Welcome back everyone to our weekly roundup of noteworthy iOS releases. We've seen some great new apps and games land over the past 7 days, from new remote desktop control software from Google, to a new Wii-like bowling game for Apple TV, so you don't want to miss this week's picks.
Rolocule, the veteran developers behind games like Motion Tennis and Dance Party, is back with perhaps its most ambitious title ever called Bowling Central. At its core, the game offers a stellar mobile bowling experience, with state-of-the-art physics, stunning 3D graphics and over 30 unique challenges. But things get really interesting when you turn on your Apple TV.
Utilizing Apple's AirPlay Mirroring technology, Bowling Central can stream gameplay footage from your iOS device to your television set by way of Apple TV. This not only gives you a much better view of the game, but it also frees up your iPhone or iPod touch to be used as a controller for what is best described as a Wii-like gaming experience. Here, check out the demo:
Apple is still hard at work on iOS 8.1.3, issuing a second beta (build 12B466) to retail employees in its testing group yesterday. The firmware was expected to be released to the public this week, but according to a report from MacRumors, engineers are still trying to iron out bugs.
The site notes that it continues to see a steady uptick of visits from devices running iOS 8.1.3, and iDB can confirm we're seeing similar patterns in our own analytics (above). This again suggests that a public release is imminent, but whether it'll be this week or next we don't know.
Mobile game developers Ustwo published a blog post today revealing some interesting figures on their hit game Monument Valley. For those unfamiliar with the title, it's a popular indie puzzler that took home several awards and was Apple's iPad Game of the Year in 2014.
Among the stats provided by the devs is that Monument Valley has been installed on over 10 million unique devices since it debuted in April last year. Due to piracy and promotions, it's only seen around 2.4 million "official sales," but that still translates into $5.8 million.
Apple has just named ZEN Studios' 'Marvel Pinball' its App of the Week for this week. This means that from now through next Thursday, you’ll be able to pick up the popular arcade game for both iPhone and iPad for free—saving you a buck.
Marvel Pinball combines your favorite super heroes with a fast-paced arcade experience. In the game, players are tasked with using they're pinball skills to help the legendary Marvel heroes rid their universe of a horde of notorious super villains.
Apple has seeded a new beta of its upcoming OS X Yosemite 10.10.2 this evening. The update, labeled build 14C99d, is available through the Update tab in the Mac App Store and the Dev Center for all registered Mac developers.
Today’s release comes just a week after the previous OS X 10.10.2 beta, and Apple has again asked developers to focus their testing efforts on Wi-Fi connectivity—a long-standing Yosemite issue—as well as Mail and VoiceOver.
A new survey finds that nearly 1-in-5 iPhone 6 owners are planning to buy the Apple Watch when it launches later this year. ZDNet points to the data, published by marketing research firm Credit Suisse, which shows 18% of iPhone 6 or 6 Plus owners polled said they would "definitely" be buying Apple's new wearable.
Additionally, 11% of those queried said that they would "probably" be purchasing the Apple Watch when it's released, and another 27% described the likelihood that they would be getting one as "maybe." Out of those in the "no" category, 27% said they would "probably not" be getting it, and 18% answered "definitely not."
Samsung has recently approached BlackBerry with an acquisition offer, reports Reuters. Citing a person familiar with the matter, the outlet says that the Korean electronics giant offered as much as $7.5 billion to buy the struggling handset-maker.
Google today launched mobile apps on iOS and Android for its Classroom initiative. The service, which has seen 30+ million assignments submitted since its debut last summer, aims to help teachers save time, paper, and improve communication with students.
The app adds even more efficiency, allowing teachers to issue and track assignments from their phone or tablet. Students will enjoy it as well, as it lets them view and work on homework, with the ability to import from other apps, and live chat with classmates.
Apple, Google, Intel and Adobe have reached an agreement that would settle their long-standing antitrust class action lawsuit with Silicon Valley employees, reports Reuters. The suit, filed in 2011, accused the 4 tech giants of conspiring to avoid poaching each other's employees in an effort to keep a lid on salaries.
Cricket Australia launched a new channel on Apple TV this week, reports The Sydney Morning Herald, making it the first sports streaming channel on the set-top box in the country. The move will bring high-definition and exclusive content to fans down under.
Yesterday we reported that Apple had released a new iOS 8.2 beta to developers, and that it enables pairing with the upcoming Apple Watch and its companion app. Today, 9to5Mac is out with a new report detailing that app and what it's capable of.
Citing a source familiar with the project, the outlet's Mark Gurman says that the "Companion" app has the ability to manage settings for Apple Watch apps, as well as settings for the wearable itself so users can customize how it interacts with iOS.