Apps

Google’s Allo messaging app hits the App Store and it logs all your chats

Christian Zibreg ∙ September 22, 2016

At the annual I/O developer conference in April 2016, Google previewed two new mobile apps: a one-to-one video calling app called Duo, which released in mid-August, and a messaging software called Allo, which surfaced on the App Store this morning as a free download.

It sports features commonly found in messaging apps and includes a built-in Assistant, Google's conversational artificial intelligence helper, an Incognito mode and more.

While Google originally promised Allo would only store messages transiently and in non-identifiable form, the firm's had a change of heart as Allo logs all chats by default.

How to save drafts of Instagram posts to work on later

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated March 18, 2021

With Instagram drafts, you can save any half-finished photo edits and work on them later, which is handy for those times you get too busy to post right away. And if you run an Instagram account for your business, letting your social media manager save a post as a draft makes it easy for you to review it in advance of publishing.

Apple updates Mac iWork apps with support for real-time collaboration

Cody Lee ∙ Updated May 17, 2018

In addition to macOS Sierra, Apple on Tuesday also released updates for its Mac iWork apps to support real-time collaboration. The feature was announced at the iPhone 7 event earlier this month, and was added to iOS apps last week.

Real-time collaboration is exactly what it sounds like. With it, users can work simultaneously in any iWork app regardless of device. A list is displayed of all current document editors, and users see the others' cursor activity in real time.

Tweetbot for Mac updated with support for macOS Sierra, extended Tweets and more

Cody Lee ∙ September 20, 2016

Tweetbot users will be happy to hear that the Tapbots have updated their popular Twitter client today to support the just-released macOS Sierra software. The release brings the app to version 2.4.2, and it includes several improvements.

Among these improvements is support for extended Tweets—a change Twitter made to its service this week that prevents media URLs and Quote Tweets from counting against your 140 character limit. It also now supports extended videos.

How to remove built-in applications from iPhone or iPad

Sébastien Page ∙ Updated September 19, 2017

Just like you probably do, I have a folder on my iPhone whose sole purpose is to store all of Apple's apps that I don't use. Stocks, Compass, Voice Memos, Tips, etc. They're all in there because I can't get rid of them. But this is changing!

Beginning with iOS 10, Apple now allows you to delete some built-in applications from your iPhone or iPad to help you tidy things up and bit and rid you of apps you don't actually use.

This comes with some minor strings attached. For one, apps aren't technically deleted from your device. That said, the process to remove them and get them back on the Home screen is similar to how you handle other apps. We'll have a look at all this right now.

Media, polls and quoted tweets no longer count against Twitter’s 140-character limit

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated February 27, 2018

In May of this year, Twitter promised it would be stopping counting media and other non-text content against its 140-character limit. Today, the company announced that embedded photos, videos, GIFs, polls and quoted tweets no longer count toward your 140 characters.

Twitter originally promised to also stop counting user mentions like @iDownloadBlog, but didn't specify today when it'll drop @usernames from the character count.

Video: iPhone 7 running circles around Note 7 in terms of switching apps

Christian Zibreg ∙ September 19, 2016

Apple makes the fastest smartphone chips on the planet and the iPhone 7's in-house designed A10 Fusion chip has given top Android handset makers who buy off-the-shelf processors plenty to worry about. Tight interplay between Apple-designed silicon, operating system, apps and services gives the iPhone a distinct advantage over competitors when it comes to smooth app switching and multitasking.

A non-scientific video put together by YouTuber PhoneBuff, which compares app loading and switching times on the iPhone 7 and Samsung's latest Note 7, highlights the benefits of designing the hardware and software under one roof as Apple's new phone with half the Note 7's RAM runs circles around Samsung's exploding flagship in terms of loading and switching apps.

AppRestrict lets you stay productive by putting time limits on your apps

Anthony Bouchard ∙ September 18, 2016

I have a pretty bad problem with procrastination, which is made worse by all the distractions I deal with, and it seems like a mutual issue for a lot of people who own smartphones because notifications always go off left and right.

Fortunately, a new jailbreak tweak called AppRestrict offers a way to stay more productive with your life by setting time frames for which certain apps on your iPhone or iPad will be locked to keep you from getting distracted.

Hardbound, Couchy, RAW and other apps to check out this weekend

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 9, 2024

It's been a crazy week, what with the iPhone 7 launch and all. So we know everyone is ready to kick back and relax this weekend with some fun new apps and games. The latest edition of our Apps of the Week roundup includes a unique reading app, a TV series manager, and a new raw camera app. Plus we have a couple of new games for you to check out.

What’s Dock on Apple Watch and how to use it?

Ankur Thakur ∙ Updated December 28, 2021

When you press the side button on your Apple Watch, you see the Dock. Depending on the setting, the watchOS Dock has either your favorite apps or the ones you used recently. In this tutorial, we tell you more about the Apple Watch Dock, how to use it, add favorite apps, and get the most of it.

Apple’s free app of the week: Super Phantom Cat

Cody Lee ∙ September 15, 2016

Apple on Thursday updated its App of the Week promotion with the game Super Phantom Cat. This means that for the next 7 days, you can download this popular retro platformer for both iPhone and iPad for free—a solid savings of $2.

This charming side scroller is beloved for its beautiful retro graphics and whimsical character design, retro styling, and easy Mario-esque controls. It also features an awesome chip tune soundtrack, unlockable characters, and bonus levels.

YouTube for iPhone picks up 3D Touch shortcuts

Christian Zibreg ∙ September 14, 2016

To say that YouTube, one of my favorite mobile apps from Google, has poor 3D touch support would be an understatement: it's been now a full year since the iPhone 6s introduced the world to 3D Touch and yet support for the technology is literally non-existent in YouTube for iOS.

Conveniently ahead of the iPhone 7's arrival, Google yesterday moved to assuage some of the concerns of users who have been craving for 3D Touch in the app, releasing a small update which enables some interesting shortcuts on the Home screen.