Apps

Thermos lets you control your Nest from Notification Center on iPhone and iPad

Thermos for iPhone and iPad is the first application to let you control your Nest thermostat directly from your iPhone or iPad's Notification Center. Already available for Mac (read our review), Thermos has now made its way to iOS with a Notification Center widget that allows Nest user to adjust the temperature of the thermostat, as well as setting it to Away, or turning it off altogether.

Khan Academy launches 150,000 courses on iPad, includes handwriting recognition

Khan Academy, often called the go-to place for online learning, has finally launched on the iPad to provide its education tools to students, and really anyone who wants to learn the material from a 10-inch screen.

The non-profit has had an iOS app since 2012, but now has launched a completely redesigned iPad app that features 150,000 learnings exercises, so users can launch them natively instead of having to pull up a webpage.

MapQuest gains enhanced navigation, picks up a host of other improvements

AOL today refreshed its MapQuest mapping and GPS navigation app for iOS with several new features that elevate the experience, including in-route navigation improvements, tighter integration with Yelp data, the ability to buy tickets and send feedback in the app and more.

A clearer on-map directive will give you a heads-up on your next turn while the improved list view for your route now automatically scrolls turn-by-turn statements with your progress “so the next maneuver is always easy to see.”

LastPass finally launches as dedicated Mac app

Password manager LastPass has finally launched a dedicated Mac app that will allow users to find and store their passwords.

Previously available as a web portal and browser extension, the new Mac app gives you the same features natively, along with a Quick Look feature that allows you to instantly search for passwords and other login information, as well as the ability to scavenge through secure notes.

Meet Coolors for iOS, a simple and free color palette generator

No matter if you're designing a website, creating a brochure, writing a game or just messing around in creative apps like Adobe Illustrator or Pixelmator, the key to attracting your audience's imagination is choosing the right set of colors.

While mobile and desktop applications aimed at artists and designers allow you to experiment with varied color palettes, setting RGB values manually can be a tedious task that gets old fast. What if there was a simpler way of generating endless color palettes on the go?

Coolors by Fabrizio Bianchi does just that!

2K announces Sid Meier’s Starships, hitting Mac and iPad early this year

Publisher 2K Games and developer Firaxis Games are gearing up to launch a new interstellar strategy game for Mac and Windows PCs and the iPad, Polygon said Monday.

Coming in early 2015, legendary game designer Sid Meier had a direct hand in designing Sid Meier's Starships, a turn-based, adventure-driven interstellar strategy game in which you'll take the role of a fleet commander after the age of the Seeding.

Apps of the Week: AllCast, Shadowmatic, Starlike and more

Welcome back everyone to our weekly roundup of noteworthy iOS releases. We've seen some great new apps and games land over the past 7 days, from new remote desktop control software from Google, to a new Wii-like bowling game for Apple TV, so you don't want to miss this week's picks.

Bowling Central teams up with your Apple TV for Wii-like bowling action

Rolocule, the veteran developers behind games like Motion Tennis and Dance Party, is back with perhaps its most ambitious title ever called Bowling Central. At its core, the game offers a stellar mobile bowling experience, with state-of-the-art physics, stunning 3D graphics and over 30 unique challenges. But things get really interesting when you turn on your Apple TV.

Utilizing Apple's AirPlay Mirroring technology, Bowling Central can stream gameplay footage from your iOS device to your television set by way of Apple TV. This not only gives you a much better view of the game, but it also frees up your iPhone or iPod touch to be used as a controller for what is best described as a Wii-like gaming experience. Here, check out the demo:

Kickstarter revamps iOS app, adds iPad UI, iPhone 6 support and more

The official Kickstarter app is now available on the iPad, nearly two years following its iPhone debut in February of 2013. Not only does the software sport native tablet interface, it's been thoroughly redesigned as well and now looks way more in line with iOS 8's design aesthetics.

Those who have purchased an iPhone 6 or iPhone 6 Plus will be happy to know that Kickstarter will now take full advantage of the 4.7-inch and 5.5-inch screen resolutions rather than look like a ridiculously blown up version of its former self.