App Store Apps

Instagram adds five new filters, Slow-Mo video uploading and more in iPhone app update

Christian Zibreg ∙ December 16, 2014

Instagram, a Facebook-owned mobile photography service, today issued an update adding five new filters to its iOS and Android app.

In addition, the popular software has gained a couple handy enhancements such as the ability to upload Slo-Mo video content as well as real-time comments, photo perspective adjustments, a customizable filter tray with live previews and more.

Inspired by the photography, art, fashion and design, the five new subtle filters available in Instagram 6.4 are being marketed as the company's best yet and include: Slumber, Crema, Ludwig, Aden and Perpetua.

App Santa is back with big discounts on great apps

Sébastien Page ∙ Updated March 19, 2019

Whether you've been naughty or nice this year, App Santa will still bring you great deals on award winning apps by independent developers. Available now through December 26th, App Santa is offering up to 60% on many must-have applications for both iOS and Mac. It's like Christmas before Christmas. Enjoy!

Google Wallet for iPhone adds Touch ID and iPhone 6 support, more

Christian Zibreg ∙ December 16, 2014

The Internet giant Google has upped the ante in the mobile payment arena with Tuesday's refresh to its Wallet iOS app. The new version brings out support for Touch ID allowing owners of the iPad Air 2, iPad mini 3 and the iPhone 5s and onward to unlock the app with their finger.

And with native display support for the 4.7-inch iPhone 6 and 5.5-inch iPhone 6 Plus display resolutions, the app now takes full advantage of the screen real estate available to owners of Apple's latest handsets.

Google’s iOS app picks up Nest integration

Christian Zibreg ∙ December 15, 2014

Following a recent refresh with Material Design, iPhone 6 support and Maps in search results, Google's main search client for iOS and Android today gained the ability to interact with your Nest smart thermostat, along with other Nest-branded devices for the connected home, using Google Now voice commands.

Replicating some of the functionality provided by Nest's own iPhone application, Google's native search app for the iPhone and iPad takes advantage of voice input and Now cards to help control your Nest hardware.

Just fire up the app and either tap the mic or say "Ok Google" to get started. This is a silent feature upgrade on the backend so no download is required.

Foursquare finally launches iPad app

Christian Zibreg ∙ December 15, 2014

The Foursquare app is at last available on the iPad! The freshly released update takes full advantage of the iPad's bigger canvas and increased screen resolution, so you'll now see more content and scroll less when browsing Foursquare content on your Apple tablet.

It’s focused on helping you plan smarter with a personalized list of all the great places for a chosen city. Plus, it's a lot easier now to save anything to your itinerary with a tap.

The team's added another new section dedicated to all the top picks in your area. Tapping Foursquare’s vast database of crowdsourced locations and check-ins, it suggests places that are newly popular, up-and-coming and local mainstays.

The app was updated back in September with full support for iOS 8 and Interactive Notifications with the ability to save, like and follow right from the notification.

And yes, it looks great on the bigger iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus screens.

Massive Kindle update adds Book Browser on iPad, Goodreads integration and more

Christian Zibreg ∙ December 15, 2014

Just in time for the holidays, Amazon on Monday issued a massive update to its Kindle mobile client for the iOS platform, bringing out integration with the Goodreads recommendation engine, an all new Book Browser allowing iPad users to retrieve additional information about the books with personalized book sample suggestions to download and read.

Other highlights of this update include the ability to start playing Audible audiobooks as they're downloading with progressive playback, book details in the Library, the Next In Series information and so forth.

Opera Mini adds new features, including opening links from other apps via iOS 8 extension

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated October 14, 2018

The Opera Mini web browser for the iPhone and iPad by Opera Software has received a much-needed iOS 8 extension and a few other features in its latest 9.1 update. The extension makes it easy to open links in Opera Mini from other apps using the multi-purpose iOS Share menu.

After enabling the new ‘Open in Opera Mini’ extension in the Share menu, you'll be able to open links in Opera Mini from other apps, including browsers like Safari and Chrome.

“This is especially helpful when you want to jump from Safari to Opera Mini to save on mobile data,” developers noted alluding to their browser's Turbo mode which compresses web pages to cut down on your cellular data usage.

Viber introduces support for Viber Games, adds Sticker Menu

Christian Zibreg ∙ December 15, 2014

Viber, the popular messaging platform second only to WhatsApp, today refreshed its iOS application with support for downloadable mobile games while introducing a new Sticker Menu to make finding sticker packs easier.

Viber Games, the headline new feature in Viber 5.2 for iOS and Android, allows users to play select mobile games with Viber characters Violet and Legcat and see how many coins they can earn.

The best Photo apps of 2014

Lory Gil ∙ December 14, 2014

Sometimes, I feel sorry for educated photographers that spent thousands of dollars and years of their lives studying the subject in school. Since mobile devices have advanced in camera technology, we are all taking pro-quality pictures of our cats every day.

We love iPhone photography so much around here that we have an entire section dedicated to it. So, we take new apps in the category pretty seriously. We sat down with the new releases for 2014 and decided which ones stand out for their awesome features. Then, we voted on the best. Below is a list of the winner, runner-ups, and the best all-time photography app.

Apps of the Week: Tales from the Borderlands, Seabeard, Sneaky Sneaky, and more

Lory Gil ∙ Updated November 19, 2018

After spending all week shopping for presents, decorating trees, and baking cookies, I’m ready for a break. All I want to do is sit down with a good game and lose track of time until my fingers cramp up. If you are in need of a bit of relief from the holiday hustle and bustle, take a look at our list of apps and games. You might find something to ease your stress level. Maybe you’ll feel better after some good old fashioned video gaming. I know I always do.

Bean Dreams will bounce right into your heart

Lory Gil ∙ December 12, 2014

Who would have thought that there was a reason to change the traditional platform game mechanics? It’s one of those “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it,” concepts. At least, I’d always thought that way.

Bean Dreams is a game that features pretty much everything you think makes up a good platformer. However, there is one major change. Instead of running and jumping, you’re little Bean is nothing but jumps.

‘Space Qube’ goes free as Apple’s App of the Week

Cody Lee ∙ Updated November 19, 2018

Apple has named the retro-futuristic 3D shooter 'Space Qube' its App of the Week for this week. This means that you'll be able to pick up the title for both your iPhone and iPad, for free through next Thursday—a solid savings of $2.99.

In Space Qube, players are tasked with helping Space Jack in his campaign to save the universe. They are given the opportunity to build their own custom spaceship, and then must blast their way through levels of dangerous monsters.