Apptizr asks for basic information about your demographics and interests. It then uses that information to make suggestions about applications that you might be interested in downloading from the App Store. As it makes suggestions, you can thumbs up or thumbs down the apps thus making the search even more targeted toward the apps you would prefer.

“With over 100K apps approved by the Apple App Store, finding high quality apps that match your interests is like finding a needle in the haystack. Apptizr does the heavy lifting through our proprietary algorithm that matches the users’ interest with the right apps. The engine is smart enough to learn more about our users’ preferences over time as they tell us whether they liked the recommendations we made. We also evaluate the applications for quality and only recommend the best apps in each category to our users.”

An additional feature of the website is the ability to sign up for a weekly email that includes new recommended applications.

The website it currently in Alpha and is invite only. We have 50 invites for those of you who would like to give the website a shot. Below are instructions on how to sign up.

1. Go to http://apptizr.com/invite/vip
2. When prompted, enter the code GoToSchool

When I tested the site, it did a decent job of recommending applications that I would be interested in downloading. I think as I use it more and make more suggestions it will become even more targeted to the apps I prefer. The only thing I would like to see is the ability to sort between free and paid applications. Other than that, a nicely designed website that can be very helpful in sorting through 100,000 applications!

Yesterday, Categories, an application that allows you to organize the applications on your SpringBoard into folders, received a few updates. The update to version 2.27 was the major one which basically includes an internal rewrite of the app making the app perform much quicker. Updates 2.27.1 and 2.27.2 were basically bug fixes. See the complete change log below.

After updating, I definitely notice an improvement in the app’s functionality. It is MUCH quicker and just feels less bulky. So far, I have not had one crash… which is great! Normally, Categories will crash a few times on me. I also love that when adding an application to a folder, the apps are now in correct Alphabetical order! It makes adding applications so much faster and easier!

Overall, a great update… you will want to be sure to update to update this one. You can get Categories via the BigBoss source.

Change Log:
Version 2.27.2
- Fixed issue on update that caused some users to see no folders after update from 2.26. (Sorry, while this should solve the issue, it wont undo what was done for you that already experiences it meaning you have to set folders up again if this happened to you).

Version 2.27.1
- Fixed issue where editing name or icon only edited first folder in the list.
- Reworked the package, itself, so that it won’t install with CategoriesSB version less than 1.1. This caused some updates to lose contents of the folders because they update Categories but not CategoriesSB.

Version 2.27
- Complete Internal rewrite with help from ashikase
- Reworked how apps are added to be based off bundle ID rather than folder names. Should solve issues like taptap2 and taptap3 not being able to be in a folder together.
- Improved UI (added transitions and such)

You can check out BigBoss’s article about the update HERE.

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EA Mobile has been talking about their upcoming game Command & Conquer RED ALERT for a while now however, today they have launched a website with more information about the app – http://www.commandandconquer.com/iphone/.

Command & Conquer RED ALERT is due to be released this month which means it should hit the App Store in the next three days! No info on the price but, I’m guessing it will be another $9.99 release. Check out the video, screenshots and app description below.

Video Demo:

ScreenShots:

App Description:

The Cold War is hot again with COMMAND & CONQUER™ RED ALERT™ for iPhone® and iPod touch®.

Experience real-time COMMAND & CONQUER™ strategy as the Soviet or Ally factions. Control the battlefield with touch-screen power in up to 12 combat levels. Create and command war squads in realistic environments. Manage supplies with an intuitive combat system, and escalate the game with hi-tech weapons you develop.

KEY FEATURES

ACHIEVE VICTORY WITH TOUCH-SCREEN POWER
Drag and scroll to gauge the battlefield. Pinch-zoom in and out of the action. Select and move units with a tap. Control multiple units at once!

CHOOSE YOUR FAVORITE FACTION
Fight for Soviet domination or battle to restore peace with the Allies. Deploy military might unique to each side and engage in different campaign storylines.

BATTLE THROUGH 12 COMBAT LEVELS
Fight in Skirmish Mode on two different battlefield maps with war squads you create and control.

MANAGE TROOPS ON REALISTIC BATTLEFIELDS
Command units in different environmental conditions. Build your base and manage supplies with a new easy-to-use combat system.

ARM YOURSELF FOR WAR
Employ classic units like Kirov Air Ships and new units like the Paladin Tank. Or R&D new technologies to destroy your enemies.

Release Date: October, 2009

Rename II is an application that allows you to easily change the name of Stock, Jailbroke and App Store applications.

Rename II is very simple to use. The application gives you three options; /Applications, Appstore Apps and About. The /Applications option lists apps that are in your /Applications folder. This will include both stock and jailbroke applications. The Appstore apps option is where you will find a list of all the App Store applications that are on your iPhone or iPod touch.

To change the name of an application, just select it from the list. You will then get a pop-up where you can enter what you would like the new title of the app to be. Once you are finished renaming the app you can select Ok and then hit the Home Button, your device will respring and the apps will be renamed on your SpringBoard.

There are a few things I like about this application. I like that it displays the application’s original name on both the list and the pop-up where you can change the title of the app. This makes it much easier to change the app back to it’s original title. I also think it is cool that you can rename applications with emojicons. It would also be sweet to have a Rename All option that would put all icons back to their stock titles. When I was testing the app, I changed quite a few app titles and now I have to try and remember which ones they were! Or, maybe some sort of indicator next to the apps that are not their stock titles.

I have found that Rename II does not work perfectly for me. I am not able to rename any of my stock applications (besides Voice Memos). I can however rename all my jailbroke and App Store applications.

You can get Rename II via the SOS iPhone source.

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Along with the new applications, Adobe also announced the ability for developers to use CS5 to start developing their own apps using Flash. “Adobe now makes it possible to create applications for the Apple iPhone using the Adobe Flash Platform. You heard right: We’re really excited to bring this new capability to Flash designers and developers—the ability to target the iPhone with ActionScript 3 projects. You will be able to test this functionality in the forthcoming beta release of Adobe Flash Professional CS5 on Adobe Labs.”

According to TechCruch, Flash Pro CS5 “allows developers to use Flash technologies to develop content for iPhone and iPod Touch devices that were previously closed to them. The Flash developer tool converts Flash apps into ones that can work on the iPhone, since the iPhone still does not support Flash. So this is a workaround. But developers can write new code or reuse existing web content to build applications for the devices, and because the source code and assets are reusable across the Flash Platform runtimes (Adobe AIR and Flash Player) it is aimed to also give developers a way to more easily target other mobile and desktop environments.”

See the full article by TechCruch HERE.

What does this mean for viewing web-based Flash? According to Adobe…

The new support for iPhone applications in the Flash Platform tooling will not allow iPhone users to browse web content built with Flash technology on iPhone, but it may allow developers to repackage existing web content as applications for iPhone if they choose to do so.

Flash Player uses a just-in-time compiler and virtual machine within a browser plug-in to play back content on websites. Those technologies are not allowed on the iPhone at this time, so a Flash Player for iPhone is not being made available today.

Flash Professional CS5 will enable developers to build applications for iPhone that are installed as native applications. Users will be able to access the apps after downloading them from Apple’s App Store and installing them on iPhone or iPod Touch.

You can check out Adobe’s full “Flash on the iPhone” FAQ HERE.

More good info HERE.

Video:

About a week ago, EAMobile announced their new game FIFA 10. FIFA 10 is boasted to be “The World’s Most Authentic Soccer.” You can pick it up for $9.99 in the App Store.

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App Store Description:

EXPERIENCE THE WORLD’S MOST
AUTHENTIC SOCCER
FIFA 10 BY EA SPORTS™.
Guide your club or country to glory on the field! “Be a Pro” and kick off your own countdown to the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™.
_______________________________________

REAL LEAGUES. REAL TEAMS. REAL PLAYERS.
Match 30 leagues, 570 teams, and 12,620 players from around the world. Play up to 20 licensed tournaments and cup competitions.

“BE A PRO” MODE: A FIFA 10 EXCLUSIVE!
Create your own future superstar — ONLY with FIFA 10 by EA SPORTS™. Track his play in multiple seasons. Earn skills in competition against the world’s finest soccer players, and build your legend!

CONTROL THE GAME WITH FINGERTIP EASE
Easily dictate tempo with the accelerometer. Pull off defense-splitting passes, rifling shots, and pro-style tricks with intuitive touchscreen controls.

TRUE SIGHTS AND SOUNDS
Hear the roar of sold-out stadiums, and catch close-up the pride and passion on the field, from team presentations to goal celebrations. View from 6 angles, plus the “Be A Pro” camera. All in 3D.

TURN UP THE COMPETITION
Access Local WiFi Multiplayer Mode for friendly head-to-head action. Test your skills vs. your personal rivals.

PICK UP AND PLAY. ANYTIME, ANYWHERE.
From Barcelona to Brazil, manage the world’s best, and play for prestige and glory. Load in seconds and get ready for action!
_______________________________________
CHECK OUT OUR OTHER EXCITING GAMES:
Need for Speed™ Undercover, The Sims™ 3 TETRIS® & MADDEN NFL 10 by EA Sports™

COMING SOON:
Command & Conquer™ Red Alert™

You can check out the new page HERE.

WordWeaver is a word game with a twist. Like most boggle style word games, the object of WordWeaver is to create words from the letters provided, however WordWeaver adds an extra element with “a woven lattice board” that allows you to change specific letters. Another unique element is that each letter is given a point value (think Scrabble) which allows you to strategically create words worth more points. You are also able to unlock achievements, collect gems and coins, and deliberately use (or avoid) special tiles.

The game contains two game modes; Quick and Career. In Quick mod you play against a timer and in Career mode the object is to earn a specified amount of points, in a specific amount of time, in order to move onto the next level. The game also contains two board sizes; 4×4 and 5×5. You can view the achievements you have unlocked (as well as the ones you have not), Global High Scores and your Stats. The Stats features is pretty cool, it displays the longest word you have created, your highest scoring word, your highest score board, the most words you created in a game, the number of coins collected, the number of gems collected, your best career performance, what your current score and level are and the date you last played.

WordWeaver has a superb design and with all it’s unique features, it will keep you entertained and keep you coming back. This one is worth the $1.99 price tag.

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App Store Description:

Uncover Aztec gold and ignite rings of fire on your quest to become a Master Weaver!

Experience the best of two game worlds – classic word creation and arcade puzzle. Weave your way through the challenging levels of this unique and addictive game set in an ancient tribal land.

WordWeaver adds the fun of Bejeweled™ to the word finder games like Quordy or wurdle. But WordWeaver introduces something unique – a woven lattice board. Manipulate it to reveal hidden letters, discover cool bonuses and earn extra points. At a loss for words? Weave your way out! WordWeaver brings a fresh face to fans of word games.

The current version of WordWeaver features:
- Multiple modes of game play
- 30 Level Career Quest
- Global and Friend Leaderboards
- Choice of board sizes
- Exciting bonuses
- Achievements
- Accelerometer Lattice Shake
- Online dictionary reference for the list of words you create
- Captivating original score and sound effects
- Addictive gameplay
- Brilliant graphics
- WordWeaver is OpenFeint enabled

Tip: It’s great to get Fire Rings but beware of the Death Omen!

Please send all support emails, feedback, bug reports and suggestions to support@minimonstermedia.com.

NaturalMotion has released a new football game, Backbreaker Football, in that App Store. “Inspired by a mini-game taken from NaturalMotion’s Backbreaker (in development for Xbox 360® and PLAYSTATION®3), Backbreaker Football on the iPhone/ iPod touch is an intense, arcade football experience. Using accelerometer controls and on-screen buttons, the player must sprint, dodge and spin past waves of oncoming defenders, racking up point combos and score multipliers on their way to the endzone. Through Facebook integration, players will be able to see how their high-scores stack up against their friends’.”

Honestly, the game looks pretty sweet… check out the video trailer below. You can also check out the screenshots, App Store description and Press Release for more info. Backbreaker Football is on sale for an introductory price of $0.99 the normal price will be $1.99.

Trailer:

ScreenShots:

App Store Description:

Backbreaker Football is an intense, arcade football experience. Score touchdowns by sprinting, dodging and spinning past waves of oncoming defenders, racking up combos and score multipliers on your way to the endzone!

AMAZING GRAPHICS

Backbreaker Football brings next-gen console technology to the iPhone. Incredibly fluid animation (using NaturalMotion’s morpheme engine), bone-crunching tackles (based on endorphin simulation technology), a stunning 3D stadium and multi-angle instant replays. Show what your iPhone or iPod touch can REALLY do!

MULTIPLE GAMEPLAY MODES

Compete for the Golden Helmet awards in ‘Challenge Mode’ or take the ultimate hardcore test in the gruelling 50 wave ‘Endurance Mode’.

CUSTOMIZATION

Choose your team and stick your name on the jersey!

FACEBOOK INTEGRATION

Post your best scores on Facebook and see how you stack up against your friends.

UNLOCKABLE CONTENT

Unlock secret content by completing Challenges and winning helmets.

FUN FOR ANYONE

Easy to pick up but tricky to master… and maddeningly addictive! Celebrate the new NFL season with Backbreaker Football!

Press Release:

SAN FRANCISCO and OXFORD – September 29, 2009
NaturalMotion, the animation technology and game development studio behind the euphoria engine, today announced that Backbreaker Football is now available on the iPhone App Store. The arcade football title, which has been turning heads with its 3D visuals and console quality animation, goes on sale today at a promotional price of $0.99 for a limited time, a savings of 50% on the regular price of $1.99.

Inspired by a mini-game taken from NaturalMotion’s Backbreaker (in development for Xbox 360® and PLAYSTATION®3), Backbreaker Football on the iPhone/ iPod touch is an intense, arcade football experience. Using accelerometer controls and on-screen buttons, the player must sprint, dodge and spin past waves of oncoming defenders, racking up point combos and score multipliers on their way to the endzone. Through Facebook integration, players will be able to see how their high-scores stack up against their friends’.

“This new app gives the world an early taste of the Backbreaker experience,” said Torsten Reil, CEO of NaturalMotion. “The fact that we have been able to bring such fluid animation and slick 3D visuals to the iPhone further demonstrates its capability as a gaming platform.”

View the action of Backbreaker Football here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JeIPMWEAkTI

Backbreaker Football is designed and published by NaturalMotion and developed by Ideaworks3D, a world leader in mobile technology, application and game development. It is available now for download on the App Store.

About NaturalMotion
NaturalMotion Ltd. is a leading entertainment software company with offices in Oxford (England) and San Francisco (California). The company produces the widely-adopted animation technologies euphoria, morpheme and endorphin, used across the game and movie industries by companies such as Rockstar Games, LucasArts, Disney, THQ, CCP, Bioware and many others. Backbreaker, the company’s first in-house game, is currently in production. For further information, visit www.naturalmotion.com.

Download NaturalMotion’s endorphin LE for free and join the 190,000 strong animation community at http://community.naturalmotion.com

About Ideaworks3D
Ideaworks3D is a privately held technology and game development company headquartered in London. Founded in 1998 with a strong Oxford and Cambridge computer science and electronic engineering pedigree, the company has an unparalleled track record of creative innovation and technical leadership in the field of high performance mobile gaming. Ideaworks3D’s Airplay™ platform is the result of over 7 years of research and development into high-performance native multimedia applications on mobile devices, and has powered ground-breaking and award-winning titles such as Konami’s Metal Gear Solid Mobile, which won “Best Game” and “Operators’ Choice” accolades at IMGA 2008. Ideaworks3D’s Studio is also the recipient of multiple industry accolades including Best Mobile Studio at the Develop Excellence Awards 2008, and two BAFTA Games Awards for best handheld and mobile games. More information can be found at: www.ideaworks3d.com

Backgrounder, a mod that allows applications to run in the background, has been updated to version svn.r295. The update redesigns the application’s settings, adds a few new features as well as contains a bug fix (see full change log below).

One new feature is the ability to turn off the badge icon for applications that are not backgrounded by the Backgrounder app itself. This would be applications that run in the background without the need for Backgrounder such as Phone, Mail, Safari, iPod… etc. You can turn this option off in under the Global option in the application.

Another new feature is the ability to choose how you would like to toggle backgrounder. In the past it has always been toggled on (and off) using the Home Button, you can now choose to toggle the app using the Home Button, Power Button or None (which would be used with external toggles).

You will also notice that in the change log, it indicates that the location of the badge has been moved. I’m assuming this is referring to the file location of the badge since the badge itself has not changed location. You can get Backgrounder via the BigBoss source.

svn.r295 Change Log:
- Two new invocation methods; holds power button, and none (for Kirikae, etc.)
- Added option to not show badges on apps not backgrounded by backgrounder
- Fixed bug that caused blacklist to be ignored when called externally (e.g. via Kirkiae)
- Note: location of image used for badge has changed

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