MacRumors iPhone and iPad Blog: Apps, News, and Rumors

Microsoft today launched its Xbox Music service on iOS and Android, expanding the service to other devices almost a full year after its original introduction. The company has also introduced free ad supported web-based streaming for all browsers, but mobile users will need an Xbox Music Pass to access the service, which costs $9.99 per month after a free 30-day trial. The Xbox Music iPhone...

Popular iOS game Dots has been updated to add a new gameplay option called "Gravity Mode" that will be available for one week, along with with improvements in speed and battery life. Specifically, the new mode is sponsored by company General Electric to celebrate "Gravity Day", and features no time limits or restrictions along with the addition of a "gravity button" which shuffles the dots...

It appears that Apple plans to include support for iBooks Textbooks on the iPhone and the iPod touch with the launch of iOS 7. As noted by 9to5Mac, the iOS 7 App Store includes a new "iBooks Textbooks" section in the educational category. The section is currently unpopulated, but it does contain the framework for future textbook offerings. There are a number of subject headings, including...

BlackBerry Messenger for the iPhone was submitted to the App Store two weeks ago, which means the launch could be coming at any time pending approval from Apple. The news was announced this afternoon by BlackBerry Social Media Manager Alex Kinsella. BBM, which functions similarly to Apple's iMessage, was one of the first proprietary mobile messaging services and remains popular to this day...

Microsoft today updated its OneNote app for the iPad to version 2.1, allowing users to create new notebooks within SkyDrive for the first time. In-app notebook creation means OneNote for iPad can now be used as a standalone product without the need for a PC connection. Previously, users were not able to create new notebooks within the app, meaning that a desktop or web version of OneNote was...

With Apple's media event still four days away and the launch of new iPhone hardware likely two weeks away, campers are already starting to line up at the company's flagship Fifth Avenue retail store in Manhattan. While early lineups are frequently done as promotional stunts rather than campers arriving simply as devoted fans, with some early campers at past launches even receiving sponsorships ...

Gameloft yesterday released a new trailer for its upcoming Thor: The Dark World – The Official Game on Apple's iOS platform, a title scheduled to arrive in November as a tie-in with the upcoming movie. Notably, the hack-and-slash gameplay nature of the title is centered around Marvel’s Thor superhero and his quest to defend the Nine Realms from evil, with the ability for the player to use his...

Google today announced a newly redesigned version of its Google Drive app for iOS, which incorporates the company’s card-style layout that has been used across many of its mobile apps like Google+. The new look features thumbnails that display file content, but it also retains the traditional app layout. Users can toggle between the thumbnail view and the list view with the tap of a button. ...

Activision today released >Call of Duty: Strike Team, its new combination first- and third-person shooter for iPhone and iPad. The game has a story campaign set in 2020, as well as a survival mode with leaderboards.The most unique aspect of the $7 Strike Team's gameplay is the combination first- and third-person mode. The game starts as a top-down strategic shooter somewhat like Breach and Clear...

Social network Path has announced a significant update to its iOS app, bringing new features such as private sharing to specific contacts, a new “inner circle” grouping feature for existing contacts on the service, and a new premium membership that allows for unlimited use of exclusive filters and characters. The company has also announced a global partnership with mobile carrier Deutsche...

After years of negotiations, Japanese carrier DoCoMo will begin carrying the iPhone this fall, according to a report from Japanese newswire Nikkei [Google Translate].DoCoMo will begin carrying the new models of the iPhone this fall, after Apple and DoCoMo came to an agreement over terms and conditions, including sales quotas, claims Nikkei.The other large Japanese carriers, KDDI and Softbank, ...

Google has pulled its Google Authenticator app from the App Store following an update that removes all stored accounts when installed.The app is used with Google's two-factor authentication service to make logging in to Google accounts more secure.TechCrunch reports that users who don't have a trusted computer will need to reset their all stored tokens on Google that allow other services like ...

PayPal today announced a major update to its iOS app, introducing a complete iOS 7-style redesign that focuses on mobile payments in physical locations. A new "Shop" tab has been added to allow users to discover nearby restaurants and shops that support payments via PayPal. In a location that offers payments through PayPal, users can check in to pay for merchandise, pay directly at restaurant...

Konami has launched Star Wars Force Collection, a card battle game using properties from the popular franchise. The game allows players to collect cards of characters and vehicles from the entire film saga, as well as the ability to power up their cards and the ability to participate in random events to win premium rewards. The game also has a multiplayer component, allowing players to team up...

Video game publisher 2K and studio Lucid Games, the company formed by prior developers of console games such as Blur and Project Gotham Racing, have released 2K Drive, a racing title exclusive for iOS. Notably, the game includes all content up front upon purchase, including over 25 tracks, over 100 unique events, and over 25 licensed cars from automotive brands such as Dodge, Nissan, and...

Electronics manufacturer Philips has announced (via Engadget) the M1X-DJ system, an iOS-centric DJ controller with various features including compatibility with both the iPhone and iPad via Lightning connector, a compact mixer, and onboard turntables. The system also supports streaming via Bluetooth, a shoulder strap, and support for Algoriddim’s popular music-mixing app Djay 2. The Philips...

Screen manufacturer Japan Display and inductor coil provider TDK have fully ramped up production levels in order to meet the parts demand for Apple’s upcoming iPhone 5S and lower-cost iPhone 5C, according to a report from Japanese newspaper Nikkei [Google Translate] (via CNET). Japan Display Inc. (JDI), a merger of the small and medium-size display businesses of Sony, Hitachi, and Toshiba,...

Jawbone today announced its third portable Bluetooth speaker, the Mini Jambox. Designed to complement the existing Jambox and the Big Jambox, the Mini Jambox is similar in size to the standard Jambox, but thin enough to slip into a pocket. The Mini Jambox is 0.96 inches wide, 2.28 inches tall, 6.06 inches long, and it weighs nine ounces. In comparison, the original Jambox is more than an inch...