Today in the App Store -- the best free apps, new apps and app updates

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Updated Thu, Jan 22, 2015, 10:00 PM·3 min read

Here are some of the best free apps, app updates and new apps that have landed in the App Store recently. All app prices are USD and subject to change. Some deals may expire quickly, so grab them while you can.

Apps Now Free

Cycloramic for iPhone 5/5S [iOS Universal; Now free, down from $0.99] Cycloramic Revolutionizes the way you take panoramic photos and videos!

Shades: A Simple Puzzle Game [iOS Universal; Now free, down from $1.99] A mesmerizing, calming, zen-like experience that quickly evolves into a devilishly challenging puzzler.

ClockDesk [OS X; Now free, down from $0.99] A beautifully designed clock right on your optional blurred desktop wallpaper.

Minecraft Reality [iOS Universal; Now free, down from $1.99] Officially supported by Mojang. Minecraft Reality lets you combine Minecraft worlds with the real world!

netwars / The Butterfly Attack [iOS Universal; Now free, down from $2.99]The interactive graphic novel "The Butterfly Attack" tells a dramatic story of modern warfare, friendships and betrayal

Speech [OS X; Now free, down from $0.99] Speech combines all the features of the speech synthesizer of OS X into a single, easy-to-use interface.

Secret Photo [OS X; Now free, down from $2.99] If you have some photos you do not want others to see, this program can help you manage your photos.

New and Notable Apps

BeatHawk [iPad; $4.99] BeatHawk is a portable music production studio adapted from UVI's professional product line, delivering studio-quality sound and a lightning-fast workflow.

Shifts – Shift Worker Calendar [iPhone; $1.99] Shifts is the fastest and easiest way to enter and view your work shifts on iPhone.

SimCity™: Complete Edition [OS X; $39.99] The definitive city simulator arrives on the Mac App Store!

Updates you don't want to miss

Marco Polo: Find Your Phone by Shouting MARCO! [iOS Universal; $0.99] If you've ever lost or misplaced your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch somewhere nearby but can't quite remember where, the Marco Polo app will help you quickly find your device with just your voice. Version 2.0 brings the following changes:

Our largest update yet, ready for the new year. We've added great new features, new voices, custom responses, widgets, and improved the entire app experience!
Custom Responses are here! Now your device can ring back more than just POLO!
Choose from responses like "I'm Over Here", "Who's There?", "iPhone Reporting", and many others. Even enter your own phrase!
New iOS 8 Nearby Widget; skip shouting and find other devices right from Notification Center
Greatly improved voice recognition
Added new voices like MOVIE GUY and WICKED, including supporter exclusives like ARNOLD, BUSH, KERMIT, SLY, and more
The app is now Universal to support the iPad, and completely optimized for iOS 8 and the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus

Strides: Goals & Habits Tracker [iOS Universal; Free] Strides is the easiest way to track all your goals and habits in one place, with flexible reminders and beautiful charts to keep you motivated. Version 3.0 brings the following changes:

This is a massive update:
Sync securely between iPhone, iPad & Web
Faster Logging - Log right on the Dashboard
Log Notes - Optional text description
Fixed tons of bugs (incl. new tracker crash)
Bad Habits & Consecutive options
Cleaned up interface and setup process
Fixed and Redesigned Milestones
Removed rating prompt popup
Launch on last screen viewed
Sustainable business model

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Nintendo blitzes GitHub with over 8,000 emulator-related DMCA takedowns
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Instagram's 'Add Yours' sticker now lets you share songs
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Apex Legends is getting a solo mode for the first time in five years
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A four-pack of Samsung's Galaxy SmartTag 2 trackers is back on sale for $70
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Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft may finally take its first crewed flight next week
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Google says Epic’s Play Store demands are too much and too self-serving
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Boom's XB-1 supersonic jet has been authorized to break the speed of sound
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The best password manager for 2024
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Ubisoft's first-person shooter XDefiant is launching on May 21
Ubisoft is releasing the free-to-play first-person shooter on May 21 for the Xbox Series X|S, the PS5 and PC through Ubisoft Connect.
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X is changing how the block button works
X is changing how blocks work on its platform, though it’s (for now) stopping short of Elon Musk’s wish of nuking the feature entirely.
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Microsoft’s latest Windows security updates might break your VPN
Microsoft says the April security updates for Windows may break your VPN. Oops!

Today in the App Store -- the best free apps, new apps and app updates

Apps Now Free

New and Notable Apps

Updates you don't want to miss

Latest Stories

X is using Grok to publish AI-generated news summaries

Nintendo blitzes GitHub with over 8,000 emulator-related DMCA takedowns

Helldivers 2 PC players suddenly have to link to a PSN account and they're not being chill about it

Redfall’s two DLC heroes are still MIA a year later

Instagram's 'Add Yours' sticker now lets you share songs

Apex Legends is getting a solo mode for the first time in five years

A four-pack of Samsung's Galaxy SmartTag 2 trackers is back on sale for $70

Research indicates that carbon dioxide removal plans will not be enough to meet Paris treaty goals

Rabbit R1 review: A $199 AI toy that fails at almost everything

The Apple Watch Series 9 is back on sale for $299, plus the rest of this week's best tech deals

Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft may finally take its first crewed flight next week

Google says Epic’s Play Store demands are too much and too self-serving

The best gifts to upgrade your grad’s tech setup

Boom's XB-1 supersonic jet has been authorized to break the speed of sound

The Morning After: Peloton's grim post-pandemic reality

Engadget Podcast: Kill the Rabbit (R1)

The best password manager for 2024

Ubisoft's first-person shooter XDefiant is launching on May 21

X is changing how the block button works

Microsoft’s latest Windows security updates might break your VPN

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