Apps

6,287 'Apps' stories April 2010 - May 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.

Google Cardboard VR viewer & SDK now support iOS

Zac Hall May 28 2015 - 11:52 am PT

3 Comments

Google revealed today at the I/O conference that its Cardboard viewer for creating virtual reality experiences easily from Android apps will now support the iPhone for the first time.

The added support for the iPhone comes as Google has added support for iOS to its Cardboard SDK for developers. This means that iPhone apps can now include virtual reality experiences when paired with the Cardboard viewer.

In addition to adding support for iOS, Google is releasing an updated version of its Cardboard view that supports larger phones with up to 6-inch displays. The new version also features an improved input button and can be assembled in just three steps rather than twelve.

Google Cardboard for iPhone is available on the App Store. Cardboard Viewer is available to buy from $19.99 through Google, although the company also offers instructions for building your own viewer.

Google Places API for iOS now available to all, Maps to add offline search/navigation

Jordan Kahn May 28 2015 - 11:31 am PT

4 Comments

As part of its Google I/O developer conference today, Google is offering some updates on its Google Places API for iOS as well as future updates arriving for its Maps app.
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Google’s Inbox iOS app now open to all, updated w/ new features

Jordan Kahn May 28 2015 - 11:14 am PT

11 Comments

[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VCo3zZ0P4vU]

After first launching its new Inbox app as an alternative email experience to its main Gmail service last year, Google today announced that Inbox is now open to all sans the original invite system while it also introduces a number of new features for the service.

As for features, Google highlighted a new “Trip Bundles” feature that keeps emails related to travel in one place, and improved controls for things like Undo Send, Signatures, and Swipe to Delete:
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Google introduces Photos app w/ unlimited photo & video syncing on iOS, Android, and the web

Zac Hall May 28 2015 - 11:11 am PT

58 Comments

Google revealed its new cross-platform Photos app and service today at its I/O developer conference taking place right now. The idea is similar to Apple’s own Photos app and iCloud Photo Library. Google is automatically backing up and syncing photo and video libraries using Google Drive storage and not local device storage, but Google’s killer feature for its version comes down to price: Google Photos is completely free.
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9to5Toys Last Call: ChugPlug MacBook battery add-on $68, iPad Air 2 64GB $500, travel router $15, more

May 28 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:

App Store Free App of the Week: Hyper Square puzzle game ($2 value)
USB Charger Deals w/ Prime shipping: Lumsing 2-port 17W $5 (Reg. $10), more
Pioneer speakers: SP-BS21 Bookshelfs $50 shipped (Orig. $100), more
Inateck 2.5″ SSD Enclosure w/ 3-port USB 3.0 Hub: $22 Prime shipped (Reg. $28)
New game from former BioShock devs puts players in the shoes of a blind protagonist
Blumoo Bluetooth Universal Remote Shipped: $85 (Orig. $130, CA Tax Only)
Get up to $100 in Amazon credit w/ Weber Grills + $50 credit $399 ($449 value), more
Home: Coca-Cola mini fridge $30, Cuisinart brushed stainless griddler (refurb) $75, more

Lenmar’s ChugPlug gets you 4 hours of MacBook battery life: $68 shipped (Reg. $130)

iPad Air 2 64GB Wi-Fi in all colors for the same price as 16GB: $500 shipped (Reg. $599)

TP-LINK 150Mbps wireless N portable travel router $15 shipped (Orig. $30)

30 discounted iTunes movie bundles: Jurassic Park $20, Godfather & Lord of the Rings Trilogy $15 ea, more

Giveaway: Intrepid’s Journeyman messenger bag worth $379 is great for work or play

More new gear from today:

Amazon Prime adds free same day delivery in select markets across the United States

New! Daily Deals: 11,200mAh Power Bank $18, Anker Bluetooth Speaker $28, more
New! Headphones: Philips Bluetooth $31, Audio-Technica (refurb) $39, more
New! Games/Apps: ProCam 2 for iOS goes free (Reg. $3), iOS freebies, more
New! Buy Incase’s new bags early and get a free power pack ($50 value) + giveaway

More deals still alive:

WD upgrades its popular My Passport Ultra portable HD, last gen 2TB on sale for $80

Free PlayStation Plus games for June: Metal Gear Solid V Ground Zeroes, more
Harman Kardon & JBL Factory Recertified up to 80% off
Lumsing cases: iPhone 6 $3, iPhone 6 Plus $5, iPad Air 2 $7 Prime shipped
Get a month of geek and gaming gear from Loot Crate for $17 shipped (15% savings)
Complete Arduino Starter Kit & 3-Course Bundle: $76 (Orig. $520, CA Tax Only)
Get a minimum of $175 towards a PlayStation 4 with an eligible PS3 or Xbox 360 trade
AirPlay content from your iOS devices to your Mac w/ Airserver: $10 (Orig. $15)
iPad mini 3 for the same price as the second gen model: $300 shipped (Reg. $399)
Two rugged Bluetooth speakers from Lumsing: $11 Prime Shipped (Reg. $24+)
NERF blasters and crossbows up to 25% off: Elite 2-in-1 Demolisher $30 (Orig. $40)
NBA Jam for iOS goes free for a limited time thanks to IGN
1Password for Mac drops down even further to $28 (Reg. $50)
App Store Free App of the Week: Magnetized abstract puzzle game ($3 value)
Sky Guide: View Stars Night or Day is now available for free (Reg. $2)
App Store Amazing Apps & Games for $1 ea: Living Earth, Cut the Rope 2, more
Headphones: JBL J55i $19 (Reg. $30), Klipsch R6m $60 (Reg. $72+)
Anker Ultra-Slim Mini Bluetooth Keyboard for Mac, iPad, more: $13 Prime shipped
MFi Lightning Cables: 10-ft $7, 3-ft $6, and more deals for braided and aluminum options
30% off accessories from T-Mobile: Mophie Juice Pack Air for iPhone 6 $76, more
Jabra SOLEMATE Portable Bluetooth Speaker $60 shipped (Reg. $86+)
Veho Retro Leather Bluetooth Speaker $65 shipped (Orig. $180)
Kingtop 5500 DPI Optical Gaming Mouse w/7 Button Side: $9 Prime shipped

New products & more:

SanDisk’s new SSDs offer improved performance at a “cost-effective” price

Neato’s next gen robotic vacuums might be its quietest and best looking yet

Screentendo can turn any part of your screen into a playable Super Mario Bros. level
This retro style amiibo display is going to give you flashbacks
OXBOARD blends a skateboard and Segway for a unique rechargeable transportation option
The new Yeair quadcopter can go as fast as your car for 60 minutes without landing
Amazon’s purported Handmade store is about to rain on Etsy’s parade
This origami style kayak unfolds and has you in the water in 10 minutes
Xbox One can get over-air HD channels with new bundle from MS
Retro Freak plays original game cartridges from 11 throwback consoles
Phree stylus works on nearly any surface & doubles as a headset for phone calls
Bloxels lets anyone design video games with no programming knowledge needed

MooVee for iPhone aims to help you manage your growing movie watchlist

Mike Beasley May 28 2015 - 9:00 am PT

6 Comments

Following up on the success of the series tracking app TeeVee, developer CrazyApps has released a new piece of software aimed at moviegoers. The app, appropriately titled MooVee, allows you to keep track of movies you’ve seen and what you want to see.

The app’s UI is similar in some aspects to TeeVee, but most of it has been designed from scratch to better accommodate the ways movies and TV differ. For example, in the image above you can see the watchlist view, which resembles the main list view in TeeVee. However, other features are unique to MooVee.

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Moleskine brings stylish notebook aesthetics to calendar app, integrating maps, contacts & weather

Ben Lovejoy May 28 2015 - 4:02 am PT

31 Comments

As someone who does everything electronically, I’m always slightly bemused by people who still use pen and paper – but there is something about Moleskine notebooks that does occasionally make me wonder just a little if I’m missing out. The company today appears to be targeting people like me, with an app that brings the stylish, minimalist aesthetics of the notebooks to a new iPhone and Apple Watch app.

Moleskine Timepage aims to integrate your iCloud, Google and Microsoft Exchange calendars with contacts, maps and weather. For appointments elsewhere, it will display a map of the location, show you the travel time by car, public transit, cycling or walking – and show what the weather will be like when you get there …
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Apple Store app offering limited same-day delivery through Postmates in select cities

Zac Hall May 27 2015 - 1:39 pm PT

3 Comments

Apple appears to be testing same-day delivery for some of its products in select markets for customers using the Apple Store app on iOS. First noticed by MacRumors, same-day shipping options fulfilled by the on-demand shipping service Postmates now appear for certain items when checking out with the app.

Not at all in-stock items qualify for the $19 flat rate same-day shipping option, however. The option doesn’t seem to be available within the Apple Store app for all markets with Apple Stores that Postmates serves, either, suggesting the same-day delivery option is being tested on a small scale for now.

Apple recently updated the Apple Store app for iOS, adding support for Touch ID to view order information and 2-step verification for added security. The update also highlighted availability in more countries around the world, but Postmates integration and same-day delivery options have not yet been officially announced.

Apple says native watch SDK preview coming at WWDC, calls car the ‘ultimate mobile device’

Mike Beasley May 27 2015 - 11:04 am PT

6 Comments

Big improvements will be coming to Apple Watch apps later this year, Apple SVP of Operations Jeff Williams revealed during an interview at the Code Conference. In the current version of the Watch OS software, apps need to run on the iPhone rather than the watch itself, which puts a serious damper on performance.

However, that will change this fall, Williams said, when native watch apps are finally made possible…

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Apple’s ‘Proactive’ to take on Google Now with deep iOS 9 search, Augmented Reality Maps, Siri API

Mark Gurman May 27 2015 - 9:59 am PT

55 Comments

After several years of quiet development, Apple is readying a major new iOS initiative codenamed “Proactive,” which will leverage Siri, Contacts, Calendar, Passbook, and third-party apps to create a viable competitor to Google Now for Android devices. Like Google Now, Proactive will automatically provide timely information based on the user’s data and device usage patterns, but will respect the user’s privacy preferences, according to sources familiar with Apple’s plans.

As an evolution of iOS’s Spotlight search feature, Proactive is the fruit of a long-term initiative that involved the acquisition of small app developers, and integration of core iOS apps. It will also work with Apple’s Maps application to display personally relevant points of interest using an augmented reality interface, and integrate with a third-party Siri API codenamed “Breadcrumbs”…

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Pixelmator for the iPhone launching tomorrow, we go hands on (update: now available!)

Benjamin Mayo May 27 2015 - 9:56 am PT

10 Comments

Update: Pixelmator for iPhone is now available. Download it here.

Pixelmator is releasing an update to its iOS app tomorrow, making the app available on the iPhone for the first time ($4.99). The universal app means you can buy once and download Pixelmator on both iPad and iPhone. Existing iOS users of the app naturally get the iPhone version for free as an update. The new version also brings the Distort tools, like warp brushes, to the iOS app for the first time.

Pixelmator for iPhone works very similarly to the iPad version but scaled down for the smaller canvas. You can read our full review of the iPad app from last year. Rather than popover panels, selecting an action opens full-width menus encapsulating options. This is a necessary concession for the size of the display.

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WWDC app refreshed with Apple Watch support, session schedule, more

Zac Hall May 27 2015 - 9:34 am PT

1 Comment

Apple has just released version 3.0 of its WWDC app for iPhone and iPad ahead of the big developer conference kicking off on June 8th. Notably, the updated version includes support for the Apple Watch for viewing conference info from the new device, including a WWDC glance:
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9to5Toys Last Call: discounted iTunes movie bundles, Logitech Bluetooth speaker $60, WD 2TB HDD $80, more

May 27 2015 - 9:09 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:

Neato’s next gen robotic vacuums might be its quietest and best looking yet
Free PlayStation Plus games for June: Metal Gear Solid V Ground Zeroes, more
Lumsing cases: iPhone 6 $3, iPhone 6 Plus $5, iPad Air 2 $7 Prime shipped
Lenmar’s ChugPlug gets you 4 hours of MacBook battery life: $68 shipped (Reg. $130)
Screentendo can turn any part of your screen into a playable Super Mario Bros. level
Get a month of geek and gaming gear from Loot Crate for $17 shipped (15% savings)
Complete Arduino Starter Kit & 3-Course Bundle: $76 (Orig. $520, CA Tax Only)
Home: Cuisinart auto ice cream maker (refurb) $35 (Orig. $50), more

Fleksy customizable keyboard app w/ GIF support for iOS goes free (Reg. $1) http://t.co/Kh3EeZVI2b pic.twitter.com/gRBwDKanEt

— 9to5Toys (@9to5toys) May 27, 2015

30 discounted iTunes movie bundles: Jurassic Park $20, Godfather & Lord of the Rings Trilogy $15 ea, more

Logitech UE BOOM wireless Bluetooth speakers: MINI $60 (Orig. $100), full-size $129 (Orig. $200)

WD upgrades its popular My Passport Ultra portable HD, last gen 2TB on sale for $80

Giveaway: Intrepid’s Journeyman messenger bag worth $379 is great for work or play

More new gear from today:

Daily Deals: OtterBox iPhone 6 commuter wallet case $21, Tethys universal waterproof pouch $4, more

New! Games/Apps: Witcher series $10, Bayonetta 2 $45, Wii U bundle $260, freebies, more
New! Harman Kardon & JBL Factory Recertified up to 80% off
New! This retro style amiibo display is going to give you flashbacks to the first Super Mario Bros.

Bayonetta 1 & 2 for Wii U $45 shipped (Reg. $60) http://t.co/Kh3EeZVI2b pic.twitter.com/Y048Cu3uia

— 9to5Toys (@9to5toys) May 27, 2015

More deals still alive:

AirPlay content from your iOS devices to your Mac w/ Airserver: $10 (Orig. $15)

Get a minimum of $175 towards a PlayStation 4 with an eligible PS3 or Xbox 360 trade

iPad mini 3 for the same price as the second gen model: $300 shipped (Reg. $399)
Two rugged Bluetooth speakers from Lumsing: $11 Prime Shipped (Reg. $24+)
NERF blasters and crossbows up to 25% off: Elite 2-in-1 Demolisher $30 (Orig. $40)
NBA Jam for iOS goes free for a limited time thanks to IGN
1Password for Mac drops down even further to $28 (Reg. $50)
App Store Free App of the Week: Magnetized abstract puzzle game ($3 value)
Sky Guide: View Stars Night or Day is now available for free (Reg. $2)
App Store Amazing Apps & Games for $1 ea: Living Earth, Cut the Rope 2, more
Headphones: JBL J55i $19 (Reg. $30), Klipsch R6m $60 (Reg. $72+)
Anker Ultra-Slim Mini Bluetooth Keyboard for Mac, iPad, more: $13 Prime shipped
MFi Lightning Cables: 10-ft $7, 3-ft $6, and more deals for braided and aluminum options
30% off accessories from T-Mobile: Mophie Juice Pack Air for iPhone 6 $76, more
Jabra SOLEMATE Portable Bluetooth Speaker $60 shipped (Reg. $86+)
Veho Retro Leather Bluetooth Speaker $65 shipped (Orig. $180)
Kingtop 5500 DPI Optical Gaming Mouse w/7 Button Side: $9 Prime shipped
Refurbished 5K iMac pricing down to lowest ever
Apple has reduced pricing on many of its refurbished 15” Retina MacBook Pro models
Belkin 30% off sitewide on $100+ orders: Thunderbolt 2 Dock $210, more
Canon PIXMA AirPrint Printer + Premiere/Photoshop: $109 (~$200 value)
Bluetooth Speakers: Urge Soundbrick $19 (Reg. $30), Aukey Muse $20 (Reg. $36), more

New products & more:

OXBOARD blends a skateboard and Segway for a unique rechargeable transportation option

The new Yeair quadcopter can go as fast as your car for 60 minutes without landing

Amazon’s purported Handmade store is about to rain on Etsy’s parade
This origami style kayak unfolds and has you in the water in 10 minutes
Xbox One can get over-air HD channels with new bundle from MS
Retro Freak plays original game cartridges from 11 throwback consoles
Phree stylus works on nearly any surface & doubles as a headset for phone calls
Bloxels lets anyone design video games with no programming knowledge needed

eBook app for Apple Watch shows what not to do with watch apps

Jordan Kahn May 27 2015 - 8:23 am PT

4 Comments

Want to read ebooks on your Apple Watch one word at a time? Of course you don’t.

There are apps that make a lot of sense for the smaller display and the quick access that Apple Watch provides, but this ebook reader certainly doesn’t hit that sweet spot. Perhaps some people are interested in reading books on their wrist one word at a time, but for others (most?), this new Wear Reader app is a great example of what not to do with Apple Watch apps:
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Kindle for iOS adds a new font for digital screens, HBO Go now supports HDMI playback

Zac Hall May 27 2015 - 7:20 am PT

1 Comment

Two interesting app updates out today that make enjoying media from your iOS device even better.

On the reading front, Amazon has updated its Kindle for iOS app to include a font called Bookerly that it says was designed especially for reading on a digital screen. The font, which was first made available on its Kindle Fire devices, is described by Amazon as “warm and contemporary.”
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Apple’s iOS 7/8 icons for App Store and Siri are now registered trademarks

Ben Lovejoy May 27 2015 - 5:07 am PT

0 Comments

Apple may have long ago given up on protecting ‘App Store‘ as a trademark, but it has now been granted a trademark for the iOS 7/8 icons for both the App Store and Siri.

Patently Apple notes that the trademark categories are broad, spanning everything from sporting events to wine sommelier services, reflecting the hugely diverse range of content covered by the two services.

Minecraft Pocket Edition for iOS updated w/ skins, fishing, and much more

Jordan Kahn May 26 2015 - 12:27 pm PT

11 Comments

Mojang today announced a huge update to its popular Minecraft Pocket Edition app for iPhone and iPad. The big focus of the update is access to new free and paid skins for characters (as pictured above):

Skins are the way you change the appearance of your Minecraft character. Instead of looking like Alex or Steve, you can roll with a different vibe, like a butcher, dog, or plumber. Skins are purely cosmetic – they don’t affect the way the game plays or give you any special abilities.

Paid skins are available to purchase in bundles, but users can also upload or create their own as well as find free skins within the game. You’ll get around 20 skins for $0.99/€0.79/£0.79 if you opt for the paid bundles.

The update also includes other improvements and new features including the ability to fish and a long list of new animals. The full list of what’s new is below:

Multiple language support
Boats with space for two! Take your pet for a pleasant ride.
The ability to throw stuff from boats, including snowballs and eggs
Fishing! Now you can fish for fishies!
Squids!
Spider jockeys!
Cave Spiders!
Bats!
Adorable baby zombies!
Weird chicken jockeys!
Edible clownfish. Yum!
A fancy new World Edit screen so you can rename worlds, change game modes and do other things
Creative players can no longer be set on fire. Controversial
We’ve stopped cheeky chickens from walking on water
Animals can no longer breed without touching each other ooh err
Drinking milk now removes mob effects
Ridiculous amounts of bug fixes
More cool things that you should discover for yourself

You can grab the updated Minecraft Pocket Edition on the App Store soon (it’s submitted to Apple and should arrive any day now).

9to5Toys Last Call: iPad mini 2 128GB w/ LTE $370, Samsung 500GB SSD $150, Bluetooth speaker $11, more

May 26 2015 - 11:18 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:

OXBOARD blends a skateboard and Segway for a unique rechargeable transportation option
The new Yeair quadcopter can go as fast as your car for 60 minutes without landing
NERF blasters and crossbows up to 25% off: Elite 2-in-1 Demolisher $30 (Orig. $40)

Lenmar ChugPlug adds up to 4 hours of battery life to your MacBook: $70 shipped (Reg. $130) http://t.co/qdoyU6pnW7 pic.twitter.com/WGDpxlA0Zs

— 9to5Toys (@9to5toys) May 26, 2015

Get a PlayStation 4 with The Last of Us Remastered and a year of PS Plus for $399 ($450 value) http://t.co/xYxsJnKVrz pic.twitter.com/P2tVmbJwSW

— 9to5Toys (@9to5toys) May 26, 2015

iPad mini 2 Wi-Fi + Cellular 128GB in Silver for $370 shipped (Orig. $829)

iPad mini 3 for the same price as the second gen model: $300 shipped (Reg. $399)

Apple now selling refurbished iPad Air 2 models on its online store

Samsung 850 EVO 500GB 2.5-inch Internal Solid State Drive: $150 shipped (Reg. $180+)

Two rugged, highly-rated Bluetooth speakers from Lumsing: $11 Prime Shipped (Reg. $24+)

ZAGG 50% off sitewide sale: iPad Air 2 Backlit Keyboard Case $50, InvisibleShield, more

Anker Ultra-Slim Mini Bluetooth Keyboard for Mac, iPad, Apple TV, Android, PC more: $13 Prime shipped

Apple-Certified MFi Lightning Cables: 10-ft $7, 3-ft $6, and more deals for braided and aluminum options

Giveaway: Intrepid’s Journeyman messenger bag worth $379 is great for work or play

More new gear from today:

Home: Philips Men’s grooming products/shavers from $23, waterproof/floating LED flashlight $5 (Reg. $10), more

Games/Apps: amiibo figures 3 for $30, Sleep Cycle alarm clock $2 (Reg. $5), Bonza Word Puzzle goes free, more

New! Get a minimum of $175 towards a PlayStation 4 with an eligible PS3 or Xbox 360 trade
New! Headphones: JBL J55i $19 (Reg. $30), Klipsch R6m $60 (Reg. $72+)
New! AirPlay content from your iOS devices to your Mac w/ Airserver: $10 (Orig. $15)
New! Daily Deals: 15000mAh Dual USB Power bank $14, Lenmar ChugPlug MacBook battery $80, more

More deals still alive:

30% off accessories from T-Mobile: Logitech Megaboom speaker $216, Mophie Juice Pack Air for iPhone 6 $76, more

NBA Jam for iOS goes free for a limited time thanks to IGN

1Password secure password manager app for Mac drops down even further to $28 (Reg. $50)

App Store Amazing Apps & Games for $1 ea: Living Earth, Cut the Rope 2, Alto’s Adventure, TMNT Rooftop Run, more

App Store Free App of the Week: Magnetized abstract puzzle game ($3 value)

Sky Guide: View Stars Night or Day is now available for free (Reg. $2)

Jabra SOLEMATE Portable Bluetooth Speaker $60 shipped (Reg. $86+)
Veho Retro Leather Bluetooth Speaker $65 shipped (Orig. $180)
Kingtop 5500 DPI Optical Gaming Mouse w/7 Button Side: $9 Prime shipped
Refurbished 5K iMac pricing down to lowest ever
Apple has reduced pricing on many of its refurbished 15” Retina MacBook Pro models
Belkin 30% off sitewide on $100+ orders: Thunderbolt 2 Dock $210, more
Canon PIXMA AirPrint Printer + Premiere/Photoshop: $109 (~$200 value)
Bluetooth Speakers: Urge Soundbrick $19 (Reg. $30), Aukey Muse $20 (Reg. $36), more
iClever Bluetooth Hands-Free Car Kit + Dual USB Car Charger $25 Prime shipped (Reg. $30)
Get up to $7.50 towards Jurassic World movie ticket w/ purchase
Gift cards up to 20% off: Staples, Sears, GILT, Cold Stone Creamery, iTunes, more
4-Port 48W/9.6A Smart USB Car Charger $9 (Reg. $13), more
NETGEAR Essentials Edition 500 Mbps Powerline Starter Kit $30 (Orig. $45)

New products & more:

Amazon’s purported Handmade store is about to rain on Etsy’s parade

This origami style kayak unfolds and has you in the water in 10 minutes
Xbox One can get over-air HD channels with new bundle from MS
Retro Freak plays original game cartridges from 11 throwback consoles
Phree stylus works on nearly any surface & doubles as a headset for phone calls
Bloxels lets anyone design video games with no programming knowledge needed
Arduboy is a fully programmable, classic gaming console the size of a credit card
Hitachi’s new wireless speakers bests SONOS on price and overall features

CarPlay support added to MLB At Bat iPhone app

Zac Hall May 26 2015 - 10:29 am PT

9 Comments

There’s one more app joining Apple’s small list of road-ready apps for the car today as MLB At Bat for iPhone has been updated with CarPlay support.
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Marriott app adds hotel check-ins from your Apple Watch, PayPal for iPhone gains Touch ID login

Zac Hall May 26 2015 - 10:25 am PT

3 Comments

Back in March, Marriott Hotels announced that it plans to accept Apple Pay as a payment form at many of its properties this summer, and today the hotel chain has updated its Marriott International app for iPhone to include Apple Watch support.
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Siri will have competition this year as Microsoft confirms Cortana coming to iOS (and Android)

Ben Lovejoy May 26 2015 - 6:22 am PT

26 Comments

Reuters reported back in March that Microsoft planned to bring its Siri competitor Cortana to iOS, and Microsoft has now officially confirmed this in a blog post.

Today, we’re announcing a Cortana application for Android phones and for iPhones which works as a companion to Cortana on your Windows 10 PC. The ‘Phone Companion’ app on the PC will help you install the Cortana app from the Google Play or Apple App Store onto your phone so you’ll be able to take the intelligence of Cortana with you, wherever you go […]

The Cortana companion will be available for Android phones at the end of June and for iPhones later this year.

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

While Microsoft is pitching the app as a companion to a Windows PC, it appears that most of the functionality will work in the iPhone app without the need for a Windows device, Microsoft saying that you can “make the same queries, ask the same questions” in the standalone app …
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9to5Toys Lunch Break: iPad Air 2 16GB $400, ZAGG 50% off sitewide, Mac/iOS Bluetooth keyboard $13, more

Justin Kahn May 25 2015 - 9:26 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:

iPad Air 2 Wi-Fi in all colors: 16GB $400 (Reg. $499), 128GB $590 (Reg. $699)

iPad mini 3 for the same price as the second gen model: $300 shipped (Reg. $399)

Apple now selling refurbished iPad Air 2 models on its online store

ZAGG 50% off sitewide sale: iPad Air 2 Backlit Keyboard Case $50, InvisibleShield, more

Anker Ultra-Slim Mini Bluetooth Keyboard for Mac, iPad, Apple TV, Android, PC more: $13 Prime shipped

Apple-Certified MFi Lightning Cables: 10-ft $7, 3-ft $6, and more deals for braided and aluminum options

$100 iTunes gift card for $80 w/ email delivery from PayPal (20% savings)

Giveaway: Intrepid’s Journeyman messenger bag worth $379 is great for work or play

More new gear from today:

30% off accessories from T-Mobile: Logitech Megaboom speaker $216, Mophie Juice Pack Air for iPhone 6 $76, more

New! Jabra SOLEMATE Portable Bluetooth Speaker $60 shipped (Reg. $86+)
New! Veho Retro Leather Bluetooth Speaker $65 shipped (Orig. $180)
New! Kingtop 5500 DPI Optical Gaming Mouse w/7 Button Side: $9 Prime shipped
New! Games/Apps: Memorial Day Mac game sale up to 75% off, iOS freebies, more
New! Daily Deals: non-contact laser gun thermometer $12, JBL Speakers $85, more
New! Amazon’s purported Handmade store is about to rain on Etsy’s parade

More deals still alive:

Apple’s high-end 5K iMac w/ 1TB Fusion Drive drops to $2,100 or $2,050 for anyone w/ .edu email (Reg. $2,299)

Refurbished 5K iMac pricing down to lowest ever

Apple has reduced pricing on many of its refurbished 15” MacBook Pro w/ Retina display models

Memorial Day Fashion: Save an extra 30% at Ralph Lauren, up to 50% off at Banana Republic, J.Crew, Lucky, many more

Nordstrom Half-Yearly Sale up to 40% off Burberry, Lacoste, Under Armour, more

1Password secure password manager app for Mac drops down even further to $28 (Reg. $50)

App Store Amazing Apps & Games for $1 ea: Living Earth, Cut the Rope 2, Alto’s Adventure, TMNT Rooftop Run, more

App Store Free App of the Week: Magnetized abstract puzzle game ($3 value)

NBA Jam for iOS goes free for a limited time thanks to IGN

Sky Guide: View Stars Night or Day is now available for free (Reg. $2)

Anker Car Mounts for iPhone and Android starting at $7 Prime shipped
Belkin 30% off sitewide on $100+ orders: Thunderbolt 2 Dock $210, more
Home: 3-pack OxyLED stick-anywhere tap lights $20 ($39 value), more
Canon PIXMA AirPrint Printer + Premiere/Photoshop: $109 (~$200 value)
Bluetooth Speakers: Urge Soundbrick $19 (Reg. $30), Aukey Muse $20 (Reg. $36), more
iClever Bluetooth Hands-Free Car Kit + Dual USB Car Charger $25 Prime shipped (Reg. $30)
Get up to $7.50 towards Jurassic World movie ticket w/ purchase
Gift cards up to 20% off: Staples, Sears, GILT, Cold Stone Creamery, iTunes, more
Roku discounts media players by $10, new Roku 3 down to $90 shipped
Xbox One can get over-air HD channels with new bundle from MS
Media: Whiplash HD rental for $1 (Reg. $5), Imitation Game Blu-ray $13, more
4-Port 48W/9.6A Smart USB Car Charger $9 (Reg. $13), more
Home: Dyson hand vac $120, double hammock w/ steel stand $80, more
NETGEAR Essentials Edition 500 Mbps Powerline Starter Kit $30 (Orig. $45)
Two SONOS PLAY:1 Wireless Powered Speakers: $349 ($398 value)
OtterBox iPhone 6/Plus Defender Series Case from $25 shipped (Orig. up to $60), more
OtterBox iPhone 6 Symmetry Series Case $25 Prime shipped (Orig. $40), more
Save 25% on Timbuk2’s newest styles: 2015 Command Messenger Bag for $104, more
Lumsing Portable Wireless Bluetooth Speaker $16 (Reg. $24), more

New products & more:

This origami style kayak unfolds and has you in the water in 10 minutes

Retro Freak plays original game cartridges from 11 throwback consoles
Phree stylus works on nearly any surface & doubles as a headset for phone calls
Bloxels lets anyone design video games with no programming knowledge needed
Arduboy is a fully programmable, classic gaming console the size of a credit card
Hitachi’s new wireless speakers bests SONOS on price and overall features
LINKA will keep your bike secure and unlock it when you walk up with your iPhone
Apogee’s new aluminum USB headphone amp and portable DAC is now available
This retro style arcade cabinet looks like it belongs in an art museum
Narrative’s Clip 2 wearable camera for iOS and Android is available for pre-order today

Chromecast iOS app updated w/ interface tweaks, backdrop enhancements, more

Chance Miller May 22 2015 - 6:17 pm PT

1 Comment

The companion app to Google’s $35 Chromecast dongle received an update today with a handful of improvements and changes. Bumping the app to version 1.11.4116, the update brings several interface tweaks. First off, the devices view of the app has been redesigned with a card-like interface. The devices screen also now lists what backdrop is currently being displayed along with casting status.

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Geek Watch brings the classic Casio calculator interface to Apple Watch

Chance Miller May 22 2015 - 5:13 pm PT

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We’ve already seen a couple of useful calculator apps for the Apple Watch, but the most recent one, released today, arguably has the coolest interface of them all. Geek Watch takes the design and interface of the classic Casio calculator watch and puts it on the Apple Watch.

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