Android News App Games Update Daily: 08/14/14

Thursday, August 14, 2014

Ripoff Birds Flocks to the Google Play Store

Ripoff Birds is a new physics-based game featuring birds in what seems to be forming into a genre of its own; mobile bird games. This one takes a jab at other bird games that have ripped off other games while offering in the description's words "truly original *cough* gameplay."

Nap-inducing informational radio at the tap of a button, but is it enough to keep you engaged?

With glowing hues reminiscent of the movie Tron and a pulsating soundtrack, Unpossible by Acceleroto spun into the Play Store today. Acceleroto has two other titles in the Play Store, Invasion Strike and Die in a Fire. I became aware of Acceleroto a few years ago when they produced the enjoyable endless runner game Rush City for iOS. Unpossible is a mind-bending, environment swirling, aesthetically pleasing game that will challenge your skills. It fits right in line with brutally difficult games like Wave Wave, Super Hexagon and most recently Duet. If you played Impossible Road and enjoyed it, you will be right at home with Unpossible.

Anyone packing an LG G3 and wanting to get the absolute most out of its impressive 2560 x 1440 display will want to crank up the quality on their YouTube app which now supports resolutions up to 1440p. Of course, you won't see the option on devices with any lower-resolution displays.

Last week the newest Humble Mobile Bundle was launched with six pretty decent games. As with all Humble Bundles, a week has passed and now there are three additional games that have been added to it. These three new games are Carmageddon, Time Surfer and the somewhat unusual Llamas with Hats Cruise Catastrophe.

Square Enix is at it again, bringing another full game port over to the mobile platforms with Dragon Quest IV hitting Android today. Just like its lineup of other ported games, like several editions of the Final Fantasy franchise, Square Enix has put a hefty price tag of $14.99 on Dragon Quest IV. But those who want an immersive experience and hours of great gameplay, the price is likely worth it.

You'll play through five full chapters (and a bonus chapter after that) in this game, with a different character and story line in each one, so there's no doubt that you can get your money's worth out of this game just as you would on any other platform. You can check it out in the Play Store at the link above.

Madden Mobile Tackling Android On August 26th

This year's installment of the Madden NFL series on Android has been announced for a release on August 26, and is simply titled Madden Mobile. The game features touch-analog controls along with an "action button" to control running, and for my lack of football knowledge, meandering past other players.

Android Device Manager, the service that helps you locate and lock lost devices, is picking up an update on the web and for Android that gives you better options when locking a device. Now from both the web and the updated Android app, when you go to forcibly lock a phone you own, you can add both a message and a phone number for the person with the phone to call you with.

Madfinger Games out of the Czech Republic never ceases to amaze me. Just when you think you have seen what the studio is capable of, they make a ninety degree turn, boldly blazing down a different path. We all know Madfinger Games for creating stunning graphics and compelling action in their games. Their soon to be released game Monzo, is a far cry from Samurai Vengeance, Shadowgun or the Dead Trigger series. Monzo is based on virtual model kits that you select, build, paint and share with your friends. Guess what? It looks thoroughly fascinating.

Not too long back we compiled a list of what we thought to be the best 5 music player apps available on Android. Of the 5, one selected was Poweramp, a long time favorite of many a music fan. In fact, we first looked at Poweramp back in 2010. As time has passed Poweramp has been refined, seen new features arrive, but at its core what it is hasn't changed.

A couple of months ago I came across the sequel to one of the platformers I enjoyed playing, Manuganu. Manuganu 2 was released on iOS and I was hopeful that it would make its way to Android as did its predecessor. A few days ago, independent game designer Alper Sarikaya, informed us that Manuganu 2 had indeed arrived in the Play Store.

The new NFL Now app for Android has been released, giving pro football fans a ton of access to official game videos, with live streams of NFL RedZone and the NFL Network if you sign up for a premium subscription package.

So we recently received an interesting update from the guys at Spacetime Studios regarding their MMO strategy game Battle Command. This update, which will soon be pushed out worldwide onto Google Play, features a modification to the usual RTS mechanics found in these types of games. More specifically, this deals with resource gathering.

HTC has updated its Sense 6 Gallery app through Google Play, introducing the ability to share live Duo Camera photos from the HTC One M8 on the web. Whereas previously you'd have to apply your effects and save a still photo before sharing, now you can share Duo Camera effect shots directly through a Google-hosted web page. Through this new Duo Effects Gallery, viewers can play around with refocusing shots and applying other 3D and artistic effects, just like they would on an M8.

A new game is heading to Android soon called Doppler from My Go Studio. This little indie game will have players trying to maintain a connection between two points, across a line, while moving. This will test your patience and ability to stay focused for as long as you can. Especially since this line isn't straight and happens to be moving and those two points are not fixed either.

Sega has launched its latest instalment in the Crazy Taxi franchise, Crazy Taxi: City Rush, for Android today. Developed by Hardlight Studios, the arcade game features the same gameplay elements that turned it an iconic hit on the Sega Dreamcast. Crazy Taxi: City Rush game sees the player taking on the role of a taxi driver trying to pick up customers and take them to their chosen destination as quickly as possible, while performing stunts and overcoming obstacles along the way to earn points.

If you enjoy endless runners with a higher dash of difficulty, then we have the game for you. The sequel to Piwot Games’ Gear Jack, published by Crescent Moon Games has recently arrived in the Play Store. If you enjoyed the first game, then get ready for another dose of artistic graphics, rolling, jumping and creeping through level after level of challenges.

YouTube is picking up an update today to version 5.9.0.10, bringing a few different small changes to the way you interact with playlists in the app. First up is the display of playlist groupings across the app, where you now have an overflow button to save or share a list without tapping into it specifically. Each playlists now shows the number of items in the list as well.

Bossa Studios, a developer out of the UK, sent an email today about their soon to be released game Surgeon Simulator. What is unusual about the email is that the only thing included was a video. The video was made specifically for notifying us of the Android release date. It seems once the iOS version of Surgeon Simulator was released, Bossa Studios was flooded with comments on their Facebook page. People in the Android community were clamoring for the release to happen for them as well. The comments have made a difference and you will be able to play Surgeon Simulator on your tablets later next week.

In-app purchases are something we're all going to come across, here's the lowdown on what's good, and not so good

Fans of tabletop gaming are quite familiar with Fantasy Flights Games. While tabletop is their bread and butter, they've also dabbled in software, releasing digital adaptations of boardgames like Elder Sign: Omens, as well as companion apps for their boards games, like the Star Wars Dice app to go along with their X-Wing boardgame.

If Facebook Messenger is your preferred communication app and an Android Wear device is your preferred wrist companion, today's your lucky day. With the latest version of Facebook Messenger for Android, you can now view message notifications and like or reply to messages right from your wrist. Message notifications come in just like any other, and you can then swipe to access a voice reply or a single-tap "like" to reply with a big 'ol thumbs-up.

The latest Facebook Messenger app is available from the Play Store link at the top of this post.

Sony is Ending Support of PlayStation Mobile On Android Devices

PlayStation mobile support on Android platforms is ending. While the service will continue to run on KitKat (OS 4.4.2) or under along with the PS Vita itself, use of PlayStation Mobile on devices with a higher OS will not be likely.

Google Play Music is receiving a relatively minor version bump to v5.6.1616 (from 5.6.1609), but it packs two new widgets, public playlists in search results and better management of your downloaded music. First up are the two new widgets, the first of which is basically a complete rewrite of the old 4x1 Play Music widget. It now changes sizes from 3x1 up to 4x4 — and everything in between — scaling the controls and album art accordingly. It also takes on a white design from the previous black one. The other widget is simple 1x1 "I'm Feeling Lucky" widget, that will simply start playing an I'm Feeling Lucky radio station when tapped. It doesn't even launch the Play Music app to the foreground — it just starts playing music.

Talisman: Digital Edition is official licensed by Games Workshop, the company that has been bringing the game to tabletops worldwide for over 30 years. This digital version of the board game was developed and published by Nomad games, this being their first Android release.

United Airlines is introducing a new "trial feature" to its app that lets international travelers scan their passports along with check-in using their phone. The app can use the scanned image of your passport to either verify previously-entered information or add it to the system, removing one step that slows down the ticketing and boarding process of international flights. If the app properly identifies your passport information, you won't be asked to provide any further documentation to receive your boarding pass.

The sequel to developer So Much Drama Studios's RuPaul Drag Race is coming, and is simply title RuPaul Drag Race: Dragopolis 2.0. This sequel promises to feature "breakout queens" from the TV Show of the same name.

Microsoft had made its OneDrive cloud storage app available for Amazon's Kindle Fire tablets and itsnew Fire smartphone via its launch in the Amazon Appstore.

"Tonight I dine on turtle soup" -Shredder. I personally think I'd rather order a pizza instead, I’m sure our favorite heroes in a half-shell would agree. A new Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (TMNT) game has been recently released on Android, and to a rather positive reception.

As promised a few days ago, Foursquare has released a new 4.0 version of its app for Android that includes a revamped design for the app, a new logo and more new features.

John Woo is a film director known for his action oriented movies, both in Hong Kong and Hollywood. His first mobile game has recently been released, titled Bloodstroke.

iDevices, the company behind the iGrill line of products, has released their iDevices Connected app for Android. The app allows Android users to manage the iGrill2, iGrill mini, Kitchen Thermometer, and Kitchen Termometer mini right from their phone or tablet. The app requires Android 4.3 Jelly Bean or later, as well as a device with Bluetooth Smart, also known as Bluetooth Low Energy.

If you're a fan of tower defense games (and there's a LOT to choose from on Android), Incoming! Goblins Attack TD is now available on Google Play.Incoming! contains 160 levels spread out over four different worlds that are comprised of green woods, night swamps, icy mountains, and the fiery depths of a volcano, all shown in 3D graphics and zoom-in capabilities.

Android gamers can once again take advantage of the generosity of developers who have offered titles for the latest Humble Mobile Bundle. The sixth version of the "pay what you want" collection offers six games, with the promise of more to be added later.

Crazy Taxi the game has been around for some time. It made its debut in 1999 as an arcade game. It began appearing on consoles, starting first, on the Sega Dreamcast in 2000. After that, due to its popularity, it was ported to PlayStation 2 and the Nintendo Gamecube. The ports didn’t stop there; they kept going. Eventually the game would appear on PC and Xbox. Most recently, the game made its way to mobile devices, both IOS and Android. Sega has retooled the game completely, bringing Crazy Taxi: City Rush to a whole new generation of gamers. Those nostalgic gamers who fell in love with the original game might find the new direction a little constricting. You won’t have to wait long to try it out because it will be arriving in the Play Store very soon.

WordPress has just updated its blogging app for Android devices to version 3.0, adding a number of new features along some specific bug fixes as well.

Bik is an all new retro styled adventure game inspired by classic point and click adventure titles like Maniac Mansion and Monkey Island. The game follows Bik, a boy who is abducted by aliens while camping with friends. Many events transpire while he tries to find a way home including him teaming up with two alien mercenaries.

Popular iOS image annotation and editing app Over is now available on Android, with several exclusive features being made available to users of the platform, including the ability to save full resolution photos, rotate text, and an enhanced storefront.

Midnight Castle is getting an Android release on August 22. A port of the popular PC and iOS hidden object game, Big Fish Games claims it is the best selling of their hidden object games, Midnight Castle is a free-to-play game though, so the term selling may be used loosely.

The title revolves around finding hidden items to finish quests. It starts with you entering a castle, you have inherited of course, which has many non-mortal residents who will assign you quests which by completing will help you find the Mystery Chamber. Items are not alway that simple though, some items have to be crafted using other items, some of which can be quite hard to find. A system is in place where you collect gold which lets you unlock new areas and scenes and also aid you towards crafting items. However gold is sparse, so you need to make your choices carefully.

Developed by Elephant Games and published by Big Figh Games, this is Big Fish's 80th Android release. I don't know if finding all of their titles throughout Google Play is considered a game.

TuneIn Radio adds Android Wear support, fixes a few interface bugs

TuneIn Radio is the second app to add Android Wear support today, following behind WhatsApp, and joining a growing list of Android apps that now support the wearable platform. We're not surprised after seeing the rapid pace that developers have been updating apps for Android Wear support.

The changelog:

See all Echoes on a station, program or show, and join in the conversation with new Echo functionality
Various bug fixes and UI improvements
Google Wear Integration

We're seeing the same changes on the free version as well as the paid version, so it's not part of the reason the price saw a huge bump recently. If you're using Android Wear, give this one a spin. Install it from the Google Play link up top.