Android users in Canada get first dibs on Wind-Up Knight 2
The original Wind-Up Knight by Robot Invader was a wildly successful game that everyone seemed to love immensely. The team behind the game have been hard at work to bring the sequel to light in Wind-Up Knight 2. They took everything wonderful from the first game and only made things better, so it would seem from the Play Store listing and Mobile Syrup. You still run, slash, jump, block and roll through various levels but they have upped the graphics of the title along with lots of other side things to accomplish.
Wind-Up Knight 2 pulls in Side Quests to gain replay value for levels you have already completed. For instance, playing a level and not killing anything, or finding all the hidden diamonds. There is also a Tournament Mode where you can challenge your friends on Google Play Games for top spot. Check points have also been added to help get you through those longer levels. Take a quick watch of the teaser trailer released yesterday for Wind-Up Knight 2.
It will feature in-app purchasing, but since I am in the U.S. I do not know to what extent. It would seem that the main purchasing aspect will be for gold coins that you can use to buy tickets to play Tournament Mode, purchase power-ups and various other things for your knight. Mobile Syrup says the games mechanics are set up so you can play through without needing to spend real money unless you can’t sit and grind through to earn gold coins on your own. However, there is a flat fee of $4.99 to unlock all levels of the game that is handled through an IAP as well.
Anyone in Canada want to check it out? If so, hit the snazzy banner button below and give it a whirl.
Source: Mobile Syrup
Flappy Bird Creator Reveals Why He Pulled the App, ‘Considering’ Returning Flappy Bird to App Store
When Flappy Bird creator Dong Nguyen removed his ultra popular app from the App Store back in February, he gave little explanation for the surprising decision, aside from a short message stating he could no longer take the attention.
In a new interview with Rolling Stone, Nguyen explains why he pulled the app, pointing to extensive press coverage and unwanted attention in his home town of Hanoi. While Nguyen enjoyed his early success, he was swarmed by the media after news of his monetary success was revealed. At the height of its popularity, Flappy Bird was generating upwards of $50,000 per day.
As news hit of how much money Nguyen was making, his face appeared in the Vietnamese papers and on TV, which was how his mom and dad first learned their son had made the game. The local paparazzi soon besieged his parents’ house, and he couldn’t go out unnoticed. While this might seem a small price to pay for such fame and fortune, for Nguyen the attention felt suffocating.
Even more troubling were the messages he began receiving from parents and Flappy Bird players who had become addicted to the game. One woman told him he was “distracting the children of the world,” and Nguyen worried the game was too addictive.
Another [message] laments that “13 kids at my school broke their phones because of your game, and they still play it cause it’s addicting like crack.” Nguyen tells me of e-mails from workers who had lost their jobs, a mother who had stopped talking to her kids. “At first I thought they were just joking,” he says, “but I realize they really hurt themselves.”
According to Nguyen, who had trouble in school because of his own addiction to Counter-Strike, those messages were a major reason why he opted to put an end to Flappy Bird. When asked by the interviewer why he ultimately pulled the app, he said “I’m master of my own fate. Independent thinker.”
With Flappy Bird’s removal from the App Store, hundreds of clones have popped up. While Apple initially attempted to stem the flood of Flappy Bird-style games, the game’s success has continued to tempt developers into creating clones. At the end of February, one-third of new games released over a 24-hour period ended up being games that were heavily inspired by Flappy Bird and Nguyen’s success. “People can clone the app because of its simplicity,” Nguyen said, “but they will never make another Flappy Bird.”
Flappy Bird clones
Nguyen told Rolling Stone that removing Flappy Bird from the App Store has been a “relief,” but he is also contemplating returning the app to the App Store.
“I’m considering it,” Nguyen says. He’s not working on a new version, but if he ever releases one it will come with a “warning,” he says: “Please take a break.”
Though Flappy Bird is no longer available for download, it continues to make money for Nguyen, “generating tens of thousands of dollars.” The app’s success has led Nguyen to quit his job, and he’s considering purchasing both a Mini Cooper and an apartment as he continues to develop new games.
Rolling Stone‘s full interview with Nguyen, which is well worth reading, also includes tidbits on the development of Flappy Bird, details on Nguyen’s childhood, his game creating experience, and info on his future plans.
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iOS 8 – Healthbook, Improvements to Maps, Siri Enhancements, and More
The next iteration of Apple’s iOS software for mobile devices is likely coming this fall. Apple generally pre-announces details during the summer, but a handful of rumors have already given us some information about what to expect.
iOS 8 is said to be heavily focused on health, and may integrate with the iWatch, Apple’s much-rumored smart watch currently in development. The operating system will reportedly include a “Healthbook” app that pulls fitness-related information from both the M7 motion co-processor included in the iPhone 5s and sensors to be included with the iWatch.
Because iOS 7 included a complete visual overhaul of the operating system, iOS 8 is not expected to feature many design changes. Instead, Apple will likely focus on polishing existing features, possibly improving Maps and Siri, along with bolstering the functionality of Touch ID through a new mobile payments system.
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iOS 8 – Healthbook, Improvements to Maps, Siri Enhancements, and More
The next iteration of Apple’s iOS software for mobile devices is likely coming this fall. Apple generally pre-announces details during the summer, but a handful of rumors have already given us some information about what to expect.
iOS 8 is said to be heavily focused on health, and may integrate with the iWatch, Apple’s much-rumored smart watch currently in development. The operating system will reportedly include a “Healthbook” app that pulls fitness-related information from both the M7 motion co-processor included in the iPhone 5s and sensors to be included with the iWatch.
Because iOS 7 included a complete visual overhaul of the operating system, iOS 8 is not expected to feature many design changes. Instead, Apple will likely focus on polishing existing features, possibly improving Maps and Siri, along with bolstering the functionality of Touch ID through a new mobile payments system.
Read full roundup for more details…
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New Version of Microsoft Office for Mac Slated for 2014 Release
Microsoft is planning to introduce an updated version of its Office productivity suite for the Mac in 2014, according to Thorsten Hübschen, Business Group Lead at Microsoft Germany, who gave Computerwoche (via Macworld) the news at the Cebit trade fair in Hanover.
While there’s little information available on a possible release date, Hübschen said more news on the product should come during the second quarter of 2014. Microsoft’s current Office software for the Mac was released more than three years ago in October of 2010.
At the Cebit trade fair in Hanover, Hübschen told Computerwoche that there are now development teams for each of the Office applications, which each produce versions of their product for different platforms. In addition to MacOS, other possible targets for the future may include tablets running iOS and Android.
Microsoft originally had plans to release Office for Mac in the spring of 2014, but it appears the company will miss that timeline, instead planning for a release later in the year. According to a representative from Microsoft, the company is indeed working on the next version of Office for Mac.
“The team is hard at work on the next version of Office for Mac,” she said in an email. “While I don’t have details to share on timing, when it’s available, Office 365 subscribers will automatically get the next Office for Mac at no additional cost.”
The company is also said to be working on an iPad version of Office, but it remains unclear when that app might arrive.
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Sony offering downloadable themes for Xperia smartphones
Sony seems to be one of the few smartphone manufacturers realizing that one user interface is not a good fit for everyone.
With it latest 4.3 Jelly Bean update (yes, not KitKat yet), Sony introduced a new native feature, essentially baking a theme engine right into the Xperia firmware, allowing you to skin your smartphone in a number of styles.
You could always use apps such as Aviate or even launchers like Nova, Apex, Go or ADW Launcher, but this is just for Xperia devices, plus themes skin “up to 280 assets.”
The themes change things as simple as home screen and lock screen wallpaper, down more complicated things such as folders, navigation bar icons, checkboxes, switches, sliders and buttons.
Sony says it will continue adding more themes through Sony Select and Google Play, as well as increase the number of elements and apps that can be skinned with Xperia Themes.
via Sony Mobile blog
The post Sony offering downloadable themes for Xperia smartphones appeared first on AndroidGuys.
The Amazing Spiderman 2 coming from Gameloft in April
Are you a sucker for Marvel based games? Maybe you just have an obsession with a certain web slinger. Whatever your reason is, Gameloft will be taking some of your money in April. They have recently released the teaser trailer for their upcoming game, The Amazing Spiderman 2.
Are you ready for Spider-Man’s greatest battle yet? Preview the non-stop, action in The Amazing Spider-Man 2! #TASM2 http://t.co/CojURz5isx
— Gameloft (@gameloft) March 11, 2014
It certainly looks like it should be a great game. Judging from the short video trailer it looks like it will be another open world type of game packed full of missions, improved graphics and a new story line. It is expected to launch some time in April. As usual pricing isn’t mentioned. We certainly hope Gameloft doesn’t go with the free-to-play in-app purchase model, but it is possible. If they go out right purchase, it will probably land for $6.99 like most of their other high-end titles.
Three more games added to the Humble Mobile Bundle 4
The Humble Mobile Bundle is a great way to bolster your Android gaming collection and to help out charity. The concept is easy to grasp, pay what you want, set how you want the payment spent and collect your bundle. Pretty straight forward. As of posting this, the average pay is $3.69. If you pay less than that you get 4 great games. Pay more than that and you get 5 more games. Check out the list.
Pay under the $3.69 and get:
- Catan
- Vector
- Riptide 2
- Zombie Gunship
Pay over $3.69 and also get:
- BADLAND Premium
- Breach & Clear
- OLO – NEWLY ADDED 3/11/2014
- Color Sheep – NEWLY ADDED 3/11/2014
- Gunslugs – NEWLY ADDED 3/11/2014
If you do go for broke and spend a whole $3.70, or more, then you end up walking away with 9 games valued at $42. As an added perk, you are also getting all the in-app purchased unlocked in BADLAND and Breach & Clear. That is pretty stellar right there. Check out the short video preview of the whole thing real quick.
If you want to jump in on this great deal simply head over to Humblebundle.com and get your donation in.
Via HumbleBundle G+
Archos’ 6.4-inch smartphone puts the buttons on the back
When we talk about smartphones with buttons on the back of the case, most people’s thoughts turn toward the LG G2. But now the French electronics outfit Archos has decided to follow in LG’s footsteps with the 64 Xenon, a 6.4-inch phablet that puts the both the volume and power buttons on the rear side. Packing a 1,280 x 720 IPS LCD display, dual-SIM slots and HSPA+ radios, it’s clear that this is designed to square up against the likes of the Galaxy Mega, but with a much lower price tag of 200 euros (around $275).
As soon as you get this device in your left hand, you’ll notice that the power button is in a great position, right next to your index finger. The volume buttons, by contrast, are meant to be reached with your thumb, but the positioning felt a bit awkward to us — it’s hard to grip the device while applying any pressure to these buttons.
In the performance stakes, we were reasonably impressed by the responsiveness of the quad-core MediaTek MT6582, even though it’s a whole generation behind the chip in Archos’ other new smartphone. The processor is accompanied by 1GB of RAM and a 2,800mAh battery, which the company promises should last you for a day on a single charge.
On the downside, we were disappointed to see that the company cut a big corner with the internal storage: it’s offering just 4GB as standard, which isn’t right given how much stuff you’re likely to put on this handset. On the other hand, at least there’s a microSD slot for storing more content. Still, we’re looking forward to putting this hardware through its paces when it launches in April.
Sharif Sakr felt the buttons on his own back for this report.
Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile
Spritz’s speed-reading tech shows up to 1,000 words a minute, makes its debut on Samsung devices
Two weeks ago, we were so busy getting hands-on with the new Samsung GS5 and Galaxy Gear 2 smartwatch that an exclusive app for the two devices flew completely under our radar. That “app,” as we call it, isn’t really an app at all: it’s Spritz’s speed-reading technology, and if all goes according to plan, it will soon be embedded into loads of websites, apps and wearables devices. For now, though, the tech is making is debut on the GS5 and the Gear 2, with a public SDK set to come out in a few weeks.
Here’s how it works: Spritz shows you one word at a time through a narrow, rectangular viewing pane called the “Redicle.” That name is a pun of sorts, as each word has one letter highlighted in red (get it?!). In more technical terms, that letter is the “optimal recognition point,” the letter that helps your brain piece the word together quickly (and with as little eye movement as possible). The speed is adjustable, too, ranging from 100 words per minute to 1,000 — far exceeding Spritz’s claimed average of 220 words per minute.
Once Spritz releases its SDK, sometime in the coming weeks, developers will be able to build it into their apps, as well as create things like Chrome extensions. (Spritz CEO Frank Waldman says Spritz has no intention of doing this itself, which is probably fine, as 12,000 developers have already requested access to the SDK.). Website owners, meanwhile, will be able to integrate the technology by embedding some simple HTML code.
As of today, though, the GS5 and Tizen-powered Gear 2 are the only confirmed devices that will make use of the technology. On the GS5 in particular, Spritz will be baked into the native email application so that you can read your emails through a viewing pane at the top of the screen. I started out at 240 words per minute (just above the supposed average) and had no problem keeping up. I’ve embedded a demo gif below — and don’t mind the fact that I’m using a GS4 instead of a GS5.
It’s a similar deal with the smartwatch, which, when you think about it, is actually a genius place to install a speed-reading app. The idea is that you can speed-read from your wrist if you’re in a hurry, but if you want a longer look you can tap a “reply” button on the watch, which will prompt the email to open on your Galaxy phone. Once again, I’m using a last-gen device (the original Gear), as Spritz didn’t have any of the new devices on hand. But you get the idea.
Again, that’s it as far as officially sanctioned devices go. Still, the Spritz team has been doing some hacking on its own, if only to show developers what the technology is capable of. In particular, the company has cooked up an unofficial version of Kindle for Google Glass, allowing you to read novels and other materials, in addition to whatever you might encounter on regular websites. It’s a neat idea, and one I hope Amazon at least considers implementing. Still, it won’t be for everybody: after a few minutes of practice, I still struggled to read a simple young-adult novel at 280 words per minute. When it comes to fiction, at least, I might continue to read one sentence at a time, even if it does take me a little more time. But that’s just me. In any case, take a look for yourself (and thank the Google gods for that convenient screencasting feature for Glass).
Filed under: Cellphones, Wearables, Internet, Software, Mobile, Samsung
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