Apps

6,369 'Apps' stories April 2010 - January 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.

9to5Toys Weekend: The Best Student Discounts, Retina MacBook Pro $200 off, more

Jan 23 2015 - 9:00 am PT

0 Comments

Today’s can’t miss deals:

The best student discounts: Apple, Best Buy, J.Crew, dozens of other national retailers
Apogee’s new Groove portable amp uses four DACs to match different headphones
Avid will offer a free version of its digital audio workstation software known as Pro Tools First
Gaming For Couples: The best Xbox One bundles, games, demos and accessories
Fashion: Save up to 70% at Sierra Trading Post, outdoor gear, clothes, shoes, more
Multi-year magazines from $4.30/yr: Pop Science, Wired, ESPN, Dwell, GQ, many more
Home: Shark portable garment steamer (refurb) $30, PEET Shoe Dryer $29, more

iTunes Free App of the Week – Shades: A Simple Puzzle Game ($1.99 value)

Apple 13-inch MacBook Pro w/ Retina display (newest) 2.8GHz/8GB/512GB: $1,599 ($200 off)

Apple 13.3-inch MacBook Air (newest) 1.4Ghz/4GB/256GB: $1,000 ($199 off)

Apple 11.6-inch MacBook Air (mid 2013) 1.3GHz/4GB/256GB: $849 (orig. $1,099)

Lenmar ChugPlug adds up to 4 hours of battery life to your MacBook: $80 shipped (Reg. $130)

Supersize your Super Bowl with these HDTV deals

Last Chance: Enter to win a Pencil by FiftyThree as a part of this week's Small States http://t.co/64uiKYbozC pic.twitter.com/V7255Ht6D9

— 9to5Toys (@9to5toys) January 23, 2015

More new deals:

New! Games/Apps: XCOM Enemy Unknown for Mac $14 (Reg. $35), freebies
New! iPhone 6/Plus Ultra Thin TPU Clear Skin Cases (variety of colors) $2 shipped
New! Case Logic 15.6-inch Laptop Backpack: $26 Prime shipped (orig. $70)
New! Monitors: Acer 27″ Widescreen $480 (Reg. $550+), Dell 24″ LED $210 (Reg. $270)
New! Belkin QODE Ultimate Wireless Keyboard Case for iPad Air $70 shipped (Reg. $130)
New! Headphones: Pioneer MX9-K $130 (Reg. $220), Beats Mixr $130 (Reg. $175+), more

More deals still alive:

Klipsch STATUS Over-Ear Headphones (white) $85 shipped (orig. $250)
Fashion: Save 40% off at Banana Republic, 70% at Abercrombie, more
Speck CandyShell Grip iPad mini Case (multiple colors) $10 (orig. $45)
Nintendo Throwback Sale 2: Punch-Out!! $10 for Wii U, NES Remix 2, more
HP Chromebox CB1 desktop computer: $130 (Reg. up to $180)
Kensington KeyFolio Pro Plus Backlit Bluetooth Keyboard case for iPad Air: $35 (orig. $90)
Multi-yr magazine subs from $4 per yr: Popular Science, Dwell, Wired, GQ, more
Blumoo RF Remote Control adapter w/ streaming $85 (orig. $130), more
SSDs: Samsung 850 Pro 256GB $160, Transcend SATA III 256GB $90, more
Bluetooth Speakers: Sol Republic Deck $50 (Reg. $80), Yamaha $100 (Reg. $150+)
Logitech K400 wireless keyboard w/ built-in touchpad $20 shipped (orig. $40)
HDTVs: VIZIO 65-inch 4K $1,500 (Reg. $2,200), more
iHome iW3 AirPlay Speaker w/ rechargeable battery $45 shipped (Reg. $60+)
Break is exclusively streaming 200 Lionsgate movies for free
Speakers: Pioneer Floorstanding Pair $120, Klipsch Outdoor $130
$100 iTunes Gift Card for $87 shipped
Transcend JetDrive 240GB SSD Upgrade Kits for MacBook Air & Retina Pro: $169
Expedia coupon code: save $25 on hotel stays of $100 or more
The iMacompanion is the front USB Port your iMac deserves (15% off)
Apple-certified MFi 3.3ft Lightning USB Cable: $7 Prime shipped, more
Valiant Hearts: The Great War is IGN’s free iOS game of the month ($4.99 value)

New products/ongoing promos/info:

Leatherman is going to put out a wearable multi-tool with a Swiss watch
IK Multimedia unveils the iRig Mic Studio and PowerBridge adapter for iOS/Mac
New iOS releases: The LEGO Movie Videogame and Square Enix’s Dragon Quest V
The Internet Button from Spark lets you physically trigger all your IFTTT recipies
Netflix set to begin streaming The Interview this weekend
Plex is now available on PlayStation 3 and 4 for Pass subscribers
Kitchen Tech: The best wine tools and restaurant-class champagne accessories
Limited edition Borderlands preorder includes an iOS controlled Claptrap robot
The new Avatar: Warrior’s Journey game is coming to iOS and Android this spring
Free week of NBA League Pass for iOS, Android, Apple TV, more
Mortal Kombat developer NetherRealm Studios releases free-to-play WWE iOS fighter
Myo armband is set to go mainstream

Adobe Photoshop Express for iOS adds WhatsApp sharing and premium feature trial

Zac Hall Jan 22 2015 - 10:28 am PT

1 Comment

Adobe is out with an update to its Photoshop Express photo editing app for iPhone and iPad today. The latest release of Photoshop Express for iOS, version 3.5, adds integration with the WhatsApp Messenger app for sharing edited photos directly to the chat service. The update also includes the usual bug fixes including some for issues for iOS 8 users specifically.

Adobe is also giving Photoshop Express users access to some premium features within the app for free. Photoshop Express users with a free Adobe ID (you can sign up here) can use paid features like Premium and Custom Looks as well as noise reduction without paying. Adobe says this promotion will only be available for a short time.

Expand
Expanding
Close

9to5Toys Last Call: iPhone 6/Plus cases from $7, MacBook Air $199 off, Super Bowl HDTV deals, more

Jan 22 2015 - 9:00 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:
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HsXPZOwx4MI?rel=0]

iTunes Free App of the Week – Shades: A Simple Puzzle Game ($1.99 value)
Leatherman is going to put out a wearable multi-tool with a Swiss watch
Klipsch STATUS Over-Ear Headphones (white) $85 shipped (orig. $250)
Fashion: Save 40% off at Banana Republic, 70% at Abercrombie, more
Speck CandyShell Grip iPad mini Case (multiple colors) $10 (orig. $45)
Home: WORX Lithium Blower/Sweeper (refurb) $45 (orig. $100), more
Nintendo Throwback Sale 2: Punch-Out!! $10 for Wii U, NES Remix 2, more
HP Chromebox CB1 desktop computer: $130 (Reg. up to $180)
IK Multimedia unveils the iRig Mic Studio and PowerBridge adapter for iOS/Mac + the new UA Android guitar interface

Amazon Gold Box – 30% off NuPro iPhone 6/Plus cases: multiple styles/colors from $7 Prime shipped

Apple 13.3-inch MacBook Air (newest version) 1.4Ghz/4GB/256GB: $1,000 ($199 off)

Apple 11.6-inch MacBook Air (mid 2013) 1.3GHz/4GB/256GB: $849 shipped (orig. $1,099)

Supersize your Super Bowl with these HDTV deals

Watch Amazon’s hit TV show Transparent for free and save 27% on Prime

Small States: Paper by FiftyThree pursues the new digital American Dream, multiple giveaways

More new deals:

New! Canon PIXMA Wireless All-in-One Inkjet Printer w/ AirPrint $50 shipped (orig. $100)
New! Games/Apps: Xbox One Assassin’s Creed bundle w/ Live $350, iOS freebies, more
New! New iOS releases: The LEGO Movie Videogame and Square Enix’s Dragon Quest V
New! Daily Deals: Vaas Bluetooth Keyboard for iPad: $11, more
New! Jabra Solemate Wireless Portable Bluetooth Speaker w/ NFC $70 (Reg. up to $150)

More deals still alive:

Belkin Loft MacBook Stand $32 Prime shipped (Reg. $50)
Kensington KeyFolio Pro Plus Backlit Bluetooth Keyboard case for iPad Air: $35 (orig. $90)
Multi-yr magazine subs from $4 per yr: Popular Science, Dwell, Wired, GQ, more
Blumoo RF Remote Control adapter w/ streaming $85 (orig. $130), more
Headphones: Sennheiser HD 518 $70 (Reg. $130), Velodyne vFree wireless $40 (Reg. $80+)
SSDs: Samsung 850 Pro 256GB $160, Transcend SATA III 256GB $90, more
Bluetooth Speakers: Sol Republic Deck $50 (Reg. $80), Yamaha $100 (Reg. $150+)
Logitech K400 wireless keyboard w/ built-in touchpad $20 shipped (orig. $40)
HDTVs: VIZIO 65-inch 4K $1,500 (Reg. $2,200), more
iHome iW3 AirPlay Speaker w/ rechargeable battery $45 shipped (Reg. $60+)
Break is exclusively streaming 200 Lionsgate movies for free
Speakers: Pioneer Floorstanding Pair $120, Klipsch Outdoor $130
$100 iTunes Gift Card for $87 shipped
Transcend JetDrive 240GB SSD Upgrade Kits for MacBook Air & Retina Pro: $169
D-Link Wireless AC1000 Dual Band Cloud Router $30 shipped (orig. $140)
Expedia coupon code: save $25 on hotel stays of $100 or more
The iMacompanion is the front USB Port your iMac deserves (15% off)
Apple-certified MFi 3.3ft Lightning USB Cable: $7 Prime shipped, more
Productivity Pack: Evernote, Wunderlist, LastPass, Pocket Premium subscriptions $60
MacHeist Mac app bundle: Parallels Access, CodeKit, Speedy and more $15 ($239 value)
Valiant Hearts: The Great War is IGN’s free iOS game of the month ($4.99 value)

New products/ongoing promos/info:

The Internet Button from Spark lets you physically trigger all your IFTTT recipies
Netflix set to begin streaming The Interview this weekend
Plex is now available on PlayStation 3 and 4 for Pass subscribers
Kitchen Tech: The best wine tools and restaurant-class champagne accessories
Limited edition Borderlands preorder includes an iOS controlled Claptrap robot
The new Avatar: Warrior’s Journey game is coming to iOS and Android this spring
Free week of NBA League Pass for iOS, Android, Apple TV, more
Mortal Kombat developer NetherRealm Studios releases free-to-play WWE iOS fighter
Myo armband is set to go mainstream
GE built a smart Keurig brewer directly into its new Café French Door refrigerators
Cree enters the smart home space with its new Connected LED Bulb
Here are the new premium Ultimaker 2 Go and 2 Extended home 3D printers

Amazon releases Kindle Textbook Creator for Mac, a cross-platform iBooks Author competitor

Zac Hall Jan 22 2015 - 8:30 am PT

1 Comment

Apple first released its iBooks Author Mac app for creating interactive textbooks for the iBooks Store back in 2012, and now Amazon is delivering its own textbook composing Mac app for publishing to the Kindle Store. Kindle Textbook Creator, announced today, is available in beta for both Mac and PC with the competitive benefit of publishing to the cross-platform Kindle Store, which is available on iOS, Mac, Android, and more.
Expand
Expanding
Close

BlackBerry CEO thinks Apple should be legally required to bring iMessage to BlackBerry

Mike Beasley Jan 21 2015 - 11:43 pm PT

50 Comments

BlackBerry Messenger for iPhone (it’s OK to laugh)

If you can’t beat ’em, tell the government to force ’em to let you beat ’em. That’s the approach BlackBerry CEO John Chen wants to take to mobile software development. Today Chen wrote in a blog post on the BlackBerry website that he believes the issue of net neutrality requires the government to not only promote and protect neutrality not only among wireless and broadband carriers, but also among app and content providers.

Chen argues that it’s pointless to tell Comcast, Time Warner, Verizon, and other carriers that they can’t discriminate against certain data while still allowing applications and content providers to discriminate against certain platforms.

Expand
Expanding
Close

Twitter adds new ‘while you were away’ recaps to iOS app

Chance Miller Jan 21 2015 - 3:26 pm PT

0 Comments

Twitter this evening has announced in a blog post that it is rolling out a new “While you were away” recap feature to its mobile apps. Starting today on iOS and “soon” on Twitter.com and Android, a “While you were away” banner will appear in your feed, showing you the top tweets that you missed since you last opened the app. The company initially announced plans for a feature like this in November.

Expand
Expanding
Close

Logic Pro X 10.1 arrives w/ tons of new sounds, AirDrop sharing, redesigned plug-ins, & editing improvements

Zac Hall Jan 21 2015 - 1:47 pm PT

9 Comments

Apple today released a new version of Logic Pro X, its professional audio editing software, bringing the current version to 10.1 and adding a long list of new features. Among the new additions to Logic Pro X in version 10.1 includes 10 new Drummers, the intelligent beat profile feature, focused on hip hop and electronic styles. OS X Yosemite users will appreciate the ability to share projects from Logic Pro X to other users using both Mail Drop, which lets you send large files over email using iCloud storage, and AirDrop, which lets you share files wirelessly between nearby Macs.

In addition to updating Logic Pro X, Apple released version 1.2 of its Logic Remote iPad app with a new plug-in view for remotely controlling parameters and adding or rearranging plug-ins. The new version also allows you to adjust mic and input settings with compatible audio interfaces from the app. Apple’s MainStage 3 Mac app ($29.99) updated to version 3.1 as well. You can read our full review of Logic Pro X here, and see the full change log of new features below:

Expand
Expanding
Close

You can now unlock Google Docs, Slides and Sheets for iOS with Touch ID

Zac Hall Jan 21 2015 - 11:23 am PT

6 Comments

Google is on a roll this week with updating its iOS apps. Yesterday we saw Chrome for iPhone and iPad pick up a big update bringing Material Design to the browser and adopting Handoff support with OS X Yosemite. Following Chrome’s release, Google today shared new versions of its Docs, Slides, and Sheets apps for iPhone and iPad taking advantage of another Apple technology: Touch ID.

Beginning with Docs version 1.2.6448, Slides version 1.0.5754, and Sheets version 1.1.7297, iPhone and iPad users can now lock and unlock each app using the Touch ID fingerprint scanner as an alternative to the passcode lock screen.
Expand
Expanding
Close

9to5Toys Last Call: Super Bowl HDTV deals, MacBook Air $250 off, iPad mini 64GB (refurb) $210, more

Jan 21 2015 - 9:00 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:

Supersize your Super Bowl with these HDTV deals
The Internet Button from Spark lets you physically trigger all your IFTTT recipies
Plex is now available on PlayStation 3 and 4 for Pass subscribers
Kitchen Tech: The best wine tools and restaurant-class champagne accessories
Home: Dyson DC44 cordless stick/hand vac $250 (orig. $400), more

Apple 11.6-inch MacBook Air (mid 2013) 1.3GHz/4GB/256GB: $849 shipped (orig. $1,099)

Apple iPad mini 64GB WiFi (refurb) $210 shipped, 16GB: $150 + $5 shipping

Walmart game sale: Donkey Kong Tropical Freeze $34, Smash Bros. $41, GTA V $42 + PS4 preorders from $41, more

Small States: Paper by FiftyThree pursues the new digital American Dream, multiple giveaways

More new deals:

New! Netflix set to begin streaming The Interview this weekend
New! Blumoo RF Remote Control adapter w/ streaming $85 (orig. $130), more
New! Intocircuit 11200mAh Dual-USB power bank: $20 Prime shipped (Reg. $30)
New! Daily Deals: Samsung 55″ Smart HDTV (refurb) $650, BenQ 24″ Monitor $199, more
New! Games/Apps: Oddworld Stranger’s Wrath for iOS 33% off, iOS freebies, more
New! Multi-yr magazine subs from $4 per yr: Popular Science, Dwell, Wired, GQ, more

More deals still alive:

Kensington KeyFolio Pro Plus Backlit Bluetooth Keyboard case for iPad Air: $35 (orig. $90)
Belkin Loft MacBook Stand $32 Prime shipped (Reg. $50)
Headphones: Sennheiser HD 518 $70 (Reg. $130), Velodyne vFree wireless $40 (Reg. $80+)
SSDs: Samsung 850 Pro 256GB $160, Transcend SATA III 256GB $90, more
Bluetooth Speakers: Sol Republic Deck $50 (Reg. $80), Yamaha $100 (Reg. $150+)
Logitech K400 wireless keyboard w/ built-in touchpad $20 shipped (orig. $40)
HDTVs: VIZIO 65-inch 4K $1,500 (Reg. $2,200), more
iHome iW3 AirPlay Speaker w/ rechargeable battery $45 shipped (Reg. $60+)
Break is exclusively streaming 200 Lionsgate movies for free
Speakers: Pioneer Floorstanding Pair $120, Klipsch Outdoor $130
$100 iTunes Gift Card for $87 shipped
Transcend JetDrive 240GB SSD Upgrade Kits for MacBook Air & Retina Pro: $169
D-Link Wireless AC1000 Dual Band Cloud Router $30 shipped (orig. $140)
Plantronics Backbeat GO 2 Bluetooth Headphones (refurb) $37 (orig. $100), more
Expedia coupon code: save $25 on hotel stays of $100 or more
The iMacompanion is the front USB Port your iMac deserves (15% off)
Apple-certified MFi 3.3ft Lightning USB Cable: $7 Prime shipped, more
Productivity Pack: Evernote, Wunderlist, LastPass, Pocket Premium subscriptions $60
iTunes Free App of the Week: Marvel Pinball ($1 value)
MacHeist Mac app bundle: Parallels Access, CodeKit, Speedy and more $15 ($239 value)
Valiant Hearts: The Great War is IGN’s free iOS game of the month ($4.99 value)

New products/ongoing promos/info:

Limited edition Borderlands preorder includes an iOS controlled Claptrap robot
The new Avatar: Warrior’s Journey game is coming to iOS and Android this spring
Free week of NBA League Pass for iOS, Android, Apple TV, more
Mortal Kombat developer NetherRealm Studios releases free-to-play WWE iOS fighter
Myo armband is set to go mainstream
GE built a smart Keurig brewer directly into its new Café French Door refrigerators
Cree enters the smart home space with its new Connected LED Bulb
Here are the new premium Ultimaker 2 Go and 2 Extended home 3D printers
Review: Chemex’s new Ottomatic – does premium coffee have a new king?
NES remake console: crafted from a single block of aluminum and just about ready to ship
Marty McFly’s self-lacing Nikes are set to become a reality
WaterField Designs has a spot for all of your tech in its new Bolt Briefcase
Kitchen Tech: The best bar tools for making amazing home cocktails (Part 2)

Be My Eyes iPhone app allows sighted people to lend a helping hand to blind people

Ben Lovejoy Jan 21 2015 - 5:42 am PT

16 Comments

[vimeo 113872517 w=704 h=396]

The National Federation of the Blind said last year that Apple has “done more for accessibility than any other company,” and with the help of a new app, iPhone and iPad owners can take things even further. Be My Eyes is an app that allows blind people to request remote help from a sighted person when needed.

Requests for help might range from checking the expiry date on a container of milk to looking at an airport departure board for a gate number …
Expand
Expanding
Close

BBC updating iOS news app with personalized feeds, most-read stories, local news & more

Ben Lovejoy Jan 21 2015 - 4:32 am PT

0 Comments

[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=luIPSeECLC4]

The British Broadcasting Corporation has announced that its BBC News iPhone and iPad apps are being updated, with a lot more video, local news, ‘most popular’ links and–most interestingly of all–users able to add their own personalized news feeds.

In addition to pre-existing sections – including Top Stories, UK and Politics – users will be able to add specialised feeds of their choice, for example: Apps, Taylor Swift, Genetics, and Oban.

A new ‘My news’ section allows users to enter keywords which will be matched against tags entered by journalists to populate the personalized feed.

The BBC says that the UK version of both iOS and Android apps will be rolled out this week, with global editions to follow.

The Beeb and its fans tend to be somewhat conservative, with protests every time it changes something, so this time it’s taking a preemptive strike, aiming to soothe the likely objections.

“We know we have got a very large number of people who used the existing app and they really like it,” said Robin Pembrooke, general manager of news products at BBC Future Media.

“It will be a big change for a number of people, so we are trying to provide a warning up front. We’ve got easy guides on how to use the new app, and there’s in-app tips to help people use it.”

The current versions of the iPhone and iPad apps are free downloads in iTunes, then watch out for the updates.

Dropbox will no longer support OS X 10.5 or older starting May 18th

Mike Beasley Jan 20 2015 - 3:48 pm PT

9 Comments

Dropbox has announced through an email to users on older versions of OS X that it will soon be discontinuing support for computers running Leopard or other older versions of the operating system. Users still running anything older than OS X 10.6 will need to upgrade in order to continue using future versions of the Dropbox app.

Users who don’t upgrade will still be able to use the web-based Dropbox manager, but will be automatically signed out of the Mac app. From that point forward, they will not be able to login back into the Mac client until they are on a newer version of OS X.

The changes will go into effect on May 18th, so users still have plenty of time to upgrade their software (or hardware, if necessary). The full email is included below:

Expand
Expanding
Close

How to watch NBC’s Super Bowl XLIX live stream on desktop & iPad, Verizon’s stream to smartphones

Jordan Kahn Jan 20 2015 - 11:38 am PT

13 Comments

NBCUniversal announced today that it will offer a free live stream of Super Bowl XLIX on Feb. 1 to all desktop and tablet users to promote its TV Everywhere service. For smartphones, Verizon has exclusive rights to stream the event to users through its own mobile app.
Expand
Expanding
Close

Chrome for iOS gets Material redesign, OS X Handoff support, iOS 8/iPhone 6 optimizations

Jordan Kahn Jan 20 2015 - 10:02 am PT

36 Comments

Google is today rolling out Chrome 40 for iOS and with it introducing a redesigned UI, OS X Handoff support, and optimizations for iOS 8 and the new iPhone 6 and 6 Plus.
Expand
Expanding
Close

9to5Toys Last Call: The Interview comes to Netflix, Kensington iPad Air keyboard case $35, NBA League Pass free week, more

Jan 20 2015 - 9:00 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:

Netflix set to begin streaming The Interview this weekend
Apple iPad Air 2 16GB Wi-Fi $400 shipped (Reg. $499)
Limited edition Borderlands preorder includes an iOS controlled Claptrap robot
Bluetooth Speakers: Sol Republic Deck $50 (Reg. $80), Yamaha $100 (Reg. $150+)
The new Avatar: Warrior’s Journey game is coming to iOS and Android this spring
SSDs: Samsung 850 Pro 256GB $160, Transcend SATA III 256GB $90, more
Pick up Mötley Crüe’s Greatest Hits album for free on Google Play
Logitech K400 wireless keyboard w/ built-in touchpad $20 shipped (orig. $40)
Home: Panasonic Arc5 Electric Wet/Dry Shaver $208 (Reg. $350), more

~~Sling Media SlingBox 350 live TV streamer $70 shipped (orig. $180)~~

Kensington KeyFolio Pro Plus Backlit Bluetooth Keyboard case for iPad Air: $35 Prime shipped (orig. $90)

Free week of NBA League Pass for iOS, Android, Apple TV, more

Belkin Loft MacBook Stand $32 Prime shipped (Reg. $50)

Small States: Paper by FiftyThree pursues the new digital American Dream, multiple giveaways

More new deals:

New! Logitech PowerShell Controller for iPhone 5/5s $18 shipped (Reg. up to $60)
New! Games/Apps: Week Calendar goes free (Reg. $2), iOS freebies, more
New! Daily Deals: iPad Air 16GB WiFi: $350, Withings activity/heart rate monitor: $80, more
New! Three-pack Seagate 1.5TB USB 3.0 Portable Hard Drives $180 (orig. $240), more
New! Headphones: Sennheiser HD 518 over-ears $70 (Reg. $130), Velodyne vFree wireless on-ears w/ mic $40 (Reg. $80+)

More deals still alive:

HDTVs: VIZIO 65-inch 4K $1,500 (Reg. $2,200), more
iHome iW3 AirPlay Speaker w/ rechargeable battery $45 shipped (Reg. $60+)
Break is exclusively streaming 200 Lionsgate movies for free
Speakers: Pioneer Floorstanding Pair $120, Klipsch Outdoor $130
$100 iTunes Gift Card for $87 shipped
Transcend JetDrive 240GB SSD Upgrade Kits for MacBook Air & Retina Pro: $169
D-Link Wireless AC1000 Dual Band Cloud Router $30 shipped (orig. $140)
Plantronics Backbeat GO 2 Bluetooth Headphones (refurb) $37 (orig. $100), more
Expedia coupon code: save $25 on hotel stays of $100 or more
The iMacompanion is the front USB Port your iMac deserves (15% off)
Apple-certified MFi 3.3ft Lightning USB Cable: $7 Prime shipped, more

Logitech Bluetooth Audio Adapter $25 Prime shipped – lowest price ever (Reg. $40). http://t.co/PAxljaJsmE pic.twitter.com/JK6ph0x4kk

— 9to5Toys (@9to5toys) January 19, 2015

Software bundles/app deals/more:

Productivity Pack: Evernote, Wunderlist, LastPass, Pocket Premium subscriptions $60
iTunes Free App of the Week: Marvel Pinball ($1 value)
MacHeist Mac app bundle: Parallels Access, CodeKit, Speedy and more $15 ($239 value)
Valiant Hearts: The Great War is IGN’s free iOS game of the month ($4.99 value)

New products/ongoing promos/info:

Mortal Kombat developer NetherRealm Studios releases free-to-play WWE iOS fighter
Myo armband lets you control your favorite devices with hand gestures is set to go mainstream
GE built a smart Keurig brewer directly into its new Café French Door refrigerators
Cree enters the smart home space with its new Connected LED Bulb
Here are the new premium Ultimaker 2 Go and 2 Extended home 3D printers
Review: Chemex’s new Ottomatic – does premium coffee have a new king?
NES remake console: crafted from a single block of aluminum and just about ready to ship
Marty McFly’s self-lacing Nikes are set to become a reality
WaterField Designs has a spot for all of your tech in its new Bolt Briefcase
Kitchen Tech: The best bar tools for making amazing home cocktails (Part 2)
Forget the limited edition PS4, here’s how real fans celebrate PlayStation’s 20th Anniv.
Sennheiser goes wireless with the latest version of its popular MOMENTUM headphones
TiVo’s new OnePass service takes the guess work out of binge watching
Gaming For Couples: The best Wii U bundle, games, demos and accessories
Gaming For Couples: Monopoly Plus, or, if at first you don’t succeed, try again
Roundup: The best selfie sticks for your iPhone 6, 6 Plus, and 5/5c/5s
Review: SmartThings offers an open home automation experience w/ a few caveats

Review: MacID, the app that lets you unlock your Mac using Touch ID on your iPhone

Ben Lovejoy Jan 20 2015 - 7:28 am PT

45 Comments

[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OuDa0pzmMP0]

No sooner did we get Touch ID on our iPhones than it started to feel horribly old-fashioned and tedious to have to login to our Macs by typing in a password. Apple will no doubt add Touch ID sensors to Macs soon I imagine, but if you can’t wait that long–or don’t want to have to lay out the cash on a new Mac–there’s an app for that.

MacID is a $4 app allowing your iPhone to unlock your Mac via Bluetooth LE. As you can see from the above video, once you’ve performed the setup, unlocking your Mac is as simple as selecting the device on your iPhone and then placing a finger or thumb on the Touch ID sensor …

Expand
Expanding
Close

LastPass password manager debuts on Mac w/ offline support, security check feature, more

Zac Hall Jan 20 2015 - 7:00 am PT

11 Comments

Smart password and security techniques are becoming increasingly important in our digital lives as new hacks seem to appear all the time, and having a unique and secure password (unlike these) helps ensure that your online identity is safe in the event of such a compromise.

LastPass, a cross platform secure digital vault app, is helping Mac users tackle the password management problem with the debut of its new Mac app. Previously only available for Mac as a browser extension and web portal, the new LastPass for Mac app brings new features to the desktop including quick search, security check, and more.
Expand
Expanding
Close

Apple reminds developers once again of upcoming 64-bit requirement for iOS apps

Mike Beasley Jan 19 2015 - 5:58 pm PT

8 Comments

Apple has issued what will likely be the final reminder for developers building iOS software about the upcoming changes to requirements for new app submissions. Starting on February 1st, all new apps submitted to the App Store must include 64-bit support and be built using the iOS 8 SDK.

Existing apps already in the store won’t be removed if they don’t meet the standard, but starting in June, any further updates submitted for those apps will need to comply.

Screenshots show Google’s upcoming Calendar iPhone app w/ Gmail, Photos, & Maps integration

9to5 Staff Jan 19 2015 - 9:18 am PT

21 Comments

It appears that Google could soon release its promised redesigned Calendar app for iPhone after first making the announcement and releasing the app for Android last November. The Next Web this morning shared a handful of leaked screenshots that provide a first look at Google Calendar for iOS, including info cards that indicate Gmail, Photos and Maps integration will be key features of the app.
Expand
Expanding
Close

9to5Toys Last Call: Belkin MacBook stand $32, Insignia 50″ HDTV $350, SwissGear laptop backpack $40, more

Jan 19 2015 - 9:00 am PT

0 Comments

Today’s can’t miss deals:

Belkin Loft MacBook Stand $32 Prime shipped (Reg. $50)

HDTVs: VIZIO 65-inch 4K $1,500 (Reg. $2,200), Insignia 50-inch 1080p $350 (Reg. $500), more

SwissGear laptop backpack $40 shipped (orig. $120), other styles 40% or more off

Last Call updates:

Break is exclusively streaming 200 Lionsgate movies for free
Free week of NBA League Pass for iOS, Android, Apple TV, more
$100 iTunes Gift Card for $87 shipped
Transcend JetDrive 240GB SSD Upgrade Kits for MacBook Air & Retina Pro: $169
Home: Braava 380t Mopping Robot $240 shipped (Reg. $300), more
Speakers: Pioneer Floorstanding Pair $120 (orig. $200), Klipsch Outdoor $130 (orig. $350)
The Myo armband that lets you control your favorite devices with hand gestures is set to go mainstream

~~Logitech K480 Multi-Device Bluetooth Keyboard and iPad/iPhone stand $30 w/ in-store pick up (Reg. $50)~~ * Just sold out, sorry about that*

Small States: Paper by FiftyThree pursues the new digital American Dream, multiple giveaways

The iMacompanion is the front USB Port your iMac deserves (15% off)

More new deals:

Logitech Bluetooth Audio Adapter $25 Prime shipped – lowest price ever (Reg. $40). http://t.co/PAxljaJsmE pic.twitter.com/JK6ph0x4kk

— 9to5Toys (@9to5toys) January 19, 2015

New! iHome iW3 AirPlay Speaker w/ rechargeable battery $45 shipped (Reg. $60+)
New! Soundbars: Yamaha w/ built-in subwoofer $125 (orig. $350), more
New! Daily Deals: Jawbone Big Jambox: $190, Anker Mini Bluetooth keyboard: $14, more
New! Mortal Kombat developer NetherRealm Studios releases free-to-play WWE iOS fighter
New! MLK Day Fashion: save up to 60% at J.Crew, Toms, Lucky Jeans, Nike, more
New! Plantronics Backbeat GO 2 Bluetooth Headphones (refurb) $37 (orig. $100), more
New! D-Link Wireless AC1000 Dual Band Cloud Router $30 shipped (orig. $140)
New! Expedia coupon code: save $25 on hotel stays of $100 or more
New! Games/Apps: GRID 2 Reloaded for Mac 50% off, iOS freebies, more

Disney’s Big Hero 6 preorder (Blu-ray + DVD + Digital HD): $18.90 Prime shipped (Reg. $40) http://t.co/9Hct6SGBvW pic.twitter.com/PHJrPI4PWS

— 9to5Toys (@9to5toys) January 19, 2015

More deals still alive:

Apple-certified MFi 3.3ft Lightning USB Cable: $7 Prime shipped, more
Apple iPad Leather/Poly Smart Covers from $8 shipped (orig. up to $70)
iPhone 6 Ultra-slim matte cases in a variety of colors: $1 shipped (up to 8 weeks shipping)
Multi-Function Wireless Monochrome Laser Printers: Brother $130, Ricoh $75
Nintendo Throwback Sale: Super Mario Galaxy 2 $10 for Wii U, more
LifeProof frē waterproof iPhone 6 case in multiple colors: $59 shipped (26% off)
New Nintendo 3DS XL arrives for $200-$230, Super Mario + Wave 4 Amiibo coming
PlayStation 20th Anniversary sale up to 75% off over 60 titles

Software bundles/app deals/more:

Productivity Pack: Evernote, Wunderlist, LastPass, Pocket Premium subscriptions $60
iTunes Free App of the Week: Marvel Pinball ($1 value)
MacHeist Mac app bundle: Parallels Access, CodeKit, Speedy and more $15 ($239 value)
Valiant Hearts: The Great War is IGN’s free iOS game of the month ($4.99 value)

New products/ongoing promos/info:

GE built a smart Keurig brewer directly into its new Café French Door refrigerators
Cree enters the smart home space with its new Connected LED Bulb
Here are the new premium Ultimaker 2 Go and 2 Extended home 3D printers
Review: Chemex’s new Ottomatic – does premium coffee have a new king?
NES remake console: crafted from a single block of aluminum and just about ready to ship
Marty McFly’s self-lacing Nikes are set to become a reality
WaterField Designs has a spot for all of your tech in its new Bolt Briefcase
Kitchen Tech: The best bar tools for making amazing home cocktails (Part 2)
Forget the limited edition PS4, here’s how real fans celebrate PlayStation’s 20th Anniv.
Sennheiser goes wireless with the latest version of its popular MOMENTUM headphones
TiVo’s new OnePass service takes the guess work out of binge watching
Gaming For Couples: The best Wii U bundle, games, demos and accessories
Gaming For Couples: Monopoly Plus, or, if at first you don’t succeed, try again
Roundup: The best selfie sticks for your iPhone 6, 6 Plus, and 5/5c/5s
Review: SmartThings offers an open home automation experience w/ a few caveats

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

Sid Meier’s Starships, a new interstellar strategy game, heads to Mac & iPad early this year

Jordan Kahn Jan 19 2015 - 6:57 am PT

0 Comments

[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CgCt3zWkxCg]

2K and developer Firaxis today announced Sid Meier’s Starships, a new interstellar strategy game arriving early this year on Mac, iPad and PC. The game extends the sci-fi universe introduced last year in Civilization: Beyond Earth, the latest title in Sid Meier’s Civilization series.

The Starships press release describes gameplay as taking “the role of a fleet commander after the age of the Seeding, and tasking them to lead their starships across the universe to defend planets against various enemies, grow their empire, and usher in a new age of peace in the galaxy.” That includes turn-based combat with customizable starships and dynamically generated missions.

Not only will Starships borrow from the universe of Civilization: Beyond Earth, but players with both games will also find integration between the two that 2K says “will enhance and expand the depth of both game experiences.”

“When designing Starships, I was intrigued by the idea of exploring the next chapter in the story of Civilization: Beyond Earth. What happens after we colonize our new home and eventually build starships to take to the stars? What has become of our long-lost brothers and sisters from the planet Earth?” said Sid Meier, director of creative development at Firaxis Games. “My goal was to create an experience that focuses on starship design and combat within a universe filled with interstellar adventure, diplomacy, and exploration.”

2K says the game will arrive sometime in early 2015 for Mac, PC and iPad. Screenshots are below:

iOS developers share their earnings, and the lessons they’ve learned along the way

Ben Lovejoy Jan 19 2015 - 5:44 am PT

15 Comments

If you write iOS apps and wonder how your earnings compare against those of other developers – or you have an idea for an app, and are wondering whether it’s worth pursuing – it can be tough to find any hard information. We hear occasional stories about hugely successful apps like Flappy Bird making hundreds of thousands of dollars per day, and we know there are some apps with literally zero downloads to their name, but what about the middle ground?

Jared Sinclair, developer of the RSS reader Unread, decided last year to share both his earnings from the app, and the lessons he’d learned along the way. It’s taken six months, but several other developers started the new year by following his example, with numbers and lessons shared for podcast player Overcast, graphical game Monument Valley and developer aid Dash …
Expand
Expanding
Close

Kickstarter iOS app updated w/ new design and iPad support

Zac Hall Jan 16 2015 - 11:23 am PT

1 Comment

Almost a year after shipping its iPhone app, Kickstarter has released version 2.0 which includes full iPad support for the crowdfunding service’s app as well as a new design using a card interface for projects. As with the iPhone version, Kickstarter says its iPad app helps users find new projects to back and keep up with updates on projects you follow, now only bigger with the tablet…
Expand
Expanding
Close

9to5Toys Last Call: 2-pack Anker iPhone 6/Plus cases $10, Sennheiser in-ears $40, Free App of the Week, more

Justin Kahn Jan 16 2015 - 9:28 am PT

0 Comments

Today’s can’t miss deals:

Last Call Updates:

Nikon D5200 24MP DSLR Cam w/ lens (refurb) + Lightroom $420 (orig. $1,270 value)
20% off Belkin Store Products: iPad/tablet kitchen stand $8 shipped, Routers, more
Here are the new premium Ultimaker 2 Go and 2 Extended home 3D printers
Fashion: Save up to 50% at Nike, Banana Republic, Gap, Tommy Hilfiger, more
Magazine bundles – from $3.50 each/year: Wired, GQ, ESPN, Dwell, many more
Home: Metal magnetic workbench pegboard $195, Target up to 20% off bed & bath, more

Anker iPhone 6/6 Plus Accessories: 2 Cases + Screen Protector $10, more

Sennheiser MM70S universal in-ear headphones w/ mic & remote $40 shipped (Reg. $72+), more

iTunes Free App of the Week: Marvel Pinball ($1 value)

The iMacompanion is the front USB Port your iMac deserves (15% off)

Apple-certified MFi 3.3ft Lightning USB Cable: $7 Prime shipped, more

LAST CHANCE!!! – Small States: Bison Made crafts heirloom quality iPhone 6 wallets and other men’s accessories

More new deals:

New! Daily Deals: Jawbone JAMBOX Speaker $56, Grand Budapest Hotel Blu-ray $6, more
New! Games/Apps: Xbox One Halo MCC bundle $349, Majora’s Mask $34, iOS freebies
New! Cree enters the smart home space with its new Connected LED Bulb
New! GE built a smart Keurig brewer directly into its new Café French Door refrigerators
New! Home: Green Earth Pan Set $50, Crate & Barrel up to 60% off, more

More deals still alive:

Apple iPad Leather/Poly Smart Covers from $8 shipped (orig. up to $70)
iPhone 6 Ultra-slim matte cases in a variety of colors: $1 shipped (up to 8 weeks shipping)
Toshiba Encore 7-inch 16GB Win 8.1 Tablet + 16GB MicroSD Card $79 ($139 value)
Monitors: Dell UltraSharp 27″ IPS Widescreen $480, Acer 23″ LED w/ HDMI $130
Multi-Function Wireless Monochrome Laser Printers: Brother $130, Ricoh $75
Nintendo Throwback Sale: Super Mario Galaxy 2 $10 for Wii U, more
Dwell magazine subscription from $4.75 per year (Reg. up to $30)
Home: illuminated Glass Kettle $30, Lifesmart heater $130, more
LifeProof frē waterproof iPhone 6 case in multiple colors: $59 shipped (26% off)
New Nintendo 3DS XL arrives for $200-$230, Super Mario + Wave 4 Amiibo coming
PlayStation 20th Anniversary sale up to 75% off over 60 titles
WD My Passport Ultra 1.5TB USB 3.0 Portable Hard Drive: $63 (Reg. $90)
Canon Wireless Printer + Adobe Photoshop Elements 12 $95 ($239 value)
Samsung 50-inch 1080p 120Hz Smart LED HDTV $650 (orig. $1,200), more
Google Chromecast + $20 Google Play credit $30 shipped ($55 value)
Apple 13.3″ MacBook Air (newest version): $850 or $800 w/ .edu (Reg. $999)
13″ Retina MacBook Pro 2.4GHz/4GB/128GB (late 2013) $1,000 w/ MIR (Reg. $1,300)
OtterBox iPhone 6/Plus cases in multiple styles and colors from $22 Prime shipped

Software bundles/app deals/more:

Productivity Pack: Evernote, Wunderlist, LastPass, Pocket Premium subscriptions $60
MacHeist Mac app bundle: Parallels Access, CodeKit, Speedy and more $15 ($239 value)
Valiant Hearts: The Great War is IGN’s free iOS game of the month ($4.99 value)

New products/ongoing promos/info:

Review: Chemex’s new Ottomatic – does premium coffee have a new king?
NES remake console: crafted from a single block of aluminum and just about ready to ship
Marty McFly’s self-lacing Nikes are set to become a reality
WaterField Designs has a spot for all of your tech in its new Bolt Briefcase
Kitchen Tech: The best bar tools for making amazing home cocktails (Part 2)
Forget the limited edition PS4, here’s how real fans celebrate PlayStation’s 20th Anniv.
Sennheiser goes wireless with the latest version of its popular MOMENTUM headphones
TiVo’s new OnePass service takes the guess work out of binge watching
Gaming For Couples: The best Wii U bundle, games, demos and accessories
Gaming For Couples: Monopoly Plus, or, if at first you don’t succeed, try again
Roundup: The best selfie sticks for your iPhone 6, 6 Plus, and 5/5c/5s
Review: SmartThings offers an open home automation experience w/ a few caveats
Bang & Olufsen: intelligent curation & wooden design in the new BeoSound Moment
Free Xbox Live Gold/PS Plus Games for January
Dyson’s new Cinetic vacuums have filter systems that never need to be cleaned or replaced
Here are the official Mortal Kombat X PS4/PS3/Xbox One/360 Fight Pads
Samsung SSD T1: smaller than a business card + 100 times faster than a traditional HDD
DISH brings Sling TV w/ ESPN, TNT and more to streaming devices for just $20