Google Releases Voice Web App for iPhone, Bypasses Apple

If you were watching last summer, Apple denied Google’s own Voice app to the iTunes App Store and subsequently removed all other Voice related apps as well. It created quite a controversy in the app world and many blogs were reporting on it. Well, Google decided to side-step the entire app approval process and release a web app for Safari on the iPhone. No Apple approval process to get in the way either. Just point your browser to http://m.google.com/voice and you’re done. You can even add a home page icon to your device (touch the + button).

As a Google Voice user I am still hopeful for a proper Voice app. However, since it’s been several months and there’s still nothing, not even a word of a possible approval for such an app, my hope is fading. This is especially the case now that Google has release a web app.

Sentinel: Mars Defense is Free for the Holidays

We got notice that Origin8 was offering Sentinel: Mars Defence for free during the holiday season. Now is your chance to get this excellent tower defense game and at an unbeatable price.

11^th December 2009, London, UK: In anticipation of the next release from the “Sentinel” team, Origin8’s breakout iPhone/iPod Touch hit “Sentinel: Mars Defense” will be free for the next two weeks in the run up to Christmas. Released in February 2009, this acclaimed sci fi Tower Defense game was selected as one of Apple’s App Store first Anniversary Top 30 games in the UK/AU/EU territories, and spawned the much-lauded sequel “Sentinel 2: Earth Defense”.

With a third space strategy from the designers of the “Sentinel” games on the way, now’s an ideal time for iPhone owners to pick up this classic for free!

From the “Sentinel: Mars Defense” app description:

It’s war. Earth’s first off-world colony is fighting for survival against a savage alien onslaught. Mars is under siege and thousands of lives are on the line. Humanity’s only hope is you, the commander of the dropship Sentinel. Welcome to the future of Tower Defense.

Deploy sophisticated turret technology across the Martian landscape to halt the alien advance. Protect walls and barriers that block the enemy’s path to your base. Upgrade your weaponry, or release robotic drones to repair buildings and harvest resources. Watch the battle for the planet unfold in beautifully rendered, atmospheric graphics.

Get “Sentinel: Mars Defense” from the App Store. Screenshots, a full description and a gameplay trailer can be found here: http://origin8.com/sentinel/index.php.

“Sentinel 2: Earth Defense” is available from the App Store for $2.99 or regional equivalent. For further information and media see http://origin8.com/sentinel2/index.php.

“Space Station: Frontier” is currently in late beta testing and approaching submission. More information will be released shortly.

About us: Origin8 is an innovative mobile developer based in Camden, London, UK. With an experienced team whose credits cover a vast number of gaming platforms, they specialise in games and entertainment for the Apple iPhone and iPod Touch.

Website: www.origin8.com

Press and media contact: pr@origin8.com

Gameloft Black Friday Sale: Terminator Salvation, Shrek Kart, Others all $0.99

Gameloft announces the following excellent Black Friday app sales from now until Sunday November 29th. See apps and iTunes links below:

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Who:     Gameloft

What: To celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday, Gameloft is running a limited promotion on the App Store. The following popular Gameloft titles will be specially priced at $0.99!

· Terminator Salvation [iTunes Link]

· Shrek Kart [iTunes Link]

· Brothers in Arms Hour of Heroes [iTunes Link]

· Blades of Fury [iTunes Link]

· Real Tennis 2009 [iTunes Link]

· Castle of Magic [iTunes Link]

· Hero of Sparta [iTunes Link]

When: NOW through Sunday, Nov. 29^th

Where: Apple App Store

Why: Because it’s a Black Friday deal you can’t miss, and will guarantee fun while traveling to and from your different destinations!”

Chillingo’s Black Friday Sale: Super Shock Football (Free!) and Secrets .. Mysterious Island ($0.99) [Updated]

Chillingo is proud to announce a Black Friday Sale! This Friday, you can get an amazing deal on two of its games:

Super Shock Football [iTunes Link] – GET IT FOR FREE THIS FRIDAY!

Secret of the Mysterious Island [iTunes link] – You will be able to get this great game for 0.99 USD for 24 hours …..

Updated: Adding the following for Chillingo:

Cocoto Kit for Kids [iTunes Link] is now $0.99

Defender Chronicles [iTunes Link] is now $0.99

App Sale: Red Bull X-Fighters for $0.99

Red Bull X-Fighters (full version) is currently on sale for $0.99. Just in time for Black Friday.

High Octane Thrills Galore for iPhone and iPod Touch as XENDEX and I-play release Red Bull X-Fighters

Launching to coincide with the X-Fighters World Tour finale in London

Vienna/London, August 12th 2009. XENDEX, a leading European mobile games developer, and I-play, Oberon Media´s publishing division and the world´s leading multi-platform casual games publisher, today announced the launch of Red Bull X-Fighters for iPhone and iPod Touch. The Red Bull X-Fighters freestyle motocross (FMX) series has established itself as the world´s leading FMX event which sees the best riders of the world pull off jaw-dropping tricks at heights of up to 40ft in the air. With Red Bull
X-Fighters for iPhone and iPod Touch, gamers around the world can now experience the thrill and excitement of the series in the palm of their hands.

The game boasts 8 different locations and arenas, 64 levels, 20 gravity-defying stunts as well as various game modes that will keep fans of action sports and stunt games thrilled and excited for hours. The game puts you on center stage of the 2009 World Tour. Take to your bike, launch from huge ramps and pull off truly stunning and jaw-dropping tricks whilst in the air. Do you have what it takes to wow the crowd and pull out all stops in the attempt to finish the World Tour as Champion?

“Having sold over 2.5 million downloads of our FMX-series on JAVA- and BREW-devices, we are absolutely delighted to partner with Red Bull and I-play in taking the franchise to the iPhone and into a new era”, said Michael Haberl, CEO of XENDEX. “We feel that with the strong brand recognition of Red Bull, the previous sales success on mobile and the technological leap in the iPhone gaming platform, Red Bull X-Fighters for the iPhone will meet even the highest expectations motorsports and stunt fans have for this game.”

“Xendex continues to raise the bar with the FMX franchise” said Keith Adair, VP International Sales and Marketing at I-play “Each iteration has outperformed its predecessor and now with the introduction to the iPhone and the partnership with the Red Bull X-Fighters series, we believe this is the best one yet!”

The game offers 3D rendered graphics, high quality character animation and cinematic video replays, offering you the chance to replay and enjoy your best big-air stunts. Use the accelerometer to balance the bike and the touchscreen to draw the stunts with your finger. Various challenges and achievements offer high replay value even for the Champions!

The Red Bull X-Fighters game is available worldwide for $4.99 / €3.99 / £2.99 from Apple´s AppStore for the iPhone and iPod Touch.

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About XENDEX

Founded in 2001 XENDEX is today a leading independent mobile and online games developer studio in Europe. XENDEX employs more than 45 people and operates offices in Austria, Poland and the UK. Using its cutting edge creative and technology know-how, the company´s product range encompasses more than 45 highly successful and critically acclaimed mobile titles, including various “Mobile Game of the Year” awards, as well as 25 online casino titles. XENDEX develops games based on its own IP´s as well as with leading national and international brands, including Electronic Arts, I-play, Hands-On mobile, Vodafone, Disney and THQ to name but a few. In cooperation with its partners, XENDEX games are distributed to more than 200 of the world’s leading mobile carriers in over 60 countries worldwide.

For more information about Xendex please visit www.xendex.com

About I-play

I-play, the publishing division of Oberon Media, Inc., is the world’s leading multi-platform casual games publisher. With powerful franchises and massive distribution across the three most popular entertainment screens — online, mobile, and interactive television — I-play content reaches global consumers, and delivers fun, entertaining, accessible content to casual gamers of all ages. I-play’s PC publishing division, formerly Oberon Games, created the hit Dream Day Series, as well as the first casual games for bestselling author James Patterson and legendary mystery author Agatha Christie, including the Causal Connect 2008 Game of the Year, Agatha Christie: Death on the Nile. I-play’s mobile division has delivered some of the biggest selling franchises in the mobile space, including the world’s #1 best-selling racing franchise, The Fast and the Furious, based on the blockbuster movies. I-play’s interactive television group, formerly PixelPlay, creates and distributes games featuring top brands including Centipede(TM), Missile Command(R), Asteroids(TM), Monopoly(R), Scrabble(R), Boggle(R), and Yahtzee(TM). I-play is headquartered in New York City, with offices in Seattle, San Mateo, London, and Dunfermline, Scotland.

Gameloft Releases New Asphalt 5 Gameplay Trailer

Today, Game developer Gameloft release a new trailer to their much anticipated Asphalt 5 racing game. The trailer looks awesome. Word is that the game will be released sometime later this year so in the meantime here is the trailer:

IK Multimedia Brings Two New Versions of GrooveMaker to App Store

IK Multimedia has released two new applications for the iPod Touch / iPhone: GrooveMaker Techno and GrooveMaker Trance.  The apps are based on the previously released GrooveMaker application which allows anyone to create and share endless tracks.  The full press release follows:

IK Multimedia Releases GrooveMaker® Techno and Trance
for the iPhone/iPod Touch
Electronic music for everybody- on the go

October 2009, Modena, Italy – IK Multimedia is proud to announce the release of two new applications for the iPhone/iPod Touch: GrooveMaker Techno and GrooveMaker Trance. Both versions based on the recently released GrooveMaker remixing application, these style-based apps allow everyone to create and share non-stop techno and trance tracks for DJing, remixing, multimedia and movie soundtrack compositions on the go, in real-time, just like a professional DJ or music producer.

After the debut of the first four apps in iTunes App Stores in August 2009, GrooveMaker has quickly become one of the top downloaded remixing applications everywhere, allowing any user to create professional, full-length songs in minutes, with its unique combination of advanced remixing software and high-quality included loops’ sound content.

GrooveMaker allows for instantaneous control over 8 stereo loop tracks, making it possible to remix the included massive loop library of drums, bass, bass drums, lines, pads, percussion and effects. Its unique and patented randomization feature allows musicians to generate a vast number of remixes on the fly, with one touch, to produce millions of possible groove combinations.

Loops made in GrooveMaker can be manipulated in real-time (pan, volume, mute, solo, group and tempo) and grooves can be arranged easily by dragging and dropping to create full-length tracks. These tracks can then be saved, previewed and recalled on the iPhone/iPod touch devices or exported as hi-quality .WAV files to any computer using a Wi-Fi network.

New GrooveMaker Techno gives you the raw energy of early techno, the monobeats of yore with a touch of gritty, eerie cyberfunk. These are beats straight from the roots of electronic music, so you have all the tools to move the dance floor. Includes 4 songs, plus 1 FREE song by registering, and a total of 315 loops in 140-150-160-180 BPM ranges for 228 MB of samples.

New GrooveMaker Trance allows you to immerse yourself in a total state of trance with anathematic bass lines, progressive structures and lead melodies; a hypnotic journey with no interruption! Includes 4 songs, plus 1 FREE song by registering, and a total of 315 loops in 140-150 BPM for 230 MB of samples.

Range, pricing and availability:

The new GrooveMaker Techno and GrooveMaker Trance are already available on the Apple iTunes App Store for only $9.99/€7.99 each.

These bring the number of currently available GrooveMaker applications to six; in addition to the current GrooveMaker House, Hip-Hop ($9.99/€7.99 each) and Club ($4.99/€3.99) versions. The fully functional GrooveMaker FREE version is also already available, so everybody can download it and start making music right away!

For more information, video and audio demos, please visit:

GrooveMaker.com

Chillingo and Toyspring Team Up For Augmented Reality Game Arcade Reality

We’ve known for a while that augmented reality apps were on their way.  In fact, there’s been a few of them already hit the app store.  However, Chillingo and Toyspring have teamed up to bring us the first augmented reality game.  However, we haven’t had a chance yet to give it a go yet (hopefully in the next few days) so look for a review soon.  The game is available now in the iTunes App Store for $2.99 and requires an iPhone 3GS (needs the compass).  Some pics and a video follow the official press release:

Chillingo’s Arcade Reality Emerges Onto iPhone

For the First Time, Fight Alien Invaders Face-to-Face in the Real World Using Your iPhone.

United Kingdom, October 7, 2009 – Chillingo, the leading iPhone publisher, today announced that its groundbreaking shoot-‘em-up game, Arcade Reality, has released to Apple’s App Store. Developed by Toyspring, this augmented reality blaster is the first game of its kind for iPhone.

In Arcade Reality, videogame invaders from outer space are attacking the real world. These alien enemies fly around the player’s body in real-time, with laser beams and missiles attacking from every angle. The attackers are invisible to the human eye, but unbelievably they are now visible via the iPhone camera.

Multiple game modes and bonus levels are available including Arcade Reality, Infinite, and Asteroid Attack, while integrated sound effects and music bring players closer to the action than ever before as they battle aliens face-to-face. A variety of enemies must be defeated, including impressive boss characters with powerful special moves. Players can use power-ups including Rockets, Shields and more as they attempt to score high enough to enter then online Hall of Fame.

“Non-stop fun and activity is guaranteed in Arcade Reality,” said Johnny Coghlan, Head of Publishing for Chillingo. “This groundbreaking new game is perfect for gamers on the go, as it can be played anywhere by moving the iPhone around in real-time to spot and shoot alien enemies. No other shooter-‘em-up achieves such high-quality immersion and enjoyment.”

“This game is a fantastic combination of classic arcade shooter gameplay and real-world setting,” promised Szymon Ulatowski, CEO of Toyspring. “Enemies are everywhere, but skillful players can unlock devastating power-ups and intense bonus levels before they face fearsome alien bosses.”

Arcade Reality is available for iPhone via Apple’s App Store now, priced at USD$2.99.

About Chillingo

Chillingo Ltd is a publisher for innovative games and software for iPhone and iPod touch.

About Toyspring

Toyspring is an independent game developer, previously known for widely acclaimed Palm OS games.

Gameloft posts Asphalt 5 Trailer - No Release Date Yet.

We received notice from Gameloft that they’ve posted a new trailer to their much anticipated Asphalt 5 racing game.  The game was originally introduced during the WWDC 2009 keynote in June.  We’ve been eagerly awaiting it’s arrival and have yet to hear of a release date from Gameloft however we are hearing “October.”

AppModo Intervews Blue Fang Games, Developers of Lion Pride

Our friends over at AppModo spent some time with Scott Triola from Blue Fang Games the developers of Lion Pride [Read our review here].  Their interview is posted on their site here.

As Blue Fang points out:

By opening up the platform to independent developers, Apple has created a vibrant new gaming platform with an install base that is global and extends beyond the traditional console and PC gamer.  For an independent development studio like Blue Fang, this means we now have a cost-effective way to develop and distribute games directly to the consumer – which is very exciting to us on a number of levels.

This is the key draw to the iPhone/iPod Touch platform for indie developers all over the world. Yes, it’s closed. However, what other platform makes it THAT easy to develop, distribute and earn money?!

Read the whole interview.

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