Apps

Previous app versions coming to Mac App Store, too

Christian Zibreg ∙ October 22, 2013

A little over a month ago, Apple started letting customers download older versions of App Store apps. This handy new capability was designed to allow folks on legacy hardware to download the last compatible app version for their outdated iOS build. Up until then, the most recent app version available had used to render all of the previously submitted app builds inaccessible in the Mac App Store.

The same 'Previous Versions' feature is now coming to the Mac App Store, writes Apple in its memo to the registered Mac developer community, adding devs can now "let users download an older version” of their apps. I've got more information right below...

BBM sees 5 million downloads in first 8 hours of availability

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated May 16, 2016

Less than eight hours after officially hitting Apple's App Store and Google's Play store, the BlackBerry Messenger app (free download) has seen more than five million active downloads on iOS and Android combined, BlackBerry announced in a tweet.

The messaging application is a staggered rollout which employs a reservation system to prevent the kind of a server strain seen after the Android build had leaked out prematurely. According to some repots, there's a workaround that could let you use the app without waiting...

Android fanboys upset after Google’s Hangouts update hit iOS first

Christian Zibreg ∙ October 22, 2013

Apple doesn't port its own iPhone and iPad apps to Android, but let's pretend for a moment it did. How would you feel if the company issued a major update to, say, its Apple Store shopping app for Android first, then days or weeks later gave the iOS edition some much-needed love?

Wouldn't you have felt left behind?

You now have a good picture of the outrage flaming in the Android community after Google gave the iPhone users the ability to send and receive Google Voice calls through the Hangouts iOS app (free download).

Remarkably, this game-changing feature has yet to hit the Android Hangouts edition.

It's actually so bad that Vic Gundotra, Google's Senior Vice President of Engineering, had to jump into the comments section of his announcement blog post and reassure Android fans that Google hasn't forgotten about them. There will be an update coming soon, he promised and pledged users to make love, not war...

Evernote update brings editable homescreen layouts

Jeff Benjamin ∙ Updated December 4, 2013

If you're an Evernote ninja with a premium account, then one of your biggest gripes about the redesigned iOS 7 compatible app has no doubt been with its homescreen layout. Prior to the 7.1. update, Evernote users could in no way, shape, or form, alter the layout of the homescreen.

As a free user, this would be understandable, but as a paying premium customer, it's a bit frustrating to have to look at Evernote's homescreen, which contains advertising, every time the app is opened. The good news for us is that Evernote has realized the mistake, and has brought editable homescreen layouts to its latest update.

Spotify finally updated for iOS 7

Jeff Benjamin ∙ Updated April 14, 2018

Given its popularity, it sure as well took long enough, but Spotify has finally been updated with support for iOS 7. The update brings a subtle yet certainly noticeable redesign that incorporates flatter textures, and divided search and browse sections.

Spotify's release notes were a bit ambiguous, stating that the app was "now compatible with iOS 7." Since compatibility doesn't necessarily guarantee any sort of redesign, I wasn't really expecting much.

Thankfully, Spotify's definition of "compatible" goes beyond the codebase and encompasses the look and feel of the app as well. You'll quickly notice new visual cues, which provide a more cohesive look alongside iOS 7.

Vidstitch Pro: create and share your photo + video collages on Instagram

Lory Gil ∙ Updated December 4, 2013

Instagram is the biggest social networking sight for photography since Flickr, and it is gaining in popularity every day. Third-party developers are always looking for ways to allow Instagram users to make their pictures and videos more interesting.

Vidstitch Pro for Instagram lets you combine photos and videos onto a single collage so you can share your memories with others, moving or not…

BlackBerry Messenger for iPhone is here, get downloading

Christian Zibreg ∙ October 21, 2013

After months-long back and forth, the horribly embattled Canadian smartphone maker BlackBerry, formerly Research In Motion, has announced that its BlackBerry Messenger (BBM) software has finally rolled out to iOS and Android devices today.

Announced as a staggered roll-out for Apple's App Store and Google's Play store, the secure instant messaging software employs a reservation system.

That's bad news for those who haven't signed up early at BBM.com as they will be forced to wait in line before they can use the app. On September 22, BlackBerry was forced to halt the planned roll-out of BBM for iOS after a leaked Android build had caused its servers to fold...

From the makers of Paper: the Pencil stylus

Ed Sutherland ∙ Updated January 26, 2016

A stylus has always been handy for artists needing to work on a design using the iPad. For the rest of us, a pen-based tablet has been more of a pain.

Now comes a new stylus that just might be both attractive and useful. The accessory, dubbed Pencil, comes from the folks who introduced us to the Paper iPad app.

First, Pencil from FifthyThree is flat - like a carpenter's - so no more chasing a rolling stylus. Secondly, the stylus includes a USB port, making the tool practical beyond simply jotting down a note on your iPad...

Google Hangouts for iOS updated with free voice calling and more

Cody Lee ∙ Updated December 4, 2013

Google has posted an update for the official iOS client of its Google Hangouts platform The update, which brings the app to version 1.3, includes a handful of new features like support for animated GIFs, Google Voice and more.

But the most significant addition in version 1.3 is the ability to make phone calls. The feature, which is free for folks in the US and Canada, will allow users to call actual phone numbers using their iPhones, iPads or iPod touches...

Apps of the week: Everest, Cameo, CSR Classics, and more…

Lory Gil ∙ Updated October 9, 2018

Halloween is coming. I can feel it in the air. The leaves are just starting to change colors, the wind is starting to pick up, and my allergies are making me wish I could cut off my nose and sew it back on in the winter.

Whether you are trying to stay inside to keep the pollen at bay, need help with organizing your life, or just want a fun game to play, we’ve got a list of apps and games to get you through another haunting weekend…

Satisfy your love of puzzle games for free with Move

Lory Gil ∙ Updated January 23, 2018

Simple puzzle games are definitely the new hotness in the App Store right now. We recently reviewed har.mo.ny and just yesterday, we told you about the paper-realism game KAMI.

Move: A Brain Shifting Puzzle Game is another in a long line of new and fun puzzle games that will seriously reduce your work productivity. We’re talking March Madness levels of laziness…

Actions for iPad review: control your Mac from your iPad

Lory Gil ∙ Updated February 27, 2018

Remote access from mobile to desktop and laptop computers has become significantly better thanks to advancements in technology. It wasn’t that long ago that logging into your desktop from your iPad was slower than dialup.

Actions for iPad is a remote app that gives you control over actions you use on your desktop or laptop. Now, you can quickly open applications, access files, and create shortcuts to practically everything on your computer…