Combo Crew is an interesting experiment that just showed up this week on iOS. Beat-em-ups and fighting games are great on consoles, where you've got plenty of buttons and d-pads to pull off various moves with. But while they've appeared on iOS a few times (Capcom's Street Fighter IV has done fairly well on the App Store), usually these games on a touchscreen tend to just fall back on virtual buttons, which are generally way more clunky and less precise than physical moving parts.

Combo Crew, however, is an attempt to make a beat-em-up redesigned from scratch for the iOS touchscreen. It's a game made by the Game Bakers, a really excellent team based in France that's done a great job with the Squids turn-based combat series. Combo Crew has everything you'd want a beat-em-up game to have, including multiple characters, combination-based and counter attacks, and lots of cool super moves and punches. But the difference here is in the controls. Instead of pressing buttons, you swipe across the screen to perform your moves in sequence: Swipe once to attack, swipe and hold to charge up, swipe two fingers for a combo attack or tap the screen for a counter.

It works -- mostly. Just like a traditional beat-em-up game, Combo Crew's moveset gets more complicated over time, so that once mastered, you're able to keep combos going for a long time, scoring tons of points and taking down the bad guys with ease. Unfortunately, the biggest issue is that you're swiping right across the screen you're playing on, so sometimes it can be hard to see where you need to go. Thus, precision isn't always exactly where you want it to be. If you swipe the screen, you will do an attack, but there's no way to move around the screen independently, and as a result, you don't always attack the exact enemy you want, which can be a problem at higher levels.

Combo Crew is still a lot of fun, however, and The Game Bakers deserve a lot of credit for taking on such a tough genre to do on a touchscreen in such a creative way. There's even a co-op mode, and an endless-scoring game with plenty of various progression items to unlock and earn. If you like beat-em-ups and want something to enjoy on your iPhone, this one is a must-play for sure, just to see how it all works. The game is currently just $1.99, too, so if you're interested at all, give this one a download.

Daily iPhone App: Combo Crew does beat-em-up on a touchscreen originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Fri, 24 May 2013 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Daily iPhone App: Combo Crew does beat-em-up on a touchscreen originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Fri, 24 May 2013 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Happy Memorial Day Weekend! Here in the US, most of us are celebrating a three-day weekend that also serves as the start of summer, which means BBQs, poolside hangouts and lots and lots of time in the sun. Oh, and it means one more thing these days: iOS game sales (all prices USD)!

• Card game maker Playdek has an awesome sale on, including Ascension (and its IAP), Nightfall (and its IAP), Penny Arcade: The Card Game and Fluxx all for just 99 cents each. You should definitely pick up one or all of those -- Nightfall is complicated, but it's probably my favorite.
• Puzzlejuice is on sale for 99 cents; it's a really brilliantly designed word puzzle game.
• EA Mobile has a huge sale on, featuring more than 55 games either 99 cents or free. Some choice picks: Tetris Blitz, The Sims 3 for 99 cents, Need for Speed: Most Wanted for 99 cents, and NBA Jam also for just under a buck.
• Plague Inc is down to just 99 cents.
• High Voltage's great Zoombies: Animales de la Muerte just recently appeared on the App Store, but it's already on sale for 99 cents.
• The great board game adaptation Small World for iPad is down to just $2.99. This is an especially good deal, because the game's about to get a big update for free.
• WELDER is on sale for free. So is Pocket Heroes and Angry Birds Space.
• I didn't think AVP Evolution was that great a game, but it's only 99 cents right now.
• Penumbear is an excellent and beautiful platformer that's only 99 cents as well.
• Adventure Bar Story, which is a bar simulator set in a fantasy RPG world, is on sale for free.
• The excellent puzzle game Sporos is free.

There's plenty of games for you to play, and we'll probably see even more sales go on over the rest of this weekend. Stay tuned for more updates on app and game sales, and you can always follow us on Twitter at @TUAW for up-to-the-minute sale tips!

Memorial Day brings lots of great sales on iOS games originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Fri, 24 May 2013 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Memorial Day brings lots of great sales on iOS games originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Fri, 24 May 2013 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Act quickly mobile music producers. Propellerhead, makers of the recording software Reason, have announced that they will stop selling and supporting the iPhone app ReBirth on June 1. ReBirth is an iOS version of the company's Techno Micro Composer that started as a Mac program. The app emulates a Roland TB-303 bass synth and TR-808 and 909 drum machines. Using FX and sequencers, the app allows users to create whole songs.

The more expensive iPad version of ReBirth isn't going anywhere, so home producers will still have that option. Ultimately, the iPad version of the program is the strongest one, adding the ability to export your songs as MP3 files, unlike the iPhone version which can only share songs with other ReBirth for iPhone users.

Sadly along with pulling the app from the iTunes store Propellerhead is also pulling support for ReBirth, meaning users will no longer be able to share their songs with other users who have the app. By removing the app's only method of sharing the music it creates it seems like Propellerhead is intentionally crippling a popular feature on the app in favor of its iPad alternative.

ReBirth is stil available in the iTunes store for $2.99 until June 1.

Propellerhead to stop selling ReBirth for iPhone originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Fri, 24 May 2013 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Propellerhead to stop selling ReBirth for iPhone originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Fri, 24 May 2013 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ninja Theory is an excellent game developer based in the UK that's produced Enslaved: Odyssey to the West and the recent Devil May Cry reboot. Now, Ninja Theory is releasing its first iOS title, Fightback, which EA studio Chillingo will publish. Fightback, as you can see above, looks like a fairly gritty arcade-style beat-em-up, and it boasts some AAA grade production values, as well as some interesting touch-based combat.

Fightback is set for previews at E3, so we'll see more of the game in action then. It's set to launch on iOS later this summer. Chillingo is a very high-quality studio that's been doing plenty of good work lately, and with its ties to EA, it's no surprise that Ninja Theory gave it the go-ahead on publishing duties. Ninja Theory is a great studio, and we'll look forward to seeing how this one turns out.

Ninja Theory partners with Chillingo to publish Fightback originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Fri, 24 May 2013 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Ninja Theory partners with Chillingo to publish Fightback originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Fri, 24 May 2013 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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AT&T's prepay GoPhone service is to include an iPhone purchase option as of today. The service will also gain the addition of 4G LTE and HSPA+ support, according to MacRumors. GoPhone lets users sign up for AT&T service without joining a contract. Previously, iPhone owners could sign up for the service but they would have no access to cellular data. With the update expected to roll out today, iPhone owners will be able to access all of AT&T's services on a GoPhone contract, including 4G LTE and Visual Voicemail.

MacRumors says that iPhone owners will have three options for GoPhone service. The highest-priced one is a US$65 plan that offers unlimited texts and calls and one gigabyte of data. AT&T is also offering $50 and $25 plans that include text and calls, but users will have to add additional data plans on top. When choosing a GoPhone plan, users can bring in their existing unlocked iPhone or they can buy an unlocked iPhone from AT&T in the store. MacRumors says that current GoPhone plan owners will be automatically updated with cellular data support for their iPhone on June 21, but the site says that those that want to see cellular data support before then may be able to have their plan manually upgraded first.

AT&T's GoPhone prepaid brand to fully support iPhone originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Fri, 24 May 2013 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

AT&T's GoPhone prepaid brand to fully support iPhone originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Fri, 24 May 2013 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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AllThingsD is reporting that Best Buy plans to begin a monthlong iPhone sale on Sunday. iPhone prices will drop by US$50 when bought in conjunction with a two-year contract from AT&T, Sprint or Verizon. All current models of the iPhone -- iPhone 4, iPhone 4S and iPhone 5 -- are included.

This coming Monday in the United States is Memorial Day, and the weekend prior is a big shoppers' weekend. Best Buy is also offering discounts on several popular Android handsets, but those discounts are expected to expire on June 1. There's no word on why Best Buy's iPhone sale will carry on for an entire month, but it could be that the company is trying to move inventory before any potential iPhone announcements this summer.

Best Buy to begin month-long iPhone sale on Sunday originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Fri, 24 May 2013 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Best Buy to begin month-long iPhone sale on Sunday originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Fri, 24 May 2013 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Marketwatch recently took a look at the rising price of iPhone 5 screen repairs, pointing out that the US$229 Apple sometimes charges to repair a broken iPhone 5 screen is often more than the cost of the device itself, with a two-year contract of course.

At the root of rising iPhone repair costs are more expensive components coupled with a lower supply of said components.

The replacement components for the iPhone 5 are much more expensive than similar parts for prior models -- so expensive in fact that many independent repair services cannot compete. "Due to the high cost of replacement parts, we are not yet offering iPhone 5 repairs," according to a statement on ComputerOverhauls.com, an online repair shop. "Currently, the Apple Store is the least expensive option for repairing damaged iPhone 5s." Other services charge as much as $250 for the repair.

The article also relays that the iPhone 5 is actually easier to fix than previous iPhone models. Replacing a display on the iPhone 4S, for example, involves 37 steps.

Oh cruel irony.

All told, AppleCare+ for iPhone owners is steadily looking like the smart play. I opted not to get AppleCare when I picked up my iPhone 4S. Then, 15 months later, the screen cracked after I clumsily let it slip out of my hand.

With AppleCare+, which costs $99, Apple extends warranty coverage on the iPhone to two years, a plan which covers two incidents of accidental damage along with a $49 service fee. Damage not caused by human error or clumsiness is not subject to an additional service fee.

iPhone repair costs are soaring originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Fri, 24 May 2013 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

iPhone repair costs are soaring originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Fri, 24 May 2013 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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If you've been waiting for Ultima Forever, the new iOS version of Ultima from EA, then it's here for you (kind of). The app has been spotted over on the Canadian App Store, and if you have an account over there, you can go and download it right now. The Canadian App Store is often used as a beta testing ground for iOS apps, especially by EA, so the company is likely testing out the game and its services before releasing it worldwide soon (probably in the next few weeks). So it's not completely done yet, but if you want to go get it, you can.

To switch your iTunes install over to Canada, you just need to go down and click on little flag located on the bottom right of each App Store page in iTunes. You can switch your client to any of the world's regions there, and I believe that you can download apps for free from any of those regions (including Ultima Forever).

You can also switch your App Store region on the iPhone or iPad by going to settings, and then tweaking your Apple ID to match the region you want to browse. That's more of a hassle, however -- if you can be patient for another week or two, it might be better to wait for the official, worldwide release, undoubtedly coming soon.

[via Ultima Codex]

Ultima Forever spotted on the Canadian App Store originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Thu, 23 May 2013 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Ultima Forever spotted on the Canadian App Store originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Thu, 23 May 2013 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Passbook users rejoice, as life is about to get a little easier. Skycore has announced support for cross-carrier delivery of Passbook passes via MMS. That means in the near future you will be able to send friends and family tickets, coupons and gift cards via a simple text message, and have them installed in Passbook on their phones. The MMS message arrives showing an image, which the receiver simply has to tap on to install the pass.

Services for pass creators include the ability to monitor MMS delivery receipts and to confirm that passes have been installed. If the recipient of the MMS doesn't have an iPhone, the service automatically detects what phone they do use and offers an alternative for their operating system.

Skycore CEO Rich Eicher explained the move to MarketWire.

A number of clients expressed concerns about relying on just their apps to deliver passes, especially for tickets, coupons, gift cards and IDs. While mobile-optimized email is a good option, MMS is ideal because the recipient instantly knows when they've received it, and they don't need to open their email client to find the pass.

Skycore uses MMS to send Passbook passes originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Thu, 23 May 2013 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Skycore uses MMS to send Passbook passes originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Thu, 23 May 2013 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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File-sharing service Box has acquired the technology behind a French app called Folders, which was never released, but is also centered on browsing and sharing files on the iPhone. Terms of the acquisition weren't revealed, but Box said that Folders would be a big influence on the next few iterations of the file-sharing software. The company also noted that its iPhone and iPad apps will be "cleaner, faster and more beautiful throughout 2013."

Folders was originally designed as a viewer for Box with an impressive user interface and file-viewing features, but now will be "folded" into future versions of the app itself. Box boasts more than 15 million users at 150,000 businesses, and those numbers are growing all the time. If the folks at Box can find a way to team up with Staples and the Paper app, they could have a whole office!

Box acquires Folders, in what sounds like the least exciting acquisition deal ever originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Thu, 23 May 2013 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Box acquires Folders, in what sounds like the least exciting acquisition deal ever originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Thu, 23 May 2013 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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A new study released by Applifier says that word of mouth is still the number one way mobile game players find the games they like. That doesn't necessarily mean in-person discussion about mobile games, however, though 36 percent of users did report that hearing from a friend or family member was a major source of games, and 25 percent of users said actually seeing a friend or family member play a game was one way they found out about their favorites. However, 43 percent of users say reading user reviews was the main way they found what they liked to play.

Video is another big game pusher -- 70 percent of users polled by Applifier say that they watched online video about mobile games in the last week, and 45 percent of users said that watching the video had them downloading that same game right away.

Most mobile game players, according to Applifier, download up to five mobile games a month, which is just a little more than one per week. Those games are played for about three hours per week, though obviously that's spread out across the entire week, so most likely little bits here and there rather than three hours at a time. And 20 percent of users, said Applifier, can be classified as "sharers," which means they are more likely to download more games, play more often and for longer and convert to paying users. All interesting stuff. For all of the infrastructure for app discovery built by Apple and others, odds are that you're still hearing about your favorite iOS downloads from the people that you know best anyway.

Study: Mobile gamers download five titles a month, mostly through word of mouth originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Thu, 23 May 2013 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Study: Mobile gamers download five titles a month, mostly through word of mouth originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Thu, 23 May 2013 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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My kids are growing up as part of the internet generation and, as a result, they love watching videos online. Being good internet citizens, it's not surprising their favorite videos involve cats doing silly tricks. I would love to let them loose on YouTube to watch their cat videos, but there is an unsavory side to the video website that pops up in searches or YouTube's suggested videos list. Here are a few tips to help parents control the content that their child views on YouTube, and on the web, in general.

Filtering on OS X

The quickest and easiest way to make YouTube kid-friendly is to enable Safety Mode. Safety Mode will screen out potentially objectionable content, so children can view YouTube in a web browser without unsavory videos and vulgar comments floating to the top. You can turn on Safety Mode by scrolling to the bottom of any YouTube page and clicking the drop-down menu in the "Safety" section. If you are logged into your YouTube account, you can lock this feature so it is always enabled. If you have multiple browsers, you have to open each browser and repeat this process to make sure Safety Mode is turned on in each one.

YouTube warns parents that this feature is not 100 percent foolproof, and some objectionable content could seep through its filters. If you want an extra layer of security, you can install third-party filtering tools like Safe Eyes from McAfee or Net Nanny. These services cost money, but they filter all the websites that your children visit, not just YouTube. There are browser-based extensions like FoxFilter for FireFox or Blocksi for Chrome that also filter website content. If you use Safari, parents can use the built-in filtering feature that is enabled when you turn on parental controls in OS X.

Parents looking for a house-wide filtering solution that works with all devices should look at OpenDNS and its parental control service. OpenDNS routes all your internet traffic through its server and filters that traffic for adult content, social networking sites, video sharing sites and more. You have control over the categories of content that they want to block.

Filtering on iOS

A growing number of kids are watching videos using an iPad, an iPhone or an iPod touch, and as expected, most of the parental controls you use on the desktop don't extend to mobile. You can turn on YouTube Safe Search in mobile Safari or in the YouTube app to prevent access to provocative content, but I would rather have precise control over the videos that my kids watch on iOS. Unlike a desktop or laptop, which is easy to see even from across the room, a mobile device can be propped up in a lap and easily hidden from your view. I prefer to impose stricter restrictions than follow my children around the house peering over their shoulder to see what they are watching on the iPad.

There are several options to limit YouTube content on an iOS device. You can choose to install an app like iTubeList (iOS Universal, free with in-app purchase to disable ads), which plays only YouTube playlists. You can setup a playlist with child-friendly videos and then turn your child loose with the iTubeList app. A similar app is KidSafe Tube (iOS Universal, $2.99), which filters YouTube content and allows you to add single videos, playlists, YouTube channels or search results to a blocked content list.

An alternative to a dedicated YouTube app is a kid-safe browser like Ranger Browser or Maxthon browser. These apps monitor all web traffic, not just YouTube and have additional features that allow parents to monitor their children's web usage. Besides limiting access to websites using blacklists and whitelists, Ranger Browser also saves a browser history and lets you set the time that you child can use the web. Maxthon browser has a kid-friendly UI and uses a safe list that allows you to setup a list of accessible sites. Any content, including advertisements and links, not on your list will be blocked.

Parenting Tip: How to control what your child watches on YouTube originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Thu, 23 May 2013 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Parenting Tip: How to control what your child watches on YouTube originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Thu, 23 May 2013 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Element Case is one of the few iPhone case manufacturers we talk to on a regular basis that continues to innovate with impressive designs that are entirely different from the mainstream. Whether it's their wood, aluminum and leather Ronin or the original Sector 5 case, you can be certain that an Element Case is going to be something that stands out from the crowd. Today we're taking a look at the Element Case Sector 5 Black Ops Elite (US$219.95), which is the perfect case for the Navy SEAL, SWAT team member, or tactical team wannabe in your life. We're giving our review case away, so stick around until the end of the review.

Design

To get the amazing look of this design, Element Case worked alongside Hogue, a manufacturer of handgun grips, rifle stocks, knives and holsters. Hogue's G10 material is used for the back plate of the case and the knurled side grips as well. G10 is described by Element Case as "a high-pressure thermoset plastic laminate consisting of multiple layers of woven fiberglass mesh cloth impregnated with an epoxy resin binder." In other words, this stuff is tough!

Gallery: Element Case Sector 5 Black Ops Elite iPhone case

As usual, the frame of the Sector 5 Black Ops Elite is made of ultrathin CNC machined aluminum for light weight and strength. There's a clip on the back of the case, but a tactical holster is also included for extra protection. Speaking of protection, you can make sure that your SWAT team buddies aren't able to see the incoming FaceTime call from your girlfriend since a Stealth privacy screen protector is included.

What else is included? You're going to need to know how to field strip this case in the dark with your eyes closed (just kidding), so Element Case throws in a little speed wrench to help in installation and removal.

The case comes in four different finishes. There's a black case with black G10 inserts, a black case with OD Green G10, a Desert Tan case with black G10, and Desert Tan with Dark Earth G10. Our review case came in the black and OD Green scheme, which looks extra sexy in my personal opinion.

Functionality

Like all Element Cases, the Sector 5 Black Ops Elite has a little bit of assembly required. You need to install the aluminum frame first, then install the back plate. The clip on the back plate can be oriented in one of two positions -- once again, you'll need to remove and then replace a pair of Torx screws and some spacers to do so.

For the purposes of giving the review case away, I did not install the "rash guards" that are used to prevent scratching of the iPhone 5's frame, nor did I install the screen protector. The adhesive on the back plate is designed for removal.

Removing the upper right screw on the case with the included wrench took only a few moments, and then the case opened up like a watch band to wrap around the iPhone 5. There's a bit of what looks like neoprene padding in several key areas, keeping the aluminum frame from directly transmitting shocks from drops and bumps to the aluminum frame of the iPhone 5. Of course, not that long ago Element changed the design of the Sector 5 cases to include small amber plastic pieces that allow for more flexibility of the frame in case it is dropped onto a corner.

Once the frame is installed, it's time to clean the back of the iPhone 5 with the included alcohol-soaked cleaning wipe. When the back of the iPhone is completely dry, you remove the backing on the G10 back plate and then press the back plate onto the phone. The adhesive for the back plate doesn't cover the bottom half-inch or so, providing a small area to pry off the back if you want to remove it.

I liked the feel of the Sector 5 Black Ops Elite -- it's extremely rigid and solid. The belt clip grips well but is easy to install and remove from a belt, and the included tactical holster wouldn't look out of place on the equipment belt of any SWAT team member. The look of the case is amazing as well; Element Case made the Sector 5 Black Ops Elite look futuristic, while the Ronin it shares lineage with looks surprisingly steampunk.

The use of Hogue G10 material on the case is pure genius. The material is used for Hogue's line of handgun grips, rifle stocks, and knives (in the handles) and it is not only strong, but has a completely unique look to it.

The price of the case definitely puts it into the luxury category, but as the old adage goes, "You get what you pay for." Here's a case that should keep your iPhone 5 protected and lookin' good for years to come.

Conclusion

It's not the case for everyone, but Element Case has another winner on their hands with the Sector 5 Black Ops Elite. If your tastes tend toward the tactical, you'll love this case.

Pros

• The combination of machined aluminum and Hogue CNC machined G10 make this a strong yet lightweight case
• One-of-a-kind tactical accessory look
• Included tactical belt holster adds even more protection
• Element Case's redesign of the Sector 5 case includes more flexibility in corners for better drop protection

Cons

• A bit expensive, but who's worried about the price tag?

Who is it for?

• The iPhone 5 owner who wants something strong and unique protecting his or her investment

Giveaway

So, does this case have you drooling yet? One TUAW reader is going to get to take our review unit out into the field -- it could be you!

Here are the rules for the giveaway:

• Open to legal US residents of the 50 United States, the District of Columbia and Canada (excluding Quebec) who are 18 and older.
• To enter, fill out the form below completely and click or tap the Submit button.
• The entry must be made before May 26, 2013 11:59PM Eastern Daylight Time.
• You may enter only once.
• One winner will be selected and will receive a Element Case Sector 5 Black Ops Elite iPhone 5 case valued at $220
• Click Here for complete Official Rules.

Element Case Sector 5 Black Ops Elite: The tactical case for your iPhone 5 originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Thu, 23 May 2013 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Element Case Sector 5 Black Ops Elite: The tactical case for your iPhone 5 originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Thu, 23 May 2013 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The uber-popular live-music-recognition app Shazam has received a major update today. The most noticeable change is a new mapping feature. Now users can explore a map and see what songs are being tagged in what areas of the world. Another major change is that Shazam is now a universal app. Previously there was Shazam for iPhone and Shazam for iPad, but now both apps have been rolled into one.

The iPad side of the new Shazam app has seen significant upgrades as well. Users are now greeted with a beautiful new home screen that allows them to flip through recently tagged songs. Another new feature is Auto Tagging, which tags any audio from TV shows or music playing around you without you having to tap a button. Shazam will even continue to run in the background and continue tagging songs when you leave the app. When you launch it again, everything that was tagged when you were outside the app appears on the new home screen.

Shazam is a free download.

Shazam app goes universal, adds mapping features, more originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Thu, 23 May 2013 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Shazam app goes universal, adds mapping features, more originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Thu, 23 May 2013 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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We're still a few years away from the self-opening home front door of the Jetsons. But that's okay -- we're making progress. A few weeks ago we told you about Unikey and Kwikset's Kevo, a keyless entry system for your own front door. Now the fine folks at Engadget have had a chance to work with the system hands on, and they seem to be impressed.

The system uses the iPhone's Bluetooth LE to connect with the smartlock. Simply walk up to your front door with your phone in your pocket, tap the lock, and turn the knob. Users and security are handled via iPhone and desktop apps that allow you to share keys with family and friends as administrative, normal or scheduled users.

Having someone house sit for you? Register their iPhone with the house for the week and never worry about them forgetting to return your key. Having family come into town to visit? No need to worry about having enough house keys to go around. You can even set on-off access in case someone needs to come by, but only once.

At the moment the system will only support the iPhone; Android and BlackBerry 10 support is on the way. Kevo is expected to go on sale soon. Head over to Engadget for their complete run down of the system, or check out the video below. Unikey is currently taking emails at their website for people interested in pre-ordering when the lock becomes available.

Engadget takes Unikey's iPhone assisted keyless entry for a spin originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Wed, 22 May 2013 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Engadget takes Unikey's iPhone assisted keyless entry for a spin originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Wed, 22 May 2013 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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There are a couple of Warhammer-related titles on their way to iOS soon, but this is the most interesting yet. Developer Slitherine has revealed that it's working on a title called Warhammer 40K: Armageddon, a turn-based, hex-tiled strategy game coming to PC and iOS next year. The game will set Space Marines against Orks across 35 different scenarios, and feature over 100 units with upgradeable stats and attributes, along with a modding system and a separate set of maps balanced out for multiplayer.

Armageddon joins a number of other Warhammer games in progress, including Warhammer Quest and the upcoming Space Hulk adaptation. This is an extremely popular game franchise, and iOS is quickly becoming the home of choice for its games. Unfortunately, we won't get to see Armageddon in action until next year at least, but we'll look forward to seeing it then.

Warhammer 40K Armageddon gets details, coming in 2014 originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Wed, 22 May 2013 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Warhammer 40K Armageddon gets details, coming in 2014 originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Wed, 22 May 2013 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Pandora Radio is the granddaddy of streaming music apps, and for years now, the company's iPhone app has been one of the most popular ways to use and interact with the service. Just today, the app has nabbed a big update, bringing it to version 4.3. The new update adds a redesigned interface, which lets you tap an album to see lyrics, artist info or other notes. You can also publish information directly to Facebook and share recommendations with your friends.

The update has been able to share tracks to Twitter and email for a while now, so the Facebook integration just adds to the functionality. The Pandora app itself is free, and you can subscribe to a premium service, called Pandora One, from directly inside the app.

Pandora app revamps interface, adds Facebook publishing originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Wed, 22 May 2013 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Pandora app revamps interface, adds Facebook publishing originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Wed, 22 May 2013 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Scanner Pro has always been one of the best iOS document scanners applications around, and it just got better. Readdle has updated Sacnner Pro to include real-time border detection.

Scanner Pro allows your iPhone or iPad to scan receipts, whiteboards or any single or multi-page document. Why not just use your device's built-in camera? Scanner Pro has got you covered. It'll auto-crop your documents, remove shadows, correct awkward perspectives and save in multiple formats. Images can be sent right to Evernote, Dropbox and Google Drive.

If you have this great app then go right away and update it. If you don't, then go grab it from the App Store now. Scanner Pro has been a long-time friend of my mobile office workflow.

Scanner Pro 4.5 Updated to Make iOS Scanning Easier originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Wed, 22 May 2013 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Scanner Pro 4.5 Updated to Make iOS Scanning Easier originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Wed, 22 May 2013 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The sun is one of the most important stars in our galaxy. It gives us light, enables the growth of plants, is a source of energy and is the cornerstone of our calendar. To learn more about this spectacular star, you should check out the Sun By Kids Discover app.

The iPad app features interactive 3D models as well as audio and HD video to teach you about the sun. You'll learn the difference between the solstice and the equinox and follow the steps as a star is born. The app is packed full of stunning photos, clever animations and easy-to-read trivia about the sun. Think you are an expert ? Then test your knowledge using the puzzles, quizzes and games included in the app. There is even an activities section that teaches you how to study the sun in real life.

The Sun By Kids Discover app is available for US$3.99 from the iOS App Store. It is compatible with the iPad and requires iOS 5.0 or later.

Daily iPad App: Sun by Discover Kids is a star-studded look at our Sun originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Wed, 22 May 2013 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Daily iPad App: Sun by Discover Kids is a star-studded look at our Sun originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Wed, 22 May 2013 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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It has been busy in the App Store with a handful of new apps landing on iOS and OS X. Take a few minutes and check out our list of standout apps from the past few weeks!

iOS Apps

Video Filters [iOS Universal; Category: Photography & Video; US$3.99] Pro HD Video Camera with 100 Fully Customizable, Real-Time Video Filters.

HeartPhys [iPad; Category: Medical; $1.99] Learn physiology through interactive diagrams.

Stria [iOS Universal; Category: Music; $8.99] Multilevel Interactive Sound Synthesizer "Stria" is the title of a very important composition by John Chowning. This computer music piece rapresents the manifest of Frequency Modulation technique applied to audio synthesis, invented by Mr. Chowning himself.

DataMan Enterprise : Track Data Usage In Real-Time [iPhone; Category: Business; $19.99] Manage multiple plans. DataMan Enterprise allows you to set up multiple cellular data plan profiles, each containing a separate set of plan info and usage data.

Little Viking Dungeon Of Doom [iOS Universal; Category: Games; $0.99] An epic adventure through 100 levels of monsters, traps and danger.

Manuganu [iOS Universal; Category: Games; $0.99] Run, jump, slide from ropes and dodge rocks! Not enough? There is much more in Manuganu.

Frozen Synapse [iPad; Category: Games; $6.99] Frozen Synapse is a multi-award-winning tactical game.

Gravity Guy 2 [iOS Universal; Category: Games; $0.99] Our brave Guy now finds himself on top of towers running for his life, jumping from one platform to another, while avoiding many hazards placed across his path.

Jacob Jones and the Bigfoot Mystery : Episode 1 [iOS Universal; Category: Games; $2.99] A small boy, his big new friend, and a huge problem. Join Camp Eagle Feathers' newest 'Brave', Jacob Jones, on an amazing adventure to uncover just what is going on at Camp Eagle Feather.

CastleMine [iOS Universal; Category: Games; $0.99] Defend your castle from the evils that lurk below in this unique strategy game.

Bombcats [iOS Universal; Category: Games; Free with in-app purchases] Seven cute but volatile felines ready to explode into action to save their imprisoned furry friends.

OS X Apps

Minbox [OS X; Category: Photography & Video; Free] Minbox lets you send any collection of photos or files from your Mac via email, all for free.

File Twins [OS X; Category: Utilities; Free] File Twins is a practical application acting as your duplicate file cleaner.

Eggscellent [OS X; Category: Productivity; $9.99] Based on effective time management principles, Eggscellent transforms your to-do list into manageable activities.

Art Mogul [OS X; Category: Games; $2.99] Step into the shoes of an Art Mogul in this thrilling mix of hidden object, strategy and business sim.

LittleLink [OS X; Category: Productivity; $0.99] LittleLinks is a nifty little app that automatically shrinks all the links and url's you copy to your clipboard.

Folder Magic [OS X; Category: Productivity; Free] Create exquisite and unique folders for your computer with hundreds of pre-created images.

New and notable apps for iOS and OS X - May 22 edition originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Wed, 22 May 2013 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

New and notable apps for iOS and OS X - May 22 edition originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Wed, 22 May 2013 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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