Daily App Digest – May 29, 2012

Kdan Mobile today is pleased to announce the release and immediate availability of PDF Reader – iPhone Edition, a major update for one of its top-selling mobile reading applications. The latest update aims to enrich users’ mobile reading experience by offering better rendering performance, improved navigation, in-text search options of Google, Wikipedia, as well as a built-in dictionary, and finally, support to iCloud and SugarSync.

According to the company’s CEO, Kenny Su, PDF Reader – iPhone Edition is designed to address the market where customers are often on the move and seeking a solution for accessing, browsing, editing and sharing content at any point of time. In this recent update, the app features several reinforced functionalities such as increased rendering speed, enhanced text selection, and one-stop login to various Cloud Storage accounts. The updated version also includes the most anticipated feature that enables users to find definitions or references of a word using the built-in dictionary or conducting Google and Wikipedia search without leaving the app.

Among other PDF readers on the App Store, PDF Reader – iPhone Edition is known for its extensive integration with various Cloud Storage services such as Dropbox, GoogleDocs, and iDisk. This update further expands its capabilities to support SugarSync and iCloud, which not only quicken file exchange among different parties but also enable its users to experience real-time collaboration on their mobile devices.

$1.99/£1.49/download

Lightening ideas don’t seem to last for a long time. FigtreeLabs has announced Dooo 1.3.4, an update to its popular to-do utility for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch devices. Featuring a quick and easy user interface, Dooo is an utterly smart tool for organizing your ideas, pictures, voices, sketches, and even maps. Dooo maintains its agility and ease of access with its simple user interface. Not too Simple, Not too Complex. Version 1.3.4 introduces a brand new drawing function, as well as various bug fixes.

$0.99/£0.69/download

Ninebuzz has released ‘MiniTimer (One-Tap 30 Minute Timer/Alarm Clock) ‘ for iOS, a free, dead-simple 30 minute timer app which offers a unique approach to launching a countdown timer. It is the first of several pre-set timer apps by the company that provide a one-tap ‘shortcut’ to launching a timer on an iPhone.

For iOS users who enjoy saving time on repetitive tasks, Ninebuzz believes their "frictionless" MiniTimer solution will be well-received. The idea is simple: provide multiple pre-set timers at the app level, whereby each one is a shortcut to common countdown times, allowing instant activation of a timer.

"A timer is a powerful little tool, yet we find that many people aren’t utilizing one because of the hassle of setting it up. Currently, it only takes a few steps to set up a timer on an iPhone, however, nowadays, a few steps can mean a few steps too many. We challenged ourselves to create a faster, more elegant way to handle timers on an iPhone, and we believe we’ve succeeded with MiniTimer. It requires the absolute least amount of work of any other solution and looks and feels very much like a native app; no branding, no ads, zero non-essential UI elements. We’ve successfully reduced the steps required to launch a phone timer down to one, so now there is no excuse for forgetting your laundry in the dryer!" co-founder Rick Belluso says.

The stock timer in iOS, contained within the Clock app, requires users to select the Timer tab, dial in the required duration and press start to launch the timer. Via Siri, users are still required to verbally request and confirm an alert for a desired duration. While these methods take minimal effort in the grand scheme of things, the Ninebuzz MiniTimer is proven to be even faster for commonly used countdown times.

MiniTimers essentially work like this: A wife asks her husband to leave home in 15 minutes to meet her at the airport. The husband look at his device, scans for the icon that says "15" on it, and taps it. He now has a running timer.

Free/download

Independent creative game development studio 2kolobka today is pleased to announce the release of Battle of The Titans. Response of the Fallen., a new unique simulator based on real events for iOS devices. "Battle of The Titans. Response of the Fallen." is a fun and addictive game about Real Policy. You will find an original idea, interesting design, addictive gameplay and nice sound. You will have 3 levels of Difficulty: Mayor, Governor and of course The President.

Ultimate Multiplayer: You can play with One up to Five Players on one device. This has not been.

Playground – The Whole World: You can try four game modes – One Player, Multiplayer, Bluetooth Connection and Game Center Invitation.

King of The Hill: You can try to beat your own high score or compete with players from around the world via Game Center and Openfeint. Leaders board, Achievements, Challenges, Chat, Forum.

Social integration: You can Tell a friend about your Successes and your high scores by Mail, Facebook, Twitter, Vkontakte and Livejournal.

$0.99/£0.69/download

ICON, LLC is pleased to announce today the release of Play Zone on Apple’s App store. Play Zone is an educational game app focusing on developing kids’ minds in a visually-appealing environment. Play Zone immerses your young learner in the zone of 4 inspiring role models: Princess, Doctor, Athlete, and Fire Fighter. Once you enter his or her zone, each character greets you with a dance and presents 6 fun and educational activities to choose from:

1) Dress Up: Change outfits, accessories and add tools. This activity sparks the imagination and encourages creativity and role playing.

2) Discover: Explore each zone to discover many hidden but engaging animations. This activity develops and rewards inquisitive minds and reinforces cause-and-effect skills.

3) Spot The Difference: Look at almost identical pictures and identify differences. This activity sharpens eye-hand coordination and enhances focus and attention to detail.

4) Addictive Patterns: Recognize and complete patterns using clothing items and tools. This activity uses logic, reasoning and boosts recognition.

5) Add Fun: Learn and practice addition with interaction and fun visuals.

6) Take Away: Learn and practice subtraction with interaction and fun visuals.

$0.99/£0.69/download

Independent European developer, Vivid Games, and BSI Speedway Ltd, today announce the release of the official FIM Speedway GP 2012 racing game on the App Store and Google Play.

FIM Speedway GP 2012 challenges players bike skills to the limit, as they suit up to compete in the dynamic and compelling world of Speedway, the no brakes, one gear motorbike racing sensation. Set during the 2012 Grand Prix season, players will attempt to leave their opponents in their dust as they veer and power-slide round 12 real-world stadiums, battling against 15 superstar Speedway riders to be crowned the 2012 champion. Live commentary from famous motorsport journalist Tomasz Lorek delivers players the electric atmosphere of the stadium.

Remigiusz Koscielny, CEO of Vivid games said "We’re thrilled to have had the opportunity to work with BSI Speedway again to translate the excitement of Speedway into the most exhilarating racing game on mobile devices"  
Commenting on the launch of the new game, BSI Speedway’s managing director, Paul Bellamy said: "The world championship FIM Speedway GP format is perfect for gaming platforms – it’s easy to understand, exciting to play not just for speedway fans but for motorsport and computer game fans across the world. We are very excited to launch the 2012 version and continue the increase in growth of popularity amongst sports fans globally."
Building on the success of its predecessor FIM Speedway GP 2012 has a wealth of new and enhanced features combining stunning 3D visuals and intuitive one-touch controls to deliver the ultimate heart-pounding racing experience.

$1.99/£1.49/download

2WayResume 2.0, a resume creation app developed by award winning career site, AdvancingWomen, uses strategy and techniques from 16 years experience in online technology and job markets to optimize job search for app users.

AdvancingWomen developed 2WayResume iPhone / iPad app as a strategic tool for job seekers, incorporating features designed to speed up the job matching process. The developer’s strategies were derived from it’s 16 years of experience in the online job space;  corporate recruiting clients have included TMP Worldwide, Inc., Sun Microsystems, U.S. Department of Commerce, National Association of Women Lawyers, CareerBuilder, Fedex Kinko’s, Accenture Technology Solutions, and Guidance Software Inc. Features were designed to optimize matching a candidate with a job and include the following:

* Guidance on keyword matching. In today’s job market, an employer or his software will search a database of resumes for certain keywords: skills, certifications, degrees, job titles and more. 2WayResume guides the job seeker through the process of mirroring back the keywords used in the employer’s job description and on the employer’s website.

* Matches Employer / Job Board Technology to Assure Faster Processing. By including a plain text version of the resume, along with a PDF version, 2WayResume eliminates an average of 3 weeks processing time placing a resume in an employer or job board applicant data base.

As traditional job boards continue to evolve into more social and interactive sites, as the mobile web gains increasing prominence and resume apps command a slot in the job seeker’s arsenal, 2WayResume app breaks ground by introducing social sharing on a resume app:

* Enables Social Networking. 2WayResume taps into what many say is the best way to find a job: leveraging the contacts one already has – a friend, associate or family member who’s sold on the job seeker and his or her skills. The app enables the job seeker to update Facebook and Twitter networks and enlist support in a targeted job search with a keyword rich, accomplishment driven resume.

$1.99/£1.49/download

Surrendered Studios LLC today is pleased to announce the release of Route 1.2, an update to its popular navigation app for iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch. Route for iOS is the perfect tool for finding the shortest path between multiple destinations. It has just received its second update, which includes new features to increase the usability and ease of the app.

The already clean user interface has been updated, as well. With the new update, users have the ability to add destinations from contacts’ addresses, business name search results, and their current location. It is now possible to modify the name of a destination, which makes the directions tab easier to read.

Route is targeted at couriers, delivery people, and anyone else who wants to save gas by finding the shortest route while running errands or planning a vacation. It uses an advanced genetic algorithm to determine a solution to the extremely difficult traveling salesman problem.

The iOS application contains a map view and a list view for adding and modifying destinations. These destinations can be moved to the beginning and end of the route. After adding destinations, the optimal route can be calculated, and then the directions for the entire route can be viewed. Each route is saved to allow the user to view it at a later time.

$1.99/£1.49/download

CUKETA, the creators of popular tower defense game Age of Defenders and beautiful award winning app Midnight HD, today launched their new social singing game – Sing Something. The game enables players to sing one of the hundreds of available songs and send the recording to their friends, who are supposed to guess the name and the artist. The game is available for iPhone and iPad devices on Appstore now! The rules of Sing Something the Game are simple:

1. Player sings one of song from selected category
2. Then sends it over to a friend, who is supposed to guess the name
3. Both players get coins for the correct answer
4. They change turn and repeat

Sing Something the Game includes hundreds of popular songs by many famous artists and bands. The songs are divided into various categories, based on the theme, artist or time, when they were recorded, including oldies songs, 90s, 2000s and 2010-2012. All the songs come with provided video hints, so if the player is not sure about the melody, a hint will be available. If none of the three songs selected is suitable for the player, there is a bomb, which will generate a new list of songs.

After picking the song, the singing begins. To get more coins, the players are able to pick harder challenges, such as using no words or playing on the Instruments. As soon as the players finish, it is sent over to their Facebook friends, who are responsible for finding out the name and the artist of the song. Hangman principle is used for the guessing – players get the alphabet and pick out the letters which they think are included in the name of the song and in the name of the artist. The players can make two mistakes before the turn is over. If the guessing player also selects the proper challenge (such as using no words or using Instruments), coins both players get will multiply.
Free/download

The Gamma Project today is pleased to announce my Travel Assistant 1.8, a major update to their popular productivity / travel app for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch devices. my Travel Assistant is a professional app for global travelers that integrates into a single, convenient package a smart, multi-currency expense tracker with automatic currency conversion, a 156-currency monetary exchange rate converter and a 51-language translator. This update adds important new features and brings several improvements:

* Ability to share application data among devices – Easily share trips between all your devices or backup application data to your desktop computer.

* Localized number formatting – Numerical values appear nicely formatted based on your device’s locale setting.

* User Interface improvements – The app now provides a more unified user experience. The app’s main color scheme is applied to all UIs. Additionally, a new calendar has been introduced which makes it easier to quickly select or update the date of trips and trip items.

Designed as an intelligent assistant for international travelers, the app stores all expenses in both the local and converted, home currencies. With a high-end, dark wood-grain GUI, the app includes no instructions for use; all operations are intuitive and trouble-free. One-time set-up includes entering the user’s language, home currency, and the frequency of exchange rate updates. The designers have paid great attention to human factors.

For example, English, Spanish, French, Italian and German appear in their respective places in the scrolling list that appears by touching "Your Language", but the group of five most common languages also appears at the head of the list. Similarly, the app defaults to US dollars, with the yen, euro, swiss francs, british pounds and Canadian dollar leading an alphabetical list of 156 different currencies.

$2.99/£1.99/download

In the light of the oncoming EURO 2012 Championship Rembros Corporation released a EURO HORN, a thunderous mobile app for iPhone and iPod touch. EURO HORN is a free application that is destined to get a grand slam during the European football championship among all football fans.

EURO HORN turns a mobile device into a horn and lets spectators support their favourite football teams. The app gives a choice of various horns, from a standard pipe that can be bought on each stadium, to the most creative vuvuzela. Realistic horn sounds, lifelike 3D graphics of the app, and the augmented reality mode contribute to the highly exhilarating football match atmosphere.

Real time statistics of the app shows personal rank of each fan in the world chart of Euro Horn blowers. The longer a spectator blows the horn the more chances there are to get to the top of the list. Fans can also find out who has been the most active horn blower during EURO 2012 for one particular country, and which country has the greatest level of fan support.

Euro Horn is compatible with iOS 4.3 and can be downloaded for free from the App Store.

Free/download

CatFoster Media, a publisher of innovative gaming apps for mobile and tablet devices announced today that the walking dead is out to infect in Zombie Burst, the first of its kind amongst the realm of Zombie apps available now for iPhone in the App®Store. You are the sole survivor after 99% of humankind is turned into pimple headed Zombies due to a contamination of the world’s water supply!  Fight your way through this horrific nightmare in order to withstand the vicious attacks and stay alive.

$0.99/£0.69/download

Sports Republic allows users to create their own personalized sports channels that filter the news down to their exact topics of interest (ex. “Lebron James,” “Messi,” “Olympics”).  The app delivers complete articles — not just RSS feeds — which can easily be shared with friends via email, Twitter or Facebook. Users can further research the stories that are most important to them by using the TagNav™ Word Cloud feature to bring up related topics and articles, YouTube links and Wikipedia entries.
 
Free/download

This game stands out against others of the same kind due to its crafted interface, finely tuned balance, sensible OpenFeint support and eye-catching graphics.

During the game you will hold your defense with your turrets against the massive hordes of enemies in different types of landscape. With every level you can use new weapons with different firepower, rate of fire, firing range, blast radius and price.

The important feature of the game is an algorithm of appearance of units and corresponding waves. Waves are automatically generated, each following the preceding complex, since everything is balanced: distance between units, their total health, which makes the game interesting to play both on easy and hard levels.

In contrast to many games this one does not allow one super-weapon, only an artful combination of all of them can play that role. Defense Zone supports OpenFeint that simplifies posting all level results in a consolidated database for further comparing with other players whatever level they play.

$0.99/£0.69/download

Suren Hakobyan has announced the release and worldwide availability of Cocky Roach, his new fast-paced game for iPhone and iPod touch. With simple rules, intuitive touch controls, and dynamic gameplay Cocky Roach is the title that would appeal to the pick up and play gamers of the iOS world.

The game both entertains and tests users quickness and accuracy. The player’s mission is to catch speedy bugs at one tap, as the screen is extremely fragile. To succeed Cocky Roach players should avoid accidental and unnecessary dabs as frivolous tapping is penalized and the screen solidity drops dramatically with every extra touch.

Cocky Roach features forty levels of fun accompanied by uplifting musical score. Users should apply all their cunning and show quick reaction to stop huge bugs that crack the screen under their weight. What makes the game even more exciting is the available power-ups for both players and insects. Little hearts that randomly appear on the screen multiply bugs making users mission twice as hard, while in time collected gold stars help to improve users’ statistics.

"Cocky Roach is an extremely buoyant game to play that will keep you on your toes up to the last level. Those cute bugs that move across the screen at an alarming rate are absolutely unpredictable in their actions. You never know where they will be in the next second and what happens next", commented Suren Hakobyan, the game creator.
$0.99/£.69/download

Known for the popular football app My Football Pro, Supportware recently released their new football manager game. My Football Manager Online offers a new and refreshing way to play football manager games. Play it anywhere you want, when you want. Challenge your friends or try your luck against random opponents. My Football Manager Online succesfully combines the popular turn-based gameplay everybody knows from games like WordFeud and DrawSomething with the excitement of simulated match results.

Traditional football manager games mainly focus on managing a lot of aspects around the team and the club. Matches are simulated overnight or directly without any interaction, and players have little or no influence on the results of the matches.

My Football Manager does things differently. The game is all about playing matches, where your tactical and coaching skills are put to the test. You won’t have to worry about making enough money or your players fitness in between matches. No more distractions. Just focus on the game!

Victory is only 6 turns away!
Every match is played in 6 turns. After every turn, the next 15 minutes of the match are simulated, and you can view the results minute by minute. You can change your tactics per turn, always trying to stay one step ahead of your opponent. Start playing more defensive when your ahead or give it everything you’ve got for a deciding goal in the last quarter! Take control of the match.

Free/download