Nokia to launch left-handed phone

April 1st, 2012, 19:49 Posted By: wraggster

Pitching Windows-based Prila 1 at the ten per cent of the world who are evil.
Whether left-handed people deserve to be feared and loathed is best left to the religious lobby, but this won't worry Nokia.
Insiders at the Finnish device maker say the firm believes there's a gap in the market for a phone that slips more easily into the left hand, with its weirdly positioned thumb and strange digit configuration.
Nokia has also convinced Microsoft to create an adpated version of WinPho 7, which swipes to the left when it detects a finger from the left-hand in contact with the touchscreen.
And there will be new apps in Windows Marketplace too. Rovio has already committed Ambidextrous Birds, with the option of positioning the catapault on the right.
April Summers, EVP of monetisation solutions at the Left Handed Society, said: "It took us a long time to recover after Black & Decker withdrew the left-handed screwdriver, so this is great news.

http://www.mobile-ent.biz/news/read/...d-phone/017606

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App downloads stabilise in February following January spike

April 1st, 2012, 19:50 Posted By: wraggster

Mobile app marketing firm Fiksu revealed a record Apple app download spike in January, which was due to users playing with their new iPhones and iPads that received respective sales of around 15 million and 35 million devices.
Now, the firm has confirmed the January spike that hit 6.79 million daily downloads, has returned to a normal average of 6.35 million in February.
Meanwhile, marketing costs from January to February rose by 15 per cent from $1.14 per loyal user to $1.31.
Micah Adler, CEO, Fiksu, says: "As we moved out of the holiday and New Year discovery rush period, consumer download activity slowed during the month of February.
"Still, with plentiful volume at reasonable costs, our Indexes show that February presented another valuable opportunity for mobile marketers to acquire loyal app users."

http://www.mobile-ent.biz/news/read/...y-spike/017605

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iOS devices to drive touchscreen chip shipments to 1.7bn in 2012

April 1st, 2012, 19:51 Posted By: wraggster

The use of touchscreen mobile devices has risen in recent years with a string of smartphones on the market that choose to neglect buttons, while tablets entering the market has also increased the touchscreen rollout.
IHS iSuppli claims it's Apple's iPhone and iPad that are driving the rise of touchscreen chip shipments, which are set to reach 1.7 billion units in 2012, a 28 per cent rise from 865 million in 2010.
Shipments are set to increase even further in the next few years, reaching 2.4 billion by 2015, which is when the rate is expected to slow.
Randy Lawson, principal analyst for display & consumer electronics at IHS, said: "The expansion in touch controller IC shipments is due to the growing number of devices that employ touch technology. Apple almost single-handedly ignited the market for touch in 2007 when it introduced the iPhone, which featured a multi-touch screen based on a projected capacitive touch technology.
"Since the appearance of the iPhone, many other smartphone manufacturers have jumped on the bandwagon by deploying sophisticated touch sensors for their products."

http://www.mobile-ent.biz/news/read/...in-2012/017603

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Is Google making more profit from Apple than Android?

April 1st, 2012, 19:54 Posted By: wraggster

Android reported to have made just $550m in four years.
Google is currently locked in a legal battle with patent firm Oracle, which has yielded some interesting figures, according to The Guardian.
The stats suggest Google has made just $550 million from Android since 2008, while Apple has reportedly made Google four times as much, through its use of Google search, Maps, YouTube and so on.
When breaking down the 250 million Android devices sold between 2008 and 2012 with the $550 million profit, Google makes around $10 per Android handset each year.
It's questionable, given that Android will potentially generate $1 billion in ad revs in 2012, while Samsung – Google's most prolific Android user – is the world's number one phone maker.
However, Google chief Larry Page claimed that its mobile platform has had a 2.5-fold increase to generate over $2.5 billion, which suggests Apple may very well be powering the firm's profits if Android has only contributed to a fifth of the sum.

http://www.mobile-ent.biz/news/read/...android/017594

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iPad '4G' grumbles spread to the UK

April 1st, 2012, 19:56 Posted By: wraggster

The third-generation iPad could also be facing a consumer backlash over the '4G' designation for the mobile equipped version given that Apple's latest tablet is incompatible with the 4G networks planned for the UK.
Earlier in the week, Australia's Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) watchdog took Apple to court over the 4G name badge of the new iPad, based on the fact that the device is also incompatible with Australia's existing Telstra 4G network.
While capable of using the faster 4G LTE standard, the '4G' iPad has a chip based on frequencies in use in the US market, 700MHz and 2100MHz while Australia's 4G network operates on 1800MHz. Apple later promised a full refund to buyers of the iPad 4G if they so choose.
Apple also brands the new iPad as 4G compatible in the UK, well ahead of the availability of 4G networks. What's more, the supported frequencies are once again different from those which will be ultimately used in the UK after the spectrum auction goes ahead.
Pocket-lint contacted British advertising watchdog the ASA, apparently confirming that similar complaints had been made in the UK.
An ASA slap down will probably just mean telling Apple to rename the device. One potential outcome is that Apple also offers a refund to those that bought the 4G version.

http://www.pcr-online.biz/news/read/...-the-uk/028144

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Triple Town: 67% of iOS revenue on GooglePlay

April 1st, 2012, 19:57 Posted By: wraggster

'Free to play way to go on Android', says Spry Fox CEO

Triple Town has made 67 percent as much on GooglePlay as it has on iOS, says Spry Fox CEO David Edery.
For Edry, this is proof the Android platform can be profitable to developers, especially if they go free to play.

"Confirms what I'd heard: f2p games are probably the way to go on Android," he wrote onTwitter.
"I think the myth that Android isn't a profitable ecosystem really hurts developers. It frustrates me to see folks perpetuating it."
Triple Town reached the top of the charts on iOS, but Spry Fox has since become involved in a legal dispute with 6Waves Lolapps, who it accuses of copying the game for its Facebook game, Yeti Town.

http://www.develop-online.net/news/4...-on-GooglePlay

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Nano-SIM Decision Delayed

April 1st, 2012, 21:52 Posted By: wraggster

The decision on the next generation of even-smaller SIM cards for phones and other devices has been delayed by standards body ETSI, and the issue (which should have been settled this week) is nowhere near resolution. Apple wants to trim the existing micro-SIM further, Nokia wants to move to something like a micro-SD card which may involve patents. Meanwhile RIM has complained about Apple's approach.
http://hardware.slashdot.org/story/1...cision-delayed

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Smartphones Invade the Prepaid Market

April 1st, 2012, 21:56 Posted By: wraggster

When tech geeks debate the state of the smartphone world, they usually focus on the iPhone and its high-end Android rivals from the major carriers. But Android is rapidly entering the lower-end world of contractless prepaid phones that you can buy at 7-11 or Wal-Mart. 63 percent of prepaid phones sold in 2011 were smartphones, and while they might not offer cutting-edge hardware or easy customization, they do provide a smartphone experience without an onerous contract.

http://mobile.slashdot.org/story/12/...prepaid-market

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Sony's Xperia Ice Cream Sandwich rollout pushed to mid-April

April 1st, 2012, 23:19 Posted By: wraggster

To be fair, things have... changed a bit since we heard back in November that the Xperia handset line would be getting Ice Cream Sandwich by March of 2012. Specifically, Sony Ericsson is no more, and it's up to Sony Mobile alone to continue the torch carrying. At any rate, the outfit has made clear today that it'll be mid-April at the earliest before any of the Xperia smartphones see an Android 4.0 update, with the Xperia Arc S, Xperia Neo V and Xperia Ray amongst the first on deck. We're told that the updates will start hitting that trio in the middle of next month, with every last owner to be gifted in the four to six weeks following. Beyond that, the Xperia Play, Xperia Neo, Xperia Mini, Xperia Mini Pro, Xperia Pro and Xperia Active will start seeing ICS "from the end of May / early June." You know, pretty much right when Android 5.0 will be unveiled.

http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/30/s...pdate-details/

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Paper: the iPad sketchbook app from the brains of Courier

April 1st, 2012, 23:25 Posted By: wraggster

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MAME4droid Reloaded 1.1

April 2nd, 2012, 00:22 Posted By: wraggster

Upgraded to MAME 0.139. Fixed/Added input mapping in MAME menu. Added correct 4/3 aspect ratio (now works MAME menu aspect ratio selector). Fixed flickering on GL mode. Improved ROM manager (still stuff pending anyway). Added emulated resolution selector to improve artwork rendering.

http://code.google.com/p/imame4all/

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82 per cent of new iPad users are 'very satisfied' with the device

April 2nd, 2012, 21:20 Posted By: wraggster

Apple users fall in love with tablets despite previous complaints of sun-like temperatures.
The new iPad was released just over a fortnight ago and has since sold more than three million devices, so ChangeWave Research has surveyed a series of users to determine their opinion of the third Apple tablet.
82 per cent say they're very satisfied with the new iPad, while 16 per cent claim to be somewhat satisfied, leaving just two per cent to declare that they're somewhat unsatisfied, which puts the appreciation ahead of the iPad 2.
When asked what their favourite feature is, three-quarters said the Retina Display, 22 per cent said long battery life, while 21 per cent said LTE, leaving the quad-core processor in fourth with 20 per cent.
Meanwhile, 26 per cent dislike the price of the tablet and 23 per cent dislike the price of wireless data plans.
Interestingly, the new iPad's excessive overheating problem generated the second from last dislike with just seven per cent, while the battery fault – displays higher than actual battery life – was the least of user worries to secure six per cent.

http://www.mobile-ent.biz/news/read/...-device/017620

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Infographic: Growing Up: The Maturation of iOS and Android OS

April 2nd, 2012, 21:22 Posted By: wraggster

A detailed look at rivals Apple and Google from 2007 to 2012.
Apple and Google have continued to jockey for position following the debut of their respective smartphones, the iPhone in September 2007 and the HTC Dream in September 2008.
Since that time, the firms have sold millions of smartphones and tablets, while adding hundreds of thousands of apps to their app stores, in turn notching up billions of downloads.
Google is expected sell 310 million Android phones in 2012, more than doubling the Apple's iPhone sales, which are set to hit 118 million.

http://www.mobile-ent.biz/news/read/...roid-os/017615

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Super Meat Boy jumping to iOS

April 2nd, 2012, 22:18 Posted By: wraggster

Team Meat promises 'feature length touch controlled platformer specifically designed for touch devices'

Hit Indie platformer Super Meat Boy is being remade for iOS, the developer has revealed.
Speaking on Team Meat’s official blog, Edmund McMillen said the developer would be remaking the entire game from the ground-up, rather than doing a straight port of the existing title from PC and XBLA.

He added that the game would be “a feature length touch controlled platformer specifically designed for touch devices” to avoid the use of non-tactile buttons spread on the screen blocking a player’s view.
“Sadly, there was no way of doing this without the game becoming a pile of garbage,” said McMillen.
“Super Meat Boy is a twitch platformer with precision controls, there was no way in hell this would work on a touch screen with buttons all over it, Super Meat Boy isn't a game we want to make a sub-par version of just to cash in.

http://www.develop-online.net/news/4...jumping-to-iOS

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App of the Day: Taxi For Two

April 4th, 2012, 00:34 Posted By: wraggster

Finds other people to share a cab with.
UK firm Taxi For Two has come up with a very simple app that aims to get people sharing cabs so they can save money and do their bit for the environment.
It's currently available as a web app in the UK via its own web site or through the shortcode 84433.
The interface is very straightforward. You just type in your start point and destination, click 'find me' and wait for others to hook up.
Naturally, the success of the app depends on a certain critical mass of users being accumulated.
Unlike the many other taxi apps available from app stores, Taxi For Two doesn't book taxis, and it's free for the moment. So we'll have to wait and see how the firm will make money

http://www.mobile-ent.biz/news/read/...for-two/017637

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iPhone 4S is still the best-selling smartphone in the US

April 4th, 2012, 00:35 Posted By: wraggster

Canaccord Genuity claims the iPhone 4S remained the number one smartphone in America throughout March, securing the coveted spot across AT&T, Verizon and Sprint from the time it was released in October.
Meanwhile, Samsung is the number two vendor behind Apple and the firm has secured the top smartphone spot across T-Mobile, thanks to the Galaxy S II.
However, it should be noted that T-Mobile is a network that doesn't provide the iPhone.
Samsung has also had the Galaxy S II secure top three positions with AT&T and Sprint, while the Galaxy Nexus is popular across Verizon.
Mike Walkley, analyst, Canaccord, says: "During March, our checks indicated the iPhone 4S remained the top smartphone in the U.S. market and Samsung gained share as smartphone penetration grows in US prepaid channels.”

http://www.mobile-ent.biz/news/read/...-the-us/017631

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iPhone owners connect to wi-fi more than Android phone owners

April 4th, 2012, 00:37 Posted By: wraggster

While the UK leads the US for usage rates.
A couple of years ago, UK operators enforced data allowance restrictions on all mobile devices, so it's perhaps no surprise that comScore has found 87 per cent of British iPhone owners connect their devices to wi-fi as well as the mobile web.
Presumably, connecting to the wi-fi is an attempt to avoid high bills coming through.
However, while most iPhones are connected to the dual platforms, this falls to just 57 per cent for Android phones, suggesting that iOS is used for more online activity.
Although the UK leads for mobile wi-fi connectivity, the US also shows a similar trend to secure 71 per cent of iPhone owners that use wi-fi and mobile web, while Android has just 32 per cent using both platforms.
That means a massive 68 per cent of America's Android users choose to connect to the mobile web only.

http://www.mobile-ent.biz/news/read/...-owners/017624

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iPhone apps generate £3.34m a day

April 4th, 2012, 00:40 Posted By: wraggster

Around five times more than those of Android.
Analysts CCS Insight and Distimo have teamed up to create a new market tracking product, App VU Global. The report confirmed Apple as the leader in the app space, with the iPhone and iPad app stores generating daily revenue of $3.34 million and $2.07 million respectively in January 2012.
Google Play daily revenue grew 31 per cent rise in January 2012, to $679,000 across smartphones and tablets.
In-app payments drove much of this revenue, with 60 per cent of revenue comes from the top 200 best selling iOS and Android apps coming from this source. Total spending of this type in February rose by 79 per cent for the top 200 iPhone apps.
The only negative news came in the iPad space, where figures for February showed a 27 percent drop in iPad downloads as people waited for the new iPad.
The App VU Global service comprises quarterly face-to-face presentations, app market data supplied by Distimo, spreadsheets and face time with CCS Insight analysts.

http://www.mobile-ent.biz/news/read/...m-a-day/017622

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Instagram arrives for Android

April 4th, 2012, 00:44 Posted By: wraggster

Massively popular iPhone app Instagram has finally launched on Google's rival Android platform, bringing the social photo app to an even greater audience.
Boasting an astonishing 30 million users on iOS, Instagram provides photo enhancing features and the ability to share to various social networks as well as see image streams from others which the user is 'following' in the usual social networking style.
Part of the delay in porting the application to the world's most popular mobile OS is the developer's self-described meticulous efforts to bring the application to Android.
"The Android app offers an extremely familiar Instagram experience when compared to the iOS app. You’ll find all the same exact filters and community as our iOS version," Instagram said in a Q&A page.
The application will work on any Android camera phone with Android 2.2 and above and suport for OpenGL ES 2 which might be a little arcane for for most users but the Google Play store will tell Android users whether their phone is suitable for the app or not.
The free application has already gained 14,000 ratings with an average of 4.3 stars - highly rated by Android app standards.
One user commented: "I love this app. The integration to the top social networks is flawless."

http://www.pcr-online.biz/news/read/...android/028163

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New iPad didn't hurt notebook sales

April 4th, 2012, 00:45 Posted By: wraggster

Intel is set to promote a new 10-inch Medfield-based PC tablet category dubbed the StudyBook, aimed at the education market according to a DigiTimes report.
The 10-inch StudyBook will be based on the Intel Medfield platform and contain support for dual-operating systems. The primary market for StudyBook is the growth markets of China and Brazil, according to sources quoted by the DigiTimes.
Intel's Classmate PC program has already been running for five years and the DigiTimes claimed that the OEM manufacturer of the Classmate, Elitegroup Computer Systems (ECS), will also be tapped to manufacturer the budget tablet. The Classmate already featured a reversable touch screen so was in effect a hybrid tablet device.
In addition to targeting the education market, Intel hopes to get the StudyBook into "regular retail channels" for less than US$299. While ARM-based tablets are often hitting budget price points, an Intel (and Windows 8) compatible 10-inch tablet for this sort of money could be quite the upset.
Interestingly, the DigiTimes also said that against expectations the new iPad doesn't appear to have impacted notebook shipments in March. The result, they say, is that Far Eastern notebook manufacturers are producing optimistic forecasts of notebook shipments this year.
Digitimes Research analyst Joanne Chien hailed Acer in particular for "rather excellent performance" and noted that the firm was geared up for an "aggressive preparation of ultrabook product lines" in the year ahead. Chien said this was good news for Acer's chances of regaining status as a "top 3 vendor".

http://www.pcr-online.biz/news/read/...k-sales/028162

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Do Tablets Help Children Learn?

April 4th, 2012, 01:13 Posted By: wraggster

With the wide array of electronic devices available in our everyday lives, it appears that children have formed an attachment to a different kind of toy. According to the latest survey, 77 per cent of polled US, UK parents believe that iPads and other tablets are good educational tools that boost kids' creativity. Meanwhile, researchers in this field explain that it is a matter of balance — and a child's access to tablets and other similar electronic devices should be monitored. Specialists warn that using tablets in excess could cause attention deficit disorder and even autism, particularly at a very young age.
http://news.slashdot.org/story/12/04...children-learn

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iPad to get physical controller?

April 4th, 2012, 01:51 Posted By: wraggster

Perhaps Apple may someday give us more control options
[h=3]Apple[/h]Established in 1976, Apple is a multinational corporation (corporate headquarters based in California)...

www.apple.com


In a recent review of the new iPad on hardware enthusiast web site Anandtech, the site's founder Anand Lal Shimpi revealed that Apple may be working on a physical game controller for the iPad. "I know of an internal Apple project to bring a physical controller to market, but whether or not it will ever see the light of day remains to be seen," noted Shimpi in his review.
Many hardcore gamers have dismissed the possibility of gaming on tablets because of the lack of joysticks, buttons, and tactile feedback, which they believe makes many types of console games (such as first-person shooters) impossible to execute well. In his review, Shimpi says "As smartphones and tablets come close to equalling the performance of current game consoles, I feel like the controller problem must be addressed."
It is worth noting that Android's latest versions (since Honeycomb) include support for both wired and wireless controllers. Several manufacturers make controllers that can be used with Android tablets, though such controllers are typically $50 or $60, which seems expesnive considering the games are usually less than $10 each for tablets.
So far, tablet games have managed to get by without the need for external controllers; designers have been clever at finding ways to put different controls into the touchscreen, and it may just be that gamers need to get used to these alternatives (or they need to get better, or both). Gamers once thought first-person shooters would be impossible on consoles due to the lack of a keyboard/mouse combination, which is still the interface of choice for the best FPS players (as noted in this article on the new iPad).
If Apple were to come out with a good game controller for the iPad, it would certainly get support from game publishers. It would also make it possible to port more games to the iPad without having to redesign the control inputs, assuming that an Apple controller would have all the typical inputs of a console controller. Publishers would still have to port software to a very different hardware platform, but that's something they're used to doing. Will Apple actually do this? About the only thing we can be sure of is that we probably won't know until they ship it, if they ever do.

http://www.gamesindustry.biz/article...oller-for-ipad

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One-third of US teens own an iPhone

April 4th, 2012, 23:07 Posted By: wraggster

And 40 per cent plan to buy one.
Research firm Piper Jaffray claims 34 per cent of American teens own an iPhone, which rises from 23 per cent in autumn 2011 and 17 per cent from a year ago.
Meanwhile, 40 per cent plan to buy an iPhone in the next six months, up three per cent on the previous year.
Additionally, a further 34 per cent owns a tablet, which is up from 22 per cent a year ago. Of the third that own tablets, 70 per cent were iPads, 19 per cent were Android tablets and 11 per cent were Kindle Fires.
In comparison, further results show just 17 per cent own an e-reader, up from 11 per cent the previous year.

http://www.mobile-ent.biz/news/read/...-iphone/017649

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WinPho to account for just two per cent of app downloads in 2012

April 4th, 2012, 23:09 Posted By: wraggster

While iOS and Android will occupy 83 per cent.
Mobile users are set to download almost 36 billion apps this year, though the Windows Phone platform will account for just two per cent of that amount, according to ABI research, which doubles 2011 results.
Meanwhile, iOS and Android will continue to lead the market by securing 83 per cent of the app downloads.
The Microsoft platform even trails its partner Nokia's Symbian OS and BlackBerry, which is often criticised for its poor apps.
The report highlights four key reasons why WinPho is a slow burner:
* Small device market share
* Delayed global expansion
* Lack of freemium apps
* No tablets on the market

http://www.mobile-ent.biz/news/read/...in-2012/017648

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Ringtones earn more than Spotify, Rhapsody, & Radio combined

April 4th, 2012, 23:10 Posted By: wraggster

Still bringing in $277m a year in the US.
You'd have thought the ringtone was a valueless relic these days such was its dramatic fall from favour in the mid-nineties.
The pincer movement of draconian legislation against mis-sold subscriptions and the ability to self-configure tones based on a user's own sideloaded library was supposed to have killed it.
But it seems consumers haven't been listening to the tech press.
New stats from the RIAA show that ringtones accounted for $277.4 million in the US last year, against $241.0 million revenues from mobile music subscription services like the much-hyped Spotify.
You have to wonder just how much of that $277 still comes from hapless consumers signing up for (legal) subscriptions without reading the Ts & Cs, but it's a pretty remarkable stat nonetheless.

http://www.mobile-ent.biz/news/read/...ombined/017644

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Nokia Lumia 900 Reviews

April 4th, 2012, 23:20 Posted By: wraggster

MrSeb, zachareye, and others wrote in with several reviews of the Nokia Lumia 900. Starting things off, Extreme Tech asks if the Lumia redefines the smartphone; BGR chimes in declaring the phone "terrific". Ars Technica, on the other hand, isn't quite so enthusiastic, especially about the camera optics. Anandtech joins Ars in not being particularly enthused. It looks like most reviewers are happy with the UI, but not so enthused about the hardware (low display resolution for one). Signs point to an OK handset, but nothing spectacular.

http://mobile.slashdot.org/story/12/...ia-900-reviews

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Amoebattle on App Store today, DSiWare coming soon

April 4th, 2012, 23:49 Posted By: wraggster

It's not often we hear about near-concurrent DSiWare/iPhone releases, so any such game automatically gets an element of novelty. Intrinsic Games, creators of DSiWare's Divergent Shift, are doing just that.

Amoebattle is a simple RTS in which you control a group of amoebas in a microscopic campaign. Originally designed as a DS game, the iPhone version made it to market first -- it's available from the App Store today for $5. The DSiWare version has been approved by Nintendo and will be released soon, though there's no specific date yet.

Intrinsic seems to be developing "iOS/DSiWare" into a full-on business model; a previous App Store release, Penguin Patrol, is due for release on DSiWare

http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/04/am...e-coming-soon/

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54 per cent of Brits only use phones for texts and calls when abroad

April 6th, 2012, 00:50 Posted By: wraggster

Just 11 per cent will make use of social networking in the sun.
1.5 million Brits are set to travel abroad this Easter weekend, according to GOSIM.com, but calls and texts messages will take priority for more than half when it comes to their overseas mobile phone use.
Meanwhile, although social networking is used by millions of the UK population, just 11 per cent regard it as the most important feature when on holiday.
However, the use of social networks abroad rise to 22 per cent and 19 per cent respectively for those aged 18-22 and 23-35.
In comparison, 23 per cent of 56-70 year olds turn their mobiles off entirely when on holiday, presumably to avoid high data roaming charges.
John Assiter, GOSIM.com, says: "Using your mobile abroad can be a costly and often unknown expense, leaving many Brits hesitant to use their phone in the same way they would at home, but that needn’t be the case.

http://www.mobile-ent.biz/news/read/...-abroad/017655

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New iOS outing for Skylanders

April 6th, 2012, 01:09 Posted By: wraggster

Activision’s hugely successful new IP Skylanders is coming to iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch.
Called Skylanders Cloud Patrol, the game is set in a new region of Skylanders. It features all of the 30+ strong cast controlled via gesture control.
Codes found with the series’ action figures can be used to unlock content, although the new title will also integrate a form of in-game currency.
"Skylanders is already a huge success both on consoles and the web with Skylanders Spyro's Adventure and Skylanders Spyro's Universe and we are excited to bring the franchise to the mobile platform," VP of consumer marketing John Coyne stated.
"Now with Cloud Patrol, fans have a brand new way to interact with their favorite Skylanders' characters on the go in a fun new form of gameplay."

http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/new-i...landers/094003

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Football Manager kicking off on Android

April 6th, 2012, 01:11 Posted By: wraggster

Developer Sports Interactive and publisher Sega have announced a new version of Football Manager Handheld for Android.
As well as ruling the PC market for some years, the game has already enjoyed success on iOS devices, complete with some exclusive modes for handheld devices.
“Since the first release of Football Manager Handheld for mobiles a couple of years ago, the most asked question on social networks has been ‘When is it coming to Android?’,” Sports Interactive studio director Miles Jacobson said.
“Now, we can reveal the answer.”
Football Manager Handheld will be released on Android on April 11^th and will cost £6.99. It will be available on the Google Play store and requires Android version 2.2 and above.
http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/footb...android/094002

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AT&T to begin unlocking off-contract iPhones this Sunday, April 8th

April 6th, 2012, 21:01 Posted By: wraggster

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Apple patent app details 'active packaging,' a new level of window shopping

April 6th, 2012, 21:12 Posted By: wraggster

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iPhone 4S to launch with select regional carriers April 20th

April 6th, 2012, 21:12 Posted By: wraggster

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A simple project to get you started with the Android ADK

April 6th, 2012, 21:14 Posted By: wraggster


If you just got your hands on a shiny new Android phone and are looking for a fun project to try out, you might want to check out this simple Arduino exercise that [Mike Mitchel] put together. Everyone needs a starting off point for hacking, and [Mike] thought that combining and Arduino and Android handset together for the purpose of temperature sensing and light metering would be a great place to begin.
The prerequisites for this project are a bit beyond a simple breadboard and a few ICs, requiring an $80 Android ADK board to go along with your phone and Arduino. If your focus is going to be on interfacing your phone with microcontrollers however, it’s purchase you’ll make sooner than later anyhow.
The setup is pretty simple as you might expect. A photocell and TMP36 temperature sensor are connected to the Arduino, then with a bit of code and USB host magic, the Android app shows the temp and amount ambient light present in the room.
[Mike] has made all of his easy to read and well commented code available online, so be sure to check it out if you have been thinking about (but putting off) playing around with the Android ADK.
http://hackaday.com/2012/04/06/a-sim...e-android-adk/

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Father-of-two dies following stabbing at BlackBerry BBM Party

April 8th, 2012, 23:20 Posted By: wraggster

Passed away this morning at the Royal London Hospital.
On Tuesday 3rd April, BlackBerry hosted a BBM Party at Bankside Vaults in London, which resulted in 37-year-old Phillip Sheriff being stabbed in the neck with a glass bottle.
We can now report the sad news that married father-of two Sheriff died this morning at the Royal London Hospital, according to Scotland Yard, which follows a skull operation and a four day struggle in a critical condition.
Meanwhile, 25-year-old Ashley Charles remains in custody for murder charges, having already been convicted of attempted murder just yesterday.
A Scotland Yard spokesman said: "A murder investigation has been launched after the victim of a nightclub attack died this morning in hospital. A post mortem will be arranged in due course. Next of kin are aware."
ME was present at the BBM Party alongside celebrities including Jessie J, Wretch 32, Fazer from N-Dubz and TOWIE's Mark Wright.

http://www.mobile-ent.biz/news/read/...m-party/017667

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Google Earns $2 Per Handset; Apple, $575

April 8th, 2012, 23:30 Posted By: wraggster

While Apple generates more than $575 in profit for every iOS device, and according to estimates in 2007 Apple earned more than $800 on every iPhone sold through ATT, Horace Dediu reports that Android generated less than $550m in revenues for Google between 2008 and the end of 2011, earning only $1.70 per year, per Android device — explaining how Apple is sucking up two thirds of the profit in the mobile phone business. Dediu's starting point is a settlement offer Google made to Oracle of $2.8 million and 0.515% of Android revenues on an ongoing basis. His assumption is that those numbers represent Google's revenue from Android to date. 'If this is the case,' writes Dediu, 'We have a significant breakthrough in understanding the economics of Android and the overall mobile platform strategy of Google.' Of course profitability is not the only reason Google is in the mobile phone business. 'P&L considerations were not the only (or even at all) factors in investment for Google. Having a hedge against hegemony of potential rivals, having a means to learn and develop new business and having a role in defining the post-PC computing paradigm are all probably bigger considerations than profitability,' writes Dediu. 'My take is that [Android] is not a bad business. But it's also not a great one.

http://mobile.slashdot.org/story/12/...dset-apple-575

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AT&T To Unlock Out-of-Contract iPhones

April 8th, 2012, 23:34 Posted By: wraggster

Many outlets are reporting that AT&T will allow owners of iPhones whose contracts have expired to unlock their devices. One might think that a call or a quick trip to their local AT&T store would do the trick, and they do provide this service to people who are currently under contract with a newer phone and want to use their older one. However, AT&T has never made anything free to be easy, and this may not bode well for former customers who offer no profitable revenue. For example, when AT&T bought Bell South, they were ordered by the court as part of the acquisition to offer $10/month 'DSL lite' service. The maze in their website which led to this opportunity is now a story of legend. Will the key to this unlocking the iPhone be as byzantine for former customers?"

http://apple.slashdot.org/story/12/0...ntract-iphones

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Android Open Kang Project brings hyper-customization to your nav bar

April 8th, 2012, 23:36 Posted By: wraggster

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Max Payne to rampage on iOS April 12th, Android April 26th

April 8th, 2012, 23:38 Posted By: wraggster

Are you a smartphone user with an itchy trigger finger? Listen up. Rockstar Games has announced that the one and only Max Payne will begin terrorizing your iOS and Android devices in the very near future. The wares will be available for Apple-branded gear (iPhone 3GS, 4 and 4S, along with the iPod touch 4 and all iPad iterations) on April 12th, and Google's implements two weeks later on the 26th. Max Payne Mobile is promising to deliver HD graphics, high resolution textures and exclusive content via the company's Social Club service to your miniaturized screen. Rockstar did not elaborate on which Android sets would be supported, but promised to publish a full list "in the coming weeks." Limber up those thumbs, charge up that handset and get ready to lay waste to... pretty much anything that moves.

http://www.engadget.com/2012/04/08/m...id-april-26th/

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Lenovo's ICS, 42-inch K71 smart TV going on sale by month's end in China

April 8th, 2012, 23:40 Posted By: wraggster

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Giant Touchscreens Coming To NYC Phone Booths

April 9th, 2012, 21:17 Posted By: wraggster

New York City is planning an upgrade to its aging pay-phone infrastructure. A pilot program will next month install 32-inch touchscreens in 250 phone booths throughout the city. The screens will display "local neighborhood information, including lists of nearby restaurants, store sales in the area, traffic updates, landmark information and safety alerts — in multiple languages.' They will facilitate the 311 service, and also allow people to file complaints or request city information. The good news is that these screens won't cost the taxpayers anything. The bad news is that they will be supported by advertising. The plan is to eventually support Skype calls and email, and to integrate Wi-Fi hotspots.

http://tech.slashdot.org/story/12/04...c-phone-booths

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SMS-Controlled Malware Hijacking Android Phones

April 9th, 2012, 21:21 Posted By: wraggster

Security researchers have discovered new Android malware controlled via SMS that can do a number of things on the compromised device including recording calls and surrounding noise. Called TigerBot, the recently discovered malware was found circulating in the wild via non-official Android channels. Based on the code examination, the researchers from NQ Mobile, alongside researchers at North Carolina State University said that TigerBot can record sounds in the immediate area of the device, as well as calls themselves. It also has the ability to alter network settings, report its current GPS coordinates, capture and upload images, kill other processes, and reboot the phone. TigerBot will hide itself on a compromised device by forgoing an icon on the home screen, and by masking itself with a legit application name such as Flash or System. Once installed and active, it will register a receiver with a high priority to listen to the intent with action 'android.provider.Telephony.SMS_RECEIVED.'

http://mobile.slashdot.org/story/12/...android-phones

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Technology For the Masses: Churches Going Hi-Tech

April 9th, 2012, 21:25 Posted By: wraggster

More and more, reports the Chicago Tribune, churches are embracing the use of tablets and smartphones during services. At Trinity United Church of Christ on Chicago's South Side, the Rev. Otis Moss III preaches from his iPad. 'There was a time in the church when the Gutenberg Bible was introduced,' notes early adopter Moss. 'There was a severe concern among ministers who were afraid the printed page would be such a distraction if you put it in the hands of people in worship.' Tech-savvy churchgoers are also on board. 'In the service, when they say to pull out Bibles, I pull that phone out,' Ted Allen Miller said of using his Android smartphone at Willow Creek Community Church.
http://apple.slashdot.org/story/12/0...-going-hi-tech

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Virtual GameBoy Advance v3.8.7 for Android

April 10th, 2012, 00:17 Posted By: wraggster

via http://www.emucr.com/


Virtual GameBoy Advance v3.8.7 for Android is released. Virtual GameBoy Advance (VGBA) is a program that emulates Nintendo's GameBoy Advance on your computer. It runs GameBoy Advance games on PCs, PDAs, or just about any other sufficiently fast computer. It also helps debugging GameBoy Advance software without using a costly development system.

Virtual GameBoy Advance v3.8.7 for Android Changelog:
* Fixed a bug that sometimes made good cheat codes fail.
* Fixed slowdown with cheats enabled (due to misplaced debug output).
* No longer auto-enabling cheats on startup (was inconsistent).
* Made Cheatopedia load faster.
* Enabled saving in Summon Night Swordcraft Story 1 and 2.
* Added Golden Sun and Golden Sun 2 cheats.
* Added more Pokemon Ruby and Sapphire cheats.
* Enabled "Advanced" menu selection with Xperia Play [X] button.
* Changed cheats file extension from .GSA to .CHT.

https://play.google.com/store/apps/d...d=com.fms.vgba

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MAME4iOS Reloaded v1.1

April 10th, 2012, 00:27 Posted By: wraggster

via http://www.emucr.com/
MAME4iOS Reloaded v1.1 is released. MAME4iOS Reloaded is developed by David Valdeita (Seleuco), port of MAME 0.134u4 emulator by Nicola Salmoria and TEAM. MAME4iOS Reloaded emulates arcade games supported by original MAME 0.134u4. This MAME4iOS version is targeted to A5 devices (1GHz and 512MB RAM minimum), because it is based on a high specs 2009 PC MAME build.
Anyway don't expect arcade games of the 90 to work at full speed. With some games that are really bad optimized (like outrun or mk series) you will need at least a future A6 device (ARM cortex a15). This is related to MAME build used, since it is targeted to high specs PC's as i said before.





v.1.1 Upgraded to MAME 0.139u1. Added 4/3, pixel aspect video aspects (now works MAME menu aspect ratio selector), improved iPad touch control layout, improved ROM manager, Added emulated resolution selector to improve artwork rendering, added configuration input menus, added missing options like frameskip.

-----

MAME4iOS Reloaded is developed by David Valdeita (Seleuco), port of MAME 0.139u1 emulator by Nicola Salmoria and TEAM.

MAME4iOS Reloaded emulates arcade games supported by original MAME 0.139u1.

This MAME4iOS version is targeted to A5 devices, because it is based on a high specs 2010 PC MAME build.

Anyway don't expect arcade games of the 90 to work at full speed. With some games that are really bad optimized (like outrun or mk series) you will need at least a future A6 device (ARM cortex a15). This is related to MAME build used, since it is targeted to high specs PC's as i said before.

This version doesn't have an UML backend ARM dynamic recompiler, which means drivers based on high specs arcade CPUs won't be playable
(it has not sense since this games will be slow in any case).

Said that, with a low end device, use at your own risk. I suggest you use iMAME4all (0.37b5) instead.

Remember that games that can be emulated on both versions will run much faster on iMAME4all (0.37b5) than on MAME4iOS Reloaded (0.139),
and will drain less battery.

This version emulates over 8000 different romsets.

Please, try to understand that that with that amount of games, some will run better than others and some might not even run with MAME4iOS Reloaded.

Tips to help performance: use lower quality sound or switch it off. Disable stick and buttons animations and disable smooth scaling also.

After installing, place your MAME-titled zipped roms in /var/mobile/Media/ROMs/MAME4iOS/ folder.

MAME4iOS Reloaded uses only '0.139u1' romset.

http://www.mediafire.com/?p1rnwy1p90bj6xl

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DosBox Turbo v1.2.1 for Android

April 10th, 2012, 00:42 Posted By: wraggster

via http://www.emucr.com/

DosBox Turbo v1.2.1 for Android is released. DosBox Turbo is a commercial DosBox port to Android. DOSBox emulates an Intel x86 PC, complete with sound, graphics, mouse, joystick, modem, etc., necessary for running many old MS-DOS games that simply cannot be run on modern PCs and operating systems.

DosBox Turbo FEATURES:
★ NEW! Absolute Finger & Pointer tracking, use DOS applications intuitively on a touch screen! (experimental)
★ Gestures Support (Swipe Up/Down, double tap, Long Press)
★ Button Mapping Support
* NEW! DPad Mapping Support
★ NEW! Support for Sony Xperia Play buttons & remapping.
★ ARMv7 processor optimization for enhanced speed
★ Support for Phones & Tablets
★ Use DPAD and Optical Trackpad as mouse/joystick.
★ Honeycomb and ICS Support (Android 3.2 and 4.0)
★ Highly optimized port of the lastest DosBox version. Additional enhancements for modern ARMv7 phones.
★ Virtual Mouse emulation mode, with left & right click!
★ Can remap volume keys to mouse or joystick buttons.
★ Virtual Multi-Touch *Analog* Joystick emulation!
★ Full Sound Support!
★ Full Android Input Method support (use any keyboard from the market - HackersKeyboard recommended!)
★ FAST!! ( http://goo.gl/Tt7X5 )
★ Special Key Combination emulation.
★ Switch to portrait or landscape mode without restart!
★ Stretch scaling to full landscape.
★ Default Fast & HQ Scaling modes.
★ Supports external USB/Bluetooth mice & joysticks [Android 3.1+]
★ Supports Right Click on Trackpads & mice. [Android 4.0+]
★ Full ASUS Transformer keyboard & trackpad support.
★ Can be used with any 3rd Party Keyboard replacement to emulate DPAD or Cursor Keys (try Full Keyboard, Hackers Keyboard, GamePad etc).

DosBox Turbo v1.2.1 for Android Changelog:
- 1.2.1:
- Fix Keymapping on Asus Tranformer
- Button Mapping fixes.
- Option for Long Press gesture
- 1.2.0:
- Support Sony Xperia Play
- Can now map CYCLE UP/CYCLE DOWN to volume keys (change Cycle Rate in game)
- Re-write Mouse Input system - clicks are faster & more accurate.
- Allow Mapping Dpad Center Button.
- Note: **Button maps & gestures are cleared in this version, please redo your button mappings to get double-click back!
- 1.1.9:
- Fix audio slowdown

https://play.google.com/store/apps/d...ishstix.dosbox

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FPse v0.11.14 for Android

April 10th, 2012, 00:44 Posted By: wraggster

via http://www.emucr.com/

FPse v0.11.14 for Android is released. FPse for Android is the fastest and most compatible PSone emulator for handheld devices. FPse support OpenGL via external Plugin.

FPse features the following:
-High performance
-High compatibility
-High sound quality
-Real-time save states
-Audio track emulation (using .cue files)
-Force-feedback
-Dynamically loadable Overlay Pads
-Guncon emulation
-Analog Stick emulation
-Compatible with G-Sensor, Touchscreen and Hardware keys
-Supports .img, .iso, .bin, .cue, .nrg , .mdf and .Z disc image formats
-Full Support for IcontrolPAD, BGP100,Zeemote
-OpenGL support via external plugin (see Update just below)

FPse v0.11.14 for Android Changelog:
- Since Version 0.11.1 FPse support OpenGL!!
- FPse 0.11.14 Fixes and changes and OpenGL plugin and its source code can be found here:
- http://www.fpsece.net/forum2/viewtopic.php?p=24904# p24904

https://play.google.com/store/apps/d....emulator.fpse

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Instagram for Android hits 5m downloads

April 10th, 2012, 22:28 Posted By: wraggster

Milestone reached in six days.
Creative photo app Instagram is riding high at the moment.
It has almost 30 million iOS app users, which enabled it to launch for Android last week, securing one million downloads in 24 hours on the back of 430,000 pre-orders.
Now, the Android app has passed five million downloads in the space of six days, a milestone it took six months to reach with Apple.
It's incredible news for Instagram, as this follows yesterday's report that Facebook has bought the two-year-old firm for $1 billion in cash and shares.

http://www.mobile-ent.biz/news/read/...wnloads/017681

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Smartphones are the most desired electronic items this year

April 10th, 2012, 22:33 Posted By: wraggster

Almost a quarter of US households plan to buy one.
The Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) claims 22 per cent of American homes will buy smartphones in the next year, which makes the device the most popular consumer electronic.
The next most popular items are HDTVs and digital cameras with 17 per cent and 15 per cent, respectively.
Additionally, tablets will experience its highest sales increase to date, as 14 per cent of homes buy one alongside notebooks and laptops.
Chris Ely, CEA’s manager of industry analysis, said: "Consistent with past research and trends we are seeing, tablets and smartphones will continue their dominance in the marketplace over the coming year.
"As consumers continue to integrate these mobile connected devices into their everyday lifestyles, we expect to see an increase in ownership of all-in-one devices and related content."

http://www.mobile-ent.biz/news/read/...is-year/017678

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Apple Snubs Security Firm That Spotted Mac Botnet

April 10th, 2012, 22:47 Posted By: wraggster

Now that it's being increasingly targeted by botnet herders, Apple has a thing or two to learn about cooperating with friendly security researchers. Boris Sharov, the CEO of Dr. Web, the Russian security company that first reported more than half a million Macs were infected with Flashback malware last week, says when his company alerted Apple to the botnet, it never responded to him. Worse yet, on Monday Apple asked a Russian registrar to take down a domain it said was being used to host a command and control server for Flashback, but in fact was a 'sinkhole' that Dr. Web had set up to observe and analyze the botnet. Sharov describes the lack of communication and cooperation as a symptom of a company that has never before had to work closely with the security industry. 'For Microsoft, we have all the security response team's addresses,' he says. 'We don't know the antivirus group inside Apple.'"
http://apple.slashdot.org/story/12/0...ted-mac-botnet

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Windows 8 Metro Theme Created For Rooted Android Tablets

April 10th, 2012, 22:50 Posted By: wraggster

Now here's a cool one for you tablet users that like to tweak the appearance of your UI! XDA member BroBot175 has created a Metro UI theme for all tablets running Honeycomb or ICS! The theme is a fully functioning replica of Windows 8 that allows you to create your own tiles, and organize them however you want
http://slashdot.org/story/12/04/10/0...ndroid-tablets

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Joe Danger announced for iOS

April 10th, 2012, 23:24 Posted By: wraggster

PSN and XBLA platformer Joe Danger is in development for iOS, Hello Games has revealed.
The Guildford-based studio unveiled the project at last weekend's PAX East conference in Boston. Speaking to Gamasutra, Hello Games MD Sean Murray said that, far from being a shoe-horned port, the game had been built from the ground up for its target platform.
"I hate that word, 'port'," he said. "Simply porting a game is never something I could get excited about, it's soulless work. Joe Danger on iOS is a new game."
Murray explains that the project began almost my accident - he was tinkering with iOS development on weekends, and Joe Danger's were the only assets he had to hand. He is working with Steven Burgess, formerly a designer on LostWinds for Frontier Developments. An Android version is also in the works.
The announcement means Joe Danger is headed for a third platform despite originally being a PSN exclusive because its development was part-funded by Sony's Pub Fund initiative. An XBLA version, Joe Danger: Special Edition, which featured an extra ten hours of content, was released last year.
http://www.edge-online.com/news/joe-...-announced-ios

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iPad "not far at all" from AAA console quality gaming, says Remedy

April 10th, 2012, 23:48 Posted By: wraggster

Matias Myllyrinne sees Infinity Blade as the benchmark on iOS
iPad, and tablets in general, push technology forward at a rapid clip. The processing power grows significantly each year and, according to Remedy Entertainment CEO Matias Myllyrinne, it won't be long before full-fledged console experiences like Alan Wake can be had on tablets.
"[We're] not far at all," he told GamesIndustry International recently, adding that he'd still like to see a controller built for tablets that works. "Or at least I'd like to see games made for the medium. You still see ports of console titles being brought to iPad. While some of those are cool, I think the really powerful things would be when they're made for the medium. When you take the interface into serious consideration in your design. But I don't think we're far away from that at all. If you talk to any of the smart kids in the class, I think all of them are looking at how do we build good IP for theses devices, and I think Infinity Blade is now the benchmark and I think Epic and Chair have done a wonderful job there."
He continued, "I think we'll see loads of people come to that space and obviously, as the processing power goes ahead and increases, I don't think that's going to be the limiting factor. I think the nut to crack right now is to build the right kind of content for that medium."

http://www.gamesindustry.biz/article...ng-says-remedy

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Netflix for Android updated with fresher UI for volume controls, other 'stability imp

April 10th, 2012, 23:51 Posted By: wraggster

Heads-up, Android users -- Netflix has just issued a revised build of its app on the aforementioned platform, and while the changelog here is but three points long, they seem to be somewhat significant. For starters, there's a polished user interface, particularly dealing with the volume control function, allowing users to more easily tweak levels as well as fast-forward / rewind. There are also a number of unspecified stability improvements and bug fixes, with some Motorola tablet owners reporting far smoother streaming. Updated it yourself? Let us know how it's going in comments below (and hit the source for a link to Google Play).

http://www.engadget.com/2012/04/10/n...rface-changes/

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Google's Android emulator gets updated with GPU support, better CPU performance

April 10th, 2012, 23:54 Posted By: wraggster

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TeePee introduces new gamified loyalty platform

April 11th, 2012, 22:36 Posted By: wraggster

Social gaming discovery network TeePee now has more than 3,000 games to choose from across Android, Facebook, online and Flash.
Now, the firm has innovated a new gamified loyalty platform, which can be accessed on its new look website and Facebook app.
For every interaction users have with the network, they will find hidden games, test features and be able to share results with friends as they work their way from the entry rank of 'Villager' to become a hallowed 'Wise One'.
Additionally, TeePee has added a one-click login system to Facebook, which will enable the Geronimo engine to provide targeted game suggestions once a user accesses their account.
Tony Pearce, CEO and co-founder of TeePee Games, said: "We’ve gone from strength to strength since launch and it would not have been possible without the help of our dedicated users. The loyalty program allows us to show these users that we recognise how valuable their support is and reward them for it.

http://www.mobile-ent.biz/news/read/...latform/017695

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Android secures two-thirds of China's smartphone market in 2011

April 11th, 2012, 22:40 Posted By: wraggster

Researcher Analysys International claims Google's Android OS more than doubled its smartphone market share in China from one-third at the end of Q1 2011 to 68.4 per cent by the year's end.
Android's rise to glory came while Nokia lost shares of its Symbian OS, which halved to just 18.7 per cent. This reflects the Finnish firm's switch of focus at the top end to Windows Phones.
Additionally, China-based firms ZTE and Huawei would have made a significant contribution by providing Android devices to locals.
Meanwhile, Apple's iPhone share rose from 4.1 per cent of the market in Q1 to 5.7 per cent in Q4.
This rise is unsurprising given the general clamour – including some store egging and rioting – for the iPhone 4S from Chinese citizens.

http://www.mobile-ent.biz/news/read/...in-2011/017689

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Two thirds of all tablets sold this year will be iPads

April 11th, 2012, 22:41 Posted By: wraggster

Gartner is the latest market analyst to chip in its estimates for the tablet market. And guess what? It's all about Apple.
The firm reckons overall tablet sales this year will hit 118.9 million units. Within this total, 62 per cent will be iPads. It's a hugely impressive performance and shows that there's little sign of other tablets threatening Apple's dominance.
"Despite PC vendors and phone manufacturers wanting a piece of the pie and launching themselves into the media tablet market, so far, we have seen very limited success outside of Apple with its iPad," said Gartner research VP Carolina Milanesi.
Will the Kindle Fire or the Galaxy Tab ever make a dent? Will the expected WinPho tablets threaten the Cupertino hegemony? Time will tell.
But Gartner's numbers suggest only a slight Apple decline in share.

http://www.mobile-ent.biz/news/read/...e-ipads/017687

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RIM: Android is a 'cesspool'

April 11th, 2012, 22:42 Posted By: wraggster

A big brouhaha broke out yesterday when it looked like RIM was going to backtrack on the Android app support it had nurtured for its tablet device.
A year or so ago, RIM confirmed that its tablet would contain software that enables it to run Android apps. This was seen as a critical boost to the PlayBook, instantly adding thousands of apps to its available catalogue.
But in the interim, all manner of security and malware scares have beset the Google app platform.
Yesterday it looked like RIM had decided to act against all this by outlawing the sideloading of Android apps. Alec Saunders, RIM's VP of developer relations, tweeted; "Piracy is a huge problem for Android devs, and we don't want to duplicate the chaotic cesspool of Android market."
Well, now he's backtracked a bit, saying that "140 characters doesn't allow for nuance" and that side-loading support will actually remain in Blackberry Playbook OS and BB10.

http://www.mobile-ent.biz/news/read/...esspool/017686

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Republique Kickstarter brings AAA to iPhone

April 11th, 2012, 23:30 Posted By: wraggster

Developer seeks to prove the existence of a AAA market for mobile

Ryan Payton, formerly a director for Halo and producer for Metal Gear Solid 4, has set out to prove that gamers will embrace iOS- but only if there are games worthy of their attention.
"iOS is becoming a great gaming platform, but where are the games for people who love intense action and story-driven experiences?" Payton asks.

"Where are the AAA games designed specifically for touch-based devices?"
His studio, Camouflaj, has teamed up with production house Logan, taking to Kickstarterto create a AAA game and story designed from the ground up for touch interface.
The game, Rebublique, is seeking a budget of $1 million dollars, half of which has been offered by investors on the condition that they prove the market exists by raising the other half on Kickstarter.

http://www.develop-online.net/news/4...-AAA-to-iPhone

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Develop 100 returns in May - exclusively for iPad

April 11th, 2012, 23:42 Posted By: wraggster

World's greatest games studios profiled in new digital format, launches next month

Develop 100, the annual monitor on the world’s best games studios, will return next month exclusively as digital download.
The 2012 edition of the widely read book will be available for iPad.

Develop 100 ranks the world's top developers, and has been published by Develop publisher Intent Media since 2005.
Last year the influential guide divided opinion by ranking studios via their consolidated twelve-month Metacritic score.
This year's book will once again consider critical prowess, but also uses data supplied by GfK Chart-Track on the commercial success of key studios to build an even more accurate and incisive listing of the globe's top teams.

http://www.develop-online.net/news/4...-iPad-82328232

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Nokia 900 Being Given Away Due To Software Glitch

April 11th, 2012, 23:48 Posted By: wraggster

On early Wednesday, Nokia said it had found a software bug in the new Lumia 900 smartphone, its big hope to take on Apple's iPhone, and was effectively giving the model away until it is fixed. It is offering anyone who has bought a Lumia 900 phone, or who buys one by April 21, a $100 US credit to their AT&T bill. The operator sells the phone for $99.99 with a two-year contract. Both Microsoft and Nokia still have big hopes for this phone. The bug apparently causes a random data connection drop. Nokia plans to push a patch the phone later in April

http://mobile.slashdot.org/story/12/...oftware-glitch

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Cave dabbles with IAP in iOS shooter DoDonPachi Blissful Death

April 12th, 2012, 01:03 Posted By: wraggster

In a move that temporarily outraged the purist shmup community, Cave has revealed a range of In-App Payment options for its recent iOS hit DoDonPachi Blissful Death.
Once the update lands on April 12^th, the game will offer a range of free and paid-for purchases offering to tweak aspects such as the size of a ship’s hitbox or revealing the location of the high-scoring bees on each level.
Other enhancements include ‘Evasion Support’, ‘Shot Boost’ and ‘Mobility Delay’.
Newcomers to the game can choose to buy either the vanilla version or a new download including all of the extra for $17.
What makes this DLC different from other games, however, is that for ardent fans of Cave it is all about the high score tables. And obviously the idea of some players having an advantage over others – and therefore scoring disproportionately well – does not resonate well.
Fortunately, Cave has confirmed that there will be separate high score tables for those who choose to pay for IAP.
In other Cave news, the developer is still working on a fix for a bug in its most recent iOS release, Bug Princess 2, that is preventing players from uploading their high scores.

http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/cave-...l-death/094229

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Android devs: if you can't use your app with your eyes closed, open them and read thi

April 12th, 2012, 01:19 Posted By: wraggster

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Netflix for Windows Phone hits v2.0, heads to the UK, Ireland and Latin America

April 12th, 2012, 01:21 Posted By: wraggster

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48 per cent of Americans watch mobile TV indoors

April 12th, 2012, 22:14 Posted By: wraggster

Creature comforts take priority ahead of use on the move.
The demand for streaming is on the rise, according to mobile video solutions provider QuickPlay Media, which says 27 per cent of Americans currently watch mobile TV.
Of that group, 72 per cent started using the platform within the past year, while 81 per cent of users say they watch more TV on their mobile devices than they did one year ago.
Interestingly, almost half of Americans choose to use streaming services indoors, which is unusual given that the platform is designed for use on the move. Meanwhile, 13 per cent use the platform 'between activities, ten per cent at work and eight per cent use it when in transit and in a queue.
38 per cent choose to watch TV shows, while 28 per cent view sports and almost one-fifth opt for news.
Smartphones lead for video service use with 63 per cent, while 33 per cent use tablets as their primary device.

http://www.mobile-ent.biz/news/read/...indoors/017700

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America sues Apple and book publishers

April 12th, 2012, 22:19 Posted By: wraggster

US authorities have launched an antitrust lawsuit against Apple and the largest book publishers, alleging that the companies conspired to raise the price of electronic books.
The much rumoured action is the result of a set of actions which Apple and book publishers set in place to move towards a so-called agency model with fixed pricing. The strategy is thought to have been aimed at stopping Amazon from heavily discounting electronic books.
Three US publishers have already settle the charges and agreed to dump the agency model so that Amazon can set their own prices for electronic books. Macmillan and Penguin, however, refused to settle and are now destined to do battle with US regulatory authorities in the courtroom.
The late Steve Jobs even described how Apple approached the publishers with the agency idea.
"So we told the publishers, ‘We’ll go to the agency model, where you set the price, and we get our 30%, and yes, the customer pays a little more, but that’s what you want anyway.’", Jobs was quoted in Isaacson’s biography.
Ironically Steve Jobs biography was Amazon's top selling book last year. Apple has also resisted efforts to settle the dispute, despite the damning evidence in Jobs' own autobiography.
In addition to the federal suit, the Wall Street Journal reported that no fewer than 16 states had filed their own action against Apple, Macmillan, Penguin and Simon & Schuster, raising the spectre of a payout to buyers of e-books that could cost the firms tens of millions of dollars.
In Europe, the EC is also investigating Apple and the major book publishers in a similar antitrust case. European authorities are negotiating with the firms to settle the dispute in what is also likely to bring an end to the agency model East of the Atlantic as well.
All of this is good news for bookworms with electronic books set to plummet in price. Maybe now they'll actually cost less than the dead wood versions. That'd be nice, wouldn't it?

http://www.pcr-online.biz/news/read/...lishers/028186

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Tech Focus: The New iPad and the Evolution of iOS Gaming

April 13th, 2012, 00:03 Posted By: wraggster

Digital Foundry on how Apple has defined the mobile market and the generational hardware leap ahead.
Mobile processing and graphics power has increased by orders of magnitude over the last few years and few companies have done more than Apple to showcase the gaming capabilities of this exciting, powerful, energy-efficient hardware. Remarkably, we're now months away from a generational leap in mobile performance even more radical than the 5x jump in GPU performance we saw with the arrival of the iPad 2.

Next year, everything changes: new architectures roll out and there's a strong possibility we will finally see mobile parts theoretically surpass the performance of the current generation of HD consoles - and Apple will almost certainly be at forefront of this revolution. However, the recent release of Apple's "New iPad" is best described as the last great hurrah for the current generation of ARM and PowerVR hardware - this year the focus is clearly on the new Retina display.
In terms of overall form factor, the latest iOS tablet looks remarkably similar to the existing iPad 2, which continues to be sold alongside the new one at a $100/£70 discount. The overall design aesthetic is effectively identical with the only noticeable changes being that the new tablet is noticeably heavier and slightly "fatter". When the new A5X processor is put through its paces with challenging 3D content, you'll also notice that the tablet can get rather warm too, something that can become much more pronounced if you have the iPad inside a case.
All of these compromises are present in order to accommodate the new Retina screen supplied by Samsung, which quadruples resolution from the iPad's traditional 1024x768 up to an extraordinary 2048x1536. The screen almost certainly sucks up a lot more juice and the A5X processor also adds a significant hit to battery life. Apple's somewhat expensive solution is to seriously beef up the battery power provision - the 25 watt-hour batteries of iPad 2 give way to 42.5 watt-hour lithium-ion cells in the new tablet.




http://www.gamesindustry.biz/article...olution-of-ios

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Google platforms see simultaneous launch of mobile and desktop MMO

April 13th, 2012, 00:07 Posted By: wraggster

Spacetime Studios' free-to-play MMO is coming to Google Play and the Chrome Web Store
[h=3]Google[/h]
[h=3]Spacetime Studios[/h]

Spacetime Studios is launching its free-to-play MMO Dark Legends on Google Play and the Chrome Web Store for PC, Mac, and Linux, via partnership with Google. The game will be exclusively on those platforms for two weeks before also launching on iOS devices. All versions of Dark Legends support complete cross-platform play.
"Google Play and the Chrome Web Store allow us to upload and update our online, multiplayer games instantly. Their immediate and unified environment fits perfectly with Spacetime's ability to push global content to our suite of games on-the-fly across mobile and desktop," said Gary Gattis, CEO of Spacetime Studios. "We're both at the forefront of creating cross-platform gameplay that connects players in a much deeper online experience, anywhere and on any device."
The vampire-heavy Dark Legends is the third title in Spacetime's Legends franchise, preceded by Pocket Legends and Star Legends: The Blackstar Chronicles.

http://www.gamesindustry.biz/article...nd-desktop-mmo

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Boeing to launch super secure Android phone, hopes it takes off

April 13th, 2012, 00:12 Posted By: wraggster

You know what we've always wondered? Why doesn't Boeing just hurry up and release a phone? Joking aside, this is really happening. The news comes via National Defense Magazine which reports that the airplane manufacturer is developing an Android handset which will have strong security credentials. Currently dubbed "the Boeing phone" we hope the firm puts more thought into its aircraft than its project code names. Before you start folding out your green, however, be warned that despite running Google's popular OS, and being a cellular device, the price-point is still likely to be more jumbo jet than paper plane, with a Boeing exec pointing out that competitor offerings typically float around the $15-20,000 mark. He goes on to point out that it won't cost as much as this, but will still likely be out of our reach back here in coach. No word on any sort of specification at the minute, but if you fancy yourself as a high-flyer (or more likely, you work in defense) keep an eye out for this landing later on this year. Now, what if Samsung made a plane..?

http://www.engadget.com/2012/04/12/b...android-phone/

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Two-thirds of mobile shoppers use iPads

April 13th, 2012, 23:25 Posted By: wraggster

New data shows Apple tablet owners driving the m-commerce habit.
Brand identity firm RichRelevance examined shopping trends in Q1 2012 to discover iPad users account for 68 per cent of all mobile shoppers.
Mobile shopping now accounts for 4.6 per cent of all retail revs, rising from 1.9 per cent in Q1 2011, which is driven by Apple tablet owners with four per cent.
Page views reached an average of six per session, with the iPad averaging at 5.7, iPhone at 3.6 and other mobile devices at 4.1.
Interestingly, iPad users also spent the most with an average of $158, while other mobile device users parted with $105. The iPad average spend is even higher than desktop shopping, which is around $153 per session.
The result supports reports that the iPad is tailored towards wealthier consumers, ahead of others that tend to use affordable options such as the Kindle Fire.

http://www.mobile-ent.biz/news/read/...e-ipads/017731

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Google: pin your hopes on cheap Android tablets

April 13th, 2012, 23:26 Posted By: wraggster

Has Larry Page conceded the premium market to Apple?
Google announced its latest quarterly fiscals yesterday, reporting revenues of $10.65bn and net income of $2.89bn for Q1 this year.
There were no new stats on Android, which Google recently disclosed as powering 850,000 daily device activations.
However, CEO Larry Page did talk about tablets with analysts, emphasising the price advantage of the OS.
"There's been a lot of success on some lower-priced tablets that run Android, maybe not the full Google version of Android.
"But we definitely believe that there's going to be a lot of success at the lower end of the market as well with lower-priced products that will be very significant. And it's definitely an area we think is important and we're quite focused on."

http://www.mobile-ent.biz/news/read/...tablets/017725

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Smartphone shipments predicted to hit 1bn in 2014

April 13th, 2012, 23:28 Posted By: wraggster

Research from financial firm Credit Suisse claims smartphone shipments will cross the 1.05 billion milestone in just two years, according to Reuters.
The result will be up from 687.9 million shipments this year, which is a 46 per cent increase on 2011.
China is said to be the key driver behind the increase, while cheaper devices are introduced into emerging and developed markets.
Kulbinder Garcha, analyst, said: "We see robust growth for the smartphone market in China, which we think will account for 22 percent of global units by 2015."
Apple is expected to dominate with a 23 per cent market share, while Nokia is expected to secure 11 per cent of the market by fighting back to recovery in 2013 due to pricing and distribution strategies.

http://www.mobile-ent.biz/news/read/...in-2014/017716

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Rumor: Apple CEO Tim Cook visits Valve

April 13th, 2012, 23:39 Posted By: wraggster

Reported sighting gives rise to major speculation

Reports have emerged today claiming that Apple CEO Tim Cook has been seen at Valve's offices in Seattle.
Valve already gave the rumor mill a turn today by posting a job listing for hardware engineers.

Now, the sighting of the CEO of the most valuable company in the U.S. has lead to even more speculation, with rumours ranging from the tame suggestion of "increased collaboration," to the grandiose assertion that Apple is planning to buy Valve.
Though the rumor, first reported by Apple Insider, has not been confirmed, there are already several examples of collaboration between the companies.
In 2010, Valve launched Steam for Mac, and has since made numerous games available for Apple computers through the digital download service.

http://www.develop-online.net/news/4...k-visits-Valve

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iPhone Users Sue AT&T For Letting Thieves Re-Activate Their Stolen Devices

April 13th, 2012, 23:47 Posted By: wraggster

Following on the heels of the FCC and U.S. mobile carriers finally announcing plans to create a national database for stolen phones, a group of iPhone users filed a class action lawsuit against AT&T on Tuesday claiming that it has aided and abetted cell phone thieves by refusing to brick stolen cell phones. AT&T has '[made] millions of dollars in improper profits, by forcing legitimate customers, such as these Plaintiffs, to buy new cell phones, and buy new cell phone plans, while the criminals who stole the phone are able to simply walk into AT&T stories and 're-activate' the devices, using different, cheap, readily-available 'SIM' cards,' states their complaint. AT&T, of course, says the suit is 'meritless

http://apple.slashdot.org/story/12/0...stolen-devices

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Splashtop brings Windows 8 Metro Testbed to Apple's iPad

April 13th, 2012, 23:55 Posted By: wraggster

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Microsoft Passed On iPhone-Like Device In 1991

April 15th, 2012, 18:34 Posted By: wraggster

Microsoft apparently could have been a contender in the smartphone market, instead of what WP7 is today. Former Microsoft CTO Nathan Myhrvold says he tried to convince Microsoft to make an iPhone-like device more than two decades ago. 'The cost will not be very high,' Myhrvold wrote in 1991. 'It is pretty easy to imagine a $400 to $1,000 retail price.' So is Myhrvold bitter that cost-conscious and risk averse Microsoft opted not to pursue his vision? Nope. 'Hey, it was better than predicting the wrong thing,' Myhrvold explains.
http://apple.slashdot.org/story/12/0...device-in-1991

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More Malicious Apps Found On Google Play

April 15th, 2012, 18:36 Posted By: wraggster

We've seen quite a few Android malware discoveries in the recent past, mostly on unofficial Android markets. There was a premium-rate SMS Trojan that not only sent costly SMS messages automatically, but also prevented users' carriers from notifying them of the new charges, a massive Android malware campaign that may be responsible for duping as many as 5 million users, and an malware controlled via SMS. Ars Technica is now reporting another Android malware discovery made by McAfee researcher Carlos Castillo, this time on Google's official app market, Google Play, even after Google announced back in early February that it has started scanning Android apps for malware. Two weeks ago, a separate set of researchers found malicious extensions in the Google Chrome Web Store that could gain complete control of users' Facebook profiles. Quoting the article: 'The repeated discoveries of malware hosted on Google servers underscore the darker side of a market that allows anyone to submit apps with few questions asked. Whatever critics may say about Apple's App Store, which is significantly more selective about the titles it hosts, complaints about malware aren't one of them.
http://mobile.slashdot.org/story/12/...on-google-play

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7digital music store offers Windows Phone users 18 million tracks for purchase

April 15th, 2012, 18:45 Posted By: wraggster

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Max Payne mobile edition hits iOS

April 15th, 2012, 23:15 Posted By: wraggster

A mobile edition of Remedy’s shooter Max Payne has appeared on the App Store for iPhone and iPad.
The offering (priced at $2.99) includes Retina resolutions support, custom controls, several aiming modes, and more regarding items tailored for touch screen devices.
The game requires an iPhone 3GS to play, and those with an iPhone 4 or newer, will gain access to Rockstar Social Club integration with stat-tracking, cheats, and other features.
The title is in the works for Android as well and should arrive sometime later this month.
http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/max-p...its-ios/094384

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Apple in legal trouble over free-to-play apps aimed at kids

April 15th, 2012, 23:16 Posted By: wraggster

A class-action suit against Apple over free-to-play apps that trick children into making in-app purchases is proceeding to trial
Last year, a federal judge in California consolidated a number of class-action lawsuits from parents who alleged that Apple incorrectly listed apps as free-to-play, only to have children rack up immense bills for digital purchases. These parents have found $100+ iTunes account bills due to these so-called "bait apps".
An Apple user normally has to enter a password to buy items in-game, but Apple previously allowed a 15-minute window after the initial purchase, during which players can make in-app purchases without entering a password. This window allowed children to rack up huge bills on their parents' iTunes accounts in a short period of time, prompting Apple to later remove the 15-minute window.
Apple filed to have the consolidated class-action suits dismissed, but last week U.S. District Judge Edward Davila upheld the original claims against Apple.
"Contrary to Apple's argument, Plaintiffs have alleged with specificity which misrepresentations they were exposed to, their reliance on those misrepresentations, and the resulting harm. Plaintiffs pled specific facts that Apple "actively advertis[ed], market[ed] and promot[ed] its bait Apps as 'free' or nominal ," Judge Davila stated.
Now Apple must dispute the claims, with the company expected to file its defense on May 24.

http://www.gamesindustry.biz/article...play-bait-apps

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Sam & Max: Beyond Time & Space Episode 4 now on iOS

April 15th, 2012, 23:39 Posted By: wraggster

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Battle Duty: Modern Field 3 storms App Store top 10

April 15th, 2012, 23:47 Posted By: wraggster

Familiar-sounding shooter Battle Duty: Modern Field 3 is currently sixth on the App Store's top 10 free games.The iOS title allows you to fight enemies across a range of visceral environments.Battle Duty Modern Field 3.

Battle Duty Modern Field 3 is a fast-paced game where you tap the screen to take out enemies and fight to keep your gun reloaded.An optional in-app purchase removes ads, unlocks all levels and will apparently fund the development of sequel "Battle Duty 2".Another option exists to turn the game's graphics off entirely. The results are... surprising.Battle Duty Modern Field 3 is developed by Sergey Brezhnev, self-styled "saviour of the vidya gaem" industry. He previously was a producer's assistant at Electronic Arts. Perhaps.According to its official description: "Battle Duty: Modern Field 3 is an epic AAA quality game with a budget of 100 million dollars designed to crash low-budget indie titles like 'Cowadoody' and 'Battlederp' series."App Store publisher Apple tends not to pull games that clearly infringe copyright until after a complaint is made. How long will Battle Duty: Modern Field 3 last?

http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/20...p-store-top-10

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MAME4droid Reloaded 1.1.2

April 16th, 2012, 00:16 Posted By: wraggster

MAME4droid is a version of iMAME4all (iPhone, iPad) for Android, developed also by David Valdeita (Seleuco).

MAME4droid Reloaded 1.1.2. Added touch button size selector, fixed artifacts\improved scaling on auto resolution mode, fixed some Opengl issues.
http://code.google.com/p/imame4all/

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VGB for Android v3.5.16

April 16th, 2012, 01:36 Posted By: wraggster

via http://www.aep-emu.de/

Marat Fayzullin has ported his (commercial) Game Boy / Game Boy Color and Super Game Boy emulator VGB to the Android platform: VGB for Android.
A new version has been released.

Quote:
New in 3.5.16:

• Added Cheatopedia with common GameShark cheats.
• Enabled Xperia Play navigation buttons in the "Advanced" menu.

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$300 iPad Mini to launch in Q3?

April 16th, 2012, 22:05 Posted By: wraggster

Chinese website NetEase – via Kokatu – claims Apple will launch an iPad Mini in the third quarter to battle competition from Microsoft as the latter prepares to introduce the Windows 8 OS to tablets.
The Mini is expected to cost between $249 and $299 in a first for Apple, which prides itself on being the market leader with its high end iPads that are priced upwards of $400.
In addition to fending off Win 8, Apple will surely be looking to pummel the Kindle Fire and Nook Tablet, which are also sub-$300.
The Cupertino firm is reported to be developing six million units for the initial launch.
But this is all pure speculation to be treated with scepticism. After all, how many times has Apple been on the verge of releasing an iPhone Nano?

http://www.mobile-ent.biz/news/read/...h-in-q3/017750

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Two-thirds of mobile shoppers use iPads

April 16th, 2012, 22:11 Posted By: wraggster

New data shows Apple tablet owners driving the m-commerce habit.
Brand identity firm RichRelevance examined shopping trends in Q1 2012 to discover iPad users account for 68 per cent of all mobile shoppers.
Mobile shopping now accounts for 4.6 per cent of all retail revs, rising from 1.9 per cent in Q1 2011, which is driven by Apple tablet owners with four per cent.
Page views reached an average of six per session, with the iPad averaging at 5.7, iPhone at 3.6 and other mobile devices at 4.1.
Interestingly, iPad users also spent the most with an average of $158, while other mobile device users parted with $105. The iPad average spend is even higher than desktop shopping, which is around $153 per session.
The result supports reports that the iPad is tailored towards wealthier consumers, ahead of others that tend to use affordable options such as the Kindle Fire.

http://www.mobile-ent.biz/news/read/...e-ipads/017731

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'New' iPad landing in South Korea, Israel and 19 other countries, officially ceases t

April 16th, 2012, 22:50 Posted By: wraggster

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iPad developers in China resort to grey-market imports for testing

April 17th, 2012, 13:23 Posted By: wraggster

ReignDesign, a leading iPad developer in China, has revealed the difficulty they found obtaining a new iPad for testing their upcoming puzzle game, "Flockwork." Apple announced the new iPad with Retina display on March 7th, but the new device is not yet available in China. That meant developers in China have had to go to extreme lengths to import devices to use for testing.

Stephen Ceresia from ReignDesign explained: "Unlike other regions, Apple doesn't launch its products in China right away, so we are often forced to purchase devices from other regions. Unfortunately, with every major product launch it's becoming increasingly difficult to get our hands on new iOS devices when they're released. With the first iPad, we picked one up from one of the city's many grey-market electronics stores almost immediately after launch. With the iPad 2 we couldn't find anything local, so we went to Hong Kong," Ceresia says.

However, recent changes to Apple Retail Store policy in Hong Kong requiring pre-orders and proof-of-residency have made things more difficult. With the recent release of the new iPad, the company was forced to purchase the device through an independent US courier shortly after its launch.

Until Apple's China product launch dates coincide with those of other major regions, most iPad developers in China are left with few options: submit an untested app, wait weeks or even months for an official product release, or find a grey-market product to test with.

"The new iPad's retina display is a significant update, and we didn't want to submit Flockwork without first testing it on an actual device. It was a hassle to get our hands on one, but we think it was definitely worth it to fully support the new device," Ceresia explains. The company's game Flockwork is scheduled for a worldwide release on April 19th on the iTunes App Store.

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iLogic-Crimes - the exciting Logic & Detective iPad game globally released

April 17th, 2012, 13:27 Posted By: wraggster

iLogic Crimes is a stunning innovative Logic Game that combines brainteasers with a detective adventure. It is a new way of mental exercise and allows brain-traning with real fun!

The German Version is already available since end of 2011 and was ranked as #1 iPad Game in Germany and Austria in the App-Store!

Now, the new international version of iLogic-Crimes is available globally on Appstore in English.

iLogic-Crimes it is an exciting and demanding BRAIN-GAME, that combines brainteasers with a detective adventure - we call this new genre "Quick-Logic-Adventure".

The game targets specially riddle-, puzzle- and logic-deduction fans, hobby detectives and crime dinner friends.

TRAIN YOUR BRAIN with exciting adventures - in this Quick-Logic-Adventure (QLA) you get quickly the most important facts and can solve the crime by analyzing and clever logical deduction. Solving a crime takes about 10 minutes. Be surprised by different crime scenes, like a hacker-attack, theft in a castle, con artist in a holiday resort, bank robbery by an evil-clown, kidnapping of a dog or crime on a masked ball. All suspects have their own little story, here you find quirky and hilarious characters like the marriage swindler Scott Gigolo, the scientist Dr. Frankens or the actress and bikini model Bella Baywotch.

As a detective question fast and easy suspects, check alibis and decide on a suspect. Suspects can be questioned and interrogated and by a process of deduction you can find the culprit. It's cleverly done with logic being the prevailing force behind you finding your criminal. As the various scenarios unfold so does the difficulty ramp up. There are a multitude of combinations for crimes - the crimes are always different (> 500.000 variants) and create new challenges in every game. With achieving trophies you get access to further crime scenes.

*) New Genre QUICK LOGIC ADVENTURE
*) BRAIN TRAINING combined with EXCITING ADVENTURE
*) Training of logical thinking, deduction, combination and memory
*) 20 hilarious and interesting characters
*) 7 different crime scenes
*) > 500.000 variations of crimes
*) good music

Summary about our iPad App iLogic-Crimes:

New English Gametrailer:
Website: http://ccm2000games.hpage.com/ ;
Link to the US App-Store: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/ilogi...481449968?mt=8

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Tequila Mobile announces Tap Delight for iOS and Android

April 17th, 2012, 13:38 Posted By: wraggster

Tequila Mobile, creators of such mobile phenomenons as Bubble Universe (http://bit.ly/bubbleios) or recent sensation Fantasy Kingdom Defense HD (http://bit.ly/fkdios), have revealed their new in-house project. Tap deLight, expected to arrive at iTunes and Google Play at the beginning of May, is a fresh action-puzzle experience for both casual and experienced gamers.

Players manipulate on-screen lights to lead a lovable moth-like bug toward its sweetheart. When activated, bulbs work on the insect like magnets, allowing for both mind-bending puzzles and high-octane arcade action. “PLAY IT YOUR WAY is the core idea behind Tap deLight” explains Aleksander Zemke, Executive Producer at Tequila Mobile. “We hoped to combine an innovative, simple concept – not unlike the one in Cut the Rope or Where’s My Water - with sandboxy nature of games in vein of Spider: The Secret of Bryce Manor. Now, as the release date is closing in, I feel confident in saying we succeeded”.

Tap deLight will feature dozens of levels across four completely different worlds, Hollywood-grade CGI cutscenes, high definition graphics, several playable characters, optional objectives on every stage and an astounding number of power-ups. “We have enough content to last a lifetime” promises Lukasz Deszczulka, VP of Tequila Mobile. “It won’t have to though, as major content updates, including even more levels, worlds and characters, are already in the planning stages”.

More information about Tap deLight will be revealed in the coming days, including an extended video preview. The game itself is expected to be live on Android and iOS by the end of April, for the low price of FREE.

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NEXON Launches ‘Shadow Move’ for iOS

April 17th, 2012, 13:39 Posted By: wraggster

NEXON Korea Corporation have released the free, 3D puzzle game Shadow Move in the iTunes App Store.

Shadow Move is an innovative 3D puzzle game for multi-touch devices, providing a unique gameplay experience by freely moving objects to correctly match the shadow presented on each stage.

Players can develop their spatial skills using Shadow Move’s intuitive interface and the easy tilt and rotate controls allow players to quickly learn and enjoy the game.

Shadow Move can be downloaded for free from the Game category of the App Store worldwide.

Download Shadow Move from the App Store for free: iPhone/iPad

For more info on Shadow Move please visit http://nexonmobile.com.

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Stack up on coins with jetpack joyride's newest gadget, "coin magnet"

April 17th, 2012, 13:42 Posted By: wraggster

Halfbrick today released a new trailer showcasing one of the many sleek gadgets that will be available for players in version 1.3. The newly announced gadget - the "Coin Magnet" - will let players attract and collect all the shiny coins as they joyride their way through the secret laboratory.These gadgets will be available for purchase in the Stash, giving more options for players stockpiling those hard-earned coins! Players can also mix and match any two gadgets to suit their own game and goals.
For some behind-the-scenes footage of the "Coin Magnet" during its testing phase at Legitimate Research, check out http://youtu.be/me6TMNYN5J0.
1.3 will be launched as a free update to Jetpack Joyride players later this month.
Jetpack Joyride has seen over 16 million downloads since launch and is now available for free on the App store for iOS devices.
To download Jetpack Joyride, check out the official iTunes information page at:
http://itunes.apple.com/app/jetpack-joyride/id457446957?mt=8.
For more information about Halfbrick and Jetpack Joyride, please visit:
http://www.halfbrick.com.

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'100 GREATEST HITS' & '100 GREATEST HITS FREE' Announced

April 17th, 2012, 13:45 Posted By: wraggster

Elite Systems, the long established UK based developer and electronic publisher of games for portable, mobile and other devices has confirmed the Apps (full title, “Sinclair ZX Spectrum 100 GREATEST HITS”) have been scheduled for release during the weekend of 20th Apr, 2012.

Commenting upon the launch plans, Elite’s MD Steve Wilcox said, “The Apps provide the opportunity to build a collection, of the most popular SINCLAIR ZX SPECTRUM games from the 80s and 90s, in two great ways:

1. Download ‘100 Greatest Hits’ to receive BRUCE LEE and to get 100 more classic SINCLAIR ZX SPECTRUM games for NO ADDITIONAL FEE! Includes:
- Manic Miner
- Jet Set Willy
- Chuckie Egg
- and much, much more.

No need to buy additional games:
- BRUCE LEE and 25 separate packs, each of 4 games, included for NO ADDITIONAL
FEE!

2. Alternatively, download ‘100 Greatest Hits Free’, to get BRUCE LEE for free and to get 100 more classic SINCLAIR ZX SPECTRUM games for a MODEST ADDITIONAL FEE.

Buy additional games in 2 unique ways:
- 25 separate packs, each of 4 games, available for download at £1.49/Euro$1.59/US$1.99
- all 100 games for a MASSIVELY discounted price (basically the price of a cinema ticket).”

Commenting further upon the launch plans, Wilcox noted:

“The Worldwide release of the Apps will take place in late April to coincide with the 30th Anniversary of the launch of the Sinclair ZX Spectrum home computer. To commemorate this very special event, from 20th-27th April, 2012 only, all 100 games will be available for a sensational new release price of just £5.99/Euro6.99/US$8.99 (iPhone / iPod Touch) £8.99/Euro10.49/US$12.99 (iPad).”
Complimentary copies of the Apps will be made available to media and trade contacts on 18th April, 2012 (or earlier by agreement). A further announcement, including a full list of the available games, will be made at that time and prior to the release of the Apps.

Note: this app will NOT be updated with additional games. It’s being released specifically to celebrate the 30th Anniversary (23rd April, 2012) of the launch of the Sinclair ZX Spectrum. If you’re looking for the definitive ZX Spectrum app, to which new games are added every other month or so, then search for “ZX” at the iTunes App Store and then select either ‘ZX Spectrum: Elite Collection’ (for iPhone/Touch) or ‘ZX Spectrum: Elite Collection HD’ (for iPad).

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PREMIER iOS CRICKET GAME LAUNCHES IPL UPGRADE

April 17th, 2012, 13:48 Posted By: wraggster

Stick Cricket, the worldwide cricket gaming phenomenon, today launches a new game mode for iOS to celebrate the start of the 2012 Indian Premier League.

Available as an in-app upgrade (99c/69p) to the FREE Stick Cricket app -http://bit.ly/HCb8si - ‘Stick Cricket Premier League’ offers gamers the chance to play as their favourite IPL team in a bid to win the coveted trophy.

The tournament mode captures the unique essence of T20 Premier League cricket. Boasting a plethora of international superstars spread across the nine teams, the shorter game length – each match lasts just a few minutes – means every delivery is crucial.

The Premier League experience becomes even more nerve-wracking come finals time (that is, if you’re good enough to qualify), with a two-over do-or-die clash enough to get even a seasoned Stick Cricketer sweating.

Stick Cricket, a “title of legendary status” (Pocket-Lint), was first launched on iOS in late 2010 and has been a constant fixture in the App Store charts in all cricket-loving countries since.

Stick Cricket Premier League is also available as an in-app purchase for Stick Cricket HD: http://bit.ly/qlno89.

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Disassembly 3D: Titanic's 100th Anniversary - Destroy it again!

April 17th, 2012, 13:51 Posted By: wraggster

Coinciding with the 100th anniversary of the sinking of the R.M.S. Titanic, indie developer Khor Chin Heong today released Item Pack 6 for the iOS game Disassembly 3D: Ultimate Stereoscopic Destruction. This update features a detailed 3D model of the R.M.S. Titanic which can be fully destroyed part-by-part, blown up, and sunk. Also included are fully working models of a screwdriver and rice cooker.

What's new:

- New Item Pack 6! Screw Driver, Rice Cooker, and the Titanic!
- Fix camera getting stuck at extreme distances
- Various bug fixes

Disassembly 3D is a one-of-a-kind physics-based game for iOS devices that simulates the experience of taking everyday objects apart in full stereoscopic 3D. Bomb mode allows for blowing objects up in slow motion bullet-time. There are 18 different objects ranging from furniture and appliances, electronics, including the kitchen sink! Players can interact, use and disassemble the object intuitively by just touching and dragging the parts. Camera control is achieved the same way, using pinch zoom to zoom in or out. Points are scored based on the complexity of the parts disassembled.

Since its release in Oct 2011, Disassembly 3D has achieved almost 100,000 downloads and has ranked in the Top #2 Puzzle game in Japan and Top #8 in Italy. Fans of the game have mostly commented, "Epic!" or "Awesome!"

Disassembly 3D Website: http://www.facebook.com/disassembly3d
Download from App Store: http://itunes.apple.com/app/disassem...462604666?mt=8
YouTube Titanic Trailer:

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[iOS] Skidpan

April 18th, 2012, 16:54 Posted By: Freshmilk

Hey guys. I just thought I'd drop by to show you a new iPhone app I've just released. It's a small pick up and play style outing, offering quick 2-minute games to help you kill the time when you're bored. It took me about a month or so to produce, and was created using Adobe AIR for iOS. I would really appreciate it if you could take a look and let me know what you think.

The app is available here. (Oh, and it's free. =])
http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/skidp...1022?ls=1&mt=8

As I said before, I'd be very grateful of any feedback you have to offer, particularly because this is my first release. Also, in case you're interested, my best score is 52. I'm not sure if anyone's beat that yet. Good luck with that one.

Thanks in advance. I hope you enjoy it!
-Andrew

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Free iPhone App Sketch Nation Studio Lets You Build Games

April 18th, 2012, 23:18 Posted By: wraggster

Sketch Nation Studio, released today from Engineous Games, is a free game creation tool for iPhone, iPod touch and iPad that lets you create your own game in mere minutes. At launch, there are five styles of game, with more coming soon. Players can submit their games as a bona fide Stand Alone App, which is packaged and sold on the App Store for $0.99.This game is the onlyapp that lets users create and release their own apps for fun and profit. Sketch Nation Studio is the fastest, easiest way to create mobile games, and no technical background is required.

In Sketch Nation Studio, you can draw directly on the device using the in-app drawing tools, or sketch out your heroes and villains on paper and import them using the camera. Your original art and games can be shared with other players within the game; try collaborating with a friend to make a game about your gym teacher or your boss! Downloading user-generated games and art costs virtual currency (Sketch Bucks). You start off with plenty, and earn more Sketch Bucks every time your game or art is downloaded. This encourages players to create a rich library of content for the Sketch Nation community. Those who do not wish to create content can also earn Sketch Bucks by playing games or through in-app purchase.

Sketch Nation Studio Features:

• 100% Free – There’s no reason not to try this universal app and make your own games!
• Make Real Money– The user earns $0.35 (half the revenue after Apple's cut) for each copy sold; it may not seem like much, but it adds up quickly.
• Customizable Fun – Mailman versus family dog, miner gnome down the well, flatulent flying fox – the options are limitless!
• 5 Different Game Genres, More on the Way – Up-Jumping, Down-Jumping, Horizontal Jumping, Horizontal Running, and Horizontal Flying games. New genres coming in future updates
• 3 Games Modes – Simple mode lets new designers play their first game within minutes. Advanced mode allows users to control and customize every aspect of the gameplay. Stand Alone mode gives users the chance to sell their game on the app store for a revenue share, no guesswork or experience required!

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Unlock the secrets of RMS Titanic and change the course of history forever

April 18th, 2012, 23:26 Posted By: wraggster

Secrets of the Titanic 1912-2012 from Avanquest Software Publishing will be available to download for the Apple iPad from Spring 2012 to mark the 100^thanniversary of the fateful maiden voyage.

The hidden-object adventure game offers players the chance to travel back in time and board the RMS Titanic, searching for hundreds of hidden objects and complete challenging mini-games and puzzles to test speed, accuracy and judgment.

The tense and exciting plot starts in the present and follows Eva as she experiences flashbacks and finds herself on board the Titanic with the power to change the course of history. Gamers can switch between two time periods, 1912 and 2012, and can chose to play in either relaxed or timed mode. By solving puzzles throughout the game, the mysteries behind the greatest maritime tragedy of all time are unlocked and gamers learn that being in control of the past has an impact on the future.

As gamers scour the ship and learn about the past, they must uncover hundreds of objects hidden on board. Ranging from passports and cigar boxes to brooches and hats, the objects when found, are added to an inventory list displayed on the bottom screen and will come in use when faced with a puzzle or problem. Meeting fellow passengers for help along the way, players must explore a variety of iconic locations ranging from the boiler room and infamous first class stairwell, to the upper decks and life boats. Designed to test logic, problem solving and hidden object skills, there are also a number of mini-games which can be unlocked as you progress through the adventure.

Secrets of the Titanic: 1912-2012 is available on the Apple iPad from Spring 2012. It is available from the Apple App Store.

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600 MGM titles coming to Google Play and YouTube

April 18th, 2012, 23:41 Posted By: wraggster

Rental initiative will open to users in the US and Canada.
Google has partnered with film studio MGM to expand its streaming efforts across Google Play and YouTube with a new movie library. The deal will bring titles such as The Terminator, Robocop and Rocky to the app store and streaming video site.
MGM will contribute over 600 titles in the coming weeks, as the studio becomes the sixth to join Google's streaming project.
The rental platform will only be open to users in US and Canada, though it's likely it will expand internationally, given Google's global footprint.
The launch comes following our report that Americans are streaming more films online, than they're watching on VHS, DVD and Blu-ray combined.

http://www.mobile-ent.biz/index.php/...youtube/017757

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New iPad app simulates Windows 8

April 18th, 2012, 23:42 Posted By: wraggster

Uses Metro-like UI to give Apple the Microsoft touch.
Splashtop is the iOS and Android developer behind the Win8 Metro Testbed app, according to PC World. The firm designed the premium $25 app to give iPad users a break from iOS and a taste of Microsoft's forthcoming OS.
The app simulates the Metro UI, offering the specific Windows 8 tablet swiping features that enable app switching, options access, web page browsing and simultaneous app operation known as 'snapping'.
Of course, there aren't any Windows 8 tablets available at present and while the app doesn't offer camera support, PCW highlights the Testbed as a decent way to trial Windows 8.
However, Apple probably won't be impressed with the Microsoft invasion. Just yesterday, we reported the former may be developing iPad Mini devices for a Q3 release to inhibit the sales of the Windows 8 tablets that are launching later in the year.

http://www.mobile-ent.biz/news/read/...ndows-8/017756

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Apple vs Samsung: could they settle?

April 18th, 2012, 23:47 Posted By: wraggster

Apple and Samsung are set to begin talks to settle at least one of the major patent infringement suits that have erupted between the smartphone rivals worldwide.
A Californian court filing revealed that the bitter rivals will sit down in a "settlement conference" with the aim of reaching a settlement that could head off some or even all of the legal battles between the companies.
In an indication of how seriously the talks are being taken, the court filing also revealed that Apple CEO Tim Cook himself and Samsung chief Choi Gee-sung will be taking part in the negotiations.
Lawyers have been funded to the tune of countless bottles of campaign in the ongoing patent disputes now active in more than ten countries worldwide. The situation is made more complex by the fact that Apple is one of Samsung's largest customers for electronic components, even collaborating on the design of Apple's custom processor.
There seems little doubt that the all out war has done at least some damage to brand Apple but the campaign was the result of the late Steve Jobs' declaration of war on Android.
"I will spend my last dying breath if I need to, and I will spend every penny of Apple's $40 billion in the bank, to right this wrong," Jobs said of Android according to Water Isaacson's biography. Later Jobs told Google chief Eric Schmidt "I don't want your money. If you offer me $5 billion, I won't want it."
The bottom line is that with Jobs at the top, there seemed little prospect in any sort of peace with rival vendors that used Google's Android OS. That said, settlements are often mandated by authorities which are reluctant to enforce any measure whereby an IP can be exclusively offered by one vendor, no matter how much the former Apple chief would wish.
The preferred option is to come to terms on how much it will cost to licence the IP in question. Doing so is in all IP holder's interest because it generates revenue and raises the cost of implementing a design in competing products.
The question is whether post-Jobs Apple is genuinely interested in sitting down to come to a mutually agreeable decision or if Jobs succeeded in indoctrinating his successor with his war of principal.
In such a case negotiations may fail entirely, just as they did between Google and Oracle in the Java/Android dispute. The trial of Google vs Oracle is now in the second day.

http://www.pcr-online.biz/news/read/...-settle/028212

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Operators: Nokia Would Sell Better With Android

April 19th, 2012, 00:17 Posted By: wraggster

"Mobile operators are complaining that Nokia's Lumia line of handsets would sell better if it ran a different OS — or if Microsoft was more willing to put marketing money behind Windows Phone. 'No one comes into the store and asks for a Windows phone,' said an executive in charge of mobile devices at one European operator. He said Microsoft's software worked nicely with PCs and allowed you 'to do tons of cool things,' but few customers knew this. 'If the Lumia with the same hardware came with Android in it and not Windows, it would be much easier to sell,' he said."
http://mobile.slashdot.org/story/12/...r-with-android

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iTunes' Windows Problem

April 19th, 2012, 00:20 Posted By: wraggster

"Jean-Louis Gassée writes that iTunes is the best thing that has happened to Apple because without iTunes' innovative micropayment system and its new way of selling songs one at a time, the iPod would have been just another commodity MP3 player. The well-debugged iTunes infrastructure turned out to be a godsend for the emergence of the iPhone. But today, the toxic waste of success cripples iTunes: increasingly non-sensical complexity, inconsistencies, layers of patches over layers of patches ending up in a structure so labyrinthine no individual can internalize it any longer. 'It's a giant kitchen sink piled high with loosely related features, and it's highly un-Apple-like' says Allen Pike. 'Users know it, critics know it, and you can bet the iTunes team knows it. But for the love of god, why?' People naturally suggest splitting iTunes into multiple apps, but Apple can't, because many, if not most iOS users are on Windows. It's Apple's one and only foothold on Windows, so it needs to support everything an iOS device owner could need to do with their device. 'Can you imagine the support hurricane it would cause if Windows users suddenly needed to download, install, and use 3-4 different apps to sync and manage their media on their iPhone?' But help may be on the way with iOS 5. As iCloud duplicates more and more of iTunes' sync functionality, they can start removing it from iTunes. 'Apple is very explicit about it in their marketing materials: they call it "PC Free". They're not quite there yet, but they're driving towards a future where you don't need to manage your iOS device with a PC at all – Mac or Windows.
http://apple.slashdot.org/story/12/0...indows-problem

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G5 Brings The Island: Castaway to Android

April 20th, 2012, 00:01 Posted By: wraggster

Lounging on an empty beach floored by soft, white sand to find only your own footprints trailing behind you: sounds like a dream vacation ... unless you're stuck on an uncharted island in the middle of nowhere and must find a way to survive. The Island: Castaway, the latest action-adventure from G5 Games throws you in the middle of an unknown and mysterious island after an ocean liner sinks in a storm. Owners of Android devices today will finally be able to experience this gripping adventure for themselves. The Island: Castaway for Kindle Fire is coming soon too. In the game you will play as Tom Allison, one of the survivors of the crash and the leader of the few to escape the wreckage. Your task will be to help Tom guide the group through the challenges and hopefully to get them home.

Developed originally for PC by Awem Studio, The Island: Castaway has hit all casual game charts and engaged players as well as game critics with its unusual storyline and adventurous gameplay. Unlike many other simulation games, The Island: Castaway is much more than a sim which involves guiding and caring about the people who got trapped on the island. The adventure features over 200 quests and intriguing and mysterious storyline that will enthrall you from the start. You will begin with simple tasks such as starting a fire and putting up a tent. Then you will learn to fish, catch crabs, hunt and craft weapons on advanced levels of the game. You will also learn to work with and survive among the natives of this wild land and finally uncover a great mystery that lies buried deep in the history of the place.

You will have many tasks and quests to complete for your band of survivors and the tribesmen, including finding food and spices, catching crabs and snakes or hunt boars. You will cover a lot of ground, so you'll need to watch your hero's energy level and ensure he gets plenty of fuel. You will learn to cook various foods and special potion so that you can complete several tasks or else face death.
During the game you will get a chance to collect 15 different trophies. Each can be upgraded from bronze to silver and to gold, giving you a total 45 trophies to earn. Moreover, the island hides twelve statues. Finding all of them is crucial for completing the game. Along with its first-rate artwork and intriguing plot, the polished game has any tasks waiting for you.




Key features:

• 12 Absorbing locations
• 14 Unique and fascinating characters
• Over 200 quests to solve
• Huge, perplexing island to investigate
• Plot that's full of twists and turns

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Herotopia’s Popular Primate to Star in iOS Arcade Adventure Tango Chase

April 20th, 2012, 00:16 Posted By: wraggster

Herotainment, LLC, developer behind the inspiring, superhero virtual world Herotopia, is expanding the universe for the very first time to iOS devices. Tango the orangutan hero is swinging into the iTunes App Store to star in his first lead role and save his simian sweetheart from a tricky supervillain. In Tango Chase players tilt, swipe and swing their way through this action-based arcade game through a vibrant world of snake-ridden jungles, cursed ancient ruins, journey under the sea and more! Tango Chase presents over 70 levels of addictive, challenging gameplay and will be available soon for iOS devices.
Tango Chase features:

• Multi-directional tilt controls
• New iPad Retina graphics
• Over 70 levels of adventurous gameplay to challenge your skills and quick reflexes
• Dash, dodge and bounce to evade dangerous obstacles and creatures
• Collect coins and rare gems to unlock super power-ups and upgrades from the shop
• Global Leaderboards and Achievements to earn
• Share with friends on Facebook and Twitter for in-game bonuses

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Pixeleap announces Fun Memory

April 20th, 2012, 00:22 Posted By: wraggster

Indie game studio Pixeleap is proud to announce the launch of their iOS game, Fun Memory: an international version of their successful memory game, Vendespillet, which has been downloaded more than 40000 times on the Danish App Store. The game is exactly what its name says: a fun memory game that can be played in single player mode for high scores, or against friends and family.

What started off as an in-house game jam, merely to boost creativity while working on a big project, ended up as an app store success in Denmark. The game was developed throughout the weekend, and polished over a few weekdays - since the guys at Pixeleap got wrapped up in the project.

Fun Memory turned out to be a game containing a lot of cute hand drawn illustrations of animals and fantasy creatures. And get this: it’s absolutely free, and there are no in app purchases in the game, so there is no way to spend money in it. So yes, your kid can enjoy it too, especially since it’s now available in English (default), Japanese, German, French, Spanish, Portuguese and Swedish.

The team consists of four students, that spend all of their free time working on their games and striving to make a name for themselves in the gaming industry. Only time will tell, but if this is what Pixeleap could accomplish during a jamming weekend, it kind of makes you wonder how will their “big project” look like.

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Rumored remake of classic action-puzzle hit Skweek

April 20th, 2012, 00:23 Posted By: wraggster

The rumors emanating from Europe were founded, ZiGGURAT publisher Freshùu today confirmed that their second game app on iOS would indeed be a completely modernized remake of the cult action puzzle game Skweek, cooked in collaboration with the original creators.

Skweek was originally born in 1989 on Atari ST. Back in the day, its success triggered subsequent ports on contemporary computers such as Commodore Amiga and Amstrad CPC. Two years later, a sequel titled Super Skweek saw a release on the same platforms, plus Atari Lynx, SEGA GameGear and legendary PC Engine.

Viewed from the top and allowing player to move only in verticals and horizontals, like Pacman, Skweek offers for main objective to paint his planet from ugly blue back into adorable pink, after it has been messed with by tasteless invaders. Skweek will encounter multiple bonuses and weapon upgrades on his way, as well various monsters with different attributes. All levels can be completed in four distinct manners!

The game is being developed in Germany as we speak and is poised to hit the Apple AppStore soon-ish. The new control scheme is perfectly suitable for tactile devices, using swipes to move the main character and taps to fire. Fling will also be supported on iPad. No virtual pad or buttons whatsoever! Visuals and audio have been completely overhauled too.

"I got addicted to Skweek during my childhood. I'm proud to bring it back for fellow fans, and also excited to introduce this brilliant concept to the kids of today", said Pascal Clarysse, Chief Creative Officer at Freshùu Inc.

Only a Twitter account and a Facebook page are available at this time, both displaying the contemporary hi-res rendering of the well-known furry creature as profile picture, and presenting the very first in-game images. More screenshots and additional information will follow in due course.

[http://twitter.com/#!/iAMskweek]
[http://www.facebook.com/iSkweek]

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Midway Arcade Adds iCade Compatibility for an Authentic Retro Experience!

April 20th, 2012, 00:24 Posted By: wraggster

Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment announces that its popular Midway Arcade App is now compatible with iCade, the retro arcade-style cabinet for iPad. The miniature wooden cabinet is perfectly sized for iPad, and connects via Bluetooth to a full-sized joystick and buttons for a genuine arcade experience.

Midway Arcade provides a virtual showroom equipped with 10 classic arcade games, tickets and virtual prizes. The app allows players to enjoy their favorite arcade games, such as Spy Hunter, Joust, Rampage, Defender and more, along with four skill-based games. Players also have the option to purchase additional Midway classics through In-App Purchase. The extra fun in the Fantasy Game Pack includes Gauntlet I, Gauntlet II and Wizard of Wor, while the Action Game Pack unlocks APB, NARC and Total Carnage. Players compete against their friends, earn achievements and dominate online leaderboards.

The Midway Arcade App is available for €0.79/£0.69 from the App Store on iPad, iPhone and iPod touch or at www.itunes.com/appstore. For consumers that have already purchased Midway Arcade the new iCade support is available with the latest update. The Fantasy Game Pack and Action Game Packs are available for €0.79/£0.69 each through In-App Purchase.

Follow Midway Arcade at:
· http://www.facebook.com/MidwayArcade
· http://twitter.com/MidwayArcade

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Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? is headin’ on down to South Park

April 20th, 2012, 00:27 Posted By: wraggster

doublesix digital is pleased to announce the launch of the South Park - Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? Special Edition for Apple iOS devices. This Special Edition App was developed in collaboration with 2waytraffic – part of Sony Pictures Television – who owns the rights to Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?

The South Park - Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? Special Edition features 500 questions taken from the first 15 seasons of the award-winning TV series. The game captures the authentic look and feel of the show, with a set brought to life in the iconic South Park style and an audience populated with familiar South Park town-folk.

Players can choose one of six avatars designed by South Park Studios and then take to the hot seat to prove just how much they know about the show.
Based on the world’s most successful TV game show, Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? Special Editions retains all the excitement and atmosphere of the original programme. Contestants participate in the Fastest Finger First round and then scale a mountain of questions in the quest for that elusive virtual million, making judicious use of the three classic lifelines - 50-50, Ask The Audience, and Phone-A-Friend. Players stumped by a question can phone familiar characters from the show, including Santa, Death, Evil Towelie and many more.

Are you a South Park super-fan? Then put on your winter coat, grab a bag of Cheesy Poofs and prove it, dude!

South Park - Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? Special Edition is available from April 19 on Apple iPhone®, iPad® and iPod Touch®.

Main Features:

- 500 questions taken from all 15 seasons of the show.- 100 Fastest Finger First questions.
- Six player avatars designed by South Park Studios.
- Don’t know the answer? Use the Phone-A-Friend lifeline to seek the knowledge of classic characters from the South Park world.
- Alternatively, take advantage of the 50:50 lifeline, or Ask The Audience – which is populated with familiar South Park town-folk.
- Game Centre Support; achievements and leaderboards
- Tweet your high scores straight to Twitter from the game
- German, French, Spanish and Italian subtitles are available

Website
http://www.facebook.com/#!/WhoWantsToBeAMillionaireSpecialEditions

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Mobile location-based searches to pass desktop search by 2016

April 20th, 2012, 01:35 Posted By: wraggster

Geolocation media specialist BIA/Kelsey says search on the mobile platform will exceed search on PCs by 27 billion queries per year.
It adds that mobile search revenues are set to grow at a CAGR of 160.4 per cent to $3.2 billion in 2016, up from $400 million last year.
However, desktop local search revenues will grow from $5.7 billion to $10.2 billion, a CAGR of 12 per cent.
Michael Boland, senior analyst and program director, Mobile Local Media, BIA/Kelsey, said: "It's important to note that while mobile local search volume will exceed its desktop equivalent, ad dollars will remain lower.
"This is because advertisers aren't yet keeping pace with the growth of mobile local ad inventory, but we expect that to evolve."

http://www.mobile-ent.biz/news/read/...by-2016/017789

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Infographic: The state of mobile gaming

April 20th, 2012, 01:36 Posted By: wraggster

Stats on where they're played, when they're played, how much money they make and more.
Insights firm Business Degree has created a useful infographic on the rise of mobile gaming.
It leads with a claim that mobile gaming is the most popular app activity, stating that 64 per cent of app users playing them every day.
That puts gaming ahead of weather and social networking, with daily use rates of 60 per cent and 56 per cent respectively.
Additionally, people spend an average of 7.8 hours per month playing mobile games, while iPhone users lead with 14.7 hours of gameplay and BlackBerry trails on 4.5 hours.
http://www.mobile-ent.biz/news/read/...-gaming/017787

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Microsoft releases Kinect Star Wars iOS app

April 20th, 2012, 01:53 Posted By: wraggster

A new iOS app based on Kinect Star Wars has hit the App Store courtesy of Microsoft.
The app was already available on Windows Phone.
Rather than offer a game, it actually works as a social media aggregator, syncing with both Facebook and Twitter. Obviously it augments your streams with lots of promotional material for the Xbox 360 title with which it is associated.
“We are literally putting the Force directly into people’s phones to help launch Kinect Star Wars,” Microsoft UK’s director of Xbox and entertainment Stephen McGill.
“Fans will be able to carry a piece of the Star Wars universe in their pockets and, like the new game for Xbox 360, immerse themselves in the incredible world of one of the most enduring entertainment franchises like never before.”

http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/micro...ios-app/094681

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Microsoft rejects game due to 'toilet sounds'

April 22nd, 2012, 22:06 Posted By: wraggster

Windows phone game deemed offensive in Asia, denied release

Occupy Forever has been denied a Windows Phone release in China because Microsoft deemed its "flushing toilet sounds" offensive to Asians, according to Austrian developer Christian Zangl.
Microsoft said the game cannot be released because it "contains content that depicts toilet flushing sounds" and is targeted at an Asian market.

"Content that is offensive in any country/region to which your application is targeted is not allowed."
But Zangl pointed out the game, already available for iOS devices in China, has an average rating of four out of five stars.
"As always it's up to the developer to submit again and try to convince the tester that the game should be certified," Zangl told Game Politics.

http://www.develop-online.net/news/4...-toilet-sounds

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Pixel Qi Says Next-Gen Displays Meet or Beat iPad 3 Screen Quality

April 22nd, 2012, 22:29 Posted By: wraggster

Pixel Qi announces new screens that can match or exceed the image quality of the screen in the iPad3, with a very low power mode that runs at a full 100X power reduction from the peak power consumed by the iPad3 screen. Hope the Google tablet has this tech."The claims are pretty bold, and specific: "We have a new architecture that matches the resolution of the ipad3 screen, and its full image quality including matching or exceeding contrast, color saturation, the viewing angle and so forth with massive power savings.

http://hardware.slashdot.org/story/1...screen-quality

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Accountability, Not Code Quality, Makes iOS Safer Than Android

April 22nd, 2012, 22:35 Posted By: wraggster

Threatpost is reporting on a new study of mobile malware that finds accountability, not superior technology, has kept Apple's iOS ecosystem free of viruses, even as the competing Android platform strains under the weight of repeated malicious code outbreaks. Dan Guido of the firm Trail of Bits and Michael Arpaia of iSEC Partners told attendees at the SOURCE Boston Conference on Thursday about an empirical analysis of existing malicious programs for the Android and iOS platforms which shows that Google is losing the mobile security contest badly — every piece of malicious code the two identified was for the company's Android OS, while Apple's iOS remained free of malware, despite owning 30% of the mobile smartphone market in the U.S. Apple's special sauce? Policies that demand accountability from iOS developers, and stricter controls on what applications can do once they are installed on Apple devices.
http://apple.slashdot.org/story/12/0...r-than-android

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App Of The Day: BlablaCar

April 23rd, 2012, 19:42 Posted By: wraggster

Road trip app allows drivers to fill spare car seats up with commuters and murderous hitchhikers.
European ride-sharing service BlablaCar connects drivers that want to share their driving duties, enabling them to offer spare seats to members in order cut back on travel expenses.
The new iPhone app allows users to post trips including one-offs, daily or weekly commutes, while also adding the seats available and price per passenger.
Passengers can also search for rides, sifting through thousands of posts before contacting the driver to discuss the terms of travel.
There's also a rating feature so users can share information, perhaps whether the driver is a speed demon or if the passenger has hygiene problems or a penchant for knives.
Nicolas Brusson, co-founder, BlablaCar, said: "Being able to find and arrange road trips from your mobile makes it an even more convenient choice for drivers wanting to reduce the cost of motoring and for passengers looking for a cheaper alternative to the train. With the cost of travel spiralling continuously upwards, it makes sense to save money by making use of car seats going spare."

http://www.mobile-ent.biz/news/read/...ablacar/017822

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Cartoon Network to launch live streaming on iOS

April 23rd, 2012, 19:42 Posted By: wraggster

Cross-platform expansion is part of TV Everywhere strategy.
Broadcaster Time Warner will begin live streaming of Cartoon Network across iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch as part of its TV Everywhere initiative, which gives satellite subscribers access to watch full-length shows on demand.
The on-the-move expansion will also enable viewers to stream content on the official Cartoon Network website for viewers that don't have access to iOS-powered devices.
Q1 2012 produced the channel's best viewing figures of the past five years, which rose by 30 per cent on 2011.
Cartoon Network is watched in over 99 million American households and 168 countries.

http://www.mobile-ent.biz/news/read/...-on-ios/017817

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Brits waste hundreds of mobile data megabytes every month

April 23rd, 2012, 19:44 Posted By: wraggster

49 per cent use under 100MB but pay for five times the amount.
Mobile price comparison site billmonitor.com says consumers overestimate their mobile data needs to prevent 'bill shock' – excessive charges that come when users run over their limit – though just eight per cent have experienced this.
Almost half of all smartphone users use just 100MB per month or less, though 88 per cent pay for 500MB.
Smartphone data use has risen from 71MB to 154MB per month in the past 18 months, though 27 per cent are 'power users' with over 250MB of monthly data use.
Stelios Koundouros, founder of billmonitor.com, said: "Virtually all smartphone users have one thing in common: they’re all paying more for mobile data than they should.
"It is notoriously difficult for people to estimate their real data usage, and smartphone users who don’t know how much data they are using cannot make an informed decision on which tariff is right for them. We urge people to take a good look at their consumption and make sure that they are not paying over the odds for their data."

http://www.mobile-ent.biz/news/read/...y-month/017816

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Building new interfaces with an iPad

April 23rd, 2012, 19:52 Posted By: wraggster


There’s a word – synchronicity – to describe two disparate events that occur together in a meaningful way. We see this a lot in the Hackaday tip line; two people send in somewhat similar hacks solving similar problems in similar ways nearly simultaneously. Here’s two builds by [Bryce] and [spektakx] that hit our inbox within minutes of each other that both implement existing interfaces with iPads.
[h=4]iPad turntable controller[/h][spektakx] sent in an iPad powered DJ MIDI controller he built as a prototype to test out the size, orientation and layout for an upcoming build. The turntable controllers are simple USB affairs made to jog and scratch records digitally. Although [spektakx] admits it’s a little unfinished, it’s still just a prototype. Also, he can use a Windows 7 tablet laptop for ‘more suited’ hardware. Check out [spektakx]‘ video demo after the break.
[h=4]an iPad cash register[/h][Hacktheory] found [Bryce]‘s Flickr photolog of a DIY ‘Square’ cash register. The electronics part of this build is practically non-existent; it’s just an iPad with a credit card readers that plugs into the headphone jack. Yes, we just saw these ‘Square’ credit card readers this last week. The fabrication portion of this build is incredible – [Bryce] has a few wonderful pieces of walnut there, and did an exceptional job with the wood work. It’s probably not well suited to high-volume retail, but we couldn’t think of a better cash register for a boutique shop.

http://hackaday.com/2012/04/22/build...-with-an-ipad/

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Proof-of-Concept Android Trojan Uses Motion Sensors To Steal Passwords

April 23rd, 2012, 21:52 Posted By: wraggster

TapLogger, a proof-of-concept Trojan for Android developed by resarchers at Pennsylvania State University and IBM, uses infrormation from the phone's motion sensor to deduce what keys the user has tapped (PDF), thus revealing otherwise-hidden information such as passwords and PINs.

http://it.slashdot.org/story/12/04/2...teal-passwords

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40% of freemium gamers buy IAPs

April 23rd, 2012, 21:57 Posted By: wraggster

A new report from NPD has claimed that four out of ten gamers who have played a freemium game have gone on to make an in-game purchase.
The organisation also found that females are “significantly more likely” than males to play freemium titles, but on the flip side are less likely to buy an IAP.
In addition, only 15 per cent of gamers who are aware of freemium games choose not to play them. It estimates that 38 per cent of all US citizens aged two and up are currently playing a freemium game of some kind.
“The majority of freemium gamers who opt to pay to upgrade their experience do so within the first month of playing a particular game,” NPD analyst Anita Frazier stated.
“Males and those ages 18 to 34 are traditionally seen as a big part of the core gamer audience, so it’s likely these groups are not quite as engaged with freemium because the gaming experience is quite different from what they are used to from the games they play on consoles, handhelds or PCs.
“At a minimum, for these gamers a freemium game would provide a different experience, like a snack versus a full meal.”

http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/40-of...uy-iaps/094864

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Lumia fails to shine as Nokia posts €1.34bn loss

April 23rd, 2012, 22:00 Posted By: wraggster

Nokia’s first stab at reversing its torrid fortunes appears not to have taken off.
The company has reported a €1.34bn loss for its 2012 Q1 with smartphone sales tumbling 52 per cent year-on-year.
2m Lumia handsets were sold in the period, and Nokia is predicting a similar performance from Q2.
Net sales for the quarter fell from €10.4bn to €7.35bn, with total smartphone sales reaching 12m – again, down from 24.2m in the same quarter last year. North American phone sales flat lined at just 600k units
"We have launched four Lumia devices ahead of schedule to encourage awards and popular acclaim," Nokia CEO Stephen Elop stated.
“The actual sales results have been mixed. We exceeded expectations in markets including the United States, but establishing momentum in certain markets including the UK has been more challenging."
"We're navigating through a significant company transition in an industry environment that continues to evolve and shift quickly. Over the last year we have made progress on our new strategy, but we have faced greater-than-expected competitive challenges.
"We are confident in our strategy and focused on responding urgently in the short term and creating value for our shareholders in the long term."
Nokia’s most recent Lumia handset, the Lumia 900, was not included the results and launched recently to strong reviews.

http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/lumia...bn-loss/094860

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Marvel vs Capcom 2 hitting iPhone this week

April 23rd, 2012, 22:20 Posted By: wraggster

An iOS version of Capcom’s fighting mash-up sequel Marvel vs. Capcom 2 is heading to the App Store this week.
The Capcom Unity Blog reveals the port will arrive this Wednesday, April 25th and will include the full 56-character roster.
Curiously it’ll only be available for iPhone and iPod Touch; no iPad version.
Pricing has yet to be announced, but as Shacknews astutely points out Capcom’s Street Fighter IV goes for $4.99 on the App Store.

http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/marve...is-week/094838

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SkyDrive app for Windows Phone gets 2.0 update, reduces free storage capacity

April 23rd, 2012, 22:38 Posted By: wraggster

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eMusic launches Android app

April 23rd, 2012, 22:39 Posted By: wraggster

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iNES for Android v3.6.17

April 24th, 2012, 15:02 Posted By: wraggster

via http://www.aep-emu.de/

Marat Fayzullin has ported his (commercial) NES emulator iNES to the Android platform: iNES for Android

Quote:
New in 3.6.17:
Made user-assigned key mappings override default key mappings.
Xperia Play [X] button now acts as FIRE-A (was START before).
Added persistent fast-forwarding option.
Added low disk space warning.

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