Author Archive for Louis

Paypal app gets Bump feature in 2.0 update

PayPal has just released a great update to their iPhone app, one with plenty of new features and a completely new interface. If you thought the old version looked a bit too drab, this 2.0 update should make sending money a whole lot easier on the eyes. Aside from the aesthetics, PayPal has also introduced the “bump” feature to initiate money transfer (mimicking the popular Bump app). Here’s whats new:

• Brand new look and feel!
• Bump: Easily start by bumping iPhones.
• Withdraw funds from your PayPal balance.
• Request Money: Get paid faster, it’s the easy way to ask for the money you are owed.
• Split the Check: Instantly split the bill, calculate tip, and request everyone’s share.
• Collect Money: Ask for contributions from a group for an event, gift, or cause.
• Set Reminders: Never miss rent or a bill.
• Refer the app to a friend

For those who use PayPal regularly (or once in a blue moon), the new update makes the app even more useful. Be sure to check out the excellent video trailer highlighting some of the new additions after the break.

PayPal, an eBay Company, PayPal – Free

Win an iPad with Doodle Run

eBattalion, developers of FLIP and Nanoids, are now running a contest where one lucky (and skilled) winner will take home an iPad. The rules are pretty straight forward: play their latest game Doodle Run and obtain the high score by surviving longer than your competitors. The longer you’re able to stay alive, the higher your score.

Run through multiple doodle themes, including Rain, Snow, Day, and Night. Grab a bazooka and mow down zombies and other dangerous obstacles. Jump into an oversized bullet and destroy everything in your path. Doodle Run is a pickup-and-play game that will have you coming back for more and more.

The iPad up for grabs will be the 16GB WiFi model and all scores must be posted before April 30th. If you’re not sick of doodle type games yet and buying the iPad come launch date is out of the question, picking up a copy of Doodle Run for $0.99 and trying your luck/skill could well be your ticket to owning one. Full contest rules after the break.

eBattalion, Doodle Run – $0.99

Update: Soma Games is also running an iPad contest with their game G: Into the Rain. Contest details can be found here

App Store Freebies Roundup

When it comes to App Store deals, nothing beats apps that have gone FREE (especially good ones) – even it is just for one day. Our Freebie round up today has a good mix of games that could be worthy additions to your app collection. For those of you who can’t get enough of the immensely popular numbers game, Sudoku! is a fully featured Sudoku title that comes with 20,000 puzzles, ranging from Easy to Devilish (5 difficulties). Also free today is Dragon Slaughter Episode III – Dragon King, a very solid tower defense that received a Grab It rating in our previous review. Earth Vs Moon, a great missile command type game that was featured as yesterday’s freeappaday freebie, remains a free download on iTunes (at least for the time being).

The complete Freebie roundup can be found after the break, but be sure to hurry as some of the price drops are only valid for a very limited time!

Spartacus: Blood and Sand now FREE for limited time

Fighting Game fans on the iDevice have undoubtedly been getting their fill (and unleashing countless fireballs) with the recently released Street Fighter IV. Not to be lost in the Capcom hype and buzz, Artifical Life’s Spartacus: Blood and Sand has just dropped in price from $4.99 to FREE. Based on the original Starz TV series of the same name (produced by Sam Raimi), the iPhone game features great visuals, solid controls and numerous gameplay modes. For those who like the genre and/or enjoy the well received TV show, this is one App Store deal that shouldn’t be missed.

Artificial Life, Inc., Spartacus: Blood and Sand (TMA Review) – Free

Street Fighter IV now available for iPhone… Shoryuken!!

Street Fighter, one of the biggest and most popular gaming franchises around, has finally landed at the App Store. Released earlier today for the iPhone and iPod Touch, Capcom’s highly anticipated Street Fighter IV will surely please fans of the series and those who enjoy round after round of combat mayhem.  Some of the features include:

• Fight as eight Street Fighter characters in seven different environments.
• Full move sets including Unique Attacks, Special Moves, Focus Attacks, Super Combos and Ultra Combos.
• For a true arcade experience, battle head-to-head on Bluetooth against friends and foes alike.
• Robust “Dojo” boot camp transforms neophytes into Street Fighter masters in five in-depth lessons.

It’s no secret that the iDevice has yet to see a must-have fighting game on the platform. From the early (and positive) buzz however, it seems as though Capcom has taken care of business and put together a very playable and solid mobile version of the lengenadary fighter. The initial price of $9.99 may seem a bit steep to some, but for hardcore fans, this should be an easy buy. Gameplay video after the break!

CAPCOM, STREET FIGHTER IV – $9.99

Twitter + Tower Defense = Tweet Defense

Just yesterday, shigzeo pointed out how social networking functionality has fast become a gaming necessity. “Implement them, and gamers take notice. Implement them not, and gamers take notice.” Heck, even a non-game developer recently decided to include OpenFeint in its productivity app. Enter Tweet Defense, a brand new and highly “original” TD game that makes use of Twitter in a big way.

Use your Twitter activity as your in-game stats to fight off waves of the undead! Tweet Defense tosses ridiculous killer zombies and your twitter stats into a tower defense blender for a delicious brainy, viral juice mix.

This isn’t just a twitter client that lets you tweet your score. This is a full on TD game that uses your friend list and your tweeting activity to impact how powerful your towers are.

While it’s true that not everyone cares for social networking in their games, it can enhance its replay value and help create a sense of community. For the hardcore twitter addicts and TD junkies out there, Tweet Defense maybe worth checking out, especially with its friendly price of $0.99. And for those who don’t have a twitter account, fear not, as the game can still be enjoyed without one.  More piccies and info after the gap.

Promethium Marketing Group, Tweet Defense – $0.99

Free App O’ the Day: Robocalypse Mobile Mayhem

For those of you keeping tabs on the Freeappaday initiative, you’ve likely been enjoying some pretty sweet free iDevice games on a daily basis. Well today’s Featured freebie is none other than Robocalypse, originally a Nintendo DS title that has charmed and been enjoyed by mobile gamers around the world.

In Robocalypse – Mobile Mayhem, players build and command robot armies to fend off attacks from the evil Demolisher and his near-endless supply of maniacal mechanical marauders.

Featuring 10 unit types, 20 varieties of weaponry, 17 campaign missions, 18 unique multiplayer maps, a cast of powerful Hero robots and an intuitive touch-screen interface, Robocalypse – Mobile Mayhem ensures fun for everyone.

Along with other big name RTSes at the App Store (The Settlers, Command & Conquer: Red Alert), Robocalypse remains one of the most fun and highly polished in the i-RTS genre. Needless to say, if you appreciate a well made game, this is one that shouldn’t be missed. Be sure to check out some other notable App Store Freebies, including WildSpace, after the break!

Vogster Entertainment, LLC, Robocalypse – Mobile Mayhem – Free

iPad release date: April 3rd. Pre-orders starting March 12th

The “magical and revolutionary” iPad (no, not that iPad), undoubtedly the most hyped and highly anticipated electronic gizmo in recent memory, now has a confirmed release date: April 3rd.

March 5, 2010—Apple® today announced that its magical and revolutionary iPad will be available in the US on Saturday, April 3, for Wi-Fi models and in late April for Wi-Fi + 3G models. In addition, all models of iPad will be available in Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Spain, Switzerland and the UK in late April.

The basic Wi-Fi model will be released first in the US, followed by the Wi-Fi + 3G version in late April. As for the rest of the world (select countries), the good news is that they don’t have to wait long before both models will be made available. Pricing, one of the more attractive aspects of the iPad will be as follows: Base Model (Wi-Fi only) – $499US for 16GB, $599 for 32GB and $699 for 64GB. The higher end Wi-Fi + 3G Model will sell for $629US for 16GB, $729 for 32GB and $829 for 64GB.

From our Forum’s iPad discussion thread, it seems that our members are somewhat divided when it comes to getting one or not.Those already with an iPhone and Macbook don’t feel the need for a tablet, while others simply don’t see a reason to take the plunge. So will you be buying an iPad? Feel free to share your thoughts in our forums!

Tiger Woods + Email App = Double the Fun?

There’s no denying that Tiger Woods has inspired a whole new generation of people to watch and play the game of golf. Well, it seems Tiger is continuing to inspire as iPhone developers are gearing up for what will surely be a heated battle between apps that’ll have your mail/text messages vanish without a trace after it’s been read.

As you may already know, Tiger Woods was reportedly busted for his “extra curricular activities” after his wife found incriminating text messages on his cellphone. So if you were a man (or woman) in Tiger’s shoes (and I hope you’re not), what do you do? Wish you had an iPhone and the TigerText app is what! Released last week, TigerText will allow the sender to set the lifespan of a message once it’s been opened. You can set the countdown at 60 seconds or even days if you wish before the text is permanently deleted from their servers (and hence vanishing from your phone). Of course, the downfall to this is that the sender and recipient will both need a copy of the app. And set to be released in less than a week is TigerMail, a similar app aimed at keeping your naughty mail (and you) safe from life altering consequences down the road. And rather than having your messages stored on a server for even the briefest of moments, TigerMail’s website claims that nothing will be stored as your mail will only be forwarded. Regardless, if you have something to hide or you’re simply the paranoid type, these Tiger Woods inspired email apps will indeed be very tempting.

X Sigma Partners LLC, Tiger Text – Free (First 15 days/100 text)

Dunnit! todo app integrates Openfeint

While there are plenty of fully featured and very solid Todo and Task Management apps for your iPhone (Pocket Informant, Appigo’s Todo, To-Do List Pro, there are currently none in the market that makes use of OpenFeint to help motivate users to “get things done”. Thanks to Runloop however, Dunnit! becomes the first non game/entertainment app to integrate the social gaming platform into the app.

Runloop believes that adding collectible achievements to a To Do list app will provide increased incentive for users to remain productive. Integrating OpenFeint allows users to compete against their friends and colleagues. Points are earned by simply using the app to get things done.

Aside from the aforementioned feature, Dunnit! looks to be a simple and well designed todo app that includes Twitter integration (tweet your completed tasks/achievements to boast just how productive your are), tagging, repeating tasks, multiple task entry and more. Personally, I’m not entirely sure just how many folks will find the need for OpenFeint in a GTD app, but regardless, kudos to Runloop for bringing something new to the table and one that could very well catch on with other non-game developers. More info and video after the gap!

Runloop Ltd, Dunnit! – $4.99