Today in the App Store -- the best free apps, new apps and app updates

Here are some of the best free apps, app updates and new apps that have landed in the App Store recently. All app prices are USD and subject to change. Some deals may expire quickly, so grab them while you can.

Apps Now Free

Ricochet Infinity [iPhone; Now free, down from $0.99] Ricochet Infinity is an action packed brick busting game requiring equal parts skill, strategy and luck.

Atom Run [iOS Universal; Now free, down from $2.99] Atom Run is an action-packed retro-futuristic platform game.

Now Then - Time Tracker and Timesheet Assistant [iOS Universal; Now free, down from $2.99] Now Then is the must-have time tracking app for your iPhone, iPod touch and iPad.

iShutdown [iPhone; Now free, down from $1.99] Shutdown, sleep, restart or hibernate your MAC or PC with one tap!

iShutdown HD [iPad; Now free, down from $1.99] Shutdown, sleep, restart or hibernate your MAC or PC with one tap!

Writing Aid - Definitions, Synonyms and Meanings [iPhone; Now free, down from $0.99] Know what you want to say but forgotten how to express it? Just can't remember what this word means? Writing Aid can relieve this frustration.

Fiete Match [iOS Universal; Now free, down from $1.99] Fiete Match is a pairs game with a twist.

Atom Run [OS X; Now free, down from $2.99] Atom Run is an action-packed retro-futuristic platform game.

New and Notable Apps

Take Creative Vocal Recorder [iPhone; Free] Sing, hum, rap, strum. Take captures your musical ideas-anytime, anywhere.

Macrocosm [iOS Universal; $0.99] The player controls a black distorted dot – black matter – in a top-down view. The challenges include moving around planets with a gravitational pull and avoiding forces of evil that try to damage you.

Sonic Jump Fever [iOS Universal; Free] Prepare to feel the FEVER in an explosive race against the clock! Join Sonic and friends in high-speed bursts of vertical jumping mayhem.

iTranslate - translator & dictionary [OS X; $4.99] iTranslate, the most popular translator tool on the App Store, now also on your Mac.

Flowboard - Presentation Software [OS X; $9.99] With Flowboard you create beautiful interactive presentations that bring your ideas to life on Mac, iPad and web.

Updates you don't want to miss

Angry Birds Star Wars II [iOS Universal; Free] Get ready to MASTER YOUR DESTINY! Start as a Jedi Youngling or Sith Hopeful and rise the ranks in this all-new chapter! Version 1.6 brings the following changes:

• 15 NEW BIRD SIDE LEVELS! To become a Jedi Knight needs discipline!

• 15 NEW PORK SIDE LEVELS! Dark is the path to becoming a Sith Knight!

• NOW FREE! Download for free on iOS.

Plague Inc. [iOS Universal; $0.99] Can you infect the world? Plague Inc. is a unique mix of high strategy and terrifyingly realistic simulation. Version 1.9 brings the following changes:

• Special Simian Flu expansion pack added from Dawn of the Planet of the Apes, in partnership with 20th Century Fox.

• Performance improvements for all devices

• Minor game balance / AI improvements / bug fix

Pushover Notifications [iOS Universal; Free] Pushover is a simple push notification service that integrates easily into web apps like IFTTT, network monitoring systems, shell scripts, and more. Version 2.2.1 brings the following changes:

• Add in-app purchase for new licensing (existing users will have their licenses automatically imported)

• Add setting to auto-open supplementary URLs of messages when their notifications are swiped on from Notification Center

• More efficient message syncing

• Bugfixes, including a crash-on-open in 2.2

Tengami [iOS Universal; $1.99] Tengami is an atmospheric adventure game set inside a Japanese pop-up book. Version 1.2 brings the following changes:

• Added settings for iCloud syncing and Music playback.

• Added the option to pause the game.

• Added support for background app switching.

• Slightly increased character speed.

• Made the 8 bells puzzle easier.

• Fixes for Italian and Chinese localization.