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Beeline's new bike computer lets you choose between fast, quiet or balanced routes
BeeLine has launched its second bike computer, the Velo 2, that keeps the spirit of the original while introducing a number of key new features.
BeeLine brings easy GPS navigation to your bike
It's easy to get navigation on your bike through dedicated GPS or a smartphone cradle, but that doesn't mean that navigation is easy. How are you supposed to pay attention to turn-by-turn directions when you're busy dodging potholes? BeeLine thinks it can help. It's crowdfunding a navigation device that purposefully simplifies your directions down to an arrow and the distance left to go -- it's like a compass that points only to your destination. You don't have to squint at the display to figure out where you're going, and there's no pressure to follow a specific path when you're content to take a leisurely route. The puck-like design is small enough to clip on to your keys (and thus less likely to be stolen), and its e-paper screen helps the battery last for a month's worth of riding.
Russian carrier Beeline drops the iPhone
Beeline, the third-largest mobile carrier in Russia, has dropped the iPhone from its lineup and will instead offer customers Samsung phones, according to Russian site Hi-Tech. Beeline is also the third Russian carrier to drop the iPhone, as PhoneArena notes: Now, Vimplecom and its Beeline brand, the last major Russian carrier that sold the iPhone, has cut its ties with Apple and will not renew the contract allowing it to sell iPhones. The country's two biggest carriers MTS and Megafon have quit selling iPhones earlier precisely because of Apple's harsh conditions. Though it's probably not in the best interests of Apple to have major mobile carriers drop their phone, the situation isn't a problem for Russian customers who want the device. The retail store chain Svyaznoy still sells the iPhone, and as of June, Apple has now launched its official online store in the country. Apple is also rumored to be launching retail stores in Russia as soon as this year.
Ghostbusters game from Capcom's Beeline available now
Capcom's Beeline Interactive has launched its freemium Ghostbusters game on the App Store for iPad, iPhone and iPod Touch.Unlike Beeline's Smurfs' Village and Snoopy Street Fair, which were similar town-management games, Ghostbusters is more of a tycoon game. Players build their Ghostbusters franchise up and out from the iconic firehouse headquarters.Players can either earn their way toward franchise expansion, or, you know, since this is a freemium game, an unmarked little envelope of cash under the virtual bathroom stall never hurt either.%Gallery-172733%
Ghostbusters mobile game in development by Capcom's Beeline
Capcom's Beeline Interactive is working on a freemium game for smartphones based on Ghostbusters. Beeline has found success with the similarly designed management games Smurfs' Village and Snoopy Street Fair, with this Ghostbusters game putting players "in the role of a fledgling Ghostbusters franchisee.""Given our ongoing relationship with them on Smurfs' Village, [Beeline] are the perfect partner to carry forward the success of Ghostbusters in the interactive space," said VP of Sony Pictures Consumer Products Mark Caplan.Beeline describes Ghostbusters more as a tycoon game, as players upgrade their proton packs and traps to take higher-paying jobs and upgrade the business. A Beeline rep tells us, "Ghostbusters is more about building out your Ghostbusters franchise and taking your squad on missions. Snoopy and Smurfs are really 'city' builders in comparison."%Gallery-172733%
Snoopy's Street Fair passes five million downloads
Capcom's mobile sub-brand, Beeline, announced today that Snoopy's Street Fair for iOS has surpassed five million downloads. The game follows the model established by Beeline's other mega-hit based on a beloved children's franchise: The Smurfs' Village. Both games are free-to-play management sims with in-app premium content.Smurfs' Village surpassed 15 million downloads last year, and was the top-grossing title on Apple's App Store in 69 countries during its glory days.
Capcom developing social games for Android, Smurfs' Village hits 15M downloads
Capcom has made so much smurfing money off Smurfs' Village for iOS that its Smurfville simulator will also become available on September 28 for Android. The publisher announced that the app has reached 15 million downloads, making it the top-grossing title on Apple's App Store in 69 countries. Smurfs' Village is the first Capcom social game, under its Beeline brand, to make the move to Android. The publisher is "committed" to developing more social games that will be available on both the iOS and Android platform going forward. Mo' smurfin' social games, mo' money.
Capcom forms Beeline mobile brand
Capcom has created its first publishing sub-brand, Beeline, to create social and freemium-based games for the mobile market. The parent company's forays into the space have seen success, with titles in the casual market like Smurfs' Village, Zombie Cafe and Lil' Pirates reaching 15 million downloads. Beeline is meant to keep up the publisher's buzz in the space, capitalizing on its success so far with "a brand and team focused on the mobile casual gamer." Worker bees will be humming along out of four hives set up in LA, Tokyo, Toronto and London. Beeline is expected to publish eight games by next April. As for targeting the "hardcore" mobile gamer, the publisher will continue to develop (and copy) such titles under the familiar "Capcom" name.
Russia's major mobile operators join hands for unified LTE rollout
Ringo and co. said it best, and now Beeline, Megafon, MTS and Rostelekom are getting a little help from their friends. Er, friend. Or maybe it's the other way around? At any rate, the first four have just signed a deal with Yota to build out a nationwide LTE network that'll work across the board. Rather than forcing each operator to do their own thing, the four in question will now have the option to buy 25 percent stakes in Yota; according to Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, this unified effort will enable Russia's economy to reap the benefits of a widespread 4G network while other nations (ahem, America) fight to see whether it'll be WiMAX or LTE taking the lead. If you'll recall, Yota was actually one of the first carriers on the planet to serve up commercial 4G, but last year it decided to make the switch from WiMAX to the suddenly popular LTE. The goal here is to have LTE in 180 cities with a total population of more than 70 million citizens by 2014, and we're told that those situated on Little Diomede may actually be the first to get LTE in Alaska. Kidding. Maybe.
