App Store Apps

Instagram update removes option to share likes and activity to Facebook

Instagram updated its iOS client last night, bringing the app to version 5.0.11. The update is small—the change log only mentions one alteration—but significant, as it takes away the auto-sharing of activity to Facebook.

More specifically, users will now only be able to share images deliberately to Facebook using the in-app share button. So the change should go a long way in decluttering News Feeds, a common complaint amongst users...

Kayak Pro goes free as Apple’s App of the Week

Apple has named the popular hotel and flight-booking app Kayak Pro its App of the Week this week. This means that through next Thursday, you’ll be able to pick up the application for both your iPhone and iPad, for free—a modest savings of $1.

For those unfamiliar with Kayak, it's considered by many to be the top mobile travel app. It essentially works as a search engine for hundreds of travel sites, allowing you to compare prices for things like flights, cars and hotels, as well as book them...

Flappy Bird creator teases his next iOS game

We haven't heard much from Flappy Bird creator Dong Nguyen since he removed his smash-hit game Flappy Bird from the App Store just over three months ago. After tweeting that the popularity of the game was ruining his life, the Vietnamese developer went quiet for over a month. Since that time, the App Store has been bombarded with dozens of copycat games such as Flappy Bird: New Season.

Then, just yesterday, Nguyen confirmed that Flappy Bird will be returning to the App Store in August with less addictive gameplay and a new multiplayer mode. Building upon that news, the indie game maker has now announced that he is also working on a brand new game that will involve a character jumping from building to building. He gave a sneak peek of what the game looks like in a recent tweet… 

Enter Leo’s Fortune Hardcore Challenge for a chance to win an iPad mini

By now, some of you will have already completed the fantastic new platform game Leo’s Fortune, which also means that some of you are probably on the path to beating the game in Hardcore mode. So far, no one has managed to beat the game this way yet. If you manage to make it all the way to the end of the game without dying, you might win an iPad mini.

The game’s creators are offering fans of Leo’s Fortune the chance to win big by beating the game in Hardcore mode. So, you’d better take a week off of work, get your MFi game controller charged up and get going. Someone is going to win this contest, and it might as well be you…

iTunes Connect app updated with new design for iOS 7

Continuing with its wave of updates today, Apple has posted a new build of iTunes Connect for iOS. The update brings the app to version 3.0, and includes a long-awaited UI redesign in-line with the new look of iOS 7.

For those unfamiliar with iTunes Connect, it's what allows developers to access sales data for their apps and e-books. And with today's update, artists can now use the app to access data for moves and other media as well...

Flappy Bird: New Season – an unapologetic clone as good as the original

If you can't wait for the official return of Flappy Bird in the App Store, then here is a clone that will surely keep you tapping your iPhone screen frenetically until this Summer. Called Flappy Bird: New Season, this clone is as close as the original as it gets.

As a matter of fact, it is so close, that even the developer's name is the same as the original Flappy Bird's Dong Nguyen. But don't be fooled, this is still a clone, even though some of the raving reviews peg the game as the "closest clone to the original version."

Apple updates Podcasts app with Siri integration, CarPlay support and more

Following big updates for Mac OS X and iTunes, Apple has this afternoon published an update for its iOS Podcasts client. The update brings the app to version 2.1, and includes a handful of new features and improvements.

Among the new features are Siri integration and support for CarPlay. Users can now ask Siri to play specific podcasts by simply saying 'play' and then the name of the podcast file, and control the app using a CarPlay vehicle...

Foursquare’s new Swarm app now available

Earlier this morning, I diligently informed you that the crowd-sourced location platform Foursquare has updated its free iPhone check-in software ahead of the impending launch of a brand new Swarm app later today.

Now available free in the App Store, Swarm for iPhone integrates gamified features from the main Foursquare app to “help people keep up and meet up with their friends”.

It combines all-new mayorships, while introducing intriguing new stuff such as popular stickers. Basically, the app offers detailed insights about your life and lets you connect to friends in your neighborhood to explore their activities.

Swarm arrives ahead of Foursquare's search-focused revamp due this summer. And when it drops, the Foursquare app will no longer let you check-in to places. If you have updated to the new Foursquare 7.0.8 and have Swarm installed, you should be able to peek at some of the upcoming changes inside the Foursquare app...

Official 9/11 Memorial Museum iOS app launches

Ahead of its public opening on May 21, the National September 11 Memorial & Museum has released an official iOS app. The 9/11 Museum Audio Guide app for the iPhone and iPad, available free in the App Store, honors the 2,983 people killed in 9/11 terrorist attacks on Twin Towers.

Basically an audio guide designed to aid tourists and museum attendees, the app includes three main tours to choose from such as Witnessing History and Discovering History and features 13 sections, each accompanied by description and narration...

Minimalist indie puzzle platformer Thomas Was Alone hits iPad

Another noteworthy platformer has arrived in the App Store. Named Thomas Was Alone, it's an iPad version of the beautifully done console original, now ported to iOS by Surgeon Simulator developer Bossa Studios.

In Thomas Was Alone, you're a curious rectangle - basically an AI sentient trapped in the computer mainframe - who must unravel the mysteries of his existence. It's a minimalist platformer game with some puzzle elements and a unique twist to it. There's a certain eerie vibe to it which reminds us a little of the wonderful Monument Valley [$3.99 Universal, Info].

With a hundred levels to keep you occupied, engaging atmosphere, stylish presentation and unique mechanics, Thomas Was Alone is a no brainer for fans of the genre.

The game is available now in the App Store...

Foursquare updated ahead of Swarm app launch

Foursquare, the popular location-based social platform, is set to release a brand new Swarm app today which will "help people keep up and meet up with their friends".

As a result, the existing free iOS client has just been updated with some changes you should know about. Announced two weeks ago, Swarm combines new mayorships, introduces stickers, offers detailed insights about your life and much more.

If you have Swarm installed, the new Foursquare 7.0.8 update includes a peek at some of the upcoming changes to Foursquare ahead of a major search-focused revamp due this summer...

Arcade shooter JoyJoy graces iOS

Not crazy about iOS platformers such as the excellent Leo's Fortune [$4.99 Universal, Review] or the newly released Last Inua [$3.99 Universal, Review]? Prefer some old-school arcade action instead, you say?

Then look no further than JoyJoy by Radiangames, a new twin-stick shooter for the iPhone and iPad in which you destroy wave after wave of enemies.

Originally released on Xbox Live Indie Games a few years ago, the iOS edition of JoyJoy - a $1.99 value - features great-looking pastel visuals and includes 24 different waves, six challenges, six weapons, support for iOS 7 controllers and more.

If you've played Radiangames' other arcade shooters created for the iOS platform, you'll no doubt agree that JoyJoy looks typically awesome. Read on for the full reveal...