148Apps Main |
- Archetype Reloads With More Free Content
- Paddle Battle Review
- Finally. iMovie available for iPad!
- NHL 2K11 HD Review
- Newspaper Offers Free iPad with Three Year Subscription
- Undead Island Review
- Instapaper Receives 3.0 Update with Social Features, Other Improvements
- The Funnies Review
- Liqua Pop Review
- Casey’s Contraptions Set to Channel Rube Goldberg on Your iOS Device
| Archetype Reloads With More Free Content Posted: 14 Mar 2011 11:30 AM PDT Archetype, the online multiplayer-focused first-person shooter from Villain, is getting a major content update with the now available 1.5 update. Not only have 12 new maps been added, but a new free for all mode is available as well, with 6 levels of its own to play. As well, the Capture the Flag mode and other maps that were previously only available through the “Frontier” DLC now are available to all players, in an attempt to get more people playing the mode. As well, the game’s menus have been redesigned to be more streamlined, and new anti-cheating measures have been implemented, because wanting to exact fictional violence on your opponents is far better than wanting to exact real violence because they’re cheating. Archetype HD is getting the exact same updates as well, so iPad shooter fans won’t be left out of the new content fun. The game updates are now available in the App Store.  ArchetypeiPhone App - Designed for the iPhone, compatible with the iPad Buy Now: $0.99 Our Rating: Released: 2010-07-01 :: Category: Games / Adventure   :: WHERE'S THE BEEF?Read Our Full Review >>  Archetype HDiPad Only App - Designed for the iPad Buy Now: $1.99 Released: 2010-08-19 :: Category: Games / Action [ Archetype Reloads With More Free Content is a post from 148Apps ] Apps mentioned in this post: Archetype, Archetype HD |
| Posted: 14 Mar 2011 11:04 AM PDT  Paddle Battle ReviewBy Timothy Smith on March 14th, 2011Our Rating: :: PADDLE CRAZYiPad Only App - Designed for the iPad Paddle Battle puts a modern twist on classic gameplay for some intense multiplayer action.
Developer: Keeple Price: $2.99 Graphics / Sound Rating: 4 out of 5 stars Overall Rating: 3.88 out of 5 stars Paddle games have a certain sense of allure due to their basic nature. Pong and Brick Breaker style games were among the first widespread video games, and even though they are simplistic, I find it hard to resist their charm. I guess it’s just one of my primal instinctive needs as a gamer; if I see a paddle with projectiles coming at it, then I have to deflect them. The Developer, Keeple, takes that primal need and transforms it into an intense multiplayer brawl.
Paddle Battle has elements from such classics as Asteroids, Pong, and Breakout/Arkanoid, but it manages to stay fresh with hilarious power-ups and solid gameplay. It is a great action oriented muliplayer gem with enough style to separate it from other games in the genre. I would’ve liked to see some type of A.I. opponent or a score attack mode for some single player action, but even without it the game still shines. If you want to showcase your iPad’s multitouch capabilities, or you if you’re a fan of paddle games then this one is worth a look. Paddle Battle offers a satisfying multiplayer experience; just be sure not to toss your iPad off the table in the midst of the action. [ Paddle Battle Review is a post from 148Apps ]  Paddle BattleiPad Only App - Designed for the iPad Buy Now: $2.99 Our Rating: Released: 2011-02-11 :: Category: Games / Family :: PADDLE CRAZYRead Our Full Review >> Apps mentioned in this post: Paddle Battle |
| Finally. iMovie available for iPad! Posted: 14 Mar 2011 10:30 AM PDT Last year, when Apple announced they’d be bringing iMovie to the iPhone 4, months after they had released the iPad, I was hoping beyond hope that they’d offer it on the tablet device. But no. Not until they announced the iPad 2 earlier this month would they give iPad owners the option to use iMovie to edit, save, and now even create videos on their iPads.
However, hope is not lost for us iPad 1 owners, 9to5mac Reports on how to get the new iPad friendly iMovie to work on your first generation device, and perhaps most importantly, without jailbreaking!  iMovieUniversal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad Buy Now: $4.99 Our Rating: Released: 2010-06-24 :: Category: Photography :: SHOOT TO THRILLRead Our Full Review >> [ Finally. iMovie available for iPad! is a post from 148Apps ] Apps mentioned in this post: iMovie |
| Posted: 14 Mar 2011 10:04 AM PDT  NHL 2K11 HD ReviewBy Derek Walter on March 14th, 2011Our Rating: :: EXCELLENTiPad Only App - Designed for the iPad NHL 2K11 HD brings a great hockey experience to the iPad. It is a fast-paced game that makes for addicting gameplay.
Developer: 2K Sports Price: $4.99 Graphics / Sound Rating: 4.25 out of 5 stars Overall Rating: 4.44 out of 5 stars NHL 2K11 HD is the ultimate hockey game for the iPad. Even those who are not hockey or sports fans may find this to be an excellent game worth having. Playing NHL 2K11 HD can be done with a traditional virtual joystick and buttons or with an innovative one-handed method. Most players will probably feel more comfortable with the former setup, though casual gamers or those who just like to sample different options may enjoy trying the one-handed control. To get started choose a team by swiping through the available jerseys in the main menu. Or if you are in it for the long haul then choose the season option. If this is your first go-round, there is an excellent tutorial that walks through the basics of playing. If playing with the virtual buttons, you will find they are arranged close enough together so it is easy to tap between them during the sometimes frantic gameplay. The buttons, which have icons detailing their function, are used for passing, shooting and switching players while on offense. Defense includes a button for trying to steal the puck or check (hit) an opponent. Switching players is one of the few functions that actually performs better under the one-handed approach, as you simply tap on the player that you want to control. Hockey games lend themselves to a lot of button-tapping, so the quicker you memorize the button locations the less frustration you will have when trying to steal the puck or score a goal. On the iPad, NHL 2K11 HD is less comprehensive than the console version, although this is to be expected given that this is a touch-screen mobile device. Holding the iPad with two hands to use the virtual controls can also get tiring after a full game or two. Yet NHL 2K11 is a one of the better sports games available right now for the iPad. It plays well and is extremely stable – a must have for sports fans or those who want a solid, addicting game. [ NHL 2K11 HD Review is a post from 148Apps ]  2K Sports NHL 2K11 for iPadiPad Only App - Designed for the iPad Buy Now: $4.99 Our Rating: Released: 2011-02-10 :: Category: Games / Sports :: EXCELLENTRead Our Full Review >> Apps mentioned in this post: 2K Sports NHL 2K11 for iPad |
| Newspaper Offers Free iPad with Three Year Subscription Posted: 14 Mar 2011 09:30 AM PDT
The plan also includes the recent hire of Sylvain Leduc last year as the executive vice president of digital business, who was put in charge of overseeing the Digital Edition of La Presse. The the vice president of marketing of the newspaper, Jean Durocher may be looking at The Daily as inspiration for a ditgitally based business model. However, the Rupert Murdoch, News Corp. funded iPad-only news source is currently free, and after March 21 will only cost $0.99 per week. Compare that to the subscription pricing La Presse, and factor in its much more limited readership, and the offer might not be as appealing as they hope. When you break down the costs, it seems more like a discounted 3 year subscription with the purchase of an iPad. The subscription rates (as published on La Presse website) vary, but the most expensive option is the Monday-Saturday ($2.99/week) plus Sunday ($1.59/week) editions for $4.58/week (including taxes). Should the subscription prices not change, that would cost you about $714.50 over three years. Assuming they’re offering the lowest iPad model (16Gb Wifi-only), the pricing is currently $419.00, and even that has come down from the initial $549.00 launch price of the iPad. so, you’re essentially paying for an iPad plus an extra $300 for the subscription. Who knows over the next two to three years what the pricing for the iPad might look like, increasing the pricing of the newspaper that you’ve already subscribed to. While this may make for an interesting marketing proposal for the newspaper, and in the end a push for the business into the digital realm, I don’t think that this makes much sense for consumers. In the end it seems more like a marketing gimmick than a business revitalization to me. However, in the end people hear ‘Free iPad’ and may jump all over the bandwagon. *Prices are in Canadian Dollars. [ via Gigaom.com, projetj.ca ] [ Newspaper Offers Free iPad with Three Year Subscription is a post from 148Apps ]  |
| Posted: 14 Mar 2011 09:04 AM PDT  Undead Island ReviewBy Chantelle Joy Duxbury on March 14th, 2011Our Rating: :: GENRE REDEEMERiPhone App - Designed for the iPhone, compatible with the iPad A very fleshed out (no pun intended) take on the Ninja VS Zombie theme, with side-scrolling & platforming action.
Developer: Team Phobic Price: $1.99 Graphics / Sound Rating: 4 out of 5 stars Overall Rating: 3.75 out of 5 stars I am usually quite weary of side-scrollers or platform games on the iPhone. Maybe because, like 99% of the time, the control mechanisms are virtual buttons that I’ll simply not be able to hit. Either I’m clumsy or platform games just aren’t for me on this device. Give me a physical controller and I’ll plow through these types of games quickly, though.
Using the accelerometer for movement and simple “tap left side of screen to jump, tap right side of screen to attack”, it offers an ease to game play I’m not used to, and that I very much enjoyed. Once you get the mechanics of movement down, the game is quite fun. Undead Island’s story revolves around a ninja girl who must fight an island full of undead creatures. Almost everything about the plot is what you’d expect from a platformer: collect coins, watch your health, get the power-ups, don’t fall in a pit, etc. The game play is repetitive but not boringly so, and offers increasingly difficult levels and monsters as you’d expect. As for those levels, however, there are only 15 or so, 5 of which I plowed through in the first 15 minutes of playing. So while you might not get hours of enjoyment, at this price, you’re still getting a lot for what you’re paying.
For extra credit you get in-app optional Facebook/Twitter updates to share your scores and successes with friends, as well as Game Center connectivity for leader-boards and badges. At this point, these features are pretty much default for most games, but nice to mention nonetheless. Check out the game trailer and screen shots below for a better idea of the art and style of the game. I, for one, feel this genre has slightly redeemed itself with this game, and I will continue to play it until I kill the very last Zombie on Undead Island. A professionally designed, easy-to-manoeuvre game, with decent graphics, music and well developed storyline. What more could you want? [ Undead Island Review is a post from 148Apps ]  Undead IslandiPhone App - Designed for the iPhone, compatible with the iPad Buy Now: $1.99 Our Rating: Released: 2011-03-03 :: Category: Games / Adventure :: GENRE REDEEMERRead Our Full Review >> Apps mentioned in this post: Undead Island |
| Instapaper Receives 3.0 Update with Social Features, Other Improvements Posted: 14 Mar 2011 08:30 AM PDT
The full details on listed on Instapaper’s blog, but the main focus with this huge update is social. With 3.0, you can share articles to a bevy of social sites including Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, Evernote, and Pinboard. The app will even queue them up for later posting if you don’t have internet access at the time—jeez, I wish some of those sites would implement that feature for their own apps. Additionally, instead of “starring” articles, you now “like” them. Why is this significant? Well, with 3.0, you can browse your friends’ liked articles to see who’s reading what. To find “friends,” users can link their Facebook or Twitter accounts to Instapaper, or search for email addresses. Similarly, an “Editors” browser that features articles collected by “the best human curators on the web who recommend great articles for Instapaper reading.” It should be noted that all of these social features are entirely optional—Instapaper isn’t forcing you into anything. Other improvements are also welcome. You can now save articles to read later from an in-app browser, instead of installing that pesky Safari bookmarklet and having to leave the app. Instapaper is also apparently faster at downloading, and can download images as well. The app can also search through the content of downloaded articles, which is a very welcome addition. Be aware that upon updating, the app will delete and re-download all of your old articles, which could potentially require an annoyingly long wait. If you haven’t tried Instapaper before, now’s the perfect time to jump. The app, which is universal and thus designed for both iPhone and iPad, is only $4.99; if you’ve already purchased it, the 3.0 update is free.  InstapaperUniversal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad Buy Now: $4.99 Our Rating: Released: 2008-08-21 :: Category: News :: LITERARY BLISSRead Our Full Review >> [ Instapaper Receives 3.0 Update with Social Features, Other Improvements is a post from 148Apps ] Apps mentioned in this post: Instapaper |
| Posted: 14 Mar 2011 08:04 AM PDT  The Funnies ReviewBy Chantelle Joy Duxbury on March 14th, 2011Our Rating: :: EASY LIKE SUNDAY MORNINGiPhone App - Designed for the iPhone, compatible with the iPad An easy to use Comic aggregation app from AFK Studios. Completely redesigned recently to better suit comic viewing and offer a fluid and easy user interface. One of the best ways to read comics on the iPhone or iPad.
Developer: AFK Studio Price: $4.99 iPhone Integration Rating: 4 out of 5 stars Overall Rating: 4.17 out of 5 stars
AFK studios has created an app hoping to simplify your comic reading endeavours. Listing over 400 popular published and online comics (from Adam @Home to XKCD), they’ve created an app with a fluid user interface that makes reading comics easier than picking up a newspaper on the weekend. What you’ll probably enjoy about this app the most is that it is designed specifically to let the comic shine through. There isn’t much in the way of menus, lists, categories or tags. Once you’ve subscribed to your favourite strips, you can set your main page to show all comics, or just the new ones. Once you’re viewing a strip, a flick of the finger shows the next comic. Feel free to zoom in as you would any photo! You can also save each comic to your iPhone or iPad, or share via Twitter, Email or Facebook.
Additionally, no RSS readers are going to give you an in-app search engine just for comics. With over 400 listed, it’s likely you’ll find your favourites, or discover a new one and very easily simply by adding it to your home feed. The in-app search functionality is one of the best features of this app.
However, once in this ‘preview’ page, there’s no way out. The virtual keyboard that popped up in the search menu is stuck up, and you literally need to force-quit from the multi-task menu, by going into (any other) app. This is annoying, but hopefully easy to fix in a future update. The only other problem I had with the search functionality is that you cannot search by Author. Not knowing if PvP would be listed as an abbreviation, I search for Scott Kurtz, but to no avail. Fret not, I found it listed under Player VS Player. The developers are constantly adding new strips with every update, and while not available now, I’m hoping that in future updates we can add our own RSS feeds for lesser-known comics too. For those of us who read several comics weekly, and don’t always keep on top of the publishing schedule (is it three days a week? or five?) The Funnies is a great tool to keep all of your strips in one place, and much cleaner and purposefully designed than a generic RSS reader. I suggest you try out the Free Version (which only offers 50 comics in the Search Database) first, and once you’re hooked on the simplicity of it, you’ll eagerly download the full version. [ The Funnies Review is a post from 148Apps ]  The FunniesUniversal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad Buy Now: $4.99 Our Rating: Released: 2010-12-23 :: Category: Entertainment :: EASY LIKE SUNDAY MORNINGRead Our Full Review >> Apps mentioned in this post: The Funnies |
| Posted: 14 Mar 2011 07:04 AM PDT  Liqua Pop ReviewBy Jennifer Allen on March 14th, 2011Our Rating: :: LIMITEDiPhone App - Designed for the iPhone, compatible with the iPad Liqua Pop offers style over substance in this beautiful Match Three puzzler.
Developer: Electronic Arts Price: $1.99 Version Reviewed: 1.0.9 Device Reviewed On: iPhone 4 Graphics / Sound Rating: 4 out of 5 stars Overall Rating: 3.38 out of 5 stars Liqua Pop is a luscious game to look at. It’s bright and attractive to play along with and it evokes a soothing atmosphere, even with its mildly distracting drip dropping sound effects. It doesn’t really feel like it offers much new to the Match Three genre however, plus it’s a bit pricier than many other games within the genre.
In the early stages, Liqua Pop is simple enough to progress through the levels and you’ll find yourself playing this more to relax than anything else. Later on though, the stages get faster and require quicker reactions to match the respective colors up. It’s an enjoyable experience but after a while you can’t help but wonder what the point is. There’s no great structure to things, you just keep playing and playing in order to gain the best high score. Annoyingly you can’t even compare high scores very easily as Facebook integration is used to do this rather than something more appropriate such as Game Center or OpenFeint. It all just feels a bit expensive for what’s here. There’s only the one mode of play when the addition of a relaxing Endless mode would have been nice and would feel like you’ve paid for quality. Liqua Pop is fine but why should you have to put up with fine when for $2 you could buy something that’s great? Heck you could buy a couple of excellent games for that price instead. The shaking method to destroy the droplets is a nice touch but Liqua Pop still feels like something that either needs a price drop or some extra features to make it truly worth a purchase. [ Liqua Pop Review is a post from 148Apps ]  Liqua PopiPhone App - Designed for the iPhone, compatible with the iPad Buy Now: $1.99 Our Rating: Released: 2011-03-10 :: Category: Games / Puzzle :: LIMITEDRead Our Full Review >> Apps mentioned in this post: Liqua Pop |
| Casey’s Contraptions Set to Channel Rube Goldberg on Your iOS Device Posted: 14 Mar 2011 06:04 AM PDT We got a quick look at Casey’s Contraptions from Snappy Touch and Mystery Coconut Games at GDC — it’s a physics puzzler where you solve the puzzles with toys and other everyday items. And it’s a great little puzzler. Take the contraption building of a physics puzzler like The Incredible Machine and make it quick and casual like Cut The Rope. Once you are done, filter all that all through the mind of an 8 year old and you get the idea of what Casey’s Contraptions is bringing. We can expect to see Casey’s Contraptions to hit the App Store soon. I know I can’t wait! [ Casey’s Contraptions Set to Channel Rube Goldberg on Your iOS Device is a post from 148Apps ] Apps mentioned in this post: Cut the Rope |
Now, finally with the launch of the New and Improved iPad 2, Apple sets the new version of iMovie loose, just mere hours before the iPad 2 will be on sale nationwide at 5:00pm. So, as soon as you get home from buying your iPad 2, you can install the updated version which should work with your faster, better, lighter device.
Here’s some interesting news from Canada. French Canadian, Montreal based newspaper La Presse is offering a free iPad to subscribers of a three-year contract for the print and digital edition of their newspaper. It’s part of a new three to five year business plan put forward by the president and publisher of the paper, Guy Crevier, as a way to lean into the ever growing popularity of digital media.
Luckily, Undead Island is the first game I’ve come across recently (keeping in mind my aforementioned mild avoidance of such games) that offers a intuitive and decent solution to the virtual controller. 
The game offers good graphics, great narration (by someone who sounds a lot like Leonard Nimoy to me), and decent cut-scenes. It’s a pretty well developed and story-rich game for being so simple, which very much adds to its appeal and fun.
Instapaper is routinely hailed as one of the best apps of the App Store (it was even among the first inductees to the 
Who doesn’t remember sitting down to a page or two of The Funnies on Sunday Morning? As we grow older, most of us have switched to reading our favourite comics online, perhaps even in an RSS reader, or, heaven forbid, visiting each page every few days.
Unfortunately, this is where I found a couple of problems within the app. The first issue can be seen when you search for a strip – tap it to add it to your list, with the option to see the most recent strip.
The concept as always is very similar. Drops of colored water cascade down the screen and you have to drag them together thus creating bigger drops and destroying them after a few seconds of waiting. One brief innovation comes in the form of shaking your iOS device in order to pop the bubbles faster. Also, inside some of the droplets are bugs which can then affect what happens next such as one bug type that once it explodes, it changes all surrounding droplets to the same color.
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