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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 launches new featured App Store section dedicated to taking selfies

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Apple has added a new section to the iOS App Store today promoting apps used to share selfies (via MacStories‘ Federico Viticci). Among the apps included are classics like Snapchat and the Justin Bieber-backed Shots and lesser-known apps such as selfie-editing app Facetune and an app called Front Flash that’s design to make it easier to take selfies in low light…


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Plex app adds Chromecast support free for all users, shuffle & camera upload features

Plex, the popular media server software with apps for web and mobile, today announced some big new features coming today for users. The first big piece of news is that Chromecast support is now available to all users for free after a brief preview period where it was only available to paying subscribers. The feature, which will allow users to stream content from the Plex mobile apps to a Chromecast, will become available through updates for the iOS and Android apps that should hit the App Store and Google Play any minute.

It’s also adding a new music shuffle feature coming first to the iOS and web apps that incorporates filters and the ability to edit play queues. The company said the feature is a “prelude to full-blown playlists for Plex”:

We’re happy to be introducing our play queues feature, which is—as you might have guessed—a prelude to full-blown playlists for Plex. As always, we don’t take new features lightly; what you’re seeing below is a shuffle of over 40,000 tracks, using the highest quality shuffle mechanism there is. It’s incredibly fast, even over a remote connection. And once you’ve created a play queue, you can easily add to or edit it… Quickly queue up all unwatched episodes, shuffle all episodes, or for example, I could also use our powerful filters to shuffle all unwatched movies rated G to protect Barkley’s sensitive ears while I write code, for you.

Lastly, Plex announced that it’s adding a new feature for paying Plex Pass members that will bring the ability to upload all photos from your camera roll automatically to a library:

It’s easy to explain: point the Plex app at a server and a photo library, and it’ll make sure all the photos on your camera roll automatically upload to that library. We do all the work for you, in the background, using a brand new iOS 7 feature. Keep your phone in your pocket, as your photos are backed up safely in a Plex library, and then you can access them on all Plex apps, share them with friends or family, or (of course) fling them to your Chromecast (free for everyone now!).

The updated Plex apps will be available for iOS and Android today.

BioShock Infinite, Civilization V, & Civ V: Brave New World for Mac – $7.50 ea. (75% savings)

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From 9to5Toys:

To help celebrate some of the great games that were honoured at yesterday’s BAFTA Game awards, we’ve teamed up with GameAgent again to offer a few great deals on some of the notable Mac games that were nominated.

First up we have BioShock Infinite, one of the most popular games of last year that was nominated in a few categories yesterday including Artistic Achievement, Audio Achievement, and Performer. It also won  for best Original Music. For 24 hours only, you can pick up BioShock Infinite for Mac from GameAgent for 75% off. That brings the price down from $30 to just $7.50.


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9to5Toys Last Call: iPad mini from $249, up to $75 off iPod Touch, iOttie iPhone car mount $12.50, more

Be sure to follow 9to5Toys to keep up with the best gear and deals on the web: TwitterRSS Feed,FacebookGoogle+ and subscribe to the new Safari push notifications feature.

Today’s can’t miss deals:

Last Call updates:

Staples $50 off tablets priced $249 or more: iPad mini w/ Retina display from $349, iPad Air $449more

Staples In-Store: iPod Touch 5th gen 16GB $180 ($50 off), 32GB $230 ($75 off)

iOttie Easy Flex 3 car mount/desk stand for iPhone & other smartphones $12.50 (Reg. $25)

Amazon announces rate increases for regular ($99/yr) and Student Prime ($49/yr) memberships

Other great deals from today:

https://twitter.com/iDannyOcean/status/444141043135414272
More great deals still alive:


New products:

  • Roku announces a new HDMI streaming stick for $50
  • D-Link Releases the First Portable 11AC Router/Server/Charger for $99 shipped

Toyota leaks its own CarPlay release date, briefly says feature coming to 2015 models

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Toyota had a bit of a slip up this morning on its official UK blog. The company, which has long been announced by Apple as one of its partners working on CarPlay, today accidentally released its plans to release the feature in upcoming new vehicles. Before quickly removing the statement (we grabbed a screenshot, below) and replacing it with a denial of its own blog post, someone at Toyota gave the go ahead to announce CarPlay is “coming soon” in 2015 models. Clearly the higher-ups caught wind of the press release that was apparently not supposed to go public as Toyota has now replaced it with the following brief and confusing denial:
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1Password 4 for Mac now allows editing in the browser extension, better sub-domain matching and more

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[vimeo 88901304 w=800 h=500]

The popular password manager 1Password has been updated with one of the most-requested features: the ability to edit entries within the browser extension, 1Password mini, rather than having to use the main app.

It also promises much better matching of logins to subdomains, so that your stored logins should work more of the time. Previously the app would often fail to recognise subdomains as being part of the same site, so automatic login would not be available when you jumped straight to a particular section of a site, forcing you to login manually then create a new entry.

AgileBits describes version 4.2.1 as “a huge update with over 30 new features,” which are detailed below the fold … 
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Microsoft launches ‘My Apps’ for Windows Azure Active Directory users on iPhone and iPad

Microsoft has just published a new iOS app for Windows Azure Active Directory users. The app, called “My Apps,” allows users to login to a variety of web apps and services using a single Active Directory login, saving them the trouble of having to manually log into those services through the mobile Safari browser every time.

My Apps is available for free on the iOS App Store. It requires a Windows Azure account to work.

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Google Wallet adds “Orders” feature to track online purchases using receipts from Gmail

From 9to5Google:

Google announced today on its Google Commerce blog that it’s rolling out an update for the Google Wallet mobile apps that includes a new “Orders” feature for tracking online purchases. Google says the feature will let you stay on top of your online orders (including past purchases) as well as get notifications for status updates regarding deliveries. How will Google know what you’ve purchased? In order to track your recent online orders, the feature pulls receipts out of your Gmail account :

Once you activate Orders in Google Wallet, you’ll be able to see any receipts sent to your Gmail right in the Google Wallet app. We’ve also worked with primary package carriers in the US so that when your order status is updated, you’ll get notified of the update through Wallet. So whether your order is shipped, out for delivery, or delayed, you’ll never wonder about the status of your order.

The app also includes “products you’ve ordered, merchant contact information, and shipping details in the app” for your purchases and links to quickly contact retailers.

Google said the feature is rolling out to Android and iOS users in the US this week. You can activate Orders by tapping “Activate” under “Track your orders” or by tapping “Orders” in the app’s main menu.

Rovio’s next Angry Birds game is a turn-based RPG, called Angry Birds Epic

Rovio has announced details of its latest game in the Angry Birds series(Via Kotaku). The game is a turn-based role player, a significant departure from the mobile mini-game physics puzzler Angry Birds is known for. The game will feature turn-based combat and a crafting system — players can craft armor, potions and weapons. This item system will apparently be funded through a game currency, or via in-app purchases.

The game is launching in Australia and Canada this week (likely tomorrow), with more countries to follow. Rovio is touting it as the most ‘epic’ soft launch ever.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-6Nh92eGP8I]

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Speedtest.net for iOS updated with iPad support, speedometer improvements, more

<em>Please, please, don’t laugh at my blazing fast network speed</em>

This is a welcome feature update for iPad users: Ookla’s popular Speedtest.net app for iOS received an update today bringing native iPad support to the app for the first time.

Speedtest.net is a popular site for checking your network speed whether you want to show off your better-than-mine download speed or see how far from advertised your speed rates really are, but iOS doesn’t support the site, and iPad users have had to made due with the stretched out iPhone app for a long while.

The update also includes enhancements to the speedometer for high speed connections and a number of bug fixes. Speedtest for iOS is a free app and update with an optional 99¢ in-app purchase to remove the banner ad.

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9to5Toys Last Call: WD 2TB portable HD + Lightroom 5 $129, RAVPower 2800mAh travel battery $9, up to $79 off Retina iPad mini, more

Be sure to follow 9to5Toys to keep up with the best gear and deals on the web: TwitterRSS Feed,FacebookGoogle+ and subscribe to the new Safari push notifications feature.

Today’s can’t miss deals:

Last Call updates:

  • Western Digital My Passport Ultra 2 TB USB 3.0 Portable Hard Drive Black + Photoshop Lightroom 5 $129 ($100 off)
  • ColorStrokes: Selective photo coloring app for Mac – FREE (Reg. $3)


RAVPower External Batteries: Travel Pack 2800mAh AC / Battery Charger / Power Bank $9 shipped, Element 10400mAh $26

1-Day Best Buy Sale: Up to $79 off the iPad mini with Retina display

Daily Deals: OtterBox Defender Cases for iPhone 5/5s $13, Lightning MFi wall charger $12, Beats headphonesmore


Other great deals from today:

More great deals still alive:

New products:

  • Roku announces a new HDMI streaming stick for $50
  • D-Link Releases the First Portable 11AC Router/Server/Charger for $99 shipped

Microsoft reportedly releasing Mac version of OneNote this month for free

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According to a report form The Verge, Microsoft is about to for the first time ever release a new OneNote app for Mac users. The popular note taking and productivity app was for most of its 10 year life available to only Windows users and only in recent years became available for iOS and Android devices. While the mobile versions of the app are available for free, Microsoft has traditionally charged for the desktop Windows version of the app. That’s about to change, according to the report, as Microsoft will reportedly release both the new Mac and Windows versions for free:
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Starbucks app adds shake-to-pay and tipping that lets you change your mind

An updated version of the Starbucks app expected next week will add a shake-to-pay feature and let you add a tip of between 50 cents and $2, reports Engadget.

Shake-to-pay just means that if you’re on another screen of the app when you get to the front of the queue, you can simply shake your iPhone to bring up the barcode instantly.

The tipping function allows you to adjust the amount of your tip for up to two hours afterwards, presumably in case they manage to spill your second cup of Americano or the barista creates a particularly artistic piece of latte art for you.

The current free Starbucks app, incidentally, is Sleep Cycle alarm clock, normally $0.99.

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Verbs IM client for iOS updated with overhauled design, iCloud message sync, and a lot more

Verbs, the popular instant messaging app for iPhone and iPad, was updated today at long last with a revamped design for iOS 7 and a whole host of new features and fixes, including the removal of an in-app purchase to enable extra features.

One of the bigger notable features in version 3.0 is the ability to keep your conversations in sync across all of your devices via iCloud. This works a lot like iMessage’s syncing function, where every message you get will automatically show up on all devices whether Verbs is currently running on that specific device or not. Previously any devices that didn’t have the app running would miss any messages that were downloaded on other devices.

Other changes include the addition of Dropbox for file sharing (alongside the old CloudApp and Droplr options), Pocket and Safari Reading List options for saving links, tappable URLs in chat bubbles, per-contact muting, the ability to manage your contact lists, in-app notifications for messages that come in while you’re in the settings view or another thread, and notifications when certain contacts come online.

Speaking of notifications, the former “Verbs Pro” in-app purchase has been removed, and all of its features are now included standard in the app. These include push notifications and longer connection times after the app closes.

You can grab the completely overhauled Verbs 3.0 from the iOS App Store for $2.99 today. The complete change log is below:

What’s New in Version 3.0.0

• Designed for iOS 7
• Completely rewritten server side code
• Supports Jabber protocol
• Added OAuth support for GTalk
• Real time syncing of chat messages across devices
• New Conversations view
• Use Dropbox to share files in chat
• Sync Chat, File Sharing and Read Later accounts over iCloud
• Pocket (Read later) support
• Safari’s Reading Lists support
• Sent bubble color changes when messages are delivered
• Notify when a buddy comes online
• Ability to mute buddies
• New Notification sounds
• HTML hyperlinks are supported in messages
• Use shapes to indicate Buddy Status
• Ability to create Lists (Groups)
• In-app notifications
• Lotta bug fixes!

IMPORTANT NOTES:
• Before upgrading, please back up your existing conversations using the “Email conversation” feature. Because of the new sync features, your existing (2.x) accounts and conversations would not be available after upgrade.
• We’re removing Facebook chat support for the time being
• Also, we’re deprecating Verbs Pro and the basic app itself will include all the pro features.

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Microsoft confirms new version of Office for Mac coming this year

According to a new report from Computerwoche (via Macworld), Microsoft representatives have apparently confirmed that a new version of Office for Mac will arrive this year. The update would be the first major release of Office for Mac since Office Mac 2011 released almost four years ago.

The news apparently came straight from a Microsoft representative at the Cebit trade show in Hanover, Germany who told the publication to expect a new version by the end of 2014 and more news in the second quarter of the year.

Macworld was able to get a comment from Microsoft confirming that development of a new version of Office for Mac is underway. It wouldn’t confirm a specific release date in the statement, but it said Office 365 subscribers will get the update for free:

A representative for Microsoft confirmed that development work for the next version of Office for Mac is ongoing. “The team is hard at work on the next version of Office for Mac,” she said in an email. “While I don’t have details to share on timing, when it’s available, Office 365 subscribers will automatically get the next Office for Mac at no additional cost.”

Microsoft has long been rumored to bring a version of Microsoft Office to iOS devices. Recent reports claimed that Office for iPad is under development and coming soon, but the company has never officially confirmed the reports.

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9to5Toys Last Call: iPhone 5 OtterBox Armor Series $25, PNY 128GB USB 3 flash drive $46, several headphones, more

Be sure to follow 9to5Toys to keep up with the best gear and deals on the web: TwitterRSS Feed,FacebookGoogle+ and subscribe to the new Safari push notifications feature.

Today’s can’t miss deals:

Select OtterBox Armor Series Waterproof Cases for iPhone 5 $25 (Reg. $100)

PNY 128GB Turbo USB 3.0 Flash Drive $46 shipped (Reg. $70)

Headphones:

  • Harman AKG K550 over ears: $130, Sennheiser on-ears: $146, Monster Diesel VEKTR on-ears: $120
  • Bose OE2 Over-Ear, fold flat headphones and case: $84 (Reg. $150)QuietComfort 3 Acoustic noise-canceling headphones $285 (Reg. $349)

Other great deals from today:

More great deals still alive:

New products:

  • Roku announces a new HDMI streaming stick for $50
  • D-Link Releases the First Portable 11AC Router/Server/Charger for $99 shipped
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Flappy Bird creator says he’s considering letting the bird loose again

In an extensive interview with Rolling Stone, Flappy Bird creator Dong Nguyen shared that it’s possible he will make the incredibly challenging iOS game available for users again… but with a disclaimer.

As for the future of his flapper, he’s still turning down offers to purchase the game. Nguyen refuses to compromise his independence. But will Flappy Bird ever fly again? “I’m considering it,” Nguyen says. He’s not working on a new version, but if he ever releases one it will come with a “warning,” he says: “Please take a break.”

But is there room for Flappy Bird to return in an App Store saturated with disturbing Flappy Bird clones? Probably so. While it may be (mostly) out of the center of everyone’s attention in headlines and our conversations, I have a number of friends still challenging themselves to top their high score. (Maybe Nguyen was right.) Myself? I gave up before hitting double digits.

Shortly after it went viral (after several weeks mostly undiscovered), Flappy Bird’s developer promised to pulled the game from availability and has since kept that promise creating more demand for the game.

You can read the full interview at Rolling Stone.

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Vevo will live stream Apple’s SXSW iTunes Festival kicking off tonight

Vevo announced today that a deal with Apple will allow it to live stream all of the performances from Apple’s iTunes Festival at SXSW kicking off at 10pm CT tonight. Last month, Apple originally announced that the 5-night festival would be arriving at the SXSW festival in Austin and would be available to live stream, like its past festivals, through iOS devices, Macs, and Apple TV. It appears Apple is restricting Vevo to those same viewing options, so it’s Apple users only, but users that prefer can catch the live stream through Vevo’s iOS and Apple TV apps as well as through Safari on Macs.

Apple has already rolled out its own updated iTunes Festival apps including a new iTunes Festival channel for Apple TV.

The full schedule for the iTunes Festival, courtesy of Vevo, is below:
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Apple’s Logic Remote iOS app updated with new streamlined design & more

Along with the release of iOS 7.1 and a few updates to Remote, Podcasts, and Garageband, Apple has just updated its Logic Remote app to Version 1.1. The new update brings a revamped, streamlined interface that makes the app better fit in on iOS 7 as well as the darker color scheme of the recently released Logic Pro X.

Also included in the update is “more scale choices for Touch instruments” which brings a number of new scale options for those playing Apple’s built-in virtual instruments.

Version 1.1 will be available as an update for Logic Remote on the App Store any minute now.

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Remote for iOS now features purchased TV show & movie browsing, iTunes Radio control, more (U: GarageBand, Podcasts bug fixes)

In addition to releasing iOS 7.1 and Xcode 5.1 today, Apple has shipped a new version of its Remote app for iOS. In version 4.2, users can browse previously purchased movies and TV shows from the iOS app for playback on Apple TV. The update also includes the ability to control iTunes Radio playback on Apple TV from iOS (without AirPlaying content from iOS).  Remote 4.2 is available for iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch for free on the App Store.

GarageBand for iOS and Podcasts for iOS were also updated with minor big fixes.

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9to5Toys Last Call: Bose OE2 headphones $84, iPad mini 64GB LTE $435, Anker charger $40, Sony BT speaker $98, more

Be sure to follow 9to5Toys to keep up with the best gear and deals on the web: TwitterRSS Feed,FacebookGoogle+ and subscribe to the new Safari push notifications feature.

Today’s can’t miss deals:

Last Call updates:

Bose OE2 Over-Ear, fold flat headphones and case: $84 (Reg. $150), QuietComfort 3 Acoustic noise-canceling headphones $285 (Reg. $349)

 

Sony SRS-BTX300 Bluetooth/NFC portable speaker and power bank $98 shipped (Reg. $200)

Samsung 840 EVO Series SSD: 500GB $276.99, 750GB $349.99

Other great deals from today:

More great deals still alive:

New products:

  • Roku announces a new HDMI streaming stick for $50
  • D-Link Releases the First Portable 11AC Router/Server/Charger for $99 shipped

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Tweetbot for iPhone adds Avenir font option, thumbnail and filter toggles, more

In its first update since December of last year, Tweetbot for iPhone  (review) is newly updated with a few additional features in version 3.3 today.

Joining the system font of Helvetica is an option to use Avenir found in the app settings. Additional features include toggles for image preview size (larger or disabled) and improvements to list filtering as well as standard bug fixes.

Tweetbot for iPhone is $4.99 on the App Store. Version 3.3 is a free update to Tweetbot 3 users.

(Now we’re hoping the time between updates means progress on Tweetbot for iPad is well under way!)

Review: Font Studio provides affordable custom fonts for all of your creative needs

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Font Studio from Paolo Quadrani is a Mac app that allows you to modify and customize fonts. It provides you with the ability to create a range of font styles. It also includes in impressive collection of fonts that can be customized, saved and organized. In this article we will discuss scenarios in which this app can be useful, how the app works, and what you should expect if you purchase it.


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f.lux for Mac gets smarter with screen-dimming based on daily schedule, Movie Mode and more

f.lux, the popular utility that changes the color temperature of your Mac’s display to reflect the sun’s daylight cycle, has received a major update. Whilst still being in beta, the app can now calibrate your screen based on your actual schedule, not just sunrise and sunset times.

This means the app is now useful for people who have non-standard schedules, such as people who work night shifts. The app smoothly transitions between ‘daytime’,’sunset’ and ‘bedtime’ presets based on the schedule information provided. You tell the app when you wake up and it automatically calculates the color temperature levels for every hour of the day.


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