05/13, 9:58am
Live Button rolls out to viewers in New York, Philadelphia first
Broadcaster ABC is said to be updating its iOS app to offer live streams of shows from local ABC stations later this week. New options for a "Live" button in the Watch ABC app for iPhone and iPad will mark it as the first major US broadcaster that provides live streams of its channels to app users, with the first markets to gain the service being New York and Philadelphia.
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05/07, 9:53pm
Lets devs bypass Safari and use Chrome as default in-app browser
Shortly after updating its GMail iOS app to allow it to link directly to Chrome and other Google apps as needed, the search and ad giant is now offering Chrome for iOS integration tools to developers that allow them to specify Chrome as the browser to use for in-app web interaction, bypassing Safari unless Chrome is not already installed. The tools can give developers the option of using Chrome or asking the user if they would like to open a link in Chrome rather than Safari. It's not yet clear if the changes represent any breach of Apple's iOS guidelines.
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05/07, 11:36am
Google Drive simplifies sharing from desktop
Google has expanded the functionality of its Google Drive desktop app to simplify the process of sharing documents. Thanks to the most recent update, Google Drive files can now be shared with others directly from a Mac or PC's file system by right clicking on the file. The update is currently being rolled out to all users and may not show up immediately.
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05/06, 12:54pm
Gmail improves support for links
Google has launched an updated version of its Gmail app for iOS, introducing support for opening links in their respective apps. Available since 2011, the official Gmail app has also included support for opening links, however, prior to this update directed users to a browser for all links. YouTube, Google Maps and Chrome links all direct to their respective apps unless the setting is disabled within the app. Additionally, the update also adds support for signing out of a single account when multiple identities are active.
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05/03, 12:37pm
Optional push notifications for billing, outages
Verizon has updated the iOS and Android versions of My FiOS, an app supporting the company's fiber service. Both apps have integrated important FiOS TV functions, namely TV listings, DVR scheduling, and a remote control. Previously the app's video functions were limited to watching video on demand.
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05/03, 12:01pm
BlueReach enables Bluetooth streaming on 30-pin speaker docs
Pyle has released a new Bluetooth wireless-based music interface that can convert any 30-pin speaker dock into a wireless audio device. The BlueReach can connect with any Bluetooth-enabled tablet, phone, or MP3 player and offers wireless audio streaming at distances up to 33 feet. Additionally, the device also includes a 3.5mm input allowing for direct audio input on any 30-pin speaker dock. The BlueReach can be purchased online from Pyle's webstore for $67.
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05/02, 9:00pm
Says always-on Location Services didn't show issues during testing
Google has issued a written denial of claims that its new-to-iOS "Google Now" feature, which relies heavily on Location Services, is causing unusual battery drains for iPhone users. The company recently added the feature -- which attempts to predict what the user will ask based on location, direction and other factors and presents some useful information without user input -- to its Google search app already available for iOS devices. In the statement, Google says both that reports of battery drain are "incorrect" but then asks for users to contact them if they are having a battery problem.
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05/02, 5:50pm
Following 50 downloaders after landmark will receive $500 credits
Apple has launched a countdown to 50 billion app downloads on its iOS App Store, and is awarding a $10,000 gift card to the downloader, plus $500 gift cards to the next 50 downloaders following the landmark download. The representative countdown progress is seen in iTunes under the App Store section.
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05/02, 11:53am
Pinnacle Studio gains new speed controls
The iPad version of Corel's Pinnacle Studio has undergone a major update that introduces a brand new speed control. Tapping on the speed button will allow users to adjust the speed of any video clip, while pinch gestures can be used to actively speed up or slow down playback. Users can also add a freeze effect with a single click, as well as use a single finger swipe in the speed control for roll trimming. Other enhancements include faster rendering, simplified audio editing, and the ability to initiate renders directly form the preview message. Pinnacle Studio 3 is available in the App Store for $13.
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05/02, 9:59am
Shuttles edits back and forth between DNG, RAW
Adobe is developing an iOS companion app to the desktop version of Lightroom, the company's product manager for Lightroom, Tom Hogarty, revealed Wednesday via an online show, The Grid. The app should support controlling many of the same elements as the desktop software, such as exposure, clarity, shadows, highlights, white balance, and noise reduction. At the foundation of the app though is the Smart Previews technology from the Lightroom 5 beta.
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05/01, 3:17pm
Improves Vine support
Twitter has updated its official iOS app to v5.6, making some significant tweaks. Above all is the the ability to see trending topics according to location, whether nearby or in other cities around the world. Retweeting has also received some attention, as replies to retweets will now include the identities for both people involved.
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05/01, 12:45pm
Japanese readers get added font
Amazon has updated the iOS Kindle app with support for Apple's VoiceOver feature. Once enabled through iOS' settings, VoiceOver can now read books and guide blind users through the app's interface using a synthetic voice. Text can be read character-by-character, word-by-word, line-by-line, or continuously.
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05/01, 11:31am
Expands reach of video streaming
Two major TV networks, ESPN and Fox, have updated their iOS apps to support streaming to AT&T U-verse subscribers. WatchESPN provides access to live feeds of ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN3, and ESPNU, but only for people who already subscribe to ESPN packages from specific providers. Aside from AT&T, these include Bright House Networks, Charter, Comcast, Cox, Midcontinent Communications, Optimum, Time Warner, and Verizon.
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04/30, 5:20pm
AT&T offers $100 or more for smart phones less than three years old
Starting May 1, AT&T is offering a $100 credit off the purchase of a new phone in its corporate retail stores. The promotion applies to any smartphone AT&T sells, including the Galaxy S4 and iPhone 5 -- and gives owners of phones less than three years old in good working condition the credit. Phones valued at over $100 will receive a credit at a higher value, to be determined by AT&T.
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04/29, 3:09pm
Item libraries, Bluetooth scanners speed up checkouts
Square has issued a major update of the iOS and Android versions of Register, the app for the company's retail checkout system. Version 3.0 focuses on improvements for restaurants: customers can add custom tips, and the payment pad now supports multiple custom amounts, which can each have individual notes attached. On the iPad, customizable kitchen tickets can include a name or number, and orders can be modified at the counter.
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04/29, 2:06pm
TomTom apps feature latest maps
TomTom has launch the latest version of its navigation app for iOS devices in the App Store. Available for all of the regional app variants, the update includes the most recent versions of TomTom's maps, as well as improved planning support. Users can now change their pre-planned routes without having to start over completely. Options are included for modifying the starting point, destination, and departure time, allowing users to see how it affects the drive and arrival time.
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04/29, 11:25am
Lacks native OS intergration of Android version
Google has added Google Now to iOS in the form of an updated Search app. Now is the company's predictive results technology, until today available only to Android users. The feature pushes "cards" to a person based on their location and other personal information tracked by Google, such as local weather and traffic, flight statuses, and important news stories.
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04/26, 3:21pm
Support for non-Gmail accounts also a possibility
An iPad edition of Mailbox is in development, as are Android and desktop versions, tweets by the app's development team indicate. The iPad app is said to be "coming soon," while the Android and desktop apps are on a longer-term roadmap. Support for other platforms may also be possible.
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04/25, 11:00pm
Arment said project had outgrown his ability to keep it up-to-date
Popular Mac punditry figure, developer and publisher Marco Arment has announced that he has sold a majority share of his web-article saving and syncing app Instapaper to Digg owners Betaworks. Under the deal, Betaworks will "take over the operations, expand its staff and develop it further," says Arment, while he will continue advising the project "indefinitely." He admitted in the blog post that he had "had trouble" keeping up with the needs of the service for the past year, while rivals such as Pocket and Readability could devote more resources.
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04/25, 4:35pm
Pangea software makes entire catalog available for free between April 25 and 26
Pangea Software announced today that for 24 hours its entire library of its iOS games are completely free on the iOS App Store, starting the afternoon of April 25 until the morning of April 26. The free games include: Monkey Bongo, Billy Frontier, Jive Turkey Shoot, Cro-Mag Rally, Warheads, Enigmo, Enigmo 2, Enigmo Deluxe, Nucleus, Air Wings, new release Air Wings Intergalactic, Nanosaur 2, Bugdom 2, Otto Matic, Quarters!!, and Antimatter. These games normally sell between $1 and $4.
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04/25, 12:23am
New animation tools, page objects, per-page controls, more
Although it got off to a rocky start, Apple's iAd service is now the second-largest such service online, behind Google. The program has quietly but slowly improved over the years, and the improvements have now filtered through to a new major version of iAd Producer, the program that allows artist to create both typical iOS ads as well as the elaborate, beautifully-produced promotions that have become a signature showcase of Apple's approach to advertising. The new version, 4.0, improves nearly every aspect of the program.
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04/24, 10:34pm
Fandango v5.6, adds perks for Visa Signature users
Movie ticket and promotion app Fandango has updated its iOS app (free) with improvements for both iPad and iPhone users. Those on iPads can now scroll through photos and videos and view in full-screen mode, while iPhone users who are also Visa Signature account holders can purchase tickets faster and receive special offers from Tixpress by saving their card info in the app. The update also features better Facebook sharing and the usual general bug fixes and usability enhancements.
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04/23, 4:10pm
Allows viewing, browsing TV content
Google has released a native iPad app for subscribers of its Fiber TV service. Users can browse and search for shows that are airing live, as well as on-demand content, and anything recorded to DVR. On-demand content can in fact be both bought and watched using the app.
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04/23, 12:58pm
AppShopper Social launched
Following a removal from the App Store last September, AppShopper has returned with a new social-based app discovery tool. Dubbed AppShopper Social, the all new app contains the core Wish List functionality from the original software, but introduces new social discovery features. The app's main view consists of a Friend Stream that provides users with a stream of items that friends have added to their personal Wish List of My Apps lists. Other features such as Push Notifications for updates and price changes and app searching have also returned with AppShopper Social, while the What's New and Top 200 lists have been temporarily removed.
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04/23, 2:29am
Apple to sponsor Lennor 'tour bus,' educational music clinics
Apple is now sponsoring the long-running "John Lennon Educational Tour Bus," a mobile audio and video studio on wheels that tours educational institutions, encouraging students to explore and produce their own music with free songwriting, recording and multimedia production workshops. Using Macs on board to help with production, children write, perform and record original music and produce music videos with the assistance of three on-board engineers. Most recently seen in Phoenix AZ last weekend, the bus is scheduled to be in Gulf Shores AL as part of the Hangout Music Festival. The non-profit organization has its own App Store iOS app (free) as well.
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04/22, 11:00pm
Improves audio and subtitles on iOS, episode selector on iPad
On the heels of its earning announcements in which it saw a significant jump in users, Netflix has updated its iOS app (free) to version 4.0 with various improvements in episode selection, audio and subtitle selection and various bug fixes. The iPad gets a new episode chooser to make finding specific episodes of a TV show easier, while both the iPhone and iPad versions gain a redesigned audio and subtitle options selector. Alongside the update, Netflix announced it would begin offering a $12 per month "family plan," with up to four simultaneous streams.
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04/22, 9:00pm
Device mounted with custom case to back of many mobile devices
Bodelin Technologies has unveiled the ProScope Micro Mobile, the first professional-level microscope to be made specifically to attach to mobile devices such as the iPad, iPad mini, iPhone, and fourth- and fifth-generation iPod touch, as well as other tablets and smartphones. The microscope attachment uses precision optical glass for edge-to-edge imaging and magnification from 20X to 80X.
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04/22, 12:29pm
Yahoo! integrates Summly into iOS app
Yahoo! has launched an updated version of its iOS app featuring Summly integration, a new interface, and improved search options. Acquired by Yahoo! at the end of March for a supposed $30 million, Summly is a news aggregator that uses natural-language algorithms to create quick story summaries. These summaries are now provided to users in an endless news stream that has been designed specifically for the iPhone and iPod touch. Search is also said to be improved, both for video and images, giving users the option to narrow down searches to different categories and selecting only the topics that are of interest.
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04/19, 11:41pm
Twitter to kill off mobile Tweetdeck for good on May 7
Twitter, which has made something of a hobby of restricting, hobbling and subsequently killing off mobile Twitter clients, will be putting the well-received mobile version of Tweetdeck out to pasture on May 7, the same day that Facebook integration will also end. All iPhone, Android, and AIR versions of the app will cease to function on that day.
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04/19, 1:27pm
Griffin now selling Crayola Light Marker
Griffin has announced that the Crayola Light Marker, its new kids accessory for the iPad, is now available for purchase. By using the front facing camera and a free iPad app, the Crayola Light Marker allows users to interact with the iPad without touching the screen. Within the Crayola app are a number of activities for kids, including connect the dots, splatter painting, puzzles, colouring pages, and blank canvases, as well as various digital markers, crayons, and paintbrushes. The Crayola Light Marker can be purchased from Griffin's online store for $30.
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04/19, 1:00am
Developer plans newsletter, HTML5 web app to skirt rules
AppGratis, which admitted that it had gamed Apple's chart rankings and whose CEO subsequently lied about its business model after getting its app pulled from the App Store, has now seen its push notifications to users shut down as part of a broader Apple crackdown on apps that attempt to manipulate iOS app chart rankings. The company, which charged developers a fee in exchange for promising to get and keep their apps into the charts, sent emails to its users informing them that Apple had blocked the push messages.
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04/18, 6:00pm
Enables more social interaction, showcases 'influencers'
Business-oriented networking service LinkedIn has unveiled version 6.0 of its iOS app, which brings an overhauled design to the iPhone and iPod version based on the design of the iPad app. The program allows more than 200 million professionals to post career histories and job information, network with colleagues and mentors, search for future employment opportunities, catch up on industry news and participate in discussions. The iPhone version can now be used to edit a user's profile and save recommended jobs, among other changes.
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04/18, 2:18pm
DW09 offers wireless file sharing between iOS
Apotop has launched the DW09 Wi-Reader, a tool that can wirelessly transfer data across iOS devices, SD cards and USB drives. With the small device, up to three people can access and share information wirelessly, as well as simultaneously stream high-definition videos. The DW09 includes an SD card slot with support for SD, SDHC, and SDXC card, along with a single USB port for attaching self-powered external hard drives. In addition, the device can also double as a small WiFi hotspot with support for 802.11b/g/n networking. The Apotop DW09 Wi-Reader can be purchased online from Newegg for $80.
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04/18, 2:00am
FDA approves iPhone app for monitoring deteriorating vision
Vital Art and Science has debuted a new iPhone app to allow patients with degenerative eye conditions such as macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy to monitor their condition at home. The program, called myVisionTrack, is meant to supplement visits to eye care professionals by giving users a method of assessing their own vision function, as seen in the video below. The program stores test results and can even automatically alert healthcare providers if a sudden deterioration is detected. Currently the FDA approval is available only for the iPhone 4S and thus the app is pre-loaded onto iPhones by the company itself, but a downloadable version has been submitted for clinical trials and eventual clearance.
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04/17, 10:48pm
Friends who also have Pocket can 'loan out' articles, movies, more
Reading, syncing and content storage app Pocket -- formerly known as "Read It Later" -- has added in-app sharing of videos, web pages, photo galleries and articles between users in its newest update, version 4.5, released on Wednesday. A new "Send to Friend" button has been added that allows users to forward on favorite saved items to other Pocket users, keep track of what they've sent to whom (and using which service), and read or post comments from or to recipients in a new inbox inside the free application. Items can also now be forwarded by push notification.
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04/17, 6:30pm
App allows for easy layout and sharing of visually-oriented stories
A new app for digital content presentation called Stampsy (free) has debuted for the iPad, with the goal of giving users easy-to-use tools to help them arrange and integrate visual images and text into cohesive "digital experiences" that can be shared on the web. Pictures can be imported from a photo library or Dropbox and combined with text and layout tools, making the ability to post a visually-interesting, creative effort online more expressive that is seen in template-driven methods such as Tumblr or blogs.
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04/16, 6:30pm
TWC TV app to stream cable channels, local channels omitted
Time Warner Cable is revising its TWC TV iOS app, and is adding live programming outside of the subscriber's home on Apple mobile devices. As many as 11 live national news, sports, and entertainment channels will be available starting at 10AM EST on April 17, and include the Big Ten Network, the Pac-12 Network, the TV Guide channel, BBC America, MTV, Comedy Central, and Nickelodeon.
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04/16, 1:30pm
Company promises Home for international Android users 'later today'
Facebook is today releasing a major update of its iOS app, v6.0. The biggest addition is Chat Heads, something recently introduced to Android via Facebook Home and an updated Messenger app. Unlike Android, the iOS Chat Heads can only run within the Facebook app, but do let people keep tabs on conversations without having to leave other views. Heads can be dragged around a screen or dismissed entirely.
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04/16, 1:20pm
Mailbox closes reservation system
More than two months after its original launch, the Dropbox-owned Mailbox iOS app is now available without a need to wait in line. Thanks to Dropbox's acquisition, the developers have been able to scale the Mailbox service to deliver more than 100 million messages per day, giving them the confidence to remove the reservation system. Mailbox looks to improve upon existing iOS email implementations via a gesture system that simplifies common actions, such as archiving or trashing messages.
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04/15, 10:00pm
Ability to queue videos for TV playback also added
On Monday, Google updated its YouTube app for iOS (free) with support for live streaming, one channel branding for video content creators, additional AirPlay and other wireless-video support for non-AirPlay devices such as smart TVs, a subscription feed to allow users to quickly find new videos on the channels they are subscribed to and general stability and performance enhancements. The live streaming feature will add native support for the previously web-only feature, which runs special events as a live telecast.
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04/12, 6:44am
High bills generated by children using freemium games under scrutiny
A United Kingdom government department has launched an investigation into in-app purchases aimed at children. The Office of Fair Trading (OFT) is attempting to find out if the methods used by developers to encourage children into performing the purchases are "misleading, commercially aggressive, or otherwise unfair."
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04/11, 8:15pm
Former coders claim long-time Mac developer closing its doors
(Updated with correction of Dominic Feira's employment status)Ambrosia Software, a long-time maker of Mac software stretching back to System 7, is not going out of business -- at least according to its founder and president, Andrew Welch. He took to Twitter to dispel accusations that the company was closing up shop, following tweets to that effect from former coders who announced on Wednesday they had been let go. The company, currently best known for its screen capture tool Snapz Pro X and ringtone maker iToner, confirmed the layoffs but said the company is not folding.
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04/11, 4:05pm
Also makes iPhone 5, iOS 6 changes
Showtime has released v1.4 of Anytime, its video-on-demand app for iOS. The new version opens up access to Comcast XFINITY subscribers. Previously, only AT&T U-verse, DIRECTV, Optimum, and Verizon FiOS were supported.
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04/11, 3:11pm
Promotes real products, designers
Autodesk has release a new iPad app, Homestyler. The app is meant suggest home decoration ideas using 3D models. After taking a photo of a room, people can insert 3D models of real furniture, rugs, mirrors, and other objects. Users can also hang light fixtures, or change the colors of walls.
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04/09, 9:00pm
May involved expanding Siri partnership, more mobile features
Apple and Yahoo are discussing ways to bring more of Yahoo's best features to Apple's iOS platform, the Wall Street Journal reports. While the two companies are already working together on various projects -- the default Stock and Weather apps on iOS devices are powered by Yahoo, its search engine is an option in Safari, and its sports stats are incorporated into Siri -- the idea may be to continue Apple's move away from Google services wherever possible. This may include expanded service offerings and more cooperation.
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04/09, 6:58pm
Mature comic points out difficulties with adult-themed works
The popular author of a "mature" comic book known as SAGA says that Apple has banned the most recent issue from its apps -- though not necessarily from its own iBookstore -- over two small images of explicit gay sex. Despite what Brian K. Vaughan says have been previous and "more graphic" imagery in previous issues, he and collaborator Fiona Staples claim that the issue is specific to the fact that in the two panels of the comic, a wounded character with a TV set for a head displays explicit male sex.
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04/09, 4:36pm
Exports pages as PDFs
Google has updated Chrome for iOS with a handful of new features. iPhone and iPod touch users now have access to a fullscreen view, which hides the toolbar after a brief scroll. Scrolling back down again should cause the bar to reappear.
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04/09, 2:16pm
Promises service will go on
AppGratis' removal from the App Store was marked by a sudden reversal on the part of Apple reviewers, says AppGratis CEO Simon Dawlat. While he confirms that the app was pulled for violating two guidelines relating to promoting software, he also claims that it was initially approved by two reviewers before being rejected by a third shortly after the launch of the iPad version.
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04/09, 1:00pm
iDML update live in App Store
DTP Tools has released the latest version of its tool for editing stories from inDesign documents on the iPhone and iPad. iDML shows all stories within an InDesign document and prevents layouts and third party data from being modified during the editing process. Version 2.0 features a layout preview for documents, as well as the ability to choose stories to be edited from both the layout and from the list. The update also includes general performance and stability improvements and an up to date Dropbox connector. Additionally, the app is now supported on the iPhone 3GS and higher. iDML is sold for $20 in the App Store, while a lite version is also available for $3.
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04/09, 12:52am
Update gives developers just three weeks to update their apps
Google has finally released an update for its AdMob advertising SDK for iOS developers that leaves those reliant on it just three weeks to update affected apps before Apple's hard deadline for rejecting apps that still use Unique Device Identification (UDIDs) to track app usage and advertising effectiveness. The new version, 6.4.0, retires the UDID scheme (which had emerged as a potential security and privacy risk that could compromise personal information) and adds support for test ads, along with some bug fixes.
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