OSX

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  • Memory Diag monitors and cleans up your RAM usage on Mac OS X

    by 
    Mel Martin
    Mel Martin
    04.03.2014

    Memory Diag is a nice free utility app available on the Mac App Store. Like a lot of memory utilities (including the OS X Activity Monitor), it will analyze your RAM usage, tell you what applications are using the most resources, and offer to clean things up by purging unused processes. The app lives on your menu bar, and there are three themes to choose from. The menu bar icon is dynamic and gives you a quick look at how much utilization your RAM is getting. I'm often near the limit, which slows up my Mac and forces OS X to use the hard disk as virtual memory. Memory Diag tells you what things are draining your computer's memory. It's possible to have so much RAM filled that Memory Diag can't optimize, but it will suggest which apps to close. Safari can grab a lot of RAM, along with Photoshop (which I am using almost all day long). The app has nice clear menus, and the developer maintains an FAQ on his website. The only thing I would change is to have an actual numerical display of RAM usage in the menu bar. The graphic thermometer is small, and doesn't draw your attention. There were some complaints from a few users that the app itself was claiming 100% CPU time on their Macs. I could not verify this, and every time I checked Memory Diag it was running smoothly and not bogging down my Mac. Memory Diag is free for a limited time, so grab it if you need some RAM optimization. Memory Diag requires OS X 10.9 or later and a 64 bit processor. Note: Not everyone agrees these apps solve RAM problems. It is certainly true that whatever cleaning you do will be undone by time as mores apps are opened and closed. As I stated, I had no issues with the apps, and user reviews are generally positive.

  • iWork upgrade lets you share read-only documents

    by 
    Jon Fingas
    Jon Fingas
    04.01.2014

    Apple isn't letting the launch of Office for iPad go completely unanswered. It's pushing out a slew of iWork updates that might not keep Microsoft awake at night, but should fill in a few conspicuous feature gaps. You can now share read-only documents, for one thing -- you no longer have to worry that others will mess with a Pages report. You can also open iWork documents from iCloud webmail, and there's a host of cross-app improvements that include a new editor tab and the option of modifying imported charts. All the upgrades are available on iCloud, iOS and the Mac, so you can check out the many, many tweaks for yourself.

  • Firefox adds support for OS X Notification Center in latest release

    by 
    Edgar Alvarez
    Edgar Alvarez
    03.18.2014

    Mozilla may have stopped working on the Windows 8 version of Firefox, but that doesn't mean its standard desktop browser is getting the same treatment. Quite the contrary, actually. Today, Firefox 28 was released for Linux, Mac and Windows, with support for OS X Notification Center, volume controls for HTML5 media playback and VP9 video decoding. There are also security fixes in tow, which, while not as exciting, are equally important. You can peek the full changelog here -- in case you're into that sort of thing.

  • Microsoft's OneNote may come to the Mac this month

    by 
    Jon Fingas
    Jon Fingas
    03.12.2014

    Microsoft's OneNote app has been available on mobile, Windows and the web for quite some time, but Mac support for the note-taking software has proven elusive... at least, until now. Both The Verge and ZDNet hear that OneNote will be available for free on OS X later this month. Microsoft would also release a free desktop Windows app (the Windows 8-native app is already gratis) to better support its own platform. Both versions would include new features, too, including a Clipper service to save web content and a desktop variant of Office Lens' document scanning. We've reached out to Microsoft to verify the claims. It's easy to see why the folks in Redmond might expand OneNote's ecosystem, though. The app is facing stiff competition from Evernote, which is available on most modern platforms -- Microsoft would simply be countering a rival.

  • OS X update closes networking security hole, brings more FaceTime features

    by 
    Michael Gorman
    Michael Gorman
    02.25.2014

    Just days ago, Apple released an update for iOS that closed up a web networking security hole, and today Macs running OS X Mavericks have gotten similar treatment. The update to 10.9.2 doesn't explicitly list the SSL vulnerability patch among its updates in the download notification, but we've confirmed its presence with Apple. The update also brings along a slew of other security fixes as well. And, if you aren't running Mavericks just yet, Apple tells us not to fret, for separate security updates tailored to other affected versions of OS X will be coming along shortly. Along with the peace of mind knowing your laptop is more secure than it was yesterday, the update also delivers FaceTime audio calling and call waiting to desktop voice chats, plus iMessage is getting the power to block folks from sending you messages. Naturally, 10.9.2 also brings various audio, Safari and email bug fixes, too. The update's available now, so don't let us keep you from it. Stay safe, folks.

  • Apple quietly issues iOS update to patch faulty SSL authentication (update 2: OS X patch coming)

    by 
    Sean Buckley
    Sean Buckley
    02.21.2014

    Is that an iPhone in your pocket? Then you'd better pull it out, dive into the settings menu and check for updates: there may be an important patch waiting for you. Apple has quietly pushed out iOS 7.0.6 and 6.1.6 -- small updates that addresses a hitherto unknown security issue with its mobile OS. According to the company's security notes, the previous versions of iOS was missing key SSL validation steps that kept Secure Transport from validating authentic connections, making it possible for "attackers with a privileged network position" to "capture or modify data in sessions protected by SSL/TLS." In other words, iOS devices were failing to protect themselves on shady networks, unbeknownst to the user. It's not clear if this security flaw was known outside of Cupertino, but it certainly is now. Lucky you, then, that Apple has already issued the fix. Well, what are you waiting for? Update your phone/tablet/Apple TV, already. Update: Researchers have found evidence that OS X also has SSL validation issues. Security firm Crowdstrike analyzed the iOS updates, and say that both of Apple's platforms are/were vulnerable to man-in-the-middle attacks. It expects Apple will push a fix for OS X soon, but for now recommends avoiding shady WiFi hotspots and updating only on trusted networks -- good habits to practice any time. Adam Langley posted a segment of what appears to be the offending code, and tests show it affects OS X up through the most recent developer builds of Mavericks. We've contacted Apple regarding the claims, but have yet to receive a response. Update 2: Apple tells us that it's aware of the OS X vulnerability, and that a patch will be available "very soon."

  • Evernote for Mac now lets you search using everyday language

    by 
    Jon Fingas
    Jon Fingas
    02.04.2014

    Evernote syncs gobs of content these days, and that can make it tricky to find what you're looking for without some clever search tricks. However, those data hunts just got much easier with an updated version of Evernote for Mac. The app is the company's first to let you search using common language; you just have to include the relevant criteria, such as the location, time or any attachments. Look for "notes from phone created last month with audio," for example, and you'll get just those recent voice memos. There's no mention of when other Evernote apps will get their turn at the refined search engine, but Mac users can start downloading today.

  • Google Now comes to the desktop in Chrome and Chrome OS betas

    by 
    Terrence O'Brien
    Terrence O'Brien
    02.03.2014

    Rumblings of Google Now on the desktop first started surfacing back in December of 2012, but it wasn't until a couple of weeks ago that it actually broke cover. If you were a user of the Canary build of the Chrome browser, you could enable the card alerts by ticking an option buried deep within the recesses of chrome://flags. This week though, Google will bring the desktop version of its virtual assistant to the betas of Chrome on Windows and OS X, as well as Chrome OS. You won't need to dig through any advanced options; you'll just need to sign in with the same account you use on your handset -- so long as you have Now enabled on your phone. Unfortunately, it sounds like Linux users are left out in the cold for now. Presumably that has something to do with how Now ties into existing notification systems on those other platforms (we've asked Google to clarify). With Now hitting the beta channel, enabled by default, it's only a matter of time before Mountain View brings the feature to the masses. But if you're anything like us, you're already using the beta build and are maniacally hitting the update button hoping to be among the first customers it rolls out to.

  • TUAW TV Live: The essential applications and tools anthology

    by 
    Shawn Boyd
    Shawn Boyd
    01.29.2014

    This week on TUAW TV Live, I am covering for Steve Sande while he is on a boat. Today I will talk about some of our favorite apps and accessories we have loved over the last 30 years of Apple. Time to dig up your memories of the AppleWorks and come along for the ride. To join in to watch the live feed and participate in the chat, just click here. You'll join us on the AOL On Network. If you can't watch the entire show today, come back to this page within 24 hours to see the latest video below. Past shows are also available on the TUAW YouTube channel. Show Notes Doc: LairWare : Song Sergeant Hal Sherman: ID3 - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Doc: TuneUp | Fix Mislabeled Song Info, Add Album Art & More Doc: iWork - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Doc: TextExpander: Mac Typing Shortcut Utility Saves You Time Dr. Allgood: TextExpander Tools - BrettTerpstra.com Doc: Email Field Guide - MacSparky Doc: 60 Mac Tips - MacSparky Dr. Allgood: MacSparky (btw: his new domain is) Doc: DropDAV Doc: MailMate Doc: EVERNOTE - YouTube Doc: Evernote Tutorials - YouTube Dr. Allgood: chirp.io - Let's teach the machines to sing Doc: I've Been Using Evernote All Wrong. Here's Why It's Actually Amazing Doc: How to Use an iMac as a Monitor - YouTube TwerpPoet: The Secret Weapon: Evernote and GTD smoothly integrated into TSW

  • App updates you don't want to miss

    by 
    Kelly Hodgkins
    Kelly Hodgkins
    01.29.2014

    It has been a busy few weeks in the App Store with a bunch of app updates landing on iOS and OS X. Grab a cup of joe and check out our list of notable updates from the past few weeks! You can also follow them on a rolling basis on our website. iOS Apps Transloader [iOS Universal; Category: Utilities; Free] Transloader lets you download URLs from your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch to your Mac via iCloud. Version 2.0 now features an iOS 7 design, stores URLs from your clipboard instead of asking you to act on them right away, provides better feedback on the progress of downloads on your Mac, and allows you to share URLs with other users of Transloader via AirDrop Listen: The Gesture Music Player [iPhone; Category: Music; Free] A music player you can use without looking at it. Version 2.0.2 adds An option to show or hide iCloud music items, Two-finger volume control, Two-finger scrubbing control, support for background app refresh and more. Halftone 2 [iOS Universal; Category: Photography & Video; $1.99] Halftone 2 re-imagines what it means to turn your photos into professionally-themed comic book pages on a touch device. Version 1.1.8 adds faster processing, iTunes file sharing, Aviary image cropping tool and more. Hipjot [iPhone; Category: Productivity; $1.99] Hipjot is a slick notes app, featuring a unique slide keyboard that lets you input words SUPER fast. Version 2.12 adds a new topright menu for the notes page, support for QWERTZ, AZERTY, DVORAK, COLEMAK, geolocation and more. Hatch [iPhone; Category: Games; $1.99] What if a tiny pet hatched on your phone? If it loved you, would you love it back? Version 1.2.1 and 1.2.2 adds a new exchange program for unwanted blankets and decor items, new blankets and fixes. Fragment [iOS Universal; Category: Photography & Video; $1.99] With Fragment, you now have the power to transform any image into totally unique, one-of-a-kind prismatic art you'll want to share with everyone. Version 1.2 adds 8 new shapes and stability improvements to solve some crashing issues. News Republic [iOS Universal; Category: News; Free] THE definitive news app with an elegant design, unrivaled news coverage and a simple, delightful interface optimized for iPhone and iPad. Version 4 overhauls the iPhone app with a new look and new One Feed view that allows you to read all your topics and the latest important articles in one place. Puffin Web Browser [iOS Universal; Category: Utilities; $2.88] . Puffin Web Browser is the premium version of the Puffin family, and comes with unlimited hours of Adobe Flash support over cloud. Version 3.5.1 adds P2P Flash Video support and bug fixes. MindNode [iOS Universal; Category: Productivity; $9.99] MindNode makes mind mapping easy. Version 3.0.2 adds the the ability to open documents in a folder using a URL scheme, makes improvements in text editing, outline mode and more. Todo - To-Do & Task List [iOS Universal; Category: Productivity; $4.99] Todo - The ORIGINAL To-Do and Task List is the world's first, and one of the most popular, powerful, and award-winning to-do list and task manager iOS apps. Version 7.0.3 adds support for the new version of TextExpander, improves quick menu and screen navigation performance and more. Faded [iPhone; Category: Photography & Video; $0.99] Faded is the premier all-in-one photo editing app for the iPhone. Version 1.2 now saves camera settings, shows a higher resolution image in Grid Preview, and bug fixes. VLC for iOS [iOS Universal; Category: Photography & Video; Free] VLC for iOS is a port of the free VLC media player to iPad, iPhone and iPod touch. Version 2.2.0 brings a new iOS7 UI, new multitouch gestures, GDrive integration, Dropbox streaming and more. Calendars 5 by Readdle [iOS Universal; Category: Productivity; $6.99] Calendars 5 is smart, excels in both tasks and events and runs on any iOS device you might have. Version 5.3 is a major update that brings event invitations, ICS import and notification center support for invitations. GoodNotes 4 [iOS Universal; Category: Productivity; $4.99] GoodNotes lets you take notes and annotate PDF documents. Version 4.0.4 is adds user experience improvements, bug fixes, and stability improvements. Version 4 is a complete rewrite of the app to support iCloud and iOS 7. OS X Apps Transloader [OS X; Category: Utilities; $4.99] Transloader lets you download URLs from your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch to your Mac via iCloud. Version 2.0 brings a new design, several minor bug fixes and support for more sharing websites. Pixelmator [OS X; Category: Graphics & Design; $29.99] Full-featured and powerful image editing app for the Mac. Version 3.1 improves RAW file support, allows you to turn off auto-select, restores effects like Pointillize, Pixelize, Mandala, Concert, and Projectile and more. Nozbe To-do and Project Management [OS X; Category: Productivity; Free] Nozbe is a tool that helps busy professionals and teams organize time and projects. Version 1.9 adds improved project sharing, push notifications and Evernote reminders support. MenuBar Stats [OS X; Category: Utilities; Free] MenuBar Stats lets you easily monitor your system resources. Version 1.2 adds new Disk module, new Smart Battery management through configurable notifications and bug fixes. HDR Darkroom 3 [OS X; Category: Graphics & Design; $39.99] HDR Darkroom 3 has come to the App Store to bring you the best in High Dynamic Range photography processing. Version 1.0.2 improves RAW image handling, HRD synthesis and more.

  • iWork updates let you share password-protected files through iCloud

    by 
    Jon Fingas
    Jon Fingas
    01.23.2014

    Many fans of cloud services are used to sharing secure files with their friends, but that surprisingly hasn't been an option for iWork users -- at least, until today. Apple has updated both iWork for iCloud and all its Keynote apps to let productivity mavens share password-protected documents through iCloud links. Appropriately, iCloud now offers a list view that helps you find shared documents. Whether or not you're the sharing kind, we'd suggest at least grabbing the Keynote update; both iOS and Mac users get better presenter display options, new transitions and more sophisticated charts. You'll find all the iWork upgrades at the source links. Update: New Mac versions of Numbers and Pages have since appeared that introduce password-protected sharing, alongside a host of minor tweaks.

  • Douglas Adams' last post on his online forum was about excitement over Mac OS X

    by 
    John-Michael Bond
    John-Michael Bond
    01.20.2014

    Douglas Adams, author of the The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, was famous for his love of technology. In his personal life and works alike ran a deep appreciation for science and its effect on society. In the posthumous collection The Salmon of Doubt, Adams famously summed up his view of how humankind deals with the introduction of new tech: "I've come up with a set of rules that describe our reactions to technologies: 1. Anything that is in the world when you're born is normal and ordinary and is just a natural part of the way the world works. 2. Anything that's invented between when you're fifteen and thirty-five is new and exciting and revolutionary and you can probably get a career in it. 3. Anything invented after you're thirty-five is against the natural order of things." Adams' interest in technology lasted beyond the age of 35, until his death in 2001 of a heart attack at the age of 49. Given his love of technology, it's fitting that Adams' last post on his message board revolved around his excitement over installing a groundbreaking piece of software: Mac OS X. On April 25, 2001, a formerly Mac-hating user asked Adams about his thoughts on the newly released operating system. The user had seen a demo that inspired him to buy his first Mac, but wanted the opinion of a long-time Mac fan like Adams. In keeping his enthusiasm for technology, Adams provided a giddy response: I was going to wait till the summer to install it, but I succumbed and installed it last week. It takes a little getting used to, old habits are hard to reform, and it's not quite finished (what software ever is), and much of the software that's out to run on it is Beta. But... I think it's brilliant. I've fallen completely in love with it. And the promise of what's to come once people start developing in Cocoa is awesome... What strikes me most about his response is that even while installing a software that was, by his own admission, still a long way from being finished, Adams could only think about the future. He didn't talk about the bugs or problems, all he saw was the promise of what was to come. Even when chatting with fans on his message board, Adams promoted the same love of technology and thirst for the future that drove so many of his books. It's fitting that his final word to fans was a positive view of a still-developing technology. Thanks to Reddit user danwin for finding this post and posting about it on the Apple Reddit forum.

  • CyanogenMod Installer comes to the Mac in beta form

    by 
    Jon Fingas
    Jon Fingas
    01.15.2014

    Mac users no longer have to sit on the sidelines while their Windows-using friends install CyanogenMod with ease. Cyanogen has just released an OS X beta for its Installer app, making it trivial to flash your Android phone with a new ROM from the comfort of your MacBook. Just be sure to check out the compatibility list before you dive in -- the beta won't work with some Samsung devices. Provided that everything lines up, you can start downloading at the source link.

  • Blackguards Early Access now available to Mac users

    by 
    Earnest Cavalli
    Earnest Cavalli
    01.13.2014

    Whether you prefer Windows or OS X, you can now enter the high-fantasy world of Blackguards via Steam's Early Access service. There are three purchasing options available for those too impatient to wait for a full-fledged retail release of the turn-based roleplaying game. $25 grants you access to the Blackguards beta. For $35, you'll receive beta access, a 150-page art book, the game's soundtrack, a digital world map, video interviews with the developers at Daedalic Entertainment and six wallpapers for your computer. Spend $50 and earn everything in that last package, plus free access to the game's first DLC release, a gratis copy of The Dark Eye – Chains of Satinav, and your name will be added to the Blackguards' credit roll. In addition to bringing Blackguards to the Mac, Daedalic Entertainment has also released a new trailer for the game, which can be seen above.

  • App updates you don't want to miss - January 9, 2014 edition

    by 
    Kelly Hodgkins
    Kelly Hodgkins
    01.09.2014

    It has been a busy few weeks in the App Store with a bunch of app updates landing on iOS and OS X. Grab a cup of joe and check out our list of notable updates from the past few weeks! You can also follow them on a rolling basis on our website. iOS Apps Assassin's Creed Pirates[iOS Universal; Category: Games; $4.99] Become one of the most feared pirates of the Caribbean in this exclusive Assassin's Creed adventure on smartphones and tablets! Version 1.1. allows you to discover the mythical Nassau, a new playground, featuring 10 new secondary missions and 12 new treasures! Alien Hive [iOS Universal; Category: Games; Free] Swipe tiles to make matches, combine eggs to hatch cute baby aliens, and then help them fully evolve into Supreme Aliens. Version 3.0 improves game balance, revamps the boost system and allows you to level up and increase the power of Supreme Aliens. Camera+ [iPhone; Category: Photography & Video; $1.99] Camera+ will make you love taking photos on your iPhone. Version 5.0.1 is a stability release that improves the performance of Clarity and Clarity Pro. It also fixes some crashes in the app and the API. Star Wars®: Knights of the Old Republic [iOS Universal; Category: Games; $9.99] Hero or villain, savior or conqueror... you alone will determine the destiny of the entire galaxy. Version 1.1.1 adds support for the iPad, widescreen play on the iPhone and improved lighting and graphics. Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas [iOS Universal; Category: Games; $6.99] Rockstar Games brings its biggest release to mobile yet with a vast open-world covering the state of San Andreas and its three major cities. Version 1.0.1 adds updated controller mappings on supported controllers and fixes for annoying crashes. GoodReader for iPad [iPad; Category: Productivity; $4.99] GoodReader® is the super-robust PDF reader for iPad. Version 3.20.0 overhauls the app with a new look for iOS 7 and new or improved features like colored tagging and a background audio player. GoodReader for iPhone [iPhone; Category: Productivity; $4.99] GoodReader® is the super-robust PDF reader for iPhone. Version 3.20.0 overhauls the app with a new look for iOS 7 and new or improved features like colored tagging and a background audio player. Plex [iOS Universal; Category: Entertainment; $4.99] Version 3.3.3 adds new higher quality settings for recent iOS devices and a handful of bug fixes. Fantastical 2 [iPhone; Category: Productivity; $1.99] With its powerful natural language event and reminder creation, DayTicker, calendar, and week view, Fantastical 2 is the fastest and friendliest scheduling app you'll ever use. Version 2.0.4 improves the navigation within the app, adds support for bold text accessibility option and improves the reliability of App Icon Badge. Screens VNC [iOS Universal; Category: Utilities; $19.99] Screens is a beautiful, yet powerful Screen Sharing and VNC client that lets you connect back to your Mac, Windows or Linux PC. Version 3.1.7 improves performance with AirPlay (no more crashing). Terraria [iOS Universal; Category: Games; $4.99] Adventure to the ends of the earth, and defeat villainous bosses along the way. The world is your canvas. Version 1.1.7 adds support for the new Logitech PowerShell Controller. Maxthon [iOS Universal; Category: Utilities; Free] Maxthon Cloud Browser is the world's fastest & smartest mobile web browser. Version 4.5.0 adds a new iOS 7-compatible design, a new start page, a customized news feed timeline and more. OS X Apps Collective [OS X; Category: Utilities; $0.99] Meet Collective. Clipboard history for your Mac. Done right. Version 2.0 adds a handful of new features including favorites, shortcuts, a detail bar, a menu bar and performance refinements. Baby Monitor 3G [OS X; Category: Lifestyle; $4.99] A video and audio baby monitor for any Mac and iOS device. Version 2.0 now allows your Mac to work as the baby station in your child's room. Droplr [OS X; Category: Productivity; Free] Drag anything to Droplr's icon in your menubar and Droplr will give you a short handy link that you can share with your friends, family, and co-workers. Version 3.5.0 adds Droplr Draw, a quick screen shot annotation tool to mark up your screenshots with arrows, shapes, and text, before you share them. Droplr is also now a paid service.

  • Droplr's speedy file sharing now starts at $5 per month with unlimited storage

    by 
    Jon Fingas
    Jon Fingas
    01.08.2014

    Droplr members wondering (and worrying) about the company's switch to a pay-only service now know just how much it will cost to keep sharing files. The developer has announced that its Droplr Lite tier will start at $5 per month, or $50 per year; if you want customization, image embedding or password-protected sharing, you'll need to shell out $10 per month ($100 per year) for Droplr Pro. Existing users get a 30 percent discount in return for their loyalty. There are a few strong incentives to pay whether or not you're a longtime customer, though. All members now get unlimited storage, with uploads increasing to 2GB each. You can also sign up for a new $10-per-person Business tier with collaboration features, and individual subscribers can knock 10 percent off their bill with each person they refer. There's even a Droplr for Mac 4 app update launching at the same time with a redesigned menu bar item, improved searches and a sharing shortcut. The pricing changes take effect immediately, but everyone gets a 30-day free trial to help make their decision. Whatever your feelings about paying up, you can find out more at the source link.

  • Apple buys SnappyLabs to improve your high-speed iPhone photography

    by 
    Jon Fingas
    Jon Fingas
    01.05.2014

    The iPhone 5s can already capture photos at a brisk 10 frames per second, but that apparently isn't fast enough for Apple. The company has confirmed to Recode that it has acquired SnappyLabs, a one-man outfit best known for its popular (and now withdrawn) iOS camera app SnappyCam. Cupertino isn't outlining its plans following the buyout, but the software's party trick is its extremely high-speed photography; it takes full-resolution shots at up to 30fps, and scales up to 60fps. You don't need an oracle-like insight to predict that future Apple devices could snap pictures at a rate that puts many professional cameras to shame.

  • Mac and iOS users can now gift iBooks

    by 
    Jon Fingas
    Jon Fingas
    12.17.2013

    Your chances of buying tangible gifts for the holidays may be fading fast, but your digital options are now wider than ever. Apple has just enabled full gift support on the iBookstore for both iOS and Mac users; you can buy someone a specific book rather than giving them iTunes credit. As with apps and media, it's simple to either time the gift delivery or attach a message. An iBook may not be quite as elaborate as a present under the tree, but we doubt that many iPad-toting readers will mind.

  • Apple includes Ridiculous Fishing and Wunderlist in its top iOS and OS X apps of 2013

    by 
    Jamie Rigg
    Jamie Rigg
    12.17.2013

    As is tradition near the end of the year, we look back on our most recent lap around the sun and try to forget all those resolutions we didn't meet. Today, Apple's the one in a reflective mood, having published its "Best of 2013" selections for the iOS and Mac App Stores as well as iTunes. Free language teaching app Duolingo tops the iPhone chart, with chainsaw-assisted angling title Ridiculous Fishing snapping up the game-specific award. The iPad app of the year accolade goes to Disney Animated, an interactive guide to the iconic studio's animation process, and SFCave-meets-Super Meat Boy platformer Badland stands at the top of the podium in the games category. The iOS edition of Minecraft is the best selling paid app of 2013 despite its age, while puzzler Candy Crush Saga is both the top free and the top grossing app of the year. In the OS X App Store, to-do list manager Wunderlist takes home the prize for best app of the year, with Lego Lord of the Rings being named the greatest game. For all honorable runner-up mentions and the best-of selections for iTunes music, books, TV, films and more, load up the relevant store and look out for the banner.

  • App updates you don't want to miss - December 13, 2013 edition

    by 
    Kelly Hodgkins
    Kelly Hodgkins
    12.13.2013

    It has been a busy few weeks in the App Store with a bunch of app updates landing on iOS and OS X. Grab a cup of joe and check out our list of notable updates from the past few weeks! You can also follow them on a rolling basis on our website. iOS Apps Plant Nanny [iPhone; Category: Health & Fitness; Free] Plant Nanny combines health with fun to remind you to drink water regularly. Update to version 1.4.8 includes new plants, flowerpots, and scenes. Also some special items for Xmas. Warhammer Quest [iOS Universal; Category: Games; $4.99] The first Warhammer game to arrive on iOS. Version 1.2 includes a New Witch Hunter Warrior, Necromancers and Skeletons Enemy Pack, Vampires and Zombies Enemy Pack and Vampire Count Tileset. Minecraft – Pocket Edition [iOS Universal; Category: Games; $6.99] Minecraft is about placing blocks to build things and going on adventures. Version 0.8.0 is a major update bring new Minecarts, rails and powered rails; New crops and food types; new textures and colours and more. MoneyWiz - Personal Finance [iPhone; Category: Finance; $4.99] Have all your accounts, transactions, budgets and bills in one place. Version 1.5.0 includes full screen reports, improved UI and better syncing across devices. Tydlig - Calculator Reimagined [iOS Universal; Category: Utilities; $4.99] Tydlig is a revolutionary new kind of calculator that sheds the legacy limitations of old devices, for a truly modern calculation experience. In version 1.1 , Tydlig is now a universal app and includes a new clear button. Fantastical 2 [iPhone; Category: Productivity; $3.99] Fantastical 2 is the fastest and friendliest scheduling app you'll ever use. Version 2.0.3 includes Waze support, updated TextExpander support and bug fixes. CameraBag 2 [iPhone; Category: Photography & Video; Free] CameraBag 2 is the world's first hi-fi photo app, featuring a massive number of the highest-quality styles and adjustments in an elegant, minimal interface. Version 2.3.0 now preserves metadata. MindNode [iOS Universal; Category: Productivity; $9.99] MindNode makes mind mapping easy. Version 3.0.1 includes a new shortcut to delete nodes and connections and a handful of bug fixes. ARGUS - Motion and Fitness Tracker by Azumio [iPhone; Category: Health & Fitness; $1.99] Argus turns your iPhone into a sophisticated health and fitness device as it monitors and manages your activities. Version 2.8.63 includes fitbit import, new activity recording dashboard, more stats in activity details screen and more. Note Anytime [iOS Universal; Category: Productivity; $1.99] Capture, share, and access your inspiration anytime, anywhere in this note taking app. Version 2.0 includes new pens, password protection, search/replace text and more. EPOCH.2 [iOS Universal; Category: Games; $2.99] The epic saga of post-apocalyptic robot combat continues. Version 1.1 includes 64-bit support, new armor type, new weapon and more. Elements For Dropbox - A Markdown Notes and Writing App [iOS Universal; Category: Productivity; $4.99] Elements is a dedicated Markdown and Dropbox powered writing environment for iOS. Version 2.8 includes new iOS 7 inspired UI, multi-markdown support, new font options and more. Terraria [iOS Universal; Category: Games; $4.99] Adventure to the ends of the earth, and defeat villainous bosses along the way. The world is your canvas. Version 1.1.5 includes new christmas theme with a new Christmas pet that' summoned with a new ornaments and presents from vanquished foes. OS X Apps Airmail [OS X; Category: Utilities; $1.99] Airmail - The powerful mail client with a minimal design and intuitive interaction. Version 1.3 includes collapsable folders, advanced search, integration with calendar and reminders, integrations with 2Do and Evernote and more. iStudiez Pro [OS X; Category: Productivity; $2.99] Take charge of your schedule and put iStudiez Pro to work for you. Version 1.2 adds support for OS X 10.9 Mavericks. iMuscle 2 [OS X; Category: Health & Fitness; $4.99] iMuscle 2 provides users with the ability to zoom into an area on our 3D human body and tap on a muscle to reveal exercises and stretches targeted to the development and/or rehabilitation of that specific muscle. Version 3.9 includes OS X 10.9 compatibility, new input controls for reps, weights, etc, improved filters and more. Skitch [OS X; Category: Productivity; Free] . Screen cap an image and make a friend laugh with you or inspire a student by labeling the insides of a robot. Versoin 2.7.1 includes the labeling of high-resolution images in the bottom bar as "hi-res", the option to export hi-res images at low resolution and more.