Apps

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: Halftone 2 Comic Book Creator ($2 value)
100 Audible audiobooks for $5 each: The Great Gatsby, Fahrenheit 451, more
The Luzi Smart Lamp has Siri-like powers with charging options for Apple Watch
Free Xbox Gold Games for July: Assassin’s Creed IV Black Flag, more
LEGO unveils the highly detailed new Ferrari F40 Creator series set
There’s a slim chance you’ll get the YEEZY BOOST 350 sneakers
LG G4 w/ 32 GB flash (factory unlocked): $500 shipped (Reg. $600)
Home: WORX 8-in-1 Wheelbarrow yard cart $130 (Reg. $160+), more

Logitech UE MINI BOOM Wireless Portable Speaker (multiple colors) $50 shipped (Orig. $100)

LG 49-inch 4K 60Hz Smart LED UHDTV: $600 shipped (Reg. $900)

Headphones: Qy7 Bluetooth 4.1 Earbuds $20 Prime shipped (Reg. $30), Sennheiser HD439 $40 (Reg. $55+), more

Amazon’s Treasure Truck brings daily deals to the streets

Save $100 on Apple’s iPad Air 2 Wi-Fi 16GB in Gold or Silver: $399 shipped (Reg. $499)

Giveaway: Grovemade’s latest wooden creation provides a luxurious home for your Magic TrackPad

More new gear from today:

Games/Apps: Dragon Age Inquisition $30, Skylanders Trap Team Wii U $30, Jump Out free, more iOS freebies

New! LG 34″ UltraWide LED IPS Monitor w/ Thunderbolt 2: $750 shipped (Reg. $1,000)
New! Daily Deals: Anker Portable Bluetooth Speaker $26, Toshiba 2TB HDD $80, more
New! Speakers: PreSonus 4.5″ Powered Studio Monitors $163 (Reg. $200), more

Fenix 3-ft MFi Apple-certified Lightning cable $5 Prime shipped (Reg. $10) http://t.co/nXzcZz4XqF pic.twitter.com/WMa5UQDtG0

— 9to5Toys (@9to5toys) June 25, 2015

More deals still alive:

Verus iPhone 6/Plus cases in multiple styles & colors starting at $2 shipped

HooToo Wireless N Travel Routers w/ file sharing 20% off: TripMate Nano $15 Prime shipped (Reg. $25), more

3-pack of 3.3-ft Poweradd MFi Lightning cables $15 Prime shipped (Reg. $23)
Garmin vívofit Bluetooth Fitness Band (refurb): $42 shipped (Orig. $130)
iPhone 5 & 1-Yr Unlimited Talk/Text, 500MB LTE/m $300 shipped
Incase up to 40% off sale + extra 15% + free shipping
WD My Passport Pro 2TB portable storage w/ Thunderbolt cable $200 (Reg. $300)
Headphones: JBL J33A in-ears w/ mic $15 (Reg. $24), more
The best deals to really take advantage of Microsoft’s Xbox One free game promotion
ZyXEL AV2 600Mbps Powerline Gigabit adapter kit $44 shipped (Reg. $70)
Pad and Quill 10% off + free shipping: Apple Watch stands from $72, more
HP Officejet Pro Wireless All-in-One Inkjet w/ AirPrint: $60 shipped (Reg. $90+)
App Store sale – Amazing Fantasy Games at least 50% off: Badlands $2, more
App Store Free App of the Week: Warhammer Snotling Fling ($4 value)
4-Pack of Lexar 16GB TwistTurn USB Flash Drives $19 shipped (Reg. $24)
Ondesoft Mac Bundle w/ X-Mirage, iTunes Converter, more: free ($146 value)

New products & more:

Polaroid’s mini 1-inch 1080p action camera refreshed with Wi-Fi integration for iOS

The Roost smart battery adds iOS notifications to your old smoke detectors for $35

The affordable Micro Drone 3.0 has a motorized camera mount and streams HD video
The Camp Champ delivers an all-in-one luxurious kitchen experience to your tent
Here’s our first real look at Tony Hawk Pro Skater 5 for Xbox One and PS4
Lexus just teased a new hoverboard and it looks awesome
Ily puts video calls front and center with compatibility for iOS and Android devices
Hulu secures its subscribers a 20% discount on the new Showtime streaming service
Amazon Echo smart speaker now available for purchase for $180 shipped
Watch this speedrunner clear Super Mario World in 23 minutes while blindfolded
The new Forza 6 Limited Edition Xbox One console has a Ford GT inspired controller
GameStop launches vintage games store and prices are all over the place
Jabra’s new in-ear Bluetooth headphones track more than 40 exercises
LEGO Minifigures Online is set to arrive with multi-platform play on Mac/PC/iOS
McDonald’s new to-go box for bikes will have you cycling up to the drive-thru
It took more than half-a-decade to knit this detailed replica Super Mario Bros. map
Sony’s new Ultimate Player Edition PlayStation 4 comes with double the storage

E3:

The 5 biggest iOS and Android games announced at this year’s E3 Expo
Super Smash Bros. updates, Star Fox rolls onto Wii U, more
Limited edition PS4 accessories celebrate PlayStation’s 20th Anniversary
New games & hardware announced at E3 make Xbox One deserving of a second look
Sony shows Last Guardian, Final Fantasy VII remake, Uncharted 4, Star Wars, more
Microsoft unveils new hardware, 360 compatibility + Forza 6, Halo 5, more
Bethesda’s real life Pip Boy for iPhone/Android, Dishonored 2, Doom, more
Xbox Live Gold Members can enjoy EA Access for free this week

Roxio’s Toast 14 for Mac adds easy audio capture, professional DVD creation, iPad & iPhone 6 support, more

Zac Hall Jun 25 2015 - 8:20 am PT

Roxio this week released two new versions of its popular Toast app for managing media on the Mac. Toast 14 Titanium and Toast 14 Pro are out now and include a list of new features for handling media on the desktop and bringing it with you on mobile devices…
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Apple’s iCloud Calendar + Reminders web apps are currently down [U: Fixed for some]

Zac Hall Jun 25 2015 - 7:35 am PT

[Update: The issues seem to be resolved around 12:00 PM EST.]

[Update 2x: Apple has also acknowledged the outage on its system status page noting that it began last night and may still be ongoing.]

No word on Apple’s official iCloud system status page, but the Calendar and Reminders web apps on iCloud.com are currently down as several readers have pointed out. We’ve tested it here and the above error was returned. Apple’s iMessage service suffered a similar outage earlier this week with users reporting widespread downtime. Other iCloud web apps appear to be working properly. We’ll keep an eye on the outage and update if anything changes, but if you’re seeing the outage it’s not just you.

Apple joins Confederate flag boycott, removes apps that use flag in offensive or mean-spirited ways [U: Statement]

Ben Lovejoy Jun 25 2015 - 6:51 am PT

74 Comments

[Update: Apple has confirmed the policy with us. Statement below.]

[Update #2: Reports are now surfacing that Apple is now reinstating some apps with the Confederate flag to the App Store. The company is working with developers who use the Confederate flag, but not in a mean-spirited manner.]

[Update #3: TouchArcade specifies that affected games are able to change their app icons and App Store screenshots to avoid removal.]

A couple of days after Zac Hall called for Apple to join large retailers like Walmart, Target, Sears, Amazon and eBay in withdrawing from selling items featuring the Confederate flag, Apple appears to be working on doing just that.

Touch Arcade noticed that many Civil War games like Ultimate General: Gettysburg and the Hunted Cow series have all disappeared. An App Store search for ‘Confederate’ on Tuesday found plenty of games featuring the flag, while the same search today appears to show only apps dealing with the history (such as the reference work shown) above. All of the games shown in Tuesday’s search (below) have been removed from the App Store …
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You no longer need a Facebook account to use Messenger

Tom Maxwell Jun 24 2015 - 11:11 am PT

Facebook Messenger is a beautifully designed messaging app available on both Android and iOS, and now you don’t even need to a Facebook account to use it.

9to5Toys Last Call: 3-pack MFi Lightning cables $15, iPhone 6/Plus cases from $2, travel router $15, more

Jun 24 2015 - 9:00 am PT

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:

The Roost smart battery adds iOS notifications to your old smoke detectors for $35
The affordable Micro Drone 3.0 has a motorized camera mount and streams HD video
The Camp Champ delivers an all-in-one luxurious kitchen experience to your tent
LG 49-inch 4K 60Hz Smart LED UHDTV: $600 (Reg. $900)
Polaroid’s mini 1-inch 1080p action camera refreshed with Wi-Fi integration for iOS
Here’s our first real look at Tony Hawk Pro Skater 5 for Xbox One and PS4
Lexus just teased a new hoverboard and it looks awesome
Home: Philips Avance XL Air Fryer (refurb) $175 (Orig. $350), more

VIZIO 50-inch 4K 240Hz Smart LED UHDTV (refurb): $500 shipped (Orig. $1,800) http://t.co/0JCIp8U4P8 pic.twitter.com/RpzE1rpTMs

— 9to5Toys (@9to5toys) June 24, 2015

3-pack of 3.3-ft Poweradd MFi Lightning cables $15 Prime shipped (Reg. $23)

Verus iPhone 6/Plus cases in multiple styles & colors starting at $2 shipped

HooToo Wireless N Travel Routers w/ file sharing 20% off: TripMate Nano $15 Prime shipped (Reg. $25), more

Save $100 on Apple’s iPad Air 2 Wi-Fi 16GB in Gold or Silver: $399 shipped (Reg. $499)

Amazon Echo smart speaker now available for purchase for $180 shipped

Giveaway: Grovemade’s latest wooden creation provides a luxurious home for your Magic TrackPad

More new gear from today:

Games/Apps: Batman Arkham Knight 20% off + free skins & discounted bundle, Watch Dogs $10, iOS freebies, more

New! Daily Deals: Bluetooth Speaker $20, Logitech Z523 Speakers (refurb) $49, more
New! Save 40% at Gap & on Banana Republic sale items

More deals still alive:

Garmin vívofit Bluetooth Fitness Band (refurb): $42 shipped (Orig. $130)

iPhone 5 & 1-Yr Unlimited Talk/Text, 500MB LTE/m $300 shipped

Incase up to 40% off sale + extra 15% + free shipping
GoPro HERO4 Black 4K Action Camera: $399 shipped (Reg. $500)
WD My Passport Pro 2TB portable storage w/ Thunderbolt cable $200 (Reg. $300)
Headphones: JBL J33A in-ears w/ mic $15 (Reg. $24), more
The best deals to really take advantage of Microsoft’s Xbox One free game promotion
ZyXEL AV2 600Mbps Powerline Gigabit adapter kit $44 shipped (Reg. $70)
Pad and Quill 10% off + free shipping: Apple Watch stands from $72, more
Clarks boots, dress shoes, sneakers: 2 for $99 + free shipping
HP Officejet Pro Wireless All-in-One Inkjet w/ AirPrint: $60 shipped (Reg. $90+)
App Store sale – Amazing Fantasy Games at least 50% off: Badlands $2, more
App Store Free App of the Week: Warhammer Snotling Fling ($4 value)
4-Pack of Lexar 16GB TwistTurn USB Flash Drives $19 shipped (Reg. $24)
Ondesoft Mac Bundle w/ X-Mirage, iTunes Converter, more: free ($146 value)
Bluetooth headphones: Sol Republic Tracks Air $75 (Reg. $150), more
Amazon Students: get a free $10 Amazon credit with the purchase of a $50 gift card

New products & more:

Ily puts video calls front and center with compatibility for iOS and Android devices

Hulu secures its subscribers a 20% discount on the new Showtime streaming service

Watch this speedrunner clear Super Mario World in 23 minutes while blindfolded
The new Forza 6 Limited Edition Xbox One console has a Ford GT inspired controller
GameStop launches vintage games store and prices are all over the place
Jabra’s new in-ear Bluetooth headphones track more than 40 exercises
LEGO Minifigures Online is set to arrive with multi-platform play on Mac/PC/iOS
McDonald’s new to-go box for bikes will have you cycling up to the drive-thru
It took more than half-a-decade to knit this detailed replica Super Mario Bros. map
Sony’s new Ultimate Player Edition PlayStation 4 comes with double the storage
Pebble Time now available to pre-order from Best Buy for $200
Monoprice’s $200 Action Camera matches GoPro on specs & has a slick viewfinder
Quick Review: Kano’s Raspberry Pi 2 computer kit shines as a learning tool
Get ready to take control of the Batmobile in Batman Arkham Knight
Kokoon’s EEG Bluetooth headphones track brain voltage to give you a better night’s sleep

E3:

The 5 biggest iOS and Android games announced at this year’s E3 Expo
Super Smash Bros. updates, Star Fox rolls onto Wii U, more
Limited edition PS4 accessories celebrate PlayStation’s 20th Anniversary
New games & hardware announced at E3 make Xbox One deserving of a second look
Sony shows Last Guardian, Final Fantasy VII remake, Uncharted 4, Star Wars, more
Microsoft unveils new hardware, 360 compatibility + Forza 6, Halo 5, more
Bethesda’s real life Pip Boy for iPhone/Android, Dishonored 2, Doom, more
Xbox Live Gold Members can enjoy EA Access for free this week

Opinion: Apple’s App Store needs to join the Confederate flag boycott

Zac Hall Jun 23 2015 - 2:05 pm PT

350 Comments

Apple’s App Store should join Amazon, eBay, Walmart and others in boycotting the Confederate Flag

[Update 6/25/15: Apple has begun removing apps that “use the Confederate flag in offensive or mean-spirited ways” without removing apps with “educational or historical uses”.]

Apple’s Tim Cook added his voice to the chorus of CEOs speaking against displaying the Confederate Flag on Sunday, indirectly referencing it as a symbol for racism. In a tweet, Cook called to honor the lives of the victims in last week’s tragic South Carolina shooting by “eradicating racism & removing the symbols & words that feed it.” An Alabama native like myself, Cook has been a strong proponent for equality during his tenure as CEO, often speaking out against the South’s tarnished history and the changes we still need to address.

With major physical and online retailers including Walmart, Target, Sears, Amazon, eBay, and Etsy now publicly supporting the boycott against the Confederate flag by removing merchandise that displays it, I believe it’s time for Tim Cook’s Apple to join the campaign by removing digital goods that display the Confederate flag on the App Store.
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Instagram iPhone app adds revamped Explore tab w/ trending content, improved search

Jordan Kahn Jun 23 2015 - 11:25 am PT

1 Comment

Instagram is rolling out an update today for its iPhone app bringing two major new features, including a redesigned Explore tab and improved search functionality. The company said the updates will “help connect our community to the world as it happens,” or in other words, a more real-time experience thanks to new trending Tags and Places within the Explore tab.

With more than 70 million photos and videos posted to Instagram every day, wherever something is happening, chances are you can see it here. Whether it’s behind the scenes at the NBA Finals, on the runway with the latest fashion trend at a favorite club with a local band, people are capturing moments large and small on Instagram. But, until now, there’s never been an easy way to find these moments.

On top of the new trending tags and places in Explore, the company said it will be adding curated collections of images based on various themes, such as specific people or places, and featuring content from across the network.

The updated Explore feature is first rolling out to users in the US as part of the 7.0 update for iPhone that also adds improved search functionality:

For everyone on Instagram, we’ve dramatically improved the ability to find what you’re looking for. With the new Places Search, you can now peer in at just about any location on earth, allowing you to scout out your next vacation spot in the South Pacific, get a look inside that hot new restaurant or experience your favorite music festival — even if you couldn’t make it this year. The new Top Search also lets you search across people, places and tags all at once.

You can grab Instagram version 7.0 for iOS on the App Store now.

Google Calendar for iPhone adds Drive integration, new interactive notifications, more

Zac Hall Jun 23 2015 - 10:58 am PT

4 Comments

Google Calendar is out with an improved version for the iPhone today with version 1.1. The list of changes is short but the improvements should be welcome.

The update includes integration with Google Drive so users can connect files with events on your calendar. Interactive notifications now include the ability to open directions from alerts or respond to guests via email. Finally, users can now see week numbers next to the calendar and more entries using the week view.

Google Calendar for iPhone is available for free on the App Store. Version 1.1 follows the initial launch in mid-March. Full release notes below:
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9to5Toys Last Call: Incase mega sale, iPad Air 2 $399, 11″ MacBook Air (newest) $749, more

Jun 23 2015 - 9:12 am PT

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:

Verus iPhone 6/Plus cases in multiple styles & colors starting at $2 shipped
Get 50% off at Starbucks: $10 gift card for $5 w/ email delivery
Ily puts video calls front and center with compatibility for iOS and Android devices
Hulu secures its subscribers a 20% discount on the new Showtime streaming service
The new Forza 6 Limited Edition Xbox One console has a Ford GT inspired controller
Watch this speedrunner clear Super Mario World in 23 minutes while blindfolded
Headphones: JBL J33A in-ears w/ mic $15 (Reg. $24), more
Home: Black & Decker hand/auto vac $15 (Reg. $30+), more

Incase up to 40% off sale + extra 15% + free shipping: Icon Compact Pack $51, MacBook Air Hardshell Case $30

Save $100 on Apple’s iPad Air 2 Wi-Fi 16GB in Gold or Silver: $399 shipped (Reg. $499)

Daily Deals: 11.6-inch Macbook Air 128GB (newest version) $749, Anker 40W 5-Port USB Charger $17, more

Amazon Echo smart speaker now available for purchase for $180 shipped

Giveaway: Grovemade’s latest wooden creation provides a luxurious home for your Magic TrackPad

More new gear from today:

WD My Passport Pro 2TB portable storage w/ Thunderbolt cable $200 (Reg. $300)

$50 Toys R Us gift card for $40 shipped (20% off): save on video games, LEGO, amiibo, dolls, more

New! Games/Apps: Batman Arkham Knight $50, Nintendo Wii U bundle $260, more
New! ZyXEL AV2 600Mbps Powerline Gigabit adapter kit $44 shipped (Reg. $70)
New! GoPro HERO4 Black 4K Action Camera: $399 shipped (Reg. $500)
New! Garmin vívofit Bluetooth Fitness Band (refurb): $42 shipped (Orig. $130)
New! Puma extra 30% off + free shipping: running shoes $32, Golf tech polo $35

More deals still alive:

iPhone 5 & 1-Yr Unlimited Talk/Text, 500MB LTE/m $300 shipped

The best deals to really take advantage of Microsoft’s Xbox One free game promotion

Pad and Quill 10% off + free shipping: Apple Watch stands from $72, more
Clarks boots, dress shoes, sneakers: 2 for $99 + free shipping
HP Officejet Pro Wireless All-in-One Inkjet w/ AirPrint: $60 shipped (Reg. $90+)
App Store sale – Amazing Fantasy Games at least 50% off: Badlands $2, more
App Store Free App of the Week: Warhammer Snotling Fling ($4 value)
4-Pack of Lexar 16GB TwistTurn USB Flash Drives $19 shipped (Reg. $24)
Ondesoft Mac Bundle w/ X-Mirage, iTunes Converter, more: free ($146 value)
Bluetooth headphones: Sol Republic Tracks Air $75 (Reg. $150), more
Amazon Students: get a free $10 Amazon credit with the purchase of a $50 gift card
Every Pixar movie is currently on sale at iTunes and Google Play
Sony digital game sale: Tomb Raider DE $15, Rayman Legends $20, more

The Belkin Charge and Sync Lightning dock is under $15 today + variety of colors!)http://t.co/5FlaqL0qIl pic.twitter.com/86GLsK2jQu

— 9to5Toys (@9to5toys) June 22, 2015

…and even more great iPhone 6 dock options

New products & more:

Jabra’s new in-ear Bluetooth headphones track more than 40 exercises

GameStop launches vintage games store and prices are all over the place

LEGO Minifigures Online is set to arrive with multi-platform play on Mac/PC/iOS
McDonald’s new to-go box for bikes will have you cycling up to the drive-thru
It took more than half-a-decade to knit this detailed replica Super Mario Bros. map
Sony’s new Ultimate Player Edition PlayStation 4 comes with double the storage
Pebble Time now available to pre-order from Best Buy for $200
Monoprice’s $200 Action Camera matches GoPro on specs & has a slick viewfinder
Quick Review: Kano’s Raspberry Pi 2 computer kit shines as a learning tool
Get ready to take control of the Batmobile in Batman Arkham Knight
Kokoon’s EEG Bluetooth headphones track brain voltage to give you a better night’s sleep
DxO One pairs with your iPhone to snap DSLR quality RAW images
Samsung announces the “world’s first” 4TB USB-powered portable hard drives
Marvel Comic single-issues have now landed at the Kindle store

E3:

The 5 biggest iOS and Android games announced at this year’s E3 Expo
Super Smash Bros. updates, Star Fox rolls onto Wii U, more
Limited edition PS4 accessories celebrate PlayStation’s 20th Anniversary
New games & hardware announced at E3 make Xbox One deserving of a second look
Sony shows Last Guardian, Final Fantasy VII remake, Uncharted 4, Star Wars, more
Microsoft unveils new hardware, 360 compatibility + Forza 6, Halo 5, more
Bethesda’s real life Pip Boy for iPhone/Android, Dishonored 2, Doom, more
Xbox Live Gold Members can enjoy EA Access for free this week

Changing the conversation: How Apple could modernize iMessage to be more powerful and easy to use

Michael Steeber Jun 23 2015 - 7:06 am PT

39 Comments

At this year’s WWDC, Apple devoted a lot of onstage attention to a revamp of the Notes app in both iOS 9 and OS X El Capitan. One of my favorite additions is inline web link previews. Just paste a URL, and Notes will turn the link into a preview bubble with a thumbnail for the page, as well as a title and description.

This got me thinking about the possibility of applying the same functionality to other apps. The most obvious place to start, in my opinion, is Messages. I’m constantly sending and receiving links through iMessage throughout the day, whether it’s to a web page, an image, or even just a tweet. Having to flip back and forth between Safari and Messages just to see what the link I’ve been sent is removes me from the conversation and slows down my workflow.

Neat business-focused Hiri email app for Mac gets Office 365-compatibility, Exchange support to follow

Ben Lovejoy Jun 23 2015 - 5:57 am PT

[vimeo 122338477 w=700 h=394]

I’ve tried a number of Mac email clients over the years before settling (for now) on Postbox, but if I were running a company, I’d definitely give Hiri a whirl. Once your company grows, however, the chances are you’re going to need Office 365 and Exchange compatibility – and that’s what the company is now working on …
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Swarm for iOS reintroduces mayorships and bragging rights

Tom Maxwell Jun 22 2015 - 11:51 am PT

Avid Foursquare junkies (myself included), rejoice – mayorships are back, just now in the Swarm app. You can become the mayor of a place by checking into it more than anyone else in the last 30 days, and only one check-in per day counts towards your rank.

Tweetbot for Mac 2.0.1 brings Twitter’s new ‘quote tweet’ feature, bug fixes

Mike Beasley Jun 22 2015 - 11:37 am PT

2 Comments

The first update for Tweetbot 2 on OS X has been released, bringing promised support for Twitter’s new “quote tweet” feature along with a bevy of bug fixes, including one for a particularly nasty bug that could crash the app while creating a new mention, and another related to uploading a profile photo.

The app also speeds up the process of changing accounts and introduces support for longer direct messages, which will be available as soon as Twitter flips the switch on that feature in the near future.

You can grab Tweetbot 2.0.1 from the Mac App Store for free if you bought an previous version of the app. For new users it’s available at the reduced price of $12.99.

9to5Toys Last Call: iPad Air 2 64GB $500, V-MODA Crossfade LP $70, iPhone 5 w/ 1yr service $300, more

Jun 22 2015 - 9:15 am PT

1 Comment

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:

Incase up to 40% off sale + extra 15% + free shipping: Icon Compact Pack $51, more
WD My Passport Pro 2TB portable storage w/ Thunderbolt cable $200 (Reg. $300)
HP Officejet Pro Wireless All-in-One Inkjet w/ AirPrint: $60 shipped (Reg. $90+)
Jabra’s new in-ear Bluetooth headphones track more than 40 exercises
LEGO Minifigures Online is set to arrive with multi-platform play on Mac/PC/iOS
GameStop launches vintage games store and prices are all over the place
It took more than half-a-decade to knit this detailed replica Super Mario Bros. map
Clarks boots, dress shoes, sneakers: 2 for $99 + free shipping
Home: Cuisinart Stainless Steel knife block set $55 (Reg. $70+), more

Apple iPad Air 2 Wi-Fi 64GB in all colors: $500 shipped (Reg. $599)

Amazon Gold Box – V-MODA Crossfade LP Over-the-Ear Headphones in multiple colors $70 shipped (Reg. $150)

iPhone 5 & 1-Yr Unlimited Talk/Text, 500MB LTE/m $300 shipped

The Belkin Charge and Sync Lightning dock is under $15 today + variety of colors!)http://t.co/5FlaqL0qIl pic.twitter.com/86GLsK2jQu

— 9to5Toys (@9to5toys) June 22, 2015

…and even more great iPhone 6 dock options

Giveaway: Grovemade’s latest wooden creation provides a luxurious home for your Magic TrackPad

More new gear from today:

The best deals to really take advantage of Microsoft’s Xbox One free game promotion

Daily Deals: 2-pack Nokia Mini Proximity Sensors $15, Acer 21.5″ IPS LCD HD Monitor $90, more

New! Pad and Quill 10% off + free shipping: Apple Watch stands from $72, more
New! Games/Apps: Gears of War Ultimate $40 w/ $10 Xbox GC, Tomb Raider DE $16
New! Pebble Time now available to pre-order from Best Buy for $200
New! Sony’s new Ultimate Player Edition PlayStation 4 comes with double the storage
New! McDonald’s new to-go box for bikes will have you cycling up to the drive-thru

Take 20% off GoPro’s HERO4 Black 4K Action Camera: $399 (Reg. $500) http://t.co/b0zCGYoPs5 pic.twitter.com/nkJA1OXOAx

— 9to5Toys (@9to5toys) June 22, 2015

Free Redbox video game rental http://t.co/b0zCGYoPs5 pic.twitter.com/FhSnrY4XSQ

— 9to5Toys (@9to5toys) June 22, 2015

More deals still alive:

Beats by Dr. Dre Powerbeats2 Wireless Bluetooth Headphones in multiple colors: $150 shipped (Reg. $200)

App Store sale – Amazing Fantasy Games at least 50% off: Badlands $2, more

App Store Free App of the Week: Warhammer Snotling Fling ($4 value)

4-Pack of Lexar 16GB TwistTurn USB Flash Drives $19 shipped (Reg. $24)
DJI Phantom 1.1.1 Quadcopter with GoPro Mount $299 shipped (Orig. $349)
Ondesoft Mac Bundle w/ X-Mirage, iTunes Converter, more: free ($146 value)
Bluetooth headphones: Sol Republic Tracks Air $75 (Reg. $150), more
A4C Clearance: Belkin micro-USB keyboard $8, Samsung Level headset $40, more
Amazon Students: get a free $10 Amazon credit with the purchase of a $50 gift card
Every Pixar movie is currently on sale at iTunes and Google Play
Free credit Jurassic World in theaters w/ select Blu-rays + JP HD rental $1, more
Samsung 850 Pro 512GB 2.5-inch Internal Solid State Drive $228 shipped (Orig. $280)
Sony digital game sale: Tomb Raider DE $15, Rayman Legends $20, more
Nintendo – Captain Toad Treasure & Mario Party 10 hit their lowest prices yet + 3DS deals

New products & more:

The 5 biggest iOS and Android games announced at this year’s E3 Expo

Monoprice’s $200 Action Camera matches GoPro on specs & has a slick viewfinder

Quick Review: Kano’s Raspberry Pi 2 computer kit shines as a learning tool
Get ready to take control of the Batmobile in Batman Arkham Knight
Kokoon’s EEG Bluetooth headphones track brain voltage to give you a better night’s sleep
DxO One pairs with your iPhone to snap DSLR quality RAW images
Samsung announces the “world’s first” 4TB USB-powered portable hard drives
Marvel Comic single-issues have now landed at the Kindle store
Simple Station Dock is an industrial all-in-one charging solution for Apple Watch & iPhone
Amazon’s new Paperwhite Kindle offers twice the screen resolution at the same price
Bartesian uses a familiar Keurig-like design to deliver cocktails on demand

E3:

Super Smash Bros. updates, Star Fox rolls onto Wii U, more
Limited edition PS4 accessories celebrate PlayStation’s 20th Anniversary
New games & hardware announced at E3 make Xbox One deserving of a second look
Sony shows Last Guardian, Final Fantasy VII remake, Uncharted 4, Star Wars, more
Microsoft unveils new hardware, 360 compatibility + Forza 6, Halo 5, more
Bethesda’s real life Pip Boy for iPhone/Android, Dishonored 2, Doom, more
Xbox Live Gold Members can enjoy EA Access for free this week

Mini review: Home Radio, the Mac app that could plug the gaps in Apple Music radio (free today only)

Ben Lovejoy Jun 22 2015 - 3:49 am PT

23 Comments

While we’re all expecting good things from the radio side of Apple Music, it’s going to be a curated experience, meaning we’ll get the radio stations Apple chooses to offer. If it doesn’t cover all of our favorite stations, we’re going to need another radio app to plug the gap.

For listening on the move, the free SwipeRadio iOS app is a delightfully minimalist way to do it. Developer Dataphase has now taken the same approach on the Mac, with Home Radio. The philosophy is the same: no bells, no whistles, just the radio stations you want to listen to in an extremely lightweight app.

I’ve been trying it out, and if you want to do the same, developer Noam Gordon is kindly making it free for today only (22 June) especially for 9to5Mac readers …
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9to5Toys Last Call: iPad Air 2 $75 off, Monoprice’s new $200 Action Camera, App Store sale, more

Jun 19 2015 - 9:05 am PT

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:

Get ready to take control of the Batmobile in Batman Arkham Knight
Put a durable MFi Lightning cable on your keychain for $15 + $5 flat rate shipping
Kokoon’s EEG Bluetooth headphones track brain voltage to give you a better night’s sleep
iPhone 5 & 1-Yr Unlimited Talk/Text, 500MB LTE/m $300 shipped
4-Pack of Lexar 16GB TwistTurn USB Flash Drives $19 shipped (Reg. $24)
Apple MFI Certified Lightning Wall Charger w/ five foot cord $4 shipped (Orig. $25)
Amazon Gold Box – 50% off Golf Apparel: Nike belts from $12, more
Home: Pyrex 18-pc storage set $23 (Orig. $40+), more

Daily Deals: iPad Air 2 all models $75 off w/ prices from $424, Logitech K400 Wireless Keyboard $20, more

Monoprice’s $200 Action Camera matches GoPro on specs & has a slick viewfinder

App Store sale – Amazing Fantasy Games at least 50% off: Badlands $2, more

App Store Free App of the Week: Warhammer Snotling Fling ($4 value)

The 5 biggest iOS and Android games announced at this year’s E3 Expo

Beats by Dr. Dre Powerbeats2 Wireless Bluetooth Headphones in multiple colors: $150 shipped (Reg. $200)

Quick Review: Kano’s Raspberry Pi 2 computer kit shines as a learning tool for kids and DIYers alike

More new gear from today:

Get a free game of your choosing when you buy an Xbox One next week

New! Cowboom 21% off sitewide: iPad mini Wi-Fi 16GB (pre-owned) $115, more
New! 6PM extra 10% off + free shipping: North Face 1/4 Zip Fleece $21, more
New! Headphones: Klipsch X5 in-ears $55 (Reg. $108+), many more
New! Games/Apps: Rare Replay pre-order w/ free $10 Xbox credit, freebies, more
New! Harman Kardon Esquire Bluetooth Speakerphone System $129 shipped (Orig. $250)
New! Buy 2 Get 1 Free vinyl records: Chicago, Radiohead, A$AP Rocky, Coldplay, more
New! Acer 11″ Chromebook 2.16GHz/2GB/16GB (refurb): $120 shipped (Orig. $170)

More deals still alive:

Ondesoft Mac Bundle with X-Mirage, iTunes Converter, Audiobook Converter and more: free ($146 value)

DJI Phantom 1.1.1 Quadcopter with GoPro Mount $299 shipped (Orig. $349)

ZAGG Folio/Profolio+ iPad Bluetooth Keyboard Cases: $28 shipped (Orig. $90+)
Belkin Thunderbolt 2 Express Dock HD w/ 1-Meter Cable: $205 shipped (Reg. $300
Bluetooth headphones: Sol Republic Tracks Air $75 (Reg. $150), more
A4C Clearance: Belkin micro-USB keyboard $8, Samsung Level headset $40, more
Amazon Students: get a free $10 Amazon credit with the purchase of a $50 gift card
Every Pixar movie is currently on sale at iTunes and Google Play
Last Minute Father’s Day Gift Ideas: GoPro Bundles, Gift Cards, 2-day shipping, more
The Big Deal photography bundle with training tools, memberships for $99 ($4,000+ value)
Free credit Jurassic World in theaters w/ select Blu-rays + JP HD rental $1, more
Samsung 850 Pro 512GB 2.5-inch Internal Solid State Drive $228 shipped (Orig. $280)
Yamaha 7.2-channel Wi-Fi AV Receiver with AirPlay + Bluetooth $450 shipped (Orig. $850)
iTunes cards buy one, get one 30% off at Target, email delivery or 10% off at Best Buy
Mophie Juice Pack battery case: iPhone 6 $70 (Reg. $100), iPhone 6 Plus $80 (Reg. $100)
Samsung’s T1 Portable SSDs are now on sale: 250GB $98, 500GB $198, 1TB $398
Headphones: Beyerdynamic $170, Sennheiser Momentum $70, more
Sony digital game sale: Tomb Raider DE $15, Rayman Legends $20, more
Nintendo – Captain Toad Treasure & Mario Party 10 hit their lowest prices yet + 3DS deals
Omaker 5200mAh battery charger w/ flashlight $8, 5-port USB charger: $17 Prime shipped
Decibullz Custom Contour Molded Earbuds: $45 (Orig. $60, CA Tax Only)
Timbuk2 30% off sitewide: Command Messenger Bag 2015 $97 (Reg. $149), much more
Keep your Wi-Fi /iPhone running w/ APC’s Back-UPS Connect for $48 shipped (Orig. $80)
Seagate 8TB Backup Plus USB 3 Desktop Drive: $250 shipped (6TB: $200, 5TB: $134)
Buy a $150 Best Buy e-gift card and get $15 off your next online or in-store purchase
MLB.TV Premium subscription drops to $50 for the rest of the season (50% off)
Amazon Fire TV Stick streaming media player w/ voice search for $34 (Reg. $39)
Purchase a $50 Staples Gift Card and get a free $10 ePromo Card

New products & more:

DxO One pairs with your iPhone to snap DSLR quality RAW images

V-MODA’s new 3D precious metal headphones dwarf the cost of your gold Apple Watch Edition

Super Smash Bros. updates, Star Fox rolls onto Wii U, more

Limited edition PS4 accessories celebrate PlayStation’s 20th Anniversary

New games & hardware announced at E3 make Xbox One deserving of a second look

Sony shows Last Guardian, Final Fantasy VII remake, Uncharted 4, Star Wars, more

Microsoft unveils new hardware, 360 compatibility + Forza 6, Halo 5, more

Bethesda’s real life Pip Boy for iPhone/Android, Dishonored 2, Doom, more

Xbox Live Gold Members can enjoy EA Access for free this week

Samsung announces the “world’s first” 4TB USB-powered portable hard drives
Marvel Comic single-issues have now landed at the Kindle store
Simple Station Dock is an industrial all-in-one charging solution for Apple Watch & iPhone
Amazon’s new Paperwhite Kindle offers twice the screen resolution at the same price
Bartesian uses a familiar Keurig-like design to deliver cocktails on demand
Eyefi: Wi-Fi support for GoPro/Olympus cams + new cloud pricing
Belkin is set to take on Philips Hue with its new WeMo smart home LED bundles
Parrot details new drones with upgraded specs for land, water and air

Apple launches new App Store page to showcase apps taking advantage of VoiceOver

Chance Miller Jun 18 2015 - 4:03 pm PT

2 Comments

Apple today has added a new featured section to the App Store in which it is highlighting apps that take advantage of the iOS VoiceOver feature. Last month, Apple was recognized by the American Foundation for the Blind for its efforts to accommodate users who suffer from vision loss. A gala is being held this evening in New York City by the American Foundation for the Blind to honor the recipients of the Hellen Keller Achievement Award, which Apple received, and to celebrate, the company has added a new App Store section showing off apps using VoiceOver.

Power for Apple Watch lets you check your iPhone battery remotely

Zac Hall Jun 18 2015 - 1:42 pm PT

9 Comments

iOS 9 adds a handy widget to the iPhone that lets you check your Apple Watch, Beats headphones, or other Bluetooth accessory battery levels from Notification Center, but there hasn’t been a way to check the phone’s battery level from the watch.

And because the Apple Watch can catch notifications from the iPhone even at great distances when on the same WiFi network, I often charge my phone in a different room without missing anything important… except knowing when my iPhone is finished charging.

Surenix, best known for work in the jailbreak space, today released a clever Apple Watch utility to remedy that situation with an app called Power.
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Apple begins accepting submitted publications into Apple News

Benjamin Mayo Jun 18 2015 - 9:35 am PT

10 Comments

iOS 9 introduces Apple News, which replaces Newsstand as the default way to read news publications and blog content on the iPad and iPhone. Apple is automatically including many famous partners automatically with smaller publications having to request inclusion. We explained how to submit to Apple News a few days ago.

9to5Toys Last Call: car jump starter/power bank $60, DJI Phantom drone $299, Bluetooth headphones, more

Jun 18 2015 - 9:09 am PT

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: Warhammer Snotling Fling ($4 value)
App Store sale – Amazing Fantasy Games at least 50% off: Badlands $2, more
DxO One pairs with your iPhone to snap DSLR quality RAW images
Monoprice’s $200 Action Camera matches GoPro on specs & has a slick viewfinder
Marvel Comic single-issues have now landed at the Kindle store
A4C Clearance: Belkin micro-USB keyboard $8, Samsung Level headset $40, more
Home: Dyson upright vac (refurb) $235 (Orig. $600), more

Daily Deals: Anker Car Jump Starter and Portable Power Bank $60, TaoTronics iPhone 6 Car Mount $5, more

DJI Phantom 1.1.1 Quadcopter with GoPro Mount $299 shipped (Orig. $349)

Bluetooth headphones: Sol Republic Tracks Air $75 (Reg. $150), JBL J56BT on-ears $44 (Reg. $149), more

The 5 biggest iOS and Android games announced at this year’s E3 Expo

Beats by Dr. Dre Powerbeats2 Wireless Bluetooth Headphones in multiple colors: $150 shipped (Reg. $200)

Ondesoft Mac Bundle with X-Mirage, iTunes Converter, Audiobook Converter and more: free ($146 value)

The Big Deal photography bundle with training tools, memberships for $99 ($4,000+ value)

Quick Review: Kano’s Raspberry Pi 2 computer kit shines as a learning tool for kids and DIYers alike

More new gear from today:

New! Games/Apps: Batman Arkham games 75% off, iOS freebies, more
New! Limited edition PS4 accessories celebrate PlayStation’s 20th Anniversary
New! V-MODA’s new 3D precious metal headphones
New! Samsung announces the “world’s first” 4TB USB-powered portable hard drives

More deals still alive:

ZAGG Folio/Profolio+ iPad Bluetooth Keyboard Cases: $28 shipped (Orig. $90+)

Belkin Thunderbolt 2 Express Dock HD w/ 1-Meter Cable: $205 shipped (Reg. $300

Amazon Students: get a free $10 Amazon credit with the purchase of a $50 gift card
Every Pixar movie is currently on sale at iTunes and Google Play
Last Minute Father’s Day Gift Ideas: GoPro Bundles, Gift Cards, 2-day shipping, more
Free credit Jurassic World in theaters w/ select Blu-rays + JP HD rental $1, more
Samsung 850 Pro 512GB 2.5-inch Internal Solid State Drive $228 shipped (Orig. $280)
Yamaha 7.2-channel Wi-Fi AV Receiver with AirPlay + Bluetooth $450 shipped (Orig. $850)
iTunes cards buy one, get one 30% off at Target, email delivery or 10% off at Best Buy
Mophie Juice Pack battery case: iPhone 6 $70 (Reg. $100), iPhone 6 Plus $80 (Reg. $100)
Samsung’s T1 Portable SSDs are now on sale: 250GB $98, 500GB $198, 1TB $398
Headphones: Beyerdynamic $170, Sennheiser Momentum $70, more
Sony digital game sale: Tomb Raider DE $15, Rayman Legends $20, more
Nintendo – Captain Toad Treasure & Mario Party 10 hit their lowest prices yet + 3DS deals
Omaker 5200mAh battery charger w/ flashlight $8, 5-port USB charger: $17 Prime shipped
Decibullz Custom Contour Molded Earbuds: $45 (Orig. $60, CA Tax Only)
Timbuk2 30% off sitewide: Command Messenger Bag 2015 $97 (Reg. $149), much more
Keep your Wi-Fi /iPhone running w/ APC’s Back-UPS Connect for $48 shipped (Orig. $80)
Seagate 8TB Backup Plus USB 3 Desktop Drive: $250 shipped (6TB: $200, 5TB: $134)
Buy a $150 Best Buy e-gift card and get $15 off your next online or in-store purchase
MLB.TV Premium subscription drops to $50 for the rest of the season (50% off)
Amazon Fire TV Stick streaming media player w/ voice search for $34 (Reg. $39)
Purchase a $50 Staples Gift Card and get a free $10 ePromo Card

New products & more:

Simple Station Dock is an industrial all-in-one charging solution for Apple Watch & iPhone

Super Smash Bros. updates, Star Fox rolls onto Wii U, more

New games & hardware announced at E3 make Xbox One deserving of a second look

Sony shows Last Guardian, Final Fantasy VII remake, Uncharted 4, Star Wars, more

Microsoft unveils new hardware, 360 compatibility + Forza 6, Halo 5, more

Bethesda’s real life Pip Boy for iPhone/Android, Dishonored 2, Doom, more

Xbox Live Gold Members can enjoy EA Access for free this week

Amazon’s new Paperwhite Kindle offers twice the screen resolution at the same price
Bartesian uses a familiar Keurig-like design to deliver cocktails on demand
Eyefi: Wi-Fi support for GoPro/Olympus cams + new cloud pricing
Belkin is set to take on Philips Hue with its new WeMo smart home LED bundles
Parrot details new drones with upgraded specs for land, water and air

Twitter is preparing to curate news in its iPhone app with Project Lightning

Zac Hall Jun 18 2015 - 9:06 am PT

Buzzfeed render of upcoming Lightning feature

Just as Apple is preparing to enter the news curation space with its News app in iOS 9 and Facebook has launched native news content with Instant Articles, Twitter appears to be working on its own news product for its mobile app. Buzzfeed’s Mat Honan reports that Twitter is currently developing a news-focused feature for its app under the name Project Lightning (no, not Apple’s connector) that will make it possible to follow events in your timeline rather than only following Twitter users sharing about the event. A staff of human editors, not unlike Apple’s approach with News, will collect tweets with videos, photos, and relevant information to create these Lightning stories…
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Developers currently unable to submit Watch apps due to App Store approval bug (update: fixed!)

Benjamin Mayo Jun 18 2015 - 8:41 am PT

Update: The problem should now be resolved. Watch apps should upload as normal once again.

Developers are flocking to Apple’s developer forums today as the iTunes Connect submissions process is currently experiencing a glitch which makes it impossible for developers to submit apps that include Apple Watch extensions.

Rather than continuing submission process as normal, the system is incorrectly flagging up misuse of an Apple private framework called SockPuppetGizmo. Naturally, this is causing frustration in the developer community at the moment because it prevents apps from being submitted to the App Store.

MacPhun’s new Tonality 1.2 brings beautiful black & white photo tools to Apple Photos, Adobe Lightroom CC

Jeremy Horwitz Jun 18 2015 - 6:00 am PT

7 Comments

Even though it’s known as “black and white photography,” balanced grays are what make monochrome images striking or flat. Today, MacPhun released Tonality 1.2 ($18) and Tonality Pro 1.2 ($70), tools designed specifically for making the best possible black and white images from color photos. Both versions work with popular photo library management tools, newly including the Mac version of Apple Photos. The Pro version now plugs into Adobe’s new Lightroom CC, and adds RAW support for both new cameras and Lightroom.

Like MacPhun’s excellent noise-removing app Noiseless, Tonality uses a super-simple interface to let you preview potential changes to your images. The window’s bottom initially scrolls across 13 “Basic” presets, ranging from the intelligent “Adaptive Exposure” to the simpler “Underexposed;” 10 different categories collectively contain 150 different presets. Each preset effect starts at maximum, but can be muted using a single slider. Power users can access a right-side pane with controls for exposure, contrast, clarity, structure/micro-structure, color and tone filters, split-toning, glow, blur, vignette, and grain. Additionally, masking tools and a gradient filter let you alter specific areas of your images while leaving others untouched. The differences are so dramatic that you’ll never feel satisfied with a one-step “apply B&W filter” button again.

Tonality is currently being offered at an introductory price of $13 through the Mac App Store, with Tonality Pro at $60 through the company’s web site. Additional photo galleries of the app in action are below…