Mobility Digest

The Beauty of Sponsored Studies

Anthony Rock — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 11:36:52 +0000

The recent story about iOS vs Android’s app stability has, I’m sure, caused quite a stir with it’s findings. Apparently the iPhone crashes more often than any version of Android. This was apparently shocking news to everyone, but after a little digging it’s kind of an interesting topic.

Crittercism was formed and backed by capital from Google.

Also, I call into question the data provided. How did Crittercism get internal data from the iPhone’s crashes? Were the crashes simply crash-to-app launcher, or more serious ones that caused a force reset? Did they include apps or system basics that failed to launch? Did they just use a few iPhones and extrapolate it into a larger data set? The guys at Crittercism aren’t too forthcoming with how the data was acquired from the internal crash reporting system from Apple.

I would remain skeptical at this point and keep yourself informed. This reeks of corporate tomfoolery.

Madden 12 for iPhone and Android on sale $0.99

Doug Smith — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 22:15:50 +0000

Looking to get yourself ready for football this weekend with the Super Bowl on Sunday? There is only one way to get ready for football and that is to play football on your iPhone or Android device! And you are in luck because Madden 12 by EA Sports is on sale now for only $.99! And if you are an iPad owner, don’t worry, EA has got you covered with the Madden 12 iPad app for 55% off and priced at $2.99.

Check out the iPad version at the App Store here.

Check out the iPhone version at the App Store here.

And check out the Android version right here.

Hey, how about a little comment spam, who’s going to win the Super Bowl? Leave your comment below!

Brandon Watson Departs From Microsoft for Amazon

David K — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 21:50:06 +0000

“My name is Brandon Watson, and I am currently responsible for the Developer Experience team for Windows Phone 7. That means I work on developer marketing, our developer platform products, and have a real focus/passion on new opportunities, specifically around developer enablement and mobile”

That was his role and he was great at it. A nice guy and really led at making a name for himself and his company and leading by example.

According to ZDNet:

It’s not just any job at Amazon, either. Watson is going to be the Director of the Kindle Cross Platform team. There he will be working on the product development roadmap for Kindle apps across all first- and third-party platforms worldwide, including the Windows Phone app and the Windows 8 app.

And this is why I thought it was a bad idea that he was using a Kindle two months ago…it infected his mind!

We wish him the best of luck.

Infinity Blade for iOS gets updated Content Pack #4

Doug Smith — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 21:06:08 +0000

Easily my favorite game for the iPad is Infinity Blade. Even though I hadn’t played it much since Infinity Blade II came out, Chair Entertainment isn’t slacking a bit, because they just released an update with Content Pack #4. I gotta say, it is very rare that older games see updates, but with Infinity Blade, it has been really cool with all the updates. Here’s what you get in Content Pack #4:

NEW! CONTENT PACK #4
ChAIR loves you, so we are giving you EVEN MORE awesome content – for free!
- New magic rings, swords, shields, and helmets! Collect and Master them all!
- New Enemy: The fierce and deadly RookBane!
- Sneak peek at Infinity Blade 2, and Infinity Blade: Awakening, the new iBook by #1 New York Times selling author Brandon Sanderson!
Infinity Blade is now better than ever!

This is still a great game and worth every penny of the $5.99 they are charging for it. Head on over to the App Store and purchase it or if you already have, hit the App Store updates and get your Content Pack #4 and roll into the weekend with something more to look forward to than just the Super Bowl!

Skype for Windows Phone launch at MWC?

Doug Smith — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 17:24:46 +0000

One of the must have apps for Microsoft to get for Windows Phone must be Skype. Heck, it only makes sense since you own them to go ahead and slap it on your own mobile platform right? Well, to date as you all know we haven’t seen it yet, either integrated into the OS as hoped, or as stand alone app. Even though Joe Belfiore has stated that we would see Skype in late 2011, it still has gone missing. According to The Verge, it looks like they have sources that have indicated that Microsoft is in final testing and have even been downloading a test version from Marketplace. Meaning a stand alone version will come first. Sources also indicate that we will see the app version of Skype launch at the Mobile World Congress. The new Skype app will have the Metro UI format and have a two column grid to display contacts. Even though I have gotten quite fond of Metro, some apps I would better prefer left alone like Slacker. I really like the iPhone UI better than the Metro layout on the Titan. We will have to wait and see how the UI works using Metro for the new Skype app. Stay tuned for more on Skype’s eminent release for Windows Phone at MWC.

Some Refurb Moto Xoom Tablets Have Original Owners Data on Them

Kristofer Brozio — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 17:22:13 +0000

File this under a big OOPS! Apparently Motorola didn’t do that good of a job on wiping user data from some Xoom tablets they refurbished. the PR says that approximately 100 out of 6,200 may not have been completely wiped. So let’s translate here, this is a PR trying to fix the problem and let people know that it wasn’t that many right? So we should assume that 100 is actually, most likely, 1,000 or more. This types of things are always downplayed with small numbers, they’ll never tell us the real numbers. It works just like RIAA and MPAA accounting and piracy numbers, they’re wrong, inflated, underinflated or they use very creative accounting processes. So if you sent your Xoom in to be fixed, or replaced I would suggest you change your passwords and check your accounts for errant transactions…

- Motorola Mobility, Inc. today announced that it has recently learned that approximately 100 out of a batch of 6,200 Motorola XOOM™ Wi-Fi tablets that were refurbished by Motorola Mobility may not have been completely cleared of the original owner’s data prior to resale. The affected tablets were resold by Woot.com between October and December 2011. While this matter likely affects only a small number of refurbished units, Motorola has a strong commitment to its consumers, and is proactively responding to mitigate any risk to its customers. Motorola has confirmed that any refurbished units sold outside the time period in question were properly refurbished.

The information that may be accessible to the purchasers of the impacted refurbished tablets may include any information that the original user elected to store on the tablet. It is possible that users might have stored photographs and documents. They may have also stored user names and passwords for email and social media accounts, as well as other password-protected sites and applications.

Motorola is offering customers who purchased and then returned a Motorola XOOM Wi-Fi tablet to Amazon.com, Best Buy, BJ’s Wholesale, eBay, Office Max, Radio Shack, Sam’s Club, or Staples and a few other independent retailers between March and October 2011 a complimentary two-year membership of Experian’s ProtectMyID™ Alert to mitigate any risks. Original owners are advised to contact Experian at 1-866-926-9803 to sign up for the credit monitoring service. These original owners are also advised to take precautionary measures to protect their identity, such as changing their email and social media passwords. Original owners who performed a factory data reset prior to returning the device are not impacted.

In conjunction with today’s announcement, Motorola is also actively pursuing the return of the impacted refurbished units to ensure that the memory of each device is cleared. Customers who purchased a refurbished Motorola XOOM Wi-Fi tablet from Woot.com between October and December 2011 are encouraged to visit motorola.com/xoomreturn or to call Motorola Mobility Customer Support at 1-800-734-5870, select Option 1, in order to determine if their tablet is affected.

Motorola sincerely regrets and apologizes for any inconvenience this situation has caused the affected customers. Motorola is committed to rigorous data protection practices in order to protect its customers, and will continue to take the necessary steps to achieve this objective.

Idolian $99 IdolPad to Get Android 4.0 Shortly

Kristofer Brozio — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 16:30:23 +0000

So this is a press release about the Idolian IdolPad that costs $99 and how it’s getting Ice Cream Sandwich soon. I find that utterly amazing that it’s getting ICS already, why can’t the big companies like Samsung, Motorola and Toshiba and others give their customers ICS? Idolian is this little company but yet they can get ICS on their ‘lower end’ tablets. These tablets from Samsung and others are supposedly high end, but yet they don’t get updated to ICS and the reason usually is the hardware can’t handle it. Really?!?! How the hell can a $99 tablet handle ICS if a $600 one can’t? I know a lot of you think that a tablet has to have a brand name on it and has to cost a lot of money to be good, you balk at the idea of inexpensive tablets being any good. I own the Idolian TouchTab 10 and I love it, it’s just as good, if not better than the ones from big name companies. I’ve tried tablets from Samsung and Motorola, and the TouchTab 10 is just as good honestly. Just because it has a ‘big’ name on it doesn’t mean it’s the best as some people think. Eh.. whatever…

Idolian.com is pleased to announce IdolPad upgrades to Android 4.0. Idolian is a tablet PC manufacturer and distributor with its offices in Newport Beach, CA, Arkansas and South Korea. Idolian’s vision is to produce reliable Tablet PC, priced between $100-$299 that any individual or small business can afford.

IdolPad is one of the best selling 7" Touch Screen Tablet PCs in the market. With the price tag of less than $100,IdolPad comes with 7" Multi-Touch Resistive Screen, Fast 1Ghz Cortex 9, 512 MB and 4GB Flash Drive. IdolPad is the best tablet PC that customers can buy to get true Tablet PC experiences at less than quarter of the price of the Apple IPad. Many consumers are impressed with its superior quality and its low price. IdolPad is best selling Tablet PC for Idoilan.com.

IdolPad will be available to upgrade to newest Android 4.0 version by the end of May 2012 using the Firmware updates that will be provided on idolian.com. This upgrade can be performed on all IdolPad that was purchased.

"We are in a process of perfecting the Android 4.0 upgrades and we are very pleased with the fact that IdolPad will be one of the few tablets that runs on Android 4.0 for less than $100. IdolPad is the lowest priced Android Tablet PC that actually works like tablets. With the Android 4.0 update, IdolPad performance will be even better than now," says, the VP of Sales, Jay Kim.

Customers can download firmware updates from idolian.com to update their IdolPad when the Android 4.0 upgrade is available at end of May. Idolian is currently working on all other models upgrade to Android 4.0.

IdolPad is currently available to purchase from idolian.com and all the major online retailers such as Amazon and Sears.com. Thanks to its established retail distributions, Idolian tablet PCs will be widely available at cellular locations throughout the USA and South Korea in the near future.

All of Idolian’s Tablet PCs comes with a 1 year limited warranty that is serviced in the USA and offers extended warranties and protection plans for sale only on idolian.com.

About Idolian.com: Idolian.com is division of Idolian Mobile, Inc, Tablet PC manufacturer and FCC 214 licensed international telecommunication company that terminates calls throughout the world. Idolian Mobile Inc. is headquartered in Newport Beach, California and has two branch offices in Arkansas and Seoul Korea.

Like its slogan “Tablets for Everyone,” Idolian.com’s mission is to become a major brand for Android Tablet market that everyone can afford.

http://www.idolian.com/

‘Boost Your Memory’ App Now Free for iPhone & Android

Kristofer Brozio — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 12:50:08 +0000

Hey a free one for you, it’s been a while since I’ve posted any freebies, but today I have one for both Android and Apple users. The app is called Boost Your Memory and it’s a brain enhancing app to help improve your short and long term memory. Who know if it works, but for free I’d give it a try.

Creat Studios knows that memories are priceless, so beginning today, they are offering their new app, Boost Your Memory, for free on iPhone and Android devices; while the iPad version is now available for $0.99.

A great way to introduce yourself to Creat’s new ‘Test Yourself’ series of brain-enhancing apps, Boost Your Memory allows players to gauge their current abilities and then train to improve them. With training exercises and expert analysis, players will improve both short-term and long-term memory as they learn how the brain stores, retains and recalls information.

Developed and published by Creat Studios, Boost Your Memory is rated E for Everyone and is available now for free on iPhone and Android devices, and $0.99 on iPad.

Boost Your Memory iPad App Store Link: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/boost-your-memory-for-ipad/id479276723?mt=8

Boost Your Memory iPhone App Store Link: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/boost-your-memory-for-iphone/id488173866?mt=8

Boost Your Memory Android Market Link: http://www.amazon.com/CREAT-Studios-Boost-Your-Memory/dp/B006WSL48Q/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=mobile-apps&qid=1326931754&sr=1-2&tag=mobildiges-20

Elf Defense Hits the Appstore for iOS in HD

Kristofer Brozio — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 12:46:08 +0000

Woo-Hoo.. I didn’t have to get up at 5:30am today!! Got up at 7am instead, what a difference it makes too.. Anyway, here’s a new game announcement for you iOS users out there, it’s called Elf Defense and it’s yet another tower defense type of game but this one is with elves obviously. Price is $2.99 for all versions but the iPad is in HD so it’s better looking!

Elf Defense 1.0.1, a stunningly executed, brand new tower defense game from veteran developer JellyOasis, sets a new standard with exceptional graphics and game design.

The premise of the game, well-communicated in both the game’s narrative cut scenes and within the gameplay itself, is simple. The elf nation has been generous with their human neighbors, extending their magical skills and resources. But their generosity has only incited greed in their former allies. Now, the human army is committing an unforgivable intrusion—attacking the elves in their own settlements.

Players strategically position elven and mercenary forces along the path of assault in order to protect the elven castle. Each stage requires defeating a predetermined number of enemy waves, without allowing the fortress to be overcome. As the game progresses, greater complexity is introduced as players gain access to more combat unit types, special soldiers for higher, and items. The human forces and their allies grow more sophisticated in their attacks as well, creating balanced, satisfying pacing throughout the game.

Elf Defense faces stiff competition in the thriving tower defense genre, but JellyOasis has little to worry about. The unique character design and superb HD graphics set the game apart, and Elf Defense boasts charm that is not just skin deep. In addition to the unique block-like character design, the vibrant palette of colors, and charming, detailed animation, the game play itself is sure to build a loyal fan base.

Elf Defense is available now in the iTunes App Store, for $2.99. The game is compatible with iPhone, iPod Touch, and iPad (and the iPad does the graphics the greatest justice).

Features:

*Deploy a wide variety of units, each with their own special combat skills, to take down the enemy before they breach your walls!

*Over 100 enemy types make strategy a dynamic, evolving challenge

*Breathtakingly crisp graphics are put to good use with a gorgeous color palette and exceptional, unique character design

*Special items enhance tactics and provide players with the ability to tailor their strategy to suit their own playing style

*Adjustable difficulty makes Elf Defense fun for tower defense newbies and veterans alike

*Shop is packed with upgrades and items; players can purchase with in-game currency or buy additional currency

*GameCenter integration

*Gorgeous environments—Fairy Forest, Desolate Desert, Frozen Artic

*Collect formidable mercenary warriors to enhance your forces

Pricing and Availability:
Elf Defense 1.0.1 is now $2.99 USD (or equivalent amount in other currencies) and available worldwide exclusively through the App Store in the Games category.

iTunes Link: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/elf-defense-eng/id489783365?mt=8

Help Me Explain to Doug Why a Windows Kernel on Windows Phone 8 Is Epic

David K — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 05:53:33 +0000

Out of all of the things that came out of the leaked Joe Belfiore was this tidbit:

Windows Phone 8 won’t just share a UI with the next-generation desktop and tablet OS, apparently: it will use many of the same components as Windows 8, allowing developers to "reuse — by far — most of their code" when porting an app from desktop to phone, according to Belfiore. He specifically mentions the kernel, networking stacks, security, and multimedia support as areas of heavy overlap.

I’ve been emailing with Doug Smith about this and I don’t think he gets why I have to change my pants every time I read that sentence…but I know you get it, right?

Here’s some of what I wrote to Doug:

Think about it…one OS to rule them all. Expect Windows 8, Windows Phone 8 and Xbox 720 to all have the same kernel and be able to deploy apps across them all.

Every app that gets written for W8 will come to WP8. You can use the same app across all your screens. Not a similar app – just an app with a changed resolution but full features. Mind boggling

Android doesn’t make it on a PC. Apple has two OSes for Macs and Pads. MSFT is about to have such a light OS (which is a full client OS) that is now fully portable and the core can be dropped anywhere. We’ll be looking at 1.5ghz and above ‘phones’ that are optimized for phones but capable of doing everything. That makes the MS ecosystem something really special.

It wasn’t working so I took one last shot:

It may not mean a ton to you but this kernel thing is epic…I don’t mean that as a MS fanboy though. Last year I remember writing about how Apple had to merge iOS and OSX or allow them to work on both chipsets because it’s a huge shift from using one OS to another based on form factor compared to using one OS that’s modified for the experience. Take Photoshop for example – you will be able to run the full version of Photoshop on a tablet…FULL VERSION. OK and now you pick up your phone. They can give you as much of that same experience as they can fit on a small screen but from a capability perspective they can do 100% of the same things and it’s less about their code and more about UI. The capabilities of the OS are about to explode as the walls fall with this shift. MS can worry less about multitasking and the like because W8 already deals with this as part of their tablet push. Keep going and add peripherals – the same ones as your PC . And data syncs across all your devices (as do contacts, etc). It’s something we’ve never had before.

He’s not there yet. Probably because his iPhone’s screen is so small that he has iPhone thumb and can’t make it through all of my emails, but that’s a separate issue. Someone help Doug and the Doug’s around the world understand why the game just changed.