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Starbucks offering free iTunes download of Coldplay’s new song via iPhone app

Avatar for Chance Miller May 20 2014 - 1:26 pm PT
6 Comments

Coldplay’s highly anticipated album Ghost Stories became available in its entirety on iTunes Radio First Play last week, and was finally released to the public yesterday. Now, Starbucks is partnering with the British band to offer a free track off of the album as its Pick of the Week. By downloading and opening the Starbucks app for iOS, the opening track off of the album, “Always in My Head,” can be downloaded for absolutely free. Simply launch the app and head to the “messages” interface, in which you should have a new message offering the song for free.


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T-Mobile is again offering free MLB At Bat access to customers

Avatar for Jordan Kahn May 5 2014 - 6:01 am PT
4 Comments

mlbatbat

Like it did last year after inking a partnership with Major League Baseball, T-Mobile is once again offering free access to the MLB At Bat apps on iOS and Android. Tmonews points us to official confirmation from a T-Mobile support employee:

“UPDATE: As the official sponsor of Major League Baseball, we will be offering MLB At Bat 14 to our customers for free starting May 1 through the entire regular season! With our unlimited data and nationwide 4G LTE, you can enjoy all the great features MLB’s At Bat has to offer!”

That’s instead of paying for one of several MLB subscriptions that grants access to the app starting at $2.99 monthly or $20 for the entire season. There’s no word from T-Mobile with the official details yet, but we’d imagine customers will get access to all the live games and content apart from premium features available to $115/per year MLB.TV Premium subscription. 

The MLB At Bat app is available for iOS and Android now.

Opera’s Coast browser adds iPhone support, adds iCloud syncing of bookmark tiles

Avatar for Benjamin Mayo Apr 24 2014 - 6:30 am PT
1 Comment

Opera first launched Coast back in September 2013, on the iPad. Although it didn’t make a huge impression on the App Store first time around, Opera is probably hoping its new version will be more popular.

The app has been fully reworked for the iPhone size. There are hardly any buttons onscreen; the app relies almost exclusively on gesture-based navigation.


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Apple Store app featuring new, free music from iTunes

Avatar for Zac Hall Mar 6 2014 - 9:31 am PT
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Stanford Apple Store

Once again, Apple is back to giving away free music through an iTunes promotion within its Apple Store app for U.S. customers. The new giveaway highlights three artists with “new tracks helping to define this year’s musical landscape.” Specifically, the app features tracks from Master Blaster Sound System, Bad Suns, and Kris Bowers. It’s worth checking out if you’re into discovering new music, but Amazon has some more traditional artists like George Strait, The Beach Boys, and Dean Martin in its Icon Series music giveaway over at 9to5Toys. Check below for how to grab the free tracks from iTunes.
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9to5Toys Last Call: New $50 Roku streaming stick, Kindle e-readers $20 off, Timbuk2 bags 25% off, more

Avatar for Mar 4 2014 - 10:12 am PT
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Be sure to follow 9to5Toys to keep up with the best gear and deals on the web: Twitter, RSS Feed,Facebook, Google+ and subscribe to the new Safari push notifications feature.

Today’s can’t miss deals:

Last Call updates:

roku-streaming-stick-hdmi-2014Roku announces a new HDMI streaming stick for $50

amazon-kindle-deal-paperwhiteAmazon 1-Day Kindle E-Reader Sale: Kindle $49 (Reg. $69), Kindle Paperwhite $99 (Reg. $119)

25% off select Timbuk2 custom laptop messenger bags and backpacks

ipad-mini-retina-display-best-buy-dealBest Buy knocks up to $200 off iPads: Airs start at $440, Minis up to $50 off

Other great deals from today:

  • New! Crucial M500 2.5″ SATA III Internal Solid State Drive 120GB $67 shipped (Reg. $80)
  • New! Game/App Deals: GTA V: $30, Star Wars KOTOR (Mac/PC): $3, Dishonored GOTY: $20, Anodia: FREE, iOS freebies, more
  • New! Daily Deals: Macbook Air 11.6″ refurb $770, JBL Flip BT speaker refurb $59, iJoy iPhone or Galaxy S4 cases $10 shipped, much more
  • New! Lepow Moonstone Series 6000mAh External Battery (Green) $19.99 AC shipped

More great deals still alive:

New products:

  • D-Link Releases the First Portable 11AC Router/Server/Charger for $99 shipped
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Apple wraps up 12 Days of Gifts with free Rolling Stones live album

Avatar for Mike Beasley Jan 6 2014 - 12:00 am PT
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Apple has released the 12th and final gift in its 12 Days of Gifts campaign. The last free item from the iTunes Store is a three-track live album from the Rolling Stones—Sweet Summer Sun, Live in Hyde Park 2013. The album was first released on New Years Day and features live performances of “Beast of Burden,” “Tumbling Dice,” and “Doom & Gloom.”

This marks the end of Apple’s campaign for this year, which was the first time the promotion has ever been available in the United States.

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Scanner Pro for iOS available for free as the first iTunes App of the Week in 2014

Avatar for Mike Beasley Jan 2 2014 - 4:16 pm PT
4 Comments

Scanner Pro, the document-scanning app for iPhone and iPad created by Readdle, is available for free this week as part of Apple’s “App of the Week” promotion. The app uses an iOS device’s camera to scan documents, complete with real-time border detection for perfectly-sized scans, and stores them as PDFs in a variety of cloud services, including iCloud and Google Drive.

The app also supports outgoing faxes directly from the app, in case you need to fax a signed document back to someone. Outgoing fax credits are available as in-app purchases.

You can grab your free copy of Scanner Pro on the App Store for this week only. After that the price goes back to the regular $6.99.

Starbucks now supports redeeming Pick of the Week cards with iOS 7’s camera feature

Avatar for Sarah Guarino Jan 2 2014 - 4:03 pm PT
11 Comments
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Starbucks, this week, updated their iconic Pick of the Week promotion to take advantage of iOS 7’s ability to use the device’s camera to redeem iTunes gift cards. Before that, customers had to pick up a physical card featuring a promo code to redeem the Pick of the Week app and manually type the code into the iTunes Store. Earlier this year, Starbucks began offering the promotion via an App Store app. The pick of the week promotion allows customers pickup cards from participating Starbucks locations and download an app or other piece of iTunes media for free:


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Apple’s 12 Days of Gifts app offers free download of Justin Timberlake’s iTunes Festival performances

Avatar for Jordan Kahn Dec 26 2013 - 7:13 am PT
6 Comments

Apple has officially kicked off its “12 Gifts of Christmas” promotion by offering a free download of four live songs (two of which have videos) from Justin Timberlake’s performance at the iTunes Festival in September.

Previously available as the 12 days of Christmas app in a few countries internationally, this year Apple has released a new “12 Days of Gifts” app that is available in the U.S. for the first time. Starting today through January 6, users will be able to download the app to access one free gift a day. The gifts are usually content from across the iTunes, iBooks, and App Stores, with today’s gift coming as a free download directly on your device through iTunes.

Download the free 12 Days of Gifts app for iPhone or iPad now to access your free gift.

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Apple kicks off “12 Days of Gifts” early with a free single from Lorde

Avatar for Mike Beasley Dec 15 2013 - 9:42 pm PT
7 Comments

Last week Apple released the 12 Days of Gifts app on iTunes. The app is an annual tradition for Apple in many countries, and this year U.S. customers can participate for the first time. Starting on December 26th, users can open the app each day for twelve days to get free content from the iTunes, iBooks and App Stores.

Today, Apple is giving users “a gift to get you started.” Specifically, the gift is a free copy of Lorde’s single “No Better,” which was released only three days ago. The single includes the song “No Better” as well as the music video for the singer’s earlier hit “Royals.” The gift can be claimed through the 12 Days app, but is also currently available for free on iTunes to all users, presumably for today only.

FreedomPop expanding free wireless plan to all Sprint smartphones, iPhones included

Avatar for Jordan Kahn Nov 19 2013 - 5:59 am PT
4 Comments
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FreedomPopFreedomPop, the wireless service provider offering free and cheap no-contract plans on Sprint’s network, today announced it’s now allowing customers to bring their old Sprint phones to activate on its $0/month wireless plans. We’ve confirmed with the company that will also soon include iPhones.

The company has been around since 2011 with various hotspot products and recently launched its first smartphone direct to customers alongside the world’s first completely free mobile service. A guaranteed 500 MBs of data, 500 text messages, and 200 anytime voice minutes for free each month would sound enticing to anyone, but previously customers would have to pay $99 for an almost two-year old HTC Evo Design to get it. Despite that, FreedomPop says it “immediately sold out” of stock when it launched last month.

That’s about to change today as FreedomPop will now let Sprint customers bring their own device to activate on its free and cheap plans. Although there is no mention of it in the carrier’s press release and some are reporting iPhones aren’t supported, we’ve confirmed FreedomPop will support the iPhone 4 and 4S as well as 20 other Sprint devices initially. Stephen Stokols, FreedomPop’s CEO, tells us it will be another few weeks before the iPhone is compatible, and eventually all Sprint smartphones will be supported. Around 600 devices, including iPhones, will be supported by the end of the month. 
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Square Enix releases lite version of Deus Ex: The Fall for iPhone and iPad

Avatar for Mike Beasley Oct 30 2013 - 4:10 pm PT
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[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fw3w68YrKwc]

Back in July, Square Enix released the mobile-exclusive game Deus Ex: The Fall as a tie-in to the popular console and PC franchise. Today the company published a free version of the game that allows players to run through the full game’s opening mission. Other than the limit on how far into the game you play, everything else is unrestricted.

Even though the iTunes requirements say that the iPhone 4 and fourth-generation iPod touch are compatible, the company notes in the app’s description that it will not actually run on those devices. Players looking to take the mobile Deus Ex experience for a test run can grab it now for free on iTunes.

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CloudMagic brings cloud-powered email search to the iPhone

Avatar for Mike Beasley Oct 30 2013 - 9:00 am PT
1 Comment

A brand-new mail client called CloudMagic launched today on the App Store. The app supports most email services and has all of the basic features you’d expect from a mail app. One CloudMagic feature blows most other apps away, though: search.

Rather than searching on your phone for a certain email and then remotely searching each individual mail account to find what you’re looking for, CloudMagic caches your entire mail account on their server and uses server-side search to find any message almost instantly. The search is powerful and intelligently suggests words and phrases that I found to be exactly what I was looking for.


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How to get your free iWork apps for Macs purchased after Oct. 1

Avatar for Jordan Kahn Oct 24 2013 - 3:41 pm PT
3 Comments

iWork-Up-to-date-program

When Apple unveiled its updated iWork suite during its iPad Air event earlier this week, it also confirmed that it would be making the apps free for all new Mac purchases. That means new Macs shipping with Mavericks would allow users to download Pages, Keynote, and Numbers– previously $20 each– for free from the Mac App Store. That offer also extends to Macs purchased on or after Oct. 1 and yesterday Apple made an Up-To-Date Program available on its website for those that purchased qualifying Mac.

Apple has instructions on its website for applying for the Up-To-Date Program, which requires users to enter their Mac’s serial number, purchase date, and provide Apple with “an electronic copy of a dated, itemized sales receipt indicating the marketing part number(s) of the qualifying product(s) purchased.” Apple will then send codes to customers within 24 hours of confirming the purchase that can be redeemed on the Mac App Store to download the apps.

For those that purchased between Oct. 1 and Oct. 22, you’ll have to apply to the program by Nov. 21. Purchases made after Oct. 22 will have 30 days to qualify.

Apple also says that the program is only for the United States (50 states and the District of Columbia) and Canada, but it’s unclear if it will have similar programs for customers in other countries.

Apple announces OS X Mavericks available today for free

Avatar for Jordan Kahn Oct 22 2013 - 10:25 am PT
3 Comments
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Update: OS X Mavericks is available now as a free download on the Mac App Store. 

Apple has done something it hasn’t done before with a major release of OS X, announcing today during its iPad event that it will release OS X Mavericks, the latest version of its desktop OS, later today for free to all users.

Mavericks is available starting today for iMac and MacBook Pros from 2007 or later, 2008 MacBook Air, MacBook, and Mac Pro or later, and the 2009 Mac mini or later.

Apple first showed off Mavericks back in June at its WWDC developer conference and has since seeded several betas as well as Golden Master release followed by silent update to the GM release that could likely be the version Apple ships later this month. Despite not receiving a radical visual overhaul like iOS 7, OS X Mavericks includes over 200 new features and many big new user facing features like iBooks, improved multiple display support, iCloud Keychain, new Finder features, Maps, quick reply and lock screen notifications, auto-updating apps, and a number of under the hood enhancements to improve battery life and performance. (Full press release below)
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Google launches app for iOS to set up Chromecast, manage settings

Avatar for Mark Gurman Aug 27 2013 - 6:27 am PT
1 Comment

Screen Shot 2013-08-27 at 9.26.10 AM

Google has released a new application for the iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch to make it easier for users to setup and manage the Chromecast TV device.

• Set up your Chromecast to work with your Wi-Fi network
• Manage your Chromecast settings (such as changing your device name, Wi-Fi password, etc.)

The application is free on the App Store. The Google Chromecast is a device that plugs into a TV set via an HDMI port and allows users to stream content, such as YouTube and Netflix, from devices like computers, tablets, and smartphones.

Update: Chromecast is currently available at Best Buy for $35 including the 3 months of Netflix (value $27)


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Apple opens iWork for iCloud beta to all users ahead of expected public release this fall

Avatar for Jordan Kahn Aug 23 2013 - 6:11 am PT
6 Comments

Screen+Shot+2013-08-23+at+13.58.42

After first announcing its new iWork for iCloud productivity suite back in June at WWDC, Apple has been slowly rolling out access to more people ahead of a public beta release scheduled for this fall. It first extended the privilege to developers, then Apple employees, and in July started sending out invites to select non-developers. Today, several tips note that Apple now appears to be letting in anyone with an Apple ID despite not sending out invites or officially announcing a public beta. We’ve confirmed access to the beta on a non-developer account, but let us know in the comments if you’re unable to get in.

Following the unveiling of the new iWork for iCloud suite, we speculated that Apple could possibly move to make its other iWork suite of apps on iOS and Mac available for free. Our thinking: it’s hard to imagine Apple allowing users to create documents for free on iCloud but not seamlessly transfer from iOS to Mac without having to throw down $30 for the three iOS apps. Adding even more weight to that theory, Apple was briefly showing the apps listed alongside the collection of free Apple apps that it presents most users with when launching the App Store on their iOS device for the first time.

Apple previously announced it was planning on releasing a public beta for iWork for iCloud this fall but perhaps is opening the beta today to help beta test the apps among a larger group of users ahead of an official announcement. Apple is expected to unveil new iPhones at an event next month on Sept. 10, and there is a possibility we’ll hear more about iWork for iCloud alongside details for Mavericks and possibly the new Mac Pro.

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Plants vs. Zombies 2 hits US App Store

Avatar for 9to5 Staff Aug 14 2013 - 9:32 pm PT
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[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GJX8dWX4ym4]

As we noted last month when it launched in Australia/New Zealand, the popular Plants vs. Zombies 2 launched today.  [Free iTunes]

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gbcBYs0ljI0#at=14]

Unlike the original title, which is currently available for 99 cents on the App Store, PopCap is making the new game entirely free to play with some in-app purchases available, but not necessary to enjoy the full game:

Free to download, Plants vs. Zombies 2 will expand and extend the classic gameplay of the original and provide players with dozens of all-new levels, plants and zombies across multiple worlds at no cost. While the vast majority of the game will be entirely free to play (players can face every zombie and access every level in every world at no cost), Plants vs. Zombies 2 players will also be able to purchase upgrades and other in-game items.

PopCap adds that “New worlds with new levels, plants, zombies and new ways to play will be released on an ongoing basis.”

Designed from the ground up as a live service, the ever-expanding universe of Plants vs. Zombies 2continues the epic struggle of plants defending your brainz against zombies from your backyard through the vast reaches of time, both past and future. New worlds with new levels, plants, zombies and new ways to play will be released on an ongoing basis. Leveraging the touch interface of Apple’s popular mobile devices, Plants vs. Zombies 2 includes all-new touch-screen power-ups that enable players to “break the fourth wall” and interact with zombies directly, as well as via plant defenses.

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9to5Toys Last Call: Storage deals (SSD, portable), $60 LifeProof nüüd waterproof iPhone 5 case, iTunes movie sale, more

Avatar for Aug 13 2013 - 3:00 pm PT
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From 9to5Toys.com:

A large majority of the deals we cover each day come from a variety of ‘Daily Deal’ websites or are so popular that they don’t even last 24 hours. We know you can’t be at your computer every second, so we’re going to round up the best deals each day to make sure you have a fair shot at the deals you want. Be sure to follow 9to5Toys.com so you never miss a deal... Twitter, RSS Feed, Facebook, Google+.

Today’s Featured deals:

1tb-seagate-backup-plus-shipped-sale-01Storage Deals:


lifeproof-nuud-iphone-5-deal

SOLD OUT LifeProof nüüd iPhone 5 Case w/Snow, Dirt, Water & Shockproof Design $60 shipped (Reg. $80)

Apple Deals:

Other great deals we love:

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Apple Store app now offering free book amid iBooks retail push

Avatar for Mark Gurman Aug 12 2013 - 9:05 am PT
0 Comments

Screen Shot 2013-08-12 at 9.03.23 AM

The iPhone Apple Store app has been updated over-the-air today to offer a free iBook download to customers. The book is Away in My Airplane by Margaret Wise Brown. According to a note sent to Apple retail employees today, the free book download is meant for employees to have context when discussing and pushing the iBooks app and iBookstore to customers.

As we reported last month, Apple will be pushing free content to the Apple Store app in order to entice customers to download the app. Apple Store employees are also instructed to ask new iOS Device customers to install the app. In turn, if more people have the Apple Store app on their devices, Apple could sell them more products.

The new book offer expires on August 28th, and it is exclusive to the United States, United Kingdom, Italy, France, and Sweden, according to an Apple employee.

As part of a general iBooks push, Apple started providing its retail employees with free book titles in order to boost familiarity of the service.

The Apple Store app received its first free piece of content in the form of the Color Zen iPhone app earlier this month.


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Free content begins showing up in Apple Store iOS app amid sales push

Avatar for Mark Gurman Aug 2 2013 - 6:32 am PT
5 Comments
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Screen Shot 2013-08-02 at 6.27.56 AM

Two weeks ago, we reported that Apple would update its Apple Store iOS app with the ability to receive free content. The app was updated a couple of weeks ago to lay the groundwork for this feature, and now free content has begun appearing. The first paid app (normally $0.99) for free is Color Zen, and Apple will provide either a new app, piece of iTunes media content, or iBook each week.

The functionality works both in Apple Stores and actually if you are not in a store. A user just needs to pull up a store inside of the app’s store panel (see image above). When you click the free content option, you are taking to a screen to finalize your download.

We previously reported that Apple Store employees are instructed to install this application on a new iOS Device during Personal Setup (After a purchase). At an internal event in San Francisco last month, Tim Cook revealed that only a small percentage of Apple customers are aware of the app, but Cook wants to use the app as an element of his plan to boost iPhone sales in his stores. 


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iWork, iLife appear in iOS 7 free downloads screen, corroborates Apple apps going free theory

Avatar for Jordan Kahn Jul 9 2013 - 7:12 am PT
0 Comments
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iWork-iOS7-free-apps

We reported previously on the possibility of Apple making its iWork suite, and possibly its other premium content creation apps, available for free alongside iOS 7 and the launch of new iWork for iCloud web apps. It would make a lot of sense given it’s hard to imagine Apple allowing users to create documents for free on iCloud but not seamlessly transfer from iOS to Mac without having to throw down $30 for the three iOS apps. Today we get a little hint from the latest iOS 7 beta that Apple might actually be considering making the apps free this fall (via @nielskorte & iFun).

The screenshot above shows the screen that Apple presents most users with when launching the App Store on their iOS device for the first time. Curiously, on iOS 7 beta 3, the recommended free apps screen includes Apple’s iWork suite in addition to other paid apps such as Garageband, iMovie, and iPhoto. In the past, Apple has only included free apps in the pop up such as iBooks, iTunes U, and Podcasts. This could signal Apple has plans to offer its premium apps for free in the future…


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Disney releases ‘The Lone Ranger’ RPG for iOS as new movie hits theatres

Avatar for Jordan Kahn Jul 3 2013 - 8:09 am PT
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To accompany its latest feature film set to hit theatres today, Disney has just released “The Lone Ranger” game for both iPhone and iPad on the App Store. The iTunes page describes the game as a full 3D role-playing game with quests, duels, and the ability to “Level-up to unlock new weapons, tools, and horses.” The screenshots look promising, so we’re hoping its better than the typical Hollywood movie tie-in. The good news is you won’t have to pay to find out as the full game is available for free on both iPhone and iPad.

Saddle up and take the reins as one of the greatest Texas Rangers in the Wild West. Embark on a thrilling adventure as you protect the town of Colby, face-off in epic showdowns, and bring infamous outlaws to justice. Fight against greed and corruption in this 3d, role-playing adventure!

· Interact with known allies and outlaws throughout your journey: With allies like the Lone Ranger and Tonto on your side, prepare to take on the villainous Butch Cavendish and his unwieldy gang.
· Restore peace to the town of Colby: Protect the citizens of Colby, and embark on legendary quests to end greed and corruption.
· Duel outlaws and bandits: Face-off against wanted outlaws with your best weapons and equipment, and bring them to justice.
· Level-up to unlock new weapons, tools, and horses to aide you on your journey.
· More languages coming soon! Play The Lone Ranger in Italian, German, and Spanish starting late July.

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Skype for iPhone & iPad updated with improvements to audio/video calls & photo sharing

Avatar for Jordan Kahn Jun 27 2013 - 12:00 am PT
0 Comments

After launching a new Video Messages feature for Skype back in February and making it completely free and unlimited earlier this month, Skype has updated its apps today with a number of performance enhancements. The video message feature, which allows users to record and send video messages within a Skype chat, was previously limited to three-minute-long videos, and after 20 free messages required a $4.99 premium account.

The updated Skype apps for both iPhone and iPad are available in the App Store now and also include stability improvements for audio and video calls, and performance enhancements for sharing photos.

What’s New in Version 4.9

– Video messaging is now free and unlimited.
– Audio and video call stability improvements.
– Share photos more reliably.
– Improved accessibil

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