Tag Archives: Apps

Apps, Websites, Fun! 221 – Toys R Us Is Done, Android AR Releases A Ton – Kid Friday


Toys R Us Closes, Samsung Galaxy 9 with In-display fingerprint sensor, Facebook and how to protect your data, Changes to your Instagram feed, Send money to your contacts via Google Assistant, Siri reading hidden notifications, Just released – dozens of augmented reality apps for Android, and a whole lot more.

You’re a Kid In A Digital World℠

Kid Friday™ is a technology information show and news source for kids.

Viewed in over 200 countries, coverage includes smart phones, social media, audio – video streaming, iOS, android, computers, tablets, websites, apps, gadgets, and current events.

Learn about the latest tech for tweens, teens and kids of all ages!

We talk tech, but always end up somewhere else.

Podcast Awards:

Top 10 “People’s Choice”

and “Best Education”

podcastawardslogo

View / Listen on:

Apple: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/kid-friday-apps-websites-gadgets-games-fun/id344979790?mt=2

Website: https://www.kidfriday.com/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/KidFridayMedia

TuneIn:  https://tunein.com/podcasts/Kids–Family-Podcasts/Kid-Friday—apps-websites-gadgets-games-fun-p1133841/

Player.FM:  https://player.fm/series/kid-friday-apps-websites-gadgets-games-fun

Stitcher:  https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/kid-friday/kidfriday-apps-websites-gadgets-games-fun

Overcast:  https://overcast.fm/itunes344979790/kid-friday-apps-websites-gadgets-games-fun

Acast:  https://www.acast.com/kidfriday

Castbox:  https://castbox.fm/channel/Kid-Friday-apps%2C-websites%2C-gadgets%2C-games%2C-fun!-id1222?country=us

Podbay.fm:  http://podbay.fm./show/344979790

Hosted By: Dave Swerdlick

Kid Friday™ Is Brought to you by StoryCub™ – Video Picture Books™ – It’s Storytime, Anytime℠.

© MMXVIII KidFriday.com. All Rights Reserved. For personal use only. Any encoding, rebroadcast, retransmission, reproduction or distribution is strictly prohibited and protected by U.S. and international laws.

Apps, Websites, Fun! 211 – Don’t Steal Toilet Paper

iOS Update, New CarPlay features, Zinio App, Stealing Toilet Paper, Vinyl Records, Movie Theaters and a whole lot more.

Kid Friday™

You’re a Kid In A Digital World

Thanks for making Kid Friday™ the number one technology show for kids.

Coverage of new websites, apps, gadgets. computers, mobile phones, iPads, iPhones, Android, tablets, and more.

We talk tech, but always end up somewhere else.

© 2017 KidFriday.com. All Rights Reserved. For personal use only. Any encoding, rebroadcast, retransmission, reproduction or distribution is strictly prohibited and protected by U.S. and international laws.

Kid Friday 189 – Gimmee Google Glasses – April 17th, 2014

Saving battery life on your iPhone, iPhone 6, Google Glasses, Best Free iPad Apps, and a whole lot more.

Here you go…70 best free iPad games 2014

Kid Friday is hosted by 13 year-old Zoe, 15 year-old Hannah, Dave, and at times, Winston from PoochCam.com
Subscribe on iTunes: http://tinyurl.com/nw7ab36
Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/KidFridayMedia
Kid Friday Is Brought to you by: StoryCub – It’s Story-time, Anytime.

Show 180 – Best Apple Tip Ever


TimerCamera App, SheepLauncher App, Scooter XL App, Starbucks App, GS Preschool Games App, Funny Movie Maker App, FaceStealer App, Metronome App, and a whole bunch more. Plus our best iPhone, iPad tip ever.

Apps, Websites, Fun! 175 – Your Cupholder Is About To Get Lucky

iPhone 5C best app, Playstation beats up XBox, New,iPads on the way, GameStop Black Friday deals, KFC Go Cup, PoochCam in the green-room, the first computer mouse, Sony Android,watch, Flipcase app, Stresscheck app, how to make froth, HTC One Max Android phone, and a whole lot more.

You’re a Kid In A Digital World ℠, so why don’t you learn something. 

Apps, Websites, Fun! 169 – Who Needs A Smartwatch

Click the pooch to play this show!

Click the pooch to play this show!

Samsung Galaxy Gear Watch, Tech in School, New iPhone, IOS 7, The Space Needle, Stratosphere Roller Coaster,Las Vegas, Siri, Sky Jump, Vine, Apple, Hard Reset, listener email and a whole lot more.

Apps, Websites, Fun! 167 – Who Needs A Watch

Click the pooch to play this show!

Click the pooch to play this show!

Squaready app, Tugg.com, One direction movie, Smartwatches, Sony smart watch 2, Samsung smart watch, Hot smart watch , YouTube , iPhone 5S, PoochCam, and a whole lots more.

You’re a Kid In A Digital World℠

We talk technology but always end up somewhere else…

Kid Friday™ is hosted by 15 year-old Hannah, 12 year-old Zoe, Dave, and Winston the pooch.

Thanks for making us the NUMBER ONE TECHNOLOGY show for kids!

Get YOUR email read on Kid Friday.
Visit: KidFriday.com

…And tell a friend about Kid Friday

Subscribe to Kid Friday and never miss a show!

Kid Friday 166 – Tap Tap Dad!

Click the pooch to play this show!

Click the pooch to play this show!

Beso App, Split Pic App, Secret Box App, Tunein Radio, Spotify, Map My Ride App, How Google got it’s name, PoochCam, and a whole lot more including email from viewers just like YOU.

Kid Friday 163 – We Saw 1D

Click the pooch to play this show!

Click the pooch to play this show!

We saw One Direction, How to get rid of annoying ads in apps, Drum Master app, Google Chromecast Dongle, Bib & Tuck, PoochCam, Clothes and handbag hauls, plus a whole lot more.

You’re a Kid In A Digital World℠

We talk technology but always end up somewhere else…
Kid Friday is hosted by 12 year-old Zoe, 15 year-old Hannah, and Dave

Thanks for making us the NUMBER ONE TECHNOLOGY show for kids!

Kid Friday 163 – We Saw 1D

Click the pooch to play this show!

Click the pooch to play this show!

We saw One Direction, How to get rid of annoying ads in apps, Drum Master app, Google Chromecast Dongle, Bib & Tuck, PoochCam, Clothes and handbag hauls, plus a whole lot more.

You’re a Kid In A Digital World℠

We talk technology but always end up somewhere else…
Kid Friday is hosted by 12 year-old Zoe, 15 year-old Hannah, and Dave

Thanks for making us the NUMBER ONE TECHNOLOGY show for kids!

Kid Friday 158: The Mood Ring Goes Tech

Get the #1 app for FREE, a player uses his iPhone to protest a call during a tennis match, next gen, “Mood Bracelet”, some history of Adidas and Puma, MyRadar app, PoochCam, listener email, Ebay deal on iPhone 5 charging cords, we announce a giveaway, and so much more.
(Sorry, contest ended June 4th. Winners announced soon!)

You’re a Kid In A Digital World℠

Thanks for making us the NUMBER ONE TECHNOLOGY show for kids!

We talk technology but always end up somewhere else…

WATCH SHOW 158 of KID FRIDAY

Kid Friday 154: I use my iPad in the Bathroom ALOT

Kid Friday Show 154

You’re a Kid In A Digital World ℠

The NUMBER ONE TECHNOLOGY show for kids!
We talk technology but always end up somewhere else…
Kid Friday ™ is hosted by 12 year-old Zoe, 15 year-old Hannah, and Dave

On this show, #154:
PoochCam, Listener email, Social media addiction, How much YouTube pay for views, Increase in TSV while in the bathroom, The best way to make money on an App, Shout ’em App Maker, Latest iPhone Rumors, and a whole lot more.

Subscribe to Kid Friday!

iTunes Podcast: http://goo.gl/huabx
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/KidFridayMedia

Write To Kid Friday: https://kidfriday.com/contact

Kid Friday Is Brought to you by: StoryCub – FREE Video Stories For Kids.
Get the FREE StoryCub APP!

StoryCub iPad APP: http://goo.gl/ZtXao
StoryCub iPhone/iPod APP: http://goo.gl/ZtXao
StoryCub iTunes Podcast: http://goo.gl/4mW14
Google Play APP for Android: http://goo.gl/qpJq9

And do us a favor….TELL A FRIEND ABOUT KID FRIDAY.
Thank you in advance for your cooperation.
See Ya!

Kid Friday 154: I use my iPad in the Bathroom ALOT

Kid Friday Show 154

You’re a Kid In A Digital World ℠

The NUMBER ONE TECHNOLOGY show for kids!
We talk technology but always end up somewhere else…
Kid Friday ™ is hosted by 12 year-old Zoe, 15 year-old Hannah, and Dave

On this show, #154:
PoochCam, Listener email, Social media addiction, How much YouTube pay for views, Increase in TSV while in the bathroom, The best way to make money on an App, Shout ’em App Maker, Latest iPhone Rumors, and a whole lot more.

Subscribe to Kid Friday!

iTunes Podcast: http://goo.gl/huabx
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/KidFridayMedia

Write To Kid Friday: https://kidfriday.com/contact

Kid Friday Is Brought to you by: StoryCub – FREE Video Stories For Kids.
Get the FREE StoryCub APP!

StoryCub iPad APP: http://goo.gl/ZtXao
StoryCub iPhone/iPod APP: http://goo.gl/ZtXao
StoryCub iTunes Podcast: http://goo.gl/4mW14
Google Play APP for Android: http://goo.gl/qpJq9

And do us a favor….TELL A FRIEND ABOUT KID FRIDAY.
Thank you in advance for your cooperation.
See Ya!

Parents Suing Apple Over In-Game Purchasing

Parents Suing Apple Over In-Game Purchasing

A group of concerned parents has now been given permission to sue Apple for “manipulating” their kids into spending large amounts of real-world cash on virtual in-app objects (mostly Smurfberries) in various iOS games. Led by attorney Garen Meguerian, the group is alleging that the “addictive” nature of some iOS games drives their kids to buy in-game items without really knowing what’s going on.

This isn’t the first time parents have voiced concerns over in-app purchases made by their kids. After 8 year-old Madison Kay managed to run up a bill of $1400 in record time on Smurfs’ Village last year, the Federal Trade Commission ruled that games like Smurfs’ Village must warn parents and children that those $99 Smurfberries do cost actual, real, non-Smurf cash.

However, Apple’s in-app purchase protocol has changed since then. When Madison went a little crazy for the Smurfberries, she was able to do so because all that stood between her and the berries was her mother’s iTunes password. These days, kids like Madison have an extra few steps to jump through before being able to make an autonomous purchase, including an extra, app-only password. Additionally, Apple says that iOS games featuring in-app purchases now come with an option that allows parents to switch in-game buying off altogether.

via The Escapist : News : Parents Suing Apple Over In-Game Purchasing.

Parents Suing Apple Over In-Game Purchasing

Parents Suing Apple Over In-Game Purchasing

A group of concerned parents has now been given permission to sue Apple for “manipulating” their kids into spending large amounts of real-world cash on virtual in-app objects (mostly Smurfberries) in various iOS games. Led by attorney Garen Meguerian, the group is alleging that the “addictive” nature of some iOS games drives their kids to buy in-game items without really knowing what’s going on.

This isn’t the first time parents have voiced concerns over in-app purchases made by their kids. After 8 year-old Madison Kay managed to run up a bill of $1400 in record time on Smurfs’ Village last year, the Federal Trade Commission ruled that games like Smurfs’ Village must warn parents and children that those $99 Smurfberries do cost actual, real, non-Smurf cash.

However, Apple’s in-app purchase protocol has changed since then. When Madison went a little crazy for the Smurfberries, she was able to do so because all that stood between her and the berries was her mother’s iTunes password. These days, kids like Madison have an extra few steps to jump through before being able to make an autonomous purchase, including an extra, app-only password. Additionally, Apple says that iOS games featuring in-app purchases now come with an option that allows parents to switch in-game buying off altogether.

via The Escapist : News : Parents Suing Apple Over In-Game Purchasing.

Parents Suing Apple Over In-Game Purchasing

Parents Suing Apple Over In-Game Purchasing

A group of concerned parents has now been given permission to sue Apple for “manipulating” their kids into spending large amounts of real-world cash on virtual in-app objects (mostly Smurfberries) in various iOS games. Led by attorney Garen Meguerian, the group is alleging that the “addictive” nature of some iOS games drives their kids to buy in-game items without really knowing what’s going on.

This isn’t the first time parents have voiced concerns over in-app purchases made by their kids. After 8 year-old Madison Kay managed to run up a bill of $1400 in record time on Smurfs’ Village last year, the Federal Trade Commission ruled that games like Smurfs’ Village must warn parents and children that those $99 Smurfberries do cost actual, real, non-Smurf cash.

However, Apple’s in-app purchase protocol has changed since then. When Madison went a little crazy for the Smurfberries, she was able to do so because all that stood between her and the berries was her mother’s iTunes password. These days, kids like Madison have an extra few steps to jump through before being able to make an autonomous purchase, including an extra, app-only password. Additionally, Apple says that iOS games featuring in-app purchases now come with an option that allows parents to switch in-game buying off altogether.

via The Escapist : News : Parents Suing Apple Over In-Game Purchasing.

The Current Top Apple Apps….

The top iPhone and iPad apps on App Store

Top Paid iPhone Apps:

1. Draw Something by OMGPOP (OMGPOP)

2. Angry Birds Space (Rovio Mobile Ltd.)

3. Clear Vision (17+) (FDG Entertainment)

4. Flick Home Run ! (infinity pocket)

5. Voice Assistant – Just use your voice (QuanticApps)

6. Fruit Ninja (Halfbrick Studios)

7. Lock My Screen (Triple A Apps)

8. “Free Music Download Pro” – Downloader and Player (BSOSoft)

9. Skylanders Cloud Patrol (Activision Publishing, Inc.)

10. WhatsApp Messenger (WhatsApp Inc.)

___

Top Free iPhone Apps:

1. Kick the Boss (Game Hive Corp.)

2. Instagram (Burbn, Inc.)

3. Draw Something Free (OMGPOP)

4. Slide to Unlock ? (The Falco Initiative)

5. Oldify (Apptly LLC)

6. Viddy (Viddy, Inc.)

7. Flick Home Run ! New Free (infinity pocket)

8. Bike Race Free – by Top Free Games (Top Free Games)

9. Battle Duty: Modern Field 3 (Imba Entertainment)

10. Ringtone Maker – Make free ringtones from your music! (Zentertain Ltd.)

___

Top Paid iPad Apps:

1. Angry Birds Space HD (Rovio Mobile Ltd.)

2. Draw Something by OMGPOP (OMGPOP)

3. Skylanders Cloud Patrol (Activision Publishing, Inc.)

4. Where’s My Water? (Disney)

5. Pages (Apple)

6. iPhoto (Apple)

7. Max Payne Mobile (Rockstar Games)

8. Clear Vision (17+) (FDG Entertainment)

9. Angry Birds Space (Rovio Mobile Ltd.)

10. Infinity Blade II (Chair Entertainment Group, LLC)

___

Top Free iPad Apps:

1. Draw Something Free (OMGPOP)

2. Ice Age Village (Gameloft)

3. Skype for iPad (Skype Software S.a.r.l)

4. The Lorax HD (Miniclip.com)

5. Bike Race Free – by Top Free Games (Top Free Games)

6. Blokus HD (Gameloft)

7. Instagram (Burbn, Inc.)

8. iBooks (Apple)

9. Facebook (Facebook, Inc.)

10. Curious George at the Zoo for iPad (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt)

___

(copyright) 2012 Apple, Inc.

6 New Apps You Need To Know About

6 New Apps.  Do YOU Have Them?

This week brought with it a ton of new apps. The most notable of this week’s app additions is Rovio’s newest installment of Angry Birds, which takes our favorite birds into space where they once again battle their mortal enemies: the pigs.

Also among our favorites from the week is an app that helps you find cool events and sights to see based on where you are right now using real-time information and photos from FoursquareInstagram, and Facebook.

Once you find out where all the fun is, another app that launched this week will let you invite all your friends to join you and see what they’re up to, and another will help you share photos of the event with your friends via email, text, or social networks complete — with added text.

If you’re not up for going out, a new app allows you to watch high-definition video of full concerts from popular artists on your smartphone or tablet. If you decide to stay in and watch a concert tonight rather than hit your friend’s birthday party, another app will let you send a real box of chocolates, bottle of wine, or even a cab ride home to your friend via SMS, email, or Facebook without needing to know his or her address.

via 6 Apps Worth Downloading This Week.

Zynga.com Open For Playing Top Games

zynga

Zynga.com’s games platform is now live in beta mode — and you can find it here.

The platform is launching with just five Zynga games: CityVille, CastleVille, Hidden Chronicles, Words With Friends and Zynga Poker. When entering any of these games from the platform, the user is prompted to connect with Facebook. A quick tutorial walks new players through platform features regardless of which game a new user enters.

We took a quick test drive of CastleVille and found our kingdom exactly as we left it on Facebook. We observe that the game loaded approximately in the same amount of time it takes to launch CastleVille on Facebook (from the point of clicking “Play” to the point where we’re actually playing the game). Also of note, the right-hand chat and live feed bar that distinguishes gameplay between the two platforms is also apparently not viewable in full screen mode on Zynga.com.

via Zynga games platform is now live in beta.

Zynga.com Open For Playing Top Games

zynga

Zynga.com’s games platform is now live in beta mode — and you can find it here.

The platform is launching with just five Zynga games: CityVille, CastleVille, Hidden Chronicles, Words With Friends and Zynga Poker. When entering any of these games from the platform, the user is prompted to connect with Facebook. A quick tutorial walks new players through platform features regardless of which game a new user enters.

We took a quick test drive of CastleVille and found our kingdom exactly as we left it on Facebook. We observe that the game loaded approximately in the same amount of time it takes to launch CastleVille on Facebook (from the point of clicking “Play” to the point where we’re actually playing the game). Also of note, the right-hand chat and live feed bar that distinguishes gameplay between the two platforms is also apparently not viewable in full screen mode on Zynga.com.

via Zynga games platform is now live in beta.

25 Billion Apps Downloaded in Apple’s App Store

Apple iTunes Apps

Go to Apple’s website right now and you’ll be greeted by a colorful graphic that says, “A billion thanks. 25 times over.” Yes, another important milestone in the history of the App Store has been reached: the 25 billionth app has finally been downloaded.

Just a couple of weeks ago Apple announced that it was fast approaching this milestone by launching a contest that would award the person who would be so lucky as to be the downloader of the 25 billionth app delivered through the App Store. And just moments ago that lucky person, whose name is as yet undisclosed, has won the offered prize of an App Store gift card worth $10,000.

It’s interesting to note that this event comes just eight months after the 15-billion app mark was reached by the hugely successful iOS app distribution system and just over a year after the 10 billionth app was downloaded. More noteworthy is the fact that the App Store is not even four years old yet, resulting in an amazing average of 18,768,768 apps downloaded per day since the App Store opened on July 10, 2008.

via Apple App Store: 25 Billion Apps Served — AppAdvice.

Warning: Fake Apps in Apple’s App Store May Take Your Money

pirate

Temple Jump, Tiny Birds, Numbers With Friends. These are not the apps you love. They’re fakes designed to scam you out of $1.99 when you go to buy Temple Run, Tiny Wings, or Words With Friends. Today Apple took a stand against plagiarism, kicking these rip-offs out of the US App Store. Good riddance, but how can platform owners stop these developers before they rob users of thousands or even millions of dollars?

via Apple Kicks Chart Topping Fakes Out Of App Store | TechCrunch.

Warning: Fake Apps in Apple’s App Store May Take Your Money

pirate

Temple Jump, Tiny Birds, Numbers With Friends. These are not the apps you love. They’re fakes designed to scam you out of $1.99 when you go to buy Temple Run, Tiny Wings, or Words With Friends. Today Apple took a stand against plagiarism, kicking these rip-offs out of the US App Store. Good riddance, but how can platform owners stop these developers before they rob users of thousands or even millions of dollars?

via Apple Kicks Chart Topping Fakes Out Of App Store | TechCrunch.

KidFriday Show #100 Coming….Soon

O.K.  If you’re a listener of the KidFriday Podcast, you know we usually deliver 1 kickin’ new show each week.  We wanted show 100 to be special in some sort of way, but it might not go down like that.  #100 is too easy.  SO, stay tuned for show 100 while we take more time to see how show 101 could actually be the big show.  At least that’s our excuse for now.

Do you realize that we could have just done the podcast in the amount of time it took to write this?  Remember.  Show #101.

Hmmmmmmmm

Did You Get An App On Christmas Day? You’re Not The Only One

Christmas Day Apps Android ios

Historically, more iOS and Android apps are downloaded on Christmas than on any other day of the year.  This is due to a massive influx of smartphones and tablets given as gifts.  As fast as loved-ones can unwrap their shiny, new Galaxy IIs, iPhones, iPads, Kindle Fires, et cetera, they start loading them up with new apps.

With record-breaking mobile growth for both Apple and Google this year, Flurry has been anticipating an equally record-breaking Christmas.  In 2011, Apple’s App Store is on pace to exceed 10 billion downloads, which will double the cumulative number of downloads earned across 2008, 2009 and 2010. The Android Market also set records, more than tripling its life-to-date downloads of 3 billion, reached in May 2011, to now over 10 billion cumulative downloads reached this December.

via iOS & Android Shatter Records on Christmas Day.

Top Android Apps of 2011

Android apps come in all shapes and sizes – literally.

Unlike iOS applications, which are basically created for two form factors, Android apps need to be developed with dozens (if not hundreds) of device-types in mind. This is on top of the inconsistent operating system releases still mucking things up. While all of this fragmentation is a headache for developers, ignoring a platform with 50 percent market share would ultimately lead to their peril.

The best Android apps are thus the ones that can both push the technological envelope while also remaining accessible to the vast majority of users. This is no easy feat.

via The Top 30 Android Apps And Games Of 2011 | TechCrunch.

Play Angry Birds On A Watch!

Digital Watch

Fitness watches are one thing, but how about a fitness watch that lets you play a few levels of Angry Birds in between wind sprints? Motorola’s MotoACTV debuted alongside the Droid RAZR not too long ago, and one developer has finally taken it upon itself to unleash its full potential.

The hack comes courtesy of developer Chris Wade, whose past endeavors include the Dingleberry PlayBook root method and the (ill-fated) iEmu project. While he’s best known for his software projects, he’s quite the hardware buff too — before working getting to work on a root process, he felt the need to tear the thing apart first.

via Rooted MotoACTV Brings Web Browsing And Angry Birds To Your Wrist | TechCrunch.

The Best NEW App For All You Apple Fanboys and Girls

Air Dictate

Own an iPhone 4S and Mac computer? Check out a new hands-free typing app called Air Dictate.

There are no public APIs for using the Siri voice-activated assistant for dictation, so developer Avatron found a way to control Siri and convert speech into text. The text then transfers to the corresponding Mac (with OS X 10.6.8 or higher) running the Air Dictate Receiver app.

via New app makes Siri dictate for Mac | Crave – CNET.

App Alert: Rescue Smurfs FREE!

Just Released Today.  Brand New!  (Sorry, Smurf dog not included)

Naught Gargamels is coming out to capture smurfs for their blue blood. In order to stop them and rescue smurfs, you have to give their head a knock, simple and rude!

In each level, you shall not miss certain quantity of Gargamels. If you miss that number, you cannot level up. And be careful! Smurfs can not be hitted, otherwise your score will be decreased.

There are 8 levels in all. The wooden hole will get more and the speed will be faster. You have to pass the level one by one.

Quick of eye and deft of hand, hit Gargamels and rescue smurfs. Well made images and relax background music are chosen for each level. You’ll love this game!

Get your hands on the FREE app HERE

More Music And Apps With A $50 iTunes Gift Card For $40!

iTunes Gift Card

Last minute holiday shopping? Yeah, we get it, and we get that at this point it’s not a good idea to pretend you’re going to find the most perfect, personal, and heartfelt present ever. What you can do is order a gift card. Luckily, Walmart’s online store is selling a $50 iTunes gift card for $40. It’s an electronic card, so unless your email provider suddenly starts charging per-email you won’t have to spring for delivery costs either. If you’re tossing other things in your cart, the purchase will also count towards free shipping.

We’ve seen gift cards at a discount before, but usually not this steep. Walmart says supplies are limited, so while you may have put off your shopping before, you really shouldn’t do the same now.

via Good Deal: $50 iTunes gift card for $40 | The Verge.

Over 100 iPod Touch Apps To Help You Count Down To Christmas

If your calendar just isn’t enough, or you have trouble keeping track of dates, you might want to try downloading a Christmas countdown app.  Those are great excuses, but the best reason to get a Christmas countdown app?  They’re fun!  There are literally over 100 to choose from for your iPod Touch, iPad, or iPhone available in the App Store.  So how about a few recommendations?  For starters; don’t pay for one.  There are plenty of free apps available that are just as good, or even better.  You can start by trying a few that we like:

Christmas Countdown 2011

Christmas Advent Calendar

Christmas Countdown Lite

Christmas Countdown!!

Christmas Countdown HD Free

Apple Moves A Lot Of Apps

Apple® announced that over 100 million apps have been downloaded from the Mac® App Store™ in less than one year. With thousands of free and paid apps, the Mac App Store brings the App Store experience to the Mac so you can find great new apps, buy them using your iTunes® account, and download and install them in just one step. Apple revolutionized the app industry with the App Store, which now has more than 500,000 apps and where customers have downloaded more than 18 billion apps and continue to download more than 1 billion apps per month.

“In just three years the App Store changed how people get mobile apps, and now the Mac App Store is changing the traditional PC software industry,” said Philip Schiller, Apple’s senior vice president of Worldwide Marketing. “With more than 100 million downloads in less than a year, the Mac App Store is the largest and fastest growing PC software store in the world.”

Apple Moves A Lot Of Apps

Apple® announced that over 100 million apps have been downloaded from the Mac® App Store™ in less than one year. With thousands of free and paid apps, the Mac App Store brings the App Store experience to the Mac so you can find great new apps, buy them using your iTunes® account, and download and install them in just one step. Apple revolutionized the app industry with the App Store, which now has more than 500,000 apps and where customers have downloaded more than 18 billion apps and continue to download more than 1 billion apps per month.

“In just three years the App Store changed how people get mobile apps, and now the Mac App Store is changing the traditional PC software industry,” said Philip Schiller, Apple’s senior vice president of Worldwide Marketing. “With more than 100 million downloads in less than a year, the Mac App Store is the largest and fastest growing PC software store in the world.”

App Alert: Happy Bubble – Brand New And FREE

Happy Bubble

Rabbit and Chick bring you new fun game!

A big war is going to spread out for Carrots! Rabbit fright for “Food”, Chick fright for “Mom”! An easy navigating game to stacking from ground to sky, then to outer space universe. It’s a fun exciting game to check out clicking hits against bubbles rising! Watch out, you will face many barriers along the way!

Check out Happy Bubble for yourself!

“One” is the Word Of The Day – One Day to Number One, Infinity Blade II App Rocks!

Infinity Blade 2

Infinity Blade II is shooting to the top of Apple’s app store best sellers list faster than you can chop a giant, medieval-themed dragon-beast in twain.

The sword-swinging iOS game became the number one app in the app store on Dec.1, the same day it launched. Infinity Blade II stands out from other iOS games for it’s mature themes (there is blood and death) and for its stunning visuals which pull from the Unreal Engine 3.

The original Infinity Blade received positive reviews and was heralded as one of the first hard-core mobile games thanks, in large part, to its aesthetic similarity to other top-tier console games. The game is so advanced, that many reviewers and enthusiasts eagerly awaited the launch just to see how far they could push their iOS gadgets. We’re pleased to say that the game, despite being gorgeous to look at, is also a blast to play.

via f | Latest.

KidFriday App Pick: Ready to Sing with Andy Z: Scarecrow for iPad

When we look at apps to recommend, we look for quality and fun.  It also doesn’t hurt if you learn a little.  “Ready to Sing with Andy Z: Scarecrow for iPad” has it all.  Geared towards the younger crowd, this app for kids 4+ includes beautiful illustrations, fantastic music from kids songster Andy Z, and can read the story to you.  You can also read the story yourself.  Plus the added “sound effects” are icing on the cake.  Price: $1.99.  Highly recommended.

KidFriday App Pick: Ready to Sing with Andy Z: Scarecrow for iPad

When we look at apps to recommend, we look for quality and fun.  It also doesn’t hurt if you learn a little.  “Ready to Sing with Andy Z: Scarecrow for iPad” has it all.  Geared towards the younger crowd, this app for kids 4+ includes beautiful illustrations, fantastic music from kids songster Andy Z, and can read the story to you.  You can also read the story yourself.  Plus the added “sound effects” are icing on the cake.  Price: $1.99.  Highly recommended.

KID IN 6TH GRADE IS ONE YOUNG APP DEVELOPER

Some elementary school kids play video games or ride bikes with their friends. Sixth-grader Thomas Suarez builds iOS apps — and has started a club at his school to encourage others to do the same. Doing his best Steve Jobs at a recent TEDx event in Manhattan Beach, he recounted his experience building and selling Earth Fortune and the Bustin Jieber whac-a-mole game, but pointed out that there wasn’t a clear path for other young would-be developers to do the same. “A lot of kids these days like to play games,” Suarez said, “but now they want to make them.” Hence his club, which any student can join to learn the basics of programming and app creation.

Suarez’s school also participates in one of Apple’s iPad pilot programs, which put the tablet into the hands of students and teachers for educational purposes. With feedback from teachers, Suarez’s club hopes to build apps to accommodate specific classroom needs. As for Suarez himself, he’s planning on building more games — and would like to tackle Android development next.

via Sixth-grade iOS developer starts school app club, wows in TEDx video | The Verge.

Kid Friday – 30 Best iPad Games

Wondering which games to buy for your iPad? Well, we’ve taken our best shot at putting together a list of top titles that we feel meet the criteria for a good iPad game.

And just what does make a good iPad game? We debated it for a while and narrowed it down to these five factors:

It’s gotta be fun (obviously).

Ergonomics (are the gameplay and control scheme well-suited to the iPad?)

Uniqueness (though many iPad games play well as upconverted, higher-resolution versions of their iPhone predecessors, we respect new, iPad-exclusive games).

Value (some of the best iPad games currently carry high price tags, but we also tried to include titles we thought were simply a good value).

Show-off quotient (extra points if the game flat-out looks good).

via 30 best iPad games | iPad Atlas – CNET Reviews.

Kid Friday – Words With Friends. Funnnnn.

Surely you’ve heard of Words With Friends by now, haven’t you? I figure, if my mom plays it, that’s a pretty good benchmark for the entire world knowing about a video game. Well, if you haven’t, here’s the gist- Words With Friends is basically the game of Scrabble with a social cross-platform twist. Utilizing the magic of asynchronous multiplayer and push alerts, you can play games of Scrabble with friends across the world. Cooler yet, it doesn’t matter if your friends have Android phones or are even playing the Facebook version of the game… It just works.

via Touch Arcade: iPhone Game Reviews and News.

Chocohero Plays Yummy!

You know how around Halloween you bought five bags of Fun Size Snickers to give out to trick or treaters, but somehow only three bags made it into the candy bowl and now you’re feeling really bloated and gross and you really need to look good for upcoming holiday parties so you’re eating grilled salmon three times a day and that would be fine, except all you can think about is how you really want to eat a bunch of donuts and cake and candy? Yeah, uh, me neither. However, it’s obvious that the people at Com2uS were in throes of weight loss-related fantasy when creating their latest game, Chocohero [$.99].

via Touch Arcade: iPhone Game Reviews and News.

Who pays for Music Anymore?

 

 

Today at GigaOm’s RoadMap conference in San Francisco, Pandora CTO Tom Conrad revealed that his company aims to monetize the vast majority of listeners who pay little or nothing per year for music. Conrad explained that “Over half of the U.S. doesn’t pay anything for music each year”. He continued that another 40% of the population only pay about $15 a year, the cost of an album or two. While there are opportunities to build businesses on the 10% who are willing to pay more, Pandora’s plans to focus on monetizing the majority via advertisements. Other music companies might be wise to target the non-paying segment as well.

via Pandora CTO Reveals Half of The U.S. Pays $0 For Music | TechCrunch.