Try animating - the Aardman way

Ever watched Wallace and Gromit or Morph (remember him?) and wanted to try animating for yourself? Well, creating a stop motion animation has never been easier (according to Aardman) now that you can get Aardman's Animate It! software on your iPhone and iPad.

Use your phone's camera to shoot frames of your animation, using the software to help you line up each shot and stitch it all together. There's also lots of animation hints, tips and inspiration to get you started on the official Animate It website.

• Download the Animate It app for just 69p/$0.99/0,79 € from the iTunes store now »

2000AD available through the App Store

This won't be announced until later in the week but 2000AD has popped up on Apple's Newsstand app which is designed for newspapers and magazines. While you can buy digital progs, Megs and graphic novels through Clickwheel or the 2000AD shop, you do have to seek them out and this development makes the Galaxy's Greatest Comic available on one of the most popular apps for handling this type of content, putting it right under the noses of potential purchasers. This seems a smarter move than developing their own app or even getting on comiXology as it gives them a large audience, as it is built into the Apple operating system (it was part of iOS5, released in October 2011).

Newspapers and magazines that switch to Newsstand have seen large increases in their subscriptions and it has been described as a "an absolutely crucial development for this industry," as it boosts discoverability and appears not to cannibalise print numbers.They also have a number of deals and offers:

Buy individual issues or select one of our great value subscription options and have the latest issue delivered direct to your iPad every week. Plus, every subscriber gets a range of back issues FREE!

New to 2000AD? To whet your appetite, you can download a FREE 69-page sampler issue. Read the first episodes of top 2000AD stories including Judge Dredd: Day of Chaos, Zombo, and Ichabod Azrael!

2000AD Subscriptions available:

Each single issue can be purchased for $2.99 each (non-subscription)
1-month subscription for $10.99, automatically renewed until cancelled
3-month subscription for $29.99, automatically renewed until cancelled
1-year subscription for $109.99, automatically renewed until cancelled

 It'll be interesting to see how popular this is.

Hammer brings 'Screamboard' to iPhones

Legendary British film brand Hammer has today launched the ‘ScreamBoard’ in the UK – a free app for the iPhone which enables horror fans to mix their own selections of classic Hammer film sound clips.

The app will appeal to both old and new fans of the celebrated film brand, many of whom will have recently enjoyed The Woman In Black, starring Daniel Radcliffe. The film is the UK’s highest grossing British horror film and has taken over $100m internationally.

The ‘ScreamBoard’ is now available to download for free from the UK iTunes App Store and comes preloaded with assets from two classic Hammer films, Four Sided Triangle and The Quatermass Xperiment. In addition to sound cues, other app content includes video clips, stills, film trivia and Google map information on filming locations.

Additional film assets can be purchased for either 69p (‘Standard’ title modules) or £1.49 (‘Premium’ title modules). The first additional ‘Premium’ titles, Dracula and The Curse Of Frankenstein, will be available until 1st May for the special launch price of 69p.

Forthcoming modules include Dracula Prince of Darkness, The Plague of the Zombies and The Mummy (‘Premium’ titles) plus Quatermass 2, X The Unknown and The Reptile (‘Standard’ titles).

The app has been developed by London-based digital agency Substance.

• The Hammer ‘ScreamBoard’ app can be found online here: http://screamapp.hammerfilms.com/

Judge Dredd takes on Zombies in new App Game

Fuse Powered Inc. and Rebellion, the owners of 2000AD, have just released Judge Dredd vs. Zombies for iPhone, iPod touch and iPad.

In Judge Dredd vs. Zombies, players are the Law, taking on the role of one of the world’s most famous comic book heroes as Judge Dredd declares a (second) death sentence on invading zombies. Using simple, “single-stick” controls, players shoot up zombies across thirty levels of over-the-top undead mayhem, unlocking weapon and equipment upgrades as justice is served. Judge Dredd vs. Zombies is available now on the App Store for $.99.

“When we met with Rebellion to discuss bringing their Judge Dredd brand to iOS, we saw right away that Judge Dredd vs. Zombies was a winning formula,” said Jon Walsh, CEO at Fuse Powered.

“In one corner, you have an iconic character from one of the most-loved comic book series of all time, and in the other corner – an endless horde of zombies. Rebellion is a proven world-class independent console developer and we’re thrilled to bring The Law to the iTunes App Store.”

Judge Dredd is of course none too pleased when zombies invade Mega City One and player s can help him punish these unlawful undead invaders with their Lawgiver and a devastating arsenal of powerful weapons. (You can increase your “Law Meter” by slaughtering the zombie horde and earn credits to unlock new guns and upgrades).

"From our first meeting with Fuse we realized that there was strong potential for a great partnership. Their analytics, marketing tools and expertise are invaluable assets for iOS developers." said Jason Kingsley, CEO of Rebellion. “It’s a great cultural fit. We get to do what we do best - make great games - and Fuse does what they do best - maximize each game’s chance of success.”

Key features include:

• 30 levels packed full of zombies to slay, set across three different episodes
• Single-stick controls – minimal learning curve equals maximum excitement
• Upgradeable weapons from the Judge Dredd universe - including the Lawgiver, the Spitgun, the Scattergun and the Hi-Ex Launcher
• Equipment upgrades, from Body Armour to Iron Will – each with a different combat advantage
• Star and commendation system – players are recognized for their shoot-em-up skills
• Game Centre support with 16 achievements to collect!

• Download Judge Dredd vs. Zombieson the iOS App Store for $.99: http://bit.ly/vH5EDQ