Apps

6,561 'Apps' stories April 2010 - June 2015

Learn about the latest news for iOS, Mac, Apple Watch, and Apple TV apps

Apps for iOS, macOS, tvOS, and watchOS power our modern world. 9to5Mac will update you on the latest news, review, and updates for all types of apps. “There’s an App for that”.

The term came became part of our vocabulary when Steve Jobs announced The App Store as part of the iPhone 2.0 software update in 2008.

Over the years, the term has become as common as kleenex for describing applications on all of our devices. Apple’s platforms have apps for just about anything from finance, banking, sports, social media, podcasting, music, and more. We have a guide for helping you discover the best ones as well. Apps are now on everything from our TV, to our smartphones, on our laptops, and all the way down to our wrists.

As new ones are released or existing ones have major updates, the team here at 9to5Mac will bring you the latest news and reviews. If you want to follow along with video footage, be sure to follow 9to5Mac on YouTube. Scroll down below our latest updates on all things relating to applications on iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple TV, and Apple Watch.

Microsoft reportedly buying cross-platform to-do list app Wunderlist

Zac Hall Jun 1 2015 - 11:16 am PT

6 Comments

You can now add the German mobile app firm 6Wunderkinder GmbH to the growing list of companies with iOS apps that Microsoft has bought in recent months. 6Wunderkinder makes the popular cross-platform Wunderlist task manager for iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple Watch. According to The Wall Street Journal, Microsoft has spent somewhere in the ballpark of $100-$200 million for the firm.
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Tesla Model S remotely started using Siri on Apple Watch and ‘Remote S’ app [Video]

Zac Hall Jun 1 2015 - 9:19 am PT

8 Comments

Last month we saw a rather glorious video demonstration of how the Apple Watch can remotely control the Tesla Model S with the right software, and now that app’s developer has gone a step further by adding voice commands like remotely starting the car to the demo using Siri. Check out the video below:
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9to5Toys Last Call: iPad mini 2 WiFi+LTE 64GB $330, Retina MacBook Pro $1,100, Mac app bundle $20, more

Jun 1 2015 - 9:17 am PT

0 Comments

Keep up with the best gear and deals on the web by signing up for the 9to5Toys Newsletter. Also, be sure to check us out on: Twitter, RSS Feed, Facebook, Google+ and Safari push notifications.

Today’s can’t miss deals:

Last Call Updates:

ElevationLab’s aluminum dock gets updated with iPhone 6 Plus support
LEGO’s version of Minecraft is available to play right now
Google Chromecast (refurb) $24 shipped (Orig. $35) + free movie rental, more
Amazon magazine subscriptions from $5/yr: Fortune, Sports Illustrated, Time, many more
Home: Philips Norelco shavers from $30 (Reg. up to $60), more

iPad mini 3 Wi-Fi 16GB $300 (Reg. $399), iPad mini 2 Wi-Fi + Cellular 64GB $330 (Orig. $729)

4 Hours only! Save $125 on select 16GB and 128GB iPad mini 3 models. Deals from $275 http://t.co/ewSZ8e4v5A pic.twitter.com/GLaUxLm35K

— 9to5Toys (@9to5toys) June 1, 2015

Apple 13-inch Retina MacBook Pro w/ Force Touch (latest model) 2.7GHz/8GB/128GB: $1,100 shipped (Reg. $1,299)

The Summer Mac Essentials Bundle: Unibox, Noiseless, Hider 2, Jump Desktop and more for $19.99 ($204 value)

Amazon Gold Box – up to 50% off Logitech iPad gear: Multi-Device Bluetooth Keyboard $37 (Reg. $50), more

GoPro’s new HERO+ LCD brings a touch display to its entry-level action camera

SanDisk details new portable USB C solid-state drives for MacBook and high capacity flash drives

Father’s Day Gift Guide: top picks, exclusive discounts and a $482 giveaway

More new gear from today:

Kindle for Kids Bundle: Kindle e-reader + kid friendly cover + 2yr. warranty $99 shipped ($140 value)

New! Daily Deals: Samsung 55″ Smart HDTV $800, Foldable Bluetooth Keyboard $27, more
New! Games/Apps: Mortal Kombat X $39, Final Fantasy Type-0 $28, more
New! Headphones: Jabra Move Bluetooth on-ears $70 (Reg. $100), more
New! Samsung microSD cards: 16GB EVO $7 (Reg. $15), 32GB Pro $18 (Reg. $37)

More deals still alive:

30 discounted iTunes movie bundles: Jurassic Park $20, Godfather & Lord of the Rings Trilogy $15 ea, more

PlayStation Plus free games for Junes: Metal Gear Solid V Ground Zeroes, more

Xbox Live free games for June: Massive Chalice, Just Cause 2, Thief, more

App Store Free App of the Week: Hyper Square puzzle game ($2 value)
Lenmar’s ChugPlug gets you 4 hours of MacBook battery life: $68 shipped (Reg. $130)
Classical music albums $0.99 ea: Bach, Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert, many more
Multi-year magazine subs from $4.75/yr: ESPN, Wired, Men’s Health, many more
Pioneer speakers: SP-BS21 Bookshelfs $50 shipped (Orig. $100), more
Headphones: Philips Bluetooth $31, Audio-Technica (refurb) $39, more
TP-LINK 150Mbps wireless N portable travel router $15 shipped (Orig. $30)
Harman Kardon & JBL Factory Recertified up to 80% off
Get a month of geek and gaming gear from Loot Crate for $17 shipped (15% savings)
Complete Arduino Starter Kit & 3-Course Bundle: $76 (Orig. $520, CA Tax Only)
Get a minimum of $175 towards a PlayStation 4 with an eligible PS3 or Xbox 360 trade
AirPlay content from your iOS devices to your Mac w/ Airserver: $10 (Orig. $15)
HUSKK Quickdraw iPhone 6/6+ Leather Wallet Case: Shipped $25 (Orig. $49)

New products & more:

Splatoon for Wii U inks the scene with colorful gameplay and an exclusive bundle

Bluelounge’s new extension cord brings style and USB power
Amazon Prime adds free same day delivery in select markets across the United States
WD upgrades its popular My Passport Ultra portable HD
New game from former BioShock devs puts players in the shoes of a blind protagonist
Neato’s next gen robotic vacuums might be its quietest and best looking yet
SanDisk’s new SSDs offer improved performance at a “cost-effective” price
Screentendo can turn any part of your screen into a playable Super Mario Bros. level
This retro style amiibo display is going to give you flashbacks
OXBOARD blends a skateboard and Segway for a unique rechargeable transportation option
The new Yeair quadcopter can go as fast as your car for 60 minutes without landing

The Logic Pros: Turning iPad into a virtual pedalboard using Logic Remote

Jordan Kahn May 31 2015 - 4:52 pm PT

17 Comments

The Logic Pros is a new regular series exploring all of the most interesting gadgets and software for making music on your Mac/iOS devices. If there is any gear you would like us to take a closer hands-on look at, let us know in the comments section below or shoot us an email.

Apple’s Logic Remote app for iPad allows for a lot of control over sessions in Logic Pro X on the Mac— its two main functions include controlling the mixer/transport controls, and using it as a midi controller for playing virtual instruments with user interfaces for keyboards, drumpads, and fretboards. But the app’s other feature is a grid of drumpad-like squares that can be used as buttons for key commands.

My goal was to be able to easily flip through amps and pedals as I jam, rather than having to deal with mouse clicks, opening/highlighting the plug-in I want to interact with, etc. So using Logic Remote, I setup a workflow with custom key commands that makes the drumpad-style interface work like a giant foot pedal for flipping through the awesome set of virtual amps and pedals Logic includes. Here’s how I did it:
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Chase Bank iPhone app now lets you log in with Touch ID

Mark Gurman May 30 2015 - 1:16 pm PT

21 Comments

Nearly a year after Touch ID support for third-party developers was announced for iOS 8, major bank Chase has added fingerprint login support to its iPhone application. When you launch the new app update for the first time, the application will ask you if you’d like to turn on Touch ID support. The bank warns that some functions will still require you to enter your password, but this upgrade should still make the app quicker to navigate for many use cases. The app has also gained complete support for the iPhone 6 Plus. Chase’s iPad app, which is still on a pre-iOS 7 design, has not been updated to support Touch ID on the iPad Air 2 and iPad mini 3. Other banking apps like PayPal and American Express already have Touch ID support, with the former gaining the functionality just last week and the latter being upgraded last holiday season.

Thanks, Scott! Images via Chris P. and John B.

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Flexibits announces upcoming Fantastical for Apple Watch app

Zac Hall May 29 2015 - 11:37 am PT

5 Comments

Flexibits, makers of Fantastical 2, just announced an upcoming version of the super useful calendar app coming to the Apple Watch. Included in the teaser is the above preview of Fantastical made for the Apple Watch. We’ll have a full hands-on review of the new app when it launches so stay posted for that. In the meantime, check out our review of the recently released Fantastical 2 for Mac, which takes the natural language parsing calendar from a menu bar app to a full fledged calendar with a complete Yosemite redesign. You can grab Fantastical 2 for iPhone from the App Store for $4.99 to be ready for the Apple Watch update.

9to5Toys Last Call: 11″ MacBook Air (newest version) $800, 4x 16GB Flash Drives $16, Splatoon for Wii U, much more

May 29 2015 - 9:03 am PT

0 Comments

Keep up with the best gear and deals on the web by signing up for the 9to5Toys Newsletter. Also, be sure to check us out on: Twitter, RSS Feed, Facebook, Google+ and Safari push notifications.

Today’s can’t miss deals:

Last Call Updates:

Splatoon for Wii U inks the scene with colorful gameplay and an exclusive bundle
HUSKK Quickdraw iPhone 6/6+ Leather Wallet Case: Shipped $25 (Orig. $49)
This is probably your last chance to get wave 4 amiibo figures: Robin, Lucina, more
Acer Chromebooks at Amazon: 11.6-Inch $155, Tocuhscreen w/32GB SSD: $200, more
Xbox Live free games for June: Massive Chalice, Just Cause 2, Thief, more
Home: Anchor 4-pc stainless spice jars $17, Pyrex 18-pc glass food storage $25 , more
Multi-year magazine subs from $4.75/yr: ESPN, Wired, Men’s Health, many more

Daily Deals: 13″ 256GB Retina MacBook Pro w/ Force Touch $1,300, 11″ MacBook Air $800, Dual USB Car Chargers from $6, more

4-pack of 16GB PNY Attaché USB 2.0 Flash Drives $16 shipped (Reg. $28)

$75 Staples Gift Card for $60 w/ email delivery (20% off)

App Store Free App of the Week: Hyper Square puzzle game ($2 value)

30 discounted iTunes movie bundles: Jurassic Park $20, Godfather & Lord of the Rings Trilogy $15 ea, more

Today is your last chance to enter to win Intrepid's $379 Journeyman messenger bag! http://t.co/wLaJ9SyxU2 pic.twitter.com/N3nXBuAShU

— 9to5Toys (@9to5toys) May 29, 2015

More new gear from today:

Games/Apps: Xbox One Assassin’s Creed Unity Bundle $300 (Reg. $350), Stunt Star goes free, Machine World $1, freebies, more

New! Classical music albums $0.99 ea: Bach, Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert, many more
New! 6PM 15% off sitewide: Lucky Brand Jeans $44 (Orig. $129), more
New! Acer Chromebox 1.4GHz/2GB/16GB w/ Keyboard + Mouse $120 shipped (Reg. $150+)

More deals still alive:

iPad Air 2 64GB Wi-Fi in all colors for the same price as 16GB: $500 shipped (Reg. $599)

iPad mini 3 for the same price as the second gen model: $300 shipped (Reg. $399)

Lenmar’s ChugPlug gets you 4 hours of MacBook battery life: $68 shipped (Reg. $130)
Get up to $100 in Amazon credit w/ Weber Grills + $50 credit $399 ($449 value), more
USB Charger Deals w/ Prime shipping: Lumsing 2-port 17W $5 (Reg. $10), more
Pioneer speakers: SP-BS21 Bookshelfs $50 shipped (Orig. $100), more
Inateck 2.5″ SSD Enclosure w/ 3-port USB 3.0 Hub: $22 Prime shipped (Reg. $28)
Blumoo Bluetooth Universal Remote Shipped: $85 (Orig. $130, CA Tax Only)
Home: Coca-Cola mini fridge $30, Cuisinart brushed stainless griddler (refurb) $75, more
Buy Incase’s new bags early and get a free power pack ($50 value) + giveaway
Headphones: Philips Bluetooth $31, Audio-Technica (refurb) $39, more
WD upgrades its popular My Passport Ultra portable HD, last gen 2TB on sale for $80
TP-LINK 150Mbps wireless N portable travel router $15 shipped (Orig. $30)
Free PlayStation Plus games for June: Metal Gear Solid V Ground Zeroes, more
Harman Kardon & JBL Factory Recertified up to 80% off
Lumsing cases: iPhone 6 $3, iPhone 6 Plus $5, iPad Air 2 $7 Prime shipped
Get a month of geek and gaming gear from Loot Crate for $17 shipped (15% savings)
Complete Arduino Starter Kit & 3-Course Bundle: $76 (Orig. $520, CA Tax Only)
Get a minimum of $175 towards a PlayStation 4 with an eligible PS3 or Xbox 360 trade
AirPlay content from your iOS devices to your Mac w/ Airserver: $10 (Orig. $15)
Two rugged Bluetooth speakers from Lumsing: $11 Prime Shipped (Reg. $24+)
NERF blasters and crossbows up to 25% off: Elite 2-in-1 Demolisher $30 (Orig. $40)
NBA Jam for iOS goes free for a limited time thanks to IGN
Sky Guide: View Stars Night or Day is now available for free (Reg. $2)
Headphones: JBL J55i $19 (Reg. $30), Klipsch R6m $60 (Reg. $72+)
Anker Ultra-Slim Mini Bluetooth Keyboard for Mac, iPad, more: $13 Prime shipped

New products & more:

Bluelounge’s new extension cord brings style and USB power

Amazon Prime adds free same day delivery in select markets across the United States

New game from former BioShock devs puts players in the shoes of a blind protagonist
Neato’s next gen robotic vacuums might be its quietest and best looking yet
SanDisk’s new SSDs offer improved performance at a “cost-effective” price
Screentendo can turn any part of your screen into a playable Super Mario Bros. level
This retro style amiibo display is going to give you flashbacks
OXBOARD blends a skateboard and Segway for a unique rechargeable transportation option
The new Yeair quadcopter can go as fast as your car for 60 minutes without landing
Amazon’s purported Handmade store is about to rain on Etsy’s parade
This origami style kayak unfolds and has you in the water in 10 minutes
Xbox One can get over-air HD channels with new bundle from MS
Retro Freak plays original game cartridges from 11 throwback consoles
Phree stylus works on nearly any surface & doubles as a headset for phone calls
Bloxels lets anyone design video games with no programming knowledge needed

Todoist brings its task management app to the Apple Watch

Zac Hall May 29 2015 - 8:14 am PT

3 Comments

Apple may not have included its Reminders app on Watch OS, but Todoist is bringing its own to-do list app to the Apple Watch. Included in the latest update to the iPhone version, Todoist for Apple Watch lets you sort through your tasks and projects, respond to alerts, and even create new assignments.
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Readdle debuts Spark, a highly customizable email app for iPhone & Apple Watch

Zac Hall May 29 2015 - 7:14 am PT

33 Comments

Readdle today released a new addition to its giant collection of productivity apps for iOS with the debut of Spark. Spark is described in short as “fast and smart email for your iPhone” while its core features include tons of customization options and intelligent notification and filtering options that help take the stress out of email. Though Spark is only the latest third party email app to land on the iPhone, it is the first solid email client I’ve used on the Apple Watch so far. How does it compare to Apple’s own Mail app in this case?
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Google Cardboard VR viewer & SDK now support iOS

Zac Hall May 28 2015 - 11:52 am PT

3 Comments

Google revealed today at the I/O conference that its Cardboard viewer for creating virtual reality experiences easily from Android apps will now support the iPhone for the first time.

The added support for the iPhone comes as Google has added support for iOS to its Cardboard SDK for developers. This means that iPhone apps can now include virtual reality experiences when paired with the Cardboard viewer.

In addition to adding support for iOS, Google is releasing an updated version of its Cardboard view that supports larger phones with up to 6-inch displays. The new version also features an improved input button and can be assembled in just three steps rather than twelve.

Google Cardboard for iPhone is available on the App Store. Cardboard Viewer is available to buy from $19.99 through Google, although the company also offers instructions for building your own viewer.

Google Places API for iOS now available to all, Maps to add offline search/navigation

Jordan Kahn May 28 2015 - 11:31 am PT

4 Comments

As part of its Google I/O developer conference today, Google is offering some updates on its Google Places API for iOS as well as future updates arriving for its Maps app.
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Google’s Inbox iOS app now open to all, updated w/ new features

Jordan Kahn May 28 2015 - 11:14 am PT

11 Comments

[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VCo3zZ0P4vU]

After first launching its new Inbox app as an alternative email experience to its main Gmail service last year, Google today announced that Inbox is now open to all sans the original invite system while it also introduces a number of new features for the service.

As for features, Google highlighted a new “Trip Bundles” feature that keeps emails related to travel in one place, and improved controls for things like Undo Send, Signatures, and Swipe to Delete:
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Google introduces Photos app w/ unlimited photo & video syncing on iOS, Android, and the web

Zac Hall May 28 2015 - 11:11 am PT

58 Comments

Google revealed its new cross-platform Photos app and service today at its I/O developer conference taking place right now. The idea is similar to Apple’s own Photos app and iCloud Photo Library. Google is automatically backing up and syncing photo and video libraries using Google Drive storage and not local device storage, but Google’s killer feature for its version comes down to price: Google Photos is completely free.
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9to5Toys Last Call: ChugPlug MacBook battery add-on $68, iPad Air 2 64GB $500, travel router $15, more

May 28 2015 - 9:07 am PT

0 Comments

Keep up with the best gear and deals on the web by signing up for the 9to5Toys Newsletter. Also, be sure to check us out on: Twitter, RSS Feed, Facebook, Google+ and Safari push notifications.

Today’s can’t miss deals:

Last Call Updates:

App Store Free App of the Week: Hyper Square puzzle game ($2 value)
USB Charger Deals w/ Prime shipping: Lumsing 2-port 17W $5 (Reg. $10), more
Pioneer speakers: SP-BS21 Bookshelfs $50 shipped (Orig. $100), more
Inateck 2.5″ SSD Enclosure w/ 3-port USB 3.0 Hub: $22 Prime shipped (Reg. $28)
New game from former BioShock devs puts players in the shoes of a blind protagonist
Blumoo Bluetooth Universal Remote Shipped: $85 (Orig. $130, CA Tax Only)
Get up to $100 in Amazon credit w/ Weber Grills + $50 credit $399 ($449 value), more
Home: Coca-Cola mini fridge $30, Cuisinart brushed stainless griddler (refurb) $75, more

Lenmar’s ChugPlug gets you 4 hours of MacBook battery life: $68 shipped (Reg. $130)

iPad Air 2 64GB Wi-Fi in all colors for the same price as 16GB: $500 shipped (Reg. $599)

TP-LINK 150Mbps wireless N portable travel router $15 shipped (Orig. $30)

30 discounted iTunes movie bundles: Jurassic Park $20, Godfather & Lord of the Rings Trilogy $15 ea, more

Giveaway: Intrepid’s Journeyman messenger bag worth $379 is great for work or play

More new gear from today:

Amazon Prime adds free same day delivery in select markets across the United States

New! Daily Deals: 11,200mAh Power Bank $18, Anker Bluetooth Speaker $28, more
New! Headphones: Philips Bluetooth $31, Audio-Technica (refurb) $39, more
New! Games/Apps: ProCam 2 for iOS goes free (Reg. $3), iOS freebies, more
New! Buy Incase’s new bags early and get a free power pack ($50 value) + giveaway

More deals still alive:

WD upgrades its popular My Passport Ultra portable HD, last gen 2TB on sale for $80

Free PlayStation Plus games for June: Metal Gear Solid V Ground Zeroes, more
Harman Kardon & JBL Factory Recertified up to 80% off
Lumsing cases: iPhone 6 $3, iPhone 6 Plus $5, iPad Air 2 $7 Prime shipped
Get a month of geek and gaming gear from Loot Crate for $17 shipped (15% savings)
Complete Arduino Starter Kit & 3-Course Bundle: $76 (Orig. $520, CA Tax Only)
Get a minimum of $175 towards a PlayStation 4 with an eligible PS3 or Xbox 360 trade
AirPlay content from your iOS devices to your Mac w/ Airserver: $10 (Orig. $15)
iPad mini 3 for the same price as the second gen model: $300 shipped (Reg. $399)
Two rugged Bluetooth speakers from Lumsing: $11 Prime Shipped (Reg. $24+)
NERF blasters and crossbows up to 25% off: Elite 2-in-1 Demolisher $30 (Orig. $40)
NBA Jam for iOS goes free for a limited time thanks to IGN
1Password for Mac drops down even further to $28 (Reg. $50)
App Store Free App of the Week: Magnetized abstract puzzle game ($3 value)
Sky Guide: View Stars Night or Day is now available for free (Reg. $2)
App Store Amazing Apps & Games for $1 ea: Living Earth, Cut the Rope 2, more
Headphones: JBL J55i $19 (Reg. $30), Klipsch R6m $60 (Reg. $72+)
Anker Ultra-Slim Mini Bluetooth Keyboard for Mac, iPad, more: $13 Prime shipped
MFi Lightning Cables: 10-ft $7, 3-ft $6, and more deals for braided and aluminum options
30% off accessories from T-Mobile: Mophie Juice Pack Air for iPhone 6 $76, more
Jabra SOLEMATE Portable Bluetooth Speaker $60 shipped (Reg. $86+)
Veho Retro Leather Bluetooth Speaker $65 shipped (Orig. $180)
Kingtop 5500 DPI Optical Gaming Mouse w/7 Button Side: $9 Prime shipped

New products & more:

SanDisk’s new SSDs offer improved performance at a “cost-effective” price

Neato’s next gen robotic vacuums might be its quietest and best looking yet

Screentendo can turn any part of your screen into a playable Super Mario Bros. level
This retro style amiibo display is going to give you flashbacks
OXBOARD blends a skateboard and Segway for a unique rechargeable transportation option
The new Yeair quadcopter can go as fast as your car for 60 minutes without landing
Amazon’s purported Handmade store is about to rain on Etsy’s parade
This origami style kayak unfolds and has you in the water in 10 minutes
Xbox One can get over-air HD channels with new bundle from MS
Retro Freak plays original game cartridges from 11 throwback consoles
Phree stylus works on nearly any surface & doubles as a headset for phone calls
Bloxels lets anyone design video games with no programming knowledge needed

MooVee for iPhone aims to help you manage your growing movie watchlist

Mike Beasley May 28 2015 - 9:00 am PT

6 Comments

Following up on the success of the series tracking app TeeVee, developer CrazyApps has released a new piece of software aimed at moviegoers. The app, appropriately titled MooVee, allows you to keep track of movies you’ve seen and what you want to see.

The app’s UI is similar in some aspects to TeeVee, but most of it has been designed from scratch to better accommodate the ways movies and TV differ. For example, in the image above you can see the watchlist view, which resembles the main list view in TeeVee. However, other features are unique to MooVee.

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Moleskine brings stylish notebook aesthetics to calendar app, integrating maps, contacts & weather

Ben Lovejoy May 28 2015 - 4:02 am PT

31 Comments

As someone who does everything electronically, I’m always slightly bemused by people who still use pen and paper – but there is something about Moleskine notebooks that does occasionally make me wonder just a little if I’m missing out. The company today appears to be targeting people like me, with an app that brings the stylish, minimalist aesthetics of the notebooks to a new iPhone and Apple Watch app.

Moleskine Timepage aims to integrate your iCloud, Google and Microsoft Exchange calendars with contacts, maps and weather. For appointments elsewhere, it will display a map of the location, show you the travel time by car, public transit, cycling or walking – and show what the weather will be like when you get there …
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Apple Store app offering limited same-day delivery through Postmates in select cities

Zac Hall May 27 2015 - 1:39 pm PT

3 Comments

Apple appears to be testing same-day delivery for some of its products in select markets for customers using the Apple Store app on iOS. First noticed by MacRumors, same-day shipping options fulfilled by the on-demand shipping service Postmates now appear for certain items when checking out with the app.

Not at all in-stock items qualify for the $19 flat rate same-day shipping option, however. The option doesn’t seem to be available within the Apple Store app for all markets with Apple Stores that Postmates serves, either, suggesting the same-day delivery option is being tested on a small scale for now.

Apple recently updated the Apple Store app for iOS, adding support for Touch ID to view order information and 2-step verification for added security. The update also highlighted availability in more countries around the world, but Postmates integration and same-day delivery options have not yet been officially announced.

Apple says native watch SDK preview coming at WWDC, calls car the ‘ultimate mobile device’

Mike Beasley May 27 2015 - 11:04 am PT

6 Comments

Big improvements will be coming to Apple Watch apps later this year, Apple SVP of Operations Jeff Williams revealed during an interview at the Code Conference. In the current version of the Watch OS software, apps need to run on the iPhone rather than the watch itself, which puts a serious damper on performance.

However, that will change this fall, Williams said, when native watch apps are finally made possible…

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Apple’s ‘Proactive’ to take on Google Now with deep iOS 9 search, Augmented Reality Maps, Siri API

Mark Gurman May 27 2015 - 9:59 am PT

55 Comments

After several years of quiet development, Apple is readying a major new iOS initiative codenamed “Proactive,” which will leverage Siri, Contacts, Calendar, Passbook, and third-party apps to create a viable competitor to Google Now for Android devices. Like Google Now, Proactive will automatically provide timely information based on the user’s data and device usage patterns, but will respect the user’s privacy preferences, according to sources familiar with Apple’s plans.

As an evolution of iOS’s Spotlight search feature, Proactive is the fruit of a long-term initiative that involved the acquisition of small app developers, and integration of core iOS apps. It will also work with Apple’s Maps application to display personally relevant points of interest using an augmented reality interface, and integrate with a third-party Siri API codenamed “Breadcrumbs”…

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Pixelmator for the iPhone launching tomorrow, we go hands on (update: now available!)

Benjamin Mayo May 27 2015 - 9:56 am PT

10 Comments

Update: Pixelmator for iPhone is now available. Download it here.

Pixelmator is releasing an update to its iOS app tomorrow, making the app available on the iPhone for the first time ($4.99). The universal app means you can buy once and download Pixelmator on both iPad and iPhone. Existing iOS users of the app naturally get the iPhone version for free as an update. The new version also brings the Distort tools, like warp brushes, to the iOS app for the first time.

Pixelmator for iPhone works very similarly to the iPad version but scaled down for the smaller canvas. You can read our full review of the iPad app from last year. Rather than popover panels, selecting an action opens full-width menus encapsulating options. This is a necessary concession for the size of the display.

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WWDC app refreshed with Apple Watch support, session schedule, more

Zac Hall May 27 2015 - 9:34 am PT

1 Comment

Apple has just released version 3.0 of its WWDC app for iPhone and iPad ahead of the big developer conference kicking off on June 8th. Notably, the updated version includes support for the Apple Watch for viewing conference info from the new device, including a WWDC glance:
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9to5Toys Last Call: discounted iTunes movie bundles, Logitech Bluetooth speaker $60, WD 2TB HDD $80, more

May 27 2015 - 9:09 am PT

0 Comments

Keep up with the best gear and deals on the web by signing up for the 9to5Toys Newsletter. Also, be sure to check us out on: Twitter, RSS Feed, Facebook, Google+ and Safari push notifications.

Today’s can’t miss deals:

Last Call Updates:

Neato’s next gen robotic vacuums might be its quietest and best looking yet
Free PlayStation Plus games for June: Metal Gear Solid V Ground Zeroes, more
Lumsing cases: iPhone 6 $3, iPhone 6 Plus $5, iPad Air 2 $7 Prime shipped
Lenmar’s ChugPlug gets you 4 hours of MacBook battery life: $68 shipped (Reg. $130)
Screentendo can turn any part of your screen into a playable Super Mario Bros. level
Get a month of geek and gaming gear from Loot Crate for $17 shipped (15% savings)
Complete Arduino Starter Kit & 3-Course Bundle: $76 (Orig. $520, CA Tax Only)
Home: Cuisinart auto ice cream maker (refurb) $35 (Orig. $50), more

Fleksy customizable keyboard app w/ GIF support for iOS goes free (Reg. $1) http://t.co/Kh3EeZVI2b pic.twitter.com/gRBwDKanEt

— 9to5Toys (@9to5toys) May 27, 2015

30 discounted iTunes movie bundles: Jurassic Park $20, Godfather & Lord of the Rings Trilogy $15 ea, more

Logitech UE BOOM wireless Bluetooth speakers: MINI $60 (Orig. $100), full-size $129 (Orig. $200)

WD upgrades its popular My Passport Ultra portable HD, last gen 2TB on sale for $80

Giveaway: Intrepid’s Journeyman messenger bag worth $379 is great for work or play

More new gear from today:

Daily Deals: OtterBox iPhone 6 commuter wallet case $21, Tethys universal waterproof pouch $4, more

New! Games/Apps: Witcher series $10, Bayonetta 2 $45, Wii U bundle $260, freebies, more
New! Harman Kardon & JBL Factory Recertified up to 80% off
New! This retro style amiibo display is going to give you flashbacks to the first Super Mario Bros.

Bayonetta 1 & 2 for Wii U $45 shipped (Reg. $60) http://t.co/Kh3EeZVI2b pic.twitter.com/Y048Cu3uia

— 9to5Toys (@9to5toys) May 27, 2015

More deals still alive:

AirPlay content from your iOS devices to your Mac w/ Airserver: $10 (Orig. $15)

Get a minimum of $175 towards a PlayStation 4 with an eligible PS3 or Xbox 360 trade

iPad mini 3 for the same price as the second gen model: $300 shipped (Reg. $399)
Two rugged Bluetooth speakers from Lumsing: $11 Prime Shipped (Reg. $24+)
NERF blasters and crossbows up to 25% off: Elite 2-in-1 Demolisher $30 (Orig. $40)
NBA Jam for iOS goes free for a limited time thanks to IGN
1Password for Mac drops down even further to $28 (Reg. $50)
App Store Free App of the Week: Magnetized abstract puzzle game ($3 value)
Sky Guide: View Stars Night or Day is now available for free (Reg. $2)
App Store Amazing Apps & Games for $1 ea: Living Earth, Cut the Rope 2, more
Headphones: JBL J55i $19 (Reg. $30), Klipsch R6m $60 (Reg. $72+)
Anker Ultra-Slim Mini Bluetooth Keyboard for Mac, iPad, more: $13 Prime shipped
MFi Lightning Cables: 10-ft $7, 3-ft $6, and more deals for braided and aluminum options
30% off accessories from T-Mobile: Mophie Juice Pack Air for iPhone 6 $76, more
Jabra SOLEMATE Portable Bluetooth Speaker $60 shipped (Reg. $86+)
Veho Retro Leather Bluetooth Speaker $65 shipped (Orig. $180)
Kingtop 5500 DPI Optical Gaming Mouse w/7 Button Side: $9 Prime shipped
Refurbished 5K iMac pricing down to lowest ever
Apple has reduced pricing on many of its refurbished 15” Retina MacBook Pro models
Belkin 30% off sitewide on $100+ orders: Thunderbolt 2 Dock $210, more
Canon PIXMA AirPrint Printer + Premiere/Photoshop: $109 (~$200 value)
Bluetooth Speakers: Urge Soundbrick $19 (Reg. $30), Aukey Muse $20 (Reg. $36), more

New products & more:

OXBOARD blends a skateboard and Segway for a unique rechargeable transportation option

The new Yeair quadcopter can go as fast as your car for 60 minutes without landing

Amazon’s purported Handmade store is about to rain on Etsy’s parade
This origami style kayak unfolds and has you in the water in 10 minutes
Xbox One can get over-air HD channels with new bundle from MS
Retro Freak plays original game cartridges from 11 throwback consoles
Phree stylus works on nearly any surface & doubles as a headset for phone calls
Bloxels lets anyone design video games with no programming knowledge needed

eBook app for Apple Watch shows what not to do with watch apps

Jordan Kahn May 27 2015 - 8:23 am PT

4 Comments

Want to read ebooks on your Apple Watch one word at a time? Of course you don’t.

There are apps that make a lot of sense for the smaller display and the quick access that Apple Watch provides, but this ebook reader certainly doesn’t hit that sweet spot. Perhaps some people are interested in reading books on their wrist one word at a time, but for others (most?), this new Wear Reader app is a great example of what not to do with Apple Watch apps:
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Kindle for iOS adds a new font for digital screens, HBO Go now supports HDMI playback

Zac Hall May 27 2015 - 7:20 am PT

1 Comment

Two interesting app updates out today that make enjoying media from your iOS device even better.

On the reading front, Amazon has updated its Kindle for iOS app to include a font called Bookerly that it says was designed especially for reading on a digital screen. The font, which was first made available on its Kindle Fire devices, is described by Amazon as “warm and contemporary.”
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