Apps

Popular Dolphin browser updated with ad blocker, themes and more

The mobile Safari browser that Apple includes with iOS is probably ok for the average user, but it's lacking a ton of features. This has forced a lot of folks to seek a third-party alternative with more to offer. I, for example, use Chrome.

Another popular choice, though, is MoboTap Inc.'s Dolphin browser, which happened to receive a big update today. The new version includes a number of improvements, such as a new ad-blocking feature, themes and better downloading...

Google’s Play store passes App Store downloads, Apple rules revenues

It may not reach the importance of the 'best-filling' versus 'tastes great' soda debate, but new numbers add fuel to the ongoing question of what's most important in measuring app store supremacy: downloads or revenue. Both those rooting for sheer demand as well as ultimate revenue figures found something to cheer about Wednesday.

Analytics company App Annie is out with second-quarter numbers showing the Android-based Google Play store had ten percent more download's that Apple's iOS App Store. However, Apple - which prides itself on being the Tiffany of technology - raked in 2.3 times the revenue.

The details after the break...

Camera+ brings effects layering to iPhone, new Hollywood filters and borders

My favorite iPhone photography software, taptaptap's Camera+ for the iPhone and iPad, has been updated today with some long-expected improvements. Specifically, the tremendously useful effects layering feature, which was first added to Camera+ for iPad last September, is now at last available on the iPhone. Now the new Camera+ 3.9 for iPhone finally lets me layer two or more effects for unique results, with each layer having its own intensity.

Effects layering is non-destructive (your originals are always preserved) and indispensable for complex touch-ups or creating your own custom effects. In addition to that, both the iPad and iPhone build now comes with a brand new effects pack and contains other improvements, all mentioned right after the jump...

Google axing support for Catalogs app beginning August 15

Google has named the next mobile app to be retired as its killing spree continues. Starting with August 15, the Internet company will stop supporting the Google Catalogs program on iPads and Android tablets (they've never gotten to releasing an iPhone version).

The app, basically a glorified magazine-like browser with window-shopping experience, will continue to be supported on both platforms until August 15.

For those oblivious to its existence, the app features a comprehensive catalog of products sold by apparel and fashion merchants and lets you save items for later - even create your own collages. And when you see something you like, a single tap produces a nearby store information or takes you to the merchant's website to make a purchase...

Viber update brings ‘seen’ status, photo doodles, new emoticons and more

The popular cross-platform instant messaging software Viber has been updated to version 3.1, bringing a few noteworthy improvements.

In addition to fun new emoticons and a new 'Seen' status that lets you know when your messages have been seen, Viber version 3.1 features expanded support for the Viber Desktop application on Windows and Mac.

If you have the desktop app on your Mac or Windows PC, you can can now seamlessly transfer a call in progress from your iPhone to your desktop. There are other improvements in this Viber update as well, mentioned right after the break...

Expense Planner reminds you of future payments

If you have ever found yourself short on cash, or even worse, overdrawn, because you forgot about a recurring automatic payment, then you could use a friendly reminder to help you keep track of upcoming debits to your account.

Expense Planner does just that. You can add an upcoming expense, set a date to be reminded, and forget about it until later…

RunPee app keeps you regular at the movies

We are in the prime time of summer blockbuster movie season. As we head into the deep of summer, many more movies are headed our way. The worst part about going to the theater is high ticket prices. At a solid $10+ per ticket, make sure you see every important minute of the story, because missing anything is a costly and unfortunate mistake.

The trouble comes when you drank too much of that giant Coke they upsold for $.50 extra to get the grande two-handed version with bottomless refills, that you never really get anyway. In fact, you are using two straws just to make sure you drink it all before the ice waters down the flavor. After watching a solid 15 minutes of previews, you get a sinking feeling. Yes, that's it. Your giant Coke is working its way through your system. Quickly checking your watch, you realize there are at least two hours between you, the movie, and the bathroom.

The sounds of waterfalls and rivers in the last trailer make it difficult to wait, but the movie might start before you can run to the bathroom and back. Rest assured, because you downloaded RunPee before heading to the movies and it's going to tell you when you can head to the john and relieve yourself...

Kik Messenger app updated with stickers, third-party games and more

Kik users will be happy to hear that a major update for the iOS client has posted to the App Store this morning. The update, which brings the popular messaging app to version 6.5, hops on the recent stickers trend, adds third-party games, and more.

The stickers in Kik 6.5 work just like you'd expect them to—you can embed the emoticon-like images into any of your conversations. And as far as the third-party game offerings go, launch titles include new releases by both Zynga and TreSensa...

Apple warns devs of app review delays following Dev Center outage

Apple is emailing its registered iOS developers that app approvals may take longer than usual, most likely due to an eight-day-long Dev Center outage having created a backlog of submissions for App Store approval. A few developers reported receiving an email from Apple apologizing for the delay due to the review process requiring "additional time".

Apple started bringing the various Dev Center systems back online six days ago, following an attempted breach which prompted the server-wide security shutdown, in turn stripping developers of access to pre-release documentation, beta code and other development tools...

Amazon updates Kindle app with free sample search, custom dictionaries and more

Folks with an iPhone or iPad invested in Amazon's ebook service will be happy to hear that it has posted a solid update for its iOS Kindle client today. The update brings the app to version 3.9, and offers a handful of new features and improvements.

Perhaps the most noticeable change is the new Free Sample Search feature, which allows you to search through Amazon's extensive Kindle library to download free samples. And the Bring Your Own Dictionary option pretty much speaks for itself...

Apple chasing Control Center Android app

Did you know Android has its own Control Center? No, really - earlier this month developer Hi Tools Studio earned free publicity by releasing an app that brings the full iOS 7 Control Center user experience to Android phones and tablets. And boy, is it a pixel-perfect copy of the headline iOS 7 capability, down to all of the included features and then some.

Now, the iPhone maker rarely files app complaints with Google so they could have just as easily turned a blind eye on this one had this particular developer not crossed the line so obviously. Hence, Apple has asked the Internet giant to pull the software on the basis of copyright violation...

Splyce puts a DJ inside your iPhone

With the recent launch of Algoriddim’s new djay 2 app, it brings up the notion of mixing music on the fly so that, when you have friends over, you can play music that fits the mood.

Splyce is a deejay app that is not nearly as complex as djay, but it does mix your music for you on the fly and even makes sure that songs are played in compatible beats so you aren’t going nuts with your music…