The Hobbit iOS App Released + Hints at Trailer #2

Tim here, with an update from Peter Jackson's The Hobbit. Yesterday they released a new App for iOS devices, and it is really cool. You can preview and follow a link to iTunes here.

App Store Description:
Explore Middle-Earth and experience the epic adventure of The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey with the official iOS app. Learn about Bilbo Baggins’ quest to reclaim the lost Dwarf Kingdom of Erebor and the band of thirteen dwarves that join him and Gandalf the Grey as they embark across the wastelands of the Lonely Mountain through exclusive artwork, interactive character galleries, and production videos presented by director Peter Jackson.

View a selection of animated character portraits, travel through a detailed map of Middle-earth and explore the stunning narrative imagery of “The Scroll” artwork to immerse yourself in the world of Hobbits, Dwarves, Elves, Orcs, deadly Wargs, giant Spiders and fearsome Dragons.

Features included in the app:

Interactive Map of Middle-Earth

360º views of scenic locations and settings

“The Scroll”, a narrative art piece

Animated lenticular character portraits

Peter Jackson’s Production Journals

Character image galleries and bios

Downloads for iPad, iPhone, and Facebook

Social integration with Facebook and Twitter

It's so amazing you have to play with it yourself to fully experience it. What's interesting is that as I'm writing a post about CSS3 and HTML5 this app comes out. The first thing you see is an animation of Gandalf with leaves falling in front of and behind him. This must have been done using CSS3. It would look amazing in stereo 3D!

In addition, based on the photo that The Hobbit Facebook page posted that I've included on the left: Hobbit Trailer #2 is only two weeks away! This is speculation and rumor, however we've known for a while that the next trailer was supposed to be coming at the beginning of fall, possibly in September. Hobbit Day is actually the birthday (September 22) of Bilbo and Frodo Baggins, although in different years. Here's hoping that this photo is hinting at that glorious new trailer we've all been waiting for as a birthday gift to Bilbo and Frodo... my precious.

Go download the app and play with it. And look out for The Hobbit trailer that's supposed to come out this month. The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey hits theaters December 14, 2012.