Kaboom’s Paratrooper lands on the iPhone

Kaboom’s Paratrooper lands on the iPhone
Kaboom’s Paratrooper is simple in theory — tap the plane to drop the paratrooper, tilt your iPhone or iPod touch to direct them to the landing spot. And right there is where every casual gaming fan knows the addiction starts and the mayhem begins. You want to hit the X. You need to hit that X. [...]

Kaboom’s Paratrooper lands on the iPhone is a story by TiPb. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.

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Kaboom’s Paratrooper is simple in theory — tap the plane to drop the paratrooper, tilt your iPhone or iPod touch to direct them to the landing spot. And right there is where every casual gaming fan knows the addiction starts and the mayhem begins.

You want to hit the X. You need to hit that X. Things get more complicated quickly, of course. Obstacles build up. They’re paratroopers after all, not sky divers. So don’t be surprised when you start having to leap — and land — into the middle of a paper-art war zone. (Yeah, paper-art. Awesome.)

Kaboom’s Paratrooper originally gained its well-deserved fame on Palm webOS, and Palm has a great article up about the app and it’s transition beyond webOS. (Hard to imagine Apple doing likewise, so kudos there.) Hard hard was it to port?

“The process has been straightforward,” Rob Bredow says. “We were able to re-use most of the code and just wrapped our webOS sprite library in a sprite library designed for the iPhone. All the logic stayed the same.”

Games have historically been among the most platform friendly of fare, with many being ported from iPhone to webOS or Android, so nice to see it can go both ways.

If you check out Kaboom’s Paratroopers for iPhone, let us know what you think.

[webOS: behind the apps, iTunes link]

Kaboom’s Paratrooper lands on the iPhone is a story by TiPb. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.

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Eliza Dushku
Adriana Lima

HP developers release their first webOS app

HP developers release their first webOS app

Filed under: webOS

HP -- who recently acquired Palm -- hasn't been shy about stating how much they like webOS. They've also said their developers are working away at creating new apps for the under-appreciated mobile OS. And now, they've taken the wraps off their very first submission to the App Catalog.

Brace yourselves...It's WORLD TIME for webOS!

Okay, in all seriousness the app looks good and functions well. It provides a nice, easy way to quickly find out what time it is anywhere in the world -- just poke the map. Though actually, you can accomplish the same thing by Googling "time in Jakarta," for example.

I don't know about you, but I was kind of hoping their first app would be something a little more kick-ass. We're trying to generate excitement here, right, HP? Here's hoping they've got something awesome in the works. I love my Pre, and I'd really like to see HP do amazing things with webOS.

[via pre central]

HP developers release their first webOS app originally appeared on Download Squad on Fri, 30 Jul 2010 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Bar Refaeli
Malin Akerman
Mila Kunis

HTC Desire HD 'Ace' and Desire Z 'Vision' show up in Vodafone inventory system

HTC Desire HD 'Ace' and Desire Z 'Vision' show up in Vodafone inventory system

We're still not entirely sure what's planned for a couple of HTC codename-phones that have been floating around -- the Ace and Vision, but damned if they haven't appeared in an inventory system for Vodafone D2 in Germany as the Desire HD (a name we've heard before) and Desire Z, respectively. German blog BestBoyZ says the Desire HD should be similar to the aluminum unibody design of the HTC Legend (read our full review of that one), and have features of of the HD2 and Desire (whatever that means).

Now, any release here in the U.S. is likely to come under some other name, but it looks like these phones may be closer to breaking their cover. Oh, and do note the addition of the original Desire with its new SLCD screen listed. [BestBoyZ via Google Translate] Thanks, Patrick!

Posted originally at Android Central

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Olivia Wilde
Megan Fox

Samsung releases Captivate and Vibrant source code to developers

Samsung releases Captivate and Vibrant source code to developers

Samsung loves open source -- today they have sent out an e-mail to interested developers with a download link to the open portions of the Captivate and Vibrant source code. (see our Captivate review here, and our Vibrant review here) Rather than trying to stifle third-party development, it looks like Samsung is embracing it, and we couldn't be happier.

To most people, this won't mean much. But to developers and ROM cookers this is a huge step and should really get the ball rolling for some amazing stuff.  There's already talk of a change that will drive the benchmark scores up through the roof.  Bring it, I say! [Samsung via [BriefMobile] Thanks Scepterr for the update on the Vibrant

Posted originally at Android Central

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Taylor Swift
Sienna Miller

Android 2.2 build for Evo leaked, rooted -- and released

Android 2.2 build for Evo leaked, rooted -- and released

Android hackers strike again, this time with the upcoming Android 2.2 release for the Evo 4G -- it's already been found, rooted and made available for your flashing pleasure.  Avalaunchmods has beat everyone to the punch and cranked out the first Evo 2.2 ROM with Sense, and everything working.  Enough of my talking, I have a ROM to flash -- and some of you do too.  Hit the source link for download instructions and links [xda-developers] Thanks for the tip and the ROM Avalaunchmods!

Update: HTC's pulled its link and gone on Twitter with the following: "Please be aware any update.zip floating around for EVO are not final and may cause problems. Official updates are coming OTA next week!" You've been warned!

Posted originally at Android Central

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Bar Refaeli
Malin Akerman
Mila Kunis

Android Quick App: Poynt

Android Quick App: Poynt

Blackberry users, rejoice! The Poynt local search application has made its way to the Android Market. Poynt's simple and attractive interface makes it easy to find restaurants, businesses, movies, and more. But can this Android newcomer compete with the slew of local search apps already available for Android, or, for that matter, the new Places integration in Google Maps?

Poynt opens with an icon carousel against an attractive background with a weather display. It remains intuitive from there, and despite its Blackberry origins it has a nice, native feel, including the inclusion of voice search. While the simplicity of the user interface is refreshing, though, the depth of information available seems lacking.

Google Maps consistently displays more complete information on nearby restaurants, like price and menu links, that Poynt lacks. On the other hand, Poynt boasts Open Table integration and does have essential contact information and reviews. 

In the movie department, Poynt offers trailers, reviews, and the ability to purchase tickets. Unfortunately, it doesn't support buying tickets for all theaters--Cinemark is notably missing. Its other categories--businesses, gas, and people--get the job done without any standout features.

Poynt may appease Blackberry converts nostalgic for its admittedly charming interface, and it should receive recognition for its polished interface complete with voice search. On the other hand, Android's growing catalog of local search apps like Sherpa, Where, and Yelp, not to mention Google Maps, might make it a hard sell. More pictures and download links after the break.

Posted originally at Android Central

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Olivia Wilde
Megan Fox

Original Droid getting Android 2.2 next week - it's official, folks!

Original Droid getting Android 2.2 next week - it's official, folks!

Not to be outdone by its Sprint rivals, Motorola just blasted us with the e-mail all you old-school users have been waiting for: Froyo is coming to the original Droid. Next week. Nothing more exact than that. But we're in uncharted waters here, with carriers giving us warning at all, let alone this far out. Can't contain your excitement? Sing out in the forums with all the other Droid-heads! Huzzah!

Update: And Verizon has updated is support site, which must mean this is really real, right?

Posted originally at Android Central

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Nicole Scherzinger
Katie Cassidy
Arielle Kebbel

Firefox Friday Five - "We miss Sebastian" edition

Firefox Friday Five - "We miss Sebastian" edition

Filed under: Features, Mozilla, Browsers

As Sebastian is still in Montenegro, I will be presenting you with today's Firefox Friday Five. I know you guys miss him, but fret not - he's due back around Tuesday, so next week's installment shall indubitably be British in style and flavour. For now, though, you're stuck with me -- so buckle up and enjoy the ride!

This week we've seen two pretty exciting releases from Mozilla, plus one aimed at developers, as well as a great add-on and a Greasemonkey script to round it all off. Read on for the details!

1. Firefox 4 Beta 2 hits the interwebs:

If you ask me, FF4 is beautiful, and Beta 2 brings another usability tweak to the table with the new App Tabs. Firefox is a bit behind the curve on this one, as Chrome had this feature for ages now, but still - it's nice to see that it's finally here. And as you shall see in the next item, Mozilla are way ahead of the curve with at least one FF4 feature:

2. Tab Candy Alpha is alive and kicking:

Now, this is some serious innovation right here. Usability guru Aza Raskin shines once more with a concept that takes the idea of "browser tabs" and extends it beyond all recognition. And it's not just theory, either: along with his original announcement, Raskin served an early Alpha build of Firefox with Tab Candy baked right in. The functionality isn't all there yet, but Raskin also offered a video showing what's in store for this feature:

3. KeeFox 0.8 released:

As you may know, I love KeePass, and I love Firefox. So obviously, I would be excited about an add-on that promises to marry the two. KeeFox has been around for a while now, and its developer, Chris Tomlinson, has just released the new 0.8 beta. While it does have several unresolved issues (clearly stated on the project page), it now lets you generate passwords right from within Firefox, limit its auto-fill options to one KeePass group (very happy about this feature), and a slew of other improvements. Chris tells me KeeFox development will continue, alebit with a short hiatus due to personal reasons.

4. Bespin Gallery announced:

I love text-editors, and Web-based text editors are always interesting, especially when they come from Mozilla. The Bespin project went through some pretty rocky times earlier this year, with its original developers departing Mozilla for Palm (but still contributing), and the whole thing morphed and got a completely different VIM-like UI, with no menu bar and an arcane-looking (if beautiful) command line.

And now, Mozilla introduced a new plugin gallery just for Bespin. It's aimed at developers who wish to roll their own versions of the editor, and offers ways to easily extend the editors functionality for your own specific installation, running on your own server. So while this isn't strictly Firefox, it does give us a glimpse as to Mozilla's ultimate vision of the Web as an application platform.

5. Featured user script: O'Reilly Safari Minimalist:

This is a lovely Greasemonkey script which should really get a bit of recognition. I use Safari Books Online quite often for reading tech books, and this little script strips all the crud from the interface, leaving you with just the text. So much easier to focus this way!

Well, that's it for this week's Firefox news - we'll be back next week!

Firefox Friday Five - "We miss Sebastian" edition originally appeared on Download Squad on Fri, 30 Jul 2010 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Avril Lavigne
Fergie

Happy SysAdmin day!

Happy SysAdmin day!

Filed under: Fun, Blogging

It's that day again, Download Squad readers!

That day where all those clients you support finally read and follow your acceptable use guidelines, respect your busy schedule, and leave thank-you treats on your desk. Yes, it's the 11th annual SysAdmin day!

Just in case the people you're busy supporting somehow forgot this most important of days, know that all of us here at Download Squad appreciate all your hard work and endless patience. So shut off those smartphones at 5PM, kick up your heels, and give yourself a much-deserved pat on the back, admins!

And no, no one here knows about SysAdmin day either. That's ok, though, because I'll be celebrating it with myself later on today with a couple cold brews on the back porch.

Flickr awesomeness by margaretshear

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Happy SysAdmin day! originally appeared on Download Squad on Fri, 30 Jul 2010 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nikki Reed
Elisha Cuthbert

What can I ask Android?

What can I ask Android?

Here's a follow up to yesterday's tip, in which we learned to hold down the search button to launch Google's voice search. But what, exactly, can you ask it? Here it is, from the horse's mouth:

• Call <contact name> (+ <home|mobile|work>): Dial this contact. If the contact has multiple phone numbers, and you don’t specify which number to dial (i.e. “call Dad work”), you will receive an on-screen prompt to select which number.
• Dial <phone number>: Dial your selected number: “Dial 3-1-0-5-5-5-1-2-1-2?.
• Find <location>: Open a map a Google Maps displaying pins with the location(s).
• Specific business name: “Find Staples”, “Find McDonalds”,
• Type of business: “Find gas station”, “Find grocery store”, “Find yogurt”,
• Specific location name: “Find Disneyland”
• Type of location: “Find dog parks”
• Map of <location>: See Find, above.
• Directions to < location>: Open Google Maps providing driving, mass transit, biking or walking directions to your selected place from your current location. You can use the same types of locations as with Find, above.
• Navigate to <location>: Start Google Navigate with <location> set as the end point. You can use the same types of locations as with Find, above. General requests like “Navigate to gas station” will produce an on-screen prompt to select which local gas station.
• Open <application name>: Open the desired application: “Open calendar”, “Open Facebook”, “Open Battery Info”.
• Post buzz <message>: Generate a Google Buzz posting of your phrase. Posting will be geolocated with your current position.

And again, third-party apps can add functionality. There are what you get in stock Android.

Update: OK, so some of these might not work anymore. (Why? We have no idea.) Find one that does? Sing out!

Posted originally at Android Central

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Lily Allen
Nadine Velazquez