(Credit: Screenshot by Jason Parker/CNET)

Most of the time I put together an iOS app collection of the week, but on the momentous occasion of classic console game Pitfall's 30th anniversary (was it really 1982?), I'm going to take a deeper dive into the completely remade game.

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Many old-school gamers will remember Pitfall, a must-have on the Atari 2600, in which you would run and jump over obstacles and use your whip to swing across chasms.

The new version of the game still requires your best hand-eye coordination, but now it is completely 3D and offers a different experience with much more to discover.

If you were ever a classic-console-game fanatic or like escape games like Temple Run, you should check out my review of Pitfall.

[Read more]

(Credit: Facebook)

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Facebook has made a lot of changes over the past couple of years. We've seen new features get added, while others died off. We've seen new games get added and take over most of our Timelines. And we've also seen Facebook pick settings for us that we can't seem to change by default because the options just aren't there.

Well, enough of that.

If you're like me, you find keeping track of family and friends on Facebook much easier when the posts are in chronological order. Facebook obviously disagree... [Read more]

TouchWiz vs. Quick Launch on the Samsung Galaxy S III.

(Credit: Screenshot by Nicole Cozma/CNET)

You may be familiar with the TouchWiz shortcuts on Samsung Android devices -- well Quick Launch is similar in how it works, but not how it looks. Instead, this lock-screen replacement is bit more modern than TouchWiz, which means it pairs nicely with the Ice Cream Sandwich/Jelly Bean design style.

Since you're going to be using the lock screen each time you pick up your phone, it may as well be something you like to look at. In addition to looking good, the lock screen should have added functionality that compliments the many features of your actual device.

Getting started

Before you grab a copy of Quick Launch, make sure you're running on Android 2.1 or higher. This can be done by pressing the Menu button from your Home screen and then going into the Settings > About phone (or device) area and checking the area labeled "Android version" (it may also be called "Software version").

Also, you may be wondering about security features like a PIN or pattern to access your device. Fortunately, these can still be used before the lock screen is granted access to any of your settings or applications.

Setup and custom... [Read more]

(Credit: Screenshot by Lance Whitney/CNET)

The term "Metro" is officially verboten as the name for Microsoft's Windows 8 interface. The question is: why?

The folks in Redmond recently revealed that the term is off limits, at first claiming it was just a code name but then apparently fessing up that the dumping of Metro was due to legal reasons.

As described by ZDNet columnist Mary Jo Foley, Microsoft seemed to run into brand name issues with a European partner called Metro Group. And apparently Microsoft was unable or simply disinclined to resolve those issues.

The ban on the term "Metro" is more problematic than it sounds.

It affects not only Microsoft itself but also device makers, developers, publishers, and a slew of others involved in Windows 8. All of these parties now have to rewrite their apps and documentation and any other content caught using the word Metro. It also renders obsolete not just a term but a concept that Microsoft had heavily touted.

"Metro is our design language. We call it Metro because it's modern and clean. It's fast and in motion. It's about content and typography. And it's entire authentic" -- that was how Microsoft saw and promoted Metro. Despite ... [Read more]