News

Each week we test a lot of apps to pick one to highlight as our App of the Week. This doesn't necessarily mean the selected app is the best, it just means we found it useful, interesting or fun enough to share. Sometimes we even highlight the worst App Store stories of the week, like we did previously with Mega Man. This week seemed like we had an obvious App of the Week candidate once Pokémon Duel popped-up on the US App Store, but it turned out to be a disappointment. Pokémon Duel isn't the Pokémon game fans have been waiting for. It is a strategy board game where players collect Pokémon amiibos or statues to battle in real time matches. The tutorial in Pokémon Duel is so overwhelming you're instantly turned off by the game. There's so much going on and to learn that you almost lose interest before you even play your first match. The game also features really long load times and useless IAPs making it a complete downer.

Apple has introduced a new app rating system for developers in iOS 10.3. The new system will be voluntary at first, but Apple eventually plans to force developers to use the new API, according to John Gruber of Daring Fireball.. This is good news for all app users, and here's why.

The current app rating process is horrible. Not only do you have to leave an app and sign in to rate it, but developers can hound you to over and over with pop-ups. The new system will not only allow users to rate an app within the app, but it limits developers to 3 pop-ups a year. Users will also never receive a pop-up again after they rate an app, and they will have the option to disable pop-up requests if they never want to see them.

After launching in Japan, Pokémon Duel is finally available on the US App Store and other regions. Unfortunately the game's servers are currently under maintenance and it wont be available to play until later today. Just to be clear, Pokémon Duel is available to download through this link, but you won't be able to access the game until at least 4:00pm.

Update: Pokémon Duel is up and running in the US.

When Apple's TV app was announced it promised to unify the viewing experience for streaming content across the iPhone, iPad and Apple TV. Not only does TV make it possible to pick up a show exactly where you left off, but the app brings content from a variety of different apps and sources into a central place. Notably absent from TV at launch was Netflix, however this has all changed.

Hulu subscribers may have already noticed a big upgrade to their iPhone and iPad apps. The latest update has brought individual user profiles, making it easier to separate preferences for the whole family. Apple device owners will soon enjoy another added feature: downloadable content for offline viewing. The move comes hot on the heels of competitor Netflix, which has already implemented the feature for certain licensed movies and shows.