Chad Towns

Posted 08/11/2011 at 1:21pm | by Nik Rawlinson and Susie Ochs Believe J.J. Cale, because he knows what he’s talking about: traveling light is the only way to fly. The next time you’re tempted to overpack, remember to take half as many clothes, twice as much money, and your iPad, iPhone, or iPod touch. An iOS device can replace paper maps, books, and travel guides; and the information you’ll find in apps and iBooks is more timely and relevant anyway. Obviously you won’t need CDs or a portable DVD player -- or pricey hotel or in-flight pay-per-view -- to stay entertained. And by posting photos or blog updates about your vacation online, you won’t even have to send postcards. To prepare you and your electronic travel buddy to hit the road, we found the best apps, gear, and know-how to keep you connected. Travel can be tough on your iPad or iPhone, so it’s smart to insure them. Check your existing home, renters’, and travel policies for any exclusions that might leave you out of pocket if you lose your device. Verizon offers insurance for iPhone 4 for $10.99/month, AT&T just started offering a plan for $4.99/month, and if you bought your iPhone at Best Buy, you can add Geek Squad protection within 30 days of purchase. GoCare will insure an iPhone 4 from $69/year, or $97 for two years, but it’s got a 30-day waiting period, so plan ahead. SquareTrade has a free app in the App Store that lets you buy coverage for $99 for two years. But check with your regular insurers first, and always read all the fine print on deductibles, exclusions, and, well…everything. Insurance won’t help you recover your own device if it “wanders off,” so get Apple’s free Find My iPhone app (which also works on the iPad and iPod touch) from the App Store, and follow the directions to register. That’ll let you track your device online, plus remotely lock and wipe it to remove any sensitive data. You should also set the Passcode Lock (Settings > General > Passcode Lock) for the duration of your travels so that nobody can gain access. Stock up on reading material before you leave in case you find yourself without network coverage later. Back up your data by syncing with iTunes before you leave, and consider making an online copy of your essential data. If you have Read More

...Army 2 is free to download, with a single 99蔵 in-app purchase unlock which grants access to the full array of weaponry in online play, the ability to customize your avatar, and the removal of the included iAds. As I've mentioned with games in the past, I really dig this style of IAP as it gives you the option of either playing the game forever in a (somewhat) limited scope with ads, or you... Read More

It has been a really busy week for our game reviewers, but as always, our main gamer Trevor Sheridan was able to find the time to update some of the more significant game reviews to help keep you informed so you don’t waste a single penny on a questionable game. Call of Duty: World at War: Zombies ($9.99) Verrückt Map ($4.99): A first-person shooter that requires you to defend yourself from waves of zombies by hunkering down inside of a bunker that is full of weapons. The game received several gameplay enhancements since our initial review, but the biggest addition is the Verrückt Map which is available as an in-app purchase, bringing the game’s total to a whopping $14.98. Check out our updated review to see if the new map is worth the price of admission. Glow Hockey ($.99): Air hockey with a neon glow and particle effects.  The game was recently updated with new themes to go along with the original neon glow, and it also received local multiplayer via Wi-Fi. Check out our updated Glow Hockey review. Hellkid ($.99): A 2D side-scroller that mashes the gameplay of Hook Champ and Canabalt together.  The game initially received a favorable review, but now it features a brand new mode and new character that can be obtained by collecting a specific number of souls. Check out our updated Hellkid review to see if it scored any better. Doodle Army ($.99): A 2D side-scrolling shooter that features everyone’s favorite… stick figures!  The game was recently updated with a new zombie-filled mission, online leader boards via OpenFeint, and tons of new unlockable weapons. Check out our updated Doodle Army review. Read More

By Jeremy Sikora, Monday, Feb 8, 2010 | If cartoon violence is something you love, then Doodle Army [$0.99 - iTunes Link] might be right up your alley. It provides more comical 2D side-scrolling cartoon action than any other game I’ve found in the App Store. The object is simple — keep progressing while disabling all of the attacking stick figures. You start out with four different locations, including Boot Camp, Rice Paddy, Beach Bunker, and Sand Dune. 25 different weapons are at your disposal that will vary by location. Weapons such as a pistol, shotgun, assault rifle, machine gun, grenade launcher, and even flame thrower are all included. You are even given a choice of control style with two different options, shooting at tap/drag or use of an onscreen dial. At the end of the day, Doodle Army is a pretty decent game for the money. It provides you with some nice variability with the included weapons and landscapes which will help keep your interest in playing. If you are a fan of 2D side scrolling games along with a low price price, Doodle Army is worth checking out. More screenshots after the break! Read More

There is something about stick figures holding giant weapons while accomplishing the impossible that just gets iPhone and iPod touch gamers excited.  If you are one of those gamers, you will be excited to know that the Doodle Army wants you! Doodle Army is an upcoming shooter/survival game by Chad Towns, the developer of Bastion and Pocket Kite.  In Doodle Army you will be tasked with mowing down waves of well-equipped enemies while utilizing 25 different and powerful weapons as you attempt to go the furthest distance.  You must reach the 1000m mark in order to move on to the next mission. The game will feature two different control schemes to help you achieve your goal, and you will also be able to collect purple hearts to refill your health bar.  It will also contain 30 unlockable characters, four missions, and auto-saving checkpoints, so you won’t lose your progress.  The developer has stated that he intends to add even more missions, weapons, and enemies, including zombies, aliens, and cyborgs, via future updates. You should be able to join the Doodle Army relatively soon, as the game has been submitted to Apple for approval.  It will be available for $.99.  Watch for an in-depth review shortly after the game’s official release. Embedded below is a gameplay trailer for Doodle Army. Read More