This week we use AirBuddy to bring iOS-like AirPod integrations to the Mac, we play the amazing Synth One on our iPhones, and use the Apple Pencil to play music. And that’s just the beginning of this week’s amazing app roundup.
AirBuddy
If you have AirPods, and a Mac, then you need AirBuddy. Once set up, it runs invisibly, and makes using AirPods with your Mac as easy as using them with your iPhone or iPad. Open the case and see the battery status, for example, and connect to the AirPods with a mouse click. You can also view the AirPods’ battery status in he Mac’s Notification Center.
Price: Name your price
Download: AirBuddy from the App Store (iOS)
GoodReader
Photo: GoodReader
GoodReader 5 adds split-screen view to this long-lived iOS PDF reader, as well as document encryption to protect your PDFs if you don’t bother to passcode your iPad. GoodReader also opens all kinds of other audio, video, and image files, not just PDFs.
Price: $5.99
Download: GoodReader from the App Store (iOS)
Microsoft Outlook
Photo: Microsoft
Outlook, Microsoft’s combined email and calendar app, has now rolled out its fancy redesign to all users. It now gives subtle color cues when you swipe around in your inbox, and offers “recognizable” avatars. It’s great that Microsoft is investing effort into making things look and work better on iOS. Shame it can’t do the same for Skype.
Also: still no support for IMAP accounts.
Price: Free
Download: Microsoft Outlook from the App Store (iOS)
Pen2Bow
Photo: Pen2Bow.
Pen2Bow is a music app that lets you use the Apple Pencil to play music. You can bow a violin, for example, or control a synthesizer. And now it has been reworked as an Audio Unit, which means you can use it inside apps like GarageBand to control instruments right there.
Price: $7.99
Download: Pen2Bow from the App Store (iOS)
AudioKit Synth One Synthesizer
Photo: AudioKit
Synth One is one of the best synthesizer apps on the iPad, and now it’s on the iPhone. Synth One is an open-source app, but don’t let that put you off. The design is fantastic — it’s easy to use and looks great. It also sounds great, and now that it fits in your pocket, you can use it anywhere
Price: Free
Download: AudioKit Synth One Synthesizer from the App Store (iOS)
