Apps

Skype gaining better sign in experience, faster startup and iOS 7 mic permissions

Microsoft-owned Skype app for the iPhone and iPad is about to get bumped to version 4.14, gaining under-the-hood tweaks for faster startup time and iOS 7-specific permissions for microphone access.

The update has been officially announced on the Skype blog earlier in the morning and should drop later during the course of the day.

Over the past two months, Skype's mobile app has received its iOS 7 style visual makeover and gained the ability to make HD quality 720p video calls from the fourth-generation iPad and later and the iPhone 5 and later...

Google to add account authentication for saved passwords to Chrome for Mac

The great thing about Apple's iOS 7 password syncing feature is that setting up iCloud Keychain on your device with an iCloud Security Code prevents anyone from gaining access to your saved web passwords by going to Settings > Safari > Passwords & AutoFill > Saved Passwords. That is, viewing any saved entry there requires providing an iCloud Security Code, or your account password on the Mac.

This added layer of protection ensures I can't steal your iPhone while it isn't auto-locked and use the Settings app to hijack your online identities in a snap. Not so much with Chrome for Mac. Currently, Google's browser does not require any form of authentication to reveal saved passwords. The Internet giant is aware of the problem and is aiming to deploy enhanced security for saved passwords in an upcoming Chrome build...

Apple finally updates Remote app for iOS 7 look

Apple has finally issued a long-expected update to its Remote app for the iPhone and iPad. Designed with the cleaner iOS 7 appearance in mind, the free universal binary download has been overhauled top to bottom for iOS 7 look and feel and aso offers compatibility fixes for iTunes 11.1, but no new feature additions.

With the Remote app, users can control their desktop iTunes and the $99 Apple TV using their iPhone, iPod touch or iPad devices, from without having to use Apple's aluminum Remote for prolonged text entry, for example...

Apps of the week: Fantastical 2, Anomaly 2, Molto, and more…

This weekend will be a time for relaxing, recovering, and eating leftover Halloween candy. Let the diets start another week, we’ve got a lot of bite-sized Snickers bars to get through.

If you are looking for a game to keep you busy while you gorge yourself on chocolates, or need an app to help you get your chaotic life back in order, we have a list of apps and games to check out this weekend…

Flipboard gets iOS 7 makeover, new text settings, and more in 2.1 update

Flipboard fans will be happy to hear that the app finally got its proper iOS 7 update, bringing the client to version 2.1. The update brings about a 'fresh, modern look and feel,' in-line with Apple's recent firmware release, and several other improvements.

Among them are speed and performance enhancements across all devices, meaning the app should feel noticeably faster on your iPhone and iPad. There's also a new feature that allows you to change text size, on-screen alerts for new feed items, and more...

Only your wit will save you in The Stormglass Protocol: Room Escape

If you are getting tired of all of the flat, colorful, iOS 7 looking casual puzzle games, you might need a break with something that looks like it came out of the future.

The Stormglass Protocol: Room Escape! is a room escape game (obviously) that features rich graphics, an immersive storyline, and puzzles that will have you turned upside down before you make it out of the first room…

Legend Dary Classic review: 8-bit gaming in its simplest form

While we praise Apple (and, of course, other tech companies) for their advancements in technology, we also hold dear the games of our pixelated past. We may sit in awe of what 64-bit graphics can do on a mobile device, but our hearts still belong to 2-D gaming.

Legend Dary Classic is a simple side-scrolling 8-bit platform game that includes all of the mechanics you loved as a kid. There is only one view, the graphics are flat, and when you die, you start over…

Share customized maps and directions with Mapkin

When you are giving directions to someone on how to get to your house, only you know the signifiers and landmarks to explain the easiest route and secret back entrances to your neighborhood.

Mapkin – Maps, GPS & Personalized Navigation is a mapping service that lets you customize the route, add your own voice navigation, and send directions to friends and family so they won’t be confused by awkward instructions…

Add a little fright to your iOS device with Silent Valley: Mystery Mansion

Around this time of year, many people celebrate Halloween by watching scary movies, making gory crafts, and playing spooky games. Oh, and eating orange-colored candy, too.

Silent Valley: Mystery Mansion is a hidden objects game from the company that delivers some of the best quality games in the genre, G5. Figure out what happens in this disturbing take of honeymoon horror…

Climate Clock review: a minimal hourly weather forecast app

When you are planning out your day, oftentimes, you want to know what to expect from Mother Nature, especially during the fall and spring, when rain, wind, and temperatures change drastically from one hour to the next.

Climate Clock shows you hourly changes in the weather with a minimalistic, yet informative display so you will know whether you will need to bring a jacket to the ball game…

Dubble superimposes photos to create interesting and unique images

Back when there was actual film inside cameras, people would sometimes accidentally create a picture that had a double exposure. That is, two different images would show up on the same photo. Now that digital photography has taken over the world, it is impossible to have accidents like that.

Dubble is a photography app that recreates that rare anomaly and superimposes images on top of each other. Double exposure filters are not new in the App Store, but this one is different because it combines your images with a complete stranger’s…

Gameloft’s ‘Thor: The Dark World’ hits the App Store

Gameloft's new 'Thor: The Dark World' game hit the App Store this morning and is now available for download. The studio has been teasing the title since it first announced it back in July at the San Diego Comic Con event.

Today's release comes a week ahead of the Marvel movie of the same name, with which it shares characters and storylines. In the game, you'll lead the Asgardian forces as Thor on a mission to destroy the 9 worlds...