148 Apps on Facebook 148 Apps on Twitter

All posts by Stephen Hall

Posts :: Feed

Stephen Hall

| 148Apps

Stephen is founder of GoogleGlassFans.com, its parent site SelfScreens.com, and has written at many other publications across the web including iFans.com, AppStorm.net, and iPhoneHacks.com. His main interests are currently Google Glass, smartwatches like the Pebble, and other wearable technology topics. He also has experience writing about the Apple ecosystem, jailbreak, and mobile applications and games.

Connect with Stephen:
Twitter: @steqheu

Outread Speed Reading App Gets Huge Update with New Reading Mode, Audio Cues

Posted by Stephen Hall on April 14th, 2014
+ Universal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad
Our rating: starstarstarstarblankstar :: TIME SAVING READING :: Read Review »

Outread, an app from developer Arkadiusz Holko that claims to improve your reading effectiveness through various training methods, has received a huge update that includes a wide variety of new features.

The latest update features eBook support, a built-in directory of classic public domain books, built-in statistics (to see overall and daily reading stats), a new reading mode that aligns the app's word highlighter to the center, audio cues, and more. Also in version 1.2 of Outread are countless improvements to already existing app features, including a better "chunking algorithm," a refreshed app icon, and more.

You can get Outread on the App Store for $4.99.

Handy Clap Activation Feature Comes to Cycloramic Panorama App

Posted by Stephen Hall on April 14th, 2014
+ Universal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad

While there are dozens of apps that make panoramas in the App Store, Cycloramic from Egos Ventures set itself apart by being the first to be able to take these photos by spinning itself on a table using your phone's vibration. But today, the app is getting even better in a recent update that adds clap activation.

Previously, using Cycloramic could be somewhat hard; you had to balance the phone standing up on the table and try to press a button on the screen to start the spinning photo action. Now, in version 4.9 of Cycloramic, users will be able to start the panorama-taking process with a clap or a whistle. The update also includes the usual "optimizations."

You can get Cycloramic on the App Store for $1.99.

Newsstand Magazine Sesame Street S'More Now Available

Posted by Stephen Hall on April 14th, 2014
iPad App - Designed for iPad

The good folks at Sesame Street recently released their very first interactive magazine app, dubbed Sesame Street S'more, and it's available right now. In the 'magazine,' your child will find a variety of fun activities inspired by the world of Big Bird - including games, stories, puzzles, rhymes, reward badges, and "S'more!"

In the app, your child will learn many skills, including ABCs and 123s, listening skills, coloring, creativity, and self-expression. The magazine app also features Elmo, Grover, Ernie, Big Bird, and other Sesame Street stars, kid-friendly music and videos, read-aloud narration, and multiple learning levels.

You can download Sesame Street S'more on the App Store right now for free. Subscriptions cost $3.99 for single issue, $2.99 for an automatically renewing subscription, or $15.99 to get every episode for the year.

Captain Bubblenaut Hits the Big Screen in a New Update

Posted by Stephen Hall on April 10th, 2014
+ Universal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad
Our rating: starstarstarblankstarblankstar :: WELCOME TO ERF :: Read Review »

Captain Bubblenaut from indie developer Dean Tate is a fun arcade game featuring one-finger "slide the ground" controls. The goals of the game include eliminating all "erflings" and making your father "Admiral Pop" proud. The game features 30 achievements and Game Center leaderboards, more than 4 different terrains, charming music, and more.

Recently, Captain Bubblenaut received a humble update that brings the game to the larger screen of the iPad. Luckily, for you, the game is now universal meaning you don't have to repurchase the game to play it on iPad. The update also includes support for iOS 6 and new menu music.

You can get Captain Bubblenaut on the App Store for $1.99.

Feed Me Oil 2 Gets New Levels and a Price Drop in its Recent Update

Posted by Stephen Hall on April 10th, 2014
+ Universal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad
Our rating: starstarstarstarhalfstar :: AWESOME :: Read Review »

Feed Me Oil 2 is a great puzzle game from Chillingo, publishers of other iOS favorites Cut the Rope and the Anomaly series. In the game, you have to channel oil into monsters in a wide variety of environments, using many tools and techniques to get the slippery substance where you want it to go.

The game was recently updated with an all-new chapter for you to explore. You can "collect the eggs tucked away in your favorite Feed Me Oil 2 puzzles" to unlock this chapter, according to the update notes. Chillingo has also changed all the gross oil to be "delicious molten chocolate" for a limited time.

You can grab Feed Me Oil 2 at its new, lower price of $0.99 on the App Store.

Flying Hamster and Flying Hamster HD are Free and Updated to Support MFi Controllers

Posted by Stephen Hall on April 9th, 2014

Flying Hamster brags that it has almost 2 million players worldwide, and I don't see any reason to doubt that as the truth. After all, this game is about flying hamsters. It features 6 unique worlds, 35 different enemies, and 8 "freaky" weapons that you can find throughout each level. Additionally you can control the game in four different ways, allowing the player to use either on-screen controls or the accelerometer.

Flying Hamster and its HD version were both recently updated with support for 4-inch screens, iOS 7 game controllers, and Game Center. But the best part about the recent update is that both games are now completely free to download. Head over to the App Store and grab one (or both) of them now.

Hit Game Frozen Synapse Coming to iPhone Later This Year

Posted by Stephen Hall on April 9th, 2014
+ Universal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad
Our rating: starstarstarstarblankstar :: A GOOD DUST-UP :: Read Review »

Frozen Synapse, a popular turn-based strategy game from renowned developer Mode 7, will become a universal app and arrive on the iPhone and iPod touch at some point later this year, according to a report from Pocket Tactics. You can get the game on the iPad right now, however, and that version has received a plethora of great reviews.

Notably, the game's user interface is jam-packed on the PC version and it's already clunky on the iPad; there's just a lot of buttons and options that make the game work. It's hard to imagine Mode 7 being able to fit all of the game's buttons on such a small screen.

We'll see how it works on a 4-inch (or 3.5-inch) screen when Frozen Synapse is released for the iPhone later this year.

Now Available: R.B.I. Baseball is a New Mobile Take on the Classic Baseball Game Formula

Posted by Stephen Hall on April 9th, 2014
+ Universal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad
Our rating: starstarstarhalfstarblankstar :: RETRO REVIVED :: Read Review »

R.B.I. Baseball, known as the most popular Baseball game to ever be released for the Nintendo Entertainment System, has received a reboot via the modern smartphone. The original game licensed players from the MLB, and the same is true for R.B.I. Baseball 14, which features 480 of the current lineup of players. You can play the game, with visuals just slightly better than its predecessor, in a variety of modes including season, postseason, and exhibition.

The game features all 30 MLB teams, and you can play an entire 9-inning game in just 20 minutes. It also features easy-to-use "classic" controls, allowing you to control the game with what is basically just two buttons. The game is also very realistic, featuring players whose appearance and abilities are based on real stats. Finally, there is unlockable in-game content such as legacy jerseys that you can unlock by playing season mode.

You can get R.B.I. Baseball 14 on the App Store for $4.99.

Warhammer 40,000: Carnage is an Awesome Side-Scrolling RPG Coming Next Month

Posted by Stephen Hall on April 9th, 2014

In upcoming game Warhammer 40,000: Carnage from Roadhouse Interactive, you play a lone Space Marine who has to battle tons of enemies with countless weapons while traveling through the game's dark fantasy worlds. Sound awesome? The game's "exceptionally rich" universe immerses you in action as you build alliances with friends but also fight battles with the game's terrifying evil creatures.

The game features over 50 levels, the ability to build countless in-game items through an intricate crafting system, the ability to upgrade your weapons, a leaderboard for competing with other players worldwide, and highly accessible controls.

You can expect Warhammer 40,000: Carnage to launch in the App Store sometime in May.

New Game Hellraid: The Escape Coming From Shortbreak Studios Next Month

Posted by Stephen Hall on April 9th, 2014

A new action game from Shortbreak Studios called Hellraid: The Escape is scheduled to be released soon, porting the upcoming sibling game for PC (simply called Hellraid) to iOS. In the game, a sorcerer has imprisoned your soul, leaving you to wonder who you are yourself, and how you could possibly rid the world of this evil. The game is a high-quality and well-developed game with great graphics, and hopes to be a fun experience as well even on top of its frightening story premise.

The game has a plethora of features, including a wide variety of challenging puzzles, the graphics quality of its PC brother, a world that's free to explore, intuitive controls, Game Center achievements and more. Hellraid: The Escape will also support play on a TV via AirPlay or an HDMI cable. The game will have free updates released over time and will not feature any in-app purchases.

Hellraid: The Escape will be available in the App Store for iPhone and iPad on May 15 for $2.99.

Laser Dog Games Teases New Endless Runner 'Alone' in New Video

Posted by Stephen Hall on April 9th, 2014

Laser Dog Games, creators of the well-loved game PUK, is at it again. This time they're teasing the upcoming space game Alone. In Alone, you have to use game's "ultra responsive slide controls" to navigate through caves, rocky outcrops, and falling debris while it becomes ever more claustrophobic as you play.

Alone is an endless runner, and the game's "procedural worlds" attempt to give the player a sense of making progress through space. The difficulty of Alone rises and falls as you move from planet to planet, with a little bit of down time between each area giving you room to breathe. The game is also said to have a fantastic soundtrack.

Alone will be available on June 26 on iOS, and will be a premium game with no pesky in-app purchases.

Political Simulator Democracy 3 Coming to iPad Later This Year

Posted by Stephen Hall on April 9th, 2014

Although currently only available for PC, Democracy 3, an awesome political simulator from indie developer Cliff Harris, will be coming to the iPad according to Pocket Tactics and a post on Harris' blog. This is the second port of one of Harris' games following the release of Gratuitous Space Battles, which was released on the App Store in 2012.

Democracy 3 lets you play the role of a blood-sucking politician (such as a president or prime-minister), taking control of the entire country and giving you the power to cater to the "motivations, loyalties, and desires of everyone in the country."

Keep your eye on 148apps as we'll be sure to let you know when there's more to tell you about the upcoming release of Democracy 3 for iPad.

IFTTT for iOS Gets Updated with iPad Compatibility, New iOS Notifications Channel

Posted by Stephen Hall on April 8th, 2014
+ Universal & Apple Watch App - Designed for iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch

IFTTT (If this Then That) is a service for connecting your favorite web applications and platforms together and pushing information between them. One of those platforms that is critical to the way IFTTT works is iOS, and today the service's mobile application was updated to version 2.0.0.

In the latest version of IFTTT, you'll find a bunch of new features including iPad compatibility; you can now manage and create recipes from the comfort of your tablet. Also packed into this update is the iOS Notifications channel, which allows you to send triggered actions straight to your iOS device. Lastly, the update includes a new iOS Photos channel that works when you're in a specific area.

You can get IFTTT on the App Store for free.

Stitcher Radio is Completely Remade in New Update Including New Front Page, Redesigned Player Controls

Posted by Stephen Hall on April 7th, 2014
+ Universal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad
Our rating: starstarstarhalfstarblankstar :: MUSIC TO OUR EARS :: Read Review »

Stitcher Radio is a well-known and well-reviewed app that lets you listen to your favorite news, comedy shows, talk radio shows, podcasts, and more - when you want them. The app has long been available for iOS, but recently received a massive update that changes almost everything about it.

Version 4.0 of Stitcher Radio includes a new front page, which brings new episodes of the shows you love to the forefront of the experience, redesigned player controls with a new mini player, a last player feature that lets you pick up where you left off, a new design that brings the app inline with iOS 7 design philosophy, and more.

You can get Stitcher Radio on the App Store for free.

Ready to Go Reminds You of All the Things You Need to do Before Leaving the House

Posted by Stephen Hall on April 7th, 2014
iPhone App - Designed for iPhone, compatible with iPad

Getting ready in the morning and heading out the door can be stressful, but new app Ready to Go — Your Daily Reminder from AppBit Software hopes to make it just a little more pleasant. It’s easy to forget every day tasks before you leave the house, and this app intends to remind you of all these little tasks.

The app features daily reminders of the tasks you probably need to complete, an adjustable checklist of the items that are built in to the app, and "intuitive controls with gestures" that make using the app pleasant and fun. To top it off, the app looks beautiful with a flat iOS 7-like design.

You can get Ready to Go - Your Daily Reminder on the App Store for $0.99.