App Updates

Twitter: one of the first apps to embed Quick Reply within notifications on iOS 9

Christian Zibreg ∙ September 16, 2015

One of the new features of iOS 9 that Apple hasn't actively advertised has the tremendous potential to be actively used on an everyday basis by the vast majority of users: it at last permits third-party developers to implement Quick Reply functionality within banner alerts, the Notification Center and notifications shown on the Lock screen.

Twitter is one of the first applications out of the gate to have readily adopted this feature in its most recent update that just hit the App Store. And if you own an iPad with iOS 9, you can now use Twitter in iOS 9's new side-by-side multitasking mode.

People are reporting on Twitter that Quick Reply is broken in this update and a few members of our team were able to independently confirm this.

iTunes 12.3 is out with support for iOS 9, El Capitan, two-factor Apple ID authentication and more

Christian Zibreg ∙ September 16, 2015

Following release of the free iOS 9 software update with new features and core OS enhancements for the iPhone, iPod touch and iPad, Apple on Wednesday also issued a matching update to iTunes for Mac and Windows PCs.

The new iTunes 12.3 introduces OS X El Capitan-friendly design while enabling support for Apple IDs protected with two-factor authentication and syncing with iPhone, iPod touch and iPad devices with iOS 9.

Launch Center Pro updated with Today widget, support for new apps

Cody Lee ∙ September 15, 2015

Popular productivity app Launch Center Pro was updated today, bringing the software to version 2.5. The new release includes a series of bug fixes and improvements, support for over 100,000 new apps, and a Today widget for Notification Center.

The new widget is a significant addition for users, as it allows them to place up to 12 of their favorite Launch Center actions in the Notification Center. So you can send a group text, start a new Tumblr post and more, regardless of where you're at in iOS.

Snapchat brings Lenses to front camera as it starts charging to replay disappearing snaps

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated March 18, 2016

Snapchat today issued a refresh to its iPhone and iPod touch app in the App Store that enables a new software feature on your front-facing camera: Lenses. “Before you take a selfie, press and hold on your face for a surprise,” the startup teased.

Lenses are essentially animated effects that can be applied in real-time when taking a selfie, similar to Apple's Photo Booth app on the Mac.

One new Lens will rotate in every day.

In addition to Lenses, Snapchat also rolled out virtual Trophies and announced plans to start charging $0.99 for three Replays.

Paper by FiftyThree updated with iPhone support, new notes feature and more

Cody Lee ∙ September 10, 2015

Popular sketch app Paper, by FiftyThree, received an enormous update today, bringing the software to version 3.0. As expected, the new release brings about iPhone support, as well as several other new features like swipe-to-style notes and annotation tools.

Once seen as a casual sketch app, Paper now seems more like a catch-all brainstorming and note-taking app in version 3. It allows you to capture images, draw on them using the built-in tools, add custom text, and then share your creation in a variety of ways.

You can at last download excellent Camera+ for iPhone at no charge

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated October 16, 2018

Camera+, a $2.99 download, is my favorite all-in-one iPhone photography solution that I highly recommend to anyone interested in getting the most out of their iPhone's camera.

The gorgeously done app isn't exactly an insta-purchase and went free just once since its October 2012 App Store debut. For many casual photography fans, burning their hard earned cash on Camera+ isn't justifiable.

Indeed, some rather capable photography apps are available at no charge.

Taptaptap, the developers behind Camera+, at long last on Thursday released the free edition of Camera+ so the “I don’t pay for apps” response no longer applies. In addition, they've outlined several new features coming to future releases.

Periscope for iPhone refreshed with landscape video and more ahead of Apple TV app

Christian Zibreg ∙ September 10, 2015

Twitter-owned Periscope is secretly building an app for the new Apple TV and now the company has issued a telling update to its iPhone application in the App Store. The biggest newsworthy addition in Periscope 1.2 is landscape mode for shooting video.

Ever since its debut, Periscope has only supported portrait video. Video streams in portrait orientation look good on smartphones, but no so much on widescreen television sets so today's update could be viewed as a prelude to Periscope's rumored Apple TV app.

eBay 4.0 for iPhone and iPad drops with redesigned UI, easier access to top deals, promotions & more

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated November 9, 2016

Online retail giant eBay is celebrating its 20th anniversary today. To mark the occasion, the company has released a long-expected revamp to its iPhone and iPad bidding app in the App Store.

For starters, eBay 4.0 for iPhone, iPod touch and iPad, a free download, sports a revamped appearance along with an all-new app icon. At long last, the app is now universal and provides an easier access to top deals, promotions and events, “balanced with streamlined ways to access the powerful eBay features you’ve come to rely on.”

Wunderlist picks up emoji, list icons, new setting and other perks in latest update

Christian Zibreg ∙ September 7, 2015

Wunderlist, the popular to-do list and tasks software that Microsoft purchased this summer, has received a few new features for the iPhone and iPad in its most recent update issued Monday, available at no charge in the App Store.

Wunderlist 3.3.1 now allows you to turn your list name into an emoji character icon. Due Dates and Reminders have been revamped and a new option added to settings to disable Smart Due Dates.

Amazon Prime Music gains search suggestions, curated collections, sleep timer and more

Christian Zibreg ∙ September 4, 2015

Following a major update to Amazon's video-streaming client for iOS which now allows offline playback for Prime movies and television shows, the online retail giant today gave its Prime Music app a little love, too.

The new Amazon Prime Music 5.0 for iOS introduces curated collections featuring hand-picked music, search suggestions to make music discovery even easier, a brand new sleep timer feature and more.

Google Photos for iOS gains photo reordering, selective backup, better sharing and more

Christian Zibreg ∙ September 3, 2015

Less than two weeks following a refresh that brought out a Timehop-like feature for rediscovering your photos from the past, Google Photos for the iPhone and iPad on Thursday received another noteworthy update.

The new Google Photos 1.3 for iOS introduces four distinct improvements to your photo-management workflow, like the ability to reorder photos in your library and another one letting you selectively back up individual photos and videos.

Skype issues a thorough revamp of iPhone and iPad app with new features

Christian Zibreg ∙ September 3, 2015

Microsoft-owned Skype on Thursday announced a major redesign of its mobile application for the iPhone, iPad and Android devices. The new Skype 6.0 for iPhone and Skype 6.0 for iPad (still two separate downloads) features a sleeker look that the company says was “built for both the iPhone and iPad,” includes simpler navigation, a more powerful search and improved multi-tasking when switching between call and chat screens.