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Productivity app Things adds push sync feature to keep task lists auto updated across devices

Zac Hall Aug 19 2015 - 11:10 am PT

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Managing alerts on Cultured Code’s Things task management app across multiple devices is about to become a whole lot more effective. Things already uses its own robust syncing solution called Things Cloud since iCloud syncing has been rocky at times in the past, and today Cultured Code is unveiling a major upgrade to Things Cloud.

Built on an all-new architecture, the Things Cloud “Nimbus” upgrade delivers a push sync feature that allows Things for iPhone, iPad, and Mac to stay up-to-date without having to actively open it on each device. iOS has gained features like Background App Refresh that let apps do more without being front and center, but Things and push sync makes keeping devices in sync a reliable experience.
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• Microsoft Office

Microsoft Word, Powerpoint, & Excel for iOS updated w/ improved Outlook integration, more

Chance Miller Aug 12 2015 - 4:08 pm PT

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Microsoft today has rolled out updates to its trio of Office apps including Word, PowerPoint, and Excel. The updates bump each app to version 1.12 and while relatively minor, include a new feature that will be significantly useful for the Microsoft Office power users out there…

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Apple releases 1.0.4 software for iPod nano (7th-gen)

Jeremy Horwitz Aug 12 2015 - 12:24 pm PT

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With little fanfare and no accompanying information on what’s changed, Apple’s seventh-generation iPod nano has received a software update to version 1.0.4. The new software follows the release of updated iPod nano colors last month, but does not appear to change any major functionality with the small touchscreen device.

iPod nano software version 1.0.4 can be downloaded through iTunes after connecting the nano using a Lightning cable. Note that a bug in the current beta release of OS X El Capitan can cause iTunes to crash after downloading the update but before it begins to install; we would recommend using OS X Yosemite for the update. As expected, the update does not support syncing Apple Music offline.

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Apple Store app finally updated with the option to use gift cards at checkout

Mike Beasley Aug 11 2015 - 1:27 pm PT

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The Apple Store app for iOS has finally gained the ability to checkout using gift cards. The feature has been inexplicably missing since the app debuted, but with the latest version users will now be able to import new Apple Store gift cards using their device’s camera or pull in existing cards from Passbook. The new option can be found at checkout and requires first entering the gift card’s PIN.

The feature also drops the old shopping cart icon and terminology in favor of the new “shopping bag” introduced with the recent overhaul of Apple’s website and online store.

The Apple Store app is available for free on the App Store.

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Facebook is reportedly developing a Twitter-like breaking news app

Zac Hall Aug 11 2015 - 12:17 pm PT

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Notification system reportedly being tested (via <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/facebook-mobile-notification-breaking-news-app-2015-8?op=1" target="_blank">BI</a>)

Update: A Facebook spokesperson has issued a statement to 9to5Mac, saying “We don’t comment on rumors or speculation.”

Facebook is currently developing a new standalone mobile app geared toward breaking news, Business Insider reports. The mobile app in testing is said to be Twitter-like in a news sense as its focus is said to be around allowing partnered publications to push alerts to users. Another Twitter-like aspect is the character limit of alerts being tested. According to the report, publications will have 100 characters plus an article link for users to click in each alert; similarly, tweets are limited to 140 characters in total.
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• Apps & Updates
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• iPhone
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• Games

Lara Croft GO by Hitman creators Square Enix launching for iOS on August 27

Cam Bunton Aug 7 2015 - 7:11 am PT

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Hitman creators, Square Enix are about to launch their next mobile title for iOS. Lara Croft GO will hit the App Store on August 27 and will feature similar gameplay to the popular Hitman GO title. The developers promise beautiful graphics and challenging stages:

Square Enix Montréal today announced that Lara Croft GO™, the follow-up to the hugely successful Hitman GO® mobile game, will release on mobile platforms Aug. 27. The turn-based puzzle game offers a never-before-seen take on the iconic franchise, featuring challenging levels, gorgeous visuals and a mesmerizing soundtrack.

If it’s anything like the Hitman GO title, the Tomb Raider inspired version is going to be frustratingly addictive and could be one of the surprise hits of the year. Hitman GO was incredibly well reviewed. Just browsing through the App Store listing shows glowing reviews. And — for once — it’s not a freemium game. So let’s hope Lara Croft’s version sticks to that pricing model.

As well as announcing the impending arrival of Tomb Raider GO, Square Enix has joined with Crystal Dynamics to launch an art contest. Artists are being invited to submit their own original Lara Croft GO-inspired artwork between now and August 21. The top 10 entries will be selected by a panel of “experts” and will be showcased during a party at PAX Prime in Seattle on August 28, one day after the game lands on the Play Store. Of these 10 entries, three will be selected to go to auction, with the proceeds going to Child’s Play, a “game industry charity”.

If you want to submit artwork, simply email info@square-enix-montreal.com with the subject line ‘Lara Croft GO Art Contest Submission’, along with your name.

• Apps & Updates
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• fitness

Adidas buys popular fitness app maker Runtastic for € 220 million

Jordan Kahn Aug 5 2015 - 10:56 am PT

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Runtastic, developers of several popular fitness iOS apps, today announced it has been acquired by Adidas for € 220 million. The move, according to a press release from both companies, will help Adidas bolster its efforts in offering connected products and its vision of “the convergence of sport, digital and data in an always connected and always on-demand world.” Or in other words, Adidas now has a strong software component with a large user base to integrate with its digitally enabled sports products including balls, wrist devices, apparel, and shoes.

Adidas already offers several of its own mobile apps that cross over into Runtastic’s territory, such as the miCoach train & run app and the Adidas Go app that integrates with Spotify to offer music matched to a user’s running pace. Runtastic, however, has around 20 mobile apps related to fitness and health and claims around 140 million downloads and 70 million registered users. The company also offers a few hardware products, including a scale and fitness tracking devices, that compliment its fitness apps that integrate with other third-party hardware including Apple Watch. 

It’s unclear what Adidas has planned for the company and its apps, but Runtastic will be joining the Adidas teams and building new experiences as part of the brand going forward. What exactly that means for the Runtastic brand and integration with Adidas products remains to be seen.

• Apps & Updates
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Viber iOS app updated with easier video calling, rich links, lower data usage & more

Ben Lovejoy Aug 4 2015 - 6:50 am PT

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Viber has updated its iOS app to add a range of improvements based on user requests, says the company. Version 5.5 allows you to start a video call directly from your recent calls list, rich links now display content previews when links are posted into text chats – and Viber says more efficient data compression has allowed it to improve the quality of both audio and video calls while reducing data usage.

Users can also now share contacts within both one-to-one and group chats, and invite an entire group to follow a public chat.

Viber is a free download from iTunes.

Via TNW

• Apps & Updates
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• August

Unlock your door from your wrist with August Smart Lock for Apple Watch

Chance Miller Aug 3 2015 - 11:06 am PT

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August, the company behind the popular Smart Lock solution, today has announced its very own Apple Watch app. In a blog post, August announced that the latest update to its iOS app adds support for Apple Watch and makes it possible to control your Smart Lock directly from your wrist.

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• SwiftKey

SwiftKey beta for iOS adds new ‘Your Signature Emoji’ feature

Chance Miller Jul 31 2015 - 8:00 am PT

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SwiftKey today has revealed a new feature coming to its iOS app. For those unfamiliar, SwiftKey is one of the most popular third-party keyboard solutions for iOS, offering up a plethora of capabilities and features not found with Apple’s stock offering. Today, SwiftKey announced that it is rolling out a new feature called “Your Signature Emoji” to users of its beta app.

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StubHub iOS app adds Uber and Apple Music integration

Jordan Kahn Jul 29 2015 - 12:46 pm PT

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StubHub is rolling out an updated version of its iOS app today that adds integration with both Uber and Apple Music.

For Uber, users can now request a vehicle directly from within the app when purchasing event tickets or setup a reminder to do so for an upcoming event. Once you’ve booked a ride with Uber, StubHub automatically provides the location of the event venue to the driver:

After completing a ticket purchase on StubHub, fans will now be able to set a reminder to arrange transportation through Uber when the event is imminent. Users who purchase tickets within two hours of the event will be able to order an Uber directly from the order confirmation page.

As for the Apple Music support, the app can now tap into your Apple Music library to automatically scan for new artists to add to your StubHub ‘favorites’, a feature that lets users track upcoming events for their favourite artists.

The Uber and Apple Music integration is available for StubHub users in the updated StubHub app, version 6.0.4, on the App Store. The Uber feature, however, is available only for users in the UK, US, and Canada.