Games

Apple has now officially selected Star Walk 2 – Guide to the Night Sky as the new App Store Free App of the Week. Regularly listed at $2.99, you can grab the app for free on iPhone, iPad and iPod touch from now through this time next week. This is the very first time we have seen the app go free directly on the App Store since it released in August 2014.

It received an Apple Design Award in 2014 and has been used by more than “10 million people”. Head below for more details:
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Along with the full launch of the family friendly section on the Play app store, Google is now giving us a new app for free every week. This time around, it has selected Thomas’s Musical Day for Percy. It is regularly listed at $5 or so and can be dowloaded on to all your Android devices for free until this time next week.

Head below for more details:
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Today, popular productivity app developer Readdle has launched Scanner Pro 6. While we have seen the app drop down to free previous to being updated to the latest version this morning, Scanner Pro 6 is currently available for 50% off for a limited time. You can download the scanner app for $2.99 to your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch, but it will shoot back up to $5.99 once the limited release pricing period ends, which could be as early as tomorrow.

Even better, Readdle says the existing 7 million Scanner Pro customers will get the update for free. Head below to find out what made it the number 1 app in 20 countries and what version 6.0 brings to the table:
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Sony has announced its free games for PlayStation Plus members during the month of July. It’s shaping up to be a big month with four free games on PS4 across a variety of genres plus others on PS3 and Vita. Free PS Plus games are released on the 2nd Tuesday of each month, so unfortunately you’ll have to wait until July 7th to get your hands on these freebies.

Head below for all the details on which games are going free…
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Microsoft is now offering Halo: Spartan Strike on iOS for 50% off. It is regularly listed at $5.99, but today you can grab it on iPhone, iPad or iPod touch for just $2.99. Not only is the lowest we have ever seen on the official mobile Halo title, it is the very first discount since the game released back in mid-April.

Head below for more details and gameplay footage for this twin stick-style shooter:
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Every now and then Apple updates its Apple Store App with a new iOS freebie. This time Apple is giving away free downloads of Green Kitchen, a healthy vegetarian recipes app that is compatible with iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch. It’s currently listed at $4.99 on the App Store and has never been free before.

In order to get this app for free you must do the following:
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Everyone loves the 4th of July, it’s a great time for food, fireworks, friends…and games! This weekend won’t be complete unless you add a few competitive lawn activities into the mix. Because everyone loves to see Uncle Jim try to play corn hole when he’s drunk. Head below for our top picks for some added fun this weekend, of course you’ll want to make sure you order quickly to ensure delivery by Friday. 
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There is a wide selection of home window air conditioners available on the market, including some with smart functionality. Our experience indicates the Frigidaire options are among the best, and today they just got a whole lot better. The new Cool Connect Air Conditioner comes with everything you would expect from a typical home unit, but packs in a number of interesting features when it gets connected with the companion mobile apps:
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There is a whole mess of LED and smart lighting options on the market today from traditional retailers and startup companies. Aside from saving energy and adding smart functionality, the ability to put out a custom color is one of the biggest selling points of these bulbs.

This is where Silk by Saffron comes in: a recent Kickstarter campaign that is setting out to combine the functionality of smart light bulbs with the ability to change the warmth or coolness depending on the time of day. Our bodies work better with certain color lights throughout the day. Cooler lights give us energy in the morning and warmer colors prepare for sleep at night.

But how Silk is doing it combines all that knowledge with smart functionality, creating a really cool solution to this unique problem.
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Apple has now selected the Halftone 2 Comic Book Creator as the new Free App of the Week. Typically selling for $2, this is the first time we have seen it go free, outside of a Starbucks app offer. Already featured as an Editor’s Choice and One of the Best Apps of 2013 by Apple, you can pick it up for free on all your iOS devices.

Head below for more details and to see it in action:
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Microsoft is heading into July and the second half of the year with a full head of steam: tempting deals and exciting game releases make it the time to buy an Xbox One. Today, its slate of July Games with Gold have been announced with big news for Xbox One owners…
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After a week of puzzling YouTube clips and tweets surrounding Seattle’s downtown, we have learned what the Treasure Truck is. Those in Amazon’s home city will be able to obtain special one-day deals on products, food and other items by following the status of the truck on the retailer’s mobile app.

Starting on Saturday, Amazon will be selling items out of the truck but you’ll have to find it first.
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The Amazon App Store is giving away another collection of paid apps. While not quite as large as past sales in terms of selection, all told there are about $50 worth of games and apps for free. To sweeten the deal even further, the Amazon App Store Free Android App of the Day is the stellar puzzle platformer Monument Valley. Typically $4, you can grab the game for completely free on the Amazon App Store. It has received a 4+ star rating from over 80,000 ratings on Google Play. It appears Monument Valley is also a part of the freebie sale, but there is a chance it could expire tomorrow morning.

Some other standouts from the freebie sale include Weather Live (Reg. $2), The Bard’s Tale (Reg. $3), Quell Memento (Reg. $3) and more. Combining both Google Play and the Amazon App Store, just these three apps alone have received 4+ star ratings from around 78,000 ratings. You’ll also find titles Trouserheart (Reg. $3), Table Top Racing (Reg. $3), Simply Yoga (Reg. $4), Alarm Clock Pro (Reg. $2) and Airport Mania 2: Wild Trips (Reg. $1), among others.

This sale runs from now through July 1st. Be sure to keep a close eye on our game/apps roundups for all the best deals across every platform and our 9to5Toys Google Lunch Break for a list of the day’s best Android hardware and software deals.
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After raising more than 800% of its Indiegogo campaign goal, Micro Drone 3.0 has certainly caught the attention of gadget lovers. It’s not the smallest drone, and not even the least expensive one with a camera, but its well-rounded, featured filled design and affordable price might make it one of the best points of entry for those looking to get in the air for the first time:
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Last year, Polaroid introduced us to its tiny action Cube cams that are 1 cubic inch, shoot 1080p and go for under $100. This year, the company is back at it again with a brand new version of the mini cam know as the Cube+. It brings everything the original model is known for, with the addition of Wi-Fi for direct integration with the iOS/Android companion apps:
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Amongst other things, one of the best results of the ever developing world of technology is its ability to connect us with friends and family from far away. However, it has admittedly left some out of the loop as its developed with more complex features. FaceTime and Skype offer quality solutions for communicating with loved ones but require pricey iOS devices or login hassles, and sometimes subscriptions.

Insert Ily, a new hardware solution to bring everyone into the fold. Its simple design puts video chat and communication front and center. Best of all, it doesn’t matter if loved ones have an Ily of their own or not, it can communicate with both iOS and Android.
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GameStop took to its Twitter account this morning to announce the launch of the new Retro Classics section on its online storefront. The national gaming retailer is stocking everything from refurbished vintage consoles to a wide selection of pre-owned NES, SNES, Genesis, N64, PS1 and Dreamcast titles:
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Video gamer producer Funcom has announced that LEGO Minifigures Online will be coming to iOS, Mac, PC and Android devices next week. The June 29th launch will bring all of the platforms together allowing gamers to collect minifigures and battle together online, no matter what device they are using.

We have the full details below:
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Microsoft was quite busy with its hardware announcements this E3, from the Elite customizable Xbox controller to a host of new bundled Xbox One console promotions. Sony on the other hand, was generally focused on the games, other than this classic PS1 looking controller, and now, the quiet announcement of the new Ultimate Player Edition PS4:
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Update (6/22 4:35pm):

• Amazon is now offering the PowerA DualShock 4 Controller Charging Station for PS4 for $13.78 Prime shipped (Reg. $20+, lowest we’ve seen with free Prime shipping).
• Amazon is now accepting pre-orders for the Batman: Arkham Knight Limited Edition bundle for Xbox One for $99.99 shipped.
• Antonline via eBay Daily Deals has the Nintendo Wii U Deluxe Set w/ Super Mario 3D World and Nintendo Land Bundle for $259.99 shipped (Reg. $300)
• Blutek via eBay Daily Deals has the The Last of Us PS4 bundle for $349.99 shipped ($50 off)

In today’s best game/app deals, we have the recently unveiled Gears of War: Ultimate Edition which is set to bring the original game back with remastered visuals and updated gameplay for Xbox One. Today you can pre-order the game at Microsoft Store for $39.99 with a free $10 Xbox One gift card thrown in (just like they did with Rare Replay). That’s full price with a free Xbox GC thrown-in.

Best Buy is offering some Logitech gaming gear with Steam credit thrown in today including the Logitech G430 Over-the-Ear Gaming Headset with $40 in Steam Wallet Cards for $79.99 shipped and the Logitech G502 Proteus Core Optical Gaming Mouse with $40 in Steam Wallet Cards for $79.99 shipped. With the included value of the Steam credit, these prices are either matching or beating the lowest we have seen on these peripherals on their own.

Best Buy is offering the Tomb Raider: Definitive Edition on Xbox One for $15.99 w/ free in-store pickup or free shipping on orders of $35 or more (Reg. $25, current low) and Amazon has Wii Fit U w/ the Fit Meter for $19.99 Prime shipped (Reg. $25, lowest we can find due to shipping). Don’t forget about Microsoft’s new free game promotion of you’re in the market for a new Xbox One. We have a full break down of all the best deals currently available right here.  You can also pickup a free game rental courtesy of Redbox tonight in our Daily Deals

Below you’ll find the rest of today’s best Mac/iOS deals including Marvel Pinball: FREE (Reg. $1), Hatchi – A retro virtual pet: FREE (Reg. $1), DragonLair: FREE (Reg. $1), Space Inversion 2 HD: $1 (Reg. $2) and many more. Be sure to check out our review of Home Radio, the Mac app that could plug the gaps in Apple Music radio (free today only).

Ongoing game deals/promotions:

• Rare Replay for Xbox One pre-order $30 w/ $10 GC (Reg. $30)
• Yoshi Woolly World pre-order for $49.99 shipped (Reg. $60)
• App Store Free App of the Week: Warhammer Snotling Fling ($4 value)
• The ad-free version of Trivia Crack goes free as IGN’s iOS Game of the Month (Reg. $3)

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Last week, Microsoft announced that it would be running a seven day promotion with select retailers offering a free game ($60 or less) with the purchase of a new Xbox One. It has now officially kicked off with some pretty sweet deals.

Microsoft had a very strong showing at E3 2015. This promotion, which expires on Saturday, combined with upcoming title releases make it the best time to grab a new Xbox One. To ensure the most bang for your buck, you’ll want to choose a new release closer to $60 for your free game. We often have deals in our daily games roundup on previously released titles.

Head below for the best bundle deals available from Microsoft, Amazon, GameStop and more.
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We’ve all been there, having just managed to fall asleep with our headphones on and we roll over only to feel hard plastic jabbing into your head. Turns out Dr. Dre didn’t think about sleeping when designing those cans. But what if there was an option that wrapped comfortably around your ears for sleeping?

Even better, what if there were headphones that adjusted the volume and drowned out the sound around you based on your sleeping habits? Now we’re talking. The Kokoon EEG Bluetooth headphones do all that and more…
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Apple has now officially handpicked Warhammer: Snotling Fling as the new Free App of the Week. The catapult crasher regularly goes for $4 and can be downloaded onto your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch for free until this time next week. While we have seen it dip down to $1, this is the very first time it has gone free on the App Store.

Head below for more details and some gameplay footage:
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Sony sent gamers into a tizzy when it released the limited edition PlayStation 4 20th Anniversary Edition console late last year. Splashed in original PSX grey with the throwback colorful PS logo, the console was full of nostalgia. All of the 12,300 units sold out instantly and began fetching insane numbers on eBay (but have recently fallen).

This week at E3 2015 Sony announced two new PlayStation accessories that also pay homage to their roots. The limited edition Dualshock 4 controller and wireless Gold headset will make old school gamers tingle with joy. Here’s a closer look at their details and how you can get your pre-order in starting today…
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E3 is set to come to a close today after a week of providing us with a look at some of the newest gaming titles and hardware advancements. We’ve already detailed what Microsoft, Sony and Nintendo are planning to have in store for gamers and today we’re going to take a look at the upcoming mobile releases.

Publisher Square Enix dropped the bomb that Tomb Raider would be making an appearance with Lara Croft Go. This exciting new puzzle adventure game is a follow up to Hitman Go, which was met with much fanfare since its release last Spring. Head below for trailers, release information and more on Lara Croft Go, Star Wars upcoming mobile release and more.
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Nintendo kicked off its E3 announcements with a huge content update for Super Smash Bros. and then dove into some gigantic game announcements including Star Fox Zero, Super Mario Maker, Yoshi’s Woolly World, The Legend of Zelda Tri Force Heroes and more.

Wii U and the new 3DS handheld are rocking right now thanks to some major releases over the past year. Nintendo’s E3 announcements only upped the ante for these consoles and set the stage for a strong 2015/2016 showing. Head below for the most important news that Nintendo dropped on us so far this week:
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Sony has strung us along for around 6 years with the near mythical The Last Guardian. Well, it is myth no more. Sony shocked the gaming world, opening its E3 2015 showcase with a brand new demonstration for the game. It followed up with a peek at the new Hitman, the next Destiny expansion, the long rumored Final Fantasy VII remake, and finishing up in usual fashion with a look at the next Uncharted:
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Update (6/18 4:30pm):

• Fallout 4 Pip Boy Edition is now in stock at Walmart on PS4 and Xbox One.
• The highly sought after Fallout 4 Pip Boy Edition is back in stock at Best Buy, and won’t last long. If you’re a GCU member, then Best Buy is the best place to pre-order as it brings your total down below $100.

Last night, Bethesda held its very first E3 showcase. We got to see more of the highly anticipated Fallout 4, along with a new Fallout iOS title and details on the very cool F4 special edition. We caught a quick CG glimpse at Arkane’s next sequel to the stealth action title Dishonored and more details on the return of Doom.
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For the next 4 days you have the chance to get your hands on 5 great Mac apps for absolutely free.

9to5Toys Specials has the Ondesoft 5-app software bundle for 100% off the list price. These apps all together are valued at $146 and include the following: X-Mirage (pictured above) that lets you mirror anything from your iOS devices to your Mac, an iTunes media converter, audiobook converter, easy screen shot taker, and a clipboard management app. 

Just follow the link and you’ll be on your way to some great free new apps. You can see the rest of our free and discounted apps in our daily roundups. 
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Apple has now officially selected Slayin as the new Free App of the Week. This is the very first time the 8-bit inspired endless RPG has gone free for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch, having been listed at $1 since it released in April of 2013. It has amassed an impressive 4.5 star rating from 27,249 reviewers in the mean time.

Head below for details on Slayin and to see the highly rated rogue-like RPG in action:
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Developer Asher Vollmer has now brought his Apple Game of the Year winning puzzler, Threes!, to the free-to-play space. After being heavily ripped off and cloned by other free iOS games, Vollmer decided it was time to start playing hardball, but in the right way. This isn’t your typical free-to-play mobile app that is littered with ads and IAPs, in fact, there are no in-app purchases or annoying pop-ups while you’re playing the game at all:
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9to5Toys Specials is currently letting you “pay whatever you want” (currently <$5) for the Mobile-First Developer’s Bundle. It shows you how to start making mobile apps from scratch.

The bundle includes ten courses covering iOS, Android, and HTML5 app development. No previous experience is required, as there is an introductory course for each of the platforms. The tuition is bang up to date, with instruction on coding in Swift for iOS, and building apps for Android Lollipop. Once you have the basics down, you can move on to more specialized tracks, such as how to create games with Unity3D and convert a WordPress site into a native app. You also learn how to design your apps for a great user experience, and how to monetize them.

• Monetize Your App: Major Advertising Networks ($49)
• The Complete Android Lollipop App Development Course ($99)
• Learn Android Development from Scratch ($99)
• Learn Swift Programming Step by Step ($99)
• Learn to Build Mobile Games Using Unity 3D ($149)
• Projects in HTML5 ($199)
• The Ultimate Android Course for Complete Beginners ($499)
• Learn iOS 8 Mobile App Design and Make Top Money ($199)
• Create a Native App for Your WordPress Website in 8 Days ($149)
• Mobile App Design in Sketch 3: UX and UI Design from Scratch ($199)

You can pay what you want for the first two courses; pay above the average price (currently $5) to unlock the full bundle.

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There are a wide range of devices available for consumers today that are internet and smartphone connected. It is often a struggle to decide whether to upgrade existing products with an add-on or make the investment in a new release that has these features built-in. Upgrading can be hit or miss and new products, especially appliances, can be pricey. With the impending arrival of Apple’s HomeKit, now is the time to get on the smart home train more than ever.

A new product called tado° has put air conditioning in its sights for a smart upgrade. We have seen smart AC units before, but the execution has at times left something to be desired. By adding tado° to an existing system, consumers have more options with the actual cooling unit, as long as the existing unit meets some requirements.
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Bluetooth earbuds that connect to our iOS devices are not a new trend. We’ve seen them in varying degrees of design and success over the last few years. Doppler Labs is aiming to take that design and help you hear in a whole new way. No, not hear your music, but the sounds around you.

The Here Active Listening System is designed to allow users to customize the sounds of the world around them. Filter out a crying baby? No problem. Bump up the bass at that concert? Taken care of with the swipe of a finger. But it’s the design that has really caught Kickstarter’s attention…
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Update (9/9 3:30pm):

• Star Wars: Uprising is now live for iOS and Android, a day before its official release.
• Disney, Lucasfilm and developer Kaboom have released the very first gameplay preview footage of the upcoming Star Wars uprising mobile title. You can see it below:

There is a brand new official Star Wars RPG in the works over at Kabaam studios. Today, alongside Disney and Lucasfilm, the developer announced Star Wars: Uprising, a new mobile title set to take place after the events of the last chronological film. The game is part of the official Star Wars canon and is set to continue the lore where no other project has before in what looks like quite a deep role playing experience for mobile devices.

Head below for more details on the game/story, a quick peek at the reveal trailer and how to get into the beta:
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Update (6/4 3:30pm): Apple has now officially selected 2Do as the new Free App of the Week.

The very popular 2Do task management universal iOS app has gone free for the first time since it was originally released over three years ago. It regularly goes for $15 and has not been under $9.99 in over a year. With 18,000+ reviewers rating it 4.5/5 stars since its release, this app is certainly worth a download.

2Do takes a “completely different approach” to task management. Its flat and clean interface removes any distractions so users can focus on the work at hand. Most notably, 2Do has been updated with Apple Watch support and works with many popular services like Dropbox, Apple’s Reminders and Siri. It has a companion Mac app that has received a 50% price drop, down to $24.99, coinciding with the iOS version going free.

Full description below.
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