Archive for May, 2008
Android, OS 4 and Symbian: Who’s Got Game?
While mobile telephones have yet to approach the capabilities of dedicated gaming platforms like the Sony PSP or Nintendo DS, they nonetheless offer impressive gaming potential. We took a look at the three biggest names in mobile phone firmware – Google’s Android, Apple’s OS 4, and the open-source alternative Symbian. Our goal was to answer one simple question: which mobile operating system is better for mobile gaming?For each system, we looked at two types of games – dedicated and online. Dedicated games are anything written specifically for that platform; these usually need to be purchased, downloaded and installed in order to be enjoyed. Online games are just that – they’re out there on the internet, and users just have to point their phone’s web browser at them in order to play. These web games use either flash or java technology, and can range from simple Tetris clones to real-money casino games like slots, poker, or blackjack.
Android
Released in October of 2008, Google’s Android mobile operating system is based on a Linux kernel. As of early 2010, it is the fourth most popular smartphone platform, at least in the US. The Android OS supports both accelerometer and multi-touch interaction. It offers excellent graphics capabilities, especially when it comes to its 3D rendering potential. Games like the popular HomeRun Battle 3D really show what the device is capable of. Visually, Android games can rival the Nintendo DS, and devices that offer a touch-screen interface make the comparison even more apt.Online gaming on the Android suffers. Its java support is mediocre, and as of yet, it does not support flash, so most online games won’t even run on Android devices. Fortunately, full flash support has been promised with the v2.2 update, due out later this year.
Pros
Excellent graphics capabilities
Multi-touch and accelerometer support
Cons
Lack of available games
Very poor web game support
Apple OS 4
Apple’s upcoming update to their iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch software has been making headlines recently. It offers several great updates to the existing version, most notably its multitasking capabilities.For gamers, however, not much is new. Apple has been shouting about the new Game Center, but users seem less excited. It’s basically a clone of Xbox Live, offering multiplayer gaming over networks. While Apple is in the lead in this department, we will have to wait to see how this pans out.Beyond the new Game Center, OS 4 supports an enormous variety of downloadable games, available through the Apple Apps Store. Many are free, and those that aren’t come very cheap. The variety is outstanding, and the quality is often jaw-dropping, especially when enjoyed on an iPad.As for online gaming, OS 4 fares quite well. Despite its lack of flash, there are many dedicated iPhone games that can be played instantly on the internet. In addition to many 3rd party providers, Apple hosts a huge selection of “official” web apps on its homepage.
Pros
Incredible number of downloadable and web-based games
Multi-touch and accelerometer support
Cons
No flash support (maybe never)
Games can be expensive
Symbian
This open-source smartphone platform has been in development for a while, but its code was just released in February 2010. Nearly half of all smartphones sold are based on the Symbian OS, making it the world’s most popular mobile operating system. Most devices out there still run on older Symbian versions. In fact, at the time of writing this, only one device supports the new Symbian^3 – the Nokia N8. Its touch screen, HD screen and 3D graphics accelerator beg for hardcore games to push its limits. Unfortunately, Symbian is behind the times, and has quite a lot of catching up to do before it can compete with Google or Apple for a top spot in the mobile market. Yes, the numbers are in Symbian’s favor, but if we look at quality over quantity, it comes in last.Oh yeah, games – Symbian offers excellent java support, making it good for web-based games, but since most Symbian devices don’t offer touch screens, they can be cumbersome to play. Dedicated games for the Symbian are rare, and tend to look and play like the best games from five years ago.
Pros
Widespread availability, high device compatibility
Excellent java support makes web gaming easy
Cons
Most phones run old versions
Not much available in the way of download games
The verdict?It’s hard to say. Symbian falls gently into 3rd place, that much is clear, but Apple’s OS 4 and Google’s Android battle hard for the number one spot. Apple definitely has the “wow factor” going for it, and the number of games available is astonishing, but with Android getting flash with the next update, it will offer something that iPhone users have been after for years.
At the end of the day, we are tempted to call Apple OS 4 the winner of the mobile telephone gaming war, but the world moves fast, and Android is catching up fast.
About the Author
“FAST” – iPhone 3D Dogfight Game with Live Multiplayer Action
What Makes High-Definition At Home?
It seems like such an obvious question, high definition on your home TV is just that: high definition, surely you’d be able to spot it?
Apparently not. In the UK, the BVA recently conducted a study which unearthed the surprising fact that six million viewers have been incorrectly using their new high-definition technology.
HDTVs cost hundreds or even thousands, yet many have neglected to purchase the essential set-top boxes and blu-ray players which complete the experience.
These accessories are inexpensive in comparison to the TV but without them its HD potential cannot be unlocked.
The most shocking fact is that many of these people are convinced that they are experiencing high-definition.
There were 9,500 viewers involved in BVA’s fascinating new study. 55% of these were misusing their new equipment by neglecting to buy the accessories.
27% assumed that HDTVs showed all footage in high definition, when only with the appropriate enhancers can they show any HD at all. A further 28% believed that normal DVDs could be viewed in HD on their new TVs, when blu-rays and a blu-ray player are needed for the HD effect.
So, for the 30% of the nation who own HDTVs, only 58% are using them correctly. The other 42% are oblivious to the experiences they’re missing out on.
It appears that many have skipped a vital aisle of their local retailer.
When you get it right, the new technology certainly enhances the image quality, which is 5 times greater than normal. The audio quality is also greatly improved.
High-definition is created with a higher image resolution, meaning that there are more horizontal and vertical lines of light appearing on the screen. More points of light mean more detail and an enhanced viewing experience.
So, to return to the question, what makes high definition?
You’ll need special set-top boxes are required to stream HD TV programmes. The majority of TV providers now offer these boxes as a part of a subscription.
To play blu-ray discs you’ll need a Sony PS3s or blu-ray player, both are now available for under £100.
It is likely that blu-rays will soon replace DVDs, much as they replaced VHS and certainly the climbing numbers of consumers going to buy blu ray or opting for Blu Ray Rental is testament to that.
Blu-rays are superior to HDTV because they have an even higher resolution with a 1080 display. This is more than double the image resolution of a DVD.
The smaller blue laser which reads blu-rays can read much finer detail, meaning that blu-rays can store a huge amount of information. In fact, a blu-ray holds six times more information than a DVD.
Blu-ray players can also read DVDs, so this more antiquated media will still endure for years to come.
However, there are currently many viewers who are unwilling to switch media types due to the very large cost of blu-ray discs.
These consumers may find that online DVD rental sites are the answer to this problem, stocking many blu-ray titles and renting them for the same price as DVDs.
Some also come with DVD rental free trials which make the products even cheaper.
So, high-definition viewers are advised to ensure that they have the required accessories for the high-quality imaging of the future.
As 3D TV is already available, how can we know what digital media waits to confuse us over the next decade.
About the Author
Emily Gorton is a staff writer for an online dvd rental comparison site. The site includes tools to help users to find the best deals based on factors such as the best sites for game rental
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The Next Generation fo Gaming for the PS3 and the Xbox 360
Buy Cheap PS3 – Cheap Playstation 3 Console Bundles
Playstation 3 was launched in the US on November 11, 2006, and they literally sold by themselves. Even though they weren’t that cheap, the sale numbers went to the skies, fans wanting to get their hands on the first wave of consoles. All this being said, there’s no doubt about it, the PS3 was one of the most demanded electronic devices in 2007and 2008.
Now things have changed a little bit, as the PS3 is now available only through auction websites or from independent vendors. Finding a cheap PS3 is not about only pre-ordering just like that.
Pre-ordering was the easiest way to get your hands on a PS3, when they would come out in November. Normally there would be only one console per order, and that was not good for some, as some want to make presents and one for themselves.
The payment would be upfront when the console would be picked up from the store of choice or by down payment. On the release day, the console would be set aside and guaranteed to be picked up.
But even with all these, some people were unable to jump on the boat of pre-order or the prices for pre-pay and pre-order were a little too high for their tastes and they had to find other means for obtaining a console.
Craigslist is one of the means of finding a local vendor, people who intend to trade or sell the console or just don’t want it no more. Getting a new or a second-hand PS3 is almost the same, as the console came out in 2007 and not that many tweaks were done.
It’s a lot of fun to auction for one on Amazon or eBay, and sometimes you can practice for auctioning big stuff. But if you are new to auctioning, you should first learn how things go and take a tutorial on how to get the cheapest prices on stuff that may catch your attention. But sometimes you need to find re-sellers that are trustworthy, don’t just jump on the first offer you find.
You need to consider your budget when buying; many times offers are not always cheap. And sometimes auction websites may require you to overbid to win the auction and you get stuck with paying more than the PS3 actually costs.
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Click here to learn where to buy cheap PS3 online. Discover the best site to buy cheap Ps3 Bundle.
New 160gb PS3 Bundle
PS3 Light Fix – Read More
The Yellow Light of Death (YLOD) can be one of the most annoying encounters on a PS3. That PS3 that you spent hundreds of dollars on is now defective. But, of cause like other electronics, the PS3 can be fixed, with a little time and patience. Just follow along with me and I will do my best to sort out how to fix the Yellow Light of Death.
Here are some tips below on how to fix the Yellow Light of Death now:
* Turn off your PS3 for at least 20 minutes (to allow it to cool down), then turn it on again
* Check for any loose cables
* Take out your PS3′s hard drive and put it back in (this may need to be done a couple of time)
You can also try the options below:
1) Send the PS3 back to Sony for repair - This option may seem like the easiest, but it isn’t. Because most PS3′s suffer the YLOD outside warranty period (only one year), you will have to fork out $150 US, plus postage. And not to mention the 4-6 weeks waiting period.
2) Repair it by yourself - This option is by far the most efficient, safest and easiest option out of the two. You can have your Yellow Light of Death repaired and the PS3 up and running in under an hour, with the right guide and equipment.
The benefits for this are:
- A safe method
- An easy method
- You WON’T lose your data (Sony whips the data off your PS3 while repairing it)
- The cheapest way
Another great benefit about repairing the Yellow Light of Death yourself, is that you won’t have to wait for weeks, in fact. It’s high likely that you’ll be done within 1 day or even within 1 hour. This method has been performed by many people across the PS3 world, so why not give it a try?
So if you want the Yellow Light of Death on your PS3 to be repaired quickly and cheaply, you should do it yourself with the help from a repair guide. For more information on “PS3 Light Fix” Click Here, Act Now
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Ps3 Hard Drive Failure and YLOD
Can the Ps3 Slim help Sony win the console war?
Sony has been successful with its venture into home video game systems. The ps1 and ps2 were both monumental in sales and changed the game in Sony’s favour.
The current console generation is described as the 7th generation of consoles. Sony made its offering: The Playstation 3 on November 11 2006. Later than Nintendo’s Wii and Microsofts XBOX 360 which had both already made massive gains in the market.
Unfortunately so far the PS3 has not met the same success as both the playstation and playstation 2.
However advocated of the PS3 tout its superior technology. The PS3 for one is the only console to contain a blu-ray drive. This brings high capacity, high definition movies and games to the machine. Another benefit is connectivity with the PSP and inbuilt wireless internet access. The playsation network is also free whereas Microsoft charge a yearly subscription for its online service.
The PS3 and xbox have many similar games. Both have exclusives too but these are becoming less. Popular games like Call of Duty appear on both systems.
One factor in this console war must be the rise of casual gaming from the likes of the Wii, which has really changed the game. Now women and other non traditional game players are attracted by systems that offer easy to pick up titles and basic but fun gameplay.
Both the XBOX and PS3 are to bring out motion controls to presumably capture some of this casual market.
Now Sony has fought back with a new edition of its popular console: the PS3 slim. The slim has a larger 120GB hard drive, sleek 33% and 36% lighter body and was considerably reduced in price at launch.
The slim has started selling very well, selling over a million units in its first three weeks. Perhaps then this is the start of a new rise for the Playstation once again. It must be said the many people who were waiting for a slim model or price reduction now have it. So those on the fence now have a reason to buy.
Only time will tell who will win this current console war. Will casual gaming conquer or will the Xbox win slowly but surely. Or will the underdog – the Playstation rise up and take victory once again!
About the Author
Jessica Andrews has many interests in various internet niche’s. She runs the successful Juicyfashion, the best place to find information about a juicy couture outlet and toy guitar
PS3 Slim Review (120 GB)