Line Messaging App Updated With Built-In Browser, Theme Support And More
June 15, 2013
Line, the popular multi-platform messaging app developed by Naver Japan, has just been updated with an in-app browser, theme support, and other improvements.
The introduction of a built-in browser has been a long time coming for Line, so it's nice to finally see it in the app.
Previously, tapping a link would prompt you to either copy the link or open it in Safari. Now, doing so automatically opens an in-app browser.
Note, though, that you can still copy the link or open it in Safari by tapping the share button at the bottom of the browser. This button also lets you send the link to another chat within Line.
The newly updated app also introduces support for themes, which have long been supported by a few other messaging apps, including South Korea's KakaoTalk and Taiwan's Cubie.
At the moment, there are only two themes offered by Line. One is the default theme and the other is a pink theme featuring the Line mascot Cony. You can switch between the two themes by entering the new Themes section in the app's Settings menu.
Another feature that has just now been added to Line but has long been supported by its rival apps is the chatroom photo gallery. Accessible via the new Photos button in the chatroom menu, this lets you see all of the photos that have been sent and received in the chatroom.
Below are the other enhancements included in the new version of Line:
Optimized for iPhone and iPod touch, the new version of Line is available now in the App Store for free. About a month ago, Line hit a snag when Apple ordered the removal of the app's sticker gifting function apparently because it's in violation of the company's in-app purchase policies. [gallery link="file" order="DESC"]
- Added a Home function for Official Accounts
- Enabled alerts in the Chats list for messages that failed to send
- New function to display users' LINE account QR codes on their profile pages
- Now available in German, Italian, and Portuguese (European)
