News

The popular messaging app Snapchat has added a new location-based feature to enhance users' photography. Known as Geofilters, these custom borders, graphics and text packages can only be added to photos taken in specific locations. Snapchat explains that Geofilters have been developed for neighborhoods in New York and Los Angeles so far.

Snapchat does not store users' locations, but in order for the Geofilters to be available, Location Services must be enabled for the Snapchat app. The early focus on Los Angeles is not surprising, considering that Snapchat headquarters is located in the area. Various businesses and places such as Disneyland and the Venice neighborhood are showcased in the video below.

Shazam has updated its iOS app to version 7.7.0. The update adds the ability to identify and play any track inside the app using Rdio. Previously users could play any song recognized by the Shazam app, but the feature required opening the Rdio music player separately.

You will still need to have the Rdio app installed on your device and an active account for full track playback to work, but now there is no reason to switch apps every time you want to hear a full song. Rdio is free to download from the App Store. It requires iOS 6.0 or later.

A report in today's Economic Daily out of Taiwan (spotted by G4Games) claims that Apple's highly anticipated iWatch will launch with three models. The models will vary by size and shielding. The report also claims that the rumored iPad Pro is still in the works and may be official by the end of the year.

According to the publication, one model will sport a 1.6" touchscreen panel while the other two will have larger 1.8" screens. Earlier rumors have claimed sizes ranging from 1.3" up to 2.5". The two larger sizes will differ by their screen material - one will employ sapphire glass, which is a super hard material that is scratch resistant.

After updating the Steam version of Kingdom Rush with The Curse of Castle Blackburn campaign, Ironhide Game Studio announced both Kingdom Rush and its sequel Kingdom Rush: Frontiers will be getting "Endless Modes". It has been over seven months since the last update was rolled out to Frontiers.

While this is good news, "endless modes" are normally the last and final update developers add to their games. However, Ironhide has been supplying Kingdom Rush fans with new content since it was originally released in 2011, so it is hard to believe this is the end of the franchise.

This was a big week for iOS app updates, MInecraft received its largest upgrade since it was released to iOS devices. Version 0.9.0 of the Minecraft Pocket Edition adds a host of new features including infinite worlds, new blocks like Monster Eggs, new biomes from the PC version and a new interaction button to solve an issue that caused players to accidentally dig or punch. Google Play Music was updated with gapless playback and the ability to download subscribed playlist, and the Broadway theater tickets app,TodayTix added personalized codes so users can earn $10 credit towards future purchases by referring their family friends

In iOS gaming news, Gameloft finally announced a release date for Modern Combat 5: Blackout. The first person shooter will be available for both iOS and Android devices on July 24, 2014. Q*bert made a comeback this week. Q*bert Rebooted is now available on Mac, Windows and Linux and it is headed to mobile devices later this year.