If every day is a game, then there should be prizes, right? Foursquare's Swarm app has started offering just that, real-life perks depending on where and how often you check in. Called Swarm Challenges, this is yet another feature that Foursquare has brought back to Swarm from its main mobile application, which is now focused on places reviews while Swarm is all about the check-in game.
Apps
Make fliers, catalogs, e-cards and more with Microsoft’s Sprightly for iPhone
Sprightly, a Microsoft Garage project which launched on Android in February, is now available on iOS. The free app lets you create detailed catalogs, beautiful fliers, multiple price lists, e-cards and discount coupons on the go.
“No need to hire expensive designers to make professional designer quality content for your business or personal uses,” says Microsoft.
Math students: how to use your Mac as a graphing calculator
Although your Mac comes with a Calculator app, you will find that it only supports basic, scientific, and programmer modes.
Unfortunately for those who are in advanced math courses in school, be it grade school or college, or for those that just need a hand in tutoring their children, the Calculator app doesn't come with graphing functionality and it leaves you to fend for yourself.
A little known feature of your Mac, directly out of the box, is that it does have graphing functionality built into its default software, and in this tutorial, we'll show you how to unleash it.
Instagram’s new iOS extension finally lets you share without needing to launch the app
It's hard to tell from release notes alone, which only mention bug fixes and performance improvements, but Instagram's version 8.2 update that went live this morning on the App Store packs in a much improved Share sheet extension.
Long overdue, the new extension finally lets you upload photos and videos directly to the service, without needing to open the app at all.
15 Instagram hacks, tips and tricks you should know about
Over the years, I've learned or picked up a few Instagram hacks and tricks that I'm going to share with you. They aren't life changing by any means, but they can be helpful, fun, or just make your Instagram usage more enjoyable. Chances are, you already know some of these tips, but I'm hoping you will still learn a thing or two along the way.
Microsoft rolls out Planner to all eligible Office 365 customers worldwide
Microsoft today said that its new productivity and teamwork app, called Planner, is now rolling out to all eligible Office 365 customers worldwide. “Beginning today, Planner will start rolling out to all eligible tenants,” said the Windows giant.
“We expect the rollout to be complete in the next several weeks.” Companion Planner apps for iOS, Android and Windows are currently being worked on and should release later this year.
Checking out Focus, a minimalist task manager for iPhone
Focus for iPhone, a new task manager by Oslo, Norway-headquartered digital marketing agency Dots Design, is a beautifully conceived application with a minimalist user interface which makes creating lists built around your lifestyle a breeze.
Available at no charge on the App Store, Focus, as the name suggests, is all about focusing on the task at hand. The minimal user interface lends itself nicely to keeping the app very easy to use, with gestures-driven actions and a single screen on which everything takes place.
Viber gains iCloud backup, support for sending money, animated GIFs and more
Messaging service Viber this morning pushed a new update to its App Store app, adding several new long overdue features. For starters, iPhone users can now back up and restore their chat history through iCloud, making keeping their conversations after an iOS restore possible.
The application now has a brand new native watchOS 2 app for your wrist with canned responses on your Apple Watch. Other new features in this edition of Viber include support for sending and receiving animated GIF images, sending money from within the app and low-rate Viber Out calling plans via a redesigned screen.
The best RSS Readers for iPhone and iPad
Of all the different ways for one to get their fix of news, RSS has persisted. RSS, for the uninitiated, stands for Rich Site Summary. It is a way to deliver content that is constantly changing, which is why it is perfect for news sites and blogs. It packages all their content into easily digestible feeds, that can be easily organized and read through any number of apps. We will help you search through the best RSS readers available on the App Store.
What’s on your Home screen: Anthony Bouchard
Opinions are like Home screens; everyone has one.
Because the Home screen is one of the most-used parts of any iPhone, and because people are always in search of cool new apps to download, it seemed appropriate for me to share what I have on the first page of my Home screen and talk about why I use what I use.
Following suit with my other colleagues here at iDB, I'll be sharing mine as well.
Look, Finch for Twitter, Annotable, and other apps to check out this weekend
In this week's edition of our Apps of the Week post, we've hand-picked 5 titles for you to check out this weekend. The selections include a video streaming app with a unique twist, a different kind of Twitter client, a full-featured annotation app, and two new games that you won't want to miss!
Get ready for WWDC 2016 with official Apple TV app
Just ahead of WWDC 2016, which kicks of with a keynote presentation on Monday, June 13, at 10am, Apple issues a timely refresh to its official WWDC app for the iPhone, iPod touch and iPad.
The refreshed app has an all-new dark interface and now runs on the fourth-generation Apple TV so you can watch WWDC action from the comfort of your couch.