iPhone Applications

Apple has added a new security feature in iOS 6 to put an end to apps accessing personal data without permission. The new privacy settings come after it was discovered that the Path app was collecting and transmitting users' contact info without their knowledge. Users will have the option of giving an app permission each time it wants to access their contacts, calendars, or any other data. Users will also be able to specify which apps can access which data via the Settings app. This sounds like a great feature for iPhone owners who are concerned about keeping their personal data private. However, Andrew Storms, director of security operations for nCircle thinks differently.

"Instead doing the difficult work of putting together a privacy policy that has some teeth or going after app developers already violating policies, Apple has basically decided to annoy their users by requiring them click through a dialog box for just about every app on their phone. These dialog boxes are going to be like one of those whack-a-mole games - exactly the kind of thing users despise and ignore completely. This approach adds no value to Apple users, it's nothing but a CYA for Apple lawyers. "

Storms believes users will either turn off the permissions dialog box, or just flat out ignore it by blindly clicking "OK". Just like we all do with those long terms and conditions that we always accept without reading. Storms says Apple's new dialog boxes should look more like the mockups posted above.

Google launched its own deal-of-the-day website entitled Google Offers after it failed to acquire Groupon for $6 billion last year. Today Google announced that it's bringing its deal hunting service to iOS devices with the official launch of the Google Offers app.

The free app allows users to search for instant savings in map view, and redeem most offers without having to print a voucher. It also sends notifications when new deals are available or saved deals are about to expire.

Google’s Vice President of Product Management Bradley Horowitz announced that Google has partnered with Flipboard to integrate Google+ into the news reader. Flipboard is a popular mobile news magazine for Android and iOS devices. It already features Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr and Instagram feeds. Google plans to add even more content to Flipboard via its new Google+ APIs.

Google recently redesigned its Google+ app after it was poorly received. Horowitz told LeWeb founder Loic Le Meur that the revamped iOS and Android applications have boosted interaction and have been well received by users. However, Google partnering with Flipboard suggests all is not well for Google in the social news reader world.

Spotify has announced that free radio play is coming to the U.S. in a few days. The update was supposed to roll out starting today, but Spotify decided it wasn't quite ready for public consumption. iPhone and iPad users will have access to an unlimited amount of music once the new radio feature is integrated into the iOS app.

The update offers limitless streaming radio stations and the ability to like your favorite songs so you can easily find them later. Free users will have to deal with advertisements, while Premium users will continue to enjoy an ad-free experience. Spotify is available to download for free in the App Store. It's compatible with the iPhone, iPod touch and iPad, and requires iOS 5.0 or later. A Spotify Premium account is $9.99. Read on for a complete list of upcoming changes.

Apple is sure to pull down the app Display Recorder any second, however you can download it now for $1.99 if you act fast. Although its video quality is inferior to the jailbreak app with the same name, this knockoff app will provide a useful feature for iOS users who aren't interested in jailbreaking their devices to capture screen video.

Display Recorder rips off the name and many of the features of developer Ryan Petrich's app that has been available on Cydia for some time. Basically you open the Display Recorder app and press record. As you navigate back to the home screen everything you do on the iPhone is recorded, along with a soundtrack from the microphone.