Articles by Jonathan Charles
Zombie Playground Kickstarter: Zombies, With Kids
Kickstarter projects aren't always the runaway success that Tim Schafer and Double Fine had with the Double Fine Adventure adventure, which raised over $2 million. So introducing a Kickstarter means something different has to be done to win over the consumers, and Zombie Playground seems perfectly placed to do that by offering a different take to the over-saturated zombie genre.
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Samsung Galaxy S3 or Windows Phone 8? Reality Versus Potential
The launch of the Samsung Galaxy S3 on June 21 means many are wondering whether the phone should be bought. It's definitely a competitive phone, and one of the best Android devices, but with Windows Phone 8 revealed, is it worth waiting for Microsoft's next major version of its mobile OS?
Flipboard for Android Launches: What You Need to Know
Flipboard, the app which allows important information from around the Web to be brought together in a single magazine-esque interface, has released on Android after launching on iOS in 2010. New features include integration with Google Plus. So here’s the need-to-know information.
Buffalo MiniStation Thunderbolt: Modern, Expensive Hardware
Thunderbolt is still the cutting edge of connectivity, but hasn’t widely replaced USB. So combining the technology with USB 2.0/3.0 may be a better solution, and that’s what the Buffalo MiniStation does.
Twitter: Downtime Caused by Worldwide Bug
Twitter’s downtime June 21, at around 9AM PDT, was due to a bug that affected multiple parts of the service and consequently had a worldwide impact. The company has since apologized, adding the service is almost consistently online.
Microsoft Surface: What Price Can We Expect?
On Monday, June 18, Microsoft was frustratingly vague on when and for what price its Surface tablets would launch. Naturally speculation has followed. So what can fans expect to pay for the Windows 8 tablet?
Drobo Drives Bring Portable Hard Drives, 2-3GB Per Second Transfer Speed
The Drobo Mini and Drobo 5D portable storage drives are external storage … cases, which allow external storage drives to be loaded inside. The drives don’t come cheap, but offer fast data transfer is an attractive form factor.
Surface Announcement Not Revealed to Some OEMs: Why?
When Microsoft unveiled Surface on Monday, June 18, CEO Steve Ballmer said that its larger OEMs had been informed beforehand. That’s not true according to some OEMs, so why would Microsoft remain coy on Surface’s details?
Windows Phone 8 Announcement: Top 5 Features We Like
Microsoft officially unveiled Windows Phone 8 to the world Wednesday, June 20, which represents the next generation of hardware and software to the platform. Before the announcement, Mobile & Apps posted its predictions; from the announcement, here's the features we liked.
Tumblr 3.0: What You Need to Know
Tumblr, the popular micro-sharing service, has issued a major update to its iOS app that includes support for high resolution photos and Spotify integration. How does the update work in practice?
Samsung Galaxy S3 Versus iPhone 4S: Did Samsung Beat Apple?
Reviews are coming in for the Samsung Galaxy S3, the company’s latest flagship Android smartphone and the follow-up of the successful Galaxy S2. As direct competition to the iPhone 4S, has Samsung finally managed to deliver a better phone than the Siri-infused 4S?
ClamBook Emulates Mobile Operating Systems on Laptops: iOS, Android Go Full Screen
Smartphones are great for providing mobile information, but for extended productivity sessions the small form factor means a desktop or laptop is more useful. One accessory aims to rectify that problem by emulating smartphones on a laptop, the ClamBook.
Facebook Developers Can Set Virtual Currency Prices: Is Free-to-Play Now More Accessible?
Facebook has announced a series of changes for its developers that seem to be aimed at giving developers more control over prices set in-game, and consequently appeal to users more specifically. Facebook is retaining its share of takings, but will the changes mean free-to-play games are going to become more approachable?
iOS Maps vs Google Maps: Should Apple Have Kept Google’s Service?
The unveiling of Apple Maps for iOS 6 was anticipated, but was met with cautious optimism by many. The reason for that is because, even if Google Maps didn't render cities in full 3D, the directions were incredibly widespread and reliable and therefore ditching the services means Apple has to at least have parity with Google Maps.
Microsoft Surface vs New iPad: Is Microsoft’s New Tablet the iPad Killer?
Microsoft’s unveiling of its Surface tablets was to set the standard for OEMs building devices for Windows 8, as Microsoft saw the Surface as an innovative tablet. The new iPad is the market leader, so how does Surface compare?
Windows Phone June 20 Summit: Top 5 Features We Would Like to See
On Wednesday, June 20, Microsoft will be unveiling Windows Phone 8 to the world officially. Some features, such as Skype integration, have been leaked but most are unknown.
Microsoft ‘Surface’ Tablet Debuts: Top 5 Features We Like
At the mystery LA-based conference Microsoft unveiled two tablets called "Surface" (and not the ill-fated Courier). Surface is a 10-inch tablet that comes in two versions, for Windows Pro and Windows RT, and here are the best bits of the device.
iOS 6 ‘Auto Layout’ Feature Hints 4-Inch iPhone 5, UI Refresh
Of the many features unveiled in iOS 6, one wasn’t how the new mobile OS will work on the iPhone 5. That’s probably because Apple will have a dedicated event for the device, though more evidence suggests the smartphone will launch with a bigger screen.
Samsung Galaxy S3: Reasons Why Flagship Android Smartphone Can Succeed
With just three days to go before Galaxy S3 hits the U.S. market, it looks like Samsung is heading for another success story with its latest smartphone.
Microsoft Surface Tablets Get Touch, Type Covers: Why Typing Could be Reinvented
Along with the unveiling of its two “Surface” tablets, Microsoft also announced a duo of accessories: the Touch Cover and Type Cover. Ultra thin, the covers offer detachable keyboards and trackpads.
Facebook $100 Million Face.com Acquisition: Top Reasons Why
Facebook has announced the acquisition of Face.com, the face recognition start-up based in Israel. Why the social network giant has acquired the company is not known, but here are some possible reasons.
Kids Demanding More Accessories for School: Is Studying on Apple's iPad the Future?
The cost of going to college is expensive, without the added factors of food and essential school material that colleges request (particularly true for longer courses, such as Medicine). The cost of the latter, and the increasing amount of products, is reportedly increasing the cost burden on parents and raises the question if the iPad - and similar mobile devices - are the way forward.
iOS 6 Features: ‘Maps’ Without Transit Directions, Apple Places Risky Bet on Google Maps Alternative
Despite wowing WWDC attendees with its 3D "Flyover" mode for Apple Maps, the tech giant's alternative for Google Maps, some critics questioned whether building a first-party mapping application was wise, considering Google is largely the go-to solution. A feature missing from Maps, transit directions, has caused petitions and numerous Web sites to criticize Apple.
Samsung Galaxy S3 June 21 Launch: Carriers Compared, Amazon Cheapest Around
The Samsung Galaxy S3 is, finally, launching after Apple tried to block the phone but failed due to the judge’s hectic schedule. The phone is highly anticipated, so what are the carriers’ offerings with Samsung’s flagship Android smartphone?
Mozilla Talk Product Design, ‘Junior’ iOS Browser Announced
Mozilla presented its strategy to reclaim its position at the world’s number one mobile browser, with rivals such as Google Chrome and even Internet Explorer 9 offering greater performance and a bigger install base. One of the features included is the long-requested mobile iOS browser; the company currently offers Firefox Home on Android, but that’s for syncing bookmarks rather than being a full-featured browser.
Microsoft June 18 Keynote: How an Xbox-Based Tablet Can Succeed
Microsoft's June 18 keynote, which begins 3:30PM PDT, isn't specifying what's going to be announced but many have speculated - and heard - the company will be unveiling a first-party tablet. The move may be a surprise to some, but Microsoft has the right ingredients to build an iPad rival.
iOS 6 Features: ‘Government Alerts,’ Emergency Weather Notifications
Of the many features in iOS 6, one that received little attention was “Government Alerts” (probably because Apple didn’t discuss the feature at its WWDC keynote on June 11). Alerts bring Wireless Emergency Alerts to all iOS 6-enabled devices, allowing users to receive notifications on imminent dangerous weather.
