Line buys Microsoft’s MixRadio app

Japanese messaging app Line buys Microsoft’s MixRadio app, which Microsoft gained from its acquisition of Nokia. The music streaming app was already meant to be spun off with Microsoft supposedly focusing on “productivity.” Now, we have a face or company willing to integrate the music service into its fold. MixRadio’s service will continue to function as third-party app on Lumia phones. It will still provide personalized music to the Windows Phone platform but with the Line acquisition, you can expect it to make its way to Android, iOS, BlackBerry, etc.

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Line launches iPad app for messaging, doesn’t have voice or video call functions

Looking to be an extension of its popular messaging app, Japanese company Line introduced the iPad version of its app. But it seems to be missing a number of key features from its iPhone version, including the ability to make video and voice calls and create new accounts. It doesn’t seem to have a Sticker Shop and Timeline support as well. We hope they remedy even just those latter features. But if you need to be messaging someone on Line and just have your iPad with you, then the app should work fine for you.

Source: The Next Web | Download: Apple App Store (Free)

Line adds hidden chat feature to messaging app

What can be seen as trying to copy Snapchat can benefit Line users who want a bit more privacy. The messaging app has just updated its iOS and Android apps to include an encrypted chat option. This can be accessed by clicking on a person’s name while in a conversation window. However, this requires users to both be using the latest version of Line. These hidden chats are encrypted and there is also a timer option that lets you set new messages to “self-destruct” after a given time period (from two seconds to one week). Also according to Line, “After the set time has been exceeded, viewed messages will be automatically deleted from Line’s servers. Unread messages will be automatically deleted from Line’s servers two weeks after their receipt.”

Source The Next Web

LG to let you chat with your smart home appliances with Line

LG has announced a collaboration with messaging service Line to allow smart home appliance users to chat with the company’s upcoming models. The Korean tech company calls it a Natural Language Processing feature and it integrates LG’s HomeChat service with Line to let users send commands to compatible appliances.

It currently only works in Korean and English and will let you message the next-gen LG refrigerator, washing machine, HOM-BOT SQUARE vacuum cleaner, and smart oven. You can send messages like “I’m going on vacation” and your appliance will reply, “Should I convert to vacation mode?” And when you affirm this, it will turn your ref’s power saving mode on; have your vacuum cleaner sweep the floors at a specified time; and even set the washing machine’s spin cycle.