App Store Apps

GrouPlay brings democracy to your iOS party playlist

Mike Schnier ∙ Updated January 22, 2018

Settling on a good party playlist can be difficult. Say you've got friends with different tastes in music, and your music library doesn't have enough danceable tracks on its own that everyone can enjoy. If it's a big party, you don't want just anyone touching your iPod, and you also don't want someone with questionable taste to hijack the music for the party.

With the GrouPlay app, anyone with access to your Wi-Fi network can contribute songs from their own music library to your temporary party playlist, provided they have an iPhone 3GS, 3rd generation iPod touch, iPad, or later. Once the songs are uploaded, the real fun begins...

Orchestra now offering reservations for upcoming Mailbox email client

Cody Lee ∙ Updated January 26, 2016

Last month, we told you about an exciting new iPhone email client called Mailbox. The app, which has been described as a cross between Clear and Sparrow thanks to its simple, swipe-based UI, is slated to hit the App Store in the next few weeks.

And in anticipation of high demand for the free email client, Mailbox-creator Orchestra opened up a reservation system this morning. It operates on a first-come, first-served basis, and will help the team manage server traffic when the app lands...

Scan, sign, and send documents with PocketScan.it

Jim Gresham ∙ Updated January 22, 2018

If you use your iPhone for snapping pictures of documents, receipts, or forms, consider a PDF scanning app, which sends them to the cloud for easy storage. Personally, I do not have a use for this type of application, but it is a good option for you archivers among us. We take a look at the benefits and drawbacks of PocketScan.it...

Temple Run 2 sees 20 million iOS downloads in 4 days

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 18, 2018

Last week Imangi Studios released a sequel to its widely popular endless-runner game, Temple Run. The game landed here in the US on Thursday night, and within 8 hours it had shot up to the #1 Free App in the App Store.

But apparently its impressive run didn't stop there. Imangi issued a press release this morning announcing that Temple Run 2 was downloaded more than 20 million times, on iOS alone, in its first four days of availability...

HypedMusic: listen to millions of tracks for free

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated March 19, 2019

Rdio, Pandora and Spotify are all nice options to stream unlimited music rather than buy individual tracks (so last century). But these services cost north of ten bucks per month, which amounts to a $100+ annually. With so many music tracks readily available on the Internet for free, in the form of music videos and what not, Luke Li launched the HypedMusic web site in January 2011 as a legally compliant option to enjoy music on your computer free.

And with an iPhone app launched yesterday, HypedMusic has become a whole lot more useful an alternative to the commercial streaming music services. I've included additional info and a few more screenies right past the fold...

NYPD iPhone app takes crime-fighting mobile

Cody Lee ∙ Updated January 22, 2018

The New York Police Department is pretty tech savvy for a government agency. Last fall, it launched a smartphone registration program to help track down stolen iPhones. And this month, it's released its own iPhone application.

The app, which is simply titled 'NYPD,' sports a number of useful features for New York City residents including a photo gallery of wanted criminals, and breaking news. And you can even use it to submit anonymous crime tips...

Bump update allows for swapping Dropbox files

Mike Schnier ∙ Updated January 24, 2016

Bump recently received an update to version 3.5.3, which adds support for sharing Dropbox files. Dropbox support is a long time coming, considering it's been a popular service for storing and sharing files in the cloud since 2008.

All you need to do is open Bump, swipe to the button for sharing Dropbox files, and link your Dropbox account to the app. Once you're done, you'll be able to send Dropbox file links to friends with a bump of your phone...

Create, add, and share beautiful filters for your photos with Digiback

Mike Schnier ∙ Updated March 17, 2019

There is an embarrassment of photography and filter apps on iTunes. If you're not keeping track, Hipstamatic allows users to play with swappable filters disguised as virtual camera equipment, Instagram shares retro-filtered photos to a community, while Snapseed gives mobile users fine control of photo editing on the go. That barely scratches the surface of iPhoneography. In a flooded marketplace, what else can an iOS photography app allow users to do?

Digiback is a recently released photography app that allows users to not only share pictures they've taken, but to also share their custom filters with other users. Not only can users create impressive photography effects for their own use, you can also share these effects with others, and then benefit from effects created by Digiback's community...

DataMan Next tracks your cellular data usage in a very elegant way

Sébastien Page ∙ Updated January 22, 2018

I didn't care much about cellular data tracking apps until I gave up my unlimited data plan, a couple months ago. Then all the sudden it became important to me to figure out how much data I was using and make sure I didn't go over my allocated amount. My wife and I share 4GB, and although we've historically never been close to using all of that, I like to keep an eye on my usage, just to feel safe.

So I downloaded the DataMan app, which has served its purpose wonderfully ever since as it provided me with real time data usage. One thing always bothered me about this app though: it just looked bad.

But this morning, I received an email from Johnny Ixe, the developer of DataMan, letting me know about his new app called DataMan Next. It serves the exact same purpose as DataMan, except it looks much better. I'd actually go as fasr as saying it looks beautiful, but you might want to see for yourself...

The government wants to give you greater control of app privacy and data tracking

Ed Sutherland ∙ Updated November 9, 2023

We don't often discuss U.S. government action when it comes to iPhone apps. But proposed legislation in Washington has iOS app advertisers up in arms and could even curtail future app development. Known as the "Apps Act", the measure ostensibly is aimed at protecting the privacy of consumers downloading a growing number of apps on mobile devices.

Per voluntary guidelines, Apps Act will require apps to get explicit permission from you before acquiring your name and email address. Among the areas targeted in the US House of Representatives proposal by Georgia Democrat Hank Johnson is requiring app devs to explain how your data will be used and what third parties can access it.

These steps are largely positive and one component of the proposed new regulation is particularly interesting as it would give your the right to delete your personal data used by advertisers...

OkCupid launches ‘Crazy Blind Date’ app

Mike Schnier ∙ Updated January 22, 2018

Ever tried OkCupid? It's a geeky little dating service that matches people based on their answers to multiple choice questions. Your answers determines what the site believes you care about, as well as your opinions on ethics, sex, religion, lifestyle, dating, and a host of other topics. The premise of the service is it can match its users with their ideal partners, before you're even introduced.

But is 'ideal' everyone's cup of tea? OkCupid recently launched an app called Crazy Blind Date that throws your pictures, answers, and meticulously crafted profiles out the window. Just pick an evening you're free, a place you'd like to go, and Crazy Blind Date will set you up with somebody who also happens to be free...

Google+ iOS apps land in 48 new countries and territories

Cody Lee ∙ Updated August 26, 2017

Google's social network may have gotten off to a rocky start, but through perseverance and a string of handsome mobile app updates, it's managed to turn the service into a hit. As of last month, it had more than 500 million users, with 235 million being active.

And that number could see a small bump this weekend, as the search giant just announced that it has launched its two iOS Google+ apps in 48 new countries and territories this week, including Barbados and the Ukraine. We've got the full list after the fold...