Apps

Paper by FiftyThree updated with iPhone support, new notes feature and more

Cody Lee ∙ September 10, 2015

Popular sketch app Paper, by FiftyThree, received an enormous update today, bringing the software to version 3.0. As expected, the new release brings about iPhone support, as well as several other new features like swipe-to-style notes and annotation tools.

Once seen as a casual sketch app, Paper now seems more like a catch-all brainstorming and note-taking app in version 3. It allows you to capture images, draw on them using the built-in tools, add custom text, and then share your creation in a variety of ways.

You can at last download excellent Camera+ for iPhone at no charge

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated October 16, 2018

Camera+, a $2.99 download, is my favorite all-in-one iPhone photography solution that I highly recommend to anyone interested in getting the most out of their iPhone's camera.

The gorgeously done app isn't exactly an insta-purchase and went free just once since its October 2012 App Store debut. For many casual photography fans, burning their hard earned cash on Camera+ isn't justifiable.

Indeed, some rather capable photography apps are available at no charge.

Taptaptap, the developers behind Camera+, at long last on Thursday released the free edition of Camera+ so the “I don’t pay for apps” response no longer applies. In addition, they've outlined several new features coming to future releases.

Periscope for iPhone refreshed with landscape video and more ahead of Apple TV app

Christian Zibreg ∙ September 10, 2015

Twitter-owned Periscope is secretly building an app for the new Apple TV and now the company has issued a telling update to its iPhone application in the App Store. The biggest newsworthy addition in Periscope 1.2 is landscape mode for shooting video.

Ever since its debut, Periscope has only supported portrait video. Video streams in portrait orientation look good on smartphones, but no so much on widescreen television sets so today's update could be viewed as a prelude to Periscope's rumored Apple TV app.

Maximum size of an Apple TV app limited to 200MB, apps must store all data in iCloud

Christian Zibreg ∙ September 9, 2015

It's interesting that we haven't seen any major triple-A games shown off as part of today's on-stage demos of third-party applications for the new Apple TV.

Now it's clear why: the existing multi-gigabyte iPhone and iPad games such as the Infinity Blade trilogy, Asphalt 8 and many more must be refactored to fit the inexplicable 200MB limit for an Apple TV app.

This means that assets like new levels and worlds will be retrieved on demand from the App Store, indicating Apple is positioning its new box as a casual gaming device for your living room rather than a full-on gaming console.

Apps and games make their way to Apple TV

Cody Lee ∙ September 9, 2015

Apple on Wednesday announced a new version of the Apple TV, and it is awesome. It has a redesigned remote control, a refreshed interface, and support for voice commands via Siri. But what really pushes the device over the top is its support for native apps and games.

As expected, the next-generation set-top box features an App Store, and Apple invited some developers up on stage today to give us an idea of its potential. The game you see above is a Wii Sports-like motion game, called Beats Sports, from Rock Band developer Harmonix.

eBay 4.0 for iPhone and iPad drops with redesigned UI, easier access to top deals, promotions & more

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated November 9, 2016

Online retail giant eBay is celebrating its 20th anniversary today. To mark the occasion, the company has released a long-expected revamp to its iPhone and iPad bidding app in the App Store.

For starters, eBay 4.0 for iPhone, iPod touch and iPad, a free download, sports a revamped appearance along with an all-new app icon. At long last, the app is now universal and provides an easier access to top deals, promotions and events, “balanced with streamlined ways to access the powerful eBay features you’ve come to rely on.”

Wunderlist picks up emoji, list icons, new setting and other perks in latest update

Christian Zibreg ∙ September 7, 2015

Wunderlist, the popular to-do list and tasks software that Microsoft purchased this summer, has received a few new features for the iPhone and iPad in its most recent update issued Monday, available at no charge in the App Store.

Wunderlist 3.3.1 now allows you to turn your list name into an emoji character icon. Due Dates and Reminders have been revamped and a new option added to settings to disable Smart Due Dates.

Best apps of the week: NetNewsWire, I Am Bread, Pokémon Shuffle, and more

Lory Gil ∙ Updated October 16, 2018

What kind of fun adventures are you up to this weekend? Are you hiking a five-mile trail, playing with your brand new Star Wars toys, or finally tackling that landscaping project you've been meaning to do for a year? Whatever you are up to this weekend, we've got a list of apps and games that we think might spark your interest.

Amazon Prime Music gains search suggestions, curated collections, sleep timer and more

Christian Zibreg ∙ September 4, 2015

Following a major update to Amazon's video-streaming client for iOS which now allows offline playback for Prime movies and television shows, the online retail giant today gave its Prime Music app a little love, too.

The new Amazon Prime Music 5.0 for iOS introduces curated collections featuring hand-picked music, search suggestions to make music discovery even easier, a brand new sleep timer feature and more.

Review: this is my ‘Next Keyboard’ for iPhone

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated January 28, 2019

In my December 2014 preview of Next Keyboard I wrote the app had the potential to become “the first iOS keyboard done right”.

What started out as the most funded app project on Kickstarter by Toronto-based award-winning studio Tiny Hearts Apps has become a reality.

I'm pleased to report that Next Keyboard is now available for download in the App Store.

Rather than mindlessly pile features one on top of the other like many other developers do, Next enables efficient typing in a stylish environment that's easy on the eyes, without distracting you from the task at hand.

It's got everything you've come to expect from a software keyboard, including predictive typing, lightning fast editing, playful stickers and colorful themes, instant access to all the emojis you love, including stickers, and much more.

I've spent some quality hands-on time with Next Keyboard, here's what I found.

Flick Kick Football goes free as Apple’s App of the Week

Cody Lee ∙ September 3, 2015

Apple has selected Prodigy Design's "Flick Kick Football" as its App of the Week for this week. This means that from now through next Thursday, you can download the popular football arcade game for both your iPhone and iPad, for free—a solid savings of $1.99.

For those unfamiliar with the title, Flick Kick is a simple football/soccer game that has you scoring goals as quickly and as stylishly as possible by swiping your screen. It has multiple game modes, charming retro graphics, and the physics are smooth and accurate.

Google releases standalone Street View app for iPhone and iPod touch

Christian Zibreg ∙ September 3, 2015

A month ago, Google promised to release a standalone Street View mobile app “early next month.” Today, the Internet giant has made good on that promise as the all-new Google Street View app just hit the App Store (actually, it soft-launched in August 2014, but today's update feels like a whole new app and anyone can use it now).

Available for the iPhone and iPod touch, it lets you browse and enjoy Google's awesome street-level photography.

With this software, you can move and pan around by dragging your finger on the screen and even upload your own 360-degree photography to Google Maps to share your photo spheres with the world.