Apps

WhatsApp updated with a slew of new features

Christian Zibreg ∙ September 8, 2014

Facebook-owned WhatsApp this morning received a substantial update, bringing out a slew of new features to the popular messaging and soon-to-be VoIP platform.

Available as a free download for the iPhone, the new WhatsApp version 2.11.9 now makes it a lot easier to capture and send photos with a new fast camera access button in the interface.

Moreover, the refreshed software lets you archive chats and groups, add captions to media and share iPhone 5s-only Slow-Mo videos at 120 frames per second while introducing new location-sharing features, wallpapers, notification tones, media auto-download preferences in settings and more.

Twitter testing upcoming Buy button

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated February 28, 2018

Twitter, the popular micro-blogging service, on Monday said it started testing a new Buy button with a small percentage of its users in the United States.

The company said the feature, which allows users to buy products directly from the tweet, is part of a broader effort to make shopping from mobile devices “convenient and easy, hopefully even fun”.

Launch partners include Fancy, Gumroad, Musictoday, Stripe and many more. Users will get access to offers and merchandise “they can’t get anywhere else,” with the ability to buy stuff directly in Twitter's mobile apps for iOS and Android.

Apple Store app offering ‘iMaschine’ free for a limited time

Cody Lee ∙ Updated March 1, 2018

Folks looking to kill some downtime this weekend should head on over to the Apple Store app. Apple is always offering up free iOS content in its digital storefront, and its latest benefaction is the popular beat-making app 'iMaschine.'

iMaschine promises to put "professional groove production in the palm of your hand." It features 16 pads with over 400 samples, a melody keyboard, and a voice recorder for vocals. You can even sample sounds directly from iTunes.

IGN names ‘Hitman Go’ its Free Game of the Month

Cody Lee ∙ Updated March 1, 2018

Heads up gamers, IGN has named Square Enix's ‘Hitman Go′ its Free Game of the Month for September. We named the game one of our ‘Apps of the Week’ for the iPhone and iPad back in April, and it normally retails for $4.99.

For those unfamiliar with the title, Hitman Go is a turn-based strategy game based on the hit console franchise. Players must navigate fixed spaces on a beautiful diorama-style grid to avoid enemies and complete their missions.

Apple-owned TestFlight surfaces in App Store as native app ahead of iOS 8 launch

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated January 27, 2016

TestFlight, a service allowing developers to beta test mobile apps on the fly, is now available as a native iPhone and iPad application in the App Store.

Apple snapped up Burstly, the company behind TestFlight, back in February to help its registered developers distribute their iPhone and iPad apps to beta testers before pushing them to the App Store for release.

TestFlight is available free of charge and requires iOS 8.0 or later.

Sony’s side-scrolling CounterSpy stealth game now available on iOS

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated January 30, 2018

After releasing on the PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4 and PlayStation Vita last month, Sony's CounterSpy is now available on Apple's iOS platform.

Developed by Dynamighty and published on the App Store by Sony Computer Entertainment America as a premium $4.99 download, CounterSpy is set in an alternate history Cold War era and puts you in the shoes of a budding agent for C.O.U.N.T.E.R.

Your goal in this action stealth side-scrolling game: stop a crazed superpower from unleashing a devastating nuclear missile attack unto the entire world.

‘The Photo Cookbook’ goes free as Apple’s App of the Week

Cody Lee ∙ September 4, 2014

Apple has named 'The Photo Cookbook - Quick & Easy' its App of the Week for this week. This means that from now through next Thursday, you’ll be able to pick up the popular app for both iPhone and iPad for free—a great savings of $4.

Showcased by Apple in one of its iPad TV ads, The Photo Cookbook shows you how to prepare for and cook various meals with hi-res photos. Each tutorial is made up of short, straightforward steps, and includes a shot of the finished dish.

Apple Store app updated: now universal, with revamped icon and new shopping features

Christian Zibreg ∙ September 4, 2014

Apple has just updated its official Apple Store shopping application for iOS, now at last provided as a universal binary with a brand new Home screen icon and a few new fancy features to go with it, starting with an all-new design on the iPhone and iPod touch that takes cues from the iPad edition with a much simplified navigation and excellent use of high-resolution product imagery.

Another new feature allows you to start shopping on one device and finish on another, or even on your Mac or Windows PC, because the application now remembers the state of your shopping cart across platforms.

Tempo for iPad is here

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated March 1, 2018

Tempo Smart Calendar, another worthwhile alternative to Apple's stock iOS Calendar that last week became the first iOS app with Uber integration, is now available with native iPad interface which takes full advantage of the tablet's larger canvas.

The iPad interface has been added to the existing Tempo for iPhone app, now a universal download in the App Store.

Other new features in this edition of Tempo include the new Week, Month and Agenda views that look business on the iPad, localization in French, German, Italian, Portuguese and Spanish, as well as wider availability in more countries.

Microsoft adds group audio calling with up to four participants to Skype for iPhone

Christian Zibreg ∙ September 4, 2014

Skype, a Microsoft-owned Voice over IP (VoIP) provider, on Thursday added another missing feature to its iPhone client after a major visual overhaul of the app in June removed a few popular capabilities.

Specifically, the new Skype 5.4 enables group audio calling with up to four participants. You can also add or remove people to an existing call and disabled users should appreciate a few improvements to the app's accessibility.

The refreshed application is now available in the App Store for free.

Much-improved Rdio launches with new look and features, free version coming to 20 countries

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated January 30, 2018

Rdio, the popular Internet radio service, on Thursday launched a major redesign of its mobile app which now aims to compete with the likes of Spotify and rival Pandora by bringing its ad-supported free Stations to 20 countries.

The new look includes your personalized Home featuring an evolving mix of music stories based on your listening history and tastes, a new Browse section which now features both genre and curated Stations, a Trending feature showing what's popular right now, the ability to favorite just about anything, from albums to artists to songs to stations, and much more.

Rdio is free in the App Store.

Rovio releases Angry Birds Stella

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated January 30, 2018

Rovio, the Finnish games maker which made a name for itself with the Angry Birds physics-based puzzler series, on Thursday released a brand new game set in the Angry Birds universe.

Called Angry Birds Stella and available as a freemium download in the App Store, it puts you in the shoes of the lead character Stella who joins five of her bird friends on a quest to protect Golden Island from the piggies and the greedy Bad Princess.

There are more than 120 playable levels in this initial release of Angry Birds Stella, with more to come by way of future content updates. Jump past the fold for the full reveal.