Seems like everyone has some big game or app news today, so with today being a rather slow news day anyway, today's recap is all about apps and games -- but we couldn't help but slip one app-related news story into the mix that should make Instagram fans chuckle. Can you spot it among the rest of the day's news for Thursday, April 19, 2012?
PopCap Unleashes "Major Update" to iOS Plants vs. Zombies Apps
If you've been busy playing Plants vs. Zombies on your iPhone, iPod touch or iPad all day, drop what you're doing and head to the App Store! PopCap Games announced new updates to both the original small-screen version and the iPad-only HD app which delivers "the additional content, action and challenge that Apple smart device users have been anticipating." The HD version now includes three new game modes, four new mini-games, Game Center leaderboards, 28 new Game Center achievements, mystery sprouts and additional coin packs, while the iPhone/iPod touch model now includes Vasebreaker game mode, four new Game Center achievements and an all-new Game Center leaderboard. The combined updates promise to bring the mobile apps "considerably closer" to the original Mac and PC editions. The updates are free for existing users, but some features require paid in-app purchases.
Sony's "The Pirates! Band of Misfits" Movie Sails Into Storybook App
A new 3-D animated family comedy from Sony Pictures Animation is sailing into theatres on April 27, but iStoryTime is now offering a companion movie storybook app in the App Store for young readers to get a first look at the fun. The Pirates! Band of Misfits Movie Storybook app promises to tug at young readers' imaginations, complete with a "Piratize Yourself" feature that allows them to utilize the face tracking features of iOS 5 for making themselves look like a pirate in real time. The Pirates! Band of Misfits follows the luxuriantly bearded Pirate Captain -- a boundlessly enthusiastic, if somewhat less-than-successful, terror of the High Seas. With a rag-tag crew at his side, and seemingly blind to the impossible odds stacked against him, the Captain has one dream: to beat his bitter rivals Black Bellamy and Cutlass Liz to the much coveted "Pirate Of The Year Award." The Movie Storybook app is available now on the App Store for an introductory price of only 99 cents -- but buy it while you can, because the price is going up to $3.99 soon! The 104MB download is a universal app compatible with iPads, iPhones and iPod touches running iOS 4.2 or later.
Quake 4 Makes the Mac App Store Shake with Delight
Aspyr has announced the launch of Quake 4 for Mac, now available for the first time in digital form. Gamers can choose to purchase the digital version from one of four outlets: Apple's Mac App Store, GameAgent.com, MacGameStore or Amazon.com, but the $19.99 price is the same, regardless of where you buy from. In Quake 4, Earth is under siege by the Strogg, a barbaric alien race moving through the universe consuming, recycling and annihilating any civilization in their path. In a desperate attempt to survive, an armada of Earth's finest warriors is sent to take the battle to the Strogg home planet. You are Matthew Kane, an elite member of Rhino Squad and Earth's valiant invasion force. Fight alone, with your squad, or in hover tanks and mechanized walkers as you engage in a heroic mission to the heart of the Strogg war machine. Quake 4 Mac includes a strong single-player story along with online cross-platform multiplayer modes. Last but not least, Aspyr's RAGE: Campaign Edition is seeing a price cut to $29.99 from the same four digital outlets.
Apple Senior VP Phil Schiller Dumps Instagram for Going Android
The internet appears divided on the subject of Instagram's recent Android port -- rarely has an app going cross-platform caused such a stir. According to 9to5Mac, one of those choosing to ditch the photo sharing service following the move is none other than Apple Senior Vice President Phil Schiller, who not only deleted his Instagram account but also told an inquiring Twitter follower than the service "jumped the shark" by going to the Android platform. The move shouldn't be surprising considering Schiller is the head of Apple's marketing efforts, but judging from his prior tweets, he's been an avid fan of Instagram in the past, which was acknowledged most recent with an "App of the Year" award from iTunes. Does Phil know Twitter also has an Android app, we wonder…?
Midway Arcade Adds iCade Support, Making It Even More Awesome
Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment has announced that its universal Midway Arcade app is now compatible with iCade, the retro arcade-style cabinet designed for the iPad. As you may recall, this miniature wooden cabinet is perfectly sized for Apple's tablet and connects via Bluetooth to bring a full-sized joystick and buttons for a genuine arcade experience. The 99-cent Midway Arcade app needs no introduction for retro gamers, offering such legendary titles as Defender, Joust and Rampage (plus seven others) in a virtual showroom which can be expanded with in-app purchases for two other game packs (99 cents each). The update is free for existing users, and you know where to find it.
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