In this week's App Recap, we've highlighted productivity app "Filter," utilities app "Hue Menu Bar for Philips Hue," and productivity app "TimeBloc" as three apps that are worth checking out. We've also compiled a list of apps that received major updates this week.
Apps to Check Out
Filter - Website and App Blocker (Mac, Free) - Filter is an app that lets users organize websites and apps to block into customizable lists that feature a duration or end time set by users. Once the blocker has been started, users will be unable to access the selected websites or apps, which can help reduce distractions and maintain focus. Although free to download, Filter's free version only features a blocking time limited to 10 minutes. The app's subscription, which has no limit on blocking time, is available in both monthly and yearly subscription options priced at $2.99 and $19.99 respectively.
Hue Menu Bar for Philips Hue (Mac, $3.99) - Hue Menu Bar lets users control Philips Hue lights directly from the menu bar on a Mac. The app's convenient location allows for easy lighting control without the need to open Apple's native Home app. The app also features the ability to switch between multiple Hue Bridges. In just a click, users are able to turn lights on and off, adjust brightness, change light colors for specific lights or entire groups, and more.
TimeBloc - Daily Planner (iOS, Free) - Productivity app TimeBloc lets users organize daily tasks in a simple manner. TimeBloc's timeline allows users to block their days into events that can be customized with icons and colored tags. Additionally, users can create routines that will seamlessly integrate into the timeline. The app also supports calendar integration, so users can import events directly into the app. TimeBloc is free to download, but advanced notifications, statistics, and the ability to create more than one routine and more than two calendars are limited to subscribers of the app's premium plan that's priced at $26.49 per year.
App Updates
Adobe Photoshop - Adobe this week updated its Photoshop app for iPad with two features that were previously limited to the desktop version of the software: the refine edge brush and the rotate canvas tool. The refine edge brush enables more precise image selection to achieve realistic selections of objects. The rotate canvas tool allows users to rotate a canvas using a two-finger rotation gesture.
Amazon Alexa - Amazon this week unveiled a redesigned Alexa app with a new home screen that features an Alexa button at the top of the screen that encourages users to tap the button or say Alexa to invoke the digital assistant. In addition, suggestions on the home screen are based on how customers have used the app and what Amazon services they take advantage of. The update will be rolling out to users worldwide over the course of the month.
Apple Store - Apple this week updated its Apple Store app with a new "For You" tab that offers easy access to order status, devices, accessory recommendations, services, and more.
Are you using a great new app we've missed? Let us know in the comments and we'll check it out for next week's App Recap. Are you a developer of a unique app you'd like us to consider? Send us a message through our tip line at the top of the page and we'll check it out.
Wednesday October 29, 2025 4:22 am PDT by Tim Hardwick
Apple is about to drop iOS 26.1, the first major point release since iOS 26 was rolled out in September, and there are at least six notable changes and improvements to look forward to. We've rounded them up below.
Apple has already provided developers and public beta testers with the release candidate version of iOS 26.1, which means Apple will likely roll out the update to all compatible...
Friday October 31, 2025 1:40 pm PDT by Joe Rossignol
The upcoming iOS 26.1 update includes a small but helpful change for iPhones, and it could prevent you from running late to something important.
Specifically, when an alarm goes off in the Clock app, there is a new "slide to stop" control on the screen for turning off the alarm. On previous iOS 26 versions, there is simply a large "stop" button, which could be accidentally tapped.
The new ...
Monday October 27, 2025 7:55 am PDT by Joe Rossignol
The upcoming iOS 26.1 update includes a handful of new features and changes for iPhones, including a toggle for changing the appearance of the Liquid Glass design, "slide to stop" for alarms in the Clock app, and more.
Below, we outline key details about iOS 26.1.
Release Date
Given that Apple has yet to seed an iOS 26.1 Release Candidate, which is typically the final beta version, the...
Friday October 31, 2025 7:32 am PDT by Joe Rossignol
Apple has just given a strong indication that it will not be releasing any additional new Macs for the remainder of the year.
Apple's CFO Kevan Parekh dropped the hint during the company's earnings call on Thursday:On Mac, keep in mind, we expect to face a very difficult compare against the M4 MacBook Pro, Mac mini, and iMac launches in the year-ago quarter.Parekh essentially gave a heads up ...
Thursday October 30, 2025 4:42 am PDT by Tim Hardwick
Apple's iPhone development roadmap runs several years into the future and the company is continually working with suppliers on several successive iPhone models at the same time, which is why we often get rumored features months ahead of launch. The iPhone 18 series is no different, and we already have a good idea of what to expect for the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max.
One thing worth...
Monday October 27, 2025 4:51 pm PDT by Juli Clover
Apple is designing an updated version of the Apple TV 4K, and rumors suggest that it could come out sometime in the next couple of months. We're not expecting a major overhaul with design changes, but even a simple chip upgrade will bring major improvements to Apple's set-top box.
Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos.
We've rounded up all the latest Apple TV rumors.
...
Wednesday October 29, 2025 7:13 am PDT by Tim Hardwick
Rumors are stoking excitement for the next-generation iPad mini that Apple is reportedly close to launching. So what should we expect from the successor to the iPad mini 7 that Apple released over a year ago? Read on to find out.
Processor and Performance
Apple is working on a next-generation version of the iPad mini (codename J510/J511) that features the A19 Pro chip, according to...
Tuesday October 28, 2025 1:07 pm PDT by Juli Clover
Apple today provided developers and public beta testers with the release candidate versions of upcoming iOS 26.1, iPadOS 26.1, macOS Tahoe 26.1, tvOS 26.1, watchOS 26.1, and visionOS 26.1 updates for testing purposes. The RCs betas come a week after Apple released the fourth betas.
The new betas can be downloaded from the Settings app on a compatible device by going to General > Software...
Apple launched the Apple TV HD, the Siri Remote, tvOS, and their accompanying App Store a decade ago today, marking a major overhaul of the device.
The new vision for the Apple TV was unveiled on September 9, 2015 during Apple's "Hey Siri" event in San Francisco, where CEO Tim Cook introduced the device with the statement, "The future of TV is apps." The announcement represented a major...
Everything's a damned subscription. I'm going to bed (at least until someone contrives a way to charge me monthly or annually for my bed sheets) :rolleyes:
Why there is never some time aloted for getting up between waking up and making breakfast? Is there no one out there taking some minutes to actually get up?
I don't think there is a way for developers to do that. You can, however, see the IAP (including subscriptions) on the App Store page.
It’s possible for developers to display the IAP pricing in the App Store but it’s optional. I find it extremely frustrating if developers choose to hide it so you have no idea what the cost will be.
Especially as these developers also like to hide the pricing on their website and in the app behind free trials.
Apple should force developers to display the price or do it automatically.
Why there is never some time aloted for getting up between waking up and making breakfast? Is there no one out there taking some minutes to actually get up?
You mean your bed is not right next to your kitchen?
