Apps

Castro podcast app gains better audio, continuous play, sleep timer, crisper UI and more

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated January 27, 2018

The high-fidelity Castro podcast player for the iPhone and iPod touch debuted last December and today got bumped to version 1.1. Despite the incremental change in version number, developers have added numerous new capabilities and refinements that will improve upon your already top-notch Castro experience.

There's now a new continuous play feature for episodic listening, a sleep timer, vastly improved audio quality of slow-speed playback, rich new options inside in-app settings, a cleaner user interface with nicer typography and much more.

From before, the app supports non-iTunes subscriptions. Today's update is free to existing owners of the software. For newcomers, Castro is a $3.99 download from the App Store...

Sonos revamps iOS app, adds tons of new features

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated December 2, 2016

Sonos has introduced a major new version of its app which allows you to control your Sonos hardware using an iPhone, iPod touch or iPad.

Following the release of a redesigned Android app earlier in the year, Sonos has now refreshed its iOS counterpart with a revamped user interface, while adding dozens of new features, refinements and enhancements.

The all-new Sonos 5.0, in addition to the flattened interface, now supports VoiceOver (on iOS 7 devices only), lets you use the included Universal Search feature to search multiple music services at once (Google Play Music, MLB, Beats Music, Shuffler.fm and others) and more.

The new version is now available in the App Store...

Microsoft announces Office for iPad has surpassed 27 million downloads

Cody Lee ∙ Updated January 23, 2018

Microsoft announced today that downloads for its newly-released Office for iPad suite have surpassed another major milestone. The company's Julia White told a crowd at its TechEd conference in Houston this morning that the software has been download over 27 million times, more than double the figure shared a month ago...

App Recap: 10 apps to start off your week

Joe Rossignol ∙ Updated February 6, 2018

After a rather eventful week on the App Store, the first edition of App Recap this week starts off on a bit of a slower pace. Nevertheless, we still have a roundup of new, updated and discounted apps that are worth looking at. App Recap is posted mid-day as an extension of the in-depth app coverage that our team of writers, including Lory, Christian and Cody, provide throughout the day. Take a look at today's featured apps…

Twitter updates iPad app with new features, starts rolling out ‘mute’ function

Cody Lee ∙ Updated February 28, 2018

Twitter today posted an update for its iOS app, bringing it to version 6.5. The update brings about a handful of improvements for the iPad client, including a new design, photo and video previews for timeline, and easier access to DMs.

It also appears that Twitter has begun rolling out its new 'mute' feature to its web and mobile apps. Earlier this month the website was discovered testing the function with select users, but today it's becoming available on a wider scale...

Native iPad interface found in Google Play Music for iPhone

Christian Zibreg ∙ May 12, 2014

Google's official Play Music app for iOS, in case you didn't know, is an iPhone and iPod touch only affair as the software does not support iPads natively. That could change soon because hidden inside the code of the iPhone app, a free download in the App Store, is a native iPad interface. This indicates Google may be putting finishing touches on the universal binary which will take advantage of the iPad's bigger canvas...

dEXTRIS is a fast-paced game you don’t want to put down

Lory Gil ∙ May 11, 2014

In recent months, “snack sized” casual games have become a big hit in the App Store, especially the ones that are incredibly difficult. The harder, the better. That is one reason why the Flappy Bird phenomenon took off. Games that are too hard will often play on your psyche, making you want to play it “one more time” to try to beat your previous, paltry high score.

dEXTRIS does just that. The game is very simple in mechanic, but nearly impossible in execution. Dodge spikes, split cubes and maneuver through narrow pathways to get to the highest score possible…

The best apps for movie lovers

Lory Gil ∙ Updated March 17, 2019

I like to think of myself as a movie lover. I worked at an independent theater in my town during my entire college years. I used to go to the movies a lot more often than I do now, but I still make time to go whenever I can. These days, it's so easy to watch blockbuster hits at home that I almost prefer the comforts of my living room more than a dark theater.

Whether you prefer to make a bowl of popcorn at home, or like to sneak a bag of candies into your favorite theater, we have a list of what we think are the best apps for movie lovers…

Infinity Blade II on sale for $0.99 for a limited time

Cody Lee ∙ Updated January 27, 2019

Good news gamers, Chair Entertainment has dropped the price on its popular title Infinity Blade II. For a limited time, you can pick up the game, which normally retails for $6.99, for just $0.99 for both the iPhone and iPad versions.

Infinity Blade II was first announced in October of 2011, during the iPhone 4S event, and was released on December 1 of that year. It’s powered by Epic’s Unreal Engine 3 tech, and it features the same addictive gameplay as the original…

Kiwanuka review: stack all the people in this unique puzzle game

Lory Gil ∙ May 10, 2014

Because I’ve been in the app review business for a few years now, I tend to have a cynical mind when I hear certain words like “endless runner” and “physics-based puzzler.” It's true that some games will surprise me and rekindle my love of those genres, but I’ve gotten to the point where I start to feel like, if you’ve seen one, you’ve seen them all.

Kiwanuka both adheres to traditional physics-based puzzler games, and breaks from the mold at the same time. Each level offers a new challenge to overcome (traditional), but the game doesn’t feel like the same old thing in a new skin. Its simplicity is actually its positive selling point. Read along for our Kiwanuka review to help you decide if it is something you’d like to try…

Noisli review: sleep well to the sounds of nature

Lory Gil ∙ Updated January 27, 2018

I’ve been getting wonderful, full nights of sleep lately thanks to this new app I’ve been testing. I’m one of those people who love being lulled to sleep by the comforting sounds of ocean waves, waterfalls, and chirping birds. I never leave home without some kind of audio aid for sleeping.

Noisli is an audio app that features realistic sounds of nature. What makes this app stand out from the rest is its iOS 7 theme. Get a good night’s sleep while being soothed with the visually comforting, colorful glow of your iPhone screen. Check out our Noisli review after the break…

Apps of the week: Adobe Voice, GoodReader 4, Adventure to Fate, and more

Lory Gil ∙ Updated May 17, 2018

For me, there is never enough time in the week to get through all the great apps and games that come out. Even some of my favorite titles get lost in a folder somewhere as I make room for the next batch of cool stuff.

If you need inspiration for a Mother’s Day gift, want a good app for storing and organzing PDFs, or are just looking for some fun games to play this weekend, we’ve got a list of apps and games to help you out…