Apple picker Unusually, App Week is published on Sunday, your weekly overview of news from the world of developers, new apps and games, important updates and, last but not least, discounts in the App Store and elsewhere.
News from the world of applications
Gameloft confirms Men In Black 3 and Asphalt 7 for iOS (7/5)
Although Gameloft has just sent the third installment of the NOVA shooter to the App Store, it has already announced that it is working on other interesting titles. iOS players can look forward to the official game based on the movie Men in Black 3 (Men in Black 3) as well as the continuation of the racing series Asphalt 7: Heat. Men in Black 3 will be for Android and iOS, where they will be released for iPhone and iPad. Gameloft is expected to once again release the game for free, but make money from in-app purchases. MiB 3 should be released on May 25, the same day that the movie of the same name debuts in theaters.
The release of the next part of the Asphalt racing series is also being prepared, the demo of which was shown last Friday during the presentation of the new Samsung Galaxy S III. Although Gameloft has not yet given any details, even regarding the release date, we can certainly look forward to Ashpalt 7: Heat.
Source: CultOfAndroid.com
The Shadow Era Card Game Gets Its Physical Version (7/5)
Shadow Era is a collectible card game that resembles Magic: The Gathering in several ways, but has its own specific rules and boasts beautifully illustrated cards. Wulven Game Studios, who are responsible for the game, announced that the game will also receive real playing cards in physical form. They teamed up with the card manufacturer Cartamundi, which should be a guarantee of high quality cards. The nice thing is that all the cards you buy in physical form are also available for the digital game.
Wumven Game Studios will try to raise money for printing and distribution with a system similar to that offered by Kickstarter, i.e. by getting subsidies from fans who subscribe to cards in this way. For the first time, the physical cards should appear in June at the exhibition Origins Game Fair in Ohio, USA, they should be sold a month later.
Source: TUAW.com
Evernote buys Cocoa Box, maker of Penultimate (7/5)
Evernote, which develops the app of the same name and several others, has announced that it has acquired Cocoa Box, the studio behind Penultimate, a hand-written note-taking app, for $70 million. The marriage of the two companies actually makes sense, and on some level the two apps work together. From Penultimate, you can send the created handwritten notes to Evernote, where a clever algorithm will convert them to text. The company says it wants to keep Penultimate as a standalone app, just integrate it more into its ecosystem that it's gradually building. The penultimate addition was also the Skitch application, which Evernote also announced.
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Source: TUAW.com
Apple has 84% of revenue from mobile games (7/5)
Although mobile phones with the Android operating system are selling like mushrooms, Apple dominates the gaming market in terms of earnings. The California-based company holds an 84% share of the US mobile game revenue market, according to market researcher NewZoo in its latest report. According to NewZoo, the number of US mobile gamers has risen from 75 million to 101 million, with 69% playing on smartphones and 21% on tablets. However, the biggest growth was seen among players who pay for games. According to NewZoo, their number has grown to 37 million, which is 36% of all mobile gamers, and that's a decent number. NewZoo CEO Peter Warman explains why people spend the most on games on iOS: "There's one major thing that makes Apple different — it requires users to link their credit card directly to their App Store account, which makes shopping a lot easier."
Source: CultOfMac.com
The creator of Tiny Wings is preparing another game (8/5)
It's been some time since the so-called addictive Tiny Wings appeared in the App Store. Since then, it has been downloaded by millions of users and has provided developer Andreas Illiger with a decent income. In Tiny Wings, you flew a little bird among the hills and collected sunshine, and the game became an instant hit, which surprised Illiger himself, who disappeared from sight for a while. However, he clearly hasn't stopped working, as he admitted in a rare interview that he's developing a brand new game for iOS. However, he refused to reveal any other details. He confirmed that he continues to work alone, thus not joining any major studio, and the only thing he bought with the money he earned from Tiny Wings was a new computer. Illiger's new game could appear in the App Store within a few weeks.
Source: TUAW.com
Facebook introduced its own App Store (May 9)
Facebook's digital software store is called App Center, and it's not just for Facebook apps. Through this HTML5 application, users will have access to mobile software for iOS, Andorid (it will include links directly to stores), as well as web and desktop applications. So Facebook doesn't want to compete with the App Store or Google Play, instead it wants to help users discover new apps. However, there are a few similarities with competing systems – the App Center has its own rules for successfully approving an app and will also include user ratings and comments. Special care will then be given to applications directly for Facebook.
Source: CultOfAndroid.com
Adobe sent Photoshop Lightroom 4 to the Mac App Store (9/5)
Two months after Photoshop Lightroom 4 was released, this software from Adobe also appeared in the Mac App Store. Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 4 costs $149,99, which is the same price Adobe charges for the boxed versions. It does, however, provide existing Lightroom users with an upgrade to the latest version for $79. However, the fourth version of Lightroom cannot be found in the Czech Mac App Store.
Source: MacRumors.com
Angry Birds reached a billion downloads, Rovio is preparing a new game (11/5)
Rovi is doing well. The popular game Angry Birds from Finnish developers has achieved a significant milestone when it reached one billion downloaded copies on all platforms. Angry Birds is currently available on iOS, Android, OS X, Facebook, Google Chrome, PSP and Play Station 3, and there are several sequels. But Rovio apparently decided that it was enough, so they are going to come up with a completely new game. The executive director of the development team confirmed to Finnish television that Rovia's new venture will be called Amazing Alex and will be available within two months. The game should revolve around Alex, the main character and an inquisitive young boy who enjoys building. Mikael Hed, CEO of Rovia, recognizes that expectations will be high: "The pressure is great. We want to maintain the high standard we set with Angry Birds.” So we probably have something to look forward to.
Source: macstories.net, (2)
New applications
NOVA 3 – Gameloft has come out with a new shooter
After a long wait, the third part of the successful FPS action NOVA hit the App Store. This time, the plot does not take place on an alien planet, but on Earth, where the protagonist finds himself due to his spaceship crash, and then fights a space invasion here. While the first installments were heavily inspired by the well-known Halo series, the latest title of Near Orbit Vanguard Alliance is more reminiscent of Crysis 2.
In terms of graphics, Gameloft really pulled it off, although according to the games like gangsta or 9 mm it rather seemed that the studio with origins in Germany was rather stagnant. It is not clear whether Unreal Engine 3, which was licensed by Gameloft last year, was used, or whether it is their own improved engine, but the game looks really great. This includes shadows and dynamic lighting rendered in real time, improved physics and other cinematic effects in the environment. In addition to the elaborate single-player game (10 missions), the game will also offer extensive multiplayer for up to twelve players on six maps in six different game modes, you will also drive in different vehicles, and of course you will have a rich arsenal of weapons at your disposal.
[button color=red link=http://itunes.apple.com/cz/app/nova-3-near-orbit-vanguard/id474764934?mt=8 target=”“]NOVA 3 – €5,49[/ buttons]
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Twitpic introduced the official app
It might seem like Twitpic comes up with a bit of a cross after the funus, as they say, but it does. The popular service for sharing photos on Twitter has announced the launch of its official application for the iPhone. The application is available for free in the App Store and does not bring anything new compared to the established competition. The present editor for quick editing of captured images is also not surprising. The handy thing is that the application loads all the photos that you have uploaded to Twitter via Twitpic in the past, so you can remind yourself of your shots with all the relevant tweets. However, if you do not use this service, then it will not have any added value for you, on the contrary, you will not use it.
[button color=”red” link=”http://itunes.apple.com/cz/app/twitpic/id523490954?mt=8&ign-mpt=uo%3D4″ target=”“]Twitpic – free[/button]
The TouchArcade server also has its own application
Server & Hosting TouchArcade.com, specializing in iOS game news and reviews, has submitted its own app to the App Store. The content is completely in English, but if you speak English and play on an iPhone, iPod touch or iPad at the same time, then try TouchArcade. The app is free to download and offers practically everything you'll find on the TouchArcade.com website - in addition to news and reviews, you'll also find an overview of new game titles, a forum and the ability to track apps. TouchArcade then informs you about changes to selected applications.
[button color=”red” link=”http://itunes.apple.com/cz/app/toucharcade-best-new-games/id509945427?mt=8″ target=”“]TouchArcade – free[/button]
Polamatic - an application from Polaroid
Polaroid has released its photography app for the iPhone. It's a bit of an Instagram clone, but it's not free and it also tries to extract money from users with additional "in-app purchase" transactions. The app is called Polamatic and it allows the typical functions - take a photo, add various filters and frames, and then share the image on Facebook, Twitter, Flicker, Tumblr or Instagram. Polamatic comes with twelve filters, twelve frames and twelve different fonts for embedded text. The app costs €0,79, and for the same price you can purchase additional filters and frames.
[button color=red link=http://itunes.apple.com/cz/app/polamatic-made-in-polaroid/id514596710?mt=8 target=”“]Polamatic – €0,79[/button]
Adobe Proto and Collage - Adobe is moving to tablets
Adobe has finally released its Adobe Collage software in an iPad version. This is a tool that was only available to Android users until now and its role is to create eye-catching collages and simple drawings. Adobe Proto for iPad was also released, which allows you to create websites and mobile applications. Adobe Collage allows the user to import content from other Adobe Creative Suite applications or from 2GB of Adobe Creative Cloud storage. Subsequently, this content can be transformed into an artistic collage using several types of pens, typing text with different fonts, inserting additional drawings, images, videos, etc.
Adobe Proto, as already mentioned, is used to design websites and mobile applications. This application takes full advantage of the touch screen of tablets and allows you to create with simple strokes of your fingers using CSS. The user can synchronize his work using Creative Cloud or Dreamweaver CS6 services. Both Adobe Collage and Adobe Proto iPad versions are available on the App Store for €7,99. Adobe has also updated its Photoshop for iPad. The new version of this popular assistant brings many new features, including automatic synchronization with Creative Cloud. Several new languages have also been added to the app menu.
[button color=red link=http://itunes.apple.com/cz/app/adobe-proto/id517834953?mt=8 target=““]Adobe Proto – €7,99[/button][button color= red link=http://itunes.apple.com/cz/app/adobe-collage/id517835526?mt=8 target=”“]Adobe Collage – €7,99[/button]
Important update
Instacast in version 2.0
Arguably the best podcast management tool for iOS, Instacast is coming with a big update to version 2.0. In addition to the redesigned user interface, the new version of the application also brings many new features and improvements, such as archiving of individual episodes, time-out, etc. If the features of Instacast are not enough for you even after the update, there is still a paid upgrade to Instacast Pro via “in- app purchase” for €0,79, which brings, for example, the ability to organize podcasts into playlists or smart playlists, allows you to use bookmarks and also brings push notifications that alert you to new episodes of your favorite podcasts. Instacast is available in the App Store for 0,79 €.
Successful update of MindNode for iOS
A relatively unobtrusive update of MindNode mind mapping application has appeared in the App Store, but version 2.1 brings major changes – a new look, the ability to send documents to other applications, and support for the Retina display of the new iPad. In addition to fixing a few bugs, the news is as follows:
- directly from MindNode it is now possible to send documents to any other application you have installed on your iOS device,
- new interface look,
- support for the Retina display of the new iPad,
- 200% zoom level,
- improvements to document selection on iPhone,
- display of crossed-out text,
- new setting to enable screen mirroring.
MindNode 2.1 for iOS is available for download for 7,99 euros in the App Store.
Photoshop Touch still lacks Retina support after the latest update
Adobe has updated its Photoshop Touch for iOS, but those who waited for version 1.2 to support the Retina display of the new iPad will be disappointed. The biggest news is support for the new highest resolution of 2048×2048 pixels, although the basic one will still remain 1600×1600 pixels. Other news are:
- automatic synchronization with Creative Cloud,
- added export to PSD and PNG via Camera Roll or e-mail,
- improved workflow for image rotation and rotation,
- the ability to transfer images to a computer via iTunes,
- added two new tutorials,
- added four new effects (Watercolor Paint, HDR Look, Soft Light and Soft Skin).
Adobe Photoshop Touch 1.2 is available for download for 7,99 euros in the App Store.
Pocket comes with the first update, brings new features
The first update was given to the Pocket application, which was recently replaced by Read It Later. Version 4.1 brings several new features and improvements that will definitely please users.
- Page Flipping mode: in addition to basic scrolling, saved articles in Pocket can now be paged like in a book (left, right).
- Improved dark theme and new sepia theme: contrast and readability have been adjusted in both themes, making reading even more comfortable.
- Option to choose an even larger font than before.
- Pocket now automatically recognizes URLs in the clipboard, which can be immediately saved for reading.
- Added support for other video sites such as TED, Devour or Khan Academy.
- Error correction.
Pocket 4.1 is available for download free in the App Store.
Google+ in a new guise
On Wednesday, May 9, a new update of the Google+ application for iPhone was released, and according to the first reactions, it is a successful update. The main benefit is the redesigned user interface and also the improvement of stability, which has been quite poor until now. A few bugs have also been fixed. Interestingly, the iOS platform was the first to receive it, Android users still have to wait for the update.
Tip of the week
Srdcari - an original Czech magazine
One of the very interesting projects is the work of the creative group Srdcaři. This team, led by editor-in-chief Miroslav Náplava, came up with a beautifully designed interactive magazine with a travel and knowledge theme. According to the official annotation, the authors were mainly inspired by the Daily Fortune Teller newspaper from the famous Harry Potter saga by JK Rowling. In this newspaper, still photographs turn into "moving" images. Modern technology, the development and implementation of which will remain associated with the name of the visionary Steve Jobs, now allows Rowling's fantastic vision of an interactive newspaper to come true.
The heartthrobs clearly show us what makes the iPad special and make full use of its potential. In addition, the project shows where the world of media and the method of mass mediating of information could go next. Srdcaři magazine could be considered a kind of very successful celebration of modern technologies that are now available to us. You can download this (so far) quarterly magazine to your iPad for free from the App Store.
[button color=red link=http://itunes.apple.com/cz/app/srdcari/id518356703?mt=8 target=““]Srdcari – Free[/button]
Current discounts
- Smart Office 2 (App Store) – Free
- The Rise of Atlantis HD Premium (App Store) – Free
- Lego Harry Potter: Years 1-4 (App Store) – 0,79 €
- Batman Arkham City Lockdown (App Store) – 0,79 €
- Pocket Informant (App Store) – 5,49 €
- Pocket Informant HD (App Store) – 6,99 €
- The Treasures of Montezuma (App Store) 2 – 0,79 €
- The TReasures of Montezuma 3 HD (App Store) – 0,79 €
- Zumas' Revenge HD (App Store) – 1,59 €
- Braveheart (App Store) – Free
- Braveheart HD (App Store) – Free
- European War 2 (App Store) – 0,79 €
- Portal 2 (Steam) – 5,09 €
- Portal 1+2 bundle (Steam) – 6,45 €
And when will the competition for the stand be announced? :P
NOVA3 is great. But I have yet to find an app that can make the new ipad hotter. And what will it do with iPhone 4s :)
Good work. Keep it up.
I would like to ask how does the translation of handwritten text from Penultimate to Evernote work? I could not find that option anywhere in Evernote (iPad). Thank you for any answer.
I believe it only works on the desktop version
Ah, well... Thanks for the reply.