Download Squad http://www.downloadsquad.com Download Squad http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/%SiteURL%/media/feedlogo.gif Download Squad http://www.downloadsquad.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Zune HD software update brings 3D games, widescreen keyboard]]>http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/11/11/zune-hd-software-update-brings-3d-games-widescreen-keyboard/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/11/11/zune-hd-software-update-brings-3d-games-widescreen-keyboard/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/11/11/zune-hd-software-update-brings-3d-games-widescreen-keyboard/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Zune HD 3D games
The Microsoft Zune HD is an intriguing device. It's a pretty good portable media player. It can handle 720p HD video in WMV and H.264 formats, and it has excellent audio quality. It even packs an HD radio tuner. And the NVIDIA Tegra chipset enable some pretty flashy (but still useful) graphics in the user interface.

And the Tegra procesor means the Zune HD can also handle some pretty slick games and other applications. Up until now, that meant a few games, a calculator, and a weather application. But now Microsoft has added a few new 3D games to the Zune Marketplace: Audio Surf: Tilt, PGR: Ferrari Edition, Checkers, Lucky Lanes Bowling, and Vans sk8: Pool Service. There's also a new Piano application.

The new games are pretty slick and really help demonstrate the power of the Zune HD platform. Unfortunately, it's still not much of a platform. There are over 100,000 apps in the iPhone app store. There are 15 in the Zune Marketplace.

Granted, all of the Zune apps are free (although you have to put up with a brief add for the Zune Pass music subscription before they start). But where are the third party apps? Where are the chat, Twitter, and Facebook clients? Or calendar and contacts applications? Heck, with the graphics capabilities on the Zune HD, where's Virtual Earth?

Anyway, the new applications should be available to anyone who updated their Zune HD to run version 4.3 of the Zune software. The update also brings a few other changes, including support for a larger virtual keyboard in landscape mode and an auto-suggest feature for text input.

You can check out my brief hands-on video with the new games after the break.

Continue reading Zune HD software update brings 3D games, widescreen keyboard

Zune HD software update brings 3D games, widescreen keyboard originally appeared on Download Squad on Wed, 11 Nov 2009 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3d games3dGameszunezune hdZuneHdWed, 11 Nov 2009 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Droid Does... only have 256MB of storage for apps]]>http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/11/09/droid-does-only-have-256mb-of-storage-for-apps/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/11/09/droid-does-only-have-256mb-of-storage-for-apps/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/11/09/droid-does-only-have-256mb-of-storage-for-apps/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Motorola's Droid is a sweet piece of hardware that's hyped to give the iPhone a run for its money, especially since it's running the new Android 2.0 OS, and works on the Verizon network in the US. We care about software here at Download Squad though, and there's some dismaying news about the Droid on that front: it has only 256MB for app storage. Seriously.

The Droid reportedly only packs a 512MB ROM (that's the built-in memory), of which only half is allocated for apps. There are some iPhone games that couldn't even fit in that teeny-weeny storage space! But at least it's expandable, right? Um, nope. Google doesn't support installing apps to the SD cards that Motorola relies on, so developers are pretty limited in terms of file sizes for their Android 2.0 software.

The Droid may have a solid CPU and GPU for gaming, but games that take full advantage of that hardware are likely to need 100 megabytes or more of storage space. That's going to make things pretty tough until Android 2.0 comes to a device with a lot more pre-installed flash memory.

[via Daring Fireball]

UPDATE: While it's true that the Droid only has 256MB for apps, commenters have pointed out that various resources for the apps (graphics, etc.) CAN be stored on the device's SD cards. It looks like the situation isn't as bad as the numbers seem to indicate at first.

Droid Does... only have 256MB of storage for apps originally appeared on Download Squad on Mon, 09 Nov 2009 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidappsdroidmotorolastorageverizonMon, 09 Nov 2009 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Photoshop.com Mobile now available for Android devices]]>http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/11/08/photoshop-com-mobile-now-available-for-android-devices/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/11/08/photoshop-com-mobile-now-available-for-android-devices/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/11/08/photoshop-com-mobile-now-available-for-android-devices/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

With the release of the Droid and Android OS 2.0, Google has set up a head-on gadget war with Apple's iPhone. Even if they've got a comparably-cool piece of hardware and a nice OS, Android will have to compete with (arguably) the iPhone's biggest selling point: apps. If Photoshop.com Mobile for Android is any indication, Android will do just fine. The Android version of Photoshop.com offers everything the iPhone version does.

That means you can crop, zoom and flip your photos, as well as adding filters and color adjustments. Black and white, sepia and soft focus are just a touch away. The app also plugs into Photoshop.com, so you can browse your photo library and upload new shots. The only difference between the Android and iPhone versions, as John Gruber pointed out over at Daring Fireball, is that the Android version includes a straighten tool for devices without multitouch.

[via AppScout]

Photoshop.com Mobile now available for Android devices originally appeared on Download Squad on Sun, 08 Nov 2009 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidphotoshopphotoshop.comSun, 08 Nov 2009 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Now finally available - ubiquitous media sharing with Orb for Mac]]>http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/11/05/now-finally-available-media-sharing-with-orb-for-mac/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/11/05/now-finally-available-media-sharing-with-orb-for-mac/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/11/05/now-finally-available-media-sharing-with-orb-for-mac/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , ,


It was pretty exciting news at Download Squad to hear Orb, the "sort of software version of Slingbox," was available for Mac. Orb allows you to broadcast your media to any device that has a web browser. After downloading Orb to your "always on" Mac with a high speed internet connection, you can access all your photos, songs, TV shows, and videos from any device with a browser and media player.

After downloading the app, Orb indexes your media and then prompts you to either log in to mycast.orb.com, or create a log in if you don't have an account. After you log in you can see your dashboard and all your media goodies.



Though my songs appeared immediately, my photos did not. There are various feed settings you can play with and channels to explore. Also, with a simple drag drop interface you can share your media with your friends via email, SMS, widget on your blog, or a public URL.



Checking it out from my home computer is one thing, but would it work on other devices? Success! I was able to access my media from my Dell PC.

A note for iPhone owners: The esteemed and indefatigable Jay Hathaway noted that he received errors when he tried to download the free version of OrbLive for the iPhone, which he tried from both his iPhone and his iTunes account on his Mac. There are 3 flavors of Orb available for the iPhone: OrbLive free, OrbMedia ($4.99) and OrbLive ($9.99)

Note to Orb: Please update your landing page to include PC and Mac, ok?

Now finally available - ubiquitous media sharing with Orb for Mac originally appeared on Download Squad on Thu, 05 Nov 2009 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>iphoneMacmedia sharingmedia streamerMediaSharingMediaStreamermobileOrbThu, 05 Nov 2009 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Ibis eBook reader aims to get around iPhone app store]]>http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/11/02/ibis-ebook-reader-aims-to-get-around-iphone-app-store/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/11/02/ibis-ebook-reader-aims-to-get-around-iphone-app-store/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/11/02/ibis-ebook-reader-aims-to-get-around-iphone-app-store/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

By now, iPhone users who haven't jailbroken their devices have learned that they can't get an app unless it goes through Apple's approval process and reaches the iTunes App Store. A new eBook reader called Ibis, planned for iPhone, Android and Palm's WebOS, plans to get around Apple's restrictions. How? Simple: it's a web app. You can access the reader from your browser, and your books are stored offline using HTML5.

It doesn't seem like there's much Apple can do about that, unless they want to start blocking web apps on their device. Unlikely. So, you can enjoy your DRM-free books in ePub format to your heart's content, and even buy new ones from Ibis' bookstore. You'll be able to sync books and bookmarks across devices via the cloud, too. Ibis isn't launching for "several months," but it could be a real winner if it looks as good as it sounds.

[via Daring Fireball]

Ibis eBook reader aims to get around iPhone app store originally appeared on Download Squad on Mon, 02 Nov 2009 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidbooksebookepubibisiphonemobilereaderwebosMon, 02 Nov 2009 15:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Wordpress for iPhone 2 is actually usable!]]>http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/10/29/wordpress-for-iphone-2-is-actually-usable/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/10/29/wordpress-for-iphone-2-is-actually-usable/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/10/29/wordpress-for-iphone-2-is-actually-usable/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

The first version of the Wordpress iPhone app showed a lot of promise as mobile blogging tool, but it was too slow and too buggy to use. It didn't know what to do with dropped connections -- all too common, when you're blogging from an AT&T iPhone -- and the UI was clunky and unintuitive. Round 2! Wordpress is back for another try at the iPhone thing, and this time they're far closer to doing it right: bug fixes, persistence, auto-saving and a better UI make Wordpress 2 a viable option for blogging on the go.

The single most important new feature in Wordpress 2 is persistence. That means you can close the app, and reopening it will take you back to the post or comment you were working on. In the old version, it was nearly impossible to finish a long post without being interrupted by a crash or a phone call, or without needing to pop into Safari to grab some text from a webpage. Speaking of those crashes, they're nowhere near as frequent as they were in Wordpress 1, and the new autosave feature makes them less damaging.

Photo uploading is smoother, too, and you can also preview a post while you're editing it. Aside from all the improvements to posting, comments now have their own tab, so you can moderate your site with ease. I'd still love to see liveblogging support in the iPhone app, though, because it seems like such an ideal use of a mobile blog client. All in all, Wordpress 2 is a workable solution for mobile blogging.

Wordpress for iPhone 2 is actually usable! originally appeared on Download Squad on Thu, 29 Oct 2009 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>automatticbloggingiPhonewordpresswordpress 2Wordpress2Thu, 29 Oct 2009 22:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Google Maps brings GPS navigation to Android 2.0 phones]]>http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/10/28/google-maps-brings-gps-navigation-to-android-2-0-phones/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/10/28/google-maps-brings-gps-navigation-to-android-2-0-phones/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/10/28/google-maps-brings-gps-navigation-to-android-2-0-phones/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

As if we weren't already excited enough about the next version of Google's Android mobile OS, Google has now announced that Android 2.0 devices will offer GPS navigation with 3D views and turn-by-turn directions. Google Maps Navigation looks great, and it's a smack in the face to Apple, who seem to been distancing themselves from Google after buying their own mapping company. The iPhone is cool, but it's hard to beat Google Maps at its own game.

It's especially hard when Google's offering practically everything you get from a pricey GPS navigation unit, right in your Android phone. 3D maps, live traffic updates, and voice directions are all included, along with Google's Street View and Satellite view. When it comes out next week, the Verizon Droid will be the first phone to support the new navigation features. For right now, it'll only work in the United States, but other countries with Google Maps should get it eventually.

Google Maps brings GPS navigation to Android 2.0 phones originally appeared on Download Squad on Wed, 28 Oct 2009 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidgooglegoogle mapsgoogle maps navigationGoogleMapsGoogleMapsNavigationWed, 28 Oct 2009 18:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Google launches Android 2.0 SDK]]>http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/10/27/google-launches-android-2-0-sdk/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/10/27/google-launches-android-2-0-sdk/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/10/27/google-launches-android-2-0-sdk/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Android Quick ContactGoogle is unveiling some of the features of its next-generation mobile operating system with the launch of an updated Software Development Kit. That means developers can already begin writing programs for Android 2.0 even though the first phone to run the operating system won't officially be launched until tomorrow.

So what's new in Google Android 2.0? Here's a shortlist:
  • Support for multiple email Google and Exchange accounts on each device, allowing you to sync with multiple email accounts and address books
  • Quick Contact feature that lets you pull up a contact's communication methods (email, SMS, phone, etc) with a single click
  • Combined inbox with email from multiple accounts
  • Search saved SMS and MMS messages
  • Auto-delete old messages in a conversation after a limit is reached
  • Improved keyboard with multi-touch support
  • Dictionary automatically includes contact names as suggestions, learns from words you enter
  • Web browser now includes web page thumbnails for bookmarks
  • Double-tap to zoom in broser
  • HTML5 support in web browser
  • Infinite scrolling in the calendar
  • Bluetooth 2.1 support
There's also support for digital zoom, white balance, and macro focus in the camera application. You can find a more detailed list at the Android Developers page.

You can also see some of the new features in action including a pretty nifty demonstration of how two Android devices can interact with one another in the video after the break.

[via Engadget]

Continue reading Google launches Android 2.0 SDK

Google launches Android 2.0 SDK originally appeared on Download Squad on Tue, 27 Oct 2009 14:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>google-androidgoogle-android-2.0mobileTue, 27 Oct 2009 14:22:00 EST<![CDATA[Palm makes WebOS app catalog browseable on the web - you know, like Apple's should be]]>http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/10/21/palm-makes-webos-app-catalog-browseable-on-the-web-you-know-l/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/10/21/palm-makes-webos-app-catalog-browseable-on-the-web-you-know-l/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/10/21/palm-makes-webos-app-catalog-browseable-on-the-web-you-know-l/#commentsFiled under: ,

Sometimes I'd like to see what new apps are available for my iPod Touch on the App Store on a system that doesn't have iTunes installed. In their infinite wisdom, however, Apple has decided that this just isn't the way things work on the desktop. You'll use iTunes and you'll damn well like it, buddy.

Palm Pre owners (and curious types) can now enjoy a bit more open experience. As it turns out, Palm thinks it's a great idea for people to be able to see what apps are out there. Not on some new-Pre-app blog. Not in some bloated desktop app. Right on Palm's web site.

What an amazingly simple idea! Now, prospective (and current) Pre and Pixi owners can take a look at all the cool apps they can install on their devices. It's not perfect by any means - I'd love to see a bit more detail about the apps and some more screenshots - but at least it's there for all to see.

Apple, you're paying attention, right? Enough with the "iTunes link" stuff. It's annoying. And not everyone wants to install 100+Mb of software just so they can browse your virtual shelves. Palm beat you to the punch, but you can still prove you're the king of the app store and get something similar online for us.

After that earnings report, you should be able to pay one or two extra web devs to get to work immediately. We'll expect results soon.

In the meantime, well done, Palm!

[via PhoneScoop]

Palm makes WebOS app catalog browseable on the web - you know, like Apple's should be originally appeared on Download Squad on Wed, 21 Oct 2009 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>app storeAppStorepalm pixipalm prePalmPixiPalmPrewebosWed, 21 Oct 2009 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Mozilla makes its mobile move, brings Firefox 3.6 to Android]]>http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/10/20/mozilla-makes-its-mobile-move-brings-firefox-3-6-to-android/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/10/20/mozilla-makes-its-mobile-move-brings-firefox-3-6-to-android/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/10/20/mozilla-makes-its-mobile-move-brings-firefox-3-6-to-android/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

In the mobile browser wars, Webkit-based browsers seem to be pulling away from the pack. Don't count Firefox out yet, though, because the CEO of Mozilla says that Firefox has put together "the most advanced mobile browser," and it's due to hit Android phones soon. Fennec, the mobile version of Firefox, is based on Firefox 3.6, which is a generation ahead of the current desktop version of Firefox. As CEO John Lilly told Om Malik of GigaOM, this browser does "everything - Javascript, CSS, Flash, SVG, video and audio."

Like the desktop version of Firefox, the mobile version uses the AwesomeBar, which provides quick access to bookmarks and browser history, right from the address bar. Mozilla also plans to support add-ons for Firefox's mobile version, which would make it the first mobile browser to do so. Add-ons might be the sole factor keeping Firefox competitive on the desktop. In the mobile space, they'd give it an edge. Along with Android, Mozilla is also developing for Nokia's Maemo OS, which isn't too widespread in the US, but is growing in global popularity.

Mozilla makes its mobile move, brings Firefox 3.6 to Android originally appeared on Download Squad on Tue, 20 Oct 2009 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidfennecfirefoxmobilemozillaTue, 20 Oct 2009 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Android 2.0 gets Facebook integration and a car mode]]>http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/10/19/android-2-0-gets-facebook-integration-and-a-car-mode/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/10/19/android-2-0-gets-facebook-integration-and-a-car-mode/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/10/19/android-2-0-gets-facebook-integration-and-a-car-mode/#commentsFiled under: , ,

When you hear that there's a new iPhone-killing Google Android phone that's coming to Verizon and has a name straight out of Star Wars - the Droid - it's easy to get so excited that you forget about the software side of things. Yes indeed, Android 2.0 is coming, and it has a spate of hot new features that might legitimately make iPhone users jealous. Gadget-blog Boy Genius Report ended up with a pre-release copy of Android 2.0 and posted a walkthrough of the OS's new features, including Facebook support in the address book, and a Car Home mode for drivers.

Facebook contact syncing is a pretty sweet feature on its own, but combine that with Android 2.0's new unified inbox - which collects messages from multiple email addresses (including Exchange accounts) and Facebook messages - and you've got a pretty sweet address book system. BGR says that Gmail accounts are handled in a separate app, which is presumably better able to support Gmail's many features. Car Home is a dashboard for using your phone in the car. It provides voice access to the apps you need when you're driving, so you can dial numbers or search for something on Google Maps without taking your hands off the wheel.

We won't know how cool the Droid is until we can actually touch one, but BGR reports that Android 2.0's software keyboard offers a nice haptic response - that slight vibration that lets you know when you're pressing keys. That puts it well ahead of other non-iPhone touchscreen smartphones (I'm looking at you, BlackBerry Storm), and I can't wait to give a Droid a try for myself.

Android 2.0 gets Facebook integration and a car mode originally appeared on Download Squad on Mon, 19 Oct 2009 18:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>android 2.0Android2.0droidgoogle androidGoogleAndroidiphone killersIphoneKillersmobileverizonMon, 19 Oct 2009 18:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Surprise! Google Wave (unofficially) works on iPhone and Android!]]>http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/10/14/surprise-google-wave-unofficially-works-on-iphone-and-android/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/10/14/surprise-google-wave-unofficially-works-on-iphone-and-android/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/10/14/surprise-google-wave-unofficially-works-on-iphone-and-android/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

After playing with Google Wave for about a week, I found myself wishing I could check my waves on the go. How is this thing going to replace email in the future if I have to be at my computer to use it? Well, it turns out that Wave does work on at least two mobile platforms: the iPhone and Google Android. Although the mobile versions of these browsers aren't technically supported - so you'll have to click through a warning to use it - the fact that they're built on WebKit means it's more or less Wave-ready.

There's even a mobile-optimized site for Wave, similar in design to mobile Gmail. Although there's no official Wave iPhone app, you can add Wave to your home screen on the iPhone for convenient access. Obviously, some of Wave's features won't work in the mobile version - dragging and dropping images, for example - but for basic reading and adding to conversations, it's fine. Preparing a decent mobile web version of Wave is certainly one alternative to going through Apple's app store approval process, especially after the infamous Google Voice rejection.

[via TechCrunch]

Surprise! Google Wave (unofficially) works on iPhone and Android! originally appeared on Download Squad on Wed, 14 Oct 2009 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidgoogle waveGoogleWaveiphonemobilesafariwaveWed, 14 Oct 2009 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Google launches Search Options for Mobile ... but not Windows Mobile]]>http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/10/12/google-launches-search-options-for-mobile-but-not-windows-mo/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/10/12/google-launches-search-options-for-mobile-but-not-windows-mo/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/10/12/google-launches-search-options-for-mobile-but-not-windows-mo/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Searching Google from your mobile browser just got a little bit easier, as long as you're an iPhone, Android or Palm device. Windows Mobile and Blackberry users are left out of Google's new Search Options for Mobile feature, and they're complaining about it in the comments of the Google Search blog. The thing is, they're not really missing much. Search Options for Mobile is marginally useful, but I suspect most users will never realize it's there.

Search Options lets you switch from a general web search to forums or reviews only, which I suppose is useful if you need reviews on the go. You can also filter your results by date, which is useful, but certainly not essential. Finally, there are two new ways to view search results: with images from the pages, or with longer snippets. It's nice that this stuff is there, but we've all lived without it since May, when it was first introduced to the non-mobile version of Google. WinMo and Blackberry users hardly have anything to cry about here - except how woefully inadequate their browsers are.

[via Daring Fireball]

Google launches Search Options for Mobile ... but not Windows Mobile originally appeared on Download Squad on Mon, 12 Oct 2009 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>googlemobilesearch optionsSearchOptionsMon, 12 Oct 2009 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Orbit: mobile phone book plus social networking updates]]>http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/10/09/orbit-mobile-phone-book-plus-social-networking-updates/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/10/09/orbit-mobile-phone-book-plus-social-networking-updates/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/10/09/orbit-mobile-phone-book-plus-social-networking-updates/#commentsFiled under: ,

Orbit is a mobile app that brings together your Facebook and your phone book. It's a phone book at heart, but it shows your friends' recent Twitter and Facebook status updates, and allows you to create groups called "orbits." You can turn the level of social noise from each orbit or individual up or down according to your needs. Of course, you can also initiate a call, text or email from within the app.

As long as Facebook won't allow phone numbers to be exported into your contact app of choice, something like Orbit seems to be the best solution for a light Facebook/phonebook combo. Being able to take a quick glace at a friend's latest Facebook or Twitter status before you call is a cool feature, but it's the customizable groups that really make Orbit appealing. Orbit's favorites list also changes dynamically, updating your favorite contacts depending on who you communicate with most often.

The only problem with Orbit is that it isn't out yet. It's coming to the iPhone and the BlackBerry before the end of the year, and if it turns out to be as useful as it looks on paper, it's going to have a permanent place on my iPhone's home screen.

Orbit: mobile phone book plus social networking updates originally appeared on Download Squad on Fri, 09 Oct 2009 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BlackBerrycontactsfacebookgroupsiphoneorbittwitterFri, 09 Oct 2009 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Preemptive FAIL : Five easy things Verizon isn't doing to fix Android]]>http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/10/06/preemptive-fail-five-easy-things-verizon-isnt-doing-to-fix-an/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/10/06/preemptive-fail-five-easy-things-verizon-isnt-doing-to-fix-an/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/10/06/preemptive-fail-five-easy-things-verizon-isnt-doing-to-fix-an/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

It's all over the place; Verizon is embracing Android. Google loving apologist geeks everywhere are heralding the 85 million new customers -- who are obviously ready to try Android, if only Verizon would let them -- as the beginning of a new era in mobile phone competition. The cries of panacea are all I've heard all day:

"It's going to be a floodgate of new users! "

"Death to the iPhone!"

And, as one particularly difficult to satisfy commenter on another blog wrote:

"Get over yourselves apple and make a new product."

I'll have to admit, as a current G2, and previous G1 owner, I was a little excited myself. Then I read one thing from the joint Verizon/Google press call which made me crestfallen.

"Verizon also has no plans to make any changes to the Android Market."

And with that, all my dreams of an Android controlled world ran away like so much sand through my fingers. This is an enormous mistake, Verizon. Care to know why? The Android Market is terrible. It's worse than terrible, it's horrible.

Horrible, and just a little bit dangerous.

I've got a list of five things Verizon must do to the Android Market if they're to have any hope of even modest success.

Continue reading Preemptive FAIL : Five easy things Verizon isn't doing to fix Android

Preemptive FAIL : Five easy things Verizon isn't doing to fix Android originally appeared on Download Squad on Tue, 06 Oct 2009 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidbad ideasBadIdeasFAILG1G2iphonelistsmarketverizonTue, 06 Oct 2009 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Flash Player 10.1 to support smartphones, NVIDIA powered netbooks... next year]]>http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/10/05/flash-player-10-1-to-support-smartphones-nvidia-powered-netbook/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/10/05/flash-player-10-1-to-support-smartphones-nvidia-powered-netbook/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/10/05/flash-player-10-1-to-support-smartphones-nvidia-powered-netbook/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Flash 10.1 on the Palm Pre
Adobe Flash has become the standard protocol for web video over the last few years. And while Flash is capable of some pretty excellent video quality, it's not exactly light on system resources. In fact, it's kind of a CPU-hog, which is why some computers with slower processors (and most netbooks) struggle to play high quality of high definition video from YouTube, Hulu, and other online video sites.

But that's about toe change. Kind of. Adobe has announced that Flash 10.1 will support GPU acceleration for NVIDIA graphics, which means that if you've got a computer with NVIDIA GeForce, ION, or Tegra graphics in it, you should be able to watch high definition Flash video in fullscreen mode even if you have a slow processor like an Intel Atom or ARM-based chip.

What's more, Adobe is going to bring Flash 10.1 to Smartphones, ending the separate but unequal era of Flash Lite. Flash 10.1 will be available for Blackberry, Windows Mobile, Google Android, Palm WebOS, and Symbian phones. The iPhone's not on that list because Adobe still hasn't worked out an arrangement with Apple to add support for Flash 10.1 to the iPhone's Safari web browser, but that could still happen.

Flash 10.1 is due to hit the streets in the first half of 2010. But there should be beta versions available before the end of 2009.

You can check out videos of Flash Player 10.1 on the Palm Pre and Toshiba TG01 at Adobe Labs.

Flash Player 10.1 to support smartphones, NVIDIA powered netbooks... next year originally appeared on Download Squad on Mon, 05 Oct 2009 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adobe-flashflash-player-10.1gpu-accelerationnvidiasmartphonesMon, 05 Oct 2009 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Astraware Solitaire and Sudoku titles now available for Android]]>http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/10/02/astraware-solitaire-and-sudoku-titles-now-available-for-android/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/10/02/astraware-solitaire-and-sudoku-titles-now-available-for-android/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/10/02/astraware-solitaire-and-sudoku-titles-now-available-for-android/#commentsFiled under: , ,



Astraware - long time software developers for Windows Mobile, Palm and more recently iPhone, Symbian and Blackberry - have now entered the rapidly growing Android software market with the release of two of their top titles - Astraware Solitaire and Astraware Sudoku.

Astraware Solitaire features 12 different single player card games in the one download, with the ability to customise each game to play 'your way'. A wide choice of card backs is included, together with an optional 'clear' card face. The application also features unlockable rewards.

Astraware Sudoku includes some great features including smart hints, pencil marks, hold-and-highlight to help beginners, a downloadable 'Puzzle of the Day' from the dedicated companion website (which also includes tips on solving techniques) and a puzzle solver to help you complete those troublesome puzzles in the newspaper!

Available for immediate download from the Android Market, both games are priced at $4.99 each and feature design and controls optimised for Android while still retaining an 'Astraware feel' that will be familiar to anyone who has used Astraware products before.

Astraware Solitaire and Sudoku titles now available for Android originally appeared on Download Squad on Fri, 02 Oct 2009 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AndroidAstrawareSolitaireSudokuFri, 02 Oct 2009 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[CNN makes bigger mobile push with new iPhone app]]>http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/09/28/cnn-makes-bigger-mobile-push-with-new-iphone-app/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/09/28/cnn-makes-bigger-mobile-push-with-new-iphone-app/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/09/28/cnn-makes-bigger-mobile-push-with-new-iphone-app/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Gallery: CNN iPhone App Launch

Media heavy, for mobile broadbandCoverflow for newsiReport allows you to push news to CNN from your phone

The wait for an official CNN app on your iPhone is over, and it looks like it was worth your patience. Available on the iTunes store soon -- Download here -- CNN's new app represents a serious investment in mobile news delivery, a 55 million user market according to Neilsen, and adds a few game changing features which may leave rivals MSNBC and Fox News scrambling to catch up.

I spoke with CNN's Louis Gump, VP, Mobile today by phone. CNN's iPhone app takes advantage of 3.0 SDK features and is an attempt to "reinvent news applications on the iPhone". Integrating a huge library of video clips -- as well a live stream during breaking news -- directly into the app, the focus is obvious, taking CNN's global news brand and putting it just that much closer to your fingertips.

The most compelling feature, from by brieding and screen shots -- I wasn't allowed early access to the app itself -- is what Gump called, "Coverflow for news." A feature which lets users swipe through pictures and bullet points, looking for points of interest in the days popular headlines.

Positioned as a premium app, you'll have to fork over $1.99 for the goods, and tolerate just a wee bit of advertising mixed with your content. From what was relayed to me -- and I pressed -- none of the advertising sounds particularly intrusive, with a total lack of preroll video advertising, and sponsor adds appearing inline with, but visually separated from, the textual content.

Also on tap, breaking news alerts for interests you've defined, the ability to store news for later (airplane mode) and of course, social sharing on Facebook, Twitter and via email. And, when you get sick of reading the news, you can make the news -- via iReport -- with mobile uploads of video and images. "People in the field really do have access to the most compelling content, whether that be photo or video", which will be vetted as the current web version of iReport is, both by user filtering and "a small percentage" by human editors at CNN for airing on the network, or publishing on the main CNN site.

CNN was a bit coy about future plans, but said in uncertain terms, "This is not a hobby for us." Adding, "As happy as we are with this app, and we worked really hard, there is a lot more where this came from."

Asked about a possible Android or Blackberry version, "We will definitely be rolling out premium apps in the future", although Gump declined to talk specifics. "We're experimenting" said Gump, sounding like a proud father, "we're putting a lot more resources into mobile."

Update : I wasn't positive at publish time, but yes -- Push updates! More screenshots coming, now that I have my hands on the app!

Update 2: The gallery above is shots provided by CNN. The gallery below contains our first screenshots of the app in action. Take a look for more detail on how the app works and looks.

Gallery: This, is CNN

Push Based services!The main news screenLocation based servicesHow to follow topics



CNN makes bigger mobile push with new iPhone app originally appeared on Download Squad on Mon, 28 Sep 2009 23:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>CNNfeaturesiPhonemobilereviewsMon, 28 Sep 2009 23:25:00 EST<![CDATA[Location-game showdown: Gowalla vs Foursquare]]>http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/09/27/location-game-showdown-gowalla-vs-foursquare/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/09/27/location-game-showdown-gowalla-vs-foursquare/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/09/27/location-game-showdown-gowalla-vs-foursquare/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

Whilst the iPhone wasn't the first phone with GPS, the arrival of Apple's handset - and its GPS-toting second iteration - has driven demand for location-based services quicker than any other device. Even the desktop OSes are seeing location services included: both Mac OS X Snow Leopard and Windows 7 contain location-awareness APIs for developers to use.

Out of this location-service boon, there's a couple of fun and interesting games available that allow you to make the most of your location to compete with friends (and others nearby) in game-based social networks. Today we're taking a look at two of the most talked-about: Gowalla and Foursquare.

Continue reading Location-game showdown: Gowalla vs Foursquare

Location-game showdown: Gowalla vs Foursquare originally appeared on Download Squad on Sun, 27 Sep 2009 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>FoursquareGowallaSun, 27 Sep 2009 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Foursquare retools its website, buys Foursquare.com]]>http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/09/25/foursquare-retools-its-website-buys-foursquare-com/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/09/25/foursquare-retools-its-website-buys-foursquare-com/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/09/25/foursquare-retools-its-website-buys-foursquare-com/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

As a user of the location-based social game Foursquare, I'm not sure how I missed this one: thanks to a new round of funding, Foursquare is expanding to new cities and making some dramatic improvements to its website. One of the more obvious changes is the new domain name: foursquare.com. Previously, the service was running on playfoursquare.com. The site is now easier to navigate and much more stable.

Meanwhile, Foursquare is planning to add new cities using crowdsourced location info, rather than seeding the game with locations from a third-party database. A BlackBerry app is in the works, too, following the success of Foursquare's very slick Android app. Some common gripes about the game are also being resolved, so expect fewer crashes, fewer duplicate locations, and less gaming of the leaderboard.




Foursquare retools its website, buys Foursquare.com originally appeared on Download Squad on Fri, 25 Sep 2009 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>blackberryfoursquaregamelocationmobileFri, 25 Sep 2009 15:00:00 EST