Apps

Scanbot overhauls iPad UI, adds iCloud Photo Library support, per-scan settings and more

Christian Zibreg ∙ May 20, 2015

Scanbot, a freemium document scanner and QR reader for the iPhone and iPad, was bumped to version 3.8 this morning. The refreshed app adds several new features while overhauling the user interface on iPads, which now supports any orientation as well as collapsible document list.

All users now get to enjoy direct uploading to Evernote with PDF, Images or Text option available through a reworked sharing interface, the ability to delete documents after upload and apply quick per-scan settings with a touch of their finger.

Automatic debuts new vehicle adapter and developer SDK

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 18, 2018

Automatic, the makers of the adapter that allows cars to talk to smartphones, debuted new hardware and third-party app support on Tuesday. The new hardware comes in the form of a second-gen Automatic adapter that supports real-time data, and third-party app support in the form of a new SDK.

More specifically, the new adapter supports dual Bluetooth data streams: one to the Automatic mobile app and one to a third-party app. This allows both apps to receive data from the adapter simultaneously over an encrypted Bluetooth connection. It also features built-in GPS, and MFi certification.

PCalc for Apple Watch released with Glance, Send to iPhone, tip calc, RPN support and more

Christian Zibreg ∙ May 19, 2015

Thanks to independent iOS and Mac developer James Thomson, you can now wear PCalc on your $400+ Apple Watch. The award-winning $9.99 calculator app for the iPhone and iPad was updated today with WatchKit support.

The app is very nicely done and feels native. It puts the full calculator with RPN Support on your wrist, along with a Glance to see the result of your most recent calculations from your watch face, a tip calculator and other goodies.

Click Wheel Keyboard offers a funny bit of nostalgia for iPod fans

Lory Gil ∙ May 18, 2015

There is no keyboard on Apple Watch. That is probably a good thing. There is just no room for one. But, what if there were a click wheel similar to what Apple used on iPod devices?

Click Wheel Keyboard for iPhone is not compatible with Apple Watch, but if it were, it could make typing on the wrist worn device possible because you don't have to tap tiny letters. Instead, you scroll through the alphabet using a wheel control.

Audible audiobooks service gains support for Apple’s CarPlay in latest update

Christian Zibreg ∙ May 18, 2015

Audible, an audiobooks service owned by Amazon, pushed a major update to its iPhone and iPad application this morning which added CarPlay functionality along with a couple nice-to-have improvements in the app's iOS edition.

After downloading today's update, the Audible app will automatically appear on the dashboard of CarPlay-enabled vehicles and those supporting CarPlay via aftermarket solutions from Pioneer, Alpine and other companies.

SoundCloud for Apple Watch is here

Christian Zibreg ∙ May 18, 2015

An update Monday to SoundCloud's free of charge iPhone and iPad application has added an Apple Watch component allowing you to listen to user-submitted music and audio right from your wrist, identify songs playing from your iPhone and more.

“The new app makes it even easier for you to hear the freshest tracks when you’re out and about, from your daily to commute to going out for a run,” Germand developers noted.

Galactic Nemesis review: a retro arcade space shooter that Galaga fans will love

Lory Gil ∙ Updated October 14, 2018

One of my earliest video game memories are of playing Galaga in my local arcade. It was the first game that I could actually play for more than five minutes without dying.

So you can imagine how happy I was to discover Galactic Nemesis, which pays loving homage to such space-themed shooters that I grew up on. We've got a game game review of Galactic Nemesis for you today.

App Watch: artificial intelligence

Timothy Reavis ∙ Updated April 18, 2018

Artificial intelligence may very well take over the world one day, but I find it absolutely fascinating, regardless. The concept of teaching computers how to "think" brings an entirely new level to technology, not only in relation to programming, but in how we interact with it as well. The issue is that, once they become sentient, computers will in theory no longer be content doing as we command, but instead turn on humanity and kill us all.

Anyway, the App Store has yet to feature an app for controlling a maniacal robot from your Apple Watch, but there are some apps that utilize a form of artificial intelligence, and we're looking at a couple of them today.

Feedly for Apple Watch has arrived: browse your favorite stories right from the wrist

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated May 11, 2018

Feedly, the popular feed aggregation service, is now available for the Apple Watch. The app allows you to browse the stories right on your wrist-worn device.

Available as a free update to the existing Feedly for iPhone application, the Watch component selects the best stories from your Feedly account and presents them with a headline, the accompanying image, an excerpt of the full text and more.

It supports other features via a hidden menu accessible through force-touching the screen such as tagging, saving a story for later, marking a story as read, continuing reading on your iPhone and more.

Battle Camp review: raise a pet on Apple Watch, battle it on iPhone

Lory Gil ∙ Updated January 31, 2018

Being an app reviewer, I am most interested in the type of content available to me on Apple Watch. Sure, there are dozens of great productivity apps to help keep you connected. But what about games?

Battle Camp has been a battle pet RPG game for a couple of years. But, shortly after the first run of Apple Watches were on the wrists of early adopters, the game was updated to include a mini game that allows you to raise a pet to adulthood for a special prize. We've got a game review of Battle Camp for our Apple Watch fans out there.

Hit puzzler ‘Quetzalcoatl’ goes free as Apple’s App of the Week

Cody Lee ∙ May 14, 2015

Apple has just named “ Quetzalcoatl” its App of the Week for this week. This means that from now through next Thursday, you’ll be able to pickup the popular puzzler for both the iPhone and iPad for free—a solid savings of $1.99.

Quetzalcoatl features 180 carefully designed puzzles, which will provide you with dozens of hours of addictive gameplay. You beat the puzzles by maneuvering game pieces to match like-colored tiles, before the walls close in on you.

YouTube testing iOS app redesign with small subset of users

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated October 14, 2018

Google has been testing a revamped version of its YouTube application for the iPhone and iPad with a small subset of users, Abdiel Ortiz and Sebastien Debaenst noted on Twitter. This isn't necessarily new as some folks have been talking about YouTube's iOS overhaul for over a month now.

What is new, however, is a detailed hands-on video put together by Tech Invasion which gives us a first look at the new software centered on Material Design, Google's design language guiding software development across mobile, desktop and the web.