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6,235 'Apps' stories April 2010 - October 2014
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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.

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Twitter introduces new audio card, allowing in-line audio playback in mobile apps

Avatar for Mike Beasley Oct 16 2014 - 1:49 pm PT
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Twitter announced a change coming to its mobile apps today that allows users to play music directly from a tweet. The new Twitter Audio Card will allow certain users (there’s a list on Twitter’s blog) to share audio uploaded to SoundCloud with users in-line. Users will be able to listen to these embeds while they continue browsing their timelines.

Twitter says it’s just starting to test the feature right now and plans to roll it out to more content creators and partner audio sites in the future. You can try it out in Twitter for iPhone right now.

CBS follows HBO in targeting cord-cutters with $5.99/month VOD service via app & web

Avatar for Ben Lovejoy Oct 16 2014 - 7:02 am PT
30 Comments
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Just one day after HBO announced that it would be offering a web-only subscription at some point next year, CBS has played leap-frog by announcing the immediate availability of a $5.99/month web & app subscription offering on-demand access to almost all content.

CBS All Access will offer subscribers thousands of episodes from the current season, previous seasons and classic shows on demand, as well as the ability to stream local CBS Television stations live in 14 of the largest U.S. markets at launch.

CBS All Access is available beginning today at CBS.com and on mobile devices through the CBS App for iOS and Android.

Cable companies have long shied away from offering access to popular, current programming without demanding that you sign-up to cable access first. But broadcasters now seem to be recognizing that it isn’t just cord-cutting that threatens their existing models, it’s also ‘cord nevers’ – young people who simply aren’t signing up for cable subscriptions in the first place, preferring to get their TV fix online … 
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Apple adding ability to track what you do inside retail apps to serve targeted advertising

Avatar for Ben Lovejoy Oct 16 2014 - 4:41 am PT
9 Comments
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Apple is reportedly adding the ability to track what users do inside certain apps in order to present them with targeted in-app ads across iOS devices, reports digital media site Digiday.

Say, for example, a visitor to a retailer’s iPhone app adds a pair of shoes to his cart but ultimately decide not to buy it. In this scenario, the retailer will now be able to retarget that user with an ad for that exact pair — even in another app on his iPad. When tapped, the ad would direct him back to his abandoned checkout page and automatically add the shoes to his online shopping cart.

Ad agencies say that Apple has been pitching the new capability since last month …

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Reddit acquires popular Alien Blue iOS app, rebrands it as official client

Avatar for Mike Beasley Oct 15 2014 - 4:51 pm PT
10 Comments
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Reddit finally has its own official application for browsing and posting to your favorite subreddits, and users of the service will probably be excited to learn that it’s one they may already be using. The site has acquired the rights to the popular Alien Blue client and hired the developer responsible for creating it.

Alien Blue got a few bug fixes today and was released with a new App Store listing and is avaiable for free for all users. For the next week, all users will be able to get the Alien Blue Pro upgrade for free as well. Reddit launched its first official application earlier this year with the release of the Ask Me Anything app.


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Police officer uses Find My iPhone to track and save woman stranded in 500-foot ravine

Avatar for Mike Beasley Oct 15 2014 - 4:05 pm PT
8 Comments

A San Jose police officer used Apple’s Find My iPhone service to track down and rescue Melissa Vasquez, a woman who had been trapped in a 500-foot South Bay ravine for 17 hours. According to a report by KGO-TV, officer David Cameron is to thank for locating the stranded driver. After Vasquez was involved in a car accident, OnStar reported her location to the police, but they were unable to find any evidence of the car or driver.

When Cameron, who says he’s known around his department for being a bit of a “tech geek,” searched her house, he found her iPad and realized that he could use Find My iPhone to locate Vasquez’s cell phone. Vasquez’s tablet was locked using a passcode, but it took Cameron only three guesses to figure out the code and gain access to Find My iPhone.

From there it took only 20 minutes for police to track down Vasquez and begin the process of airlifting her to a nearby hospital.

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Facebook and YouTube release iPhone 6/Plus app updates

Avatar for Zac Hall Oct 15 2014 - 10:43 am PT
13 Comments

After more than a month since the new iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus screen sizes were announced, Facebook has released an updated version of its iPhone app to take advantage of the bigger screens. The new app features a smaller navigation bar and shows more content on the screen. Facebook had previously updated its Messenger app for the new iPhones, although its alternative Facebook Paper app is still awaiting an update.

YouTube also released an updated version of its iPhone app today optimized for the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus screen sizes. This means you can see more video suggestions from the main page as well as well favorites and subscriptions from the side bar.

The status bar and keyboard are also native to the larger iPhone models versus the previously scaled up versions on the new iPhones with the old app. YouTube 2.13 for iPhone and iPad also includes a number of bug fixes for the app:


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9to5Toys Last Call: Seagate 3TB Desktop HDD $90, Beats gear (refurb) up to 75% off, Epson printer w/ AirPrint from $35, more

Avatar for Justin Kahn Oct 15 2014 - 9:23 am PT
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Be sure to follow 9to5Toys to keep up with the best gear and deals on the web: Twitter, RSS Feed, Facebook, Google+ and Safari push notifications.

Today’s can’t miss deals:

Last Call Updates:

Seagate Backup Plus 3TB USB 3.0 Desktop External Hard Drive $90 shipped (orig. $140)

Beats by Dre Headphone Recert Blowout, up to 75% off: Solos: $79, Mixr Pro DJ/Studio $109, Wireless $129 and Pros $159, Pill Speakers $140

Epson XP-410 Small-in-One printer w/ AirPrint $35 shipped w/ .edu ($60 w/o)

PSA: you may be overpaying for bundled iOS apps/games

Google Chromecast $28 Prime shipped or less from Staples stores (Reg. $35) + free Hulu Plus/Google Play offers

Small States: Waterfield Designs has the perfect bag for all of your gadgets, giveaway worth $329

Other new deals:

More deals still alive:

New products/ongoing promos:

iPhone 6/Plus deals, accessories, and more:

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Sleep Cycle alarm updated w/ iPhone 6/Plus support & Health app integration

Avatar for Zac Hall Oct 15 2014 - 7:51 am PT
6 Comments

Sleep Cycle has updated its smart alarm app for iPhone to take advantage of the larger displays on the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus using an adaptive layout to show more content at once.

The updated version of Sleep Cycle also takes advantage of HealthKit for iOS 8 users as the app can now share sleep tracking information with Apple’s Health app. Sleep Cycle says to begin sleep tracking for at least one night before activating sharing between the smart alarm clock and Apple’s Health app.

Sleep Cycle allows iPhone users to capture sleep analysis data by placing the iPhone between the sheets and mattress where you sleep while connected to a power source to measure sleep duration and quality. Previously that data was presented only in the Sleep Cycle app, but the latest update allows iPhone users to also view that data alongside other information available in Apple’s Health app on iOS 8 like step tracking, heart rate, and more.

The app is 99¢ on the App Store and worth trying out for anyone interested in adding sleep tracking data to Apple’s Health app without buying a dedicated fitness band. For more apps that take advantage of Apple’s Health app, check out our running list of supported apps.

As promised, Angry Birds Transformers hits USA and rest of the world today

Avatar for Ben Lovejoy Oct 15 2014 - 5:24 am PT
6 Comments
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Rovio’s latest game in the Angry Birds series, Angry Birds Transformers, has rolled out worldwide today after its earlier soft-launch last month in New Zealand, Finland, Canada and Australia.

Angry Birds and Transformers collide in this action-packed, 3D shoot ’em up adventure! The EggSpark has transformed the eggs into crazed robots who are destroying Piggy Island, but who can stop them?! Autobirds, roll out! 

Gamers have been waiting for quite some time as the Transformers mash-up game was first announced back in June …


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Microsoft releases Office for Mac 2011 patch with critical bug fixes and security updates

Avatar for Mike Beasley Oct 14 2014 - 5:37 pm PT
10 Comments

Microsoft has released Office for Mac 2011 version 14.4.5, which includes critical bug fixes and security improvements. You can download the free 113 MB patch from Microsoft’s website. The change notes from Microsoft are below:

This update fixes critical issues and also helps to improve security. It includes fixes for vulnerabilities that an attacker can use to overwrite the contents of your computer’s memory with malicious code.

The update is recomended for all users of Office 2011, which is the most recently version of the productivity suite for OS X systems.

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Sonos Controller app updated for iOS 8 & iPhone 6/Plus, Sonos Boost support

Avatar for Jordan Kahn Oct 14 2014 - 8:43 am PT
2 Comments

Sonos today updated its Controller app for iPhone and iPad bringing full support for iOS 8 and optimizations for the new larger iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus. The app, which offers control of wi-fi connected Sonos audio hardware, also now supports the company’s new Sonos Boost enterprise-grade wi-fi extender accessory:

This update includes support for SONOS BOOST, an accessory that provides enterprise-grade wireless performance for your Sonos system so you get unparalleled reliability – even in homes that are known to have wireless connectivity problems.

Announced earlier this year, the Sonos Boost accessory is available starting today from the Sonos website and other retailers. The Boost will sell for $99 USD, slightly higher than the similar but less powerful $49 Sonos Bridge the company previously offered. “Similar to the BRIDGE ($49 USD), BOOST connects directly to your router to create a dedicated network, allowing all your Sonos speakers and components to talk to each other, with up to 50% greater wireless range.”

Version 5.1.1 of the Sonos Controller app for iOS is available on the App Store now.

What’s New in Version 5.1.1

SUPPORT FOR SONOS BOOST
This update includes support for SONOS BOOST, an accessory that provides enterprise-grade wireless performance for your Sonos system so you get unparalleled reliability – even in homes that are known to have wireless connectivity problems.

SUPPORT FOR NEW APPLE DEVICES AND OPERATING SYSTEMS
This update includes support for iOS 8, including support for iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus.

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‘Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel’ now available on Mac

Avatar for Jordan Kahn Oct 14 2014 - 6:45 am PT
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Borderlands: The Pre Sequel, the latest installment in the popular Borderlands series, launches today for Mac on the same day as the console and PC release. The Mac version of the game is developed by Aspyr and includes cross-platform multiplayer and a promise of all future DLC:

Discover the story behind Borderlands 2 villain, Handsome Jack, and his rise to power. Taking place between the original Borderlands and Borderlands 2, the Pre-Sequel gives you a whole lotta new gameplay featuring the genre blending fusion of shooter and RPG mechanics that players have come to love… Float through the air with each low gravity jump while taking enemies down from above using new ice and laser weapons. Catch-a-ride and explore the lunar landscape with new vehicles allowing for more levels of destructive mayhem.

The game is available starting today for $59.99 through GameAgent (the web store run by developers of the Mac version, Aspyr) as well as through Steam. Aspyr said previously that it’s planning a Mac App Store release of the game for October 16.

The game requires a Mac running OS X 10.9.4 (Mavericks) or later and at least a 2.2GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor, 4GB of RAM, and 13GB of hard drive space. Supported video cards include NVIDIA GeForce 8800, ATI Radeon HD 2600, or Intel HD 3000 with 256 MB of Video Memory.

AutoCAD for Mac 2015 catches up with Windows feature-set

Avatar for Ben Lovejoy Oct 14 2014 - 6:17 am PT
3 Comments
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Autodesk has announced the release of AutoCAD for Mac 2015 with a feature-set that for the first time brings it close to that of the Windows version. The lower-cost AutoCAD LT for Mac version has also been updated.

Autodesk is emphasizing cross-platform compatibility for companies using a mix of OS X and Windows machines. The ability to save layer information like color and line type has been added to the Mac version in line with the Windows edition.

The company also says AutoCAD for 2015 is faster at the same time as offering improved stability … 
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Microsoft latest to mimic Snapchat with new Skype Qik ephemeral video messaging app

Avatar for Mark Gurman Oct 14 2014 - 6:00 am PT
12 Comments
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LIEnN1KmxKk&feature=youtu.be

Microsoft has just joined the ranks of companies looking to capitalize on the success of ephemeral messaging apps like Snapchat. Through its Skype division, the company has launched a new cross-platform app for iOS, Android, and (of course) Windows Phone called Skype Qik. The premise of the application, as can be seen in the video above and screenshots below, is simple: you can record a quick video, and then share it to either one person in your address book or multiple groups of people.

Differentiating itself from some of the other players, the Skype-based solution is video-focused, and Skype is positioning it as a communication tool for in between full-scale Skype video chats. Notably, the whole service is connected to your phone number and existing contacts list, so it doesn’t require signing up with a standard Skype account. If you send a message via Qik to a user without the Qik app, the other person will be sent an SMS text message with instructions for downloading the Qik app to view the video message. This app is based on the technology from startup Qik, which Skype acquired a few years ago.

By default, videos will expire after two weeks, and you can also un-send messages at any time. A cool feature of Skype Qik is the ability to pre-record various 5 second GIFs that you can send as instant replies. So, if you don’t have the ability to send a live video reply, you can just choose one of your pre-record defaults. The app is free today on the aforementioned platforms, and Microsoft says that updates, such as one for blocking iPhone contacts (that feature is available today on Android and Windows Phone), will come often to enhance the feature-set.

You can view some screenshots of the iPhone app in action below:


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Missing one-handed typing on your iPhone 6/Plus? One Handed Keyboard brings it back

Avatar for Ben Lovejoy Oct 14 2014 - 4:11 am PT
17 Comments
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If you love your new iPhone 6/Plus but find yourself missing the convenience of one-handed typing, One Handed Keyboard may be the third-party keyboard for you. It’s a system-wide keyboard exactly the same size as the one on the older and smaller iPhones so everything will feel familiar. The “sliding over” keyboard method is what Samsung and LG have been using on their Phablets for years.

The keyboard can be switched between left- and right-handed use, and when you want to return to two-handed typing, just hold down the spacebar to expand it to full width … 
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Hackers claim to have a database of nearly 7 million Dropbox credentials, service denies it was breached

Avatar for Mike Beasley Oct 13 2014 - 9:20 pm PT
8 Comments

A database containing login information for nearly 7 million users of the private cloud storage provider Dropbox has been accessed by hackers, according to a partial dump posted on Pastebin earlier this evening (via The Next Web). However, Dropbox has issued a statement denying that this breach occurred on its end, saying that Dropbox itself was not attacked, but rather a third-party service that had stored user credentials:

Dropbox has not been hacked. These usernames and passwords were unfortunately stolen from other services and used in attempts to log in to Dropbox accounts. We’d previously detected these attacks and the vast majority of the passwords posted have been expired for some time now. All other remaining passwords have been expired as well.


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Dropbox’s Mailbox iOS app updated w/ customizable swipes & iPhone 6 UI as Mac app enters open beta

Avatar for Seth Weintraub Oct 13 2014 - 11:17 am PT
5 Comments

Dropbox updated its Mailbox app today with some necessary features and fixes. The update now includes the ability to customize your swipes. Also, new iPhone 6 and 6 Plus owners will appreciate the optimized UI for bigger displays. Finally, Dropbox has squashed some bugs in Push and otherwise improved the overall performance.

Dropbox’s Mailbox is still only currently for Gmail and iCloud accounts, but the company reminds us again that other email platforms are on the way.

In addition to the updated iPhone and iPad version, the beta version for the Mac is now open to anyone following a public beta coin system for testers before.

https://twitter.com/Mailbox/status/521737188154019841/
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9to5Toys Last Call: Toshiba 1TB portable HDD $50, Dragon Dictate 4 $100, travel routers from $15, more

Avatar for Oct 13 2014 - 9:19 am PT
2 Comments

Be sure to follow 9to5Toys to keep up with the best gear and deals on the web: Twitter, RSS Feed, Facebook, Google+ and Safari push notifications.

Today’s can’t miss deals:

Last Call updates:

Toshiba Canvio Connect 1TB USB 3.0 Portable Hard Drive: $50 shipped (orig. $130)


Dragon Dictate for Mac 4: $100 (Reg. $200) – ends today

Hootoo TripMate travel router w/ 6000mAh power bank $36 shipped (Reg. $50), $15 w/o

Small States: Waterfield Designs has the perfect bag for all of your gadgets, giveaway worth $329

Other new deals:


More deals still alive:

More iPhone 6/6 Plus deals, accessories, and trade offers:

New products/ongoing promos:

Apple begins rollout of redesigned iTunes Store ahead of OS X Yosemite launch

Avatar for Mike Beasley Oct 10 2014 - 2:45 pm PT
26 Comments
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Apple has started rolling out a redesigned version of the iTunes Store for users running iTunes 12 less than a week ahead of what’s expected to be the launch of OS X Yosemite. The new storefront takes design cues from the iTunes and App Store home pages on iOS devices, featuring a flattened, side-scrolling carousel at the top of the page in place of the old “card”-style header. This new header can be scrolled horizontally using two fingers or even dragged around with a mouse.

Individual pages for albums, TV shows, and iOS apps have also been redesigned and now feature more iOS-like controls throughout. Download buttons have been reduced to simple outlines. Shadows and textures have been removed throughout the store, putting the content directly on a stark white or dark gray background.


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Dropbox experimental build with OS X Yosemite icons available for download

Avatar for Mark Gurman Oct 10 2014 - 9:06 am PT
7 Comments

Good news for Dropbox users running OS X Yosemite: Dropbox has made available an experimental build optimized for Yosemite’s new look (via Zach Kahn). The download brings a new Finder icon, new notification glyphs, and faster uploads for small files among other enhancements. Here’s the full list of what’s new:

New in 2.11.25

  • Updated Camera Uploads folder icon for Yosemite
  • Fixed Copy Link context menu option from the toolbar
  • More Finder integration bug fixes

New in the 2.11 series

  • Rewrite of the Windows & Linux UI. (1)
  • File identifiers. (2)
  • Windows long path support. (3)
  • New Linux headless setup flow.
  • Faster uploads for small files.
  • Updated splash screens.
  • New Finder icon overlays.
  • New Windows notification area icons.

You can update (at your own risk) using the download links here.


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9to5Toys Last Call: Seagate 2TB portable HDD $75, Lumsing 10400mAh Power Bank $19, Apple TV $84, more

Avatar for Oct 10 2014 - 8:56 am PT
0 Comments

Be sure to follow 9to5Toys to keep up with the best gear and deals on the web: Twitter, RSS Feed, Facebook, Google+ and Safari push notifications.

Today’s can’t miss deals:

Last Call updates:

Bowers & Wilkins Z2 AirPlay speaker w/ Lightning dock $100 shipped (orig. $400)

Seagate 2TB Expansion Portable USB 3.0 Hard Drive: $75 shipped (Reg. $110)

Power up: Lumsing 10400mAh Power Bank $19, Bolse Lightning (MFi)/Micro USB car charger $24

Belkin 20% off sitewide: Thunderbolt 2 Express Dock HD for Mac $240, WeMo LED starter set $80, much more

11-inch Apple MacBook Air 1.6GHz/4GB/128GB refurbished w/ 90-day warranty: $599 shipped

Small States: Carved wraps your phone w/ wood from sunken ships & skateboards, multiple giveaways


Other new deals:

More deals still alive:

More iPhone 6/6 Plus deals, accessories, and trade offers:

New products/ongoing promos:

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Withings’ Health Mate app adds HealthKit support, bringing more functionality to the Health app

Avatar for Sarah Guarino Oct 9 2014 - 8:46 pm PT
2 Comments

A day after Fitbit announces it has no plans to develop iOS 8 Health app integration, Withings Health Mate app adds HealthKit support. Withings, the makers of the Wireless Blood Pressure Monitor, Smart Body Analyzer scale, Aura an advanced sleep tracker, Pulse and Pulse Ox activity trackers adds extra measurements to the Health app.

With the Wireless Blood Pressure Monitor, you are able to track diastolic blood pressure and systolic blood pressure. With the Smart Body Analyzer, you are able to track body fat percentage, body mass index, heart rate, and weight. With the Aura, you are able to analyze sleep. With the activity trackers Pulse and Pulse Ox you are able to track active calories, oxygen saturation, resting calories, sleep analysis, steps, and walking and running distance. Even if you do not have the Pulse or Pulse Ox, with the Withings HealthMate app you are able to track steps with the iPhone. In the latest update there were improvements made in activity tracking. Also, with the app using the camera you can measure your heart rate.

Since there is a lot of data that this app is tracking, you can now protect your data with Touch ID, which is a new added feature.

Withings HealthMate is available for free on the App Store.