Apps & Updates

Apps: Google Maps, Temple Run: Oz, RunKeeper, BeatBlaster, Everpix, more

Jordan Kahn

Temple Run: Oz: Developers of the Temple Run franchise have once again teamed up with Disney to release a game built on the Temple Run 2 engine but set in the world of an upcoming Disney film. This time Imangi Studios brings the Temple Run gameplay experience to the world of Oz in support of the upcoming Oz the Great and Powerful film. The game is available for 99 cents now and features new gameplay elements you haven’t seen in past Temple Run titles.

NEW FEATURES
• Stunning environments inspired by the film – explore them all.
• Fly in a hot air balloon – earn even more coins.
• Explore different locations in Oz – follow sign posts!
• The environment changes as you run – test your reflexes.
• Compete in weekly challenges – beat your friends!

Google-Maps-Contacts-iOS

Google-maps-iconGoogle Maps version 1.1: Google Maps for iOS gets the ability to search Google Contacts, quickly access search for local places, and select between Kilometers or Miles. Google announced the new features in a blog post and also noted that it is rolling out the English version of the app to seven new countries including: Bahrain, Egypt, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and UAE.

Your Google Contacts are now integrated into Google Maps for iPhone – meaning that when you’re signed-in and search for a friend’s name, their address will appear as a suggestion (if you have their address saved). Simply tap their name to see the address, which will visible only to you, on the map. To learn an easy way to keep your Google Contacts synced with your iPhone, click here.

* Search your Google Contacts; sign in to have your saved addresses show up when you search for friends and family by name.
* Quickly search for local places by selecting popular categories such as restaurants, bars, cafes, gas stations, etc.
* Choose between Kilometers or Miles for your preferred distance units.
* Note that some features may not be available in all countries.

RunKeeper version 3.1: Many new features for the popular RunKeeper iOS app today including a Night Mode, In-Activity Settings, and weight logging and visualization tools: Read more

Apps & Updates

DataMan Next, Lumify, Angry Birds Space, SoundCloud, deals, more

Jordan Kahn

New:

DataMan-Next-iOS-app1. DataMan Next: The same developer behind the popular DataMan apps for tracking data usage on your iOS devices is out today with DataMan Next for iPhone featuring an all-new design. The app lets you get real-time stats on cellular and Wi-Fi usage, receive threshold alerts, view usage by bill cycle, and more.

Updates:

1. Lumify Movie Studio version 3.0: The app that we previously referred to as an Instagram of video apps was updated today with a ton of new features including 5 new video filters, multi-track audio mixing, and a slew of new editing features.

2. Angry Birds Space for Mac version 1.4.0: 30 new levels and more in the latest update to the Mac App Store version of Angry Birds Space:

-Make a splash in 30 NEW LEVELS!

-Get ready for the ultimate underwater boss level!

-Three-star levels for 3 new bonus levels!

3. SoundCloud version 2.4.3: Read more

Facebook Messenger just turned into a phone & voice messaging app

Jordan Kahn

Facebook-voice-record

Facebook is updating its Messenger iOS and Android app today with a couple of really interesting new features: the ability to record short voice messages, and a free calling service that utilizes users’ existing data plans but not their call allowance. Facebook noted on the app’s iTunes page that the calling service will roll out in the next few weeks, while the other features appear to be available to users today.

The new voice message feature will allow all users to record a voice message through a new record button (pictured above), but The Next Web explained Facebook is limiting the new VoIP calling feature to Canadian users initially. The app isn’t live on the U.S. store, but it has already landed in Canada and should be available everywhere soon.

To use the service, Canadian users will be able to log into their Messenger app, open a conversation with the person they want to call, hit the ‘i’ button in the top-right corner and selecting ‘Free Call.’ To send and receive calls, users will need to have the latest version of the app that is available today. Read more

Apple updates Apple TV to version 4.4.1 9A335a – (Update Pulled)

Jake Smith

Update: Judging by the comments, this update is bricking more than a few readers’ machines!

Update Pulled, expect another shortly

Apple has just released an update to the Apple TV this evening, updating the new 4.4 to version 4.4.1. We don’t know if there is any new features besides bug fixes as of yet, but we’ll be on the look out. If you find anything let us know; tips@9to5mac.com.

This is the first update to the new version of the Apple TV, version 4.4. Version 4.4 brought many updates including Trailers, Photo Stream, NHL, and WSJ Live. Check it out in action after the break:

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Adobe releases Photoshop Elements 10 & Adobe Premiere Elements 10

Jordan Kahn

Adobe today quietly released Photoshop Elements 10 and Premiere Elements 10, bringing with them new Facebook and YouTube integration, video editing and burring features, object-based search, and new color correcting and text curving and flowing effects.

New Facebook features allow you to auto analyze your images to identify people and tag them based on your Facebook friends. Those tags are then carried over to Facebook when uploading from Elements. A new object-based search is one of the most impressive enhancements, allowing you to find images containing a particular object such as a house or vehicle.

Other features include auto enhance and color correct for video footage, allowing you to “Automatically boost tone and vibrance without affecting skin tones, or use sliders to adjust color with complete control”. You can now also paint 1 of 100 new paint effects onto specific photo areas, add new text effects, and immediately upload video clips to Facebook and Youtube. Learn more about all the new features in these latest releases here.

Adobe’s store now has Photoshop Elements 10 or Premiere Elements 10 for $99 each (upgrade $79/ea) or both for $179.

Or, you can grab Adobe Photoshop Elements 10 and Premiere Elements 10 for $99 each on Amazon now.  Curiously, Adobe hasn’t yet updated Photoshop Elements 9 Editor in the Mac App Store.  It will be interesting to see what happens there.

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