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1,949 'App Store' stories December 2010 - December 2012

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App Store on Christmas Day 2012 saw downloads increase 87 percent, revenue rose 70 percent

Jake Smith Dec 27 2012 - 12:12 pm PT

As users powered on their new iOS devices and received iTunes gift cards on Christmas day, a strong surge of app downloads obviously followed. According to analytic firm Distimo, App Store downloads increased a whopping 87 percent on Christmas Day, compared to the rest of December 2012. With the increased downloads, revenue consequently rose 70 percent. Interestingly, the iPad and iPad mini seemed to be the most popular iOS gift given, as downloads and revenues rose by 140 percent and 83 percent, respectively.

Distmo also looked at the most downloaded applications from the App Store on Christmas day. They included Google’s standalone YouTube app and the recently released Apple Maps alternative Google Maps at the top. Other top downloads, excluding Apple’s in-house apps like iWork, included: ElfYourself by OfficeMax, Where’s My Holiday?, and Skype for iPad. The numbers that will give us a real look at how iOS device sales were during the Christmas quarter will be during Apple’s January earnings call with investors, where record sales are expected.

Competitor Amazon, who doesn’t like to give hard numbers, detailed some of its shopping statistics for the holiday season. The Seattle-based online retailer said that Christmas day brought the busiest day ever for digital downloads of movies, TV shows, apps, and more. The Angry Bird fans were also busy with purchases, as Angry Birds plush toys would stack up to 285 times the height of the world’s tallest tree in California. Research firm Flurry also detailed that Christmas 2012 saw the highest amount of activated gadgets than any other day in history.

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Cycloramic app captures 360-degree, handsfree video by rotating your iPhone with vibrations (Video)

Jordan Kahn Dec 27 2012 - 8:27 am PT

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=Brfr7–6ESc]

A new iPhone app released just before Christmas provides a new spin on the panoramic, 360-degree video app, of which there are many competitors in the App Store. Normally, shooting 360-degree video would require the help of a hardware peripheral, such as the GoPano micro, or some crafty manual handwork to maneuver the device 360 degrees. With the new Cycloramic app from Egos Ventures, the iPhone will self-spin around by vibrating at certain frequencies. This allows you to capture hands-free, 360-degree video without a tripod or stand. The video above speaks for itself.

The developers warned the iPhone must be placed upright on a flat, hard surface without a case or stand. They also noted the iPhone 4s “will only turn very slowly on perfectly level glass. This is really designed for iPhone 5.”

The Cycloramic app is available for 99 cents on the App Store now, and you’ll find some demo videos from the developer’s YouTube page below. There’s even one of Woz trying out the app in his kitchen:

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Virginia town encouraging citizen crime reporting with free iOS app

Jordan Kahn Dec 26 2012 - 9:06 am PT

The Marion Police Department in Virginia have decided to encourage residents to report crime by releasing a new app called “iWatch Marion“. The app is available for free on the App Store and provides citizens with an easy way to report potential crimes by uploading tips, photos, and video. Content uploaded by users is forwarded directly to the police department closest to the location the tip was sent from:

Because iWatch Marion uses global positioning technology, the system intelligently forwards information to the Howard County Police Department based on where the handheld device is physically located at any given moment.

The app will also allow users to receive alerts for missing children, crime, weather, and more. I’m not sure if major cities will jump on the idea of encouraging citizens to get involved in crimes in progress, but it’s something that more and more smaller towns are starting to take advantage of.
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Mophie OutRide wide-angle, waterproof camera kit for iPhone now available for $149

Jordan Kahn Dec 26 2012 - 6:55 am PT

We told you about Mophie’s new lightweight, waterproof video housing and companion app for iPhone 4/4S when it was first announced in August. The polycarbonate case builds in a 170-degree wide-angle lens and aims to compete with dedicated devices for shooting action sports such as a GoPro or Contour camera.

Mophie is now taking orders nationwide with a black edition of the case it originally showed off available through both Amazon and the company’s website.

The company is also making an all-white edition with a silver aluminum bezel (pictured above) available as an exclusive from the Apple Store. No word on whether these will be available from Apple retail stores, but it is already available to order from Apple.com.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G6pLM2bzT38]

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h3jwlEafYM0]

The Wall Street Journal, MapChoice, Instagram, StubHub, Path, MapQuest, HopStop Transit, deals, more

Jordan Kahn Dec 21 2012 - 9:58 am PT

Just Released:

MapChoice | $0.99: A new app just released on the App Store provides you with access to both Apple’s new Maps and Google Maps in a single app. Your position will transfer from one map to the other, and it also includes StreetView and Foursquare integration.

MapChoice gives you a choice between old and new maps. You can also view Street View and search using FourSquare.

Updated:

Instagram version 3.4.0 | FREE: Instagram gets updated today with support for 25 languages, a new “Mayfair” filter, Facebook iOS 6 integration, and more.

– Instagram is now available in 25 languages!
– New filter: Mayfair
– Share photos from any album
– Facebook iOS 6 integration
– Improved performance and bug fixes

The Wall Street Journal version 5.0 | FREE: The Wall Street Journal just updated its iOS app, moving content on iPhone and iPad to Apple’s Newsstand and providing users with automatically updated issues each morning. WSJ will now offer in-app subscriptions, billing users directly to their iTunes accounts monthly. The updated app also includes Alerts for breaking news.

Newsstand & Alerts
– WSJ is now in Newsstand! Get new issues automatically delivered to your device overnight. To use Newsstand, tap ‘Allow’ when prompted.
– Note: WSJ App icon will now appear in the Newsstand Folder.
– Breaking News Alerts from WSJ. To get alerts, tap ‘Allow’ when prompted.
In-App Subscriptions
– Purchase a monthly subscription to WSJ through your iTunes account. With a digital subscription you get access to iPad, iPhone, WSJ.com and more.

StubHub version 4.1.0 | FREE: The StubHub iOS app gets updated with more interactive seat maps, the ability to see your view before buying tickets, iPhone 5 support, and more:

• Interactive seat maps for certain football and basketball games: filter ticket listings by section
• View from section: see the view from your section before you buy (for many events)
• iPhone 5 support
• Improved sharing (Twitter, Facebook, and text messaging)
• Ability to add events to your calendar
• User interface enhancements

MapQuest version 3.3 | FREE:

• You can now send maps and routes from mapquest.com to your phone and open them in the MapQuest App

Tentacles: Enter the Dolphin | $0.99: Microsoft’s previously Windows Phone-only title gets iPhone 5 support and new features:
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Apple II classic Karateka hits App Store, Snapguide for iPad, Calendars by Readdle, Say What? Word Game, imo messenger for iPad, deals, more

Jordan Kahn Dec 20 2012 - 6:45 am PT

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-JH47u8d1M4]

Just released:

1. Karateka | $2.99: Jordan Mechner, creator of the popular Prince of Persia franchise, and developer of the original fighter classic “Karateka” for the Apple II, is today bringing an HD remake of the game to iOS. Available on the App Store now for $2.99 for iPhone and iPad, the remake of the original 1984 fighter looks to essentially be a port of work done on the HD remake released on consoles last month. The video above features Mechner talking about the remake and comparing the original Apple II version to the new iOS title.

Created on an Apple II by Jordan Mechner in his Yale dorm room, Karateka became a #1 bestseller and influenced a generation of gamers with its groundbreaking rotoscoped animation and cinematic cutscenes… 28 years later, Mechner returns to his indie roots with a new take on Karateka for today’s digital game platforms, featuring art by Jeff Matsuda (The Batman) and music by Grammy-winning composer Christopher Tin (Civilization IV).

2. Ravensword: Shadowlands | $6.99
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Google makes Quickoffice iPad app free to Google Apps for Business customers

Jordan Kahn Dec 19 2012 - 3:08 pm PT

Google made some announcements today regarding its work with the Quickoffice team since acquiring the company in June. On top of noting work to take advantage of Quickoffice conversion technology in Google Docs, Google launched a free version of the QuickOffice iPad app exclusively for Google Apps for Business customers today. There are also free iPhone and Android versions of the app for creating and editing Word, Excel, and PowerPoint files coming to Apps customers in the near future:

Converting old files to Google Docs, Sheets and Slides is the easiest way to share and work together, but perhaps not everyone you work with has gone Google yet. To complement what you can do with Google documents, we’re also making it easier for you to make quick edits to Microsoft Word, Excel and Powerpoint files without conversion. Starting today, the Quickoffice iPad app is available for free to all Apps for Business customers, and iPhone and Android versions are on the way.

Vice President of Google Enterprise Amit Singh welcomed the announcement on his Twitter account: “Customers can now get Quickoffice for free. No need to license microsoft for your ipad.”

[tweet https://twitter.com/aksingh77/status/281531037249581056]

Yep, iCloud is out again (Update: Fixed)

Jordan Kahn Dec 17 2012 - 4:02 pm PT

Update: Apple has reported that all problems are now resolved with outages having lasted from 5:35 p.m. to 6:49 p.m.:

Apple’s system status page is showing that some users are experiencing problems with iCloud and may not be able to access a number of services, including: Mail, Contacts, Photo Stream, Calendar, Reminders, Backup, and more. iMessage and other services, such as the App Store and iTunes, remain online. Apple’s recently updated system status page shows that the outages started happening around 5:30 p.m. EST.

Late last week Apple confirmed and quickly fixed issues that some users were having with being unable to access iCloud documents, Photo Stream, back up and restore, and iMessage. We’ll keep you posted.

Facebook joins the local discovery and sharing game with updated Nearby feature (video)

Élyse Betters Dec 17 2012 - 11:13 am PT

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FqocJOQMVwQ&feature=youtu.be]

Facebook just announced an update to Facebook for iOS and Android that helps users discover new places their friends like.

The latest version of the popular app features a refreshed Nearby tab, which, according to a post on the Facebook Newsroom website, now shows recommendations from friends:

From the app menu, open the tab to find local spots your friends have recommended, checked into, or liked. If you’re looking for a place to eat, choose a category like Restaurants to see what’s nearby. When you find a place that looks interesting, tap to see info like friends who’ve been there and business hours.

The new Facebook for Android and iOS further allows users to share their own opinions by rating or recommending places. Facebook warned the update is an early release, however, and “there’s lots more to do.” So, results will improve the more people use Nearby.

“We also plan to add places info from third party services in the near future,” Facebook explained.

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Guess? exec says company saw immediate improvements after implementing iPads in stores

Jordan Kahn Dec 17 2012 - 9:31 am PT

Business Insider pointed us to an interview on OpenForum with the Guess? CIO Michael Relich. The clothing retailer implemented iPads for merchandising in 2010, and it has since installed iPads in stores, started accepting credit card payments via iPod touch, and even started supplying extra iPods instead of cash registers to stores during the busy holiday seasons.

Well our buyers saw an improvement immediately. Instead of just seeing a number on a spreadsheet, our iPad app allowed them to see the specific coat, pant or dress accompanied by a photo and where it was selling. Suddenly, they were going into stores with a lot better idea about what to do and how to act to improve the store.

For shoppers, our engagement went through the roof after we installed iPads in the stores. People instinctively go up to the device and use it to find out-of-stock merchandise or track their loyalty program points. We’ve gotten great feedback.

Well I believe that cash registers will go away and will be replaced by iPads or iPod touches. We currently use an iPod touch in stores for credit-card transactions, similar to the Apple store…

You can check out the full interview here.

Dropbox 2.0 lands for iOS, introduces redesigned UI, new photos tab, & easier uploads

Jordan Kahn Dec 14 2012 - 12:54 pm PT

Dropbox announced on its blog today the introduction of an all-new iOS app that introduces a redesigned, streamlined UI, a new Photos tab that allows you to scroll through a timeline of your automatically uploaded photos, and improvements to the photo-viewing experience. Dropbox noted that uploads have now been improved, allowing users to ” tap the ‘+’ icon to upload something or create a new folder.”

We’ve packed a ton of love and tiny details into our new iOS design, and we think you’ll dig its simplicity. For example, we got rid of the text labels on our tabs in favor of clean and streamlined iconography. Splashed across the app is the glorious Dropbox blue you’ve come to know and love, and we’ve reduced complexity to make everything feel so fresh and so clean, clean.

Chrome gets background audio, Google+ 4.0, The Witcher 2 for Mac, GoPro App, Slashtop for Business, Rovio 99 cent sale, more

Jordan Kahn Dec 14 2012 - 8:13 am PT

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ftJ-8wsI4Dg&list=PLa23C9cgXXk0MczCBYTMu_4jVxvtWM335&index=1]

The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kinds Enhanced Edition (for Mac): Developers of critically acclaimed RPG The Witcher 2, originally released on PC and consoles, announced that an OS X port of the game is now available on the Mac App Store for $20.

The Witcher 2 is one of the most sophisticated games ever presented on Mac computers. Prepare to test out the gaming potential of the new iMacs in one of the best looking games for Apple’s computers. We have prepared a special app to test the game’s performance before players can buy it. To check it out just click here

Chrome version 23.0.1271.96: Google has updated its Chrome iOS app today with one highly requested feature- the ability to play sound when the app is running in the background. That means content with sound that you are playing in the browser, such as a YouTube video or mp3, would continue play when multitasking. The update also includes a fix for a character encoding bug.

-Allow sound to play when app is backgrounded.
-Fix character encoding bug.

GoPro App version 1.1.13: GoPro has updated its iOS app to include support for features exclusive to the HERO3 camera lineup.

-Supports features in HERO3 cameras

Wreck-it Ralph version 1.1:

NEW ARRIVALS IN GAME CENTRAL STATION!
• Turbo Time is here! Enter the race for gold, and drive at turbo speed in this all-new arcade racer!
• New achievements are in! Earn new achievements for Fix-It Felix Jr., Hero’s Duty, Sweet Climber, and Turbo Time.
• Added language support for Dutch and Russian

Splashtop for business version 2.2.0.1:
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Orbitz, Pinterest, Sky Gamblers, Foursquare and others added to Apple’s App Store Hall of Fame

Jordan Kahn Dec 12 2012 - 7:35 am PT

Apple is once again inducting new apps into its iPhone and iPad Hall of Fame, a section on iTunes that it launched back in 2010 to feature its “the best of the best on the App Store,” and Orbitz is one of many apps listed on Apple’s new inductees page. The company issued a press release announcing Orbitz induction into the Hall of Fame for iPhone (pictured below) along with 13 other apps and six games this week. Other new inductees listed include Foursquare, Walking Dead: The Game, Action Movie FX, Airbnb, Sky Gamblers: Air Supremacy, The World Ends With You, Pinterest, and more.

“Whether you are a long-time iPhone user or hope to get one as a holiday gift, this Hall of Fame recognition confirms that the Orbitz app for iPhone is the go-to travel tool to have,” said Chris Orton, president of Orbitz.com.

Check it out: App Store Hall of Fame

The iPad Hall of Fame is also listing new inductees, with some iPad specific apps that aren’t on the new iPhone list, including: National Parks by National Geographic, The Room, Mint.com Personal Finance, Paper by FiftyThree, Kayak, Barefoot World Atlas, and Adobe Photoshop Touch. We have seen a few of these apps in the Hall of Fame before (Facebook, Things, Skype), but the majority of new inductees listed are making their first appearance. All new inductees in the iPad and iPhone Halls of Fame are below:

iPhone Hall of Fame new inductees:

iPad Hall of Fame new inductees:

Redesigned Flickr iOS app, PDF Expert, Duke Nukem 3D for Mac, Skype, Nimbuzz, Kinotopic, Gilt, more

Jordan Kahn Dec 12 2012 - 7:10 am PT

Flickr version 2.0: Yahoo! is releasing an all new, completely redesigned iOS app today for Flickr that, according to its iTunes page, is “now easier to use, more beautiful and includes more of the great features you love using on Flickr.com.” Among the new features: a brand new UI, a simplified sign-up and registration screen, and 16 unique Instagram-like camera filters.

· Simple sign-up and registration process
· 16 unique camera filters
· Full Groups capabilities
· Explore interesting photos from around the world and nearby
· And more!

Skype/Skype for iPad version 4.2.2: Both the Skype for iPhone and Skype for iPad apps have been updated today “under-the-hood improvements” necessary or future feature updates:

-This version gives us under-the-hood improvements that support future feature launches.

Nimbuzz Messenger version 2.5.2:

• Support for iOS 6 and iPhone 5
• Bug fixes

Gilt for iPad version 2.0.0: The Gilt iPad app gets updated with a redesigned UI that now includes optimizations for iPad 4 and iPad mini, access to local Gilt City offers, search filters, the ability to preview and set reminders for upcoming sales, and much more:
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Apple’s FileMaker Inc announces 500K downloads for FileMaker Go iPhone and iPad apps

Jordan Kahn Dec 11 2012 - 6:04 am PT

Update: 2013 FileMaker Developer Conference registration now open.

Apple subsidiary FileMaker Inc. announced today that its FileMaker Go iPhone and iPad apps have surpassed 500,000 downloads. FileMaker’s Vice President of Marketing and Services, Ryan Rosenberg, said the milestone “demonstrates FileMaker’s position as a leading platform for development and deployment of custom business solutions for iOS,” noting businesses are using FileMaker to “manage everything from sales contacts to medical information on iPads and iPhones.”

FileMaker Pro 12 for iPad

FileMaker Pro 12 for iPhone

FileMaker’s full press release below:

FileMaker Go for iPad and iPhone Apps Surpass 500,000 Downloads

Demonstrates FileMaker’s leadership in creating and deploying custom iOS business solutions

SANTA CLARA, Calif. – December 11, 2012 – FileMaker, Inc. today announced that FileMaker Go for iPad and FileMaker Go for iPhone have surpassed 500,000 downloads from the App store. The milestone underscores the rapid growth of custom business solutions created with the FileMaker Platform and running on iOS devices.

Businesses are using the FileMaker Platform to create solutions that manage everything from sales contacts to medical information on iPads and iPhones.” said Ryan Rosenberg, vice president, marketing and services, FileMaker, Inc. “We are very happy to see FileMaker Go pass the half-million downloads mark. This rapid adoption demonstrates FileMaker’s position as a leading platform for development and deployment of custom business solutions for iOS.”

The two FileMaker Go apps are a core part of FileMaker’s comprehensive lineup of desktop, server and iOS software used to design, build, deploy and manage data-driven business solutions for iPad and iPhone. FileMaker solutions also run on Windows, Mac and in web browsers.

Learn how to quickly create incredible business solutions for iOS

FileMaker offers valuable resources to help businesses and developers learn how to easily create, deploy and manage custom business solutions for iOS.

– Watch a 3-minute overview video on the FileMaker Platform and iOS solutions.
– Read our current white paper, “FileMaker: Complete Platform to Create, Deploy, and Manage Custom iPad and iPhone Solutions for Business.”
– See the latest customer stories on businesses that are thriving thanks to business solutions deployed on iOS devices to boost mobile productivity.
– View an informative webcast, “Creating and Managing Custom, Business-to-Employee Mobile Apps,” featuring Rosenberg and leading Gartner industry analyst Van Baker, who deliver trends and best practices for creating custom business solutions and deploying them on iPad and iPhone .

· A free 30-day trial of FileMaker Pro 12 lets everyone see how easy it is to start creating custom iOS business apps.

About FileMaker, Inc.

FileMaker is the leader in easy-to-use database software. Millions of people, from individuals to some of the world’s largest companies, rely on FileMaker software to manage, analyze and share essential information. The company’s products are the FileMaker line – versatile database software for teams and organizations, for Windows, Mac, iPhone, iPad and the web – and Bento, the personal database for Mac, iPhone and iPad. FileMaker, Inc. is a subsidiary of Apple.

Apple reportedly rejecting updates to Microsoft’s SkyDrive iOS app, wants 30 percent cut of subscriptions

Jordan Kahn Dec 11 2012 - 5:29 am PT

Update: A Microsoft spokesperson confirmed the situation to The Verge:

Microsoft has confirmed its latest SkyDrive iOS update is being delayed by Apple. A spokesperson says: “Similar to the experiences of some other companies, we are experiencing a delay in approval of our updated SkyDrive for iOS. We are in contact with Apple regarding the matter and hope to come to a resolution.”

According to a report from The Next Web that cited sources close to Microsoft, Apple is currently preventing Microsoft from updating its SkyDrive iOS app due to a disagreement over whether Apple should collect its usual 30 percent cut of additional storage purchased through the service. TNW explained:

The difficulty began when Microsoft rolled out the ability for SkyDrive users to purchase more storage space on the service. From that point, the company was not permitted to update its application in the iOS App Store.

The reason? It doesn’t pay Apple a 30% cut of subscription revenue generated by the application through the paid, additional storage. Microsoft, TNW has learned, has a new version of the application ready to go, including a key bug fix that would rectify a crashing bug, but cannot get it through.

In other words, Apple is apparently not allowing apps that offer or work with a subscription service outside of in-app purchases or the App Store. While we imagine that many smaller developers have been able to get around this stipulation, Apple’s App Store review guidelines clearly states, “Apps utilizing a system other than the In App Purchase API (IAP) to purchase content, functionality, or services in an app will be rejected.” It also stipulates, “Apps that unlock or enable additional features or functionality with mechanisms other than the App Store will be rejected.”

According to the TNW, Microsoft attempted to compromise by offering to remove all subscription services from the app. Apple apparently refused:

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Discover Mobile adds Passbook, Draw Something Pro, BBC iPlayer, Showtime, deals, more

Jordan Kahn Dec 7 2012 - 8:02 am PT

Discover Mobile version 4.10: The Discover for iPhone app officially gains Passbook support for saving redeemed Cashback Bonuses.

-Your Discover app now includes Apple Passbook integration for partner eCertificates! Redeem your Cashback Bonus for a partner eCertificate and save it to Passbook! (Available for users on iOS 6 or greater)

Draw Something Pro: OMGPOP is out with a new, paid, ad-free version of its popular Draw Something app. While you could get a universal, ad-free $2.99 version of the app previously, this new pro version includes a UI designed specifically for iPad (no iPhone/iPod support), and a few new features including:

✐ INFINITE BOMBS
• Never run out of BOMBS. Ever.
• Gain access to ALL SPECIAL WORDS at no extra cost
• Unlimited GUESS help – keep your streaks alive
✐ FREE COLOR PACK
• 10 brilliant new colors available only in PRO
✐ STUNNING NEW DESIGN
• A larger drawing screen optimized just for iPad

Vintagio version 4.1: MacPhun’s retro video editor app is currently 60% off for the holidays in our deal section below and today received new features including full iPhone 5/iOS 6 support, Cinegram exports, a faster algorithm, and other improvements.

Showtime version 3.0.2:

– iPhone 5 compatibility
– iOS 6 compatibility
– Now provides support for closed captioning on free full episodes
– Bug fixes and improvements

BBC iPlayer: This free app now supports iPhone 5. The change log for version 2.0.2. also includes:

Watching programmes on the iPad has had a facelift. Check out what’s behind the “More” and “Live Channels” buttons.
It’s already available on the iPad, and now you can plug your phone into your telly.
Feedback on the BBC iPlayer downloads feature has been great. We’ve fixed a number of bugs to hopefully make it even better!

The Oregon Trail: American Settler: The classic PC titled was recently revived for iOS devices by developer Gameloft, and today gets a few new features including a snow-covered landscape, and an appearance by 7-time Grammy award winning country group Lady Antebellum:

★ Interact with the members of the popular country pop band, Lady Antebellum, as they visit Oregon for the winter – starting at Level 15. Watch their performance in the new Concert Hall!
★ All-new town photo sharing – share postcards of your frontier town with all your friends!
★ New snow-covered landscape!
★ Festive quests, decorations and buildings.
★ Dress Ma & Pa in holiday-themed outfits!

WhatsApp Messenger version 2.8.7: Some necessary fixes for the popular WhatsApp Messenger app:
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Modern Combat 4: Zero Hour, Google Shopper 3.0, Evernote, SoundCloud, Snapseed, more

Jordan Kahn Dec 6 2012 - 7:46 am PT

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qCulvhFX-MM]

Modern Combat 4: Zero Hour: A few big games are hitting the App Store today. Rockstar’s Grand Theft Auto: Vice City started hitting the store last night, and today we get the latest instalment from Gameloft’s Modern Combat series, “Modern Combat 4: Zero Hour”.

The #1 FPS is back on smartphone with a new chapter to push the boundaries of mobile gaming even further. In the wake of a nuclear disaster, the only chance to avoid global devastation is in the hands of the few elite soldiers who must track down and rescue the world’s leaders from a frighteningly familiar terrorist group.

Google Shopper version 3.0: Google has released a brand new version of its Google Shopper app today bringing a new, faster UI with larger images, a new sales screen, more effective search for apparel “with image-centric search results,” and much more:

* New UI with faster navigation and bigger images.
* Discover sales and special offers in your area from the new sales screen.
* Search for apparel and accessories more effectively with image-centric search results.
* Make more informed buying decisions with GoodGuide product ratings.
* Get great deals online with retail promotions.
* Find out about new features and content with push notifications.

SoundCloud version 2.4: A few nice improvements and new features to the SoundCloud iOS app:

– Introducing Reposts: sounds you repost will appear in your stream.
– New search with suggestions and more relevant results
– Improved Facebook integration
– Visually enhanced welcome screens for new users
– Streaming improvements and bug fixing

Evernote version 5.1: Version 5.1 of the Evernote iPhone and iPad apps brings Evernote Business support a business themed notebook design, the ability hide the premium view, and more:

– Evernote Business support, including new Business Notebook design
– Sort by created date and note counts in all note lists
– Premium users can hide the Premium View
– Numerous bug fixes and stability improvements

Snapseed version 1.5: As we told you earlier, the Google-acquired Snapseed iOS has gone free to celebrate the introduction of version 1.5 and new Android app. The update also includes the following improvements:
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Grand Theft Auto: Vice City for iOS now available on the App Store

Jordan Kahn Dec 5 2012 - 1:54 pm PT

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f_VBXRZuHTc]

Rockstar has been teasing the iOS edition of Grand Theft Auto: Vice City to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the game for a few weeks now. The game officially makes its way to the App Store today, starting with the New Zealand and Russian stores, and it should make its way to the United States and elsewhere shortly. The app is selling in New Zealand for around $5 USD.

GTA: Vice City for iOS, Instamac, 99 cent deals, more(9to5mac.com)

Xbox SmartGlass gets iPhone 5 support, Twitterrific 5, DISH Remote Access, Plex, deals, more

Jordan Kahn Dec 5 2012 - 11:09 am PT

Xbox SmartGlass version 2.1: Microsoft’s app for controlling your Xbox with your iPhone or iPad officially gains iPhone 5 support:

• iPhone 5 Support
• Bug Fixes

Twitterrific 5 for Twitter: Iconfactory’s Twitterrific 5 for Twitter is now rolling out to App Stores around the world. Stay tuned to 9to5Mac for a full review of the completely redesigned app shortly.

DISH Remote Access for iPhone version 3.0.2: DISH network users get access to a redesigned UI that now provides access to the guide, DVR, and search while streaming content in the background. The update also includes customizable “favorite channels” in the guide, support for the iPhone 5 display, and improved performance:

-Improved the performance, stability, and reliability of the application
-Completely redesigned user interface
-You can now use your Guide/ DVR/ Search while streaming in the background
-Added ability to set and use favorite channels in guide
-Updated in app remote/ keypad functionality
-Took full advantage of the iPhone4s/5 high retina display to show high resolution images
-Added support for the larger iPhone5 screen

Plex version 3.0.1: A ton of changes and fixes following feedback to version 3.0 of the Plex iPhone and iPad app:
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Apple holding iTunes event in Moscow, Russia tomorrow evening

Jake Smith Dec 3 2012 - 4:34 am PT

Update: Apple has now confirmed that the iPhone 5 will launch in Russia on December 14. iPhones.ru posted images of the Russian iTunes gift cards pictured right.

Hot off the heels of the iTunes 11 launch last week, Russia looks to be gaining the service very soon. According to a forwarded invite obtained by TechCrunch, Apple is holding a small iTunes event at the local GUM shopping center in Moscow’s Red Square tomorrow evening. Rumors of the launch have been ongoing for a few months, as App Store users in the country were beginning to see music searches appear at very low prices.

According to a November report by Russian language publication vedomosti.ru, citing industry sources, Apple will sell songs cheaper in Russia for 11- to 20 rubles each, which translates to roughly 35- to 65 cents USD. Additionally, another report from Vedomosti claimed iTunes senior executive Eddy Cue and iTunes Europe Director Ben King went to Russia for the launch originally scheduled for Nov. 20. However, in November, the newspaper also cited sources close to Apple as saying the launch is now scheduled for the first week of December—possibly to coincide with the launch of iPhone 5 in the country. Today’s event invite seems to confirm at least the iTunes bit. We are working to gain more information. [TechCrunch]

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Pong World, GTA Vice City trailer, Sparkling Maps, Day After US, deals, more

Jordan Kahn Nov 30 2012 - 8:51 am PT

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f_VBXRZuHTc]

News:

A few decent new apps and updates are hitting the App Store today. We’ve also spotted variable cost iTunes gift cards hitting third-party retailers for the holidays. To kick things off, we get a new trailer for the 40th anniversary edition of Grand Theft Auto: Vice City slated to hit iOS devices on December 6th.

New Apps:

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=zW_k1tG0U5w]

Pong World: Atari is today celebrating the 40th anniversary of Pong with the release of the first official Pong iOS app on the App Store. Known as Pong World, the modern take on the Atari classic was originally the winning entry of the Pong Indie Developer Challenge.

Atari, one of the world’s most recognized publishers and producers of interactive entertainment, announced the release of Pong World™ for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch. The $50,000 grand prize winner of the Pong®Indie Developer Challenge developed by zGames, Pong World is a reimagined take on the pop culture classic and the first-ever official new PONG game for smartphones and tablet devices.

Sparkling Maps Lite: If you want to try out what third-party Google maps-powered Sparkling Maps has to offer, today the developer released a free, ad-supported version on the App Store for iPhone and iPad.

Updates:

Day After US version 1.1: Warner Bros. Day After US app bringing full episodes of TV shows to markets without access to iTunes TV shows is updated today with additional seasons:

-More seasons

Ecco the Dolphin version 2.0: Sega’s cult favorite Ecco the Dolphin finally gets full iOS 6 support:

-iOS 6 Support

Deals:

AppyFridays has three app deals:

Spy Cam (regular price $9.99, new price $3.99)
Focus (regular price $19.99, new price $6.99)
Soulver (regular price $19.99, new price $9.99)

Review: Fantastical for iPhone, the calendar upgrade iOS 6 is missing

Jordan Kahn Nov 29 2012 - 7:05 am PT

Flexbits, makers of the popular Fantastical Mac app, launched an iPhone version of its streamlined calendar app this morning with the goal of bringing the simplicity and user-friendly experience it has become known for on the Mac to iOS users. The new Fantastical app might not be as feature-filled as other third-party calendar iOS apps, but what it lacks in features it certainly makes up for in style. After a week with Fantastical for iPhone, I can confidently say the app feels like the calendar upgrade iOS 6 was missing.

One thing I love about the Fantastical Mac app compared to other calendar apps, and even Apple’s own Calendars app on OS X, is the overly simple UI. Better yet is the app’s natural language parser, allowing users to enter a sentence such as “lunch tomorrow” to automatically schedule a lunch meeting for noon the next day. While Fantastical for Mac users will feel right at home with a familiar interface to the desktop menubar app, the introduction of a touchscreen also brings a big new feature to the Fantastical UI: the DayTicker…
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Holiday Shopping Guide: The best docks, stands, cases, & cables for your iPad mini

Jordan Kahn Nov 28 2012 - 3:20 pm PT

With iPad mini introducing a brand new set of dimensions for case manufacturers, most have not been as quick as with previous iPad launches to get products on the market. In the first couple of weeks of the product’s launch, only a handful of well-known accessory makers were taking orders, and we unfortunately saw many cheap 7-inch Android cases repurposed and sold as iPad mini compatible.

Apple’s new Lightning connector standard was of course another hurdle, and means there are not nearly as many available third-party docks, keyboards, adapters, etc., as iOS device owners have come to expect.

Below, we have put together a guide to the best of the best iPad mini accessories we could find that are currently available to order and shipping before the holidays:

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