05/25, 10:52pm
New moderation toolbar, speed for iPad
WordPress developer Automattic has updated its iOS WordPress app to version 3.0 (free), bringing support for push notifications as well as a moderation toolbar for comments activated by swiping over any item. The update is said to "vastly" improve performance, particularly on iPads, and language support for Taiwanese, Hungarian and Polish has been added. The app helps users administer both WordPress.com and their own hosted WP blogs.
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05/25, 6:50pm
Airfoil, AirFloat iOS Airplay receivers pulled from App store
Applications Airfoil Speakers Touchby Macintosh audio software purveyor Rogue Amoeba, and similar application Airfloat by The Famous Software Company have been removed from the app store by Apple program managers. Both applications developers possibly reverse-engineered some aspect of Apple's Airplay technology, or used the illegally-distributed cracked encryption key, both violations of the Apple developer's agreement. Apple has not commented publicly on the matter, and neither developer has been told why the applications were removed.
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05/25, 6:25pm
App discontinued despite high ratings
Yahoo announced today that the company will be discontinuing its personalized digital newspaper app, Livestand, after just six months of availability in the App Store. As detailed in a posting on the Yahoo Corporate Blog, the move is part of a greater push by the web company to refocus its efforts into a mobile-products-first model, with a greater focus on software offerings for tablets, smartphones, and other connected devices.
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05/25, 3:02am
'Game of the Week,' 'Staff Favorites' dropped
Apple has made another subtle change to its iOS App Store, dropping the "Game of the Week" and "Staff Favorites" sections on the main page in favor of "Editor's Choice" and "Free App of the Week." The new designation has kicked off naming Chillingo's new Air Mail game and Autodesk's SketchBook Ink drawing app for the iPad, and Facebook Camera and Extreme Skater getting the nod on the iPhone. Cut the Rope: Experiments is the free app for both.
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05/24, 11:15pm
Microsoft adds Nokia map enhancements to Bing maps
Following last year's Microsoft partnership with Nokia, Bing Maps is the latest product to see a benefit. Starting today, users in 24 countries will be able to view active traffic data in Bing Maps as a result of Nokia services integration. United States traffic coverage will include side street traffic as well as freeway information. Behind the scenes, Nokia's geocoding services are now being used to offer improved turn-by-turn directions.
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05/24, 5:17pm
Utility takes inspiration from Instagram
Facebook has launched its own camera app for the iPhone (free, App Store), complementing the social network's existing iOS utilities. Following on the heels of the company's recent Instagram buyout, Facebook Camera provides a photo editor that can be used to crop shots or apply various filters.
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05/24, 10:10am
Obama order forces agencies to make two public apps each
President Barack Obama has ordered all major federal agencies to make more services available on mobile devices in the next year. The administration wants to increase governmental technology use, with agencies ordered to make services available for public access within 12 months. The news comes at the same time as reports that the US Navy will add LTE capabilities to three of its ships, allowing Android smartphones to be used out at sea.
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05/24, 7:41am
iOS app and browser extension offers image-based search
Update: Axis was temporarily pulled by Yahoo due to a security vulnerability, but has already been updated.
Yahoo has released Axis, which it is calling a 'visual search' application. It has been released as a full mobile browser for iOS and as a cross-platform desktop browser extension that uses page snapshots in live search results instead of text. The iOS app, while having the same tabbed browsing and bookmarking found in Safari, has a user interface focussing on image-heavy search, with cross-device synching possible between iPhone, iPad and the desktop browser extension.
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05/23, 5:22pm
More MS apps expected by end of October
Microsoft is planning on releasing two new native iOS apps using a Metro-style interface by the end of October, an AppleInsider source claims. The first is the Outlook Web App for Exchange 2012 users, also reportedly known as the "OWA Mobile Client for iOS." The app will require both iOS 5 and an Exchange 2012 mailbox, though some offline functions will be supported. Versions for Windows Phone 7.5 and Android 4.0 are planned, but Microsoft documentation is said to list their features as "to be determined," while the iOS app is expected to provide the "best" mobile support.
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05/23, 1:10pm
iPhone interface gets speed, interface overhauls
Google has released a major update of its Search app for iOS, v2.0.0. The iPhone side of the title has been overhauled, gaining "major" speed improvements and a redesigned interface. This includes auto fullscreen, which hides controls when scrolling down, and reveals them again when scrolling up. A special fullscreen mode is used during image search.
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05/22, 9:31pm
Easy install feature coming to Facebook app portal
Facebook's forthcoming App Center portal will feature a "Send to Mobile" option, allowing users to purchase apps on a desktop or tablet and have a notification delivered to their phones. The feature duplicates capabilities already found in Google and Apple's app stores, but uses Facebook's notification system. The Send to Mobile option is expected to be ready in time for the App Center's launch later this year.
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05/22, 8:05pm
INRIX Traffic 4.0 released for iPad, iPhone
INRIX, an app-enabled traffic data collector, has introduced a new version of its iOS app to assist drivers in daily commutes. INRIX Traffic 4.0 features four new features. The new version of the application adds real-time traffic tracking features to the iPhone such as those found in high-end automobiles from Audi, Ford, and Toyota. INRIX Traffic 4.0 can work Google Maps with a $25 in-app purchase to visually show the fastest routes to home and work, analyzes traffic to give drivers recommended departure with accurate travel times, easy sharing of INRIX arrival times to any contact, and personalized traffic alerts. The new version of the app is available now.
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05/22, 4:31pm
Bluetooth 4 added to MetaWatch dev kit for iPhone 4s connectivity
Meta Watch has officially released a new smartwatch development system with Bluetooth 4.0, capable of integrating with both iOS and Android devices. A previous beta was limited to Android only. In iOS, an app pushes basic notifications to the watch for things like calls and messages. Developers have access to an API, though, which will let their own apps push virtually any information.
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05/22, 3:13pm
Reading mixtapes shareable, embeddable
Aggregator and reading service Readability has rolled out a new feature for its platform, one that allows users to share their own reading lists with others in a variety of ways. The new Readlist feature works as a sort of mixtape for reading, bundling content that users save from the web into a package deliverable to Kindles, iPads, and smartphones.
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05/21, 7:26pm
New Zealand and Australia gain Spotify and chart apps
Spotify has expanded its music service to reach customers in Australia and New Zealand. As of today, both Southern Hemisphere countries will be able to use the streaming service, and will have country-specific apps offering curated music playlists. The launch takes place three months after Spotify first arrived in Germany.
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05/21, 7:14pm
Both will be half-off regular price on debut day
Long-time Mac software developer Panic will be launching a major new version of its web-coding tool, now called Coda 2, along with an iPad companion app called Diet Coda on Thursday. The company describes Coda 2 as an "overhaul of every facet" of the editor, while Diet Coda is seen as a portable tool for making quick fixes to code when a developer is on-the-go. Both programs will be sold at half-price on Thursday, May 24 only.
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05/18, 11:40am
appsbar officially launched
Brainshark has announced the launch of an update for its free iPad app, SlideShark, which includes tools for viewing, sharing, and tracking PowerPoint presentations. Version 1.6 introduces a new Presenter Mode that allows users to connect to an external display and simultaneously view slide notes, times, and the current, previous, and next slides. Other new features include faster conversion times, advanced reporting on presentation viewing activity, and enhanced administrative controls.
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05/17, 5:51pm
UK games now being regulated by Video Standards Council
The Video Standards Council has become the UK's sole statutory video-games regulator, administering the PEGI rating system. The changes now mean age checking for the sale of any game rated PEGI 12, 16 or 18 would become enforceable under UK law. Previously, the system was in an advisory capacity and not legally enforceable, with PEGI games rated 15 or higher also being rated by the BBFC for content.
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05/17, 9:25am
Viacom content returning to Time Warner iOS app
Viacom and Time Warner Cable have agreed to drop lawsuits against one another over the latter's TWC TV app for iOS, according to a joint statement. "All of Viacom’s programming will now be available to Time Warner Cable subscribers for in-home viewing via internet protocol-enabled devices such as iPads and Time Warner Cable will continue to carry Viacom’s Country Music Television (CMT) programming," the release reads. "In reaching the settlement agreement, Time Warner Cable and Viacom were also able to resolve other unrelated business matters to their mutual satisfaction. Neither side is conceding its original legal position or will have further comment."
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05/16, 6:57pm
Users can share ideas of things to do
Google has finally brought its Schemer service to the iOS platform as a native app (free, App Store). Schemer for the iPhone, iPad and iPod touch enables users to participate in the activity-recommendation network, which allows users to post things to do and organize activities with other users.
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05/16, 6:30pm
Venstar Wi-Fi key for thermostat allows for cloud-based control
Venstar has outed its Skyport Wi-Fi key for the ColorTouch thermostat. The key connects the thermostat to Skyport Cloud Services, run by the company, allowing users to monitor and adjust the thermostat from a phone or tablet. The key is a $100 upgrade to the $300 thermostat, with iOS, Android, and Blackberry apps free to download.
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05/16, 12:02pm
Offline reading gains Readability
The latest version of Flipboard, 1.9, now includes an Audio category, its developer has announced. The content is available through the Content Guide, and includes clips from NPR and PRI shows, as well as recommendations from SoundCloud. This includes access to lists and followed users, as well as highlighted content. Once audio is playing a person can continue reading other sections of Flipboard without it being interrupted; a menu option lets users control playback.
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05/15, 5:45pm
AirPrint support expanded
A new line of iPhone-controlled RC Cars has been launched by iHelicopters.net. Models include a range of popular Audi and BMW cars such as the Audi Q7, Audi R8, BMW X6, and BMW 5 Series. Each car includes a RF transmitter that connects to an iOS device via the headphone jack and allows users to control the car from up to 20 meters away. The new BMW and Audi models are set at $60 each including free worldwide shipping.
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05/15, 5:40pm
Netgear announces new router and Wi-Fi adatpter using new standards
Netgear has released its first 802.11ac router using the new Wi-Fi specification. The R6300 router, which is said to be capable of combined Wi-Fi speeds of up to 1750Mbps, ships at the same time as announcements for a more budget-conscious R6200 router and the A6200 Wi-Fi dongle, aiming to be the first 802.11ac dual-band USB adapter to market.
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05/15, 2:13pm
Reviewer's test account gives peek behind the scenes
App developers got a brief glimpse into the workings of the review process yesterday when photos emerged of what appeared to be the work desk of an App Store reviewer. As ReadWriteWeb discovered, the photos -- posted on a test Facebook account -- showed an iMac, several Apple products, and what appeared to be app review guidelines.
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05/15, 12:07pm
Macquarie sees new browser wars imminent
Google is likely to launch a version of its Chrome browser for Apple's iOS line of devices in the coming months, according to analysts at Macquarie Capital. Macquarie sees the iOS Chrome launch as the opening salvo in a new round of Browser Wars, the likes of which the Internet hasn't seen since the late 1990s.
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05/14, 12:23pm
Wild Needle team joins Zynga following talent-sized purchase
Social gaming giant Zynga has bought casual games company Wild Needle. The female-oriented startup was bought for an undisclosed amount following the release of its first title Shoptown Hero in March, which was pulled from the App Store two weeks ago.
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05/11, 5:54pm
Original title not available on the iOS store pending rerelease
On Finnish television, Rovio CEO Mikael Hed told presenters that Rovio's next game is titled Amazing Alex. The game will feature educational elements and revolve around the titular Alex, a "curious young boy who loves to build things." No release date has been announced.
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05/11, 2:15am
Pocket gets better features, Android update soon
The iOS version of Read It Later's Pocket app (free in the App Store) has been updated to version 4.1. The update brings a ground-up redesign, including new reading themes, expanded video support, and an improved user interface.
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05/10, 11:33pm
Now free for iOS, web for a limited time
One of the classic computer games, the first-person shooter Wolfenstein 3D, is celebrating its 20th anniversary year with a new browser-based version of the game as well as a promotional giveaway of the iOS version of the original game for a limited time. While the original Castle Wolfenstein first appeared on an Apple II computer in 1981, Wolfenstein 3D (the more familiar version of the game) debuted on DOS in 1992.
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05/10, 6:35pm
First-person shooter sequel now on iOS
Gameloft today released the third installment of the N.O.V.A. series of first-person shooters. Previous installations of the sci-fi shooter series have earned acclaim for the detailed graphics Gameloft manages to coax out of mobile hardware. N.O.V.A. 3 [$7 in the App Store] follows a band of space marines from the Near Orbital Vanguard Alliance in their quest to save their planet from aliens.
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05/10, 2:52pm
Evernote gains enhanced text editing
Rayner Software has launched NetShade 5 for Mac, the latest version of its web anonymizer software. The app works by routing the Internet connection through an intermediary proxy server, which prevents the user's IP address from being sent to visited sites. Version 5 is built on a new server architecture and no longer requires logins or passwords to access the NetShade proxy. Additionally, the proxy manager and user interface have been re-designed. Windows are now collapsable, multiple proxies can be tested in a batch, and proxies can be automatically cycled on a timer. A one-year NetShade subscription is set at $29 for new customers, while existing users can renew their one-year subscription for $19.
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05/10, 3:39am
Apple employees get deals not see by others
In an unusual move, Apple has partnered with regional "daily dining deals" app Pirq (free) on its first appearance in the Silicon Valley area to offer exclusive restaurant deals to Apple employees, AppleInsider reports. The site coordinated with Passport Unlimited, a long-time partner that has offered exclusive discounts to Apple employees in the past, to target the Cupertino-based workers. Discounts can range between 20 and 50 percent.
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05/09, 10:55pm
Siri-like tech at core of XTS iPad application
At the CTIA conference, Cadillac announced an initiative that will teach purchasers about CUE, the new dashboard system in the 2013 Cadillac XTS. A simulated CUE system as well as all the users' manuals for the car will be provided on a pre-loaded iPad.
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05/09, 4:57pm
Expensify expands itinerary tools
MoboTap has launched updates for both the iPad and iPhone versions of its mobile Dolphin Browser. The iPad version has gained Retina graphics, as well as a new Browsing History feature that allows users to see past sites and searches displayed as suggestions while searching in the URL bar. Meanwhile, the iPhone version has gained a Tab Restore feature that will restore previously opened tabs if Dolphin is shut down while running in the background. The update will also now remember the last used keyboard layout, and includes various stability and performance enhancements.
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05/09, 3:35pm
123D Make Intro turns 3D models into 2D build plans
Autodesk has released 123D Catch, a new app for the iPad. The software is used to turn 2D photos into 3D models; in reality, a person uploads photos taken or stored on an iPad to the Autodesk Cloud, where the actual conversion happens. Up to 40 photos can be uploaded, and push notifications tell users when a render is finished.
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05/08, 11:44pm
All functions on one screen, keeps history in the cloud
Telefonica, the Spanish parent company of Britain's O2 cell network, has launched its first iPhone app as a direct competitor to programs like Skype. The new app, TuMe (free), combines free text chat, voice calls and picture and location sharing between users of the TuMe app, all in one program rather than having to switch between the Phone and iMessage applications. An Android version is planned for later in the year.
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05/08, 4:59pm
Card payment system goes up against Square
PayAnywhere has declared that it will start shipping its own credit card reader later this month. Backed by North American Bancard, the mobile payment system will attempt to compete against other recent launches with a "free" card reader, and no monthly fee.
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05/08, 1:35am
Restricted content still viewable in iPad Safari
Developer and photo gallery hosting company 500px released a controversial upgrade to its iPad gallery software earlier today. A toggle for blocking all "not safe for work" (NSFW) content has been excised in favor of a blanket ban on such content on the app. The removal of the filter and content restriction was done solely by 500px staff and not by Apple interference.
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05/08, 1:18am
Carrier pushes digital home interactions
AT&T at Mobile World Congress announced its home automation system, known as Digital Life, however the company has finally revealed additional details at CTIA's New Orleans expo. Electronista checked out the new system, which was demonstrated at a 19th-century mansion in the city's affluent Garden District.
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05/08, 12:23am
Genie makes printers AirPrint compatible
Networking accessory maker Netgear is now offering a free app called Genie that allows USB printers on the users' home network to used as an AirPrint printer, making it possible for them to print wirelessly from iOS and Android devices. The mobile app works with a variety of Netgear routers, and a companion home program provides users with other home-networking utilities such as diagnosing and fixing network issues and more.
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05/07, 8:15pm
Angry Birds creator may get $9 billion valuation
Rovio Entertainment, fresh off of announcing phenomenal sales for the latest installment of its Angry Birds series, is reportedly looking to go public. The Finnish video game developer is in the process of preparing for an initial public offering in 2013, Reuters reports. Analysts peg the value of the company at up to $9 billion.
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05/04, 10:55am
Company violated OSM rules in original iPhoto release
Apple rectified missing credit to the OpenStreetMap Foundation with its most recent update of iPhoto for iOS, reports say. When the app was originally released in March, Apple left out attribution, despite it being a necessary condition of using OSM mapping data. The Foundation highlighted the problem in same blog post it used to point out Apple's adoption of OSM data.
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05/03, 10:23pm
PDF viewer, multiple accounts now included
GoDocs, an iOS utility for working with Google Docs online, has expanded significantly in new version 3.0, available now on the App Store ($5). The new version adds a pro-level PDF viewer that supports even large PDF documents, PDF links and searching, as well as new folder-level document management and an ability to switch between accounts with a passcode lock. Push notifications for document changes has also now been incorporated.
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05/03, 2:36pm
Cisco Connect Express released
Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment and TT Games have announced the launch of LEGO Harry Potter: Years 5-7 for iOS devices. The game takes players through the finale of the Harry Potter story and features a special interface that has players use touch gestures to cast spells, change characters, and duel. Additionally, the game includes Dueling Club expansion that allows players to to master advanced dueling skills against a host of famous witches and wizards including Professor Snape, and Lord Voldemort. LEGO Harry Potter: Years 5-7 App is available in the App Store for $5.
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05/03, 2:00pm
eBay app gets redesigned interface, requested features
eBay has released an overhauled iPad app, bringing it to v2.0.0. The app now supports the Retina display on the third-generation iPad, but also has a new interface, for instance featuring a customizable homescreen. Several user-requested features have been added, such as better search, a Back button, and the ability to revise listings.
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05/02, 11:00pm
Reverses course, now says message was 'in error'
Update: Electronic Arts has now issued a statement saying that "Rock Band for iOS will remain live -- the in-app message users received yesterday were sent in error. We apologize for the confusion this caused," and added that it will share additional information "as soon as possible." EA had in fact put up a notice on its website that it was suspending support of Rock Band as of May 31st, and users received a message that the game would no longer be playable (see picture, below). The company has offered no explanation for how both errors occurred, but now says the game will remain playable, at least in single-player mode.
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05/02, 6:00pm
SalesVu updated to 2.0 includes receipt printing
SalesVu has updated its mobile payment application for iPhone and iPad to version 2.0, enabling additional retail-related functionality. Employee shift management, barcode scanning, and receipt printing have been added, along with a simplified end-of-day process. Food service users can split checks and relay orders to the kitchen through the app. SalesVu made the updates while facing competition from competing payment system Square, which is reportedly aiming for a $4 billion valuation.
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05/02, 4:22pm
Interface changes smooth out regular tasks
Avid has released an important update to the iPad version of Studio. The app handles basic- to mid-level video editing tasks. Version 1.1 lets users record voiceovers directly to the timeline, and adds 14 new transitions, plus a variety of interface enhancements. New swiping gestures, for example, can be used to advance frame-by-frame or 10-by-10, and enter mark-in and mark-out points.
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05/02, 1:45pm
Also adds improved logins, international keyboard support
Parallels has released a new version of Parallels Mobile, the iOS companion app to Parallels Desktop. The v3.1.530 update makes several important changes, first of all making the app "fully compatible" with iOS 5, and also optimized for the Retina display on the third-generation iPad. The full effect requires a Mac and/or virtual machine to be running at a resolution over 1024x768.
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