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

By Kelly Hodgkins
App Store

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

Gangstar Vegas [iOS Universal; Now free, down from $1.99] Roll up on a dangerous new trip through the City of Sin in the latest episode of the acclaimed open-world action series!

Duckie Deck Hungry Clipper [iOS Universal; Now free, down from $2.99] Hungry Clipper is a fun, interactive tutorial that shows how to clean up and clip overgrown fingernails.

Skullduggery! [iOS Universal; Now free, down from $4.99] Headshots! Paperwork! Semi-Organic Autonomous Skulls collecting taxes from the Deadbeats of the Afterlife!

Dodo Master Pocket [iPhone; Now free, down from $0.99] In Dodo Master you will help an imprisoned Dodo escape from her mysterious captors and reclaim her stolen eggs.

Dodo Master [iPad; Now free, down from $0.99] In Dodo Master you will help an imprisoned Dodo escape from her mysterious captors and reclaim her stolen eggs.

Grazing Web Browser [iOS Universal; Now free, down from $1.99] Grazing Browser is great way to browse the web for iPad, iPhone, and iPod touch.

Ideally: quick notes, related files, idea keeper [OS X; Now free, down from $2.99] Ideally is a menu bar note taking & file storing app with backup, zip,mailing, TXT export options, and more.

Folder Stamps & Templates [OS X; Now free, down from $3.99] Folder Stamps & Templates is an amazing add-on for your system. It provides over 200 pre-designed stunning stamps and templates that can instantly turns your blue folders to work of art.

New and Notable Apps

SimCity BuildIt [iOS Universal; Free] WELCOME MAYOR! We're glad to have you on board.

Group Text+ [iOS Universal; $1.99] Quickly create and send text messages.

Email+ [iOS Universal; $2.99] Send email, fast!

Updates you don't want to miss

Brushstroke [iOS Universal; Free] Brushstroke transforms your album photos and snaps into beautiful paintings in one touch. Version 2.0.1 brings the following changes:

  • New painting styles, color palettes, and canvases
  • Swipe to adjust painting detail and color
  • Optimized for the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus
  • iOS 8 and 64-bit support
  • Ship and share previously saved paintings
  • Ship framed prints and posters
  • Details and price breakdowns for shipped products
  • Manual exposure and camera improvements
  • Visual quality improvements
  • New adjustments
  • Crop your paintings
  • Undo, redo, and reset
  • Landscape support on iPad
  • Move and scale your signature
  • Bug fixes and other improvements

Drafts 4 – Quickly Capture Notes, Share Anywhere! [iOS Universal; $4.99] Drafts, where text starts on iOS. Quickly capture text and send it almost anywhere! Version 4.0.5 brings the following changes:

  • [Change] Today widget has been removed.
  • [New] iCloud Drive action step. Create/Replace/Append/Prepend action steps for iCloud Drive files.
  • [New] Print action step. Create customizable print actions to print to AirPrint printers.
  • [New] Google Drive steps can now save as Google Docs.
  • [New] Duplicate action option (swipe right on action in list – new button next to edit). Great for quickly creating a copy of an action to test some changes or make slight modifictions.
  • [New] Added "Print" button to HTML Preview.
  • [New] Evernote action step format now has Text/Markdown/ENML options to allow for easier use of Markdown conversion.
  • [New] Added "Hide extended keyboard" setting to disable the keyboard row for the space conscious.
  • [Changes] Lots of tweaks and fixes to edge cases with data storage, sync and version history generation and improve use of Background App Refresh to keep app up-to-date.

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