Trying to find the perfect iOS apps can be tough, and we’re willing to bet that your iPhone or iPad is full of pages and pages of apps. There’s just so much out there, it’s hard to come up with a short list of favourites. We understand. Allow us to help you with our freshly updated Lifehacker Pack for iOS.

Over the last ten years, cellular data availability has increased massively and the cost has plummeted. Many people don't have fixed broadband at all, preferring to work and play purely on cellular data networks. Which begs the question - why does Apple limit App Store downloads?

Subscribing for access to apps, rather than buying perpetual licenses is increasingly becoming the normal way of accessing software. While that makes sense with cloud-based applications, it's also taking hold in traditional productivity applications such as Microsoft Office and the Adobe Creative Suite. And now Apple is getting in on the act, having held a secret meeting with developers.

iOS: The words “Apple” and “free” are a bit like oil and water — just ask anyone who works at the company and doesn’t get to partake in the Silicon Valley custom of free lunches and dinners for all. However, Father Cook is feeling generous this month, and Apple is offering up the excellent Obscura 2 camera app for free. Here’s how you get it (and save $7.99).

It's hard to remember that when Apple released the first iPhone in 2007 on June 29, there was no App Store. For the best part of a year, you could only use the apps that some folks in Cupertino decided you needed. A year later, Apple opened the App Store, with just 500 apps, and opened the floodgates to developers who have created a massive range of software.

How many times do you see an app on the App Store and think, "I should buy that, but maybe later"? You can even put off downloading free apps -- something might pique your interest, but you might not feel like immediately downloading it to your iPhone or iPad for any number of reasons.

Apple has removed a number of apps from the App Store and sent a letter to developers as they clamp down on apps that collect location data. Although Apple has rules in their App Store Review Guidelines about this, they are now enforcing the rules more strictly.

Outside of ordering chicken nuggs for potential Lifehacker articles, I wasn't a big fan of McDonald's "mymacca's" app. It was clunky and constantly kicked me out - not things I was all that happy with when you're trying to order fast food. But now, Maccas has overhauled the app! So how is it?

Mac: When it comes to updating your Mac, there's never a good time. Besides the intrusive and constant annoyance that is the update reminder (which, thankfully, you can deactivate), it often feels like a slog instead of what should be a few minutes of processing and a restart. If you're sick of waiting for the App Store and its sluggish interface, here's how you can speed up the process.

Mac: Apple used to boast that its Mac computers were a virus-free utopia, but that was before hackers and criminals decided to focus their efforts on the operating system. Now, your Mac is just as vulnerable to viruses as any Windows PC, and a new report reveals that hackers can get access to your computer through an entryway that you might think would be better protected: The Mac App Store.

When something seems too good to be true, it usually is.

Mac/iOS: Bucking its minimalist trend of killing wishlists and killing desktop downloads, the iOS App Store added a feature: Developers can open up their apps for pre-orders, up to 90 days in advance. (The feature is also available on the Mac App Store.)

iOS: Apple's recent 12.7 update to its iTunes app removed support for the iOS App Store and iOS app management. After an outcry from users, however, Apple has brought app support back in iTunes 12.6.3. Even if you've already upgraded to iTunes 12.7, you can still take advantage of the app-friendly nature of iTunes 12.6.3, but if you stick with it you'll have to miss out on any future iTunes features.

Google is well known for its capacity to try new things, give them a year or two and then drop them if things don't pan out as expected or they can't turn a good idea into a revenue raising one. Which is why something in a recent MSPowerUser article piqued my interest. Google has 91 different apps in the iOS App Store. Is this a sign of great platform support or an indication that things are out of control at the Googleplex?

iOS: When you're a few hours into your favourite tower defence game, an unwarranted pop-up can break your concentration and end a previously flawless run through a challenging level. Luckily, one of the many updates in iOS 11 is designed to curb the number of pop-ups and interruptions from app developers looking for positive feedback. The new option lets you rid yourself of the dreaded app rating request (or, as I like to call it, the beggar's box).

Today, Apple officially made the iOS 11 mobile operating system available to download. If you're planning to update your iPad or iPhone, there's something you need to be aware of: all of your older 32-bit apps are going to stop working.

Microsoft has finally updated the iOS version of Outlook to support shared calendars. Available from the App Sore today, you’ll be able to toggle calendar sharing on and off as well as access other people’s schedule.

Mac: If you haven't updated to macOS Sierra, you're probably pretty annoyed by the giant banner that appears in the updates tab in the App Store. Thankfully, OS X Daily points out that you can get rid of it.

Web: For some reason, Apple has never made a fully-functional online version of the iTunes App Store or Mac App Store, and definitely hasn't built an easy web search tool. Well, there's a fan-made app for that now. TheAppStore finally lets you browse the web for iOS and Mac apps from any device.