For those who like Atari’s modernized iOS remakes, such as Asteroids: Gunner, but would rather just buy an app once and have all the content unlocked, they are now in luck. Asteroids: Gunner+ is now available from the App Store. This is the same gameplay as Asteroids: Gunner, which is the classic Asteroids gameplay reimagined as a dual-stick shooter, but now with all content unlocked upon purchase of the app, instead of having to unlock through in-app purchases. This includes 8 ships, 3 galaxies, and a total of 150 waves of enemies. The game is still universal, and still has consumable IAP for buying crystals for ship upgrades. Note that this may not be a pass for future content as well; the similar Breakout: Boost+ recently received an IAP level pack, but as this game has launched at $4.99, and Breakout: Boost+ at $0.99, the strategy for future content may be different between each. For fans of Asteroids: Gunner who are also wary of purchasing content through IAP, this may be a viable option for them.

$4.99
+ Universal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad
Released: 2012-02-09 :: Category: Games

148Apps Network story from - http://theportablegamer.com

RunKeeper.com, the site that allows you to track various goals in your fitness training, has released nine new apps to help track fitness data. New apps include Clever Run, Coachya, Cycle Log, Fleetly, Nexercise, Pedometer Ultimate, Scosche MyTREK, Vitogo, and Weighty.

For the sake of clarity, some of these ‘apps’ are simply added to the RunKeeper service (e.g. Clever Run. Though some are standalone, iPhone apps, like Cycle Log and, of course, the official RunKeeper app.

The new apps have ranging functions from a coaching app for both the coaches and their athletes, like Coachya, to turning fitness into a game, like Fleetly and Nexercise. Many of the apps track some sort of activity. CleverRun tracks running-related items, Cycle Log is a comprehensive cycling tracker and companion, Pedometer Ultimate is self-explanatory, Scosche myTREK keeps an eye on the user’s pulse, and Weighty keeps track of weight and fat percentage. Vitogo is a personal trainer app that creates a workout program tailored to the user.

RunKeeper and its apps could be beneficial to a fitness-related New Year’s resolution. Go to RunKeeper.com to sign up for the service and click the “Apps” link to see the 45+ apps including the most recent nine.

FREE!
iPhone App - Designed for the iPhone, compatible with the iPad
Our Rating: ★★★★★ :: TOP FIT PICK
Read Our Full Review >>
Released: 2009-01-13 :: Category: Healthcare & Fitness

Five For Friday: Week of February 10

Another week of the year down and so we look back at five of the best apps and games of the past seven days. This time round, we have a healthy dose of education and knowledge, alongside a new way to create animations and some fun with droids.

Cinemagram
Offering something a little like Kinotopic, Cinemagram gives users the tools to create their own mix of photo and video. Simply record a few seconds of video and apply relevant filters to create some startingly original pieces of photographic art.

$1.99
iPhone App - Designed for the iPhone, compatible with the iPad
Released: 2012-02-08 :: Category: Photography

Raid Leader
Combining RPG and RTS elements, players take the role of Raid Leader in the game of the same name. Three different character classes help the player through 15 encounters as players level up as they come across increasingly fearsome bosses. A casual yet challenging trip into genres that are normally less welcoming.

$0.99
+ Universal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad
Released: 2012-02-09 :: Category: Games

Fotopedia Women of the World
Women accomplish a lot in the world and now there’s an app that focuses on their efforts. Fotopedia Women of the World does precisely that, offering some stunning imagery from 75 different countries as well as visual stories and explanations of just what is being witnessed. There’s no reason not to download this. It’s free, after all.

FREE!
+ Universal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad
Released: 2012-02-08 :: Category: Travel

Star Wars Pit Droids
Star Wars Episode 1: The Phantom Menace divided many upon its initial release and understandably so. With the release of the film in 3D, so too do we get another chance of seeing what games come out of the Star Wars universe. Star Wars Pit Droids is one such title, offering a form of tower defense game set around the pit droids during Anakin Skywalker’s racing days.

$1.99
+ Universal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad
Released: 2012-02-09 :: Category: Games

Celebrating Dickens

200 years ago, on February 7 1812, author Charles Dickens was born. Celebrating Dickens, developed by the University of Warwick, UK, looks at the life and times of the classic storyteller. Along the way is some fantastic academic insight into his work from A Christmas Carol to Bleak House, with podcasts explaining all.

FREE!
iPhone App - Designed for the iPhone, compatible with the iPad
Released: 2012-02-07 :: Category: Education

In a tweet this morning, Natalia Luckyanova, co-founder of Imangi Studios, the developers behind runaway hit Temple Run, let it be known that their game has hit 36 million downloads. Let’s pause for effect here. 36 million iOS devices (they’re working on getting to the Android platform furiously as we go to press) have this hot game downloaded to it. That’s fantastic.

Now we all know why it seems like every iOS screen we come across has Temple Run on it. And why it’s number 2 on our list of the Top 148 Free iPad apps and number 4 on our list of the Top 148 Free iPhone games.

Temple Run puts players in the role of an Indiana Jones style protagonist, running from diabolical monkeys through a 3D environment. This endless runner takes an isometric third person perspective to the genre, allowing players to jump, slide and turn down narrow maze-like paths with swipes up, down, left and right. There are also tilt controls to collect coins, which can then be redeemed for upgrades and special powers, like invisibility or magic bridges across gaps.

We’ve been writing about the genuinely talented (and nice!) folks at Imangi Studios since they began, so we’re pretty darn excited about their recent and well deserved success.

FREE!
+ Universal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad
Our Rating: ★★★☆☆ :: RUN, BABY, RUN
Read Our Full Review >>
Released: 2011-08-04 :: Category: Games

U-verse has released an app for subscribers to their TV and high-speed internet service that brings both control of their receiver, along with access to on demand video. By downloading AT&T U-verse for iPad and logging in to the user’s AT&T U-verse account, the app’s functions become available.

The app’s first function is to serve as a remote for a U-verse receiver. By setting up the U-verse receiver by turning to channel 9301 and enabling remote device access, it can then be discovered by the app. The app offers virtual remote buttons for changing the channel, rewind/fast-forward controls for recordings and live TV, pause/record buttons, and all the other basic commands available on the U-verse remote. As well, the app has an easy-access guide with the ability to quickly jump to the channel, and to record future programs easily. Receivers can be independently named and controlled, so it’s possible for multiple iPads to control different TVs in a house.

For those who have a secondary router on their network to extend their network or because of device incompatibility (AirPlay to an Apple TV has issues with the U-verse router in particular) will need to connect to the U-verse router directly, as even having both devices on the same secondary router will not work.

The app also offers on-demand video from U-verse’s on-demand selection that can actually be watched on the iPad itself. These videos can be watched anywhere, not just on the U-verse network. It ironically also supports AirPlay to a TV, which may explain just why the AirPlay protocol has issues with U-verse routers. The app does have the notable lack of any kind of live TV – especially considering that Comcast launched their own iPad app with live TV just a month ago.

Still, this app should make it much easier for U-verse users to control their TV and watch the content they want, thanks to the touch interface provided by the app. AT&T U-verse for iPad is available now.

FREE!
iPad Only App - Designed for the iPad
Released: 2010-12-18 :: Category: Entertainment

Shooting and strategy seem to be the two key themes in this weeks FREEday. I honestly didn’t plan it that way, it just sort of happened. Although I suppose it’s not that bad. They are two incredibly popular kinds of games for iOS devices these days. Then again, just about anything that lends itself to quick bursts of playtime do quite well for themselves, too. No matter the intention, here’s a list of free games. Enjoy.

Farmkill – Zombie survival games. Yessir. But before writing off Farmkill as just another shambler slaughter consider this: players can raise volatile (literally) animals to fight off the horde. In addition to the expected defenses and numerous firearms. I have to admit, it’s an interesting idea. Although now I keep thinking about chicken nuggets for some reason…

FREE!
+ Universal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad
Released: 2012-02-05 :: Category: Games

Battlefield 3: Aftershock – iOS users seem to enjoy multiplayer first-person shooters, so it shouldn’t be much of a surprise that EA decided to bring what is arguably their biggest FPS of 2011 to Apple devices. What does come as a surprise is that it’s a free-to-play multiplayer first-person shooter. Allow me to repeat that: it’s a free multiplayer first-person shooter derived from one of EA’s largest 2011 releases. Let the downloading commence.

FREE!
+ Universal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad
Released: 2012-02-07 :: Category: Games

Robot TroopersRobot Troopers takes the idea of task-management and robots it up a notch. Or two. Players will be taking control of an assembly line, cranking out an army of autonomous forces while simultaneously training the new recruits. A robot foreman’s work is never done.

FREE!
iPhone App - Designed for the iPhone, compatible with the iPad
Released: 2012-02-08 :: Category: Games

Suitor Shooter – Protect the princess from the unworthy while getting the prince(s) to the castle. In essence, players are bombarding a horde of “evil,” flower-toting fiends with delusions of dating from a dirigible. While not bombarding the good guys, of course. It’s an unorthodox approach to dating to be sure, but it sure makes for an interesting game.

FREE!
+ Universal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad
Released: 2012-02-08 :: Category: Games

Chillingo keeps digging through the App Store, with new games frequently bubbling up, and this week, their games are about both digging and bubbles!

First up is Diggin’ Dogs, a game where three precocious puppies dig their way through levels, collecting coins and bones on their way to getting the golden treasure at the end of each level. Players use their finger to cut through the dirt, creating paths for the dogs to travel, swipe upward on the dogs to make them jump, and tilt left and right to move the dogs, as well as maneuver treasure. There are over 60 levels in this game for iPhone and iPod touch, available now.


$0.99
iPhone App - Designed for the iPhone, compatible with the iPad
Released: 2012-02-08 :: Category: Games

Next up is Bubble in Paradise, a word game where players try form words by popping bubbles that contain letters. The bubbles come in various sizes and point values, and they must be popped before the screen becomes overcrowded with bubbles and it’s game over. The game comes with four modes: Normal, Blitz, Endless, and Battle, which is playable against an online opponent. The universal app is available for $0.99.


$0.99
+ Universal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad
Released: 2011-12-09 :: Category: Games

148Apps Network story from - http://theportablegamer.com

Decide Where To Eat With Hngry

On Twitter, it’s a dilemma that would be referred to as a ‘first world problem’ but it is sometimes difficult to decide which restaurant to go to for a meal. So many choices are out there and when it’s a decision that has to be made between many friends, things can get tricky. Enter Hngry, an app that may lack an ‘u’ but certainly doesn’t lack functionality.

At its most basic, Hngry lists all the restaurants that are nearby to the user’s location, along with the ability to add opening hours, all in an attractive manner. Users can then choose from the list and flick through the selection, gradually narrowing down the selection before coming to a decision. For those with iPhone owning friends, they can share lists directly on individual devices using the Hngry app. The app can even find menu details for any restaurant on the list if one is available on the internet.

Once a decision has been made, users can dial the restaurant directly from within the app then Hngry offers a place to store order details for that meal and any helpful notes required. For those with favourite dishes, it makes it all the easier to check what meals were so nice the last time the user visited a place.

There’s even the ability to take photos of a meal as a reminder of what was so tasty and Twitter integration ensures that sociable diners can share their choice.

Throughout, the app keeps track of how many times the user has visited a restaurant, making for an ideal guide at a glance as to what place is best for the user’s tastes.

For those who dine out regularly, Hngry is a great resource that combines many useful meal planning features.

Hngry is available now, priced at $2.99.

$2.99
$4.99
iPhone App - Designed for the iPhone, compatible with the iPad
Released: 2012-01-17 :: Category: Lifestyle


Smartphones are changing how we see the world. With the cameras on them becoming more and more powerful, phones are now able to see our reality and present it back to us in an augmented form. It may ultimately just be an advertisement for their “Shake it Up” campaign, but Tic Tac mints’ new Tic Tic Viewr app still shows off how novel augmented reality can be.

Using their phone’s camera, users can scan Tic Tac boxes and ads to reveal hidden content. Users will find funny and inspirational “Shake it Up” tips as well as 20 “Shake It Up” microgames providing extra fun after the scanning is over. Imagine getting a new game just by scanning a random Tic Tac ad at a bus stop. It’s as easy as taking candy, in this case mints, from a baby.

Tic Tac Viewr is currently available for free on the App Store. Uses can also download it by texting “MINTS” to 313131.


FREE!
iPhone App - Designed for the iPhone, compatible with the iPad
Released: 2012-02-05 :: Category: Games

One of the concerns with 60beat’s GamePad has been whether the device would see enough support from developers to make it worthwhile. As promised by 60beat back when it was announced, February has rolled around and some titles are beginning to support the 60beat.

Both Alien Space and Alien Space Retro from Owens Rodriguez have been updated to support the 60beat. Given the number of dual-stick shooters on iOS and the lack of analog joysticks on the external controller frontrunner, the iCade, dual stick games could spearhead 60beat support thanks to its unique-to-this-platform functionality.

$0.99
+ Universal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad
Released: 2010-10-09 :: Category: Games

$0.99
+ Universal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad
Our Rating: ★★★★☆ :: NEW RETRO
Read Our Full Review >>
Released: 2011-07-15 :: Category: Games

Katana Jack, a game that claims to have had its graphics hand-painted on the iPad, has also been updated with support for the 60beat. It also supports the Gametel controller, the iCade, and iControlPad, so this free app is a must-download for anyone with an external iOS game controller, if only because it supports them all.

$0.99
+ Universal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad
Released: 2011-11-17 :: Category: Games

There’s also No Gravity, a game which started life way back in the days of PSP homebrew development, before seeing legitimate releases on PSN, and now on iOS. Both the Lite and full versions of the game support the controller.

$4.99
+ Universal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad
Released: 2011-03-24 :: Category: Games

FREE!
+ Universal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad
Released: 2011-06-16 :: Category: Games

There are likely to be more titles that support the controller, and its particular advantages may prove to be a boon to developers looking to support external controls in their games. The total list of games that support the GamePad is available here.

148Apps Network story from - http://theportablegamer.com

Nitro Games have announced an iOS spinoff of their pirate-themed PC game Pirates of Black Cove, Sink ‘Em All – and they have an entertaining trailer to go along with it. This will take the ship combat gameplay of the PC version and make it the featured element, essentially a naval isometric shooter with cannons to fire, and booty to plunder. Well, at least this is an arcade-styled interpretation of the whole process – that ship is clearly traveling faster through water faster than any real ship would. Also, while pirates may be heavily mythologized by our society, I’m pretty sure none of them used “Fart Bombs” in order to fell their foes. I’m no historian, though, so maybe they did. Their trailer, embedded below, shows just how this game’s combat system would apparently work in an office environment, or at least one where conflict resolution comes through the launching of cannonballs at one another. Pirates of Black Cove: Sink ‘Em All is coming soon, and will be free to play.

148Apps Network story from - http://theportablegamer.com

With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, we’ve been focusing on the romantic aspects of the App store. Alongside reviewing Boy Loves Girl, the tale of a boy keen to woo the lady in his life, we had the opportunity to interview Dr Danny Pearce, Company Director for the game’s British developer, Grubby Hands.

One particular question that’s bound to be on everyone’s mind was just why the name Grubby Hands?!

“Grubby Hands is a name that came from some subconscious activity when thinking about gaming. I think it’s connected to the NES and SNES days when pad swapping was commonplace, like Mario or Street Fighter with friends,” said Pearce. “I always had a problem with getting a sweaty pad handed to me from a friend with ‘grubby hands’. I had a ritual that involved a five second wipe with my t-shirt before every round. I guess that image stuck and resurfaced 20 years later.” An experience that I’m sure all gamers can empathise with.

Moving onto just what a change of pace Boy Loves Girl is compared to David Haye’s Knockout, Pearce explained just what hook Boy Loves Girl offers: “Boy Loves Girl follows a young boy’s journey as he tries to impress a girl. I really wanted to make a game that was sweet and captures something truthful. Then the idea of a boy going to the end of the world for a girl and giving her the moon on a piece of string stuck and the game grew from there.”

As Pearce explains, “It starts off as a pleasant experience. Everything is calm and relaxing, while the player gets used to the game and the controls. It then gets progressively more challenging as the girl gets more demanding, to the point that it really requires a lot of skill, mental attention and physical accuracy to complete,” but fortunately that’s not all we should expect from Boy Loves Girl, with Pearce promising Game Center to be integrated ‘really soon.’

So, what’s next for Grubby Hands? Dr Pearce was understandably guarded as to exact details but there are discussions in terms of “either a sequel or a huge update to a ‘previous game’ in the near future.” Pearce also informed us that Grubby Hands is currently “prototyping something original and probably [our] most ambitious game yet.” Don’t get too excited yet, though, as he also went onto explain that it’s “easily the biggest game we’ve attempted to make, so will probably take until the end of the year to complete.”

On a final note, we thought it was only friendly to see just how the Grubby Hands guys are planning on spending Valentine’s Day. “We’ll start the day under a mild spring sun, listening to a calm stream, break the still to eat strawberries and cream and then proceed to whack the keyboard trying to finish off the next ‘Boy Loves Girl’ update!”

Given the cold and rainy spell that much of Britain is suffering from at the moment, here’s hoping that the 14th brings with it plenty of sun for Grubby Hands!

Many thanks to Dr. Danny Pearce for taking the time to answer our questions.

$0.99
+ Universal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad
Our Rating: ★★★½☆ :: TOUCHING
Read Our Full Review >>
Released: 2011-12-21 :: Category: Games

148Apps Network story from - http://theportablegamer.com

Love is in the air and so is block-busting retro fun thanks to Breakout: Boost‘s Valentine’s Day level pack that’s just been released.

Priced at $0.99, the Valentine’s Day pack adds 50 new romance-themed levels to the existing package, along with candy heart sayings and cute pictures to add that sweet touch. Alongside that is the addition of a Cupid’s Arrow power up. This sets out to make breaking up bricks much quicker. For the competitive gamer, new leaderboards and an original set of achievements continues the romantic theme.

Here at 148apps, we rated Breakout: Boost and Breakout: Boost+ quite highly at launch so this themed pack is bound to extend the fun for fans. After all, what better way to celebrate the time of romance than through this arcade classic? Couples can compete via the leaderboards and singletons can focus on the achievements.

The Valentine’s Day themed pack is available through Breakout: Boost and Breakout: Boost+, priced at $0.99.

FREE!
+ Universal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad
Our Rating: ★★★½☆ :: NEEDS A BOOST
Read Our Full Review >>
Released: 2011-12-15 :: Category: Games

$0.99
+ Universal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad
Our Rating: ★★★★☆ :: BLOCK BUSTER
Read Our Full Review >>
Released: 2012-01-24 :: Category: Games

Tweetbot Makes The Jump to iPad

As you may have already read, earlier today Tweetbot just released a fresh new release of their extremely popular iPhone Twitter client.  Going along with that, developer Tapbots has also announced that there is finally an iPad version of the application available on the App Store.

The new application makes use of the extra screenspace of the iPad, by streamlining the already exceptional dash interface.  Among the highlights of the tool are the gesture controls that greatly simplify Twitter stream navigation.  Along with redefining interface, users will also be able to go in and manually modify what is shown on screen.  Trust us, customization is always a good thing.

If there were one complaint about this news, it is that Tweetbot is not available as a Universal app.  That said, when something is this useful, there isn’t anything wrong with plunking down a few extra bucks to support the developer.  Check it out, because it will no doubt be money well spent.

$2.99
iPad Only App - Designed for the iPad
Our Rating: ★★★★½ :: WELL-BUILT MACHINE
Read Our Full Review >>
Released: 2012-02-08 :: Category: Social Networking

Tweetbot Reaches Version 2.0

Here at 148apps, we’re big fans of Tweetbot. Offering pretty much everything anyone could ever want from a Twitter client, it’s no wonder that we feel that way. I know I’m quietly hopeful that one day a desktop client as good as it will come along.

Developers, Tapbot, aren’t ones to rest on their impressive laurels though and the release of 2.0 is upon us. It’s pretty substantial too with numerous new features to check out as well as some great tweaks and improvements.

Most noteably is the addition of inline image thumbnails. This means that users can now see a preview of an image before they tap on the link within the tweet, thus saving valuable time. It only works with supported services but that covers sufficient sites making it a feature that no doubt we’ll all be wondering how we lived without it.

Links are now colored and activated with one tap rather than the original system of having to tap on a tweet then select the link.

Direct Messages are more attractive to look at also, looking more like the Messages chat bubbles that iOS devices use for iMessage and SMS messaging.

For those viewing text heavy links, Readability integration has been included which ensures that text is formatted perfectly for the iOS screen and will save the user’s eyes immensely.

Taps are further saved with the addition of the timeline auto-refreshing every five minutes, saving users from dragging upwards for a refresh at regular intervals. Links within user profiles are also tappable, a minor but ideal fix. The “retweeted by” is also now tappable for extra speed.

As if that’s not enough, Tweetbot also promises to scroll much faster making it all the better for those who like to check in on their tweets in a speedy fashion.

The latest version of Tweetbot is out now and free for existing owners. For those yet to try it, it’s priced at $2.99 and very much the definitive Twitter client app for iOS devices.

$2.99
iPhone App - Designed for the iPhone, compatible with the iPad
Our Rating: ★★★★½ :: HANDSOME TWEETS
Read Our Full Review >>
Released: 2011-04-14 :: Category: Social Networking



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