A burst of 8 apps for your consideration
Smartphone@pokemon.co.jp
We'll be clear here: an app called smartphone@pokemon.co.jp went live on the App Store early this morning, and was picked up by Appshopper. It has since been removed. But the reason it's interesting is that it was published by The Pokemon Company - the official licensor of the gaming franchise that has so far been restricted to Nintendo's platforms. The app's Japanese description appears to indicate the app is about video trailers for Pokemon films rather than a game. But the fact that The Pokemon Company appears to be getting involved in iOS apps is what's interesting.
iPhone
Xperia Visualizer
What is Xperia Visualizer? We'll let Sony Ericsson's Android Market listing for its new app explain itself: "Communication is constantly taking place all across the globe at every moment. The words used to communicate create a dynamism that surges across borders. By getting an overview of your everyday activity, you get more freedom in how you see and interact with the world. The Xperia processes your everyday experiences and information you input,to create new forms of personalized entertainment." Make of that what you will.
Android
I Can Has Cheezburger
Online publisher Cheezburger Network has launched its official iPhone app, catering to people's on-the-go LOLcats needs. Yes, they do have them. At least, we think they do...
iPhone
Spiegel Online
German news site Spiegel Online has made the leap to Android with its smartphone app. The German-language app offers news, analysis, features and interviews, and is free to use.
Android
Last.fm Festivals
Music service Last.fm has released a new Last.fm Festivals app that digs into users' scrobbling history and points them in the direction of music festivals that they might like. It is US-only for now, but will launch elsewhere in the world shortly.
iPhone / Android
The Concorde Experience
National Museums Scotland has released an app with Toura based on the Concorde airplane, with an audio tour, photos and technical data. It's promoting the real Concorde that is on show at Edinburgh's National Museum of Flight.
iPhone, Android
Bitcoin
Android app Bitcoin claims to be a "fully functional bitcoin wallet", allowing people to send and receive the virtual currency from their handsets, while including use of QR codes to initiate transactions. One rather important warning: "This app is still under development and may lose your coins!" Er...
Android
DiscoverHongKong-AR
Hong Kong has a new augmented reality travel guide app, letting users point their phone at the real world to find tourist hotspots. It's the work of developer XS2TheWorld, working with the Hong Kong Tourist Board, Cathay Pacific Airways and agency McCann Erickson. In itself, a sign of the kind of partnerships emerging around branded apps.
iPhone
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