app store

Gaming
March 22, 2012
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Angry Birds Space now available for $0.99 [video]

By on March 22, 2012 at 8:40 AM.

Angry Birds Space now available for $0.99 [video]

Rovio on Thursday released Angry Birds Space for iOS and Android devices, as well as OS X and Windows PCs. In the fourth major Birds release, users will get to fling birds on zero-gravity planets while utilizing new gameplay features such as slow-motion and lightspeed destruction. “This is Rovio at its finest, and we are more than excited to bring Angry Birds Space to all our fans worldwide,” said Mikael Hed, CEO of Rovio. “This launch marks a huge step for us as a company, and our whole team and partners have really pulled together to bring out a fantastic array of exciting products and experiences. We hope that our fans will find all things Angry Birds Space as delightful as the Rovio family does.” Angry Birds Space is available for $0.99 in the App Store on the iPhone and iPod touch, and Angry Birds Space HD is available for $2.99 on the iPad. The Mac version is available for $4.99 in the Mac App Store. The game is available for Android devices for free with advertisements in the Google Play marketplace, with an ad-free versions available for $0.99 and an HD version for Android tablets available for $2.99 in the Amazon Appstore. Read on for a video and Rovio’s press release. More →

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mobile
March 21, 2012
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Instagram and Hipstamatic to announce photo-sharing partnership

By on March 21, 2012 at 6:55 PM.

Instagram and Hipstamatic to announce photo-sharing partnership

Instagram, the increasingly popular photo-sharing platform for Apple’s iPhone, has always allowed users to export photos taken within the app to other social networks. The service has never allowed users to upload non-Instagram photos onto its platform, however — until now. Hipstamatic, a similar photo app that takes vintage-looking photos, is set to unveil a partnership that will allow Instagram photos to be uploaded to its service, Fast Company reported on Wednesday. ”When we launched, it was all about Facebook and Flickr and Twitter, and now we’re seeing a huge shift in our user base toward Instagram,” Hipstamatic co-founder and CEO Lucas Buick said. “We’ve never been a social networking company, but we clearly benefit from social networks. So this will be the first app outside of Instagram that lets you into their network. That’s pretty cool for us.” Hipstamatic is slated to issue an update on Wednesday evening that will bring Instagram integration to iOS devices. The app is available for $1.99 in Apple’s iOS App Store. More →

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mobile
March 15, 2012
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Sparrow launches email client for iOS with gorgeous UI, no push notifications [video]

By on March 15, 2012 at 8:50 PM.

Sparrow launches email client for iOS with gorgeous UI, no push notifications [video]

Sparrow’s desktop email client for OS X includes a great UI and a number of great features such as multiple accounts, a unified inbox and a user-friendly layout. The company on Thursday brought those same attributes to Apple’s iPhone, iPod touch and iPad with the release of its much anticipated iOS app. Much like the desktop version, Sparrow’s mobile app features a simple, Facebook-like design that is light, responsive and easy on the eyes. The iOS app supports iCloud, Gmail, Yahoo, AOL, and other IMAP services, however it does not support POP accounts or push notifications. “If Sparrow was to do Push today, we would have to store your credentials (login/password) on our servers to frequently poll your accounts, and send you notifications,” the company said. “This is a responsibility we’re not ready to take. As a startup focused on iOS/OS X development, we do not have the skills to secure your data on our servers and we do not want to put sensitive information at risk. That’s why Sparrow iPhone 1.0 doesn’t do push.” Sparrow’s mobile app requires iOS 5 and can be had for $2.99 in Apple’s App Store. A video of Sparrow’s new iOS app follows below. More →

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mobile
March 15, 2012
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Path CEO grilled by Tim Cook and Apple over privacy

By on March 15, 2012 at 5:00 PM.

Path CEO grilled by Tim Cook and Apple over privacy

Last month it was discovered that the popular social network Path was uploading entire address books — including email addresses, names and phone numbers — to its external servers. Path’s actions were a direct violation of Apple’s terms of agreement, and the Cupertino-based company was apparently not happy. Bloomberg’s BusinessWeek reported on Thursday that Path co-founder Dave Morin was hauled into Apple’s headquarters and grilled by CEO Tim Cook and other executives on the matter. Apple remained silent as other developers were called out for stealing users’ contact data, but the company finally issued a statement claiming that “any app wishing to access contact data will require explicit user approval in a future software release.” More →

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mobile
March 6, 2012
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Temple Run coming to the Android Market on March 27th

By on March 6, 2012 at 11:00 PM.

Temple Run coming to the Android Market on March 27th

Imangi Studios on Tuesday announced that its hit iOS game, Temple Run, will be coming to the Android Market on March 27th. Temple Run is an Indiana Jones-like ”runner” game that has users sprint through obstacles and escape the dangers of the jungle using gestures that make the character jump, duck and move from side to side. “We are excited to finally share the Android release date with our fans who have been so enthusiastic and supportive of Temple Run,” said Keith Shepherd, co-founder of Imangi Studios. “By expanding to more mobile devices, we hope to provide the same addictive and fast-paced gameplay to an entirely new group of players.” Temple Run is currently the top free app and top grossing app in the iOS App Store, with over 40 million downloads and 7 million daily active users. The game is free to play and features in-app purchases that allow users to buy different characters and power-ups for higher scores. The company previously announced the game would be available in February, however it was delayed for unknown reasons. Read on for the Imangi’s press release. More →

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mobile
March 6, 2012
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Angry Birds, Facebook rank as App Store’s most popular apps of all time

By on March 6, 2012 at 7:45 PM.

Angry Birds, Facebook rank as App Store’s most popular apps of all time

After delivering over 25 billion apps from its App Store, Apple has listed the top-25 free and paid apps of all time for the iPad and iPhone. To no one’s disbelief, Angry Birds appears on all four lists, topping the iPad’s free list and iPhone’s paid list. Facebook came in as the top free iPhone app, while Apple’s Pages edged out Angry Birds for the top paid iPad app spot. Other popular apps such as Words With Friends, Fruit Ninja, Pandora, Shazam, Cut The Rope and Netflix all made top-10 appearances on Apple’s various lists as well. More →

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mobile
March 5, 2012
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Apple’s App Store reaches 25 billion downloads

By on March 5, 2012 at 9:55 AM.

Apple’s App Store reaches 25 billion downloads

Apple on Saturday confirmed that apps in its App Store have collectively been downloaded more than 25 billion times. The Cupertino-based company will reward Chunli Fu of Qingdao, China with a $10,000 iTunes Gift Card for downloading the 25 billionth app. Apple also stated that there are now 315 million iPhone, iPad and iPod touch devices in use around the world. “We’d like to thank our customers and developers for helping us achieve this historic milestone of 25 billion apps downloaded,” said Eddy Cue, Apple’s senior vice president of Internet Software and Services. “When we launched the App Store less than four years ago, we never imagined that mobile apps would become the phenomenon they have, or that developers would create such an incredible selection of apps for iOS users.” Apple began the countdown in mid-February, and it took just over two weeks to complete. The iOS App Store opened its doors in July 2008 alongside the launch of the iPhone 3G, and the company unveiled the Mac App Store in October 2010. The App Store reached its 10 billionth download last year on January 22, 2011. More →

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Business
March 2, 2012
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Apple claims to have created or supported more than half a million jobs in the U.S.

By on March 2, 2012 at 6:15 PM.

Apple claims to have created or supported more than half a million jobs in the U.S.

Apple on Friday updated its website with a new job creation section detailing the company’s role in creating American jobs. Since its inception, the Cupertino-based company claims to have created or supported more than half a million jobs for U.S. workers across 50 states. “Throughout our history, Apple has created entirely new products — and entirely new industries — by focusing on innovation,” the company said on its website. “As a result, we’ve created or supported more than 500,000 jobs for U.S. workers: from the engineer who helped invent the iPad to the delivery person who brings it to your door.” Of the jobs created, 304,000 span engineering, manufacturing and transportation while an additional 210,000 have been created due to the iOS app economy. More →

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mobile
February 29, 2012
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Apple blocks eBooks that link to Amazon, report claims

By on February 29, 2012 at 3:40 PM.

Apple blocks eBooks that link to Amazon, report claims

A new report from Seth Godin of PaidContent claims Apple is rejecting eBooks from its iBooks store that contain links to Amazon. “I just found out that Apple rejecting my new manifesto Stop Stealing Dreams and won’t carry it in their store because inside the manifesto are links to buy the books I mention in the bibliography,” Godin stated. In an email, Apple’s review team told Godin the book was rejected due to “multiple links to Amazon store.” The Cupertino-based company’s move is causing quite a stir, and some argue that if Amazon and Barnes & Noble were to employ the same practices, the world of eBooks would become closed off and censored. “I think that Amazon and Apple and B&N need to take a deep breath and make a decision on principle: what’s inside the book shouldn’t be of concern to a bookstore with a substantial choke on the marketplace,” Godin concluded. “If it’s legal, they ought to let people read it if they choose to.” More →

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mobile
February 28, 2012
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Permission loophole gives developers access to iOS photo library and location history

By on February 28, 2012 at 5:20 PM.

Permission loophole gives developers access to iOS photo library and location history

Earlier this month it was revealed that the popular social networking app Path was uploading entire iPhone address books to the company’s servers without first gaining permission. The data uploaded included full names, phone numbers and email addresses. Path quickly confirmed the report and issued an update to allow users to opt-in or out. The New York Times reported on Tuesday that a user’s address book isn’t the only information vulnerable on iOS devices, however. The publications claims photos can also be accessed by third-party app developers. Read on for more. More →

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mobile
February 27, 2012
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Google: 850,000 Android devices activated each day, 450,000 apps in Market

By on February 27, 2012 at 10:20 AM.

Google: 850,000 Android devices activated each day, 450,000 apps in Market

Andy Rubin on Monday announced that the Google’s Android partners are currently activating an average of 850,000 each each. The activation rate continues to increase rapidly, and it is now up a whopping 250% year-over-year. In December it was reported that 700,000 devices were activated each day. Google also announced that the Android Market is now home to 450,000 apps, a mere 50,000 shy of Apple’s iOS App Store, and more than 1 billion downloads are being served each month to over 300 million Android devices worldwide. More →

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mobile
February 23, 2012
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Canalys: Android apps are too expensive

By on February 23, 2012 at 4:10 PM.

Canalys: Android apps are too expensive

iPhone users may be more inclined to pay for apps than their Android-toting counterparts because apps in the Android Market are usually priced much higher, according to market research firm Canalys.The company on Thursday released the results of a survey that found Android apps to cost two and a half times more than iPhone apps on average. The top paid-for Android apps were priced “dramatically higher” than those on iOS for the iPhone. “In the US, to purchase the top 100 paid-for apps in the Android Market would cost $374.37 – an average of $3.74 per app – more than 2.5 times the cost of the top 100 paid-for iPhone apps. The top 100 iPhone apps would cost $147.00, or $1.47 on average per app,” read the company’s press release. The survey found that 82 of the top 100 paid apps in Apple’s App Store were priced at $0.99, against just 22 in the Android Market. More aggressive pricing in the Android Market, however, could encourage more consumers to make their first app purchases, the firm claims. Read on for Canalys’s press release.

More →

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mobile
February 21, 2012
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Unauthorized Pokemon app reveals problems in Apple’s App Store

By on February 21, 2012 at 2:30 PM.

Unauthorized Pokemon app reveals problems in Apple’s App Store

While browsing Apple’s App Store this weekend, you may have been surprised to see an iconic game sitting among the most popular iPhone apps. When a Pokemon Yellow app appeared in the App Store for $0.99, many unsuspecting users quickly jumped at the chance to finally have the highly-additive Nintendo RPG on their mobile devices. Those people would end up disappointed because the app was plagued by crashes, making it completely unplayable. What’s more, it was an unauthorized copy created by “House of Anime,” and Nintendo had nothing to do with it. The game peaked at No.3 on the App Store charts and garnered a one-and-a-half star rating with 1,352 negative reviews before it was finally pulled by Apple, Ars Technica reported. Though thousands of people ended up getting ripped off by this obvious fake that Apple let into its App Store, there is one positive takeaway from the ordeal: if Nintendo ever does decide to stray from its current stance and build iOS apps, the company will undoubtedly have some blockbusters on its hands. More →

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