App Store Update: January 28
Every day hundreds of new apps make their debut on the App Store, and hundreds more are updated or reduced in price. We have sifted through the noise and highlighted those select few that might be worth your attention.
Note: The prices and deals compiled below are accurate at the time we published this story, but all are subject to change.
Lamp and Vamp – ($1.99)
A pixelish vampire is on a quest across a series of hex grids, trying to safely return to his coffin before any flashlight-wielding foes target him:
Microsoft Ceases Production of Surface 2 Tablets
Microsoft is no longer manufacturing Surface 2 tablets, the company revealed earlier this week.
Speaking with Business Insider, Microsoft confirmed that the tablet is no longer being produced, as the Surface Pro 3 continues to drive Surface growth.
For the quarter closing out 2014, Microsoft reported Surface revenues of $1.1 billion USD -- a 24% increase compared to the same quarter last year.
Those seeking to purchase a Surface 2 should check Microsoft Retail Stores, MicrosoftStore.com, third-party retailers, and resellers for availability, Microsoft told The Verge.
Check Out These Cutesy Batman Toys
Kotobukiya newest series of Batman collectibles is also their most unusual. The company will be releasing a series of figurines based on the digital comic Batman: Li'l Gotham. But rather than just adapting the comic's distinctive chibi art style, these figures will also pay homage to the classic M.U.S.C.L.E. figures that were so popular in the 1980's.
At a mere two-inches tall, these figures imitate the size and monochrome style of the M.U.S.C.L.E. toys. The series consists of seven figures (Joker, Catwoman, Nightwing, Robin, Harley Quinn, Poison Ivy, and two variations of Batman), each of which come in six different color variations. The figures will be sold as randomly assorted two-packs.
Saturn’s Rings Have Nothing on This Exoplanet
While documentarian Morgan Spurlock may have ruined Supersized meals for the rest of us, the universe is still holding on to the notion that bigger really is better.
University of Rochester scientists have discovered an exoplanet, which is a planet outside the boundaries of our solar system, with a ring system so enormous it has a radius of 0.6 Astronomical Units, or AU. An AU is the distance between the Earth and the sun, meaning the rings have a radius of 55.8 million miles.
That figure puts the ring system at roughly 200 times the size of Saturn's.
Deals of the Week: Mario Party Amiibo, Awesome PS4 Deals, Xbox One for $315, a Year of Live for $40
Mario Party Amiibo Figures Are Ready to Pre-order
The release date is a placeholder but special new versions of Peach, Bowser, Toad, and Yoshi are ready to order.
60 Movie Sword Fights in One Epic Supercut
Everyone has their favorite sword (and sometimes lightsaber) fight. For some, it's all about the choreography. For others, the raw emotion. But one dedicated film fan, Clara Darko, decided to compile 60 of her favorite cinematic duels into one awesome supercut, including fights from Star Wars, The Princess Bride, Gladiator, Pirates of the Caribbean and many, many more. Best of all, the video is set to -- what else? -- "Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood," featured during the unforgettable duel between O-Ren Ishii and the "Bride" in Kill Bill Vol. 1.
For a full list of movies used in the video, click here. Did the supercut include all your favorites? And what's your favorite movie sword fight? Let us know in the comments!
Momoa: Aquaman Won’t Be Blonde
According Aquaman star Jason Momoa (Game of Thrones), it's looking like his version of the character won't have blonde hair. But will he have a hook hand?
Participating in a Q&A at the Sundance Film Festival (via ComicBook.com), Momoa told a 74-year-old woman who proclaimed her fandom for the Aquaman comics that his version of the character would not be what she's used to: Blonde or white. "I can't really tell you because I haven't shot it yet. I hate to disappoint. But um, you know, I'm a little different than what those others," says Momoa, "I hope you watch it with an open heart."
I Am Bread Coming to iOS
Bossa Studios' bread simulator, I Am Bread, is making its way to iOS, the developer announced today.
The iOS version will feature all the new content that is being added to the Steam Early Access version, including the recently announced Garage area.
In the studio's latest "Bread Diary," the developer clarifies that development on the iOS version won't begin until development on the PC version is complete and I Am Bread is out of Early Access.
According to Bossa, I Am Bread will "definitely" be out of Early Access this Spring. It's currently available for $10 USD.
This Grey Goo Statue Looks Pretty Solid
Gentle Giant has revealed its upcoming Singleton statue, the resident AI stepping right out of the world of Grey Goo. Out this spring and currently up for pre-order at Gentle Giant, it can be yours for $399.00.
Based on the recently released RTS of the same name, the studio worked closely with game developers Petroglyph and SixFoot, using designs from Weta Workshop to capture the Valiant Commander in all his robot glory.
Evolve Gets Pop! and Legacy Figures From Funko
This spring, the upcoming video game Evolve is getting two sets of figures from toymaker Funko.
The first is a Pop! Games set made up of Hunters Markov, Val, Hank, Maggie, and a “super-sized” 6” Monster Goliath. Out in March, these are the stylized figures with tiny bodies and huge, cutesy heads.
The other set, out in April, is Funko’s more realistic looking Evolve Legacy Collection, which features the same set of characters. These “premium” figures come with 20+ points of articulation and weapon accessories.
Evolve is a multiplayer first-person shooter in which four unique Hunters take on one player-controlled monster that can evolve into stronger forms. Evolve has gone gold, and will launch on February 10 for PC, PS4, and Xbox One.