iLounge

Electronic Arts has released spy Mouse, a new adventure game developed by Firemint. Building on the intuitive line-drawing mechanics found in the company’s acclaimed Flight Control game, Spy Mouse puts the player in the role of a wily mouse, Agent Squeak where they undertake a series of adventures to serve the needs of mice everywhere. Players draw lines to navigate Squeak through a maze, picking up cheese and other power-ups and avoiding enemies and obstacles such as cats. The game provides 70 different levels across six unique worlds along with numerous gadgets, gizmos, power-ups and secret areas. Spy Mouse is available from the App Store for $1.

Comex, founder of the browser-based jailbreak tool JailbreakMe and major figure in the jailbreak community, has announced that he will soon be starting an internship with Apple. “It’s been really, really fun, but it’s also been a while and I’ve been getting bored,” he wrote in a Twitter update. “So, the week after next I will be starting an internship with Apple.” It’s unclear what type of position the coder might hold with Apple, but given his background, it seems likely that his expertise may be used to discover and plug vulnerabilities in iOS and in mobile Safari in particular. [via 9to5Mac]

Support for Japan’s earthquake warning system has been discovered in the latest beta release of iOS 5. 9 to 5 Mac reports that iOS 5 users in Japan can turn on an early earthquake notifications via a slider at the bottom of the iOS Notification Center settings pane. According to a Time magazine profile of the system from earlier this year, it provides warning messages to users from seconds to one to two minutes before the most damaging waves strike, giving them a chance to seek cover. As noted in the report, the new feature will likely replace third-party apps offering similar functionality.

With the release of iOS 5, Apple appears ready to end iTunes’ use as a middleman between iOS devices and nikeplus.com. According to an anonymous source, iOS 5 beta 6 devices with Nike+ data now prompt an iTunes dialog box stating that workout data can now be sent using the “Send Workouts to Nike+” feature in the iOS device’s Nike + iPod settings, and iTunes 10.5 no longer displays a Nike + iPod synchronization tab for iOS 5 devices. Notably, iOS 4.x devices and iPod nanos still bring up the option to sync Nike+ data when connected to the new iTunes beta release. Readers may recall that the ability to sync Nike+ data wirelessly to nikeplus.com from an iOS device was added as an option in iOS 4.1, although users still had iTunes wired syncing as an alternative—the latter, traditional option is what has disappeared today.

Apple has released the sixth beta version of its upcoming iOS 5 operating system for the iPad, iPhone, and iPod touch. Listed as build 9A5302b and available exclusively to paid iOS developers, the release does not appear to include any major changes from prior versions, and is once again accompanied by matching beta versions of the iOS 5 SDK, iTunes 10.5, and Apple TV Software. iOS 5 beta 6 is now available to paid iOS developers from the iOS Dev Center.

Taiwan-based HTC has filed a lawsuit against Apple in U.S. District Court in Delaware, claiming patent infringement. According to a Reuters report, the complaint claims that Apple infringes on three HTC patents through the sale of Macintosh computers, iPads, iPods, iPhones, and “other devices,” and seeks an injunction against Apple’s importation and sale of the devices, compensatory damages, triple damages for willful infringement, and other remedies. The legal battle between the two companies dates back to March 2010 when Apple filed a patent infringement suit against HTC; HTC has since filed a complaint against Apple with the U.S. International Trade Commission, while Apple has filed two such complaints against HTC. Last month, the ITC ruled in Apple’s favor in one of the complaints, prompting HTC to say that it was “open to having discussions” with Apple in the hopes of reaching a settlement.

Infinite Dreams has released Shoot The Birds (iLounge Rating: A-), a new universal iOS game that challenges players to get revenge on flocks of flying vermin by shooting down waves of birds in mid-flight. In Shoot The Birds, the player takes control of a crossbow-armed scarecrow and must fire arrows at bird targets flying above. Players must take down as many birds as possible within a set time limit with the goal of accumulating the highest score, the time limit varying based on how well the player performs. In-game objectives provide the opportunity to gain additional power-ups and point multipliers to rack up even more points with achievements and high scores tracked and shared via Apple’s Game Center. Shoot The Birds is a universal app requiring iOS 4.0 or later and is available from the App Store for $1.

Tapulous has released a new Glee themed app in its popular Tap Tap Revenge series of rhythm-based music games. Tap Tap Glee challenges players to tap and shake to their favourite music from the popular TV series while also offering a Glee Trivia game, a yearbook section with information on Glee characters and a behind-the-scenes look at the upcoming film, Glee: The 3D Concert Movie. The game includes five free tracks and access to over 50 tracks via in-app purchase with a new free promo track released every day. Players can also connect to Facebook and post as a Gleek or a Jock and slushy their friends’ Facebook walls. Tap Tap Glee is available from the App Store as a free download.

PAN Vision and Tactile Entertainment have released Pigs in Trees, a new iOS game that puts players in charge of a group of tree-dwelling pigs that must defend their home from an invading army of woodpeckers. Described as the antithesis of Angry Birds, players use a real-time line drawing mechanic to navigate their flying pigs around a map shooting down enemy birds and racking up points. The game provides multiple ammo types and power-ups and challenges users with different types of enemies each with their own abilities as they play through three campaigns and 45 levels. Game Center integration provides support for tracking and sharing achievements and high scores. The game is available in separate versions, Pigs in Trees ($1) for the iPhone and iPod touch and Pigs in Trees HD ($2) for the iPad.

Apple is planning to hold its traditional music event on Wednesday, September 7, according to a new report. Citing a report from Japanese-language Kodawarsian based on information from a source “in the know,” Mac Rumors reports that the event’s timing is similar to events held the last three years, on September 1, 2010, September 9, 2009, and September 9, 2008, respectively. The website for the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts—Apple’s preferred venue for the event in past years—shows no programs scheduled for September 7, suggesting that the space would be available. As noted in the report, Apple has normally used the event to introduce new iPod models, however, the company is widely expected to announce its next-generation iPhone instead of or in addition to whatever iPod models it may have ready as it did not announce a new iPhone at its earlier WWDC event, which it had done the three years prior.

Update: Jim Dalrymple of the Loop claims that Apple will not hold an event on September 7.

Google has updated its Google+ social networking app adding iPod touch and non-native iPad compatibility along with several other minor improvements. Released last month, Google+ provides access to Google’s new social network allowing users to share information with people in their Google+ Circles and keep up to date on what their Google+ friends are doing. Oddly, the initial version was specifically designed to run only on the iPhone, leaving iPod touch and iPad users unable to load the app on their devices at all; this latest update resolves that issue by adding compatibility with the iPod touch and iPad in 2X mode—native iPad support is not provided. Additional improvements include customizable Huddle settings, aggregated add notifications for Circles and performance and stability improvements. Google+ is available from the App Store as a free download.

More evidence of Nuance speech recognition integration has been found in the latest beta version of iOS 5. Citing a pair of screenshots provided by a reliable source, 9 to 5 Mac reports that the feature will be activated via a microphone button that appears on the standard iOS keyboard next to the space bar, with a microphone icon replacing the keyboard for as long as the user is talking, and the text appearing in the selected field once the speaker has finished. The report also claims that the functionality is currently planned to be included on the iPhone and iPod touch only, but notes that iPad support could technically be added. A pair of screenshots discovered in June suggested that such functionality might be included in iOS 5, and reports of negotiations between Apple and Nuance date back to early May.

Apple over the weekend released the fifth beta version of its upcoming iOS 5 operating system for the iPad, iPhone, and iPod touch. Listed as build 9A5288d and available exclusively to paid iOS developers, the release does not appear to include any major changes from prior versions, and is once again accompanied by matching beta versions of the iOS 5 SDK, iTunes 10.5, and Apple TV Software. iOS 5 beta 5 is now available to paid iOS developers from the iOS Dev Center.

Square Enix has released the latest iOS remake in its Final Fantasy franchise, Final Fantasy Tactics: The War of the Lions. Essentially a port from the earlier GBA and PSP versions, Final Fantasy Tactics is a turn-based tactical RPG set in the Final Fantasy universe, placing players in the fictional kingdom of Ivalice where they take on the role of a highborn cadet in the middle of a war for the throne. The iPhone and iPod touch version of Final Fantasy Tactics adds intuitive touchscreen controls for the control of units by tapping directly on the units and on-screen menus and users can now rotate, move and change the size of maps using standard swipe and pinch gestures. Final Fantasy Tactics is an iPhone and iPod touch application requiring iOS 4.0 or later and is available from the App Store for $16. An iPad version is expected to be released later this year; based on Square’s earlier release of Final Fantasy III, users should expect the iPad version of Final Fantasy Tactics to be a separate app sold in the same price range, and iPad users may therefore wish to hold off on the purchase of the iPhone version—perhaps even to wait for either a sharp price decrease or a proper universal release.

The U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) has agreed to investigate Samsung’s claims that Apple is infringing on its patents. Samsung filed a complaint against Apple with the ITC last month, and as Reuters reports, is accusing Apple of infringing five patents with the iPad, iPod touch, and iPhone. Apple filed an ITC complaint of its own against Samsung earlier this month; both companies are seeking to ban imports of the other’s products into the U.S.

Apple has been sued by Texas-based Affinity Labs, which claims the iPod and iPhone violate patents related to media playback. According to AppleInsider, the suit states that the “iPhone, iPod touch, and iPhone line of products” violates a patent entitled “Content delivery system and method,” while only the iPhone is accused of violating the second patent, entitled “Method for managing media.” Affinity Labs previously sued Apple in 2009, accusing it of violating three patents related to the streaming and downloading of content. Notably, third-party accessory manufacturer AAMP is also named in the suit, which seeks damages, applicable attorney fees, and a judgement that prohibits either company from further infringement.

Fishlabs has released Waterslide 2, a sequel to its previous hit game Waterslide Extreme with newer and faster challenges. In Waterslide 2 players take on the role of a male or female character or a penguin and race through a gigantic, city-wide waterslide at high speed, collecting pearls and avoiding obstacles; wild algae, crabs, jellyfish and other sea creates will slow the player’s progress and present other unique challenges. Additional in-game power ups such as a vortex and inner tube can be collected and used at the right time to help avoid obstacles and gain additional points. Waterslide 2 includes 30 brand-new levels with atmospheric lighting, OpenFeint and Game centre integration for tracking high scores and achievements and a variety of new enemies, obstacles and items. The game is a universal app with full Retina Display resolution for the iPhone 4 and fourth-generation iPod touch and can be downloaded from the App Store for $1.

A graphic depicting a 3G-capable iPod touch has been found on Apple’s website. As noted by the iPhone Download Blog, the main image on apple.com/itunes shows what appears to be a fourth-generation iPod touch with a signal strength indicator and “3G” symbol in the upper left hand corner of the interface. While it is lacking the traditional carrier name, it is consistent with Apple’s recent iPhone promotional materials, which use “3G” in order to negate the need to make a different version of each image for each territory/carrier. As mentioned in the originating report, the appearance of the cellular data indicator on an iPod touch is most likely a mistake by Apple’s image department; we post it only as a topic of interest. [via Cult of Mac]

Apple today released iOS 4.3.5 for the iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch. According to Apple’s release notes, the update “fixes a security vulnerability with certificate validation.” A separate update is available for the CDMA iPhone and is listed as iOS 4.2.10. [via Mac Rumors]

Apple has released its fourth beta version of iOS 5. Available to paid iOS developers, the release—listed as build 9A5274d—is accompanied by matching beta versions of the iOS 5 SDK, iTunes 10.5 and Apple TV Software. It is unclear what major changes, if any, may be present in the new version. iOS 5 beta 4 is available now to paid iOS developers from the iOS Dev Center.

Update: 9 to 5 Mac reports that the update can be installed on devices running iOS 5 beta 3 via the over-the-air software update feature found within the Settings app.