App Store Apps

Review: iTranslate 9.0 is the closest thing yet to the killer Apple Watch app

Christian Zibreg ∙ September 22, 2015

Now that the watchOS 2 software update has released to the general public, a healthy debate is developing amongst my techie friends about the benefits that native apps are supposed to enable.

The long story short, native apps run directly on the device and talk to its underlying hardware and sensors so most tasks should feel faster and smoother than before.

For instance, apps can now play sounds through the Apple Watch's speakerphone and take voice input from its built-in mic. To test how this works in the real world, I've spent a few hours with iTranslate by Sonico Mobile GmbH, arguably the best translator app you can put on your wrist to overcome language barriers, Star Trek-style.

Hands on with Night Sky’s ISS Complication for Apple Watch

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated February 1, 2018

Complications in the watch making industry are added features to the movement of a watch beyond simply telling the hour and minutes. The Apple Watch, of course, features a selection of software-based Complications allowing you to put stuff like Activity rings, the weather, stocks, the latest sports scores and more right on your watch face.

With watchOS 2, Apple began permitting third-party complications on watch faces. To tell learn more about how third-party Complications work in watchOS 2, I took iCandi Apps' awesome stargazing app called Night Sky for a spin.

Twitter adds Quick Reply to iOS app (this time for real!) and other enhancements

Christian Zibreg ∙ September 22, 2015

A Twitter update last week was supposed to make the mobile iPhone and iPad app play nice with iOS 9's new text-based replies that are now available to third-party apps directly from notification banners, except it didn't.

Tuesday, the micro-blogging startup issued a new version of the iOS client which fixes last week's botched update.

Now iOS 9 users of Twitter's mobile app can take advantage of full support for the Quick Reply feature from push notifications, the ability to access muted and blocked accounts in Settings and more.

Shazam update brings support for iOS 9’s enhanced Spotlight Search and more

Christian Zibreg ∙ September 21, 2015

Shazam, the popular music and media identification software, has rolled out a brand new 9.0 update to its iPhone and iPad application in the App Store, bringing out support for Spotlight Search on iOS 9, improved Bluetooth listening and other tidbits.

Shazam songs and artists can now be searched from the Home screen on iOS 9 and tapping a Shazam result takes you directly into that content within Shazam's mobile app.

Some Skype users experiencing issues with calling and messaging, Microsoft working on a fix

Christian Zibreg ∙ September 21, 2015

Are you plagued with various Skype issues, such as the inability to place VoIP calls, update your status or send instant messages? Are all of your Skype contacts showing as offline? Don't worry, you're not alone.

According to a support document published Monday morning, many people are reporting issues with Skype status and calling and Microsoft is working on a fix.

“We're doing everything we can to fix this issue and hope to have another update for you soon,” the company wrote. “Thank you for your patience as we work to get this incident resolved.”

Sky review: a game that is as simple as its name

Lory Gil ∙ September 21, 2015

With all the new features in iOS 9, it is quite a frenzy of excitement around here. It can sometimes be hard to remember to appreciate the simple things in life, like the smell of summer rain or the first leaves of fall, or a cool minimalist game.

Sky is a simple tapping game with an appealing minimalist visual aesthetic that relaxes and invigorates at the same time. I know I sound like I'm talking about soap, but if you play the game, you'll know what I mean. We've got a game review of Sky for you today.

Apps of the week: Starseed, Rambo, and more

Lory Gil ∙ Updated March 17, 2019

Now that iOS 9 is out, there are dozens of new features to tinker with. Along with new features, there are also new apps and games that either don't work in iOS 8 or work much better in iOS 9. Check out our weekend app list for some new discoveries.

Popular 3D puzzler Shadowmatic goes free as Apple’s App of the Week

Cody Lee ∙ September 17, 2015

Apple has named Triada Studio's Shadowmatic its App of the Week for this week. This means that from now through next Thursday, you'll be able to download the popular 3D puzzler for free, for both iPhone and iPad, saving yourself a solid $3.

For those unfamiliar with it, Shadowmatic is an imagination-stirring experience in which you are tasked with solving a series of 3D silhouette puzzles. The title has received high praise for its stunning visuals and relaxing, captivating gameplay.

Hulu, Pocket, BBC iPlayer, MLB.com at Bat and more updated for iOS 9’s Picture in Picture mode

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated November 9, 2016

Picture in Picture mode is one of the several productivity-focused enhancements on iPads with iOS 9. This handy feature allows you to watch a video while doing something else. The video plays in a small window overlaid on top of your apps so you can, for instance, browse the web while watching your favorite show at the same time.

Developers can decide whether or not they wish to enable Picture in Picture mode in their apps.

Thankfully, some of the well-known developers have already implemented Picture in Picture mode in their apps, including Hulu, Pocket, MLB.com at Bat and BBC iPlayer.

Dropbox updated with support for iOS 9, 3D Touch and more

Cody Lee ∙ September 16, 2015

Dropbox joins the onslaught of app updates today, following Apple's release of iOS 9. The new version of the cloud-based storage provider's iOS client is labeled 4.0, and it brings about a number of improvements, including support for some of iOS 9's new features.

Folks with the new Dropbox app on iOS 9 will see Dropbox files in Spotlight search results. This includes recently used files, plus any marked for offline access, and a quick tap will open them in-app. Additionally, any Dropbox link you tap on will open within the app.

iMovie for iOS updated with 4K video editing on iPhone 6s and much more

Christian Zibreg ∙ September 16, 2015

At its 'Hey Siri' media event last week, Apple demonstrated how the all-new 'A9' microchip ticking inside the iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus has enough oomph to edit 4K video by showing off native 4K video editing on both new iPhones and the iPad Pro with iMovie.

Today, iMovie for iOS receives a timely refresh in the App Store to bring this feature to the latest devices along with more than a dozen other enhancements for older iDevices.

1Password 6 is out with new design, support for iOS 9 features and more

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 30, 2018

AgileBits on Wednesday pushed out a significant update for their 1Password iOS app, bringing the popular password manager to version 6.0. The release includes a number of new features and improvements, including a refreshed design and broader support for iOS 9.

The new look isn't a major departure from its predecessor, but it's instantly noticeable. The developers said that they felt 1Password had become a bit "too monochrome," so they decided to brighten things up. You'll also notice new category icons and an improved browser.