Apps

Fleksy keyboard introduces custom theme photo builder in new update

Christian Zibreg ∙ October 22, 2015

Fleksy Keyboard, one of the most popular software keyboards in the App Store, has received a major update this morning. The update to the freemium app strives to solve the problem of users constantly demanding that developers add an ever-growing collection of new UI themes to the app, so they've added a new custom theme photo builder feature to Fleksy Keyboard 7.0.

The ability to personalize the keyboard has been one of the top requests from users, Fleksy says, and has prompted the company to come up with a system for users to build exactly the keyboard that suits their liking, and even share their creations with friends and other Fleksy users.

Apple invites developers to submit their tvOS apps

Sébastien Page ∙ October 21, 2015

Following the release of the tvOS Golden Master earlier today, Apple is now inviting developers to begin submitting their app submissions for the new Apple TV, which should be available by the end of next.

Find my Friends web app launches on iCloud.com

Christian Zibreg ∙ October 21, 2015

In addition to today's major releases of iOS 9.1, OS X El Capitan 10.11.1 and watchOS 2.0.1 software updates, it appears that iCloud has gained a brand new web app: Find My Friends.

With both Find My iPhone and Find My Friends now preloaded on the iPhone, iPod touch and iPad devices with iOS 9.0 or later, it does make sense to add Find My Friends to Apple's stable of web apps given iCloud's long had the web version of the Find My iPhone app.

As Mac app will be revamped soon, Twitter starts rolling out polls in tweets

Christian Zibreg ∙ October 21, 2015

Twitter today said that it'll be rolling out the ability to embed custom polls in tweets to all users over the next few days.

Originally tested with a small subset of its user base, polls in tweets will permit everyone to interact with their followers and get the public's opinion on just about anything by embedding customized polls in tweets.

In addition, Twitter's Mac app will be getting a thorough revamp soon with a new dark mode alongside a bunch of new features borrowed from the mobile edition of the software, including in-line Vine and video playback, photos in Direct Messages and in-line replies and much more.

Facebook rolls out Instant Articles to all iOS users

Christian Zibreg ∙ October 20, 2015

After rolling out Instant Articles to a tiny subset of its 1.3 billion active user base back in May of this year, the social networking leader Facebook today said these quick-loading articles are available to all users of its mobile application for the iPhone, iPod touch and iPad.

Thousands of Instant Articles, each denoted with a lightning bolt in the top right corner of the News Feed story, will be available at launch and more will be added on a regular basis. Facebook claims Instant Articles load up to ten times faster than a standard mobile web article.

Waze 4.0 is out with fresh look, revamped map, reduced battery consumption and more

Christian Zibreg ∙ October 19, 2015

Waze, the popular social-mapping location data startup, today pushed a major update to its GPS, maps and social traffic application in the App Store.

Featuring a refreshed design and cleaner maps with emphasis on safer driving, the new Waze 4.0 for iPhone, iPod touch and iPad also brings reduced battery consumption allowing the app to run longer in the background, and much more.

Some App Store apps found to gather personal information, Apple acts swiftly

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated March 10, 2017

As many as 256 iPhone, iPod touch and iPad applications in the App Store, a majority of them from Chinese developers, have been found to violate Apple's privacy policy by gathering personal information such as email addresses, installed apps and even serial numbers, an analysis by security analytics startup SourceDNA has found out.

In addition, the offending apps, which obviously went under the radar of Apple's App Store editorial team, have been found to collect other personally identifying information that can be used to track users.

Best apps of the week: Subterfuge, Live GIF, Focus, and more

Lory Gil ∙ Updated April 19, 2018

What a great week for iMac news. If you are thinking about upgrading to the new 5K model, now is the time. We're also excited about Apple's new Magic Mouse 2, Magic Keyboard, and Magic Trackpad 2. In the meantime, more amazing content gets added to the App Store every day.

If you are looking for some new apps and games to keep you connected all weekend long, we've got a list you might want to check out.

Sky Gamblers Air Supremacy goes free as Apple’s App of the Week

Cody Lee ∙ October 15, 2015

Heads up gamers. Apple has just named Atypical Games' "Sky Gamblers Air Supremacy" its App of the Week for this week. This means that from now through next Thursday, you'll be able to grab the game for both your iPhone and iPad, for free—saving you a buck.

For those unfamiliar with the Sky Gamblers franchise, they're airborne fighters hailed for their incredible graphics and console-quality gameplay. Supremacy in particular has an in-depth campaign mode and various multiplier modes to choose from like capture-the-flag.

Apple updates iWork for iOS with support for 3D Touch, multitasking and more

Cody Lee ∙ October 15, 2015

Apple on Thursday pushed out updates for its iWork for iOS apps, bringing Pages, Numbers and Keynote to version 2.6. The updates are nearly identical for each app, bringing about support for many new iOS 9 and iPhone 6s features including multitasking and 3D Touch.

According to the change logs, users can now edit their various iWork documents in-app while using new iOS 9 features like Slide Over and Picture in Picture on iPad (depending on model). The apps also support Bluetooth keyboard shortcuts, text selection and much more.

Facebook acknowledges battery drainage problem with iOS app, says fix is underway

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated February 4, 2018

It is no secret that Facebook's mobile app has always been a battery hog, even with Background App Refresh turned off. Instead of fixing the issue, Facebook appears to employ tricks to keep the app active in the background, further accentuating the battery drainage problem.

According to TechCrunch, Mark Zuckerberg & Co. are aware of the problem and its programmers are working around the clock to put out a fix “soon”.

1Password for Mac gains large type option, changing secondary vault password and more

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated October 12, 2018

AgielBits' popular password-management utility, 1Password, was refreshed in the Mac App Store today with several notable enhancements. For starters, the app has brought out a new large type option to make those passwords easier to read on huge monitors and Macs with high-resolution Retina screens.

People who happen to manage multiple vaults in 1Password should jump with joy as they can at last change passwords for secondary vaults, too.

The top layout view has seen some changes as well with rich item icons and customizable columns. Last but not least, 1Password 5.4 for Mac includes security updates to address the dreaded XARA vulnerabilities.