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6,364 'Apps' stories April 2010 - June 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.

Apple TV adds ABC News, AOL On, PBS Kids, Willow TV, and redesigned Flickr app

Avatar for Jordan Kahn Jun 24 2014 - 7:13 am PT
13 Comments
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After adding the Watch ABC app to Apple TV late last year, today ABC News arrives as its own channel on the device offering users access to a lot of the network’s content free of charge. While the WatchABC app provides full TV shows from the network and requires a cable subscription, the new ABC News app offers mostly news, clips of new shows as well as the same live stream that is also accessible from ABCNews.com. The new ABC News app comes alongside PBS Kids, Willow TV, AOL On, and a redesigned Flickr app. 
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Add Russian, Brazilian Portuguese, & Thai to the list of Siri languages Apple is working on

Avatar for Jordan Kahn Jun 23 2014 - 3:43 pm PT
7 Comments

Back in 2012 we noted that Apple was hiring engineers to help localize Siri into a number of languages the feature does not yet support. Those included Arabic, Norwegian, Dutch, Swedish, Finnish, and Danish, and recently Apple has added job listings for three more languages: Russian, Brazilian Portuguese and Thai. Apple also posted more recent job listings for the languages it first started hiring for back in 2012.

While Apple didn’t announce any new languages for Siri coming in iOS 8 when it previewed the new operating system earlier this month, it’s always a possibility languages could be added in time for its release this fall.

Apple is yet to add support for the languages mentioned above that it started hiring for a couple years back. Currently, Apple lists the following languages and localizations as supported by Siri: 
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9to5Toys Last Call: Speck MacBook cases $24, Seagate Slim 1TB portable HDD $55, Logitech iPad Air KB case $35, more

Avatar for Justin Kahn Jun 23 2014 - 9:38 am PT
1 Comment

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 deals:

Kindle Tablets (certified refurb):  Kindle e-Reader $45 (Reg. $59), 16GB 8.9″ Fire HD $139 (Reg. $199)

Apple iPad mini Smart Cover (multiple colors) as low as $17 from Best Buy (58% off)

Mac $400 Bundle for $10: Fantastical, Gemini, Flux 4, PathFinder 6, Tunes cleaner, DVD Ripper, more

Other new deals:

More deals still alive:

New products/ongoing promotions:

Microsoft/Google/Android:

Box adds secure collaborative notes to its iPhone and iPad apps

Avatar for Zac Hall Jun 23 2014 - 9:00 am PT
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We showed you Box’s big 3.0 rewrite of its iPhone and iPad app earlier this year and today the cloud service is adding a major feature for its users: Box Notes. Box introduced its Notes feature to users last month, and now it is extending support for Box Notes to iPhone and iPad users.

The company says it’s focus on security for business users makes its approach to collaborative note capturing and sharing differently than other offerings. Box’s new Notes feature on iPhone and iPad is presented in the same app as other media stored in the cloud service as it’s a single app to know and manage.


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Halfbrick continues to offer all of its iOS games for free, including Fruit Ninja & Jetpack Joyride

Avatar for Jun 23 2014 - 8:35 am PT
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From 9to5Toys.com:


Last week we noted that many of Halfbrick’s top iPhone and iPad games were being made available as free downloads. Since that time, it has become official that all nine of Halfbrick’s award-winning games are free for a limited time.

Leading the pack is Fruit Ninja, one of the most well-known (and addictive) games to ever hit iOS. It typically sells for $1 on iPhone and $3 on iPad, but for the first time in over a year it won’t even cost you a dime.

Even if you don’t have the time to dive into these games right now, we still recommend downloading them in case you have an urge to play one in the future.

Here’s a full list of the deals:

iOS Universal: Monster Dash: FREE (Reg. $1) – 4.5 stars from 26,727 ratings
iOS Universal: Fish Out Of Water!: FREE (Reg. $1) – 4.5 stars from 3,597 ratings
iOS Universal: Colossatron: Massive World Threat: FREE (Reg. $1) – 4 stars from 1,007 ratings
iPhone: Fruit Ninja: Puss in Boots: FREE (Reg. $1) – 4.5 stars from 19,428 ratings
iPad: Fruit Ninja: Puss in Boots HD: FREE (Reg. $3) – 4.5 stars from 6,711 ratings
iOS Universal: Jetpack Joyride: FREE  – 4.5 stars from 341,492 ratings

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UIoCc4MNyTI]

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Civilization Revolution 2 developed exclusively for mobile arrives on iOS July 2

Avatar for Jordan Kahn Jun 23 2014 - 6:39 am PT
6 Comments

Update: 7/2/2014 6am: Civilization Revolution 2 is now available in the App Store

2K Games has announced a brand new iteration on its popular world domination, 4X franchise with Sid Meier’s Civilization Revolution 2 for iOS and Android. Despite its name, Revolution 2 is actually the first title in the franchise designed specifically for mobile from the ground up. The current Civilization Revolution title available on iOS is actually a port of the 2008 console title and never made it over to Android devices.

The game will combine the core tactical elements of the series with intuitive controls and a friendly user interface – designed specifically for mobile gamers on touch-pad devices. Civilization fans will also recognize the 16 historical leaders found in the first game, including Abraham Lincoln, Gandhi and Napoleon, alongside leaders such as Churchill and Kennedy, who are making their appearance in the series for the first time

Sid Meier’s Civilization Revolution 2 will be available on July 2 for iPhone and iPad and arrive shortly after that for Android users.

Why won’t Microsoft give iOS users access to their Skype voice messages? (Updated)

Avatar for Ben Lovejoy Jun 23 2014 - 6:10 am PT
16 Comments
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Skype may have recently launched a major update to its Skype for iPhone app, but one rather basic feature went missing – the ability to listen to voice messages. A subsequent update to Skype for iPhone 5.1 still hasn’t fixed the problem.

In a support thread on the Skype site, community manager Claudius provided what must qualify as one of the most unhelpful response ever to complaints by users:

Voice message playback is not supported in Skype 5.0 for iPhone. Please use Skype on another platform to listen to your voice messages …


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Skype announces plan to discontinue support for older versions of Mac client

Avatar for Mike Beasley Jun 20 2014 - 9:56 pm PT
20 Comments
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Skype has announced that it will discontinue support for older versions of its desktop clients, including Skype for Mac.” An exact date for the change hasn’t been given, but the company says it will happen “over the next few months.” Mobile clients like Skype for iPhone won’t be affected by the change.

The specific versions being phased out are 6.14 and older (the current version is 6.18). The change is being made to ensure feature compatibility across the versions of the software in use and enable the developers to continue building on that foundation. The current version of Skype offers several features not provided in older versions, such as the option to send messages to offline users.


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Why Apple switched from Yahoo to Weather Channel for Weather data in iOS 8

Avatar for Jordan Kahn Jun 20 2014 - 12:53 pm PT
26 Comments
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When Apple unveiled iOS 8 earlier this month, it didn’t take long for beta testers to notice it had replaced Yahoo with The Weather Channel as the source of data in the stock iOS Weather app. While recent reports suggested Yahoo was trying to get Apple to put even more of its services on the iPhone including search, we now have a bit more of the story behind why exactly Yahoo got the boot for weather in iOS 8. Re/code reports that the deal was made by Weather Channel CEO David Kenny who also happened to be a former Yahoo board member:

The situation Yahoo finds itself in is due to a very crafty deal engineered by former Yahoo board member and Weather Channel CEO David Kenny, who has essentially shoved Yahoo off the key smartphone to be replaced by a new offering that he has been developing since he took over the weather news and information service last year. With it, he has unseated Yahoo from its important perch.

It’s worth pointing out that Yahoo has always powered its weather services with data from The Weather Channel. With that in mind, it’s unclear if Apple possibly had plans to drop Yahoo and go straight to the source before Kenny started developing the new and improved weather service referenced above. More from Re/code on why Apple made the switch:
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9to5Toys Last Call: D-Link AC750 Dual Band Router $30, 2 TRENDnet Wireless IP Cams $40, Seagate 5TB HDD $160, more

Avatar for Jun 20 2014 - 9:32 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 Expansion external USB 3.0 hard drives: 5TB desktop $160 shipped (Reg. $200), 2TB portable $85 shipped (Reg. $140)

Displays: Dell 24-inch 1080p w/ HDMI $210 (Reg. $350), Acer 23-inch $120 (Reg. $200), more

Canon Laser imageCLASS Monochrome network printer, scanner, copier and fax $85 shipped (Reg. $199)

Apple deals:

EA offers up to 90% off 55+ of its most popular iOS titles

Other new deals:

More deals still alive:


New products/ongoing promotions:

Microsoft/Google/Android:

Path launches new Talk app, a privacy-focused standalone messaging platform

Avatar for Zac Hall Jun 20 2014 - 8:04 am PT
3 Comments
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The private social network Path updated its iOS app today with a simpler chooser for posting content and a tabbed navigation bar for moving around the app. It’s biggest feature, though, follows a growing trend with mobile apps: Path Messaging has moved to a standalone app called Talk that’s rolling out today.

With its new Talk app, Path wants to replace SMS and Facebook as it focuses on privacy with a feature called Off the Record. While it’s not quite as ephemeral as instantly self-destructing messaging apps like Snapchat and Cyber Dust, Path promises its users that messages sent via Talk automatically erase from the social network’s servers after 24 hours from sending the message…
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Nike+ FuelBand app gets push notifications for challenges, upcoming events, more

Avatar for Jordan Kahn Jun 19 2014 - 4:21 pm PT
0 Comments

Nike updated its Nike+ FuelBand companion app today with one notable new feature: the ability to receive push notifications for a number of different features within the app. Those include things like challenges, upcoming Nike events, exclusive video content, and more.

The new push notifications, along with bug fixes and some other minor improvements are available now in version 2.3 of the app. Nike might be planning to get out of the hardware side of its FuelBand business in the near future, but for now the FuelBand is still available for sale and the update a welcomed one by users.

What’s New in Version 2.3

• You can now stay connected to Nike via push notifications – receive the latest info on challenges and upcoming Nike events as well as exclusive video content.
• Bug fixes and other improvements.

LinkedIn debuts new Job Search iPhone app for finding your dream career

Avatar for Zac Hall Jun 19 2014 - 11:28 am PT
3 Comments
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LinkedIn has been busy over the past few months redirecting its mobile and feature initiatives after it launched then pulled its Intro service for iOS and replaced its own CardMunch app with integration with Evernote’s business card reading feature.

LinkedIn’s news continues today as it launches a standalone iPhone app for dedicated to job hunting. The iPhone app is called LinkedIn Job Search and it joins the primary LinkedIn app as well as LinkedIn Pulse, LinkedIn Contacts, and the social network’s other existing mobile applications. The app takes advantage of location data and push notifications to keep job hunters updated with relevant opportunities based on a set criteria. LinkedIn describes the app as follows:


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Skype 5.1 for iOS rolling out with improvements to conversations and favorites

Avatar for Mark Gurman Jun 19 2014 - 9:31 am PT
1 Comment

Approximately a week after releasing Skype 5.0 with a completely revamped design and new features, Microsoft is now rolling out version 5.1 with various improvements. Notably, there are enhancements to managing conversations, favorites, and finding the status of Skype contacts. From the Skype blog:

  • You can now delete a conversation from the recent list with a long press on recents. You can also edit messages you’ve recently sent with a long press on the message. (Just as you can long press on an individual message to delete it.)
  • Tap the “add favorites” link to easily fill your favorites screen with the people you contact the most.
  • The People list now matches the desktop better: we have added the “Skype” filter; the “online” filter now includes users set to online, away and do not disturb; and best of all your filter settings are saved.

The update also includes improvements to VoiceOver. The update is rolling out on the App Store today for free. Skype says more improvements are coming in the future. Be sure to check out our look at the new Skype design along with an interview with the lead designer of the software.


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Hundreds of businesses in London are about to flip the switch on payments via iBeacons

Avatar for Jordan Kahn Jun 19 2014 - 8:11 am PT
9 Comments
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In Brixton, South West London, hundreds of businesses will soon integrate iBeacons as part of one of the first real-world networks for mobile payments using Apple’s Bluetooth LE iBeacon tech. 

In Brixton, businesses introduced a local currency in 2009 that eventually switched from paper into mobile payments by text. Around 250 businesses in the area accept the currency, which is meant to keep the money in the community and support smaller independent local businesses. By the starting of next month, the currency will have its own mobile app called Brixton Pound, and iBeacons will make it easy to automatically prompt users for payments. The Brixton Pound organization teamed up with Dingo for the payment solution and kontakt.io for the iBeacon hardware and integration:
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Disney launches ‘Star Wars Scene Maker’ iPad app

Avatar for Jordan Kahn Jun 19 2014 - 6:32 am PT
5 Comments

With hype building surrounding the filming of the latest Star Wars reboot, Disney is taking advantage by launching a new iPad app called ‘Star Wars Scene Maker’. The app allows users to create Star Wars scenes by selecting from various 3D assets like characters and environments, camera angles, dialogue (you can also record your own), musical scores, and more:

MAKE STAR WARS YOUR OWN!

Become the master of your own Star Wars video universe! Create your own scenes, choose your favorite characters, control their actions and dialogue, record your masterpiece, and share your Star Wars story! The Force of your imagination is with you!

FEATURES:

· Create your own Star Wars universe and bring it to life with imaginative play and countless options.

· Select from 3D environments with 3D models of your favorite characters, weapons, and ships.

· Use dialogue straight from the Star Wars films, or record your voice and apply a Darth Vader, Rebel Pilot, or Storm Trooper filter to put your words into any character’s mouth!

· Switch between three cameras, each of which can track or follow the action, to record your scene from multiple angles!

· Chooose a musical score taken from the Star Wars films, write your own iconic Star Wars “Title Crawl” and end credits, and share your finished scene with your friends!

Star Wars Scene Maker is available as a free download for iPads running iOS 7 and up (Disney says it’s “most compatible with the newest generation of iPad”), but you will find some paid in-app purchases and Disney ads within.

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Hatch, the Tamagotchi-like iPhone game, adds Ooga Jump integration & goes 50% off

Avatar for Zac Hall Jun 19 2014 - 6:00 am PT
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Hatch has been teasing today’s update since the end of March and today it’s finally available on the App Store. The app’s developers at Impending have worked with folks from Bolt Creative, the makers of Pocket God, to bring new life to the Tamagotchi-like iPhone and iPod touch pet with integration with the game Ooga Jump…


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iTunes Radio streaming is now free on T-Mobile, other services also included

Avatar for Mike Beasley Jun 18 2014 - 6:43 pm PT
13 Comments
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T-Mobile has just announced at its “Uncarrier 5.0” event (which apparently double as the Uncarrier 6.0 event) that all streaming music services will now be free to stream on T-Mobile, including iTunes Radio. This also applies to Pandora, iHeartRadio, Slacker Radio, and Spotify.

Any streaming you do will always be done over the company’s fastest available network, and won’t count towards your high-speed data limit.

Customers can visit T-Mobile’s website to request new services to be added to the “music freedom” selection. As streaming services gain votes, they will be added to the program.


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Netflix updates its Apple TV and iOS apps with design refresh

Avatar for Zac Hall Jun 18 2014 - 12:18 pm PT
4 Comments

Last night Apple TV users started seeing a new channel icon for Netflix as the company recently updated its logo, and today both the iPhone and iPad versions of the Netflix apps were updated to version 6.0 which includes the new design.

The updates to both Apple TV and the iPhone and iPad apps don’t bring much else aside from the new logo and slight design tweaks, but the iOS apps do include bug fixes and faster video playback according to Netflix.

The Netflix channel update on Apple TV should be available without any software updates, and the latest version of Netflix for iPhone and iPad is available today on the App Store. 
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iPhone 6 likely to sport barometer/air pressure sensors to measure altitude, weather

Avatar for Mark Gurman Jun 18 2014 - 10:39 am PT
27 Comments
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Besides a larger display and redesigned metal body, details regarding which features the next-generation iPhone models will pack have been light. However, it appears that the new models could include a new sensor: a barometer.

A barometer is a sensor commonly used for measuring altitude and the sensor is already commonly found in Android devices such as the Galaxy Nexus. A barometer sensor could be used by hikers, mountain climbers, bike riders, and enthusiasts who want accurate knowledge into their current altitude. Barometers, via air pressure data, also measure temperature and weather information.

The information regarding the next-generation iPhone likely including this sensor comes via Xcode 6 and iOS 8, the latest iPhone software development kit and operating system. The software includes updated CoreMotion APIs that clearly reference the new altitude measuring capabilities:


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9to5Toys Last Call: Samsung 1TB EVO SSD $400, save $15 on $50 or more at Newegg, power banks from $10, more

Avatar for Jun 18 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:

Last Call updates:

Jump on Apple’s new $1099 1.4GHz iMac? We might have a better offer for under $1000

 

 

Roku current gen streaming media players (refurb) from $35 shipped

Media: LEGO movie combo pack $18, iTunes comedies $10 each, Breaking Bad DVDs for $10 each, more

Best Buy slashes $100 off new MacBook Air, deals as low as $650 with .EDU email

Other new deals:


More deals still alive:

New products/ongoing promotions:

Microsoft/Google/Android:

Adobe launches powerful Mix iPad app, brings Lightroom to iPhone, updates Creative Cloud, Ink & Slide available

Avatar for Michael Steeber Jun 18 2014 - 8:30 am PT
7 Comments
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As part of a totally revamped Creative Cloud Photography Plan, Adobe today launched both Lightroom for iPhone, a companion app to the desktop version and twin of the recently launched iPad version, as well as Adobe Mix, a completely new iPad app that brings down many powerful features previously only available on the desktop versions of Photoshop.

Corresponding with these new iOS apps, Adobe has launched new versions of 14 of its Creative Cloud desktop apps. Let’s take a closer look at the new iOS offerings from Adobe.


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