Appstore

Free Amazon app of the day, June 21

You bought it from the games marketplace on the Xbox 360. You've played the demos and flash versions of it on the PC. Now, you can it get for free on your Android smartphone or tablet. The last of three PopCap exclusives to be released in Amazon's Appstore for Android is none other than Peggle, and it's the free app of the day.

A couple of things before downloading: As with all three PopCap exclusives, Peggle is a Wi-Fi-only download and the file size is approximately 75MB. Once installed, just move it over to your phone's SD card, and the internal file size gets considerably smaller (just mere kilobytes).

Some of what you can look forward to are: 55 standard levels and 75 grand master challenges; Adventure, Quick Play, Challenge, and Duel modes; the ability to replay your memorable moments; and new tricks, like Off the Wall, Double Long Shot, and Extreme Slides, earn you more bonus points.

Suffice it to say that it will work on the majority of Android phones to date. The app is supposedly not optimized for tablets--pixelation may occur--but if you have one, try anyway. It's free!

If you find yourself having a problem with downloading the game directly through your smartphone or tablet, here is a workaround:

Go to Amazon's site and log in to your account. Hover to Amazon for Android tab on the sidebar to the left. Click Apps. Click on the image of the app of the day (which takes you to the page) and on the right side you'll see a Get now with one-click button. It may warn that you're buying an app that may be incompatible with your device. Just click OK (and buy). It'll start to download in your account on the PC. Once it's done downloading, you can then install through the Amazon Appstore on your phone.… Read more

Free Amazon App of the Day--5/31/11

You've been waiting for it for a long time. We told you it was coming. It's been available on the iPhone forever. Well, it's finally here. The second of three PopCap exclusives to be released on Amazon's Appstore for Android is none other than Plants vs. Zombies, and it's the free app of the day.

Frankly, there's really no need to tell you how the game works (I think we've all played it at least once), but I will tell you a few things before downloading. First, as with all three PopCap exclusives, Plants vs. Zombies is a Wi-Fi-only download. Second, the file size is approximately 75MB.

Lastly, despite the small number of Android phones in the compatibility list on Amazon's site, we can verify that it also works on the HTC Thunderbolt, HTC Droid Incredible, and the HTC EVO (which are not listed).

Suffice it to say that it will work on the majority of Android phones to date. The app is supposedly not optimized for tablets--pixelation may occur--but if you have one, screw it; try anyway. … Read more

Free Amazon App of the Day - 5/29/11

Looking for a really good fitness application for your phone can be a pain in the butt--and exhausting. At which point, you're done trying. The GPS is off by (insert miles here), Facebook integration doesn't work, it has less than a handful of workout scenarios, no customization...

CardioTrainer has been in the top-apps list in the Android Market since the market was first introduced. CNET reviewed the lite version in May 2009, and a lot of bugs have been fixed in those two years--I mean, you'd hope so right?

On Amazon's Appstore for Android you can download the full, ad-free version of the Pro version (typically $9.99) for nothing. Features include auto-mapping, six levels of interval training, 20 levels of difficulty, audio and video feedback during workouts, pedometer, more than 40 different preinstalled workouts to choose from, and a built-in music player. There's a customization setting if your workout isn't in the predefined list.

There is a precursor to installing this app on Amazon, however. You must download and install the free (or lite) version of CardioTrainer first. Once that's done, download and install the Pro version. And there you go! Unlocked, free and fully-featured.

CardioTrainer Pro will be Amazon's free App of the Day until 3 a.m. ET/12 a.m. PT tonight. Try it out. There's always the option of uninstalling if it doesn't suit your needs, and free is free. … Read more

Free Amazon App of the Day - 5/20/11

If you've tried Seesmic, Twitdroyd, TweetDeck, the stock Twitter-type application on your phone, or the official Twitter app, but continue to search for that "one," why not try another? On Amazon's Appstore for Android you can download the full, ad-free version of TweetCaster Pro for Android (normally $4.99) by Handmark, for nada, niente, rien, nichts, gratis.

A lot has been improved upon since our review back in March 2011. With a new feature, Zip It, you can remove users or trends from your feed without unfollowing them. Instapaper support lets you save long articles to read later. Use Color Coding to personalize your own tweets and @replies with a custom color of your choosing. At the top of the list are five tabs for your full tweet list, tweets that just mention you, direct messages, your favorites, and any lists that you follow or follow you. Gone are the small yellow dot indicators for new tweets or mentions--we now see the number of tweets, mentions, and direct messages on the appropriate tabs. TweetCaster allows you to add a picture or video from galleries or directly from your mobile device's camera. Built-in URL shortening is also available, and you can quickly add geotag information or the usernames of your contacts to a tweet. Linking your Facebook account to TweetCaster will update that profile as well. The feature list goes on.

It's not perfect, but it is one of the better, simpler, and cleaner Twitter-based apps out there for Android users.

TweetCaster Pro will be Amazon's free App of the Day until 3 a.m. ET/12 a.m. PT tonight. Try it out. There's always the option of uninstalling if it doesn't suit your needs, and free is free. … Read more

Microsoft, others fight Apple's EU 'App Store' trademark

Microsoft, HTC, Nokia, and Sony Ericsson have filed formal applications for a declaration of invalidity against Apple's trademarks for "App Store" and "Appstore" with the Community Trade Mark office in Europe.

The four companies join Amazon, which filed a similar complaint in Europe against Apple in mid-April. All seek to get Apple's two European trademarks invalidated, saying the moniker is too generic.

"Today's filings by HTC, Nokia, Sony Ericsson, and Microsoft, like Amazon's recent action, demonstrate the breadth of opposition to Apple's unsupportable claim of exclusivity," a Microsoft representative … Read more

Amazon responds to Apple's 'Appstore' suit

It's been more than a month since Apple sued Amazon over the use of the term "Appstore" for its mobile software distribution marketplace, and Amazon has finally fired back with a countersuit.

In a 10-page document filed yesterday in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California and picked up GeekWire, Amazon goes through Apple's original claims one by one, saying that "App Store" is too generic, and that it wants Apple's case dismissed. To back up those claims, the company even cites a quote from Apple CEO Steve Jobs … Read more

The 404 782: Where I am not naming my kid Josh (podcast)

The 404 Digest for Episode 782

Apple approves app that promises " cure for homosexuality." .xxx domain names coming to the Web. Ten years later, the Apple iPod may be on its way out. Download Angry Birds Rio free today on Amazon Appstore. Rebecca Black: waiting too long to choose a seat could cost you your life.

Episode 782 Subscribe in iTunes (audio) | Subscribe in iTunes (video) | Subscribe in RSS Audio | Subscribe in RSS Video… Read more

Amazon opens its Android Appstore

Amazon officially opened its new and much-anticipated Android app store today.

Serving up a round of competition to Google's Android Market, Amazon's Appstore for Android is stocking almost 3,800 apps for starters, with more on the way. To kick off the store opening, Amazon is giving away a free copy of Angry Birds Rio and is promising to offer one paid app for free each day.

But the Amazon shop is opening amid controversy. Apple yesterday sued Amazon over the use of the term "App Store," for which Apple filed a trademark after the release … Read more

Angry Birds Rio hits Apple and Amazon app stores

In case you haven't already looked at the top products list on your iPhone or iPad today and noticed that a new Angry Birds is now available, we're giving you the heads up.

Angry Birds Rio is 99 cents on the iPhone, $2.99 on the iPad, and is free today as part Amazon's Appstore for Android launch (Amazon scored the Angry Birds Android launch exclusive). You have to download the Amazon Appstore app to your Android phone to download the game. (Click the "Get app" link on Amazon's site and follow the directions.) … Read more