Daily App Digest – June 28, 2012

Madfinger Games has already established a reputation as a game developer capable of delivering visuals that push the limits of mobile technology with titles like Shadowgun. Developed using the Unity game engine, DEAD TRIGGER 1.0 is raising the bar for mobile game graphics even higher.

Madfinger Games worked hard on making their game different from the abundance of other zombie-themed video games out there. "DEAD TRIGGER stands out visually because of the game making process itself," said Benysek, lead programmer at Madfinger Games, who added that the game employs a number of tools and effects you’d find in big budget console games like advanced shaders, detailed character and enemy models, and even motion capture for "both living and undead animations."

The team pointed out that they put a lot of time and energy into crafting the game’s enemy AI, too. Unlike some undead-themed games, zombies in DEAD TRIGGER aren’t simply braindead drones shambling about, hoping to take a bite out of players, but they actually react adaptively to the player’s movements, and will do things like climb over obstacles to get to them.

DEAD TRIGGER takes place in an alternate reality version of 2012 where modern civilization is on the brink of collapse and hordes of undead flesh-eaters now roam the Earth. Even though DEAD TRIGGER’s storyline is purely fantasy, the team said that its fiction draws some inspiration from real-life…albeit in a highly-exaggerated "worst-case-scenario" way.

$0.99/£0.69/download

Smart Destinations, a leader in innovative, money-saving attraction passes, has announced the release of the Go Select Pass 1.0.2 for iOS, which allows travelers to custom-build their own discount attraction passes and leave long lines and high admission prices behind. The powerful and simple new app turns any smartphone into a money-saving pass, allowing travelers to save on top activities, attractions and tours while using their phone as their admission pass.

Instead of standing in line at the gate and paying full price, travelers can use any smartphone to visit GoSelectPass website and purchase admission to more than 400 popular attractions in America’s top tourist destinations. iPhone and iPad users can also download the app from the App Store. Either way, anyone with a smartphone can then skip most entrance lines and go straight to the gate, using their smartphone as their admission pass.

Go Select Pass helps travelers save on the price of admission to popular destinations. Visitors who purchase passes with two or more attractions are guaranteed to pay less than the gate price, and the more attractions they choose, the more they save – up to 40 percent off.

"According to travel research firm PhoCusWright, 60 percent of visitors still buy their attraction tickets by going to the front gate, standing in long ticket lines and paying full price," said Kevin McLaughlin, CEO and co-founder of Smart Destinations. "The mobile capabilities of the new Go Select Pass make it easy to pay less. Now, you can use your phone to create your personalized, money-saving Go Select Pass while sitting at breakfast on the first day of your vacation. Then you scan the QR code on your phone at the gates. It’s the easiest way to get attraction tickets on your phone – you just build a pass, save some money and skip the lines."

Free/download

AUS-PC-SOFT Shareware today is pleased to introduce Xword 1.0 for iOS, their crossword puzzle generating game. With a word database of more than 31,000 entries, an endless supply of unique puzzles created on demand, and the ability to specify sizes and grid styles, this games app provides puzzles for novice players and puzzle experts alike. Xword produces fully formed, professional looking puzzles, similar to the crossword puzzles featured in daily newspapers.

Xword is different from other crossword puzzle applications as it can generate puzzles on demand. Using sophisticated software, the app removes the need for Internet access, downloads, or the need to buy packs. Featuring a near limitless supply of puzzles on demand, Xword will generate a brand new, never-before-seen puzzle, in seconds, with each new puzzle request.

Feature Highlights:
* Fast, fun game
* Generate unique crossword puzzles instantly
* Choose from 4 different puzzle grid styles
* Select 9×9, 11×11, 13×13, or 15×15 sizes
* Word database of over 31,000 entries

Xword does not require as much memory space as other crossword apps. Generated puzzles are not the sparsely populated, free-form puzzles so typical of most computer-generated crosswords. This app produces fully formed, professional looking puzzles, similar to the crossword puzzles featured in daily newspapers. Xword’s database of clues and words employs Webster’s dictionary with over 31,000 entries and has a planned expansion for Webster’s and Oxford standard word spellings.

$2.99/£1.99/download

An amazing trip through a magic land is awaiting the fans of Haypi. The latest 1.4 version of Haypi Dragon is finally available. This MMORPG for iPhone, iPod touch and iPad, offers a world of spells and magic crystals where only the courageous ones dare to enter.

In this fascinating game players can be heroic saviors of Haypi Town. There are seven charming dragons which have turned to the evil side and terrorize the people. At first the player has only one supporter – that is the humble dragon Roco, who can throw thunderous cracking stones at boss dragons. He challenges to battle one by one, all the bewitched dragons.

Light and happiness come to the lands of Haypi Town, when new dragon masters are defeated and released from the black magic put upon them. If the savior is skillful, he can break the spell and the dragons will submit to his will. They will fight on his side using their remarkable abilities and bombs, such as the bloodthirsty flower bombs, burning flame bombs, icicle rain bombs, hailstorm bombs, rising ghost bombs, etc. In this intriguing new world there are unseen treasures such as magic chests and keys, power stones, synthesis stones, etc. The hero on a quest can collect them in order to protect himself against the powerful dark magic.
Free/download

AppyNation today announced the launch of their latest game: Ninja Ranch. Available for free both on iPhone and iPod touch and in a Retina-enabled HD edition for iPad, Ninja Ranch is an original puzzle game in which budding ninja farmers must create order from chaos by correctly arranging their farm animals in groups within a predetermined grid. Think of it as a ninja-flavoured mash-up of Sudoku, Tetris and animal husbandry! The aim is to solve hundreds of unique puzzles within time limits and with as few mistakes as possible. Ninja Ranch has been developed by independent mobile studio FinBlade, well known for creating great mobile games like WordSearch and Battleship.

Ninja Ranch’s cast of colourful characters includes the Crispy Duck, the sage Wizard Lizard, the noble Red Panda and the mighty wind-powered Flatulent Cow. A Lucky Cat appears from time to time in order to bring good fortune to the ninja apprentices who are cunning enough to take advantage of its score-building effect.

"Ninja Ranch gives gamers a mix of humour, great production values, ninjas and livestock – not something you can say many apps can offer," said Andy Payne, CEO of AppyNation. "The game offers fantastic value with randomly generated puzzles and the ability for players to customise their ranch with quirky creatures and new backgrounds."

Ninja Ranch is ready to challenge even the most proficient player, and includes over 20 Game Center achievements to complete. Players can also unlock multiple extras by earning coins for completing levels. A Daily Spin with amazing prizes and tons of funny yet wise ancient ninja proverbs will keep keen Ninja Ranchers coming back every day!

Free/download

Fullpower-MotionX, maker of the critically acclaimed MotionX navigation apps, announces the latest update to their MotionX-Sleep App for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch, which includes four new features: Sleep Sounds, PowerNap Mode, Weekend Mode and the ability to export sleep data to Numbers. With these new features, individuals can sleep better, wake up refreshed, and be more active while enjoying soothing sounds as they fall asleep.

The latest update to MotionX-Sleep takes an all encompassing approach to sleep health, improving both overnight sleep and daytime naps. MotionX-Sleep’s new PowerNap Mode banishes the grogginess that typically accompanies short lived naps by waking sleepers at the optimal time before they transition from light to deep sleep. Users can also analyze their sleep patterns and plan ways to improve their sleep by exporting the app’s collected data.

"MotionX is very proud of all the latest improvements to MotionX-Sleep," said Philippe Kahn, founder and CEO of Fullpower-MotionX. "The app is a great example of how our advanced sensing technology can help improve people’s health."

$0.99/£0.69/download

Newly released, Mileage Report – Mileage and Expense Tracking 1.0 for iOS is perfect for anyone who needs to quickly and easily track their mileage for tax purposes. Every year, people try to track their mileage with clumsy, poorly built apps, or worse – a pad of paper and a pencil. Mileage Report is here to stop that.

Mileage Report was made to quickly and easily keep track of your mileage with a level of polish unlike anything that came before it. It tries to do the work for you, so that you can get back to work faster.

With its simple and elegant calendar view for filtering mileage entries, flexible custom categories, easily refined reports, and a sleek, polished interface, Mileage Report will make your day simpler and easier.

$2.99/£1.99/download

PlayNGive LLC and Mobile Flow LLC are super pleased to announce the launch of PictaHunt, a new social turn-based guessing game using your own pictures.

PictaHunt was inspired by our kids who love to snap pictures on our phones and proudly asking us to guess what they mean! We’ve tried to capture that simple joy into a game, and the result is PictaHunt. The app design is heavily influenced by ‘Draw Something’ and ‘Instagram,’ with the ability to invite friends on Facebook and by email to join in the fun!

Features:
* Play with friends on Facebook
* Turn-based game play, choose picture and start a game, guess at your own pace
* Invite friends on Facebook, by email or play against a matched random opponent
* Buy fun words with coins, with new words added daily please send us suggestions
* Give "Clues" to help friends guess using stamps and pens
* Give up? "Fail" your friends and share the fun on Facebook and email
* Leaderboard for the most points, share your pictures on Facebook and by email
Free/download

Join the Nations Cup in Soctics League and bring glory to your country with your teammates. Get Soctics League from the App Store for the iPhone, iPod touch, iPad platforms. Play against the device, a friend via hot-seat mode or through Game Center, or anyone in the world through Bitongo’s online matchmaking and league system.

Bitongo’s turn-based 3-on-3 puck football gives the players the chance to use their cunning tactics to outsmart their opponents. 3 different player types are available to increase the tactical depth of the game. Binoculars can be used to see where the ball will go when precision is needed.

* SmartCrowd : Experience true fan support during the games. Your fans will react to the events during the match in a realistic way. The bigger fanbase you have, the more versatile their support will be.

* Unlock new Fan Chants: Grow your fanbase during online matches so they will learn new chants

* 2 player mode: Hot-seat mode to play against friends on the same device

* Game Center Support: Challenge your friends via Game Center anytime

* Online Multiplayer: Join the Bitongo online community and play against other players from all around the world (Internet connection required).

* Nations Cup: Team up with others from your country to chase the Nations Trophy
Free/download

The myGuardianAngel iPhone app is giving away an iPad3 simply for helping them spread the word about their new iPhone app dedicated to helping people to never have to face trouble alone again. Details on how to win the iPad3 can be viewed at the myGuardianAngel web site.

The concept of the myGuardianAngel App is to get a person the most help possible with the push of ONE button. The app allows a person, with the push of ONE button, to send an emergency alert to several contacts, capture video evidence, be tracked by GPS and through streaming audio from the phone update ALL emergency contacts, at the same time, as to exactly what the situation is and exactly what type of help is needed.

The myGuardianAngel iPhone app also gives a person the ability to call 911 with the push of one button while simultaneously sending a message to each emergency contact stating that 911 was just called along with the location of the event. This is a huge time saver in an emergency. At a price of only 99 cents this app is a bargain as it could save your life or the life of someone you love.
$0.99/£0.69/download

Planrly Inc. announces today the global availability of Votely for iOS. Votely provides an innovative and fun way of making decisions, based on the votes of your friends on Facebook. Leveraging the biggest social network to make decisions for you has never been easier. Ask questions and Facebook friends can vote on your given choices. Votely is completely integrated with Facebook and therefore already knows your list of friends who can reply with their choices. This is an app that uses the enormous power of the social media to get instant feedback for the user.

Answers can also be provided to questions via the App itself. Percentage of votes can be viewed, easily revealing the most popular answer. Photos can be used to accelerate interest in the multiple answer choices presented. The Votely interface has been designed with careful attention paid to details, so creating a vote, answering questions, getting feedback and making decisions is a seamless process.

Making a decision can be hard when many options are available and choosing one does not seem right. Votely can become the go-to tool for making rapid decisions by acquiring answers from Facebook friends.

Free/download

A U.S. President, SuperPrez 1.3 for iOS is an election trivia game based on the US electoral voting system. Play against President Obama and try to win the presidency for your candidate.

The main menu shows the US divided into 12 groups of states. Each group of states has a electoral vote total. You can be either a democrat or republican. The first part of the game play is an angry birds style game. Launch a red presidential hat to land on your candidate. After completing this part of the game then you must answer 3 trivia questions correctly. If you correctly answer these questions your candidate wins those states electoral votes. Now choose another state to challenge and win that states electoral votes. The first candidate that gets 270 electoral votes becomes president. To become SuperPrez your candidate must win all states 538 electoral votes. It is fairly easy to have any candidate become the president but the real challenge is for your chosen candidate to become president or SuperPrez.

Have fun learning about the US government and the presidents. SuperPrez is an educational app for all ages, it’s fun to play and learn at the same time. It’s the only game based on the US electoral system and does not contain ads of in-app purchases.

$0.99/£0.69/download

Vegas Mate 3.6, released via the iTunes App Store today include user interface and speed enhancements to make your trip even better. Vegas Mate is a location-aware travel guide for visitors to Las Vegas, Nevada. With dozens of hotels and hundreds of restaurants to choose from, Vegas Mate is the only app you need to make your vacation a success. Build trip schedules and share them between devices with iCloud. View restaurant menus to plan the perfect evening and then read (and share!) reviews with other Vegas Mate users.

Key Features:
* Detailed hotel, restaurant, show and nightclub information
* Comprehensive set of restaurant menus
* See at a glance what restaurants are nearby and if they are open
* Thousands of Las Vegas photographs
* Guidebook style travel tips and answers to common questions
* Sync your trips across all devices with iCloud
* Universal on iPhone, iPad and iPod touch

$1.99/£1.49/download

IGG Software today announced the release of a full iPad version of iBank, the developer’s market-leading personal finance application. iBank for iPad takes complete advantage of the iPad’s capabilities, including wireless updating, Multi-Touch navigation and the power of iOS 5. The app is available now on the App Store.

"This is the biggest project we’ve ever undertaken at IGG, and to us it represents a new model for personal finance management," says chief technology officer James Gillespie. "We designed it from scratch with the idea of doing three things amazingly well: updating your accounts automatically, getting the most out of your financial data, and using the iPad’s magic to its fullest extent."

iBank for iPad distinguishes itself from other finance apps in several significant ways:

* A new subscription service, Direct Access, delivers instant account updates from thousands of financial institutions worldwide. New transactions are downloaded via Wi-Fi or data connection in the background, with no prompting by the user – ensuring that one’s complete financial picture is current and available on the iPad any time and anywhere.

* iBank’s beautiful iPad interface presents a clear personal finance summary. Accounts are kept in one or more custom "books," organized as needed. With just a tap or a swipe, users can access accounts; get details on accounts, budgets, transactions or investments; change pages, switch books, edit transactions, delete info and more – naturally and intuitively.

* Investment management has never been more elegant. Because the books in iBank for iPad resemble a set of financial reports, it’s easier than ever to review trades, positions, history, performance, realized and unrealized gains, market value and more. Portfolios update as changes are available, and users can drill down for security details with a tap.

* Simple yet sophisticated budgeting is a key component of iBank. Schedule regular income and bills, set targets for other earnings or expenses, track spending by assigning categories to transactions. Users can check budgets with a tap, compare current performance to previous months, review old budgets and more.

$14.99/£10.99/download

Currently, in the United States, it is projected that approximately 30% of adults are unaware that they ail from hypertension, more than 40% of individuals with hypertension are not being treated and about 67% of hypertensive patients are unable to maintain their blood pressure levels within the desired range. It has been estimated that a decrease in systolic blood pressure by 5 mm Hg can significantly reduce morbidity and mortality.

The seventh report of the Joint National Committee (JNC7) on prevention, detection, evaluation, and treatment of high blood pressure reports that more than 50 million people in the United States of America have high blood pressure. This report also indicates that hypertension (high blood pressure) increases the risk for coronary heart disease, stroke, congestive heart failure, end stage renal disease, and peripheral vascular disease. Studies have shown that prevention of these health conditions is possible via frequent monitoring and management of blood pressure in patients. In most cases, this has reduced fatality rates and improved the quality of life for the patients.

The center for disease control and prevention (CDC) has indicated that 25% of the adults in USA suffer from pre-hypertension. This is a preliminary health condition that can develop into hypertension. It is recognized that hypertension can be controlled if patients are motivated to lead a healthy lifestyle and regular intake of medication. However, due to motivational challenges involved in pursuing this treatment plan, managing this condition in patients remains a significant challenge. A study by the agency for health and research quality (AHRQ) has shown favorable outcomes in patients where combinations of quality improvement (QI) strategies such as sending email reminders to patients to undertake blood pressure measurements and adhere to treatment plans were applied.

Smart Blood Pressure ("SmartBP") is a blood pressure management tool for patients suffering from hypertension and prehypertension. This tool allows patients to monitor, maintain and analyze their blood pressure data. In addition, it can generate reports and share it with their primary care physicians using a mobile device. This provides the opportunity to take rapid decisions related to the health of the patient almost instantly.

Free/download

vThinking Studio, a studio specialized in iOS app development, today is pleased to introduce Contact Touch 1.0 for iPhone. Contact Touch redefines the way you access your contacts information. Using gestures to create a new contact, dial, message and mail is fast, intuitive and fun.

Gesture list:
* Pull to create a new contact
* Swipe right to call
* Swipe left to message
* Two finger swipe right to email
* Two finger swipe left to delete a contact
* Pull to create a new contact method

Beside gesture, Contact Touch is an action-rich contacts app. For example, swiping right on address information will give you directions there from your current location; swiping left on a twitter account will let you tweet your contact. Swiping right on IM information will launch the relevant IM app, then you are ready to chat with your friend.

In addition, you can drag and drop contact information to change the order, so you can keep the most frequently used contact method at your finger tips. You also can get your current location to fill your contact address field, so the next time you want to visit it, just swipe it.

$0.99/£0.69/download

Kid-mind Studios, a burgeoning mobile children’s developer, is excited today to announce the launch of The Lion and the Mouse full edition onto the App Store. Compatible with the iPad, The Lion and the Mouse is a vibrant eBook designed specifically for children. Based on the eponymous fairytale classic, this app is the perfect digital resource to help youngsters improve their reading skills while entertaining themselves. Complete with interactive games aimed at encouraging reading skills, The Lion and the Mouse is currently for download on the App Store for $2.99 in the Books Category.

Reading is a fundamental skill and with The Lion and the Mouse it’s never been more entertaining to do! The application is available as paid ebook with lite version coming soon. Perfect for children ages four to twelve, The Lion and the Mouse Lite will be a quick treat for any engaged young reader, while The Lion and the Mouse Full gives them access to enjoy this classic story in its entirety.

Designed specifically for kids, application features intuitive swipe based controls and a straightforward structure that makes opening and reading through this classic tale a breeze. Since learning is a hand on process the app features a diverse array of interactive games to help kids do just that. Complete with intricate vivid artwork, exercises created to help youngsters take their reading skills to the next levels, and a story that’s sure to motivate children to WANT to read more, The Lion and the Mouse by Kid-Mind Studios is the new gold standard in youth oriented ebook offerings on the App Store.

$2.99/£1.99/download

SocialNightlife LLC, a burgeoning mobile lifestyle solutions studio, is excited to announce the launch of SocialNightlife, an iPhone and iPod touch app that is both a revolutionary new venue management solution as well as the consummate social networking utility. Newly available in public beta, the company is currently running a weekly $500 cash giveaway to celebrate the launch. All users have to do to become eligible to win this cash prize as well as virtual in-app awards is to check-in to pool parties in Las Vegas, Los Angeles or San Diego. Notable venues include Encore Beach Club, Wet Republic, Electric Beach Club, Intervention and others. Simply put, regardless of whether you’re a venue owner or manager, serious promoter, or fan of nightlife, SocialNightlife is the best new gateway to the nightlife scene in your city.

With this new app, nightlife professionals have an amazing new tool to help them manage guest lists and table reservations, offer incentives as well as keep tabs on reporting and analytics. Regulars in the nightlife community will also find that SocialNightlife makes it easier than ever to connect with others, share content and find nearby events on the web or on the go. And SocialNightlife users don’t simply "check-in" to venues and events with the app, they make ‘Appearances’. After all, you "check-in" at a theater or coffee shop, but going to a hot nightclub is a much bigger event.

Outgoing users who make regular ‘Appearances’ are rewarded with virtual bottles (think of them as badges but less boring) and raise their chances of pocketing $500. SocialNightlife is not simply a club-based social networking tool. It is a 360 degree solution for everyone active in the nightlife scene. So promoters, managers, guests, and tech savvy party lovers alike take notice – there’s a new way to tap into the pulse of the party: SocialNightlife and SocialNightlife online.

Free/download