Free Apps

Apple has released its 12 Days of Gifts app to the U.S. App Store. This is the first time the free gift guide has been available in the United States, but there is a catch, the application requires iOS 7 or later to download.

iPhone and iPad users who are running iOS 7 can download the app now for free from the App Store. The app allows users to download 1 gift a day starting on December 26 to January 6. Gifts include songs, apps, books, movies, and games. Each free download only lasts 24 hours, but you can set up the app to notify you each time a new gift is available so you don't miss out.

Apple is offering a free "Holiday Playlist" of eight songs to iPhone owners who use the Apple Store App. All iOS users can download the app for free from the App Store, but the free Holiday Playlist is only available through the iPhone version.

You can download the free playlist by opening the Apple Store App on your iPhone and scrolling down until you see the "Holiday Cheer" tab. Tap the "Download now for free" button and you will be taken to the redeem gift card section of iTunes. Just tap the "Redeem" button on the top right hand of your display and the playlist will automatically download to your phone.

4chan founder Moot's DrawQuest app is now available for the iPhone and iPod touch. The drawing app was originally only released for the iPad, but now all iOS users can enjoy its free daily drawing challenges.

The app has also received a few new features including the ability to zoom in on your canvas, the option to create your own quests, and a new "Patty the Paint Can" brush.

Xbox has released its Xbox One companion app for iOS and Android devices. The app doesn't feature much right now, but it will allow you to interact with your Xbox after the new console is released on Friday. Xbox One SmartGlass features include the ability to navigate your Xbox One console using your iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch, track achievements, get game help, message friends, and watch game clips.

You can download the Xbox One app now for free from the Apple App Store or Google Play. It requires iOS 6 or later or Android 4.0 or later.

If it feels like you are scaling Everest every time you try to achieve a goal, you are not alone. A new, free app named after the infamous summit is designed to help you meet and track your goals through calendar reminders, progress updates, and the support of an online community.

Once downloaded, you create a profile, add a milestone you want to reach, and then choose to either do it privately or share it publicly depending upon how much support you feel you need. EVEREST then asks you to create a series of steps you need to take in order to meet your goal. Push reminders are sent to you when those steps need to be completed.

Goals can be as simple as remembering to meditate once a day or to learn to cook ten dishes. Co-founder and CEO Francis Pedraza told TechCrunch the startup believes “the biggest untapped resource in the world is human potential,” and the point of Everest is to help you achieve that potential.