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Google-owned QuickOffice goes free on iOS and Android, 10GB of Drive space offered

Mark Gurman Sep 19 2013 - 11:34 am PT

7 Comments

Google today made its QuickOffice suite for both iOS and Android free to use with a Google Account. QuickOffice is a cross-platform document editor that can manage and edit Microsoft Office documents. The app is downloadable for free on both iTunes and Google play for no charge. Better yet, Google says that those who login to the updated app by September 26th will receive a 10GB storage boost in Google Drive for the next two years.

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• Apps
• iOS
• iPad
• iOS Devices
• iPhone

App Store makes it easier for parents to find apps for their children with new Kids Category in iOS 7

Sarah Guarino Sep 19 2013 - 8:17 am PT

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In iOS 7, Apple has made it easier for parents to find great age-appropriate, kid-friendly educational apps by gathering them all in one location. It’s currently being featured on the Featured page. Also you can find it by pressing on the blue word Categories in the upper left hand corner of the screen and then scroll down until you see Kids or click here. (ages 5 & under, ages 6-8 and ages 9-11).

By pressing on the Kids category the apps are split up based off the kids age. They have sections for ages 5 & under, ages 6-8 and ages 9-11.

There are even categories that cover key learning concepts like creating, shapes, colors, discovering the world, reading, music, and interactive books. To see them all, just swipe right to left on the boxes to view them all.

So parents, the next time you give your device to your children, you can now have them play with apps that are truly developed with them in mind and that are educational!

• AAPL Company
• Apps
• 9to5Toys
• Daily Deals
• video games

9to5Toys Last Call: $50 MacUpdate Bundle featuring 9 Mac apps, free music from Google, game deals, free apps, more

Sep 18 2013 - 3:00 pm PT

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From 9to5Toys.com:

A large majority of the deals we cover each day come from a variety of ‘Daily Deal’ websites or are so popular that they don’t even last 24 hours. We know you can’t be at your computer every second, so we’re going to round up the best deals each day to make sure you have a fair shot at the deals you want. Be sure to follow 9to5Toys.com so you never miss a deal... Twitter, RSS Feed, Facebook, Google+.

Today’s featured deals:

$50 MacUpdate Bundle: Snapheal Pro, Civ V Gold, PDF Pen, TechTool Pro 7, ScreenFlow, more

Google Play ‘Free For Fall’ music promo featuring 12 free or discounted tracks from Phoenix, MGMT, Kaskade, and more

Game/App Deals: Far Cry 3: $20, AC3: $20, Bioshock Infinite: $25, iOS freebies, more

The Google Chromecast is finally back in stock at Amazon. Pick it up for $35 with free shipping. http://t.co/HkNN1lCPRh

— 9to5Toys (@9to5toys) September 18, 2013

Other great deals from today:

• New! Vizio HD Audio Dock w/30-Pin iPod/iPad/iPhone Dock, 4 Speakers & Built-In Subwoofer (Refurb) $30 shipped
• New! Patriot Xporter Pulse 64GB Flash Drive USB 2.0 Aluminum Housing $25 shipped
• New! Amazon Kindle Fire: 2nd Gen 8GB Refurb $95, New 16GB $220 shipped

The best deals that are still alive:

• ViewSonic 22″ IPS LED 1080p IPS monitor with HDMI $126 shipped (Reg. $262)
• Patuoxun Ultra-Slim 10000mAh Power Bank External Battery Charger for any USB powered device $33 shipped
• The Flexibits Mini Mac Bundle: Fantastical & Chatology $20 (Reg. $40)
• Logitech clip-on iPad speaker (dented box) $13 shipped (Reg. $30)
• Logitech Harmony smart control w/ iOS integration and simple remote $80 shipped (Reg. $130)
• Borderlands 2 download for $11.99
• Virgin slashes 8GB iPhone 4 to $199, (4S: 20% off) unsubsidized w/$30/month unlimited data plan
• $20 Ubisoft game bundle ($100 savings): Assassin’s Creed Brotherhood, AC 2, Driver San Francisco, Heroes of Might & Magic V, more
• Trade in ANY old iPhone case and get $15 credit towards a new one from Incase
• Camtasia/Crossover/+8 other Mac apps for $10, AfterShot Pro+10 apps: $49

New product announcements & reviews:

• Grand Theft V ‘iFruit’ companion app lets you customize in-game cars, train Chop the dog
• ChargeKey is a USB Lightning charging cable on your key ring
• Steam Family Sharing lets you share and borrow full game libraries, launches next week
• Sony launches new mini home console, the Playstation Vita TV
• Amazon announces the all-new Kindle Paperwhite e-reader, now available for preorder starting at $119

• Apps
• iOS Devices

Apple raises App Store downloads over cellular limit to 100MB per app

Mark Gurman Sep 18 2013 - 1:30 pm PT

2 Comments

Alongside the launch of iOS 7, Apple has raised the limit for an application file size that could be downloaded over a cellular network via the App Store. The new limit is 100MB, and that is double the previous limit of 50MB (via MacRumors). Back in 2008, the App Store launched with a 10MB cap, but as iOS devices gained new features such as 3G, LTE, and Retina Displays, Apple has been raising the limits. It seems likely that the limit was raised due to the influx of new app designs that Apple is expecting to be rolled out in the coming weeks. 

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• Apps & Updates
• Apps
• iOS
• iPad
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• Apple News

Facebook updates iOS app with new look for iOS 7

Jordan Kahn Sep 18 2013 - 12:47 pm PT

9 Comments

Facebook announced on its blog today that it’s rolling out a new update for iOS 7 (alongside just about every other developer today) that brings a brand new iOS 7 style design to the app. On top of a lighter color palette and the new iOS 7 translucent top bar, you’ll also now be able to “swipe from left to right to get back to News Feed” after tapping a story.

There are some other tweaks included in the update as well. The iPhone app, for example, now includes a new tab style menu along the bottom of the screen. The new menu design is something Facebook has actually been testing with many users in recent months, although not with the new iOS 7 design included in today’s update. Facebook is hoping the new menu makes it “easier to switch from News Feed to your friend requests, messages or notifications.”

The new Facebook app for iOS has begun rolling out to the App Store. A video of the new design in action is below:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gnXggjgWC3U&feature=youtu.be

• Apps
• How-to
• iOS 7
• thumbnail
• Auxo

iOS 7 How-to: Use the new multitasking interface

Sarah Guarino Sep 18 2013 - 11:46 am PT

9 Comments

Multitasking came out for the iOS devices with iOS 4. Multitasking is a way to manage all of the apps running on your iOS device.

Previously, when you double tap the home button, you would get a small tray on the bottom of the screen filled with apps running. To close the apps, you would have to tap and hold on one of them until it wiggles and jiggles, and then once it is wiggling and jiggling you would tap on the red minus button in the upper left hand corner of the app.

Now, with iOS 7 that is no longer the case. When you double tap the home button, it takes you out of the app you were in, and it shows you a fullscreen thumbnail preview of the app you were most recently in, as well the rest of your recent applications.

If you want to see the rest of your open apps, you would just swipe left to right or right to left to see them all.

The home screen even appears as a fullscreen thumbnail view. To get into any of your open apps, simply tap on the app in the switcher to bring it up.

If you want to close an app, just swipe up on any application preview. You cannot close all of the apps at one, just like before. However, if you swipe up with two fingers, it will close out two apps at a time.

This new method of multitasking is similar to the popular jailbreaking tweak Auxo. For those of you who used this jailbreak tweak, this is going to be very similar, except for the fact that there will not be a way to close all the apps at once, as well as there will not be a media control, or any setting controls. Instead, you will find these in Control Center.

• Apps & Updates
• Apps
• iOS
• iPhone
• App Store
• Android

BlackBerry announces BBM for iPhone arriving on September 22

Jordan Kahn Sep 18 2013 - 11:41 am PT

6 Comments

After first announcing that its popular BBM messaging service would be arriving on iOS and Android sometime during the summer, BlackBerry finally confirmed in a blog post today that the app would be released on Sept. 21 for Android followed by a release on iOS on Sept. 22.

BBM will be available as a free download for Android smartphones running Ice Cream Sandwich and Jelly Bean (Android 4.x) beginning at 7AM EDT on September 21. BBM for iPhones running iOS 6 and iOS 7 will become available for each market on the App Store schedule of 12:01 AM local time on September 22. For more information, or to download BBM for Android or iPhone, visit www.BBM.com.

BBM for iPhone and Android will initially include chat, photo and voice note sharing, multi-person chats with up to 30 people, and the ability to post status updates and personal messages. However, BlackBerry says the apps will get BBM Channels in a future updates:

BBM will continue to evolve quickly. Later this year, BBM Channels will provide a forum for active, real conversations between you and the people, brands, celebrities, artists, service providers, communities and more, that matter to you. By creating a Channel, individuals and brands can engage their friends and communities in conversations sparked by their thoughts, ideas and passions. Subscribing to a Channel will let you join conversations with people who share your interests. In addition, BBM Video calling and BBM Voice calling are planned for availability for Android and iPhone in a future version.

• Apps
• Xcode
• xcode 5

Xcode 5.0 released with iOS 7 SDK, 64-bit app compiler

Scott Buscemi Sep 18 2013 - 10:32 am PT

3 Comments

Alongside the release of iOS 7 this morning, Apple has just pushed out Xcode 5.0 to the Mac App Store. The free app includes the SDKs for iOS 7 and Mountain Lion as well as the 64-bit app compiler:

What’s New in Version 5.0

• Includes SDKs for OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion and iOS 7.
• LLVM compiler builds 64-bit apps for iOS 7.
• Automatic Configuration enables services like iCloud and Game Center with one click.
• Test Navigator helps you quickly add, edit, and run unit tests.
• Test Assistants display tests and code side-by-side for test driven development.
• Auto Layout in IB can generate constraints automatically, or allow free-form design.
• Preview Assistant demonstrates your UI in portrait or landscape, for iOS 6 or iOS 7.
• Asset Catalog organizes all your project’s images in a single .xcassets archive.
• Debug Gauges show CPU, memory, iCloud, and OpenGL ES usage at a glance.
• Source Control top-level menu enables context sensitive branching and merging.
• Modules build setting speeds compile times, and enables auto-linking system frameworks.

The update comes in at 1.96GB, which might take awhile with all of the iOS 7 downloading traffic.

Apple has also given its developer portal an iOS 7 style tweak today that brings a cleaner design to the site:

• Apps & Updates
• Apps

Pocket updated for iOS 7 with improved reading view, background syncing

Mike Beasley Sep 18 2013 - 10:00 am PT

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Pocket, the popular read-later service formerly known as Read It Later, released an update to its iOS app today that brings several enhancements to iOS 7 users.

The first change is the introduction of background syncing. When users add items to their reading list, the Pocket app on their iOS 7 device will automatically update itself in the background to ensure the in-app list is always up-to-date the moment it is opened.

Several performance and design tweaks have been made to accommodate for the changes in the latest version of Apple’s mobile OS. Small modifications have been made throughout the app to fit into the new look.

The reading view has also seen several improvements. Typography has been improved to better match the system design, an automatic fullscreen mode has been added to allow articles to use all of the available space, and spacing and hyphenation adjustments make articles easier to read.

Pocket for iOS is available for free on the App Store.

• Apps & Updates
• Apps

Screens 3 arrives with iOS 7 compatibility, a redesigned interface, and more

Mike Beasley Sep 18 2013 - 8:30 am PT

3 Comments

The popular VNC client Screens has been updated to version 3.0, bringing with it a completely redesigned interface for iOS 7 and a host of new features. Some of these features include support for pasting between a remote computer and iOS device, a new quick connection screen for quickly connecting to your favorite devices, support for multiple displays on the remote computer, and a customizable toolbar that lets you better control the functions of the app.

Screens 3 is available as a new download for all users for $19.99. It requires iOS 7.

• Apps & Updates
• Apps

Photoful receives iOS 7 overhaul, iPad support, and more

Mike Beasley Sep 18 2013 - 8:14 am PT

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Photoful, an app for taking, editing, and sharing photos and albums, has been updated with full support for the new features in iOS 7. The app has undergone a complete redesign and features a new icon, but the changes go well beyond the appearance.

One of the biggest features in the new version is iPad support. Photoful is now a universal that runs natively on all of Apple’s mobile devices. The update also includes several new sharing options, such as Dropbox, Tumblr photosets, and AirDrop. All of this is built into a custom share sheet that looks almost exactly like the built-in version.

The update should be making its way onto the App Store shortly. The app and update are free to all users.

• Apps & Updates
• Apps
• Productivity
• Clear
• Realmac Software
• Clear for iPhone

Clear for iOS 7 delivers iPad support, UI refinements, and more

Zac Hall Sep 18 2013 - 8:02 am PT

5 Comments

As promised, Realmac Software has brought its modern to-do list Clear to the iPad with its latest version release for iOS 7. Clear for iOS 7 also features enhancements to its user interface that better suit it for the lighter environment of Apple’s latest UI overhaul. For the first time, Clear is a universal iOS app, meaning one purchase provides an app for both the iPhone or iPod touch and the iPad. Below we’ll take a look at the brand new version of Clear for iPad.
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• Apps & Updates
• Apps
• iOS
• iPad
• iPhone
• App Store

Gmail iOS app gets new icon, full-screen mode for large images & better integration w/ Google apps

Jordan Kahn Sep 18 2013 - 7:19 am PT

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A ton of apps are getting updated today, many of which include support, new features and revamped looks for iOS 7. Google isn’t listing iOS 7 related features in its update of the Gmail iOS apps today, but it has refreshed its icon and added some new features.

On top of the new icon, Version 2.4.1 of the app includes an “enhanced attachment experience,” which really means that a larger image attached to an email will now open in a new full screen viewing mode when tapping its thumbnail.

The update also includes improved integration with other Google apps:

Better integration with Google apps – Google Drive and Google+ links go directly to the app, if installed. You can turn this off using the in-app settings.

Gmail version 2.4.1 for iPhone and iPad is available on the App Store now.

• Apps & Updates
• Apps
• iPad
• iPhone
• update
• iOS 7

Digg iOS app gets full iOS 7 support w/ Background App Refresh & Dynamic Text

Jordan Kahn Sep 18 2013 - 7:14 am PT

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The Digg iOS client has been updated today to version 5.2.1 and with it comes full support for iOS 7 in addition to the usual performance enhancements and bug fixes.

While the design of the app hasn’t been dramatically overhauled like many others, the update brings a few new features made possible by iOS 7. Among them is support for Apple’s new Dynamic Type and Background App Refresh features.

Digg version 5.2.1 is available for iPhone and iPad on the App Store now.

What’s New in Version 5.2.1

◆ Full iOS 7 support, including Dynamic Type & Background App Refresh.
◆ Performance enhancements & bug fixes.

• Apps & Updates
• Apps

Snapguide updated for iOS 7 with improvements to search, browsing, and notifications

Mike Beasley Sep 18 2013 - 6:00 am PT

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Snapguide released an update today that brings iOS 7’s new interface design to the guide-building app, along with enhancements to many of the app’s main features. For those who are unfamiliar, Snapguide is an app that lets you create and view step-by-step photographic guides from your iOS device. You can share these guides with your friends and find guides for topics you’re interested in. If a guide you want doesn’t exist, you can post a request for someone who knows about that subject to create one.

Today’s update brings not only a brand-new visual style, but enhancements to most of Snapguide’s core features. The browser, which lets you find guides created by other users, has been updated with larger images, faster loading times, and an “explore” section to help you track down your desired guides more quickly.

Search has also been improved, and now allows you to search between users, guides, and requests for new guides all at once. Enhancements have been made to the notification system in the iPhone version, and iPhone users can now copy a list of supplies needed to carry out the directions of any guide.

The updated Snapguide is available to all users for free on the iOS App Store.

• Apps

Infinity Blade III debuts on the App Store ahead of iOS 7

Mike Beasley Sep 17 2013 - 11:30 pm PT

4 Comments

Update Sept. 20: Infinity Blade III gets optimizations for the 64-bit iPhone 5s:

What’s New in Version 1.0.3

– Optimized for 64-bit iPhone 5S
– The iPhone 5S features full screen anti-aliasing, bloom, full screen vignettes, distortion, high resolution shadows, and environmental reflections – it looks crazy awesome!
– Includes bug fixes to decrease load times and enable In-App purchases

Infinity Blade III, the final entry in the popular action trilogy that was initially demoed at WWDC in 2010, has been released on the App Store ahead of tomorrow’s iOS 7 launch. The newest game in the series was first demonstrated on the iPhone 5s during Apple’s media event earlier this month.

Infinity Blade III features a massive new world and console-quality graphics specially designed to take full advantage of the increased processing power of the iPhone 5s. Despite its optimizations for the latest iPhone hardware, you can play the game on almost any iOS device running iOS 6 or 7, including the fourth-generation iPod touch, iPhone 4, and iPad 2.

Infinity Blade III is available on the App Store for $6.99.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wnh98ELfR04

• Apps & Updates
• Apps
• iOS 7
• Barnes & Noble
• Nook

Barnes & Noble warns of potential Nook app incompatibilities with iOS 7

Sarah Guarino Sep 17 2013 - 8:18 pm PT

2 Comments

Less than a day until the launch of Apple’s iOS 7, Barnes and Noble has warned users of its Nook for iOS application of some potential incompatibilities with the new operating system. The potential issues can be seen in the copy of the email above. Barnes and Noble will prompt users when there is an update available to fix and address these issues. The company also warns that not all users will have incompatibility problems, and it is unclear which users will be the ones seeing the issues.

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• Apps
• Amazon
• Amazon Mobile

Amazon Mobile for iOS adds push notifications for shipments, deals and subscription activity

Scott Buscemi Sep 17 2013 - 4:55 pm PT

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It’s building up to be a great day for Amazon iOS users. After Amazon Instant Video added AirPlay support this morning, the company has updated their Amazon Mobile app with push notifications for shipments (when they’re sent and when they have arrived), deals, and subscribe & save activity.

What’s New in Version 3.0.0

New for iPad:
• Use the new sort and filter experience on iPad to quickly find what you’re looking for

New for iPad, iPhone and iPod Touch
• New notifications make it easier for you to stay on top of your upcoming shipments, Subscribe and Save orders, as well as Deals of the Day
• Bug fixes

The app still has an “antique” non-iOS 7 look, but the push notification options are definitely welcome. Amazon’s relationship with the App Store has been quite shaky to say the least. Apple began a lawsuit against Amazon for using the company’s “App Store” trademark, although that was later dropped. In addition, Amazon does not sell ebooks through the Kindle App Store app since they do not want Apple to take a 30% slice. Customers can make regular retail purchases through the free Amazon Mobile app, though.