One of the world’s most popular TV icons is getting an iPhone app. It’s David Hasselhoff, whose application is called “Ask The Hoff.”

Here’s what it does (from the press release):

According to the app, scientists have downloaded Hoff’s brain into the iPhone. After the user asks a question and shakes the phone, an animated version of the Hoff replies with one of a number of pre-recorded responses, voiced by Hasselhoff himself.

As you can see, the app is super simple and in that sense I’m not sure many people will pour out a buck to grab it. Then again, many people dig David, me NOT being one of them.

Apple (NSDQ: AAPL) certainly succeeded in getting other major brands on its side. Today we bring you the story of Volkswagen of America, which is launching the latest GTI exclusively on an iPhone game app. And that’s their main marketing vehicle – rest of the budget will be used to entice users to find the app and download it! Yap, that’s mostly PR as well as some paid search marketing.

Apparently, this will cost the auto-maker about $500,000 which is a small change compared with their 2006 GTI launch that ended up costing $60 million. If proves efficient, I’ve no doubts we’ll see every friggin’ auto-maker adopting this approach, turning a novel idea into something super dull.

In the meantime, you can grab VW’s app called Real Racing GTI from this link. Enjoy the ride.

[Via: textually.org]

A company called Mobile Thunder introduced iScratcher, a free application that turns an iPhone/iPod touch into a scratch-to-win game card. The main idea is in getting a portion of mobile marketing dollars. In that sense, the company applied for a patent in an effort to protect its unique idea/use for marketing purposes.

Here’s how it works (from the press release):

Advertisers sponsor scratch-off games that display on mobile device screens. Players “scratch off” a game card by wiping the screen with a finger to reveal sponsor brand images and potential prizes such as cash, products, coupons, promotional codes, lottery results, or content. Using GPS technology, iScratcher will provide location-specific game odds, prizes and — with another tap of the finger — a map with directions to nearby stores where prizes can be instantly redeemed.

At the moment this is the iPhone/iPod Touch thing only, but I’ve no doubts Mobile Thunder will port its technology to other platforms in no time — they even say Android and BlackBerry (NSDQ: RIMM) versions are in the queue.

I like the idea, as it promotes the win-win concept, with both advertisers and users getting something out of it. The only problem is whether it will reach the tipping point to scale. Without further benefits, I can’t see myself scratching for coupons on a daily basis. We’ll see. In the meantime, you can check out a dedicated website for more information.

Catan – The First Island has found its way into the iTunes App Store, letting you trade clay, build roads, train soldiers, and do everything that made the Settlers of Catan board game a classic. Multiplayer is available, but involves handing off the phone rather than via Bluetooth. Still, even if you want to hone your settling skills solo, characterful AI players are available to keep you on your toes. Additional expansion content is in the works, alongside more game options and scenarios. Go ahead and grab it in the iTunes App Store for $4.99, or if you’re hankering for something free, check out their online game. A more toned-down version for feature phones is also available.

[via PRNewsWire]

Earlier this month, EA Mobile mentioned NBA Live was making its way to the iPhone platform later this month.  As we all know, time does fly, and thus explains NBA Live finally releasing on the App Store.

NBA Live is a great effort by EA to bring its popular basketball game franchise to the iPhone.  Players are controlled by touching the left side of the screen, which pops up a virtual control stick onto the screen.  You then tilt your finger in the direction you want your player to move to.  If you’re in possession of the ball, you can either shoot or pass.  Depending on your momentum and how well you’re covered by a defending player, you can even perform a variety of dunks with a flick of your thumb.  While on defense, you can steal or attempt to block a shot by jumping.

NBA Live features all 30 NBA teams, players, and accurate stats.  Multiple game modes allow players to either play a quick game in Exhibition Mode, or dedicate themselves to a full season of play in Season Mode.  Player models and animations are pretty detailed as well, considering the platform its running on.  All in all, NBA Live is a title basketball loving iPhone owners should absolutely consider owning.

[iTunes Link]

Reebok is out with a second title (as far as we know) in the AppStore. Released in conjunction with UsTwo and Inside Mobile, Reebok iSprint is a neat little game that sees you running the 100 meters with your fingers to get the fastest time through four courses – indoor, outdoor, grass, and tarmac. That’s done by flicking your finger around — it’s super simple, hence the game is free with the point not only to entertain you, but also to keep the Reebok brand engraved in your brain.

Of course, a social element is also there, thanks to the global scoring system. Last time we checked, the record was around 7.5 seconds, which is quite impressive. In addition, you can also compete with your buddies via Bluetooth.

Finally, Reebok wants to use the app as a medium to reach its customers. Hence, from time to time you can expect to learn about their latest offers…

Want it? AppStore link is here.

[Via: PocketGamer.co.uk]

No, I’m not a Metallica fan… But yes, I did attend a Metallica concert a week or so ago, and I have to admit… It was a heck of a show. My ears took a beating, but those ol’ metal-heads can still bring down the house. Good times.

To enjoy Metallica’s music in perhaps, a more quiet and comfortable setting, the good folks at Tapulous have released Tap Tap Revenge: Metallica for the iPhone and iPod Touch. For $4.99 in the App Store (iTunes link), you’ll get 10 songs including:

• Enter Sandman
• King Nothing
• Sad But True
• Some Kind of Monster
• All Nightmare Long
• Master of Puppets
• Seek and Destroy
• Fuel
• For Whom the Bell Tolls
• One

You know the deal here. Tap your way through each track and make it to the end. There are many different game modes including an arcade mode, which pits you against the computer, which throws weapons at you as you try to punch out the song… There’s also a battle mode enabling you to play head to head against a buddy over Bluetooth. If you become too much of a master at it, there’s an ‘extreme’ mode which forces you to play in landscape to accommodate FIVE rails of tapping action.

To check it out, hit up Tap Tap Revenge: Metallica in the App Store >

I’m not sure have you tried out some of the Digital Chocolate’s 3D Rollercoaster games, but they rock. At least, I like them and I’m happy to say that they’ve bundled three available titles — the original, Jurassic and Haunted 3D Rollercoasters — into a single application simply called 3D Rollercoaster Rush Bundle Pack. Available for purchase for $7.99, the game promises to deliver hours and hours of entertainment, allowing you to compete across 120 different rollercoaster tracks. Plus, you can also go head-to-head with your friends via Bluetooth in both Jurassic and Haunted themes…

Enough said, you can grab the 3D Rollercoaster Rush Bundle Pack from here. It’s well worth the money spent, or at least me thinks so.

Just in time for Halloween, Cellufun unveiled Hallofun, a series of games that allows users to “celebrate Halloween with their friends on their mobile phones.”

Here’s what’s it all about:

Cellufun’s users can decorate their homepages, dress up their avatars in costumes, knock on their friends’ doors and go trick-or-treating, pick pumpkins, and carve killer jack-o-lanterns. There’s also a Haunted Hay Ride, a Haunted House Maze, bonfire building, and a costume contest in which users can vote for the coolest costumes in Cellufun. Hallofun’s virtual costumes are available for free and for purchase (from $2-$4) and include Betty Boop, a French Maid, a Chef, an Astronaut, a Ninja, and dozens of others. Cellufun is also offering a limited edition Halloween Mobile Pet Bat and two Halloween Pet Dragons and is re-launching their Captives of Witch Hill adventure game with new graphics and story elements.

Hallofun is available in 10 languages and you can try it ou by pointing your mobile browser to m.cellufun.com and take it from there. Good luck!

If you haven’t heard of GameFly, it’s basically Netflix for video games: pay a monthly membership fee, and they’ll ship you rentals that you enjoy and send back at your leisure. Well, now they’ve launched a companion app for iPhone that lets you peruse cheats, controls, reviews, specs, and videos of your favourite games, sorted by platform and popularity. If you find something you like, you can also share a game via Facebook or twitter. The one gaping hole, of course, is the inability to manage your queue, something Netflix has managed to do just fine. The future of these mail-in services is also a bit doubtful, as competing channels that use digital distribution (namely GameTap) don’t have to deal with shipping costs. Still, good on GameFly for going mobile – download GameCenter for free from the iTunes App Store and get a 15-day free trial of the service, but if you’re packing a different device, their homepage is mobile-friendly. For a look at the features and a demo video, hit up their information page.