Daily App Digest – January 12, 2012

A hot new iOS game sequel, Crystal War: Blood Field, recently launched. DigitalFrog won over iOS gamers early on with their breakout hit Crystal War. The game combined elements of real-time strategy genre with role-playing game characteristics, creating an instantly engaging experience. Fans of the game clamored for one more feature however: the ability to face off against one another instead of against the computer when fighting for domination. DigitalFrog has granted their request in Crystal War: Blood Field.

Crystal War: Blood Field contains all of the winning features of its predecessor, but ups the ante considerably with its network-enabled real-time multiplayer mode. As in Crystal War, players will find themselves leading a human or goblin army into the heat of battle, racing the clock, testing their wits against the opposing army, and scrambling to mine the crystal wealth necessary to maintain the offensive and defensive elements of their fighting forces. An incredible variety of units are available, and each has its own set of abilities, strengths, and weaknesses. This, combined with the player’s ability to improve their character using the RPG inspired skill features, makes Crystal War: Blood Field the most engagingly complex combat strategy game in the iTunes App Store.

Crystal War: Blood Field is far more than an update or expansion upon the wildly successful Crystal War. The game’s inclusion of real-time multiplayer features, complete with a variety of different objectives and methods of network-enabled play, makes Crystal War: Blood Field a sequel which far outshines the original game.

$1.99/£1.49/download

Music edutainment company, Stagename, is thrilled to announce today the launch of Rock Rivals, a mobile social game designed to teach anyone how to create great music. The experience is more social and more rewarding then previous attempts to motivate music learning and composition. The game appeals to novice music makers who want to dive-in and learn the fundamentals, while more savvy music makers can put their skills to the test and even develop skills needed to thrive in the music business.

"Composing music is overwhelming for the majority of people. Rock Rivals makes it a fun, social experience that rewards players for sticking with it and for continuous improvement", says Stagename CEO, Josh Barkin.

Players learn how to compose music through an interactive music adventure. Once they create an avatar, they work in a virtual studio to learn how to mix and record music. Challenges allow players to put their skills to the test as they are matched up in voting battles against other players. A "Lounge" enables players to get feedback from each other, challenge each other, and build an audience for music they create. As players gain more experience, they earn Rock Rivals Cash and Respect, which they can use for in-game upgrades. Players unlock 24 virtual achievements, while real world rewards are provided by national brands to players that accept and win music challenges. All players can track progress in the game’s charts, which ranks players on a number of dimensions.

Free/download

Independent developer Michael Buchanan today is pleased to announce the release and immediate availability of Plannr School 2.0, his new iPhone application that aims to help students develop good study habits and time management skills. Plannr School provides students with the equivalent of a standard leather planner, and allows them to add classes and assignments in order to keep their school life in check.

The application also keeps track of previous assignments, allowing a student to look back on his or her academic history. Plannr School also includes an online component located at Plannr.net. The application syncs with the online component, allowing a student to access his or her assignments anywhere. Plannr is a desirable app to use for any student, and works especially well for high school and college students.

Free/download

Version 1.5 of Mental Health Scales is now available in the iTunes App Store. This app, developed by Carol Peyser, M.D. and Apps & More Software Design, Inc., provides the health care professional with a comprehensive set of mental health rating scales on the iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad. The new "universal" version includes an iPad-native interface, adds swipe gestures for navigation, and an additional rating scale, the PTSD Screen.

The app now automatically determines the type of device on which it is running and presents the appropriate user interface. The simple interface and security features give the clinician the option to hand a client the iPad, iPhone, or iPod touch to perform a self-reporting scale while being observed.

The newly added PTSD Screen is a seven item scale employing DSM IV criteria for PTSD with demonstrated utility for screening for PTSD in a clinical and general population sample.

The existing suite of scales provided are: PHQ-9 (self-rated depression scale), GDS (geriatric depression scale – short form),  GAD-7 (generalized anxiety disorder screening which can also be used to rate symptoms of anxiety in other disorders), ADHD-SRS (adult ADHD self-reporting scale), AIMS (Abnormal Involuntary Movements Scale – quick screening for tardive dyskinesia that can document absence of, progression or regression of abnormalities), and BMI (Body Mass Index   Waist Circumference) for monitoring the effect of medications. These scales are well-validated and can be easily and efficiently used by physicians, nurses, therapists and others in the helping professions.

$4.99/£2.99/download

Portable Pixels today introduces Hatchi, the retro virtual pet for iPhone. Hatchi is a retro-looking Tamagotchi-style iPhone app sure to get the nostalgia burning for all those who cared for a virtual pet back in the 1990s when they were at the height of their popularity.

Just as with the keychain-sized Tamagotchi pets, iPhone users now will feed, clean, play with and generally look after their pets to ensure they grow up to be healthy, happy little Hatchis.

The Hatchi monster will go through several stages of growth, and will develop differently depending on the quality of care the player provides. A successfully raised Hatchi monster will be smarter, happier, and require less attention.

$0.99/£0.69/download

The name of game (Chess InCube) makes a hint of the essence of changes: instead of chess board (8×8) it is given the cube (8x8x8) consisting of 512 semitransparent chess cages, and it is important that game rules did not change much. They are just extended to third dimension. The weight of pieces against each other is preserved in accordance with classical chess game, as well as castle rules. The number of variants grew up dramatically, which makes it interesting to reveal new tactic and strategy approaches. Computer opponent is smart enough to not lose to ordinary human player and in same time it makes its moves very quickly.

OpenGL allows observing the entire "chess cube" as well as and free operating with pieces. Display mode and transparency may be changed from preferences dialog window, as well as all colors and animation settings. It all looks so intuitively understandable, that it will take some minutes for everyone to start playing the game.

The version of chess in three-dimensional space for iOS differs from the Mac OS X version of minimum requirements  of memory, has optimized for iPad graphics subsystem, and also is optimized for minimum  energy consumption  that allows to start program comfortably not only on new, but also on the oldest  iPad tablets.

$3.99/£2.49/download

3 Billion videos are viewed every day on You Tube. Over 80% of You Tube users experience Cyber Bullying. Some of these cases have become deadly with kids committing suicide. This application is a complete step by step guide on how to Prevent/Stop Cyber bullying on You Tube. This application contains over 10 videos with more than 20 minutes of step by step detailed instruction explaining the in’s and out’s of You Tube. Once you learn these crucial step to locking down you You Tube Account you will not have to worry about harassing or threatening comments anymore.

Here are some of the step by step instructional video topics covered:
* Writing Comments
* Comment Removal
* Comment Approval System
* No Commenting
* Prevent Voting
* Prevent Video Responses
* Flag Videos
* Methods on Blocking Users
* Reporting Users

$0.99/£0.69/download

his new application makes it easy for everyone to custom design an irrigation system for any use – backyard, garden, or farm. No irrigation knowledge is required to create or optimize irrigation water and system components including pipe and hose size; dripper and sprinkler quantity, run time and frequency, as well as water usage with just a few taps to their iPad screen, and at 50% off until Jan. 20, 2012.

Oilfield Simulators FZE is proud to announce the launch of Irrigate Pro. This is a product that saves consumers time and money. It also helps save plants and provides a means of controlling water usage.

Users are able to custom design their entire irrigation and water system, without any irrigation knowledge, whatsoever. The app’s comprehensive interface makes it fast and easy for users to optimize and create plans for any system, whether a small yard or a large farm.

Irrigate Pro offers design tools that allow users to select all their own components to prepare a design selective to their needs. That includes pipe and hose sizing, the quantity, run time and frequency for drippers and sprinklers and more.

$4.99/£2.99/download

Today Readdle announces the release of Calendars 3, the new version of its Google Calendar client for the iPhone and iPad. The update performs a faster sync with Google Calendar online service and a completely redesigned interface to provide a better experience to manage daily activities.

For people who rely on Google Calendars, the application instantly assimilates and displays all calendars from Google account as well as shared, country holiday and even weather forecasts. All synced events are displayed using the colors that are used in Google Calendar account, which makes the schedule accustomed and convenient. The update has significantly improved Google Calendar syncing and Google tasks management.

Calendars 3 spotlights a new polished interface that lets people easily create events with the help of a Custom Keyboard. The new Custom Keyboard allows users to add appointments, set reminders and create recurring events with minimum taps possible, focusing user on the general picture instead of dealing with the application.

$6.99/£4.99/download

WebMynx, an iPhone app development company based in India, released a new app for the iTunes market today called Fast Food Revenge Lite. A free version of the original paid version, Fast Food Revenge Lite is a casual gaming app for the iPhone, which involves a fast food junky (named Tubby Hogsworth) being attacked by cheeseburgers.

As the clock ticks, Hogsworth earns points by staying alive and burning calories from running for from the fast food. The app has high-quality graphics, smooth game play, and no learning curve. WebMynx believes that Fast Food Revenge Lite is a perfect app for casual gamers, or any iPhone user that has a few minutes to spare to entertain themselves.

"Burning calories inside an iPhone app is much more fun than burning them in real life," says Ajay Gandhi, Director of WebMynx. "Fast Food Revenge has been very successful since its launch, and we would like to broaden our fan base by creating a Lite version that is free to download."

Fast Food Revenge and Fast Food Revenge Lite are fun for all ages of game players. Fast Food Revenge currently has over 76 iTunes reviews and retains a perfect 5 star rating. Both apps are available in the iTunes Games category. Both apps are also Game Center activated, so users can socially engage each other in the app. WebMynx expects both the paid and lite versions to thrive, given their entertaining features, amazing graphics, and the increasing popularity of innovative casual games.

Free/download

Announcing that Play Creatividad S.L., the developers of Wallpapers – Inspiration Dormant, has released the 2.0 version of their app for iPhone, iPod touch and iPad users. The newly launched application provides fifty high resolution illustrations and inspiring messages based on the book, Inspiration Dormant. Users can select a daily uplifting wallpaper, or let the App recommend one for them. This universally developed product adds colorful inspiration to life and is the perfect companion to the book, giving users motivation on the go.

Wallpapers – Inspiration Dormant is an exclusive collection of fifty inspiring backgrounds, universally developed for compatibility on iPhone, iPod touch and iPad. The application’s high resolution images are based on the successful graphic novel called, Inspiration Dormant.

The book takes readers through a series of stories about a girl who restores color to the world. Accompanied by her cat, the girl reignites the passion of red, the joy of yellow, the ochre of laziness and so on. Each story contains an uplifting message meant to stir emotions.

Users can recall the forgotten colors of their own life by selecting a different illustration and meaningful story phrase each day. If they can’t decide which wallpaper to choose, users have the option of letting the app recommend one for them.

$0.99/£0.69/download

eFusion today is pleased to announce the release of "VideoSync – Camera Roll Video Stream" 1.0 for iOS devices. VideoSync is a simple utility application to sync videos from camera roll between iPhone, iPad, iPod touch via iCloud likely iCloud Photo Stream.

There are no doubt, iCloud Photo Stream feature brings more fun in our daily life. If you already get used with Photo Stream then you must feel something is missing. Yes, I am talking about Video. iCloud does not transfer videos to other iCloud devices like photos. eFusion developed VideoSync to sync only videos from camera roll to camera roll between devices connected by iCloud. Operating is simple as:

1. For the first time launch the VideoSync app.
2. Than take videos with Camera app as you always do.
3. Open the VideoSync app and tap the "Start Sync" button. That’s it.

$1.99/£1.49/download

Labtrip, the mobile application to create customized travel guides, has refurbished the image and functionalities of its free app for iPhone, iPad, and Android. The new-look Labtrip app is now much more intuitive and attractive. In terms of functions, the new mobile app allows interaction within the Labtrip travelers‚ community, whose members can add new suggestions, copy friends‚ guides, follow travelers with similar tastes, and even recommend their latest trip.

Interactive activity enables travelers to maximize customization as well as collect points that can go toward winning gifts and trips. Another improvement to the Labtrip mobile application is that users can consult their profile and discover the latest news from other members in their personal community.

Not all trips are the same: a low-cost trip with your partner or friends is not the same as one where you splurge on luxuries∑that‚s why another significant novelty of the new Labtrip app are the tags you can use to improve the guides‚ classification.

In addition to type of trip, users can search for guides based on a specific destination or time of the year. If you want to spend New Year‚s Eve in Edinburgh or Paris in winter, you can draw on guides that other users have shared as inspiration and copy them. Another new feature is that Labtrip has expanded its European destinations to cover Dublin, Vienna, Istanbul, Cologne, Bilbao, and many more.

Free/download

UpsideDown Games today is proud to announce the release and immediate availability of Trunky Puzzles, a fun new educational iPad app for kids. Kids choose from 27 puzzles and learn how to improve motor skills and shape recognition skills. All they need to do is drag and drop the right shape in the right slot. The puzzle scenes all come from Trunky’s magical world full of goodies and fun characters! Some puzzles even practice spelling and letter recognition. Watch their skills improve with our star system: 3 stars for a perfect round and a celebrating Trunky.

Environments:
* Trunkys home
* Garden trip
* Air balloon
* Singing land
* Music forest
* Cake land
* Vegetable party
* Plenty of characters and other pictures

Free/download

Announcing that VanJam Industries, the developers of Rapstar: Face Edition, has released an exciting music product for iPhone, iPod touch and iPad users. As a new launch in the App Store, Rapstar: Face Edition offers the unique ability of recording rap videos. Essentially, this application turns an iDevice into a portable studio. Users simply map their face and record their voice with a selection of beats. The video scenes, gender, clothing are all selected by the user. VanJam is already planning to release updated expansions in the near future.

Rapstar:  Face Edition is a new product launch in the App Store that allows users to become stars in their own rap music videos. The app turns an iDevice into a portable video recording studio. All that’s required to make the videos is the device’s camera and microphone. The application provides everything else. Users select from ten different rap backbeats and record their voice then map a face to insert into the video. Three different customizable videos are currently available. Users can select the one they want to use then decide which gender will be included, along with clothing, skin color and so on. The music is added and the video is complete, very quickly and easily.

Free/download

DoubleIP S.A., has launched a remarkable new release of DoubleCheck iPhone application. Taking into account portability, the application enables users to check the current mobile operator of their contacts and provides a simple one step mechanism to mark this info on their address book. Mobile Number Portability allows anyone to change mobile operator by keeping his existing number. Users having free calls/text towards mobile numbers of the same operator, feel uncertain about their costs when placing a call or sending a text. DoubleCheck removes this uncertainty by providing the mobile operator of the person called on the iPhone screen. DoubleCheck, helps users reduce their communication costs while at the same time exploit the usage of their free call/text plans.

The new release is characterized as SOCIAL, since the highlight feature is the intuitive facebook integration, which enables users to receive for FREE the mobile operator checks of their Facebook friends.
Moreover, ver.3 comes with a new exciting design and logo and additional features like, date or name sorting results capability and improved management of outdated number checks!

With support for all mobile operators in more than 200 countries, virtually anyone can benefit from this application, regardless of where located.

Using DoubleCheck, iPhone users are no longer in doubt about where they place a call or send a message. They check the mobile operator of their contacts, they mark it on their address book and then with just a glance on their iPhone screen they know if the number they are calling belongs to their free plan or not.

$0.99/£0.69/download

Corpus Collusion is proud to announce its new The Recipe Box To Go! App for iPhone and iPod touch is now available on the App Store. The app lets cooks take recipes with them on the go and easily share them with friends.

The Recipe Box To Go! works well both as a companion app to The Recipe Box App for iPad or as a stand-alone kitchen helper for iPhone and iPod touch with the same powerful search, easy entry and gorgeous layout as its bigger sister. Shopping, sharing and swapping are all more convenient with a handheld recipe manager. Crisp Retina Display graphics make managing recipes and preparing meals a delight.

Also today, Corpus Collusion announces a major update to the original The Recipe Box App for iPad, which includes a new feature called Recipe Link that allows foodies to sync their favorite recipes between theirs or their friends’ iPad, iPhone and iPod touch over the same local WiFi network. Users can share a single recipe, a found set or their entire collection. Recipe Link sends all information, including photos, to the other device instantly. Receiving devices check for duplicates and approve the import. Recipe Link protects privacy by only sharing what the user chooses – other users can’t browse for content. No more importing via email with its size limitations.

$1.99/£1.49/download

The fast-paced fun sports spectacle “Snowboard Hero” for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch has just undergone a price drop and is now available for purchase on the App Store for 0,99$ / 0,69£ / 0,79&#8364. This special offer is only available from January 12th to January 15th, 2012.

Download

Indie developer GlitchSoft has finally released its highly anticipated ‘Star Marine: Infinite Ammo’ action-shooter to the Apple iTunes App Store! This adrenaline packed Run n’ Gun side-scroller has already received glowing previews and incredible media attention prior to its official release, and the wait is finally over.

In ‘Star Marine: Infinite Ammo’ you play as Arc, a battle hardened drifter captured by an alien race in the depths of space. You however, have other plans, and being a hardcore, highly skilled Star Marine, it is your task to take them all down in a cloud of bullets and mayhem.
 
Included in the download is 10 unique and massive bosses (one for each level!), 7 powerful weapons, a full set of marine upgrades, 3 separate gameplay modes including Boss Rush & Survival Mode, 30+ Game Centre Achievements, and over 100+ in game challenges through 4 unique worlds.
 
$1.99/£1.49/download

In this "three-in-a-row" puzzle game, you’ll travel back in time to find 10 lucky charms which, according to the legend, bring wisdom, power, and wealth.  In order to get them, you’ll need to solve ancient riddles that have challenged Oriental wise men, by making rows of ancient symbols.  You need to be smart and fast because each board should be completed within a certain amount of time.  This refined and mysterious game is a wonderful way to develop your imagination and wits, and the majestic Oriental landscapes and meditative soundtrack will make you forget about the passing of time.

Game play comes in two flavors – Relaxed, a scenario-based campaign mode tackled level-by-level or Classic where burning fuse puts some pressure on you to finish each level quickly. Before starting each stage take a second to stop and admire the scenery. It’s a great way to unwind after a particularly mind-boggling level, or a hard day of work.

$1.99/£1.49/download

To start the new year right the two popular calendar apps miCal for the iPhone and miCal HD for the iPad will be reduced drastically in price. Till January 16th they are being offered at only $ 0.99, instead of $ 1.99 and $ 2.99. The Reason? miCal HD is celebrating its first anniversary.

Both versions of miCal may be synchronized smoothly with already existing calendars such as Outlook Calendar, Google Calendar, Exchange or Facebook Events. New appointments are easily added while on the go. All entries can be provided with a from-to-time and a description. Reminders may be presented repeatedly and even an alarm can be set. Appointments are displayed in five different layouts – plus three layouts in the landscape mode. A clearly arranged list as well as a daily and yearly overview are available to the user.

A very special feature is the dashboard. With a quick glance someone will be able to obtain information regarding upcoming appointments, birthdays and even the weather forecast for the next couple of days. The dashboard also displays the date, time and day of the week.

From now till January 16, 2012 the price for both miCal versions will be reduced to $ 0.99. miCal is regularly priced at $ 1.99 and miCal HD at $ 2.99.

miCal/download
miCal HD/download