The Best PSP Games Of 2011

This year 2011, its being said to be the year of demise for the PSP.  Why? the PSP had a good half year, good game releases, but mid 2011 marked the date of the possible death of PSP: yep slow game releases, and so the disinterest of playing PSP games has grown. And now with all the rumors about the Vita more the reason for the PSP to make way for the future of handheld gaming.  So, Vita will dominate the portable gaming market coming 2012 and probably some years to come.

Here are the best releases I found this year for the PSP:

1. Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 2 Innocent Sin is a turn-based Role-Playing Game (RPG) for PlayStation Portable. It is the last of the existing Japanese Persona games to be released in North America. Innocent Sin is a port of this 1999 game originally released for PlayStation that together with Persona 2: Eternal Punishment are sequels to the original game in the Persona series, Revelations: Persona. The game features addictive single player RPG gameplay, powerful "Personas" that are aspects of character's personalities manifested in magic based abilities, party based combat, random battles, a range of improvements over the original Sony gaming console release and the ability to alter the realities of the game by spreading rumors to non-player characters encountered.

2. Dissidia 012 [duodecim] Final FantasyCosmos, the goddess of harmony. Chaos—god of discord. Two divine powers locked in an endless struggle, each seeking to reign supreme.Long has the world played stage to their violent conflict, now at peace, now teetering on the verge of annihilation, but never for a moment striking a balance between the two.The scars of war run deep across the realm. And still these battles rage on, a tempest the eons cannot quell.The divine conflict between harmony and discord rages on, the fate of the world its promised prize. Fighting to secure it are brave souls summoned for that solitary purpose. These warriors, relying on what fragments of their shattered memories remain, fight to end the conflict - and for a chance to return home, to the worlds they each once knew.

3. In Tactics Ogre: Let Us Cling Together, you will experience a lost tale of political intrigue, conquest, and rebellion. It is your choices through a branching storyline that determine the fate of the Walister Resistance, characters in the game, and the story as a whole. Your rebellion is enhanced with reworked visuals, effects, a re-arranged soundtrack by the original composers, new character growth mechanics, and a new Wheel of Fortune system that adds even more replay value to the game. Get ready for an evolved "tactics" gameplay experience on the PSP! The creators of Final Fantasy Tactics bring you the next evolution in Tactics games from Square Enix in Tactics Ogre: Let Us Cling Together! A dream team lead by Yasumi Matsuno has reunited to bring a perfect vision of their lost tale of political intrigue, conquest, and rebellion to vivid life. Experience an epic story where your choices determine the fate of the Walister Resistance. Order Tactics Ogre: Let Us Cling Together today!

4. Patapon 3 is a Music-Rythym game with light strategy and RPG elements for PlayStation Portable (PSP) that challenges players in the role of the godhead of the rhythmic oriented Patapons to save the tribe from an all-new scourge that has been unleashed upon them. The third release in the PSP exclusive Patapon franchise, Patapon 3 features a deeper campaign mode than earlier releases, as well as eight-player support via a local ad-hoc wireless connection as well as over the Internet. In addition, players can expect co-op quest and capture the flag modes, improved character customization and select text chat functionality.


5. The 3rd Birthday - Hideous creatures descend on Manhattan. Ground reports from the squad tasked with containing the pandemonium refer to these life forms as "the Twisted." An investigatory team known as the CTI is formed within the year. The Overdive system emerges as a means of opposition, but only one viable candidate exists - Aya Brea. A gift as she awakens from a lost past on this, the occasion of her third birth. Take control of Aya Brea, the indomitable heroine from the Parasite Eve® series, in a visually stunning third-person shooter RPG. As the world rests on the brink of destruction by a horrific enemy known as "the Twisted," Aya remains the only candidate able to change the events of the past and save humanity from extinction.

6. The Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky is the first of a new trilogy in the established The Legend of Heroes RPG series. A highly detailed 3D world, beautiful original soundtrack, and unique strategic battle system showcase production values a generation beyond the previous iteration. An epic story about preserving the peace against all odds spanning over 50 hours of gameplay, with numerous optional side quests, makes this the biggest adventure ever available on a handheld system.


7. ModNation Racers is a kart style racing game for PlayStation Portable (PSP) designed to provide gamers on the go with the same outstanding gameplay found in the PS3 version. The game features all the track-based driving and comic combat players relish in the kart racing genre, blended with extreme customization, and online sharing of user generated content expected of a modern online multiplayer title. Additional features included a single player career mode with 25+ crazy tracks, the PSP exclusive Last Kart Standing Mode and 6-racer multiplayer support via online or local ad-hoc wireless connections.

Paper Toss 2.0 Review

• Version: 1.0.1
• Release Date: Dec 8, 2011
• Price Purchased: Free
• Seller: Backflip Studios

Paper Toss 2.0 is actually the third entry into the popular series about throwing crumpled up pieces of paper into a trashcan. It’s the official sport of bored office peons worldwide, and who can blame them? You can get sucked into this activity for hours before you notice it’s time to get back to work. Playing on your phone just means less mess and less of a chance that your boss will get angry.
The core game has changed little from previous iterations. You must flick a ball of paper towards a trashcan while taking the wind direction (via office fan) into consideration. There’s no set start and end to the game, since you’re scored based on the number of consecutive shots you can make at any given time. Each of the six levels has different features, such as various trashcan distances, moving trashcans, employees to hit, bonus baskets, and more.

Another unproductive day at the office.

What makes Paper Toss 2.0 a cut above other free minigames is the wide variety of objects to be thrown, each with unique traits and physics. Some balls bounce off the environment, others (such as the tomato) splatter, bananas spin like a boomerang, and the list goes on. These items are unlocked with paper points, the in-game currency. Points can easily be unlocked by scoring. Making a basket in harder levels and special baskets, such as cups on desks, awards more paper points. There’s also an option to pay real money for bulk points, but doing so takes all the fun out of earning them, and frankly, they’re quite easy to get.
Paper points can also be used to buy power-ups. The problem with these is that they require far too many points for a one-time use with little return. For example, one power-up makes the basket bigger for your next throw and another turns off the fan for a single turn. The only power-up we found to be useful was rewind, which allows you to redo a missed shot when you’re on a streak.

Are you sure this is in my contract?

Did we mention that Paper Toss 2.0 is absolutely free? You’ll never have to pay a dime if you don’t want to. There are ads during gameplay along the top of the screen, but they’re unobtrusive. If you prefer them gone, a $.99 purchase will remove all ads from the game.
Also, GameCenter leaderboards mean you can still face off against fellow employees and friends. The flaw in these leaderboards is that they aren’t separated by object. Considering that each object behaves differently, this can skew the boards.
Download Paper Toss 2.0 with confidence. It’s a classic time waster gone digital, a major upgrade over the original, and best of all, it's free. Now go get your paper tossing on.
via : Slidetoplay 

Trenches II Review

 

• Version: 1.0.0
• Release Date: Dec 15, 2011
• Price Purchased: $0.99
• Seller: Electronic Arts Inc.

You've got to appreciate the originality of a war game that avoids the overdone wars. This isn't WWII, and it isn't Vietnam. This is the Great War, World War I, when soldiers dove into trenches to avoid enemy fire. For those not familiar with the Trenches series, this is the second official sequel but third in the series. Stenches, a spinoff of the main franchise, focused on the "what if" scenario of WWI soldiers versus zombies, but Trenches 2 expands on the original Trenches.
The war rages across Europe, and you're in charge. The game map is less linear than in previous games. You pick the missions to fight, causing the map to branch out in various directions.
Each level will look similar. You start in a bunker on one end, and the enemy starts at the other. The goal is usually to reach and destroy your enemy's bunker, but there are scenarios that will involve other objectives. Your enemies will also vary, depending on which army you control. You have the option of British, German, or French armies, each with their own specialties.

The inspiration for Spielberg's War Horse.

Your army is also varied, and you will need to learn which troops to use. You have your basic infantry, but you can also order machine gunners, snipers, and medics. You can also call in bombing runs or mustard gas attacks from above. Of course, all of these will require resources to "summon," so managing these resources will require your constant attention.
Once you're winning battles, you earn perk points, which you can spend to unlock new troops and upgrade your existing ones. As you can only have seven troop types per battle, you'll have to customize your army for each level. In case you haven't noticed, Trenches II will give you lots of options. You have control over how you play, but not the game itself.

He seems to enjoy his work.

For a game called Trenches, there are surprisingly few of them. This is important to note, because trenches are vital to your army's survival. Your Engineer can upgrade trenches into bunkers, and new troops will roll out from the closest bunker. Fewer trenches means more difficulty in keeping your army alive, which means that, no matter which difficulty level you choose, you're going to be fighting an uphill battle. Trenches II pulls no punches, and you will be stopping battles mid-fight to start over and rethink your strategy.
The biggest problem with Trenches II is the interface. On the iPhone's smaller screen, we ran into some issues. You command your army by tapping and drawing, but looking up and down the field requires constantly dragging your finger from side to side. It is also difficult when you have several troops in one spot, as selecting one particular troop is nearly impossible. The game works well, but the interface isn't perfect. There is an iPad version available, though.

Bringing out the big guns.

There's also a problem with the tutorial. It's a rushed, frantic mess that barely conveys enough information for you to feel comfortable. The text seems to rush by, and you'll have to learn advanced controls on the battlefield.
There is also a problem when buying new troops. There is no explanation of how each troop works, so you simply have no choice buy to spend your perk points and learn on the fly. Each troop type has their own custom actions and range of fire, but the game gives you none of that information.
Despite its flaws, Trenches is an addictive game that requires more than throwing a dozen soldiers at your enemy. Its cartoony facade may be misleading, as this game requires strategy and quick wits. The best part is that no matter how you play, you can always try again with a new plan.

via:Slidetoplay

How to give an app as a gift

Searching around for some last-minute holiday gifts? If you’ve got any iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch users left on your list, an app might be just the gift they’re looking for. To gift an app, simply open the App Store on your desktop computer or own iDevice, and find the app you’d like to send out. On the desktop, click on the downward-facing arrow next to the app price, and choose “Gift This App”, or if you’re on an iOS device, simply scroll to the bottom of the individual app’s page—if necessary—and tap on “Gift This App”. You’ll be taken to a page where you can enter the recipient’s email, a personal message, and choose whether to have the gifted app delivered by email or—if you’re on a desktop—via a physical page that you can print out and hand to the recipient yourself.  Just make sure you don’t send the app to new owners until after they’ve opened their iOS device.
via:iLounge 

Ego & Company debut USB Case for iPhone 4/4S

Ego & Company has debuted its new USB Case for the iPhone 4 and iPhone 4S. The second model in the company’s Ego Hybrid series, the USB Case is a snap-style hard case offering a removable USB stick in 2, 4, 8, 16, or 32GB capacities that’s integrated into the back of the case when not in use. Ego & Company’s USB Case for the iPhone 4 and iPhone 4S will come in five colors; pricing and availability information has yet to be released.
via :iLounge 

LogMeIn releases free basic version, updates Ignition

Popular remote desktop service LogMeIn has released a new free version of its remote control app for iOS devices. LogMeIn is a free service that allows users to easily access their PC or Mac remotely from another computer via a web browser without requiring advanced configuration of proxies and firewalls. Although the basic computer-to-computer service has always been free, the company’s original iOS application, LogMeIn Ignition provided more advanced features from the iOS platform and sold on the App Store for $30
LogMeIn has now released a new, free version of the iOS app providing basic remote desktop access for any computer configured in the user’s LogMeIn account; a $40/year subscription to LogMeIn Pro can be purchased directly within the app which basically unlocks the features of the paid LogMeIn Ignition app. Pro features include the ability to transfer files between the remote computer and the iOS device and online storage services such as Dropbox as well as printing from the remote computer to any AirPrint compatible printer and streaming HD video and sound from the remote computer. These features are also available at no additional charge from the free app when connecting to a remote computer for which the user has already purchased a LogMeIn Pro subscription. LogMeIn is available from the App Store as a free download.
The original LogMeIn Ignition app has now been renamed to “Ignition” and has been updated with HD video and sound streaming and My Cloud Bank. The App Store price of Ignition has also been increased to $100, however Ignition provides access to Pro features from the iOS device for remote computers on LogMeIn Free plans and does not require an annual subscription fee.

 via ; iLounge

Apple starts shipping iPod nano 6G units as 1G replacements

Apple has started to send out sixth-generation iPod nano units to customers participating in the Replacement Program for the first-generation iPod nano. One iLounge editor yesterday received a silver sixth-generation unit as a replacement for a first-generation unit via the Replacement Program, a change from earlier replacement units, which appeared to be refurbished first-generation models. The shift to newer replacements will likely thrill many customers, but for collectors, it may be cause for hesitation, as it has yet to be seen whether Apple will once again start to send out first-generation replacements as they receive the faulty units. Apple launched the replacement program last month as a way to deal with potential safety risks caused by faulty batteries. 

via : iLounge 

Wahoo Fitness intros Blue HR heart rate monitor

Wahoo Fitness has introduced its new Blue HR heart rate monitor for the iPhone 4S and other devices. Using Bluetooth 4.0 Smart technology, the Blue HR wirelessly provides real-time heart rate readings on the iPhone 4S via compatible apps, including MapMyFitness, RunKeeper, and Motion X. Wahoo Fitness’ Blue HR heart rate monitor for the iPhone 4S and other Bluetooth 4.0 devices will be available in January 2012 and will sell for $80.
via :iLounge 

Evernote releases Skitch for iPad

Evernote has released Skitch for iPad, an iOS adaptation of the popular annotation and drawing app, Evernote Skitch for Mac. Skitch for iPad allows users to import photos from the iOS photo library or capture them with the iPad 2 camera and then annotate and markup the photos with integrated drawing tools. Skitch also recognizes recently-captured screenshots from the photo library and places them in a separate category for quick access and provides an integrated web browser and map view to allow users to easily take snapshots of web pages and maps that can then be marked up and saved in the same manner as any other stored image. Skitch includes a variety of touchscreen-optimized drawing tools including a finger tool for manipulating drawn objects, a freehand pencil tool, arrow and shape tools as well as text annotation and cropping options. Drawings and annotations are automatically saved within the Skitch for iPad app but can also be saved directly into Evernote or shared via Twitter or e-mail; AirPlay mirroring is also fully supported on the iPad 2 allowing drawings to be displayed on a larger screen via an Apple TV. Skitch for iPad requires iOS 5.0 or later and is available from the App Store as a free download. AirPlay and camera features require an iPad 2. An iPhone version is currently under development.

 via : iLounge

German Court Unlikely to Award Apple Injunction Against Galaxy Tab 10.1N

Last month, Samsung released a revised Galaxy Tab 10.1N design in Germany in hopes of avoiding an injunction barring the sale of the device under its original design over claims of infringement from Apple.



Samsung's Galaxy Tab 10.1N
Arguing that the design changes did not go far enough, Apple quickly filed suit in an attempt to bar the new design as well. But according to Bloomberg, the judge in the new case does not seem inclined to support such an injunction, giving customers credit for being able to distinguish between the devices.

The Dusseldorf court that banned sales of the Galaxy 10.1 on Sept. 9 is unlikely to grant Apple an injunction against the Galaxy 10.1N, Presiding Judge Johanna Brueckner-Hofmann said at a hearing today. Samsung has changed the device’s design sufficiently to distance it from the iPad, she said, adding that the view is preliminary. [...]

“Consumers are well aware that there is an original and that competitors try to use similar designs, so buyers are vigilant when looking at products,” Brueckner-Hofmann said. “We don’t think that someone buys a Samsung to make his table neighbor at the coffee house believe he owns an iPad.”

A final decision on Apple's request is scheduled to be released on February 9.

After several early wins in its efforts to bar sales of Samsung's tablet devices, the tide has begun to turn against Apple in a number of locations. In Australia, where an injunction against the Galaxy Tab 10.1 has been lifted, Samsung is now using the legal fight to promote its device, calling the Galaxy Tab "the tablet Apple tried to stop".
via: Macrumors 

iPhone Sales Strong in U.S., U.K. and Australia, Weaker in Much of Europe

Reuters reports on new data from research firm Kantar Worldpanel showing strong sales for the iPhone over the last three months in the United States, United Kingdom, and Australia, driven by the debut iPhone 4S. The company has, however, seen weaker sales in much of continental Europe in the face of economic difficulties and strong competition.

"In Great Britain, the U.S. and Australia, Apple's new iPhone continues to fly off the shelf in the run-up to Christmas. However, this trend is far from universal," said Dominic Sunnebo, global consumer insight director.

Apple's market share in the 12 weeks to end-November rose to 36 percent in the United States from 25 percent a year earlier and in Britain to 31 percent from 21 percent, Kantar said.

However, in France its share slipped to 20 percent from 29 percent and in Germany to 22 percent from 27 percent. Similar drops were seen in Italy and Spain.

The iPhone 4S debuted midway through the reporting period in most of the countries mentioned, although it did launch two weeks later in Italy and Spain. Consumer demand for the iPhone eased in the months leading up to the debut of the iPhone 4S amid high anticipation, but sales obviously surged with the release of the new hardware.

Kantar Worldpanel also reports its data as market share, and with the global smartphone market growing extremely quickly, iPhone sales are likely still rising in countries where Apple's market share has dropped due to the influx of Android-based devices from a variety of manufacturers.


For the holiday quarter, Apple is projecting blockbuster revenue and earnings, with analysts pushing their iPhone estimates for the quarter into the range of 30 million units. That performance would shatter Apple's current record for iPhone sales of just over 20 million units sold during the second calendar quarter of this year.
 via : Macrumors

WD TV Owners Can Now Use iDevice As Remote Via New iOS App

Western Digital’s WD TV Live and Live Hub media players now offer iOS integration thanks to the new WD TV Remote App. The new app allows users to turn their iPhone, iPad or iPod touch into a touch screen remote that supports both gestures and on screen controls.

The new app functions much like Roku’s recent app, whose current rating in by iTunes users is rather lackluster. By integrating iOS capabilities into their products both Roku and Western Digital appeal to Apple fans who may be choosing between Apple TV, with its native Remote, and another product. (Notably, Apple’s Remote also controls iTunes). All three of these apps are available to download for free from iTunes.
Why bother using an iDevice as a remote when you get a perfectly good remote along with your set-top box? Not only is an iDevice less likely to get lost — probably because it’s practically always in your hand already — but using an iOS remote app adds additional functions that traditional push button remotes can’t offer. The WD TV Remote App organizes all of the user’s services in one place. The app also allows users to access a full keyboard, which is a boon to anyone who seeks relief from the frustrating experience of painstakingly arrowing through the alphabet to type in a lengthy title, e.g. Marcel the Shell With Shoes On.
WD TV Live and Live Hub owners are now also able to access the VUDU movie streaming service through their set-top boxes in addition to perennial faves such as Netflix, Hulu Plus, Pandora, and even Spotify.
[via The Verge]

MAME Arcade Emulator for iPad and iPhone now Available in App Store

Emulators often don’t last long in Apple’s App Store, but it seems one has managed to slip through the cracks. iMAME’s emulation app will allow you to run thousands of classic arcade titles, provided you have access to original ROMs.
If you’re unfamiliar with Multiple Arcade Machine Emulator or (MAME) it is an emulator that is designed to recreate the hardware of arcade game systems with the software of modern personal computers. It exists to preserve gaming history and to prevent vintage games from becoming lost and forgotten. And of course, as an added bonus, the emulator allows you to play those old games.
iMAME, which is universal and available on the iPad, iPhone, and iPod Touch, comes equipped with nine less than memorable classic games: Circus, Crash, Fire One, Hard Hat, Robot Bowl, Side Track, Spectar, Star Fire, and Targ.
The appeal of the app isn’t the games that it comes with, but what can potentially be added. There are a few methods that will allow iMAME users to load ROMs of thousands of older games, a feature that is sure to get it pulled from the App Store in a short amount of time. Some sites are reporting that the app may be compatible with the iCade, which would make that peripheral a whole lot more useful.
If you are a gamer, this is one app that you will want to download as soon as possible, just in case it gets yanked from the App Store when Apple realizes what it is. You may have some time, since many App Store employees are off for the week. iMAME is free, so you’ve got nothing to lose.

Super Street Fighter II, one of the many retro games MAME supports 
via :Padgadget 

Download M.U.S.E. for iPad for a Console-Like Shooter Game Experience

M.U.S.E., the highly anticipated over-the-shoulder shooter from Lab Rats Studio is available for download in the App Store as of this morning. This Unity-powered title rises above its competition with incredible graphics, solid cover-shooting controls, and a fast-paced scoring system that encourages action-packed destruction.
As with most games of this type, the plot line isn’t groundbreaking, but it does the job. You play as Sid Tripp, the rough and tough agent for M.U.S.E, a government organization. You will use an arsenal of weapons to hunt down and eliminate an army of cyborgs, controlled by an evil villain who wants to take over the world.
In the game, the left half of the screen is used to move (when holding a finger on the iPad) and the right half is used to aim and move the camera. It’s a good system that other shooters have used, and it’s well-implemented here.
There are buttons for rolling, crouching, and shooting (tap activated), which are well placed and easy to access. Health, weapons, and ammo are displayed at the top of the screen, and reloading weapons can be done by hitting the weapon bar.
Combat action is fast paced and fun, thanks to chained destructions and combo points that increase your score. When shooting, your target locks on to enemy units, which makes shooting much easier. You can turn this off in the options menu for more of a challenge.
Unlike most shooters, your health does not regenerate. Instead, there’s a syringe you can tap on the screen to restore some health and to increase movement. This is okay, but I prefer the faster pace of regeneration, especially since the syringe regenerates health anyways. Why make me hit a button when baseline health regeneration would accomplish the same goal?

During the game, you get plenty of weaponry, though you will need to crouch behind objects to avoid enemy fire and time your attacks. Crouching behind objects isn’t fool proof, so you’ll need to make use of the multidirectional rolls as well.
The game is linear and episode based. Between each level, you are able to upgrade your equipment and skills using credits. If levels aren’t earning you enough currency, you can use real cash to beef up your abilities.
With Game Center integration, you can rack up points and challenge your friends to beat your score and earn 20 in game achievements for Game Center points. M.U.S.E. supports iCloud saving so you can play it on multiple devices, and if you’re running iOS 5 you can use Airplay mirroring with your HDTV and Apple TV to play on the big screen.
We’re well into the holidays now, and most of you have some time off from work and school. If you’re looking for a good way to spend that time, M.U.S.E. likely won’t disappoint.

What I liked: I was appreciative that I could easily fast forward through cut scenes or skip them entirely. I’m an impatient gamer, so I’m glad that I could skip Sid’s not-so-unique story.
What I didn’t like: There weren’t enough checkpoints in the game to prevent me from having to unnecessarily replay content due to one errant dive or wrong maneuver. thought they were placed slightly too far apart, which led to some frustration. Grenades also seemed to have too wide of a blast radius.
To buy or not to buy: The RPG-style character enhancements and fast paced action make M.U.S.E. a game that you won’t want to miss.

• App Name: M.U.S.E.
• Version Reviewed: 1.0
• Category: Games
• Developer: Lab Rats Studio
• Price: $5.99
• Score:  
• via:Padgadget

Happy Christmas, Android style (video)

The Google Android team have posted a Happy Holidays video on YouTube for all fans of the operating system, and to, perhaps, counter Apple's Santa using Siri advert.
Yep, the big, jolly fellow himself appears, wandering through the company headquarters at Mountain View, seemingly happy with his Galaxy Nexus and appearing alongside genuine employees. It's enough to make you feel all festive, and that.
Of course, it does prove that, when it comes to mobile devices and operating systems, Santa is a tech slut. He is as fickle as he is rotund.
Next up, we'll see him Bing-searching for sleigh parts on his Nokia Lumia 800. Probably.
via :Pocket-lint 

Spotify for BlackBerry drops beta tag, gains officialdom

If you're rocking a BlackBerry and fancy a bit of official Spotify action this Christmas then you're in luck, as Spotify for BlackBerry has left the preview stage and is now a bona fide official product.
We should say "if you're rocking an old BlackBerry" actually - as the only devices that are officially supported at the moment are the Bold 9780, the Bold 9700, the Curve 9300, the Bold 9000 and the Curve 8520.
Exactly. Don't bother wasting your time looking for a 2011 release in that list - you won't find one.
However, a couple of CrackBerry readers have claimed to have got the app up and running on more modern BlackBerry handsets such as the Bold 9900 and the Torch 9800, so you could always give it a whirl on your handset.
Spotify does specifically state though that "currently the app only supports phones running on GSM networks" and that "CDMA-network phones and the Torch 9800 are not compatible", so it might be a bit hit and miss.
If you do get it working you will need to cough up for a Spotify Premium account too - although a Spotify Premium free trial has landed in time for Christmas.
If you are going to give it a go, just hit m.spotify.com to download the free Spotify app.
Via: spotify.com Via: crackberry.com

Credit Crunch Christmas: Grand Theft Auto 3 iPhone app price slash

The Grand Theft  Auto 3 app for the iPhone has seen a price drop with the price being slashed by a pound, dropping from £2.99 to £1.99.
It has revamped graphics, some new character models and customised controls for the iPhone's touchscreen. The new release of Grand Theft Auto on the iPhone has seen some really positive reviews - and for this price it is certainly a must for any fan of the original.
But apart from the ace gameplay and top visuals, the thing that really made GTA 3 great was the classic audio and you'll be pleased to hear that the original soundtrack is present in all its glory - jingles and all.
We've given it a thorough going over in our recent App of the Day slot, so head over there now, read the review, and then grab yourself a bargain from the App Store.
via:Pocket-lint

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 DLC hitting Xbox LIVE in January

Soldiers - lock, load and look lively as the first downloadable content for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 has been announced. It will be hitting Xbox LIVE on 24 January, with Call of Duty Elite members getting first dibs.
"Today we informed the Call of Duty Elite Premium community that the Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 Elite Content Season will officially kick off on January 24 for Xbox users," said an Activision spokesperson. "We'll have more details about the entire 2012 MW3 Content Season in early January, so stay tuned for updates."
PS3 gamers will have to wait for now, it seems.
Infinity Ward creative strategist Robert Bowling has highlighted that the MW3 DLC may be a bit different to what gamers might be expecting. "The way we're doing downloadable content this year is unlike we've never done before," he said.
"Not only in how you can get it - in content drops or choose for the collection - but also the type of content you're getting. We're doing more than just maps. We're going to do Spec Ops missions and a variety of things that players have never seen before.
Bowling stated that, as well as Infinity Ward, Sledgehammer and Raven will also be "pitching in".
The last part in developer Infinity Ward's FPS trilogy, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3, is officially the fastest selling entertainment product of all time. It hit $1 billion worth of sales in 16 days, beating records held by Avatar and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part Two. The title had also broken some records by taking $400 million in less than 24 hours after launch.

Via: computerandvideogames.com

Digital Silence DS-321D noise cancelling headphones review

Headphones, or more accurately in the case of the Digital Silence DS-321D, earphones, with noise cancellation technology are nothing especially new. But the technology continues to improve, and more importantly they are getting less bulky and consume less power.
But style is nothing without performance, so we need to establish how good the DS-321Ds are at filtering the nonsense of travel and other unwanted noise. So we put these earphones to the test, because, as they say, silence is golden.

Design

Physically, the Digital Silence headphones are small and easily portable. The earphones are a pretty standard design, and to look at them alone, you'd never know these are noise cancelling headphones. There's an iPhone compatible microphone and control button attached to the cable too, and it hangs down to just below your jawline during use.

A little further down the cable, you'll find a small box with a belt clip on the back. It's very compact though, and weighs virtually nothing. This is important, as to carry around a large box to handle the noise cancelling is annoying. There's a single switch to turn the noise cancellation on, and a small button marked "monitor".
Pressing this monitor button mutes your music, and gives you a way to hear what's going on around you. This is handy if you're on a plane, and the air host wants to know if you need more Gin, and pretty useful if your significant other needs to urgently ask you if you've taken the washing out of the machine.
The monitor button means you don't have to pause your music, which is handy, and when you turn off your noise cancellation, your music won't stop, because the DS-321Ds work fine, even when they aren't cancelling noise around you.

Good sound quality

Musically, when connected to a decent audio source, the Digital Silence DS-321Ds perform very nicely indeed. We tested with a Nokia Lumia 800 and an iPod touch.
As always, there are some things to remember. The Nokia has quite a flat default EQ output. So that means that these earphones sound a bit flat with it. That's not a failing of either device. Indeed, it could be seen as a strength, because it means the audio reproduction is faithful, with the earphones adding none of their own "colour".
With the iPod, which has customisable EQ settings, we were able to tune the music to our taste a little more. For us, that meant a little push on the low end, and a slight reduction in the highs. But there are no problems here, and the sound was delightful, with lots of bass ready to please our ears.
And although we liked the overall sound, if you are a bass freak, then these probably aren't the headphones for you. They are crisp, clear and subtle though, perfect if you're into more thoughtful music, or speech.

Noise cancellation shines

The real star though, as it should be, is the noise cancellation on these earphones. Firstly, the snugly-fitting earphones block out a little of the ambient noise - like noise isolating headphones do - so that gets you off to a good start.
Flick the switch to "on" though, and things take a turn for the remarkable. As with all noise cancelling headphones, we tried these without any music to see how they did with the sounds out and about. And the result was impressive. The over-loud fan in our old desktop computer vanished - it permeates all other headphones, and is very annoying - so test one passed easily.

Out and about, both overground and underground trains were rendered significantly less bothersome than usual. Of course, there's not much you can do about people talking, or those godawful announcements that happen every three milliseconds on trains, but the dull noise of the train moving disappears totally.
So good is the noise cancellation, that we sometimes didn't bother listening to anything, we just enjoyed the silence.

Comfort and practicality

There are three sets of tips provided with the DS-321Ds. As you might expect, these are small medium and large. We would really have liked to see different end materials used. We get on well with foam, for example, and they are often more comfortable than rubber tips for prolonged use.

We did find that the belt clip was a touch stiff too. If you want to clip the battery component to your belt, you're in for quite a session of fiddling to do it. And once it's on, if you need to take your phone out of your pocket, you won't be able to move it far, because the cable from the pack is short, and will restrict you.
And the worst thing we found, was that the harsh metal clip will scratch anything you put it in your pocket with. So bear that in mind, as you don't want to mess up your lovely new phone. Do you?

Verdict

Great headphones. Perhaps not the most comfortable in-ear 'phones we've used, but fine for most use. The noise cancellation here is the star though, it's very good and the rechargeable unit makes sense, especially given how compact it is.
Also excellent is the fact that when the power runs out, you'll still have a great pair of headphones, albeit without any noise cancellation. Battery life is good at 10-14 hours though, and that's enough to get you through a flight to Vegas. Recharge of 2 hours is respectable too, although you can't use the headphones while they're charging, which rules out an extra, portable, battery pack for long flights.
Most importantly though, the sound quality is excellent, and these headphones cost only £60. We've seen competitors that command double that, and aren't as competent, or compact.
via:Pocket-lint 

Queen's Speech lights Kindles on Christmas Day

Amazon is hoping that it will be an Annus Kindlebilis, as the Queen's traditional Christmas Day speech is to land in ebook format for the first time.
The Kindle version of HRH's speech will hit the Kindle Store after she has made the official address through the traditional radio and television channels. All 59 of Her Majesty’s previous Christmas messages - dating back from 1952 - will also be available to download and read on your Kindle as well.
"Millions of people across the UK, and the world, wait with anticipation to hear The Queen’s Christmas broadcast and we’re delighted to be able to make transcripts of Her Majesty’s annual addresses, past and present, available to download for free in less than 60 seconds” said Gordon Willoughby, director, Kindle EU.
"Many people will be unwrapping Kindles on Christmas Day and now Kindle readers, new and old, will be able to read The Queen’s words for years to come."
The Queen has been proving that she's quite au fait with tech over the last couple of years (her staff have, at least). In 2010 The Queen added Flickr to ones social media and The British Monarchy also joined Facebook.
via : Pocket-lint

Hasbro files lawsuit against Asus over Transformer Prime name

Toy manufacturer Hasbro is taking Asus to court over the use of the name Transformer Prime for its latest tablet/laptop combo. It believes that the name is way too close to its own trademarked property Optimus Prime, the leader of the Transformers.
The company is seeking both damages and an injunction to prevent the sale of the Asus device, which was due to hit the market soon. Website paidContent.org was sent a statement by Hasbro, after the lawsuit was filed in a Californian court:
"Hasbro continues to aggressively protect its brands and products and the specific actions we are taking today against Asus underscores yet again Hasbro’s willingness to pursue companies who misappropriate our intellectual property for their own financial gain," it said.
Asus has yet to respond publicly, although it is believed that the company is to continue to ship the Transformer Prime in January, with a court injunction pending.
We'll bring you more on this story as it develops.
Via: paidcontent.org

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