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6,238 'Apps' stories April 2010 - March 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: LifeProof iPad mini frē case $59, Beats Solo HD headphones $100, Pioneer/Onkyo A/V receivers, more

Avatar for Mar 6 2014 - 10:03 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 subscribe to the new Safari push notifications feature.

Today’s can’t miss deals:

Water/Dirt/Snow/Shock…LifeProof Fre case for iPad Mini (Black or White): $59 shipped

Headphones: Beats by Dr. Dre Solo HD $100 (Reg. $200), Sony MDR-10RNC noise-canceling $198 (Reg. $250)

A/V Receivers: Pioneer 980W iOS/Android compatible $250, Onkyo HT-RC560 wireless/Bluetooth $300

Games/Apps:

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

Apple Store app featuring new, free music from iTunes

Avatar for Zac Hall Mar 6 2014 - 9:31 am PT
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Once again, Apple is back to giving away free music through an iTunes promotion within its Apple Store app for U.S. customers. The new giveaway highlights three artists with “new tracks helping to define this year’s musical landscape.” Specifically, the app features tracks from Master Blaster Sound System, Bad Suns, and Kris Bowers. It’s worth checking out if you’re into discovering new music, but Amazon has some more traditional artists like George Strait, The Beach Boys, and Dean Martin in its Icon Series music giveaway over at 9to5Toys. Check below for how to grab the free tracks from iTunes.
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Shazam debuts Linkin Park song through Warner deal, Spotify buys competing service ‘The Echo Nest’

Avatar for Jordan Kahn Mar 6 2014 - 7:40 am PT
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Back in February news broke that Warner Music Group made a deal with popular music recognition app Shazam that would see the label have access to Shazam’s proprietary music data gathered from its users as well as the formation of a new Shazam-branded label. Today, Shazam announced another perk of that deal with the app launching its first exclusive single, offering users the first chance to listen to the latest from Grammy Award-winning band Linkin Park before anyone else.

Shazam® today announced that multi-platinum, Grammy Award-winning band Linkin Park and Warner Bros. Records, are launching the band’s new single “Guilty All The Same” (feat. Rakim), and are giving Shazamers around the world the first chance to hear the song.  When users Shazam any song today, they’ll see a special link to hear the new Linkin Park track, then will be able to buy it from all major digital retailers after wider release Friday… Last night, Linkin Park fans who had previously Shazamed the band were treated to an exclusive opportunity to hear “Guilty All The Same” via a notification in the app’s News Feed, giving them advance access to the new single.

While the deal with Warner Music Group was originally thought to be mainly Warner’s attempt to get its hands on Shazam’s valuable user data— the data helps labels and services identify what’s popular and what music users are interested in purchasing— we see that the other end of the deal is exclusive content for Shazam. It’s unclear if the Linkin Park promotion, however, is part of the co-branded label deal that Shazam and Warner Music announced they would create as part of the original deal.

In other related music industry app news today, Spotify announced that it has acquired music recommendation service ‘The Echo Nest’, a tool currently used by many similar services such as Rdio, Vevo, and Xbox Music.
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9to5Toys Last Call: Seiki 47″ LED HDTV $329, Kindle accessories 30% off, iPads/other tablets $30 off, more

Avatar for Mar 5 2014 - 10:03 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 subscribe to the new Safari push notifications feature.

Today’s can’t miss deals:

Last Call updates:

Seiki 47-inch LED 1080P HDTV: $329 shipped

Free coupon for 30% off select Kindle accessories from OtterBox, Belkin, and more

Staples $30 off tablets priced $149 or more: Kindle Fire 16GB $119, iPad mini 16GB $269, more

Daily Deals: Up to 65% off Sony memory, LaCie 1TB portable HD $80, iPad Mini w/4G LTE Unlocked $390, 8GB Flash Drive $5, much more


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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Real Racing 3 iOS app updated w/ vehicle customizations, Aston Martin cars, iOS 7 controller support, more

Avatar for Jordan Kahn Mar 4 2014 - 5:36 pm PT
2 Comments

The popular Real Racing 3 title from EA for iPhone and iPad received a big update today that on top of introducing tons of new content brings iOS 7 controller support. That means you’ll now be able to pick up and play the game with any of Apple’s new authorized Made-for-iPhone controllers. We’ve reviewed the majority of controllers to hit the market so far including products from Logitech, Moga, and SteelSeries.

Perhaps the most notable new feature is new customization options that allow users to “Change rims, tweak ride height, and apply a multitude of awesome vinyls using the powerful customization tools.”

In addition, the update introduces a photo mode to easily capture a snapshot of the action at any moment, the “All Star Vendetta Series”, and new Gold Achievements.

Version 2.1.0 of Real Racing 3 also brings new vehicles from Aston Martin including the DB9, Vanquish and V12 Vantage S.

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

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9to5Toys Last Call: New $50 Roku streaming stick, Kindle e-readers $20 off, Timbuk2 bags 25% off, more

Avatar for Mar 4 2014 - 10:12 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 subscribe to the new Safari push notifications feature.

Today’s can’t miss deals:

Last Call updates:

Roku announces a new HDMI streaming stick for $50

Amazon 1-Day Kindle E-Reader Sale: Kindle $49 (Reg. $69), Kindle Paperwhite $99 (Reg. $119)

25% off select Timbuk2 custom laptop messenger bags and backpacks

Best Buy knocks up to $200 off iPads: Airs start at $440, Minis up to $50 off

Other great deals from today:

  • New! Crucial M500 2.5″ SATA III Internal Solid State Drive 120GB $67 shipped (Reg. $80)
  • New! Game/App Deals: GTA V: $30, Star Wars KOTOR (Mac/PC): $3, Dishonored GOTY: $20, Anodia: FREE, iOS freebies, more
  • New! Daily Deals: Macbook Air 11.6″ refurb $770, JBL Flip BT speaker refurb $59, iJoy iPhone or Galaxy S4 cases $10 shipped, much more
  • New! Lepow Moonstone Series 6000mAh External Battery (Green) $19.99 AC shipped

More great deals still alive:

New products:

  • D-Link Releases the First Portable 11AC Router/Server/Charger for $99 shipped
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Mercedes-Benz gives hands-on demo of CarPlay in new C-Class [Video]

Avatar for Jordan Kahn Mar 4 2014 - 7:17 am PT
15 Comments

Yesterday Mercedes-Benz sent over some images of Apple’s new CarPlay feature for iOS running in its new C-Class set to be unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show this week. Today the company has released a new video that gives us a better look at the feature up and running in the vehicle. Some people have been not so impressed with Mercedes’ implementation of the touch display in the new C-Class. It does look like somewhat of an afterthought the way it floats above the dash rather than being built right into the console like in Volvos and other vehicles. Ferrari, Volvo, and Mercedes-Benz are showing off CarPlay this week, but Apple expects many more partners to launch the feature in new vehicles later in the year.

(via iFun)

Nuance announces Dragon Dictate 4, with pre-recorded transcription features and Gmail integration

Avatar for Benjamin Mayo Mar 4 2014 - 5:22 am PT
7 Comments

Nuance has just announced the next major version of its Mac dictation software, Dragon Dictate 4. The new version improves recognition accuracy as well as several new features, including the ability to machine transcribe from a pre-recorded audio file. You no longer have to be recording a voice live to get transcription.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RRfbZ0h4yBo]

We’ve had a quick play with the software and the accuracy is almost scary good compared to older versions of the software. Speaking in a normal voice gives you almost 100% accuracy and even mumbling seems to work. While Mavericks uses the same Nuance speech engine, Dictate 4 has a better interface for transcription and tons of extra features as outlined in the videos above and below.

Dragon Dictate software has also been updated for modern system architectures — it is a 64-bit app now.  This results in better performance and better memory management over its predecessors. The company says it has drastically reduced latency when interpreting speech.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YnGKb854CNI]


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The making of Writing Aid — behind the scenes of app development

Avatar for Benjamin Mayo Mar 3 2014 - 11:34 am PT
7 Comments

I released Writing Aid to the App Store today. Due to the glaring conflicts of interest in reviewing my own app for 9to5Mac or even having my colleagues review it, I thought instead I’d give some insight into the creative and development process behind the app. If you are looking for a more traditional review, please check out these writeups over at MacStories, Beautiful Pixels and iMore.

As a finished product, Writing Aid is best described as a dictionary app that also works in reverse. However, it didn’t start that way. For a while, I have been annoyed by the offerings on the store. Most apps are bogged down with gimmicky extras like ‘Word of the Day’ and such and many have been abandoned by their owners (which means they aren’t updated for iOS 7 either). When I’m writing, I don’t want distractions. I want to be able to type a word in a box and get a definition.


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Microsoft reportedly working on a cross-platform Xbox Live for iOS & Android apps

Avatar for Jordan Kahn Mar 3 2014 - 10:57 am PT
1 Comment

Microsoft is considering taking Xbox Live cross-platform and allowing developers to integrate the service in iOS and Android games, according to a report from The Verge. The report cites a job listing from the company’s website seeking an engineer to work on “a modern framework that is open-source, lightweight, extensible and scalable across various platforms,” including iOS and Android. The report also cites its own sources reportedly familiar Microsoft’s plans to take Xbox Live cross-platform.

“New Devices and Gaming” is looking for passionate and experienced developers to join us. Your contribution will have direct impact on how we win back our game developers from our competitors. As a member of the newly formed team, you will have the rare opportunity to influence our planning and design from the beginning. We will create a modern framework that is open source, light-weight, extensible and scalable across various platforms including Windows Store, Windows Phone, iOS and Android. Working on the gaming technologies, you will collaborate with both internal partner teams across the company and external ecosystem partners to enable end-to-end gaming scenarios.

The idea, according to the report, is that Xbox Live would act as a cross-platform alternative to Apple’s Game Center and similar services, allowing users to earn achievements, manage friends and more through a single service across Xbox and mobile platforms. No details on specific features or when we might expect to see more.

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9to5Toys Last Call: Best Buy iPad sale gets better, OtterBox Armor Series 75% off, new lows on Samsung SSDs, more

Avatar for Mar 3 2014 - 10:08 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 subscribe to the new Safari push notifications feature.

Today’s can’t miss deals:

Last Call updates:

Best Buy knocks up to $200 off iPads: Airs start at $440, Minis up to $50 off

75% off OtterBox Armor Series waterproof cases for iPhone 4/4s/5, and Galaxy S III

Samsung 840 EVO Series 2.5″ Solid State Drives: 500GB $260, 750GB $369, 1TB $495

Other great deals from today:

  • New! HPDeskjet 1010 Inkjet Printer w/ Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 5 (Mac/PC) $77 shipped ($198 value)
  • New! Game/App Deals: Rayman Origins for Mac $14, Minecraft for Xbox 360 $14, FMX Riders FREE, more iOS freebies
  • New! Home Deals: Omega VRT350 Heavy Duty Juicer $250 (Reg. $430), Kyocera ceramic coffee grinder $29, more
  • New! Daily Deals: iPad 2 32GB $250, Incipio Waterproof iPhone 5/5s case $20, CarbonAudio BT speaker $25, much more
  • New! Headphones: Sony MDR10R over-ears: $100/$150 w/ Bluetooth (Reg. $150/$200), up to 50% off Yamaha PRO series: $100-$200, more

More great deals still alive:

Finish to-do manager goes free for new users, introduces Finish More, and announces upcoming iPad version

Avatar for Mike Beasley Mar 1 2014 - 11:00 am PT
0 Comments
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Finish, the Apple Design Award-winning to-do manager that launched at the beginning of last year is going free for new users today. There is a catch, though: the free app will now be limited to only ten tasks, and those tasks will only be able to be set to a specific date. Setting a time of day and enabling Bother Me alerts will not be available in the free app, either.

To get those features, the developers are introducing an in-app purchase for $.99 called Finish More. For users who previously purchased Finish, this is a free upgrade that can be unlocked by tapping “restore purchase” on the Finish More screen.


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9to5Toys Last Call: Dr. Seuss iOS apps up to 80% off, Beats in-ear headphones 60% off, iOS 7 dev course $59, more

Avatar for Feb 28 2014 - 1:03 pm 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 subscribe to the new Safari push notifications feature.

Today’s can’t miss deals:

Dr. Seuss’s Birthday Sale: Over 60 classic book apps for iPhone/iPad on sale up to 80% off

Beats In-Ear Headphones: Powerbeats $65 shipped (Reg. $150), urBeats $45 shipped (Reg. $99)

The Complete iOS 7 Developers Course: Learn XCode 5 + Objective-C in Over 31 Hours of Training + Build 14 iOS 7 Apps $59 (Reg. $499)


Other great deals from today:

More great deals still alive:

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Google Hangouts for iOS updated with iOS 7 design, iPad optimization, more

Avatar for Chance Miller Feb 27 2014 - 3:29 pm PT
1 Comment

After a wave of updates for its Android apps yesterday, Google has just announced an update to its Hangouts for iOS app. The update brings the app version number 2.0.0 and is the first update for the app since all the way back in November.

The update adds a plethora of features and design tweaks, most notably of which is an iOS 7 optimized interface. There are aren’t a ton of changes, but everything definitely has the iOS 7 look and feel to it.Menus and buttons are now totally “flat” and much cleaner overall. The iPad app has also gotten some major tweaks, including picture-in-picture video calling. The app also now supports the ability to send video messages up to 10 seconds long, ala Snapchat.

The full changelog is below:

  • Fully-optimized for the iPad, including picture-in-picture video calling
  • Animated stickers that help you share exactly how you’re feeling
  • Record and send video messages up to 10 seconds long
  • Send a map of your current location

The update is live on the App Store now.

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Amazon in talks w/ labels for new music streaming service as Pandora hits 250m users

Avatar for Jordan Kahn Feb 27 2014 - 2:17 pm PT
2 Comments

Two pieces of news out today related to the music streaming biz: Recode is reporting that Amazon is talking to music labels about a music streaming service that could be bundled with Prime subscriptions, while Pandora has announced it has grown to 250 million users in the US.

If Amazon is able to make deals with the music labels, Recode speculates that it could offer music streaming through its Prime subscriptions which currently only offers movies and TV shows as well as free two-day shipping for $79/ year. The report notes, however, that Amazon is running into some roadblocks with cutting deals:

Which doesn’t mean it will: One label source reports that Amazon isn’t close to getting a deal done, because its executives are asking for a substantial discount on the pricing the labels have given to other services, like Spotify, Rhapsody and Beats… Still, label talks have been going on for the past few months, sources say.

As for Pandora, that’s up from around 200 million users back in April of last year and since the launch of one of its biggest new competitors, Apple’s iTunes Radio, in September. Pandora also noted that “Listeners have now created over six billion stations.” 
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ABC streaming Oscars to its apps for some, ESPN adds conference feeds to Apple TV

Avatar for Zac Hall Feb 27 2014 - 1:05 pm PT
5 Comments
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(via Oscar Blog)

Even before Apple introduces an expected refresh to its streaming set top box sometime this year, several content providers are making the current platform even richer with more and more content. Two big players, ESPN and ABC, will be providing content new to the Apple TV very soon, Variety reports. Starting with ABC, the network will stream the Oscars on Sunday live through its Watch ABC apps for subscribers in select cities (details below). ESPN, for its part, has announced dedicated channels within its Watch ESPN app on Apple TV and Roku for following 15 different conferences.
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9to5Toys Last Call: GoPro HERO3+ Black $320, WD 3TB desktop HD $100, FitBit WiFi scale $104, iOS 7 Dev. Course $59, more

Avatar for Feb 27 2014 - 10:16 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 subscribe to the new Safari push notifications feature.

Today’s can’t miss deals:

GoPro HERO3+ Black Edition Helmet Cam – Surf Package $320 (Reg. $400)

Western Digital 3TB Elements USB 3.0 desktop drive: $100 shipped (Reg. $130)

Daily Deal Roundup: FitBit WiFi Aria scale $104, Monster Portable Battery Pack $20, MyBolt USB Charger $10, much more

The Complete iOS 7 Developers Course: Learn XCode 5 + Objective-C in Over 31 Hours of Training + Build 14 iOS 7 Apps $59 (Reg. $499)

Best Buy iPad Savings Event: Save on nearly all current iPad models and configurations ($20-$200 off)

Other great deals from today:

More great deals still alive:

BBC TV show ‘The Wonders of Life’ turned into stunning iOS app

Avatar for Ben Lovejoy Feb 27 2014 - 6:21 am PT
3 Comments
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Two years after physicist and TV presenter Brian Cox launched the Wonders of the Universe iOS app, based on the BBC TV series of the same name, he’s done the same for Wonders of Life, reports TNW.

Wonders of Life takes you on a 3D tour of the world, serving up a visually stunning showcase of the coming together of science and nature.

The app features thirty creatures and habitats, illustrated by more than one thousand images that let you zoom in and get up-close. But it’s the more than 2.5 hours of HD video that really set this apart … 
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Review: Documents 5.0 for iOS is an even more powerful solution for managing your files on the go

Avatar for Mike Beasley Feb 27 2014 - 6:00 am PT
2 Comments
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Readdle’s app Documents has long been one of the most complete solutions for managing your files on the go. With an intuitive interface and powerful download management features, it has been a solid contender in the file management app arena for some time.

Today, the company has launched version 5.0 of the software, introducing a host of new features and a colorful design refresh for iOS 7. Keep reading for a full review of the new look and features available in the latest update.


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NBA Game Time iOS apps updated with classic games & historical videos

Avatar for Jordan Kahn Feb 26 2014 - 4:22 pm PT
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The NBA Game Time apps for iPhone and iPad were updated today with a new Class Games section that brings a collection of “carefully selected classic games and historical videos from past seasons.”

The new Classic Games section starts out with a selection of videos and more will be added in future updates during the 2014 season.

The new videos, like much of the app’s content, is available for free to Sprint users or those with a NBA Game Time Plus subscription or League Pass through their cable provider.

The update is available for the NBA Game Time 2013-2014 iPhone app as well as the NBA Game Time for iPad app.

What’s New in Version 5.2.3

Classic Games – Addition of carefully selected classic games and historical videos from past seasons. New videos will be added periodically throughout the season. These are available free for users who have purchased League Pass.

Additional bug fixes and enhancements.

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Vote for American Idol with your iPhone or iPad through Google Search

Avatar for Zac Hall Feb 26 2014 - 7:28 am PT
0 Comments

Planning to watch American Idol tonight and vote on your favorite performers? Google is making voting through its Search apps possible through a partnership with FOX. As the live finalist performance shows debut, American Idol is allowing viewers to vote through Google.com and Google’s iOS and Android Search apps.

Voting through Google allows you to cast up to 50 votes for each contestant as the new voting system is piloted. Simply search american idol or idol during voting hours and cast your votes!

Google Search for iOS is available for free from the App Store.

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FCC re-launches iOS speed test app for cellular and Wi-Fi speed data collection

Avatar for Mike Beasley Feb 25 2014 - 6:42 pm PT
4 Comments

Back in 2010 the FCC launched an iPhone app that allowed users to test their data connection speeds. The FCC used this app to collect anonymous speed data from mobile devices. After a brief period of collecting this data, the FCC pulled the app from the App Store.

Today the app was relaunched with a new design for iOS 7 on the iPhone and iPad. The data is being used to create a map of data speeds across the country. You can also review your own data from previous speed tests sorted by connection type. You can grab the app for free on the iOS App Store.