Hugely popular iOS game developers, Chillingo, have today announced that they’re not finished with feeding the cute little creature, Om Nom, just yet. The hit game, Cut the Rope, will be receiving its version 1.4 update in the near future, entitled ‘Toy Box’. With this update will come 25 brand new levels, some new features and even new game mechanics that’ll offer players some different ways to feed the little, green fellow.

New features will include a ‘Star Key’ that allows players to unlock boxes and the ability to choose what type of food is being played with — so it’s the players’ choice whether Om Nom has candy or donuts, but please do try to mix it up and ensure the little guy gets a balanced and varied diet. They’re also putting some hidden drawings into every box which can be unlocked and shared with friends via Facebook, while the final listed feature will allow one to get those friends playing by way of a built in ‘Gift This App’ option.

Finally, seeing as it’s a ‘Toy Box’ update, there had better be some toys, right? Well there is; Chillingo are also launching a range of plush Om Nom toys, pictured below, although there’s no revelation of when or where we’ll be able to buy these from just yet.

$0.99

Cut the Rope

iPhone App - Designed for the iPhone, compatible with the iPad
Released: 2010-10-04 :: Category: Games

$3.99

Cut the Rope HD

iPad Only App - Designed for the iPad
Released: 2010-10-07 :: Category: Games

Quantum Sheep, the developers responsible for games such as Air Supply, have decided to go ahead and launch another title. This time, though, it’s an iPad exclusive and certainly seems to make good use of the iPad’s extra screen real estate.

The game has a Tron-esque art style, with bright neon colors on a black background, and employs a very simple method for both controls and gameplay. The player’s put in control of a little square that follows the players finger in a 1:1 sort of way While the gameplay is described by the developer as being just as simple: “Essentially, you have to avoid the red balls and grab the blue ones,” they say. “Just grab the blue balls – avoid anything even remotely red!”

With power-ups such as Shields, Smartbombs and, in Quantum Sheep’s own words, ‘the Repel Thingy’ — as well as online leaderboards and achievements provided by Game Center, it certainly looks as though it could be another one of those simple but addictive little iOS games.

The whole retro arcade feel is wrapped up with some real nice 8-bit music from chiptune artist, Amiga Agia, which come with track titles such as ‘The Never Played Atari’ and ‘My Gameboy is better’, which are sure to please any nerd (especially me).

Those who like the idea of .Matrixx can even pick it up at a special introductory price in the App Store which will only last a couple of days. Waiting to grab it until later will mean it’ll cost a little extra, although I wouldn’t mind, I’m sure Quantum Sheep deserve it.

$1.99

.Matrixx

iPad Only App - Designed for the iPad
Released: 2011-07-17 :: Category: Games

To a ‘biker,’ a motorcycle is far more than just a form of transportation, it’s a tool for fun and enjoyment as much as it is for getting from A to B. It’s likely, then, that bikers who happen to also own an iPhone may wish to keep track of all kinds of details about their motorcycles right on their device. So here’s GoodRide(SM), a free app that promises to do just that — and it’s been released by an insurance company, of all people.

With it’s latest version, US insurance providers Allstate have made GoodRide(SM) a very neat little tool to behold, whether you’re a customer of their insurance policies or not. There’s a bunch of features included within, helping the user’s bike journeys go off without a hitch. It allows for planning of a journey before setting off, will help with finding the nearest gas station along the way and also assists with being as safe ass possible by way of a pre-ride checklist — reminding the rider to check their brakes, lights, tires and such before actually jumping on a riding off into the sunset.

That’s just the start, though, as upon finishing a journey there’s the option to check how many miles we ridden, how long it took to get there and it’s even possible to attach a photo and share the journey with friends and family by way of Facebook or Twitter. Version 1.1 also brings a maintenence log into the app, allowing one to remember exactly when the bike was last serviced or the oil was last topped up. And finally, should the worst happen and the bike breaks down mid-trip a simple press of the button will put a phone call straight through to their Good Hands roadside assitance department to send out one of their service trucks, specially equipped to deal with motorcycles.

FREE!

GoodRide(SM) by Allstate®

iPhone App - Designed for the iPhone, compatible with the iPad
Released: 2011-06-02 :: Category: Lifestyle

Most anybody that’s worked in an office, or in any position that requires use of a computer that’s connected to the wonderfully distracting World Wide Web, has likely done it: slacking off from their work in favour of sending a tweet, updating their Facebook status, or perhaps, simply browsing the net to look at anything other than what they should be. It’s much more interesting, and can even feel a little daring at times — unless, of course, Mr. Boss walks by with an over the shoulder peer that ends in seeing his star employee sending a tweet that reads, “I hate work. Want to go home!”

iSlack attempts to recreate exactly what’s detailed above in the form of an iPhone game.

The game presents the player with an on-screen image of the main character sitting in front of his new iMac computer. All the while fellow employees are wandering by, but they’re not too interested in what he’s up to: as the game’s rather comical tutorial pages detail, they don’t want to be there either. Four on-screen buttons on the lower portion of the screen allow the player choose what their character is looking at on-screen at any given time — one being boring spreadsheet graph work, one is Twitter, and the other two being websites of game developers Trainyard and Kaida Games — the latter of which is responsible for the creation of iSlack itself.

The game has a highly-polished presentation, includes Game Center integration and several giggle-inducing moments. iSlack is available now in the App Store.