The Week in iOS Apps: Space, Spaces and more
Space out
This week's roundup includes two similarly named apps that have very different functions.
History Vault
The new History Vault app features “hundreds of hours” of documentaries and specials from the History Channel’s archives; pay just $5 a month for commercial-free on-demand video content—no TV provider needed.
Remember
The free Remember app for iPhone is kind of like a contacts app on steroids; when you enter the name and number of a person, the app researches that person’s background and adds details. The app can also remember where you met a person—and nearby locations—to help you better remember the context of your first meeting.
The Roll
The Roll is a free iPhone app that “makes your photo library smarter, grouping the best shots, events and albums so you have half the screen time.” Developers say the app uses an algorithm to identify the best pics in your camera roll.
Space
Space, a $4 iPad app, lets you create asteroids, nebula, comets, experiment with gravity and other forces of nature. Also: It’s fun.
Spaces
Spaces is a new app from Google, which is still trying to get a foot in the door on this whole social media thing. This app lets users create small groups of friends and acquaintances who share a common topic interest. You can comment, search, and add YouTube links to posts.
SoundHound
The latest update to SoundHound adds voice control: Just say, “OK, Hound,” then instruct the app to play a track from any of several music services—including iTunes, Pandora, and Spotify—that you use.
Yahoo Mail
Yahoo Mail is getting prettier, letting users choose from several different “stationary” designs to gussy up their emails to friends, family, and co-workers.
YouTube
YouTube is adding Google Cardboard support—any video you watch on your phone can now be viewed in virtual reality.
Others of note
Podbean (pictured) has overhauled its user interface … Packing Pro’s “major overhaul” includes the addition of “smart search” … PDF Expert has Apple Pencil support. … Adobe’s productivity apps have been rebranded under the Adobe Spark umbrella.
