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6,271 'Apps' stories April 2010 - September 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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9to5Toys Last Call: MacBook Air (refurb) $599 from Apple, LifeProof iPad cases from $23, Sharp 39″ HDTV $250, more

Avatar for Sep 25 2014 - 9:02 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:

 

Logitech Ultimate Ears 500vm Noise Isolating Headset w/ Mic & Controls $14 shipped (Reg. $30+)

iPad cases:

Sharp AQUOS 39-inch 1080p LED HDTV $250 shipped (orig. $420)

Google Chromecast streaming media player refurb: $15 shipped AC (Reg. $35)

Roundup: the best ultra tough Lightning cables for your new iPhone 6/6 Plus

Dragon Dictate for Mac 4 (digital download) $100 (Reg. $200)

Small States: The jamstik wireless MIDI guitar controller for iPad, iPhone and Mac, $560 worth of 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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Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance now available on Mac

Avatar for Jordan Kahn Sep 25 2014 - 6:27 am PT
2 Comments

[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3InlCxliR7w]

Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance, a spinoff in the popular Metal Gear franchise that was originally released for consoles in 2013, is today arriving for Mac users. Unlike most previous installments in the series, Revengeance replaces the game’s usual stealth-based gameplay for a sword-slashing cyborg ninja named Raiden. It’s technically part of the Metal Gear series and universe, but the incredibly unique hack and slash gameplay mechanics in this title are quite the departure from what Metal Gear fans are used to with previous games in the series. 

METAL GEAR RISING: REVENGEANCE, originally developed by Kojima Productions and Platinum Games, expands the METAL GEAR franchise into exciting new territory with its frenetic action experience. The game seamlessly melds pure action and cinematic storytelling that surrounds Raiden, a child soldier transformed into a half-human, half-cyborg ninja, who uses his high-frequency katana blade to cut through anything that stands in his vengeful path

The game is available starting today on the Mac App Store and on Steam for $24. That’s a promotional price that will increase to the regular $30 after the first 5 days of release. 

App developer warns not to enter personal info using in-app browsers due to security issue

Avatar for Jordan Kahn Sep 24 2014 - 11:32 am PT
7 Comments
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[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Bl-pJBHYuc]

App developer Craig Hockenberry has published an article today titled “in-app browsers considered harmful” warning both devs and users of security issues related to apps that take advantage of the feature. “Would it surprise you to know that every one of those apps could eavesdrop on your typing? Even when it’s in a secure login screen with a password field?”
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9to5Toys Last Call: Beats Studio wireless headphones $299, Dragon Dictate 4 $100, LifeProof/Logitech iPad Air cases from $28, more

Avatar for Justin Kahn Sep 24 2014 - 9:00 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:

 

 

Noise canceling headphones: Beats by Dr. Dre Studio Wireless $299 (Reg. $380), Bose QC15 $250 (orig. $300)

LifeProof water/shock proof nüüd case for iPad Air $68 shipped (Reg. $130)

Logitech Ultrathin Keyboard Cover for Apple iPad Air (refurb) $28 shipped (Reg. $100)

13.3-inch MacBook Pro w/ Retina display (newest version) $1,300 w/.edu ($199 off)

Small States: The jamstik wireless MIDI guitar controller for iPad, iPhone and Mac, $560 worth of 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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Adobe announces Photoshop and Premiere Elements 13 with ‘Guided Edits’ and more

Avatar for Mike Beasley Sep 23 2014 - 9:32 pm PT
0 Comments

Image via Engadget

Adobe has announced its next major upgrades to its popular Photoshop Elements and Premiere Elements applications, with each being bumped up to version 13.

Both apps add new editing features, such as “photomerge compose” for lifting subjects from one photo and quickly moving them into another with proper lighting and other effects. New cropping tools allow you to automatically compose perfectly cropped by detecting faces and other details and determining how to best frame them in the shot.


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2013 Apple TV revision gets its first exclusive feature: iOS 8’s Peer-to-Peer AirPlay

Avatar for Jordan Kahn Sep 23 2014 - 1:25 pm PT
38 Comments
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When Apple released Apple TV software update 7.0 earlier this month, it came with support for new iOS 8 features including the new Peer-to-Peer AirPlay feature. First announced when Apple unveiled iOS 8 earlier this year, Peer-to-Peer AirPlay allows users on iOS 8 and the upcoming OS X Yosemite release to stream content to an Apple TV without having to connect to the same wireless network. What we didn’t know at the time, however, is that the feature is limited to only the latest Apple TV hardware:
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The first GIF Keyboard made for iOS 8 has landed courtesy of Riffsy, and it’s free

Avatar for Stephen Hall Sep 23 2014 - 12:16 pm PT
9 Comments

Although dozens of custom keyboards have been launching left and right just in time for iOS 8, most of them have stayed rather traditional. Yes, there’s new features here and there that are firsts for iOS like the ability to swipe to type using Swype and SwiftKey, but these are still just keyboards for typing letters. A new keyboard from Riffsy called GIF Keyboard, on the other hand, isn’t really a keyboard—it’s a great way to quickly and easily send GIFs to friends using your favorite apps.


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Google’s Currents iOS app redesigned & renamed ‘Google Play Newsstand’

Avatar for Jordan Kahn Sep 23 2014 - 12:09 pm PT
0 Comments

Following the renaming of its Google Currents news reader app to “Google Play Newsstand” on Android back in February, Google has now given a similar treatment to the iOS app. The app, like the Android version earlier this year, also receives a makeover in the process with a streamlined design and new features:

What’s new
• New navigation helping you easily access the articles and editions you love including:
– Read Now – Easily access articles you subscribe to and discover new articles and editions all in one place
– Topics – Subscribe and get news from topics you are most interested in
– My Library – All of your subscriptions will be found here
• A brand new design giving you a streamlined news reading experience

The Google Play Newsstand app is available for free for iPhone and iPad on the App Store now.

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Apple’s rebranding of Beats Music streaming service rumored for February

Avatar for Zac Hall Sep 23 2014 - 10:55 am PT
8 Comments

Yesterday news broke that Apple was reportedly going to shut down its newly purchased Beats Music streaming service which Apple quickly dismissed as false although it does sound like changes for the brand and service are in the works as you might expect. Re/code’s John Paczkowski shared today that such a rebrand could be slated for February:

Now that we’ve established that Apple is not “shutting down” Beats Music, the streaming service that Tim Cook in May lauded as the “first music subscription service that really got it right,” and we’re all agreed that it makes far more sense for the company to dump the Beats Music brand and integrate the service into an offering of its own, we can move on to another more interesting question: When will Apple show off the new version of its subscription service and its new brand? Here’s a guess backed up by some industry scuttlebutt: February — presumably timed to the Grammy Awards, which will be held Feb. 8.

With Apple currently maintaining a streaming music service branded as iTunes Radio and a separate on-demand music service branded as Beats Music, it’s not hard to believe that the service is due for some reworking under Apple’s ownership.

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9to5Toys Last Call: iPhone 6/6 Plus quick chargers, Sony 50″ WiFi HDTV $700, Retina MBP $200 off w/ .edu, more

Avatar for Sep 23 2014 - 9:00 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:

Faster 2.1A car/chargers/batteries/surge protectors for iPhone 6/Plus quick charging (roundup)

Sony 50-inch 1080p 3D WiFi HDTV w/ PlayStation Now: $700 shipped (orig. $1,200)

Apple deals:

Amazon Goldbox: Corsair gaming accessories up to 55% off – Headset: $55, Mouse $34, Keyboard $33, more

Small States: The jamstik wireless MIDI guitar controller for iPad, iPhone and Mac, $560 worth of giveaways

Other new deals:


More deals still alive:

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

New products/ongoing promos:

As shown at WWDC, Bing Search app brings translation extension to Safari

Avatar for Benjamin Mayo Sep 23 2014 - 6:04 am PT
2 Comments
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The Bing Search app has been updated to include the translation feature first demoed at WWDC, as part of the initial unveiling of iOS 8 extensions.

Very simply, downloading the update adds a Bing Translate action to your Activities list in Safari. Enable the action and then visit a website in a foreign language. Pressing the Translate action in the share sheet will machine translate the webpage’s text to the system language, by default. The text content changes inline and happens very quickly.


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New two-factor authentication app Lockdown launches with iCloud syncing, recovery code storage, and more

Avatar for Mike Beasley Sep 22 2014 - 7:22 pm PT
6 Comments

A new iOS app for managing two-factor authentication keys called Lockdown launched this weekend with a set of unique features like the ability to sync your keys over iCloud with other devices (including an upcoming Mac counterpart). Accounts in the app will also be backed up along with your phone’s data so that you can restore the keys back to a new device, which isn’t possible with other two-factor apps.

Of course, while backing up the keys and syncing them with iCloud provide an increased level of convenience, it’s important to remember that those can also lead to a reduced level of security in some cases. It’s important to balance security with convenience when dealing with something like two-factor authentication, and thankfully Lockdown’s developer recognizes this. All data on the device or backed up to iCloud is encrypted whether it’s in transit or stored on the device or server.

Sites that use two-factor authentication typically also use backup codes for logging into your account in case you lose access to your device. Lockdown offers the ability to store these backup codes right in the app. While that’s an excellent convenience feature, it does somewhat defeat the purpose of the codes. If you’ve stored them only in Lockdown and then lose your phone, you won’t have access to those codes, and thus won’t be able to log into your account. So while this is a handy feature, it’s critical that you store these codes in a secondary location that isn’t on your phone as well.

The developer has told 9to5Mac that an update has been submitted to Apple which includes new features such as support for using Touch ID to protect the application. A Safari extension is planned for a later release to make logging into sites through the phone’s built-in browser even easier.

You can grab Lockdown on the iOS App Store for $3.99.

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9to5Toys Last Call: iPad 4 WiFi + AT&T LTE 128GB $499, iOS wireless storage, 2x Chromecast $50, more

Avatar for Sep 22 2014 - 9:00 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:

Apple iPad w/ Retina display 128GB AT&T LTE $499 shipped (orig. $929), more

Couldn’t score a 128GB iPhone 6 or 6 Plus? Add storage to any iPhone with a wireless drive

Google Chromecast media player (refurb) $25 or two (new) for $50 (orig. $35 each)

Small States: The jamstik wireless MIDI guitar controller for iPad, iPhone and Mac, $560 worth of 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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Chrome iOS update enables third-party app extensions, iOS 8 support

Avatar for Jordan Kahn Sep 22 2014 - 8:32 am PT
4 Comments

Google today updated its Chrome browser for iPhone and iPad with support for iOS 8’s new third-party App Extensions feature. That means that Chrome’s sharing menu will now show additional sharing options from apps you have installed supporting the new App Extensions feature. We previously put together a roundup of some of the best apps offering App Extensions when iOS 8 launched.

Google says the update, version 37.0.2062.60, also includes iOS 8 compatibility, stability improvements, and bug fixes.

The updated Chrome app for iPhone and iPad is available on the App Store now.

What’s New in Version 37.0.2062.60

• Supports using 3rd party App Extensions to post and share content.
• iOS 8 Compatibility.
• Stability improvements and bug fixes.

Skype app updated for iOS 8, includes interactive notifications for calls and messages

Avatar for Benjamin Mayo Sep 22 2014 - 5:52 am PT
7 Comments
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The Skype app for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch has now been updated with support for iOS 8. Unfortunately, this does not include support for iPhone 6 and 6 Plus screen sizes, meaning Skype still renders at a scaled iPhone 5s resolution.

However, the update does add interactive notifications which helps streamline responding to content. Hence, new Skype notifications have buttons attached to the alert which can perform various actions. For voice calls, you can answer or decline. For video calls, you can choose between voice or video responses. For missed calls, you can respond with a message or call the person straight back.


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Google Search iOS app renamed ‘Google’, adds Chromecast integration, new Now cards

Avatar for Jordan Kahn Sep 19 2014 - 10:04 am PT
5 Comments

Google just updated its Google Search app for iOS and in the process renamed it to simply “Google”, which seems to make a bit more sense considering the app integrates Google Now features and much beyond just search. Also in today’s update: new features for Chromecast and additional Google Now cards.

For Chromecast users, the app now allows users to ask “What’s on Chromecast?” and jump right into the Chromecast app to begin casting content to a TV. The update also includes new Google Now cards that Google says offer “personalized TV recommendations and traffic information.”

Version 4.2.0 of the Google app is available on the App Store now.

What’s New in Version 4.2.0

This update includes new Google Now cards for personalized TV recommendations and traffic information. Chromecast users can now ask Google “what’s on Chromecast?” to open the Chromecast app and start casting. We’ve also made improvements to speed up your browsing experience.

Sign in to the Google app and enable Now cards to take full advantage of these new features.

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9to5Toys Last Call: iTunes GC 33% off, iPhone 6/6 Plus screen protector $1, Samsung 40″ LED HDTV $330, more

Avatar for Sep 19 2014 - 9:00 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:

$15 iTunes gift card for $10: save 33% on future apps, music, movies, more

ArmorSuit iPhone 6/6 Plus screen protectors for $1 shipped (orig. $20)

Samsung 40-inch LED 1080p 120Hz 3D HDTV $330 shipped (Reg. $530)

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

Small States: Grovemade stays true to themselves w/ its handmade tech accessories, giveaway worth $306 + 15% discount – Last chance!

Other new deals:

More tech deals still alive:


New products/ongoing promos:

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Windows users get iCloud Drive support while Mac users await Yosemite

Avatar for Jordan Kahn Sep 19 2014 - 8:05 am PT
18 Comments

While developers are warning iOS 8 and Mac users to avoid upgrading to Apple’s new iCloud Drive feature before the release of OS X Yosemite, Windows users now have access with an updated iCloud for Windows utility released by Apple. With the update, Windows users can now view and edit content stored in iCloud Drive through File Explorer (via Ars Technica).

As for Mac users, Apple explains in its support document: “If you upgrade to iCloud Drive before OS X Yosemite is available, documents on your Mac won’t be kept up to date with documents on your devices with iOS 8, or on iCloud.com.” Apple allows users to upgrade to iCloud Drive on devices running iOS 8. 

Windows users can download the latest iCloud for Windows here to access the new iCloud Drive features, while Mac users will have to wait for the OS X Yosemite release this fall.

Pebble 2.5 firmware lands w/ support for Emoji, new Compass app, iOS 8 notification dismissal, more

Avatar for Stephen Hall Sep 18 2014 - 3:33 pm PT
11 Comments

Pebble has launched version 2.5 of its smartwatch firmware, packing a bunch of great new features—including some interesting new abilities for users who have recently upgraded to iOS 8. Notably, the update now allows iOS users to dismiss notifications by clicking the X button to dismiss one, and holding it down to dismiss all. Pebble also says that the app should stay live in the background more often on iOS, but the company says that users should make sure not to disable “Smartwatch Proximity.”

Additionally, the company says that the firmware brings the ability for the Pebble and Pebble Steel smartwatches to display Emoji, replacing the previous small white boxes that are all too familiar across platforms without Emoji support. And to round off the most interesting new features, the company is launching the Compass app that they promised long ago, which can be picked up on the Pebble appstore. I definitely recommend this one; I’ve tried it out and I’m quite impressed with how fluid the app is.

The smartwatch should have improved Bluetooth and notification reliability compared to previous firmware versions, and Pebble says that 2.5 also fixes a plethora of bugs.

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Flexibits says iOS 8 features coming soon to Fantastical following iPhone 6 update

Avatar for Zac Hall Sep 18 2014 - 2:03 pm PT
0 Comments

With iOS 8 launching yesterday and the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus hitting stores and delivering to customers tomorrow, a number of apps have already begun shipping updates to take advantage of the new screen sizes and software features. With several customers asking where the update for Fantastical 2 on iOS 8 was, Flexibits today shared in a blog post its plans for the iPhones 6 and new version of iOS.

The makers of the smart calendar app note that the current version of Fantastical 2 has already been released with iOS 8 support and that a version of Fantastical 2 optimized for the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus has today been submitted so users of the new device won’t have to wait long for the new version. More importantly, a version introducing a Notification Center widget and system extension will be “coming in the next few weeks.”
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Twitter for iPhone rolling out refreshed user profile design & interactive notifications

Avatar for Zac Hall Sep 18 2014 - 1:36 pm PT
4 Comments
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Twitter shared in a blog post today that it will begin rolling out improvements to the user profile design for iPhone users in addition to new features for iOS 8.

The previous user profile design featured the user’s avatar centered over the cover photo with a swipe required to reveal the bio and photos further down in a carousel view. The refreshed design now presents all of this information in a more traditional layout with buttons distinguishing tweets, favorites, and photos. Each of these sections can be explored with an endless scrolling feed.

The update also offers up users interactive notifications, a feature introduced with iOS 8 but not readily available in many apps just yet.
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Apple releases Safari 7.1 for Mavericks w/ DuckDuckGo search engine, encryption for Yahoo searches

Avatar for Jordan Kahn Sep 18 2014 - 9:05 am PT
14 Comments

Apple has just released Safari 7.1 to all users of OS X Mavericks following several beta releases in recent weeks. The update adds DuckDuckGo as a default search engine option, which was also just added to Apple’s mobile version of Safari alongside iOS 8. The update also includes a security improvement for Yahoo search engine users: Apple says Yahoo searches from the search field are now encrypted. 

In addition, Apple notes the release improves Reader and AutoFill compatibility with websites.

The release follows OS X 10.9.5 becoming available to all users yesterday with Safari 7.0.6. The Safari 7.1 update is available to users on OS X Mavericks 10.9.5 now through Updates in the Mac App Store. 

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9to5Toys Last Call: iOS 8 app bundles go live, VIZIO 42-inch Smart HDTV $420, rooCASE iPhone 6 cases $7, more

Avatar for Sep 18 2014 - 9:00 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:

New iOS 8 app bundles offer popular apps/games at discounted prices

VIZIO 42-inch 1080p Smart LED $420 (orig. $500), Samsung 55-inch 4K Smart 3D LED $1500 (orig. $5100+), more

rooCASE iPhone 6 hybrid case w/ screen protector (multiple colors): $7 shipped (orig. $30)

More iPhone 6 deals:

Small States: Grovemade stays true to themselves w/ its handmade tech accessories, giveaway worth $306 + 15% discount

Other new deals:

More tech deals still alive:

Home/fashion/magazines/games:

New products/ongoing promos:

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CNN’s iPhone 6 app demoed during the Apple event is now available

Avatar for Zac Hall Sep 18 2014 - 7:59 am PT
0 Comments

Apple showed off a number of its own apps at last week’s iPhone 6 event to illustrate how the larger display phones can show content in new ways, specifically using the iPad-like two-column view in landscape mode.

Apple also encouraged developers to update their own apps to take advantage of the 4.7-inch and 5.5-inch displays rather than relying on system scaling to blow up content made for 4-inch displays, and CNN’s news app for iPhone was the shining example of what third-party app makers can do.
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