If you are an Angry Birds and Stars Wars fan, then chances are high that you were overwhelmed with excitement when Rovio signaled their intention to release an entire themed version of the smash-hit mobile game thanks to a deal with Lucas Entertainment. The Stars Wars version of the game has since landed on the iOS and Android platforms and continues where previous versions of the franchise left off, but the news is filtering through today that Rovio has brought their latest Angry Birds creation to another one billion people, with the immediate release of the game as a Facebook application.
Facebook has announced some big changes to mobile ads via a post on its its Developer Blog. The social network, which has made no secret of its desire to monetize the mobile market, has enlisted a sleuth of new options to both developers and users with regards to how advertisements interact with the audience. Those using Facebook for iOS 6 will be able to install apps straight from ads within the official app, and thanks to deep Facebook integration on the latest iteration of Apple's mobile OS, users won't even need to leave the app.
Apple and Samsung seem only to take a break from filing lawsuits against each other to - and this is rare - release a new gadget. However, the Korean company appears today to have taken the first steps to some form of mediation by dropping a series of patent infringement suits against its bitter rival in nations across Europe.
Vimeo is a great place of filming enthusiasts to showcase and share their creations, and one can easily get lost in the torrent of wonderful videos available for viewing on the site. With apps galore on most of today's common platforms, Vimeo has introduced an app for those on the Xbox 360. There are, however, one or two pesky little caveats - the main issue being that you will need to be a paid Xbox LIVE subscriber in order to enjoy the new Vimeo offering.
In its efforts to continue updating and improving iOS, Apple has just released iOS 6.0.2 exclusively for the iPhone 5 and iPad mini. Unlike other earlier versions of 6th-gen iOS, this one is tailored especially to the new iPhone 5 and iPad mini. More details after the break.
In the smartphone spectrum, Samsung has been the market-leader for a while now, but for the first time in fourteen years, the Korean company has piped rival Nokia to the summit of the overall cellphone market in 2012. As Samsung has continued to grow in the smartphone realm thanks to releases like the Galaxy S III and Galaxy Note II, the cellphone crown - held almost indefinitely by Nokia since the widespread use of mobile phones - has this year been snatched by Samsung.
The Samsung Galaxy S III takes pride of place as the biggest selling Android device this year, like the Galaxy S II did last year, and similarly to the manner in which we expect the Galaxy S IV to next year. With that said, it's quite an expensive gadget, and those with slightly less in the way of disposable cash will be looking for alternative products. The Galaxy S III Mini is a good option for those with expenditure constraints, but if your main attraction to the S III is its sheer size, you'll likely have overlooked the smaller alternative version. If you want a cheaper S III that doesn't compromise on the size, you'll be enthused to learn of the Samsung Galaxy Grand, which while less-powered than its flagship cousin, looks almost identical, and packs a healthy 5-inch display.
CyanogenMod 10.1 is really gaining traction, and in its quest to bring Android 4.2 to as many Android-based devices as possible, has now made nightlies available to the Galaxy S and Galaxy S III. Great news for those in ownership of either Samsung device it most certainly is, although it's important to note that the nightly builds only cover the AT&T and T-Mobile variants of the S III.
Amazon's Kindle and Kindle Fire range of devices have sold in the millions, and natural progression suggests a branded smartphone to be something of an inevitability. Tying in with various rumors in recent times, it would appear Amazon's first handset may already be in production, with reports touting a release during the midpoint of next year.
Although some say that Apple’s home-brewed Maps app was rushed out and should never have passed through testing, the Cupertino based company should be applauded for holding their hands up, admitting their mistakes and doing what is necessary to put the software right for the millions of users around the world. If the recent Wall Street Journal report is to be believed, then it looks like part of that rectification process could hinge on striking a deal with Foursquare to include the company's extensive mapping data in the Maps app.
