Writer of all things app related, traveler of the space-time continuum, baker of really great cookies. Follow me @appaholik
This year’s American International Toy Fair is proving to be a tech convention as much as a toy show. We’re not just talking about iPad controlled remote helicopters that only grown ups should be playing with, or extra-protective cases that keep milk spills and accidental drops from destroying your iPad. This year, the AITF is showing off all kinds of toys that interact with iOS devices.
The Wall Street Journal is reporting this morning that Macmillian, one of the book publishers accused of colluding over e-book pricing by the Department of Justice, has decided to settle.
This means that all five book publishers named in the lawsuit have officially settled out of court with the DOJ, leaving Apple to fend for itself against the government agency.
Here at PadGadget, we’re always looking for new stands and mounts for our iPad. We’ve tracked down mounts for your car, your wall, and even your refrigerator door. We’ve found stands for laying down, sitting, and even to replace you in the board room, but what about a stand for the bathroom? Sure, no one wants to admit to using their electronic devices while on the pot, but we all do it, at least secretly. CTA Digital has made a classy iPad stand, complete with toilet paper roll, so that you can do your business, hands free.
News aggregator Zite is on a mission. The “intelligent magazine” has been tweaking and reworking their app like crazy these days. Version 2.0, which is only two months old, changed practically everything about the way Zite looked, felt and worked. Personally, I loved the changes and have been completely satisfied with the results. The developers at Zite, however, have not. Today, the app received another major update with “DOZENS of new features, enhancements and bug fixes.” So far, I’ve loved all of them.
I was probably already too old to be playing virtual trading card games (TCG) like Pokemon by the time the Game Boy title came out. (I was already out of high school if that puts it into perspective for you.) I may have stopped playing the “Catch ‘em All” game a few years ago, but my love for collecting and battling unusual creatures is still burning strong in my heart. Zuko quells that fire by letting players battle creatures, collect new monsters, and explore the lands, in search of opponents to beat and pets to find.
Players begin the game by helping out a Zuko battler who is fighting against a wicked opponent. You step in to help win the battle and your new friend gives you some credits and your first pet. He asks for your help tracking down the dastardly Deckard. You take your pet and your credits and head out on an adventure like no other.
Welcome back to Flashback Friday. At the end of every week, we like to take a moment and go back in time for those fans out there who love classic arcade games. Last week, we told you about Mutant Mudds. It may not have been a “vintage” game, but the Nintendo 3DS title was about as flashback as you could get.
This week, we are spotlighting Gridlee. Not only is this classic game from 1982, putting it right in the Flashback Friday category, but it offers a little secret that might make you want to download it right now, before Apple decides it is breaking the rules.
Last October, Apple began its mixed dividend payout and share-repurchasing program. Financial analysts considered this move by Apple to be unusual and expressed their disappointment. Today, Reuters is reporting that Greenlight Capital hedge fund manger David Einhorn is expressing his disappointment in Apple by suing the company.
According to Reuters, Einhorn said that, while he admires Apple, he believes the company has a “cash problem” that needs to be fixed by giving away perpetual preferred stock with a 4 percent yield.
IK Multimedia, the leading iOS accessory maker for music-related products recently updated their popular AmpliTube guitar and bass effects app to include “Loop Drummer,” a personal drummer inside your app.
Through an in-app unlock, users can access Loop Drummer, which is a loop-based customizable drum track that you can sync to your AmpliTube recorder. You can either play along with a single loop, or put together a full drum track, complete with intro, basic beats, fills, and an ending.
Image Courtesy of EndGadget
The American International Toy Fair starts this Sunday. Normally, tech writers wouldn’t’ be too excited about a toy fair, except for their perpetual childlike personalities and secret love of all things juvenile. This year, however, is different. As the iPad gains popularity, companies are finding ways to incorporate it into their products. From cars that interact with the iPad to Tankbots that are controlled by the tablet, toys are becoming the next big thing for the iPad.
Game Developer SEGA has been very successful with its launch of ported games to the iPhone and iPad. With games like Sonic the Hedgehog 4, Crazy Taxi, and Super Monkey Ball 2, the company is fast becoming the go-to game center for iOS. Today, the company launched a version of its jet simulation game After Burner Climax.