This week we bring you the first game I’ve seen that takes full advantage of what iOS 5 and iCloud can mean for gaming: Scribblenauts Remix. In addition to being a fun puzzle game, Scribblenauts also takes syncs saved games across iOS devices using iCloud. Read more »
Along with major OS updates for both OS X Lion and iOS, Apple released a boatload of software today in the form of new apps and updates to old favorites. Here’s a quick look at what’s new, what’s changed, and what we think about that. Read more »
Facebook finally released its official iPad app yesterday, in the form of a universal add-on to its existing iPhone application. Its features and interface, along with when it arrived, make the iPad app a much more attractive option for accessing Facebook than any other available. Read more »
I’d hate to live in the fictional condo depicted in Monsters Ate My Condo. It’s a vertical matching game where the goal is to sacrifice floors of your condo to monsters to ensure the tower doesn’t collapse, and it plays a little like Tetris meets Bejewled. Read more »
Apple executives will take to Town Hall stage at the company’s campus in Cupertino, Calif. Tueday morning to at long last “talk iPhone.” Follow along with us here for live, up-to-the-minute updates about all the hardware and software revelations beginning at 10 am PT. Read more »
Apple could prepping to unveil a new content delivery strategy for apps, according to some code uncovered in the latest iTunes beta. Specific references are made to app rentals in iTunes 10.5 beta 9, released on Friday, which could change the way we shop for apps. Read more »
With Oktoberfest in full swing and people around the world celebrating beer, it seems an appropriate time to review some iPhone great apps for real beer lovers. No beer pong apps here; these are all about enjoying the actual beverage itself (responsibly, of course). Read more »
At $7.99, ShadowGun is one of the pricier titles I’ve recommended. But it’s well worth the price of admission for graphics alone. Add in a unique cover system (at least as far as iOS games) and universal support, and we have a winner for this week. Read more »
It’s all fun and games until Apple shutters a section of the iTunes store. Apple has now taken down a link to the “iPod Click Wheel Games” section of the iTunes App Store. That could indicate the Mac maker is serious about discontinuing certain iPods. Read more »
Skype has updated its iPhone and iPad apps as of Tuesday, introducing some new features. Bluetooth headsets are now supported on select devices, and video has been improved with image stabilization, but these enhancements will cost you: The apps now display ads for non-paying users. Read more »
Apple is highlighting the growth of TV content available on iOS devices with a new App Store section called “TV Time.” Apps featured in TV Time include streaming content delivery apps, as well as software to help you share, find and learn more about TV content. Read more »
I was hoping for the reveal of Facebook’s official iPad app during last week’s f8 developer conference. But despite the confirmed knowledge of its existence, it didn’t come. And now its developer has left Facebook because of the delays in getting it to market. Read more »
Ace Striker for iPhone lets you take to this skies in virtual versions of historic battles. It’s a top-down shooter with a retro vibe that lets you unlock upgrades through in-app purchases. It’s simple, and the graphics aren’t dazzling, but it’s also a lot of fun. Read more »
Logitech unveiled its new Harmony Link hardware/software combo for iPad, iPhone and Android devices Tuesday. The Link lets you use your device as a universal remote for your entertainment system. Logitech isn’t the first to try this, but it looks like it could be the best. Read more »
If you’re looking for the key to making money on the App Store for Apple’s iOS devices, a new report from Distimo suggests that in-app purchases are what you should be watching. In-app purchases now account for 72 percent of App Store revenue. Read more »
Appcelerator has built up a community of 1.5 million developers that have used its cross-platform development tool to build more than 25,000 apps for iOS, Android and BlackBerry. Now it’s looking to turn that community into a selling opportunity by launching a marketplace for software modules. Read more »
I’ve never really tried side-scrolling runner games on iOS, which is a shame since Defender was one of my favorite arcade games growing up. But Jetpack Joyride, the latest entry in what seems to be a crowded field broke me down, and I’m glad it did. Read more »
On my iPhone and iPad, I have to sign in to two different Apple IDs in order to get everything set up the way it should be. When iCloud arrives, things could get worse. But they might get better, if Apple finally allows Apple ID merging. Read more »
For fans of streamed music, another choice has arrived on the iPhone. Turntable.fm’s official, free iPhone app hit the App Store today. It requires nothing more than your Facebook credentials to get started, and looks to bring the success of the desktop version to Apple devices. Read more »
Verizon Wireless has rebuilt its VCast App Store with a new interface and better search capabilities thanks to a partnership with app discovery start-up Chomp. It’s part of a larger effort to ensure that Verizon’s store is a well thought out place to safely buy apps. Read more »
Developers looking to beta test their iOS apps have a number of options for finding and communicating with beta testers, but few are as slick and easy to use as TestFlight. Now it’s even better, thanks to a new SDK that made its official debut Monday. Read more »
Crimson: Steam Pirates is the first iOS app from the studio that brought us Halo. It’s a strategy game that shares almost nothing in common with Halo, except of course for the solid pedigree and uncanny ability to provide hours of fun. Read more »
Android app downloads are expected to overtake iPhone apps this year for the first time, according to research firm Ovum, and will nearly double iPhone downloads by 2016. The growth in Android app downloads could have big implications for freemium app developers. Read more »
Adobe announced early Wednesday that it would be bringing full support for Apple’s Newsstand feature in iOS 5. Newsstand is a centralized location through which users can find new digital magazines to subscribe to, as well as browse and manage their existing collection of subscriptions. Read more »
If you’re creating an app or promoting one for a friend or client, nothing quite makes the software pop like showing off screens on actual iOS devices. A new Mac App Store title lets you create pro-level iPhone and iPad mockups in a matter of seconds. Read more »
Early details about a forthcoming Amazon tablet indicate it could have a potential success on its hands. Many have been quick to label it the first legitimate iPad challenger. But should Amazon have tablet success, it doesn’t mean Apple will sell fewer iPads. Read more »
“Dem bullets sure are pointy,” one Grunt cautions when he’s hit. When the next volley takes him out, he dramatically proclaims, “Yer… Gonna… Miss me.” High on fun and short on seriousness, The Great Little Wargame for iPhone and iPad is this week’s featured title. Read more »
How do you make amends with a development community after taking away some of their tools and rendering at least a few of their products unusable? Try offering them the keys to a much bigger kingdom, for starters: namely, the sizeable pool of iOS device owners. Read more »
Apple’s executive team is undergoing some changes, and one of those changes is a promotion for Eddy Cue to Senior Vice President of Internet Software and Services. Cue will continue to oversee Apple’s online stores and iCloud and take on the challenge of iAd, too. Read more »
Subscription streaming music service Spotify launched an API on Wednesday that allows third-party iOS developers to integrate Spotify into their apps. Called libspotify, the new resource should allow for some fairly innovative uses of Spotify services, like game and AR integration. Read more »
One company is about to find out how web apps compete with native iOS App Store offerings in a very direct sense. The Financial Times is out of the App Store, and now depends on an HTML5 tablet-optimized site alone for presence on Apple devices. Read more »
We witnessed the end of an era this week. Steve Jobs’ resignation as Apple’s charismatic leader has had, and will continue to have, an incredible impact on Apple’s image. But will this shift in power drastically alter the company, or will Apple continue its fiery trailblazing ... Read more at GigaOM Pro »
At first Ticket to Ride for the iPad seems complex, but after a brief orientation period, it’s actually rather simple. It’s also engrossing, and requires some quick strategic thinking with one eye constantly on the clock. Check our explanation of the game’s mechanics and fun factor. Read more »
Apple is in the process of rolling out new App Store category pages that more closely resemble the main App Store Featured front page. The new pages are live now for some categories, specifically Education and Games, in both the iTunes- and iPad-based App Stores. Read more »
It’s impossible to quantify the effect Steve Jobs has had during his time as CEO of Apple, on computing, the market or our lives, but nonetheless, it’s fun to try. Here are some impressive numbers racked up by Jobs during his tenure. Read more »
When you pick up your iPad, where do you poke first? I tend to hit Reeder first, and read quite a few articles before moving on to my local newspaper app. It looks like I’m not alone, according to new engagement statistics released Tuesday. Read more »
Preview is definitely one of the under-appreciated gems of OS X. Preview actually has two main uses. One for graphics and photos, and another specific to PDFs. There are certain very handy capabilities in Preview that are only available when working with PDF files. Read more »
Kickstarter-backed iPhone, iPod and iPad accessories really seem to have a knack for doing well post-funding, and the PadPivot I reviewed early this month is a perfect example. The PadPivot will be available at Best Buy and Future Shop retail locations beginning in September. Read more »
Apple’s stable of periodicals available for in-app subscription got a little bigger with the release of an update to Reader’s Digest magazine on Thursday. Reader’s Digest is now offering annual subscriptions (10 issues) for $14.99, or monthly subscriptions at $1.99 through in-app purchase. Read more »
If you’re looking for something a little more rugged than a standard sleeve, check out the Bamboo Blackbox Case on Kickstarter. It comes in iPad 2, MacBook Air and MacBook Pro flavors, and should protect your device from even serious jerks, jolts and dolts. Read more »
