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More app promotions for the holiday season

After the completion of the AppVent calendar, not all the promotions are over. iPhone developers and publishers have been changing the price of their apps and games during the holidays season, most radically when iTunes Connect closed for holidays. We will have to keep tracking those prices changes individually, but some devs have teamed up to create cool initiatives.

via flickr.com

Here's a list of the ones that you shouldn't miss:

12 Days of Christmas (European iTunes only)

Hosted by Apple, this one appeared right after the announcement of the AppVent Calendar. The mechanic is the same: Everyday a free iTunes item. Notice it doesn't necessarily have to be an app/game.

One of the novelties of this promotion is the inclusion of an iPhone app that will send you push notifications with alerts of the daily gift [iTunes Link]. I previously thought that it was a requirement to access the freebies, but it is not at all, besides the app will send you the notification even if you have seen the gift of the day.

Some of the big players in iTunes are meant to participate and today we have Trivial Pursuit for free. That's what I call a nice 30th anniversary celebration! There are heavy rumors of Labyrinth and Let's Golf being included. From the 26th of December to the 6th of January, only is some European Stores.

12 Days of Christmas Apps

This is the indie spin off from the Apple promo where some devs active in Touch Arcade forums are collaborating. Some are actually top tier games that you have heard before: Hanged from Freeverse, Scarecrow by Ezone, Glenn Corpes' Ground Effect, 9000 BC, Harbor Master or Red Conquest.

To have a chance to win one of the +600 promocodes donated to the initiative, you only need to register here and wait for some luck. The prizes are given away randomly, so there is no need to check the website everyday, which will prevent the games from having some extra exposure. You will receive an email with a link o check wether you have won or not. The promotion runs from the 26th of December to the 6th of January, and this one is open to all countries.

New Year's App Blowout!

For New Year's Eve some apps are going to have a discounted price. Organised by Howling Moon Software, this end of the year sale will include their game Twilight Golf. Some popular devs have joined including games like Eyegore's Eye Blast, Train Conductor, Ringo and Outnumbered, amongst others. Some games already have the discounted price, so make sure you check out the full list.

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Posted 2 months ago

Plushed! Reviewed - A surreal 2D platformer with beautiful art

If you follow me on twitter and read the reviews in this blog you will know that one of my biggest complaints about iPhone games is the lack of a story or interesting plot. It works for some games while others don't really need it. Perhaps I'm simply tired of bad attempts.

When I previewed Plushed [iTunes Link] I was surprised,and now after testing this game I can surely say that they have put some effort in that matter. Plushed by Blacksmith games is an iPhone platformer like no other. Set in a wicked fantasy world, you are in control of a plushy bunny in search of its owner, who happens to be the princess. It is all around food, with spaghetti balls trees (similar to the flying spaghetti monster) and pizzas to tease the game creatures.

The plot originality is one of the most remarkable elements of this production, but I also like the story flow. The player will need to talk to characters, read post notes and event get advice from its sword. Yes, the sword talks and it is the cutest thing ever!

The visual style is beautiful and full of hand drawn illustration-like characters, varied backgrounds and cartoony animations that work very well together. This makes the game purely 2D and currently the aim of the developer is to add new characters and content via updates.

Every chapter is different, with different goals, techniques to be used and varied scenery. So far I have played the three first levels and I have the feeling that as much as I like Plushed, there is a certain something missing. The gameplay is fair, but not perfect. Classic platformers where so basic that were easy to play and guess what one had to do. Plushed is so rich in content and surreal fantasy that you really have to get immersed to understand what to do straight away.

via youtube.com

The platforms, walls and objects are very nice, but they are so novel and do not get repeated in levels, so it's difficult to make sense of what they do. You know what I mean: You can jump to a platform, you can't jump a ceiling. I found it impossible to differentiated them, specially because some have odd shapes and end in edgy corners.

The main gameplay fault is the absence of damage UPDATE: The latest Plushed update gives the bunny 3 lives solving the "one hit and you're dead" issue. You don't even get a second chance. There are infinite lives as well. I would like to get my character blinking indicating danger so next time I know! At least there are checkpoints so you don't loose all the progress. Some of the enemies are so cute that it is difficult to know they are harmful. A blonde girl moving around is going to kill you? I will hug you to death!

Plushed fails to deliver in that sense, but it is otherwise a cool game with lovely 2D graphics and even some minigame surprises along the way. There is no doubt that this game breeds from the real videogame classics Mario and Sonic sagas, but is missing a level of freshness, speed or freedom to move that is counter attacked with a great history. If you like games with level of detail, the amount of random stuff and crazy references is breathtaking. See the screenshots for an enemy inspired in the dancing banana forum emoticon.

For their first game, Blacksmith has done something really good but must need to listen to feedback to follow other successful iPhone devs that do the same. They certainly do not lack imagination nor initiative (These are the chaps who organised the AppVent calendar). The game has been release recently, and it is currently on introductory sale. I suggest you grab it since it will gain value with time.

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Posted 2 months ago

News of the week - New iPhone in the works

The iPhone as a media message amplifier? via flickr.com

One of my personal favourite and most reputated Mac sites, MacRumors, have triggered the crazyness in the iPhone community. They reported last Saturday that developer Pandav has spotted usage records for an unreleased iPhone in their app's analytics.

"iPhone3,1" was first spotted in Pandav's usage logs in November. This "iPhone3,1" identifier does not match up with any shipping iPhones. The last iPhone released to the public was the iPhone 3GS which carries the identification string "iPhone2,1".
References to "iPhone3,1" was first discovered in the iPhone firmware files back in August, but this seems to be the first time that it has been spotted "in the wild". Apple similarly began testing the iPhone 3GS (iPhone2,1) back in October of 2008 about 8 months ahead of its launch. At the time, the usage was similarly focused in the San Francisco Bay Area where Apple is located.

via macrumors.com

The response in their forums and twitter has been very positive and I get the feeling some are getting too excited. As MacRumors makes clear, last time records of a new hardware type were found, it took Apple eight months to deploy in into the markets.

Isn't it absolutely normal that Apple tests new products? Because we are all willing to see more iPhone updates, but for me, this information only means that someone has been using 3rd party apps with a hardware model not official. This could be a jailbroken device, a new concept (tablet anyone?), a new iPhone OS version and of course, new iPhone hardware.

If you look back to January, PinchMedia provided reports of an 2.1 iPhone and now they do the same with 3.1. Data was gathered at the beginning of the month, so what's the point of releasing it now? Is it because this was a Black Friday weekend? You tell me about it.

UPDATE: This is trending topic now at Mashable

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Posted 3 months ago

iPhone gamer memorabilia: Beneath a Steel Sky, signed comic booklet

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Posted 3 months ago

Poplar, United Kingdom

No dish, no box. Sky television fits in your iPhone

Sky, the British subscription television channel is now in the iPhone, and oh boy, it works. First ones to get the treat where Xbox 360. From last week, O2 customers can install the service in form of an app that runs in your iDevice and allows you to stream your Sky content via WiFi. That's it: Tele in your pocket! The app has the not so creative name of "Sky Mobile TV News and Sports" and it is available only in the UK store

UPDATE I have included a massive picture gallery and a demo video for everyone to see loading times and how smooth it runs.

How's the app? Spartan. But works. With almost no flaw. The interface is kept to a minimum, a part to log in, the TV channel listing, what is currently played with a description, and of course, the killer feature: Live streaming of Sky Sports 1, 2, 3, Xtra, Sky Sports News, Sky News, At the races, and even ESPN. The app follows the line of other BSkyB apps in the store, that range from score center, news reporting and a remote Sky+ box recorder.

Let me tell you about the video playback. The quality is up to the iPhone screen standard and under WiFi I noticed no lag and the image was super smooth (for an iDevice...). This runs better than Youtube for me, and the loading time is about 4 sec. Disregard iTunes reviews from people that don't know WiFi is required to stream content.

The video controls include play and pause, with the possibility to go 30 seconds earlier in case you missed something. This ability to fast backwards and forward was very handy when watching a football game and wanted to se that tackle again. Then I can go back to real time.

You don't need to be a current BSkyB customer, the application has it's separate subscription package. O2 is currently offering three months for free for early subscribers. Later on it will be at £6 per month. You can sign up for the service texting "Sky" to 2020. When you compare the costs of a Home subscription you can see how the deal is: Getting Sky at home won't be less than £16 per month. If you happen to be interested in their sports channels, you will need to chip in for the sports package. If you even want the Cricket, Rugby, and in my case the Spanish La Liga, you'll need to get the Xtra pack, that is among the high tier ones, up to £36 per month.

For me the only drawback will be the subscription based service and the channels available do not always stream. I do think that for the price being asked and quality delivered it is a steal. I get a bitter feeling about "Free apps will be always free", because this one is not. I haven't watched a full game yet on the iPhone, but I could if the battery could last 2 hours streaming. (That screenshot is from a NBA game on ESPN)

From the first 3 months trial offer, yes I love it. When this period is over, let's see if they make any change or add more channels. For me this is getting closer to sci-fi. I'm tired of being told how Japanese and Koreans watch TV on the phone. Now we can in the UK. If only worked under 3G... I have included a massive picture gallery and a demo video for everyone to see loading times and how smooth it runs.

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Posted 3 months ago

Cookmate for iPhone - Exclusive Video Preview

via youtube.com

Hands on Cookmate. Can this be the biggest innovation in modern cooking? Have a look yourself.

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Posted 3 months ago

Reeder - Sweet RSS reader to sync, save and manage them all

Reeder is the new RSS feed reader from Silvio Rizzi. There are many good applications that offer Google Reader syncronisation, but is Reeder app to standard? Is Reeder just an aesthetic mimic or does its functionalities rock? Or what is more important... can Reeder beat established top apps in this category? For the last three weeks I have been testing Reeder and have provided feedback during the last step of development. This is my review of Reeder.

Reeder uses Google Reader to download and sync your feeds. That of course includes notes and other attributes you want to add (notes, sharing,... ). After setting up your Reader account, you'll be welcomed to the main screen that shows your "Unread count". It took me a while to get it, but the circle symbol means unread. With the star icon, Reeder jumps to your starred items.

Reeder breaks down all your feeds and present them in different tabs that I find very useful: Unread, Starred and Notes. After that you will have the Feed list that contains unread items, followed by the groups you have setup in your Google Reader.

The feed view presents the articles as you would expect. The unread ones will be in bold and you will get the first two lines of it in there. Favicons are supported and are featured in lists and menubar. The tick button will mark all items read, nice, and combining this tool with folders can be really handy. So far, nothing new.

I was pleasantly surprised when I opened the feed item. Media included is displayed and fully playable. Good news. The presentation is useful and doesn't clash with the look of the app, since pictures are framed and Youtube links have a small preview box. The title is framed in a bubble and users can access the web article tapping on it.

The social aspect of Reeder was considered and Silvio added more and more sharing services to the app in the last weeks. You can bookmark with del.ici.ous, save for later with Instapaper and ReadItLater and the option to mail as a link or the full thing. I must confess that I have posted to Posterous thorugh the email article feature and it was neat and kept all the formatting.

Aesthetically is very polished. One of the nicest touches is the "Sync bar" that actually blends with the UI sitting where the operator and battery icon are. The icon is simple and predictable but neat. I guess Silvio didn't want to take risks there but it gives an idea of RSS feed, folder, and favourites for the star. I have to admit that I was sold with the texturing of the menubars, it is not simple back, and the backgrounds, texts, links, and whole creamy look I find it superb.

If you want to get the best of Reeder, go to the settings section and tune it to your likes. I realised that the app was snappier if I only sync unread items, since I have ridiculous loads (600-1000) of them to read. If you need the unread count icon badge, you'll find it there. I also have chosen to never keep read items with a small font size for better results.

From my point of view, Reeder has to fight its right to be up there with Mobile RSS and Byline, but it is definitely a great app that would be perfect with Twitter and Facebook integration.

via youtube.com

UPDATE

I'm giving away promo codes for this app. You only need to follow appfreak and leave a comment here suggesting your favourite RSS feed about iPhone and iPod Touch apps and games. I'll choose two winners on Sunday, so make sure you leave your entry here.

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Posted 3 months ago

Integrating advertising in a game and how Real Racing GTI nailed it

If it has worked in other platforms why not on the iPhone? Grand Theft Auto and Need For Speed come to mind when thinking of good advertising blending. Is the iPhone, of game creators, able to do the same?

via flickr.com

There are games that have been created ad-hoc by advertisers. Think of Waterslide Barclays game or Carling's iBeer. Since then, car manufacturers, book publishers, hollywood studios have not been shy and have introduced an array of promotional apps in the store that have never been seen in the software industry. The apps and games in this category tend to split in two groups:

- Apps that help you too use the advertised service (Think of Amazon, eBay, Barnes&Noble, Facebook, Pandora, Google, Flixter,…) You name it.

- Apps that only aim to entertain the user and publicise it in social networks. (Zippo, Nikon, any major car manufacturer,…)

There is a thin line between the two, experiencing the service and the purely amusing part. After some attempts, VW has done it with the help from Firemint in Real Racing GTI. In the first place, I guess Volkswagen marketing people wanted to give potential drivers a feel of what the GTI is about. You might argue that it is only a game, but at least you simulate to drive (unlike Barclay's app, I don't take the waterside at my high street branch). The app contains a virtual showroom, a retail finder, which might save you a visit to their website.

On the other side, there is the fun element. Real Racing is one of the top games in the iPhone racing category, if not the best. The VW board must be real appfreaks to use all the advertising budget for the GTI in a mobile phone game. When you team up with a successful studio like Firemint (Flight Control, Real Racing) to create a game that is entertaining and yet promotional / informative, you come with an spectacular free app.

Moreover, RR GTI includes adverts inside the game. Well, the game and the race itself. This is an obvious trick, since motor sports are full of ads and sponsor logos, but this, somehow gives it realism. You even have BOSCH logos in the track! See the screenshot gallery here to see what I'm talking about.This is integration. By the end of the day, you get an amazing free game that is going to rocket to the #1, get media attention and that the casual gamer will love.

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Posted 4 months ago

5 Tips for new Megacorp employees

Now that we are all playing Eliminate Pro, it is time to share some tips from the expert gamers at TouchArcade. There are 5 things that you should consider to progress faster in your career.

Use Auto-Fire: A day at Arsenal Megacorp is tiring for your thumbs. Make sure the Auto-fire mode in your weapon is activated and don't stop firing.
Mind your back: Cover your back when possible and stop wasting time looking who is behind you. Unlike other first person shooters, walking backwards is not a good idea. With three other employees in the room, you'd better watch out.
Know your workplace: With 5 different facilities, take your time playing with bots or to get familiar with all the areas. Know where players appear, power ups, dangerous spots, shortcuts,...
Upgrade for performance: Choose one armour and one weapon and stick with them. Upgrade them to the maximum. The you can change. Don't spend credits in irrelevant features that won't help you at work. Focus on performance.
In the head hurts a lot: Aim for the head for best results. Try to anticipate the movements of the other players and surprise them in their faces. Beware of the kangaroos.

The waiting periods while your suit recharges are a great moment to practice new tactics and to make friends. If you use twitter and have not registered in the Megacorp Workers Union, what are you waiting for? Join the "Prepare to be Eliminated" list to meet new employees around the world.

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Posted 4 months ago

Slime Volleyball + iPhone = Addiction. Volley review in appfreakblog

Ever heard of Pikaball Round? Slime Volleyball? That was a very simple game where two Pikachus would play volleyball at a crazy speed. This time around, and with much less pixelated graphics comes "Volley" from TAPelicious. With beautiful 2D scenarios as background and with two slime blobs with no hands, you're left with your head and jump to will the volleyball game.

The controls are correct. Slide with one finger and jump with the other. It couldn't be easier, but sometimes I wish I could slide over all the left side and not only over the bar. Work out your own strategies and be prepared to adapt them to your rivals. As you progress in the game, enemies get tougher and tougher.

Volley has one of my best features in game. It's so simple and quick that it gets addictive. When a game can last for 1 minute or 1 second, it keeps me coming. If you're looking for a casual game that you can quickly play in a 3 min break, try this. I won't stop until I defeat the last blob!

Let's hope that the developer adds more game options, multiplayer, gaming network integration and even some other sports. Soon a Youtube video about it

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Posted 4 months ago

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appstore

More app promotions for the holiday season

Plushed! Reviewed - A surreal 2D platformer with beautiful art

News of the week - New iPhone in the works

iPhone gamer memorabilia: Beneath a Steel Sky, signed comic booklet

No dish, no box. Sky television fits in your iPhone

Cookmate for iPhone - Exclusive Video Preview

Reeder - Sweet RSS reader to sync, save and manage them all

Integrating advertising in a game and how Real Racing GTI nailed it

5 Tips for new Megacorp employees

Slime Volleyball + iPhone = Addiction. Volley review in appfreakblog