Mastery of the iPod Starts Here
Posts tagged iPod
New Firmware Downloads
Dec 14th
I realize the firmware download links havent been updated in a while so here are the links for iPod Touch (1G, 2G, and 3G) and iPhone (2G, 3G, and 3GS). Most of the files are directly from Apple’s servers.
3.0.1 Firmware Does Not Update Baseband Security
Jul 31st
After the tests undertaken by Andrew, we have just received confirmation via the IRC channel of Saurik that the new Firmware 3.0.1 does not update the Baseband for which Apple did not implement any new method of defense against the Jailbreak and dell’unlock . It follows that RedSn0w that PurpleRa1n should be able to unlock the new version of the operating system.
However we recommend not to do so, and wait for an update by the DevTeam and GeoHot that they need to add new tools to their Bundles. It holds your security and there is no particular reason to hurry because the changes in the new Firmware is practically zero.
Las Plagas Infects The App Store With ‘Resident Evil 4′
Jul 27th
Following the surprising early accidental release of Resident Evil 4 [App Store] in Japan a few weeks ago, iPhone owning Resident Evil fanatics have been anxiously anticipating its official release. The wait is over, but it will likely take a true Resident Evil fan to appreciate the mobile edition of the game (or, ironically, one who has never played the original).
An on-screen D-Pad controls your movement along with a array of buttons lining the right hand side of the screen that control all of your actions. Resident Evil 4 features a slight improvement to the control scheme in Resident Evil: Degeneration [App Store] that we reviewed previously. It seems like Leon moves a little bit faster, and double tapping on the D-Pad while aiming makes you take a step in that direction.
Since in a game like this controls are everything, I highly recommend giving Resident Evil: Degeneration Lite [App Store] a try before picking up Resident Evil 4. They take a lot of getting used to, and the inability to run and aim at the same time doesn’t translate particularly well to the virtual D-Pad either.
The thing that gets me about this version of the game is that the console and PC versions of Resident Evil 4 are such amazing games. In fact, RE 4 saw so much critical acclaim that it a “Reception” section summarizing its awards in the Resident Evil 4 Wikipedia article. Many publications listed it as the 2005 game of the year, and Resident Evil 4 even ranked number 1 on the “IGN Readers’ Top 99 Games Of All Time” list.
Unfortunately, the iPhone version of the game (ported from BREW) seems so watered down that it’s barely even recognizable as Resident Evil 4. All of the amazing plot elements and cut scenes are replaced by brief text introductions to each of the twelve levels, all of the voice overs are gone, and overall this just really feels like what you would expect a cell phone game to be– which needless to say does not do justice to the original at all.
AppBank posted the following gameplay video of the Japanese version:
[ Full HD version | Low Bandwidth version ]
If you’re interested in the series or enjoyed Resident Evil: Degeneration, chances are you will still have fun with Resident Evil 4 despite its shortfalls. If you’re brand new to the game, however, I’d recommend starting with one of the other console versions if you can, but then again, you can’t exactly play your GameCube while sitting on the bus.
App Store Link: Resident Evil 4, $7.99
A Closer Look at ‘Touch KO’
Jul 27th
We gave some quick impressions of Touch KO immediately after its release, but have since been able to spend some time to play through the game. As we mentioned before, the game offers an impressive looking boxing game for your iPhone.
Touch KO‘s multi-touch controls are surprisingly comfortable and an in-game tutorial walks you through the moves. Tapping either the left or right side of the screen punches with that arm, and different gestures like swiping towards the center lets loose a hook, while swiping upwards throws an uppercut. Holding your thumb on either side of the screen blocks with that arm, and tilting the iPhone makes you dodge. The controls are rather easy to pick up and contribute to a rather immersive experience once you get comfortable.
In fact, I’d say that Touch KO’s controls are one of the best aspects of the game. In contrast, while the main boxing competitor in the App Store, Iron Fist Boxing [$3.99], seems to have “deeper” controls, I was never able to get as comfortable with its four-quadrant portrait oriented system. Ironically, though, Touch KO’s control’s simplicity has been one of the criticisms of the game as there are no body shots or lower punches possible.
[ Full HD version | Low Bandwidth version ]
The game does have great controls, a high quality look and feel, and a lot of potential, but experienced gamers are finding the game to be too easy in its current form.
App Store Link: Touch KO, $2.99
Forums Now Open!
Jul 25th
Head over to ipodtouchmaster.com/forum and register! If the forum gets big enough we may need some moderators!
Gameloft Live and Crystal SDK Offer New iPhone Social Networks
Jul 25th
We were pretty excited when we first heard that developers were beginning to offer various Xbox Live-like social networks. These networks promise to offer players the ability to follow online achievements, play against friends, chat and more. Over time, however, the number of networks has blossomed with many of the major developers offering their own version. Chillingo and Gameloft are the latest companies to announce/launch their network.
Just a couple of weeks ago, Chillingo announced CrystalSDK which is an open social network platform that promises “a host of innovative features”, though no specifics have been revealed. We asked Chillingo’s Chris Byatte how Crystal SDK is going to be different from existing networks. Byatte was unable to give details yet but said, “We’ve listened to player feedback and aim to bring new standards of usability plus we’ll be addressing the developer community with A1 support and feedback.”
Meanwhile, just tonight Gameloft released a version update to Uno [$4.99] which adds Push notifications as well as a much enhanced Gameloft Live feature which also offers friends, trophies, chat and personal messaging for players.
Gameloft has made no announcements on whether or not they would open up their network to other developers, but we’d suspect not.
Meanwhile, we’ve been reluctant to offer much of an in depth analysis of each system since we don’t feel they actually affect consumer decisions yet. At this stage, no one is going choose one game over another based on the social network they support. Here’s a list of the various options available. (Crystal SDK is not yet available, and Nmogco’s PlusPlus is not yet open to 3rd party developers.)
The decision lies in developer’s hands at the moment, though some we’ve spoken to have been reluctant to make the “wrong” decision at this early stage. Meanwhile, many other developers have already taken steps to adopt one of the various networks available.
‘Dexter’ Media Emerges From San Diego Comic Con
Jul 25th
A strange amount of video game news is coming out of San Diego Comic Con this year. Aside from some Halo and XBOX 360 news, a new Dexter trailer was shown yesterday. Originally revealed during a panel at last year’s Comic Con, the game is still in the works and hopefully is released sometime soon.
We also received a handful of new screenshots which have been exported at a higher resolution than the iPhone is capable of dislaying, but otherwise the screens are said to reflect the graphics of the iPhone game.
Screenshots of Chillingo’s Upcoming ‘Inkvaders’
Jul 24th
Chillingo has released screenshots of their upcoming Inkvaders game which bears a strong resemblance to Zombieville and the many other similarly-styled shooters. The premise of this game explains the seemingly simple graphics and the title Inkvaders:
The game will come with 3 levels of difficulty, ammo management and various types of weapons including single shot weapons, multi-shot weapons, beam weapons, and rocket launchers. Both a Story mode (30 levels of 3 unique locations) and an Endurance mode is offered.
It’s hard to tell the quality of the game from screenshots alone, and these types of games depend greatly on gameplay feel and balance, so we’ll have to see how this one plays.
An extensive gallery of images is provided after the jump. The game is expected to be submitted in about two weeks.
Webmaster News: IPTM Forums Open Tomorrow!!
Jul 24th
iPodTouchMaster.com has picked up a lot of traffic lately with over 1000 visitors and over 10,000 views each day. This only encourages us to make the site grow even bigger.
We would like to bring our visitors together to discuss the latest news and jailbreak and help each Master their devices whether its an iPod Touch or iPhone. Lets build a new community, join us at the iPodTouchMaster Forums when they Officially open tomorrow! Seeya There!
P.S. Stay tuned for an even more exciting addon… the IPTM App Download Page!
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