New Apps & Games

BBM sees 5 million downloads in first 8 hours of availability

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated May 16, 2016

Less than eight hours after officially hitting Apple's App Store and Google's Play store, the BlackBerry Messenger app (free download) has seen more than five million active downloads on iOS and Android combined, BlackBerry announced in a tweet.

The messaging application is a staggered rollout which employs a reservation system to prevent the kind of a server strain seen after the Android build had leaked out prematurely. According to some repots, there's a workaround that could let you use the app without waiting...

BlackBerry Messenger for iPhone is here, get downloading

Christian Zibreg ∙ October 21, 2013

After months-long back and forth, the horribly embattled Canadian smartphone maker BlackBerry, formerly Research In Motion, has announced that its BlackBerry Messenger (BBM) software has finally rolled out to iOS and Android devices today.

Announced as a staggered roll-out for Apple's App Store and Google's Play store, the secure instant messaging software employs a reservation system.

That's bad news for those who haven't signed up early at BBM.com as they will be forced to wait in line before they can use the app. On September 22, BlackBerry was forced to halt the planned roll-out of BBM for iOS after a leaked Android build had caused its servers to fold...

Remastered Sonic The Hedgehog 2 and Sega’s 2013 winter iOS lineup announced

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated January 23, 2018

Sega's Sonic games for the iPhone and iPad are as popular as on any other platform and the games maker has certainly given its best issuing updates with new levels and discounting the Sonic games on the App Store.

In addition to Sonic, Sega is one of the most prolific game developers whose varied releases for Apple's platform include Crazy Taxi, After Burner Climax, Jet Set Radio and lots of other iOS titles, even including exclusives such as Sonic Jump.

Sega of America on Monday announced its 2013 winter iOS lineup, including a remastered version of Sonic The Hedgehog 2 and a brand new game called Sonic & Sega All-Stars Racing: Transformed. I've included detailed information above the fold...

Real Steel: World Robot Boxing hits iOS

Christian Zibreg ∙ October 17, 2013

Time to fight some larger-than-life robots! I'm not sure why exactly Real Steel hasn't done so well at the box office, but I've had a great time watching the movie (twice) and thought Huge Jackman fit the role perfectly. If you haven't seen it, Real Steel is based on the 1956 short story Steel by Richard Matheson and follows former boxed Charlie Kenton who owns the aging robot Ambush.

It's year 2020 and human boxers have been replaced by robots so cash-strapped Kenton makes a living by sending Ambush to fight other robots in tournaments across the country. The animatronics, stunts, special effects and acting are all very smooth.

DreamWorks, whose movie-making arm released the movie, has released a new tie-in, Real Steel: World Robot Boxing, for the iPhone and iPad as a free to play download on worldwide App Stores (the game previously soft-launched on the New Zealand App Store only)...

Microsoft launches official Remote Desktop app for iOS

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 13, 2018

Earlier this month, Microsoft issued a press release detailing its plans for a number of software releases this fall. Among the titles mentioned was a new Remote Desktop app for iOS and Android, which it said was coming later this month.

And today, Microsoft made good on that promise. The official Remote Desktop app has landed in both Apple and Google app stores, giving Windows users the ability to access their Windows machines from their smartphones and tablets...

Batman: Arkham Origins now available for iPhone and iPad as free to play download

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated February 19, 2018

The Batman Arkham series made its way to the iOS platform with the release of Batman Arkham City Lockdown in December 2011. For those who haven't played the game, you basically were challenged to battle against Arkham City’s most dangerous villains. With the console version of Batman: Arkham Origins now just around the corner, Warner Bros. Entertainment figured it should drum up the excitement by pushing a mobile version ahead of the October 25 console edition launch.

This free to play mobile game looks great and is available now worldwide on the App Store so do give it a whirl, especially if you're into action games and the Batman series...

New Boxie app promises to ‘prettify your Dropbox’

Cody Lee ∙ Updated March 14, 2018

I've never thought that there was anything wrong with Dropbox's iPhone client. It works well enough for me. But there are some folks who think the app lacks features, is tough to use, and isn't visually appealing.

Well if you happen to fall into that category, you may be interested in Boxie. The app, which launched today, promises to 'prettify' your Dropbox with a clean, easy-to-use user interface and several handy features...

Oyster brings its unlimited e-book subscription service to iPad

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated January 23, 2018

If you read a lot but find electronic books Apple offers on its iBook Store a tad pricey, you should consider Oyster, an awesome subscription-based e-book service that gives you unlimited access to over a hundred thousand titles for a flat monthly fee of just $9.95.

'The Netflix of e-books,' as some call this New York-based startup, launched last month as a private beta on an invite-only basis on Apple's iPhone and iPod touch.

Today, the service announced it is now open to everyone. Moreover, they've released a new version of the iPhone app which adds native iPad support ahead of Apple's October 22 media event. I have more information right after the break...

Nike’s iPhone 5s M7-optimized Move app landing on November 6

Christian Zibreg ∙ October 16, 2013

Cody told you about Nike's second-generation FuelBand fitness bracelet that was announced at yesterday's media event in New York City. The $149 Nike+ FuelBand SE accessory is coming November 6, bringing with it Bluetooth 4.0 support for low-power performance, in addition to hourly reminders, a clock mode and support for the iPhone 5s’s new M7 chip.

As a sidenote, the accompanying media release mentions that the Nike+ Move app which Apple's marketing boss Phil Schiller showed off briefly during the iPhone 5s/5c keynote is coming to the App Store the same day, on Wednesday, November 6, 2013...

New Square Cash service allows you to send money via email

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 14, 2018

Square opened up its Square Cash service to the public today, after spending several months in beta. The service allows users in the United States to send money to one another using nothing but an email address and a debit card.

The service is easy to use. Transactions are free, and there's no need to setup an account to process them. Money can be exchanged by sending an email with a dollar amount in the subject line and cash@square.com in the CC field...

Final Fantasy VII iOS release could be ‘years away,’ says Square Enix

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated October 24, 2017

Square Enix director Takashi Tokita recently confirmed to the gaming blog Kotaku that Final Fantasy VI will be hitting iOS and Android this winter.

Though the exec dropped hints about Final Fantasy VII being considered for mobile, he was quick to stress that no definite decision has been reached yet.

It seems now that a mobile Final Fantasy VII edition may be "years away" due to space limitations. I have the full story right after the break...

Angry Birds Go! arriving December 11, here’s new gameplay video

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated January 26, 2016

Angry Birds maker back in June teased its upcoming Angry Birds-themed kart racing game. Named Angry Birds Go, the game will be set on a 3D Piggy Island and include tons of characters with unique special powers and a fully rendered 3D world.

Then in August, the Finnish developer released more information, revealing the title will be a tie in with energy drinks maker Red Bull.

On Tuesday, Rovio gave us a release date and published a gameplay video which shows off game mechanics while revealing a bunch of bird and pig characters from the Angry Birds series. I've included the video and a few additional tidbits right after the break...