This week, we saw Apple release a minor software update, BBC iPlayer launched in a series of European countries and we heard that Justin Bieber uses a jailbroken iPhone. Read on, and take a look at this week's top industry, iPhone and iPad news.
A new, fun application to hit the App Store is Flipped Text, a universal app that allows users to write out and rotate, flip or reverse a section of text on an iPhone, iPad or iPod touch. The manipulated text can then be shared to Facebook, Twitter, or via email or SMS. Alternatively, it can be copied and pasted into any other iOS application.
The popular iPad application, Zinio Magazine Newsstand & Reader, has recently received an update. Now, users of the application can purchase magazines in-app and enjoy article previews. Furthermore, the app has received significant performance improvements, meaning it's now faster and more stable than ever before.
The popular Instagram iPhone app has recently received a minor update, improving social network sign-ins and the application's performance.
Skyfire has recently released a new, universal iOS application that allows users to watch Flash videos they encounter in Safari for iOS. The application, Skyfire VideoQ, is currently available to download in the App Store for $1.99.
A while back, we told you about Daphnée - a virtual French teacher, who (in an iPhone and iPod touch application) provides Apple fans with an insider's knowledge of real, urban French. The app consists of a series of lessons, in which Daphnée tackles a new lexical subject. In short, Daphnée really is the kind of French teacher you wish you'd had in high school, and now she's just got better - because the "lovely French teacher" is now available in a high definition iPad app.
If you're forever entering and re-entering an iTunes password in the App Store iOS application, consider downloading PasswordPilot. This recently released jailbreak application saves a user's iTunes password, encrypts it, and then automatically enters the password when a digital purchase is made in the App Store.
The British Broadcasting Corporation has now launched BBC iPlayer in 11 countries across Europe, as expected. The service can be accessed for €6.99/month, or for a €49.99 annual fee. Furthermore, the BBC also released a "global" version of its BBC iPlayer iPad app, which can be downloaded in the App Store for free.
As originally noted by TechCrunch, Qualcomm has released its Augmented Reality Software Development Kit (SDK) for iOS. The SDK allows iOS developers to create impressive augmented reality applications, and is available to download now over at Qualcomm's website.
The popular Yahoo! iPhone app has recently received an update, changing the application's interface and adding a variety of features, including media galleries and an offline mode for Yahoo! News articles.
Greplin is a new, free iPhone app that allows users to search through all of their online data quickly and easily.
The popular, free application for Apple's second generation iPad, Evernote Peek, has recently received an update. Now, users of the app can enjoy hearing audio clues, and interacting with study notebooks that have been shared with others.
It looks like Apple is currently having some trouble with the iTunes and App Stores. We have received emails from a number of readers indicating that it is not possible to purchase or update new content at this time. Users on the Apple message boards are reporting similar issues.
Great news, Netflix fans: The popular iOS application, which allows users to access their Netflix account and stream videos on-the-go, has recently been updated. Now, the app supports Apple's most recent software updates (iOS 4.3.4 and iOS 4.2.9) and the beta versions of iOS 5. Obviously, this is great news for Apple fans and iOS developers alike.
Moments ago, Amazon updated its Kindle iOS application, making a variety of changes. First, Amazon removed the Kindle Store from the app, falling in-line with Apple's in-app policy (which the company appears to be enforcing now). Second, the Kindle app now supports newspapers and magazines (which obviously have to be purchased outside of the application). And third, users of the application can now share quotations from texts with friends, via Facebook and Twitter.
This weekend, it was announced that The Wall Street Journal's iPhone and iPad apps and the universal Kobo e-book app would soon support Apple's in-app subscription policy, suggesting that the Cupertino, CA company is beginning to clamp down on those resisting the change. Following the announcement, Kobo updated its universal app, removing the Kobo Store from within the application. As of this moment, The Wall Street Journal's iOS apps have not been updated.
That's right, a team of intelligent people over at Northeastern University have developed a way to measure blood glucose levels using an iPhone and a fluorescent nanosensor tattoo.
The Facebook iPhone app has recently received an update (version 3.4.4), and though a variety of minor changes have been made, the application is still not compatible with Apple's iPad.
Apple's mobile application store is now available in 33 more countries, including Algeria, Iceland and Trinidad.
How do you make an already popular photo sharing service even more popular? You get Justin Bieber on-board, that's how. Because yesterday, the teen-dream sensation shot what can only be described as a boring picture of LA traffic, and shared the image to Instagram. As MG Siegler of TechCrunch notes, the result of this upload can only be described in one, single word: Boom.
Apple's new App Store volume-purchasing plan for its business customers is now online. The new service, which was announced just days ago, allows businesses and education institutions in the U.S. to purchase apps in volume and distribute them within their organizations.
No Internet? No problem, as you might someday be able to buy and receive apps and music without a connection.
The popular Final Draft reader for iPad, FDX Reader, has recently received an update. Now, the application is a universal app, meaning it's compatible with the iPhone, iPad and iPod touch. Furthermore, the app has received a price-drop, and is now available to download for just $4.99.
