Showing posts with label iPhone. Show all posts
Showing posts with label iPhone. Show all posts

Monday, December 5, 2011

The Best New And Updated iPhone Apps Of The Week, November 27-December 3, 2011

 

The Best New And Updated iPhone Apps Of The Week, November 27-December 3, 2011

The AppAdvice iPhone App Of The Week:

Infinity Blade II, Updated December 3, $6.99 & Universal

Infinity Blade II

Infinity Blade II

Continue The Endless Cycle Of Sword Fighting In Infinity Blade II

Infinity Blade II by Chair Entertainment Group, LLC is the sequel to last year’s award-winning game of epic sword fighting.

The story picks up where we left off in the first game – the God King has been defeated, and now it’s your objective to find out the secrets behind the legendary Infinity Blade. You will play as Siris, who must venture into the world of the Deathless tyrants and battle your way through their Titans, in order to find out about the Worker of Secrets.

From the moment you launch the game, prepare to be floored by the visuals. The opening scene will start out with what looks like a Japanese garden, and the pink cherry blossoms will be so realistic that you’d think they were real. When compared to last year’s game, Infinity Blade II has even more impressive visuals in its various environments. Textures, shadows, highlights – all of these elements look even better, and prove that this is what iOS gaming is all about.

New Releases

Elmer and Rose, Released November 30, $1.99 & Universal

Elmer And Wilbur Learn What May Be Strange To One May Not Be Strange To Another In The Story Of Elmer And Rose

Oceanhouse Media is proud to have joined up with so many different publishers in order to offer top selling children’s books in a great interactive eBook format, what they dub an “omBook.” Through the partnership with Andersen Press, Oceanhouse is happy to announce their third Elmer the Patchwork Elephant series omBook, Elmer and Rose.

Written by British author David McKee, the Elmer the Patchwork Elephant series deals with the general misunderstandings and misjudgments surrounding diversity, helping children feel comfortable about themselves and those around them whether different or not. In the story of Elmer and Rose, Elmer and Wilbur are tasked with safely guiding Rose, a pink elephant, back to her own herd. Despite the different appearances and behaviors of the three elephants, they all have a completely enjoyable time together on their journey.

Insyde Story, Released November 30, Free

Follow Your Friends And Family With Insyde Story

Insyde Story by Insyde Story Inc. is a brand new social networking app that combines elements from Facebook, Twitter, Flickr, Spotify, and many more.

The main function behind the entire app is to share pictures, audio, and stories with other people. Users can also search for all of those, as well as by location.

The app prompts you with a login screen where users can sign in with a previously created account, create an account from scratch, or sign in with Facebook. Signing in with Facebook seems to be the conventional way of identifying users these days.

Letris 2: Word puzzle game, Released December 2, Free & Universal

Letris 2: An Addictive New Word Puzzle Game

Ivanovich Games has released Letris 2, a word puzzle game, which claims to be the offspring of Tetris and Scrabble. The game is simple to play; letter blocks fall onto the screen, and you make words to eliminate them. You need to eliminate all the letters before they pile up and reach the top of the screen, a la Tetris.

The game is a universal app, but the iPad version also features two exclusive split screen multiplayer modes entitled Duel and Endurance. In the Duel mode, letters you eliminate are added to your opponent’s screen, while in the Endurance mode, each player works on his or her own pile without fear of having the opponent’s letters piled on top. There are also three single player modes entitled Letris, Acronymus, and WordMatrix. Each offers a different spin on the same general process. As described on its App Store page, Letris 2 also offers iCloud support “to seamlessly switch between the iPad, iPhone and iPod touch without ever having to restart your game.”

Updated

Halftone, Updated November 30, $.99 & Universal

Halftone

Halftone Offers Another Fantastic Update

Halftone, the comic-inspired photography app for the iPhone/iPod touch and iPad was recently updated. Version 1.7.1 includes a number of great features that makes photo-editing with the $.99 app much easier.

According to a posting on the Juicy Bits blog, the latest update includes a new tool that allows users to edit an image before applying captions and stamps. To do so, the company has partnered with Aviary, a company that offers a web and mobile photo API to developers. Now editing through includes “cropping, rotation, special effect filters, brightness, contrast, saturation, individual RGB color levels, and sharpness.” In other words, those must-have tools required in any photo app.

Path, Updated December 3, Free

Path Gets A Major Update: Adds New Design, Music, Check-Ins And More

Back when we first started talking about Path, the free application wanted to be a more “personal social network,” providing family members and close friends with a non-public means of sharing personal and social information. Now, in its second major version, the app also wants to be your “Smart Journal,” and has received a number of new features that make this possible. Fortunately, one thing has remained the same: like before, Path is available to download in the App Store for free, which we’re glad to see.

Perhaps the most radical (and most appreciated) change Path has undergone regards its user interface. Though the application certainly wasn’t ugly before, Path’s developer have made the app into something of a masterpiece: the application now looks and feels really good – graphically, it’s beautiful, but in addition small, precise animations which appear whenever you interact with any aspect of Path make this application a pleasure to use. The hard part, it seems, is getting others to use it with you.

——

The Best iPhone Apps Of The Week is published each weekend; a companion piece, The Best iPad Apps Of The Week, is published separately.

Attention developers: If you would like your app to be considered for one of our “Best Of” lists, please let me know by sending a tweet @bryanmwolfe. Note: Your app must have been new or updated in the last week to make the current list.

Editor’s Note: Our last “Best Of” articles for 2011 will be published December 17 and December 18. On December 31, we’ll profile the Top 10 iPhone/iPod touch and iPad apps for the entire year. Do you have a favorite? Let me know by sending me a tweet @bryanmwolfe.

The Best New And Updated iPhone Apps Of The Week, November 27-December 3, 2011 is a story by AppAdvice.com

AppAdvice - iPhone, iPad, iPod, App Reviews + News

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The Best New And Updated iPhone Apps Of The Week, November 27-December 3, 2011
Bryan M. Wolfe
Sun, 04 Dec 2011 03:43:12 GMT

Saturday, December 3, 2011

AppAdvice Gift-Guide: iPhone Cases

 

AppAdvice Gift-Guide: iPhone Cases

In our second-in-a-series of Gift-Guides we look at 12 of the best iPhone cases available today. Enjoy!

Note: All of the cases listed are compatible with the iPhone 4S and iPhone 4. Some may also be available for the iPhone 3S.

iPhone Smart Case – Prices begin at $39 – By WaterField Designs

iPhone Smart Case

Available in six colors, the Smart Case is eco-friendly and uses a distressed leather trim.

FabShell Burton for iPhone 4/4S – 
$39.95 by Speck

Hydrant Big Stripe Fade

Fashionable and durable, these cases come in seven different styles including Gingham Plaid and Hydrant Big Stripe Fade.

Juice Pack Air – $79.95 from Mophie

Juice Pack Air

Powering up has never been more fun than with the Juice Pack Air. Each sleeve includes a rechargeable external battery and is available in three colors – black, red, and white.

Rugged iPhone 4/4S Case$99.97 by Jon Eicher

Rugged iPhone 4/4S Case

Encased in a shock and vibration absorbing anodized aluminum structure, this patent pending case is built to Military Standard 810-G.

HipstaCase 100 Black – $39.95 by Hipstamic

HipstaCase 100 Black

You know about the app, now you can buy the case to go with it. The HipstaCase channels the look of plastic cameras from the 1980s, giving your iPhone a retro feel.

Q Card Case for iPhone 4/4S – $39.99 by CM4

Q Card Case

The Q Card Case by CM4 was created for those with on-the-go lifestyles. It is made of soft-touch rubber and comes with an integrated pocket for credit cards, IDs, and cash.

Tuffwrap Shift for iPhone 4S – Orange/Yellow - $29.99 by XtremeMac

Tuffwrap Shift for iPhone 4S – Orange/Yellow

These cases change color with heat activation while protecting your investment from dust, dirt, and scratches. Also available in Blue/White, Pink/White, Purple/Blue, Gray/White, and Green/White.

iPhone 4/4S LifeProof Case – Gen 2 – $79.99 by LifeProof

iPhone 4/4S LifeProof Case - Gen 2

Experience the freedom to surf, sing in the shower, ski, snowboard, work on construction sites and have true mobile freedom anywhere you go! Available in black, white, pink, and purple.

WorkMate Pro for iPhone 4/4S –  $24.95 by Cygnett

WorkMate Pro

The Cygnett WorkMate Pro is considered a “double-strength” rubberized case and uses layers of silicone and high-quality polycarbonate to protect the iDevice. Available in Black & Gray and Gray and Orange.

iPhone 4/4S Orbit – $24.99 by ifrogz

iPhone 4/4S Orbit

Made of 100 percent form-fitting, extra-thick silicone, the Orbit case has been quite popular for the iPhone 4. Now its unique design comes to the iPhone 4S too.

CandyShell View for iPhone 4/4S – 
$39.95 by Speck – Available in Red, White and Black

CandyShell View for iPhone 4/4S

One part case, another part stand, the CandyShell View includes, like all good candy’s do, a hard shell with a soft center.

BookBook for iPhone – 
$59.99 by Twelve South

BookBook

Long a favorite with the iPhone 4 crowd, this item is an iPhone case and wallet rolled into one.  Best of all, you can access all of your iPhone controls and ports (yes, the camera too), without taking it out of the case.

Coming Sunday: AppAdvice Gift-Guide: For Kids

On 11/30: Appcessories

AppAdvice Gift-Guide: iPhone Cases is a story by AppAdvice.com

AppAdvice - iPhone, iPad, iPod, App Reviews + News

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AppAdvice Gift-Guide: iPhone Cases
Bryan M. Wolfe
Fri, 02 Dec 2011 16:36:00 GMT

Friday, December 2, 2011

NFL ’11 For iPad Updated With Access To Thursday Night Football Online Broadcast (Updated)

 

NFL ’11 For iPad Updated With Access To Thursday Night Football Online Broadcast (Updated)

The NFL’s Thursday Night Football schedule is now in full swing, but if your cable provider doesn’t give you access to the NFL Network, you’ve been missing out on some pretty good football. Well, that doesn’t have to be the case anymore, at least as long as you have an iPad, because the NFL’s official iPad app has been updated with access to the NFL Network’s online broadcast of Thursday Night Football.

The NFL Network’s online broadcast of Thursday Night Football provides game-long studio analysis, live look-ins, and game highlights, so you’ll never miss the big game-changing play. Since this isn’t a direct live stream of the game, it could also serve as a companion for those who already have access to the NFL Network at home.

Since the NFL Network’s online coverage of Thursday Night Football doesn’t begin until 8 PM ET, there’s no good way of knowing exactly how to access the feed from the iPad app. But if we had take a stab at it, we’re guessing it will be under the “video” section of the app. We’ll just have to wait and see.

While you wait until 8 PM to roll around, go download the free NFL ’11 for iPad app so you can dig around before the game starts. The app has come a long way since it was first introduced in April, and now includes on-demand NFL Network news and info, game highlights, the ability to follow game action with animated charts and stats, and live radio broadcasts via the NFL’s Audio Pass.

Update: Here’s how to view the NFL Network’s online broadcast of Thursday Night Football: When viewing “Game Schedules” you should see a big red “Live Video Available” below the Eagles vs. Seahawks game. Tap it to bring up the stats page, and at the top of the screen you’ll see a new “Live Video” button.

NFL ’11 For iPad Updated With Access To Thursday Night Football Online Broadcast (Updated) is a story by AppAdvice.com

AppAdvice - iPhone, iPad, iPod, App Reviews + News

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    NFL ’11 For iPad Updated With Access To Thursday Night Football Online Broadcast (Updated)
    Tyler Tschida
    Thu, 01 Dec 2011 21:54:01 GMT

    Tuesday, November 29, 2011

    An iPhone Burnt on A Flight

    An unexpected incident reportedly occurred on a flight in Australia, when suddenly smoke comes out from passenger's iPhone 4 and a red light like a bright fire shining out from it while on the aircraft. This incident occurred on board a Regional Express flight ZL319 to Sydney.

    Based on reports from the airline, The passenger's iPhone began issuing smoke pretty much immediately after the plane

    Amtrak

     

    Description of app

    Experience a whole new way to take the train with Amtrak. Get simple and intuitive access to all the travel information you need, book your trip on the go, and stay up-to-date as trains arrive. Do it all without the hassle of your laptop, making calls or extra trips to the office.

    With the Amtrak mobile application you can:

    • Plan and book travel
    • Modify reservations 
    • Review your upcoming trips
    • Check train status and view schedules
    • Search stations for location, building amenities and hours of operation 
    • Connect to your Amtrak Guest Rewards account 
    • Enjoy Amtrak Passport: check in, collect stamps and reach milestones

    Version

    1.0.3

    Free or Paid

    Free

    Compatibility

    This is a native iPhone and iPod Touch app that is displayed in 2x mode on an iPad

    Device(s) app was tested on

    iPhone 4S

    Accessibility Comments

    When checking train status, the date selection field is inaccessible with VoiceOver. From what I can tell, a sort of calendar is displayed, but I am unable to select the correct arrival date of the train.

    VoiceOver Performance

    VoiceOver reads most page elements.

    Button Labelling

    Most buttons are clearly labelled.

    Usability

    There are some accessibility issues with this app, but it can still be used if you are willing to tolerate these issues and learn how to work around them.

    Link to Amtrak in iTunes App Store

    Visit developer web site

    Amtrak
    Michael Hansen
    Sun, 27 Nov 2011 05:56:34 GMT

    The Top 10 Must-Have iPhone 4S Accessories This Holiday Season

     

    The Top 10 Must-Have iPhone 4S Accessories This Holiday Season

    Thanksgiving is over and the holiday shopping season is in full swing. With this in mind, we present our list of the Top 10 iPhone 4S accessories for 2011. Enjoy!

    The Gold POP by Native Union

    Gold POP

    Gold POP

    For the old-schooler on your list, look no further than the limited Gold POP, which includes shiny gold plating and is just $59.99. The accessory includes speaker and microphone.

    CrystalDock by Calypso Crystal

    Yes - Real Crystal

    Yes - Real Crystal

    These iPhone 4S docks come in four varieties including Aurora, Beau, Celestia, and Dune. And yes, we’re talking real crystal here. Prices start at $119.

    Silverlit Interactive Bluetooth Remote Control Enzo Ferrari Car – available through Apple

    Silverlit Interactive Bluetooth Remote Control Enzo Ferrari Car

    Silverlit Interactive Bluetooth Remote Control Enzo Ferrari Car

    The Silverlit R/C Car is designed to run like no other—using the power of your iPad, iPod touch, or iPhone as the remote control. The power is in your hands. $79.95.

    FabShell Burton Case for iPhone 4S/4 – by Speck

    FabShell Burton for iPhone 4S/4

    FabShell Burton for iPhone 4S/4

    Fashionable and durable, these cases come in seven different styles including Gingham Plaid and Hydrant Big Stripe Fade. $39.95

    Disney Cars 2 AppMates – Shu Todoroki/Francesco Bernoulli – available through Apple

    Exclusively Through Apple

    Exclusively Through Apple

    Usable with the free Cars 2 AppMates app for iPad, this two-pack is just $19.95 and available exclusively through Apple Retail Stores and Apple.com.

    Freedom i-Connex Mini Keyboard – available through iLounge.com

    Freedom i-Connex Mini Keyboard

    Freedom i-Connex Mini Keyboard

    Available for $37.95, this mini keyboard works with any HID-enabled devices, including the iPhone 4S and iPad 2.

    iPhone 4S Stowaway Credit Card Hard Shell Case with Silicone Core – by Incipio

    What's Hiding In There?

    What's Hiding In There?

    Made of impact resistant polycarbonate, the Stowaway includes a secure back compartment ideal for carrying credit cards, cash, and/or IDs. $39.99.

    Jawbone JAMBOX Wireless Speaker – by Jawbone

    JAMBOX

    JAMBOX

    An AppAdvice favorite, the $199.99 JAMBOX is a must-have accessory for anyone that wants their music loud. Available in red, black, blue, and gray.

    Jabra WAVE Bluetooth Headset – by Jabra

    Catch the WAVE

    Catch the WAVE

    This 2011 RedDot Design Award winner includes HD Voice, three-layer wind noise reduction, and behind-the-ear styling for all day comfort. $79.99.

    Woogie 2 – by Griffin

    Woogie 2

    Woogie 2

    Available for the iPhone and iPod touch, the Woogie 2 is huggable and squeezable and just $19.95. Perfect for children looking for a cool way to watch movies and listen to music on their iDevice.

    The Top 10 Must-Have iPhone 4S Accessories This Holiday Season is a story by AppAdvice.com

    AppAdvice - iPhone, iPad, iPod, App Reviews + News

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    The Top 10 Must-Have iPhone 4S Accessories This Holiday Season
    Bryan M. Wolfe
    Mon, 28 Nov 2011 17:16:49 GMT

    Sunday, November 27, 2011

    Apple’s AssistiveTouch Helps the Disabled Use a Smartphone

     

    By David Pogue

    Plenty has been written about the new iPhone 4S, with its voice-controlled virtual assistant Siri, and about iOS 5, its software.
    But in writing a book about both, I stumbled across an amazingly thoughtful feature that I haven’t seen a word about: something called AssistiveTouch.

    Read more at
    http://www.accessibilitynewsinternational.com/?p=2364

    Apple’s AssistiveTouch Helps the Disabled Use a Smartphone
    Editor
    Fri, 25 Nov 2011 19:12:03 GMT

    The Best New And Updated iPhone Apps This Week, November 20-26, 2011

     

    The Best New And Updated iPhone Apps This Week, November 20-26, 2011

    The AppAdvice iPhone App Of The Week:

    JabMe, Updated November 23, Free

    XVision Adds Twitter Integration To Their Latest Game And Social Entertainment App, JabMe

    XVision’s new social entertainment app, JabMe, is a great way to have some fun and express thoughts, feelings, and more in a unique. Even though JabMe was designed to utilize the convenient, versatile, and free aspects of Apple’s Game Canter and Push notification systems, the app also features integration with Facebook and now Twitter.

    That’s right, XVision has added integration of the second largest social network. Enabling access is as simple as tapping once on the “i” in the top-right to enter the JabMe settings panel and then a single tap on Twitter Sign-In thanks to iOS 5′s OS-wide Twitter support.

    With JabMe, friends can perform a virtual poke or punch, throw a chicken or elephant at each other, and tons more to get someone’s attention, create a ruse, or just to give yourself a great laugh out loud moment by sending a brief message with a crazy sound, song, or phrase. It can be as basic as “@username pokes you” with a silly “ouch” audio clip accompanying it to as thoughtful as a short heartfelt message with a love song melody attached. JabMe includes the poke and punch actions to get you started, and more are available for $.99 per grouped 10-pack via in-app purchase. Listen to each action and make any purchases within the action selection menu.

    New Releases

    Snap Trap, Released November 21, $2.99

    Help This Hungry Mouse To Reach The Cheese While Avoiding The Traps In Snap Trap

    Snap Trap by 8 Bit Grenade is a puzzle game that has a hungry mouse, who just wants to eat as much cheese as possible. Unfortunately, to get it, he must navigate through mazes with hazards, such as mousetraps.

    To start playing a level, tap the mouse and be prepared to have him start moving forward. You can’t stop his forward movement, but you can control his direction. By tapping on the screen to the side of the mouse’s head, you will cause the mouse to make a sharp turn and start moving in that direction.

    Stamped

    Stamped

    Stamped, Released November 21, Free

    It’s About Time For Your Favorite Things To Get Stamped

    Stamped by Stamped, Inc. is an elegant way to recommend stuff you approve of to your friends.

    It seems that rate-everything apps are the new trend lately. It seems to have started with Oink from Milk Inc., which we reviewed earlier this month. However, I’m becoming more of a Stamped fan than Oink, even though Stamped just came out yesterday. Why is this? Let’s go over that now.

    The first thing that caught my attention about Stamped is how minimal, yet elegant, the user experience and interface is. While Oink looks great too, let’s admit it, there’s a lot going on in terms of the interface. Stamped is much more simple – rather than having icons and photos everywhere, there are simply a list of items that friends have “stamped,” meaning they approve and recommend it. There isn’t the convoluted love/like/ho-hum/dislike system – if an item gets a stamp, it’s approved and recommended to others. It’s just that simple. The typography just works, and it’s easy to sort through items too. If you use Oink and try Stamped, it’s hard to say that Oink is better, as far as design goes.

    Wolfram Flight Information Reference App, Released November 21, $1.99 & Universal

    The Wolfram Flight Information Reference App Launches On iOS

    Less than a week after updating its search functionality to include real-time flight information about planes flying overhead, the folks at Wolfram Alpha LLC are including the technology in a new iOS app. The Wolfram Flight Information Reference App is available now for the iPhone/iPod touch and iPad.

    Available for $1.99, the universal app could very well become the only flight tracking app iOS owners ever need going forward. The Wolfram Flight Information Reference App includes real-time data on flight arrivals and delays worldwide, plus scheduled and actual times for takeoff and landing. In addition, users can track details for each flight, including maximum altitude, cruising speed and aircraft information.

    Box Cat, Released November 23, $1.99 & Universal

    Rush Hour Takes On New Meaning In BoxCat

    Box Cat by Rusty Moyher has you counterintuitively running your cat character into traffic.

    Why did the cat cross the road? To smash the car on the other side, of course. That’s the premise of this game, where you play the role of Box Cat.

    Cars will zip by on a busy intersection and you’ll need to use the directional controls or tilt your iDevice to make Box Cat smash into them. How can a cat survive laying the smackdown on cars? His boxiness, I guess. But that’s not the point.

    Updated

    Todo

    Todo

    Todo, Updated November 21, $4.99

    Todo Gets An Update – Adds iCloud Support, Makes General Improvements

    The popular task management iPhone app, Todo, has received an update. Now, users of the application can take advantage of support for iCloud, meaning their pending tasks will sync between iOS devices running Todo. Furthermore, a variety of tweaks and improvements mean the $4.99 app is now better than ever before.

    As outlined in the application’s release notes, changes made in the latest version of Todo (5.0) include:

    • New support for iCloud for devices running iOS 5
    • Incredible speed improvements for Dropbox synchronization
    • Fixed task priority synchronization with Outlook
    • Fixed tag deletion sync problem with Toodledo
    • Fixed Todo Online subscription problem
    • …and over 70 additional enhancements and bug fixes and based on your feedback. Thank you

    The Best iPhone Apps Of The Week is published each weekend; a companion piece, The Best iPad Apps Of The Week, is published separately.

    Attention developers: If you would like your app to be considered for one of our “Best Of” lists, please me know by sending me a tweet @bryanmwolfe. Note: Your app must have been new or updated in the last week to make the current list.

    The Best New And Updated iPhone Apps This Week, November 20-26, 2011 is a story by AppAdvice.com

    AppAdvice - iPhone, iPad, iPod, App Reviews + News

    Related Posts

    The Best New And Updated iPhone Apps This Week, November 20-26, 2011
    Bryan M. Wolfe
    Sat, 26 Nov 2011 18:58:27 GMT

    Tuesday, November 22, 2011

    The Best New And Updated iPhone Apps Of The Week, November 13-19, 2011

     

    The Best New And Updated iPhone Apps Of The Week, November 13-19, 2011

    The AppAdvice iPhone App Of The Week:

    Ticket To Ride Pocket

    Ticket To Ride Pocket

    Ticket to Ride Pocket, Released November 16, $.99

    Ticket to Ride Pocket Comes To iPhone

    Ticket to Ride Pocket, the iPhone and iPod Touch version of the hit board game, is available now in the App Store. The title supports solo play, local pass-and-play and local Wi-Fi/Bluetooth.

    Created by Days Of Wonder, Ticket to Ride first arrived exclusively on the iPad in May. Almost immediately, the game became a top-seller, both in its category and in the App Store in general.

    New Releases

    Starbucks Cup Magic, Released November 15, Free

    Starbucks Launches New Holiday App For iPhone

    In time for the holidays, Starbucks has released its new Starbucks Cup Magic app for the iPhone/iPod touch. The free app lets users find holiday characters that come to life via the app.

    Making use of augmented reality, the Starbucks Cup Magic app’s central purpose is to make you smile and naturally, encourage you to buy a Latte or two. To do so, it encourages Starbucks customers to find each of five Starbucks Holiday Characters on Red Cups, Christmas Blend bags, in-store and more.

    There’s No Place Like Space!: All About Our Solar System, Released November 16, $3.99 & Universal

    There’s No Place Like Space Is The First The Cat In The Hat Learning Library Title To Turn OmBook

    Targeted at young readers who’ve conquered the basics and yearn to feed greater curiosity, Random House Children’s Books’ The Cat in the Hat Learning Library is a great series that is headed to your iDevice thanks to the folks at Oceanhouse Media. The first title of the collection to make it into the App Store is There’s No Place Like Space!: All About Our Solar System.

    “This marks a continuation of our terrific partnership with Oceanhouse Media,” said Susan Brandt, President of Dr. Seuss Enterprises. “As they’ve done with the original Dr. Seuss books, Oceanhouse Media has taken this collection and developed apps that promote education and encourage children to be curious about the world around them, all in the spirit of Dr. Seuss.”

    Designed for ages five through eight, The Cat in the Hat Learning Library books make attaining new information fun by integrating it into the classically zany Dr. Seuss writing style. This particular series of the franchise trades moral lessons for scientific exploration and discovery of real life objects, concepts, and more.

    NFL Flick Quarterback

    NFL Flick Quarterback

    NFL Flick Quarterback, Released November 17, $2.99

    NFL Flick Quarterback Launches On iPhone

    NFL Flick Quarterback has arrived in the App Store. The iPhone/iPod touch uses flick and after-touch controls similar to those in Flick Golf and Flick Soccer.

    Created by Full Fat, the $2.99 game includes all 32 official NFL teams where you are the star quarterback.

    Updated

    Spotify, Updated November 15, Free

    The Latest Spotify Update Adds Privacy Options And Further Lock Screen Integration

    A little earlier today, the Spotify iPhone app was updated with a few new features that make the experience less clumsy. The app also added a little privacy.

    The introduction of the background audio feature in previous iOS versions made it possible to listen to songs through third-party music apps, get driving directions from navigation apps, and so on without needing to worry about keeping that specific app active. In addition, users had access to basic playback controls but one thing was still missing when using third-party music apps versus the iPod app: currently playing song information and cover art. Thankfully, this limitation has been lifted with the introduction of iOS 5.

    TUAW, Updated November 15, Free

    The TUAW App Has Been Updated

    We are happy to announce that TUAW has finally updated their app for full iOS 5 compatibility and has added some much needed new features.

    If you enjoy TUAW, as many of us do, you’ll be glad to know that their site’s official app that brings all of their content to iOS is now better than ever. On top of fixing the bugs that allow it to finally work with iOS 5 properly, the app now integrates with various “read later” services such as Instapaper or Evernote.

    AIM, Updated November 16, $2.99

    AIM For iPhone Receives A Brand New Look

    Today, AIM for iPhone (both the free and paid versions) received a significant update. On its iTunes page description, AOL claims that “AIM has evolved.” Has it?

    For those interested in a behind-the-scenes look at AppAdvice, here’s an insider secret: we use AIM for our office communications. As such, I was particularly interested in how the updated AIM stacked up to the older version. Please note that AIM for iPad has not yet received today’s update. Therefore, I was able to compare the old version on the iPad and the new version on the iPhone.

    Camera+, Updated November 16, $.99

    Tap Tap Tap Announces The Triumphant Return Of VolumeSnap For Camera+

    Today’s update to Camera+ marks the end of one wild ride for Tap Tap Tap and some of their dearest fans. After more than a year of fighting, the VolumeSnap feature returns once more, and this time it should be for good.

    What is VolumeSnap? It’s the option of using the volume buttons on your iPhone to activate the camera shutter instead of the virtual button. The choice was meant to allow a more traditional control and make it much easier to perform stable photography in certain situations. It really does seem like an obvious feature. However, VolumeSnap was an idea too far ahead of its time in regard to the iOS realm.

    It all began back in June 2010 when Tap Tap Tap blogged about the submission of Camera+ v1.0, which was rejected by Apple’s review team because of the VolumeSnap feature and its violation of iPhone app guidelines. Still disgruntled about Apple’s decision, Tap Tap Tap later submitted an update with VolumeSnap, only to be denied a second time. It was on this occasion, the developer chose to fight for a change in policy with some help from consumers.

    In a move that would ultimately backfire, a dark secret quickly spread across the blogosphere and discussion forums about how to enable the feature that Tap Tap Tap apparently stashed away as an alternate offense. Of course, the explosive coverage resulted in the removal of Camera+ from the App Store virtual shelves.

    Fanhattan for iPhone

    Fanhattan for iPhone

    Fanhattan for iPhone, Updated November 16, Free

    Fanhattan Launches On iPhone/iPod touch

    Fanhattan, the entertainment discovery service, today announced the launch of Fanhattan for iPhone.

    Originally offered only on the iPad, Fanhattan for iPhone allows users to discover and watch on-demand entertainment anytime and anywhere. As such, it includes tie-ins to some of the most popular video streaming services of the day including Netflix, Hulu Plus, and iTunes. More services will be added throughout the year providing access to yet more content.

    CoinKeeper: Budget and expense tracking, Updated November 17, $2.99

    CoinKeeper Adds A New Twist To Budgeting

    CoinKeeper: Budget and expense tracking by i-Free is a different way to look at budgeting.

    There are many finance apps out there to help you keep track of your spending, but just how many of them make budgeting (dare I say it) fun? Well, CoinKeeper does just that – it’s budgeting with a piggy bank feel and gaming elements, such as levels and achievements. It supports most of the popular currencies, so you should be covered, no matter where you are.

    When you launch CoinKeeper, you’ll be asked to enter in a set amount for every month. Then there’s a neat little feature when it comes to setting up the budgets. You can either do it manually, or you can have CoinKeeper do “smart budgeting.” This option allows the app to automatically calculate a recommended budget in each of the default categories, depending on the amount you entered. Of course, with smart budgeting, the app will know to give you more money to go for groceries rather than something else, like clothes.

    NAVIGON North America, Updated November 17, $39.99 & Universal (Other Versions Available)

    Navigon MobileNavigator Goes Through A Facelift And Slims Down In Today’s Big v2.0 Update

    The Navigon MobileNavigator apps turned v2.0 today, and it’s safe to say that the apps have matured greatly. Included in the changes are a revamped main user interface, new menu groupings, a new MyMaps feature, and a new FreshMaps subscription.

    The Best iPhone Apps Of The Week is published each weekend; a companion piece, The Best iPad Apps Of The Week, is published separately.

    Attention developers: If you would like your app to be considered for one of our “Best Of” lists, please me know by sending me a tweet @bryanmwolfe. Note: Your app must have been new or updated in the last week to make the current list.

    The Best New And Updated iPhone Apps Of The Week, November 13-19, 2011 is a story by AppAdvice.com

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    The Best New And Updated iPhone Apps Of The Week, November 13-19, 2011
    Bryan M. Wolfe
    Sun, 20 Nov 2011 03:13:24 GMT

    Friday, November 18, 2011

    Navigon 2.0 arrives for iPhone with new name, lets users download maps by state (video)

     

    Navigation junkies have been pining for Navigon's latest MobileNavigator application ever since our sneak preview at CTIA, but that wait is now over -- at least for iPhone constituents. To mark its arrival, the app was re-branded as Navigon 2.0, and yes, it's a free upgrade for current users. Most notably, the software now enables individuals to selectively load maps into their iPhone on a state-by-state basis -- thereby creating extra headroom for more important uses. Additionally, Navigon fans will also discover a completely re-designed user interface along with an in-app purchase function that delivers quarterly map updates. Now through November 30th, new users may purchase Navigon 2.0 for $20 off the normal price of $49.99 for the United States or Canada, and $59.99 for all of North America. Curious to see it in action? We've included a demo video and the full PR just beyond the break.

    Continue reading Navigon 2.0 arrives for iPhone with new name, lets users download maps by state (video)

    Navigon 2.0 arrives for iPhone with new name, lets users download maps by state (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 17 Nov 2011 07:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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    Navigon 2.0 arrives for iPhone with new name, lets users download maps by state (video)
    Zachary Lutz
    Thu, 17 Nov 2011 11:00:00 GMT

    Thursday, November 17, 2011

    AIM For iPhone Receives A Brand New Look

     

    AIM For iPhone Receives A Brand New Look

    Today, AIM for iPhone (both the free and paid versions) received a significant update. On its iTunes page description, AOL claims that “AIM has evolved.” Has it?

    For those interested in a behind-the-scenes look at AppAdvice, here’s an insider secret: we use AIM for our office communications. As such, I was particularly interested in how the updated AIM stacked up to the older version. Please note that AIM for iPad has not yet received today’s update. Therefore, I was able to compare the old version on the iPad and the new version on the iPhone.

    One of the key benefits of the update is that it allows you to store and sync your message history, as well as choose to “go off the record,” which will prevent your messages from being saved. I also liked the option to copy and paste individual messages into another program, such as email. It’s also easier than ever to set up group chats.

    Perhaps my favorite new feature was the ability to share photos directly in the conversation thread. Here is a screenshot of me testing out the new update with my editor-in-chief. Note the “never miss a message” picture that enlarges when clicked on.

    Screenshot

    My biggest complaint is that the new update removed my buddy lists. I now have to scroll through all my contacts to see who is online. Not that I really used it, but my lifestream has also disappeared.

    For me, the benefits of the new updates outweigh the loss of the old features. However, not everyone will feel that way. Overall, this update is less an evolution than a few steps forward in some respects, and a step back in others.

    Here is the full changelog:

    Features:

    • Chat with a friend or group of friends with the new “Start a Chat” button
    • Customize your groups with features like add/kick members, edit group icon and mute
    • Favorite your friends and group chats for instant access
    • Share photos and your location without leaving the conversation
    • Copy and paste messages
    • Tap on location previews in your conversation to get directions
    • Tap on icons to quickly view user details or group chat settings
    • See your social notifications for activity on your AIM, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram accounts
    • Turn on “Do Not Disturb” to turn off sounds and push notifications
    • Set quiet hours to mute sounds and push notifications for when you don’t want to be disturbed
    • Change your incoming message sound in sound settings
    • Connect to Facebook Chat and Google Talk in your chat networks settings

    AIM for iPhone is available in the App Store – free of charge for the free edition and $2.99 for the paid edition, which has no ads, and more sounds in the sound settings.

    AIM For iPhone Receives A Brand New Look is a story by AppAdvice.com

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    AIM For iPhone Receives A Brand New Look
    Leonard Liang
    Wed, 16 Nov 2011 23:26:17 GMT

    Wednesday, November 16, 2011

    The Latest Spotify Update Adds Privacy Options And Further Lock Screen Integration

     

    The Latest Spotify Update Adds Privacy Options And Further Lock Screen Integration

    A little earlier today, the Spotify iPhone app was updated with a few new features that make the experience less clumsy and add a little privacy,

    The introduction of the background audio feature in previous iOS versions made it possible to listen to songs through third-party music apps, get driving directions from navigation apps, and so on without needing to worry about keeping that specific app active. In addition, users had access to basic playback controls but one thing was still missing when using third-party music apps versus the iPod app: currently playing song information and cover art. Thankfully, this limitation has been lifted with the introduction of iOS 5.

    Spotify version 0.4.21 - Settings

    Two brand new preference settings offer options for privacy

    After updating to Spotify v0.4.21 on your iDevice running iOS 5.0 or later, the lock screen will now display the album artwork associated to the song currently being played through Spotify, similar to Apple’s iPod app experience. And also like the iPod app, pressing the Home button twice while viewing the lock screen will reveal artist, album, and song name amongst the playback controls. Seemingly so simple, although, very significant in regard to efficiency.

    Our next topic for today’s Spotify update is privacy. Two new options have been added to the Settings area that make it possible to keep your current listening choices a secret. First up, you can now enable or disable Facebook wall posting. As a second option, enabling Private Session will go a step further and prevent postings to Facebook’s Open Graph feature. The setting will be reverted after six hours of no Spotify activity.

    A bit more minor but still notable ais the addition of feature highlights for new Spotify mobile users and a requirement change. As the case for many apps taking advantage of new iOS features, today’s Spotify version moves up the minimum iOS version to 4.0. While it shouldn’t be a problem for most, it’s still something to consider if you’re reading this and wondering if hitting the update button is worthwhile.

    Spotify is designed for iPhone and iPod touch running iOS 4.0 or later, and available in the App Store as a free download.

    The Latest Spotify Update Adds Privacy Options And Further Lock Screen Integration is a story by AppAdvice.com

    AppAdvice - iPhone, iPad, iPod, App Reviews + News

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    The Latest Spotify Update Adds Privacy Options And Further Lock Screen Integration
    Casey Tschida
    Tue, 15 Nov 2011 22:54:15 GMT

    Starbucks Launches New Holiday App For iPhone

     

    Starbucks Launches New Holiday App For iPhone

    In time for the holidays, Starbucks has released its new Starbucks Cup Magic app for the iPhone/iPod touch. The free app lets users find holiday characters that come to life via the app.

    Making use of augmented reality, the Starbucks Cup Magic app’s central purpose is to make you smile and naturally, encourage you to buy a Latte or two. To do so, it encourages Starbucks customers to find each of five Starbucks Holiday Characters on Red Cups, Christmas Blend bags, in-store and more.

    Starbucks Cup Magic

    Starbucks Cup Magic

    In addition, the Starbucks Cup Magic app offers up-to-date information on special holiday offers and events from Starbucks. Finally, at the beginning of January, the app is to be updated for Valentine’s Day fun.

    Full features include:

    Experience: Find Starbucks holiday characters, scan them using the Starbucks Cup Magic app and watch them come life and create some holiday magic.

    Character Gallery: Track each character as you find and bring them to life. Characters include: Carolers, Skater, Sledder and Dog, Fox and Squirrel.

    eGift: Send an instant Starbucks Card eGift using the Starbucks Cup Magic app. Because it’s never too late to give everyone on your list a delicious treat from Starbucks.

    Holiday Offers: We’ll keep you up-to-date with notifications featuring the latest holiday offers and events from Starbucks.

    Note: eGifting feature is not available outside of the U.S.

    The Starbucks Cup Magic app is available now in the App Store.

    Starbucks Launches New Holiday App For iPhone is a story by AppAdvice.com

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    Starbucks Launches New Holiday App For iPhone
    Bryan M. Wolfe
    Wed, 16 Nov 2011 00:22:02 GMT

    Tuesday, November 15, 2011

    The Best New And Updated iPhone Apps Of The Week, November 6-12, 2011

     

    The Best New And Updated iPhone Apps Of The Week, November 6-12, 2011

    The AppAdvice iPhone App Of The Week:

    Photogene²

    Photogene²

    Photogene² for iPhone, Released November 10, $.99

    Photogene² Is A Powerful And Feature-Packed Successor That Belongs In Your Photo App Collection

    Photogene² for iPhone by Omer Shoor is a completely new app from it’s predecessor, reworked from the ground-up. It’s much faster, sleeker, and just plain awesome.

    With Photogene², you have the option to import photos from your device or snap new ones.

    If you choose to snap a new photo from the app, you’ll have a curved toolbar at the bottom. The option for flash and front-facing camera (iPhone 4 and 4S) are at the top. The bottom toolbar will have five buttons: close (go back to the Camera Roll), Last Photo, Shutter, Stabilizer, and Filters. The stabilizer will make it so that the app only takes a photo when the phone is completely steady, which is great for those of you with shaky hands. The filters will allow you to get a live preview of the shot and how it looks with the applied filter. Selecting one will have it be applied on the viewfinder, and you can shoot the photo that way.

    For those that want to use Photogene² to edit existing images, no problem. You will have access to the Photo Library on your device as soon as the app is opened (with the camera option in the top left corner). Your albums will be separated into what appears like stacks of Polaroids, and any time there is a new photo added (like if you take a screenshot), the Photogene² will automatically update the albums accordingly. When you go to view an album, your images will appear in thumbnails. There are three thumbnail sizes: small, medium, and large.

    New Releases

    Audium, Released November 8, $.99

    Audium’s Gestures And Sleek Design Make Music Listening Pure Bliss

    Audium by Mic Pringle is a gorgeous, gesture driven music player for the iPhone. The intuitive touch interface and beautiful design are what make this app a winner.

    You are presented with your albums, and cover art, in a tidy row on the bottom of the screen. At times, this made me more aware of how many albums I lack the art for. Nevertheless, use your finger to scroll through your albums and pull down on the cover to view the album name.

    To play the selected album, just double tap it. Once it’s playing, you can swipe up and down on the screen to adjust the volume or double tap the album to toggle play/pause. If you want to skip ahead, or even listen to preview tracks, swipe right for the next song and left for the previous.

    Blueprint 3D

    Blueprint 3D

    Blueprint 3D, Released November 10, $.99

    FDG Entertainment Releases Blueprint 3D, A Puzzle Game With More Depth Than Ever Before

    FDG Entertainment, the creators of titles such as Cover Orange and Beyond Ynth, brings you another puzzler, Blueprint 3D, one that takes place in multiple dimensions.

    When I heard the name Blueprint 3D, I didn’t know what to expect. But now that I’ve had a chance to try it, I can say without any doubt that Blueprint 3D is one of the most unique puzzle games I’ve ever experienced. Honestly, not even the clever title will prepare you for what this app offers.

    In this game, you’re required to make the blueprints of buildings, digital age devices, medieval weaponry, objects related to astronomy, and so on appear in their original form. The pieces of each blueprint exist on all three axises of three-dimensional space. Using a single finger, you can spin the entire set of pieces on all axises. When controlling the area with two fingers, the pieces only turn on one axis. Your goal is to determine which way to rotate these supposedly chaotic groups of lines so that the final perspective creates a 2-D schematic of an object: SIM card, battle axe, etc.

    Updated

    Wall Of Sound, Updated November 7, Free & Universal

    Wall Of Sound, A New Way To Listen To Your Music

    If you like the iTunes Artwork screen saver on your Mac, you will probably like Wall Of Sound by NuageProduction.

    The app does what the title suggests: it takes the album artwork from the music in your iTunes library and creates a “wall” on your iPhone or iPad screen. You can limit said wall to a specific genre, or let it all in.

    You can drag the wall in any direction, even diagonally, and more albums will appear. You can also pinch to resize the albums. Once you find something you want to listen to, simply tap the album. It will bring up a detailed view and start playing the first song.

    Apple Store, Updated November 8, Free

    Apple Store iOS App Gets A Major Update – Adds Personal Pickup, EasyPay And Tracking

    Apple has just updated its “Apple Store” iOS application, adding three major features: Personal Pickup, EasyPay and tracking.

    Personal Pickup allows users to purchase an item from the Apple Online Store and pick it up from an Apple Retail Store. Apple notes in the application’s release notes that “[m]ost in-stock orders are available for pickup within an hour.”

    Meteora+

    Meteora+

    Meteora+, Updated November 10, $3.99 & Universal

    Take To The Air And Avoid The Trees In Meteora+

    Meteora+ by Andy Abgottspon is an arcade game that has an airplane flying low along the surface of various types of terrain, where all have trees to be avoided and portals need to be collected.

    There are two types of control available: accelerometer and gestures.

    With the former, you control direction of the plane by tilting left or right. You don’t have to worry about accelerating yourself forward or moving up and down; the plane flies at a constant speed and automatically adjusts its height to match the terrain.

    The Best iPhone Apps Of The Week is published each weekend; a companion piece, The Best iPad Apps Of The Week, is published separately.

    Attention developers: If you would like your app to be considered for one of our “Best Of” lists, please me know by sending me a tweet @bryanmwolfe. Note: Your app must have been new or updated in the last week to make the current list.

    The Best New And Updated iPhone Apps Of The Week, November 6-12, 2011 is a story by AppAdvice.com

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    The Best New And Updated iPhone Apps Of The Week, November 6-12, 2011
    Bryan M. Wolfe
    Sun, 13 Nov 2011 16:50:11 GMT

    Friday, November 11, 2011

    Glooko Connects Glucose Meters To iPhones For Tracking Diabetes

     

    Glooko

    The iPhone in your pocket can do a lot more than just play games or music. Used properly, that computer can help save your life. Consumer health apps are increasingly hitting iTunes. The latest one to appear today is Glooko (iTunes).

    Glooko is a digital logbook for people with diabetes who have to check their blood sugar every day. There are dozens of glucose logbooks in iTunes, but almost all of them require manual entry. What makes Glooko different is that the company designed a $40 cable (sold separately) that works with six of the top glucose meters. You just plug it into both devices and it downloads your daily readings.

    The app itself is free. It lets you mark whether the reading was done before or after a meal, add notes, and email or fax a 14-day summary to your doctor. The company charges for the cable. “What people want to do is download these readings into Apple devices,” explains co-founder Anita Mathew. “Many of these meters don’t work with Apple devices.”

    There are an estimated 19 million diabetics in the U.S. alone, and 17 million of them test their blood sugar levels. By 2025, one in five people in the U.S. is projected to have diabetes.

    Simply connecting these medical devices to iPhones creates a market opportunity, but this is just the first step. Once Glooko starts collecting diabetes data it could start to analyze it (although there are regulatory barriers—just plotting the data points on a graph requires FDA clearance). It could also charge for premium features. Glooko is an ambitious startup. It’s chairman and co-founder is Yogen Dalal (Xerox Parc, Mayfield Fund). Mathew worked for ten years in product marketing at Johnson & Johnson, where she helped launch several glucose meters. The third co-founder is Sundeep Madra.

    Glooko also has some serious backers. The startup raised a $1 million seed round in November, 2010 from Chamath Palihapitiya‘s Social+Capital fund, Bill Campbell, Vint Cerf, Andy Hertzfeld, Judy Estrin, Bumptop founder Anand Agarawala, Kosmix co-founders Venky Harinarayan and Annad Rajaraman, Russel Hirsch, and Xtreme Labs. The company lends some of its Palo Alto office space to Social+Capital.

     

    Glooko Connects Glucose Meters To iPhones For Tracking Diabetes
    Erick Schonfeld
    Thu, 10 Nov 2011 04:14:33 GMT

    Wednesday, November 2, 2011

    Introducing the Gmail app for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch



    Waiting. Walking. Watching TV. Working out. Winding down. Waking up. We check email pretty much everywhere these days. And when we do, we want easy access to our important messages so we can respond quickly and get back to life -- or slinging birds at thieving green pigs.

    With that in mind, we’ve created a new Gmail app for iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch. We’ve combined your favorite features from the Gmail mobile web app and iOS into one app so you can be more productive on the go. It’s designed to be fast, efficient and take full advantage of the touchscreen and notification capabilities of your device. And it’s one more reason to switch to Gmail.

    Speed
    We want to give you the information you need quickly, with minimal effort and distraction. So we’ve included some time-saving features:

    • Get alerted to new messages with push notifications and sounds
    • Find an email in seconds with search across your entire inbox
    • Autocomplete email addresses from your Gmail contacts or select from your device’s address book
    • Upload photos with a click using the new attachment button in compose view
    • On iPad, navigate your inbox and read your mail simultaneously with split view


    Upload photos
    Reply, move, label and more


    Efficiency
    Our inboxes overflow with dozens and even hundreds of messages a day—and this can be even more challenging on a smaller screen. The new Gmail app helps organize your mail so you don’t have to go wading through your inbox to find that key message from your boss or loved one:

    • Focus on your important messages first with Priority Inbox
    • Quickly scan countless emails on the same subject with threaded conversations
    • Organize your mail by archiving, labelling, starring, deleting and reporting spam


    Threaded conversations on the iPad


    Touch
    We’ve also optimized the interface so you can perform common actions in Gmail with the lightest touch:

    • Pull down your inbox to rapidly refresh if you’re eager for new mail
    • Swipe right to view your labels without ever leaving your inbox
    • Swiftly scroll through dozens of emails just by sliding your finger


    Pull down to refresh
    Swipe right to view labels

    We hope the Gmail app makes checking email on the go a little easier. It is available in the App Store today and works on all devices running iOS 4+. For more information, check out our help center.

    Update: 11/16/11 On 11/2 we launched a new Gmail app for iOS but after finding a bug removed the app from the App Store. Starting today, the Gmail app is now available again.