• Katie Benner and Michael J. De La Merced

Snapchat may have been built on disappearing messages, but as the social media darling hovers on the cusp of becoming a public company its parent is trying to show how durable its business is.

Snap, maker of Snapchat, has file documents for its sharemarket float, the first social media IPO since Twitter three years ago. It could turn its boss Evan Spiegel and supermodel fiancee Miranda Kerr into one of the world's richest young couples.

• Hayley Tsukayama

These days, everything is political: even the ride-sharing app you use.

• Kit Eaton

With a new year comes big changes, and keeping a journal is an excellent way to keep track of the challenges each day brings. Why kill trees when there are great apps to use instead?

• Kit Eaton

With the start of a new year, many are setting lofty self-improvement goals that will soon be abandoned. But there are apps that can help you stick to your resolutions.

• Rae Johnston

Pokemon GO reached a level of success in 2016 that eludes even some of the most successful traditional video games.

• Steven Arons and Ambereen Choudhury

Deutsche Bank has banned text messages and communication apps on company phones in an effort to improve compliance standards.

• Kit Eaton

Many people may be able to sample virtual reality just by using their phones with the right apps.

• Mike Isaac

Fans of Vine, the 6-second video app owned by Twitter, were writing their eulogies in October when the social network announced it planned to shut down. Over the weekend, the company changed its mind — sort of.

• Travis M. Andrews

Man caught stealing millions of dollars from his employer over a number of years was feeding a strange habit.

• Alan Henry

A handy tool in an emergency, and an end to 'where are you, are you OK?' texts when someone's late home or to a meeting.

• Peter Wells

Google's latest gadget is an always on, always listening little speaker called Home. It's a cute design, a friendly little blob of a thing that looks like a half finished cartoon character. It's also not available in Australia, if you want one you'll need to have one shipped to you from the US.

• Amie Tsang

For users of Meitu's signature app, a beautiful touch-up at the press of a button is free.

• Michael Nunez

The announcement is already being championed by binge-watchers and frequent travellers. But it's also raised some questions.

• Rod Easdown

The Fitbit Flex 2 is cheaper and simpler than the company's high-end Blaze – but is the loss of functionality too much to bear?

• Andrew Brown

It's used by thousands of drivers every day, but a major Canberra road doesn't appear on iPhone maps months after opening.

Two years ago, Oppo and Vivo couldn't crack the top five in China's smartphone market. Now they're on top after elbowing Apple aside.

• Adam Turner

Determined to bring his Mr Tradie idea to life, Australian entrepreneur Ishan Dan soon discovered that hiring an app developer is a lot like hiring a tradie.

• Michael Stutchbury

The Financial Review is launching a new iPhone app so our readers can keep up-to-date through their busy lives.