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Games that make you want to throw your iPad (don't do it!)

Posted by Harshad

Games that make you want to throw your iPad (don't do it!)


Games that make you want to throw your iPad (don't do it!)

Posted: 11 May 2012 05:42 PM PDT

(Credit: CNET)

I play a lot of video games. I have a Windows gaming rig and an Xbox 360, and my iOS devices are filled with games from every genre. I would consider myself a fairly skilled gamer, but there are certain types of games designed to challenge even the most seasoned fans.

Back in January, I wrote a similar post called "Games that make you rage on iOS." One of the games I'm focusing on today is the sequel to a game I wrote about then, but it definitely hasn't lost its rage-inducing qualities.

It's important to note that for this collection I recommend grabbing the iPad versions of the games in question (if you own an iPad) because when you play a hard game, you want any advantage you can get and the iPad's larger screen gives you a little more room to work with. However, all of the games listed are available for iPhone and iPod Touch as well.

This week's collection of apps will test your patience in the extreme. The first is the sequel to a game I wrote about in the above-mentioned post. The second is a new game from the popular Stickman genre. The third is an escape game that's not immediately rage-inducing, but once you get into it, you'll quickly recognize why it's part of this collection.

... [Read more]

Squrl gathers content for your video-viewing pleasure

Posted: 11 May 2012 02:41 PM PDT

Do you watch a lot of Internet video? With so much out there to consume, from hot music videos and "SNL" skits to arty Vimeo clips and sports highlights, it's impossible to see everything. But an app that's new to iPhone helps you discover new videos by organizing them into channels you can browse by category, popularity, and Web site.

Browse through video categories to bring up tons of sources for your preferred channels.

(Credit: Screenshot by Jason Parker/CNET)

Squrl Video Discovery, (free) was formerly for iPad only, but now brings the app's wealth of video discovery tools to the iPhone. You can get started by browsing through popular or "Fresh" (new) videos to see the type of content you can watch. But to really get the full experience of Squrl, you should connect with social networks like Facebook and Twitter so you can watch videos posted by your friends and share your favorites with them.

Squrl offers content from several well-known video sites and networks including Netflix, Hulu, Vimeo, YouTube, CollegeHumor, CNN, ESPN, and many more. To manage all these content sources, you can hit a menu button in the upper left to bring up your profile page. You'll be able to view video activity from your friends, look at your video queue, check messages from friends, and search for v... [Read more]

Turntable.fm now playing on Android

Posted: 11 May 2012 02:28 PM PDT

(Credit: Screenshot by Jaymar Cabebe/CNET)

After rocking the eardrums of countless listeners on the Web and iOS, fan-favorite music-streaming app Turntable.fm has made its way onto the Android platform.

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So far, Turntable.fm for Android appears very much like its iOS counterpart, with its hypnotic, head-bobbing avatars, slick buttons, and familiar interface. It makes it easy to listen to tunes in one room while simultaneously browsing through other rooms. And of course, it also lets you share rooms via Facebook, Twitter, or e-mail. Different from the iOS version, though, the Android app lets you log in with Twitter. Also, the Lame/Awesome buttons are now simply thumbs-up/thumbs-down buttons.

Turntable.fm for Android (download) is available now for free download on Google Play. You can sign in and get started spin... [Read more]

How to schedule Google+ posts in Chrome

Posted: 11 May 2012 01:06 PM PDT

(Credit: Google)

If you're a fan of services like HootSuite which let you schedule tweets, Facebook posts, and even LinkedIn notes, then you'll probably like Do Share for Google Chrome, as well. Unfortunately, sites like HootSuite haven't rolled out the ability to schedule posts on Google+ to all of their users. So if you're interested in scheduling a notice about a product launch, a reminder to a friend, or just your random thoughts, Do Share can help you out. 

This browser extension is very simple to install, and even easier to use. Here's how to get started:

Download a copy of Do Share for your Google Chrome browser.

Note: Chrome has to be running, connected to the Internet and logged into Google for Do Share to send posts to Google+, since they are saved in your browser until the scheduled time -- per the notes for the extension.

Step 1: Click then button for the extension on your browser's toolbar, then click on Create new post and then fill in the details of your message.

(Credit: Screenshot by Nicole Cozma/CNET)

Step 2:To adjust which circles will see your post, click on Add more people.

[Read more]

Create ringtones in Windows

Posted: 11 May 2012 10:43 AM PDT

Custom ringtones are yet another way of personalizing your mobile device. With a wide selection, you can set a different alert for each person that contacts you. Another reason to change ringtones is if you're not a fan of any that came with your device (or you're tired of them) and just want to hear something different.

Fried Cookie's Ringtone Maker is a free and awesome application that will allow you to make ringtones for any of today's popular phone brands. Whether you're sporting an Android, BlackBerry, iPhone, or Windows Phone device, this program will be able to convert the audio to the correct format for use. Ringtone Maker isn't overly fancy, but it gets the job done quickly. Here's how to get started:

First you'll need to install a copy of Fried Cookie's Ringtone Maker on your Windows computer.

Drag and drop audio to the application.

(Credit: Screenshot by Nicole Cozma/CNET)

Step 1: Open the application and drag and drop an audio file into the application window.

(Credit: Screenshot by Nicole Cozma/CNET)

Step 2: Adjust the slider to the part of the audio that you want to capture for a ringtone, then tap Next. The length can be adjusted, as well as the placement.

[Read more]

Freeware Friday: Retro remixed

Posted: 11 May 2012 10:00 AM PDT

There once existed a land where DLC (downloadable content) didn't exist and games came on cartridges. The Freeware Crew frequently reminisces about those golden days and we've dug up three titles to bring them back to life on your PC. Check out these 16-bit tributes and kiss your weekend goodbye.



Play as Sonic, Tails, Knuckles...or all 3 at once.

(Credit: Screenshot by Eddie Cho/CNET)

Open Sonic Open Sonic the Hedgehog is an open-source game engine heavily inspired by Sega's Sonic the Hedgehog series. The cooperative game mode allows players to control three characters in a single level, introducing brand-new twists and new strategies for beating up Eggman's baddies. Though there are a few levels included, the Open Sonic community should serve up plenty of custom stages, power-ups, and mods to satisfy your need for speed.


It's Super Mario Bros., Aperture Labs-style.

(Credit: Screenshot by Eddie Cho/CNET)

Mari0 It's the crossover of dreams: Mari0 is a charming remake of the NES classic, fused with the Valve-inspired mechanics of the Portal franchise. Re... [Read more]

Adobe launches Creative Cloud subscription service

Posted: 11 May 2012 09:42 AM PDT

Adobe's pricing for Creative Cloud

(Credit: screenshot by Stephen Shankland/CNET)

Adobe is among the most successful purveyors of boxed software, but today it began a new chapter in its history: the expansion to a $50-per-month subscription service called the Creative Cloud.

Traditionally, Adobe has sold perpetual licenses to products such as Photoshop, Illustrator, Premiere Pro, After Effects, and other members of the Creative Suite. With the Creative Cloud, people get access to the full range of programs -- plus online services and the Touch collection of tablet apps, for a monthly fee.

And Adobe potentially gets access to a more stable revenue stream from customers who don't have to be persuaded to upgrade every couple of years.

"Cloud" branding notwithstanding, the software actually runs locally on a customer's machine after being downloaded. So most usage should be familiar to existing customers.

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Easily remove unwanted objects from photos on Android, iOS

Posted: 11 May 2012 09:28 AM PDT

There are moments when an extra object in a picture can really throw off the balance. Maybe you're on vacation and taking a picture of a building, but street sign shadows or people stopping in front of you for their photo opportunities tend to ruin the shot. Instead of worrying about getting the perfect picture every single time, why not use an app that will help fix any flaws?

TouchRetouch is an app for Android and iOS that will allow you to remove unwanted objects from your photos. Those shadows on the ground? Gone. Poor placement of a finger on the camera lens? No problem. Here's how to get started:

First you'll need to download a copy of TouchRetouch for your Android or iOS device. There is a free version available to try out before deciding to spend on the Pro version. This example will work with the Android flavor of the app, but the two are very similar.

(Credit: Screenshot by Nicole Cozma/CNET)

Step 1: Open TouchRetouch and either take a new picture, or choose one from your Gallery (the app calls this Choose from Folder).

Objects to be removed from picture.

(Credit: Screenshot by Nicole Cozma/CNET) ... [Read more]

Angry Birds maker to launch new title: Amazing Alex

Posted: 11 May 2012 08:05 AM PDT

(Credit: Rovio)

Rovio is preparing to launch a new game to follow its wildly popular Angry Birds franchise.

The company's CEO, Mikael Hed, said in an interview today with Finland's YLE breakfast television show that Rovio will be launching Amazing Alex in two months. The game will feature an educational element as players control a young boy named Alex who enjoys building things.

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That word from Rovio comes after the company acquired the intellectual property rights to Casey's Contraptions, a title developed by Snappy Touch and Mystery Coconut. When users surf to the ... [Read more]

Why Mozilla believes Firefox on Windows RT is a bust

Posted: 11 May 2012 05:41 AM PDT

Mozilla's Asa Dotzler

(Credit: Mozilla)

Technically, Microsoft hasn't banned non-IE browsers in Windows RT, the forthcoming Windows 8 version for machines with ARM processors. But as Mozilla sees it, Microsoft may as well have.

Why? Because Microsoft permits only its own software to use a restricted set of Windows interfaces. This means Firefox and other browsers don't get access to the same application programming interfaces (APIs), which in turn means they don't get the same abilities and will effectively be crippled, said Mozilla spokesman and longtime participant Asa Dotzler.

"Without these APIs, it is not possible to build a modern Web browser," Dotzler told CNET. For example, he said, there is no way to run Web pages' JavaScript fast.

The issue came to a head this week when Mozilla began a publicity campaign intended to persuade Microsoft to accommodate other browsers on Windows RT. Mozilla isn't alone: Google shares its concerns and is a potentially powerful ally.

Opera, which like Mozilla is a veteran of earlier browser wars and lived through years during which Micro... [Read more]

Apple unveiling Google Maps alternative in iOS 6?

Posted: 11 May 2012 05:34 AM PDT

Google Maps on Apple's iOS.

(Credit: Screenshot by Matt Elliot/CNET)

When Apple launches iOS 6 later this year, it may come with a new Maps application, according to a report.

Apple has been secretly developing a Google Maps alternative that it will bundle with iOS 6, Apple enthusiast site 9to5Mac is reporting today, citing "trusted" sources. Dubbed simply Maps, the application will replace Google Maps on the iOS platform and deliver a "much cleaner, faster, and more reliable experience" than its predecessor, according to 9to5Mac.

As with Google Maps, Apple's Maps application will provide driving directions and pinpoint locales on a map, according to 9to5Mac. In addition, it will come with a StreetView-like experience and a 3D mode for viewing places in a more realistic way.

Over the last few years, Apple has been quietly acquiring mapping companies that, 9to5Mac says, are working on the application. A Swedish firm Apple bought last year, called C3 Technologies, has been working on the 3D feature, while its other recent buys, Placebase and Poly9, might have been hard at work on the database, directions, and other features. ... [Read more]

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