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Pebble has confirmed that the Pebble Appstore will be launching on iOS devices today, Monday February 3.

The Google Play store is two years old today and Google is celebrating this fact with discounting the thing that everyone in the world hates - in-app purchases.


From today you can get a multitude of slashed in-app discounts - including a free cats eye for Bejeweled Blitz, premium Dungeon Keeper for a limited time, and the ability to adopt a toddler in Sim FreePlay. Which isnt that free to play as you spend all of your money on in-app purchases.

There are also some cheap movies if you can pry yourself away from Dungeon Keeper and music, possibly to drown out the screams of "these discounts are rubbish, Google" from disheartened Android users.

New HTC One 2 pictures have surfaced, with the latest leaked images teasing the remodelled design destined to feature on the Samsung Galaxy S5 rival.


With last year’s HTC One having wowed consumers and critics alike with its sleek, brushed aluminium body that offered premium, high-end looks, the Taiwanese manufacturer looks set to stick to a similar plan for the inbound HTC One 2.

Caught on camera by a UK-based developer, the claimed HTC One 2 images show a device with a familiar, brushed metal finish and curved, rounded-back form factor.

The subtle differences between the HTC One and leaked HTC One 2 designs mark big changes, however, with a second camera sensor added to the phone’s rear while around front the soft-touch Android keys have been removed in favour of digital, on-screen controls.

This moving of soft-touch keys has seemingly allowed the manufacturer to fit a larger screen into a body the same size as the original HTC One.

Maintaining design principles introduced in last year’s model, the HTC One 2 looks set to run BoomSound Stereo speakers and a secondary camera on the device’s fore.

With a small, second sensor shown to have been added to the HTC One 2’s Ultrapixel primary camera, the new addition is located directly above the main sensor. It has been suggested that this additional sensor will provide improved focus times and metering for the phone’s photographic abilities.

On top of this, the phone’s flash will reportedly jump from a single LED to a dual-LED offering, again improving photographic options.

One thing missing from the HTC One 2 that was found on its predecessor, however, is the phone’s Beats Audio credentials, with the branding that accompanied the audio enhancing addition removed from the phone’s rear.

Although a number of high-end handsets are expected to be unveiled during MWC 2014 next week, expected that the HTC One 2 will not be unveiled until a dedicated launch event on March 18.

Google has launched a new version of the Google Play Web Store, bringing it in line with the latest Android version of the app and media store.


The new version of the Google Play Web Store continues the bold design language introduced with Googles latest Android app revisions, including Google Music, Play Movies and the Google Play app itself.

In terms of usability, the key addition here is a handy sidebar, which contains immediate links to Apps, Movies, Music, Books and Magazines, as well as your devices. Previously all media was bunched into an irritating drop-down menu.

The actual design is far more visually arresting, with larger screen shots and artwork for applications and more space granted to descriptions. Google+ recommendations from your contacts for individual apps, movies and other items of media have also been pushed to the fore.

This new Google Play Web Store is a lot smarter, too, with the ability to resize according to your screen size.

Click on the price of an app or any other item and youll be able to open up a download window, enabling you to select a device and install without navigating away from the page.

Theres also a new option within individual app pages to add them to your wishlist - a great way to keep an eye on those apps you stumble upon that are a little pricier than you would like.

All in all its a massive improvement over what came before. It certainly teaches the sluggish, unwieldy iOS App Store a few lessons.

An iOS 7.1 beta has been released by Apple, with the pre-release software issued to developers with a range of speed and design improvements in tow.

Fresh reports are claiming that the forthcoming BlackBerry A10 will come with an unexpected focus on gaming, and that itll resemble a Samsung Galaxy S4.


Echoing what an industry insider informed us last month, multiple trusted sources of BGRs have claimed that the forthcoming BlackBerry A10 smartphone is going to be the most capable, powerful BlackBerry yet with a media-friendly 5-inch Super AMOLED display.

More interestingly, the BlackBerry A10 will come with "a huge focus on gaming."

Despite being geared towards "power and gaming," the A10 will only come with a dual-core processor. Apparently, BlackBerry has been unable to make the jump to a quad-core architecture - either due to concerns over battery life or because of difficulties optimising BlackBerry 10 for a quad-core setup.

Still, this dual-core CPU will reportedly be backed by a healthy 2GB of RAM, and the BlackBerry A10 will apparently adopt the same silicon as the iPhone, with separate CPU and GPU processors. In the iPhones case, this has certainly resulted in a string of highly capable gaming smartphones.

The report also has something to say about the BlackBerry A10s design. Itll apparently closely resemble the Samsung Galaxy S4, though if anything itll be larger. Its also described as being "more rounded and less aggressive-looking" than the BlackBerry Z10.

Its claimed that we can expect to see the BlackBerry A10 launching some time this autumn.

New budget iPhone leaks have claimed to show the much mooted mid-range Apple handset in a selection of pictures and a hands-on video.


Questionably appearing courtesy of a peddler of knockoff Android handsets, the latest claimed budget iPhone leaks, which should be taken somewhat lightly, follow a number of teases over the past couple of weeks which have suggested to show the plastic rear panel of the upcoming phone.

A phone which fits with past leaks, the latest claimed budget iPhone images show a 4-inch device with a plastic body and slightly rounded corners.

According to a blog post which accompanies the latest round of leaks, the premature outings have suggested the mooted device “will be made substantially from plastic (we can feel it’s actually polycarbonate materials). It will have a 4-inch screen, like the iPhone 5, and interestingly, the budget iPhone actually has a shape that’s similar to Apple’s original iPod.”

Techdy, source of the latest round of budget iPhone leaks, has failed to state how it managed to get its hands on what it is claiming is the currently unannounced budget iPhone.

Budget iPhone Rumours

Expected to be formally unveiled later this year, the budget iPhone has been tipped to land alongside the high-end iPhone 5S and iPad mini 2, with a September arrival for the trio of portable products widely anticipated.

With the budget iPhone rumoured to be heading to market in “6-8 colours”, recent leaks have seen green, yellow, red and blue iterations of the device make premature appearances alongside the standard black and white models.

The phone will reportedly run the latest iOS 7 operating system alongside a reduced array of specs over the iPhone 5, including a smaller camera sensor, slower processor and no Retina display.

Screenshots from the Windows Phone 8.1 Action Centre have leaked online showing off the incoming notifications centre.



















A slide from an official Microsoft presentation has been leaked showcasing the Windows Phone 8.1 Action Centre notification hub.

The leaked slide calls the Action Centre a “central location to surface missed notifications.”

Microsoft is preparing Windows Phone 8.1 as the first major update to the Windows Phone 8 mobile OS, and this genuine Microsoft PowerPoint presentation slide suggests the notification centre is one of the main features.

According to the screenshots there will be two layers to the Windows Phone 8.1 Action Centre. The first level, revealed by a short swipe from the top of the screen, offers access to four basic quick settings. These will be shortcuts to settings like Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Airplane mode and something that’s called Driving mode.

All four of the basic shortcuts are customisable, so you can cater them to your most used settings toggles.

The secondary level to the Action Centre offers access to the full list of toasts and notifications from apps, similar to that offered by the notifications centres in Android and iOS devices.

Apparently, “apps can intelligently manage notifications [to] silently add, update and delete notifications”.

We’re not quite sure how this will function, but we guess that if you go into a related app manually the notifications will disappear accordingly.

Earlier this month, icons for the Windows Phone 8.1 Cortana voice assistant were leaked online, revealing some of its upcoming features.

The icons suggest that Cortana will be able to complete tasks ranging from basic ones like alarms, sending messages and searching the web right the way through to more complex tasks like alerting you to heavy traffic on your route, giving directions and even taking notes for you.

Windows Phone 8.1 is set to be officially unveiled during the Microsoft Build Conference in April.

The Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini has been released and is now on sale in the UK with the Samsung Galaxy S4 spinoff setting wannabe owners back a considerable £350 on a PAYG basis.


Formally unveiled last month, the Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini is a 4.3-inch spinoff to the flagship S4, seeing a scaled down take on the market leading handset sport a similar design but a drastically reduced spec. Leading network provider Three has confirmed that it will start selling the phone today, with the Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini to be available in all stores tomorrow, July 2.

“The Samsung Galaxy S4 mini offers many of the popular features that the original S4 does, just in a smaller shell, making it even easier to fit into your life, and your hand,” Sylvia Chind, Head of Devices at Three said. “With features such as social tag, people can update friends on fun and silly experiences, uploading pictures onto their favourite social networks quickly, using Three’s Ultrafast network.”

With the Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini price set at a sizeable £349.99 when purchased on a PAYG basis, Three has confirmed that it will offer the dual-core Android handset for free when taken out on a two year, £26 per month contract.

A 4G capable handset, the Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini will be compatible with Three’s 4G network when it launches in the future. At present only EE is offering the S4 Mini on a 4G platform from launch.

Giving wannabe owners a variety of options when picking up the first of a trio of S4 spinoffs which also includes the waterproof Samsung Galaxy S4 Active and the camera heavy Samsung Galaxy S4 Zoom, Three has revealed the Mini, on a £26 tariff will come bundled with the company’s Ultimate Internet 100 plan. Those after the popular One Plan can pick up the S4 Mini on a £32 per month deal.

Samsung Galaxy S4 Features

Aside from the design, the Samsung Galaxy S4 features little in common with its big brother. A replacement to the Samsung Galaxy S3 Mini it boasts a 4.3-inch qHD Super AMOLED display with a 960 x 540p resolution.

With a 1.7GHz dual-core CPU running the show, a Samsung Galaxy S4 specs sheet is further enhanced by 1.5GB of RAM and 8GB of internal storage, expandable via microSD. While an 8-megapixel camera features on the handset’s rear, a second, 1.9-megapixel snapper up front.

Measuring in at 8.9mm thick and 107g in weight, the Samsung Galaxy S4 is powered by Google’s Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean OS and a 1900mAh Lithium-Ion battery.

Forget about the bendable LG G Flex, the Korean manufacturer has confirmed that the repeatedly rumoured LG G2 Mini will be officially unveiled at MWC 2014.


Having been the subject of multiple leaks and rumours in recent weeks, LG has confirmed that the LG G2 Mini, a smaller version of the flagship LG G2, will enter the realms of reality in less than two weeks’ time.

Following on the heels of the Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini and HTC One Mini, compact, reduced spec siblings to the flagship Samsung Galaxy S4 and HTC One respectively, the LG G2 Mini has been confirmed by the company’s official Facebook page.

As well as offering up the first official image of the LG G2 Mini, shown alongside its big sibling, LG has stated: “Experience the MINI. Mobile World Congress. 2014-02-24.”

The dating of the company’s product teases has revealed that the handset will be formally showcased for the first time on the opening day on the show, Monday February 24.

Although LG has failed to offer any formal LG G2 Mini specs, recent rumours have suggested the phone will boast a 4.3-inch display, with the G2’s 1080p Full HD display dropping to a less than impressive 960 x 540p offering.

While the official image has confirmed the Mini will retain the G2’s rear-mounted volume controls, rumours have hinted that the handset will be powered by a 1.2GHz quad-core Snapdragon 400 processor and Google’s latest Android 4.4 KitKat OS.

With the LG G2 Mini confirmed for a February 24 unveiling, the handset is set to be unveiled on the same day as the eagerly awaited Samsung Galaxy S5, one of the most eagerly awaited handsets of the year.

Set in the distant future against the backdrop of drifting galaxies and luminous planets, your job is to move a variety of renewable energy cells into brightly coloured wormholes where they are sent to Earth to be used as an energy source. With the clock ticking, you aim to move as many as possible, avoiding obstacles and floating asteroids along the way and gaining bonus points for trickier manoeuvres.


At first glance, you may think: how thrilling could sweeping things into a hole possibly be? Is this just some kind of franticmini-golf set in space? Happily, Space Keeper’s seemingly one-dimensional gameplay style is deceptive.

The early levels subtly introduce different ways of scoring more points, such as joining cells into a lattice or bouncing them off multipliers but it is key to note that none of these techniques are mandatory. You could pass through all the levels in under an hour by doing little more than simply dragging the cells into the wormholes and if so, you would not notice much of a change in difficulty throughout. One of the main strengths of the game is that you are able to determine your own style of playing that is equally valid to any other. If you wish to chill out, then you can play at a slow, relaxed and uncomplicated pace, wallowing in the swirling colours and serene ambient soundtrack. Stubborn completionist? Then the game will put your timing, precision and co-ordination (You may need both hands!) to the test.

Space Keeper uses the familiar three-star point system, providing a genuine challenge if you want to grab all three stars in a level. Since doing this often allows little room for error, you will need to develop a strategy for each level, especially towards the latter stages.  For example, you may choose to neglect joining cells together to make use of the multipliers or maybe manoeuvre cells with one hand while fending off asteroids with the other. It is this need for creativity that keeps the game fresh and makes success very satisfying. Even when you fail, it rarely feels as if the game has been unfair. Any frustration will be directed at yourself, for perhaps missing a shot or getting your tactics wrong.

With such a compelling gameplay infrastructure, it then seems a shame that it ends rather quickly. Sure, it may take some time to get every star, but there is clearly potential for more ideas and levels to be added on. On the other hand, it may be for the best that the game does not risk getting stale and leaves us wanting more.
Labelling Space Keeper as “just sweeping” is like calling Temple Run “just swiping”. Praise must be given to the developers for creating a product that is simple and attractive yet rewarding. This is a game that gives back to you the amount that you put into it.

Rating: 4/5

After countless leaks and endless rumours, the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 Neo has been officially unveiled, with Samsung Poland giving the budget phablet its first formal outing.

So youve got an iPad and have come to the dawning realisation that youve gotno cash left to buy any games for it.

Have no fear, because the App Store offers plenty of iPad gaming goodness for the (unintentional or otherwise) skinflint. Our pick of the 70 best free iPad games is listed below.


Note that apps marked "universal" will also work on an iPhone or iPod touch, scaling down controls and graphics accordingly.

1. Dumb Ways to Die (universal)

 

Based on a Webby Award winning video, Dumb Ways to Die lets you try and save those adorable characters from dying in rather dumb ways. From having private parts eaten under water and being hit by a train to having your head explode while out in space, developer Metro Trains Melbourne has created a rather fun, sometimes strange game.

2. PewPew (universal)

 

"Expect retro graphics and megatons of enemies," says the developer about this twin-stick shooter, adding: "Dont expect a story". With its vector graphics and Robotronish air, PewPew brings to mind Geometry Wars and Infinity Field, but without a price tag. Despite being free, PewPew nonetheless boasts five modes of shooty goodness.

3. Flockwork

 

It turns out if youre a sheep that thinks the grass is greener, you should check out the other side of the fence first. In Flockwork, wooly heroes make a break for freedom, but end up immersed in a kind of ruminant hell. Your task: help the sheep escape by way of finger gymnastics and fast reactions.

4. Cliffed: Norms World XL (universal)

 

This race-to-the-bottom vertical platform game lacks depth but Cliffed is fun for a quick high-score blast. Use the chunky controls to make your guy dash left or right to avoid rocks and leap down holes. If the screen catches up with him, its game over.

5. Air Hockey Gold

 

Air hockey games work much better on the iPad than the iPhone, simply due to the iPads larger screen. Air Hockey Gold isnt the only free game of this type, but it was the one that felt best during testing, and the two-player mode works nicely.

6. Jetpack Joyride (universal)

 

Endless game Jetpack Joyride is a witty, polished take on the iCopter format, with one-thumb controls dictating the heros attempts to avoid death that comes increasingly rapidly from the side of the screen. The real gems here are the power-ups, including the amusing Profit Bird (depicted), which isnt at all a swipe at Angry Birds and Tiny Wings.

7. Real Racing 3

 

Here at TechRadar, we love a good racing game, and Real Racing 3 is a real treat on an iPad. The stunning visuals on a larger iPad screen allows for a much better mobile gaming experience than you would expect - and for free! Though there are in-app purchases for upgrades and boosters, you still get a lot of tracks and cars without any purchases.

8. Escape - Norms World XL (universal)

 

IUGOs puzzler Escape has you swiping to make your silhouette leap between circles, which vanish when you leave them. The idea is to jump on every circle, whereupon you move to the next level. in-app purchases are available for tougher levels and two-player modes.

9. Frotz (universal)

 

Although it works on an iPhone, Frotz isnt great on the smaller screen. But on the iPad, with its larger keyboard, the interactive fiction player is a revelation. It uses the Z-Machine format, and you can download a selection of freely available text adventures (including the original Zork) using the app, or upload your own files to the app via FTP.

10. QatQi (universal)

 

QatQi starts off a bit like Scrabble in the dark, until you figure out that youre really immersed in a kind of Roguelike mash-up. So although the aim is to make crosswords from a selection of letters, youre also tasked with exploring dungeons to find score-boosting stars and special tiles.

11. Harbor Master HD

 

This game might look like Flight Control in the drink, but the gameplay mechanics are subtly different. As with Firemints effort, Harbor Master is a line-drawing game, this time with you drawing paths so boats can dock. However, once theyve unloaded, they must leave the screen or sometimes visit another dock, ensuring things rapidly become complex and frantic.

12. Tiny Tower (universal) 

 

Tiny people in a tiny skyscraper need you to feed then tiny sushi and do other tiny tasks. Things can, inevitably, be sped up by not-so-tiny IAP cash infusions, but if youre a patient sort, and keen on micromanagement games, Tiny Tower is a charming, enjoyable title that will eat many tiny moments out of your day.

13. Crimson: Steam Pirates 

 

This turn-based strategy game comes complete with an engaging story and a healthy dollop of yo-ho-ho. You command pirate ships, setting their courses and then watching the action unfold. Crimson: Steam Pirates gives you eight free voyages and further adventures can be bought via IAP.

14. Labyrinth 2 HD Lite

 

Another demo for a paid-for title, Labyrinth 2 HD Lite is definitely worth downloading if you dont have the full game. Its the digital equivalent of tilt-based marble games, but with crazy designs. You get a small selection of mazes here, but theyre playable and varied, and theres always a high-score to beat.

15. Frisbee Forever (universal) 

 

With almost limitless possibilities in videogames, its amazing how many are drab grey and brown affairs. Frisbee Forever is therefore a breath of fresh air with its almost eye-searing vibrance. The sense of fun continues through to the gameplay, which is all about steering a frisbee to collect stars strewn along winding paths. Initially, you explore a fairground, but soon youre soaring above the wild west and sandy bays.

16. Pocket Legends (universal)

 

Many free iPhone OS MMOs are dreary text-based affairs, so its nice to see Spacetime Studios creating something a bit more ambitious with Pocket Legends, providing us with an iOS-specific 3D world populated by the usual motley collection of fantasy characters. As always with MMOs, the game demands you invest plenty of time to get anything out of it.

17. Solitaire Ace

 

After a few hands of Klondike, we actually ended up preferring this free app to several of the iPad solitaire apps with hefty price tags. Solitaire Ace might be simple (no undo, only one theme, just three solitaire variations), but its fast and responsive, with intuitive controls and extremely clear cards.

18. Tilt to Live HD

 

The basic aim of Tilt to Live is simple: avoid the red dots, either by cunning dodging and weaving or by triggering explosive devices in the arena. The game stands apart from similar releases due to its polish and sense of humour. You get the basic mode for free, and others can be unlocked by in-app purchase.

19. Flow Free (universal)

 

Flows quite sneaky. It looks simple enough, tasking you with connecting like-coloured blobs via pathways that cannot cross. And indeed it is at first, despite you also having to fill the entire board to proceed. But once youre on larger grids, trying to figure out snaking pathways, your ears will be shooting steam.

20. 10 Pin Shuffle (Bowling) Lite (universal)

 

Were big fans of 10 Pin Shuffle, a universal app that combines ten-pin bowling and shuffleboard. Of that titles three game modes, the best one is included here in 10 Pin Shuffle Lite, for free. Called 10 Pin Poker, it adds a card game to the mix. Get a spare or strike and youre given one or two cards, respectively. At the end of the tenth frame, whoever has the best hand wins.

21. Pilgrims Punch-Out (universal)

 

Become a 1980s NES-style Scott Pilgrim in Pilgrims Punch-Out, a movie tie-in that isnt at all a massive rip-off of (sorry, tribute to) Nintendo classic Punch-Out!! Decent controls enable you to fight your way to glory, and although the games over pretty quickly, theres always a high-score to beat.

22. Fowlplay HD

 

If you ever wanted to poop on someones head from above, Fowlplay HD is the game for you. Taking on the role of a pigeon that should really cut back on fibre, you zoom around a stylised forest that appears to be populated by refugees from Minigore. Aim your deposits at their heads, avoid the trees, and grab any power-ups that come your way.

23. To-Fu 2 (universal)

 

Theres a touch of Angry Birds about To-Fu 2, at least if the birds were covered in something yucky that glued them to any walls they collided with. Said stickiness is the name of the game here, getting the squidgy hero to levels end rather than impaling him on the literally strewn spikes.

24. Choice of the Dragon (universal)

 

Its not the most interesting-looking game in the world, but luckily the magic of Choice of the Dragon is in its witty prose. Playing as a multiple-choice text adventure, akin to an extremely stripped-back RPG, this game is an amusing romp that perhaps lacks replay value, but youll enjoy it while it lasts.

25. Lux Touch (universal)

 

There are several Lux games on the App Store, but the original is now free and works very nicely on the iPad. Essentially, this is Risk, and while the computer AI isnt terribly bright, Lux Touch should nonetheless keep fans of the original board game quiet for a short while.

26. New York 3D Rollercoaster Rush HD Free

 

In all, 25 of the full games tracks are on offer in New York 3D Rollercoaster Rush HD Free. The games a simple arcade title: tilt your iPad to control the coasters speed, aiming to keep it on the track, and take risks to ensure the crazy riders have a great time (and, presumably, give the health-and-safety guy a heart attack).

27. iLifeGame (universal)

 

John Horton Conways famous Game of Life cellular automaton exists for practically every platform, and this simple iOS version, iLifeGame, gets things right with clear graphics, the ability to draw your own starting points, and a small collection of predefined patterns.

28. Pukk HD

 

Given that its another Pong clone, Pukk HD isnt the best game to play if youve no friends, because the single-player mode is extremely dull. However, with another player, it becomes an exciting battle of digital tennis - and it looks a lot nicer than Tap Blaster HD, too.

29. Grim Joggers Freestyle (universal) 

 

When we think of extreme sports, jogging isnt the first that comes to mind, although it might be now weve experienced Grim Joggers Freestyle. The games essentially Canabalt, but instead of one guy leaping across grey rooftops, you get a string of joggers trying desperately to survive in a surreal alien world.

30. Pilot Winds (universal) 

 

With Tiny Wings having spent a large amount of time troubling the App Store charts, were surprised it took so long to make it to the iPad. All along, Pilot Winds was the next best thing, and its still free. Instead of a fat bird sliding down hills, youre a daredevil penguin skier, and while the games inspiration is clear, it has plenty of tricks of its own.

31. Drop7 Free (universal)

 

Drop7 is one of the finest puzzle games on iOS. You drop numbered discs into a grid, and if the number matches the number of discs in its column or row, it vanishes. Grey discs are destroyed by twice removing discs next to them. Three modes are on offer, each demanding a different strategy. And now the games owned by Zynga, its free, with only the occasional unobtrusive advert.

32. TinkerBox

 

Myriad physics puzzlers exist for iOS, but most are twitch-oriented games where you fling objects around, and repeat with slight variation until you succeed. TinkerBox is different, because it demands you carefully consider the task at hand and then construct machines and tools using engineering concepts. Its great for educating kids and also perfect for anyone who used to love the likes of Meccano.

33. Trainyard Express (universal)

 

Trainyard Express is a puzzle game which tasks you with getting trains to stations by laying track. It starts simple, but the logic puzzles soon test you, with colour theory and other complications. In all, you get 60 puzzles, and theres no overlap with the apps commercial sibling Trainyard.

34. X-Baseball (universal)

 

As the saying goes, there are few American sports that cant be improved by the impending threat of a banana, and thats X-Baseball. Hit balls! Hit bananas thrown by fans! Also, hit annoying birds flying overhead! Just dont not hit, otherwise your game will soon be over. Its just like the real thing!

35. Paper Toss: World Tour HD

 

The original Paper Toss was pretty dry and throwaway, but in dumping the wastebasket in absurd surroundings (within a volcanic pool, in the desert, by the Taj Mahal), it gets a second wind as Paper Toss: World Tour HD and is a far more satisfying flick-based arcade game.

36. NinJump - HD

 

NinJump is a quickfire one-thumb game which has your ninja rapidly climbing, leaping between two endless towers. As he leaps, he knocks obstacles from the air, dispatching killer squirrels, deadly birds and throwing stars lobbed by enemy ninjas. Simple, addictive fun.

37. Chucks Challenge (universal)

 

Chucks Challenge has a long pedigree, being heavily based on ancient Atari Lynx game Chips Challenge. The idea is to use your brain and swiping skills to solve tile-oriented puzzles, keeping your strange purple-haired avatar alive. For no money, you get 25 puzzles, but more are available to buy.

38. Parsec (universal)

 

On playing Parsec, we had to check a couple of times that it was free, because its one of the best shooters on the App Store. The game boasts retro-style neon visuals, slick touch controls, and an exciting 20-level time-attack structure that begs you to regularly attempt to beat your high score.

39. Yolk Em (universal)

 

Yolk Em gives you a shooter game unlike any other on the iPad. Its part augmented reality, part alien shooter, part eggs. Confused? We were at first. But no matter, it is interesting enough to at least give it a go, all you got to do is print out some targets, aim your iPad at it using the camera and yolk some aliens! Itll be great to keep your kids entertained on those rainy days.

40. BIT.TRIP Beat Blitz (universal)

 

The love-child of Pong and a drug-fuelled hallucination, BIT.TRIP Beat Blitz has you deflecting hundreds of balls, in time to crunchy industrial-style dance beats. This is dazzling and pure but demanding arcade gaming, with long, tough levels. Miss too many beats and youre plunged into Nether, a soulless black-and-white realm where you must chain multiple beats to escape from.

41. Triple Town (universal)

 

In Triple Town, you have to think many moves ahead to succeed. Its a match game where trios of things combine to make other things, thereby giving you more space on the board to evolve your town. At times surreal, Triple Town is also brain-bending and thoroughly addictive. Free moves slowly replenish, but you can also unlock unlimited moves via IAP.

42. Pinball HD Collection

 

If youre a fan of spanging a metal ball about, Gameproms iPad pinball tables are as good as they come. Pinball HD Collection is the freemium incarnation of the companys output, and you get the simple but playable Wild West entirely for free. Yee-haw!

43. Temple Run (universal)

 

There are many endless running games for the iPad, but this is the only one where youre being chased by deadly evil demon monkeys. But then you did nick a priceless trinket from a temple. Tsk! The tilty swipey gameplays perhaps a tad tiring after a while of holding up an iPad, but Temple Run is great in short bursts on the larger screen.

44. Candy Train (universal)

 

Leaves on the line? Pfft! Here, youre more likely to find candy and giant cherries. Not that such hazards stop the little train—but broken tracks will. Your job is therefore to plan out a route for the cartoon chuffer, until your brain seizes up and your Candy Train journey comes to a sticky end.

45. Bejeweled Blitz (universal)

 

Bejeweled Blitz is the online incarnation of PopCaps hugely popular gem-swap game, and it looks fab on the iPads screen. As a freemium title, theres a whiff of IAP (either grind or buy coins to unlock power-ups, or youve no chance of topping the high-score tables), but youll still be addicted all the same.

46. Magnetic Shaving Derby (universal)

 

"Use the magnet to attract the razor to shave the face!" explains Magnetic Shaving Derby, presumably having first hidden any safety instructions from view. The result is an experience best described as completely bonkers, with a side order of "dont try this at home, kids, unless you enjoy the site of blood".

47. Fairway Solitaire HD

 

Fairway Solitaire HD is a perfect example of what happens when you marry simple gameplay with a bit of character. On its own, the basic card system would be fine: unlock face-down cards by selecting those one higher or lower than the current one in the draw pile. But the addition of golf scoring and a crazed gopher out for blood turns this into a surprisingly enjoyable and original title. You get nine courses for free.

48. X-Motorcycle (universal)

 

X-Motorcycle happily offers two video game cliches for the price of none: the speeding hero (this time on a motorbike), who cannot slow down, and inexplicably giant fruit that appears to be an immensely important currency. The result is a fast, playable game reminiscent of old-school thrills filtered down to their essence and squirted into your iPad.

49. Orbit1

 

One thumb per person and one glowing neon ship is the premise behind Orbit1. You grab points, aim to destroy your opponents, and just hope someone doesnt flip out, grab the iPad and fling it out of the window in a huff.

50. Zen Pinball (universal)

 

More pinball! This ones a bit less realistic than Gameproms efforts, but Zen Pinball is very pretty, with a bright and exciting free table, Sorcerers Lair. Further tables are available via IAP, including some Marvel-themed and surprisingly great Star Wars efforts, but the sole freebie should have pinball addicts happily sated for a while.

51. Word Solitaire HD

 

With a game called Word Solitaire, you might expect a kind of solitaire game that has you form words rather than use standard cards. And thats exactly what you get here - sorry, anyone waiting for a huge surprise. However, this is not a bad thing, because Word Solitaire HD is a relaxing, entertaining title.

52. Royal Revolt (universal)

 

In Royal Revolt the king is dead and his siblings have stolen his kingdom while the prince was at school. Unfortunately for them, he was studying magic and is now out for revenge. The game itself is a real-time-strategy effort with some seriously cute and well-animated graphics.

53. Letterpress (universal)

 

Who knew you could have such fun with a five-by-five grid of letters? In Letterpress, you play friends via Game Center, making words to colour lettered squares. Surround any and theyre out of reach from your friends tally. Cue: word-tug-o-war, last-minute reversals of fortune, and arguments about whether qat is a real word or not. (It is.)

54. Snuggle Truck HD

 

This one had a dubious start, initially named Smuggle Truck and featuring immigrants being smuggled across the US border. One swift rejection by Apple later and the game swapped immigrants for cuddly toys, which is significantly funnier anyway. The trials-oriented gameplay isnt bad either.

55. Frisbee Forever 2 (universal)

 

As noted elsewhere in this list, we love Frisbee Forever. This sequel is essentially more of the same: fling your plastic disc away, guide it through hoops, collect stars, and make it to the finish line. What makes Frisbee Forever 2 really stand out is the lush locations you get to fly through, including ancient ruins and beautiful snowy hillsides.

56. Gridrunner Free (universal)

 

Gridrunner Free has the look of a lost 1980s arcade game, with hints of Caterpillar and Space Invaders. But this is really a thoroughly modern affair, with perfect touch controls and bullet-hell-style gameplay, albeit bullet-hell in the video game equivalent of a shoebox. Oh, and you only get one life in survival mode, making every game a frantic bid to stay alive. (More modes can be unlocked via the 69p In-App Purchase.)

57. Hero Academy (universal)

 

Theres a point in chess where you sometimes wish your knight would just give your opponents bishop a thoroughly good trampling. Sadly, few chess games do such things (the ancient Battlechess being an exception), but Hero Academy takes the idea and runs with it. On specially designed boards, wizards attack knights, and demons defend their turf against samurais. Its an engaging turn-based effort with plenty of depth.

58. Rinth Island (universal)

 

Rinth Island is what would happen if you propped block-shifter Soko-Ban up against a wall and wrapped it around a tube. The puzzles soon become notoriously devious, as you figure out how to reach each tubes summit, but its novelty factor combined with great design will ensure you stick around.

59. Outwitters (universal)

 

Another chessish two-player effort, Outwitters has teams of angry sea creatures battling to the death, first helpfully arming them with surprisingly dangerous weapons. (It turns out crabs eschew claws when theyve a mortar cannon to hand.) Unlike Hero Academy, Outwitters has a fog of war, meaning units cannot see any further than they can move. This makes the game tougher to master but perhaps more rewarding on doing so.

60. Shadow Era (universal)

 

Proving that great ideas never die, Shadow Era brings trading cards to life on the iPad. What you lose in not being able to smell the ink and manually shuffle the deck, you gain in not being able to lose the cards or have them eaten by the dog. Its all very swords-and-fantasy oriented, and just like in real life you can also buy extra cards if you feel the need.

61. Blendoku (universal)

 

A game about blending colours, which doesnt feature an Old English Sheepdog barely avoiding tipping paint everywhere? Missed opportunity! Still, what youre left with in Blendoku is a beautifully minimal game that tasks you with putting coloured squares in order. It starts off simple, but the level design will soon have you sobbing into your crayons.

62. Into the Dead (universal)

 

You know, if infinite zombies were running towards us, wed leg it in the opposite direction. Not so in Into the Dead, where you battle on until your inevitable and bloody demise. The games oddly dream-like (well, nightmare-like), and perseverance rewards you with new weapons, such as a noisy chainsaw. VVRRRMMM! (Splutch!)

63: Score! World Goals (universal)

 

Score! takes the basic premise of a million path-drawing games and wraps it around classic footie goals. The combination works really well, with you attempting to recreate the balls path in the best goals the worlds ever seen. Failure results in a baying crowd and, frequently, improbable goalkeeping heroics.

64. Lost Treasures of Infocom (universal)

 

"You are standing in an open field west of a white house." If youre of a certain age, youre already downloading Lost Treasures of Infocom, which gives you classic text adventure Zork entirely for free. IAP enables you to buy further titles by Infocom, the masters of interactive fiction, and they all work wonderfully on the iPad.

65. Groove Coaster Zero (universal)

 

Rhythm action games are rarely complex, but Groove Coaster Zero out-simples its rivals by only demanding you use a thumb to tap, press, swipe or rub, responding to on-screen symbols. In the meantime, beats are drummed into your ears as your eyes are hurled around a breakneck disco-neon roller-coaster. Groovy!

66. Frankenword (universal)

 

Take two words that havent previously met, introduce them via a cunning overlap, and youve another iPad word game that stands out from the crowd. Warning device plus mammal with armour? Alarmadillo, of course. Its probably not in your dictionary, but it should be on your iPad, because Frankenword is ace.

67. Super Monsters Ate My Condo (universal)

 

The original Monsters Ate My Condo was like Jenga and a match-three game shoved into a blender with a massive dollop of crazy. Super Monsters Ate My Condo is a semi-sequel which takes a time-attack approach, shoe-horning the bizarre tower-building/floor-matching/monster-feeding into a tiny amount of time, breaking your brain in the process.

68. RAD Soldiers (universal)

 

Tactical war-games tend to work well on a touchscreen device, and RAD Soldiers is no exception. The turn-based action has you take on chums or the single-player mode, and the cartoon styling gives a palatable face to leaving an enemy soldier as a pair of smoking boots. Just watch out for the IAP.

69. Cubed Rally Redline (universal)

 

Argh! Thats pretty much what youll be yelling on a regular basis on playing this endless racer. Cubed Rally Redline shouldnt be difficult. You can go left or right on five clearly defined lanes, and theres a time brake for going all slow-motion, Matrix-style, to weave through tricky gaps; but youll still be smashing into cows, dinosaurs and bridges before you know it.

70. Vectrex (universal)

 

In the distant past (well, the 1980s), there was an excellent console called the Vectrex, which had a vector-based iPad-sized screen. In the Vectrex app, its been beautifully recreated on the iPad. The Asteroids-Like Minestorm is entirely free, but further games are available to buy via IAP.

The iPad mini 2 may be delayed if Apple adopts a Retina-style screen for the small tablet, according to fresh reports.


Apple has nailed down exactly what the iPad 5 will be like, but has not yet decided whether to update the iPad mini with a Retina screen, according to DigiTimes.

The site writes that if Apple decides to use a high pixel density screen, the iPad mini 2 is likely to be delayed until “the end of the fourth quarter” – as opposed to being released alongside the iPad 5 in September.

DigiTimes appears certain that the iPad 5 will land in September, citing sourced “from the upstream supply chain”.

As reported elsewhere, the site writes that the full-size iPad will feature a slimmed-down screen bezel, as well as improved battery life.

All these nuggets come with a pretty serious caveat – they come from DigiTimes. The site is one of the most Apple notorious rumour-pedlars on the internet, and many of its predications and assertions turn out to be less than entirely accurate.

iPad mini 2 Retina reports

In June 2013, NPD DisplaySearch analyst Richard Shim claimed that a Retina version of the 7.9-inch tablet will not arrive until 2014.

However, further conflicting reports are not hard to find. Also in June 2013, ETNews reported that Samsung would produce the display panels for Apple’s 2013 tablets, including a Retina iPad mini 2 screen.

The claimed panel is a 7.9-inch screen like the current model, but has a resolution of 2,048 x 1,536 pixels rather than 1,024 x 768.

This is the same resolution as the iPad 4, which would give the iPad mini 2 an impressive pixel density of 324 ppi.

That is roughly the same density as the iPhone 5, although pixel density in tablets tends to be far lower than that of the top mobile phones.