image from tuaw.com

Zynga with Friends, the company that has created the ever-popular games such as Words with Friends and Hanging with Friends, has created an online version of Words with Friends that is playable on Facebook.

This version does not require flash and look virtually identical to the iPad version.  What’s really neat is that you can play mobile users!  And, if you have your devices logged in though Facebook, updates will appear very quickly.

So if you’re a Words with Friends fan, check out the Facebook version for free.

Finally this update also signifies Tapbots’s successful release of their push notification system. Over the past couple releases, Tapbots has been testing this new service and now it is open for everyone. Once updated, all you have to do is go to the settings menu and enable one of the many push notification switches. You’ll be receiving alerts in no time!

1.4.3 is a free update from the iOS AppStore.

Did you know that the iPhone has a secret redial button?  It’s true! and it’s hidden in the call button on the virtual keypad.  If you just dialed a number in the Phone app’s keypad section, just tap the big green “Call” button once to load the number back in and once again to redial the last number.  This will not work if you’ve dialed a number from the Favorites, Recents, or Contacts tab.

After reading a bunch of our posts you might notice two things.  1. MacApper likes Instagram! and 2. Burbn, Inc. likes to update their app!  A lot!  Here’s what the update text says:

• Double-tap on photos to Like them
• Autocomplete usernames
• New interactive comment screen
• Improved reliability & speed

Instagram 1.8 offeres the ability to double-tap on a photo to “like” it.  Instagram will now also autocomplete when typing usernames.  There is now a new interactive comment screen and Instagram 1.8 offers improved reliability and speed.  Be sure to download this update by opening up the AppStore on your iPhone or iPod touch.

I must admit I was a little skeptical when it came to the abilities of the iPad’s new musical abilities, but this changed completely once I found this video of George Lambro’s skills.  If you think that GarageBand for the iPad is a bust, check this video out!  This is where the phrase Apple so pushes “the iPad is magical” truly comes into play.

Reported by TUAW.

Continuing the long line of overhauled apps being updated, Delivery Status touch has updated to 4.4.  Here’s what the update text states:

New Features:

• Added support for DHL UK (Domestic Express) and Post.at (Austria).
• Added support for more barcodes from DHL Germany, FedEx, and USPS.
• The iPad version has been reworked to make it easier and more enjoyable to use.
• There’s a new Juncloud sync site at http://junecloud.com/sync/
• If you don’t have any deliveries, you can add a delivery by tapping the package icon or “no deliveries” text.
• You can now clear the date for an “Other” delivery.

Improvements:

• Improved mapping results when the location isn’t specific enough.  You can still drag the pin to a different location if it’s incorrect.
• Improved syncing, especially when the time is off or when logging in.
• Improved date detection for non-English languages, especially on Amazon.it.
• Improved error checking for service definition updates.
• Improved update intervals for some deliveries, especially ones with errors.
• Improved sorting for shipments with delivery dates in the past.
• The Done button now appears on the Help and About pages, so you can exit quickly.
• Subtly tweaked the icon to better pair with our new app, Notefile: http://notefileapp.com
• More little things you may notice if you look very closely.

Bug Fixes:

• Fixed a problem on iPad where opening the app in portrait mode could result in the view not updating correctly after syncing.
• Fixed a bug where the settings fields might not update after scanning a barcode.
• Fixed a bug where the online view on iPad would not always update when changing deliveries.
• Fixed a possible crash when deleting a delivery on iPad with the online view open.
• Fixed a potential bug on iPad if the sync settings were edited while a delivery was being edited.
• Some other minor fixes.

Phew!  As you can see this is a big one.  Junecloud was pretty thorough with their update text.  This update packs a bunch of new features that make Delivery Status touch much more reliable and easy to use.  It now supports more locations and barcodes.  Improvements and Bug fixes are in this update galore making this the best delivery tracking app on the iPhone and iPad.  Remember that one size fits all for this app so if you buy it for your iPad, you can use it on your iPhone and iPod touch as well free of charge.  Be sure to update Delivery Status touch to 4.4 as soon as you can for a much improved and stable performance.

Hey Logic users!  Have you checked for updates lately?  Apple has recently updated it’s music creation apps to version 9.1.4.  This update adds support for GarageBand for iPad’s exported projects.  The logic express update is 138.74 MB and the pro update is 192.48 MB so be sure to have a good, fast connection.

You can update via software update or with the following links:

Logic Express: http://support.apple.com/kb/DL1015

Logic Pro: http://support.apple.com/kb/DL1014

Take a long last look at that icon because TUAW Reports that those who have been using the latest version of Apple’s pre-released operating system have noted that there is no iSync to be found.  Maybe a better solution will take it’s place?  iSync was an app that allowed you to sync your phones, palm pilots (whaaa?) and even old iPods with all of your contacts and calendar events.

It’s also important to note that FrontRow, Java runtime, and Rosetta have also disappeared.

Google has recently updated their web interface to their Map’s service viewable on mobile browsers such as mobile Safari.  The update includes the ability to view your current location, give suggestions when entering locations, clickable icons, directions for when you are driving, walking, biking, and taking a transit system, the ability to view satellite, traffic, and other views as well as much more.  Sounds like the built in iPhone Maps app!  Well, now you can do all of these things straight through Safari via maps.google.com.  Enjoy!

Nike’s running and tracking app just received a major overhaul with new features and a bunch of performance improvements.  Here’s what the update text says:

• Control whether incoming calls will pause your run.
• Select your preferences for Voiceover feedback, or turn it off all together.
• End or pause your run without pulling the plug on your music.
• Register or sign-in to Nike+ GPS with your Facebook or Twitter account.
• Experience a boosted engine with improved accelerometer and GPS accuracy.
• Challenge your friends to a new Nike+ Tag Game: Last to Run, where the last person to sync a run is IT.
• Easily find friends to play Nike+ Tag by searching for their usernames.

Nike has listened to everything users have requested and shot out a huge update.  You now have a lot more control of your music and the audio feedback during your run and after.  You can choose to have the app pause your run if you receive a call and have Nike+ keep your music playing after your run.  You can now utilize your Facebook and Twitter accounts to log-in to Nike+ GPS.  There is now a new game called Nike+ Tag.  Runners have to race to sync their run and the last one to do so is IT.  During your run you will experience a better recording engine that utilizes an improved accuracy when taking information from the accelerometer and GPS.  Overall this is a bigger, better, faster Nike + GPS.  Get version 3.1 via the app store or on iTunes.

Currently as of writing Nike+ GPS is running a promotion (haha get it?) making Nike+ GPS free for a limited time!  Hurry up and start running!

IntoNow the amazing “identify what you’re watching on TV and share it to the world” app has recently updated to version 1.2.  Here is what they did:

• Rate episodes, shows and movies!  Simple thumbs up and thumbs down will help us create recommendations for you, and ratings for the show!
• Share with a single tap: easier and faster to share.
• Bug fixes and performance improvements!

You can now rate what you’re watching.  By either giving a thumbs up or thumbs down, IntoNow can collect your opinion and help give users recommendations on what to watch as well as give the shows you’re watching ratings.  Sharing has become a lot easier by reducing the taps you need to share to one.  And what would an app update be without bug fixes and performance improvements?  It’s all here in version 1.2.  Get it now at the AppStore.

Recently we posted an article talking about Comcast’s XFINITY TV app updating to 1.5.1.  Don’t panic! Comcast has shortly after released version 1.5.2 to fix an important issue.  This fixes the reliability of the Favorite channels setup and a fix for a potential loss of listing data.  There are also fixes for several crashes.  Be sure to update quickly for a much improved experience.

Joystickers has created a Capacitive paint brush for the capacitive tablet devices such as the iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, and Andriod tablets.  For those of you who just don’t get the right feel using your finger or a stylus, how about an actual paint brush?

Flow is $29.95 USD. Check it out at http://www.joystickers.com/products/flow.

Report from TUAW.

Apple launched a feature in their iOS operating system designed to make viewing advertisements fun for the consumer and easy for the advertiser.  This feature is called iAd.  Recently Apple created an app for the iPhone and iPod touch called the iAd Gallery.  What does this do?  It allows you to view and save all of your favorite iAds.

iAd Gallery updates regularly to show you all of the ads on the iAd network from all of the popular brands.  Love a particular ad?  Add it to the “Loved” section.  You then can organize and replay your favorite iAds over and over again.

For all things iAd check out the iAd Gallery free in the App Store here.

Color Splash – the ever-popular color-accent app for the iPhone has now updated to 1.6.  Here’s what the official update text says:

• Images are displayed in better quality and higher resolution during editing
• Added AirPrint support for wireless printing (requires iOS 4.2)
• Photo metadata is preserved in saved images (requires iOS 4.2)
• Improved handling of high resolution images
• Bug fixes and performance improvements

Image quality has been updated when editing images.  You can now print from Color Splash using AirPrint.  All of the metadata taken with your pictures is now preserved when editing and exporting through Color Splash.  Bugs have been squashed and performance has been improved.

Check out 1.6 in the App Store here.

WHERE, Inc. has released an update to their location-based app – WHERE to version 4.1.5.  Here’s what the official text says:

• Morris Visitor Publications editorial content integration, providing the best visitor content for travelers.
• Smart type ahead on the home page: suggests previous search terms, names of places near you and the best part: direct links to places that you’ve saved to your WHERE Lists.
• Faster log in experience.
• Fixed several crashes & bugs.

This update packs a punch when it comes to added useful features.  New content has been added allowing WHERE to give you the best experience in town from Morris Visitor Publications.  User experience has been enhanced with a “smart type ahead” feature that guesses what you’d like to do from previous experiences as well as a faster log in system.  This update would not be complete without several crashes and bug fixes.

You can find WHERE in the App Store here for the unbelievable price of Free.

WordPress for the iPhone and iPad has updated to version 2.8.  Here’s what the update text states:

Besides crash and bug fixes, the higlights for 2.8 are:

• Quick Photo button: only available on iPhone for now.
• Stats
• Added translations to Japanese, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish, Swedish, Bosnian, Hebrew, German, Dutch, French, and Croatian.

The Quick Photo button allows you to quickly take a picture and attach it to a new post on any of your blogs with one tap.  Also added is a Stats tab that works in tandem with the official WordPress stats plugin.  Be sure to add that plugin to your blog before using this feature.  If you haven’t, the app will walk you through the process.

It’s also important to note that this is most likely the last version of the app that supports iOS 3.x you wish to continue using WordPress on your iOS devices, be sure to update them for further compatibility.

Tweetbot, the new bird on the block when it comes to Twitter clients for the iPhone and iPod touch, has recently updated to version 1.1.  This much anticipated update comes packaged with the following:

• Landscape support for media, compose and web views
• Added User/Hashtag buttons to compose toolbar
• Improved accuracy of displayed locations
• Tweet gaps now load above instead of below
• Lists now sorted alphabetically
• Login now handles email address or username
• CloudApp image/video support
• Improved hashtag picker
• Fixed translation issue with British English
• Improved saving behavior for older devices
• Various bug fixes

Landscape mode has been added to a couple views in the app.  Now you can compose tweets, look at pictures and media, and view web pages in landscape mode.  Buttons have been added to the compose toolbar making it easy to add hashtags or @someone.  Location accuracy has been improved.  Lists are now sorted in alphabetical order.  Logging in now allows you to enter either an email address or a username.  If you use CloudApp, you now have image and video support in TweetBot.  Bug fixes and behavioral problems have been fixed with older devices as well as a miscommunication issue with the British English translation feature.

Be sure to update Tweetbot as soon as possible to get these much needed improvements.  Tweetbot is also available in the App Store here for $1.99 USD.

Fandango’s movie app for the iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch is now available in the form of 4.3.1.  Here’s what the update text states:

• Now available for iPhone/iPod touch, view details about movie casts and crews via our “Performer” pages
• On the iPad you can now “favorite” actors and other cast members in addition to movies and theaters.
• Also on the iPad, signup for Showtime Alerts to receive notification when tickets are available for the movies you want to see
• Other general usability enhancements

This update adds some features from the iPad version and gives them to the iPod touch and iPhone edition.  For example you can now view the “Performer” pages on the smaller screened devices.  On the iPad you can now “favorite” people, movies, and theaters as well as sign up for Showtime Alerts – giving you push notifications when tickets are available for movies newly added to theaters.

Be sure to update to 4.3.1 if you like to Fandango to your next favorite blockbuster film or if you’re new to the scene, check it out here and download it for free.

The ever-pupular game for the iPhone: Pix’n Love Rush has updated to version 3.0!  Here’s what they said:

Pix’ the Cat is Back!

For the first time in your neighborhood, we are proud to announce: Multicolor!

Tired of black night and thoughts?  Would you like to see life through Pink, Yellow, Green, Blue…spectacles?  Update your Pixels free of charge and discover the well-named RAINBOW mode that will probably get you hooked in Pix-O-Rama!

Which color can you reach!?

3.0 brings Rainbow mode!  Be sure to check it out if you’re a Pix’n Love Rush fan!  Pix’n Love Rush is a simple platformer where you play a pixelated cat who loves coins and destroying enemies.  Check it out here.

Comcast’s app for the iPhone and iPad has recently updated to 1.5.1.  Here’s what the update text says:

Now watch movies and TV shows anytime, anywhere on your iPhone, iPod Touch, or iPad using a WiFi connection.

The XFINITY TV app also now automatically gives you mobile access to the same TV channel lineup you have at  home.

It also lets you browse and tune to more of the On Demand TV shows and movies you expect.

The experience of returning to the application in search on iPhone has also been improved.

The selection of available content has been improved and a few bug fixes have been implemented.  One of the main fixes is when the app would crash upon launch.  If this still persists, simply delete the app and download it again.

XFINITY TV for iOS is available free on the app store.

TUAW reports:

Halfbrick Studios’ iOS game Fruit Ninja continues to grow — the Australian company announced that it has inked a deal to sell Fruit Ninja-flavored apparel in Hot Topic (the clothing store at the mall that’s about as tacky as it gets). The deal was put together with licensing agent HAP Consulting, and there are four shirts available now (featuring slogans like “slicing fruit like a boss!” and “Fruit Ninja addict!”), with more on the way.

So now you can add Fruit Ninja to your iPhone gaming shirt collection with Angry Birds!  You can get these shirts online or at a Hot Topic retail store.

That’s a long version number!  Google has updated its iOS search app yet again!  Here’s what the update description says:

Speed Improvements

• App is more responsive and launches faster.

Look & Feel

• Bigger fonts.
• Tappable search results!

Other changes:

• Voice search via gesture optional.  Can be turned on via settings

Minor bug fixes.

This update makes the app snappier and more quick to respond as well as improves the UI with bigger fonts and tappable search results.  If you want to quickly search for something with your voice, a gesture can be turned on in the app’s settings.  Minor bug fixes are also included.

If you don’t want to be tied to Safari for quick google-ing, check out Google’s own search app on the App Store for free, here.  Also check out the Google Goggles feature allowing you to take a picture of something and have google search the text automatically!

Instagram sure has been busy shipping out updates for their Photography/Social Networking app – Instagram.  1.7 brings the following to your iPhone and iPod touch:

• Grid View for Profile Pages
• Optional Bio Field in Profiles
• Manage which push notifications you receive (on Edit Profile screen)
• Choose Profile Picture from Facebook & Twitter
• Stability Improvements for iOS 4.1
• Bug Fixes & Speed Improvements for Older Phones

Profile pages get an updated Grid View for easier viewing as well as an optional Bio field to tell a little more about yourself.  If you’re tired of constantly getting notifications, you can now choose what notifications you’d like to receive.  If you’d like to change your picture, you now have the option to choose one from Facebook and Twitter.  And of course there are speed improvements and Bug fixes for iOS 4.1 as well as older phones.

Be sure to get this update if you’re an Instagramer or check it out in the App Store here.

SoundHound, the music identification and exploration app for iOS has recently released an update to version 3.6.2.  Here is what the update text states:

• Now Playing Share: Tell friends your current iPod song in just one tap
• Improved layout for easier sharing and browsing
• Smoother geo-tagging experience
• Improved responsiveness and stability

3.6.2 offers improved speed and stability while also introducing a cleaner layout and better experience when geo-tagging your music submissions for SoundHound’s social network aspect.  3.6.2 also offers a new “Now Playing Share” feature which allows you to share your currently playing song on your iPod with just a tap.

To get this update, go to the app store on your iOS device.  For those of you new to SoundHound, this app is a must have for the ever-unpopuar moment of “what song is that?” when listening to the radio.  Simply hit a button and SoundHound will quickly “and I mean quickly” listen and bring up the song’s artist, album, lyrics, youtube videos, and more.  Although SoundHound’s main competition in this market is Shazam, SoundHound is the only app that allows you to hum a tune into your iOS device’s microphone to search.

Instagram – the picture based social network app for the iPhone has recently updated to version 1.6.5.  Here’s what the update text says:

• Added Radial tiltshift mode
• Image quality improvements when choosing from library
• Improved speed throughout the app
• Crash fixes & improvements

Although small, this 1.6.5 update adds a brand new mode – tiltshift mode.  This gives you the ability of making whatever you are photographing look like a small toy by changing the focus and blurring certain parts of the image.  1.6.5 also improves the quality when converting regular pictures taken on your iPhone, to the smaller Instagram format.  This update also has a slew of bug fixes and speed improvements making it a must-update for all Instagram users.  Get it in the iOS app store or through iTunes.

The ever popular Scrabble-like game for the iPhone has recently updated to version 4.02!  Here is what the update text states:

• Fixed issue that was causing intermittent crashes on startup
• Fixed occasional crash when rematching games
• Improved logic refreshing Facebook friends
• Added improved crash reporting to solve issues faster in future updates

So overall this looks like a bug-fix update improving crashes on startup and rematches as well as improved programming when it comes to interacting with facebook and a better system to solve issues in the future.

If you’re a Words With Friends player, update via the app store.  Words With Friends is a word-bassed scrabble game but allows you to play with anyone online.  What you do is place a word on the board and hit submit.  Then your opponent is updated via the iOS’s notification system.  This allows you to play and forget about the game until it is your turn.

• Improvements when connection to iTunes or Apple TV
• Addition of a “skip back” button when playing video
• Additional stability and performance improvements

This appears to be mostly a performance update with the addition of a “skip back” button when controlling a device playing video.  To download this update open iTunes on either your Mac or your iOS device.

Although one of the iPad 2′s killer features is it’s built-cameras and the ability to run a fully featured version of iMovie (version 1.2) with it’s faster processor, little do people know that iMovie for the iPhone has also been updated.  Here’s what the official App Store notes state (excluding iPad only features) :

• Multitrack audio editing with 8 themed soundtracks and over 50 bundled sound effects
• Audio recording directly into the timeline
• Three new themes – Neon, Simple, and CNN iReport
• AirPlay support for sharing to Apple TV (compatible only with second-generation AppleTV; requires iOS 4.3 or later)
• Project transfer to your computer and compatible iOS devices through iTunes
• Ability to add titles on photos
• Option to add fade-in from black and fade-out to black
• Numerous enhancements, including trimming in Video Browser, in-use markers, video rotation, and more

iMovie for iOS is available in the iTunes App Store for $4.99 USD for use on both the iPad and the iPhone.  To get this update version 1.2, either download it via iTunes on your Mac or on your iOS device.