Periscope, Twitter's live video-streaming app, has been refreshed in the App Store this morning with a few new features related to in-app camera, sharing and more. For starters, you'll notice improved tap-to-focus while broadcasting live video, plus you can now follow a broadcaster from the viewers list with one tap. There are also improvements to Persicope's VIP Program and more.
Apps
Google Photos for iOS gains new features that suggest rotations, resurface images & more
Google yesterday announced a pretty interesting update to its free of charge Photos application for the iPhone, iPad and iPod touch which brings out four features driven by artificial intelligence (AI) algorithm.
The new version will be rolling out today in the App Store, making it easier to fix some of the pesky sideways photos in your library by suggesting rotations, resurface your forgotten photos for you and more.
Pokémon GO updated with catch bonuses, easier gym training, improvements to gameplay
A new update for the hit multi-platform game Pokémon GO is now available for avid Pokémon trainers to download. The update is out for iOS users, as well as Android users in their respective application stores.
Snapchat launches Story Playlist, no longer automatically loads the next Story
Snapchat is removing the Auto Advance feature to give users control of their Story viewing experience once again. It was about goddam time, if I might add. Shortly after Auto Advance debuted in March of this year, folks began complaining that Auto Advance made it impossible to individually choose Stories to watch. The updated app has now replaced Auto Advance with an all-new feature they're calling Story Playlist.
3DColorChanger will let you choose the color of your 3D Touch menus
3DColorChanger is a new free jailbreak tweak that lets you dictate whichever color you want for your 3D Touch menus you can access via the Home screen.
After you install this tweak on your device, you will be able to start configuring your color selection immediately by heading over to Settings → 3DColorChanger.
Skype for iOS picks up new contact notifications & iOS 10 CallKit toggle
Two weeks ago, Microsoft-owned Skype launched a major update with Siri, Phone, Contacts and Lock screen integration, courtesy of iOS 10's new CallKit framework which allows calls from VoIP apps to behave like normal phone calls.
Today, both Skype for iPhone and Skype for iPad received a minor refresh which brings out a toggle for enabling or disabling CallKit integration, the ability to get new contact requests as a notification and under-the-hood fixes and improvements to make the app run more reliably on iOS 10 devices.
8 great iPhone and iPad games to get you in the Halloween spirit
It’s October, and that means Halloween is just around the corner!
Keeping everyone in the spooky spirit of Halloween, we’ve got a list of fun and thrilling games you can download from the App Store and play on your iPhone or iPad to prepare yourself for the onslaught of zombies and monsters that are sure to be ringing your doorbell this year.
Fllike, Chordify, Hive Social, and other apps to check out this weekend
We are back with another edition of our Apps of the Week roundup. This week we have some great apps and games for you to check out over the weekend, including an app for grading your airline experiences, an app for learning musical chords for your favorite songs, and a new mafia-based RPG.
Google Maps gains redesigned iOS 10 widgets for “Nearby Transit” and “Travel Times”
Google yesterday bumped its mapping application for the iPhone, iPad and iPod touch to version 4.23, adding a few new features including revamped widgets for “Nearby Transit” and “Travel Times” that now adhere to iOS 10's new design style for widgets.
In Google Maps 4.23 for iOS, you can now upload photos along with your reviews of places and see descriptions of places including features, atmosphere and amenities.
Apple’s free app of the week: Impossible Road
Apple on Thursday updated its App of the Week promotion with the game Impossible Road. This means that for the next 7 days, you can pick up the popular arcade racer for both iPhone and iPad for free—a solid savings of $3.
In Impossible Road, you must guide your vessel down the roller coaster-like track at high speeds, scoring through each gate you make it through. Navigate hair-pin turns, jumps and banked curves in a quest for the perfect line.
Search Ads are now live in the App Store
As promised, Apple on Wednesday officially launched Search Ads in the App Store. You'll notice them at the top of select App Store search results, denoted by a light blue background and a clear 'Ad' placed just below the app's name.
In our few quick tests, we saw Search Ads for generic terms like 'email,' 'weather,' and 'calendar,' as well as for specific app names like 'Uber.' Sometimes the ad matched our search term, and sometimes it showed a competing product.