Apple is offering a new promotional tool geared towards app developers, now allowing the distribution of promo codes for early access to in-app purchases by means of iTunes Connect.
Developers can now hand out promo codes for in-app purchases
Apps
1Password confirms that Touch ID support for the MacBook Pro’s Touch Bar is in the works
As we were watching a live-stream of yesterday's “Hello again” Mac event, our own Sébastien told the rest of the team via Slack that, in his mind, the 1Password + Touch ID + MacBook Pro combination would make a lot of sense. And indeed it would.
Less than 24 hours later, 1Password developer AgileBits has officially confirmed in a blog post that they're hard at work implementing support for Touch ID via the new MacBook Pro's Touch Bar to let users protect the app with their fingerprint.
Back in full swing: try these Walking Dead Apps to celebrate the return of Season 7
The Walking Dead has made its much anticipated return last Sunday. Without spoiling the smashing opening episode too much, it is safe to say that some new or undecided viewers are likely to have been reeled back into Robert Kirman’s post apocalyptic world. Heading into its seventh year on AMC, The Walking Dead’s footprint has grown exponentially and also left its mark on Apple’s iTunes and App Store.
Assuming you too are back on board for Season 7, there are easily a dozen Walker-friendly apps on the App Store to help rekindle your passion for the Drama. But in a sea of official, unofficial, paid and free apps, where to start? We have taken the time to work over all of them and highlight the top 5 apps you may want to try to get hyped up for the new season.
Apple’s free app of the week: Sonic CD
Apple on Thursday updated its App of the Week promotion with the game Sonic CD. This means that for the next 7 days, you'll be able to download the classic Sega hit for both iPhone and iPad for free—a solid savings of $3.
In this iteration of the popular franchise, Sonic travels to the distant shores of Never Lake and discovers it has been taken over by his arch-nemesis Dr. Eggman. You must help Sonic stop him and restore order to Little Planet.
Apple launches new ‘TV’ app
Apple on Thursday kicked off its Hello Again event by announcing a new app it's simply calling 'TV.' Tim Cook claimed that his team believes it will "completely change how you watch TV on your Apple TV as well as your iPhone and iPad."
The app, as rumored, is essentially a super TV guide that surfaces shows and movies from all of your apps. "The new TV app is the first place I go when I use my Apple TV." Selecting a title within the TV app kicks you into its respective app.
Google Allo gains Assistant voice dictation, ability to draw on images & more
Allo, Google's cross-platform smart messaging app with built-in Google Assistant, was bumped this morning to version 2.0 following its App Store debut a month ago.
Allo's built-in Assistant now supports voice dictation so you can now converse with it instead of typing. Another new feature: you can draw right on your image attachments. Google Allo 2.0 for the iPhone, iPad and iPod touch is a free download from the App Store.
Skype for iPhone gains Siri messaging integration, other new features coming soon
Microsoft today refreshed Skype for iPhone and iPod touch and Skype for iPad with the ability to send messages to your Skype contacts using Siri. Just say something along the lines “Send message to John on Skype saying what's up?” and Siri will do the right thing.
Earlier, the app integrated with iOS 10's CallKit to make VoIP Skype calls behave like traditional phone calls with Lock screen, Phone, Favorites and Contacts integration.
And earlier this week, Microsoft announced a number of other changes that will be coming to Skype for iOS in the coming weeks.
Nike+ Run Club gains new features ahead of tomorrow’s launch of Apple Watch Nike+
The Apple Watch Nike+ is arriving tomorrow in the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Italy and a number of other countries. The Series 2 comes with exclusive Nike-branded bands, watch faces and complications, plus the Nike+ Run Club app is built-in. Ahead of tomorrow's launch, Nike+ Run Club for iOS was refreshed this morning with new features on the Apple Watch Series 2.
Twitter announces plans to discontinue Vine
Just ahead of Apple's 'hello again' keynote event Thursday morning, Twitter announced its plans to discontinue the video-looping social networking app we all know as Vine.
FabFocus kinda brings Portrait Mode to other iPhones
Portrait Mode was on of the standout features of the iPhone 7 Plus. It intelligently uses both cameras in tandem to create a 3D image map of your subject, then in real time, applying a blurring/bokeh effect to the background of your photo. That's something would normally require a high-end DSLR with a wider aperture lens to achieve. While the result wasn't as good as a professional camera, it is a great effect with promising results. Since Portrait Mode does require the two cameras, anyone without an iPhone 7 Plus was left out of all fun. Enter FabFocus.
How to see all your activity history in the Fitness app on iPhone
In this tutorial, we will show you how to dive into the Fitness app on your iPhone and see your walking, running, and other workout history in an easy daily list view and Activity rings view.
Google’s dedicated search app gains ability to preview Now cards with 3D Touch
Google today issue a small update to its dedicated search app for the iPhone, iPad and iPod touch. Bumped to version 20.3, the free of charge app has gained the ability to preview Google Now cards with 3D Touch on the iPhone 6s, iPhone 6s Plus, iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus.
Just press a card within the app to peek at its contents, then swipe up to access additional options or press harder to open the card in fullscreen mode.