Apple Shuts Down Minecraft, Fans Are Confused - http://clapway.com/2016/01/09/apple-shuts-down-minecraft-fans-are-confused-123/

After reaching Top 10 on the Apple App Store, Minecraft: Pocket Edition 2 has been taken out of the server completely. It reached the #4 spot of best selling apps on iTunes. The reason? It was an absolute scam.

Fans Got the Minecraft Catch Quickly

The app was sketchy from the first moment, with a $10.99 price tag. Fans were confused by the release, but most caught on to the lie quickly. Thankfully, it didn’t surpass the first and legitimate Minecraft: Pocket Edition or Minecraft:  game rankings. Apple also caught on to the ruse quickly and took it down before anyone else lost some serious money.

Minecraft: Pocket Edition 2 had been available for weeks already. This brought in the App Store’s screening process to serious question. The game itself looks absolutely nothing like Minecraft, even featuring Scorpion from the original Mortal Kombat game. From the screenshots in reviews of the game, it even looks like players have to fight zombies.

The Mind Behind Minecraft: Pocket Edition 2, Viktor Todorov

The creator of this shameless game went under the alias ‘Scott Cawthorn’. As in, Five Night at Freddy’s Scott Cawthon. What’s more, Todorov had already used his fake name to release mobile ports of Five Nights at Freddy’s and Mortal Kombat – New Season. Both of which are fake.

There was obviously no word from Microsoft about a new Minecraft game. As such, fans managed to catch on to the lie very quickly since there was no official release statement. This is one more piece of evidence to show that people should be very mindful of what they buy on app stores. After all, Microsoft spent millions of dollars on Mojan for this kind of sequel to such a great game. Fans and enthusiasts will hear about new Minecraft game the second they release news about it, because it’s that kind of franchise.

Apple App Store Screening Process

This event highlights a few curious things. How does Apple approve or disapprove of the apps going into their stores? It looks like there’s not much to it. We could expect a revision of the app submission terms as soon as this is dealt with. All in all, people should be more aware of what they buy on app stores. Who spends $11 on a single app anyway?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZLCk0n90E10

Apple Shuts Down Minecraft, Fans Are Confused

Facebook App Store Taunts iTunes App Store and Google Play Store - http://clapway.com/2016/01/07/facebook-app-store-taunts-app-store-and-google-play-store-123/

Apple, Google and Microsoft all have their own stores, and it looks like Facebook is feeling a little left out. The company is in the works to lanunch its own app store. This is possibly in case that its apps get kicked out of the Google Play Store or the stores of all other competition.

A Facebook App Store is A Predictable Step

The company has been in vicious competition with Google in just about every way. In the event of expulsion from Google’s Play Store, they have some backup. This could be tied to the allegations claiming that Facebook has been conducting ‘contingency’ tests on their Android users. The goal was to make sure that the Facebook apps are operable on Android devices even if users don’t get them from the Google Play Store. In fact, the company has designed a way for users to get app updates and push notifications without going through the Google Play Store.

The Social Network Has Been Accused of Conducting Unethical Android Tests

These allegations are pretty strong. Google and Facebook have a decent enough relationship as things stand, so the Facebook apps will not be kicked out of the Google Play Store for now. New rumors claim that Mark Zuckerberg’s social media giant has been tinkering with its Android users for some time, which may have caused a strain among the two companies.

Specifically, Facebook was accused of making the Android Facebook app unavailable for users in an undisclosed location. They were redirected to a web link to download the Android app instead of the platform instead. Allegedly, users would not stop trying to open the app, and some resorted to accessing the social networking site through a mobile web browser.

If Push Comes to Shove, The Social Network Has A Lot of Options

In the case that the company’s apps do get kicked out of the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store, it could launch an app on the Oculus VR app store. They could even extend the store so that it becomes an overarching platform. This would also support Facebook’s other popular apps: WhatsApp, Instagram and Messenger.

If that’s not feasable, Facebook can join hands with original equipment manufacturers to have the Facebook app preloaded on certain devices. The Oculus VR app store is actually pre-installed on some Samsung phones. Whether or not the social media giant will resort to these measures is yet to be seen.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5yFVYHXNBqM

Facebook App Store Taunts iTunes App Store and Google Play Store

Ten Best Game Apps in the App Store - http://clapway.com/2015/10/26/ten-best-game-apps-in-the-app-store123/

Sometimes we just run out of things to do on our way to work or to school. We’re always looking to find the next game to obsess over, to scrutinize and burn out till we move on to the next. Here’s our list of the ten best game apps in the App Store.

10. Flappy Bird

Courtesy of Flappy Bird

Say what you will, but I personally cried when Flappy Bird was taken down. I still have it on all devices, and this game is still one of the best, funniest and most nerve-wracking games in app history.

9. Candy Crush

Courtesy of Candy Crush

Candy Crush is a classic. The game exploded fairly quickly, too, and you’ll see about 85% of the people in your train car playing it during their morning commute to work or school. There are infinite variants to this game in the App Store, but none will ever measure up to the dude that calls your wins ‘tasty’ and ‘divine’.

8. A Dark Room

Courtesy of A Dark Room

A Dark Room is a dangerously addicting game. It’s a mysterious journey of survival filled with vague messages that lead you where you need to go, and after a while it feels like something out of Resident Evil. Strangely immersive, A Dark Room will have you wired for hours on end, so downloading it in the middle of the work day is not recommendable.

7. Trivia Crack

Courtesy of Trivia Crack

Trivia Crack unites users from around the world with trivia questions from a slew of categories. The interface is simple and colorful and it can be enjoyed by anyone. Some will argue that QuizUp may be better, but Trivia Crack has stood the test of time and updates and makes for a super fun game to wind down and relax.

6. Monument Valley

Courtesy of Monument Valley

Monument Valley has a killer soundtrack and beautiful visuals that take you on puzzle journeys the likes of which you’ve never seen before. It’s easily one of the prettiest and most immersive game apps out there.

5. Heads Up!

Courtesy of Heads Up!

You’ve probably seen people with their phones against their foreheads in lines at amusement parks. This game has recently gained a lot of popularity, especially for people in large groups in queue for something. The app is super fun and filled with hilarious categories, and it’s free counterpart, Charades, make an hour long wait in line feel less daunting.

4. Tetris

Courtesy of Tetris

It’s a classic. Tetris lives forever, and it forever remains one of the greatest games of all time. You can’t beat that theme song, either.

3. Pac-Man 256

Courtesy of Pac-Man 256

Pac-Man has seen many a variation and spin-off, but this app brings the classic goodness to your phone screen. Users old and new will find this game addictive and fun, making you feel like you’re in an arcade in the 80s.

2. Device 6

Courtesy of Device 6

This adventurous puzzle game makes users feel like James Bond. Intricate and also packed with a kickass soundtrack, Device 6 takes players on mysterious, thrilling quests that’ll surely make your commutes that much more fun.

1. The Room/The Room Two

Courtesy of The Room

The Room/The Room Two are two of the greatest games to ever make it to the App Store. They’re beautiful and mysterious and take you through the story of one man in search of the truth, and its 3D graphics and intricate puzzles will have you hooked in seconds.

Ten Best Game Apps in the App Store

Apple Deletes 250 Apps For Infringement - http://clapway.com/2015/10/20/apple-deletes-250-apps-infringement/

Apple is back in the news again, but this time in response to a Chinese firm that reportedly infringed on around 250 apps from them. The company immediately deleted the apps, but by doing this they are also risking the personal information of any of its users. 

The Violators

According to several reports, it was specifically from a hidden software development kit developed by a Chinese mobile advertising provider named Youmi. According to a report by SourceDNA, over one million users had downloaded these infringed apps and the security blog found over 250 tainted apps.

This incident, put forth by Youmi, unfortunately puts all Apple users who used these apps at serious risk of having vital information leaked.

Apple stated that they have identified a group of apps that were using a third- party advertising SDK, which uses private APIs to gather private information such as user email addresses and device identifiers and route data to its company server.

The only consolation is that the company promptly responded and removed all of the apps that were using this SDK kit, and any apps that are created with this kit will be denied and deleted.

Future Notes for Apple

This is a very tricky question to answer because unfortunately for a company as prestigious as Apple, there are most likely always going to be hackers and enemies that will try to steal precious information from them.

The key thing for Apple to do is always have the utmost protection on all of their devices and always stay alert for future threats against them. Hackers will likely not go away and they will always keep on trying to get vital information from prestigious companies around the world.

Immediate Retaliation Was Necessary

Apple’s rapid response is commendable, and there’s nothing less to be expected of such a magnanimous corporation. In the future, Apple will always be popular given the cult following they have garnered over the years and this little incident will not affect them too much.

However, it is fair to mention how Apple users might think twice about downloading an app after this event.

 

Keep Your Info Safe with the Nanoform!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xky8HjLKIZo

Apple Deletes 250 Apps For Infringement

%#Companion, a new #app for both iPhone and Android, intends to keep users safe as they walk home at night.% - http://clapway.com/2015/08/22/companion-safety-app-099/

Companion, a new app for both iPhone and Android, intends to keep users safe as they walk home at night.

Leaving the bar to walk home, wanting a decent sleep after a night out. On the way back I see a friendly acquaintance. He offers me help. “Stay at my place until sunset, the street is dangerous in the middle of the night.” I accept. Big mistake. In the room bottles, cans, clothes, and cigarette butt wasteland. “I apologize for the mess,” he says smirking. His intentions were made clear shortly thereafter: ‘Let’s have sex’. He was very insistent. The line separating relative security from danger was very thin. If the situation were to degenerate, I would have lost the battle, and this is a position women are put in the world over.

Companion: the app that keeps you safe

Speaking with men and women, there isn’t one who hasn’t suffered some kind of various, different aggression, from the tiny ones to physical abuse and rape.

Walking alone at night can be dangerous, but with an app like Companion, you can use your smartphone as a safety web. As someone who’s been harassed, I’m pretty wary about walking alone at night. If you are one of those pretending to be on the phone with your mom or partner just in case something happens, this may be the app you were looking for.

Companion makes you safer by notifying a friend of your trek and updating them on it. All you have to do is enter a destination and select contacts to be your ‘Companion’. Those companions monitor your progress as you make your way home from Point A to Point B.

Get home in one piece

“If you start running, don’t make it to your destination on time, have your headphones yanked out or your phone falls to the ground, we will check in on you to make sure everything is okay” the developers said.

“If you don’t respond in 15 seconds, we will automatically alert your Companions”.

With Companion you can also report areas “that make you uneasy” on your campus for instance by simply tapping the “I Feel Nervous” button. What’s more, according to Life Hacker, if you have an emergency, you can call 9-1-1 with two taps in the app.

Cell Phone Tracking

GOOD magazine writes that for many of us the phrase “cell phone tracking” evokes images of “police surveillance, or NSA snooping”; yet Companion represents another side to our smartphone’s ability to locate our every move. This time for the right reasons.

What do you think of Companion? Any safety tips you would like to share? Write your experiences in the comments section below.

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SECURE YOUR PHONE FROM NATURE’S WEAR

Companion: The Personal Safety App That Gets You Home in One Piece

The 5 #Apps you should look into this week! - http://clapway.com/2015/07/17/5-most-downloaded-apps-this-week567/

I love new apps. I am constantly on my phone, like nearly every other member of my generation, and am intrigued by all the new apps that released. You can find me on all of the social media sharing apps, and on the news apps, as I like to stay current on what’s happening in the world today. You would also be right to assume that I watch a decent amount of hilarious videos via Vine or YouTube daily.

In an effort to keep up with the trending apps this week, I have a compiled a list of the most downloaded apps this week:

1. Showtime

Another score for the cord cutting generation! That’s right, you can now watch your favorite Showtime programs right from your phone without a cable subscription, which means you can catch up on Masters of Sex, Shameless, and all your other favorites. This is great for the commuter looking for entertainment on the bus or subway to and from work. It’s also great to have in the event of a family emergency (the emergency being that you need a minute away from your family). Once again, this app does not require you to have a cable subscription, however, it does require a monthly charge of only $11.00.

2. Streaks

Streaks is the most downloaded app in the productivity category this week. Its goal is to aid you in creating a streak of healthy habits, hence the name. You can log various activities that you do daily, such as walking, reading, healthy eating, and more. With a 4.5-star-rating, this app is sure to help you stay on the healthy path you’ve worked so vigorously to get on.

3. Fragment

This 5 star photo effects app is quickly grabbing people’s attention with its unique picture effects. Unlike Instagram and other popular photo apps, this most downloaded photo app offers shapes and pattern effects that transform your pictures into Picasso-Esq works of art.

4. HeyLets

This social city guide app is making its way to the top of the most downloaded app list this week. This app will give you recommendations on what to do given your location based on your interests. You can book appointments, make reservations and more with this unique adventure-sharing app.

5. Stayful

Stayful is another travel app that is trending this week. This app is your personal travel agent. It finds and compares hotel rates for you and locks in the great deal for your stay. It picks hotels for you based on your budget and location interests. I know I am grateful for letting someone else organize the travel plans!

I’ve downloaded each of these apps and am incredibly excited to use them! Especially Streaks, since I could definitely use the help in creating healthier habits. These 5-cup-of-coffee days probably aren’t too kind on my kidneys. I hope you gain some use out of these apps as well, and be sure to check back next week for a new list of apps!

Do you use any of the apps listed above? Tell me which one and how you like it!

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For more technology related news, check us out on Clapway Trends:

5 Most Downloaded Apps This Week

Microsoft Releases All-Inclusive App Store - http://clapway.com/2015/07/16/microsoft-releases-all-inclusive-app-store456/

Microsoft officially opened an online store that is a combination of its Windows Phone Store and Windows Store into one large online shopping store. This universal app store is a part of the company’s efforts to bring the Windows 10 experience unity through all devices including phones, tablets and PCs.

THIS UNIFieS THE TWO PREVIOUS STORES

Previously, the Windows PC and tablet user would have to look for applications from the Windows Store, and those on Windows phones would have to browse apps on the Windows Phone Store. This new universal app store is making it easier for all Windows users.

MICROSOFT HOPES THIS WILL ATTRACT MORE WINDOWS USER

This common experience for everyone is a part of the Microsoft strategy for Windows 10 developers and users to use the same programming code and then modify the apps to fit the tablets, phones and PCs. These developments will help reduce the amount of time and expenses in comparison to the previous system. Microsoft hopes that this will encourage app developers to create more apps for both Windows mobile devices and Windows PCs. This will benefit the users, since they will have a greater variety of apps to chose from regardless of what device they are using.

Although the PC market isn’t doing so well, Microsoft’s smartphones are in need of a kick to get the company back on top. Microsoft is hoping that universal apps along with Windows 10 will succeed. Users who like Windows 10 might be more likely to buy a Windows 10 phone to have the same experience in both places. This is the plan that Microsoft has in order to generate more demand among both mobile phone buyers and PCs.

XBOX IS ALSO GETTING INVOLVED

Microsoft’s Xbox console is also being included in the Microsoft universal app movement. Xbox game developers can also use this common code in order to create games.

If you have a Windows 10 device, you can go to the universal app store home page to view the top Windows Phone apps and Windows apps. There is also the option to view all of the apps for the Xbox. On the page is also a search bar that will let you find whatever app you are looking for.

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Have you ever wanted to be waken by your favorite smells? you can, with the sensorwake alarm clock.

Microsoft Releases All-Inclusive App Store