businessinfomag.uk
magazine
30
App Update
APP UPDATE
New apps for business and leisure
Parking space finder
Car manufacturer SEAT has developed
a new app to help drivers find parking
spaces, which it has been testing in
Barcelona using data gathered from
the iCity platform. By locating available
street parking, the Parkfinder app should
save time and frustration for drivers and
reduce costs.
Prepare for meetings
With reports suggesting that as many
as 80% of sales professionals feel
unprepared before meetings, Artesian
Solutions has launched a new mobile
app that automatically checks a user’s
calendar and delivers data on companies
listed, including breaking news and
financials. The Ready app is free to users
of the Artesian customer engagement
solution for B2B sellers.
Simpler and smarter
shopping
New fashion app Handpick
uses semantic search tools to
get a clearer understanding of
what users are shopping for.
Instead of only using phrases
listed in retailer websites,
Handpick lets users search
using colloquial English and
descriptive phrases – and the
more it is used, the more it
learns. Handpick says that
in trials shoppers were 75%
more likely to be satisfied
with their purchases, reducing the number
of returns and potentially saving e-tailers
millions of pounds in delivery costs.
Regus helps members get
charitable
In partnership with charity fund-raising
platform Ammando, global workspace
provider Regus has launched a new app
that enables its members to involve
customers and employees in online giving
and fundraising. The Regus Charities and
Causes app lets users promote charity
initiatives, donate, view progress towards
fund-raising targets and track donations.
Funds can be donated directly to any
one of 1.6 million non-profit companies
worldwide, with donations accepted
in over 75 currencies. In addition,
companies can purchase donation
gift cards as incentives or rewards
that recipients can give to the
charity of their choice.
Accurate weather
updates
AccuWeather has launched a
new Android app with a cleaner
user interface, enhanced location
management and improved
dynamic radar and satellite
animation. The AccuWeather
app also provides a new video
experience for breaking weather
and viral video content.
Find knowledge workers
Hired, a marketplace for tech recruitment,
has launched a new iOS app for
employers. Hired for Employers gives
access to a pool of pre-vetted candidates
and highlights the ones that match your
requirements. In addition to a full profile
for each candidate, the app lets you view
any offers they’ve received. If you find a
candidate you like, you can share their
profile with colleagues from within the
app; start a conversation with a few taps;
and send an interview request.
New app for company car
drivers
The AlphaGuide app from fleet leasing
company Alphabet is a useful tool for
fleet managers, drivers and mobile
workers. The free app integrates with a
smartphone calendar and works out an
itinerary based on diary appointments,
including directions and a mileage tracker.
Additional features just for Alphabet
customers and drivers relate to vehicle,
contract and service information; claims
management, in the case of an accident;
and access to the 24/7 driver hotline in
case of emergency.
Arxan Technologies, a provider of application protection solutions, warns that even the most
sensitive apps – those relating to health and finance – have major security risks. For its latest
State of Application Security Report
, it tested 126 popular health and finance apps and discovered
that 90% had at least two major security risks, even though 84% of app users and app executives
believed them to be ‘adequately secure’. Nearly all of the apps (98%) lacked binary protection and
83% had insufficient transport layer protection. Arxan Technologies warns that such vulnerabilities
could result in application code tampering, reverse-engineering, privacy violations and data theft.
It warns that a health app could be reprogrammed to deliver a lethal dose of medication and a
finance app modified to redirect the transfer of money.
Health and finance apps vulnerable to security risks
