Apps

iOS 10.3 will let apps change their Home screen icon at any time, no update required

Christian Zibreg ∙ January 26, 2017

Tucked away amid a flurry of new reports covering upcoming new features in Apple's operating system updates, like Theater Mode on Apple Watch and Siri in watch apps, Night Shift on Mac and Find My AirPods on iPhone, Apple yesterday quietly announced that developers will soon be allowed to change their app’s Home screen icon programmatically, whenever they like.

In other words, an update is no longer required to push out the new icon artwork.

The seemingly unimportant change opens up a world of new possibilities for interactions with your favorite apps that simply were not possible before.

Google Translate’s augmented reality feature, Word Lens, now works with Japanese

Christian Zibreg ∙ January 26, 2017

In addition to updating the Popular Times feature in Google Maps for iPhone and iPad with real-time data, the search giant also issued another noteworthy update, this one concerning its dedicated Translate app on App Store. Bumped to version 5.5, the free download can now translate photos of signs, menus and similar items from Japanese to English, and vice versa. That's because its augmented reality feature, called Word Lens, has been updated to recognize Japanese content on photos and video.

Google Maps for iOS now lets you see in real time how busy your favorite place is

Christian Zibreg ∙ January 26, 2017

Popular Times is one of the most useful features of Google Maps on the web. Android users have had the privilege of enjoying this feature in the mobile app for quite a few months, and now iPhone and iPad users can see how busy their favorite place is, in real-time, in Google Maps 4.27 for iOS. Aside from this feature, the free download includes the ability to quickly access addresses in the clipboard while searching and bug fixes.

Apple Support app now available in 22 countries and 13 languages

Christian Zibreg ∙ January 26, 2017

Following its November 2016 debut in The Netherlands and subsequent U.S. launch the following month, Apple's dedicated Support app for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch has now expanded to more countries.

As first noted by MacRumors, the free of charge software is now available for download in 22 countries and features support for thirteen languages.

Facebook is about to clone Snapchat again, this time in its mainline mobile app

Christian Zibreg ∙ January 25, 2017

Facebook didn't stop at ripping off Snapchat's Stories feature with auto-vanishing slideshows on Instagram. According to a Wednesday report from Business Insider, the social network is currently testing a similar feature in its mainline mobile app.

A company spokesperson told the publication that Facebook Stories will soon start appearing at the top of the mobile Facebook app, allowing you to tap each circle to see a friend's story.

WhatsApp gains offline message sending, overhauled storage usage screen & more

Christian Zibreg ∙ January 24, 2017

Facebook-owned WhatsApp was refreshed on App Store this morning with a few new features. Bumped to version 2.17.1, the iPhone application now lets you queue up messages while offline to be delivered when the device regains an Internet connection.

WhatsApp's storage management screen has been redesigned and now allows you to selectively delete specific media file types on a per-chat basis.

As promised, Snapchat has gained universal search and updated look

Christian Zibreg ∙ January 24, 2017

As promised recently, Snapchat's mobile application was refreshed on App Store this morning with an updated look and a brand new universal search feature. Snapchat 10.0 for iOS, a free download from App Store, puts a universal search bar at the top of the interface. Other aspects of Snapchat's experience have been refined as well. The refreshed look was available to Android users for some time now as the company said it would reach iPhone users soon, and now it's made good on that promise.

Socratic, Tunity, YEAY, and other apps to check out this weekend

Cody Lee ∙ Updated October 17, 2018

It's the weekend again, and you know what that means! It's time for another edition of our Apps of the Week roundup. This week's episode features some great apps including one that helps you with your homework and one that allows you to stream audio to your iPhone from a nearby muted television. And as always, we've selected two awesome new games for you to check out.

Hulu for iOS gains user profiles for multiple-user accounts, offline viewing in the works

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated March 21, 2017

Hulu for iOS was updated on App Store with personalized profiles for multiple-user accounts following the introduction of single-user profiles in December 2016.

Personalized profiles for multiple users who share a single Hulu account are now available on the web at Hulu.com and in the mobile Hulu app for iOS and other platforms, TechCrunch reported yesterday.

The oft-requested offline viewing feature will arrive “in a few months” as the company is working hard on the technology as well as on securing content rights, Hulu CEO Mike Hopkins told Adweek.

Nintendo announces new ‘Fire Emblem’ game coming to iOS February 2

Cody Lee ∙ January 18, 2017

Nintendo on Wednesday announced that its next game released for mobile will be a new entry from the popular Fire Emblem franchise. It's called Fire Emblem Heroes, and it is slated to launch on iOS and Android on February 2.

Like other FE titles, Heroes is a tactical roleplaying game with upgradeable characters from the series. In this all-new storyline, players are tasked with summoning warriors to fight in epic battles between two warring kingdoms.

How to add music to your iPhone or iPad using WALTR PRO

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated April 15, 2024

Learn how you can use the WALTR PRO app on your Mac or Windows PC to convert and add songs to the Music app on your iPhone or iPad with ease.

Apple updates GarageBand and Logic Pro X with pro-level features, including Touch Bar support

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated July 1, 2017

Apple today updated its GarageBand and Logic Pro X apps with new features designed to support music makers “from enthusiasts to pros.” GarageBand for iOS 2.2 now provides the creative synthesizer Alchemy and has a new browser for easier searching through instruments and patches.

Logic Pro X 10.3 has been refreshed with a modern interface and now includes features for pro audio production and support for Touch Bar shortcuts on the new MacBook Pro.