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Songza 3.0 update available now
We mentioned Songza's iOS app last year around when it came out, and the music sharing service has just updated the app to version 3.0. The free app has been almost completely reimagined, and while it still offers plenty of tunes to listen to, the interface has been revamped -- it's much cleaner, flatter, and has some nice bits of plain color included. The "Concierge" service is still there and upgraded, so if you simply tell the app what you're doing, it'll try to get you some music to do that with. The company has also focused on ease-of-use, so for example, just holding down any Concierge station button will start up the music, no matter what, so you can get things rolling as quickly as possible. The new version also includes an updated "HQ Audio" system, so the tunes you're hearing can sound as good as possible. As before, Songza can be downloaded for free, and whether you missed it or have wandered away from the app in the past, the latest version adds enough new that it's definitely worth another look. Elias Roman, Songza's co-founder, also tells TUAW that the company has hit a few new milestones recently. The app has just seen its 6 millionth install from the App Store, and served over 560 million songs in just the last month. Songza claims 4.7 million monthly active users, and it says that in total those users spend over 65 million minutes playing tunes every day. That's a sizable user base for sure, and we'll have to see if this updated version makes Songza even more popular.
ComiXology launches version 3.0
ComiXology has been all over the App Store, delivering comics for both DC and Marvel in their various official apps. But the company has been doing some work on its home app lately as well: Comics by ComiXology version 3.0 has hit the App Store, and brings with it a whole slew of updates and new features for the app. Most notable is probably that the application has been completely redesigned, which means its faster to load and faster to run than ever, letting you get to your favorite comics even more quickly. The app also can do background downloading of comics, and can pause or prioritize certain downloads so you can make sure to get the new issue you want right away. There are also features to get you to the next comic in a series, even if you don't yet own it, and despite the redesign, all of the old app's mainstays are still in there. There's a nice video walkthrough of the new app hosted by CEO David Steinberger that will show off for you exactly what's new and even give some insight as to why things were designed the way they were. Comics is a universal app free in the App Store right now, and then you can buy comics in the app via in-app purchase. Well worth a look, even if you've used it before.
Parallels adds tools for Linux, 3D for Windows
The latest build of Parallels (version 5608) adds some new tools for Linux users. Some of the additions to Parallels Desktop 5608 includes: support for the latest Linux distros, and support for 3D graphics in Windows (running under 10.5.3). If you are running version 3 of Parallels Desktop, then you are eligible to upgrade for free to Desktop 5608. Just click "Check for Updates" in the Help menu of Parallels. [via MacNN]
