Amazon is liable for in-app purchases made by kids, court finds

A federal judge today ruled that Amazon did not sufficiently warn people of the possibility of in-app purchases in "free" apps, making the company liable for unwanted charges incurred by children. The FTC filed the case in 2014 and argued that Amazon...

Amazon Appstore for Android joins the modern era with a slicker interface

Amazon Appstore

The Amazon Appstore has long been clunky and slow for anyone who doesn't own a Kindle Fire tablet -- even for basics like app updates. All that pain is now a distant memory, however, as Amazon has just overhauled the stand-alone Appstore for Android with a genuinely modern interface. The new client has sidebar-driven navigation that feels at home in the KitKat era, and it's much faster when browsing titles. If you've been ignoring Amazon's alternative storefront for a while, it may be worth returning for a second look.

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Via: RootzWiki

Source: Amazon

Amazon Appstore now accepts web apps

Amazon Appstore now accepts web apps

The Amazon Appstore is no longer just for native Android apps -- starting now, the retailer will also take HTML5-based web apps. Developers can build content using any off-the-shelf tools; Amazon wraps whatever they create in a format that's friendly to those using the Kindle Fire or other Android devices. Publishers who want to integrate more closely with Amazon can also integrate the retailer's in-app purchasing through JavaScript code. Only a handful of web apps are available at launch, including TreSensa's Happy Tree Friends: Run & Bun, an IGN video game news app and Spil Games' Dream Pet Link, but web app developers who want to bolster Amazon's catalog can visit the source link.

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Via: Amazon Mobile App Distribution Blog

Source: Amazon

Amazon Appstore launches in China, continues its world tour

Amazon Appstore launches in China, continues its world tour

Amazon let its world domination plans be known last month when it asked developers to start submitting apps to line its virtual displays in more countries. While China was notably absent from immediate expansion plans, Amazon launched its Appstore there during the weekend, opening the doors to one of the biggest mobile device markets. As Reuters notes, the Google Play store is available in China, but only serves up free material, whereas Amazon's Appstore has a selection of both free and paid software available for users. While the company launched its e-book store and e-reader apps in China last December, devices are still waiting for their ticket over. Now, with the release of the Appstore, we suspect it's only a matter of time before the Kindle and Fire ranges make fashionably late appearances.

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Via: Reuters

Source: Amazon

Amazon Appstore celebrates its second year with free apps, cake (for today only)

Amazon Appstore celebrates its second year with free apps, cake for today only

Did the word free in the headline grab your attention, or was it the cake? Either way, Amazon's Appstore is throwing a party to mark its second birthday, and there's a goody bag of software for anyone who attends. It's been a good month for Android users, as Google's Play store had its own shindig recently, and like last year, Amazon's been treating Appstore patrons to discounts all week. For its official anniversary today, though, a tray-full of apps can be downloaded gratis. Admittedly, the selection isn't fantastic, but you should find one or two things worth at least the time it takes to click 'em -- Chu Chu Rocket, may we suggest (long live Dreamcast!). Remember, you've gotta be quick, as the offers expire at the end of the day. But enough from us. Head to the source link for cake and more.

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Via: PhoneArena

Source: Amazon

Unreal Engine 3’s Epic Citadel demo now available on Android with special features, iOS version updated

Unreal Engine 3's Epic Citadel demo now available on Android with special features, iOS version updated

Epic Games' first internal initiative to produce an Unreal Engine 3 project on Android is complete, nearly three years after a similar initiative produced the Epic Citadel demo. That same demo is being employed on Android, albeit with one shiny new feature: benchmarking. The new mode enables users to test framerate, quality settings, and resolution details -- it's an exclusive for the Android version. The iOS version also saw an update today across its various iterations, enabling support for higher-res displays (the original app launched in September 2010 and has seen little in the update department since).

While Epic's Unreal Engine 3 has supported Android for some time, the release of the internal app means, "we've invested in plenty of QA testing against a wide range of devices, and we've executed the necessary profiling required for shipping Android games," an Epic Games rep tells us. Moreover, that investment carries over to Unreal Engine 3 licensees. To snag the Epic Citadel demo (for free) on your Android device of choice, head to Google's Play store or Amazon's App Store. And for a taste of games currently on Android based in Unreal Engine 3, check out the incredible trailer for Horn just beyond the break.

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Epic Games Releases "Epic Citadel" for Android
Android users can download the free app now, plus 'Epic Citadel' gets iOS update
CARY, N.C. (January 29, 2013) - Epic Games, Inc. today released "Epic Citadel" for Android devices. The free app, which is used to demonstrate the studio's award-winning Unreal Engine 3 (UE3) technology on multiple platforms, is available now on Google Play and Amazon Appstore for Android. A new benchmarking mode and updated visuals bring added depth to the popular app.
In "Epic Citadel," players navigate the dynamic fantasy setting of the award-winning Infinity Blade. From the circus bazaar to the sweeping cathedral in the center of town, "Epic Citadel" dazzles with a visual parade of special effects.
"While we've licensed our engine to help developers build and ship many fantastic games for Android, 'Epic Citadel' is our first internally developed product to be released to Android users," said Jay Wilbur, vice president of Epic Games. "It's a free, easy way to check out the high-quality experience Unreal Engine technology delivers on mobile devices."
High-End Graphics for Android
"Epic Citadel" was created with the same UE3 tools and technologies used to develop best-selling PC, console and mobile games. Features include:
· Amazing visuals. "Epic Citadel" pushes the envelope for modern visuals on Android devices. Through the latest advances in Unreal Engine 3 technology, the application delivers unrivaled graphics and special effects that immerse players in the kingdom's grounds.

· Benchmarking mode. "Epic Citadel" enables users to gather performance data for Android devices through its benchmarking mode, which displays frames per second stats, quality settings and resolution details.

· Realistic reflections and animations. Environment mapping and other high-end rendering techniques produce lifelike reflections, and vertex deformation and skeletal animation bring trees and banners to life with dynamic movements.

· Global illumination. Unreal Engine 3's built-in global illumination system, Unreal Lightmass, provides realistic lighting and shadows with minimal development resources.

· Dynamic specular lighting with texture masks. Sophisticated graphics features impart a tangible quality to cobblestone roads and vivid reflective marble surfaces, while lens flares and light coronas add dramatic emphasis when panning across light sources.

Outstanding Cross-Platform Performance
Epic has worked closely with hardware leaders to ensure that "Epic Citadel" delivers a superior experience on the latest mobile platforms.
"'Epic Citadel' features beautiful, high-performance graphics that are characteristic of mobile Unreal Engine games. Throughout the app's development for Android, we worked closely with Epic Games to ensure that the visuals can be experienced on NVIDIA Tegra-based devices in all of their glory," remarked Tony Tamasi, SVP Content and Technology, NVIDIA.
"Intel is very pleased to see Epic's award-winning Unreal Engine 3 technology shipping on Android with full native support for x86," said Mukesh Goel, Director of Ecosystem Enabling, Mobile Communications Group, Intel. "We're especially excited by the tremendous performance being realized in 'Epic Citadel' on the Atom Z2460 platform."
"As the leading supplier of mobile and embedded GPUs for both iOS and Android, Imagination has worked extremely closely with Epic for many years as it has continuously pushed the boundaries of mobile graphics with Unreal Engine technology," Tony King-Smith, VP of Marketing, Imagination Technologies. "We are delighted that our collaboration is extending into the Android space and that Epic is making such excellent use of our PowerVR GPUs and tools as it brings the best of gaming capability to the rapidly growing Android market."
New iOS Update
Today Epic also released an update for "Epic Citadel" on the App Store that improves the industry-leading visuals of the iOS app. Available for iPad, iPhone and iPod touch, "Epic Citadel" now supports high-resolution devices and offers aesthetics even more striking than previously seen.
About Unreal Engine
Developed by Epic Games, the award-winning Unreal Engine is known for its cutting-edge graphics technology, world-class toolset and scalability across PC, console and mobile platforms. Unreal Engine 3 (UE3) is designed to accelerate developers' productivity for creating high-quality games, applications, training simulations, visualizations, digital films and animated entertainment. Powering hundreds of games and integrated with two dozen leading middleware technologies, UE3 holds more than 20 technology awards, including eight Game Developer Front Line Awards and five Develop Industry Excellence Awards. The Unreal Engine also owns a seat in the Front Line Awards Hall of Fame. Unreal Engine 4 (UE4), winner of multiple Best of E3 2012 awards, offers unprecedented graphical capabilities and workflow improvements that provide unparalleled accessibility for developers building the next generation of games and applications. For more information, visit http://www.unrealengine.com and follow @UnrealEngine.
About Epic Games
Established in 1991, Epic Games, Inc. develops cutting-edge games and cross-platform game engine technology. The company is responsible for the bestselling "Unreal" series of games, the blockbuster "Gears of War" franchise and the groundbreaking "Infinity Blade" line of mobile games. Epic's award-winning Unreal Engine technology has won dozens of awards and is available for licensing. Epic is continually recruiting top talent for its studios located in North Carolina, Washington, Utah, Maryland, Poland, Korea and Japan. For more information, visit http://www.epicgames.com and follow @EpicGames.
Epic, Epic Games, Gears of War, Infinity Blade, Unreal, Unreal Engine, UE3, UE4, Unreal Lightmass and Unreal Tournament are trademarks or registered trademarks of Epic Games, Inc. in the United States of America and elsewhere. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. All rights reserved.
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Appstore continues Amazon’s bid for global dominance with expansion into Japan

Amazon Appstore continues Amazon's bid for global dominance with expansion into Japan

Move over various European countries -- Japan's the latest region to receive Amazon's Android "Appstore" (no, that isn't a word). The store went live today in Japan, bringing with it all you've come to expect from Amazon's virtual mobile store: Angry Birds, Facebook, and much, much more. Also in-tow is Amazon's "Free App of the Day" initiative, and a variety of unique app selections from Japan-specific developers like Square Enix and NTT Docomo. The Japanese version of the Appstore features the same cross-device functionality found in other regions, meaning one app purchase suffices for all your Android devices. Amazon isn't saying if any major, expected apps are missing from the store, and our Japanese isn't so hot, so we'd appreciate you letting us know if you spot any major whiffs in the selection department.

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Source: Amazon

Amazon Appstore update gives its UI a facelift and fixes a list of annoying bugs

DNP Amazon Appstore update remedies Android 42 logout bug, while giving the UI a slight facelift

The Amazon Appstore updated to version 4.3.14.3C today, mending an account switching logout issue plaguing Android 4.2 users. Other new software highlights include: long press removal of applications from My Apps, a battery drain bug fix and a Kindle Fire HD inspired makeover for the Appstore's UI. Don't have Amazon's alternative to Google Play, but would like to give it a spin? Hit the source link below for a complete installation walkthrough of its latest version. Incumbents, feel free to pull down the update from within the app itself and wave bye-bye to those pesky bugs.

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Via: Android Police

Source: Amazon