Apps

Apple's App Store review policies have found yet another unwanted spotlight after the company allegedly rejected an iOS app update because its developer mentioned Pebble's competing smartwatch in the app's metadata.

You just got a new iPhone. You're looking forward to a clean, untouched interface. But after powering-up, what's this? The dreaded pre-loaded app. Just like new computers...

Hot on the heels of Apple's controversial decision to drop all Google Maps services — including Street View — from the default Maps application in its future iOS 6 release, popular navigation app Navigon has released an update which includes the feature. With version 2.1, demoed originally at MWC in February, the app now provides Street View snapshots of destinations, to help with the final stages of journeys. Users can rotate the view 360 degrees to get a better idea of their eventual surroundings...

The Daily App Deals post is a round-up of the best app discounts of the day, as well as some notable mentions for ones that are on sale. Stress Check Pro by Azumio (iTunes) Previously 99¢, now Free. Stress Check Pro by Azumio for iOS tracks your stress levels using heart rate variability (HRV) as measured by placing your finger over the iPhone's camera. Get it for Free. (via LogicBuy) iOS iOS

Additional reporting contributed by Fran Berkman and Jennifer Shore. Instagram, Twitter and Facebook were, without a doubt, the most talked about apps of 2012, but they're...

The two biggest parking pains -- remembering your spot and keeping track of the meter -- have finally been addressed in a single app. Called Honk, the HD app for iPhone and iPad provides a "minute-by-minute" update of the time left on a parking meter. "Simply swipe your finger across the meter to set how long you plan to park. As you quit Honk, it will mark your parking location on the map, and when the time comes to head back to your car, it will honk you," according to Honk's App Store description.

Moovit, an app for finding your way home on public transport in the least busy (and therefore least painful) way possible, now has more than one million users around the world....

The Living Wallet looks like a regular wallet -- except for the small wheels on its sides. According to its official website, the wallet pairs with a bookkeeping app called Zaim, which works on the iPhone, Android, iPad and on the web. The wallet, created by a Japanese company, looks ordinary on the outside -- but inside, it's anything but. See also: 10 Weird Japanese Products That Are Actually Kind of Useful The wallet can apparently be set to two different modes, Save Mode and Consumption Mode.

An Italian startup that lets people buy and sell city-owned parking spots to one another plans to ignore efforts to crack down on its business and those who use it. Monkey Parking today said will keep offering a way for people in public spots to "sell" their spot to another user of the service before vacating it, something that has typically been an open market for any nearby driver who happens upon it. Earlier this week, San Francisco City Attorney Dennis Herrera sent out cease-and-desist letters to...

Heading out of town over the holiday weekend? Get these apps first.

Looking for a quick last-minute gift? Not feeling up to fighting the holiday traffic, crowds and checkout lines? Just too lazy busy to shop? Then you may want to consider giving the gift of an iOS app. You can gift any paid app from iTunes on your computer or from the app’s description page on your iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch. Just scroll down past the screenshot and look for the “gift this app” button. All you’ll need is the recipient’s email address to complete the transaction.

Plane Finder AR adds a layer of augmented reality to its previous (and free) Plane Finder app, now charging $3 for the privilege of seeing the flight number, speed, destination and other such details of overhead planes. The same developer is making a name for itself in transportation apps, with its Airline Finder acting as a guide to all the various airline planes in the world; Ship Finder showing real-time movements of our aquatic vessels; and the real-time Plane Finder and Plane Finder Free apps,...

It's Friday and what better way to celebrate than a deliciously fresh batch of the best iPhone apps of the week. We've got all kinds of tasty treats for you this time around, from a gift-giving tool to a trip planner, and so much more....

According to Google’s Jeff Huber, Google Maps for iOS is a runaway success, having seen over 10M downloads in just 48 hours after its launch. This is a pretty huge number, and rare that a company as large as Google would share such numbers. Still, it’s impressive in every way. The app stands atop the free app leaderboard on Apple’s App Store, clearly suggesting that the people…

Google Maps for iPhone received its first significant update today, with new features that are designed to improve in-app search, making it easier to find relevant place information. Google Maps now lets you search your Google Contacts within the app, meaning if you use Google as your primary address book you’ll now be able to call up addresses even if they’re not stored locally on your phone, and…

Google unveiled a significant update to Google Maps on Tuesday, finally bringing support for Apple's iPad, while adding enhanced features like indoor walking directions and "Explore," a new interface for browsing shopping, dining and lodging destinations.

Foursquare did away with private check-ins this week, finally ending support for what had been, for a long time, one of the service's most-neglected features: the ability to privately track places you've visited for personal use. Today, a new iOS app simply called Pins is offering an alternative with the debut of a service that lets you collect, organize and optionally share lists of places you…

Google’s Street View is an astounding service, unimaginable a few years ago. But photographing streets and stitching them together is a costly and time-consuming exercise. Mapillary thinks it has the answer, by allowing users to map the world with their smartphone and other cameras. Clearly heavyweight investor Sequoia agrees, because today it’s announcing a $1.5 million in a…

Most mapping companies are pretty good at getting you from point A to point B. They usually optimize for the quickest or shortest route, but rarely take into account the risks of navigating the shady end of town. RedZone, an iOS app launched today, adds a soupçon of street smarts to your navigatory efforts.

Ah, the day of turkey-stuffing, gourd decorating, belt loosening and political conversations is upon us, Thanksgiving is here. And what else could you be more grateful for than your precious…

The Daily App Deals post is a round-up of the best app discounts of the day, as well as some notable mentions for ones that are on sale. Voice Brief (iTunes) Previously $2.99, now Free. Voice Brief for iOS reads aloud from your email, news feeds, socal networks, and more. It's a text to speech assistant with customizable sources and a music player style interface. Get it for Free. (via Apps-aholic) iOS iOS

iOS/Android: The turn-by-turn navigation app Waze has released an update today that adds a few more social features, including the ability to check the estimated time of arrival of friends, request a pick up from friends, and more. ...

It’s Christmas morning and the sound of pitter patter can be heard around the home as children and even adults scurry towards the Christmas tree in order to get started opening their presents. What did you get? An iPad? An iPhone? Power it on and let’s take a look at some of the apps that you’re really going to want to download onto that brand new device first....

Whether you're exploring a new city or trying to find the fastest route to a new restaurant in your neighborhood, there are many apps to help you navigate. Depending on whether you'd prefer to arrive by bike, foot or car, you might prefer one app over another. Waze will help you navigate traffic via crowdsourcing, while Google Maps usually offers a few options on public transit, just in case you're not completely sure of your time of departure.