Apps

6,283 'Apps' stories April 2010 - July 2015

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.

Fleksy keyboard gets new features & themes as app goes free indefinitely

Jordan Kahn Jul 8 2015 - 7:28 am PT

0 Comments

After around seven million downloads of its popular third-party keyboard app, Fleksy is today announcing that its mobile apps will be completely free for all going forward.

The company was originally charging $4 for the app but had dropped the price to $1 and even made the app free temporarily a couple times in the past. Starting today, however, Fleksy says its apps for both iOS and Android will be free forever.

For everyone that has paid for the app and feels left out, Fleksy is offering a free gift that it says is worth $8 to make up for it. The in-app download includes a selection of new themes and extensions, which also arrive with today’s update. While the app is going free for all to download and use, the company will continue offering premium themes and extensions as paid in-app purchases.

In addition to going free, the company highlighted some other new features and improvements arriving today:

Going free is not the only big update today. We also launched an improved rich content view called Highlights. Meaning, Fleksy will better assist with GIF, sticker and other content discovery based on what you type. Instead of manually searching for stickers and GIFs on separate pages, now you’ll only need to tap on the auto-recommended hashtag (Highlight) and Fleksy will take you to an integrated page of relevant content all in one convenient place.

The Fleksy Keyboard app for iPhone and iPad is available on the App Store now. A full list of what’s included in the update below:

What’s New in Version 6.0

*Note: Please update to the latest version of iOS 8 to fix key known issues with custom keyboards and improve your Fleksy experience.

Featuring:
• 5 new themes for summertime!
• Consolidated GIF and Imoji extensions to a single bar. Smarter search, more results, all in one view. And just pull down to bring back the keypad!
• Fleksy will now highlight 3 keywords at a time. Easier to get to that perfect GIF or sticker.
• Ever want more Hotkeys? You can now add multiple Hotkey extensions!
• Major language improvements
• Updated Extension tab UI in the container app for easier browsing
• Optimizations for GIF and Imoji Sticker quality

Fixed:
• Fixes for autocorrect capitalizing letters incorrectly for some languages
• Autocorrect on/off Button not showing on spacebar sometimes
• Various other bug fixes and performance improvements

VoiceOver Updates:
• Gesture: swipe down with two fingers to Return (while in Minimal mode)
• “New Line” announced on Return
• Feedback on Shift and Delete buttons
• “No more text to delete” announced when there’s nothing left to delete
• Improved accuracy

Apple updates iOS Pages, Numbers & Keynote apps to resolve accessibility bugs

Ben Lovejoy Jul 8 2015 - 3:57 am PT

7 Comments

Apple has updated all three iWork iOS apps to resolve bugs that prevented Accessibility features working properly. Apple says that Pages, Numbers and Keynote all had “an issue that prevented proper navigation and editing with VoiceOver,” while Pages also blurred text when turning on Speak Screen on some iOS devices. The updates are to version 2.5.4.

Updates are of course free for existing users, each app costing $9.99 to purchase. Pages, Numbers and Keynote can all be downloaded from iTunes.

Apple places a great deal of emphasis on making its devices usable by as many people as possible, recently highlighting accessibility apps for Global Accessibility Awareness Day – and CEO Tim Cook famously telling investors to “get out of this stock” if they weren’t willing to see money invested in things like accessibility and environmental initiatives.

Google Maps for iOS updated with redesigned directions, more sharing options, and more

Mike Beasley Jul 7 2015 - 6:52 pm PT

7 Comments

Google has updated its mapping app for iOS with a redesigned transit view that includes real-time information about your arrival time that previously debuted on Android. The new app also provides additional choices for alternate routes.

The update also gives you new options for sharing your maps with other users, specifically noting that Facebook and its separate Messenger app are both supported now. A gird view of photos has been added for locations, too.

You can download the free Google Maps app on the App Store for free.

What’s New in Version 4.8.0

• Redesigned and improved Transit directions improve the experience in cities, giving you more route choice and real-time arrival information where available
• Additional app options for sharing a place (including Facebook and Facebook Messenger)
• Introduced an Image Gallery for a quick visual understanding of a place through a grid view
• Bug fixes

9to5Toys Last Call: WD 2TB USB 3.0 Portable Hard Drive $70, 13″ MacBook Air (newest version) $830, more

Jul 7 2015 - 9:10 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:

Palette puts Adobe’s Creative Suite in the palm of your hands with its new modular control surface

GoPro HERO4 Silver Action Camera: $350 shipped (Reg. $400)
TaoTronics Bluetooth Car Adapter with dual USB charger $18 Prime shipped (Orig. $30)
Extendable Pole for GoPro Pro Edition selfie stick: $28 Shipped (Orig. $50, CA Tax Only)
You’re never (ever) going to want to get out of this hot tub hammock
Sony announces new Limited Edition Destiny: The Taken King-inspired PlayStation 4 bundle
Home: 3-pack remote control outlets $14 (Reg. $23+), more

WD Elements 2TB USB 3.0 Hard Drive $70, Samsung 850 EVO 500GB SSD $150, more

Apple 13-inch MacBook Air (newest model) 1.6GHz/4GB/128GB: $830 shipped (Reg. $999)

Review: JBL’s new Charge 2+ and Clip+ deliver big sound in a portable Bluetooth package designed for outdoor activity

iPad Air 2 Wi-Fi 16GB $359, iPhone 6/Plus w/ free $150 GC on installment or $70 off w/ 2-yr contract

iPad Air Wi-Fi + Cellular 128GB in Silver: $449 shipped (Orig. $929)

GoPro’s new HERO4 Session waterproof action camera is the size of an ice cube with an iceberg-sized price

Amazon is throwing itself a birthday party so big it’ll make you forget about Black Friday

More new gear from today:

Daily Deals: Denon 7.2-Ch Network A/V Receiver $299, Logitech Spill Proof Bluetooth keyboard (refurb) $25, more

Ubisoft unveils the debut trailer for its new Rayman Adventures mobile game

Xbox Live Ultimate Sale up to 75% off: DA Inquisition $30, Borderlands Handsome $35
Anki DRIVE Starter Kit: iOS-controlled robot battle racing game $100 shipped (Reg. $150)
Games/Apps: Call of Duty Advanced Warfare $30, Skylanders holiday bundle $64, more
HooToo TripMate portable router w/ 6000mAh power bank: $33 Prime Shipped (Reg. $45)
Kmashi 15,000mAh Dual-USB Power Bank: $15 shipped (Reg. $20)

More deals still alive:

SanDisk Connect Wireless Media Drive: 32GB $40 (Reg. $80), 64GB $55 (Reg. $120)

Logitech Master MX Wireless Mouse $87 shipped (Reg. $100)

Samsung 64GB PRO Class 10 Memory: SDXC $30 shipped (Reg. $46+), more
Media: $5 Blu-rays + Blade Runner 30th Anniversary set $10 (Reg. $20), more
QNAP 2-Bay Personal Cloud NAS $149 shipped (Orig. $259)
Sennheiser Momentum: on-ears $70 (Reg. $80+), more
Lifetime subscription of SplashID Pro Password Manager: $25 (Orig. $100)
Anker PowerDrive MFi certified Lightning car charger $10 Prime shipped (Reg. $14)
Keyport High-Tech Multi-Tool: $40 Shipped (Orig. $60, CA Tax Only)
Beats Powerbeats2 Wireless Headphones (multiple colors): $140 shipped (Reg. $200)
Fathead giant vinyl wall decals 50-60% off w/ top sellers starting at $16 + shipping
Mpow Boombag Bluetooth 4.0 speaker $20 Prime shipped (Reg. $30)
TP-LINK V2 300Mbps Universal Wi-Fi Range Extender $30 shipped (Reg. $40+)
Pre-order Fallout 4 for Xbox One and receive a free digital download of Fallout 3
Natural-Wood Apple Watch Charging Stand: $20 Shipped (Orig. $39, CA Tax Only)
Numark Mac/PC DJ controllers: Mixtrack Pro $139 shipped (Orig. $250), more
GoPro HERO3+ Black (refurb) $250 shipped (Reg. $280), 33-piece accessory kit $15
Quick Charge 2.0 18W USB Wall Charger w/ micro USB $10 (Reg. $16), more
ATH-M50x over-ears, Focusrite Scarlett interface and mic kit $269 shipped ($410+ value)
Audio-Technica AT-LP120-USB Direct-Drive Turntable: $210 shipped (Orig. $300)
Free PS Plus Games for July: Styx Master of Shadows, Rocket League, more
Free Xbox Gold Games for July: Assassin’s Creed IV Black Flag, more
Striker Spy HD-Camera Drone: $70 Shipped (Orig. $170, CA Tax Only)
Casetify custom Apple Watch bands: $70 credit for $50

Apple is giving away free downloads of iOS cooking app Green Kitchen ($5 value)

App Store Free App of the Week: Star Walk 2 goes free for the first time ($3 value)

Bloons Tower Defense 5 for iPhone/iPad goes free (Reg. $3/$5)

App Store promo – Great Games 50% off: Halo Spartan Strike $3 (Reg. $6), more

Readdle launches Scanner Pro 6 for iOS w/ release day pricing: $3 (Reg. $6)

New products & more:

Must-have gear to take on summer concerts and festivals like a pro

Samsung takes the wraps off a pair of monstrous 2TB internal solid-state drives

Amazon is now treating its Prime members to extra savings on new/upcoming video game
Mega Man series creator takes another blue bomber inspired game to Kickstarter
Here’s the first trailer for the new Telltale Minecraft Story Mode game
Review: Logitech’s Anywhere 2 Bluetooth mouse shines w/ adaptive scrolling
Review: MPOW’s pocketable iStick is the best Bluetooth selfie stick you can buy today
Quick Review: Eton Scorpion II is a rugged solar electronic survival kit for $50
Olloclip delivers a customized photography setup for your iPhone 6/Plus
Sony’s three new Bluetooth/AirPlay compatible speakers with price tags to match
Support for the Empire with this officially licensed Stormtrooper Bluetooth speaker
Garmin’s Varia radar and lights system alert bicyclists of approaching traffic
Samsung’s Level U Bluetooth 4.1 in-ears offer another option for workouts

Tinder Apple Watch app uses heart-rate monitor to automate ‘hot or not’ matching

Ben Lovejoy Jul 7 2015 - 4:46 am PT

5 Comments

[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LkVLJiJj7qQ]

If you use Tinder and all that swiping left or right is just too much effort, help is on the way. Digital agency T3 used the Apple Watch SDK to automatically detect which photos you find hot by measuring heart-rate changes.

If your heart-rate increases when looking at a photo, the app marks it as a match; if it decreases, it dismisses the photo.

We tend to agree with TNW that the company may want to come up with an alternative name before Hands-free Tinder makes its way to the App Store “soon” …

Instagram rolling out support for high-res images on iOS and Android

Stephen Hall Jul 6 2015 - 12:28 pm PT

6 Comments

Instagram has announced today that it is rolling out support for higher resolution 1080 x 1080 pixel images. This doubles the previous upload resolution of 640 x 640 pixels, and you’ll probably notice very soon that the photos in your stream are looking a bit crisper.
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Microsoft introduces ‘Tossup’ iOS app to make scheduling outings with family & friends easier

Chance Miller Jul 6 2015 - 10:20 am PT

11 Comments

Microsoft today has introduced a new app for iOS and Android that makes it considerably easier for friends and family to make plans while on the go. Dubbed Tossup, the app was developed by the Microsoft Garage, which means it implores new ideas and thinking that the company hopes will catch on to the masses.

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9to5Toys Last Call: Belkin WeMo switches from $31, iPad Air 2 $359, Sennheiser Momentum $70, more

Jul 6 2015 - 9:07 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:

WD Elements 2TB USB 3.0 Hard Drive $70, Samsung 850 EVO 500GB SSD $150, more

Must-have gear to take on summer concerts and festivals like a pro
Media: $5 Blu-rays – Taken, Source Code + Blade Runner 30th Anniversary set $10, more
Samsung takes the wraps off a pair of monstrous 2TB internal solid-state drives
QNAP 2-Bay Personal Cloud NAS $149 shipped (Orig. $259)
Mega Man series creator takes another blue bomber inspired game to Kickstarter
Here’s the first trailer for the new Telltale Minecraft Story Mode game
Lifetime subscription of SplashID Pro Password Manager: $25 (Orig. $100)
Home: Waring electric wine opener kit $35 (Reg. $50), more

Amazon Gold Box – up to 38% off Belkin WeMo devices with prices starting at $31 Prime shipped (Reg. $50)

iPad Air 2 Wi-Fi 16GB $359 or 64GB $499, iPhone 6/Plus w/ free $150 GC on installment or $70 off w/ 2-yr contract

iPad Air Wi-Fi + Cellular 128GB in Silver: $449 shipped (Orig. $929)

Best Buy 4-Day Sale: 13″ Retina MacBook Pro 256GB $1,350 & 21″ iMac 1TB $1,150 + extra $100 off w/ .edu

Sennheiser Momentum headphones: on-ears $70 (Reg. $80+), over-ears (open-box) $120 (Reg. $170), more

GoPro’s new HERO4 Session waterproof action camera is the size of an ice cube with an iceberg-sized price

Amazon is throwing itself a birthday party so big it’ll make you forget about Black Friday

More new gear from today:

SanDisk Connect Wireless Media Drive: 32GB $40 (Reg. $80), 64GB $55 (Reg. $120)

Samsung 64GB PRO Class 10 Memory: SDXC $30 shipped (Reg. $46+), microSD $38 shipped (Reg. $47)

Games/Apps: Dragon Age Inquisition $30, Logitech Optical Gaming Mouse $30 (Reg. $70), iOS freebies, more

Daily Deals: CyberPower 1500VA/900-Watt UPS $98, Google Chromecast $25 w/ pick up, more

More deals still alive:

Logitech Master MX Wireless Mouse $87 shipped (Reg. $100)

Anker PowerDrive MFi certified Lightning car charger $10 Prime shipped (Reg. $14)
Get access to every Nintendo 3DS game for only $65 shipped w/ this refurbished 2DS deal
Keyport High-Tech Multi-Tool: $40 Shipped (Orig. $60, CA Tax Only)
Beats Powerbeats2 Wireless Headphones (multiple colors): $140 shipped (Reg. $200)
Fathead giant vinyl wall decals 50-60% off w/ top sellers starting at $16 + shipping
Mpow Boombag Bluetooth 4.0 speaker $20 Prime shipped (Reg. $30)
TP-LINK V2 300Mbps Universal Wi-Fi Range Extender $30 shipped (Reg. $40+)
Pre-order Fallout 4 for Xbox One and receive a free digital download of Fallout 3
Natural-Wood Apple Watch Charging Stand: $20 Shipped (Orig. $39, CA Tax Only)
JLab Omni Bluetooth Over-Ear Headphones $60 shipped (Reg. $100)
Numark Mac/PC DJ controllers: Mixtrack Pro $139 shipped (Orig. $250), more
Halo Spartan Strike for iOS gets its very first price drop: $3 (Reg. $6)
GoPro HERO3+ Black (refurb) $250 shipped (Reg. $280), 33-piece accessory kit $15
Quick Charge 2.0 18W USB Wall Charger w/ micro USB $10 (Reg. $16), more
ATH-M50x over-ears, Focusrite Scarlett interface and mic kit $269 shipped ($410+ value)
Audio-Technica AT-LP120-USB Direct-Drive Turntable: $210 shipped (Orig. $300)
Free PS Plus Games for July: Styx Master of Shadows, Rocket League, more
Free Xbox Gold Games for July: Assassin’s Creed IV Black Flag, more
Striker Spy HD-Camera Drone: $70 Shipped (Orig. $170, CA Tax Only)
Casetify custom Apple Watch bands: $70 credit for $50

Apple is giving away free downloads of iOS cooking app Green Kitchen ($5 value)

App Store Free App of the Week: Star Walk 2 goes free for the first time ($3 value)

Bloons Tower Defense 5 for iPhone/iPad goes free (Reg. $3/$5)

App Store promo – Great Games 50% off: Halo Spartan Strike $3 (Reg. $6), more

Readdle launches Scanner Pro 6 for iOS w/ release day pricing: $3 (Reg. $6)

New products & more:

Amazon is now treating its Prime members to extra savings on new/upcoming video game

Review: Logitech’s Anywhere 2 Bluetooth mouse shines w/ adaptive scrolling
Review: MPOW’s pocketable iStick is the best Bluetooth selfie stick you can buy today
Quick Review: Eton Scorpion II is a rugged solar electronic survival kit for $50
Olloclip delivers a customized photography setup for your iPhone 6/Plus
Sony’s three new Bluetooth/AirPlay compatible speakers with price tags to match
Support for the Empire with this officially licensed Stormtrooper Bluetooth speaker
Garmin’s Varia radar and lights system alert bicyclists of approaching traffic
Samsung’s Level U Bluetooth 4.1 in-ears offer another option for workouts
PIQ uses multiple sensors and a clever design to paint a clearer picture of your golf game
Enthusiasts create incredibly detailed 14-foot Starcraft II map out of LEGO
Five bizarre kitchen gadgets you need to add to your cooking arsenal
Bricasso scans any image and then 3D prints it using LEGO bricks as ink
Frigidaire launches its very first iOS/Android connected smart home air conditioner
Yirego’s Drumi powerless washing machine gives urbanites a unique alternative

Amazon releases Cloud Drive file management app for iPhone and iPad

Jordan Kahn Jul 6 2015 - 7:48 am PT

2 Comments

Amazon has just launched a dedicated iOS app for its Cloud Drive service, bringing an iPhone and iPad experience to the service that was previously only available through desktop apps and a recently launched Android mobile app.
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Review: Paste, a simple, effective and pretty clipboard manager for the Mac (70% off)

Ben Lovejoy Jul 3 2015 - 6:26 am PT

17 Comments

You know how it goes: you copy a link, or a piece of text, intending to paste it – then you get distracted and copy something else before you get the chance. You then have to find and copy the first item again. A clipboard manager solves this problem by saving a history of the items you copy, letting you paste in any one of them later.

There are plenty of clipboard managers around (a quick search of the Mac App Store found 34 of them), and you might think that when you’ve seen one, you’ve seen ’em all. But where Paste stands out is in using a colorful interface with large previews, intended to make it easy to identify the item you want to paste. I’ve been trying it out for the past few days …
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9to5Toys Last Call: 3-pack MFi Lightning cables $16, USB-C cable $8, Infinity Blade goes free, more

Justin Kahn Jul 2 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:

App Store Free App of the Week: Star Walk 2 goes free for the first time ($3 value)

Bloons Tower Defense 5 for iPhone/iPad goes free as IGN’s Game of the Month (Reg. $3/$5)
App Store promo – Great Games 50% off: Halo Spartan Strike $3 (Reg. $6), more
Griffin 30% off sitewide: Survivor Slim Case for iPad Air 2 $56 (Reg. $80), more
Apple iPad Air 2 Wi-Fi + Cellular 64GB in Space Gray or Silver for $600 shipped (Reg. $729)
Amazon is now treating its Prime members to extra savings on new/upcoming video games
D-Link day/night Wi-Fi surveillance camera with remote viewing $40 shipped (Reg. $65)
Mpow Boombag Bluetooth 4.0 speaker $20 Prime shipped (Reg. $30)
TP-LINK V2 300Mbps Universal Wi-Fi Range Extender $30 shipped (Reg. $40+)
Pre-order Fallout 4 for Xbox One and receive a free digital download of Fallout 3
Google’s Family Friendly Free App of the Week: Thomas’s Musical Day for Percy (Reg. $5)
New Bloomberg Businessweek subscribers can get 3-years for $20 shipped (Reg. $150)
Home: NeverKink garden hoses from $22 (Reg. up to $45), more

Score a 3-pack of discounted Monoprice MFi Lightning Cables for $16 shipped (Reg. $25)

USB-C cables $8 Prime shipped (Reg. $11), Anker 16,000mAh + Anker 3,200mAh Power Banks $37 shipped ($20 off)

The first chapter in the epic Infinity Blade trilogy is now available for free (Reg. $6)

Apple is giving away free downloads of iOS cooking app Green Kitchen ($5 value)

$50 iTunes gift card for $40 w/ email delivery from PayPal (20% savings)

Add creative decorations to your 4th of July picnic and save money w/ these easy do-it-yourself projects

The best lawn games to make your 4th of July cookout a success

Look like a real American hero at your 4th of July BBQ with this over-the-top USA garb

LAST CHANCE! Giveaway: Owen & Fred’s Desk Essentials collection ups your work game while looking good, $250+ value

Review: Logitech’s Anywhere 2 Bluetooth mouse shines w/ adaptive scrolling

Review: MPOW’s pocketable iStick is the best Bluetooth selfie stick you can buy today

More new gear from today:

Daily Deals: Bose Solo TV Sound System $230, Samsung 40″ LED 1080p Smart HDTV $490, more

New! Sony’s three new Bluetooth/AirPlay compatible speakers with price tags to match
New! Striker Spy HD-Camera Drone: $70 Shipped (Orig. $170, CA Tax Only)
New! Support for the Empire with this officially licensed Stormtrooper Bluetooth speaker
New! Games/Apps: Borderlands Handsome $40, Far Cry 4 $20, iOS freebies, more
New! Fathead giant vinyl wall decals 50-60% off w/ top sellers starting at $16 + shipping
New! Readdle launches Scanner Pro 6 for iOS w/ release day pricing: $3 (Reg. $6)

More deals still alive:

Beats Powerbeats2 Wireless Headphones (multiple colors): $140 shipped (Reg. $200)

Apple iPad Air Wi-Fi + Cellular 128GB in Silver: $449 shipped (Orig. $929)

Natural-Wood Apple Watch Charging Stand: $20 Shipped (Orig. $39, CA Tax Only)
JLab Omni Bluetooth Over-Ear Headphones $60 shipped (Reg. $100)
Numark Mac/PC DJ controllers: Mixtrack Pro $139 shipped (Orig. $250), more
Free PS Plus Games for July: Styx Master of Shadows, Rocket League, more
Halo Spartan Strike for iOS gets its very first price drop: $3 (Reg. $6)
Four magazine subs for $16: Wired, Dwell, GQ, ESPN, more
JayBird BlueBuds X Sport Bluetooth Headphones for $110 shipped (Reg. $170)
Casetify custom Apple Watch bands: $70 credit for $50
Google offers 50% off its 2-factor authentication USB thumb drive: $9 (Reg. $18)
GoPro HERO3+ Black (refurb) $262 shipped (Reg. $280), 33-piece accessory kit $15
Quick Charge 2.0 18W USB Wall Charger w/ micro USB $10 (Reg. $16), more
Acer 11″ Chromebook 2.16GHz/2GB/16GB (refurb): $110 shipped (Orig. $200)
ATH-M50x over-ears, Focusrite Scarlett interface and mic kit $269 shipped ($410+ value)
Audio-Technica AT-LP120-USB Direct-Drive Turntable: $210 shipped (Orig. $300)
KingTop car chargers w/ Prime shipping: 10A/50W 4-port $10, 6.6A/33W 3-port $10
Media: BOGO Blu-rays from $8, Spirited Away $20 Prime shipped, more
App Store Free App of the Week: Halftone 2 Comic Book Creator ($2 value)
Free Xbox Gold Games for July: Assassin’s Creed IV Black Flag, more
iPhone 5 & 1-Yr Unlimited Talk/Text, 500MB LTE/m $300 shipped
Ondesoft Mac Bundle w/ X-Mirage, iTunes Converter, more: free ($146 value)

New products & more:

Olloclip’s Kickstarter project delivers a customized photography setup for your iPhone 6/Plus

Garmin’s Varia radar and lights system alert bicyclists of approaching traffic

Samsung’s Level U Bluetooth 4.1 in-ears offer another option for workouts
PIQ uses multiple sensors and a clever design to paint a clearer picture of your golf game
Enthusiasts create incredibly detailed 14-foot Starcraft II map out of LEGO
Five bizarre kitchen gadgets you need to add to your cooking arsenal
Bricasso scans any image and then 3D prints it using LEGO bricks as ink
Frigidaire launches its very first iOS/Android connected smart home air conditioner
Yirego’s Drumi powerless washing machine gives urbanites a unique alternative
Quick Review: Eton Scorpion II is a rugged solar electronic survival kit for $50
Molson and Google team up on voice activated fridge that dispenses free beer
Amazon’s Treasure Truck brings daily deals to the streets
Firebox’s new WTF section has a $236K Apple Watch and a full-size Delorean
SanDisk’s behemoth 200GB microSD is now in-stock and ready to ship
Silk by Saffron’s smart LED bulbs adjust your lighting based on the sun
Here’s a life-size model of Claptrap from Borderlands made entirely of LEGO
Stream the series debut of HBO’s Ballers in HD for free

SoundCloud iOS app adds ‘play related tracks’, shuffle for likes & playlists, more

Jordan Kahn Jul 2 2015 - 7:07 am PT

0 Comments

Popular music sharing app SoundCloud is getting an update on iOS that brings a number of new features to make for a better overall listening experience.

Among the new features, users can now select to ‘play related tracks’ from anywhere in the app: “let our improved algorithm create an endless stream of similar content from the 100 million tracks on SoundCloud. As easy as tapping Play Related Tracks.”

Another new feature that offers an improved listening experience is a Shuffle button for both your created playlists and songs you’ve liked. Here’s how you can shuffle tracks from within a playlist:

The updated app also gets a few other welcomed tweaks including the ability to add or remove tracks from playlists from within the app, and a new option to repost and share tracks from your liked tracks or from within search.

The updated app, version 3.1.0.0, is available on the App Store now.

Scanner Pro 6 adds ability to scan documents in your photo library, 50% off for “limited period”

Ben Lovejoy Jul 2 2015 - 5:42 am PT

9 Comments

Readdle has just updated Scanner Pro to version 6, making it even easier to use your iPhone or iPad to scan documents. Improved edge-detection means that it continues to automatically align documents within the camera frame, and a Scan Radar feature intelligently analyzes your photo library to find pictures of documents.

This feature lets Scanner Pro to automatically find photos that look like document in your Photo Library. This means that you no longer have to launch the app to scan something – simply open your camera app from a lock screen and take pictures of things you want to scan. Once you launch Scanner Pro, it will automatically notify you about the new scans that it found.

The developers say they analyzed more than half a million documents to build the functionality …
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Snapchat no longer requires holding Snaps & Stories to View

Zac Hall Jul 1 2015 - 9:40 am PT

4 Comments

We told you earlier this year that Snapchat was considering changing a major part of how its app works, and today the social network has officially introduced that change: viewing Snaps and Stories now works with a single tap. Previously, part of Snapchat’s signature user experience included holding a finger over a Snap or Story to view it; lifting the finger meant going back to the contact list. Aside from the new Tap to View feature for Snaps and Stories, the update includes a few other changes as well…
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9to5Toys Last Call: Bluetooth selfie stick $11, Powerbeats2 Wireless $140, Car Jump Starter/Power Bank $60, more

Jul 1 2015 - 9:11 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:

This Leviton wall outlet has two built-in USB ports: $19 Prime shipped (Reg. $25)

Philips soft white dimmable 60 Watt Equivalent SlimStyle LED Light: $4 Prime shipped
Olloclip’s Kickstarter project delivers a customized photography setup for your iPhone 6/Plus
Garmin’s Varia radar and lights system alert bicyclists of approaching traffic
Natural-Wood Apple Watch Charging Stand: $20 Shipped (Orig. $39, CA Tax Only)
JLab Omni Bluetooth Over-Ear Headphones $60 shipped (Reg. $100)
Numark Mac/PC DJ controllers: Mixtrack Pro $139 shipped (Orig. $250), more
Free PS Plus Games for July: Styx Master of Shadows, Rocket League, more
Home: Schlage Touchscreen Deadbolts $140, Hamilton Beach blender $23, more

Review: At $11, MPOW’s pocketable iStick is the best Bluetooth selfie stick you can buy today

Beats Powerbeats2 Wireless Headphones (multiple colors): $140 shipped (Reg. $200)

Daily Deals: Anker Car Jump Starter & USB Power Bank $60, Samsung 5TB USB 3.0 Desktop HDD $120, more

Apple is giving away free downloads of iOS cooking app Green Kitchen ($5 value)

Review: Logitech’s Anywhere 2 Bluetooth mouse shines w/ adaptive scrolling

$50 iTunes gift card for $40 w/ email delivery from PayPal (20% savings)

Add creative decorations to your 4th of July picnic and save money w/ these easy do-it-yourself projects

The best lawn games to make your 4th of July cookout a success

Look like a real American hero at your 4th of July BBQ with this over-the-top USA garb

Giveaway: Owen & Fred’s Desk Essentials collection ups your work game while looking good, $250+ value

More new gear from today:

Check your iPhone battery levels from your Apple Watch for free with Power app (Reg. $1)

Samsung’s new Level U Bluetooth 4.1 in-ear headphones offer athletes another option for workouts

New! Games/Apps: Batman Arkham Knight $47, COD Black Ops III pre-order $50
New! Halo Spartan Strike for iOS gets its very first price drop: $3 (Reg. $6)
New! Four magazine subs for $16: Wired, Dwell, GQ, ESPN, more
New! VIZIO 50″ 240Hz Smart LED 4K UHDTV (refurb): $565 shipped (Orig. $1,000)

More deals still alive:

Apple iPad Air Wi-Fi + Cellular 128GB in Silver: $449 shipped (Orig. $929)

JayBird BlueBuds X Sport Bluetooth Headphones for $110 shipped (Reg. $170)

Casetify custom Apple Watch bands: $70 credit for $50
Google offers 50% off its 2-factor authentication USB thumb drive: $9 (Reg. $18)
GoPro HERO3+ Black (refurb) $262 shipped (Reg. $280), 33-piece accessory kit $15
Quick Charge 2.0 18W USB Wall Charger w/ micro USB $10 (Reg. $16), more
Acer 11″ Chromebook 2.16GHz/2GB/16GB (refurb): $110 shipped (Orig. $200)
ATH-M50x over-ears, Focusrite Scarlett interface and mic kit $269 shipped ($410+ value)
Add seven USB 3.0 ports to your Mac w/ this 30W Mpow Aluminum Hub: $19 (Reg. $39)
Audio-Technica AT-LP120-USB Direct-Drive Turntable: $210 shipped (Orig. $300)
KingTop car chargers w/ Prime shipping: 10A/50W 4-port $10, 6.6A/33W 3-port $10
Media: BOGO Blu-rays from $8, Spirited Away $20 Prime shipped, more
App Store Free App of the Week: Halftone 2 Comic Book Creator ($2 value)
Free Xbox Gold Games for July: Assassin’s Creed IV Black Flag, more
iPhone 5 & 1-Yr Unlimited Talk/Text, 500MB LTE/m $300 shipped
Ondesoft Mac Bundle w/ X-Mirage, iTunes Converter, more: free ($146 value)

New products & more:

PIQ uses multiple sensors and a clever design to paint a clearer picture of your golf game

Enthusiasts create incredibly detailed 14-foot Starcraft II map out of LEGO

Five bizarre kitchen gadgets you need to add to your cooking arsenal
Bricasso scans any image and then 3D prints it using LEGO bricks as ink
Frigidaire launches its very first iOS/Android connected smart home air conditioner
Yirego’s Drumi powerless washing machine gives urbanites a unique alternative
Quick Review: Eton Scorpion II is a rugged solar electronic survival kit for $50
Molson and Google team up on voice activated fridge that dispenses free beer
Amazon’s Treasure Truck brings daily deals to the streets
Firebox’s new WTF section has a $236K Apple Watch and a full-size Delorean
SanDisk’s behemoth 200GB microSD is now in-stock and ready to ship
Silk by Saffron’s smart LED bulbs adjust your lighting based on the sun
Here’s a life-size model of Claptrap from Borderlands made entirely of LEGO
Stream the series debut of HBO’s Ballers in HD for free

Citibank for iPhone adds Touch ID login & Apple Watch support

Zac Hall Jul 1 2015 - 7:01 am PT

2 Comments

Citibank has released a major new version of its Citi Mobile app for iPhone with changes that customers should appreciate. Similar to Chase recently, Citibank has added the ability to log in using your fingerprint and Touch ID on the iPhone 5s, iPhone 6, and iPhone 6 Plus. This option allows you to avoid having to tap in your password each time when checking your account information while maintaining security.

The update also adds support for the Apple Watch as you can see above. Citi Mobile now includes customizable notifications for card activity so the added convenience of an Apple Watch app means you can get notified as soon as anything that needs your attention happens. Check out the full release notes below:
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You can now use any Android app on your Mac w/ BlueStacks App Player

Jordan Kahn Jul 1 2015 - 6:18 am PT

6 Comments

BlueStacks, a free desktop Android emulator that lets users play any mobile game or app on the big screen with a mouse and keyboard, has mostly been limited to PC users until today. But Mac users are about to get access to the software that the company says already has around 90 million users on Windows.
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Apple releases iTunes 12.2 update with Apple Music + Beats 1 support

Zac Hall Jun 30 2015 - 3:13 pm PT

64 Comments

In addition to iOS 8.4 and OS X 10.10.4, Apple has released a new version of iTunes for Mac that brings Apple Music to the desktop. The update also supports streaming Apple’s new Beats 1 24/7 live radio station and includes a refreshed icon.
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Apple releases GarageBand 10.1 w/ Apple Music Connect publishing, Force Touch, & tons of new content + tools [U: iOS too]

Zac Hall Jun 30 2015 - 1:25 pm PT

9 Comments

As promised, Apple has released GarageBand 10.1 through the Mac App Store. The update includes previously highlighted new features including 10 new Drummers, new synths and a ‘Transform Pad’ feature. The update also includes support for Apple’s new Force Touch trackpads from the 12-inch MacBook and 15-inch MacBook Pro. For artists publishing to Apple Music, its new streaming music service launched today, GarageBand 10.1 adds the ability to publish directly to Apple Music Connect. Full release notes below:
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SoundHound iOS app adds Apple Music integration for listening, Beats 1 promotion

Jordan Kahn Jun 30 2015 - 11:57 am PT

6 Comments

SoundHound, a popular sound recognition app for detecting and searching for songs and other audio clips, today gets an update that brings integration with the just launched Apple Music streaming service.

With the updated SoundHound app landing today, users will now get an “Apple Music Listen Now” link to listen to a song on the streaming service (when available) through the home screen, song pages, and throughout the app.

Other competitive apps, such as Shazam, have already updated with similar functionality. The apps previously only linked users to purchase songs through iTunes and other services, but also promote competitive streaming services for listening such as Spotify and Rdio. For SoundHound, users will find an Apple Music streaming link next to songs through various features, including: music identification, personalized History, Top Charts, or Music Maps.

Interestingly, SoundHound will also be promoting Apple Music’s Beats 1 live radio station:

SoundHound is also showcasing Apple Music’s new global radio streaming station Beats 1. Users will see a “Beats 1 Radio” row within song pages, enabling easy, one-tap access to listen to the streaming radio broadcast, which features various artists hosting programs and full-time DJs, led by ex-BBC host Zane Lowe.

You can grab SoundHound on the App Store now.

Pinterest’s new Buyable Pins shopping feature rolling out now to iPhone & iPad users

Jordan Kahn Jun 30 2015 - 11:31 am PT

1 Comment

After first announcing plans earlier this month to become a storefront of sorts with a new Buyable Pins feature, Pinterest just confirmed the feature is rolling out today for iPhone and iPad users in the US. In addition to the new buyable pins feature, Pinterest is also launching “Shop our picks” with curated lists of items for various product categories.

As a catalog of ideas, our mission is to help people bring their creative ideas to life. In the next few weeks, 30 million Pins all over Pinterest will become buyable (this includes Pins people have already saved that will light up with blue prices at launch). You’ll see products from brands like Macy’s, Neiman Marcus and Nordstrom, retailers powered by Demandware like Gardener’s Supply Company and Michaels, and Shopify stores like Poler Outdoor Stuff and SOBU.

Pinterest notes that users will notice a blue price tag next to buyable pins that will show up in user’s home feed, boards, category feeds, search results and recommendations.

Here’s a closer look at how the feature will appear in the iPhone app:

The feature is rolling out slowly in the US. If you’re a Pinterest user, keep an eye out for an email notification that will let you know when buyable pins are available to you.

How to cancel/stop Apple Music subscriptions from automatic renewal after free trial

Jordan Kahn Jun 30 2015 - 11:06 am PT

44 Comments

Apple Music officially launched today in iOS 8.4 alongside an integrated radio service featuring the 24/7 live streaming station known as Beats 1. Everyone is getting a free three month trial, but once that ends, Apple will start charging the credit card on your Apple ID with either the $9.99/month plan or the $14.99/month family plan (depending on what you selected when first signing up). If you want to cancel your subscription, or just keep it from auto-renewing so you can go month-to-month and manually activate it when you want, below we’ve put together a quick guide on how to do so across platforms:
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9to5Toys Last Call: iPad Air 128GB Wi-Fi + Cellular $449, GoPro HERO3+ Black $262, Power Bank $6, more

Jun 30 2015 - 9:10 am PT

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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:

Apple is giving away free downloads of iOS cooking app Green Kitchen ($5 value)
Review: Logitech’s Anywhere 2 Bluetooth mouse shines w/ adaptive scrolling
Beats Powerbeats2 Wireless Headphones (multiple colors): $140 shipped (Reg. $200)
PIQ uses multiple sensors and a clever design to paint a clearer picture of your golf game
Casetify custom Apple Watch bands: $70 credit for $50
Elgato 1080p Game Capture device for PS4, Xbox One, more $105 shipped (Reg. $139+)
Enthusiasts create incredibly detailed 14-foot Starcraft II map out of LEGO
Home: Oral-B Bluetooth electric toothbrush $120 (Reg. $150+), more

Apple iPad Air Wi-Fi + Cellular 128GB in Silver: $449 shipped (Orig. $929)

GoPro HERO3+ Black 4K Action Camera (refurb) $262 shipped (Reg. $280), 33-piece accessory kit $15

RAVPower Portable 3,000mAh Battery: $6 Prime shipped, Lightning cables under $6

$50 iTunes gift card for $40 w/ email delivery from PayPal (20% savings)

The best lawn games to make your 4th of July cookout a success

Look like a real American hero at your 4th of July BBQ with this over-the-top USA garb

Giveaway: Owen & Fred’s Desk Essentials collection ups your work game while looking good, $250+ value

More new gear from today:

Daily Deals: XYZprinting Da Vinci 1.0 3D Printer $350, HP x3000 Wireless Optical Mouse $8, more

Home recording bundle: ATH-M50x over-ears, Focusrite Scarlett interface and mic kit $269 shipped ($410+ value)

New! Games/Apps: FX Photo Studio for Mac $2 (Reg. $10), I Gladiator goes free (Reg. $3)
New! Acer 11″ Chromebook 2.16GHz/2GB/16GB (refurb): $110 shipped (Orig. $200)
New! Quick Charge 2.0 18W USB Wall Charger w/ micro USB $10 (Reg. $16), more
New! Headphones: Monster iSport in-ears $50 (Reg. $150), Beyerdynamic Tesla on-ears $200 (Reg. $300), more

More deals still alive:

JayBird BlueBuds X Sport Bluetooth Headphones for $110 shipped (Reg. $170)

RAVPower FileHub Travel Router w/ 6000mAh Power bank $35 Prime shipped (Reg. $60)

Add seven USB 3.0 ports to your Mac w/ this 30W Mpow Aluminum Hub: $19 (Reg. $39)
11″ MacBook Air (previous gen) 1.7GHZ/8GB/512GB + freebies: $1,000 (Reg. $1,200+)
Audio-Technica AT-LP120-USB Direct-Drive Turntable: $210 shipped (Orig. $300)
KingTop car chargers w/ Prime shipping: 10A/50W 4-port $10, 6.6A/33W 3-port $10
Media: BOGO Blu-rays from $8, Spirited Away $20 Prime shipped, more
Toshiba 13″ Chromebook 2 Intel 2.16GHz/4GB/16GB SSD $250 shipped (Reg. $300)
App Store Free App of the Week: Halftone 2 Comic Book Creator ($2 value)
Free Xbox Gold Games for July: Assassin’s Creed IV Black Flag, more
HooToo Wireless N Travel Routers 20% off: TripMate Nano $15 Prime shipped (Reg. $25)
Speakers: PreSonus 4.5″ Powered Studio Monitors $163 (Reg. $200), more
LG 34″ UltraWide LED IPS Monitor w/ Thunderbolt 2: $750 shipped (Reg. $1,000)
iPhone 5 & 1-Yr Unlimited Talk/Text, 500MB LTE/m $300 shipped
Ondesoft Mac Bundle w/ X-Mirage, iTunes Converter, more: free ($146 value)

New products & more:

Bricasso scans any image and then 3D prints it using LEGO bricks as ink

Five bizarre kitchen gadgets you need to add to your cooking arsenal

Frigidaire launches its very first iOS/Android connected smart home air conditioner
Yirego’s Drumi powerless washing machine gives urbanites a unique alternative
Quick Review: Eton Scorpion II is a rugged solar electronic survival kit for $50
Molson and Google team up on voice activated fridge that dispenses free beer
Amazon’s Treasure Truck brings daily deals to the streets
Firebox’s new WTF section has a $236K Apple Watch and a full-size Delorean
SanDisk’s behemoth 200GB microSD is now in-stock and ready to ship
Silk by Saffron’s smart LED bulbs adjust your lighting based on the sun
Here’s a life-size model of Claptrap from Borderlands made entirely of LEGO
Stream the series debut of HBO’s Ballers in HD for free
LEGO unveils the highly detailed new Ferrari F40 Creator series set
The Luzi Smart Lamp has Siri-like powers with charging options for Apple Watch

VLC for iOS gets Apple Watch support for playback controls & library browsing, new mini-player, more

Jordan Kahn Jun 30 2015 - 8:42 am PT

0 Comments

Popular medial player VLC for iOS today gets a notable update that brings support for Apple Watch alongside other new features and a long list of improvements and fixes.
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