"If there is an app for that"

Check out this endless runner game you can play from Notification Center

April 19, 2016 by macjeff

Knowing that Apple has been restrictive in the past on what is and what isn’t allowed to pass in the App Store for a Notification Center widget, it can be fun when little gems find their way into the top charts section and you stumble upon them.

While looking through them, I discovered a free endless runner game called Steve – The Jumping Dinosaur, but unlike other endless runners you’ve played before, this game is played inside of a Notification Center widget rather than from the app itself.

Playing a game from Notification Center

It’s not every day that you get to play a game from Notification Center. Very few of them seem to exist.

Apple is very strict when it comes to what Notification Center widgets are allowed to do, but it seems like they’ve been relaxing their rules a little bit lately, as widgets are appearing to gain more complex functions than ever before.

Nevertheless, it was only a matter of time before someone started to turn these widgets, which were intended to be used as shortcuts, into platforms for games. Steve – The Jumping Dinosaur isn’t the first game to be made for Notification Center, but with its free price tag, high user ratings, and addicting gameplay, I believe it’s worth taking a look at.

Gameplay

Steve – The Jumping Dinosaur is actually the perfect title for this game, because your main character is a dinosaur named Steve, and you will be doing a lot of jumping. It’s an endless runner game that just keeps going, and going, and going…

As it goes, you’ll be presented with obstacles, such as cacti. You may be presented with one or many, but your overall goal no matter the situation is to jump over them rather than run into them.

You simply tap on the widget to jump every time you see an upcoming obstacle, as your main goal is to get as far as you can without dying. A distance counter is displayed for you at the top right of the widget as you are playing and updates in real time.

As you progress, cacti will become less spread out, and your hand-eye coordination will become tested by the higher frequency of obstacles that are trying to make you fail.

At the end, when you happen to die, you’ll be presented with your score and you’ll be alerted whether it’s a new high score or not.

Game customization

Steve – The Jumping Dinosaur also includes an app that lets you customize the game skin. Although the default is Steve, the dinosaur, you can also pick from any of the following characters, which are available for a $0.99 in-app purchase:

• Leo the teenage mutant ninja turtle
• Alex the lion
• Zvi the nyan cat
• Spark the Charmander wannabe
• Ralph the teenage mutant ninja turtle

The developer includes a button so you can request your own character, so if you’d like to see a skin for a very specific character, and if enough people ask for it, you just might see it come forth in a future update.

Other features of the game

If you thought that was all the package came with, think again.

Despite being just a Notification Center widget, it’s still a game, and as a result, it comes bundled with its own Leaderboards by way of Game Center so you can compete with other people and challenge your friends for the top score.

The game also includes sounds right from Notification Center, including jumping effects and even a dramatic sound effect when you run into a cactus and die. The sounds are toggled on or off from the widget itself by tapping on the sound button.

Conclusion

Steve – The Jumping Dinosaur is fun game to try out, especially thanks to its free price tag in the App Store. I think it’s a unique take on an endless runner game, simply because you can play it right from Notification Center without even launching an app.

Although it’s not the first game to ever be made for Notification Center, it has some unique qualities to it, and you can also tell that the developer took a lot of care to polish the game and make it special.

Judging my own experience from playing the game, I believe this is a great time-killer for when you’re stuck in a waiting room or you’re bored on your lunch break.

What are your thoughts on playing an endless runner game from Notification Center? Share below!

Free Apps to Download TODAY ONLY 04/18/2016

April 18, 2016 by macjeff

iMoodJournal , Slayin , Paranormal Agency: The Ghosts of Wayne Mansion HD (Full) and more

iPhone:

Capture your mood multiple times throughout the day, and add hashtags to describe how you feel or what you've done. You can also attach self portrait photos to see how your mood affects your appearance. After enough data has been collected, iMoodJournal will provide you with a summary chart so you can recognize patterns. The app also includes the ability to set reminders, and the ability to share your mood via Facebook.

An old mansion sits on the outskirts of a peaceful village. The locals say they’ve heard strange sounds and spotted shadowy figures roaming around. To quell their worries, the mayor has invited you to investigate the strange events. Search every corner looking for clues, pick up useful items, and solve tricky puzzles to get to the bottom of the mystery. The game includes more than 100 scenes to explore, 12 puzzles, and two modes.

Universal:

Slayin is classic gaming at its absolute best. First choose a hero that matches the way you want to play. Then put your fingers to the screen and start slaying every monster that gets in your way. To do so, simply guide your character’s weapon into them. Monsters will appear from all directions, so be prepared to jump and change directions constantly. Collect the coins that fall from your enemies to purchase new weapons, armor, and spells. Just keep in mind that once you die, you’re done for good and you’ll have to start all over. You don’t get to keep your leveled up character.

The great thing about Eureka is that it can be used by just about anyone. It doesn’t even have to replace your current go-to productivity app. You can use it in addition to it. Basically, whenever you have something you want to remember pop into your head, launch Eureka and record it. That idea or task will then be instantly transferred to the Today view where you can always see it. Ideas and tasks within the Today view can be marked off as complete and even moved to the top with a right to left swipe. That’s really all there is to it.

An old mansion sits on the outskirts of a peaceful village. The locals say they’ve heard strange sounds and spotted shadowy figures roaming around. To quell their worries, the mayor has invited you to investigate the strange events. Search every corner looking for clues, pick up useful items, and solve tricky puzzles to get to the bottom of the mystery. The game includes more than 100 scenes to explore, 12 puzzles, and two modes.

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

Best app deals of the day! 6 paid iPhone apps on sale for a limited time

April 18, 2016 by macjeff

Everyone likes free apps, but sometimes the best ones are a bit expensive. Now and then, developers put paid apps on sale for a limited time, but you have to snatch them up fast. Here are the latest and greatest apps on sale in the iOS App Store.

The post Best app deals of the day! 6 paid iPhone apps on sale for a limited time appeared first on Digital Trends.

Free Apps to Download TODAY ONLY 04/17/2016

April 17, 2016 by macjeff

myHome Plus- All-in-one Smart Home Automation , Compass++ PRO – Get a great looking HD Compass ! , Kalculator and more

Universal:

The days of switching from app to app in order to control all of your HomeKit accessories are over. With myHome installed, all of your accessories can be controlled from one screen no matter their manufacturer. Accessories can be organized into rooms, zones, and groups, and you can create triggers to intelligently control your home. The app also offers remote access, and supports multiple users with different control levels.

Compass allows you to view true north coordinates, magnetic north coordinates, and the general direction you are heading all on the same screen. Tap the middle of the screen to switch to the compass view. You’re able to switch between the 15 different themes by swiping left or right. The app also includes a built-in flashlight.

Kalculator will help you make quick work of complex calculations. As you type, you’ll be able to see your calculation play out in real-time. Tapping on the equals button will register the calculation in the scrolling history. You can reuse any calculation or result with a tap, and delete calculations from the history with a swipe. The app also includes Apple Watch support.

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

Free Apps to Download TODAY ONLY 04/16/2016

April 16, 2016 by macjeff

WorldABC — The CIA World FactBook , Noizio , Apache SIM HD and more

iPhone:

This flight sim isn’t just about freely roaming the skies and enjoying the scenery. Your helicopter is equipped with some very advanced weaponry like a M230 chain gun and rockets with infrared targeting. You’re able to utilize this heavy weaponry on combat missions that take place above both land and sea, and you can unleash it upon your foes with just a tap. The game includes a total of 17 missions, and loads of camera angles.

Toca Doctor is a collection of 21 puzzles and mini-games. Each game focuses on different parts of the human body and features wacky characters. Your child is able to play at their own pace since there aren’t any timer or other stressful elements, so just hand off your iDevice and let them explore.

Universal:

WorldABC includes facts on every country, dependency, and geographic entity in the world. You’re able to browse through a list of countries, view by rank, search for something specific, or spin the globe. WorldABC provides information on the history, people, government, economy, energy, geography, communications, transportation, military, and transnational issues. Everything is covered here, and all of the data is stored offline.

Noizio includes 15 enchanting ambient sounds: October Rain, Coffee House, Thunderstorm, Campfire, Winter Wind, Sea Waves, River Stream, Summer Night, Sunny Day, Deep Space, Sailing Yacht, Inside Train, Farm, Wind Chimes, and Blue Whales. Sounds can be activated with a tap, and sliders allow you to adjust the intensity of each separately. Your custom mixes can be saved for later use.

Your child will be presented with one of three butterflies, each with their own personality. Fruits of different colors hang down the left side of the screen. Your little one can tap on a fruit to select its color, and then put their finger to the screen to start painting. Whatever pattern they create will appear on the opposite wing, creating enchanting symmetrical designs. The app also includes a wide variety of brushes to choose from, and the ability to interact with the butterflies.

This flight sim isn’t just about freely roaming the skies and enjoying the scenery. Your helicopter is equipped with some very advanced weaponry like a M230 chain gun and rockets with infrared targeting. You’re able to utilize this heavy weaponry on combat missions that take place above both land and sea, and you can unleash it upon your foes with just a tap. The game includes a total of 17 missions, and loads of camera angles.

Toca Doctor is a collection of 21 puzzles and mini-games. Each game focuses on different parts of the human body and features wacky characters. Your child is able to play at their own pace since there aren’t any timer or other stressful elements, so just hand off your iDevice and let them explore.

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