Apple released its latest and greatest iPhone on Friday with an all-new pressure-sensitive 3D Touch input system that introduces novel user interactions like "peek and pop," Quick Actions, added gesture control and more. To help get new iPhone 6s owners started, we put together a list of the best apps that take advantage of the handset's unique capabilities.
AG Drive
Acknowledged by Apple as an Editor's Choice, AG Drive is one of the most popular games on the iOS App Store. In a richly rendered 3D universe, players take control of rocket-powered craft in this fast and frenetic racer inspired by classics Wipeout and F-Zero.
For iPhone 6s, developer ZORG mapped acceleration control to 3D Touch. On other iOS devices, accelerating and braking are controlled by tapping and holding the bottom-right and bottom-left corners of the screen.
In addition to 3D Touch, AG Drive's latest update takes advantage of Apple's A9 SoC, giving iPhone 6s and 6s Plus owners a superior graphical experience. The app also receives added support for iOS 9.
AG Drive costs $3.99 from the iOS App Store, while existing users switching to iPhone 6s can download the 3D Touch-enabled version for free.
Camera+
One of the best third-party camera apps available for iPhone, Camera+ was recently updated to support Quick Actions, a 3D Touch-enabled gesture that grants Home Screen access to certain app features. With Camera+, users can navigate directly to "Take Photo," "Take Selfie," "Take Macro" and "View Lightbox" without first opening the app. In conjunction with the introduction of a "View Lightbox" Quick Action, developer tap tap tap added in identical functionality as a Today Widget.
Camera+ features a number of high-quality filters perfect for getting the most out of iPhone 6s' 12MP iSight shooter, including the touted "Clarity" scene for enhanced color fidelity. The iOS 9 update includes hooks into tap tap tap's filter-laden app Filters.
Priced at $2.99 Camera+ is available for download now.
Launch Center Pro
Another app supporting iPhone 6s Quick Actions is iOS shortcut creation tool Launch Center Pro. Like the app itself, Launch Center Pro's Quick Actions are highly customizable, offering Home Screen access to frequently used shortcuts and created tasks. Unlike other apps, users can pick and choose which Quick Action they want to show up on the Home Screen.
Launch Center Pro leverages URL schemes to let users create and perform complex tasks with a tap. In-app templates include presets for placing a call, composing a tweet or other social media message, taking control of home automation hardware and more. Advanced users can even roll their own URL actions.
Launch Center Pro is available for $4.99 from the iOS App Store.
iMovie
Apple's iMovie has quickly become the company's proof-of-concept platform for integrating new hardware features, as seen by Force Touch trackpad support for Mac. For iPhone 6s, Apple is extending pressure-sensitive control to iOS with a 3D Touch Quick Action that lets users start a new movie project from the Home Screen.
In addition, the app now supports 4K footage, which can be captured natively by iPhone 6s' 12MP iSight camera. Other additions include a redesigned audio browser, iPad-centric multitasking features and enhanced capabilities to be unleashed by the upcoming iPad Pro.
iMovie comes in at $4.99 from the App Store.
Blue Apron
Food delivery service Blue Apron added a dash of 3D Touch to its updated cooking app, which features a wide selection of recipes, how-to videos, tips and more. The app is one of the first third-party titles to support "peek and pop," in this case providing recipe previews with a light press.
Also supported are Quick Actions for easy access to your delivery schedule, most recently viewed recipe and camera. Other enhancements for iOS 9 include integration with Spotlight Search, easier recipe ratings, Safari Keychain support and snappier performance.
Blue Apron's paid service delivers farm fresh ingredients to customers' doors with seasonal recipes and a menu that changes each week depending on what foods are in season.
Blue Apron is a free download from the iOS App Store.
Bonus apps
A number of popular iOS apps added in 3D Touch capabilities as part of their most recent iOS 9 version releases. Notable titles include (QA: Quick Action support; PP: peek and pop support):
29 Comments
I see that little shit Joshua Topolsky is trashing 3D Touch on Twitter. Calls it a confused/missed opportunity that was thrown in at the last minute. This coming from the guy that designed that abomination of a website - Bloomberg. Hey Topolsky this is 3D Touch 1.0, it's not going to be exactly what everyone expects it to be out of the gate. Doesn't mean it isn't fucking awesome and won't get better over time. Oh and btw, an ex-Apple employee who worked on this tech said they've been working on it for 5 years. So no not something thrown in at the last minute you little shithead. Sorry had to get that off my chest. EDIT: both Twitter and Instagram support 3D Touch. Not sure why Facebook doesn't yet...
[quote name="Rogifan" url="/t/188498/the-best-3d-touch-enabled-apps-available-for-iphone-6s-and-6s-plus#post_2782605"] EDIT: both Twitter and Instagram support 3D Touch. Not sure why Facebook doesn't yet...[/quote] [SIZE=4]Yeah, Facebook should be right on "Peek and Pop", they've had "Poke" for years...[/SIZE]
I see that little shit Joshua Topolsky is trashing 3D Touch on Twitter. Calls it a confused/missed opportunity that was thrown in at the last minute. This coming from the guy that designed that abomination of a website - Bloomberg.
I love when Topolsky talked about design, like how Material Design is so superior to iOS (No, it's not).
You must love it when tech journalist talking about things they have no clue about. Looks how he dress himself, is there any design in that?
A little off topic but Why doesn't Apple mandate apps to support Apple features? There's tons of health apps yet the Health app is pretty useless. I would hate for an IPhone newcomer to expect all these exciting features only to find half their apps are incompatible. I know it's early for 3D Touch but I'd like to see it in a much better situation in the future.
iMovie isn't $4.99 it is free with any new iOS device purchase which you would have to purchase a new device to have 3D Touch