Apps

You can now chat while on a call, add contacts via QR codes and more in latest Viber update

Viber, the popular VoIP and messaging platform owned by Japan's Rakuten, hasn't updated its iPhone app in any meaningful way for a while now. And just when you thought they've neglected the iOS app for good, here comes a brand new release packing a few solid improvements.

I've always hated Viber wouldn't let me chat while on a VoIP or video call. This should be expected behavior as iPhones have always supported messaging during a cellular call.

In latest Viber 5.4 for iPhone update it's now possible to minimize a VoIP call and open any other screen within the app without interrupting your conversation.

Powerful task manager ‘2Do’ goes free as Apple’s App of the Week

Apple has just named “2Do” its App of the Week for this week. This means that from now through next Thursday, you’ll be able to download the powerful task manager for both iPhone and iPad for free—a staggering savings of $14.99.

2Do prides itself on its "completely different approach to managing your tasks." Unlike the numerous other task management software offerings, it doesn't force you to adopt a particular methodology. There is no wrong way to use 2Do.

Sunrise Calendar hits Apple Watch

Sunrise Calendar, a cross-platform calendar application that Microsoft bought four months ago, just announced immediate availability of its Apple Watch app. With Sunrise for Apple Watch, you can see all of your upcoming events, get custom notifications and check all the details for your next meeting at a glance.

In addition to supporting Microsoft Exchange and iCloud, Sunrise is the only iOS calendar alternative that does push for Google Calendar.

And yes, that feature is now available on your wrist, too!

Tweetbot 2 for Mac arrives with OS X Yosemite design and other new features

Better late than never! Developer Tapbots has at last unleashed a major update to its popular Twitter client for OS X. Tweetbot 2 for Mac is now available as a free update for existing Tweetbot users. For new users, the application is now available at a discounted price of $12.99, down from its regular asking price of $19.99.

Aside from a fresh coat of paint and a dark translucent appearance on Yosemite systems, Tweetbot 2 for Mac sports an improved timeline search feature, optional verified badges, a three-pane layout that brings order to your lists, an iOS-style interface in the tweet detail view, the ability to see a user's recent photos and more.

Languinis review: a mash up of match-three and word games

I love playing word games, like Scrabble or Words with Friends. I also have a soft spot in my heart for the simplicity of mindless match-three games. So, it is only logical that I’d be drawn to a game that combines them both.

Languinis is a match-three word game that is both charming and entertaining. It appeals to puzzle gamers in two different genres. We’ve got a full game review of Languinis for you today.

Reminders Nano is the app Apple should have shipped with Apple Watch

Several first-party apps are noticeably missing from Apple Watch, with Reminders and Podcasts being probably the most obvious. I'm confident Apple will bring these apps to Apple Watch sooner than later, but we're left dealing with workarounds and third-party apps to fill our needs for the time being.

Reminders Nano is one of these apps that picks up where Apple left off. Bringing a comprehensive yet simple reminders app to Apple Watch, Reminders Nano looks like something Apple itself would have shipped.

Pebble Time smartwatch begins shipping, but iOS app remains in limbo

Pebble's new 'Time' smartwatch has begun shipping to early Kickstarter backers, but the iOS companion app that allows users to connect the device to an iPhone is no where to be found. It appears the app is stuck in limbo in Apple's review process.

In an update posted to their Kickstarter page today, Pebble said that its Pebble Time app has been showing a status of 'In Review' since May 22nd and it's given no indication on what is taking so long. The typical review process lasts around 7-10 days.

Camera+ for iPhone unveils Apple Watch remote app and selfie widget button

If Camera+ by Taptaptap is your daily driver when it comes to iPhone photography, you must have been yearning for a companion Apple Watch app, right? I know I have. Tankfully, today's update saw to that.

Camera+ 6.3 for iPhone adds a pair of interesting improvements. The first, as I mentioned, is a companion app for your Apple Watch for controlling Camera+ on your iPhone remotely, similar to the device's built-in Camera Remote application.

The other addition enhances the app's widget, injecting a handy selfie widget button into iOS 8's Notification Center.

Google Drive receives Material Design overhaul with faster scrolling, syncing and image viewing

Google on Wednesday issued a version 4.0 update to its free of charge Google Drive for iOS application in the App Store. The first thing you'll notice is a brand new design which follows Material Design guidelines set forth by Google itself.

In addition to a cleaned-up interface, other changes in Google Drive 4.0 for iPhone and iPad include much faster syncing of your files, as well as image viewing.

Scrolling performance has been improved, too, and they've finally implemented iOS's standard swipe gesture to go back.

Fantastical for Apple Watch launches with dictation, reminders, customizable glance and more

Developer Flexibits has made a name for itself with Fantastical, an award-winning calendar replacement for the iPhone, iPad and Mac. Today, an important update to the iPhone app was pushed, bringing out a newly-added WatchKit extension so you can at last run Fantastical on your wrist!

This update is available to all existing users of Fantastical for iPhone at no additional cost.

You must be wondering what took them so long, right? I mean, Flexibits was among rare developers without an Apple Watch app in time for the device's April 2015 launch.

“We want to understand precisely what problem we're solving,” Flexibits co-founder Michael Simmons tells me via a Skype chat.

The net result of their undertaking is arguably the fastest and friendliest calendar experience on the wrist and that's saying a lot given Fantastical competes with Apple's stock Calendar app which comes preloaded on the wearable device.

Wunderlist gets acquired by Microsoft

6Wunderkinder GmbH, the makers of Wunderlist, the popular to-do, list and tasks application for the Mac, iOS, Apple Watch and other platforms, confirmed today it's being acquired by software giant Microsoft.

With more than thirteen million users across platforms and more than one billion to-dos created in Wunderlist, the app should seamlessly fit in Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella's mobile first, cloud first vision.

But don't fret, mobile Wunderlist apps aren't going anywhere, at least for the time being. “As Wunderlist becomes a part of the Microsoft family, we’ll introduce a host of new features, keep adding partner integrations, and progress further in delivering Wunderlist to billions of people,” Christian Reber, 6Wunderkinder founder and CEO said Tuesday.