving, with regular and frequent updates.

Of course those who use WhatsApp on Android devices are luckier, since they benefit of the improvements more often, but also iOS, Windows Phone, BlackBerry 10 or Symbian users usually don’t have to wait too long to have their version of WhatsApp updated. In the last few weeks for all of these platforms a new beta was made available and today we’ll talk about the new Beta version 2.12.152 for Windows Phone, that has just been released.

So, what changes? You will immediately notice the first change as soon as you open WhatsApp, because it will not be launched as fast as before.You may think this has not been an improvement indeed, but there is a simple explanation for this choice: developers have thought about users who own devices that support only 512 of RAM. Then, another little change has been introduced in the Search page. In fact with this new beta you will find out that now there are numbers that show the number of matches in contacts and chats.

So, now that we’ve examined what changes with this version 2.12.152 of WhatsApp for Windows Phone,  let’s see togheter how you can install it on your device. As usual, it’s not that difficult. First of all remember that, being a Beta, you won’t find it on the Windows Phone Store. In fact on the Store you can find only the stable versions of the app. So, if you want to install this new Beta version on your device, you first have to register to the beta testing program. Only after your registration you will be able to download the new beta.