Mittens by Disney pounces onto iPhone and iPad [review]

By Jim Gresham on Apr 11, 2013

Disney made quite the name for themselves in the iOS app world with hit titles like Where’s My Water?, Where’s My Perry?, and more recently Monsters, Inc. Run. Christian previously mentioned Disney’s new physics puzzler Mittens would be a good one to keep your eye on. After spending a bit of my weekend with my new favorite feline friend, alley cat Mittens, I am happy to report that Disney has done it again.

The physics based puzzler is everything I have come to expect from my preferred iOS games. I’m not one to sit on the couch and plow through games on my iPad mini, but I do really like the pick up and play nature of this particular genre. It seems Disney may be perfecting this style game as it continues to develop quick, fun, and pleasing games anyone can immediately play with a small learning curve… Read More

 

Mr. Runner 2: The Masks confirmed for April 24

By Christian Zibreg on Apr 10, 2013

Mr. Runner, in case you aren’t aware of it, is Zing Games’ endless runner with an interesting side-scrolling twist and nice retro-like graphics. People downloaded it over five million times so it has some respectable following out there. Two and a half years later, Zing is set to release a sequel, titled Mr. Runner 2: The Masks.

Exploiting the side-scrolling mechanics further, Mr. Runner 2 adds a bunch of colorful backgrounds that should shine on Retina screens (art direction indeed looks stunning), 32 level across four dream-like worlds worlds with different themes and challenges, plus the new cartoony characters.

I’ll be on the lookout for this one when it hits the App Store on April 24, that’s for sure. By the way, there’s more to this trailer than meets the eye. Read on for the full disclosure… Read More

 

LookAway Player brings Galaxy S4-like Smart Pause eye-tracking to iPhone

By Christian Zibreg on Apr 10, 2013

Samsung has been promoting its eye-tracking technology, which debuted on the Galaxy S3, for some time now. As an S3 owner, I must say I wasn’t impressed with the handset’s ability to automatically shut down the display when looking away: it’s taxing on the battery and not very reliable. With the Galaxy S4, which is scheduled to go on sale by end of April, Samsung is doubling down on eye-tracking with a few related new features like Smart Scroll and Smart Pause.

And now, a new iPhone app has been released which brings the Smart Pause-like functionality to the iPhone… Read More

 

Famed Mac dev Panic teases mysterious iPad app, coming tomorrow

By Christian Zibreg on Apr 9, 2013

Panic is one of my favorite Mac developers, was even more so in the pre-iPhone days when top-notch Mac apps were somewhat few and far between.

Now, Panic has successfully transitioned itself to the world of concurrent Mac/iOS development, having released a very nice iOS SSH app aptly named Prompt.

And if you’re a web developer, an iPad version of Coda is a must-have. The firm has kept mum on its future iOS releases, but they’ve been obviously working behind the scenes on a major new app. Both a tweet and the Panic web site now tease the upcoming software, with a ticker on panic.com reading “current status: this Wednesday, a brand new iPad app from Panic.”

UPDATE: we think we know what the app is about and you’re going to love it! Go past the fold for the full disclosure… Read More

 

Rdio launches new Vdio streaming video service

By Cody Lee on Apr 3, 2013

Last week we heard a rumor that music subscription service Spotify was looking to get into the streaming video space. But it looks like their rival has beat them to it. Today, Rdio has launched its own streaming video service called Vdio.

But unlike what we heard about Spotify’s plans, Vdio doesn’t really look like a Netflix competitor. It’s actually a lot more like iTunes, in that it will let you rent and purchase videos from the service and then stream them to your devices… Read More

 

Duke Nukem II smashes its way onto your iPhone and iPad

By Christian Zibreg on Apr 3, 2013

As promised, Interceptor Entertainment and 3D Realms today launched Duke Nukem II for the iPhone and iPad on the App Store. The legendary game has made it to Apple’s mobile platform as part of its 20th anniversary. Generation Y readers will remember that the original Duke Nukem II had been released way back in 1993 for Microsoft’s DOS.

It was then followed by Duke Nukem 3D in 1996, a Nintendo Game Boy Color port in 1999 and Duke Nukem Forever in 2011. The iOS version is an enhanced port of the original, which means souped up VGA graphics, a new soundtrack, online leaderboards and more. If you’ve enjoyed the original release, you’ll be delighted to know that all of the 32 original levels have made it to the iOS version… Read More

 

Rovio bringing its Facebook hit ‘Angry Birds Friends’ to iOS

By Cody Lee on Apr 3, 2013

With more than 6 different games from the Angry Birds franchise bouncing around in the App Store, we probably didn’t need another one. But we’re getting one. Rovio announced today that its bringing its Facebook hit ‘Angry Birds Friends’ to iOS.

‘Angry Birds Friends’ combines classic Angry Birds gameplay with Facebook integration and other social features. Players can challenge their Facebook friends in weekly tournaments, collect daily awards and send and receive gifts of power-ups… Read More

 

Meet Mittens, Disney’s new physics-based puzzler

By Christian Zibreg on Mar 30, 2013

Who would have thought Disney Interactive would ever produce a smash hit for the iPhone? Seemingly against all odds, that’s exactly what the company has accomplished with its charming puzzler, Where’s My Water? (free, $0.99 universal). The game knocked Rovio’s Angry Birds off the top spot on the App Store’s list of paid apps just 24 hours following its release and ratcheted up a million downloads in its first month of release, enough to score an Apple Design Award for iPhone apps.

Where’s My Water? was also Apple’s 25 billionth app download and was featured in a free download promotion. Disney, of course, wasted no time building a merchandising business around the game. But that was 2012. Now in 2013, Disney is looking to replicate its success with a brand new physics-based puzzler involving kittens and aptly named Mittens. Have a look at the official trailer and jump past the fold for additional info… Read More

 

Grab your Arc reactor and suit up: Iron Man 3 smashes onto iOS on April 25

By Christian Zibreg on Mar 28, 2013

Tony Stark is back, in style! Not only is he the star of a second Iron Man sequel, Iron Man 3, but you also get to play as the eccentric billionaire in a movie tie-in launching on iOS and Android soon, in time for the flick’s domestic May 3 release.

French games maker Gameloft did a nice job on the original Iron Man and Iron Man 2 games so small wonder they’re behind this latest installment, too. And if the first gameplay trailer is an indication, we’re in for a surprise: Iron Man 3 appears to incorporate juicy graphics and fast-paced action as you lead Tony fighting the AIM around the world to prevent their dark schemes from succeeding… Read More

 

Final Fantasy V hits the App Store

By Christian Zibreg on Mar 28, 2013

Twenty years following its original release on SNES, Square Enix’s Final Fantasy V has landed on the iPhone and iPad. The game invites you travel the lands commanding a band of four in search for the mysterious crystals that control the four elements – earth, water, fire and wind – thereby bringing peace and prosperity to the world.

These things have lost their power and are on the verge of destruction so you must find a way to restore their power. The iOS version also includes The Sealed Temple from the 2006 release, the Tetsuya Nomura-designed optional boss Enuo and an all-new soundtrack… Read More

 

Plants vs. Zombies 2 launching early this summer

By Christian Zibreg on Mar 27, 2013

Plants vs. Zombies, a tower defense game originally published by PopCap Games for Microsoft Windows and Mac OS X, hit Apple’s iOS platform in February 2010. The title has some ardent following and though I’ve never been a huge fan, it’s true that the iPhone and iPad versions helped the game take off in a big way. PopCap announced today that a sequel, unimaginatively titled Plants vs. Zombies 2, will be launching early this summer… Read More

 

Quick review: Handy Photo for iPhone and iPad

By Christian Zibreg on Mar 26, 2013

Sebastien and I share a passion for iPhone photography so when he asked me to take a look at Handy Photo the other day, I was overly excited. So what does this new photography app does that your favorite software can’t? How about AntiCrop and TouchRetouch, two interesting features that work a lot like content-aware fill in Photoshop?

Or, perhaps you’ll be impressed by the ability to perform complex touch ups and work with 36-megapixel images (not a typo)? The promo video is a bit cheesy and heavy on superlatives, but it does a nice job highlighting key features of this handy program. I’ve included more info and a few screenies after the break… Read More

 

XCOM: Enemy Unknown iOS port due this summer, Mac build launches April 24

By Christian Zibreg on Mar 25, 2013

If you’re fond of complex strategy games that go past the Command & Conquer series (which, in my personal opinion, doesn’t look and play well on iPhones and iPads), you should jump with joy on news that developer Firaxis and publisher 2K Games are porting XCOM: Enemy Unknown, the popular turn-based tactical role-playing strategy, to Apple’s platform.

The game has some pretty ardent following and a port for iOS was officially announced at a PAX East panel on this past Saturday. What’s in it for you and why should you care? Go past the fold more some more tidbits… Read More

 

New free to play Warcraft game coming to iPad

By Christian Zibreg on Mar 22, 2013

Blizzard, the maker of the enormously popular Warcraft RPG series, today announced it will be bringing out a new iPad game set in the Warcraft universe. And, in following recent trends, Blizzard has made a welcomed decision to make Hearthstone: Heroes of Warcraft free to play. It’s a strategy card game akin to Magic: The Gathering, one which sports “quick and lively duels that evoke the spirit of a friendly match played beside a crackling tavern fire.” I’ve included more details right past the fold… Read More

 

Final Fantasy V reportedly landing on iOS later this month

By Cody Lee on Mar 20, 2013

Good news Final Fantasy fans, a new report is out this afternoon claiming that the highly anticipated iOS port of the popular RPG’s fifth episode will be happening in the not-so-distant future.

Famitsu is reporting that Final Fantasy V is set to hit iOS and Android devices in Japan by the end of the month, with launches in the United States and elsewhere expected shortly after… Read More

 

Potentially disruptive live-streaming app from ABC in the works

By Christian Zibreg on Mar 19, 2013

After CBS last week unveiled its free iOS app that gives you access to the network’s popular shows 24 hours or more after they air, we learn now that ABC is working on its own app for tablets and smartphones, one potentially making ABC the first of the American broadcasters to provide a live Internet stream of national and local programming, potentially very disruptive given the incumbent’s existing business models. Of course, you won’t get to stream premium ABC programming free of charge as a paid cable or satellite subscription will be required to use the app.

Nevertheless, the ability to watch such ABC shows as ‘Good Morning America’ and ‘Nashville’ on your iPhone or iPad as they broadcast could finally blur the artificial line between mobile devices and the traditional venues through which content providers distribute their linear programming… Read More

 

App with hidden Game Boy Advance emulator surfaces on App Store (update: pulled)

By Christian Zibreg on Mar 19, 2013

At first glance, there’s nothing suspicious about Awesome Baby Names, the innocently named $2 app for your iPhone which, as the name suggests, lets you create awesome baby names for your newborn child. On closer inspection, and provided you’re privy to a secret trick, developer Ian Jackson hid a Game Boy Advance emulator.

You can unlock it easily by employing a series of taps. Apple will no doubt remove this app as soon as its review team wakes up and finds out about the reports so download it now before it’s too late.

UPDATE: Wow, that was fast, Apple has just removed the app.

If you were quick enough to download it, your secret code is right after the break… Read More

 

Duke Nukem II coming to iOS in April

By Christian Zibreg on Mar 15, 2013

Duke Nukem II side-scroller, which celebrates its 20th anniversary, is coming to Apple’s iPhone and iPad in April, Interceptor Entertainment and 3D Realms announced. The universal binary will be priced at $1.99 and include all of the 32 level from the original levels, enhanced with multitouch controls, a new soundtrack, refreshed graphics, online leaderboards and more. Above is the launch trailer above for a look at Duke Nukem 2 iOS in action and I’ve included a few more details right after the break… Read More

 

CBS releases free iOS streaming app

By Christian Zibreg on Mar 14, 2013

Eager to watch episodes of CSI or Survivor on your iPhone, iPod or iPad? Now you can, as CBC this morning released a major new streaming software which gives Apple’s iOS devices free access to the network’s popular shows like The Late Show with David Letterman, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, Survivor, Catch NCIS, How I Met Your Mother, The Young and the Restless and Elementary. Some of the shows will stream via the app 24 hours after they air, but most of the shows are being offered eight days following their initial broadcast… Read More

 

Rovio launches DreamWorks tie-in, The Croods

By Christian Zibreg on Mar 14, 2013

As promised, Angry Birds maker Rovio on Thursday launched its brand new game for iOS and Android devices, The Croods. Basically a movie tie-in based on The Croods, the upcoming CG animated feature film by DreamWorks Animation, the game follows the movie storyline and features nice looking landscapes, a bunch of creatures and puzzles that will put your gray matter to the test… Read More

 
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