world business news: iMore Editors' Choice: Grand Theft Auto: Vice City, Into the Dead, Weather 2x, and more

iMore Editors' Choice: Grand Theft Auto: Vice City, Into the Dead, Weather 2x, and more

Every week, the editors and writers at iMore carefully select some of our favorite, most useful, most extraordinary apps, accessories, gadgets, and websites. This week's selections include a few games, a weather app, an app that let's you control your Logitech webcam, a killer music app, and a photography app.

Weather 2x - Ally Kazmucha

I've always been weird with two kinds of apps, Twitter and Weather apps. I'm always divided between whether I want to use something more visually appealing or the one that provides me the most information. This tends to lead to me flipping between apps quite often. Weather 2x has been on my Home screen for over 2 months now and I've yet to grow bored of it. It provides stunning graphics that appeal when opening the app but also gives you detailed forecasts when you swipe up or over.

To me this is more than enough information about the weather. Now if you live in an area where weather tends to change quickly or become severe, it may not be feature rich enough but that's okay. Weather 2x meant for people that just want to casually view the forecast or current conditions in preparation for dressing and going out. If that sounds like you, make sure you give it a try!

$0.99 - Download Now

Webcam Settings - Rene Ritchie

I use a Logitech HD webcam for video podcasting and this week, the focus started to get a little wonky. Right away, my co-host on MacBreak Weekly, the uber-experience Alex Lindsay, told me to go buy Webcam Settings from the Mac App Store. I did. I launched it. And golden light started pouring from my display like Indiana Jones' ark or Marcellus Wallace's briefcase, or something.

Okay, not really. But what did pop up was an amazingly useful app that not only let me take control of the focus, but zoom, white balance, and countless other controls.

If you use a webcam on your Mac, and it's supported by Webcam Settings, go buy Webcam Settings now. You'll be glad you did (though not as glad as the people watching your finally-in focus and correctly framed and colored face.)

$7.99 - Download now

Into the Dead - Simon Sage

Okay, so zombies aren't exactly the most holiday-themed thing to be going with this time of year, but this thriller game is extremely well done. Into the Dead takes the first-person endless runner theme that was established awhile back by Dead Runner and throws in zombies, guns, and power-ups. You tilt or tap (as per your preference) to evade throngs of undead and various obstacles. Your character keeps running faster and faster on his own, moving through different areas as he progresses. If you're lucky, you can snag a weapon from a supply crate, but there are only a few rounds loaded, so count your shots. When you inevitably get mauled by a zombie, you're scored based on distance and awarded coins which can be spent on new unlocks and one-time power-ups. Into the Dead is brand spanking new, so new content updates shortly; there are already placeholders for "Massacre" and "Hardcore" game modes. Although the concept is simple, Into the Dead has great graphics, with lots of great subtle touches, like stray splatter on the lens, lifelike camera bob when tripping over fences or bumping into trees, and a genuinely creepy atmosphere. In-app purchases are employed tastefully, and reasonably - for about $10 you can unlock all the weapons, if you don't want to go through the trouble of unlocking them individually.

Free - Download now

Soundcloud - Chris Parsons

If you're on the hunt for some new music, Soundcloud is an app that may be able to take you out of your Taylor Swift on repeat rut. It's home to many great artists looking to be discovered as well as artists you already know and love. You can search for new music, follow your favorites and if you're an artist yourself, even upload your own music all from right within their newly redesigned app. The app is available for free and includes plenty of social integration as well as having AirPlay support, for those times you need to really rock out.

Free - Download Now

Photoset - Joseph Keller

Photoset is a new app from Tumblr that allows you to arrange and upload groups of photos to either Tumblr or Photoset website. With a simple, easy-to-use interface, you can upload existing photos, or else take pictures with the app, uploading new material on the go. Photosets are one of Tumblr?s major features, and the Photoset app makes creating them on either your iPhone or iPad simple and easy. Even if you don?t use Tumblr, the Photoset website lets you tweet out a link to share your pictures with your friends. Photoset is a free and universal app, so go ahead and give it a spin.

Free - Download now

Grand Theft Auto: Vice City - Chris Oldroyd

Ah, ten years ago I was sitting with my PS2 excitedly waiting for Rockstar?s latest and arguably greatest Grand Theft Auto game to load up. Ten years on and I am sitting on my sofa with a small mobile phone in my hand experiencing the exact same feelings of excitement; welcome to the just released Grand Theft Auto: Vice City for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch.

This game really needs no introduction so I won?t bother with one but I will say that the port over to iOS has been done extremely well; Rockstar has another sure fire winner on its hands. Crisp graphics, easily mastered and customized controls make this an easy game to pick up and play. Where this game shines though is the storyline and mission style gameplay. You can pick it up, play for a few minutes or a few hours and it?s still amazing fun mixed in with some risqu? on the edge badness.

If you have never played a Grand Theft Auto game before, you either don?t know what you?re missing or you do know what you?re missing and it?s not for you. Either way, I still urge everyone to give this game a try and if you can get over the mindless violence and take it as a bit of fun, then this game is utterly brilliant!

$4.99 - Download now

Doodle Jump Christmas Special - Leanna Lofte

I've always been a big fan of Holiday themed popular games and Doodle Jump Christmas Special is no exception. Doodle Jump has been a huge hit on the iPhone and iPad for a very long time and is great on its own, but there's something about the Christmas Special that makes it even better.

The goal in Doodle Jump is help Doodle jump all the up to the North Pole. The higher you get, the greater your score. It's not all about jumping, though. You must also avoid monsters and shoot them down with your snowball gun. There's even a super cool rocket power-up.

Doodle Jump Christmas Special is universal for the iPhone and iPad and has been updated for the iPhone 5's larger screen.

$0.99 - Download now

Your choice?

Now that we've chosen our favorites for the week, we want to hear yours! Did you pick up a killer app, accessory, or game this week? Let us know in the comments below!