update

508 'update' stories June 2011 - September 2015

iAd Producer 5.1 released with minor bug fixes and improvements

Chance Miller Sep 21 2015 - 4:05 pm PT

Screen Shot 2015-09-21 at 7.01.54 PM In addition the release of watchOS 2 earlier today, Apple this evening has released iAd Producer 5.1, its advertisement development environment. The update comes a little over a year after the initial release of iAd Producer 5.0 last September. Today’s update is more minor than the release of iAd 5.0 was, which saw the addition of support for creating iTunes Radio ads on Mac and Windows.

iAd 5.1 comes in at 248MB and can be downloaded for free via Apple’s developer website or via the Mac App Store. The only change Apple lists is a fix for an issue where part of an ad could be displayed in the wrong orientation. There are likely some other minor bug fixes and performance improvements, as well.

Earlier this summer, a former Apple employee detailed an interesting use case for iAd Producer, explaining how it can be used to prototype iOS and Mac apps prior to development.

iAd Producer is available via Apple’s developer website now.

iOS 9 passes 21% adoption, one ups last year’s Android 5.0 Lollipop in just 48 hours

Stephen Hall Sep 18 2015 - 9:42 am PT

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Mixpanel Trends - Mixpanel | Mobile Analytics 2015-09-18 11-24-09

In just 48 hours, Apple has managed to push iOS 9 to more than 21% of iOS devices, according to the latest data from Mixpanel. That just so happens to be the same percentage of phones that Google recently announced are running the latest version of its mobile OS, Android Lollipop. But unlike iOS 9 which was just released on Wednesday, Android Lollipop was released to the public 10 months ago in November 2014…
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Pinterest updated for iOS 9 w/ Spotlight search, 3D Touch on iPhone 6s, more

Jordan Kahn Sep 16 2015 - 10:49 am PT

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Pinterest just announced an updated iOS app that introduces a number of new features just in time for Apple’s release of iOS 9 today. The app gets support for iOS 9 features, starting with the ability to search for Pins, Pinners, and boards you’ve viewed from within iOS’s new Spotlight search:

As you view Pins, Pinners and boards, you’ll be able to search for them later right from your iPhone or iPad’s search screen. If you’re planning a Halloween costume and know you’ve seen good ideas on Pinterest, search “costume” and we’ll show you search results right on your phone. The more Pins you view on Pinterest, the more you can search for them from your phone.

In addition, the updated app makes use of the iPhone 6s 3D Touch feature by allowing quick access to the most used features with a press and hold of the Pinterest app icon from the home screen:

If you have a new iPhone with 3D Touch, you can press and hold the Pinterest app icon from your iPhone’s home screen to quickly search for Pins, create a board or see what’s popular on Pinterest… Once you’re in the app, you can press any Pin to get a bigger preview and quickly Pin, like or send. Press the board name to get a preview of the board it came from.

And lastly, the new app supports “universal links,” which means you’ll now be taken directly to the app when clicking a Pinterest link from anywhere on your iPhone, instead of being redirected from Safari first.

The updated Pinterest app is available on the App Store now.

Read our full walkthrough of new features in iOS 9 here.

Google AdSense for iOS hits 3.0 w/ iPhone 6 & 6 Plus support, Material Design, more

Stephen Hall Sep 14 2015 - 8:12 am PT

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Google has this morning pushed an update to AdSense for iOS, bringing many features that other apps in the Mountain View company’s catalog received months ago. While it may not be the most popular app outside of publishing and creative circles, the AdSense app has today been updated with support for Native iPhone 6 and 6 Plus resolution, Material Design, and more.

Rounding out the update is support for Hindi and Malay, a new icon for the Home Screen, more metrics, and a today center widget. The last of these, in case you aren’t aware, is a new widget for the Today section of Notification Center. On it, you’ll find four metrics for quick access: Today so far, Page views, Clicks, and Page RPM. It also tells you when the widget was last updated.

While Google’s apps for iOS have always been known for being well-polished (and sometimes just generally better than their Android counterparts), they usually come at a much slower pace. AdSense 3.0 for Android with many of the same new features was released on Android four weeks ago, and you can read more about that update over at 9to5Google.

Here’s the full change log:

What’s New in Version 3.0

This time we’re bringing you:
– Support for Hindi and Malay;
– Native iPhone 6 and 6+ resolution;
– A today center widget;
– Our lovely new AdSense logo;
– More metrics!
– A little something we like to call Material Design.

Head over to the App Store to grab the latest version for free.

Camera+ launches its first free version w/ in-app upgrades for advanced shooting features

Jordan Kahn Sep 10 2015 - 10:22 am PT

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Makers of the popular Camera+ app, a $3 third-party photography app for iPhone with around 14 million users, today launched its first free version in an attempt to attract even more users to the platform.

Dubbed simply “Camera+ Free,” the app’s creator gave us the rundown on the free experience, noting that it offers the same experience as the paid app minus some of the more advanced features like manual shooting controls and the app’s “The Lab” editing suite. Instead, the free app offers up focus, exposure and macro shooting settings, scene modes including clarity, and 3 free filter packs. Beyond that, users will be able to add-on some of the more advanced features to the free version using in-app purchases, allowing them to essentially unlock the full experience of the paid app.

We want to get the app out to as many people as possible. We currently have 14 million users, but we’d love to see more people using and falling in love with our app. We think by offering people a free version, more people who typically don’t pay for apps will give it a try. If they like it then they may buy some in-apps or just spread the word about our app. – Camera+ cofounder Lisa Bettany

The free version of the Camera+ app is available on the App Store now.

Twitter overhauls iPad app with responsive design, promises future unified updates

Chance Miller Sep 8 2015 - 7:06 pm PT

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Twitter’s official app has almost always lagged behind the iPhone version when it comes to design and features, but today the company has announced a major update that changes that. Twitter for iOS today has been updated to bring the same iPhone-style interface to the iPad, as well as many of the features that were previously iPhone-only.

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First Firefox for iOS preview now available in New Zealand ahead of public launch later this year

Chance Miller Sep 3 2015 - 6:02 pm PT

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Firefox today has released the first public preview version of its browser for iOS. Unfortunately, the company is first making the preview version of the browser available to users in New Zealand only. Firefox notes, however, that it will expand the preview to a few more countries as time progresses, before ultimately launching the browser to the public.

Firefox says that it is primarily using the first preview to collect feedback from users to help it improve the features and stability of the browser before a widespread launch. One notable feature that the company is collecting data on is Intelligent Search. This feature, built into Firefox, provides suggested search results and the choice of search providers, as seen in the middle screenshot above. Another notable feature of the app is support for Firefox Accounts, which allows you to keep all of your browser history, passwords, and tabs synced between your various devices. Finally, the app also supports Visual Tabs, which makes it easy to keep track of the tabs you have open at any given point.

If you’re interested in being notified when Firefox for iOS launches in your country, you can sign up here. It’s unclear how long it will be until Firefox for iOS expands to more countries for testing, but the company says it will launch on the App Store by the end of this year.

Airbnb for iOS updated with support for Apple Watch

Chance Miller Sep 3 2015 - 5:41 pm PT

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Airbnb, the popular service that allows you to instantly book homes, apartments, and more on the go, has today been updated with support for Apple Watch. The update, which bumps the app to version 15.35, adds support for Apple’s wearable and makes it even easier and quicker for both hosts and guests to handle reservations.

[tweet https://twitter.com/airbnb/status/639468592002543616 align=’center’]

With Airbnb on Apple Watch, hosts can quickly be notified of new booking requests and be presented with the traveler’s name, photo, requested dates, and personal message directly on the Watch itself. The hosts can then decide whether or not to accept the reservation on the spot. Hosts and travelers both can also initiate and reply to messages. Hosts have the ability to create and save replies, allowing them to keep their response rate high.

Introducing Airbnb for Apple Watch! The new app features Airbnb messaging, which hosts and travelers can use to communicate with each other instantaneously. Hosts can receive a new booking request complete with the traveler’s name and photo, requested dates, and personal message, and decide whether to accept or decline on the spot. Hosts can also initiate and respond to messages, as well as create and save quick, pre-recorded responses to help maintain a healthy response rate.

The update is available on the App Store now for free.

Imgur for iOS updated w/ interface tweaks, improved push notifications, more

Chance Miller Sep 2 2015 - 7:00 am PT

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Imgur has today announced a new update to its iOS app that brings a handful of changes that have been highly requested by users. Earlier this year, the app was updated with the ability to quickly and easily upload images on the go and was also relaunched on Android with an entirely new interface. Today’s update bumps the app to version 2.4 and builds upon the features introduced earlier this year.

First off, Imgur says that the update includes a new grid view interface with large thumbnails and details about images such as headlines and votes. The update also introduces the ability to search for content. Imgur explained that both of these features were highly requested by users of its app.

In addition to those user-requested features, today’s update also improves the notification functionality of the app. You can now receive push notifications when your content “starts to go viral” and when you earn new trophies based on the performance of your uploads. Finally, the update also revamps the profile screen interface, making it easier to quickly view information about the uploader of an image.

– The top two requests we heard from the community in regards to our iOS app was adding in a grid view that shows bigger thumbnails including more details like headlines and votes, and the ability to Search. We’re always listening to users and taking feedback, and we’re excited to share that both of these features are now available on iOS.

– With this app update, we’re also introducing:

Revamped profile screens & better notifications, so you can see when your content starts going viral and when you earn new trophies

The Imgur update is available now on the App Store for free.

Concept imagines Apple TV 4 UI w/ Siri, App Store, and more ahead of next week’s refresh

Jordan Kahn Sep 1 2015 - 1:38 pm PT

24 Comments

Ahead of a next-generation Apple TV expected to get an official unveiling at Apple’s press event next week, this concept from Andrew Ambrosino imagines a revamped user interface for the device.

We’ve reported extensively on the yet-to-be-announced, next-generation Apple TV and much of the concept from Ambrosino takes into account our reports regarding new features for the device. Most notably, we reported that Apple is currently planning Siri support, a new dedicated remote control, App Store access, and iOS 9’s improved Proactive search features.

The concept considers many of these features for the new Apple TV that will inevitably include a new UI to accommodate new functionality and navigation. However, with that in mind, we reported earlier that the overall aesthetic of the new Apple TV’s software will largely remain the same.

AppleTV-PIP_samsung_es8000_front

Earlier this month we reported that the fourth-generation Apple TV would arrive for customers in October for under $200 while Apple plans to keep the current, third-generation Apple TV around minus some of the new features included with the new hardware.

Apple is currently planning to unveil its next-generation Apple TV alongside new iPhone hardware and more at its press event scheduled for September 9th.

More images from Ambrosino’s concept below:

Google+ for iOS updated with ‘Collections’ feature

Jordan Kahn Aug 31 2015 - 11:55 am PT

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Google+ Collections, a feature that lets like-minded Google+ users connect in forums organized by topic, today comes to iOS devices after first rolling out for Android and web users a few months back.

Users can create Collections for topics they’re interested in and follow Collections created by other users to keep track of posts related to their interests. Google shared a few examples of popular Collections including Homebrewing, Climbing Junkie Photos, Magical, Mystical Mountains and Marine Life. It also features select Collections on a webpage here for easy searching.

When you post a Collection, Google notes that you’ll be able to customize who sees it thanks to recent improvements to the feature on Android that also come to iOS today. It also recently added the ability to add taglines to Collections and search for them on mobile devices.

The Collections feature is available now in the updated Google+ iOS app with version 4.8.5.

The Logic Pros: A look at Logic’s new heavy weight sample manipulation synth Alchemy

Justin Kahn Aug 30 2015 - 2:33 pm PT

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In this week’s episode of The Logic Pros, we are putting a hold on hardware month for the Logic Pro X 10.2.0 update. Apple is back at it again with another incredibly substantial offering. After it acquired Camel Audio back in January, hopes were high that some of the company’s world-class production software would make its way to Logic and Garageband, and now it has:
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Instagram rolls out support for portrait + landscape photos & videos

Jordan Kahn Aug 27 2015 - 10:40 am PT

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Instagram today announced that it’s rolling out two new orientations for photos and videos including portrait and landscape formats to add to the old square photo format that was previously the only option for users uploading content.

It turns out that nearly one in five photos or videos people post aren’t in the square format, and we know that it hasn’t been easy to share this type of content on Instagram: friends get cut out of group shots, the subject of your video feels cramped and you can’t capture the Golden Gate Bridge from end to end.

When users upload an image in the app, they’ll now be able to tap a new icon to get access to the new portrait and landscape orientation options. In the screenshots above, Instagram gives us a look at how the new photo orientations will appear in a user’s feed.

The company notes that “To keep the clean feel of your profile grid, your post will appear there as a center-cropped square.” And lastly, Instagram is making all filters available for videos, which previously had its own set of separate filters:

We’re especially excited about what this update means for video on Instagram, which in widescreen can be more cinematic than ever. While we’ve historically had separate filters for photos and for videos, all filters will now work on all types of moments. You can also adjust the intensity of filters on videos, too.

The new features are available in the updated iOS app, version 7.5, landing on the App Store today.

Etsy Local alerts iOS app users of nearby sellers when on the move

Jordan Kahn Aug 25 2015 - 7:51 am PT

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Etsy-Local

Etsy has long been an online marketplace for unique, often handmade items available directly from their creators, but a new feature of the app will connect shoppers with nearby sellers in the real world. The new Etsy Local feature, available from within the Etsy iOS app, will alert users when they are close to a seller’s real world location, including pop-up shops, flea markets, craft fairs, and local stores.

Sellers will just have to add their local store and event information in order for it to appear for app users. For users, this is how it works within the app:

When a shopper opens the Local tab in the app, recommended nearby retailers and events are tailored to their tastes, based on shops and sellers they have previously engaged with, through favoriting, purchasing, and browsing. Buyers can also discover great new places to shop by viewing local boutiques that carry Etsy merchandise — just one more way to support local communities online and off.

You’ll find the new Local feature on the app’s home page on both your iPhone and iPad, and you’ll be able to view store info and navigate to local shops and events from within the app.

You can access the new Etsy Local feature through the Etsy app for iPhone and iPad.

Winter is coming: Yahoo Weather app adds near-term rain and snow alerts

Jordan Kahn Aug 20 2015 - 10:40 am PT

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Yahoo is today updating its Yahoo Weather app for iOS with near-term rain and snow alerts (not that we needed a reminder that summer is nearly over). With the updated app, users will receive alerts for rain and snow 15 minutes before an expected downpour.

In addition to the new weather alerts, Yahoo notes that the app is now more accurate with improvements made to the methods it uses to “determine and serve forecasts.” As an example, Yahoo says the app will now “even zoom in on microclimates.”

The updated Yahoo Weather app with rain and snow alerts, version 1.8, is available for iPhone and iPad on the App Store now.

What’s New in Version 1.8

Introducing new weather alerts around the world!

Yahoo Weather, our beautiful and intuitive weather app, will alert you 15 minutes before rain or snow is expected so you can grab your jacket, boots and umbrella!

Microsoft Word, Powerpoint, & Excel for iOS updated w/ improved Outlook integration, more

Chance Miller Aug 12 2015 - 4:08 pm PT

1 Comment

Microsoft today has rolled out updates to its trio of Office apps including Word, PowerPoint, and Excel. The updates bump each app to version 1.12 and while relatively minor, include a new feature that will be significantly useful for the Microsoft Office power users out there…

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Snapchat updated with new ‘Travel Mode’ feature to reduce mobile data usage

Chance Miller Aug 10 2015 - 11:26 am PT

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Just a month after Snapchat rolled out a major update to its app to remove the classic holding to view requirement, the company is rolling out a smaller update today. Version 9.14 of the app adds a couple of new features that will certainly be welcome by Snapchat fanatics.

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Plex for iOS updated w/ Rotten Tomatoes integration, refreshed interface, more

Chance Miller Aug 10 2015 - 9:00 am PT

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Plex 21

Plex, the popular media service that offers apps on nearly every platform, has today revealed the latest iteration of its iOS application. With the latest update, the app has gained several new features.

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HBO Now for iOS gains Chromecast support, more in latest update

Stephen Hall Aug 6 2015 - 9:15 am PT

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HBO Now debuted earlier this year exclusively on Apple TV, iPhone and iPad, but lately it has been making its way to competing platforms. Android handsets and tablets as well as some of Amazon’s Fire-branded devices got HBO Now access a few weeks ago, but now the service is coming to Chromecast via an update to the HBO Now app.

The latest version of HBO Now for iOS was released today, numbered 1.2, and features more than just Chromecast support. You’ll find that you can also now receive push notifications — assumably for new episodes of your favorite shows and the like — as well as the usual bug fixes and performance improvements.

Here’s the full change log:

What’s New in Version 1.2.0

• Push Notifications
• Chromecast Support
• Performance Improvements

You can grab HBO Now on the App Store for free, and an HBO Now subscription is going to run you $14.99 per month after a 30-day free trial.

Unlock your door from your wrist with August Smart Lock for Apple Watch

Chance Miller Aug 3 2015 - 11:06 am PT

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August, the company behind the popular Smart Lock solution, today has announced its very own Apple Watch app. In a blog post, August announced that the latest update to its iOS app adds support for Apple Watch and makes it possible to control your Smart Lock directly from your wrist.

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SwiftKey beta for iOS adds new ‘Your Signature Emoji’ feature

Chance Miller Jul 31 2015 - 8:00 am PT

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SwiftKey today has revealed a new feature coming to its iOS app. For those unfamiliar, SwiftKey is one of the most popular third-party keyboard solutions for iOS, offering up a plethora of capabilities and features not found with Apple’s stock offering. Today, SwiftKey announced that it is rolling out a new feature called “Your Signature Emoji” to users of its beta app.

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Apple releases OS X 10.10.5 beta 2 to developers

Chance Miller Jul 30 2015 - 3:43 pm PT

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Two weeks after releasing the first beta of OS X 10.10.5, Apple today has released beta 2 of the operating system to developers. The second beta build carries the build number 14F19a and is available to testers via the Mac App Store now.
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Periscope for iOS adds Handoff support, ability to mute notifications, more

Chance Miller Jul 27 2015 - 3:18 pm PT

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Screen Shot 2015-07-27 at 6.14.26 PM

The popular live streaming app Periscope today announced a much-welcomed update to its iOS app. The update, which bumps the app to version 1.1.3, includes a couple of new features and tweaks. For one, users now have the ability to mute notifications on a user-by-user basis. For instance, if you follow someone, you can now go to their Periscope account and turn off notifications for when they initiate a new broadcast.

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YouTube for iOS updated w/ support for fullscreen vertical videos, mobile notifications

Chance Miller Jul 23 2015 - 7:47 pm PT

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On the same night that VidCon kicks off in Los Angeles, Google has released a new version of YouTube for iOS. Earlier this week, the Android version of the app was updated with a fix for those annoying videos filmed vertically. Now, that update is making its way to iOS.

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