Games

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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Update (6/4 12:55pm): Hitman Go is now available for just $1, down from its usual $5. While we did see the app go free once as part of Apple’s offerings, this is matching the best price have seen outside of that. More iOS deals here.

Following the release of the last main console entry in the long running Hitman franchise, Square Enix took the franchise mobile with the stellar, board-game style Hitman GO. Now Square is back with another iOS game starring Agent 47:
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E3 2015, the biggest event in the gaming world, is just around the corner now. The event is generally rife with new game debuts, hardware upgrades and even price drops. While major publishers and gaming companies try their best to keep the wraps on the biggest announcements (The Last Guardian???), some early hardware details from Microsoft and Sony have started to leak out:
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It feels like a dream come true: LEGO has finally released its own version of Minecraft. That’s right, you are now able to build and customize an entire world with glorious (virtual) plastic bricks. But this isn’t just a carbon-copy of Mojang’s wildly-popular game, it is without a doubt a LEGO game, right down to the customizable avatar. Head below to find out how you can dive into LEGO Worlds…
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Update (6/1 6:15pm): Nintendo has announced that it will bringing the classic N-Zap ’85 laser gun to Splatoon, plus a new map tonight as an update.

Update (5/29 6:15pm): The Inkling Boy amiibo is currently available on Amazon.

If you’re into gaming and making a mess, its a good day for you. Splatoon for Wii U is now available for your virtual paint throwing pleasure. In classic Nintendo fashion, this colorful, cartoon-based game is brimming with fun times. Head below for more details and find out how you can get a special console bundle today or even a custom Splatoon squirt gun.
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As we head into June, Microsoft has revealed its free games for Xbox Live users next month. Subscribers can expect four titles across Xbox One and 360 consoles. Head below for full details and the window of availability for each title. 
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Apple has now officially selected Hyper Square as the Free App of the Week. Regularly listed at $1.99, this is the first time we have seen the well rated puzzle game go free directly from the App Store since it released at this time last year.

Head below for more details and gameplay footage:
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While we don’t tend to cover the wealth of games that take to Kickstarter for funding, this one caught our eye. Perception is an upcoming narrative-driven horror adventure game with elements of stealth and mystery created by former BioShock developers.

We have seen what feels like a countless number of first person, story-driven horror games pop-up across the indie game development world over the past few years. But you’d be wrong to put Perception in the same category once you take control of the blind protagonist Cassie:
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Sony has announced its free games for PlayStation Plus members during the month of June. It’s a big month with four games on PS4 plus multiple games on PS3 and Vita. Head below for all the details on which games are going free…
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9to5Toys Specials currently has the AirServer Universal Mirroring Receiver for just $10. It is a great way to stream content from your iOS devices to your Mac or PC.

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Update (5/26 5:15pm): If you don’t have an old console or aren’t ready to part with yours yet, Amazon has a terrific PS4 bundle: For $399 (regular retail price) you get a 500GB PlayStation 4 console with The Last of Us Remastered and a 1-year PlayStation Plus membership ($50 value). Deal ends tomorrow.

There’s no reason you should still be holding out on jumping into a PlayStation 4. Sony’s most recent game console has a host of terrific games including Bloodborne, The Witcher 3, and Mortal Kombat X with huge names in the pipeline for release later this year.

Usually it’s best to avoid console trades and go for private sale. However, Best Buy stores are currently running a deal that’ll net you a minimum of $175 (3x normal value) towards a PS4 for your old PlayStation 3 or Xbox 360:
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IGN is now offering NBA Jam as its free iOS game of the month. This is the first time that we’ve seen this iOS game go free. You can now download this game for free on iOS via IGN’s deal page.

This 90’s classic has been brought back to life on iOS with all your favorite vintage players. The classic 2-on-2 arcade style game has long been a favorite and has now been remastered for local multiplayer with three classic modes.

In case you missed it earlier, 1Password for Mac dropped to $28 (Reg. $50), Sky Guide is free in the Apple Store app and be sure to hit the $1 Amazing Apps and Games sale. For more game/app deals check out this week’s free app from Apple and this morning’s roundup.

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Hisgadget via Amazon is offering the OxyLED N05 Round LED Tap Light for $12.99 each, but by adding two to your cart and using code GD5OXENV your total drops to $14.99. If you add three of them to your cart and use code W938XK9O your total will drop to $19.99. They ship free for Prime members (free trial) or on orders of $35 or more. At regular $13 a piece, you are saving $11 on the 2-pack and $19 on the 3-pack, both of which are the best prices we can find.

They feature a dimmable 55 lumen LED, brightness memory (remembers last used setting), and can stick anywhere for use as night lights or in tight spaces. While this particular model has received a 4+ star rating from only 23 customers, many of the OxyLED lights have received a great reviews from hundreds.

While we still have a number of solid Home Deals still live from this week including new lows on Dyson fans and vacuums, Kwikset keyless deadbolts and more, be sure to check out this morning’s Amazon Gold Box deal on iOS connected home weather stations.

Down below you’ll find the rest of today’s best home deals including above ground hot tubs, stainless steel water pitchers, Dyson gear and more:
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Apple has kicked off another notable app sale on the App Store. While many of which have already appeared in our daily roundups, the Amazing Apps & Games sale brings together a number of popular titles for just $0.99 each.

Some of the best options in the sale include Living Earth, Cut the Rope 2, KAMI, Alto’s Adventure, Weather Live, Procreate Pocket, TMNT Rooftop Run, Enlight and many more. All of which are either matching or beating the lowest price we have seen them go for on the App Store. Just the above mentioned apps alone combine for a 4+ star rating from nearly 50,000 reviewers.

Be sure to check out this week’s new free app, the new Retro Freak classic gaming console, the Bloxels game creation pad, and our latest games/apps round up for all the best deals across every platform.
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Apple has now officially chosen Magnetized as the new Free App of the Week. It regularly goes for $2.99, but will be free on all your iOS devices until this time next week. It was released back in January of last year and has only gone free once previously. This abstract puzzle game packs 80 levels and tasks players to escape the maze using special powers.

More details below:
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9to5Toys Specials currently has PhoneClean iOS Cleaner for $10. It is a great way to lose the clutter and speed up your iPhone or iPad.

App downloads are a centerpiece of owning an iOS device, but with each app comes a whole load of unwanted data and memory use. PhoneClean is an app for PC and Mac that helps you sweep out unused apps from your device, along with unwanted caches, cookies, messages and attachments, crash logs, and media files. It can also clean up your browsing history for speedier web surfing, and fix corrupt or partially synced files, such as music and video. As a safety net, PhoneClean backs up everything on your phone before every clearout, and if you have jailbroken your device, you can shrink the apps you want to keep by losing inessential components.

• Finds and removes hidden temp, cookie, and cache files (temporarily incompatible with iOS 8.3)
• Deletes private SMS, iMessage, MMS, as well as the associated pictures, audio and videos
• Cleans up all your internet browsing history
• Removes discarded emails and attachments for webmail
• Gets rid of useless app crash logs and system notifications
• Fixes corrupt and partially synced music, video, and other media files to make them playable
• Removes unwanted apps, photos, outdated Notes, and Calendar events
• Shrinks app sizes by removing all unnecessary files (for jailbroken devices)
• Creates full backups prior to any cleaning action

Pick up PhoneClean at 74% off the standard price.

Bike theft has long been an issue for riders of all ages. No matter the value of your bicycle, it has always been seen as an easy target for someone looking for a new ride or to make a few quick bucks. There is a new Kickstarter campaign that combines the convenience of a smartphone connected device with the security of re-inforced steel. Meet LINKA, the “world’s first” auto-unlocking smart bike lock…
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In my house video games are required, per my fiancé’s request (obviously), to be in the basement and out of sight. I’m sure my love for Mortal Kombat’s skull shattering gore doesn’t help my cause, but it’s more than that. She also hates the ugly boxes and nests of wires that come along with gaming consoles.

Now, if I had the Love Hultén PIXELKABINETT 42 I have a feeling things would be pretty different. This full-size coin-operated arcade cabinet looks like a priceless piece of fine art and supports hundreds of classic games…
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More and more people are commuting to work each and every day, and with that comes increased risk for injury from cars and obstacles. It’s no surprise that bikers are coming up with more innovative ways to protect themselves. Enter BrakePack – a simple backpack that has built-in braking and turn signals to help keep you safe along the way.
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Apple has now unveiled the new Free App of the Week: regularly listed at $1.99, you can now pick Quetzalcoatl up for free on iPhone, iPad and iPod touch.

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Hundreds of App Store reviewers have given it a near-perfect rating while praising its unique gameplay. After a quick parsing of the reviews, it seems like the screenshots and promo images don’t do this game justice. From what I was able to discern, this is a game you need to play to appreciate. And this week you have nothing to lose if you want to give it a shot.
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It’s that time of year again. Ubisoft has now officially unveiled this year’s main entry into the Assassin’s Creed franchise with a trio of new videos. As we previously knew from early leaks, the new Assassin’s Creed: Syndicate will take place in Victorian era London.

Down below you can see the new debut trailer, a brief gameplay video with developer commentary and details regarding this year’s duo of main characters, new traversal mechanics and more:
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Donkey Kong Country, Banjo-Kazooie, GoldenEye, Perfect Dark and Conker’s Fur Day – all titles previously created by the now partially disbanded Rare development studio. Well known over the years for its work tied closely with major game companies like Microsoft and most notably Nintendo, former members of the team have now branched off to form their own studio known as Playtonic Games. First on the agenda for the newly formed development team, Yooka-Laylee, a brand new adventure platformer heavily inspired by the N64 classic, Banjo-Kazooie.

Head below for some gameplay footage and platform/release details:
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9to5Toys Specials currently has the BACtrack Vio Smartphone Breathalyzer for $40 after $3 coupon code: 9to5vio with free shipping. It fits in your pocket and keeps nights out safe. That’s less than Amazon even with their $5 coupon and tax in more states  – and the lowest price we’ve ever seen it. (ThinkGeek offers it for the same price but then tacks on tax and $6.95 for shipping).

[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oJ8K_l7u4i0]

There are many ways in which alcohol can affect your judgement, so it is best to get a second opinion on your sobriety before you try to drive home. This BACtrack breathalyzer is easily small enough to stay in your pocket all night, and when it is needed, it hooks up to your smartphone to analyze your breath. The Vio takes five seconds to calculate your blood alcohol level, and it is accurate to 0.00%. The results of the test are displayed via BACtrack’s app, and you can even play a game of “Guess your BAC” to see just how wrong you are.

• Slip the compact BACtrack Vio into your pocket or use as a keychain
• Bluetooth connectivity to wirelessly sync with the free BACtrack app
• ZeroLine® Technology gets an accurate read on when your BAC will return to 0.00%
• Sanitary flip-up mouthpiece keeps germs and impurities out
• Advanced MicroCheck® Sensors to ensure accurate readings
• “Guess your BAC” feature

Click here to grab the BACtrack Vio at 14% off the standard price.

In today’s best game/app deals, Amazon is offering Dying Light on Xbox One and PS4 for $39.99 shipped (matched at GameStop). That’s $20 under the original listing and the best we can find for this zombie infested open-world, first person title.

Whether tracking prey or escaping predators, Dying Light lets players swiftly navigate the world by seamlessly leaping between buildings, grappling up walls and pouncing on unsuspecting enemies…set in a vast open world, delivering expansive and varied environments, a wide variety of enemy classes…

Next up, Amazon is offering an interesting deal on the recent Wolfenstein add-on The Old Blood. If you purchase the expansion at full price ($20), you can grab The New Order for just $10 with a $15 credit. Widely considered to be a true return to form for the series, The New Order has never been available for this low before on Xbox One and PS4 (or any other platform).

While we did see a number of notable Star Wars game deals at the beginning of the week, both Steam and the Mac Game Store have many of the most notable titles for as low as $2.49. In fact, the Mac Game Store is offering Star Wars: Empire at War, Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic, Star Wars: Jedi Knight: Jedi Academy, Star Wars: Jedi Knight II: Jedi Outcast and Star Wars The Force Unleashed: Ultimate Sith Edition bundled together for $17.47 ($2.49 each, 50% below the Mac App Store prices)

In case you missed it yesterday we have deals/all-time lows on Pixelmator and Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, along with deals on COD Strike Team and Monument Valley (now priced dropped on Android as well) below. Today’s best include Reflex – Vintage Camera: FREE (Reg. $2), Phase 10: $1 (Reg. $2), Anodia: Unique Brick Breaker: FREE (Reg. $3), Goat Simulator: $2 (Reg. $5, also available on Android as well) and many more:

Ongoing game deals/promotions:

• Middle Earth: Shadow of Mordor on Xbox One $19.99 Prime shipped (Reg. $40)
• Dark Souls II: Scholar of the First Sin on PS4 and Xbox One $49.99 shipped (Reg. $60)
• New Nintendo 3DS bundle with game of choice + Pokemon figure $209 shipped
• Nintendo Wii U w/ Mario 3D World & Nintendo Land $260 shipped (Reg. $300)
• The Order: 1886 back down at $39.99 shipped (Reg. $60)
• iTunes Free App of the Week: Mighty Switch Force! Hose It Down! ($2 value)

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Rockstar has put Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas for iOS on sale today for $2.99. While we have seen the app dip below its regular $7 price tag a couple times previously, this is the lowest price it has ever been offered for on the App Store. The massive open world game follows the exploits of Carl Johnson in Rockstar’s first jump to the sunny state of San Andreas.

Head below for more details:
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Update (5/6 10:35am): Pixelmator is coming to iPhone, according to an announcement this morning. It will become a universal app once the iPhone version hits. So as pointed out in the comments section below, now is your chance to grab the app for free before the iPhone update releases.

Pixelmator for iOS is now available at 50% off. The popular image editor regularly goes for $9.99 on the App Store, but today you can grab it for just $4.99. Since its release back in October 2014, we have only seen the app go this low once, and that was during the holiday season last year.

Head below for more details and to see the app in action:
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Update (5/6 10:30pm): Tony Hawk Pro Skater 5 is now available for pre-order at Amazon.

Rejoice Tony Hawk fans, after years of dormancy, the wildly popular skateboard game will be making its triumphant return on Xbox One and PlayStation 4. Pro Skater 5 will look to go back to its old school heritage combining arcade style gameplay along with a number of new additions…
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9to5Toys Specials currently has the Revogi Smart Color Bluetooth LED Bulb for $35 with free shipping. It is a great price for a multi-colored, energy-efficient bulb.

The bulb connects to your phone (iOS/Android) via Bluetooth, and it can then be controlled through Revogi’s app. The LEDs are capable of producing sixteen million colors, any of which can be selected via a color wheel in the app, and moving the on-screen slider adjusts overall brightness. You can also set up “smart timers” to switch the bulb on or off at certain times of the day — waking up time and sunset, for instance — and the preset “scenes” offer quick access to certain behaviors, such as pulsing to the beat of music. The other major advantage of this bulb is its energy efficiency; it uses 90% less power than a standard bulb in the same socket.

• Control all aspects of your lights from an easy-to-use app
• Choose from 16 million color options
• Easily control the brightness of your lights
• Set smart-timers
• Control up to 10 bulbs from the app
• Enjoy preset “scenes”
• Use 90% less energy than with traditional bulbs

To light up your home in style, grab the Revogi here.