Apps

Dropbox for iOS gains ability to search within Word documents and PowerPoint presentations

Christian Zibreg ∙ August 25, 2014

After introducing document previews and smarter search in its Android client two weeks ago, Dropbox today gave its iOS client a little love.

Bumped to version 3.3, Dropbox for iPhone and iPad has brought out an enhancement to the built-in search feature allowing you to search within Word and PowerPoint documents with "higher fidelity previews".

By the way, those who love to create memes will be pleased to know that Dropbox now syncs larger animated GIFs than before — my life will never be the same again! Other features included in this update are listed right after the jump.

Facebook Messenger update prevents scammers from racking up your phone bill

Jake Smith ∙ Updated April 18, 2018

Facebook has begun rolling out an important update to its Facebook Messenger application on Monday, after it was found the app was susceptible to a security flaw forcing users’ iPhones to place expensive calls automatically - racking up a large bill.

Developer Andrei Neculaesei was first to identify the issue last week, saying scammers use the Uniform Resource Identifier (URI) scheme called ”tel” to trigger a call without a user knowing. Usually clicking on a link containing a phone number will take a user to Safari and then prompt them to confirm the call. However, apps like Facebook Messenger, Google+, Gmail, and FaceTime, make the call without asking the user.

Spotify now lets you save whole albums to Your Music and access more album info

Christian Zibreg ∙ August 25, 2014

Spotify, arguably the most popular subscription-based music streaming service, on Monday refreshed its free iOS client with a few improvements.

In addition to adding Finnish language support that recently appeared in Spotify's Android client, the updated software now makes it possible to save albums to Your Music, from any album page. Moreover, you can now easily check out album release dates and total play time, too.

DotEmu discounts ‘Double Dragon Trilogy’ and other titles to $0.99 in summer sale

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 18, 2018

Great news this afternoon for retro gaming fans. DotEmu has discounted 'Double Dragon Trilogy,' and several other hit iOS titles from its library down to $0.99. That's good for a savings of up to 80%, and all of the games support iPhone and iPad.

There appears to be a total of 7 DotEmu games on sale at the $1 mark, covering a wide range of genres. Double Dragon is perhaps the most recognizable, having seen dozens of releases, across several platforms, since 1987. We have the full list below.

Tempo becomes the first iPhone calendar app with Uber integration

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated October 13, 2018

After adding in Reminders and Waze integration, Mailbox support and other new features to Tempo earlier in the summer, now developers behind the smart iOS calendar application have issued another update making it the first iPhone calendar app that integrates with Uber, the tremendously popular ride-sharing service.

Uber integration is another way Tempo ensures that you’re never late to that crucial meeting.

Unlike the vast majority of alternatives to the stock iOS Calendar app offered in the App Store, Tempo sets itself apart with a built-in smart assistant which anticipates what you need and surfaces that information right in the calendar, when you need it most...

Google Play Music update improves music management, accessibility and more

Christian Zibreg ∙ August 21, 2014

A month and a half ago, the Internet giant Google pushed a nice update which added several useful enhancements to its Play Music for iOS client, including support for gapless playback, playlist downloading and other nice-to-haves.

Today, another Play Music update has dropped. Available free in the App Store, the new 1.3.2.2559 build brings out even more useful stuff like ability to remove cloud tracks on the go, improved playback and accessibility features and more...

Sequel to exquisite stargazing tool Star Walk now available in App Store

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated March 18, 2016

Yours truly used to be an amateur astronomer during his education years. And while I'm saddened because no longer do I have the time to set out to stargazing trips, my love for the stars has never waned.

And who could blame me?

Even nowadays, I'd sneak outside on a clear night whenever I feel like reliving the excitement of spotting breathtaking comets or gazing up at the shimmering Milky Way.

But instead of lugging around astronomy binoculars, compact telescopes and other heavy gear, you can see me exploring the night skies using just my iPhone and specialized astronomy apps such as Night Sky 2 and Star Walk.

The latter, by Vito Technology, is one of the best stargazing apps in business. Used used by over ten million people and the winner of Apple Design Award, Star Walk is beyond doubt among the best astronomy apps in the App Store.

As of today, a sequel to Star Walk, predictably called Star Walk 2, is now available on iOS as a $2.99 download for the iPhone and iPad...

Disney’s iOS-exclusive combat strategy game Star Wars: Commander launches globally

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated February 7, 2018

After soft-launching in Australia nearly two months ago, Disney Interactive on Thursday released its real-time strategy game for iOS, Star Wars: Commander, on a worldwide basis.

Available as a free-to-play download for the iPhone and iPad, Star Wars: Commander lets you play on the side of the Empire or the Rebellion and "lead epic battles with your favorite heroes".

You'll be challenged to invade other players' bases, charge into battle on distant planets, command your troops and lead machines of war like AT-ATs and TIE fighters into battle, while rising through the ranks as a powerful battlefield commander.

The premium game is set in the period of Galactic Civil War when the Rebellion rallied for justice and freedom while the Empire — as is its wont — sought control of the galaxy.

So, where does your allegiance lie?...

New game from Flappy Bird developer ‘Swing Copters’ now available

Cody Lee ∙ August 20, 2014

As promised, 'Swing Copters,' the latest game from Flappy Bird developer Dong Nguyen is now available in the App Store. It's free, with a single $1.29 in-app purchase to remove ads, and it supports both the iPhone and iPad.

The premise of the game is actually quite similar to Flappy Bird—navigate your character through obstacles as you scroll through a level. You're going upward this time, instead of side to side, but you're still furiously tapping...

Beautiful iOS calculator Tydlig goes temporarily free in official Apple Store app

Christian Zibreg ∙ August 20, 2014

Apple is celebrating the life of a college student so they're giving away one education-themed app each week via the official Apple Store client for the iPhone and iPad.

Although some other promo offers are available only to Apple Store visitors, anyone who has downloaded the free shopping app to their device and has a U.S.-based iTunes account can now download Tydlig for free.

Note that these promos are separate from Apple's ongoing Free App of the Week so iOS apps which go temporarily free in the Apple Store app still cost money when accessed regularly in the App Store via their iTunes links.

In the past two weeks, two high-quality apps have gone temporarily via the Apple Store app (not to be confused with the App Store): the gorgeous Rise Alarm Clock and Runtastic Pro, a premium version of the popular fitness tracking software.

If you love calculators, the advanced Tydlig for the iPhone and iPad will be free until next Wednesday, a $2.99 saving.

Here's how you can redeem your free copy of Tydlig...

SoundHound updated, now lets you add songs to Rdio playlists

Christian Zibreg ∙ August 20, 2014

Rdio users, rejoice!

The popular song-matching service, SoundHound, has updated its iOS application with the ability to connect with Rdio and add matched songs to an Rdio playlist.

You can then listen to them instantly in the Rdio app. The free SoundHound mobile client is available in the App Store. But SoundHound seems to be playing a catch-up game to rivals such as Shazam.

As a reminder, Shazam implemented Rdio integration last December. But unlike SoundHound's, Shazam's implementation not only lets you play recognized tracks through Rdio, but also play back full songs without switching apps...

Mailbox for iPhone and iPad gains Drafts

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated January 29, 2018

Less than 24 hours after releasing the first public beta of Mailbox for Mac bringing new snooze options and support for the Drafts folder, the Dropbox-owned startup has updated its Mailbox mobile client with the same capability.

Sitting at version 2.2, Mailbox now predictably allows you to access your work-in-progress messages stored in Drafts across desktop and mobile apps for Mac, iOS and Android...