Top AppAdvice News & Apps Of The Past Week
March 28, 2011
Angry Birds invades Rio, Tiger Woods aims to please, and of course, the iPad 2 debuts in 25 additional countries in stories that made news during the last week.
The iPad 2’s debut in Australia, Canada, the UK, and in other countries was met with long lines and thin supplies. But, for those lucky enough to get their hands on the second-generation tablet, the AppStart Guide is really to assist. And despite its thinner glass screen, we found out the iPad 2 was just as strong as its predecessor. And hey, the newest iDevice seems to work in the bathroom too, so what's not to love!
While Apple must be thrilled about the success of the iPad 2, it doesn't mean the folks in Cupertino, California are resting. After all, they will most likely release a new iPhone 5 in the next few weeks, which could come with a larger screen and better processor than its predecessor. Plus, a completely revamped MobileMe service, which includes music “in a cloud” and other advances, is also rumored.
While the company has released iOS 4.3.1, it probably isn’t the last update we’ve seen before iOS 5 comes online. FaceTime for iPad, it seems, isn’t working perfectly for some iPad 2 owners.
Also this week, the hugely popular Angry Birds franchise flew into Rio de Janeiro with an amazing new game for the iPhone/iPod and iPad.
However, the biggest Birds story was the arrival of the free Android version of the game at the new Amazon Appstore. This set up a potential court battle between Amazon.com, Apple, and Microsoft over the word ‘appstore.’
Besides Angry Birds Rio, Color debuted for the iPhone, backed by $41 million in venture capital and supported by a website, Color.com, which cost its creators an additional $350,000. But, is the app any good?
Future courtroom confrontations are also brewing over Time Warner’s new TWCable app, which lets viewers stream live television using an iPad. Some networks are unhappy with it, but so far, the app remains in the App Store.
Meanwhile, Netflix decides to sponsor one original program and all hell breaks lose. In the course of a few days, CBS Corp.’s Showtime said it would no longer provide Netflix access to some of its current shows, while Startz said that beginning April 1, that new shows will be delayed 90 days before being available on Netflix.
Want to record special moments? Look no further than the Soundtracking app by Schematic Labs.
Tiger Woods: My Swing also debuted this week, just weeks before the first major of the season, The Masters, begins.
Finally, something old is new again, as different Pong games were reviewed. You think 2011 is cool? Take a trip back to 1972 if you really want to see cool!
These are just some of the stories that made news, March 20-26, 2011.