Apps

UK banks RBS and NatWest now allow account access via Touch ID fingerprint identification

Christian Zibreg ∙ February 18, 2015

As reported Wednesday by BBC News, two banks in the United Kingdom will soon allow their customers access their bank accounts using Touch ID-based fingerprint identification technology, a UK first.

“RBS and NatWest customers must activate the feature with their security information, but would only need to use Apple's Touch ID thereafter,” reports the BBC.

To protect their customers' sensitive financial information and mitigate risk, the banks have put a number of restrictions in place to augment Apple's existing Touch ID safeguards.

Google Play Music updated with Material Design, iPad support and more

Cody Lee ∙ Updated May 17, 2018

Google today pushed out an update for its Play Music iOS client, bringing the app to the odd version number of 2.0.3828. The update is rather significant in that it brings about proper support for the iPad, as well as new Material Design UI for the iPhone.

In the changelog Google says that it has heard users "loud and clear, and now Google Play Music has an official iPad app." It looks very similar to the redesigned iPhone app, sporting Google's new Material Design aesthetic, but with larger UI elements.

Google quietly removes Sparrow email client from App Store and Mac App Store

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated January 27, 2016

It's the end of the road for the beloved Sparrow email client as Google quietly pulled the free iPhone and Mac download from the App Store and Mac App Store, TechCrunch reported Tuesday.

The Internet giant snapped up the French startup, its apps and technology back in July of 2012, much to the dismay of the Apple community, for a reported $25 million.

Existing users who have downloaded Sparrow to their Mac through the Mac App Store, and have a copy of Sparrow for iOS in desktop iTunes, can continue using the app and should be able to install it on their other devices.

The app's been fully removed from iTunes servers and is no longer available for re-download through the Purchased tab of the App Store and Mac App Store. The Mac edition is still available directly from Sparrow’s own web site.

Word, Excel and PowerPoint for iOS gain iCloud storage integration

Christian Zibreg ∙ February 17, 2015

Windows maker Microsoft today announced it's bringing out new cloud storage integration to Word, Excel and PowerPoint apps for the iPhone and iPad, including the iCloud file picker on iOS and Office Online integration for viewing and editing.

The much appreciated support for Apple's cloud-based storage permits customers to store their documents, presentations and spreadsheets to iCloud and access them on their other iOS and Mac devices.

VLC media player is back in the App Store

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated February 27, 2015

VLC, the popular cross-platform media player which lets you watch AVI videos on your iPhone and iPad without conversion (as well as other non-iOS-friendly media types), is back in the App Store following a long-standing licensing dispute.

In addition to resolving licensing issues, this edition of VLC brings a few noteworthy enhancements to the table which I'll lay out for you after the jump.

UPDATE: following a soft-launch in New Zealand, the app on February 27, 2015, finally went live in the US App Store.

Nintendo working on social ‘Mii’ smartphone app

Cody Lee ∙ February 13, 2015

Nintendo is working on a new smartphone app, the company's President Satoru Iwata told business magazine Nikkei on Thursday. It's in development now, and should be finished around the time Nintendo reports its annual earnings in May.

According to Iwata, the app will feature Miis—the lovable, customizable avatars that represent players used in Nintendo Wii and Nintendo Wii U. Players will be able to customize their Mii characters, and share them on their social networks.

Foursquare gains iOS 8 widget, can now serve recommendations without logging in

Christian Zibreg ∙ February 13, 2015

After adding a widget to its check-in app called Swarm back in December, Foursquare's main iPhone application today finally received a brand new Today widget for iOS 8's Notification Center of its own.

Moreover, the latest 8.7 update added personalized recommendations while logged out, so you don't need to even have an account with Foursquare to receive tips and recommendations about nearby places.

Just open the app to get started.

Nike+ FuelBand app integrated with Apple’s Health, now uses your iPhone to track movement

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated October 14, 2018

It only took, what, five months, but Nike's FuelBand application for the iPhone was finally refreshed Friday, adding much-needed integration with Apple's HealthKit platform. As a result, a dedicated FuelBand accessory is no longer required to track your activity or earn Fuel points, your iPhone now does this.

To reflect this change in direction, the app has been rebranded and is now being marketed as just Nike+ Fuel.

In addition to getting more insight into your activity in iOS 8's Health app, HealthKit integration makes your Fuel points visible in and accessible by other apps.

Apple asks devs to blur out guns and nudity on App Store screenshots and promotional footage

Christian Zibreg ∙ February 13, 2015

Apple is determined to make the App Store a safe playground for children and has begun enforcing its own long-standing which requires that app icons, screenshots and video previews adhere to the 4+ age rating, PocketGamer reports.

Developers who do not censor the App Store marketing material will see their apps rejected from the store. A few devs corroborated Apple's intent to make the App Store family-friendly and inoffensive.

Some of the developers who voiced their concern include Tempo developer Splash Damage, creators of Gang Nations and Bullet Rush and many others.

Fleksy’s Valentine’s Day update brings Hotkey extensions, animated themes and more

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated November 1, 2017

Yesterday, Fleksy announced a major Valentine's Day themed update to its record-smashing software keyboard for the iPhone and iPad.

Fleksy Keboard 5.2, a free update for existing users, brings out a myriad of new features, including animated themes through an Energy Theme Pack, a slew of customizable Extensions, Valentine hearts animations upon each key press, custom phrases or email addresses and much more.

Dr. Panda’s Restaurant 2 is App Store’s new Free App of the Week

Christian Zibreg ∙ February 12, 2015

Part of its ongoing weekly promotion, Apple's App Store editorial team has now chosen a new Free App of the Week, Dr. Panda's Restaurant 2 by TribePlay, giving you an instant saving of three bucks.

Optimized for iOS 8 and designed for ages 6-8, this iPhone and iPad game comes with a notable educational value attached to the download.

The app helps children understand life and the world around them by inviting them to become chefs and make the pizza of their dreams and other dishes while experimenting with various ingredients.

It'll educate kids on the basic steps of making all sorts of different foods and help them familiarize themselves with how different recipes and kitchen tools work.

Who's ready to cook the food of their dreams?

Alto’s Adventure is launching next Thursday and I can’t wait to play it!

Christian Zibreg ∙ February 12, 2015

I don't have a clue about skiing and snowboarding, but that doesn't mean I'm not a sucker for winter games in the App Store. Especially if they're based on an endless running concept, incorporate artistic backdrops, have a somber soundtrack and delight with buttery-smooth execution.

That's why I'm so much looking forward to Alto’s Adventure, an upcoming iPhone and iPad game set against a beautiful, procedurally generated alpine landscape. The game is releasing in the App Store next Thursday, February 19 and it stands poised to become a big hit.