The App Shelf for iPhone and iPod touch

Everybody's waiting to get their hands on the new Apple tablet dubbed the iPad.  While the public might have to wait about 60 days for the chance to touch, pinch, and swipe, a lucky select few got their chance to play yesterday at Apple's live media event.  While we might not be among the promised few, we still think it's worth sharing some hands-on video courtesy of Engadget.

To help kick off our Holiday Challenge Blitz, we’ve decided to extend the Quest of Knights Onrush App Challenge for an additional week until Monday, Nov. 23!

For details on how to enter for your chance to win a $10 iTunes gift Certificate, check out the full info.

We'll choose one winner for each week! (Non-winning entries will automatically carry over to the extended week)

Distinctive Development’s addition to Heli Rescue, entitled “Episode 2: Mountain Mayhem,” arrived as free downloadable update this morning. 

The app previously received a strong review from our team, and has now added a number of great additions and improvements including 2 new maps, a new type of helicopter, and the introduction of “no fly zones.”

The full list of additions and improvements include:
•    Two new maps
•    New very fast 'blackwolf' helicopter
•    No fly zones introduced
•    Improved visibility of people
•    Improved visibility of people marker
•    A number of improvements to make drawing paths more intuitive.
•    Change sound effects to be less annoying!
•    Improve stereo panning to be smoother for sounds
•    Added 'Game Over' message explaining why game ended
•    Additional bug fixes

From the time I’ve spent with the update, I’ve definitely noticed the improvements, and the new maps add some extra challenge.  The sounds, though improved, still venture on the side of annoying.  Overall, Heli Rescue is a great way to kill some time and save some lives.

Heli Rescue $0.99

To celebrate its addition to the Plus+ network, Ngmoco's award winning app, Topple 2, is now free on the App Store.  While it appears this might be a permanent price drop, anyone interested should download this full featured app ASAP and not take the chance.

Topple 2 is a fun and enjoyable iPhone OS specific stacking and balancing game with a sense of humor; for those not familiar, it's definitely worth the download.

App: Alive 4-ever
Dates: Tues., Sept, 29 – Mon., Oct. 5 Mon., Oct. 12
Challenge: Complete “Challenge Objective” of stage 14
Prize: $10 iTunes Gift Certificate

Welcome to our first weekly app challenge (with many planned) where you can win a $10 iTunes gift certificate! This week’s challenge deals with the recent Top Ten app, Alive 4-ever.

To enter the challenge, complete the requirements detailed below and send a screenshot of your achievement to .  Next week, a winner will be randomly drawn from all qualifying entries and notified via email.

THIS WEEKS CHALLENGE:  Successfully complete the “Challenge Objective” in Stage 14 of Alive 4-ever.  To complete the “Challenge Objective” you must return 3 vaccines to the rescue zone without ever setting them down in between transport.

Once you’ve completed the “Challenge Objective,” remember to take screenshot of your achievement and email us as proof (This can be done by pressing the Home button while simultaneously holding down the lock button).

The screenshot should look something like this:

In a nutshell:
• Complete the Challenge Objective for stage 14 of Alive 4-ever
• Take a screenshot of the completion screen as proof
• Email the screenshot along with your name to
• The winner will be announced the following week

BONUS: This week only, become a fan of TheAppShelf.com on Facebook and be entered for a chance to win a second $10 iTunes Gift Certificate!

Click this link to view our full sweepstakes rules.

Objective: Become a fan of TheAppShelf.com on Facebook
Contest Dates: Tues., Sept, 29 – Mon., Oct. 5
Prize: $10 iTunes Gift Certificate

Welcome to our first site contest (with many planned) where you can win a $10 iTunes gift certificate!  To enter this contest, all you need to do is become a fan of TheAppShelf.com on Facebook!

Become a fan of TheAppShelf.com on Facebook by Monday, October 5 and you’ll automatically be entered in a random drawing to win a $10 iTunes Gift Certificate.

BONUS: Don’t forget to check out this week’s Weekly App Challenge for another chance to win a $10 iTunes gift certificate.

Click this link to view our full sweepstakes rules.

For all those fans of the Moron Test, You might want to check out The Idiot Test 3 while it's still free.  The giveaway ends September 26.

On September 9, Apple announced a refresh to its iPod line, including the next gen iPod Touch.   Because a lot of info comes out of these media events, we wanted to take a moment and distill the day’s announcements for iPhone and iPod Touch users.

iPhone & iPod Touch Related info:

• iPhone OS 3.1 officially released and available for download (see below for a list of changes and new features).
• OS 3.1 will be available for free to iPod Touch owner currently running OS 3.1 & to all iPhone owners.
• iPod Touch Users not running 3.0 will have to pay $4.99 (a $5 price drop).
• iTunes 9 released and adds enhanced syncing options and Genius option for Apps.
• iTunes 9 allows users to edit & organize device home screens in iTunes.
• The 8 GB iPod Touch price dropped to $199 (with no hardware upgrades).
• The 16 & 32 GB models have doubled in storage space to 32 & 64 GB respectively, and have been upgraded with a faster processer.
• EA released Madden 2010 for iPhone OS.
• Ubisoft announced Assassin’s Creed II for iPhone OS.
• Gameloft announced Nova—a Halo-like FPS—for iPhone OS.
• Tapulous announced Riddim Ribbon

• Gameloft announced Nova—a Halo-like FPS—for iPhone OS.

• Tapulous announced Riddim Ribbon

It’s becoming somewhat of a tradition to see apps go on holiday sales.  The list is organized by sale price for lack of a better method.  There are lots of great sales this weekend so be sure to check the entire list!  Updates will be periodically posted. Be sure to double check prices on the App Store before purchasing!

[UPDATE]

Free
Sheep Abduction $0.99 → Free
Cornhole All-Stars $0.99 → Free

[Original]

Free
World Defender $0.99 → Free
Nano Fighter 2.1 $0.99 → Free

$0.99
Ynth $2.99 → $0.99
Fruit Juice Tycoon $1.99 → $0.99
Kenken $4.99 → $0.99
Silent Hill: The Escape $7.99 → $0.99
Dirt Moto Racing $4.99 → $0.99
Boulder Dash Rocks $4.99 → $0.99
Airport Mania $2.99 → $0.99
Wacky Worlds Mini Golf $2.99 → $0.99
Luxor $2.99 → $0.99
FaceFighter $1.99 → $0.99 (Review)
Ancient Tribes $1.99 → $0.99
Lost Empires $4.99 → $0.99 (Review)
Castle of Magic  $4.99 → $0.99 (Review)
iMech $2.99 → $0.99

$1.99
Yahtzee Adventures $2.99 → $1.99
The Kings $4.99 → $1.99
Creepytown $2.99 → $1.99

$2.99
SimCity $4.99 → $2.99
Townrs Defender $4.99→ $2.99
Trivial Pursuit $4.99 → $2.99
Clue $4.99 → $2.99
Civilization Revolution $9.99 → $2.99
Crash Bandicoot Nitro Kart 3D $4.99 → $2.99
Mega Man II $4.99 → $2.99 (Review)
Rolando $5.99 → $2.99
Resident Evil 4 $7.99 → $2.99 (Review)

$3.99 +
Super Monkey Ball $5.99 → $3.99
Real Racing $9.99 → $6.99

Check Back for Updates!

Fans of the Civilization franchise who’ve been putting off the purchase of Civilization Revolution because of the $9.99 price tag might want to strongly consider the purchase now at the $2.99 reduced price point. You can always try the free lite version first.

There will likely be lots of great holiday sales this weekend.  There are already some great sales going on.  We’ll get those posted in a bit.  Check back for updates!