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Modern Combat 4 Zero Hour sbarca su App Store (Video)
Come annunciato da Gameloft oggi è finalmente disponibile il nuovo capitolo del titolo genere FPS più famoso in ambito mobile, Modern Combat 4 Zero Hour arriva su iOS e ridefinisce il concetto di gaming innalzando la qualità grafica ad un livello superiore, mantenendo un gamestyle collaudato ed ua giocabilità ottima, figlia delle precedenti esperienze di Gameloft. Il titolo ricalca le più blasonate esperienze in ambito console e si arricchisce con una nuova modalità multiplayer e un inedito sistema di specializzazioni . Lo sparatutto numero 1 per smartphone è tornato con un nuovo capitolo che supera ancora una volta i limiti dei giochi portatili. La modalità campagna comincerà dopo un terribile incidente nucleare, l’unica speranza per impedire la catastrofe globale giace nelle mani di pochi soldati, che devono rintracciare e salvare i leader mondiali da un gruppo di terroristi.
Windows 8 App Store Hits 13,000 Apps
Microsoft recently launched their new Windows 8 App store along with the launch of Windows 8, and now it would appear that there around 13,000 apps in the Windows 8 App store.
According to a recent report from Win App Update, Microsoft has added roughly 3,000 apps to the Windows 8 app store in the last 8 days and are on target to hits 20,000 apps by the end of November.
It looks like Microsoft is on target to add around 10,000 apps to the Windows 8 app store per month, if it continues at the same rate, which would mean that there would be around 30,000 apps available by the end of the year.
Source The Next Web
Angry Birds sequel ‘Bad Piggies’ launches today on iPad, we go hands-on
Finnish game studio Rovio went from relatively unknown to center stage with the Angry Birds franchise. And in record time, too — the first Angry Birds landed on Apple’s iOS App Store in December 2009, less than three years ago, and has since become an international sensation. The birds spawned a flock of sequels, branded tie-ins, and tons of merchandise. All this adds up to quite a bit of chicken scratch for Rovio, and also quite a bit of pressure to keep the money train rolling.
Today marks Rovio’s first true sequel to the original Angry Birds, and it’s focused on the other side of the farm: the pigs. Enter Bad Piggies. Unlike Angry Birds, Bad Piggies isn’t about flinging anything towards a complicated structure in order to knock it down. Instead, it’s about moving one very green, goofy sounding pig to various points on a map to collect items and reach a goal — it’s much more Cut the Rope than Angry Birds. The same physics-based game mechanics are at play in Bad Piggies that made both Cut the Rope and Angry Birds so popular, and they’re just as fun in this time around. But how do you get said piggy to the goals? You build a contraption, of course.
Each level starts with a build section, allowing players to create all types of vehicles in order to transport the pig from point A to point B (while grabbing collectibles along the way). Only a small handful of build options are available, keeping Bad Piggies just as speedy of a game — to pick up and play while commuting or while waiting at the dentist’s office — as its wildly successful progenitor. It’s hard to say if Bad Piggies will recapture the success that Rovio found with Angry Birds proper, but all the hallmarks are there: quick, fun gameplay, colorful characters, goofy sounds, and accessibility (we couldn’t help but get all three stars on every level, but you don’t have to in order to proceed, should it prove too difficult). Bad Piggies launches tomorrow morning for iOS devices, Mac, and Android.
iOS dice addio a YouTube. Ecco le alternative in App Store per iPhone e iPad
Se ancora non ve ne siete accorti – ma è improbabile – una volta aggiornato il vostro iDevice a iOS 6 è scomparsa l’icona dell’applicazione “YouTube”, di default nel pacchetto dell’OS sin dalle prime versioni del software. Le motivazioni e le contrattazioni dietro questa mossa le abbiamo analizzate in precedenza, ma non cambiano le carte in tavolo: ora dobbiamo far rifermento all’App Store per poter accedere al noto servizio di video sharing tramite applicazione. Nel parco applicazioni iOS è già sbarcata l’app ufficiale sviluppata da Google per iPhone, ma gli sviluppatori di terze parti non hanno perso tempo e hanno sfruttato subito l’occasione, rilasciando e scontando le loro app per intercettare l’enorme fetta d’utenza.
In questo articolo abbiamo deciso di raccogliere le alternative più valide all’app a cui eravamo abituati, che si interfacciano con il servizio di YouTube e ne sfruttano le sue funzioni, sia per iPhone che per iPad. Questa lista é specialmente indicata per i possessori di iPad, che per ora possono accedere a YouTube solo da browser, e non trovano al momento un’app ufficiale nello Store.
Facebook App Center launches tonight on Android and iOS with access to over 600 apps
The next big thing for Facebook? Apparently, acting as a guide to which apps users may want to check out on their Android or iOS devices. Its App Center is launching tonight with a listing of over 600 curated apps and just as the leaks indicated, puts your friends recommendations of what to use front and center. The app center itself is available on the mobile device’s Facebook apps or the desktop website, where users can send apps to their phone and then get redirected to the App Store / Google Play to download it if necessary. Facebook also has guidelines for developers on how they can get their software in front of a few more eyeballs (we haven’t read them, but we’re guessing a tie-in with the Book of Face won’t be frowned upon).
While Google has gotten a bit of a head start on this functionality by showing what people in your circles have +’d on Google Play, the crossplatform nature of the Center and Facebook’s massive reach make this a pretty easy fit. Of course, with rumors of deeper integration between Facebook and iOS 6, it will be interesting to see if today’s developments are referenced at WWDC next week. Check after the break for a couple more pictures and a press release, or the source links for info from Facebook’s PR and developer blog.
Sony Music Unlimited comes to iPhone with streaming music app
Android and PlayStation Vita owners have felt the Music Unlimited love on their respective devices for quite some time now, but the Spotify / MOG / Rdio competitor has finally made its way to the App Store, bringing with it yet another option for streaming music on iOS. The free app appears to be optimized for iPhone and iPod touch (though it’s also compatible with iPad), and will enable on-the-go jammin’ with a $4-per-month Basic subscription over 3G, 4G or WiFi connections. You can pull in tunes from the millions of tracks in Sony’s collection, or access songs on your PC using the Music Sync service. The app is currently only available in the New Zealand App Store, but it’s expected to hit other Music Unlimited countries soon. For now, you can hit up the source link for the Kiwi App Store preview, or head over to the Music Unlimited site to sign up.
Twitter app update brings improved discover, search and notifications to iOS and Android
It’s not like there’s any shortage of alternatives, but those sticking with the ooh-ficial Twitter app on iOS and Android woke up to a rather pleasant update today. Briefly, the company’s promising improvements to discover, search and notifications, with the new build allowing users to view “Activity” — described as a “stream of updates that shows which tweets are favorited or retweeted by the people you follow and which accounts those people follow or add to lists.” Search has also been made simpler in both programs, with the Connect tab allowing you to start typing the first or last name or username of the person you’re looking for and watching autocomplete handle the rest. Finally (and perhaps most importantly), notifications for Interactions are in place, enabling busybodies to know right away when a tweet has been retweeted or favorited. Hit up your market of choice to get the new bytes, or just visit one of the source links below. Your call — no pressure.
Paper: the iPad sketchbook app from the brains of Courier (video)
Go figure — Microsoft’s Courier project lives again… as an exclusive app on Apple’s iPad. FiftyThree, a company that features folks who previously worked on the aforesaid Courier initiative, has just put forth a monumental effort dubbed Paper. The app, which is available for free in the App Store, is a sophisticated sketchbook with a highly unique user interface that’s seemingly designed with the budding artist in mind. Put simply, the company feels that this app is “where ideas begin,” enabling users to capture mental light bulbs as sketches, diagrams, illustrations, notes or drawings before sharing them across the web.
Of course, “free” only gets you in the door; in-app purchases ($2 per brush, for example) keeps the creators in business, but it’s unclear at this point if a paid edition will be offered for those who aren’t much on cherry-picking what they do and don’t want to pony up for. Not surprisingly, the app ships with native support for the new iPad’s Retina display, and while fingers are welcome, a capacitive stylus is recommended. Eager to see more? Peek the video just after the break, and get your download on in the source link.
Apple crosses 25 billion App Store downloads, thanks all the little people
If you’ve ever downloaded an app from iTunes then congratulations, you are a part of history. Just a few minutes ago Apple notched its 25 billionth download, thanking all involved for getting there, and of course (like it did for 10 billion, and 1 billion), gifting the lucky individual who crossed the line with another $10k gift card. Not sure what you would buy with $10,000 in App Store bucks? That’s ok, since you probably don’t have it, but don’t forget — our official Engadget and Distro apps are free, and will love you back all the same. Remember way back in 2008 when all this was fresh and new? Relive the iPhone SDK press conference via our liveblog right here.
Opera Unveils Mini Next, Mobile 12 And Updated App Store (video)
Opera has today taken the opportunity at Mobile World Congress 2012 to launch its new Opera Mini Next. A preview version of its next steps for its Opera Mini mobile browser. Together with the launch of its final Opera Mobile 12, which will bring more features to Android and Symbian smartphones.
Opera Mini Next has been launched to provide users who like to use the latest features before everyone else. Providing users a chance to put the new additions for the next Opera Mini browser to the test before its official launch. Watch the video after the jump to see them both in action.
Apple Motion 5.0.2 Update Rolls Out, Adding Improved Speed And Responsiveness
Joining the new update rolled out by Apple today for their Final Cut Pro X video editing software. Apple has also rolled out an update for its Motion 5.0.2 software. Motion 5 provides Final Cut Pro X users with additional tools to tweak and customise video footage, and is available to purchase for $50.
Enabling users to create and edit motion graphics, titling for video production and film production, and 2D and 3D compositing for visual effects. The new update released today is around 1.05GB in size and improves speed and responsiveness of text editing.
When first released the new Motion 5 packages was updated with an interface had been redesigned specifically for Final Cut Pro editors, with a familiar look and feel. Making it easy to switch between the two applications. A new single-window layout puts all the tools you need at your fingertips, and redesigned icons make it easy to identify options at glance.
The new Motion 5 update also brings with it improved overall stability and performance tweaks and is available as a download via the Mac App Store software on Mac OS X Lion.
Source: Apple
Android-style FaceUnlock ported to iOS (video)
Curiosità Fruit Ninja per iPad giocato da un gatto Video
Fruit Ninja è sicuramente uno dei titoli più coinvolgenti disponibili per la piattaforma iOS. Il suo gameplay immediato lo rende molto adatto alle classiche partite veloci in attesa del bus o a lunghe sessioni di gioco che hanno come principale scopo quello di migliorare il proprio record personale. Il gameplay di Fruit Ninja è così’ coinvolgente da attrarre un’ampia schiera di videogiocatori, anche quelli che appartengono ad una specie diversa. Riuscirà il simpatico gatto protagonista del video a battere il suo record personale con Fruit Ninja? Scopriamolo con il video che segue.
Ci vogliono riflessi pronti per affrontare il gameplay di Fruit Ninja che, per chi ancora non lo conoscesse, consiste nell’”affettare” della frutta lanciata periodicamente sullo scenario di gioco, evitando accuratamente le bombe. Il gatto, si sa, ha ottimi riflessi e non tarda a dimostrarlo:
Nintendo Working On App Store For Wii U Console
It seems the latest company who intends to launch their own App store is Nintendo, according to a recent report by the Daily, Nintendo are working on their own app store for their Wii U console which will go on sale in 2012.
According to the report, the new Wii U app store will offer full game titles to download to your console, as well as the latest games, as well as other apps which bring other functions to the console.
Some of the possible apps could include email, web browsing and more, which could run on the Wii U controller which features its own built in 6.2 inch display.
Source The Daily
Android and iOS share a merry little Christmas: seven million total device activations
Google’s SVP of Mobile just provided us with another glimpse inside the horse’s mouth, claiming that Android scored 3.7 million new device activations over Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. To put that in context, Flurry reported that total Android and iOS activations on Christmas Day alone totaled 6.8 million. If we can accept a very high margin of error, and if we assume that the vast majority of Rubin’s activations were on the 25th, then we might extrapolate a roughly even split between the two rival platforms. Considering where Android was just a couple of Christmas’s ago, it’s no wonder that Mr Rubin is in the tweeting mood.
GMail per iPhone ed iPad si aggiorna alla versione 1.1 con interessanti novità
Per chi ha un account GMail e vuole avere notifiche push ed una serie di funzionalità avanzate sul proprio device iOS, l’app ufficiale di BigG è sicuramente da scaricare. Completamente gratuita ed universale (ottimizzata per iPhone, iPod Touch ed iPad), l’applicazione GMail permette di sfruttare le numerose funzioni presenti sul sito ufficiale gmail.com, che non sono disponibili, ovviamente, nell’applicazione Mail installata di serie su tutti gli iDevice.
Eric Schmidt: ‘Android will be bigger than iOS’
Eric Schmidt was addressing the crowd at Le Web in Paris and recounted a tale when an Android user asked why apps were often written for iOS first, and then ported over to Google’s OS. His response? “My prediction is that six months from now, you’ll say the opposite.” After the uncomfortable silence had died down, he added that Android’s “open” model meant the company had volume on its side — and volume is what he feels will attract developers. He added that Ice Cream Sandwich would redress Android’s device fragmentation and the sheer number of hardware makers would ensure that 2012 would be Google’s year. At which point, everyone in the audience probably went back to their iPadsto read Twitter.
Adobe Photoshop Elements 10 And Premiere Elements 10 Now Available Via Mac App Store
Adobe has today announced special editions of its Elements 10 And Premiere Elements 10 are now available to purchase from Apple’s Mac App Store priced at $79.99 each. The arrival of the special editions comes just two months after Adobe released its boxed version in stores for $99 each or $149 when both are bought together.
Unlike many of Apple competitors who have refused to sell there wares on the Apple Mac Store and give Apple a 305 share of each sale. Adobe is starting to embrace the Mac App store which it first arrived on back in July when it started selling its Photoshop Elements 9 Editor.
Adobe has launched the Mac App Store editions stating that they are a great addition to Apple’s iPhoto application and the $79.99 purchase prices includes all the editing features of the full version in the following languages : English, German, French and Japanese.
Source: Apple Insider
Apple now requiring Mac App Store applications to be sandboxed by March 2012
Steve Jobs era inizialmente contrario alle app di terze parti per iPhone
Grazie alla distribuzione di alcune copie in anteprima della biografica di Steve Jobs realizzata da Walter Isaacson, stiamo venendo a conoscenza di aspetti particolari e, finora sconosciuti, della vita del mitico fondatore della Apple. Dopo aver visto cosa pensasse di Android, vediamo quale fosse, in origine, il parere di Steve Jobs sulle applicazioni di terze parti per iPhone.
“Jobs, inzialmente, represse la discussione riguardo la possibilità di far sviluppare applicazioni di terze parti per il primo smartphone realizzato dalla sua azienda.”
Levinson, inoltre, racconta di aver chiamato Steve Jobs “mezza dozzina di volte” per poterlo convincere del potenziale di questo tipo di applicazioni. Ma Jobs non voleva sentire ragioni, essendo totalmente contro questo tipo di app poiché credeva che il suo team non avrebbe avuto la capacità materiale (in termini di numero di addetti) di gestire l’enorme complessità che lo sviluppo di applicazioni di terze parti avrebbe comportato in termini di gestione.
