Apps

Google’s rumored Mobile Meter iOS app will give rewards in exchange for your privacy

Privacy-minded folks won't like this: word on the street is that the Internet giant Google is readying a new app for iOS and Android devices that will reward people for tracking their mobile habits and patterns.

Dubbed Mobile Meter, the software has reportedly been conceived to give Google a much deeper insight into how owners of smartphones and tablets use their devices.

This is especially eyebrow-raising given Apple's tight control of its ecosystem. In order to persuade people into installing Mobile Meter on their devices, the search monster will ostensibly reward people in exchange for their mobile trends. More tidbits right below...

Twitterrific update finally allows you to edit your profile in-app

Heads up Twitterrific users, the Iconfactory team has posted an update for the popular Twitter client today, bringing the app to version 5.5.2. The update brings about improvements, bug fixes, and one long-awaited feature: profile editing.

That's right, with Twitterrific 5.5.2 you can now upload your banner and avatar image as well as edit your profile. That means you can set your account name, location and website information without ever having to leave the application...

1Password for iOS updated with Wi-Fi sync, improved iCloud support and more

AgileBits has posted a significant update for its 1Password iOS client this morning, bringing the app to version 4.3. The update includes a number of improvements and new features like Wi-Fi sync.

With the new Wi-Fi sync option, users can sync the iOS app with 1Password 4 for Mac, ensuring that you're always working with the latest data. There's also improved iCloud support, and much more...

Spark Camera lets you create beautiful video montages

One of this week’s App Store Editor’s Choice is a video app that lets you record, enhance, and share your life with friends and family with the help of real-time video capturing set to your own personal soundtrack.

Spark Camera lets you record snippets of a moment in time, then record another moment at a later time, and stitches them together so that you can create your own mini montage video to share with friends and family…

har.mo.ny review: a relaxing mind bending puzzle

Once iOS 7 was announced, developers were on the ball, designing new apps and games with a flatter, brighter design. Quite a few puzzle games have seen huge success as iOS users flocked to the attractive looking design.

BorderLeap’s newest app, har.mo.ny is an iOS 7 inspired puzzle game that is both challenging and pleasant to play. You won’t be flinging birds at pigs with a peppy soundtrack in this game. You’ll be calmly flipping blocks to the zen-like calm of ambient music…

Apps of the week: Shares 2, Listastic, AdventChewers, and more…

Thanks to a much-needed vacation, my work week only lasted three days. It seems like only yesterday I was creating the Apps of the Week list for the previous weekend. I didn’t even look at the App Store for five whole days - pretty rare for me.

If you have a lot of catching up to do with new apps and games this weekend, we’ve got a list that will take care of your finances, productivity, and gaming needs…

Facebook removing option to be unsearchable by name

Just a heads up for those that missed the news yesterday: Facebook is going to be removing the 'Who can look up your Timeline by name' privacy option that allowed you to make it so your profile could not be found via search.

The social network actually removed the option for those who weren't using it last December. But for the small percentage still using it, it has announced that they will receive reminders about its removal in the coming weeks...

Popular game engine Unity updated with iOS 7 controller support

Good news on the iOS gaming front this weekend. Unity, the game engine behind a number of high-profile titles like Call of Duty: Strike Team, The Room and Bad Piggies, was updated to version 4.2.2 yesterday with a number of improvements.

But there's one particular item in the change log that caught our eye: iOS 7 game controller support. This means that, depending on the speed of each developer, it may not be long before you're joystickin' your way through your favorite iOS game...

Apple crediting eligible users who bought iWork, iLife apps after Sept. 1

During its big iPhone event back in September, Apple announced that anyone who purchased a new iOS device after September 1 would be able to download iPhoto, iMovie, and the iWork suite of apps—Keynote, Pages, Numbers—for free.

Making good on its promise, Apple began sending out emails with iTunes credits earlier today to those who purchased both new iOS devices and one or more of the above-mentioned iOS apps prior to the announcement on September 10...

Instagram quietly removes option to disable video autoplay

Late last month, Facebook-owned Instagram finally received its somewhat dull iOS 7-inspired update. I say dull because the redesign feels a tad rushed out and a bit rough around the edges. More importantly, not many people have noticed that yesterday's minor maintenance update has killed off the tremendously useful video auto-play toggle.

Although iTunes release notes for Instagram 4.2.2 innocently list only "bug fixes and performance improvements," in reality the new build has stealthily removed the useful Instagram > Settings > Auto-Play Videos switch.

This may not seem like a big deal, but consider for a moment the fact that the vast majority of iPhoneography fans turn to Instagram to enjoy beautiful photos.

Conversely, not many people give a heck about video on Instagram. Instagram disappointedly has never provided an option to block all video content from a user's feed so you don't need me to tell you that enforcing auto-play on videos isn't really helping anyone but Instagram itself...

Chrome’s share of total iOS web traffic doubles since last year

Google's Chrome went from zero market share to becoming the world's most popular desktop web browser in just five years. And since its release on Apple's iOS platform in June 2012, Chrome's been consistently the top third-party browser on the App Store (free download), making its way on a lot of people's Home screens. Research firm Chitika estimates that Chrome's share of web traffic coming from the iPhone, iPod touch and iPad devices has doubled since June 2012 launch.

Just 24 hours into its launch Chrome became the App Store's most popular free app and grabbed an estimated 1.5 percent share of total iOS web traffic. Today, Google's iOS browser accounts for three percent  of total iOS web traffic...

Keep your contacts up to date with Sync.Me

Families are always moving. Friends are always getting new jobs. Everyone’s lives are changing so often that it is hard to keep track. Now that mobile phones are so common, it is much easier to get in touch, but also much more difficult to stay in touch.

Sync.Me is an app that automatically syncs with your Facebook, LinkedIn, and Google+ accounts so you will always know your brother’s new address, your co-worker’s new job title, and your high school friend’s new last name…