Google today updated Chrome for iPhone and iPad on App Store with a pair of new features. The first allows you to scan a QR code or barcode by selecting a new Scan QR Code option in the shortcuts menu after pressing the app's Home screen icon with 3D Touch on iPhone 6s/7 series. On older devices without 3D Touch, search for “QR” in iOS's Spotlight feature to reveal a shortcut to the browser's new barcode-scanning function.
Apps
Nintedo’s Fire Emblem Heroes is releasing on iOS and Android today across 30 countries
Nintendo is unleashing its new smartphone game upon App Store, Fire Emblem Heroes for iPhone. The free-to-download strategy role playing game comes with non-compulsory In-App Purchases as its main revenue model, allowing impatient players to buy Orbs for real cash rather than earn them through Story Maps.
“It is possible to play the game for free, but some features require the use of Orbs,” notes Nintendo.
Various booster items along with other upgrades can be bought via the In-App Purchase mechanism as well. It's a staggered rollout so the game should first launch on the US and Canada App Store before expanding to other markets.
How to watch the 2017 Super Bowl on iPhone, iPad, Apple TV and other devices
On Sunday evening, millions of people will gather around their TV sets to watch Super Bowl 51. The Atlanta Falcons are taking on the New England Patriots for the title of NFL Champion, and Kickoff is set for 6:30 (ET).
For those of you who aren't going to be around a television for the big game, never fear, iDB has you covered! We've rounded up the best ways to follow along with the action on your iPhone, iPad, Apple TV and other devices.
Viber rolls out auto-vanishing messages, instant video messages, rich notifications & more
Messaging service Viber today announced it is launching a new Secret Messages feature along with other improvements. Viber 6.6 for iOS now lets you send photos and videos that self-destruct after they've been seen. The app now supports iOS 10's rich notifications letting you press a Viber alert with 3D Touch to see the contents of your chats. You can send media as files and create short video messages, too, in the latest edition of Viber for iPhone.
Google open sources Chrome for iOS
Google today announced it is open-sourcing its Chrome browser for iOS. The code for Chrome for iOS is now part of Google’s Chromium project and being moved into the open-source repository so that interested developers can download it and compile an iOS version of Chromium just like they can on other platforms. For those wondering, Chromium is the open-source web browser project from which Chrome draws its source code.
32-bit apps may no longer work with future iOS versions
A beta of iOS 10.3 that was seeded to developers last week comes with an updated app compatibility warning which cautions users that 32-bit apps may no longer work with future iOS versions, suggesting iOS 11 will likely stop supporting non-64-bit apps. In June 2015, Apple warned developers that all apps and app updates submitted to App Store must include 64-bit support alongside 32-bit code.
When a user launches a 32-bit app, iOS 9 puts up a warning saying using 32-bit software on a 64-bit device may affect system performance. The wording of the prompt has changed in iOS 10.3 beta 1 and now specifically states that 32-bit apps may stop functioning on future iOS editions completely.
The Iconfactory releases minimal drawing app Linea with full Apple Pencil support
Developer The Iconfactory today announced it's releasing Linea, a brand new $9.99 iPad drawing app that's specifically optimized for Apple Pencil users. Why does the world need another iPad drawing app? According to The Iconfactory, Linea focuses on the simple act of sketching.
It's based on a minimal user interface that doesn't inundate you with extensive controls fond in other apps which get in the way when you’re trying to figure out where to start.
How and where to share faster with AirDrop
In the absence of reliable figures from Apple, it is not much more than conjecture to say that AirDrop is likely a feature often neglected by the average iOS user. The gut feeling persists though, simply based on day to day observations, and it is a tenable position to take until proven wrong by Cupertino or another reputable source. The file transfer protocol is indeed handy for the transfer of heavier media files (e.g. videos, photo albums), but often only becomes relevant to us when we for example have upgraded to a new device.
Next to sheer transmission speed however, there are other notable areas where AirDrop has the clear edge when it comes to sharing all kinds of material from your iPhone. The AirDrop icon has now fully permeated the sharing tab in iOS 10’s user interface and that is for a good reason: it is without fail going to be more nimble than iMessage, Mail or other contenders, often actually skipping steps that would throttle the process elsewhere. Such being the case, here are some unique scenarios where AirDrop excels on your iPhone and why you should try to embrace the feature more regularly.
Glitch Cam, Fly Cash, Cool Cousin, and other apps to check out this weekend
It's time for another episode of our popular Apps of the Week post, where we round up our favorite apps and games for you to check out. This week's list includes a camera app with cool glitch effects, an expense tracker that understands simple text input, and a travel app for getting the most out of your vacations.
Infuse updated with support for DVD videos, NFS streaming, Library and folder search & more
The versatile media player Infuse by aTV Flash Black developer Firecore was updated this week with several new features and enhancements, including the ability to play DVD videos saved as VIDEO_TS, .dvdmedia or ISO/IMG archives.
Other new features in Infuse 5.2 for iOS and tvOS include Library and folder search, the ability to stream media from NFS-formatted network shares, sort your media by release date and more.
HBO GO picks up support for Single sign-on and Apple’s new TV app
Apple today put HBO GO on the list of video apps supported in its new TV app via the Single-sign on feature that recently launched in iOS 10 and tvOS 10.
This lets HBO GO users sign in with their cable or satellite credentials on their iPhone, iPad, iPod touch or Apple TV to enjoy instant access to HBO shows, not only in Apple's own TV app but in other supported video apps that their pay TV subscription includes.
Twitter rolling out enhanced Explore tab to iOS users
Twitter on Thursday announced that it has begun rolling out an enhanced Explore tab for its mobile users. The updated feature combines trending topics, Moments, search and live video into a single spot to make it easier for users to see what's happening on the social network.