Apps

Square Cash app updated to allow you to send money via Apple Watch

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 18, 2018

Square updated its Square Cash mobile app today, bringing the iOS client to version 2.8. The release brings about full support for the Apple Watch, allowing users to send money to your friends, family or anyone nearby with just a few simple taps.

For those unfamiliar with Square Cash, it's pitched as one of the easiest ways to send and receive money. It's free for consumers and setup only takes a minute to link up a credit or debit card. Plus, all transactions are protected by 128-bit encryption.

SwiftKey rolls out rich Emoji Insights in new update

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated March 19, 2019

Right on cue, makers of the popular SwiftKey software keyboard for iPhones, iPads and iPods today rolled out a new feature designed to provide a valuable insight into which emoji symbols you use the most as your unique writing style and the emoji you use more than other people.

The app will even tell you which US state most reflects your emoji use. Called Emoji Insights, the new typing statistics shows you detailed highlights of your emoji use.

Popular Paper drawing app is ‘coming soon’ to iPhone, FiftyThree announces

Christian Zibreg ∙ August 18, 2015

FiftyThree, makers of the popular iPad drawing app Paper which supports a range of styli, on Tuesday teased a forthcoming Paper refresh that will bring full iPhone compatibility.

Paper for iPhone is “coming soon,” wrote developers on a newly published webpage where you can register your interest and sign up to be notified when the app hits the App Store.

Or, just follow iDownloadBlog as we'll be making sure to keep you in the loop.

Spark email client gains HTML signatures, new swipe actions, aliases and other new features

Christian Zibreg ∙ August 18, 2015

Spark, my new favorite email app by Readdle (good-bye Mailbox!), launched in the App Store nearly 3 months ago.

In my initial review of Spark, I praised its gorgeous user interface, powerful productivity features and integration with popular services but cautioned mobile pros to wait until a future update brings a few commonly used features that didn't make it into the initial release.

Spark 1.1 is here and with it come some much-needed missing features that make the app more powerful and productivity-focused. These include brand new swipe options, support for HTML signatures, email aliases and more.

Time Surfer goes free as Apple’s App of the week

Cody Lee ∙ August 13, 2015

Apple has just named Kumobius' "Time Surfer" its App of the Week for this week. This means that from now through next Thursday, you’ll be able to download the popular endless arcade runner for free on both iPhone and iPad—a solid savings of a buck.

If you've ever played Tiny Wings, Time Surfer will feel somewhat familiar. The basic mechanical gameplay is the same—tap the screen to pull in close and gain speed, release to fly. But make no mistake, everything else is much faster and far more intense.

New Google for iOS update adds always-listening “Ok Google” to in-app browser and more

Christian Zibreg ∙ August 12, 2015

It's been a while since Google last refreshed its native search application for the iPhone, iPod touch and iPad with meaningful new features, but today Google for iOS got bumped to version 7.0 in the App Store.

Most notably, the app now supports the always-on “Ok Google” feature within in-app browser, but not only that—it understands what you're searching for in the context of the webpage you're browsing.

Before today, “Ok Google” was only available on the app's search screen and you weren't able to use it if you navigated away from search results.

Apple Pay competitor CurrentC may not launch until 2016

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 30, 2018

CurrentC, the mobile payments app back by a consortium of major retailers known as MCX, may not launch until 2016, Recode reports. The outlet spoke with MCX CEO Brian Mooney yesterday, and he says that the app may not be ready to go this year like originally planned.

A public pilot of the app will go live in Ohio next month, and Mooney says that MCX won't push for a wider rollout if it's not ready. "This is a long game," he said said. “Certainly going faster is always better — that’s not necessarily a debatable point. But we’re going to do it right."

Apple Store app updated with support for gift cards

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 30, 2018

Apple on Tuesday pushed out an update to its Apple Store app, bringing the mobile client for its online store to version 3.4. The update adds support for making purchases using gift cards.

In the change log, Apple says "you can now make purchases with an Apple Store Gift Card. Use the built-in Camera to scan new Gift Cards, or import existing Gift Cards from the Passbook app.

Plex rolls out completely redesigned iOS app with new features, goes freemium

Christian Zibreg ∙ August 10, 2015

Plex, the popular cross-platform media player and management software, on Monday introduced a thoroughly refreshed mobile application for the iPhone and iPad.

Not only has the app been completely rewritten from the ground up, but features a thoroughly revamped user interface and several new features, improvements and enhancements.

Snapchat’s latest update introduces data-saving Travel mode, emoji improvements and more

Christian Zibreg ∙ August 10, 2015

If you're a Snapchat fan and a frequent traveller who doesn't use the service abroad due to exorbitant international data roaming charges (or are simply on a budget plan), Snapchat has some good news for you.

Their latest update, now live in the App Store, brings an all-new Travel mode designed specifically to reduce mobile data usage when roaming. In addition to Travel mode, Snapchat's iPhone application now lets you see who viewed your Story and puts more emoji characters at your fingertips.

Microsoft Translator hits iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch with support for 50 languages

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated February 4, 2018

If you’re traveling frequently or have a need to translate anything in your daily life, Microsoft is here to help. The software giant's new release, an app called Microsoft Translator, helps you translate words, phrases and sentences directly on your wrist.

Powered by the same technology used by Office, Bing, Skype, Internet Explorer as well as partners such as Twitter, Yelp, eBay, WeChat and many more, the app lets you speak to your Apple Watch and get an instant translation in a total of fifty languages.

Microsoft Translator is also supported on the iPhone, iPod touch and iPad and is available at no charge in the App Store.

3D photo editor Matter goes free as Apple’s App of the Week

Cody Lee ∙ August 6, 2015

Apple has just named Pixite's "Matter" its App of the Week for this week. This means that from now through next Thursday, you’ll be able to download the impressive 3D photo editor for free on both iPhone and iPad—a solid savings of $1.99.

For those unfamiliar with Matter, it allows users to add realistic 3D objects to their photos, and customize them using a variety of effects. Sharing is quick and easy, and the app comes with a number of sample backgrounds for you to play with.