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6,531 'Apps' stories April 2010 - January 2016
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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: Fitbit Wristbands from $90, iPhone 6s car vent mount $5, Tomb Raider 2 for iOS $1, more

Avatar for Justin Kahn Jan 5 2016 - 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:

DJI Phantom 3 Standard Quadcopter w/ 2.7K Camera: $499 shipped (Reg. $699), more

Fitbit Wireless Activity Wristbands w/ free shipping: Charge $90 (Reg. $130), Charge HR $110 (Reg. $150)

Aukey Magnetic iPhone 6s Car Air Vent Mount $5 (Reg. $8)

Games/Apps: Tomb Raider 2 for iOS $1, Disney Infinity 3.0 Star Wars Pack $40, Nintendo Refurb 2DS $60, more

App Store Free App of the Week: Colorburn adds 1,000 photo filters to your iOS device for free (Reg. $1)

Lifeline 2 and Lifeline: Silent Night games for iOS/Android drop to $0.99 each

Apple is giving away Pixite’s Union image blending iOS app ($2 value)

Disney’s Castle of Illusion drops to its best price in over a year: $1 (Reg. $10)

MORE NEW GEAR FROM TODAY:

Daily Deals: Microsoft Universal Bluetooth iPad Keyboard $40, Jawbone UP Move Activity Tracker $20, more

MORE DEALS STILL ALIVE:

Beats by Dre Powerbeats2 Wireless Active Collection Earphones from $120 shipped (Reg. $200)

Apple 27-inch Retina 5K iMac (Late 2014) 3.5GHz/8GB/1TB Fusion: $1,699 shipped (Orig. $2,499)

Best Buy Apple sale: iPad Air 2 $125 off, iPad Air $100 off, iPad mini 4 $100 off, much more!

Anker ToughShell iPhone 6/s/Plus Case w/ built-in tempered glass screen protector: $10 (Reg. $18)

NEW PRODUCTS & MORE:

DJI introduces new 4K drone with a more affordable price, updates Inspire 1 PRO

Samsung’s newest ‘Family Hub’ refrigerator sports a Tesla-like 21-inch 1080p display

LastPass password manager update adds emergency access, sharing center and new UI [Video]

Avatar for Ben Lovejoy Jan 5 2016 - 5:42 am PT
4 Comments

LastPass has updated its Mac and iOS apps and browser extensions to version 4.0 to add an emergency access feature and shared passwords, as well as a significantly revamped user-interface.

Emergency Access (shown below) is designed to ensure that you aren’t permanently locked out of your account if you ever forget your master password.

Emergency Access lets users designate trusted family, friends or colleagues to have access to their password vault in the case of an emergency. For added security, a user can require a waiting period between when an Emergency Access contact can request access to the vault and when access is granted. During the waiting period, users can decline an Emergency Access request to their vault.

The new Sharing Center is designed to provide a safe method of allowing multiple people access to the same account, such as when two or more family members want access to utility accounts …


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How-to: Make built-in iOS apps vanish, and force app updates on iOS 9

Avatar for Ben Lovejoy Jan 4 2016 - 7:19 am PT
11 Comments

One of the minor irritants for those of us who have slight OCD tendencies is that there’s no way you can remove built-in iPhone apps – the best you can do is tuck them away inside a folder, which in my case is called unused.

But YouTube user Jose Rodriguez has found a couple of ways to actually render them invisible – at least for now. The main method, shown in the video below, works for iOS 9 to 9.2. Essentially you drag the app toward the right edge of a folder, then let it go. You then repeat this, but the second time keep touching it while you press the home button – the app then disappears …


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Redesigned Twitter for Mac app with dark mode, GIF support, & more is now available

Avatar for Zac Hall Dec 30 2015 - 10:22 am PT
24 Comments

Earlier this year, Twitter promised a brand new Mac app with a fresh new look and a whole lot more. Today that new version is out now with a huge list of new features including a dark mode and GIF support. Twitter 4 also features a new round icon (that’s how you’ll know it’s the new version).

The new version fits in much better with OS X Yosemite/El Capitan and includes a Notification Center widget in the Today view. It also includes many features that were previously only available on the mobile apps and third-party clients. Here’s everything that’s new:


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OpenEmu adds Atari Lynx, Nintendo 64, Sony Playstation / PSP, Vectrex emulation

Avatar for Jeremy Horwitz Dec 28 2015 - 1:47 pm PT
13 Comments

OpenEmu, the free Mac OS X multi-platform retro video game emulator, has received a substantial upgrade that expands both the list of supported classic game systems, and automap support for popular game controllers. Released over Christmas, version 2.0.1 now allows Mac users to seamlessly play games from the following classic systems:

  • Atari 5200, 7800 and Lynx
  • Bandai WonderSwan
  • Coleco ColecoVision
  • GCE/Milton Bradley Vectrex
  • Magnavox Odyssey2/Videopac+
  • Mattel Intellivision
  • NEC TurboGrafx-CD/PC Engine-CD + PC-FX
  • Nintendo Famicom Disk System and Nintendo 64
  • Sega SG-1000 and Sega CD
  • Sony PlayStation and PSP

The new app also features a redesigned user interface, increased automap button support for controllers such as SteelSeries’ Stratus XL and Nimbus controllers, realtime gameplay rewinding, and more…


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9to5Toys Last Call: iTunes $100 Gift Card $80, iPad Air 2 Smart Cover $18, Beats Solo2 $100, more

Avatar for Trevor Daugherty Dec 28 2015 - 9:06 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:

Anker iPhone/iPad accessories: Car Chargers from $6, Nylon MFi Lightning Cable $8, more

[tweet https://twitter.com/9to5toys/status/681533407428481025 align=’center’]

$100 iTunes Physical Gift Card for $80 shipped (20% off): save on apps, music, movies, more!

Apple iPad Air 2 Smart Cover $18 (Reg. $35), Smart Case $35 (Reg. $70), more

Beats Headphones: Solo2 On-Ear $100 (Reg. $200), Powerbeats2 In-Ear $85 (Reg. $150)

Write-Off Week™: Last chance to write off biz expenses w/ best deals on office equipment, tech, supplies, more

iTunes is hosting a rare sale on HD movies, including $5 titles + heavily discounted bundles

Hundreds of iOS/Mac games & apps are on sale for the holidays, these are the best ones you can’t afford to miss

Starbucks $15 gift card for $10: save 30% on your favorite drinks!

MORE NEW GEAR FROM TODAY:

Macbook Air 11.6″ Core i5 4GB/128GB w/.edu: $750 shipped ($250 off, $700 without .edu or less)

Apple 12-inch MacBook w/ Retina display 1.2GHz/8GB/512GB: $1,440 shipped (Reg. $1,599)

MORE DEALS STILL ALIVE:

Apple-certified Lightning 3600mAh Aukey Portable Battery Pack + MFi cable: $10 shipped

B&H: $70 off Apple Watch Stainless PLUS $100 Gift card (Tax only in NY) starting at $379 effective

iPad mini 3 Wi-Fi: 16GB $250 (Orig. $399), 128GB $425 (Orig. $599)

Best Buy Apple sale: iPad Air 2 $125 off, iPad Air $100 off, iPad mini 4 $100 off, much more!

Apple TV 32GB (4th generation) w/ Siri remote + 6-ft HDMI cable: $126 shipped (~$155 value)

NEW PRODUCTS & MORE:

ShiftWear sneakers use flexible displays to showcase custom artwork on your shoes

The new iOS-connected Hamwells e-Shower recycles your water with eyes on saving energy

Best apps for your new Apple Watch

Avatar for Zac Hall Dec 25 2015 - 8:59 am PT
19 Comments

So you’ve unboxed a new Apple Watch and now you want to unlock all the cool features and see what this thing is all about. Once you pair your Apple Watch with your iPhone, the Watch app on your iPhone will ask you if you want to add all your compatible apps. You can do this, but I recommend skipping that step for now and slowly adding apps to your Apple Watch over time to see what’s good and what’s not. Then check out my hand-picked list of Apple Watch app recommendations to add new features and unlock useful tricks for your new Apple Watch:


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9to5Mac Buying Guide: What to buy with your iTunes gift cards

Avatar for Chance Miller Dec 25 2015 - 8:00 am PT
2 Comments

One of the most common gifts every year is an iTunes gift card. For the techie that already has everything, it’s often the gift that many give out of a lack of other options. Nevertheless, it’s a gift that any iOS user will certainly put to use. iTunes gift cards can be used for basically anything, including music, movies, apps, TV shows, and subscriptions. If you’ve got some money to spend on iTunes now thanks to a gift card, keep reading for some of the best things on which to spend it…


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Disney-backed virtual reality company brings 360-degree videos to Apple TV

Avatar for Ben Lovejoy Dec 23 2015 - 4:01 am PT
6 Comments

If you have an Apple TV, look out for the Littlstar app, which brings 360-degree videos to the platform for the first time. The company says that it has thousands of videos in its library, including ones from major brands like Discovery, Disney, Fusion, MLB, Mountain Dew, National Geographic, PBS and Red Bull.

You use the trackpad on the Siri remote to control your viewpoint. In a ballet video, for example, you can look around the theater as well as watch the performance, to get more of a sense of really being there …


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VLC media app gains Split Screen + Touch ID features on iOS, much more

Avatar for Zac Hall Dec 22 2015 - 8:15 am PT
3 Comments

[Update: VLC incorrectly included Apple TV support in today’s release notes. That release is coming “very soon” but not available today. The iOS/watchOS updates are out today.]

[Update 1/12/2016: VLC for Apple TV is now available.]

The popular VLC app for playing a variety of media formats not supported by iTunes has now made its way to the new Apple TV. We heard in September that VLC for Apple TV was in the works, and last month the team started accepting beta testers. Today VLC for Mobile delivered a major update that includes the first Apple TV version as well as a handful of new features on iPhones and iPads.


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App Santa discounts 20 popular iPhone, iPad, and Mac apps by up to 60%

Avatar for Zac Hall Dec 22 2015 - 5:11 am PT
2 Comments

Over the last few years, indie developers have banded together just before Christmas Day to discount top iOS and Mac apps for new customers. The sale is called App Santa and includes popular apps like Tweetbot for Mac, Pcalc, Screens, Deliveries, and over a dozen other highly recommended apps for iPhone, iPad, and Mac. App Santa doesn’t last long though so check out the full list below to save some money on quality apps.


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Kim Kardashian West ‘apologizes for breaking the App Store’ after issues with downloads of Kimoji app

Avatar for Ben Lovejoy Dec 22 2015 - 4:43 am PT
8 Comments

Kim Kardashian West indulged in a spot of humblebrag tweeting after her Kimoji emoticon app shot to the top of the App Store.

[tweet https://twitter.com/KimKardashian/status/679057097074413568 align=’center’]

[tweet https://twitter.com/KimKardashian/status/679057411169120256 align=’center’]

While the claim to have crashed the App Store appears to have been something of an exaggeration, it does appear true that many were for a time unable to download the app, with The Drum reporting that downloads peaked at 9,000 per second. But Apple said the App Store didn’t go down:

[tweet https://twitter.com/JohnPaczkowski/status/679380854422896640]

The reality TV star raked in double-digit millions from her Kim Kardashian: Hollywood app last year.

Claims that human beings are continuing to evolve may be somewhat exaggerated.

HGTV, Food Network, & Travel Channel apps come to Apple TV

Avatar for Jordan Kahn Dec 21 2015 - 2:07 pm PT
11 Comments

Content from shows on popular networks including HGTV, Food Network, and Travel Channel are now available with apps launching in the App Store for the new Apple TV.

The apps offer much the experience offer in their iPhone and iPad counterparts, and require users to sign-in using a cable TV account. Like the iOS apps for HGTV, Travel Channel, and Food Network, users can sign in with accounts from  AT&T U-verse. Bright House Networks, Cox, Comcast XFINITY, DIRECTV, DISH, Google Fiber, Optimum, Time Warner Cable, Verizon FiOS, and a long list of others.

In each of the apps, users will find the usual selection of on-demand episodes and clips from popular shows on each of the networks, as well as access to a Live TV stream of what’s airing on the channels.

You can download the HGTV, Travel Channel and Food Network apps on the new Apple TV now.

Facebook begins testing Live Photo sharing and viewing on iOS

Avatar for Zac Hall Dec 21 2015 - 10:33 am PT
0 Comments

When Apple introduced the new Live Photos feature on the iPhone 6s and 6s Plus back in September, Phil Schiller said on stage that Facebook was committed to supporting the new photo format by the end of the year. Facebook has now shared that it will begin letting a small number of users share Live Photos on the social network from today with a general roll out planned next year.


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Astropad update transforms iPad Pro and Apple Pencil into a first class Mac graphics tablet

Avatar for Zac Hall Dec 21 2015 - 9:00 am PT
14 Comments

Astropad, the iOS app that lets you turn your iPad into a professional tablet for Mac, is out today with new enhancements for iPad Pro and Apple Pencil users. The app already supported native resolution on the 12.9″ tablet as well as basic Apple Pencil support, and today’s free update focuses on specific improvements to Pro plus Pencil features to make the most of the new hardware and create a first class experience.


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Photoshop Fix for iPad Pro now supports Apple Pencil tilt shading & pressure detection

Avatar for Zac Hall Dec 18 2015 - 1:48 pm PT
1 Comment

Adobe’s recently launched Photoshop Fix app has been updated this week to add further support for Apple Pencil on iPad Pro. The image editing app already worked with Apple’s new digital stylus on the larger tablet with initial support introduced in late October, and the latest update goes beyond basic support by recognizing both pressure changes and tilt shading when editing with Apple Pencil.

The enhanced support works well and really makes the precision editing with Apple Pencil on photos more natural when using the new iPad Pro. As you can see in the example with the sharpen adjustments highlighted in red, Pencil can now fill in large spaces quickly and apply more or less of an adjustment by adjusting force without tweaking hardness or softness settings.


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Hundreds of iOS/Mac games & apps are on sale for the holidays, these are the best ones you can’t afford to miss

Avatar for Justin Kahn Dec 18 2015 - 12:26 pm PT
11 Comments

From 9to5Toys.com:

Update (12/22 3:15pm):

  • Apple has now updated the App Store with a “Handpicked Apps & Games for $0.99” sale. Just about all of the top-notch apps from the sale can already be found in our list below including Day One, Word Swag, Scanner Pro, Notability, Leo’s Fortune, DuckTales: Remastered, Alto’s Adventure, Goat Simulator, Duet Game and more.
  • We have now updated this post again with all the latest and most popular price drops on the App Stores. Once again, you’ll find the latest additions at the top of each category.

Update (12/21 3:10pm): The app deals just keep coming! This post has now been updated with all of the latest apps and games on sale for the holidays. You’ll find all the newest additions at the top of each category below.  

As usual at this time of year, many of the most popular and highly rated iOS and Mac games/apps are going on sale for the holidays. While you may notice a few apps from this past week’s daily roundups, we have scoured the App Stores to bring all of the best and most notable deals to one place. Some highlights include sales on the entire Infinity Blade Trilogy, a massive list of Final Fantasy titles, 2Do, Duet Display, MacPhun photo editors, a few of Apple’s App/Game of the Year 2015 picks and much more:


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9to5Toys Last Call: 12-inch Retina MacBook from $950, iPhone 6s on contract $1, Bastion for iOS $1, more

Avatar for Justin Kahn Dec 18 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:

Hundreds of iOS/Mac games & apps are on sale for the holidays, these are the best ones you can’t afford to miss

Apple 12-inch MacBook 1.1GHz/8GB/256GB in all colors: $1,000 or $950 w/ .edu (Reg. $1,300)

Best Buy offering iPhone 6s for $1 on contract w/ Sprint & Verizon

Games/Apps: Bastion for iOS $1 (Reg. $5), 50% off Final Fantasy 1-7, freebies, more

Shop Apple’s holiday gift guide, save up to $350: great 9to5 deals on every device + accessory

Grab the entire Infinity Blade Trilogy on iOS for just $1 each ($20 value)

App Store Free App of the Week: Attack the Light RPG goes free ($3 value)

Frogmind drops the new BADLAND 2 for iOS, original down to $3 (Reg. $5)

Hitman Sniper for iOS drops to its lowest price yet: $1 (Reg. up to $5)

Gift Cards w/ Email Delivery: JCPenney $60 for $50, Toys R Us $100 for $90, more

Apple Watch Sport $100 off at B&H Photo, prices start at $249 with tax only in NY

Best Buy’s latest Apple sale is your best chance to score iPad, Mac, & Watch deals before Christmas: iPad Air 2 $125 off, iPad Air $100 off, iPad mini 4 $100 off, much more!

MORE NEW GEAR FROM TODAY:

Fitness Trackers: Fitbit Charge HR $110 (Reg. $130+), The Microsoft Band 2 $200 (Reg. $250)

MORE DEALS STILL ALIVE:

Seagate Backup Plus USB 3.0 5TB Desktop External Hard Drive $115 (Orig. $180)

iPhone 6/s/Plus Accessories: Sport Armbands from $6, cases in a variety of colors/styles from $3 shipped, more

USB Chargers w/ Prime shipping: Imneed 10,000mah Slim power bank $12, Nylon Braided Lightning Cable $8, more

Anker USB Power Deals: Astro E7 26,800mAh Power Bank $40 (Reg. $60), Braided Nylon MFi Lightning Cables from $8, more

NEW PRODUCTS & MORE:

Tiny Arcade puts those 80’s gaming cabinets in the palm of your hand

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

Trevor’s Holiday Gift Guide: The perfect accessories for travel – backpacks, cord management, more

Dan’s Holiday Gift Guide: rare Apple collectibles & swag for the techie who has everything

Skip the holiday blues with these practical stocking stuffers

Top 10 holiday movies you can stream right now on Netflix

Get Canary’s all-in-one home security system + air quality/temperature sensor for $179 (Reg. $200)

‘Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories’ comes to iPhone & iPad

Avatar for Jordan Kahn Dec 17 2015 - 10:38 am PT
5 Comments

Rockstar Games announced today that it’s bringing Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories, the ninth game in the series originally in 2005, to iOS users.

You’ll find the full game packed into the iOS version for iPhone and iPad, which Rockstar notes in its press release was “originally designed with mobile gameplay in mind” for the PlayStation Portable (PSP). But you’ll also find some new features including some that take advantage of the iPhone and iPad’s touch display, iOS specific features like 3D Touch, and the larger iPad Pro:


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Frogmind releases the brand new BADLAND 2 for iOS, drops original down to $3 (Reg. $5)

Avatar for Justin Kahn Dec 17 2015 - 9:04 am PT
1 Comment

From 9to5Toys.com:

Many of you have likely played former Apple Game of the Year winner BADLAND. Well, the very highly rated, puzzle-platformer (flyer?) is now getting its first official sequel courtesy of developer Frogmind.

More details and gameplay footage below:

It looks like we will be getting more of what what we loved about the original including levels that scroll in both directions, online challenges, a full single player campaign and an all-new death dealing array of traps and hazards to avoid. Judging by the 4+ star rating from over 20,000 gamers on the original, it’s hard to imagine the sequel not being just as good.

As you may have noticed in this morning’s games/app roundup, the original has gone on sale to celebrate the release of the sequel.

BADLAND 2 is now available for download in the App Store for $4.99. Here is the release trailer:

You’ll find all of our best game deals across every platform in our daily roundups and the entire Infinity Blade Trilogy went on sale this morning. A bunch of MacPhun Mac apps are also on sale right now for as much as 40% off.

Witness the award-winning world of BADLAND in even more stunning beauty with levels that extend and scroll to all directions. Survive through new elements such as liquids, flamethrowers, frost, magma, water and volumetric burning light. Fall down deadly rifts, fly to any direction and race & jump along the surfaces as a rolling character on your way to safety.

Challenge your friends and strangers in constantly updating global online events. Race against their best performances and rise in the global rankings.

Features:

– A SINGLE PLAYER campaign with deviously imaginative levels

– Global ONLINE CHALLENGES

* Challenge your friends and others in asynchronous online events

– Intuitive two-touch controls combined with innovative level design

– Highly immersive audiovisual gaming experience – best enjoyed with headphones

– Universal app optimized for iPhones, iPods and iPads

– Game Center and iCloud support

* Progress synced between all linked iOS devices

– Achievements & online leaderboards

– 3D Touch support for iPhone 6S and iPhone 6S Plus!

* Super precise flying using touch

* Quick actions added to home screen icon to quickly access single player and online

– More levels coming soon as free updates

* The original BADLAND is one of the most updated iOS games of all time

Jeremy’s 5: Apple Pencil battery, Octane for Apple Watch, Free Google/Spotify $, djay Pro + Scribblenauts Unlimited

Avatar for Jeremy Horwitz Dec 17 2015 - 7:55 am PT
5 Comments

Welcome to something new I’m trying out for 9to5Mac — a quick roundup of 5 interesting little things I’ve tested and discovered over the past week. These are all items that aren’t big enough for full articles, but are worth sharing with you anyway.

This week’s topics: real-world testing notes on the Apple Pencil’s battery, a quick look at Incipio’s new Octane watch band and case-style housing kit for Apple Watch, a way to score free Google Play and Spotify Premium credit, and thoughts on two apps — Algoriddim’s new djay Pro + Warner Bros.’ Scribblenauts Unlimited…


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Adobe Post debuts on iPhone, lets anyone create memorable graphics on-the-go

Avatar for Zac Hall Dec 17 2015 - 6:29 am PT
2 Comments

Adobe is out today with its latest iOS-first app for mobile creatives. Adobe Post joins the free suite of other easy-to-use mobile apps for sharing that includes the Slate and Voice iPad apps. Where Voice lets you combine recorded storytelling with visuals and Slate lets anyone create magazine-quality stories from iPad, Adobe Post makes creating good-looking, sharable graphics from the iPhone as easy as picking the right image, font, and words.


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Facebook Messenger now lets you call an Uber w/ friends, adds 3D Touch, more

Avatar for Jordan Kahn Dec 16 2015 - 11:50 am PT
5 Comments

Facebook today announced it’s rolling out a new feature for its Messenger chat app that will let users book a car through Uber. The feature, it said, expands on other “integrations” it’s added recently outside of the app’s core chat functionality, like the ability to send money or use the app for customer support.


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