Updated Pandora App Now Has UI Changes And Reduced Battery Usage

Updated Pandora App Now Has UI Changes And Reduced Battery Usage

July 8, 2012   Technology

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Pandora has released a major update for its iOS application this weekend, bringing it to version 3.2. The new app includes a refreshed UI, and several other welcomed enhancements.

Among the new features is a modification to the app’s architecture, which, Pandora claims, greatly reduces the amount of battery life it uses. Keep reading for the full change log…

New features in Pandora 3.2 include:

• Visual refresh and design enhancements
• Full lyrics for the songs we play
• Artist biographies
• Detailed track features from the Music Genome Project
• Song history: rate, bookmark, or buy previously played tracks
• Explicit lyrics controls
• Start a new station directly from the Now Playing screen
• Simplified sign-in and registration screens
• Reduced battery usage

The update really makes for a more cohesive user experience. I like the new look, which follows the recent Instagram-esque design trend, and new features like Artist Biographies and Song History are a nice touch.

I haven’t been using version 3.2 long enough to notice any kind of significant impact on the battery life of my iPhone4S, but even the slightest improvement would be helpful at this point.

The app, as always, is free, and can be found in the App Store. And then of course, Pandora is still offering its ad-free $3.99-per-month Pandora One service.

So, what do you think of the new Pandora?

[The Verge]

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Brand New Food and Drink Category Is Now live On The App Store

Brand New Food and Drink Category Is Now live On The App Store

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Earlier this month, several iOS developers reported receiving word from Apple that it was adding a new category to the App Store called Food and Drink.

The new section would showcase a number of applications regarding the topic, that previously got lost in the gigantic Lifestyle section. And now it’s live…

As noted by 9to5Mac, the new Food and Drink category is now live in the App Store. Users can use the new section to find a nice mix of food and drink recipe apps, cooking aids, and local restaurant finders.

To give you an idea, top paid iPhone apps in the new category include Food Network in the Kitchen and MapMuse’s Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives Locator. Top free apps include Starbucks and Urbanspoon.

If you want to check out the new section for yourself, you can view it in the App Store, by clicking here.

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Xbox Live app brings 360 control to iPad

Xbox Live app brings 360 control to iPad

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Last month, Microsoft released an update to its My Xbox LIVE application that brought Xbox 360 control to the iPhone. The feature gave users the ability to control their consoles with an Apple-branded handset.

Yesterday, Microsoft released another update that brings that console control to the iPad…

From the app’s release notes:

“Use your iPad with your Xbox to connect, control and discover content on your console. Connect your iPad for access to a quick list of your most recent console activity. Control your content with play, pause, fast forward and rewind media controls. Find fresh entertainment to play in the new Discover section.”

While it doesn’t offer any advanced options, the control feature serves as a nice backup remote for your Xbox 360. Just make sure that the console has an active internet connection.

If you’re interested, you can grab the new My Xbox LIVE application from the App Store, for free.

What do you think of the updated iPad app?

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