Apps

Facebook Messenger said to be rolling out opt-in encryption in the coming months

After WhatsApp and Viber both introduced end-to-end encryption last month, Facebook Messenger will become the next major messaging app to roll out this essential security feature, reports The Guardian.

Although end-to-end encryption on Messenger will be framed as an optional feature that users will need to manually enable, it will ensure that the contents of communications are hidden from eavesdroppers and that the identities of the participants are concealed.

MacID for iOS and Mac updated with a slew of new features and fixes

The popular app for iPhone and iPad that lets you unlock your Mac with your Touch ID sensor over a low-energy Bluetooth connection has received an important update on Tuesday that adds a number of new features to the app and fixes a number of previously-known issues.

The update is free for everyone who owns MacID already for both the iOS and OS X apps, and make the new features and stability available across both platforms immediately following installation.

tvOS App Store charts now automatically hide any installed apps on your Apple TV

Apple seems to be making some changes to the tvOS App Store on the new Apple TV, with reports coming in that the store's various charts now automatically hide any apps a user has installed on their device. This behavior is now consistent in the Top Paid, Top Free and Top Grossing charts.

As a result, no longer will everyone see the same entires as the “Top” apps have now effectively become the “Top apps that you haven’t installed yet,” as first discovered by Apple developer Equinux.

GraphicConverter for Mac gains facial recognition, Collage, Picture Package and more

GraphicConverter by small Germany-based developer Lemkesoft has been dubbed the Swiss Army knife of Mac graphics programs, and for a very good reason: this app converts over 200 different graphic file formats into any of almost 80 graphic formats.

In its latest update, GraphicConverter for Mac was bumped to version 10 and enriched with a trio of major new features—facial recognition for your photos, Collage and Picture Package—along with refinements like support for converting Apple’s Live Photos format into an animated GIF.

Twitter’s iOS app gains Peek and Pop previews

Although you couldn't tell it by looking at official release notes for Twitter's version 6.54 update, which make a passing mention of “a few minor updates that you didn’t even know you needed”, the app has finally gained additional 3D Touch goodies in the form of Peek and Pop previews within the app. Before today, Twitter for the iPhone and iPad only supported Quick Actions on the Home screen. Grab Twitter for iOS for free on the App Store.

What’s on your Home screen: Andrew O’Hara

I'll say this right out of the gate. I know my Home screen is boring. Seriously. If you notice, the screenshot of my Home screen looks nearly identical to an Apple marketing image. That's because aside from 3 apps down on the last row, I keep my Home screen stock. I'm unsure if I can justify my reasoning to you, but I'm going to try.

Bookmark apps and iTunes content and install them later with Lookmark for iPhone

Lookmark for iPhone by developer Claes Jacobsson received a major update yesterday, prompting me to take another look at this interesting piece of software.

With Lookmark, you can bookmark apps and other iTunes content very easily from Safari, other apps and your desktop, and install/download them later when the time is right. Yesterday's update added a Share sheet extension which can save apps mentioned on any webpage.

Day One 2 gains Spotlight integration, On This Day and other new features

Bloom Built's journaling app, Day One 2, was refreshed in the App Store this morning with more than a dozen new features, including integration with iOS 9's Spotlight Search feature, an “On This Day” feature which lets you relive what happened on this day by using filters and notifications, JSON file import, search filters for showing entries matching your search keywords in the Timeline and more. The app is still available half price for $4.99 on the App Store.