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Apps for iOS, macOS, tvOS, and watchOS power our modern world. 9to5Mac will update you on the latest news, review, and updates for all types of apps. “There’s an App for that”.

The term came became part of our vocabulary when Steve Jobs announced The App Store as part of the iPhone 2.0 software update in 2008.

Over the years, the term has become as common as kleenex for describing applications on all of our devices. Apple’s platforms have apps for just about anything from finance, banking, sports, social media, podcasting, music, and more. We have a guide for helping you discover the best ones as well. Apps are now on everything from our TV, to our smartphones, on our laptops, and all the way down to our wrists.

As new ones are released or existing ones have major updates, the team here at 9to5Mac will bring you the latest news and reviews. If you want to follow along with video footage, be sure to follow 9to5Mac on YouTube. Scroll down below our latest updates on all things relating to applications on iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple TV, and Apple Watch.

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BlackBerry launches ‘Secure Work Space’ feature for iOS & Android enterprise users

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=c0UEQXUNBto

BlackBerry previously started providing enterprise management tools for iOS and Android devices through its BlackBerry Enterprise Service 10 suite, but today it launched a new ‘Secure Work Space’ feature that will bring even better multi-platform device management and security to companies allowing iOS and Android devices in the workplace. The idea is to separate work apps and the user’s personal data:

Secure Work Space is a new containerization, application-wrapping and secure connectivity option that delivers a higher level of control and security to iOS and Android devices, all managed through the single BlackBerry Enterprise Service 10 administration console… On a personal iOS or Android device, users with Secure Work Space get integrated email (with attachment viewing), calendar and contacts for productivity, as well as secure browser access to intranets and document editing capabilities with BlackBerry’s Documents To Go™. With corporate data separated and controlled within the Secure Work Space container, these standard apps can be deployed with confidence to any user, together with other apps chosen by the company.

BlackBerry noted that it is working with partner Box for the cloud aspect of the new service, while users interested in taking advantage will have to purchase a $99 per year, per device license to access the new Secure Work Space feature through Blackberry Enterprise Service 10. The big benefit, according to BlackBerry, is that users “no longer need to configure and manage expensive VPN infrastructures to provide mobile device access to data and apps that reside behind their corporate firewalls.”

A free trial of the service is available here.

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Sony’s ‘Music Unlimited’ iOS app adds offline playback & high-quality 320kbps AAC streams

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A nice update is landing any minute now for Sony’s Music Unlimited iOS app, which is continuing to improve thanks to some nice improvements coming with PS4 and PlayStation Plus. On top of some big discounts for PS Plus members, Sony announced today that iOS users will soon have the ability to download tracks for offline listening (something already available on Android devices):

Another improvement coming in version 1.3 of the  Music Unlimited app is “crystal clear 320kbps AAC high fidelity audio while streaming.”Users can access the feature by turning on “High Quality Audio HQ Streaming”.in the app’s settings. The new high-quality audio will not, unfortunately, be available for offline playback.

Similar to the Music Unlimited Android app, iOS users can now download individual albums and tracks, as well as any playlists they have created to their device and enjoy music even when a cellular or Wi-Fi connection isn’t available, or when they want to conserve battery life or curb data usage.

Sony hasn’t picked up a ton of traction with the service among smartphone users, but it will certainly attempt to attract more users as it adds new features and closer integrates it with its revamped PS Network arriving alongside PS4.

As for deals:

If you’re not a subscriber to the Music Unlimited service, this is a great time to jump aboard!  For a limited time, a 12 month Premium subscription to the Music Unlimited service is just $41.99 for PS Plus members – a discount of over 65 percent from the regular monthly price.  Those who don’t have a PS+ membership can also take advantage of a special rate of $59.99 for the 12 month Premium subscription.  More information about the offer can be found at PlayStation Blog.

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Microsoft bringing Xbox & PC games to iPhone starting with free-to-play Age of Empires

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According to a report from Nikkei (via Reuters), Microsoft has signed up Japan-based game developer Klab Inc to bring some of its console and PC games to the iPhone and Android devices. There aren’t many other details, but the report claims Microsoft’s next title to arrive on smartphones will be a free-to-play version of Age of the Empires:

Microsoft’s “Age of the Empires” will be available as a free-to-play game worldwide on smartphones by the end of the fiscal year 2013 and other titles will follow, the report said.

KLab is behind a few titles already on the App Store and Google Play, including Arcadia, Gigabot Wars, Eternal Uprising, and Lord of the Dragons.

It actually wouldn’t be the first game that Microsoft has published for iOS devices as it recently brought its previously Windows Phone only title “Tentacles: Enter the Dolphin” to the App Store for both iPhone and iPad.

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Amazon Instant Video iOS app gets revamped UI with personalized TV & movie collections

Amazon has updated its Instant Video app for iPhone and iPad today with a revamped user interface that makes it easier to find movies and TV shows.

The improved UI includes much faster navigation of TV shows and movies thanks to a new drop down menu on the home screen of the app, as well as “a new navigation bar on the browse screens allowing you to find and switch between the different TV and movie collections.” 

Also new is “more personalized carousels on the homescreen” that provide quick access to TV shows and movies recommended for you based on your previous viewing habits.

A full list of what’s new is below:

What’s New in Version 1.4.3

We’ve made it faster and easier to find the videos you want to watch, adding a dropdown menu on the homescreen providing access to dozens of movie and TV collections. We’ve also added more personalized carousels on the homescreen, and provided a new navigation bar on the browse screens allowing you to find and switch between the different TV and movie collections.

Facebook reportedly developing Flipboard-like ‘Reader’ function for iOS

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Flipboard iPad app

Flipboard iPad app

According to a report from The Wall Street Journal, Facebook is developing a new tool that focuses on news consumption in order to re-shape its identity as a social network, like Twitter, that can compete in the news consumption space. The project, which is reportedly called “Reader,” would be a feature that runs on Apple’s iOS Devices such as the iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch. The WSJ shares some details on the project:


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9to5Toys Last Call: $10 free credit for Audible.com, $46 Logitech Solar iPad keyboard, $80 Elgato USB TV Tuner, Apps/Games, more

From 9to5Toys.com:

A large majority of the deals we cover each day come from a variety of ‘Daily Deal’ websites or are so popular that they don’t even last 24 hours. We know you can’t be at your computer every second, so we’re going to roundup the best deals each day to make sure you have a fair shot at the deals you want. Be sure to follow 9to5Toys.com so you never miss a deal... Twitter, RSS Feed, Facebook

Today’s Featured deals:

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Up to 65% off iPad Bluetooth Keyboard Cases:

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Elgato EyeTV Hybrid USB TV Tuner for Mac / PC $80 Shipped (Reg. $150)

Some great Specials.9to5toys.com happening currently including half off Nuance PDF maker/editor ($49) and Dragon Dictate for Mac 3 ($100)

 

Other great deals we love:


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Kickstarter: Vloggr for iPhone promises quick and easy video recording and editing

Vloggr, an app that launched on Kickstarter today, is an interesting new app designed to quickly shoot and edit video blogs. The app sports a fairly simple interface that allows you film and reorder clips, then publish them to your social networks with a few taps.

The Kickstarter campaign is seeking $6,000 to cover the app’s development costs . A few of the rewards for early backers include promo codes to download the app at launch and your first vlog featured on the app’s website for a month.

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Instagram hits 5M video uploads in first 24 hours, 40 hours per minute during NBA Finals

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Yesterday, Facebook unveiled its updated Instagram apps for iOS and Android that now include a new Vine-like video feature for creating 3-15 second long videos with, of course, Instagram-style filters. While there has been some backlash over the decision from a small group of users, it appears that a nice chunk of the service’s now 130 million strong user base are embracing the new video features. As noted by CNET, Facebook has since confirmed that over 5 million videos have been uploaded in the 24 hours since the updated apps were released.

Facebook also notes that Instagram was seeing around 40 hours of video uploaded per minute during the NBA Finals:

At peak, Instagram users uploaded 40 hours of video per minute. The climactic moment came Thursday night as the Miami Heat defeated the San Antonio Spurs during the NBA Finals, the spokesperson said.

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Messenger app IM+ puts “off-the-record” encryption feature on sale

giveaway _otrWith all of the privacy invasion news (read: PRISM) going around nowadays, lots of encryption and security solutions have been seeing record sales. iMessage uses end-to-end encryption, but the security of Skype, AIM and MSN are questionable.

The popular IM+ app (free version, pro version) is offering their $4.99 “off-the-record” feature for just 99 cents until the end of tomorrow. Rather than using a single, proprietary messaging services, IM+ uses the OTR standard that can be used with many messaging services and across many devices.

On their Facebook page, the company details OTR.

First of all, OTR is end-to-end encryption, which means that message is encrypted on sender’s side and decrypted on receiver’s side.

This distinguishes OTR from other encryption methods. For example, almost every messenger (including IM+) uses SSL encryption to connect to its own server. But what happens then, when it connects to AOL, Facebook, ICQ or any other IM server? There is no guarantee that messages are encrypted there and on the way to your contact.

But if you use OTR, no matter how many servers are used to pass message from you to your contact – none of them is able to decrypt the message, it may be decrypted only on your contact’s smartphone or computer.

In short, it’s an encryption system that works with any service by creating encryption/decryption keys that only last for a short amount of time. As detailed on the Facebook post, Pidgin (for Windows) and Adium (for Mac) support OTR.

If you want to keep all of your communications secure from all outsiders, definitely check out  IM+ in the App Store (free versionpro version).

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9to5Toys Last Call: App deals/ freebies galore, Pioneer Noise-Cancelling headphones $35, more

From 9to5Toys.com:

A large majority of the deals we cover each day come from a variety of ‘Daily Deal’ websites or are so popular that they don’t even last 24 hours. We know you can’t be at your computer every second, so we’re going to roundup the best deals each day to make sure you have a fair shot at the deals you want. Be sure to follow 9to5Toys.com so you never miss a deal... Twitter, RSS Feed, Facebook

Today’s Featured deals:

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Lots of great App / Game deals and freebies today:

Photoful takes an amazing gesture-based approach to organizing and sharing photos

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photoful

Even with upcoming improvements to the native Photos app in iOS 7, simple tasks like sharing, organizing and deleting a couple of photos can take quite a few taps. If you’d like to share multiple photos, you need to tap on literally every single picture then press the share button. In comes the new, free Photoful app – and it blows the native app out of the water. 
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$25 million “Leap Fund” announced for Leap Motion app developers

One of the investors backing Leap Motion, the company behind the 3D gesture control hardware coming out on July 22, today announced a new $25 million fund to support the development of third-party apps for the platform (via CNET):

The Leap Fund was designed so that HCP can invest in promising technologies and companies utilizing Leap Motion’s technology. Given that that technology has obvious applications across a wide range of industries, from gaming to medical to architecture and beyond, it’s easy to imagine any number of potential investments for the fund. Highland also plans on offering mentorship and other advice to those receiving money through the Leap Fund, and Leap Motion and Highland together plan to be involved in “joint community activities to help foster innovation and entrepreneurship around Leap Motion’s technology platform,” they said in a release.

As a reminder, we went hands on with the Leap Motion controller a couple times already and enjoyed the experience.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xKZcn1sLD3o

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Want to know who unfollowed or unfriended you? There’s an app for that.

That hurts, Zac.

That hurts, Zac.

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Your follow count is dropping fast, but who are the ones that are unfollowing you? Was it spammers who don’t matter or was it Scoble who grew tired of your tweets? With the free Friend Check app, you can find out.

Once you install the app and give it permission to access your Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, or Instagram account, it will take a snapshot of your followers, mutual, and following lists. At any time, you can create a new snapshot and compare that to the previous one. The screenshot above shows the exact snapshot where fellow 9to5Mac reporter Zac Hall decided to unfollow me (only to test the app, of course!).

The only “con” I’ve found with this app is that they give you step-by-step instructions for literally everything the first time you use it. It is tiresome at first, but from then on it’s smooth-sailing unfollower goodness.

Friend Check is currently free to download in the App Store. You can add one account of each service or pay the 99 cents in-app purchase to enable multi-account support.

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YouTube app for iOS updated with suggestions for what to watch next

Simultaneous with Instagram’s video-focused update, Google’s YouTube video service has updated its iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch application with a couple of neat new features. For those interested in receiving suggestions for which video to watch next, the YouTube iOS app can now provide overlaid suggestions. Additionally, closed-captioning support is available for live-streamed video. Stability improvements, including fixes for app crashes, are also available in this free (version 1.4) update. 


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Facebook launches updated Instagram w/ 15 sec video clips, custom filters & cinematic stabilization

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Today, live from Facebook’s press event, the company just announced that its bringing video to Instagram with a brand new set of features. In what appears to be direct competition for Twitter’s rapidly growing Vine video sharing app, Instagram will soon allow users to share similar short video clips. On stage, Instagram demoed an updated iOS app that now includes a button for video capture that will allow users to create 3-15 second long videos using multiple clips.

It also announced that it has partnered with an artist to create 13 brand new custom filters specifically for video and a handful of leading experts to integrate “mind blowing” cinematic video stabilization features (something that isn’t too great in a lot of other apps).

So what does this mean for your content? Nothing’s different from photos. We’re still committed to making sure you have control over all of your content. Only the people who you let see your photos will be able to see your videos. And as with photos, you own your videos.

As for where videos will appear, like photos, Instagram says “your video will appear on your profile and in feed. If your visibility is set to private, only your approved followers can see videos or photos you share.”

The video feature will also be available on the web, allowing users to view Instagram videos in any browser without having to use the apps.
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Logitech announces the Harmony Ultimate Hub: Turns any iPhone into a full-fledged Universal Remote

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harmony-smart-control-gallery-02After nearly selling their Harmony remote line, Logitech has officially announced the Harmony Ultimate Hub, an “appcessory” that turns any iPhone (or most any Smartphone!) into a slick universal remote.  Bringing the beautiful Harmony remote touch interface to smartphones everywhere.  The hub allows up to 8 devices to connect and control entertainment systems from anywhere in the house via a Bluetooth connection.  No more precision remote shooting to try and hit the IR sensor just right…
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9to5Toys Last Call: Free $50 gift card w/ Bose headphones, Free iOS app Calendars+, games, more

From 9to5Toys.com:

A large majority of the deals we cover each day come from a variety of ‘Daily Deal’ websites or are so popular that they don’t even last 24 hours.  We know you can’t be at your computer every second, so we’re going to roundup the best deals each day to make sure you have a fair shot at the deals you want. Be sure to follow 9to5Toys.com so you never miss a deal... TwitterRSS FeedFacebook

Today’s Featured deals:

bose-ae2-amazon-deal

Bose AE2 Audio Headphones + free $50 Dell Gift Card $150 Shipped ($200 Value)

readdle-apple-ios-apps-calendarReaddle’s Calendars+ for iOS goes free for the first time ever (Reg. $7)

Some great Specials.9to5toys.com happening currently including half off Nuance PDF maker/editor ($49) and Dragon Dictate for Mac 3 ($100)

Other great deals we love:

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Lytro launches WiFi-connected iPhone app to share photos on-the-go

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Lytro, the company behind the light-field camera system by the same name, has launched an iPhone and iPod touch application. The app connects to the Lytro Camera via a WiFi connection to allow Lytro camera users to easily sync photos from the camera to the iOS device.

Using the technologies in an iOS device, users, via the app, can then share their photos via social networks such as Twitter and Facebook. Because iOS devices have built-in text messaging and email capabilities, Lytro photos can be shared instantly via those mediums as well.


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Rdio iOS app updated with iTunes Radio-like Song Stations, AutoPlay, & more

Rdio-iconThe subscription based Rdio music streaming service today updated its iOS app with a few features similar to those included in Apple’s recently introduced iTunes Radio service. The most notable new feature is Song Stations which, much like iTunes Radio, allows users to automatically create a station based on any song with the ability to view and skip upcoming tracks.

Another new feature in the updated Rdio app is “AutoPlay”, which automatically continues playing music similar to what you’ve just listened to when a station or playlist has ended. A full list of what’s new is below:

What’s New in Version 2.2.1

• Song Stations. Start a station based on any song to hear more from that artist and other related artists. See four upcoming tracks and skip as much as you want.
• AutoPlay. After the music you’re playing has ended, hear more like what you’ve recently listened to.
• Various UI improvements and minor bug fixes.

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Apple comments on $30 Million iPad deal with Los Angeles Unified School District

iPads & Education

Along with their major update to Apple TV, Apple announced today that it has been granted approval from the Los Angeles School Board of Education to begin a massive iPad program starting this fall. The news was earlier reported by the LA Times.

The program will equip students across the nation’s second biggest school district with iPads that include the Pearson Common Core System of Courses delivered via a new app as part of the integrated solution. Additionally, each iPad will come preloaded with Apple’s iWork (Pages, Keynote, Numbers) and iLife (iMovie, iPhoto, GarageBand) suites in addition to a range of educational third-party apps. Apple notes that the $30 million commitment is only the first phase of a larger roll out for Los Angeles Schools.

“Education is in Apple’s DNA and we’re thrilled to work with Los Angeles Unified public schools on this major initiative as they plan to roll out iPads to every student across 47 campuses this fall,” said Philip Schiller, Apple’s senior vice president of Worldwide Marketing. “Schools around the world have embraced the engaging and interactive quality of iPad with nearly 10 million iPads already in schools today.”

For more details, check out the full press release below.
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Parallels 8 for Mac updated with experimental support for OS X Mavericks

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Mavericks as Guest OS

Parallels announced an update to Parallels Desktop 8 for Mac today that introduces experimental support for OS X Mavericks. That means developers with access to Mavericks will be able to run Parallels Desktop 8 on the OS and also install the OS X 10.9 preview in a virtual machine.

The company has an article available to walk devs through getting Desktop 8 for Mac running on Mavericks and another outlining best practices for installing it as a virtual machine. While you can’t yet install Mavericks into a blank virtual machine, you will be able to update an existing OS X install to the developer preview. Those error messages some users were getting when attempting to run Mavericks on Parallels Desktop 8 should also be taken care of with the latest build.

Parallels hinted more news about Mavericks and its integration with Parallels Desktop 8 for Mac is on the way and is answering questions in its forums here and here.

Good news if you don’t yet own a copy: Parallels Desktop 8 for Mac is currently 25% for a limited time.
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Feedly launches new cloud backend & web interface, hits 12M users ahead of Google Reader demise

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From 9to5Google:

Following Google’s announcement that its RSS Reader product would be retired on July 1st, apps like Feedly that relied on the Google Reader backend announced big plans to help itself and other apps through the transition. Feedly has been preparing its move to its own “feedly cloud” back end since the announcement, and earlier this month transitioned its own iOS client to the platform. Today, Feedly is officially launching the new back end and API, as well as a brand new web interface and the first apps to integrate the feedly cloud platform:

As of today, feedly cloud is now live, providing a fast and scalable infrastructure that serves as the backbone to feedly, as well as a number of connected applications. Feedly cloud is open today to all users visiting http://feedly.com, providing a simple one-click migration path from Google Reader.  And thanks to the great developer community that has gathered around it, providing multiple safe and sound alternatives to Google Reader.  With the release of feedly cloud, feedly today transitions from a product to a platform. We are also today delivering a new, completely stand-alone Web version of feedly.

On top of the new API and feedly cloud back end, the company is also delivering on one of the most requested features for the service: a standalone new web interface that doesn’t require any plugins or browser extensions.

While there are many others trying to provide an alternative for Google Reader, Feedly tells us it’s had significant traction since Google’s announcement and hit 12 million users at the end of May. That’s up 8 million from the 4 million users it had before Google announced Reader would be retired back in March. It’s also currently processing around 25 million feeds a day.

feedly-cloud-appsAs part of its ‘Normandy’ project, Feedly has been building its own backend and API for third-party RSS apps and readers that also previously relied on the Google Reader API. It isn’t the only one: Earlier this week Digg teased images of its Google Reader replacement coming to the web and mobile devices on June 26th. It too is planning to offer an alternative API for third-party devs.

Today Feedly is announcing the first apps to integrate with its new backend but promises more will be added in the coming weeks as more than 200 developer have shown interest:

-IFTTT
-Sprout Social for iOS/Android
-Nextgen Reader for Win 8 and Win Phone
-gNewsReader for BlackBerry 10/Symbian/MeeGo
-gReader for Android
-Press for Android
-Newsify for iPhone/iPad
-Pure News Widget for Android
-Menere for Windows

Developers and users interested in learning more about the new and improved Feedly can do so here.

Feedly offers one-click migration from Reader to its service to ensure an easy transition and reminds us just 10 days remain before Google Reader officially shuts down.

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Modern Combat 4: Zero Hour ‘Meltdown’ update brings new maps, perks, weapons, & multiplayer modes

Modern-Combat-Meltdown-updateA huge update today is available for Gameloft’s popular Modern combat 4: Zero Hour app. The ‘Meltdown’ update brings three new maps, 7 new perks, and much more content to the latest in the Call of Duty-like series for iOS devices.

New maps in the update include a train station and city streets in Barcelona and a research facility in Antarctica, while new weapons on offer include the SFS CTK-12 sniper riffle and the 40mm Thor GLP Grenade Launcher Pistol.

Also included in the update is two new multiplayer modes including “Bomb Squad” where “Attackers must plant a bomb and make sure it goes off before the defenders can defuse it,” and “Destruction” where “Attackers must sabotage a series of devices while the defenders must stop them cold.”

What’s New in Version 1.1.0

Get ready to be blown away by the new Meltdown Update for Modern Combat 4: Zero Hour!

3 NEW MAPS
√ Fracture: Barcelona Train Station
√ Extraction: Antarctica Research Facility
√ Backfire: Barcelona Streets

NEW “DEMOLITION” SPECIALIZATION WITH 7 NEW PERKS
√ Ammo Pack: Carry 50% more ammunition
√ Dedication: Dying from explosions doesn’t reset your streak
√ Readied Shot: Crouch to boost accuracy
√ One Last Thing: Drop a grenade whenever you die
√ Gun Expert: Increase reload speed
√ Sentry: Place sinister traps
√ Paragon Destroyer: Trigger deadly explosions when shooting machinery

2 NEW WEAPONS
√ SFS CTK-12 – Charbtek Special Forces Sniper Rifle
√ 40mm Thor GLP – Grenade Launcher Pistol

2 NEW TEAM MULTIPLAYER MODES
√ Bomb Squad: Attackers must plant a bomb and make sure it goes off before the defenders can defuse it
√ Destruction: Attackers must sabotage a series of devices while the defenders must stop them cold

OTHER IMPROVEMENTS
√ Edit your signature to display your clan prefix
√ Random quick match: Play a ranked game in the first mode available
√ Turkish language support
√ Many balancing changes: Visit the website www.modern-combat.net for all the details

XCOM: Enemy Unknown for iPhone & iPad now available on the App Store

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We told you that XCOM: Enemy Unknown, a critically acclaimed game of the year on PC and consoles from 2K Games, would be arriving in the App Store starting tomorrow on June 20. However, today the game has already started hitting App Stores around the world at the expected price of $20 USD. The game of course features enhanced controls specifically suited for the touch screen, but otherwise aims to bring the full XCOM: EU experience to iOS devices:
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