apps

Make calls and more with Skype, a leader in the field of VoIP technology

We were already impressed years ago when Skype was first introduced on a full OS, but when its video call features are applied on a mobile OS, it gets even better.

The familiar blue-and-white interface makes a comeback in the mobile version of Skype. Things are a little simplified, of course, but the critical elements are easily accessible. You can quickly build up your contact list with the option to import all of your contact information from your phone's list. The call quality was high in our tests, and the video calls didn't lag and appeared very natural. … Read more

Top holiday cooking apps on iOS

Are you hosting Thanksgiving or bringing a dish to a potluck? If so, plans are probably already in place for the turkey, side dishes, and desserts, but there might be a chance to take your recipes to the next level -- if you have the right apps.

There are several cooking apps for both iPhone and Android that are great year-round, but they also often have special featured recipe collections around the holidays. If you want to kick your green-bean casserole (or any other holiday dish) up a notch, I suggest you take a look at what these apps have to offer.… Read more

Some find problems with Wii U update

You don't have to wait long for Monday's CNET Update:

Sales of the Nintendo Wii U system began Sunday, following a midnight launch event at the Nintendo World store in New York. But anyone getting a Wii U will need some patience before getting started. A required 5GB firmware update can take an hour or two to download, but be sure to not turn it off once the update has begun! Some users that turned off the console before the download was complete have "bricked" the machine and need to exchange it for a new one. … Read more

Apple approves 1 millionth iOS app, tracker says

Apple has approved 1 million iOS apps, according to an application discovery company.

Appsfire revealed the findings on its Twitter account yesterday. In an e-mailed statement to CNET, an Appsfire spokesperson said that its tally includes all of the apps "that have been submitted and approved by Apple and that went live in the App Store" since its launch in 2008. The spokesperson was quick to point out that the tally does not include those apps that have been submitted and rejected.

The Next Web was first to report on the Appsfire tally.

Apple announced last month that … Read more

Apple workers get free apps in time for the holidays -- report

Apple's brick-and-mortar workers are getting a special perk, a new report claims.

During a recent meeting discussing Apple's plans for the fourth quarter, the company announced that it will roll out a new perk for retail employees, called "App Discovery," 9to5 Mac is reporting today, citing unidentified sources with knowledge of the company's program.

Once they have access to App Discovery, employees will be able to download a host of popular paid applications for free to their iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch. Although it might be viewed as a perk, 9to5Mac points out that the … Read more

How to get a (good) job developing apps

Talk about a pivot.

When I last talked to SherLabs in March, CEO Satjot Sawhney was busy getting his TapFame product into the hands of game developers. TapFame was a sweepstakes engine that any developer could drop into a game with the aim of raising awareness and loyalty.

But after a recent chat, Sawhney said the company had changed directions yet again, this time turning TapFame into a networking business that connected developers with companies looking for talent in app design.

Sawhney had built a vast network of both brands and strong developers in his effort to push the sweepstakes … Read more

GPS pioneer takes aim at the future of navigation

The pace of modern consumer technology has been so swift in recent decades that you can still meet the people who helped change the world, and find that they're still at it and working on what's next. Bob Rennard is an example.

He was one of the developers of the GPS technology we rely on today, and is a co-founder of TeleNav, a provider of GPS-related software and services. The company called me and offered to have Rennard explain its Scout platform. I'm normally reticent to come do a story on a product pitch, but the key … Read more

Whoops! Warner Brothers app was mistakenly released in U.S.

Warner Bros. seemingly threw a bone to cord-cutters and mobile TV watchers on Friday with the release of an app for hit shows such as "Gossip Girl" and "The Big Bang Theory." It turns out, not so much.

The company pulled the app from the U.S. iTunes store shortly after it was made available. The Day After US app was actually intended just for the Benelux region -- Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg -- to give them a place to purchase TV shows.

The app was free to download, although the shows had to be … Read more

Google app bug cancels Christmas, December

Is Google the new Grinch who stole Christmas?

Sure, the month of December can be expensive and stressful, but Google apparently has an app for avoiding it. Users of Google's recently released Android 4.2 Jelly Bean are finding that the Web giant left the last month of year out of the operating system's People app.

Users attempting to add a friend's birthday using the "date picker" feature will scroll right from November to January.

The bug appears contained to the People app and does not affect Android's Calendar app. And on a Nexus … Read more

Grab the best Black Friday deals with these Android apps

The holidays are fully under way, which means that shopping is at top of mind for many. In years past, this might have meant thumbing through the weekly circulars and braving the inevitable shopping mall stampedes, but these days, online retailers and deal-hunting mobile apps are changing the game.

For Android users, here are three of our favorite shopping apps, all of which can help you get a heads up on the best deals, not only online, but also in your area. Try them out for yourself, and let us know what you think in the comments below.

Editors' note: … Read more