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Xbox SmartGlass for iOS

Microsoft's My Xbox Live companion app for iOS has just been updated with new functionality and a new name: Xbox SmartGlass. What does it do? Well, you can now use your iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch as remote controls and keypads for the Xbox 360. This includes dual-screen experiences as well. The app is available now, and is not yet compatible with the new 4-inch Retina display. Xbox SmartGlass for iOS is free.

Read More | Xbox SmartGlass

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Facebook App 4.1 iOS

Facebook, the biggest social site, has now updated their native iOS app. Version 4.1 includes a variety of features, such as the ability to share multiple photos, a new swipe feature to message friends from anywhere within the app, image filteres (similar to Facebook-owned Instagram,) and the gift giving functionality. One feature that has finally been restored is the ability to make albums.

Sadly, for many who updated, it has not been without some setbacks as users, myself included, are encountering sign-in errors and news feeds being blank. Users have voiced their complaints to Facebook and, ironically, taken it to Twitter to make themselves heard. Gear Live advises waiting to update until Facebook submits another version to fix the issues that are currently affecting users. 

Read More | Facebook for iPhone

Google Now for iOS   Google now for iOS (2)

Just like that, Google has updated its Google Search app for iOS with the Google Voice Search functionality that mimics Apple's Siri, first seen on Android devices. For those using iOS, now you have the best of both worlds. The update went live yesterday, and is a universal iOS app update for all iDevices, which also includes the new iPhone 5, iPod touch, and iPad mini. Users must be running at least iOS 4.2 to use the new app. My initial impressions of the Google Now voice feature is that it is quick, fairly accurate, and I like how it composes voice to text in real time. What are you waiting for? Go update and ask Google where to hide the body. 

Click to continue reading Google Search iOS app updated with Siri-like Google Voice Search functionality (video!)

Read More | Google Search app

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Camera+ iPhone 5 and iPad

One of the most popular photo editing apps in the App Store, Camera+, has now been updated to support iOS 6 and iPhone 5, as well as a new version for the iPad. One major new feature is the addition of iCloud Sync for the Lightbox. Go grab the update and if you haven't purchased it we highly recommend it, only 99 cents for all this goodness:


Netflix iPhone 5 iOS 6 update

The most popular streaming service is now iOS 6 and iPhone 5 compliant. Netflix just rolled out its latest video streaming offering, which includes improved browsing and searching. iOS Netflix subscribers go grab the update and say "no" to letterboxing!

Read More | Netflix App

Facebook 5.0 app

Facebook has (finally!) released its updated iOS app that's been rewritten from the ground-up in native iOS dev code. That means that instead of being HTML5 based (and super-slow,) it's now twice as fast. There are other visual tweaks, but they're relatively subdued. You can scroll faster in the News Feed, pictures are a bit larger, there are nicer animations, and Timeline profile pages can now be viewed on the iPad app. All nice, but make no mistake about it, the star here is the fantastic speed of the app. You can download Facebook 5.0 for your iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch now, for free on the App Store.

Read More | Facebook 5.0 for iPhone

Instagram 3.0 photo maps

Instagram 3.0 was released today, and with it comes a host of new features and bug fixes. One of the major additions is the Photo Map, which makes it easy to find images that have been geo-tagged to specific locations. Users will find a new Photo Map section in their profiles that will allow them to see their own images overlayed on a map as well. Other features include infinite scrolling on photo feeds, redesigned profile and upload screens, and other performance improvements. Grab Instagram 3.0 now from the App Store or Google Play for free. Check out a video explaining it all after the break.

Click to continue reading Instagram 3.0 introduces Photo Map feature


Spotify iOS 6The most recent Spotify update has appeared in the App Store with iOS 6 support in tow. Typically, Apple rejects app releases that mention compatibility with beta versions of iOS until they put out to official call. Spotify is what we'd consider a high-profile app, so we thought it was interesting to mention. Aside from iOS 6 support, Spotify 0.5.4 also brings the ability for iPad users to show more channels at once, fixes Facebook login issues, and improves app stability. You can get it now. iOS 6 launches in the fall.


Twitter for iPhone 4.3

Today Twitter for iPhone 4.3 was released on the App Store, a major update to the official Twitter client that brings with it the ability to view enhanced and expended tweets right in the app. Here's a rundown of the features:

  • Expanded Tweets -- when you view Tweet details containing links to partner websites, you can now see content previews, view images, play videos, and more (rolling out gradually)
  • Enhanced experience around selected events with the bets Tweets and photos from those involved
  • Push notifications for Tweets -- choose to receive notifications from people you follow any time they tweet or retweet
  • Ambient notifications -- enables you to see brief non-interruptive notifications in the status bar while you're using the app
  • Improvements to search autocomplete for users
  • Discover -- now indicates when new stories are available for you to view
  • Tappable avatars take you directly to user profiles
  • Performance improvements
  • Support for password entry in app when experiencing authentication issues
  • Support for the Hungarian language
  • Icon (image at right) features the new Twitter bird!

You can download the new Twitter for iPhone and iPad now, completely free.


Tiny Wings 2 teaser

The sequel to one of the most popular iOS games of all time, Tiny Wings, is set to hit the App Store in just six days. Yep--on July 12th, Tiny Wings 2 will be available for download, and to get you hyped, developer Andreas Illiger has put together the homemade teaser trailer that you'll find after the break. Unfortunately, the video doesn't give any hints as to new gameplay mechanics or other features, or even if this will be an update to the existing app, or a new, separate game altogether. Still, we won't have to wait long to get the answer--Tiny Wings 2 arrives in under a week.

Click to continue reading Tiny Wings 2 set to arrive on July 12


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