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6,294 'Apps' stories April 2010 - July 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: NomadPlus 50% off, Design Mac bundle w/ Poser 10, Ember, Pixa, TotalFinder, etc: $40, more

Avatar for Jul 30 2014 - 9:00 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:

You get the following for $39.99 ($900+ value)

  • Ember ($50) – Easily capture and organize screenshots – then sync across Apple devices
  • Pixa ($25) – Top image management & sharing app
  • Poser 10 ($130) – The fun way to learn 3D
  • Anime Studio Pro 10 ($200) – Complete animation for professionals & digital artists
  • Art Text 2 ($20) – Create professional logos & graphics without technicaldesign skills
  • TotalFinder ($18) – Bring tabs to your native finder window
  • Design hacker Bundle ($500) – 6 tools to improve your design workflow: 99
  • Designs, Swiftly, Divshot, and more!

Media: Vivitek Qumi Q5 projector (refurb) $289, iTunes Sci-Fi comedies $10 each, more

More Apple Deals:

Exclusive: Get an extra $20 to trade in your old iPad at Gazelle (up to $430)

Other new deals:

More deals still alive:

New products/ongoing promotions:

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AeroPress Timer app completely revamped to help you make the perfect cup of coffee

Avatar for Ben Lovejoy Jul 30 2014 - 5:15 am PT
2 Comments

The freemium companion app to the amazing and popular $25 Aeropress Coffee and Espresso Maker has been completely redesigned, with new gesture-based navigation, brewing tips, a timer that tells you exactly when to add water, two-cup recipes and the ability to share recipes and photos on Twitter and Facebook.

AeroPress Timer is the perfect companion for the AeroPress. AeroPress Timer allows you to explore the versatility of the AeroPress with a catalog of carefully curated recipes.

[Version 2.0.1 introduces a] completely redesigned interface. We started from scratch with every screen and made AeroPress Timer more functional and beautiful.

We moved to a completely gesture-based navigation. We feel this is best way to navigate through AeroPress Timer. Who needs back buttons?

The app itself is free, with a choice of two in-app purchases, each priced at $1.99. The Championship Pack includes nine selected recipes from the 2014 AeroPress World Championship, and the Roaster Pack a further seven recipes “from some of the world’s best roasters.”

The revamped app is available on iTunes.

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Microsoft OneNote iPhone, iPad, & Mac apps updated with new features

Avatar for Jordan Kahn Jul 29 2014 - 4:06 pm PT
8 Comments

Microsoft updated its OneNote apps for iPhone, iPad, and Mac today with a number of highly requested features including the ability to insert files, lock and unlock protected sections, PDF printouts, and much more.

In addition, the update also includes the ability to organize notebooks by moving and reordering sections and pages, support for formatted text copied from other apps, and an option to create notebooks and save them to OneDrive for Business.

The updated Microsoft OneNote for iPhone and for iPad is available on the App Store now. A full list of what’s new is below:

What’s New in Version 2.3

•Insert Files – You asked, we listened. Now you can insert files into your notes, open them with a double-tap, and easily share them using AirDrop.
•Protected Sections – Now you can lock or unlock password-protected sections created in OneNote for Windows.
•PDF Printouts – Add a PDF printout to any notebook page, then add your own notes.
•Organize Notebooks – Now you can move and reorder sections, and move pages anywhere you want in OneNote.
•Formatted Text – Copy and paste formatted text between application – whether it’s an article from Safari or a document in Word, any content you paste into OneNote will look great!
•Creating Notebooks – Now you can create notebooks and save them to OneDrive for Business. Have multiple accounts? No problem! It’s easy to select exactly where you want to store your new notebook.

The Microsoft OneNote for Mac app gets a similar update today plus the ability to share a page from OneNote through email. 

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Instagram soft launches previously rumored ‘Bolt’ one-tap photo messaging app

Avatar for Jordan Kahn Jul 29 2014 - 1:47 pm PT
2 Comments

Following a leak earlier this week that appeared to show an upcoming photo messaging app from Instagram, today the app officially launches in a short list of countries abroad (via TechCrunch). The app, which is reportedly a Snapchat competitor of sorts with one-tap photo messaging, is rolling out today for users in Singapore, South Africa, and New Zealand on both iOS and Android.
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9to5Toys Lunch Break: Apple TV $85, UE Mini Boom BT speaker $79, Samsung EVO SSD 500GB $225, more

Avatar for Justin Kahn Jul 29 2014 - 9:31 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:

Apple Deals:

Ultimate Ears MINI BOOM Wireless Bluetooth Speaker/Speakerphone (Red/Black): $79 shipped (Reg. $100)

Samsung Solid State Drives: 840 EVO Series 500GB $225 (orig. $480), 850 Pro Series 256GB $185 (Reg. $200)

Exclusive: Get an extra $20 to trade in your old iPad at Gazelle (up to $430)

Other new deals:

  • New! Daily Deals: Klipsch BT Speakers from $155, Sharp 1080p HDTVs from $600, more
  • New! Games/Apps: Rayman Origins for Mac $10, 50% off Logitech gaming accessories, more

More deals still alive:

New products/ongoing promotions:

Apple TV updated with FOX NOW, CNBC channels

Avatar for Zac Hall Jul 29 2014 - 7:14 am PT
16 Comments
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Apple has rolled out some new channel additions to the Apple TV set-top box this morning. Both FOX NOW and CNBC have joined the Apple TV lineup. Both channels appear to require a cable subscription to unlock the content within. However, some episodes and clips are available without providing subscription credentials.

The CNBC channel supports viewing live broadcasts from the business-focused station as well as viewing previously aired shows and content. The FOX NOW channel features popular shows from the network like American Idol, Glee, Family Guy, The Following, and more.
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Yelp for iOS updated with the ability to upload short videos with reviews

Avatar for Mike Beasley Jul 28 2014 - 4:51 pm PT
2 Comments

Yelp has updated its iPhone application with the ability to add short videos (3-12 seconds) to reviews. The app has allowed photo uploads alongside reviews, and according to The Next Web users are uploading over 23,000 photos a day.

You can grab the updated Yelp app now from the App Store for free.

What’s New in Version 8.1.0

They say a picture is worth 1,000 words, well now on iPhone you can take 3-12 second videos of your experiences at your favorite local businesses. So that’s worth like… 30 frames per second multiplied by video length… (pulls out calculator)… between 90 and 360 thousand words! Whoa.

Along with this new feature we also also added some polish to our app and fixed a bunch of bugs. Enjoy!

Facebook to disable messaging in its main iOS app this week, require Messenger for all users

Avatar for Mike Beasley Jul 28 2014 - 2:36 pm PT
41 Comments
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Facebook has announced today that it will no longer allow messaging in its main mobile application later this week. Instead, any users who wish to take advantage of the company’s messaging platform will have to do so through the standalone Facebook Messenger app.

Earlier this year the comapany started informing some European users of the upcoming move to the separate app, but this is the first time a solid timetable has been set for the transition. For users who already have the Messenger app installed, nothing will change. Once the change goes into effect, the “Messages” tab in the Facebook client will simply link to the Messenger app rather than an inbox view.


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NPR One app arrives on iPhone with curated public radio streams

Avatar for Jordan Kahn Jul 28 2014 - 2:13 pm PT
1 Comment

Alongside the release of its new app for Android today, the new NPR One app has just arrived on the App Store for iPhone users.

NPR One is the new audio app that connects you to a stream of public radio news and stories curated for you… Great storytelling and rigorous reporting that informs, engages, inspires and surprises—from the ends of the earth to your own city or town—available to you whenever, wherever.

Not to be confused with its NPR News apps already available for iPhone and iPad, the new app offers users a more personalized experience by providing a curated stream of news based on your preferences. It also focuses solely on audio streams rather than mixing written stories like its full news app. It does so by curating stories from public radio stations around the country while mixing in local station news:

*Features*
– A personalized stream of NPR and local station news and stories
– Skip, rewind, pause and share
– Search for your favorite shows, stations and podcasts
– International, national, regional and local content
– A simple, intuitive interface

The new NPR One app is available as a free download for iPhone now.

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9to5Toys Last Call: Gazelle $20 bonus on iPad trades, Target stores $10 off $40, ZAGG 20% off, more

Avatar for Jul 28 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 mini 32GB WiFi (Silver or Space Gray) $300 shipped (orig. $399)
  • TouchPico: Turn Any Surface Into A Touch Screen with this Amazing Device
  • Home Deals: Cuisinart 14-Piece Ceramic Cookware $100 (Reg. $250), Hamilton Beach Smoothie Blender $30 (Reg. $50), batteries, more

Exclusive: Get an extra $20 to trade in your old iPad at Gazelle (up to $430)

Target coupon: save $10 on in-store pickup orders of $40 or more

ZAGG 20% off sitewide Back to School Sale: iPad keyboard cases, invisibleSHIELD, more

Other new deals:

More deals still alive:

New products/ongoing promotions:

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Hilton hotels to let you use your iPhone as your hotel key from next year

Avatar for Ben Lovejoy Jul 28 2014 - 6:05 am PT
16 Comments

Queuing up at a hotel check-in desk is often the last thing you want to do after a long flight. Starting next year, you’ll be able to bypass the front desk altogether in Hilton hotels, your iPhone serving as as your hotel room key.

We’ve seen the same thing in smaller hotel groups, but Hilton’s adoption of the technology moves it very much into the mainstream. The group told the WSJ that it will begin introducing the new door locks next year, and expects to complete the global roll-out by the end of 2016.

The Hilton app already allows you to check-in electronically, but currently you still need to collect your room key from the front desk – which kind of defeats the object. With the new system, iPhone check-in will send a key code to your phone which can then be used to unlock your door.

Bluetooth-controlled door locks for home are also expected to be a big thing this year, with products on the way from Okidokeys and August.

Hudson’s Bay Company deploys iBeacon experience in The Bay and Lord & Taylor stores

Avatar for Jordan Kahn Jul 28 2014 - 6:00 am PT
3 Comments
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It’s not the first department store with plans for iBeacons, but it’s certainly one of the biggest we’ve seen yet deploying the Bluetooth LE beacons that send shoppers location-aware, targeted notifications. Today Hudson’s Bay Company announced that it’s rolling out an iBeacon shopping experience in some of its 130 The Bay and Lord & Taylor department store locations across the US and Canada.
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iOS 8’s iPhoto to Photos app transition to ditch Journals, Books, and Slideshows

Avatar for Michael Steeber Jul 25 2014 - 10:18 am PT
29 Comments
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Starting in iOS 8 beta 4, which was released this past Monday to developers, Apple has begun notifying users of the soon-to-be-defunct iPhoto for iOS to migrate their iPhoto data to the totally revamped Photos app in iOS 8, as part of Apple’s new photo strategy being rolled out this fall and early next year. While photo data can be migrated out of iPhoto, Apple warns that Journals, Slideshows and Book layouts will no longer be available going forward. Right now, Apple’s “Learn More” link appears to be dead.


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9to5Toys Last Call: Jawbone UP24 $50 off, WeMo Light Switch 2-Pack $70, iPad mini cases $3.50 ea., more

Avatar for Justin Kahn Jul 25 2014 - 8:58 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:

Best Buy Black Friday in July: Jawbone UP24 $50 off, iPad 4 from $330, Logitech M310 mouse $10, iTunes 15% off, more

2-Pack of Belkin WeMo Light Switches $70 shipped (Reg. $90)

rooCASE iPad mini cases for $3.50 each Prime shipped (Reg. $10)

PNY 256GB 90MB/s SDXC card: $71 shipped (over half off)

Fantastical 2 calendar app for iPhone, iPad and Mac up to 50% off

Apple deals:

Other new deals:

More deals still alive:

New products/ongoing promotions:

Kamcord now uploading 1hr of mobile gameplay video every min, launches redesigned social iOS app

Avatar for Jordan Kahn Jul 24 2014 - 9:58 am PT
3 Comments
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Kamcord, the SDK that lets iOS developers offer gameplay recording and sharing functionality, is today launching a redesigned community iOS app while announcing some impressive new milestones for the service.
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Instagram’s plan for new ‘Bolt’ one-tap photo messaging app leaks?

Avatar for Jordan Kahn Jul 24 2014 - 9:50 am PT
3 Comments

Instagram is reportedly working on a new photo sharing app called “Bolt,” according to screenshots that surfaced online today (via The Verge). The leak comes from an advertisement for the app that appeared inside of the Instagram for Android app (pictured above). The notification, which some users noticed and posted screenshots of online, appears to be visible for some users in the app accidentally ahead of an official launch by Instagram.

We don’t gain much info about the app other than it’s description that it will be a “one tap photo messaging” app, which is leading to speculation it will be a Snapchat competitor of sorts. There is a possibility this could just be a test for new app install ads coming to the Instagram apps.

Instgram hasn’t yet commented and the app isn’t available on the App Store or Google Play yet, but I suspect we’ll be hearing more about the app soon.

[tweet https://twitter.com/yo_areli/status/492170778981318656/]

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9to5Toys Last Call: iPad Air 64GB $580, iMac $200 off, littleBits CloudBit now available, more

Avatar for Jul 24 2014 - 9:10 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:

Timbuk2 1-Day Sale up to 50% off: Messenger Bags, Backpacks, more

Lumsing electronic accessories up to 80% off at Amazon

8Bitdo brings retro gaming to iOS, Android, Mac and more with its NES Bluetooth controller

Fantastical 2 calendar app for iPhone, iPad and Mac up to 50% off

Apple deals:

Other new deals:

  • New! WD My Cloud 3TB Personal Cloud Storage $140 (Reg. $200)
  • New! 2-pack of Lutron Maestro occupancy motion sensing switches $30 (Reg. $40)
  • New! One year magazine subs: Wired & Pop Science $9, Rolling Stone $5, more
  • New! Polk Audio 39″ BT Soundbar $150, Braven Wireless BT Speaker/Powerbank $180
  • New! Games/Apps: Car Club:Tuning Storm, City Maps 2Go Pro go FREE, more
  • New! TP-LINK AV500 Nano Powerline Adapter Starter Kit $30 shipped (orig. $70)
  • New! Daily Deals: Insignia 39″ 1080p HDTV: $230, Aduro Wireless BT Headset: $25, more

More deals still alive:

New products/ongoing promotions:

Square gets automation-savvy with new IFTTT channel

Avatar for Zac Hall Jul 24 2014 - 7:37 am PT
0 Comments
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<a href="http://9to5mac.com/2013/05/14/square-announces-new-square-stand-hardware-for-ipad-now-available-for-pre-order/" target="_blank">Square Stand for iPad</a>

The mobile payment service Square is getting even smarter thanks to the automation service If This Then That. An entirely new set of possibilities for features that will benefit merchants and mobile payment customers has been unlocked thanks to Square integration with If This Then That, or IFTTT, through a dedicated Square channel on the popular automation service. At the time of launch, a total of 78 other channels supported by IFTTT can be connected to the mobile payment service’s channel and triggered by sales, refund, and settlement data from Square…
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Pixite’s new 3D photo editing app Matter debuts on iPhone and iPad

Avatar for Zac Hall Jul 24 2014 - 6:00 am PT
5 Comments
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Pixite is out today with a new photo editing app for iPhone and iPad called Matter. The app allows you to embed and manipulate 3D objects in your photography or photos from others to give your photos an impressive science fiction effect. This is achieved by Matter’s ability to intelligently apply shadows and reflections that match your photography to its library of 3D objects. You can see examples of images edited in Matter above and more details about the photo editing app below…
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Modern Combat 5: Blackout released after earlier embarrassing leak by competition winners

Avatar for Ben Lovejoy Jul 24 2014 - 5:22 am PT
0 Comments

[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zjz614QVyfQ]

‘Modern Combat 5: Blackout,’ the game embarrassingly leaked by competition winners given early access to it, is now available on iTunes.

First seen in a trailer in early June, Gameloft claims that the latest installment is the best yet.

Step into the action as the latest installment in the best FPS series raises the bar for shooters once more! Create a squad, add your friends and test your individual and team skills against other squads!

Is single player your thing? Then step into a world on the brink of anarchy and shoot your way out of one dire situation after another to expose a lunatic who’s trying to tear the world to shreds.

Designed for both iPhone and iPad, it will run on anything from the iPhone 4S and iPad 2 up, as well as the 5th generation iPod Touch. The game costs $6.99.

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9to5Toys Last Call: Marvel Unlimited $0.99, Fantastical 2 for iOS/Mac 50% off, Eric Clapton iTunes First Play free, more

Avatar for Justin Kahn Jul 23 2014 - 9:27 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:

Fantastical 2 calendar app for iPhone, iPad and Mac up to 50% off

Media: Man of Steel Blu-ray set w/ figurine $15, Eric Clapton free iTunes First Play, American Hustle $10, more

Roku 3 1080p streaming media player w/ HDMI cable (refurb) $65 shipped (Reg. $100 new)

Apple deals:

Other new deals:

  • New! Headphones: Sony BT over-ears (refurb) $105 (orig. $400), Scosche over ears $55, more
  • New! Daily Deals: Canon Pixma Inkjet Printer $50, Monster Portable Battery Pack $15, more
  • New! Games/Apps: Trine 2 $3 (Reg. $15), Ninja Turtles Rooftop FREE (Reg. $4), more
  • New! SanDisk Ultra Plus 256GB 2.5-Inch Solid State Drive $100 shipped (orig. $215)

More deals still alive:

New products/ongoing promotions:

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CNN iPhone app exposing login info of its iReporters unencrypted, according to security researchers

Avatar for Jordan Kahn Jul 23 2014 - 8:30 am PT
1 Comment

Update: Apple tells us CNN submitted fixes for both their iPhone and iPad apps that are now live on the App Store.

Security researchers at Zscaler claim to have found a security flaw in CNN’s iPhone app that exposes personal login and passwords of its users. The CNN app for iPhone, which includes an iReport feature that allows users to sign-up and submit news stories, is reportedly not using SSL encryption for registration/login and SSL certificate pinning like its Android app counterpart and sending the personal user info to and from the app unencrypted. The report notes that CNN’s iPad app is not subject to the same vulnerability as it currently doesn’t have the iReport feature:

The current CNN for iPhone App (verified on Version 2.30 (Build 4948)) has a key weakness whereby passwords for iReport accounts are sent in clear text (unencrypted). While this is always a problem, it’s especially concerning that this relates to functionality which permits people to anonymously submit news stories to CNN. This occurs both when a user first creates their iReport account and during any subsequent logins.

As can be seen, both transmissions are sent in clear text (HTTP) and the password (p@ssword) is sent unencrypted, along with all other registration/login information. The concern here is that anyone on the same network as the user could easily sniff the victim’s password and access their account. Once obtained, the attacker could access the iReport account of the user and compromise their anonymity. The same credentials could be used to access the user’s web based iReport account where any past submissions are also accessible.

Zscaler said it notified CNN of the security flaw on July 15th and that the company confirmed it’s investigating. The CNN app for iPhone received an update today with “bug fixes” listed in the release notes, but the company is yet to confirm if the update was to address the security flaw detailed by Zscaler.

Hands-on: Fantastical 2.1 for iPhone & iPad adds snooze, invitation/birthday notifications, keyboard shortcuts, more

Avatar for Zac Hall Jul 23 2014 - 6:59 am PT
2 Comments
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We’ve already taken a close look at Fantastical 2 for iPhone and Fantastical 2 for iPad, and today Flexibits is releasing Fantastical 2.1 for both platforms with a list of new features and discounting Fantastical for iPhone, iPad, and Mac. Among the list of changes include new snooze functionality, event invitation notifications and badges, notifications for upcoming birthdays, external keyboard shortcut support, and more. Below we’ll take a look at each new feature added to Fantastical for iPhone and iPad…
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