Real Racing 3 For iOS Released Way Ahead Of Official Launch Date

Yesterday, we learned that the highly anticipated car racing simulator Real Racing 3 would be arriving for iOS and Android at the end of the month. However, what we didn’t know was that EA had plans to release it earlier for some than others, thus it comes as a great surprise to see the title pop up in the App Store of those in Australia and New Zealand.

When it comes to adrenaline-pumping, high quality racing, few have done it better – at least in mobile space – than the Real Racing series. The first edition in 2009 was a rousing success, and with the sequel following on a year later, the wait for the completion of what is now a trilogy has been a long time coming.

Although it has been nearly three years since the launch of Real Racing 2, Real Racing 3 offers an altogether more fruitful experience. There are several hundred tracks and cars to be unlocked, and although the game is free to play, there are enough little extras within to entice the hardcore gamer into spending a few bucks here and there.

For those who just want to race, the freemium model is a definite win, since you needn’t spend a cent to enjoy the benefits of Real Racing 3. If you thought the visuals of the first two titles were impressive, you’ll be even more astonished by what has been achieved this time around.

If you reside Down Under, and have been waiting for the release of Real Racing 3 ever since you saw it demoed at the iPhone 5 keynote speech back in October, you’re among the fortunate few that can get their fill a whole fortnight earlier than billed.

For those of you Stateside, in the United Kingdom, or basically anywhere else in the world that is not Australia or New Zealand, unfortunately, it looks as though the 28th is still going to be the release date.

It is, perhaps alongside Infinity Blade II, the best-looking game on the market for mobile devices, so check it out via the link below.

(Source: Real Racing 3 for iOS on NZ App Store)

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Just got a new iPhone, iPad or iPod touch? Download these apps first

It’s Christmas morning and the sound of pitter patter can be heard around the home as children and even adults scurry towards the Christmas tree in order to get started opening their presents. What did you get? An iPad? An iPhone? Power it on and let’s take a look at some of the apps that you’re really going to want to download onto that brand new device first.

There are over a million apps have have been submitted to Apple’s App Store since July 2008, of which 493,289 were paid and 158,848 were games. Naturally, browsing through a million apps can be incredibly time-consuming, especially if you don’t know where to start. We took a look at some of the most popular and useful apps and listed them here.

1. Google Maps

Replacing Apple’s own map app, Google Maps will help anyone figure out where they are and how to get from one place to another, without getting lost.

➤ Google Maps

2. TripIt

If you’re a constant traveler, whether for business or pleasure, being able to organize your travel logistics in a central place is helpful. Since the iPhone or iPad is a hefty travel companion, it’s only logical to have an app that can be used for quick reference to make sure you’re never late for your flight again.

➤ TripIt

3. Flipboard

Perhaps better than simply downloading a single news app, Flipboard will allow you to browse through a lot of curated content, whether it’s news, politics, sports, or even tech.

➤ Flipboard

4. Evernote

Never forget anything ever again. How often are you going shopping or you need to jot something down and there isn’t a piece of paper nearby? Evernote is your digital moleskine and any notes you post will be synced into the cloud and viewable on the iPhone, iPad, and even the desktop — don’t worry about copying and pasting things over again and again.

➤ Evernote

5. Camera+

With your new iOS device, you have a powerful new camera at your disposal. With Camera+, you won’t have to deal with all the controversy surrounding Instagram and won’t have to work within the confines of a square layout. The only paid app on this list, it gives any photographer more control besides simply adding filters. You can then push photos to your Camera+ profile or out to services like Facebook, Twitter, Flickr, and more.

➤ Camera+

6. Skype

Having a great way to communicate with others around the world is important and while you have FaceTime on your iOS device, with Skype, you can chat with anyone without worrying about being on WiFi or wherever they are.

➤ Skype

7. Yelp

Being able to get reviews of places and seeing what’s around in your neighborhood is important for many people. Instead of wandering around and wondering how a particular restaurant is or what the prices are, you can use Yelp for easy convenience and get your information from other people’s experience.

➤ Yelp

8. Angry Birds

Okay, you have an iOS device and you’re not just going to use it for productivity apps, right? You’re going to use it for entertainment purposes so why not download one of the many varieties of Angry Bird games that are in the market now. Whether it’s normal Angry Birds, they’re in Space, in Rio, or playing out Star Wars, hours of fun for everyone.

➤ Angry Birds

9. Pandora

Functioning as a iPod, your new iOS device should probably have some music streaming service on it. With Pandora, you can get hours of music for free (with ads) and have it customized to your tastes.

➤ Pandora

10. Kindle

With the age of physical bookstores going away, more people are buying books to read on electronically. But you don’t have to spend more money on a Kindle when you can just download it for free and read your books right on your iOS device.

➤ Kindle

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Pebble’s iPhone app arrives as first smartwatches begin shipping

On the heels of today’s announcement that Pebble has begun shipping its smartwatches to its Kickstarter backers, the company has just released its iPhone app. With this app, smartwatch wearers will be able to have a dashboard right on their phone.

Pebble Technology, the company behind the Pebble smartwatch, created the device as the next generation of watches. Its slim and attractive shape comes with a Sharp display along with other technologies and is very customizable while supporting Internet-connected apps. It announced during the Consumer Electronics Show earlier this month that it would begin shipping the device to its earliest backers on January 23.

However, while it may have received more than $10 million in pledges through Kickstarter and sold 85,000 watches, it’s not all sunshines and roses for the company. Earlier today, Pebble announced that there would be some delays as a result of airport documentation. Additionally, it said that there were “some kinks and issues” that it needed to work out.

The company submitted its iPhone app to the Apple App store two weeks ago and now it has finally arrived, just in time to coincide with the beginning of the smartwatch being shipped. The device can connect with the iPhone and iPod Touch through Bluetooth and can alert users of incoming calls, emails, and vibrations. In addition, the iPhone provides a dashboard for the device while offering the following features:

• It notifies users when software updates for their Pebble smartwatch is ready to be installed
• It installs and remove custom watchfaces onto the wearer’s Pebble
• Sends ping test messages to the Pebble
• Helps the wearer troubleshoot issues

The app is free to download, but since it’s intended to be used with the Pebble smartwatch, if you don’t have a watch, the app would be rather useless.

➤ Pebble for iPhone

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TomTom launches an iPhone app for its taxi service, still only available in the Netherlands

Last year we reported that veteran navigation firm TomTom had begun testing a taxi service in the Netherlands. Until now the service has involved a ‘Taxi Butler’ device installed in locations like hotels that allows users to book journeys, but now the concept is expanding further via the launch of a smartphone app.

The new TomTomTaxi app (iPhone only for now, with an Android version on the way) makes the app accessible to a much wider audience across TomTom’s test cities of Amsterdam and Rotterdam. The result of the company’s acquisition of TXXI, the app intends to offer something more than the sea of other taxi booking apps on the market across Europe.

When making a booking, users will see the most efficient route to their destination (something TomTom has a lot of success with) including current traffic conditions, as well as more usual details such as the name and profile of the driver, details of the car and its precise time of arrival. The route is also seen by the driver when he or she takes the booking, meaning that there should be no disagreements about the best way to get to Centraal Station after a night out. Nearby points of interest can also be explored before or during the journey, using the app.

      

There’s a ‘trusted drivers’ mechanic, letting users build up a pool of their favorites, with aggregated favorite lists acting as a ranking system for other users. In addition to offers journeys from individual drivers as Uber does, the TomTomTaxi service connects to local taxi companies, like services such as Kabbee do.

Steven Blom, who founded TXXI, tells us that he wants TomTom to be able to offer a complete end-to-end solution that will include payment in the future.

TomTom is currently still limiting its service to Amsterdam and Rotterdam (Blom says that the trials have been going “very well”), but more cities in the Netherlands will be added in time, and it obviously makes sense for the Dutch company to expand it beyond its home country at some point in the future.

The taxi app space is fiercely competitive but with plenty of room for growth. With a recognisable consumer brand, TomTom has a shot at making TomTomTaxi a meaningful part of its business, if it can scale quickly enough.

➤ TomTomTaxi [Dutch App Store only]

Image credit: Medioimages / Photodisc / Thinkstock

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Apple announces $8B paid out to developers, a jump of $1B in just one month

Apple CEO Tim Cook today announced that Apple had paid out $8B to developers, a number that displays an increase of $1B since the last time numbers were announced on January 7th. That displays a massive increase in acceleration for developer payouts.

Back in October of last year, Apple announced $6.5B had been paid out to developers, which means that the January numbers marked an increase of just 500M. The holiday season payout likely drove the doubling of the numbers to a $1B jump this month, as owners of new iPads and iPhones jumped onto the store to purchase apps.

The increase in payouts demonstrates that the developer ecosystem of iOS continues to be vibrant, especially as it represents actual paid downloads of apps, not free downloads or overall share. Cook’s announcement of the numbers was no accident, as it allows Apple to advertise itself as the best place for developers to make money with their apps.

Apple’s App Store crossed the 775,000 app mark in December, with a good chunk of those designed for the iPad. During his interview today, Cook noted the number of iPad apps on the store as a clear differentiator for the company in the tablet race, calling Apple the ‘poster child of the post-PC revolution.

“We have over 300,000 apps custom designed for the tablet,” said Cook. “The other guys have a few hundred.”

Clearly, Apple wants to continue to maintain that advantage, by making building for the store as attractive as possible.

Image Credit: afagen/Flickr

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First Samsung Galaxy Note gets Jelly Bean, now as hip as younger sibling

As promised back in December, Samsung has started toroll out the Android Jelly Bean update and a host of 'Premium Suite' features for owners of the original Galaxy Note.

The Korean manufacturer is gradually furnishing the 5.3-inch smartphone/tablet device with the update, with immediate availability depending on region and mobile network.

The update brings early phablet adopters the chance to parade the newest Android and Samsung-made features alongside those Johnny-come-lately Galaxy Note 2 owners.

Android 4.1 obviously brings the awesome Google Now app into play, while a host of Samsung Premium Suite features are also piggy-backing along for the ride.

Multi Window and Page Buddy

Original Galaxy Note owners will get the neat Multi Window functionality, which allows users to use two apps simultaneously (i.e. sending an email and watching a video) without switching screens.

It also brings Page Buddy, which launches a window featuring relevant apps when a user, for example, pops out the S-Pen or plugs in headphones.

There's also a customisable notifications panel and the Smart Rotation feature that also proved popular on the Galaxy Note 2.

It's little surprise that Samsung has furnished the device with the update. The Galaxy Note was insanely popular and proved a lot of people wrong with its stellar sales performance.

The update, when it hits your part of town, will be available to download over-the-air or using Samsung's Kies desktop software.

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This iOS App Gives Answers To Your Handwritten Math Problems

The vast majority of us have, often begrudgingly, learned to deal with the touch-based keyboard, but with commodities such as the stylus very much alive and kicking thanks to the S Pen and others, there’s still plenty of hope left yet for those of us less inclined to change. While Samsung markets its S Pen as a tool for the creative, it also lauds its note-taking abilities, no less with the oversized ‘phablet’ known as the Galaxy Note. Its extensive fan base shows that there certainly is a market for making digital annotations, and as such, one iOS developer has come through with a different approach, offering an app which solves calculations you’ve written with your hand.

Using the tip of your finger (or a stylus, which you may find on eBay), you simply draw out a mathematical calculation, and MyScript Calculator will work its magic, deriving an answer providing your scribbles are somewhat readable.

This app is similar to Siri in that, most will want to try it out before drawing a determinate conclusion on its accuracy. Having given it a brief run-out, I have to say I’m pleasantly surprised by how well it performs, and it would seem the ideal way to check your calculations. While it’s not Wolfram Alpha, it offers a convenient way for you to type in equations and such, and with Apple having secured a stylus patent of its own recently, apps such as MyScript Calculator could see a spike in popularity over the coming years.

This intelligent app is also multilingual, spanning English, Chinese, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese and Spanish, and doesn’t cost a dime over at the iOS App Store.

The app requires iOS 6 and above, so if you’re still running an older version, you will need to update before you can download. If you’re at school, or learning math, this is the ideal companion app, and although I don’t personally fall within those categories, I won’t be deleting MyScript in a hurry.

(Source: MyScript Calculator for iOS on App Store)

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