iPhoneApp

Is your hotel trying to choke you with an iPhone app?

Some like it cold.

It's not everyone's idea of comfort, but sitting in a cool hotel room -- especially when it's hot outside -- can offer a certain pleasure. At least for me.

It's a pleasure that a certain group of people want to deny me. They're called hotel owners.

Hotel owners, it seems, are rather fonder of making a cool profit.

It's bad enough when the room has no windows you can open. However, an ever-increasing trend is for hotels to restrict how cold you can make your room temperature.

You click furiously … Read more

Use 1Password for iOS? Bookmark this shortcut now

1Password is a popular password management app for iOS and OS X users. 1Password 4.1 was recently released, bringing with it a new URL scheme feature. The URL schemes allow you to append the letters "op" to any URL in mobile Safari to have the page opened in 1Password. In turn you can quickly log into the site using your saved password information in 1Password. The new feature is a huge time saver. You no longer have to switch back and forth from Safari and 1Password to copy and paste your password.

Even though adding two letters … Read more

10 amazing apps for new iPhone owners

Are you the proud owner of a new iPhone 5? Or perhaps a slightly used iPhone 4? Heck, maybe you scored an unlocked 3GS on eBay. Whatever the case, you need apps.

Ah, but which ones? Apple's App Store is home to some 80 gazillion, I believe, and if you're new to the iOS universe, you may have some trouble separating the app wheat from the app chaff.

Have no fear. I've rounded up 10 of my very favorite iPhone apps. They're not all new, mind you, but they're definitely indispensable -- and most of … Read more

Poll your friends on the go with GoPollGo's iPhone app

Asking your friends on Twitter or Facebook a question is a great way to start a conversation, but not everyone takes the time to give a detailed answer. The next time you have an important question to ask, try asking it by creating a poll using GoPollGo's iPhone app. Hopefully more friends will be able to quickly select an answer, giving you more input on the topic than you'd normally see.

Creating a poll via the app is simple. Enter your question, an optional description and any possible answers for the question you have posed. Don't worry … Read more

The worst app Apple ever made

Podcasts are all kinds of awesome. A Prairie Home Companion, This American Life, Wiretap, The Truth -- there's a virtually endless supply of great listening to be had free of charge.

Apple's Podcasts app, on the other hand, is all kinds of suck. It's so abysmal that I'm breaking my if-you-can't-say-anything-nice rule to vent my hatred of it. Ever since it debuted last June, I've tried to put up with it, tried to work around its countless limitations and atrocious interface. But no more. I'm done.

What's the problem with Podcasts? Ye … Read more

RunKeeper 3.0 for iOS gets overhauled interface, new features

I usually hang up my running shoes for the winter, but the arrival of RunKeeper 3.0 for iOS makes me want to brave the cold, ice, and snow (of which there's ample supply here in Michigan).

Let me pause here to note that although the App Store is home to many great run-management apps, I've been a RunKeeper fan -- and user -- since way back in 2009. And I'm not alone in my adoration of the app: It's a regular presence on the iTunes top-10-freebies list.

So what's new in version 3.0? … Read more

Discover new iOS apps with Hip

Did you find some variety of iOS device under the tree this week? If so, you've likely spent more than a fair amount of time trolling through the App Store in search of apps for your new toy. If you feel you've exhausted your search efforts in the App Store, give Hip by Kinetic a try. This free app points you toward new and interesting apps, pulling in recommendations from 10 tech blogs (CNET's own How To blog is not included, due to what I can only imagine was a gross oversight). It also lets you build … Read more

Apple's Christmas gift -- app downloads jump 87 percent

Apple certainly enjoyed a jolly Christmas, at least to judge from its App Store downloads.

Data out yesterday from mobile analytics firm Distimo revealed an 87 percent jump in iPhone and iPad app downloads on Christmas Day as compared with the average for the month. Sales from all those downloads rose by 70 percent on December 25.

The iPad seemed to be an especially popular gift this season, according to Distimo. App downloads for Apple's tablet lineup grew by 140 percent on Christmas compared to the monthly average, while revenue for iPad apps shot up by 83 percent.

Among … Read more

How to make your iPhone 5 'dance'

When I first read Rafe Needleman's tweet where he encouraged his iPhone to dance, I shrugged it off. Then I clicked on the cycloramic.com link in the tweet and watched one of the videos posted on the site. I shook my head in disbelief as I watched an iPhone 5 spin in a circle -- hands-free -- while standing on end. I was convinced there had to be some sort of special effects or movie magic going on. Obviously this was a prank. Right?

Boy was I wrong. So I followed the link to the App Store, forked … Read more

Dropbox for iOS updated with focus on photos

Forget spring cleaning. The winter holidays seem to be inspiring the impulse to tidy, with everyone sprucing up their mobile apps. Dropbox is the latest to release an update.

The cloud storage provider announced that it has revamped its iOS app, and the big focus here is on the photos experience.

Based on the new design and features, it looks like Dropbox is diving deeper into the photo-sharing side of its storage service.

The main addition is a new timeline of photos automatically uploaded from the user's mobile devices. The new viewing abilities look more glamorous on the iPad … Read more