YouTube now has a new mobile app, 3D VR video coming soon

During a keynote speech tonight at the 6th annual Vidcon event, YouTube CEO Susan Wojcicki announced a new version of its mobile app. Available on Android and mobile web browsers now (iOS coming soon), it makes it easier for creators to publish and edit directly in the app, and easier for viewers to subscribe to a channel with just one button touch (and with ten million of those touches, channel owners can earn the new Diamond play button reward). The redesign even puts your subscriptions and profile right at the top for easy access. This is also the version that adds the ability to watch those vertical videos in full screen, so expect that to come your way soon if you don't have it already.

Update: An update to the iOS app is out that brings fullscreen vertical video support to your iPhone too.

One thing that's not there yet? Support for real 3D virtual reality video, like the kind we've seen from NextVR. That's coming soon, to take things a step further than the current 360-degree support (with 360-degree ads). According to Wojcicki, watch time is up 60 percent across devices, and 100 percent on mobile from last year, so we'd expect there's a lot more planned to keep that growth going.

Facebook working on delivering high speed internet using drones and satellites

The California-headquartered firm has been working on developing technology to use drones and satellites to provide internet to people.

WASHINGTON: Facebook, the world's largest social networking platform, is working onlaser technology to deliver high speed internet through drones or satellites.

"Our Connectivity Lab is developing a laser communications system that can beam data from the sky into communities. This will dramatically increase the speed of sending data over long distances," Facebook founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg today said on his social media page.

The California-headquartered firm has been working on developing technology to use drones and satellites to provide internet to people. It has also approached the Indian government in past for carrying out pilot project in the country.

"As part of our Internet.org efforts, we're working on ways to use drones and satellites to connect the billion people who don't live in range of existing wireless networks. Normally you wouldn't be able to see the actual beams," the billionaire tech investor said.

Facebook had started Internet.org in partnership with telecom players in select markets. Under the project people in developing countries, including India, can access some websites without paying for mobile internet charges.

Facebook, which owns mobile messaging application WhatsApp, is counted among over-the-top (OTT) players that provide calling and messaging services.

Telecom operators have been up in arms against OTT players and allege that their services are eating in to their core revenue which is detrimental for setting up telecom infrastructure required for providing internet services.

An alternate communication technology may help OTT players bypass traditional telecom operators.

"This is just one connectivity project we're working on, but I was excited to share this with you," Zuckerberg said.

Apple has signed an agreement with GigSky to provide roaming services in more than 90 countries to consumers of the Apple Sim

Apple announced that users in Australia will now be able to utilize the Apple Sim for their iPad mini, and iPad Air 2, but will not be able to enjoy the feature that is a big attraction for US and UK users.

The tech giant rolled out the Apple SIM alongside the release of its iPad Air 2. The main attraction mentioned above for the Apple Sim is that it allows users to switch between different mobile operators for better rates and coverage on prepaid plans. Unfortunately, this is not yet available for users other than in the UK and the US. However, what Apple has recently revealed is that the Apple Sim service can be used by those Australians who are travelling to another country.

Apple has signed an agreement with GigSky to provide roaming services in more than 90 countries to consumers of the Apple Sim. Keep in mind, being able to choose a specific carrier will not be allowed for users of other countries, which means if a user is travelling to US or UK, a choice of a better deal will not be an option for him.

Australians can purchase the Apple Sim from the Apple Store for a reasonable amount of AU$7. A data package can then be chosen for a specific country the user is visiting. The Apple Sim is also rolling out to consumers in Germany, France, Italy, Canada, Netherlands, Sweden, Turkey, Spain, and Switzerland.

Australians will still have to pay higher amounts for roaming data rates. For instance, a 1GB package in the US costs AU$50, and in the UK, a 3GB data package costs AU$50. However a consumers visiting New Zealand will be able to choose a 500MB package from GigSky for AU$50.