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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.

9to5Toys Last Call: UE BOOM 2 Bluetooth Speaker $150, DJI Phantom 3 Drone $399, Free App of the Week, more

Keep up with the best gear and deals on the web by signing up for the 9to5Toys Newsletter. Also, be sure to check us out on: TwitterRSS FeedFacebookGoogle+ and Safari push notifications.

TODAY’S CAN’T MISS DEALS:

Last Call Updates:

Apple 13-inch MacBook Air 1.6GHz/4GB/128GB (newest version): $800 shipped (Reg. $999)

UE BOOM 2 Waterproof Bluetooth Speaker in all colors: $150 shipped (Reg. $200)

DJI Phantom 3 Standard Drone w/ 2.7K HD Camera drops to $399 shipped (Reg. $450+)

App Store Free App of the Week: CHOMP interactive storybook goes free for the first time ($3 value)

Game Dev Story for iOS now matching its lowest price ever: $1 (Reg. $5)

Apple offers Day One 2 iOS journal app for free ($10 value)

Take It Easy iOS puzzler/brain teaser goes free for the first time in years (Reg. $2)

Sprint customers can now (but probably shouldn’t) pay monthly for Amazon Prime

Apple 21-inch Retina 4K iMac 3.1GHz/8GB/1TB (newest version): $1,300 shipped (Reg. $1,499)

Buy a refurbished Apple AirPort Express Wi-Fi router w/ 1-yr warranty for $49 shipped (Orig. $99)

MORE NEW GEAR FROM TODAY:

Smartphone Accessories: BYTECH 14,000mAh Power Bank $17 shipped (Orig. $40), more

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MORE DEALS STILL ALIVE:

iOttie Car Mounts for iPhone/Android Devices: Easy One Touch 2 $13 (Reg. $20), w/ Qi Charger $40 (Reg. $55)


Hit the road w/ TP-LINK’s 802.11n Portable Travel Router
for $8 Prime Shipped (Reg. $13)

Apple Watch 42mm Space Gray Milanese Loop Band + Aluminum Dock: $27 Prime shipped (Reg. $35)

NEW PRODUCTS & MORE:

Seagate unveils the “world’s first” USB-powered 8TB desktop hard drive

9to5Toys Last Call: iOttie iPhone Car Mount $13, TP-LINK Travel Router $8, Philips Wake Up lights from $65, more

Keep up with the best gear and deals on the web by signing up for the 9to5Toys Newsletter. Also, be sure to check us out on: TwitterRSS FeedFacebookGoogle+ and Safari push notifications.

TODAY’S CAN’T MISS DEALS:

Last Call Updates:

App Store Free App of the Week: CHOMP interactive storybook goes free for the first time ($3 value)

iOttie Car Mounts for iPhone/Android Devices: Easy One Touch 2 $13 (Reg. $20), w/ Qi Charger $40 (Reg. $55)

Hit the road w/ TP-LINK’s 802.11n Portable Travel Router for $8 Prime Shipped (Reg. $13)

Amazon Gold Box – Philips Wake up lights up to 39% off: Colored Sunrise Simulation $104 (Reg. $140), more

[tweet https://twitter.com/9to5toys/status/715577904961351680 align=’center’]

Apple 21-inch Retina 4K iMac 3.1GHz/8GB/1TB (newest version): $1,300 shipped (Reg. $1,499)

MacID for iOS: Unlock your Mac with your iPhone/Apple Watch for $1 (Reg. $4)

Apple offers Day One 2 iOS journal app for free ($10 value)

App Store Free App of the Week: Motorsport Manager goes free for the first time ($2 value)

Buy a refurbished Apple AirPort Express Wi-Fi router w/ 1-yr warranty for $49 shipped (Orig. $99)

MORE NEW GEAR FROM TODAY:

Headphones: AKG Tiesto DJ-style $30 (Reg. up to $80), earbuds from $14, more

MORE DEALS STILL ALIVE:

Smart 120Hz LED HDTVs: Samsung 50-inch 4K $639 (Reg. $950+), Sony 55-inch 1080p $700 (Reg. $800), more

Smart 4K 60Hz LED UHDTVs: Samsung 60-inch $949 (Reg. $1,200), LG 49-inch $499 (Reg. $600), more

Samsung 50-inch 4K 3D 120Hz Smart LED UHDTV w/ 4 HDMI inputs: $749 shipped (Reg. $1,400)

Apple Watch 42mm Space Gray Milanese Loop Band + Aluminum Dock: $27 Prime shipped (Reg. $35)

NEW PRODUCTS & MORE:

Sony’s new RX10 III digital camera goes big with a 24-600mm lens and 4K capabilities

Unboxing the awesome, pricey C-3PO and Stormtrooper Bluetooth speakers [Video]

9to5Toys Last Call: Retina iMac $1,300, Samsung 50″ 4K UHDTV $639, iPad Bluetooth Keyboards $26, more

Keep up with the best gear and deals on the web by signing up for the 9to5Toys Newsletter. Also, be sure to check us out on: TwitterRSS FeedFacebookGoogle+ and Safari push notifications.

TODAY’S CAN’T MISS DEALS:

Last Call Updates:

iOttie Car Mounts for iPhone/Android Devices: Easy One Touch 2 $13 (Reg. $20), w/ Qi Charger $40 (Reg. $55)

Apple 21-inch Retina 4K iMac 3.1GHz/8GB/1TB (newest version): $1,300 shipped (Reg. $1,499)

Smart 120Hz LED HDTVs: Samsung 50-inch 4K $639 (Reg. $950+), Sony 55-inch 1080p $700 (Reg. $800), more

Smart 4K 60Hz LED UHDTVs: Samsung 60-inch $949 (Reg. $1,200), LG 49-inch $499 (Reg. $600), more

Samsung 50-inch 4K 3D 120Hz Smart LED UHDTV w/ 4 HDMI inputs: $749 shipped (Reg. $1,400)

Anker Bluetooth Keyboards for iPad Air/2, mini 3/2/1, more: $26 Prime shipped (Reg. up to $36)

MacID for iOS: Unlock your Mac with your iPhone/Apple Watch for $1 (Reg. $4)

Apple offers Day One 2 iOS journal app for free ($10 value)

App Store Free App of the Week: Motorsport Manager goes free for the first time ($2 value)

Buy a refurbished Apple AirPort Express Wi-Fi router w/ 1-yr warranty for $49 shipped (Orig. $99)

MORE NEW GEAR FROM TODAY:

Games/Apps: Hundreds $1, Bayonetta 2 $24, Sony Metal Gear PSN sale w/ titles from $5, freebies, more

[tweet https://twitter.com/9to5toys/status/715213432371302402 align=’center’]

MORE DEALS STILL ALIVE:

Apple Watch 42mm Space Gray Milanese Loop Band + Aluminum Dock: $27 Prime shipped (Reg. $35)

Samsung 850 EVO 1TB 2.5-inch Internal Solid-State Drive $260 shipped (Orig. $470)

NEW PRODUCTS & MORE:

QWERKYWRITER is a mechanical Bluetooth keyboard that takes us back to simpler times

Build an Alexa-enabled device using a Raspberry Pi

Fantastical 2.2 for Mac adds native Exchange support, printable calendars, & more

Fantastical has long been my go-to calendar on Mac, iPad, and iPhone, and today the Fantastical 2.2 update is hitting the Mac App Store. The intelligent calendar and reminders app started out as a menu bar utility with really, really good natural language detection for creating appointments and entries, plus a streamlined list view of upcoming items. Then a year ago Fantastical 2 debuted on the Mac, which graduated the menu bar app to a full-fledged calendar that easily competes with the built-in calendar app. The latest 2.2 update builds on that release by adding a handful of useful features including native Exchange support.


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Waze app will now alert you when driving over the speed limit

The Waze maps app— the one Google acquired a few years back to improve its own mapping services—today announced a new features that will warn drivers when they are driving over the speed limit. 

Now when you’re using the Waze app to navigate, you’ll automatically see a visual warning (pictured above) if you go over the speed limit, and you can also manually set audio warnings for reaching the limit or hitting 5, 10 or 15% over.


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Report: Text hidden deep in Facebook Messenger code hints at monetization plan

Facebook Messenger

According to a report out of The Information today, Facebook has begun preparing several new features for Facebook Messenger, including a new service that allows users to pay for items to be picked up in person, a new “secret” chat feature, and more. If nothing else, these features could be insight into how the company plans to monetize its messaging platform…


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Instagram rolling out longer 60-second videos + multi-clip support on iOS

Hot on the heels of Snapchat’s Chat 2.0 announcement, Instagram has officially announced support for sharing longer user created videos. Noting that viewership on Instagram videos has increased by more than 40 percent in the last six months, Instagram today will begin rolling out 60-second length videos to all.


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9to5Toys Last Call: APC Back-UPS Connect $19, MacID for iOS $1, Samsung EVO 1TB SSD $260, more

Keep up with the best gear and deals on the web by signing up for the 9to5Toys Newsletter. Also, be sure to check us out on: TwitterRSS FeedFacebookGoogle+ and Safari push notifications.

TODAY’S CAN’T MISS DEALS:

Last Call Updates:

Apple 21-inch Retina 4K iMac 3.1GHz/8GB/1TB (newest version): $1,300 shipped (Reg. $1,499)

[tweet https://twitter.com/9to5toys/status/714900089412718592 align=’center’]

Amazon Gold Box – APC Power Products up to 50% off: Network Backup w/ USB Charging Ports $19Reg. $40), more

MacID for iOS: Unlock your Mac with your iPhone/Apple Watch for $1 (Reg. $4)

Samsung 850 EVO 1TB 2.5-inch Internal Solid-State Drive $260 shipped (Orig. $470)

Apple offers Day One 2 iOS journal app for free ($10 value)

App Store Free App of the Week: Motorsport Manager goes free for the first time ($2 value)

Buy a refurbished Apple AirPort Express Wi-Fi router w/ 1-yr warranty for $49 shipped (Orig. $99)

MORE NEW GEAR FROM TODAY:

Apple Watch 42mm Space Gray Milanese Loop Band + Aluminum Dock: $27 Prime shipped (Reg. $35)

MORE DEALS STILL ALIVE:

Best Buy offers $50 gift card w/ iPhone SE purchase & up to $350 off the new iPad Pro 9.7 on Verizon

Smart 4K 60Hz LED UHDTVs: Samsung 60-inch $949 (Reg. $1,200), LG 49-inch $499 (Reg. $600), more

Samsung 50-inch 4K 3D 120Hz Smart LED UHDTV w/ 4 HDMI inputs: $749 shipped (Reg. $1,400)

NEW PRODUCTS & MORE:

The Kuvée smart wine bottle brings the Internet of Things to grapes near you

Snapchat update adds new voice and video features, stickers, and more for messaging

Snapchat is changing how you communicate with friends in a major way through what it’s calling Chat 2.0. The social network says it focused two years ago on making chatting more like face-to-face conversation with features like letting you know when your friends were present and “listening” to what you were typing, and the latest Snapchat update refocuses on the 1-to-1 chat aspect of the app with new features around voice and video calling plus stickers and more. How you watch Stories is also getting a change in the new update.


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SoundCloud launches $10/month ‘Go’ subscription service w/ ad-free & offline listening

Big changes are coming to the community-based music streaming service SoundCloud as the company today introduces a new subscription service for the first time.

The new feature, dubbed SoundCloud Go, will allow users to listen to SoundCloud music both offline and ad-free for $10/month:


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Nintendo’s first iOS game Miitomo will launch in US & other countries on March 31

Update: The Miitomo app is now available on the U.S. App Store.

The game is already available in Japan— that’s how Jeff managed to go hands-on in our first look video earlier this month— but today Nintendo confirmed that its first iOS game, Miitomo, will officially arrive in the US on March 31st.

The game isn’t exactly bringing over any of Nintendo’s very popular first party franchises to iPhones and iPads, but it does feature known Mii characters and, as we noted in our review, the release feels very much like a Nintendo title:

When you first start Miitomo, it’s immediately recognizable as a Nintendo title. It feels like someone took my Nintendo Wii and shrunk it down to fit inside of my iPhone 6s. The music and sound effects, most notably, are of the characteristic Nintendo style. The Miis themselves look just like the Miis on the game-maker’s handheld and home consoles. The writing — witty, with just a hint of corniness thrown in for good measure — is classic Nintendo.

Nintendo noted in its press release today that Miitomo was downloaded over a million times in the first three days after launch in Japan and it also managed to become the #1 most downloaded free app in both the App Store and Google Play.

While Nintendo didn’t mention other countries by name today, it did say that “several other countries” will receive the title on the 31st alongside users in the US.

Check out our review of the game from earlier this month to get a first look before it officially arrives in the US and other countries on the 31st.

9to5Toys Last Call: Anker 10-port USB Charger $30, Adobe Photoshop Elements $45, Philips hue LightStrip Kit $100, more

Keep up with the best gear and deals on the web by signing up for the 9to5Toys Newsletter. Also, be sure to check us out on: TwitterRSS FeedFacebookGoogle+ and Safari push notifications.

TODAY’S CAN’T MISS DEALS:

Last Call Updates:

Samsung SmartThings home automation devices: 2nd gen. Hub $79 (Reg. $99), Outlet $44 (Reg. $55), more

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Gold Box: 60% off Anker products: 60W 10-USB Charger: $30, Desk Lamp $30, Waterproof BT speaker: $23, batteries, more

Daily Deals: Adobe Photoshop Elements 14 (DVD or Download) $45, Toshiba 13.3-inch Chromebook 2 (Refurb) $165, more

Philips Friends of hue LightStrip Luminaire Starter Kit: $100 shipped (Reg. $130+)

Apple offers Day One 2 iOS journal app for free ($10 value)

App Store Free App of the Week: Motorsport Manager goes free for the first time ($2 value)

Buy a refurbished Apple AirPort Express Wi-Fi router w/ 1-yr warranty for $49 shipped (Orig. $99)

MORE NEW GEAR FROM TODAY:

Samsung Smart TVs w/ 4 HDMI Inputs: 60-inch 4K $949 (Reg. $1,200), 50-inch 1080p $525 (Reg. $730), more

SanDisk mobile storage: 64GB microSD $18, 128GB Lightning flash drive $90, 200GB Wi-Fi flash drive $100, more

[tweet https://twitter.com/9to5toys/status/714471889050148864 align=’center’]

MORE DEALS STILL ALIVE:

Best Buy offers $50 gift card w/ iPhone SE purchase & up to $350 off the new iPad Pro 9.7 on Verizon

Samsung 50-inch 4K 3D 120Hz Smart LED UHDTV w/ 4 HDMI inputs: $749 shipped (Reg. $1,400)

NEW PRODUCTS & MORE:

This Kickstarter project allows up to 10 people wirelessly listen to nearly any source

9to5Toys Last Call: Samsung 50-inch 4K 3D UHDTV $849, Lara Croft Go $1, iPad Air 2 Wi-Fi + Cell (Refurb) $360, more

Keep up with the best gear and deals on the web by signing up for the 9to5Toys Newsletter. Also, be sure to check us out on: TwitterRSS FeedFacebookGoogle+ and Safari push notifications.

TODAY’S CAN’T MISS DEALS:

Last Call Updates:

Best Buy offers $50 gift card w/ iPhone SE purchase & up to $350 off the new iPad Pro 9.7 on Verizon

Samsung 50-inch 4K 3D 120Hz Smart LED UHDTV w/ 4 HDMI inputs: $849 shipped (Reg. $1,400)

Lara Croft Go for iOS drops to its lowest price ever: $1 (Reg. $5)

Daily Deals: iPad Air 2 Wi-Fi + Cellular (Refurb) from $360, Logitech Wireless Laser Marathon Mouse $24, more

Apple 13-inch MacBook Air 1.6GHz/4GB/128GB (newest version): $790 shipped (Reg. $999)

Travel light w/ Apple’s 11-inch MacBook Air 1.6GHz/4GB/128GB for $710 shipped (Reg. $899)

Save big on Apple’s newest laptops: Retina MacBook Pro $1,000 (Reg. $1,299)

Apple offers Day One 2 iOS journal app for free ($10 value)

App Store Free App of the Week: Motorsport Manager goes free for the first time ($2 value)

Buy a refurbished Apple AirPort Express Wi-Fi router w/ 1-yr warranty for $49 shipped (Orig. $99)

Don’t jump on Apple’s $50 Watch price drop, you can do better! Deals from $249 shipped

Apple iPad mini 4 prices trimmed by $100, 16GB Wi-Fi models now start at just $300 shipped

MORE NEW GEAR FROM TODAY:

Smartphone Accessories: Aukey 3-Port USB-C/A Car QuickCharger $16, iPhone 6 Wallet Case $13, more

MORE DEALS STILL ALIVE:

Adobe Creative Cloud Photography plan (Photoshop CC + Lightroom): $8/month (save $24/yr)

Apple TV Deals: 4th Gen 64GB $175 (Reg. $200), 3rd Gen $49 (Reg. $69), more

NEW PRODUCTS & MORE:

TCL’s new 4K Roku-enabled UHDTVs hit every price point

How-to: Use your car and an inexpensive inverter to replace the need for a home generator

Apple announces first original TV show focused on the ‘app economy’ with music artist Will.i.am

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Apple has long been rumored to be creating its own original TV content, and now it’s made its first plans official. Apple shared today that it will work with TV executives Ben Silverman and Howard T. Owens, as well as rapper Will.i.am on its first TV project (via NY Times). Silverman is perhaps best known for his work on shows like The Biggest Loser, while Owens is one of the minds behind MasterChef Junior.


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iTunes U for iOS adds support for Managed Apple IDs, Shared iPad optimization, & Spotlight Search

Earlier this week, Apple released the first version of its new Classroom iOS app for iPad, and today the company’s other educational app iTunes U has been updated with new features. iOS 9.3 includes initial support for the new Shared iPad feature for classrooms, which makes using iPads between classrooms versus one iPad per each student in school possible, and iTunes U is now optimized with support. Managed Apple IDs are also compatible now, and other iOS 9 features like Spotlight Search which let you find content in apps from the Home screen now have better support. Full release notes below:


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9to5Toys Last Call: 13-inch MacBook Air $790, DJI Phantom 3 Standard $399, PNY 120GB SSD $38, more

Keep up with the best gear and deals on the web by signing up for the 9to5Toys Newsletter. Also, be sure to check us out on: TwitterRSS FeedFacebookGoogle+ and Safari push notifications.

TODAY’S CAN’T MISS DEALS:

Last Call Updates:

App Store Free App of the Week: Motorsport Manager goes free for the first time ($2 value)

Apple 13-inch MacBook Air 1.6GHz/4GB/128GB (newest version): $790 shipped (Reg. $999)

Travel light w/ Apple’s 11-inch MacBook Air 1.6GHz/4GB/128GB for $710 shipped (Reg. $899)

Save big on Apple’s newest laptops: Retina MacBook Pro $1,000 (Reg. $1,299)

DJI Phantom 3 Standard Drone w/ 2.7K Camera HD Camera drops to $399 shipped (Reg. $450+)

Daily Deals: PNY 2.5-inch 120GB Internal Solid State Drive $38, Insignia 2-Way Speakers (Pair) $20, more

Apple offers Day One 2 iOS journal app for free ($10 value)

Buy a refurbished Apple AirPort Express Wi-Fi router w/ 1-yr warranty for $49 shipped (Orig. $99)

Don’t jump on Apple’s $50 Watch price drop, you can do better! Deals from $249 shipped

Apple iPad mini 4 prices trimmed by $100, 16GB Wi-Fi models now start at just $300 shipped

App Store Free App of the Week: Sputnik Eyes puzzler goes free for the first time ($2 value)

Adobe Creative Cloud Photography plan (Photoshop CC + Lightroom): $8/month (save $24/yr)

MORE NEW GEAR FROM TODAY:

Networking: TP-Link 802.11n Travel Router $8 (Reg. $13)more

MORE DEALS STILL ALIVE:

iTunes $10 HD movie downloads: Sicario, Spotlight, Creed, The LEGO Movie and many more

Save 75% on any movie rental including new releases: The Big Short, Sisters, Revenant, more

Best Buy 2-Day Sale: Beats Solo2 headphones $100 (Orig. $200) or Studios for $150 (Orig. $300), more

Apple TV Deals: 4th Gen 64GB $175 (Reg. $200), 3rd Gen $49 (Reg. $69), more

NEW PRODUCTS & MORE:

The Tovala iOS-connected oven scans and automatically prepares your dinner

How-to: Use your car and an inexpensive inverter to replace the need for a home generator

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First look at gameplay from the upcoming Pokémon Go iOS game

After announcing a deal in September to produce a Pokémon Go games with Nintendo and Alphabet-owned Niantic, the Pokémon people are today showing a little more about how gameplay will work and giving us a first look at the title coming to both iOS and Android devices.

The game uses augmented reality features to blend real world objects and locations with the gameplay, and the company today gave the run down and a look at how exactly that will work:


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