Anki stole the show when it was announced at Apple's keynote just a couple short years ago. I know myself and many others wished we had cool toys like this when we were growing up. Luckily, you don't have to be a child to enjoy Anki's racing tracks, or their newly released Fast & Furious Edition.
This week's edition of our Apps of the Week roundup features a Tinder-like app for networking with like-minded people, an engaging sports app, and an ephemeral todo/task manager. And as always, we've picked two great new games for you to check out.
ShaprThis isn't a new app, but it's an interesting concept that I think is worth checking out if you haven't yet. Shapr is a personalized, mindful way of networking. Based on your interests and experience, the app provides a daily dose of inspiring, like-minded people to meet nearby in your area. Whether you're seeking friends or employees, each swipe is a new opportunity and a new discovery. Think of it like a dating app, but for professional networking. Kind of cool, right? Shapr is available for free.
StatMuseSports fans looking for a new way to follow and learn about their favorite teams and players may want to check out StatMuse. This app allows you to talk with your favorite players and personalities for your daily sports conversations. Keep up with the latest scores, stats and original content about the teams you love through personalized musings, and get instant NBA, NFL and MLB trivia answers dating back to 1876. Features the real voices of greats like Peyton Manning, Jerry Rice, Drew Brees, and more. StatMuse is available for free.
CheckNow I know what you're thinking: great, ANOTHER todo list app. But I like options, and for the folks out there in search of more options for todo list apps, this one might be worth Check-ing out (see what I did there?). Check is an ephemeral to-do list app of sorts. You can rapidly create new tasks and add a duration period. At the end of that duration, your todos will expire and disappear. Ultimately you can revive the tasks you don't finish from your "task graveyard" but the whole concept of getting your tasks done before they're gone is the motivation here. Maybe this works for you, maybe it doesn't. Either way, Check....it out. Check is available for free.
Iron MarinesFrom the creators of the award winner Kingdom Rush trilogy comes the most extraordinary space odyssey. A real-time, dynamic and deep strategy game that will transport you to amazing and unknown planets. Immersive, engaging gameplay, ridiculously appealing art, and a touch of silly humor. Brave soldiers, mighty mechas and powerful aliens await your command to face the greatest challenges. Yes this is a trashy freemium game with tons of IAPs, on top of an initial purchase price, but early reviews are through the roof. Iron Marines is available for $5 (with several IAPs).
Drag'n'BoomIn Drag'n'Boom, you play as a rebellious teenage dragon and burn everything your path! Roast the neighboring lords and steal their gold in order to mass the greatest treasure ever held by a dragon. It's a unique mobile gaming experience. The left side of the screen controls your movement: jump, fly and charge your prey, and the right side lets you spit fireballs: pillage, burn and ransack. There are over 50 levels to power through and a leaderboard, so you can challenge your friends for high score. Drag'n'Boom is available for free.
More apps to check out Apple’s free app of the week: INKS. Automatically download fresh desktop wallpapers every hour with Irvue This week's edition of our Apps of the Week roundup features a powerful a new social network for folks who like to play basketball, a unique to-do manager, and a dating app with an interesting twist. And as always, we've picked two great new games for you to check out.
FullcourtLike to play basketball? Then you have to check out Fullcourt. This app connects you with local basketball players, games, courts and gyms. See things like peak times and real-time traffic at some 10,000+ courts throughout the United States, create games, add your friends and more. Other features include push notifications, zip code search, invites via text message, court player count, and ratings. Fullcourt is available for free.
Todotxt+Todotxt+ is a powerful client for managing tasks using just Plain Text, based on the todotxt.org format. Use simple rules to describe tasks, prioritize, categorize and annotate tasks with ease. And because it's plain text, it's ultra-portable - any computer in the world can understand it, and you are never locked into any service. Other features include metadata filter, multi-file importing, split-screen support, Spotlight indexing, and much more. Todotxt+ is available for free (with an IAP).
AppetenceHere's an interesting take on the now crowded, swipe-filled dating app space. Conversation is what matters most in Appetence. So as you talk to someone, and let the magic happen, your photos and similarities you share will gradually be revealed. The app uses a 'Slow Matchmaking' algorithm to pair you up with only people who shares your interests, ideas and view of life. As you talk to each person, you can distribute and collect likes and use them to reveal more of their profiles. I also like the UI design and that the app team says it constantly verifies profiles to avoid inactive and spam accounts. Appetence is available for free.
NuzzleIf you enjoy number puzzle games, you're going to want to check out Nuzzle. It's similar to Sudoku, but it's a little more challenging. The goal is to align numbers from top to bottom and from left to right. There technically is no time restriction, but that does not mean the game will last forever. Share your top scores on social media and even challenge your friends. Nuzzle is available for $1 (with a single IAP to unlock a bigger board).
Blocky Beastmode FootballIn honor of the NFL season kicking off this weekend, I thought I'd highlight Blocky Beastmode Football. As you'd expect, it's a football game starring Raiders running back Marshawn Lynch. In it you must rush, maneuver, and drive your way through the defense in full "BEASTMODE" as Lynch. It's an endless runner of sorts—think of it like Temple Run, but with a football theme. There are collectable characters and playing fields, retro-style arcade graphics, and you can compete with friends. Blocky Beastmode Football is available for free (with some IAPs).
More apps to check out WWDC app gains Handoff support, better Apple TV navigation & more Elk’s smart use of a Live Wallpaper tackles your biggest peeve with currency converters Popular Readdle apps are getting feature packed updates in time for iOS 11 Apple’s free app of the week: Streaks Workout YouTube for iOS gains support for live streaming via Apple’s ReplayKit Pixelmator Pro with advanced machine learning features is coming this fall This week's edition of our Apps of the Week roundup features a new weather app, a TV guide for live streaming, and a sharp-looking new coloring book. And as always, we've selected two interesting new games for you to check out.
Weather AtlasLooking for a new weather app? Check out Weather Atlas. This beautiful app offers a window into current and future weather conditions, with a great mix of sharp design and powerful features. It has both hourly and 10-day forecasts, weather map with radar and clouds, Notification Center widget, and more. Unfortunately some of the app's best features—themes, custom icon, no ads etc.—are hidden behind a monthly subscription, but at least you can use most of the basic features before committing to pay. Weather Atlas is available for free (with some IAPs).
Stream TimeStream Time is the ultimate scheduling and discovery app for live streaming—no more missed streams or tiresome browsing for something interesting to watch. Build your schedule feed by following friends and favorite broadcasters. Set reminders for must-see broadcasts. Discover new broadcasters and see who is scheduled to go live soon. Twitch, YouTube and all other major live stream platforms are supported, and there are even tools for broadcasters to help keep their fans in the know. I know you're envisioning a lot of social media kids here, but a lot of professional athletes and popular comics/personalities live stream regularly, so it's worth checking out. Stream Time is available for free.
BloomAdd color to your life, engage your creativity and relax by making beautiful art with Bloom. This coloring book app gives you access to over 500 exclusive designs from award-winning artists around the world, hundreds of colors, and the tools you need to create the effects you want and make each design a unique piece of art. I know there are several apps like this out there already, but this one looks promising and worth checking out if you don't have a favorite already. There are a few in-app purchases, to unlock new images and other content, but you can start coloring for free. Bloom is available for free (with some IAPs).
Battle Golf OnlineThe first rule of Battle Golf is that you don't talk about Battle Golf. I guess that would mean that I'm breaking the first rule, but hey what can I say? I'm a renegade. Anyway Battle Golf Online is an arcade golf game that you can play either by yourself, against the AI, or against a friend in real time. The graphics are pretty basic and the controls are straightforward (one tap), but there are cool hats and masks to unlock and daily challenges to complete. Battle Golf Online is available for free (with some IAPs).
Noblemen: 1896Looking for something way different? Checkout Noblemen: 1896. The year is 1896, and war has begun... To your right, militia are cut down by saber wielding cavalry. In the distance, cannon fire echoes as a lumbering Steam Tank fires its auto cannons. Your gatling gun team unleashes a salvo of fire, cutting down an enemy squad like wheat. Behind you, the drone of your frigate class airship reassures you before unleashing its salvo of supporting fire. ou are a Nobleman, and it's up to you to lead your armies to victory! Noblemen: 1896 is available for free (with some IAPs).
More apps to check out Instagram Stories come to the web Apple’s free app of the week: 8mm Vintage Camera Microsoft releases Mixer Create app for broadcasting mobile games on the go Facebook is rolling out its new video hub to everyone in the US over the next few days Video: YouTube’s overhauled look and new features coming to iOS app The best voice recording apps for Apple Watch
Microsoft on Thursday said that Mixer Create for iOS has exited beta and is now available to download from App Store. The app that lets you chat and stream live gameplay of iPhone and iPad games on the go, similar to how Mixer can stream games on PC and Xbox One.
This week's edition of our Apps of the Week roundup features a new personal finance tracking app with a gorgeous interface, the PPV app showing the fight everyone is going to be talking about this weekend, and a new social app with an AR twist. And as always, we've selected two interesting new games for you to check out.
SlopeSlope was designed from the ground up to be unlike any financial app you’ve ever seen. With its user friendly interface, Slope gives you the power to see your entire financial history at your fingertips. Lightning fast transaction input allows you to input expenses on the go and reconcile with your bank statement later. Other features include categories and tags, multiple account support, receipt storage and much more. There is a SlopePro subscription option, but it looks like most features are available without it. Slope is available for free.
Showtime PPVUnless you've been living under a rock for the past 6 months, chances are you've heard about the fight coming up tonight between boxing legend Floyd Mayweather and MMA star Conor McGregor. There are a few ways to stream the fight, but the official way is via the SHOWTIME PPV app. It works on iPhone, iPad and Apple TV, and makes buying the fight as easy as an in-app purchase. Features will include the stream, fight-related news and behind-the-scenes look at the fighters. The app is free, of course, but the Main Event is going to cost you $100. Showtime PPV is available for free.
Mirage WorldThis is kind of a cool app, and somewhat relevant given all of the talk these days about VR and AR. Mirage World allows you to create and "leave" digital, interactive artwork in the real world. Think virtual graffiti. You can place gifs, objects, hostages, photos and drawings anywhere for others to see. Just create, post and share using the Mirage app, and your friends can view them and share their own. As with all newcomer social media apps, I am skeptical this will gain much traction, but the idea is interesting enough it might make it into bigger apps. Check it out! Mirage World is available for free.
Death PointDeath Point is a hardcore single-player, top-down, stealth shooter with dual stick control that will test your abilities at every level. Here's the setup: only two from your group have survived—you (agent) and your operator. She is blocked somewhere within the enemy’s territory and you woke up in a prison, barely alive, but determined to get revenge. The countdown has started. Elimination sensors are already ticking in your heads. The mission success and your future depends solely on you. All you have to do is to find the girl and call for evacuation. Hurry up! Death Point is available for $6.
Cat Bird!If Death Point isn't really your style, then check out Cat Bird! It couldn't be more opposite. This cute little platform adventure game sends you on an epic quest to help Cat Bird get home. You'll venture through unique worlds hovering across pits, traps, enemies, and saw blades. But beware of the mighty guardians that block your path! Other game features include 40+ challenging levels, 3 epic bosses, stylish pixel art, and a beautiful soundtrack. Cat Bird! is available for free (with a single IAP).
More apps to check out Google Assistant for iOS expands to Germany, France and UK Apple’s free app of the week: Colossatron: Massive World Threat You can now take 360-degree photos in Facebook’s iOS app Spark gains Touch ID inbox protection, Apple Reminders support & integration with 10 new services
London-based publisher Feral Interactive announced Friday that F1 2017, the official video game of the current 2017 FIA Formula One World Championship, is now available for macOS, coinciding with its debut on Windows PC systems and consoles.
Alto's Odyssey, a much anticipated sequel to the award-winning endless snowboarding odyssey, Alto's Adventure, has been delayed a little because the team is going to need “a while longer” to bring the game to life, developer Snowman's Ryan Cash told iDownloadBlog today.
This week's edition of our Apps of the Week roundup features a visual menu for over 80,000 restaurants, a new comedy network courtesy of Kevin Hart and a handy app to help you pack for vacations. And as always, we've selected two interesting new games for you to check out.
Wine n DineThis is by no means a new app, but if you're not familiar with it, it's definitely worth checking out. Wine n Dine features visual menus from over 80,000 of the world's best restaurants that aims to help you always order delicious food. Save dishes with the 'Wanna Try' feature and you'll get reminded of it when you go to that restaurant, create and discover insightful restaurant lists, and browse the food map to see the best restaurant and foods around you. I also really like that the app avoids negativity—it's all about sharing the good, not the bad. Wine n Dine is available for free.
Laugh Out LoudLaugh Out Loud is the new streaming video service from actor/comedian Kevin Hart, featuring a slate of original scripted and unscripted comedy series, stand-up specials, licensed programming, and live broadcasts. Laugh Out Loud combines Hart’s unparalleled social media savvy with his vision for the future of comedy - social, mobile, multicultural, and seriously funny. Not a fan of Hart's comedy? Don't worry, there are a ton of other comedians featured here. The app itself is free, and you can actually watch quite a bit without paying, but to unlock everything it'll cost you $3/month. Laugh Out Loud is available for free.
PackrPackr will help you pack your suitcase for each trip. The app creates a packing checklist for your suitcase from 24 pre-defined activities and factors in details like length of stay, weather and planned activities. This is the perfect tool for your summer vacations, long week-ends, road trips and even camping. Plus, Packr learns from each of your trips to organize the packing checklists and adjusts the items it recommends based on that data. Unfortunately some features are hidden behind a subscription fee, which I think is a terrible idea for such a situational app, but the core features and design make it worth checking out. Packr is available for free.
Tunnels & Trolls AdventuresCombining rich interactive fiction with classic RPG gameplay for mobile, Tunnels & Trolls Adventures will let you play through iconic adventures like Naked Doom, Buffalo Castle, Deathtrap Equalizer and more. The world of Tunnels & Trolls is filled with tough decisions, devious traps, and monstrous encounters where the risks are only rivaled by the rewards. Roll your stats, choose your kindred and begin your legendary adventures. Tunnels & Trolls Adventures is available for free (with some IAPs).
Bottom of the 9thThis is kind of cool. Bottom of the 9th is a strategic 2-player baseball game played with cards and dice. This faithful adaptation brings the fast-paced fun of the tabletop game to your phone! Choose your lineup from a pool of players with different strengths and abilities, outsmart your opponent in the stare-down, then roll the dice to trigger the action. Will you lead the underdogs to victory? Or will you defend the league leaders’ unbroken winning streak? Bottom of the 9th is available for $4.99.
More apps to check out Finding your festival friends with ARKit Apple’s free app of the week: Tsuro Instagram launches new ways to reply with photos and videos in Direct Skype previews upcoming Mac app revamp ESPN for Apple TV gains simulcast feature for watching 4 live sporting events simultaneously Facebook begins rolling out Trending News section in iPhone app This week's edition of our Apps of the Week roundup features a fun video editing app, an app for discovering new and interesting content, and an app for sharing your travel experiences. And as always, we've picked two great new games for you to check out.
Hypno CamSo Hypno Cam is a new(ish) app that enables you to quickly and easily add cool effects to your videos. The app automatically scripts your clips with effects, music, and edits synced to the beat. You don't have to be an expert videographer to create awesome videos—Hype your Instagram and Snap stories with the push of a button. New "scripts" are added every week, and there is a beta developer program for folks who want to create their own. For what it's worth, the app has 4.5-star on early reviews. Hypno Cam is available for free.
MixMix is a new way to discover and curate interesting content you find on the internet. I know, this sounds like the same pitch we've heard from dozens of other apps, but Mix is worth checking out. The app uses an algorithm to feed you interesting and relative content, and its beautiful, minimal interface will keep you swiping for more. Use the special 'Mix' button to save and share the things you like, watch videos in-app, and more. Mix is available for free.
TripsExplore every day with Trips by Lonely Planet — a beautiful, simple and intuitive way to share travel experiences. Upload photos and videos to your timeline, then share your trip with your friends, family and fellow travellers. Discover new places, be inspired by stories from the Lonely Planet community and start planning your next adventure. I know there are a lot of these kinds of apps out there, but the early reviews say this is a great way to document your trips or view others' trips. I think it's worth checking out. Trips is available in the App Store for free.
Titanfall: AssaultStandby for Titanfall! Experience freedom on the Frontier battlefield in a new mobile RTS that redefines the genre with fast-paced action and intense PvP battles. Put your combat skills to the test by unleashing a powerful arsenal of Titans and Pilots, including units from Titanfall 2 plus brand new specialized units only for the mobile game. Deploy Sim Ninja, Boomer, Ion, Scorch and more onto the battlefield to fight for control of the Frontier. Unite and destroy. And lead your forces to victory in The Frontier War. Titanfall: Assault is available for free (with some IAPs).
Swim OutDive into the relaxing and refreshing atmosphere of Swim Out, a strategic, turn-based puzzle game, that will transport you into a sunny day by the swimming pool, the river or the sea. Plan each of your strokes wisely and be sure to never cross any other swimmer's path if you want to peacefully enjoy the sea view on a cosy chaise-longue. There are over 100 levels to play and 12 different types of swimmers. If you're a fan of puzzle games, this one is definitely worth checking out. Swim Out is available for free.
More apps to check out Apple’s free app of the week: Colorcube Instagram testing two-person live broadcasting This week's edition of our Apps of the week roundup features a powerful, easy-to-use sketch app, a multitrack music recorder, and a new weather app that serves up both forecasts and GIFs. And as always, we've picked two great new games for you to check out.
PicsArt Color PaintThere are hundreds of sketch/drawing apps on the App Store, but I still think PicsArt Color paint is worth checking out. It offers a full drawing suite with an intuitive UI that makes it perfect for both beginners and professionals alike. Layers upon layers, a color mixer for any color combination you can imagine, fully customizable paint brushes, and an amazing texture brush are just some of the features available here. You can even doodle on that selfie you just took! PicsArt Color Paint is available for free.
SpireSpire is a multitrack music recording app that automatically adds professional-quality polish to your recordings. Record your music anywhere, edit and mix it to perfection, then share it with the world. Features include working metronome, touch and drag mixing, song exportation, iZotope technology that autwmiatclaly removes unwanted song characteristics, and more. Spire is available for free.
Basic WeatherWeather is emotional. Basic Weather is the daily weather app for people who choose to celebrate the highs and weather the lows (zing!). Features include daily weather notifications with hand-matched GIFs to make you smile, simple and swipeable interface, 5-day weather forecasts, instant sharing, and the developers claim the app's forecasts are extremely accurate. Basic Weather is available for free.
Miracle MerchantMiracle Merchant is a solitaire style potion brewing card game.In it, you become the apprentice of a master alchemist who creates potions for thirsty adventurers. By mixing and combining different ingredient cards you create powerful potions based on the needs of your customers. Each game has a unique, randomly generated set of cards that will test your skills. By successfully completing games you can collect a variety of masterfully crafted potions. Miracle Merchant is available for $1.99.
Flippy KnifeThe title explains it all. In Flippy Knife, you work to become a master at knife flipping using the best knives from around the world. Features include realistic knife-flipping physics, over 35 different blades to choose from, various levels and locations, ranging from a campsite to tree tops, one finger control, and more. I know it sounds kind of ridiculous, but early reviews for the game are glowing. Flippy Knife is available for free (with some IAPs).
More apps to check out Apple’s free app of the week: Checkmate! Google Earth for iOS gains 3D imagery, guided tours, 64-bit support & more Apple’s ARKit replicates A-ha’s “Take on Me” music video in real time Plant a tree and get things done with Forest Here’s award-winning PCalc scientific calculator app in augmented reality, because why not? Spark for Mac gains advanced search features & other notable improvements This week's edition of our Apps of the week roundup features a new AI-based photo editor, an app for quickly finding your group at a large event, and a new twist on the digital recipe book. And as always, we've selected two great new games for you to check out.
TeleportTeleport is a new, interesting app that allows you to edit live photos using artificial intelligence. No, we're not talking about adding animal ears or swapping faces—this app lets you change your hair color, alter your backdrop, blur the background and more. The interface is intuitive and well-designed, and as far as I can tell, the AI-based effects are impressive. Teleport is available for free.
TurfTurf is a simple, but smart app that acts as a compass towards where you want to go. Imagine you're meeting a friend at a ballgame, or a musical festival. Well instead of sending countless texts back and forth, or making hard-to-hear phone calls, the people can simply send a point-of-interest using Turf, and your app will take you straight to it. I know other, more robust maps apps allow you to share your location, but this is more straight-to-the-point (no pun intended). Plus no account is required. Turf is available for free.
TastyBuzzFeed's new Tasty app features all 1,700+ Tasty videos and a new Step-By-Step instruction mode that explains how to cook every recipe. The "My Recipes" page serves as your own personal cookbook and an innovative Search tool allows you to filter recipes by ingredient, cuisine, and social occasion. You can even filter out recipes with restrictions like vegan, gluten-free, low carb, healthy and comfort food. Easy is available for free.
NEO ScavengerPlay the acclaimed PC survival RPG on your iPhone or iPad. NEO Scavenger is a game where you must survive in the wasteland long enough to figure out who you are. Each turn, you must decide where to go, how to scavenge for supplies, and how to deal with anything and anyone you encounter. And with each passing minute, the pit in your stomach grows, your dehydration worsens, your muscles tire, and your body temperature drops in the cold autumn air. Choose your starting abilities carefully, because they and your wit are the only tools you have in the apocalypse! NEO Scavenger is available free (with a single IAP to unlock the full game).
Vista GolfVista Golf is a simple but elegant mini golf game, defined by crisp controls and the endless competition of new courses every week. We wanted to create the purest form of mini golf in your pocket, so if you seek both fun an frustration, this is the game for you. Features include Competitive Mode, Infinite (arcade) Mode, leaderboards, and weekly updates. I know there are a ton of golf games out there already, but this one seems worth checking out. Vista Golf is available for free.
More apps to check out Apple’s free app of the week: Domino Drop Google launches Trusted Contacts iOS app with Find My Friends-like features Image search and discovery coming to eBay’s iOS app this fall