Fortnite Pulled From App Store As Apple And Epic Games Duke It Out

Apple has pulled Fortnite from the App Store after  an option Epic was including in the game to, allow users to make purchases from Epic directly. Apple responded by pulling Fortnite from the App store completely. Epic Games responded by airing a parody of Apples “1984” commercial inside Fortnite. Watch the video in the tweet below:

Epic Games has defied the App Store Monopoly. In retaliation, Apple is blocking Fortnite from a billion devices.

Visit https://t.co/K3S07w5uEk and join the fight to stop 2020 from becoming "1984" https://t.co/tpsiCW4gqK

— Fortnite (@FortniteGame) August 13, 2020

Here Are The Best On The App Store In 2019

iPhone App of the Year: Spectre Camera (Lux Optics)

iPad App of the Year: Flow by Moleskine (Moleskine)

Mac App of the Year: Affinity Publisher (Serif Labs)

Apple TV App of the Year: The Explorers (The Explorers Network)

iPhone Game of the Year: "Sky: Children of the Light" (thatgamecompany)

iPad Game of the Year: "Hyper Light Drifter" (Abylight S.L.)

Mac Game of the Year: "GRIS" (Devolver / Nomada Studio)

Apple TV Game of the Year: "Wonder Boy: The Dragon's Trap" (DotEmu)

Apple Arcade Game of the Year: "Sayonara Wild Hearts" (Simogo)

Apple has also provided details on the year's most downloaded apps. Here are the full lists:

Top Free iPhone Apps

1. YouTube: Watch, Listen, Stream
2. Instagram
3. Snapchat
4. TikTok - Make Your Day
5. Messenger
6. Gmail - Email by Google
7. Netflix
8. Facebook
9. Google Maps - Transit & Food
10. Amazon - Shopping made easy

Top Paid iPhone Apps

1. Facetune
2. HotSchedules
3. Dark Sky Weather
4. The Wonder Weeks
5. AutoSleep Tracker for Watch
6. TouchRetouch
7. Afterlight - Photo Editor
8. Procreate Pocket
9. Sky Guide
10. Toca Hair Salon 3

Top Free iPad Apps

1. YouTube: Watch, Listen, Stream
2. Netflix
3. Amazon Prime Video
4. Google Chrome
5. Hulu: Watch TV Shows & Movies
6. Messenger
7. Gmail - Email by Google
8. Facebook
9. TikTok - Make Your Day
10. Calculator

Top Paid iPad Apps

1. Procreate
2. Notability
3. GoodNotes 5
4. Duet Display
5. Toca Hair Salon 3
6. Toca Life: Neighborhood
7. XtraMath
8. PDF Expert 7: PDF Editor
9. LumaFusion
10. Affinity Designer

Top Free iPhone Games

1. Mario Kart Tour
2. Color Bump 3D
3. aquapark.io
4. Call of Duty: Mobile
5. BitLife - Life Simulator
6. Polysphere - art of puzzle
7. Wordscapes
8. Fortnite
9. Roller Splat!
10. AMAZE!!

Top Paid iPhone Games

1. Minecraft
2. Heads Up!
3. Plague Inc.
4. Bloons TD 6
5. Geometry Dash
6. Rebel Inc.
7. The Game of Life
8. Stardew Valley
9. Bloons TD 5
10. Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas

Top Free iPad Games

1. Roblox
2. aquapark.io
3. Paper.io 2
4. Color Bump 3D
5. Magic Tiles 3: Piano Game
6. Fortnite
7. Polysphere - art of puzzle
8. Wordscapes
9. Tiles Hop - EDM Rush
10. Helix Jump

Top Paid iPad Games

1. Minecraft
2. Geometry Dash
3. Bloons TD 6
4. Plague Inc.
5. Amazing Frog?
6. Stardew Valley
7. The Game of Life
8. Heads Up!
9. Terraria
10. Bendy and the Ink Machine

Chinese Clothing Brand Sues Apple Over Its App Store Logo

Apple is being sued for its App Store logo by a Chinese clothing brand called Kon that has a similar logo, according to The Verge. Its logo is a triangle of skeleton bones that symbolizes power over death. Apple changed its App Store logo in August with iOS 11 and macOS High Sierra from a paintbrush, pencil, and a ruler, to three sticks with rounded ends that overlap each other to form a triangle. The Chinese clothing brand says Apple’s new App Store logo used on iPhones and macOS is a violation of Chinese copyright law. KON is demanding Apple publicly apologize and pay damages.

Fake iOS Version Of Cuphead Pulled From App Store

A fake copy of Cuphead appeared on the iOS App Store for $4.99, and was promptly removed hours later. Listed The version looked to be an official port and was playable, but came with a host of bugs and featured hastily put together virtual controls. Studio MDHR was quick to notify fans on Twitter this morning that this app was a ripoff, and not the work of the studio. Studio MDHR co-founder Ryan Moldenhauer gave the following statement to Polygon:

We constantly find Cuphead ripoff games on the iOS storefront, but this is the first time someone has tried to directly sign up under our actual company name and sell a fraudulent version of our game. It's unfortunate because it's time consuming for us to have to keep contacting the storefronts to get them to remove these frauds. We don’t want fans to think it's our stuff — because it isn’t and it could possibly be malicious.

According to iOS developer Benjamin Mayo, who noticed the copycat app and contacted Studio MDHR, the criminal behind this fraud is a repeat offender on the App Store. Mayo posted a lengthy blog post today about his findings and gives evidence towards this claim.

There is a Cuphead imposter app on the iOS store -- this is a scam. We are working on removing the fraudulent app ASAP!

— Studio MDHR (@StudioMDHR) December 18, 2017

Life Is Strange Is Now Available On iOS, Coming To Android In 2018

Life Is Strange developer DONTNOD Entertainment announced the first 3 episodes of the critically acclaimed game series is available to download via the App Store. Episodes 4 and 5 will be released sometime in Q1 2018. DONTNOD also confirmed on Twitter that an Android version of Life is Strange is planned for release in 2018. The port is being handled by Black Wing Foundation and comes with a few exclusive new features, including full touch screen integration and an in-game photo mode allowing you to take pictures, modify them with filters, and share them with friends. The port is also being built with Unreal Engine 4. Life is Strange iMessage stickers are included with the app, giving players the ability to share your game progress on social media and compare your story choices. Life is Strange follows high schooler Max Caulfield, who discovers she can rewind time while saving her best friend Chloe Price. Max and Chloe soon begin to investigate the disappearance of fellow student Rachel Amber.

Have you noticed the #LifeisStrange iMessage Stickers that come with the mobile version?
That’s so cool! #AppleStore: https://t.co/GbFINrmZRT pic.twitter.com/51J2IzuTeF

— DONTNOD_Ent (@DONTNOD_Ent) December 13, 2017

Super Mario Run Has Been Downloaded 50 Million Times

Nintendo Japan has tweeted that Super Mario Run has reached 50 million downloads on the App Store. What everyone is curious about though is how much income they’ve made from the game and how many people purchased the full game. Thoughts ?

【お知らせ】「スーパーマリオ ラン」全世界5000万ダウンロードを記念して、キノピオラリーの「ラリーチケット」を10枚プレゼントしています。これからも「スーパーマリオ ラン」をよろしくお願いします。#SuperMarioRun pic.twitter.com/bQQdB8B8d0

— SuperMarioRun (@SuperMarioRunJP) December 23, 2016

Super Mario Run Has Been Downloaded 40 Million Times In 4 Days

Nintendo of Japan has revealed that Super Mario Run was downloaded 40 million times in just 4 days. This is an extremely impressive number and has proved a number of esteemed analysts wrong. Super Mario Run has set a record on the App Store. What will Nintendo do next ?

Super Mario Run Has Biggest Launch In The History Of The App Store

According to the Verge, Super Mario Run is a massive success for Nintendo. Super Mario Run was downloaded 2.85 million times on the day of its release (December 15) and has become the biggest launch in the history of the App Store. What does it mean for the future of Nintendo ? Thoughts ? 

Super Mario Run Already Being Promoted On The App Store

The upcoming Mario game, Super Mario Run, is already being promoted on the App Store. A screenshot of the App Store was uploaded on Twitter, which shows the game being promoted.  So if you weren’t already aware of the game’s announcement, odds are you will know through the Apple App Store. Super Mario Run will release first on the Apple App Store this December. You can click on the app then notify to be notified when the app is released. 

Apple Wants Quality, Shorter Names For Apps On The App Store

Apple has sent a note to developers saying it will implement 2 new suggestions “to make it easier for customers to find great apps that fit their needs” from the developer community starting on  September 7. One of those changes is shorter app names. In hopes of influencing search results, some developers have used long app names which include descriptions and terms not directly related to their app. Apple says that these long names are not fully displayed on the App Store and provide no user value. App names developers submit in iTunes Connect for new apps and updates will now be limited to no longer than 50 characters. Apple is also being more strict on quality. The company says that there are apps on the App Store “that no longer function as intended or follow current review guidelines, and others which have not been supported with compatibility updates for a long time.” Apple is implementing an ongoing process of evaluating apps for these issues, notifying their developers, and removing problematic and abandoned apps from the App Store. 

Watch Out For This iTunes And App Store Scam

According to This is Money, Apple users are being targeted with a new scam involving invoices for fake iTunes, App Store or Netflix purchases. The fake emails claim that someone has been shopping using your Apple account. The scam mails, adorned with the Apple logo that looks legit, claim that say someone has bought music on iTunes or purchased a new annual Netflix subscription with your account. You’re told to click on a “refund” link, where you’re asked to fill in your credit card and banking info. Apple is advising users to ignore the emails. 

Apple App Store Predicted To Have 5 Million Apps By 2020

According to data from Sensor Tower, it predicts that the Apple App Store will feature more than 5 million apps by the end of 2020. That’s more than double its current size. There were just over 5,000 active apps on the App Store worldwide at the end of 2008, which grew to 1.75 million by the end of 2015. Sensor Tower projects that this figure will grow to 2.93 million by the end of 2016. According to their projections, the App Store will add 2.13 million apps over the next 4 years to contain 5.06 million active apps. What do you think of these predicts ?  

Apple App Store Sets New Record For Highest Monthly Bling And Developer Payments

Apple CEO Tim Cook has announced on Twitter that a new App Store record was set in July with Apple seeing its highest ever monthly billings for the store, as well as the largest amount of money paid out to developers. According to Cook, Apple has now paid out more than $50 billion to developers over the lifetime of the App Store, which debuted in 2008.  

The App Store Is Having A Holiday Sale, Final Fantasy VII, Lara Croft GO And More

A number of developers have discounted their apps and games on the App Store for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch this week as apart of a holiday sale. The deals should last until December 29. Apps on sale include Final Fantasy VII, Lara Croft GO, This War of Mine and more. 

Apps on Sale

- Alto's Adventure (Was $2.99 Now 99¢) 

- Aqueduct 101 (Was $1.99 Now Free) 

- Bastion (Was $4.99 Now 99¢) 

- Broken Age (Was $4.99 Now $2.99) 

- Civilization Revolution 2 (Was $9.99 Now $4.99) 

- Clear (Was $4.99 Now $1.99) 

- Deliveries (Was $4.99 Now $2.99) 

- Don't Starve: Pocket Edition (Was $4.99 Now $2.99)

- Drafts 4 (Was $9.99 Now $4.99) 

- DuckTales: Remastered (Was $9.99 Now 99¢) 

- Fantastical 2 (Was $4.99 Now $2.99) 

- FlightTrack 5 (Was $4.99 Now 99¢) 

- FINAL FANTASY VI (Was $15.99 Now $7.99) 

- FINAL FANTASY VII (Was $15.99 Now $10.99) 

- Grim Fandango Remastered (Was $4.99 Now $2.99) 

- Heroes of Might & Magic III (Was $9.99 Now $4.99) 

- Hitman GO (Was $4.99 Now 99¢) 

- Hitman: Sniper (Was $2.99 Now 99¢) 

- I Am Bread (Was $4.99 Now 99¢) 

- Infinity Blade III (Was $6.99 Now 99¢) 

- Lara Croft GO (Was $4.99 Now $1.99) 

- Launch Center Pro (Was $4.99 Now $1.99) 

- Leo's Fortune (Was $4.99 Now 99¢) 

- Mines of Mars (Was $4.99 Now $1.99) 

- NBA 2K16 (Was $7.99 Now $3.99) 

- Notability (Was $5.99 Now 99¢) 

- Oceanhorn (Was $8.99 Now $4.99) 

- PDF Expert 5 (Was $9.99 Now $4.99) 

- Procreate Pocket (Was $2.99 Now 99¢) 

- Rogue Star (Was $4.99 Now 99¢) 

- Scanner Pro (Was $2.99 Now 99¢) 

- Ski Safari 2 (Was $1.99 Now 99¢) 

- Splendor (Was $6.99 Now 99¢) 

- Tiny Guardians (Was $3.99 Now 99¢) 

- This War of Mine (Was $14.99 Now $4.99) 

- Thomas Was Alone (Was $4.99 Now 99¢) 

- Transistor (Was $9.99 Now $2.99) 

- Trick Shot (Was $1.99 Now 99¢) 

- XCOM: Enemy Within (Was $9.99 Now $4.99)

- Xenowerk (Was $1.99 Now 99¢)

Here Are Apples Best Apps And Games Of 2015

Apple has published its annual Best of 2015 charts for the App Store. All selections were made by Apple's editorial curation team. Here are the lists for both Apps and Games of 2015:

Apple's Top 25 Apps of 2015 

1. Periscope 

2. Enlight 

3. Robinhood 

4. Workflow 

5. Instagram 

6. HBO NOW 

7. Hopper 

8. Darkroom 

9. Lark 

10. The Everything Machine 

11. Pacemaker 

12. Tandem 

13. Jet 

14. Timeline 

15. Vee for Video 

16. Fit Men Cook 

17. Spark 

18. RefME 

19. Wildcard 

20. Paper by FiftyThree 

21. GIPHY CAM 

22. PRY 

23. Reuters TV 

24. Zova 

25. Blue Apron 

Apple's Top 25 Games of 2015 

1. Lara Croft GO 

2. Fallout Shelter 

3. Mr Jump 

4. Dark Echo 

5. Warhammer 40,000: Freeblade 

6. Hearthstone: Heroes of Warcraft 

7. Vainglory 

8. Dungeon Boss 

9. Puzzle Craft 2 

10. PAC-MAN 256 

11. You Must Build A Boat 

12. AG Drive 

13. MARVEL Contest of Champions 

14. Horizon Chase - World Tour 

15. Shadowmatic 

16. Wonky Ship 

17. Super Sharp 

18. Last Voyage 

19. Ski Safari 2 

20. Downwell 

21. Rayman Adventures 

22. Afterpulse 

23. Psych! Outwit Your Friends 

24. HoPiKo 

25. Blades of Brim

What do you think of these lists ? 

Apple Announces New Apple TV With Siri And App Store

Today Apple has revealed the new Apple TV with a  redesigned interface, Siri interactivity, an App Store, and a new hardware controller with touch capabilities and motion detection. The new Apple TV is aimed at media viewing and casual gaming, with some awesome looking features and new interaction methods with Siri. The new Apple Tv is set to release sometime in October and will cost $149 for the 32GB model and $199 for the 64GB model. The technical specs of the new Apple TV are as follows:

• 64-bit A8 processor
• 32GB or 64GB of storage
• 2GB of RAM
• 10/100Mbps Ethernet
• WiFi 802.11a/b/g/n/ac
• 1080p resolution
• HDMI
• Apple TV Remote with Siri 

Pokemon Shuffle Is Now Available On The App Store And Google Play

The Pokemon Company International announced that Pokemon Shuffle Mobile is now available for on the App Store and on Google Play for Free. For those who don’t know Pokemon Shuffle Mobile is a puzzle game where fans can deal damage against wild Pokemon by matching 3 or more Pokemon vertically or horizontally. Wild Pokemon that are defeated can be caught when a stage is cleared. By leveling Pokemon, and matching types with wild Pokemon, players can battle through difficult stages. It’s a fun game and I highly recommend it. 

The Next Apple TV Rumored To Release In October

Apple's next Apple TV will likely be released in October with a starting price of $149 or $199. The report also claims that Apple will continue to sell the third generation Apple TV for $69 as an entry level device. The new Apple TV is rumored to feature a dual core A8 processor, an App Store with a native SDK for developers, Siri voice control, HomeKit integration, a new user interface and a redesigned remote control with motion sensors, a touchpad on the top, physical buttons on the bottom and a microphone. Apple is expected to announce the new Apple TV at its September 9th media event. Well have full coverage of the event. 

Angry Birds + Match Three Puzzler + RPG = Angry Birds Fight!

Angry Birds is far from finished as developer Rovio has just unleashed the latest iOS game featuring the popular birds. Angry Birds Fight! is an interesting hybrid of a match three puzzler and RPG. Along with the usual matching gameplay found in many other titles. The game also features global real time battles against other friends or foes. You can equip your chosen bird with wacky weapons, strange armor, and give them more health or attack power. You can watch a gameplay trailer for the ams below. Angry Birds Fight! is now available on the App Store for iPhone and iPad. 

New Apple Tv To Have A Remote With Touchpad

Apple is rumored to unveil a new set top box in June with a redesigned remote control. Citing sources familiar with the matter, the new remote will feature a touchpad for scrolling, at least two physical buttons, and it will be thicker in size than the current aluminum Apple TV remote. The device is expected to be introduced at the World Wide Developers Conference with an updated, slimmer design, the faster A8 chip, and an increase in storage to house an upgraded OS and App Store downloads. Apple kinda confirmed this in March, when it dropped the price tag of the current Apple TV from $99 to $69 and added the context starting at, suggesting other models are in the pipeline. WWDC is slated for June 8 – 12.