Apps

AppSwitch, the Ultimate System Utility for Your iPhone

Alex Heath ∙ Updated April 2, 2018

Apple doesn't like for users to be able to see what's "under the hood." OS X and iOS are very design and aesthetically driven. Apparently, Apple feels that "viewing processes" is an archaic feature. There is no real way in iOS to get a bird's eye view of everything that's running on your phone.

There are, however, some of us out there who would like to know things like which processes are running and the current distribution of system memory. Luckily, App Switch, by XCool Apps, is here to remedy our need for total control...

Tumblr iPhone App Updated, Brings Sleek New Dashboard

Alex Heath ∙ November 7, 2010

Tumblr has started making a name for itself as a viable blogging platform. For the longest time, Tumblr was considered the more lightweight and amateur version of established platforms like Wordpress. With over 30,000,000 monthly visitors, the micro-blogging platform has become a force to be reckoned with.

The folks at Tumblr have been making numerous changes to the platform, and now the service offers almost every blogging feature that you could think of. Tumblr takes a non-intrusive, social approach to blogging. The official Tumblr iPhone app was recently updated to support some of the new features of the website...

Over 50% of Developers Prefer iOS, but Android is Closing Fast

Alex Heath ∙ November 6, 2010

A recent study has shown that over 50% of mobile developers prefer the iOS platform. Millennial Media surveyed over 500 mobile developers and advertisers and asked them what their current and future plans were in terms of mobile application development. The survey complied a pie chart of the responses, and iOS is still on top.

Factoring iPhone and iPad, iOS made up 51% of the current development support. Android is currently being supported by less than half of the respondents. However, when asked about their development plans in 2011, mobile developers favored the Google Android platform...

Flash on the iPhone Now Possible as Apple Approves SkyFire

Sébastien Page ∙ Updated January 29, 2016

The wait for a stable way to get Flash on the iPhone is almost over as Apple has quietly approved SkyFire, an app that was submitted about 2 months ago. SkyFire, which will be available on Thursday in the App Store is the first app of its kind to be approved by Apple.

I don't think I have to refresh your memory by explaining that Apple and Adobe's Flash aren't BFFs. Apple has made it pretty clear before they wouldn't not allow Flash on any iOS device. SkyFire goes around these restrictions to allow Flash content to be downloaded to their servers, then "translates" and renders the video into HTML5, which is supported by all iOS devices...

Is Square the Future of Mobile Payments?

Guest Author ∙ Updated April 3, 2018

Last week it was reported that Square, a mobile credit card reader, had opened its doors and was available for download in the app store. Square is the brainchild of Jack Dorsey, who is also co-founder of Twitter.

The app, when used in conjunction with a small card reader that plugs into the auxiliary port, allows anyone to process credit card payments. This takes "mobile payments" to a whole new level as now small businesses and vendors can process payments without the need for a wired or complex point-of-sale system.

All you need is a compatible device (iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, or one of select Android devices), the card reader, and a signal on your device.

So what does this mean for retailers and small businesses? Is it secure to use? And what about the cost? Will this be the new method businesses large and small use? Read more to find out...

Google Adds App Store Search to the iPhone

Alex Heath ∙ October 28, 2010

You can now search the App Store through Google search on the iPhone. Google recently added an "iPhone apps" category to its search options. This new option is available within the official Google Mobile app and the Google web interface on mobile Safari.

Google indexes the App Store to bring you only iPhone apps when you are searching on your iPhone or iPod touch. You are given a list of results with the price, average star rating and a brief description for your viewing pleasure. Nothing too fancy though.

When you click the app you want to go to, Google merely takes you to the iTunes web preview page. And the preview page doesn't even prompt the App Store app to open, which is odd...

How Good the Mac App Store Could Be

Guest Author ∙ Updated February 6, 2016

Now that Apple has announced a desktop version of the App Store, there is much speculation on what we are actually getting. There are already quite a few OS X software marketplaces out there, though none are as polished as the iPhone's App Store.

If Apple is smart, they will likely add the Mac App Store as a way to run universal apps and release an iOS runtime platform for the desktop. Just think about it for a minute.

There isn't much unification between doing tasks on an iPhone and a Mac simultaneously, save for the apps that sync with their desktop counterparts. Here are some predictions I have about benefits of supporting universal apps on Macs.

Concierge, Scout, and iQueue – Apple’s Internal Apps get a Makeover

Alex Heath ∙ October 26, 2010

The Apple Store app has been updated to support location based check-in and reservation services for customers at Apple Stores. These Foursquare-like check-ins will help customers find Apple employees to assist them while their shopping.

Genius Bar reservations can also be confirmed through location based check-ins from customers. The 1.1 update was pushed this morning. This new feature in the Apple Store app will interface with Apple employee's internal apps, like Concierge.

Macstories recently released an exclusive from an inside source that there has been a major revamp to the Apple Store apps that are used internally by Apple employees. Apparently, this Apple Store app update will help make Apple employees more efficient...

App Review: Super Mega Worm

Guest Author ∙ Updated January 24, 2016

A quick look at ‘Super Mega Worm’ may make you think that this was a ported game from the old-school Nintendo. A closer look at Developer’s website (Deceased Pixel), reveals that their whole concept is developing retro games.

With some of the amazing iPhone games coming out these days, I hope you guys aren’t turned off by retro graphics because with ‘Super Mega Worm’ it offers loads of gratuitous bloody fun in old-skool style!

VLC for iPhone Released

Alex Heath ∙ Updated January 24, 2016

VLC media player was just updated as a universal app for iPhone and iPad in the App Store. The popular, open source, cross platform media player has been a favorite on Windows, OS X and Linux for years.

Awhile back, VLC released an iPad app in the App Store, and surprisingly the app was approved. VLC for iPhone allows you to play nearly every kind of video format known to man. The app clearly duplicates (and in my opinion, makes better) the video playback functionality of the the native iPod app. So, it's interesting that Apple has finally approved it.

The developers of the VideoLAN player just got the VLC 1.1.0 update approved, which lets VLC run on the iPhone 4, iPhone 3GS, and recent iPod touch models. I downloaded the app, and I was impressed.

Would You Pay for a Cydia Pro Version?

Guest Author ∙ Updated April 3, 2018

Now that I'm running a jailbroken iDevice again, I find myself browsing the Cydia store once again. With the A4 and more memory, Cydia seems a little bit snappier than my previous generation device, but it's still a slow experience. It seems that no matter how much faster Cydia can get, viewing app descriptions will only be as fast as it takes for the sponsored ads to load.

I'm a little curious how much money the repo sites make from the ads in Cydia. It can't be that much, because I've never clicked one; I've also seen devs commenting on how few people click the ads for their free tweaks. But they're still there, so they must make something, right?

GreenPois0n First Impressions: the 4.1 Bugs

Guest Author ∙ October 21, 2010

As soon as the Mac version of GreenPois0n came out, I went ahead and jailbroke my device. It wasn't the same eye-candy that JailbreakMe was, or even Comex's first jailbreak, but it worked and I didn't have to wait long. Here's a few quick things that I immediately noticed.

LockScreen PIN Delay

After a fresh reboot or a respring, I can no longer dive right in to tap the PIN to access my device. The problem is either a delay or the first tap or two is not recognized. But it definitely slows me down a little bit...