Apps

Apple’s massive tablet gets its killer app: djay Pro for iPad Pro is here

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated January 27, 2019

The iPad Pro has just received what could be described as a killer app in the form of German developer Algoriddim's djay Pro, a brand new iPad-exclusive apps for both pro and aspiring DJs which launched this morning in the App Store.

Joining Algoriddim's existing djay Pro for Mac, djay 2 for iPhone and djay 2 for iPad apps, djay Pro for iPad replicates the productivity of its Mac counterpart with extensive support for more than 70 keyboard shortcuts and iOS 9's Split View and Slide Over multitasking modes.

More importantly, the software takes full advantage of the iPad Pro's A9X chip to deliver pristine sound quality, desktop-class performance and features like high-definition waveforms, four decks, and video mixing with 4K support—all in real-time and without ever skipping a beat.

Circle Spike will break you

Lory Gil ∙ Updated April 19, 2018

A young man recently contacted us, explaining that he is just 17 years old and created a game for iOS. I decided to check it out, expecting it to be a fairly mundane game that is a good start, but nothing special.

After 20 minutes of playing Circle Spike, my high score is nine and my blood pressure is boiling. That's the kind of game this is. While my pathetic score of nine is laughable, I should point out that the 25th highest scorer only has 11 points, so I'm not doing that bad.

At last, Remote app now works with Apple TV 4

Christian Zibreg ∙ December 8, 2015

Apple today released tvOS 9.1 for the fourth-generation Apple TV, the second software update for the set-top box since its October 2015 debut, and the question that has been on the Internet's collective mind since is, does it now support Apple's own Remote app?

While I haven't had a chance to install and test tvOS 9.1 yet, web reports claim that tvOS 9.1 indeed includes compatibility with the Remote app, as well as Siri search support for Apple Music, a feature that was present in tvOS betas.

But it gets even better: if you own an Apple Watch, you can use its built-in Remote app to navigate the entirety of the tvOS interface right from your wrist.

Today’s Pixelmator for Mac update brings several new features

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated November 9, 2016

Pixelmator, one of the best Photoshop alternatives on any platform, has received a nice little update in the Mac App Store this morning. Bumped to version 3.4.1, the refreshed app brings half a dozen new features and refinements and packs in nearly two dozen bug fixes and stability improvements, including faster and more responsive performance on 2011 Macs with Intel's HD 3000 graphics cards.

Sony releases PlayStation messaging app for iOS

Christian Zibreg ∙ December 8, 2015

Sony today released a brand new iPhone application in the App Store, PlayStation Messages. Conceived as a messaging app for fans of the PlayStation console, the software provides messaging capabilities that used to be part of the official PlayStation app, including availability and presence indicators, group chats with up to a hundred players, rich media in messages such as photos, voice, stickers, attachments and more.

Facebook pulls Slingshot, Riff and Rooms apps from App Store

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated February 5, 2018

Happy app removal day! After Dropbox announced plans to wind down its ill-fated Mailbox and Carousel apps, Facebook just pulled a Dropbox by confirming it, too, is shutting down a few apps of its own that have failed to gain much traction with users: Slingshot, Riff and Rooms.

In addition, the company will be closing down the Creative Labs shop, an initiative formed in January 2014 with the noble goal of giving its teams creative freedom to conceive and build apps outside the core Facebook experience.

You can now add to-dos to Google’s Calendar app using a new Reminders feature and 3D Touch

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated January 4, 2017

Google's standalone Calendar app was released in the App Store in March of 2105 and today the software is getting some interesting new features: Reminders, 3D Touch support and a cool Star Wars skin for those who have opted to join either the Dark or Light side of the Force at google.com/starwars. Reminders in Google Calendar make it easier to keep track of your to-dos alongside your events—in one place, no need to juggle between different apps.

Dropbox to nix Mailbox and Carousel apps early next year

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated April 26, 2019

Cloud storage startup Dropbox made a surprising announcement Monday, saying it will be shutting down Mailbox, the once popular app it acquired in March 2013, as well as Carousel, a photo-management app released in April 2014. Mailbox will be winding down on February 28, 2016 and Carousel is next on the chopping block on March 31, 2016.

This development doesn't surprise me: Mailbox for iOS has been receiving only compatibility updates post-acquisition while Mailbox for Mac hasn't dropped its beta flag since August 2014 debut of the first public beta (its current version number: 0.76).

Samsung reportedly working on Gear S2 smartwatch companion app for iPhone

Christian Zibreg ∙ December 7, 2015

Samsung is reportedly working on its very first iOS app, called Gear Manager, that will permit iPhone, iPod touch and iPad owners to use the South Korean firm's latest Gear S2 lineup of smartwatches, SamMobile learned from its sources last week.

While the Gear S2 works with all Android smartphones, not just the ones made by Samsung, it doesn't play well with iOS. Like Apple's own Watch companion app, the Gear Manager is said to include features to set up and customize the device for use.

Alive! review: add filters and effects to your Live Photos

Lory Gil ∙ Updated January 27, 2019

Live Photos is a cool new feature available on the iPhone 6s and 6s Plus. However, it is not exclusive to those devices. Thanks to third-party apps like Live Pictures and jailbreak tweaks like EnableLivePhotos, even older devices running iOS 9 can take advantage of creating Live Photos.

Alive! is a photo editing app specifically designed for Live Photos. Whether you've taken them on an iPhone 6s, or an older device with a third-party app or jailbreak tweak, or even if someone sent you a Live Photo, you can edit them using this app. We've got a hands-on review of Alive! for you today.

Listomatic, Dominion, Korg iDS-10, and more apps to check out this weekend

Lory Gil ∙ Updated March 19, 2019

This was a big week for Apple Watch. Google updated Hangouts, Pedometer++ got a big fitness update, and Apple launched a new line of (RED) branded products that includes a special Apple Watch band. With all this great Apple Watch news, who cares about iOS? Amiright?

Don't worry, we won't let you down. We've got a list of apps and games available on iPhone and iPad and there is no Apple Watch support in sight (at least not yet). So have fun and get downloading.

Pedometer++ embraces Apple Watch in a big way

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated November 9, 2016

Pedometer++ is one of the best step-counting apps in the App Store, with its developer David Smith managing to keep it alive with meaningful updates. In fact, Apple's 2013 introduction of a dedicated motion coprocessor in iPhones that tracks movement in a power-friendly manner has helped breathe new life into Pedometer++.

Ever since the watch's April 2015 debut I've been wondering how the app would fit into my fitness routine.

My primary concern at the time was whether or not a dedicated step-counting app made sense given the Apple Watch's robust fitness and motion tracking capabilities.

But as it turns out, a bright future lies ahead of Pedometer++ and today's feature-packed update proves my point. The new version fully embraces the Apple Watch with a comprehensive, fluid and native watchOS 2 app, complications, more accurate data sync than Apple's Health app and more.