Apple picker Gmail introduced a new Inbox, Deezer will also offer spoken word, Spotify is more family-friendly, RapidWeaver received a major update, Facebook came up with the new Rooms app, and the developers behind the popular Hipstamatic app will delight fans of portrait photography. Read that and much more in the next issue of the regular Application Week.
News from the world of applications
Spotify introduced a family subscription model (October 20)
The already mentioned Spotify came with a new family subscription option. His main or single, domain is a discounted monthly subscription price for family members who want to have their own user account but a single payment plan.
Subscriptions start at $14 for two people and go up to $99 for three, $19 for four, and $99 for a family of five.
Meanwhile, a standard monthly subscription currently costs $9. The Spotify Family subscription should be available in the coming weeks.
Source: iMore.com
Gmail's Inbox tries to reinvent email (October 22)
inbox is a new service for Google Gmail that focuses on exactly what its name suggests - the inbox, i.e. the inbox of delivered emails. It approaches it much more intelligently than the current Gmail web interface and app.
The first new capability is the grouping of emails according to their content – advertisements, shopping, travel. The user will immediately recognize the type of email before opening it or reading the subject, you can also add your own categories. Inbox also displays certain information contained in emails directly in the inbox. Images, information about shipments, reservations, etc. are clearly displayed in previews and therefore always quickly at hand.
Created reminders are grouped in the upper part of the mailbox, which, like emails, can be postponed for a specific time or linked to arrival at a specific place.
Inbox is currently only accessible by invitation, but it is easy to request by sending an email to inbox@google.com.
Source: CultOfMac
Deezer buys Stitcher and thus expands its offer with spoken word (24/10)
Deezer is a music streaming service, whereas Stitcher deals in podcasts and radio shows. It offers over 25 of these (including programs from NPR, BBC, Fox News, etc.) and allows users to create their own playlists, discover new programs, etc.
Deezer bought Stitcher for tactical reasons, and although the service will continue to operate independently, it will also be part of Deezer. There it will be found under the simple name "Talk". With this step, Deezer is probably preparing to enter the American market, which is currently dominated by the Swedish Spotify.
Source: iMore.com
New applications
Rooms, or discussion forum according to Facebook
The most interesting thing about Rooms is that it has nothing to do with Facebook from the user's point of view. In Rooms, you won't find your Facebook profile, your wall, or your friends or favorite pages.
Each room is a small, unconnected interest forum whose intended purpose is to discuss one area of interest (eg 70s telegraph poles). Each room has a different appearance chosen by its creator, in each room the user can/must create a different identity. Moderators can be determined, age restrictions can be set, discussion rules can be set, and debaters who violate the rules can be banned.
Rooms' biggest advantage over existing discussion forums (led by Reddit) is their focus on mobile devices. Most other forum access apps are for consumption rather than creation of new content - Rooms is very user-friendly in this regard. It's easy to create and set up new rooms, join existing discussions (see below), share text, images and video. The disadvantage is a certain lack of transparency due to the difference from classic discussion forums. There is no main page or voting system for the most popular discussions. There is also no way to explore rooms yet.
You can only get into the room with an invitation – it is in the form of a QR code, which can be found potentially anywhere, either in printed form for taking a photo, or in the form of an image, which, when saved on the phone, tells the application that you have access to the given room.
Unfortunately, the Rooms application is not yet available in the Czech App Store. Hopefully, however, it will get into it soon and we will be able to use the application in our country as well.
RETRY by Rovia now available worldwide
Retry was developed by Rovio, the creator of Angry Birds, and launched in Canada, Finland and Poland in May. It is now accessible to players all over the world.
The basic principle is inspired by the famous Flappy Bird. The player controls the climb of the plane by touch while avoiding obstacles. All this takes place in a graphically (and sonically) very "retro" environment. However, the aircraft is capable of more complex movements than just climbing/falling, and the game also requires it, as the game environment is rich in different types of obstacles. Retry also includes a system of checkpoints, but due to their limited number, they require strategizing on the part of the player. Gradually, new worlds-challenges open up.
Retry game is available for free with payments within the App Store app.
Hipstamatic's TinType helps you with portraits
TinType is another attempt at an original concept of photo editing, i.e. adding filters, on iOS devices. At the same time, he focuses in particular on portraits, which he can transform into the form they should have been preserved for decades. In terms of usage, TinType is very similar to Instagram. The first step is to take or select a photo, then crop it, choose a style (degree of “aging” and color/black and white), frame, expressiveness of eyes and depth of field, and then just share.
Editing is non-destructive (the photo can be returned to its original form at any time) and can be done directly from the Photos application, because TinType supports "Extensions" in iOS 8.
The disadvantages are the inability to zoom or change the focus and exposure in the application's camera. Although TinType recognizes faces, it only finds eyes on faces looking directly into the lens, and only on people.
TinType is available in the App Store for 0,89 €.
NHL 2K has arrived on the App Store
The new NHL from the developers of 2K was announced in September with promises of better graphics, three-on-three minigames, online multiplayer, and an expanded career mode as well. It contains the so-called My Career, which allows you to focus on one hockey player and take him through several seasons and climb the success charts. Now NHL 2K has appeared in the App Store with just these news, adding NBA 2K15 listed last week.
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NHL 2K is available in the AppStore at final price 6,99 €.
Agents of Storm is now available for download in the App Store
As promised last month, developers from Remedy studio, best known for their PC and console games like Max Payne and Alan Wake, have released their first indie mobile game. Its name is Agents of Storm and the game is already available in a universal version for iPhone and iPad.
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Agents of Storm is a free-to-play game in which the player has his base with military units at his disposal. His task in each level is to defend his own base and conquer his friend's base with his troops. Thanks to the social elements of the game, it is possible to use the help of your friends in various ways and strive to have the largest and best base possible for the player.
[app url=https://itunes.apple.com/cz/app/agents-of-storm/id767369939?mt=8]
Important update
RapidWeaver 6 brings new tools and themes
Developers from Realmac Software have come out with the new RapidWeaver 6, releasing a new major version of their website design software. After updating, RapidWeaver requires OS X Mavericks 19.9.4 and later and is completely ready for the new OS X Yosemite. A number of new features have been added, including support for 64-bit architecture, site-wide code, etc.
In addition to the new functions, the developers have also incorporated a set of five new themes into the application, from which it is possible to choose. All new themes are responsive and the user can easily preview the page as it will look on devices like iPhone and iPad. In addition, when starting new projects, the creator has the opportunity to be inspired by five sample websites that are based on new topics. Also new is the add-ons manager, which will allow easy navigation between them and also enable the search for new add-ons. A pleasant novelty is the support for the "fullscreen" mode.
The application in version 6.0 also allows writing site-wide code applying new and modified coding HTML, CSS, Javascript and many others. A great feature is the new "Versions" feature, which allows you to browse previous versions of a given project. The publishing engine was then completely rewritten, which now also offers a smarter possibility of mass uploading to FTP, FTPS and SFTP servers.
RapidWeaver 6 is available in full version for $89,99 on the developer's website. The upgrade costs $39,99 for owners of any previous version of the software, including those from the Mac App Store. However, RapidWeaver also offers a free trial version, which has no time limit, but the user can use it for a maximum of 3 pages within one project. RapidWeaver 6 has not yet entered the Mac App Store and has not yet been submitted to Apple for approval. However, the developers plan to distribute their software through the official Apple store in the future.
Dropbox now natively supports the larger displays of the new iPhones as well as Touch ID
The official client of the popular Dropbox cloud service has received an update that brings two important news. The first of them is Touch ID support, which will allow the user to lock all their data and thus hide it from all unauthorized persons. To achieve them, it is necessary to place the user's finger on the Touch ID sensor and thus have the fingerprint verified.
The second no less beneficial innovation is native support for larger iPhone 6 and 6 Plus displays. The application thus takes full advantage of the larger display area and shows the user more folders and files. Version 3.5 also includes a correction for the display of RTF files on iOS 8 and minor bug fixes guaranteeing an improvement in the overall stability of the application.
Hangouts brings support for iPhone 6 and 6 Plus
The update of the Hangouts communication application from Google is also worth a brief mention. Hangouts, which offers text messages as well as video calls and video conferences, has also gained native support for the larger screens of the new iPhones.
Google Docs, Sheets, Slides comes with a new Inbox section
Google has also updated all 3 applications included in its office suite (Docs, Sheets and Presentations) and enriched them with a new section Incoming ("Incoming"). It will show you in a clear list all the files that other users have shared with you, making it easier for you to find your way around them.
In addition, the Docs application has received support for formatting headings, better use of keyboard shortcuts when using wireless keyboards, and improved copy and paste functionality between Docs and Slides.
Google Play Music
Another Google application - Google Play Music - also underwent a major update. It has undergone a redesign and comes with a new Material Design modeled after the new Android 5.0 Lollipop. However, it's not just visual changes that Google is coming up with. Another novelty is the integration of the Songza service, which was purchased by Google this year, and whose ability is to compile playlists based on the user's mood and activity.
Now, when paying users turn on their app, they'll be asked if they want to play music for a specific time of day, mood, or activity. Users can also use the Songza service integration in the "Listen Now" section of the iPhone application.
However, Songza integration only applies to paying users in the US and Canada, unfortunately. They can use the service on iOS, Android and on the web. Over time, however, the improved "Listen Now" section should reach all 45 countries where the Google Play Music service is available.
wine
The client of the popular social network Vine from Twitter has also received an update to version 3.0. This application, which allows you to record and view short user videos, comes with an optimized user interface for the larger diagonals of the "six" iPhones. However, Vine does not end with mere enlargement and comes with other innovations.
Vine will also offer a new sharing extension that lets you easily send video from any app or camera directly to Vine. The application was then enriched with another brand new function, which is the possibility of watching different channels. So you can regularly receive videos from selected sections such as Animals, Entertainment, Food and News on your main page.
Final Fantasy V
First released on the Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES) in 1992, Final Fantasy V is undoubtedly one of the most popular RPGs of all time. And thanks to Square Enix, behind the iOS port of the game, it's now better than ever on iPhone and iPad.
Following on from the new Continuity feature that Apple made iOS 8 and OS X Yosemite work so much easier, Final Fantasy V comes with a similar gadget that uses iCloud to save game progress. So now it is possible, and very simple, to play the game at home on the iPad and continue it on the iPhone on the way to school or work.
But the new support for MFi controllers is also a very welcome novelty, among which the Logitech PowerShell Controller is listed as a specific example. However, it is likely that support will cover all MFi controllers on the market. The update also brings Russian, Portuguese and Thai language localization.
infuse 3
The Infuse application for watching videos in a wide range of formats also comes with optimization for larger displays. However, even the update of this application is not insignificant and brings quite a few novelties. Infuse 3.0 brings support for DTS and DTS-HD audio, as well as many new ways to watch video.
Infuse now supports streaming of external drives connected via WiFi. Supported drives include AirStash, Scandisk Connect and Seagate Wireless Plus. You can also open videos stored in the special Mophie Space Pack case for iPhone 5 and 5s, which, in addition to protection, also provides the phone with an external battery and up to 64 GB of additional space.
The application is also optimized for iOS 8 and adds a number of smaller but important and pleasant improvements. One of them, for example, is a new option for users of the free version to stream video to the app instead of having to store it on the device and play it from memory. Sharing via AirDrop is also possible. The last important innovations are the possibility of synchronization via 4G LTE and a new night mode.
Further from the world of applications:
- App of the Week – Tower Madness 2
- Office 365 will multiply the capabilities of the iPad
- Fantastical 2.2 brings a Notification Center widget as well as extensions and interactive notifications
- Pixelmator for iPad is an almost full-featured graphics editor in the palm of your hand
Discounts
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