Apps

Apple puts into effect 14-day return policy on digital purchases in Europe

Christian Zibreg ∙ December 29, 2014

Apple typically handles refunds of digital purchases on a case-by-case basis and with an “All Sales Final” provision. But now, Apple's reportedly switched to a 14-day return policy for movies, TV shows, music, books and apps in most European markets, including the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy and France, German blog iFun.de [Google Translate] reported Monday.

Apple's updated policy in these countries states that customers can now cancel their digital purchase within fourteen days from when they received their receipt “without giving any reason,” with the exception of iTunes Match, Season Pass, Multi-Pass and iTunes Gift Cards and Allowances that can't be refunded once you have redeemed the code or activated the service.

Apple names hilarious platformer Icycle: On Thin Ice its new Free App of the Week

Christian Zibreg ∙ December 29, 2014

Apple's promotion that makes hand-picked apps and games available at no cost for a week typically falls on Thursday.

Given the holiday iTunes freeze, which ended on Sunday, Apple's editors couldn't make changes to the App Store so they haven't gotten around cherry-picking another Free App of the Week until yesterday evening.

A cool adventure platformer called Icycle: On Thin Ice by UK-based published Chillingo, now a division of Electronic Arts, is available at no cost until next Thursday, normally a $2.99 value. Regardless of the fact that it includes optional In-App Purchases, Icycle scored some rather favorable reviews and it fits the holiday theme perfectly so you should give it a whirl.

Step into a world of fantasy with The Last Monster Master

Lory Gil ∙ December 29, 2014

Choice of Games is an up-and-coming app developing company that I’m definitely keeping my eyes on. You may recall that my last weekend app list included “Creatures Such as We” as one to look out for. This week, the company launched another choose-your-own-adventure book and this one is filled with giant, toothy, scaly creatures.

The Last Monster Master is a text-based multiple-choice game book that puts the reader into the character of a Monster Master, which is a telepathic person with the ability to communicate with the beasts of the underworld. As a Master, you are charged with training monsters, as well as making sure they don’t turn on humanity and destroy everything.

Apple not running free 12 Days of Christmas promotion this year

Jake Smith ∙ Updated April 17, 2018

For the last six years Apple has been running its "12 Days of Christmas" promotion in the UK, and did so last year in both the UK and US "12 Days of Gifts". It joyed customers by giving away iOS apps, music, films and books over the twelve days following Christmas Day. However as noticed first by MacWorld, it appears Apple is discontinuing its holiday tradition in 2014/2015.

We're now three days out of Christmas, and any type of promotion can't be found. MacWorld reports from a reliable source that we're definitely not seeing the "12 Days of Christmas" app this year.

Apple’s Beats Music reportedly wants to fuel engagement with exclusive album releases

Jake Smith ∙ Updated April 17, 2018

Apple's Beats Music, with Jimmy Iovine and Dr. Dre at the helm, is looking to form partnerships with artists for exclusive releases, mirroring success iTunes has had in the past, reports New York Post.

Specific artists haven't been named, however Beats Music has strong partnerships with artists already, from its promotion and endorsements of Beats headphones. Nicki Minaj frequently stars with Beats products in her music videos. Will.i.am, Pharrell, Kanye West and Gwen Stefani are said to be friends of Iovine and Beats lovers.

Developer gives ultimate Christmas present by paying off parents’ mortgage [Video]

Jake Smith ∙ December 27, 2014

Developer of iPhone video editing app Videoshop, Joe Riquelme, has my nomination for son of the year award. Riquelme surprised his parents with what may be one of the ultimate Christmas gifts - stopping them from ever having to deal with Bank of America again.

The best Notification Center widgets of 2014

Lory Gil ∙ Updated October 14, 2018

When Apple first revealed that iOS users would be able to access information from the Lock screen in iOS 8, I wasn’t that excited. I’ve never had a problem just unlocking my iPhone and opening the app I want to get information from. However, once Notification Center extensions became available, I was hooked. Now, I’ve got to-do lists, weather forecasts, news updates, and all kinds of widgets sitting on my Today view.

Everyone at iDB is excited about widgets, so it was pretty easy to come up with a big list of nominations. However, it was hard to narrow it down to the best one. With much hair pulling involved, we came to a final vote. The list below reveals our winner for best Notification Center widget, as well as the runner-ups. Since the feature has only existed for a few months, we are not going to name any “best ever” widget this year.

Apps of the Week: Pandemic, Carcassone, Quarriors, and more

Lory Gil ∙ Updated April 18, 2018

This week was a bit dry for new apps and games. The iTunes Connect app store freeze will have definitely had an affect on launches. Instead of spotlighting new titles for you to check out while avoiding the in-laws, this weekend, we are bringing families together.

Today, we’ve got a list of pass-and-play iPad games that you can participate in with your family. If you are looking for a way to bond with cousin Dan, see if a bit of friendly competition (or cooperation) from the list below will turn you into gaming buddies for life.

The best apps with Touch ID support of 2014

Lory Gil ∙ December 26, 2014

I still remember the first time I used Touch ID to unlock my iPhone. It was like magic. I’ve gotten so used to the feature that unlocking my iPad Air just feels like an exhausting experience. Why can’t I just touch the Home button to unlock everything, like my bike lock, my front door, or the trunk of my car? With iOS 8, Apple granted third-party apps the ability to use biometrics to unlock their apps, too. Now, any supported app you have can be set up to require your grubby paw so you don’t have to exhaust yourself by typing in those dang passwords.

The writing team at iDB have taken a few moments to decide which Touch ID-supported apps were worth mentioning. Then, we voted on our favorites. Today, we’ve got a list of the winner and runner-ups. Since Touch ID extensions are only a few months old, we’ve skipped the part about spotlighting the best app ever.

TimeCube sends you on a time traveling adventure

Lory Gil ∙ Updated February 9, 2018

Most arcade games put you behind the controls of a ship or object that you must maneuver around to avoid being hit by some obstacle. It is a game mechanic that we are so familiar with that it is difficult to imagine any other way to do it.

TimeCube takes those rules and tosses them out into the infinite universe. Instead of controlling your ship, you control the environment around it. You don’t have the ability to move obstacles out of the way, but you can slow down or speed up time to avoid being hit.

Jump looks retro like Pong, but plays like a 21st century arcade game

Lory Gil ∙ Updated February 4, 2018

Pong may be have been created 42 years ago, but its legacy lives on in the hearts of gamers everywhere. It also lives on in the design aesthetic of game developers. Its minimalist visage may have been a necessity of the times, but it got the job done with very little visual details and still made for an excellent video game.

Jump has a similar artistic appeal. It is made up of dashes and dots. However, don’t let the looks fool you. This is nothing like Pong when it comes to game mechanics. You might think it is more fun, depending on your opinion of arcade games.