The Google+ 1.0.8.3514 for iOS update released today provides a new photo interface and, more importantly, the ability to start a Google Hangout (multiperson video chat) from the Google+ Messenger module. Tapping the camera icon in a Messenger contact gets things going.
Although the Google+ app is not a universal one, it can run on an iPad. You can see it in the pixel doubled (2x) mode in the screenshot to the left.
Thirty-four of the apps for my iPad &/or iPhone were updated in the past week. Apps that do not have comments in the list below indicates that the update is simply a bug fix release.
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The free Dijit for iOS app works with the Griffin Beacon to turn an iPhone, iPod touch, or iPad into a universal remote control. It does this by accepting commands from the iOS device via Bluetooth and then relaying those commands via infrared to a variety of consumer electronics devices. Until now, however, did not scale to the iPad’s larger display. The 3.0.0 update fixes this by providing a universal app that works with the iPad’s larger display.
My paper subscription to The Economist magazine just started. A quick check of its iPad app revealed that subscribers to the paper edition are able issues for free (normally $5.99 per issue). The digital magazine has a different navigation style compared to the two TIME Inc. magazines I’ve read (TIME and Entertainment Weekly). Its contents section is separate from its contents in that you cannot simply swipe out of the contents page into the first pages of the magazine. However, once you get to any particular article, the entire magazine is available without returning to the contents section.
The most interesting aspect of this magazine app, however, is that each of its articles has a downloadable audio reading associated with it. My initial guess was that it was some kind of text-to-speech system. However, this guess was wrong. Each article is read by a human being. There are a mix of female and male readers. And, each does a very good job reading each article. This is great for those times when you just want to lie back, close your eyes, and still be able to learn something new about the world.
The Entertainment Weekly for iPad app launched recently. Like other Time, Inc. e-magazines, it is a free app with the option to purchase EW for $4.99 per issue. However, if you have a subscription to the magazine’s paper edition, it just takes a minute or two to set up the online iPad subscription at no additional cost.
If you have tried the TIME magazine or other apps from the firm, you already know how to use the app. I should note that the interface has improved a lot since the early days of the iPad when it was a very disappointing experience.
The last week of the calendar year is always a slow one for app updates because Apple, for the most part, shuts down during that week. Still, seven apps updates showed up for my devices.
Box.net 2.5.2
CNN App for iPad 1.5.0 America’s Choice 2012 Election Center for iPad available.
glmps 2.0.1 Share visual status update on Facebook, Twitter, & Mixi. Post to blog via TUmblr, Blogger, & Posterous. Checkin with Foursquare & Foodspotting.
IMDb 2.4.2
Steer Clear Mobile (State Farm) 2.0.3
Steinway Etude 2.1 Refer to this previous blog entry: Steinway Etude for iPad sheet music app now works with AirTurn Bluetooth page turner
USA Today 1.9.1