Apps

Black SMS keeps your iMessages locked away safe and sound

With security and privacy very much at the front of everyone's minds these days, the possibility of having your private SMS messages read is something that will send a shiver down the spine of plenty of people, especially if you are sharing sensitive information.

A new iPhone app plays to those fears, while also providing a workable solution that, as far as we can tell, isn't going to be as annoying as you might first think.

Black SMS is not an iMessage or SMS app replacement, and in fact, it could be used with email or any other encrypted text. What it does do is allow users to type text into the app and then have it encrypted, ready for decryption on the other end...

Who needs NFC when you can pay wirelessly right now using Square?

NFC (near field communications) technology has been a rumored "upcoming" iPhone feature for quite some time now. It was supposed to turn up in last year's model (obviously it didn't). And of course it's expected in this year's release.

What's the big deal? Well NFC is the backbone of many mobile payment systems. And everyone is waiting for Apple to enter that space. But why wait for NFC, when you can pay wirelessly with your iPhone right now using Square?

iPhoto for iOS gains 1 million users since launch

There have been many mixed reviews over Apple's newest app, iPhoto for iOS. The app allows users to make quick edits to their photos and then share them across social networks. Some say they love it, while others say it's too clunky to use.

However, that's not stopping customers from downloading the new app. Apple told The Loop today that the $4.99 app is now being used by 1 million users, since its launch 10 days ago...

Comixology iPad app updated, now displays comics in super high definition

Graphic novel fans who haven't yet picked up a new iPad might have just found a good reason to do so. Comixology, the world's largest digital comics platform, just upgraded its iPad app to support the tablet's high resolution Retina display.

The company specializes in graphic novels and comic books, and offers both as digital downloads through its iOS app. Its library includes popular works from both DC and Marvel, as well as a number of other publishers...

App Activation Audio: launch apps with sound and vibration

To be honest, I have no idea why anyone would want sound effects to trigger every time they launched an app, but I'm sure someone out there has been longing for such a feature.

App Activation Audio is a jailbreak tweak that does just that — it is able to output one of about 20 sound effects every time you open an app.

Check out our video walkthrough of App Activation Audio straight ahead...

Sparrow for iPhone now available on App Store

The long-awaited Sparrow for iPhone has finally begun to make its way onto the iTunes App Store. The $2.99 app is now available on the US store. For those of you unfamiliar, Sparrow for iPhone will for sure be your iPhone mail client of choice.

Sparrow for iPhone features:

Popular game Draw Something already downloaded 20 million times

There always seems to be one game that really stands out on the App Store, like Angry Birds or Stick Wars. However, the game that's all the rage these days is five week old Draw Something. The game has seen phenomenal growth, and it seems like everyone is playing it these days.

The developers behind the app, OMGPop, have released the latest numbers for Draw Something. The game has already been downloaded 20 million times and is generating a whopping six-figures a day in revenue...

iTether returns as an HTML5 app [update]

Late last year, a new application surfaced in the App Store called iTether. The software allowed you to share your iPhone's 3G data connection with your Mac or PC using a USB cable.

But the app wasn't even around for 48 hours before Apple pulled the plug on it. The company likely got pressured into removing it by carriers who didn't like subscribers getting unlimited data tethering for free.

But today, iTether makes its triumphant return...

NCAA March Madness app now available for iOS

It's that time of year again. The top college basketball teams from around the country are about to square off in a grueling two week, 67-game tournament to determine who is the best of the best.

Still trying to figure out how to follow the action when you're away from your TV set? Look no further than the official NCAA March Madness Live application for iOS...

OpenStreetMap admits it’s behind iPhoto for iOS mapping service

Yesterday we reported that Apple's new iPhoto app for iOS is using the company's own internal mapping solution instead of Google's. This was a big deal because Apple has used Google Maps in nearly everything for the last 5 years.

Well it looks like we got it partially right. The maps used in iPhoto's geotagging service isn't Google Maps. But it isn't Apple's either. As it turns out, the data is coming from an open-source mapping company called OpenStreetMap...

New iPhoto app doesn’t use Google Maps

Earlier today, Apple unveiled a new iPhoto application for iOS during its iPad 3 event. The app is essentially a mobile version of its popular photo editing and management software for the Mac.

While we've already outlined most of iPhoto's components, a new discovery has been made regarding one of its features. It appears that the app doesn't use Google Maps for any of its GPS-related tasks...

We’re giving away 5 copies of ‘Reflection’ – the Mac AirPlay Mirroring app

Yep, you heard right. The fine folks behind the Mac's Reflection app were generous enough to provide five of our readers with registration certificates for a full copy of their app.

For those of you who haven't already seen our coverage, Reflection is a Mac app that allows you to mirror your iPad 2 or iPhone 4S to your Mac, just as if it were an Apple TV.

From our hands-on testing we can confidently report that it works really well. Now you have the chance to experience the goodness for yourself.

It's easy to win, just step right in...