App Store Apps

Scanbot for iOS goes free, Pro edition 40% cheaper

Christian Zibreg ∙ November 13, 2014

Scanbot, a PDF scanning utility with built-in QR code scanner, hit a major milestone as its users have scanned over five million documents to date. To celebrate this achievement, German developer Doo GmbH is giving away the basic edition of Scanbot for the next 24 hours, a $1.99 saving.

Moreover, Scanbot Pro is marked down 40 percent and now sells for $2.99 instead of the regular asking price of $4.99 a pop, representing a cool saving of two bucks.

This is the first time Scanbot Pro has been made available at a discounted price in the App Store. Grab Scanbot at no cost for the next 24 hours and upgrade to Scanbot Pro via a one-time In-App Purchase at 40 percent reduced price.

YouTube app update adds new music homepage with YouTube Mix

Cody Lee ∙ November 13, 2014

Google updated its iOS YouTube client this morning, bringing the universal app to version 2.16.11441. The update is fairly minimal, but it does include a new music homepage and YouTube Mix integration, making the music listening experience on YouTube "better than ever."

The new music homepage allows you to do things like play albums right from search, and it will now offer you song recommendations based on your previous listening habits. It also allows you to listen to an endless YouTube Mix playlist, built using your favorite songs and artists.

Target app updated with support for Apple Pay, reviews and more

Cody Lee ∙ November 12, 2014

Following Staples' lead earlier today, Target has updated its mobile app with support for Apple Pay payments. Those with compatible devices can now pay for everything in their carts with a single tap of Touch ID without having to signup for a Target account or enter credit card info.

The update also brings about in-app product reviews, so you can see what customers think of their purchases. This is something every retailer needs to implement, if they haven't already. as shopping trends continue to indicate that more consumers are researching before buying.

Staples now accepting Apple Pay in its retail stores and mobile app

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 18, 2018

Major office supply retailer Staples began accepting Apple Pay payments at all of its retail stores in the US, according to MacRumors. The company announced in September that it would be supporting the payment system, but didn't offer a specific timeframe for its rollout.

"Our customers will love the convenience of Apple Pay, which will offer an easier, faster and secure way to check-out," Staple's Faisal Masud said. "This is the most recent example of our commitment to innovation that helps our customers make more happen with their business."

Rdio lowers family subscription plans to $5 for each extra member

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated January 30, 2018

In a move designed to match Spotify, which last month launched all-new pricing scheme for family accounts, Rdio on Wednesday announced that up to four family members can be added to a single Rdio account at $5 per month per extra member.

Each additional Rdio listened on a Family Plan can stream more than 30 million songs and enjoy features like radio stations, You FM, playlists on a per-user basis and more.

The new pricing scheme for Rdio's Family Plans goes in effect across the globe starting today, said the firm.

Big fingers? ThickButtons enlarges keys you’ll most likely tap next

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated March 2, 2018

Lviv, Ukraine based custom software development company N-iX, founded by Andrew Pavliv, has created a nice keyboard for iPhones, iPads and iPods running iOS 8 through its spin-off firm.

Named ThickButtons, it helps big-fingered users type more efficiently by using patented technology which enlarges and highlights keys you'll most likely press next while shrinking the remaining ones to reduce the chance of making an error.

Such an input method arguably makes typing with one finger more accurate, especially on four-inch iPhones. The software doesn’t require additional training and doesn’t depend on dictionary.

ThickButtons is $1.99 in the App Store.

Business Card Reader Pro gains vCard and Salesforce exporting [bonus: giveaway]

Christian Zibreg ∙ November 12, 2014

Business Card Reader Pro by German developer Shape allows you to quickly add contacts to iOS by scanning their business card with your iPhone's or iPad's back camera.

Featuring an accurate text recognition engine supporting fifteen languages, background image processing, LinkedIn search and integration with CRM systems, Business Card Reader Pro gets the job done whether you're scanning a few business cards or adding hundreds of new contacts to your shared company address book.

Released Wednesday, the new Business Card Reader Pro version 3.3 allows you to export your entries in the industry-standard vCard format for hassle-free importing to a myriad of online and desktop address book apps and PIM tools.

The new version also fixes crashes on iOS 8 and enables exporting to Salesforce. Best of all, Shape has kindly provided us with a few promo codes that we're giving away to you guys at the bottom of this article.

Business Card Reader Pro is $6.99 in the App Store.

Monument Valley ‘Forgotten Shores’ expansion arrives with 8 new levels

Christian Zibreg ∙ November 12, 2014

As promised, a ‘Forgotten Shores’ expansion for the acclaimed puzzler Monument Valley, an Apple Design Award winner, is now available in the App Store, delivering eight brand new levels on top of the original ten levels.

The new levels have been added between the penultimate and final levels of the game. Unfortunately, this isn't a free update as developer Ustwo Games is providing Forgotten Shores as a $1.99 In-App Purchase.

Download Monument Valley for $3.99.

Dispatch iOS email client gains Touch ID and 1Password support, WhatsApp actions and more

Christian Zibreg ∙ November 12, 2014

Dispatch, a third-party email client for the iPhone and iPad by Clean Shaven Apps, has received an update Wednesday morning adding support for Touch ID authentication and the new Drafts 4 app, in addition to 1Password integration in the in-app browser, new actions allowing you to send content to WhatsApp and more.

The action-based application permits you to triage your emails and get rid of unwanted ones by swiping, respond faster with snippets and process your mails with other apps.

Dispatch is a $4.99 download.

A Mechanical Story review: get the gears spinning to solve these puzzles

Lory Gil ∙ Updated January 30, 2018

I don’t have a lot of experience with wrenches, gears, cogs, and other mechanical doohickeys. I’ve never been one to simply take apart my electronic devices to see how they work. I do, however, have a lot of experience with puzzle solving games.

A Mechanical Story is nothing more than a puzzle game, but it is set in the world of engineering workings. I was intimidated at first, seeing all of those spinning gears. But in the end, it is simply a fun puzzle game and nothing to be afraid of. We’ve got a game review of A Mechanical Story for you today.

Box updated with Touch ID support and Notification Center widget

Cody Lee ∙ November 12, 2014

Dropbox competitor Box updated its iOS client this morning, bringing the app to version 3.5. The update is a big one, bringing about a number of improvements and new features, including some that are specific to users with devices running iOS 8.

The Box app now features a widget in the Notification Center that allows you to quickly and easily create Box notes and view recent documents. The update also adds support for Touch ID, so you can use your fingerprint to lock and unlock the app.

Overcast podcast app updated with iPad and CarPlay support

Cody Lee ∙ November 11, 2014

Overcast, the popular iOS podcast client by Instapaper creator Marco Arment, has been updated this evening, bringing the app to version 1.1. The update includes a handful of great features such as native iPad and rotation support.

The app looks just as good on the iPad as it does the iPhone, regardless of whether your device is in portrait or landscape mode. Speaking of, the iPhone version also now supports landscape mode, which looks great on the 6 and 6 Plus.