Apps

Chrome gains full-screen on iPad, opens links in native apps, saves bandwidth and more

Christian Zibreg ∙ July 17, 2013

The Internet giant Google has just pushed a major update to its Chrome browser for the iPhone and iPad, sporting better voice capabilities and containing a whole bunch of new features that make the browser fully interoperable with major Google apps available on the iOS platform.

In addition to advanced voice control achieved through additional enhancements to voice search and improved text-to-speech, this edition of the Chrome 28 build boasts tight interoperability with Google's other native apps on iOS.

For starters, there's a handy option to open links for YouTube, Maps, Google+ and Drive in Google's native iOS apps instead of the browser. On the iPad side, there's a new full-screen browsing mode (finally) along with other tidbits, mentioned after the break...

Isometric lets you create beautiful geometric art

Lory Gil ∙ Updated December 4, 2013

There is something interesting about a rhombus. It looks like a square that has had its corners stretched out through a game of tug-of-war. When you put three of them together, you can make a three-dimensional object.

Isometric takes the interesting aspect of the rhombus and turns it into a fun art app. You can create simple design logos or abstract, chaotic drawings just by tapping your screen…

Tumblr posts ‘very important’ app update to patch security flaw

Cody Lee ∙ Updated December 4, 2013

Yahoo-owned Tumblr issued an update for its native iOS app last night, bringing the client to version 3.4.1. But you won't find any new features or UI enhancements in this release—this particular update is all about security.

Apparently the popular micro-blogging service was recently made aware of a major security issue, which in some cases allowed user passwords to be compromised. So it's urging users to download this 'very important' update...

Google Maps 2.0 is out with enhanced navigation and iPad support

Cody Lee ∙ Updated December 4, 2013

Good news iOS users! The big Google Maps update that hit the Android Play Store last week is now rolling out to Apple's mobile platform. The update, which brings the app to version 2.0, contains a number of new features including iPad support and indoor maps.

Although Apple's Maps application has significantly improved in recent months, many folks still prefer to use Google's offering. And since it launched its standalone Maps app on iOS last December, users have been clamoring for an iPad version. Well, here it is...

Enormously popular WhatsApp goes free: gains iCloud chat backups and other features

Christian Zibreg ∙ July 16, 2013

WhatsApp, arguably the most popular cross-platform chatting solution, has just gone free on the App Store. We're not sure whether the move is part of the upcoming iOS subscription switch or if there was a change of heart.

Either way, we're not complaining. Previously a 99-cent download, WhatsApp for the iPhone and iPod touch is now provided free of charge (jump past the fold for the fine print).

In addition, the app's been updated with the much-needed ability to back up your chats to iCloud so you don't loose your chat history upon reinstalling WhatsApp. Other changes in WhatsApp 2.10.1 include support for URL schemes and the ability to send multiple photos at the same time...

Little League World Series to use iPads for scorekeeping, live game updates

Cody Lee ∙ Updated January 23, 2018

Since it was introduced in 2010, the iPad has found its way into dozens of professional and enterprise markets. Pilots are using them as flight bag replacements, executives are using them in place of their laptops, and doctors are using them to show patients their X-rays.

And now it looks like it's set to invade little league. The US Little League Baseball Softball organization has announced that it will use the GameChanger iPad app and website to keep stats and stream live game updates for their upcoming World Series events and tournaments...

Microsoft turns Outlook Web App into a native client for iPhone and iPad

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated May 16, 2018

Despite the ongoing iPad-bashing in television commercials, Microsoft over the past month has managed to release brand new Office 365 for iPhone (check out our review) and SkyDrive Pro apps, while revamping and enhancing a cross-platform note-taking software, OneNote.

Today, the Windows giant has added another productivity app to its stable of App Store offerings, the Outlook Web App for iPhone and iPad.

Despite what the name might have you believe, it's a native app. The software offers the same email, calendar and contact functionality you get in Outlook Web App on the browser, "but with additional capabilities that are only possible through native integration of the app with mobile devices," such as notifications, Microsoft argues...

Popular private taxi service Uber updates iPhone app with fare splitting

Christian Zibreg ∙ July 16, 2013

Users of Uber, the popular private taxi service that operates in 35 cities and fourteen countries, can now use the updated version of their iPhone application to easily split fares in-app with their friends. I use taxi pretty regularly and while Uber doesn't operate in my area, our own Jeff Benjamin is ecstatic about the service, having confirmed it works as advertised (at least in the Chicago area). What's best, billing associated with fare splitting in the new Uber version 2.8.6 is now social, too...

Apple patents turns iPad into virtual CAD toolbox

Ed Sutherland ∙ Updated January 26, 2016

Apple Tuesday was granted a patent on a way to return some of the simplicity of traditional drafting and design to the rather complex process of Computer-Aided Design, also known as CAD. Entitled 'Virtual drafting tools,' Apple outlines how a multitouch interface - such as the iPad's - can make more intuitive tasks like drawing a straight line.

To revive the traditional drafting interface, the 2010 patent application approved by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, the multitouch interface uses tools such as rulers and protractors...

Apple releases brand new Logic Pro X with Virtual Drummer, updates MainStage

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated February 9, 2016

Good news for fans of Apple's pro audio software as the company has just announced this morning an update to MainStage 3 and a major new version of Logic Pro with Virtual Drummer and Flex Pitch features, plus an iOS Remote application to go along with it. Apple pulled a Final Cut Pro X here as Logic Pro X appears to be a reboot of the previous version.

The next-generation audio editing for the Mac, according to Apple's global marketing chief, features a set of advanced tools and a modern new interface designed to streamline the process of creating professional quality music. "Musicians are going to love creative new features like Drummer, Flex Pitch, Track Stacks and the Arpeggiator," he was quoted in a press release...

eBay Exact launches on iOS, lets you buy customizable 3D-printed merchandise

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated January 25, 2018

The online auctioning giant eBay on Friday launched a brand new iPhone application called eBay Exact, designed to let customers buy customizable 3D-printed merchandise on the go.

3D printing with eBay (a first for the firm) is as easy as selecting a product, choosing from a variety of materials (including plastics, wood and metals) and designs and using customized engraving to add your own personal flare to create a unique item.

eBay partnered with 3D printing leaders such as France-based Sculpteo, Brooklyn-based Makerbot and Canada-based Hot Pop Factory on a cherry-picked selection of products that include iPhone cases, figurines and jewelry...

Sony’s Music Unlimited iOS client enables offline mode and 320kbps streaming

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated January 24, 2018

Sony back in May promised to update the iOS client supporting its Music Unlimited service with the much-needed offline playback and support for high-quality 320kbps AAC streaming. The refreshed software was originally meant to surface in the App Store shortly, but it got lost in the approval limbo. Sony finally today put out a press release announcing availability of Music Unlimited version 1.3.1 with offline playback, high-quality streaming and more...