App Store Apps

SwiftKey Note gets landscape mode with wide keyboard on iPhone, new features

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated February 7, 2018

SwiftKey Note by TouchType would file as yet another note-taking iOS app if it weren't for its custom software keyboard with enhanced auto-correction and predictions. Apple has not yet opened up the iOS keyboard to third-party developers so any app that improves upon the soft-keyboard experience is noteworthy.

Since its January debut, the app's undergone several revisions and currently sits at version 1.7.

Developers in a blog post announced that a new version has launched Wednesday with support for landscape keyboard on the iPhone and an additional three new features. If you've been wondering why all the fuss about SwiftKey Note, there's no need to sit on the sidelines as the software is available free of charge in the App Store...

Apple lists apps from new iPhone 5s ‘Powerful’ ad

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated May 17, 2018

Want to know what apps Apple featured in its latest iPhone 5s ad titled 'Powerful', which started airing last evening? The 30-second commercial suggests that "with the power of iPhone 5s, you're more powerful than you think" by highlighting a number of content creation use cases involving a bunch of third-party apps found on the App Store.

If you've seen the ad, chances are you've spotted a scene in which some guy uses the iPhone's flash as a heart rate monitor, but what about all the other apps?

That's what a new section on Apple's website is for. Titled 'Powerful', the new microsite is solely created with the purpose of exploring the apps from the commercial...

Viber finally restyled for iOS 7: gains contact blocking, multiple photo sending and more

Christian Zibreg ∙ April 23, 2014

Instant messaging and voice service Viber, which was recently snapped up by e-commerce giant Rakuten for $900 million, has finally released its iOS 7 focused redesign, nearly seven months after iOS 7's September 2013 debut.

It's not clear what took so long, but it's finally here so we're not complaining. The update is now live in the App Store so go ahead and grab it now while checking out screenshots of Viber's nicely flattened interface, included right below...

Amazon updates Kindle app with new Table of Contents, X-Ray features

Cody Lee ∙ April 23, 2014

Amazon Kindle users will be happy to hear that the iOS client for the e-book service received a nice little update this morning. The release, which brings the app to version 4.2, brings about two substantial new features: Table of Contents and X-Ray Smart Look-Up, and other improvements.

The first new feature is fairly self-explanatory—customers can now access a book's table of contents from within the app—but the second is a bit more subtle. X-Ray Smart Look-Up will allow users to take advantage of Amazon's quick-referencing tool without leaving their current page...

App Store honors Earth Day with green living apps

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated January 27, 2019

Today is Earth Day and the App Store is conveniently spotlighting some of the finest iPhone and iPad applications for going green, both free and paid ones. Whether you're into alternative means of transportation, green living in general or environmental awareness, there's an app for you out there among the more than one million software items available in the App Store.

"We’ve compiled a thought-provoking selection of films, books and podcasts to help you celebrate and care for the planet this Earth Day," notes Apple. I've listed all of the featured apps right below...

1Password revamped for iOS 7: multiple vaults and Dropbox accounts, AirDrop sharing and more

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated October 13, 2018

Developer AgileBits today pushed a long expected update to its password-management app for iOS, 1Password. The new 1Password version 4.5 includes an all-new clean design on the iPhone and iPad created with iOS 7 in mind and a couple new features.

Billed as "our biggest free update for iOS ever", the new 1Password includes support for multiple vaults, lets you share items securely using the iOS AirDrop feature, sync vaults via multiple Dropbox accounts and more.

Moreover, you'll enjoy a new unified AutoFill tool found in the in-app browser, a streamlined search field that's always where you need it and other new features, refinements and under-the-hood changes. Existing users can pick up this update free...

Spotify picks up new Repeat One and Your Music features, bug fixes

Christian Zibreg ∙ April 22, 2014

Following up on a recent Spotify revamp that has painted it black with an all-new look, the Swedish music streaming service has issued another update to its iOS app, bringing out a better way to organize your music, a Repeat One functionality and several bug fixes for a few nasty issues that were introduced in the last release.

Spotify version 1.1 is available free in the App Store. Jump past the fold for the full changelog and additional notes...

Square Enix posts new trailer for upcoming ‘Final Fantasy Agito’ game

Cody Lee ∙ April 22, 2014

Great news this morning for all of you Final Fantasy fans. Following the release of Hitman Go last week, Square Enix has posted a new trailer for its upcoming free-to-play game: 'Final Fantasy Agito.' It's going to be an RPG title, made specifically for smartphones and tablets.

The game takes place in Orience, a land divided between four nations in a state of near-constant war: the Fiefdom of Rubrum, the Milites Empire, the Lorican Alliance and the Kingdom of Concordia. The main character is a cadet training as Agito, tasked with preventing destruction...

Mailbox 2.0 is out with Dropbox syncing for preferences and Auto-swipe

Cody Lee ∙ Updated February 14, 2018

Mailbox users will be happy to hear that the iOS email client received an update today. The release, which brings the app to version 2.0, brings about 'lots of bug fixes and improvements' as well as 2 new features: Dropbox syncing for preferences and Auto-swipe.

While Dropbox syncing for preferences is fairly self-explanatory, Auto-swipe takes some explaining. The feature was first announced by the Mailbox team earlier this month, and its purpose is to learn your in-app behavior in an effort to automate processes...

Apple, Google offering game developers special incentives for exclusivity

Jake Smith ∙ Updated October 13, 2018

Competition between Apple and Google not only covers smartphones and mobile operating systems, but the App Store and Google Play app marketplaces, as well. The Wall Street Journal reported on Sunday the two companies have been working to sway game developers over to their own platforms exclusively with special incentives.

Having an exclusive game title on an app marketplace could help smartphone users feel as if they're on the best platform, a task Apple and Google have been working hard at since 2008. Both companies have reportedly offered game developers premium placement on the App Store and Google Play, for exclusivity in return.

Square reportedly in talks to sell after growing losses, held ‘informal talks’ with Apple

Jake Smith ∙ Updated March 20, 2018

Mobile payments startup Square is looking to sell its business, following growing losses and shrinking cash reserves, according to the Wall Street Journal.

Square, founded by Twitter's Jack Dorsey in 2009, makes software, hardware products, and services, including Square Register and Square Wallet, for customers to pay merchants in an easier way.

Square has discussed an acquisition with Google in 2014, according to the report, with prior talks dating back to 2012. Additionally, Apple is said to have held informal talks with Square about a deal, interesting given the mobile payment rumors that have been circulating the Cupertino-based company.

Facebook reportedly planning ad network for mobile devices

Jake Smith ∙ Updated April 16, 2018

Facebook is finally following the likes of Google and Yahoo and will launch an advertising network with a focus on mobile platforms, according to Recode.

Facebook hasn't publicly acknowledged its plans, but the publication says Facebook will take the wraps off its mobile ad network at its F8 developer conference in San Francisco at the end of April.

An ad network from Facebook essentially means you'll see Facebook ads even when you're not on Facebook - think any app on the App Store. In a way, Facebook's solution could go after Apple's iAd network, which has failed to catch wind with the industry.