App Recap: Bluelane, Originate, Twobird and Major App Updates

In this week's App Recap, we've highlighted utility app "Bluelane," graphics and design app "Originate," and productivity app "Twobird" as three apps that are worth checking out. We've also compiled a list of apps that received major updates this week.

App Recap Bluelane Originate Twobird e1593263487284

Apps to Check Out

  • Bluelane (iOS, Free) - Bluelane is an app that allows for easy sharing of a route and location with anyone. Those who have access to this data are able to track route progress in real-time through the web. While using the app, users can see current route information that includes distance traveled, time, elevation gain, speed information, and more. Although the app is free to download, some features are limited to subscribers of Bluelane Pro, which has options available in monthly, quarterly, and annual plans priced at $2.99, $6.99, and $19.99 respectively. Bluelane Pro features the ability to share routes in real-time, export routes to GPX, download maps offline, and more.
  • Originate (iOS, $4.99) - Graphics app Originate lets users create parallax art with up to five distinct layers at once. Once the play button in the top left corner of the screen has been pressed, tilting the device will show different angles of the art in which the layered images appear realistic. Additionally, users have the option to view their creations in AR. The app also contains an import feature that can be used to import and then edit other users' art. Originate features iCloud sync and is available on both iPhone and iPad, so art can be seamlessly stored across iCloud devices.
  • Twobird (iOS, Free) - The makers of popular note-taking app Notability have launched Twobird, which is an email app designed to help increase users' day-to-day efficiency. Users can create notes and set reminders right from the inbox. Notes can be customized to include checklists, tables, comments, and more. Another helpful feature is live collaboration, which allows for shared notes to be nested in an email so ideas can be grouped together. Although Twobird provides many collaborative tools and is simple to navigate, it is worth pointing out that the app can currently only be used by connecting an existing Gmail account.

App Updates

  • Google Photos - The Google Photos app was updated this week with a simpler and refined user experience with fewer tabs present at the bottom of the screen. The main photo grid will automatically both enlarge featured photos and play videos. The search tab, a feature that takes advantage of Google's artificial intelligence, allows users to search for photos that may or may not be labeled. In addition, the map view lets users search for photos based on the specific location in which they were taken.
  • Netflix - Netflix this week announced that its iOS app will soon let users remove shows and movies from their "continue watching" list. The feature has been long desired since the list currently updates with any content that has been briefly sampled or watched in its entirety.
  • Opera (Mac) - The Opera browser for Mac has been updated with Twitter integrated directly into its sidebar. To enable the feature, users can simply click the three-dot icon at the bottom of the sidebar and select Twitter in the Messengers section. The update also includes improvements to Workspaces, a new weather widget, and more.

Know of a great new app that we've missed? Let us know in the comments and we'll check it out for next week's App Recap.

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Top Rated Comments

jlc1978 Avatar
66 months ago

I wonder how Twobird generates revenue? ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
my guess is, given their privacy statement, they'll eventually make a pro version as an IAP. I like the idea and am testing it with my corporate Gmail based email. It works fine so far. I am a big Notability fan so am looking forward to seeing what they do with this app.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
4jasontv Avatar
66 months ago
I wish Google would release a camera app that could capture all the data normally lost before a photo is taken. /s

Also, I don't think adding twitter is something apps should brag about.

I mean, I guess it's interesting that you can remotely collaborate on a single email, but when would I want this but not the robustness of a shared document editor. Is there some feature where the recipient knows what parts of the email were drafted by which person?

Originate is clever. I despise these plug-in apps, but the idea is solid. Looking at the other apps by the developer their designer is doing a great job. Dan should review the Aurora: Color Picker ('https://apps.apple.com/us/app/aurora-color-picker/id1493055655#?platform=iphone') app that they also make. If that can accurately give me a hex code for a color I pointed my camera at I would be all over that.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
-DMN- Avatar
66 months ago
I wonder how Twobird generates revenue? ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)