Apps

6,368 '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.

Things for iOS updated with Notification Center widget, improved inter-app functionality

Mike Beasley Jan 15 2015 - 2:23 pm PT

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Cultured Code released an update for its Things to-do list manager on iPhone and iPad today that added support for a Notification Center widget. The new plugin allows users to keep a list of reminders in the Today view, mark off completed tasks, or quickly access a shortcut for creating new to-dos.

The widget pulls its data from the app’s Today list, and can also let you know which items will be due soon so you can prioritize your activities.

The update also adds a new URI scheme that enables developers working on other apps to integrate their software easily with Things.

You can grab the iPhone version of Things for $9.99 on the App Store. The iPad version is available separately for $19.99.

9to5Toys Last Call: iPad Leather Smart Covers $15, WD 2TB desktop HDD $65, iPhone 6 ultra-slim case $1, more

Justin Kahn Jan 15 2015 - 9:04 am PT

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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.

Today’s can’t miss deals:

Last Call Updates:

iTunes Free App of the Week: Marvel Pinball ($1 value)
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
Home: Green Earth Frying Pan Set $55, Crate & Barrel clearance up to 60% off, more
Toshiba Encore 7-inch 16GB Win 8.1 Tablet + 16GB MicroSD Card $79 ($139 value)

Apple iPad Leather Smart Covers for iPad 2/3/4 (variety of colors) $15 shipped (orig. $70)

Daily Deals: WD 2TB My Book External HD $65, Klipsch/Bose headphones from $30, Logitech wireless keyboard $18, more

iPhone 6 Ultra-slim matte cases in a variety of colors: $1 shipped (up to 8 weeks shipping)

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

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

More new deals:

New! Monitors: Dell UltraSharp 27″ IPS Widescreen $480, Acer 23″ LED w/ HDMI $130
New! Games/Apps: Far Cry 4 $36 (Reg. $60), Injustice $12 (Reg. $30), iOS freebies, more
New! Sennheiser Over-Ear Headphones $90 w/ free in-store pickup (Reg. $140+)
New! Nintendo Throwback Sale: Super Mario Galaxy 2 $10 for Wii U, more
New! Review: Chemex’s new Ottomatic – does premium coffee have a new king?
New! JBL OnBeat Bluetooth speaker/Lightning dock (refurb) $49 (orig. $200)
New! Multi-Function Wireless Monochrome Laser Printers: Brother $130, Ricoh $75
New! Dwell magazine subscription from $4.75 per year (Reg. up to $30)
New! Home: illuminated Glass Kettle $30, Lifesmart heater $130, more

More deals still alive:

Back at its lowest price: OtterBox iPhone 6 Plus Commuter (white) $29 Prime shipped (Reg. $45) http://t.co/IBofEbHyu8 pic.twitter.com/5ZDz3fkfdu

— 9to5Toys (@9to5toys) January 14, 2015

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
Sennheiser On-Ear Noise Canceling Collapsable Mini-Headphones $100 (Reg. $200)
PlayStation 20th Anniversary sale up to 75% off over 60 titles
1-yr magazine subs from $5: Men’s Health/Fitness, Runner’s World, more
Drobo 4-Bay USB 3.0 NAS Storage Array $230 shipped (Reg. $299)
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)
Nordstrom North Face sale: up to 50% off jackets, hoodies, more
Blu-rays: The Grand Budapest Hotel $12, Ghostbusters 1 & 2 $10, Fight Club $6, more
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)
ASUS routers: AC1750 refurb $90, new $120, N150 $5 w/ MIR, more
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)
iTunes Free App of the Week: MUJO ($1.99 value)

New products/ongoing promos/info:

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
Kitchen Tech: The best bar tools for making amazing home cocktails (Part 1)

Touching the dial: How iTunes Radio could be tuned for a better user experience

Michael Steeber Jan 15 2015 - 8:35 am PT

10 Comments

iTunes Radio, Apple’s first real foray into streaming music, made its public debut back in June 2013, where it was announced alongside iOS 7. Over a year since its release, the service hasn’t exactly taken over the world, quite literally. It’s still only available in the United States and Australia. If you compared iTunes Radio today with iTunes Radio as it existed the day it was first available to use, you’ll notice that not much has really changed.

Of course, just last May, Apple announced its acquisition of Beats Electronics, which brought along with it Beats Music, a robust and almost entirely different approach to streaming music. While Apple may seek to integrate Beats Music more tightly with iTunes in the future, at this time it hasn’t.

So in the meantime, what could Apple do to make iTunes Radio more appealing to customers? Some might say the music selection is limited, or that streaming doesn’t always work correctly. However, focusing on the service strictly from a feature standpoint, there are many small changes and additions Apple could implement that would have a huge impact on the usefulness and utility of iTunes Radio. Let’s take a look.

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Opinion: Could there be method in Apple’s apparent madness in removing freebies?

Ben Lovejoy Jan 15 2015 - 7:07 am PT

32 Comments

I was extremely surprised when Apple made the decision to drop its Single of the Week, after doing the same thing with its 12 Days of Christmas promo. As I wrote then, the free single seemed a win-win-win: consumers got free music, lesser-known artists got exposure, Apple got the goodwill that stems from giving away free stuff.

But thinking more about it, perhaps there is method in Apple’s madness after all. Let’s start with the obvious point: the company is about to launch an Apple-branded Beats Music service, and it would then make sense to say that this, not iTunes freebies, is the way to discover new music.

But it’s not just music: 12 Days of Christmas was content of all types, apps included, so I think there could be a bigger picture here. Bear with me while I make that case in a slightly roundabout fashion …

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Logitech announces Harmony API, begins accepting applications for beta access

Mike Beasley Jan 14 2015 - 9:05 pm PT

2 Comments

Logitech has announed a new API for developers that will allow them to integrate their software with the many smart home devices supported by the Harmony system. There are currently over 270,000 different automation products and services that work with the Harmony API.

The API will enable the creation of new control platforms that let users carry out automated tasks using voice control, gestures, and more. Many developers have already been granted beta access, and others who would like to give the system a try can request access by emailing the company. The full press release is available below.

Logitech Harmony Opens Largest Library of Home Entertainment and Smart Home Products to Developers

New Harmony API Empowers Developers To Build Exceptional Home Control Experiences

NEWARK, Calif. — Jan. 14, 2014 — Today Logitech (SIX: LOGN) (NASDAQ: LOGI) announced the availability of a new Harmony API that allows developers to leverage the vast Logitech Harmony platform of more than 270,000 home entertainment and automation devices to create smart home experiences. Select companies and products including SmartThings, IFTTT, Ivee, Myo armband, Playtabase, and UCIC, creators of the Ubi, have already begun development using the API to bring new home control experiences to the Harmony home.
“We know that entertainment is critical to the smart home experience, and will be a main driver for mass adoption of smart home products,” said Mark Spates, head of the smart home platform for Logitech Harmony. “By opening our platform to developers, we’re giving developers the ability to create complete smart home experiences that include the living room, knowing that their entertainment component will offer the same flawless experience that consumers have come to expect from Harmony.”
The Harmony API gives developers access to some of Harmony’s most powerful features — one-touch Activities such as “Watch a Movie”, “Play Games” and “Listen to Music”. Imagine starting your favorite movie with a wave of your arm, or turning on your TV, media player, and sound system while simultaneously lowering the lights all by saying a single word. Using the API, developers are already working to add voice, gesture and motion control to the Harmony smart home control experience.
Availability
The Harmony API is available now and can be found at www.myharmony.com/developer. To learn more, please visit www.myharmony.com, or read our blog.

About Logitech
Logitech is a world leader in products that connect people to the digital experiences they care about. Spanning multiple computing, communication and entertainment platforms, Logitech’s combined hardware and software enable or enhance digital navigation, music and video entertainment, gaming, social networking, audio and video communication over the Internet, video security and home-entertainment control. Founded in 1981, Logitech International is a Swiss public company listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange (LOGN) and on the Nasdaq Global Select Market (LOGI).

Google Maps for iOS gains restaurant filters, weather info, and more in new update

Mike Beasley Jan 14 2015 - 5:15 pm PT

4 Comments

Google today released an update for its iOS mapping application. The latest build, version 4.2.0, allows users to filter their restaurant searches by the type of food offered, get global weather reports, and add transit directions to your phone’s calendar. You can also add pins to the origin and destination during navigation.

There are, of course, other miscellaneous “bug fixes” that have been applied. The free update is available from the iOS App Store.

What’s New in Version 4.2.0
• Filter searches for restaurants by cuisine type
• See current weather information for cities around the world
• Drop a pin for your starting and destination points in directions and navigation
• Add transit directions to your calendar
• Bug fixes

Google rolling out updated Drive app for Mac w/ new status menu & bandwidth control

Stephen Hall Jan 14 2015 - 1:47 pm PT

5 Comments

Google is rolling out an updated version of its Google Drive app for Mac and PC this week with a few handy new features. First, you’ll find (as you can see above) that Google has updated the status menu to show much more information than before. Now, you can see the files that are being synced up to the cloud as well as a check mark next to them that will appear as they do so. The app will also make it clear which files are currently syncing and which files are yet to be synced. Additionally, hovering over an item will let you share it straight from the menu.

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Google releases Classroom mobile app for iPhone and iPad

Jordan Kahn Jan 14 2015 - 9:31 am PT

1 Comment

[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C2fC7yrj984]

Google announced today that it’s releasing mobile apps for its Google Classroom service for both Android and iOS devices. The company officially launched Classroom to its Apps for Education customers in the US during the summer offering them a web-based platform for planning lessons, handing out assignments, and working alongside students. Teachers and students will now be able to access those features from mobile devices through the new apps and Google is also adding a could of new features to the platform.

In addition to a new teacher assignments page and archiving functions for Classroom, Google notes that the mobile apps will let users snap a photo to share or attach to assignments, share content from other apps, and access content cached for offline viewing.

Snap a photo: Right from the assignment page in the mobile app, students can snap a photo and attach it to their assignment — whether it’s the experiment they just did for a science class, or a drawing they made of their family tree. And if they’ve forgotten their homework, they can ask someone at home to snap a photo, text it and then turn it in with the app. Of course, if the dog has actually eaten it, Classroom can’t help you.

The new Google Classroom apps are available on Google Play and the App Store now as well as on the Google Play for Education store.