App Updates

WhatsApp now lets you share media from other apps like Dropbox and Google Drive

The popular mobile messaging service WhatsApp today received a pretty cool update in the App Store which adds the ability to share photos or videos from other apps installed on your iPhone via a new option exposed after tapping the Photo/Video Library button.

In addition, WhatsApp has gained a pair of new shortcuts in the 3D Touch menu on the Home screen and now supports solid colors as chat backgrounds.

Oh, and you can now zoom in on videos while they're playing.

Popular Spark email client is now available on iPad

Spark, a powerful email client from Ukrainian developer Readdle, has received a much-needed refresh in the App Store today, finally bringing out a native user interface on the iPad, so now you can experience Spark's email magic on all your devices, including the 12.9-inch iPad Pro.

Spark 1.6 also includes other refinements and improvements, such as an even better wrist app with fully native watchOS 2 support, landscape mode across all iOS devices, nine new languages, the ability to keep your email accounts and settings synced across all devices via iCloud and more.

The update is being rolled this morning so don't panic if you don't see it yet in your local App Store as these things take time to propagate.

Netflix app updated with support for 3D Touch, iPad Pro and more

Netflix on Wednesday pushed out an update for its iOS client, bringing the app to version 8.0. The release is significant in that it features a number of improvements, including a better Kids experience on iPad and new Post-Play experience on iPhone.

Version 8.0 also features native support for Apple's just released iPad Pro, meaning the layout has been optimized for the tablet's 12.9-inch screen to show more content per screen, as well as support for 3D Touch actions like Peek and Pop within the app.

Viber gains more 3D Touch goodies, Split View and Slide Over multitasking on iPad Pro and other perks

Viber, the popular instant messaging application, has received an update in the App Store. Bumped to version 5.8, the app now works side-by-side with other apps in iOS 9's new Split View and Slide Over multitasking on the iPad Pro.

On the iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus, your most recent chats are now available right from the app's 3D Touch shortcut menu on the Home screen.

This edition of Viber also packs in some other improvements related to 'read' and 'liked' icons in group chats and an all-new media browser for chats.

YouTube picks up native resolution support on iPad Pro

Google on Tuesday issued a small update to its YouTube client in the App Store, adding support for the iPad Pro's 12.9-inch 2,732-by-2,048 pixel resolution screen, bringing the app's version number to 11.0.6.

Unfortunately, advanced iPad-only features provided by iOS 9 are not yet supported in YouTube for iOS, namely the new Slide Over and Split View multitasking modes.

This edition of YouTube also fixed a bug that caused the keyboard to freeze while commenting and another one which caused the app to crash after adding a Google or YouTube account on iOS 7.

PayPal app redesign adds new start screen, ‘one-click’ cash request, & more

The PayPal app for iOS, which has been long over-due for an update, has finally received its much-needed update on Thursday that adds official support for the retina HD displays of Apple's 4.7-inch and 5.5-inch handsets.

The app, which is still a free download from the App Store, has been completely redesigned with a slew of changes to make using the app not only feel better, but look better.

Real Racing 3 finally arrives on the new Apple TV in new ‘Daytona 500’ update

Electronic Arts' and Firemonkeys' Real Racing 3 has amassed over a hundred million downloads across iOS and Android platforms thus far. Yet, up until today this premium game was not available as a native app for the new Apple TV—despite the fact that rival Gameloft's Asphalt 8 is one of the most downloaded Apple TV games. A new update to the free-to-play racing game, now available in the App Store, changes all that with native support for the Apple TV.

What's more, the Apple TV game gives players the ability to race each other in a split-screen 'Party Play' mode. In addition, this version of Real Racing 3 sports newly added Daytone 500 content across platforms so you can drive the NASCAR Sprint Cup cars and race your opponents on the all-new Daytona International Speedway track.

Review: boost your sleep analysis with much improved Sleep++ 2.0

David Smith’s excellent Sleep++ app is my killer app when it comes to sleep analysis, a glaring omission from the Apple Watch. It's become second nature for me to open Sleep++ as I tuck myself in bed for the evening.

This native watchOS 2 app collects data from watch sensors to measure sleep quality and duration, which can then be reviewed in greater detail in a companion iPhone app and synced with your Health database.

The updated Sleep++ 2.0, now available as a free download in the App Store, takes sleep analysis to the next level with major improvements to its sleep analysis engine and new features such as better Health integration, an improved Night Detail view, night trimming and timezone support.

Vevo’s beautiful new Apple TV app brings 150,000 HD music videos

Vevo today began shipping a refreshed Apple TV app. Redesigned from top to bottom, it provides access to more than 150,000 music videos in high-definition and exclusive original programming. The revamped software upgrades the experience for users over the old app in many respects.

According to CEO Erik Huggers, Vevo wants to become the MTV for the digital age. “We continue to invest in what we believe is the premium platform for music videos and related original content,” he said in a media release.

Twitter rolls out a new timeline feature

Twitter's bird logo set against a transparent background

The pressure mounts on Twitter to re-ignite growth, which has virtually come to a halt as average users increasingly find the service too confusing and difficult to use. Today, the micro-blogging service unveiled yet another refinement designed to adjust how the timeline surfaces interesting content.

Similar to the “While you were away” timeline feature which released a year ago, Twitter will now put recommended, not the newest, tweets at the top of your timeline so that you never miss important updates from people you follow.

Vine app gains 3D Touch, caption editing and post ordering features

Vine, a Twitter owned mobile application for short-form video sharing, has been updated in the App Store this morning with three new features. For starters, owners of the iPhone 6s or iPhone 6s plus can press Vine's icon on the Home screen to access a shortcut menu with a pair of options to make a Vine or jump into the Explore feed.

In addition, you can now edit your Vine’s caption for a brief period after you post and watch an account’s Vines in any order you want.

Facebook expanding Live Video feature to all iPhone users in the US

Facebook on Thursday announced that it would be expanding its live video broadcasting feature to all iPhone users in the United States. The company began testing the feature, aimed directly at Twitter's Periscope, in December, along with its photo collage update.

To share a live video, make sure you have the latest version of the Facebook mobile app and open up the Update Status sheet. You should see the Live Video icon sitting above the keyboard. Type a brief description and choose your audience before tapping it to go live.