"If there is an app for that"

Rushline, Feelca B&W, Delphi, and other apps to check out this weekend

November 12, 2016 by macjeff

This week’s Apps of the Week roundup features some great selections, including a new app for holding private conversations in public, a black & white photography app, and a strange countdown timer aimed at helping you get things done. And as always, we’ve picked two cool games for you to check out.

Rushline

Here is an interesting app called Rushline. The tagline is “private group messaging in public,” and it’s kind of tough to explain, but try to follow me. So you sign up for Rushline and pick topics to follow such as #sports or #startup. Then say another user who is working on a startup opens a Rushline with 1 or more of their colleagues. You’ll get a notification, access to the conversation, and maybe even have the chance to offer input. I know, it sounds like another discussion app destined to fail (see TalkShow), but you’ll never know if you like it unless you try it. Rushline is available for free.

Feelca B&W

This app is much easier to figure out. Feelca B&W is the latest entry is a string of successful Feelca-branded photo apps. As the name suggests, the focus this time is on black and white photography. There is no editing or post-filters/effects—just choose between 24 or 36 exposure film, tilt the manual focus dial and take your picture.  There is a timer, a function for adding a title, and of course you can share your photos. This app is available for $0.99.

Delphi

Steve Jobs famously said “Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose.” Delphi is kind of built on this notion. The app is, at a high-level, a countdown timer for your life. It sounds morbid, but the goal here is to help you put things in perspective, reduce procrastination/time-wasting, and focus on accomplishing things you want to get done. It’s not going to be for everyone, but again, you won’t know if you like it until you try it. This app is available for free.

SteamWorld Heist

The hit game that has won hearts on other platforms is now available on iOS. In SteamWorld Heist you command a steam-driven pirate crew in a series of epic tactical shootouts. It’s turn-based strategy with an action twist: You manually aim the guns of your robots, allowing for insane skill shots and bullet-bouncing action. As the captain you will board, loot and shoot your way through enemy spaceships. This game is available for $6.99.

Mike Jumps

Looking for a simpler arcade/platformer-type game? Check out Mike Jumps. In this game you’ll run, jump, swing, and fly your way through 200 challenging levels. There are 6 characters, 250 items to wear, and you can share your favorites via iMessage stickers in iOS 10.Other features include Game Center leaderboards and iCloud support. This game is available for free (with in-app purchases).

More apps to check out

• For those who serve: Veterans Day specials crop up on App Store & Apple Music
• Apple launches new ‘iBooks StoryTime’ app on tvOS
• Apple’s free app of the week: Perchang
• This app lets you try out Touch Bar on Macs that lack a physical Touch Bar
• The Trail is a beautiful jaunt in the palm of your hand

Apps updated this week

• 1Password now supports Touch ID and Touch Bar on the new MacBook Pro
• Instagram update brings Boomerang features, mentions and links in Stories
• YouTube for iOS gains Dreamy filter, better search & interactive timestamp links in comments
• “Hey Siri, send Sébastien $100 using PayPal”
• Viber launches Public Accounts for brands, overhauls media menus in iPhone app
• WhatsApp for iPhone gains GIF search feature
• Snapchat update enables new gestures for sharing Snaps and using Lenses
• Google overhauls Gmail for iOS, adds swipe to archive/delete, Undo Send & more

Source link: http://www.idownloadblog.com/2016/11/12/apps-of-the-week-november-11/

It’s Time to Crash the Party in Party Hard Go, Now on Mobile

November 11, 2016 by macjeff

Party Hard Go ($6.99) by tinyBuild LLC and Pinokl is a stealth strategy game where you take on the role of a guy who is downright tired of the neighbors having loud parties all the time, so he decides to go and do something about it himself. If you enjoy stealth games that have a dark twist, then you’ll enjoy Party Hard Go. It’s the mobile port of the cult classic Steam game that came out in August 2015.

As I grew up, I never really found myself as the kind of person who enjoyed partying all the time — I prefer to stay in and watch movies or television with family or friends. When I first heard of Party Hard, I was intrigued because the concept of the game was interesting, if a bit dark, to say the least. I had the chance to try a demo of the game when I was at E3 2015, and it was definitely a fun little game that’s packed with humor to offset the gloom. I bought the game on Steam a while ago, but when I had always wondered when it was going to arrive on mobile, since tinyBuild is no stranger to the iOS field, with great little games like Divide By Sheep and Dungelot: Shattered Lands. But now it’s finally here, and appropriately named with the “Go” addition, as in you can party hard on-the-go. And if you love challenging stealth games, then you won’t be disappointed with this one.

Visually, Party Hard Go is beautiful and plays a nice homage to the retro games of yesteryear with the pixelated art style. Each scenario contains a different party environment, and while it’s all pixelated, the developers paid a lot of attention to all of the finer details, which is evident as you play. How each room is laid out, the doors and connecting paths, traps, and even the zany characters that you may come across — you’ll be able to spot a lot of pop culture references scattered throughout, and everyone is bubbling with their own kind of personality, including you, as the killer. The settings are also rather flashy and dazzling with the everchanging lights and crazy props (like UFOs), and everything is dynamic and interactive, so you can use it to your advantage. The animations are smooth and fluid with no lag on my iPhone 7, the game’s quirky soundtrack goes along with the party setting, and the sound effects are fun to hear.

Party Hard Go features a total of 19 different levels that players can make their way through, and each stage has its own unique environment, along with random variations and events that can occur. And while you only have one character to start with, there are four additional ones you can unlock as you progress in the game, and they have their own distinctive traits. You’ll have to be successful in each party to gain access to the next area, and it’s a lot harder than you’d think. The goal in each level is simple: infiltrate the party as the killer, and kill everyone that’s there without getting caught, while racking up points depending on your kill style. It’s a dark and twisted game, but provides a challenge even for the most seasoned gamers. And Party Hard Go is not just about senseless killing — players will follow along with Detective John West as he searches for the truth behind a series of stabbings that seem to have been occuring at parties throughout the United States.

There are two control schemes in Party Hard Go: Virtual and Touch. The Virtual option includes a virtual directional pad in the bottom left corner and a handful of action buttons in the bottom right: kill, use trap, dance, sprint, and pick up body. If you opt for Touch controls, you will tap to move, double tap to sprint, swipe left or right to kill, swipe up or down to pick up or put down a body, and hold anywhere on the screen to dance. I personally think the virtual controls do the job fine, but if you prefer point-and-click style controls better, then it’s nice to have the Touch option.

If you’ve never played Party Hard before, yes, the concept is a bit shocking. But the game is challenging, fun, and has a bit of depth to everything because you have to plan out your murder spree in a way to not get caught by the police, so it’s not like you just rush in there and start offing everyone. Players will have to calculate their every move, observe all of the other partygoers, and strike quickly and silently. Another key element to not getting caught is to blend in during suspicious situations, which is why you have the “Dance” action. And if the only way to kill everyone was to stab them, then it would take a long time — that’s why the game encourages you to observe and interact with the environment to use it to your advantage and get a group of people at once, saving you time and netting more points.

If any of the partygoers notice you and see what you’ve done or there’s a dead body near you, they will panic and call the cops. When this happens, you’ll have to be quick on your feet and either get rid of them before the panic spreads, or escape and blend in quickly. When you see the handcuffs icon appear over your character, the police are looking for you and will stop at nothing to get you.

To make things even more interesting to the varied levels, the game has special random events that can occur, such as a bear coming in and killing a bunch of people for you. Another option is to trigger something at the party that will cause the DEA, SWAT cars, paramedics, and firefighters to come and crash everyone’s fun. Everything can be a bit unpredictable on each attempt, and some of the things that the pixelated party people say can be rather hilarious. I know I got a few solid laughs when I first checked the game out at E3.

While Party Hard Go seems like a game where you just go around thoughtlessly kill people, it’s much harder than you’d originally think. I have the original Steam version and I don’t think I made it very far, probably just to the second or third area so far. On iOS, I’m still on the first party because you have to plan out every single move to not get caught. Still, I’m finding it a lot of fun with the random crazy things and the humor is spot-on. Plus I’m a sucker for pixel art and great music, and the controls work well for a computer game ported over to touch screens.

I recommend giving Party Hard Go a try if you like stealth games that are dipped in grim humor and have never played the game before. Party Hard Go is on the App Store as a universal download for your iPhone and iPad for $6.99. There are no in-app purchases. You can also grab Party Hard for Windows, Mac, and Linux on Steam here.

Source link: http://appadvice.com/reviews

credit : appadvice

from : Mid Atlantic Consulting, Inc.

Apple releases kid-friendly StoryTime app for Apple TV

November 11, 2016 by macjeff

Source link: http://www.digitaltrends.com/movies/ibooks-storytime-app/

Free Apps to Download TODAY ONLY 11/11/2016

November 11, 2016 by macjeff

Perchang , Grocery List - Remember To Buy , Beauty and the Beast - Interactive Bedtime Storybook and more

iPhone:

Grocery List - Remember To Buy ( $0.99 → 1 ) Evandro Muller Remember To Buy will help you be a more efficient grocery shopper. New items can take on quantities with just a tap. Items can also be grouped by aisle with the help of colored tags. While shopping just tap to mark items off of your list. Remember To Buy also allows you to create multiple lists, and share lists via Messages or email.

Wealthy! - Track expenses, take photo, and share at one step. ( $0.99 → 1 ) Yi Jen Lin Wealthy’s timeline interface makes managing your finances quick and painless. When adding new expenses you’re able to categorize them, attach notes, and even attach a photo. Swipe left to right across the screen to access a scrollable financial report that can be exported. You’re also able to search for past expenses, set a passcode, and backup your data to Dropbox.

iPad:

Beauty and the Beast - Interactive Bedtime Storybook ( $3.99 → 1 ) Paul Smith The app features fantastic original illustrations from Walter Crane, which are brought to life with touch and tilt interactivity. As you flip through each beautifully rendered page, you will be able to hear soothing lute performances from Jon Sayles and music from Roxana Pavel Goldstein and Elias Goldstein.

Universal:

Perchang ( $1.99 → 1 ) Perchang Hold on tight and get ready for a gravity-defying experience. Perchang requires you to get little balls into their goal by activating flippers, magnets, portals, fans, and a variety of other gizmos via buttons on each side of the screen. You must work quickly, however, because you’re on the clock. The game includes 60 stunning levels to play through.

Source link: http://appadvice.com/apps-gone-free

Xotica Helps You Locate and Chat with Singles in Your Area

November 11, 2016 by macjeff

Whether you’re looking for a short term fling or a long term relationship, you certainly don’t face a lack of options when it comes to online dating.

Xotica is a beautifully designed dating app that makes it easy to locate singles in your area.

Created by BAAANET IT, this social networking app is a pleasure to use and includes a few useful tools to make your search easier than ever.

Concept and Functionality:

One important thing to keep in mind is very few online dating services and apps conduct background checks or other verification procedures to make sure people are who they say they are. Xotica addresses this in a disclaimer that you must accept before you can use the app.

Once you’re in, Xotica gives you a surprising range of options for customizing your personal profile. You have the basics such as who you’re looking for and your preferences, but you can also disclose whether you’re looking for a casual encounter or a serious relationship right off the bat.

This helps eliminate any miscommunication for others who might be viewing your profile because you can set search filters based on these preferences.

In terms of usability, Xotica is very easy to navigate and figure out. All of the options you’ve come to expect, such as contacting, “winking”, or ignoring, are right at your fingertips.

Features:

The biggest, and perhaps best, feature of Xotica is the realtime proximity alert system. Yes, it sounds a bit more like something out of a spy movie or a video game, but it’s designed to help you locate matches while you’re out and about.

This is a great option for users who aren’t always browsing available matches. It also works for users in big cities who are always on the go.

One drawback to Xotica is this feature (and the app itself) relies heavily on a large user base. Hopefully Xotica becomes popular enough that it catches on like wildfire so users outside of urban areas have a better chance of finding matches.

Value:

Xotica is available to download from the App Store for free and is designed for iPhone. I couldn’t track down any in-app purchases or special features to unlock, which is really good news for users who want a completely free dating app.

Overall, Xotica is an app I highly recommend if you’re in search of a dating app that’s upfront and clear about what is offered. You can use it to match with anyone with any interest, so I highly suggest giving it a try.

Xotica requires iOS 8.0 or later and is compatible with iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch.