App Updates

Twitter puts Twitter into Twitter #music

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated January 22, 2018

After updating its official iOS client with the somewhat controversial conversation redesign (hint: blue lines), the micro-blogging service Twitter now turns its attention to its music discovery app, Twitter #music. In a new update issued Friday, Twitter #music now shows tweets along with each track right in your #NowPlaying feed.

"We've put the Twitter into Twitter #music," the company boasted. That's not all, as these tweets are fully actionable, which makes me wonder whether the company will eventually fold the #music app into the Twitter mobile client down the road...

Redesigned Google Drive app brings card-style thumbnail layout from Android

Christian Zibreg ∙ September 5, 2013

With just five days left until Apple's big iOS 7/iPhone 5S/5C big reveal next Tuesday, a bunch of iOS 7 focused updates have begun trickling in. Some of the most popular apps from both Apple and well-known brands like PayPal are now being refreshed with a matching flat iOS 7 look and feel, including major games such as Electronic Arts' Real Racing 3.

You can now add Google's Drive app for the iPhone and iPad to your iOS 7 compatibility list. You'll immediately notice a drastically redesigned interface that behaves much like its Android counterpart, without looking out of place on iOS 7.

Along with a few other enhancements, you're going to absolutely love the card-style thumbnail layout from Android as it makes it dead easy and fun to browse and preview your files - and it looks even more gorgeous on the iPad.

Jump past the fold for additional facts...

Major PayPal iOS update: new UI, pay at local shops, save offers and order ahead

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated May 3, 2017

It's been months since PayPal issued any significant update to its iPhone client. Today, the company took to the official blog to announce a brand new version of PayPal for iPhone, a major step up compared to the previous basic version.

In addition to the revamped interface, the refreshed software features front and center a new Shop section which makes it easy to find shops or restaurants nearby that accept PayPal payments. That's just scratching the surface: the new build finally lets you check out at your local stores, pay at table, order ahead and even browse for local offers.

As a bonus, the application now makes it possible to switch payment methods on the go to make sure you get reward points from a particular card. Another useful capability: the popular Bill Me Later payment option has been added. I've included additional information and PayPal's promotional video past the fold...

Shazam previews now play right in Twitter

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated November 29, 2016

Apart from bringing out the ability to purchase multiple songs at once through iTunes back in June, the music discovery service Shazam has been pretty quiet in terms of its iPhone and iPad app, releasing only a few maintenance updates. Today's version 6.2.1 update changes that.

The just-refreshed application now features way faster song recognition on older devices and brings integration with Twitter, allowing everyone to play tweeted out Shazam song previews right in Twitter, thanks to Shazam's new Twitter Card.

The micro-blogging service recently released an iOS music discovery app called #music so this Shazam update ups the ante in terms of social music discovery. More tidbits right after the break...

Yahoo gives Flickr iOS app live filters and pro editing tools

Christian Zibreg ∙ August 29, 2013

There has never been a better time to dive deep into iPhone photography. With Twitter's Vine popularizing impulse sharing of short video clips, Instagram ruling the photo sharing space and having acquired the video startup Luma, it may seem as if the outcome of this rivalry will be determined between Facebook/Instagram, Twitter/Vine and Google and its Google+ Photos.

But people seem to be forgetting about Yahoo and its Flickr photo sharing service. After being neglected for so many years, the awoken Internet giant under Marissa Mayer's leadership has made some notable strides in the mobile photography space.

And with today's major update, Yahoo's Flickr iOS app has gained some interesting mobile photography features that instantly make it on par with the aforementioned giants. Here's the full breakdown...

Mailbox updated with cloud search, account-specific signatures, Chrome support

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated February 13, 2018

As far as I'm concerned, Orchestra's excellent email application Mailbox - now owned and maintained by Dropbox- needs only a few little touches to become the ultimate mobile email client. With today's not-to-be-missed refresh, Mailbox has become the closest thing to email nirvana, at least for me.

Didn't use Mailbox because it wouldn't let you customize signatures on a per-account basis? Solved!

The annoying inability to search every message in your Gmail account? That too! And as a bonus, Mailbox can now open links in Google's Chrome iOS browser...

ESPN’s News and Deportes channels added to Apple TV and iOS

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated March 17, 2019

Less than 48 hours after Apple added new video content from Vevo, Weather Channel, Disney Channel, Disney XD and Smithsonian Channel to its $99 Apple TV set-top box, ESPN announced Wednesday it's enabled access to two new channels - News and Deportes - on the Apple TV and iOS devices, through the WatchESPN software for the iPhone, iPod touch and iPad.

This is important because ESPN is a global powerhouse.

Owned as a joint venture between The Walt Disney Company and Hearst Corporation, the U.S.-based cable and satellite television channel is a lot of people's go-to source for all things sports...

Gmail iOS update brings Google apps integration, full screen image attachments

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated January 26, 2016

Wow, you have to give it to Google for trying to take over the experience by creating a nice little ecosystem right inside Apple's iOS.

See, the Internet giant has been quite diligent about integrating its popular iPhone and iPad apps to work seamlessly together.

Take Gmail, for example.

Not only has today's update enabled a prettier attachment experience, but it's also brought out tight integration with Google apps. This is quite handy as links in email messages to Google Drive and Google+ content can now go directly to Google's native iOS apps, if installed...

Yahoo Mail iOS app gets folder management, improved attachment handling

Christian Zibreg ∙ August 27, 2013

The struggling Internet giant Yahoo released its native Mail app for the iPhone last December, but it fell on deff ear.

Fourth months later, a revamped version with native iPad support has arrived and Yahoo has since enhanced the experience by adding a couple improvements, including the useful business-focused support for multiple personal and Business Mail accounts.

As part of the sweeping streamlining announced on its blog this morning, Yahoo has pushed an incremental update to its iPhone, iPod touch and iPad client, the new version now allowing you to open attachments in other apps and manage multiple folders with ease...

CBS Sports app updated with new Football GameTracker, Power Rankings and more

Cody Lee ∙ Updated December 4, 2013

With this year's NFL season set to kickoff in less than two weeks, football fans will be happy to hear that CBS has just updated its Sports app with some significant improvements to help them keep track of all the action.

The update, which brings the client to version 6.1, includes a new feature called Football GameTracker, which offers live play-by-play data and current drive play chart. It also adds Power Rankings, Stat Leaders, and more...

Rdio gains station tuning, improved search and album art view

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated February 13, 2018

Yesterday, the music streaming service Pandora announced plans to remove the 40-hour mobile listening cap come September 1 and released a minor update to its iOS and Android client to enable a handy sleep timer feature.

In a surprisingly brisk move, the rival Rdio service has now responded by issuing an update of its own, bringing with it three useful new features to the party.

First up, the application now has the station tuning feature where you adjust any station to "play more familiar or more adventurous" tracks. With iTunes Radio around the corner and the likes of Spotify and Pandora doubling-down on personalization and recommendation, this has got to be a much-needed improvement on Rdio's part.

But wait, there's more...