News

T-Mobile CEO John Legere recently created a social media storm after his company sent out emails urging BlackBerry users to switch to the iPhone 5s. The backlash caused BB CEO John Chen to pen a blog post condemning Legere for not speaking to him before launching a "clearly inappropriate and ill-conceived marketing promotion." How did T-Mobile respond? By offering BlackBerry users $250 if they trade-in their current device for a new model:

"Starting this Friday, we’re offering $200 credit toward a new device when you trade in your current BlackBerry and upgrade to one of the latest, greatest devices. Purchase any device we offer at T-Mobile. It’s that simple. Bring in your old, working BlackBerry and we’ll give you $200 toward a new BlackBerry or any of our other state-of-the-art smartphones.i In addition, for those existing T-Mobile BlackBerry customers trading-in and choosing a new BlackBerry Q10 or Z10, we’re offering an ADDITIONAL $50 off the purchase price of that new BlackBerry. These offers will be available for a limited time.

Starting Sunday, February 16, through Saturday, February 22, Best Buy will be discounting all iPhone models by $50. This means Best Buy shoppers will be able to nab an iPhone 5 for free, an iPhone 5c for $50 or the iPhone 5s for only $150, when they sign up for a new two-year agreement. The sale also includes all three major carriers AT&T, Sprint, or Verizon Wireless.

Customers can also receive a $50 gift card if they they reserve an iPhone at a Best Buy retail location, Best Buy Mobile specialty store or at BestBuy.com before February 15th.

Here's a quick look at some of the noteworthy apps and games not named Flappy Bird that were released to the Apple App Store this week (02/09/14 to 02/15/14). Max Axe is Apple's Free App of the Week. It will be free until Thursday, February 20, 2014.

OMG: TD! looks a lot like one of those games you see on your Facebook feed or advertised on another game. The type of game you download only to find out it is virtually unplayable because of in-app purchases, or that you have to wait 24 hours to build one item, but it's actually a fun tower defense title with plenty of replay value.

The game's turrets are all modeled after Greek gods like Zeus and Ares, and the object is to stop waves of Titans and their armies from destroying your temple. Currently (Version 1.0.4) there are 20 levels and six bonus levels. Each level has a Normal mode, Challenge mode and Frenzy mode giving you plenty of different scenarios to complete. The game also includes heroes (1 free and 5 available as IAPs), four special abilities and nine gods to use as your defense. Each of the heroes and gods can also be upgraded with souls you collect from your fallen enemies, and each features their own special abilities and strengths.

BlackBerry has begun rolling out BBM Voice and Channels, plus other new features, to iOS and Android devices today. BBM Voice simply allows users to make free voice calls to their contacts over a Wi-Fi or data connection.

Channels is a way for users to discuss a variety of topics, like sports and fashion, with other BBM customers without the need to share personal info or add them to their contacts. Users can easily set up their own personal Channels, moderate them and schedule chat times.