News

Clearly the biggest news coming from Apple in this past week was the company's better-than-expected Q2 earnings report. Almost all numbers were up from the year ago quarter, beating both analysts' expectations and Apple's own Q2 guidance. Revenue, net profit and gross margin were all up, thanks to 43.7 million iPhone sales, compared to 37.4 million sales in Q2 FY 2013. The iPad disappointed, selling only 16.35 million units, down 16 percent from a year ago.

Apple also announced on Wednesday that its stock will be undergoing a seven for one stock split in early June. In addition to that, the Board of Directors increased the quarterly dividend by 8%. Apple already pays about $11 billion in dividends

There may have been a lack of big releases to the Apple App Store this week, but there were a few exciting announcements... Square Enix released a new Japanese trailer for Final Fantasy Agito. The clip entitled "Cherry Blossom" showed off more of the game's battle system, maps and equipment. Amanita Design announced that its popular desktop game Botanicula will be available for the iPad on May 1st, and Stolen Couch Games released a game play trailer for its Animal Crossing-inspired, Castaway Paradise. Some big updates were also rolled out this week. They include:

- Doctor Who: Legacy Version 2.0 - Over 20 hours of new content
- OMG: TD! Version Version 1.0.8 - New levels, heroes and power-ups
- Boom Beach Version 14.57.1 - New graphics and interface improvements

This week's noteworthy App Store and Cydia releases for 04/20/14 to 04/26/14. Apple's Free App of the Week is KingHunt. The game will be free on the App Store until 05/01/14.

Last week we told you about a new puzzle game called Puzzle Breaker for iOS. The free-to-play title was nothing groundbreaking but it seemed worth mentioning on a slow news day. However, after having the game installed on my phone for over a week I have become addicted.

I test a lot of games throughout the week and most get deleted in a few days never to be writen about, but Puzzle Breaker wouldn't go away. The game is a simple match-three title with an RPG twist. The RPG element and the game's three levels of difficulty is what give it its replay value. Puzzle Breaker is also a prime example of a freemium title done right. You begin the game with only five lives, and you must wait 20-minutes to regain one those lives every time you lose. Waiting 20-minutes may not sound like fun, but you don't have to wait if you keep on winning.

Citing "reliable information" the Japanese blog Macotakara claims that the iPhone 6 will feature a curved display, rounder edges and a metal housing. This is not the first time we have heard whispers of a curved iPhone being developed by Apple. In November of last year, Bloomberg reported that the company is working on two next-generation models with larger curved displays.

Recent leaks to Chinese websites such as Weibo also seem to confirm the next-generation rumors. A purported image of a white iPhone 6 bezel revealed that a possible 4.7-inch diagonal handset is in the works, and leaked next-generation prototype cases show third-party accessory makers are also buying into the larger iPhone rumors.

Along with releasing its Q2 fiscal results today, Apple announced that its Board of Directors has authorized an increase to its program to return capital to its investors. On top of that, the company also announced that its shares will be undergoing a seven-for-one stock split in June.

The expanded program allows Apple to spend up to $90 billion on share repurchases, up from the $60 billion that was announced last year. The company expects to use a total of $130 billion under the expanded program by the end of 2015. The increased buyback will generate capital for stockholders and is something