App Updates

Facebook updates Messenger with video sharing, improved search and more

Christian Zibreg ∙ April 28, 2014

Social networking giant Facebook today has refreshed its iOS Messenger application, redesigned from the ground up last November, with a few new features you should know about.

The biggest news in Facebook Messenger 5.0, available free for the iPhone, is its newly added ability to exchange video messages from your library with other Messenger users. Previously, you could only share photos and short voice recordings using the app.

Other enhancements worth mentioning include easier photo sharing, improvements to the search feature, a tweaked user interface making it easier to send photos, voice messages and more...

ComiXology launches new read-only app following Amazon acquisition

Cody Lee ∙ April 26, 2014

ComiXology, the leading digital comics platform, has launched a new application for iOS today. The company sent out an email to customers this morning announcing that the old app is being retired, and a new one is now available. The biggest difference between the two, it seems, is that the new app does't allow in-app purchases.

The change is noteworthy, as the ComiXology app has long been one of the top-grossing iPad titles in the App Store, and it comes shortly after Amazon acquired the comics platform. It's not surprising though, as it's the same strategy the e-commerce giant takes with its Kindle iOS app, in an effort to circumvent Apple's 30% cut...

Hulu Plus app updated with remote control support for game consoles

Cody Lee ∙ Updated November 27, 2017

Hulu posted a significant update for its Plus iOS client this morning, bringing the app to version 3.5.2. The release includes a new remote control feature that will enable users to control the Hulu Plus experience on their Xbox One, PS3 or PS4 console using an iPhone or iPad.

Setup is a breeze. Simply launch the Hulu Plus app on your iOS (or Android) device, and it will automatically detect your gaming console. Once detected, a 'Cast' button will appear in the app, allowing you to pair your smartphone or tablet to the selected console and take control...

Pinterest app updated with new ‘Guided Search’ feature

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 16, 2018

Pinterest users may be interested to know that the photo-sharing site rolled out a major new feature to its mobile apps this morning. It's called 'Guided Search,' and it comes via an App Store update, which brings both the iPhone and iPad client to version 3.6.

Guided Search is a tool made for exploring Pinterest when you don't know exactly what you're looking for. So for example, if you enter a vague search time like 'vacation,' the tool will help you hone in on a category (i.e. camping, beach, etc) or specific location...

eBay app receives big update with new Home page, larger photos and more

Cody Lee ∙ April 24, 2014

Good news for eBay users this afternoon, the e-commerce giant has posted a significant update for its iOS client, bringing the app to version 3.3. The update brings about a number of new features and improvements, including a redesigned Home page, Passbook support and more.

The revamped Home page includes Watched items, Feed and eBay Deals—everything you'd want to see upon first launching the app. Other areas have been refreshed as well, with larger photos and new product reviews for items in the eBay Catalog. Full change log after the break...

RunKeeper adds new Goal Coach feature, personalized dashboard and more

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated October 13, 2018

Popular fitness mobile software, RunKeeper, has received a nice little update today implementing a brand new Goal Coach feature to keep you motivated, a personalized goal dashboard to go with it and more.

RunKeeper is great for the active types interested in tracking the pace of their runs, measuring workout distance, charting weight loss and what not.

Unlike some of the other health and fitness-tracking apps for the iPhone found in the App Store, RunKeeper is available free of charge. The new 4.5 version is now live so give RunKeeper a whirl if you haven't already and say 'hello' to the new you...

Vevo launches revamped iOS app with new design, real-time feed and more

Cody Lee ∙ Updated October 13, 2018

Vevo launched a new version of its iOS client this morning, bringing the app to version 3.0. The update brings about an all new design, inspired by iOS 7, as well as various other improvements including new real-time feed and mini-player features.

For those unfamiliar with Vevo, it's a video hosting service that is often referred to as the 'Hulu' of music videos. A joint venture of two of the 3 major music labels, the company offers access to more than 75,000 music videos from over 21,000 artists...

The Weather Channel app updated with all-new iOS 7 design

Cody Lee ∙ April 24, 2014

The Weather Channel app has long been a favorite for iOS users. It provides fast, accurate information, and offers tons of features for the more serious weather watchers. In fact, the only complaint I've ever really heard about the app had to do with its decidedly dated design.

That changed this morning, though, as the app was updated with an all-new iOS 7-inspired look. It now features rounded, translucent UI elements and larger, sharper graphics. Users will also notice that the app is much faster thanks to a number of performance improvements...

IMDb app gains US showtimes, Amazon Prime availability info and more

Christian Zibreg ∙ April 23, 2014

Hot on the heels of announcing a landmark online-only streaming deal with HBO for old TV shows, Amazon has updated its nicely done IMDb iOS app with several notable enhancements, including U.S. showtimes, media links to its Instant Video streaming service, new page design on the iPhone, bug fixes and more.

The update is now live in the App Store. The app was refreshed with iOS 7 friendly styling last December.

Amazon should be credited for adding new features to the IMDb app on a more or less regular basis. This just exemplifies how the online retailer is able to leverage various services and apps to lure customers into its vast entertainment empire...

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...

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...