One More Tap

Pocket God‘s much awaited update is now available from the iTunes App Store. As you may recall, developers Bolt Creative had to combine both episodes 11 and 12 before resubmitting the update to Apple after it was rejected due to an “Apple Branding” violation.

I downloaded the update as soon as it was live and I’m happy to say that the wait was worth it. The combo update includes both episodes, Something’s Fishy and March of the Fire Ants. Also included is the Feint social-networking engine which comes with chat and leaderboard features.

Something’s Fishy allow the pygmies (the inhabitants of the island) to use a fishing pole and begin fishing. It won’t be easy for them though, as they might end up being fished by the shark instead. Once a fish is caught, you can either leave it so that the islanders can have a meal full of protein – or turn it against them by fish-slapping them! Evil at its best! *grin*

On the other hand, March of the Fire Ants adds a mysterious magnifying lens and an anthill to the island. The magnifying lens lets you use the sunlight and set fire on both the pygmies and ants alike. Tap on the anthill to provoke the ants, they’ll start coming out of their fortress. Drag a line for the ants to follow and see what happens.

Trying to be a benevolent God? I bet you’ll stop being one with these new features!

Of note is that you can’t have both Something’s Fishy and March of the Fire Ants features turned on at the same time – you’ll have to choose either one. Last, but not least, do remember to give the Feint chat and leaderboard a look, which can be accessed from the chat menu. Feint integrates with both Twitter and Facebook, so it’s superbly easy to get started. If you do not have an account from either service (which earthling doesn’t have a Facebook account nowadays?), then simply sign up for an account from within the app.

Developer Bolt Creative continues to maintain its update-a-week feature for Pocket God. Next episode is titled Say My Name. I can’t imagine what kind of torture this update will bring, so stay tuned.

Grab Pocket God from the iTunes App Store for only $0.99 a copy and start showing your friends and colleagues what your iPhone is capable of doing with this episodic microgame. If you are still undecided, then check out our review of the app – Review: Pocket God (4.5/5.0 Taps)

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

As expected, Apple released a new version of iTunes, version 8.1 to coincide with yesterday’s new iPod shuffle release.

Apple claims the new version to be much faster and more responsive. Noticeable improvements should occur when – working with large libraries, browsing the iTunes Store, preparing to sync with an iPod/iPhone and optimizing photos for syncing. I hope Apple lives up to the claim – I am feeling the fat of the current version, especially in the Applications tab. I am hitting 300 apps soon and the experience is sluggish at best.

Besides the performance improvements, iTunes 8.1 also includes many other enhancements and bug fixes, some of which are listed below:

• syncing with new iPod shuffle VoiceOver (3rd generation)
• iTunes DJ (previously Party Shuffle) now allows friends to request songs
• Genius sidebar can now be enabled for Movies and TV Shows seems to be pulled, according to this post over at The iPhone Blog
• improved performance when downloading iTunes Plus tracks
• new AutoFill feature for iPods that are manually managed
• import tracks using the same quality settings as iTunes Plus
• accessibility improvements
• disable iTunes U and the iTunes Store separately using Parental Controls
• security updates

Mac users should also find the accompanying Front Row update if you have a recently released Macintosh computer that can make use of the feature. Besides this, Apple’s Remote software for both the iPhone and iPod touch has also been updated to version 1.2 in order to improve compatibility with iTunes 8.1.

Head over to Apple’s web site to get the new iTunes 8.1 – Mac users can opt to use Software Update to download both iTunes 8.1 and Front Row 2.1.7. Once iTunes 8.1 is installed, head over to the iTunes Store to get the updated Remote application for your iPhone or iPod touch.

Happy iTunes DJ-ing!

written by xcool \\ tags: iTunes, Software, Updates

I’m loving this game so much, and can’t wait to get my hands on the update. It’s going to be massive to say the least.

Chillingo, the publisher of this popular game by Moregames Entertainment, has just announced that the finalized version of the updated game is now in the hands of Apple’s App Store reviewers and should be available for download anytime. Here’s the complete list of features in the new update:

• Four new monsters
• Two new landscapes – Castle Hall and Frozen Earth
• Updated perk system with a couple of new perks added
• Two new game modes: Super Survival, Wave Attack
• New power-ups – Haste, Rage, Time Stop and Bomb (only available in Super Survival mode)
• Earn money and buy reinforcements in Wave Attack mode
• Rush Mode updated – you can now choose a weapon to begin with
• Added two new options for better weapon switching
• Two new weapons – one (Blade Ripper) only accessible in Rush mode, and another (Flamethrower) is everywhere

The update will weight triple its original size – I assume this is mostly made up of the new features mentioned above.

Celebrating this new release is the announcement of a contest by the folks at Chillingo. Participants stand to win an A2-sized iDracula Unique Limited Edition Poster Board Art (click for larger image), which is made of top quality foamex board. Registration requires that you submit a Twitter entry and subscribe to Chillingo’s VIP newsletter. Winners will be picked at random seven days after the update hits the iTunes App Store. Check out the instructions page for more details. My Twitter feed on the right pillar of this page shows that I have just submitted my entry as well.

iDracula is available now for only $0.99. This will not be for long – the update will be priced at $2.99, so grab this chance now to get the game!

written by xcool \\ tags: Contest, Games, iPhone, iPod touch, Preview, Updates

Quick update, people! For those of you who have already purchased this title, then hold your breath – the promised version 1.1 update is definitely coming this March. MoreGames, the developer of this great title has just uploaded a sneak preview video of this much awaited update. Coming in this new update: 2 new levels, weapons and game modes, an online score board as well as some minor tweaks and fixes. As for the tweaks and fixes department, I look forward to seeing the perks bug fixed, i.e. multiple same perk being offered.

Now, without further ado, drool on with the sneak peak video embedded below.

iDracula – Undead Awakening is still selling at a discounted price of $0.99. Get it before the price goes up to $2.99 when the update arrives!

written by xcool \\ tags: Games, iPhone, iPod touch, Preview, Updates

Released less than a month ago, SlotZ Racer has done pretty well, climbing up the stairs of the Top Paid Apps list slowly. The app once reached its peak at number 3, but fell slowly afterwards. As of this writing, SlotZ Racer is currently sitting at position number 26.

Freeverse has just announced some major upgrades to this already great game. Early buyers like me who bought the game at only $0.99 a pop when it was launched gains the most from this upgrade, which brings the version number to 1.1. The file size has also been increased by about 50 percent, most likely due to new graphical additions. Read on to find out more.

Continue reading »

written by xcool \\ tags: Freeverse, Games, iPhone, iPod touch, SlotZ Racer, Updates