Apps

Google Hangouts 2.0 is out with iOS 7 redesign, full iPad support, video messaging and more

Google updated the iOS client for its popular messaging platform Hangouts today, bringing the app to version 2.0. The update brings about a number of improvements including full optimization for the iPad and iOS 7 and more.

A few new features have also been added, such as the ability to share animated stickers and record and send video messages up to 10 seconds long. Additionally, you can send a map of your current location to other Hangouts users...

Instapaper update adds AirPlay support, send to Kindle functionality

Instapaper, which has long been the go-to 'read it later' service for iOS users, updated its iPhone and iPad client today, bringing the app to version 5.1.5. The update brings about a number of new features and improvements.

On the features side of things, 5.1.5 adds support for Instapaper's 'Daily' trending story service, as well as a new Send to Amazon Kindle function. And as for improvements, it adds better AirPlay support, back gestures and more...

ABC to live stream the Oscars via its iOS ‘Watch’ app this Sunday

ABC has said that it is going to stream the complete Academy Awards ceremony this Sunday to mobile phones. The network has long offered highlights of the event on mobile, but this is the first time it'll stream the event live.

The feed will be funneled through the 'Watch ABC' app, which means that if you have it installed on an iOS device and meet the requirements, you'll be able to catch the show. Unfortunately, the requirements are pretty stringent...

NBA updates Game Time app with videos of classic games

With football season over and baseball season still a month away, the US sports world has turned its attention to basketball. The regular NBA season is winding down and a lengthy stretch of playoff games is about to begin.

With that in mind, it's nice to see that the League continues to better its Game Time app. Following a big iOS 7 makeover and All-Star weekend refresh, the app has been updated today with videos of classic games and highlights...

Warner Bros. launches new ‘Legends of Chima Online’ Lego game for iOS

Warner Bros. has released a new Lego game for iOS this morning called the 'Legends of Chima Online.' The studio has had staggering success with the Lego franchise—it even has a #1 movie out right now—so honestly, why wouldn't it continue to capitalize on it?

As the name suggests, Legends of Chima is an MMOG (massively multiplayer online game) that has you explore the vast and dangerous world of Chima ruled by animal warriors. You can play co-op or solo, and the game works across iOS, Mac and Windows PCs...

Documents 5 launching tomorrow with Readdle apps integration

Ukrainian developer Readdle has a bunch of fine productivity apps on the App Store. After updating its Calendars app to iOS 7-friendly design in version 5 release, tomorrow will bring another major update as Documents goes iOS 7, too.

This handy file manager, media player, photo album and document viewer for the iPhone and iPad, available as a free download, is about to get a whole lot smarter by integrating with other Readdle apps and "borrowing" their functionality. Read on for the full reveal...

Djay 2 picks up new features, Traktor DJ and Cross DJ go half price

The App Store and Mac App Store are home to plenty of apps for novice and pro DJs alike. Algoriddim's djay 2 (read our review) and Native Instruments' Traktor DJ are among the finest examples of how a tablet can be used to double as a virtual turntable for mixing tracks in real-time.

I've seen a number of DJs hook up their iPad to pro equipment and mix tracks from their iTunes library as if it were second nature. To be perfectly clear, I suck at DJing and have no interest in it.

Those who dig DJing, however, are advised to take a look at the just-updated djay 2 for the iPhone and iPad or take advantage of a time-limited discount on Traktor DJ for the iPhone and iPad. I also mention another notable discount on a similar app, Cross DJ for Mac. Jump past the break for the full reveal...

FCC releases ‘Speed Test’ app for measuring cellular and Wi-Fi data speeds

The FCC (Federal Communications Commission) has just released a new app for iOS devices called FCC Speed Test. As the name suggests, the app is designed to measure data speeds for both cellular and Wi-Fi connections.

The app is part of the FCC's Measuring Broadband America program initiative, which aims to better inform consumers about mobile broadband performance, and it measures download/upload speed, latency and packet loss...

IMDB’s fresh update lets you swipe both ways

IMDb (abbreviated from Internet Movie Database) is my go-to source for information related to films, television programs and video games. The service is reliable and accurate so I can safely rely on their data.

The Amazon-owned company (they bought IMDb outright in 1998 and attached it to Amazon.com as a subsidiary, private company) has a pretty nice iPhone and iPad application, available free in the App Store.

We haven't seen a major update since last December's refresh brought out iOS 7-friendly look, plus a brand new Road to the Oscars section, among other features. Today, IMDb got bumped to version 4.1. This new edition of the software sports a few cosmetic changes, but that's not what captured my imagination.

My interest was piqued by a cool design choice which makes it possible to use both left and right swiping to navigate through the app. Can we have this in all iOS 7 apps, please?

In time for the 2014 season, MLB.com At Bat app receives iOS 7 makeover

In time for the start of the 2014 Major League Baseball (MLB) season, the official MLB.com At Bat app has finally received its long-expected iOS 7-focused redesign. This is a major refresh as the app was last updated in October 2013.

MLB.com At Bat version 7.0, now available free in the App Store, has hit a home run for iOS 7 with a brand new interface (flatter, of course), a new league-wide scoreboard functionality and inline video playback. I've included a few screenshots of the new design and some additional tidbits right below the fold...

Disney launches Movies Anywhere app with free digital download of Pixar’s ‘The Incredibles’

Disney has launched an interesting new iOS app, Movies Anywhere, which offers access to a library of hundreds of movies and exclusive content from the studio, including original programming and never-before-seen videos. It's especially interesting that the iPhone and iPad app, available free in the App Store, allows users to connect their iTunes account to instantly access all their Disney content purchased from the iTunes Store within the app, without the need to go through Apple's stock iOS Videos app or visit the iTunes Store...

Bing iOS app updated with Safari integration, new search features and more

Microsoft has updated its mobile Bing client for iOS today, bringing the app to version 4.4. The update brings about a number of new features and improvements that both current Bing and potential future Bing users might find worth checking out.

Perhaps most interesting of the additions is a new shake-to-discover feature, which allows you to shake your iPhone about to discover random 'Trending' news topics. Microsoft also added the ability to copy URLs and open URLs in mobile Safari...