Who doesn’t love a good shooter set in the days of a World War III tainted apocalypse? The wild west has risen again, and the multiplayer shooter Warm Gun will help figure out how it truly was won.
A little birdie from the game’s developer over at Emotional Robots decided to chirp in our ear about a brand spankin’ new update that just moseyed its way into the App Store. Among the most prominent changes, players will immediately begin seeing a 40% increase in performance, no matter what iOS device they are using. Also, lets not lose sight of a newly introduced interface and an entirely new map: Coldshot.
Probably the best part of the entire announcement is the fact that until the end of February Warm Gun will be marked down to a mere $1.99. So now looks to be as good a time as any to holster up and take a step into the past… or is it the future? Where is Marty McFly when you need him?
Abvio, an iPhone fitness app developer, demonstrated its version 7.0 update for Runmeter, Cyclemeter and Walkmeter last week in San Francisco at Macworld 2012. The new update overhauls the stopwatch display to be completely configurable to display data from more than 150 different data items, from total mileage to average heart rate for the previous split. Users will be able to customize and swipe through additional pages of information, including stats, graphs, maps, a music player, and more.
The update also adds a new history navigation feature that provides detailed reports. In addition, all workout information is saved directly to the device so users do not have to navigate to a sister website. The company also demonstrated new app support for the Wahoo Fitness Blue HR Heart Rate Strap (for iPhone 4S) in the Mobile Apps Showcase making it the first to adopt the technology.
DeepSketch, a 2D and 3D sketchbook app for iPad, recently updated to version 1.4 adding the ability to zoom and pan around the user’s canvas to be able to add better detail into their work. The new version also adds more ink-like brushes with tapered ends, twitter integration as well as better save and export options. Created by Norway-based indie developer Mattis Folkestad, DeepSketch is known for its 3D sketch capabilities. Users only need to wear a par of 3D glasses to get the third dimension. Users are able to use automatic or manual control of depth with brush strokes to create customized art. Additional features include photo import, a large amount of export options and 3D control for the digital artist. This app requires colored, anaglyph 3D glasses (purchased separately) to create and view 3D images and does not work with polarized 3D glasses or with active 3D glasses used on 3D TV’s.
At this point it pretty much goes without saying that TomTom is one the most widely used GPS services on the market. As part of this expansion, they brought their prowess in the navigation world to iOS. As one might assume, this was a lucrative decision for the company that has paid off for consumers tenfold.
One thing that TomTom has been great about doing is updating their software with different and unique pieces of functionality, features lacking in the competition. At CES they previewed their upcoming 1.10 update, and the name of the game is social networking. The core software will now link up with Twitter and Facebook to share destinations and arrival times, all without ever having to leave the application. Heck, they even made this data available for transfer via text message and email as well!
While this is not exactly in the realm of transportation directions, it certainly makes interesting uses of features already on iOS devices. We will have more information on the update when it nears release sometime this quarter. Until then, keep both hands on the wheel.
These days it is getting very hard to find something good on television. Between quality content getting cut and Kardashians become even more prevalent, it seems like the deck is stacked against the casual viewer. But what if there were a tool that tracked your preferences and actually could recommend content that you might enjoy? This is exactly what the newest revision to the Peel app can do, along with making that TV Guide all but obsolete.
The new 2.0 update to the application is now leveraging the power of social networks to connect users with even more customized content. All that needs to be done is log in with someone’s Facebook account and the suggestions will start rolling in from other users and friends. This is a great way to see how your tastes compare to friends and maybe discover a hidden gem or two that might have otherwise never been given a chance. Take the free app for a spin and let us know what you think!
They always say that during the holidays it is better to give than to receive. Cut The Rope developer ZeptoLab seems to have taken that to heart. To show their unwavering dedication and appreciation to the fans they just released update version 1.6 to the App Store classic, entitled “Buzz Box,” completely free of charge.
So over a year after this iOS mainstay debuted it is once again, both literally and figuratively, changing the game. Here is what you can expect to find in the newest update:
“The award-winning, physics-based puzzler you can’t get enough of introduces Om Nom to a new box filled with 25 exciting levels. The update also introduces a Busy Bee feature with bees that never stop buzzing as they keep moving and stretching the ropes, bringing a challenging new element to the game…”
Just in case you were curious to see how the new “Busy Bee”s will mix things up, check out the trailer below. For those out there without this installed on every iOS device under the sun, what the heck are you waiting for? We promise that you will not regret it.
SampleTank, a professional quality sound and groove workstation, recently announced a new update, which now makes it a universal app for the iPhone, iPod touch and iPad. More importantly, it now features a built-in 4-track MIDI recorder, which is an essential tool for any music enthusiast or professional as it enables the mobile musician to record beats, grooves or complete songs anytime and everywhere. The new recorder features quantize and loop functions, export to audio and integration with the built-in pattern player making it a full-featured mobile sound and groove workstation.
Additionally, its drum pads interface was enhanced for easier use and now includes a total of 136 instruments as well as an another few hundred available as in-app purchases. The update also added more than 1,000 patterns as well as made the app compatible with any audio dock. The SampleTank music app is available for $19.99 on the App Store.
With over 1.8 million reviews with an average of four stars, the Facebook app for iPhone continues to be one of the most popular in the App Store. However, there are a few gripes and groans on the review board in regards to uploading pictures as well as being able to access Timeline, which launched earlier this week globally. The Zuckerberg-run company pushed out their Facebook 4.1 update for iPhone a few days ago to combat some of these issues as well as offer access to friend lists, subscribers and subscriptions.
Overall, the application seems to be faster at executing all the various tasks such as status updates, uploading and tagging photos and zipping through different news feeds. This, I’m sure, is a welcomed update to the 99.5 million monthly active users of the iPhone app. For those interested in the update for iPad, stay tuned as that is still in the works. Hopefully, it’s not a long wait. As for the iPhone update, the most significant update is how quickly photos load. It’s extremely fast, which for most, provides a better user experience as they won’t have to wait those extra seconds. Also, the layout of a friend’s profile is a lot easier to navigate as when clicked the user can now quickly add them to specific friends lists. Their about, photos and friends lists are above the fold for easy access as well. Facebook 4.1 is available for immediate download as a free app update on the iPhone.
Fans of the combat racing game Death Rally already know that this is truly the game that keeps on giving. After snagging tons of acclaim upon release, the title has seen a remarkable SEVEN free updates. Move over Rovio, because Remedy Entertainment is gunning for the crown of best fan service.
Here is a laundry list of some of the new features included in this well timed holiday present:
ROAD WARS MULTIPLAYER: Experience the complete multiplayer campaign. Unlock cars and weapons by destroying your opponents. Advance your career. Claim the crown.
FRIENDS PLAY: Round up your friends on your own Friends Game Channel. Use auto match and never get lost.
BATTLE MODIFIERS: Turn the odds in your favor. Use Shotgun Blues to make your auto machine gun shoot shotgun shells, or start your race using nitros with Quick Start.
WAR PAINT: Unique paint job for Shrieker and Vagabond that brings these cars’ performance to a whole new level!
NEW RANK SYSTEM: From Roadkill to Battle-Hardened Captain, track your progress more accurately than ever before on your way to becoming the Adversary. Carry your shield with pride!
Easily the most remarkable piece of this announcement is the addition of a complete campaign focused entirely on multiplayer content. This kind of support, especially in the arena of multiplayer gaming, is rarely seen this far after a launch. Plus, all of the added features such as the new ranking system and battle modifiers show an added dedication to keeping the game as balanced as possible.
If you have yet to check out Death Rally, it is well worth a look. In celebration of the update the game’s price has been dropped to ninety nine cents, so now is certainly the opportunity to take advantage. Fire up the throttle and gear up for one hell of a race.
Ash was one of the first RPGs I downloaded when I was a new initiate to the wonders of iOS gaming. I recall being thoroughly impressed by the quality. Well, that quality just got a boost. The original game was released with graphics licensed from RPG Maker, but SRRN Games has replaced all of it with totally original artwork. The new style shares a few basic similarities with the older one, but overall it’s a huge visual change. Especially the character portraits.
Another less obvious but still notable change has to do with the random encounters. One of the game’s initial shortcomings was that there were just so freaking many of them it kind of made getting from point A to point B a pain. This has been rebalanced, so now random encounters are a bit less frequent. They’ll still happen, and they’re still essential to not being caught in a boss battle with one’s pants down, but the decrease will go a long way to making the game more accessible and overall more fun.
Last and most important, Ash is getting an 80% prince drop for the holidays. What was once a great RPG that could be had for $4.99 is now a great RPG made slightly greater and available for a buck. One dollar. $0.99. I’d gladly recommend this game to any RPG fans at $5, but $1? That’s, like, “don’t even think about it just buy it” pricing. So yeah; don’t even think about it, just buy it.
Netflix has recently updated their app to version 2.0, bringing a pair of major changes to it. The first is that the app is now available in Latin America, so our friends south of the border can now enjoy streaming movies and TV shows. The other big update is for iPad users, as the interface has been entirely revamped. Categories and users’ instant queue are now displayed as horizontally-scrollable lists, with the ability to resume recently watched items at the top. This UI update brings it more in line with Netflix interfaces on other platforms, as they use similarly-organized display lists. Along with a similar update for the Xbox 360, it appears that Netflix is trying to bring some kind of unified interface across the many platforms they are on. The iPhone/iPod touch interface has not received a similar redesign, but this is probably due to issues with getting such an interface working on the smaller screens.
What is the best way to make a great game even greater? Developers 5th Cell and Iron Galaxy are hedging their bets that the wave of the future is voice recognition. For this very reason the recently released Scribblenauts Remix for iOS is getting a much deserved revision, exclusively for iPhone 4S users.
Expanding on the already amazing feature set of the Scribblenaunts universe, all that iPhone 4S owners will need to do is talk to their phone in order to populate the game world with a multitude of awesome objects. Unfortunately if you own any other iOS devices you will be on the outside looking in. That said, this is still an exciting development for what is arguably one of most innovative games on the platform.
There is no word as to whether there are plans to add voice support to other devices down the road, but we can all cross our fingers. Check out the trailer below to see the new voice controls in action.
Navigation apps in the app store are a plenty. But one developer that continues to push the bar is NAVIGON, who’s first app was published two years ago and has received almost 10,000 four star reviews. Their newest app, an overhaul of their first app published two years ago that has seen eight major updates packed with new features, is available as of today as a free update to current NAVIGON users. For those new to the service, NAVIGON 2.0 for iPhone North America, USA, Canada, East, Central or West costs between $19.99 and $49.99 depending on the location.
NAVIGON 2.0 received a complete overhaul to its user interface with pull down menus and an easier to use POI menu. It is the first onboard iPhone navigation app that solves the issue of having to save large amounts of map data on the phone to be independent of a data connection because it allows the user to download maps by state, leaving more room for media files and other apps. Also included in NAVIGON 2.0 is an in app purchase option for quarterly map updates, which is key as every road around seems to be under construction.
Dolphin Browser version 2.0 was released for iOS and is now available for download on the App Store. Similar to the company’s recent Android update, the mobile browser for the iPhone and iPad now features Dolphin Connect, which enables the user to sync all of their important bookmarks across platforms. For instance, iPad owners who have an Android mobile phone are good to go with the latest update. This should make for a consistent user experience regardless of mobile platform.
The app’s Webzine received several enhancements, including bringing 16 of the most popular channels directly to the home screen for easy, one-touch access. The company also announced that they’ve surpassed 10 million users and in celebration are giving away a trip to Disneyland for one lucky Dolphin user. This also includes a guest. The prize is five nights at the Walt Disney Dolphin Hotel in Orlando, Florida. Find out all the details on the company’s blog.
Know what’s great about Pocket God? Aside from the malicious glee one gets from snuffing out helpless cartoon characters repeatedly, I mean. It’s that the game has been receiving a ridiculous amount of support since it’s release. Just over 40 Episodes have been released thus far, and Bolt Creative doesn’t look like they plan to slow down any time soon.
Yes, I said “over” 40. The newest Episode, “I Sting the Body Electric” has just gone live. This update adds a coral reef to the Ocean Floor area, complete with jellyfish to torment those loveable, languishing pygmies. It also includes a purchasable “Underwater World” skin pack that changes the Pocket God island’s boulder into a puffer fish and the volcano into a whale. Oh, and there’s something about iOS 5 feature support or something. I wasn’t really paying attention.
I’m kidding! Just kidding! Don’t hurt me!
The new update allows players to make use of two iOS 5 thingies: First, there’s the Asynchronous Turn-Based Gaming that will let them square off against friends and complete strangers in the Battle of the Gods mini-game. Second is the iCloud Storage, which will save progress whenever a level in the battle arena is completed or a new challenge is unlocked. Then they can continue their game with no data loss on any of their other iOS devices.
I suppose there’s no time like the present to dive back in to the pygmy slaughter. Pocket God is, and has been, available on the App Store (iOS 5 support and all) right now for a buck. But really, who doesn’t own it by now?
Remember Sprinkle? That super-awesome water physics puzzle game about aliens defending their homes from meteoric garbage? Well it’s just been topped-off with more content.
Mediocre Games has just released an update with 14 new levels. That’s probably about 3 lifetimes worth of gameplay, assuming one plans to aim for the maximum rating in each one. Seriously, getting the highest rating for the later stages in this game is hard.
But the real reason I wanted to talk about this has to do with Sprinkle‘s “controversial” in-app purchase option to unlock later worlds. Essentially it wasn’t necessary, as metalcasket mentioned in our review‘s comments. The feature has since been removed, but Mediocre has been gracious enough to offer up 6 new levels (in addition to the previously mentioned 14) to these early in-app purchasers. How cool is that?
Sprinkle is still just $0.99, and now features 36 levels (42 for the in-app folks). And there’s no time like the present to strap on that adorable little extra terrestrial firefighter’s helmet.
NAVIGON AG, one of the big navigation companies out there, announced this past THursday not just an update, but a full re-definition of their smartphone navigation software, available for the iPhone and other smartphone platforms, including Android (now) and Windows Phone 7 (later this year).
“Over the last two years, we’ve continuously added new features to our navigation apps, transforming them into the most feature-rich smartphone GPS apps available,” said Gerhard Mayr, NAVIGON vice-president of worldwide mobile phones and new markets. “For our new generation of apps, we went back to the drawing board to see how we could elevate smartphone navigation to the next level. Feedback from our users suggests that a better way to manage and update maps and a more intuitive user interface are top priorities.”
Sounds good, right? What does it boil down to? Here’s what we’re seeing:
New map management and update abilities are in the update, allowing users to download regional maps on the fly. This could allow users to have, say, only the maps of the states they travel in most, rather than an entire United States or pre-defined region sitting on their iPhone taking up space better spent on new ringtones. The maps themselves will be updated from NAVTEQ on a quarterly basis, ensuring the freshest maps available to users for a one-time fee, good for the lifetime of the software. The user interface has also been updated to more easily match the iOS environment in which it is running (or the platform on which it is running, if not iOS). In addition, NAVIGON includes a speed camera warning feature and a cockpit function that displays real-time driving data, allowing those enthusiasts to monitor their driving behaviors right from the app.
NAVIGON AG was founded in 1991, and operates out of Hamburg, Germany. They were recently acquired by Garmin, and current offer smartphone apps for on-board navigation utility. The new update will be available free to current NAVIGON app users sometime this fall.
Genera Games is definitely on to something with TouchyBooks. It’s a clever little app that more-or-less digitizes the experience found in most “board books,” letting young readers (or lookers, really) tap all over the screen to generate sounds and movement. If I were a kid, my parents would never let me hold an iPhone, but if they did this would be a great alternative to a typical bedtime story.
As great as the app may be, this new 2.0 update sweetens the deal immensely. Among the plethora of additions that aren’t all detailed, including a revamped design and a search feature (wow, it must have been rough without that one), are a couple of ideas that are just as smart as the app itself. First, all of the books (full copies, not free samples) can be rated by users. The Amazon-like five star rating system may seem obvious now, but it makes searching through the store a bit less of a hassle. Secondly, there’s the autoplay option. Wow. I mean, the whole narration/interaction thing is smart, but adding the choice to automatically read through a title is borderline brilliant. It’s perfect for kids that are old enough to “read” along, but aren’t quite ready to start poking at things.
Were I a parent, I’d be all over TouchyBooks. This is an awesome app for kids that are just starting to tip a toe into the waters of literacy, as well as a solid tool for helping more advanced “learning-to” readers. Anyone even vaguely familiar with browsing the App Store will find navigation a breeze, and the titles in this limited (but still fairly substantial) library are priced very respectably. Parents, check this one out ASAP.
This morning I got to sit-in on a streaming presentation by Cave World as they announced the particulars of their pending DEATHSMILES update. Options have been added, settings have been tweaked and lots of extra content has been tossed in that should keep the fans quite happy for a while. And they announced another game or something.
The update will include two new special features: First, players can unlock new costumes for Princess Tiara in iPhone Mode (eight plus her default, it looks like) by fulfilling “special conditions” such as clearing Normal Mode. The second addition is a jigsaw puzzle, similar to the one found in Mushihimesama BUG PANIC. Players can unlock pieces as they play and pick up equipment in-game and eventually put the whole thing together. What this accomplishes, aside from looking spiffy, wasn’t talked about, but it’s yet another carrot to keep players interested so it’s hardly a bad thing. As is the “hidden” BGM that can be unlocked by using some “special technique.”
In addition, special DLC weapons will be available for purchase. One of the DLC weapons, the “Golden Horn,” was shown off and looked to be somewhat of a screen-clearing powerhouse. None of these weapons (ranging in price from $2.99 – $3.99) will be required for achievements or unlocking content, but Cave fans probably won’t be able to resist using guns from Dodonpachi Ressurection in their game.
Last on the list of additions is a number of unspecified bug fixes and screen adjustment options. Now players will be able to shift the screen to the left or right in order to keep finger obscuring to a minimum, and the display can be reoriented (FINALLY) to accommodate those of us who hate holding our iPhones the wrong way. Oh come on, it’s totally awkward with the Home button on the left. Admit it.
But updates to their newest shooter aren’t the only thing they had in store. Cave World producer Masa King, clad in a French maid uniform (seriously), showed off a trailer for their upcoming social sim game: Castle Creator. Castle Creator lets players create their own castle town in feudal Japan, register their location and “skirmish” with other players when their town is big enough. There’s no specific date yet, but it is in production and should be out later this year.
Mention of a Mushihimesama BUG PANIC soundtrack CD release (featuring 24 tracks) was also made, but I think the bigger announcement was Espgaluda II HD. It was a last-minute thing, and aside from a very brief demo virtually no information was given, but iPad owners should still be getting plenty excited. It looks gorgeous.
DEATHSMILES owners can look forward to the update sometime within the next day or so.
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.
If you were to look up generosity in the dictionary, I am pretty sure you might find an icon for the game Pocket God next to the definition. Simply put, this is the franchise that just keeps on giving, and for completely free. Their most recent release of the game Pocket God: Journey to Uranus is no exception to the rule either, as it was announced yesterday that another cost absent update has just been made available.
Entitled “Planet of the Living Dead,” the game is delving into a world that gamers have become ever so familiar with: zombies. Not only do the brain gobblers make their first appearance, but now you will also be able to arm your pygmies, in order to fight off the mindless hordes.
Check out the trailer below and let us know in the comments if this is the type of update that could coax a purchase out your stingy wallet.
Who doesn’t love a good physics based puzzle from time to time? Everyone loves a game that can both challenge your mind while delivering on solid gameplay all at the same time. Over one million iOS gamers have spoken, making Smoody a runaway puzzling hit. Luckily for all of us, they are in a (S)mood to celebrate a bit.
Without stepping on the brands of a certain mousey fronted corporation, a new update to Smoody is going to give you puzzles from “Unda Da Sea.” On top of the update to a title that would normally cost you $0.99 and $2.99 for the respective iPhone or iPad versions, the game is going to be available completely free for a limited time.
Featuring over one hundred stages of mind bending puzzles and a new underwater environments, this definitely looks like a game to pick up now. After all, it isn’t like you are going to find anything cheaper than completely free! Check it out this trailer below, give it a download and let us know what you think in the comments.
Casey’s Contraptions, the physics puzzler rated 4.5/5 stars and given the Editor’s Choice award by 148Apps as well as featured by Apple as “iPad Game of the Week” upon release, has been updated with the ability to download shared contraptions from the web directly into the app. Previously, contraptions could be shared only by email.
Now, people can visit the Casey’s Contraptions Shared Contraptions website, view contraptions uploaded by other people, and download them to their device. There is a button to view this website from Safari on the iPad, and clicking on a contraption downloads it and opens it up directly in the app, and will be saved to be played later. Stars can be earned on these levels, although solutions cannot be shared like the main game’s levels. Still, this is a massive influx of content to the game, and the integration of the web interface to the app is perfect. User levels can easily be shared from within the app to the website, or the URL can be shared directly to the website, in case a level was created prior to this update and is only available in the shared email.
This isn’t it for the update’s features. The game now supports multiple user profiles, so people who share one iPad can now have different progressions on the game. This feature was inspired by parents playing the game with their children, but also wanting to have their own saved progress in the game. With the 1.1 update, this is now possible. There have also been some tweaks to solution submissions, with the ability to autosubmit best solutions, delete submitted solutions, and to load past solutions, in order to compare the process that went into different solutions. Some other minor features like sound & music toggling, the ability to skip a level’s ending animation by tapping, and some bug fixes have been added as well. The app has been renamed to Casey’s Contraptions HD, as an iPhone/iPod touch version is in the works. Owners of the iPad version will be pleased to know that the game will be updated to a universal build in the near future, so there will be no need to re-buy the app for use on smaller devices! This feature, along with a new location and new items will be part of the game’s next update. The 1.1 update for Casey’s Contraptions is available as a free update from the App Store. Check out some screenshots of the update and a teaser for the iPhone version below.
When you watch as much television as I do (well, at least TIVO as much television as I do), it is essential to have a solid TV Guide style application at your instant disposal. While my previous go to app was actually the TV Guide Mobile on my iPhone, I was recently implored to take a look at the recently updated i.TV tool. Here are some of the intriguing new features that you might find useful.
On top of being a completely functional television guide application, it is also home to a wide variety of other multimedia purposes such as scheduling your DVR, help finding shows that you may have missed on iTunes, Netflix, and Hulu, not to mention the ability to add programs to you Netflix Instant Queue, without ever having to leave the software. Consumers would be hard pressed to find an parallel application with such a diverse, not to mention comprehensive batch of uses, without having to employ the use of multiple tools.
Praise of the functionality aside, if you are an iPad owner, you had been previously stuck dealing with the stretched and distorted perspective when trying to use i.TV. Luckily this now seems to be a thing of the past, as the application has now been updated to be Universal, so that it can bring all of its gorgeous and awesome features to iPad owners, while better taking advantage of having more space on-screen. It certainly doesn’t hurt matters much that this is now the #1 television guide application available on the App Store.
This is definitely worth giving a download when you consider the already outstanding featureset, as well as the fact that it is completely free. What is keeping you from giving it a shot? Who knows, you might even find yourself pondering why you haven’t tried it sooner.
It is hard to argue that people are not looking for hardcore gaming experiences on their iOS devices. In a world where Angry Birds and Cut the Rope sell millions of copies, it was nice to see a niche hardcore game succeed against all odds. Sure, it didn’t hurt that ChAIR‘s release had the backing of development powerhouse Epic Games, but when Infinity Blade racked up an impressive $1.65 million dollars in sales over the span of a mere five days, skeptics were suddenly silenced.
Ever since then the studio has quietly been churning away on several additional content updates, but nothing that would satiate the yearning of multiplayer junkies that desired to face off head-to-head with human adversaries. This is why yesterday’s announcement of a brand new update to everyone’s favorite medieval Mike Tyson Punch-Out clone is so exciting! The full rundown of Thursday’s upcoming update are as follows:
Enter the Arena: Assuming the role of Titan or Knight, Infinity Blade fans can now challenge their friends to multiplayer matches online via Game Center!
Survivor Mode: Players face off against a legion of Titans to see how far they can go!
New Holiday Helms! A new helm for every season, ready to be played and mastered!
More than two dozen new magic rings, swords, shields, and helmets for players to collect and master.
New Facebook integration allows fans to view their character on their profile and take a screen grab to share with friends.
Much more! New Achievements, additional Leaderboards, and some new surprises!
Just when you thought Infinity Blade was getting a little old and tired, news like this comes along and kicks the game’s fanbase into overdrive. All of those that have been crying out for Game Center multiplayer should be more than pleased, while the developers still haven’t forgotten the hardcore single player supporters that have been patiently grinding away since the last update.
So now the question becomes where can ChAIR go from here? Let us know what you think is coming next in the comment section.
Oh, those pesky undead have once again reared their ugly heads on iOS. Thankfully this time they are not in game form, but rather, in the form of all of your device’s pictures. The original zombifying app ZombieBooth is getting an update in celebration of May being Zombie Awareness month, that will be adding in better facial detection features to further amplify the conversion to the lifeless. Just don’t forget that humans are not the only creatures that can be zombified, because everyone loves a maniacal brain craving kitty cat.
I don’t know what is more remarkable, the transformations that this interesting app can facilitate, or the fact that there is an entire month dedicated to awareness for a creature that doesn’t actually exist… yet! What’s next? Mummy Awareness week? Wait… Now that I think about it, couldn’t zombies and mummies be considered one in the same? Where is my tinfoil hat when I need it?
Be sure to give the new update a looks and share with us your fearsome results in the comments below.
I realize that I am not a Brit, so honestly this whole royal wedding business dominating the world’s news is starting to get a bit old. Really, I am more baffled at why people give a darn about the marriage of a monarchy figurehead that actually carries no actual political significance whatsoever, but maybe this is the ignorant American in me bleeding through. Should it come as any shock, however, that game developers have decided to cash in on the buzz as well?
One such game to get in on the act is the interactive puzzle game Say What You See: The Collection, which just announced that their popular “Romantic Comedy” puzzle has been updated for the next week, to reflect a backdrop of the recently exchanged nuptials. There will be hints to fifty different romantic comedies hidden in the image, so be sure your have your magnifying glass, gumshoe. This should keep you more than busy until news of the eventual royal annulment breaks. Long live the king, indeed!
Ever since it was introduced on the iOS platform back in 2009, TomTom has been on of the frontrunners in the navigation software arena of the App Store. Despite the its steep pricetag, the app has continually worked to justify itself. The newest 1.7 update adds several new features, including the iconic voice of a certain yellow skinned nuclear plant employee. That’s right folks, you can now be navigated by the dimwitted dulcet tones of one Homer Jay Simpson.
As part of a partnership with Twentieth Century Fox Consumer Products, The Gracie Films Worldwide Brand Division and Locutio Voice Technologies, the Simpsons will now be making the jump from your television onto your GPS software, and as you could imagine Tim Roper, the President of TomTom Inc. couldn’t be more excited:
Homer Simpson is one of the most familiar and fondly recognized animated characters on the planet. So to have Homer become uniquely available for our TomTom App for iPhone is really thrilling for us. We believe Homer will bring lots of fun and enjoyment to millions of fans around the world.
While the voice of Homer alone would be enough to at least entice my interest, this isn’t the only part of the software update worth noting. A new feature named TomTom Map Share will allow users to make corrections to existing maps within the app itself, which can then propagate these modifications to all users. This is another perfect example of crowd sourcing hard at work to make the traveling experience better for everyone. Luckily this constantly updating feature will come at no cost to all TomTom users on the iOS, and should drastically improve the quality of the maps in virtually no time flat.
There is one question that still remains though, if you make a wrong turn, will you hear Homer’s patented, “d’oh!?”
Those who have downloaded the music app Virtual Guitar Free have already been treated to the sweet melodies that can only come from your iPhone or iPod touch… or an actual guitar too. If you thought you liked the software before, it may be time to give it another look, because a recent update has turned the awesomeness dial up to eleven.
Easily the most obvious benefit of the actual update itself is that it is now a Universal app that works natively with the iPad. While that alone would make this free app worth downloading, there is a bevy of new online features that are sure to strike a chord with all the digital musicians out there. Aspiring rock stars will now be able to upload and share their creations with the world. Conversely, you will also have the ability to download other people’s digital opuses and play them on your own virtual axe.
You should definitely take a look a the budding musical community that is building around Virtual Guitar Free. Remember: if your ears aren’t bleeding, you’re not rocking hard enough!
In an age where it is hard enough to find a console game that displays in full 1080P, it is practically unheard of to even fathom an iOS game reaching those heights of resolution. Choosing to push the envelope of the platform, Real Racing 2′s developer, Firemint, has announced that there is an update that should be hitting by Easter that will unlock full 1080P output from the iPad 2 if you use an external monitor that is HDMI capable.
These unique dual screen controls allow you to interact with what is happening on your external monitor, while displaying the groundbreaking game with a graphical fidelity has been unheard of on the platform, truly showing off what the iPad 2 as a device is truly capable of. But now that they have pulled out all of the stops, where can Real Racing 2 go from here? Watch out Gran Turismo, there is a new competitor in your rear-view mirror.
Who doesn’t love a good shooter set in the days of a World War III tainted apocalypse? The wild west has risen again, and the multiplayer shooter Warm Gun will help figure out how it truly was won.
:: GOOD RUN
DeepSketch, a 2D and 3D sketchbook app for iPad, recently updated to version 1.4 adding the ability to zoom and pan around the user’s canvas to be able to add better detail into their work. The new version also adds more ink-like brushes with tapered ends, twitter integration as well as better save and export options. Created by Norway-based indie developer Mattis Folkestad, DeepSketch is known for its 3D sketch capabilities. Users only need to wear a par of 3D glasses to get the third dimension. Users are able to use automatic or manual control of depth with brush strokes to create customized art. Additional features include photo import, a large amount of export options and 3D control for the digital artist. This app requires colored, anaglyph 3D glasses (purchased separately) to create and view 3D images and does not work with polarized 3D glasses or with active 3D glasses used on 3D TV’s.
At this point it pretty much goes without saying that 
These days it is getting very hard to find something good on television. Between quality content getting cut and Kardashians become even more prevalent, it seems like the deck is stacked against the casual viewer. But what if there were a tool that tracked your preferences and actually could recommend content that you might enjoy? This is exactly what the newest revision to the 
They always say that during the holidays it is better to give than to receive. Cut The Rope developer 
SampleTank, a professional quality sound and groove workstation, recently announced a new update, which now makes it a universal app for the iPhone, iPod touch and iPad. More importantly, it now features a built-in 4-track MIDI recorder, which is an essential tool for any music enthusiast or professional as it enables the mobile musician to record beats, grooves or complete songs anytime and everywhere. The new recorder features quantize and loop functions, export to audio and integration with the built-in pattern player making it a full-featured mobile sound and groove workstation.
With over 1.8 million reviews with an average of four stars, the Facebook app for iPhone continues to be one of the most popular in the App Store. However, there are a few gripes and groans on the review board in regards to uploading pictures as well as being able to access Timeline, which launched earlier this week globally. The Zuckerberg-run company pushed out their Facebook 4.1 update for iPhone a few days ago to combat some of these issues as well as offer access to friend lists, subscribers and subscriptions.
Fans of the combat racing game 
Easily the most remarkable piece of this announcement is the addition of a complete campaign focused entirely on multiplayer content. This kind of support, especially in the arena of multiplayer gaming, is rarely seen this far after a launch. Plus, all of the added features such as the new ranking system and battle modifiers show an added dedication to keeping the game as balanced as possible.
Ash was one of the first RPGs I downloaded when I was a new initiate to the wonders of iOS gaming. I recall being thoroughly impressed by the quality. Well, that quality just got a boost. The original game was released with graphics licensed from RPG Maker, but 
Netflix has recently updated their app to version 2.0, bringing a pair of major changes to it. The first is that the app is now available in Latin America, so our friends south of the border can now enjoy streaming movies and TV shows. The other big update is for iPad users, as the interface has been entirely revamped. Categories and users’ instant queue are now displayed as horizontally-scrollable lists, with the ability to resume recently watched items at the top. This UI update brings it more in line with Netflix interfaces on other platforms, as they use similarly-organized display lists. Along with a similar update for the Xbox 360, it appears that Netflix is trying to bring some kind of unified interface across the many platforms they are on. The iPhone/iPod touch interface has not received a similar redesign, but this is probably due to issues with getting such an interface working on the smaller screens.
What is the best way to make a great game even greater? Developers 
Navigation apps in the app store are a plenty. But one developer that continues to push the bar is NAVIGON, who’s first app was published two years ago and has received almost 10,000 four star reviews. Their newest app, an overhaul of their first app published two years ago that has seen eight major updates packed with new features, is available as of today as a free update to current NAVIGON users. For those new to the service, NAVIGON 2.0 for iPhone North America, USA, Canada, East, Central or West costs between $19.99 and $49.99 depending on the location.
Dolphin Browser version 2.0 was released for iOS and is now available for download on the App Store. Similar to the company’s recent Android update, the mobile browser for the iPhone and iPad now features Dolphin Connect, which enables the user to sync all of their important bookmarks across platforms. For instance, iPad owners who have an Android mobile phone are good to go with the latest update. This should make for a consistent user experience regardless of mobile platform.
Know what’s great about Pocket God? Aside from the malicious glee one gets from snuffing out helpless cartoon characters repeatedly, I mean. It’s that the game has been receiving a ridiculous amount of support since it’s release. Just over 40 Episodes have been released thus far, and Bolt Creative doesn’t look like they plan to slow down any time soon.
Remember 
NAVIGON AG, one of the big navigation companies out there, announced this past THursday not just an update, but a full re-definition of their 
As great as the app may be, this new 2.0 update sweetens the deal immensely. Among the plethora of additions that aren’t all detailed, including a revamped design and a search feature (wow, it must have been rough without that one), are a couple of ideas that are just as smart as the app itself. First, all of the books (full copies, not free samples) can be rated by users. The Amazon-like five star rating system may seem obvious now, but it makes searching through the store a bit less of a hassle. Secondly, there’s the autoplay option. Wow. I mean, the whole narration/interaction thing is smart, but adding the choice to automatically read through a title is borderline brilliant. It’s perfect for kids that are old enough to “read” along, but aren’t quite ready to start poking at things.
The update will include two new special features: First, players can unlock new costumes for Princess Tiara in iPhone Mode (eight plus her default, it looks like) by fulfilling “special conditions” such as clearing Normal Mode. The second addition is a jigsaw puzzle, similar to the one found in 
But updates to their newest shooter aren’t the only thing they had in store. Cave World producer Masa King, clad in a French maid uniform (seriously), showed off a trailer for their upcoming social sim game: Castle Creator. Castle Creator lets players create their own castle town in feudal Japan, register their location and “skirmish” with other players when their town is big enough. There’s no specific date yet, but it is in production and should be out later this year.
If you were to look up generosity in the dictionary, I am pretty sure you might find an icon for the game Pocket God next to the definition. Simply put, this is the franchise that just keeps on giving, and for completely free. Their most recent release of the game 
Who doesn’t love a good physics based puzzle from time to time? Everyone loves a game that can both challenge your mind while delivering on solid gameplay all at the same time. Over one million iOS gamers have spoken, making Smoody a runaway puzzling hit. Luckily for all of us, they are in a (S)mood to celebrate a bit.
This isn’t it for the update’s features. The game now supports multiple user profiles, so people who share one iPad can now have different progressions on the game. This feature was inspired by parents playing the game with their children, but also wanting to have their own saved progress in the game. With the 1.1 update, this is now possible. There have also been some tweaks to solution submissions, with the ability to autosubmit best solutions, delete submitted solutions, and to load past solutions, in order to compare the process that went into different solutions. Some other minor features like sound & music toggling, the ability to skip a level’s ending animation by tapping, and some bug fixes have been added as well. The app has been renamed to Casey’s Contraptions HD, as an iPhone/iPod touch version is in the works. Owners of the iPad version will be pleased to know that the game will be updated to a universal build in the near future, so there will be no need to re-buy the app for use on smaller devices! This feature, along with a new location and new items will be part of the game’s next update. The 1.1 update for Casey’s Contraptions is available as a free update from the App Store. Check out some screenshots of the update and a teaser for the iPhone version below.
When you watch as much television as I do (well, at least TIVO as much television as I do), it is essential to have a solid TV Guide style application at your instant disposal. While my previous go to app was actually the TV Guide Mobile on my iPhone, I was recently implored to take a look at the recently updated 
Praise of the functionality aside, if you are an iPad owner, you had been previously stuck dealing with the stretched and distorted perspective when trying to use i.TV. Luckily this now seems to be a thing of the past, as the application has now been updated to be Universal, so that it can bring all of its gorgeous and awesome features to iPad owners, while better taking advantage of having more space on-screen. It certainly doesn’t hurt matters much that this is now the #1 television guide application available on the App Store.
It is hard to argue that people are not looking for hardcore gaming experiences on their iOS devices. In a world where 
Enter the Arena: Assuming the role of Titan or Knight, Infinity Blade fans can now challenge their friends to multiplayer matches online via Game Center!
Oh, those pesky undead have once again reared their ugly heads on iOS. Thankfully this time they are not in game form, but rather, in the form of all of your device’s pictures. The original zombifying app 
I realize that I am not a Brit, so honestly this whole royal wedding business dominating the world’s news is starting to get a bit old. Really, I am more baffled at why people give a darn about the marriage of a monarchy figurehead that actually carries no actual political significance whatsoever, but maybe this is the ignorant American in me bleeding through. Should it come as any shock, however, that game developers have decided to cash in on the buzz as well?
Ever since it was introduced on the iOS platform back in 2009, 
Those who have downloaded the music app 
In an age where it is hard enough to find a console game that displays in full 1080P, it is practically unheard of to even fathom an iOS game reaching those heights of resolution. Choosing to push the envelope of the platform, Real Racing 2′s developer, 
