Update: Angry Birds Rio for iPhone and iPad is now live! Get the download links below.

Drum roll please… Stories have been running rampant across the internet that the eagerly anticipated sequel to Angry Birds, entitled Angry Birds Rio, should be going live tomorrow in the App Store.  These rumors were later confirmed by Rovio themselves via the official Angry Birds twitter account. So now the question becomes how long do you have to wait for your next hit of furious foul?

If you are looking to get an early jump on the GameCenter leaderboards you would think that a midnight download might be in order, but if you assumed that you would be gravely mistaken.  In all actuality, the App Store is usually updated at 11pm whatever your local time may be, hereby giving you an extra hour head start on the competition. I for one will be eagerly awaiting the launch from the comfort of my bed, then spending the remainder of the night not getting any sleep.

Weighing in at a healthy sixty stages, the next installment in the Angry Birds saga will take our favorite feathered protagonists south of the boarder, as they attempt to free birds that have been illegally held in captivity.  There is no word yet on whether the pig infestation of the current installment make a sneak appearance in Rio, but I just have a gut feeling that we haven’t seen the last of them.  The most recent trailer even featured a new boss mechanic that is bound to give players nothing but brain freezing fits.

Get ready to take aim at the opposition and plunk down a mere ninety-nine cents for your next taste of the sweet nectar known as Angry Birds.  I know that I plan to be excitedly waiting with bated breath for the witching hour to arrive.  If you are lucky enough to already be on the Tuesday side of the date line let us know what you think of the game in the comments.  We are all VERY curious!

FREE!

Angry Birds Rio

iPhone App - Designed for the iPhone, compatible with the iPad
Released: 2011-03-22 :: Category: Games

FREE!

Angry Birds Rio Free

iPhone App - Designed for the iPhone, compatible with the iPad
Released: 2011-03-22 :: Category: Games

FREE!

Angry Birds Rio HD

iPad Only App - Designed for the iPad
Released: 2011-03-22 :: Category: Games

FREE!

Angry Birds Rio HD Free

iPad Only App - Designed for the iPad
Released: 2011-03-22 :: Category: Games

Following our report that international iPad App Stores began switching on yesterday, international iBookstores are also now available. Apple initially claimed that iBooks would be a US-only service, likely due to ongoing discussions with international book publishers, but has since announced international launches in countries that begin selling the iPad on May 28th. At present, only free books are available to download on international iBookstores however this is likely to change over the next few days. So far, live iBookstores have been reported in Germany, Italy and the UK with the remaining supported countries likely to follow.

At the time of writing there are 10,023 free books available on the UK iBookstore with new additions apparently stopped for the time being after almost minute-by-minute changes earlier.

We’ll keep you updated as things progress.

We’re still a week away from the official launch of iPads in select countries outside the US but it seems that international iPad App Stores are beginning to switch on already. It is likely that Apple is adding iPad downloads to international App Stores so that all potential issues are ironed out in time for the launch of the iPad in these countries. App Stores in countries like the UK, Germany and Canada don’t currently have the iPad and iPhone buttons on the App Store front page like in the US, so users can’t yet split browsing between the two devices. App Store search results are split into iPad and iPhone categories, however. International users with US-bought iPads have, until now, been unable to access their local App Stores via the device but today should have full access despite some noted teething trouble on some stores.

Backflip Studios, the developer behind Paper Toss and Ragdoll Blaster has announced that it will be launching five new games on the App Store this month, all of which will be free. The company has also announced that it has seen over 26 million downloads in its first year of app development with many more to come. On top of this success, Backflip will also be publishing a number of games from other developers over the next few months. While some complain about apps that are supported by advertising, nobody can complain about great games that don’t cost a penny and it seems Backflip is happy to provide us with just that.

So what does Backflip have in store for us?

Strike Knight
First on the roster is Strike Knight, a puck bowling game similar to arcade machines of the past, that sees the user compete for a high score while being taunted by The Strike Knight himself. This app just went live for iPhone and can be downloaded here.

Harbor Havoc 3D Free
Later this month, Harbor Havoc 3D, Backflip’s popular “Flight Control with boats” game will be rereleased as a free app.

Graffiti Ball
Graffiti Ball, slated for an early June release, involves using your iPhone to direct a ball to a target while also picking up bonuses using a spray paint can and gravity.

Paper Toss HD
Of the over 20 million users of the highly addictive Paper Toss, those with iPads will be excited to see Paper Toss HD arrive in mid-June.

Ninjump
Coming in late June is Ninjump, which sounds like a lot of fun. The game sees a ninja, being pursued by other ninjas, climbing up two buildings, jumping between the two and picking up bonuses.

Hit the jump for more screenshots from upcoming Backflip Studios games.

Continue reading Backflip Studios Announces 5 Upcoming, Free Games »