App Store Apps

Facebook updates Messenger with third-party app support

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated January 28, 2016

After announcing support for select third-party applications inside its Messenger service last week, Facebook on Monday issued a refresh to the mobile messaging app which officially enables third-party integration.

Now available free in the App Store, the update puts a new button in the chat interface of Facebook Messenger. Tapping it brings up a sheet where you can browse and download supported third-party apps that extend Messenger's functionality, like apps for sending and receiving animated GIFs and more.

You can now create logins directly in 1Password’s iOS extension and more

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated October 27, 2016

Developer AgileBits on Monday refreshed its freemium password-manager utility, 1Password for iOS, with a much smarter extension that allows you to create logins and other items without switching to the main app.

1Password 5.3 is also packed with a dozen other goodies, including enhanced Dynamic Type support, a fixe for the broken Zoom Mode on the iPhone 6 Plus, a new Large Type option, tags in bubbles, the ability to switch time zones and much more.

Periscope, Beast Towers, Whipclip and more apps to check out this weekend

Lory Gil ∙ Updated April 30, 2018

There just isn’t enough time in the day to play all the games and use all the apps that flow through the App Store like a river of chocolate. How is one person supposed to find the cream of the crop on his or her own?

Instead of trying to check out every single title that comes along, you should check out our list of apps and games that we think you would find useful and fun. We weed through the mound of junk to find the highlights for you.

Favorite Contacts Launcher lets you call, message, or FaceTime anyone from Notification Center

Josh Gallagher ∙ March 27, 2015

Favorite Contacts Launcher allows you to have instant access to your most used numbers. Once downloaded, this app will allow you to quickly call, text, or FaceTime anyone directly from Notification Center. The concept sounds extremely useful to non-jailbreakers, but does this launcher deliver?

Vine upgrades video quality to 720p

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated October 13, 2018

Vine, a service for sharing short 15-second looping clips, announced on Friday that it is finally upgrading video quality from a rather paltry 480p resolution to a more acceptable 720p.

“We’ve been working on technical upgrades that support Vines in higher quality,” the Twitter-owned company said. The 720p format offers a resolution of 1,280-by-720 pixels whereas the 480p standard tops out at 640-by-480 pixels.

Meerkat 1.1 gains better search, in-app streaming alerts and other enhancements

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated January 30, 2018

Meerkat, an app which kicked off the live broadcasting craze by letting you stream live video from your iPhone to all of your Twitter followers at once, has released its first major update since its App Store debut a little more than two weeks ago.

The app is now more stable and user friendly and comes with nearly a dozen improvements related to searching, following other people, getting notified about their activity, discovering new streams and more.

Strategy and timing meet in action puzzler ULTRAFLOW

Josh Gallagher ∙ March 27, 2015

ULTRAFLOW draws heavily from both the puzzle and action genres. Each level is essentially a two stage process. First, you have to figure out how to solve the puzzle. Then, you have to actually be able to do it. This creates a surprising amount of challenge in ULTRAFLOW, proving that it’s more than just a fun word to type.

Tangent named Apple’s new Free App of the Week

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated January 27, 2019

Tangent, an innovative iOS app by Pixite which lets you add geometric shapes, patterns, textures, frame overlays and other effects to your photos, has been named Apple's new Free App of the Week in the ongoing App Store promotion which runs weekly.

Highlighted in the New & Noteworthy section in more than a hundred countries, Tangent was previously Editor's Choice in the App Store and was on the App Store Best of 2013 charts.

Regularly a $1.99 value, Tangent is now available at no cost until next Thursday. With this app you'll be well equipped to do some crazy edits to your photos so I'd grab Tangent immediately if I were you.

Twitter, Evernote, WeChat, Dark Sky, SPG and more being updated with Apple Watch support

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated March 17, 2019

We're indeed starting to see the first wave of updates to popular iPhone applications that bring out support for the Apple Watch. First was Target with an iPhone app update which brings the shopping list and more to your wrist.

And now Evernote, the popular note-taking and personal organization tool, along with WeChat, Dark Sky, Sky Guide and other apps, has added several interesting Apple Watch features to its iPhone and iPad app in the App Store.

Periscope shows the future of news with stream of NYC explosion aftermath

Jake Smith ∙ Updated June 16, 2016

I'm watching a building burn down with firefighters rushing to save people inside- as it's happening.

The Periscope app launched by Twitter this morning is already showing its stripes. People have often turned to Twitter (and the Internet) for news in the past - this is nothing new - but Periscope has already shown in its few hours of availability how it could reshape breaking news on the Internet.

Target updates iPhone app with Apple Watch support for shopping from your wrist

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated January 28, 2016

Target may files as the first company to update its iOS app with official support for the Apple Watch, which goes on pre-order on April 10 before hitting store shelves two weeks later.

Now rolling out in the App Store, Target 7.3.1 for the iPhone will let you build a shopping list on your Apple Watch and includes a Glance to see when your store is open.

“When you're in the store, it tells you where to find all of the items you need,” as per release notes.