I recently ran into an interesting problem.  Running an iOS game caused it to just crash back into the home screen.  What was the problem?  It turned out that I was running too many applications at once.  Beginning with iOS 4 with multitasking, apps don’t automatically close.  You can force an app to close according to Apple’s website by:

Follow these steps to force an app to close:

1. From the Home screen, click the Home button twice.
2. Tap and hold on the app.
3. When it starts to jiggle, tap the to close it.

Repeat this process until you have closed out of all other apps.  (You also have the choice of restarting your iDevice).  Now go ahead and try opening up that that troublesome app.  Chances are it will now be happy to run and not crash on you.  YAY!

With the release of FileMaker 12 a new version of the mobile app for iPhone and iPad was also released.  FileMaker Go 12 is a free app unlike FileMaker Go 11 which was sold separately for $40.  What’s the catch?  The new FileMaker Go can only interface with databases created with the new FileMaker 12 and will not work with previous versions.  By adding the mobile portion as standard fare, it gives existing users of FileMaker a very strong case to upgrade to the latest version as well as attracts new users to the premium database creator.  A user can upgrade to the new version for a mere $179.00 as long as they own version 9 or later.  Upgrade eligibility for version 9 is only for a limited time until September 27, 2012.

According to the press release:

Some of the new features of FileMaker Go 12 include:

•     Multitasking support — Pick up right where you left off
when you return to FileMaker Go from other apps.
•     Improved media integration — Add media files and
play them back directly from FileMaker Go.
•     Export data in multiple formats — Export your data
from FileMaker Go in formats such as Excel, CSV, TAB, or
HTML files.
•     Enhanced container fields — Instantly stream movies
and music from your device without any data storage limit
concerns.

What beta users are saying about FileMaker Pro 12 and FileMaker Go 12 for iPad and iPhone

“FileMaker Pro 12 is a great update,” says Dean T. Bingham, president, db Digital Design.  “I have converted all of my previous information to FileMaker Pro 12 and everything works flawlessly. I have used the slick new Starter Solutions to extend the functionality of my databases – and the ease of building forms from scratch, with the compatibility of desktop, iPad and iPhone formats, is a huge boon.”

According to IT and facility manager James Pierson, Rampart Hydro Services, “The use of FileMaker Go 12 enables us to get timely and consistent data from the field eliminating the hodgepodge of spreadsheets, hard-copy forms, and the odd flap torn off an old cardboard box. I love the idea of FileMaker Go specific script steps, making it easier to take advantage of the growing capabilities of iOS.”

“Thanks to FileMaker Pro 12 and its ease of extension to iOS devices, creating a full-on Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system for small business will take a lot less time and effort than I ever imagined,” says George Page, president, Sea Breeze Farm.

For more details, check out the datasheet for the latest FileMaker Go 12 which is available here.   The new FileMaker Go 12 is available in the Apple App Store.

There are some games that are just well made, but they go into the black morass.  Such is it with MonsterGila’s NovaRift: Arena.  Given away for free a number of months ago on FreeAppAlert, this little gem had me lost in the depth of space defending the galaxy from 5 different kinds of drone enemies in single player and human enemies in online multiplayer.  After many hours of play, suddenly the online game servers no longer worked.  The game seemed to fizzle out of MonsterGila existance, and the little software company in New Mexico could not be reached for comment as to what was happening.  You can still read the manual at http://www.novarift.com/manual.html or view the old teaser trailer still on YouTube.

So why bring up a dead game that seems to have been sucked into a blackhole? How about because of the countless hours spent playing which earns it one of the most addicting games that I’ve touched?  Yes, dear readers, this game was beautifully made.  (On a side note, do you backup your iPad?  If not, then it certainly is something that should be considered as this is the only way I can load NovaRift: Arena onto my devices now as it is no longer sold.  Stay tuned on an upcoming article on backing up your iOS device and having the ability to version your software.)

One of the best parts about this game was the ability to play multiplayer.  Even with the multiplayer component being disabled due to the missing NovaRift server, the offline arcade mode is loads of fun.  How many drones can you kill?  The game provides you with the choice of 4 different ships – each with its own style of play with different speeds, maneuverability, and weapons.  Your weapons include not just plasma guns, but also spreadfire cannons and proximity missiles.  The ships all have different weaknesses and realistic damage will be taken into consideration – you can fly a ship with damaged wings which affect your movement or even your weapons!

After choosing your ship, you’ll head into battle.  Your two main resources will be shield energy and gun energy.  Shields protect your ship – if they ever become depleted, try not to get hit for a duration of about 5 seconds (those sure seem like long seconds) and you’ll get an immediate 20% recharge of your shields.  Time your shots and make sure to keep moving – else you’ll be bantha fodder!  In the single player arcade mode, you’ll be faced with continuous waves of enemies which become stronger.  It becomes quite the challenge to dodge asteroids while taking out the baddies.  After blowing up the bad guys, there is a chance in getting some powerups.  6 powerups exist that range from refilling shield or gun energy, giving rapid fire, repairing your ship, getting an extra life, or getting invulnerability for a short while!

And hence, we’ve dug up a gem that seems to be gone.  I certainly hope that MonsterGila will bring back this wonderful game.  Until then, know that such a gem exists – and if you’ve downloaded but haven’t given this game a try and it’s sitting in your iTunes library – go ahead and install it…you’ll find this to be one of the best space shoot-em ups of all time which could have been developed into something like SubSpace (now Continuum), an equally exciting Windows 3rd person space shooter.  Until next time, game on!

Want an easier way to create and edit documents on the iPhone?  How about handwriting recognition?  Now, you’ll be able to use inline gestures and shorthand features coupled with context analyzers to quickly get your thoughts onto digital paper.  WritePad will “learn” how you write and enable to you to synchronize your work with Dropbox, Evernote, iTunes, and even Google Docs!  If you wish, you can also email, tweet, sms, print, or post FaceBook updates using WritePad 5.  Check out the new WritePad 5 for the iPhone – only $9.99.  You can also add additional language support for $3.99 each.

Check out PhatWare’s website for an in depth look at the new features as well as to check out a video demo.

G5 Entertainment is excited to share Mushroom Age for iPhone as well as the HD version for iPad for free to celebrate Valentine’s Day.

In Mushroom Age, you’ll be helping Vera track down her lost love through thrilling epochs of earth’s past and future! Vera’s fiance, Tom, has gone missing a few days before the wedding. So she embarks on a race against time and through history to find him and save the world from evil powers that want to change history and destroy the world. Solve interesting puzzles and play mesmerizing mini-games with pre-historic characters like a dinosaur and a caveman, historic personages like Socrates and Nostradamus, robots and bad guys from the future, not to mention characters not bound by the confines of time! Featuring eye-popping puzzles and brain-bending mini-games, Mushroom Age is a wild adventure for the whole family.

Mushroom Age features:
• 23 Chapters in 45 Levels
• 41 Mesmerizing mini-games
• Strange and amazing landscapes
• Save the past and future!
• iPhone 4 Retina Display support
• iOS multitasking support

Get the iPad HD version of the iPhone version today.