App Updates

Check out the top 40 user-created Badland levels

The original Badland game is still one of my favorite atmospheric puzzlers on any platform. Although it's two years old now, there's nothing quite like it on the App Store. That's because its creator, Helsinki, Finland-based Frogmind Games, has made a smart move of building a level editor into the game.

As a result, you get more levels to play than you could bargain for. But, with 2000+ levels created each week, small wonder people are having a hard time finding ones worthy their time. Frogmen has thought of that: in its latest “Eternal Day” update, the game brings out a curated selection of the best 40 levels out of 70,000+.

Relax with Alto’s Adventure’s new Zen Mode

Alto's Adventure from developer Snowman, the popular endless snowboarding odyssey set in the tranquil wilderness, was updated this morning on the App Store with all-new Zen and Photo modes and other perks.

Zen Mode, a new way to enjoy the game, is a dedicated experience that helps you unwind “for all those times when catching llamas and chasing high scores isn’t high on the agenda”.

Tumblr for iPhone becomes a meme generator with a new GIF captioning feature

Tumblr for iPhone was updated this morning on the App Store with a much appreciated GIF-captioning feature which helps turn the popular micro-blogging software into an instant meme generator.

In addition to the ability to post regular GIF images and animated GIFs, now both static and animated GIFs can include funny captions with support for up to three built-in fonts and custom colors.

GraphicConverter for Mac gains facial recognition, Collage, Picture Package and more

GraphicConverter by small Germany-based developer Lemkesoft has been dubbed the Swiss Army knife of Mac graphics programs, and for a very good reason: this app converts over 200 different graphic file formats into any of almost 80 graphic formats.

In its latest update, GraphicConverter for Mac was bumped to version 10 and enriched with a trio of major new features—facial recognition for your photos, Collage and Picture Package—along with refinements like support for converting Apple’s Live Photos format into an animated GIF.

Twitter’s iOS app gains Peek and Pop previews

Although you couldn't tell it by looking at official release notes for Twitter's version 6.54 update, which make a passing mention of “a few minor updates that you didn’t even know you needed”, the app has finally gained additional 3D Touch goodies in the form of Peek and Pop previews within the app. Before today, Twitter for the iPhone and iPad only supported Quick Actions on the Home screen. Grab Twitter for iOS for free on the App Store.

Day One 2 gains Spotlight integration, On This Day and other new features

Bloom Built's journaling app, Day One 2, was refreshed in the App Store this morning with more than a dozen new features, including integration with iOS 9's Spotlight Search feature, an “On This Day” feature which lets you relive what happened on this day by using filters and notifications, JSON file import, search filters for showing entries matching your search keywords in the Timeline and more. The app is still available half price for $4.99 on the App Store.

Your Periscope broadcasts are now saved permanently by default

Twitter-owned Periscope has brought out two new features in its most recent update on the App Store, saving and searching broadcasts. As of Periscope 1.4.1 for iPhone, your broadcasts are now saved permanently by default. Additionally, the new search feature is now live, allowing you to find popular places on the world map to quickly locate interesting broadcasts around the world.

Pixelmator for Mac gains precise selection tools, all-new Photos extension and more

My favorite Photoshop alternative, Pixelmator, was updated this morning on the Mac App Store with some notable new features, bug fixes and enhancements. Pixelmator 3.5 for Mac, a free update for those who own the app, includes the new Smart Selection and Magnetic Selection tools, a new Retouch extension for Photos which provides a full set of powerful retouching tools, and more.

1Password for Mac gains new browser support, anchored Large Type window and more

Developer AgileBits today released a new version of its popular password manager in the Mac App Store, 1Password for Mac.

Available to existing users at no additional charge, “The Passion Project” update bumps 1Password to version 6.3, bringing out support for an additional three browsers along with an enhanced Large Type feature, which now lives in a draggable window of its own, and a few minor VoiceOver enhancements.

Grab the update for free if you already have the app, or buy 1Password for Mac for $64.99 on the Mac App Store.

Google Maps gains new voice controls in navigation, Street View tweaks and more

Google's native mapping application for the iPhone, iPod touch and iPad was bumped to version 4.19 this morning, bringing out a few enhancements meant to improve your navigation and Street View experience.

For starters, a few new voice controls are now available in navigation to mute, unmute or turn on alerts only. You can also move around Street View by swiping, and more.