During the last month, a few App updates were released to the general public. More specifically, updates for the WordPress, Google Chrome and the Facebook Apps on iOS. All Apps are both iPhone and iPad friendly.
WordPress
The revised WordPress app (version 3.1) got a new user interface refresh along with a good amount of performance and reliability updates. Here’s a full list of what’s new:
- New sidebar menu for quick navigation.
- Sliding panels on the iPad for greatly improved navigation and ease of use.
- Updated colors and graphics.
- Improved sign-up experience.
- New app icon.
- Support for Post Formats.
- WordPress.com Reader and Quick Photo added for the iPad.
- New Simple post preview feature for the iPad.
- All-new WordPress.com stats.
- New WordPress.com Friend Finder feature helps you find your friends blogging on WordPress.com.
- Landscape orientation support throughout the app.
- Easy access to your site – view it and access the web dashboard right from the app.
Shortly, a quiet update to version 3.1.2 was released addressing these issues:
– Fixed login issues with stats and Jetpack
– Easier Jetpack set up for self-hosted blogs
– Improved accessibility
– Crash and bug fixes
Download the WordPress App here
Chrome
Earlier this summer, Google released the Chrome web browser for iOS. With it’s release, Chrome quickly became one of the top downloaded Apps. It has received rave reviews from everyone I’ve spoken to about it, mostly about how fast it is. Just the other day, Google made a small update to the browser which adds the ability to share web pages from the browser straight to Gmail, Facebook, Twitter or good ole email. Other changes to the App were stability/security improves along with bug fixes from user feedback.
Facebook
One of the most anticipated App updates to arrive is Facebook’s iOS App. If anyone’s ever use the previous version, you know it was a bit slow, clunky and crashed a lot. That version was coded with web code (HMTL5), while the new version was recoded using iOS’s native language of Object-C. According to Facebook, the result is an App that is up to twice as fast when launching, scrolling through news feed and opening photos in the feed. Here are the other new features of the App:
- New banner lets you tap to quickly see more stories – no need to refresh
- Photos open fast and close with one downward swipe
- Instant access to your notifications
Download the Facebook App here
And for all the Fandroids out there feeling left out, Facebook will release an updated Facebook App for the AndroidOS at some point in time. Rumor has it that Zuckerburg is forcing Facebook employees to use the Android App (while abandoning their iOS devices) in hopes of making them more motivated into making fixes to the Android version.
