News Byte

Google’s Alternate-Reality Game Ingress Opens to All Android Devices

Google’s Niantic Labs plans to take its year-old mobile alternate-reality game Ingress out of beta on Dec. 14, the company announced today. The game will no longer require an invite code, and is now open to all Android device owners through the Google Play store. Ingress is structured around narrative seasons, and the December date coincides with the end of the current season, #13Magnus. An iOS version of the game is planned for 2014.

“Luminary” Access Site IfOnly Officially Launches With $3M in Funding From Tech Luminaries

Delivering the A-List to the masses?

Facebook’s New Android Beta Program Could Help Spruce Up Home

Beta, come Home!

Former Homestead Founder Returns to SV Curious — And With $7.5 Million in Funding

Justin Kitch is back with Curious, a lifelong learning startup aimed at connecting teachers and students on “subjects as varied as salsa dancing, integral solving, pipe soldering … and knife sharpening.”

Facebook Timeline Makes Its Way to Windows Phone, at Least in Beta

The Windows Phone 8 app is still in beta, but adds some long-requested features, including support for high-resolution photos.

Yahoo Updates Mail, Adding Native iPhone and Windows 8 Apps (Like We Said)

A new look for a flagship property.

Desti, a Virtual Personal Assistant for Travel, Launches on iPad

Can artificial intelligence improve vacation-planning? Desti thinks so.

Disney Unveils New Home Page With Entertainment Focus

A fresh look for an old brand.

Goko’s HTML5 Game Portal Goes Back to Beta After Failed Launch

The Redwood City, Calif.-based company has issued an apology, after the first few days of the service didn’t go so well.

News Byte

eBay Quietly Tests Local Same-Day Shipping Service in San Francisco

E-commerce giant eBay began testing a same-day delivery service on Sunday, quietly sending out invitations to San Francisco residents. Dubbed “eBay Now,” the mobile app-based service allows city residents to order items $25 and above from local businesses, and have the purchases delivered directly to their homes on the same day. The service, which was first noticed on Sunday by TechCrunch, is currently in its pilot phase, though it may roll out to more cities in the future.

Online Shopping on the Side

Apple App Happy Sonos Also Goes Android