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App Review: Hanging with Friends

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Zynga, the creator of hysterical games like FarmVille and Cityville, has now released a new game for Google Android mobile platform &#151 Hanging with Friends. The game is available for free in Android Market.

Hanging with Friends is the modern day adaptation of the classic word game &#151 Hangman. For those who don’t know about either of the games, the gameplay involves guessing the word built by the opponent and then build a word for the opponent to guess.

Hanging with Friends is purely word-guessing game which is almost like a turn-based asynchronous multi-player version of the Hangman game. To get started, you will be asked to connect via Facebook or you can create your own different ID using your email address and also selected desired user name. After you’ve successfully logged in, choose your Avatar before you start off.

Once the avatar is chosen, one needs to ‘create’ (start) a game with an opponent. The offers five different options to choose from. One can also log into Facebook and then play with friends. The second option is to let the app find a random opponent for you.

One can also search for a friend via user name which they commonly use or must have shared. For those who do not wish to play with strangers also have the option to choose the opponents from the contact list, which will require the app to access your contact list to scout for your friend who is needed to be registered for the game else you can send him an invite.

There is a Pass and Play option where in you can play with as many players you want by simply handing off your smartphone after relevant ‘moves’ to other players. Once the game is created the user is presented with two avatars representing him/her and the opponent &#151 both hanging in air by holding balloons. The game packs those typical Zynga style cute looking avatars and basic nice looking animated graphics.

This game involves two basic things. First, building an eight or less letter word for the opponent to guess and secondly, guessing the word correctly built by the opponent.

The game offers stack of 12 random letters to build word with up to eight letters which need to be dragged and dropped to the empty slots. In the eight letter word, the double letter and triple letter bonus is placed randomly. Once the word is created you can send it over to your opponent to solve it. That means the ball is in opponent’s court, metaphorically.

Four or five letter word offers more strikes whereas the eight letter word gives out less strikes. To help solve the word, the game offers three different ‘lifelines’ out of which only one can be used for at a time. One of the three lifelines eliminates four wrong tiles out of all 26 letters available. Once the opponent has finished his move, the sender of the word gets to replay and watch whether the opponent was successful or not. Second one highlights one of the four letters in the word and the last one simply allows removing one strike for false selection of letter.

Surprisingly, there are no points on winning or solving words. Solving the word is certainly based on the intelligence and skill of the user. However, the library of the word is limited and it won’t allow you to set names as mystery word. If either of the players fails to predict the word then the balloon of the respective avatar pops and the character falls down a bit.

Most interesting part of this game is that one can have a direct chat with your opponent. Also you will receive push notifications for your turn. One can play up to 20 games at a time with friends.

The app of Hanging with Friends game has been freshly released so some bugs could be a bit annoying. Getting started could be also jittery but one can easily pick up the pace. The only pitfall of it is the limited library of words and once that is expanded, the fun could be limitless.

Hanging with Friends is one of those easy to catch up social game that becomes strategically interesting and heavily addictive over a period of time. Free version of the app comes with ads whereas the paid version removes those ads.

Game Review: Android’s OLO

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OLO is an extremely simple game. Though can be played alone, it is more enjoyable if played by two persons (on the same handset). The main game is played with the help of circles which has to be flicked into the area of opposite player. The coloured circles are called OLO, and the game continues till players run out of their coloured circles. The player who has got more circles in the other half which belongs to the opponent becomes the winner.

The problem with such games is that the game is too much simple; the description is more complicated than the game itself. It is difficult to find two player games on and OLO is as challenging as it gets, especially when users are pitted against good players. Since the interface is so simple, the game has the danger to get boring for the players after some time.

The game becomes even more challenging when the playing area becomes too crowded with OLOs. There are two coloured lines on two sides of the playing area, and the players try to get their OLO on that line. Otherwise, even if the ball goes into the other half, the players’ goal is accomplished. The OLOs come in different sizes, and the larger ones are more powerful. The game has the potential of becoming very popular among the children.
The game is available on Android for free, you can download the game from this link.

App Review: Ragdoll Blaster 2

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Ragdoll Blaster 2 game is developed by BlackFlip Studios, who gave us games like Paper Toss and NinJump. The action packed physics puzzle game is the sequel to the heavily addictive and enjoyable game &#151 Ragdoll Blaster. Users are supposed to solve a puzzle by simply firing a Ragdoll from the cannon towards the puzzle pieces that are presented in the machinist style.

Apple Store is full of all different kind of puzzle games and there is not dearth of puzzle games over the web as well. Ragdoll Blaster 2 stands out with more of mechanical looking puzzles where user needs to shoot a Ragdoll via cannon to hit the target through different obstacles.

Involving lightweight target-based shooting, the Ragdoll starts off with a tutorial that will give you a fair idea on what you may expect from the game. The game comes with over 150 different levels which will challenge you to score as less as possible because this is one of those games where less is more.

Ragdolls have a character of their own – they moan and at times talk when fired over the boxes, bombs, springs and wheels. The game also packs couple of physics themed deviations that include contraptions, gravity effects and teleporter switches.

This game comes with some replay value as initially one feels the rush of playing through all the levels and then play the game all over again to master the aim. Different metal themed scoreboard certainly will keep the competitively inclined folks in a place to stay abreast with their performance.

At times, the game gets frustrating if you are playing it in public places or while people around you as slightest loss of concentration will cost you an extra shot.

Ragdoll Blaster 2 is quite an addictive puzzle shooter for those who wish to kill time between meetings or just take a break from work.

Skype chat might lead to data theft

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A new vulnerability has been identified in Skype application for that might lead to data theft from your device. The cross site scripting vulnerability or XSS as it is called allows any attacker to attack the host computer with just one single malicious code sent using the Skype chat version 3.01 and earlier versions, as discovered by AppSec Consulting security researcher Phil Purviance.

The vulnerability allows attackers to execute malicious JavaScript code that runs when a victim views a chat message, enabling theft of information, including a user’s address book. In simpler words just by sending one chat message an attacker can get access to confidential data on your iOS based device.

While Skype is aware of the situation and they are also working out to counter this threat as soon as possible. In a statement, given to Tech Crunch, Skype said, “We are working hard to fix this reported issue in our next planned release which we hope to roll out imminently. In the meantime we always recommend people exercise caution in only accepting friend requests from people they know and practice common sense internet security as always.”

It is clear that Skype is working on finding a fix for this problem but until the update is released the best users can do is wish that no one gets cracking with this malicious code in order to get access to data.

Click here to watch video.

Sony Ericsson Xperia Play, Arc gets Android 2.3.4 Gingerbread update

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Sony Ericsson has started rolling out new 2.3.4 Gingerbread update for the Xperia Play and Xperia Arc devices.

With this, the Xperia Play smartphones will get the 720p video recording capability with continuous autofocus. Rest of the features for Xperia Play and Xperia Arc remain the same&#151 Google Talk with Video Chat, 3D Sweet Panorama in Camera Mode, Swipe to type and better Facebook integration will come to the devices with this update.
The Swipe to Type involves moving fingers over the letters and the engine will recognise the word you wish to type almost accurately.

However, there is no mention of the feature that will let one control the Play or Arc handset using a PC mouse, keyboard or a game controller when connected to Sony Ericsson LiveDock multimedia station.

This Gingerbread update has been rolled out for Europe and is expected for rest of the world through the desktop based software update tool.

Since Sony Ericsson offers both handset in different countries under different branding or cellular tie-ups, the roll out for this update might take a while for Asia and other countries.

New tablet sense gestures, objects near to it

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A new prototype of a tablet computer, which has been developed by Intel, Microsoft and University of Washington, can be controlled by touching surfaces other than the display of the device.

The new device, which is named Portico, may well end up taking the touch beyond the confines of the touchscreen of the tablet itself.

“The idea is to allow the interactive space to go beyond the display space or screen space,” says Jacob Wobbrock, a computer scientist at the University of Washington. The new method of interaction is achieved with the help of two cameras which are placed over the display on two sides. The cameras first detect motion around the screen and then interpret the command given by the users.

In a demonstration, a ball was placed on the surface where the tablet was placed. The cameras of the tablet then tracked the ball and when the ball touched the side wall of the tablet, a virtual ball appeared on the screen as if the real ball entered the screen.

In another example, users could control a virtual toyship on the screen through the real toyship located on the surface where the tablet was placed.

Wobbrock said, “As devices continue to shrink, they compromise the screen space. But with Portico you can reclaim the surrounding area for interactivity”.

With the new prototype device Portico, the area for interaction with the tablet increases six times. So a 12 inch screen begins to behave like a 26 inch screen. Since the area of interaction is moving beyond the tablet, the new challenge would be to communicate where interactive area ends.

HTC smartphones to get 5 GB Dropbox data free

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HTC will now be offering 5 of free could storage through Dropbox as an integrated part of HTC Sense 3.5, reported Pocket Lint.

This is not a new move as many smartphone makers are providing service. Apple is delivering it through iCloud, Microsoft is delivering it through Skydrive and there are also talks about Google soon adding their own service for powered devices.
By using Dropbox, users can share files, documents, pictures, videos songs and any other data across various devices. Along with this, Dropbox also allows users to create and share public libraries with others by invitation or by directly posting links of popular websites like Facebook and Twitter.

Dropbox application is available on iOS, BlackBerry and Android platforms as well where it is offering the usual 2GB of data storage space. However, HTC users will get additional 3 GB of data storage space along with the 2GB free data for storage.

8 lakh mobile shops to offer apps by March: OnWard Mobility

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Finding the right has always been difficult for most mobile users. To solve this problem Mumbai based company OnWard Mobility plans to sell applications and mobile value added services through brick and mortar (physical) shops.

Arun Menon, chief executive officer of OnWard Mobility, discussed his plans with The Mobile Indian during a long interaction. He said, “There are mainly two sets of problems associated with selling applications online. The first one is discoverability among the thousands of app, and that there is no human touch which can guide you with what is best for you. The second problem comes from the fact that India and most other developing markets are not really markets yet. Even smartphone owners do not necessarily have data connectivity activated, so they can’t go online to buy these apps.”

He added, “And this is where we see an opportunity for our model. We have already started selling apps through 40 physical stores. We have people who guide users who can answer and address their problems. It gives a human touch to the applications’ business.”

“Most of the apps on the online stores are simply waste and most others are the same thing with a different name, we want to pick the best apps that really add value to people’s life and sell it through our channel. We will educate them about usability; address their problems. And I’m sure people are willing to pay for applications that add value,” Menon said.

OnWard Mobility has a target to add 500,000-800,000 (that is the current number of shops selling mobile vouchers and other related products) outlets to its retail network in the next six months. This, Arun says, is a huge task but since these retailers are already selling telecom products, it is easier to convince them to sell one more type of product.

The company has plans to sell games, applications, anti and services through these shops, which will be a 20:80 mix between OnWard Mobility and third party apps. He claims that a lot of developers are already very excited about the prospects and want to sell their apps through OnWard Mobility.

VAS services, Arun says, can add much more value than they currently offer and thus “we want to take it away from the mobile bill”.

For example, an education app with complete course material is of great value but it cannot be downloaded through an app store &#151 as such apps are usually too big (around 2 GB).

“It does not make sense for VAS players to offer such services as they will have to sell it at Rs 25. In our model, as we have a direct reach to the consumers, we can sell it even at Rs 1,000, because we can help the user understand the value of it face to face. So we want to be in the space with apps and service that add value but also come at a fair price; currently, our average selling price is Rs 400,” explained Arun Menon.

A similar concept is also being worked out by PlanetM (the chain of music stores). OnWard Mobility has received an investment of Rs 18 crore as funding from Indo-US Venture Partners and Qualcomm Ventures, which they will use to expand into the tier I and tier II cities.

The company also plans to sell gadgets and applications together as a package: for example a health monitoring machine that uses the phone’s display and processing power. Or something like what Tata Sky sells, a small gadget that transforms the phone into a set top box remote.

Arun is hopeful that one day he will be able to sell a smartphone at a subsidised rate along with a suite of applications, paid in part by the cost of the application and by advertisements riding on top of the application.

Improved Swype now available on Nokia Beta labs

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A latest version of Swype, which provides an alternate keyboard for Symbian and Android, is now available on Nokia Beta Labs. The Swype 2.0 version supports all Symbian devices including those with the new Symbian Anna update.

The second beta of Swype for Symbian brings portrait and split-screen support for Symbian Anna devices. Swype is quite intuitive and innovative input method for quickly typing out messages and email. You can download the new Swype for Symbian 2.0 from Nokia Beta Labs.

The updated beta of Swype brings improved predictive tap auto-correction engine that will help you type most accurate text and thereby save your time. The second beta comes with English (US & UK), French (Canada), Spanish, and Portuguese (Brazil) language packs pre-loaded while 30 other language packs can be downloaded from Nokia Ovi store.

The Symbian Anna running devices &#151 N8, C7, E7 and C6-01, will be able to enjoy the portrait and slip-screen support along with revamped interface.

Do note that the Symbian for Symbian 3.0 is currently a beta software offered by Nokia and as per the listing at Beta Labs, it will mostly made available as a commercial (read as paid) software.

New Swype for Symbian 2.0 beta is now available for Symbian S60 5th Edition, Symbian^3 and Symbian Anna devices.

Sony Ericsson Xperia Neo gets GTalk with video Chat via Android 2.3.4 Gingerbread

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Sony Ericsson Xperia Neo users have received the new 2.3.4 Gingerbread update that brings Google Talk with video chat. Along with that the update packs a number of other enhancements like 3D Sweet Panorama in Camera Mode, Swipe to Type and better Facebook integration.

The new update will most likely will be available through the desktop based software manager as well. Do note that this update may not be available immediately for everyone across the globe.

Google Android 2.3.4 Gingerbread update for the Xperia family phones was expected to be available sometime in October. Surprisingly the Xperia Neo handset has received Android 2.3.4 Gingerbread update, 4.0.1.A.0.283 build. Several Xperia Neo owners located in Europe have received this update through the desktop based software update tool from Sony Ericsson.

The new Android 2.3.4 Gingerbread update for Xperia Neo brings Google Talk with video chat to make the best of the front facing camera. Facebook social network integration has been optimised and improved as well.

The 8 camera in Xperia Neo gets new 3D Sweep Panorma mode that allows 3D image capture. Similar technology has been used in the recently announced Xperia Arc S handset.

The Xperia Neo’s keyboard has received new Swipe to Type input method that will allow users to quickly input text by swiping fingers over letters. For capturing onscreen images the mobile phone gets a screenshot tool and also a feature that will let you control the Neo using a PC mouse, keyboard or a game controller when connected to Sony Ericsson LiveDock multimedia station. Apart from that there are a number of improvements system-wide.

In the coming weeks we will see Android 2.3.4 Gingerbread or higher update rolling out for the Xperia family of smartphones as well.