Apps

Strap on your lightsaber: Angry Birds Star Wars launches for 99 cents

One of the most anticipated mobile games this year is launching today.

Angry Birds Star Wars is available today across a wide array of platforms, including iOS, Android, Mac, PC, and Windows Phone. As one might expect, given the name, the title melds elements from Angry Birds with the "Star Wars" universe.

The title, which is available for 99 cents in Apple's App Store, puts gamers in control of Rebel Birds fighting Imperial Pigs. The game lets players use the Force, hack away with a lightsaber, and take on Pigtroopers as they fight to take down Darth … Read more

Apple Store app update adds Siri integration, gift cards

Apple updated its Apple Store app today to include more advanced Siri integration and the ability to send gift cards via the iOS 6 Passbook app. This update should work on the iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch.

However, it appears that the gift card feature isn't exactly working, according to The Next Web.

The way the gift card feature works is it lets users buy Apple Store gift cards to send to friends or relatives with the Passbook app, which is Apple's stab at a digital wallet. But, according to The Next Web, users aren't yet able … Read more

Xbox SmartGlass for iOS adds more console interactivity

Much like the former Xbox Live app, Xbox SmartGlass (free) gives you the Xbox 360 Dashboard experience, letting you do things like view your avatar and info, see your friends' bio and game lists, and track and compare achievements.

With this latest version of the app, you get a lot more ways to interact with your console. You now have the ability to type using your iPhone keypad rather than the old hunt-and-peck Xbox controller method; you can browse the Internet on your Xbox using your full iOS keyboard; you can play, rewind, and fast-forward videos; search the Xbox game … Read more

Xbox Smartglass app arrives for iPhone, iPad

Microsoft's new Xbox Smartglass app has made its way to the iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch.

Available as of yesterday, the app turns your iOS device into a second screen for the Xbox, letting you navigate the dashboard; control your videos and music; and browse the Internet.

You can use the keyboard on your iOS device to type on your Xbox 360. You can swipe across your phone or tablet to move across the screen on your console. Controls pop up on your mobile device to play, pause, stop, rewind, and fast-forward videos and music playing on your Xbox.… Read more

Microsoft Office for iOS, Android could debut early next year

iOS and Android users may finally see a mobile version of Microsoft Office designed for their devices.

Citing "several sources close to Microsoft's plans," the Verge said today that the new apps are set to pop up early next year.

Office Mobile, as it's dubbed, would let Microsoft account users view Word, PowerPoint, and Excel files on their mobile devices. But, the Verge added, editing the documents would require an Office 365 subscription. The apps would reportedly provide basic editing functionality but nothing close to that of their desktop counterparts.

Last month, a press release from … Read more

As Nexus 10 hits the marketplace, new life is seen for Android tablet apps

The recent release of new 7- and 10-inch Nexus devices earned some of the strongest reviews yet for Android tablets. And yet along with praise for the high-resolution displays and snappy processors came a familiar complaint: there aren't enough apps.

As my colleague Roger Cheng put it: "Unfortunately, it's software, and not hardware, that continues to be the key problem for Google. Android tablets have struggled to make a real impression with consumers because there is a dearth of apps built specifically for tablets on Android. While the hardware and specs are great for the gadget enthusiasts … Read more

Evernote 5 coming soon to iOS

As much as I'm a fan of Evernote (who isn't?), I've never really liked its companion apps. On my iPhone, for example, I've always found the interface confusing and not especially pretty.

That's about to change. According to the company's blog, Evernote 5 is coming soon for iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch. And it's looking mighty sharp.

The new Home screen, for example, resembles the top edge of a file drawer, with stacked tabs for things like places, tags, notes, and notebooks. One tap takes you directly to the corresponding screen.

It's … Read more

Verizon sunsetting its app store in 2013

Verizon Wireless today announced that starting in January it will kill its self-branded app store, which is installed on BlackBerry and Android devices.

Launched back in March 2010, the app store has mostly played second fiddle to Google Play on Android smartphones and tablets. Viewed as bloatware by a sizable segment of users, it pales in comparison, when it comes to selection, to even the Amazon Appstore or Getjar.

Even with some improvements over time, it has not been able to keep pace with Google's official distribution channel. In fact, even Verizon is quick to point out that a … Read more

Uber gives free ride to voters

Whoever said there's no such thing as a free ride hasn't seen Uber's latest promotion.

The car-service booking app, which came under fire last week for boosting prices in New York in the wake of Hurricane Sandy, says today that it's going to give free rides to voters tomorrow. It's pairing up with Rock the Vote to offer the promotion, accessed with code VOTEUBER.

There are a few catches to this offer, though. First of all, it's only open to people who've never used Uber before. And the free ride is only valid … Read more