If you're a regular Snapchat user, you may already have received a snap from teamsnapchat demonstrating the new features that have been added in today's very significant update. It's the first time we've seen any major improvements since way back in January, but with video calling and instant messaging having just been introduced, it's clear that the developers are looking to branch out beyond captioned selfies.
Developers regularly drop the prices of their apps for limited, promotional periods, and while we tend to gratefully receive whatever discount we can get our paws on, it's always that bit sweeter when an app or game goes completely free. Today, we're going to run through a total of four great apps that can be snapped up for no cost whatsoever over at the App Store, and if your iOS device's home screen is looking a little scant, then we've got the antidote right after the break!
A newly-released, free tweak over at the BigBoss repo has sought to bridge the gap between the rather lackluster iOS keyboard and that of the desktop rig by bringing a couple of the traditional keyboard shortcuts to the iPhone, iPad and iPod touch.
As a company, Facebook has been open-sourcing a number of development libraries that will greatly improve other third-party apps going forward. Now, thanks to the jailbreak world, those who have liberated their iOS devices from Apple's walled garden can benefit from Facebook's mobile power by revealing a number of hidden settings within the native iOS app.
The Facebook Messenger app for iPhone has just been updated, adding a myriad of exciting new chat-related features. Those with an account on the world's foremost social network can now enjoy video sharing - a feature that has been eagerly-awaited by Facebookers far and wide. As well as that, photos and stickers will now load more quickly, and the company's development team has clearly been on its game to bring this version 5.0 update so soon after version 4.1's arrival only a couple of weeks back.
The App Store has been inundated with photo and video-related apps over the past couple of years, which shouldn't come as much of a surprise given the significant advances that have been made with regards to smartphone camera tech. But it's a fair assessment to make that a large portion of said apps seem to wallow in the pool of mediocrity, and only every now and then do we catch a real gem. Snapseed was a prime example of an image editor with a truly professional edge, and now, the app widely regarded as the best in show for videographers has just gone free!
App Store pricing is often referred to as a race to the bottom, but that doesn't mean that every app has to be free. Some developers, usually the ones with quality apps, dare to charge a fair price for their wares, and that's the way it should be. That being said, there's no better way to get some attention for your paid-for app than to make it free for a limited time. Free downloads count towards an app's App Store chart ranking even when it moves back into the 'Paid' chart, which should in turn mean more sales. It's genius really, when you think about it.
Since the release of the Evasi0n jailbreak for iOS 7, the number of tweaks - particularly those aimed at revamping the lock screen - has sky-rocketed, and while some lock screen enhancers have sought ways to increase general functionality, others have served only to look pretty. Timely, a new entry to the BigBoss repo, certainly swings toward the vanity side of the scale, offering a completely different perspective on the clock feature.
Google has just dropped version 0.5.0 of the MyGlass app for iPhone, which includes the ability for users to invite friends to join up to the Explorer Program, a new control Glass from screencast feature, as well as the usual assortment of bug fixes and general performance enhancements. Full details, as well as that all-important download link, can be seen right after the break!
If you hate the iOS 7 power-off screen then you're going to love BetterPowerDown. When Apple finally released iOS 7 to the public last year, it's fair to say that it wasn't met with complete acceptance. Some of the design changes that Jony Ive brought to the iPhone and iPad had some people not just shaking their heads, but also longing for the more familiar look and feel of the versions of iOS that they were so used to.
