iOS 11 isn’t due for release until September 19th, but new app updates that take advantage of the platform's new features have started to hit the App Store. So far, we’ve seen several updates that include Augmented Reality and Drag and Drop support.
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
For the Wallpapers of the Week collection, we typically focus on iOS devices and with the new iPhones launching in two days, there will be an entire iPhone 8 wallpaper series coming this week. In fact, I already have two complete iPhone 8 wallpaper packs ready for launch and need you to make more!
But today, we give much love to desktops. With a tip from my buddy @guitrasher, I can provide you with an unlimited number of photo quality wallpapers, installed to your desktop, every hour. But how? Just a simple download from the App Store.
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
Apple's official WWDC app for iPhone, iPad and Apple TV was updated Friday with several new features, including support for the company's Handoff technology allowing you to easily move between iOS devices and Safari on macOS.
Anyone having the pleasure (or obligation) of travelling overseas has likely had their share of exposure to currency converters on iPhone. Whether you have selected your travel companion on the basis of features, price or mindlessly downloaded the first search result, in my experience the common denominator across the board is an off-putting level of self importance. More often that not, currency converters lack an understanding of their role on your phone.
Popular iPhone and iPad productivity apps from the prolific Ukrainian developer Readdle—Spark, PDF Expert, Documents and Scanner Pro—are scheduled to get massive feature-packed updates as soon as iOS 11 releases later this month. So, what's new?
Google today updated its mobile YouTube app for iPhone and iPad with support for live streaming via ReplayKit, Apple's framework introduced in iOS 9 and tvOS 10 that lets you record or stream video from supported apps and games and audio from the microphone.
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
Instagram announced on Thursday that it is bringing Instagram Stories to the web. The feature, which is slowly rolling out to users around the globe, will let anyone view their friends' stories on both mobile and desktop. Additionally, the company noted that users will also be able to post stories from the mobile web in the coming months.
Facebook Watch, a new platform for original television shows on the social network, is going to roll out to all users in the US over the next few days, the company said Thursday.
Instagram today announced that its swipeable carousel album format, which was introduced in February, now supports both portrait and landscape photographs and videos in galleries.