App of the Day – Unicorn Robot Attack 2

Robot Unicorn Attack 2.

Originally released in 2010 as an Internet based game by Adult Swim, the sequel was released 25^th April this year.

The game is an ‘endless running’ side scrolling platform game, where you basically control a robot unicorn to collect fairy’s, crash through stars, and stay on the cliff-spotted path, whilst the game gets faster and faster. So, basically it’s really, really cool.

With the sequel, although the core gameplay remains the same, almost everything is fully fleshed out and/or improved.

Included in the sequel is added maneuvers, the ability to fly, the addition of enemies to combat and missions which once completed allow you to unlock further content or receive additional abilities.  The visuals have also been improved, and overall this sequel is pretty magic to play.

So, wait, what’s better than really, really, cool?

Free from the app store.

Image courtesy of ign.com

Apple Worldwide Developers Conference 2013

For Apple Fans,users, and developers, apart from product release days, the most important and exciting time of year usually occurs in June.

June is when product announcements are made. June is when new and future products are described in fair detail by the people who make them, June is when we get to listen to people like Tim Cook and Jonathon Ive and hear  their ideas and what they really think.

June is when the surprises and secrets of Apple… some secrets of Apple… are released into the world. June is, of course, the Apple Worldwide Developers Conference in San Francisco ( June 10-14).

Tickets for this event went on sale on April 25^th at 1:00pm- and sold out in ninety second. NINETY SECONDS!

For those counting, or for those who think that Apple is somehow losing their place in the world to other smartphones, this is by far the fastest tickets have ever sold out.

In 2008 they sold out in 61…days.  Proof that people are still excited about Apple and their products, still loyal, and I’m glad, because, well, they should be. D’uh.

Now, what exactly will be happening at the WWDC 2013?

Only time will tell, but until then, we can countdown every day with a rumor- will they announce the iWatch? iPhone 5S? iPhone 6? Will iOS 7 be ready to be previewed? Will it have surprises? Will it be hard to use or even better? What will be the highlight? The surprises, the secrets of Apple released?

We’ll be talking about the likelihood of all of these possibilities and more in the coming weeks, so, if you’re a betting human, get ready to start placing your bets!

Twitter app update for iOS

As of yesterday, Twitter has updated its app for both Android and iPhone.

There were a few improvements in this latest update of the app, the most flashy being the ability to change the location of trending tweets to anywhere in the world. Now, Twitter users have the ability to view what is trending on Twitter outside their home location using the Discover tab.

Added improvements include improved playback of videos from Vine, the changing of retweet handling which shows the tags of both author and retweeter, the ability for users to send out invites from within the Twitter app, and the usual bug fixes.

The Twitter app can be downloaded for free from the App store.

Party Apps!

I was going to write about some Apple’s quarterly numbers and some statistics for you guys, but then I realized it’s Saturday. Saturday evening.

If people are at a computer screen, they’re more likely to want to read cool things that they can do later at a party right?

At some parties showing off your knowledge of quarterly numbers might cut it, but lets try for something a little cooler huh?

Try these apps out:

Mixology– This app never gets old. Thousands of drink and cocktail recipes right in the palm of your hand including heaps of solid usability options like searching using certain ingredients and finding the nearest liquor store. If you’ve never heard of it, well…uh, now you have. You can be the star of the party! Now go make me a drink.

Karaoke Anywhere- Now that everyone’s had a few superbly mixed drinks, it’s time for KARAOKE! Everyone loves singing in front of people whilst tipsy right? RIGHT! Plug your iPhone into the TV, and start singing along with about 200 popular songs. The lyrics appear on the screen along with the melody, just like real karaoke and you even have the ability to record the performances. eep.

If you’ve had enough of Karaoke, use Piki. Piki is a new app that is similar to Pandora, but it’s user based. You join, start by picking a song, and then you can follow other users who have similar songs in their radio streams. You can connect to friends using twitter, Facebook or Turntable and listen to all of their picks wherever you are. You can ‘re-pick’ songs from friends or others that you want on your own station. And no ads! So, start using Piki, add your friends, then by the time a party hits, you are only listening to music all of you have picked! Sweet! ( As long as your friends have good taste in music…if not, just make them listen to stations of  strangers that do)

Face Swap! Is basically exactly what it says. It takes a photo, from your photo library, Facebook or from a photo you take at that moment, and it swaps the faces of the people in the photo. Sounds so simple and yet is so hilarious.

Lastly, to take a photo of all the fun you’re having, whilst still being in the photo, you can either download TimerCam to make your iPhone camera have an auto timer on it, or download Cycloramic, which lets you take a panoramic photo with you in it. WHAT? Well, you stand your iPhone on a level surface and tell it to take a panoramic photo. And it does. WHAT? Well, so far it’s only for iPhone 5’s. You can still get the app V2.0 for iPhone 4 and 4s but you still have to hold it whilst it takes the panoramic photo.

All of these are FREE from the app store except for Cycloramic which is $1.00 You’re welcome.

Oh and btw, Happy Cinco De Mayo! Don’t do anything the iPhone Antidote wouldn’t do!

Photo courtesy of Wired

iOS 7 is coming!

Apple are looking to introduce and preview their new iOS Software update- iOS 7 at WWDC 2013 ( Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference, June 10-14), with a view of releasing it in September this year.

The tech world is abuzz with rumours that this iOS update ( code named Innsbruck) will be significantly different- and improved – under the direction of new Human Interface Software team director Jonathon Ive.

Ive is also the Senior Vice President of Industrial Design for Apple and has been primarily responsible for Hardware Design since 1997, but since Scott Forstall, the previous Software interface Director for Apple, was fired in October last year Jony Ive is in charge of both Hardware and Software design. Interesting.

Scott Forstall was a lover of what is called Skeuomorphic Design- basically icons and apps that replicate the look of real life items.

In relation to Apple, that means examples like the faux leather stitching on the Notepad App, grainy wood in the Newstand App, and the Casino resemblance of the Games App. Steve Jobs was said to be similarly smitten by this design choice.

Jony Ive is not.

See? So not smitten.

Sources are coming out of the woodwork almost every day now with leaked information on exactly what Jony Ive has planned, and here’s the gist of what we’ll most likely be looking at :

*Very flat, sleek design, with completely new look icons, tabs and toolbars, whilst still retaining the intuitiveness Apple is acclaimed for.

*More ‘at glance’ information with possible pull across screens similar to the pull down notification center.

*Apple Maps and Siri car integration, where you can use Apple Maps and Siri through your vehicles built in display.

*The high possibility of gesture control

Ive has been encouraging collaboration between the hardware and software teams, where previously the two worked independently, and, after last years Maps PR debacle, he is making sure that each and every change is reviewed extensively.

This means, according to most sources, (and the folks over at d’uh town), that everyone over there at Apple are working overtime to get the software ready for previewing at WWDC June 10-14. These sources have also claimed that engineers for OS X 10.9 have been pulled to help in preparation for iOS 7.

This all sounds pretty impressive and exciting- changes that will improve the way we use and interact with our iPhones forever- but there is bound to be more updates and improvements that have been so far kept under wraps.

There have been claims that the iOS 7 testers are using their devices with films over the screens that prevent anyone else around them from seeing the screen.

So, we’re expecting big things Mr Ive! ( No Pressure. … Well, a little bit of pressure… 😉 )

It’s Super Bowl Time!

Alright kids, it’s SUPERBOWL TIME!

This Sunday, the Superbowl XLVii pregame starts at 11am ET with kick-off scheduled for 6:30pm ET.

The most anticipated game of the year will pit the Baltimore Ravens against the San Francisco 49ers in the New Orleans Superdome.

Over 100 million people are set to be watching the game in various settings and using different methods, from big Super Bowl parties, to streaming though the internet all over the world, to sitting in bars, to sneakily watching it at work ( poor suckers).

Whatever way you’ll be watching the game this Sunday, we have the technology that will make the experience all the more exciting!

Live Streaming:- FREE!

NFL.com will live-stream the entire Super Bowl game for free.

CBSSports.com will also broadcast the entire game. Viewers will be able to choose from different camera angles, as well as connect to social-media sites like Twitter and Facebook.

http://superbowl.livefyre.com/– A live feed that collates live chat, photos from fans at the game and all over the world, the Super Bowl commercials, and an instant game tracker.

Apps:

NFL Mobile. Only for Verizon subscribers, who can watch the game live on their iPhone.- Free

The official Superbowl XLVii guide – free
A good app for it’s intended use, but it’s only intended to be used by those lucky bastards who happen to be either at the game, or in New Orleans. Includes locations of Super Bowl events, fan stores, parking and media centers.

Foodie Recipes- Game Day Guide – Free
40 Recipes to please everyone at the party! (Cos food’s pretty important )

The Football Party Game – $5.49 ( Note, only one person in your group needs to buy the app)
Before the Super Bowl starts, your friends ( with you at the party or not) will answer 20 questions to do with the upcoming game- from What color the Gatorade is, how long the national Anthem will last, who will score a penalty first etc. Those who choose the correct answers will gain points automatically through the app and whoever wins the most points wins the game. We are definitely not suggesting that this could be used as a drinking game.

49ers Gameday Live ( iPhone App only) – Free
For dedicated Niners fans, with all the stats, team member info, photos, videos, and interviews, you could want, with live updates and information as the game is won by the Niners. GO NINERS!

Baltimore Ravens Mobile App – Free
Similar to the 49ers app, with stats and vital information with live updates during the game.

Skype, Facetime, TOK Football Apps.

If you are unable to be in the same room with all of your football lovin’ friends, Skype and Facetime can be a useful tool to celebrate touchdowns, argue over calls or gloat over opposite team goals. Another App to add to this list is The TOK Football App. After registering an account, this app gives you the chance to invite and speak (Live and continuously) with up to 4 friends while watching the game on TV. The app also includes real time stats and info about the game.

So, hopefully now you have all you need to watch the Super Bowl this Sunday and make it the best game-day experience possible!

… GO NINERS!

2013 Predictions Part 3 – What to expect from apple regarding the iPhone?

The product that Apple is arguably most known for and the one which most of it’s consumers get excited about, certainly the one that gets the most media attention, is the iPhone. D’uh.

Now, 2012 bought about the iPhone 5, which was… fine. It was great! But, it wasn’t as…exciting as a lot of fans were hoping it to be. It’s a tough gig to be expected to be revolutionary all the time, but as it turns out, that’s just something Apple has to deal with, and a lot of people are hoping and predicting that by dealing with it in 2013, that means bringing it.

So, bringing it when exactly? There have been sightings online of a device called iPhone 6.1 being tested with iOS 7 ( The iPhone 5 was similarly tested as iPhone 5.1 and 5.2). The IP address of these devices has been traced to the Apple campus in Cupertino. The fact that they are testing a new iPhone so soon means good things for an earlier release date.

There are a lot of reports that say that WWDC 2013 is when and where we can expect the new iPhone. We here at iPhone Antidote agree with this prediction, however there are others predicting September, similar to the iPhone 5 release date. It is not expected that Apple will release the new iPhone at any other time, and it is expected to have at least one new iPhone this year (there are a few rumors that Apple might try and release two new iPhones this year, iPhone 5S and iPhone 6).

Whenever it is, people are really hoping for a hop, skip and a jump from the fairly averagely received iPhone 5, over the iPhone 5s, straight to a massively impressive iPhone 6.

So is this a realistic expectation? Some say yes! Some say no. Guesstimating is fun!

There are numerous wishes and optimistic predictions for  super impressive new and amazing features for the next iPhone, but here are some of the more realistic rumors:

*Bendy Flexible display. Similar technology has actually been presented at CES in Vegas today by Samsung, however Apple also have a patent for their own version of the technology. A race to spur on an earlier release perhaps?

*NFC – Near Field Communication. A type of device radio communication that will allow for more social media interaction and more importantly easier purchase transactions through your phone.

*A wider screen.

*Retina Display.

*Full Gesture Control.

*Purely aesthetic design modifications such as hiding the camera behind a liquid crystal window.

*Improved Maps.

*Improved Siri.

*Larger storage– up to 128 GB

*Different colors similar to what is available on the iPod

*A display using Indium gallium zinc oxide, in order to reduce power consumption, while boosting pixel densities and improving the signal-to-noise ratio for touch input.

*Something we haven’t even dreamed of yet!!

So there are the more realistic rumors and predictions so far for the new iPhone (/s) in 2013. We’ll keep you updated!!!! Happy dreaming!

What’s next for Apple?

2013 should bring some interesting moves from Apple, and these are already being rigorously debated by those who are in the position to do so, and those who aren’t.

As per usual with Apple, everything is a guessing game, and we are only at the mercy of the limited amount of information analysts pour through patent documents to discover or that which is leaked – purposefully or not.

Over the next couple of days we’ll be looking at and making predictions for everything coming up in the Apple world in 2013 – their release schedule, the possibility of new products, new updates to existing products, and how this will affect you, as a customer, and the industry as a whole.

There are people who say that after the very public lawsuit with Samsung, Apple (as well as other industry players) will be reticent to create anything unless it is completely new and revolutionary. In other words, we won’t see anything new released that might be seen to have been built on the technology of other products as that would only welcome more lawsuits, which is bad for not only the company but for the whole industry.

There are others that are adamant that this year, after an arguably lackluster year in 2012, Apple must impress the tech world and it’s fans with new products or surprising updates to current products if they want to stay relevant.

Who’s right?

We’re going to pick through all of the  predictions and rumors, educated guesses and outright optimistic hopes for Apple in 2013, and give you the best of all of it.  Stay tuned!!

Suggested New Years Eve Resolutions From iPhone Antidote

Here are some good NYE Resolutions for you guys in case you never came up with a good one:

I will solve world peace

I will be a good person

I will not break my iPhone

I will buy a llama

I will try not to break my iPhone, but if I do, I will sell it to iPhone antidote for the most cash on the internet, and then I will buy a llama!

iPhone Apps to help you celebrate New Years Eve!

Oh, Hi New Years Eve!

In case you weren’t aware, the biggest party of the year is just around the corner! Here at iPhone Antidote we are always wanting the best for our valued customers, and right now that means preparing you to party! We’ve got everything covered in apps to help make your New Years Eve a memorable one.

Countdown– The most important part of the party- the countdown of the last moments of 2012, and with everyone looking forward to 2013 ( and the kiss at midnight!) with hope and joy.

We suggest you check out Countdown Timer Pro– A simple countdown app that also includes an animated NYE time-zone map that lets you see when midnight is rung in all over the world.

The first ever Times Square New Years Ball Drop App looks great. You can customize your own countdown with your time-zone and a selected photo, take part in the official Times Square countdown and even have your face projected onto the Toshiba Vision Sign and send NYE themed e-card to friends and family.

Fashion– You have to look good for NYE, I think we can all agree to that, and here are the apps to help you look your most attractive, sparkliest self.

Trendabl is like social networking for your clothes- you can upload photos of yourself in your outfit options and get expert and random objective advice. ‘Go try it on’ is good for this as well. ASOS and Shopstyle are the go to shopping apps if you think you have time!

Fireworks– If you aren’t in a position to be outside enjoying fireworks, or don’t enjoy crowds, this app if for you. Flashmob New Year’s Fireworks lets you enjoy New Years Eve firework celebrations from all over the world including major landmarks including Sydney Harbour Big Ben, and the Eiffel Tower.

Transport- Make sure you guys are safe this NYE and have your transport options sorted out for getting home on New Years Day! Download the transport app for your town’s network to make sure you can work out what’s going on with going home- no matter how many drink’s you’ve had! If you optimistically drove somewhere and then realized you forgot you were going to drink on NYE, try StearClear. They’ll send a team of two to wherever you are, one to drive you home, the other to drive your car home.

Alcohol – If you’re out and looking for a good bar, Scenetap say that they can tell you how crowded a bar is- what the gender ratio is and the average age of the clientele- mainly focused on Chicago, SF and college towns. If you’re at home, try Mixology– an excellent assistant to cocktail making, even making suggestions based solely on what you have in the cabinet. Drunkguard is a quality app for keeping you safe and out of trouble- it helps you estimate your blood alcohol level (only estimate though- don’t drive if you’re even close to the illegal level), keeps your from drunk-dialing, drunk texting and drunk tweeting.

Resolutions – Now, the serious part of New Years Eve. Everyone likes to dabble or fully immerse themselves in the idea of Resolutions. Most of these will have to do with fitness, money, career or Love. To help you keep these wonderful promises to yourself, we suggest the following apps.

For health– My Fitness Pal, or, for the smokers, Livestrong Myquit Coach.

For money– Mint to keep a track of money going in and out and helping you to save.

For career- Business Building Secrets, Evernote for organization, and CareerBuilder for those looking to switch careers.

Lastly but by no means least, Love. Here are some apps to help you step out and find that special someone in 2013! Give these a try- OkCupid, How about We, or Are you Interested?

Wishing you all a safe and Happy New Year From all of us at iPhone Antidote!