softwareupdate
Latest
Apple updates iTunes U app with fixes, pull to refresh
Apple has issued a small update to its iTunes U app. The app allows users to access popular courses from major universities and also offers other free education classes from third-party sources. While a majority of the latest iTunes U update is dedicated to bug fixes, a welcome new feature is that iTunes U now uses the popular pull-to-refresh gesture to check for new course updates. Here's everything the release notes is new to the latest release: Checks for course updates when you pull to refresh the notepad. Resolves an issue that may prevent courses from updating. Fixes a problem where iTunes U may unexpectedly quit when opening the Catalog repeatedly. Improves support for Arabic, French, German, Greek, Italian, Russian and Spanish. iTunes U is a free download.
Skitch updates again, with a faster screenshot process
Evernote sends word that it has updated its Skitch app yet again, this time providing a big benefit to one of the most-used functions in the app. The Screen Snap feature has been streamlined, which means you can grab pictures from your Mac easier and quicker than ever. As far as I know, that's what most people use Skitch for anyway, so it should be much appreciated. The team has also added more precise shapes to the mix when annotating images, so you can better point out what you're trying to show off or remember. And any image you snap now has an adjustable canvas, which means you can spread it out to add extra room for annotations if needed. Skitch is free as always. You can download it directly from the Mac App Store.
Sony Music Unlimited for iOS gains offline mode, high-quality streaming
Sony Music Unlimited (free) has only been available for iOS for about a year, but those who have embraced the service for their Apple products will get a treat soon -- an update that not only provides higher-quality streaming, but also adds offline playback of music. In the offline mode, users get the ability to download single tracks or entire albums for their listening pleasure off the network. Streaming gets a boost up to 320 Kbps AAC files; that's a feature that is just a setting change away. Unfortunately, these two features don't coexist, as there's no way to download the 320 Kbps music files for offline listening. The update takes the iOS version of the app up to complete feature parity with the Android version. Here's a sneak preview of what you can expect.
RunKeeper gets a new teammate: MyFitnessPal
RunKeeper announced an impressive new addition to the team today -- MyFitnessPal, a service with more than 40 million users who track their weight, count calories and obsess over their exercise. RunKeeper has about 20 million users who log their fitness activities on the web or using the RunKeeper iOS apps. Integration between the two services will have some very positive effects. Users can now log fitness activity on RunKeeper, then see their daily calories allotment on MyFitnessPal update automatically based on how much exercise has been tracked. Calories that are logged in MyFitnessPal will be visible in a user's RunKeeper activity feed. Entering weight information into either one of the apps -- either by typing it in or through integration with Withings scales or other connected devices -- will cause it to appear in both. A full press release from the two companies is included below: Show full PR text RunKeeper and MyFitnessPal Team Up to Improve Health and Wellness Worldwide Integration of Two Leading Fitness Apps Expands the Open Fitness Platform, Helping Millions of Users Reach Their Goals Boston, MA -- RunKeeper and MyFitnessPal, two leading apps in the fitness and wellness space, are partnering to help their collective users more seamlessly track their health information and reach their goals. With the integration, RunKeeper's 20MM and MyFitnessPal's 40MM users will be able to: ● Quickly and easily connect the two services ● Log their fitness activity on RunKeeper and see their daily calorie allotment on MyFitnessPal automatically update based on tracked exercise ● See their number of calories logged in MyFitnessPal in their RunKeeper activity feed ● Enter weight information and access it across both apps The integration also arms users of both apps with powerful tools and information to set benchmarks, break through plateaus, and reach their ultimate wellness goals. "At RunKeeper, we're passionate about helping people lead healthier lives. MyFitnessPal was one of the most requested integrations from our users -- we're now able to offer both of our user bases a more holistic way to reach their health and wellness goals," said Jason Jacobs, CEO, RunKeeper. "We see this integration and partnership as a sign of where the industry as a whole is headed, towards true interoperability and data sharing so users have the best experience and achieve the greatest results." "Our vision from day one was to make personal health tracking as intuitive and painless as possible," said Mike Lee, co-founder of MyFitnessPal. "We are thrilled to partner with RunKeeper to create a seamless experience for our joint members. RunKeeper's strong workout tracking system provides a perfect complement to MyFitnessPal's personalized nutrition and fitness solution, and we think the integration will make logging and tracking that much easier." Technology companies interested in working with RunKeeper on custom integrations should contact api@runkeeper.com. Developers who wish to integrate with the MyFitnessPal API should contact the company at http://www.myfitnesspal.com/api. About RunKeeper Since 2008, RunKeeper has been turning your phone into a personal trainer in your pocket, using the built-in location technology to track workouts and keep you motivated. With more than 20 million users worldwide, RunKeeper's mission is to harness the power of technology to help people lead more active lives. RunKeeper also integrates with more than 100 health apps and devices, including Jawbone UP, Withings, Fitbit, Lose it!, Aetna, Pebble, and Virgin Healthmiles. Visit us on Facebook and on Twitter @RunKeeper. About MyFitnessPal MyFitnessPal makes good health attainable and sustainable for everyone. Powered by more than 40 million people, MyFitnessPal is the leading free resource to take charge of daily health. Partnering with top brands-including Withings, RunKeeper, Runtastic, Jawbone UP, and Fitbit-and featuring a database over 3 million foods, MyFitnessPal provides real-time nutrition and fitness tracking, insights and community support. MyFitnessPal's free and easy to use technology works seamlessly across Android, iOS, Blackberry, Kindle and Windows apps, in addition to the web. MyFitnessPal is headquartered in San Francisco, Calif. For more information, visit http://www.myfitnesspal.com/.
DevJuice: iOS Artwork Extractor updated
Many devs find it useful to inspect system artwork -- whether for inspiration, for reverse engineering to help create consistent new elements or simply for curiosity. In that goal, there's been no better tool than the open-source iOS Artwork Extractor from Cédric Luthi. The project, formerly UIKit Artwork Extractor, has now been updated for pretty much any iOS version you throw at it, including iOS 7. It also now enables you to scan arbitrary frameworks, not just UIKit. It's a handy utility, one well worth checking out.
App updates you don't want to miss - June 21, 2013 edition
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 Task [iOS Universal; Category: Productivity; $0.99] Task is the easiest way to plan your days: timeline + gestures. Version 2.0 brings the following changes: iCloud UniversalAnd New interface New task entry form New past task management Shake to undo Multiline tasks Performance improvement Sound effects New color themes and reminder tones New icon iVoxel [iOS Universal; Category: Music; $9.99] iVoxel is not only an amazingly sounding vocoder - the unique concept of iVoxel turns this vocoder into a singing machine. Version 2.5 brings the following changes: Audiobus Sender/Filter Audiobus Receiver with separate channels for Carrier and Modulator Wide graphics for iPhone 5 djay [iPad; Category: Music; $4.99] djay transforms your iPad into a full–fledged DJ system and seamlessly integrates with your music library, giving you direct access to all your favorite tracks and playlists on your iPad. Version 1.6.5 brings the following changes: Bug fixes, performance and stability improvements. vjay [iPad; Category: Music; $9.99] vjay transforms your iPad into a cutting-edge mashup machine, directly integrated with the media libraries on your iPad. Version 1.2 brings the following changes: Added new video content Enabled Key Lock (time stretching) on iPad 4 Shazam Encore [iOS Universal; Category: Music; $6.99] Shazam recognizes music and media playing around you. Version 6.1.0 brings the following changes: New on iPhone in 6.1: Shazam Pulse – Find fresh new music and preview from the trending real time charts Friends – Smoother loading New look tab bar Settings is now located on the top left of the home screen When a Friend tags, they appear in the tab bar Chart updates are displayed in the tab bar New on iPad in 6.1: Easier to delete tags from Favorites Improved stability in Friends feed New on iPhone and iPad in 6.1: Shazam Pulse – Discover new music by sampling of what's being tagged right now. To find it on your iPad, swipe right on the home screen. To find it on your iPhone swipe right in Pulse. Temple Run: Oz [iOS Universal; Category: Games; $0.99] The most thrilling running experience now comes to the yellow brick road. Version 1.4 brings the following changes: All-new China Girl – though tiny in size, she is packed with speed and a big attitude! Brand new Oz costumes - run in top hat outfit or mysterious magician robe! General performance enhancements and bug fixes Toy Defense 2 [iPhone; Category: Games; $1.99] Set in WW2, this action/strategy game is packed with more levels, amazing new features, a big selection of fighting units for each world, and more intense action than ever. Version 1.1 brings the following changes: 12 entirely new missions added to the Stalingrad world Toy Defense 2 HD [iPad; Category: Games; $4.99] Set in WW2, this action/strategy game is packed with more levels, amazing new features, a big selection of fighting units for each world, and more intense action than ever. Version 1.1 brings the following changes: 12 entirely new missions added to the Stalingrad world Flipboard [iOS Universal; Category: News; Free] Flipboard is your personal magazine. Version 2.0.3 brings the following changes: Invite contributors who share your passion to help create your magazine Various bug fixes and performance improvements Tweetbot for Twitter [iPhone; Category: Social Networking; $2.99] Tweetbot is a full-featured iPhone (and iPod touch) Twitter client with a lot of personality. Version 2.8.1 brings the following changes: Blend and smudge! Simulate watercolor diffusion, mix wet and dry ink with four new blending tools. The water brush blending tool is unique to Pen & Ink, and allows for controlled pigment diffusion in simulated wet paper. User interface makeover. App remembers recent tool settings and color choices. Free version now allows full use of the five default brushes with the standard color palette. Paid users receive smudging, layers, 20 more brushes, custom colors, more color palettes, and no watermark in exported files. Various bug fixes Any.DO [iPhone; Category: Productivity; Free] Millions use Any.DO every day to remember all the things they want to do and make sure to get it done. Version 1.9.1 brings the following changes: New icon and new UI Stability improvements Bug Fixes PayPad [iOS Universal; Category: Business; $9.99] Pay Pad for Stripe makes it simple to quickly access your Stripe API data while on the go. Version 2.6 brings the following changes: You can now control push notification settings for all of your Stripe accounts directly from the app! New push notification sounds for charge declines/disputes, and other non-financial events! Dots [iOS Universal; Category: Games; Free] Dots is a game about connecting. Version 1.7.1 brings the following changes: Large, cleaner design for iPad, including... 2x Mode! Also a few performance optimizations and a special gift for all players Comics by comiXology [iOS Universal; Category: Books; Free] ComiXology turns reading graphic novels and comics into a revolutionary experience with our patent pending Guided View technology and a buy-once, read anywhere platform that redefines how comics are read on digital devices. Version 3.3 brings the following changes: Show Two Pages (iPad only): Two pages at one time? Is this madness? Yes, digital madness. Fit to Width: Turn it on, turn it sideways, decide if it's cool. We think it is. French language navigation. Génial! Bugs = squashed Wake N Shake Alarm Clock [iPhone; Category: Productivity; $1.99] Wake N Shake Alarm Clock is the original merciless alarm clock, packed with features. The only way to shut it off is by shaking the iPhone like crazy. No snooze button. You can't lower the volume. No mercy. Version 4.0.1 brings the following changes: Complete redesign: now faster, simpler, snappier UI, and 300% more beautiful. Gorgeous Night Sky: Wake N Shake will dim into the night sky when left idle A quicker way to set up quick naps Animated Zzzz... 50% less megabytes (that's right, Wake N Shake is lighter now). Pen & Ink [iPad; Category: Productivity; Free] A beautiful notebook with watercolor, pen, and pencil, for creators of all kinds. Version 2.4 brings the following changes: Mailbox [iOS Universal; Category: Productivity; Free] Mailbox is a completely redesigned inbox that makes email light, fast, and mobile-friendly. Version 1.3.1 brings the following changes: portrait support for iPad bug fixes One Kings Lane [iOS Universal; Category: Lifestyle; Free] One Kings Lane is the leading online destination for the home. Every day, we launch new sales offering exceptional value on top-brand, vintage, and designer items. Version 2.0.1 brings the following changes: New design enables you to browse items effortlessly and explore beautiful product imagery Share products with friends via text message and email Set reminders for upcoming sales Shop Vintage & Market Finds for a dynamic mix of vintage and antique items See more products at a glance on your iPhone 5 screen Minor fixes OS X Apps Evernote [OS X; Category: Productivity; Free] Use Evernote to take notes, save interesting web pages, create to-dos and shopping lists, attach images and PDFs, and so much more. Version 5.1.4 brings the following changes: Reminders: Never forget important and in-progress notes Enhanced security with XAuth Redesigned top and side list views New text styles: Superscript (CMD Ctrl +) and Subscript (CMD Ctrl -) Edit your Saved Searches Byword [OS X; Category: Productivity; $9.99] Byword is designed to make writing more enjoyable with Markdown on your Mac. Version 2.0.2 for OS X and iOS brings the following changes: Fixes an crash converting text to lists or quotations in plain text mode Better support for self-hosted WordPress blogs More flexibility in what is accepted when publishing to Evernote Improved details on publishing errors Also, this is the last time you will have to restore the Premium in-app purchase after an update. Sorry for the inconvenience. ReadKit [OS X; Category: News; $4.99] ReadKit is a full-featured read later and RSS client that supports services from Instapaper, Pocket, Readability, Pinboard, Delicious, Fever and NewsBlur and has built-in RSS capabilities. Version 2.0.1 brings the following changes: Added "Mark all as read" Airmail [OS X; Category: Utilities; $1.99] Introducing Airmail - the powerful mail client with a minimal design and intuitive interaction. Version 1.0.4 brings the following changes: New Send again New Delayed Send New CloudApp Attachments Support New Droplr Attachment Support New GoogleTM Drive Attachment Support New Menu Bar Icon New Paste plain text New Key 0 disable all filters New Localization in 19 languages (Thanks to our supporters around the world) New Preference to disable Table animation New Preference to disable Dock icon Balloon New Preference For signature above or below the quote New Preference to disable GPU to save battery usage. New Preference to act as Gmail for some undetected Gmail/Google Apps Accounts New Preference Use only System contacts New Open Directory contact search New Subfolders creation Fixed QuickReply in Text Only Fixed sync of unread archived messages on mobile Fixed a Kernel Panic on MacBook Pro 2010 (6,2) Fixed glitch in pull to refresh Fixed glitch in Message search Fixed Empty trash Fixed Body fetches Fixed Folder Mappings Fixed LTR shortcut Fixed Search on message in open view
YouTube iOS app updated with suggestion overlays
An update to the YouTube app introduces in-video suggestions about what to watch next. The banner ads are super-imposed over the video you're watching. The suggestion can be dismissed by tapping an "X" that appears next to the text. Google calls this InVideo Programming, and it is pretty easy for content creators to access. The feature first appeared on YouTube last year. The suggestions are triggered by video producers to allow them to get viewers to explore other clips from the same source. This latest version of YouTube also features closed captions for live streams and the usual stability improvements.
Photoful for iPhone offers beautiful, useful photo organization
Photoful for iPhone (free in the App Store) is a gesture-based photo gallery with a heavy emphasis on organization and ease. Version 2.0 has been released today. In some ways it reminds me of Apple's Photos under iOS 7. Photos taken at the same location and around the same time are stored together. You can pinch in/out to navigate at any time. Small cues let you know where you are as you scroll quickly. Other features are unlike Apple's solution, including a swipe gesture that lets you batch-select photos. It also feels like an iOS 7 app, so eager beavers can enjoy a bit of that flattened goodness now, and Photoful will feel at home after we all upgrade. Here are just a few of this app's many features. Photoful looks like an iOS 7 app. There are shiny buttons or bezels. The black-and-white text and black icons are easy to read. In the brief time that I've been using it, I've loved the app's approach to organization. It's smart enough to sort your photo library and does so right off the bat. Tagging helps a lot, too, and your tag list is just a swipe away. In fact, almost every feature is a swipe away. I'll have a full review of Photoful early next week. Until then, check it out for yourself. It is free, after all.
Instagram 4.0 for iPhone out with video support
Instagram has announced the biggest update to their service since its launch in 2010; the addition of video. The move is directly targeting Twitter's Vine app by introducing longer videos than Vine allows directly in a feed that millions of users are checking every day. Instagram's videos can be up to 15 seconds in length while Vine still tops out out six seconds. In addition Instagram video comes with 13 video filters so users can make their HD cell phone cameras look like '80s VHS tape to match their '70s filtered breakfast shots. Also, videos won't loop like they do in Vine. For some micro filmmakers Vine's loop as has been an inspirational artistic tool. It will be interesting to see if Instagram allows such a feature to be turned on in the future. There's one feature that's specifically worth singling out, one that could improve mobile video all around even if it's in 15 second chunks right now. Instagram is introducing what they're calling Cinema, a video-stabilization feature that removes the slight shaking that comes from holding your cell phone while pressing a button the screen. It's impressive tech that we can't wait to play around with. Just think of the clarity on cat videos. The standard features you've come to expect from Instagram also apply to videos, including tagging friends, native Facebook posting and hashtags. Instagram's main advantage in the micro-video war is having a website where users can easily go and look at their friend's collection. Vine is still sorely lacking even the most basic webpage for people to find their friend's videos. This limitation is going to become clearer now that Instagram has entered the field. Instagram 4.0 hits the iOS store today as a free update. Don't worry Android users, you get the update today as well. You can watch the announcement video below. Introducing Video on Instagram from Instagram on Vimeo.
Feedly RSS reader launches cloud service
Feedly is a service that's risen in popularity recently for the most part because the much-loved RSS service Google Reader is coming to close on July 1, but the company is definitely doing its best to make a space for itself as something more than just an alternative. Today, Feedly released the Feedly Cloud, which not only creates a standalone web-based RSS reader app, but also hooks all of your feeds into the cloud, which developers can then hook their own APIs into for various purposes. Just like Google Reader's API, the idea is to allow Feedly's work to power other readers, and in fact the service is connecting into IFTTT right away at launch, and opening up other options for future apps and tools. This also means that Feedly is available right inside your web browser (previously, the app required a plugin or extension in your browser to work correctly), and can be pulled up from anywhere. Personally, Feedly has become my reader of choice, partly because it works so similarly to Google's service, and partly because it's so easy to migrate from one service to the other. If you use Google Reader and haven't yet chosen a new service, you're running out of time, as Google is finally shutting everything down on July 1. Feedly is the best alternative I've seen so far, and this move to the cloud shows that the company is very interested in not only grabbing Google's refugees, but keeping their patronage for as long as possible.
Dev Juice: Parallels Desktop 8 update makes OS X Mavericks VMs, hosts possible
Just last week I was bemoaning the fact that neither Parallels nor VMWare Fusion provided an easy way for a developer to create a virtual machine (VM) for testing of OS X Mavericks, so I ended up installing the new Mac operating system on a separate partition. Today Parallels released an update to Parallels Desktop 8 for Mac that not only allows the update of existing OS X VMs to OS X Mavericks, but also allows Mavericks to be a host machine for Parallels. If there's a downside, it's that you still can't install OS X Mavericks on a blank VM; instead, you'll have to install a previous version of OS X on a virtual machine, then acquire the installer from the Apple Developer Center and upgrade the VM. The update can be applied to an existing install of Parallels Desktop 8 by launching the app and selecting Check for Updates under the Parallels Desktop menu. As of yet, there's still no word from VMWare on how they're progressing on OS X Mavericks compatibility, but we'll be sure to pass along any information that we hear about.
Apple updates Siri to help those considering suicide to get help
GigaOM noticed that Apple quietly released an update to Siri that offers to put a user in contact with the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, should he or she mention suicide. Should the person decline the offer, Siri then brings up area suicide prevention centers in a second attempt to provide resources. As GigaOM notes, Google has had this search since 2010. Apple noted in its customer privacy statement on Tuesday that among the most common requests from law enforcement are ones from police hoping to prevent suicide. There's a lot of useful and even more silly ways to take advantage of Siri, but having a proactive response to a serious issue is a wonderful thing to have in the program.
Facebook update boosts privacy features to iOS app
Facebook has updated its iOS app, adding new status icons and new privacy features. The version 6.2 update follows updates made to the web version of Facebook, especially regarding the all-important privacy status. Now after a user has posted a status update, photo or a link, they can tap a drop-down arrow next to the update and change the privacy settings. Users can change the privacy settings for older posts as well. Users can now select emoticons and other status icons while writing a status update. The emoticons are meant to be selected after a user has written a status update, with the intention that the emoticon will give that users friends a quick visual glance as to how that person is feeling. Here's a complete rundown of all the changes made in Facebook 6.2: • Add icons to status updates to show what you're feeling, reading, watching and more (English only). • Easily change who can see something you've shared. • Start a new conversation with photos you receive in messages. • Bug fixes. Facebook for iOS is a free download.
Apple updates Configurator app
Apple has released an update to its Configurator app. The OS X app allows users to configure and deploy iPad, iPhone and iPod touch devices in an enterprise environment, such as schools or government institutions. While no major changes were introduced, there are several minor improvements that administrators of institutions will find useful. Here's the news from the release notes: Apple Configurator 1.3 contains improvements and bug fixes including: • Significantly improved reliability, scalability and performance • A new status view that includes time estimates and error information with recovery suggestions • Ability to cancel scheduled or in-progress operations • Administrators can install apps on devices configured to not allow users to install apps Apple Configurator is a free download in the Mac App Store.
Vine 1.1.3 update adds a share button
A new update has been released for the popular social video app Vine that adds a sharing button beneath posts in your feed, along with the standard bug fixes that come with every update. Sharing is a nice touch that the app has been sorely lacking since its launch. When you hit share, you're given a list of options: Twitter, Facebook or embed. When you share your own videos, the link is sent directly to the feed of your choice with no option to insert a personal message. The Vine is simply shared with the text you attached to it. However, when you share a friend's Vine you're given the option of attaching your own text to the repost, so you can tag friends... or perhaps enemies. You can find the Vine version 1.1.3 in the App Store right now.
Knights of Pen and Paper now updated to +1 edition
The excellent iOS RPG Knights of Pen and Paper has been updated to the +1 Edition (as we heard it would be back at GDC) and is now available as a free update on the App Store. This new version, which is technically 2.02, brings lots of new content, game updates, new dungeons to explore and many other extras. For example, there's now a place called The Tavern, where you can keep old heroes and swap in new ones. Several new battle options nearly turned Knights of Pen and Paper into entirely new game. The +1 edition was spurred on by the game's new publisher, Paradox. Thanks to that collaboration, the game is also now available on Steam for US$9.99. But again, the iOS version is a free update, so if you've grabbed the game already, do be sure to download and give this version a try. If you haven't purchased it yet, you can grab it now for $2.99.
Neat revises mobile scanning app, adds expense reporting
Pushing towards a paperless future, the neat folks at Neat have released version 2.0 of Neat for iOS. The new build of the scanning-on-the-go application features much faster performance, scan annotation, new sharing and collaboration options, plus a new expense-reporting tool. Neat has made its bones as a desktop scanning solution, offering both compact and ADF-enabled scanners that work with the company's Mac and PC applications for document management. The Neat mobile app extends that find-my-files experience for access on the go, with scans and folders synchronizing to the NeatCloud online service. You can quickly share folders or individual scans to collaborate with colleagues, or search the OCR / indexed text of your documents to find what you need quickly. The expense report feature is intriguing; it creates a summary PDF from a collection or folder of receipt scans, totaling up the expenditure and listing categories as it goes. It's not going to supplant dedicated expense-reporting iOS tools like Concur, but for mobile freelancers who want a quick way to send expense overviews while simultaneously filing the receipts for safekeeping, it may get some traction. The NeatCloud platform also includes an optional human-powered verification step called NeatVerify, which will run the automatic OCR results from your receipt or business card scans (no documents) past the eyes of a real, live person for checking. You can get 30 credits for this service for US$4.99 a month, so it's probably best to save it for key items. Speaking of credits, while the Neat application is a free download from the App Store, the required NeatCloud service works on a paid subscription basis. After a 30-day free trial, you will need either the $14.99 or $29.99 monthly NeatCloud plan (discounted if you sign up for a year) to use the app; both plans offer additional features like extra users, cross-service search and more. Compare and contrast the $45 annual cost of an Evernote premium subscription, and you get the sense that Neat is aiming at the more demanding side of the market.
Apple TV 5.4 beta adds iTunes Radio, Conference Room Display
Apple has released the Apple TV 5.4 beta to developers. The latest beta software for Apple's set-top box adds support for several new features, notes JournalDulapin.com. The first up is iTunes Radio, which Apple announced at WWDC would be coming to Apple TV in the fall. iTunes Radio functions much as it will over iOS 7: users can access the Apple TV's built-in Music app to stream songs over the internet. Perhaps the coolest new feature is called Conference Room Display. As the name suggests, this mode is aimed at Apple TVs in the workplace. Users can set the Apple TV's home screen with a custom image, like a corporate or event logo, and a custom message. Viewers will see the custom image and message and also an overlay telling them how to connect their devices to the Apple TV. Finally, Apple has added increased subtitle features to the Apple TV. Users can now choose between closed captioning or subtitles and also alter the way subtitles look. Users will be able to set the font color and size and also the background color of subtitles. It is presumed that Apple will release the Apple TV 5.4 software to users when iOS 7 ships in the fall.
Skype adds video messaging to Skype for Mac, iPhone and iPad
Skype is usually about communicating in real time, but today the Microsoft subsidiary added a new feature that works even in those cases when your recipient isn't going to be able to see you right now -- video messaging. Skype Video Messaging has been in beta for a while; today the free feature is becoming available to all users. All video messages are sent and received free of charge, regardless of how often you wish to share video snippets with friends and family. Messages can be up to three minutes long. Although there are no editing tools built into the current incarnation of Skype video messaging, you can always go back and re-record your message until it's perfect. Updates to Skype for Mac, iPhone and iPad are expected to be out later today to enable video messaging for all users. In the meantime, enjoy the video below showing how the feature will work.
TweetDeck 3 now available for OS X
Twitter announced last week it was redesigning TweetDeck and giving it a fresh look and feel. Today, those changes hit the OS X version of the social networking app. The latest version of TweetDeck has a powerful, new sidebar that gives you quick access to items like your columns, your lists and the settings. You can also create a new tweet and search from this sidebar. Search is more powerful, too, with the ability to filter column search results by the minimum number of retweets, favorites and replies. A similar filtering feature is available for interactions, letting you filter them for mentions, retweets, favorites, followers or lists. One handy feature of the new version is the ability to drag and drop columns to rearrange them. Just select the column in the sidebar panel and you can move it around at will. You can still use the arrows at the top of each column for quick adjustments if you prefer. The latest version of TweetDeck is available for free from the Mac App Store.
