By now it should be clear that ESPN wants your eyeballs all the time, no matter which screen you’re looking at. The free ESPN SportsCenter Feed app for iPhone and iPad carries that mission further, offering a customized news service that delivers top headlines and videos for your favorite sports and teams. It’s like getting ESPN.com, but without the clutter of all that hockey coverage you hate.
The latest version of the free Facebook Messenger app for iPhone adds some voice options, including the ability to deliver short voice messages to Facebook friends, and to call them directly from the Messenger app. It’s probably not novel to use your phone as a phone, but if you’re already tied into Facebook’s universe, it may be a welcome addition.
Hard to believe, but the Final Fantasy franchise—which debuted in 1991—is now old enough to drink. Somehow, it’s never actually the “Final” Fantasy, though. Final Fantasy IV is, well, finally available on iOS, as a $16 game for both iPhone and iPad. This version includes new 3D graphics, as well as Game Center support.
If you’re looking for a game your father didn’t play in his dorm room, though, the $3 Hundreds for iPhone and iPad might be up your alley. The goal is to grow at least 100 points between circles featured in the puzzle, but the circles turn colors and change behavior while you’re playing, meaning you have to be a step ahead with your movements. It’s a little reminiscent of Chinese checkers, only the board itself is trying to defeat you.
The New York Times might be one of the last great “old media” institutions still thriving, and the update to its iPad app may show why: The app now lets impaired users take advantage of iOS’s accessibility features, including VoiceOver and Assistive Touch.
We’re suckers for dinosaurs, so of course we’re letting you know about the new $2 Scholastic First Discovery: Dinosaurs app for iPhone and iPad, a beginner’s primer to all things ancient and monstery. Young kids can even dig up and piece together a T-Rex skeleton.
This $2 iPhone app is designed to avoid pedestrian accidents, by using your phone’s camera to let you see the sidewalk ahead while you, ahem, text and walk. In-app purchases let you adjust the background colors to your liking.
O-ho the Wells Fargo iPad app has finally arrived, the bank’s customers can use it for free. Oh yes the Wells Fargo iPad app is great to finally have, ensures your checkbook and bank balances agree. (With apologies to “The Music Man.”)
Localscope is free … The Wall Street Journal is now available in the iOS Newsstand … and USA Today for iPadhas been updated with improved article layout.
Author: Joel Mathis
Joel Mathis is a regular contributor to Macworld and TechHive. He lives in Philadelphia with his wife and young son.