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Download Panols free via Apple Store app to create stunning panoramas for Instagram

Christian Zibreg ∙ March 31, 2017

Apple is giving away Panols for a limited time, a $1.99 savings, but only through its official Apple Store app for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch. Created by Juan Arreguin, Panols allows you to share the panoramic photos taken with your iPhone, as well as other photos stored in your photo library, with Instagram users everywhere. Taking advantage of Instagram's profile grid, Panols showcases your panoramas to their full effect in the standard three-across display view.

You can edit the name, description and geolocation of all your photos and be assured that your original photo will remain intact as the app uses a copy for all edits.

The best iMessage games

Steffen Reich ∙ Updated October 13, 2023

When Apple took the wraps off the iMessage App Store last year, it quickly became evident that the messaging service would become the next playground for some weird and wonderful applications. Since then, developers have largely graced us with conventional stickers and app extensions, despite another under-represented category increasingly showing promise: iMessage games.

Almost half a year after opening the gate, it seems a good time to take stock of the games playable through Apple's messenger and hand-pick the ones not only most captivating but also smartest at circumnavigating the limitations of iMessage. If you fancy the thought of challenging a friend to a duel on iMessage but don't want to waste anyone's time trialling potential duds, read on to find out about the current top performers on the iMessage App Store.

Remember AppGratis? It shut down today.

Christian Zibreg ∙ February 15, 2017

After seven years and more than fifty million installs globally, the app discovery service AppGratis announced it's shutting down today. Founded in 2010 by French engineer Simon Dawlat, AppGratis curators found and recommended apps that were featured to download for free or at a significantly reduced price.

As some of you will recall, Apple in a controversial move nuked the app from orbit back in April 2013 over a violation of App Store rules regarding third-party app promotion and marketing. After it was dumped from App Store, AppGratis launched an Android version of the app.

Want podcasts on your Apple Watch? There’s finally an app for that

Steffen Reich ∙ Updated May 7, 2018

The ability to store and play podcasts on Apple Watch is one of many features advocated for regarding future watchOS updates, but so far it has fallen on deaf ears at Apple. With the cries for podcasts on Watch slowly reaching fever pitch, developers have taken matters into their own hands and released a fully functional podcast app that enables the transfer of your favorite subscriptions from iPhone to Apple Watch.

The app goes by the name WatchPlayer and (while moody at times) gives a solid account of itself, effectively beating Apple to the punch in the podcast race. Find out below how the data transfer is realized, where it trumps Apple's stock apps and what areas of WatchPlayer could do with some attention.

How to convert any barcode into a pass for your Wallet with Pass2U Wallet

Steffen Reich ∙ Updated May 17, 2018

Based on the continuous growth of Wallet for ticketing services and Apple Pay, Apple’s bid to render cards and printouts a memory of the past has come a long way. Wallet makes handling and storing any type of ticket considerably simpler, which is why it is easy to get irritated today when presented with no other delivery option but an old-school paper pass. Thankfully Apple and other retailers are increasingly swinging towards the digital platform, but there are still countless cases where you just cannot add a ticket or voucher to your Wallet - even though it would make life so much easier.

Pass2U Wallet, a free app for iOS, taps into that need and conveniently bridges the gap. Just like Wallet itself it offers to scan hard copy barcodes in order to convert them to Wallet passes, however contrary to Apple’s Wallet it will practically work with any piece of paper imaginable. As such, Pass2U Wallet complements and enriches the stock Wallet app nicely, making sure you will be able to add anything you like to your iPhone’s Wallet. Find out more about the app in our review below.

Apple’s free app of the week: Toca Hair Salon 2

Christian Zibreg ∙ December 1, 2016

Like every Thursday, Apple today updated its Free App of the Week promotion on the App Store with a brand new item, a kids-friendly game called Toca Hair Salon 2. This means that for the next seven days, you’ll be able to download this app free of charge—a savings of $2.99.

In Toca Hair Salon 2, you play as one of the six charming characters and run a hair salon of your own.

There are lots of virtual tools of trade at your disposal which you'd find in any hair salon that let you cut, color and style any way you want, from a simple comb and scissors to a curling iron and a straightener.

Apple’s free app of the week: Tayasui Sketches Pro

Cody Lee ∙ November 17, 2016

Apple on Thursday updated its App of the Week promotion with the app Tayasui Sketches Pro. This means that for the next 7 days, you’ll be able to download the popular drawing app for free—a significant savings of $5.

Sketches is described as the most realistic, versatile and user-friendly sketching app designed for mobile. This artist's toolbox helps users create dazzling sketches, cheerful paintings and smashing illustrations on the go.

Apple’s free app of the week: Perchang

Cody Lee ∙ November 10, 2016

Apple on Thursday updated its App of the Week promotion with the game Perchang. This means that for the next 7 days, you'll be able to download the popular puzzler for free on both iPhone and iPad—a solid savings of $2.

Perchang is kind of a cross between pinball and a physics puzzler that exercises your brain and tests your coordination. Use flippers, magnets, portals, fans and other gizmos to guide tiny marbles to their goal to win each level.

The Trail is a beautiful jaunt in the palm of your hand

Steffen Reich ∙ Updated May 17, 2018

In gaming circles, the mentioning of Peter Molyneux’s name alone will cue plenty of associations. The Brit gained industry fame at the helm of projects such as Black & White or Fable, inextricably linking his name to figments of fantastical worlds, deep characters and far-reaching decisions on virtue and morality. In 2012, Molyneux founded 22Cans and branched out to mobile gaming. So far, remarkably little has come off it on iPhone.

In view of the latest product out of 22Cans' think tank, the rules might however just have changed. Their latest adventure goes by the name The Trail and revolves around the ostensibly quiet premise of wandering nature. Contrary to some notions inherent to hiking though, it is remarkably entertaining, oddly social and distinctly Molyneux. Oh, and it is a visual treat for your eyes.

Find out if the game with the curious premise is cut out for you in our review.

Review: PDF Viewer does not stand out from the pack, but delivers on its promise

Steffen Reich ∙ Updated October 17, 2018

When iOS 8 and its slew of extensibility features arrived, facilitating a much simpler experience importing or exporting your files, third-party productivity apps finally became well-rounded products and viable alternatives to Apple’s in-house range. Since then, more file storage and document editor apps than ever inhabit the depths of the App Store and chances are you have settled on your day-to-day favorite for the handling of PDFs a while back.

Enter PDF Viewer, a new and free app available for iPhone and iPad, which sets out to make you question your previous app choices. As the name suggests, PDF Viewer aims to deliver you an all-encompassing assistant for PDF file management including document edits, file dissection and the creation of new files from scratch. PDF Viewer gets a lot right at the first go but will also have to slowly grow its offering in depth and breadth. Find out if its an application fitting your life style below.

Apple’s free app of the week: Lost in Harmony

Cody Lee ∙ November 3, 2016

Apple on Thursday updated its App of the Week promotion with the hit free runner Lost in Harmony. This means that for the next 7 days, you'll be able to pickup the popular game for both iPhone and iPad for free—a solid savings of $4.

For those unfamiliar with the title, Lost in Harmony is a cross between a rhythm game and free-runner. It features beautiful visuals, a mesmerizing soundtrack, and easy, addictive gameplay that gets more challenging as you progress.

Apple’s free app of the week: Sonic CD

Cody Lee ∙ October 27, 2016

Apple on Thursday updated its App of the Week promotion with the game Sonic CD. This means that for the next 7 days, you'll be able to download the classic Sega hit for both iPhone and iPad for free—a solid savings of $3.

In this iteration of the popular franchise, Sonic travels to the distant shores of Never Lake and discovers it has been taken over by his arch-nemesis Dr. Eggman. You must help Sonic stop him and restore order to Little Planet.