App Store Apps

Infuse 3 updated with Touch ID support, faster browsing and more

FireCore updated its versatile media player Infuse 3 for iPhone and iPad today, bringing the app to version 3.5. The update brings about a number of improvements, including faster SMB browsing and a fix for those having AirPlay issues.

Additionally, 3.5 adds support for passcode and Touch ID locking, meaning you can now secure the app using one of these options. This way, videos and other media files you'd like to keep private can only be accessed via proper authentication.

Square Cash app updated to allow you to send money via Apple Watch

Square updated its Square Cash mobile app today, bringing the iOS client to version 2.8. The release brings about full support for the Apple Watch, allowing users to send money to your friends, family or anyone nearby with just a few simple taps.

For those unfamiliar with Square Cash, it's pitched as one of the easiest ways to send and receive money. It's free for consumers and setup only takes a minute to link up a credit or debit card. Plus, all transactions are protected by 128-bit encryption.

SwiftKey rolls out rich Emoji Insights in new update

Right on cue, makers of the popular SwiftKey software keyboard for iPhones, iPads and iPods today rolled out a new feature designed to provide a valuable insight into which emoji symbols you use the most as your unique writing style and the emoji you use more than other people.

The app will even tell you which US state most reflects your emoji use. Called Emoji Insights, the new typing statistics shows you detailed highlights of your emoji use.

Spark email client gains HTML signatures, new swipe actions, aliases and other new features

Spark, my new favorite email app by Readdle (good-bye Mailbox!), launched in the App Store nearly 3 months ago.

In my initial review of Spark, I praised its gorgeous user interface, powerful productivity features and integration with popular services but cautioned mobile pros to wait until a future update brings a few commonly used features that didn't make it into the initial release.

Spark 1.1 is here and with it come some much-needed missing features that make the app more powerful and productivity-focused. These include brand new swipe options, support for HTML signatures, email aliases and more.

Burger – The Game lets you flip your way to chef stardom

The creator of such unique mobile games as Okay? and Sometimes You Die is back with another bite-size game that tends to turn one into an addicted maniac. Burger – The Game only requires you to tap the screen at the right time. But, this skills-based title isn't as easy as it sounds. In fact, it would probably be easier to just make a burger in real life.

Spider: Rite of the Shrouded Moon review: spin a web of mystery and death

In practically every image of an abandoned building, especially an old house, there are dozens of spider webs spread out everywhere. You might wonder what it is those spiders are doing with their days and nights, free to roam around without fear of human interactions.

Spider: Rite of the Shrouded Moon gives you a glimpse into what it might be like as a spider, wandering the rooms of an abandoned estate, looking for food, and discovering much more. Check out our full game review of Spider: Rite of the Shrouded Moon below.

Apps of the week: Mazecraft, Trackd, Focus, and more

With the new update to iOS 8 and iTunes 12, it doesn't seem like there could possibly be any time to play around with new content from the App Store. I mean, you can finally add songs to new playlists and actually use iCloud Music Library.

However, I will always find time for new content from the App Store. That's my job. If you are looking for a new game to try out, or wish you could write songs remotely with friends, we've got a list of apps and games you should check out this weekend.

Time Surfer goes free as Apple’s App of the week

Apple has just named Kumobius' "Time Surfer" its App of the Week for this week. This means that from now through next Thursday, you’ll be able to download the popular endless arcade runner for free on both iPhone and iPad—a solid savings of a buck.

If you've ever played Tiny Wings, Time Surfer will feel somewhat familiar. The basic mechanical gameplay is the same—tap the screen to pull in close and gain speed, release to fly. But make no mistake, everything else is much faster and far more intense.

Extensify: an upcoming tweak store for non-jailbroken iPhones

One of the big concerns about iOS 9 is that Apple is rumored to have made jailbreaking a lot more difficult with its upcoming OS update. While the verdict is still out on "Rootless" and what impact it may or may not have on jailbreaking in general, it's time to start thinking outside of the box.

Two developers have done just that. Majd Alfhaily and Kevin Ko, better known around jailbreak circles as @freemanrepo and @uhelios, have created something pretty special. It's called Extensify, and it's a tweak store that allows you to modify and add new features to App Store apps without needing to jailbreak.

When Alfhaily first approached me with word of this, I have to admit that I was a bit skeptical. Tweaks without a jailbreak? Huh? But then I actually tried Extensify and saw that it was legit.

Read my hands-on walkthrough of the exciting new app, and be sure to watch our video breakdown inside as well.

Microsoft Office apps pick up better Outlook integration with ‘Send with Outlook’ and more

Microsoft today issued refreshed Word, Excel and PowerPoint applications for the iPhone, iPod touch and iPad in the App Store. The new versions of these mobile productivity apps include several new features, most notably tighter integration with Microsoft's Outlook for iOS app.

In addition to richer Outlook integration across all three apps, you can now change selected text in Word to uppercase, lowercase, sentence case and more, as well as view comments in PowerPoint next to the slide in a task pane.

New Google for iOS update adds always-listening “Ok Google” to in-app browser and more

It's been a while since Google last refreshed its native search application for the iPhone, iPod touch and iPad with meaningful new features, but today Google for iOS got bumped to version 7.0 in the App Store.

Most notably, the app now supports the always-on “Ok Google” feature within in-app browser, but not only that—it understands what you're searching for in the context of the webpage you're browsing.

Before today, “Ok Google” was only available on the app's search screen and you weren't able to use it if you navigated away from search results.

RollerCoaster Tycoon 3 launches on iPhone, iPod touch and iPad, no In-App Purchases whatsoever

RollerCoaster Tycoon 3 for the iPhone, iPod touch and iPad just hit the App Store. This popular construction and management videogame franchise that simulates amusement park originally management debuted on Windows PCs back in 1999.

RollerCoaster Tycoon 3 released on Windows more than a decade ago (it dropped on October 26, 2004) and today's release has finally brought the classic strategy simulation title to the iOS platform.

The game costs $4.99 and is free of In-App Purchase schemes.