Android's US smartphone market share falls four per cent in Q2

August 1st, 2012, 21:50 Posted By: wraggster

But the OS still dominates the market with a huge 56 per cent.
Last week, Strategy Analytics said the global smartphone shipment growth had slowed to 32 per cent in Q2, the weakest rate since Q3 2009.
Now, it reveals that the biggest OS in the space, Android, is also decelerating – at least in the US.
Overall US smartphone market growth slowed by five per cent, resulting in Android's Q2 shipments slipping by four per cent year-on-year.
That said, the OS still has a 56 per cent market share, and accounted for 13.4m of the total 23.8m devices moved in the quarter.
Neil Mawston, Executive Director at Strategy Analytics, said: "Android remains the number one platform by volume in the US, but its market share is approaching a peak and Apple iOS has been gaining ground.
http://www.mobile-ent.biz/news/read/...t-in-q2/018858

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Google tightens Android app policy to up security and reduce spam

August 1st, 2012, 21:54 Posted By: wraggster

Play team warns developers that in-app ads mustn't disrupt the user's device in any way.
Developers face one main question when designing a game; free, freemium or premium?
The trouble with free is that consumers can become irritated by in-app ads, particularly relentless 'airpush' type notifications and illegal data edits.
Concerned, Google has issued a new ad policy to Android developers that use the in-app ad option, according to Phandroid.
Any in-app ads that are used across Google Play items must not edit the user's device in any way. That means no unauthorised installing of shortcuts, icons or changing default settings.
And any changes must be easy to reverse, rather than a labyrinth-like experience.

http://www.mobile-ent.biz/news/read/...ce-spam/018850

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OUYA wrapping up funding with limited brown metal console, Vevo deal

August 1st, 2012, 22:59 Posted By: wraggster

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No Open WebOS support for existing WebOS devices, no soup for you

August 1st, 2012, 23:01 Posted By: wraggster

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Apple patents iOS 5's exposure metering based on face detection, keeps friends in ful

August 1st, 2012, 23:03 Posted By: wraggster

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Sony backpedals on Android 4.1 upgrade statement, is now 'actively investigating' all

August 1st, 2012, 23:05 Posted By: wraggster

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Ouya adds exclusive console color for last week of Kickstarter drive

August 1st, 2012, 23:16 Posted By: wraggster

If you haven't picked up an Ouya (pre-order) yet, perhaps the news of a new Kickstarter-exclusive edition will entice you. Available right now through the end of the campaign (next Wednesday), the $140-or-more console comes in an exclusive darker color scheme, with a matching controller. Those controllers, by the way, now have "O" "U" "Y" and "A" button labels, never allowing you to forget what this thing is called.

A Kickstarter update also revealed that the Ouya will have a Vevo music video player, with a selection of over 50,000 music videos.

http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/01/ou...kickstarter-d/

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iPhone 5 to cost $800?

August 2nd, 2012, 22:26 Posted By: wraggster

Hashtag trends on Twitter with an extravagant price tag.
The iPhone 5 still hasn't been announced by Apple, but chatter continues to heat up ahead of its expected September 12th launch.
Now it's materialised in two Twitter trends: '#800dollarsforaniPhone' and 'iPhone 5 $800'.
There's little substance to the hashtags, but naturally users of the mini-blog have voiced their outrage, with some expecting the eye-watering price to ensure the phone is waterproof, fireproof, crackproof, dirtproof, bulletproof, while transforming into a lifesaving autobot on demand.

http://www.mobile-ent.biz/news/read/...ost-800/018877

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Android and Apple: neck and neck Europe

August 2nd, 2012, 22:28 Posted By: wraggster

Only two per cent between the two smartphone platforms.
New stats from Berlin-based ad network madvertise show just how narrow the gap is between Android and iOS across the major European territories.
The firm evaluated its network of six billion monthly page impressions to estimate smartphone OS shares across five of the biggest countries in Europe - UK, Germany, France, Italy, Spain and France.
It says iOS had a 30 per cent market share at the end of 2011, and has extended this to 32.79 per cent in Q2 2012.
But Android, which was six per cent behind in December, is now two per cent behind with a 31.43 per cent market share.
The latest edition of the UK ‘madreport’ can be downloaded here.

http://www.mobile-ent.biz/news/read/...-europe/018867

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Apple fuming over Samsung's 'unethical' leak to the press

August 2nd, 2012, 22:33 Posted By: wraggster

Apple intends to file an emergency motion to sanction Samsung for releasing documents that were not allowed as evidence in the companies’ patent trial.
Apple is positively livid about the leaked evidence, accusing Samsung of ‘polluting the jury’.
The US tech giant has sent a letter to Judge Lucy Koh stating: "Samsung's multiple references to the jury in its statement make plain its intent that the jurors in our case learn of arguments the court has excluded through the press. This deliberate attempt to influence the trial with inadmissible evidence is both improper and unethical."
Samsung’s lead lawyer has defended the press release, saying that the evidence was previously in the public record.
Samsung had hoped to present the court with evidence that showed it had designed the F700 phone, which Apple alleges is a copy of the iPhone, in 2006 – before the iPhone was even announced.
After Judge Koh said that the details should not be shown to the jury because it had been presented too late in the legal process, Samsung went ahead and released a statement at the request of members of the media, which contained the evidence.
"This deliberate attempt to influence the trial with inadmissible evidence is both improper and unethical," said William Lee, Apple's legal counsel.

http://www.pcr-online.biz/news/read/...e-press/028842

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NXT Android telepresence robot

August 2nd, 2012, 22:41 Posted By: wraggster


Here is a telepresence robot that uses an Android device and LEGO NXT parts. [Wolfgang] had an extra phone on hand and decided to put it to good use. The Mindstorm parts make it really easy to produce a small robot, and adding the phone really ups the computing and connectivity options available to him.
The Android device is able to control the NXT bot via Bluetooth. [Wolfgang] didn’t go into detail on that part, but you can get some pointers on the topic from this other Android controlled Mindstorm project. [Wolfgang] wanted the ability to check in at home when he’s travelling. He uses nanohttpd on the Android device to serve up a simple web interface. It uses HTML5 to push a snapshot from the phone’s camera as user feedback, and provides a set of directional arrows which let him drive the bot around.
Obviously this thing is going to run out of juice if he’s away for too long. To combat that problem he included a battery which powers both the NXT parts and the phone. Now he just needs to build an inductive charging station and he’ll really be set.

http://hackaday.com/2012/08/02/nxt-a...resence-robot/

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Archos Child Pad gets capacitive screen upgrade, minor price hike to $140

August 3rd, 2012, 01:14 Posted By: wraggster

Parents who've already purchased Archos' 7-inch Child Pad may be feeling somewhat miffed, as its screen's been upgraded from resistive to capacitive just two months after launch. There's no such thing as free multi-touch, so you'll have to fork out another ten bucks on top of the original asking price for the new version of the ICS slate, bringing the total to a cent under $140. Other internals are identical, so customers can still expect a 1GHz ARM processor, 1GB of RAM and 4GB of expandable storage, with some exclusive chipmunk-based content to boot. Just remember to let the kids have a go once in a while.http://www.engadget.com/2012/08/02/c...citive-screen/

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Sharp: we're making displays for new iPhone and shipping them this month

August 3rd, 2012, 01:16 Posted By: wraggster

In an effort to end today's dismal earnings report on a high, Sharp's president Takashi Okuda has purposefully let slip that his company is among those contracted to manufacture displays for a new iPhone. We already have numerous reasons to suspect the iPhone 5 will be announced around September 12th, and Okuda has now corroborated that by saying that "shipments will start in August." If earlier rumors and component leaks are to be trusted, the screen will be significantly larger (likely around 4-inches) and slightly less rotund than that on the iPhone 4S.http://www.engadget.com/2012/08/02/sharp-new-iphone/

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IDC: Apple's still king of the tablet hill with 68 percent of the market

August 3rd, 2012, 01:21 Posted By: wraggster

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Ice Cream Sandwich takes a bite out of Gingerbread, represents 15.9 percent of Androi

August 3rd, 2012, 01:23 Posted By: wraggster

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Ouya snags Shadowrun Online

August 3rd, 2012, 01:26 Posted By: wraggster

Cliffhanger's new title will be coming to Ouya and Linux
[h=3]Cliffhanger Productions[/h]A Frankfurt/Vienna based development and production company specializing in RPGS and Online games for...

www.cliffhanger-productions.com


Cliffhanger Productions's Shadowrun Online will be coming to Ouya and Linux platforms assuming the project hits its funding limit. The game was previously slated for PC, Mac, Android, and iOS.
"Adding these platforms will make Shadowrun an even better cross- platform experience! We are very happy to be able to add Linux, which has a dedicated following amongst gamers, and connect all our players into one base," said Cliffhanger co-founder Michael Paeck.
"You can now easily play the game on your tablet, switch to your desktop PC and then later enjoy it on your Ouya-connected TV - without ever having to switch your account or character or suffer from restrictions based on your device! One of the advantages of our fluent turn-based system is the ability to engage in a multiplayer session with or against others without the usual frustrations when different players have different connection or input speeds!"
Shadowrun Online currently sits at $216,887 out of a goal of $500,000, with eleven days left in the funding drive.

http://www.gamesindustry.biz/article...adowrun-online

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Super Robot Taisen: Card Chronicle coming to iOS and Android

August 3rd, 2012, 01:44 Posted By: wraggster

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Scam battery apps want to charge your wallet and not your phone

August 4th, 2012, 23:31 Posted By: wraggster

Mobile security firm warns operators and consumers of bank account hacks.
AdaptiveMobile says there's been a spike in the number of apps designed to save batteries, that are in actuality riddled with fraud and malware designed to scam users via premium text messages and updates.
The security specialist cautions operators to educate consumers about the risks, avoiding churn, distrust and disagreements when the charges come through to their customers' phone bills.
The shady apps tend to be promoted outside of mainstream stores, so potential downloaders should be weary of apps promoted with banner ads that redirect them to unknown quantities.
Gareth Maclachlan, COO and founder, AdaptiveMobile, said: "Most of these applications fail to improve battery life and are designed to be misleading and trick people in to signing up to recurring premium SMS charges.
"We have recently seen a spike in the number of these rogue apps, which is a violation of trust for users and carries a high risk of churn for operators.

http://www.mobile-ent.biz/news/read/...-phones/018892

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Samsung will launch new Galaxy Note on August 29th

August 4th, 2012, 23:33 Posted By: wraggster

Recent speculation suggested that the second Galaxy Note smartphone would arrive in October – or alternatively August 15th.
Wrong on both counts.
A Samsung spokesperson has officially said: "We plan to unveil the next Galaxy Note at the Samsung Mobile Unpacked event in Berlin on August 29th."
Naturally, no news was shed on the device's specs, but it's thought the 'phablet' will come with a flexible 5.5-inch display.
Interestingly, the date is exactly two weeks before Apple is expected to reveal the iPhone 5, while two Twitter trends suggested the next-gen iOS phone will be priced at $800 just yesterday.
http://www.mobile-ent.biz/news/read/...st-29th/018889

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Apptrace: Two-thirds of iOS apps have zero visibility in the App Store

August 4th, 2012, 23:34 Posted By: wraggster

Mobile analytics firm adeven has launched Apptrace, a free portal that allows publishers and developers to examine the iOS app space to determine when they should enter their apps into the market.
adeven claims a common problem with the App Store is a lack of visibility. Apptrace found that two-thirds of apps are off the list when users search for them on the iPhone and iPad, rendering them 'App Zombies'.
Apptrace has been built to read more than 300 million data points across 155 countries that have access to the App Store.
Other stats show 47 per cent of the top 1000 US games apps are free, while 17,317 of the 26,646 new apps launched in June 2012 were free.
Christian Henschel, co-founder and CEO of adeven, said: "Having worked in the industry for a number years my co-founders and I became frustrated with what we saw as broken offerings.

http://www.mobile-ent.biz/news/read/...p-store/018885

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All hail the iPad: Apple drives global Q2 tablet shipments past 25m

August 4th, 2012, 23:35 Posted By: wraggster

iOS tablet accounts for 17m units of the overall market.
IDC has released its Q2 estimates for the tablet market, and says that shipments crossed the 25 million mark, rising from 18.7m in Q1.
That's a 33.6 per cent increase quarter-on-quarter, or more impressively still, a 66.2 per cent rise year-on-year, up from 15m in Q2 2011.
The data points to the iPad for the stimulation, as the Apple sold more than 17m units of the iOS device during the quarter, up from 11.8m in Q1.
Tom Mainelli, research director, mobile connected devices, IDC, said: "Apple built upon its strong March iPad launch and ended the quarter with its best-ever shipment total for the iPad, outrunning even the impressive shipment record it set in the fourth quarter of last year.
"The vast majority of consumers continue to favour the iPad over competitors, and Apple is seeing increasingly strong interest in the device from vertical markets—especially education. While iPad shipment totals are beginning to slow a bit in mature markets where the device saw early traction, growth in other regions is clearly more than making up the difference."

http://www.mobile-ent.biz/news/read/...ast-25m/018884

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RIM CEO considered Android switch

August 4th, 2012, 23:36 Posted By: wraggster

The company's CEO Thorsten Heins has admitted that RIM seriously considered a switch to the Android operating system.
Heins made the admission during an interview with the Telegraph, during which he confirmed that RIM considered jumping ship to Android, before making its decision to move forward with Blackberry 10.
“We took the conscious decision not to go Android,” Heins told the Telegraph.
He continued: ”If you look at other suppliers’ ability to differentiate, there’s very little wiggle room. We looked at it seriously — but if you understand what the promise of BlackBerry is to its user base it’s all about getting stuff done. Games, media, we have to be good at it but we have to support those guys who are ahead of the game.
This was not Heins' only confession during the interview, admitting that RIM simply cannot keep up with Apple and Samsung when producing its devices.
Whilst previously refusing to allow other manufactures to produce Blackberry 10 devices, the RIM CEO stated that it may become a necessity to ensure the company's survival.
“We don’t have the economy of scale to compete against the guys who crank out 60 handsets a year,” Heins said.
“We have to differentiate and have a focused platform. To deliver BB10 we may need to look at licensing it to someone who can do this at a way better cost proposition than I can do it. There’s different options we could do that we’re currently investigating.”
Whilst this may sound like a simple solution, it may prove more difficult for RIM than it initially anticipates.
Allowing other companies to produce and license Blackberry 10 products would mean they would have to pay for it.
In the same market where manufacturer's already pay Microsoft to produce devices under the Windows Phone flagship, and use Google's Android OS for fee, it's a plan that sounds easier said than done.

http://www.pcr-online.biz/news/read/...-switch/028854

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Android controlled robot extravaganza

August 4th, 2012, 23:54 Posted By: wraggster


We have no idea why, but since we featured Botiful, the Android-powered telepresence robot a few days ago, the tip line has been awash in robot/Android mashups. Here’s a few of the cool ones.
Using an Android as a remote control

[Stef] used a Samsung Galaxy S3 . The Android sends accelerometer and gyro data over Bluetooth to an Android where it powers a pair of H-bridges to turn the wheels.
Turning Android into a Robotic Operating System

ROS, or the Robot Operating System, provides a bunch of utilities for any type of robot such as point-cloud mapping to multi-joint arm control. [Lentin] sent in a guide oninstalling ROS on Android. So far, he can get accelerometer data, stills from the on-board camera, have the robot speak and use the small vibrator motor.
“Just a quick procrastination project”

Last May, [Josh] wrote in asking if a tread-based robot controlled through Skype would be a cool idea. We said ‘hell yeah’ and [Josh] scurried off to his workshop for a few months. He’s back with his tank-based robot (gallery of pics after the break). One really interesting bit is the robot responds to DTMF tones, allowing it to be controlled through Skype without any additional hardware. That’s damn clever.

http://hackaday.com/2012/08/04/andro...-extravaganza/

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Why Intel Should Buy Nokia

August 5th, 2012, 12:02 Posted By: wraggster

An opinion piece at ZDNet makes the case that Intel is the best match for struggling handset-maker Nokia, arguing that Intel needs help breaking into the smartphone market and Nokia isn't tied as tightly to Qualcomm/ARM hardware as other vendors. From the article:"Another factor in favor of a union is Nokia and Intel's shared history — albeit not the most successful — of working together in mobile, thanks to their collaboration on the Linux-based MeeGo mobile OS. What's more, Intel has a long relationship with Microsoft, handy given the impending release of Windows Phone 8 and Nokia's new-found commitment to Microsoft's platform. The fact that Intel is currently using Android, as seen with Orange's San Diego smartphone, isn't much of a hindrance; Intel has already said it hasn't written off the idea of using Windows Phone 8 in future, and due to the x86 architecture, Android phones that use Intel's Atom processor won't even run all of the apps on Google Play, suggesting the relationship between Android and Intel isn't all it could be."

http://mobile.slashdot.org/story/12/...ould-buy-nokia

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Apple Comes Clean, Admits To Doing Market Research

August 5th, 2012, 12:06 Posted By: wraggster

"In an interview with Fortune a few years ago, Steve Jobs explained that Apple never does market research. Rather, they simply preoccupy themselves with creating great products. On Monday, Apple's Greg Joswiak — the company's VP of Product Marketing — submitted a declaration to the Court explaining why documents relating to Apple's market research and strategy should be sealed. Every month, Apple surveys iPhone buyers and Joswiak explains what Apple is able to glean from these surveys. And as you might expect, Apple conducts similar surveys with iPad buyers. Apple wants all of these tracking studies sealed. Joswiak explains that if a competitor were to find out what drives iPhone purchases — whether it be FaceTime, battery life, or Siri — it would serve as an unfair competitive edge to rival companies. Further, competitors, as it stands today, have to guess as to which demographics are most satisfied with Apple products."A few other interesting facts have come out of the trial so far; Apple spent $647 million advertising the iPhone in the U.S. from its launch through fiscal 2011, and they spent $457.2 million advertising the iPad from its launch up to the same point.

http://apple.slashdot.org/story/12/0...arket-research

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Microsoft Surface, Meet Apple iSurface

August 5th, 2012, 12:07 Posted By: wraggster

"Responding to Microsoft's Windows 8 efforts, Apple CEO Tim Cook insisted in late April that combining a tablet and a notebook would be like converging a toaster and a refrigerator. But a patent application submitted by Apple last year — and made public Tuesday morning — proposes marrying a tablet and a keyboard to create 'a true laptop alternative,' whichGeekWire notes looks a lot like Microsoft Surface (comparison pic). In its patent filing, Apple describes various ways that a tablet's cover could be used as an I-O device — as a tactile-feedback keyboard ('word processing and email become much more efficient'), to display additional output, as a touchpad replacement, and even to receive stylus input. 'The experience,' claims Apple, 'is even better in some ways than the laptop experience.
http://hardware.slashdot.org/story/1...apple-isurface

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Another Android controlled roving robot

August 5th, 2012, 12:20 Posted By: wraggster


[Sam] has been working on a cellphone controlled robot for a while now and with the launch of a few similar Kickstarter campaigns he thought it would be good to share his progress so far.
[Sam]‘s robot is controlled by an Android device with the help of an IOIO dev board. This setup provides more than enough computational power to send a robot on its merry way, and has the bonus of allowing [Sam] to connect additional sensors.
The case is designed to put the headers on the IOIO board on the outside, just above a little shelf perfect for holding a breadboard or two. With the right hardware and software setup, [Sam]‘s bot can rove around the neighborhood collecting data and sending it to a server in real time.
If you’re wondering why a tiny Android/IOIO powered sounds so familiar, it might be because of the Botiful robot we posted a few days ago. Unlike Botiful, [Sam] can only control his treaded Android bot through Bluetooth as the whole ‘programming a web interface’ is a bit over his head. Hopefully [Sam] will meet an enthusiastic coder when he brings his Arduino tank to Dorkbots Boston this evening.
You can check out a prototype of [Sam]‘s bot in action after the break.
http://hackaday.com/2012/08/03/anoth...-roving-robot/

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id shelves all mobile development for Doom 4

August 5th, 2012, 15:13 Posted By: wraggster

John Carmack "saddened" by retreat from mobile, several projects now on hiatus
[h=3]id software[/h]id – defined by Freud as the primal section of the human psyche; id Software, located in Mesquite, Texas,...

www.idsoftware.com


id Software's has put all mobile development on hold while the studio finishes Doom 4, Polygon reports.
Speaking at QuakeCon, studio co-founder John Carmack admitted that the decision to close id's mobile projects "saddened" him, but the talent being employed to make them were required for Doom 4.
"I love doing the mobile work - taking that time, spending a month, a year or something working on a mobile project," he said.
"It was looked at as something that, yes, this is fun, this is fun for the company and it's entertaining and it makes money, but it's not a grand slam sort of thing on there. The Bethesda family really is about swinging for the fences."
As the iOS market flourished, Carmack made his enthusiasm for the new market clear, establishing a mobile team in 2007 that has produced six games, largely based on id's classic IP. The studio has "a couple of projects" for mobile on hold, including one that is basically finished, and Carmack made it clear that he intends to return to the space.
"I hope we get back to mobile in various ways in the future," he said, "but the big real aim is blockbuster, AAA titles, and for id that means Doom 4, it means that we get the whole company behind that after we get Doom 3: BFG Edition out the door. Essentially, everybody will be focused on Doom 4 as a project."
However, when asked about the possible release date for Doom 4, Carmack was evasive.
"Every decade there will be a Doom, but hopefully we can do better than that."

http://www.gamesindustry.biz/article...ent-for-doom-4

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Alleged images of 7-inch iPad shell appear from the east

August 5th, 2012, 15:17 Posted By: wraggster

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Apple exec talks about the iPhone's early days, the secrecy of 'Project Purple'

August 5th, 2012, 20:54 Posted By: wraggster

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Apple SVP Eddy Cue wanted 7-inch iPad in 2011, internal email says

August 5th, 2012, 20:58 Posted By: wraggster

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TouchPad gets an early taste of Android 4.1 Jelly Bean courtesy of CyanogenMod 10

August 5th, 2012, 20:59 Posted By: wraggster

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Black Ops Zombies hits Android, exclusive to Xperia for 30 days

August 5th, 2012, 21:10 Posted By: wraggster

Popular iOS spin-off shooter, Call of Duty Zombies, has finally arrived on Android.
The game is available exclusively to Sony's Xperia devices for 30 days, after which it'll release for wider Android platforms.The port was handled by Ideaworks Game Studio and distributed by Glu Mobile, and brings over all the maps from the iOS original, including Kino Der Toten, Ascension, and Call of the Dead: Director's Cut, as well as "Dead-Ops Arcade," a 50-level zombie gauntlet.
Gamers can play solo, or join a team of four players via Wi-Fi as they mow down hordes of zombies using a variety of weapons and perks.
It's $6.99 and weighs in at 43MB.

http://www.computerandvideogames.com...a-for-30-days/

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Apple Is Giving Away Its Secrets By Litigating

August 6th, 2012, 10:39 Posted By: wraggster

Apple, by going to a jury trial to defend the patents of its most prized products, is allowing competitors and the public to see inside one of the most secretive companies in the world. From the article: 'While in court on Friday, Philip W. Schiller, Apple’s senior vice president for worldwide product marketing, pulled the curtain further back when he divulged the company’s advertising budgets — often more than $100 million a year for the iPhone alone. Also at the hearing, Scott Forstall, senior vice president for iPhone software, explained that the early iPhone was called “Project Purple.” Mr. Forstall said it was built in a highly secure building on Apple’s campus. A sign on the back of the building read “Fight Club.” Behind the security cameras and locked doors, most employees on the project did not even know what they were working on.'"

http://apple.slashdot.org/story/12/0...-by-litigating

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Apple Support Allowed Hackers Access To User's iCloud Account

August 6th, 2012, 10:40 Posted By: wraggster

Yesterday a hacker gained access to Mat Honans (An editor at gizmodo) apple iCloud account allowing him to reset his iPhone, iPad and Macbook. He was also able to gain access to google and twitter accounts by sending password recovery emails. At the time this was believed to be down to a brute force attack, however today it has come out that the hacker used social engineering to convince apple customer support to allow him to bypass the security questions on the account."

http://apple.slashdot.org/story/12/0...icloud-account

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Nokia will announce Windows Phone 8 handsets at Nokia World

August 6th, 2012, 10:42 Posted By: wraggster

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Solution to parents' fears of kids running out of credit

August 6th, 2012, 18:42 Posted By: wraggster

68700 - The Phone Home Number lets youngsters call home for free in an emergency.
As finger-wagging tabloids love to tell us, the age at which children are getting mobile phones is getting lower and lower.
However, even clever, mature, sensible adults run out of credit, so it's no surprise that youngsters do too and two thirds of all parents worry about their kids being unable to contact home in an emergency because they've run out of money.
Independent Radio News (IRN) is launching a new service called 68700 - The Phone Home Number which allows youngsters to call home for free with or without credit. Parents pay £3 per month on their telephone bill and their children then dial a single number 68700 for direct calls home. They also have the option of calling either their mum or dad in separated families.
Tim Molloy, managing director, IRN said: “Our research reveals running out of credit is a serious safety concern for both parents and their children. 68700 gives parents peace of mind their children can always call them in an emergency day or night, credit or no credit. It also encourages kids to stay in touch at other times since they are not paying for the call.”
Customers subscribe to the service by texting SAFE to 68700 for a fee of £3 a month. Customers can unsubscribe by texting STOP to 68700 at any time.

http://www.mobile-ent.biz/news/read/...-credit/018910

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Don't order tickets from the Olympics mobile site: there isn't one

August 6th, 2012, 18:43 Posted By: wraggster

Antenna says the stadiums might be full if LOCOG had a mobile version of tickets.london2012.com.
London 2012 has been a huge success for spectacle and sporting drama. The only downside has been the empty seating – especially given the huge latent desire among Brits to buy tickets.
Last week it emerged that one fifth of accredited seats at the Olympics remained unfilled despite efforts to reclaim them for general sale.
Anger has been directed at organiser LOCOG, which even obstructed a Twitter service that was set up to alert followers to the sites with tickets available.
Now, mobile site optimisation specialist Antenna has waded in to criticise the body for not building a mobile version of its ticketing site.
Although there is a mobile-optimised London2012.com site, no such option exists for tickets.london2012.com.

http://www.mobile-ent.biz/news/read/...n-t-one/018906

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More than a quarter of smartphone shipments are to China

August 6th, 2012, 18:44 Posted By: wraggster

Canalys's Q2 2012 country-level shipment estimates stated that China saw smartphone growth of 199 per cent year-on-year and 32 per cent over the previous quarter.
That eye watering growth meant a record breaking 42 million devices were shipped into the channel in China – 27 per cent of the 158 million global smartphone shipments.
Interestingly, the Chinese boom was largely fired by local OEMs like Oppo, K-Touch and Gionee, which collectively shipped 25.6 million units for 60 per cent of the market.
Samsung was top at 17 per cent, but ZTE, Lenovo and Huawei were next. Lenovo grew 2,665 per cent year-on-year.
Apple was fifth, with shipments up 102 per cent year-on-year, but down 37 per cent compared to Q1 2012.

Nicole Peng, Canalys Research Director for China, said: "The rise of the domestic tier-one brands has been aided by a number of factors. Their reactiveness to market demands and deep understanding of local consumer behaviour and preferences have been key in helping them surpass international peers in the fast-evolving Chinese market."

http://www.mobile-ent.biz/news/read/...o-china/018897

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Samsung is Europe's top selling mobile brand

August 6th, 2012, 18:45 Posted By: wraggster

The Kantar Worldpanel ComTech says the Galaxy SIII has supercharged Samsung and that the firm now has five of the top ten devices in the UK alone
The finding is part of Kantar's regular survey of the platform space, which reveals yet another surge in Android in most markets.
Indeed, the success of Galaxy SIII helped push the OS's share of the big five countries growing from 42.7 per cent in July 2011 to 65.7 per cent in July 2012.
These gains largely came at the expense of RIM and Symbian. RIM’s steepest decline has been in the UK, at 10.9 per cent now compared with 21.6 per cent last year.
Windows Phone remains stuck at three per cent.

http://www.mobile-ent.biz/news/read/...e-brand/018896

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Seropian: Porting analogue shooters to touch is lazy

August 6th, 2012, 18:55 Posted By: wraggster

Smartphone and tablet titles should provide a tailored user interface, says Bungie founder

Developers porting games heavily reliant on dual analogue control to touch screen devices is lazy, the founder of Halo developer Bungie has claimed.
Speaking to GI, Alex Seropian said he felt that many ports to tablet and smartphone devices were unnecessary as they often did not fit in with the touch screen user interface.

He said that after it took developers a long time to perfect the dual analogue control system to make it feel as intuitive for first person shooters as a mouse and keyboard, and that it was a ‘braindead’ approach to try and emulate that on touch.
“The transfer of the whole dual sticks thing just amazes me, that anyone would think that's a good idea,” said Seropian.
“To make a good shooter you have feel like you have a lot of control, you need enough bandwidth in the skill curve so that you feel you can get good at it, that you can master it.

http://www.develop-online.net/news/4...-touch-is-lazy

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Activision veterans pledge Ouya support

August 6th, 2012, 18:55 Posted By: wraggster

US free-to-play studio U4ia making console's first FPS Offensive Combat

Former Activision developers working on the Call of Duty franchise have pledged their support for the upcoming Android console Ouya.
The company's former head of publishing Dusty Welch said his new studio U4ia, which also includes ex-Activision exec producer Chris Archer, would be developing the hackable platform’s first FPS, Offensive Combat.

“Everyone here at U4iA Games is excited to bring our titles to Ouya,” said Welch.
“Given that consoles are so expensive and face an uncertain future, Ouya stands out as the perfect example of an affordable home-entertainment platform created specifically for core gamers like us. We've used our profound wisdom to create a cheeky, free-for-all shooting mash-up called Offensive Combat.
“Moving forward, we can't wait to bring all-new games in the Offensive Combat universe to the Ouya platform."

http://www.develop-online.net/news/4...e-Ouya-support

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Carriers Blame the iPhone For Data Caps and Increased Upgrade Fees

August 6th, 2012, 20:37 Posted By: wraggster

Bruised mobile carriers such as AT&T and Verizon are 'fighting back' against Apple's iPhone, despite the fact that the device has helped them eke out consistently higher average revenue per wireless subscribers since its launch. To hear the carriers tell it, the iPhone is a major inhibitor to their profits as last year they were 'only' generating wireless service profit margins in the 38% to 42% range. But ever since these beleaguered companies started 'fighting back' by implementing data caps, increasing fees for device upgrades and implementing longer waiting periods before users can switch devices, they’ve seen their wireless service profit margins surge. AT&T reported a 45% margin in Q2 2012 and Verizon reported a record-high 49% margin.

http://apple.slashdot.org/story/12/0...d-upgrade-fees

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ARM's new GPU designs promise better mobile graphics

August 6th, 2012, 20:47 Posted By: wraggster

Chip design firm ARM, whose architecture is used in many smartphones, tablets, and connected TVs, announced that its new graphics processing unit (GPU) designs hitting the market this year would be adding 50 percent greater graphics performance in the same area and power draw as current chips. The second-generation Mali T600 GPUs, comprised of the Mali T624, the Mali T628 and the Mali T678, provide "optimal performance and energy efficiency for different end devices," according to ARM.

These new GPU designs deliver up to 8 cores, promising buttery smooth interface performance as well as improved compute performance. Additionally, ARM is including a small area of silicon devoted to new graphics compression code, which they have named Adaptive Scalable Texture Compression (ASTC) and provided as an open standard. Right now, developers have to choose between codecs to get different levels of texture compression for different platforms; ARM is hoping to eliminate that issue, making it easier for developers to create art that can be used across platforms.
http://www.gamesindustry.biz/article...obile-graphics

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Former Gizmondo boss claims mafia rumours were press manipulation

August 6th, 2012, 20:48 Posted By: wraggster

Carl Freer on the "dark side" of bringing the ill-fated handheld to market
Former Gizmondo boss Carl Freer has responded to the negative view of the ill-fated handheld, calling it, "a slap in the face" for its development team.
In a new interview with Eurogamer, Freer recounts the story of the Gizmondo's creation, from its early days as a GPS device for tracking the whereabouts of children, to the series of logistical errors and scandalous allegations that preceded its demise - principally involving key executive Stefan Eriksson, who was linked to the Swedish mafia and served jail-time after crashing a Ferrari Enzo in Malibu, California.
Freer believes that this chain of events - which ultimately gave Gizmondo the dubious distinction of being the least successful handheld gaming system in history - has obscured the vision and hardwork that Tiger Telematics invested in the product.
"It's a slap in the face to anyone who spent time working on it to hear comments like that," he said. "Unfortunately some of the more colourful stories, particularly about Stefan and what happened in Malibu, were true. That's fuelled the scandalous element. For those of us who put a lot of time into it, it's a sad ending."
Freer claims that Eriksson's ties to the "Uppsala mafia" - largely due to an article in the Swedish newspaper Aftonbladet - were exaggerated by "manipulators" who wanted to see the company fail.
"Sweden suffers from the biggest epidemic in the world. It's called jealousy," he said. "Unfortunately, that article was fabricated from an agenda.
"I'm talking about the power of share manipulators who have influence over what the media writes. When a lot of money is at stake, you start attracting people who are not interested in the longevity of the company but the performance of the stock. That's the dark side of running a company."
Ultimately, Freer admits that "errors were made" that contributed to the Gizmondo's failure, but even now he still hopes for a revival.
http://www.gamesindustry.biz/article...s-manipulation

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The next iPhone's nano-SIM cradle allegedly leaked

August 6th, 2012, 21:09 Posted By: wraggster

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Apple seeds iOS 6 beta 4 to developers: here's the changelog

August 6th, 2012, 21:10 Posted By: wraggster

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Engadget's back to school guide 2012: smartphones

August 6th, 2012, 21:11 Posted By: wraggster

It's a good time to be a student. Last year, there were some solid picks, but it was still very clear that those willing to scrimp and save a little longer had a much better experience. This year, it's a people's revolution. Thanks to cutthroat competition, there are some exceptional phones out there, even for those of you hoping to avoid eating ramen noodles for a month. Software has taken a leap forward too, with many phones now offering a vital way to remember when that term paper is due... or to procrastinate at the pub. We have nine choices of phones in our shortlist, spread out across three categories to serve everyone from the I-just-need-a-phone freshman to the overloaded doctoral candidate. While you're eying the selection, don't forget to enter our giveaway and potentially ease the burden -- who knows, you may get a phone you want rather than the one dictated by your student loan.

[h=2]Prepaid / Budget[/h]

[h=4]Nokia Lumia 900[/h]The Lumia 900 now sits in the budget category thanks to a price cut, although you almost wouldn't know it from the features. LTE? A 4.3-inch screen? A capable 8MP camera? Check. And while some look at that simple Metro interface and the smaller app market with a jaded eye, Windows Phone is a good pick if you're new to smartphones and like living in Microsoft's ecosystem. Key specs: 1.4GHz single-core Snapdragon CPU, 4.3-inch WVGA display, 8MP rear / 1MP front cameras, Windows Phone 7.5. Price: $50 on AT&T

[h=5]You might also like...[/h]
	iPhone 4 Don't be put off by the up-front price -- look at the $35 monthly plan on Virgin Mobile and you'll know how much you'll save in the long run. Mating a Retina display, a still-solid 5MP camera and iOS 5 with a cheap unlimited data plan? That's an easy choice if you're at all drawn in by iOS or just love a media-savvy smartphone. $550 (without contract) on Virgin Mobile		HTC One V It might be the baseline of HTC's 2012 smartphone triumvirate, but the One V is no slouch. That rigid design, 1GHz processor, pretty 3.7-inch WVGA display and capable 5MP camera add up to a compelling starter smartphone. Android 4.0 also stands out in a crowd full of basic devices running last year's Google OS flavor. Combine all those with a rock-bottom, off-contract price and the One V is hard to top for the money. $200 (without contract) on Virgin Mobile

[h=2]Mid-range[/h]

[h=4]Samsung Galaxy Nexus HSPA+[/h]If it weren't for the need to (normally) use AT&T or T-Mobile instead of a low-cost carrier, this would be in the budget category. It's that much of a value. While the Galaxy Nexus is now strictly middling in terms of processing power, having the world's first Android 4.1 phone for this kind of off-contract price more than makes up for the difference. The new OS makes it exceptionally responsive, and Google Now will help you find out just how late you'll be to class if you miss the bus. Key specs: 1.2GHz dual-core TI OMAP 4460 CPU, 5MP rear / 1.3MP front cameras, 4.65-inch Super AMOLED HD display, stock Android 4.1. Price: $349 on Google Play

[h=5]You might also like...[/h]
	HTC Droid Incredible 4G LTE Some will decry the smaller screen, down-clocked 1.2GHz chip and the lack of burst photography versus the One S at T-Mobile -- fair enough. But the lower price, better-quality display and LTE make this the more tempting mid-range phone. You'll still get a top-notch rear camera, a smartly customized Android 4.0 build and traditional expansion via a microSD slot. $150 on Verizon		Motorola Atrix HD Outside of the battery life, the Atrix HD is a great value for the money: it's mating a 4.5-inch, high-quality display with a fast 1.5GHz processor, all at half the contract price of similar-spec handsets. Motorola has also smartly scaled back the customization to let Android 4.0 shine brighter. If you like the aesthetic of Google's new hardware brand, it's a winner. $100 on AT&T

[h=2]Money's no object[/h]

[h=4]HTC One X[/h]Now that it's just $100 on a contract, the One X just edges out its Samsung rival as our pick for the top end. Yes, it sheds the removable battery and microSD slot -- we know the impact. But the One X delivers a leaner interface, higher build quality and arguably the best display of any phone, all at half the up-front price of its peers. Performance (both in the 1.5GHz chip and LTE data) is top-notch, and the 8MP camera enjoys both longer burst shots as well as a simpler, faster interface for capturing Frosh Week escapades. Key specs: 1.5GHz dual-core Snapdragon S4 CPU, 1GB RAM, 4.7-inch Super LCD 2 display, unibody design, 8MP rear / 1.3MP front cameras. Price: $100 on AT&T

[h=5]You might also like...[/h]
	Samsung Galaxy S III Don't worry, we still like what the Galaxy S III has to offer. A gigantic and beautiful 4.8-inch screen, a fast 1.5GHz processor with 2GB of RAM and all the removable expansion you'd like make it a go-to device for Android fans. The best part is knowing that you don't have to think much about your carrier: all the majors are offering it largely unchanged, so you don't have to compromise to get your Galaxy fix. $200-280 on AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile,US Cellular and Verizon		Apple iPhone 4S While it's likely going to be replaced partway into the fall semester, the iPhone 4S is still a pleasing pick even several months into its lifecycle. Get over the small 3.5-inch screen; the 4S is surprisingly fast, and it has what's still considered the gold standard for 8MP cameras. Siri may be quirky too, but it's handy for reminding yourself to study for that next exam. $199-399 on Apple

http://www.engadget.com/2012/08/06/b...e-smartphones/

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Dead Trigger dev doesn't think piracy can be stopped

August 7th, 2012, 00:40 Posted By: wraggster

The developer behind iOS and Android shooter Dead Trigger has claimed that consumer piracy is a force that can never be stopped.
Madfinger initially released Dead Trigger as a paid-for title but switched to a freemium model after what it described as an“unbelievably high” level of piracy with the Android version.
“Our main goal is not to make lots of money, we do not want to be the second Disney or sell out the company for millions of dollars,” CEO Marek Rabas told Gamezebo.
“We just simply enjoy making games. That is why we are here. So, why dwell on the fact that 80 per cent to 90 per cent of the people do not respect your hard work and steal the game? Games are always stolen, there is not much we can do about it. I do not believe that piracy can be stopped.”
That’s not to say that Rabas wouldn’t like to see further action taken to limit piracy. Indeed, he goes on to place the burden of responsibility squarely at the foot of platform holders.
“In my opinion, the amount of piracy is equal to how easy the pirating is, and the game developer has nothing to do with it,” he added.
“It is really very sad for us and the gaming industry that with a few clicks of a mouse (err.. touches), a user can install the game and use it for free. It‘s definitely easier than setting up an account on iTunes or Google Play, filling out large forms and answering all security questions.
“This is why we need help with security from the companies who make the hardware. Their hardware is selling because of our content, and they should protect our games from being stolen.”

http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/dead-...topped/0100762

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Tesco launches 'pay by app' virtual supermarket at Gatwick

August 7th, 2012, 23:14 Posted By: wraggster

The store, at Gatwick’s North Terminal, lets users view a range of 80 products displayed on large virtual fridges. Each one has a unique barcode, which can be scanned using a special Tesco app.
Customers select ‘groceries’ from the app. They select a home delivery slot and can book a date up to three weeks in advance.
Around 30,000 people depart from Gatwick’s North Terminal each day and they wait around 70 minutes for flights. This is the downtime Tesco is hoping to fill.
The store will be open from August 6th to 19th. It was all done first in Korea last year.
Ken Towle, Tesco’s Internet retailing director, said: “Our business in Korea is teaching us a lot about how customers and technology are transforming shopping. It gives us a unique window into the future and the chance to try out exciting new concepts.”

http://www.mobile-ent.biz/news/read/...gatwick/018923

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No in-app payments in WinPho 7.8

August 7th, 2012, 23:17 Posted By: wraggster

Developers will have to wait for Windows Phone 8.
The Verge reports that Microsoft has started to put out info on the Windows Phone Dev Center, which gives developers guidelines on app submissions and monetisation options.
But it looks as if in-app micropayments will not be enabled on the interim version of the OS – WinPho 7.8. Instead, that option will arrive with the launch of Microsoft's transformative WinPho 8 platform later this year.
Micropayments will be made possible through the forthcoming Wallet Hub feature, which stores payment information that can be accessed through a PIN entered during in-app transactions.
The implication therefore is that Wallet Hub will not feature in 7.8 either.
Of course, Wallet Hub is about far more than micropayments. The feature, unveiled by Microsoft in June, is a 'control centre' for NFC contactless payments, deals, loyalty cards, in-app purchases, and credit and debit cards.

http://www.mobile-ent.biz/news/read/...pho-7-8/018914

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Facebook SDK 3.0 for iOS arrives in finished form, mobile ads tag along in beta

August 8th, 2012, 01:39 Posted By: wraggster

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OUYA, XBMC sitting in a tree, media s-h-a-r-i-n-g

August 8th, 2012, 01:45 Posted By: wraggster

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The Ouya, it turns out, is really small

August 8th, 2012, 02:23 Posted By: wraggster

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Dsoid v1.5.2 - Nintendo DS Emulator for Android

August 8th, 2012, 15:23 Posted By: wraggster

via http://www.emucr.com/

Dsoid v1.5.2 is released. This is the first Nintendo DS emulator for Android with a dynarec. Right now the NDS emulator is in beta so there are many bugs and it runs slow. However, I'll try and update it frequently so it gets much better!

Other functions to be added
-Save States
Save files do work however. So you can save during the in
save points, but you can't pause the game and create a
save state
-Microphone
-Sound
https://play.google.com/store/apps/d...d=com.qingping

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iNES v3.7 for Android - NES Emulator for Android

August 8th, 2012, 15:30 Posted By: wraggster

via http://www.emucr.com/

iNES v3.7 for Android is released. iNES emulates classic NES and Famicom video game consoles. It runs NES, Famicom, DiskSystem, and VS System games right on your Android device.

Features:
* Specifically optimized for Android devices, using ARM assembler to run at maximal possible speed.
* Full screen portrait mode emulation, with options for simulating scanlines and fuzzy display.
* Records soundtrack to MIDI files.
* Play with you physical keyboard, touch screen, or accelerometer.
* Save gameplay at any point and go back to that point once your character gets killed.
* Xperia Play special buttons supported.

iNES package itself does not contain any games. You should place your own game files onto the SD card before running iNES.

Please, do not run any software you do not own with iNES. The author cannot and will not tell you where to find free NES games.

iNES v3.7 for Android Changelog:
* Audio quality significantly improved, no more skipping.
* Set default audio latency to 200ms (change as needed).
* Switched to the new, fully configurable virtual joystick.
* Fixed black screen issue on Samsung tablets.
* Added option for keeping screen on at all times.
* Added support for opening files directly from file managers.
* Fixed support for Sixaxis gamepads.

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

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Virtual GameBoy v3.6 for Android - Gameboy Emulator for Android

August 8th, 2012, 15:31 Posted By: wraggster

via http://www.emucr.com/

Virtual GameBoy v3.6 for Android is released. Virtual GameBoy is a program that emulates the Nintendo GameBoy handheld on your computer. It runs GameBoy, Super GameBoy, and GameBoy Color games on PCs, Macs, PocketPCs, Unix boxes, etc. VGB also helps debugging GameBoy software without using a costly development system.





VGB emulates GameBoy handheld game consoles and their accessories. It will run GameBoy, GameBoy Pocket, GameBoy Color, and Super GameBoy games on your Android phone or tablet. VGB also supports the Pocket Printer, GameGenie cheat codes, and more. Please notice that VGB will not play GameBoy Advance games: you will need VGBA for that.

VGB package itself does not contain any games. You should place your own game files onto the SD card before running VGB.

Please, do not run any software you do not own with VGB. The author cannot and will not tell you where to find free GameBoy games.



Virtual GameBoy v3.6 for Android Changelog:
* Audio quality significantly improved, no more skipping.
* Set default audio latency to 200ms (change as needed).
* Switched to the new, fully configurable virtual joystick.
* Fixed black screen issue on Samsung tablets.
* Added option for keeping screen on at all times.
* Added support for opening files directly from file managers.
* Fixed support for Sixaxis gamepads.

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

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Virtual GameBoy Advance v3.9.3 for Android

August 8th, 2012, 15:33 Posted By: wraggster

via http://www.emucr.com/

Virtual GameBoy Advance v3.9.3 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 v3.9.3 for Android Changelog:
* Audio quality significantly improved, no more skipping.
* Lowered default audio latency to 150ms to decrease lag.
* Switched to the new, fully configurable virtual joystick.
* Fixed black screen issue on Samsung tablets.
* Added option for keeping screen on at all times.
* Added support for opening files directly from file managers.
* Fixed support for Sixaxis gamepads.
* Added many user-contributed game entries to the Cheatopedia.
* Sorted Cheatopedia entries in the alphabetical order.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/d...d=com.fms.vgba

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Sony Xperia T photos bare all, show its 'Mint' condition

August 8th, 2012, 15:41 Posted By: wraggster

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Apple seizes on Samsung internal document as proof of mimicry

August 8th, 2012, 15:42 Posted By: wraggster

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New Apple iPad 3 3rd Generation Tablet 16GB Wi-Fi 9.7in - 6% OFF TODAY

August 8th, 2012, 15:49 Posted By: wraggster

Over on Ebay USA Daily Deals they have 6% off the price of the Ipad 3:



The A5X chip with quad-core graphics drives four times the pixels of iPad 2 yet it delivers the same smoothness and fluidity iPad is known for. Even with all that extra oomph, the new iPad still gets an amazing 10 hours of battery life.

Get this deal here --> http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-Apple-iP...t_41353wt_6722

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Samsung to buy RIM?

August 8th, 2012, 23:32 Posted By: wraggster

Analyst says an acquisition or BB10 licensing deal is best survival option for the BlackBerry OEM.
In March, rumours surfaced to suggest Samsung would push $1.5bn into RIM to seal access to the forthcoming BlackBerry 10 OS.
Talk soon died down.
But like a zombie rises from the dead, so has the rumour, as Jefferies analyst Peter Misek reckons a Samsung-based play is the best way for RIM to revive interest in its 'subscale' platform, according to AllThingsD.
Misek, said: "We believe RIM is attempting to revive discussions with Samsung regarding a BB10 licensing deal.
"We believe Samsung is considering ramping up its internal OS development efforts, licensing BB10, or buying RIM. We think any acquisition is unlikely until after BB10 launches."

http://www.mobile-ent.biz/news/read/...buy-rim/018947

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Hack forces Apple to suspend phone-based password resets

August 8th, 2012, 23:35 Posted By: wraggster

Tech journalist's hacking causes Apple and Amazon to look at their security systems.
Apple has put a 24-hour ban on users changing their Apple ID passwords via calling Apple support after journalist Mat Honan was hacked.
Pictured here, Honan’s iCloud account was hacked on Friday with data wiped from his iPhone, iPad and Macbook.
The hackers also took control of his Twitter account, using it to post racist and homophobic messages.
It’s reported that the hackers used a combination of Amazon’s credit card record keeping system and Apple’s user authentication requirements. These two pieces of information, along with some social engineering, gave the hackers access to the iCloud account.
A statement from Apple read: “We found that our own internal policies were not followed completely.”

http://www.mobile-ent.biz/news/read/...-resets/018944

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Developer claims he has "cracked the code" to iOS success

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

Entrepreneur warns Angry Birds to watch his company’s progress, “Because finally, I've reached a point to where I have cracked the code.”
Chris Luck, is owner, creator, and developer of Appiteks - a company he says will soon take over the app world.
Luck said: “We will be primarily operating for the releasing of iOS apps, mostly games.”
Appitek's first game will be called Boomie vs Pirates. "We’ll announce the release date soon," said Luck, "but it’s a physics driven game, similar to Angry Birds, but much more interactive, dynamic and fun.”
“We will only release the absolute best games possible with higher standards than most in the industry currently have.”
Although Angry Birds has more than one billion downloads and is considered by many as the top game in the industry, Luck said: “We’re coming right at them. Our plan is to destroy Angry Birds.”

http://www.mobile-ent.biz/news/read/...success/018943

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Android and iOS smartphones power 85 per cent of Q2 shipments

August 8th, 2012, 23:37 Posted By: wraggster

Rival operating systems forge a new record – mostly thanks to Android.
New data from IDC says Android and iOS accounted for whopping 85 per cent of smartphone shipments in Q2.
And real diamond for Android is Samsung, which powered 44 per cent of all 104.8m Android-based smartphone shipments during the quarter, enabling the OS to nab a 68.1 per cent majority share.
As for Apple, shipments rose by 5.6m to hit 26m, but its share dipped 1.9 per cent, gobbled up by Google's OS, and its likely shipments won't spike until the release of the iPhone 5.
Meanwhile, BlackBerry secured just a 4.8 per cent share and Symbian bagged 4.4 per cent, with respective shipments of 7.4m and 6.8m.
Ramon Llamas, senior research analyst, IDC, said: "Android continues to fire on all cylinders.

http://www.mobile-ent.biz/news/read/...ipments/018942

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Top 10 iPhone 5 wishes: 93 per cent want a stronger screen

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

iPhone 5 rumours are speeding along faster than the Six Million Dollar Man, and money saving website www.VoucherCodesPro.co.ukhas asked Brits what features they would most like to see in the next-gen Apple device.
93 per cent of respondents opted for a stronger screen, putting the feature in first place, but check out the full the wish list below.
1. Stronger screen – 93 per cent
2. USB port – 86 per cent
3. Better camera – 81 per cent
4. Bigger screen – 77 per cent
5. Larger storage options – 64 per cent
6. More lightweight – 62 per cent
7. Higher resolution Retina Display – 53 per cent
8. Faster processor – 39 per cent
9. Stronger structure (not inc. screen) – 24 per cent
10. Different colour options – 19 per cent

http://www.mobile-ent.biz/news/read/...-screen/018938

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Ouya games line-up announced, also comes with XBMC and TuneIn

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

Android console approaches the finishing line, with millions more dollars of backing than expected.
As the Kickstarter funding round for Ouya comes to an end, more firm details are being made available.
Not only is there the exciting news that XBMC will be available on the device from day one, but now there is a list of titles that will ready on release.
Ouya has also added radio support via a partnership with TuneIn, who recently reached 40m active listeners.
As more pictures hit the web, it's obvious that the console is much smaller than expected, so fears about cluttering up the area around your TV can be put to bed.
The line-up (collated by Blue Collar Art) includes some includes some well-known titles as well as plenty from smaller indie developers. And remember, all of these games will be free to play, at least at first.

http://www.mobile-ent.biz/news/read/...-tunein/018939

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Introducing the BubbleScope: Take 360-degree photos and video with your iPhone

August 8th, 2012, 23:46 Posted By: wraggster

PCR talks to Tom Lawton about how the BubbleScope went from a sunset-inspired idea to a retail ready product.
How did you come up with the idea for BubbleScope?
I came up with it in the spring of 2001 while I was sitting in the open carriage doorway of a train, and looking out at the most amazing panoramic sunset. I’d been travelling non-stop for 56 hours through India. This was before we had camera phones, Google streetview and even before the iPod was launched. It wasn’t so much a flash of inspiration but a gradual awakening to the idea of designing a compact and affordable, easy-to-use 360 bubble camera.
Going from idea to production hasn’t been an easy journey...
When I started the project I knew nothing about cameras or optical systems, let alone how to potentially build the brain of the system into the software on a mobile handset.
Thankfully, as the project has developed so too have the technological building blocks behind it. Like all good projects, I started off with months of research to discover everything I could about the field of omni-directional imaging.
Then came the concept drawings, reams of them, followed by ray-traced optical simulations. Even these were years before I started the expensive job of diamond turning mirrors and building lens systems. There have been many technological and personal breakthroughs to get the point I am at now, with a retail ready product and internal distribution in place. All I can say is that if you want to succeed then never give up.

http://www.pcr-online.biz/news/read/...-iphone/028883

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iOS6: Apple divorces Google

August 8th, 2012, 23:49 Posted By: wraggster

Apple and Google have been at each other's throats for months, only now, it's starting to spill over into their products.
With the latest beta release of iOS6 now available, many have been quick to point out the operating system's new features - as well as those that have been dropped.
From the moment the new OS is installed, one thing is crystal clear; Apple is going through a very public split from Google, and it's had huge implications.
iOS6 has banished the majority of Google's services, most of which, have been a staple feature of users' iPhone home screen's since the device's launch back in 2007.
Here's a rundown of what not to expect in iOS6:

Google MapsApple's outright war with search-engine giant Google starts here, with its removal of the company's maps app, which users have relied on throughout the iPhone's lifespan.Dropping Google Maps was a move widely expect from Apple following its recent acquisition of several mapping companies.Apple's mapping app will introduce a variety of benefits over Google Maps, particularly, its use of layered images for different zoom levels, which means users will no longer have to wait for those pesky blocks of blurriness to load as they take a third wrong turn.It will also introduce 3D buildings and long-requested turn-by-turn voice navigation, meaning users will no longer have to face the uncertainty of their best friend's sub-par navigation skills.

YouTubeWhilst the removal of Google Maps was widely expected, YouTube's disappearance from iOS6 came as more of a shock.The news has split the Apple community, with half lamenting the loss of the app, whilst the other question the need for it. Unlike with Google Maps, Apple doesn't have its own video streaming app to offer, nor does it intend to introduce one. Instead, Google has announced it will be developing its own YouTube iOS app, which will be available for download through Apple's App Store.With its own app, the search giant has promised to provide regular updates and improvements, unlike Apple, who showed the app very little love through the years.It will be interesting to see how this battle between Apple and Google plays out once iOS6 and the heavily rumoured iPhone 5 hits shelves later this year.Will Apple's separation from Google boost its dominance within the smartphone market even further, or will it be its downfall, setting the stage for an impressive comeback from Google and Android?

http://www.pcr-online.biz/news/read/...-google/028882

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Ouya confirms four-player support

August 8th, 2012, 23:52 Posted By: wraggster

Hackable console reaches $7.7m in final day of crowdfunding campaign

Ouya has confirmed that its Kickstarter-funded Android console will offer four-player support.
The system's creators said it had made the decision to make the platform compatable with four controllers due to feedback from contributors.

The $99 console, currently in its last day on Kickstarter, has garnered more than $7.7m in its record breaking crowdfunding campaign, smashing its $950k target with 15 hours still left to go.
The platform has received backing from developers including Namco Bandai, Square Enix, U4ia and Robotoki in recent weeks as its creators look to compete with the likes of Apple, Sony, Microsoft and Nintendo.

http://www.develop-online.net/news/4...player-support

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Zeus Trojan Hits Blackberry Devices

August 9th, 2012, 00:04 Posted By: wraggster

Despite its significant user base within enterprises, BlackBerry devices have managed to stay off the radar for malware writers. That may be ending, as four new Zeus-in-the-mobile (Zitmo) samples targeting BlackBerry users in Germany, Spain, and Italy have been found. Zitmo, which hit Android devices back in July 2011, refers to a version of the Zeus malware that specifically targets mobile devices. Denis Maslennikov, a security researcher at Kaspersky Lab, also identified a new Zitmo variant for Android using the same command and control (C&C) numbers as the BlackBerry versions. While previous Android variants have been primitive, the latest .apk dropper, which shows up as an app 'Zertifikat,' looks 'more similar to "classic" Zitmo,' he said. When executed, it displays a message in German that the installation was successful, along with an activation code. The Android sample also included a self-issued certificate that indicates it was developed less than a month ago."

http://mobile.slashdot.org/story/12/...kberry-devices

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Samsung's Comparison of Galaxy S To iPhone

August 9th, 2012, 00:06 Posted By: wraggster

In a document from the ongoing Samsung/Apple trial, provided in both English translation and Korean original, Samsung engineers provided a detailed comparison of user interface features in their phone against the iPhone. In almost all cases, the recommendation was to adopt the iPhone's approach. Among other observations, this shows how much work goes into defining the Apple iPhone user experience."Ars has an article on the evidence offered by Apple so far.
http://apple.slashdot.org/story/12/0...xy-s-to-iphone

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Apple starts selling refurbished 'new' iPads for $50 less than MSRP

August 9th, 2012, 02:30 Posted By: wraggster

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Microsoft in process of rebranding the Windows Phone Marketplace

August 9th, 2012, 21:07 Posted By: wraggster

In preparation for the launch of Windows Phone 8 and Windows 8, Microsoft is planning to rebrand its Windows Phone Marketplace app and content store.
The new storefront will be called Windows Phone Store, and is thought to be a move to bring Windows Phone in line with Windows 8, which will use the Windows 8 Store.
While it seems odd that the company isn't going to use a unified storefront a la the App Store and Google Play for Android, Microsoft hasn't yet confirmed the rebrand, so perhaps there are more details to come.

http://www.mobile-ent.biz/news/read/...etplace/018959

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Galaxy Note 2 image leaked. Larger screen? Flexible display?

August 9th, 2012, 21:08 Posted By: wraggster

It's a Galaxy Note 2 rumour bonanza!
Let's break these rumours down.
1. The Galaxy Note 2 will house a flexible AMOLED display. Samsung has been working on flexible displays for a while now, however, just because the screen will be flexible it doesn’t mean the phone will be bendy.
It's more likely that the screen would be placed inside the device at a slight curve to offer better viewing angles. Although, the device may have a slight curve similar to that of the Google Nexus S.
2. While the original Galaxy Note had a 5.3-inch screen, it has been suggested that it's successor will be even larger, at 5.5 inches. Truly straddling the ground between phones and tablets, it will take a brave person to choose the Note for their daily-use handset.
3. Those hoping that the Note 2 will be the most up-to-date in the world may well be disappointed. Various sources have reported that the "phablet" (bleurgh) will not come with Android 4.1 Jelly Bean, rather 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich.

http://www.mobile-ent.biz/news/read/...display/018956

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Sony Xperia GX launches in Japan

August 9th, 2012, 21:14 Posted By: wraggster

Sony’s latest handset, the Xperia GX, has debuted in Japan with mobile carrier NTT DoCoMo.
The Xperia GX comes with Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich, features a 4.6-inch 720p Mobile Bravia display, and comes with a dual core 1.5GHz processor.
Featuring a 13 megapixel rear camera and LED flash, the GX is capable of recording full HD video in 1080p.
At the moment there is no official news on whether the phone will remain a Japan-only exclusive. But with European trade show IFA only a few weeks away, Sony is rumoured to be announcing details of a US and European launch at the event.
http://www.pcr-online.biz/news/read/...n-japan/028905

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iPhone 5 slims down

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

As the iPhone 5 rumour mill continues to churn, the latest word from China is that the sixth-generation device will be trimming the fat.
The news was first reported by Chinese newspaper Apple Daily, which cited an "in-person report" as the source of the information, who claimed the latest device will measure just 7.6mm in depth.
Interestingly, the reduction still wound not qualify the latest iPhone as the slimmest smartphone on the market, but it would shave an impressive 1.7mm off the body of the previous iPhone 4S, which measured in at 9.3mm.
Whilst there was no mention in the Chinese leak as to how Apple plans to slim down its device, earlier rumours have hinted at the iPhone's use of a super-thin screen, thanks to in-cell technology.
It's becoming increasingly difficult to keep up with all of the iPhone rumours flowing out of China as we edge ever closer to September and the various dates heavily tipped to host the device's release.
Earlier this week, a selection of code found within the latest beta release of iOS6 seemed to confirm the iPhone's rumoured larger screen, allowing users to scale its resolution to an increased 640x1136.
If correct, the resolution would indicate that the iPhone 5 will incorporate a four-inch screen, closing the gap between similar devices currently on the market, such as Samsung's Galaxy S3, which boasts a 4.8 inch screen.
Whilst the anticipated screen would still be surpassed by other devices, if its rumoured 7.6mm body comes to fruition, the iPhone 5 would be slimmer by at least one millimetre.

http://www.pcr-online.biz/news/read/...ms-down/028896

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Ouya closes Kickstarter campaign with $8.5m

August 9th, 2012, 21:31 Posted By: wraggster

More than 60,000 backers pledge support for new platform

Hackable console Ouya has smashed Kickstarter records by closing at an impressive $8.5million.
The Android-based platform garnered a total of 63,416 backers throughout its crowdfunding campaign, with more than 45,000 people pledging $99 or more to get the console before it hits retail.

Launched on July 10th, Ouya quickly surpassed more than $1m within hours of starting.
Just three days after starting the console then garnered more than $4m in contributions, going on to double that amount over the course of the next month.
Whilst there has been some controversy over how Ouya would be funded, the platform has been backed by a number of publishers and developers of late including U4ia, Square Enix and Robotoki, whilst it is currently in talks with Namco Bandai to bring its flagship franchises to the system.

http://www.develop-online.net/news/4...paign-with-85m

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Google Unveils New Search Features, Including iOS Voice Search

August 9th, 2012, 21:50 Posted By: wraggster

"Some time ago, Google admitted that the biggest threat was not other search engines but services like Siri. However, Google just bridged that gap with Google Voice Search, already available in Jelly Bean, but also available via downloadable app. Google also submitted this app to the iOS App Store and is currently waiting approval. However, Slashdotters are no doubt recalling to mind the 'Google Voice' fiasco, in which Apple refused to allow it to appear, saying that it replaces a native function. It wasn't until Apple was brought before Congress to answer questions on how it approves or rejects apps that Google Voice was brought in."
http://apple.slashdot.org/story/12/0...s-voice-search

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Apple reportedly price matching iPhone discounts from carriers and other retailers

August 10th, 2012, 00:07 Posted By: wraggster

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OTA Update Center encourages PC-free upgrades for custom Android ROMs

August 10th, 2012, 00:09 Posted By: wraggster

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OUYA console pre-order now available for non-backers starting at $109, slated to ship

August 10th, 2012, 00:14 Posted By: wraggster

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New Pitfall! game arrives on iOS

August 10th, 2012, 00:25 Posted By: wraggster

Activision celebrates Pitfall's 30th anniversary with a new iOS adventure for Pitfall Harry. Don't expect the same side-scrolling, campfire-jumping treasure hunt, however, as Pitfall! has been updated for the 2012 App Store market by Activision's mobile studio, now known as The Blast Furnace.

That updating means it's an auto-runner with an in-game store, of course. That's ... not really Pitfall at all, so much as a new game with a jungle setting.

In fact, it resembles nothing more than Temple Run with more variety in camera angles. It distinguishes itself with a low-poly look that we're going to guess is a tribute to the low-res pixels of the original. Luckily, it looks way better in motion than in screenshots. That's lucky because ... look at the screenshots.

http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/09/ne...rrives-on-ios/

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Ouya begins post-Kickstarter pre-orders

August 11th, 2012, 13:06 Posted By: wraggster

Non-backers have the chance to pre-order the open-source console
Having completed an $8.5 million Kickstarter campaign today, the upstart Ouya console is now available for pre-order on the official Ouya site. $109 (includes $10 shipping) nets you the console and single controller in the United States, $139 for a console and two controllers, while the console and four controllers will run you $199. International orders cost an additional $10 above U.S. pricing.
The console has an expected delivery date of April 2013.



http://www.gamesindustry.biz/article...ter-pre-orders

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Buy an original iPhone - just $10,000

August 11th, 2012, 18:45 Posted By: wraggster

Factory-sealed first generation phone is an eBay bargain.
Two original iPhones, apparently unused, have cropped up on eBay. One has a Buy It Now price of $10,000, while the other is on auction and currently sitting at $6,100 with 13 days left.
Both sellers have 100% feedback.
One of the listings reads: STUNNING RARE COLLECTORS CHOICE APPLE iPHONE 1ST GENERATION 8GB AND FACTORY SEALED..!!! YOU ARE SEEING A PIECE OF HISTORY..!!!! THIS IS AN INCREDIBLE COLLECTORS SHOW PIECE..!!!! THIS WOULD BE A CROWN JEWEL FOR ANY COLLECTION..!!!! AMAZING FACTORY SEALED BOX..!!! UNOPENED AND THE COLLECTORS DREAM APPLE iPHONE..!!!!!!
THIS IS OFFERED FOR A LIMITED TIME….. !!!!!!! HAPPY BIDDING…!!!!
Because if there's one thing that screams legitimacy, it's italicised all-caps.

http://www.mobile-ent.biz/news/read/...-10-000/018982

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Google Voice Search goes head-to-head with Siri

August 11th, 2012, 18:47 Posted By: wraggster

Search giant's voice search heading for iPhone and iPad.
Google is challenging Siri on its own turf by taking its Voice Search app to iPhone and iPads
The app will allow users to ask questions, before having relevant results returned to them and read out where possible.
The audio response element of Google Voice Search will provide key details of each search result read out by an automated voice to the user.
Already available on Android, Google’s Voice Search app is being prepped for an imminent release in the Apple App Store.
If Google can get their voice search working for iPad before Apple can, it'll be a high black eye for the Cupertino company.

http://www.mobile-ent.biz/news/read/...th-siri/018980

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82m Americans to visit social networks via mobile phones in 2012

August 11th, 2012, 18:48 Posted By: wraggster

Translation: a quarter of the US population.
eMarketer says 82 million US-based mobile users will access their social media accounts via phones at least once each month in 2012.
Of that figure, 95.5 per cent will log on with their smartphones, making them twice more likely than a feature phone user.
82 million accounts for a quarter of the US population, but the number is set to spike to almost half of all Americans within two years.
Meanwhile, Facebook will dominate with 70m accessing the network from their phones each month this year.
That's 85.4 per cent of total mobile social networkers, rising to 87.4 per cent by 2014 – equivalent to four in ten mobile users and two-thirds of smartphone users.

http://www.mobile-ent.biz/news/read/...in-2012/018976

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What do consumers look for in a phone OS?

August 11th, 2012, 18:49 Posted By: wraggster

Opinions say iOS is easy to use, Android offers flexibility, BlackBerry is secure, but WinPho is unknown.
Android and iOS continue to power the best-selling phones on the market, but Strategy Analytics has looked at what consumers actually think of the OSs on the market.
iOS users choose the platform based on the user-friendly and intuitive experience on offer, with little need to customise their device.
In contrast, Android is regarded as more complex which is a caveat of being an open operating system, giving users more wriggle room to personalise their device.
BlackBerry is considered a secure and reliable choice for businesses, but consumers reckon the tech is outdated and unfriendly, while they're unsure of what to make of the Windows Phone OS.
Taryn Tulay, report author, Strategy Analytics, said: "The size of the associated content and app ecosystem, and the perceived quality of the content within it are key factors in determining how consumers perceive different mobile operating systems and how strongly attached they are to their OS of choice.

http://www.mobile-ent.biz/news/read/...hone-os/018973

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Does anyone really want the iPad Mini?

August 11th, 2012, 18:51 Posted By: wraggster

US survey suggests that even Apple fans think the idea is "pointless".
The one thing that has been missing in all the speculation about the seven inch iPad mini is this important question: does anyone actually want it?
With the success of the Kindle Fire and Nexus 7 it would seem to make sense, but a new study has found that a large number of people really aren't that bothered about the iPad's little brother.
According to a survey of 1,873 Americans conducted by CouponCodes4u (76 per cent of which already owned an Apple product of some type), 78 per cent said they would skip purchasing an iPad Mini in order to purchase a new iPhone, despite 77 per cent of those indicating that they already owned an iPhone.
Furthermore, nearly half of respondents who said they would skip the iPad mini said they didn't think very highly of the idea, with 46 per cent saying the device was “pointless”.
The timing simply may not be right for a seven inch iPad, not if it's coming at the same time as the new iPhone. Given the rabid nature of Apple fans, and the not insignificant outlay involved in obtaining one of the company's new toys, consumers are going to have to choose between the baby pad and the new smartphone. Is it any wonder that the phone wins?

http://www.mobile-ent.biz/news/read/...ad-mini/018972

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Top 5 videos of cats playing on iPads

August 11th, 2012, 18:52 Posted By: wraggster

It seems everyone likes iPads, even cats.
We all know it’s only a matter of time before they grow opposable thumbs and take over the world, but for now cats seem quite content with beating your high score on your favourite iPad game.

http://www.pcr-online.biz/news/read/...n-ipads/028914

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Apple Samsung court case reveals confidential sales records

August 11th, 2012, 18:53 Posted By: wraggster

Documents filed yesterday reveal details about how many smartphone units Apple and Samsung have sold in the US between 2010 and 2012.
Samsung angered Apple last week by leaking patent details to the press, but now Apple can don a massive smug face as the sales figures reveal that the US company’s iPhone sales dwarfed Samsung’s smartphone sales.
From June 2010 until June this year, Samsung sold 21.15 million phones in the US alone. Its earlier flagship phone, the Galaxy S II, sold 4.1 million, the Galaxy Prevail sold 2.25 million, and 1.89 million Epic 4Gs were bought.
1.4 million Galaxy Tabs and Tab 10.1s were also sold.
From the third quarter of 2010 until the second quarter of 2012, Apple sold 60 million iPhones and 32 million iPads.
Although both firms have been trying to hold back as much of their performance data as possible from the public, Judge Lucy Koh has rejected requests for confidentiality.
The data is necessary to the case to work out how much in damages either company could be entitled to.
The court case continues in San Jose today (August 10th).

http://www.pcr-online.biz/news/read/...records/028912

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Top 5 mobile and tablet apps

August 11th, 2012, 18:53 Posted By: wraggster

This week sees a lot of Olympics and sport related apps creeping into the charts as London 2012 draws closer to its closing ceremony.
IPHONE
Paid
1) WhatsApp Messenger
2) ToonCamera
3) AppZilla 3 : 150 in 1!
4) London 2012 – Official Mobile Game (Premium)
5) Summer Games 3D

Free
1) The Heist
2) Riptide GP
3) Colour Your Messages
4) My Wild Night With Ted – Ted The Movie
5) BBC Olympics

http://www.pcr-online.biz/news/read/...et-apps/028910

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NAS-based transcoding facilitates security cam viewing on iPhone

August 11th, 2012, 18:57 Posted By: wraggster


[Zitt] has a security camera which will send him messages any time it detects motion. However annoying this might seem, we’re sure he has his reasons for needing this much immediate feedback. The real problem comes when he goes to view the feed on his iPhone. His solution is to turn the camera’s notifications off, and use his own script to transcode a clip and shoot off an email.
As you can see above, the end result is a concise email that includes the recently captured clip, as well as links to the live feed. He has been storing the clips on an LG N4B2 Network Storage Server (NAS) and since he’s got root access to the Linux system on the device it was an easy starting point for the new system. After he compiled FFmpeg from source (which handles the transcoding) he started work on the script which backs up the recordings and sends the email messages.
One thing he wants to add is a method to clear out the old backup videos. Having encountered a similar issue ourselves we decided to share our one-liner which solves the problem. Find it after the break.
http://hackaday.com/2012/08/10/nas-b...ing-on-iphone/

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CyanogenMod 9 Achieves Stable Release

August 11th, 2012, 19:01 Posted By: wraggster

New submitter jolle sends word that stable builds for CyanogenMod 9 rolled out to their servers last night, supporting a wide range of devices. Downloads here. From their announcement:"[This] release is for the majority of our ICS supported devices, the stragglers will catch up, and we will leave the door open for merging in additional devices from maintainers, external and internal. The team itself, will focus solely on Jelly Bean and maintenance of the CM 7 codebase. Many have wondered why we bothered to finish CM 9 when we are already active in CM 10 development. To that, our answer is: we don't like to leave things incomplete. There is no profit gained from what we do, so the satisfaction of completing a goal is our only reward. This release also serves as a release suitable for the masses, especially those who won't have 100% functioning releases of CM 10 immediately or are averse to anything branded as 'preview', 'alpha', 'beta' or 'nightly.'"
http://mobile.slashdot.org/story/12/...stable-release

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Custom Android ROM Developers Get OTA Update Capabilities Like Carriers

August 11th, 2012, 19:05 Posted By: wraggster

A new service dubbed OTA Update Center has been launched that enables Android ROM developers to provide over-the-air (OTA) updates of their ROMs in a centralized and easy fashion. Custom ROM developers had very little at their disposal when it came to providing updates and when any user with such a ROM did want to apply an update, he/she was required to reinstall the new ROM from scratch, which often involved deletion of the backup, installation of the new ROM, and restoration of data. This was a lengthy process and often a deterrent when it came to updating the ROM. Also, the developers were required to have their own infrastructure whereby they would be required to host their own servers and have the required bandwidth to serve scores of downloads. The OTA Update Center changes this and provides a free-to-use service that is easy and noob-friendly to use."

http://developers.slashdot.org/story...-like-carriers

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Next iPhone's tiny docking connector possibly spotted (update: more details)

August 12th, 2012, 01:49 Posted By: wraggster

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Minecraft: Pocket Edition adds bows, skeletons and spiders

August 12th, 2012, 13:35 Posted By: wraggster

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Why Apple Is Suing Every Android Manufacturer In Sight

August 12th, 2012, 22:56 Posted By: wraggster

The eyes of the technology world are focused on the epic patent struggle between Apple and Samsung — the latest iteration of Apple's frantic legal battle against everything Android. The iPhone maker has also brought suits against Android device manufacturers HTC and Motorola. Apple has faced criticism for its endless lawsuits designed to stunt competition from Google's Android, but a quick look at Android device shipments in the second quarter of 2012 reveals a key number that suggest Apple is right to worry."Spoiler alert: the number the article focuses on is 68 — as in, the 68 percent of the smart phone market in this year's second quarter that consisted of Android phones.
http://apple.slashdot.org/story/12/0...turer-in-sight

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iOS 6 beta adds setting to ensure reliable network connection for apps

August 13th, 2012, 10:41 Posted By: wraggster

Wi-Fi plus Cellular' helps out those apps struggling with wi-fi
We've all experienced problems with patchy wi-fi, and the new Wi-Fi plus Cellular setting on iOS 6 beta 4 appears to allow apps to fall back on the iPhone's mobile data connection when having difficulties moving data via the Wi-Fi connection.
Underneath the main button is a sub menu that allows users to turn mobile connections on or off for a number of tasks, basically giving users the option to use wi-fi only for data hungry apps like iTunes.
Keep in mind that this is only in the beta release, restricted to developers, so the settings could change before the full release or indeed be removed altogether.
Last week it was revealed that the latest beta release of iOS 6 does away with the native YouTube app.

http://www.mobile-ent.biz/news/read/...or-apps/018987

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Polytron: Zynga pitched Fez mobile port

August 13th, 2012, 10:46 Posted By: wraggster

Polytron’s Phil Fish has revealed that Zynga sought out the indie studio with hopes of porting their XBLA platformer Fez to mobile devices.
GI.biz tracked down a series of tweets from the polarizing developer that explained the exchange.
"Zynga approached us to port Fez to mobile. We politely refused. So, look forward to Zynga's Fex any day now, i guess!" read a post on Polytron’s twitter account.
"It actually happened," Fish claimed when questioned whether there was any truth behind the statement.
If the claims are valid it may indicate that the social games publisher has been looking to expand outside of the casual gaming arena.
Zynga has yet to respond regarding the matter.

http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/polyt...e-port/0101147

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EA holding talks for Windows Phone 8 games distribution

August 13th, 2012, 21:41 Posted By: wraggster

Electronic Arts, of course, is a video games publisher by trade, but it has seen increasing success with mobile and continues to hint it will move on from its console-based heritage.
In June, the firm said it will make freemium mobile games the norm, and a month later claimed becoming a digital-only publisher is inevitable.
Now, EA is in talks with Microsoft to launch games for the Windows Phone 8 platform as part of its ongoing mobile.
Speaking to Bloomberg, COO Peter Moore, said: "We’re working very closely with Microsoft to understand what their views on gaming navigation are.
"Anything that allows more platforms to be adopted quickly that have a gaming element is good for Electronic Arts."

http://www.mobile-ent.biz/news/read/...ibution/019002

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Developer to introduce 'concepts the app industry hasn't seen before'

August 13th, 2012, 21:42 Posted By: wraggster

Appiteks founder follows up his claims of cracking the code to iOS success.
Just last week, Appiteks CEO and founder Chris Luck declared that he had "cracked the code" to achieve success on iOS ahead of his company's debut mobile game launch next month.
At the time he threatened to destroy Angry Birds, and Luck's now back to say his startup will introduce new interactive concepts that the app market has yet to experience.
Luck, said: "A lot of the games that are out there right now are just ok, but I believe that as a developer of game apps, you have a responsibility to provide the general public with more than just ok games.
"We know how to fix that problem and we’re putting all of our time and efforts into introducing the entire industry to things that they’ve never seen before.
"We’re ready to take this industry by storm and I guarantee that we will, now that we’re entering the gaming industry with new, exciting, and interactive concepts."

http://www.mobile-ent.biz/news/read/...-before/019000

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Nokia fans still prefer Qwerty

August 13th, 2012, 21:45 Posted By: wraggster

Nearly 50 per cent of respondents favour Qwerty over the likes of touchscreens and number keypads.
There are still a lot of people out there who prefer a Qwerty keyboard to touchscreen.
A poll by the official Nokia blog Conversations by Nokia has revealed that more than 48 per cent of its readers prefer Qwerty over alternatives liketouch screens and voice command.
The results are even more revealing when broken down by country.
While European countries like Sweden, the UK, Finland and Germany were representative of the poll as a whole, voting overwhelmingly for Qwerty, the US preferred the touchscreen, with 47 per cent of the votes.
However, for the most part, Qwerty is king, with one person saying "I definitely prefer the QWERTY keyboard, by a country mile. You can’t beat it for accuracy or response."

http://www.mobile-ent.biz/news/read/...-qwerty/018988

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DOJ Says iPhone Is So Secure They Can't Crack It

August 13th, 2012, 21:51 Posted By: wraggster

In the five years since Apple launched the iPhone, the popular device has gone from a malicious hacker's dream to law enforcement's worst nightmare. As recounted by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology's Technology Review blog, a Justice Department official recently took the stage at the DFRWS computer forensics conference in Washington, D.C. and told attendees that the beefed up security in iOS is now so good that it has become a nightmare for law enforcement."

http://apple.slashdot.org/story/12/0...-cant-crack-it

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Next iPhone's motherboard possibly spotted with a dash of extra wireless

August 13th, 2012, 22:51 Posted By: wraggster

We may well have seen the next iPhone's back shell, front panel, SIM tray and even its cabling. Why not round it out with what might be the motherboard? A WeiPhone forum goer who slipped out the iPhone 4S' board last year is back with the 2012 update's potential new heart. While the tipster hasn't been courteous enough to do a side-by-side with the older component, repair shop iDeviceGuys notes to 9to5 Mac that the newer part isn't just a carbon copy; that smaller SIM slot (what you see in the middle) is one of the bigger giveaways. The real treat may be the extra wireless antenna connections. They aren't any surefire signs of 4G, but the antenna links suggest Apple isn't content with what the iPhone 4S has to offer. We're mostly left wondering about what's under that shielding -- it's a mystery as to whether or not the next iPhone's processor speed bump is a mountain or a molehill. Barring one more peek, we could get the full scoop next month.http://www.engadget.com/2012/08/12/n...sibly-spotted/

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iPhone Faux Tail: the most pointless mobile accessory ever?

August 14th, 2012, 13:55 Posted By: wraggster

Want to look stupid and attract thieves at the same time? The solution to your problem is here!
Just yesterday I was talking with some fellow mobile people about the abundance of pointless phone peripherals.
While wittering on, I joked about a completely useless cutesy mobile accessory that makes it look like your mobile has a tail. It wasn't a particularly funny or clever joke and we moved on. But now….
The gates of hell have opened and unleashed the absurd monstrosity pictured above: the Faux Tail.
While other sites are exclaiming "ZOMG cute overload!" I'm taking a stand against this stupidity. Why would you want to jam some fur and fabric into your $300 device?
Furthermore, why would you pay for it? It's one thing if Disney/Pixar/Whoever distribute tat like this with Happy Meals to promote their latest film for kids, but Faux Tails cost $10.
http://www.mobile-ent.biz/news/read/...ry-ever/019013

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iPhone 5 screw rumour was a test to explore internet credibility

August 14th, 2012, 13:56 Posted By: wraggster

3D sketch of an 'Apple-made' nut was added to Reddit before the blogosphere exploded.
Graphics firm Day4 started a rumour last week, suggesting that Apple was adding its own screws to the iPhone 5 to make it particularly difficult to unlock the device when users want to get it repaired, modified etc.
The hoax was launched on the basis that people will read something and instantly believe or dismiss it regardless of the source, as the tech world continues to become a place of speculation, whispers and unnamed tip offs surrounding new products.
In this instance, the Day4 team selected social sharing site Reddit to anonymously upload a 3D image (of their own design) depicting an impractical screw with the text: "A friend took a photo a while ago at that fruit company, they are obviously even creating their own screws."
Under 12 hours later and Cult of Mac had reported on the 'leak', while more reports followed, along with tweets from outraged fans.
Worryingly, Day4 estimates that 90 per cent of people believed the screw rumour was true, despite the fact Apple hasn't released any information to support the existence of an iPhone 5 at all.

http://www.mobile-ent.biz/news/read/...ibility/019012

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Survey shows why customers picked Android over iPhone

August 14th, 2012, 13:57 Posted By: wraggster

Details of survey conducted by Apple are revealed in Samsung dispute.
A new internal document has appeared thanks to the Apple vs Samsung case, and this time it's a survey Apple conducted on why consumers considering an iPhone went to Android instead.
The results show that it has nothing to do with the OS or customer support, but 48 per cent went with Android simply because they wanted to stay with their current provider.
Trusting the Google brand came in at 36 per cent, while 30 per cent wanted a larger screen than the iPhone offered.
The survey itself was conducted just before the iPhone arrived on Verizon in January 2011.
The Verge reports: "With the survey indicating that 25 percent of overall Android buyers at the time had considered an iPhone, the numbers gives us a real look at just how much the iPhone's AT&T exclusivity may have hurt it while Android — and Verizon's Droid brand — surged in the US."

http://www.mobile-ent.biz/news/read/...-iphone/019011

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RIM confirms BlackBerry 10 "can be licensed"

August 14th, 2012, 13:58 Posted By: wraggster

New RIM CEO Thorsten Heins has said in an interview with Bloomberg that BB10 can be licensed.
Of course, "can" and "will" are very different things, and the comment is no guarantee that anything will happen but the change in attitude is marked.
Thorsten said the company is looking at how BlackBerry 10 could be used by other companies, comparing it to BB10's underlying QNX software, which is already licensed across the automotive sector.
Of course, BB10 can be licensed - anything can; but whether it will be or not is another thing.
However, since Thorsten's arrival, RIM has been making some big changes, so it isn't beyond the realms of possibility that they would consider licensing BlackBerry.

http://www.mobile-ent.biz/news/read/...icensed/019007

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Nokia Spinning Featurephones as Smartphones

August 14th, 2012, 14:01 Posted By: wraggster

One reason for Nokia's surprisingly strong share price rebound over the past two weeks is the success of its new Asha feature phones in Asia. According to our sources in Delhi, the Asha 305 sold out in several stores soon after its debut even before the marketing campaign kicked in. Is it a coincidence that major Asian newspapers like The Philippine Star and Singapore's The Sun Daily describe Nokia's new Asha models as 'smartphones'? No. Nokia has done its very best to dress up its cheap new feature phones as something far more aspirational — to the extent that devices like Asha 305 are now widely depicted as smartphones across Asia and Africa. This is a critically important maneuver.."Of course, maybe they are smartphones; the Asha appears to be speced better than the HTC Dream (1Ghz processor, albeit with only 128M of RAM), and they've added a lot of new features to Series40. But then it's still Series40 with JavaME.
http://mobile.slashdot.org/story/12/...as-smartphones

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Mobile ads influence 48 per cent of Brits' shopping choices

August 15th, 2012, 03:23 Posted By: wraggster

That and more revealed in InMobi's UK Mobile Media Consumption Report for Q2 2012.
The average Brit spends an average of 2.5 hours a day using their mobile device, according to mobile ad network InMobi, and the attachment is so strong for 48 per cent that mobile ads are influencing their shopping decisions.
That's on par with PC which also drives 48 per cent of spends, and just behind TV ads which accounts for 55 per cent.
71 per cent of non m-commerce users are set to adopt the tech in the next 12 months, while one-fifth willing to spend more than £20 through mobile purchases.
The figure spikes to 26 per cent for early users of the tech, with results showing they're willing to splash out £50 via their phones and tablets.

http://www.mobile-ent.biz/news/read/...choices/019014

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PlayStation Mobile adds Asus and Wikipad as partners

August 15th, 2012, 03:45 Posted By: wraggster

Sony expands the certified devices for PlayStation Mobile. UPDATE: added comments from Wikipad
[h=3]Sony[/h]

At its Gamescom 2012 press conference, Sony offered more details on the PlayStation Mobile platform. PlayStation Mobile ties your PlayStation-Certified devices together via your PlayStation Network ID, offering a cross-platform pick-up-and-play experience. The entire service is supported by the PlayStation Store and recognizable titles shown in the demo reel included Lemmings and Super Crate Box.
Sony has announced that two more hardware partners will be brining PlayStation-Certified devices to life: Asus and Wikipad. No specific hardware devices were announced from either company.
Update: Wikipad chief executive James Bower has now commented, "Wikipad is the first true video game tablet built with an attachable gamepad controller that enables a mobile console experience. As we head into our upcoming launch we are partnering with the industry's leading players. PlayStation's commitment to delivering innovative entertainment experiences that captivate gamers is unparalleled and we are thrilled to partner with them."

http://www.gamesindustry.biz/article...ad-as-partners

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Sony Xperia S gets a Dark Silver wardrobe, no release date

August 15th, 2012, 03:48 Posted By: wraggster

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VIA Technologies APC 8750 mobo / CPU combo will go on sale today for $60

August 15th, 2012, 03:50 Posted By: wraggster

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Toy firm Playmobil to join the mobile games market - Playmobile?

August 15th, 2012, 16:02 Posted By: wraggster

38-year-old Playmobil has exclusively partnered with Gameloft to support its mobile launch, and the publisher is currently developing Playmobile Pirates.
It's not the first time Gameloft has partnered with a toy maker, recently teaming Hasbro to bring My Little Pony and Littlest Pet Shop to mobile.
The design will replicate the original Playmobile products, as users will need to build a pirate base of operations and recruit crew members by completing mini-games and challenges.
Christian Buchner, project manager of new media, Playmobil, said: "By featuring our world-famous pirates' toys in an innovative and user-friendly digital game, Gameloft supports us in bringing fans a new, totally immersive gaming experience."
Gonzague de Vallois, VP of publishing, Gameloft, said: "We've put a lot of effort into creating a gaming experience that remains faithful to the fascinating Playmobil universe, from the famous pirate ship to the brand's unique characters."

http://www.mobile-ent.biz/news/read/...ymobile/019036

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Full RealPlayer app lands on Android

August 15th, 2012, 16:03 Posted By: wraggster

Aims to be users' sole destination for all music, video and image needs.
Its dialogue window alerts are the bane of PC users' lives, but RealPlayer is getting strong support from Android users.
More than 11,000,000 people have downloaded the beta version of the app, and RealPlayer have now released launched a stable 1.0 version.
The company's goal is to provide an all-in-one solution for playing and managing music, photos and video, and while the basic app is free, laying down $4.99 will provide an ad-free version with additional features like an equaliser.
PC users will find the app particularly useful as it will sync between devices. It can be downloaded from the Google Play store.

http://www.mobile-ent.biz/news/read/...android/019035

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Download issues hit Windows Phone Marketplace

August 15th, 2012, 16:04 Posted By: wraggster

Microsoft scramble to fix problem preventing users from downloading apps to handsets.
Microsoft has stopped the publication of new apps for Windows Phones following an issue with digital security certificates.
At the moment it seems only affect users who have updated their handsets to Windows Phone 7.5 - those who have purchased their phone with 7.5 pre-installed are fine.
Mazhar Mohammed, director of program management at Microsoft wrote: "We know what's causing the issue and are already planning to roll out a fix. Until that's finished, we're going to temporarily stop publishing new apps in Marketplace."
Microsoft is currently in the process of rebranding the Windows Phone Marketplace.

http://www.mobile-ent.biz/news/read/...etplace/019034

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RIP Flash on Android

August 15th, 2012, 16:07 Posted By: wraggster

Today is your last chance to download Flash before it disappears forever.
In November last year, Adobe announced that it would stop development of Flash for mobile devices.
Today, it becomes a reality, as Adobe surrenders to HTML5 and stops development for Flash for mobile devices.
The first bump in the road for Adobe was when Apple refused to support it on iOS, but Adobe themselves failed to capitalise on its Android integration.
Adobe is removing the option to install the plug-in because it is likely to perform poorly on Jelly Bean, however the company will continue to develop Flash for PCs.
It will also support Air, which lets developers turn web-based applications using Flash into standalone mobile apps.

http://www.mobile-ent.biz/news/read/...android/019032

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Samsung designer: I did look at Apple iOS, but didn't steal the idea, honest

August 15th, 2012, 16:14 Posted By: wraggster

Samsung’s top designer Jeeyuen Wang has denied copying iOS icons, but admits to looking at products from other companies, including Apple.
Apple has accused Samsung of copying the design of its iOS home screen, icons, and other visual features. Wang insists that looking at products from other companies is all part of the design process.
The designer said that hundreds of people across the globe had worked together on the designs of Samsung phones. She went on to claim that she only had about two hours of sleep a night during the design process, which left her physically drained and unable to feed her newborn child. What that has to do with a copyright patent, I don’t know.
Apple singled out the sunflower icon that appears on iOS, comparing it to the photo app icon seen on Samsung headsets. Wang insists that this image was inspired by a wallpaper image and not Apple’s sunflower.
"At the time, there was a wallpaper that was in the image of flowers for an AMOLED LCDs and everyone in our team kind of liked the image. We had come to a conclusion that we would adopt this image for the icon," said Wang.
The court case between the two tech giants is set to continue throughout the week, closing arguments are set for next Tuesday (August 21st)

http://www.pcr-online.biz/news/read/...-honest/028940

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Samsung market lead boosted by Galaxy smartphones

August 15th, 2012, 16:14 Posted By: wraggster

Samsung’s quarterly phone shipments increased by 29.5 per cent year-on-year, driven by record sales of Galaxy smartphones.
According to figures from Gartner, smartphones now account for just over half of Samsung’s total mobile device sales with 25.6 million units sold. Demand for the Samsung Galaxy S3 exceeded even Samsung’s own expectations and was only held back by product shortages.
Meanwhile, sales of the Apple iPhone declined by 12.6 per cent since the last quarter although year-on-year sales were still up by 47.4 per cent. Gartner predicts that sales could continue to be slow for Apple in the third quarter, depending on the release date of the iPhone 5.
“Samsung and Apple continued to dominate the smartphone market, together taking about half the market share, and widening the gap to other manufacturers. No other smartphone vendors had share close to 10 percent," said Gartner principal research analyst, Anshul Gupta.
"In the race to be top smartphone manufacturer in 2012, Samsung has consistently increased its lead over Apple, and its open OS market share increased to one-and-a-half times that of Apple in the second quarter of 2012.”

http://www.pcr-online.biz/news/read/...tphones/028939

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Origin coming to Mac, Facebook and Android

August 15th, 2012, 16:18 Posted By: wraggster

Storefront to offer free-to-play game support

EA’s digital distribution platform Origin is coming to Mac, Facebook, Android and Smart TV.
Revealing the news at Gamescom, the publishing giant said the service will also add support for free-to-play titles.

Other additions include exclusive digital content and a new dashboard.
The move to more platforms is likely an effort to expand its customer base and compete with its rival Steam, which is already available on PC, Mac, iOS and Android, with Linux support also currently underway.
Origin currently has more than 21 million users, whilst Steam has over 40 million.

http://www.develop-online.net/news/4...ok-and-Android

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Apple iPad 2 - 16GB Wi-Fi - £100 Pounds Off Today

August 15th, 2012, 16:24 Posted By: wraggster

Over on Ebays Daily Deals they have a Hundred Pounds off the iPad 2 today only:



Things come alive on the stunning 9.7-inch widescreen LED Multi-Touch display of the Apple iPad 2. With WiFi support, this 16GB Apple iPad ensures you stay connected to your world all the time. The built-in dual-core A5 chip in this Wi-Fi iPad facilitates high-end gaming, surfing and overall performance. Gaming is at a vivid high with up to nine times the graphics performance on this 16GB Apple iPad. Capture immaculate shots in HD with the 0.7 MP front camera of this Wi-Fi iPad, while the secondary 0.3 MP VGA Camera lets you enjoy FaceTime video calling. For an enhanced movie-watching experience, play all your iPad’s digital content wirelessly on HDTV and speakers using AirPlay. Weighing a mere 601g, with an amazing 10-hour battery life, Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR technology and more, this Apple iPad 2 is here to become another extension of you.

More info --> http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/zavvi_outl...in_kw=1&_sop=1

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BlackBerry winning over carriers with new devices

August 15th, 2012, 21:14 Posted By: wraggster

Two BB10 handsets will be released in early 2013; one touchscreen and one Qwerty.
RIM has started delivering nearly complete versions of its new devices to US carriers, and the word is that they are quite impressive.
According to an executive with a carrier who has seen presentations of the manufacturer's new BlackBerry 10 devices, they are a marked improvement from the current models and makes BlackBerry more competitive with Android.
RIM CEO Thorsten Heins had briefing with the WSJ in which he said there will eventually be six BB10 handsets, evenly divided between units with a physical Qwerty keyboard and units without.
Heins said two units will launch early in 2013; one a touchscreen and the other a traditional BlackBerry Qwerty device.
One additional titbit Heins gave away, was that the new BB10 smartphones will have replaceable batteries so that power users can replace dead cells with fresh ones.

http://www.mobile-ent.biz/news/read/...devices/019040

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Samsung: Apple Stole the iPad's Design From Univ of Missouri Professor

August 15th, 2012, 22:06 Posted By: wraggster

We're starting to see a theme develop here. Now that it's Samsung's turn to present its case in the San Jose, California patent trial that regularly has the tech media abuzz, the company is taking an interesting approach. Rather than start out by arguing that its various Android smartphones and tablets do not copy Apple's designs or infringe on its patents, Samsung is arguing that Apple's IP is invalid to begin with. On Monday, Samsung argued that Apple's pinch-to-zoom patent was stolen from Mitsubishi's old Diamond Touch and on Tuesday evening, Samsung made a similar argument regarding the design of Apple's iPad. Samsung on Tuesday presented the jury with videotaped testimony from Roger Fidler, head of the digital publishing program at the University of Missouri. In his testimony, Fidler stated that he began work on a tablet design in 1981. 'Apple personnel were exposed to my tablet ideas and prototypes,' he testified, adding that Apple staff saw his designs in the mid-1990s

http://apple.slashdot.org/story/12/0...ouri-professor

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Thoughts On the iPad Mini

August 15th, 2012, 22:07 Posted By: wraggster

John Gruber at Daring Fireball has a thoughtful piece about the design of Apple's smaller iPad, which the company is expected to announce on September 12. Simply shrinking the current iPad's dimensions to a new form factor is unlikely, he says, and the bezel surrounding the display is more likely to be a cross between an iPad and an iPhone. He also discusses evidence of Apple's PR team getting the rumor mill going immediately after the announcement of Google's Nexus 7, and how Apple has probably bet on having a thinner and lighter tablet than Google, rather than worrying about a better display. Quoting:"Apple product designs are true to themselves. Each thing has proportions suited to its own nature. Consider how the iPad doesn’t look like a blown up iPhone. They share a few similar design elements — a family resemblance, if you will — but the proportions are different. The iPad has a thick bezel surrounding all four sides of the display; the iPhone does not. Why? Because you need a place to rest your thumbs while holding an iPad. ... Should not the iPad Mini fall somewhere in between? Not as close to the aspect ratio of its display as the iPad-as-we-know-it, but also not as far away from its display aspect ratio as the iPhone. You might need more thumb-rest room on the sides than you do on the iPhone, but not nearly as much as you do on the full-size iPad. If that assumption is right, the proportions of a 7.85-inch 4:3-aspect-ratio display iPad Mini are likely not the same as the proportions of the 9.7-inch 4:3-aspect-ratio display iPad."

http://apple.slashdot.org/story/12/0...-the-ipad-mini

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Smartphone gaming is "the biggest content revolution we've ever seen"

August 16th, 2012, 00:17 Posted By: wraggster

The handheld video games market is being killed off by the smartphone sector, metrics firm Flurry Analytics believes.
It claims that in 2009 the iOS and Android games software market accounted for 19 per cent of the total $2.7bn handheld and mobile games market in the US. In 2001 it claimed a 58 per cent share of the $3.3bn market.
"It's really sort the biggest content revolution that we've ever seen,” Flurry’s EMEA MD Richard Firminger told a GDC Europe audience, as reported by Gamasutra. “It's exciting and it shows that indies can kill a very, very established market."
The claims come after Sony wowed Gamescom last night with a presentation packed with original ideas that focused very heavily on the struggling Vita handheld.
However, all the creativity in the world may still fall short of what’s required to even begin challenging the iPhones and Androids of this world.
Crucially, both Vita and 3DS fall short of smartphone gaming in three key areas.
Firstly, portability: A smartphone user nearly always has their phone to hand. It’s in their pocket or unobtrusively sitting in their handbag. It’s there, it’s small, it’s always in use and its convenient. Carrying a second, larger dedicated gaming device is always a choice and not a default.
Secondly, accessibility: Smartphones are arguably the most user friendly devices on the market. Give a smartphone to a child and they can use it, as if by instinct. Give them a joypad and you get a very different reaction.
Thirdly, and most crucially, content: Whether you’re accessing the internet, reading your emails or browsing the App Store, smartphones are easy and they’re fast. Furthermore, the content is either free or comparatively very cheap. Sony and Nintendo can focus on “snack sized” game development all they like – this will never be replicated on systems designed around physical storage cards and triple-A software catalogues.

http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/smart...r-seen/0101304

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Nokia and Microsoft announce September 5th Windows Phone event

August 16th, 2012, 00:35 Posted By: wraggster

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BlackBerry standardises screen sizes of new handsets

August 16th, 2012, 22:45 Posted By: wraggster

“Full touch” devices will have a 768 x 1280-pixel screen, while Qwerty flavour is 720 x 720.
After yesterday's news that RIM will release two phones in early 2013 (one touch, one Qwerty), comes more details about those phones.
The first BlackBerry 10 “full touch” device will come with a 768 x 1280 resolution screen, while their Qwerty handset will be 720 x 720 pixels.
And that seems to be the way things are going to be from hereon in. There will be two types of BlackBerries:

• Full touch devices: 720 x 1280 (16:9)
• Keyboard devices: 720 x 720 (1:1)