Apps

BlackBerry rolling out Find Friends feature to BBM for iOS

Christian Zibreg ∙ February 5, 2014

Troubled handset vendor BlackBerry today issued an update for its cross-platform messaging software, BBM, bringing out a new Find Friends feature.

Whereas previously you had to punch in a person's BlackBerry ID or email address to add him or her to your list of BBM contacts, today's update simplifies the process by detecting which contacts in your iPhone's Contacts are already using BBM, so you can quickly send them an invite to join your BBM contact list.

The free update is going live in the App Store later today so make sure to grab it (if you're still using BBM, that is)...

Evernote for Mac gets natural-language searching

Christian Zibreg ∙ February 4, 2014

Evernote for Mac has expanded on its stock search capabilities by introducing natural-language processing for your queries.

Activated from Evernote’s search bar and dubbed Descriptive Search, the feature allows for descriptive searching across your images, notes, documents, attachments and other data.

With Descriptive Search, Evernote fans can now search their notes by place, file contents, date ranges and lots more. This feature is now live in the new Evernote 5.5, available free of charge in the Mac App Store.

The full reveal is after the jump...

Google Wallet updated with loyalty card scanning, notifications for local merchants

Christian Zibreg ∙ February 4, 2014

Released last September following the public launch of iOS 7, Google's Wallet for iPhone application has since seen one major refresh and a couple maintenance updates.

In December, for example, the app gained the ability to authorize users using Single Sign-On and add a credit or debit card to Wallet by taking a picture of the physical card using the iOS device camera.

Wouldn't it be nice if you could add loyalty cards by scanning? Now you can, thanks to a new Google Wallet version 2.0.13611 update, now available in the App Store...

The first DJ app with Spotify integration arrives

Christian Zibreg ∙ February 4, 2014

Native Instruments' Traktor DJ and Algoriddim's djay may be among the finest iPad apps for DJs in the App Store, but now there's a new contender in town, a piece of software which lets one mix the 20 million tracks on Spotify. Introducing Pacemaker, the only DJ app with a Spotify connection (don't worry, it works with your iTunes music, too).

Unlike the aforementioned programs, Pacemaker has a simple user interface that's somewhat reminiscent of Windows Phone. There are some nice features included, too, that'll be likely appealing to those who deem Traktor or djay too complex.

Now available as a free download in the App Store, Pacemaker lets you make loops, skip beats, add and arrange effects, swipe to blend your tracks together, scratch like the grandmaster and lots more...

In response to Facebook’s Paper, FiftyThree files trademark application for the term ‘Paper’

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated January 24, 2018

Facebook yesterday released its new Paper for iPhone app, a free download, prompting a swift response from Seattle- and New York-based FiftyThree which slammed the social networking behemoth for ignoring the fact that the Paper name has been associated with FiftyThree's own iPad drawing program, also a free download from the App Store.

The small startup said Facebook had ignored requests to change its app name even though FiftyThree filed for the ‘Paper by FiftyThree’ trademark with the United States Patent and Trademark Office back in May of 2012.

Not content with Zuck & Co. piggy-backing on the established Paper brand, FiftyThree has now moved to file a trademark for the term 'Paper' itself. Grab your popcorn...

CARROT Fit review: get weight loss support that will make you cry

Lory Gil ∙ February 4, 2014

The CARROT series of apps will either make you giggle or angry. Personally, I am part of the former category. I laugh all the time when that smarmy lady tells me what to do every morning.

CARROT Fit is the weight loss version of the verbally abusive personal assistant. Not only will she call you “flabby,” no matter how skinny you are, but she will also berate you for keeping or gaining any weight. Think about that the next time you eat a Twinkie after 9 o'clock…

Unread: a beautiful new RSS reader for iPhone

Cody Lee ∙ Updated January 24, 2018

Despite the fact that Google shutdown its Reader service last year, there still seems to be a lot of RSS users out there. And if you're one of them (and even if you're not), you may want to check out this new RSS reader for the iPhone called Unread.

Unread, by developer Jared Sinclair, is a new iPhone app for gathering and reading your RSS feeds. Like many post-iOS 7 releases, the app is a contemporary take on a traditional concept with a beautiful UI, gesture-based navigation, and more...

ESPN SportsCenter app updated with Olympics coverage, several improvements

Cody Lee ∙ February 4, 2014

With the 2014 Winter Olympics just a few days away, ESPN has updated its SportsCenter app to version 4.0.3. The update adds a new tab for keeping track of the events in Sochi and a handful of other improvements.

The Winter games are slated to kick off on February 7, and run through the rest of the month. And thanks to today's update, you can use SportsCenter to keep an eye on events, athlete/country medal count and more...

Google Maps app updated with new ‘faster route’ feature

Cody Lee ∙ February 3, 2014

Despite being kicked off iOS in the fall of 2012, Google Maps has managed to maintain a high profile on Apple's platform. Released as a standalone app that same year, Google's Maps app offers a solid alternative to the stock application.

And it gets even better today. Google posted an updated for its iOS Maps app this morning that adds a new 'faster route' feature. Now, when you're heading towards a destination, you'll get notified when a faster route becomes available...

Google Cast SDK released, now iOS devs can integrate with Chromecast

Christian Zibreg ∙ February 3, 2014

Google's inexpensive HDMI dongle dubbed Chromecast offers great value for money. For just $35, users can stream Netflix, HBO GO, YouTube, Hulu Plus, Pandora, Google Play TV & Movies and more, from their favorite mobile apps and websites right to their big screen TV sets - much like AirPlaying through Apple's $99 media-streaming box, the Apple TV.

While Google's been adding new Chromecast content sources, the device's true potential remained largely untapped because Google would only open up Chromecast to select few developers.

But not anymore. As of today, the official Google Cast Software Development Kit (SDK) is available to developers wishing to enhance their iOS and Android apps and websites with Chromecast integration...

Facebook refuses to change Paper app’s name following FiftyThree’s objection

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated January 24, 2018

Facebook's new Paper for iPhone app is out in the wild now. Released earlier this morning as a free download in the US App Store, already the software has created a controversy by using the same name as FiftyThree's popular drawing program, Paper for iPad, also a free download.

Facebook was of course aware of FiftyThree's Paper, Apple’s 2012 iPad App of the Year. In fact, the social networking giant was kindly asked well in advance of its own release to avoid using the same name, but refused...