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Choose Your Own Adventure Books Finding New Life on iOS Devices

A new iOS gamebook that utilizes the popular choose your own adventure format is getting rave reviews from both critics and app users. The new app is based on the 1983 Fighting Fantasy series Sorcery! written by Steve Jackson. The app is an interactive game/book that utilizes inklewriter technology to change the story around a user's choices while he or she is playing along.

Fighting Fantasy Books

The reader must make decisions based on a real-time story. The book's text and story line changes based on how the reader reacts to certain situations, and by what they do in combat. For example, players can choose to engage other characters or avoid them, and decide what towns to visit and what paths to take. Users can also cast spells and rewind the story if they don't like their decision or accidentally die.

U.S. Cellular to Carry Apple Products Later This Year

After turning down the chance to carry the iPhone in 2011, U.S. Cellular has decided to start offering Apple devices to its 5.8 million subscribers. U.S. Cellular president and CEO Mary N. Dillon said the carrier plans to "increase loyalty and attract more customers" by carrying Apple products later this year.

Apple Carriers

U.S. Cellular is one of the last major U.S. wireless providers that doesn't offer the iPhone. T-Mobile began carrying the iPhone in April, and is considering launching a MetroPCS-branded Apple device after acquiring the carrier earlier this week. Sprint started offering Apple products beginning with the iPhone 4S in 2011.

ForeverMap App Promises Offline Maps Anywhere

The popular Android App ForeverMap has added offline support to its iOS version. ForeverMap 2 uses OpenStreetMaps and advanced compression technology so users can access its global maps with no Wi-Fi connection. Users are able to download as many complete country maps as they need to use whenever they wish.

iOS Map App

ForeverMap is a great companion for navigation apps such as Google, Nokia or even Apple Maps. Apple’s vector-based maps do offer offline usage, but you do lose some functions while disconnected from Wi-Fi. ForeverMap also helps cut down on the high costs of data roaming when you are traveling.

MetroPCS iPhone Could Happen, But Don't Hold Your Breath

T-Mobile CEO John Legere told AllThingsD that a MetroPCS iPhone is possible, but not "imminent". T-Mobile acquired the carrier on Wednesday, and is already planning to launch MetroPCS-branded devices that also run on T-Mobile's network. Legere did not say what devices are in the works, but did say that an iPhone is not out of the question. When asked if an iPhone is coming to MetroPCS, Legere replied: "The answer to that is not ‘No'". Legere also said a MetroPCS iPhone would have to involve Apple, before noting he had already reached out to T-Mobile partners.

MetroPCS iPhone

T-Mobile's main focus is merging the two brands, and moving into new cities by offering MetroPCS handsets on the T-Mobile network.

“This is about customer migration, not network integration,” Legere said.

Legere told AllThingsD that T-Mobile is " working through a double-digit list of cities and plans to aggressively target new markets this year".

Amazon’s Kindle App for iOS Will Now Read Over One Million Books to You

Amazon has added Apple VoiceOver support for over 1.8 million titles in the Kindle Store. VoiveOver will read aloud any compatible book to blind and visually impaired customers. The update also allows visually impaired customers the ability to navigate within their library or within a book, search for a book within their library, and use features like X-Ray, End Actions and sharing on Facebook and Twitter.

Amazon’s Kindle App

Version 3.7 of the app also brings a few bug fixes/stability improvements and the ability to download a free sample and email yourself a reminder about recommended books. The Amazon Kindle app for the iPhone and iPad is free to download from the App Store. It requires iOS 5.0 or later and has been optimized for iPhone 5. Check out the complete list of improvements below.

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