Is iOS Saving Video Games?

Remember those days when you just couldn't beat your video games? Struggling for hours and hours to get past that one level, or boss? Games like Pac-man or Space Invaders that became impossibly difficult for ''casual'' gamers?

Well, if you have played games more recently you may have noticed that there is next to no challenge and somebody with very little experience will glide through the entire game in a day or two only to feel you have wasted your money and haven't got as much enjoyment from game you first expected!

However, Have a quick browse through the app store and you will be treated to a vast amount of games that will not only challenge your gaming ability, but will hold your interest for long enough to complete them (as we all hate having that game hanging around we just cannot beat!). For example: Angry Birds, a favourite to everyone and their grandmother! It has a strategic (and luck) style of game-play with a ''castle smasher'' genre.

Or maybe Plants vs Zombies (a personal favourite of mine) which is almost like the old playground game "british bulldog" but offers hours of fun and strategic game-play.

All in all I believe that iOS and the app store is pretty much saving and making up the much needed gaps for the game industry as a whole, offering a lot more bang for your buck than many full priced console games (lacking some aspects obviously).

Feel free to comment your opinion on the subject or put forward some of your favourite downloadable games, for iOS or other service.

Feel free to check out my Youtube channel for more game and tech info! youtube

What I Want To See In iPad 2

Back in January 2010, Apple revealed the iPad. The world seemed to be divided by this ‘marmite’ product. Some saying it would 'revolutionise computing' and others classing it as nothing more than a 'big iPod touch'. Which one is the best description still seems to be majorly undecided. But what’s for sure, no matter on their opinions, everybody was (and still is) talking about the iPad. Apple did a fantastic job of marketing this product. It was essential to get across what it does, why it’s needed and how revolutionary it is. Otherwise people would quickly consider it the latter of the two descriptions.

I know many people who have been lucky enough to receive an iPad this Christmas. But, as all Apple users are guaranteed to experience, get ready for that heart crushing feeling of being outdated. The new iPad is on its way.

In reference to the title of this post: ponies, sunshine, unicorns and a money-printing slot. But, maybe we should be realistic? I use this example to draw your attention to a popular rumour:

“The 2nd generation iPad will have a retina display.”

Everywhere you will look online people are saying that the amazingly high-resolution display, first seen in the iPhone 4, will make its way to the iPad.

So, what is a a retina display? Basically, it’s a display so sharp that you can’t differentiate between the individual pixels. Apple has determined this to be in the ballpark of 300 PPI (Pixels Per Inch). Just to be safe, Apple included a 326PPI screen in the iPhone 4. Now, I don’t have the dimensions of the iPad’s 9.7″ screen on me. But, if it were to have a ‘retina display’, its resolution would be a whopping 2560×1920. Now, don’t worry if you have no idea what this means! Let me explain. I’m sure you’ve all heard of the wonders of ‘high definition’, HD for short. Well, the resolution (number of pixels in each way) of a full HD video, picture or game is 1920×1080. Compare that to the iPad’s would-be retina display (clocked at 2560×1920) and you get the picture (pardon the pun). This would bring about numerous problems for the tiny sub-10″ display (especially regarding rendering of images, videos and games), all of which would accumulate to a HUGELY increased cost. So, in short, I don’t think we’ll be seeing a retina display in the iPad any time soon.

What can we expect to see? Moreover, what do I want to see?

Internal Boost

Sure, the current iPad packs a pretty hefty punch. But, apps like DJay are already maxing out its measly 256 MB of RAM. I’d definitely like to see at least 512 MB to match the iPhone 4. I can’t really see 1 GB being an addition, but we never know! Also, there are some talks of an upgraded processor. Up to a 1.5GHZ model, perhaps (but unlikely) a dual core A4 chip? Although I want to see more processing power, it won’t be a dealbreaker if it’s not included. But, increased RAM is a must-have.

Camera(s)

Simple: front facing for video calls, yes. Rear facing for regular photos/videos, not so much. Apple don’t really like to just throw things in the mix for the sake of it. Remember when the conversation of touch-screen Macs came up at their last keynote? (No? Just me?) Well, Steve Jobs simply said, referring to reaching out and touching the screen:

We’ve done tons of user testing on this, and it turns out it doesn’t work. Touch surfaces don’t want to be vertical.

He goes on to say that it’s uncomfortable to use and reiterates how dysfunctional it is. For the same reason, I can’t see a rear camera making an appearance in iPad 2.

Better, Higher-Resolution Screen

“But, Kiran, you said the iPad wouldn’t get one of those ‘retina’ things” (That’s you. No offence).

Retina display, no. But, who’s to say Apple won’t bump it up a bit? It’d be great to see an improved display (although, it’s pretty decent now). I’m not expecting anything too mad, it’d just be nice to see (another pun? Really?).

Something to stop those fingerprints!

I can honestly say, I have never, ever seen an iPad (in person) that’s not covered in fingerprints! Apple could really do themselves a favour by putting an oleophobic coating (first seen on the iPhone 3GS to help prevent fingerprints) on the new model.

More of Apple’s Apps

Right now, Apple ships the iPad with a pretty decent set of apps; but, I want more! I’d love to see an iPhoto, iMovie and maybe even an Xcode version for iPad. I’m sure there are 3rd party alternatives, but, few people can rival Apple’s finesse when it comes to apps (and yet have to in the areas above).

… And that’s that

That brings this blog post to an end. These aren’t ‘predictions’ as such, simply things I’d like to see that have been rumoured. Whatever is announced, I hope we’re not disappointed! If I think of anything else before it’s released, I’ll let y’all know (either by updating this blog post, or, if it warrants it, by writing a new post).

Thanks for reading. If you like my posts, be sure to check out my personal blog.

The Incident for Mac

Yesterday, the Mac App Store finally hit the user reach and it is flourishing. There have been over a million application downloads in the first 24 hours according to Apple. Today, I'd like to give you a look at one of the apps in the store. This is The Incident.

The Incident is a fast paced, retro style game that is very fun to play. Originally developed for iOS it has come to the Mac with the Mac App Store. The theme is to avoid falling objects as the travel down the screen by using the arrow keys and spacebar. You have seven levels to beat and then you find out what is causing the objects to fall. The graphics are downright superb, the amount of work is really shown with the amount of pixels showing. The Incident is selling for $2.99 in the Mac App Store.  

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My Top 5 iPad Applications of 2010

With the year of 2010 closing its curtain to get ready for 2011, I thought I would share my top 5 iPad applications for the year. The iPad also runs a similar operating system to the iPhone but it is specially made for its form factor. It is one of the most revolutionary devices that has been introduced this year as it is the first of its kind. I have previously posted my top 5 iPhone applications for 2010 and if you are interested please check it out here. 

5. Weather HD

Weather HD is one of the essential applications to have on the iPad since it does not come with any weather applications out of the box. This application feature beautiful sceneries in conjunction with the weather on the places that users have selected. 

4. Twitter for iPad

This one is a must. Twitter for iPad is a very simple application for all of your Twitter needs. This application uses screen real estate quite well and my favourite feature is that you can continue browsing through all the tweets when you have tapped on a link. This application is available for free on the app store. 

3. Scrabble

Scrabble is one or if not the best word game. Scrabble for iPad is currently on sale (as at 22/12/10) and it is worth purchasing as it will also allow  multiplayer game sessions, weather it would be "pass n' play" or party play. There is a companion application available on the app store that makes your iPhone to be the tile rack of the letters and it connects to the iPad via Bluetooth.

2. Goodreader

The iPad would be incomplete without this application. Goodreader basically allows people to open and download documents (e.g. Word, PowerPoint, Excel) so that it would also be available for offline viewing. This is one of the essential applications that needs to be installed right now on your iPad if it has not been installed already. 

1. Remote

This is my favourite application installed on the iPad. Remote for the iPhone has been available since 2009. However, with the launch of the iPad, Apple has decided to update this application to be also optimised for the iPad a few months later. This application is a godsend as it will allow people to control their iTunes library on their computer or even control the Apple TV! Better yet the interface of this application is very similar to iTunes on the computer whether you are controlling the Apple TV or the iTunes library on the computer. Download this now!

So that is my top 5 iPad applications of 2010. What are your top 5 iPad applications? is it similar to mine or is it something completely different? Please comment on this post to share your top applications for the iPad. Happy holidays! 

iOS 4.2 Available Today

Apple announced on their website today that iOS 4.2 will be released for all modern iOS devices (iPod 2nd, 3rd, 

Update on Nov 22, 2010 at 1:18 PM by David DiFranco

The update is now going live. Simply plug your iOS in to your computer and wait for the update option appears or hit the "Check for Update" button to update. The update is 624.3MB.