Apps

Apps of the week: Up Next, Third Eye Crime, birdStepper, and more

Some pretty awesome apps came out this week. I’m excited to spend my weekend testing out all of the cool games that made their way into the App Store after Thursday’s big launch. I’ll bet many of you are still stuck in Hitman Go mode, unwilling to come up for air until every last level is completed. I don’t blame you.

However, if you are looking for something new this weekend, we’ve got a list of apps and games that are sure to occupy your hands and your brains. Who’s going to mow the lawn…

Yomi is a battle card game that delivers on the action

On my many regular trips to my local board game store, I’ve seen this battle card game called “Yomi.” It looks really fun, but it costs $100 new. Ouch! It is one of those games I’d like to try before I buy. Unfortunately, I don’t know anyone who owns a copy, so I didn’t know if I’d like it, until now.

Sirlin Games recently developed an iPad version of Yomi that is an online, cross-platform adaptation of the card game I’ve longed for, but never invested in. After a few days of testing, it looks like my board game budget will be depleted, once again…

Fly Catbug Fly! Journey through unique worlds to collect sweet nothings

Bravest Warriors is a web cartoon from Cartoon Hangover that was written by Pendleton Ward, the same zany brain that created Adventure Time. Although I am a huge fan of Finn and Jake, I’ve never actually seen Bravest Warriors. That will probably change soon.

Fly Catbug Fly! is the first video game based on the cartoon web series staring its most adorable character. This child-voiced, ladybug-winged cat flies through the air, collecting stuff like skulls, salad bowls, and toilet paper. Help Catbug grab as much as his little wings can carry and deliver them to Impossibear. Don’t worry. I’m just as confused as you are…

Hulu Plus app updated with remote control support for game consoles

Hulu posted a significant update for its Plus iOS client this morning, bringing the app to version 3.5.2. The release includes a new remote control feature that will enable users to control the Hulu Plus experience on their Xbox One, PS3 or PS4 console using an iPhone or iPad.

Setup is a breeze. Simply launch the Hulu Plus app on your iOS (or Android) device, and it will automatically detect your gaming console. Once detected, a 'Cast' button will appear in the app, allowing you to pair your smartphone or tablet to the selected console and take control...

Pinterest app updated with new ‘Guided Search’ feature

Pinterest users may be interested to know that the photo-sharing site rolled out a major new feature to its mobile apps this morning. It's called 'Guided Search,' and it comes via an App Store update, which brings both the iPhone and iPad client to version 3.6.

Guided Search is a tool made for exploring Pinterest when you don't know exactly what you're looking for. So for example, if you enter a vague search time like 'vacation,' the tool will help you hone in on a category (i.e. camping, beach, etc) or specific location...

eBay app receives big update with new Home page, larger photos and more

Good news for eBay users this afternoon, the e-commerce giant has posted a significant update for its iOS client, bringing the app to version 3.3. The update brings about a number of new features and improvements, including a redesigned Home page, Passbook support and more.

The revamped Home page includes Watched items, Feed and eBay Deals—everything you'd want to see upon first launching the app. Other areas have been refreshed as well, with larger photos and new product reviews for items in the eBay Catalog. Full change log after the break...

RunKeeper adds new Goal Coach feature, personalized dashboard and more

Popular fitness mobile software, RunKeeper, has received a nice little update today implementing a brand new Goal Coach feature to keep you motivated, a personalized goal dashboard to go with it and more.

RunKeeper is great for the active types interested in tracking the pace of their runs, measuring workout distance, charting weight loss and what not.

Unlike some of the other health and fitness-tracking apps for the iPhone found in the App Store, RunKeeper is available free of charge. The new 4.5 version is now live so give RunKeeper a whirl if you haven't already and say 'hello' to the new you...

Robots Love Ice Cream is like Space Invaders with frozen sweet treats

I loved Space Invaders when I was a kid. Actually, I still love it. Any kind of arcade space shooter will usually peak my interest, especially if it is a vertical shooter.

Robots Love Ice Cream is similar to Space Invaders in concept, but takes on a life of its own with evil robots, tiny planets, and weaponized ice cream…

Facebook buying Moves app in a bid to join fitness-tracking fray

After acquiring virtual headset maker Oculus Rift for $2 billion (the deal got a thumbs-up from feds), Facebook now seems to be moving into the fitness tracking space with news of its latest acquisition, Finnish startup ProtoGeo Oy that created the fitness-tracking app Moves, available free in the App Store.

The development comes amid some major reshuffling in the fitness and health tracking market.

For instance, Nike is currently in the process of shuttering its wearable-hardware division that produces FuelBand-branded accessories and there are rumors that the company is collaborating with Apple on a sensor-laden fitness band that would control other devices via gestures...

Opera launches Coast browser on iPhone

After releasing the iPad-only version of Coast back in September, Opera Software on Thursday launched the iPhone edition of its WebKit-based iOS browser. Now available free in the App Store, Coast brings a clean web browsing experience to the smaller iPhone and iPod touch screen, featuring a simplified user interface with seamlessly integrated Google search, elegant animations, automatic iCloud syncing of home screen tiles and more...

Vevo launches revamped iOS app with new design, real-time feed and more

Vevo launched a new version of its iOS client this morning, bringing the app to version 3.0. The update brings about an all new design, inspired by iOS 7, as well as various other improvements including new real-time feed and mini-player features.

For those unfamiliar with Vevo, it's a video hosting service that is often referred to as the 'Hulu' of music videos. A joint venture of two of the 3 major music labels, the company offers access to more than 75,000 music videos from over 21,000 artists...

The Weather Channel app updated with all-new iOS 7 design

The Weather Channel app has long been a favorite for iOS users. It provides fast, accurate information, and offers tons of features for the more serious weather watchers. In fact, the only complaint I've ever really heard about the app had to do with its decidedly dated design.

That changed this morning, though, as the app was updated with an all-new iOS 7-inspired look. It now features rounded, translucent UI elements and larger, sharper graphics. Users will also notice that the app is much faster thanks to a number of performance improvements...