Apple picker The calendar from Google will also arrive on the iPhone, WhatsApp will now show whether the message has been read by the addressee, the Sleep Better app from Runtastic has appeared in the App Store, which monitors sleep, RunKeeper will also help you while exercising in the gym, Opera Mini has learned to load videos faster and Google Drive comes with Touch ID support. You will read this and much more in the next Application Week.
News from the world of applications
Beats Music Becomes One of the Ways to Make Southwest Airlines Flights (3/11)
Not long after Apple bought Beats, it became clear that Tim Cook's company was more interested in their Beats Music streaming service than headphones. There is currently speculation as to whether this means the end of the standalone app and its integration into iTunes. At least on board Southwest Airlines flights, that probably won't happen in the near future.
Beats Music is accessible here from both iOS and Android devices, as well as through a web interface. Apple, along with Beats, does not provide passengers with access to the service's entire music library, but to "selected playlists." Above all, to "The Sentence", playlists dynamically created on the basis of user-specified characteristics of musical compositions, such as mood, etc. The service also includes access to Dish TV.
This launch received considerable publicity. One of the Boeing-737s received a print around the cabin, so the plane looks like it has red Beats headphones "on its head". In addition, Monday's flights 732 from Dallas to Chicago and 1527 from Portland to Denver saw live performances by the bands Starship Cobra and Elephant Revival. These concerts were also streamed via a special playlist on board all other Southwest Airlines flights.
Source: TheVerge
The official Google Calendar app appears on iOS for the first time, in the new design of Android Lollipop (October 3)
Android Lollipop seems to be trying to compete with iOS for the first time with its design. The so-called Compared to the mostly dark in previous versions, Material Design brings an optically airy environment that is full of rainbow colors and all kinds of animations. The same approach was applied when designing the look and feel of the new version of Google Calendar for Android, which will also be available to users of iOS devices.
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The new version of Google Calendar focuses primarily on the simple creation of events and providing an effective and efficient overview of them. Information from emails about flights, reservations, concerts, etc. will be used to automatically create events. If the user enters similar events manually himself, the application will help him by suggesting contacts and locations. Events have received a new preview, which displays them in a clear list with information on colored backgrounds, complemented by adequate images.
The new Google Calendar is currently only available for Android 5.0 Lollipop devices, with older Android devices coming in the coming weeks. A release date for iOS has not yet been specified.
Source: TheVerge
WhatsApp now shows whether messages have been read by the recipient (October 5)
WhatsApp, the popular communication application, did not receive a full-fledged update, but we can still find something new on it. For messages that are delivered to the addressee, we are already used to the familiar symbol of two whistles. However, it is now possible to distinguish messages that have already been read by the addressee, as the whistles turn blue for such messages. Although this is a small change, it is very welcome for many users. The novelty is already included on the information website for this communication application, while the new modified symbol is explained in the FAQ (frequently asked questions) section.
Source: 9to5Mac
Battlefield 4 is created with the help of the new tool Metal (6/10)
The developer team behind the Frostbite game engine, which powers a number of successful console and mobile titles, has delivered a technical demo showcasing the stunning graphics of the upcoming Battlefield 4 on iPad. Behind the great improvement in the game's graphics is the new graphics API that Apple demonstrated at WWDC and released under the name Metal.
The team behind the demo stated that Metal made things possible that were previously impossible in mobile game graphics. It is only thanks to Metal that it is possible to achieve high visual fidelity and a large number of objects. And it is the new possibilities associated with Metal that the graphics show in the new technical demo. Additionally, Kristoffer Benjaminsson of the Frostbite team promised that the team will continue to publish progress.
Source: 9to5Mac
Apple has released patch updates for several iOS and Mac apps (6/10)
Apple released updates to several of its applications this week. These include the Beats Music and iTunes Connect applications, as well as Pages for Mac and Pages, Keynote and Numbers for iOS. All of these updates have the same description: "This update contains minor stability and performance improvements."
Source: 9to5Mac.com
Monument Valley Gets New Levels With Forgotten Shores Expansion (7/11)
Monument Valley is a game like no other. It is a logical game with a minimalistic story, which is surprisingly deep, and an amazing gameplay that really draws the player into the story. The only weakness of the game was its lack of length. However, that is now changing and an expansion to the existing game should be available as early as next week.
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The expansion, titled Forgotten Shores, is coming to iOS on November 13, and thanks to the trailer, we can see that the developers have created quite a few new levels and even new buildings.
According to reports from the developers behind the game, Ustwo, the expansion will be available as an in-app purchase. The user pays €1,79 for it and gets eight new levels.
Source: TechCrunch
New applications
Runtastic comes with the Sleep Better app for sleep monitoring
The developers behind the Runtastic line of fitness apps have come up with a brand new addition to the collection. His name is Sleep better and as the name suggests, it primarily takes care of monitoring the user's sleep. It is partly a competition of the well-known Sleep Cycle alarm clock, but Sleep better after all, it stands out and manages to impress.
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If you have an iPhone with an app Sleep better put under the pillow, the application will collect data based on your movement thanks to the accelerometer. It will evaluate these and, in addition to detailed statistics, will also use them for a smart wake-up call at the moment when your sleep is the shallowest (of course at the set time at the latest).
The smart wake-up function is not so exceptional today and is also provided by other applications or smart bracelets. Compared to competing applications, however, Sleep Better allows you to improve monitoring by adding various additional data. You can improve and refine your statistics by manually entering your caffeine, alcohol or food intake before bed. After waking up, you can also record your dreams in the application and complete the overall overview.
[app url=https://itunes.apple.com/cz/app/sleep-better-smart-alarm-clock/id922541792?mt=8]
Use the Slated Keyboard to translate text efficiently
It looks like before use Slated Keyboard just like the stock iOS keyboard with predictive typing turned on. Only after a few words does the uninitiated realize that the gray line above the keyboard does not display predictions, but a translation of the written text.
Slated Keyboard can translate between more than eighty languages. Translation into a foreign language is done by writing, it is no less simple to translate back - just copy the unknown text and select the language. The translated version of the message will then appear just above the keyboard.
Understandably, Slated does not include predictive typing and autocorrect. It is available in the App Store for 4,49 €.
The visually beautiful game The Sailor's Dream has arrived in the App Store
The Sailor's Dream is a new adventure game from developers Simogo, fitting in between the previous titles DEVICE 6 and Year Walk.
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The defining elements for her are the sentimental-mysterious atmosphere created by precise visuals, music and a rich story (requiring knowledge of English). The player moves between islands and searches for clues in an environment described by the creators as "A peaceful narrative experience where the only goal is to satisfy your curiosity."
The Sailor's Dream game is available on the App Store for 3,59 €.
Important update
RunKeeper will now also help you with training in the gym
The developers behind the popular fitness app RunKeeper are responding to the fast approaching winter. They have implemented a new feature in their app that helps the user measure their exercise even in the heat of the fitness center. RunKeeper has always been an application focused on measuring running performance based on GPS data. However, GPS measurement is not very relevant in the gym. So RunKeeper had to deal with the problem differently.
On the main screen, you will now find the option to turn on a special stopwatch and set it for a specific activity. Based on the entered data, RunKeeper will encourage you in various ways. The behavior of the personal trainer depends on the exercise time, but also on your heart rate if an external device is connected. But Boston developers say this is just the beginning.
Opera Mini loads video faster
Opera Mini has progressed to version 9.0 in the past week. The main added feature is “Video Optimization”, which aims to reduce the loading time of videos.
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To turn on this feature, you need to turn on Energy Saving Mode and set it to Opera Turbo. There is a "Video optimization" switch in the given menu. When starting each video, the basic information about it (resolution, quality) is sent to the Opera servers, after which the larger parts are compressed and sent to the user's device. This will reduce loading time.
In the ninth version of Opera Mini, the creation of bookmarks has also been accelerated - websites added to "Quick access" will be displayed when a new blank page is opened. The display on the new iPhone 6 and 6 Plus has been optimized.
Google Drive fully adapted to iOS 8, brings Touch ID
Version 3.3.0 of the iOS app for accessing Google's cloud storage contains news mainly related to the news of iOS 8. This means that part of the official support for iOS 8 is the ability to require a fingerprint for access and to open and save Google Drive files from other applications at the user's request . The reaction to Apple's actions is also optimization for iPhones 6 and 6 Plus.
Google Drive now also allows you to save videos to iOS devices, and at the bottom of the list are traditional fixes promising a better and more reliable operation of the application.
Further from the world of applications:
- App of the Week - PAC-MAN Friends
- Sitting on two chairs? With Office 365, you can do it
- Microsoft is teaming up with Dropbox to integrate it into its Office apps for the iPad
- Swype keyboard for iOS adds Czech language support
- 2GIS – a unique map of Prague and other cities with a detailed database of organizations
- Pixelmator 3.3: New look, Handoff, iCloud Drive, Repair Tool extension
- Google has shown a new version of its Maps for Android and iOS, which is already available for download in the App Store
- Microsoft is now offering Office with basic functions for iPhone and iPad for free
- Calcbot comes to Mac. In addition to the calculator, it also offers a unit converter
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I just want to point out that Battlefield 4 is not in development for the iPad. This is a tech demo and no title has been announced.