Infinity Blade is the albatross hanging around my iPad’s neck. I put a lot of time into that game, slaying (and being slain by) the God King. That’s time I don’t want to lose, but the app’s large file size is crowding out other apps on my iPad! The game doesn’t have iCloud like the sequel does, so if I delete it, the save disappears into the aether. Or for a note-taking app like Penultimate, there should be an easy way to transfer an entire library of notes over to another device, such as the iPad Mini, without needing to export to sharing services or having to restore an entire device from iCloud.

While iTunes does not offer this functionality, there are ways to do this using third-party software, and without jailbreaking. I’m going to tell you how you can get to your app’s save files, copy them to your computer, and restore them back later – even to completely different devices.

First, download and install i-FunBox. It’s available for Windows and Mac and is free. Start by plugging in to your computer the device that has the save file of choice on it, and plug only this device in. At least on Mac, i-FunBox can only detect one device at a time.

Now, after it loads and the device is recognized by iFunBox, click on User Applications.

Find the app whose data you want to copy. Clicking on the User Applications text itself will open up a list of all applications, and the “Switch View” buttons in the top bar will change between an icon-based grid and a list view. As well, clicking on the dropdown menu on the left will give a quick list of all apps. Double-click on the app whose save files you want to back up.

Open it up, and a screen with several folders and a few files should be available. Ctrl-click (on Mac, Command-click) on the Documents and Library folders to highlight both of these for copying to your computer. Now click the orange arrow facing right that on Mac says Copy To Mac.

Save these files in their own individual folders. Do not let them mingle with other preferences files, lest the wrong save files get copied to their own devices! I created a Backups folder and then an individual sub-folder in that folder for each app’s Documents and Library files.

Now, it’s actually a very simple process to restore an app’s data to a device, hypothetically including to a different one than what you made the backup from. Unplug the original device and plug in the device to be copied to. Follow the same instructions as before to find the exact same app. This means do not copy from an iPad version of an app to an iPhone version or vice versa, as it will most likely not work! Once you’re at the screen with the Documents and Library folders, click the orange Copy From Mac or similar button and ctrl-click or Command-click on the app’s Documents and Library folders. Dragging the folders to the i-FunBox window should work as well. i-FunBox should instantaneously copy the files to the device. Load up the app, and if all has gone well, then the save file should be transferred!

Now, just a word of warning: as this is somewhat of a backdoor method to do this, there’s no guarantee that it will work properly. Transferring preferences files between universal apps should work, but iPhone and iPad versions will likely not. There’s no guarantee that a transferred save file will work, but Infinity Blade and Tilt to Live are confirmed working for me. And remember, keep the folders isolated. If an app won’t load due to messed up configuration files, then deleting it and reinstalling it should solve the problem. Just be very careful.

We’re in your base, wrecking up the place.

On This Episode:

Episode Cast:

Contact The Show: Email | Twitter

Music:

• “Beatnes7 (Theme to The Portable Podcast)” by The Eternal – Download on iTunes here:
• “Nanocarp” by The Eternal

How to Listen:

• Click Here to Subscribe in iTunes:



• Click Here to Subscribe via RSS.
• Listen Here:

  Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Apps Mentioned in this Episode:

$0.99

The Act

+ Universal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad
Released: 2012-06-21 :: Category: Games

FREE!

Outwitters

+ Universal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad
Released: 2012-07-05 :: Category: Games

$2.99

Tilt to Live

iPhone App - Designed for the iPhone, compatible with the iPad
Released: 2010-02-24 :: Category: Games

FREE!

Tilt to Live HD

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

A game about typing to fight off hordes of zombies and another based on one of Kurt Vonnegut’s most well-known novels. That’s it I’m done. Check, please!

Vonneguts & Glory – I find it difficult not to be intrigued by a game based on one of Kurt Vonnegut’s most well known books. But considering the fact that said game has also been created by The Last Rocket creator, Shaun Inman, it’s bound to be more than just a mere curiosity. Although being able to “unstab” and “unshoot” downed enemies is also bound to grab peoples’ attention.

FREE!

Vonneguts & Glory

+ Universal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad
Released: 2012-07-03 :: Category: Games

Outwitters – And lookie here, another bizarre game with a pedigree. Seems like the folks behind Tilt to Live decided to branch out into asynchronous turn-based strategy. With three distinct factions and boatloads of personality to boot. And if our own Carter Dotson has anything to say about it, they did a darn fine job of it.

FREE!

Outwitters

+ Universal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad
Released: 2012-07-05 :: Category: Games

Dungeon Block: Girl Rescues Knight! – So many things have gone topsy-turvy here. A knight saves a distressed damsel, and then gets dragged back into trouble just as the pair is escaping. Then the damsel runs right back into the thick of things to rescue the knight. And it’s all done by way of a bizarre combination of a kind of match-3 style game and Rocks, Paper, Scissors. Personally I think it’s too weird to ignore.

$0.99

Dungeon Block: Girl, Rescues Knight!

+ Universal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad
Released: 2012-07-05 :: Category: Games

Heroes in Time – Okay, yes, I’ll concede; the App Store isn’t exactly lacking in action RPGs. But what’s wrong with a little free Save the World action? Besides, fans of the SEED series are bound to want to check out this third installment. At no cost, of course.

FREE!

Heroes in Time

iPhone App - Designed for the iPhone, compatible with the iPad
Released: 2012-07-05 :: Category: Games

ZombieWords – First of all; I know it’s another zombie game. Second of all; shut up, I’m going somewhere with this. This isn’t just another zombie game. It’s a zombie game where players have to try and spell as many words as they can, Scrabble-style, in order to load bullets into a gun and fight off the encroaching hordes. I mean come on!

FREE!

ZombieWords

+ Universal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad
Released: 2012-07-05 :: Category: Games

MapleStory Live – Even more MapleStory on the go? Absolutely. This newest installment includes more stories, monsters, characters, mini-games, a customizable UI (huzzah!), and loads of planned updates with even more content. It’s a must-have for fans, naturally, but seeing as it’s free it’s also probably worth a look from series newcomers.

FREE!

MapleStory Live

+ Universal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad
Released: 2012-07-05 :: Category: Games

Get to the catcopter!

On This Episode:

Episode Cast:

Contact The Show: Email | Twitter

Music:

• “Beatnes7 (Theme to The Portable Podcast)” by The Eternal – Download on iTunes here:
• “Nanocarp” by The Eternal

How to Listen:

• Click Here to Subscribe in iTunes:



• Click Here to Subscribe via RSS.
• Listen Here:

  Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Apps Mentioned in this Episode:

$2.99

Tilt to Live

iPhone App - Designed for the iPhone, compatible with the iPad
Released: 2010-02-24 :: Category: Games

FREE!

Tilt to Live HD

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

FREE!

Hero Academy

+ Universal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad
Released: 2012-01-10 :: Category: Games

When it comes to arcade-flavored games with tilt controls, iOS has gamers covered in spades.  But before the floodgates opened up and tilt controlled games started rushing in, there was only one that truly mattered: Tilt To Live.  This was one of the best received games of 2010 – so much so that it was an a nominee for our Best App Ever Awards that year.  Simply put, it helped define what could be expected from tilty arcade games on the platform.

Since then, the game made its way to the iPad in form of Tilt To Live HD, which has recently been graced with an update that adds in full iPad retina support.  If you haven’t had a chance to check out the game yet, it is completely free and well worth checking out, if for no other reason than the shiny new visuals.  Give it a play through and let us know what you think in the comments below.  Trust us, it will be well worth your time.

FREE!

Tilt to Live HD

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

391837930

One Man Left, developers of Tilt to Live, sure have been coasting on that little game for a while now. Sure, it was cool that they added 3 new free modes, as well as the in-app purchase Viva la Turret mode and Viva la Coop mode post-release, even to the iPad version, which not only lets you enjoy playing the game, but also feel very rich at the same time as you and another iPad owner play with each other. And of course, they’re But as time wore on, the masses clamored for more. Have we all grown tired of seeing red? Are we ready to do something besides tilting? The time has come for something new, One Man Left!

And something new is indeed in the works, as One Man Left have revealed the beginnings of their newest project – so unknown that they have yet to reveal a title for it. The upcoming game is a turn-based strategy title, designed “for everyone.” What this apparently means is no extraordinarily long unskippable dialogue, a simple control scheme and interface (because who really likes overly complex strategy games?), and the ability to play as something other than space marines and aliens. Instead, you’ll get to play with such teams as plants, robots, and a cuddly team – although their cuddlyness can be debated, as they do apparently rip off robot heads, as you can see in the artwork.

As far as actual game details go, multiplayer is definitely in the works, with plans for both local and online multiplayer with matchmaking – I personally am hoping that this includes asynchronous multiplayer. The game is still very early on in development, as a prototype has just been completed for the game, but production on the game “is now in full swing” for release later this year, and we can expect plenty more in the way of details and updates on the game’s progress as time goes on from the folks at One Man Left; keep an eye on their blog for more exciting and entertaining updates from the fellas.

Viva la Tilt to Live! Few games have received the kind of post-release support that Tilt to Live has since its initial release on the iPhone last February, and the updates just keep on coming for the game. A new mode available via In-App Purchase, Viva la Turret mode, has been released for the iPad version of the game, after being released back in December for the iPhone version.

Viva la Turret mode probably changes the way that Tilt to Live plays the most out of any of the other additional modes. Here, your only weapon is the Perforator turret powerup, which, when you pick it up, spawns a turret that locks you in place, which you can then use to shoot at the waves of enemies that spawn around you. Each enemy you kill drops a gem that increases your multiplier by one, which you can collect whenever you get out of the turret. The turret powerup only lasts about 6 seconds and resets your multiplier whenever you leave the turret, though you can replenish this by shooting at the other turret powerup in play, attracting it towards you, which also helps out by blowing away enemies near you, as you are not invincible while in the turret in Viva la Turret mode.

So, the game becomes a balancing act in Viva la Turret mode – you want to try to rack up a huge multiplier, but you need to be careful as you can easily lose all your gems by inadvertently picking up a loose Perforator icon. Also, it can be very difficult to kill enemies that are near you, and you may be helplessly waiting for the escape from your turret lest one stray red dot comes by and kills you. It fits in the game’s original formula, but it really does feel like a brand new game in the original Tilt to Live shell. If you want to hear more about the development of Viva la Turret, listen to the episode of The Portable Podcast featuring developers One Man Left where we talk about the expansion.

This mode is available as an in-app purchase in both the iPhone and iPad versions. It’s just $0.99 for the iPhone version, but the iPad version (which features the same larger playing field of the other HD modes, as well as a new enemy wave only in the HD version) is priced slightly differently. If you have bought the full version of Tilt to Live HD in the app, Viva la Turret will cost you $0.99 to unlock. If you haven’t bought the full version in-app yet, then you can unlock all the modes, including Viva la Turret for $4.99. The updates aren’t quite done yet, either: a cooperative multiplayer mode via wifi or Bluetooth entitled Viva la Coop will be coming to the iPhone version of the game as a free update to the Viva la Turret expansion, where one player mans the Perforator turret, and the other player collects jewels and powerups. This update should hit in February for the iPhone, around the one year birthday of the original Tilt to Live, which is practically an eon in terms of App Store gaming.

$2.99

Tilt to Live

iPhone App - Designed for the iPhone, compatible with the iPad
Released: 2010-02-24 :: Category: Games

FREE!

Tilt to Live HD

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

Long live the Turret Alamo!

On This Episode:

Who We Are:

Music:

“Beatnes7 (Theme to The Portable Podcast)” by The Eternal – Download on iTunes here:

How to Listen:

Apps Mentioned On This Episode:

$2.99

Super Stickman Golf

+ Universal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad
Released: 2010-12-10 :: Category: Games

$5.99

Infinity Blade

+ Universal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad
Released: 2010-12-09 :: Category: Games

$2.99

Tilt to Live

iPhone App - Designed for the iPhone, compatible with the iPad
Released: 2010-02-24 :: Category: Games

FREE!

Tilt to Live HD

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

The App Hall of Fame (the original App Hall of Fame, not the Apple knock off) is an independent initiative launched by 148Apps that includes selection committee members from over 40 web and print publications.

Our goal is to archive the very best mobile apps by honoring only 12 applications per month. To be eligible, applications must be available for download from the App Store for at least 6 months. Applications are nominated and voted on monthly by the selection committee with the applications that get the most votes being inducted into the hall of fame.

We want you to join in on the celebration. We’ll be giving away copies of the newly inducted applications to subscribers of our mailing list later this week. Subscribe now for a chance to win.

We are very proud to announce the November inductees into the App Hall of Fame:

      

Harbor Master from Imangi Studios, LLC
OmniFocus from The Omni Group
Reeder from Silvo Rizzi
Yelp from Yelp

      

Pocket God from Bolt Creative
Real Racing from Firemint
Tilt To Live from One Man Left
Facebook from Facebook

      

Bebot – Robot Synth from Normalware
Fruit Ninja from Halfbrick Studios
Dropbox from Dropbox
Blue Defense! from John Kooistra

Even back before I was writing about iPhone gaming, I was very aware of the the game Tilt to Live. It was one of those great games that ended up being in the right place at the right time, garnering it the attention of many influential members of the gaming media. That said, it is no fluke that the game was a smash hit, because it was also a very well constructed and downright fun game, as evidenced by 148Apps.com’s glowing review.

Personally, I was lucky enough to download Tilt to Live during one of the promotional weekends where it was free in the app store. Needless to say it has stayed in my constant gaming rotation since then.

The one true drawback of the game in its current incarnation is the lack of any special support for iPad owners. Well that was case until an announcement was made on the developer, One Man Left Studio’s, website that a new iPad version is in development and on target for a September release.

Read more Tilt To Live Gets the High Def Treatment on The Portable Gamer

You’re the best around, nothing’s gonna ever keep you down!

On This Episode:

Who We Are:

Music:

“Beatnes7 (Theme to The Portable Podcast)” by The Eternal – Download on iTunes here:

How to Listen:

Apps Mentioned on This Episode:

$0.99

Fruit Ninja

+ Universal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad
Released: 2010-04-20 :: Category: Games

$0.99

$2.99

The Incident

+ Universal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad
Released: 2010-08-10 :: Category: Games

$2.99

Tilt to Live

iPhone App - Designed for the iPhone, compatible with the iPad
Released: 2010-02-24 :: Category: Games

$0.99

Angry Birds Seasons

iPhone App - Designed for the iPhone, compatible with the iPad
Released: 2010-10-21 :: Category: Games

$3.99

Game Dev Story

iPhone App - Designed for the iPhone, compatible with the iPad
Released: 2010-10-09 :: Category: Games

$2.99

Super QuickHook

iPhone App - Designed for the iPhone, compatible with the iPad
Released: 2010-06-17 :: Category: Games

$0.99

Hook Worlds

iPhone App - Designed for the iPhone, compatible with the iPad
Released: 2010-12-16 :: Category: Games

$0.99

Plants vs. Zombies

iPhone App - Designed for the iPhone, compatible with the iPad
Released: 2010-02-15 :: Category: Games

$0.99

Cut the Rope

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

$1.99

Blue Defense: Second Wave!

+ Universal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad
Released: 2010-09-30 :: Category: Games

$0.99

$4.99

STREET FIGHTER IV

iPhone App - Designed for the iPhone, compatible with the iPad
Released: 2010-03-09 :: Category: Games

$0.99

$4.99

Real Racing 2

iPhone App - Designed for the iPhone, compatible with the iPad
Released: 2010-12-16 :: Category: Games