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2,148 'App Store' stories December 2010 - July 2013

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‘Showtime Anytime’ iOS app updated with Live TV streams

Jordan Kahn Jul 30 2013 - 8:02 am PT

Showtime updated its “Showtime Anytime” app today with live TV feeds that allow users to watch what’s currently airing on both SHOWTIME East and SHOWTIME West. That’s in addition to the on-demand content it previously offered.

The app is available for free on the App Store for iPhone and iPad, and available to subscribers of AT&T U-verse, Comcast XFINITY, DIRECTV, Optimum and Verizon FiOS.

What’s New in Version 2.0

– Live TV: Tune in to watch what’s currently airing LIVE on SHOWTIME
– Improved stability and performance
– Minor bug fixes

‘MyStache’ iOS app sneaks past App Store reviewers with hidden Nintendo emulators

Jordan Kahn Jul 29 2013 - 9:41 am PT

Update: Apple appears to have removed the app from the App Store.

A new iOS app called “MyStache” has made its way past Apple’s App Store reviewers with hidden emulator functionality for Nintendo, Super Nintendo, and Game Boy. The iPhone & iPad app is disguised as an “augmented reality Mustache app,” but loading up ROMs through iTunes file sharing reveals a small red button that will launch the built-in, hidden emulators.

The emulators work on both iPhone & iPad, and offer game saves, a full-screen mode, and landscape support.

This isn’t the first time that game emulator has made its way past Apple’s App Store reviewers. Developers have been hiding emulators in everything from ordinary looking puzzle games to baby name apps, and Apple is usually on top of pulling the emulators which allow users to load up ROM files for old console games. There had even been some solutions that bypassed the App Store allowing users to download emulators directly from their browser on to their iOS devices, but most of those apps seem to be no longer functioning.

We’d expect Apple to pull the new MyStache app shortly, but for now it’s still available on the App Store for $1.99.

Google Drive for iOS adds option to open links in Chrome & Safari

Jordan Kahn Jul 24 2013 - 8:11 am PT

Google has just updated its Google Drive app for iOS with a couple new features and performance enhancements. After adding support for opening links in native Google apps from the Chrome iOS app last week, it has now updated the Drive app with an option to open links within files in Chrome and Safari.

Also new in version 1.5.0 of Google Drive for iOS is support for inserting rows and columns via the “+” button within Google Sheets, as well as stabilization and other bug fixes:

What’s New in Version 1.5.0

Clicking on links from within files gives you the option to open in Chrome and Safari
Insert rows and columns using the “+” button in Google Sheets
Stabilization & bug fixes

App Store becomes EA’s biggest retail partner by sales for the first time in June

Jordan Kahn Jul 24 2013 - 7:58 am PT

As noted by VentureBeat, EA revealed today during its earnings call with investors that for the first time, Apple has become “EA’s biggest retail partner as measured by sales” as a result of the App Store. It’s a big announcement for the publisher that previously sold the majority of its content through retail channels for console games, and it could be a sign that EA will be investing more in iOS and other mobile titles in the months to come. In its earnings release, the company noted that it was “the #1 global publisher in the iOS game market in the June quarter,” and also highlighted a few of its more successful iOS titles, including: The Simpsons: Tapped Out, Real Racing 3, and The Sims:
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Chrome for iOS adds support for opening links in Google apps, voice & text-to-speech enhancements, fullscreen iPad, & data cost savings

Jordan Kahn Jul 17 2013 - 11:05 am PT

Google has just issued a big update to its Chrome app for iPhone and iPad that brings new “interoperability with other Google Apps” and a number of other notable features. That means that you’ll now be able to open all links for YouTube, Maps, Google+ and Drive in their native apps instead of in the browser. You’ll also now be able to access the apps with a single tap from within Chrome.

The update also brings enhancements to the newly introduced voice search capabilities, including: always visible controls from the toolbar and text-to-speech support for “all variations of English, Spanish, German, Italian, French, Japanese, and Korean.”

Other improvements in today’s update include fullscreen support on iPad, easier access to browser history, and, according to Google, data cost savings:

Reduce data usage and speed up page load times. View data savings in Bandwidth Management settings. This feature is being rolled out and will be available to all users over time.

Google explained the experimental data cost savings feature in a whitepaper when it was first introduced on Android. In the document, Google says its tests showed the feature can reduce data usage by up to 50%:
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IMDb iOS app adds ability to purchase movie tickets, Amazon integration for DVDs & Blu-rays, & enhanced bios

Jordan Kahn Jul 15 2013 - 11:03 am PT

IMBb has released a big update today to its iPhone and iPad app, adding the the ability to purchase movie tickets directly from within the app and much more. The feature is initially only available to users in the U.S. and can be accessed directly through a “Showtimes & Tickets” section on listings for movies currently in theatres.

Also included in today’s update is integration with the Amazon Mobile app for one tap purchasing of DVDs & Blu-rays from Amazon:

Want to buy a movie or TV show on DVD or Blu-ray? “Search via Amazon Mobile” to the rescue. Requires that you have the Amazon Mobile app, but we provide a handy link if you don’t have it yet.

IMBd has added even more celebrity bio pages in today’s update and iPhone users now have “one-tap access to the full cast/full filmography.” The updated app also includes a few other UI enhancements and bug fixes listed below:

What’s New in Version 3.3

iPad and iPhone
* “Tickets, please!” You can now conveniently purchase movie tickets via the IMDb App (currently US-only).
* More bios for celebrities you know and love as well as for up-and-comers.
* Want to buy a movie or TV show on DVD or Blu-ray? “Search via Amazon Mobile” to the rescue. Requires that you have the Amazon Mobile app, but we provide a handy link if you don’t have it yet.
* Also, did you know you can tap the “Coming Soon” bar above the title on upcoming movies to add the release date as an event to your calendar?
* Bug fixes. Nasty tricksy bugsies. We hates them!

iPhone
* We heard you. By popular demand, we’ve updated the movie and celebrity pages to include one-tap access to the full cast/full filmography (which, yes, scrolls vertically).
* You’ll see that cute little Watchlist flag almost everywhere now. Tap it to add movies and shows to your Watchlist (and tap-and-hold to add to your other lists as well).

This will be the last update that supports iOS 5. Future updates will require iOS 6 and above.

Rovio teases July 15th announcement for brand new Angry Birds Star Wars game

Jordan Kahn Jul 12 2013 - 7:43 am PT

Last November, Rovio introduced a new Angry Birds Star Wars game that brought iconic Star Wars locations and characters from the movies into the Angry Birds gameplay universe. Today the developer is teasing what looks to be an entirely new Star Wars themed Angry Birds game. While Rovio’s initial tweet only mentioned a “Big new game announcement” coming this Monday, it later confirmed on its blog that the announcement will be for “a brand new game” with “the biggest character line-up ever, awesome new powers, and maybe even a few surprises!”

On top of the teaser, Rovio is also making Angry Birds Star Wars available for free today for a limited time.

We don’t get any other details, but Rovio did include the image above hinting the game might be inspired by Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace:

‘Pacific Rim’ iOS game lands in App Store as new movie hits theatres

Jordan Kahn Jul 11 2013 - 7:48 am PT

Just as the new film of the same name from director Guillermo del Toro is about to hit theatres, Reliance Games has released the ‘Pacific Rim’ mobile game for iPhone and iPad. The developers have done a couple decent movie-tie ins in the past, so hopefully Pacific Rim will be worth the $4.99 it’s asking in the App Store. The game features a story mode with over 30 levels and also a Survival Mode that will allow you to “defend humanity from an endless wave of Kaiju” in one of the massive transformer-like robots from the movie known as Jaegers.

Pacific Rim is available now for iPhone and iPad on the App Store.

Exclusive Features:
•Story Mode: Play over 30 levels and challenge monstrous creatures in intense combat inspired by the motion picture.

•Survival Mode: Can you defend humanity from an endless wave of Kaiju? See how skilled you are with your customized Jaeger.

•Command up to five different Jaegers with custom equipment and technology.

•Upgrade your Jaegers and weapons to dominate the battlefield.

•Discover and research new technology to increase your armor, power and speed.

•The game explores the Pacific Rim universe with new events, Jaegars, and Kaiju not fully revealed in the film.

Deus Ex: The Fall for iOS arrives in App Store a day early

Jordan Kahn Jul 10 2013 - 6:17 am PT

Square Enix already informed us that developer Eidos Montreal would be releasing its highly anticipated iOS instalment of Deus Ex this week on July 11. Today the app appears to have hit the App Store worldwide a day early with the expected $6.99 price tag. The App Store link is already live for the game in the US, and it should be available to download elsewhere shortly.

Deus Ex: The Fall is the start of a new journey in the award winning Deus Ex game series. Set in 2027– the golden era for science, technology and human augmentation. Ben Saxon an augmented former British SAS Mercenary, is desperate for the truth behind a global conspiracy threatening his life.

Deus Ex: The Fall is available for both iPhone and iPad as a universal download, but keep in mind you’ll need a free 1.6GB for the game. However, it’s not surprising given the fact Eidos and Square Enix appear to be cramming in almost a full console like experience in the iOS exclusive. Previously release gameplay trailer for The Fall below:

Plants vs Zombies 2 for iOS launches in Australia & New Zealand App Stores

Jordan Kahn Jul 9 2013 - 1:51 pm PT

EA already said that Plants vs Zombies 2‘s July 18 release date would be delayed slightly until later this summer, but today PopCap announced that it is kicking off a soft launch today in Australia and New Zealand to fine tune the experience. In fact, the game is already available on the App Store in both Australia and New Zealand (and of course any user can access the download with an Apple ID associated with one of those locations).

we are launching the game a bit early in Australia and New Zealand to help us test out all of the new systems and features we’ve built into the game. We’ve added a bunch of new features that allow us to take advantage of new technologies to make a better experience for our players, and those innovations require us to perform some large tests to make sure we are ready for our worldwide audience to play.

PopCap already announced that the game would be a free-to-play experience, but today noted that it will “be testing all sorts of different aspects of the game’s functionality, pricing, stability, etc.”

Hahaha crashes on iOS 7! RT @9to5mac: Plants vs Zombies 2 for iOS launches in Australia & New Zealand App Stores http://t.co/RC3YbBshFK

— Lars™ (@larsetc) July 9, 2013

A break down of new game features from iTunes below:

Game Features

NEW PLANTS! NEW ZOMBIES!
Meet B**k Choy, Bloomerang and Lightning Reed: Just a few of the powerful new plants that will defend your lawn through time. Go toe-to-missing-toe with dozens of new zombies including Ra Zombie in Ancient Egypt, Swashbuckler Zombie on the Pirate Seas, or Chicken Wrangler Zombie in the Wild West. In every new world, clever new zombies and brain-teasing challenges will test your zombie-zapping skills.

AMAZING NEW WAYS TO PROTECT YOUR BRAIN
New Plant Food and power-ups will take your game to new dimensions. Plant Food will supercharge your plants when you need it most. Use your fingers to pinch, flick and zap zombies off your lawn.

LOOK OUT! ZOMBIE CHICKENS!
Seriously.

NEW LEVELS OF EXCITEMENT
Battle the fun-dead on land, on sea and… on the rails? Unlock ultra-challenging (and ultra-fun) endless levels — Pyramid of Doom, Pirate’s Booty and the Big Bad Butte.

THE FUN NEVER DIES
Gather keys to unlock brain teasers and new plants. Collect coins to purchase potent power-ups. Earn stars to take you to new worlds. Survive long enough and you’ll be rewarded with piles of prizes and achievements. And that’s just the beginning! The future holds many mysteries. Also, zombies. Lots and lots of zombies.

Yahoo! Mail iOS app now lets you sign into multiple accounts, switch between inboxes

Jordan Kahn Jul 9 2013 - 12:32 pm PT

Yahoo updated its email app for iPhone and iPad today with a few new features. Users will now be able to log into more than one account at a time and easily switch between inboxes without logging out.

Also new in version 1.5.5 is support for Business Mail accounts. Yahoo! Small Business customers will now be able to use the free app to access their email and also have access to “push notifications, Yahoo! contacts, and photo attachments.”

What’s New in Version 1.5.5

– Multiple accounts: Have more than one Yahoo! account? More power to you! Now you can add all your Yahoo! accounts and easily switch between your Inboxes, without ever having to sign out.

– Business Mail accounts: Yahoo! Small Business customers can now access their email through this app, with all supported features such as push notifications, Yahoo! contacts, and photo attachments

– Bug fixes and stability enhancements

Apple abandons App Store trademark case against Amazon

Jordan Kahn Jul 9 2013 - 10:48 am PT

Apple’s long-running lawsuit against Amazon for its use of the “App Store” trademark might finally be coming to an end as Reuters reports a judge has dismissed the case at the request of the companies. The report claims U.S. District Judge Phyllis Hamilton in California dismissed the case “after Apple issued to Amazon a covenant not to sue, eliminating the need for Amazon to pursue a related counterclaim.”

“We no longer see a need to pursue our case,” Apple spokeswoman Kristin Huguet said. “With more than 900,000 apps and 50 billion downloads, customers know where they can purchase their favorite apps.”

A spokesperson for Amazon said “This was a decision by Apple to unilaterally abandon the case, and leave Amazon free to use ‘appstore’.
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Yelp iOS app rolling out ability to order food with ‘Order Pickup or Delivery’ button in restaurant reviews

Jordan Kahn Jul 9 2013 - 9:42 am PT

Yelp receives a nice update today for iPhone and iPad that brings the app up to version 6.9.1 and introduces a new feature (in at least the US) for users to order food directly from within the app. Now, while reading a review of a local restaurant users will be able to tap a new “Order Pickup or Delivery” button to place an order. The feature isn’t available everywhere yet, but Yelp plans to roll out the button to new locations in the weeks ahead.

What’s New in Version 6.9.1

New in 6.9.1:
• Reading that review making you hungry? Well, you can now order delicious meals without ever leaving the Yelp app! We’ll be rolling this out to more locations in the coming weeks, so check for the “Order Pickup or Delivery” button on your favorite local restaurants.

Tumblr iOS app gets improved search and explore features for tags & blogs

Jordan Kahn Jul 9 2013 - 6:36 am PT

Tumblr updated its iOS app today for iPhone and iPad with a few new features that will greatly improve the search experience within the apps. On top of being able to now search tags and blogs (something that many used third-party clients for), version 3.4 of the Tumblr app will also allow users to explore trending tags and blogs, as well as “Follow recommended blogs for any tag you search.”

A full list of what’s new is below:

What’s New in Version 3.4

We’re thrilled to bring you a brand new discovery experience:

– Search tags and blogs
– Explore trending tags and blogs
– Follow recommended blogs for any tag you search

Pandora for iOS now automatically pauses when muted, adds improved playback buffering

Jordan Kahn Jul 8 2013 - 7:13 pm PT

Pandora Radio for iPhone and iPad received a minor update today that brings a couple of welcomed improvements for users. The first notable new feature will automatically pause music when muting your iOS device, making sure you never miss a song when muting suddenly and forgetting to pause. The updated app also adds improved playback buffering for what Pandora says is ‘stutter-free’ music and the usual bug fixes and performance enhancements.

Pandora also notes that “all the URLs that work on Pandora.com now work just as well on your phone.”

Full list of what’s new below:

What’s New in Version 4.4

• Stuck with a flaky connection? We’ve improved playback buffering to keep your favorite music stutter-free.
• Never miss another great song: if you mute your phone, we’ll pause your music for you.
• More links to more of what you love: all the URLs that work on Pandora.com now work just as well on your phone.
• Bug fixes and improvements to keep your music playing as it should.

‘Deus Ex: The Fall’ for iOS gets new gameplay trailer & July 11 release date

Jordan Kahn Jul 8 2013 - 2:12 pm PT

Square Enix and developer Eidos Montreal announced today that ‘Deus Ex: The Fall’ will be arriving in the App Store this Thursday, July 11 for $6.99. The game will come exclusively to iPhone and iPad and take place after ‘Deux Ex: The Icarus Effect’ novel, which acted as a prequel to some of the other titles previously released on consoles. To go along with the announcement we get the brand new gameplay trailer above showing off the game on iPad. Eidos Montreal is also giving away free wallpapers and ringtones to celebrate the launch later this week.

Apple celebrating 5 years of the App Store with timeline of milestones

Mark Gurman Jul 3 2013 - 10:07 am PT

In celebration of the iOS App Store’s upcoming 5th anniversary, Apple has created a timeline of notable events in the App Store’s history.

This timeline has been sent to members of the media, including The Financial Times’ Tim Bradshaw, and Apple has created similar promotions in the past.

Earlier this year, Apple sent out a similar celebratory memento for the iTunes Store’s 10th anniversary of existence. Coupled with the note to press, Apple launched a public-facing website to honor the date.

Perhaps Apple will launch a similar site for the App Store’s 5th anniversary on July 10th. Full image and a Vine below:

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Angry Birds updated w/ new ‘Egg Defender’ gameplay mode, 15 new levels, & 73 Bad Piggies contraptions

Jordan Kahn Jul 3 2013 - 6:14 am PT

Rovio has released a big update today to its original Angry Birds app, which happens to remain as the #1 app of all time. Today’s update brings a brand new gameplay mode known as “Egg Defender,” which according to iTunes gives “Red special powers to attack the advancing pigs.”

Also included in today’s update is 15 new levels with all-new challenges, as well as “73 crazy pig contraptions” straight from Rovio’s hit spin off title ‘Bad Piggies’.

What’s New in Version 3.2.0

The #1 app of all time gets a fun new update! You may be an expert pig popper, but how will you cope with a moving target? One bird stands between the egg and the advancing pig army in the all-new Red’s Mighty Feathers episode. The fearless Red Bird faces wave after wave of Bad Piggies in their crazy contraptions. But wait! He now has some magic feathers from the Mighty Eagle himself – giving Red incredible new powers as he darts toward those pesky pigs at incredible speed!

Fun new gameplay – the Egg Defender mode gives Red special powers to attack the advancing pigs!

15 new levels – the latest Red’s Mighty Feathers episode brings fresh new challenges!

73 crazy pig contraptions – wave after wave of Bad Piggies edging closer in their wacky machines!

Hit indie game ‘Limbo’ arrives for iPhone & iPad for $4.99 in App Store

Jordan Kahn Jul 3 2013 - 5:59 am PT

We already knew critically acclaimed indie game Limbo would be arriving on iOS this week after an announcement from Danish developer Playdead late last month. Today the title has finally arrived in the App Store for all users and comes with a mere $4.99 price tag for one of the best reviewed indie console games in recent years.

Early reviews for the iOS port seem to be positive and, apart from some tweaked controls for the touchscreen, includes the entire game experience from the console versions.

Limbo ($4.99) for iPhone and iPad is available on the App Store now.
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USA TV network lands on iOS with new app to watch full show episodes

Mark Gurman Jul 2 2013 - 9:49 pm PT

The NBC-owned USA TV network has launched its own iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch application to bring the USA show viewing experience to the small-screen. The application, like many TV network apps currently on the App Store, allows customers to watch shows the day after they air. The application also includes a backlog of past show episodes.

Like some other applications of the same category, users will need to authenticate the application with their credentials for their home TV provider. If a user does not subscribe to USA on their home TV setup, they can still watch some exclusive content via the application. Besides TV shows, the application can access behind-the-scenes clips, a full programming guide, interviews, and more.

USA today airs popular shows such as Burn Notice, Graceland, and Suits. The new app is free on the App Store.

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Real Racing 3 adds Bentley & Mercedes-Benz vehicles, progression system, improved graphics & 180+ events

Jordan Kahn Jul 2 2013 - 1:45 pm PT

EA updated its popular freemium Real Racing 3 game for iPhone and iPad today with a number of new features including over 55 vehicles from Bentley and Mercedes-Benz. On top of a new Time Trail event type and 180+ new events, EA is also adding a progression system that will allow users to “unlock cars and events as you progress through the new career.” That sounds like a nice addition for those that were complaining of EA’s decision to stick with the freemium model for the title.

Also included in the update is improved graphics with “Per-pixel shadowing on high-end devices” and new bonuses:

What’s New in Version 1.2.0

The Prestige Cars Update is here! Bentley and Mercedes-Benz join Real Racing 3’s extensive stable of manufacturers, while the highly requested Time Trial mode arrives with global leaderboards and ghost racing!

• New manufacturers – Bentley and Mercedes-Benz join an exciting line-up of over 55 licenced cars
• New event type – Time Trial! Race against yourself, your friends and the world for the top leaderboard position
• Bonus R$ – Get an R$ boost for the first race of each day, earn bigger bonuses for consecutive days of play
• Clean Race Bonus – Drive cleanly and fairly to receive R$ bonuses
• New progression system – Unlock cars and events as you progress through the new career
• Improved graphics – Per-pixel shadowing on high-end devices!
• 180+ new events!

Spotify for iOS gets ‘Discover’ feature, editable playlists, new icon and more

Jordan Kahn Jul 2 2013 - 6:09 am PT

Spotify updated its iOS app today with a few new features, one of which is a brand new ‘Discover’ experience that is rolling out to all users as we speak. As you might expect, the feature allows users to discover content based on their previous listening habits, and is of course a nice feature to have as Apple prepares to roll out its iTunes Radio service with built in Genius features.

Also included in today’s update for Spotify is a brand new logo and the ability to edit playlists directly on your iPhone. Spotify noted that “a shiny, new Now Playing view, featuring the ‘Up Next’ queue” is available now on iPhone and rolling out to all users soon.

A full list of what else is new and fixed in today’s release is below:

What’s New in Version 0.7.1

• New: Ever find yourself wondering what to play on Spotify? Introducing the new Discover experience on iPhone. (Coming soon to everyone.)
• New: A shiny, new Now Playing view, featuring the ‘Up Next’ queue on iPhone. (Again, rolling out to everyone soon.)
• New: Say hello to our new logo.
• New: You can now edit your playlists on your iPhone.
• Improved: We’ve changed the order of the iPhone search tabs. Now it’s Artists, Albums, Tracks. (iPhone/iPod only.)
• Improved: We’ve moved the … context menu button in the Playlist and Album views to the top right of the screen. It’s better there. (iPhone/iPod only.)
• Fixed: Ford integration now works correctly when your iPhone/iPod is set to a language other than English.
• Fixed: In your playlist folders, “All Tracks” will now show you the actual number of tracks.
• Fixed: We’ve sorted lots of crash issues too.
• Fixed: The unread messages in your inbox will now update correctly.
• Fictitious: This app shares 73% of its DNA with bees.

In an iOS 7 world, here’s how Apple’s iLife, iWork, iBooks and other apps could look

Michael Steeber Jul 1 2013 - 7:01 am PT

The introduction of iOS 7 brought forth a new era of iOS design: one that discards old thinking and draws little inspiration from past designs. While Apple’s included applications in iOS 7 have all been updated for the new design aesthetic, their App Store apps haven’t. Installing any of Apple’s other applications alongside iOS 7 reveals a huge discrepancy between the old, skeuomorphic design, and the new, flatter look. Obviously, Apple will have to redesign all of their App Store applications. So, what will they look like?

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Review: Hotwire travels to iPad with intuitive app

Mark Gurman Jun 27 2013 - 3:02 am PT

After arriving on the iPhone late last year, Hotwire, the popular travel discount site for flights and hotels, has arrived on the iPad via an intuitive App Store app. The iPad version launches today as a free, universal update to the existing iPhone app.

The iPad app is very simple to use. From the start screen of the app, a user can input either their current location or another location where they want to travel, check-in/check-out dates, a number of rooms and guests, and tap a single button to immediately search for matching hotels.

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