Apps

Sega’s Go Dance goes free as Apple’s App of the Week

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated January 26, 2018

It's Thursday and those who frequent iDownloadBlog know what that means as the App Store editors get to chose a new app to go free for the next seven days.

After slashing Tiny Firefighters to zero bucks last Thursday, that interactive app/book/game for kids has now gone back up to its regular asking price of $2.99. Not to worry - Apple's already named Sega's Go Dance the App Store's new App of the Week.

Launched last September and normally selling for $1.99, Go Dance was named one of the App Store's Best Of 2013 games and it's easy to see why: the game uses advanced motion-capture tech to turn your device's FaceTime camera into a motion sensor of sorts that picks up your movements while imitating avatars dance on screen.

Movements are recognized and scored in real-time and you really have to see it for yourself to fully appreciate the effect. What are you waiting for? Hit the App Store and grab your free copy of Go Dance now, go, go, go!

Paypal updated with new security features, Smart Connect support and more

Cody Lee ∙ March 6, 2014

Folks who use eBay's PayPal payment service will be happy to hear that the company updated its iOS client this morning, bringing the app to version 5.4. The update brings about an important new security feature as well as various other improvements.

The new security feature allows you to attach your mobile phone to your PayPal account so that they can be sure it's you authorizing activity. It does this by linking the phone number(s) of the device(s) you use PayPal on to your 4-digit security PIN code...

Apple to bring full-screen video iAds to iOS apps this year

Cody Lee ∙ March 5, 2014

AdAge is reporting this afternoon that Apple is looking to roll out new video iAds for iPhone and iPad later this year. Citing people with knowledge of the company's plans, the outlet says that these 'interstitial' ads will automatically play in full-screen on iOS devices.

The way it works currently, iAds are much less obtrusive: a user must click on a mobile banner for a brand's ad video to play. Under the new format, developers could opt to display TV commercial-like ads during moments of transition, like in between game levels...

Encrypted chat app ‘Cryptocat’ now available on iOS

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 16, 2018

Popular encrypted chat app Cryptocat has launched this week for iOS. Originally available as a desktop app and a browser plugin, the app offers strong encryption and secrecy for text conversations, as well as protection from government intrusion thanks to its Swedish nuclear bunker headquarters.

This week's iOS launch comes after an initial rejection by Apple's app review team in December. Cryptocat's founder Nadim Kobeissi called Apple's reason for rejection 'illegitimate,' but it's obvious someone or something had to give because the app is now available for download in the App Store...

Walking Dead: The Game S2 Ep 2 coming to iOS this week

Cody Lee ∙ March 4, 2014

Get excited Walking Dead fans. Telltale Games has just announced that the second episode of Walking Dead: The Game — Season 2 will be landing on iOS later this week. Titled 'A House Divided,' Ep2 will continue the storyline set forth in Ep 1 released back in December.

For those unfamiliar with the game, Walking Dead: The Game follows the story of Clementine, a young girl orphaned by the undead apocalypse. Left to fend for herself, she must track down other survivors, explore new locations and make gruesome decisions to stay alive...

Facebook updates Paper with new sharing options, sound settings and more

Cody Lee ∙ Updated January 24, 2018

Facebook has posted an update for its just-released Paper app this morning, bringing the app to version 1.0.2. The update adds a handful of new features, as well as several improvements including those in the form of reliability and performance.

On the new feature front, Facebook has added the ability to share articles via Facebook Messages, text message, or email. And you can also now turn off the app's sound effects so you can browse through the posts of your friends and family in peace...

Twitter ‘system error’ causes mass reset of user passwords

Cody Lee ∙ Updated May 16, 2016

Folks who received an email from Twitter tonight letting them know that their password has been reset are not alone. Thousands of users have come forward over the last 6 hours claiming that Twitter has force-reset their passwords, and requested that they create new ones.

The good news is that it doesn't sound like the social network was hacked, or overrun with nefarious bots. A spokesperson for the company has confirmed to tech site Recode that a 'system error' caused the mass reset of user passwords, and the problem should be fixed now...

How to create contact groups on iPhone and iPad

Sébastien Page ∙ Updated September 5, 2024

Learn how to create contact groups directly on your iPhone or iPad to manage your contacts better and easily send group texts and emails.

Tony Hawk working on new skateboarding game for mobile devices

Cody Lee ∙ Updated January 24, 2016

Skateboarding legend and mogul Tony Hawk revealed last night that he's working on a new skateboarding game for mobile devices. During an interview with Larry King, Mr. Hawk said that the game will have swipe-based controls and is coming this year.

Unfortunately, very few other details are known about the game—we're not even sure if it's going to launch under the familiar 'Tony Hawk Pro Skater' branding—but given Hawk's track record, we're excited. We have a clip of the Larry King interview below...

Google Maps now lets you choose multiple modes of transit

Christian Zibreg ∙ February 28, 2014

Google has been dutifully adding new features to its native Maps application for the iPhone and iPad. Just earlier this month, we saw Google Maps gain a new feature allowing users to get notified when a faster route becomes available when heading towards a destination in the navigation mode.

Today's minor update, now live in the App Store, includes the obligatory bug fixes and another new feature: an improved route planning with multiple modes of transit.

Although it seems like a minor addition, the feature is quite handy when planning your route because you are no longer limited to defining a route based on either walking, driving or biking and can instead choose multiple modes of transit...

Nearly one-third of new iOS games are Flappy Bird clones

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 16, 2018

It's been nearly three weeks since developer Dong Nguyen pulled Flappy Bird from the App Store, but its presence is still very much felt in the Top Charts. It seems every other day another clone of Nguyen's hit game pops up in the list of the most popular apps.

That's not too surprising though, considering that according to The Guardian, a big chunk of new iOS games are Flappy Bird clones. How big of a chunk? Well, looking at a group of 300 new games over 24 hours, the outlet says that one-third were FB knockoffs...

‘Tiny Firefighters’ goes free as Apple’s App of the Week

Cody Lee ∙ February 28, 2014

Apple has named 'Tiny Firefighters' by Wonderkind its App of the Week for this week. This means that through next Thursday, you’ll be able to pick up the application for both your iPhone and iPad, for free—a nice little savings of $1.99.

For those unfamiliar with it, Tiny Firefighters is an interactive app/book/game for kids that's both fun and educational. Help the firefighters and police officers perform their duties around town by putting out fires and catching burglars...