Honestly the attacking of the game by game developers could be attributed that some developers spend one or two years making a game and not have the same success. Obviously there are a lot of consumers that love and support the game. You can find ton's of video's online of people playing and having fun with the game. Could it be that the designer of flappybird understands what people enjoy and developers just don't get it?

Tempted to try out the much talked about Instagram app? Well, be careful where you get it from – as malware authors are distributing malware disguised as the popular app.

A day after the acquisition announcement, Instagram became the top free iPhone app on Apple’s App Store, and Android downloads have been off the charts (way over 5 million in less than a week, though Instagram has yet to share official numbers). The Instagram hype is higher than ever, and malware writers are of course looking to cash in.

They have set up fake websites advertising fake Instagram apps, which by the way don’t really do a good job of looking like the real one. Sophos Security has found a malicious program, identified as Andr/Boxer-F, a trojan designed to swipe data from your device. In the background, the malicious app sends expensive international text messages to earn its creators revenue.

Android lets you download and install apps from anywhere. If you want the official version of an app, however, get it from the official Google Play store. Here is the official Instagram link: play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.instagram.android.

Move over Apple’s iTunes store. There is a new and improved Google Market coming to town and it is called Google Play. Google Play is taking the accessibility of  books, music, apps and movies to a whole new level. With everything being cloud based you will not have to worry about where you are in a book, game or movie again. Just pick right back up to where you were no matter which of your devices you want to use. Storage will no longer be an  issue either since everything will be stored in the Google cloud.

Google Play will allow  the storage of  20,000 songs not purchased through the service. Which may seem like a disadvantage to Apple’s 25,000 but when you take into consideration that Google isn’t charging you a $25 fee every year?? That sounds like a bargain to me!

Google is also introducing their “7 Days to Play” promotion by discounting various apps, books, music and movies in celebration of the launch of  the Google Play Store. It is my understanding that this will eventually take the place of the Android Market. Gameloft has an offering of N.O.V.A. 2: Near Orbit Vanguard Alliance & Asphalt 6: Adrenaline in honor of Google Play. So make sure to check the Android Market and see what you can find on sale everyday!

What do you think? Are you looking forward to Google Play?

Google Play Advertisement

One of the main reasons people flocked to get a 4S was the introduction of Siri, a personal assistant and amazing voice recognition agent that has not been successfully emulated and is the envoy of the other phone operating systems at the moment.  Siri can perform hundreds of tasks by voice activation and even responds with witty remarks should you get creative with your voice commands.

Now, thanks to the iTweakers, you can now change Siri’s accent in a number of ways, using the app AnyVoice.

Some of the accents sound better than others, so try them out and see which one sounds best for you!

The app requires that you be jailbroken and is accessed via Cydia.  Just search for AnyVoice, install it, and there you have it!  If you would like to learn how to jailbreak your device, head over to our iPhone forums.

(via redmondpie)

While it hasn’t been officially announced as an issue, there have been a few reports around the internet that the badge icon for iPhone users hasn’t been working for about a week now. Notifications still come over and will show up in the lockscreen and in the notification center, but the red dot next to the app icon doesn’t show up. This seems to be the case for both the Facebook app and the Messenger app.

Here’s a thread I found on Apple’s support community about the issue, as well as one I found on MacRumors.

We have reported this issue to Facebook, so we will keep you informed if we get anymore information.

It hasn’t been published on Facebook’s “Known Issues” page yet either.

If you and your friends both use the Vonage app, you can now enjoy free calls and texts to each other via WiFi or 3G/4G. You can also add calling credits to call people that don’t have the app. For a limited time, calls to any phone in the US, Canada, and Puerto Rico are free as long as you stay under your minutes.

Source: Engadget

Vonage Launches New Mobile App Providing Free Calling and Texting to Other App Users around the World
Savings of more than 70 percent on international calls to those without the app

HOLMDEL, N.J., February 8, 2012 /PRNewswire/ – Vonage Holdings Corp. (NYSE: VG) announced the launch of Vonage Mobile®, the new iPhone® and Android app that lets users make free high-definition calls and send free texts to all users of the app, worldwide1. The app works over Wi-Fi, 3G and 4G wireless data networks.

When calling those who have not yet downloaded the app, Vonage Mobile provides ultra low-cost international calling with per-minute rates that are on average 70 percent less than major mobile carriers and 30 percent less than Skype2. Users can instantly add calling credit directly from the app through iTunes® or Android Market in increments of $4.99 and $9.99.

Vonage Mobile uses the phone’s existing mobile number and contact list, eliminating the need for unique user names and duplicate identities for contacts. Users can instantly build a free global calling and texting network using the app’s multi-invite system from their existing contacts.

“Vonage Mobile consolidates the best features of our prior applications, while adding important functionality, better value and improved ease of use,” said Marc Lefar, CEO of Vonage. “It combines the best of free high-def voice and messaging along with incredible value for traditional international calls, all while using the existing mobile number and address book for unsurpassed ease of use.”

In addition, calls to any phone in the United States, Canada or Puerto Rico from anywhere in the world will be free for a limited time3.

Users do NOT need to be a Vonage customer to use the app. However, as an added benefit to all app users, calls to Vonage home or business lines are also free. The Vonage Mobile app can be downloaded to any iPhone or Android device for free; and it also works on the iPad®, iPod Touch® and Android Tablets.

For more information on Vonage Mobile, please go to iTunes, Android Market or www.vonagemobile.com.

# # #

1 Data rates may apply.

2 Based on per-minute rates to the top 50 countries called. Comparison reflects published rates of leading mobile carriers in markets representing the majority of iPhone and Android users.

3 Limited time free calling offer to the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico is for personal, non-commercial calling and excludes calls to certain geographic locations, premium and special services numbers, satellite telephony services and other call forwarding services. Not to exceed 3000 minutes per month.

iPhone and iTunes are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. Android is a trademark of Google Inc. Wi-Fi is a registered trademark of the Wi-Fi Alliance.

I’ve had the iPhone for a few months now, after using Windows Mobile, Blackberry, Symbian, Windows Phone 7, and Android. Android obviously had excellent integration with Google’s services such as GMail and Google Talk. The transition to the iPhone took a little time, but I’ve gotten a lot of things to work pretty good. One thing I noticed the other day was when I would supposedly delete my emails from my phone, they weren’t going into Trash in GMail, instead, they were going into All Mail.

There are a few ways you can setup GMail on the iPhone. You can use the IMAP way, which will basically just give you email, no contacts. You can also set it up as an Exchange account, which will let you sync your email, contacts, and calendars. Here is Google’s walkthrough on how to set it up via Exchange.

Now, if you have multiple calendars in GMail that you want to sync, you can visit m.google.com/sync using Safari on your phone, login with your account, then click on your iPhone. You should have a list of your calendars that you can check to sync to your phone.

Now to the point of this article. If you want to actually delete items (move them to trash) instead of archiving them (move them to All Mail), there’s another check box on this screen that says “Enable ‘Delete Email As Trash’ for this device”. Check that box and scroll down to save.

Voilà! You’re good to go now!

A few weeks ago we reported on the new untethered jailbreak for the iPhone 4S and iPad 2, Greenpois0n Absinthe. Today, they offer an update with some bug fixes. Most of these fixes seem to be with the actual jailbreaking process itself and not with the phone. So if you’re already jailbroken, its probably not necessary to re-jailbreak.

The update does the following:
– Mac: added support for OSX 10.5, PPC and Intel CPU
– Added consistency check on startup to make sure required files are in place
– Windows: fixed bug in payload generator that might cause a crash

Source: iMore

As you may remember, Skype is now a part of Microsoft and there’s been rumors as to when Skype will be available on Windows Phone 7 devices. There’s a new rumor floating around that there are some private invitations going out to beta test a new Skype app.

The invitation is something along the lines of “Skype for Windows Phone is just around the corner and we’ve teamed up with the Skype folks to help with beta testing. If you are receiving this newsletter directly, look for an invitation in the coming weeks and be on the inside track for what is sure to be one of the hottest new apps on the Marketplace!”

For now, it sounds like it will be a standalone app and not integrated into the OS like Windows Live Messenger and Facebook chat are. This might possibly come in the next version of Windows Phone 7 along with some new devices.

Source: PocketNow

While Microsoft has had games released on different platforms, so far, the XBox Live experience has really only been on Windows Phone 7 devices. Microsoft now states that it will be bringing “a few” of their XBox Live experiences and titles to the iPhone, iPad, and Android. There’s no word yet on when this might happen, or what experiences or titles that might be.

While the Xbox Live experiences and games always work best on the Windows platform, we understand that some Xbox fans may be using other types of devices. To satisfy that need, we are working to extend a few of our Xbox experiences and titles to other platforms.

They already have My XBox Live which brings some of the experience to the iPhone. Those of you XBox users out there, would this be enough to make you switch to the iPhone or Android instead of a Windows Phone 7?

Source: iMore

Organizing and tracking different areas of your life couldn’t be easier with KeepTrack Pro. Turn your Android device into a personal assistant that can help you stay on-time, meet your goals, and track what is important to you. KeepTrack Pro helps you get a handle on aspects of your life that require careful attention.

KeepTrack Pro lets you track any details you wish over time. Keep tabs on serious details, such as the medication you’re taking, and more whimsical details, such as how many buses you see each day. You decide what you wish to track, how often, and what to do with the information. The app’s clean interface makes it easy to create new fields and enter data into existing ones. Keep Track Pro also provides helpful graphs and statistics if you wish to examine what you’re tracking in greater detail.

To start, add a new task by identifying it with a name, selecting the values data type, setting a default value, name the value units, choose the increment/decrement amount, and identify the goal, if any. Choose from the following data values:

• Numeric: Decimal numbers are great for entering weight, distance, etc.

• Text: Free text, which is ideal for reminders, ideas, and more

• Boolean: Yes or No option to track simple questions, e.g., ‘did I work out today?’

• Marker: Includes a specific time so you can track occurrences

• Group: Perfect for using multiple data values to track your task

Once you’ve been tracking the items that are important to you, use the data to make improvements, adjustments, or to simply keep yourself informed. Click on a specific task to see the data breakdown. View a pie chart, statistics, and calendar. For those difficult to remember tasks, KeepTrack Pro features an alarm setting to remind you.

To celebrate the Chinese New Year, Rovio has released a special edition of its Angry Birds Seasons game, dubbed Year of the Dragon. The new version includes a vibrant red Chinese New Year theme, 15 new levels, and Mighty Eagle becomes the Mighty Dragon. As always, its available for free in the market or app store of your choosing.

Source: PocketNow

Product Description

If you’ve got little helpers in your kitchen who love baking or if you simply have a sweet tooth to satisfy, the Cookies and Milk app brings the joys of (pretend) baking to your Android device. From sugar-loving toddlers to calorie-conscious adults, baking and indulging in a cyber-cookie just may be the sweet escape you crave.

Sugar and Spice and All That’s Nice

Expand your children’s cookie palate by scrolling through your baking options first and settling on a choice. If you choose to bake cookies from scratch you’ll even be provided with the recipe. Choose from more than 10 delicious recipes.

Ingredients appear above the mixing bowl. Drag and drop each ingredient into the bowl and mix it up with the touch of a finger. Watch the ingredients transform into delicious dough.

Next, drag each dough ball onto the baking sheet until it’s full and put it into the oven. When the light comes on, the cookies are ready to decorate.

The responsive touch-and-drag interface makes it easy for young children to choose ingredients and toppings with ease.

Down to the Last Crumb

Every kid knows the best part of baking cookies–eating them! Tap the cookie to take a bite, tap it twice, three times, four–uh oh, until cookie is no more.

Something to wash it down? Cookie consumption is never complete without a tall glass of nice, cold milk. Slurp it down and properly complete the cookie ritual with a strong, satisfying, “Ahhhhhh.”

 

Features

• Great for children who love helping in the kitchen and playing pretend
• Responsive touch-and-drag interface makes navigating the app easy for toddlers
• Choose from more than 10 delicious cookie recipes
• Watch your little one mix until the ingredients turn to dough
• Great for sugar-loving kids to calorie-conscious adults (Fat free!)

Source: Amazon

Sound Sleep Deluxe Edition (Music Therapy) is an Android music app that is designed to help you unwind and relax, so you can sleep more soundly. With low-speed alpha waves, the sounds will comfort your mind and help you to naturally and smoothly fall asleep. The app is easy to use, so you can simply let the soothing sounds carry you off into a deep and restorative slumber.

There are plenty of natural noises to select from in Sound Sleep Deluxe Edition, such as ocean waves, gentle rain, and other pleasant ambient sounds. The Deluxe Edition of Sound Sleep (Music Therapy) features a sound mixer that allows you to customize each track. You can include one or several ambient noises, and adjust the volume of each for the perfect mix.

The tracks offered in Sound Sleep Deluxe Edition are far from so-called leisure music. Rather, you’ll experience relaxing natural sounds with embedded alpha waves, which are delicately set to a rhythm of a specific frequency. Certain sound effects also have the potential to awaken the subconscious to soothe you as well as spark your imagination and creativity.

The low-speed alpha waves in Sound Sleep Deluxe Edition have a frequency of 8 Hz to 9 Hz, which stimulates a brain state that is close to sleep. To generate such a frequency in the listener’s brain, binaural beats are applied. For example, if the left ear is presented with a steady tone of 500 Hz and the right ear with a steady tone of 508Hz, the difference, 8 Hz, is perceived by the brain and is a very effective stimulus for brainwave entrainment.

You will also enjoy the app’s elegant interface, varied music themes, and options to specify listening time and set an alarm. Let the sounds in Sound Sleep Deluxe Edition help you to feel more relaxed and sleep more soundly.

Source: Amazon

The NFL announced that NBC will stream the 2012 Super Bowl live, for free, to the web and Verizon smartphones. This is nothing new for the network, either. It already streams its “Sunday Night Football” telecasts online and to Verizon phones. NBC expects a hearty response for the Feb. 5 showdown in Indianapolis. NBC will also stream its other postseason games, including the Pro Bowl and wild card Saturday–all will be streamed online and to mobile phones for the very first time. All will be available through Verizon’s NFL Mobile application. And, according to the network, the package will include additional camera angles, in-game highlights and live stats.

NFL Mobile

Verizon Wireless

Description

Calling all pool sharks! Casual league players and those that like to shoot some pool with friends after work and on the weekends are also welcome. Whether you’re an award-winning pool pro, or just think you’re a pro, Pool Bar HD is the app for you. With realistic 3D images and accurate physics as well as a variety of classic games and difficulty levels, Pool Bar HD is a must have for all pool lovers.

Earlier this week we wrote about the Carrier IQ ordeal, we should have know it was only a matter of time with all the media hype and internet buzz before this whole thing started getting out of hand.

Senator Al Franken is demanding the company provide details about what data it collects and how it’s used and has given the company until December 14^th to respond. Massachusetts congressman Edward Markey has asked the FTC to open an investigation into Carrier IQ. Markey wants the Federal Trade Commission to look into whether or not the rootkit and its creators have violated the privacy of millions of cellphone users and federal wiretap laws.

A class action lawsuit has also been filed against Carrier IQ, HTC and Samsung. The class action lawsuits are seeking hundreds of millions of dollars on behalf of all U.S. residents. All three companies have been accused of violating the Federal Wiretap Act which “protects
 the
 privacy
 of
 wire,
 oral,
 and
 electronic
 communications” of all Americans. A St. Louis lawsuit against HTC states the following:

Plaintiff, Erin Janek owns an HTC Android phone using the Sprint network. At all relevant times Plaintiff used her phone to electronically send over her cell phone network various types of private data. This data was not readily accessible to the general public. She did not know that Defendants were surreptitiously monitoring and collecting this data, nor did she give them permission to do so.

 
So far none of the phone carriers have been included in this class action lawsuit but we have a feeling that may change of the course of the next few days. Sprint and AT&T have both admitted to using the application, and other carriers likely use similar services, but both carriers have denied taking advantage of the software’s ability to spy on customers. Stay tuned for more detail, we have a feeling things are going to get real interesting.

A security researcher Trevor Eckhart  has posted a video detailing hidden software installed on smart phones that logs numerous details about users’ activities.

In a 17-minute video posted Monday on YouTube, Trevor Eckhart shows how the software – known as Carrier IQ – logs every text message, Google search and phone number typed on a wide variety of smart phones – including HTC, Blackberry, Nokia and others – and reports them to the mobile phone carrier.

 Eckhart showed his findings off first in the XDA Developer Forums. Once his first findings were found by Carrier IQ (again, an app that runs in the background that you may never have known is on your device right this second), they threatened legal action against him. As it turns out thanks to the support from the EFF (Electronic Frontier Foundation), Carrier IQ has decided not pursue a lawsuit against TrevE, issuing a statement apologizing for their actions.

“Our action was misguided and we are deeply sorry for any concern or trouble that our letter may have caused Mr. Eckhart. We sincerely appreciate and respect EFF’s work on his behalf, and share their commitment to protecting free speech in a rapidly changing technological world.”

 
When they found that legal threats weren’t going to do them any good, they sent out word to the public that their software does not record keystrokes or other personal information. What we’re to understand today if Eckhard’s findings are true is that this claim was quite simply incorrect.

 On its website, Carrier IQ, founded in 2005, describes itself as “the world’s leading provider of Mobile Service Intelligence solutions.” Carrie IQ has since issued the following press release: [showhide type=”pressrelease” more_text=”Show Press Release” less_text=”Hide Press Release ” hidden=”yes”]MEDIA ALERT
Measuring Mobile User Experience Does Matter!
Mountain View, CA – November 16, 2011 – Carrier IQ would like to clarify some recent press on how our product is used and the information that is gathered from smartphones and mobile devices.
Carrier IQ delivers Mobile Intelligence on the performance of mobile devices and networks to assist operators and device manufacturers in delivering high quality products and services to their customers. We do this by counting and measuring operational information in mobile devices – feature phones, smartphones and tablets. This information is used by our customers as a mission critical tool to improve the quality of the network, understand device issues and ultimately improve the user experience. Our software is embedded by device manufacturers along with other diagnostic tools and software prior to shipment.
While we look at many aspects of a device’s performance, we are counting and summarizing performance, not recording keystrokes or providing tracking tools. The metrics and tools we derive are not designed to deliver such information, nor do we have any intention of developing such tools. The information gathered by Carrier IQ is done so for the exclusive use of that customer, and Carrier IQ does not sell personal subscriber information to 3rd parties. The information derived from devices is encrypted and secured within our customer’s network or in our audited and customer-approved facilities.
Our customers have stringent policies and obligations on data collection and retention. Each customer is different and our technology is customized to their exacting needs and legal requirements. Carrier IQ enables a measurable impact on improving the quality and experience of our customers’ mobile networks and devices. Our business model and technology aligns exclusively with this goal.
For media Commentary, contact:
Mira Woods
Phone: 617-513-7020
Email: mwoods@carrieriq.com
www.carrieriq.com[/showhide]

Grab some bombs and step into the boots of Serious Sam’s worst nightmare, the Headless Kamikaze. Your muscles are gigantic, you are not wearing a shirt, and your head is gone. Now you’re ready for your kamikaze mission: Run faster and faster until you find your arch nemesis Serious Sam. He’s wearing a shirt. Tackle him like your life totally depends on it. Heck yes!

Source: Amazon App Store