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4Snaps word game for iOS updated to version 2.0 with a new look and gameplay tweaks

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4Snaps, the creative new word game we first wrote about when it debuted last year, has gotten a big overhaul today with the launch of its 2.0 update. The new version brings a new design with a gesture-focused interface that bounces around playfully using the new UI physics found in iOS 7.

Other interface tweaks include the ability to rearrange your snaps before sending them, delete finished games from the main screen, and preview exactly what your opponent will see when you hit the ‘send’ button.

The update also adds some new tweaks to the gameplay. If you’re having trouble figuring a word out, you can now share snaps to Instagram and ask your followers on that network for help.

The in-game economy has also gotten a boost. In the old version of the game, you could spend in-game coins to switch out your set of playable words for a new one. Now you can also spend those coins on hints, such as removing any incorrect letters from the board. And where coins were previously earned only by completing rounds, you can also now earn them by watching in-game video ads.

Overall, this is a really solid update to what was already a fun game. 4Snaps 2.0 is a free download on the App Store for all players.

Bloomberg reiterates new Apple TV incoming, April introduction and Christmas launch

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Following our reports in recent months that Apple was looking to introduce a revamped Apple TV set-top box sometime around the month of March, Bloomberg is out with its own report today confirming much of what we’ve already reported. The report claims Apple is currently planning to launch the new Apple TV set-top box as early as April:

Apple Inc. (AAPL) is planning to introduce a new Apple TV set-top box as early as April and is negotiating with Time Warner Cable Inc. and other potential partners to add video content, according to people with knowledge of the matter.

In January we reported that Apple was working testing the new box that could include a revamped operating system and possibly app and game support for sometime in the first half of 2014. We also reported that Apple was testing upgraded hardware that included built-in AirPort Express 802.11ac router functionality and versions that include a built-in TV tuner to control existing cable boxes. Most recently we reported that code in recent builds of iOS 7 point to refreshed hardware, at least internally. Bloomberg today confirmed a couple of the same details including a new interface for navigating content. It also said the hardware will include a faster processor.

Bloomberg adds that a launch of the product is currently planned for Christmas but that might change if Apple isn’t able to nail down deals with content partners in time. Content from Time Warner has been rumored to be arriving soon for quite a while now, but negotiations are still ongoing according to Bloomberg’s report from today.


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Flappy Bird creator promises to remove popular game from App Store by tomorrow

After reaching the top of App Store charts, the hit iOS game Flappy Bird will be removed from the App Store. According to tweets from the developer Dong Nguyen, it sounds like the game will be removed from both the iOS and Android app stores in just 22 hours. In the tweets, Nguyen says he “cannot take this anymore” and refers to the game’s success as ruining his “simple life.” He says the decision has nothing to do with legal issues. Nguyen also says he has no interest in selling the game to anyone and that he’ll continue to make games.


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Apple opens Games category in Costa Rican and Qatari App Stores

Earlier this year Apple finally allowed apps in the Games category to appear on the South African App Store. Today the company has sent out an email to developers notifying them that the same change has been made in Costa Rica and Qatar. App developers don’t have to do anything to enable their apps for sale in those stores as long as the apps have been cleared for sale in those countries.

If developers have not set their apps to be available in those countries, they’ll need to make that change before their games are available in those stores.

iOS/Android app revenue gap narrows, but iOS still miles ahead

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Business Insider created the above chart to show exactly how the revenue gap between iOS and Android apps shows up for developers.

While there’s no doubt the gap between the two platforms is narrowing, it’s also clear that in the metrics that count, iOS is still where you want to be. Ad revenue – read free apps – is where Android is making money for developers … 
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Game Center now allows developers to give cheats the red card

If you take your iOS games seriously enough to make it to the top of the Game Center Leaderboard, it can be annoying to see someone cheat their way past you with a Leaderboard hack. Previously, all developers could do about it was ask Apple to deal with the issue – but new features in iOS 7 make it possible for developers combat cheaters themselves.  We previously told you about all these new anti-cheater features for developers, but today Apple reminds devs in an update that they now have the ability to delete fake scores and block known cheaters altogether.

You can now view and manage the top 100 scores and usernames for all of your Game Center leaderboards. Protect your legitimate players by signing in to iTunes Connect to delete fake scores or block players that post fake scores. You can also restore scores and players within the same time period.

iOS 7 introduced a number of new developer tools to help block Leaderboard spam, including the ability to set realistic maximum scores and reject unsigned submissions. This latest addition goes one step further in allowing developers to directly zap fake scores after the event. Apple this week added a description of exactly how developers can combat fraud on leaderboards in its developer documentation:

After you have apps available in the App Store or Mac App Store, iTunes Connect gives you access to 30 days of scores posted to your apps’ leaderboards. If you determine that players are able to generate fraudulent scores, you can remove these scores from a leaderboard or even block individual players from posting scores. You can manage active leaderboards as follows:

  • View the top 100 scores for a given leaderboard or grouped game leaderboard.
  • Delete a specific leaderboard score from a leaderboard.
  • Restore a specific score to a leaderboard.
  • Block a player from posting scores to a given leaderboard. This deletes all scores on the leaderboard for that player.
  • Restore a player and the player’s most recent score posted before being blocked.

iTunes Connect maintains 30 days of leaderboard entries for your review: scores older than 30 days cannot be removed from a leaderboard; scores removed or players blocked cannot be restored more than 30 days after they are removed.

For instructions on how to do this, Apple refers developers to the Managing Game Center Leaderboard Activity section in the iTunes Connect Developer Guide.

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NBA Game Time apps updated for 2013-14 season w/ iOS 7 redesign, new free content, and much more

The NBA Game Time apps for both iPhone and iPad have been updated today with a redesign for iOS 7 alongside full support for the 2013-2014 regular season and new content for both free and paid subscribers.

On top of the redesign pictured in the screenshots above, the apps add home and away broadcasts for every game and archives for each nationally broadcast game for those that have an NBA League Pass. It also adds new content for free users, however, including the Game Recaps, Team Video, Player Statistics, Team Rosters, and Team Statistics features previously only available to paid users.

Version 5.1 of NBA Game Time also includes alerts for live streaming videos and push notifications for League Pass subscribers.

NBA Game Time is available for free from the App Store now as separate downloads for iPhone and iPad.

What’s New in Version 5.1

Redesigned and Optimized for iOS7

Full support for the 2013-2014 NBA regular season

NBA League Pass subscribers will now be able to enjoy both the home and away TV broadcasts from every game.

NBA League Pass subscribers will now be able to enjoy archives from each nationally broadcast game.

Game Recaps from every game now free.

Team Video from every team now free.

Player Statistics, Team Rosters, and Team Statistics now free.

Live Video alerts let you know when we’re streaming press conferences and events live.

League Pass Push Notifications now let NBA League Pass users know when games they can watch get exciting.

Many performance improvements.

iPhone app turns your iPhone 5c (and case) into ‘Connect Four’ board

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Ever since the iPhone 5c launched along with a specially-designed case, people have compared the case’s design to a the game Connect Four. Now a new app has arrived on the App Store that takes that observation and turns it into a real game. The app is called Flipcase, and the idea is pretty simple: you put your iPhone 5c case on backwards, so that the holes on the back are on top of the screen, and then take turns tapping the columns to try to connect four colored dots.

The app’s description says it’s compatible with other iPhone models, including the iPhone 5 and 5s, though it’s designed specifically with the 5c in mind. Flipcase is available for free on the App Store.

… And another cool use for the 5c case:


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Sega’s ‘The Cave’ adventure game from Monkey Island creator now available on iOS

Originally released for consoles, PC, and Mac in January, Sega today released ‘The Cave’ for iOS, a unique platformer/puzzle adventure from the creator of the popular Monkey Island franchise. It also comes to us with help from Tim Schafer’s studio Double Fine Productions– the development team behind Brütal Legend, Psychonauts, etc– so there’s definitely good reason to have high hopes for the title.

The game has players assemble a team of three characters with unique skills in order to solve various underground puzzles that pop up while exploring The Cave:

Assemble your team of three from seven unlikely adventurers, each with their own unique personalities and stories, then descend into the mysterious depths to explore locations including a subterranean amusement park and a medieval castle, not to mention a fully armed and ready-to-launch nuclear tipped ICBM. The Cave awaits.

The Cave is available now on iPad and iPhone for $4.99 on the App Store.

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Valve changes the game, announces its own Steam OS

Valve has been teasing announcements surrounding its much rumored Steam Box platform on its website, and today the company revealed “SteamOS” as the first of three announcements. There aren’t many details available just yet, but Valve says the Linux-based platform will be available soon as a “free stand-alone operating system for living room machines” and “freely licensable operating system for manufacturers.”

Steam is not a one-way content broadcast channel, it’s a collaborative many-to-many entertainment platform, in which each participant is a multiplier of the experience for everyone else. With SteamOS, “openness” means that the hardware industry can iterate in the living room at a much faster pace than they’ve been able to. Content creators can connect directly to their customers. Users can alter or replace any part of the software or hardware they want. Gamers are empowered to join in the creation of the games they love. SteamOS will continue to evolve, but will remain an environment designed to foster these kinds of innovation.

Not too long ago Valve’s Gabe Newell expressed that the biggest threat to bringing Steam and PC gaming to the living room would be if Apple got there first:

“The biggest challenge, I don’t think is from the consoles,” Newell said. “I think the biggest challenge is that Apple moves on the living room before the PC industry sort of gets its act together.”

Valve says that game developers are already optimizing new releases set for 2014  that will take advantage of “significant performance increases in graphics processing” and “audio performance and reductions in input latency” in SteamOS. Although Apple has been beefing up its Apple TV with new content recently, it looks like Valve could beat Apple when it comes to bringing its ecosystem of games to the living room.

The webpage for SteamOS also mentions four new features coming to SteamOS and the Steam client soon, including: In-home streaming, music/TV/movies, Family Sharing, and Family options. Family Sharing will let users “take turns playing one another’s games while earning your own Steam achievements and saving your individual game progress to the Steam cloud.” The in-home streaming feature will allow users to stream games from their Mac or PC to a SteamOS machine over their home network, and Family Options will provide customizable libraries for different members of your household.

The company also says it’s working with “media services” to help bring music, TV, and movies to SteamOS, so we could be looking at more of a direct Apple TV competitor than simply a game console.

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9to5Toys Last Call: $6.50 Macworld 1 yr. subscription, Free (after rebate) MEElectronics headphones & Scosche USB car charger, 50% off ZAGG, 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 round up 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, Google+.

Today’s Featured deals:

SOLD OUT Today only: 1-Year subscriptions to Macworld w/ exclusive digital access for iPad $6.50 (Reg. $84)

Free After Rebate: MEElectronics Black 3.5mm Stereo Headset, Scosche Dual USB Car Charger

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SOLD OUT 50% off ZAGG’s invisibleSHIELD screen protectors for 9to5 readers

Other great deals we love:

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9to5Toys Last Call: $539 iPad 3rd gen 64GB + LTE, stream 20 James Bond flicks in HD for free, games/apps, 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 round up 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, Google+.

Also check out the latest 9to5Mac Happy Hour to hear the latest 9to5Toys segment. During the show, there’s a mention of $50 video conversion software currently available for free and the VPN service proXPN.com available at a 20% discount.

Today’s Featured deals:

Apple iPad 3rd Gen. w/ Retina display 64GB WiFi + LTE (AT&T or Verizon) $539 Shipped

Watch 20 James Bond movies in HD for free on Amazon Prime Instant Video or if you prefer a physical copy, Bond 50: The Complete 22 Film Collection on Blu-ray $110 Shipped (Reg. $300)

App/Game Deals:

-Up to 80% off Rockstar titles, Metal Gear Rising: $28 shipped, more

-Bad Piggies: FREE, XCOM Enemy Unknown: $15, freebies, more

Readdle iOS Apps up to 70% off: Calendars+: $2, PDF Expert: $5, Printer Pro: $2, more

Other great deals we love:

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9to5Toys Last Call: $40 Waterproof Bluetooth shower speaker, $329 MacBook 2.13 GHz/4GB RAM/160GB HD (Refurb), software/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 round up 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, Google+

Today’s Featured deals:

SOLD OUT Hipe waterproof Bluetooth shower speaker $40 Shipped (Reg. $100)

SOLD OUT White 13.3” MacBook 2.13GHz/4GB RAM/160GB HD/Superdrive (refurb) $329 Shipped

Best Buy slashes new Mac prices w/extra savings for students; New Airs start at $849

Other great deals we love:

  • New! Game/App Deals: Prince of Persia Retro: FREE, Ocarina 2: FREE, PC digital downloads, more
  • New! RapidWeaver 5 Mega Bundle – Themes, Stacks, and Plug-ins $80 (Reg. $700)
  • New! Marvel Blu-ray Bundle (X-Men 1-3, X-Men First Class, Wolverine, Fantastic Four 1-2, Daredevil, Elektra) $60 Shipped
  • New! Etronic 12W Dual USB car charger: $4.50 shipped (Reg. $30)

Amusing Angry Birds Star Wars 2 video shows off first gameplay & new ‘telepods’ controller, lands Sept. 19

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Rovio hinted at Angry Birds Star Wars 2 late last week, but today we get an official announcement as well as our first look at gameplay footage and the new Hasbro “Telepods” toys, which appear to let users transfer new characters into the game. The Telepod controller will be available where toys are sold, according to the video, and a broken link to Hasbro is provided.

The game goes live September 19th according to the Angry Birds site
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9to5Toys Last Call: $170 Samsung Chromebook (Refurb), $78 Brother WiFi printer, app freebies, 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 round up 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, Google+

Today’s Featured deals:

Sold out Samsung Chromebook 11.6″ WiFi/2GB/16GB Flash (Refurb.) $170 Shipped (Reg. $250 new)

Gamers’ Deals & Free iOS EA Games: Dead Space, Mirror’s Edge, The Sims Medieval

Apple App Store 5th Anniversary Sale: Infinity Blade II, Over, Badland, Where’s My Water?, Traktor DJ, more

Civilization V enters a Brave New World with release of expansion on Mac & PC

Brother Compact Laser Printer w/ Wireless Networking and Duplex $78 Shipped (Reg. $150)

Other great deals we love:

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9to5Toys Last Call: $45 PNY 128GB flash drive (after rebate), app and game freebies & price drops, 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 round up 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:

Expires Tonight: PNY Attache 128GB Flash Drive $45 Shipped (After Rebate)

Game/App deals:

  • Borderlands 1 & 2 Bundle: $22, Tomb Raider/Sleeping Dogs/Just Cause 2 bundle: $30

  • 12 month Xbox LIVE Gold: $35 (Reg. $60)

Other great deals we love:

Non-tech deals we’re pretty sure you’ll still love:

Gerber Bear Grylls Pocket-Size Multi-Tool Survival Knife $10 + Shipping (Reg. $22)

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Award winning indie game ‘Limbo’ arrives on iOS July 3 for $4.99

The award winning indie game Limbo from independent Danish developer Playdead has made its way to just about every platform over the last few years since launching on Xbox Live in 2010 and eventually PS3, Windows, & Mac. Today, Playdead announced that it’s now created iOS ports of the game for iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch that will be arriving in the App Store next week.

We have worked very hard to bring LIMBO to as many devices as possible; rethinking the controls and performing extensive optimizations to ensure an amazing touch-based experience across iPad 2 (and higher), iPad Mini, iPhone 4S (and higher) and the latest generation of iPod Touch.

The game, which has sold over 3 million copies since it launched, will be available on the App Store July 3rd for $4.99.

This could be one of the first Apple authorized iPhone gaming controllers

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We already know that Apple has added support for game controllers in iOS7, but it appears that these plans are further along than first thought.  According to Kotaku, the above image shows an early  iOS gaming controller prototype made specifically for the iPhone 5 by gaming giant Logitech. While they weren’t forthcoming with details of where the device was seen or who showed it to them, Kotaku is standing firm that they believe this photo to be absolutely authentic.  The decision to support integrated gaming accessories is in stark contrast to Steve Jobs’ stance that such products would ruin the “elegance” of Apple devices (even though he got his start at Atari).

A reader reached out with this image from one of Apple’s WWDC sessions, which appears to show the same Logitech controller.

Bluetooth gaming devices have existed for iOS devices for quite some time but most have had limited compatibility and fragmented compatibility.  An integrated, Apple authorized (MFi) gaming controller is going to be a welcomed addition for the iOS gaming community.

3rd party gaming accessories like the iCade Mobile (Above) have existed for years


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Konami releases ‘Contra: Evolution’ for iPhone & iPad, a remixed version of the classic shooting game

Update (6/26): A US-optimized version of Contra: Evolution has been re-released this morning on the App Store and is available for download now.  This re-issued version of Contra also includes new levels, an improved control system and in-game weapon shop.

Update (6/3):  We have been told that the release of ‘Contra Evolution’ on the US App Store was a mistake.  Konami is currently developing a US version of this game that will be released later this year.  Please stay tuned for more information as it becomes available.

Today Konami released a brand new iteration in the Contra series, although it should look pretty familiar.  Contra Evolution is basically a remix of the original Contra most gamers fell in love with a long time ago in a classic arcade.  At first glance, this title appears to include enough familiarity to embrace nostalgia, while mixing in some new features and characters to keep the gameplay fresh.

https://twitter.com/gmanagent32/status/340628590146252800

Gamers can choose to play as all the original characters plus two brand new female players.  Konami boasts that the updated HD graphics and weapon system “will provide a whole new experience in the world of Contra!”

If you’re feeling nostalgic for some traditional Run n’ Gun gameplay, it’s safe to say Contra Evolution won’t disappoint.  Available as an iPhone or iPad download for $.99 each.

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Amazon launches ‘Login with Amazon’ sign-in service for iOS, Android & web

Amazon is announcing today the roll out of a new service called “Login with Amazon” t0 allow developers to easily offer an Amazon sign-in option in their apps, games, and websites. Amazon says in a trial with Zappos.com customers chose to sign in using the Login with Amazon service about 40 percent of the time, while a trial with Woot found customers using Amazon sign in “had the highest rate of order conversion”:

“Login with Amazon enables app developers and website owners to leverage Amazon’s trusted sign-in solution, allowing them to focus on providing a great experience for their customers,” said Michael Carr, Amazon Vice President, eCommerce Services. “Amazon customers now have a hassle-free way to quickly and securely sign-in to apps, games and websites, without having to remember yet another password.”

Amazon is making the service available free of charge to devs and has SDKs for both Android and iOS available to download through its new login.amazon.com website.

Logitech announces Mac OS support for G Series gaming accessories

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Previously available to Windows gamers only, Logitech today announced Mac OS X software making its recently unveiled revamped lineup of G gaming accessories available to Mac users too. Ranging from approximately $50 to $200, the G gaming products include the G700 wireless gaming mouse, G510 gaming keyboard, as well as a selection of mice, gaming headsets, and the G13 Advanced Gameboard controller.

Today, we are excited to share that Logitech Gaming Software (LGS) has been updated to support Mac OS for our full keyboard and mouse lineup. Now Mac gamers can enjoy the same great personalization and customized control our PC customers have come to reply on. You can download the latest version of LGS from the Logitech support page for each compatible product.

You can check out the full G Series of Logitech gaming accessories here and download the Mac OS X software here. As usual, Amazon has some of the best prices on the current G series accessories, while the revamped lineup will be available through Logitech later this month.
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Amazon expands in-app purchasing to games on Mac, PC, and Web platforms

Amazon just announced it would expand in-app purchasing to games on Mac, PC, and Web-based platforms, according to a press release, letting folks use their Amazon accounts to buy “virtual goods and currencies”.

Amazon’s customers can use any credit card, Amazon gift card, or Amazon credit when buying in-app items. The online retailer also offers its in-app purchasing API and services to Android and Kindle Fire, so developers from a variety of platforms can offer a “trusted and secure buying experience.”

When Amazon launched in-app purchasing for Android and Kindle fire last year, the company’s appstore director, Aaron Rubenson, explained it would take a 30-percent cut from transactions, similar to how Apple and Facebook does, but Amazon can also set pricing so developers can still receive 30 percent of the list price.

Amazon noted other benefits to today’s expansion include opening its fraud detection technology to developers, providing transaction and customer service support, and offering marketing options like in-app items available on Amazon.com via best seller lists, recommendations, campaigns, etc.

Get more information at Developer.amazon.com/games/in-app-purchasing, or check out the press release below. Amazon’s introduction video from last year on in-app purchasing is also after the break.


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