Apps

Google puts Chrome App Launcher in Mac’s Dock

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated November 22, 2017

Chrome Apps may have debuted as simple website shortcuts, but Google has quickly expanded on the initial capabilities so these things now feel and behave much like rich, native apps, as opposed to your typical clunky and somewhat slow web app. Today's Chrome Apps are packaged as native code, can work offline, access your computer's local storage and more.

There are some really fine Chrome Apps out there that will make you question your preconceived notions of what a web app can do and now Google has created a home for them, right in your Mac's Dock.

Introducing Chrome App Launcher which puts Chrome Apps for your desktop right in your Dock. Just click its icon and up pops a grid of all Chrome Apps that you've installed on your system. Read on for full details...

Facebook app gets auto-play feature for News Feed videos, and there’s not much you can do about it

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 14, 2018

Facebook updated its iOS client this afternoon, bringing the app to version 6.8. The update is a small one, but it does include one significant—and likely controversial—change: video clips will now play automatically in your News Feed.

Now, Facebook has been testing this feature since September, and I've had it for a while. And although the videos aren't extremely annoying, I was hoping they'd make one change before the public launch: give us a way to turn them off...

Nike+ Move gains better Leaderboards and more accurate Where You Moved screen

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated May 16, 2018

I frequently use Nike's fitness app, Move for iPhone, which made its App Store debut in early-November. Apple highlighted Nike+ Move during the September double-iPhone event as a use case scenario on how health and fitness apps can benefit by taking advantage of the new M7 motion coprocessor found inside the iPhone 5s. Not only does Nike+ Move tracks your movement even when it's inactive - with little to no impact on your battery life - it really gets you moving on a daily basis.

Beautiful and light iOS design, nicely animated interface, easy to grasp features and inviting concept together made me fall in love with the software from day one. A fresh update which just surfaced on the App Store is now introducing a more comprehensive Leaderboards and a more accurate Where You Moved screen...

Apple experimenting with custom landing page for Angry Birds Go! in the App Store

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 14, 2018

Last month, Apple began testing the app trailer waters by hosting a video clip on the App Store for the new game Clumsy Ninja. The embedded clip had no voiceover or custom App Store branding, and it's the only one we've seen like this in the Store to date.

Now, it looks like Apple is running another experiment involving app and media discovery. We noticed this afternoon that it has given the new game Angry Birds Go! a custom landing page in the App Store with links to its related soundtrack and other apps...

Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas now available in the App Store

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 14, 2018

Rockstar's wildly popular Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas is now available in the App Store. The game, which first launched on the PlayStation 2 all the way back in 2004, is now available on both the iPhone and iPad.

Rockstar says that this is their biggest mobile port ever. The game features over 70-hours of gameplay, enhanced visuals, and—for the first time ever—support for Apple's new Made-for-iOS controller technology in iOS 7...

Pinterest revamps iPad interface

Christian Zibreg ∙ December 11, 2013

Just in time for the holidays, Pinterest has given its free iPhone and iPad app a revamped tablet interface which includes brand new iPad navigation via dedicated buttons alongside the bottom, the ability to show your most recent boards for faster pinning, new ways to discover boards, hidden boards and more.

"The iPad app has a fresh new look, just in time for the holidays," Pinterest wrote in iTunes release notes. "Also, you can send your favorite boards to your friends for gift giving inspiration".

The full details are included right below...

Valve gives its Steam iOS app iOS 7 makeover, offline chat and more

Christian Zibreg ∙ December 11, 2013

Valve has refreshed its Steam Mobile client for the iPhone and iPad with a new user interface design which fits the overall iOS 7 aesthetics much better compared to the previous version.

Additionally, this version of Steam Mobile has added a few new features and enhancements such as the offline chat mode, improved push notifications and icon badging, a brand new streamlined interface for responding to friend invites and a couple other tidbits.

The application allows Steam fans to stay in touch with the Steam community wherever they go. In addition to the Steam chat, the app relays the latest gaming news from the Steam network as well as notable game sales and includes the ability to browse community groups and user profiles...

Beat – Music player is a great looking gesture-based app

Lory Gil ∙ Updated May 16, 2018

Apple’s recently updated music player still doesn’t impress some people. It looks cleaner and has a simpler user interface, but it doesn’t have that “Wow factor.”

Beat – Music player is a third party music listening app that makes your iTunes library look great. Plus, the customizable gesture based controls make full use of the touch screen technology. Hop inside for a quick look at it...

Castro: a beautiful new podcast client for iPhone

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 14, 2018

If you've been having trouble finding a podcast client that fits you, you may want to check out Castro. Castro is a beautiful new podcast app for your iPhone that backs up its good looks with powerful features.

I should tell you up front that the app is for iOS 7 users only. You could tell it was designed specifically for the OS, as it's rife with transparent backgrounds, flat UI elements, and a smart, gesture-based interface...

Twitter 6.0 is out with new design, DM photo-sharing and more

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 14, 2018

Twitter has updated its official iOS client today, bringing the app to version 6.0. The update is a fairly significant one, bringing about a new look and feel for the app, as well as photo-sharing for direct messages, improved search and more.

The new look pushes the UI of the Twitter app further into iOS 7 territory. There's more white spacing—the menu bar at the bottom is now all white— and texts and graphics seem flatter. And Twitter has added various other enhancements...

Facebook Messenger update adds one-touch Timeline access and more

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 14, 2018

Last month, Facebook released version 3.0 of its popular Messenger app. The update was significant because it featured an all-new UI design for the app, bringing its aesthetics more in line with those introduced by Apple in iOS 7.

Today, the client received another update, bringing it to version 3.1. This time Facebook added a few new convenience features that will allow you to access a person's Timeline or call them (toll-free) by simply tapping on their picture...