One More Tap

Hot on the (w)heels of published Days of Thunder, Paramount Digital Entertainment seems unstoppable – they are bringing yet another movie franchise to the iPhone. This time, it is a game based on the 1986 movie Top Gun (starring Tom Cruise), one of the best aerial movies available.

Top Gun, developed by Freeverse, puts you in the role of a new Navy recruit in the Top Gun program. Maverick and Iceman has now taken position as instructors at the Top Gun Academy and they will lead you through various missions and scenarios as you attempt to become one of the few to survive the Highway in the Danger Zone.

Shoot down enemy crafts while at the same time dodging incoming air-to-air and surface-to-air missiles in a dangerous environment. A new storyline about a hostile Communist threat helps engage players with the game. It is now up to you and your supersonic fighter jet to fend off against these unfriendly force.

Top Gun features:

• screaming action through the skies in either an F-22 Raptor or B-2 Spirit stealth bomber
• fire target-locking missiles on enemies; or strafe their positions with your Vulcan cannon
• air-to-air and surface-to-air missiles as well as aerial and ground-based obstacles create ‘Danger Zones’ that players must avoid
• multiple in-depth missions – 10 altogether, in a variety of environments, including oceans, deserts, canyons and city centers
• earn medals and achievements as you progress through each mission in the game
• fly and battle your way to hits from the movie, including the famous track, Danger Zone
• create your own call-sign, be it Maverick, Goose, Merlin or Iceman
• unlockable content and easter eggs

Based on initial impressions and feedback from various sites, Top Gun seems to be a very fun arcade title with great graphics to boot. At only $1.99 (special launch price), the game seems worthy of an addition for arcade gamers and fans of the movie.

Now, if only they would allow us request (and get denied) for a fly-by upon completion of each mission.

Get the game from the iTunes Store and be sure to also check out the movie, now available for rent or purchase in both Standard and High Definition formats.

written by xcool \\ tags: Games, iPhone, iPod touch, Movies, Top Gun

Evangelion: 1.0 You Are (Not) Alone is a 2007 Japanese anime written and directed by Hideaki Anno. It’s the first among four films to be released in the Rebuild of Evangelion tetralogy, based on the original anime series Neo Genesis Evangelion. The plot of the film is largely a point-for-point adaptation of episodes one through six of the original anime. More about the film at Wikipedia.

If you are a fan of the anime, then I’m sure Appliya’s series of apps based on the film will be of attraction.

Evangelion vol.2 Clock is the second in a series of five apps released (so far) which is based on the anime movie. Basically a simple clock, Evangelion vol.2 Clock mimics the unique style and design of the timer screens found in NERV’s headquarters which monitored the remaining battery life of the Evangelion mechas.

The app’s graphics are faithful to that of the movie, and comes with optional sound effects. There’s also a timer that lets you count down all the way from 30 minutes. The timer switches to an emergency mode when it hits the remaining ten seconds.

Being a clock application, there’s not much to customize other than switching between 24-hour mode or AM/PM mode display. One thing I noticed is that the app doesn’t actually prevent the iPhone or iPod touch from going to sleep, something which I would prefer having as an option. However, the app pays full respect to the accelerometer, changing orientation accordingly when the device is rotated.

Overall, as a clock application, Evangelion vol.2 Clock delivers, with one minor annoyance. Again, if you are a fan of the anime, then this and among other apps based on the movie is definitely a must-have, maybe as an all-in-one app that combines all five different app’s functionality into one.

Get Evangelion vol.2 Clock from the iTunes Store for only $2.99 each. Feel free to also check out the remaining apps based on the anime’s theme by following the iTunes links below.

Evangelion vol.1 Cut Out
Evangelion vol.2 Clock
Evangelion vol.3 Picture Stamp
Evangelion vol.4 Calendar
Evangelion vol.5 Puzzle

The Evangelion series of apps are produced by Appliya Inc. Be sure to also check out the rest of Appliya’s applications in the iTunes Store.

written by xcool \\ tags: Apps, iPhone, iPod touch

Good Tuesday, internet! I just gave the FREE ON iTunes page a quick look and yes, they are definitely back. I’m not sure why the iTunes Store team failed to update that page last week. Nevertheless, let’s check out what’s in store for us.

First is our Single of the Week download. Check out Ain’t No Rest For The Wicked by Cage the Elephant, a five-member group from Kentucky, who caught the attention of the iTunes Store team, all thanks to their roots-y blues-rock number. Matt and Brad Shultz (brothers) displayed an effortless chemistry in this feature-track. If you liked this track, then please do check out the full self-titled album as well: Cage the Elephant

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written by xcool \\ tags: Discovery Download, Free, FREE ON iTunes, iTunes Store, Music Video of the Week, Single of the Week

Apple has just started making high-definition (often called HD, or hi-def) movies available for rent or purchase on the iTunes Store, starting this Thursday. According to Apple, future movies would be made available in the crisp and eye-popping format as early as 30-days after they are released.

Coinciding with this launch, Apple launched an HD page within iTunes, and featured about a dozen films which are available immediately. Blockbusters like Quantum of Solace, Twilight, The Spirit, Bangkok Dangerous, The Punisher: War Zone and Transporter 3 are featured. The latest James Bond film, Quantum of Solace and last years teenage vampire film, Twilight are currently available as pre-orders. Some of the films featured are only available for purchase minus the renting option.

Apple is selling the HD films for $19.99. Renting cost is $4.99 for newly released titles and $3.99 for older archives. The current offerings are quite limited, but the company said that it would be adding more HD movies soon.

Movies and TV shows purchased (or rented) from iTunes can be played on a number of devices like Apple’s Macintosh, Windows PCs, the iPhone, some iPod models as well as the Apple TV. Also, every HD film comes with an additional standard-definition version to make it easier for users to watch on an iPhone or iPod.

Prime-time television shows from all four major networks in the USA has been an offering on iTunes in HD format since the fall of 2008. Apple isn’t the first to offer HD content, and will definitely not be the last. As comparison, both Netflix and Blockbuster also offer HD content online.

iTunes 8.1 or later is required in order to purchase and download HD movies. Get iTunes from Apple’s web site, then head on to the iTunes Store and check out the HD movie offerings.

written by xcool \\ tags: HD, iTunes Store, Movies, TV Shows

It seems that the iTunes Store crew took the short cut this week by releasing some previously released songs and videos. As I previously chronicled here and here, I’m going to link you guys directly to the album version of the songs to guarantee you an iTunes Plus download.

I guess the iTunes Store team must have been enjoying this week’s Song of the Week download so as to re-release it as a free download. Adam Gregory’s Crazy Days is the free track. Reviewers in the iTunes Store practically agree to Adam’s great talentand this amazing track. Support Adam Gregory by getting his other single, What It Takes.

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written by xcool \\ tags: Discovery Download, Free, FREE ON iTunes, iTunes Store, Music Video of the Week, Single of the Week