Apps

6,273 'Apps' stories April 2010 - June 2013

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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.

Google Earth for iOS gets new UI w/ sidebar, Street View & improved directions/search

Jordan Kahn Jun 26 2013 - 1:06 pm PT

Google updated its Google Earth app for iOS and Android today with a few new features including a revamped interface that includes the left side panel it has been bringing to lots of its mobile apps.

Also new in version 7.1.1 of Earth is Google’s Street View feature, as well as improved directions and search with the ability to “visualize transit, walk, bike and drive directions in 3D while update search result list will let you browse search results quickly.” Google also announced that it is now making Google Earth available in over 100 countries worldwide:

Also with this release, we’re making Google Earth for mobile available in more than 100 countries worldwide, so you can start their virtual journey in Google Earth from almost anywhere on Earth. To unleash your inner explorer, check out your local Google Play store or iTunes to download the latest version of Earth for Android and iOS.

Version 7.1.1 of Google Earth for iPhone and iPad is available on the App Store now.

What’s New in Version 7.1.1

* Google Maps Street View: With Street View, you can explore the world at street level.
* Improved directions/search: Updated directions let you can visualize transit, walk, bike and drive directions in 3D while update search result list will let you browse search results quickly.
* Improved interface: Easily browse and enable different layers through use of new left hand panel

Amazon’s iPad shopping app makes its way to key China, Japan markets

Mark Gurman Jun 26 2013 - 12:58 pm PT

Today, Amazon has updated its popular shopping app for the iPad to work in China and Japan. Both of those countries are known as critical growth markets for the mobile shopping and technology industries, making today’s update notable. Additionally, the update brings a new “Shop by Department” mode and performance improvements for the iPhone and iPod touch Amazon app.

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Award winning indie game ‘Limbo’ arrives on iOS July 3 for $4.99

Jordan Kahn Jun 26 2013 - 8:33 am PT

The award winning indie game Limbo from independent Danish developer Playdead has made its way to just about every platform over the last few years since launching on Xbox Live in 2010 and eventually PS3, Windows, & Mac. Today, Playdead announced that it’s now created iOS ports of the game for iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch that will be arriving in the App Store next week.

We have worked very hard to bring LIMBO to as many devices as possible; rethinking the controls and performing extensive optimizations to ensure an amazing touch-based experience across iPad 2 (and higher), iPad Mini, iPhone 4S (and higher) and the latest generation of iPod Touch.

The game, which has sold over 3 million copies since it launched, will be available on the App Store July 3rd for $4.99.

Digg’s Google Reader replacement now rolling out to all on web & iOS

Jordan Kahn Jun 26 2013 - 7:04 am PT

Digg-reader-01

From 9to5Google:

After launching a private beta of its new Google Reader replacement, Digg announced today that it is now rolling out the beta to all users signed up to test the new app. Digg just sent out the first batch of invites to the new web app, but promises it will be “adding users in increasingly larger batches.”

The app is still a work in progress and won’t get you every feature you might have had with Google Reader, but for now you can easily import your Google Reader content, use Google Reader-like shortcuts, and save and share to all the usual third-party services.

iOS versions of Digg Reader land for iPhone and iPad in the App Store sometime today, and Digg says an Android app will be available before the end of July.

Update: The iOS version is now available.

Digg warns that the app is still very much in beta, but reminds us of a few features it plans to add in the coming months:
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Dropbox for iOS updated with improved sharing options

Mike Beasley Jun 25 2013 - 7:22 pm PT

Dropbox has updated their iPhone and iPad app to verion 2.3. The new version features enhanced sharing options, a swipe-to-show options panel for carrying out common actions, as well as the usual performance enhancements and general bug fixes.

What’s New in Version 2.3

• Easily share a link to a folder
• Swipe on any file to quickly share, move, delete, or favorite
• Select and share multiple photos with your family, friends, and other humans
• Bug fixes and other magical performance improvements to keep you happy

iTunes U iOS app updated with pull-to-refresh, improved language support

Mark Gurman Jun 25 2013 - 10:21 am PT

Apple has updated its iTunes U app for iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch with the ability to check for course updates via a pull-to-refresh animation. In line with this tweak, Apple says that today’s update resolves an issue with updating course information. Importantly, today’s update also brings improved language support for Arabic, French, German, Greek, Italian, Russian, and Spanish. The update is free on the iTunes App Store.

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BlackBerry launches ‘Secure Work Space’ feature for iOS & Android enterprise users

Jordan Kahn Jun 25 2013 - 6:38 am PT

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=c0UEQXUNBto

BlackBerry previously started providing enterprise management tools for iOS and Android devices through its BlackBerry Enterprise Service 10 suite, but today it launched a new ‘Secure Work Space’ feature that will bring even better multi-platform device management and security to companies allowing iOS and Android devices in the workplace. The idea is to separate work apps and the user’s personal data:

Secure Work Space is a new containerization, application-wrapping and secure connectivity option that delivers a higher level of control and security to iOS and Android devices, all managed through the single BlackBerry Enterprise Service 10 administration console… On a personal iOS or Android device, users with Secure Work Space get integrated email (with attachment viewing), calendar and contacts for productivity, as well as secure browser access to intranets and document editing capabilities with BlackBerry’s Documents To Go™. With corporate data separated and controlled within the Secure Work Space container, these standard apps can be deployed with confidence to any user, together with other apps chosen by the company.

BlackBerry noted that it is working with partner Box for the cloud aspect of the new service, while users interested in taking advantage will have to purchase a $99 per year, per device license to access the new Secure Work Space feature through Blackberry Enterprise Service 10. The big benefit, according to BlackBerry, is that users “no longer need to configure and manage expensive VPN infrastructures to provide mobile device access to data and apps that reside behind their corporate firewalls.”

A free trial of the service is available here.

Sony’s ‘Music Unlimited’ iOS app adds offline playback & high-quality 320kbps AAC streams

Jordan Kahn Jun 24 2013 - 3:01 pm PT

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=CLC2u6lErGk

A nice update is landing any minute now for Sony’s Music Unlimited iOS app, which is continuing to improve thanks to some nice improvements coming with PS4 and PlayStation Plus. On top of some big discounts for PS Plus members, Sony announced today that iOS users will soon have the ability to download tracks for offline listening (something already available on Android devices):

Another improvement coming in version 1.3 of the Music Unlimited app is “crystal clear 320kbps AAC high fidelity audio while streaming.”Users can access the feature by turning on “High Quality Audio HQ Streaming”.in the app’s settings. The new high-quality audio will not, unfortunately, be available for offline playback.

Similar to the Music Unlimited Android app, iOS users can now download individual albums and tracks, as well as any playlists they have created to their device and enjoy music even when a cellular or Wi-Fi connection isn’t available, or when they want to conserve battery life or curb data usage.

Sony hasn’t picked up a ton of traction with the service among smartphone users, but it will certainly attempt to attract more users as it adds new features and closer integrates it with its revamped PS Network arriving alongside PS4.

As for deals:

If you’re not a subscriber to the Music Unlimited service, this is a great time to jump aboard! For a limited time, a 12 month Premium subscription to the Music Unlimited service is just $41.99 for PS Plus members – a discount of over 65 percent from the regular monthly price. Those who don’t have a PS+ membership can also take advantage of a special rate of $59.99 for the 12 month Premium subscription. More information about the offer can be found at PlayStation Blog.

Microsoft bringing Xbox & PC games to iPhone starting with free-to-play Age of Empires

Jordan Kahn Jun 24 2013 - 12:47 pm PT

According to a report from Nikkei (via Reuters), Microsoft has signed up Japan-based game developer Klab Inc to bring some of its console and PC games to the iPhone and Android devices. There aren’t many other details, but the report claims Microsoft’s next title to arrive on smartphones will be a free-to-play version of Age of the Empires:

Microsoft’s “Age of the Empires” will be available as a free-to-play game worldwide on smartphones by the end of the fiscal year 2013 and other titles will follow, the report said.

KLab is behind a few titles already on the App Store and Google Play, including Arcadia, Gigabot Wars, Eternal Uprising, and Lord of the Dragons.

It actually wouldn’t be the first game that Microsoft has published for iOS devices as it recently brought its previously Windows Phone only title “Tentacles: Enter the Dolphin” to the App Store for both iPhone and iPad.

Amazon Instant Video iOS app gets revamped UI with personalized TV & movie collections

Jordan Kahn Jun 24 2013 - 6:08 am PT

Amazon has updated its Instant Video app for iPhone and iPad today with a revamped user interface that makes it easier to find movies and TV shows.

The improved UI includes much faster navigation of TV shows and movies thanks to a new drop down menu on the home screen of the app, as well as “a new navigation bar on the browse screens allowing you to find and switch between the different TV and movie collections.”

Also new is “more personalized carousels on the homescreen” that provide quick access to TV shows and movies recommended for you based on your previous viewing habits.

A full list of what’s new is below:

What’s New in Version 1.4.3

We’ve made it faster and easier to find the videos you want to watch, adding a dropdown menu on the homescreen providing access to dozens of movie and TV collections. We’ve also added more personalized carousels on the homescreen, and provided a new navigation bar on the browse screens allowing you to find and switch between the different TV and movie collections.

Facebook reportedly developing Flipboard-like ‘Reader’ function for iOS

Mark Gurman Jun 23 2013 - 6:55 pm PT

Flipboard iPad app

According to a report from The Wall Street Journal, Facebook is developing a new tool that focuses on news consumption in order to re-shape its identity as a social network, like Twitter, that can compete in the news consumption space. The project, which is reportedly called “Reader,” would be a feature that runs on Apple’s iOS Devices such as the iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch. The WSJ shares some details on the project:

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9to5Toys Last Call: $10 free credit for Audible.com, $46 Logitech Solar iPad keyboard, $80 Elgato USB TV Tuner, Apps/Games, more

Jun 21 2013 - 3:07 pm PT

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 roundup 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

Today’s Featured deals:

Up to 65% off iPad Bluetooth Keyboard Cases:

Sold out ~~ZAGGkeys PRO $35 Shipped (Reg. $99)~~
Logitech Solar Folio $46 (Reg. $130)

Elgato EyeTV Hybrid USB TV Tuner for Mac / PC $80 Shipped (Reg. $150)

Some great Specials.9to5toys.com happening currently including half off Nuance PDF maker/editor ($49) and Dragon Dictate for Mac 3 ($100)

Other great deals we love:

New! Samsung 840 Series 250GB 2.5″ SATA III Solid State Drive (SSD) $150 Shipped (Reg. $250)
New! Get $10 free to Spend on Audiobooks from Audible.com
New! AT&T Wireless: 50% off smartphones from $1 to $200 + free shipping, activation

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Kickstarter: Vloggr for iPhone promises quick and easy video recording and editing

Mike Beasley Jun 21 2013 - 12:30 pm PT

Vloggr, an app that launched on Kickstarter today, is an interesting new app designed to quickly shoot and edit video blogs. The app sports a fairly simple interface that allows you film and reorder clips, then publish them to your social networks with a few taps.

The Kickstarter campaign is seeking $6,000 to cover the app’s development costs . A few of the rewards for early backers include promo codes to download the app at launch and your first vlog featured on the app’s website for a month.

Instagram hits 5M video uploads in first 24 hours, 40 hours per minute during NBA Finals

Jordan Kahn Jun 21 2013 - 11:31 am PT

Yesterday, Facebook unveiled its updated Instagram apps for iOS and Android that now include a new Vine-like video feature for creating 3-15 second long videos with, of course, Instagram-style filters. While there has been some backlash over the decision from a small group of users, it appears that a nice chunk of the service’s now 130 million strong user base are embracing the new video features. As noted by CNET, Facebook has since confirmed that over 5 million videos have been uploaded in the 24 hours since the updated apps were released.

Facebook also notes that Instagram was seeing around 40 hours of video uploaded per minute during the NBA Finals:

At peak, Instagram users uploaded 40 hours of video per minute. The climactic moment came Thursday night as the Miami Heat defeated the San Antonio Spurs during the NBA Finals, the spokesperson said.

Apps

Messenger app IM+ puts “off-the-record” encryption feature on sale

Scott Buscemi Jun 21 2013 - 12:02 am PT

With all of the privacy invasion news (read: PRISM) going around nowadays, lots of encryption and security solutions have been seeing record sales. iMessage uses end-to-end encryption, but the security of Skype, AIM and MSN are questionable.

The popular IM+ app (free version, pro version) is offering their $4.99 “off-the-record” feature for just 99 cents until the end of tomorrow. Rather than using a single, proprietary messaging services, IM+ uses the OTR standard that can be used with many messaging services and across many devices.

On their Facebook page, the company details OTR.

First of all, OTR is end-to-end encryption, which means that message is encrypted on sender’s side and decrypted on receiver’s side.

This distinguishes OTR from other encryption methods. For example, almost every messenger (including IM+) uses SSL encryption to connect to its own server. But what happens then, when it connects to AOL, Facebook, ICQ or any other IM server? There is no guarantee that messages are encrypted there and on the way to your contact.

But if you use OTR, no matter how many servers are used to pass message from you to your contact – none of them is able to decrypt the message, it may be decrypted only on your contact’s smartphone or computer.

In short, it’s an encryption system that works with any service by creating encryption/decryption keys that only last for a short amount of time. As detailed on the Facebook post, Pidgin (for Windows) and Adium (for Mac) support OTR.

If you want to keep all of your communications secure from all outsiders, definitely check out IM+ in the App Store (free version, pro version).

9to5Toys Last Call: App deals/ freebies galore, Pioneer Noise-Cancelling headphones $35, more

Jun 20 2013 - 3:00 pm PT

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 roundup 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

Today’s Featured deals:

Lots of great App / Game deals and freebies today:

Algoriddim’s audio/video mixing app Vjay: free (Reg. $10)
Infinity Blade 2: $1, Sonic The Hedgehog 4: $1, more
~~Readdle’s Calendars+ for iOS goes free for the first time ever (Reg. $7)~~
Far Cry 3: $20, Assassin’s Creed 3: $20, Pre-Played Games under $20, more
PlayStation 4 launch bundles now available w/ release day delivery and small discounts. Microsoft did away with the outlandish Xbox One DRM policies, now seems like a good time to lock in your day-one Xbox.

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Photoful takes an amazing gesture-based approach to organizing and sharing photos

Scott Buscemi Jun 20 2013 - 1:55 pm PT

Even with upcoming improvements to the native Photos app in iOS 7, simple tasks like sharing, organizing and deleting a couple of photos can take quite a few taps. If you’d like to share multiple photos, you need to tap on literally every single picture then press the share button. In comes the new, free Photoful app – and it blows the native app out of the water.
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$25 million “Leap Fund” announced for Leap Motion app developers

Jordan Kahn Jun 20 2013 - 1:36 pm PT

One of the investors backing Leap Motion, the company behind the 3D gesture control hardware coming out on July 22, today announced a new $25 million fund to support the development of third-party apps for the platform (via CNET):

The Leap Fund was designed so that HCP can invest in promising technologies and companies utilizing Leap Motion’s technology. Given that that technology has obvious applications across a wide range of industries, from gaming to medical to architecture and beyond, it’s easy to imagine any number of potential investments for the fund. Highland also plans on offering mentorship and other advice to those receiving money through the Leap Fund, and Leap Motion and Highland together plan to be involved in “joint community activities to help foster innovation and entrepreneurship around Leap Motion’s technology platform,” they said in a release.

As a reminder, we went hands on with the Leap Motion controller a couple times already and enjoyed the experience.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xKZcn1sLD3o

Want to know who unfollowed or unfriended you? There’s an app for that.

Scott Buscemi Jun 20 2013 - 12:22 pm PT

That hurts, Zac.

Your follow count is dropping fast, but who are the ones that are unfollowing you? Was it spammers who don’t matter or was it Scoble who grew tired of your tweets? With the free Friend Check app, you can find out.

Once you install the app and give it permission to access your Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, or Instagram account, it will take a snapshot of your followers, mutual, and following lists. At any time, you can create a new snapshot and compare that to the previous one. The screenshot above shows the exact snapshot where fellow 9to5Mac reporter Zac Hall decided to unfollow me (only to test the app, of course!).

The only “con” I’ve found with this app is that they give you step-by-step instructions for literally everything the first time you use it. It is tiresome at first, but from then on it’s smooth-sailing unfollower goodness.

Friend Check is currently free to download in the App Store. You can add one account of each service or pay the 99 cents in-app purchase to enable multi-account support.

YouTube app for iOS updated with suggestions for what to watch next

Mark Gurman Jun 20 2013 - 10:42 am PT

Simultaneous with Instagram’s video-focused update, Google’s YouTube video service has updated its iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch application with a couple of neat new features. For those interested in receiving suggestions for which video to watch next, the YouTube iOS app can now provide overlaid suggestions. Additionally, closed-captioning support is available for live-streamed video. Stability improvements, including fixes for app crashes, are also available in this free (version 1.4) update.

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Facebook launches updated Instagram w/ 15 sec video clips, custom filters & cinematic stabilization

Jordan Kahn Jun 20 2013 - 10:16 am PT

http://vimeo.com/68765934

Today, live from Facebook’s press event, the company just announced that its bringing video to Instagram with a brand new set of features. In what appears to be direct competition for Twitter’s rapidly growing Vine video sharing app, Instagram will soon allow users to share similar short video clips. On stage, Instagram demoed an updated iOS app that now includes a button for video capture that will allow users to create 3-15 second long videos using multiple clips.

It also announced that it has partnered with an artist to create 13 brand new custom filters specifically for video and a handful of leading experts to integrate “mind blowing” cinematic video stabilization features (something that isn’t too great in a lot of other apps).

So what does this mean for your content? Nothing’s different from photos. We’re still committed to making sure you have control over all of your content. Only the people who you let see your photos will be able to see your videos. And as with photos, you own your videos.

As for where videos will appear, like photos, Instagram says “your video will appear on your profile and in feed. If your visibility is set to private, only your approved followers can see videos or photos you share.”

The video feature will also be available on the web, allowing users to view Instagram videos in any browser without having to use the apps.
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Logitech announces the Harmony Ultimate Hub: Turns any iPhone into a full-fledged Universal Remote

Jun 20 2013 - 6:32 am PT

After nearly selling their Harmony remote line, Logitech has officially announced the Harmony Ultimate Hub, an “appcessory” that turns any iPhone (or most any Smartphone!) into a slick universal remote. Bringing the beautiful Harmony remote touch interface to smartphones everywhere. The hub allows up to 8 devices to connect and control entertainment systems from anywhere in the house via a Bluetooth connection. No more precision remote shooting to try and hit the IR sensor just right…
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9to5Toys Last Call: Free $50 gift card w/ Bose headphones, Free iOS app Calendars+, games, more

Jun 19 2013 - 3:03 pm PT

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 roundup 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

Today’s Featured deals:

Bose AE2 Audio Headphones + free $50 Dell Gift Card $150 Shipped ($200 Value)

Readdle’s Calendars+ for iOS goes free for the first time ever (Reg. $7)

Some great Specials.9to5toys.com happening currently including half off Nuance PDF maker/editor ($49) and Dragon Dictate for Mac 3 ($100)

Other great deals we love:

New! iHome Desk Lamp with Pen Organizer and Speaker $12 + $5 Shipping
New! Game/App Deals: Far Cry 3: $20, Assassin’s Creed 3: $20, Pre Played Games under $20, more
New! Apple authentic Lightning to USB cable (Refurbished) $8 Shipped (Reg. $20 New)
New! Goal Zero Solar charger/rechargeable battery pack: $89
New! Sony 1080p 60Hz Blu-ray Player w/ Netflix, Pandora, YouTube streaming (Refurb.) $40 Shipped (Reg. $80 new)
- Star Wars Original / Prequel Trilogy only $30 with free shipping. Lowest prices ever.

Logitech Compact Bluetooth Keyboard for iPads/tablets, Macs/PCs: $20+$5 shipping (Reg. $50)
Solid Mac Bundle including Corel Painter, iTunes TuneUp, DiskDrill, Mac Scan, Netspot pro, more: $30
Gamers’ Deals: PlayStation Vita Madden 13 Bundle $210 + Shipping, App freebies, more
Philips HF3470 Natural Wake-up Light $57 + free shipping (Reg. $100)
Nike+ SportWatch with TomTom GPS $137.50 Shipped (Reg. $170)
PlayStation 4 launch bundles now available w/ release day delivery and small discounts – Xbox One is also available.
Save $30 on select Kindle Fire HD tablets, starting at just $170 w/ free in-store pickup – The lowest price we’ve ever seen.
MacBook Pro with Retina display 13” 2.9GHz i7, 256GB flash: $1600 shipped (up to $200 off)
Targus iPad 3/4 Slim Case in Charcoal Gray $9 + Shipping (Reg. $50)
Apple iPad Leather Smart Cover (open box) $15 Shipped (Reg. $69 new)

Lytro launches WiFi-connected iPhone app to share photos on-the-go

Mark Gurman Jun 19 2013 - 12:28 pm PT

Lytro, the company behind the light-field camera system by the same name, has launched an iPhone and iPod touch application. The app connects to the Lytro Camera via a WiFi connection to allow Lytro camera users to easily sync photos from the camera to the iOS device.

Using the technologies in an iOS device, users, via the app, can then share their photos via social networks such as Twitter and Facebook. Because iOS devices have built-in text messaging and email capabilities, Lytro photos can be shared instantly via those mediums as well.

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