Apps

Google Wallet updated with support for gift cards, free debit card transfers and more

Cody Lee ∙ July 16, 2014

Google today announced a significant update for its Google Wallet service. The new version brings about support for gift cards, money requests, and the ability to send money with your debit card for free, and it should be rolling out to iOS and Android apps shortly.

With the new gift card support, users will be able to save their electronic cards to Google Wallet, redeem them in-store, and even check their balances [only at participating merchants]. The Wallet app can even remind you to use your card when you are near stores...

Microsoft starts rolling out increased OneDrive storage today

Christian Zibreg ∙ July 16, 2014

A little over three weeks ago, Microsoft announced a forthcoming increase to OneDrive storage tiers, promising to more than double free 7GB accounts to as much as fifteen gigabytes of free cloud storage.

The Redmond company additionally promised a brand new 1TB tier for the consumer Office 365 accounts and up to seventy percent cheaper monthly subscriptions. Today, Microsoft has delivered on that promise.

That's right, your OneDrive just got bigger...

Satellite subscription-free NFL Sunday Ticket coming to iOS, Mac this fall

Cody Lee ∙ July 16, 2014

NFL Sunday Ticket has announced today that it will be offered as a standalone subscription package for the first time this year. Access to the popular TV sports package, which was once exclusive to DirecTV subscribers, will be available to everyone in the 2014 NFL season for a 1-time subscription fee.

No official announcement has been made, but Sunday Ticket has put up a promotional page with details about the new service. It looks like subscription prices will start at $200, which again will not require DirecTV, and the content will be accessible from a number of devices, including iOS and Mac...

Instapaper creator launches Overcast, free podcast app for iPhone

Christian Zibreg ∙ July 16, 2014

Following an extensive beta testing period, Marco Arment - the creator of Instapaper, founder of The Magazine and co-host of the Accidental Tech Podcast - today unveiled his latest creation, an iPhone podcast client dubbed Overcast.

Available with basic features free of charge in the App Store (advanced stuff can be unlocked through a one-time In-App Purchase), Overcast for iPhone is accessible to novice users yet packs a lot of punch to make podcast die-hards happy.

Having taken Overcast for a brief spin with our own Let's Talk iOS and Let's Talk Jailbreak podcast series, I came away pretty impressed.

I think Marco's full-featured app has mass appeal (at least in podcast circles) to win over folks who are unhappy with the existing podcast clients on the App Store with its sleek user interface, simplicity and elegance.

If not, perhaps advanced capabilities will make you a convert? I'm talking stuff like Smart Speed, Voice Boost and Smarter Playlists to help you listen to more podcasts in more places, try new shows and completely control your experience...

Jawbone’s Up fitness band app gains weight management features

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated March 17, 2019

Jawbone, the maker of the Up fitness band, wireless Bluetooth headsets and a host of other mobile accessories, today pushed a major update to its iPhone and iPad app.

The refreshed software brings new calorie and nutrition tracking tools, food and restaurant logging, as well as comprehensive weight management features to the popular fitness tracker.

Other enhancements include a new food score and a redesigned food experience with brand new tools such as a dedicated water logger, restaurant menus, common pairings and frequent meals...

Macrocosm is a beautifully relaxing game

Andrew Kunesh ∙ Updated January 28, 2018

Though I do play my fair share of action games on iOS, I tend to sway more towards the relaxing side of the game spectrum; games that I can use to relax at the end of a long week. When on the hunt for more cool-down games, I came across Macrocosm, a new space-age game that was released earlier this month.

This game is based in space where you play as a blob of dark matter with your objectives being simple: get bigger, don't get killed by spaceships, and free other dark matter. To find out if this game is both relaxing and exciting, read on for my full Macrocosm review...

Google updates Chrome for iOS with Cast support

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated August 30, 2023

Following a relatively quiet period when it comes to Chrome for iOS, Google is again demonstrating willingness to continue advancing its popular iPhone and iPad browser with useful new capabilities.

The new Google Chrome version 36.0.1985.49 is now available to download in the App Store, bringing out Cast support for websites that have implemented integration with Cast-enabled devices.

Furthermore, this edition also includes stability improvements and bug fixes and a slightly tweaked app icon for your Home screen...

Snapchat launches Geofilters for photos taken at specific locations

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated March 18, 2016

The popular ephemeral messaging app Snapchat today introduced Geofilters, basically custom filters that only work on photos taken in specific geographic locations.

Geofilters are available by swiping to the right from the Preview screen after taking a photo. This will produce custom-designed text or graphic stickers that can be overlaid on your image to make it more attractive.

As the name suggests, Snapchat Geofilters are location dependent and available for locations in Los Angeles and New York City...

Week Calendar for iPhone goes free for two days

Lory Gil ∙ July 15, 2014

We recently published a list of our favorite calendar apps for the iPad. After the list was published, some of our readers suggested that Week Calendar was worthy of the “Best Of” nomenclature, to which we agreed and updated the list accordingly.

The very next day, the app’s developer sent me an email to let me know that the iPhone version of Week Calendar is going to be free for a special promotion on July 15 and 16 only. If you haven’t already, be sure to grab this amazing app on the iPhone before it goes back up to full price…

Searchr is like Spotlight on steroids

Lory Gil ∙ July 15, 2014

Spotlight on iOS is my savior. When I want to find an app and don’t remember which folder I’ve stored it in, I simply pull down on my Home screen to access the Spotlight search bar and type in what I’m looking for.

Searchr is a search function for the iPhone that allows you to find content you are looking for, just like Spotlight. However, this app also includes a few additional features that let you perform a variety of actions without having to switch to another app…

PayPal updated with loyalty card support, faster logins and more

Cody Lee ∙ July 15, 2014

PayPal pushed out an update to its iOS client last night, bringing the app to version 5.5. The update brings about the usual bug fixes and performance improvements, but it also adds a big new feature: support for loyalty cards.

This means PayPal users will be able to carry virtual versions of their favorite loyalty cards—such as Starbucks, CVS, and several other retailers—within the app, essentially making it a one-stop shop for payments and checkins...

Apple says iOS 7 is now installed on 90% of compatible devices

Cody Lee ∙ Updated February 27, 2018

Apple has updated its App Store support page for developers this week to reflect new information regarding iOS 7 adoption. According to the company’s usage data, the latest versions of its OS are running on 90% of iOS devices accessing the App Store.

That’s just a small jump from Apple's report a few months ago, where it claimed iOS 7 adoption had reached 87% of compatible devices. But it's still impressive given what the adoption rate looks like for competitors, and how hard it is to move the needle...