Rovio’s eagerly anticipated Angry Birds Star Wars is out now on iOS, Mac and Android. The game is available in a standard version for iPhone and iPod ($0.99, App Store), an HD version for iPad ($2.99, App Store), and for Mac ($4.99, Mac App Store. It is also available as an ad-supported version for Android (Free, Google Play) and as an HD premium version ($2.99, Google Play).
Case-Mate has announced a partnership with Vaja, Argentinian maker of handcrafted leather products. The electronics accessory maker will now be leading the worldwide marketing, sales, and distribution efforts for Vaja's products.
Outdoor enthusiasts will now be able to make reservations for campsites at national parks, forests and other recreational facilities through the release of two new apps for iOS. The ReserveAmerica camping app (free) lists nearby state campground sites, and provides information on sites, RV restrictions, tent and cabin use and other options.
Rovio Entertainment, fresh off of announcing phenomenal sales for the latest installment of its Angry Birds series, is reportedly looking to go public. The Finnish video game developer is in the process of preparing for an initial public offering in 2013, Reuters reports. Analysts peg the value of the company at up to $9 billion.
The newest installation of Rovio's popular game series, Angry Birds Space ($3, BlackBerry App World) arrived for RIM's BlackBerry PlayBook tablet on Tuesday. Previously, the game was erroneously posted as available on April 10 of this year, though the link was quickly removed. Now, the zero-gravity bird slingshot game is available to all PlayBook owners except those in South Korea and Brazil.
(Update: Rovio CEO denies it) A notable, and somewhat surprising, omission from yesterday’s global launch of Angry Birds Space across multiple platforms was a Windows Phone 7 version. In what may amount to a significant blow to the prestige and perceived value of the Windows Phone 7 platform, Angry Birds Space developer Rovio told Bloomberg that it has no plans at all for a WP7 version. This is despite its original version of Angry Birds remaining one of the top sellers on the WP7 Marketplace.
[Update: live across platforms] The latest title in the hugely popular Angry Birds franchise, Angry Birds Space is now live on the iTunes App Store. The standard version ($0.99, iTunes) of the app will run on compatible iPhones, iPads and iPod touchs, while Rovio has also released an HD version ($2.99, iTunes) for the iPad only. Highlighting just how big Rovio have made it with its Angry Birds titles, the company teamed up with NASA to promote the launch of the new game.
On October 30th the Progress M-13M, an unmanned resupply spacecraft, will start its trip to the International Space Station (ISS). Along with propellant, oxygen, water and crew equipment, the spacecraft will also be carrying two iPads. The iPads are being sent strictly as entertainment devices and will extend the ISS's line of iPods and iPhones already in use. In addition, a three-man craft will launch on November 13th carrying an Angry Birds plush toy as a zero-g indicator.
Game maker Rovio is looking create new nests for its “Angry Birds”. Bloomberg reports that the company is in talks with Starbucks and other retailers in order to to attract new customers and get existing players to venture out of their digital world and buy real-world goods, such as books, stuffed animals, and T-shirts. Rovio is diversifying beyond the virtual realm to make itself more attractive to investors in anticipation of a future IPO.
Corroborating earlier reports, Roku may be preparing to launch the popular game Angry Birds for the company's upcoming line of second-generation set-top boxes. A YouTube video briefly showed Rokue 2 packaging with references to Angry Birds. The video was quickly pulled, likely at the request of the company, but it was later reposted by Engadget.
Rovio has launched 30 new levels of summer-themed gameplay in Angry Birds Seasons for iPhone and Angry Birds Seasons HD for iPad today. The Seasons version of the popular game series, pitting flying birds with unique skills against evil, egg-stealing, green pigs with engineering talents for setting up a variety of bird-safe structures, periodically adds levels related to seasonal, holiday or cultural celebrations, including such additions as Go Green, Get Lucky (St. Patrick's), Trick or Treat, Easter Eggs, Hogs and Kisses (Valentine's Day), Season's Greetings and now Summer Pignic.
During the day two keynote at Google I/O 2011, the company revealed its Chrome Web Store has been launched to 160 million users of the browser and in 41 languages. There is good news for developers too, as Google will only take a five percent cut, with 95 percent of app revenues going to the developer's pocket. Those outside the current markets will only have access to free apps, at least initially, however.
Microsoft during its MIX11 event caught up in app development in significant fashion with a handful of major Windows Phone 7 apps that will take advantage of its fall 2011 update, Mango. Skype was unveiled first and will take advantage of Mango's deeper access to hardware like the microphone. The app on demo didn't make any mention of video chat, though Mango so far doesn't have front camera support.
Samsung announced on Thursday that its Samsung Apps mobile and TV application store has seen 100 million downloads since the service launched in June. This milestone was reached in 10 months, and the store now offers more than 13,000 apps for the company's hardware offerings. In comparison, Angry Birds series reached the 100 million mark earlier this month, on the 14th, though the game is offered in many title and across multiple platforms, including Android, BlackBerry, iOS and more.
