If you’re someone who is never content with a picture, and always has to manipulate it then ColorSplash might be an app you want to look into. After my playthrough with it, it’s basically a mini-Photoshop only with very limited features. If you’ve used the desaturation tool in Photoshop then you’ll have an idea how ColorSplash works. Basically you take a photo, and you convert bits of the picture to black-and-white. The parts you want left amplified, you leave in color. It leaves a very cool effect, and is quite easy to use.

ColorSplash App Page

Apple announced today they will allow customers to download HD quality movies, for purchase or rent. The first two movies featured for this option will be ‘Twilight’, and ‘Quantam of Solace’.

The price points will be $19.99 for purchase, or $4.99 for a rental. Check out the details in the press release below…

CUPERTINO, California—March 19, 2009—Apple® today announced that iTunes® customers can purchase and rent box office favorites including “Quantum of Solace” and “Twilight” in stunning HD on the iTunes Store (www.itunes.com). Starting today, movie fans can purchase box office blockbusters for download in HD for $19.99 from iTunes, and films will be available as iTunes Movie Rentals in HD for $4.99 within 30 days after release. Customers can enjoy these films in HD on their Mac® or PC and on their widescreen TV with Apple TV®, as well as in standard definition on their iPhone™ or iPod® with video. The iTunes Store is the world’s most popular online TV and movie store, with over 250 million TV episodes purchased and over 33 million movies purchased and rented.

“Movie fans are going to love being able to buy and rent films including ‘Quantum of Solace’ and ‘Twilight’ in stunning HD from the iTunes Store,” said Eddy Cue, Apple’s vice president of Internet Services. “Customers have made HD content on iTunes a hit, with over 50 percent of TV programming being purchased in HD when available.”

Starting today, iTunes customers can pre-order “Quantum of Solace” which will be downloaded to their computer on March 24, and the smash hit thriller “Twilight” will be available on March 21. iTunes customers can purchase “Transporter 3,” “Punisher: War Zone” and other select titles in HD today, and the action/comedy “The Spirit” will be available on April 14. The iTunes Movie Store will be adding more HD movies soon and customers can view the latest offerings at www.itunes.com/movies/hd.

The iTunes Store is the world’s most popular online music, TV and movie store with a catalog of over 10 million songs, over 40,000 TV episodes, and over 5,000 movies including over 1,200 in stunning high definition video for rent. With Apple’s legendary ease of use, pioneering features such as iTunes Movie Rentals, integrated podcasting support, the ability to turn previously purchased tracks into complete albums at a reduced price, and seamless integration with iPod and iPhone, the iTunes Store is the best way for Mac and PC users to legally discover, purchase and download music and video online.

Pricing & Availability
iTunes 8.1 for Mac and Windows includes the iTunes Store and is available as a free download from (www.itunes.com). Purchase and download of songs and videos from the iTunes Store requires a valid credit card from a financial institution in the country of purchase. Video availability varies by country. iTunes Movie Rentals are $2.99 (US) for library titles and $3.99 (US) for new releases, and high definition versions are priced just one dollar more with library titles at $3.99 (US) and new releases at $4.99 (US).

Apple ignited the personal computer revolution in the 1970s with the Apple II and reinvented the personal computer in the 1980s with the Macintosh. Today, Apple continues to lead the industry in innovation with its award-winning computers, OS X operating system and iLife and professional applications. Apple is also spearheading the digital media revolution with its iPod portable music and video players and iTunes online store, and has entered the mobile phone market with its revolutionary iPhone.

If you’ve ever played a puzzle game like Tetris, or Bubble Bobble then you’ll be right at home with Crayon Ball. This puzzle game has a wonderful physics engine. Like most puzzle games, you simply line up 4 balls in succession to make them disappear. This makes more balls drop, and the object of the game is to see how long you can go for. The beautiful crayon styled graphics, and physics make this game a must buy. Great deal for $0.99.

Crayon Ball App Page

If you haven’t been able to keep up with the iPhone OS 3.0 press conference then Apple is to your rescue. They’ve posted the conference in its entirety on their website.

Click here, if you’d like to take a look (Quicktime required of course.. )

Here are some main points shown off during the conference…

- The iPhone has now been released in over 80 countries.

- The iPhone OS 3.0 will allowed downloadable content for apps, and games.

- Explains why background processes won’t be included in upgrade.

- ESPN will upgrade their alert app with 3.0

- Selecting text, and adding copy and paste.

Taking pictures with your iPhone has just been turned upside down, well actually into 3D. With this app, all images you take with it will turn into a 3D image. Much like you see in the movies, and during the Superbowl specials this year. The only thing you’ll need is some 3D glasses. For a free pair, you can visit this site.

Cam3D App Page - $1.99

If you go to the App Store and take a gander at the most popular selection of apps you’ll notice a trend. Most of the apps people want are either free, or $0.99. There’s nothing inherently wrong with that, but just like most things in the world you’re paying for what you get.

Wired has posted a rumor that Apple will be creating a brand new app store. A supplement to the tried and true app store. This new kid on the block will feature premium apps, or what I refer to as the ‘expensive ones’. To try and up the quality, and amount of developers releasing apps the rumor is Apple will create a store dedicated to the higher end downloads.

I’m somewhat torn by this decision. While it’s always great to see better apps, I get this sneaking suspicion that this decision isn’t about the consumer. There’s plenty of ‘premium’, or high quality apps out there that cost very little money, or any at all. So, why should a premium store only feature downloads of a certain ‘price range’.

One benefit that many are going on about is the improvement with the gaming potential of the iPhone/iPod Touch. I don’t understand the logic of this thinking either. While the apps have the potential for some fun gaming, the closer you see their price to games on actual consoles the more you’ll see less purchases. iDracula is a perfect example. I’m absolutely ecstatic about this game, it’s fun and simple, providing quick entertainment when I’m out and about. However, it’s not something I’d be willing to fork out more than a couple of dollars for.

Charging more might increase development, but that doesn’t mean it will make the games any better. Just longer. Why not stick to what’s made games great so far on the iPhone. Cheap, quick, fun experiences that provide entertainment on the go.