Apps

Mockups show what apps would look like on 7.85-inch iPad

Cody Lee ∙ July 10, 2012

After a series of reports from Bloomberg and The Wall Street Journal, the "iPad Mini" has once again become the hotest topic in the tech world. It seems like everyone is getting in on the speculation regarding how, when, and why Apple would release such a device.

Up to this point, one of the most popular arguments against the smaller iPad has been that a 7.85-inch display would render most current apps unusable. So either developers would have to completely redesign their apps, or users would be forced to deal with tiny UI elements.

This theory has already been disproven by a number of pundits, via math and other reasoning. But we've come across some mockups that really drive the point across, demonstrating what apps would look and feel like on the smaller screen...

Leak reveals major Twitter for iPhone update coming

Cody Lee ∙ July 9, 2012

Twitter's iOS apps have received a lot of criticism over the past year — particularly the iPhone app. Its lack of power features, and controversial redesign late last year, has driven millions of users to opt for third-party clients.

But according to a recently-leaked change log, Twitter's iPhone app is about to receive a major update. Twitter 4.3, which should hit the App Store in the next few days, will feature new in-app push notifications and several other enhancements...

Pandora app updated with refreshed UI and reduced battery usage

Cody Lee ∙ July 7, 2012

Pandora has released a major update for its iOS application this weekend, bringing it to version 3.2. The new app includes a refreshed UI, and several other welcomed ehancements.

Among the new features is a modification to the app's architecture, which, Pandora claims, greatly reduces the amount of battery life it uses. Keep reading for the full change log...

Upcoming Checkmark organizer app has our attention with timed geo-reminders

Christian Zibreg ∙ July 6, 2012

I know what you're thinking, yet another organizer app. Bear with me for a second, this is taking the concept of geofencing to a whole new level. Checkmark for iPhone focuses on geo-enabled reminders, it's got a remarkably efficient interface and works on devices that Apple's stock Reminders app doesn't support, such as older iPads and iPhones. That's all fine and dandy, but you'll be really sold on one standout feature...

Apple working to resolve App Store updating bug

Cody Lee ∙ July 5, 2012

As we mentioned earlier today, the App Store was recently struck with a programming glitch, causing a number of Mac and iOS apps to crash upon update.

The issue has been causing a lot of problems for app developers, who have been receiving 1 star reviews and non-stop support requests over the last 24 hours.

This afternoon, Apple officially acknowledged the bug...

Malicious spam app discovered in the App Store [updated]

Cody Lee ∙ July 5, 2012

Apple has had a fairly spotless record thus far regarding iOS security. There hasn't been a single [serious] breach, or malware outbreak — aside from what jailbreak hackers have uncovered, of course.

But it looks like the perfect streak has finally come to an end. A Russian security firm announced this morning that it has discovered a malicious spam [aka a Trojan] application in the App Store...

Corrupt binaries in App Store causing crashes for some

Christian Zibreg ∙ July 5, 2012

Something went amiss in Apple's application stores for iPhone and Mac apps, causing newly updated apps to crash. Users are reporting that a number of popular apps quit immediately upon loading, though this issue only seems to affect freshly updated software.

Newly updated versions of Instapaper, Readdle Scanner Pro and Angry Birds Space HD Free have all been accused of crashing upon being updated to the latest version.

Instapaper developer Marco Arment pinpoints the issue over at his blog to a likely server bug with the App Store’s content distribution network. Apple has yet to acknowledge the problem or issue a statement...

Former Apple employee sheds light on app review process

Cody Lee ∙ July 4, 2012

Apple's app review team takes a lot of heat from the iOS community. Their decisions on which apps are let into the App Store, and which ones get rejected, are often criticized for being either too strict or too lenient.

One reason why there's so much grievance is that fact that people don't quite understand the process or what it's like to be an app reviewer. So a former Apple employee decided to clear things up...

Popular Google Analytics client Analytiks receives major makeover

Cody Lee ∙ Updated January 22, 2018

If you own or operate a website, chances are you have, or have had, a Google Analytics account. The service allows you to monitor your site's traffic, and gives you all kinds of data regarding your readership.

For those of you who fall in that category, and are in the market for a new Analytics client, you might want to check out Analytiks. The popular app just received a major makeover to bring it to version 2.0...

Lumicon, word building madness on your iPhone

Jim Gresham ∙ Updated January 22, 2018

There are many a word game on the App Store and all of them offer a slightly varied experience, but Lumicon has separated itself from the pack with tense, fast paced gameplay and stunningly attractive graphics.

May I repeat: yes, it is a word game and yes, it is visually stunning. The newly released puzzler is sure to make a great addition to your already cluttered Home screen...

Google re-brands Places app as Google+ Local, adds features

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated February 5, 2018

Google's been streamlining their confusing set of web services and mobile apps since Larry Page took over the reigns as CEO from Eric Schmidt last year. As part of this simplification of Google, the company just updated its Places app for iOS. It's now re-christened as Google+ Local and comes with a few new interesting features, including voice search and Zagat reviews...

Food & Drink section coming to App Store on July 8

Christian Zibreg ∙ July 2, 2012

According to several iOS developers who've received an official word from Apple, the App Store will soon add a new section dedicated to apps related to food and drink. The change takes effect this coming Sunday, July 8, and will affect all existing apps that are food- or drink-related, including apps that manage recipes or help find restaurants....