There could be multiple reasons why a person would want to purchase an Android powered tablet or smartphone and then go to the lengths of using a handheld gaming controller to interact with the on-screen content. Personally speaking, I could easily imagine that Jetpack Joyride would be exhilarating if touching the display was kicked out of the equation. Whatever the reason behind wanting to introduce a gaming controller, it is now possible to get an Xbox 360 wireless controller up and running with the fantastic Nexus 7 tablet.
Google services and the Android mobile platform are in tune with one another, and as you might expect, the system does an extremely good job at pulling in information from any associated Google account and making that information available throughout system. Nothing is as easy as it should be with all Android devices, and in some instances manufacturers go solo with their bundled software, often overwriting native Google apps or burying certain frequently used apps in layers of settings. For those who want the official Google Calendar experience, it is now available to download on the Play Store.
The fabulous Samsung Galaxy S III doesn't need any introduction in the mobile world and is generally regarded as being not only the best Android handset on the market but also the best piece of hardware that the world's largest smartphone vendor has ever produced. The device has been on the market for the better part of four months now and it's fair to say that it has managed to keep all Android lovers extremely happy. Those who are coming to the end of a minimum-term on their contract with their carrier or have just been waiting for to see what's around the corner might want to take interest as Amazon is offering the Galaxy S III for as little as $99.00.
When talking about modern-day, handheld casual gaming, few can claim the kind of success as Rovio's Angry Birds, and what started out as one very simple, very addictive title, has turned into a billion dollar franchise spanning everything from phone cases, audio equipment, plush toys and more. Only recently, Angry Birds Space joined the party as the forth title in a series which has branched beyond mobile onto almost every platform imaginable, and now, Angry Birds Star Wars is almost upon us.
"FIFA Friday," as it is unofficially dubbed, has been and gone for this year, and FIFA Soccer 13 has already sold in the millions for Xbox, PlayStation, and iOS. It may be the most popular on the market, but it's certainly not the only soccer simulator one can purchase, and the Real Soccer series does have its fair share of admirers.
I'm not sure whether it's down to the fast-moving nature of technology, or our insatiable requirement as tech enthusiasts to be presented as something new, but whenever a new product - hardware or software - hits the market, it seems no sooner do we become acquainted with our new bit of kit than we look ahead to what's coming up next. Thus, with Android Jelly Bean 4.1.2 having begun trickling out to the Samsung-manufactured Galaxy Nexus among others, it's only fair we turn our attentions to the upcoming dose of Android - 4.2 - right?
Mobile gaming has evolved in leaps and bounds over the past five or so years, and although our smartphones and tablets now offer vast libraries of titles on a scale surpassing any other platform, the likes of iOS and Android still struggle to shake off the "casual" gaming tag thanks to the high volumes of simple-yet-addictive pick-up, put-down offerings.
Quite a few months ago, we learned Google could be plotting to release a bunch of Nexus branded devices this fall (as many as five), and the way rumors and speculation have been flying around with regards to a number of would-be Nexus OEMs, that forecast is looking more and more on the money. Sony is the latest company to join the rumor mill, and its supposed "Nexus X" device has now allegedly been spotted in the wild.
Although a lot of developers are yet to accept it, it isn't a coincidence that the most popular and well-received apps for mobile devices are ones that look great and are simple and intuitive to use. Smartphones and tablets generally provide a limited landscape and usage area, and it is important that the user-interface lends itself well to the functionality of the app to provide a great experience for the user. After all, they are the ones who matter most. The HoloNotes note-taking app for Android-powered devices is one such example on Google's mobile platform that definitely ticks those boxes.
Whenever a friend asks me to recommend them a smartphone, one of the first questions I ask is if they’re a fan and a regular user of Google’s services and products – Gmail, Google Maps, YouTube, Chrome etc. If they are, I point them towards an Android smartphone like the Galaxy S III or Galaxy Nexus. This is because the apps for these services work best on Android.
