Maimpok

With Amazon’s Kindle Paperwhite starting to ship tomorrow, Barnes & Noble has raised the stakes by dropping the price of its Nook Simple Touch with Glowlight from $139 to $119.
While originally it was thought that it was only certain retailers like Target and Walmart dropping the price of the Nook Simple Touch with Glowlight, Barnes & Noble’s own listing for the e-reader is now showing the price as $119.

Dropping the price of the Nook Glowlight brings it to exactly the price of the lowest-tier Kindle Paperwhite, but there’s one key difference: the Nook doesn’t show you ads. The Kindle Paperwhite, of course, does, though Amazon refers to them as “special offers.”
New competition or not, it isn’t likely that Amazon is worried. The demand for the Kindle Paperwhite is so great that Amazon can’t actually keep up. Though it launches tomorrow, Amazon is displaying a notice that the Paperwhite won’t ship until October 22 for anyone buying it now.

While the Kindle Paperwhite is on a lot of wish lists, it isn’t like we’re talking about high-end tablets with competing specs. Both the Nook Glowlight and the Kindle Paperwhite are simple e-readers. While they certainly have differences, such as the Kindle Paperwhite’s front-lit screen, this isn’t a case where one device is clearly outclassed by the other.
The biggest thing to consider when buying an e-reader is which company’s store you prefer for content, so most buyers of either device probably already have their mind made up. The shipping delays Amazon is experiencing will probably end up earning some extra sales of the Nook Glowlight for Barnes & Noble, but it isn’t very likely that we’ll see droves of people jumping ship from Amazon.
Do you have a Kindle Paperwhite on the way, or are you going to opt for a Nook Simple Touch with Glowlight instead? Do you simply use your phone or tablet for your e-reading needs?

In a video released for the Korean launch of the Samsung Galaxy Note 2, we get to see even more cool features packed into a phone that already had a lot of people excited.
While we have already seen a lot of what the Samsung Galaxy Note 2, we haven’t seen everything yet. In the video a new feature was shown off: multi-window split screen support.

A list of apps is displayed either vertically or horizontally on the screen, and these apps can be dragged and dropped from the list to open a new window above or below the app that is already running. The video shows this feature being used to take notes while watching a YouTube video, open the messaging app while on Facebook, and use video chat while viewing a report in image form.
Other features are shown off as well, and the S Pen is given a lot of screen time, previewing videos and emails by hovering over them. One impressive moment shows a video being popped out of the video app,  resized and dragged around the screen on top of the web browser.
It’s important to note that all the features shown in the video are for the Korean model of the Galaxy Note 2, but it isn’t likely that Samsung would strip such an impressive feature from the phone when it is released elsewhere.
While the video was released for the Korean launch, it is in English, and is definitely worth watching. You can check it out below. If you just want to skip to the new features, start at around two minutes in.


If you were already excited for the Samsung Galaxy Note 2, it is very likely that you are even more excited now.  If you’re still not impressed, another video on YouTube shows some of the features in the video off in a hands-on demo where they work just as well.
What do you think of the features shown off in the video? Are you planning to buy a Galaxy Note 2?

If you want to buy a Nexus 7 from Google but haven’t gotten around to doing it, today is a good day to finally pull the trigger. After today, customers who buy the Nexus 7 will no longer get $25 of credit in the Google Play Store along with their purchase.

Those who buy a Nexus 7 today will get $25 of credit toward Google Play Store purchases and an entire year to spend it. If you buy it after today, you’re still getting a cool new tablet, but no free apps to run on it. If you’re still on the fence and you like free things, it’s probably time to buy one.
If you have been eyeing the Nexus 7 for a while, chances are good that you might know the specs, but just in case, here is a refresher. The Nexus 7 includes a 1.3 GHz quad-core Tegra 3 processor, 1 GB of RAM, either 8 or 16 GB of internal storage, a 4325 mAh battery, 1.2-megapixel front-facing camera and a 7-inch HD IPS display at 1280 x 800 and 216 ppi.
The tablet runs Android 4.1 Jelly Bean and, being a Nexus device, will receive frequent updates. For gadget fans, its nice to know that you won’t be stuck running a dated version of Android while other devices are seeing updates.
The Nexus 7 will cost you $199 for the 8 GB version, and $249 for the 16 GB version. Both devices are for sale in the Google Play Store.
Are you finally going to buy a Nexus 7 today? If not, have you already got one? What did you get with your Nexus 7 Play Store credit?

MetroPCS is the 6th largest mobile carrier in the United States. It’s also looking to get bought out. Amid rising stock prices and a growing user base, MetroPCS is looking to send their customers to potentially greener pastures. Nothing concrete has been worked out yet. However, word is that Sprint, T-Mobile, and Dish are potential buyers.

It’s quite a range of potential buyers. Of the three, T-Mobile makes the least sense. They operate on a GSM network and MetroPCS uses CDMA. This means that even if T-Mobile bought MetroPCS, it really couldn’t do much with it. The most probably reason is MetroPCS has several LTE sites and T-Mobile may want them.
Sprint and Dish buyouts make much more sense. Sprint is the 2nd largest CDMA network in the United States behind only Verizon. MetroPCS has just under 10 million subscribers and that could help Sprint close the gap with Verizon at least a little bit. Additionally, MetroPCS 4G LTe is in a number of cities that Sprint is not and could help them expand their 4G network faster. Aside from 4G, Sprint could also strengthen its coverage map and gain more of a foothold in prepaid customers.
The most interesting case is the Dish Network. It would not be the first time there was a mobile service that also provided cable service. It’s no secret that Dish has had an above average interest in the mobile world. MetroPCS would be an excellent base for them to start their own network. This would put them in direct competition with carriers like AT&T, which also provide cable, internet, and mobile.

Will MetroPCS actually sell out?

If they can find the right buyer and the right price, there’s no reason to believe they wouldn’t. MetroPCS is a good carrier in their own right. However, given their size, they can fill a lot of roles in other companies. They would augment Sprint’s network nicely. They would be an excellent base from which Dish can stage their mobile efforts. There’s probably even something productive T-Mobile could do with them.
If any of these companies do buy MetroPCS, which one do you think it will be? Let us know your thoughts!

For years, ROM Manager was the de facto standard of getting CyanogenMod updates. The familiar orange gear with the top hat has been a staple of the CyanogenMod app drawer for a very long time. However, the CyanogenMod team has opted to go with its own update system.

Many people may be wondering why. It’s perfectly natural, as ROM Manager has been around as long as single-core 1GHz processors. It’s really like an old friend. According to Android Police, it is because CyanogenMod is completely open source and ROM Manager is not. This means that ROM Manager clashes with the ideals of CyanogenMod.
Thus, the CyanogenMod team has coded their own update system. It’s pretty simple, actually. It’s built right into CyanogenMod so ROM users will be able to use it like any other system setting. They can set the schedule to check for updates as frequently as one hour to as far off as monthly. They can also check for various types of builds. These include Nightlies, Monthlies, and stable builds both new and old.
It gets its roots from the last time the CM team used a proprietary updater. That was back in CyanogenMod 6. It has been updated and adapted to work in CyanogenMod 9 and 10. When invoked, the new update system will check and pull updates directly from get.cm.
In terms of feng shui, the new updater is definitely an improvement. It gathers the updates you want straight from the source when you want it to. While we all love ROM Manager, it wasn’t that customizable when it came to updates.

So what’s to become of ROM Manager?

Worry not fans of ROM Manager. Koushik Dutta, the developer behind ClockworkMod recovery and ROM Manager, has shown zero indication that ROM Manager won’t continue as normal. Even if it isn’t part of CyanogenMod anymore, users far and wide still use it for installing ClockworkMod recovery. Its functions for downloading ROMs and checking for updates should remain unhindered. This functionality will continue as will its presence in the Google Play Store.
Almost all rooted users know what CyanogenMod is and all CyanogenMod users know what ROM Manager is. It’s a relationship we hate to see come to and end. Thankfully it was a peaceful separation and not an ugly divorce. We should get no interruption in greatness from either CyanogenMod or ROM Manager.
The new update system hasn’t made its way into nightly builds yet. However, that should be coming any time now. Are you going to miss ROM Manager? Or is out with the old and in with the new? Let us know your thoughts.

Australian Android device buyers that haven’t purchased a new smartphone in a while will be happy to hear that there’s a new device heading to Telstra in the following days, the Samsung Galaxy S3 4G.
Okay, so maybe the handset is not so new, considering that it’s just the 4G LTE version of the Galaxy S3 launched by Samsung this summer, but the carrier is finally ready to offer this particular model to its subscribers.

In addition to true 4G LTE capabilities and the regular specs and features you’d expect from the Galaxy S3, this Australian version also happens to come with Android 4.1 Jelly Bean on board, which is one more reason to purchase it. In case you’re wondering, Telestra’s Galaxy S3 4G will pack Samsung’s quad-core Exynos processor and will offer buyers “built-in HD Voice support.”.
The handset, launching on October 9, will be available in Titanium Gray and Onyx Black. Pricing starts at $144 for the handset – “$6 handset repayment per month” – when purchased with either a monthly $60 Every Day Connect Plan of a $60 Business Performance Plan. Naturally, these are both two-year contracts, and each one offers “$600 worth of standard national calls and MMS plus unlimited text messages to standard Australian numbers and 1GB of data for use in Australia.” More expensive plans are also available.
Are you buying the Galaxy S3 4G in just over a week from now?

The Nexus-related news keep coming in these days, which is only natural considering that every Android fan and their grandmother expect Google to unveil at least one new Nexus smartphone in the coming months if not more. Of those, we keep hearing about a Samsung GT-I9260 handset, whose model number is awfully close to last year’s Galaxy Nexus (GT-I9250).

The Leaks

We’ve seen the GT-I9260 in several leaks so far, with various sources spotting it in a number of instances. Naturally, the device is not official yet and we have a plethora of names for it: the Galaxy Nexus 2, Galaxy Premier, Galaxy Nexus Premier and Galaxy Nexus Plus. Of those, the last two name versions seem more credible because we’d be surprised to see Samsung use “Nexus 2” in any name combination for its devices and because “Galaxy Premier” is not exactly a suitable name for a Nexus device.
The Galaxy Nexus Plus can be spotted right away when going to Carphone Warehouse’s site (thanks to our tipster). Once you try to trade-in your Galaxy Nexus handset – just type in Galaxy Nexus on this page here – you’ll notice how two choices appear: the Samsung Korea GT-I250 / Galaxy Nexus (the current model) and the Samsung Korea GT-I9260 / Galaxy Nexus Plus (the Galaxy Nexus 2 we keep talking about).
Sure, this is a mistake made by the staff of the UK electronics retailer. The same staff put up a trade-in page for the Galaxy Nexus Plus (see image below) but the handset can’t be ordered just yet. In fact, searching for the handset on the site will not return any results.
A few days ago, we saw a few images captured with the camera of the Galaxy Nexus 2. The images, uploaded on Picasa, revealed that they were taken with the GT-I9260 and shared some details about the camera’s characteristics.
Before that, the User Agent Profile of the GT-I9260 has popped up, basically confirming that Samsung is working on a new Galaxy Nexus version, the “Superior” version we heard of back in August.

Specs and features

Although the GT-I9260 is likely to be a Nexus-branded handset, it doesn’t mean we’re looking at a flagship device by this year’s standards. In fact, should Samsung launch it as the Galaxy Nexus Plus, then we can only expect it to feature a limited number of improvements, just like other Samsung smartphone “Plus” versions did before it.
There’s isn’t a clear set of specs and features yet for the device, but here’s what’s expected of the device:

• 4.65-inch Super AMOLED HD display
• 1.5GHz Cortex-A9 dual-core processor
• 8-megapixel camera with f/2.65 aperture and 4mm focal length
• 16GB storage
• microSD support
• Android 4.1 Jelly Bean

When it comes to design elements, common sense suggests that the handset will be rather similar to its predecessor, but we wouldn’t be surprised to see Samsung try to include some of the design lines of the Galaxy S3 / Galaxy Note 2 in this new Nexus, especially considering its ongoing legal squabble with Apple.
It’s worth noting that we’re only speculating on the design of the GT-I9260 for now, as we don’t have any leaked images of the handset.

Release date and pricing

We have no idea really when this device will hit stores, but considering what we know about the Galaxy Nexus’ launch, and its delayed release especially in the U.S. last year, we would expect the handset to hit stores by the end of 2012, with European markets likely to get it before North American ones. As for pricing, the Galaxy Nexus Plus could be launched for $99 on contract, considering the price of its predecessor (currently available for $349 unlocked), but also the fact that the Galaxy S3 is still a hot handset, already selling for less than its original $199 on contract price. Not to mention that the Galaxy Note 2 will also be launched in several markets in the upcoming months.
Finally, we can’t disregard the other Nexus-related rumors out there. According to those, it’s not only Samsung that’s making a Nexus smartphone. LG, Sony and HTC are also rumored to work on their own Nexus handsets. Product names like the LG Optimus Nexus, Sony Xperia Nexus and HTC Nexus 5 have already been mentioned in the wild, albeit unofficially.
Moreover, a recent rumor suggested that LG may be providing a high-end Nexus smartphone this year, largely based on the recently introduced Optimus G flagship.
We’ll be back with more news about the Galaxy Nexus 2 / Nexus Plus once we have them. Meanwhile, let us know what you want from your next Nexus handset in the comments section below.

Have you ever uploaded a video to YouTube and realized later on that you lost the original files? Well thanks to a new feature in Google Takeout, you can now download your original files exactly as they were.

Previously, users were able to download videos that they had uploaded to YouTube, but there was a catch: they were transcoded, meaning quality was generally inferior to what they had uploaded. Thanks to the YouTube support added to Google Takeout a few days ago, you can now download your files just as they were before you uploaded them.

Liberating Your Data

Google Takeout was created by the Data Liberation Front, an engineering team at Google who builds tools to help you get your data back out of Google. Their mission statement is “Users should be able to control the data they store in any of Google’s products.  Our team’s goal is to make it easier to move data in and out.”
In addition to YouTube videos, you can use Google Takeout to download your Contacts, Picasa Photos, voicemails and texts from Google Voice, various documents from Google Drive, and more. You can even download data from your old Google Buzz account, if you happen to be one of the few people who actually used Google Buzz.

How to Get Started

To download your videos, just head to the Google Takeout website and select “Create Archive.” Initially this will start creating an archive of all your data, which can take a long time depending on how many Google services you use. Simply select the “Choose Services” tab, and then “YouTube.”
If you have uploaded a lot of videos, Google Takeout might take a while to prepare them for download. Luckily, there is an option to have the service send you an email when your data is ready to be downloaded.
Have you used Google Takeout to download any of your old videos from YouTube yet? How about any of the other tools in Google Takeout?

When it comes to mobile processors, there is a certain range of specs that we consider truly awesome. Having a quad core, 1.5GHz, LTE-enabled chip is pretty much the bleeding edge of hardware architecture. Or is it? A little known company called Adapteva has something a little better than that. How much better? They’re toting around a 51GHz, 64-core processor. There is no typo there, 51-freaking-gigahertz.

There are a lot of problems getting Adapteva’s chip released. For one, it is ridiculously expensive. At last glance, the military was buying these chips for around $10,000USD a piece. That amount of money is equal to a down payment on a house. So it’s no surprise Android enthusiasts can’t really afford it. There are other considerations as well. How many seconds would it take for 64 cores to drain an average smartphone battery?
Adapteva knows this, however, and they have set out to create a more affordable chip that is a little more battery friendly. The big problem is funding. According to Giga OM, Adapteva is having a lot of problems finding funding from venture capital firms. How does Adapteva respond? By starting a Kickstarter.

Adapteva’s goal?

The company would like to make about $750,000 to start. To do this, Adapteva has launched the Parallella project. In essence, if you pay $99USD, you’ll get a 16-core processor on a stripped down board. The best part? The software that’s needed to program these bad boys would be released to the open source community. Many developers have had issues with processors being closed source. It hampers development and makes development harder. Imagine a chipset with full open source software. With 16 to 64 cores. Is anyone else salivating?
That isn’t all, though. If the project manages to raise $3,000,000USD, then the company will start offering the full 64-core chip for $199. It’s a little steep, but we’re not talking about any ordinary Snapdragon S4 here. This has 64-cores and over 50GHz of processing power. That doesn’t just beat every chip for mobile phones. It beats any consumer-grade product out there.
Of course, this whole movement is a long shot. It is a very long process between creating a processor and getting it placed in the next generation of smart phones. It’s likely that if this technology does manage to make into some Android smartphones, it won’t be any time soon. However, opening the CPU software to developers and offering up 16-core processors for $99USD is definitely a start.
I guess the question wouldn’t be if people would be a phone with this in it. The question is who wouldn’t?

Since Apple Maps, one of the main advertised features of Apple’s recently released iOS 6, is not the great out-of-the-box product the iPhone maker believed it would be, we keep finding various comparisons between Apple’s mapping and navigation solution and Google’s own Google Maps, in addition to ads and funny memes. In fact, today we’re going to look at an Apple Maps vs Google Maps report coming straight from Consumer Reports.

The publication compared the two products in day-to-day navigation operations just a week after finding the Apple Maps to be disappointing. This time around, Consumer Reports took Apple Maps for a real test drive out in the wild – in the greater New York area – right alongside Google Maps.
The chosen devices were the iPhone 5 running iOS 6 and the Samsung Galaxy S3 running Android 4.0.4 Ice Cream Sandwich:

Our evaluations were performed in the greater New York City area using two phones per platform, each on a different carrier. We found that both Apple Maps and Google Maps route effectively, providing clear guidance and great points-of-interest integration.

This time around, Consumer Reports found Apple Maps to be satisfying in actual tests, although it still trails behind Google Maps.
Some of the highlights of Apple Maps in navigation with turn-by-turn directions tests include “the graphic presentation for the interface, results, signage and point of interest info.” Apple offers “less customization” than Google, which is seen as a “mixed blessing” when it comes to driving, but Google “comes across as more business like and less fun:”

Apple Maps is relatively streamlined, providing basic navigation guidance and limited travel information. The large display for next-turn information (which looks like a familiar green-and-white highway-sign) is easy to read at a glance, and it compensates for a map design that is harder to interpret than that on Android. We like the estimated time of arrival, remaining distance, and travel time countdown, although the text is so small, it is a greater aid for a passenger than the driver.

When it comes to traffic, reporting, Google “gets the nod,” as Google Maps is better design to show traffic flow, “although in reality it may often be a presentation choice rather than a data difference.”
Voice-recognition is another element that was tested during this comparison and Consumer Reports found that the overall experience “seemed comparable between the platforms with each occasionally tripping over spoken commands.”
As for the actual navigation, the publication traveled to various destinations in Apple Maps vs Google Maps testing and found both apps to offer a similar experience. “Almost all” destinations were found and successfully routed, and the same goes for POI (points of interest) along the road. While Apple works with Yelp to offer more details about some of the restaurants found en route, Google gets its results from Zagat.
While 3D mapping is definitely an interesting addition to any navigation program, Consumer Reports was apparently not bothered by any inconsistency in Apple Maps 3D representations:

There has been much online grumbling about the iPhone app focused on weird 3D images, misplaced points of interest, and an absence of a Google-type “street view.” As shown on our previous post, we certainly have found instances of melting images in 3D mode, but more often than not, we found rather intriguing 3D representations that bring a map to life. The reality is, this is a novelty feature, not a component of navigation.

But the iPhone underperformed when it comes to searching for nearby train stations, as the app would not identify locations by “train,” but by their actual name, which appears to be a search algorithm issue “rather than a map inaccuracy. “
Finally, here’s the conclusion of Consumer Reports:

Bottom line:
Both the free Apple and Google navigation apps provide clear routing directions. Apple feels like a less-mature product. But as seen with the initial competing applications for the iPhone, we would expect updates to this new app over time–and Apple has promised as much. When getting down to the nitty gritty, Google provides a better overall package, but we feel that both provide a good solution for standard software. We expect the competition between the companies will benefit customers with ongoing improvements.

This is probably not the last Apple Maps vs Google Maps battle that we’re going to see, especially since Apple is reportedly hiring more and more people to work on its navigation application. Tim Cook, the company’s CEO has already apologized for the app’s issues, recommending in the process various apps from the competition, Google Maps included, to iOS 6 users that aren’t happy with the current state of the Apple Maps app.

Packing cellular antennas into increasingly thin devices is no trivial task. Just ask Apple. The brouhaha that erupted when iPhone 4 users reported signal drops when holding the phone in a certain way caused Steve Jobs to speak out and offer free bumpers to every iPhone 4 buyer. The media storm eventually subsided, and, the next iPhone came with dual antennas, that could kick in alternatively, thus solving the “death grip” problem once and for all.

Now it’s Motorola’s turn to face a death grip situation, but luckily, they found out about the problem before actually releasing the device. According to a user on the Howard Forum site, the launch of the Verizon-bound Droid Razr HD and Droid Razr Maxx HD has been delayed, due to problems with the placement of the phone’s antennas.
Note that Motorola did not offer a precise launch date for its new flagships, only promising that they will be available by holidays. Now a source quoted by Phone Arena says that the device might be out by the end of the year, but potentially not in time for Black Friday, the busiest shopping day of the year.
Xabernaut, the forum user that first reported the issue, says that the problem is caused by the size and shape of the antennas, but also by their contact to the external case of the devices. This causes signal drops when the phone is handled in a certain way, an issue that was reported by hardware testers.
The silver lining of the story is the Droid Razr M was not delayed by the build issues. In fact the Razr M (like its European cousin, the Razr i) is already available in stores. Also, it is likely that the delay will not extend to the Razr HD and Maxx HD that Motorola is selling in other regions. At least in Germany, the Razr Maxx HD could arrive as soon as October.
Are you looking forward to the Droid Razr Maxx HD?

 
We’re back with one more iPhone 5 vs Galaxy S3 comparison, after performing our own drop test, comparing them on video, checking out benchmarking results, display quality but also various ads. This time around we’re looking at a report that shares more details about the corresponding electricity cost for each device.

According to Opower, the iPhone 5 will cost you $0.41 to charge every year, while the Galaxy S3 is slightly more expensive, at $0.53 per year. Why is the Galaxy S3 more expensive to charge? The answer to that question is obvious, the Samsung flagship handset has a bigger battery, which means it takes longer to charge.
What’s important to notice is that today’s smartphones are very efficient when it comes to power consumption. Comparatively, laptops, desktops, gaming consoles and TVs are a lot more expensive to charge each year (see the graph below).
Curious how they measured the power consumption of the iPhone 5 and Galaxy S3? They used a Watts Up Pro Electricity Consumption Meter and assumed that “the average smartphone user will charge their device once per day, in the off position, from 0% to 100%.”
Here’s what they found out:

Galaxy SIII: consumed 12.3 watt-hours to charge, taking 2 hours and 26 minutes. Maximum wattage was 6.6 watts, with an average of approximately 5.0 W. Multiplying 0.123 kWh/day by 365 days = 4.49 kWh per year. At the average US residential rate of $0.118/kWh, the annual charging cost is projected to be $0.53/year.
iPhone 5: consumed 9.5 watt-hours to charge, taking 1 hour and 50 minutes. Maximum wattage was 6.3 watts, with an average of approximately 5.0 W. Multiplying 0.0095 kWh/day by 365 days = 3.47 kWh per year. Annual charging cost is projected to be $0.41/year.

Is power consumption something you think about when buying a new mobile device?

-Fix Room 49 (forceclose)
Overview:
ATTENTION : ★ Absolute Brain Teaser ★
Advance to the next Room by solving the puzzle!
Official page : http://www.facebook.com/100Rooms

Features:
↗ 42 Rooms
↗ Addicting mini puzzles!
↗ Combine the items!
↗ Complete utilization of your devices features!
↗ Different themed rooms!
↗ it’s FREE!
Contact us if you have problems or comments with the app.
★★ How to play ★★
↗ Unlock the door to get the next level.
↗ To do that, observe the room and find the items which will help you to get out of here. You can combine two items to get NEW item.
↗ You can pick certain items up and use them from your inventory.
↗ To Zoom item click it TWICE
↗ To Combine items zoom first item then select second and click on zoomed image of first item.
Enjoy.
Download this file

> Version 1.6.1
Infinite Mode Added
Survival Mode Added
> Version 1.6
NOTE: If progress/save appears lost please try rebooting your device.
5 New Super Hard Challenge Levels (Frosty Night)

> Version 1.59
Added 4th Level of Difficulty (Inferno Mode)
Multiple Bug & Crash Fixes (Including Nexus 7 crash)
> Version 1.58
Added “Free Gem” Icon to Pre Level Shop
Other Minor Bug Fixes
Overview:
Fantasy Tower Defense from the creators of Toy Soldiers & Dark Alliance
“It’s an addictive, creative game with some lovely aesthetics and challenging levels. If you’re anything like me, it’ll probably steal your soul.” – KOTAKU
“Game of the Month” – iDow.ru
——–
Fast paced fantasy tower defense… from the creators of Toy Soldiers and Baldur’s Gate: Dark Alliance!
Defend your kingdom from invading troll hordes, with addictive quick-to-learn but difficult-to-master gameplay. Towers N’ Trolls combines fast-paced arcade action with quick-thinking strategy.
The tower defense genre is updated for 21st Century mobile gaming with nail-biting moments where your fate teeters on a razor’s edge. No sitting and waiting for the enemy, they’re already at your door – it’s up to you to stop them!
Towers N’ Trolls features beautifully hand-painted environments and playful, light-hearted monsters from the Age of Fantasy. Play across 10 worlds and 60 unique maps, including the Lonely Forest, Fertile Pastures, Snowy Forest, Underworld, Badlands, and the North.
——–
WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING
“Before playing Towers N’ Trolls I could see only the visible light spectrum. Now I can see both ultraviolet and infrared! It’s amazing, you should try it!”
“When Cyclops invaded my neighborhood, I knew to build Scout Towers immediately… Thank you Towers N’ Trolls for saving my family’s life. The Johnsons next-door only had Catapults, and perished tragically.”
“My son was a real problem in school. Since I bought him Towers N’ Trolls, his teachers love him and he’s earned straight A’s!”
——–
FEATURES
★ 70 Levels!
★ 4 Game Modes! (Story Campaign, Challenge, Open Mode, and Endless Journey)
★ 10 different worlds across completely different environments!
★ 10 Enemy types with thousands of frames of animation!
★ 3 Levels of Difficulty!
★ Unique, Hand Painted Backgrounds!
★ Randomized loot generation provide countless hours of replayability!
★ Leaderboards & Achievements!
★ OpenFeint Support!
★ Outrageous Special Weapons including – Powder Kegs, Mine Fields, and Poison Gas Clouds!
——–
EMBER ENTERTAINMENT
Visit us at Ember-Entertainment.com
Like us at facebook.com/EmberEntertainment
Follow us at twitter.com/Ember_Dev

Download this file

We’ve implemented an exit-button due to popular demand.
JOIN the world famous chase.
Help Jake escape from the grumpy Inspector!

Overview:
JOIN the world famous chase.
Help Jake escape from the grumpy Inspector!
DASH as fast as you can!
DODGE the oncoming trains!
Help Jake, Tricky & Fresh escape from the grumpy Inspector and his Pitbull dog.
★ Grind trains with your cool crew!
★ Colorful and vivid HD graphics!
★ Hoverboard Surfing!
★ Paint powered jetpack!
★ Lightning fast swipe acrobatics!
★ Challenge and help your friends!
Join the most daring chase!
An Universal App with hd optimized graphics.
By Kiloo Games and Sybo Games
Download this file

- App2SD support has been added for your convenience
- Now compatible with Android 2.2 and up
- Added autosave feature
- New update is available (1.0.5) !!! “Black screen” bug has been fixed
- New updated version of the game (1.0.6) is available. “Black Screen” issue was fixed for all devices

Overview:
From the makers of the hit logic puzzle game 100 Doors, MPI Games is proud to present 100 Missions!
★Visit Facebook for HINTS: http://www.facebook.com/100Missions
★Lates News: https://twitter.com/mpigames
Should you choose to accept this mission, take on the role of an MI6 Secret Agent as you pinch, poke, shake, tilt, and swipe the on screen puzzles to complete your mission.
★★FEATURES:
- Each mission features unique and challenging mini-games!
- Face danger, mystery and excitement in every mission to rise through the ranks of MI6. Your country is relying on you Agent!
- Challenging tasks that will test your logic!
- Missions feature multiple unique mini-games!
- Manipulate your environment using touch!
- Infiltrate your enemies and escape the room with their darkest secrets!
- It is FREE to download now!
★★★FUTURE ADDITIONS:
-Multiple missions with new graphics and storylines!
-New mini-games with more exciting and challenging tasks.
-Advance through the ranks of MI6 and become a top Agent!
***New updated version of the game (1.0.6) is available. “Black Screen” issue was fixed for all devices !!!
Download this file

V4.65 Update (2012-9-27)
1. Added theme category in theme store
2. Supported to view GO Share video, audio through browser
3. Optimized the GO Chat login and profile UI
4. Optimized the record function of walkie-talkie
5. Optimized the notification for unread messages

6. Optimized the backup SMS to Dropbox feature
7. Fixed one download issue related to themes
8. Other UI/UE improvement and bugs fix
Overview:
GO SMS PRO brings you cool UI, fast and convenient SMS/MMS experience.
GO SMS Pro is the most popular messaging app; Very powerful, Cool, Funny, Safe, Fully customizable; Well support SMS/MMS + GO Chat(free message) + Walkie Talkie(free voice). MUST HAVE.
★ Features
– Full SMS/MMS support
– GO Share service, send file through 2G/3G/4G or WIFI or by one SMS
– GO Chat/Facebook Chat support
– Doodle, Handwriting
– Private box
– Schedule SMS
– Batch modes
– Popup with quick reply, privacy mode
– SMS backup and restore by all or by conversations, can be sent to email
– Many cool themes; also DIY theme, Theme Maker plug-in;
– Fully customizable look; Supports chat or list style; Font changeable
– Security lock, support lock by thread; Blacklist
– Support GESTURE, left/right slip, many transition effect
– Support Emoji with Emoji pulg-in
– Settings backup and restore
– Facebook contact photo support
– Group texting
– Notification with privacy mode and reminder notification
– Support folders view: Inbox, Outbox, MMS, created folders, encrypt folders
– Individual customization for Notification , Signature and Conversation
– 1×1 icon widget with message count and 4×2 medium widget
– Support many languages
– Online SMS lib
– Handy, build-in Contacts
– Night mode
– Stock SMS can be removed (but please be care)
– Split large messages for CDMA
– Time offset adjustment
– Avoid disordered messages: sort by time or by order of msg sent/received
– Localization support for accented chars: by enabling Czech, Polish and French SMS mode
– Quick text management
– Messages grouping (Group mode or Separate mode)
★ Users feedback extract:
▪ Love how it’s easy to use and very fast; Nicer, slimmer and smoother than Handcent SMS or chompSMS
♥ LOVE:
▪ We are always listening to and working hard for our users! Please Encourage us by recommending GO SMS to your friends,Thanks
▪ When meet issue, please firstly referred carefully to “Help”
▪ Please feedback us through “Menu”-”More”-”Feedback”
▪ Blog: http://gosms.goforandroid.com
▪ Follow us @GOSMSPro on Twitter http://twitter.com/gosmspro
♥NOTE：
▪ We improve GO SMS continually according to users’ feedback, Release new features, bug fix WEEKLY, If you are already happy with GO SMS you are using，Need NOT update; just Rate high and spread GO SMS to support us, Thanks
▪ Location permission is needed by “Matching Nearby friends” and “Shake to find friends” feature, default is turned off, you control it.
It would be our honor to get your help for translation,if you would like to help us build a better language pack,please click the following link.^_^
http://crowdin.net/project/go-sms-translate
For the tutorials,please click the following link:
http://gosms.goforandroid.com/?p=253
Download this file

- optimizations
- bug fixes
- more ad networks added
To keep it 100% free it is ad supported and may contain ads in the notification tray.
If you don’t like these ads, you can opt-out at http://opt.leadbolt.com
If you would like support developer in other way, you can purchase premium version.
Dear users, be polite. Notification ads does not appear often. I give you a FREE application, but every developer have to monetize their apps to make them better and create more.

Overview:
Probably the most beautiful circular battery widget.
Beautifully designed, simple, customizable battery widget. Displays the remaining battery percentage in the form of a holographic disc or circle.
Beautiful Battery Disc has two sizes: 1×1 and 2×2.
Widget does not drain battery. It receives only battery broadcasts.
Circle battery widget fits perfect for Ice Cream Sandwich Devices with Holographic User Interface.
To add Battery Disc widget press: Home->Menu->Add->Widgets->Battery Disc
Press Battery Disc widget to display detailed information about your smartphone’s battery.
App contains ads from following Ad networks: Admob, Mobfox,Leadbolt
— Important —
This is Free Application. To keep it 100% free it is ad supported and may contain ads in the notification tray.
If you don’t like these ads, you can opt-out at http://opt.leadbolt.com
Download this file

Bug fixes.
Overview:
Partake in the crazy Turbo Kids tournament and win the ultimate prizes!
An amazing journey full of fantasy and excitement! Turbo Kids are competing outdoors to win ultimate prize. Join in the tournament to see what Turbo Kids can bring you!

# Tap to jump and shoot bullets
# Different stages for four seasons
# Tournament: Regular, Relay, Timing, Chase
# Shoot Ice bullet to freeze opponents
# Shoot Exchange bullet to change position with opponent instantly
# Shoot Trap bullet to trap opponent
Learn different kinds of skill, unlock items and achievements, to be the real Turbo Kids!
==========================
Droidhen is the name behind Defender, Defender II, Dinosaur War, Miracle City, Basketball Shot, DH Texas Poker, Turbo Kids, Gun of Glory and many other top popular games. Droidhen is also marked as top developer by google.
==========================
Download this file

• Graphic equalizer with ability to save custom settings*
• Music identification with metadata and cover art from Gracenote database*
• Metadata editing*
• Music crossfading with settings*
• RealAudio and RealVideo (rmvb) support*

• Available in nine languages
• last.fm scrobbling
• No advertisements*
*These features are available through an in-app upgrade.
Overview:
RealPlayer, the popular media player for music, video and photos provides features allowing you to customize your music listening experience. Supported in 9 languages, popular features include an intuitive user interface, widgets, equalizer, lastFM scrobbling, metadata editing, optimized graphics for high-res devices and more, so you can listen to music your way. This all-in-one player is brought to you by RealNetworks, dedicated to bringing you the ultimate media experience.
RealPlayer Features – available with the free RealPlayer app
• Music, videos and photos all in one place
• Available in nine languages
• Optimized graphics for high-res devices
• Playlists
• lastFM scrobbling
• Voice commands for search
• Control playback when phone is locked
• Sharing on popular social media sites
• Move application to SD card
• Set your favorite song as a ringtone
• Headphones controls
• Auto bookmarking of videos
• Home screen widgets to control media
• Access any file format your device supports
Additional Features – available through an in-app upgrade
• Graphic equalizer with ability to save custom settings
• Metadata discovery using the Gracenote database
• Manual metadata editing
• Cross fading for a seamless music experience
• RealAudio and RealVideo (rmvb) support
• No advertisements
Download this file

There are plenty of leaks suggesting that HTC will soon unveil at least a new Android device, with the One X+ and the 5-inch phablet being among the most talked about upcoming HTC Android handsets.
Earlier today we saw a couple of new leaked images of the One X+, which suggested the new device will be fairly similar to the current One X/XL model. But the new smartphone is yet to be made public.
HTC’s most recent press event (September 19) focused only on Windows Phone 8 smartphones, so we’re still waiting to see the Taiwanese Android device maker announce a similar event for new Android handsets.

But while we wait for HTC to announce its next media event, we will take a look at a “Hold the date” email received by HTCSpecialist.com members – see image above. According to the email, HTC will host an “exclusive” event in Glasgow on October 2 from 6-11 PM local time, where those attending will be able to “preview HTC’s latest phones.”
Should we expect to see new One X-branded devices next week, including the One X+ and the One X5? We’re certainly going to keep you updated on the matter, but let’s not get too excited about the whole thing just yet. After all, while this invitation from HTC Specialist certainly sounds interesting, we’re yet to see the official invites from HTC, and that Glasgow event is less than a week away.
Not to mention that we’re also puzzled by the fact that this event is not scheduled to take place in London, where we’d usually expect the company to host such pressers.
Any HTC Specialists in the audience? Have you received a similar invitation? Are you going?
Thanks tipster!

According to a recent report, Mozilla’s Firefox OS should only expect to see around 1 percent of the global smartphone OS market in 2013, compared to Android’s 67 percent. The report says it could take as long as two years to turn this around, so should Google worry about Firefox OS at all, or turn their focus on other competitors?

Looking at 2013

TechCrunch reports that according to a report by Strategy Analytics, Mozilla’s Firefox OS will likely only see about 1 percent global market share, and Android is expected to keep its lead with 67 percent. As the first handsets to use Firefox OS will be aimed at the lower-budget portion of the market, that puts Firefox OS in direct competition with Android, with Android having the advantage of being there first.
While that may seem a bleak prospect for Firefox OS, Mozilla has made headway in getting handset manufacturers on board. Sprint, ZTE, Telefonica and Deutsche Telekom all have agreements in place to carry phones running Firefox OS, but whether that is enough to gain Firefox OS the footing it needs won’t be clear for some time.

The Real Competition

In the TechCrunch article, Strategy Analytics analyst Neil Mawston is quoted as saying “It took Android just two years from commercial launch to overtake Symbian and go from new entrant to established global leader, so things can change extremely fast in the smartphone industry.” This is certainly true, but while it was popular, Symbian didn’t have the same level of brand awareness that Android currently enjoys.
With Firefox OS, Aliyun, Tizen and MeeGo all being names that have appeared in recent news, it’s easy to focus on the competition they may bring to Google or Microsoft, but we often forget that they will be competing against each other as well. With each OS fighting to gain ground, competition will be fierce, and it isn’t likely that all of them are going to make it out alive.
Do you think that Firefox OS poses a threat to Android, or should Google worry about the more immediate competition from companies like Microsoft and Apple?

We’ve known about the Samsung Galaxy Camera for a while now. The idea of an Android-based camera might not appeal to all types of users but it could be perfect for people who take a lot of pictures. The Galaxy Camera also offers a way to upload your photos and videos on the fly without having to hook an external camera to a laptop or other device to do it.

In order to truly create an Android camera that can do everything from taking the picture to uploading it, mobile broadband needs to be present. Samsung has already ensured us that 3G and 4G versions are coming, but under which carriers? We might now have our answer, thanks to the FCC.
Every device that comes to the United States must first make its way through FCC approval. The good news is that this often gives us a way to get an early look at extra features and options coming to new gear and gadgets. The FCC filings for the Samsung Galaxy Camera point to two different names, the EK-GC100 and EK-KC100. Both models seem to have HSPA-based 3G on 850MHz and 1900MHz bands, which is exactly what is used by AT&T and several Canadian carriers. There is no mention of LTE in the filing, but that doesn’t mean that it isn’t coming, it just is absent here.
We may not know much more than we did before, but at the very least it seems that the Samsung Galaxy Camera is set to arrive on AT&T. For the moment, it’s hard to say which other carriers might get the new Android camera.
Are you interested in getting the Galaxy Camera or are you perfectly happy with using your existing smartphone or even a standard digital camera?

Are you one of the many UK consumers impatiently waiting to get your hands on the Galaxy Note 2? If you really can’t wait until next week, you may not have to. That’s right, it seems that Unlocked-Mobiles is selling the Note 2 right now. According to the site, they can ship now and the successor to Samsung’s famous phablet could be in your hands as early as tomorrow.

It’s hard to say how or why UK Samsung Galaxy Note 2 devices have managed to make their way into Unlocked-Mobiles’ hands a week ahead of schedule. The asking price for the 16GB white version of the Note 2 is slightly higher here, at £545, versus the £530 price tag found at most other sites. The online retailer also has plans to sell the blue version of the phablet, but they don’t have it in stock yet.
The Galaxy Note 2 certainly is a major upgrade to the already excellent OG Note, now powered by a 1.6GHz quad-core Exynos with 2GB of RAM. The S Pen has also been redesigned and has many new features added to it. For a full list of hardware specs and features click here.
Any of our readers order the UK Samsung Galaxy Note 2 through Unlocked-Mobile? Let us know how the experience goes and whether or not you really are get it “next day” like they are claiming.

If you have an HDTV but didn’t shell out the extra cash for a Smart TV, the FAVI SmartStick may be the perfect solution for your streaming needs. It’s $50, plugs right into your television, and best of all, it’s powered by Android 4.1 Jelly Bean.

The FAVI SmartStick plugs into your TV’s HDMI port and uses a mini-USB cord for power. Control it using the included remote or an options wireless mouse and keyboard, and you’ve got a brand new Smart TV in your living room that happens to look just like your old one.
The SmartStick can use DLNA to stream files from your computer to your television in addition to streaming. There are several video streaming services supported, including Netflix, Hulu, YouTube, HBO Go and Crackle. The audio services supported include Pandora, Spotify and Google Play Music.
In addition to all the video and audio, users can also install apps from the Google Play Store, as long as they don’t require a specific processor. The $50 SmartStick includes 4GB of storage, while $80 gets you 8GB of storage. For $40 extra, you can also throw in a wireless mouse and keyboard.
In addition to the mini-USB port it uses for power, the FAVI SmartStick includes a 3.5mm audio port and a full size USB port that you can use to plug in your own wireless mouse and keyboard, or a USB hub for more devices. While it would be nice to see an optical or coaxial connection for digital audio, that is not realistic to expect in a device with this form factor at this price.
The sheer amount of stuff that the FAVI SmartStick can stream to your television is detailed in the video below.


That is an awful lot of awesome for one $50 stick that plugs into your television.
So who’s getting one?

Overview:
Feed the Penguin for those who like meditate in cozy atmosphere!
Feed the Penguin is a charming brain-teaser for those who like meditate in cozy atmosphere. It has 6 different zones and a lot of levels – all of them are free right now!

Feed the Penguin stands out by its well considered gameplay and design. It was drawn using brushes and special painting techniques. These techniques make the game look original and exceptionally beautiful.
Carefully composed levels, charming personage and impressive design make this game quirky and challenging.
Features:
- 6 Zones 120 levels absolutely free;
- original graphics techniques;
- smart gamepaly;
- cozy and warm atmosphere;
- pleasant music;
- you will like it!
*****
Feed the Penguin is OPTIMIZED FOR the most popular devices:
Samsung Galaxy S2
Samsung Galaxy S3
Samsung Galaxy S
Samsung Galaxy Y
Samsung Galaxy Note
Samsung Galaxy Ace
HTC Evo 4G
HTC Desire HD
HTC One
Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1
Samsung Galaxy Mini
Motorola Droid X
and OTHERS
*****
We would like to hear your opinion about our games. Any ideas, suggestions, queries are welcome.
If you have some problems with Avko Labs app please let us about it and we will resolve it as soon as possible.Download this file

“In an eventual future JB upgrade, LG will introduce Eco-Mode specifically for the Optimus 4X HD which will allow users to manually shut down any of the Tegra 3′s cores for even more control over power consumption and performance.“

It’s difficult for a company to accept blame for a crappy product or service. But it’s also a good PR move to do so, which can help everyone — the company itself, customers, and the media — move on and find a resolution to the issue. In this case, the problem is Maps on iOS 6. Apple CEO Tim Cook acknowledges that the company has fallen short on quality, and suggested alternatives while they fix their mapping service.

But reading between the lines, there’s still an attempt to justify their move in Cook’s letter. He says that Apple “wanted to provide … even better Maps,” and that in order to do that, they have “had to create a new version of Maps from the ground up.”
And so, while Apple is working at a better mapping service from ground up, Tim recommends other services, like Bing, MapQuest and Waze, which are available on the iTunes App Store. Then, there are also Google Maps and Nokia Maps, which can be accessed through mobile web.
If that means anything, it’s that Google has not likely submitted its native iOS 6 app to Apple yet, or that Apple has not yet approved it. Otherwise, Tim would have already mentioned that Google Maps was coming soon.
Admitting your mistake is a good move, especially if the aim is to improve the product. With the millions of Apple fans out there, I’m pretty sure Apple will be quickly forgiven, along with the host of other mistakes the company has made in the past. Remember MobileMe? How about Antennagate? How about the “hockey puck” mouse. Let’s not even talk about the Newton!
The question here is timing. Apple took it sweet time — one full week — before publicly acknowledging the issue. Let’s hope they get to really working on an improved mapping experience. Until then, Android users will have a common advantage over iPhone 5 and other iOS 6 users. Our native maps are better!
In case you’re interested about a history of Apple failures, you can check out this article from The Guardian. I have quoted Tim Cook’s memo below:

Fix the score sharing problem.
Overview:
A space journey that challenges both your vision and imagination!
Partake in this exhilarating runner game to feel the ultimate speed and challenge your agility! Try to avoid the barriers,go through the magic tunnel, jump over the space bridge… X runner is on the go!
# Tilt phone to control

# Tap on screen to jump
# Collect invincible powerup to break any barrier
# Collect invisible powerup to go through barriers
# Magnet helps you absorb the coins on the way
# Sprint makes you an invincible runner
# More than 40 achievements to be unlocked
Don’t forget to invite your friends and share with them your high score and achievements!
==========================
Droidhen is the name behind Defender, Defender II, Dinosaur War, X Runner, Miracle City, Basketball Shot, DH Texas Poker, Gun of Glory and many other top popular games. Droidhen is also marked as top developer by google.Download this file

It’s been a rather slow start for the Jelly Bean update wave for all major Android manufacturers, but several of the big players seem to finally start getting cracking. Things seem particularly promising for 10-inch tablets, seeing as the Asus Transformer Prime has been updated to Android 4.1 yesterday, while the Infinity will be getting JB next week.

Now another 10-incher looks ready to be joining this exclusive club, even though we haven’t heard anything official on the matter yet. Acer is very secretive on the timeframe of the Iconia Tab A700 Jelly Bean upgrade, although several XDA forum members are reporting they’re already enjoying the new buttery smooth OS.
The update is not coming as the surprise of the century, seeing as Acer announced ever since late July that Jelly Bean will roll out to “several tablets soon”, but it’s still unusual to see a tech company get from words to actions in such a straightforward fashion.
That said, you shouldn’t be doing the JB celebratory dance just yet (oppa Jelly Bean style), because there’s a good shot this is only a Europe-bound update. The only A700 users reporting to have gotten Android 4.1 own German or Dutch versions of the tab, so other regions might be left hanging for the time being.

There are also a couple of fellows who’ve encountered issues with the installation and have been unable to go through with it, so caution is advised for anyone getting an automatic prompt message for an OTA update.
As for the few users who’ve managed to install Jelly Bean on their A700s, they are mostly saying good things, as expected. The 332 MB upgrade brings noticeable performance bumps, a slightly tweaked and smoother UI, browser improvements, more photography features, as well as loads of fixes to bugs that plagued the user experience on the 10-incher until now.
All in all, Acer seems to be stepping up its Android game significantly, with two of the company’s tablets now running Jelly Bean, while others are still “working on updates”.
Is there anyone tuning in that has received the Android 4.1 update on the Acer Iconia Tab A700? If so, please tell us where do you live, how did the installation go, and what are the most noticeable changes to your tabs’ software.

Love it or hate it, the iPhone 5 is the most talked about device of the season.
Yes, it’s just a taller iPhone 4S. iOS 6 isn’t what Tim Cook wants you to think it is. Apple Maps is a mess. LTE connectivity has been standard fare for more than a year. Yet in spite of all those shortcomings, the new iPhone is selling like hotcakes.

Truth be told, Cupertino’s latest creation has its strong suits. The iPhone 5 did much better than the Samsung Galaxy S3 in our drop test. It did so well that we walked away with a pretty much intact phone, even after Darcy dropped it four times, the last time from more than six feet.
So, what to do with the slightly damaged iPhone 5? Destroy it, of course.
But first, we decided to do some torture tests, all in the name of science. We abused the new iPhone 5, to see how it would fare in real life. We drenched it in hot coffee. We put in our homemade pocket simulator to see how it withstands the assault of keys, coins, and other scuff-inducing items. Finally, we submerged it in water for 15 seconds.
So, if you wondered if you could use your iPhone 5 without a case, or you just get a kick from seeing expensive electronic devices ruined, check out our iPhone 5 torture test.

The ordeal is not over for that poor iPhone. We pitched it against a car. And a hammer. Stay tuned.