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6,375 'Apps' stories April 2010 - December 2015
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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.

Season 2 of the hugely popular (and compelling) podcast Serial now available on iTunes

Avatar for Ben Lovejoy Dec 11 2015 - 5:19 am PT
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Serial was one of the most compelling podcast series I’ve ever listened to, and was directly responsible for my sleep deprivation in the week I first discovered it. A spinoff from The American Life, season 1 told the true story of what sounded very much like a miscarriage of justice in a murder case, leading to the case being reopened more than 15 years later. The podcast is now back with season 2.

[tweet https://twitter.com/iTunesPodcasts/status/675087610822414341 align=’center’]

The second season tells the story of Bowe Bergdahl, a U.S. soldier held for five years by the Taliban, initially hailed as a hero and later charged with desertion.

In the middle of the night, Pfc. Bowe Bergdahl grabs a notebook, snacks, water, some cash. Then he quietly slips off a remote U.S. Army outpost in eastern Afghanistan and into the dark, open desert. About 20 minutes later, it occurs to him: he’s in over his head.

I know what I’ll be listening to on the train ride into town this evening.

Google Wallet for iOS can now send money to any contact using just a phone number

Avatar for Cam Bunton Dec 10 2015 - 1:43 pm PT
0 Comments

With the rise of contactless payment systems like Apple Pay and Android Pay, the Google Wallet app has needed to reinvent itself somewhat as a peer-to-peer payment system. With the latest update, it’s become a whole lot easier to send money to your friends, family and contacts.

From today, the updated app on both iOS and Android will let you send money to anyone on your contact list, even if you don’t have their email address. You can send money to them using their phone number, and it’s secure and fast.

When you send money to a phone number, the recipient gets a text message containing a secure link. Once they click on the link, they input their debit card details to claim the money and the funds are available in their bank account within a few minutes.

Before today, you could send money to contacts, but you could only do so by using an email address.

This is just one of several new features added to Google Wallet in recent weeks. It’s clear then that the company is working hard to make it a useful app, and one that isn’t made redundant by the arrival of Android Pay, or competitor payment systems like Apple Pay, Samsung Pay or *coughs* Walmart Pay. Those improvements include:

  • Improved contact suggestions, so you see the people you send money to most often first
  • A security feature that lets you lock the Google Wallet app with the tap of a button
  • The ability to link a second bank account

You can download the latest update for iPhone from the App Store for free. Apple is rumored to be developing its own peer-to-peer payment feature for Apple Pay in 2016.

Tumblr for iOS now supports sharing Live Photos & 3D Touch

Avatar for Zac Hall Dec 10 2015 - 9:32 am PT
1 Comment

Apple has allowed developers to support sharing Live Photos in their own apps since iOS 9.1, and Tumblr appears to be the first major social network to take advantage of the new iPhone 6s and 6s Plus feature Tumblr 5.0 for iOS was released today and supports sharing the new animated photos, 3D Touch within the app, and a few other goodies.


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Yahoo’s new Video Guide app offers universal search across streaming services

Avatar for Jordan Kahn Dec 10 2015 - 9:31 am PT
0 Comments

Yahoo today released a new “Yahoo Video Guide” app for mobile devices that acts as one central location for users to find content from across a long list of competitive video services and networks.

The app allows users to search from one place and then offers links to buy or start streaming the content in other apps like iTunes, Amazon, Netflix, HBO GO, and many others. So you’ll still need to be a subscriber, have the app downloaded, and or purchase the content once the Yahoo Video Guide app redirects you.

And while you can just search for something you’re looking for, the app also has a Mood Picker feature that lets users pick a from GIFs to search through curated lists. 

Yahoo of course has its own Yahoo Screen app for mobile devices, but it also links to content on iTunes, Amazon Video, Hulu, Netflix, HBO GO, ABC, FOX, CBS, NBC, Xfinity, YouTube, A&E, BET, Cartoon Network, Cinemax, Comedy Central, Disney, Food Network, and others. In total it says it’s promoting over 30 video services through the new Video Guide app.

The Yahoo Video Guide iPhone app is available to download for free on the U.S. App Store now.

Just over a month in, there are 2600 Apple TV apps, most priced just like iPhone apps

Avatar for Ben Lovejoy Dec 10 2015 - 7:06 am PT
8 Comments

The AppFigures blog has been running the numbers on Apple TV apps, are there are no great surprises. It found that there were 2,624 apps in the store at the time of writing (in line with Eddy Cue’s statement yesterday that there are “more than 2000”), and that the vast majority of them fall into the games and entertainment categories.

So far, at least, developers seem to be pricing them very much like iPhone apps, with $0.99 the most common price, and 85% of them costing no more than $2.99. One slight surprise, though, is that almost 40% of them are paid, rather than free or with in-app purchases.

TV apps are currently growing at the rate of a little under 500 apps per week. Have you got any favorites yet? If so, let us know in the comments.

Product Hunt launches redesigned iPhone app with 3D Touch, podcast playback, better discovery, more

Avatar for Zac Hall Dec 10 2015 - 7:00 am PT
0 Comments

Originally launched as a way to vote on new technology products, Product Hunt has since greatly expanded to include media like podcasts and books as well as games and other content. Product Hunt rolled out a visually refreshed home page a couple weeks back to reflect the evolution, and today the service is unveiling a redesigned iPhone app with new features to match…


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GoPro’s new Apple Watch app lets you preview camera angle, start/stop recording, tag and more [Video]

Avatar for Ben Lovejoy Dec 10 2015 - 6:27 am PT
2 Comments

GoPro has updated its iOS app with support for the Apple Watch, demonstrated in the video below featuring pro skateboarder Mikey Taylor. Owners previously had to use a third-party app to control their action cams from the Watch.

GoPro is excited to launch Apple Watch features for the GoPro mobile app, featuring a simple design that gives Apple Watch users quick access to the camera’s controls right from the wrist. The Apple Watch features allow users to preview their shot, toggle between capture modes, start/stop record and add HiLight Tags to the best moments of their videos.

The iPhone app has also been updated to make it easier to grab still images from video clips and easily trim videos to 5-, 15- or 30-second lengths using the smart editing feature first introduced in September …


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Facebook app will soon display new content & allow comments even when you’re offline

Avatar for Ben Lovejoy Dec 10 2015 - 3:57 am PT
2 Comments

Modern ironies: a metro or train journey is one of those occasions when you have some time to catch up on your Facebook feed, but you often have no data connection or a very intermittent one. The company is currently testing a couple of features that should help.

The first is caching posts that have been downloaded but not yet viewed. When you’re offline, the app will display these posts.

We look at all the previously downloaded stories present on your phone that you have not yet viewed, and rank them based on their relevance. We also factor in whether the images for the story are available. This way we can immediately display relevant stories you haven’t seen yet, instead of showing a spinner while you wait for new stories.

Second, it will allow you to comment on posts even when offline, storing your comments in the app and then uploading them once you’re back online.

There’s no indication on when we’ll see the new features, but the fact that Facebook is sharing them suggests that they are likely to be introduced sooner rather than later.

Via Engadget. Photo startuppanel.co.

Pixelmator for iPhone and iPad adds Apple Pencil integration, 3D Touch Peek and Pop, home screen quick actions, more

Avatar for Benjamin Mayo Dec 10 2015 - 3:03 am PT
2 Comments

Pixelmator for iPhone and iPad today received another big update with several milestone features for the mobile image editor. Perhaps most importantly, Pixelmator for iOS now fully integrates with iPad Pro and the Apple Pencil. This includes highly responsive brushes taking advantage of the Apple Pencil’s low latency drawing as well as palm rejection support. The Apple Pencil brushes adapt to pressure and tilt of the Apple Pencil accessory.

For the iPhone app, Pixelmator has added 3D Touch support throughout the application …


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As Apple TVs streaming package seems delayed, Pandora Radio comes to tvOS

Avatar for Zac Hall Dec 9 2015 - 12:53 pm PT
4 Comments

There’s a lot happening around the new Apple TV in the news this week. Just yesterday Apple released the first feature update to the tvOS software with version 9.1, adding Siri support for Apple Music plus Apple’s Remote app now works for both navigating and text input. But recent reports claim Apple’s rumored web TV package has been stalled during the deal-making process between Apple and the content providers. And while the expected content bundle seems further off than what was previously expected, new content including Pandora Radio is continuing to launch on the new Apple TV…


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9to5Toys Last Call: Apple Watch $249, djay 2 for iPhone goes free, Bluetooth earbuds $17, more

Avatar for Trevor Daugherty Dec 9 2015 - 9:00 am PT
0 Comments

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: Twitter, RSS Feed, Facebook, Google+ and Safari push notifications.

TODAY’S CAN’T MISS DEALS:

Last Call Updates:

Skip the holiday blues with these practical stocking stuffers

Best Buy makes a splash with the lowest Apple Watch prices ever, deals start at just $249

Algoriddim’s djay 2 for iPhone is now available for free (Reg. $3)

Headphones: SoundPEATS Sport Bluetooth Earbuds $17 shipped (Reg. $30), more

Twelve South blowout: iPad mini leather case $25 Prime shipped (Reg. $70), more

$100 iTunes Physical Gift Card for $80 w/ free shipping (20% off)

Justin’s Holiday Gift Guide: speakers, Lightning mics, storage, pocket synths & more to up your home recording set-up

Giveaway: SanDisk USB flash drives for iPhone, iPad, and Android mobile devices

MORE NEW GEAR FROM TODAY:

Grab a 2-pack of Apple certified Lightning Cables with MicroUSB Adapters for $8 Prime Shipped

  • Samsung 850 2.5-inch Internal Solid-State Drives: PRO 512GB $198, EVO 500GB $138
  • Games/Apps: Star Wars Battlefront $40, Xbox One bundles from $300 or 1TB $450, more
  • Daily Deals: Bushnell Rangefinder plus Binoculars $150, more
  • Amazon names the best-selling books of 2015, snag one as a surefire holiday gift
  • Clothing/Fashion under $30: Levi’s Men’s 2 Belts In A Box $24, Hats, more
  • Amazon Gold Box – Travelpro Luggage 70%+ off: two-piece Hardside Spinner set $110, more

[tweet https://twitter.com/9to5toys/status/674581692569513985 align=’center’]

MORE DEALS STILL ALIVE:

Anker USB Power: 20,000mAh Dual-USB Battery $28 (Reg. $40), MFi Lightning Cables from $7, more

Samsung Ultra-Slim 8X USB DVD-R Optical Drive for Mac/PC/Android: $18 shipped (Orig. $26)

NEW PRODUCTS & MORE:

The future is (almost) here with Moley’s robotic kitchen that prepares meals from start to finish

The latest Omate smartwatch for iOS/Android hits Indiegogo w/ instant success

Hey Siri, download Cortana to my iPhone later today, would you?

Avatar for Ben Lovejoy Dec 9 2015 - 7:38 am PT
16 Comments

Microsoft has been offering the iOS version of its intelligent assistant Cortana as a small-scale beta since last month, and it’s now ready to go live. Cortana is available on the App Store now.

Don’t expect it to match Siri for functionality, however – with Siri deeply embedded into iOS and Cortana a mere app, it will have limited capabilities, but you can at least see how it compares when it comes to answering questions …


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Aurora HDR adds OS X Photos plug-in support, extreme noise reduction, free Pro bonuses

Avatar for Jeremy Horwitz Dec 9 2015 - 7:04 am PT
4 Comments

Aurora HDR, the Mac App Store Editors’ Choice-winning high-dynamic range (HDR) photography tool, is receiving significant updates ahead of the holidays. Released last month by Macphun and leading HDR photographer Trey Ratcliff, Aurora HDR automatically and intelligently merges multiple exposures of an image together, radically expanding details in light, shadowed, and colorful portions of the photo. It comes in basic (regularly $49.99) and Pro ($99) versions, the latter with a free trial.


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djay Pro lands on the iPad with Split View, tons of keyboard shortcuts, 4 track support, much more

Avatar for Zac Hall Dec 9 2015 - 7:00 am PT
7 Comments

A year ago Algoriddim introduced djay Pro to Mac, the professional version of the company’s highly popular DJ software that ever beginners can love, and today djay Pro is coming to iPad. It’s a whole new app for the tablet with a super clean look, loads of new features, and a highly responsive design. That means features like Split View and Slide Over totally work, letting you mix in djay Pro and actually use a second app alongside it. And while djay Pro is one of the first pro class apps to hit the iPad Pro where it really shines, it’s fully available on newer iPads as well. Check it out:


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Apple names its iPhone Apps of the Year, shares bestsellers across all categories & more

Avatar for Ben Lovejoy Dec 9 2015 - 6:30 am PT
1 Comment
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Apple has named live video sharing app Periscope its App of the Year 2015, and Tomb Raider’s puzzle spin-off Lara Croft GO as its Game of the Year. iPhone automation app Workflow won Most Innovative app, while Instagram took home the prize for Best App on the iPhone 6s.

In all, Apple picked 25 iPhone apps each for both general and games categories. It also shared the top 10 best-selling paid apps, most-downloaded free apps and top-grossing apps …


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Deezer Music app gets CarPlay support for paid subscribers

Avatar for Jordan Kahn Dec 8 2015 - 11:59 pm PT
0 Comments

Deezer Music, the music streaming service with around six million subscribers, is today launching support for Apple’s CarPlay platform.

The service has both free, ad-supported and paid plans, but the CarPlay feature will be limited to its Premium+ and Elite subscribers. Premium+ is the company’s paid monthly plan that removes advertising and adds a few features, while Elite is an upgraded plan with high definition audio available only to Sonos users currently.

Some features you’ll find in the app for CarPlay include:

  • Listen to albums, playlists and tracks
  • Use Flow to discover new music or hear your favourites based on your individual
  • listening behaviour
  • Listen to one of Deezer’s many Mixes to suit your mood
  • Access your music in offline mode

Deezer has around 35 millions songs and 40,000 podcasts and it’s available in 180 countries. In the US the service is currently only available for Cricket Wireless subscribers, and Sonos and Bose customers.

The updated Deezer Music iOS app with CarPlay support should hit the App Store sometime today.

9to5Toys Last Call: iPad mini 2 Wi-Fi 32GB $269, MFi Lightning Cables from $7, iPhone Car Mount $4, more

Avatar for Trevor Daugherty Dec 8 2015 - 9:00 am PT
0 Comments

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: Twitter, RSS Feed, Facebook, Google+ and Safari push notifications.

TODAY’S CAN’T MISS DEALS:

Last Call Updates:

Samsung Ultra-Slim 8X USB DVD-R Optical Drive for Mac/PC/Android: $18 shipped (Orig. $26)

[tweet https://twitter.com/9to5toys/status/674329935570411521 align=’center’]

Apple iPad mini 2 Wi-Fi 32GB $269 (Reg. $319), iPad Air 2 Wi-Fi 128GB $600 (Reg. $699)

Anker USB Power: 20,000mAh Dual-USB Battery $28 (Reg. $40), MFi Lightning Cables from $7, more

Daily Deals: Aukey Windshield Dashboard Car Mount Holder $4, more

$100 iTunes Physical Gift Card for $80 w/ free shipping (20% off)

Apple Watch comes w/ a free $100 gift card right now (effective savings up to 29%)

Justin’s Holiday Gift Guide: speakers, Lightning mics, storage, pocket synths & more to up your home recording set-up

Giveaway: SanDisk USB flash drives for iPhone, iPad, and Android mobile devices

MORE NEW GEAR FROM TODAY:

Bluetooth Speakers: URGE SOUNDBRICK PLUS $17 (Reg. $30), Amazon Large $60 (Reg. $80), more

  • Games/Apps: Assassin’s Creed Syndicate (all platforms) from $30, iOS freebies, more
  • Keep your coffee hot w/ top-rated Contigo Travel Mugs: from $12 Prime shipped
  • Convert RAW & edit photos at speed w/ AfterShot 2 Standard: $10 (Reg. $40)

MORE DEALS STILL ALIVE:

Apple’s latest freebie is Afterlight image editing app for iPhone and iPad ($1 value)

This RAVPower Travel Router provides Wi-Fi, a battery pack, and more for $30 (Reg. $50)

NEW PRODUCTS & MORE:

The latest Omate smartwatch for iOS/Android hits Indiegogo w/ instant success

Minecraft finally makes the jump to Wii U w/ exclusive Nintendo content coming soon

Snapchat down for many, company says aware of problem and working on a fix

Avatar for Ben Lovejoy Dec 8 2015 - 3:52 am PT
0 Comments

Snapchat Support has tweeted that it is aware that many users are “experiencing loading issues,” and says that it is working on a fix.

[tweet https://twitter.com/snapchatsupport/status/674156829551783940 align=’center’]

Users are variously reporting that they cannot login, load content or upload to the service.

Snapchat updated its iPhone app back in October, adding 3D Touch support and a new set of video filters.

Facebook removes Slingshot, Rooms, and Riff apps from App Store, closes Creative Labs

Avatar for Mike Beasley Dec 7 2015 - 10:32 am PT
4 Comments

Shortly after Dropbox announced it had shut down its popular Mailbox and Carousel apps, Facebook has made a similar move by removing a handful of its apps from the iOS App Store and shutting down the division that created them.

Facebook’s Creative Labs project was intended to promote the creation of apps like Snapchat competitor Slingshot, and has launched several apps with some success. However, the social site has apparently decided that the time has come to shutter that initiative and the apps it has produced.


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Dropbox shutting down popular Mailbox email client and Carousel photo app

Avatar for Mike Beasley Dec 7 2015 - 9:19 am PT
26 Comments

In a new blog post today, Dropbox has announced the shuttering of the Mailbox app it acquired in 2013, along with the Carousel photos app that launched last year. The beta build of Mailbox for Mac has not seen an update in quite some time, while the iOS version had been left to stagnate, leading many to believe this was the case already, but today’s announcement finally confirms it.

Dropbox says that the reason for the shutdowns was that company had “increased our team’s focus on collaboration and simplifying the way people work together.”


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9to5Toys Last Call: $100 iTunes credit for $80, Apple Watch w/ free $100 Gift Card, Afterlight (iOS) free, more

Avatar for Dec 7 2015 - 9:03 am PT
0 Comments

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: Twitter, RSS Feed, Facebook, Google+ and Safari push notifications.

TODAY’S CAN’T MISS DEALS:

Last Call Updates:

Griffin offers 25% off all its Apple Watch accessories: WatchStand $23.50 (Reg. $30), more

$100 iTunes Physical Gift Card for $80 w/ free shipping (20% off)

Apple Watch comes w/ a free $100 gift card right now (effective savings up to 29%)

Apple’s latest freebie is Afterlight image editing app for iPhone and iPad ($1 value)

Justin’s Holiday Gift Guide: speakers, Lightning mics, storage, pocket synths & more to up your home recording set-up

Giveaway: SanDisk USB flash drives for iPhone, iPad, and Android mobile devices

MORE NEW GEAR FROM TODAY:

This Leviton wall outlet has a pair of powerful USB ports, get it for $17 Prime shipped (Orig. $30)

MORE DEALS STILL ALIVE:

Grab Nomad’s gorgeous aluminum Apple Watch Stand at its best price ever: $41 shipped (Reg. $60)

App Store Free App of the Week: Monument Valley goes free (Reg. $4)

TextExpander 5 for Mac, award-winning productivity app now $22 (Orig. $45)

NEW PRODUCTS & MORE:

Razor details its new Hovertrax Smart Scooter ahead of release

Anova Culinary updates its sous vide Precision Cooker w/ Wi-Fi  for cooking away from home